Electronic tag and position information communication system

Abstract

To obtain an electronic tag and a position information communication system that can communicate position information without the use of portable terminals such as smartphones or tablet terminals.SOLUTION: The electronic tag comprises an operation unit, a positioning unit that measures the current position, and a communication unit that transmits a first signal according to the operation details to the operation unit and a second signal indicating the measured current position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic tag carried by a user and a location information communication system equipped with the electronic tag. [Background technology]

[0002] A support system has been proposed in the past in which a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone or tablet terminal having a display, reports the completion of evacuation to a support device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the support system described in Patent Document 1, the mobile terminal acquires its own location information and transmits the acquired location information to the support device, and the support device confirms the completion of evacuation based on the location information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-194853 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The support system disclosed in Patent Document 1 can assist users in confirming evacuation routes. However, portable information devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals are often prohibited from being brought into research laboratories or product development departments, for example, from the perspective of information management. Also, in the food service industry or in factories, for example, it is difficult to work while carrying a portable terminal, so many people do not carry a portable terminal. Furthermore, people do not always carry a portable terminal, and often do not carry a portable terminal when, for example, they are temporarily moving. For this reason, a system that does not require a portable terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal has been desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an electronic tag and a location information communication system that can communicate location information without using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The electronic tag of the present invention comprises an operation unit, a positioning unit that measures the current location, and a communication unit that transmits a first signal corresponding to the operation content on the operation unit and a second signal that indicates the measured current location.

[0007] The location information communication system of the present invention comprises the electronic tag and a control means for receiving the first signal and the second signal transmitted from the electronic tag and generating display data for displaying the current location on a map. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, location information can be communicated without using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a location information communication system 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a functional block diagram of an electronic tag 10 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control means 20 according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a task table 222 according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation of the location information communication system 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of display data according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a task table 222 according to a first modification of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention includes all possible combinations of the configurations shown in the following embodiments. Furthermore, the device shown in the drawings is an example of the device of the present invention, and the device of the present invention is not limited to the device shown in the drawings. Furthermore, in each drawing, parts with the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and this is common throughout the entire specification.

[0011] Embodiment (System Configuration) 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a location information communication system 100 according to an embodiment. The location information communication system 100 of this embodiment includes one or more electronic tags 10 and a control means 20. The location information communication system 100 of this embodiment further includes a display device 30, and the electronic tags 10, the control means 20, and the display device 30 are communicatively connected via a network N.

[0012] In the position information communication system 100 of this embodiment, the electronic tag 10 is carried by a person in, for example, a school, an office building, a factory, a lodging facility, a commercial building, etc. The control means 20 acquires the position information transmitted from the electronic tag 10 and information related to operations on the electronic tag 10, and displays the acquired information on the display device 30. Furthermore, when the information acquired from the electronic tag 10 satisfies a predetermined control condition, the control means 20 executes a task corresponding to the control condition.

[0013] The electronic tag 10 has a housing 11 and an operation unit 12 provided on the housing 11. The electronic tag 10 is, for example, a few centimeters square, and is carried by each user. The electronic tag 10 is not provided with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display. In this embodiment, one operation unit 12 is provided so as to be exposed on the surface of the housing 11.

[0014] The display device 30 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or electronic paper capable of displaying graphics, or a personal computer, smartphone, tablet computer, mobile phone, wearable device, etc. equipped with such a display device. The display device 30 may be connected to the control means 20 by wire.

[0015] (Configuration of electronic tags) FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an electronic tag 10 according to an embodiment. The electronic tag 10 includes an operation unit 12, a control unit 13, a positioning unit 14, a communication unit 15, an impact sensor 16, and a power generation unit 17. The devices that realize the functional units shown in FIG. 2 are housed in a housing 11 (see FIG. 1). The electronic tag 10 preferably has a waterproof performance of IPX7 or IPX8, which allows the electronic tag 10 to be used in workplaces where water is handled. The electronic tag 10 also preferably has a dustproof performance, which allows the electronic tag 10 to be used in powder factories, for example.

[0016] The operation unit 12 is configured with a single push button or a touch sensor. If the operation unit 12 is a touch sensor, it may be provided with a fingerprint authentication function for individually identifying users. The operation unit 12 outputs a signal corresponding to an operation, such as a short press or a long press, to the control unit 13. Furthermore, when short presses are performed consecutively on the operation unit 12, a signal corresponding to the number of operations is output to the control unit 13. In the location information communication system 100 of this embodiment, the operation content and its meaning are associated with each other, such as pressing the operation unit 12 twice to complete evacuation, pressing it three times to make an emergency call to the administrator, and pressing it long to make an emergency call to the fire department. The association between the operation content of the operation unit 12 and its meaning can be set in the location information communication system 100, and a specific operation content can also be associated with a meaning such as equipment abnormality, discovery of a suspicious object, or discovery of a suspicious person.

[0017] The control unit 13 transmits signals based on inputs from the operation unit 12, the positioning unit 14, and the shock sensor 16 to the control means 20 (see FIG. 1) via the communication unit 15. Specifically, the control unit 13 causes the communication unit 15 to transmit signals corresponding to the operation content of the operation unit 12, i.e., whether it is a short press or a long press, and the number of consecutive operations, to the control means 20. The signals corresponding to the operation content of the operation unit 12 are collectively referred to as a first signal. The control unit 13 also causes the communication unit 15 to transmit a signal indicating the current position measured by the positioning unit 14 as a second signal to the control means 20. The control unit 13 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated circuit.

[0018] The positioning unit 14 measures its own location. The positioning unit 14 measures indoor locations and may also have a function for measuring outdoor locations. When measuring indoor locations, the positioning unit 14 can use the radio wave strength of a wireless LAN access point installed in the building, radio waves emitted by a beacon installed in the building, latitude, longitude, and floor information from a dedicated transmitter, or visible light communication from an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light. When measuring outdoor locations, the positioning unit 14 can use, for example, radio waves from a GPS (Global Positioning System). The positioning unit 14 may also be equipped with a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor, and the positioning unit 14 may estimate the direction of movement of the electronic tag 10 based on the detection results of these sensors to complement the current location obtained by the above-mentioned technology.

[0019] The communication unit 15 is a communication circuit that outputs a signal in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The communication unit 15 transmits information input from the control unit 13 as a wireless signal to the control means 20. Each electronic tag 10 is provided with an ID for individual identification, and the communication unit 15 may transmit a wireless signal including the ID.

[0020] The impact sensor 16 is a sensor that measures the magnitude of an impact on the electronic tag 10. The impact sensor 16 includes one or more of an acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor, and a strain sensor. The acceleration sensor measures the magnitude of an impact when the electronic tag 10 collides with something by detecting the acceleration of the electronic tag 10. The pressure sensor measures the magnitude of an impact when the electronic tag 10 collides with something by detecting the pressure applied to the electronic tag 10. The strain sensor measures the magnitude of an impact when the electronic tag 10 collides with something by detecting the distortion of the electronic tag 10.

[0021] The power generation unit 17 supplies the generated electricity to one or more of the operation unit 12, the control unit 13, the positioning unit 14, the communication unit 15, and the shock sensor 16. The power generation unit 17 includes, for example, a thermoelectric element that converts heat such as sunlight or body heat into electricity. If the electronic tag 10 does not include the power generation unit 17, the electronic tag 10 includes a battery (not shown) that supplies power to each unit.

[0022] As described above, the electronic tag 10 has a single operation unit 12 as an operation input unit, but does not have any information input interfaces or devices such as a camera, microphone, or information input terminal. Therefore, it can be brought into places with strict information management restrictions, such as laboratories or product development departments. Furthermore, the housing 11 of the electronic tag 10 only needs to be large enough to accommodate the single operation unit 12, so it can be several centimeters square. Therefore, the electronic tag 10 is easier to carry than, for example, a smartphone or tablet terminal, and is less likely to get in the way when carried around at work or in daily life.

[0023] (Configuration of control means) 3 is a functional block diagram of control means 20 according to an embodiment. Control means 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display data generation unit 23, a task execution unit 25, and a display output unit 24. Each functional unit constituting control means 20 may be realized by a single computer device equipped with a CPU that executes a program stored in memory, or may be realized by multiple computer devices or a cloud server.

[0024] The communication unit 21 includes a communication interface circuit for wirelessly communicating with the electronic tag 10 using a predetermined protocol via the network N. The communication unit 21 inputs the first signal and the second signal transmitted from the electronic tag 10 to the display data generation unit 23 and the task execution unit 25.

[0025] The storage unit 22 stores map data 221 and a task table 222. The storage unit 22 is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM, or an external storage medium such as a memory card, or a combination thereof.

[0026] The map data 221 is data of a map used when displaying the current position of the electronic tag 10. The map data 221 is acquired from, for example, an external server or a storage medium (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 22.

[0027] The task table 222 is a table that associates control conditions with tasks that the control means 20 executes when the control conditions are satisfied. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the task table 222 according to an embodiment. The control conditions illustrated in FIG. 4 are combinations of the operation content of the operation unit 12 transmitted from the electronic tag 10 as a first signal and the current location of the electronic tag 10 transmitted as a second signal. In this embodiment, when the operation unit 12 is pressed once, the task is not executed regardless of the current location. This is in consideration of the possibility of an erroneous operation of the operation unit 12. When the operation unit 12 is pressed twice and the current location acquired from the electronic tag 10 is within an evacuation site, an evacuation completion report is sent to a predetermined destination by email or a dedicated application. When the operation unit 12 is pressed three times and the current location of the electronic tag 10 is within an evacuation site, an emergency call is sent to an external device, such as a smartphone used by the administrator, to a predetermined destination by email or a dedicated application. Furthermore, when the operation unit 12 is pressed and held down and the current location of the electronic tag 10 is within an evacuation shelter, an emergency call is made to the fire department using a reporting system or the like. The control condition may also include only the operation content. For example, when a specific operation is performed on the operation unit 12, the task may be set to be executed regardless of the current location of the electronic tag 10.

[0028] The display data generation unit 23 generates display data to be displayed on the display device 30, using the map data 221 and information on the first and second signals from the electronic tag 10 acquired via the communication unit 21. The display data generation unit 23 extracts a map including the current position of the electronic tag 10 from the map data 221, and generates data that displays the current position of the electronic tag 10 on the extracted map using predetermined symbols such as characters or figures. The display data generation unit 23 may also generate display data using different symbols depending on the operation content of the electronic tag 10. The generated display data is input to the display output unit 24.

[0029] The display output unit 24 includes an interface circuit that outputs the display data generated by the display data generation unit 23 to the display device 30. When the display device 30 is a display connected to the control means 20 by a wired cable, the display output unit 24 is a video output port. When the display device 30 is a terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone, the display output unit 24 is a communication circuit that transmits the display data to the terminal.

[0030] When the task execution unit 25 acquires the operation details and current position of the electronic tag 10 via the communication unit 21, it refers to the task table 222 to determine whether or not these satisfy the control conditions, and if they do, executes the specified task. The task execution unit 25 pre-stores position information relating to a predetermined area to determine whether or not the current position of the electronic tag 10 is in a predetermined area (an evacuation site in the example of FIG. 4), and compares the position information with the current position of the electronic tag 10 to determine whether or not the control conditions are satisfied.

[0031] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the position information communication system 100 according to the embodiment. When an operation is performed on the operation unit 12 of the electronic tag 10 (step S1), the positioning unit 14 measures the current location (step S2). Subsequently, the communication unit 15 transmits a first signal according to the operation content and a second signal indicating the current location together with an ID unique to the device (step S3). Note that the positioning unit 14 may periodically measure the current location and transmit the most recently measured current location as the second signal in step S3, rather than measuring the current location after the operation unit 12 is operated.

[0032] Upon receiving the first and second signals, the control means 20 generates display data in the display data generation unit 23 and outputs the generated display data to the display device 30 via the display output unit 24 (step S4). The display device 30 displays the acquired display data (step S5).

[0033] Furthermore, the control means 20 determines in the task execution unit 25 whether the operation content and the current position indicated by the first signal and the second signal satisfy the control conditions (step S6), and if they do (step S6: YES), executes the task according to the task table 222 (step S7). If the control conditions are not satisfied (step S6: NO), the process ends. Note that the processes of steps S4 and S6 of the control means 20 may be executed in reverse order or in parallel.

[0034] As described above, the electronic tag 10 of this embodiment includes an operation unit 12, a positioning unit 14 that measures the current location, and a communication unit 15 that transmits a first signal corresponding to the operation performed on the operation unit 12 and a second signal indicating the measured current location. A person carrying the electronic tag 10 can transmit the current location to another device simply by operating the operation unit 12. Unlike information devices such as smartphones, the electronic tag 10 can be carried in places with strict information management, and its small size makes it easy for users to carry around on a daily basis. Therefore, the electronic tag 10 can be effectively used to communicate location information in emergencies, etc.

[0035] The electronic tag 10 may transmit its current location to the control means 20 when the impact sensor 16 detects an impact of a magnitude equal to or greater than a threshold. Specifically, with reference to Fig. 5, when the impact sensor 16 detects an impact of a magnitude equal to or greater than a threshold in step S1, the positioning unit 14 measures the current location in step S2, and transmits a second signal indicating the current location and a third signal indicating the magnitude of the impact in step S3. In step S4, the display data generation unit 23 of the control means 20 generates display data, and the display output unit 24 outputs the generated display data to the display device 30. In step S5, the display device 30 displays the acquired display data.

[0036] When an impact equal to or greater than the threshold is detected on the electronic tag 10, it is possible that the carrier has fallen or been hit by a vehicle or object, etc. Therefore, when an impact equal to or greater than the threshold is detected on the electronic tag 10, the current location is notified to the control means 20, allowing the administrator of the control means 20 to confirm the carrier of the electronic tag 10, etc.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows an example of display data according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates a display mode on the display device 30, taking as an example a case where the electronic tag 10 is used for information sharing for evacuation reports and notifications during a disaster or the like. The display data includes a map 40 and symbols 41 to 44 indicating the location of the electronic tag 10 on the map 40. In the example of FIG. 6, the map 40 is a floor plan of the first floor of a building, and an evacuation site 45 is located outside the building. Depending on the operation performed on the operation unit 12 of the electronic tag 10, one of symbols 41 to 43 is displayed. Symbol 41 indicates an electronic tag 10 whose operation unit 12 has been pressed twice (evacuation completed), symbol 42 indicates an electronic tag 10 whose operation unit 12 has been pressed three times (emergency notification to an administrator), and symbol 43 indicates an electronic tag 10 whose operation unit 12 has been pressed and held (emergency notification to a fire department). Furthermore, an electronic tag 10 whose impact sensor 16 detects an impact equal to or greater than a threshold is displayed as symbol 44, which is different from the symbols 41 to 43.

[0038] By checking the map 40 and symbols 41 to 44 displayed on the display device 30, the evacuation manager can grasp the evacuation status of the person carrying the electronic tag 10, whether an emergency has occurred, whether an impact above the threshold has been detected, and so on. In the example of FIG. 6 , the symbol 41 displayed within the evacuation site 45 allows the evacuation manager to confirm that the person carrying the electronic tag 10 has evacuated. Furthermore, the symbol 41 is also displayed inside the building, indicating that the person carrying the electronic tag 10 is not at the evacuation site 45 and therefore has not actually completed evacuation. Furthermore, the evacuation manager can easily arrange for rescue because he or she knows that the person carrying the electronic tag 10 indicated by symbol 42 or symbol 43 needs to notify the evacuation manager or the fire department. Furthermore, the evacuation manager can easily arrange for rescue because he or she knows that the person carrying the electronic tag 10 indicated by symbol 44, in which an impact has been detected, may be in poor health or injured due to a fall or collision with an object, etc., making it easy to check the current situation or arrange for rescue.

[0039] While Fig. 6 illustrates symbols 41 to 43 with different shapes depending on the operation of the electronic tag 10, symbols with different colors, shapes, sizes, characters, or flashing states may also be used depending on the operation. Each symbol may also be animated. For example, by displaying an animated symbol corresponding to an electronic tag 10 that has been pressed three times or pressed for a long time, it is possible to draw the evacuation manager's attention to people with a high level of urgency. Furthermore, symbol 44 indicating that an impact above a threshold has been detected on the electronic tag 10 may have different colors, shapes, sizes, characters, or flashing states depending on the magnitude of the impact, or may be animated.

[0040] (Variation 1) In the embodiment, it has been explained that when the impact sensor 16 detects an impact of a magnitude equal to or greater than a threshold, the electronic tag 10 may measure the current position using the positioning unit 14 and transmit a second signal indicating the current position and a third signal indicating the magnitude of the impact to the control means 20. When the control means 20 receives the second signal and the third signal, the task execution unit 25 may determine whether or not a control condition including the current position indicated by the second signal and the magnitude of the impact indicated by the third signal is satisfied, and if satisfied, may execute the corresponding task.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a task table 222 according to a first modification of the embodiment. In the task table 222 of FIG. 7, the magnitude of the impact and the current location are set as control conditions. The magnitude of the impact is calculated from, for example, one or more detection values ​​of the acceleration sensor, pressure sensor, or strain sensor of the impact sensor 16. Here, the magnitude of the impact is represented by a numerical value that increases as the impact increases. If the magnitude of the impact indicated by the third signal is 3 and the current location indicated by the second signal is inside a factory building, the task executing unit 25 sends a report to a predetermined manager by email, a dedicated application, or the like. If the magnitude of the impact indicated by the third signal is 3 and the current location indicated by the second signal is inside a factory building, the task executing unit 25 sends a report to a predetermined security office by email, a dedicated application, or the like.

[0042] In this way, the control means 20 executes a task according to the magnitude of the impact, which can lead to prompt rescue or other responses if the person carrying the electronic tag 10 becomes ill or injured.

[0043] (Variation 2) In the embodiment, it has been explained that the electronic tag 10 may transmit the second signal and the third signal when an impact equal to or greater than the threshold is detected at the electronic tag 10. In the second modification, the second signal and the third signal are transmitted when an impact equal to or greater than the threshold is detected at the electronic tag 10 and an operation is performed on the operation unit 12. At this time, the first signal indicating the operation content may also be transmitted. The control means 20 that has acquired the second signal and the third signal from the electronic tag 10 generates display data and / or executes a task, as explained in the embodiment and the first modification.

[0044] According to the second modification, when an impact equal to or greater than the threshold is detected by the electronic tag 10 and the operation unit 12 is operated, a signal is transmitted to the control means 20. Therefore, even if an impact equal to or greater than the threshold is detected simply by dropping the electronic tag 10, if there is no operation on the operation unit 12, no signal is transmitted to the control means 20, thereby making it possible to avoid unnecessary signal transmission.

[0045] (Variation 3) 7, the control conditions are the magnitude of the impact and the current location, but the control condition may be the magnitude of the impact alone. That is, the task executing unit 25 executes a task defined in the task table 222 according to the magnitude of the impact, regardless of the current location.

[0046] (Variation 4) In the embodiment, it has been described that when the operation unit 12 of the electronic tag 10 is operated, a first signal corresponding to the operation content and a second signal indicating the current location are transmitted. The electronic tag 10 does not need to transmit signals in response to all operations on the operation unit 12, but may not transmit signals for specific operations. For example, when the operation unit 12 is pressed once, the first and second signals are not transmitted, but when another operation (such as pressing twice, pressing three times, or pressing and holding) is performed, the first and second signals are transmitted. Since the operation unit 12 of the electronic tag 10 may be pressed once by mistake, unnecessary signal transmission can be suppressed by not transmitting signals for operations that are prone to such erroneous operations.

[0047] (Variation 5) In the embodiment, it has been described that the positioning unit 14 measures its own position. The positioning unit 14 may use, as information indicating the current position, an individual identification ID of a wireless LAN access point installed in the building, an individual identification ID emitted by a beacon installed in the building, or data received from a GPS. In this case, the control means 20 identifies the current position of the electronic tag 10 based on the received information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 Electronic tag, 11 Housing, 12 Operation unit, 13 Control unit, 14 Positioning unit, 15 Communication unit, 16 Impact sensor, 17 Power generation unit, 20 Control means, 21 Communication unit, 22 Memory unit, 23 Display data generation unit, 24 Display output unit, 25 Task execution unit, 30 Display device, 40 Map, 41 Symbol, 42 Symbol, 43 Symbol, 44 Symbol, 45 Evacuation site, 100 Location information communication system, 221 Map data, 222 Task table, N network.

Claims

1. An operation unit; a positioning unit that measures a current position; a communication unit that transmits a first signal corresponding to the operation content of the operation unit and a second signal that indicates the measured current position; Electronic tag.

2. Equipped with a shock sensor, When the impact sensor detects an impact of a magnitude equal to or greater than a threshold, the communication unit transmits a signal indicating the measured current position. The electronic tag according to claim 1 .

3. Equipped with a shock sensor, When the operation unit is operated after the impact sensor detects an impact of a magnitude equal to or greater than a threshold, the communication unit transmits a signal indicating the measured current position. The electronic tag according to claim 1 .

4. An electronic tag according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a control means for receiving the first signal and the second signal transmitted from the electronic tag and generating display data for displaying the current position on a map; Location information communication system.

5. An electronic tag according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a storage unit that stores a control condition including the operation content indicated by the first signal and information about the current position indicated by the second signal, and a task to be executed when the control condition is satisfied, in association with each other; a control means for executing the associated task when the control condition is satisfied; Location information communication system.

6. The electronic tag according to claim 2 or 3; and control means; the electronic tag transmits a third signal to the control means, the third signal including information about the magnitude of the impact detected by the impact sensor; The control means receives the second signal and the third signal transmitted from the electronic tag, and generates display data for displaying the current position and the magnitude of the impact on a map. Location information communication system.

7. The electronic tag according to claim 2 or 3; a storage unit that stores a control condition and a task to be executed when the control condition is satisfied, in association with each other; a control means for executing the associated task when the control condition is satisfied; the electronic tag transmits a third signal to the control means, the third signal including information about the magnitude of the impact detected by the impact sensor; The control condition includes a condition regarding the magnitude of the impact indicated by the third signal. Location information communication system.

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