Notification system

Abstract

To notify only a user, among a plurality of users, determined to have an intention to enter a predetermined space of the propriety of entry.SOLUTION: A signal information acquisition unit 111 acquires signal information. A position calculation unit 112 calculates a position of a portable terminal 3 having issued a signal based on the signal information. A moving direction calculation unit 113 calculates a moving direction of the portable terminal 3. An intention determination unit 114 determines whether or not a user U possessing the portable terminal 3 has an intention to enter a space A based on the position and the moving direction of the portable terminal 3. An authentication unit 115 requests authentication of the user U to a server device 4 based on a portable terminal ID included in the signal information, and transmits an authentication result to the intention determination unit 114 based on a received reply. When it is determined that the user U has an intention to enter the space A, a notification unit 116 notifies the user U of a result of authentication indicated by the received reply.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a notification system that controls a radio device that receives a signal and notifies the user of the terminal that emitted the signal whether or not they are allowed to enter or exit a facility. [Background technology]

[0002] When users are permitted to enter a space that provides services in exchange for a fee, devices such as automatic ticket gates and security gates are generally placed at the entrances, passageways, etc. Some of these devices can individually identify multiple people even if they are present in the passageway.

[0003] On the other hand, these devices often have mechanical entry restriction mechanisms, such as flap doors or gates, to deny entry to users who have not paid. However, the entry restriction mechanism must identify each user attempting to enter and determine the entry restriction for each user. Therefore, if a user at the front of a queue waiting to enter a space is denied entry just before the user is about to enter, that user will have to turn back, and users behind them will also be forced to move back. Therefore, systems that restrict entry just before the user is allowed entry not only cause congestion but also do not achieve the desired throughput.

[0004] Therefore, in order to avoid congestion, research is being conducted into a technology in which an information device notifies a user whether or not entry is permitted before the user approaches an aisle or the like, rather than immediately before entry.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses an information device that prevents users from being unexpectedly barred from passing through an automatic ticket gate by informing them in advance that they may be barred from passing through an automatic ticket gate, thereby alleviating congestion. With this information device, if a user has only an IC card and no mobile terminal, for example, they can check whether they will be allowed to pass through the automatic ticket gate before passing through, thereby avoiding congestion.

[0006] Patent Document 2 discloses a passage control system having a center that determines whether a user can pass through a passageway and the direction of passage, and a passage control device that is connected to the center so as to be able to communicate data and that restricts the passage of users. This system detects nearby people using short-range wireless communication means and performs processing prior to authentication, thereby preventing disruptions to the flow of people due to delays in authentication.

[0007] Patent Document 3 discloses a portable terminal device that vibrates a vibration means with different vibration patterns depending on whether or not entry and exit through an automatic ticket gate is permitted. This portable terminal device clearly communicates the result of whether or not passage is permitted to the owner, thereby preventing disruption to the flow of people. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-176223 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-268853 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-31112 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, the guide device described in Patent Document 1 is used at the discretion of the user. Therefore, if there are no users who are willing to cooperate with the purpose of installing this guide device, it will not be effective in avoiding congestion. Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires a large number of guide devices to accommodate a large number of users.

[0010] The traffic control system described in Patent Document 2 detects within the range of wireless communication, so the area designation is rough. In other words, this system cannot distinguish between users who intend to enter and those who do not. As a result, this system may take unnecessary actions against users who do not intend to enter.

[0011] The portable terminal device described in Patent Document 3 notifies users who have already entered the ticket gate, causing the users who receive the notification to turn back along the passage. In other words, this portable terminal device is not very effective in preventing disruptions to the flow of people.

[0012] One object of the present invention is to provide a notification system that notifies only those users who are determined to have the intention of entering a predetermined space out of a plurality of users whether or not they are permitted to enter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention provides, as a first aspect, a notification system having a radio that continuously receives a signal from a terminal, a determination device that acquires information about the signal and calculates the position and direction of movement of the terminal from the information to determine whether the user of the terminal intends to enter a specified space, and a notification device that notifies the user of the result of pre-authentication of the terminal indicated by the signal if it is determined that the user of the terminal has the intention.

[0014] According to the notification system of the first aspect, only users who are determined to have an intention to enter a predetermined space among a plurality of users can be notified of whether or not they are permitted to enter.

[0015] In the notification system of the first aspect, a configuration may be adopted as a second aspect in which the notification device notifies only the result of the pre-authentication failure.

[0016] According to the notification system of the second aspect, it is possible to omit notification when pre-authentication is successful.

[0017] In the notification system of the first aspect, a configuration may be adopted as a third aspect in which the determination device calculates the moving speed of the terminal in addition to the moving direction.

[0018] According to the notification system of the third aspect, the intention to enter a space can be determined according to the moving speed of the user.

[0019] In the notification system of the first aspect, a configuration may be adopted as a fourth aspect in which the radio is provided above or below the plane on which the user moves, and the determination device acquires information on the angle at which the radio received the signal.

[0020] According to the notification system of the fourth aspect, there is no need to install a radio on the plane on which the user travels.

[0021] In the notification system of the first aspect, a fifth aspect may be adopted in which the notification system includes a gate provided in a passage for entering the space, and a driving device that drives and closes the gate before an unauthenticated user enters the space, and the notification device notifies the user of the terminal of the result before the gate is closed if it is determined that the intention is that of the user and the pre-authentication fails.

[0022] According to the notification system of the fifth aspect, a user who intends to enter a space can be notified of a failure in pre-authentication before the gate is closed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a notification system 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server device 4. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket DB 421. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mobile terminal 3 and a gate device 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a plan view of the gate device 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a method for determining a user's intention. [Figure 9] 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the control device 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless device 24 provided above a plane on which a user U moves. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] <Embodiment> <Notification system configuration> 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a notification system 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The notification system 9 includes a control device 1, a gate device 2, a mobile terminal 3, a server device 4, and a communication line 5.

[0025] Space A shown in Figure 1 is a space that provides services. Passage Pa is a passage that must be passed through when entering space A from the outside. A user U is a person who passes through passage Pa and attempts to enter space A.

[0026] The mobile terminal 3 is a terminal device that the user U carries in a pocket or the like, and transmits a carrier wave carrying an information signal.

[0027] The gate device 2 is installed in the passage Pa. The gate 25 is a component of the gate device 2. The gate device 2 and the control device 1 detect a carrier wave transmitted from the portable terminal 3 owned by the user U to determine whether the user U is permitted to pass through the gate 25 installed in the passage Pa. If the user U does not have the authority to pass (enter), the gate device 2 closes the gate to prevent the user U from passing through. On the other hand, if the user U has the authority to pass through, the gate device 2 opens the gate to allow the user to pass through. In other words, the gate 25 is an example of a gate installed in a passage for entering a space.

[0028] The carrier wave transmitted by the mobile terminal 3 may be an audible sound, an ultrasonic wave, a light, or the like, but the mobile terminal 3 shown in Fig. 1 transmits a radio wave as a carrier wave. The mobile terminal 3 is, for example, a wearable device or a smartphone equipped with a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) function, and transmits a BLE advertising signal. The gate device 2 extracts identification information of the mobile terminal 3 from, for example, a CTE (Constant Tone Extension) added to the advertising signal (advertising packet) transmitted by the mobile terminal 3.

[0029] The control device 1 is a device, such as a computer, that controls the gate device 2. The control device 1 shown in FIG.

[0030] The server device 4 is a device that stores ticket data of the user U associated with the mobile terminal 3 and provides it to the control device 1 via the communication line 5. The ticket data is data indicating an electronic ticket (electronic pass) that permits the user U to pass through the passage Pa.

[0031] The communication line 5 is a line that communicatively connects the control device 1 and the server device 4 by wire or wirelessly. The communication line 5 shown in Fig. 1 also communicatively connects the mobile terminal 3 and the server device 4 by wireless. The communication line 5 may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, an intranet, or a combination thereof.

[0032] <Control device configuration> Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 1. The control device 1 shown in Fig. 2 has a processor 11, a memory 12, and an interface 13. These are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, for example, by a bus.

[0033] The memory 12 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, etc., and stores computer programs (hereinafter simply referred to as programs).

[0034] The processor 11 controls the control device 1 by reading and executing a program from the memory 12. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 11 may also be, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may include an FPGA. The processor may also have an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or other programmable logic device, and may perform control using these.

[0035] The interface 13 is a communication circuit that connects the control device 1 to other external devices, etc., by wire or wirelessly. The interface 13 may also connect the control device 1 to various external devices, such as a server device 4, via a communication line 5 so that the control device 1 can communicate with them.

[0036] <Server device configuration> Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device 4. The server device 4 shown in Fig. 3 includes a processor 41, a memory 42, and an interface 43. These are connected to each other via, for example, a bus so that they can communicate with each other.

[0037] The processor 41 controls the server device 4 by reading and executing a program from the memory 42. The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 41 may also be, for example, an FPGA or may include an FPGA. The processor may also have an ASIC or other programmable logic device and perform control using these.

[0038] The interface 43 is a communication circuit that connects the server device 4 to other external devices, etc., by wire or wirelessly. The interface 43 may connect the server device 4 to various external devices, such as the control device 1 and the mobile terminal 3, via a communication line 5, for example, so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0039] The memory 42 has a RAM, a ROM, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, etc., and stores programs. The memory 42 shown in FIG.

[0040] <Ticket DB configuration> 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ticket DB 421. The ticket DB 421 is a database that stores the above-mentioned ticket data. The ticket DB 421 shown in FIG. 4 has a mobile terminal correspondence table 4211 and a ticket data table 4212.

[0041] Mobile terminal correspondence table 4211 is a table that associates the items of mobile terminal ID and ticket ID. The mobile terminal ID is identification information of the mobile terminal 3. The ticket ID is identification information of the ticket data. This ticket ID identifies the ticket data given to the user U who owns the mobile terminal 3 identified by the mobile terminal ID. In other words, the ticket ID is authentication information related to the passage of the user U. This mobile terminal correspondence table 4211 stores one ticket ID for one mobile terminal ID. Note that mobile terminal correspondence table 4211 may store two or more ticket IDs for one mobile terminal ID.

[0042] The ticket data table 4212 is a table associated with each ticket ID listed in the mobile terminal correspondence table 4211, and stores the contents of the ticket data identified by that ticket ID for each item. The ticket data table 4212 shown in Fig. 4 is a table associated with the ticket ID "T11," and stores items such as "expiration date," "section," "amount," and "status."

[0043] For example, when the processor 41 of the server device 4 receives an inquiry from the control device 1 about a certain mobile terminal ID, the processor 41 refers to the ticket DB 421 and identifies the ticket ID corresponding to this mobile terminal ID. Then, the processor 41 reads the expiration date, section, amount, status, etc. from the ticket data table 4212 corresponding to the identified ticket ID and processes the inquiry.

[0044] If two or more ticket IDs are stored for one mobile terminal ID, the server device 4 may determine the ticket ID indicating one ticket data to be used for the transaction in accordance with a predetermined rule. For example, this rule may be that if two or more ticket IDs are associated with types such as "commuter pass" and "deposit," the commuter pass is used preferentially if the section to be used is within the range of the commuter pass section.

[0045] <Configuration of mobile terminal and gate device> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mobile terminal 3 and the gate device 2. The mobile terminal 3 shown in Fig. 5 is a smartphone or the like, and includes a processor 31, a memory 32, an interface 33, an operation unit 34, and a display unit 35. These are connected to each other via a bus, for example, so that they can communicate with each other.

[0046] The processor 31 controls the mobile terminal 3 by reading and executing a program from the memory 32. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 31 may also be, for example, an FPGA or may include an FPGA. The processor may also have an ASIC or other programmable logic device and perform control using these.

[0047] The memory 32 includes RAM, ROM, a solid state drive, etc., and stores programs.

[0048] The memory 32 also stores a mobile terminal ID 321. The mobile terminal ID 321 is identification information that identifies the mobile terminal 3, which is the mobile terminal itself. When the mobile terminal 3 is a smartphone, the mobile terminal ID 321 is, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address, an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), a MEID (Mobile Equipment Identifier), an ICCID (IC Card Identifier), an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity), or the like.

[0049] The operation unit 34 includes operation buttons, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and other operators for issuing various instructions, and receives operations and sends signals according to the operation content to the processor 31. These operations include, for example, pressing keys on the keyboard and gestures on the touch panel.

[0050] The display unit 35 has a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and displays images under the control of the processor 31. A transparent touch panel of the operation unit 34 may be placed on top of the display screen. Note that the mobile terminal 3 does not necessarily have the operation unit 34 and the display unit 35. The mobile terminal 3 may be operated by an external device via the interface 33, or may present information to an external device. In this case, the mobile terminal 3 may be a wearable device or terminal device, for example, in the form of a ring, a wristband, or goggles / glasses.

[0051] The interface 33 is a communication circuit that wirelessly connects the mobile terminal 3 to other external devices, etc. The interface 33 may connect the mobile terminal 3 to various external devices via a communication line 5, for example, so that the mobile terminal 3 can communicate with these external devices.

[0052] The interface 33 also has a wireless circuit, and transmits the mobile terminal ID 321 read from the memory 32 over radio waves under the control of the processor 31. The interface 33 transmits, for example, the above-mentioned advertising signal including the mobile terminal ID 321.

[0053] As described above, the gate device 2 is a device that detects a carrier wave transmitted from the portable terminal 3 owned by the user U and determines whether or not the user U is permitted to pass. The gate device 2 shown in Fig. 5 includes a processor 21, a memory 22, an interface 23, a wireless device 24, and a gate 25. These are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, for example, by a bus.

[0054] The processor 21 controls the gate device 2 by reading and executing a program from the memory 22. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 21 may also be, for example, an FPGA or may include an FPGA. The processor may also have an ASIC or other programmable logic device and perform control using these.

[0055] The interface 23 is a communication circuit that connects the gate device 2 to other external devices, etc., by wire or wirelessly. This interface 23 may communicatively connect the gate device 2 to various external devices, for example, via a communication line 5. The interface 23 shown in FIG. 5 communicatively connects the gate device 2 to the control device 1.

[0056] The memory 22 includes RAM, ROM, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, etc., and stores programs.

[0057] The radio device 24 receives transmission signals such as advertising signals transmitted from the mobile terminal 3. The radio device 24 has an array antenna configured with a plurality of antennas 240a, 240b, 240c, etc. (hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between them, they will be referred to as antennas 240) as shown in Fig. 5. Based on the phase difference between the above-mentioned transmission signals received by each of these antennas 240, the radio device 24 identifies the direction of arrival using the so-called AoA (Angle of Arrival) method.

[0058] <Gate device configuration layout> The following diagram shows the space in which each component of the gate device 2 is arranged as an xyz right-handed coordinate space. Among the coordinate symbols shown in the diagram, a dot in a circle represents an arrow pointing from the back of the page to the front. The direction along the x-axis in space is called the x-axis direction. In addition, within the x-axis direction, the direction in which the x component increases is called the +x direction, and the direction in which the x component decreases is called the -x direction. Regarding the y and z components, the y-axis, +y direction, -y direction, z-axis direction, +z direction, and -z direction are defined in accordance with the above definitions. Note that the -z direction is the direction of gravity, and a plane with a constant z component (also called the xy plane) is a horizontal plane. In the following example, the floor on which the user can move is a horizontal plane.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a plan view of the gate device 2. That is, FIG. 6 shows the gate device 2 as viewed downward (in the -z direction) from the ceiling side. This gate device 2 is composed of two devices, a right-side device 2R and a left-side device 2L. The right-side device 2R and the left-side device 2L are arranged on either side of a passage Pa. For example, the right-side device 2R shown in FIG. 6 is arranged on the right side as seen from a user U passing through the passage Pa in the traveling direction D1. Furthermore, the left-side device 2L shown in FIG. 6 is arranged on the left side as seen from the user U.

[0060] Entrance E0 is the entrance of passage Pa when user U moves along direction of travel D1 (+y direction) to enter space A. Exit E1 is the exit of passage Pa. The user can enter space A by proceeding along passage Pa along direction of travel D1 and passing through exit E1.

[0061] Gates 25R and 25L (hereinafter, referred to as gates 25 when there is no need to distinguish between them) shown in FIG. 6 are movable members provided along the passage Pa. Gate 25R is provided facing the passage Pa in the right-side device 2R. Gate 25L is provided facing the passage Pa in the left-side device 2L. Gate 25 is, for example, a plate-shaped member swingably fixed to a housing with a hinge, and is connected to a drive device controlled by processor 21. This gate 25 is stored parallel to the passage Pa when processor 21 allows the user U to pass, and swings to block the passage Pa from the left and right when processor 21 prohibits the user U from passing. Gate 25 is provided to block the progress of user U proceeding along travel direction D1.

[0062] In other words, the notification system 9 having the gate device 2 with this gate 25 is an example of a notification system having a gate provided in a passageway.

[0063] The wireless devices 24R and 24L (hereinafter referred to as wireless devices 24 when there is no need to distinguish between them) shown in FIG. 6 are provided on the entrance E0 side of the right-side device 2R and the left-side device 2L, respectively. That is, these wireless devices 24 receive radio waves from the mobile terminals 3 present in the space in the -y direction from the entrance E0 of the passage Pa. The "space in the -y direction from the entrance E0" is the space where the user U is located who has not yet entered the passage Pa.

[0064] These two radio devices 24 are, for example, linear array antennas configured by arranging antennas 240 (see FIG. 5) in a straight line. In this case, the radio devices 24 have multiple antennas 240 arranged along a straight line included in the xy plane. Therefore, the radio devices 24 have a sector-shaped "reception area" in the xy plane, with the radius being the distance that radio waves can reach and the central angle being the range of angles at which the radio waves can be received. The radio devices 24R and 24L shown in FIG. 6 continuously receive radio waves from mobile terminals 3 present in the reception area GR and reception area GL, respectively. In other words, this radio device 24 is an example of a radio device that continuously receives signals from terminals.

[0065] 6 calculates the position of the portable terminal 3 by calculation such as triangulation when the portable terminal 3 is present in an area G where the reception areas of two wireless devices 24 overlap. Note that the number of reception areas of the wireless devices 24 may be one for each wireless device 24 as described above, but may also be two or more.

[0066] <Functional configuration of the control device> Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 1. The processor 11 of the control device 1 reads and executes programs stored in the memory 12, thereby functioning as a signal information acquisition unit 111, a position calculation unit 112, a movement direction calculation unit 113, an intention determination unit 114, an authentication unit 115, a notification unit 116, a movement status determination unit 117, and an opening / closing control unit 118 shown in Fig. 7.

[0067] The signal information acquisition unit 111 acquires signal information from the gate device 2 via the interface 13. The signal information is information about a signal received by the radio 24 of the gate device 2, and includes information about the direction of arrival of the signal, the time of reception, and its contents. If this signal is a signal transmitted by the mobile terminal 3, the signal contents include identification information of the mobile terminal 3, i.e., the mobile terminal ID.

[0068] The position calculation unit 112 calculates the position of the mobile terminal 3 that emitted the signal based on the signal information acquired by the signal information acquisition unit 111. For example, as described above, when two wireless devices 24 each receive a signal including a common mobile terminal ID (identification information), the position calculation unit 112 calculates the position of the mobile terminal 3 by triangulation from the respective reception angles (directions from which the signals arrive) and the locations of the wireless devices 24. The calculated position of the mobile terminal 3 is stored in the memory 12 in association with the reception time of the signal and the mobile terminal ID of the mobile terminal 3.

[0069] The movement direction calculation unit 113 refers to the memory 12 to search for a previously calculated position of the mobile terminal 3, and if found, combines it with the current position to calculate the movement direction of the mobile terminal 3. The movement direction calculation unit 113 may also calculate the movement speed based on the time interval between the past and present. In this case, the control device 1 having the processor 11 functioning as the movement direction calculation unit 113 that calculates the movement direction and movement speed is an example of a determination device that calculates the movement speed of the terminal in addition to the movement direction.

[0070] The intention determination unit 114 determines whether or not the user U carrying the portable terminal 3 intends to enter space A, based on the position of the portable terminal 3 calculated by the position calculation unit 112 and the movement direction of the portable terminal 3 calculated by the movement direction calculation unit 113.

[0071] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a method for determining a user's intention. In an area G shown in FIG. 8, the positions and moving directions of two mobile terminals 3a and 3b are observed by receiving signals by a wireless device 24.

[0072] The intention determination unit 114 determines whether or not the user U carrying the mobile terminals 3a and 3b intends to enter space A (see FIG. 6) based on the positions and movement directions of the mobile terminals 3a and 3b. For example, the intention determination unit 114 determines whether or not the movement direction of the mobile terminal 3 is toward the line segment of the entrance E0 shown in FIG. 8. This determination is made, for example, based on the positions of the mobile terminal 3 before and after the movement direction and the change in the interior angle of the triangle connecting both ends of the line segment of the entrance E0. Alternatively, this determination may be made based on whether or not an extension line of the movement direction intersects with the line segment of the entrance E0.

[0073] Then, when it is determined that the movement direction of the portable terminal 3 is toward the line segment of the entrance E0, the intention determination unit 114 determines that the user intends to enter the space A. On the other hand, when it is determined that the movement direction of the portable terminal 3 is not toward the line segment of the entrance E0, the intention determination unit 114 determines that the user does not intend to enter the space A.

[0074] For example, the movement direction Da of the portable terminal 3a is not toward the line segment indicating the entrance E0. Therefore, the intention determination unit 114 determines that the user U of the portable terminal 3a does not have the above-mentioned intention. On the other hand, the movement direction Db of the portable terminal 3b is toward the line segment indicating the entrance E0. Therefore, the intention determination unit 114 determines that the user U of the portable terminal 3b has the above-mentioned intention.

[0075] The intention determination unit 114 may determine whether or not the users U of all the mobile terminals 3 present in the area G have the above intention, but may also determine whether or not the users U who own the mobile terminals 3 present in a specific area within the area G have the above intention. For example, the intention determination unit 114 may determine whether or not the users U have the above intention only when the position of the mobile terminal 3 is observed in the target area B shown in FIG. 8 .

[0076] In other words, the control device 1 having the processor 11 that functions as the signal information acquisition unit 111, the position calculation unit 112, the movement direction calculation unit 113, and the intention determination unit 114 is an example of a determination device that acquires signal information received by a radio from a terminal, calculates the position and movement direction of the terminal from this information, and determines whether the user of this terminal has the intention to enter a specified space.

[0077] 7 requests the server device 4 to authenticate the user U of the mobile terminal 3 identified by the mobile terminal ID, based on the mobile terminal ID included in the signal information acquired by the signal information acquisition unit 111. Upon receiving this request via the communication line 5, the server device 4 references the ticket ID linked to the mobile terminal ID, determines whether or not the user U has authority to enter space A, and returns the result to the control device 1. Based on the response received from the server device 4, the authentication unit 115 transmits the authentication result to the intention determination unit 114.

[0078] Note that the authentication unit 115 may send the above-mentioned request to the server device 4 when the intention determination unit 114 determines that the user U intends to enter space A. In this case, the authentication that the authentication unit 115 requests of the server device 4 when the intention determination unit 114 determines that the user U intends to enter is called "pre-authentication." Therefore, the "pre-authentication" is authentication performed on the user U who has not yet entered the passage Pa in the above-mentioned "space in the -y direction from the entrance E0." Also, the authentication unit 115 may send the above-mentioned request to the server device 4 every time the traffic light information acquisition unit 111 acquires new traffic light information.

[0079] When the intention determination unit 114 determines that the user U intends to enter space A, the notification unit 116 notifies the user U of the result of the authentication (pre-authentication) indicated by the response received by the authentication unit 115 from the server device 4. In this case, the notification unit 116 transmits the result of the pre-authentication to the mobile terminal 3 identified by the above-mentioned mobile terminal ID via the interface 13 and the communication line 5. The mobile terminal 3 that receives this notifies the user U, who is the owner, of the result of the pre-authentication by displaying it or outputting a voice message.

[0080] In other words, the control device 1 having the processor 11 functioning as this notification unit 116 and the mobile terminal 3 are examples of notification devices that notify the user of the terminal of the results of the pre-authentication of the terminal indicated by a signal when it is determined that the user of the terminal intends to enter a specified space.

[0081] The movement status determination unit 117 continues to monitor the location of the mobile terminal 3 indicated by the traffic light information acquired by the traffic light information acquisition unit 111, and determines the movement status (also referred to as the movement status) of the user U who owns the mobile terminal 3. When the movement status determination unit 117 determines that the user U who has not been authenticated by the authentication unit 115 is about to enter the space A, it notifies the opening / closing control unit 118 to that effect. In this case, the "(not authenticated)" may be the above-mentioned "pre-authentication" or may be "another authentication" that is performed by the authentication unit 115 requesting the server device 4 after the pre-authentication. The other authentication is, for example, authentication that is performed after the user U enters the passage Pa. Note that, if it is certain that there is no change between the result of the "pre-authentication" and the result of the "other authentication," the authentication unit 115 may not need to perform the "other authentication."

[0082] When the movement status determination unit 117 notifies the opening / closing control unit 118 of the above-mentioned movement status, the opening / closing control unit 118 instructs the gate device 2 to close the gate 25. This instruction is sent to the gate device 2 via the interface 13. Upon receiving this instruction, the gate device 2 drives and closes the gate 25 before the above-mentioned unauthenticated user U enters the space A. Therefore, the gate device 2 is an example of a drive device that drives and closes the gate before the unauthenticated user enters a predetermined space.

[0083] It is preferable that the notification unit 116 transmits the result of the pre-authentication to the mobile terminal 3 identified by the above-mentioned mobile terminal ID before the gate device 2 drives and closes the gate 25. This allows the user U to know that he or she does not have the authority to enter the space A before the gate 25 is closed, and thus makes it easier for the user U to take action such as turning back, thereby avoiding congestion in front of the gate device 2. In this case, the control device 1 having the processor 11 functioning as this notification unit 116 and the mobile terminal 3 are examples of notification devices that notify the result of the pre-authentication before the gate is closed when it is determined that the user of the terminal has the intention to enter a predetermined space and the pre-authentication has failed.

[0084] <Control device operation> 9 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the control device 1. The processor 11 of the control device 1 determines whether or not signal information has been acquired from the gate device 2 via the interface 13 (step S101). While it is determined that signal information has not been acquired (step S101; NO), the processor 11 continues this step.

[0085] When it is determined that signal information has been acquired (step S101; YES), processor 11 calculates the position of the mobile terminal 3 that emitted the signal based on this signal information (step S102). Then, it determines whether or not position information associated with a mobile terminal ID (identification information) included in this signal information is stored in memory 12, and based on this, it determines whether or not it is possible to calculate the moving direction of the mobile terminal 3 (step S103). When it determines that it is not possible to calculate the moving direction (step S103; NO), processor 11 returns the process to step S101.

[0086] On the other hand, when it is determined that the movement direction can be calculated (step S103; YES), the processor 11 calculates the movement direction of the mobile terminal 3, that is, the user U, based on the past and current positions of the mobile terminal 3 (step S104).

[0087] When the position and movement direction of the portable terminal 3 are calculated, the processor 11 determines whether or not the user U of this portable terminal 3 intends to enter the space A (step S105). When it is determined that the user U does not intend to enter the space A (step S105; NO), the processor 11 returns the process to step S101.

[0088] On the other hand, when it is determined that the user U intends to enter the space A (step S105; YES), the processor 11 sends the mobile terminal ID to the server device 4 via the interface 13 and the communication line 5 to request pre-authentication (step S106). Then, the processor 11 obtains the result of the requested pre-authentication from the server device 4 (step S107).

[0089] The processor 11 determines whether the requested pre-authentication has been successful by referring to the obtained result of the pre-authentication (step S108). If it determines that the pre-authentication has been successful (step S108; YES), the processor 11 returns the process to step S101.

[0090] On the other hand, if it is determined that the pre-authentication was not successful (i.e., failed) (step S108; NO), the processor 11 instructs the portable terminal 3 to notify the user U of the failure (step S109). As a result, when the user U is heading toward the entrance E0 of the passage Pa with the intention of entering the space A, the user U receives a notification that the pre-authentication has failed, and can turn back before passing through the entrance E0.

[0091] That is, in this case, the control device 1 having the processor 11 and the mobile terminal 3 that receives the above instruction are an example of a notification device that notifies only the result of pre-authentication failure. In this example, the user U does not receive a notification if pre-authentication is successful, so that the user U is not bothered when entry is not restricted. Note that the control device 1 may notify the user U that pre-authentication is successful if pre-authentication is successful. In this case, the control device 1 may return the process to step S101 after notifying the user U that pre-authentication is successful.

[0092] After notifying that the pre-authentication has failed, the control device 1 continues to monitor the location of the portable terminal 3, and determines whether the user U who carries the portable terminal 3 has lost his / her intention to enter the space A (step S110). If it is determined that the intention to enter has lost its intention (step S110; YES), the processor 11 returns the process to step S101.

[0093] On the other hand, if it is determined that the intention to enter has not disappeared (step S110; NO), processor 11 determines whether or not user U has entered passage Pa (step S111). If it is determined that user U has not entered passage Pa (step S111; NO), processor 11 returns the process to step S110.

[0094] In step S111, if it is determined that the user U has entered the passage Pa (step S111; YES), the processor 11 instructs the gate device 2 to close the gate 25 (step S112). This prevents the user U, who has not been authenticated, i.e., who does not have the authority to enter, from entering the space A. Note that "not authenticated" as described above means that neither the pre-authentication nor any other authentication performed thereafter has been successful.

[0095] By executing the processing described above, the notification system 9 of the present invention can notify only those users among multiple users who are determined to have the intention to enter a specified space whether or not they are allowed to enter.

[0096] The configurations, shapes, sizes, and layout relationships described in the above embodiments are merely schematic illustrations to enable understanding and implementation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and can be modified in various forms without departing from the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims.

[0097] <Modification> The above is a description of the embodiment, but the contents of this embodiment can be modified as follows. In addition, the following modifications can be combined.

[0098] <1> In the above-described embodiment, two wireless devices 24R and 24L are provided on the entrance E0 side of the right-side device 2R and the left-side device 2L, respectively, but there may be only one wireless device 24. In this case, the wireless device 24 may be provided above or below a plane on which the user U can move. In this case, the wireless device 24 may be a planar array antenna or the like in which multiple antennas 240 are arranged on a flat or curved surface.

[0099] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless device 24 provided above a plane on which a user U moves. This wireless device 24 is installed on the ceiling or the like above the gate device 2, and receives signals emitted from a portable terminal 3 present in area G. The gate device 2 transmits information on the angle of arrival (reception angle) of the signal received by this wireless device 24 to the control device 1. Even in this case, since the wireless device 24 has the configuration of a planar array antenna, the control device 1 can calculate the position of the portable terminal 3 present in area G along the xy plane.

[0100] 10, the wireless device 24 is not limited to being installed on the ceiling, but may also be installed, for example, under the floor. In other words, the wireless device 24 may be installed above or below the plane on which the mobile terminal 3 carried by the user U moves, at a position at a different height from the plane. That is, the wireless device 24 in this modified example is an example of a wireless device installed above or below the plane on which the user moves. Furthermore, the control device 1 in this modified example is an example of a determination device that acquires information about the angle at which the wireless device received a signal.

[0101] <2> In the above-described embodiment, the server device 4 receives an inquiry from the control device 1 and performs authentication (including pre-authentication) of the mobile terminal 3, and the control device 1 receives the authentication result from the server device 4 and controls the gate device 2. However, the authentication of the mobile terminal 3 may be performed by the control device 1. In this case, for example, authentication information may be included in a transmission signal such as an advertising signal contained in radio waves emitted by the mobile terminal 3. In this case, the notification system 9 may not have a server device 4.

[0102] <3> The control device 1 and the gate device 2 may constitute a single device. For example, the functions of the processor 11 and the memory 12 of the control device 1 may be realized by the processor 21 and the memory 22 of the gate device 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1...control device, 11...processor, 111...signal information acquisition unit, 112...position calculation unit, 113...movement direction calculation unit, 114...intention determination unit, 115...authentication unit, 116...notification unit, 117...movement status determination unit, 118...opening / closing control unit, 12...memory, 13...interface, 2...gate device, 21...processor, 22...memory, 23...interface, 24, 24L, 24R...radio device, 240 (240a, 240b, 240c)...antenna, 25 (25L, 25R)...gate, 2L...left side device, 2R...right side device, 3, 3a, 3b...mobile terminal, 31...processor, 32...memory, 321...mobile terminal ID, 33...interface, 34...operation unit, 35...display unit, 4...server device, 41...processor, 42...memory, 421...ticket DB, 4211...mobile terminal correspondence table, 4212...ticket data table, 43...interface, 5...communication line, 9...notification system, D1...direction of travel, E0...entrance, E1...exit.

Claims

1. a radio that continuously receives a signal from the terminal; a determination device that acquires information about the signal, calculates the position and direction of movement of the terminal from the information, and determines whether or not the user of the terminal intends to enter a predetermined space; a notification device that notifies the user of the terminal of a result of pre-authentication of the terminal indicated by the signal when it is determined that the user of the terminal has the intention; A notification system having:

2. The notification device notifies only the result of the pre-authentication failure. The notification system of claim 1 .

3. The determination device calculates the moving speed of the terminal in addition to the moving direction. The notification system of claim 1 .

4. the radio is provided above or below a plane on which the user moves; The determination device acquires information about the angle at which the wireless device receives the signal. The notification system of claim 1 .

5. a gate provided in a passage for entering the space; a driving device that drives the gate to close before an unauthorized user enters the space, When it is determined that the intention exists in the user of the terminal and the pre-authentication has failed, the notification device notifies the result before the gate is closed. The notification system of claim 1 .

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