Monitoring systems and programs

Abstract

We provide a monitoring system that can appropriately output alerts. [Solution] The signal strength detection unit 12 can detect the signal strength, which is the signal strength between a child sensor device 10 that can be attached to each of several children and a teacher sensor device 50 that can be attached to at least one teacher who monitors several children. The child location information detection unit 13 can detect child location information, which is the location information of the children on Earth. The teacher location information detection unit 34 can detect teacher location information, which is the location information of the teachers on Earth. The alert units 23 and 35 can output alerts based on the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12, the child location information detected by the child location information detection unit 13, and the teacher location information detected by the teacher location information detection unit. The alert units 23 and 35 do not output an alert if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal threshold Th1.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , ,

[0005] , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring system and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a monitoring system that outputs an alert based on "whether a child is within a safe area, which is a predetermined geographical range" or "the distance between a child and a teacher" is known. For example, in the monitoring system of Patent Document 1, in the situation of "being at kindergarten" which is "a situation where a child is assumed to be within the kindergarten grounds", when the child goes out of the safe area, an alert is output. Also, in the situation of "taking a walk" which is "a situation where a child is assumed to be taking a walk outside the kindergarten grounds", when the distance between the child and the teacher becomes a predetermined threshold value or more, an alert is output.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the monitoring system of Patent Document 1, in each of the situations of "being at kindergarten" and "taking a walk", an alert output determination is made based on either "whether a child is within a safe area" or "the distance between a child and a teacher". Therefore, for example, in the situation of "being at kindergarten", only whether "a child is within a safe area" is determined, and even though the "distance between a child and a teacher" is less than a predetermined threshold value, if the child goes out of the safe area, an alert is output. In this case, even though the child is near the teacher, that is, within the range visible to the teacher, an alert is output because the child has left the safe area, so there is a possibility that the teacher or the like may feel bothered.

[0005] <The objective of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system and program capable of appropriately outputting alerts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The monitoring system according to the present invention comprises a signal strength detection unit (12), a child location information detection unit (13), and alert units (23, 35). The signal strength detection unit is capable of detecting the signal strength between a child sensor device (10) that can be attached to each of several children and a teacher sensor device (50) that can be attached to at least one teacher who monitors several children. The child location information detection unit is capable of detecting child location information, which is the location information of a child on Earth.

[0007] The alert unit can output an alert based on the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit and the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit. The alert unit does not output an alert if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit is above a predetermined signal threshold (Th1).

[0008] Therefore, even if a child is near the teacher, i.e., within the teacher's line of sight, such as when the signal strength between the child's sensor device and the teacher's sensor device exceeds a predetermined signal threshold, an alert will not be issued if the child has left the designated geographical safety area. This reduces the annoyance experienced by teachers and others. Furthermore, by suppressing unnecessary alerts, the power consumption of the equipment can be reduced. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to output alerts appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] (A) is a diagram showing the system configuration of a monitoring system according to one embodiment, and (B) is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a monitoring system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2]This diagram shows the display unit of a monitoring system according to one embodiment, where (A) is the display when the child is "in the park" and (B) is the display when the child is "out for a walk". [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating a series of processes related to alert output from a monitoring system according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A monitoring system according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (One embodiment) A monitoring system according to one embodiment is shown in Figures 1(A) and (B). The monitoring system 1 comprises a signal strength detection unit 12, a child location information detection unit 13, a teacher location information detection unit 34, and alert units 23 and 35. The signal strength detection unit 12 is capable of detecting the signal strength between the child sensor device 10, which can be attached to each of the multiple children (C1, C2), and the teacher sensor device 50, which can be attached to at least one teacher T1 that monitors the multiple children. The child location information detection unit 13 is capable of detecting child location information, which is the location information of children (C1, C2) on Earth.

[0012] The teacher location information detection unit 34 is capable of detecting teacher location information, which is the teacher's location information on Earth. The alert units 23 and 35 can output alerts based on the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12, the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit 13, and the teacher's location information detected by the teacher's location information detection unit 34.

[0013] The monitoring system 1 includes a child sensor device 10 that can communicate with at least the server device 20 among the server device 20 and terminal device 30 that can communicate with each other, and a teacher sensor device 50 that can communicate with the child sensor device 10, enabling monitoring of the locations of multiple children. As shown in Figures 1(A) and (B), the child sensor device 10, the server device 20, and the terminal device 30 can communicate with each other via a network 2 such as an IP network.

[0014] In this embodiment, the children being monitored are, for example, children attending kindergartens, daycare centers, etc. The monitoring system 1 is mainly capable of monitoring the location of the children from the time they arrive at the kindergarten or daycare center until they leave.

[0015] The child sensor device 10 can be attached to each of the children being monitored. For example, the child sensor device 10 can be attached to the child's clothing.

[0016] The child sensor device 10 is a device capable of detecting the location information of a child to whom it is attached. The child sensor device 10 includes, for example, a processor as an arithmetic processing unit, and storage such as ROM, RAM, or flash memory as a memory unit. The memory unit stores various data and programs necessary for various processes in the arithmetic processing unit. The arithmetic processing unit of the child sensor device 10 executes a program stored in a non-transitional physical recording medium (memory unit). When this program is executed, the method corresponding to the program is executed.

[0017] The child sensor device 10 has a functional unit or functional module that includes a processing unit, a sensor communication unit 11, a signal strength detection unit 12, a child location information detection unit 13, a sensor storage unit, a battery, etc. (see Figure 1(B)). In other words, the sensor communication unit 11, the signal strength detection unit 12, and the child location information detection unit 13 are provided in the child sensor device 10. The processing unit of the child sensor device 10 processes or calculates various input information and can output it to the sensor communication unit 11, signal strength detection unit 12, child location information detection unit 13, battery, sensor storage unit, etc.

[0018] The sensor communication unit 11 has, for example, a SIM card module and can communicate with the server device 20 and the terminal device 30 by connecting to the network 2 through a telephone line of a mobile phone company or the like. Further, the sensor communication unit 11 has, for example, a wireless LAN module. This wireless LAN module has a signal transmission unit 111 and a signal reception unit 112. The signal transmission unit 111 can transmit, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) signal (radio wave), which is one of the communication methods of wireless LAN. The signal reception unit 112 can receive the Wi-Fi signal transmitted by the signal transmission unit 511 of the teacher sensor device 50 described later. In this embodiment, only the signal reception unit 112 of the signal transmission unit 111 and the signal reception unit 112 is used.

[0019] The signal strength detection unit 12 can detect the signal strength (-dBm) between the child sensor device 10 and the teacher sensor device 50 by detecting the strength of the "signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit 511 of the teacher sensor device 50" received by the signal reception unit 112 of the child sensor device 10.

[0020] The child position information detection unit 13 has, for example, a GPS module that uses GPS (Global Positioning System), which is one of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and can detect child position information, which is the position information of a child on the earth. That is, the child position information detection unit 13 can detect the location of the child to whom the child sensor device 10 is attached as position information on the earth. The child sensor device 10 can process the child position information detected by the child position information detection unit 13, for example, by a processing unit and transmit it to the server device 20 or the terminal device 30 via the sensor communication unit 11.

[0021] The sensor memory unit is, for example, part of the memory unit of the child sensor device 10, and can store child location information detected by the child location information detection unit 13, and the intensity of the "signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit 511" received by the signal reception unit 112, for each time period (detection time, reception time). The battery is a rechargeable secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion secondary battery, and supplies power to the processing unit, sensor communication unit 11, signal intensity detection unit 12, child location information detection unit 13, sensor memory unit, etc.

[0022] The teacher sensor device 50 can be attached to at least one teacher acting as a supervisor. The teacher sensor device 50 can be attached, for example, to the teacher's clothing.

[0023] The teacher's sensor device 50 includes, for example, a processor as an arithmetic processing unit, and storage such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory as a memory unit. The memory unit stores various data and programs necessary for various processes in the arithmetic processing unit. The arithmetic processing unit of the teacher's sensor device 50 executes a program stored in a non-transitional physical recording medium (memory unit). When this program is executed, the method corresponding to the program is executed.

[0024] The teacher's sensor device 50 has a processing unit, a sensor communication unit 51, a sensor memory unit, a battery, etc., as a functional unit or functional module (see Figure 1(B)). In other words, the sensor communication unit 51 is provided in the teacher's sensor device 50. The processing unit of the teacher's sensor device 50 processes or calculates various input information and can output it to the sensor communication unit 51, battery, sensor storage unit, etc.

[0025] The sensor communication unit 51 includes, for example, a wireless LAN module. This wireless LAN module includes a signal transmission unit 511 and a signal receiving unit 512. The signal transmission unit 511 can transmit, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) signal, which is one of the wireless LAN communication methods. The signal receiving unit 512 can receive the Wi-Fi signal transmitted by the signal transmission unit 111 of the aforementioned child sensor device 10. In this embodiment, of the signal transmission unit 511 and the signal receiving unit 512, only the signal transmission unit 511 is used.

[0026] In this embodiment, since the signal transmission units 111 and 511 are capable of transmitting Wi-Fi signals and the signal reception units 112 and 512 are capable of receiving Wi-Fi signals, compared to, for example, a case where Bluetooth (registered trademark) signals can be sent and received, the sensor communication unit 11 and the sensor communication unit 51 can reach each other and detect the signal (strength) even if the distance between them is relatively large.

[0027] The sensor memory unit is, for example, part of the memory unit of the teacher's sensor device 50, and can store the intensity of the "signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit 111" received by the signal receiving unit 512 for each time period (reception time). The battery is a rechargeable secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion secondary battery, and supplies power to the processing unit, sensor communication unit 51, sensor memory unit, etc.

[0028] The server device 20 is a computer device capable of processing child location information and other data from the child sensor device 10. The server device 20 includes, for example, a processor as an arithmetic processing unit, storage such as ROM, RAM, HDD, or SSD as a memory unit, and input / output interfaces such as a keyboard, mouse, display, and speaker. The memory unit stores various data and programs necessary for various processes in the arithmetic processing unit. The arithmetic processing unit of the server device 20 executes programs stored in the non-transitional physical recording medium (memory unit). Execution of these programs results in the execution of methods corresponding to those programs.

[0029] The server device 20 has a processing unit, a server communication unit 21, a display information generation unit 22, an alert unit 23, a server storage unit, etc., as a functional unit or functional module (see Figure 1(B)). In other words, the display information generation unit 22 and the alert unit 23 are provided in the server device 20. The processing unit of the server device 20 processes or calculates various input information and can output it to the server communication unit 21, display information generation unit 22, alert unit 23, server storage unit, etc. The server communication unit 21 has, for example, a wired / wireless LAN module and can communicate with the child sensor device 10 and terminal device 30 by connecting to the network 2 via wired or wireless connection.

[0030] The display information generation unit 22 can generate display information based on the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12, or the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit 13. The signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12, or the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit 13, is processed or calculated by a processing unit, for example, and output to the display information generation unit 22. In other words, the display information generation unit 22 can generate display information based on the signal strength or child's location information processed or calculated by the processing unit. The display information generated by the display information generation unit 22 is displayed on the display unit 33 provided in the terminal device 30, which will be described later. The server storage unit is, for example, part of the storage unit of the server device 20, and can store signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12, child location information detected by the child location information detection unit 13, etc., for each child and for each time (detection time).

[0031] The terminal device 30 is, for example, a terminal device such as a tablet, smartphone, or personal computer. The terminal device 30 is capable of processing information from the child sensor device 10 or the server device 20. A tablet or smartphone as the terminal device 30 has, for example, a processor as the arithmetic processing unit, ROM, RAM, storage as the memory unit, and a touch display as the input / output interface. A personal computer as the terminal device 30 has, for example, a processor as the arithmetic processing unit, ROM, RAM, storage such as an HDD or SSD as the memory unit, and a keyboard, mouse, display, speaker, etc. as the input / output interface.

[0032] The memory unit of the terminal device 30 stores various data and programs necessary for various processes in the arithmetic processing unit. The arithmetic processing unit of the terminal device 30 executes the program stored in the non-transitional tangible recording medium (memory unit). When this program is executed, the method corresponding to the program is executed.

[0033] The tablet or smartphone, used as terminal device 30, can be carried or installed in a designated location within the kindergarten by, for example, kindergarten teachers or other caregivers (supervisors) of the children. Alternatively, a personal computer, also used as terminal device 30, can be installed in a designated location within the kindergarten.

[0034] The terminal device 30 has a processing unit, a terminal communication unit 31, a display information generation unit 32, a display unit 33, a teacher location information detection unit 34, an alert unit 35, a terminal storage unit, etc., as a functional unit or functional module (see Figure 1(B)). In other words, the display information generation unit 32, the display unit 33, the teacher location information detection unit 34, and the alert unit 35 are provided in the terminal device 30. The processing unit of the terminal device 30 processes or calculates various input information and can output it to the terminal communication unit 31, display information generation unit 32, display unit 33, teacher location information detection unit 34, alert unit 35, terminal storage unit, etc.

[0035] The terminal communication unit 31, for example, has a SIM card module and can communicate with the server device 20 and the child sensor device 10 by connecting to the network 2 via a telephone line of a mobile phone company or the like. Alternatively, the terminal communication unit 31 can communicate with the server device 20 and the child sensor device 10 by connecting to the network 2 wirelessly, for example, by having a wireless LAN module.

[0036] The display information generation unit 32, like the display information generation unit 22 provided in the server device 20, can generate display information based on the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 or the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit 13. The signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 or the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit 13 is processed or calculated by, for example, the processing unit and output to the display information generation unit 32. In other words, the display information generation unit 32 can generate display information based on the signal strength or child's location information processed or calculated by the processing unit.

[0037] The display unit 33 can display display information generated by the display information generation unit 22 and display information generation unit 32 provided on the server device 20. Here, if the terminal device 30 is a tablet or smartphone, the display unit 33 supports a touch display as an input / output interface. In other words, the teacher can operate the terminal device 30 and input data through the display unit 33. If the terminal device 30 is a personal computer, the teacher can operate the terminal device 30 and input data through a keyboard, mouse, etc.

[0038] The teacher location information detection unit 34, for example, has a GPS module and is capable of detecting teacher location information, which is the teacher's location on Earth. That is, the teacher location information detection unit 34 can detect the location of a teacher carrying the terminal device 30 on Earth as location information. The terminal device 30 can process the teacher location information detected by the teacher location information detection unit 34, for example in the processing unit, and transmit it to the server device 20 via the terminal communication unit 31.

[0039] The alert unit 35 has, for example, a buzzer, speaker, vibrator, LED, or display, and can output alerts (notifications, alarms) using beeps, voice, vibration, light, text, images, etc. In this embodiment, if the terminal device 30 is a tablet or smartphone, the alert unit 35 has, for example, a speaker, vibrator, or touch display (display unit 33), and can output alerts (notifications, alarms) using voice from the speaker, vibration from the vibrator, text, images, etc. from the touch display. Also, if the terminal device 30 is a personal computer, the alert unit 35 has, for example, a speaker or display (display unit 33), and can output alerts (notifications, alarms) using voice from the speaker, text, images, etc. from the display. The terminal storage unit is, for example, part of the storage unit of the terminal device 30, and can store signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12, child location information detected by the child location information detection unit 13, etc., for each child and for each time (detection time).

[0040] The display unit 33 of the terminal device 30 displays the display information generated by the display information generation unit 22 and the display information generation unit 32. In Figures 2(A) and (B), the safety area A1, which is a predetermined geographical area, and the positions of multiple children C1 to C5, to which the child sensor device 10 is attached, are displayed on the map image. Here, in Figures 2(A) and (B), a dashed circle Cr2 is shown concentric with circle Cr1, which corresponds to teacher T1. This (circle Cr2) is shown for convenience to make the positional relationship between the children and the teacher easier to understand.

[0041] Furthermore, the rectangle S1 shown in Figure 2(A), which is slightly smaller than the safety area A1, represents the area (range) corresponding to the nursery's grounds. In other words, in this embodiment, the safety area A1 is set to be slightly larger than the grounds S1.

[0042] Figure 2(A) shows that children C1, C3, and C4 are inside safety area A1, while children C2 and C5 are outside safety area A1. In this way, the display unit 33 allows teachers and others to quickly confirm (monitor) the location of each child from C1 to C5.

[0043] The site S1 and safety area A1 are pre-configured, for example, by input to the terminal device 30. For example, in the "On-site" situation, which is assumed to be "the child on the school grounds," the teacher sets the terminal device 30 to "On-site" mode. On the other hand, in the "Walking" situation, which is assumed to be "the child walking outside the school grounds," the teacher sets the terminal device 30 to "Walking" mode. Furthermore, in the "At Destination" situation, which is assumed to be "the child at the destination of the walk," the teacher sets the terminal device 30 to "At Destination" mode. The safety area set in "At Destination" mode is the destination of the walk, such as the grounds of a park. For example, when the teacher goes for a walk with the child, the teacher switches the terminal device 30 from "On-site" mode to "Walking" mode. Also, when they arrive at the destination of the walk, the teacher switches the terminal device 30 from "Walking" mode to "At Destination" mode. Furthermore, when departing from the destination of the walk towards the nursery, the terminal device 30 is switched from "staying at destination" mode to "on a walk" mode. Also, when returning to the nursery from the walk, the terminal device 30 is switched from "on a walk" mode to "at the nursery" mode.

[0044] Next, Figure 3 shows a series of processes S100 related to alert output by the alert units 23 and 35.

[0045] S100 is started in the server device 20 when, for example, the terminal device 30 is set to "in the park" mode, "staying at destination" mode, or "taking a walk" mode.

[0046] In S101, the alert unit 23 determines whether the situation is "at the nursery" or "at the destination," which are situations in which it is assumed that the child is either on the nursery grounds or at the destination of the walk. Specifically, it determines whether the child is "at the nursery" or "at the destination" based on whether the terminal device 30 is set to "at the nursery" mode, "at the destination" mode, or "on a walk" mode. If it is determined that the child is "at the nursery" or "at the destination" (S101: YES), the process proceeds to S102. On the other hand, if it is determined that the child is not "at the nursery" or "at the destination," i.e., "on a walk" (S101: NO), the process proceeds to S110.

[0047] In S102, the alert unit 23 determines whether the signal strength between a specific child sensor device 10 and a teacher sensor device 50 is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal threshold Th1. Specifically, it determines whether the signal strength is equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1 based on the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12. Here, for example, if the signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit 511 of the teacher sensor device 50 cannot be received by the signal receiving unit 112 of the child sensor device 10, or if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 is less than the signal threshold Th1, it is determined that the signal strength is not equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1. If it is determined that the signal strength is equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1 (S102: YES), the series of processes S100 is terminated (end). On the other hand, if it is determined that the signal strength is not equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1 (S102: NO), the process proceeds to S103.

[0048] In this embodiment, in S102, the number of times the signal transmitted from the signal transmitting unit 511 of the teacher's sensor device 50 is not received by the signal receiving unit 112 of the child's sensor device 10, or the number of times the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 is less than the signal threshold Th1, is counted. When the count reaches a predetermined number n, it is determined that "the signal strength is not equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1," and the process proceeds to S103. Here, regarding the sensitivity of the alert output, the smaller the predetermined number n is set, the higher the sensitivity, and the larger it is set, the lower the sensitivity.

[0049] In S103, the alert unit 23 determines whether or not the child is inside safety area A1. Specifically, it determines whether or not the child is inside safety area A1 based on the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit 13 and the information of the set safety area A1. More specifically, when the child's location information (location coordinates) is detected (confirmed) to be inside safety area A1 a predetermined number of times (for example, once in this embodiment), it is determined that the child is inside safety area A1. On the other hand, when the child's location information (location coordinates) is detected (confirmed) to be not inside safety area A1 a predetermined number of times (for example, twice in this embodiment), it is determined that the child is not inside safety area A1. If it is determined that the child is inside safety area A1 (S103: YES), the series of processes S100 is terminated (end). On the other hand, if it is determined that the child is not inside safety area A1, that is, the child is outside safety area A1 (S103: NO), the process proceeds to S104.

[0050] In S104, the alert unit 23 determines whether the distance between the child and the teacher is less than a predetermined distance threshold Th2. Specifically, it determines whether the distance between the child and the teacher is less than a predetermined distance threshold Th2 based on the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit 13 and the teacher's location information detected by the teacher's location information detection unit 34. If it determines that the distance between the child and the teacher is less than the predetermined distance threshold Th2 (S104: YES), the series of processes S100 is terminated (end). On the other hand, if it determines that the distance between the child and the teacher is not less than the predetermined distance threshold Th2 (S104: NO), the process moves on to S105.

[0051] Here, regarding the sensitivity of the alert output, setting a smaller predetermined distance threshold Th2 results in higher sensitivity, while setting a larger threshold results in lower sensitivity.

[0052] In S105, the alert unit 23 outputs an alert via the alert unit 35. Specifically, the alert unit 23 instructs the alert unit 35 to output an alert, and the alert unit 35 outputs an alert. After S105, the series of processes S100 is completed (end).

[0053] In S110, the alert unit 23, similar to the processing in S102, determines whether the signal strength between a specific child sensor device 10 and a teacher sensor device 50 is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal threshold Th1. If it determines that the signal strength is equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1 (S110: YES), the series of processes S100 is terminated (end). On the other hand, if it determines that the signal strength is not equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1 (S110: NO), the process proceeds to S104.

[0054] In this embodiment, in S110, similar to S102, the number of times the signal transmitted from the signal transmitting unit 511 of the teacher's sensor device 50 is not received by the signal receiving unit 112 of the child's sensor device 10, or the number of times the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 is less than the signal threshold Th1, is counted. When the count reaches a predetermined number n, it is determined that "the signal strength is not equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1," and the process proceeds to S104.

[0055] Thus, 1: When the child is "in the park" or "staying at the destination" (S101:YES), and the signal strength is equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1 (S102:YES), 2: When the child is "at the nursery" or "at the destination" (S101: YES), and the signal strength is not above the signal threshold Th1 (S102: NO), and the child is within safety area A1 (S103: YES), 3: When the child is "at the nursery" or "at the destination" (S101: YES), and the signal strength is not equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1 (S102: NO), and the child is not in the safe area A1 (S103: NO), and the distance between the child and the teacher is less than the predetermined distance threshold Th2 (S104: YES), 4: If the person is not "in the park" or "staying at the destination" (S101: NO), and the signal strength is equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1 (S110: YES), The alert unit 35 does not output an alert.

[0056] on the other hand, 5: When the child is "at the nursery" or "at the destination" (S101: YES), and the signal strength is not equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1 (S102: NO), and the child is not in safety area A1 (S103: NO), and the distance between the child and the teacher is not less than the predetermined distance threshold Th2 (S104: NO), 6: When the child is not "at the nursery" or "at the destination" (S101:NO), and the signal strength is not equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1 (S110:NO), and the distance between the child and the teacher is not less than the predetermined distance threshold Th2 (S104:NO), The alert unit 35 outputs an alert.

[0057] The series of processes S100, when completed, will restart if the terminal device 30 is set to "in-park" mode, "at destination" mode, or "out for a walk" mode. In other words, the series of processes S100 is a process that is repeatedly executed while the terminal device 30 is set to "in-park" mode, "at destination" mode, or "out for a walk" mode.

[0058] Next, an example of the operation of the alert output in this embodiment will be described.

[0059] Figure 2(A) shows the display unit 33 when the terminal device 30 is set to "on-site" mode. Therefore, in the series of processes S100, S101:YES and S102 is executed. Also, the dashed circle Cr2, which is concentric with the circle Cr1 representing teacher T1, indicates the range of a predetermined distance D1 from teacher T1. Note that in Figure 2(A), teacher T1 is shown to be within the safety area A1 and within the kindergarten grounds S1. In this embodiment, the predetermined distance threshold Th2 is set to distance D1.

[0060] (Preschooler C1) Since the distance between child C1 and teacher T1 is less than the predetermined distance D1, the child's sensor device 10 receives a signal from teacher T1's teacher sensor device 50, and the signal strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined signal threshold Th1. Therefore, S102:YES is obtained, no alert is output, and child C1 is determined to be in a safe state.

[0061] (Preschooler C2) Although child C2 is not within the safe area A1, the distance between child C2 and teacher T1 is less than the predetermined distance D1. Therefore, the child sensor device 10 of child C2 receives a signal from teacher T1's teacher sensor device 50, and the signal strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined signal threshold Th1. As a result, S102:YES is obtained, no alert is issued, and child C2 is determined to be in a safe state.

[0062] (Preschooler C3) Because the distance between child C3 and teacher T1 is a predetermined distance D1, child C3's child sensor device 10 receives a signal from teacher T1's teacher sensor device 50, but the signal strength is less than the predetermined signal threshold Th1. Therefore, S102:NO occurs, and processing S103 is executed. At this point, since child C3 is within the safe area A1, S103:YES occurs, no alert is output, and child C3 is determined to be in a safe state.

[0063] (Preschooler C4) Because the distance between child C4 and teacher T1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance D1, child C4's child sensor device 10 cannot receive a signal from teacher T1's teacher sensor device 50, and the signal strength is less than the predetermined signal threshold Th1. Therefore, S102:NO occurs, and processing S103 is executed. At this point, since child C4 is within the safe area A1, S103:YES occurs, no alert is output, and child C4 is determined to be in a safe state.

[0064] (Preschooler C5) Since the distance between child C5 and teacher T1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance D1, child C5's child sensor device 10 cannot receive a signal from teacher T1's teacher sensor device 50, resulting in S102: NO, and processing S103 is executed. Here, since child C5 is not in the safety area A1, S103: NO, and processing S104 is executed. Here, since the distance between child C5 and teacher T1 is not less than the predetermined distance threshold Th2 (distance D1), S104: NO, an alert is output in S105, and child C5 is determined to be in a state requiring attention.

[0065] Figure 2(B) shows the display unit 33 when the terminal device 30 is set to "walking" mode. Therefore, in the series of processes S100, S101:NO occurs, and S110 is executed. Also, as in Figure 2(A), the dashed circle Cr2, which is concentric with the circle Cr1 representing teacher T1, indicates a range of a predetermined distance D1 from teacher T1. Note that in Figure 2(B), teacher T1 is shown to be on the road.

[0066] (Preschooler C1) Since the distance between child C1 and teacher T1 is less than the predetermined distance D1, the child's sensor device 10 receives a signal from teacher T1's teacher's sensor device 50, and the signal strength is equal to or greater than the predetermined signal threshold Th1. Therefore, S110:YES is obtained, no alert is output, and child C1 is determined to be in a safe state.

[0067] (Preschooler C2) Because the distance between child C2 and teacher T1 is a predetermined distance D1, child C2's child sensor device 10 receives a signal from teacher T1's teacher sensor device 50, but the signal strength is less than the predetermined signal threshold Th1. Therefore, S110:NO, and processing S104 is executed. Here, because the distance between child C2 and teacher T1 is not less than the predetermined distance threshold Th2 (distance D1), S104:NO, an alert is output in S105, and child C2 is determined to be in a state requiring attention.

[0068] (Preschooler C3) Because the distance between child C3 and teacher T1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance D1, child C3's child sensor device 10 cannot receive a signal from teacher T1's teacher sensor device 50, and the signal strength is less than the predetermined signal threshold Th1. Therefore, S110:NO, and the process in S104 is executed. Here, because the distance between child C3 and teacher T1 is not less than the predetermined distance threshold Th2 (distance D1), S104:NO, and an alert is output in S105, and it is determined that child C3 is in a state requiring attention.

[0069] As explained above, in the embodiment described in "Disclosure 1," the alert units 23 and 35 do not output an alert if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal threshold Th1.

[0070] Therefore, even if a child is near the teacher, i.e., within the teacher's line of sight, such that the signal strength between the child sensor device 10 and the teacher sensor device 50 is above a predetermined signal threshold Th1, an alert will not be issued if the child leaves the predetermined geographical area, safety area A1, thus reducing the annoyance experienced by teachers and others. Furthermore, by suppressing unnecessary alerts, the power consumption of the equipment can be reduced.

[0071] Furthermore, "Disclosure 2" This embodiment further includes a teacher location information detection unit 34 capable of detecting teacher location information, which is the location information of the teacher on Earth. In this embodiment, the alert unit 35 does not output an alert when the child is "at the kindergarten" or "staying at the destination," which are situations where it is assumed that the child is on the kindergarten grounds or within the destination of a walk. If the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 is equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1, the alert unit 35 does not output an alert. If the child sensor device 10 or the teacher sensor device 50 cannot receive a signal, or if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 is less than the signal threshold Th1, the alert unit 35 determines whether the child is within a predetermined geographical area, which is a safe area A1, based on the child location information detected by the child location information detection unit 13. If it is determined that the child is within the safe area A1, the alert unit 35 does not output an alert. If it is determined that the child is not within the safe area A1, the alert unit 35 determines whether the distance between the child and the teacher is less than a predetermined distance threshold Th2, based on the child location information and the teacher location information detected by the teacher location information detection unit 34. If it is determined that the distance between the child and the teacher is less than the distance threshold Th2, the alert unit 35 outputs an alert. If no alert is output and it is determined that the distance between the child and the teacher is greater than or equal to the distance threshold Th2, an alert is output. In the case of "taking a walk," which is a situation where "it is assumed that the child is taking a walk outside the school grounds," if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 is greater than or equal to the signal threshold Th1, no alert is output. If the child sensor device 10 or the teacher sensor device 50 cannot receive a signal, or if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 is less than the signal threshold Th1, the system determines whether the distance between the child and the teacher is less than a predetermined distance threshold Th2 based on the child location information detected by the child location information detection unit 13, without determining whether the child is inside the safety area A1. If it is determined that the distance between the child and the teacher is less than the distance threshold Th2, no alert is output. If it is determined that the distance between the child and the teacher is greater than or equal to the distance threshold Th2, an alert is output.

[0072] Therefore, during "walks," the system does not need to perform the process of determining whether or not a child is within the safe area A1 based on the child's location information detected by the child location information detection unit 13, making the process simpler and reducing the power consumption of the equipment. Furthermore, even if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit 12 is not equal to or greater than the signal threshold Th1, if the system determines that the distance between the child and the teacher is less than the distance threshold Th2, no alert will be output, further reducing the inconvenience experienced by teachers and others.

[0073] "Disclosure 3" A signal strength detection process is performed to detect the signal strength, which is the signal strength between a child sensor device (10) that can be attached to each of several children and a teacher sensor device (50) that can be attached to at least one teacher who monitors several of the children. A child location information detection process is performed to detect the child's location information, which is the location information of the child on Earth. Based on the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection process and the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection process, an alert process is performed to output an alert. In the aforementioned alert processing, If the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection process is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal threshold (Th1), no alert will be output. A program that instructs a computer to perform a process.

[0074] In one embodiment of the present invention, it can be implemented as a program as described above.

[0075] (Other embodiments) In another embodiment of "Disclosure 1," regardless of whether the child is "at the nursery," "on a walk," or "staying at a destination," the alert unit may not output an alert if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit is above a predetermined signal threshold. If the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit is below the signal threshold, the alert unit may determine whether the child is within a predetermined geographical area (safety area) based on the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit. If it is determined that the child is within the safety area, the alert may not be output. If it is determined that the child is not within the safety area, the alert may be output. In other words, the decision to output an alert can be made with a simpler process that omits the processes of S101, S104, and S110 from the series of processes S100 (see Figure 3). In this case (when the process of S104 is omitted), the teacher's location information detection unit may not be provided.

[0076] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment shows an example where the teacher sensor device is attached to one teacher. In contrast, in other embodiments, the teacher sensor device may be attached to two or more teachers. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the sensor device 10 for kindergarten children has a signal transmitting unit 111 and a signal receiving unit 112, and only the signal receiving unit 112 is used, and the sensor device 50 for teachers has a signal transmitting unit 511 and a signal receiving unit 512, and only the signal transmitting unit 511 is used. In contrast, in other embodiments, the signal transmitting unit 111 of the sensor device 10 for kindergarten children may be used, and the signal receiving unit 512 of the sensor device 50 for teachers may be used. Furthermore, in yet another embodiment, the sensor device 10 for kindergarten children may have only a signal receiving unit 112 without a signal transmitting unit 111, and the sensor device 50 for teachers may have only a signal transmitting unit 511 without a signal receiving unit 512.

[0077] Thus, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1 monitoring system, 10 sensor devices for children, 12 signal strength detection unit, 13 child location information detection unit, 23, 35 alert unit, 50 sensor device for teachers

Claims

1. A signal strength detection unit (12) capable of detecting the signal strength, which is the signal strength between a child sensor device (10) that can be attached to each of several children and a teacher sensor device (50) that can be attached to at least one teacher who monitors the several children, A child location information detection unit (13) capable of detecting child location information, which is the location information of the child on Earth, The system includes an alert unit (23, 35) capable of outputting an alert based on the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit and the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit, The alert unit is, A monitoring system that does not output an alert if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal threshold (Th1).

2. The system further includes a teacher location information detection unit (34) capable of detecting teacher location information, which is the location information of the teacher on Earth. The alert unit is, In situations where the child is presumed to be on the premises of the nursery school or at the destination of a walk, such as "while at the nursery school" or "while staying at the destination," If the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit is equal to or greater than the signal threshold, no alert is output. If the sensor device for the child or the sensor device for the teacher fails to receive the signal, or if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit is below the signal threshold, the child location information detection unit determines whether the child is within a predetermined geographical area (A1) based on the child location information detected by the child location information detection unit. If it is determined that the aforementioned child is within the safety area, no alert will be issued. If it is determined that the child is not within the safety area, it is determined whether the distance between the child and the teacher is less than a predetermined distance threshold (Th2) based on the child's location information and the teacher's location information detected by the teacher location information detection unit. If it is determined that the distance between the child and the teacher is less than the distance threshold, no alert will be issued. If it is determined that the distance between the child and the teacher is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, an alert will be issued. In the case of "while taking a walk," which is "a situation in which the aforementioned child is presumed to be taking a walk outside the grounds of the aforementioned kindergarten," If the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit is equal to or greater than the signal threshold, no alert is output. If the sensor device for the child or the sensor device for the teacher fails to receive the signal, or if the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection unit is less than the signal threshold, without determining whether the child is within the safety area based on the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection unit, it is determined whether the distance between the child and the teacher is less than a predetermined distance threshold (Th2) based on the child's location information and the teacher's location information detected by the teacher's location information detection unit. If it is determined that the distance between the child and the teacher is less than the distance threshold, no alert will be issued. The monitoring system according to claim 1, which outputs an alert when it is determined that the distance between the child and the teacher is greater than or equal to the distance threshold.

3. A signal strength detection process is performed to detect the signal strength, which is the signal strength between a child sensor device (10) that can be attached to each of several children and a teacher sensor device (50) that can be attached to at least one teacher who monitors several of the children. A child location information detection process is performed to detect the child's location information, which is the location information of the child on Earth. Based on the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection process and the child's location information detected by the child's location information detection process, an alert process is performed to output an alert. In the aforementioned alert processing, If the signal strength detected by the signal strength detection process is equal to or greater than a predetermined signal threshold (Th1), no alert will be output. A program that instructs a computer to perform a process.

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