Communication system

Abstract

This system provides a communication system that reduces installation burden and costs while offering high installation flexibility, for situations where various functions need to be implemented within a facility using a single communication system. [Solution] The communication system 100 comprises a server 3, an electronic tag 1 including a first electronic tag 1A and a second electronic tag 1B located in a facility S1, and a user terminal device 2 that reads tag identification information from the electronic tag 1 to identify the electronic tag 1, wherein the functions realized by the first electronic tag 1A and the functions realized by the second electronic tag 1B are different from each other. When the acquisition unit of the server acquires tag identification information for identifying the first electronic tag from the user terminal device, the control unit transmits redirect information corresponding to the first electronic tag to the user terminal device, and when the acquisition unit acquires tag identification information for identifying the second electronic tag from the user terminal device, the control unit transmits redirect information corresponding to the second electronic tag to the user terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, short-range wireless communication using electronic tags such as NFC (Near Field Communication) tags has been utilized in a variety of fields. Patent Document 1 discloses a system for distributing multimedia content by NFC communication.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a facility, a plurality of hardware devices may be installed to realize various functions. However, depending on the nature of the hardware device or the facility, it may be impossible to install the hardware device in the facility. For example, when installing a hardware device in a facility, if it is necessary to prepare a communication line for the hardware device in advance, wiring may not be possible depending on the location. Also, in this case, a large amount of cost may be required for wiring and installation work.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a communication system that can increase the degree of freedom in installation while reducing the installation burden and cost when it is desired to realize various functions with one communication system in one facility.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A communication system according to one aspect for achieving the above object is A communication system comprising a server, electronic tags including a first electronic tag and a second electronic tag located in a single facility, and a user terminal device that reads tag identification information from the electronic tags for identifying the electronic tags, The server comprises an acquisition unit that acquires the tag identification information from the user terminal device, a storage unit that stores redirect information linked to the tag identification information, and a control unit that transmits the redirect information linked to the acquired tag identification information to the user terminal device. The functions realized by the first electronic tag and the functions realized by the second electronic tag are different from each other. When the acquisition unit acquires the tag identification information for identifying the first electronic tag from the user terminal device, the control unit transmits the redirect information corresponding to the first electronic tag to the user terminal device. When the acquisition unit acquires the tag identification information for identifying the second electronic tag from the user terminal device, the control unit transmits the redirect information corresponding to the second electronic tag to the user terminal device.

[0007] According to the communication system with the above configuration, the communication system is equipped with electronic tags, including a first electronic tag and a second electronic tag, which are located in a single facility, and the functions realized by the first electronic tag and the functions realized by the second electronic tag are different from each other. Furthermore, in the communication system with the above configuration, when the server obtains tag identification information for identifying the first electronic tag from the user terminal device, it transmits redirect information corresponding to the first electronic tag to the user terminal device. On the other hand, when the server obtains tag identification information for identifying the second electronic tag from the user terminal device, it transmits redirect information corresponding to the second electronic tag to the user terminal device. Therefore, the installer of the communication system can realize various functions within a single facility using a single communication system by placing multiple electronic tags, each with different functions, in a single facility. Thus, according to the communication system with the above configuration, when it is desired to realize various functions within a single facility using a single communication system, the installation burden and cost can be reduced while increasing the degree of installation flexibility. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, when it is desired to implement various functions within a single facility using a single communication system, it is possible to provide a communication system that reduces installation burden and costs while offering a high degree of installation flexibility. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an example of the first electronic tag. [Figure 3] Figure 3 illustrates a second electronic tag. [Figure 4] Figure 4 illustrates the tag identification information and redirection information stored in the memory unit. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method implemented in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (Overall structure) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a communication system 100 according to the present disclosure. The communication system 100 is used, for example, in medical facilities such as hospitals, residential facilities such as apartment buildings, offices, department stores, sports gyms, and other commercial facilities. As illustrated in Figure 1, the communication system 100 comprises a plurality of electronic tags 1, a user terminal device 2, and a server 3. In this embodiment, the communication system 100 comprises a plurality of electronic tags 1, but it may also comprise a single electronic tag 1. The user terminal device 2 and the server 3 may be connected to each other in a way that allows them to communicate with each other via a communication network N, such as the Internet.

[0011] Electronic tag 1 is a tag that utilizes RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to read and write data on an IC chip within the tag without contact using radio waves. "NFC tag" is one of the standards for electronic tags, and the following embodiment describes an example using an NFC tag as the electronic tag, but the electronic tag is not limited to NFC tags. Electronic tag 1 is, for example, an NFC tag. An NFC tag is a tag that uses a frequency of 13.56 MHz and uses short-range wireless communication of about 10 cm, which is relatively shorter than other RFID tags. However, electronic tag 1 is not limited to an NFC tag, and may be any other electronic tag that uses short-range wireless communication of a similar degree as an NFC tag. Electronic tag 1 is, for example, a sheet-type tag or a card-type tag, and is relatively thin. Each electronic tag 1 has tag identification information for identifying electronic tag 1. The tag identification information is, for example, an identification number (ID) assigned to each electronic tag 1. Electronic tag 1 can communicate wirelessly with a user terminal device 2, for example.

[0012] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the electronic tag 1 is designed to correspond to the function it will perform. The functions performed by the electronic tag 1 include, for example, an intercom function and an emergency call function. In this embodiment, the electronic tag 1 for performing the intercom function is designated as the first electronic tag 1A, and the electronic tag 1 for performing the emergency call function is designated as the second electronic tag 1B. Thus, the functions performed by the first electronic tag 1A and the second electronic tag 1B are distinct. As illustrated in Figure 2, the first electronic tag 1A is designed to resemble an intercom. As illustrated in Figure 3, the second electronic tag 1B is designed to resemble an emergency telephone. In this embodiment, all electronic tags 1, including the first electronic tag 1A and the second electronic tag 1B, are installed in the same facility S1.

[0013] Returning to Figure 1, let's describe User Terminal Device 2. User Terminal Device 2 is, for example, an information terminal device such as a smartphone. User Terminal Device 2 is operated by a user (the user of User Terminal Device 2). When User Terminal Device 2 communicates with Electronic Tag 1 via short-range wireless communication, it reads the tag identification information from Electronic Tag 1. After reading the tag identification information from Electronic Tag 1, User Terminal Device 2 transmits the tag identification information to Server 3. When User Terminal Device 2 receives the redirect information described later from Server 3, it becomes ready to communicate with Second User Terminal Device 4. Note that the ready-to-communicate state includes the fact that User Terminal Device 2 and Second User Terminal Device 4 are in a state where they can make a call.

[0014] Server 3 comprises an acquisition unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. These are connected to each other via a bus 34 so that they can communicate with one another.

[0015] The acquisition unit 31 acquires tag identification information from the user terminal device 2 via the communication network N. The acquisition unit 31 transmits the acquired tag identification information to the control unit 33.

[0016] The storage unit 32 is a storage device (storage), such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, etc. In the storage unit 32, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, redirect information is stored in a state linked to tag identification information. Note that the redirect information includes, for example, URL information and redirect destination information. The redirect destination information is information indicating, for example, what web page the URL indicated by the URL information is. Note that the redirect information can be edited (created, changed, deleted) by, for example, the installer of the electronic tag 1.

[0017] Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 33 will be described. As a hardware configuration, the control unit 33 includes a memory 331 and a processor 332. The memory 331 is composed of, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various computer programs and the like are stored, a RAM (Random Access Memory) having a plurality of work areas in which various computer programs to be executed by the processor 332 are stored, and the like. The processor 332 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and is configured to expand a computer program designated from various computer programs incorporated in the ROM onto the RAM and execute various processes in cooperation with the RAM.

[0018] Based on the tag identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 31, the control unit 33 generates an instruction signal for causing the storage unit 32 to transmit the redirect information associated with the tag identification information to the control unit 33, and transmits the generated instruction signal to the storage unit 32. Based on the instruction signal received from the control unit 33, the storage unit 32 transmits the redirect information associated with the tag identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 to the control unit 33. In this way, the control unit 33 acquires (receives) the redirect information associated with the tag identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 from the storage unit 32. The control unit 33 transmits the received redirect information to the user terminal device 2.

[0019] (Usage example) Next, while referring to FIG. 5, an example of the use of the communication system 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an information processing method executed in the present embodiment. In this example, it is assumed that the user terminal device 2 is the user's smartphone. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user is inside the facility S1 while carrying the user terminal device 2. It is also assumed that a plurality of electronic tags 1 including the first electronic tag 1A and the second electronic tag 1B are arranged in the facility S1. In this example, the facility S1 is an office. Also, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the tag ID of the first electronic tag 1A is T1 and the tag ID of the second electronic tag 1B is T2 (see FIG. 4).

[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the user brings the user terminal device 2 close to the electronic tag 1, the user terminal device 2 performs short-range wireless communication with the electronic tag 1 and reads tag identification information from the electronic tag 1 (STEP01). For example, when the user brings the user terminal device 2 close to the first electronic tag 1A, the user terminal device 2 reads tag identification information indicating T1 from the first electronic tag 1A (STEP01). The user terminal device 2 transmits the tag identification information read from the first electronic tag 1A to the server 3 (STEP02).

[0021] The control unit 33 generates an instruction signal to send redirect information associated with the tag identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 to the control unit 33 based on the tag identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 (STEP 03). The control unit 33 transmits the generated instruction signal to the storage unit 32, thereby obtaining the redirect information based on the tag identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 from the storage unit 32 (STEP 04). For example, if the acquisition unit 31 acquires tag identification information indicating T1 (see Figure 4), the control unit 33 generates an instruction signal to send redirect information indicating that the redirect URL is https: / / aaa.co.jp and the redirect destination is the intercom web page to the control unit 33 (STEP 03). The intercom web page is a web page that allows the user to communicate with others using the user terminal device 2. Subsequently, the control unit 33 transmits the generated instruction signal to the storage unit 32, thereby obtaining the redirect information from the storage unit 32 (STEP 04).

[0022] As illustrated in Figure 5, the control unit 33 transmits the redirect information received from the storage unit 32 to the user terminal device 2 (STEP 05). When the user terminal device 2 receives the redirect information from the server 3, the website or other information related to the redirect URL indicated by the redirect information is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal device 2 (STEP 06). For example, when the control unit 33 receives redirect information from the storage unit 32 indicating that the redirect URL is https: / / aaa.co.jp, it transmits the redirect information to the user's smartphone (STEP 05). When the first user's smartphone receives the redirect information from the server 3, the intercom website related to https: / / aaa.co.jp is displayed on the display unit of the first user's smartphone (STEP 06).

[0023] In STEP 01, when the user brings the user terminal device 2 close to the second electronic tag 1B, the server 3 receives the tag identification information T2 that the user terminal device 2 read from the second electronic tag 1B and sends redirect information corresponding to the tag identification information T2 to the user terminal device 2. As a result, the emergency call website related to https: / / bbb.co.jp is displayed on the display of the first user's smartphone (STEP 06).

[0024] Thus, from the perspective of the installer of the communication system 100, by simply placing multiple electronic tags 1 (1A, 1B) with different functions within the office, various functions can be realized with a single communication system 100 within a single facility S1. Furthermore, from the perspective of the user of the user terminal device 2, there is no need to perform tasks such as downloading various applications to the user terminal device 2, and various functions can be realized simply by bringing the user terminal device 2 close to the desired electronic tag 1 (1A, 1B), thus reducing the burden on the user.

[0025] According to the communication system 100 with the above configuration, the communication system 100 is equipped with electronic tags 1, including a first electronic tag 1A and a second electronic tag 1B, which are located in a single facility S1. The functions realized by the first electronic tag 1A and the functions realized by the second electronic tag 1B are different from each other. Furthermore, when the server 3 obtains tag identification information for identifying the first electronic tag 1A from the first user's smartphone (user terminal device 2), it sends redirect information corresponding to the first electronic tag 1A to the first user's smartphone. On the other hand, when the server 3 obtains tag identification information for identifying the second electronic tag 1B from the first user's smartphone, it sends redirect information corresponding to the second electronic tag 1B to the first user's smartphone. Therefore, the installer of the communication system 100 can realize various functions with a single communication system 100 within a single facility S1 by placing multiple electronic tags 1, each with different functions, in a single facility S1. Thus, according to the communication system 100, when it is desired to realize various functions with a single communication system 100 within a single facility S1, the installation burden and cost can be reduced while increasing the degree of installation flexibility.

[0026] According to the communication system 100 with the above configuration, the first electronic tag 1A is designed to correspond to the function (intercom function) realized by the first electronic tag 1A, and the second electronic tag 1B is designed to correspond to the function (emergency call function) realized by the second electronic tag 1B. Therefore, a user of the user terminal device 2 can easily recognize the function realized by each electronic tag 1 simply by looking at it.

[0027] According to the communication system 100 with the above configuration, the function realized by the first electronic tag 1A is an intercom function, and the function realized by the second electronic tag 1B is an emergency notification function. Thus, the communication system 100 according to this embodiment is suitable for use in commercial facilities such as offices.

[0028] The communication system 100 with the above configuration can be used in various facilities such as medical facilities, residential facilities, and commercial facilities. In other words, in the above embodiment, facility S1 is an office (commercial facility), but it may be other facilities (for example, medical facilities or residential facilities).

[0029] The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of this disclosure and do not limit it. This disclosure may be modified or improved without departing from its intent.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the function realized by the first electronic tag 1A is an intercom function, and the function realized by the second electronic tag 1B is an emergency call function, but other functions may also be realized.

[0031] As explained above, this specification discloses the matters described in the following clauses. <Clause 1> A communication system comprising a server, electronic tags including a first electronic tag and a second electronic tag located in a single facility, and a user terminal device that reads tag identification information from the electronic tags for identifying the electronic tags, The server comprises an acquisition unit that acquires the tag identification information from the user terminal device, a storage unit that stores redirect information linked to the tag identification information, and a control unit that transmits the redirect information linked to the acquired tag identification information to the user terminal device. The functions realized by the first electronic tag and the functions realized by the second electronic tag are different from each other. When the acquisition unit acquires the tag identification information for identifying the first electronic tag from the user terminal device, the control unit transmits the redirect information corresponding to the first electronic tag to the user terminal device. A communication system in which, when the acquisition unit acquires the tag identification information for identifying the second electronic tag from the user terminal device, the control unit transmits the redirect information corresponding to the second electronic tag to the user terminal device. <Clause 2> Each of the first electronic tag and the second electronic tag is provided with a design corresponding to the above function. The communication system described in Clause 1, wherein the design applied to the first electronic tag and the design applied to the second electronic tag are different from each other. <Clause 3> The function realized by the aforementioned first electronic tag is an intercom function. The function realized by the second electronic tag is an emergency notification function, as described in the communication system described in Clause 1 or Clause 2. <Clause 4> The aforementioned facility is a medical facility, a residential facility, or a commercial facility, and the communication system is as described in any one of the clauses 1 to 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0032] 1: Electronic tag, 1A: First electronic tag, 1B: Second electronic tag, 2: User terminal device, 3: Server, 31: Acquisition unit, 32: Storage unit, 33: Control unit, 34: Bus, 100: Communication system, 331: Memory, 332: Processor

Claims

1. A communication system comprising a server, electronic tags including a first electronic tag and a second electronic tag located in a single facility, and a user terminal device that reads tag identification information from the electronic tags for identifying the electronic tags, The server comprises an acquisition unit that acquires the tag identification information from the user terminal device, a storage unit that stores redirect information linked to the tag identification information, and a control unit that transmits the redirect information linked to the acquired tag identification information to the user terminal device. The functions realized by the first electronic tag and the functions realized by the second electronic tag are different from each other. When the acquisition unit acquires the tag identification information for identifying the first electronic tag from the user terminal device, the control unit transmits the redirect information corresponding to the first electronic tag to the user terminal device. A communication system in which, when the acquisition unit acquires the tag identification information for identifying the second electronic tag from the user terminal device, the control unit transmits the redirect information corresponding to the second electronic tag to the user terminal device.

2. Each of the first electronic tag and the second electronic tag is provided with a design corresponding to the above function. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the design applied to the first electronic tag and the design applied to the second electronic tag are different from each other.

3. The function realized by the aforementioned first electronic tag is an intercom function. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the function realized by the second electronic tag is an emergency notification function.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the facility is one of a medical facility, a residential facility, and a commercial facility.

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