beacon-based processing execution system

Abstract

The system efficiently and reliably receives beacon information from a large number of target beacons and performs predetermined processing, while limiting the number of registration information entries that can be stored on a mobile device for receiving beacon information. [Solution] A mobile terminal that performs a predetermined process when it receives beacon information from a plurality of beacons predetermined as receiving targets is provided with a processing unit that performs the predetermined process, a first storage unit that stores one or more registered information, and a command unit that, when it is determined that any of the registered information stored in the first storage unit completely or partially matches the received beacon information, commands the processing unit to perform the predetermined process. In addition to the predetermined process, the processing unit also acquires one or more other beacon information associated with the registered information that matches the received beacon information, and adds or updates this other beacon information to the first storage unit as new registered information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing execution system that receives beacon information transmitted from a beacon by a mobile terminal and executes a predetermined process such as unlocking a door.

Background Art

[0002] A mobile terminal has a function that enables it to effectively receive only the signals of some reception target beacons among the signals transmitted from various beacons. This function utilizes the fact that the signal transmitted from each beacon contains unique beacon information for identifying the beacon. Specifically, the beacon information transmitted by the reception target beacon is registered in the mobile terminal, and when the received beacon information matches the registered information (hereinafter also referred to as registered information), it is recognized as a signal from the reception target beacon, and the mobile terminal executes a predetermined process set by the reception.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the number of reception target beacons increases, it is necessary for the mobile terminal to hold the same number of registered information, and a corresponding amount of resources must be allocated. In addition, it may take an unexpected amount of time for the reception process related to the comparison between the received beacon information and the registered information. In particular, when such receiving processing functions are built into the OS, the degree of freedom in resource utilization may be limited, making the aforementioned problems more pronounced. For example, there may be a limit to the number of registration information items that can be stored. In this case, it may become impossible to register a large number of target beacons that exceed that limit.

[0005] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its primary objective is to enable efficient and reliable reception of signals from a large number of target beacons while suppressing the amount of registration information that can be stored in a mobile terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In other words, the present invention has the following configuration. [1] A processing execution system comprising a plurality of beacons predetermined as receiving targets, and a mobile terminal that performs predetermined processing upon receiving beacon information from the beacons, The aforementioned mobile device A processing unit that performs the predetermined processing, A first storage unit that stores one or more registration information, The system includes a command unit that, when it is determined that any of the registration information stored in the first storage unit completely or partially matches (hereinafter referred to as "match") the received beacon information, commands the processing unit to execute the predetermined process, The processing unit is characterized in that, in addition to the predetermined processing, it acquires one or more other beacon information associated with registration information that matches the received beacon information, and adds or updates and stores these other beacon information as new registration information in the first storage unit.

[0007] (effect) With this configuration, simply by storing some registration information in the first storage unit of the mobile terminal, when beacon information matching any of the registration information is received, other beacon information associated with it is added or updated in the first storage unit as new registration information. From then on, predetermined processing can be performed by receiving beacon information that matches the newly registered information. In other words, since the registration information in the first storage unit can be dynamically changed, even if there are a large number of beacon information to be received, it is not necessary to store a corresponding number of registration information entries in the first storage unit at once, and the capacity of the first storage unit can be reduced as much as possible. Furthermore, the resources and processing required for this purpose become unnecessary, enabling efficient reception of beacon information and the execution of associated predetermined processing. Furthermore, since the first storage unit can be placed in main memory or cache memory, which have high access speeds but limited capacity, this also allows for faster reception of beacon information and faster execution of predetermined processes. Furthermore, if the other beacon information can be derived from the initially registered registration information using a predetermined relational expression (rule), it becomes unnecessary to even store this other beacon information, thus further reducing resources.

[0008] [2] The processing unit is characterized in that it adds the acquired other beacon information to the surplus area provided in the first storage unit as new registration information and stores it therein [1].

[0009] (effect) With this configuration, for example, even if the maximum number of registered information items that can be stored in the first storage unit is n (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2), if m (where m is an integer greater than or equal to 2 but less than n) is set as the number of registered information items that will be stored initially, and the number of new registered information items that can be stored in the remaining surplus area is set as k (where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2), then the actual number of registered information items that can be stored in this first storage unit becomes m × k, which is a dramatic increase from n.

[0010] [3] The processing unit updates and stores the acquired other beacon information together with the beacon information that matches the registration information as new registration information in the first storage unit, while saving the initially stored registration information to a predetermined third storage unit, and, under conditions where it is no longer necessary to receive beacon information that matches the new registration information, such as after the predetermined processing is completed, it restores the registration information saved to the third storage unit to the first storage unit, as described in [1].

[0011] (effect) With this configuration, for example, even if the maximum number of registered information items that can be stored in the first storage unit is n (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2), the actual number of registered information items that can be stored in this first storage unit becomes n × n, which is a dramatic increase from n.

[0012] [4] The system further includes a second storage unit that stores the beacon information transmitted by each of the aforementioned beacons, divided into groups. Each group's beacon information has a unique common element set for that group. The first storage unit stores the common portion of each group as initial registration information. When the command unit receives beacon information having a portion that matches the common portion of the registered information, it determines that it is a match. The processing unit is characterized by referring to the second storage unit to obtain other beacon information of the group to which the received beacon information belongs, as described in any one of [1] to [3].

[0013] (effect) With this approach, matching can be determined quickly, and the algorithms that constitute the processing unit can be simplified.

[0014] [5] The processing execution system further includes a second storage unit that stores the beacon information of each of the beacons in groups. For each group, one piece of beacon information among the beacon information belonging to the group is stored in the first storage unit as initial registration information. The processing unit refers to the second storage unit and acquires other beacon information of the group to which the received beacon information belongs, and the processing execution system according to any one of [1] to [3]. (Effect) It is a more specific embodiment.

[0015] [6] A mobile terminal that receives beacon information from a plurality of beacons predetermined as reception targets and executes a predetermined process, A processing unit that executes the predetermined process, A first storage unit that stores one or more pieces of registration information, When it is determined that any one of the registration information stored in the first storage unit exactly matches or partially matches the received beacon information (hereinafter referred to as "match"), the command unit commands the processing unit to execute the predetermined process. In addition to the predetermined process, the processing unit acquires one or more pieces of other beacon information associated with the registration information that matches the received beacon information, and adds or updates and stores these other beacon information in the first storage unit as new registration information. A mobile terminal characterized by this. (Effect) Even such a thing can achieve the same effect as [1].

[0016] [7] A program installed in a mobile terminal that receives beacon information from a plurality of beacons predetermined as reception targets and executes a predetermined process, A processing unit that executes the predetermined process, A first storage unit that stores one or more pieces of registration information, When it is determined that any of the registered information stored in the first storage unit completely or partially matches the received beacon information (hereinafter referred to as "match"), the unit functions as a command unit that instructs the processing unit to execute the predetermined process. A program characterized in that, in addition to the predetermined processing, the processing unit acquires one or more other beacon information associated with registration information that matches the received beacon information, and functions to add or update and store these other beacon information as new registration information in the first storage unit. (effect) Even something like this can produce the same effect as [1]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention configured in this way, it is possible to efficiently and reliably receive beacon information from a large number of target beacons and perform predetermined processing while suppressing the number of registration information items to be stored in a mobile terminal for receiving beacon information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a schematic overall diagram of a processing execution system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the beacon information of the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal in the same embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the OS operation of the mobile terminal in the same embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows the initial registration information stored in the first storage unit of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows the beacon information to be received stored in the second storage unit of the same embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the processing unit of the mobile terminal in the same embodiment. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the operation of the processing unit of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the processing execution system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1. Overview As shown in Figure 1, this processing execution system 100 comprises a plurality of predetermined beacons 1 that are to be received (hereinafter also referred to as "receiving target beacons 1") and a mobile terminal 2 that performs predetermined processing when it receives beacon information emitted by the beacon information. In this context, beacon 1 is installed near or attached to doors or gates that are frequently used by many people, such as in apartment buildings, factories, hospitals, and concert venues. Mobile terminal 2 is carried by people (residents or contractors) who enter or exit these doors, etc. The predetermined process performed by mobile terminal 2 is to transmit a wireless unlocking signal to an unlocking device installed on the door, etc., when the user enters a certain range from the door, etc., thereby automatically unlocking it.

[0020] 2. Beacon 1 First, let me briefly explain Beacon 1. Beacon 1, as used here, is a well-known device that emits wireless signals at regular time intervals (e.g., every few seconds), and consists of basic components such as a microcontroller, a signal transmitter (BLE chip in this case), a battery, an antenna, and a housing. As shown in Figure 2, the aforementioned wireless signal contains beacon information for identifying each beacon 1. This beacon information includes a main identifier, a first sub-identifier, and a second sub-identifier.

[0021] 3. Mobile device 2 Next, I will explain mobile device 2. This mobile device 2 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer, and in terms of hardware, it is equipped with a CPU, memory, communication device, display, touch panel, etc. Furthermore, in terms of software, the mobile terminal 2, as shown in Figure 3, includes functions such as a receiving unit for receiving the beacon information, a first storage unit for storing one or more registration information, a second storage unit for storing beacon information for each target beacon 1, a processing unit for executing the predetermined processing, and a command unit for issuing commands to the processing unit to execute the predetermined processing. Of these components, the receiving unit, the first storage unit, and the command unit are, in this context, part of the OS and are always in operation as long as the mobile terminal 2 is powered on. On the other hand, the processing unit, in this case an application installed on the OS, can take on two states: an execution state in which processing is performed and a stopped state in which operation is stopped. The execution state includes a state in which processing is performed in the foreground, displayed on the screen and allowing user input, and a state in which processing is performed in the background, not displayed on the screen. The stopped state includes a state in which the application is running but in the background and has stopped operating, and a killed state in which the application is not running.

[0022] 4. Description of each part of mobile device 2 (1) Receiving unit The receiving unit receives wirelessly transmitted beacon information (Figure 4: Step S1), measures its reception strength, and stores this information in a predetermined area of ​​the memory.

[0023] (2) First storage unit The first storage unit is set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory of the mobile terminal 2, for example, in the main memory or cache memory with a high access speed, and stores one or more registered pieces of information that can be compared with the beacon information. In this embodiment, the beacon information transmitted by each target beacon 1 is divided into several groups. Furthermore, one beacon information for each group, or information extracted from the parts common to the groups (hereinafter referred to as representative beacon information), is stored in the initial registration area of ​​the first storage unit as initial registration information, as shown in Figure 5. The number of registered information entries that can be stored in the first storage unit has an upper limit (for example, 20). In this case, a portion of this area is set as the initial registration area, and the rest is considered surplus area.

[0024] (3) Second storage unit The beacon information for all receiving beacons 1, that is, the beacon information including the representative beacon information, is stored in a second storage unit provided in a memory area with no limit on the number of registrations, i.e., a memory area that can be configured by the application, as shown in Figure 6, and is linked to the representative beacon information of each group. It is preferable that all information is specified in the beacon information stored in this second storage unit, without using wildcard characters. As mentioned above, the linking methods include cases where the representative beacon information of a group and other beacon information are simply linked by a group number, as shown in Figure 6(a), and cases where a calculation formula for calculating other beacon information from the representative beacon information is stored and calculated from this formula, as shown in Figure 6(b). In Figure 6(b), an example is shown where the values ​​of other beacon information are obtained by adding 1 to 4 to some of the values ​​of the representative beacon information.

[0025] (4) Command department As shown in steps S2 to S5 of Figure 4, the command unit acquires the beacon information received by the receiving unit and searches for registered information that matches the beacon information among the registered information stored in the first storage unit. If a matching registered information is found, the command unit forces the processing unit to run, even if it is in a stopped state, and has it execute the predetermined process. Furthermore, if a certain period of time elapses after receiving the beacon information, the command unit will stop the processing unit from the running state (Figure 4: Step S6). This certain period of time is not extended even if beacon information matching the same registration information is received during that time. However, if the command unit determines that it has received another beacon information matching a different registration information within that certain period of time, it will extend the running state of the processing unit for a further certain period of time after receiving that information.

[0026] In this context, "match" refers to either a partial match or an exact match, and users or administrators can specify which one is appropriate. For example, when specifying a partial match, one or more bits of the registration information can be treated as a wildcard character such as "*", and the remaining parts can be considered a match. Here, as illustrated in Figure 5, the wildcard character "*" can be used for the first sub-identifier and the second sub-identifier. In other words, the command center searches using a partial match condition if the registration information contains wildcard characters, and an exact match condition if it does not.

[0027] (4) Processing As mentioned above, when the first storage unit receives any of the representative beacon information stored as initial registration information, the processing unit enters an execution state in accordance with the command from the command unit. At this time, the processing unit executes the predetermined process (Figure 7: Step S11), but it also operates as follows. In other words, all beacon information belonging to the group to which the beacon information determined to match the registration information belongs, i.e., the received beacon information and other beacon information associated therewith, is obtained from the second storage unit (Figure 7: Step S12). Then, this beacon information is added and stored as new registration information in the surplus area of ​​the first storage unit (Figure 7: Step S13). Furthermore, if beacon information from another group is received afterward (Figure 7: Step S14), all beacon information from the group to which the beacon information belongs is obtained from the second storage unit, and the beacon information of the group that was previously registered in the surplus area is updated with this new beacon information.

[0028] 5.Specific operation example Here, we will explain using the example of a delivery company delivering packages to multiple different apartment buildings. The premise is as follows: Each apartment building is equipped with multiple doors with unlocking devices, as shown in Figure 1. Each door is equipped with a Beacon 1. The beacon information transmitted by each Beacon 1 in a single apartment building is stored as a single group in the second storage unit. Each beacon in a group shares a common main identifier, but its first and second sub-identifiers are set to be different. • Beacon information for different apartment buildings is configured to have different main identifiers.

[0029] Under the above premise, the delivery person operates the mobile terminal 2 to read, for example, the beacon information transmitted by beacons 1 installed on all doors necessary for entry and exit in each apartment building to be delivered to, from the barcode attached to the delivery slip or the server device at the time of departure. At this time, since the processing unit is in an execution state due to the operation of the delivery person, the processing unit stores all the read beacon information in the second storage unit and stores the main identifier of each apartment building as initial registration information in the first storage unit.

[0030] When the delivery person arrives at the first apartment building and approaches the door with the package, the receiving unit receives beacon information from the beacon 1 on the door. The command unit then first compares the received beacon information with the registration information stored in the surplus area of ​​the first storage unit. Since nothing is initially registered in the surplus area, the command unit determines that there is no match, and then determines whether the received beacon information matches any of the initial registration information. If the main identifier, which is part of the beacon information, matches any of the main identifiers in the initial registration information stored in the first storage unit, the command unit determines that there is a match and puts the processing unit into an execution state.

[0031] The processing unit, once in operation, acquires the unlock signal for the door, wirelessly transmits the unlock signal to the unlocking device, and unlocks the door. The value of this unlock signal may be stored in the storage device of the mobile terminal 2 beforehand, linked to each door or beacon information at the time of departure, and retrieved by the processing unit. Alternatively, the unlock signal may be acquired by communicating with a server device, such as a cloud, that holds the unlock signal linked to the beacon information, via the internet or other means. This allows delivery personnel to enter the apartment building through the door hands-free and perform their delivery duties.

[0032] On the other hand, as described above, this processing unit acquires all beacon information from the second storage unit that belongs to the group to which the beacon information determined to match the initial registration information belongs. Then, this beacon information is added and stored as new registration information in the surplus area of ​​the first storage unit. If a delivery company goes to other doors in the apartment building to deliver packages, the same procedures as described above will be followed. Furthermore, when a delivery company performs work at another apartment complex, the processing unit erases the beacon information of the previous apartment complex stored in the surplus area and updates the surplus area with the beacon information of the current apartment complex as new registration information.

[0033] 6. Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, when the processing unit receives any of the representative beacon information stored as initial registration information in the first storage unit, it may move and store the initial registration information registered in the first storage unit, i.e., the representative beacon information, in a third storage unit provided in the same area as the second storage unit (Figure 8: Step S21). At this time, the processing unit acquires all beacon information from the second storage unit for the group to which the received representative beacon information belongs (Figure 8: step S22), and updates and stores this beacon information in the first storage unit as new registration information (Figure 8: step S23).

[0034] Then, this processing unit executes a predetermined process (Figure 8: Step S24). On the other hand, unlike the above embodiment, unless the registration information in the first storage unit is returned to the initial registration information, the command unit cannot determine that it matches even if beacon information from a different group is received, and the processing unit cannot execute the predetermined process. Therefore, in this case, if the period during which no beacon information is received continues for a predetermined period of time or longer, or in the example of delivery to an apartment building, the user inputs that the delivery work to the apartment building has been completed, or no beacon signal is received from the target beacon, or the GPS signal determines that the user has moved away from the apartment building, and in other cases where it is no longer necessary to receive beacon information that matches the new registration information (Figure 8: step S25), the processing unit should return the initial registration information that has been saved in the third storage unit to the first storage unit.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the beacon information belonging to the same group each had a common part called a main identifier, but they may also be separate and have no common part. Furthermore, the present invention is applicable to information radio transmitters other than beacons. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 100... Processing Execution System 1. Beacon 2. Mobile devices

Claims

1. A processing execution system comprising a plurality of beacons predetermined as receiving targets, and a mobile terminal that performs predetermined processing upon receiving beacon information from the beacons, The aforementioned mobile device A processing unit that performs the predetermined processing, A first storage unit that stores one or more registration information, The system includes a command unit that, when it is determined that any of the registration information stored in the first storage unit completely or partially matches (hereinafter referred to as "match") the received beacon information, commands the processing unit to execute the predetermined process, The processing unit is characterized in that, in addition to the predetermined processing, it acquires one or more other beacon information associated with registration information that matches the received beacon information, and adds or updates and stores these other beacon information as new registration information in the first storage unit.

2. The processing unit is characterized in that it adds the acquired other beacon information to the surplus area provided in the first storage unit as new registration information and stores it therein, as described in claim 1.

3. The processing unit updates and stores the acquired other beacon information, together with beacon information matching the registration information, in the first storage unit as new registration information, while simultaneously saving the initially stored registration information to a predetermined third storage unit, and, under conditions where it is no longer necessary to receive beacon information matching the new registration information, such as after the predetermined processing is completed, restores the registration information saved to the third storage unit to the first storage unit, as described in claim 1.

4. The system further includes a third storage unit that stores the beacon information transmitted by each of the aforementioned beacons, divided into groups. Each group's beacon information has a unique common element set for that group. The first storage unit stores the common parts of each group as initial registration information. When the command unit receives beacon information having a portion that matches the common portion of the registered information, it determines that it is a match. The processing unit is characterized in that it refers to the third storage unit to obtain other beacon information from the group to which the received beacon information belongs, as described in claim 1.

5. The system further includes a second storage unit that stores the beacon information of each of the aforementioned beacons, divided into groups. For each group, one beacon information from among the beacon information belonging to that group is stored in the first storage unit as initial registration information. The processing execution system according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit refers to the second storage unit to acquire other beacon information from the group to which the received beacon information belongs.

6. A mobile terminal that performs a predetermined process when it receives beacon information from multiple beacons predetermined as receiving targets, A processing unit that performs the predetermined processing, A first storage unit that stores one or more registration information, The system includes a command unit that, when it is determined that any of the registration information stored in the first storage unit completely or partially matches (hereinafter referred to as "match") the received beacon information, commands the processing unit to execute the predetermined process, The processing unit is characterized in that, in addition to the predetermined processing, it acquires one or more other beacon information linked to registration information that matches the received beacon information, and adds or updates these other beacon information to the first storage unit as new registration information.

7. A program installed in a mobile terminal that performs a predetermined process when it receives beacon information from multiple beacons predetermined as receiving targets, A processing unit that performs the predetermined processing, A first storage unit that stores one or more registration information, When it is determined that any of the registered information stored in the first storage unit completely or partially matches the received beacon information (hereinafter referred to as "match"), the unit functions as a command unit that instructs the processing unit to execute the predetermined process. A program characterized in that, in addition to the predetermined processing, the processing unit acquires one or more other beacon information associated with registration information that matches the received beacon information, and adds or updates these other beacon information to the first storage unit as new registration information.

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