Communication system

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication system with a simple system configuration that can reliably transmit predetermined information from a first user terminal device to a second user terminal device with simple operation. [Solution] The communication system 100 comprises a server 3, an electronic tag 1, a first user terminal device 2 that reads tag identification information from the electronic tag 1 to identify the electronic tag 1, and a second user terminal device 4 that can communicate with the first user terminal device 2. The server 3 comprises an acquisition unit 31 that acquires tag identification information from the first user terminal device 2, a storage unit 32 that stores instruction information indicating instructions for the first user terminal device 2, linked to the tag identification information, and a control unit 33 that transmits the instruction information linked to the acquired tag identification information to the first user terminal device 2. When the first user terminal device 2 receives the instruction information from the server 3, it transmits predetermined information to the second user terminal device 4 based on the instruction information.

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

[0007] The communication system according to the above configuration is relatively simple in its structure. Furthermore, the first user terminal device can transmit predetermined information to the second user terminal device simply by reading the tag identification information from the electronic tag. Therefore, the communication system according to the above configuration can prevent situations where predetermined information is forgotten to be transmitted to the second user terminal device, even though it should be. Thus, the communication system according to the above configuration has a simple system structure and can reliably transmit predetermined information from the first user terminal device to the second user terminal device with simple operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a communication system that has a simple system configuration and can reliably transmit predetermined information from a first user terminal device to a second user terminal device with simple operation. [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 illustrates a student ID card with a built-in electronic tag. [Figure 3] Figure 3 illustrates the tag identification information and instruction information stored in the memory unit. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an information processing method implemented in this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the tag identification information and instruction information stored in the memory unit. [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. As illustrated in Figure 1, the communication system 100 comprises a plurality of electronic tags 1, one first user terminal device 2, a server 3, and a plurality of second user terminal devices 4. The first user terminal devices 2, the server 3, and the second user terminal devices 4 can be connected to each other in a way that enables communication, for example, 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 to the IC chip inside the tag without contact using radio waves. "NFC tag" is one of the standards for electronic tags, and in the following embodiment, an example using an NFC tag as the electronic tag will be described, but the electronic tag is not limited to an NFC tag. 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 RFIDs. However, electronic tag 1 is not limited to an NFC tag, and other electronic tags may be used as long as they use short-range wireless communication of a similar degree to that of an NFC tag. Electronic tag 1 is, for example, a sheet-type tag or a card-type tag, and is relatively thin. In this embodiment, electronic tag 1 is used embedded in the student ID 10, as illustrated in Figure 2. 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. The electronic tag 1 can communicate wirelessly with, for example, a first user terminal device 2.

[0012] Returning to Figure 1, the first user terminal device 2 will be described. The first user terminal device 2 is located in a facility S1. In this embodiment, facility S1 is a cram school. In this specification, it may be referred to as cram school S1. Therefore, in this embodiment, each student ID card 10 with an embedded electronic tag 1 is owned by a student attending cram school S1. The first user terminal device 2 is, for example, an information terminal device such as a smartphone. The first user terminal device 2 is operated by the first user (the user of the first user terminal device 2). When the first user terminal device 2 performs short-range wireless communication with the electronic tag 1, it reads the tag identification information from the electronic tag 1. After reading the tag identification information from the electronic tag 1, the first user terminal device 2 transmits the tag identification information to the server 3.

[0013] The first user terminal device 2 is capable of generating time information indicating the time when the first user terminal device 2 read the tag identification information from the electronic tag 1. In this embodiment, since the first user terminal device 2 is located in facility S1, this time information can be used to indicate the time when a person carrying a student ID card 10 with the electronic tag 1 embedded in it (i.e., a person using facility S1) arrived at facility S1, or the time when that person departed from facility S1.

[0014] When the first user terminal device 2 receives instruction information (described later) from the server 3, it transmits predetermined information to the second user terminal device 4 based on the instruction information and time information. The predetermined information may, for example, be information indicating that the person carrying the student ID card 10 with the embedded electronic tag 1 arrived at facility S1 at the time indicated by the time information generated by the first user terminal device 2. The predetermined information may also be information indicating that the person carrying the student ID card 10 with the embedded electronic tag 1 departed from facility S1 at the time indicated by the time information generated by the first user terminal device 2. The first user terminal device 2 transmits the predetermined information to the second user terminal device 4 corresponding to the electronic tag 1 linked to the acquired tag identification information.

[0015] 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.

[0016] The acquisition unit 31 acquires tag identification information from the first user terminal device 2 via the communication network N. The acquisition unit 31 transmits the acquired tag identification information to the control unit 33.

[0017] The storage unit 32 is, for example, a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory. The storage unit 32 stores application information indicating an application to be launched on the first user terminal device 2, and instruction information indicating instructions for the first user terminal device 2, linked to the tag identification information, as illustrated in Figure 3. However, the storage unit 32 may store only instruction information, linked to the tag identification information. In this embodiment, the application indicated by the application information is a messaging application. The instruction information is, for example, information indicating an instruction such as, "Send the message 'Arrived' to A's (in this embodiment, parent A of the student holding the student ID card 10) information terminal device A1 (for example, a smartphone, which is an example of the second user terminal device 4)." Therefore, when the first user terminal device 2 reads tag identification information indicating that the tag ID is T1 at 17:00, the first user terminal device 2 receives instruction information from the server 3, and based on the instruction information and time information, launches application X, which then sends the message "Arrived at 17:00" to the information terminal device A1 of the guardian of the student holding the student ID card 10. At this time, the first user terminal device 2 records transmission history information indicating that it sent the message (an example of predetermined information) to the second user terminal device 4, and the second user terminal device 4 records reception history information indicating that it received the message from the first user terminal device 2. In this embodiment, the instruction information is edited (created, modified, deleted) by the first user. In other words, the instruction indicated by the instruction information is set by the user of the first user terminal device 2. However, the instruction information may be edited by, for example, the second user.

[0018] 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 specified from various computer programs incorporated in the ROM onto the RAM and execute various processes in cooperation with the RAM.

[0019] Based on the tag identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 31, the control unit 33 generates a request signal for causing the control unit 33 to transmit instruction information associated with the tag identification information, and transmits the generated request signal to the storage unit 32. Based on the request signal received from the control unit 33, the storage unit 32 transmits the instruction 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 instruction 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 instruction information to the first user terminal device 2.

[0020] The second user terminal device 4 is, for example, an information terminal device such as a smartphone or a computer. In the present embodiment, the second user terminal device 4 is an information terminal device held by the guardian of a student attending the facility S1 (learning school S1). The second user terminal device 4 is operated by a second user (the user of the second user terminal device 4). The second user terminal device 4 can communicate with the first user terminal device 2 wirelessly, for example. Each of the plurality of second user terminal devices 4 is associated with one electronic tag 1.

[0021] (Usage example) Next, the information processing method implemented in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the information processing method implemented in this embodiment. In this example, the first user terminal device 2 is assumed to be a smartphone placed in the cram school S1 (see Figure 1), and the second user terminal device 4 is assumed to be an information terminal device owned by the guardian of a student attending cram school S1. In this example, each student attending cram school S1 possesses one student ID card 10 with an electronic tag 1 embedded in it, and attends cram school S1 while possessing (carrying) the student ID card 10. Upon arriving at cram school S1, the student brings their student ID card 10 close to the smartphone (first user terminal device 2) placed in cram school S1 to indicate their attendance (i.e., that they have come to the cram school). Cram school S1 manages the student's attendance status in this way. In this example, the explanation will be given using a student who brings their student ID card 10 close to the smartphone placed in cram school S1 at 17:00 as an example.

[0022] As illustrated in Figure 4, when a student possessing a student ID card 10 with an embedded electronic tag 1 brings the student ID card 10 close to the first user terminal device 2, the first user terminal device 2 communicates wirelessly with the electronic tag 1 and reads the tag identification information from the electronic tag 1 (STEP 01). At this time, the first user terminal device 2 generates time information indicating the time when the first user terminal device 2 read the tag identification information from the electronic tag 1 (STEP 02). In this example, when a student brings the student ID card 10 close to a smartphone placed in the cram school S1, the smartphone reads the tag identification information from the electronic tag 1 embedded in the student ID card 10 (STEP 01). The smartphone placed in the cram school S1 also generates time information indicating the time when the smartphone read the tag identification information from the electronic tag 1 (STEP 02). Then, the first user terminal device 2 transmits the tag identification information read from the electronic tag 1 to the server 3 (STEP 03).

[0023] As illustrated in Figure 3, the control unit 33 generates a request signal to send instruction information associated with the tag identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 to the control unit 33 (STEP 04). In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 31 acquires tag identification information indicating T1 (see Figure 3). In this case, the control unit 33 starts application X and generates a request signal to send instruction information to the control unit 33, which instructs application X to send the message "Arrived" to the information terminal device A1 of the parent A of the student holding the student ID card 10 (STEP 04). Subsequently, the control unit 33 transmits the generated request signal to the storage unit 32, thereby acquiring the instruction information associated with the tag identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 from the storage unit 32 (STEP 05).

[0024] As illustrated in Figure 4, the control unit 33 transmits the instruction information received from the storage unit 32 to the first user terminal device 2 (STEP 06). When the first user terminal device 2 receives the instruction information from the server 3, it transmits predetermined information to the second user terminal device 4 based on the instruction information and time information (STEP 07). The first user terminal device 2 transmits the predetermined information to the second user terminal device 4 corresponding to the electronic tag 1 linked to the acquired tag identification information, among the multiple second user terminal devices 4. In this example, the control unit 33 transmits instruction information indicating the instruction to "send the message 'Arrived' to information terminal device A1 of student A" to a smartphone located in the cram school S1 (STEP 06). When the smartphone receives the instruction information from the server 3, it launches application X, and application X sends the message "Arrived at 17:00" (an example of predetermined information) to information terminal device A1 of parent A of student A who possesses the student ID card 10 (STEP 07).

[0025] When the first user terminal device 2 transmits predetermined information to the second user terminal device 4, it records transmission history information indicating that it has transmitted the predetermined information to the second user terminal device 4 (STEP 08). Also, when the second user terminal device 4 receives predetermined information from the first user terminal device 2, it records reception history information indicating that it has received the predetermined information from the first user terminal device 2 (STEP 09). In this example, when the smartphone placed in the cram school S1 transmits the message "Arrived at 17:00" to the information terminal device A1, it records transmission history information indicating that it has transmitted the message to the second user terminal device 4 (STEP 08). Also, when the information terminal device A1 receives the message from the first user terminal device 2, it records reception history information indicating that it has received the message from the first user terminal device 2 (STEP 09).

[0026] In this example, we explained the process using a student who brought their student ID card 10 close to a smartphone placed at cram school S1 at 17:00. However, other students will also similarly bring their student ID card 10 close to the smartphone placed at cram school S1 upon arrival. Therefore, according to the communication system 100, when a student arrives at cram school S1 and brings their student ID card 10 close to the smartphone placed at cram school S1, a message indicating that the student has arrived at cram school S1 is sent to the information terminal device of each student's guardian.

[0027] The configuration of the communication system 100 described above is relatively simple. Furthermore, the first user terminal device 2 (a smartphone placed in the cram school S1) can transmit predetermined information from the first user terminal device 2 to the second user terminal device 4 (information terminal device A1) simply by reading the tag identification information from the electronic tag 1 embedded in the student ID card 10. The predetermined information is, for example, a message such as "Arrived at 17:00". Therefore, the communication system 100 can prevent situations where predetermined information is not transmitted to the second user terminal device 4 even though it should be. Thus, the communication system 100 has a simple system configuration and can reliably transmit predetermined information from the first user terminal device 2 to the second user terminal device 4 with simple operation.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the communication system 100 with the above configuration, even if a person who wants to transmit predetermined information to the second user terminal device 4 (for example, a student attending cram school S1) does not possess a user terminal device, that person can transmit predetermined information from the first user terminal device 2 to the second user terminal device 4 by going to the facility where the first user terminal device 2 is located (for example, cram school S1) while possessing the electronic tag 1 (in the above example, the student ID card 10 with the electronic tag 1 embedded in it).

[0029] Furthermore, with the communication system 100 according to the above configuration, the first user terminal device 2 can easily determine that a person carrying the electronic tag 1 (in the above example, a student carrying a student ID card 10 with the electronic tag 1 embedded in it) has arrived at the facility where the first user terminal device 2 is located (in the above example, the cram school S1).

[0030] Furthermore, with the communication system 100 according to the above configuration, the user of the second user terminal device 4 can easily ascertain not only that a person carrying the electronic tag 1 (in the above example, a student carrying a student ID card 10 with the electronic tag 1 embedded in it) has arrived at the facility where the first user terminal device 2 is located (in the above example, the cram school S1), but also the time when the first user terminal device 2 read the tag identification information from the electronic tag 1. In other words, simply by the first user terminal device 2 reading the tag identification information from the electronic tag 1, the user of the second user terminal device 4 can easily ascertain that the person has arrived at the facility and the time when the person arrived at the facility.

[0031] Furthermore, with the communication system 100 according to the above configuration, the user of the first user terminal device 2 can set instructions for the first user terminal device 2, thereby increasing the versatility of the communication system 100.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the communication system 100 with the above configuration, when the first user terminal device 2 transmits predetermined information to the second user terminal device 4, the first user terminal device 2 records transmission history information, and the second user terminal device 4 records reception history information and transmission history information, thereby improving traceability.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the communication system 100 with the above configuration, even if it is equipped with multiple electronic tags 1 and multiple second user terminal devices 4, predetermined information can be transmitted from the first user terminal device 2 to a desired second user terminal device 4.

[0034] 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.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the electronic tag 1 is used embedded in the student ID card 10, but it may also be used embedded in something other than the student ID card 10. Furthermore, the electronic tag 1 may be used as is. If the electronic tag 1 is used as is, it may be designed to correspond to the function it provides. For example, the function provided by the electronic tag 1 is an emergency call function. If the function provided by the electronic tag 1 is an emergency call function, the electronic tag 1 may be designed to resemble an emergency telephone.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the first user terminal device 2 generates time information, but it does not have to generate time information. In other words, STEP 02 does not have to be executed. In this case, the first user terminal device 2 may transmit predetermined information to the second user terminal device 4 based only on the instruction information. In this case, the predetermined information is, for example, information indicating that a person carrying a student ID card 10 with an electronic tag 1 embedded in it (i.e., a person using facility S1) has arrived at facility S1.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the predetermined information is information indicating that the person carrying the student ID card 10 with the electronic tag 1 embedded arrived at facility S1 at the time indicated by the time information generated by the first user terminal device 2, but it may be other information. Such other information may include, for example, information indicating that the person carrying the student ID card 10 with the electronic tag 1 embedded departed from facility S1 at the time indicated by the time information generated by the first user terminal device 2. In this case, the instruction information stored in the storage unit 32 is, for example, information indicating the instruction to "send the message 'I have departed' to information terminal device A1 of A," as illustrated in Figure 5.

[0038] In the above embodiment, facility S1 is a cram school, but it may be other facilities such as a school or an evacuation center.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the first user terminal device 2 is located in facility S1 (cram school S1), but it may also be located in a building such as a detached house or an apartment building.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the first user terminal device 2 does not need to record transmission history information. In other words, STEP 08 does not need to be executed. Also, the second user terminal device 4 does not need to record reception history information. In other words, STEP 09 does not need to be executed.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the application indicated by the application information is a messaging application, but it may be any other application.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the communication system 100 includes multiple electronic tags 1, but it may also include only one electronic tag 1.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the communication system 100 includes one first user terminal device 2, but it may also include multiple first user terminal devices 2.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the communication system 100 includes a plurality of second user terminal devices 4, but it may also include a single second user terminal device 4.

[0045] As explained above, this specification discloses the matters described in the following clauses. <Clause 1> A communication system comprising a server, an electronic tag, a first user terminal device that reads tag identification information from the electronic tag for identifying the electronic tag, and a second user terminal device capable of communicating with the first user terminal device, The server comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires the tag identification information from the first user terminal device; a storage unit that stores instruction information indicating instructions for the first user terminal device, linked to the tag identification information; and a control unit that transmits the instruction information linked to the acquired tag identification information to the first user terminal device. The first user terminal device is a communication system that, upon receiving instruction information from the server, transmits predetermined information to the second user terminal device based on the instruction information. <Clause 2> The system includes one of the aforementioned user terminal devices, The aforementioned first user terminal device is a communication system as described in Clause 1, located in a single facility or building. <Clause 3> The communication system described in Clause 2, wherein the predetermined information is information indicating that a person carrying the electronic tag has arrived at the facility or building, or information indicating that the person has departed from the facility or building. <Clause 4> The first user terminal device is capable of generating time information indicating the time when the first user terminal device read the tag identification information from the electronic tag. The communication system according to Clause 3, wherein the first user terminal device transmits to the second user terminal device, as predetermined information, information indicating that the subject arrived at the facility or building at the time, or information indicating that the subject departed from the facility or building at the time, based on the instruction information and the time information. <Clause 5> The aforementioned instructions are set by the user of the first user terminal device in the communication system described in any one of Clauses 1 to 4. <Clause 6> When the first user terminal device transmits the predetermined information to the second user terminal device, The first user terminal device records transmission history information indicating that the predetermined information has been transmitted to the second user terminal device. The communication system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein the second user terminal device records reception history information indicating that it has received the predetermined information from the first user terminal device. <Clause 7> The system comprises multiple electronic tags and multiple second user terminal devices, Each of the multiple second user terminal devices is associated with one of the electronic tags, The communication system according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the first user terminal device transmits the predetermined information to the second user terminal device corresponding to the electronic tag associated with the acquired tag identification information. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1: Electronic tag, 2: First user terminal device, 3: Server, 4: Second user terminal device, 10: Student ID card, 31: Acquisition unit, 32: Storage unit, 33: Control unit, 34: Bus, 100: Communication system, 331: Memory, 332: Processor, S1: Facility (cram school)

Claims

1. A communication system comprising a server, an electronic tag, a first user terminal device that reads tag identification information from the electronic tag for identifying the electronic tag, and a second user terminal device capable of communicating with the first user terminal device, The server comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires the tag identification information from the first user terminal device; a storage unit that stores instruction information indicating instructions for the first user terminal device, linked to the tag identification information; and a control unit that transmits the instruction information linked to the acquired tag identification information to the first user terminal device. The first user terminal device is a communication system that, upon receiving instruction information from the server, transmits predetermined information to the second user terminal device based on the instruction information.

2. The device comprises one of the aforementioned first user terminal devices, The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first user terminal device is located in a single facility or building.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined information is information indicating that a person carrying the electronic tag has arrived at the facility or the building, or information indicating that the person has departed from the facility or the building.

4. The first user terminal device is capable of generating time information indicating the time when the first user terminal device read the tag identification information from the electronic tag. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the first user terminal device transmits to the second user terminal device, as predetermined information, information indicating that the subject arrived at the facility or building at the time, or information indicating that the subject departed from the facility or building at the time, based on the instruction information and the time information.

5. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the instruction is set by the user of the first user terminal device.

6. When the first user terminal device transmits the predetermined information to the second user terminal device, The first user terminal device records transmission history information indicating that the predetermined information has been transmitted to the second user terminal device. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second user terminal device records reception history information indicating that it has received the predetermined information from the first user terminal device.

7. The system comprises multiple electronic tags and multiple second user terminal devices, Each of the multiple second user terminal devices is associated with one of the electronic tags, The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first user terminal device transmits the predetermined information to the second user terminal device corresponding to the electronic tag associated with the acquired tag identification information.

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