system

Abstract

To easily identify a position of an object with a radio tag which is inexpensive without notification function.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: a first storage control unit which stores association information indicating association between gateway identification information for identifying a gateway and radio tag identification information identifying a radio tag received by the gateway; a specifying unit which specifies the gateway identification information associated with information specifying an object received from a terminal which investigates a position of the object, on the basis of the association information; and a signal transmission unit which transmits a notification signal for instructing a notification unit mounted on the gateway to issue a notification, to the gateway identified by the gateway identification information specified by the specifying unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to S Regarding stem. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, for example, when searching for objects stored in a factory or warehouse, there is a technology in which a wireless tag is attached to each object and the location of the object is identified by receiving a beacon signal that is transmitted by the wireless tag to identify the object. In such a conventional technology, a signal is transmitted to the wireless tag of the object to be searched for, causing the wireless tag to report the location. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-213033 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, such conventional technology has the drawback that each wireless tag must be provided with a reporting function, making the wireless tags expensive.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is directed to a method for easily identifying the location of an object to which a wireless tag is attached, even if the wireless tag does not have a notification function and is inexpensive. Nasi The present invention aims to provide a stem. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides The system includes a gateway that receives radio tag identification information for identifying the radio tag transmitted from a radio tag, and an information processing device that transmits and receives information to and from the gateway. The radio tag is attached to an object and transmits the radio tag identification information as a beacon signal. When the gateway receives the radio tag identification information from the radio tag, the gateway stores the radio tag identification information in a memory, and when the gateway no longer receives the radio tag identification information from the radio tag, the gateway erases the radio tag identification information from the memory and transmits the stored radio tag identification information to the information processing device at each predetermined timing. The information processing device includes a first storage control unit that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the gateway identification information for identifying the gateway and the radio tag identification information stored in the gateway, an identification unit that identifies the gateway identification information associated with the radio tag identification information received from a terminal that investigates the position of an object based on the correspondence information, and a signal transmission unit that transmits an alarm signal to the gateway identified by the gateway identification information identified by the identification unit, instructing an alarm unit attached to the gateway to issue an alarm. The gateway includes a first notification control unit that causes the notification unit to issue a notification based on the notification signal received from the information processing device. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, even if the wireless tag is an inexpensive one that does not have a reporting function, the position of the object to which the wireless tag is attached can be easily identified. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system diagram according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a gateway. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a memory map showing the memory configuration of the gateway management unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gateway. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a control process of the gateway. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the management server. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a control process of the management server. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the control process of the terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a gateway. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gateway. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control processing of the gateway. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, a management server will be described as an example of an information processing device. Note that the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described below.

[0010] 1 is a system diagram including a system 10 according to a first embodiment. The system 10 is a system for managing an object to be found in a factory, warehouse, or the like that stores many objects. Specifically, the system 10 is a system for managing the location of the object to be found.

[0011] The system 10 includes a plurality of gateways 3A and a management server 5. The management server 5 and the gateways 3A are connected via a communication line L3. The communication line L3 may be a wired communication line or a wireless communication line. The management server 5 and the gateways 3A transmit and receive information via the communication line L3.

[0012] A wireless tag 2 is attached to a container or the like that contains an object 1 (hereinafter referred to as "object 1") to be found. Specifically, a wireless tag 2 is attached or affixed to a container that contains each object 1 (hereinafter, for simplicity, it will be said that "a wireless tag 2 is attached to the object 1"). The wireless tag 2 transmits tag information that identifies the wireless tag 2 from other wireless tags 2. Specifically, each wireless tag 2 transmits tag information (wireless tag identification information) that identifies its own wireless tag 2 from other wireless tags 2, for example, as a beacon signal L1. The transmitted beacon signal L1 reaches a predetermined range (for example, a range of about several tens of meters).

[0013] A plurality of gateways 3A are installed at a location where an object 1 is stored. Tag information transmitted from a wireless tag 2 attached to a stored object 1 is received by one of the installed gateways 3A. Tag information transmitted from a wireless tag 2 located near the middle of the gateway 3A may be received by a plurality of gateways 3A. In the embodiment, a plurality of gateways 3A, such as gateway 3A1, gateway 3A2, ..., are installed.

[0014] The gateway 3A stores the tag information received from the wireless tag 2. Furthermore, the gateway 3A transmits the received tag information to the management server 5 in association with an identification code (gateway identification information) that identifies the gateway 3A from other gateways 3A.

[0015] In the example of Fig. 1, the gateway 3A1 receives tag information transmitted from ten wireless tags 2, ie, wireless tags 21-210, each attached to an object 1 located in the vicinity of the gateway 3A1. The gateway 3A2 receives tag information transmitted from ten wireless tags 2, ie, wireless tags 211-22, each attached to an object 1 located in the vicinity of the gateway 3A2. The same applies to the gateways 3A3 (not shown) and onwards. For example, if the wireless tag 211 is also located in the vicinity of the gateway 3A1, the tag information transmitted from the wireless tag 211 is also received by the gateway 3A1.

[0016] When an object 1 located nearby is removed or added, the tag information received by the gateway 3A changes because the attached wireless tag 2 changes. Therefore, the gateway 3A transmits the tag information that it has received and stored to the management server 5, for example, at a predetermined timing (for example, once per hour).

[0017] The management server 5, which is an information processing device, is installed in, for example, a factory, a warehouse, or a nearby office. The management server 5 stores (manages) the gateway 3A in association with the tag information. When the management server 5 receives tag information from the gateway 3A, it stores the received tag information in association with each identification code for each identification code that identifies the gateway 3A that received the tag information at the same time. That is, the management server 5 stores the latest tag information received by the gateway 3A in association with the identification code. For example, the management server 5 stores the tag information received by the gateway 3A1 in association with the identification code that identifies the gateway 3A1. The management server 5 also stores the tag information received by the gateway 3A2 in association with the identification code that identifies the gateway 3A2.

[0018] The management server 5 also receives tag information from the terminal 7 via the communication line L2, which is a wireless line. Based on the received tag information, the management server 5 identifies the gateway 3A that received the tag information. The management server 5 transmits to the identified gateway 3A a notification signal instructing the gateway 3A to emit light from the light-emitting unit 37 (see FIG. 2), which is a notification unit.

[0019] The gateway 3A includes a light emitting unit 37 (that is, a light emitting unit is attached), and when it receives a notification signal from the management server 5, causes the light emitting unit 37 to emit light.

[0020] The terminal 7 is a terminal for investigating the position of the object 1 to be searched for, and is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like, operated by a person in charge who wants to search for the object 1. The terminal 7 stores the object 1 in association with tag information (information that identifies the object) of the wireless tag 2 attached to the object 1. When the person in charge specifies the object 1 for which the position is known (is to be searched for), the terminal 7 transmits the tag information of the wireless tag 2 attached to the specified object 1 to the management server 5.

[0021] In such a system 10, when an object 1 whose location is to be known is specified from a terminal 7, the terminal 7 transmits tag information that identifies the wireless tag 2 attached to the specified object 1 to a management server 5. The management server 5 that has received the tag information identifies the gateway 3A that received the tag information from the wireless tag 2 based on the received tag information. The management server 5 transmits to the identified gateway 3A a notification signal that instructs the gateway 3A to emit light from its light-emitting unit 37. The gateway 3A that has received the notification signal causes its own light-emitting unit 37 to emit light.

[0022] The gateway 3A where the light-emitting unit 37 emits light receives, from the wireless tag 2, the tag information that the management server 5 receives from the terminal 7. Therefore, in the vicinity of the gateway 3A where the light-emitting unit 37 emits light, there is an object 1 with a wireless tag 2 attached that is identified by the tag information transmitted by the terminal 7. The person in charge finds the corresponding object 1 by searching the vicinity of the gateway 3A where the light-emitting unit 37 emits light.

[0023] When the light emitting units 37 of a plurality of gateways 3A are emitting light at the same time, the corresponding object 1 is found by searching for the vicinity of the middle part of the plurality of gateways 3A.

[0024] From here, the hardware configuration of the gateway 3A will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the gateway 3A. As shown in FIG. 2, the gateway 3A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, a memory unit 34, and the like. The CPU 31 is the main controller. The ROM 32 stores various programs. The RAM 33 expands various data. The memory unit 34 stores various programs. The CPU 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, and the memory unit 34 are connected to each other via a data bus 35. The CPU 31, the ROM 32, and the RAM 33 constitute a control unit 300. That is, the control unit 300 executes a control process of the gateway 3A described later by the CPU 31 operating according to a control program stored in the ROM 32 or the memory unit 34 and expanded in the RAM 33.

[0025] The RAM 33 has a tag information section 331. The tag information section 331 stores the tag information received from the wireless tag 2 by the gateway 3A.

[0026] The memory unit 34 has a control program unit 341 and an identification code unit 342. The control program unit 341 stores a program for controlling and processing the gateway 3A. The identification code unit 342 stores an identification code for distinguishing the gateway 3A from other gateways 3A and for identifying the gateway 3A.

[0027] Furthermore, the control unit 300 is connected to a light emitting unit 37 (notification unit) via a data bus 35 and a controller 36. The light emitting unit 37 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0028] The control unit 300 is also connected to the communication I / F 38 and the communication I / F 39 via the data bus 35. The communication I / F 38 performs wireless communication with the wireless tag 2 to transmit and receive information. The communication I / F 39 communicates with the management server 5 via the communication line L3 to transmit and receive information.

[0029] From here, the hardware configuration of the management server 5 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 5 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a memory unit 54, and the like. The CPU 51 is a control entity. The ROM 52 stores various programs. The RAM 53 expands various data. The memory unit 54 stores various programs. The CPU 51, the ROM 52, the RAM 53, and the memory unit 54 are connected to each other via a data bus 55. The CPU 51, the ROM 52, and the RAM 53 constitute a control unit 500. That is, the control unit 500 executes a control process of the management server 5, which will be described later, by the CPU 51 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 52 or the memory unit 54 and expanded in the RAM 53.

[0030] The RAM 53 has a gateway management unit 531 and a receiving storage unit 532. The gateway management unit 531 stores correspondence information in which tag information received from the gateway 3A is associated with each identification code. The gateway management unit 531 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. The receiving storage unit 532 stores tag information received from the terminal 7.

[0031] The memory unit 54 has a control program unit 541. The control program unit 541 stores a program for controlling and processing the management server 5.

[0032] In addition, the control unit 500 is connected to a display unit 57 and an operation unit 58 via a data bus 55 and a controller 56. The display unit 57 displays information to an operator who operates the management server 5. The operation unit 58 is a keyboard (which may be a touch panel) used by the operator to operate the management server 5.

[0033] The control unit 500 is also connected to the communication I / F 59 and the communication I / F 60 via the data bus 55. The communication I / F 59 communicates with the gateway 3A via the communication line L3 to transmit and receive information. The communication I / F 60 communicates with the terminal 7 via the communication line L2 to transmit and receive information.

[0034] From here, the gateway management unit 531 will be described. FIG. 4 is a memory map showing the memory configuration of the gateway management unit 531. As shown in FIG. 4, the gateway management unit 531 has an identification code unit 5311 and a tag information unit 5312. The identification code unit 5311 stores an identification code for identifying the gateway 3A. The tag information unit 5312 stores tag information received from the gateway 3A for each identification code stored in the identification code unit 5311. Since the tag information is transmitted from the gateway 3A at a predetermined timing, the latest tag information is always stored in the tag information unit 5312. The identification code stored in the identification code unit 5311 and the tag information stored in the tag information unit 5312 are corresponding information. The identification code stored in the identification code unit 5311 and the tag information stored in the tag information unit 5312 in correspondence with the identification code are corresponding information.

[0035] From here, the hardware configuration of the terminal 7 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal 7. As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal 7 includes a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, a memory unit 74, and the like. The CPU 71 is a control entity. The ROM 72 stores various programs. The RAM 73 expands various data. The memory unit 74 stores various programs. The CPU 71, the ROM 72, the RAM 73, and the memory unit 74 are connected to each other via a data bus 75. The CPU 71, the ROM 72, and the RAM 73 constitute a control unit 700. That is, the control unit 700 executes a control process of the terminal 7, which will be described later, by the CPU 71 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 72 or the memory unit 74 and expanded in the RAM 73.

[0036] The memory unit 74 has a control program unit 741 and an object management unit 742. The control program unit 741 stores a program for controlling and processing the terminal 7. The object management unit 742 stores information for identifying the object 1 (for example, information for an object number that uniquely indicates object A, object E, object F, object J, etc. in FIG. 1, for example, the name of the object 1) and tag information of the wireless tag 2 attached to the object 1 in association with each other.

[0037] In addition, the control unit 700 is connected to a display unit 77 and an operation unit 78 via a data bus 75 and a controller 76. The display unit 77 displays information to an operator who operates the terminal 7. The operation unit 78 is a keyboard (which may be a touch panel) for the operator to operate the terminal 7.

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit 700 is connected to a communication I / F 79 via a data bus 75. The communication I / F 79 communicates with the management server 5 via a communication line L2 to transmit and receive information.

[0039] From here, the functional configuration of the gateway 3A will be described. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gateway 3A. As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 300 of the gateway 3A functions as an information transmission unit 301 and a first notification control unit 302 by following a control program stored in the ROM 32 or the memory unit 34 and loaded in the RAM 33.

[0040] The information transmitting unit 301 transmits the received tag information to the management server 5. Specifically, at a predetermined timing, the information transmitting unit 301 transmits the tag information received from the wireless tag 2 to the management server 5 together with an identification code for identifying the gateway 3A.

[0041] The first notification control unit 302 causes the light-emitting unit 37 to issue a notification based on the notification signal received from the management server 5. Specifically, the first notification control unit 302 causes the light-emitting unit 37 to emit light (issue a notification) based on the notification signal received from the management server 5.

[0042] From here, the control of the gateway 3A will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the control process of the gateway 3A. As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 300 of the gateway 3A judges whether tag information has been received from the wireless tag 2 (S11). If it is judged that tag information has been received from the wireless tag 2 (Yes in S11), the control unit 300 cumulatively stores the received tag information in the tag information unit 331 (S12). That is, all received tag information is stored in the tag information unit 331. Tag information that is no longer received because the object 1 is removed or the like is erased from the tag information unit 331. Then, the control unit 300 ends the process and returns to S11.

[0043] Furthermore, if it is determined that the tag information has not been received from the wireless tag 2 (No in S11), the control unit 300 determines whether it is a predetermined transmission timing (S13). If it is determined that it is a transmission timing (Yes in S13), the information transmission unit 301 transmits the tag information stored in the tag information unit 331 and the identification code for identifying the gateway 3A stored in the identification code unit 342 to the management server 5 (S14). Then, the control unit 300 ends the process and returns to S11.

[0044] Furthermore, if it is determined that it is not the transmission timing (No in S13), the control unit 300 determines whether or not a notification signal has been received from the management server 5 (S21). If it is determined that a notification signal has been received from the management server 5 (Yes in S21), the first notification control unit 302 causes the light emitting unit 37 of the gateway 3A to emit light (S22). Then, the control unit 300 ends the process and returns to S11.

[0045] Furthermore, if it is determined that the notification signal has not been received from the management server 5 (No in S21), the control unit 300 determines whether or not a notification stop signal has been received from the management server 5 (S23). If it is determined that a notification stop signal has been received from the management server 5 (Yes in S23), the first notification control unit 302 stops the light emission of the light-emitting unit 37 of the gateway 3A (S24). Then, the control unit 300 ends the process and returns to S11. Note that, if it is determined that the notification stop signal has not been received (No in S23), the control unit 300 ends the process and returns to S11.

[0046] From here, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the management server 5. Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the management server 5. As shown in Fig. 8, the control unit 500 of the management server 5 functions as a first storage control unit 501, an identification unit 502, and a signal transmission unit 503 by following a control program stored in the ROM 52 or the memory unit 54 and loaded in the RAM 53.

[0047] The first storage control unit 501 stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between an identification code for identifying the gateway 3A and tag information for identifying a wireless tag received by the gateway 3A. Specifically, the first storage control unit 501 associates the identification code received from the gateway 3A with all tag information received at the same time, and stores the correspondence information in the gateway management unit 531. More specifically, the first storage control unit 501 stores the received identification code in an identification code unit 5311, and stores all tag information received at the same time in a tag information unit 5312 associated with the identification code unit 5311 in which the identification code is stored.

[0048] The identifying unit 502 identifies an identification code associated with tag information received from the terminal 7 investigating the position of an object, based on the correspondence information. Specifically, the identifying unit 502 identifies, based on the tag information received from the terminal 7, an identification code stored in an identification code unit 5311 associated with the tag information unit 5312 in which the tag information is stored.

[0049] The signal transmitting unit 503 transmits, to the gateway 3A identified by the identification code identified by the identifying unit 502, a notification signal instructing the light emitting unit 37 attached to the gateway 3A to emit light.

[0050] From here, the control of the management server 5 will be described. Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the control process of the management server 5. As shown in Fig. 9, the control unit 500 of the management server 5 judges whether an identification code and tag information have been received from the gateway 3A (S41). If it is judged that an identification code and tag information have been received from the gateway 3A (Yes in S41), the first storage control unit 501 stores the received identification code in the identification code unit 5311 (S42), and simultaneously stores all the received tag information in the corresponding tag information unit 5312 (S42). Then, the control unit 500 ends the process and returns to S41.

[0051] Also, when it is determined that the identification code and tag information are not received (No in S41), the control unit 500 determines whether tag information (information for identifying an object) is received from the terminal 7 (S51). When it is determined that tag information is received from the terminal 7 (Yes in S51), the identification unit 502 stores the received tag information in the reception storage unit 532, and identifies one identification code stored in the identification code unit 5311 corresponding to the tag information unit 5312 that includes (stores) the stored tag information (S52). Then, the signal transmission unit 503 transmits an alarm signal to the gateway 3A identified by the identified identification code, causing the light emitting unit 37 of the gateway 3A to emit light (S53). Then, the control unit 500 ends the process and returns to S41.

[0052] Also, if it is determined that the tag information is not received from the terminal 7 (No in S51), the control unit 500 determines whether the tag information and a confirmation signal (described later) are received from the terminal 7 (S54). If it is determined that the tag information and a confirmation signal are received from the terminal 7 (Yes in S54), the control unit 500 searches the gateway management unit 531 based on the received tag information to identify one identification code (S55). Then, the control unit 500 transmits an alarm stop signal to the gateway 3A identified by the identified identification code to stop the light emission of the light emitting unit 37 of the gateway 3A (S56). Then, the control unit 500 ends the process and returns to S41. Note that, if it is determined that the tag information and the confirmation signal are not received (No in S54), the control unit 500 ends the process and returns to S41.

[0053] From here, the control of the terminal 7 will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the control process of the terminal 7. As shown in Fig. 10, the control unit 700 of the terminal 7 displays all objects 1 stored so that they can be specified by a predetermined operation (S61).

[0054] Next, the control unit 700 judges whether one object 1 has been designated by the operator of the terminal 7 operating the operation unit 78 (S62). If it is judged that one object 1 has been designated (Yes in S62), the control unit 700 extracts tag information (information that identifies the object) associated with the designated object 1 and stored in the object management unit 742 (S63). Then, the control unit 700 transmits the extracted tag information to the management server 5 (S64). Then, the control unit 500 ends the process and returns to S41.

[0055] Also, if it is determined that the object 1 is not specified (No in S62), the control unit 700 determines whether the object 1 specified by the operator has been confirmed (S65). The operator who specified the object 1 searches for the object 1 located near the gateway 3A where the light emitting unit 37 is emitting light. Then, when the operator finds the corresponding object 1, he or she operates a confirmation button (not shown) on the terminal 7. When the confirmation button is operated, the control unit 700 determines that the object 1 has been confirmed. If it is determined that the object 1 specified by the operator has been confirmed (Yes in S65), the control unit 700 transmits the tag information and a confirmation signal to the management server 5 (S66). Then, the control unit 500 ends the process and returns to S41. If it is determined that the object 1 is not confirmed (No in S65), the control unit 500 ends the process and returns to S41.

[0056] (Effects of the first embodiment) The first embodiment has been described above. The management server 5 of the first embodiment has the following effects, for example. The management server 5 of the first embodiment includes a first storage control unit 501 that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between an identification code that identifies the gateway 3A and tag information that identifies the wireless tag 2 received by the gateway 3A, an identification unit 502 that identifies an identification code that is associated with the tag information received from a terminal that investigates the position of the object 1 based on the correspondence information, and a signal transmission unit 503 that transmits an alarm signal to the gateway 3A identified by the identification code identified by the identification unit 502, the signal transmission unit 503 instructing the light emitting unit 37 provided in the gateway 3A to issue an alarm.

[0057] Such a management server 5 transmits a notification signal to the gateway 3A identified by the identification information specified in the tag information received from the terminal 7, thereby illuminating the light-emitting unit 37 of the gateway 3A, and can find the corresponding object 1 by searching for the vicinity of the gateway 3A where the light-emitting unit 37 has emitted light. Therefore, even if the wireless tag 2 attached to the object 1 is an inexpensive wireless tag that does not have a notification function, the position of the object 1 to which the wireless tag 2 is attached can be easily identified. The fact that the light-emitting unit 37 notifies by emitting light has the advantage that the object being searched for can be easily found even in noisy places such as inside a factory where it is difficult to notify by a buzzer or vibration.

[0058] Furthermore, the system 10 of the first embodiment provides the following advantages, for example.

[0059] The system 10 of the first embodiment is a system 10 including a gateway 3A that receives tag information identifying the wireless tag 2 transmitted from the wireless tag 2, and a management server 5 that transmits and receives information to the gateway 3A. The gateway 3A includes an information transmitting unit 301 that transmits the received tag information to the management server 5. The management server 5 includes a first memory control unit 501 that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence between an identification code that identifies the gateway 3A and the tag information of the wireless tag 2 received by the gateway 3A, an identification unit 502 that identifies, based on the correspondence information, an identification code associated with information related to the object 1 received from a terminal 7 that investigates the position of the object 1, and a signal transmitting unit 503 that transmits an alarm signal to the gateway 3A identified by the identification code identified by the identification unit 502, instructing the light emitting unit 37 provided in the gateway 3A to issue an alarm. The gateway 3A includes a first alarm control unit 302 that causes the light emitting unit 37 to emit light based on the alarm signal received from the management server 5.

[0060] In the system 10 of the first embodiment, the light emitting unit 37 emits light based on a notification signal transmitted from the management server 5 to the gateway 3A identified by the identification information specified by the tag information received from the terminal 7, and the corresponding object 1 can be found by searching for the vicinity of the gateway 3A that the light emitting unit 37 emitted. Therefore, even if the wireless tag 2 attached to the object 1 is an inexpensive wireless tag that does not have a notification function, the position of the object 1 to which the wireless tag 2 is attached can be easily specified.

[0061] Second embodiment From here, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the management server 5 in the first embodiment does not exist, and a gateway 3B described later is an information processing device. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified or omitted.

[0062] Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the system according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 11, the object 1, the wireless tag 2, and the terminal 7 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

[0063] 11, the tag information transmitted from the terminal 7 is received by the gateway 3B via the communication line L2. The gateway 3B determines whether the received tag information is tag information of the wireless tag 2 managed by itself, and causes its light emitting unit 37 to emit light if the tag information is tag information of the wireless tag 2 managed by itself.

[0064] From here, the hardware of the gateway 3B will be described. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the gateway 3B. As shown in Fig. 12, the gateway 3B does not have the identification code unit 342 that the gateway 3A has in the memory unit 34. Also, the communication I / F 38 receives tag information directly from the terminal 7. The other configurations are the same as those of the gateway 3A.

[0065] From here, the functional configuration of the gateway 3B will be described. Fig. 13 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gateway 3B. As shown in Fig. 13, the control unit 300 of the gateway 3B functions as a second storage control unit 305, a determination unit 306, and a second notification control unit 307 by following a control program stored in the ROM 32 or the memory unit 34 and loaded in the RAM 33.

[0066] The second storage control unit 305 stores tag information for identifying the wireless tag 2 with which communication has been made. Specifically, the second storage control unit 305 stores in the tag information unit 331 the tag information for identifying the wireless tag 2 received from the wireless tag 2.

[0067] The determination unit 306 determines whether the tag information stored in the second memory control unit 305 includes the tag information of the wireless tag 2 attached to the specific object 1 received from the terminal 7 .

[0068] The second notification control unit 307 causes the light emitting unit 37 to emit light when the determination unit 306 determines that the tag information received from the terminal 7 is included.

[0069] From here, the control of the gateway 3B will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the control process of the gateway 3B. As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 300 of the gateway 3B judges whether tag information has been received from the wireless tag 2 (S11). If it is judged that tag information has been received from the wireless tag 2 (Yes in S11), the second storage control unit 305 cumulatively stores the received tag information in the tag information unit 331 (S12). That is, all received tag information is stored in the tag information unit 331. Tag information that is no longer received because the object 1 is removed or the like is erased from the tag information unit 331. Then, the control unit 300 ends the process and returns to S11.

[0070] Also, when it is determined that the tag information is not received from the wireless tag 2 (No in S11), the control unit 300 determines whether the tag information is received from the terminal 7 (S71). When it is determined that the tag information is received from the terminal 7 (Yes in S71), the determination unit 306 determines whether the tag information received from the terminal 7 is included (stored) in the tag information unit 331 in which the second storage control unit 305 stores the tag information (S72). When it is determined that the tag information received from the terminal 7 is included in the tag information unit 331 (Yes in S72), the second notification control unit 307 causes the light emitting unit 37 of its own gateway 3B to emit light (S22). Then, the control unit 300 ends the process and returns to S11. When it is determined that the tag information received from the terminal 7 is not included (No in S72), the control unit 300 ends the process and returns to S11.

[0071] Furthermore, if it is determined that the tag information has not been received from the terminal 7 (No in S71), the control unit 300 determines whether a confirmation signal has been received from the terminal 7 (S73). If it is determined that a confirmation signal has been received from the terminal 7 (Yes in S73), the second notification control unit 307 stops the light emission of the light-emitting unit 37 (S24). Then, the control unit 300 ends the process and returns to S11. Note that, if it is determined that the confirmation signal has not been received from the terminal 7 (No in S73), the control unit 300 ends the process and returns to S11.

[0072] (Effects of the second embodiment) The second embodiment has been described above. The gateway 3B according to the second embodiment has the following advantages, for example.

[0073] The gateway 3B of the second embodiment includes a second memory control unit 305 that stores tag information identifying the received wireless tag 2, a judgment unit 306 that judges whether the tag information stored by the second memory control unit 305 includes tag information received from a terminal 7 investigating the position of an object, and a second notification control unit 307 that causes a light-emitting unit 37 provided in the gateway 3B to issue an alert when the judgment unit 306 judges that the tag information received from the terminal 7 is included.

[0074] When the gateway 3B of the second embodiment receives tag information from the terminal 7, if the gateway 3B stores the tag information, it causes the light emitting unit 37 to emit light, and the gateway 3A that has emitted light from the light emitting unit 37 can find the corresponding object 1 by searching for a nearby area where the gateway 3A can receive the tag information. Therefore, even if the wireless tag 2 attached to the object 1 is an inexpensive wireless tag that does not have a reporting function, the position of the object 1 to which the wireless tag 2 is attached can be easily identified.

[0075] Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be modified in various ways.

[0076] For example, in the first and second embodiments, as an example of having the notification unit give notification, the light emitting unit 37 is made to emit light. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a mechanism for giving notification by sound may be used as the notification unit, and the notification unit may give notification by sound to notify the positions of the gateway 3A and the gateway 3B.

[0077] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the terminal 7 transmits tag information of the wireless tag 2 attached to the object 1 to be searched for as information for identifying the object. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the terminal 7 may transmit other information for identifying the object 1, such as the name of the object 1 or numbering information for numbering the object 1. In this case, the information processing device (management server 5 or gateway 3B) acquires tag information from the information for identifying the object received from the terminal 7, and identifies the identification code based on the acquired tag information.

[0078] In the first and second embodiments, the light-emitting unit 37 serving as the notification unit is attached to the gateways 3A and 3B. However, this is not limiting, and the light-emitting unit 37 serving as the notification unit may be connected to the gateways 3A and 3B wirelessly or via a wire. Even in such a case, the light-emitting unit 37 is included in being attached to the gateways 3A and 3B. In other words, the notification unit may or may not be a part of the configuration of the gateways 3A and 3B.

[0079] The programs executed by the management server 5 and gateway 3A in the first embodiment and the gateway 3B in the second embodiment are provided in the form of files in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disc (DVD).

[0080] The programs executed by the management server 5 and gateway 3A of the first embodiment and the gateway 3B of the second embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The programs executed by the management server 5 and gateway 3A of the first embodiment and the gateway 3B of the second embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0081] Furthermore, the programs executed by the management server 5 and the gateway 3A of the first embodiment and the gateway 3B of the second embodiment may be provided by being pre-installed in the ROM 12 or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 object 2. Wireless tag 3A Gateway 3B Gateway 5 Management Server 7 Terminal 10. System 31 CPU 37 Light-emitting part 51 CPU 71 CPU 300 Control section 301 Information Transmission Department 302 First notification control unit 305 Second memory control unit 306 Judgment Department 307 Second notification control unit 331 Tag information section 342 Identification Code Section 500 Control section 501 First memory control unit 502 Specific part 503 Signal Transmitter 531 Gateway Management Department 532 Receiving storage unit 700 Control section 742 Object Management Department 5311 Identification Code Section 5312 Tag information section

Claims

1. A system including a gateway that receives wireless tag identification information that identifies the wireless tag and is transmitted from the wireless tag, and an information processing device that transmits and receives information to and from the gateway, The wireless tag is attached to an object and transmits the wireless tag identification information as a beacon signal; The gateway, When the wireless tag identification information is received from the wireless tag, the wireless tag identification information is stored in a memory, and when the wireless tag identification information is no longer received from the wireless tag, the wireless tag identification information is deleted from the memory; transmitting the stored wireless tag identification information to the information processing device at each predetermined timing; The information processing device includes: a first storage control unit that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between gateway identification information that identifies the gateway and the wireless tag identification information stored in the gateway; an identification unit that identifies the gateway identification information associated with the wireless tag identification information received from a terminal that is investigating the position of an object based on the correspondence information; a signal transmission unit that transmits, to the gateway identified by the gateway identification information identified by the identification unit, a notification signal that instructs a notification unit attached to the gateway to issue a notification; Equipped with The gateway, a first notification control unit that causes the notification unit to give a notification based on the notification signal received from the information processing device; A system equipped with.

2. The notification unit has a light emitting unit, When the first notification control unit receives the notification signal, the first notification control unit causes the light emitting unit to emit light. The system of claim 1 .

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