Notification system

Abstract

To perform an effective lost child determination on the premise of a divided area in a facility.SOLUTION: While an interior of an amusement facility is divided into a plurality of areas, visitors include a first person (parent) and a second person (child) who should be managed by the first person and may get lost. Position detecting means (user position detecting unit 108) detects in which area the first person and the second person are present. When the user position detection unit 108 detects that the first person and the second person are in different areas, or when a position of the second person cannot be detected by the user position detection unit, lost child determination means (lost child determination unit 106) determines that the second person is a lost child. When the lost child determination unit 106 determines that the second person is the lost child, the lost child determination unit notifies at least the first person of information about the lost child.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a notification system for a lost child in an entertainment facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Amusement parks, parks, and other entertainment facilities tend to attract a relatively large number of visitors with children, which increases the chances of children getting lost.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a system for preventing children from getting lost that uses terminals with wireless intercommunication capabilities. In this system, a parent unit communicates with a child unit, and an alarm sounds if the parent unit and child unit are separated by a specified distance or more. Therefore, if a parent holds the parent unit and a child holds the child unit, an alarm sounds if the child is separated by a specified distance or more from the parent, preventing children from getting lost without the need for complicated operations or techniques. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-242790 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, a specified distance is set in advance, and an alarm sounds if the parent and child are separated by more than the set specified distance. However, whether or not the child is lost varies greatly depending on the surrounding environment. For example, if the location is clear and there are not many people, there is no problem even if the child is separated by a considerable distance, but there is a possibility that the child will be erroneously determined to be lost. On the other hand, in a crowded passage with many turns, if the child is separated by a small distance, it is a problem, but in such a case the child will not be determined to be lost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a notification system for a lost child in an entertainment facility, the entertainment facility being divided into a plurality of areas, and visitors including a first person and a second person who is to be managed by the first person and who may get lost; Within the said entertainment facility, The first person and the second person a location detection means for detecting the location of the second person; a route storage means for storing the route of movement of the second person; a facility information storage means for storing map information including the range of each area of ​​the entertainment facility; and a location detection means for detecting the location of the first person and the second person from the locations of the first person and the second person detected by the location detection means by using the map information. to detect which area the user is in. area When the detection means and the position detection means detect that the first person and the second person are in different areas, In the event a lost person determination means for determining that the second person is lost; and when the lost person determination means determines that the second person is lost, information about the lost child, including information about the second person's travel route; At least the first person Report and a notification means for notifying the user of the detected abnormality.

[0007] Furthermore, when the position of the second person cannot be detected by the position detection means, The notification means ,before The first person is notified that the position of the second person cannot be detected.

[0008] When the area detection means detects that the first person and the second person are in different areas, if there is a vehicle that can be contacted by communication in the area where the second person is located near the second person, The notification means notifies vehicles in the vicinity of the second person of information about the lost child.

[0009] Furthermore, the device has a voice acquisition means for acquiring a voice uttered by the second person, and the notification means notifies the first person when the voice acquired by the voice acquisition means is a specific type of voice.

[0010] The facility has a rental registration means for registering rental and return of a portable position detection transmitter in association with a visitor, and when a visitor leaves the facility, if the rented position detection transmitter is not returned by the rental registration means, the visitor is not permitted to leave the facility. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, since the determination of whether a child is lost is performed based on the divided areas within a facility, it is possible to perform a more realistic determination of whether a child is lost than simply based on distance or the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an entertainment facility 10. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an alarm system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile terminal 30. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management system 100. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing separate registration processing for a parent and a child in the lost child service when a user arrives at a facility. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a process for determining whether a child is lost. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein.

[0015] "Composition of entertainment facilities" 1 shows a schematic configuration of an entertainment facility 10. In this example, the entertainment facility 10 is divided into four areas (areas A to D). Each area has a different concept; for example, area A has an attraction based on a single story, area B has an attraction where you can enjoy a vehicle that you drive yourself, area C has souvenir shops, restaurants, a park-like plaza, etc., and area D has an attraction where you can ride a boat around and watch shows and the like at various places.

[0016] In this example, each area has its own independent gate 12 through which users can enter. Here, visitors who enter the entertainment facility are called users. Each area is enclosed by a fence or the like, and there is a connecting passage 14 connecting each area. Therefore, travel between each area is achieved by using the connecting passage 14. In this example, a gate is provided between each area and the connecting passage 14. This gate is normally open, but can be closed as necessary.

[0017] Each area does not have to have a fence around it, and the center of the lawn can be used as the computer-generated boundary. However, it is preferable to have access to each area via certain limited locations. For example, measures can be taken such as planting trees around the areas and setting up connecting passages at specified locations.

[0018] "Overall Configuration" Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a notification system, assuming one area.

[0019] The management system 100 manages the entire entertainment facility, receives various information and outputs necessary information.

[0020] As described above, the entrance to each area is provided with a gate 12 through which users enter. The entertainment facilities in this example require a fee, and tickets must be purchased.

[0021] A mobile terminal 30 is used as the ticket. An electronic ticket, a smartphone, a terminal having a location information transmission function such as a GPS transmitter, or the like is used as this mobile terminal 30. Note that the ticket itself may be a paper ticket with a barcode or the like printed thereon, and the mobile terminal 30 may not have a ticket function.

[0022] Within the facility, the user basically carries the mobile terminal 30 with him / her at all times, and the mobile terminal 30 is connected to the management system 100 via a wireless line or the like. Therefore, even if the user is in an attraction 32, a plaza 34, or an in-facility bus 36, the management system 100 always recognizes this and keeps track of the user's location.

[0023] "Mobile Device Configuration" FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal 30. The processing unit 40 performs various data processing and controls the mounted members. The processing unit 40 is connected to a communication unit 42, a display 44, and a speaker 46. The communication unit 42 communicates with the management system 100, but may also communicate with other mobile terminals 30 or with the outside world via the Internet. The display 44 displays various information and displays a warning about a lost child to notify the user. It may also display the current location of the mobile terminal 30 held by the child and the route of travel. The speaker 46 outputs audio and may also notify the user about a lost child.

[0024] A microphone 48 and an input unit 50 are connected to the processing unit 40. The microphone 48 functions as a voice acquisition means and can input the voice of the user who owns the device, and the processing unit 40 can determine the user's situation, such as a child who is lost and crying, based on the input voice. The input unit 50 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, and inputs various data. For example, it inputs a command to display the route of a child's mobile terminal 30. In addition, in the case of a mobile terminal 30 with a ticket function, it inputs various procedures for purchasing a ticket.

[0025] "Management System" FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management system 100. The communication unit 102 communicates with the mobile terminal 30 and the like. The processing unit 104 processes various data and controls the storage of necessary information. The processing unit 104 is connected to a lost child determination unit 106, a user position detection unit 108, a facility information storage unit 110, a user information storage unit 112, and the like. The lost child determination unit 106 is a functional block obtained by extracting some functions of the processing unit 104, and performs a lost child determination. The user position detection unit 108 functions as a position detection means, and detects the position of each user based on the position data sent from each mobile terminal 30. The facility information storage unit 110 stores a map of the facility, information on each attraction, and the like, and particularly stores information on the range of the area. The user information storage unit 112 stores various information about the user. In addition, from the information set when using the lost child service, group information, parent-child information, i.e., which mobile terminal 30 is a group such as a family, and whether each mobile terminal 30 is registered as a parent or a child, is stored. The user information storage unit 112 also functions as a route storage means, and stores the travel route obtained from the current location information of each user as user information. The user information storage unit 112 also functions as a rental registration means, and when a location detection transmitter is rented upon entry, it is preferable to store information on the rental and return of the transmitter.

[0026] Parent and child registration 5 is a flowchart showing separate registration processing for a parent and a child in the lost child service when a user arrives at the facility. This processing is performed by the user accessing the management system 100 using the mobile terminal 30. First, the user signs in as a user (S21). Note that, although user registration processing is usually required the first time, signing in as a guest is also possible.

[0027] If the user signs in, it is determined whether or not to use the lost child service (S22). A display of whether or not to use the service is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 30, and the determination is made by the user entering an answer. If the determination in S22 is NO, the lost child service will not be used, and the process ends. Note that a program for the lost child service may be started only when the lost child service is to be used.

[0028] If the answer is YES in S22, input is made for the group terminals (S23). Usually, the first input is for the user's own mobile terminal 30, so OK may be entered. For the mobile terminals 30 that will be part of the group, various methods can be used, such as displaying and reading a barcode or entering the ID of the mobile terminal 30 that will be part of the group. When this input is complete, it is determined whether the mobile terminal 30 to be registered as part of the group is a parent registration (S24). If the answer is YES in S24 due to the user's input, the mobile terminal 30 is registered as a parent in the management system 100 (S25). If the answer is NO in S24, the mobile terminal 30 is registered as a child in the management system 100 (S26). When the registrations in S25 and S26 are complete, it is determined whether the group terminal input is complete (S27).

[0029] If the determination in S27 is NO, the process returns to S23 to process the registration of the next mobile terminal 30 in the group, and if the determination in S27 is YES, the process ends.

[0030] In this way, information about the multiple mobile terminals 30 that make up a group and data on whether the mobile terminals 30 are registered as parent or child are stored in the user information storage unit 112 of the management system 100. Note that users do not necessarily have to be family members or parents and children; the mobile terminal 30 of a person who may get lost may be registered as a child, and the mobile terminal 30 of the person who manages the person may be registered as a parent.

[0031] In other words, the users who visit the venue include a first person who corresponds to a parent, and a second person who corresponds to a child who should be managed by the first person and who may get lost, and when using the lost child service, the users will be registered as either person.

[0032] "Assessment of a lost child" FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of lost child determination. The management system 100 acquires location information from each mobile terminal 30 (S31). The process may be started based on a request from a parent or child. For example, a button for starting a lost child search may be provided on the display 44 of the mobile terminal 30 registered as a parent, and the lost child determination process may be started when the button is operated. Then, it is determined whether the locations of all members of the group have been acquired (S32). If the determination in S32 is YES, the area in which each mobile terminal 30 exists is detected (S33). If the determination in S32 is NO, it is determined whether the mobile terminal 30 whose location cannot be acquired is a child-registered mobile terminal (S34). If the determination in S34 is NO, the process proceeds to the determination in S35.

[0033] If S35 or S34 is YES, the position of the child-registered mobile terminal 30 cannot be acquired or only the child-registered mobile terminal 30 is in a different area, so it is determined that the holder (child) of the child-registered mobile terminal 30 is lost, and an alarm is issued to notify the holder that the child is lost (S36). This determination is made by the lost child determination unit 106 of the management system 100, which is a lost child determination means. This notification is made by issuing an alarm from at least the parent-registered mobile terminal 30. That is, if the lost child determination unit 106 of the management system 100 determines that the child is lost, an alarm is sent to the parent-registered mobile terminal 30 via the communication unit 102, and a notification of the lost child is made here. Therefore, the communication unit 102 of the management system 100, and the speaker 46 and display 44 of the mobile terminal 30 function as notification means.

[0034] If NO in S35 or the output of the warning in S36 is terminated, the process is terminated. In the warning in S36, if the person is in a different area, it is preferable to identify the child-registered mobile terminal 30 or its owner and provide information on which area the person is in. Also, if the location cannot be acquired in S34, it is preferable to provide information on whose location cannot be acquired.

[0035] In this way, according to this embodiment, if the determination that only the mobile terminal 30 registered as a child is in a different area is YES, an alarm is issued.

[0036] Note that even if the mobile terminal 30 whose location cannot be acquired in S34 is registered as a parent, that fact may be notified to other parent-registered mobile terminals 30. Also, in S35, if multiple mobile terminals 30 are in different areas and all are registered as children, an alarm may be issued.

[0037] Here, the management system 100 is responsible for determining whether a child is lost, controlling notifications, etc. However, if user information of members in a group is stored in the mobile terminal 30, the mobile terminal 30 can directly obtain location information from other mobile terminals 30 and perform notification processing.

[0038] "Judgment from voice" As described above, the mobile terminal 30 is equipped with a microphone 48. Therefore, the voice of the user who carries it can be acquired. The mobile terminal 30 or the management system 100 can also determine the user's situation from the acquired voice. For example, when the voice acquired by the child-registered mobile terminal 30 is determined to be (i) crying, searching for a parent such as mom or dad, etc. (specific types of voice), it can be determined that the child is lost, and this can be notified to the parent-registered mobile terminal 30.

[0039] "Notification to vehicles" As described above, when a lost child is determined, the management system 100 determines whether or not there is a vehicle in the vicinity of the lost child. If there is a vehicle in the vicinity, the management system 100 notifies the vehicle that there is a lost child nearby. In this case, it is preferable to provide information about the location of the lost child. Note that vehicles that run within the entertainment facility are basically known to the facility and can be contacted by normal communication.

[0040] "Rental of location detection transmitters" If a user enters using a paper ticket, the user's location cannot be detected and lost child assistance cannot be provided. Therefore, it is preferable to lend a portable location detection transmitter with a location information transmission function such as a GPS transmitter in place of the mobile terminal 30. In this case, the user information storage unit of the management system 100 stores a record of the lending, the ID of the lent location detection transmitter, and whether the user is registered as a parent or child. This allows the user to receive the same lost child assistance as the mobile terminal 30.

[0041] Also, if the location detection transmitter is not returned, it is advisable to control the gate 12 not to open when the person exits. It is also advisable to make the location detection transmitter cute, displaying pictures of characters related to the entertainment facility. Furthermore, when the person returns the location detection transmitter, they may be given an inexpensive replica with a similar appearance but without a transmission function in exchange. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 entertainment facility, 12 gate, 14 connecting passage, 30 mobile terminal, 32 attraction, 34 plaza, 36 facility bus, 40 processing unit, 42 communication unit, 44 display, 46 speaker, 48 microphone, 50 input unit, 100 management system, 102 communication unit, 104 processing unit, 106 lost child determination unit, 108 user position detection unit, 108 user information storage unit, 110 facility information storage unit, 112 user information storage unit.

Claims

1. A notification system for a lost child in an entertainment facility, comprising: The entertainment facility is divided into several areas. The visitors include a first person and a second person who is to be managed by the first person and who may get lost; a position detection means for detecting positions of the first person and the second person within the entertainment facility; A route storage means for storing a moving route of the second person; a facility information storage means for storing map information including the range of each area of ​​the entertainment facility; an area detection means for detecting in which area the first person and the second person are located based on the positions of the first person and the second person detected by the position detection means, using the map information; a lost person determination means for determining that the second person is lost when the location detection means detects that the first person and the second person are in different areas; a notification means for notifying at least the first person of information about the second person being lost, the information including information about a route of the second person, when the lost person determination means determines that the second person is lost; having Notification system.

2. The notification system according to claim 1, moreover, When the position of the second person cannot be detected by the position detection means, The notification means notifies the first person that the position of the second person cannot be detected. Notification system.

3. The notification system according to claim 1 or 2, When the area detection means detects that the first person and the second person are in different areas, if there is a vehicle in the area where the second person is present and in the vicinity of the second person that can be contacted by communication, the notification means notifies the vehicle in the vicinity of the second person of information about the lost child. Notification system.

4. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Further, a voice acquisition means for acquiring a voice uttered by the second person is provided, The notification means notifies the first person when the voice acquired by the voice acquisition means is a specific type of voice. Notification system.

5. The notification system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A rental registration means is provided for registering rental and return of a portable location detection transmitter in association with a visitor; If the rented location detection transmitter has not been returned by the rental registration means when a visitor leaves the venue, the visitor is not permitted to leave the venue. Notification system.

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