MOBILE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND MOBILE STATION

Abstract

To provide a mobile entity management system with which it is possible to manage the location of a mobile station and information pertaining to the mobile station that is associated with said location.SOLUTION: A mobile entity management system comprises stationary stations 10a-10f, a mobile station 20 and a management device 30, the stationary stations including a first transmission unit for transmitting a first beacon signal by broadcasting, the mobile station 20 including a related information acquisition unit for acquiring related information regarding the mobile station 20, a first reception unit for receiving the first beacon signal and a second transmission unit for transmitting a second beacon signal by broadcasting, the management device 30 including a second reception unit 37 for receiving the second beacon signal. Information regarding the location of the mobile station is generated, and managed, on the basis of information indicating the reception state of the first beacon signal that is correlated to stationary station identification information included in the second beacon signal, and management is exercised correlating the related information included in the second beacon signal to the location.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile object management system that detects and manages the position of a mobile object on which a mobile station is installed by transmitting and receiving beacon signals via wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark, the same applies below) between each of one or more fixed stations fixedly placed within a specified area and the mobile station, and to the mobile object management system. [Background technology]

[0002] The inventor of this patent application has proposed a position detection system described in Patent Document 1. This position detection system has a plurality of fixed stations, a position analysis device having a communication function, and a mobile station, and identifies the position of the mobile station. Specifically, each of the plurality of fixed stations broadcasts a first beacon signal including its own identification information by short-range wireless communication in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy regulations. When the mobile station receives a first beacon signal from one or more fixed stations, the mobile station broadcasts a second beacon signal including the identification information of the fixed station contained therein and information indicating the reception strength of the first beacon signal in a format in which the identification information of the fixed station and the information indicating the reception strength of the first beacon signal are associated with each other, and includes the identification information of the mobile station by short-range wireless communication in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy regulations. Then, when the communication unit of the position analysis device receives the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station, information regarding the position of the mobile station identified by the identification information is generated based on information indicating the reception status of the first beacon signal associated with the identification information of each of the one or more fixed stations contained in the second beacon signal. Such a location analysis device can analyze, based on information regarding the location of the mobile station, the route along which the mobile station, i.e., the moving object in which the mobile station is installed (e.g., a person carrying the mobile station), is moving within an area in which multiple fixed stations are installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-170191 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a mobile station (a mobile body in which it is installed) moves in a certain area, it is useful to obtain some information related to the mobile station (the mobile body in which it is installed) corresponding to its position. However, in the above-mentioned conventional position detection system, although information on the position of the mobile station can be obtained, no consideration is given to obtaining information related to the mobile station corresponding to its position.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a mobile object management system capable of managing the positions of mobile stations as well as information related to the mobile stations that corresponds to the positions.

[0006] The present invention also provides a mobile station for use in such a mobility management system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information management system according to the present invention includes one or more fixed stations fixedly arranged in a predetermined area, a mobile station provided on a mobile body movable in the area, and a management device, wherein each of the one or more fixed stations has a first transmitting unit that broadcasts a first beacon signal including identification information of the own station in accordance with a first wireless system, and the mobile station includes a related information acquiring unit that acquires related information that represents matters related to the mobile station, a first receiving unit that receives the first beacon signal broadcasted from the first transmitting unit of each of the one or more fixed stations in accordance with the first wireless communication system, and includes an identification signal from each of the one or more fixed stations received by the first receiving unit and information representing a reception status of the first beacon signal at the first receiving unit in a format in which the identification signal is associated with information, and the related information and a second transmitting unit that broadcasts a second beacon signal including identification information of the mobile station in accordance with a second wireless communication method, and the management device has a second receiving unit that receives the second beacon signal broadcast from the second transmitting unit of the mobile station in accordance with the second wireless communication method, a location information generating unit that generates information regarding a location of the mobile station identified by the identification information based on information indicating a reception status of the first beacon signal associated with identification information of each of the one or more fixed stations included in the second beacon signal received by the second receiving unit, and a management unit that manages the location of the mobile body based on the information regarding the location of the mobile station generated by the location information generating unit, and manages the related information included in the second beacon signal in association with the location of the mobile body.

[0008] With this configuration, in a situation where a first beacon signal including identification information of the own station is broadcast from each of one or more fixed stations (first transmission unit) fixedly arranged in a predetermined area according to a first wireless communication method, a mobile station (first reception unit) provided in a mobile object that can move within the predetermined area receives the first beacon signal broadcast from the one or more fixed stations according to the first wireless communication method. Then, this mobile station (second transmission unit) further broadcasts a second beacon signal including identification information of the fixed station that is the transmission source of the first beacon signal included in the received first beacon signal and information indicating the reception status of the first beacon signal in a format in which they are associated with each other, and including related information that is information indicating matters related to the mobile station, and identification information of the own station according to the second wireless communication method.

[0009] A management device (second receiving unit) receives the second beacon signal broadcast from a mobile station in accordance with the second wireless communication method. A reception status at a mobile station (first receiving unit) of the first beacon signal broadcast from a fixed station (first transmitting unit) may depend on a relative positional relationship between the fixed station that is a transmission source of the first beacon signal and the mobile station. In the management device, information on the position of the mobile station is generated based on information indicating a reception status at the mobile station (first receiving unit) of the first beacon signal that may depend on a relative positional relationship between each of one or more fixed stations and the mobile station. Then, the management device manages a position of a mobile object in which the mobile station is installed based on information on the position of the mobile station, and manages related information indicating matters related to the mobile object in association with the position of the mobile object.

[0010] In the mobile body management system of the present invention, the related information acquisition unit in the mobile station can have a motion sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the movement of the mobile station, and a movement information generation unit that generates mobile body movement information representing the movement of the mobile body in which the mobile station is installed based on the detection signal from the motion sensor, and acquires the mobile body movement information as the related information, and the management unit in the management device can be configured to manage the mobile body movement information included in the second beacon signal as the related information in association with the position of the mobile body.

[0011] With this configuration, the mobile station broadcasts the second beacon signal including the mobile object motion information representing the motion of the mobile object in which the mobile station is installed as related information based on the detection signal from the motion sensor. Then, in the management device receiving the second beacon signal, the position of the mobile object is managed, and the mobile object motion information is managed in association with the position of the mobile object.

[0012] In the mobile body management system of the present invention, the mobile body movement information generated by the movement information generation unit in the mobile station may be configured to include at least one of step count information indicating the number of steps taken by a holder of the mobile station as the mobile body, motion amount information indicating the amount of movement of the holder, action information indicating whether or not the holder is moving, and posture information indicating the posture of the mobile station held by the holder.

[0013] With this configuration, the mobile station broadcasts at least one of the step count information, the amount of exercise, the motion information, and the posture information representing the posture of the mobile body held by the holder of the mobile body, included in the second beacon signal as the related information. Then, in the management device receiving the second beacon signal, the position of the mobile body is managed, and at least one of the step count information, the amount of exercise, the motion information, and the posture information is managed in association with the position of the mobile body.

[0014] In the mobile object management system according to the present invention, the related information acquisition unit in the mobile station The management device may be configured to have an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information representing the state of the surrounding environment of the mobile station as the related information, and the management unit in the management device manages the environmental information included in the second beacon signal as the related information in association with the position of the mobile body.

[0015] With this configuration, the mobile station acquires environmental information representing the state of the surrounding environment of the mobile station as related information. The mobile station broadcasts the environmental information as the related information in a second beacon signal. The management device that receives the second beacon signal manages the location of the mobile station and manages the environmental information in association with the location of the mobile station.

[0016] In the mobile object management system of the present invention, the environmental information acquisition unit may be configured to have a temperature sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of the environment surrounding the mobile station, and a temperature information generation unit that generates temperature information representing the temperature around the mobile object based on the detection signal from the temperature sensor, and to acquire the temperature information as the environmental information.

[0017] With this configuration, the mobile station generates temperature information based on the detection signal from the temperature sensor, and broadcasts the temperature information as the environmental information included in the second beacon signal as related information. Then, in the management device that receives the second beacon signal, the location of the mobile body is managed, and the temperature information is managed in association with the location of the mobile body.

[0018] In the mobile object management system of the present invention, the environmental information acquisition unit may be configured to have a humidity sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the humidity of the environment surrounding the mobile station, and a humidity information generation unit that generates humidity information representing the humidity around the mobile object based on the detection signal from the humidity sensor, and to acquire the humidity information as the environmental information.

[0019] With this configuration, the mobile station generates humidity information based on the detection signal from the humidity sensor, and broadcasts the humidity information as environmental information included in the second beacon signal as related information. Then, in the management device that receives the second beacon signal, the location of the mobile body is managed, and the humidity information is managed in association with the location of the mobile body.

[0020] In the mobile body management system of the present invention, the environmental information acquisition unit may be configured to include a temperature sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of the environment surrounding the mobile station, a humidity sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the humidity of the environment surrounding the mobile station, and a means for generating information regarding the risk of heatstroke for the carrier of the mobile station as the mobile body based on the detection signals from the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor, and to acquire the information regarding the risk of heatstroke as the environmental information.

[0021] With this configuration, the mobile station generates information on the risk of heat stroke based on the detection signals from the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor, and broadcasts the information on the risk of heat stroke as the environmental information included in the second beacon signal as related information. Then, in the management device that receives the second beacon signal, the location of the mobile body is managed, and the information on the risk of heat stroke is managed in association with the location of the mobile body.

[0022] In the mobile object management system of the present invention, the environmental information acquisition unit may be configured to have a CO2 sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a carbon dioxide concentration value around the mobile station, and a first gas information generation unit that generates at least one of a carbon dioxide concentration value, index information indicating a crowding state of people, and ventilation recommendation index information as the environmental information based on the detection signal from the CO2 sensor.

[0023] With this configuration, the mobile station generates at least one of the carbon dioxide value, the index information representing the crowded state of people, and the ventilation recommendation index information based on the detection signal from the CO2 sensor, and broadcasts the at least one of the environmental information included in the second beacon signal as related information. Then, in the management device that receives the second beacon signal, the position of the mobile body is managed, and at least one of the carbon dioxide value, the index information representing the crowded state of people, and the ventilation recommendation index information is managed in association with the position of the mobile body.

[0024] In the mobile management system of the present invention, the environmental information acquisition unit may be configured to have a gas sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a concentration value of a toxic gas around the mobile station, and a second gas information generation unit that generates at least one of the concentration value of the toxic gas and activity risk index information as the environmental information based on the detection signal from the gas sensor.

[0025] With this configuration, the mobile station generates at least one of the toxic gas concentration value and the activity risk index information based on the detection signal from the gas sensor, and broadcasts the at least one of the toxic gas concentration value and the activity risk index information as the environmental information, including the at least one of the toxic gas concentration value and the activity risk index information as related information in the second beacon signal. Then, in the management device receiving the second beacon signal, the location of the mobile body is managed, and at least one of the toxic gas concentration value and the activity risk index information is managed in association with the location of the mobile body.

[0026] In the mobile object management system of the present invention, the environmental information acquisition unit can be configured to have a radiation sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a radiation concentration value around the mobile station, and a radiation concentration information generation unit that generates radiation concentration information as the environmental information based on the detection signal from the radiation sensor.

[0027] With this configuration, the mobile station generates radiation concentration information based on the detection signal from the radiation sensor, and broadcasts the radiation concentration information as the environmental information included in the second beacon signal as related information. Then, in the management device receiving the second beacon signal, the location of the mobile body is managed, and the radiation concentration information is managed in association with the location of the mobile body.

[0028] In the mobile management system of the present invention, the environmental information acquisition unit can be configured to have an acoustic sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the sound pressure around the mobile station, and a sound environment information generation unit that generates at least one of noise information indicating the level of noise and conversation information indicating the amount of conversation as the environmental information based on the detection signal from the acoustic sensor.

[0029] With this configuration, the mobile station generates at least one of noise information indicating the level of noise and conversation information indicating the level of conversation based on the detection signal from the acoustic sensor, and broadcasts the second beacon signal including at least one of the noise information and the conversation information as the environmental information as related information. Then, in the management device receiving the second beacon signal, the location of the mobile body is managed, and at least one of the noise information and the conversation information is managed in association with the location of the mobile body.

[0030] In the mobile body management system of the present invention, the related information acquisition unit in the mobile station may be configured to have a mobile body status acquisition unit that acquires mobile body status information representing a status of the mobile body in which the mobile station is installed as the related information.

[0031] With this configuration, the mobile station acquires, as related information, mobile object status information that indicates the status of the mobile object in which the mobile station is installed. The mobile station broadcasts the mobile object status information as the related information in a second beacon signal. The management device that receives the second beacon signal manages the location of the mobile object and manages the mobile object status information in association with the location of the mobile object.

[0032] In the mobile body management system of the present invention, the mobile body status acquisition unit can be configured to have a thermometer that measures the body temperature of the holder of the mobile station as the mobile body, and to acquire information based on the body temperature value obtained by the thermometer as the mobile body status information.

[0033] With this configuration, the mobile station broadcasts the second beacon signal including the information based on the body temperature of the mobile station carrier obtained by the thermometer as related information. The management device that receives the second beacon signal manages the location of the carrier and manages the information based on the body temperature in association with the location of the carrier.

[0034] In the mobile management system of the present invention, the related information acquisition unit in the mobile station can be configured to have a distance information generation unit that generates mobile station-to-mobile station distance information that expresses information regarding the distance to other mobile stations in the area in a format associated with identification information of the other mobile stations, and acquires the mobile station-to-mobile station distance information as the related information, and the management unit in the management device manages the mobile station-to-mobile station distance information included in the second beacon signal as the related information in association with a position of the mobile station.

[0035] With this configuration, the mobile station acquires, as associated information, inter-mobile station distance information, which represents information on the distance to another mobile station within a predetermined area in a format associated with the identification information of the other mobile station. The mobile station includes the inter-mobile station distance information as the associated information in a second beacon signal and broadcasts it. Then, in a management device that receives the second beacon signal, the positions of the mobile bodies are managed, and the inter-mobile station distance information is managed in association with the positions of the mobile bodies.

[0036] In the mobile management system of the present invention, the distance information generation unit can be configured to have a receiving unit that receives the second beacon signal broadcast from another mobile station in accordance with the second wireless communication method, and generate the mobile station distance information, based on a reception status of the second beacon signal received by the receiving unit, in a format that corresponds to information regarding the distance to the other mobile station and is included in identification information that identifies the other mobile station and is included in the second beacon signal.

[0037] With this configuration, when a mobile station receives a second beacon signal broadcast from another mobile station, the mobile station generates the inter-mobile station distance information, which represents information regarding the distance to the other mobile station based on the reception status of the second beacon signal in a format associated with identification information that identifies the other mobile station and is included in the second beacon signal.

[0038] The mobile station of the present invention is configured to include a related information acquisition unit that acquires related information, which is information that represents matters related to the mobile station; a receiving unit that scans beacon signals in accordance with a first wireless communication method and receives a first beacon signal that is broadcast from one or more fixed stations in the first wireless communication method and includes identification information of the fixed station; and a transmitting unit that, when the receiving unit receives the first beacon signal from each of the one or more fixed stations, broadcasts a second beacon signal in a second wireless communication method, which includes identification information of the fixed station that is the sender of the first beacon signal, which is included in the first beacon signal, and information that represents the reception status of the first beacon signal at the receiving unit, in a format in which the identification information and the identification information of the mobile station are associated with each other.

[0039] In the mobile station of the present invention, the related information acquisition unit may be configured to have a motion sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the movement of the mobile station, and a movement information generation unit that generates moving body movement information representing the movement of the moving body in which the mobile station is installed based on the detection signal from the motion sensor, and to acquire the moving body movement information as the related information.

[0040] In the mobile station according to the present invention, the related information acquisition unit may have an environment information acquisition unit that acquires, as the related information, environment information that indicates a state of a surrounding environment of the mobile station.

[0041] In the mobile station according to the present invention, the related information acquisition unit may be configured to have a mobile object status acquisition unit that acquires, as the related information, mobile object status information that indicates a status of the mobile object in which the mobile station is provided.

[0042] In the mobile station of the present invention, the related information acquisition unit may be configured to have a distance information generation unit that generates mobile station-to-mobile station distance information that represents a distance to another mobile station within the area in a format associated with identification information of the other mobile station, and to acquire the mobile station-to-mobile station distance information as the related information.

[0043] In the mobile station of the present invention, the distance information generation unit can be configured to have a receiving unit that receives the second beacon signal broadcast from another mobile station in accordance with the second wireless communication method, and to generate the inter-mobile station distance information that represents the distance to the other mobile station in a format associated with identification information that identifies the other mobile station and is included in the second beacon signal, based on a reception status of the second beacon signal received by the receiving unit. Effect of the Invention

[0044] According to the mobile management system of the present invention, the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station contains the identification information of the fixed station and information indicating the reception status of the first beacon signal from the fixed station in a format in which they are associated with each other, and the associated information indicating matters related to the mobile station contains the identification information of the mobile station itself. Therefore, the management device receiving the second beacon signal can manage the location of the mobile station as well as information (associated information) related to the mobile station that corresponds to that location.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the mobile station of the present invention, it is possible to realize a mobile station for use in the above-mentioned mobility management system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0046] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mobile object management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of radio waves broadcast in the mobile management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of each fixed station in the mobile object management system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of a mobile station in the mobility management system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of a management device in the mobile object management system. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of a format of information included in a first beacon signal broadcast from each fixed station. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of a format of information included in a second beacon signal broadcast from a mobile station. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a fixed station location table held in a management device and indicating the relationship between fixed stations and their positions. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a mobile station table that is held in a management device and indicates the relationship between mobile stations and their carriers. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a propagation sequence of the first beacon signal and the second beacon signal in the mobile management system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the timing of scanning the first beacon signal in the mobile station and its scan duty. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process related to reception of the first beacon signal in the mobile station. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process related to broadcast transmission of a second beacon signal in a mobile station. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process related to reception of the second beacon signal in the management device. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table held by the management device. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of the management table held by the management device. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a positional relationship (part 1) between a mobile station, each fixed station, and a beacon receiving device in a mobile object management system. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a positional relationship (part 2) between a mobile station, each fixed station, and a beacon receiving device in a mobile object management system. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a positional relationship (part 3) between a mobile station, each fixed station, and a beacon receiving device in a mobile object management system. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating another example of the format of information included in the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing yet another example of the format of information included in the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile station in a mobility management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a format of information included in the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station shown in FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table held by the management device. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating another example of the management table held by the management device. [Figure 25A] FIG. 25A is a diagram showing the relationship (part 1) between the distance between mobile stations and the reception strength of a beacon signal. [Figure 25B] FIG. 25B is a diagram showing the relationship (part 2) between the distance between mobile stations and the reception strength of a beacon signal. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile station in a mobility management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process for generating information on the distance from a mobile station to another mobile station. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a format of information included in the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station shown in FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table held by the management device. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating another example of the management table held by the management device. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing another format of information included in the second beacon signal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0048] A mobile object management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in Figures 1 and 2. This mobile object management system can manage, for example, the movement of people in a room.

[0049] 1 and 2, a plurality of fixed stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f are fixedly arranged in a room 100 (area) that is a range of human movement. Specifically, the fixed station 10a is arranged near the entrance 101 of the room 100, the fixed station 10b is arranged near the copy machine 203, the fixed station 10c is arranged near the first work desk group 201, the fixed station 10d is arranged near the second work desk group 202, the fixed station 10e is arranged near the entrance 111 of the conference room 110, and the fixed station 10f is arranged in the conference room 110 where the conference desk 204 is placed. In addition, a beacon receiving device 37 of the management device 30 described later is installed at a predetermined position in the room 100. Each of the fixed stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f broadcasts a first beacon signal, which will be described later, by wireless communication in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, in particular, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (hereinafter, referred to as BLE) standard.

[0050] The mobile station 20 is carried by a person (mobile object) whose movement is to be managed, and can move within the room 100 according to the movement of the person. The mobile station 20 can receive the first beacon signal broadcast from each of the fixed stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f by wireless communication according to the BLE standard. The mobile station 20 also broadcasts a second beacon signal, which will be described later, by wireless communication according to the BLE standard. The beacon receiving device 37 is communicably connected to the device body 30M of the management device 30. The beacon receiving device 37 can receive the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20 by wireless communication according to the BLE standard. The information received by the beacon receiving device 37 (the second beacon signal) is supplied to the device body 30M of the management device 30.

[0051] The multiple base stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f all have the same configuration, as shown in Fig. 3. When the multiple base stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f having the same configuration are described as a single representative base station, the reference number for that base station will be 10.

[0052] 3, the fixed station 10 has a control unit 11 configured with a CPU and the like, a BLE communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The BLE communication unit 12 performs wireless communication (Bluetooth communication: wireless communication according to a first wireless communication method) according to the BLE regulations under the control of the control unit 11. This BLE communication unit 12 (first transmission unit) functions particularly as a peripheral side device (slave side device) in Bluetooth communication, and broadcasts the first beacon signal in advertising. In addition, the storage unit 13 stores information required for processing in the control unit 11 and information to be included in the first beacon signal to be broadcast, such as the identification number of the own station.

[0053] The mobile station 20 is configured as shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the mobile station 20 has a control unit 21 configured with a CPU or the like, a first BLE communication unit 22, a second BLE unit 23, and a storage unit 24. The first BLE unit 22 performs wireless communication (Bluetooth communication: wireless communication according to a first wireless communication method) according to the BLE regulations under the control of the control unit 21. This first BLE communication unit 22 (first receiving unit / receiving unit) functions particularly as a central side device (master device) in Bluetooth communication, and can receive the first beacon signal broadcast in advertising from the fixed station 10 (BLE communication unit 12). The second BLE unit 23 performs wireless communication (Bluetooth communication: wireless communication according to a second wireless communication method) according to the BLE regulations under the control of the control unit 21. The second BLE communication unit 23 (second transmitting unit) functions particularly as a peripheral side device (slave side device) in Bluetooth communication, and broadcasts a second beacon signal in advertising. The first BLE communication unit 22 and the second BLE communication unit can be configured as one wireless device that performs wireless communication in accordance with the BLE regulations. The storage unit 24 stores information required for processing in the control unit 21, information generated by the processing of the control unit 21, and the like.

[0054] The management device 30 is configured as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the management device 30 is configured from a device main body 30M and a beacon receiving device 37 installed in a room 100. The beacon receiving device 37 (second receiving unit) functions as a central side device (master device) in wireless communication according to the BLE regulations (Bluetooth communication: wireless communication according to the second wireless communication method), and can receive a second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20 in the advertising. The device main body 30M has a control unit 31 composed of a CPU or the like, two network communication units 32 and 33, a storage unit 34, and an operation unit 35. The control unit 31 controls the beacon receiving device 37 via the network communication unit 32 according to an operation signal corresponding to an operation on the operation unit 35, and executes various processes including a process related to the position detection of the mobile station 20. One of the network communication units 32 is connected to the beacon receiving device 37 via a predetermined local network, and can receive the second beacon signal from the beacon receiving device 37 via the local network under the control of the control unit 31. The storage unit 34 stores information (such as a database) required for processing in the control unit 31 and information generated by processing in the control unit 31. The other network communication unit 33 can transmit and receive information to and from other devices (for example, installed in a building other than the building in which the room 100 is located) via a predetermined local network under the control of the control unit 33, and can transmit, for example, information regarding the location of the mobile station 20 (person carrying it) (information regarding the movement of the person) to the other devices.

[0055] The first beacon signal broadcast from the fixed station 10 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, information on the type of the station that transmits the signal, "fixed station", an "area number" that identifies the area where the fixed station 10 is installed, and an "identification number" of the station itself (the fixed station 10). The second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, information on the sequence number that indicates the order of processing, the type of the station that transmits the signal, "mobile station", an "area number" that identifies the area where the mobile station 20 exists, an "identification number" of the station itself (the mobile station 20), an "identification number" of the fixed station that transmits the received first beacon signal, and a "reception strength" (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indicator) of the first beacon signal. The second beacon signal also includes "motion information" (specifically, the number of steps and the amount of exercise) that indicates the movement of the person who holds the mobile station 20 (holder, carrier: mobile body) as related information that indicates matters related to the mobile station 20.

[0056] The storage unit 34 of the management device 30 stores a fixed station location table (database) showing the relationship between each fixed station and its location, as shown in Fig. 7, for example. In this fixed station location table, the "identification number" of each fixed station is associated with an "area number" specifying the area in which the fixed station is located, the "location (longitude and latitude)" in which the fixed station is located, and a "description" of the location. The storage unit 34 also stores a mobile station-carrier correspondence table (database) showing the relationship between a mobile station and its carrier (possessor: mobile object), as shown in Fig. 8. In this mobile station-carrier correspondence table, the "identification number" of each mobile station is associated with the "name" of the person carrying the mobile station.

[0057] In this mobile management system, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, each of a plurality of base stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f (BLE communication unit 12) broadcasts a first beacon signal (see FIG. 6A) including its own type (base station), area number, and identification number by wireless communication according to the BLE regulations, so that the transmission timing does not overlap with that of other base stations, by repeating transmission for a certain period of time at a unique interval (for example, randomly determined around 100 ms). In this situation, the mobile station 20 (first BLE communication unit 22) scans the beacon signal according to the BLE regulations. This beacon signal scanning is performed by repeating scanning for a certain time Tscn at a certain interval Tint, as shown in FIG. 10 (the ratio of the scanning time Tscn to the interval Tint is called the scan duty).

[0058] Returning to Fig. 9, the mobile station 20 (first BLE communication unit 22, control unit 21) repeatedly scanning for beacon signals as described above measures the reception strength (RSSI) of the received first beacon signal when it receives the first beacon signal broadcast from each of the base stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f. The mobile station 20 (second BLE communication unit 23) then repeatedly broadcasts a second beacon signal at a predetermined interval (e.g., 250 ms) by wireless communication (Bluetooth communication) according to the BLE standard, the second beacon signal including the reception strength (e.g., -60 dBm, -55 dBm, -50 dBm) and the identification number (e.g., A003, A002, A001) of the base station 10 that is the source of the first beacon signal in a format in which they are associated with each other, and including motion information (number of steps, amount of exercise) obtained based on a detection signal from the motion sensor 25 and the identification information of the mobile station (see Fig. 6B), as described later.

[0059] The beacon receiving device 37 (second receiving unit) of the management device 30 scans the beacon signal at a predetermined scan duty (for example, 75%), and when it receives the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20, it transmits information included in the second beacon signal (see FIG. 6B) to the device body 30M of the management device 30. The device body 30M (control unit 31) of the management device 30 that receives the information included in the second beacon signal refers to the fixed station arrangement table shown in FIG. 7 stored in the storage unit 34, and generates information on the position of the mobile station 20 based on the position of the fixed station and the reception strength. In addition, the management device 30 (device body 30M) manages the movement information included in the second beacon signal in association with the position of the mobile station 20 (carrier: mobile object) as described later. Then, the management device 30 (control unit 31) can generate information representing the movement line of the person carrying the mobile station 20 based on the information on the position that changes over time.

[0060] The operation of the above-mentioned mobile management system will now be described in more detail.

[0061] As described above, each of the multiple fixed stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f repeatedly broadcasts a first beacon signal including information on the type of the fixed station, the area number (01: room 100) that identifies the area (room 100) in which the station is located, and the identification information (A001, A002, etc.) of the station, at a unique interval (for example, randomly determined around 100 ms) so that the transmission timing does not overlap with that of other fixed stations, by short-distance wireless communication (Bluetooth communication) according to the BLE regulations, as shown in Fig. 6A. In this situation, the control unit 21 of the mobile station 20 carried by a person who can move freely within the room 100 performs a process related to receiving the first beacon signal according to the procedure shown in Fig. 11.

[0062] In FIG. 11, the control unit 21 causes the first BLE communication unit 22 to start scanning for beacon signals with a scan duty of 20% (for example, Tint=100 ms, Tscn=20 ms) (S11). While the first BLE communication unit 22 is scanning for beacon signals with a scan duty of 20% in accordance with the BLE regulations, the control unit 21 repeatedly determines whether the first BLE communication unit 22 has received a beacon signal (S12). When the first BLE communication unit 22 receives a beacon signal (YES in S12), the control unit 21 determines whether the source of the received beacon signal is a fixed station based on information indicating the type of station included in the received beacon signal (S13). When the source station of the received beacon signal is not a fixed station, such as a mobile station or an unrelated station (NO in S13), the control unit 21 determines that the received beacon signal is not related to the position detection of the mobile station, and returns to a state in which the control unit 21 determines whether the first BLE signal unit 22 receives a next beacon signal (S12).

[0063] On the other hand, if the transmission source of the received beacon signal is a fixed station (YES in S13), the control unit 21 further determines whether or not the area number identifying the area in which the transmission source fixed station is located, which is included in the beacon signal, matches the area number (01) indicating the room 100 within which the movement of the mobile object (carrier) is managed (S14). If the area numbers do not match (NO in S14), the control unit 21 regards the received beacon signal as a beacon signal unrelated to position detection of the mobile station 20, and returns to the state of determining whether or not the first BLE communication unit 22 will receive the next beacon signal (S12).

[0064] Although not shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 11 measures the reception strength (RSSI) of the beacon signal (first beacon signal) received by the first BLE communication unit 22 in accordance with a known method each time the first BLE communication unit 22 receives a beacon signal.

[0065] As described above, each time the first BLE communication unit 22 receives a beacon signal (YES in S12), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the beacon signal is from the fixed station 10 arranged in the room 100 within the range of control of the movement of the carrier (S13, S14). Then, if the beacon signal received by the first BLE communication unit 22 (YES in S12) is from the fixed station 10 arranged in the room 100 (YES in S13, YES in S14), the control unit 21 stores the beacon signal as a first beacon signal from the fixed station 10, in the storage unit 24, in a pair with the reception strength of the beacon signal at the first BLE communication unit 22 and the identification number of the fixed station that is the source of the beacon signal (S15).

[0066] Thereafter, the control unit 21 determines whether a predetermined end condition (for example, turning off a switch not shown) is satisfied, and if the end condition is not satisfied (NO in S16), executes the process according to the above-mentioned procedure (S12 to S15). As a result, every time the first BLE communication unit 22 receives a beacon signal (first beacon signal) from any of the multiple base stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f, the control unit 21 stores in the storage unit 24 a pair of the reception strength of the beacon signal and the identification number of the transmitting base station.

[0067] In parallel with the above-mentioned processing related to reception of the first beacon signal from the fixed station 10, the control unit 21 of the mobile station 20 performs processing related to broadcast transmission of the second beacon signal according to the procedure shown in FIG.

[0068] 12, the control unit 21 causes the second BLE communication unit 23 to start broadcast transmission of the second beacon signal in the format shown in FIG. 6B at a predetermined interval (e.g., 250 ms) by wireless communication according to the BLE standard (S21). In the process of broadcast transmission of the second beacon signal at a predetermined interval by the second BLE communication unit 23, the control unit 21 waits for a predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) (S22) and then acquires the maximum reception strength among the reception strengths stored in the storage unit 24 by the above-mentioned process (see FIG. 11) at that time point and the identification number of the fixed station corresponding thereto (S23). In addition, the control unit 21 of the mobile station 20 generates motion information including the count value of the number of steps of the person carrying (carrying) the mobile station 20 and the amount of exercise obtained by converting the amount of motion into a numerical value (point value) according to a predetermined algorithm based on the detection signal from the motion sensor 25, for example, from the timing of receiving the first beacon signal from the fixed station 10 for the first time (S24).

[0069] In this way, when the control unit 21 acquires the maximum reception strength and the corresponding identification number stored in the storage unit 24 at that time, the control unit 21 increments the sequence number in the content of the second beacon signal in the format shown in Fig. 6B by +1, updates each piece of information on the identification number and reception strength of the receiving fixed station with the newly acquired maximum reception strength and the corresponding identification number, and also updates the motion information (number of steps, amount of exercise) acquired at that time (S25). As a result, the second beacon signal updated to the new content is broadcast by the second BLE communication unit 23.

[0070] Then, the control unit 21 clears each piece of information on the identification number and the reception strength that have been stored as a pair in the storage unit 24 (S26). After that, the reception strength of a new first beacon signal and the identification number of the fixed station that transmitted it are stored as a pair in the storage unit 24 in sequence according to the procedure shown in FIG.

[0071] As described above, when the contents of the storage unit 24 are cleared, the control unit 21 judges whether the scanning process according to the procedure shown in Fig. 11 has been completed (S27). If the scanning process has not been completed, the control unit 21 waits again for a predetermined time (for example, one second) (S22), and then acquires the maximum reception strength among the reception strengths stored in the storage unit 24 at that time and the identification number of the fixed station corresponding thereto, and generates the motion information based on the detection signal from the motion sensor 25 (S23, S24), updates the contents of the second beacon signal using the reception strength and the identification number, as well as the motion information (S25), and clears the reception strength and the identification number stored in the storage unit 24 up to that time (S25). After that, the control unit 21 repeatedly executes the process related to the update of the contents of the second beacon signal according to the procedure (S22 to S27) described above until the scanning process according to the procedure shown in Fig. 11 is completed.

[0072] When the scanning process according to the procedure shown in FIG. 11 is completed (YES in S27), the control unit 21 ends the process related to the broadcast transmission of the second beacon signal.

[0073] During the process in which the second beacon signal is broadcast from the mobile station 20, the control unit 31 of the management device 30 executes a process for receiving the second beacon signal according to the procedure shown in FIG.

[0074] In FIG. 13, the control unit 31 causes the beacon receiving device 37 to start scanning for beacon signals, for example, with a scan duty of 75% (for example, Tint=100 ms, Tscn=75 ms) (S31). In the process in which the beacon receiving device 37 scans for beacon signals with a scan duty of 75% in accordance with the BLE regulations, the control unit 31 repeatedly determines whether the beacon receiving device 37 has received a beacon signal (S32). When the beacon receiving device 37 receives a beacon signal (YES in S32), the control unit 31 determines whether the source of the received beacon signal is a mobile station based on information indicating the type of station contained in the received beacon signal (S33). When the source station of the received beacon signal is not a mobile station, such as a fixed station or an unrelated station (NO in S33), the control unit 31 returns to a state in which the beacon receiving device 37 repeatedly determines whether the next beacon signal is received (S32).

[0075] On the other hand, if the source of the received beacon signal is a mobile station (YES in S33), the control unit 31 further judges whether the area number included in the beacon signal, which specifies the area in which the source mobile station exists, matches the area number (01) representing the room 100 that is the management range of the movement of the mobile body (S34). If the area numbers do not match (NO in S34), the control unit 31 returns to the state in which the beacon signal received is a beacon signal that is not related to the management of the movement of the mobile station 20 and judges whether the beacon receiving device 37 receives the next beacon signal (S32). On the other hand, if the area numbers match (YES in S34), that is, if the beacon signal is related to the management of the movement of the mobile station, the control unit 31 further judges whether the sequence number included in the received beacon signal has changed (S35). If it is determined that the sequence number has not changed and that the contents of the beacon signal (second beacon signal) have not changed from the contents of the previously received beacon signal (second beacon signal) (NO in S35), the control unit 31 returns to the state of determining whether the beacon receiving device 37 will receive the next beacon signal (S32).

[0076] In this way, each time the beacon receiving device 37 receives a beacon signal (YES in S32), the control unit 31 judges whether the beacon signal includes new content from the mobile station 20 moving in the room 100 that is the management range of the movement of the mobile body (S33, S34, S35). Then, if the beacon signal received by the beacon receiving device 37 (YES in S32) is new content from the mobile station 20 moving in the room 100 (YES in S33, YES in S34, YES in S35), the control unit 31 regards the beacon signal as a second beacon signal with new content from the mobile station 20 and obtains the identification number of the fixed station that is the transmission source of the first beacon signal and the movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise) from the beacon signal (second beacon signal: see FIG. 6B) (S36).

[0077] The control unit 31 refers to the fixed station arrangement table shown in FIG. 7 and the mobile station / carrier correspondence table shown in FIG. 8 stored in the storage unit 34, and updates the latest location information of the carrier corresponding to the identification number of the mobile station 20 (included in the second beacon signal: see FIG. 6B) based on the information on the location of the fixed station corresponding to the acquired identification number of the fixed station, for example, the location (latitude and longitude) where the fixed station is installed (S37). In addition, the control unit 31 updates the movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise) of the carrier (moving object) corresponding to the identification number of the mobile station 20 based on the movement information acquired from the second beacon signal (S38). Thereafter, the control unit 31 repeatedly executes the process according to the above-mentioned procedure (S32 to S38) until a predetermined end condition is satisfied (YES in S39), for example, an end operation is performed on the operation unit 35. Thereby, the position information and movement information of the carrier of the mobile station 20 are sequentially updated.

[0078] In this mobile object management system, an identification number is assigned to the mobile station 20, and the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20 includes the identification number of the mobile station 20 (see FIG. 6B). The identification number allows the mobile station that is the source of the second beacon signal received by the beacon receiving device 37 to be identified. Therefore, even if multiple mobile stations 20 exist in the room 100 that is the management range of the movements of the mobile objects 20, the management device 30 can distinguish and acquire information on the positions and movement information of each of the multiple mobile stations 20. The management device 30 manages the correspondence between each of the multiple mobile stations and their carriers using the mobile station / carrier correspondence table shown in FIG. 8, and thus can distinguish and manage the position information and movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise) of multiple people (carriers of the mobile station 20: mobile objects) active in the room 100.

[0079] In the management device 30, for example, a management table shown in Fig. 14 is stored in the storage unit 34, and this management table manages the positions of multiple carriers of the mobile station 20 in association with their confirmation times, and also manages the movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise) of each carrier in association with their position. As described above (see Fig. 13), this management table is updated every time a second beacon signal broadcast from each mobile station 20 is received, based on the information and movement information related to the position of the mobile station 20 (specified by the identification information) obtained at that time.

[0080] In addition, in the management device 30, a management table associated with a carrier (e.g., Taro Tanaka: mobile object) of each mobile station 20 (e.g., identification information B001: see FIG. 8) is stored in the storage unit 34, as shown in FIG. 20. This management table manages the position of the carrier (Taro Tanaka: mobile object) of the mobile station 20 (identification information B001) in association with its detection time, and also manages the movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise) of the carrier in association with the position. This management table is also updated every time a second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20 (identification information B001) of the carrier (Taro Tanaka) is received, based on information related to the position of the mobile station 20 and the movement information obtained at that time.

[0081] In the above example, the mobile station 20 includes in the second beacon signal the identification number of the fixed station corresponding to the maximum reception strength among the reception strengths of the first beacon signals from the fixed stations 10 received during a certain period (1 second in the example of FIG. 12). The reception strength of the first beacon signal depends on the distance between the mobile station 20 and the fixed station 10, and the first beacon signal with the maximum reception strength is from the fixed station 10 closest to the mobile station 20. Therefore, in the above-mentioned position detection system, the position of the fixed station 10 closest to the mobile station 20 is acquired as information on the position of the mobile station 20.

[0082] For example, as shown in Fig. 16, when a person (carrying a mobile station 20) who is the subject of movement management is near a copy machine 203, the position (e.g., latitude and longitude) of a base station 10b arranged near the copy machine 203 is recorded as the position of the person, and movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise) representing the movement to that position is recorded in association with that position. Also, as shown in Fig. 17, when a person (carrying a mobile station 20) who is the subject of movement management is near a second work desk group 202, the position (e.g., latitude and longitude) of a base station 10d arranged near the second work desk group 202 is recorded as the position of the person, and movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise) representing the movement to that position is recorded in association with that position. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18, when a person (carrying a mobile station 20) who is the subject of movement management is in a conference room 110, the position (e.g., latitude and longitude) of a fixed station 10f placed in the conference room 110 is recorded as the position of that person, and movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise) indicating the movement to that position is recorded in association with that position.

[0083] Based on the obtained information on the position (detected position) and movement information of the person carrying the mobile station 20, the management device 30 (control unit 31) can obtain flow line information that indicates a change in the position of the person together with the movement information. For example, in the case of the example of Fig. 16 to Fig. 18, during a certain time period, a route from near the copy machine 203 in the room 100 to near the second work desk group 202, and then to inside the conference room 110 can be obtained as flow line information that indicates the movement line of the person who is the subject of movement management, together with the number of steps and amount of exercise to each position.

[0084] In addition, under the control of the control unit 31, the management device 30 can cause the network communication unit 33 to distribute the detected location information of the person who is the subject of movement management obtained as described above, or movement line information representing the movement line, together with movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise) at each location, to other devices via a specified in-house network under the control of the control unit 31.

[0085] According to the mobile object management system as described above, the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20 includes the identification information of the fixed station 10 and information (reception strength) indicating the reception status of the first beacon signal from the fixed station 10 in a format in which they are associated with each other, and also includes movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise) of the carrier (possessor: mobile object) of the mobile station 20 as related information indicating matters related to the mobile object 20, together with the identification information of the mobile station itself. Therefore, the management device 30 receiving the second beacon signal can manage the position (traffic line information) of the mobile station 20 as well as the movement information (number of steps, amount of exercise: related information) of the carrier of the mobile station 20 corresponding to that position.

[0086] In the above example, the position (latitude and longitude) of the fixed station 10 (with maximum reception strength) closest to the mobile station 20 (subject of movement management) was detected as the position of the mobile station 20. However, the expression of the position of the mobile station 20 (subject of movement management) is not limited to this, and the position of the mobile station 20 (subject of movement management) can also be expressed, for example, as "near the copy machine 203," "near the second group of work desks 202," "inside the conference room 110," etc.

[0087] The latitude and longitude of the mobile station 20 can also be detected. In this case, the second beacon signal includes the reception strength of the first beacon signal from the multiple fixed stations 10. The reception strength of the first beacon signal from all (e.g., six) fixed stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f and the identification number of the fixed station that is the transmission source of the first beacon signal may be included in the second beacon signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the reception strength of the first beacon signal received from the first to a predetermined number (e.g., third) of all (e.g., six) fixed stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f and the identification number of the corresponding fixed station can be included in the second beacon signal. In this case, the second beacon signal can be generated and broadcasted without waiting for the reception of the first beacon signal from all the fixed stations, and efficient processing can be performed in the mobile station 20. 20, for example, the second beacon signal may include the reception strength of the first beacon signal from each of a predetermined number (e.g., three) of fixed stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f, which are the transmission sources of the first beacon signal having the stronger reception strength, and the identification number of the fixed station. In this case, when generating information on the location of the mobile station 20 based on the reception strength of the first beacon signal broadcast from each of the predetermined number (three) of fixed stations, which is less than the total number (six), the information on the location of the mobile station 20 is generated based on information indicating the reception strength of the first beacon signal having the stronger reception strength, so that more accurate information on the location of the mobile station 20 can be obtained.

[0088] In the above example, the motion information representing the motion of the person carrying the mobile unit 20 (possessor: mobile unit) was the number of steps and the amount of exercise, but is not limited thereto. In addition to the number of steps and the amount of exercise, this motion information may be at least one of other motion-related information such as motion information representing whether or not the person carrying the mobile unit 20 is moving, the number of movements, an index of walking health, an index of motion characteristics, and posture information representing the posture of the mobile station 20 carried by the person carrying it. In this way, the management device 30 can manage the position of the person carrying the mobile unit 20 and information relating to some kind of motion of the person carrying the mobile unit 20 in association with the position.

[0089] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0090] The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that, instead of motion information of the moving body 20, environmental information representing the state of the surrounding environment of the mobile station 20 is managed as related information (information representing matters related to the mobile station 20).

[0091] Similar to the first embodiment (see Figs. 1 and 2), the mobile management system according to the second embodiment has a plurality of fixed stations 10 installed in a certain area, mobile stations 20 movable within the area, and a management device 30. The configuration of each fixed station 10 is similar to that of the first embodiment (see Fig. 3), and the configuration (hardware configuration) of the management device 30 is also similar to that of the first embodiment (see Fig. 5).

[0092] In the mobile object management system according to the second embodiment, the mobile station 20 is configured, for example, as shown in Fig. 21. In Fig. 21, the mobile station 20 has a control unit 21, a first BLE communication unit 22, a second BLE communication unit 23, and a storage unit 24, similar to that of the first embodiment (see Fig. 4). Furthermore, the mobile station 20 has a CO2 sensor 26 that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a carbon dioxide concentration value in the surrounding environment of the mobile object 20, instead of the motion sensor 25 (see Fig. 4) in the first embodiment.

[0093] In such a mobile management system, each fixed station 10 broadcasts a first beacon signal (see FIG. 6A) including its own identification information at a predetermined timing by wireless communication according to the BLE standard, as in the first embodiment. Also, the mobile station 20 repeatedly generates, at a predetermined cycle, a carbon dioxide concentration value based on a detection signal from the CO2 sensor 26 and a ventilation recommendation index obtained by converting the necessity of ventilation into a numerical value (point value) from the carbon dioxide concentration value according to a predetermined algorithm as environmental information. Note that index information obtained by converting the degree of crowding from the carbon dioxide concentration value into a numerical value according to a predetermined algorithm can also be used as the environmental information.

[0094] In such a situation, when the mobile station 20 receives a first beacon signal broadcast from the fixed station 10, the mobile station 20 repeatedly broadcasts a second beacon signal at a predetermined interval via wireless communication in accordance with the BLE regulations, the second beacon signal including the reception strength (radio wave strength) of the first beacon signal, identification information of the fixed station 10 that transmitted the first beacon signal, the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration value generated at that time, and a ventilation recommendation index, as shown in FIG. 22.

[0095] In the management device 30 that receives the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20, the location of the person carrying the mobile station 20 is managed, and the carbon dioxide value and the ventilation recommendation index are managed in association with the location of the person carrying the mobile station 20. Specifically, a management table shown in Fig. 23 is stored in the storage unit 34, and under the control of the control unit 31, the management table manages the location of the person carrying the mobile station 20 (Taro Tanaka, Jiro Suzuki, Saburo Yamada, etc.) in association with the confirmation time, and manages environmental information of the carbon dioxide concentration value (CO2 concentration) and the ventilation recommendation index (point value) in association with the location. This management table is updated based on the information on the location of the mobile station 20 (specified by the identification information), the carbon dioxide concentration value, and the ventilation recommendation index obtained at that time, every time the second beacon signal broadcast from each mobile station 20 is received as described above.

[0096] In addition, in the management device 30, a management table associated with a carrier (e.g., Taro Tanaka: mobile object) of each mobile station 20 (e.g., identification information B001: see FIG. 8) is stored in the storage unit 34, for example, as shown in FIG. 24. This management table manages the position of the carrier of the mobile station 20 in association with the detection time, and also manages the carbon dioxide concentration value and ventilation recommendation index of the surrounding environment of the carrier (Taro Tanaka: mobile object) in association with the position. This management table is also updated every time a second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20 is received, based on information on the position of the mobile station 20 (specified by the identification information), the carbon dioxide concentration value, and the ventilation recommendation index obtained at that time.

[0097] According to the mobile management system of the second embodiment, the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20 includes the identification information of the fixed station 10 and information (reception strength) indicating the reception status of the first beacon signal from the fixed station 10 in a format in which they are associated with each other, and also includes the carbon dioxide concentration value and ventilation recommendation index as environmental information for the mobile station 20 along with the identification information of the station itself, so that the management device 30 that receives the second beacon signal manages the position of the person carrying the mobile station 20, and also manages the carbon dioxide concentration value and ventilation recommendation index in association with the position of the person carrying the mobile station 20. In this way, it is possible to manage the position of the person carrying the mobile station 20 as well as the carbon dioxide concentration value and ventilation recommendation index (environmental information: related information) corresponding to the position.

[0098] In the mobile object management system according to the second embodiment, the carbon dioxide concentration value and the ventilation recommendation index are managed as environmental information, but are not limited thereto. For example, if a temperature sensor that outputs a detection signal according to the temperature of the environment surrounding the mobile station 20 is used instead of the CO2 sensor 26, the location of the mobile object (carrier) can be managed, and the temperature can be managed in association with the location. Furthermore, if a humidity sensor is used, the location of the mobile object (carrier) can be managed, and the humidity can be managed in association with the location. Furthermore, by using a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, the location of the mobile object can be managed, and a heat index (WBGT value: information on heat stroke risk) obtained based on the temperature and humidity can be managed in association with the location.

[0099] In addition, by using a gas sensor, it is possible to manage the location of the mobile body and at least one of a toxic gas concentration value and an activity risk index that quantifies the degree of risk in an activity based on the concentration value, in association with the location. In addition, by using a radiation sensor, it is possible to manage the location of the mobile body and at least one of a radiation concentration in association with the location. Furthermore, by using an acoustic sensor that outputs a detection signal according to the sound pressure around the mobile station 20, it is possible to manage the location of the mobile body and at least one of noise information indicating the level of noise and conversation information indicating the level of conversation, in association with the location.

[0100] Furthermore, when acquiring mobile body status information representing the status of the carrier of the mobile station 20, for example, when acquiring the body temperature of the carrier using a thermometer, the position of the carrier of the mobile body 20 can be managed, and the body temperature of the carrier of the mobile body 20 can be managed in correspondence with that position.

[0101] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0102] Incidentally, as described above, each mobile station can receive a second beacon signal broadcast from another mobile station. In this case, as shown in Fig. 25A and Fig. 25B, the reception strength of the second beacon signal broadcast from another mobile station 20(2) received by the mobile station 20(1) is stronger when the distance between the mobile station 20(1) and the mobile station 20(2) (the mobile station-to-mobile station distance) is small (see Fig. 25A) than when the mobile station-to-mobile station distance is large (see Fig. 25B). In the mobile object management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, this is utilized to manage information based on the distance from another mobile station (mobile station-to-mobile station distance information) in association with the position of the mobile object.

[0103] Similar to the first embodiment (see Figs. 1 and 2), the mobile management system according to the third embodiment has a plurality of fixed stations 10 installed in a certain area, mobile stations 20 movable within the area, and a management device 30. The configuration of each fixed station 10 is similar to that of the first embodiment (see Fig. 3), and the configuration (hardware configuration) of the management device 30 is also similar to that of the first embodiment (see Fig. 5).

[0104] In the mobile object management system according to the third embodiment, the mobile station 20 is configured, for example, as shown in Fig. 26. In Fig. 26, the mobile station 20 has a control unit 21, a first BLE communication unit 22, a second BLE communication unit 23, and a storage unit 24, similar to that of the first embodiment (see Fig. 4). Unlike the first embodiment (see Fig. 4) and the second embodiment (see Fig. 21), this mobile station 20 does not include sensors for obtaining motion information and environmental information, such as a motion sensor 25 for obtaining motion information and a CO2 sensor 26 for obtaining a carbon dioxide concentration value and a ventilation recommendation index.

[0105] In such a mobile management system, each base station 10 broadcasts a first beacon signal (see FIG. 6A) including its own identification information at a predetermined timing by wireless communication according to the BLE standard, as in the first embodiment. The mobile station 20 receives a second beacon signal broadcast from another mobile station 20 as described below at a predetermined BLE cycle (received by either the first BLE communication unit 22 or the second BLE communication unit 23: receiver). Then, a predetermined process is performed to obtain information about the distance to another mobile station (e.g., received radio wave intensity) according to the procedure shown in FIG. 27, for example.

[0106] 27, the control unit 21 of the mobile station 20 starts scanning for a second beacon signal broadcast from another mobile station 20 (YES in S40). When the control unit 21 receives a beacon signal (YES in S41), it confirms that the beacon signal is from another mobile station 20 (YES in S42). It then acquires the identification information of the source mobile station from the received second beacon signal (detailed format will be described later) as the receiving mobile station identification information (S43). The control unit 21 also measures the received radio wave strength (mobile station radio wave strength) when the second beacon signal is received, and calculates the distance to the source mobile station (another mobile station) from the received radio wave strength (S44). The control unit 21 then determines whether the distance is within a predetermined value, for example, 1 m, i.e., whether the distance to the source mobile station of the second beacon signal is within 1 m (S45). If the distance is within 1 m (YES in S45), the control unit 21 counts up a timer for the close contact time with the mobile station of the transmission source (another mobile station) (S46). On the other hand, if the distance is not within 1 m (NO in S45), the control unit 21 clears the close contact time timer (S47). The control unit 21 judges whether the timer value is 15 minutes or more (S48). Then, if the timer value is 15 minutes or less (NO in S48), the control unit 21 turns off (NO) a flag indicating a close contact state (S50). On the other hand, if the timer value is 15 minutes or more (YES in S48), the control unit 21 turns on (YES) a flag indicating a close contact state (S49). The control unit 21 executes the process according to the above procedure (S40 to S50) until a predetermined end condition is satisfied (S51).

[0107] In such a situation, when the mobile station 20 receives a first beacon signal broadcast from the fixed station 10 under the control of the control unit 21, the mobile station 20 repeatedly broadcasts a second beacon signal at a predetermined interval via wireless communication in accordance with the BLE regulations (second BLE communication unit 23), which includes the reception strength (radio wave strength) of the first beacon signal, identification information (receiving fixed station identification information) of the fixed station 10 that transmitted the first beacon signal, reception mobile station identification information identifying a nearby mobile station obtained at that time by the processing described above (see Figure 27), the mobile station radio wave strength, and the proximity duration time (timer count value) as shown in Figure 28.

[0108] In the management device 30 that receives the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20 as described above, the location of the carrier of the mobile station 20 (own station) is managed, and information such as the carrier of the mobile station 20 closest to the own station (mobile station 20), the distance to the closest mobile station, the time during which the closest mobile station was within 1 meter, and whether or not they were in close contact is managed in association with the location. Specifically, a management table shown in Fig. 29 is stored in the storage unit 34, and under the control of the control unit 31, the management table is used to manage the location of the carrier of the mobile station 20 in association with the confirmation time, and information such as the carrier of the mobile station closest to the own station, the distance to the closest mobile station to the own station, the duration during which they were within 1 meter, and whether or not they were in close contact (YES, NO) is managed in association with the location. This management table is updated each time a second beacon signal broadcast from each mobile station 20 is received, based on information regarding the location of the mobile station 20 (identified by the receiving mobile station identification information) obtained at that time, and information regarding the distance from other mobile stations obtained according to the procedure in Figure 28.

[0109] In addition, in the management device 30, a management table associated with a carrier (e.g., Taro Tanaka: mobile body) of each mobile station (e.g., identification information B001: see FIG. 8) is stored in the storage unit 34, for example, as shown in FIG. 30. This table manages the position of the carrier of the mobile station 20 in association with the detection time, and also manages the carrier of the mobile station closest to the carrier (Taro Tanaka: mobile body), the distance between the carrier and the mobile station closest to the carrier, and the duration during which the distance was within 1 meter, in association with the position. This management table is also updated every time a second beacon signal broadcast from each mobile station 20 is received, based on information on the position of the mobile station 20 (specified by the receiving mobile station identification information) obtained at that time, and information on the distance from other mobile stations obtained according to the procedure in FIG. 28.

[0110] According to the mobile management system of the third embodiment, the second beacon signal broadcast from the mobile station 20 includes the identification information of the fixed station 10 (receiving fixed station identification information) and the information (receiving strength) indicating the receiving state of the first beacon signal from the fixed station 10 in a format in which they are associated with each other, and also includes the receiving mobile station identification information for identifying a nearby mobile station, the mobile station radio wave strength, and the proximity duration (timer count value) together with the identification information of the own station. Therefore, in the management device 30 receiving the second beacon signal, the position of the carrier of the mobile station 20 is managed, and the carrier of the mobile station closest to the own station, the distance to the mobile station closest to the own station, and the duration during which the distance was within 1 meter are managed in association with the position. In this way, information on the distance to other mobile stations corresponding to the position can be managed together with the position of the carrier (mobile station 20).

[0111] In the third embodiment, the second beacon signal broadcast from each mobile station 20 may have a format shown in FIG. 31. This second beacon signal includes a "sequence number", a "type of mobile station", an "area number", and the "identification information" of the own station, as in the example shown in FIG. 6B (first embodiment) and the example shown in FIG. 28, and further includes the identification numbers of the mobile stations with the strongest, second strongest, and third strongest received radio wave strengths of the second beacon signal, and the state of a close contact alert based on the proximity distance and time. The management device 30 that receives such a second beacon signal can manage the location of the carrier of the mobile station 20 as well as those who may be close contacts of the carrier of the mobile station 20 (carriers of other mobile stations 20).

[0112] The information on the distance between the mobile station (mobile station 20) and other mobile stations is not limited to that obtained based on the received radio wave intensity of the second beacon signal as described above. For example, the information may be obtained by transmitting and receiving other signals between the mobile stations, or may be obtained according to other methods.

[0113] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the reception strength (RSSI) of the first beacon signal at the mobile station 20 is used as information indicating the reception status of the first beacon signal, but this is not limited to this, and other information indicating the reception status of the first beacon signal may be used as long as it depends on the relative positional relationship between the mobile station 20 and the fixed station 10, such as information indicating the direction of the fixed station as seen from the mobile station, or information indicating the direction of the mobile station as seen from the fixed station.

[0114] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which a plurality of base stations 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f are installed has been shown, but a single base station may be installed. In this case, information regarding the location of the mobile station 20 can be expressed as a distance based on the base station.

[0115] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the beacon receiving device 37 of the management device 30 is configured to be separate from the device main body 30M and connected to the device main body 30M via an in-house network (see Figs. 1, 2, and 5), but is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the beacon receiving device 37 may be included in the device main body 30M, and the device main body 30M may be provided in the room 100 (area) so that the beacon receiving device 37 can receive the second beacon signal from the mobile station 20.

[0116] In each of the above-described embodiments, in the mobile station 20, the first BLE communication unit 22 and the second BLE communication unit 23 perform wireless communication in accordance with the same wireless communication regulation, that is, the BLE regulation. However, the two communication units 22, 23 may communicate information in accordance with different wireless communication methods, or may communicate information by wireless communication in accordance with regulations other than BLE.

[0117] Furthermore, the second beacon signal is not limited to being transmitted in one beacon packet, and may be divided into two or more beacon packets and then transmitted.

[0118] Although several embodiments of the present invention and modified examples of each part have been described above, these embodiments and modified examples of each part are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments described above can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0119] The mobile object management system according to the present invention has an effect of being able to manage the location of a mobile station as well as information related to the mobile station that corresponds to the location, and detects and manages the location of a mobile object in which the mobile station is installed by transmitting and receiving a beacon signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 10a~10f fixed station 11, 21, 31 Control unit 12 BLE communication unit 13, 24, 34 storage units 20 Mobile Station 22 1st BLE communication unit 23 Second BLE communication unit 25 Motion Sensor 26 CO2 sensor 30 Management device 32, 33 Network communication unit 35 Operation Unit 37 Beacon receiving device 100 rooms 101 Entrance / Exit 110 Conference Room 111 Conference Room Entrance 201 1st work desk group 202 2nd work desk group 203 Copy Machine 204 Conference Table

Claims

1. One or more fixed stations fixedly arranged in a predetermined area; a mobile station provided in a mobile body capable of moving in the area; A management device, Each of the one or more fixed stations a first transmitting unit that broadcasts a first beacon signal including identification information of the own station in accordance with a first wireless communication method; The mobile station, a related information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a time during which a state in which a distance to another mobile station in the area remains within a predetermined value continues, together with information regarding the distance, in a format associated with identification information of the other mobile station, as related information that represents matters related to the mobile station; a first receiving unit configured to receive the first beacon signal broadcast from the first transmitting unit of each of the one or more fixed stations in accordance with the first wireless communication scheme; a second transmitting unit that broadcasts a second beacon signal including an identification signal from each of the one or more fixed stations received by the first receiving unit and information indicating a reception status of the first beacon signal at the first receiving unit in a corresponding format, the second beacon signal including the related information and identification information of the own station in accordance with a second wireless communication system; The management device includes: a second receiving unit configured to receive the second beacon signal broadcast from the second transmitting unit of the mobile station in accordance with the second wireless communication scheme; a location information generating unit configured to generate information regarding a location of a mobile station identified by the identification information based on information indicating a reception state of the first beacon signal associated with the identification information of each of the one or more fixed stations included in the second beacon signal received by the second receiving unit; A mobile object management system comprising: a management unit that manages the position of the mobile object based on information regarding the position of the mobile station generated by the position information generation unit, and manages the related information included in the second beacon signal in association with the position of the mobile object.

2. The related information acquisition unit a receiving unit configured to receive the second beacon signal broadcast from another mobile station in accordance with the second wireless communication scheme; 2. A mobile management system as described in claim 1, which generates information regarding the distance to the other mobile station based on a reception status of the second beacon signal received by the receiving unit, and generates information regarding a time during which the distance to the other mobile station will remain within a predetermined value based on the information regarding the distance, and generates the information regarding the distance and the information regarding the time as the related information in a format corresponding to identification information that identifies the other mobile station included in the second beacon signal.

3. A mobile station provided on a mobile body that can move within a predetermined area in which one or more fixed stations are fixedly arranged, a related information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a time during which a state in which a distance to another mobile station in the area remains within a predetermined value continues, together with information regarding the distance, in a format associated with identification information of the other mobile station, as related information that represents matters related to the mobile station; a receiving unit that scans for beacon signals according to a first wireless communication method and receives a first beacon signal that is broadcast from each of the one or more fixed stations according to the first wireless communication method and includes identification information of the fixed station; a transmitter that, when the receiver receives the first beacon signal from each of the one or more fixed stations, includes identification information of the fixed station that is the sender of the first beacon signal, which is included in the first beacon signal, and information indicating the reception status of the first beacon signal at the receiver, in a format in which the identification information and the related information are associated with each other, and broadcasts a second beacon signal including the related information and the identification information of the mobile station by a second wireless communication method.

4. The related information acquisition unit a receiving unit configured to receive the second beacon signal broadcast from another mobile station in accordance with the second wireless communication scheme; 4. The mobile station according to claim 3, further comprising: a receiving unit that receives the second beacon signal from the other mobile station and a receiving section that receives the second beacon signal from the other mobile station and receives the second beacon signal from the other mobile station; a receiving section that receives the second beacon signal from the other mobile station and a receiving section that receives the second beacon signal from the other mobile station;

Images