MONITORING SYSTEM, MONITORING METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

To provide a monitoring system, monitoring method, and program capable of determining a living sphere for a person to be watched, and notifying a watching person of a positional relationship between the person to be watched and living sphere.SOLUTION: A monitoring system (10) includes control means (34, 16) that implements control so that map information, in which positions associated with pieces of position information on a first terminal over a predetermined period of time are plotted, determined based on the pieces of position information on the first terminal carried by a person to be watched, is displayed on a second terminal as a moving history of the person to be watched, a determination unit (37) that determines a positional relationship between each position of the first terminal and an area on the basis of the area of any shape, which is designated by an operator of the second terminal, in relation to the map information displayed on the second terminal, and a notification unit (38) that notifies the second terminal of a result of the determination made by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring system, a monitoring method, and a program having a monitoring function suitable for watching over, for example, children or wandering elderly people. [Background technology]

[0002] When children enter elementary school and start to move around on their own, the biggest concern for parents is ensuring the safety of their children. Similarly, for families of elderly people with wandering habits and care facilities, the biggest concern is also ensuring the safety of the elderly.

[0003] For this reason, monitoring systems have been put into practical use that allow watchers such as guardians, family members, or care facility staff to grasp the real-time location of those being watched over (hereinafter also referred to as "watched persons"), such as children or wandering elderly people (see, for example, https: / / dekiru.net / article / 15964 (October 24, 2017)). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] https: / / dekiru.net / article / 15964(October 24, 2017) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] By using this type of monitoring system, the watcher can not only know the location of the person being watched in real time, but also track the location over time to know the movement history.

[0006] This allows, for example, parents to know whether their child is moving along the correct route to school or playing in a regular park, and therefore within their usual range of movement, i.e., within their living area; or conversely, to know whether their child is going beyond their usual range of movement, i.e., straying from their living area.

[0007] However, the watcher cannot always observe the location of the person being watched. Therefore, even if the person being watched deviates from the living area, the watcher may not always be able to immediately know it, and may only notice it after a considerable amount of time has passed. Or, even if the watcher always observes the location of the person being watched, if the watcher does not know the living area of ​​the person being watched, there is a risk that the watcher will not notice that the person being watched deviates from the living area.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a monitoring system, monitoring method, and program that can determine a living area for a person being watched over, and notify the watcher of the positional relationship between the person being watched over and the living area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

[0010] That is, the monitoring system of the first aspect of the present invention stores map information, on which positions corresponding to the position information of the first terminal carried by the person being watched over are plotted, as a movement history of the person being watched over, in a second storage medium. The device is equipped with a control means for controlling the display on the terminal, a determination unit for determining the positional relationship between the position of the first terminal and the area based on an area of ​​an arbitrary shape specified by an operator of the second terminal for the map information displayed on the second terminal, and a notification unit for notifying the second terminal of the determination result by the determination unit.

[0011] In addition, the monitoring system of the second aspect of the present invention is the monitoring system of the first aspect, further comprising a modification unit that changes the area by expanding the perimeter of the area outward or shrinking it inward in response to an operation by an operator of the second terminal.

[0012] Furthermore, a monitoring system of a third aspect of the present invention includes an information storage unit that stores location information of the first terminal determined based on information uploaded from the first terminal carried by the person being watched over, a control means that controls map information on which each position corresponding to location information stored within a predetermined period among the stored location information is plotted, to be displayed on the second terminal as the movement history of the person being watched over, and a setting unit that sets interval information that specifies the interval between the timing at which the first terminal uploads information and a predetermined value that is the threshold acceleration of the first terminal, in accordance with operation by the operator of the second terminal, to control the first terminal to go to sleep if acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value is not detected during the interval specified by the interval information, and to wake up if acceleration equal to or greater than the predetermined value is detected during sleep.

[0013] Furthermore, the monitoring system of the fourth aspect of the present invention comprises an information storage unit that stores location information of the first terminal determined based on information uploaded from the first terminal carried by the person being watched over, a control means that controls map information on which positions corresponding to location information accumulated within a predetermined period among the accumulated location information are plotted to be displayed on the second terminal as the movement history of the person being watched over, a battery remaining amount grasping unit that determines whether the battery remaining amount information uploaded from the first terminal is below a predetermined amount, and a notification unit that, when it is determined that the battery remaining amount information is below the predetermined amount, notifies the second terminal that the battery remaining amount information is below the predetermined amount.

[0014] A monitoring system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the monitoring system according to the fourth aspect, further comprising a setting unit that sets whether or not notification by the notification unit is required in response to an operation by an operator of the second terminal.

[0015] A monitoring system of a sixth aspect of the present invention is the monitoring system of the fourth aspect, further comprising a setting unit that changes the interval between the timing at which information is uploaded from the first terminal in response to an operation by an operator of the second terminal.

[0016] The monitoring system of the seventh aspect of the present invention comprises an information storage unit that stores location information of a first terminal determined based on information uploaded from a first terminal carried by the person being watched over, a control means that controls map information on which positions corresponding to location information accumulated within a predetermined period of time from the accumulated location information are plotted to be displayed on a second terminal as the movement history of the person being watched over, a battery remaining capacity grasping unit that determines whether the battery remaining capacity information uploaded from the first terminal is below a predetermined capacity, and a setting unit that changes the interval between timings at which information is uploaded from the first terminal in accordance with operation by an operator of the second terminal.

[0017] The monitoring system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes an information storage unit that stores location information of a first terminal carried by the person being watched over, the location information being determined based on information uploaded from the first terminal, and a map information creation unit that creates map information on which positions corresponding to location information stored within a predetermined period of time are plotted, as a movement history of the person being watched over. The device is equipped with a living area determination unit that determines the living area of ​​the person being watched over by connecting each position plotted on the map information with a solid or dotted line, and a communication unit that transmits the map information in which the living area has been identified to a pre-specified second terminal.

[0018] A monitoring system of a ninth aspect of the present invention is a system that monitors the person being watched over based on the location of a terminal determined based on information uploaded from the terminal carried by the person being watched over, and the location of the terminal is determined based on any one of first location information determined from GPS information for an identical or deemed identical timestamp, second location information determined by a positioning server based on the MAC address of the WiFi router and the radio wave strength from the WiFi router, third location information determined by a positioning server based on the radio wave strength from a base station, and fourth location information determined by weighting multiple location information from the first to third location information. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the monitoring system, the monitoring method, and the program of the present invention, by taking the above-mentioned measures, it becomes possible to determine the living area for the person being watched over. Furthermore, if the person being watched over deviates from the living area, it becomes possible to detect this and notify the person watching over the person. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the concept of a monitoring system to which a monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a monitoring system to which a monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a data structure diagram showing an example of a user registration DB. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a data structure diagram showing an example of an upload information DB. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a first method for determining a living area. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another example of the first method for determining a living area. [Figure 8]FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a second method for determining a living area. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a third method for determining a living area. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a fourth method for determining a living area. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a fifth method for determining a living area. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a sixth method for determining a living area. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating some of the straight lines that define the perimeter of a living area. [Figure 15] 13 is a schematic diagram showing a display example on a display screen of a parent terminal for setting a predetermined criterion; FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is map information for explaining a method for setting a living area using a living area modification program. [Figure 17] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of map information displaying the positional relationship between a living area and the current position of a user terminal. [Figure 18] 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of map information displaying a movement history of a user terminal; FIG. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow relating to determining a living area and a positional relationship between a user terminal and the living area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the concept of a monitoring system to which a monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0022] The monitoring system 10 determines the location of the user terminal 100 (hereinafter referred to as "user terminal 100") carried by the person being watched over (e.g., the person being watched over, such as a child or an elderly person) based on information uploaded from the user terminal 100, determines the living area of ​​the person being watched over based on the location history of the user terminal 100, and notifies the terminal 200 (hereinafter referred to as "parent terminal 200") of the person being watched over (e.g., the guardian or supervisor of the person being watched over; hereinafter also referred to as the "guardian") of the current location of the user terminal 100 and its positional relationship with the living area.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal.

[0024] The user terminal 100 includes a SIM card 110, a transmission / reception function 120 capable of communicating with the monitoring system 10 via a base station 60 by a cellular method such as 3G, LTE (registered trademark), 4G, or 5G, a GPS function 130 for acquiring GPS information, a WiFi function 140 for acquiring the MAC address of a nearby WiFi router together with information indicating the reception strength (RSSI) of the radio wave received from the WiFi router, an acceleration sensor 150 for measuring the acceleration of the user terminal 100, and a rechargeable battery 160, such as a lithium-ion battery, for supplying power to the user terminal 100. Since all of these apply well-known technologies, further detailed explanation will be avoided here.

[0025] Furthermore, the user terminal 100 is not limited to directly communicating with the base station 60 using the transmission / reception function 120, but may indirectly communicate with the base station 60 via a WiFi router 61, as shown by the dashed line in Fig. 1. In this case, the WiFi router 61 can be realized by, for example, a smartphone.

[0026] Furthermore, the user terminal 100 may be used in a cellular manner such as a low power wide area (LPWA) system. The user terminal 100 may communicate with the monitoring system 10 using a communication method other than the cellular method. In this case, the SIM card 110 is not required in the user terminal 100. Also, the base station 60 is replaced with a gateway. Thus, 60 becomes a base station or a gateway depending on the communication method, but the following describes, as an example, a form in which the user terminal 100 communicates with the monitoring system 10 by the cellular method, that is, via the base station 60.

[0027] The user terminal 100 is constructed to be lightweight and small in size so that it is not a burden for children or the elderly to carry, and a unique identification number is assigned to each user terminal 100 in advance.

[0028] To start using the monitoring system 10, it is first necessary to register the user terminal 100 in the monitoring system 10. User registration is performed by transmitting an identification number a of the user terminal 100 from the parent terminal 200, which is, for example, a smartphone or a PC, to the monitoring system 10 via a communication network 70 such as the Internet.

[0029] In response to this, the monitoring system 10 recognizes the user terminal 100 having this identification number a as the user terminal 100 to be monitored (watched over), and recognizes the email address used by the parent terminal 200 to send the identification number a as the address b of the parent terminal 200 (hereinafter also referred to as "parent address b"). When the user terminal 100 and the parent terminal 200 are recognized in this way by the monitoring system 10, user registration is completed.

[0030] After user registration, the user terminal 100 wakes up when the acceleration sensor 150 detects an acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value, that is, when the user terminal 100 moves, and acquires GPS information using the GPS function 130 at intervals of, for example, 1.5 minutes, which is set as the default. The GPS information includes not only location information, but also a time stamp indicating the time when the location was determined. It also includes a time stamp.

[0031] The user terminal 100 further uploads the acquired GPS information together with the identification number a of the user terminal 100 to the monitoring system 10 using the transmission / reception function 120. At this time, the transmission / reception function 120 can also acquire remaining battery capacity information from the battery 160, and upload the information to the monitoring system 10 together with the remaining battery capacity information.

[0032] However, there are cases where the user terminal 100 is located in a place where the GPS function 130 cannot obtain GPS information. In such a case, the user terminal 100 obtains the MAC addresses of multiple surrounding WiFi routers together with the reception strength information of the radio waves from each WiFi router by using the WiFi function 140. Note that this reception strength information also includes a timestamp indicating the time when the radio waves were transmitted from the WiFi router.

[0033] Then, instead of GPS information, the user terminal 100 uploads the acquired MAC addresses of the multiple WiFi routers and the reception strength information of the radio waves from each WiFi router, together with the identification number a of the user terminal 100, to the monitoring system 10 from the transmission / reception function 120. The MAC addresses of the WiFi routers and the reception strength information of the radio waves from the WiFi routers are used for positioning performed by the positioning server 40, as described later.

[0034] Furthermore, when the user terminal 100 is located in a place where the GPS function 130 cannot obtain GPS information, the user terminal 100 can further receive radio waves from the base station 60 by the transmission / reception function 120, and instead of the GPS information, can upload reception strength information of the radio waves from the base station 60 from the transmission / reception function 120 to the monitoring system 10 via the base station 60 together with the identification number a of the user terminal 100 and a timestamp indicating the time when the radio waves were received from the base station 60. The reception strength information of the radio waves from the base station 60 is also used for positioning performed by the positioning server 40, as will be described later.

[0035] In addition, instead of GPS information, the user terminal 100 can upload both the MAC address of the WiFi router and the radio wave reception strength information from the WiFi router and the radio wave reception strength information and timestamp from the base station 60 to the monitoring system 10, rather than selectively uploading either of these to the monitoring system 10.

[0036] In addition, even if the user terminal 100 is able to acquire GPS information, in addition to the GPS information, the user terminal 100 may upload to the monitoring system 10 the MAC address of the WiFi router, the reception strength information of radio waves from the WiFi router, the reception strength information of radio waves from the base station 60, and a timestamp.

[0037] This enables the monitoring system 10 to use, for positioning the user terminal 100, not only location information determined from GPS information, but also location information determined by the positioning server 40 based on the MAC address of the WiFi router and reception strength information of radio waves from the WiFi router, and location information determined by the positioning server 40 based on the radio wave strength of radio waves from the base station 60.

[0038] On the other hand, unless the acceleration sensor 150 detects an acceleration equal to or greater than a predetermined value, that is, unless the user terminal 100 is not moving, the user terminal 100 does not acquire GPS information, does not receive radio waves from the WiFi router, and does not receive radio waves from the base station 60, and does not upload information to the monitoring system 10. In this way, unless the user terminal 100 is not moving, When the user terminal 100 detects a problem, the user terminal 100 goes to sleep. This allows the power of the battery 160 to be conserved.

[0039] It should be noted that there are no operation buttons on the user terminal 100. All setting operations for the user terminal 100 (for example, setting or changing the interval for uploading) are performed remotely via the monitoring system 10 in response to instructions from the guardian terminal 200. Therefore, even if the person being watched over does not operate the user terminal 100 at all, the user terminal 100 automatically wakes up / sleeps, and when awake, uploads information to the monitoring system 10 at the set interval.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a monitoring system to which the monitoring method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0041] The monitoring system 10 includes a CPU 14 , a communication unit 16 , a storage device 20 , and a memory 30 , all connected together via a bus 12 .

[0042] The CPU 14 is a computer, and controls the internal operation of the monitoring system 10 in accordance with various programs 31 to 39 stored in a memory 30.

[0043] The communication unit 16 can receive information uploaded from the user terminal 100 via the base station 60. It can also communicate with the positioning server 40 and the parent terminal 200 via a communication network 70 such as the Internet.

[0044] The storage device 20 uses, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores a user registration database 22 (hereinafter referred to as the ``user registration DB'' 22) that manages user registration information (identification number a, guardian address b) sent from the guardian terminal 200, and an upload information database 24 (hereinafter referred to as the ``upload information DB'' 24) that accumulates information uploaded from the user terminal 100 and location information determined by the positioning server 40.

[0045] The registration management program 31 performs the process for the user registration described above. User registration is performed by transmitting the identification number a of the user terminal 100 from the parent terminal 200, which is, for example, a smartphone or a PC, to the monitoring system 10 via a communication network 70 such as the Internet. As a result, the transmitted identification number a is received by the communication unit 16, and the communication unit 16 recognizes the email address used by the parent terminal 200 to transmit the identification number a.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the user registration DB.

[0047] The user registration DB 22 includes, as data items, an identification number a, a guardian address b, and living area location information h. As described below, the living area location information h is determined and written by the living area determination program 33. Although omitted in Fig. 4, other information such as the guardian's address and the date of start of use of the user terminal 100 can be appropriately added as data items.

[0048] The registration management program 31 writes the identification number a received by the communication unit 16 in the user registration DB 22. In addition, it writes the email address of the recognized parent terminal 200 as a parent address b in the user registration DB 22. This completes the user registration process.

[0049] Once the user registration process is complete, the monitoring system 10 becomes able to receive information uploaded from the user terminal 100 having this identification number a. The information that can be uploaded may include the identification number a, GPS information, the MAC address of the WiFi router, reception strength information of radio waves received by the user terminal 100 from the WiFi router and a timestamp indicating the time of reception, as well as reception strength information of radio waves received by the user terminal 100 from the base station 60, remaining battery information, etc.

[0050] Note that the user terminal 100 may not be able to receive any of the GPS information, the radio waves from the WiFi router, and the radio waves from the base station 60. Therefore, for example, if the user terminal 100 cannot receive GPS information, the uploaded information does not include the GPS information. On the other hand, if the user terminal 100 cannot receive radio waves from the WiFi router, the uploaded information does not include the MAC address of the WiFi router and the reception strength information of the radio waves from the WiFi router. Also, if the user terminal 100 cannot receive radio waves from the base station 60, the uploaded information does not include the reception strength information of the radio waves from the base station 60 and the timestamp indicating the reception time.

[0051] Information uploaded from the user terminal 100 at the set interval is received by the communication unit 16. Note that the interval can be arbitrarily set and changed by the setting program 36 in accordance with instructions from the parent terminal 200, as will be described later.

[0052] The information storage program 32 writes the relevant information into each data item specified in the upload information DB 24 based on the uploaded information.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the upload information DB.

[0054] The upload information DB 24 includes, as data items, a time stamp c, an identification number a, GPS location information d, WiFi location information e, base station location information f, remaining battery information g, etc. In addition, although omitted in Fig. 5, the MAC address of the WiFi router, the reception strength of radio waves from the WiFi router, the reception strength of radio waves from the base station 60, etc. may be appropriately added as data items.

[0055] When the uploaded information includes identification information a and GPS information, the information storage program 32 stores the identification number a and the GPS information as identification number a and GPS position information d in the upload information DB 24. Also, the information storage program 32 stores the timestamp included in the GPS information as timestamp c in the upload information DB 24.

[0056] On the other hand, if the uploaded information includes the MAC address of the WiFi router and reception strength information of radio waves from the WiFi router, the information storage program 32 writes the timestamp included in the reception strength information as timestamp c to the uploaded information DB 24, and outputs the MAC address and reception strength information from the communication unit 16 to the positioning server 40 via the communication network 70.

[0057] In addition, if the uploaded information includes radio wave reception strength information from the base station 60 and a timestamp, the information storage program 32 writes this timestamp as timestamp c into the uploaded information DB 24, and outputs the radio wave reception strength information from the base station 60 to the positioning server 40 via the communication network 70.

[0058] When the MAC address and the reception strength information are transmitted from the communication unit 16, the positioning server 40 determines the position of the user terminal 100 based on this information and outputs the corresponding position information. (For example, latitude and longitude information) is returned to the communication unit 16 via the communication network 70 as WiFi location information e.

[0059] In addition, when radio wave reception strength information from the base station 60 is transmitted from the communication unit 16, the positioning server 40 determines the position of the user terminal 100 based on this information, and returns the corresponding position information (e.g., latitude and longitude information) as base station position information f to the communication unit 16 via the communication network 70.

[0060] By using such a positioning server 40, the monitoring system 10 can determine the position of the user terminal 100 even in a place where a GPS signal cannot be obtained, such as a subway platform. Such a positioning server 40 can be realized using a known technology such as geoLocation provided by Google, and therefore further detailed description will be avoided.

[0061] When the WiFi location information e and / or base station location information f is returned from the positioning server 40 to the communication unit 16, the information storage program 32 stores the WiFi location information e and / or base station location information f in the upload information DB 24 in association with the corresponding timestamp.

[0062] In this way, every time information is uploaded from the user terminal 100, at least one of the position information d, e, and f of the user terminal 100 is stored in the upload information DB 24 in association with the timestamp c.

[0063] In this way, since the monitoring system 10 collectively stores the location information of each user terminal 100 in the upload information DB 24, each user terminal 100 only needs to have the minimum necessary memory capacity, thereby reducing the cost of the user terminals 100.

[0064] The life zone determination program 33 determines the life zone, which is the range of usual activities of the person being watched over, based on the time stamp c and on the location information d, e, f that has been accumulated within a predetermined period of time among the location information d, e, f accumulated in the upload information DB 24. The predetermined period is set to a default value such as the past 30 days, but as will be described later, it can be set and changed to any period by making necessary inputs from the guardian terminal 200 using the setting program 36.

[0065] The living area determination program 33 can further determine the living area in more detail by using the location information d, e, f that is accumulated under a predetermined condition among the location information d, e, f accumulated within a predetermined period of time.

[0066] For example, by setting the predetermined condition to weekdays, a living area for weekdays can be determined based on timestamp c and only location information d, e, and f accumulated on weekdays. By setting the predetermined condition to weekends and holidays, a living area for weekends and holidays can be determined based on timestamp c and only location information d, e, and f accumulated on weekends and holidays. Furthermore, by setting the predetermined condition to a specific day of the week (e.g., Friday), a living area for a specific day of the week can be determined based on timestamp c and only location information d, e, and f accumulated on a specific day of the week.

[0067] Furthermore, a specific time period can be set as a predetermined condition. In addition to setting the day of the week as described above, a specific time period can be set based on the time stamp c. For example, the living area of ​​the user on weekdays in the morning (e.g., 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.), the living area of ​​the user on weekdays in the daytime (e.g., 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), and the like can be set. It is also possible to define a living area in more detail, such as a living area for the hours of midnight to 5 p.m., or a living area for weekday nights (for example, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.). It is also possible to set only a time period as a predetermined condition, without setting a day of the week.

[0068] Since the usual range of activities is generally not determined in general, and varies greatly between weekdays, weekends, and holidays, and even between mornings, afternoons, and evenings, the living area determination program 33 is capable of determining various living areas according to a specified period, specified conditions, and also specified criteria described below.

[0069] The predetermined period, the predetermined condition, and the predetermined criteria may also be set and changed by making necessary inputs from the parent terminal 200 using the setting program 36, as described below.

[0070] A specific example of the process for determining a living area performed by the living area determination program 33 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following example, a case will be described in which a living area is determined based on location information d, e, and f accumulated in the past 30 days as a predetermined period. However, as described above, even when further predetermined conditions such as the day of the week or the time period are set, the process for determining a living area is the same, except that the location information to be considered is different.

[0071] The living area determination program 33 targets only the location information d, e, f of a specific user terminal 100 stored in the upload information DB 24 that has been stored within a set predetermined period (e.g., the past 30 days).

[0072] The living area determination program 33 can determine the living area by using any one of the position information d, e, and f accumulated within a predetermined period of time in various ways, as will be described below.

[0073] In addition, if two or more of GPS location information d, WiFi location information e, and base station location information f are stored for the same or deemed identical timestamp c, the living area determination program 33 uses any one of the location information, or one piece of location information determined by appropriate weighting from the multiple location information.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the first method for determining a living area.

[0075] In the first determination method, a map that is divided into a plurality of sections in advance is used to determine the living area.

[0076] The map shown in FIG. 6 is a well-known UTM grid map, and is divided into a number of square sections, each having a size equivalent to, for example, 100 meters in length and width.

[0077] The living area determination program 33 determines, among the sections on such a map, a section to which position information accumulated within a predetermined period of time belongs a predetermined number of times (for example, twice), as a living area.

[0078] For example, in the map shown in Figure 6, plots P21 to P30 each correspond to location information accumulated within a specified period of time, with section L3T3 including plots P21, P22, and P24, section L3T2 including plots P28, P29, and P30, and section L4T2 including plots P25, P26, and P27.

[0079] That is, since the location information accumulated within a predetermined period belongs to the section L3T3, the section L3T2, and the section L4T2 more than twice, the living area determination program 33 determines that the section L3T 3. The area combining sections L3T2 and L4T2 is determined as living area K.

[0080] On the other hand, the section L3T4 includes only the plot P23, and the position information accumulated within the predetermined period of time includes the plot P23 only once, so the section L3T4 is not regarded as the living area K.

[0081] When the living area determination program 33 determines the living area by the first determination method, the map to be used is not necessarily limited to a map divided into squares such as a UTM grid map, but a map divided into any shape can be used, and for example, a map divided by address such as an address division map can be used to determine the living area. This will be explained with reference to FIG. 7.

[0082] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another example of the first method for determining a living area.

[0083] Please understand that in the address division diagram shown in FIG. 7, for the sake of simplicity, only blocks 1 to 5 are shown.

[0084] In the map illustrated in FIG. 7, plots P21 to P30 each correspond to location information accumulated within a predetermined period of time, with 3rd block shown in FIG. 7 including plots P21 to P24 and 5th block including plots P25 to P30.

[0085] That is, since the location information belongs to 3-chome and 5-chome, for example, two or more times, the living area determination program 33 determines the area combining 3-chome and 5-chome as living area K.

[0086] The living area determination program 33 can also determine the living area K by a second determination method as described below.

[0087] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the second method for determining a living area.

[0088] In the second determination method, the living area K can be determined using a map divided into sections, as in Figures 6 and 7, but the living area K can also be determined using a map that is not divided into sections, as in Figure 8.

[0089] For example, in the map illustrated in FIG. 8, plots P21 to P30 each correspond to position information accumulated within a predetermined period.

[0090] In the second determination method, the living area determination program 33 can determine, as the living area K, an area with the smallest convex shape that includes all the plots P21 to P30 displayed on the map, as shown in FIG.

[0091] Furthermore, the living area determination program 33 can also determine the living area K by a third determination method as described below.

[0092] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the third method for determining a living area.

[0093] In the third determination method, the living area K can be determined using a map divided into sections, as in Figures 6 and 7, but the living area K can also be determined using a map that is not divided into sections, as in Figure 9.

[0094] For example, in the map illustrated in FIG. 9, plots P21 to P30 are each It corresponds to the location information stored in the

[0095] In the third determination method, the living area determination program 33 can also determine, as the living area K, the smallest circular area that includes all the plots P21 to P30 displayed on the map, as shown in FIG.

[0096] Furthermore, the living area determination program 33 can also determine the living area K by a fourth determination method as described below.

[0097] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the fourth method for determining a living area.

[0098] In the fourth determination method, the living area K can be determined using a map divided into sections, as in Figures 6 and 7, but the living area K can also be determined using a map that is not divided into sections, as in Figure 10.

[0099] For example, in the map illustrated in FIG. 10, plots P21 to P30 each correspond to position information accumulated within a predetermined period.

[0100] In the fourth determination method, the living area determination program 33 can determine, as the living area K, an area indicated by the smallest rectangular shape that encompasses all the plots P21 to P30 displayed on the map, as shown in FIG.

[0101] The living area determination program 33 can also determine the living area K by a fifth determination method as described below.

[0102] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of the fifth method for determining a living area.

[0103] In the fifth determination method, the living area K can be determined using a map divided into sections, as in Figures 6 and 7, but the living area K can also be determined using a map that is not divided into sections, as in Figure 11.

[0104] For example, in the map illustrated in FIG. 11, plots indicated by water drop marks correspond to location information accumulated within a given period of time.

[0105] In the fifth determination method, the living area determination program 33 determines the smallest area that includes all the plots displayed on the map as the living area K, as exemplified in Fig. 11. For this purpose, several plots P11 to P15 that will be located at the outermost part of the living area K are selected from the displayed plots, and the area formed by connecting adjacent plots with straight lines L only for the selected plots is determined as the living area K.

[0106] Furthermore, the living area determination program 33 can also determine the living area K by a sixth determination method as described below.

[0107] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of the sixth method for determining a living area.

[0108] In the sixth determination method, the living area determination program 33 determines the living area K by using road and railroad routes. Therefore, it is necessary to use a map that includes information on road and railroad routes. If information on road and railroad routes is included, the living area K can be determined whether a map divided into sections, as in Figures 6 and 7, or a map not divided into sections is used. We can determine the category K.

[0109] In the map illustrated in FIG. 12, plots indicated by water drop marks correspond to location information accumulated within a given period of time.

[0110] In the sixth determination method, the living area determination program 33 targets all plots displayed on the map and determines an area formed by connecting adjacent plots along road or rail routes as the living area K. Therefore, the line α connecting adjacent plots is not necessarily a straight line L as in FIG. 11, and may be a straight line or a curved line along a road or rail route as exemplified in FIG. 12, for example.

[0111] The method of determining the living area K as described above is merely one example, and the living area K may be determined by modifying part of any of the determination methods, or the living area K may be determined by a combination of multiple determination methods, or even a different determination method may be adopted to determine the living area K.

[0112] For example, a circle with a certain radius can be drawn with each plot at its center, and these can be treated as multiple plots. If there is another plot within a certain plot circle, this means that the distance between the plots is less than or equal to that radius, and so the plot circle can be determined to be the living area.

[0113] The living area determination program 33 writes the position information defining the living area K determined in this manner into the user registration DB 22 as the living area position information h for the corresponding identification number a.

[0114] The map information creation program 34 creates map information in which the living area K is specified on a map, based on the living area position information h written in the user registration DB 22. Then, when there is a request from the parent terminal 200, this map information is transmitted from the communication unit 16 to the parent terminal 200 via the communication network 70.

[0115] The guardian can display the map information transmitted to the guardian terminal 200 on the display screen of the guardian terminal 200. This allows the guardian to visually grasp the living area K of the person being watched over.

[0116] If the guardian considers the life area K determined in this way to be inappropriate and wishes to modify it, he or she can modify the life area K using the setting program 36.

[0117] When the setting program 36 is started, it causes a setting screen M as shown in FIG. 13 to be displayed on the display screen of the parent terminal 200 which is the request source.

[0118] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the setting screen.

[0119] The setting screen M shown in FIG. 13 shows, as an example, items for inputting an interval i, a specified period t, specified conditions u (weekdays u1, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays u2, days of the week u3, time period u4), specified criteria v (radius v1, length v2, radius v3), remaining battery option x, and forced sleep option y.

[0120] A guardian can use the input function of the guardian terminal 200 to input numerical values ​​on the setting screen M or select the desired content from pre-prepared options to set the interval i, specified period t, specified condition u (weekday u1, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays u2, day of the week u3, time period u4), specified criteria v (radius v1, length v2, radius r3), remaining battery option x, forced sleep option y, etc. in the monitoring system 10.

[0121] Furthermore, the settings for interval i, battery remaining option x, and forced sleep option y are transmitted from the monitoring system 10 to the user terminal 100 via the communication unit 16, received by the transmission / reception function 120 of the user terminal 100, and set in the user terminal 100.

[0122] In addition to the items exemplified in FIG. 13, necessary items may be appropriately added to the setting screen M, thereby enabling even more various settings for the monitoring system 10.

[0123] By setting the setting screen M in this way, the monitoring system 10 can also determine a plurality of living areas K, as will be described below.

[0124] Generally, life patterns differ between weekdays and weekends and holidays. For this reason, the monitoring system 10 is capable of determining a life sphere for each predetermined condition u, such as a life sphere for weekdays, a life sphere for weekends and holidays, a life sphere for a specific day of the week, and a life sphere for a specific time period.

[0125] For example, by setting the button for weekdays u1 to on, the living area determination program 33 can determine the living area K for weekdays based only on the location information uploaded to the upload information DB24 on weekdays within the predetermined period t. Similarly, by setting the button for weekends and holidays u2 to on, the living area determination program 33 can determine the living area K for weekdays based only on the location information uploaded to the upload information DB24 on weekends and holidays within the predetermined period t. Furthermore, by setting the button u31 for specific days of the week u3 to on and further specifying a desired day of the week (for example, "Tuesday") by selecting or inputting in the input field u32, the living area K for Tuesday can be determined based only on the location information uploaded to the upload information DB24 on Tuesdays within the predetermined period t. Note that the button for weekdays u1, the button for weekends and holidays u2, and the specification of the specific day of the week u3 cannot be set to on at the same time.

[0126] Furthermore, the time period u4 can be set alone or in combination with weekdays u1, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays u2, or a specific day of the week u3. For example, if "Tuesday" is specified in the input field u32 and "10:00" to "17:00" is further specified by selection or input as the time period u4, the living area determination program 33 can determine the living area K based only on the location information uploaded to the upload information DB 24 between 10:00 and 17:00 on Tuesdays within the predetermined period t.

[0127] In this way, if the guardian specifies the desired conditions in the specified conditions u on the setting screen M, the setting program 36 narrows down the location information to be used to determine the living area K, and the living area determination program 33 determines the living area K based on the narrowed down location information, making it possible to set the living area K in detail based on time conditions.

[0128] The monitoring system 10 can also expand or reduce the determined living area K. This function will be described below.

[0129] In general, a child's range of movement becomes wider as he or she grows. Conversely, an elderly person's range of movement becomes narrower as he or she gets older. Therefore, if the person being watched over is a child, the guardian may wish to expand the living area K determined by the living area determination program 33 in line with the child's growth. On the other hand, if the person being watched over is an elderly person, the guardian may wish to reduce the living area K determined by the living area determination program 33.

[0130] In order to deal with such a situation, the monitoring system 10 has a life zone determination program. The living area K, once determined by the RAM 33, can be expanded or reduced in response to a request from the parent terminal 200. This is made possible by setting values ​​in the predetermined criteria v field (radius v1, length v2, radius v3) on the setting screen M displayed by the setting program 36. Specific examples will be described with reference to the above-mentioned Figs. 9, 10, and 11.

[0131] FIG. 9 shows a living area K defined by a minimum circular shape.

[0132] When enlarging or reducing a circular living area K as illustrated in FIG. 9, a designation is made in the radius v1 field of the predetermined standard v on the setting screen M, such as "+□□" (for example, "+100" when increasing the radius by 100 m) when enlarging the current radius of the living area K, or "-□□" (for example, "-100" when decreasing the radius by 100 m) when decreasing the radius. When the designation is made, the setting program 36 causes the living area determination program 33 to change the size of the circular living area K to a concentric shape according to the designation. This allows the living area determination program 33 to re-determine the living area K by enlarging or reducing the circular living area K. FIG. 9 illustrates the living area Kmax re-determined by enlarging the living area K together with the living area K before re-determination.

[0133] FIG. 10 shows a living area K defined by a minimum rectangular shape.

[0134] When expanding or reducing the rectangular living area K as illustrated in FIG. 10, a designation is input in the length v2 field of the predetermined reference v on the setting screen M, such as "+□□" (for example, "+100" when expanding 100 m outward) when the current living area K is expanded outward, or "-□□" (for example, "-100" when reducing 100 m inward) when reducing it inward. When the designation is input, the setting program 36 changes the size of the rectangular living area K in response to the designation input for the living area determination program 33. This allows the living area determination program 33 to re-determine the living area K by expanding or reducing the rectangular living area K. FIG. 10 illustrates the living area Kmax re-determined by expanding the living area K together with the living area K before re-determination.

[0135] FIG. 11 shows a living area K of arbitrary shape defined as the smallest area that encompasses all location information.

[0136] When expanding or reducing the arbitrary-shaped living area K, a designation is made in the radius v3 field of the predetermined standard v on the setting screen M, such as "+□□" (for example, "+100" for expanding 100 m outward) when expanding the current living area K outward, or "-□□" (for example, "-100" for reducing 100 m inward) when reducing it inward. When the designation is made, the setting program 36 causes the living area determination program 33 to execute the following process, thereby changing the size of the arbitrary-shaped living area K in accordance with the designation input.

[0137] Specifically, the expanded living area Kmax and the reduced living area Kmin are determined by moving the circle R along the straight line L that defines the perimeter of the living area K. This will be generally explained with reference to FIG.

[0138] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating some of the straight lines that define the perimeter of the living area.

[0139] In FIG. 14, a straight line L1 connecting the plot P1 and the plot P2, and a straight line L2 connecting the plot P2 and the plot P3 are parts of a straight line L that defines the perimeter of the living area K.

[0140] Here, a circle R1 with a radius v3 is drawn with the plot P1 as the center, and the center of the circle R1 is When the circle R1 is moved along the line L1 to the adjacent plot P2 as indicated by the arrow Q1, the periphery of the circle R1 moves from the plot P1 to the plot P2 while tracing a locus as indicated by the straight lines Lmax and Lmin. Similarly, when a circle R2 having a radius v3 is drawn with the plot P2 as the center, and the center of the circle R2 is moved along the straight line L2 to the adjacent plot P3 as indicated by the arrow Q2, the periphery of the circle R2 moves from the plot P2 to the plot P3 while tracing a locus as indicated by the straight lines Lmax and Lmin.

[0141] By defining the perimeter of the living area Kmax with the straight line Lmax obtained in this manner, it is possible to determine an expanded living area Kmax even for a living area K of any shape. Also, by defining the perimeter of the living area Kmin with the straight line Lmin, it is possible to determine a reduced living area Kmin even for a living area K of any shape.

[0142] In this way, the living area determination program 33 can redetermine the living area K by enlarging or reducing the size, even if the living area K has an arbitrary shape. Fig. 11 shows an example of the enlarged living area Kmax and the reduced living area Kmin resulting from such redetermining, together with the living area K before redetermining.

[0143] In the above, an example has been described in which the amount of enlargement or reduction is specified by inputting numerical values ​​into the respective fields for radius v1, length v2, and radius v3 of the predetermined reference v on the setting screen M, but instead of inputting numerical values, it is also possible to specify the values ​​of radius v1, length v2, and radius v3 of the predetermined reference v by other methods. This will be described with reference to FIG.

[0144] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a display example on the display screen of the parent terminal for setting the predetermined criteria.

[0145] 15 shows an example of a state in which, when the setting program 36 is started, a setting screen used as an alternative to the setting screen M is displayed on the display screen of the parent terminal 200. This display screen displays a map display section M1, a slider display section M2, and a setting determination section M3.

[0146] A circular living area K as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the map display section M1.

[0147] In the slider display section M2, a slider N for setting the value of the radius v1 of the predetermined reference v is displayed.

[0148] The parent can specify the value of radius v1 by moving the slider N using the input function (e.g., touch panel function) of the parent terminal 200, and can send the value of radius v1 to the monitoring system 10 by pressing the setting button of the setting determination unit M3.

[0149] Depending on the transmitted value of radius v1, the living area K is redetermined by the living area determination program 33, and the expanded living area Kmax or the reduced living area Kmin is displayed on the map display section M1.

[0150] Although an example in which the value of the radius v1 is input by the slider N has been described with reference to FIG. 15, the values ​​of the length v2 and the radius v3 can also be input by the slider N in a similar manner.

[0151] In this way, the guardian can input the conditions for determining the living area K.

[0152] In addition, the monitoring system 10 also provides a life zone modification program 35 that enables the guardian to set the life zone K at will.

[0153] FIG. 16 shows map information for explaining a method for setting a living area by the living area modification program.

[0154] When the guardian operates the guardian terminal 200 to launch the living area correction program 35, the guardian terminal 200 displays map information S showing plots corresponding to the location information targeted for determining the living area K, as illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0155] The guardian can trace the display screen of this map information S with his / her finger to specify the range B1 to B8 of the living area K. In this case, the guardian can specify the range B1 to B8 of the living area K by referring to the displayed plot, or can arbitrarily specify the range B1 to B8 of the living area K regardless of the displayed plot.

[0156] Thereafter, the guardian transmits the map information S, in which the range B1 to B8 of the living area K is specified, from the guardian terminal 200 to the monitoring system .

[0157] The map information S in which the ranges B1 to B8 are designated is received by the communication unit 16. The communication unit 16 also recognizes the parent address b of the parent terminal 200 that is the transmission source.

[0158] When map information S in which range B1 to B8 is specified is received by communication unit 16, living area correction program 35 updates user registration DB 22 by referring to user registration DB 22 and updating living area position information h of recognized guardian address b to living area position information determined by the specified range B1 to B8.

[0159] In this way, the life sphere modification program 35 enables the guardian to determine the life sphere K at will.

[0160] After the living area K (including the expanded living area Kmax and the reduced living area Kmin) is determined as described above, the judgment program 37 determines the positional relationship between the position of the user terminal 100 and the living area K, for example, whether the position of the user terminal 100 is inside or outside the living area K, based on the position information d, e, and f of the user terminal 100 which is determined based on information uploaded from the user terminal 100.

[0161] Therefore, each time new information is uploaded from the user terminal 100 and new information (such as timestamp c, identification information a, GPS location information d, WiFi location information e, base station location information f, and remaining battery information g) is written to the upload information DB 24, the determination program 37 refers to the user registration DB 22 and acquires the living area location information h of the user terminal 100 with the corresponding identification number a from the upload information DB 24. Then, by comparing at least one of the GPS location information d, WiFi location information e, and base station location information f written to the upload information DB 24 with the living area location information h, it determines whether the location of the user terminal 100 is inside or outside the living area K.

[0162] In addition, when two or more of GPS location information d, WiFi location information e, and base station location information f are stored for the same or deemed to be the same time stamp c, the judgment program 37 compares any one of the location information, or one of the multiple location information determined by appropriate weighting, with the living area location information h. Then, it is determined whether the location of the user terminal 100 is inside the living area K or outside the living area K.

[0163] When the determination program 37 determines that the location of the user terminal 100 is outside the living area K, the alarm notification program 38 notifies the guardian terminal 200 of an alarm by sound or display. This allows the guardian to quickly and reliably know that the person being watched over has left the living area K.

[0164] In response to this, when there is a request from the guardian terminal 200 to display the current location of the user terminal 100, the map information creation program 34 creates map information S displaying the living area K and the current location H of the user terminal 100, as illustrated in Figure 17, and transmits it to the guardian terminal 200 via the communication unit 16.

[0165] FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of map information that displays the positional relationship between the living area and the current position of the user terminal.

[0166] Regardless of the result of the determination by the determination program 37, the map information creation program 34 can also create map information S indicating the position H of the user terminal 100 at any current or past time and time period in response to a request from the parent terminal 200, and transmit the map information S to the parent terminal 200 via the communication unit 16. This enables the parent terminal 200 to check not only the current position of the user terminal 100, but also the movement history of the user terminal 100 over a certain period (for example, a certain day) (plots P21 → P22 →... → P30) on the map. An example of this is shown in Fig. 18.

[0167] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of map information in which the movement history of a user terminal is displayed.

[0168] A guardian can check the movement history (plots P21 → P22 → ... → P30) of the user terminal 100 for a certain period (for example, a certain day) by displaying map information S such as that shown in Figure 18 on the display screen of the guardian terminal 200.

[0169] In this way, the monitoring system 10 has a function of setting a living area K of the person being watched over, and notifying the guardian that the location of the user terminal 100 is outside the living area K.

[0170] The monitoring system 10 further includes optional features such as a battery level option x and a forced sleep option y.

[0171] The battery remaining capacity option x is provided by the battery remaining capacity monitoring program 39 .

[0172] The battery remaining capacity grasping program 39 acquires the battery remaining capacity information g by referring to the upload information DB 24. Then, based on the battery remaining capacity information g, it is determined whether or not the battery remaining capacity of the user terminal 100 is below a preset predetermined capacity (for example, 20% remaining).

[0173] If the battery remaining charge option x field on the setting screen M shown in FIG. 13 is set to notify x1 when the battery remaining charge becomes low, when the battery remaining charge grasping program 39 determines that the battery remaining charge is below a predetermined amount, the alarm notification program 38 refers to the user registration DB 22, recognizes the parent address b of the corresponding identification number a, and notifies the parent terminal 200 of a message such as "The battery remaining charge is low" or "Please charge the battery."

[0174] The guardian can know that the battery remaining in the user terminal 100 is low by this message transmitted to the guardian terminal 200. In response to this, the guardian can charge the battery 160 of the user terminal 100 if it is possible to charge the battery 160 of the user terminal 100 on the spot. If it is not possible to charge the battery 160 on the spot, the guardian can start the setting program 36 from the guardian terminal 200 and instruct the guardian to lengthen the interval i (for example, from 1.5 minutes to 3 minutes) from the setting screen M in order to reduce the consumption of the battery 160 and extend the operation time of the user terminal 100. Alternatively, the guardian can set a time period y2 during which the user terminal 100 is forced to sleep from the forced sleep option y field. This makes it possible to set, for example, the time period y2 during which the user terminal 100 is forced to sleep in order to reduce the consumption of the battery 160 of the user terminal 100 while the person being watched is at school.

[0175] On the other hand, if the battery 160 is sufficiently charged, the remaining battery charge information of the battery 160 is reflected in the battery remaining charge information g of the upload information DB 24 when information is uploaded from the user terminal 100, and the battery remaining charge grasping program 39 recognizes that the battery remaining charge has become sufficient. If it is specified in the battery remaining charge option x field on the setting screen M that notification x2 should be given when charging of the battery 160 is completed, the alarm notification program 38 notifies the parent terminal 200 of the message "battery charging is completed" on the user terminal 100.

[0176] Next, an operation example of the monitoring system to which the monitoring method according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as above is applied will be described.

[0177] To start using the user terminal 100, the user must first register the user by transmitting the identification number a of the user terminal 100 to the monitoring system 10. User registration is performed by transmitting the identification number a of the user terminal 100 from the parent terminal 200, which may be, for example, a smartphone or a PC, to the monitoring system 10 via a communication network 70 such as the Internet.

[0178] The transmitted identification number a is received by the communication unit 16, and the email address of the parent terminal 200 is recognized as a parent address b by the communication unit 16. The identification number a received by the communication unit 16 and the recognized parent address b are written into the user registration DB 22 by the registration management program 31. This completes the user registration process.

[0179] When the user registration process is completed, it becomes possible to upload information such as the identification number, GPS information, the MAC address of the WiFi router, the reception strength information of radio waves from the WiFi router, the reception strength information of radio waves from the base station 60, and the remaining battery level information from the user terminal 100 to the monitoring system 10 at a set interval i, such as every 1.5 minutes. The interval i can be set by inputting a desired value from the parent terminal 200 into the setting screen M displayed by the setting program 36.

[0180] The information uploaded from the user terminal 100 is received by the communication unit 16, and the information storage program 32 writes the corresponding information into each data item in the upload information DB 24.

[0181] In addition, if the uploaded information includes the MAC address of the WiFi router, radio wave reception strength information from the WiFi router, and radio wave reception strength information from the base station 60, this information is output by the information storage program 32 from the communication unit 16 via the communication network 70 to the positioning server 40.

[0182] In the positioning server 40, when the communication unit 16 transmits the MAC address of the WiFi router and information on the reception strength of the radio waves from the WiFi router, the positioning server 40 determines the position of the user terminal 100 based on this information, and transmits the corresponding position information (e.g., latitude and longitude information) as WiFi position information e to the communication unit 16 via the communication network 70.

[0183] In addition, in the positioning server 40, when the communication unit 16 transmits radio wave reception strength information from the base station 60, the position of the user terminal 100 is determined based on this information, and the corresponding position information (e.g., latitude and longitude information) is returned to the communication unit 16 as base station position information f via the communication network 70.

[0184] The WiFi location information e and / or base station location information f returned from the positioning server 40 is associated with the corresponding time stamp c by the information storage program 32 and stored in the upload information DB 24 .

[0185] In this way, every time information is uploaded from the user terminal 100, at least one of the position information d, e, and f of the user terminal 100 is stored in the upload information DB 24 in association with the timestamp c.

[0186] Based on the location information accumulated in the upload information DB24 in this manner, the living area K is determined by the living area determination program 33, and based on the determined living area K, the judgment program 37 judges the positional relationship between the user terminal 100 and the living area K.

[0187] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to determining a living area and a positional relationship between a user terminal and the living area.

[0188] First, from the upload information DB24, among the location information d, e, f stored in association with the identification number a of this user terminal 100, the location information d, e, f accumulated within a set predetermined period t, such as the past 30 days, is extracted based on the timestamp c (S1).

[0189] Then, the living area is determined based on the location information extracted in step S1 (S2). At this time, if multiple types of location information (for example, at least two of location information d, e, and f) are associated with the same or deemed to be the same time stamp c, any one of the location information, or one of the multiple location information determined by appropriate weighting, is the target.

[0190] The specific method for determining the living area is not limited, and for example, as described using Figures 6 and 7, living area K is determined by combining multiple sections on a map to which location information accumulated within a specified period of time belongs a specified number of times (e.g., twice).

[0191] Alternatively, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the minimum convex area that includes all the plots P21 to P30 displayed on the map is determined as the living area K.

[0192] Alternatively, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the area indicated by the smallest circle that encompasses all of the plots P21 to P30 displayed on the map is determined as the living area K.

[0193] Alternatively, as described with reference to FIG. 10, the area indicated by the smallest rectangular shape that includes all the plots P21 to P30 displayed on the map is determined as the living area K. can be.

[0194] Alternatively, as explained using Figure 11, representative plots P11 to P15 located at the outermost part of the living area K are selected, and only the selected plots P11 to P15 are considered, and adjacent plots are connected with straight lines or along road or railway routes to determine the area containing all of the plots as the living area K.

[0195] These methods for determining the living area K are merely examples, and it is possible to modify part of the above-mentioned methods, combine them as appropriate, or follow a different algorithm.

[0196] Furthermore, the monitoring system 10 can determine multiple living areas for each predetermined condition, such as a living area for weekdays u1, a living area for weekends and holidays u2, a living area for a specific day of the week u3, and a living area for a specific time period u4.

[0197] When the living area K is determined in this manner, the position information defining the living area K is written into the user registration DB 22 as the living area position information h for the corresponding identification number a.

[0198] Thereafter, the map information creation program 34 obtains the living area position information h registered for the user from the user registration DB 22 according to the corresponding identification number a, and creates map information S in which the living area K is identified on a map based on the obtained living area position information h, and transmits the map information S to the parent terminal 200 via the communication unit 16 in response to a request from the parent terminal 200 (S3).

[0199] The map information S transmitted to the guardian terminal 200 is displayed on the display screen of the guardian terminal 200 (S4). This allows the guardian to visually grasp the living area K of the person being watched over.

[0200] Furthermore, the guardian can change the living area K by looking at such map information S. If the living area K is not to be changed (S5: Yes), the living area K is confirmed (S7). On the other hand, if the guardian wants to change the living area K (S5: No), the guardian can change the living area K by inputting values ​​for the predetermined period t, the predetermined condition u, and the predetermined criterion v from a setting screen M as shown in Fig. 13, or by tracing the living area K displayed on the display screen of the guardian terminal 200 with a finger to specify the living area K as shown in Fig. 15 (S6).

[0201] Thereafter, the living area position information h in the user registration DB 22 is updated in accordance with the changed living area K, and the process returns to step S3.

[0202] By repeating the processing from step S3 to step S6, the living area K is finally determined (S7), and each time new information (timestamp c, identification information a, GPS location information d, WiFi location information e, base station location information f, battery remaining amount information g, etc.) is written to the upload information DB24, the judgment program 37 compares the location information of the user terminal 100 with the living area location information h to determine whether the location of the user terminal 100 is inside or outside the living area K (S8).

[0203] Depending on the result of this determination, the map information creation program 34 creates map information S displaying the living area K and the current location H of the user terminal 100, as exemplified in Fig. 17, and transmits it to the guardian terminal 200 via the communication unit 16. This allows the guardian to know the current location of the person being watched over.

[0204] Furthermore, if the result of this determination indicates that the location of the user terminal 100 is outside the living area K, If the determination is yes (S9: Yes), the alarm notification program 38 notifies the guardian terminal 200 of the alarm by sound or display (S10). This allows the guardian to quickly and reliably understand that the person being watched over has departed from the living area K and to take necessary measures (S11).

[0205] On the other hand, if it is determined that the position of the user terminal 100 is inside the living area K (S9: No), the process returns to step S8 and the subsequent processes are continued.

[0206] As described above, the monitoring system 10 to which the monitoring method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied can determine an appropriate living area K for the person being watched over by the above-mentioned actions. The monitoring system 10 can also provide a function for the guardian to arbitrarily set the predetermined period t, the predetermined condition u, and the predetermined criterion v for determining the living area K. Furthermore, if the position of the user terminal 100 deviates from the living area K, this can be detected and the guardian can be notified by an alarm or the like, so that the guardian can reliably grasp the movement of the person being watched over outside the usual range of activity in almost real time.

[0207] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiments may be implemented in combination as appropriate as possible, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the disclosed constituent elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0208] 10. Monitoring System 12 Bus 14 CPU 16 Communications Department 20 Storage device 22 User Registration Database 24 Upload Information Database 30 Memory 31 Enrollment Management Program 32 Information Accumulation Program 33 Living Area Decision Program 34 Map information creation program 35 Living Space Modification Program 36 Setting Program 37 Judgment Program 38 Alarm notification program 39 Battery Remaining Capacity Monitoring Program 40 Positioning Server 60 base station 61 WiFi Router 70 Communication Network 100 user terminals 110 SIM card 120 Sending and receiving functions 130 GPS function 140 WiFi function 150 Acceleration Sensor 160 Battery 200 Parent terminal

Claims

1. An information processing device that communicates with a first terminal used by a watcher and a second terminal carried by a person being watched, Obtaining location information of the second terminal; transmitting the location information to the first terminal; Setting a first monitoring range for monitoring a movement range of the second terminal; Acquiring update information of the first monitoring range generated in response to the watcher operating the first terminal, the operation including an operation of moving at least a part of an outer periphery of the first monitoring range from the watcher; and Updating the first monitoring range based on the update information to set a second monitoring range; Transmitting a notification about a location of the second terminal to the first terminal based on the location information and the second monitoring range; An information processing method for performing the above.

2. The information processing method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: sending a notification about the location of the second terminal to the first terminal based on the location information and the first monitoring range before setting the second monitoring range.

3. An information processing method as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the second monitoring range can be set in any shape by the operation.

4. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the operation is accepted on a screen in which the location information is displayed on a map.

5. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the setting includes automatically setting the first monitoring range to include all of the location information within a predetermined period of time among the location information.

6. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the setting includes setting at least a portion of the periphery of the first monitoring range based on a road and / or railway route.

7. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first monitoring range and / or the second monitoring range are associated with a predetermined day of the week and / or a predetermined time period.

8. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the location information is acquired at a predetermined interval set in the first terminal.

9. An information processing device that communicates with a first terminal used by a watcher and a second terminal carried by a person being watched, means for acquiring location information of the second terminal; means for transmitting the location information to the first terminal; A means for setting a first monitoring range for monitoring a movement range of the second terminal; A means for acquiring update information of the first monitoring range generated in response to the watcher operating the first terminal, the operation including an operation of moving at least a part of the periphery of the first monitoring range from the watcher; A means for updating the first monitoring range based on the update information and setting a second monitoring range; means for transmitting a notification regarding the location of the second terminal to the first terminal based on the location information and the second monitoring range; An information processing device comprising:

10. An information processing device that communicates with a first terminal used by a watcher and a second terminal carried by a person being watched, Obtaining location information of the second terminal; transmitting the location information to the first terminal; Setting a first monitoring range for monitoring a movement range of the second terminal; Acquiring update information of the first monitoring range generated in response to the watcher operating the first terminal, the operation including an operation of moving at least a part of an outer periphery of the first monitoring range from the watcher; and Updating the first monitoring range based on the update information to set a second monitoring range; Transmitting a notification about a location of the second terminal to the first terminal based on the location information and the second monitoring range; A program that executes the following.

11. A first terminal used by a watcher, which communicates with a second terminal carried by the person being watched over via an information processing device, Obtaining location information of the second terminal; displaying the location information; and Displaying a first monitoring range for monitoring location information of the second terminal; generating update information of the first monitoring range in response to an operation from the watcher to the first terminal, the operation including an operation of moving at least a part of an outer periphery of the first monitoring range from the watcher; Transmitting the update information; and Displaying a second monitoring range in which the first monitoring range is updated based on the update information; and Obtaining a notification about a location of the second terminal based on the location information and the second monitoring range; A program that executes the following.

12. The program described in claim 11, wherein the second monitoring range can be set in any shape by the operation.

13. The program according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the operation is accepted on a screen on which the location information is displayed on a map.

14. A first terminal used by a watcher, which communicates with a second terminal carried by the person being watched over via an information processing device, Obtaining location information of the second terminal; displaying the location information; and Displaying a first monitoring range for monitoring location information of the second terminal; generating update information of the first monitoring range in response to an operation from the watcher to the first terminal, the operation including an operation of moving at least a part of an outer periphery of the first monitoring range from the watcher; Transmitting the update information; and Displaying a second monitoring range in which the first monitoring range is updated based on the update information; and Obtaining a notification about a location of the second terminal based on the location information and the second monitoring range; An information processing method for performing the above.

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