Beacon device, positioning system, and beacon signal transmission method

Abstract

To provide techniques of transmitting beacon signals to achieve both improved maintainability and improved real-time performance.SOLUTION: A beacon device 100 includes a transmitter 112, a receiver 114, and a controller 130. The transmitter 112 transmits a beacon signal. The receiver 114 is capable of receiving an emergency signal from a wireless device. The controller 130 changes the setting of the transmission of a beacon signal from the transmitter 112 based on whether or not the receiver 114 has received an emergency signal. The transmitter 112 transmits a beacon signal according to the setting made by the controller 130.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning technology, and more particularly to a beacon device that uses a beacon signal, a positioning system, and a method for transmitting a beacon signal. [Background technology]

[0002] A beacon device transmits a beacon signal at a predetermined interval. If a beacon signal is transmitted from a beacon device when there is no wireless device that can receive the beacon signal in the vicinity of the beacon device, the beacon device consumes power unnecessarily. Therefore, the beacon device is provided with a proximity sensor, and adjusts the transmission interval of the beacon signal depending on whether or not the proximity sensor detects the presence of a wireless device (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-126410 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Beacon signals are used to determine the location of a target person indoors. When a wireless device carried by the target person receives a beacon signal from a beacon device, it transmits the reception result to a positioning server. The positioning server then determines the location of the wireless device based on the reception result. To facilitate installation of such beacon devices, the beacon devices are battery-powered. Generally, beacon devices transmit beacon signals at fixed intervals, and the battery life depends on the transmission interval of the beacon signal. For example, if the transmission interval is approximately once per second, the battery life is several months, and if the transmission interval is approximately once every several tens of seconds, the battery life is several years. Considering the maintainability of the beacon device, a longer transmission interval is preferable, but a shorter transmission interval is preferable because the latest positioning is required when the wireless device detects an emergency situation.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technique for transmitting a beacon signal so as to achieve both improved maintainability and improved real-time performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a beacon device of an aspect of the present invention comprises a transmitter that transmits a beacon signal, a receiver that can receive an emergency signal from a wireless device, and a control unit that controls transmission of the beacon signal from the transmitter. When the receiver does not receive an emergency signal, the control unit intermittently transmits a beacon signal for positioning, and when the receiver receives an emergency signal, in addition to the beacon signal for positioning, it intermittently transmits a beacon signal for emergency state notification including information about the wireless device that transmitted the received emergency signal.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a beacon signal transmission method, comprising the steps of: transmitting a beacon signal; intermittently transmitting a beacon signal for positioning when an emergency signal is not received from a wireless device; and intermittently transmitting a beacon signal for emergency status notification including information about the wireless device that transmitted the received emergency signal in addition to the beacon signal for positioning when an emergency signal is received from the wireless device.

[0008] Any combination of the above components, and any transformation of the present invention into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a beacon signal can be transmitted so as to achieve both improved maintainability and improved real-time performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a positioning system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the beacon device of FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of a table held in the control unit of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for transmitting a beacon signal by the beacon device of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams illustrating an outline of transmission of a beacon signal according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Example 1 Before describing the present invention in detail, an overview will be provided first. An embodiment of the present invention relates to a positioning system including a plurality of beacon devices, a wireless device, and a positioning server. Each of the plurality of beacon devices is installed at a known position and transmits a beacon signal at a predetermined interval. The wireless device is, for example, a wireless terminal, and upon receiving the beacon signal, transmits the reception result to the positioning server. The positioning server locates the position of the wireless device based on the reception result. The beacon device uses a battery such as a button battery or a dry cell battery for ease of installation. The beacon device can transmit a beacon signal at intervals of several hundred milliseconds to several tens of seconds. If the transmission interval is shortened, real-time performance is improved, but the battery life of the beacon device is shortened. If the transmission interval is lengthened, the battery life of the beacon device is extended, but the real-time performance is reduced. It is desired to improve real-time performance while extending the battery life of the beacon device.

[0012] The beacon device according to this embodiment has a receiving function in addition to a transmitting function. When the wireless device detects an emergency state, it transmits an emergency signal. When the beacon device receives the emergency signal, it shortens the transmission interval of the beacon signal and increases the transmission power of the beacon signal. This makes it easier for the wireless device to receive the latest beacon signal, improving real-time performance. On the other hand, when the beacon device does not receive an emergency signal, it does not shorten the transmission interval of the beacon signal and does not increase the transmission power of the beacon signal. This reduces the power consumption of the beacon device and extends the operating time of the battery of the beacon device.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a positioning system 1000. The positioning system 1000 includes a first beacon device 100a to a sixth beacon device 100f collectively referred to as beacon devices 100, a wireless device 200, a first sensor 300a to a third sensor 300c collectively referred to as sensors 300, and a positioning server 400. The number of beacon devices 100 in the positioning system 1000 is not limited to "6", the number of wireless devices 200 is not limited to "1", and the number of sensors 300 is not limited to "3". The positioning system 1000 locates the positions of the wireless devices 200 present in a facility 10 such as a house, an office, a store, etc. The facility 10 includes a first room 12a to a fourth room 12d collectively referred to as rooms 12, and a corridor 14. The shape of the facility 10 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] Each beacon device 100 is installed in various places in the facility 10, for example, in a room 12 or a corridor 14. Each beacon device 100 is battery-powered and transmits a beacon signal at a predetermined interval. For example, a short-range wireless communication system such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) is used to transmit the beacon signal. The beacon signal includes identification information (hereinafter referred to as "beacon device ID") for identifying the beacon device 100 that is the transmission source.

[0015] The wireless device 200 is a wireless terminal carried by a subject person, and has a wireless communication function by a short-range wireless communication system. The wireless device 200 receives a beacon signal from a beacon device 100 installed nearby. The wireless device 200 transmits a reception result of the beacon signal to a nearby sensor 300. The reception result includes, for example, a beacon device ID included in the beacon signal, a reception power value when the beacon signal is received, and identification information for identifying the wireless device 200 (hereinafter referred to as "wireless device ID").

[0016] The sensor 300 also has a wireless communication function using a short-range wireless communication system, and receives a reception result from the wireless device 200. The sensor 300 transmits the reception result to the positioning server 400. The positioning server 400 receives the reception result from the sensor 300. The positioning server 400 estimates the position of the wireless device 200 based on the reception result. Since the reception result includes a beacon ID, the positioning server 400 identifies which beacon device 100 the wireless device 200 is near from the beacon ID. A known technology may be used for the processing of the positioning server 400.

[0017] 2 and 3 will also be used below to more specifically explain the processing in the positioning system 1000. Fig. 2 shows the configuration of a wireless device 200. The wireless device 200 includes a communication unit 210, a processing unit 220, and a detection unit 240, and the communication unit 210 includes a transmission unit 212 and a reception unit 214.

[0018] The communication unit 210 executes a wireless communication function by a short-range wireless communication system. The receiving unit 214 receives a beacon signal from the beacon device 100, and the transmitting unit 212 transmits the reception result to the sensor 300. The receiving unit 214 measures the reception power of the beacon signal. The processing unit 220 generates a reception result based on the beacon signal received in the receiving unit 214, and outputs the reception result to the transmitting unit 212.

[0019] The wireless device 200 is equipped with an emergency function. The emergency function is used when the wireless device owner experiences an emergency, and transmits a status code or the like to notify the user of the emergency. The detection unit 240 detects an emergency. For example, the detection unit 240 detects an emergency when a button on the wireless device 200 is pressed by the subject of the emergency. The detection unit 240 also detects an emergency through activity detection, which is when the wireless device 200 is moving, or through man-down or stationary detection, which is when the wireless device 200 is not moving. To detect such movement, the detection unit 240 includes an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor detects movement of the wireless device 200, such as when the wireless device 200 is violently shaken or when the wireless device 200 is held in hand and running. The acceleration sensor also detects inactivity of the wireless device 200, such as when the wireless device 200 remains stationary for a certain period of time or when the wireless device 200 is tilted for a certain period of time or longer.

[0020] When the detection unit 240 detects an emergency, the processing unit 220 generates an emergency signal indicating that it is an emergency. The emergency signal includes information indicating that it is an emergency, information indicating one of activity detection, man-down, and stationary detection, the beacon device ID included in the received beacon signal, and information identifying the wireless device 200 that generated the emergency signal. The transmission unit 212 transmits the emergency signal. When the emergency signal is received by the sensor 300, it is transferred to the positioning server 400. The emergency signal can also be received by the beacon device 100. Furthermore, the emergency signal may be received by another wireless device 200 (not shown). The other wireless device 200 determines in which direction the wireless device 200 in an emergency state is located based on the received power value, so that the user of the other wireless device 200 can carry out rescue operations.

[0021] When the transmission interval of the beacon signal in the beacon device 100 is long, the beacon device ID included in the emergency signal may not be the latest one. In that case, the accurate location of the person in the emergency situation cannot be conveyed. In order to deal with this, the beacon device 100 performs the following processing.

[0022] 3 shows the configuration of the beacon device 100. The beacon device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a processing unit 120, and a control unit 130. The communication unit 110 includes a transmission unit 112 and a reception unit 114, and the processing unit 120 includes an analysis unit 122. The transmission unit 112 transmits a beacon signal. The reception unit 114 can receive an emergency signal from the wireless device 200 when the transmission unit 112 is not transmitting a beacon signal. The transmission interval and transmission power of the beacon signal are controlled by the control unit 130. This corresponds to the reception interval of the emergency signal being controlled by the control unit 130. For example, when the transmission interval of the beacon signal is 30 seconds, transmission of the beacon signal (1 second), reception of the emergency signal (29 seconds), and transmission of the beacon signal (1 second) are repeated.

[0023] When receiving unit 114 receives an emergency signal, analysis unit 122 analyzes the emergency signal. If the information included in the emergency signal indicates activity detection, analysis unit 122 determines that wireless device 200 that transmitted the emergency signal is in a first state with high activity. On the other hand, if the information included in the emergency signal indicates man-down or stationary detection, analysis unit 122 determines that wireless device 200 that transmitted the emergency signal is in a second state with low activity.

[0024] The control unit 130 controls the transmission of the beacon signal from the transmission unit 112 based on the analysis result of the analysis unit 122. For example, the control unit 130 switches at least one of the transmission interval of the beacon signal and the transmission power of the beacon signal based on the analysis result of the analysis unit 122.

[0025] 4 shows the data structure of the table held in the control unit 130. When no emergency signal is received, the transmission power is set to the first transmission power and the transmission interval is set to the first transmission interval. When an emergency signal is received and the first state is determined, the transmission power is set to the second transmission power and the transmission interval is set to the third transmission interval. When an emergency signal is received and the second state is determined, the transmission power is set to the second transmission power and the transmission interval is set to the second transmission interval. Here, the first transmission power < the second transmission power, and the first transmission interval > the second transmission interval > the third transmission interval. Return to the figure.

[0026] In this way, changing the transmission power makes it easier for wireless device 200 to receive the beacon signal. Also, during activity detection, the transmission interval of the beacon signal is shortened to accommodate fast movement. Also, during man-down or stationary detection, the transmission interval is set to a relatively long interval, which makes it possible to more accurately determine the current location and extend the battery life.

[0027] When the transmission power is changed as described above, it is necessary not to simply determine whether the distance between the beacon device 100 and the wireless device 200 is close or far only based on the magnitude of the received power in the wireless device 200. For this reason, the transmission power value is included in the emergency signal. The transmission power value indicates the value of the received strength [dBm] measured at a point 1 m away from the beacon device 100. The received power value indicates the value of the signal strength [dBm] when actually received. For example, the processing unit 220 of the wireless device 200 derives the distance d as follows: d=10 ((送信電力-受信電力) / 20)

[0028] When the detection unit 240 of the wireless device 200 of Fig. 2 stops detecting the emergency situation, the transmission unit 212 of the wireless device 200 stops transmitting the emergency signal. When the reception unit 114 of the beacon device 100 of Fig. 3 stops receiving the emergency signal, the beacon device 100 returns to the first transmission power and the first transmission interval and transmits the beacon signal.

[0029] This configuration can be realized in hardware terms by the CPU, memory, and other LSIs of any computer, and in software terms by programs loaded into memory, but here we depict functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms using only hardware, only software, or a combination of both.

[0030] The operation of the positioning system 1000 with the above configuration will be explained. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the transmission procedure of a beacon signal by the beacon device 100. When the receiving unit 114 does not receive an emergency signal (N of S10), the control unit 130 sets the first transmission power and the first transmission interval (S12). When the receiving unit 114 receives an emergency signal (Y of S10), if it is in the first state (Y of S14), the control unit 130 sets the second transmission power and the third transmission interval (S16). When it is not in the first state (N of S14), that is, if it is in the second state, the control unit 130 sets the second transmission power and the second transmission interval (S18).

[0031] According to this embodiment, when an emergency signal is received, at least one of the transmission interval of the beacon signal and the transmission power of the beacon signal is switched based on the analysis result of the emergency signal, thereby making it easier to receive the beacon signal only when necessary. Furthermore, since the beacon signal is made easier to receive only when necessary, the beacon signal can be transmitted to achieve both improved maintainability and improved real-time performance. Furthermore, when the wireless device that transmitted the emergency signal is in a first state with significant movement, the transmission interval of the beacon signal is shortened compared to when the wireless device is in a second state with small movement, making it easier to receive the beacon signal when movement is significant. Furthermore, when an emergency signal is received, the transmission power of the beacon signal is increased compared to when an emergency signal is not received, making it easier to receive the beacon signal in an emergency.

[0032] Example 2 Next, a second embodiment will be described. As with the first embodiment, the second embodiment also relates to a positioning system including a plurality of beacon devices, a wireless device, and a positioning server. When a beacon device according to the second embodiment receives a beacon signal from a wireless device, it changes the transmission power and transmission interval of the beacon signal. The beacon device further transmits a beacon signal for an emergency situation notification. Here, in order to distinguish it from the beacon signal for an emergency situation notification, the beacon signal so far is also called a beacon signal for positioning. The positioning system 1000, the wireless device 200, and the beacon device 100 according to the second embodiment are of the same type as those in Figs. 1 to 3. Here, the differences from the previous embodiments will be mainly described.

[0033] Figure 6 (a)-(b) shows an outline of transmission of a beacon signal. The horizontal axis shows time. Figure 6 (a) shows the operation when the receiving unit 114 of the beacon device 100 does not receive an emergency signal from the wireless device 200. The beacon device 100 transmits a beacon signal for positioning intermittently with transmission power (P0). The beacon signal for positioning is indicated as "P". This is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 6(b) shows the operation when the receiving unit 114 of the beacon device 100 receives an emergency signal from the wireless device 200. The beacon device 100 intermittently transmits a beacon signal for positioning at a transmission power (P1). Also, the beacon device 100 makes the transmission interval of the beacon signal for positioning shorter than that in the case of FIG. 6(a). P1>P0, but P1=P0 may also be true. Furthermore, the beacon device 100 intermittently transmits a beacon signal for emergency state notification at a transmission power (P2). The beacon signal for emergency state notification is indicated as "E". The beacon signal for emergency state notification includes information about the wireless device 200 that transmitted the received emergency signal, for example, a wireless device ID, status data indicating an emergency state, etc. P2>P1. The beacon signal for emergency state notification is received, for example, by another wireless device 200.

[0035] According to this embodiment, when an emergency signal is received, in addition to a beacon signal for positioning, an emergency state notification beacon signal including information about the wireless device that transmitted the received emergency signal is intermittently transmitted, so that the emergency state notification beacon signal can be transmitted only when necessary. Furthermore, because the emergency state notification beacon signal is transmitted only when necessary, the beacon signal can be transmitted to achieve both improved maintainability and improved real-time performance. Furthermore, when an emergency signal is received, the emergency state notification beacon signal is transmitted with a transmission power greater than that of the beacon signal for positioning, so that the emergency state notification beacon signal can be more easily received. Furthermore, when an emergency signal is received, the transmission power of the positioning beacon signal is greater than when an emergency signal is not received, so that the positioning beacon signal can be more easily received in an emergency.

[0036] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the components and treatment processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] In the first and second embodiments, when the beacon device 100 receives an emergency signal, it changes the transmission power and the transmission interval. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, when the beacon device 100 receives an emergency signal, it may change one of the transmission power and the transmission interval. According to this modified example, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of the configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10 facility, 12 room, 14 corridor, 100 beacon device, 110 communication unit, 112 transmission unit, 114 reception unit, 120 processing unit, 122 analysis unit, 130 control unit, 200 wireless device, 210 communication unit, 212 transmission unit, 214 reception unit, 220 processing unit, 240 detection unit, 300 sensor, 400 positioning server, 1000 positioning system.

Claims

1. a transmitter that transmits a beacon signal; a receiving unit capable of receiving an emergency signal from a wireless device; a control unit that controls transmission of a beacon signal from the transmission unit, The control unit If the receiver does not receive an emergency signal, it intermittently transmits a beacon signal for positioning; When the receiver receives an emergency signal, it intermittently transmits a beacon signal for notifying an emergency state, including information about the wireless device that transmitted the received emergency signal, in addition to a beacon signal for positioning. Beacon device.

2. The control unit When the receiving unit does not receive an emergency signal, the receiving unit intermittently transmits a beacon signal for positioning at a first transmission power; When the receiver receives an emergency signal, it intermittently transmits a beacon signal for notifying an emergency state in addition to a beacon signal for positioning at a second transmission power higher than the first transmission power. The beacon device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit When the receiving unit does not receive an emergency signal, the beacon signal for positioning is intermittently transmitted at a first transmission power; When the receiving unit receives an emergency signal, the transmitting power of the beacon signal for positioning is switched to a third transmitting power; The third transmission power is greater than the first transmission power and less than the second transmission power. The beacon device according to claim 2 .

4. The beacon device according to claim 1; a wireless device that receives a beacon signal from the beacon device; a positioning server that estimates a position of the wireless device based on a beacon signal received by the wireless device; The wireless device a detection unit for detecting an emergency; A positioning system comprising a transmitter that transmits an emergency signal indicating an emergency when the detector detects an emergency.

5. transmitting a beacon signal; When an emergency signal is not received from the wireless device, intermittently transmitting a beacon signal for positioning; When an emergency signal is received from a wireless device, intermittently transmitting a beacon signal for notifying an emergency state, which includes information about the wireless device that transmitted the received emergency signal, in addition to a beacon signal for positioning; A method for transmitting a beacon signal, comprising:

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