How to get notifications when walking with your smartphone

Abstract

To provide a walking smartphone notification program and a method thereof that can reduce the risk of using a smartphone in a predetermined area such as a construction site.SOLUTION: The function of a walking smartphone notification program AP1 installed in a mobile terminal device 21 is turned on by GPS within a predetermined area such as a construction site, and the function is turned off in other areas. It can be applied even if the predetermined area is distorted by taking coordinate axes. The mobile terminal device 21 uses a short-range communication program AP2 and notifies another mobile terminal device 21 that an application should be installed when coming close to the other mobile terminal device that has not installed the application that can be temporarily installed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides a method for communicating with a smartphone while walking, which notifies users in a predetermined area. Tomokata It is about the law. [Background technology]

[0002] At work sites, morning meetings are held simultaneously at large outdoor meeting venues every day. At construction sites with an unspecified number of employees, for example, many companies and workers arrive in the afternoon, meaning that some workers are unable to attend the morning meeting.

[0003] In addition, the work site is dotted with unexpected objects, shaft holes, cargo, etc., making it dangerous for workers to walk. Therefore, when workers operate or browse smartphones while walking within the premises, there is a considerable risk, just like when workers use smartphones while walking at many stations or in urban areas. Additionally, at construction sites, workers are often on the phone while moving around, and even though they are not looking at the screen, there is a certain percentage of cases where this could lead to an accident. Furthermore, most smartphone apps released for multitasking usually have usage restriction alerts for all regions and locations. Also, there are workers who have installed multitasking prohibition apps and those who do not. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-203273 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Meanwhile, there is a demand for improving worker safety in specific areas such as work sites.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a walking smartphone notification program and method that can reduce the dangers associated with using a smartphone in designated areas such as construction sites. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the problems of the prior art and achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the walking while using a smartphone notification program of a first aspect of the present invention is a walking while using a smartphone notification program that operates on a mobile terminal device, and causes the mobile terminal device to execute a function-on process of turning on a walking while using a smartphone notification function when it determines that a first condition, that the mobile terminal device is located within a specified area, is met, and a function-off process of turning off the walking while using a smartphone notification function when it determines that the first condition is no longer met.

[0008] Preferably, the method further includes a position detection step of detecting whether the mobile terminal device is located within the specified area based on position information obtained from a satellite, and the function-on step determines whether the first condition is met based on the position detected in the position detection step.

[0009] Preferably, the function-off step determines whether or not the second condition is satisfied based on the position detected in the position detection step.

[0010] Preferably, the function-on step performs the detection based on sound information from a microphone when position information cannot be obtained using the satellite.

[0011] Preferably, the function-off step performs the detection based on sound information from a microphone when position information cannot be obtained using the satellite.

[0012] Preferably, the function-on step and the function-off step perform the detection by comparing sound information from the microphone with sound information specific to the predetermined area that has been acquired in advance.

[0013] Preferably, the walking while using a smartphone notification program causes the mobile terminal device to execute a walking detection process for detecting whether the user is walking, and an alarm process for outputting an alarm if the walking detection process determines that the user is walking.

[0014] The method for notifying users while using a smartphone while walking of the present invention includes a first step of requesting a user, at the entrance to a specified area, to set a first mobile terminal device of the user entering the specified area to a state where short-range communication is possible with other mobile terminal devices; a second step of determining, in the short-range communication possible state, whether a second mobile terminal device has a walking-while-smartphone notification program installed on the first mobile terminal device; and a third step of causing the first mobile terminal device to output an output prompting the user to install the program using short-range communication if the second mobile terminal device determines in the second step that the program is installed.When the first mobile terminal device determines, based on the walking-while-smartphone notification program, that a first condition, that the mobile terminal device is located within a specified area, is met, the method executes a function-on step of turning on a walking-while-smartphone notification function, and when it determines that the first condition is no longer met, the method executes a function-off step of turning off the walking-while-smartphone notification function. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a walking smartphone notification program and method that can reduce the dangers associated with using a smartphone in a specified area such as a construction site. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a smartphone while walking notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the smartphone while walking notification system at the entrance gate of the work site area shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of prompting the installation of the smartphone while walking notification program AP1 in the work site area. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the function on / off operation of the smartphone while walking notification program AP1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the mobile terminal device of the smartphone while walking notification system shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the mobile terminal device of the smartphone while walking notification system shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the mobile terminal device of the smartphone while walking notification system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, a smartphone notification system for use at a work site or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First Embodiment The method for supporting notifications while walking using a smartphone according to this embodiment automatically turns on the function within a predetermined area and automatically turns off the function outside the predetermined area. The function is turned on and off based on location information.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a smartphone while walking notification system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the walking-while-smartphone notification system 1 performs walking-while-smartphone notification using, for example, a gate device 13, multiple mobile terminal devices 21, and a cloud server 31. Here, "smartphone" refers to a mobile communication device, and "app" is an abbreviation for "application program."

[0019] In the walking-while-smartphone notification system 1, the walking-while-smartphone notification program AP1 installed on the mobile terminal device 21 is turned on within a predetermined area such as a construction site using GPS, and the function is turned off elsewhere. The system can be applied even if the predetermined area has an irregular shape by using coordinate axes. Furthermore, when the mobile terminal device 21 comes close to another mobile terminal device 21 that does not have the temporarily installed application, the mobile terminal device 21 uses the short-distance communication program AP2 to notify the other mobile terminal device 21 to install the application. Also, if someone doesn't have Bluetooth installed, a pop-up message will appear asking them to turn on Bluetooth.

[0020] When a person enters a specified area using GPS, for example, the gate device 13 can detect the person and issue an alert. If the person entering does not have the app installed, a proximity notification will be sent via Bluetooth to prompt them to install the app. Locations can be specified, such as turning it on at construction sites and off elsewhere. This allows a morning assembly screen or the like to be displayed on the mobile terminal devices 21 within a predetermined area, eliminating the need for morning assemblies where people gather at a predetermined place at a predetermined time.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal device 21 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the device includes an operation unit 51, an internet communication unit 53, a BT communication unit 55, a memory 57, and a processing unit 59.

[0022] The operation unit 51 is an operation unit such as a touch panel, and performs input in accordance with operations by the user of the mobile terminal device 21. The internet communication unit 53 is for communication over the internet or the like, and communicates with other mobile terminal devices 21 and the cloud server 31.

[0023] The BT communication unit 55 is a short-distance communication unit such as Bluetooth, and performs short-distance communication with the gate device 13 and other portable terminal devices 21. The memory 57 stores data used for processing by the processing unit 59 by programs such as the smartphone while walking notification program AP1 and the short-range communication program AP2.

[0024] The processing unit 59 realizes the walking-while-smartphone notification function described in this embodiment in response to execution of the walking-while-smartphone notification program AP1. The processing unit 59 executes the short-distance communication program AP2 to realize the walking short-distance communication function described in this embodiment.

[0025] The operation of the smartphone while walking notification system 1 will be described below. [Gate operation] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the smartphone notification system 1 while walking at the entrance gate 9 of the work site area 11 shown in FIG.

[0026] Step ST11: When a user carrying a portable terminal device 21 comes to the entrance gate 9 of the work site area 11, the gate device 13 determines whether Bluetooth communication with the portable terminal device 21 is possible.

[0027] Step ST12: If the gate device 13 determines in step ST11 that Bluetooth communication is possible, it ends the process, and if it determines that communication is not possible, it proceeds to step ST13.

[0028] Step ST13: The gate device 13 prompts the user by voice or on-screen display to turn on Bluetooth communication.

[0029] By the above-described operation, at the entrance to the work site area 11, the gate device 13 can turn on Bluetooth communication for the portable terminal device 21 of the user entering the work site area 11. This enables Bluetooth communication between the portable terminal devices 21 of multiple users within the work site area 11. To enable this Bluetooth communication, the devices can mutually notify each other about safety.

[0030] [Installing the walking-smartphone notification program AP1] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of prompting the installation of the smartphone while walking notification program AP1 in the work site area.

[0031] Step ST21: The short-range communication program AP2 of the mobile terminal device 21_1 in the work site area 11, which has already installed the smartphone-while-walking notification program AP1, determines whether Bluetooth communication with another mobile terminal device 21_2 is possible. If the short-range communication program AP2 determines that Bluetooth communication with the mobile terminal device 21_2 is possible, the program proceeds to step ST22.

[0032] Step ST22: The mobile terminal device 21_1 determines, via Bluetooth communication using the function of the short-range communication program AP2, based on the walking while using smartphone notification program AP1, whether or not the walking while using smartphone notification program AP1 is installed in the mobile terminal device 21_2.

[0033] Step ST23: If the mobile terminal device 21_1 determines that the mobile terminal device 21_2 has installed the smartphone while walking notification program AP1, it ends the process, and if it determines that the mobile terminal device 21_2 has not installed the program AP1, it proceeds to step ST24.

[0034] Step ST24: Based on the walking while using smartphone notification program AP1, the mobile terminal device 21_1 uses the Bluetooth communication function of the short-range communication program AP2 to perform processing to prompt the mobile terminal device 21_2 to install the walking while using smartphone notification program AP1 by voice or screen display. This process may be, for example, a notification that the smartphone while walking notification program AP1 is not installed in the mobile terminal device 21_2 during short-distance communication is given by voice or on the screen of the mobile terminal device 21_1. This allows the user of the mobile terminal device 21_1 to verbally or otherwise urge the user of the mobile terminal device 21_2 to install the program.

[0035] Through the above-described operation, when users approach each other within the work site area 11, Bluetooth communication is performed between the mobile terminal devices 21 of the users, and if the mobile terminal device 21 already has the walking while using a smartphone notification program AP1 installed on the other mobile terminal device 21 does not have the walking while using a smartphone notification program AP1 installed, the other mobile terminal device 21 can be prompted to install it.

[0036] [On / off function of AP1, a walking smartphone notification program] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the function on / off operation of the smartphone while walking notification program AP1. Step ST31: Based on the walking while using smartphone notification program AP1, the mobile terminal device 21 determines whether the mobile terminal device 21 is within a specified work site area based on location information acquired from GPS signals and area information of the work site area acquired in advance.

[0037] Step ST32: If the mobile terminal device 21 determines in step ST31 that it is within a predetermined work site area based on the walking-while-smartphone notification program AP1, it proceeds to step ST33, and if not, it proceeds to step ST34.

[0038] Step ST33: The mobile terminal device 21 switches to the function of the smartphone while walking notification program AP1 or maintains the on state.

[0039] Step ST34: The mobile terminal device 21 switches off or keeps off the function of the smartphone while walking notification program AP1.

[0040] By the above operation, the walking-while-smartphone notification program AP1 of the mobile terminal device 21 can be turned on only within the work site area 11. Therefore, the user is prohibited from walking while using a smartphone within the work site area 11, and it is left to the user's discretion outside of the work site area 11.

[0041] Second Embodiment In the operation example shown in Figure 5 above, the mobile terminal device 21, based on the walking while using smartphone notification program AP1, determined whether the mobile terminal device 21 was within a specified work site area based on location information acquired from GPS signals.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the mobile terminal device 21 cannot acquire location information using a GPS signal based on the walking-smartphone notification program AP1, the mobile terminal device 21 compares sound information from the microphone of the mobile terminal device 21 with pre-acquired sound information specific to the work site area 11 to determine whether the mobile terminal device 21 is within a predetermined work site area. The specific sound information is information about sudden sounds that are not specific to construction sites, sound information of a certain intensity, etc. This makes it possible to determine whether the mobile terminal device 21 is located within the work site area 11, even if the mobile terminal device 21 is located underground or inside a building where it is difficult to receive GPS signals.

[0043] <Example of screen display of mobile terminal device 21> 6 to 8 are diagrams illustrating examples of the display screen of the mobile terminal device 21 in the smartphone while walking notification system shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the mobile terminal device 21 displays information about the morning assembly, confirmation items, a KY information input screen, and the like based on information from the ground server 31.

[0044] As mentioned above, in the work site area 11, a morning assembly is held simultaneously at a large outdoor morning assembly venue every day. Also, at construction sites with an unspecified number of workers, for example, many companies and workers enter the site in the afternoon, and some workers are unable to attend the morning assembly. This system holds small morning meetings on smartphones and tablets, shares today's important points, things to observe, and things that are prohibited, and determines whether or not that information has been confirmed. It provides a solution that takes such situations into consideration.

[0045] The work site area 11 is dotted with unexpected objects, shaft holes, cargo, etc., and is dotted with dangers for workers to walk. Therefore, even when workers operate and browse their smartphones while walking around the premises, it is difficult to do so in many stations and urban areas. Just like using a smartphone while walking, it carries considerable risks. Additionally, at construction sites, workers are often on the phone while moving around, and even though they are not looking at the screen, there is a certain percentage of cases where this could lead to an accident. Furthermore, all smartphone apps released usually display usage restriction alerts for all regions and locations. In addition, there are workers who have installed apps that prohibit multiple activities and workers who have not.

[0046] Using the walking smartphone notification system 1, workers who have not installed the app will be notified by workers who have installed the app, and this system will encourage them to install it.

[0047] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. That is, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, combinations, subcombinations, and substitutions of the components of the above-described embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention or its equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0048] The present invention is applicable to a smartphone notification system for use while walking at a construction site or other site. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Walking smartphone notification system 11…Work site area 13...Gate device 21...Mobile terminal device 31...Cloud server 51...Operation unit 53…Communications Department 55...Bluetooth communication unit 57...Memory 59...Processing section

Claims

[Claim 1] a first step in which a gate device, at an entrance to a predetermined area, requests a user entering the predetermined area to set a first portable terminal device of the user to a state in which short-range communication with a second portable terminal device is possible; a second step in which the first mobile terminal device determines whether the second mobile terminal device has installed a smartphone while walking notification program while the first mobile terminal device is in a state in which the short-range communication is possible; a third step of causing the second mobile terminal device to output an output prompting the user to install the smartphone while walking notification program using the short-range communication when the first mobile terminal device determines that the smartphone while walking notification program has not been installed in the second step; and In the second mobile terminal device, based on the walking smartphone notification program, a function-on step of turning on a smartphone while walking notification function when it is determined that a first condition that the second mobile terminal device is located within a predetermined area is satisfied; a function-off step of turning off the walking smartphone notification function when it is determined that the first condition is no longer satisfied; is executed How to get notifications when walking with your smartphone.

Images