Information processing device, program, and location detection system

Abstract

To easily and as accurately as possible identify a receiver closest to a wireless tag.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: an interface that receives first information from a plurality of first receivers and that, when the plurality of first receivers receive second information from a wireless tag that transmits the second information as a radio wave signal at each first setting time, transmits the first information in which third information indicating the reception strength of the radio wave signal is added to the second information; a memory that stores the first information received by the interface; and a processor that estimates a first receiver closest to the wireless tag among the plurality of first receivers based on multiple pieces of first information stored in the memory during a second setting time longer than the first setting time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This embodiment relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, and a position detection system.

Background Art

[0002] As one of the positioning techniques indoors, a positioning method using the Received Signal Strength Identification (RSSI) of the radio wave transmitted by a wireless tag is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, there are cases where one radio wave transmitted by a wireless tag is received by a plurality of receivers. Indoors, the reception intensity of the radio wave at each receiver is not always the strongest at the receiver closest to the wireless tag due to the influence of obstacles and reflected waves.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a program, and a position detection system that can simply and accurately identify the receiver closest to the wireless tag.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing device according to the present invention is an interface for receiving first information from a plurality of first receivers, wherein the plurality of first receivers transmit first information, which is the second information with third information indicating the received strength of the radio signal attached to the second information, when they receive the second information from a wireless tag that transmits the second information as a radio signal at first set time intervals; a memory for storing the first information received by the interface; and a processor for estimating the second receiver, which is the first receiver closest to the wireless tag, among the plurality of first receivers, based on the plurality of first information stored in the memory during a second set time that is longer than the first set time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the receiver closest to the wireless tag can be easily and as accurately as possible identified. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a field to which the position detection system of the embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless tag according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the receiver configuration of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the server configuration in the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wireless tag in the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the receiver in the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server in the embodiment when it receives wireless tag data. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server in the embodiment, which processes wireless tag data stored in memory. [Figure 9]Figure 9 shows an example of location information output by the server in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The information processing device, program, and position detection system according to the embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0010] (Embodiment) Figure 1 shows an example of a field to which the position detection system of the embodiment is applied.

[0011] Field 1000 contains multiple users, each carrying a wireless tag 1. Field 1000 also has multiple receivers 2 installed to detect the location of the wireless tag 1 (more precisely, the location of the user carrying the wireless tag 1). The number of receivers 2, their spacing, and their locations can be arbitrarily determined by the administrator based on the desired location detection accuracy.

[0012] Here, as an example, Field 1000 is a floor in a building that includes rooms #A, #B, #C, conference room #A, and conference room #B. To detect the location of the wireless tag 1 on a room-by-room basis, one receiver 2 is installed in each of rooms #A, #B, #C, conference room #A, and conference room #B. Specifically, receiver 2-1 is installed in room #A, receiver 2-2 in room #B, receiver 2-3 in room #C, receiver 2-4 in conference room #A, and receiver 2-5 in conference room #B.

[0013] In the example shown in Figure 1, there are three users #a, #b, and #c in field 1000. User #a is in room #A and is carrying wireless tag 1-1. User #b is in conference room #B and is carrying wireless tag 1-2. User #c is in room #B and is carrying wireless tag 1-3.

[0014] Each wireless tag 1 is set with a unique ID. The ID set for each wireless tag 1 is referred to as a tag ID. Also, each receiver 2 is set with a unique ID. The ID set for each receiver 2 is referred to as a receiver ID.

[0015] A wireless router 3 is installed in the field 1000. The wireless router 3 is connected to the server 4 via the network 6. The server 4 is an example of an information processing device of the embodiment. The server 4 constitutes a position detection system of the embodiment together with the group of wireless tags 1 and the group of receivers 2.

[0016] Each wireless tag 1 transmits a radio wave signal having wireless tag data including the tag ID as a payload. The radio wave signal transmitted by each wireless tag 1 is also referred to as a beacon signal.

[0017] When each receiver 2 receives a radio wave signal from a nearby wireless tag 1, it transmits the wireless tag data carried as the radio wave signal to the server 4. When each receiver 2 transmits the wireless tag data to the server 4, it acquires the reception intensity of the radio wave from the wireless tag 1 that is the transmission source of the radio wave, and attaches the reception intensity information indicating the acquired reception intensity, its own receiver ID, and the reception time information indicating the reception time to the wireless tag data and transmits it.

[0018] The server 4 receives the wireless tag data via the wireless router 3 and the network 6. Based on the received wireless tag data, the server 4 estimates the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 that is the transmission source of the radio wave, and associates the position information of the receiver 2 obtained by the estimation with the wireless tag 1 that is the transmission source of the radio wave.

[0019] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the receivers 2 are installed in units of rooms. Therefore, for example, the name of the room is used as the position information of the receiver 2. Also, for example, each wireless tag 1 is associated with the user who carries it. In such a case, the server 4 associates the user with the name of the room in which the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 carried by the user is installed.

[0020] Any user, or any user with the necessary authorization, can connect terminal 5 to network 6 and send various requests from terminal 5 to server 4 via network 6. Terminal 5 is a computer terminal. In the example shown in Figure 1, two terminals 5-1 and 5-2 are connected to network 6, but the number of terminals 5 connected to server 4 via network 6 is not limited to two.

[0021] For example, a user can send a request from terminal 5 to server 4 to output the location information of all wireless tag 1s in field 1000 in order to know the location of all users carrying wireless tag 1s in field 1000.

[0022] The manner in which server 4 outputs location information is arbitrary. For example, server 4 may output a table on terminal 5's display screen showing the names of the rooms where each user is staying. An example of output by server 4 will be described later.

[0023] A radio wave emitted by a single wireless tag 1 at a given time may be received by multiple receivers 2. In the absence of shielding or reflection, the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 will receive the radio wave with the highest signal strength. However, in an indoor environment such as Field 1000, radio waves can be shielded or reflected by various objects. For example, the passage of other users between the wireless tag 1 and the receiver 2 can cause fluctuations in the signal strength received by the receiver 2 from the wireless tag 1. Therefore, it is not always the case that the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 will receive the radio wave with the highest signal strength.

[0024] Server 4 collects radio tag data from all receivers 2 for a predetermined period of time, and estimates which of the multiple receivers 2 is closest to radio tag 1, based on the collected radio tag data, so that it can easily and as accurately as possible identify the receiver 2 closest to radio tag 1 even in the situation described above.

[0025] More specifically, wireless tag 1 transmits wireless tag data at first set time intervals. If each wireless tag data is received by any receiver 2, that receiver 2 sends it to server 4 along with the received signal strength information, receiver ID, and received time information. If one wireless tag data is received by two or more receivers 2, each of those two or more receivers 2 sends that single wireless tag data to server 4 along with the received signal strength information. Server 4 collects wireless tag data for a second set time interval that is longer than the first set time interval. Server 4 identifies the receiver 2 closest to wireless tag 1 based on the number of wireless tag data collected per receiver and the average received signal strength of the collected wireless tag data per receiver. A more detailed explanation of the operations performed by server 4 will be given later.

[0026] In the example shown in Figure 1, Server 4 receives wireless tag data from each receiver 2 via the wireless router 3 and network 6. Server 4 may also be configured to receive wireless tag data directly from the receivers 2 without going through the wireless router 3 and network 6. Each receiver 2 and Server 4 may be connected wirelessly or via a wired connection.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the wireless tag 1 of the embodiment. The wireless tag 1 comprises a processor 10, a wireless module 11, a battery 12, a memory 13, and a display device 14.

[0028] The battery 12 is a power source that drives each element of the wireless tag 1, including the processor 10 and the wireless module 11.

[0029] The processor 10 is a circuit capable of performing various calculations. The processor 10 may consist of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a microcomputer unit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. The processor 10 controls each element of the wireless tag 1.

[0030] Memory 13 stores a program and various parameters. The parameters include, for example, a first setting time. The processor 10 controls each element of the wireless tag 1 according to the program stored in memory 13. The processor 10 uses the parameters stored in memory 13 as appropriate. Memory 13 may consist of one type of memory or a combination of multiple types of memory.

[0031] The display device 14 outputs various information to the user in a manner that is easily visible. The display device 14 may be a device that can only display a small amount of information, such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or it may be a device that can display a large amount of information, such as a liquid crystal display. Note that the wireless tag 1 does not necessarily have to be equipped with a display device 14.

[0032] The wireless module 11 is an interface device for communicating with a nearby receiver 2 via radio waves. The wireless module 11 includes a radio wave receiving device 11a that receives radio waves and a radio wave transmitting device 11b that transmits radio waves. The radio waves transmitted by the radio wave transmitting device 11b are used for detecting the position of the wireless tag 1.

[0033] The communication standard used by the wireless module 11 is not limited to a specific standard. For example, a low-power consumption standard such as BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) or ZigBee® could be adopted as the communication standard used by the wireless module 11.

[0034] The processor 10 generates wireless tag data at first set time intervals. The wireless tag data includes a tag ID, allowing a device that receives the wireless tag data to identify the wireless tag 1 that sent the data by the tag ID. The wireless tag data generated by the processor 10 is transmitted from the radio wave transmitter 11b.

[0035] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the receiver 2 of the embodiment. The receiver 2 comprises a processor 20, a wireless module 21, a wireless module 22, and a memory 23.

[0036] The wireless module 21 is an interface device for communicating with nearby wireless tags 1 via radio waves. The wireless module 21 includes a radio wave receiving device 21a that receives radio waves transmitted by the wireless tag 1, and a radio wave transmitting device 21b that transmits radio waves that can be received by the wireless tag 1.

[0037] The wireless module 22 is an interface device for communicating with a nearby wireless router 3 via radio waves. The wireless module 22 includes a radio wave receiving device 22a that receives radio waves transmitted by the wireless router 3, and a radio wave transmitting device 22b that transmits radio waves that can be received by the wireless router 3.

[0038] The communication standards used by the wireless module 22 are not limited to any specific standard. For example, the IEEE 802.11 standard could be adopted as the communication standard used by the wireless module 22.

[0039] The processor 20 is a circuit capable of performing various calculations. The processor 20 may consist of, for example, a CPU, a microcomputer unit, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. The processor 20 controls each element of the receiver 2.

[0040] For example, when the processor 20 receives wireless tag data transmitted from a wireless tag 1, it obtains the received signal strength of the radio waves carrying the wireless tag data from the radio wave receiving device 21a. The processor 20 then adds received signal strength information, received time information, and a receiver ID to the wireless tag data. The radio wave transmitting device 22b transmits the wireless tag data with the received signal strength information, received time information, and receiver ID added.

[0041] Memory 23 stores the program and various parameters. The processor 20 controls each element of the receiver 2 according to the program stored in memory 23. The processor 20 uses the parameters stored in memory 23 as appropriate.

[0042] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of server 4 in the embodiment.

[0043] Server 4 has a configuration capable of executing computer programs. Specifically, Server 4 includes a processor 40, a network interface 41, and memory 42.

[0044] The network interface 41 is an interface device for communication via the network 6. The network interface 41 is an example of an interface in this embodiment.

[0045] The processor 40 is a circuit capable of performing various calculations based on a computer program. The processor 40 is, for example, a CPU.

[0046] Memory 42 pre-stores a location detection program 421 and a database program 422, which are computer programs.

[0047] The processor 40 functions as a database that stores various information about each wireless tag 1 and each receiver 2, based on the database program 422. Hereafter, "database" refers to the database implemented by the processor 40 based on the database program 422.

[0048] Based on the location detection program 421, the processor 40 identifies the receiver 2 closest to each wireless tag 1, associates the location information of the identified receiver 2 with the wireless tag 1, receives requests from the terminal 5, and outputs information in response to those requests.

[0049] Next, the operation of the location management system of the first embodiment will be described.

[0050] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wireless tag 1 in the embodiment.

[0051] First, the processor 10 of the wireless tag 1 transmits wireless tag data, including the tag ID, from the radio transmission device 11b (S101). After S101, the processor 10 waits for a first set time (S102) and then executes the process of S101 again.

[0052] Therefore, the wireless tag 1 can transmit wireless tag data as a radio signal at first set time intervals.

[0053] The first setting time can be set arbitrarily. In one example, the first setting time is 3 seconds. The first setting time may be set by the manufacturer of the wireless tag 1 or by the administrator of the location detection system.

[0054] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the receiver 2 in the embodiment.

[0055] The processor 20 of receiver 2 can receive wireless tag data via the wireless module 21. The processor 20 determines whether or not it has received wireless tag data (S201). If it has not received wireless tag data (S201: No), the processor 20 repeats the process of S201.

[0056] When wireless tag data is received (S201: Yes), the processor 20 obtains the received signal strength of the radio waves that carried the wireless tag data (S202). Then, the processor 20 transmits the wireless tag data to the server 4 along with received signal strength information indicating the obtained received signal strength, received time information, and receiver ID (S203). The transmission of wireless tag data is performed via the wireless module 22.

[0057] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server 4 in the embodiment when it receives wireless tag data.

[0058] The processor 40 of server 4 can receive wireless tag data transmitted from receiver 2. The processor 40 determines whether or not it has received wireless tag data (S301). If wireless tag data has not been received (S301: No), the processor 40 repeats the process of S301.

[0059] If wireless tag data is received (S301: Yes), the processor 40 stores the wireless tag data in the memory 42 (S302). As a result, the memory 42 stores the wireless tag data.

[0060] After S302, the processor 40 executes the process of S301 again. Each wireless tag data received from receiver 2 and stored in memory 42 is associated with reception strength information indicating the reception strength at receiver 2 that received the wireless tag data, reception time information, and the receiver ID of receiver 2.

[0061] As mentioned above, a single wireless tag data transmitted by a single wireless tag 1 may be received by two or more receivers 2. The two or more receivers 2 that received the single wireless tag data individually transmit the data to the server 4, along with reception strength information, reception time information, and receiver ID, according to the operation shown in Figure 6. Therefore, the single wireless tag data transmitted by a single wireless tag 1 is multiplexed to the number of receivers 2 that received the data and received by the server 4. The server 4 then performs the operation shown in Figure 7 for each of these multiplexed wireless tag data.

[0062] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server 4 of the embodiment, which processes wireless tag data stored in memory 42.

[0063] The processor 40 of server 4 waits for a second set time after starting to store the wireless tag data in memory 42 (S401), and after the second set time has elapsed, it retrieves all the wireless tag data that has been stored in memory 42 up to that point (S402).

[0064] The processor 40 collects wireless tag data into memory 42 during the second set time period by processing S402. The second set time is sufficiently longer than the first set time. Therefore, the processor 40 can obtain a large amount of wireless tag data transmitted from wireless tag 1. The second set time is set arbitrarily. For example, if the first set time is set to 3 seconds, the second set time is set to 60 seconds. The second set time may be set by the manufacturer of the location detection program 421 or by the administrator of the location detection system.

[0065] In the S402 process, wireless tag data transmitted from various wireless tags 1 is acquired. The processor 40 selects one of the source wireless tags 1 (S403). Hereafter, the wireless tag 1 selected in the S403 process will be referred to as the target wireless tag 1.

[0066] The processor 40 calculates for each receiver 2 the number of wireless tag data transmitted from the target wireless tag 1 among the wireless tag data acquired in the processing of S402 (S404). Then, the processor 40 selects the receiver 2 that received the most wireless tag data transmitted from the target wireless tag 1 (S405).

[0067] As mentioned above, it is not always the case that the receiver 2 closest to the target wireless tag 1 among multiple receivers 2 will receive the radio waves with the highest received strength. However, if the period for collecting wireless tag data is extended, it is likely that the receiver 2 closer to the target wireless tag 1 will receive more wireless tag data transmitted from the target wireless tag 1. Therefore, the receiver 2 selected by the process in S405 can be considered a candidate for the receiver 2 closest to the target wireless tag 1 among the receivers 2 installed in field 1000.

[0068] After processing in S405, the processor 40 determines whether a single receiver 2 has been selected (S406). In other words, the processor 40 determines whether there is one candidate receiver 2 that is closest to the target wireless tag 1.

[0069] If no single receiver 2 is selected (S406: No), that is, if there are multiple candidates for receiver 2 that are closest to the target wireless tag 1, the processor 40 narrows down the candidates.

[0070] Although it is not guaranteed that receiver 2, which is closer to the target wireless tag 1, will receive the radio wave with a higher signal strength, if the number of wireless tag data used for the decision is increased, the average signal strength is likely to be higher for receiver 2, which is closer to the target wireless tag 1. Therefore, the candidates are narrowed down based on the average signal strength.

[0071] Specifically, the processor 40 calculates the average received signal strength of the wireless tag data transmitted from the target wireless tag 1 for each candidate receiver 2 (S407). Then, the processor 40 selects the receiver 2 with the highest average received signal strength of the wireless tag data transmitted from the target wireless tag 1 from among the candidate receivers 2 (S408).

[0072] After processing in S408, the processor 40 determines whether a single receiver 2 has been selected (S409). In other words, the processor 40 determines whether it has been able to narrow down the number of candidates for the receiver 2 closest to the target wireless tag 1 to one.

[0073] If no single receiver 2 is selected (S409: No), the processor 40 further narrows down the candidates.

[0074] The processor 40 extracts the maximum received signal strength of the wireless tag data transmitted from the target wireless tag 1 for each candidate receiver 2 (S410). Then, the processor 40 selects the receiver 2 with the highest maximum received signal strength (S411). Finally, the processor 40 determines whether a single receiver 2 has been selected or not (S412).

[0075] If no single receiver 2 is selected (S412: No), the processor 40 further selects a candidate receiver 2 that last received the radio tag data transmitted from the target radio tag 1 (S413).

[0076] If a single receiver 2 is selected (S406:Yes, S409:Yes, or S412:Yes), or after S413, the processor 40 considers the remaining candidates to be the radio tag 1 closest to the target radio tag 1. That is, the processor 40 associates the selected receiver 2 with the target radio tag 1 and registers it in the database (S414).

[0077] Then, the processor 40 determines whether or not there are any unselected wireless tags 1 remaining among the wireless tag 1 that are the source of the wireless tag data acquired in the processing of S402 (S415).

[0078] If there are any unselected wireless tags 1 remaining (S415: Yes), the processor 40 selects one of the unselected wireless tags 1 as the new target wireless tag 1 (S403).

[0079] If there are no unselected wireless tags remaining (S415: No), the system waits for the second set time (S401), and during that time, the received wireless tag data is stored in memory 42.

[0080] In this way, at every second set time interval, the processor 40 registers each wireless tag 1 in the database, associating it with the location information of the nearest receiver 2.

[0081] In the example above, filtering based on the number of received signals (S405), filtering based on the average signal strength (S408), filtering based on the maximum signal strength (S411), and filtering based on the reception time (S413) were performed in this order. Filtering based on the number of received signals and filtering based on the average signal strength may be performed in the reverse order. Alternatively, only one of the filtering based on the number of received signals or the filtering based on the average signal strength may be performed. If, after either or both of the filtering based on the number of received signals and the filtering based on the average signal strength have been performed, the candidates cannot be narrowed down to one, filtering based on the maximum signal strength, filtering based on the reception time, or both may be performed. If the candidates cannot be narrowed down to one by filtering based on the number of received signals, filtering based on the average signal strength, or both, further filtering may be performed by any method different from the above.

[0082] When the processor 40 receives a request for location information from the terminal 5, it can output the requested location information.

[0083] When location information for all wireless tags 1 is requested, the processor 40 outputs, for example, Table 100 shown in Figure 9. The example of Table 100 shown in Figure 9 follows the example explained using Figure 1.

[0084] For example, the database contains the name of the room in which each receiver 2 is installed as its location information. In other words, Room #A is pre-registered as the location information for receiver 2-1, Room #B as the location information for receiver 2-2, Room #C as the location information for receiver 2-3, Conference Room #A as the location information for receiver 2-4, and Conference Room #B as the location information for receiver 2-5.

[0085] Furthermore, the database already has user #a registered as the user carrying wireless tag 1-1, user #b registered as the user carrying wireless tag 1-2, and user #c registered as the user carrying wireless tag 1-3.

[0086] Table 100 includes rows for each user carrying the wireless tag 1, each containing a region 101 where the username is displayed and a region 102 where the location is displayed.

[0087] The processor 40 identifies receiver 2-5 as the receiver 2 closest to wireless tag 1-1. User #a is pre-registered in the database as the user carrying wireless tag 1-1, and conference room #B is pre-registered as the location information for receiver 2-5. Therefore, in a certain row 111, the processor 40 displays user #a in area 101 and conference room #B in area 102.

[0088] The processor 40 identifies receiver 2-1 as the receiver 2 closest to wireless tag 1-2. User #b is already registered in the database as the user carrying wireless tag 1-2, and room #A is registered as the location information for receiver 2-1. Therefore, in another row 112, the processor 40 displays user #b in area 101 and room #A in area 102.

[0089] The processor 40 identifies receiver 2-2 as the receiver 2 closest to wireless tag 1-3. User #c is already registered in the database as the user carrying wireless tag 1-3, and room #B is registered as the location information for receiver 2-2. Therefore, in another row 113, the processor 40 displays user #c in area 101 and room #B in area 102.

[0090] Furthermore, the processor 40 can generate arbitrary information based on the information registered in the database and add it to the table 100 for display. In the example shown in Figure 9, each row includes an area 103 that displays the time spent continuously at the current location.

[0091] The database registers the location information of the receiver 2 closest to each wireless tag 1 at every second set time interval. Therefore, the processor 40 can calculate the time that the wireless tag 1 has remained in its current location continuously. The processor 40 calculates the time that the wireless tag 1 has remained in its current location continuously and outputs the calculated time in association with the user carrying the wireless tag 1.

[0092] For example, from Table 100 shown in Figure 9, it can be seen that user #a has been in conference room #B for 30 minutes, user #b has been in room #A for 1 hour, and user #c has been in room #B for 1 hour.

[0093] Furthermore, the method of outputting location information by the processor 40 is not limited to outputting to the display device of the terminal 5. The processor 40 may output location information data to a storage device inside or outside the server 4, or it may output location information to paper media via a printer or the like.

[0094] Furthermore, the above describes an example in which the location of each wireless tag 1 is identified on a floor of a building. The location detection system of this embodiment is applicable to any indoor or outdoor field.

[0095] For example, in a physical store, the store floor may be divided into multiple sections, and a receiver 2 may be installed in each section. Alternatively, a receiver 2 may be installed on each product shelf. Customers who visit the store may be given a wireless tag 1 to carry. By using this location detection system, managers can analyze which sections or shelves are crowded, which sections or shelves have popular products, and which sections or shelves have unpopular products.

[0096] As described above, according to the embodiment, the wireless tag 1 transmits wireless tag data at first set time intervals. When multiple receivers 2 receive wireless tag data, they transmit the received wireless tag data along with reception strength information. When the processor 40 of the server 4 receives wireless tag data via the network interface 41, it stores the wireless tag data in the memory 42. Based on the multiple wireless tag data stored in the memory 42 during a second set time period which is longer than the first set time, the processor 40 estimates which of the multiple receivers 2 is closest to the wireless tag 1.

[0097] Even if shielding or reflections prevent receiver 2 from receiving the radio waves with a higher signal strength than receiver 2, which is closer to the target radio tag 1, extending the period for collecting radio tag data and estimating the receiver 2 closest to radio tag 1 based on a large amount of radio tag data allows for a more accurate estimation of the receiver 2 closest to radio tag 1 compared to estimating it based on a single radio tag data transmitted from radio tag 1. Furthermore, it allows for a simpler estimation of the receiver 2 closest to radio tag 1.

[0098] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the processor 40 calculates the number of wireless tag data received by each receiver 2 based on the wireless tag data stored in the memory 42, and selects the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 based on the calculated number of wireless tag data received by each receiver 2.

[0099] Therefore, the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 can be easily estimated without performing complex calculations.

[0100] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, if there is only one receiver 2 with the largest number of received wireless tag data, the processor 40 selects the receiver 2 with the largest number of received wireless tag data as the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1.

[0101] Therefore, the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 can be easily estimated without performing complex calculations.

[0102] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the processor 40 calculates the average value of the received signal strength of the wireless tag data for each receiver 2 based on the wireless tag data stored in the memory 42, and selects the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 based on the calculated average value for each receiver 2.

[0103] Therefore, the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 can be easily estimated without performing complex calculations.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, if there is only one receiver 2 with the highest average received signal strength, the processor 40 selects the receiver 2 with the highest average received signal strength as the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1.

[0105] Therefore, the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 can be easily estimated without performing complex calculations.

[0106] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the processor 40 extracts the maximum value of the received signal strength of the wireless tag data for each receiver 2 based on the wireless tag data stored in the memory 42, and selects the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 based on the extracted maximum value for each receiver 2.

[0107] Therefore, the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 can be easily estimated without performing complex calculations.

[0108] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the processor 40 selects the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 based on the reception time information.

[0109] Therefore, the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1 can be easily estimated without performing complex calculations.

[0110] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the processor 40 outputs the location information of the receiver 2, which is estimated to be the receiver 2 closest to the wireless tag 1, in association with the wireless tag 1.

[0111] Therefore, it becomes possible to identify and output the location of wireless tag 1 using a simple algorithm.

[0112] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the location detection program 421, which is a computer program, causes the server 4, which is a computer, to perform the steps of: receiving wireless tag data and storing the wireless tag data in memory 42; and estimating which of the multiple receivers 2 is closest to the wireless tag 1 based on the multiple wireless tag data stored in memory 42 during a second setting period that is longer than the first setting period.

[0113] The position detection program 421 may be provided pre-stored in memory 42. The position detection program 421 may also be configured to be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), Flexible Disc (FD), CD-R (Recordable), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or SD (Secure Digital) card.

[0114] Furthermore, the location detection program 421 may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by allowing users to download it via the network. Alternatively, the location detection program 421 may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0115] Furthermore, in the embodiment, it was explained that the processor 40 executes the position detection program 421 to realize the series of operations illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. Some or all of the operations described as being realized by the processor 40 may be realized by logic circuits. Some or all of the operations described as being realized by the processor 40 may be realized by an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.

[0116] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0117] 1 Wireless tag, 2 Receiver, 3 Wireless router, 4 Server, 5 Terminal, 6 Network, 10 Processor, 11 Wireless module, 11a Radio wave receiver, 11b Radio wave transmitter, 12 Battery, 13 Memory, 14 Display device, 20 Processor, 21 Wireless module, 21a Radio wave receiver, 21b Radio wave transmitter, 22 Wireless module, 22a Radio wave receiver, 22b Radio wave transmitter, 23 Memory, 40 Processor, 41 Network interface, 42 Memory, 100 Table, 101, 102, 103 Area, 111, 112, 113 Row, 421 Location detection program, 422 Database program, 1000 Field.

Claims

1. An interface for receiving first information from a plurality of first receivers, wherein the plurality of first receivers transmit second information, including identification information of their own tag, as a radio signal from a radio tag at first set intervals, and when the second information is received from the radio tag, the interface transmits the first information, which includes third information indicating the received strength of the radio signal and a receiver ID, which is the identification information of each of the plurality of first receivers, attached to the second information. A memory that stores the first information received by the interface, A processor that estimates the second receiver, which is the first receiver closest to the wireless tag among the plurality of first receivers, based on a plurality of first pieces of information stored in the memory during a second set time that is longer than the first set time, calculates the number of second pieces of information received by each first receiver based on the first pieces of information stored in the memory, and selects the second receiver based on the calculated number received by each first receiver. An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The processor, if there is one first receiver with the largest number of received second pieces of information, selects the first receiver with the largest number of received second pieces of information as the second receiver. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned processor, Based on the first information stored in the memory, the average value of the received intensity of the radio wave signal is calculated for each first receiver, and the second receiver is selected based on the calculated average value for each first receiver. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The processor selects the first receiver with the highest average value as the second receiver if there is only one such receiver. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The processor further extracts the maximum value of the received signal strength for each of the first receivers based on the first information stored in the memory, and selects the second receiver based on the extracted maximum value for each of the first receivers. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 3.

6. Each of the plurality of first receivers transmits the received second information by adding the third information and a fourth information indicating the reception time to it, as the first information. The processor further selects the second receiver based on the reception time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 3.

7. The processor outputs the location information of the first receiver in association with the wireless tag. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. On the computer, A step of storing first information received from a plurality of first receivers in a memory, wherein the plurality of first receivers transmit second information, including identification information of their own tags, as a radio signal from a radio tag at first set time intervals, and when the plurality of first receivers receive the second information from the radio tag, they transmit the first information with third information indicating the received strength of the radio signal and receiver IDs, which are the identification information of each of the plurality of first receivers, attached to the second information; The steps include: estimating the second receiver, which is the first receiver closest to the wireless tag among the plurality of first receivers, based on the plurality of first information stored in the memory during a second setting time that is longer than the first setting time; Based on the first information stored in the memory, the number of second pieces of information received by each first receiver is calculated, and the second receiver is selected based on the calculated number of pieces of information received by each first receiver. A program that executes the command.

9. A wireless tag that transmits second information, including its own tag identification information, as a radio signal at first set intervals, A plurality of first receivers, upon receiving the second information from the wireless tag, transmit first information to the received second information, which includes a third information indicating the received strength of the radio signal and a receiver ID, which is the identification information of each of the plurality of first receivers. An information processing device comprising: an interface for receiving the first information from a plurality of first receivers; a memory for storing the first information received by the interface; and a processor that estimates the second receiver, which is the first receiver closest to the wireless tag among the plurality of first receivers, based on the plurality of first information stored in the memory during a second setting time that is longer than the first setting time; calculates the number of second information received by each first receiver based on the first information stored in the memory; and selects the second receiver based on the calculated number received by each first receiver. A location detection system equipped with the following features.

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