Control method

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of grasping a position without using a battery.SOLUTION: A signal transmitting device generates electricity using a power generating device that generates electricity by bodily actions, becomes operable by being supplied with the generated electricity, and transmits a signal indicating predetermined identification information. A signal receiving device stores the identification information indicated by the signal received from the signal transmitting device and the time when the identification information was received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , ,

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a control method.

Background Art

[0002] When infants, children, or wandering elderly people with dementia get lost, it is not easy to search without any clues. Therefore, numerous technologies have been devised. Such technologies include, for example, a technology for grasping a position by communicating between a master device, a slave device, and a server equipped with an electronic tag, and a technology in which a radio wave sensor or the like can be embedded in shoes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the prior art, battery installation and battery charging are required. Therefore, when communication is required and the battery runs out, communication cannot be performed. Further, in the prior art, maintenance costs such as battery replacement and charging occur.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technology capable of grasping a position without using a battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In the control method of the embodiment, the signal transmission device generates power by a power generation device that generates power by the action of the body, and becomes operable when the generated power is supplied, and transmits a signal indicating predetermined identification information. The signal reception device stores the identification information indicated by the signal received from the signal transmission device and the time when the identification information was received. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall configuration of the location tracking system. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the arrangement of signal receiving devices. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example configuration of a signal transmission device. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of how a signal transmitting device is installed. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of how a signal transmitting device is installed. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example configuration of a signal receiving device. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a receiving database. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example configuration of a control device. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of a transmission and reception database. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of a contact database. [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example of a receiving device database. [Figure 12] An example of a warning screen is shown in the diagram. [Figure 13] A sequence diagram showing the control method of the position tracking system. [Figure 14] A flowchart showing the process for displaying the history list. [Figure 15] A diagram showing an example of the history list screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] In this embodiment, the control method makes it possible to determine the position without using a battery. The control method of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0009] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the location tracking system 10 according to this embodiment. The location tracking system 10 consists of a management device 100, a signal transmitting device 200, and signal receiving devices 300-1, ..., 300-N (where N is an integer of 1 or more). In the following description, unless otherwise distinguished, each of the signal receiving devices 300-1, ..., 300-N will be referred to as signal receiving device 300.

[0010] In Figure 1, the signal transmitter 200 is attached to a person's foot. The person to whom it is attached is assumed to be, for example, a child or an elderly person. The signal transmitter 200 is an active RFID tag that uses, for example, the 950MHz band and has a communication range of several meters to several hundred meters, and the signal receiver 300 is an RFID reader that receives signals transmitted by the active RFID tag. The management device 100 and the signal receiver 300 can communicate via a network NW. The network NW consists of the internet, a mobile phone line, and a LAN, etc.

[0011] Figure 2 shows an example of the arrangement of the signal receiving device 300. In Figure 2, signal receiving devices 300 (in-area receiving devices) are shown by white circles, signal receiving devices 300 (out-area receiving devices) are shown by black circles, and an area is defined. The area represents, for example, the inside of a facility (amusement park, theme park, nursing home, etc.). In-area receiving devices are installed within the area, and out-area receiving devices are installed outside the area. The out-area receiving devices are assumed to be installed at a distance where they cannot receive signals transmitted by the signal transmitting device 200 located within the area. In this case, if a signal is received by the out-area receiving device, it indicates that a person has moved outside the area. Therefore, according to the arrangement example shown in Figure 2, it is possible to detect when a person is outside the area.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the signal transmission device 200. In FIG. 2, the signal transmission device 200 includes a vibration power generation unit 210 and a signal transmission unit 220. The vibration power generation unit 210 generates electric power by using electromagnetic induction, electrostatic induction, magnetostrictive effect, or piezoelectric effect due to the action of the body, and supplies power to the signal transmission unit 220. The signal transmission unit 220 becomes operable when power is supplied, and transmits a signal indicating predetermined identification information. The predetermined identification information is identification information uniquely assigned to each of the signal transmission devices 200. In the following description, the predetermined identification information is expressed as "transmission device ID". The transmission device ID is stored in the signal transmission device 200 in advance.

[0013] FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing mounting examples of the signal transmission device 200. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a mounting example in which the signal transmission device 200 is mounted on a shoe. A vibration power generation unit 210 composed of piezoelectric elements is provided on the shoe sole. In this case, every time a person's action affects the shoe, such as every time the person walks, power is generated, and the transmission device ID is transmitted each time.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a mounting example in which the signal transmission device 200 is mounted on a key holder. A vibration power generation unit 210 that generates electric power by electromagnetic induction or electrostatic induction is provided on the key holder worn by a person. In this case, every time the person's action affects the key holder, such as every time the key holder moves due to the person's action, power is generated, and the transmission device ID is transmitted each time.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the signal receiving device 300. The signal receiving device 300 includes a signal receiving unit 310, a transfer unit 320, and a database 330. The signal receiving unit 310 receives a signal indicating the transmitter ID transmitted from the signal transmitting device 200. The signal receiving unit 310 outputs the transmitter ID to the transfer unit 320. The transfer unit 320 transmits the receiver ID, the transmitter ID, and the reception date and time to the management device 100. Here, the receiver ID is an example of specific information for identifying the signal receiving device 300, and is uniquely assigned to each signal receiving device 300. The receiver ID is stored in the signal receiving device 300 in advance. In this way, the signal receiving device 300 transmits specific identification information including specific information for identifying the signal receiving device 300, the transmitter ID, and the reception date and time when the transmitter ID was received to the management device 100.

[0016] A reception database is stored in the database 330. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the reception database. The reception database is composed of the transmitter ID and the reception date and time. The transmitter ID indicates the transmitter ID received by the signal receiving device 300. The reception date and time indicates the date and time (yyyymmddhhmm) when the transmitter ID was received. In FIG. 7, only the transmitter ID "33475" is shown, but it is stored for each received transmitter ID.

[0017] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of the management device 100. The management device 100 consists of a receiving unit 401, a warning unit 402, a warning determination unit 403, a search unit 404, and a display unit 405. The receiving unit 401 receives specific identification information from each signal receiving device 300. The warning unit 402 issues a warning when it receives specific identification information from a predetermined signal receiving device 300 among the signal receiving devices 300. Here, the predetermined signal receiving device 300 is, for example, the out-of-area receiving device shown in Figure 2. In this case, the warning is that a person has been detected outside the area. The warning determination unit 403 determines whether the signal receiving device 300 that received the specific identification information is the predetermined signal receiving device 300. In the following explanation, the "predetermined signal receiving device 300" may be referred to as the out-of-area receiving device described above. Also, signal receiving devices 300 other than the "predetermined signal receiving device 300" may be referred to as the in-area receiving devices described above.

[0018] The search unit 404 searches the database 406 to display a history list showing the time when a transmitter ID was received from a signal transmitter 200, as specified by the user, and specific information indicating the signal receiving device 300 that received the transmitter ID from the signal receiving device 200. The display unit 405 displays the above-mentioned warnings and history list.

[0019] Database 406 stores a transmit / receive database, a contact database, and a receiving device database. Figure 9 shows an example of the transmit / receive database. The transmit / receive database consists of a receiving device ID, a transmitting device ID, and a reception date and time. The receiving device ID is the receiving device ID that indicates the signal receiving device 300 that transmitted the specific identification information. The transmitting device ID is the transmitting device ID indicated in the specific identification information. The reception date and time is the transmitting device ID indicated in the specific identification information. This shows that the location of the signal transmitting device 200 is a location where radio waves can be received by the signal receiving device 300 indicated by the receiving device ID.

[0020] Figure 10 shows an example of a contact database. The contact database consists of a transmitter ID, a name, and contact information. The transmitter ID indicates the transmitter ID of the signal receiving device 300 attached to the person indicated by the name. The contact information is the contact information of a person related to the person indicated by the name (e.g., a guardian). In Figure 10, a telephone number is shown as an example, but any contactable information such as an email address is acceptable.

[0021] Figure 11 shows an example of a receiver database. The receiver database consists of a receiver ID, location information, and area information. The location information indicates the location of the signal receiver 300 indicated by the receiver ID. The location is indicated by (longitude, latitude) as shown in Figure 11, for example. The area information indicates whether the signal receiver 300 indicated by the receiver ID is a signal receiver 300 within the area. If the signal receiver 300 is within the area, it is indicated with "○", and if the signal receiver 300 is outside the area, it is indicated with "×". A signal receiver 300 indicated with "×" is an out-of-area receiver.

[0022] Figure 12 shows an example of a warning screen 500 displayed by the display unit 405. The warning screen 500 displays the detection date and time, the receiving device ID, the transmitting device ID, the person's name, and contact information. The detection date and time indicates the date and time (yyyymmddhhmm) when the signal was received by the signal receiving device 300 indicated by the receiving device ID. The receiving device ID indicates the signal receiving device 300 that received the signal. The transmitting device ID indicates the signal transmitting device 200 that transmitted the signal received by the signal receiving device 300 indicated by the receiving device ID. The name indicates the name of the person wearing the signal transmitting device 200 indicated by the transmitting device ID. The contact information is the contact information of a person related to the person indicated by the name.

[0023] This allows for immediate identification of a person's name and contact information if they move outside the designated area, enabling contact with relevant parties. Furthermore, the location can be determined from the receiver ID, allowing for an understanding of the person's approximate location. The receiver database provides both east longitude and north latitude, allowing the location to be displayed on a map.

[0024] Each of the functions shown in Figures 6 and 8 above is realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory (a storage device with a non-transient storage medium), or it may be stored in a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM (a non-transient storage medium) and installed when the storage medium is inserted into a drive device.

[0025] Figure 13 is a sequence diagram showing the control method of the position tracking system 10. In Figure 13, signal receiver 300-1 is an in-area receiver, and signal receiver 300-N is an out-of-area receiver. Signal transmitter 200 transmits a transmitter ID (ACT102) by generating power through human action (ACT101). When signal receiver 300-1 receives the transmitter ID, it stores the transmitter ID and the reception date and time in the reception database (ACT103).

[0026] The signal receiving device 300-1 transmits specific identification information to the management device 100 (ACT104). The management device 100 stores the specific identification information in the transmission / reception database (ACT105). The management device 100 searches the receiving device database using the receiving device ID contained in the received specific identification information to determine whether the signal receiving device 300-1 indicated by the receiving device ID is an in-area receiving device (ACT106). As described above, the signal receiving device 300-1 is an in-area receiving device, so the determination result is OK (ACT107).

[0027] Assume that a person has moved to a position where the signal receiving device 300-N can receive the signal. The signal transmitting device 200 generates electricity through the person's actions (ACT108) and transmits the transmitting device ID (ACT109). When the signal receiving device 300-N receives the transmitting device ID, it stores the transmitting device ID and the reception date and time in the reception database (ACT110).

[0028] The signal receiving device 300-N transmits specific identification information to the management device 100 (ACT111). The management device 100 stores the specific identification information in the transmission / reception database (ACT112). The management device 100 searches the receiving device database using the receiving device ID contained in the received specific identification information to determine whether the signal receiving device 300-N indicated by the receiving device ID is an in-area receiving device or not (ACT113). As described above, the signal receiving device 300-N is an out-of-area receiving device, so the determination result is NG (ACT114). Because the determination result is NG, the management device 100 displays the warning screen shown in Figure 12 (ACT115).

[0029] Next, the process for displaying the history list described above will be explained. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process for displaying the history list. In Figure 14, the management device 100 receives a transmission device ID from the user that indicates the signal transmission device 200 worn by the person to be found (ACT201). Methods of specification here include specifying the transmission device ID using a keyboard (not shown) or specifying it via the network NW. The management device 100 searches the receiving device database using the specified transmission device ID (ACT202). As a result, the management device 100 can extract the receiving device ID and reception date and time corresponding to the specified transmission device ID. The management device 100 displays the extracted receiving device ID and reception date and time as a history list (ACT203).

[0030] Figure 15 shows an example of the history list screen 600 displayed by the display unit 405. The history list screen 600 displays the name (〇〇 △△), the receiving device ID, and the reception date and time. The name is the name identified by the specified transmitting device ID. The receiving device ID indicates the signal receiving device 300 that received the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting device 200 indicated by the specified transmitting device ID. The reception date and time indicates the date and time (yyyymmddhhmm) when the signal was received by the signal receiving device 300 indicated by the receiving device ID.

[0031] This allows the location of the designated signal transmitter 200 to be traced, making it possible to determine the location of a person. Furthermore, since the longitude and latitude can be obtained from the receiving device database, the locations may be displayed on a map by connecting them with arrows in chronological order.

[0032] As described above, this embodiment provides a technology that allows location to be determined without using batteries. Furthermore, with this embodiment, the battery will not run out when communication is required. In addition, with this embodiment, maintenance costs such as battery replacement or charging will not be incurred.

[0033] In this embodiment, an RFID system is used for communication between the signal transmitting device 200 and the signal receiving device 300. However, any communication-capable system, such as Bluetooth® or wireless LAN, may be used. Furthermore, while this embodiment uses examples of attachment to shoes and keychains, any device that is subject to human interaction may be used.

[0034] 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 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 and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 10 Location tracking system, 100 Management device, 200 Signal transmission device, 210 Vibration power generation unit, 220 Signal transmission unit, 300, 300-1, 300-N Signal receiving device, 310 Signal receiving unit, 320 Transfer unit, 330, 406 Database, 401 Receiving unit, 402 Warning unit, 403 Warning judgment unit, 404 Search unit, 405 Display unit, 500 Warning screen, 600 History list screen

Claims

1. A control method for a signal transmission and reception system, comprising a signal transmission device, a plurality of signal receiving devices that receive signals transmitted from the signal transmission device, and a management device capable of communicating with the signal receiving devices, The signal transmitting device is It is a power generation device that is attached to a person's body and generates electricity in response to the movement of the body, The device becomes operational when power is supplied, and transmits a signal indicating predetermined identification information. The aforementioned signal receiving device is The system stores the identification information indicated in the signal received from the signal transmitting device and the time at which the identification information was received. The signal receiving device transmits to the management device specific identification information, which includes specific information for identifying the signal receiving device and the identification information. When the management device receives the specific identification information from a predetermined signal receiving device among the signal receiving devices, it displays a warning screen including contact information that has been pre-registered and associated with the identification information. A control method wherein the contact information is not that of the person to whom the signal transmitting device is attached, but rather the contact information of someone related to that person.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the specific identification information further includes the time at which the identification information contained in the specific identification information was received.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the power generation device is composed of piezoelectric elements arranged on the sole of the shoe.

4. The control method according to claim 2, wherein the management device displays the time at which the identification information was received from one of the signal transmitting devices, and specific information indicating the signal receiving device that received the identification information from the one of the signal transmitting devices.

5. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the power generation device generates electricity by vibrations caused by the action of the body.

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