JP2011023798A - System and method for providing location information, and positioning integrated device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch devices for detecting the location of a user seamlessly moving indoors and outdoors at proper timing. <P>SOLUTION: A location information providing system includes a mobile terminal and a positioning integrated device connected to the mobile terminal via a network. The location information providing system holds information about a positioning method for use in each of a plurality of areas, and the positioning integrated device determines a current location of the mobile terminal on the basis of information showing the location of the mobile terminal in response to reception of a current location acquisition request from the mobile terminal and determines whether the mobile terminal approaches a second area on the basis of information showing the location of the mobile terminal in the case of the mobile terminal being located in a first area and, in the case that it is determined that the mobile terminal approaches the second area, acquires information about a positioning method for use in the second area and transmits the acquired information to the mobile terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a position measurement technique for a mobile terminal, and more particularly to a position measurement technique that can be used indoors and outdoors seamlessly.

  In recent years, a technique for measuring the position of a mobile terminal has been proposed in order to provide various services using the position information of the mobile terminal.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for appropriately switching a base station to be used when measuring the position of a mobile terminal using a plurality of base stations. As a result, more accurate positioning can be realized.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a moving body position detection system using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). According to this system, when a certain relay station receives a signal transmitted from a portable wireless terminal in the area of the relay station, the signal is relayed by another relay station, and finally the terminal for position detection To reach. When the portable wireless terminal moves to another area, the relay station that receives or relays the signal is switched.

JP 2006-295664 A JP 2007-124138 A

  In order to provide a service that uses location information to users who move indoors and outdoors seamlessly, regardless of whether the user is indoors or outdoors, the location of the mobile terminal carried by the user It is necessary to measure. However, the optimum positioning method varies depending on the environment of the mobile terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is outdoors, positioning can be performed using GPS (Global Positioning System). However, if the mobile terminal moves indoors and radio waves from GPS satellites do not reach the mobile terminal, positioning by GPS cannot be performed. On the other hand, for example, if a base station such as a wireless LAN is installed indoors, positioning by those base stations can be performed indoors.

  In order for one mobile terminal to use a plurality of positioning methods as described above, the mobile terminal needs to include a device for using these positioning methods. For example, in order to use GPS, the mobile terminal needs to include a GPS positioning device. Furthermore, in order to use the wireless LAN, it is necessary to provide an apparatus for the mobile terminal to communicate with the wireless LAN base station. However, always supplying power to all those devices increases the power consumption of the mobile terminal. Usually, since the power of the mobile terminal is supplied from a battery, an increase in power consumption leads to a reduction in battery duration, thereby reducing user convenience. In order to reduce power consumption, it is desirable to control power supply to each of the above devices according to the environment of the mobile terminal. However, in the case of GPS, for example, since positioning accuracy generally decreases in the vicinity of a building, it is difficult to control power supply at an appropriate timing.

  Furthermore, in order to use positioning by a base station such as a wireless LAN, the mobile terminal needs to communicate with the base station. However, the mobile terminal cannot communicate with the base station without obtaining information such as the identifier of the base station.

  A typical example of the present invention is as follows. That is, a location information providing system comprising a mobile terminal and a positioning integration device connected to the mobile terminal via a network, wherein the location information providing system is information indicating the location of the mobile terminal And positioning information used in each of the plurality of areas, the information relating to the positioning method includes information for identifying the positioning method used in each of the plurality of areas, and the positioning method When predetermined information is required for using the positioning method, the information on the positioning method further includes information necessary for using the positioning method, and the plurality of regions include the first region and the second region. The positioning integration device includes an interface connected to the network, a processor connected to the interface, and a processor. A storage device connected to the mobile terminal, and when receiving a current location acquisition request from the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal determines a current position based on information indicating the position of the mobile terminal, and the movement When the mobile terminal is located in the first area, it is determined whether the mobile terminal has approached the second area based on information indicating the position of the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal When it is determined that the vehicle has approached the second area, information on a positioning method used in the second area is acquired, and the acquired information is transmitted to the mobile terminal.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a service using location information without interruption to a user who moves seamlessly indoors and outdoors while suppressing power consumption of a mobile terminal.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the location information service system of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the positioning integration server of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile terminal of embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the communication performed in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the positional information which a positioning integration server receives in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of positioning log | history DB of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the RFID coordinate data of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of present location DB of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the data which the positioning method DB server of embodiment of this invention transmits. It is explanatory drawing of route DB of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the route search result data contained in route DB of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the graphic data contained in route DB of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the node data for a search contained in root DB of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the link data for search contained in route DB of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of schedule DB of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the schedule data contained in schedule DB of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st process in which the positioning recording management part of embodiment of this invention determines a present location. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd process in which the positioning recording management part of embodiment of this invention determines a present location. It is a flowchart which shows the 3rd process in which the positioning recording management part of embodiment of this invention determines a present location. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the positioning record management part of embodiment of this invention determines a present location based on a positioning history.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a location information service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The location information service system of this embodiment includes one or more mobile terminals 101, a plurality of environment-side positioning devices 100, a positioning integration server 102, an application server 103, and one or more positioning method database (DB) servers 104. Is provided. One or more mobile terminals 101 and a plurality of environment-side positioning devices 100 are connected to a positioning integration server 102 and an application server 103 via a network 111, respectively. One or more positioning technique DB servers 104 are connected to the positioning integration server 102 via the network 111.

  The mobile terminal 101 is a portable terminal having a positioning function and a communication function. For example, the mobile terminal 101 may be a computer carried by the user or a mobile phone. The configuration of the mobile terminal 101 will be described later (see FIG. 3). In the following description, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 101 is always carried by the user. Therefore, in the following description, the position of the user is synonymous with the position of the mobile terminal 101, and the movement of the user is synonymous with the movement of the mobile terminal 101.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of positioning systems for measuring the position of the mobile terminal 101 are provided. The positioning method used in each positioning system may be a method in which the mobile terminal 101 itself measures the position of the mobile terminal 101, or a device (see FIG. 1) installed around the mobile terminal 101. In the example, the environment side positioning device 100) may measure the position of the mobile terminal 101.

  For example, the mobile terminal 101 of this embodiment can calculate the coordinates of the current position of the mobile terminal 101 using a signal for positioning by GPS, that is, positioning received from a satellite.

  Further, for example, the mobile terminal 101 itself of the present embodiment can transmit a positioning signal. For example, the environment-side positioning device 100 can calculate the coordinates of the position of the mobile terminal 101 based on the time at which the plurality of environment-side positioning devices 100 received signals transmitted from the mobile terminal 101. In this case, the environment-side positioning device 100 may be, for example, a wireless LAN or a UWB (Ultra Wide Band) base station.

  In the following description, a signal transmitted from the satellite or mobile terminal 101 for positioning is referred to as a positioning signal. A positioning signal transmitted by a GPS satellite is also referred to as a GPS signal.

  Alternatively, the mobile terminal 101 receives a positioning signal from a peripheral device (for example, the environment side positioning device 100) and inquires the peripheral device of the reception result, so that the mobile terminal 101 itself does not perform coordinate calculation. The coordinates of the position of the mobile terminal 101 may be acquired.

  Furthermore, the mobile terminal 101 may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. In that case, at least one of the environment side positioning devices 100 may be an RFID reader. When the RFID reader reads the RFID of the mobile terminal 101, the position of the RFID reader can be handled as an approximate position of the mobile terminal 101 at the time of reading. For example, if RFID readers are installed at the entrance of a building and the entrance of each room in the building, it is possible to know when the mobile terminal 101 has passed through those entrances.

  In any case, the mobile terminal 101 needs to include (or add to) the information for identifying itself in the coordinates of the calculated position or the positioning signal.

  Hereinafter, the mobile terminal 101 has a positioning function by GPS and a positioning function by wireless LAN or UWB (that is, a function of transmitting a signal for positioning by wireless LAN or UWB), and further includes an RFID tag. Will be described as an example. In the following description, a positioning system that performs positioning by GPS is a GPS positioning system, a positioning system that performs positioning by wireless LAN is a wireless LAN positioning system, a positioning system that performs positioning by UWB is a UWB positioning system, and RFID A positioning system in which positioning by is performed is described as an RFID positioning system. In that case, the environment side positioning device 100 includes a wireless LAN or UWB base station and an RFID reader.

  Hereinafter, an example in which positioning by UWB is executed will be described. However, as described above, the present invention can also be applied when positioning by wireless LAN is executed instead of positioning by UWB. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied when positioning other than the above is performed.

  The mobile terminal 101 of the present embodiment transmits position information acquired by positioning by GPS to the positioning integration server 102 via the network 111. The position information includes at least a positioning system ID indicating that the position information has been acquired by positioning by GPS, the calculated coordinates of the position of the mobile terminal 101, and information for identifying the mobile terminal 101. It is.

  The communication between the mobile terminal 101 and the positioning integration server 102 may be realized by any means. For example, when the mobile terminal 101 is a mobile phone terminal, the mobile terminal 101 may communicate with the positioning integration server 102 using an Internet connection service provided by a mobile phone carrier. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 101 may communicate with the positioning integrated server 102 via any one of the environment side positioning devices 100 when it has a communication function by UWB or wireless LAN. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the environment-side positioning device 100 and the mobile terminal 101 are connected to the positioning integrated server 102 via a common network 111, but the environment-side positioning device 100 and the mobile terminal 101 are different networks. It may be connected to the positioning integration server 102 via.

  Furthermore, the mobile terminal 101 transmits a positioning signal to the environment-side positioning device 100 (that is, a UWB base station). This positioning signal includes at least information for identifying the mobile terminal 101. The environment side positioning device 100 transmits the position information acquired based on this positioning signal to the positioning integration server 102 via the network 111. The position information includes at least a positioning system ID indicating that the position information has been acquired by positioning by UWB, the calculated coordinates of the position of the mobile terminal 101, and information for identifying the mobile terminal 101. It is.

  Note that the same mobile terminal 101 may be identified by a different identifier (ID) for each positioning system. As will be described later, such different IDs are uniformly managed by the user ID DB 108 of the positioning integration server 102.

  The positioning integration server 102 of this embodiment can be realized by a general-purpose computer. The detailed configuration of the positioning integration server 102 will be described later (see FIG. 2).

  The positioning integration server 102 of this embodiment includes a positioning record management unit 105, a current location DB 106, a positioning history DB 107, a user ID DB 108, a route DB 109, and a schedule DB 110.

  The positioning record management unit 105 executes processing for managing the position information received from the mobile terminal 101 and the environment side positioning device 100. Details of the processing will be described later (see FIG. 4 and the like).

  The positioning history DB 107 stores location information received from the mobile terminal 101 and the environment side positioning device 100.

  The current location DB 106 stores a coordinate value indicating the current location of the mobile terminal 101 acquired based on the location information stored in the positioning history DB 107.

  The user ID DB 108 stores information for associating information (user ID) for identifying a user who uses each mobile terminal 101 with information for identifying each mobile terminal 101.

  In the present embodiment, the same mobile terminal 101 may be identified by an identifier (ID) that differs for each positioning system. For example, when the mobile terminal 101 is a mobile phone terminal having a GPS function and a UWB positioning function, the mobile terminal 101 is identified by the mobile phone ID in the GPS positioning system and by the UWB ID in the UWB positioning system. May be. When positioning by wireless LAN is performed, the mobile terminal 101 may be identified by a MAC (Media Access Control) address. In the RFID positioning system, the mobile terminal 101 is identified by RFID. In the present embodiment, a plurality of IDs for identifying one mobile terminal 101 used by a single user and position information corresponding to these IDs are uniformly managed by the user ID DB 108 of the positioning integration server 102. .

  The route DB 109 stores information necessary for executing a route (route) search requested by the user and a route search result.

  The schedule DB 110 stores information indicating the user's schedule.

  Details of the data stored in each DB will be described later.

  The application server 103 can be realized by a general-purpose computer, like the positioning integration server 102. The application server 103 can receive position information from the mobile terminal 101 or the like, and can transmit information corresponding to the position information to the mobile terminal 101. As a result, the application server 103 provides a service using the location information of the mobile terminal 101 to the mobile terminal 101.

  For example, the application server 103 may transmit information for route guidance (for example, map data around the current position of the mobile terminal 101) to the mobile terminal 101 based on the location information of the mobile terminal 101. Good. Alternatively, the application server 103 searches for information related to a store or the like existing near the mobile terminal 101 based on the position information of the mobile terminal 101, and transmits the searched information to the mobile terminal 101. Also good.

  Since the configuration of the application server 103 and the service provided thereby may be conventionally known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The positioning technique DB server 104 may be a general-purpose computer, for example, like the positioning integration server 102. Each positioning method DB server 104 provides the mobile terminal 101 with information necessary for the mobile terminal 101 to perform positioning in each area. For example, when the environment-side positioning apparatus 100 is a UWB base station, the positioning technique DB server 104 holds UWB base station identification information, a password necessary for accessing the base station, and the like. The mobile terminal 101 can access the positioning technique DB server 104 via the network 111 and acquire base station identification information and the like. Typically, each positioning technique DB server 104 is installed in each building, and holds identification information and passwords of base stations in each building.

  The network 111 may be of any type as long as it enables communication between devices connected to the network 111. Typically, the network 111 is realized by a mobile phone network, a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, UWB, or a combination thereof, and communication is performed, for example, using the Internet protocol. Although two networks 111 are shown in FIG. 1, these may be realized by a single network.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the positioning integration server 102 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The positioning integration server 102 of this embodiment is a computer including a processor 201, a main memory 202, an input device 203, an output device 204, an interface (I / F) 205, and a storage device 206 that are connected to each other.

  The processor 201 executes a program stored in the main memory 202.

  The main memory 202 is a semiconductor memory, for example, and stores a program executed by the processor 201 and data referred to by the processor 201. Specifically, at least a part of the program and data stored in the storage device 206 is copied to the main memory 202 as necessary.

  The input device 203 receives input from a user or an administrator. The input device 203 may be a keyboard or a mouse, for example.

  The output device 204 outputs information to a user or an administrator. The output device 204 may be an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

  The I / F 205 is an interface that is connected to the network 111 and communicates with the mobile terminal 101, the environment-side positioning device 100, the application server 103, and the positioning technique DB server 104.

  The storage device 206 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk device (HDD) or a flash memory. The storage device 206 of the present embodiment stores at least a positioning record management unit 105, a current location DB 106, a positioning history DB 107, a user ID DB 108, a route DB 109, and a schedule DB 110.

  The positioning record management unit 105 is a program executed by the processor 201. In the following description, the processing executed by the positioning record management unit 105 is actually executed by the processor 201.

  Since the application server 103 and the positioning technique DB server 104 of the present embodiment are realized by the same hardware as the positioning integration server 102, illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  However, the processor (not shown) of the application server 103 executes a service using the location information by executing an application program (not shown) stored in the main memory (not shown) of the application server 103. To provide.

  The main memory (not shown) or the storage device (not shown) of the positioning technique DB server 104 includes information for identifying a positioning technique used in an area (described later) associated with the positioning technique DB server 104, and Information necessary for using the positioning method is stored. When receiving the positioning method request from the positioning integration server 102, the positioning method DB server 104 transmits a positioning method response including the above information (see FIGS. 4 and 8).

  FIG. 1 shows an example in which the positioning integration server 102, the application server 103, and the positioning technique DB server 104 are realized by independent hardware, but any two or all of them are one It may be realized by a computer. For example, when the positioning integration server 102 and the application server 103 are realized by the same hardware, an application program (not shown) is further stored in the storage device 206 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the mobile terminal 101 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The mobile terminal 101 of the present embodiment includes a communication unit 301, a position information acquisition unit 302, a control device 303, a data storage unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation input unit 306, a power supply unit 307, and an RFID tag 308.

  The communication unit 301 communicates with devices connected to the network 111, for example, the environment side positioning device 100 and the positioning integration server 102 via the network 111. When the environment side positioning device 100 is a UWB base station or a wireless LAN base station, the communication unit 301 transmits a positioning signal at a predetermined timing (for example, periodically). However, as will be described later, whether or not to transmit a positioning signal is controlled by the control device 303.

  The location information acquisition unit 302 acquires location information of the mobile terminal 101. The position information acquisition unit 302 of the present embodiment includes a GPS positioning device. The GPS positioning device measures the position of the mobile terminal 101 using a positioning signal received from a GPS satellite. Further, the position information acquisition unit 302 may acquire the position information of the mobile terminal 101 measured by the environment side positioning device 100 by communicating with the environment side positioning device 100 via the communication unit 301.

  This embodiment shows an example in which the mobile terminal 101 uses GPS positioning, UWB positioning, and RFID positioning, but the present invention is also applicable when the mobile terminal 101 uses a positioning method other than the above. Can be implemented. In that case, the position information acquisition unit 302 may perform positioning using a positioning method other than the above.

  The control device 303 controls each part of the mobile terminal 101 to communicate with the positioning integrated server 102, acquire position information, store and read the acquired information, display information, accept input from the user, In addition, power supply to each unit is controlled.

  The data storage unit 304 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, and stores a program executed by the control device 303 and data referred to by the control device 303.

  The display unit 305 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, and outputs information to the user.

  The operation input unit 306 includes an input device such as a keyboard, operation buttons, or a touch panel, for example, and accepts various inputs from the user.

  The power supply unit 307 supplies power to each unit of the mobile terminal 101. Typically, the power supply unit 307 includes a battery.

  The RFID tag 308 holds unique identification information (RFID). When at least one of the environment side positioning devices 100 is an RFID reader, the RFID reader can read the RFID held by the RFID tag 308 within a readable range. In addition, although this embodiment shows the example in which positioning by RFID is performed, when positioning by RFID is not performed, the mobile terminal 101 may not include the RFID tag 308.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure executed in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 101 measures the coordinate value of the mobile terminal 101 based on the GPS signal, and sends the positional information including the measured coordinate value to the positioning integration server 102 via the network 111. Transmit (step 401).

  On the other hand, the environment-side positioning device 100 also measures the coordinate value of the mobile terminal 101 based on the positioning signal received from the mobile terminal 101, and integrates the position information including the measured coordinate value via the network 111. It transmits to the server 102 (step 406).

  The positioning integration server 102 specifies the current position of the mobile terminal 101 based on at least one of the position information transmitted from the mobile terminal 101 or the position information transmitted from the environment side positioning device 100. Information indicating the identified current position is stored in the current location DB 106.

  The mobile terminal 101 transmits a position information acquisition request (current location acquisition request) to the positioning integration server 102 via the network 111 (step 402). Step 401 and step 402 may be executed simultaneously.

  The positioning integration server 102 that has received this acquisition request determines whether or not it is necessary to check the positioning method. If it is determined that the positioning method needs to be checked, the positioning integration server 102 transmits a positioning method request to the positioning method DB server 104 (step 403).

  For example, if the mobile terminal 101 is currently outdoors, but is expected to enter a building within a predetermined time from the present time, the positioning integration server 102 checks the positioning method used in the building. The positioning method request is transmitted to the positioning method DB server 104 related to the building (that is, the positioning method DB server 104 holding the positioning method used in the building).

  The positioning method DB server 104 that has received the positioning method request transmits a positioning method response including information on the positioning method to the positioning integration server 102 (step 404). For example, when positioning by UWB is executed in a building, the positioning method response includes information necessary for the mobile terminal 101 to access the UWB base station. Details of the positioning method response will be described later (see FIG. 8).

  Next, the positioning integration server 102 transmits information indicating the current position of the mobile terminal 101 and the acquired positioning technique response to the mobile terminal 101 via the network 111 (step 405).

  The control device 303 of the mobile terminal 101 stores the received information indicating the current position and information regarding the positioning method in the data storage unit 304. Furthermore, when it is determined that the control device 303 is necessary based on the received information regarding the positioning method, the control device 303 starts supplying power from the power supply unit 307 to the position information acquisition unit 302 or transmitting a positioning signal. (Step 410).

  For example, when the mobile terminal 101 is outdoors, since positioning by UWB is not possible, the communication unit 301 does not need to transmit a positioning signal to the UWB base station. However, when the mobile terminal 101 enters a building in the future and positioning by UWB is executed inside the building, when the mobile terminal 101 enters the building at the latest, positioning to the UWB base station Signal transmission needs to be started.

  Specifically, when the positioning method response transmitted in step 405 includes information for identifying positioning by UWB, the control device 303 controls the communication unit 301 to start transmitting a positioning signal. Since the information necessary for accessing the UWB base station is also acquired at that time, the mobile terminal 101 can communicate with the UWB base station and perform positioning when moving to the inside of the building at the latest. .

  On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 101 in the building is expected to go out of the building, the control device 303 controls the supply of power from the power supply unit 307 to the position information acquisition unit 302. That is, when the received positioning method response includes information for identifying GPS positioning, the control device 303 starts supplying power to the position information acquisition unit 302 (that is, the GPS positioning device).

  As described above, power supply to the position information acquisition unit 302 is started when it is determined to be necessary, or a positioning signal is transmitted when it is determined to be necessary. As a result, the location information service is seamless for users who move across multiple areas (for example, outdoors and indoors) while reducing the power consumption of the mobile terminal 101 and thereby reducing the consumption of the battery in the power supply unit 307. Can be provided.

  The mobile terminal 101 can repeatedly (for example, periodically) execute a current location acquisition request in order to acquire the latest location information. In the example of FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 101 transmits a current location acquisition request again in step 407 after step 402.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the position information is transmitted from the environment side positioning device 100 in Step 406 between Step 402 and Step 407. The positioning integration server 102 may specify the current position of the mobile terminal 101 based on the position information. The current location DB 106 is updated with information indicating the newly specified position.

  The positioning integration server 102 that has received the current location acquisition request in step 407 determines whether or not it is necessary to respond to the mobile terminal 101 with the positioning method. In the example of FIG. 4, since it is determined that the positioning method does not need to be returned to the mobile terminal 101, the positioning integration server 102 transmits information indicating the current position of the mobile terminal 101 to the mobile terminal 101 ( Step 408). When the current location DB 106 is updated based on the position information in Step 406, the updated information is transmitted in Step 408.

  If it is determined after step 407 that the positioning method needs to be returned to the mobile terminal 101, the same processing from step 403 to step 404 is executed, and in step 408, the positioning method response is further transmitted. Is done.

  The mobile terminal 101 transmits information indicating the current position acquired from the positioning integration server 102 to the application server 103 via the network 111 at an arbitrary time (step 409).

  Although illustration is omitted, the application server 103 can provide an arbitrary service to the mobile terminal 101 based on the current position of the mobile terminal 101. For example, the application server 103 may transmit map data around the current position of the mobile terminal 101 to the mobile terminal 101.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of position information received by the positioning integration server 102 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  Specifically, FIG. 5 shows an example of position information transmitted from the mobile terminal 101 or the environment side positioning device 100 to the positioning integration server 102 in step 401 or step 406 of FIG.

  The position information 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a positioning device ID 501, a positioning system ID 502, an X coordinate 503, a Y coordinate 504, and a time 505.

  The positioning device ID 501 is information that uniquely identifies the positioning target mobile terminal 101. When the position information 500 is measured by the mobile terminal 101 itself in the GPS positioning system, the positioning device ID 501 is identification information of the mobile terminal 101 in the GPS positioning system. When the mobile terminal 101 is a mobile phone terminal provided with a GPS positioning device, the identification information in the GPS positioning system of the mobile terminal 101 is, for example, a mobile phone ID. When the position information 500 is measured by the environment side positioning device 100 in the UWB positioning system, the positioning device ID 501 is identification information in the UWB positioning system of the mobile terminal 101 that is a positioning target.

  The positioning system ID 502 is information for identifying the positioning means (that is, the positioning system) used to acquire the position information 500. For example, when the position information 500 is acquired by the GPS positioning system, the positioning system ID 502 is a value (for example, “0”) that identifies the GPS positioning system. On the other hand, when the position information 500 is acquired by the UWB positioning system, the positioning system ID 502 is a value (for example, “1”) for identifying the UWB positioning system. When the position information 500 is acquired by the RFID reader, the positioning system ID 502 is a value (for example, “2”) that identifies positioning by RFID.

  The X coordinate 503 and the Y coordinate 504 are values corresponding to the X coordinate and the Y coordinate, respectively, of the coordinates of the mobile terminal 101 acquired as the positioning result.

  Time 505 is the time when positioning was executed. In other words, the time indicated by the time 505 indicates the time when the mobile terminal 101 was at the position indicated by the X coordinate 503 and the Y coordinate 504.

  Furthermore, although illustration is omitted, the position information 500 may include information indicating the accuracy of the coordinate values (that is, the X coordinate 503 and the Y coordinate 504). This information may be any information, for example, the number of base stations used for positioning. In the case of a GPS positioning system, the number of base stations used for positioning is the number of GPS satellites from which a positioning signal can be received by the mobile terminal 101. In the case of a UWB positioning system, the number of mobile terminals 101 is This is the number of UWB base stations that have received the transmitted positioning signal. In general, the greater the number of base stations used for positioning, the higher the accuracy of the obtained coordinate values.

  The present embodiment shows an example in which two-dimensional position information is handled in the position information service system. However, when three-dimensional position information is handled in the position information service system, the position information 500 includes a Z coordinate (not shown) in addition to the X coordinate 503 and the Y coordinate 504. The altitude of the mobile terminal 101 or the distance from the center of the earth may be used as the Z coordinate. Alternatively, some information indicating the height at which the mobile terminal 101 is located (for example, a value indicating the floor on which the mobile terminal 101 is located) may be included instead of the Z coordinate.

  FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of the positioning history DB 107 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The positioning history DB 107 includes position information received from the mobile terminal 101. Specifically, the positioning history DB 107 includes a positioning queue management table 601 and a positioning queue group 602.

  The positioning queue management table 601 associates user IDs with positioning queues included in the positioning queue group 602. This association may be performed using a hash value of the user ID.

  The positioning queue group 602 includes a plurality of positioning queues. Each positioning queue is associated with a user ID by the positioning queue management table 601. Each positioning queue includes the coordinate value of the mobile terminal 101 corresponding to each user ID. However, in this embodiment, position information based on a plurality of positioning systems is acquired from each mobile terminal 101. For this reason, a plurality of positioning queues are associated with each user ID, and coordinate values based on one positioning system of one mobile terminal are stored in each positioning queue.

  Each positioning queue is data having a queue structure. For this reason, each positioning queue stores a plurality of coordinate values based on one positioning system of one mobile terminal. When a new coordinate value is acquired, the oldest coordinate value is deleted from the positioning queue instead of storing the coordinate value in the positioning queue. The number of coordinate values stored in each positioning queue may be arbitrarily set.

  FIG. 6A shows nine positioning queues, that is, positioning queues 602A to 602I as an example. The positioning queues 602A, 602B, and 602C correspond to the user ID “1”. Further, the positioning queue 602A corresponds to the UWB positioning system, the positioning queue 602B corresponds to the GPS positioning system, and the positioning queue 603C corresponds to the RFID positioning system. In this case, the positioning queue 602A stores (for example, (x, y)) acquired by the UWB positioning system among the coordinate values of the mobile terminal 101 corresponding to the user ID “1”. The positioning queue 602B stores the coordinate values (for example, (x, y)) acquired by the GPS positioning system among the coordinate values of the mobile terminal 101 corresponding to the user ID “1”. The positioning queue 602C stores the coordinate values (for example, (x, y)) acquired by the RFID positioning system among the coordinate values of the mobile terminal 101 corresponding to the user ID “1”. Note that “UID1” illustrated in FIG. 6A indicates the value “1” of the user ID. The same applies to other user ID values.

  Although omitted in FIG. 6A, in addition to the above coordinate values, a value indicating the time at which each coordinate value is acquired (that is, the value at the time 505 at which the positioning is executed) is stored in the positioning queue. Based on the time when each coordinate value was acquired, determine which coordinate value was acquired most recently, and calculate the time that has elapsed since each coordinate value was acquired Can do.

  Further, when the position information includes information indicating the accuracy of each coordinate value, the information is also stored in the positioning queue.

  Similarly, in the example of FIG. 6A, the positioning queue 602D corresponding to the user ID “18” and the UWB positioning system, the positioning queue 602E corresponding to the user ID “18” and the GPS positioning system, the user ID “18”, and the RFID positioning system , Positioning queue 602F corresponding to user ID “5”, positioning queue 602G corresponding to UWB positioning system, positioning queue 602H corresponding to user ID “5” and GPS positioning system, and user ID “5” and RFID positioning system A positioning queue 602I corresponding to is shown.

  FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of RFID coordinate data according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The positioning integration server 102 may further hold RFID coordinate data 603 shown in FIG. 6B. The RFID coordinate data 603 includes an RFID 611 and coordinate values 612.

  The RFID 611 is identification information given to the RFID tag 308 included in the mobile terminal 101.

  The coordinate value 612 is a coordinate value indicating the position of each RFID tag 308. For example, when the RFID tag 308 enters a readable range of an RFID reader installed in a building, the RFID reader reads the RFID. At this time, the coordinate value of the RFID reader that read the RFID is stored as the coordinate value 612 corresponding to the RFID.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the current location DB 106 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The current location DB 106 includes information indicating the current (more precisely, the latest) coordinates of the mobile terminal 101. Specifically, the current location DB 106 includes a current location management table 701 and a current location 702.

  The current location management table 701 associates a user ID with a current location 702 that stores the current coordinates of the mobile terminal 101 corresponding to each user ID. This association may be performed using the hash value of the user ID as in the positioning queue management table 601.

  The current location 702 stores a value indicating the current coordinates of each mobile terminal 101. For example, FIG. 7 shows current locations 702A to 702C as the current location 702.

  In the current location 702A, the current coordinate value (for example, (x, y)) of the mobile terminal 101 corresponding to the user ID “1” is stored. This coordinate value is acquired based on any coordinate value included in the positioning queue 602A, 602B, or 602C corresponding to the mobile terminal 101 having the user ID “1”. Specifically, an optimum one of the latest coordinate value included in the positioning queue 602A, the latest coordinate value included in the positioning queue 602B, and the latest coordinate value included in the positioning queue 602C is selected. The selected coordinate value is acquired as the current coordinate value of the mobile terminal 101.

  In practice, a different coordinate system may be used for each positioning system. For example, in general, a polar coordinate system composed of latitude and longitude is used in a GPS positioning system, but a Cartesian coordinate system composed of X and Y coordinates is used in a UWB positioning system. However, when using a plurality of positioning systems seamlessly as in the present invention, it is necessary to convert coordinate values obtained in those positioning systems into coordinate values in a common coordinate system. For this reason, the positioning integration server 102 of the present embodiment holds in advance parameters for converting the coordinate values obtained in each positioning system into coordinate values in the common coordinate system, and uses them in the common coordinate system. Get the coordinate value. This embodiment shows an example in which a Cartesian coordinate system is used as a common coordinate system.

  Similarly, the current coordinate values of the mobile terminal 101 corresponding to the user IDs “18” and “5” are stored in the current locations 702B and 702C, respectively.

  6A to 7 show a two-dimensional coordinate system for the sake of simplicity of explanation, a three-dimensional coordinate system may be used in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of data transmitted by the positioning technique DB server 104 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The positioning method DB server 104 that has received the positioning method request transmits a positioning method response including the data 800 shown in FIG. 8 to the positioning integration server 102.

  The data 800 includes a positioning method ID 801, a connection required information type ID 802, and a connection required information 803.

  The positioning method ID 801 is a code for identifying the positioning method. For example, the values “0”, “1”, and “2” of the positioning method ID 801 may identify GPS positioning, wireless LAN positioning, and WUB positioning, respectively.

  The connection necessary information type ID 802 is information for identifying the type of information that the mobile terminal 101 needs to hold in order to use the positioning method identified by the positioning method ID 801. For example, when wireless LAN positioning is executed in a building where the mobile terminal 101 is about to enter, the value of the positioning method ID 801 included in the positioning method response is “1”. In this case, the connection necessary information type ID 802 includes information for identifying information necessary for the mobile terminal 101 to connect to the wireless LAN base station. Specifically, in order for the mobile terminal 101 to connect to the wireless LAN base station, an SSID (Service Set Identifier), password, certificate, and the like of the wireless LAN base station are required. Therefore, in the above example, the connection required information type ID 802 includes information for identifying the SSID, password, and certificate of the wireless LAN base station in the building that the mobile terminal 101 is about to enter.

  The connection required information 803 is binary data of information identified by the connection required information type ID 802. For example, as described above, when the connection required information type ID 802 includes information for identifying the SSID, password, and certificate of the wireless LAN base station, the connection required information 803 includes the SSID, password, and certificate of the wireless LAN base station. Includes binary data.

  Note that the positioning technique DB server 104 holds at least the information shown in FIG. When one positioning method DB server 104 holds information on a plurality of areas, the positioning method DB server 104 associates the information shown in FIG. 8 with the area to which the information is applied (that is, the positioning method DB server 104 associates the information). Information associated with a given area) may be held. Alternatively, the positioning integration server 102 may hold information that associates the information illustrated in FIG. 8 with the area to which the information is applied.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the route DB 109 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The route DB 109 of this embodiment includes route search result data 901, graphic data 902, search node data 903, and search link data 904. Details of these data will be described later (see FIGS. 10A to 10D).

  FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of route search result data 901 included in the route DB 109 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The route search result data 901 includes data indicating the result of route search executed according to a request from the user. Specifically, the route search result data 901 includes a user ID 1001, a target date and time 1002, and a route list 1003.

  A user ID 1001 identifies a user who has requested a route search.

  The target date and time 1002 is a date and time designated as a search target by the user. Specifically, the target date and time 1002 may be a date and time that departs from the current location, or may be a date and time that arrives at the destination. The following description describes an example in which the arrival date and time at the destination is designated as the target date and time 1002.

  The route list 1003 is information for specifying a route (route) acquired as a search result. Specifically, the route list 1003 includes a list of nodes and links (specifically, a list of node IDs and link IDs, which will be described later) constituting a route acquired as a search result. In the present embodiment, the space in which the route search is executed is expressed as a network including nodes and links as in a general navigation system (see FIGS. 10B to 10D).

  For example, when the user identified by the user ID “1” requests a route search for arriving at a certain destination at a certain time, the positioning integration server 102 receives the graphic data 902, the search node data 903, and the search With reference to the link data 904, a route that arrives at the designated time from the current location to the designated destination is searched. This search may be executed by a general method used in a conventional navigation device or the like, such as a Dijkstra method. Then, a specified time and a list of nodes and links constituting the searched route are stored in the target date and time 1002 and the route list 1003 corresponding to the value “1” (UID 1) of the user ID 1001, respectively.

  FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram of the graphic data 902 included in the route DB 109 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The graphic data 902 includes information for specifying the type, shape, and position of the graphic corresponding to each node or each link. Specifically, the graphic data 902 includes a graphic ID 1011, a type 1012, and a coordinate sequence 1013.

  The graphic ID 1011 is information for identifying a graphic corresponding to each node or each link.

  The type 1012 is information for identifying the type of graphic corresponding to each node or each link. For example, the values “Polygon”, “Polyline”, and “Point” of the type 1012 mean a polygon, a line segment group, and a point, respectively.

  The coordinate sequence 1013 is one or more coordinate values that specify the shape and position of a figure corresponding to each node or each link. For example, when the figure is a point, one coordinate value indicating the position of the point is stored as a coordinate sequence 1013. When the figure is a polygon, a plurality of coordinate values indicating the positions of a plurality of vertices of the polygon are stored as a coordinate sequence 1013.

  FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram of the search node data 903 included in the route DB 109 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The search node data 903 includes information regarding each node referred to for route search. Specifically, the search node data 903 includes a node ID 1021, a graphic ID 1022, a node type 1023, and an area type 1024.

  The node ID 1021 is information for identifying each node.

  The graphic ID 1022 is information for identifying a graphic corresponding to each node. The figure ID 1022 corresponds to the figure ID 1011 of the figure data 902.

  The node type 1023 indicates the type of each node. For example, “elevator”, “corridor”, “room”, “stairs”, “outdoor end point”, and the like are stored as the node type 1023.

  The area type 1024 identifies the area where each node is arranged. For example, when a certain node is a third-floor corridor of a building A (not shown), “corridor” and “building A 3F” are stored as the node type 1023 and the area type 1024 of the node, respectively.

  Each positioning technique DB server 104 holds information necessary for using the positioning technique in at least one area. For example, when the UWB positioning is used on the third floor of the building A, the positioning technique DB server 104 related to the third floor of the building A uses the information necessary for using the UWB positioning on the third floor of the building A (for example, UWB Base station identification information). The area type 1024 may include information (for example, address information) necessary for accessing the positioning technique DB server 104 related to the area in addition to information for identifying each area. Alternatively, the positioning integration server 102 may hold information that associates information for identifying each area with information necessary for accessing the positioning technique DB server 104 related to the area.

  FIG. 10D is an explanatory diagram of the search link data 904 included in the route DB 109 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The search link data 904 includes information regarding each link referred to for route search. Specifically, the search link data 904 includes a link ID 1031, a graphic ID 1032, a start point node (From) 1033, an end point node (To) 1034, a link type 1035, and a cost 1036.

  The link ID 1031 is information for identifying each link.

  The graphic ID 1032 is information for identifying a graphic corresponding to each link. The figure ID 1032 corresponds to the figure ID 1011 of the figure data 902.

  The start point node 1033 is information for identifying the start point node of each link.

  The end node 1034 is information for identifying the end node of each link.

  The link type 1035 is information indicating the type of each link, that is, which area node the link is connected to. For example, when a link connects two nodes in the same area, “in the same area” is stored as the link type 1035 of the link. When another link connects an indoor node and an outdoor node, “between indoor and outdoor” is stored as the link type 1035 of the other link.

  The cost 1036 indicates a cost for moving from the start point node to the end point node along each link.

  FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram of the schedule DB 110 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The schedule DB 110 of this embodiment includes at least schedule data 1101.

  FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram of the schedule data 1101 included in the schedule DB 110 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The schedule data 1101 includes information related to the user's own action schedule input by the user. Specifically, the schedule data 1101 includes a user ID 1111, a schedule start date 1112, a schedule end date 1113, contents 1114, and a graphic ID 1115.

  The user ID 1111 is information for identifying the user who entered the schedule.

  The scheduled start date and time 1112 indicates the date and time when the scheduled event is started.

  The scheduled end date 1113 indicates the date when the scheduled event ends.

  The content 1114 indicates the content of the scheduled event. The content 1114 is, for example, “conference”, “lunch”, or “lecture”.

  The graphic ID 1115 is information for identifying a place where a scheduled event is performed, that is, a graphic of the destination node of the user. The graphic ID 1115 corresponds to the graphic ID 1011 of the graphic data 902 (FIG. 10B). Therefore, by referring to the schedule data 1101 and the search node data 903, it is possible to specify when and in which area the user is scheduled to enter.

  Note that the schedule data 1101 may include coordinate values of the user's destination instead of the graphic ID 1115. In that case, by referring to the schedule data 1101, the graphic data 902, and the search node data 903, it is possible to specify when and in which area the user is scheduled to enter.

  Next, a process in which the positioning record management unit 105 that has received the current location acquisition request determines the current location will be described. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the positioning record management unit 105 of the positioning integration server 102 receives the current location acquisition request from the mobile terminal 101 (step 402 and the like), and determines the current location of the mobile terminal 101. Furthermore, the positioning record management unit determines whether or not it is necessary to acquire information related to the positioning method from the positioning method DB server 104 based on the determined current location. Is transmitted (step 403).

  Specific processing for determining the current location and determining whether or not it is necessary to acquire information on the positioning method can be realized by various methods. In the present embodiment, at least one of a first process based on the route search result, a second process based on the schedule data, and a third process based on the positioning history is executed. Hereinafter, these processes will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a first process in which the positioning record management unit 105 according to the embodiment of the present invention determines the current location.

  The positioning record management unit 105 first receives a current position acquisition request from the mobile terminal 101 (step 1201). This corresponds to step 402 or step 407 in FIG.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 searches the route search result data 901 in the route DB 109 using the user ID as a search key (step 1202). The current position acquisition request includes information for identifying the mobile terminal 101 that has transmitted it. The positioning record management unit 105 identifies the user ID of the user who transmitted the current position acquisition request by referring to the user ID DB 108, and uses it as a search key.

  For example, when the route search result data 901 shown in FIG. 10A is searched using the user ID “1” as a search key, the first record whose value of the user ID 1001 is “UID1” is acquired.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 determines the current location based on the route acquired as the search result of Step 1202 and further checks whether or not the positioning method needs to be checked (that is, acquires information on the positioning method). It is determined whether or not it is necessary (step 1203).

  As already described, in this embodiment, the positioning method used for each area may be different. Therefore, when the mobile terminal 101 is expected to move from one area to another area, when the mobile terminal 101 enters the destination area at the latest, the positioning method in the destination area can be used. So you need to be prepared. The above positioning method check means that the positioning method used in the destination area is determined, and if there is information to be acquired in order to use the positioning method, the information is acquired. .

  In the present embodiment, the positioning record management unit 105 may move to an area in the near future when the mobile terminal 101 approaches an area different from the area including the current location. It is determined that it is necessary to check.

  Specifically, when the target date / time 1002 and the route list 1003 are given, the positioning record management unit 105 refers to the graphic data 902, the search node data 903, and the search link data 904, and sets the given route list. The arrival time at each included node can be estimated. Such estimation is realized by a conventional navigation technique. Based on the estimated arrival time, the positioning record management unit 105 sets the current location of the user, the location where the user goes next to the current location (hereinafter referred to as the next location), and the location of the user to the next location. The estimated time of arrival can be identified.

  For example, the positioning record management unit 105 determines that the positioning method needs to be checked when the area to which the current location belongs and the area to which the next point belongs are different. More specifically, for example, when the area type 1024 of the node specified as the current location is different from the area type 1024 of the node specified as the next point, it is determined that the positioning method needs to be checked. Alternatively, when the link type 1035 of the link between the node specified as the current location and the node specified as the next location is not “in the same area”, the area to which the current location belongs and the area to which the next location belongs are different. May be determined.

  Further, the above determination may be made based on the time from the current time to the time when the user arrives at the next point. For example, the time from the current time to the time when the user arrives at the next point is different from the area to which the current location belongs and the area to which the next point belongs (or the time until the user enters the area to which the next point belongs It may be determined that the positioning method needs to be checked only when) is shorter than the predetermined time. Alternatively, it may be determined that the positioning method needs to be checked only when the distance from the current location to the next location (or the distance from the current location to the area to which the next location belongs) is shorter than a predetermined distance.

  As the simplest example, the example in which the determination in step 1203 is performed based on the current location and the next location is shown. However, not only the next location but also a plurality of locations where the user will arrive and the arrival at those locations. The determination in step 1203 may be performed based on the time. For example, when at least one of a plurality of points arriving within a predetermined time from the current time belongs to an area different from that to which the current location belongs, it may be determined that the positioning method needs to be checked.

  Alternatively, the positioning record management unit 105 specifies an area where the user is scheduled to pass or arrive today (that is, a date including the current time) based on the route search result data 901 or the schedule data 1101 in advance, and in the specified area You may check the positioning method. In the example, when the user performs an action that is not scheduled, the positioning record management unit 105 may determine whether or not the positioning method needs to be checked by the method as described above.

  If it is determined in step 1203 that the positioning method needs to be checked, the positioning record management unit 105 determines the positioning method DB server 104 corresponding to the route (that is, the positioning method DB related to the area determined to be approached by the user). Information on the positioning method is acquired from the server 104) (step 1204). Specifically, the positioning record management unit 105 transmits a positioning technique request to the positioning technique DB server 104 corresponding to the route, and receives a positioning technique request corresponding thereto. This transmission / reception corresponds to Step 403 and Step 404 in FIG.

  For example, if the current location of the user specified based on the route is outdoors, but the next specified location is inside the building A, the positioning record management unit 105 performs positioning on the positioning technique DB server 104 related to the building A. Send technique request. The positioning method response to this includes information for identifying the positioning method, information necessary for using the positioning method, and the like, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 updates the current location (step 1205). Specifically, the positioning record management unit 105 sets the coordinate value most likely as the current location of the user (that is, the user who transmitted the current location acquisition request) among the coordinate values stored in the positioning history DB 107 to the new value of the user. You may acquire as a coordinate value of a present location. Alternatively, the coordinate value of the current location determined in step 1203 may be acquired as the new coordinate value of the current location. The positioning record management unit 105 updates the value related to the user in the current location 702 of the current location DB 106 using the acquired coordinate value of the new current location.

  Note that the certainty of the coordinate values stored in the positioning history DB 107 can be determined by various methods. For example, it may be determined that the newer acquired coordinate value is more likely as the current coordinate value. When the positioning history DB 107 includes information indicating the accuracy of each coordinate value, it may be determined that the coordinate value with higher accuracy is more likely. Alternatively, the variation of the coordinate value may be calculated for each positioning system, and it may be determined that the coordinate value of the positioning system having the smaller variation is more likely.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 transmits the current location information updated in step 1205 and the information regarding the positioning method acquired in step 1204 to the mobile terminal 101 (step 1206). This transmission corresponds to step 405 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1203 that it is not necessary to check the positioning method, the positioning record management unit 105 updates the current location (step 1207). This update is executed in the same manner as in step 1205.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 transmits the updated location information of the current location to the mobile terminal 101 (step 1208). This transmission corresponds to step 408 in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the positioning integration server 102 holds information (FIGS. 10B to 10D) necessary for route search, executes route search, and holds the result of route search (FIG. 10A). However, a computer other than the positioning integration server 102 (for example, the application server 103) may hold information necessary for route search, execute route search, and hold the result of route search. In this case, the application server 103 may be managed by, for example, a provider that provides a route search service. In this case, the positioning integration server 102 requests the application server 103 to transmit a necessary route search result in Step 1202 and acquires the route search result transmitted in response to the request.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a second process in which the positioning record management unit 105 according to the embodiment of the present invention determines the current location.

  The positioning record management unit 105 first receives a current position acquisition request from the mobile terminal 101 (step 1301). This corresponds to step 402 or step 407 in FIG.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 searches the schedule data 1101 in the schedule DB 110 using the user ID as a search key (step 1302). Note that the user ID acquired in the same manner as in step 1202 of FIG. 12 is used as a search key.

  For example, when the schedule data 1101 shown in FIG. 11B is searched using the user ID “1” as a search key, three records whose user ID 1111 has the value “UID1” are acquired.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 determines the current location based on the user's schedule acquired as a search result in step 1302, and further determines whether or not the positioning method needs to be checked (step 1303). ).

  As in the case of FIG. 12, when the mobile terminal 101 approaches an area different from the area including the current location, the positioning record management unit 105 determines that it is necessary to check the positioning method in that area. Specifically, the positioning record management unit 105 determines the current location of the user, the user based on the scheduled start date 1112, the scheduled end date 1113, the graphic ID 1115, and the search node data 903 of the record acquired as the search result in step 1302. Can specify the next point of the current location (ie, the next point) and the scheduled time when the user will arrive at the next point. Based on the information specified in this way, the positioning record management unit 105 determines the current location and further determines whether or not the positioning method needs to be checked, as in step 1203 of FIG.

  If it is determined in step 1303 that the positioning method needs to be checked, the positioning record management unit 105 determines the positioning method DB server 104 corresponding to the user's schedule (that is, positioning related to the area determined to be approached by the user). Information on the positioning method is acquired from the method DB server 104) (step 1304). Specifically, the positioning record management unit 105 transmits a positioning technique request to the positioning technique DB server 104 corresponding to the user's schedule, and receives a positioning technique request corresponding thereto. This transmission / reception corresponds to Step 403 and Step 404 in FIG.

  For example, when the current location specified based on the user's schedule is outdoors, but the next specified location is inside the building A, the positioning record management unit 105 performs positioning on the positioning method DB server 104 related to the building A. Send technique request. The positioning method response to this includes information for identifying the positioning method, information necessary for using the positioning method, and the like, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 updates the current location (step 1305). Specifically, the positioning record management unit 105 may acquire the most probable coordinate value as the current location of the user among the coordinate values stored in the positioning history DB 107 as the coordinate value of the new current location of the user. Good. Alternatively, the coordinate value of the current location determined in step 1303 may be acquired as the new coordinate value of the current location. The positioning record management unit 105 updates the value related to the user in the current location 702 of the current location DB 106 using the acquired coordinate value of the new current location.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 transmits the location information of the current location updated in step 1305 and the information on the positioning method acquired in step 1304 to the mobile terminal 101 (step 1306). This transmission corresponds to step 405 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1303 that the positioning method need not be checked, the positioning record management unit 105 updates the current location (step 1307). This update is executed in the same manner as in step 1305.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 transmits the updated location information of the current location to the mobile terminal 101 (step 1308). This transmission corresponds to step 408 in FIG.

  Although the present embodiment shows an example in which the positioning integration server 102 holds information related to the user's schedule (FIGS. 11A and 11B), a computer other than the positioning integration server 102 (for example, the application server 103) is the user's schedule. Information about the information may be held. In this case, the application server 103 may be managed by, for example, a provider that provides a schedule management service. In this case, in step 1302, the positioning integration server 102 requests the application server 103 to transmit information regarding a necessary schedule, and acquires information regarding the schedule transmitted in response to the request.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a third process in which the positioning record management unit 105 according to the embodiment of the present invention determines the current location.

  The positioning record management unit 105 first receives a current position acquisition request from the mobile terminal 101 (step 1401). This corresponds to step 402 or step 407 in FIG.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 searches the positioning queue group 602 in the positioning history DB 107 using the user ID as a search key (step 1402). Note that the user ID acquired in the same manner as in step 1202 of FIG. 12 is used as a search key.

  For example, when the positioning history DB 107 shown in FIG. 6A is searched using the user ID “1” as a search key, the coordinate values stored in the positioning queues 602A, 602B, and 602C corresponding to the user ID value “UID1” are acquired.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 determines the current location based on the coordinate value acquired as the search result in step 1402, and further determines whether or not the positioning method needs to be checked (step 1403). . As in the case of FIG. 12, when the mobile terminal 101 approaches an area different from the area including the current location, the positioning record management unit 105 determines that it is necessary to check the positioning method in that area. This determination method will be described later (see FIG. 15).

  When it is determined in step 1403 that the positioning method needs to be checked, the positioning record management unit 105 determines the positioning method DB server 104 identified based on the positioning history (that is, the area determined that the user has approached). Information on the positioning method is acquired from the positioning method DB server 104) (step 1404). Specifically, the positioning record management unit 105 transmits a positioning technique request to the positioning technique DB server 104 specified based on the positioning history, and receives a positioning technique request corresponding thereto. This transmission / reception corresponds to Step 403 and Step 404 in FIG.

  For example, when the current location specified based on the positioning history is outdoors, but the next point is inside the building A, the positioning record management unit 105 transmits a positioning method request to the positioning method DB server 104 related to the building A. To do. The positioning method response to this includes information for identifying the positioning method, information necessary for using the positioning method, and the like, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 updates the current location (step 1405). Specifically, the positioning record management unit 105 acquires the coordinate value of the current location determined in step 1403 as a new coordinate value of the current location, and uses the coordinate value of the new current location to use the current location 702 of the current location DB 106. Among them, the value related to the user is updated.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 transmits the current location information updated in step 1405 and the information on the positioning method acquired in step 1404 to the mobile terminal 101 (step 1406). This transmission corresponds to step 405 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1403 that it is not necessary to check the positioning method, the positioning record management unit 105 updates the current location (step 1407). This update is executed in the same manner as in step 1405.

  Next, the positioning record management unit 105 transmits the updated location information of the current location to the mobile terminal 101 (step 1408). This transmission corresponds to step 408 in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the positioning record management unit 105 according to the embodiment of this invention determines the current location based on the positioning history.

  With reference to FIG. 15, the process executed in step 1403 of FIG. 14 will be described.

  When the positioning history DB 107 shown in FIG. 6A is searched using the user ID “1” as a search key, the coordinate values stored in the positioning queues 602A, 602B, and 602C corresponding to the user ID value “UID1” are acquired. The positioning record management unit 105 estimates current and future user positions based on the acquired coordinate values. For this estimation, coordinate values with high accuracy among the acquired coordinate values may be preferentially used. When information indicating the accuracy of coordinate values (for example, the number of satellites or base stations used for positioning) is stored in each positioning queue, the accuracy of coordinate values may be determined based on the information.

  FIG. 15 shows four methods for estimating the current location and future user positions based on the positioning history.

  According to the first method, the positioning record management unit 105 performs linear approximation based on a plurality of coordinate values including the latest coordinate value (that is, the coordinate value acquired at the time closest to the current time). This linear approximation is realized by a known method such as a least square method. By this linear approximation, the positioning record management unit 105 estimates the future position of the user. For example, when it is estimated that the user enters an area within a predetermined time from the present time, the positioning record management unit 105 determines that the positioning method needs to be checked. Note that the user's current location may be estimated by linear approximation similar to the above, or may be approximated by the latest coordinate value.

  According to the second method, the positioning record management unit 105 estimates that the user will enter a new area when the distance between the latest coordinate value and the boundary of the area is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. Therefore, it is determined that the positioning method needs to be checked. An area boundary is, for example, the boundary between an outdoor area and an area in a building (for example, the entrance of the building).

  According to the third method, the positioning record management unit 105 estimates a future position based on statistical information of other users regarding the latest coordinate values. For example, the positioning record management unit 105 holds information indicating the behavior trajectory of other users in the past, and based on this information, a user who has reached the vicinity of the latest coordinate value newly receives information within a predetermined time from the present time. The probability of entering the area may be calculated, and when the probability exceeds a predetermined threshold, it may be determined that the positioning method needs to be checked.

  According to the fourth method, the positioning record management unit 105 determines whether the user enters or leaves the area based on the presence / absence of RFID read data for entry / exit management. For example, if an RFID reader is installed at the entrance of a building, it can be detected that the user carrying the mobile terminal 101 has passed through the entrance. Furthermore, by referring to the positioning history of the user, it can be estimated whether the user is going to enter or leave the building. For example, if it is estimated that the user is about to enter a building (that is, an area within the building), the positioning record management unit 105 determines that the positioning method needs to be checked.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the power consumption of the mobile terminal 101 is reduced, thereby suppressing the consumption of the battery in the power supply unit 307 and moving across a plurality of areas (for example, outdoors and indoors). It is possible to provide a location information service without interruption to the user.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Environment side positioning apparatus 101 Mobile terminal 102 Positioning integration server 103 Application server 104 Positioning method DB server 105 Positioning record management unit 106 Current location DB
107 Positioning history DB
108 User ID DB
109 Root DB
110 Schedule DB
111 network

Claims (16)

A position information providing system comprising a mobile terminal and a positioning integration device connected to the mobile terminal via a network,
The position information providing system includes:
Holding information indicating the location of the mobile terminal;
Holds information about the positioning method used in each of the multiple areas,
The information on the positioning method includes information for identifying a positioning method used in each of the plurality of regions,
When predetermined information is required to use the positioning method, the information on the positioning method further includes information necessary to use the positioning method,
The plurality of regions include a first region and a second region,
The positioning integration device is
An interface connected to the network, a processor connected to the interface, and a storage device connected to the processor,
When receiving a current location acquisition request from the mobile terminal, based on the information indicating the position of the mobile terminal, determine the current position of the mobile terminal,
When the mobile terminal is located in the first area, it is determined whether the mobile terminal has approached the second area based on information indicating the position of the mobile terminal;
If it is determined that the mobile terminal has approached the second area, obtain information on the positioning method used in the second area;
A location information providing system, wherein the acquired information is transmitted to the mobile terminal. The location information providing system further includes one or more base stations that receive a positioning signal transmitted by the mobile terminal,
The mobile terminal includes a position information acquisition unit that measures the position of the mobile terminal,
The information indicating the position of the mobile terminal includes information indicating the position of the mobile terminal measured based on a signal received by the one or more base stations from the mobile terminal, and the position information acquisition unit. The position information providing system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of information indicating the position of the mobile terminal measured by. The mobile terminal further includes a power supply unit that supplies power to the location information acquisition unit, and a control device that controls supply of power from the power supply unit to the location information acquisition unit,
In the second area, when the position information acquisition unit measures the position of the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal receives information identifying a positioning method used in the second area, and then the control device Starts supplying power from the power supply unit to the position information acquisition unit,
In the second area, when the position of the mobile terminal is measured based on the positioning signal received by the one or more base stations, the information on the positioning method used in the second area is the positioning Information needed to use the method includes information identifying the one or more base stations;
In the second area, when the position of the mobile terminal is measured based on a positioning signal received by the one or more base stations, the mobile terminal uses a positioning method used in the second area. The position information providing system according to claim 2, wherein the positioning signal is transmitted after receiving the identification information. The information indicating the position of the mobile terminal includes information indicating a route to the destination designated by the user carrying the mobile terminal,
The information indicating the route includes information indicating a position of a point on the route, and information indicating an estimated time of arrival at the point on the route,
The positioning integration device is
Determining the current location of the mobile terminal based on the information indicating the route;
When it is determined that the mobile terminal enters the second area within a predetermined time from the present based on the information indicating the route, or from the current position of the mobile terminal to the second area 4. The position information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the mobile terminal determines that the mobile terminal has approached the second area when the mobile terminal is determined to be less than or equal to a predetermined distance. The information indicating the position of the mobile terminal includes information indicating an action schedule of a user carrying the mobile terminal,
The information indicating the action schedule includes information indicating a location of the user's destination, and information indicating a scheduled time when the user arrives at the destination,
The positioning integration device is
Based on the information indicating the action schedule, a current position of the mobile terminal is determined,
Based on the information indicating the action schedule, when it is determined that the mobile terminal enters the second area within a predetermined time from the present time, or from the current position of the mobile terminal to the second area 4. The position information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the mobile terminal determines that the mobile terminal has approached the second area when it is determined that the distance to the mobile terminal is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. The information indicating the position of the mobile terminal includes a plurality of coordinate values indicating the position of the mobile terminal, and the time at which each coordinate value is measured,
The positioning integration device is
Determining a current position and a future position of the mobile terminal by linearly approximating the plurality of coordinate values and time;
Based on the determined current position and future position, when it is determined that the mobile terminal enters the second area within a predetermined time from the present time, or the current position of the mobile terminal 4. The location information provision according to claim 3, wherein the mobile terminal determines that the mobile terminal has approached the second area when it is determined that the distance from the second area to the second area is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. system. Each of the base stations is a wireless local area network base station, an ultra wide band base station or a radio frequency identification reader,
The position information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the position information acquisition unit is a Global Positioning System positioning device. The position information providing system further includes a plurality of positioning method holding devices,
Each positioning method holding device holds information on the positioning method used in each of the areas,
The positioning integration device, when it is determined that the mobile terminal has approached the second area, transmits a positioning method request to the positioning method holding apparatus that holds the positioning method used in the second area,
The position information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning method holding device that has received the positioning method request transmits information on the positioning method held by the positioning method holding device to the positioning integration device. . A position information providing method executed in a position information providing system comprising a mobile terminal and a positioning integration device connected to the mobile terminal via a network,
The position information providing system includes:
Holding information indicating the location of the mobile terminal;
Holds information about the positioning method used in each of the multiple areas,
The information on the positioning method includes information for identifying a positioning method used in each of the plurality of regions,
When predetermined information is required to use the positioning method, the information on the positioning method further includes information necessary to use the positioning method,
The plurality of regions include a first region and a second region,
The positioning integration device includes an interface connected to the network, a processor connected to the interface, and a storage device connected to the processor,
The location information providing method includes:
When the positioning integration device receives a current location acquisition request from the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal determines the current position of the mobile terminal based on information indicating the position of the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal A first procedure for determining whether or not the mobile terminal has approached the second area based on information indicating the position of the mobile terminal when located in the first area;
When it is determined that the mobile terminal has approached the second area, the positioning integration device acquires information on a positioning method used in the second area;
A positioning information providing method comprising: a third procedure in which the positioning integration device transmits the acquired information to the mobile terminal. The location information providing system further includes one or more base stations that receive a positioning signal transmitted by the mobile terminal,
The mobile terminal includes a position information acquisition unit that measures the position of the mobile terminal,
The information indicating the position of the mobile terminal includes information indicating the position of the mobile terminal measured based on a signal received by the one or more base stations from the mobile terminal, and the position information acquisition unit. The position information providing method according to claim 9, comprising at least one of the information indicating the position of the mobile terminal measured by. The mobile terminal further includes a power supply unit that supplies power to the location information acquisition unit, and a control device that controls supply of power from the power supply unit to the location information acquisition unit,
In the second area, when the position information acquisition unit measures the position of the mobile terminal, the position information providing method uses information for identifying a positioning method used by the mobile terminal in the second area. After receiving, the control device starts supplying power from the power supply unit to the position information acquisition unit;
In the second area, when the position of the mobile terminal is measured based on a positioning signal received by the one or more base stations, the location information providing method is performed when the mobile terminal is in the second area. A step of transmitting the positioning signal after receiving information identifying a positioning method used; and
In the second area, when the position of the mobile terminal is measured based on the positioning signal received by the one or more base stations, the information on the positioning method used in the second area is the positioning The location information providing method according to claim 10, wherein the information necessary for using the method includes information for identifying the one or more base stations. The information indicating the position of the mobile terminal includes information indicating a route to the destination designated by the user carrying the mobile terminal,
The information indicating the route includes information indicating a position of a point on the route, and information indicating an estimated time of arrival at the point on the route,
The first procedure includes:
The positioning integration device determines a current position of the mobile terminal based on information indicating the route;
When it is determined that the mobile terminal enters the second area within a predetermined time from the present based on the information indicating the route, or from the current position of the mobile terminal to the second area The method according to claim 11, further comprising: a step of determining that the mobile terminal has approached the second region when the distance is determined to be less than or equal to a predetermined distance. The location information providing method described. The information indicating the position of the mobile terminal includes information indicating an action schedule of a user carrying the mobile terminal,
The information indicating the action schedule includes information indicating a location of the user's destination, and information indicating a scheduled time when the user arrives at the destination,
The first procedure includes:
The positioning integration apparatus determines a current position of the mobile terminal based on information indicating the action schedule;
Based on the information indicating the action schedule, when it is determined that the mobile terminal enters the second area within a predetermined time from the present time, or from the current position of the mobile terminal to the second area The method of claim 11, further comprising: a step of determining that the mobile terminal has approached the second region when the positioning integration device is determined to be less than or equal to a predetermined distance. Location information providing method described in 1. The information indicating the position of the mobile terminal includes a plurality of coordinate values indicating the position of the mobile terminal, and the time at which each coordinate value is measured,
The first procedure includes:
The positioning integration apparatus determines a current position and a future position of the mobile terminal by linearly approximating the plurality of coordinate values and time, and
Based on the determined current position and future position, when it is determined that the mobile terminal enters the second area within a predetermined time from the present time, or the current position of the mobile terminal The positioning integration device determines that the mobile terminal has approached the second area when it is determined that the distance from the second area is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. The position information providing method according to claim 11. The position information providing system further includes a plurality of positioning method holding devices,
Each positioning method holding device holds information on the positioning method used in each of the areas,
The second procedure includes
When it is determined that the mobile terminal has approached the second area, the positioning integration apparatus transmits a positioning method request to the positioning method holding apparatus that holds the positioning method used in the second area When,
The positioning method holding device that has received the positioning method request includes a procedure of transmitting information on the positioning method held by the positioning method holding device to the positioning integration device. Location information provision method. A positioning integration device connected to a mobile terminal and a positioning method holding device via a network,
The positioning integration device holds information indicating the position of the mobile terminal,
The positioning method holding device holds information on a positioning method used in each of a plurality of areas,
The information on the positioning method includes information for identifying a positioning method used in each of the plurality of regions,
When predetermined information is required to use the positioning method, the information on the positioning method further includes information necessary to use the positioning method,
The plurality of regions include a first region and a second region,
The positioning integration device is
An interface connected to the network, a processor connected to the interface, and a storage device connected to the processor,
When receiving a current location acquisition request from the mobile terminal, based on the information indicating the position of the mobile terminal, determine the current position of the mobile terminal,
When the mobile terminal is located in the first area, it is determined whether the mobile terminal has approached the second area based on information indicating the position of the mobile terminal;
When it is determined that the mobile terminal has approached the second area, information on the positioning method used in the second area is acquired from the positioning method holding device;
A positioning integration apparatus that transmits the acquired information to the mobile terminal.

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