JP2011166519A - Radio tag, management apparatus, and energy-saving system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio tag, a management apparatus and an energy-saving system in which the movement of a user can be highly accurately detected. <P>SOLUTION: A radio tag includes: a receiving circuit for receiving a radio signal of a first frequency band; a transmitting circuit for transmitting a radio signal of a second frequency band; and a control circuit connected to the receiving circuit and the transmitting circuit. The receiving circuit receives from a management apparatus a plurality of radio codes as the radio signal of the first frequency band, and the control circuit detects the movement of the radio tag from the order of receiving the plurality of radio codes. In such a constitution, the movement of the radio tag can be accurately detected. Then, on the basis of the result of the movement detection, the radio signal of the second frequency band can be transmitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless tag, a management device, and an energy saving system.

In recent years, there has been a demand for energy saving measures (hereinafter referred to as energy savings) that are considered to contribute to the prevention of global warming, such as reduction of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) emissions. In order to meet these demands, energy saving is also required in buildings and offices where people come in and out or stay, such as in school buildings and office floors. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP 2004-304279 A JP 2004-251509 A JP 2008-128594 A

By the way, in the conventional techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 and the like, they are arranged indoors at a preset timing such as a preset time or a time zone where an empty classroom is scheduled. Turn on or off the equipment switch.
However, in such energy saving control, there is no means for detecting the movement of the user. For this reason, the operation | movement or function of the equipment was not able to be turned on / off suitably according to a user's real-time action (or unplanned action). For this reason, the conventional energy saving control may be inefficient depending on the user's behavior.

  For example, it is assumed that a personal computer monitor (hereinafter also referred to as a PC monitor) is placed in the room. According to the conventional energy saving control method, the PC monitor switch is turned on (ie, display state) during a preset time period, and the PC monitor switch is off (ie, non-display state) at other time periods. become. Therefore, even if the user leaves or leaves the room as an unscheduled action in a preset time zone, the switch of the PC monitor is kept on as scheduled. In such a case, it does not contribute to power saving.

  Also, for example, for indoor lighting equipment, in the conventional energy saving control method, the switch is kept on (that is, the lighting state) in a preset time zone, and the switch is turned off in other time zones (that is, Held off). Therefore, even if all the users leave the room as an unscheduled action in a preset time zone, the switch of the indoor lighting equipment is kept on as scheduled. That is, since it cannot be automatically turned off in response to the user's real-time behavior, it does not contribute to power saving.

Further, for example, for indoor air conditioning equipment, in the conventional control method, the switch is kept on (that is, the temperature is adjusted) in a preset time zone, and the switch is switched in other time zones. Is kept off (that is, in a state where temperature adjustment or the like is not performed).
Therefore, even when all the users are absent as unscheduled actions, the temperature, the air volume, etc. are adjusted as scheduled within the set time zone. In such a case, it does not contribute to power saving.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a wireless tag, a management device, and an energy saving system that can detect a user's movement with high accuracy.

  To achieve the above object, a wireless tag according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving circuit that receives a wireless signal in a first frequency band, a transmitting circuit that transmits a wireless signal in a second frequency band, A reception circuit and a control circuit connected to the transmission circuit, wherein the reception circuit receives a plurality of wireless codes from a management device as a wireless signal in the first frequency band, and the control circuit includes: The movement of the wireless tag is detected according to the order in which the plurality of wireless codes are received.

  Here, the “first frequency band” is, for example, 135 kHz called LF (Low Frequency) and frequency bands before and after that (135 kHz is only an example of LF. In obtaining the effects of the present invention, LF Is not limited to the illustrated frequency.) The “second frequency band” is, for example, 315 MHz called RF (Radio Frequency) and frequency bands before and after that (315 MHz is just an example of RF. In obtaining the effects of the present invention, RF is It is not limited to the illustrated frequency.)

  With such a configuration, the movement of the wireless tag can be detected with high accuracy. And based on the detection result of this movement, the radio signal of the 2nd frequency band can be transmitted. Therefore, when the user carries this wireless tag, a wireless signal in the second frequency band can be transmitted in response to the user's real-time behavior. And it becomes possible to receive the radio signal of this 2nd frequency band and to control the operation mode of equipment.

  In the wireless tag, the plurality of wireless codes include a first wireless code receivable in a first area and a second wireless code receivable in a second area, and the control circuit Detects the movement of the wireless tag from the first area to the second area when the first wireless code is received first and the second wireless code is received later, When the second wireless code is received first and the first wireless code is received later, the movement of the wireless tag from the second area to the first area may be detected. .

  Here, the “first area” is an indoor area partitioned by walls, for example. The “second area” is, for example, an outdoor area. In the “first area”, for example, equipment that operates or functions by consuming electric power (for example, lighting equipment, air conditioning equipment, or a PC monitor) is arranged. With such a configuration, the movement of the wireless tag and its direction can be detected with high accuracy according to the order of reception of the first wireless code and the second wireless code.

  Further, in the above wireless tag, the transmission circuit includes, as the operation mode of the transmission circuit, a first operation mode and a second operation mode that saves power compared to the first operation mode, When the control circuit detects the movement of the wireless tag from the first area to the second area, the control circuit changes the operation mode of the transmission circuit from the first operation mode to the second operation mode. On the other hand, when the movement of the wireless tag from the second area to the first area is detected, the operation mode of the transmission circuit is switched from the second operation mode to the first operation mode. It may be a feature.

  Here, the “second operation mode” may be either a mode in which transmission is performed with less power than the first operation mode or a mode in which transmission is stopped. When transmission is stopped, power consumption related to transmission is minimum (ideally zero), and thus power saving is achieved compared to the first operation mode. For example, a standard mode related to a wireless tag described later corresponds to the “first operation mode” of the present invention, and a low consumption mode related to the wireless tag corresponds to a “second operation mode” of the present invention. In addition, an RF intermittent transmission mode to be described later can be applied to both the “first operation mode” and the “second operation mode”. That is, compared with the standard mode, the RF intermittent transmission mode corresponds to the “second operation mode”. Further, compared with the low consumption mode, the RF intermittent transmission mode corresponds to the “first operation mode”.

  With such a configuration, the wireless tag can perform its own energy saving control based on the detection result of its own movement. For example, when the wireless tag detects movement from its first area to the second area, the power supply to the transmission circuit is limited or stopped, and the transmission function is turned off. In addition, when the wireless tag detects movement from its second area to the first area, the power supply to the transmission circuit is resumed and the transmission function is turned on. Thereby, compared with the case where the transmission function of a wireless tag is always turned on, the consumption of the battery built in a wireless tag can be suppressed.

  In the wireless tag, the first wireless code and the second wireless code may have different frequencies. Here, the “first wireless code” is a wireless signal with a frequency of 312 MHz, for example, and the “second wireless code” is a wireless signal with a frequency of 314 MHz, for example. Both 312 MHz and 314 MHz belong to the RF frequency band. With such a configuration, even in the same frequency band, the first radio code and the second radio code can be identified by the difference in frequency within the band.

  In the above wireless tag, the first wireless code and the second wireless code may include different ID information. Here, “ID information” refers to identification information, for example, information that enables identification from others by combining a plurality of bits of logical value 1 or 0 (zero). For example, “first wireless code” includes 8-bit information [10110010] as ID information, and “second wireless code” includes 8-bit information [010110101] as ID information. With such a configuration, the first wireless code and the second wireless code can be identified by the difference in ID information.

  The wireless tag may further include a measurement circuit that measures temperature, and the transmission circuit transmits information about the temperature measured by the measurement circuit as a wireless signal in the second frequency band. May be a feature. With such a configuration, it is possible to use information on the temperature measured by the measurement circuit (hereinafter also referred to as measured temperature information). For example, when the equipment installed in the room is an air conditioner, the air conditioner can be controlled based on the measured temperature information, and the room temperature can be adjusted.

A management device according to another aspect of the present invention is a management device that provides information for detecting movement of a wireless tag between a first area and a second area to the wireless tag. A first transmitter that transmits a radio signal of the first frequency band toward the first area; and a second transmitter that transmits the radio signal of the first frequency band toward the second area. The first transmission unit and the second transmission unit respectively transmit different radio codes as radio signals in the first frequency band.
With such a configuration, for example, when the wireless tag moves between the first area and the second area, the wireless tag includes a plurality of wireless codes (for example, the first wireless code and the first wireless code). 2 wireless codes) can be received at different timings.

  The management apparatus further includes a first reception unit that receives a radio signal in a second frequency band, and the first reception unit uses the radio as the radio signal in the second frequency band. Information on the detection result of the tag movement may be received. Here, for example, a first RF receiving unit 42 and a second RF receiving unit 44 (that is, an RF receiving unit), which will be described later, correspond to the “first receiving unit” of the present invention. With such a configuration, the detection result of the movement of the wireless tag can be managed on the management device side.

  Moreover, the energy saving system which concerns on another aspect of this invention is an energy saving system containing said radio | wireless tag and said management apparatus, Comprising: The said radio | wireless tag is between 1st area and 2nd area. The wireless tag receiving circuit receives the plurality of wireless codes from the management device at different timings, and the wireless tag transmitting circuit receives the wireless signal of the second frequency band as: The movement detection result detected by the control circuit is transmitted.

  With such a configuration, the movement from the first area to the second area, or the second, depending on the order of reception of a plurality of wireless codes (for example, the first wireless code and the second wireless code). The movement from the first area to the first area can be detected with high accuracy. Then, information relating to the detection result of the movement can be transmitted from the wireless tag to the management device as a wireless signal in the second frequency band. Thereby, it is possible to make the management device grasp the movement and the direction of the wireless tag. Therefore, the operation mode of the equipment arranged in the first area or the second area can be controlled in response to the real-time action of the user carrying the wireless tag, and the efficiency of energy saving control can be improved. it can.

Moreover, the energy saving system which concerns on another aspect of this invention is the management which provides the wireless tag with the information for detecting the movement of the said wireless tag between a wireless tag and a 1st area and a 2nd area. An energy-saving system including a device and a control device, wherein equipment that operates or functions while consuming electric power is disposed in the first area, and the wireless tag is wireless in a first frequency band. A receiving circuit for receiving a signal; a transmitting circuit for transmitting a radio signal in a second frequency band; and a control circuit connected to the receiving circuit and the transmitting circuit; A first transmission unit that transmits a radio signal of a first frequency band toward the area, a second transmission unit that transmits a radio signal of the first frequency band toward the second area, And the wireless tag is in front of the first area. When moving between the second areas, the first transmission unit transmits a first radio code as a radio signal in the first frequency band, and the second transmission unit A second radio code is transmitted as a radio signal of a first frequency band, and the receiving circuit receives the first radio code in the first area and transmits the second radio code to the first frequency band. 2, the control circuit detects movement of the wireless tag according to the order of reception of the first wireless code and the second wireless code, and the transmitting circuit detects the second frequency band. Transmitting the information related to the detection result of the movement of the wireless tag as the wireless signal, and the control device controls the operation mode of the equipment device based on the information related to the detection result transmitted from the transmission circuit. It is characterized by
With such a configuration, for example, the operation mode of the equipment arranged in the first area can be controlled in response to the real-time behavior of the user carrying the wireless tag, and the efficiency of energy saving control can be improved. Can be increased.

In the energy saving system, the equipment includes a third operation mode and a fourth operation mode that consumes less power than the third operation mode as an operation mode of the equipment. When the wireless tag moves from the first area to the second area, the receiving circuit of the wireless tag receives the first wireless code first, and later receives the second wireless code. The control circuit detects movement of the wireless tag from the first area to the second area according to an order of reception of the first wireless code and the second wireless code; The transmission circuit transmits information related to the detection result of the movement of the wireless tag as a radio signal in the second frequency band, and the control device, based on the information related to the detection result transmitted from the transmission circuit, in front It may be characterized in that for setting the operating mode of the equipment in the fourth operation mode. Here, the “fourth operation mode” may be either a mode that operates or functions with lower power consumption than the third operation mode and a mode that stops the operation or functions. When the operation or function is stopped, the power consumption is minimum (ideally zero), and thus power saving is achieved compared to the third operation mode. For example, a standard mode related to the equipment described later corresponds to the “third operation mode” of the present invention, and a low consumption mode related to the equipment corresponds to the “fourth operation mode” of the present invention.
With such a configuration, when the user carrying the wireless tag moves from the first area to the second area, the operation mode of the equipment arranged in the first area is changed from the standard mode to the low consumption mode. (That is, it is possible to switch to the power saving mode).

  In the energy saving system, when the wireless tag moves from the second area to the first area, the reception circuit of the wireless tag receives the second wireless code first, The first wireless code is received later, and the control circuit receives the first area from the second area of the wireless tag according to the order of reception of the first wireless code and the second wireless code. The transmission circuit transmits information on a detection result of movement of the wireless tag as a radio signal in the second frequency band, and the control device transmits the information transmitted from the transmission circuit. Based on the information regarding the detection result, the operation mode of the equipment may be set to a third operation mode. With such a configuration, when the wireless tag moves from the second area to the first area, the operation mode of the equipment arranged in the first area can be switched from the low consumption mode to the standard mode. it can.

  In the energy saving system, the transmission circuit may transmit ID information of the wireless tag as a wireless signal in the second frequency band. If it is such a structure, in a control apparatus, the detection result of the movement of a wireless tag can be grasped | ascertained for every ID information of a wireless tag. Further, for example, based on the ID information of the wireless tag, it is possible to selectively perform energy saving control on only a specific facility device among the plurality of facility devices arranged in the first area.

  In the energy saving system, the control device further includes a plurality of second receiving units that are arranged in the first area at predetermined intervals and receive radio signals in the second frequency band. The position information of the wireless tag in the first area may be acquired based on reception status of ID information of the wireless tag by the plurality of second receiving units. Here, for example, a receiving unit 70 described later corresponds to the “second receiving unit” of the present invention. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to control the operation mode of the equipment using the position information of the wireless tag in the first area. In addition, the “second receiving unit” may be disposed, for example, on the indoor ceiling part of the first area, or a part of the equipment (for example, lighting equipment installed on the indoor ceiling part) As an accessory).

  In the energy saving system, the first area includes a specific area associated with ID information of the wireless tag, and the control device determines that the wireless tag is the specific area from the acquired position information. If it is determined that it exists in the area, the operation mode of the equipment arranged in the specific area is set to the third operation mode, while it is determined that the wireless tag does not exist in the specific area. In this case, the operation mode of the facility device arranged in the specific area may be set to the fourth operation mode. With such a configuration, it is possible to perform energy-saving control of the equipment disposed in a specific area based on the position information of the wireless tag.

A wireless tag according to another aspect of the present invention includes a receiving circuit that receives a wireless signal in a first frequency band, a transmitting circuit that transmits a wireless signal in a second frequency band, the receiving circuit, and the transmission A control circuit connected to the circuit, and an operation detection circuit for detecting a manual operation by a user, wherein the reception circuit receives a radio code from a management device as a radio signal in the first frequency band, and When the operation detection circuit detects an operation by a user, the transmission circuit transmits ID information of the wireless tag as a wireless signal in the second frequency band.
With such a configuration, for example, even when a user carrying the wireless tag moves and enters the communication range of the management apparatus, and the wireless tag receives the wireless code and detects its own movement, the wireless tag Can be prevented from being transmitted against the user's intention. That is, erroneous transmission of ID information can be prevented.

The figure which shows the structural example of the energy-saving system 100 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of a radio | wireless code. The figure which shows the structural example of the wireless tag 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for detecting movement by the wireless tag 10; The figure which shows an example of the indoor layout used as an object of energy-saving control, and equipment. The figure which shows an example of the energy-saving control with respect to the lighting installation 65. FIG. The figure which shows the other example of the energy-saving control with respect to the lighting installation 65. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the energy-saving control with respect to the PC monitor 67. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the energy-saving control with respect to the air-conditioning equipment. The flowchart which shows the energy-saving control method with respect to equipment. The figure which shows the structural example of the energy-saving system 200 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structural example of the wireless tag 110 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structural example of the accounting system 300 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the structural example of the wireless tag 210 which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, in each drawing described below, parts having the same configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.
[1. Configuration example of energy saving system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an energy saving system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, this energy saving system 100 includes at least one wireless tag 10, an entrance / exit management device 30 that transmits and receives radio signals to / from the wireless tag 10, and an entrance / exit management device 30 in a wired or wireless manner. And a management server 50 connected to be capable of bidirectional communication.

(1) Entrance / exit management device
The entrance / exit management device 30 is disposed, for example, in the vicinity of an entrance / exit (that is, a gate) in a room where facility equipment to be subjected to energy saving control is disposed. The entrance / exit management device 30 detects, for example, the movement of the wireless tag 10 when the user carrying the wireless tag 10 moves from the room to the room through the gate or from the room to the room. This information is provided by a wireless signal. The entrance / exit management device 30 includes a first communication unit 31, a second communication unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a control unit 35.

  Among these, the first communication unit 31 includes, for example, a first LF transmission unit 41 that transmits a radio signal of LF (that is, a frequency band around and around 135 kHz), and an RF (that is, a frequency band around and around 315 MHz). And a first RF receiving unit 42 for receiving the radio signal. The second communication unit 32 includes, for example, a second LF transmission unit 43 that transmits an LF radio signal and a second RF reception unit 44 that receives an RF radio signal.

  Here, the first communication unit 31 is arranged, for example, on the outdoor side, and a range in which a radio signal can be transmitted by the first LF transmission unit 41 (hereinafter also referred to as a first LF communication range) is set on the outdoor side. Has been. For example, an 8-bit wireless code [10110010] as illustrated in FIG. 2A is transmitted from the first LF transmission unit 41 as an LF wireless signal. In the following description, this wireless code [10110010] is referred to as code 1.

  On the other hand, the second communication unit 32 is disposed, for example, on the indoor side, and a range in which a radio signal can be transmitted by the second LF transmission unit 43 (hereinafter also referred to as a second LF communication range) is set on the indoor side. ing. From the second LF transmission unit 43, for example, an 8-bit radio code [010110101] as shown in FIG. 2B is transmitted as an LF radio signal. In the following description, this wireless code [010110101] is referred to as code 2. Code 1 is a radio signal with a frequency of 312 MHz, for example, and code 2 is a radio signal with a frequency of 314 MHz, for example. Both 312 MHz and 314 MHz belong to the RF frequency band. Even in the same RF frequency band, the code 1 and the code 2 can be easily identified by providing a difference in the frequency within the band.

  The storage unit 33 includes a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk, for example. The storage unit 33 includes information transmitted / received between the first communication unit 31 and the second communication unit 32 and the wireless tag 10, information transmitted / received between the entrance / exit management device 30 and the management server 50, and the like. Is stored. The storage unit 33 also stores programs necessary for executing various processes in the entrance / exit management device 30 (for example, programs required for executing steps S1 to S6 in FIG. 4 described later). Has been.

  The control unit 35 includes a circuit having a calculation function and a control function such as a CPU. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 35 is connected to the first communication unit 31, the second communication unit 32, and the storage unit 33. Thereby, the control part 35 reads a program from the memory | storage part 33, and transmits a control signal to the 1st communication part 31 and the 2nd communication part 32 according to the read program, respectively. Then, the control signal causes the first communication unit 31 and the second communication unit 32 to perform communication operations. That is, the control unit 35 is connected to the first communication unit 31 and the second communication unit 32, respectively, and controls the communication operation of the first communication unit 31 and the communication operation of the second communication unit 32, respectively. The control unit 35 processes data according to a program read from the storage unit 33 and stores the processed data in the storage unit 33.

(2) Management Server As shown in FIG. 1, the management server 50 includes a control unit 51 and a database 53. The control unit 51 includes a circuit having a calculation function and a control function such as a CPU. Further, the database 53 is composed of, for example, a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk. Further, the management server 50 and a plurality of facility devices arranged indoors are connected to be communicable in one direction (management server → equipment device) or bidirectionally, for example, by wire or wireless. The control unit 51 is assigned to identify the ID information of the wireless tag 10 among a plurality of facility devices arranged in the room (that is, to distinguish from other wireless tags 10) in accordance with the program stored in the database 53. For the specific equipment associated with the specific equipment), the operation mode is controlled to save power (that is, energy saving control is performed). A specific example of this energy saving control will be described later in [3. Application example] will be described.

(3) Wireless Tag FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the wireless tag 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless tag 10 includes a communication circuit 1, a storage circuit 3, a measurement circuit 5, a control circuit 7, and a power supply 9.
The communication circuit 1 includes, for example, an LF reception circuit 11 that receives an LF radio signal and an RF transmission circuit 12 that transmits an RF radio signal. The storage circuit 3 includes a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory. The storage circuit 3 stores information received by the LF reception circuit 11, information transmitted by the RF transmission circuit 12, and ID information of the wireless tag 10 and the like. The storage circuit 3 also stores programs necessary for executing various processes in the wireless tag 10 (for example, programs necessary for executing steps S7 to S22 in FIG. 4 described later). Yes.

  The control circuit 7 includes a circuit having a calculation function and a control function such as a CPU. As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 7 is connected to the communication circuit 1, the storage circuit 3, the measurement circuit 5, and the power supply 9. In the wireless tag 10, power is supplied to the communication circuit 1, the storage circuit 3, and the measurement circuit 5, for example, via the control circuit 7. Further, the control circuit 7 reads the program from the storage circuit 3 and transmits a control signal to each of the LF reception circuit 11 and the RF transmission circuit 12 according to the read program, so that the LF reception circuit 11 receives the LF radio signal. The RF transmission circuit 12 is caused to transmit an RF radio signal. That is, the control circuit 7 is connected to the LF reception circuit 11 and the RF transmission circuit 12, respectively, and controls the reception operation of the LF reception circuit 11 and the transmission operation of the RF transmission circuit 12, respectively. The control circuit 7 processes data according to a program read from the storage circuit 3 and stores the processed data in the storage circuit 3.

  The measurement circuit 5 is a circuit for measuring the temperature of the wireless tag 10 itself or the temperature around the wireless tag 10, for example, and is a circuit including a temperature measurement element such as a thermistor. In the wireless tag 10, information about the temperature obtained by the measurement circuit 5 is stored in the storage circuit 3 or the like via the control circuit 7, for example. The power source 9 includes, for example, a button-type battery and supplies a certain amount of power to the control circuit 7.

[2. (Motion detection)
In the energy saving system 100 shown in FIG. 1, when the user carrying the wireless tag 10 moves from the outside to the room through the gate (that is, enters the room), the second LF communication range is set after passing through the first LF communication range. Pass through. At this time, the LF receiving circuit 11 of the wireless tag 10 shown in FIG. 3 receives the code 1 in the first LF communication range and receives the code 2 in the second LF communication range. That is, when moving from the outside to the room, the code 1 is received first and the code 2 is received later.

When the user carrying the wireless tag 10 moves from the room to the outside (that is, leaves the room), the user passes through the second LF communication range and then passes through the first LF communication range. At this time, the LF receiving circuit 11 of the wireless tag 10 receives the code 2 first and the code 1 later. Here, since the codes 1 and 2 have different 8-bit information and can be identified, the wireless tag 10 that passes through the gate accurately moves itself and its direction from the reception order of the codes 1 and 2. Can be detected. That is, the wireless tag 10 can detect the movement of the user carrying the wireless tag 10 and its direction with high accuracy. Hereinafter, this movement detection method will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for detecting movement by the wireless tag 10. Here, first, the process (steps S1 to S6) performed by the entry / exit management device 30 will be described, and then the process (steps S7 to S22) performed by the wireless tag 10 will be described.

(1) Processing Performed by the Entrance / Exit Management Device In the entrance / exit management device 30, as the initial setting, the first LF transmission unit 41 and the second LF transmission unit 43 (hereinafter also referred to simply as LF transmission units) shown in FIG. ) And the first RF receiving unit 42 and the second RF receiving unit 44 (hereinafter also simply referred to as RF receiving units), and the respective transmission functions and reception functions are activated.
In this state, the RF receiver performs an RF radio signal reception operation (step S1). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a reception interrupt for the RF radio signal (step S2). This determination is made, for example, by the control unit 35 shown in FIG. If it is determined that there is an RF reception interrupt, the process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined that there is no RF reception interrupt, the process returns to step S1.

In step S3 of FIG. 4, RF data processing is performed. Here, the RF data processing is, for example, processing for deriving data information such as a tag ID from a received bit string. Next, ID information of the wireless tag (hereinafter also referred to as tag ID) and information related to entering / leaving the wireless tag 10 included in the RF wireless signal are acquired (step S4). These pieces of information are stored in, for example, the storage unit 33, and thereafter (or simultaneously with storage in the storage unit 33), the information is transmitted from the entrance / exit management device 30 to the management server 50 (step S5).
On the other hand, the LF transmitter repeatedly transmits the radio code at regular intervals (step S6). For example, the first LF transmission unit 41 repeatedly transmits the code 1 illustrated in FIG. 2A at regular intervals toward the first LF communication range. In addition, the second LF transmission unit 43 repeatedly transmits the code 2 shown in FIG. 2B at regular intervals toward the second LF communication range.

(2) Processing Performed by Wireless Tag As an initial setting, the wireless tag 10 supplies power to the LF receiving circuit 11 shown in FIG. 3 to activate the LF reception function. Further, the RF transmission circuit 12 is set to the low consumption mode, and the RF transmission function is not activated. Here, the low consumption mode is a mode in which power consumption is suppressed as compared with the standard mode or the intermittent RF transmission mode described later. For example, the sleep mode or a state in which the transmission operation is stopped due to power supply being stopped. That is. In the low consumption mode, RF transmission is not performed.

  In this state, it is determined whether or not there is a reception wakeup interrupt for the LF radio signal (step S7). Here, the reception wake-up interrupt is an interrupt signal sent from the receiving circuit to the control circuit in order to start the control circuit that has transitioned to the low-consumption mode when a radio wave exceeding a predetermined threshold is received. It is. The difference from a simple reception interrupt is whether or not the interrupt is intended to return from the low-consumption mode. The determination in step S7 is performed by, for example, the control circuit 7 of the wireless tag 10 shown in FIG. If it is determined that there is an LF reception wakeup interrupt, the process proceeds to step S8. If it is determined that there is no LF reception wakeup interrupt, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S8, LF data processing is performed. Here, the LF data processing is processing for deriving data information such as a wireless code from the received bit string, for example. Next, the wireless code included in the LF wireless signal is confirmed (step S9). In other words, the LF radio signal transmitted from the entrance / exit management device 30 includes the code 1 shown in FIG. 2A or the code 2 shown in FIG. Check which of 1 and 2 is received. This confirmation is performed by, for example, the control circuit 7 shown in FIG. Next, information about the confirmed wireless code (that is, code information) is stored in the storage circuit 3 (step S10), and then the process returns to step S7.

On the other hand, in step S11 of FIG. 4, the elapsed time from the previous interruption in step S7 is determined. For example, when it is determined that 2 seconds or more have elapsed since the previous interruption, the process proceeds to step S12, and when it is determined that it has not elapsed, the process returns to step S7.
In step S12, it is determined whether the code information stored last in the code information stored in the storage circuit 3 is the code 1 or 2. That is, it is determined whether the last received wireless code is the code 1 or 2. This determination is made, for example, by reading the code information from the storage circuit 3 by the control circuit 7 shown in FIG. If the last received wireless code is code 2, the process proceeds to step S13. If the last received radio code is code 1, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S13, the control circuit 7 determines the code 2.

Next, in step S14, it is determined whether the wireless code determined this time in step S13 is code 2 and the previously determined wireless code is 1. That is, it is determined whether or not the wireless code determination order is from code 1 to code 2. This determination is made by the control circuit 7 reading the code information from the storage circuit 3.
Here, it is a requirement for the wireless tag 10 to detect the movement from the outdoor to the indoor (that is, entering the room) that the wireless code is determined in the order of code 1 → code 2. If the requirement is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S15. If the requirement is not satisfied, the process returns to step S7.

As a case where the requirement is not satisfied, for example, a user carrying the wireless tag 10 enters the first LF communication range of the gate from the outdoor side, and then returns to the outdoor without proceeding to the second LF communication range. There may be cases. In such a case, the radio code is determined in the order of code 1 → code 1.
In step S15, the control circuit 7 detects the entry of the wireless tag 10 based on the determined order of the wireless codes. Further, the result of this detection is stored in the storage circuit 3. Next, power is supplied to the RF transmission circuit 12 to activate the RF transmission circuit 12. That is, the operation mode of the RF transmission circuit 12 is switched from the low consumption mode to the standard mode. Next, the tag ID and the information related to the entry record are transmitted from the RF transmission circuit 12 as an RF radio signal (step S16).

This RF transmission is received by the RF receiving unit of the room entrance / exit management device 30, particularly the second RF receiving unit 44 arranged on the indoor side (see steps S2 to S4). The received information is transmitted from the entrance / exit management device 30 to the management server 50 (see steps S4 and S5).
Thereafter, in the wireless tag 10, the control circuit 7 switches the operation mode of the RF transmission circuit 12 to the intermittent transmission mode (step S17), and returns to step S7.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S12 in FIG. 9 to step S18, the control circuit 7 of the wireless tag 10 determines the code 1. In step S19, it is determined whether or not the wireless code determined this time in step 18 is code 1 and the previously determined wireless code is code 2. That is, it is determined whether or not the wireless code determination order is from code 2 to code 1. This determination is made by the control circuit 7 reading the code information from the storage circuit 3.

Here, it is a requirement for the wireless tag 10 to detect the movement of the wireless tag 10 from the room to the outside (that is, leaving the room) from the code 2 to the code 1 in the determined order of the wireless code. If the requirement is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S20. If the requirement is not satisfied, the process returns to step S7.
As a case where the requirement is not satisfied, for example, the user carrying the wireless tag 10 enters the second LF communication range of the gate from the indoor side, and then returns to the room without proceeding to the first LF communication range. There may be cases. In such a case, the radio code is determined in the order of code 2 → code 2.

  In step S <b> 20, the control circuit 7 detects the exit of the wireless tag 10 based on the determined order of the wireless codes. Further, the result of this detection is stored in the storage circuit 3. Then, the tag ID and information related to the leaving record are transmitted from the RF transmission circuit 12 as an RF radio signal (step S21). Thereafter, the supply of power to the RF transmission circuit 12 is stopped or restricted, and the operation mode of the RF transmission circuit 12 is switched from the standard mode to the low consumption mode (step S22). Then, it returns to step S7.

In addition, this RF transmission is received by the 1st RF receiving part 42 arrange | positioned in the outdoor side especially among the RF receiving parts which the entrance / exit management apparatus 30 has (refer step S2-S4). The received information is transmitted from the entrance / exit management device 30 to the management server 50 (see steps S4 and S5).
As described above, the energy saving system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a communication system that transmits and receives LF and RF wireless signals between the wireless tag 10 and the entrance / exit management device 30. The movement and the direction of the wireless tag 10 can be detected with high accuracy by the order of reception of the codes 1 and 2 transmitted separately. Based on the detection result of the movement, an RF radio signal can be transmitted from the RF transmission circuit 12 of the radio tag 10 to control the operation mode of the equipment installed in the room.

[3. Application example of energy saving control)
Next, application examples of the above-described energy saving system 100 will be described.
(1) Example of indoor layout and facility equipment FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating an example of an indoor layout and facility equipment that are targets of energy saving control. First, an indoor layout and equipment installed in the room will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the room (for example, the office floor) that is subject to energy saving control is divided into, for example, a first area, a second area, a third area, and a fourth area. Yes. Each of these areas may be partitioned by specific means such as a partition or a wall, or may not be partitioned.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the first area, the second area, or the third area is a desk area. The users A to L are enrolled in any one of the first area, the second area, and the third area, and a desk 61 and a chair 62 are assigned to the users A to L, respectively. The fourth area is a conference room in which a large table 63 and a plurality of chairs 64 are arranged. In such a room, the user A is engaged in business in the first area and the fourth area, and has the authority to control each equipment device arranged in the first area and the fourth area. In addition, it is assumed that the user B is engaged in business in the second area and the fourth area and has the authority to control each equipment device arranged in the second area and the fourth area. Similarly, the users C to L are engaged in business in their respective enrollment areas and the fourth area, and have the authority to control the respective equipment installed in the respective enrollment areas and the fourth area. And

  In addition, in FIG. 5A and FIGS. 6A to 6C which will be described later, in order to clarify the enrollment of the users A to L, each arranged in the first area, the second area, or the third area. The desk 61 is assigned the same reference numeral as each user. In other words, the desk 61 assigned to the user A is denoted by reference numeral A, the desk 61 assigned to the user B is denoted by reference numeral B, and similarly, the desk 61 assigned to the users C to L is assigned to the desk 61. Reference numerals C to L are respectively attached.

In addition, it is assumed that wireless tags 10 having different IDs are lent to users A to L in advance. In the following description, in order to distinguish the ID of the wireless tag 10, the wireless tag 10 lent to the user A is referred to as a wireless tag 10A, and the wireless tag 10 lent to the user C is referred to as a wireless tag 10C. Next, facility equipment arranged indoors will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5B, for example, in the first area, the second area, the third area, and the fourth area, a light fixture 65 (for example, a fluorescent lamp or a light bulb using a light emitting diode (LED)) is used. Etc.) are arranged, and in each area, the desk 61, the table 63, etc., which are located immediately below the lighting equipment 65 are illuminated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, for example, one PC monitor 67 is arranged on each desk 61 in the first area, the second area, and the third area. Each of these PC monitors 67 is assigned to each of the users A to L like the desk 61.
Moreover, as shown in FIG.5 (d), the air-conditioning equipment 69 is each arrange | positioned at the 1st area, the 2nd area, the 3rd area, and the 4th area, for example. These air conditioners 69 are arranged, for example, on the ceiling of the room at regular intervals. These air conditioning facilities 69 perform temperature control by sending warm air or cold air downward from the ceiling. In addition to the temperature control function, these air conditioning facilities 69 may have a humidity control function such as dehumidification and humidification.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, a plurality of receiving units 70 capable of receiving RF radio signals are arranged in the room at regular intervals. The receiving unit 70 may be provided on the ceiling or the desk 61 independently of the other equipment described above, or an accessory of other equipment (for example, the lighting equipment 65 disposed on the ceiling). Or an accessory of the air-conditioning equipment 69). Next, the energy saving control for these equipment will be specifically described.

(2) Energy Saving Control for Lighting Equipment FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams showing an example of energy saving control for the lighting equipment 65.
As shown in FIG. 6A, when a user A who is enrolled in the first area carries the wireless tag 10A, passes through the gate, and moves to the first area, the RF transmitted from the wireless tag 10A Is received by the RF receiver 70 arranged in the first area. Based on this result, the switches of all the lighting equipments 65 arranged in the first area are automatically turned on (that is, if the immediately preceding is off, it is switched on, and if the immediately preceding is on, this is switched on. The lighting equipment 65 is turned on and the entire first area is illuminated. While the user A stays in the first area, the lighting equipment 65 in the first area is maintained in a lighting state in principle, and the first area is maintained at a certain level of brightness.

  In this example, the switch of the lighting equipment 65 may be turned on and off exceptionally by manual operation instead of automatically. Even if the user A stays in the first area by turning off the switch of the lighting equipment 65 by manual operation, the illuminance of the lighting equipment 65 in the first area is reduced or part or all of the illumination is turned off. Thus, the lighting facility 65 in the first area can be switched to the low consumption mode. That is, the lighting facility 65 can be exceptionally switched from the standard operation mode to the low consumption mode without depending on the wireless tag 10.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the user A carrying the wireless tag 10A moves from the first area to the fourth area, an RF wireless signal transmitted from the wireless tag 10A is transmitted to the first area. The RF receiver 70 cannot receive. Based on this result, the lighting equipment 65 in the first area is automatically switched off and switched to the low consumption mode. Further, the RF receiver 70 disposed in the fourth area can receive the RF radio signal transmitted from the radio tag 10A. Based on this result, the switches of all the lighting facilities 65 in the fourth area are automatically turned on (that is, switched on if the previous is off, and maintained if the previous is on). The lighting equipment 65 is turned on to illuminate the entire fourth area. While the user A stays in the fourth area, the lighting equipment 65 in the fourth area is maintained in the lighting state in principle, and the fourth area is maintained at a certain level of brightness. As with the first area, there is an exception in the energy saving control for the lighting equipment 65 in the fourth area, and the mode can be switched by manual operation, for example.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), when the user A carrying the wireless tag 10A goes out of the room from the fourth area through the gate (that is, leaves the room), the RF wireless signal transmitted from the wireless tag 10A is transmitted. The signal cannot be received by the RF receiver 70 in the fourth area. Based on this result, the lighting equipment 65 in the fourth area is automatically turned off and switched to the low consumption mode.
Although not shown, in addition to the user A carrying the wireless tag 10A, when the user C who is enrolled in the first area carries the wireless tag 10C and stays in the first area, the user A leaves the first area. After that, the lighting equipment 65 in the first area is maintained in the lighting state in principle. This lighting state is maintained while the user C stays in the first area. Thus, when even one of the users enrolled in a specific area stays in that specific area, the lighting equipment 65 in that specific area is maintained in a lit state in principle.

Thus, when the energy saving system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is applied to the lighting equipment 65, the lighting equipment 65 to be turned on can be determined individually or for each area by the tag ID. The registration of the tag ID can be added to the database 53 of the management server 50 and can be deleted, for example.
For example, in a conventional method in which energy-saving control is performed based on the detection result of infrared rays, the lighting equipment cannot be controlled only based on the detection result of the presence or absence of a person. In some areas, people may be inadvertently sensed and lit, but according to the present invention, they will not be lit inadvertently, so efficient energy-saving control is possible.

FIG. 7 is another example of energy saving control for the lighting equipment 65 shown in FIGS. In FIG. 6A, when the RF receiver 70 receives an RF radio signal transmitted from the radio tag 10A, the switches of all the lighting facilities 65 arranged in the first area are automatically switched based on this result. The case where it is turned on is described. However, this is only an example.
In the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, not all of the lighting facilities 65 arranged in the first area, but only some of the lighting facilities 65 are lit, and the desk 61 assigned to the user A and its surroundings You may make it illuminate only. Thus, further energy saving can be realized without hindering the work of the user A.

  In addition, in FIGS. 6A to 6C or FIG. 7, for example, when it is desired to increase the illuminance at night, by turning on the switch of the lighting equipment 65 by manual operation, You may enable it to light all the lighting installations 65 of 1 area compulsorily. In order to provide such a forcing function, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 14 described later, a switch that can be operated by pressing with the fingertip of the user may be provided in the wireless tag. In that case, by pressing a switch provided on the wireless tag, it is possible to transmit a predetermined signal from the wireless tag 10 and forcibly turn on the preset lighting equipment 65.

(2) Energy Saving Control for PC Monitor FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing an example of energy saving control for the PC monitor 67.
As shown in FIG. 8A, when the user A who is enrolled in the first area carries the wireless tag 10A, passes through the gate, and moves to the first area, the RF transmitted from the wireless tag 10A is transmitted. The RF receiver 70 disposed in the first area receives the radio signal. Based on this result, the switch of the PC monitor 67 arranged on the desk 61 of the user A is automatically turned on, and the PC monitor is switched from the low consumption mode to the standard mode.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the user A carrying the wireless tag 10A leaves the first area, the RF receiving unit 70 arranged in the first area receives an RF signal transmitted from the wireless tag 10A. The wireless signal cannot be received. Based on this result, the switch of the PC monitor 67 arranged on the desk 61 of the user A is automatically turned off, and the PC monitor is switched from the standard mode to the low consumption mode.

  Even when the user A stays in the first area, if the PC monitor 67 is manually turned off, for example, the PC monitor 67 can be automatically switched from the standard mode to the low consumption mode. Further, when the signal is not transmitted from the PC to the PC monitor 67 for a certain period of time (for example, when the keyboard or mouse is not operated), the PC monitor 67 can be automatically switched from the standard mode to the low consumption mode. That is, as in the case of the lighting facility 65, the PC monitor 67 can be exceptionally switched from the standard mode to the low consumption mode without depending on the wireless tag 10.

(3) Energy Saving Control for Air Conditioning Equipment FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing an example of energy saving control for the air conditioning equipment 69.
As shown in FIG. 9A, when a user A who is enrolled in the first area carries the wireless tag 10A, passes through the gate, and moves to the first area, the RF radio transmitted from the wireless tag 10A The RF receiving unit 70 arranged in the first area receives the signal. Based on this result, the air conditioner 69 arranged in the first area is set to the standard mode (that is, if the immediately preceding operation mode is the low consumption mode, the mode is switched to the standard mode, and the immediately preceding operation mode is the standard mode). If it is in the mode, this is maintained), and the entire first area is adjusted to a predetermined environment consisting of a predetermined temperature, a predetermined air volume or a predetermined humidity, or a combination thereof. While the user A stays in the first area, the air conditioning equipment 69 in the first area is basically maintained in the standard mode, and the first area is adjusted to a predetermined set value with respect to temperature, air volume or humidity.

  In the energy saving control for the air conditioning equipment 69, for example, the measurement circuit 5 of the wireless tag 10 shown in FIG. 3 measures the temperature, and the measured result is arranged as an RF signal from the wireless tag 10 in the first area. May be transmitted to the received receiver 70. As a result, the information related to the temperature of the wireless tag 10 or its surroundings (that is, measured temperature information) can be grasped on the management server 50 side, and the temperature of the first area is set to the set value based on the grasped measured temperature information. Can be even closer.

For example, even in the first area, the room temperature may be different between a seat near the window 71 and a seat far from the window 71. However, in this example, since the measured temperature information is transmitted from the wireless tag 10A carried by the user A to the management server 50, the room temperature of the seat near the window side is increased or decreased based on this information. The optimum temperature adjustment can be performed accordingly. That is, the temperature measurement information can be acquired for each position of the receiving unit 70, and the temperature can be controlled based on this information. Therefore, it is possible to perform fine temperature control, which has been impossible in the past, and temperature control according to the user's dynamics.
In this example, by inputting an arbitrary set value or mode to the air conditioner 69 using a remote controller or the like, various settings such as temperature, air volume or humidity in the air conditioner 69 can be arbitrarily adjusted, or the air conditioner 69. It is also possible to exceptionally switch the operation mode from the standard mode to the low consumption mode, or from the low consumption mode to the standard mode.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the user A carrying the wireless tag 10A moves from the first area to the fourth area, the RF radio signal transmitted from the wireless tag 10A is changed to the RF of the first area. The receiving unit 70 cannot receive. Based on such a result, the air conditioner 69 in the first area is automatically switched to the low consumption mode. Although not shown, in addition to the user A carrying the wireless tag 10A, when the user C who is enrolled in the first area carries the wireless tag 10C and stays in the first area, the user A leaves the first area. After that, the air conditioner 69 in the first area is maintained in the standard mode in principle. This standard mode is maintained while user C remains in the first area. Thus, when even one of the users who are registered in a specific area stays in the specific area, the air conditioner 69 of the specific area is maintained in the standard mode in principle.

In addition, the above-described movement enables the RF receiver 70 disposed in the fourth area to receive the RF radio signal transmitted from the radio tag 10A. Based on this result, the air conditioner 69 in the fourth area is set to the standard mode. While the user A stays in the fourth area, the air conditioner 69 in the fourth area is basically maintained in the standard mode, and the fourth area is maintained in a constant environment with respect to temperature, air volume, or humidity.
Further, in the fourth area, similarly to the first area, the measurement circuit 5 of the wireless tag 10 shown in FIG. 3 measures the temperature, and the measurement result (that is, measured temperature information) is obtained from the wireless tag 10. The data is transmitted to the receiving unit 70 arranged in the fourth area. Based on this information, the room temperature can be made closer to the set value.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the user A carrying the wireless tag 10A moves to the third area, the RF radio signal transmitted from the wireless tag 10A is arranged in the third area. The RF receiver 70 can receive. However, the user A is not enrolled in the third area, and the ID of the wireless tag 10A lent to the user A is set so as not to have control authority over the air conditioning equipment arranged in the third area. Has been. For this reason, air conditioning control by the wireless tag 10A is not performed in the third area.

(4) Processing performed by the wireless tag and the management server The energy saving control for each facility device described in the above (2), (3), and (4) may be performed separately or in combination. . For example, only the energy saving control of the lighting equipment 65 may be performed, or the energy saving control of the lighting equipment 65 and the air conditioning equipment 69 may be performed simultaneously and in parallel on the same area. Such energy-saving control can be realized by the management server 50 connected to the entrance / exit management device 30 and the wireless tag 10 performing, for example, the processing shown in FIG. 10 in cooperation.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an energy saving control method for facility equipment.
After “switching to the RF intermittent transmission mode” (see step S17 in FIG. 4), the RF transmission circuit 12 of the wireless tag 10 repeatedly transmits the tag ID as a wireless signal of the RF at regular intervals (step S31). .

  On the other hand, after “transmission to the management server” (see step 5 in FIG. 4), the management server 50 causes the plurality of RF reception units 70 to perform an RF radio signal reception operation (step S32). Then, the presence / absence of a reception interrupt is determined for the RF radio signal (step S33). This determination is made, for example, by the control unit 51 shown in FIG. If it is determined that there is an RF reception interrupt, the process proceeds to step S34, and if it is determined that there is no RF reception interrupt, the process returns to step S32.

  In step S <b> 34 of FIG. 10, the position of the wireless tag 10 is specified based on the reception status of the RF radio signal transmitted from the wireless tag 10. Then, based on the specified position and the ID information of the wireless tag 10, the specified position becomes a specific area associated with the wireless tag 10 (that is, an area having control authority). It is judged whether it is (step S35). That is, it is determined whether or not the wireless tag 10 whose position has been specified has the authority to control the equipment disposed in the area including the specified position. This determination is made, for example, by the control unit 51 shown in FIG.

For example, in the case of the above-described wireless tag 10A, the first area and the fourth area are specific areas (that is, areas having control authority), and the second area and the third area are areas other than the specific areas (that is, Area that does not have control authority).
If it is determined in step S35 that the area is a specific area, the process proceeds to step S36, and one or more of the equipment (for example, the lighting equipment 65, the PC monitor 67, and the air conditioning equipment 69) arranged in the specific area. ) Is set to the standard mode. On the other hand, if it is determined that the area is not a specific area, the process proceeds to step S37, and the operation of the equipment (for example, one or more of the lighting equipment 65, the PC monitor, and the air conditioning equipment 69) arranged in the specific area. Set the mode to low-consumption mode. After step S36 or step S37, the process returns to step S32.

  As described above, according to the energy saving system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the wireless tag 10 and the direction thereof are determined according to the order of reception of the codes 1 and 2 transmitted separately from the entrance / exit management device 30. Can be detected with high accuracy. Then, information related to the detection result of the movement can be transmitted from the wireless tag 10 to the entrance / exit management device 30 as an RF radio signal. Thereby, the entrance / exit management device 30 can grasp the movement and the direction of the wireless tag 10. Therefore, it is possible to control the operation mode of the equipment installed in the room in response to the real-time action of the user carrying the wireless tag 10, and to improve the efficiency of energy saving control.

  Moreover, according to the wireless tag 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention, self energy-saving control can be performed based on the detection result of self movement. For example, when the wireless tag 10 detects a movement from its own room to the outside (that is, leaving the room), the power supply to the RF transmission circuit 12 is limited or stopped to switch to the low consumption mode, and the RF transmission function is set. Turn off. Further, when the movement of the wireless tag from the outside to the room (that is, entering the room) is detected, the power supply to the RF transmission circuit 21 is resumed, the transmission function is turned on, and the RF wireless signal can be transmitted. To do. Thereby, the consumption of the battery built in the wireless tag 10 can be suppressed as compared with the case where the RF transmission function is always kept on.

[4. Other configuration examples)
In the above embodiment, the entrance / exit management device 30 always transmits code 1 and code 2 as LF radio signals, and the radio tag 10 receives them to detect its movement and its direction. explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the wireless tag may always transmit an LF wireless signal, which is received by the entry / exit management device, and the movement of the wireless tag may be detected by the entry / exit management device. Hereinafter, this point will be described.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the energy saving system 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 11, this energy saving system 200 includes at least one wireless tag 110, an entrance / exit management device 130 that transmits and receives radio signals to / from the wireless tag 110, and an entrance / exit management device 130 that is wired or wireless. And a management server 150 connected to be capable of bidirectional communication. The energy saving system 200 is different from the energy saving system 200 shown in FIG. 1 and the like in the configuration of the first communication unit and the second communication unit included in the entrance / exit management device and the configuration of the communication unit included in the wireless tag. .

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the entrance / exit management device 130 is disposed, for example, in the vicinity of an entrance / exit (that is, a gate) in a room where equipment equipment to be subjected to energy saving control is disposed, and the first communication unit 131 and the second communication unit 132. Here, the first communication unit 131 includes a first LF reception unit 141 that receives an LF radio signal and a first RF transmission unit 142 that transmits an RF radio signal. The second communication unit 132 includes a second LF receiving unit 143 that receives an LF radio signal and a second RF transmission unit 144 that transmits an RF radio signal. As shown in FIG. 11, the 1st communication part 131 is arrange | positioned at the outdoor side, and the 2nd communication part 132 is arrange | positioned at the indoor side.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the wireless tag 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 12, the wireless tag 110 includes a communication circuit 101, a storage circuit 3, a measurement circuit 5, a control circuit 7, and a power supply 9. Here, the communication circuit 101 includes an LF transmission circuit 111 that transmits an LF radio signal, an RF reception circuit 112 that receives an RF radio signal, and an RF transmission circuit 113 that transmits an RF radio signal.
In the energy saving system 200, the LF transmission circuit 111 of the wireless tag 110 always continues to transmit the tag ID as an LF wireless signal. In addition, the first LF receiver 141 and the second LF receiver 143 of the entrance / exit management device 130 are always on standby so as to receive the LF radio signal.

In the energy saving system 200 shown in FIG. 11, when the user carrying the wireless tag 110 moves from the outdoor to the indoor (that is, enters the room), the LF transmission circuit 111 of the wireless tag 110 receives the tag ID as an LF wireless signal. Therefore, the first LF receiver 141 is first and the second LF receiver 143 is later in the order of reception of the tag IDs. Further, when moving from the user room carrying the wireless tag 110 to the outside of the room (that is, leaving the room), the reception order of the tag ID is the second LF reception unit 143 first and the first LF reception unit 141 is later.
Therefore, the entrance / exit management device 130 can detect the movement of the wireless tag 110 and its direction (that is, the direction of movement of the user carrying the wireless tag 110) from the order of reception of the tag IDs.

  When the entrance / exit management device 130 detects entry of the wireless tag 110, information about the detection result (that is, information about entry record) is stored in the storage unit 33 and transmitted to the management server 50. The information related to the room entry record is transmitted as an RF radio signal from the second RF transmission unit 144 of the room entrance / exit management device 130 together with the tag ID, for example. When such information is received by the RF reception circuit 112 and the transmitted tag ID matches the ID of the wireless tag 110, the transmission function of the RF transmission circuit 113 is activated. Then, the RF transmission circuit 113 repeatedly transmits the tag ID as an RF radio signal at regular intervals.

  On the other hand, when the entrance / exit management device 130 detects the exit of the wireless tag 110, information related to the detection result (that is, information related to the exit record) is stored in the storage unit 33 and transmitted to the management server 50. Further, the information regarding the leaving record is transmitted as a RF radio signal from the first RF transmitting unit 144 of the entering / leaving management apparatus 130 together with the tag ID. When such information is received by the RF reception circuit 112 and the transmitted tag ID matches the ID of the wireless tag 110, the operation mode of the RF transmission circuit 113 is switched from the standard mode to the low consumption mode.

  As described above, according to the energy saving system 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the movement and direction of the wireless tag 110 can be detected with high accuracy according to the order of reception of the tag IDs in the entrance / exit management device 130. Therefore, the operation mode of the equipment installed in the room can be controlled in response to the real-time behavior of the user carrying the wireless tag 110, and the efficiency of energy saving control can be increased.

[5. (Application to billing system)
In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an energy saving system has been described. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to, for example, a billing system in a self-service restaurant. Hereinafter, this point will be described.
(1) Configuration of Billing System FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a billing system 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 13, this charging system 300 includes at least one wireless tag 210, a charging management device 230 that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the wireless tag 210, and a charging management device 230 that is wired or wirelessly bidirectional. And a management server 50 connected to be communicable with each other.

As shown in FIG. 13, the billing management device 230 is arranged in a self-service restaurant, for example. Here, the self method is a method in which the user himself / herself does not serve the customer at the table or the like. The charge management device 230 includes, for example, a first communication unit 231, a second communication unit 232, a third communication unit 233, a storage unit 33, and a control unit 35.
The first communication unit 231 includes a first LF transmission unit 241 and a first RF reception unit 242. The second communication unit 232 includes a second LF transmission unit 243 and a second RF reception unit 244. The third communication unit 233 includes, for example, a third LF transmission unit 245 that receives an RF radio signal and a third RF reception unit 246 that receives an LF radio signal.

In the billing management apparatus 230, the first communication unit 231 is arranged, for example, in an area where the menu A is prepared. Moreover, the 2nd communication part 232 is arrange | positioned at the area where the menu B was prepared, for example. Furthermore, the 3rd communication part 233 is arrange | positioned at the area where the menu C was prepared, for example.
The management server 50 includes a control unit 35 and a database 53. In this example, the control unit 35 stores information related to the history of accounting for a plurality of tag IDs in accordance with a program stored in the database 53.

14A and 14B are diagrams showing a configuration example of the wireless tag 210 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 14B, the wireless tag 210 includes a communication circuit 201, a storage circuit 3, an operation detection circuit 205, a control circuit 7, and a power supply 9. The control circuit 7 is connected to the communication circuit 201, the storage circuit 3, the operation detection circuit 205, and the power source 9, respectively. The communication circuit 201 includes, for example, an LF reception circuit 211 that receives an LF radio signal and an RF transmission circuit 212 that transmits an RF radio signal.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, the wireless tag 210 is provided with a switch that can be operated by, for example, pressing with the fingertip of the user. The pressing operation on the switch 206 is detected by the operation detection circuit 205 shown in FIG. 14B, and information on the detection result is transmitted to the control circuit 7 and stored in the storage circuit 3 or the like. It has become so. Next, a charging method will be described.

(2) Billing Method In the billing management apparatus 230 shown in FIG. 13, while power is being supplied (for example, during restaurant operation), the first LF transmission unit 241, the second LF transmission unit 243, and the third LF transmission unit. 245 always transmits the LF radio signal, and the first RF receiving unit 242, the second RF receiving unit 244, and the third RF receiving unit 246 are on standby so that the RF radio signal can be constantly received. The first LF transmission unit 241, the second LF transmission unit 243, and the second LF transmission unit 245 transmit different radio codes as LF radio signals. For example, as an LF radio signal, the first LF transmission unit 241 transmits a radio code [10110010] (that is, code 1), the second LF transmission unit 243 transmits a radio code [[01011011] (that is, code 2), The third LF transmission unit 245 transmits the wireless code [1100101] (that is, code 3).

Further, the communication range of the first LF transmission unit 241 (ie, the first LF communication range), the communication range of the second LF transmission unit 243 (ie, the second LF communication range), and the communication of the second LF transmission unit 245 are possible. Range (that is, the third LF communication range) are separated so as not to overlap each other. On the other hand, the LF reception circuit 211 of the wireless tag 210 is also on standby so that the LF wireless signal can always be received.
In order to explain the billing method under such settings, for example, a case where the user carrying the wireless tag 210 selects the menu A in the cafeteria is assumed.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, when the user enters the first LF communication range, the code 1 transmitted from the first LF transmission unit 241 is received by the LF reception circuit 211 of the wireless tag 210. As a result, the wireless tag 210 detects its own movement and stores the received code 1 in the storage circuit 3 of the wireless tag 210 as confirmed code information. Next, when the user presses the switch 206, the RF transmission circuit 212 of the wireless tag 210 transmits the confirmed code information and the tag ID as an RF wireless signal.

  This information is received by the first RF receiver 242 of the charge management device 230. The received information is transmitted to the management server 50. Here, of the information transmitted to the management server 50, the confirmed code information and the tag ID are stored in the database 53 in association with each other. Thereby, the accounting history for each user can be accurately maintained for each user.

  Thus, according to the charging system 300 of the present invention, for example, the user carrying the wireless tag 210 moves and enters the first LF communication range, the second LF communication range, or the third LF communication range, and the wireless tag 210 Even when the wireless code is received and its movement is detected, the ID information of the wireless tag 210 can be prevented from being transmitted against the user's intention. That is, erroneous transmission of ID information can be prevented.

  Further, in the conventional billing system, the wireless tag is brought close to the receiver and “holding action” is necessary, but in the billing system of the present invention, “holding action” is not necessary. Therefore, for example, even when a wireless tag is put in a so-called neck folder and it is hung from the neck, it is necessary to remove the neck folder from the neck or bend the body in order to realize the “holding action” Absent. Accordingly, the user can be charged with a comfortable attitude.

  1, 101, 201 Communication circuit, 3 Storage circuit, 5 Measurement circuit, 7 Control circuit, 9 Power supply, 10, 110, 210 Wireless tag, 11, 211 LF reception circuit, 12, 113, 212 RF transmission circuit, 21 transmission circuit , 30, 130 Entrance / exit management device, 31, 131, 231 1st communication unit, 32, 132, 232 2nd communication unit, 33 storage unit, 35 control unit, 41, 241 1st LF transmission unit, 42, 242 1st RF Receiver, 43, 243 Second LF transmitter, 44, 244 Second RF receiver, 50, 150 Management server, 51 Controller, 53 Database, 61 Desk, 62, 64 Chair, 63 Table, 65 Lighting equipment, 67 PC Monitor, 69 Air conditioning equipment, 70 Receiver, 71 Windows, 100, 200 Energy saving system, 111 LF transmission circuit, 11 RF reception circuit, 141 first LF reception unit, 142 first RF transmission unit, 143 second LF reception unit, 144 second LF transmission unit, 205 operation detection circuit, 206 switch, 230 charge management device, 233 third communication unit, 245 third LF Transmitter, 246 Third RF receiver, 300 Billing system

Claims (16)

A receiving circuit for receiving a radio signal in a first frequency band;
A transmission circuit for transmitting a radio signal of the second frequency band;
A control circuit connected to the receiving circuit and the transmitting circuit,
The receiving circuit receives a plurality of radio codes from a management device as radio signals in the first frequency band,
The wireless tag according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit detects movement of the wireless tag according to an order in which the plurality of wireless codes are received. The plurality of radio codes include a first radio code that can be received in a first area and a second radio code that can be received in a second area;
The control circuit includes:
If the first wireless code is received first and the second wireless code is received later, the movement of the wireless tag from the first area to the second area is detected,
When the second wireless code is received first and the first wireless code is received later, the movement of the wireless tag from the second area to the first area is detected. The wireless tag according to claim 1. The transmission circuit includes, as an operation mode of the transmission circuit, a first operation mode and a second operation mode that saves power compared to the first operation mode,
The control circuit includes:
When the movement of the wireless tag from the first area to the second area is detected, the operation mode of the transmission circuit is switched from the first operation mode to the second operation mode,
When the movement of the wireless tag from the second area to the first area is detected, the operation mode of the transmission circuit is switched from the second operation mode to the first operation mode. Item 3. The wireless tag according to Item 2.   4. The wireless tag according to claim 2, wherein the first wireless code and the second wireless code have different frequencies. 5.   The wireless tag according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first wireless code and the second wireless code include different ID information. A measurement circuit for measuring the temperature,
The said transmission circuit transmits the information regarding the said temperature measured by the said measurement circuit as a radio signal of the said 2nd frequency band, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Wireless tag. A management device that provides information for detecting movement of a wireless tag between a first area and a second area to the wireless tag,
A first transmitter that transmits a radio signal of a first frequency band toward the first area;
A second transmission unit that transmits a radio signal of the first frequency band toward the second area,
The first transmission unit and the second transmission unit respectively transmit different radio codes as radio signals in the first frequency band. A first receiving unit for receiving a radio signal in the second frequency band;
The management apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first reception unit receives information regarding a detection result of movement of the wireless tag as a wireless signal in the second frequency band. An energy-saving system including the wireless tag according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the management device according to claim 7 or claim 8,
When the wireless tag moves between the first area and the second area,
The wireless tag receiving circuit receives the plurality of wireless codes from the management device at different timings,
The wireless tag transmission circuit transmits the movement detection result detected by the control circuit as a wireless signal in the second frequency band. An energy-saving system comprising: a wireless tag; a management device that provides the wireless tag with information for detecting movement of the wireless tag between a first area and a second area; and a control device. ,
Equipment that operates or functions by consuming electric power is disposed in the first area,
The wireless tag is
A receiving circuit for receiving a radio signal in a first frequency band;
A transmission circuit for transmitting a radio signal of the second frequency band;
A control circuit connected to the receiving circuit and the transmitting circuit,
The management device
A first transmitter that transmits a radio signal of a first frequency band toward the first area;
A second transmission unit that transmits a radio signal of the first frequency band toward the second area,
When the wireless tag moves between the first area and the second area,
The first transmission unit transmits a first radio code as a radio signal of the first frequency band,
The second transmission unit transmits a second radio code as a radio signal of the first frequency band,
The receiving circuit receives the first wireless code in the first area and receives the second wireless code in the second area;
The control circuit detects movement of the wireless tag according to an order of reception of the first wireless code and the second wireless code;
The transmission circuit transmits information on the detection result of movement of the wireless tag as a wireless signal in the second frequency band,
The said control apparatus controls the operation mode of the said installation apparatus based on the information regarding the said detection result transmitted from the said transmission circuit, The energy-saving system characterized by the above-mentioned. The facility device includes, as an operation mode of the facility device, a third operation mode, and a fourth operation mode that saves power compared to the third operation mode,
When the wireless tag moves from the first area to the second area,
The receiving circuit of the wireless tag receives the first wireless code first, receives the second wireless code later,
The control circuit detects movement of the wireless tag from the first area to the second area according to an order of reception of the first wireless code and the second wireless code,
The transmission circuit transmits information on the detection result of movement of the wireless tag as a wireless signal in the second frequency band,
The energy saving system according to claim 10, wherein the control device sets an operation mode of the facility device to a fourth operation mode based on information on the detection result transmitted from the transmission circuit. When the wireless tag moves from the second area to the first area,
The receiving circuit of the wireless tag receives the second wireless code first, receives the first wireless code later,
The control circuit detects movement of the wireless tag from the second area to the first area according to an order of reception of the first wireless code and the second wireless code;
The transmission circuit transmits information on the detection result of movement of the wireless tag as a wireless signal in the second frequency band,
The said control apparatus sets the operation mode of the said equipment apparatus to the 3rd operation mode based on the information regarding the said detection result transmitted from the said transmission circuit, The Claim 10 or Claim 11 characterized by the above-mentioned. Energy saving system.   The energy saving system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the transmission circuit transmits ID information of the wireless tag as a wireless signal in the second frequency band. A plurality of second receivers arranged at predetermined intervals in the first area and receiving radio signals of the second frequency band;
The said control apparatus acquires the positional information on the said wireless tag in the said 1st area based on the reception condition of the ID information of the said wireless tag by these 2nd receiving parts. Energy saving system as described in The first area includes a specific area associated with ID information of the wireless tag,
The controller is
When it is determined from the acquired position information that the wireless tag is present in the specific area, the operation mode of the facility device arranged in the specific area is set to the third operation mode, ,
15. When it is determined that the wireless tag does not exist in the specific area, the operation mode of the facility device arranged in the specific area is set to the fourth operation mode. Energy saving system as described in A receiving circuit for receiving a radio signal in a first frequency band;
A transmission circuit for transmitting a radio signal of the second frequency band;
A control circuit connected to the receiving circuit and the transmitting circuit;
Including an operation detection circuit for detecting a manual operation by a user,
When the reception circuit receives a wireless code from a management device as a wireless signal in the first frequency band, and the operation detection circuit detects an operation by a user,
The wireless tag transmits the ID information of the wireless tag as a wireless signal of the second frequency band.

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