JP2012063978A - Monitoring system and wireless tag - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a configuration capable of finding more quickly and more accurately that a person to be monitored falls into a quiescent condition.SOLUTION: A monitoring system 1 executes monitoring by using a wireless tag reader 10 to read a wireless tag 50. The wireless tag 50 includes: quiescent condition finding means for finding a quiescent condition of the wireless tag 50; quiescence duration finding means for finding duration of the quiescent condition found by the quiescent condition finding means; determination means for determining whether or not the duration found by the quiescence duration finding means exceeds a predetermined period of time; and annunciation signal output means for outputting an annunciation signal when the determination means determines that the duration exceeds the predetermined period of time.

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring system and a wireless tag.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, systems for detecting a non-contact communication medium possessed by a user with a detection device (tag reader or the like) have been widely provided. For example, Patent Document 1 provides a vehicle electronic key device that performs a wake-up operation with a radio signal in the LF frequency band and responds with a radio wave in the UHF band. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique related to an active tag used for entrance / exit management. In this technique, gate control is appropriately performed by changing a radio wave transmission period according to the degree of proximity to an interrogator. It is done at the timing.

JP 2006-306161 A JP 2005-321853 A

  As described above, at present, wireless tags are used for the movement management of people and objects in various fields, and the application targets thereof are steadily expanding. Among them, there is a high possibility that the wireless tag system can be applied to facilities where there are many people to watch, such as hospitals and elderly care facilities. For example, if tag readers are placed in various places in the facility (each room or shared facility (toilet, lavatory, etc.)) and the person to be watched always has a wireless tag, It becomes possible to grasp which position in the facility has moved, and the target person can be watched more appropriately. Further, when the target person has not moved from a specific place for a long time, the state can be grasped on the wireless tag reader side. In such a case, an emergency response such as an alarm can be taken.

  However, when the state of the wireless tag is detected only by the wireless tag reader in this way, there is a problem that the wireless tag reader cannot accurately grasp what state the target person is actually in. For example, even if a wireless tag is detected only by a specific wireless tag reader and the detected state has continued for a certain period of time, whether the wireless tag reader is standing in the communication area or cannot move. There is a problem that it is not possible to judge whether it has stopped. Therefore, in order to accurately determine to some extent that the target person has become unable to move in the monitoring target area, the threshold time used for determining the stationary state must be set longer, and is shorter than the threshold time. If quick response is desired in time, it may not function properly.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and in a monitoring system that monitors a wireless tag possessed by a monitoring target person by a wireless tag reader, or a wireless tag used in such a monitoring system, the monitoring target It is an object of the present invention to provide a configuration that can quickly and more accurately detect that a person has entered a predetermined stationary state.

The invention of claim 1 relates to a monitoring system for monitoring by reading a wireless tag with a wireless tag reader.
In this invention, the wireless tag includes a stationary state detecting unit that detects a stationary state of the wireless tag, a stationary duration detecting unit that detects a duration of a stationary state detected by the stationary state detecting unit, and the stationary A determination means for determining whether or not the duration time detected by the duration detection means has exceeded a predetermined time; and a notification signal when the determination means determines that the predetermined time has elapsed. Notification signal output means for outputting.
The wireless tag reader further includes notification signal detection means for detecting the notification signal from the wireless tag.
Further, in the wireless tag reader or an external device capable of communicating with the wireless tag reader, emergency processing means is provided for performing a predetermined emergency process when the notification signal detection means detects the notification signal.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring system according to the first aspect, the wireless tag reader includes an activation signal output means for periodically outputting a predetermined activation signal, and the wireless tag includes the activation signal output. And a start signal detecting means for detecting the start signal output from the means. The notification signal output means outputs the notification signal when the activation signal is detected by the activation signal detection means when the determination means determines that the duration has passed the predetermined time. is doing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring system according to the second aspect, after the activation signal detecting means determines that the predetermined time has elapsed by the determining means, the activation signal is detected during a predetermined detection period. A signal detection operation is performed, and after the detection period has elapsed, the activation signal detection operation is stopped until the determination means determines that the duration has passed the predetermined time.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the wireless tag includes an externally operable tag-side operation means, and immediately after the wireless tag is turned on or Mode switching means for setting the wireless tag to a non-detection mode when a predetermined release operation is performed on the tag side operation means, and for switching the wireless tag to a detection mode when a predetermined activation operation is performed on the tag side operation means; Have.
Further, the stationary state detection means is configured to stop the stationary state detection operation when in the non-detection mode and perform the stationary state detection operation when switched to the detection mode.
The notification signal output means outputs an emergency notification signal to the wireless tag reader when a predetermined emergency operation is performed on the tag side operation means when the wireless tag is set to the detection mode. Output.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the emergency processing unit issues an alarm when the notification signal detection unit receives the notification signal. It is characterized by comprising means.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification signal output from the notification signal output unit is detected by the stationary duration detection unit. The duration data is included, and the emergency processing means performs a corresponding process corresponding to the duration included in the notification signal when the notification signal detection means receives the notification signal. The structure to do is made.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein the emergency processing means performs voice processing that asks the owner of the wireless tag when the duration time is less than a predetermined alarm reference time, When the duration time is equal to or longer than a predetermined alarm reference time, an alarm process is performed to issue an alarm different from the sound generated by the sound process.

The invention according to claim 8 is the monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of wireless tag readers are arranged at a plurality of positions in the facility, and each wireless tag reader has a unique ID. Assigned.
Furthermore, a management device capable of communicating with the plurality of wireless tag readers is provided, and the wireless tag reader notifies the management device when the notification signal detection means of the wireless tag reader detects the notification signal. Have means.
Then, when the notification signal is output from the wireless tag, the management device uses a notification from the notification unit according to the notification signal and a unique ID assigned to the wireless tag reader that performs the notification. And a reader position detecting means for detecting the position of any one of the wireless tag readers capable of communicating with the wireless tag from which the notification signal is output.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the reader-side microphone disposed in or near each wireless tag reader, and the voice collected by the reader-side microphone as an electrical signal A predetermined on-operation is performed by the reader-side voice transmission means that converts the data into the management device and transmits it to the management device and the management-device-side operation device provided in the management device or the tag-side operation device provided in the wireless tag. Or on / off switching means for turning on the reader-side microphone when the notification signal detecting means detects the notification signal.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the monitoring system according to the eighth or ninth aspect, a plurality of speakers respectively disposed in or near each wireless tag reader, and the management device side. A management device side microphone, and a management device side voice transmission means for converting the voice collected by the management device side microphone into an electrical signal and transmitting it to the speaker.

  The invention according to claim 11 is a wireless tag monitored by a wireless tag reader, wherein the stationary state detecting means for detecting the stationary state of the wireless tag and the duration of the stationary state detected by the stationary state detecting means are detected. A stationary duration detecting means for determining, a determining means for determining whether the duration detected by the stationary duration detecting means has passed a predetermined time, and a duration of the predetermined time elapsed by the determining means And a notification signal output means for outputting a notification signal to the wireless tag reader when it is determined that the notification has been made.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the wireless tag reader according to the eleventh aspect is configured to communicate with the wireless tag reader configured to periodically output a predetermined activation signal.
Further, activation signal detection means for detecting the activation signal is provided, and the notification signal output means is provided by the activation signal detection means when the determination means determines that the predetermined time has elapsed. The notification signal is output when the activation signal is detected by the activation signal detection means within a predetermined time.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the wireless tag, a stationary state detecting unit that detects a stationary state of the wireless tag, a stationary duration detecting unit that detects a duration of the stationary state detected by the stationary state detecting unit, A determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed for the duration detected by the duration detection means; and a notification signal for outputting a notification signal when the determination means determines that the predetermined time has elapsed Output means. According to this configuration, when the wireless tag has been stationary for a predetermined time, a notification signal can be output from the wireless tag to the outside. The state can be notified to the outside.
Further, the wireless tag reader is provided with notification signal detecting means for detecting a notification signal from the wireless tag, and in a wireless tag reader or an external device capable of communicating with the wireless tag reader, a predetermined signal is detected when the notification signal detecting means detects the notification signal. Emergency processing means for performing emergency processing is provided. According to this configuration, the wireless tag reader or the external device can perform a predetermined emergency process when the wireless tag is in a stationary state for a predetermined time, so that the wireless tag holder may have an abnormality. In some cases, it becomes possible to respond more quickly and appropriately.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the wireless tag reader includes an activation signal output means for periodically outputting a predetermined activation signal, and the wireless tag detects an activation signal output from the activation signal output means. Have means. The notification signal output means outputs a notification signal when the activation signal is detected by the activation signal detection means when the determination means determines that the duration has passed the predetermined time.
According to this configuration, it is possible to periodically check whether or not a notification signal is output from the wireless tag on the wireless tag reader side, and it is possible to efficiently monitor the abnormality of the wireless tag holder.

  In the invention of claim 3, the activation signal detection means performs the activation signal detection operation during a predetermined detection period after the determination means determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, and after the detection period elapses, Next, the detection operation of the activation signal is stopped until the determination means determines that the continuation time has passed the predetermined time. In this configuration, the start signal detection operation is stopped until it is determined by the determination means that the predetermined time has elapsed, so that power saving can be effectively achieved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the wireless tag is switched to the detection mode when a predetermined activation operation is performed on the tag side operation means, and the stationary operation is detected when the wireless tag is switched to the detection mode. Is to be done. The notification signal output means outputs an emergency notification signal to the wireless tag reader when a predetermined emergency operation is performed on the tag side operation means when the wireless tag is set to the detection mode.
According to this configuration, since an emergency notification signal is output when an RFID tag holder or the like performs an emergency operation on the tag side operation means, not only notification according to the monitoring of the stationary state but also active It is possible to notify the outside also by an emergency operation. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the transmission method at the time of abnormality can be increased, and the convenience and security of the RFID tag holder can be increased, and external monitoring can be performed more appropriately.

  In the invention of claim 5, the emergency processing means is constituted by alarm means for issuing an alarm when the notification signal detecting means receives the notification signal. In this way, the urgency can be informed to the outside when the wireless tag is stationary for a predetermined time.

  In the invention of claim 6, the notification signal output from the notification signal output means includes data of the duration detected by the stationary duration detection means, and the emergency processing means includes the notification signal detection means Is configured to perform a corresponding process corresponding to the duration included in the notification signal when the notification signal is received. According to this configuration, the extent to which the stationary state continues can be ascertained externally (monitoring position away from the wireless tag), and a more appropriate response can be made according to the duration of the stationary state.

  In the invention of claim 7, when the duration is less than the predetermined alarm reference time, the emergency processing means performs voice processing for asking the owner of the wireless tag, and when the duration is equal to or longer than the predetermined alarm reference time. The emergency processing means performs an alarm process for issuing an alarm different from the voice generated by the voice process. In this way, based on the alarm reference time, the change in the situation can be monitored by asking the owner of the wireless tag at the stage where the risk of abnormality is relatively low, and the risk of abnormality is relatively At an advanced stage, it is possible to convey the urgency to the outside by issuing an alarm.

The invention according to claim 8 is provided with a management device capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless tag readers in the facility, and the wireless tag reader notifies the management device when the notification signal detecting means of the wireless tag reader detects the notification signal. It has a reporting means. On the other hand, when the notification signal is output from the wireless tag, the management device reports the notification based on the notification from the notification means corresponding to the notification signal and the unique ID assigned to the wireless tag reader that performs the notification. Reader position detecting means for detecting the position of any wireless tag reader capable of communicating with the wireless tag that has output the signal is provided.
According to this configuration, it is possible for the management apparatus to quickly and accurately grasp where the wireless tag that is sending out the notification signal is in the facility, and the wireless tag holder who is concerned about the abnormality in the facility. Discovery and response to the RFID tag holder can be performed earlier.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a reader-side microphone disposed in or near each wireless tag reader, and a reader-side voice transmission that converts sound collected by the reader-side microphone into an electrical signal and transmits it to the management device When a predetermined ON operation is performed by the management device and the management device side operation means provided in the management device or the tag side operation means provided in the wireless tag, or when the notification signal detection means detects the notification signal On / off switching means for turning on the side microphone is provided.
In this way, the microphone (reader side microphone) in the vicinity of the owner of the RFID tag that is concerned about the abnormality can be operated so that the voice of the RFID tag owner and the surrounding sounds can be confirmed externally. It is possible to quickly provide a judgment material for grasping a specific state of a person to the outside away from the wireless tag holder.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of speakers arranged in or near each wireless tag reader, a management device side microphone disposed on the management device side, and a voice collected by the management device side microphone are collected. Management device side audio transmission means for converting to an electric signal and transmitting it to a speaker is provided.
According to this configuration, it is possible to issue some kind of voice (inquiries, instructions, etc.) from the management device side to the RFID tag holder who is concerned about abnormality, and the management device side receives the voice from the RFID tag holder for that voice. It becomes easier to take a more appropriate response considering the reaction.

  The invention of claim 11 relates to a wireless tag capable of communicating with a wireless tag reader, wherein the stationary state detecting means for detecting the stationary state of the wireless tag, and the duration of the stationary state detected by the stationary state detecting means A stationary duration detecting means to detect, a judging means for judging whether or not the duration detected by the stationary duration detecting means has passed a predetermined time, and a judging means that the duration has passed a predetermined time. And a notification signal output means for outputting a notification signal in the event of a failure. According to this configuration, when the wireless tag has been stationary for a predetermined time, a notification signal can be output from the wireless tag to the outside. The state can be notified to the outside.

In the invention of claim 12, a wireless tag reader configured to periodically output a predetermined activation signal is a communication target. Further, an activation signal detection means for detecting an activation signal is provided, and the notification signal output means is activated by the activation signal detection means within a predetermined time when it is determined by the determination means that the predetermined time has passed. A notification signal is output when the activation signal is detected by the signal detection means.
According to this configuration, whether or not a notification signal is output from the wireless tag can be periodically checked on the wireless tag reader side, and an abnormality of the wireless tag holder can be efficiently monitored. .

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a facility to which the monitoring system of FIG. 1 is applied. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the connection configuration between the management apparatus and the wireless tag reader, the communication range of each wireless tag reader, and the like. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of a wireless tag reader used in the monitoring system of FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of a wireless tag used in the monitoring system of FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram for conceptually explaining the internal configuration of the vibration sensor used in the wireless tag in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is when the wireless tag is stationary with the tilted. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates notably the mode of this vibration sensor. FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram for conceptually explaining the state of the vibration sensor when stationary in a posture different from that in FIG. FIG. 6D is a circuit diagram illustrating a detection circuit that detects a signal from the vibration sensor in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the monitoring process performed by the wireless tag. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the stationary time monitoring timer process performed by the wireless tag. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operation switch detection processing performed by the wireless tag. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the monitoring process performed by the wireless tag reader. FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining an activation signal transmission period, a response signal waiting period on the wireless tag reader side, a vibration detection period by the vibration sensor on the wireless tag side, an activation signal reception waiting period, and a response signal transmission period. 12A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data frame of an activation signal transmitted from the wireless tag reader to the wireless tag. FIG. 12B is a response signal frame (response frame) transmitted from the wireless tag to the wireless tag reader. FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the monitoring process performed in the management apparatus. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a notification example in the monitoring device.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a monitoring system and a wireless tag according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and the like, a hardware configuration and the like of each element constituting the monitoring system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a monitoring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a facility to which the monitoring system of FIG. 1 is applied. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the connection configuration between the management apparatus and the wireless tag reader, the communication range of each wireless tag reader, and the like. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of a wireless tag reader used in the monitoring system of FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of a wireless tag used in the monitoring system of FIG.

(Overview of monitoring system)
First, an overview of the monitoring system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The monitoring system 1 is configured as a system for monitoring a monitoring target person (a monitoring target person) such as a patient or an elderly person in a hospital or an elderly care facility, and the wireless tag 50 possessed by the monitoring target person. And a wireless tag reader 10 that can read the wireless tag 50 and a management device 2 that can communicate with the wireless tag reader 10. In the following example, a case where the present invention is applied as an elderly monitoring system used in an elderly care facility will be described as a representative example.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of wireless tag readers 10 are arranged at a plurality of positions in the facility, and a unique ID is assigned to each wireless tag reader 10. Specifically, the unique ID (reader ID) of the memory 32 of each wireless tag reader 10 is stored, and the management device 2 specifies which unique ID of the wireless tag reader 10 is located at which location. Data is registered.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the RFID tag reader 10 is provided in each room of the person to be monitored, and the RFID tag reader 10 is also arranged in a common place (stairs, common room, common bath, shared toilet), etc. Yes. Therefore, when the person to be monitored is present in the room, the wireless tag can be read in the room, and when the person to be monitored is in a staircase or a shared toilet, the wireless tag can be read in that place. In FIG. 2, only some of the wireless tag readers 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 10 e, 10 f, and 10 g are denoted by reference numerals, and the other wireless tag readers are omitted.

(Management device)
Next, the management apparatus 2 will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the management device 2 is provided in a place (staff room) where a staff resides in the facility. As shown in FIG. 1, the management device 2 includes a CPU 3, a communication unit 4, a display unit 5, an operation unit 6, a storage unit 7, a speaker 8, a management device side microphone 9, and the like, and performs various information processing. Configured as a computer to get. As shown in FIG. 3, the management device 2 is communicably connected to each wireless tag reader 10 in the facility, and can transmit information to each wireless tag reader 10 or receive information from each wireless tag reader 10.

  The CPU 3 is responsible for overall control of the management device 2 and is configured to perform various types of information processing. The communication unit 4 is configured as a communication interface capable of communicating with each wireless tag reader 10, and is configured as, for example, a wireless LAN interface. The display unit 5 displays various types of information, and is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The operation unit 6 enables external input and is configured by an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. The storage unit 7 includes a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and other semiconductor memories, and is configured to be able to store various types of information. The speaker 8 is composed of a known speaker and is configured to emit various sounds. The management device side microphone 9 is configured as a known microphone, and has a configuration in which sounds near the management device 2 are collected, converted into electrical signals, and transmitted.

(Wireless tag reader)
Next, each wireless tag reader 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The wireless tag reader 10 is configured as an RFID tag reader / writer that can read, for example, an RFID tag, and performs communication using an electromagnetic wave with the wireless tag 50 to read information recorded in the wireless tag 50 or to the wireless tag 50. It is configured to write information. As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless tag reader 10 is mainly configured by a control unit 11, a transmission unit 12, a reception unit 13, an antenna 14, and an activation signal transmission unit 15.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU 31, a memory 32, a timer 33, and the like, and has a configuration that governs overall control of the wireless tag reader 10.

  The transmission unit 12 includes a coding unit 21, a modulation unit 22, an amplification unit 23, and the like, and is configured to output a carrier (carrier wave) having a predetermined frequency from a carrier oscillator (not shown). The encoding unit 21 is connected to the control unit 11, encodes transmission data output from the control unit 11, and outputs the encoded transmission data to the modulation unit 22. The modulation unit 22 is a part to which the carrier (carrier wave) from the carrier oscillator and the transmission data from the encoding unit are input, and when the command (carrier wave) output from the carrier oscillator is transmitted to the communication target A modulated signal, for example, ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulated by the encoded transmission code (modulated signal) output from the encoding unit 21 is generated and output to the amplifying unit 23.

  The amplifying unit 23 amplifies the input signal (the modulated signal modulated by the modulating unit) with a predetermined gain, and outputs the amplified signal to the antenna 14 via a filter, a matching circuit, etc. (not shown). When a transmission signal is output to the antenna 14 in this way, the transmission signal is radiated from the antenna 14 to the outside as an electromagnetic wave.

  The reception unit 13 includes a demodulation unit 25, a decoding unit 26, and the like, and is configured to receive a radio wave signal received by the antenna 14. The receiving unit 13 receives a reception signal from the antenna 14 through a matching circuit (not shown), filters the signal by a filter (not shown), amplifies the signal by an amplifier (not shown), and the amplified signal is demodulated by the demodulation unit 25. Demodulate. Then, the demodulated signal waveform is binarized by a binarization processing unit (not shown), decoded by the decoding unit 26, and then the decoded signal is output to the control unit 11 as received data. The receiving unit 13 is provided with a carrier sense unit 27 that checks whether a channel for emitting radio waves is available.

  The activation signal transmission unit 15 transmits an activation signal of an LF (Low Frequency) band via the LF band antenna 42. The LF band transmission circuit 41 includes a known signal generation circuit capable of transmitting an LF band signal. For example, the LF band transmission circuit 41 generates a trigger signal having a frequency of 30 kHz to 300 kHz and outputs the trigger signal via the LF band antenna 42. ing. The LF band antenna 42 only needs to have a configuration capable of outputting LF band radio waves, and includes, for example, a parallel resonance circuit.

  The wireless tag reader 10 is also provided with a reader-side microphone 17 and a speaker 18. The reader-side microphone 17 is configured as a known microphone, and is configured to collect sound near the wireless tag reader 10, convert it into an electrical signal, and transmit it. The speaker 18 is composed of a known speaker and is configured to emit various sounds.

(Wireless tag)
Next, the wireless tag 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
The wireless tag 50 is configured, for example, as a known RFID tag in terms of hardware, and includes a control unit 51, an antenna 54, a reception unit 53, a transmission unit 52, a power supply unit 59, and the like as illustrated in FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, the wireless tag 50 is configured as a so-called active tag, and a built-in battery (for example, a lithium coin battery) is provided. The power supply unit 59 receives power supply from the built-in battery, and the control unit Power for operation is supplied to each component including 51.

  The control unit 51 includes a CPU 55, a memory 56, a timer 57, and the like. The CPU 55 performs various controls and arithmetic processes in the wireless tag 50. The memory 56 includes various semiconductor memories such as a ROM, an EEPROM, and a RAM, and various information such as tag identification information (tag ID) for identifying the wireless tag 50 and information handled in communication processing described later. Is to be memorized.

  The receiving unit 53 includes a demodulating unit 65, a decoding unit 66, and the like. In the receiving unit 53, the signal received by the antenna 54 is demodulated by the demodulating unit 65, and the demodulated signal is decoded by the decoding unit 66, thereby outputting the data superimposed on the received signal to the control unit 51. is doing. The receiving unit 53 is also provided with a carrier sense unit 68 that checks whether a channel for emitting radio waves is available.

  The transmission unit 52 mainly includes a coding unit 61, a modulation unit 62, and an amplification unit 63. The transmitter 52 encodes the data output from the controller 51 as transmission data by the encoder 61 and then modulates the data by the modulator 62. The modulated signal is amplified by the amplifying unit 63 and output to the antenna 54. Thus, the transmission data output to the antenna 54 is radiated from the antenna 54 as a radio wave signal.

  The activation signal receiving unit 58 includes an antenna 72 and an LF band receiving circuit 71. The antenna 72 is configured to be able to receive an LF band activation signal (trigger radio wave) generated by the activation signal transmitter 15 described above. The LF band receiving circuit 71 demodulates the LF band radio wave received by the antenna 72 and outputs the demodulated signal to the control unit 51.

  The operation switch 90 is composed of, for example, a button type, a slide type, and a rotary type switch, and can be externally operated by the user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 51 when the external operation is performed. It is supposed to be.

  The vibration sensor 80 corresponds to an example of a “stationary state detecting unit” that detects the stationary state of the wireless tag 50, and has a configuration as shown in FIG. 6, for example. 6A is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the internal configuration of the vibration sensor 80 used in the wireless tag 50 in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a state in which the wireless tag 50 is tilted. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates notionally the mode of the vibration sensor 80 when it is stationary. FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating the state of the vibration sensor 80 when it is stationary in a posture different from that in FIG. FIG. 6D is a circuit diagram illustrating a detection circuit that detects a signal from the vibration sensor 80 shown in FIG.

  The vibration sensor 80 is configured by a known vibration sensor, and outputs a signal (vibration signal) corresponding to vibration when vibration is generated in the wireless tag 50, and is stationary when the wireless tag 50 is stationary. A signal (static signal) according to the state is output. A vibration sensor 80 illustrated in FIG. 6 has a spindle-shaped cavity formed in the sensor, and two electrodes 81 and 82 are provided in the cavity. Further, two conducting spheres 83 and 84 are provided in the cavity. When the wireless tag 50 is in a stationary state (that is, when the vibration sensor 80 is in a stationary state), the electrode 81, the conductive ball, as shown in FIGS. 83, a conduction path of the conduction ball 84 and the electrode 82 is formed, and the electrode 81 and the electrode 82 are energized. On the other hand, when the wireless tag 50 vibrates (that is, when the vibration sensor 80 vibrates), the conduction sphere 83 and the conduction sphere 84 move in response to the vibration, so that the conduction sphere 83 and the conduction sphere 84 are instantaneously separated. The energization between the electrode 81 and the electrode 82 is interrupted at least instantaneously. That is, the energized state of the electrode 81 and the electrode 82 does not continue for a long time, and the energization is interrupted at a short interval. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not a signal is generated in the wireless tag 50 by detecting this momentary interruption of energization.

  The interruption of energization between the electrode 81 and the electrode 82 can be detected by, for example, a detection circuit as shown in FIG. In this circuit, for example, the CPU 55 sets the output port P1 to the H level at the timing at which the vibration sensor 80 should be operated (that is, the timing at which vibration is desired to be detected). Since the vibration sensor 80 is ON when stationary, the interrupt port P2 becomes L level when stationary. Therefore, when the L level continues, it can be determined that the stationary state continues. On the other hand, when the vibration sensor 80 detects vibration, the voltage between the electrodes 81 and 82 is instantaneously turned off as described above, and when the voltage between the electrodes 81 and 82 is opened, the voltage level of the interrupt port P2 is H. Become a level. Therefore, the CPU 55 can determine whether or not vibration has occurred by checking whether or not the interrupt port is at the H level when the output port P1 is driven to the H level.

(Wireless tag monitoring operation)
Next, the wireless tag monitoring operation performed in the monitoring system 1 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the monitoring process performed by the wireless tag. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the stationary time monitoring timer process performed by the wireless tag. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operation switch detection processing performed by the wireless tag. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the monitoring process performed by the wireless tag reader. FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining an activation signal transmission period, a response signal waiting period on the wireless tag reader side, a vibration detection period by the vibration sensor on the wireless tag side, an activation signal reception waiting period, and a response signal transmission period. 12A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data frame of an activation signal transmitted from the wireless tag reader to the wireless tag. FIG. 12B is a response signal frame (response frame) transmitted from the wireless tag to the wireless tag reader. FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the monitoring process performed in the management apparatus.

First, processing performed in the wireless tag 50 will be described.
In the wireless tag 50, monitoring processing (wireless tag side monitoring processing) is performed according to the flow shown in FIG. The monitoring process shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the control unit 51 of the wireless tag 50, and is started by, for example, turning on the power or a predetermined operation from the outside as a trigger. First, in S1, a process for setting the sleep state I do. The process of S1 is a process of maintaining the wireless tag 50 in the sleep state until a predetermined operation (for example, long press) is performed from the outside on the operation switch 90 (start switch). In the sleep state of S1, a specific function is stopped, for example, transmission / reception of a carrier in the transmission unit 52 or the reception unit 53 is stopped, or an operation of the activation signal reception unit 58 is stopped.

  After the processing of S1, processing for enabling the vibration sensor 80 is performed (S2). In order to make the vibration sensor 80 function, it is necessary to operate a detection circuit as shown in FIG. 6D. Therefore, in S2, the detection circuit for such a vibration sensor is validated. Specifically, the voltage state of the output port P1 is set to the H level, and the H level signal is supplied to the interrupt port when the vibration is generated (that is, the state where the conduction between the electrode 81 and the electrode 82 is interrupted). Is entered.

  After the process of S2, the notification function corresponding to the operation of the operation switch 90 is validated (S3). Specifically, the operation switch detection process shown in FIG. 9 is executed in parallel processing, and emergency information is transmitted (emergency notification) when the operation switch 90 is pressed.

Here, the operation switch detection process shown in FIG. 9 will be described.
The operation switch detection process shown in FIG. 9 is performed using the process of S3 as a trigger as described above. First, it is determined whether or not the operation switch 90 has been pressed (S31). Until the operation switch 90 is pressed, the process proceeds to No in S31 to maintain the standby state (S33), and returns to S31 to continue monitoring the operation switch 90. In this manner, the pressing of the operation switch 90 is repeatedly monitored at short time intervals. When the operation switch 90 is pressed, the process proceeds to Yes in S31, and emergency information is transmitted to the wireless tag reader 10 (emergency (Notification) is performed (S32).

In the present embodiment, the operation switch 90 corresponds to an example of “tag side operation means” that can be externally operated.
The control unit 51 that performs the processing of S1 to S3 corresponds to an example of a “mode switching unit”, and the wireless tag 50 is immediately after the wireless tag 50 is turned on or at a predetermined release operation with respect to the tag side operation unit. Is set to the non-detection mode (S1 sleep state), and the wireless tag 50 is set to the detection mode (vibration sensor 80) when a predetermined activation operation (long press or the like) is performed on the operation switch 90 (tag side operation means). Is activated and the notification function by the operation switch 90 is activated). The vibration sensor 80 corresponding to the “static state detecting means” is configured to stop the stationary state detection operation when in the non-detection mode and perform the stationary state detection operation when switched to the detection mode. .

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 51 and the transmission unit 52 that perform the process of S11 in FIG. 7 (described later) and the process of S32 in FIG. 9 correspond to an example of “notification signal output unit”. ”To output a notification signal when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, and further, when the wireless tag 50 is set to the“ detection mode ”, the operation switch 90 (tag side It functions to output an emergency notification signal to the wireless tag reader 10 when a predetermined emergency operation is performed on the operation means).

After the process of S3, the stationary time monitoring timer process shown in FIG. 8 is started.
Here, the stationary time monitoring timer process will be described. The stationary time monitoring timer process in FIG. 8 is performed in parallel with the monitoring process in FIG. 7. First, the timer 57 is operated to start time measurement (S 20), and then the occurrence of vibration is detected in S 21. . In S21, it is detected whether or not an H level signal is input to the interrupt port P2. If there is no input of an H level signal (when the interrupt port P2 is maintained at the L level), It progresses to No in S21 and continues time measurement (S23). On the other hand, when the H level signal is input to the interrupt port P2, the process proceeds to Yes in S21, and the time measurement by the timer 57 is reset (S22). When the process of S22 is performed, the time measurement by the timer 57 once becomes “0” and starts again, and the time measurement continues (S23). As described above, in the stationary time monitoring timer process, the duration time in which the vibration sensor 80 is stationary (that is, the wireless tag 50 is stationary) is measured.

Here, returning to FIG. 7, the description of the monitoring process will be continued.
After S4, the sleep state is set until the vibration sensor 80 detects vibration (S5). The process of S5 is a process of maintaining the wireless tag 50 in the sleep state until the H level signal is input to the interrupt port P2 after the process is started. Even in the sleep state of S5, a specific function is stopped. For example, transmission / reception of a carrier at the transmission unit 52 or the reception unit 53 is stopped, or an operation of the activation signal reception unit 58 is stopped.

  When the vibration sensor 80 detects vibration during the process of S5, the determination process of S6 is performed. In S6, the time measured in the stationary time monitoring timer process of FIG. 8 (the time T during which the wireless tag 50 is still (hereinafter also referred to as stationary time T) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Ts. Note that the threshold value Ts is set in a time shorter than a transmission period Tc of a drive signal to be described later, and in the following, Ts is set to 30 s and Tc is set to 60 s (1 minute). The case will be described as a representative example.

  If the stationary time T measured in the stationary time monitoring timer process has not reached the threshold value Ts, the process proceeds to No in S6. In S6, the determination of No is repeated until the stationary time T reaches the threshold value Ts, and the determination of Yes is made when the stationary time T reaches the threshold value Ts. That is, as long as vibration occurs (input of an H level signal to the interrupt port P2) within the threshold Ts time, the determination of No in S6 is repeated.

  Then, when the stationary time T measured in the stationary time monitoring timer process becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value Ts, the activation signal receiving unit 58 is switched to the on state (receivable state) (S7). The on state is maintained until a predetermined time Td elapses or an activation signal is received from the wireless tag reader 10 (S8). As a result, the activation signal receiving unit 58 can receive the activation signal of the LF band output from the wireless tag reader 10. The predetermined time Td waiting in S8 is longer than a drive signal transmission cycle Tc described later.

  Then, when the activation signal is received from the wireless tag reader 10, or when the predetermined time Td has elapsed since being turned on in S7, the activation signal receiving unit 58 is switched to the off state (unreceivable state) (S9). Then, when the activation signal receiving unit 58 is turned on (that is, during the standby process in S8), it is determined whether or not the activation signal is received from the wireless tag reader 10 (S10), and the activation signal is received. In S10, the process proceeds to Yes, and the value Tr of the timer currently measured in the stationary state monitoring timer process (when the process of S11 is executed) is transmitted to the wireless tag reader 10 (S11). The data to be transmitted in S11 has a frame structure as shown in FIG. 12B, for example, and includes a header, a unique ID (reader ID) of the wireless tag reader 10 as a transmission partner, and the wireless tag 50 to be transmitted. It includes a unique ID (tag ID), a response length, a response code indicating the content of response data, a stationary monitoring timer value (the above-mentioned timer value Tr), CRC, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 51 that executes the processing of FIG. 8 corresponds to an example of “stationary duration detection unit”, and the duration of the stationary state detected by the vibration sensor 80 (stationary state detection unit) is set. It works to detect. The control unit 51 that executes the process of S6 corresponds to an example of a “determination unit”, and determines whether or not the duration detected by the “still duration detection unit” has passed a predetermined time (threshold value Ts). It works to judge.

  On the other hand, when the activation signal is not received when the activation signal receiving unit 58 is turned on (that is, during the standby process in S8), the process proceeds to No in S10, and the vibration sensor 80 detects the vibration. The sleep state is set until the time is reached (S5).

Next, monitoring processing on the wireless tag reader side will be described.
The monitoring process shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the control unit 11 of the wireless tag reader 10 and is started with power-on or a predetermined operation as a trigger. In this monitoring process, the activation signal is transmitted every time the predetermined time Tc elapses. First, the process waits until the certain time Tc elapses in S41, and then transmits the activation signal (S42). In the process of S42, for example, a start signal of a data frame as shown in FIG. 12A is transmitted from the start signal transmitting unit 15 by radio waves in the LF band. This activation signal includes a header, a unique ID (reader ID) of the wireless tag reader 10 that transmits the activation signal, a CRC, and the like.

Then, after transmitting the activation signal in S42, a response signal from the wireless tag 50 is waited for a predetermined waiting time (S43), and then a response from the wireless tag 50 can be confirmed during the standby of S43. Is determined (S44). As described above, the activation signal is periodically transmitted, and the response signal can be received immediately after the activation signal is transmitted, so that the activation signal is transmitted and the response signal is waited for reception at the timing shown in the upper part of FIG. It becomes.
In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 and the activation signal transmission unit 15 correspond to an example of “activation signal output means” and function to periodically output a predetermined activation signal.

  As shown in the upper part of FIG. 11, the wireless tag reader 10 transmits an activation signal (trigger signal) in the LF band by the activation signal transmission unit 15 every predetermined cycle Tc, and from the wireless tag 50 in a predetermined time zone immediately after the transmission. Waiting for a response signal. On the other hand, on the wireless tag 50 side, after a predetermined time (threshold time Ts) has elapsed after the vibration detection by the vibration sensor 80 has stopped (that is, after the determination in S6 becomes Yes), the wireless tag reader is operated for a predetermined time Td. 10 is waiting in a state where the activation signal can be received (see S8 in FIG. 7), and when the activation signal is transmitted during the predetermined time period Td as indicated by an arrow F1 in FIG. In S11, a response signal (current timer value Tr measured in the stationary state monitoring timer process) is transmitted (see arrow F2 in FIG. 11).

The control unit 51 and the activation signal receiving unit 58 of the wireless tag 50 correspond to an example of “activation signal detection unit” and function to detect the activation signal output from the “activation signal output unit”. More specifically, after determining that the predetermined time (threshold value Ts) has elapsed by the “determination unit”, the activation signal is detected during a predetermined detection period (period of the predetermined time Td). Yes. When the process proceeds to No in S10 (that is, after the detection period (the period of the predetermined time Td) has elapsed), it is then determined by the “determination means” that the duration (stationary time T) has passed the predetermined time Ts. The start signal detection operation is stopped until
Further, the control unit 51 corresponding to the “notification signal output unit” detects the activation signal by the “activation signal detection unit” when the “determination unit” determines that the duration T has passed the predetermined time Ts. When it is detected (that is, when the process proceeds to Yes in S10), the notification signal (data of the duration T detected by the stationary duration detection means, that is, the timer value Tr) is output in S11.

  On the other hand, when the response signal from the wireless tag 50 is confirmed during the standby in S43, the process proceeds to Yes in S44, and the response data included in the response signal is confirmed (S45). And it is judged whether it is the emergency information transmitted by S32 (FIG. 9), and in the case of emergency information, it progresses to No in S46 and issues a warning (S49). Note that the emergency information transmitted in S32 of FIG. 9 may be transmitted in response to an activation signal from the wireless tag reader 10, or may be transmitted continuously for a certain period of time.

  If the response data received by the wireless tag reader 10 is not emergency information, the process proceeds to No in S46, and processing according to the timer value Tr included in the response data is performed (S47). For example, when the timer value Tr included in the response data is less than the first threshold value (3 minutes in the example of FIG. 10), the process returns to S41 without performing the corresponding process, and the processes after S41 are repeated. . On the other hand, when the timer value Tr included in the response data is equal to or greater than the first threshold (3 minutes in the example of FIG. 10) and less than the second threshold (5 minutes in the example of FIG. 10), the process proceeds to S48. The questioning voice is emitted. For example, pre-recorded voice data, machine voice, or the like is reproduced, and a question word such as “Are you okay?” Is issued from the speaker 18 provided in the wireless tag reader 10.

  Further, when the timer value Tr included in the response data is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (5 minutes in the example of FIG. 10), the process proceeds to S49 and an alarm is issued from the speaker 18. The alarm issued in S49 is different in content from the inquiry voice in S48, and can be a buzzer sound, an alarm sound or the like whose volume is higher than that of the inquiry voice. In addition to the alarm from the speaker 18, a notification is sent to the management device 2. In this notification, the unique ID of the wireless tag reader 10 that acquired the timer value Tr from the wireless tag 50 is associated with the predetermined data that notifies the occurrence of an abnormality, and is transmitted to the management device 2.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 corresponds to an example of “notification signal detection means”, and the notification signal from the wireless tag 50 (the timer value Tr of S11 (FIG. 7) or the emergency information of S32 (FIG. 9)). ).
The control unit 11 and the speaker 18 correspond to examples of “emergency processing means” and “alarm means”, and function to perform predetermined emergency processing when the notification signal detection means detects a notification signal. Is configured to perform corresponding processing corresponding to the duration (the timer value Tr transmitted in S11 (FIG. 7)) included in the notification signal. More specifically, the duration (timer value Tr) is a predetermined value. When the alarm reference time (second threshold value) is not reached, voice processing is performed to ask the owner of the wireless tag 50. When the duration (timer value Tr) is equal to or greater than the predetermined alarm reference time, the voice processing is issued. Alarm processing is performed to generate an alarm that is different from the voice that is received.
The control unit 11 corresponds to an example of “notification unit” and functions to notify the management apparatus 2 when the “notification signal detection unit” of the wireless tag reader 10 detects the notification signal. In the example of FIG. 10, when the timer value Tr included in the response data is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (for example, 5 minutes), the notification is sent to the management device 2. In all cases where the information or the timer value Tr) is received, the management device 2 may be notified.

Next, the monitoring apparatus performed by the management apparatus 2 will be described.
In the management device 2, a monitoring process as shown in FIG. 13 is performed. In this monitoring process, first, a standby process is performed in which the notification from the wireless tag reader 10 can be received (S51). In the present embodiment, the process as shown in FIG. 10 is performed by each wireless tag reader 10 in the facility, and when any of the wireless tag readers 10 issues a report to the management apparatus 2 in the process of FIG. When the process of S49 is performed (YES in S52), the unique ID (reader ID) of the wireless tag reader 10 included in the notification is acquired (S53). Based on the unique ID (reader ID), the position of the wireless tag reader 10 to which the unique ID (reader ID) is attached is specified (S53), and the specified position is displayed (S54). For example, when the reported unique ID (reader ID) identifies the wireless tag reader 10b placed in the shared toilet, information (report is available) as shown in FIG. The information indicating the position of the wireless tag reader 10b) is displayed. As a result, it is possible to quickly and accurately grasp the location in the facility where the wireless tag 50 in which the stationary state has occurred exists on the management device 2 side (for example, the staff room side).

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 3 of the management device 2 corresponds to an example of a “reader position detection unit”. When a notification signal is output from the wireless tag 50, the notification from the “report unit” corresponding to the notification signal is output. Based on the notification and the unique ID assigned to the wireless tag reader 10 that performs this notification, the function is to detect the position of any wireless tag reader 10 that can communicate with the wireless tag 50 that has output the notification signal. To do.

  Further, the management apparatus 2 performs other emergency processing after the processing of S54 shown in FIG. In this emergency process, for example, an alarm (for example, “An error has occurred in the user of the shared toilet” can be specified from the speaker 8 of the management device 2 where the abnormality has occurred (the place where the notified wireless tag reader 10 is placed). A warning of voice data such as “I did” may be issued by automatic voice or the like.

Alternatively, in the process of S55, an instruction signal instructing the operation of the microphone is transmitted to the notified RFID tag reader 10, and the RFID tag reader 10 receiving the instruction signal automatically turns on the reader microphone 17. It may be. Then, the voice near the RFID tag reader 10 that has been notified may be collected by the reader-side microphone 17 to be converted into an electrical signal, transmitted to the management device 2 side, and emitted from the speaker 8.
In this case, the control unit 11 corresponds to an example of a “reader-side voice transmission unit”, and functions to convert the voice collected by the reader-side microphone 17 into an electrical signal and transmit it to the management device 2. The CPU 3 of the management device 2 and the control unit 11 of the wireless tag reader 10 correspond to an example of “on / off switching means”. When the “notification signal detection means” detects the notification signal, the reader-side microphone 17 is turned on. Is functioning. The “on / off switching means” is configured to switch the reader microphone 17 to the on state when a predetermined on operation is performed by the operation unit 6 (management apparatus side operation means) provided in the management apparatus 2. The reader microphone 17 may be used when emergency information (S32) is issued when a predetermined ON operation (for example, button pressing) is performed by the operation switch 90 (tag side operation means) provided in the wireless tag 50. It may be configured to switch to the on state.

  Further, in the present embodiment, at the time of the processing of S55 or at a different time, the sound from the management device side microphone 9 provided in the management device 2 is sent to the speaker 18 of the wireless tag reader 10 that has made the report. It may be transmitted. In other words, an administrator near the management apparatus 2 may talk about an appropriate coping method or the like with the management apparatus side microphone 9 and transmit this from the speaker 18 of the wireless tag reader 10 that has received the report. In this case, the CPU 3 of the management apparatus 2 corresponds to an example of “management apparatus side audio transmission means” and functions to convert the sound collected by the management apparatus side microphone 9 into an electrical signal and transmit it to the speaker 18.

(Main effects of the first embodiment)
In the monitoring system 1 according to the present embodiment, in the wireless tag 50, a stationary state detecting unit that detects the stationary state of the wireless tag 50, and a stationary duration time that detects the duration of the stationary state detected by the stationary state detecting unit. A detecting means, a judging means for judging whether or not a predetermined time has passed the duration detected by the stationary duration detecting means, and a notification signal when the judging means judges that the predetermined time has passed Is provided with a notification signal output means. According to this configuration, since a notification signal can be output from the wireless tag 50 to the outside when the wireless tag 50 has been stationary for a predetermined time, there is a possibility that the owner of the wireless tag 50 may have an abnormality. In some cases, it is possible to inform the outside of the state.
The wireless tag reader 10 is provided with notification signal detection means for detecting a notification signal from the wireless tag 50. In the wireless tag reader 10 or an external device (management device 2) capable of communicating with the wireless tag reader 10, the notification signal detection means Emergency processing means for performing a predetermined emergency process when a notification signal is detected is provided. According to this configuration, the wireless tag reader 10 or the external device (management device 2) can perform a predetermined emergency process when the wireless tag 50 is informed after a predetermined time has elapsed, so the wireless tag When there is a possibility that the 50 owner has an abnormality, it is possible to respond more promptly and appropriately.

In the present embodiment, the wireless tag reader 10 includes activation signal output means for periodically outputting a predetermined activation signal, and the wireless tag 50 detects activation signal output from the activation signal output means. It has signal detection means. The notification signal output means outputs a notification signal when the activation signal is detected by the activation signal detection means when the determination means determines that the duration has passed the predetermined time.
According to this configuration, whether or not a notification signal is output from the wireless tag 50 can be periodically checked on the wireless tag reader 10 side, and an abnormality of the wireless tag 50 holder can be efficiently monitored. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, the activation signal detection unit performs the activation signal detection operation during a predetermined detection period after the determination unit determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, and after the detection period has elapsed, Next, the detection operation of the activation signal is stopped until the determination means determines that the continuation time has passed the predetermined time. In this configuration, the start signal detection operation is stopped until it is determined by the determination means that the predetermined time has elapsed, so that power saving can be effectively achieved.

In the present embodiment, the wireless tag 50 is switched to the detection mode when a predetermined activation operation is performed on the operation switch 90 (tag side operation means), and when the wireless tag 50 is switched to the detection mode. The stationary state detection operation is performed. When the wireless tag 50 is set to the detection mode, the notification signal output unit performs an emergency notification to the wireless tag reader 10 when a predetermined emergency operation is performed on the operation switch 90 (tag side operation unit). A signal is being output.
According to this configuration, since the emergency notification signal is output when the wireless tag 50 holder or the like performs an emergency operation on the operation switch 90 (tag side operation means), only the notification corresponding to the monitoring of the stationary state is performed. In addition, it can be notified to the outside by aggressive emergency operation. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the transmission method at the time of abnormality can be increased, the convenience and security of the owner of the wireless tag 50 can be increased, and external monitoring can be performed more appropriately.

  In the present embodiment, the emergency processing means is constituted by alarm means for issuing an alarm when the notification signal detection means receives the notification signal. In this way, the urgency can be notified to the outside when the wireless tag 50 has been stationary for a predetermined time.

  In the present embodiment, the notification signal output from the notification signal output means includes data of the duration detected by the stationary duration detection means, and the emergency processing means includes the notification signal detection means. Is configured to perform a corresponding process corresponding to the duration included in the notification signal when the notification signal is received. According to this configuration, the extent to which the stationary state continues can be ascertained externally (monitoring position away from the wireless tag 50), and a more appropriate response can be made according to the duration of the stationary state.

  In the present embodiment, when the duration of the stationary state (timer value Tr) is less than the predetermined alarm reference time (the second threshold value), the emergency processing means asks the owner of the wireless tag 50 When the process is performed and the duration (timer value Tr) of the stationary state is equal to or longer than a predetermined alarm reference time (the second threshold value), the emergency processing means issues an alarm different from the sound generated by the sound processing. Alarm processing is performed. In this way, based on the alarm reference time, at the stage where the possibility of abnormality is relatively low, the change in the situation can be monitored by asking the owner of the wireless tag 50, and the possibility of abnormality is relatively In the stage where it has increased, it is possible to convey the urgency to the outside by issuing an alarm.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the management apparatus 2 which can communicate with the some radio | wireless tag reader 10 in a facility is provided, and when the radio | wireless tag reader | leader 10 detects the notification signal, the notification signal detection means of the said wireless tag reader | leader 10 detects. It has a reporting means for reporting to the management device 2. On the other hand, when the notification signal is output from the wireless tag 50, the management device 2 is based on the notification from the notification means corresponding to the notification signal and the unique ID assigned to the wireless tag reader 10 that performs the notification. The reader position detecting means detects the position of any one of the wireless tag readers 10 that can communicate with the wireless tag 50 that has output the notification signal.
According to this configuration, it is possible to quickly and accurately grasp the location in the facility where the wireless tag 50 that is generating the notification signal is located, and the wireless tag 50 that is concerned about anomalies in the facility. Discovery of the owner and correspondence to the owner of the wireless tag 50 can be performed earlier.

In this embodiment, the reader-side microphone 17 disposed in or near each wireless tag reader 10 and the voice collected by the reader-side microphone 17 are converted into electrical signals and transmitted to the management device 2. A predetermined on-operation is performed by the reader-side audio transmission means and the operation unit 6 (management apparatus-side operation means) provided in the management apparatus 2 or the operation switch 90 (tag-side operation means) provided in the wireless tag 50. On / off switching means for turning on the reader microphone 17 when the notification signal detecting means detects the notification signal is provided.
In this way, it is possible to operate the microphone (reader side microphone 17) in the vicinity of the owner of the wireless tag 50 that is concerned about the abnormality, and to confirm the voice of the owner of the wireless tag 50 and the surrounding sound outside, A judgment material for grasping a specific state of the owner of the wireless tag 50 can be promptly provided to the outside away from the owner of the wireless tag 50.

Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of speakers 18 disposed in or near each wireless tag reader 10, a management device side microphone 9 disposed on the management device 2 side, and a management device side microphone 9. Is provided with a management apparatus side voice transmission means for converting the voice collected by the above into an electrical signal and transmitting it to the speaker 18.
According to this configuration, it is possible to emit some kind of voice (inquiries, instructions, etc.) from the management apparatus 2 side to the owner of the wireless tag 50 that is concerned about abnormality, and the management apparatus 2 side has the wireless tag 50 for the voice Considering the reaction from the owner, it becomes easier to take a more appropriate response.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the said embodiment, although the example which applied the monitoring system 1 to the plant | facility of FIG. 2 was shown, the arrangement | positioning shown in FIG. 2 is an example to the last, and it can be set as various arrangement configurations. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the wireless tag reader 10 is provided in some rooms in the facility, but may be provided in all rooms. In the example of FIG. 2, the wireless tag readers 10 are provided in all the private rooms, but may be provided in only some private rooms (for example, a plurality of rooms are monitored by one wireless tag reader 10. It may be configured as such).

  In the above embodiment, the reader-side microphone 17 and the speaker 18 are provided in the wireless tag reader 10. However, the reader-side microphone 17 and the speaker 18 may be located in a place different from the wireless tag reader 10 (for example, another place in the room where the wireless tag reader 10 is provided). May be.

  In the above embodiment, the management device side microphone 9 and the speaker 8 are provided in the management device 2, but in a different location from the management device 2 (for example, another location in the room where the management device 2 is provided). There may be.

  In the above embodiment, the vibration sensor 80 is shown as an example of the stationary state detection unit. However, various known vibration sensors may be used as long as the wireless tag can distinguish the vibration state from the stationary state. Alternatively, an acceleration detection sensor or the like may be used to determine whether or not the camera is in a stationary state based on whether or not the horizontal moving speed or moving acceleration is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

1. Monitoring system 2. Management device (external device)
3 ... CPU (reader position detection means, management apparatus side voice transmission means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Management apparatus side microphone 10 ... Wireless tag reader 11 ... Control part (notification signal detection means, emergency processing means, activation signal output means, alarm means, notification means, reader side voice transmission means, on / off switching means)
15... Activation signal transmission unit (activation signal output means)
17 ... Reader side microphone 18 ... Speaker (emergency processing means, warning means)
50... Wireless tag 51... Control unit (stationary duration detection means, determination means, notification signal output means, activation signal detection means, mode switching means)
52. Transmitter (notification signal output means)
58... Activation signal receiver (activation signal detection means)
80. Vibration sensor (stationary state detecting means)
90 ... operation switch (tag side operation means)

Claims (12)

A monitoring system for monitoring by reading a wireless tag with a wireless tag reader,
The wireless tag is
A stationary state detecting means for detecting a stationary state of the wireless tag;
A stationary duration detecting means for detecting a duration of a stationary state detected by the stationary state detecting means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the duration detected by the stationary duration detecting means has passed a predetermined time;
A notification signal output means for outputting a notification signal when the determination means determines that the predetermined time has passed the predetermined time;
Have
The wireless tag reader includes notification signal detection means for detecting the notification signal from the wireless tag,
Further, the wireless tag reader or an external device capable of communicating with the wireless tag reader is provided with emergency processing means for performing a predetermined emergency process when the notification signal detecting means detects the notification signal. Monitoring system. The wireless tag reader includes an activation signal output means for periodically outputting a predetermined activation signal,
The wireless tag has activation signal detection means for detecting the activation signal output from the activation signal output means,
The notification signal output unit outputs the notification signal when the activation signal is detected by the activation signal detection unit when the determination unit determines that the predetermined time has elapsed. The monitoring system according to claim 1.   The activation signal detection means performs the activation signal detection operation during a predetermined detection period after the determination means determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, and after the detection period has elapsed, The monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the operation of detecting the activation signal is stopped until the determination unit determines that the duration has passed the predetermined time. The wireless tag is
Tag-side operation means that can be operated externally;
The wireless tag is set to a non-detection mode immediately after power-on of the wireless tag or at a predetermined release operation with respect to the tag side operation means, and when the predetermined activation operation is performed on the tag side operation means Mode switching means for switching to detection mode;
With
The stationary state detection means stops the stationary state detection operation when in the non-detection mode, performs the stationary state detection operation when switched to the detection mode,
The notification signal output means outputs an emergency notification signal to the wireless tag reader when a predetermined emergency operation is performed on the tag side operation means when the wireless tag is set to the detection mode. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein   The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the emergency processing unit includes a warning unit that issues a warning when the notification signal detection unit receives the notification signal. The notification signal output from the notification signal output means includes data of the duration detected by the stationary duration detection means,
5. The emergency processing unit performs a corresponding process corresponding to the duration included in the notification signal when the notification signal detection unit receives the notification signal. The monitoring system according to any one of the above.   The emergency processing means performs voice processing for asking the owner of the wireless tag when the duration time is less than a predetermined alarm reference time, and when the duration time is equal to or longer than a predetermined alarm reference time, The monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein an alarm process for issuing an alarm different from the voice generated by the process is performed. A plurality of the wireless tag readers are arranged at a plurality of positions in the facility, and a unique ID is assigned to each wireless tag reader,
Furthermore, a management device capable of communicating with the plurality of wireless tag readers is provided,
The wireless tag reader has notification means for notifying the management device when the notification signal detection means of the wireless tag reader detects the notification signal,
When the notification signal is output from the wireless tag, the management device, based on the notification from the notification means corresponding to the notification signal, and the unique ID assigned to the wireless tag reader that performs the notification 8. A reader position detecting means for detecting a position of any one of the wireless tag readers capable of communicating with the wireless tag that has output the notification signal. The monitoring system described in. A reader-side microphone arranged in each wireless tag reader or in the vicinity of each wireless tag reader;
Reader-side audio transmission means for converting audio collected by the reader-side microphone into an electrical signal and transmitting it to the management device;
When a predetermined ON operation is performed by the management device side operation means provided in the management device or the tag side operation means provided in the wireless tag, or when the notification signal detection means detects the notification signal On / off switching means for turning on the reader microphone,
The monitoring system according to claim 8, further comprising: A plurality of speakers arranged in or near each wireless tag reader; and
A management device-side microphone disposed on the management device side;
Management device side voice transmission means for converting the voice collected by the management device side microphone into an electrical signal and transmitting it to the speaker;
The monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the monitoring system includes: A wireless tag monitored by a wireless tag reader,
A stationary state detecting means for detecting a stationary state of the wireless tag;
A stationary duration detecting means for detecting a duration of a stationary state detected by the stationary state detecting means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the duration detected by the stationary duration detecting means has passed a predetermined time;
Notification signal output means for outputting a notification signal to the wireless tag reader when the determination means determines that the predetermined time has passed the predetermined time;
A wireless tag comprising: The wireless tag reader configured to periodically output a predetermined activation signal is a communication target,
Furthermore, an activation signal detecting means for detecting the activation signal is provided,
The notification signal output means detects the activation signal by the activation signal detection means within the predetermined time by the activation signal detection means when the determination means determines that the predetermined time has passed the predetermined time. The radio tag according to claim 11, wherein the notification signal is output when the radio tag is received.

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