JP4191738B2 - Information notification system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information notification system using a transceiver that induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in an electric field transmission medium and detects the induced electric field to transmit and receive information.

  Although wearable computers are attracting attention due to the miniaturization and high performance of portable terminals, FIG. 8 shows an example in which such wearable computers are used while being worn by humans. As shown in the figure, the wearable computer 7 is mounted on a person's arm, shoulder, torso, etc. via a transceiver 9 to transmit / receive data to / from each other, and is further provided on the wall or floor so that it can be touched by the tip of a limb Communication is performed with a personal computer (PC) 8 provided outside through the transceivers 9a and 9b and the cables.

  Here, the transceiver 9 used for data communication between the wearable computer 7 and between the wearable computer 7 and the PC 8 uses a signal detection technique based on an electro-optic technique using a laser beam and an electro-optic crystal. Therefore, an electric field based on information to be transmitted is induced in a living body as an electric field transmission medium, and information is transmitted / received using the induced electric field.

The transceiver 9 is described in, for example, Patent Document 1.
JP 2001-352298 A

  In a general computer, a user inputs a search instruction for acquiring information into the computer to acquire desired information. However, when the user is moving, it is difficult to input a search instruction into a portable computer and acquire information.

  For example, the user may want to know the weather at the station (arrival station) where he / she is working while commuting to a station near the home (departure station). In addition, when a train accident occurs, the user wants to know delay information of a train he / she uses (for example, a train on a commuting route). However, inputting a search instruction for searching for such desired information to the computer during movement is burdensome and troublesome for the user.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described object, and it is an object of the present invention to provide information required by a user and improve the user interface without the user performing input to the computer.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information notification system that communicates via an electric field transmission medium, and includes at least one information transmission device installed at a predetermined location of a transportation facility and a portable terminal carried by a user And the information transmitting device induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in the electric field transmission medium, detects the induced electric field, and transmits and receives information to and from the portable terminal. Relaying the transmission information including the place where the information transmission device is installed to the mobile terminal and the information received from the mobile terminal to the information providing device connected via the network; Relay means for relaying information received from the information providing device to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal induces an electric field based on the information to be transmitted to the electric field transmission medium And a second transceiver for detecting the induced electric field and transmitting / receiving information to / from the information transmitting device, receiving means for receiving the transmitted information from the information transmitting device, and storing it in the history information storage means, the history information by analyzing a past transmission information stored in the storage means, analysis means for identifying the arrival station of the user corresponding to the transmission information received by the receiving means, arrival station of the user which the analysis means has identified Request information for requesting information related to information is transmitted to the information transmitting device, and notification information about the user's arrival station provided by the information providing device is received from the information transmitting device, and the received notification is received. Output means for outputting information.

  According to the present invention, since the information required by the user is presented without the user performing input to the computer, the user interface can be further improved.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a transceiver 1 used in an embodiment of the present invention. The transceiver 1 shown in FIG. 1 uses a signal detection technique based on an electro-optic technique using a laser beam and an electro-optic crystal, and induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in a living body that is an electric field transmission medium. A transceiver that transmits and receives information using an induced electric field.

  More specifically, when the transceiver 1 receives transmission data from the computer 2 via the input / output (I / O) circuit 901, the transceiver 1 supplies the transmission data to the transmission / reception electrode 903 via the transmission unit 902. An electric field is induced in the electric field transmission medium via 903 and the insulating film 904, and this electric field is transmitted to other parts of the electric field transmission medium. Further, the transceiver 1 detects the electric field induced and transmitted by the electric field transmission medium by the transmission / reception electrode 903 via the insulating film 904, and couples the electric field to the electric field detection optical unit 905 to convert it into an electric signal. This electric signal is subjected to signal processing such as amplification and noise removal by the signal processing circuit 906, and after further waveform shaping by the waveform shaping circuit 907, the electric signal is output to the computer 2 via the input / output circuit 901. ing.

  FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of an information notification system using the transceiver 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described as an example in which predetermined information is notified based on historical information on the use of a transportation facility such as a station in the past. The portable information notification system includes a plurality of information transmission devices 3 embedded in a predetermined place in the station, a portable terminal 4 carried by the user, and an information providing device 5.

  The information transmission device 3 and the mobile terminal 4 each include the transceiver 1 described in FIG. And when the user who possesses the portable terminal 4 contacts (for example, steps on or touches) the information transmission device 3, communication via the electric field communication medium (user's human body) is performed between the information transmission device 3 and the portable terminal 4. The road is established automatically. Thereby, communication is possible between the information transmission device 3 and the portable terminal 4. The information transmission device 3 and the portable terminal 4 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In the information notification system shown in the figure, the information transmission device 3 is embedded in the floor of the station ticket gate 11a, the stairway 11b toward the station platform, the braille block of the station platform 11c, and the timetable 11d. Each information transmission device 3 is connected to the information providing device 5 through a network 6 such as a LAN.

  The information providing device 5 is a general computer system such as a server, for example, and includes a processing unit 51 and a database 52. The processing unit 51 receives the request information transmitted from the portable terminal 4 via the information transmission device 3 and searches the database 52 for notification information corresponding to the request information. Then, the processing unit 51 transmits the retrieved notification information to the mobile terminal 4 via the information transmission device 3. The database 52 stores various information such as the weather at each location, the train timetable of each route, and traffic information such as train accidents and delays. The database 52 is updated at a predetermined timing and stores real-time information.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the information transmission device 3. The illustrated information transmission device 3 includes a computer 31 and the transceiver 32 described with reference to FIG. The computer 31 includes a transmission unit 311, a relay unit 312, and a storage unit 315. When a communication path is established with the mobile terminal 4 carried by the user, the transmission unit 311 transmits the transmission information stored in the storage unit 315 to the mobile terminal 4 via the electric field communication medium.

  As the transmission information stored in the storage unit 315, an installation place where the information transmission device 3 is embedded may be considered. For example, “xx station south exit ticket gate” is stored in the storage unit 315 of the information transmission device 3 embedded in the station ticket gate 11a, and “No. 5 home” is stored in the storage unit 315 of the information transmission device 3 embedded in the stairs 11b. “Stage No. 5” and the like are stored in the storage unit 315 of the information transmission device 3 embedded in the “staircase”, the station platform 11c, and the timetable 11d.

  When a communication path is established between the relay unit 312 and the mobile terminal 4, the relay unit 312 relays (transmits) request information for inquiring predetermined information received from the mobile terminal 4 to the information providing device 5. Further, the relay unit 312 relays (transmits) the notification information received from the information providing device 5 to the mobile terminal 4.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the mobile terminal 4. The illustrated portable terminal 4 includes a computer 41 and the transceiver 42 described with reference to FIG. The computer 41 includes a transmission information receiving unit 411, an analysis unit 412, a request unit 413, an output unit 414, a warning unit 415, and a history information storage unit 416.

  The transmission information receiving unit 411 receives transmission information (installation location or the like) transmitted by the information transmission device 3 via the electric field transmission medium, and stores it in the history information storage unit 416 together with the time when the transmission information is received. The transmission information receiving unit 411 sequentially stores the transmission information in the history information storage unit 416, whereby the history information using the transportation facility is accumulated.

  The analysis unit 412 analyzes the past history information in the history information storage unit 416 and estimates (specifies) the destination of the user. The request unit 413 requests information about the destination estimated by the analysis unit 412 from the information providing device 5 via the information transmission device 3. The output unit 414 outputs information about the destination acquired from the information providing device 5 via the information transmitting device 3 to an output device (not shown) such as a display or headphones. The warning unit 415 outputs a predetermined warning message to the output device in order to prevent human error of the user.

  The information transmission device 3 and the computers 31 and 41 of the portable terminal 4 include a general-purpose computer system including a CPU, a memory, an external storage device, an input device, an output device, and a communication control device. Used. Note that the computer 31 of the information transmission device 3 includes an external storage device, an input device, and an output device as necessary.

  Next, processing of the information notification system will be described.

  When a user who possesses the portable terminal 4 uses a transportation facility for commuting or attending school, the user contacts (steps on or touches) one of the information transmission devices 3 in the station premises. As a result, a communication path is formed between the portable terminal 4 and the information transmission device 3 via the electric field transmission medium (user's human body), and the following processing is performed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the information notification system. First, when a user contacts the information transmission device 3, a communication path is established between the portable terminal 4 and the information transmission device 3, and communication is possible (S11). Then, the transmission unit 311 of the information transmission device 3 reads the transmission information (such as the installation location of the information transmission device 3) stored in the storage unit 315 and transmits it to the portable terminal 4 using the transceiver 32 (S12).

  The transmission information receiving unit 411 of the portable terminal 4 receives the transmission information using the transceiver 42. Then, the transmission information receiving unit 411 stores the transmission information together with the received time in the history information storage unit 416 (S13). For example, in the case of the transmission information of the information transmission device 3 installed at the station ticket gate 11a, the transmission information receiving unit 411 stores the transmission information as a departure station in the history information storage unit 416.

  Then, the analysis unit 412 of the mobile terminal 4 refers to the history information storage unit 416, analyzes past user behavior patterns, and identifies the user's arrival station (destination) and route (S14). For example, the analysis unit 412 extracts, from the history information storage unit 416, past history information in the same time zone as the reception time and the transmission information (transmission location) received by the departure station in S13. Then, the analysis unit 412 identifies the arrival station and route with the highest frequency in the extracted past history information. That is, when commuting or going to school, basically the same route is used, so the arrival station and route can be easily specified. The route includes not only a route such as a departure station, a transfer station, and an arrival station, but also the number of a platform on the train at each station on the route. The analysis unit 412 stores the identified arrival station (destination) and route in the memory of the portable terminal 4 or an external storage device.

  Then, the request unit 413 of the mobile terminal 4 transmits request information for inquiring of the information providing device 5 about the arrival station and the route (route) specified by the analysis unit 412 to the information transmission device 3 using the transceiver 42. (S15). The inquiry information includes, for example, the weather at the arrival station, accident or delay information on the route (route) to the arrival station, and the time of the train that departs from the station within a predetermined time (for example, within 30 minutes) from the current time. Tables, etc. are possible.

  Then, when receiving the request information from the portable terminal 4 using the transceiver 32, the relay unit 312 of the information transmission device 3 transmits the request information to the information providing device 5 via the network 6 (S16). The processing unit 51 of the information providing device 5 receives the request information from the information transmitting device 3, and obtains predetermined information (weather, accident / delay information, timetable, etc.) regarding the arrival station and route specified in the request information. Search and obtain from database 52. Then, the processing unit 51 transmits the acquired information (hereinafter “notification information”) to the information transmission device 3 via the network 6 (S17). The relay unit 312 of the information transmission device 3 receives the notification information from the information providing device 5 and transmits the notification information to the portable terminal 4 using the transceiver 32 (S18).

  Then, the output unit 414 of the mobile terminal 4 receives the notification information from the information transmission device 3 using the transceiver 42, and outputs the notification information to an output device such as a headphone (speaker) or a display of the mobile terminal 4 (S19). ). For example, the output unit 414 displays the weather such as “the weather at the getting-off station is rain”, “the train bound for XX is delayed due to an accident”, information on the accident, departure time, etc. by voice, text or image. , Notify the user. Note that the output unit 414 stores the received notification information in the memory of the mobile terminal 4 or an external storage device.

  Next, processing of the warning unit 415 of the mobile terminal 4 will be described. The warning unit 415 outputs warning information for prompting the user to confirm in order to avoid a human error.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the warning unit 415 of the mobile terminal 4. In addition, the case where a user contacts (stepping on) the information transmission apparatus 3 embedded in the braille block of the station platform 11c or the stairway 11b to the station platform will be described below as an example.

  First, when a user contacts the information transmission device 3, a communication path is established between the portable terminal 4 and the information transmission device 3, and communication is enabled (S21). Then, the transmission unit 311 of the information transmission device 3 reads the transmission information (such as the installation location of the information transmission device 3) stored in the storage unit 315, and transmits it to the portable terminal 4 using the transceiver 32 (S22).

  The transmission information receiving unit 411 of the portable terminal 4 receives the transmission information using the transceiver 42. Then, the transmission information receiving unit 411 stores the transmission information in the history information storage unit 416 together with the received time (S23).

  Then, the warning unit 415 reads the arrival station and route (home number, stairs, etc.) specified by the analysis unit 412 in S14 of FIG. 5 and stored in the memory or the like. If the read route differs from the location of the transmission information received in S23 (home number, stairs, etc.), the warning unit 415 outputs a warning message from an output device such as headphones (S24). For example, the warning unit 415 notifies a message such as “This is the 5th home. Are you sure?” And “This is the stairs to go to the 5th home?” By voice or the like.

  Note that the warning unit 415 may read the notification information notified from the information providing device 5 via the information transmission device 3 in S19 of FIG. 5 from a memory or the like and output a warning message. For example, it is assumed that an express train and each station train are mixed in the station platform, and the arrival station of the user stops only at each station train. In this case, the warning unit 415 refers to the timetable of the notification information, and at a time when the express train arrives at the station platform, a message such as “This is an express train. Notify at.

  In the present embodiment described above, each time the user uses a transportation facility such as a station, history information such as the station and home number used by the user is recorded in the portable terminal 4. And the portable terminal 4 estimates a user's destination (arrival station) and path | route based on historical information, and notifies a user of the information regarding the said destination (arrival station) and path | route. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide (notify) information useful for the user without giving (instruction) to the mobile terminal 4. Thereby, a user interface can be improved more.

  Moreover, the portable terminal 4 of this embodiment transmits a warning message, when passing the information transmission apparatus different from the estimated path | route (refer FIG. 6). Thereby, a human error can be avoided.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Many deformation | transformation are possible within the range of the summary. For example, instead of a station frequently used for commuting or attending school (station ticket gate, station platform, etc.), information transmitted from the information transmitting device 3 embedded in a station (station ticket gate, station platform, etc.) that is sometimes used for business trips, etc. When the mobile terminal 4 receives the information, the mobile terminal 4 may refer to the history information storage unit 416 and output (present) the transfer guidance. For example, “Arrive at transfer station at XX, change to 14:20 departure on line 3, □□”, “Diamonds are disturbed due to typhoons at business trips XX.” The notification information may be output to headphones or a display. It is also conceivable to notify seasonal foods, restaurants, and tourist information at business trip destinations.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the station and the train as an example, it is good also as applying this invention to a bus | bath.

  FIG. 7 shows an information notification system for notifying a user of predetermined information based on a history of using a bus in the past at a bus stop. The information notification system shown in the figure includes an information transmission device 3e embedded in a timetable 11e at a bus stop, an information transmission device 3f embedded in a road near the bus stop, and an information transmission embedded in a step of a bus 11g. It has the apparatus 3g, the portable terminal 4 which a user carries, and the information provision apparatus 5. In addition, the information transmission apparatus 3, the portable terminal 4, and the information provision apparatus 5 to illustrate are the same as the information transmission apparatus 3, the portable terminal 4, and the information provision apparatus 5 of the said embodiment. The destination and route of the bus are stored in the storage unit 315 of the information transmission device 3g of the bus 11g. And the transmission part 311 of the information transmitter 3g will transmit a destination and a path | route to the portable terminal 4, if a user establishes a communication path with the portable terminal 4 by stepping on a boarding gate.

  The processing of the information notification system shown in the figure is the same as the processing of the above embodiment (FIGS. 5 and 6). That is, when a user who possesses the mobile terminal 4 touches one of the information transmission devices 3, the information transmission device 3 sends the transmission information (location and address of the bus stop, destination and route of the bus, etc.) to the mobile terminal 4. Send. And the portable terminal 4 memorize | stores the received transmission information in the log | history information storage part 416, and estimates a destination based on the past log | history information. Then, the mobile terminal 4 requests the information providing device 5 for information on the destination or route (weather, accident / delay information, fare, etc.) via the information transmitting device 3.

  Then, the portable terminal 4 receives the notification information regarding the destination or route received from the information providing device 5 through the information transmission device 3 and presents it to the user. For example, it may be possible to send a message such as “The bus bound for XX is 15 minutes late due to traffic congestion” and “The fare has increased to 320 yen”.

  When the warning unit 415 of the mobile terminal 4 receives the transmission information different from the destination and route specified by the analysis unit 412 from the information transmission device 3g of the bus 11g by performing the process of FIG. The bus is bound for 3-chome. Isn't it a school route? Are you sure? "

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the transceiver used for embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information notification system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an information transmitter. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a portable terminal. It is a flowchart of a process of an information notification system. It is a flowchart of the warning message output process of an information portable terminal. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information notification system of other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example in the case of mounting | wearing and using a wearable computer for a person via a transceiver.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,32,42 Transceiver 2,31,41 Computer 3 Information transmitter 4 Portable terminal 5 Information provision apparatus 901 I / O circuit 902 Transmission part 903 Transmission / reception electrode 904 Insulating film 905 Electric field detection optical part 906 Signal processing circuit 907 Waveform shaping circuit 910 Receiver

Claims (4)

An information notification system for communicating via an electric field transmission medium,
Having at least one information transmission device installed in a predetermined place of transportation and a portable terminal carried by the user;
The information transmitting device is
A first transceiver for inducing an electric field based on information to be transmitted in the electric field transmission medium and detecting the induced electric field to transmit / receive information to / from the portable terminal;
Transmission means for transmitting transmission information including a place where the information transmission device is installed to the mobile terminal;
Relaying information received from the portable terminal to an information providing apparatus connected via a network, and relaying information received from the information providing apparatus to the portable terminal;
The portable terminal is
A second transceiver that induces an electric field based on information to be transmitted in the electric field transmission medium, detects the induced electric field, and transmits and receives information to and from the information transmission device;
Receiving means for receiving the outgoing information from the information transmitting device and storing it in a history information storage means;
Analyzing past transmission information stored in the history information storage means, and analyzing means for specifying the user's arrival station corresponding to the transmission information received by the reception means;
Request means for requesting information related to the arrival station of the user identified by the analysis means, request means for transmitting to the information transmitting device,
An information notification system comprising: output means for receiving notification information about the user's arrival station provided by the information providing apparatus from the information transmitting apparatus and outputting the received notification information. The information notification system according to claim 1,
The information on the arrival station of the user includes the weather at the arrival station and accident information and delay information generated in the transportation to the arrival station, or the weather at the arrival station or the transportation to the arrival station. An information notification system characterized by including information on accidents that occurred and delay information . The information notification system according to claim 1,
The information notification system, wherein the analysis unit of the mobile terminal analyzes past transmission information stored in the history information storage unit, and further specifies a route to the identified user's arrival station . The information notification system according to claim 3,
The information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the portable terminal further includes warning means for outputting a warning message when receiving transmission information different from the route specified by the analysis means from the information transmission device.

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