JP4204282B2 - Location search device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a position search device for searching for a current position of the apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are position search apparatuses that search for their current position using GPS, PHS, or the like.
This position search apparatus is mainly used in the following two ways.
(1) The current position is transmitted to a remote management center, and the position of the owner of the position search device or the installed object is monitored at the management center (see Patent Document 1).
(2) The position search device itself can display its current position (see Patent Document 2). In this position search apparatus, it is possible to perform navigation by displaying map information on its own display.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-56377 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-281801 [0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The position search apparatus as described in the above (1) is said to be less convenient for the user because it only takes time to carry it, cannot be used for other purposes and cannot efficiently use the acquired position information. There was a problem.
Regarding the above (2), since the apparatus has a configuration including a display, there is a problem that an increase in size cannot be avoided. In addition, there is a problem that the position information obtained by positioning can be used only by the terminal, and the versatility is poor.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to obtain a position search apparatus that is versatile and convenient for a user and can be monitored by a management center.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to achieve the above object. The position search apparatus of the present invention wirelessly reports its current position to the management center in response to a command from the management center, and sends the current position to a connected external electronic device.
[0007]
According to the present invention, the current position of the position search device can be acquired at the management center, and the position of the owner or the electronic device can be monitored. In addition, the electronic device can display the acquired position information to the user. Thereby, while improving a user's convenience, the incentive that a user possesses a position search apparatus can be improved.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a position search system using the position search apparatus of the present invention.
This system includes an electronic device 1 possessed by a user, a position search device 2 that is detachably attached to and connected to the electronic device 1, and a management center 3 that can wirelessly communicate with the position search device 2. . The position search apparatus 2 and the management center 3 communicate with the base station 5 via a communication network 6 such as a telephone line.
[0009]
The electronic device 1 is a personal computer, a PDA, a navigation device, a TV monitor, a wristwatch, a printer, or the like, and displays position information on a display or prints out the position information.
A position search device 2 is detachably attached to the electronic device 1. And when the position search apparatus 2 is mounted | worn with the electronic device 1, both are connected.
[0010]
The position search device 2 receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites 4 and acquires its current position. The position acquisition is not limited to GPS, and any method such as a position detection system using PHS may be employed.
The acquired position information is transmitted to the electronic device 1 or the management center 3.
The electronic device 1 displays or outputs position information together with map information.
[0011]
The management center 3 monitors the position of the user or the electronic device 1 based on the position information received from the position search device 2. For example, when the location of the user who carries the position search device 2 becomes unclear, the management center 3 confirms the current position of the position search device 2 in response to the request and takes action. Further, when the electronic device 1 is stolen, the management center 3 tracks the current position of the position search device 2 attached to the electronic device 1 in response to the request. At this time, a command can be transmitted from the management center 3 to the position search device 2 to prohibit the use of the electronic device 1.
[0012]
The configuration of the electronic device 1, the position search device 2, and the management center 3 will be described.
The electronic device 1 is an I / O port that uses a general-purpose I / F (interface) and is connected to a search device communication I / F 11 to which the position search device 2 is connected, and a system management module 12 that manages and controls the system. , An operation unit 14, a display unit (output unit) 15, and a storage unit 16.
[0013]
The position search device 2 is position information calculated based on an electronic device communication I / F 21 connected to the electronic device 1, a communication module 22 that performs wireless communication with the management center 3, and radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites 4. A position acquisition module 23 that acquires the command, a command sent from the electronic device 1, a command and map information sent from the management center 3, and a memory unit 24 that stores address data; a control module 25 that controls these modules; Consists of.
[0014]
The electronic device communication I / F 21 is a plug as a connection unit, and is attached to the search device communication I / F 11 of the electronic device 1 to connect the position search device 2 to the electronic device 1. The electronic device communication I / F 21 is configured by a general-purpose I / F such as a USB, IEEE 1394, or data card slot, for example, in accordance with the I / F format of the electronic device 1 to be connected. In this way, it is possible to connect to various electronic devices by a general-purpose input / output standard. This makes it possible to use position information in various electronic devices and improve versatility.
[0015]
The electronic device communication I / F 21 is not limited to a wired connection type, and may be a general-purpose I / F (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)) that performs radio communication using radio waves. If a wireless general-purpose I / F is used, it is possible to simultaneously communicate with a plurality of electronic devices 1 and to reduce costs.
[0016]
When the search terminal 2 adopts a wired connection type such as USB as the electronic device communication I / F 21, the search terminal 2 can be configured to charge the power source battery with the power supplied from the electronic device 1.
By storing the map information in the memory unit 24 of the search terminal 2, even when the electronic device 1 does not store the map information, the electronic device 1 displays or outputs both the position information and the map information. can do. This map information is composed of bitmap data or vector data, and is output in a general-purpose image format.
[0017]
The management center 3 includes a communication module 31 that communicates with the position search device 2, a terminal management module 32 that manages the ID number of each position search device 2, and a position that stores position information transmitted from each position search device 2. The history storage unit 33 includes a location information module 34 that manages location information transmitted from each location search device 2, and an input unit 35 that is operated by a management center member.
[0018]
The ID number managed by the terminal management module 32 may be either one of the position search device 2 and the electronic device 1 or one of them.
The position information module 34 determines whether or not the position information transmitted from each position search device 2 is within the permitted range for each device. When the electronic device 1 to which the position search device 2 is connected or the user who carries the electronic device 1 leaves the permitted range, the management center 3 can grasp this.
[0019]
The operation of the position search apparatus 2 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. The illustrated process is executed at predetermined time intervals by the operation of the control module 25. It is determined whether or not a command is received from the management center 3 in step S21 of FIG. 2, and it is determined whether or not a command is received from the electronic device 1 in step S41 of FIG. 3, and stored in step S61 of FIG. It is determined whether there is a command.
[0020]
If it is determined in step S21 in FIG. 2 that a command from the management center 3 has been received, it is determined whether or not the command is a command to be transmitted to the electronic device 1 (step S22). Here, if No, it is determined whether or not the command is a position acquisition command (step S23).
[0021]
If Yes here, the current position is acquired by the position acquisition module 23 (step S25), and the communication module 22 notifies the management center 3 (step S26). In the management center 3, the received position information is stored in the position history storage unit 33. Thereby, the management center 3 can monitor the positions of the electronic device 1, the position search apparatus 2, and the user by transmitting a position acquisition command to the position search apparatus 2.
[0022]
If No in step S23 (command is not a position acquisition command), processing according to the command is executed (step S24).
If Yes in step S22 (the command received from the management center 3 is a command to the electronic device 1), the electronic device communication I / F 21 determines whether or not the position search device 2 can communicate with the electronic device 1. (Step S27). If No here, the received command is stored in the memory unit 24 (step S28). When the command stored here becomes communicable with the electronic device 1, the command is transmitted to the electronic device 1 by a process described later.
[0023]
If Yes in step S27 (communicable with electronic device 1), it is determined whether or not the command is a stop command for stopping communication with electronic device 1 (step S29). If “No” here, a process corresponding to the received command is executed (step S30). If Yes in step S29, processing for stopping communication with the electronic device 1 is performed (step S31).
[0024]
By employing the communication stop process in step S31, the operation of the electronic device 1 can be controlled by the management center 3. That is, the electronic device 1 can be operated on condition that communication with the position search device 2 is possible, and a communication stop command is sent from the management center 3 when the electronic device 1 is stolen. The operation of the electronic device 1 can be prohibited. Further, when the position search device 2 is stolen, it is possible to prevent the bandit from using the position search device 2 by performing this communication stop processing.
[0025]
In step S41 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether a command is received from the electronic device 1, and if Yes, it is determined whether this command is a position acquisition command (step S42). If “No” here, it is determined whether or not communication with the management center 3 is necessary (step S43). If “No” here, processing corresponding to the command is executed (step S44).
[0026]
If it is determined as Yes (communication with the management center 3 is necessary) in step S43, it is determined whether or not communication with the management center 3 is possible (step S45). If “No” here, the command is stored in the memory unit 24 (step S46). The command stored here is transmitted to the management center 3 when communication with the management center 3 becomes possible as will be described later.
[0027]
If Yes in step S45 (communication with the management center 3 is possible), the command received from the electronic device 1 is transmitted to the management center 3 (step S47). An example of this command is an emergency command. When the management center 3 receives the emergency command from the position search device 2, the management center 3 checks the position information of the position search device 2 and takes measures such as urgent emergency responders.
If Yes (command is a position acquisition command) in step S42, it is determined whether or not position acquisition is possible (step S48).
[0028]
If Yes in step S48, the current position is acquired by the position acquisition module 23 (step S50) and output to the electronic device 1 (step S51). If No in step S48, a warning that the position information cannot be acquired is displayed on the display unit of the electronic device 1 (step S49).
[0029]
In step S61 in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not a command is stored in the memory unit 24. As described in step S28 and step S46, in a state where communication with the electronic device 1 or the management center 3 is not possible, the command received from the management center 3 or the electronic device 1 is stored in the memory unit 24. In the processing of FIG. 4, these commands are transmitted when communication becomes possible.
[0030]
If Yes in step S61, it is determined whether the command is from the management center 3 (step S62). Here, if it is No (command from the information terminal 1), it is determined whether or not communication with the management center 3 is possible (step S63). If Yes here, the command stored in the memory unit 24 is transmitted to the management center 3 (step S64). If the transmission is completed (Yes in step S65), the stored command is cleared (step S66).
[0031]
If Yes in step S62 (command from the management center 3), it is determined whether or not communication with the electronic device 1 is possible (step S67). If Yes here, the command stored in the memory unit 24 is transmitted to the electronic device 1 (step S68), and if the transmission is completed (Yes in step S69), the command is cleared (step S70).
[0032]
The operation of the position search device 2 has been described above. Hereinafter, details of this operation and modified examples of the operation will be described.
When receiving the position acquisition command from the management center 3, the position search device 2 reports the acquired position information to the management center 3 in step S26. The current position, the acquisition time, and the terminal ID of the position search device 2 are added to the position information.
[0033]
Normally, the location where the position search apparatus 2 is used is the same as the location where the electronic device 1 and the user are located. Therefore, by acquiring the current position of the position search device 2 in the management center 3, it is possible to acquire the location of the electronic device 1 and the location of the user connected thereto.
Information required in the management center 3 is transmitted from the position search device 2 in response to a command from the management center 3, thereby preventing inadvertent wireless communication from the position search device 2 and reducing communication costs. can do.
[0034]
The position search device 2 outputs position information in response to a position acquisition request (from step S42) from the electronic device 1. At this time, if the electronic device 1 stores map information in advance, such as a personal computer, position information including latitude and longitude information may be output, and the map information and address data are stored in the memory unit 24. There is no need to prepare. In this case, in the electronic device 1, the position information received from the position search device 2 is superimposed and displayed on the map information stored in its own storage unit 16.
[0035]
When the electronic device 1 does not store map information like a TV monitor, the position search device 2 adds the position information to the map information stored in the memory unit 24 and outputs the map information to the electronic device 1. In this case, the position information sent to the electronic device 1 is configured in a predetermined form such as latitude / longitude information, map information, address information, landmark information, and the like.
In addition, when it is not necessary to output map information, it is good also as a structure which outputs only address information by text data etc.
[0036]
In the example described above, the position search device 2 outputs position information when there is a request from the electronic device 1. On the other hand, position information may be automatically output to the electronic device 1 every predetermined time. As a result, it is possible to display a movement locus for every predetermined time and automatically manage its own movement route.
In addition, by registering in advance the address made up of text data, a predetermined landmark, etc., in the map information stored in the electronic device 1 or the position search device 2, the user can make a position for creating a report or diary. Information can be used.
[0037]
As described above, according to this example, the electronic device 1 can use its own movement trajectory information. Thereby, since a user's convenience improves, the motivation to possess the position search apparatus 2 can be improved.
In addition, by adopting a general-purpose I / F for connection between the electronic device 1 and the position search device 2, it is possible to deal with various electronic devices and improve versatility and convenience.
[0038]
By setting the system management module 12 so that the electronic device 1 cannot be used when not connected to the position search device 2, the position search device 2 can function as an anti-theft device.
For example, when the electronic device 1 is not connected to the position search device 2, the hardware can be locked. In addition, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a command necessary for starting up the electronic device 1 is provided on the position search device 2 side.
[0039]
Further, the electronic device 1 can be prevented from starting unless it receives a permission command from the position search device 2. In this case, the processing in step S30 in FIG. 2 is an output of a permission command from the management center 3 in response to a request from the electronic device 1.
Furthermore, in this example, communication between the electronic device 1 and the position search device 2 is stopped in response to a command from the management center 3 in step S31 of FIG. As a result, the position search device 2 can be prohibited from use under the control of the management center 3.
[0040]
As a monitoring method for the electronic device 1 and the position search device 2 in the management center 3, monitoring based on the used area can be performed. In this case, the management center 3 sets a predetermined area that is permitted to be used for each position search device 2. When the position information transmitted from the position search device 2 is outside the predetermined area, a measure such as transmitting a stop command to the position search device 2 is taken.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the position search apparatus which is convenient for a user and can be monitored in a management center can be obtained. This can improve the incentive for the user to possess the position search device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a position search system using a position search apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart (part 1) showing processing of the position search apparatus in the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a process of the position search device in the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 3) illustrating a process of the position search device in the system of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic device 2 ... Position search apparatus 3 ... Management center 4 ... GPS satellite 5 ... Base station 6 ... Communication network 11 ... Search apparatus communication I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... System management module 14 ... Operation part 15 ... Display part 16 ... Memory | storage part 21 ... Electronic device communication I / F
22 ... Communication module 23 ... Location acquisition module 24 ... Memory unit 25 ... Control module 31 ... Communication module 32 ... Terminal management module 33 ... Location history storage unit 34 ... Location information module 35 ... Input unit

Claims (3)

A position search device that includes position acquisition means for acquiring its current position, outputs the acquired current position to a remote management center and another electronic device, and enables communication between the management center and the electronic device Because
Report means for performing communication processing with the management center by radio signal;
Connection means detachably connected to the electronic device;
When the position acquisition command is received from the management center, the acquired current position is transmitted to the management center by the reporting unit, and when the position acquisition command is received from the electronic device, the acquired current position is transmitted by the connection unit to the electronic device. Control means for outputting to the device;
When the command to the electronic device is received from the management center, if the connection means cannot communicate with the electronic device, the command to the electronic device is stored, and the command to the management center is received from the electronic device. Storage means for storing a command addressed to the management center if the reporting means cannot communicate with the management center;
Comprising
The control means outputs the command addressed to the electronic device by the connection means and stores the command addressed to the management center if communication with the electronic device becomes possible when the command addressed to the electronic device is stored. If the communication with the management center becomes possible, the notification means sends a command addressed to the management center. The storage means stores map information in advance,
The control means superimposes and outputs the current position on the map information only when outputting the acquired current position to the electronic device, and transmits the acquired current position to the management center. The position search apparatus according to claim 1, wherein no position is transmitted.   The position search device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops communication between the electronic device and the position search device when receiving a stop command from the management center.

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