JP4911574B2 - Existence confirmation notification method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a presence confirmation notification method unique identification information is Ri by the short-distance wireless communication method between the portable terminal stores the ID holding device.

In recent years, RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags have attracted attention as a driving force for ubiquitous society. The RFID tag stores unique identification information, and can transmit and receive information to and from the management system using radio waves. RFID tags are used, for example, in systems for identifying and managing people and products.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-24369

  ID holding devices typified by RFID tags are expected to become more widespread in the future, and expansion of their applications is desired.

  The present invention has been made in recognition of such a situation, and an object thereof is to expand the application range of an ID holding device represented by an RFID tag.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a mobile terminal according to an aspect of the present invention includes a short-range communication unit that establishes communication using a short-range wireless communication method with an ID holding device in which unique identification information is stored; An ID storage unit for storing identification information of the registered ID holding device, a presence notification unit for notifying the user of the existence confirmation of the ID holding device according to a result of communication with the ID holding device by the short-range wireless communication method Is provided. The short-range communication unit transmits a request signal for confirming whether or not identification information stored with the ID holding device is stored, receives a response signal for the transmission from the ID holding device, and notifies the presence The unit confirms the existence of the ID holding device storing the identification information based on whether or not the response signal is received from the ID holding device storing the identification information stored within a certain period from the transmission of the request signal. Notice.

  The short-range communication unit may transmit a request signal when there is an instruction to start confirmation from the outside, or when it is time to start confirmation based on a predetermined schedule. The request signal may include identification information stored in the ID storage unit.

  According to this aspect, the user of the mobile terminal can easily know whether or not the target to which the ID holding device is attached is in the vicinity of the mobile terminal. Thereby, for example, when the ID holding device is attached to an article to be taken out when going out, it is possible to prevent forgotten things when going out. Further, when the child is provided with the ID holding device, it is possible to know whether or not the child is nearby, which is effective in ensuring the safety of the child.

  The ID storage unit classifies and stores the identification information of the ID holding device into at least one of a plurality of types, and the presence notification unit determines whether to notify existence confirmation according to the type to which the identification information belongs. It may be switched.

  According to this, it is possible to give flexibility to the notification of existence confirmation of the ID holding device according to the target to which the ID holding device is attached. For example, if the target to which the ID holding device is attached has regularity in the time zone or day of the week that should be in the vicinity of the user of the portable terminal, the identification information of the ID holding device is classified and stored in a type that matches the regularity By doing so, notification of unnecessary presence confirmation can be prevented.

The ID storage unit classifies and stores the identification information of each of the plurality of ID holding devices attached to the plurality of items having the same function, and the presence notification unit includes two of the plurality of ID holding devices. The existence confirmation of the ID holding device may be notified when the overlapping existence notification condition for determining that the ID holding device exists in the vicinity is satisfied.
According to this, it is possible to prevent waste of bringing out a plurality of articles having overlapping functions at the same time.

  The ID storage unit stores identification information of a non-take-out ID holding device, and the presence notification unit is satisfied when a confirmation start condition for determining that there is no non-take-out ID holding device in the vicinity is satisfied. It may be confirmed whether or not the duplicate presence notification condition is satisfied.

The ID storage unit classifies and stores the identification information of each of the plurality of ID holding devices attached to the plurality of targets that should be in the vicinity at the same time, and the presence notification unit is one of the plurality of ID holding devices. The presence confirmation of the ID holding device may be notified when a non-existence notification condition for determining that it does not exist in the vicinity is satisfied.
According to this, for example, it is possible to prevent forgetting any of a plurality of articles that should be taken out at the same time when the ID holding device is taken out.

The ID storage unit stores the presence confirmation notification condition for determining that the ID holding device does not exist in the vicinity in association with the identification information, and the presence notification unit stores the identification information when the presence confirmation notification condition is satisfied. The presence confirmation of the stored ID holding device may be notified.
In this case, it is possible to set how far away each ID holding device is notified of presence confirmation. As a result, for example, items that do not want to be separated too far, such as valuables and children, can be distinguished from items that do not matter even if they are slightly separated, such as an umbrella, and the convenience of the portable terminal is increased.

You may further provide the imaging | photography part which image | photographs the external appearance of the target object of presence confirmation with which ID holding device was attached. The ID storage unit stores an image of the appearance of the target object of the presence confirmation in association with the identification information of the ID holding device, and the presence notification unit reports the appearance of the target object when notifying the presence confirmation of the ID holding device. An image may be displayed.
According to this, the user of the portable terminal can easily recognize what is the subject of presence confirmation to which the ID holding device that is not in the vicinity of the portable terminal is attached.

  While communicating with another portable terminal via a portable terminal network, you may further provide the portable communication part which receives the presence confirmation request | requirement of an ID holding | maintenance apparatus from another portable terminal. The short-range communication unit may transmit a request signal when receiving a presence confirmation request from another portable terminal, and the presence notification unit may notify the presence confirmation to the portable terminal via the portable communication unit.

  According to this, the user of another portable terminal can know whether or not the target to which the ID holding device is attached is in the vicinity of the portable terminal within the range of the portable terminal network. Therefore, for example, when the ID holding device is attached to a shared article of a user of a portable terminal and a user of another portable terminal, it is convenient for management of the shared article.

Another aspect of the present invention is a presence confirmation notification method. The method includes a step of transmitting a request signal for confirming whether or not the target identification information is stored with the ID holding device storing the unique identification information by a short-range wireless communication method; Whether to notify the presence confirmation of the ID holding device that stores the target identification information according to the type to which the target identification information belongs, the step of switching to the reception standby state of the response signal from the ID holding device to the request signal The presence of the ID holding device based on whether or not a response signal is received from the ID holding device within a predetermined period after switching to the reception standby state when the presence confirmation is to be notified. Notifying confirmation.
According to this aspect, it is possible to easily know whether or not there is an ID holding device that stores identification information to be confirmed. Further, it is possible to give flexibility to the notification of existence confirmation of the ID holding device according to the target to which the ID holding device is attached.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a presence confirmation notification method. In this method, the first portable terminal transmits a request for confirming the existence of the ID holding device storing the unique identification information via the portable terminal network, and the second portable terminal is different from the first portable terminal. A step in which the portable terminal receives the presence confirmation request and a request signal for confirming whether the second portable terminal stores the identification information with the ID holding device by the short-range wireless communication method A step in which the second portable terminal switches to a reception standby state of a response signal from the ID holding device for the request signal, and a response signal within a predetermined period after the second portable terminal switches to the reception standby state And notifying the first portable terminal of the presence confirmation of the ID holding device based on whether or not it is received.

  According to this aspect, the user of the first mobile terminal can know whether or not the target to which the ID holding device is attached is in the vicinity of the second mobile terminal within the range of the mobile terminal network. Therefore, for example, when the ID holding device is attached to the shared article of the user of the first portable terminal and the user of the second portable terminal, it is convenient for managing the shared article.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a representation obtained by converting the expression of the present invention between methods, apparatuses, systems, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, the application range of an ID holding device represented by an RFID tag can be expanded.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment relates to an ID holding device in which unique identification information is stored, and a left-behind object notification system using a portable terminal that can establish communication with the ID holding device using a short-range wireless communication method. In this embodiment, an RFID tag is used as the ID holding device. Examples of the short-range wireless communication method include Zigbee (trademark), Bluetooth (trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication and protocol), and specific power-saving wireless, but are not particularly limited here.

FIG. 1 conceptually shows the configuration of a lost article notification system 200 according to the first embodiment.
The lost-item notification system 200 includes a mobile terminal 100 and a first RFID tag Tg1 to a ninth RFID tag Tg9. Although the number of RFID tags is nine in FIG. 1, the number of RFID tags may be arbitrary.

  The portable terminal 100 and the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9 have a function of communication by a short-range wireless communication method (hereinafter referred to as “short-range communication”). As the mobile terminal 100, a mobile phone added with a short-distance communication function may be used, or a short-distance communication dedicated terminal may be used.

  The portable terminal 100 has a short-range communication area 22 as an area where short-range communication is possible. By adjusting the power of the short-range communication in the mobile terminal 100, the range of the short-range communication area 22 can be set as appropriate within a range of about 10 m from the closest distance as the distance from the mobile terminal 100.

  Each of the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9 is attached to a carry item such as a wallet or a notebook computer as will be described later. Unique identification information is stored in each of the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9. Each identification information is associated with a registration number designated by the user of the portable terminal 100 in the RFID tag registration process to be described later and information on a carried item to which each of the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9 is attached. Stored inside.

  Depending on whether or not the mobile terminal 100 can establish short-range communication with the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9, the user of the mobile terminal 100 has a carry item with the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9 attached. Whether it is in the vicinity or not can be recognized. By utilizing this, as will be described later, it is possible to prevent the user of the portable terminal 100 from forgetting his / her carry-on items when going out.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the mobile terminal 100 of FIG. In FIG. 2, each element described as a functional block for performing various processes can be configured by a CPU, a memory, and other LSIs in terms of hardware, and reservations loaded in the memory in terms of software. It is realized by a program with a management function. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof, and is not limited to any one.

  The mobile terminal 100 includes a short-range communication unit 34, an input unit 36, a photographing unit 38, a control unit 42, a presence notification unit 44, and an ID storage unit 46. The ID storage unit 46 includes a correspondence table 47 and a type classification table 48.

  The correspondence table 47 is attached with a registration number designated by the user of the portable terminal 100 in the RFID tag registration process described later, identification information of each of the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9 in FIG. 1, and each RFID tag. Store information related to the carry-on items in association with each other.

  The type classification table 48 classifies and stores each identification information into at least one of a plurality of types by a type classification process described later.

  The short-range communication unit 34 transmits a request signal (hereinafter referred to as “first request signal”) requesting transmission of identification information to an unspecified RFID tag by short-range communication, and a response including identification information from the RFID tag. A signal (hereinafter referred to as “first response signal”) is received. Alternatively, the short-range communication unit 34 specifies the identification information stored in the correspondence table 47 and requests a response signal from the RFID tag that stores the identification information (hereinafter referred to as “second request signal”). Is transmitted by short-range communication, and a response signal is received from the RFID tag storing the identification information. Hereinafter, the response signal for the second request signal is referred to as a “second response signal”. The short-range communication unit 34 is triggered by a button operation by the user of the mobile terminal 100 instructed to start a lost article notification process, which will be described later, or when a start timing of a lost article notification process based on a predetermined schedule is reached. As a result, the first request signal or the second request signal can be transmitted.

  The presence notification unit 44 includes an RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as “target RFID tag”) in which the short-range communication unit 34 stores identification information stored in the correspondence table 47 within a predetermined period from the transmission of the first request signal or the second request signal. ”), The presence confirmation of the target RFID tag is notified based on whether or not a response signal is received. For example, when a response signal is not received within a predetermined period, the user of the portable terminal 100 is alerted by sound, light, vibration, etc., and information on the carried item with the target RFID tag attached is displayed and the carried item is obtained. Is displayed in the vicinity. When the short-range communication unit 34 transmits the first request signal and receives the first response signal, it is verified whether or not the identification information included in the first response signal is stored in the correspondence table 47. Whether or not a response signal has been received from the target RFID tag is determined. When the short-range communication unit 34 transmits the second request signal, it is determined that the response signal is received from the target RFID tag because the second response signal is received.

  Either the first request signal or the second request signal is a request signal for confirming whether or not the identification information stored in the correspondence table 47 is stored with the RFID tag, or the target RFID tag is in the vicinity. It can be said that this is a request signal for checking whether or not it exists.

  FIG. 3 conceptually shows the contents stored in the correspondence table 47 of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a case where each of the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9 is attached to a wallet, a folding umbrella, a digital camera, a laptop computer, an umbrella, a battery, a laptop computer cable, a portable player 1, and a portable player 2. . In the correspondence table 47, registration numbers 1 to 9 are assigned to the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9 in FIG. 1, respectively, and character information and images relating to the carry items to which the RFID tags are attached are also stored in association with each other. The RFID tag registration process for storing the contents as shown in FIG. 3 in the correspondence table 47 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of contents stored in the correspondence table 47 of FIG. In FIG. 4, determination threshold information described later is further stored in association with each of the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9.

  FIG. 5 conceptually shows the contents stored in the type classification table 48 of FIG. In FIG. 5, the type classification table 48 included in the ID storage unit 46 of FIG. 2 stores the name of the type, the registration number of identification information belonging to each type, and the nature of the type in association with each other. The registration numbers in FIGS. 3 and 5 correspond to each other. “Take out all” and “Take out any” indicate the nature of the type. The property of the type indicates whether all the belongings belonging to the type should be taken out or only one of them should be taken out. For example, in the type of “business trip”, all of digital cameras, notebook computers, batteries, and AC cables corresponding to registration numbers 3, 4, 6, and 7 are items to be taken out. In the “bad weather” type, only one of the folding umbrella and the normal umbrella corresponding to the registration numbers 2 and 5 is a carry-on item to be taken out. Since there is only one piece of identification information belonging to the “always confirm” type, the nature of the “always confirm” type is not specified.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration of the first RFID tag Tg1 of FIG. Each functional block shown in FIG. 6 can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof, as in FIG. The second RFID tag Tg2 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9 in FIG. 1 have the same configuration as the first RFID tag Tg1.

  The first RFID tag Tg1 includes a short-range communication unit 52, a control unit 54, and an ID storage unit 56.

  When the short-range communication unit 52 receives the first request signal from the mobile terminal 100, the short-range communication unit 52 transmits the first response signal. When the short-range communication unit 52 receives the second request signal from the mobile terminal 100, the short-range communication unit 52 collates the identification information included in the second request signal with the identification information of the first RFID tag Tg1, and if the two match, the second response Send a signal. The second response signal may or may not include identification information of the first RFID tag Tg1. The control unit 54 comprehensively controls the operation of each component of the first RFID tag Tg1. The ID storage unit 56 stores unique identification information of the first RFID tag Tg1.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of RFID tag registration processing in which the portable terminal 100 of FIG. 2 registers an RFID tag in the correspondence table 47.

  The mobile terminal 100 displays a number that is not yet used as a registration number for identification information (hereinafter referred to as “unregistered number”) on the display, and prompts the user of the mobile terminal 100 to input the number (S102). When the number is input, the control unit 42 refers to the correspondence table 47 and confirms whether the input number is an unregistered number (S104).

  When the input number is an unregistered number (S106: Yes), the portable terminal 100 executes the ID association process in which the input number is set as a registration number and the identification information of the RFID tag is associated with the registration number. (S108). If the input number is not an unregistered number (S106: No), the mobile terminal 100 displays an error on the display and displays the unregistered number again (S112, S102).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the ID association process (S108) of FIG.
The short-range communication unit 34 transmits a first request signal (S114). When the first response signal is received from the RFID tag (S116: Yes), the control unit 42 refers to the correspondence table 47, and the identification information included in the first response signal is not yet registered (hereinafter, “ It is determined whether it is “unregistered identification information” (S118). If the identification information included in the first response signal is unregistered identification information (S122: Yes), the mobile terminal 100 updates the correspondence table 47 (S124). That is, in the correspondence table 47, the identification information included in the first response signal is stored in association with the registration number.

  If the first response signal is not received from the RFID tag (S116: No), the display displays an error and prompts the user of the mobile terminal 100 to decide whether or not to retry (S126). . When retrying (S128: Yes), an ID request signal is transmitted again from the short-range communication unit 34 (S114). When retrying is not performed (S128: No), the association process is terminated. In this case, the RFID tag registration process is cancelled. The same applies when the identification information included in the first response signal is not unregistered identification information (S122: No) (S132).

  At the start of the ID association process, the mobile terminal 100 reduces the strength of the first request signal transmitted from the short-range communication unit 34 so that the short-range communication area 22 in FIG. For example, the RFID tag to be registered may be urged to be brought closer to the portable terminal 100. Thereby, the mistake which registers other RFID tags by mistake can be reduced. Returning to FIG.

  After associating the identification information with the registration number in the ID association process (S108), the mobile terminal 100 executes a personal belongings association process for further associating information regarding the personal belongings to which the RFID tag storing the identification information is attached. (S152).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the carry-item association process (S152) of FIG.
The portable terminal 100 prompts the user to input character information related to a carry item to which the RFID tag is attached by display display or the like (S154). After inputting the character information, the mobile terminal 100 updates the correspondence table 47 (S156). That is, in the correspondence table 47, the character information input to the registration number and the identification information is stored in association with each other.

  In the case of further associating a photographed image in addition to the character information (S158: Yes), the photographing unit 38 of the portable terminal 100 photographs the appearance of the carrying item to which the RFID tag is attached (S162). When associating captured images (S164: Yes), the contents of the correspondence table 47 are updated (S166). That is, in the correspondence table 47, an image of the appearance of the carried item photographed by the photographing unit 38 is further associated and stored. When the captured image is not associated (S164: No), the mobile terminal 100 re-photographs (S168: Yes), or cancels the association of the image of the carried item (S168: No).

  When associating images registered in the library in advance with the character information (S158: No, S172: Yes), the mobile terminal 100 displays a list of images registered in the library on the display and selects the user. Prompt (S174). When the image is selected, the mobile terminal 100 updates the correspondence table 47 (S166). That is, in the correspondence table 47, an image selected from the list of images registered in the library is further correlated and stored.

  After completion of image association or after selection that image association is not to be performed (S158: No, S172: No), the threshold value of the intensity of the response signal for determining that each RFID tag exists in the vicinity ( Hereinafter, when “determination threshold value” is set (S176: Yes), the mobile terminal 100 receives an input of the determination threshold value from the user (S178). When receiving the determination threshold value, the portable terminal 100 updates the correspondence table 47 (S180). That is, in the correspondence table 47, the input determination threshold value is further correlated and stored. According to this, since it is determined for each carried item how far away it is to be notified that it does not exist in the vicinity, convenience for the user can be improved. Returning to FIG.

  When the RFID tag registration process is continued after the carry-item association process (S152), the portable terminal 100 proceeds to the next RFID tag registration process (S182: Yes). When the RFID tag registration process is not continued, the RFID tag registration process is terminated (S182: No).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the type classification process in which the portable terminal 100 of FIG. 2 registers the RFID tag in the type classification table 48.

  The portable terminal 100 displays a list of types registered in advance on the display, and prompts the user to select a type (S202). When the type is selected, the portable terminal 100 displays a list of registered carry items in the correspondence table 47 on the display, and prompts the user to select a carry item (S204). When the carried item is selected, the portable terminal 100 highlights and displays the image of the selected carried item on the display (S206). Thereafter, the control unit 42 stores the selected type and the registration number of the selected carried item in the temporary storage area (S208). The temporary storage area may be a cache memory inside the control unit 42 or a main memory (not shown) provided separately from the control unit 42.

  If there is an RFID tag to be registered in the same type (S212: Yes), the portable terminal 100 displays information on the carried item registered in the correspondence table 47 on the display (S204). When there is no RFID tag to be registered in the same type (S212: No), the mobile terminal 100 prompts the user to finally confirm whether the selected personal belongings can be registered in the selected type by a display display or the like. (S214). If registration is acceptable (S214: Yes), the mobile terminal 100 updates the classification table 48 (S216). That is, the type and the registration number of the carry-on item stored in the primary storage area are stored in the type classification table 48 of FIG. In addition, when not registering the selected carrying goods in the selected classification (S214: No), if it tries again (S218: Yes), the control part 42 will delete the data of a temporary storage area (S222), The mobile terminal 100 restarts the type classification process from the beginning. When retrying is not performed (S218: No), the classification processing is stopped.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing one example of the flow of lost article notification processing in the lost article notification system 200 of FIG. Hereinafter, the identification information of each of the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9 will be referred to as first identification information ID1 to ninth identification information ID9 as necessary.

  The lost article notification process is started by a button operation or the like of the user of the mobile terminal 100. The portable terminal 100 displays a list of types stored in the type classification table 48 on the display and prompts the user to select a type (S302). Here, it is assumed that the types of “always confirm” and “business trip” shown in FIG. 5 are selected. When the types of “always confirm” and “business trip” are selected, the short-range communication unit 34 uses, as the second request signal, a request signal including the first identification information ID1, a request signal including the third identification information ID3, A request signal including 4 identification information ID4, a request signal including 6th identification information ID6, and a request signal including 7th identification information ID7 are transmitted (S304). The short-range communication unit 34 receives the second response signal from the first RFID tag Tg1, the third RFID tag Tg3, the fourth RFID tag Tg4, the sixth RFID tag Tg6, and the seventh RFID tag Tg7 for a certain time after the second request signal is transmitted. The process shifts to a reception standby state (S306). Here, it is assumed that the second response signal includes identification information. After the end of the reception standby state (S308: Yes), the control unit 42 extracts the identification information included in the received second response signal and refers to the ID storage unit 46 to obtain the first identification information ID1, third It is confirmed whether there is identification information (hereinafter referred to as “unreceived identification information”) that has not been received among the identification information ID3, the fourth identification information ID4, the sixth identification information ID6, and the seventh identification information ID7. (S312). In addition, when the intensity | strength of a 2nd response signal is less than the above-mentioned determination threshold value, the identification information contained in the 2nd response signal is good also as unreceived identification information.

  In FIG. 1, since the first RFID tag Tg1, the third RFID tag Tg3, the fourth RFID tag Tg4, the sixth RFID tag Tg6, and the seventh RFID tag Tg7 are all present in the short-range communication area 22, there is no unreceived identification information. (S318: No). Therefore, the presence notification unit 44 notifies the user that there is no forgotten thing by sound, light, vibration, display display, or the like (S322). The control unit 42 may extract the identification information included in the received second response signal and refer to the ID storage unit 46 every time the second response signal is received. It was confirmed that all of the first identification information ID1, the third identification information ID3, the fourth identification information ID4, the sixth identification information ID6, and the seventh identification information ID7 were received before the reception standby state ended. In some cases, the presence notification unit 44 may notify the user that there is no forgotten thing without waiting for the end of the reception standby state.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 1, for example, when the seventh RFID tag Tg7 is outside the short-range communication area 22, the seventh identification information ID7 becomes unreceived identification information (S318: Yes). Therefore, the presence notification unit 44 alerts the user with sound, light, vibration, etc., and displays character information and images related to the laptop computer cable to which the seventh RFID tag Tg7 is attached, forgetting the laptop computer cable. To the user (S324).

  In FIG. 11, the case where the user of the mobile terminal 100 spontaneously starts the lost-item notification process has been described. However, the lost-item notification process is automatically started when the start timing is based on a preset schedule. Also good. In this case, the type to be selected may be determined in advance according to the day of the week or the time zone. For example, it may be set so that the types of “always confirm” and “private outing” in FIG. 5 are selected when the above start timing is reached on a holiday. In addition, when the lost article notification process is automatically started, the notification process (S322) when there is no lost article is unnecessary. That is, it is only necessary to perform notification processing when there is something left behind.

  Moreover, although FIG. 11 demonstrated the case where the near field communication part 34 transmitted a 2nd request signal, the near field communication part 34 may transmit a 1st request signal. In this case, the near field communication unit 34 receives the first response signal from the RFID tag in the near field communication area 22 regardless of the type to which the identification information belongs. Also in this case, whether or not there is unreceived identification information is determined by extracting the identification information and referring to the ID storage unit 46 by the control unit 42.

  In addition, although the case where identification information is included in the second response signal has been described with reference to FIG. 11, the second response signal may not include identification information. In this case, the short-range communication unit 34 includes a request signal including the first identification information ID1, a request signal including the third identification information ID3, a request signal including the fourth identification information ID4, and a request signal including the sixth identification information ID6. Each of the request signals including the seventh identification information ID7 may be transmitted separately at intervals. That is, after waiting for a certain period of time after transmitting a request signal including the first identification information ID1, the request signal including the fourth identification information ID4 is transmitted by switching to the request signal including the third identification information ID3, the sixth identification The same applies to the request signal including the information ID6 and the request signal including the seventh identification information ID7.

  According to the present embodiment, the user of the mobile terminal 100 can easily know whether or not the carrying item with the RFID tag attached is near him / her. Thereby, the thing left behind when the user of the portable terminal 100 goes out can be prevented.

  The type classification table 48 classifies and stores the registered RFID tags into at least one of a plurality of types, and the presence notification unit 44 includes a short-range communication area among the RFID tags belonging to the selected type. When there is a non-existing RFID tag in 22, it is notified that the carry-on item to which the RFID tag is attached has been forgotten. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of being notified that an object has been left behind because there are no unnecessary items in the vicinity.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a duplicate notification process in the case of carrying out a carry-on item with a duplicated function is added to the lost article notification process of FIG. 11. In FIG. 12, the same or similar steps as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The duplicate notification process is executed when the type of “any take-out” property in FIG. 5 is selected. Here, the case where the types of “always check” and “bad weather” in FIG. 5 are selected will be described as an example.

  After the reception standby state (S306) ends, the control unit 42 confirms whether there is unreceived identification information and confirms whether both the second identification information ID2 and the fifth identification information ID5 are received. (S312).

  When both the second identification information ID2 and the fifth identification information ID5 are received (S314: Yes), the presence notification unit 44 alerts the user with sound, light, vibration, and the like, and the second RFID tag Tg2 is attached. Character information and an image regarding the folding umbrella and the umbrella to which the fifth RFID tag Tg5 is attached are displayed, and the user is notified that both the folding umbrella and the normal umbrella having overlapping functions are being taken out (S316).

  When both of the second identification information ID2 and the fifth identification information ID5 are unreceived identification information, or when the first identification information ID1 is unreceived identification information (S318: Yes), the presence notification unit 44 uses FIG. In the same way as in the case shown in FIG.

  When one of the second identification information ID2 and the fifth identification information ID5 is received and the first identification information ID1 is also received (S318: No), the presence notification unit 44 is left behind as in the case shown in FIG. Notifying that there is no (S322).

  When duplication notification processing is added, it is possible to prevent inconvenience due to taking out a plurality of duplicate functions.

  In addition, when adding a duplication notification process, it is good for the portable terminal 100 to provide the means which confirms a user's going out. Whether or not near-field communication can be established with a non-take-out RFID tag if a non-take-out RFID tag is attached to an article fixedly installed at the user's home, such as a television or large furniture Whether the user is out or not can be confirmed. Note that the RFID tag for non-carrying out does not need to be attached to an article and may be present at home. Accordingly, the duplicate notification process can be executed only when the user is out of the office, and unnecessary notification can be prevented. In other words, the duplicate notification process is executed only when the user is out, so that the duplicate notification process is performed when there are a plurality of carry-on items whose functions overlap when the user is not out. Can be avoided.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, an existence confirmation notification system configured to share information of existence confirmation obtained by short-range communication in one portable terminal between two portable terminals connected by a portable terminal network will be described. To do.

FIG. 13 conceptually shows the configuration of the presence confirmation notification system 300 according to the second embodiment.
The presence confirmation notification system 300 includes a first mobile terminal 100a, a mobile terminal network 122, a second mobile terminal 100b, and an RFID tag Tg. Although the number of RFID tags Tg is one in FIG. 13, the number of RFID tags may be arbitrary.

  The first portable terminal 100a and the second portable terminal 100b have a function of communication via the portable terminal network 122 (hereinafter referred to as “network communication”). The second portable terminal 100b and the RFID tag Tg have a communication function by short-range communication. The near field communication area 22 is an area where the second mobile terminal 100b can establish near field communication.

  The first mobile terminal 100a and the second mobile terminal 100b include the same configuration as the mobile terminal 100 of the first embodiment. The RFID tag Tg has the same configuration as the first RFID tag Tg1 to the ninth RFID tag Tg9 of the first embodiment.

  A mobile phone can be used as the first mobile terminal 100a and the second mobile terminal 100b. In this case, a communication network using a mobile phone can be used as the mobile terminal network 122. The RFID tag Tg is attached to an object such as a child or a pet. The identification information of the RFID tag Tg is stored in the first portable terminal 100a and the second portable terminal 100b in association with the registration number and information on the object to which the RFID tag Tg is attached by the RFID tag registration process shown in FIG. Has been.

  The user of the second mobile terminal 100b determines whether or not the object attached with the RFID tag Tg exists in the vicinity depending on whether or not the second mobile terminal 100b can establish near field communication with the RFID tag Tg. Can be recognized. The user of the first mobile terminal 100a can recognize whether or not the object attached with the RFID tag Tg exists in the vicinity of the user of the second mobile terminal 100b through network communication. For example, it is assumed that the user of the first mobile terminal 100a is a mother, the user of the second mobile terminal 100b is a father, and a child has an RFID tag Tg. At this time, the mother can know whether or not the child is near the father even if the child is not near him. This facilitates child safety confirmation in the mother.

  FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the first mobile terminal 100a and the second mobile terminal 100b shown in FIG. In addition, since the 1st portable terminal 100a and the 2nd portable terminal 100b are the same structures, the structure of the 2nd portable terminal 100b is only demonstrated. Each functional block shown in FIG. 14 can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof, as in FIG. 14, the same or similar components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The second mobile terminal 100b further includes a network access unit 32b and a member storage unit 49b in addition to the configuration of the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. The network access unit 32b accesses the mobile terminal network 122 and executes network communication. The member storage unit 49b stores information related to a portable terminal (hereinafter referred to as “master terminal”) having an authority to receive a notification of existence confirmation based on the result of short-range communication in the second portable terminal 100b. The member storage unit 49b also provides information on a mobile terminal (hereinafter referred to as a “slave terminal”) that permits the second mobile terminal 100b to be notified of existence confirmation based on the result of short-range communication. Remember.

  FIG. 15 conceptually shows the contents stored in the member storage unit 49b of the second portable terminal 100b shown in FIG. The second portable terminal 100b stores the first portable terminal 100a as a master terminal, and the presence confirmation based on the result of the near field communication with the RFID tag Tg in the second portable terminal 100b is made to the first portable terminal 100a. Permission to receive notifications. The first portable terminal 100a is specified by the station number “090-xxx-xxxx” assigned to the cellular phone. The RFID tag Tg is specified by the identification information “1234”. In addition, the slave terminal is not stored in the member storage unit 49b.

  FIG. 16 conceptually shows the contents stored in the member storage unit 49a of the first portable terminal 100a shown in FIG. The first portable terminal 100a stores the second portable terminal 100b as a slave terminal, and can receive a notification of existence confirmation based on the result of short-range communication with the RFID tag Tg from the second portable terminal 100b. The second mobile terminal 100b is specified by the station number “090-ΔΔΔΔ-ΔΔΔΔ” assigned to the mobile phone. The RFID tag Tg is specified by the identification information “1234”. Further, no master terminal is stored in the member storage unit 49a.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of a master terminal registration process in which the second portable terminal 100b of FIG. 14 registers a master terminal in the member storage unit 49b.

  The network access unit 32b receives the authority registration request from the first mobile terminal 100a via the mobile terminal network 122 (S502). This authority registration request includes the station number “090-xxxx” and the identification information “1234” of the RFID tag Tg allocated for the cellular phone of the first portable terminal 100a. Further, the authority registration request may further include an article or person image or illustration with the RFID tag Tg attached thereto. The second portable terminal 100b displays the telephone number and identification information included in the authority registration request on the display, and prompts the user of the second portable terminal 100b to determine whether or not to register (S504).

  When the registration is permitted (S506: Yes), the second portable terminal 100b registers the first portable terminal 100a as the master terminal in the member storage unit 49b (S508), and the telephone number and RFID tag Tg of the first portable terminal 100a. Are stored in association with each other (which may include images or illustrations) (S512). As a result, the first mobile terminal 100a enters a state in which the presence confirmation of the RFID tag Tg based on the result of the short-range communication is given to the second mobile terminal 100b in response to a request from the second mobile terminal 100b. The network access unit 32b notifies the first portable terminal 100a via the portable terminal network 122 that registration is permitted as a master terminal (S514).

  On the other hand, when registration is not permitted (S506: No), the network access unit 32b notifies the first mobile terminal 100a via the mobile terminal network 122 that registration is rejected as a master terminal (S516).

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a flow of a slave terminal registration process in which the first mobile terminal 100a of FIG. 14 registers a slave terminal in the member storage unit 49a.

  The first mobile terminal 100a displays a list of telephone numbers registered in advance, and prompts the user to select a transmission destination of the authority registration request (S602). When the transmission destination of the authority registration request is selected, the first portable terminal 100a displays a list of RFID tag attachment target objects stored in the ID storage unit 46, and the second portable terminal 100b is displayed to the user. The user is prompted to select an object to receive a notification of presence confirmation via (step S604). Here, it is assumed that the child to which the RFID tag Tg is attached is selected. When the object is selected, the network access unit 32a transmits an authority registration request to the second mobile terminal 100b via the mobile terminal network 122 (S606). When transmitting the authority registration request, a name, an image, or an illustration associated with the selected object may be transmitted at the same time. After transmitting the authority registration request, the network access unit 32a enters a reception standby state for receiving a registration permission notification from the second portable terminal 100b (S608).

  When the registration permission notification is received from the second mobile terminal 100b within a certain time (S612: No, S614: Yes), the first mobile terminal 100a stores the mobile phone of the second mobile terminal 100b in the member storage unit 49a. The station number “090-ΔΔΔΔ-ΔΔΔΔ” assigned for use and the identification information “1234” of the RFID tag Tg are stored in association with each other (S616). Here, when the name, image or illustration of the selected object is transmitted at the same time, they may be stored together.

  If a registration rejection notification is received from the second mobile terminal 100b within a certain time (S612: No, S614: No), the first mobile terminal 100a displays a registration failure message on the display (S618).

  If the registration permission / disapproval notification is not received from the second portable terminal 100b within a predetermined time (S612: Yes), the first portable terminal 100a displays a timeout message on the display (S622).

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a flow of a master terminal side confirmation process in which the first portable terminal 100a of FIG. 13 executes the existence confirmation of the RFID tag Tg via the second portable terminal 100b.

  The first mobile terminal 100a refers to the member storage unit 49a and confirms whether or not the slave terminal is registered (S702). If the slave terminal is registered in the member storage unit 49a (S704: Yes), the first mobile terminal 100a displays on which display the slave terminal is being used to confirm the presence of the RFID tag Tg. (S706). Here, it is assumed that existence confirmation is executed via the second portable terminal 100b. The network access unit 32a transmits an inquiry signal asking for confirmation of the existence of the RFID tag Tg to the second portable terminal 100b via the portable terminal network 122 (S708). After transmitting the inquiry signal, the network access unit 32a enters a reception standby state for receiving a notification of the presence confirmation result from the second portable terminal 100b (S712).

  When the notification of the presence check success is received from the second portable terminal 100b within the predetermined time (S714: No, S716: Yes), the first portable terminal 100a notifies the display of the success of the presence check (S718).

  If a notification of failure of existence confirmation is received from the second portable terminal 100b within a certain time (S714: No, S716: No), if no slave terminal is registered in addition to the second portable terminal 100b (S722: No) The first mobile terminal 100a notifies the display of the failure to confirm the presence (S724). If a slave terminal is registered in addition to the second mobile terminal 100b (S722: Yes), the first mobile terminal 100a prompts the user to select another slave terminal (S706).

  When the notification of the presence confirmation result is not received from the second portable terminal 100b within a certain time (S714: Yes), the first portable terminal 100a displays a timeout message on the display (S726).

  If no slave terminal is registered (S704: No), the first mobile terminal 100a displays on the display that the slave terminal is not registered (S728).

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a flow of a slave terminal side confirmation process in which the second portable terminal 100b in FIG. 13 receives an inquiry from the first portable terminal 100a and executes the existence confirmation of the RFID tag Tg.

  The network access unit 32b receives an inquiry signal inquiring about the existence confirmation of the RFID tag Tg from the first portable terminal 100a via the portable terminal network 122 (S802). When the first mobile terminal 100a is registered as a master terminal (S804: Yes), the short-range communication unit 34b performs presence confirmation of the RFID tag Tg by short-range communication (S806). For the presence confirmation process, the lost article notification process shown in FIG. 11 can be applied.

  When the short-range communication can be established between the short-range communication unit 34b and the RFID tag Tg (S808: Yes), the network access unit 32b succeeds in confirming existence with the first portable terminal 100a via the portable terminal network 122. Is sent (S812).

  When the near field communication cannot be established between the near field communication unit 34b and the RFID tag Tg (S808: No), the network access unit 32b confirms the existence with respect to the first portable terminal 100a via the portable terminal network 122. A failure notification is transmitted (S814).

  When the first mobile terminal 100a is not registered as a master terminal (S804: No), the network access unit 32b notifies the first mobile terminal 100a of confirmation rejection via the mobile terminal network 122 (S816). ).

  According to the present embodiment, first mobile terminal 100a receives notification of the presence confirmation of RFID tag Tg based on the result of short-range communication in second mobile terminal 100b via mobile terminal network 122. Thereby, the user of the 1st portable terminal 100a can know whether the RFID tag Tg exists in the vicinity of the 2nd portable terminal 100b, even when it is not near the RFID tag Tg. Therefore, by attaching the RFID tag Tg to an object such as a child, a pet, or a shared article, it is easy for the user of the first mobile terminal 100a to confirm the presence of the object.

  Further, by using an existing mobile phone network as the mobile terminal network 122, the presence confirmation notification system 300 can be easily introduced.

  Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each treatment process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the RFID tag is attached as a portable item to be carried when going out, but the RFID tag is not limited to this. The RFID tag may be attached to a child or attached to a pet. That is, the RFID tag can be attached to a general object that should exist in the vicinity of the mobile terminal. According to this, the application range of a portable terminal spreads.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the result of existence confirmation based on the result of the short-range communication in one portable terminal is shared between the two portable terminals has been described. The number is not limited to two and may be three or more. This increases the flexibility of design of the presence confirmation notification system 300.

  In the second embodiment, the case where both the first mobile terminal 100a and the second mobile terminal 100b have a short-range communication function has been described. However, the first mobile terminal 100a, which is a master terminal, It does not have to have a communication function. In this case, the content stored in the ID storage unit 46b of the second mobile terminal 100b may be shared by the first mobile terminal 100a. Even in this case, the user of the first mobile terminal 100a can know whether or not the object to which the RFID tag is attached exists in the vicinity of the second mobile terminal 100b. According to this, the application range of the presence confirmation notification system 300 is expanded.

The structure of the left-behind thing notification system concerning 1st Embodiment is shown notionally. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the portable terminal of FIG. The content memorize | stored in the corresponding | compatible table of FIG. 2 is shown notionally. It is a figure which shows another example of the content memorize | stored in the corresponding | compatible table of FIG. The content memorize | stored in the classification classification table of FIG. 2 is shown notionally. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of 1st RFID tag Tg of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of RFID tag registration processing in which the portable terminal of FIG. 2 registers an RFID tag in a correspondence table. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of ID matching process (S108) of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the carrying goods matching process (S152) of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the classification process in which the portable terminal of FIG. 2 registers an RFID tag in a classification table. It is a flowchart which shows one example of the flow of the thing-notice thing notification process in the thing-notice thing notification system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of adding the duplication notification process in the case of taking out the carrying goods with which a function overlaps in the forgotten thing notification process of FIG. The structure of the presence confirmation notification system concerning 2nd Embodiment is shown notionally. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st portable terminal and 2nd portable terminal which are shown by FIG. The content memorize | stored in the member memory | storage part of the 2nd portable terminal shown by FIG. 14 is shown notionally. The content memorize | stored in the member memory | storage part of the 1st portable terminal shown by FIG. 14 is shown notionally. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the master terminal registration process in which the 2nd portable terminal of FIG. 14 registers a master terminal in a member memory | storage part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the slave terminal registration process in which the 1st portable terminal of FIG. 14 registers a slave terminal into a member memory | storage part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the master terminal side confirmation process in which the 1st portable terminal of FIG. 13 performs presence confirmation of RFID tag Tg via a 2nd portable terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the slave terminal side confirmation process in which the 2nd portable terminal of FIG. 13 receives the inquiry from a 1st portable terminal, and performs presence confirmation of RFID tag Tg.

Explanation of symbols

  Tg1 first RFID tag, 22 near field communication area, 34 near field communication unit, 36 input unit, 38 imaging unit, 42 control unit, 44 presence notification unit, 46 ID storage unit, 47 correspondence table, 48 type classification table, 100 mobile phone Terminal, 200 Lost and Found Notification System.

Claims (1)

A step of transmitting a request for confirming the existence of an ID holding device in which unique identification information is stored via a portable terminal network;
A second mobile terminal different from the first mobile terminal receives the presence confirmation request;
A step of transmitting a request signal for confirming whether or not the second portable terminal stores the identification information with an ID holding device by a short-range wireless communication method;
The second portable terminal switching to a reception waiting state of a response signal from the ID holding device in response to the request signal;
Notifying the first portable terminal of the presence confirmation of the ID holding device based on whether the second portable terminal has received the response signal within a predetermined period after switching to the reception standby state. When,
The presence confirmation notification method characterized by including.

Images