Apparatus, information processing method, and information processing system

An apparatus includes a memory and a processor that is coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to obtain position information that indicates a position of the apparatus, calculate a movement amount of the apparatus based on the acquired position information, and execute a search for a device on an occasion where the calculated movement amount reaches a first value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-059100, filed on Mar. 20, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The embodiments discussed herein are related to an apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing system.

BACKGROUND

In related art, a method of managing positions and a position management system have been suggested for portable devices such as laptop computers and projectors in an office, products in a product management warehouse, or articles or the like such as containers in an airport terminal (hereinafter referred to as device).

For example, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are attached to the devices such as containers, and tag readers and positioning apparatuses are provided to moving bodies such as container transporting vehicles. The tag reader performs a search for the RF tag while the moving body is moving. When the tag reader detects the RF tag, device information that is recorded in the RF tag and position information of the moving body that is obtained by the positioning apparatus are associated together and stored. A method that manages the positions of the devices by such a method has been used. An example of a document of related art is Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-143658.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a memory and a processor that is coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to obtain position information that indicates a position of the apparatus, calculate a movement amount of the apparatus based on the acquired position information, and execute a search for a device on an occasion where the calculated movement amount reaches a first value.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Above-described Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-143658 does not disclose details of an operation of the tag reader that performs a search for the device and does not disclose a technology to reduce power consumption in the search operation that is performed by the tag reader.

It is desirable to provide a technology in which a device searching unit is installed in a mobile terminal apparatus and power that is consumed when the device searching unit searches for the device as a target of position management is reduced.

In a first embodiment, the mobile terminal apparatus performs a search for the device based on movement of the mobile terminal apparatus for a prescribed distance. Accordingly, the search for the device that is performed by the mobile terminal apparatus may be intermittently performed, and the power consumed by the mobile terminal apparatus may be reduced.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 7, a description will be made about apparatus configurations and functions of the device, the mobile terminal apparatus, and an information processing apparatus such as a server that are used in the first embodiment. Referring toFIGS. 8 to 11, a description will be made about an information processing method of managing the position of the device.

FIG. 1is a configuration diagram of a position information management system that is used in the first embodiment. A mobile terminal apparatus100is a portable terminal such as a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or the like, for example. A device200is a device that is a target of position management. A “device” herein means all articles whose positions are managed and is not limited to electronic devices. As described later, the device200has a function that is capable of notifying the mobile terminal apparatus100of the presence of the device200by using electromagnetic waves such as electric waves and magnetic fields. An information processing apparatus300is an information processing apparatus such as a cloud server and has a function of information communication with the mobile terminal apparatus100.

The mobile terminal apparatus100is capable of moving by being carried by a person or by being arranged on a moving body such as a vehicle. The mobile terminal apparatus100executes a search for the device200by the electromagnetic wave such as the electric wave that is transmitted by the mobile terminal apparatus100and detects the presence of the device200in a case where the distance between the mobile terminal apparatus100and the device200is a prescribed value or smaller. The distance in which the mobile terminal apparatus100may detect the device200is determined by an intensity or the like of the electromagnetic wave that is transmitted by the mobile terminal apparatus100. Further, the mobile terminal apparatus100has a unit to measure the position of the mobile terminal apparatus100and records the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100together with device information about the detected device200, for example, a device ID that identifies the device. Further, the mobile terminal apparatus100notifies the information processing apparatus300of the device information about the device200and the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100as appropriate. The information processing apparatus300stores the information received from the mobile terminal apparatus100and manages the position of the device200.

FIG. 2is a function block diagram of the mobile terminal apparatus100. The mobile terminal apparatus100has a processing unit11, a movement amount calculation unit12, a device searching unit13, a position information obtainment unit14, a storage unit15, a communication unit16, and a power supply unit17. The processing unit11performs control of the other functions blocks. The movement amount calculation unit12calculates a movement amount (movement distance) of the mobile terminal apparatus100in a case where the mobile terminal apparatus100moves in accordance with the movement of the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100. The device searching unit13executes the search for the device200by transmitting an electromagnetic signal, detects the device200by receiving an electromagnetic signal from the device200, and stores the device information of the device200in the storage unit15. The position information obtainment unit14obtains the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100itself and stores the obtained position information in the storage unit15. The storage unit15stores prescribed programs in addition to recoding the device information and the position information. The communication unit16performs communication with the information processing apparatus300and notifies the information processing apparatus300of the device information and the position information that are recorded in the storage unit15. The power supply unit17supplies power to each of the functions blocks.

FIG. 3illustrates a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal apparatus100. The mobile terminal apparatus100has a processor110, a microcomputer120, an acceleration sensor125, an RFID reader130, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device140, a memory150, a non-volatile memory155, a radio communication device160, and a battery170. The processor110is an example of the processing unit11that is illustrated inFIG. 2and executes prescribed programs to perform data processing about the information communication and the position management. The microcomputer120and the acceleration sensor125are examples of the movement amount calculation unit12that is illustrated inFIG. 2. The microcomputer120performs calculation of the movement distance of the mobile terminal apparatus100based on an acceleration of the mobile terminal apparatus100that is sensed by the acceleration sensor125. A determination of whether or not the calculated distance reaches a prescribed value may be made by the microcomputer120or may be made by the processor110. The RFID reader130is an example of the device searching unit13that is illustrated inFIG. 2and transmits the electromagnetic wave such as the electric wave to perform a search and detection of the device that has an RF tag. The GPS device140is an example of the position information obtainment unit14that is illustrated inFIG. 2and obtains the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100based on signals from GPS satellites. The memory150and the non-volatile memory155are examples of the storage unit15that is illustrated inFIG. 2. The memory150may be used as a data storage area when the processor110performs data processing and stores the device information and the position information that are obtained by the RFID reader130and the GPS device140. Further, the non-volatile memory155stores programs that are executed by the processor110. The radio communication device160is an example of the communication unit16that is illustrated inFIG. 2. The battery170is an example of the power supply unit17that is illustrated inFIG. 2.

The processor110is an electronic circuit component such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Further, the memory150is an electronic circuit component such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or a static random access memory (SRAM). Further, the non-volatile memory155is an electronic circuit component such as a read only memory (ROM) or a flash memory.

FIG. 4illustrates a hardware configuration of the RFID reader130. The RFID reader130has an antenna131, an amplifier circuit132, a transmission-reception circuit133, a clock generation circuit134, and a processor135. The transmission-reception circuit133operates synchronously with a clock that is generated by the clock generation circuit134and generates signals that are desired for the search for the device200based on an instruction of the processor135. The amplifier circuit132amplifies the signal received from the transmission-reception circuit133and transmits an electromagnetic wave signal from the antenna131. Further, the antenna131receives the electromagnetic wave signal that is transmitted from the device200and passes the electromagnetic wave signal to the amplifier circuit132. The amplifier circuit132amplifies the received signal and passes the signal to the transmission-reception circuit133. A signal to which a process such as conversion into a digital signal is applied by the transmission-reception circuit133undergoes a data processing at the processor135and undergoes a recognition process about the device ID or the like of the device200that is a transmission source of the received signal.

FIG. 5illustrates a hardware configuration of the GPS device140. The GPS device140has an antenna141, an amplifier circuit142, a reception circuit143, a clock generation circuit144, and a processor145. The antenna141receives electric wave signals about the position information from the GPS satellites and passes the electric wave signals to the amplifier circuit142. The amplifier circuit142amplifies the signals received from the antenna141. The reception circuit143performs a conversion process or the like of the amplified signals into digital signals. The processor145performs data processing based on the digital signals generated by the reception circuit143and recognizes the position of the mobile terminal apparatus100.

FIG. 6illustrates a hardware configuration of the device200. The device200has an RF tag210. When the RF tag210receives the electromagnetic wave signal from the RFID reader130, the RF tag210responds and sends the device information of the device200to which the RF tag210is attached to the RFID reader130by using an electromagnetic wave signal. The RF tag210may be of an electric wave type or an electromagnetic induction type. Further, the RF tag210itself may not have a power source or may have a power source.

FIG. 7illustrates a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus300. The information processing apparatus300includes a processor310, a main storage apparatus350, an auxiliary storage apparatus355, and a radio communication device360. The processor310performs control of whole the information processing apparatus300, communication control, and information processing. The radio communication device360performs transmission and reception of data between the radio communication device360and the mobile terminal apparatus100. The main storage apparatus350stores the device information and the position information that are received from the mobile terminal apparatus100. The auxiliary storage apparatus355stores programs and so forth that are executed by the processor310.

The processor135, the processor145, and the processor310that are illustrated inFIGS. 4, 5, and 7are electronic circuit components such as the CPU, the MPU, the DSP, and the FPGA. Further, the main storage apparatus350is an electronic circuit component such as the DRAM or the SRAM. Further, the auxiliary storage apparatus355is a storage apparatus such as a hard disk drive (HDD).

FIG. 8explains the relationship among a movement locus of the mobile terminal apparatus100, a range in which the device200may be detected by the search performed by the mobile terminal apparatus100, and a position of the device200in the first embodiment. A curve400represents the movement locus of the mobile terminal apparatus100. Filled circle marks1a,1b,1c,1d, and1erepresent locations where the mobile terminal apparatus100that moves along the curve400executes the search for the device200. Circles2a,2b,2c,2d, and2erepresent search ranges of the mobile terminal apparatus100. Further, an open circle mark3arepresents the position of the device200.

The mobile terminal apparatus100executes the search for the device200when the mobile terminal apparatus100itself moves for a prescribed distance. In a case where the mobile terminal apparatus100is in a distant position from the device200and the device200is not positioned in the search range, the device200is not detected by the search. However, the device200may be detected by the search that is performed in a state where the mobile terminal apparatus100is in the position of the filled circle mark1cand the device200is present inside the circle2c. A prescribed distance interval at which the mobile terminal apparatus100performs the search is set based on the diameter of each circle, that is, the range in which the mobile terminal apparatus100may detect the device200. As described above, the mobile terminal apparatus100executes the search for the device at each time when the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for a certain distance, and power consumption for the search by the mobile terminal apparatus100may thereby be reduced. In addition, in a case where the device200is detected, the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100is associated with the device information of the device200, and the presence of the device200in the position of the mobile terminal apparatus100or in the vicinity thereof may thereby be recognized. This method enables avoidance of power consumption due to repetition of the search in a case the mobile terminal apparatus100stops in a distant position where the mobile terminal apparatus100may not detect the device200, for example. This method is particularly useful as a method of managing the position of the device200while reducing power consumption in a circumstance where the device200itself does not move. However, this embodiment may be applied to a case where the position of the device200changes, for example, a case where a person different from the person who has the mobile terminal apparatus100moves the device200and may reduce power consumption of the mobile terminal apparatus100.

FIG. 9illustrates function blocks of the processor110in the first embodiment. The processor110executes prescribed programs that are stored in another storage apparatus that is accessible from the non-volatile memory155, the memory150, or the processor110and realizes the functions illustrated inFIG. 9. The processor110functions as a management unit111, a movement amount calculation unit controller112, a device searching unit controller113, a position information obtainment unit controller114, and a record unit115. The management unit111performs general control and management of the movement amount calculation unit controller112, the device searching unit controller113, the position information obtainment unit controller114, and the record unit115. The movement amount calculation unit controller112calculates the movement distance of the mobile terminal apparatus100by controlling the movement amount calculation unit12. The movement amount calculation unit controller112performs a notification to the management unit111in a case where the movement distance of the mobile terminal apparatus100reaches a prescribed value. Here, the prescribed value of the movement distance is preferably set in accordance with the intensity of the electromagnetic wave that is transmitted for the search for the device200. For example, the movement amount calculation unit112may change a setting of the prescribed value of the movement distance in accordance with an amplification factor of the amplifier circuit132that is illustrated inFIG. 4. The management unit111instructs the device searching unit controller113on execution of the search for the device200in a case where the movement distance of the mobile terminal apparatus100reaches the prescribed value. The device searching unit controller113performs the search for the device200by controlling the device searching unit13. Further, in a case where the device200is detected by the search, the device searching unit controller113records information that identifies the detected device200, for example, the device ID of the device200in the record unit115. In addition, the device searching unit controller113notifies the position information obtainment unit controller114of the detection of the device200. The position information obtainment unit controller114obtains the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100by controlling the position information obtainment unit14and records the position information in the record unit115.

The processor110does not have to realize all the functions that are illustrated inFIG. 9and may allow another device to execute a portion of the functions. For example, the function as the movement amount calculation unit controller112may be executed by the microcomputer120, and the function as the record unit115may be executed by the memory150. In a case where the function as the movement amount calculation unit controller112is executed by the microcomputer120, the microcomputer120detects a fact that the movement amount of the mobile terminal apparatus100reaches the prescribed value and notifies the processor110of the fact. Accordingly, an operation mode of the processor110is turned into a sleep mode while the movement amount of the mobile terminal apparatus100reaches the prescribed value, thereby enabling reduction in power consumption of the processor110.

FIG. 10illustrates an example of the device information and the position information that are stored in the record unit115in the first embodiment. In the example illustrated inFIG. 10, the device ID (for example, (aa)) provided to the device200that is detected by the device searching unit13is recorded as the device information, and the position information (for example, (X, Y)) that is obtained by the position information obtainment unit14is recorded as the position information. Those pieces of information enable recognition of the presence of the device200that has the device ID (aa) in a certain range from the position (X, Y).

FIG. 11is a processing flowchart of the processor110in the first embodiment. Processing by the processor110is started by a process500. In a process501, the movement amount calculation unit controller112calculates the movement amount of the mobile terminal apparatus100. In a process502, the movement amount calculation unit controller112determines whether or not the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance based on the calculated movement amount. In a case where a determination is made that the mobile terminal apparatus100does not move for the prescribed distance in the process502, the processing returns to the process501. In a case where a determination is made that the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance in the process502, the processing progresses to the process503. In the process503, the device searching unit controller113executes the search for the device200. In a process504, the device searching unit controller113determines whether or not the device200is detected. In a case where a determination is made that the device200is detected in the process504, the processing progresses to a process505. In a case where a determination is made that the device200is not detected in the process504, the processing progresses to a process509. In the process505, the record unit115records the device information of the device200that is detected by the device searching unit controller113. In a process506, the position information obtainment unit controller114obtains the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100. In a process507, the record unit115records the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100that is obtained by the position information obtainment unit controller114. In a process508, the management unit111instructs the communication unit16to notify the information processing apparatus300of the device information and the position information that are recorded in the record unit115. The mobile terminal apparatus100itself may retain and manage the device information and the position information without notifying the information processing apparatus300of those pieces of information. In the process509, the management unit111initializes the movement amount that is calculated by the movement amount calculation unit controller112, and the processing returns to the process501.

As described above, the mobile terminal apparatus100executes the search for the device200, and the device information of the device200and the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100are associated together and recorded in a case where the device200is detected, thereby enabling recognition of a substantial position of the device200. Further, the mobile terminal apparatus100executes the search for the device200based on the movement of the mobile terminal apparatus100for the prescribed distance, and power consumption for a device search by the mobile terminal apparatus100may thus be reduced. In a case where the mobile terminal apparatus100operates based on power supply from the battery170, an operation time of the mobile terminal apparatus100with the battery170may be increased.

In this embodiment, the position information obtainment unit14may obtain the position information on the detection of the device200or may execute an obtainment process of the position information regardless of the detection of the device200. For example, in a case where the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100has to be continuously obtained for another purpose that is different from the position management of the device200, the obtainment process of the position information may be performed without establishing linkage with the detection of the device200. In this case, the position information at a time of detection of the device200in the position information that is obtained for the other purpose is stored such that the position information at the time of detection corresponds to the device information, thereby enabling the position management of the device200.

As a modification example of the first embodiment, the RF tag210itself that is attached to the device200may transmit a signal and may thereby notify the mobile terminal apparatus100of the presence of the RF tag210. In this case, the mobile terminal apparatus100executes a detection process of the device200based on the movement of the mobile terminal apparatus100for the prescribed distance. For example, the device searching unit controller113illustrated inFIG. 9does not perform transmission of the electromagnetic wave signal for searching for the device200but executes a process of detecting the device200by receiving the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted from the device200based on the movement of the mobile terminal apparatus100for the prescribed distance. As the process of receiving the electromagnetic wave signal to detect the device200is executed when the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for prescribed distance, the repeated execution of the detection process is reduced in a case where the mobile terminal apparatus100stops in a certain position, for example, and enables reduction in power consumption of the mobile terminal apparatus100for the detection. In this modification example, the prescribed distance is defined in accordance with the intensity of the electromagnetic wave that is transmitted by the RF tag210provided to the device200.

A second embodiment will next be described. In the second embodiment, the apparatus configurations and functions illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 7are used. While power consumption for obtainment of the position information by the mobile terminal apparatus100is reduced, movement of the device200in response to the mobile terminal apparatus100is recognized, and new position information is recorded. For example, it is assumed that position information collecting procedures described in the first embodiment is carried out in a state where a present position of the device200is already recorded in the mobile terminal apparatus100or the information processing apparatus300. In the method of the first embodiment, when the person who retains the mobile terminal apparatus100passes through the vicinity of the device200, the mobile terminal apparatus100detects the device200, the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100is obtained on the detection of the device200, and the position information is recorded in the mobile terminal apparatus100or the information processing apparatus300. However, the position information of the device200that is recorded in this case has the same content as the information that is already recorded in the mobile terminal apparatus100or the information processing apparatus300as the position information of the device200. The second embodiment is for avoiding such a case where the same position information is obtained and recorded in a duplicated manner.

Specifically, in a case where a determination is made that the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100simply passes through the vicinity of the device200, the obtainment of the position information is not performed. In a case where a determination is made that the moving body moves while retaining or having the device200installed therein, that is, the moving body moves the device200, information about a new position of the device200is obtained and recorded. This enables reduction in power consumption for position information obtainment in a case where the mobile terminal apparatus100simply passes through the vicinity of the device200.

FIG. 12explains the positional relationship among a movement locus and a search range of the mobile terminal apparatus100and a position of the device200in the second embodiment. A curve4000represents the movement locus of the mobile terminal apparatus100. Filled circle marks10a,10b,10c,10d, and10erepresent locations where the mobile terminal apparatus100that moves along the curve4000executes the search for the device200. Circles20a,20b,20c,20d, and20erepresent search ranges of the mobile terminal apparatus100. Further, an open circle mark30arepresents a position of the device200. Further, the open circle marks30band30crepresent positions of the device200in a case where the device200positioned in the open circle mark30amoves in response to the movement of the mobile terminal apparatus100. For example, in cases where a worker who retains the mobile terminal apparatus100moves the device200while retaining the device200, where a vehicle in which the mobile terminal apparatus100is installed moves to another location while carrying the device200, and so forth, the mobile terminal apparatus100and the device200together draw similar movement loci as represented by the filled circle mark10cwith the open circle mark30a,10dwith30b, and10ewith30cinFIG. 12. That is, in a case where the person or the moving body that has the mobile terminal apparatus100moves the device200, the same device200is repeatedly detected for plural times in the device search that is performed at each time when the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance. In other words, in a case where the same device200is repeatedly detected in the plural times of searches, a determination is made that the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100moves the device200. In a case where the device200is detected with a prescribed frequency or lower, for example, only once, a determination may be made that the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100simply passes though the vicinity of the device200. The prescribed frequency in this case is once.

Based on such a concept, in the second embodiment, in a case where the same device200is repeatedly detected with the prescribed frequency in the plural times of searches, it is recognized that the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100is carrying the device200, and the position information is updated. Further, even if the device200is detected in one time of search, the position information is not obtained at that time. This enables reduction in power consumption for the obtainment of the position information.

FIG. 13illustrates function blocks of the processor110in the second embodiment. The processor110further functions as a device movement determination unit116in addition to the management unit111, the movement amount calculation unit controller112, the device searching unit controller113, the position information obtainment unit controller114, and the record unit115that are disclosed in the first embodiment. The device movement determination unit116has a function of determining whether or not the same device200is repeatedly detected with the prescribed frequency by the device searching unit controller113. A specific value of the prescribed frequency is not limited, but a description will be made here with a case where the prescribed frequency is “twice”. Details of the management unit111, the movement amount calculation unit controller112, the device searching unit controller113, the position information obtainment unit controller114, and the record unit115are described in the first embodiment. Here, the function of the device movement determination unit116will mainly be described.

The device movement determination unit116obtains the device information that is detected by the device searching unit controller113, generates a flag that indicates that the device200is detected, and records the flag with the device information in the record unit115. Then, in a case where the device200is detected in the search that is next executed, the device movement determination unit116determines whether or not the flag is stored in the record unit115and whether or not the device200is the device that has the same device information as the device200that is detected in the previous search. In a case where a determination is made that the flag is stored in the record unit115and the device information of the device200that is detected at the present search is the same as the device information that is recorded in the record unit115, the device movement determination unit116instructs the position information obtainment unit controller114to obtain the position information. The position information that is obtained by the position information obtainment unit controller114is recorded in the record unit115and notified to the information processing apparatus300as appropriate. Further, in a case where the flag is not stored in the record unit115or where the device information of the device200that is detected at the present search is not the same as the device information that is recorded in the record unit115, the device movement determination unit116does not instruct the position information obtainment unit controller114to obtain the position information. This enables reduction in power consumption for the obtainment of the position information.

FIG. 14illustrates information that is recorded in the record unit115. The device information, the position information, and the flag are associated together and recorded. An example illustrated inFIG. 14indicates that the device200that has the device ID (aa) is detected in the previous search and (X, Y) is together recorded as the position information. Further,FIG. 14indicates that “1” is recorded as the flag.

FIG. 15is a processing flowchart of the processor110in the second embodiment. Along this processing flowchart, descriptions will sequentially be made first about a processing flow in a case where the device200is detected, next about a processing flow in a case where the device200is repeatedly detected, and finally about a case where the device200is not detected.

Processing by the processor110is started by a process600. In a process601, the movement amount calculation unit controller112calculates the movement amount of the mobile terminal apparatus100. In a process602, the movement amount calculation unit controller112determines whether or not the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance based on the calculated movement amount. In a case where a determination is made that the mobile terminal apparatus100does not move for the prescribed distance in the process602, the processing returns to the process601. In a case where a determination is made that the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance, the processing progresses to a process603. In the process603, the device searching unit controller113executes the search for the device200. In a process604, the device searching unit controller113determines whether or not the device200is detected. In a case where a determination is made that the device200is detected in the process604, the processing progresses to a process605. In a case where a determination is made that the device200is not detected, the processing progresses to a process613.

In the process605, the device movement determination unit116determines whether or not the flag is registered in the record unit115. In a case where a determination is made that the flag is not registered in the process605, the processing progresses to a process606. In a case where a determination is made that the flag is registered, the processing progresses to a process609. In the process606, the record unit115registers the flag. In a process607, the record unit115records the device information of the detected device200. In a process608, the management unit111initializes the movement amount that is calculated by the movement amount calculation unit controller112, and the processing returns to the process601. In the above, a description is made about processing in which first detection of the device200is performed by the processes601,602,603,604,605,606,607, and608.

In a case where the processing returns to the process601and subsequently progresses to the process604again and the device200is detected, in the process605, the device movement determination unit116determines whether or not the flag is registered in the record unit115. In a case where a determination is made that the flag is registered, the processing progresses to the process609. In the process609, the device movement determination unit116determines whether or not the device information of the device200that is detected by the device searching unit controller113agrees with the device information that is recorded in the record unit115. In a case where the two pieces of device information agree with each other, that is, the device200that is detected in the previous search is the same as the device200that is detected in the present search, the processing progresses to a process610. In a case where the device200is not the same, the processing progresses to the process607. In the process610, the position information obtainment unit controller114obtains the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100. In a process611, the record unit115records the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100that is obtained by the position information obtainment unit controller114. In a process612, the management unit111instructs the communication unit16to notify the information processing apparatus300of the device information and the position information that are recorded in the record unit115as appropriate. In the subsequent process608, the management unit111initializes the movement amount that is calculated by the movement amount calculation unit controller112, and the processing returns to the process601. In the above, a description is made about processing in a case where repeated detection of the same device200is performed in two times of searches by the processes601,602,603,604,605,609,610,611,612, and608.

The processing returns to the process601and subsequently progresses to the process604again. In a case where a determination is made that the device200is not detected in the process604, the device movement determination unit116deletes the flag that is registered in the record unit115in the process613. The processing again returns to the process601via the process608.

As described above, in the second embodiment, in the search that is repeatedly performed based on the movement of the mobile terminal apparatus100for a certain distance, the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100is not obtained at the time when the device200is detected once. However, in a case where the same device200is repeatedly detected with the prescribed frequency, the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100is obtained. This method enables obtainment of new position information only in a case where the device200moves and thus enables reduction in power consumption for the obtainment process of the position information by the mobile terminal apparatus100.

Further, as a modification example of the second embodiment, a change may be made such that the intensity of the electromagnetic wave during the search for the device200is lowered in a case where the same device is repeatedly detected with the prescribed frequency. In a case where the same device is repeatedly detected with the prescribed frequency, a determination may be made that the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100is moving in a state where the moving body retains or has the device200installed therein, and it may thus be expected that the mobile terminal apparatus100and the device200subsequently maintain a close positional relationship. Accordingly, it may be considered that the detection of the device200may successively be performed even if the intensity of the electromagnetic wave during the search is lowered.

Further, as another modification example, the distance interval at which the search for the device200is performed may be changed in a case where the same device is repeatedly detected with the prescribed frequency. For example, a setting may be changed such that the prescribed distance interval is made shorter after the same device is repeatedly detected with the prescribed frequency. Such a change of the setting is performed, and the movement locus of the device200may thereby be more specifically recorded. Alternatively, a change of the setting may be made such that the prescribed distance interval is made longer in order to reduce power consumption of the mobile terminal apparatus100. In this case also, the mobile terminal apparatus100does not lose the device200as long as a close distance interval is maintained between the mobile terminal apparatus100and the device200, and the position information may keep being updated.

The position management methods described in the first embodiment and a position management method described in the second embodiment may be carried out in an appropriate combination. For example, the position of the device200may first be recognized by the method described in the first embodiment. New position information may thereafter be registered by the method described in the second embodiment only in a case where the position of the device200is changed.

A third embodiment will next be described. In the third embodiment, the apparatus configurations and functions illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 7are used. While power consumption for the detection of the device by the mobile terminal apparatus100is further reduced, movement of the device200in response to the movement of the mobile terminal apparatus100is recognized, and new position information is recorded.

The third embodiment is made on an assumption that when the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100moves the device200, the moving body once stops in the position where the device200is present in order to make the person retain the device200or to install the device200in the moving body. In other words, the third embodiment is based on a concept that even if the device200is detected while the mobile terminal apparatus100is successively moving, the detection is made because the mobile terminal apparatus100simply passes through the vicinity of the device200, and the device200does not move. On such an assumption, the search for the device200that is described in the second embodiment is executed on a transition of the state of the mobile terminal apparatus100from a stop state to a moving state. Then, in a case where the same device200is repeatedly detected with the prescribed frequency, the device information and the position information are recorded. On the other hand, in a case where the device200is not detected in the search, the device searching unit13becomes a deactivated state, and the search for the device200is not executed even if the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance. When the mobile terminal apparatus100stops once and the state of the mobile terminal apparatus100transits from the stop state to the moving state, the device searching unit13is again activated. Such control is performed, and power consumption of the mobile terminal apparatus100is thereby reduced without executing the search for the device200in a case where the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100is simply moving while not retaining or having the device200installed therein.

FIG. 16illustrates function blocks of the mobile terminal apparatus100in the third embodiment. The mobile terminal apparatus100further has a state detection unit18in addition to the functions illustrated inFIG. 2. The state detection unit18detects whether the mobile terminal apparatus100is in the stop state or the moving state. For example, the state detection unit18may be realized by the microcomputer120and the acceleration sensor125that are illustrated inFIG. 3. Further, the state detection unit18may be realized by combining a gyro sensor or the like with the microcomputer120and the acceleration sensor125.

FIG. 17illustrates function blocks of the processor110in the third embodiment. The processor110further has a state transition detection unit118in addition to the functions illustrated inFIG. 13. The state transition detection unit118has a function of notifying the management unit111that the state of the mobile terminal apparatus100that is detected by using the state detection unit18transits from the stop state to the moving state. When the management unit111receives a notification from the state transition detection unit118, the management unit111instructs the device searching unit controller113to activate a searching function of the device searching unit13for the device200. In a case where the device200is not detected in the executed search, the management unit111instructs the device searching unit controller113to deactivate the searching function of the device searching unit13. The deactivation of the device searching unit13described here means not executing the search for the device200even if the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance and includes a method of stopping power supply to the device searching unit13, a method in which power supply to the device searching unit13is performed but the management unit111does not instruct the device searching unit controller113to perform the search even if the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance, a method of stopping the process of the movement amount calculation by the movement amount calculation unit controller112, and so forth, for example.

FIG. 18is a processing flowchart of the processor110in the third embodiment. Here, a description will be made about an example where an operation of the device searching unit13is deactivated in a case where the device200is not detected and the operation of the device searching unit13is activated on the transition of the state of the mobile terminal apparatus100from the stop state to the moving state. The same reference numerals are provided to processes of the same contents as the processes illustrated inFIG. 15, and a description thereof will not be made.

After the processing is started by the process600, the state transition detection unit118detects that the state of the mobile terminal apparatus100transits from the stop state to the moving state in a process620. In a process630, the management unit111activates a state of the device searching unit13. Accordingly, the search for the device200is executed based on the movement of the mobile terminal apparatus100for the prescribed distance in the processes601,602, and603.

Further, in a case where a determination is made that the device200is not detected in the process604, the processing progresses to the process613. The record unit115deletes the flag in the process613, and the management unit111deactivates the device searching unit13in a process640. Accordingly, a search process for the device200is not executed even if the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance. The processing thereafter returns to the process620. In a case where the state of the mobile terminal apparatus100again changes from the stop state to the moving state, the device searching unit13is activated.

As described above, in a case where the mobile terminal apparatus100does not detect the device200, the subsequent search for the device200is not performed, the mobile terminal apparatus100is stopped, and the search for the device200is resumed on a start of subsequent movement. Accordingly, power consumption of the mobile terminal apparatus100may be reduced while movement of the device200that is caused by the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100is detected and the position information is updated.

FIG. 18exemplifies a method of deactivating the device searching unit13in a case where the device200is not detected. However, a modification example is possible where a calculation process of the movement distance by the movement amount calculation unit12is terminated. In this case, power consumption for processes by the movement amount calculation unit12and the device searching unit13may be reduced. Further, in this modification example, the calculated movement distance may be initialized when the movement amount calculation unit12is deactivated. In this case, the first search is performed at the time when the state of the mobile terminal apparatus100transits from the stop state to the moving state, and the next search may thereafter be performed when the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for a certain distance.

A fourth embodiment will next be described. In the fourth embodiment, the apparatus configurations and functions illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 7are used. In a case where a determination may be made that the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100is moving while retaining or having the device200installed therein, the search for the device200is stopped, thereby further reducing power consumption for the search. A concept of the fourth embodiment will first be described.

In a case where the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100is moving while retaining or having the device200installed therein, it may be considered that the device200is continuously present in the vicinity of the mobile terminal apparatus100. Thus, it may be considered that the presence of the device200does not have to be confirmed by repeatedly performing the search for the device200. In other words, as described in the second and third embodiments, in a case where the same device200is repeatedly detected for plural times, it may be considered that the device searching unit13may thereafter be deactivated. Further, it may be considered that the moving body such as the person or the vehicle that has the mobile terminal apparatus100stops once in a case the retained or installed device200is put down and the position is fixed. Thus, it may be considered that the device searching unit13may stop the search for the device200until the mobile terminal apparatus100stops.

The fourth embodiment is based on such a concept. The device searching unit13is deactivated and does not perform the search for the device200while the mobile terminal apparatus100keeps moving after the same device200is repeatedly detected with the prescribed frequency. However, even in this case, the movement amount calculation by the movement amount calculation unit12is successively executed, and the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100is recorded based on the movement of the mobile terminal apparatus100for the prescribed distance. This enables recognition of how the device200moves in response to the mobile terminal apparatus100.

In the fourth embodiment, the mobile terminal apparatus100has similar functions to the function blocks illustrated inFIG. 16. The processor110realizes similar functions to the function blocks illustrated inFIG. 17.

FIG. 19is a processing flowchart of the processor110in the fourth embodiment. The processing by the processor110in the fourth embodiment is based on the processing that is described in the third embodiment, to a portion of which new processes are added. Thus,FIG. 19illustrates only processes that are added toFIG. 18and extracted from the whole processing.

In the fourth embodiment, after the process612illustrated inFIG. 18, the processing does not move to the process608but to a process701. In the process701, the movement amount calculation unit controller112initializes the calculated movement amount. In a process702, the movement amount calculation unit controller112calculates the movement amount of the mobile terminal apparatus100. In a process703, the state transition detection unit118determines whether or not the mobile terminal apparatus100stops. In a case where a determination is made that the mobile terminal apparatus100stops in the process703, the processing returns to the process620. In a case where a determination is made that the mobile terminal apparatus100does not stop, the processing progresses to a process704. In the process704, the movement amount calculation unit controller112determines whether or not the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance based on the calculated movement amount. In a case where a determination is made that the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance in the process704, the processing returns to the process610. In a case where a determination is made that the mobile terminal apparatus100does not move for the prescribed distance, the processing returns to the process702. That is, the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100keeps being recorded without performing the detection of the device200at each time when the mobile terminal apparatus100moves for the prescribed distance, until a determination is made that the mobile terminal apparatus100stops. This enables recognition of how the device200moves while power consumption for the search for the device200is reduced in a case where the mobile terminal apparatus100keeps moving together with the device200without stopping.

In the above, application examples of this disclosure are described based on the embodiments. However, this disclosure is not limited to the contents that are disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, the acceleration sensor125is described as an example of a sensor that is used for the movement amount calculation unit12in the embodiments. However, a moving speed of the mobile terminal apparatus100is obtained by using a gyro sensor in addition to the acceleration sensor125, and the movement amount may thereby be calculated based on the moving speed. Alternatively, in a case where the mobile terminal apparatus100has a function of a pedometer that measures the number of steps, the movement amount of the mobile terminal apparatus100may be calculated based on the number of steps of the person who has the mobile terminal apparatus100. In addition, the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100is obtained by using the GPS device140, and the movement amount of the mobile terminal apparatus100may be calculated based on the obtained position information.

Further, a mode that uses an RFID technology is described as a method of searching for the device200in the embodiments. However, alternatively, a radio communication device that conforms to Wi-Fi® standards is used, and the search for the device200may thereby be performed by using a procedure that is referred to as active scan. In this case, a Wi-Fi access point is arranged in the device200, and an electric wave signal for the search is transmitted from the mobile terminal apparatus100that has a communication function that conforms to Wi-Fi. The access point that receives the electric wave signal sends a response signal to the mobile terminal apparatus100, and the mobile terminal apparatus100may thereby detect the presence of the device200that has the access point. Further, a procedure of Wi-Fi that is referred to as passive scan may be used in the method that is described as the modification example of the first embodiment and in which the device200transmits the electromagnetic wave and the mobile terminal apparatus100thereby detects the presence of the device200. In this case, the mobile terminal apparatus100receives a beacon frame that is transmitted by the access point and may thereby detect the device200that has the access point.

As a method of searching for the device200, alternatively, a radio communication device that conforms to Bluetooth® standards is used, and the search for the device200may thereby be performed by using a procedure that is referred to as inquiry. In this case, a slave-side device is arranged in the device200, and an electric wave signal (command) for the search is transmitted from the mobile terminal apparatus100that has a master-side device. The slave-side device that receives the electric wave signal sends a response signal to the mobile terminal apparatus100, and the mobile terminal apparatus100may thereby detect the presence of the device200that has the slave-side device. Further, a procedure that is provided by Bluetooth may be used in the method in which the device200transmits the electromagnetic wave and the mobile terminal apparatus100thereby detects the device200. In this case, the mobile terminal apparatus100receives an advertising packet that is transmitted by the slave-side device and may thereby detect the device200that has the slave-side device. Further alternatively, the search for the device200may be performed by application of a technology that uses a non-contact type IC card or the like that conforms to near field communication (NFC) standards.

Further, a mode that uses a GPS technology is described in the embodiments as a method of obtaining the position information of the mobile terminal apparatus100. However, a technology of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth may be used alternatively. For example, position information is added to the Wi-Fi access point that is arranged in a prescribed position, and the position of the mobile terminal apparatus100may be identified based on the position information of the access point that is detected by the mobile terminal apparatus100. Similarly, position information is added to the slave-side device of Bluetooth that is arranged in a prescribed position, and the position of the mobile terminal apparatus100may be identified based on the position information of the slave-side device that is detected by the mobile terminal apparatus100. Further, more accurate position information may be generated by combining the position information that is obtained by using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth with the position information that is obtained by the GPS device140. In addition, a movement condition of the mobile terminal apparatus100that is obtained by the acceleration sensor125or the gyro sensor is detected, the movement condition is supplemented with the position information that is obtained by the GPS device140, and more accurate position information may thereby be generated.