Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method

An information processing system is disclosed. A device conducts a predetermined process by sensing a neighboring radio signal state. An information processing apparatus is connected to the device. In the information processing apparatus, multiple sets of neighboring definition information in which a neighboring signal state is defined, is stored in a storage part. Neighboring definition information depending on a location indicated by location information is specified from among the multiple sets of neighboring definition information based on the location information received from the device. The specified neighboring definition information is sent to the device. In the device, the predetermined process using the neighboring information received from the information processing apparatus is conducted. Sensing information indicating a process result acquired by the predetermined process is generated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-229209, filed on Nov. 25, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

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

BACKGROUND

In recent years, portable or wearable devices that sense various surrounding situations and generate various sets of sensing information have been known. For instance, an Internet of Things (IoT) device is known to sense radio signals transmitted from beacon transmitters arranged beforehand and to generate sensing information indicating a current location.

In such an IoT device, for instance, after beacon information indicating an installation location and the like is stored beforehand for each of the beacon transmitters, by measuring the current location by using the beacon information and information (a beacon ID, a radio signal strength, and the like) acquired by the sensing, the sensing information is generated.

PATENT DOCUMENTS

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the embodiments, there is provided an information processing system, including: a device that conducts a predetermined process by sensing a neighboring radio signal state; and an information processing apparatus that is connected to the device, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a first memory, and a first processor coupled to the first memory and the first processor configured to: store multiple sets of neighboring definition information in which a neighboring signal state is defined, in the first memory, specify neighboring definition information depending on a location indicated by location information from among the multiple sets of neighboring definition information based on the location information received from the device, and send the specified neighboring definition information to the device, and wherein the device includes a second memory, and a second processor coupled to the second memory and the second processor configured to: conduct the predetermined process using neighboring information received from the information processing apparatus and generate sensing information indicating a process result acquired by the predetermined process.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In order to store sensing information of multiple beacon transmitters beforehand, many portable or wearable devices have insufficient storage capacity. Therefore, for instance, it may be difficult for such a device to store beacon information of the beacon transmitters widely installed beforehand. Accordingly, in this case, it is difficult to measure the current location of the device over a wide range and with high accuracy.

First Embodiment

First, an entire configuration of a sensing system1according to an first embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 1.FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating an example of the entire configuration of the sensing system according to the first embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the sensing system1according to the first embodiment includes a server apparatus10and a sensing environment E1. For instance, the server apparatus10and the sensing environment E1are communicably connected via a wide area network N (hereinafter, simply called “network N”) such as the Internet or a telephone line network.

The sensing environment E1corresponds to an environment to generate the sensing information by sensing surrounding situations. The sensing environment E1includes one or more wearable devices20, one or more gateway apparatuses30, and multiple beacon transmitters40.

In the first embodiment, a case example will be described. In this case, the wearable device20senses the radio signals (beacons) transmitted from the beacon transmitters40, measures a location of the wearable device20, and generates the location information indicating the location.

The wearable device20is regarded as an IoT device or the like wearable on clothes and a body of a user U. A device program200is installed into the wearable device20, and functions as a beacon receiver.

The wearable device20generates, by the device program200, location information by sensing the radio signal transmitted from the beacon transmitter40installed in the sensing environment E1, and measuring the location of the wearable device20. Then, for instance, the wearable device20sends the location information generated by using a Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE) or the like.

Next, the wearable device20measures the location of the wearable device20by using the beacon information indicating installation locations of surrounding beacon transmitters40. A beacon ID is regarded as identification information for identifying the beacon transmitter40. In this case, the beacon information is an example of neighboring definition information.

For instance, the gateway apparatus30may be a personal computer (PC), a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a network device, or the like. A GateWay (GW) program300is installed into the gateway apparatus30.

The gateway apparatus30sends, by the GW program300, the location information received from the wearable device20to the server apparatus10. Also, the gateway apparatus30dynamically updates, by the GW program300, the beacon information being stored in the wearable device20.

For instance, the beacon transmitter40is regarded as a device that sends the beacon ID of the beacon transmitter40to surroundings by using the BLE or the like. The beacon transmitters40are installed at predetermined intervals (every 10 m) in the sensing environment E1.

For instance, the server apparatus10may be a personal computer (PC) or the like. The server program100is installed into the apparatus10.

The server apparatus10maintains the location information received from the gateway apparatus30. By the above described operations, for instance, it is possible for the server apparatus10to analyze a moving line of the user U (a worker or the like of a factory) in the sensing environment E1such as a factory.

Next, a process of the sensing system1according to the first embodiment will be briefly described with reference toFIG. 2.FIG. 2is a diagram for briefly explaining the process of the sensing system1according to the first embodiment. In an example depicted inFIG. 2, a case example of a movement of the user U will be described. In this case, the user U wearing the wearable device20moves from a point P1to a point P2in the sensing environment E1.

In the point P1, the wearable device20stores the beacon information of the surrounding beacon transmitters40. That is, in the point P1, it is assumed that the wearable device20stores the beacon information of a beacon ID “B001”, the beacon information of a beacon ID “B002”, . . . , and the beacon information of a beacon ID “B012”. And, at this point, the user U moves from the point P1to the point P2.

In step S1, the wearable device20sends, by the device program200, the location information of the wearable device20to the gateway apparatus30.

In step S2, when receiving the location information from the wearable device20, the gateway apparatus30sends, by the GW program300, the location information to the server10. Thus, the location information of the wearable device20is stored in the server apparatus10.

Next, in step S3, the gateway apparatus30extracts, by the GW program300, the beacon information used to measure the location of the wearable device20at the point P2from a beacon information storage part310.

For instance, the beacon information used to measure the location of the wearable device20at the point P2may be information of the beacon transmitters40installed near the point P2. Accordingly, the gateway apparatus30may extract the beacon information of the beacon ID “B004”, the beacon information of the beacon ID “B005”, . . . , and the beacon information of the beacon ID “B015” from multiple sets of the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part310.

Next, in step S4, the gateway apparatus30updates, by the GW program300, the beacon information stored in the wearable device20by sending the extracted beacon information to the wearable device20.

Thus, the multiple sets of the beacon information stored in the wearable device20are updated by the beacon information of the beacon ID “B004”, the beacon information of the beacon ID “B005”, . . . , and the beacon information of the beacon ID “B015”.

As described above, in the sensing system1according to the first embodiment, depending on the location of the wearable device20, the beacon information stored in the wearable device20is dynamically updated. Accordingly, even in a case in which a storage capacity of the wearable device20is not sufficient, it is possible for the sensing system1according to the first embodiment to store the beacon information used to measure the location in the sensing environment E1in the wearable device20. Therefore, in the sensing system1according to the first embodiment, it is possible to measure the location of the wearable device20with high accuracy, even if the sensing environment E1is at a wide range.

Next, hardware configurations of the server apparatus10and the gateway apparatus30according to the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 3.FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configurations of the server apparatus10and the gateway apparatus30according to the first embodiment. The server apparatus10and the gateway apparatus30may have the same hardware configuration. Hence, in the following, the hardware configuration of the server apparatus10will be mainly described.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the server apparatus10according to the first embodiment includes an input device11, a display device12, an external I/F13, a communication I/F14, and a Read Only Memory (ROM)15. Also, the server apparatus10according to the first embodiment includes a Random Access Memory (RAM)16, a Central Processing Unit (CPU)17, and a storage device18, which are mutually connected via a bus19.

For instance, the input device11may include various types of buttons, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. For instance, the display device12displays various process results acquired by the server apparatus10on a screen. The server apparatus10and the gateway apparatus30may not include at least either one of the input device11and the display device12.

The external I/F13is an interface to an external device. A recording medium13aor the like corresponds to the external device. The server apparatus10reads out from or writes into the recording medium13athrough the external I/F13. The recording medium13amay be any type of a recording medium, which is a non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium including a data structure. For instance, a Secure Digital (SD) memory card, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, a Compact Disk (CD), a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), or the like may correspond to the recording medium13a.

The communication I/F14is an interface for the server apparatus10to conduct data communications with another apparatus (which may be the gateway apparatus30or the like) through the network N.

The ROM15may be a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of retaining data even after power is off. The RAM16is a volatile semiconductor memory temporarily retaining programs and data. For instance, the CPU17reads out the program and the data from the storage device18or the ROM15onto the RAM16, and is regarded as a processor for executing various processes.

For instance, the storage device18may be a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a Solid State Drive (SSD), or the like, and is a non-volatile memory storing programs and data. For instance, the programs and the data stored in the storage device18may include a server program100and an Operating System (OS), and various application programs activating on the OS. For instance, the storage device18of the gateway apparatus30stores the GW program300and the like.

Each of the server apparatus10and the gateway apparatus30according to the first embodiment may include a hardware configuration illustrated inFIG. 3, and realize various processes described later.

Next, the hardware configuration of the wearable device20according to the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the wearable device according to the first embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the wearable device20according to the first embodiment includes a communication I/F21, a ROM22, a RAM23, a CPU24, a storage device25, and a sensing module26, which are mutually connected via a bus27.

The communication I/F21is an interface for the wearable device20to conduct data communication with another apparatus (for instance, the gateway apparatus30, the beacon transmitter40, or the like).

The ROM22is a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of retaining data even if power is off. The RAM23is a volatile semiconductor memory temporarily retaining programs and data. For instance, the CPU24is regarded as a processor which reads out the program and the data from the storage device25or the ROM22into the RAM23, and executes various processes.

For instance, the storage device25may be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or the like, which stores the programs and the data. For instance, the programs and the data stored in the storage device25may include the device program200, an OS, various application programs activating on the OS, and the like.

For instance, the sensing module26may be a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module or the like. The sensing module26may include an acceleration sensor, a receiver of a Global Positioning System (GPS), a temperature sensor, and the like.

The wearable device20according to the first embodiment includes a hardware configuration illustrated inFIG. 4and realizes various processes described later.

Next, a functional configuration of the sensing system1according to the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the sensing system according to the first embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the server apparatus10according to the first embodiment includes a communication part101and an information management part102. The communication part101and the information management part102are realized by respective processes, which the server program100installed in the server apparatus10causes the CPU17to perform.

Also, the server apparatus10according to the first embodiment includes a beacon information storage part110, a device management information storage part120, and a location information storage part130. These storage parts110,120, and130may be realized by using the storage device18. One or more of the storage parts110,120, and130may be realized by using a storage device or the like connected to the server apparatus10through the network N.

The communication part101conducts data communications with the gateway apparatus30through the network N. For instance, the communication part101sends the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part110and device management information stored in the device management information storage part120to the gateway apparatus30. Also, the communication part101receives location information indicating the wearable device20from the gateway apparatus30.

The information management part102maintains various sets of information. That is, the information management part102maintains the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part110, the device management information stored in the device management information storage part120, and the location information stored in the location information storage part130. The information management part102writes information to these storage parts110,120, and130(including a storing or saving of information, an updating of information being stored in these storage parts110,120, and130, and the like), and reads out the information stored in these storage parts110,120, and130(including an acquiring or referring of the information stored in these storage parts110,120, and130, and the like).

The beacon information storage part110stores the beacon information. Details of the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part110will be described later.

The device management information storage part120stores the device management information. Details of the device management information stored in the device management information storage part120will be described later.

The location information storage part130stores the location information. The location information indicates a location measured by the wearable device20. For instance, in the location information storage part130, the location information may be associated with a device ID for identifying the wearable device20, date and time when the location is measured, and the like.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the gateway apparatus30according to the first embodiment includes a communication part301, an information management part302, a priority information creation part303, a beacon information extraction part304, and a subject specifying part305. These parts301through305are realized by respective processes, which the GW program300installed in the gateway apparatus30causes the CPU17to perform.

Also, the gateway apparatus30according to the first embodiment includes a beacon information storage part310, a device management information storage part320, and a priority information storage part330. These storage parts310,320, and330may be realized by using the storage device18. One or more of the storage parts310,320, and330may be realized by using a storage device or the like connected to the gateway apparatus30through the network N.

The communication part301conducts data communications with the server apparatus10through the network N. Also, the communication part301may conduct the data communications with the wearable device20by using the BLE or the like. For instance, the communication part301sends the beacon information extracted by the subject specifying part305among multiple sets of the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part310, to the wearable device20. Alternatively, the communication part301may receive the location information indicating the location of the wearable device20from the wearable device20.

The information management part302maintains various sets of information. That is, the information management part302maintains the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part310, the device management information stored in the device management information storage part320, and priority information stored in the priority information storage part330. The information management part302writes information to these storage parts310,320, and330(including a storing or saving of information, an updating of information being stored in these storage parts310,320, and330, and the like), and reads out the information stored in these storage parts310,320, and330(including an acquiring or referring of the information stored in these storage parts310,320, and330, and the like).

The priority information creation part303creates the priority information based on the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part310. The priority information corresponds to information in which the priority of the beacon information to be extracted from the beacon information storage part310is defined for each beacon ID (hereinafter, also called “neighboring beacon ID”) of the beacon transmitters40, which is specified as the one closest to the wearable device20.

The beacon information extraction part304performs an extraction process of the beacon information based on the priority information stored in the priority information storage part330, the device management information stored in the device management information storage part320, and the location information received from the wearable device20. That is, the beacon information extraction part304extracts the beacon information used for a positioning from the beacon information storage part310depending on the location received from the wearable device20.

The subject specifying part305specifies the beacon information of a writing subject to be written to the wearable device20from among one or more sets of the beacon information extracted by the beacon information extraction part304. That is, the subject specifying part305specifies the beacon information, which has not been written to the wearable device20, among one or more sets of the beacon information extracted by the beacon information extraction part304, as the writing subject.

Also, the subject specifying part305specifies the beacon information of a deleting subject among one or more sets of the beacon information written to the wearable device20.

The beacon information storage part310stores the beacon information. The beacon information storage part310stores the same beacon information as that stored in the beacon information storage part110of the server apparatus10.

In the following, the beacon information stored in both the beacon information storage parts110and310will be described with reference toFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating an example of the beacon information stored in both the beacon information storage parts.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the beacon information stored in both the beacon information storage parts110and310includes data items of “BEACON ID”, “INSTALLATION LOCATION”, “THRESHOLD OF RADIO SIGNAL STRENGTH”, and the like.

The “BEACON ID” indicates identification information for identifying the beacon transmitter40. The “INSTALLATION LOCATION” indicates the location where the beacon transmitter40is installed, and indicates a latitude, a longitude, and a height, for instance.

The “THRESHOLD OF RADIO SIGNAL STRENGTH” indicates a threshold for positioning the wearable device20to determine whether the wearable device20is positioned nearby the beacon transmitter40. The wearable device20determines a position as nearby the beacon transmitter40, upon determining that the radio signal strength of a radio wave received from the beacon transmitter40exceeds the threshold.

As described above, in the beacon information stored in both the beacon information storage parts110and310, for each of beacon IDs, the installation location of the beacon transmitter40and the threshold of the radio signal strength are associated with the beacon ID.

Referring back toFIG. 5, the device management information storage part320stores the device management information. The device management information storage part320stores the same device management information as that stored in the device management information storage part120of the server10.

Next, the device management information stored in both the device management information storage parts120and320will be described with reference toFIG. 7.FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example of the device management information stored in both the device management information storage parts.

As described inFIG. 7, the device management information stored in both the beacon information storage parts includes data items of “DEVICE TYPE”, “VERSION”, “RECORDABLE NUMBER”, and the like.

The data item “DEVICE TYPE” indicates a type of the wearable device20. For instance, a product name, a product code, or the like of the wearable device20is set to the “DEVICE TYPE”. The “VERSION” indicates a version of the wearable device20, a version of firmware implemented in the wearable device20, or the like.

The “RECORDABLE NUMBER” indicates a number of the sets of the beacon information recordable in the wearable device20, that is, a number of the sets of the beacon information capable of being stored in a beacon information storage part210, which will be described later. For instance, the recordable number may be defined beforehand for each of device types and versions.

As described, in both the device management information storage parts120and320, for each of the device types and the versions, the device management information is stored by associating with the number of the sets of the beacon information (recordable number), which the wearable device20is able to store.

Referring back toFIG. 5, the priority information storage part330stores the priority information created by the priority information creation part303.

The priority information stored in the priority information storage part330will be described with reference toFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating an example of the priority information stored in the priority information storage part.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the priority information stored in the priority information storage part330includes data items of “NEIGHBORING BEACON ID”, “OTHER BEACON IDs”, and the like.

The “NEIGHBORING BEACON ID” indicates the beacon ID included in the beacon information. For other beacon IDs, the beacon IDs other than neighboring beacon IDs are set by associating with respective priorities. The priority is associated in order of proximity to the beacon transmitter40of the neighboring beacon ID.

That is, for instance, in a case of the neighboring beacon ID “B001”, another beacon transmitter40of the beacon ID “B010”, which is closest to the installation location of the beacon transmitter40of the beacon ID “B001”, is associated with “PRIORITY_1”. In the same manner, the beacon transmitter40of the beacon ID “B038”, which is next in closeness to the installation location of the beacon transmitter40of the beacon ID “B001”, is associated with “PRIORITY_2”.

As described above, in the priority information stored in the priority information storage part330, for each of the beacon IDs, in an order of proximity to the installation location of the beacon transmitter40of the beacon ID, other beacon IDs are associated with respective priorities.

Referring toFIG. 5, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the wearable device20according to the first embodiment includes a communication part201, an information management part202, and a positioning part203. These parts201through203are realized by processes, which the device program200installed in the wearable device20causes the CPU24to perform.

Also, the wearable device20according to the first embodiment includes the beacon information storage part210, a device information storage part220, and a temporary storage part230. These parts210,220, and230may be realized by using the storage device25, for instance.

For instance, the communication part201conducts data communication with the gateway apparatus30by using the BLE or the like. The communication part201may send the location information positioned by the positioning part203to the gateway apparatus30. Also, the communication part201may receive the beacon information and the beacon ID (that is, the beacon ID of the beacon information of the writing subject or a deletion subject specified by the subject specifying part305) from the gateway apparatus30.

Also, the communication part201may receive the radio signal transmitted from the beacon transmitter40by using the BLE or the like.

The information management part202maintains various sets of information. That is, the information management part202maintains the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part210, device information stored in the device information storage part220, and the location information temporarily stored in temporary storage part230. The information management part202writes information to these storage parts210,220, and230(including a storing or saving of information, an updating of information being stored in these storage parts210,220, and230, and the like), and reads out the information stored in these storage parts210,220, and230(including an acquiring or referring of the information stored in these storage parts210,220, and230, and the like).

The positioning part203acquires the beacon ID from the radio signal received form the communication part201(the radio signal transmitted from the beacon transmitter40) at predetermined intervals (for instance, every 1 second). Next, the positioning part203generates the location information by positioning the wearable device20, based on the acquired beacon ID and the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part210. In this case, the positioning part203may specify the beacon ID (the neighboring beacon ID) of the radio signal having a greatest radio signal strength, which is acquired among radio signals received by the communication part201.

Also, the positioning part203acquires, by the information management part202, the location information from the temporary storage part230at predetermined intervals (for instance, every 30 seconds). The location information acquired from the temporary storage part230is transmitted to the gateway apparatus30by the communication part201.

The beacon information storage part210stores the beacon information. The beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part210corresponds to the beacon information specified by the subject specifying part305among sets of the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part310of the gateway apparatus30.

The device information storage part220stores the device information. The device information may be information indicating the device ID for identifying the wearable device20, the device information, the version, and the like.

The temporary storage part230stores the location information indicating a location positioned by the positioning part203. The temporary storage part230may store the neighboring beacon ID specified by the positioning part203by associating with the location information. Also, the temporary storage part230may further store the device ID for identifying the wearable device20measuring the location, the date and time when the location is measured, and the like in association with the location information.

Next, details of a process of the sensing system1according to the first embodiment will be described. First, a process for storing the beacon information and the device management information transmitted from the server apparatus10to the gateway apparatus30will be described with reference toFIG. 9.FIG. 9is a diagram for explaining a sequence example of a storing process for storing the beacon information and the device management information according to the first embodiment. For instance, the process depicted inFIG. 9may conduct an update or the like of at least one of the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part310of the gateway apparatus30and the device management information stored in the device management information storage part320.

First, the information management part102of the server apparatus10acquires the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part110and the device management information stored in the device management information storage part120(step S901).

Next, the communication part101of the server apparatus10sends the acquired beacon information and device management information to the gateway apparatus30(step S902).

The information management part302of the gateway apparatus30stores the beacon information and the device management information received by the communication part301in the beacon information storage part310and the device management information storage part320respectively (step S903). Thus, the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part110of the server apparatus10is stored in the beacon information storage part310of the gateway apparatus30. In the same manner, the device management information stored in the device management information storage part120of the server apparatus10is stored in the device management information storage part320of the gateway apparatus30.

Next, the priority information creation part303of the gateway apparatus30creates the priority information based on the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part110(step S904).

Next, a creation process of the priority information in step S904above will be described with reference toFIG. 10.FIG. 10is a flowchart for explaining an example of the creation process of the priority information according to the first embodiment.

Fist, the priority information creation part303acquires one beacon ID from the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part310of the information management part302(step S1001). That is, the priority information creation part303may acquire the beacon ID “B001”.

Next, the priority information creation part303determines the beacon ID acquired in step S1001as the neighboring beacon ID (step S1002). That is, the priority information creation part303defines the beacon ID “B001” as the neighboring beacon ID.

Next, the priority information creation part303acquires, by the information management part302, the beacon ID (another beacon ID) of another beacon transmitter40different from the beacon transmitter40of the neighboring beacon ID from the beacon information storage part310in an order of proximity to the installation location of the beacon transmitter40. Then, the priority information creation part303associates the beacon ID with the priority in an order in which the beacon ID is acquired from the information management part302(step S1003).

That is, for instance, the priority information creation part303acquires the beacon IDs “B010”, “B038”, “B024”, and the like of other beacon transmitters40. Then, the priority information creation part303associates the beacon ID “B010” with the “PRIORITY_1”. In the same manner, the priority information creation part303associates the beacon ID “B038” with the “PRIORITY_2”. Also, in the same manner, the priority information creation part303associates the beacon ID “B024” with the “PRIORITY_3”.

Next, the priority information creation part303creates priority information indicating the neighboring beacon ID, and another beacon ID with which the priority is associated (step S1004). Hence, in the order of proximity to the installation location of the beacon transmitter40of the neighboring beacon ID, the priority information is created in which the beacon ID (another beacon ID) of another beacon transmitter40and the priority is associated with each other.

Next, the priority information creation part303determines, by the information management part302, whether there is a next beacon ID (step S1005). That is, the priority information creation part303may determine whether beacon information of a next beacon ID “B002” is stored in the beacon information storage part310.

In step S1005, when it is determined that there is no next beacon ID, the priority information creation part303terminates this creation process.

On the other hand, in step S1005, when it is determined that there is a next beacon ID, the priority information creation part303returns to a process of step S1001. That is, the priority information creation part303conducts processes of step S1001through step S1005for each of beacon IDs of sets of the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part310.

As described above, the priority information creation part303creates the priority information in which another beacon ID and the priority are associated to each other, in the order of proximity to the installation location of the beacon transmitter40of the beacon ID for each of the beacon IDs respective to the sets of the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part310.

Referring back toFIG. 9, the information management part302of the gateway apparatus30stores the priority information created in step S904in the priority information storage part330(step S905). Hence, the priority information storage part330stores the priority information created by the priority information creation part303.

As described above, in the sensing system1according to the first embodiment, the beacon information and the device management information being stored in the server apparatus10are stored in the gateway apparatus30. Also, in the sensing system1according to the first embodiment, the gateway apparatus30creates the beacon information and the priority information.

Hence, in the sensing system1according to first embodiment, upon creating and updating the beacon information and the device management information being stored in the server apparatus10, it is possible to similarly reflect the beacon information and the device management information retained in the gateway apparatus30installed in the sensing environment E1.

Next, an update process for the wearable device20to update the beacon information stored therein in response to the location of the wearable device20will be described with reference toFIG. 11.FIG. 11is a diagram for explaining a sequence example of the update process of the beacon information according to the first embodiment.

First, the positioning part203of the wearable device20acquires, by the information management part202, the location information from the temporary storage part230(step S1101). Thus, the positioning part203acquires, by the information management part202, the location information from the temporary storage part230at the predetermined intervals (for instance, every 30 seconds).

In a case of storing multiple sets of the location information in the temporary storage part230, the information management part202may acquire these multiple sets of the location information from the temporary storage part230. Also, the information management part202may acquire the location information, and the neighboring beacon ID associated with the location information from the temporary storage part230.

The positioning part203of the wearable device20sends the location information through the communication part201to the gateway apparatus30when the information management part202acquires the location information (step S1102). In this case, when the neighboring beacon ID is acquired in step S1101, the communication part201sends the location information and the neighboring beacon ID to the gateway apparatus30.

Then, the information management part202deletes the location information and information associated with the location information from the temporary storage part230, after sending the location information to the gateway apparatus30through the communication part201.

The communication part301of the gateway apparatus30sends the location information to the server apparatus10, when receiving the location information from the wearable device20(step S1103).

The information management part102of the server apparatus10stores the location information to the location information storage part130, when the communication part101receives the location information (step S1104). Hence, the location information indicating the location of the wearable device20is stored in the location information storage part130. In this case, the information management part102may store the location information received by the communication part101to the location information storage part130by associating with the device ID of the wearable device20, the date and time when the location was measured, and the like.

Next, the beacon information extraction part304of the gateway apparatus30sends an acquisition request of the device information by the communication part301to the wearable device20(step S1105).

The information management part202of the wearable device20acquires the device information from the device information storage part220, when the communication part201receives the acquisition request of the device information (step S1106). Subsequently, the information management part202sends back the device information by the communication part201to the gateway apparatus30.

For instance, the wearable device20may send the device information with the location information to the gateway apparatus30in step S1102. In this case, the gateway apparatus30does not need to perform a process of the step S1105.

The beacon information extraction part304of the gateway apparatus30conducts a beacon extraction process (step S1107). That is, the beacon information extraction part304extracts the beacon information used for the positioning from the beacon information storage part310depending on the location (of the wearable device20) indicating the location information received in step S1102.

Next, the extraction process of the beacon information in step S1107will be described with reference toFIG. 12.FIG. 12is a flowchart for explaining an example of the extraction process of the beacon information according to the first embodiment.

First, the beacon information extraction part304specifies the recordable number from the device information received in step S1106by referring to the device management information stored in the device management information storage part320by the information management part302(step S1201).

For instance, in a case in which the device type indicated in the device information received in step S1106is “Dev1” and the version is “V2”, the beacon information extraction part304determines the recordable number to be “100”. In the same manner, for instance, in a case in which the device type indicated in the device information received in step S1106is “Dev1” and the version is “V1”, the beacon information extraction part304determines the recordable number to be “0”.

Next, the beacon information extraction part304specifies the beacon ID (the neighboring beacon ID) of the beacon transmitter40, which is the closest to the wearable device20, by referring to the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part310by the information management part302(step S1202).

That is, the beacon information extraction part304specifies the beacon ID of the beacon information indicating the installation location, which is the closest to the location indicated by the location information received in step S1102.

In a case in which the neighboring beacon ID is also transmitted from the wearable device20in step S1102, the beacon information extraction part304does not need to perform a process of the step S1202. In this case, the beacon information extraction part304may conduct a process of step S1203, which will be described later, by using the neighboring beacon ID sent from the wearable device20.

The beacon information extraction part304specifies the recordable number specified in step S1201, the neighboring beacon ID specified in step S1202, and the priority information stored in the priority information storage part330(step S1203).

For instance, assume a recordable number of “N” and a neighboring beacon ID of “B001”. In this case, the beacon information extraction part304specifies the beacon ID “B001” and other beacon IDs associated with the “PRIORITY_1” through “PRIORITY_N−1” in the priority information of the neighboring beacon ID “B001”.

Similarly, for example, assume a recordable number of “M” and a neighboring beacon ID of “B002”. In this case, the beacon information extraction part304specifies the beacon ID “B002” and other beacon IDs associated with the “PRIORITY_1” through “PRIORITY_M−1” in the priority information of the neighboring beacon ID “B002”.

Next, the beacon information extraction part304extracts, by the information management part302, the beacon information of the beacon ID of an extraction subject from the beacon information storage part310(step S1204).

Accordingly, it is possible for the beacon information extraction part304to extract the beacon information for a predetermined number (the recordable number) in the order of the installation location closer to the location, depending on the location of the wearable device20.

Referring back toFIG. 11, the subject specifying part305of the gateway apparatus30sends the acquisition request of a stored beacon ID by the communication part301to the wearable device20(step S1108).

The information management part202of the wearable device20acquires the beacon ID (that is, the stored beacon ID) from the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part210, when the communication part201receives the acquisition request of the stored beacon ID (step S1109). Then, the information management part202sends back the stored beacon ID by the communication part201to the gateway apparatus30.

The subject specifying part305of the gateway apparatus30specifies the beacon information of the writing subject from among the sets of the beacon information extracted by the beacon information extraction part304(step S1110).

The subject specifying part305specifies the beacon information other than the stored beacon information of the beacon ID among the sets of the beacon information extracted by the beacon information extraction part304. That is, the subject specifying part305specifies the beacon information not being stored in the beacon information storage part210of the wearable device20among the sets of the beacon information extracted by the beacon information extraction part304.

Next, the subject specifying part305of the gateway apparatus30specifies beacon IDs of the beacon information of the deletion subject (step S1111). That is, the subject specifying part305specifies the beacon IDs, other than the beacon ID of the beacon information extracted by the beacon information extraction part304, among the stored beacon IDs.

Next, the subject specifying part305of the gateway apparatus30sends the beacon information (which may be the beacon information of the writing subject) and beacon IDs (which may be the beacon IDs of the beacon information of the deletion subject) by the communication part301to the wearable device20(step S1112).

The information management part202of the wearable device20updates the beacon information storage part210, when the communication part301receives the beacon information and the beacon ID (step S1113). That is, the information management part202writes the beacon information received by the communication part301to the beacon information storage part210, and deletes the beacon information of the beacon ID received by the communication part301from the beacon information storage part210. By these operations, the beacon information storage part210is updated.

As described above, in the sensing system1according to the first embodiment, the beacon information storage part210of the wearable device20is dynamically updated depending on the location of the wearable device20. By this configuration, in the sensing system1according to the first embodiment, even in a case in which a storage capacity of the wearable device20is not sufficient, it is possible for the wearable device20to store the beacon information used to position the location in the sensing environment E1. Hence, in the sensing system1according to the first embodiment, even in a case in which the sensing environment E1has a wide area, it is possible to position the location of the wearable device20with high accuracy.

Next, a positioning process conducted by the wearable device20will be described with reference toFIG. 13. In the positioning process, the wearable device20measures the radio signals transmitted from surrounding-area beacon transmitters40, and generates and stores the location information indicating the location of the wearable device20.FIG. 13is a flowchart for explaining an example of the positioning process of the wearable device according to the first embodiment.

First, the positioning part203receives the radio signals transmitted from the surrounding-area beacon transmitters40by the communication part201(step S1301). In step S1301, the positioning part203may receive the radio signals transmitted from the surrounding-area beacon transmitters40by the communication part201at predetermined intervals (for instance, every 1 second).

Next, the positioning part203acquires the beacon IDs from the radio signals received by the communication part201(step S1302).

Then, the positioning part203measures the radio signal strength of the radio signal received by the communication part201(step S1303).

Next, the positioning part203refers to the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part210by the information management part202, measures the location of the wearable device20based on the beacon ID and the radio signal strength, and generates the location information indicating the location (step S1304).

In step S1304, for instance, in a case in which the radio signal strength measured in step S1303exceeds the threshold of the radio signal strength for the beacon information as stored in the beacon information storage part210, the positioning part203determines the installation location of the beacon information as the location of the wearable device20.

For instance, in a case in which the radio signal strength of the radio signal transmitted from the beacon transmitter40of the beacon ID “B001” exceeds a strength “a1”, the positioning part203determines the location of the wearable device20to be (X1, Y1, Z1). In the same manner, for instance, in a case in which the radio signal strength of the radio signal transmitted from the beacon transmitter40of the beacon ID “B002” exceeds a strength “a2”, the positioning part203determines the location of the wearable device20to be (X2, Y2, Z2).

Also, in a case in which there is no radio signal exceeding the threshold of the radio signal strength for the beacon information as stored in the beacon information storage part210among the radio signal strengths measured in step S1303, the positioning part203measures the location of the wearable device20by using a known positioning method. For instance, the positioning part203calculates a weighted mean or the like by using four radio signal strengths indicating greater values among the radio signal strengths measured in step S1304, and beacon IDs respective to the four radio signal strengths, and measures the location of the wearable device20.

Next, the positioning part203stores the location information generated in step S1304in the temporary storage part230by the information management part202(step S1305). In step S1305, the information management part202may store the beacon ID (that is, the neighboring beacon ID) indicating the greatest radio signal strength, which is acquired from among the radio signal strengths measured in step S1303, in the temporary storage part230by associating with the location information. Moreover, for instance, the information management part202may store the device ID, the date and time when the location was measured, and the like in association with the location information, in the temporary storage part230.

As described above, in the sensing system1according to the first embodiment, it is possible for the wearable device20to conduct the positioning of the radio signals transmitted from the neighboring beacon transmitters40, and measure the location of the wearable device20.

Next, another positioning process conducted by the wearable device20will be described with reference toFIG. 14. In another positioning process, the wearable device20conducts the positioning of the radio signals received from the surrounding-area beacon transmitters40, and generates and stores the location information indicating the location of the wearable device20.FIG. 14is a flowchart for explaining an example of another positioning process of the wearable device according to the first embodiment. Processes in step S1301through step S1305are the same as those inFIG. 13, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

Following step S1304, the positioning part203determines whether the location of the wearable device20is measured (step S1401).

For instance, in a case in which any of the radio signal strengths of the radio signals received from the communication part201are weak, a case in which the radio signals are received by the communication part201are from fewer than four beacon transmitters40, or the like may correspond to a case in which the location of the wearable device20is not measured. Also, for instance, a case in which the location of the wearable device20is not measured may include a case in which the radio signal is temporarily not received due to a radio interference or the like.

In step S1401, when the location of the wearable device20is measured, the positioning part203conducts a process in step S1305.

However, in the step S1401, when the location of the wearable device20is not measured, the positioning part203conducts the update process of the beacon information described with reference toFIG. 11(step S1402). That is, the positioning part203acquires location information from the temporary storage part230, and sends the acquired location information to the gateway apparatus30.

Accordingly, it is possible for the wearable device20to update the beacon information storage part210even in a case in which the location is not measured.

As described above, in the sensing system according to the first embodiment, even in a case in which the location of the wearable device20is not measured, it is possible to update the beacon information storage part210of the wearable device20. Hence, for instance, even for such a case in which a user U wearing the wearable device20moves at high speed and thus the beacon information of the surrounding-area beacon transmitters40is not stored, it is possible to update the beacon information storage part210.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the location is predicted based on movement histories (histories of the location information) of the wearable device20, and the beacon information of the beacon transmitters40near the predicted location is also extracted from the beacon information storage part310.

For instance, as illustrated inFIG. 15, a “location P” indicates a current location of the user U wearing the wearable device20or the like, and a “location Q” indicates a location before a predetermined time (for instance, 30 seconds). That is,FIG. 15depicts that the user U moved from the location Q to the location P. In this case, in the first embodiment, based on the location Q and the location P, a location R after the predetermined time is predicted. Hence, in the first embodiment, multiple sets of the beacon information of the beacon transmitters40, which are located within an elliptical area E as the location P and the location R are regarded as focal points, are extracted.

In the sensing system1according to the first embodiment, it is possible to extract the beacon information of the surrounding-area beacon transmitters40around a location, which is predicted to be a moving destination of the user U wearing the wearable device20.

In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Parts that have substantially the same functions and are substantially the same processes as those described in the first embodiment are given by the same reference numbers, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

First, a functional configuration of the sensing system1according to the second embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 16.FIG. 16is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the sensing system according to the second embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 16, the gateway apparatus30according to the second embodiment includes a movement prediction part306. The movement prediction part306is realized by processes, which the GW program300installed to the gateway apparatus30causes the CPU17to perform.

Also, the gateway apparatus30according to the second embodiment includes a location information storage part340. The location information storage part340may be realized by using the storage device18. Alternatively, the storage device18may be realized by using another storage device or the like connected to the gateway apparatus30through the network N.

The movement prediction part306predicts a location of the wearable device20after the predetermined time (for instance, 30 seconds) based on the histories of the location information stored in the location information storage part340.

The location information storage part340stores the location information. The location information indicates the location measured by the wearable device20. For instance, the location information storage part340may store the device ID of the wearable device20, the date and time when the location is measured, and the like in association with the location information. That is, the location information storage part340stores the histories of the location information for each of wearable devices20.

For instance, the location information storage part340may store a moving velocity (or a moving acceleration) of the user U and the like, which is measured by the wearable device20, by associating with the location information.

Next, details of a process of the sensing system1according to the second embodiment will be described. In the following, the extraction process of the beacon information in step S1107inFIG. 11will be described with reference toFIG. 17.FIG. 17is a flowchart for explaining an example of the extraction process of the beacon information according to the second embodiment.

First, the beacon information extraction part304stores, by the information management part302, the location information (the location information indicating the current location of the wearable device20) received by the communication part301in step S1103inFIG. 11to the location information storage part340(step S1701).

Next, the movement prediction part306refers to the location information stored in the location information storage part340by the information management part302, and predicts the location of the wearable device20after the predetermined time (for instance, 30 seconds) (step S1702).

That is, the movement prediction part306predicts a next location based on the location information indicating the location (a previous location) of the wearable device20before the predetermined time and the location information indicating the current location of the wearable device20.

Next, the beacon information extraction part304calculates the elliptical area E where the current location and the next location are set as the focal points. Subsequently, the beacon information extraction part304refers to the beacon information storage part310through the information management part302, and specifies the beacon ID of the beacon transmitter40within the elliptical area E (step S1703). The beacon ID thus specified is the beacon ID of the extraction subject.

For instance, a predetermined distance may be set as a length of a minor axis of the elliptical area E, and the beacon information extraction part304may calculate the elliptical area E. The distance may be determined beforehand based on an installation density of the beacon transmitters40, an extraction amount of the beacon IDs, a prediction accuracy, and the like.

Also, for example, the beacon information extraction part304may specify the beacon ID of the extraction subject based on the priority information and the recordable number similar to the first embodiment from among the beacons IDs of the beacon transmitters40within the elliptical area E.

Next, the beacon information extraction part304extracts, by the information management part302, multiple sets of the beacon information with respect to the beacon IDs specified in step S1703from the beacon information storage part310(step S1704).

As described above, the sensing system1according to the second embodiment predicts the location of the wearable device20after the predetermined time, and extracts the beacon information of the beacon transmitter40around the predicted location. Hence, in the sensing system1according to the second embodiment, it is possible to store the beacon information depending on a future location of the user U at the wearable device20in addition to the beacon information corresponding to the current location of the user U.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, a moving tendency is calculated based on the movement histories (the histories of the location information) of the wearable device20such that the beacon information of the beacon transmitter40within an area where the wearable device20does not pass is not extracted.

For instance, as illustrated inFIG. 18, it is assumed that the movement histories of the user U wearing the wearable device20includes a “movement history C1”, a “movement history C2”, and a “movement history C3”. In this case, in the third embodiment, for instance, the moving tendency is calculated so as to indicate that the user U turns right around a point S. In addition, in the third embodiment, the beacon information of the beacon transmitters40, that are located in an area (which is called “a non-extraction area D”) where the wearable device20is unlikely to pass from a moving tendency T, is not extracted.

By the above described extraction operation, in the sensing system1according to the third embodiment, it is possible to reduce an extraction of the beacon information within an area where the user U wearing the wearable device20is unlikely to pass. Hence, in the sensing system1according to the third embodiment, for instance, it is possible to improve efficiency of the storage capacity of the wearable device20.

In the third embodiment, differences from the second embodiment will be mainly described. Parts that have substantially the same functions and are substantially the same processes as those described in the first embodiment are given by the same reference numbers, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

First, a functional configuration of the sensing system1according to the third embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 19.FIG. 19is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the sensing system according to the third embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 19, the gateway apparatus30according to the third embodiment includes a moving tendency calculation part307. The moving tendency calculation part307is realized by a process, which the GW program300installed in the gateway apparatus30causes the CPU17to perform.

The moving tendency calculation part307calculates the moving tendency of the wearable device20based on the histories of the location information (that is, movement histories) stored in the location information storage part340.

Next, details of a process of the sensing system1according to the third embodiment will be described. In the following, the extraction process of the beacon information in step S1107inFIG. 11will be described with reference toFIG. 20.FIG. 20is a flowchart for explaining an example of the extraction process of the beacon information according to the third embodiment. Processes in step S1201through step S1203inFIG. 20are the same as those inFIG. 12, and explanation thereof will be omitted.

Following step S1203, the beacon information extraction part304stores, by the information management part302, the location information received by the communication part301in step S1103inFIG. 11to the location information storage part340(step S2001).

Next, the moving tendency calculation part307refers to the histories of the location information (that is, the movement histories) stored in the location information storage part340through the information management part302, and calculates the moving tendency of the wearable device20(step S2002). For instance, the moving tendency calculation part307may calculate a frequency for each set of the location information (a frequency of the wearable device20passing the location) by using a known statistical method, and calculate the movement histories based on the sets of the location information, which indicates the calculated frequency more than a predetermined value.

Next, the beacon information extraction part304specifies the non-extraction area D based on the moving tendency calculated by the moving tendency calculation part307(step S2003). For instance, the beacon information extraction part304may calculate a probability (a probability of the wearable device20passing) for each set of location information based on the moving tendency by using the known statistical method, and may define an area, which includes the location information indicating that the calculated probability is less than or equal to a predetermined value, as the non-extraction area D.

Next, the beacon information extraction part304refers to the beacon information storage part310through the information management part302, and specifies the beacon IDs of the beacon transmitters40within the non-extraction area D. Then, the beacon information extraction part304excludes the beacon IDs of the beacon transmitters40within the non-extraction area D from among the beacon IDs of the extraction subjects specified in step S1203(step S2004).

Next, the beacon information extraction part304extracts, by the information management part302, the beacon information for each of the beacon IDs of the extraction subjects from the beacon information storage part310(step S2005).

As described above, the sensing system1according to the third embodiment calculates the moving tendency of the wearable device20, and excludes the beacon ID of the beacon transmitter40being in the non-extraction area D where the wearable device20is unlikely to pass. By these operations, in the sensing system1according to the third embodiment, it is possible to reduce the extraction of the beacon information in the non-extraction area D where the user U wearing the wearable device20is unlikely to pass. Hence, for instance, in the sensing system1according to the third embodiment, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the storage capacity of the wearable device20.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, a case in which a gateway management apparatus50for managing the gateway apparatus30is included will be described. In the fourth embodiment, differences from the third embodiment will be mainly described. Parts that have substantially the same functions and are substantially the same processes as those described in the first embodiment are given by the same reference numbers, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

First, the entire configuration of the sensing system1according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 21.FIG. 21is a diagram illustrating an example of the entire configuration of the sensing system according to the fourth embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 21, the sensing environment E1of the sensing system1according to the fourth embodiment includes the gateway management apparatus50. The gateway apparatus30and the gateway management apparatus50are able to be connected to each other via a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) or the like, for instance. Also, the server apparatus10and the gateway management apparatus50are able to be connected to each other through the network N.

For instance, the gateway management apparatus50may be a Personal Computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a network device, and the like. A GW management program500is installed into the gateway management apparatus50.

The gateway management apparatus50manages one or more gateway apparatuses30included in the sensing environment E1by the GW management program500. That is, the gateway management apparatus50maintains, by the GW management program500, the beacon information which the gateway apparatus30wrote to the wearable device20. Hence, it is possible for the gateway apparatus30to acquire the beacon information, which each of the wearable devices20stores, from the gateway management apparatus50.

Also, the gateway management apparatus50maintains, by the GW management program500, a number of times of writing beacon information to the wearable device20. For instance, by this management, it is possible for the gateway apparatus30to improve the efficiency of the storage capacity, by deleting the beacon information written to the wearable device20fewer times or the like.

A hardware configuration of the gateway management apparatus50is the same as that of the gateway apparatus30, and explanation thereof will be omitted. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the gateway management apparatus50also includes an input device11, a display device12, an external I/F13, a communication I/F14, and a Read Only Memory (ROM)15. Also, the gateway management apparatus50according to the fourth embodiment includes a RAM16, a CPU17, and a storage device18, which are mutually connected via a bus19.

Next, a functional configuration of the sensing system1according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 22.FIG. 22is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the sensing system1according to the fourth embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 22, the gateway management apparatus50according to the fourth embodiment includes a communication part501, an information management part502, and a beacon information deletion part503. Each of the parts501to503is realized by processes that the GW management program500installed to the gateway management apparatus50causes the CPU17to perform.

Also, the gateway management apparatus50according to the fourth embodiment includes a beacon information storage part510, a device management information storage part520, a device writing information storage part530, and a writing number information storage part540. These storage parts510,520,530, and540may be realized by using a storage device such as a HDD, a SSD, or the like. Alternatively, one or more of these storage parts510,520,530, and540may be realized by using a storage device connected to the gateway management apparatus50through the network N.

The communication part501conducts data communications with the server apparatus10through the network N. Also, the communication part501conducts data communications with the gateway apparatus30by using the wireless LAN or the like, for instance. The communication part501may receive the beacon information and the device management information from the server apparatus10. Also, the communication part501may send device writing information to the gateway apparatus30.

The information management part502maintains various information items. That is, the information management part502maintains the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part510, the device management information stored in the device management information storage part520, the device writing information stored in the device writing information storage part530, and writing number information stored in the writing number information storage part540. The information management part502writes information to these storage parts510,520,530, and540(including a storing or saving of information, an updating of information being stored in these storage parts510,520,530, and540, and the like), and reads out the information stored in these storage parts510,520,530, and540(including an acquiring or referring of the information stored in these storage parts510,520,530, and540, and the like).

The beacon information deletion part503determines, based on the writing number information stored in the writing number information storage part540, whether there is beacon information of which a number of times writing to the wearable device20is less than or equal to a predetermined value. When it is determined that there is beacon information of which the writing number is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the beacon information deletion part503deletes the beacon information from the beacon information storage part510. In this case, the beacon information deletion part503also sends a request of deleting the beacon information to the gateway apparatus30so as to delete the beacon information from the gateway apparatus30.

The beacon information storage part510stores the beacon information. The beacon information storage part510stores the same sets of the beacon information as those stored in the beacon information storage part110of the server apparatus10.

The device management information storage part520stores the device management information. The device management information storage part520stores the same sets of the device management information as those stored in the device management information storage part120of the server apparatus10.

The device writing information storage part530stores the device writing information. In the following, the device writing information stored in the device writing information storage part530will be described with reference toFIG. 23.FIG. 23is a diagram illustrating an example of the device writing information stored in the device writing information storage part.

As illustrated inFIG. 23, the device writing information stored in the device writing information storage part530includes data items of “DEVICE ID”, “BEACON ID”, and the like.

The “DEVICE ID” indicates identification information for identifying the wearable device20. The “BEACON ID” indicates the beacon IDs of sets of the beacon information written in the wearable device20(that is, the beacon IDs of the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part210of the wearable device20).

As described above, the device writing information stored in the device writing information storage part530includes beacon IDs of the sets of the beacon information written in the wearable device20for each of the wearable devices20.

Referring back toFIG. 22, the writing number information storage part540stores the writing number information. In the following, the writing number information stored in the writing number information storage part540will be described with reference toFIG. 24.FIG. 24is a diagram illustrating an example of the writing number information stored in the writing number information storage part.

As illustrated inFIG. 24, the writing number information stored in the writing number information storage part540includes data items of “BEACON ID”, “WRITING NUMBER”, and the like.

The “BEACON ID” indicates the identification information for identifying the beacon information (and the beacon transmitter40). The “WRITING NUMBER” indicates a number of times writing beacon information to the wearable device20.

As described above, the device writing information stored in the writing number information storage part540includes the writing number indicating the number of times writing the beacon information to the wearable device20for each set of beacon information.

Next, details of a process of the sensing system1according to the fourth embodiment will be described. First, a process, in which the gateway apparatus30and the gateway management apparatus50store the beacon information and the device management information sent from the server apparatus10, will be described with reference toFIG. 25.FIG. 25is a diagram for explaining a sequence example of the process for storing the beacon information and the device management information according to the fourth embodiment. InFIG. 25, processes of step S901and step S903through S905are the same as those inFIG. 9, and explanation thereof will be omitted.

Following step S901, the communication part101of the server apparatus10sends the beacon information and the device management information acquired by the information management part102to the gateway management apparatus50(step S2501).

The information management part502of the gateway management apparatus50stores the beacon information and the device management information received by the communication part501to the beacon information storage part510and the device management information storage part520, respectively (step S2502). Accordingly, the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part110of the server apparatus10is stored in the beacon information storage part510of the gateway management apparatus50. In the same manner, the device management information stored in the beacon information storage part210of the server apparatus10is stored in the device management information storage part520of the gateway management apparatus50.

Next, the communication part501of the gateway management apparatus50sends the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part510and the device management information stored in the device management information storage part520to the gateway apparatus30(step S2503).

Hence, the beacon information stored in the beacon information storage part510of the gateway management apparatus50is stored in the beacon information storage part310of the gateway apparatus30. In the same manner, the device management information stored in the device management information storage part520of the gateway management apparatus50is stored in the device management information storage part320of the gateway apparatus30.

Next, depending on the location of the wearable device20, an update process of the beacon information stored in the wearable device20will be described with reference toFIG. 26.FIG. 26is a diagram for explaining a sequence example of the update process for the beacon information according to the fourth embodiment. Processes in steps S1101through step S1107and step S1111through step S1113inFIG. 26are the same as those inFIG. 11, and explanation thereof will be omitted.

Following step S1107, the subject specifying part305of the gateway apparatus30sends an acquisition request of the device writing information to the gateway management apparatus50by the communication part301(step S2601). For instance, the acquisition request of the device writing information may indicate the device ID of the wearable device20and the like.

When the communication part501receives the acquisition request, the information management part502of the gateway management apparatus50acquires the device writing information of the device ID indicated by the acquisition request from the device writing information storage part530(step S2602). The information management part502sends back the device writing information to the gateway apparatus30by the communication part501.

When the communication part301receives the device writing information, the subject specifying part305of the gateway apparatus30specifies the beacon information of the writing subject from among sets of the beacon information extracted by the beacon information extraction part304(step S2603).

That is, the subject specifying part305specifies the beacon information other than the beacon information of the beacon ID indicated in the device writing information from among the sets of beacon information extracted by the beacon information extraction part304. That is, the subject specifying part305specifies the beacon information not being stored in the beacon information storage part210of the wearable device20(which is called “not-written beacon information”) among the sets of the beacon information extracted by the beacon information extraction part304.

Also, following step S1113, the subject specifying part305of the gateway apparatus30sends an update request of the device writing information to the gateway management apparatus50by the communication part301(step S2604). For instance, the update request of the device writing information may indicate the device ID of the wearable device20, and the beacon ID of the beacon information extracted by the beacon information extraction part304.

When the communication part501receives the update request of the beacon writing information, the information management part502of the gateway management apparatus50updates the device writing information stored in the device writing information storage part530(step S2605). That is, the information management part502updates the beacon ID in the device writing information of the device ID indicated by the update request with the beacon ID indicated by the update request.

For instance, the update request of the beacon writing information may include a device ID “D001” and the beacon IDs “B003, B017, B018, . . . ”. In this case, the information management part502updates the beacon IDs in the device writing information of the device ID “D001” to “B003, B017, B018, . . . ”.

Next, the information management part502of the gateway management apparatus50updates the writing number information stored in the writing number information storage part540(step S2606). That is, the information management part502adds “1” to the writing number in the writing number information of the beacon ID indicated by the update request of the beacon writing information.

The update request of the beacon writing information may indicate the beacon IDs “B003, B017, B018, . . . ”. In this case, the information management part502adds “1” to the writing number in the writing number information of the beacon ID “B003”. In the same manner, the information management part502adds “1” to the writing number in the writing number information of the beacon ID “B018”.

As described above, in the sensing system1according to the fourth embodiment, the gateway management apparatus50maintains the beacon information stored in the wearable device20. Hence, in the sensing system1according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to reduce workload of communications between the wearable device20and the gateway apparatus30. For instance, in a case in which the communications between the wearable device20and the gateway apparatus30are conducted by the BLE and the communications between gateway apparatus30and the gateway management apparatus50are conducted by wireless LAN, it is possible to reduce a process time of the entire sensing system1.

Next, a deletion process of the beacon information, of which the number of times writing to the wearable device20is less than or equal to a predetermined number, will be described with reference toFIG. 27.FIG. 27is a diagram for explaining a sequence example of the deletion process of the beacon information according to the fourth embodiment.

First, the beacon information deletion part503of the gateway management apparatus50refers to the writing number information storage part540by the information management part502, and determines whether there is the writing number information in which the writing number is less than or equal to the predetermined number (step S2701). The beacon information deletion part503may determine whether the writing number is less than or equal to the predetermined number, at intervals of a predetermined time (for instance, 1 week).

In step S2701, when determining that there is no writing number information in which the writing number is less than or equal to the predetermined number, the gateway management apparatus50terminates this deletion process.

However, in step S2701, when determining that there is the writing number information in which the writing number is less than or equal to the predetermined number, the gateway management apparatus50of the beacon information deletion part503specifies the beacon ID indicated by the writing number information in which the writing number is less than or equal to the predetermined number (step S2702).

Next, the beacon information deletion part503of the gateway management apparatus50deletes the beacon information of the beacon ID specified in step S2702from the beacon information storage part510(step S2703).

Next, the beacon information deletion part503of the gateway management apparatus50sends a deletion request of the beacon information by the communication part501to the gateway apparatus30(step S2704). The deletion request of the beacon information includes the beacon ID specified in step S2702.

When receiving the deletion request of the beacon information by the communication part301, the information management part302of the gateway apparatus30deletes the beacon information of the beacon ID indicated by the deletion request from the beacon information storage part310(step S2705).

As described above, in the sensing system1according to the fourth embodiment, the beacon information, in which the writing number of writing to the wearable device20is less than or equal to the predetermined number, is deleted from the gateway apparatus30and the gateway management apparatus50. Hence, in the sensing system1according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to raise efficiency of storage capacities the gateway apparatus30and the gateway management apparatus50.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the gateway apparatus30is not included. In the fifth embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Parts that have substantially the same functions and are substantially the same processes as those described in the first embodiment are given by the same reference numbers, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

The entire configuration of the sensing system1according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 28.FIG. 28is a diagram illustrating an example of the entire configuration of the sensing system according to the fifth embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 28, the sensing system1according to the fifth embodiment includes a server apparatus10in which the GW program300is installed. In addition, the server apparatus10and the wearable device20are able to be connected to each other through the network N.

As described above, in a case in which the wearable device20and the server apparatus10are able to be directly connected to each other, the GW program300for realizing the functions of the gateway apparatus30may be installed to the server apparatus10. Hence, in the sensing system1according to the fifth embodiment, the gateway apparatus30is not needed to be arranged in the sensing environment E1.

According to any of the first through the fifth embodiments, as an example, the wearable device20conducts a sensing of the radio signal transmitted from the beacon transmitter40, and the location information indicating a location measured by the wearable device20is generated as sensing information. However, each of the first through the fifth embodiments is not limited to this configuration. Alternatively, any of the first through the fifth embodiments may be applied to a case in which the wearable device20is sensing a neighboring radio signal state, various processes using information stored in the wearable device20are conducted, and the sensing information is generated.

For example, each of the first through the fifth embodiments may be applied to a case in which the wearable device20is sensing neighboring parameters (such as temperature, a body temperature, a heart rate, and the like of the user U), and conducts a risk degree determination process with respect to a heat stroke using a threshold of the parameters stored by the wearable device20. In this case, in the sensing system1according to each of the first through the fifth embodiments, depending on the location of the wearable device20detected by a positioning of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, a threshold for each of the parameters stored in the wearable device20may be dynamically updated. The threshold for each of the parameters is an example of the neighboring definition information.

Moreover, in the server apparatus10and the gateway apparatus30, the ROM15, the RAM16, and the storage device18may be collectively referred to as a first memory, and the CPU17may be referred to as a first processor. In the wearable device20, the ROM22, the RAM23, and the storage device25may be collectively referred to as a second memory, and the CPU24may be referred to as a second processor.

Furthermore, the server apparatus10and the gateway apparatus30may be realized in an information processing apparatus.

According to the above described first through fifth embodiments, it is possible to generate the sensing information depending on the location with high accuracy.