Patent ID: 12190699

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

First Example Embodiment

With reference toFIG.1,FIG.2,FIG.3, andFIG.4, a calculation system1according to a first example embodiment is described.FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the calculation system1.FIG.2,FIG.3, andFIG.4are flowcharts illustrating an operation example of the calculation system1.

The configuration of the calculation system1is described. The calculation system1includes terminals10A,10B, and10C, calculation devices20A and20B, and a setting means30. The calculation devices20A and20B are provided to evacuation shelters A and B, respectively. Note that, in the following description, when the terminals10A,10B, and10C are not distinguished from one another, each of the terminals10A,10B, and10C is referred to as a terminal10. Further, in the following description, when the calculation devices20A and20B are not distinguished from each other, each of the calculation devices20A and20B is referred to as a calculation device20.

The terminal10receives a response request from the calculation device20(specifically, a communication means21to be described later), and responds to the calculation device20in response. Specifically, upon receiving the response request, the terminal10responds to the response request by transmitting own identification information to the calculation device20. The identification information is unique information generated from an ID number or a telephone number of a subscriber identity module (SIM) card included in the terminal10. For example, the terminal10is a communication terminal owned by an evacuee.

Further, in response to an instruction from an owner of the terminal10, the terminal10transmits an authentication request containing the own identification information to the calculation device20. For example, upon arriving at the evacuation shelter A, a user of the terminal10A instructs the terminal10A to transmit the authentication request to the calculation device20A.

The calculation device20includes a communication means21, an acquisition means22, an authentication means23, and a calculation means24. The calculation device20is, for example, a server disposed in each evacuation shelter by a local government or the like.

The communication means21transmits the response request to the terminal10in an evacuation shelter. For example, the communication means21transmits a radio signal superimposed with the response request via an antenna oriented to the evacuation shelter. In this case, intensity of the radio signal is set according to an area of the evacuation shelter, and thus only the terminal10in the evacuation shelter receives the response request from the communication means21. For example, the communication means21transmits the response request in a predetermined cycle or at a timing that is set in advance. Further, the communication means21receives, from the terminal10responding to the response request, a signal according to an operation by a user of the terminal10(the authentication request described above).

For example, the response request transmitted from the communication means21of the calculation device20A is received by the terminal10A in the evacuation shelter A, but is not received by the terminal10B and the terminal10C outside of the evacuation shelter A. Further, for example, the response request transmitted from the communication means21of the calculation device20B is received by the terminal10B in the evacuation shelter B, but is not received by the terminal10A and the terminal10C outside of the evacuation shelter B.

The communication means21is capable of communicating with the terminal10and the setting means30. The communication means21receives and transfers, to the acquisition means22, a response containing the identification information from the terminal10receiving the response request. Further, the communication means21receives and outputs, to the authentication means23, the authentication request from the terminal10.

The acquisition means22acquires the identification information relating to the terminal10. As described above, when receiving the response request from the communication means21, the terminal10transmits the own identification information. At this occasion, the acquisition means22acquires the identification information transmitted from the terminal10, via the communication means21. The acquisition means22stores the acquired identification information in a memory, which is not illustrated. Here, the number of the terminals10whose identification information is stored is calculated as the number of evacuee candidates described later.

Further, when the terminal10whose identification information is stored in the memory described above does not respond to the response request, the acquisition means22deletes the identification information relating to the terminal10. For example, when the terminal10A in the evacuation shelter A moves outside the evacuation shelter, the terminal10A cannot receive the response request from the communication means21, and hence cannot respond to the response request. In this case, the acquisition means22deletes the identification information relating to the terminal10A from the memory. For example, when the identification information that is already stored is not received from a predetermined time period, the communication means21determines that a response to the response request is not present.

When the terminal10transmits the authentication request, the authentication means23determines whether to authenticate the terminal10, based on whether the terminal10responds to the response request described above. When the terminal10responding to the response request transmits the authentication request, the authentication means23authenticates the terminal10. In contrast, when the terminal10that does not respond to the response request transmits the authentication request, the authentication means23does not authenticate the terminal10. Here, the calculation means24, which is described later, calculates, as the number of evacuees, which is described later, the number of the terminals10authenticated by the authentication means23. In this way, the calculation means24calculates, as the number of evacuees, the number of the terminals10that responds to the response request and transmits the signal (the authentication request) according to an operation by a user.

The authentication means23determines whether the terminal10transmitting the authentication request is the terminal10responding to the response request, based on whether the identification information contained in the authentication request matches with the identification information stored by the acquisition means22. For example, upon receiving the authentication request from the terminal10A, the authentication means23extracts the identification information contained in the authentication request. The identification information relating to the terminal10A is already stored in the memory by the acquisition means22, and hence the authentication means23determines that the terminal10A is the terminal10responding to the response request. Further, upon receiving the authentication request from the terminal10C, the authentication means23extracts the identification information contained in the authentication request. The identification information relating to the terminal10C is not stored by the acquisition means22, and hence the authentication means23determines that the terminal10C is not the terminal10responding to the response request.

Further, when the acquisition means22deletes the identification information relating to the terminal10from the memory, the authentication means23cancels authentication of the terminal10. The acquisition means22deletes the identification information relating to the terminal10that does not respond to the response request. In response to this, as described above, the authentication means23cancels authentication of the terminal10, and thus the terminal10to be authenticated is limited to the terminal10located in the evacuation shelter. In this way, the authentication means23cancels authentication of the terminal10that does not respond to the response request. With this, the calculation means24calculates the number of evacuees while excluding the terminal that does not respond to the response request.

The calculation means24calculates, as the number of evacuee candidates, the number of the terminals10responding to the response request. Specifically, the calculation means24calculates, as the number of evacuee candidates, the number of pieces of the identification information stored in the memory by the acquisition means22. The identification information stored in the memory by the acquisition means22is limited to the identification information relating to the terminal10located in the evacuation shelter. With this, the number of pieces of the identification information matches with the number of terminals10located in the evacuation shelter, and hence the calculation means24is capable of calculating the number of pieces of the identification information stored in the memory by the acquisition means22, as the number of evacuee candidates. Here, the evacuee candidates include not only an actual evacuee but also an official of the local government and the like in the evacuation shelter.

The calculation means24calculates, as the number of evacuees in the evacuation shelter, the number of the terminals10authenticated by the authentication means23. When the identification information contained in the authentication request matches with the identification information stored in the memory by the acquisition means22, the authentication means23authenticates the terminal10transmitting the authentication request. In other words, the terminal10authenticated by the authentication means23is limited to the terminal10that is located in the evacuation shelter and also transmits the authentication request. Here, for example, when it is announced that, in the evacuation shelter, only an evacuee is requested to transmit the authentication request, and it is announced that a person other than an evacuee (for example, an official of the local government) is requested not to transmit the authentication request, the terminal authenticated by the authentication means23is limited to the terminal owned by an evacuee. Thus, the calculation means24is capable of calculating the number of the terminals10authenticated by the authentication means23, as the number of evacuees in the evacuation shelter.

Further, the calculation means24transmits the number of evacuee candidates and the number of evacuees to an external communication device via the communication means21.

Further, the communication means21described above has a function as a general base station. Specifically, the communication means21relays communication between the terminal10and an external network. Here, upon receiving a request for connection to the external network from the terminal10authenticated by the authentication means, the communication means21relays communication between the terminal10and the external network. With this, an evacuee in the evacuation shelter can access to the external network from the terminal10authenticated by the authentication means23, via the communication means21.

The setting means30sets a quantity of supplies that is allotted to the evacuation shelter, based on the number of evacuees notified from the plurality of calculation devices20. For example, the setting means30stores a total number of supplies such as water and blankets in advance. Further, the calculation means24in the calculation device20A provided to the evacuation shelter A notifies the setting means30via the communication means21that the number of evacuees is, for example, 100. Further, the calculation means24in the calculation device20B provided to the evacuation shelter B notifies the setting means30via the communication means21that the number of evacuees is, for example, 200. In this case, the setting means30allots the supplies to the evacuation shelter A and the evacuation shelter B at a ratio of 1:2. The setting means30provides the allotment result (for example, the number of blankets allotted to the evacuation shelter A, or the like) to an official of the local government, on a display screen or through a speaker. The setting means30enables an official of the local government to deliver an appropriate number of supplies to the evacuation shelter without requiring the official of the local government to calculate the number of supplies to be delivered to the evacuation shelter.

The above-mentioned number of evacuees includes a user of the terminal10that responds to the response request and also transmits the authentication request. However, in actuality, a user who is an evacuee but forgets to transmit the authentication request is not counted as an evacuee in the calculation system1. The number of evacuees notified from the calculation device20is less than an actual number of evacuees because of such a user, and hence the supplies may be in short at each of the evacuation shelters when the supplies are allotted based on the number of evacuees. In view of this, the setting means30may set a quantity of supplies to be allotted to the evacuation shelter, based on the number of evacuee candidates. The number of evacuee candidates includes a user of the terminal10that responds to the response request but does not transmit the authentication request. Thus, a user who forgets to transmit the authentication request is also counted as an evacuee. Therefore, in a case in which the supplies are allotted based on the number of evacuee candidates, even when there is a user who forgets to transmit the authentication request, an appropriate quantity of supplies can be delivered to the evacuation shelter.

A user who operates the setting means30selects whether the setting means30allots supplies according to the number of evacuees or the number of evacuee candidates.

Next, with reference toFIG.2,FIG.3, andFIG.4, an operation of the calculation system1is described.FIG.2is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the calculation system1when acquiring the number of evacuee candidates.FIG.3is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the calculation system1when acquiring the number of evacuees.FIG.4is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the calculation system1when relaying communication between the terminal10and the external network.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the communication means21transmits a response request to the terminal10in an evacuation shelter (S101). For example, the communication means21of the calculation device20A transmits a response request to the terminal10A. Further, the communication means21of the calculation device20B transmits a response request to the terminal10B. The response request contains a message for requiring an evacuee to transmit an authentication request. At this occasion, the terminal10that receives the response request transmits own identification information to the communication means21, and thus responds to the response request.

The communication means21determines whether there is a response to the transmitted response request (S102).

When there is no response to the response request (No in S102), the calculation system1terminates the operation.

When there is a response to the response request (Yes in S102), the acquisition means22stores the identification information relating to the terminal10(S103). For example, the acquisition means22of the calculation device20A stores identification information relating to the terminal10A. Further, for example, the acquisition means22of the calculation device20B stores identification information relating to the terminal10B.

The calculation means24adds the number of pieces of the identification information stored by the acquisition means22, to the number of evacuee candidates (S104). In this way, the calculation system1calculates, as the number of evacuee candidates, the number of the terminals responding to the response request.

Further, with reference toFIG.3, the operation of the calculation system1is described. At the point of starting the operation inFIG.3, it is assumed that, upon receiving the response request in the processing in S101, the terminal10displays for a user the message contained in the response request, the message requiring an evacuee to transmit an authentication request. Further, when a user who checks the message is an evacuee, it is assumed that the user operates the terminal10in such a way as to transmit the authentication request.

The authentication means23acquires, from the terminal10, the authentication request containing the identification information (S105). With this, for example, the acquisition means22of the calculation device20A acquires an authentication request from the terminal10A. Further, the acquisition means22of the calculation device20B acquires an authentication request from the terminal10B.

The authentication means23determines whether the identification information contained in the authentication request matches with the identification information stored by the acquisition means22(S106). For example, the authentication means23of the calculation device20A determines that the authentication request acquired from the terminal10A contains identification information that matches with the identification information stored by the acquisition means22. Further, the authentication means23of the calculation device20B determines that the authentication request acquired from the terminal10B contains identification information that matches with the identification information stored by the acquisition means22. At this occasion, the authentication means23transmits, to the authenticated terminal10, a message for requiring transmission of a connection request when connection to an external network is required.

When it is determined that the identification information contained in the authentication request does not match with the identification information stored by the acquisition means22(No in S106), the calculation system1terminates the operation.

When it is determined that the identification information contained in the authentication request matches with the identification information stored by the acquisition means22(Yes in S106), the calculation means24adds the number of the terminals10authenticated by the authentication means23to the number of evacuees(S107). In this way, in the calculation system1, the number of the terminals10that responds to the response request and then transmits the authentication request is calculated as the number of evacuees.

Further, with reference toFIG.4, the operation of the calculation system1is described. At a point of starting the operation inFIG.4, it is assumed that, in the processing in S106, the authentication means23transmits, to the authenticated terminal10, the message for requiring transmission of the connection request when connection to the external network is required, as described above. With this, it is assumed that the authenticated terminal10displays the message. Further, it is assumed that a user who checks the message operates the terminal10in such a way as to transmit the connection request.

The communication means21acquires, from the terminal10, the connection request containing the identification information relating to the terminal10(S108). With this, for example, the acquisition means22of the calculation device20A acquires a connection request from the terminal10A. Further, the acquisition means22of the calculation device20B acquires a connection request from the terminal10B.

The communication means21determines whether the terminal10transmitting the connection request is authenticated by the authentication means23(S109). For example, the communication means21of the calculation device20A determines that the terminal10A is authenticated by the authentication means. Further, the communication means21of the calculation device20B determines that the terminal10B is authenticated by the authentication means23.

When the terminal10transmitting the connection request is not authenticated by the authentication means23(No in S109), the calculation system1terminates the operation.

When the terminal10transmitting the connection request is authenticated by the authentication means23(Yes in S109), the communication means21relays communication between the terminal10and the external network (S110). For example, the communication means21of the calculation device20A relays communication between the terminal10A and the external network. Further, for example, the communication means21of the calculation device20B relays communication between the terminal10B and the external network (S110).

In each of the operation examples described above, the calculation means24displays the calculated number of evacuee candidates and the calculated number of evacuees on a display screen or the like, or transmits the calculated numbers to an external device (for example, the setting means30). Further, each time the processing in S104is completed, the calculation means24may transmit the number of evacuee candidates to an external device. Each time the processing in S107is completed, the calculation means24may transmit the number of evacuees to an external device.

As described above, the calculation system1includes the communication means21and the calculation means24. The communication means21transmits the response request to the terminal in the evacuation shelter, and receives, from the terminal responding to the response request, the signal (the authentication request) according to an operation by a user of the terminal. The calculation means24calculates, as the number of evacuees in the evacuation shelter, the number of the terminals transmitting the signal (the authentication request).

For example, as described in PTL 1, when a position associated to position information relating to a terminal is within an area of an evacuation shelter, a user of the terminal is regarded as an evacuee in the evacuation shelter. In this case, not only the terminal of the evacuee but also a terminal of an official of a local government or a volunteer staff is regarded as a terminal of an evacuee, and thus the local government cannot accurately know the number of evacuees.

However, the calculation system1calculates, as the number of evacuees in the evacuation shelter, the number of the terminals that responds to the response request and transmits the signal (the authentication request) according to an operation by a user. Through use of this, for example, when it is announced that, in the evacuation shelter, only an evacuee is required to transmit the signal (the authentication request), and it is announced that a person other than an evacuee (for example, an official of the local government) is required not to transmit the signal (the authentication request), the calculation means24is capable of calculating the number of evacuees while excluding a person other than an evacuee.

Second Example Embodiment

With referenceFIG.5andFIG.6, a calculation device20according to a second example embodiment is described. As illustrated inFIG.5, the calculation device20includes a communication means21and a calculation means24. The calculation device20is provided in, for example, an evacuation shelter run by a local government or the like.

The communication means21transmits a response request to a terminal in the evacuation shelter. Further, the communication means21receives, from the terminal responding to the response request, a signal (an authentication request) according to an operation by a user of the terminal.

The calculation means24calculates, as the number of evacuees in the evacuation shelter, the number of the terminals that transmits the signal (the authentication request).

Next, with reference toFIG.6, an operation of the calculation device20is described.FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the calculation device20.

The communication means21transmits a response request to a terminal in an evacuation shelter (S201). With this, the terminal responds to the response request.

The authentication means23receives, from the terminal responding to the response request, a signal (an authentication request) according to an operation by a user of the terminal (S202).

The calculation means24calculates, as the number of evacuees in the evacuation shelter, the number of the terminals transmitting the signal (S203).

As described above, the calculation device20includes the communication means21and the calculation means24. The communication means21transmits the response request to the terminal in the evacuation shelter, and receives, from the terminal responding to the response request, the signal according to an operation by a user of the terminal. The calculation means24calculates, as the number of evacuees in the evacuation shelter, the number of the terminals transmitting the signal.

For example, as described in PTL 1, when a position associated to position information relating to the terminal is within an area of the evacuation shelter, a user of the terminal is regarded as an evacuee in the evacuation shelter. In this case, not only the terminal of the evacuee but also a terminal of an official of the local government or a volunteer staff is regarded as a terminal of an evacuee, thus the local government cannot accurately know the number of evacuees.

However, the calculation device20calculates, as the number of evacuees in the evacuation shelter, the number of the terminals that responds to the response request and transmits the signal according to an operation by a user. Through use of this, for example, when it is announced that, in the evacuation shelter, only an evacuee is required to transmit the signal, and it is announced that a person other than an evacuee (for example, an official of the local government) is required not to transmit the signal, the calculation means24is capable of calculating the number of evacuees while excluding a person other than an evacuee.

Further, some or all of the components of each of the devices or the system is achieved by any combination of an information processing device2000and a program, as illustrated inFIG.7, for example.FIG.7is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing device that achieves the calculation system1. As an example, the information processing device2000includes the following configuration.A central processing unit (CPU)2001A read only memory (ROM)2002A random access memory (RAM)2003A program2004loaded on the RAM2003A storage device2005that stores the program2004A drive device2007that performs writing and reading of a recording medium2006A communication interface2008that is connected to a communication network2009An input/output interface2010that inputs and outputs dataA bus2011that connects each component

Each of the components of each of the devices in each of the example embodiments is achieved by the CPU2001acquiring and executing the program2004for achieving those functions. For example, the program2004for achieving the functions of the components of the devices is stored in the storage device2005or the RAM2003in advance, and is read out by the CPU2001, as required. The program2004may be supplied to the CPU2001via the communication network2009, or may be stored in advance in the recording medium2006, and may be supplied to the CPU2001by the drive device2007reading out the program.

Various modification examples are given as a method of achieving each of the devices. For example, each of the devices may be achieved by any combinations of a program and the information processing device2000, each of which is separately provided for each of the components. Further, a plurality of components included in each of the devices may be achieved by any one combination of a program and the information processing device2000.

Further, a part or an entirety of each of the components of each of the devices is achieved by a general or dedicated circuitry including a processor or the like, or by a combination thereof. These may be configured by a single chip or a plurality of chips connected to each other via a bus. A part or an entirety of each of the components of each of the devices may be achieved by a combination of the circuit or the like described above and a program.

When a part or an entirety of each of the components of each of the devices is achieved by a plurality of information processing devices, circuits, and the like, the plurality of information processing devices, the circuits, and the like may be arranged in a centralized way, or may be arranged in a distributed way. For example, the information processing devices, the circuits, and the like may be achieved in a form in which each of the information processing devices, the circuits, and the like is connected via a communication network, such as a client-and-server system, a cloud computing system, and the like.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2020-161647, filed on Sep. 28, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1Calculation system10,10A,10B,10C Terminal20,20A,20B Calculation device21Communication means22Acquisition means23Authentication means24Calculation means30Setting means