Measurement system, moving-object-mounted terminal and data processing apparatus

• US 8,954,095 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2011
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Watanabe, Tsutomu, Kageyama, Tomomi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhattacharya, Sam
• Application Number:
  US13/312,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20120225674A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 455/11.1, 455/456.1, 455/456.5, 455/552.1
• US Class Current: 455/456.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/40 Animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/22 in connection with sports or games

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a measurement system includes a wireless relay device, a moving-object-mounted terminal and a data processor. The wireless relay device forms a wireless area for performing wireless communication. The moving-object-mounted terminal is mounted to a moving object within the wireless area. The moving-object-mounted terminal includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and a wireless unit. The GPS unit acquires positional data of the moving object and time data indicating the time when the positional data has been acquired by GPS. The wireless unit converts the positional data and the time data into a wireless signal, and transmits the wireless signal to the wireless relay device. The data processor receives the wireless signal from the moving-object-mounted terminal via the wireless relay device, and calculates time required for the moving object to move a predetermined distance within the wireless area based on the positional data and the time data.

Claims

1. A measurement system comprising:

a wireless relay device forming a wireless area for performing wireless communication;

a moving-object-mounted terminal mounted to a moving object within the wireless area, the moving-object-mounted terminal comprising;

a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit configured to acquire positional data of the moving object and time data indicating a time when the positional data has been acquired by the GPS unit; and

a wireless unit configured to convert the positional data and the time data into a wireless signal and to transmit the wireless signal to the wireless relay device; and

a data processor configured to receive the wireless signal from the moving-object-mounted terminal via the wireless relay device, and to calculate a time required for the moving object to move a predetermined distance within the wireless area, based on the positional data and the time data, wherein

the data processor comprises;

a filter processor configured to calculate a smoothed velocity by performing a filter processing on the positional data and the time data; and

a determination module configured to transmit a precise measurement starting signal to the wireless relay device if the smoothed velocity becomes larger than a predetermined first velocity, and to transmit a precise measurement ending signal to the wireless relay device if the smoothed velocity becomes less than a predetermined second velocity;

the GPS unit comprises;

a memory configured to pre-store a first acquisition frequency and a second acquisition frequency which is higher than the first acquisition frequency; and

a GPS measurement module configured to select one of the first and second acquisition frequencies and to acquire the positional data and the time data at the selected acquisition frequency; and

the wireless unit comprises;

a frequency controller configured to instruct the GPS unit to select the second acquisition frequency if the precise measurement starting signal is received via the wireless relay device, and to instruct the GPS unit to select the first acquisition frequency if the precise measurement ending signal is received via the wireless relay device.

2. The measurement system of claim 1, further comprising a Differential GPS (DGPS) receiver configured to acquire DGPS data,

the data processor being configured to perform a correction of the positional data by using the DGPS data.

3. The measurement system of claim 1, further comprising a vibration-type generator configured to convert mechanical energy obtained by vibration because of a movement of the moving object into electrical energy,

the GPS unit and the wireless unit being configured to be driven by the electrical energy.

4. The measurement system of claim 1, further comprising a heart rate measurement device configured to measure a heart rate of the moving object, if the moving object is an animal,

the wireless unit being configured to convert the heart rate measured by the heart rate measurement device into a wireless signal along with the positional data and the time data.

5. The measurement system of claim 1, further comprising a data acquisition device configured to acquire various data regarding the moving object,

the wireless unit being configured to convert the acquired various data into a wireless signal along with the positional data and the time data.

6. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the wireless unit further comprises an area determination controller configured to determine whether the moving object exists within a predetermined area based on the positional data, to turn on the transmitting of the wireless signal to the wireless relay device if the moving object exists within the predetermined area, and to turn off the transmitting of the wireless signal to the wireless relay device if the moving object exists outside the predetermined area.

7. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein:

the GPS measurement module is configured to acquire velocity of the moving object by the GPS unit; and

the wireless unit further comprises a velocity determination controller configured to turn on the transmitting of the wireless signal to the wireless relay device if the acquired velocity becomes larger than a predetermined communication starting velocity, and to turn off the transmitting of the wireless signal to the wireless relay device if the acquired velocity becomes less than a predetermined communication ending velocity.

8. The measurement system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined first velocity is equal to the predetermined second velocity.

9. A moving-object-mounted terminal for use in a measurement system configured to measure a time required for a moving object within a wireless area formed by a wireless relay device to move a predetermined distance, and mounted on the moving object, the moving-object-mounted terminal comprising:

a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit configured to acquire positional data of the moving object and time data indicating a time when the positional data has been acquired by the GPS unit; and

a wireless unit configured to convert the positional data and the time data into a wireless signal and to transmit the wireless signal to the wireless relay device, wherein

the wireless unit comprises;

an interface configured to receive the positional data and the time data from the GPS unit;

a communication processor configured to convert the received positional data and time data into a modulated signal in accordance with a predetermined communication format; and

a communication module configured to transmit the modulated signal to the wireless relay device as the wireless signal;

the GPS unit comprises;

a memory configured to pre-store a first acquisition frequency and a second acquisition frequency which is higher than the first acquisition frequency; and

a GPS measurement module configured to select one of the first and second acquisition frequencies and to acquire the positional data and the time data at the selected acquisition frequency by the GPS unit; and

the wireless unit comprises;

a filter processor configured to perform a filter processing on the positional data and the time data received from the GPS unit, and to calculate a smoothed velocity of the moving object; and

a frequency controller configured to instruct the GPS unit to select the second acquisition frequency if the smoothed velocity becomes larger than a predetermined first velocity, and to instruct the GPS unit to select the first acquisition frequency if the smoothed velocity becomes less than a predetermined second velocity.

10. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, wherein the wireless unit further comprises a velocity determination controller configured to turn on the communication module if the smoothed velocity becomes larger than a predetermined communication starting velocity, and to turn off the communication module if the smoothed velocity becomes less than a predetermined communication ending velocity.

11. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 10, wherein the predetermined communication starting velocity is equal to the predetermined communication ending velocity.

12. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, wherein:

the GPS measurement module is configured to further acquire velocity of the moving object by the GPS unit; and

the wireless unit further comprises a velocity determination controller configured to turn on the communication module if the acquired velocity becomes larger than a predetermined communication starting velocity, and to turn off the communication module if the acquired velocity becomes less than a predetermined communication ending velocity.

13. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, wherein:

the filter processor is configured to perform the filter processing on the positional data and the time data received from the GPS unit and to calculate the smoothed position of the moving object; and

the wireless unit further comprises an area determination controller configured to determine whether the moving object exists within a predetermined area based on the smoothed position, to turn on the communication module if the moving object exists within the predetermined area, and to turn off the communication module if the moving object exists outside the predetermined area.

14. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, wherein:

the filter processor is configured to perform the filter processing on the positional data and the time data received from the GPS unit and to calculate a smoothed position of the moving object; and

the communication processor is configured to modulate the smoothed position, the smoothed velocity and the time data into a modulated signal in accordance with a predetermined communication format.

15. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, wherein:

the GPS unit is assigned an identification (ID) number used for identifying the moving-object-mounted terminal;

the GPS unit is configured to output the ID number along with the acquired positional data and time data to the wireless unit; and

the wireless unit is configured to convert the ID number into a wireless signal in addition to the positional data and time data.

16. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, wherein:

the wireless unit is assigned an ID number used for identifying the moving-object-mounted terminal; and

the wireless unit is configured to convert the ID number into a wireless signal in addition to the positional data and time data.

17. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, wherein:

the wireless unit is configured to pre-store individual information including a name of moving object and a unique number assigned to each moving object; and

the wireless unit is configured to convert the individual information into a wireless signal in addition to the positional data and time data.

18. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, wherein the predetermined first velocity is equal to the predetermined second velocity.

19. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, further comprising a vibration-type generator configured to convert mechanical energy obtained by vibration because of a movement of the moving object into electrical energy,

the GPS unit and the wireless unit being configured to be driven by the electrical energy.

20. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, further comprising a heart rate measurement device configured to measure a heart rate of the moving object, if the moving object is an animal,

the wireless unit being configured to convert the heart rate measured by the heart rate measurement device into a wireless signal along with the positional data and the time data.

21. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 9, further comprising a data acquisition device configured to acquire various data regarding the moving object,

the wireless unit being configured to convert the acquired various data into a wireless signal along with the positional data and the time data.

22. A moving-object-mounted terminal for use in a measurement system configured to measure a time required for a moving object within a wireless area formed by a wireless relay device to move a predetermined distance, and mounted on the moving object, the moving-object-mounted terminal comprising:

a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit configured to acquire positional data of the moving object and time data indicating a time when the positional data has been acquired by the GPS unit; and

a wireless unit configured to convert the positional data and the time data into a wireless signal and to transmit the wireless signal to the wireless relay device wherein

the wireless unit comprises;

an interface configured to receive the positional data and the time data from the GPS unit;

a communication processor configured to convert the received positional data and time data into a modulated signal in accordance with a predetermined communication format; and

a communication module configured to transmit the modulated signal to the wireless relay device as the wireless signal;

the GPS unit comprises;

a memory configured to pre-store a first acquisition frequency and a second acquisition frequency which is higher than the first acquisition frequency; and

a GPS measurement module configured to select one of the first and second acquisition frequencies and to acquire the positional data and the time data at the selected acquisition frequency by the GPS unit; and

the wireless unit comprises;

a filter processor configured to perform a filter processing on the positional data and the time data received from the GPS unit and to calculate a smoothed position of the moving object; and

a frequency controller configured to determine whether the moving object exists within a predetermined area, to instruct the GPS unit to select the second acquisition frequency if the moving object exists within the predetermined area, and to instruct the GPS unit to select the first acquisition frequency if the moving object exists outside the predetermined area.

23. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 22, wherein

the filter processor is configured to perform the filter processing on the positional data and the time data received from the UPS unit and to calculate a smoothed velocity of the moving object, and

the wireless unit further comprises a velocity determination controller configured to turn on the communication module if the smoothed velocity becomes larger than a predetermined communication starting velocity, and to turn off the communication module if the smoothed velocity becomes less than a predetermined communication ending velocity.

24. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 22, wherein:

the GPS measurement module is configured to further acquire velocity of the moving object by the GPS unit; and

the wireless unit further comprises a velocity determination controller configured to turn on the communication module if the acquired velocity becomes larger than a predetermined communication starting velocity, and to turn off the communication module if the acquired velocity becomes less than a predetermined communication ending velocity.

25. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 22, wherein the wireless unit further comprises an area determination controller configured to determine whether the moving object exists within a predetermined area based on the smoothed position, to turn on the communication module if the moving object exists within the predetermined area, and to turn off the communication module if the moving object exists outside the predetermined area.

26. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 22, wherein:

the filter processor is configured to perform the filter processing on the positional data and the time data received from the GPS unit and to calculate a smoothed velocity of the moving object; and

the communication processor is configured to modulate the smoothed position, the smoothed velocity and the time data into a modulated signal in accordance with a predetermined communication format.

27. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 22, wherein:

the GPS unit is assigned an identification (ID) number used for identifying the moving-object-mounted terminal;

the GPS unit is configured to output the ID number along with the acquired positional data and time data to the wireless unit; and

the wireless unit is configured to convert the ID number into a wireless signal in addition to the positional data and time data.

28. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 22, wherein:

the wireless unit is assigned an ID number used for identifying the moving-object-mounted terminal; and

the wireless unit is configured to convert the ID number into a wireless signal in addition to the positional data and time data.

29. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 22, further comprising a vibration-type generator configured to convert mechanical energy obtained by vibration because of a movement of the moving object into electrical energy,

the GPS unit and the wireless unit being configured to be driven by the electrical energy.

30. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 22, further comprising a heart rate measurement device configured to measure a heart rate of the moving object, if the moving object is an animal,

the wireless unit being configured to convert the heart rate measured by the heart rate measurement device into a wireless signal along with the positional data and the time data.

31. The moving-object-mounted terminal of claim 22, further comprising a data acquisition device configured to acquire various data regarding the moving object,

the wireless unit being configured to convert the acquired various data into a wireless signal along with the positional data and the time data.

35. The data processor of claim 30, further comprising a data base configured to, if the moving-object-mounted terminal is assigned an ID number, pre-store individual information including a name of moving object and a unique number assigned to each moving object associated with the ID number, and if the ID number is received along with the positional data and the time data, to output the individual information corresponding to the received ID number.

32. A data processor for use in a measurement system configured to acquire positional data of a moving object within a wireless area formed by a wireless relay device and time data indicating a time when the positional data has been acquired by a GPS processing of a moving-object-mounted terminal mounted on the moving object, the data processor comprising:

a filter processor configured to receive the positional data and the time data acquired at the moving-object-mounted terminal via the wireless relay device, and to calculate a smoothed position and a smoothed velocity of the moving object by performing a filter processing on the positional data and the time data;

a first calculation processor configured to calculate a time required for the moving object to move a predetermined distance within the wireless area, based on the smoothed position, the smoothed velocity and the time data; and

a determination module configured to transmit a precise measurement starting signal instructing starting of a precise measurement to the moving-object-mounted terminal via the wireless relay device if the smoothed velocity received from the filter processor becomes larger than a predetermined first velocity, and to transmit a precise measurement ending signal instructing ending of a precise measurement to the moving-object-mounted terminal via the wireless relay device if the smoothed velocity becomes less than a predetermined second velocity.

33. The data processor of claim 32, further comprising a DGPS measurement processor configured to correct the positional data received from the moving-object-mounted terminal by using Differential GPS (DGPS) data acquired by a DGPS receiver.

34. The data processor of claim 32, further comprising a second calculation processor configured to, if a plurality of moving objects exist within the wireless area, and each moving-object-mounted terminal is assigned an ID number, determine a ranking of a plurality of moving objects at a time when the moving objects passed through a predetermined position within the wireless area, based on the smoothed position, the smoothed velocity, the time data and the ID number.

36. The data processor of claim 32, wherein the predetermined first velocity is equal to the predetermined second velocity.

37. A data processor for use in a measurement system configured to acquire positional data of a moving object within a wireless area formed by a wireless relay device and time data indicating a time when the positional data has been acquired by a GPS processing of a moving-object-mounted terminal mounted on the moving object, the data processor comprising:

a filter processor configured to receive the positional data and the time data acquired at the moving-object-mounted terminal via the wireless relay device, and to calculate a smoothed position and a smoothed velocity of the moving object by performing a filter processing on the positional data and the time data;

a first calculation processor configured to calculate a time required for the moving object to move a predetermined distance within the wireless area, based on the smoothed position, the smoothed velocity and the time data; and

a determination module configured to transmit a precise measurement starting signal instructing starting of a precise measurement to the moving-object-mounted terminal via the wireless relay device if the smoothed position received from the filter processor exists within a predetermined area, and to transmit a precise measurement ending signal instructing ending of a precise measurement to the moving-object-mounted terminal via the wireless relay device if the smoothed position exists outside the predetermined area.

38. A measurement system comprising:

a wireless relay device forming a wireless area for performing wireless communication;

a moving-object-mounted terminal mounted to a moving object within the wireless area, the moving-object-mounted terminal comprising;

a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit configured to acquire positional data of the moving object and time data indicating a time when the positional data has been acquired by the GPS unit; and

a wireless unit configured to convert the positional data and the time data into a wireless signal and to transmit the wireless signal to the wireless relay device; and

a data processor configured to receive the wireless signal from the moving-object-mounted terminal via the wireless relay device, and to calculate a time required for the moving object to move a predetermined distance within the wireless area, based on the positional data and the time data, wherein

the data processor comprises;

a filter processor configured to calculate a smoothed position by performing a filter processing on the positional data and the time data; and

a determination module configured to transmit a precise measurement starting signal to the wireless relay device if the smoothed position exists within a predetermined area, and to transmit a precise measurement ending signal to the wireless relay device if the smoothed position exists outside the predetermined area;

the GPS unit comprises;

a memory configured to pre-store a first acquisition frequency and a second acquisition frequency which is higher than the first acquisition frequency; and

a GPS measurement module configured to select one of the first and second acquisition frequencies and to acquire the positional data and the time data at the selected acquisition frequency; and

the wireless unit comprises;

a frequency controller configured to instruct the GPS unit to select the second acquisition frequency if the precise measurement starting signal is received via the wireless relay device, and to instruct the GPS unit to select the first acquisition frequency if the precise measurement ending signal is received via the wireless relay device.