Location information service system, location information service method employing electronic tag, portable information terminal, and terminal program

• US 9,596,573 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2013
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tagcast, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tagcast, Inc.
• Inventors: Torii, Akatsuki
• Primary Examiner(s): HEIBER, SHANTELL LAKETA
• Application Number:
  US14/650,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20150312725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/09 Arrangements for device control with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time; Arrangements for control of broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices

Abstract

A system enables desired information to be delivered to, or jump into a portable information terminal such as a smartphone which is carried by a user, without relying on GPS or network environment. The system, provided with an electronic tag transmitter, is configured to broadcast the first identification information (management equipment number) such that the application, executed in common by the plurality of the portable information terminal, and a management device configured to receive an inquiry based on the first identification information received by the portable information terminal; transform the first identification information into a second identification information (application identification number) which is to be managed by the portable information terminal; and transmit the second identification information to the portable information terminal having made the inquiry, wherein the portable information terminal is configured to execute the application based on the second identification information.

Claims

1. A location information service system, comprising:

at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing a first identification information; and

at least one portable information terminal configured to;

receive the first identification information, and

execute an application specified by the first identification information, wherein;

the portable information terminal measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter, and executes the application that varies depending on the radio wave intensity,

the electronic tag transmitter transmits the first identification information at a cycle of n second(s), and

a cycle of m second(s) shifted (n>

m) is randomly inserted to the cycle of n second(s).

2. A location information service system, comprising:

at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing a first identification information,

at least one portable information terminal configured to receive the first identification information and execute an application specified by the first identification information,

a management device, the management device being configured to receive an inquiry based on the first identification information received by the portable information terminal;

transform the first identification information into a second identification information which is to be managed by the portable information terminal; and

transmit the second identification to the portable information terminal having made the inquiry, and

a facility management device connected via a network to the portable information terminal, and run and managed by the facility,

wherein the portable information terminal is configured to execute the application based on the second identification information, wherein when a check-in application is run, and the radio waves received from the electronic tag transmitter reach a predetermined radio wave intensity, an information on the radio wave intensity is transmitted to the facility management device, and

wherein the facility management device makes a check-in determination based on the information on the radio wave intensity;

achieves a personal information specified by the first identification information and the second identification information from the management device; and

displays the personal information on a screen.

3. The location information service system according to claim 2, wherein upon receiving a request from the portable information terminal, the facility management device communicates with the management device;

achieves an information associated with an electronic payment from the management device;

adds the information associated with the electronic payment to the personal information obtained by the check-in determination, and executes an electronic payment processing.

4. A location information service system, comprising:

at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing a first identification information;

at least one portable information terminal configured to;

receive the first identification information, and execute an application specified by the first identification information;

wherein the portable information terminal measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter, and executes the application that varies depending on the radio wave intensity;

a management device, the management device being configured to receive an inquiry based on the first identification information received by the portable information terminal;

transform the first identification information into a second identification information which is to be managed by the portable information terminal; and

transmit the second identification information to the portable information terminal having made the inquiry, wherein the portable information terminal is configured to execute the application based on the second identification information, and

a facility management device connected via a network to the portable information terminal, and run and managed by the facility, wherein when a routing assistance application is run, and a facility as a destination is set, the portable information terminal achieves an information associated with the facility from the facility management device;

displays on a screen an information associated with the facility corresponding to a current location in line with an advancing direction;

determines a direction to the destination based on a radio wave intensity of the radio waves which are transmitted by a plurality of the electronic tag transmitters; and

displays a routing assistance to the destination on a screen.

5. The location information service system according to claim 4, wherein upon receiving a request for switching the screen, the portable information terminal switches the screen from the routing assistance display mode to an augmented reality display mode.

6. A location information service method employing an electronic tag in a location information service system provided with at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing a first identification information, a management device run and managed by a location information service-providing business operator, and a plurality of portable information terminals connected via a network to the management device and configured to receive the first identification information and execute an application specified by the first identification information, comprising the steps of:

the electronic tag transmitter'"'"'s broadcasting the first identification information via radio waves, the first identification information specifying an application which is executed in common by the portable information terminal,

the management device'"'"'s receiving an inquiry based on the first identification information which is received by the portable information terminal;

transforming the first identification information into a second identification information which is to be managed by the portable information terminal; and

transmitting the second identification information to the portable information terminal having made the inquiry, and

the portable information terminal'"'"'s executing the application based on the second identification information, wherein the portable information terminal measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter, and executes the application that varies depending on the radio wave intensity.

7. A portable information terminal connected via a network to a management device, comprising:

an identification information recognizing unit receiving and recognizing a first identification information which specifies an application that is executed in common by at least one portable information terminal and is broadcast via radio waves by an electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing the first identification information, and

an application execution control unit querying the management device based on the first identification information recognized;

achieving a second identification information, into which the management device transforms the first identification information, and which is transmitted by the management device; and

executing a corresponding application based on the second identification information achieved, wherein the portable information terminal measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter, and executes the application that varies depending on the radio wave intensity.

8. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a terminal program, which causes a computer of a portable information terminal connected to via a network to a management device to perform:

a processing of receiving and recognizing a first identification information which specifies an application that is executed in common by at least one portable information terminal and is broadcast via radio waves by an electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing the first identification information, and a processing of querying the management device based on the first identification information recognized;

receiving a second identification information, into which the management device transforms the first identification information and which is transmitted by the management device; and

executing a corresponding application based on the second identification information received, wherein the portable information terminal measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter, and executes the application that varies depending on the radio wave intensity.

9. A location information service method employing an electronic tag in a location information service system provided with at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing a first identification information, a management device run and managed by a location information service-providing business operator, a plurality of portable information terminals connected via a network to the management device and configured to receive the first identification information and execute an application specified by the first identification information, and a customer management terminal mounted in a facility having the electronic tag transmitter mounted therein comprising the steps of:

the electronic tag transmitter'"'"'s broadcasting the first identification information via radio waves, the first identification information specifying an application which is executed in common by the portable information terminal,

the management device'"'"'s receiving an inquiry based on the first identification information which is received by the portable information terminal;

transforming the first identification information into a second identification information which is to be managed by the portable information terminal; and

transmitting the second identification information to the portable information terminal having made the inquiry, and

the portable information terminal'"'"'s executing the application based on the second identification information, wherein when a check-in application as the application is run, and the radio waves received from the electronic tag transmitter reach a predetermined radio wave intensity, the portable information terminal transmits an information on the radio wave intensity to the customer management terminal, and wherein the customer management terminal makes a check-in determination based on the information on the radio wave intensity;

achieves a personal information from the portable information terminal; and

displays the personal information on a screen.

10. A portable information terminal connected via a network to a management device, comprising:

an identification information recognizing unit receiving and recognizing a first identification information which specifies an application that is executed in common by at least one portable information terminal and is broadcast via radio waves by an electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing the first identification information, and

an application execution control unit querying the management device based on the first identification information recognized;

achieving a second identification information, into which the management device transforms the first identification information, and which is transmitted by the management device; and

executing a corresponding application based on the second identification information achieved, wherein when a check-in application as the application is run, and the radio waves received from the electronic tag transmitter reach a predetermined radio wave intensity, the portable information terminal transmits an information on the radio wave intensity to the customer management terminal, and wherein the customer management terminal makes a check-in determination based on the information on the radio wave intensity;

achieves a personal information from the portable information terminal; and

displays the personal information on a screen.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a terminal program, which causes a computer of a portable information terminal connected to via a network to a management device to perform:

a processing of receiving and recognizing a first identification information which specifies an application that is executed in common by at least one portable information terminal and is broadcast via radio waves by an electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing the first identification information, and

a processing of querying the management device based on the first identification information recognized;

receiving a second identification information, into which the management device transforms the first identification information and which is transmitted by the management device; and

executing a corresponding application based on the second identification information received, wherein when a check-in application as the application is run, and the radio waves received from the electronic tag transmitter reach a predetermined radio wave intensity, the portable information terminal transmits an information on the radio wave intensity to the customer management terminal, and wherein the customer management terminal makes a check-in determination based on the information on the radio wave intensity;

achieves a personal information from the portable information terminal; and

displays the personal information on a screen.

12. A location information service method employing an electronic tag in a location information service system provided with at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing a first identification information, and a portable information terminal connected via a network to a management device managing a location information, and configured to receive the first identification information and execute a terminal program based on the first identification information, comprising the steps of:

the management device'"'"'s receiving an inquiry based on the first identification information which is received by the portable information terminal;

transforming the first identification information into a second identification information which is to be managed by the portable information terminal; and

transmitting the second identification information to the portable information terminal having made the inquiry, and

the portable information terminal'"'"'s executing the terminal program based on the second identification information, wherein the portable information terminal measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter to switch between a first screen mode and a second screen mode based on the radio wave intensity.

13. A portable information terminal connected via a network to a management device, comprising:

an identification information recognizing unit receiving and recognizing a first identification information for executing a terminal program from at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing the first identification information, and

a control unit querying the management device based on the first identification information recognized;

achieving a second identification information, into which the management device transforms the first identification information, and which is transmitted by the management device; and

executing the terminal program based on the second identification information achieved, wherein control unit measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter to switch between a first screen mode and a second screen mode based on the radio wave intensity.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a terminal program, which causes a computer of a portable information terminal connected to via a network to a management device to perform:

a processing of receiving and recognizing a first identification information for executing a terminal program from at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing the first identification information,

a processing of querying the management device based on the first identification information recognized;

receiving a second identification information, into which the management device transforms the first identification information, and which is transmitted by the management device; and

executing the terminal program based on the second identification information received, and

a processing of measuring a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter to switch between a first screen mode and a second screen mode based on the radio wave intensity.

15. A location information service system, comprising:

at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing a first identification information, and

at least one portable information terminal configured to;

receive the first identification information, and

execute an application specified by the first identification information, wherein;

the portable information terminal measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter, and executes the application that varies depending on the radio wave intensity,

in the event that there is a plurality of the portable information terminals, the electronic tag transmitter is configured to broadcast the first identification information such that the application executed in common by the plurality of the portable information terminals is specified,

the electronic tag transmitter basically transmits the first identification information at a cycle of n second(s), and

a cycle of m second(s) shifted (n>

m) is randomly inserted to the cycle of n second(s).

16. A location information service system, comprising:

at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing a first identification information; and

at least one portable information terminal configured to;

receive the first identification information, and

execute an application specified by the first identification information, wherein;

the portable information terminal measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter, and executes the application that varies depending on the radio wave intensity,

the electronic tag transmitter encodes the first identification information in at least one encoding pattern, and adds a type of the encoding pattern to the first identification information encoded to transmit the encoded first identification information with the type of the encoding pattern added, and

the electronic tag transmitter basically transmits the first identification information at a cycle of n second(s), and wherein a cycle of m second(s) shifted (n>

m) is randomly inserted to the cycle of n second(s).

17. A location information service system, comprising:

at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing a first identification information, and

at least one portable information terminal configured to;

receive the first identification information, and

execute an application specified by the first identification information, wherein;

the portable information terminal measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter, and executes the application that varies depending on the radio wave intensity,

in the event that there is a plurality of the portable information terminals, the electronic tag transmitter is configured to broadcast the first identification information such that the application executed in common by the plurality of the portable information terminals is specified, and

the electronic tag transmitter encodes the first identification information in at least one encoding pattern, and adds a type of the encoding pattern to the first identification information encoded to transmit the encoded first identification information with the type of the encoding pattern added, and

the electronic tag transmitter basically transmits the first identification information at a cycle of n second(s), and wherein a cycle of m second(s) shifted (n>

m) is randomly inserted to the cycle of n second(s).

18. A location information service system, comprising:

at least one electronic tag transmitter configured to transmit radio waves containing a first identification information,

at least one portable information terminal configured to receive the first identification information and execute an application specified by the first identification information, wherein;

the portable information terminal measures a radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted by the electronic tag transmitter, and executes the application varying depending on the radio wave intensity; and

in the event that there is a plurality of the portable information terminals, the electronic tag transmitter is configured to broadcast the first identification information such that the application which is executed in common by the plurality of the portable information terminals is specified,

a management device, the management device being configured to receive an inquiry based on the first identification information received by the portable information terminal;

transform the first identification information into a second identification information which is to be managed by the portable information terminal; and

transmit the second identification information to the portable information terminal having made the inquiry, wherein;

the portable information terminal is configured to execute the application based on the second identification information, and

a facility management device connected via a network to the portable information terminal, and run and managed by the facility, wherein;

when a routing assistance application is run, and a facility as a destination is set, the portable information terminal achieves an information associated with the facility from the facility management device;

displays on a screen an information associated with the facility corresponding to a current location in line with an advancing direction;

determines a direction to the destination based on a radio wave intensity of the radio waves which are transmitted by a plurality of the electronic tag transmitters; and

displays a routing assistance to the destination on a screen.

19. The location information service system according to claim 18, wherein upon receiving a request for switching the screen, the portable information terminal switches the screen from the routing assistance display mode to an augmented reality display mode.