(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0217070 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Nov. 20, 2003
`Gotoh et al.
`
`US 2003O21707OA1
`
`(54) POSITIONAL INFORMATION
`MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, POSITIONAL
`INFORMATION MANAGEMENT METHOD,
`RECORDING MEDIUM, AND MOBILE
`TERMINAL
`(76) Inventors: Hideo Gotoh, Kanagawa (JP); Takashi
`Masuya, Kanagawa (JP); Shigeo Iwata,
`Kanagawa (JP)
`Correspondence Address:
`OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER &
`NEUSTADT, P.C.
`1940 DUKE STREET
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/411,210
`(22) Filed:
`Apr. 11, 2003
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Apr. 15, 2002 (JP)...................................... 2002-112.361
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ..................................................... G06F 17/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 707/102
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A worker transferS GPS Signals to a communication System
`at each node of traveling using a cellular phone terminal, and
`the communication System specifies the position of the
`cellular phone terminal and notifies positional information to
`a management System. When the cellular phone terminal
`cannot receive GPS Signals or is outside a range accessible
`to the communication System, it starts recording acceleration
`data using an accelerometer. When a communicable State is
`recovered, the cellular phone terminal Sends GPS Signals
`and the recorded acceleration data to the communication
`System. A management computer determines whether the
`position notified by the communication System is an
`intended node. If the notified position is not an intended
`node, the management computer derives the position of the
`intended node using the acceleration data, and predicts the
`travel route based on the node position.
`
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`2O
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`21 Management System
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`Management Computer
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`Communication
`rit
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`Positional Data
`Storage Unit
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`S-9
`S 9
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`Acceleration
`Data Storage
`Urit
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`Motion Patter
`Data Storage
`Unit
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`Cellular Phone Terminal
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`11
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`GPS Signal
`Reception Unit
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`Acceleron
`eter
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`Acceleration
`Data Storage
`Unit
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`IPR2020-01192
`Apple EX1005 Page 1
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 1 of 7
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
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`FIG.1
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 2 of 7
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
`
`FIG.2
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`Positional Data Storage Unit
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`22
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`Terminal Identifier
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`Notification Reception Time
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`Position
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 3 of 7
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
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`FIG.3
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`Acceleration Data Storage Unit
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`23
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`Terminal Identifier
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`Measurement Start Time
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`Measurement End Time
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`Acceleration Log
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`230
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`Apple EX1005 Page 4
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 4 of 7
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
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`FIG.4
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`Motion Pattern Data Storage Unit
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`24
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`Transportation Identifier
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`Acceleration Pattern
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`240
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`s
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`Velocity Pattern
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 5 of 7
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
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`FIG.5
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`Notification Process
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`Detect Communication Condition
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`S11
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`S12
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`GPS Signals Are
`Receivable? and Within
`Accessible Range?
`
`YES
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`Transfer GPS
`Signals
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`S13
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`Record
`Acceleration Data
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`Start Recording Acceleration
`Data
`
`GPS Signals Are
`Receivable? and Within
`Accessible Range?
`
`
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`YES
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`Transfer GPS Signals
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`Send Recorded Acceleration
`Data
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 6 of 7
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
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`FIG.6
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`Route Prediction Process
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`Extract Positional Data For
`Two Positions Recorded
`Adjacently Time-wise
`
`S21
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`Two Positions
`Are Both Nodes?
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`S22
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`YES
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`Calculate Travel Distance
`Based On Acceleration Data
`
`Specify Means. Of Transportation
`Based On Average Travel Velocity
`
`S23
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`Predict Node Position Based On
`Calculated Travel Distance and
`Position. At Time Of Notification
`
`
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`Specify Means Of Transportation
`Based On Motion Pattern,etc.
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`Specify and Output Travel Route
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`S27
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`Patent Application Publication Nov. 20, 2003 Sheet 7 of 7
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
`
`FIG.7
`
`Notification Cycle Calculation
`Process
`
`
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`Calculate Average Velocity
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`Determine Notification Cycle Based On
`Calculated Average Velocity
`Notification Cycle-f(Average
`Velocity)
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`Elapsing Time X
`Notification Cycle?
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`Send Notification While Moving
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`S34
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
`
`Nov. 20, 2003
`
`POSITIONAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
`SYSTEM, POSITIONAL INFORMATION
`MANAGEMENT METHOD, RECORDING
`MEDIUM, AND MOBILE TERMINAL
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0001) 1. Field of the Invention
`0002 The present invention relates to a positional infor
`mation management System and a positional information
`management method for use in managing positional infor
`mation of a worker who moves from place to place toward
`the Visiting destination where he/she has tasks to do, and a
`recording medium and a mobile terminal therefor.
`0003 2. Description of the Related Art
`0004.
`In many cases, a worker who goes out from his/her
`office to perform his/her job writes a daily report in which
`the contents of works he/she has done at the visiting place
`are put down. In Some cases, the location of the Visiting
`place and how to travel are also included in this daily report,
`So that transportation costs may be paid back to the worker
`based on the reported information. For this purpose, the
`worker has to report to the company the means of transpor
`tation he/she utilized and the Stations he/she got on/off the
`transportation.
`0005 For this need, the worker may utilize a positional
`information providing Service offered by a communication
`Service company, by using his/her cellular phone, etc. Spe
`cifically, the worker regularly sends his/her current position
`to the company's management System on this positional
`information providing Service. Then, the worker Specifies
`the route he/she took including the utilized means of trans
`portation and the Stations to get on/off the transportation
`based on the positional information Sent to the System, and
`generates the daily report based on the Specified informa
`tion. By utilizing Such a positional information providing
`Service, the worker can avoid the botherSome labor of
`recording the Stations and transportation.
`0006 There is no doubt that the worker can accurately
`Specify the route he/she took if he/she records the positional
`information in detail. However, in the case where the worker
`Sends the positional information acquired by the positional
`information providing Service to his/her company's man
`agement System through the positional information provid
`ing Service, charges are required for the Services done and
`data communication. Therefore, there is a problem that the
`more detailed the positional information gets, the more
`expensive the charges become.
`0007 Furthermore, in some cases, the positional infor
`mation providing Service can not be accessed from indoor
`environments Such as inside the Subways and buildings
`where communication condition is poor. In these cases, the
`positional information can not be properly recorded and the
`route the worker took can not be accurately traced.
`0008. The present invention was made to solve the
`above-described problems, and an object of the present
`invention is to provide a positional information management
`System, a positional information management method, and a
`mobile terminal which are capable of efficiently managing
`positional information of a worker who moves from place to
`place toward the Visiting destination where he/she has tasks
`to do.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0009. To achieve the above object, a positional informa
`tion management System according to a first aspect of the
`present invention is a positional information management
`System comprising: a mobile terminal which acquires accel
`eration data at a predetermined position; a management
`Server which is connected to the mobile terminal through a
`network and predicts a travel route of the mobile terminal;
`and a communication System which Specifies a current
`position of the mobile terminal and Sends positional data
`representing the Specified current position to the manage
`ment Server,
`0010 wherein the management server:
`0.011) is connected to a positional data storage unit
`which Stores positional data representing that the
`mobile terminal is at a predetermined position,
`which is Sent from the communication System in
`asSociation with a reception time at which the
`positional data is received, and to an acceleration
`data Storage unit which Stores an acceleration log
`representing acceleration data in time Series,
`which is sent from the mobile terminal in asso
`ciation with a reception time at which the accel
`eration log is received;
`0012 selects positional data for two positions
`which are recorded adjacently time-wise in the
`positional data Storage unit, and which are
`included in a travel route which is a target of
`prediction,
`0013 extracts an acceleration log whose recep
`tion time corresponds to a reception time of any of
`the Selected positional data; and
`0.014) predicts a travel route of the mobile termi
`nal based on the Selected positional data and the
`extracted acceleration log.
`0015 The management server may further be connected
`to a motion pattern data Storage unit which Stores a Velocity
`pattern and an acceleration pattern for each means of trans
`portation, and may specify means of transportation used for
`traveling between the two positions, by deriving an average
`travel velocity between the two positions based on the
`Selected positional data and their reception times and then
`comparing the average travel Velocity with the Velocity
`pattern Stored in the motion pattern data Storage unit, or by
`comparing the extracted acceleration log with the accelera
`tion pattern Stored in the motion pattern data Storage unit.
`0016 To achieve the above object, a positional informa
`tion management method according to a Second aspect of the
`present invention is a positional information management
`method for predicting a travel route from a notification point
`at which a mobile terminal should notify that it is at the
`point, based on positional data representing a current posi
`tion of the mobile terminal which acquires acceleration data
`at a predetermined position, and an acceleration log repre
`Senting acceleration data in time Series acquired by the
`mobile terminal, the positional data and the acceleration log
`being notified through a predetermined network, the method
`comprising:
`0017 a step of storing positional data and an accel
`eration log in association with times at which they
`are notified;
`
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
`
`Nov. 20, 2003
`
`0018 a step of selecting positional data for two
`positions which are recorded adjacently time-wise,
`and which are included in a travel route which is a
`target of prediction;
`0019 a step of extracting an acceleration log corre
`sponding to any of the Selected positional data; and
`0020 a step of predicting a travel route based on the
`Selected positional data and the extracted accelera
`tion log.
`0021 According to this method, it is possible to predict
`a travel route by complementing the positional data with the
`acceleration log, even in a case where Stored positional data
`does not represent a notification point at which the mobile
`terminal should notify that it is at the point.
`0022. The positional information management method
`may further comprise a step of Storing map data representing
`predetermined means of transportation, and places to get on
`and off the means of transportation, the notification point
`may include the places to get on and off the means of
`transportation, and the Step of predicting the travel route
`may include Specifying means of transportation which
`includes the notification point in its running course, by using
`the map data.
`0023. Because of these features, it is possible to specify
`the Station, etc. and the means of transportation used for
`traveling.
`0024. The step of predicting the travel route may include
`a step of specifying the notification point based on the
`extracted acceleration log corresponding to the Selected
`positional data and the Selected positional data, in a case
`where any of the Selected positional data is not positional
`data representing the notification point, and a step of pre
`dicting the travel route based on positional data representing
`the notification point or based on the extracted acceleration
`log.
`0.025 According to this method, there might be places
`where positional information can not be acquired or posi
`tional information can not be sent to the management System
`due to the communication condition. In this case, the posi
`tion recorded in the positional data Storage means differs
`from the notification point at which the mobile terminal
`should notify its presence. In this case too, a travel route can
`be predicted because the position of the notification point is
`Specified based on the acceleration log and the positional
`data. The Step of Specifying the notification point may
`Specify the notification point by:
`0026 deriving a travel distance based on the
`extracted acceleration log; and
`0027 searching for the notification point that exists
`within a radius of the derived travel distance from
`the position represented by the Selected positional
`data from the map data.
`0028. According to this method, even in a case where
`positional information can not be sent to the management
`System or in other Such cases, the notification point at which
`the mobile terminal should notify its presence can be pre
`dicted.
`0029. The positional data management method may fur
`ther comprise a step of Storing a Velocity pattern for each
`
`predetermined means of transportation, and the Step of
`predicting the travel route may specify means of transpor
`tation by calculating an average travel Velocity between the
`two positions based on the Selected positional data and the
`times at which the positional data are notified, and by
`comparing the average travel Velocity with the Velocity
`pattern.
`0030. According to this method, a travel route can be
`predicted more accurately, Since different means of trans
`portation have different Velocity patterns.
`0031. The positional information management method
`may further comprise a step of Storing an acceleration
`pattern for each predetermined means of transportation, and
`the Step of predicting the travel route may specify means of
`transportation by comparing the extracted acceleration log
`with the acceleration pattern.
`0032. According to this method, a travel route can be
`predicted more accurately, Since different means of trans
`portation have different acceleration patterns.
`0033) A program for controlling a computer to execute all
`or a part of the above-described Steps can be provided by
`recording the program in a computer-readable recording
`medium, or by carrying the program on a carrier wave which
`can be run on a computer.
`0034) To achieve the above object, a mobile terminal
`according to a third aspect of the present invention is a
`mobile terminal which comprises: an acceleration measur
`ing unit which Senses an acceleration and measures an
`acceleration log; a positional information acquiring unit
`which acquires predetermined positional information; a con
`trol unit which controls the acceleration measuring unit and
`the positional information acquiring unit; and a Storage unit
`which Stores predetermined data, and which sends predeter
`mined information to a management System for managing
`the positional information,
`0035) wherein the control unit:
`0.036
`determines whether or not data for speci
`fying a position of the mobile terminal can be
`acquired by the positional information acquiring
`unit;
`0037 stores an acceleration log measured by the
`acceleration measuring unit in the Storage unit, in
`a case where the positional information can not be
`acquired; and
`0.038 sends data regarding the position of the
`mobile terminal acquired by the positional infor
`mation acquiring unit and the acceleration log
`Stored in the Storage unit to the management
`System, in a case where acquisition of the posi
`tional information becomes possible.
`0039. According to this structure, the management sys
`tem can manage the positional information of the mobile
`terminal Speedily.
`0040. The control unit may further derive a time cycle as
`a function of an acceleration measured by the acceleration
`measuring unit, and Send data regarding the position of the
`mobile terminal to the management System in accordance
`with the time cycle.
`
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
`
`Nov. 20, 2003
`
`0041. With these features, data regarding the position of
`the mobile terminal can be sent to the management System
`efficiently, in accordance with the travel condition of the
`mobile terminal.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0042. These objects and other objects and advantages of
`the present invention will become more apparent upon
`reading of the following detailed description and the accom
`panying drawings in which:
`0.043
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system
`according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`0044 FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing data
`Stored in a positional data Storage unit;
`004.5
`FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing data
`Stored in an acceleration data Storage unit;
`0.046
`FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing data
`Stored in a motion pattern data Storage unit;
`0047 FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of a process
`flow according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`0.048
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another part of the
`process flow according to one embodiment of the present
`invention; and
`0049 FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process flow
`according to another embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`0050. In the present embodiment, there will be explained
`a positional information management System, a positional
`information management method, a recording medium, and
`a mobile terminal which are to be used in order to manage
`business trips of a worker who moves from place to place
`toward a plurality of Visiting destinations where the worker
`has tasks to perform. In the present embodiment, the worker
`is Supposed to visit a plurality of business partners places by
`utilizing various means of transportation, while reporting
`positional information to his/her company. The positional
`information is used when a daily report in which how to
`travel from one business partner's place to another is put
`down is to be generated. Payback of the transportation costs,
`etc. will be done based on this daily report.
`0051. In the present embodiment, a cellular phone termi
`nal 10 as a mobile terminal shown in FIG. 1 is offered to the
`worker. The worker Visits the business partners places, etc.
`carrying the cellular phone terminal 10. A terminal identifier
`for identifying each terminal is assigned to the cellular
`phone terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the cellular phone
`terminal 10 comprises a GPS signal reception unit 12, an
`accelerometer 13, an acceleration data Storage unit 14, and
`a control unit 11 for controlling these units. Further, the
`cellular phone terminal 10 has a notification button (not
`shown) for performing a later-described notification process.
`0.052 The control unit 11 controls the GPS signal recep
`tion unit 12 and the accelerometer 13, and has a function for
`performing wireleSS communication with a later-described
`communication system 30. The cellular phone terminal 10
`further has a terminal function for transferring GPS signals
`received by the GPS signal reception unit 12 to the later
`
`described communication system 30 for enabling utilization
`of a positional information providing Service offered by the
`communication System 30, in order to specify its position.
`The control unit 11 has a function as a clock for indicating
`the current time.
`0053. The GPS signal reception unit 12 receives a radio
`wave (a GPS signal) from a predetermined GPS (Global
`Positioning System) satellite. The accelerometer 13 mea
`Sures the acceleration applied to the cellular phone terminal
`10. The acceleration data Storage unit 14 Stores data on the
`acceleration applied to the cellular phone terminal 10 in time
`SCCS.
`0054 The communication system 30 is a system includ
`ing a wireleSS base Station for Sending and receiving prede
`termined information to and from the cellular phone termi
`nal 10. The communication system 30 specifies the position
`of the cellular phone terminal 10 based on GPS signals sent
`from the cellular phone terminal 10, and relayS communi
`cations between a management System 20 and the cellular
`phone terminal 10. The communication system 30 is con
`nected to the management System 20 via a network N. A
`cellular phone net is used as the network N in this embodi
`ment.
`0055 According to the present embodiment, the commu
`nication system 30 specifies the position of the cellular
`phone terminal 10 by using GPS signals. Specifically, the
`cellular phone terminal 10 transmits GPS signals received
`from a plurality of GPS satellites to the communication
`system 30. The communication system 30 specifies the
`position of the cellular phone terminal 10 using the GPS
`signals from the plurality of GPS satellites transmitted from
`the cellular phone terminal 10 in accordance with, for
`example, triangulation. However, the GPS Signals to be used
`are not limited to signals from three GPS satellites that are
`necessary for triangulation, but an arbitrary number of GPS
`Signals can be used.
`0056. The management system 20 is a computer system
`for managing the positional information of the -worker. The
`management System 20 performs various processes while
`eXchanging predetermined information with the cellular
`phone terminal 10 via the communication system 30. The
`management System 20 Stores positional information Sent
`thereto and specifies the travel route the worker took. The
`management System 20 includes a management computer
`21, as shown in FIG. 1.
`0057 The management computer 21 includes control
`means (CPU), storage means (a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk,
`etc.), input/output means, and data Sending/receiving means
`(all of which are not illustrated). The management computer
`21 executes a positional information management program
`for performing later-described Steps for positional informa
`tion management (a step of extracting positional data of two
`positions, a step of extracting acceleration logs, a step of
`predicting a travel route, etc.).
`0058. This program is recorded on an arbitrary computer
`readable recording medium Such as a flexible disk, a CD
`ROM, etc. to be served for use. Or, this program may be
`transmitted on a carrier wave which can be run on a
`computer, So that the program may be used. Thereby, the
`management computer 21 functions as means for extracting
`positional data of two positions, means for extracting accel
`eration logs, means for predicting a travel route, etc.
`
`IPR2020-01192
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`US 2003/0217070 A1
`
`Nov. 20, 2003
`
`0059 A positional data storage unit 22, an acceleration
`data Storage unit 23, and a motion pattern data Storage unit
`24 are connected to the management computer 21.
`0060. As shown in FIG. 2, the positional data storage
`unit 22 Stores positional data 220 regarding the position of
`the cellular phone terminal 10. The positional data 220 is
`recorded when notification of positional information is
`received from the cellular phone terminal 10. In the present
`embodiment, the positional data 220 is generated for each
`notification reception, and includes data on a terminal iden
`tifier, a notification reception time, and a position.
`0061
`Data regarding an identifier assigned to the cellular
`phone terminal 10 for specifying the worker who has sent
`the positional information is recorded in the data area for
`terminal identifier. In the present embodiment, the phone
`number of the cellular phone terminal 10 is used as the
`terminal identifier.
`0.062
`Data regarding the time at which notification of the
`positional information is received from the cellular phone
`terminal 10 is recorded in the data area for notification
`reception time.
`0.063
`Data regarding the position of the worker at the
`time of notification is recorded in the data area for position.
`The data regarding the position of the worker is positional
`data obtained based on GPS signals which are received by
`the communication system 30 from the cellular phone
`terminal 10. In the present embodiment, longitude/latitude
`data is used as the positional data.
`0064. As shown in FIG. 3, the acceleration data storage
`unit 23 Stores acceleration data 230 regarding logs of
`accelerations applied to the cellular phone terminal 10 of the
`worker. The acceleration data 230 is recorded when accel
`eration data is received from the cellular phone terminal 10.
`In the present embodiment, the acceleration data 230 is
`Structured to include data regarding a measurement Start
`time, a measurement end time, and an acceleration log in
`asSociation with the terminal identifier.
`0065 Data regarding an identifier assigned to the cellular
`pone terminal 10 which has sent the acceleration data is
`recorded in the data area for terminal identifier.
`0.066
`Data regarding the time at which the cellular phone
`terminal 10 Starts measuring the acceleration is recorded in
`the data area for measurement start time. In the present
`embodiment, the cellular phone terminal 10 Starts measuring
`the acceleration in a case where the cellular phone terminal
`10 can not receive GPS signals when the worker tries to
`perform the proceSS for notifying the positional information,
`or in a case where the cellular phone terminal 10 can not
`communicate with the communication System 30.
`0067. Data regarding the time at which the cellular phone
`terminal 10 of the worker finishes measuring the accelera
`tion is recorded in the data area for measurement end time.
`In the present embodiment, the cellular phone terminal 10
`finishes measuring the acceleration in a case where the
`cellular phone terminal 10 becomes able to receive GPS
`Signals, and communication with the communication System
`30 is recovered.
`0068 Data regarding the acceleration log received from
`the cellular phone terminal 10 is recorded in the data area for
`
`acceleration log. This acceleration log includes changes in
`the acceleration from the measurement Start time to the
`measurement end time.
`0069. As shown in FIG. 4, the motion pattern data
`Storage unit 24 pre-stores motion pattern data 240 for
`Specifying the means of transportation utilized by the
`worker. The motion pattern data 240 indicates the charac
`teristics of the motion pattern of each means of transporta
`tion. In the present embodiment, the motion pattern data 240
`is Structured to include data regarding a transportation
`identifier, an acceleration pattern, and a Velocity pattern for
`each kind of transportation.
`0070 Data regarding an identifier for specifying means
`of transportation is Stored in the data area for transportation
`identifier. The means of transportation includes travel means
`Such as train, bus, airplane, etc.
`0071
`Data regarding an acceleration pattern of each
`means of transportation is Stored in the data area for accel
`eration pattern. The acceleration pattern is represented by,
`for example, an acceleration time, etc. The acceleration time
`of a train is set longer than that of a bus.
`0072 Data regarding a velocity pattern of each means of
`transportation is Stored in the data area for Velocity pattern.
`The Velocity pattern is represented by, for example, an
`average Velocity, a Velocity range, a running time interval,
`etc. For example, the Velocity range of a train is Set wider
`than that of a bus. Further, Since a bus may stop at a traffic
`light, the running time interval of a train is set longer than
`that of a bus.
`0073. The management system 20 has map data storage
`means (not shown) for Storing map data indicative of
`predetermined nodes (stations, bus stops, etc.) and each
`means of transportation. The management computer 21 of
`the management System 20 Searches out a corresponding
`node based on predetermined positional data and/or an
`acceleration log received from the cellular phone terminal
`10, and extracts the name of a possible means of transpor
`tation.
`0074 The processes for managing the positional infor
`mation of the worker with the use of the system structured
`as described above, will now be explained. Explanation will
`be made for a notification proceSS and for a route prediction
`process Separately.
`0075 (Notification Process)
`0076 First, a notification process will be explained with
`reference to FIG. 5. This process is executed by the control
`unit 11 of the cellular phone terminal 10 in a case where the
`worker pushes the notification button Set on the cellular
`phone terminal 10.
`0077. While on duty outside, the worker pushes the
`notification button at each point (hereinafter referred to as
`“node') at which the worker should notify that he/she is at
`the point. A node means a marking point in the travel course,
`and includes a place Such as a Station, etc. at which the
`worker uses a transportation Service. The node includes the
`position of a departure Station, the position of an arrival
`Station, the position of a bus Stop from which the worker gets
`on a bus, the position of a business partner's place, etc.
`0078. When the notification button is pushed by the
`worker, the cellular phone terminal 10 detects a communi
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`cation condition (step S11). This communication condition
`includes a condition for receiving GPS Signals and a con
`dition for communicating with the communication System
`30. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether or
`not the GPS signal reception unit 12 has received GPS
`Signals, and whether or not the cellular phone terminal 10 is
`within a range accessible to the communication System 30.
`0079. In a case where GPS signals are receivable and the
`cellular phone terminal 10 is within a range accessible to the
`communication system 30 (step S12; Yes), the control unit
`11 transfers the GPS signals received by the GPS signal
`reception unit 12 to the communication System 30 (Step
`S13). Data regarding the terminal identifier is affixed to the
`GPS signals to be transferred.
`0080. The communication system 30 specifies the posi
`tion of the cellular phone terminal 10 based on the received
`GPS Signals, generates data (positional data) regarding the
`Specified position. Then, the communication System 30
`Sends notification data including the generated positional
`data and the terminal identifier to the management computer
`21 of the management system 20 through the network N.
`The management computer 21 which has received the
`notification data adds a notification reception time thereto,
`and Stores the terminal identifier and the positional data in
`the positional data Storage unit 22.
`0081. On the contrary, in a case where the cellular phone
`terminal 10 can not receive GPS signals, or in a case where
`the cellular phone is outside the range accessible to the
`communication system 30 (step S12; No), the cellular phone
`terminal 10 measures the acceleration by the accelerometer
`13, and Starts recording data on the measured acceleration
`(step S14). Specifically, first, the control unit 11 obtains the
`current time by the built-in clock, and records the obtained
`current time as a measurement Start time in the acceleration
`data Storage unit 14. Next, the control unit 11 Starts record
`ing data (acceleration log) on the acceleration measured by
`the accelerometer 13 in the acceleration data Storage unit 14.
`0082 The control unit 11 continues to monitor the recep
`tion conditi