TWI752621B - Apparatus for distance measurement, safe distance warning method and system thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for distance measurement, a safe distance warning method and a system thereof are provided. The apparatus includes two communication units that can be switched to a specific operating mode. While activating a first communication unit for generating sensing signals, a distance can be calculated according to sensed signals. While activating a second communication unit, the apparatus acts as a communication node in a network. In the safe distance warning method performed in the apparatus for distance measurement, a signal strength is obtained according to the sensed signals and is used to calculate a distance from another apparatus. The distance is compared with a safe distance for determining if a warning signal is generated. A server of the system is able to establish a contact history for each of the apparatuses for distance measurement according to the distances between the apparatus and other apparatuses, the identifiers thereof and times.

Description

Distance measuring device, safe distance warning method and system

The specification discloses a distance measuring device, in particular, a distance measuring device, a safety distance warning method and a system thereof that can be switched as a safety warning device or a communication device mode.

When special infectious diseases are prevalent, in addition to personal epidemic prevention measures, such as wearing masks, frequent hand washing and environmental disinfection, for infectious diseases that may be transmitted through the air or mouth foam, in contact with people It is also necessary to maintain a safe distance in the contact environment.

Among the necessary measures to maintain a safe distance from people, it is often difficult for people to pay attention to whether they have kept a safe distance at any time, and there is no effective solution for maintaining a safe distance in the prior art. When in contact with people or below a safe distance, it also needs to have a warning effect. Moreover, when someone is infected, the follow-up contact history investigation is even more difficult.

In view of the technical requirements of maintaining a safe distance from people, the specification discloses a distance measuring device, a safe distance warning method and a system, which utilizes the signals generated by the distance measuring device that can be worn on the user to calculate the distance to other devices. , The devices within this safe distance will record the contact time of each other, and will also emit vibration and sound to remind the user, so as to achieve the purpose of safe distance warning, and this distance measuring device also has a communication function, and other devices The Internet of Things is formed, and the measured information can be transmitted.

According to an embodiment, the main components of the distance measuring device include a microcontroller, a first communication unit, a second communication unit and a switching unit, the first communication unit sends out sensing signals and receives signals, the second communication unit is used for transmitting data, The switching unit can switch the working mode of the distance measuring device through the microcontroller, including mode 1: activating the first communication unit to generate a sensing signal and positioning the distance measuring device; mode 2: activating the second communication unit, The distance measuring device becomes a communication node in a network; and the third mode: the first communication unit and the second communication unit are activated to simultaneously perform the functions of sensing, positioning and transmitting information. The distance measuring device is provided with a memory unit for storing an identification code of the distance measuring device and recording the sensing and positioning records of the distance measuring device.

The microcontroller executes the safety distance warning method. According to an embodiment, the first communication unit is activated according to the control signal generated by the switching unit, and the sensing signal is generated by the first communication unit, that is, the sensing signal is detected by another distance measurement. The signal generated by the device can obtain a signal strength, and then the distance to another distance measuring device can be calculated according to the signal strength, and then according to the distance, it can be judged whether it is at a position lower than a safe distance from the other distance measuring device.

Further, if the distance is lower than the safe distance, a warning message is issued, which can be generated by a buzzer or a vibration device. Furthermore, when a signal generated by another distance measuring device is sensed, the identification code of the distance measuring device is simultaneously received, and the calculated distance is stored in the memory unit along with it.

Further, when the microcontroller activates the second communication unit according to the control signal generated by the switching unit, the server can be connected through a network (such as the Internet of Things), so that the distances, times and distances stored in the memory unit can be stored. The record formed by the identification code of the measuring device is sent to the server, which establishes a contact history about the distance measuring device.

Preferably, in the distance measuring device, the first communication unit is a first Bluetooth communication circuit or an ultra-wideband communication circuit; the second communication unit has a second Bluetooth communication circuit. The first communication unit sends a sensing signal through the first Bluetooth communication circuit to sense another distance measuring device, or sends a beacon signal through the ultra-wideband communication circuit to locate the distance measuring device; the second communication unit The second bluetooth communication circuit of the device sends out a communication signal for connecting to another distance measuring device.

According to an embodiment of the distance measuring device, a gravity sensor is included to determine whether the distance measuring device is moving, and if it is determined to be in a stationary state, the microcontroller enters a power saving mode of the distance measuring device.

In one embodiment, a system using a plurality of distance measuring devices to establish a mesh network is provided with a server and a plurality of distance measuring devices in the system, and the microcontroller of each distance measuring device executes the safe distance warning method , when the distance measuring device obtains the distance from another distance measuring device, when the distance is lower than a safe distance, a warning message is issued, which can be indicated by buzzing sound and vibration.

In addition, the distance and the identification code of another distance measuring device are stored in the memory unit in the device. When storing multiple distances with multiple distance measuring devices and the identification code of each distance measuring device, it can be provided to the server. Afterwards, the contact history about the distance measuring device is established by the server.

For a further understanding of the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed descriptions and drawings of the present invention. However, the drawings provided are only for reference and description, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

The following are specific embodiments to illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of the present invention. In addition, the drawings of the present invention are merely schematic illustrations, and are not drawn according to the actual size, and are stated in advance. The following embodiments will further describe the related technical contents of the present invention in detail, but the disclosed contents are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

It should be understood that although terms such as "first", "second" and "third" may be used herein to describe various elements or signals, these elements or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are primarily used to distinguish one element from another element, or a signal from another signal. In addition, the term "or", as used herein, should include any one or a combination of more of the associated listed items, as the case may be.

The specification discloses a distance measuring device, a safety distance warning method and a system. The distance measuring device is an electronic device with communication capability, which can be a portable device carried by a user to perform a safety distance warning function; A device installed at a fixed location to perform positioning and function as a network node.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an embodiment of a circuit module of the distance measuring device, wherein the components can be circuit components or functional components implemented with software or firmware.

The distance measuring device is provided with a microcontroller 10 that processes information and operations generated by the components, and components that are electrically connected to the microcontroller 10, such as a first communication unit 103 and a second communication unit 104 that transmit and receive wireless information. The measuring device is provided with a battery pack 105 and several sensors, such as an electromagnetic sensor 106 for detecting changes in nearby electromagnetic signals and a gravity sensor 107 for sensing the movement of the distance measuring device. The distance measuring device is provided with a memory unit 108 implemented in various forms of storage. The memory unit 108 can be used to store the identification code of the distance measuring device and the sensing and positioning records of the distance measuring device for the purpose of distance measurement. .

According to an embodiment, the distance measurement device may include a combination of two communication units, wherein the first communication unit 103 may be a first Bluetooth (Bluetooth™) communication circuit or an Ultra-wideband (Ultra-wideband, UWB) communication circuit. to send out sensing signals and receive signals generated by another device. For example, the sensing signal can sense information from a radio frequency identification tag (Bluetooth™ or UWB), or receive information generated by another electronic device (such as a distance measuring device of the same design). In a positioning application, the first communication unit 103 sends a sensing signal (Bluetooth™) through the first Bluetooth communication circuit to sense surrounding electronic devices, or sends a beacon signal (UWB) through the ultra-wideband communication circuit to use It is used for positioning distance measuring devices.

The second communication unit 104 is a communication circuit with a second Bluetooth communication circuit. The second Bluetooth communication circuit of the second communication unit 104 sends a communication signal to transmit data, and the Bluetooth communication technology can be used to connect to another electronic device , as another distance measuring device with the same configuration. In an embodiment, it can be connected to a network, such as a mesh network formed by a plurality of distance measuring devices or various communication nodes, and an Internet of Things can be deployed in a mesh network, so that the distance measuring device can also Can become a communication node in the network.

It should be mentioned here that the ultra-wideband technology (UWB) used in the first communication unit 103 is a short-range wireless communication technology with low power consumption and high-speed transmission, and is a technology that uses pulses to transmit signals, a common application It is to receive sensor signals, locate and track. The first communication unit 103 adopts a circuit of the Bluetooth communication technology or the ultra-wideband communication technology, and can independently operate one of the working modes of the distance measuring apparatus. The Bluetooth communication circuit used by the first communication unit 103 and the second communication unit 104 may be a low-power Bluetooth low energy circuit (BLE), which can be used to connect adjacent electronic devices, and then connect to a network formed by a plurality of communication nodes. The network can then be connected to a computer device or server through the gateway.

A switch unit 101 is provided in the device, and the switch unit 101 is electrically connected to the microcontroller 10, and forms a control signal according to an electrical signal generated by a switch (such as a three-stage switch), so that the microcontroller 10 switches the distance measurement device. Operating mode. According to an embodiment, mode one 111: the first communication unit 103 is activated by the microcontroller 10 to generate a sensing signal and locate the distance measuring device; mode two 112: the second communication unit 104 is activated to enable the distance measurement The device becomes a communication node in a mesh network (one of the examples may be to establish the Internet of Things based on Bluetooth communication); and Mode 3 113: Activate the first communication unit 103 and the second communication unit 104 to run the sensing simultaneously , positioning, and the ability to transmit information. In another embodiment, a positioning circuit, such as a related circuit of the Global Positioning System (GPS), may be provided in the distance measuring device to generate position information as accompanying information for each piece of sensing information.

In this way, a safe distance warning method can be implemented in the microcontroller of the distance measuring device. In mode one 111, the first communication unit 103 is activated according to the control signal generated by the switching unit 101, and the generated sensing signal can sense the A signal generated by another distance measuring device is detected to obtain a signal strength, such as a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), which allows a program running in the microcontroller 10 to calculate the distance from the other based on the signal strength The distance of the measuring device is determined, and then according to the distance, it is judged whether it is at a position lower than a safe distance from another distance measuring device. Wherein, when the distance is lower than the safety distance preset by the system or set by the user (the setting is stored in the memory unit 108 ), that is, a warning message is issued by the information unit 102 , which can be generated by a buzzer in the form of a vibration device to generate vibration. Beeps or lights are used to express warning messages to remind users to keep a safe distance.

FIG. 2 then describes an embodiment flow of the method operating in the distance measuring device.

After the distance measuring device located in a fixed position or carried by the user (or a specific object) is activated, the user can determine a working mode through various switching methods, wherein the microcontroller receives the switching signal (step S201 ) , and activate the first communication unit in the distance measuring device according to the control signal (step S203 ), generate a beacon signal through the first communication unit (step S205 ), and sense the positioning signal (step S207 ).

The microcontroller of the distance measuring device itself can perform operations, and calculate the distance according to the sensed signal strength (step S209 ). The record of this distance may also include information such as time and location, or include the identification of the sensed object. code, such as the identification code of another distance measuring device (stored in the respective memory unit), the record is stored and transmitted. In one embodiment, the second communication unit can be activated (step S211 ), the communication signal can be generated by the second communication unit (step S213 ), the network can be connected, which can be realized as a communication node (step S215 ), and the information is transmitted (step S215 ). Step S217 ), wherein the sensed related information can be transmitted to another device, such as a server.

According to the above description, it can be seen that the distance measuring device proposed in the disclosure is a multi-functional communication device, which can be set in a fixed position as a positioning tag, can become a node in the network, and can become an electronic device carried by users , used for positioning, sensing and data transmission, etc. In this way, when the distance measuring device senses a signal generated by another distance measuring device through the first communication unit, it also receives the identification code of the other distance measuring device at the same time, so it can be stored along with the calculated distance in the The memory unit in the distance measuring device can store multiple records according to the storage capacity. Afterwards, the microcontroller activates the second communication unit according to the control signal generated by the switching unit, so as to transmit the records formed by the plurality of distances stored in the memory unit and the identification codes of the plurality of distance measuring devices to the server.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for running a safe distance warning by using a distance measuring device.

At the beginning, when the distance measuring device is activated (step S301 ), the gravity sensor in it starts to operate, and the gravity sensor is electrically connected to the microcontroller to determine whether the distance measuring device is moving (step S303 ). , according to the information generated by the gravity sensor, if it is judged to be a static state, that is, the distance measuring device is put into a power saving mode by the microcontroller (step S305 ), wherein the microcontroller also maintains a mode with the lowest power consumption, Allows the device to be in a power saving mode that continuously (or periodically) senses whether the device is moving (changes in gravity information).

If it is determined that the device is moving according to the gravity sensing signal, the sensing signal is started to be generated, and actions such as distance calculation and recording are performed (step S307 ). Wherein, the microcontroller activates the first communication unit through the microcontroller according to the control signal generated by the switching unit in the distance measuring device, the first communication unit generates a sensing signal, and senses the signal generated by another distance measuring device. signal to get the signal strength and calculate the distance between them accordingly.

At the same time, the program in the continuous operation of the microcontroller will determine whether the distance is lower than a set safety distance (step S309 ). At this time, it is judged that the distance is lower than the safe distance (Yes), at this time, the device generates warning information through its information unit (step S311 ), and records the relevant information in the memory unit (step S313 ), and the program returns to step S303 .

In one embodiment, the records of the memory unit stored in the device also include a period of sensing records, including data such as distance, received identification codes of other devices, time, and location. After that, after starting the second After the communication unit, the records formed by multiple distances, times, positions and identification codes of multiple distance measuring devices stored in the memory unit can be transmitted to the server, and the server can establish a contact history about the distance measuring devices .

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of establishing a mesh network system using a distance measuring device, and the figure schematically shows a system for establishing a mesh network by a plurality of distance measuring devices.

The distance measuring device can generate the information of connecting other devices by activating the second communication unit. In this example, the distance measuring device 408 can be connected to the adjacent distance measuring devices 406, 407, and record the contact information, including the sense of touch. The distance, time, location and the identification code of the sensed device (one or any combination) calculated from the measured information also become one of the nodes of the mesh network through the connection relationship, as shown in this example The mesh network 40 has a plurality of communication nodes, including distance measurement devices 406, 407 and communication nodes 402, 403, 404, 405 formed by various devices, and enables the distance measurement device 408 to be connected through the mesh network 40. line to server 401.

According to one of the purposes of the system embodiment proposed in the disclosure, referring to the process shown in FIG. 5 , the server 401 (or a specific platform or device) is used to receive the respective data stored in the memory units of the plurality of distance measuring devices. Records formed by multiple distances, times, positions and identification codes of multiple distance measuring devices (step S501 ), and stored in the database (step S503 ), so that the server 401 can establish contact histories about multiple distance measuring devices (step S505).

According to an implementation purpose, such as the purpose of preventing a large number of infectious diseases, if the server 401 or a specific platform can establish the contact history of each person, the epidemic investigation can be carried out effectively.

To sum up, the distance measuring device disclosed in the specification is a multi-functional communication device, which can operate in several working modes, and can independently become a positioning device (a device that actively generates sensing signals and becomes a passive sensing device). ), a device for sensing surrounding information, a device for recording contact history, and it can operate as a communication node in a network. If it cooperates with the safe distance warning method running in it, it can also become a personal safety protection device, and it can be operated in In the system, it has become the main role in recording the contact history.

The contents disclosed above are only preferred feasible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, any equivalent technical changes made by using the contents of the description and drawings of the present invention are included in the application of the present invention. within the scope of the patent.

10: Microcontroller

101: Switch unit

111: Mode One

112: Mode Two

113: Mode Three

102: Information unit

103: The first communication unit

104: Second communication unit

105: Battery pack

106: Electromagnetic sensor

107: Gravity Sensor

108: Memory Unit

40: Mesh Networking

401: Server

406, 407, 408: Distance measuring devices

402, 403, 404, 405: communication nodes

Steps S201-S217: the operation flow of the distance measuring device

Steps S301-S313: safe distance warning process

Steps S501-S505: the process of establishing personal contact history records

Fig. 1 shows the circuit module embodiment diagram of the distance measuring device;

Figure 2 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method operating in a distance measuring device;

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of using a distance measuring device to run a safe distance warning method;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of establishing a mesh network system using a distance measuring device; and

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of establishing a personal contact history record through a server.

10: Microcontroller

101: Switch unit

111: Mode One

112: Mode Two

113: Mode Three

102: Information unit

103: The first communication unit

104: Second communication unit

105: Battery pack

106: Electromagnetic sensor

107: Gravity Sensor

108: Memory Unit

Claims (8)

A distance measuring device, comprising: a microcontroller; a first communication unit electrically connected to the microcontroller for sending sensing signals and receiving signals; a second communication unit electrically connecting to the microcontroller a switching unit, which is electrically connected to the microcontroller, and switches the working mode of the distance measuring device through the microcontroller, including mode 1: activating the first communication unit to generate sensing signal, or locate the distance measuring device; mode 2: activate the second communication unit to make the distance measurement device a communication node in a network; and mode 3: activate the first communication unit and the second communication unit a communication unit, for simultaneously performing the functions of sensing, positioning and transmitting information; and a memory unit, electrically connected to the microcontroller, for storing an identification code of the distance measuring device, and storing and recording the distance measuring device The recording of the sensing and positioning; wherein the microcontroller executes a safe distance warning method, including: starting the first communication unit according to a control signal generated by the switching unit; the first communication unit generates a sensing signal to sense to a signal generated by another distance measuring device to obtain a signal strength; and calculating a distance from the other distance measuring device according to the signal strength, and judging whether the distance from the other distance measuring device is in the A position below a safe distance. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit is a first Bluetooth communication circuit or an ultra-wideband communication circuit; and the second communication unit has a second Bluetooth communication circuit. The distance measuring device of claim 2, wherein the first communication unit sends a sensing signal through the first Bluetooth communication circuit for sensing another distance measuring device, or sends a signal through the ultra-wideband communication circuit The beacon signal is used to locate the distance measuring device; the second Bluetooth communication circuit of the second communication unit sends out a communication signal for connecting to another distance measuring device. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a gravity sensor electrically connected to the microcontroller for judging whether the distance measuring device is in motion, The microcontroller causes the distance measuring device to enter a power saving mode. The distance measuring device according to claim 1, wherein when sensing the signal generated by the other distance measuring device, the identification code of the other distance measuring device is simultaneously received, along with the calculated The distance is stored in the memory unit. The distance measuring device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the microcontroller activates the second communication unit according to the control signal generated by the switching unit, for multiple distances and distances stored in the memory unit The record formed by the identification code of the measuring device is sent to a server. The distance measuring device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the microcontroller activates the second communication unit according to the control signal generated by the switching unit, so as to be used for the distances, times, positions and distances stored in the memory unit. The records formed by the identification codes of the plurality of distance measuring devices are sent to a server, which establishes a contact history about the distance measuring devices. A system for establishing an Internet of Things network by using a plurality of distance measuring devices, comprising: a server; a plurality of distance measuring devices, wherein each distance measuring device includes a microcontroller, and is electrically connected to the micro-controller A first communication unit of the controller is used for sending out sensing signals or receiving signals, and a second communication unit is used for transmitting data to and a switching unit, the switching unit switches the working mode of the distance measuring device through the microcontroller, including mode one: starting the first communication unit to generate a sensing signal and positioning the distance measuring device; mode 2: activating the second communication unit to make the distance measuring device a communication node in a network; and mode 3: activating the first communication unit and the second communication unit to run sensing, positioning and The function of transmitting information; wherein, the microcontroller of each distance measuring device executes a safe distance warning method, comprising: starting the first communication unit according to a control signal generated by the switching unit; the first communication unit generates a sensing Signal, sense a signal generated by another distance measuring device to obtain a signal strength; calculate a distance from the other distance measuring device according to the signal strength, and determine whether the distance from the other distance measuring device is determined according to the distance The measuring device is at a position lower than a safe distance; and a memory unit is used to store the distance and the identification code of the other distance measuring device, wherein the memory unit stores a plurality of distances and each distance measuring device. The identification code of the distance measuring device; the second communication unit is activated according to the control signal generated by the switching unit, so that the distance measuring device becomes a communication node in the network, and is used for the multiple data stored in the memory unit A record of distance and the identification codes of the distance measuring devices is sent to the server, which establishes a contact history with respect to the distance measuring devices.

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