JP2017174231A - Information processing device and environment management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device enabling a user to add and change an input device easily.SOLUTION: An information processing device of an embodiment comprises: a board; a processor for executing a program; a communication port for rewriting the program; and a connector for detachably attaching an input device. Furthermore, the program is made up of a first sub-program independent of a type of the input device and a second sub-program dependent on the type of the input device, and the second sub-program is rewritable through the communication port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information processing apparatus and an environment management system.

  After a user purchases an information processing device, expert knowledge is required to add or change the input device used by connecting to the information processing device, and it is easy to modify the information processing device to meet the needs of the user It wasn't.

JP 2012-199887 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-92901

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that allows a user to easily add or change an input device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a board, a processor that executes a program, a communication port for rewriting the program, and a connector for detachably attaching the input device. ing. The program includes a first subprogram that does not depend on the type of the input device, and a second subprogram corresponding to the type of the input device, and the second subprogram can be rewritten through the communication port.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input device with which the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment is mounted | worn. It is a figure which shows the structure of the program which the processor with which the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment is mounted | worn executes. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for writing a program from a host computer in the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of the procedure which writes a program from a host computer in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the identification method of the input device in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information transmitted from the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which stored the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment in the can-type housing | casing. It is a figure which shows the state which stored the input device of 1st Embodiment in the housing | casing. It is a figure which shows the state which stored the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment in the can-type housing | casing. It is a figure which shows the 1st usage example of the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd usage example of the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, constituent elements having the same function and configuration are denoted by common reference numerals.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 1 includes a processor 100 mounted on a substrate 10, a USB port 110 and a USB controller 120 for communicating with the host computer 2, a connector 130 for mounting an input device 140, an ADC (Analog Digital Converter) 150, The communication device 160, the position information receiving device 170, a power supply circuit (not shown), and the like.

  The processor 100 is capable of executing a program, and receives external environment information from the input device 140 and position information from the position information receiving device 170 and outputs the information to the outside via the communication device 160 as described later. I do. Further, an ADC may be incorporated.

  The USB port 110 and the USB controller 120 are communication ports for rewriting a program from the host computer 2 such as a personal computer.

  In this embodiment, USB (Universal Serial Bus) is used as a communication method for connecting the information processing apparatus 1 and the host computer 2, but UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter), JTAG (Joint Test Act). Other communication methods such as wireless communication may be used.

  The input device 140 is, for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, an ultraviolet sensor, a gas sensor, a human sensor, or the like, and is mounted on the substrate 10 via a connector 130 having the same shape mounted on the substrate 10. In the present embodiment, the four connectors 130 are attached to the substrate 10, but it may be more or less than this.

  The input device 140 and the processor 100 are connected to each other by a digital communication line 180. The input device 140 and the processor 100 communicate with each other by a digital communication method such as UART, SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), and I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) (registered trademark). Any communication method may be adopted, but the same communication method is adopted for each input device 140, and a different communication method is not adopted for each input device 140.

  Note that a memory (not shown) is mounted between the processor 100 and each input device 140 so that the external environment information from each input device 140 is temporarily stored in the memory, and then the processor 100 acquires the external environment information from the memory. May be. In this case, the communication between the processor 100 and the memory and the communication between the memory and each input device 140 can employ any digital communication method as described above.

  When the processor 100 includes an ADC, external environment information output in analog from each input device 140 is input to the processor 100 through the analog signal line 190 and converted into a digital signal in the processor 100. You can also use it later.

  Each input device 140 outputs an input device identification signal 200, and the input device identification signal 200 is input to the processor 100 via the ADC 150. When the processor 100 includes an ADC, the input device identification signal 200 may be directly input to the processor 100 without passing through the ADC 150 on the board. A method for identifying the input device 140 will be described later.

  In this embodiment, since the input device 140 is attached to the substrate 10 via the connector 130, the user who has purchased the information processing apparatus 1 can freely replace the input device 140. However, if the user does not need to replace the input device 140, the input device 140 may be directly mounted on the substrate 10 without using the connector 130.

  The communication device 160 communicates with the external information processing terminal 3 under the control of the processor 100. The communication between the communication device 160 and the processor 100 can employ any digital communication method as described above, and may be the same communication method as that employed for communication between the input device 140 and the processor 100. Different communication methods may be used.

  The communication between the communication device 160 and the information processing terminal 3 is, for example, communication such as Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. This can be done by a method.

  As with the input device 140, the communication device 160 can also be attached to the substrate 10 via a connector. In this case, a connector having the same shape as the connector 130 for the input device 140 may be used, or a connector having a different shape may be used. Further, a plurality of communication devices 160 may be mounted on the substrate 10 as necessary.

  The position information receiving device 170 is a GPS receiver, for example, and inputs the position information of the information processing device 1 to the processor 100. As for the communication between the position information receiving apparatus 170 and the processor 100, any digital communication system as described above can be adopted, and the same communication system as the communication system employed for the communication between the input device 140 and the processor 100 is used. However, a different communication method may be used.

  If position information is not necessary, position information receiving apparatus 170 may not be provided.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the input device 140 attached to the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The input device 140 includes a sensor 300, a communication interface (IF) control circuit 310, a resistor 320, a power supply circuit (not shown), and the like.

  The sensor 300 is a device for measuring an external environment such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, ultraviolet light, and gas. The communication interface (IF) control circuit 310 is a control circuit for performing communication with the processor 100 by the digital communication method described above. Further, the analog output from the sensor 300 may be output to the analog signal line 190.

  The resistor 320 has an electric resistance that varies depending on the type of the input device 140, and generates an input device identification signal 200 having a different voltage depending on the type of the input device 140 from a constant current input from the power supply circuit.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a program executed by the processor 100 attached to the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The program includes a common control program 400 that performs control regardless of the type of input device, and an input device 1 control program 410 that performs control according to the type of each input device, and an input device 4 control program 440. It is written in a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) mounted on the substrate 10.

  The common control program 400 performs control of the communication device 160, processing of position information input from the position information receiving device 170, identification processing of the input device 140 described later, program rewriting processing described later, interrupt processing, and the like. .

  The input device 1 control program 410 to the input device 4 control program 440 are programs necessary for using different types of input devices 140, and perform, for example, initial setting of the input devices 140. When a new input device 140 is mounted on the board 10, it is necessary to write a control program for the new input device 140 from the host computer 2 through the USB port 110.

  Here, an example of a procedure for writing a program from the host computer 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  A user who wants to use the new input device 140 uses the host computer 2 to write a program corresponding to the type of the input device 140 using a programming language such as C ++ (S100 in FIG. 4). Next, the user converts the created program into a binary file that can be executed by the processor 100 using, for example, a compiler (provided by the vendor of the information processing apparatus 1) that operates on a Web browser (FIG. 4). S110).

  When the information processing apparatus 1 is connected to the host computer 2, the information processing apparatus 1 is recognized as an external device from the host computer 2 by the operation of the common control program 400 (S120 in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). When the user copies the binary file to a predetermined directory, a new program is written in the ROM described above, and the processor 100 can execute the new program (S130 in FIG. 4).

  Next, a method for identifying the input device 140 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the input device identification signal 200 is an analog signal having a different voltage depending on the type of the input device 140. The input device identification signal 200 is converted into a digital signal by an ADC 150 (or an ADC built in the processor 100) mounted on the substrate 10 and input to the processor 100. The processor 100 converts the value of the input device identification signal 200 into the digital signal. Can be recognized.

  A table indicating the correspondence between the input device identification signal 200 and the input device 140 is stored in each of the input device 1 control program 410 to the input device 4 control program 440, and the common control program 400 refers to each table. It is possible to identify what kind of input device 140 is mounted.

  In the above description, the input identification signal 200 having a different voltage depending on the type of the input device 140 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a small authentication IC is attached and the input device identification signal 200 is input to the processor 100 by digital communication. May be.

  Further, when a plurality of communication devices 160 are mounted on the substrate 10, each communication device 160 can be identified by the same mechanism.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 1 is provided with a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, and an ultraviolet sensor as the input device 140. The external environment information from each input device 140 and the position information from the position information receiving device 170 are information processing terminals 3 such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and a laptop computer via the communication device 160 under the control of a program executed by the processor 100. Sent to. Information as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display of the information processing terminal 3, and the user can grasp the environment and position of the place where the information processing apparatus 1 is placed.

  FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C are six views showing a state in which the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is stored in a can-shaped housing.

  FIG. 8 a is a diagram illustrating the shape of the main housing 500 that stores the substrate 10. Four sub-case storage units 510 are formed in the main case, and the connector 130 is exposed at the bottom of each sub-case storage unit 510.

  FIG. 8 b is a diagram illustrating the shape of the sub-housing 520 that stores the input device 140. The shape of the sub housing 520 is a shape that is just stored in the sub housing storage 510 of the main housing 500 described above. A connector 530 that is coupled to the connector 130 mounted on the substrate 10 is provided at the distal end of the sub housing 520. Then, the input device 140 can be mounted on the substrate 10 by fitting the sub housing 520 into the sub housing housing 510.

  Note that a mechanism (for example, an uneven portion) for preventing reverse insertion may be provided in the sub housing storage 510 and the sub housing 520.

  FIG. 8 c is a diagram illustrating the shape of the housing 540 that stores the board 10 on which the input device 140 is directly mounted without using the connector 130. The substrate 10 is stored in a housing 540 provided with a large number of lattice-shaped slits. The lattice-shaped slits allow external air to directly touch the sensor 300 of the input device 140. When a gas sensor is used as the input device 140, accurate measurement is possible.

  For power supply to the substrate stored in the housing, a method in which a wireless power feeding coil is provided in the housing and wireless power feeding is used, a method using a storage battery, a method of connecting to a power outlet, or the like can be employed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first usage example of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 1 stored in a can-type housing is installed in a beverage sales refrigerator 600 such as a convenience store. By receiving the external environment information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 at the information processing terminal 3 installed in the store, the store manager can monitor the environment of the refrigerator 600.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second usage example of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 1 is installed in each area of a vast distribution warehouse 700. By receiving the external environment information and the position information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 by the information processing terminal 3, it becomes possible to monitor the environment for each area.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the first embodiment described above, the input device is detachably attached to the board via the connector, the communication method between the input device and the processor is unified, and the type of the input device depends on the type. Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that allows a user to easily add or change an input device.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 2 ... Host computer, 3 ... Information processing terminal, 10 ... Board, 100 ... Processor, 110 ... USB port, 120 ... USB controller, 130 ... Connector, 140 ... Input device, 150 ... ADC, 160 ... Communication device 170 ... Position information receiving device 180 ... Digital communication line 190 ... Analog signal line 200 ... Input device identification signal 300 ... Sensor 310 ... Communication interface control circuit 320 ... Resistance 400 ... Common control program 410 ... Input device 1 control program, 420 ... Input device 2 control program, 430 ... Input device 3 control program, 440 ... Input device 4 control program, 500 ... Main housing, 510 ... Sub housing storage, 520 ... Sub housing Body, 530 ... Sub-housing side connector, 540 ... Second housing, 600 ... Refrigerated , 700 ... logistics warehouse

Claims (10)

A substrate,
A processor mounted on the substrate and capable of executing a program;
A communication port mounted on the substrate for rewriting the program from the outside of the substrate by a first communication method;
Mounted on the substrate,
A first connector for detachably mounting an input device that inputs an input device identification signal to the processor and inputs external environment information to the processor by a second communication method;
Comprising
The program consists of a first subprogram that does not depend on the type of the input device and a second subprogram corresponding to the type of the input device,
The information processing apparatus in which the second subprogram is rewritable through the communication port. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input device identification signal has a different voltage depending on a type of the input device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication apparatus that is mounted on the substrate and receives an output command from the processor by a third communication method and performs communication with the outside. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a second connector for detachably mounting the communication apparatus is further mounted on the substrate. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the communication apparatus further inputs a communication apparatus identification signal having a different voltage according to a type of the communication apparatus to the processor. The first connector and the second connector have the same shape,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second communication method and the third communication method are the same communication method. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a position information receiving apparatus that is mounted on the substrate and inputs position information to the processor by a fourth communication method. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one of the input devices is at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, an ultraviolet sensor, and a gas sensor. An information processing apparatus according to claim 8;
An information processing terminal for processing an external communication signal from the communication device;
An environmental management system comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the substrate is stored in a can-type housing.

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