JP2003123177A - Information processor, sensor network system, information processing program, and computer-readable recording medium with information processing program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make efficiently transmittable information according to the character of detected data obtained with a sensor. SOLUTION: The information processor in a sensor network system including a plurality of sensors and the information processor for colleting the detected data in each sensor and transmitting the detected data to an external device via communication lines, selects one of the plurality of communication lines (S2) according to the character of the detected data collected from each sensor and transmits the detected data to the external device (S5) by using the selected communication line.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a plurality of sensors,
A sensor network system including an information processing device that collects detection data of each sensor, an information processing device in the sensor network system, an information processing program,
And a computer-readable recording medium recording an information processing program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Vehicle theft monitoring in our living space,
There are many various sensors installed for various purposes such as indoor intrusion monitoring and fire monitoring. These sensors usually form a sensor network for each purpose of installation. We can achieve the intended purpose based on the information from each sensor network.

With the recent progress of information communication technology, it has also been proposed to transmit information obtained by such a sensor network to a remote external device via various communication means. By transmitting such information, it becomes possible to remotely manage various phenomena detection and information processing.

When the sensor acquisition information is transmitted from such a sensor network to an external device such as a computer or a server, it is appropriate to use a wired or wireless telephone communication network, a local area network, or a communication line such as the Internet. The amount of information will be transmitted.

[0005]

However, such a communication line has advantages and disadvantages in characteristics such as communication cost. Therefore, if a fixed communication line is adopted, it becomes difficult to efficiently transmit the sensor acquisition information (detection data) from the sensor network having a high sensor integration degree.

[0006] In addition, information transmission through a communication line carries a risk of unauthorized interception by a third party and alteration of transmitted data.
The information acquired by the sensor includes particularly confidential information and information related to the privacy of individuals, and information that should avoid such risks as much as possible is included. , It is not possible to perform accurate risk avoidance.

Furthermore, the number of sensors forming each sensor network tends to increase dramatically with the recent advancement of the acquired information, downsizing of sensors / cost reduction, and the like. The number of sensors forming a typical sensor network is still several tens to several hundreds, and in the future, a sensor network composed of several thousands to several hundred millions of sensors will be proposed. . Along with this, the types and data sizes of the sensor acquisition information transmitted from these sensors also tend to increase.

However, not all the information acquired by each sensor is necessary for the external device of the transmission destination. The sensor-acquired information includes extremely urgent information such as an emergency call, but sometimes only a part of the information continuously acquired by the sensor is important. Therefore, if the acquired information from the sensor is sequentially transmitted from the sensor network, the communication load becomes too heavy, and the information transmission efficiency and the information utilization efficiency on the external device side become extremely poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is an information processing apparatus, a sensor network system, and an information processing apparatus for efficiently transmitting information according to the characteristics of detection data acquired by a sensor. It is to provide a computer-readable recording medium that records a processing program and an information processing program.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention collects a plurality of sensors and detection data from each sensor, and transmits them via a communication line to an external device. An information processing device in a sensor network system including an information processing device for transmitting the detection data to a device, wherein one is selected from a plurality of the communication lines according to characteristics of the detection data collected from each sensor. And a transmitter for transmitting the detection data to the external device by using the communication line selection unit and the communication line selected by the communication line selection unit.

In the above configuration, the configuration and type of the sensor are not particularly limited, and include any device capable of detecting the environmental condition and outputting the detection result as a signal. For example, as a sensor for detecting a human body or the like, a photoelectric sensor, a beam sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor or the like, a sensor for detecting movement or destruction of an object, a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor or the like as a sensor for detecting sound ,
There are various types such as microphones, sound sensors, and acoustic sensors.

Further, the above-mentioned sensor may include an active sensor. The active sensor is, for example, a video camera, which has a direction switching function for switching the shooting direction in addition to the detection unit and can be operated by a control signal from the outside.

According to the above configuration, various detection data detected / acquired by the plurality of sensors are collected together by the information processing device which constructs the sensor network. After that, the communication line selection unit selects one optimum communication line from a plurality of prepared communication lines according to the characteristics of the detection data. In selecting the communication line, the communication line selection unit may appropriately refer to information about the communication line registered in a database or the like inside or outside the information processing apparatus.
After that, the transmission unit transmits the detection data to the external device through the communication line thus selected.

As a result, for example, when the frequency of detection data to be transmitted is high and it is necessary to transmit the detection data frequently / real time, the communication line selection unit
It is possible to select a communication line having a high communication speed or select a communication line with an economical communication cost per communication count.

As a result, efficient information transmission such as reduction of communication cost burden and improvement of information transmission efficiency can be realized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the configuration of the first aspect, the communication line selection unit has the urgency information of the detection data as a characteristic of the detection data. It is characterized by using.

In the above configuration, the urgency information of the detection data is information indicating how much time and priority the corresponding detection data should be transmitted to the external device.
For example, according to the type of sensor and the nature of the detection data, the urgency levels A, B, C, ...
Refers to information such as urgency level 1, 2, 3 ... For example, detection data relating to fire information detected by a fire detection sensor is generally given a high degree of urgency.

According to the above configuration, the communication line selecting section can select an optimum communication line in consideration of the emergency level information. For example, for information with a high degree of urgency, it is possible to select a communication line that has good responsiveness and has a high communication speed, regardless of whether the communication cost is high or low.

As a result, in addition to the effects of the first aspect, it is possible to select an appropriate communication line according to the urgency information of the detection data and to transmit the data to the external device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, the communication line selection unit sets the data of the detection data as a characteristic of the detection data. It is characterized by using size.

According to the above configuration, the communication line selection unit takes into consideration the data size of the detection data,
The optimum communication line can be selected. For example, when it becomes necessary to transmit detection data having a large data size, it is possible to select a communication line having a high communication speed or a communication line having an economical communication cost per data amount.

As a result, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, it is possible to perform appropriate and economical data transmission according to the data size of the detection data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention has the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the communication line selection unit has the characteristics of the detection data. The feature is that confidentiality information of the detection data is used.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the confidentiality information of the detection data is information indicating the necessity of keeping the relevant detection data confidential from a third party. For example, detection data relating to personal privacy, such as detection data indicating the operating status of a safe and the entry / exit status of an important section, and highly confidential detection data are classified as having high confidentiality.

According to the above configuration, the communication line selecting section can select an optimum communication line in consideration of the confidentiality information of the detection data. For example, when it becomes necessary to transmit highly confidential detection data, there is less risk of unauthorized interception by a third party or alteration of transmitted data, such as wired communication rather than wireless communication, encrypted digital communication rather than analog communication, etc. It becomes possible to select a communication line.

As a result, any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided.
In addition to the function and effect of the item, it is possible to perform safe and appropriate data transmission according to the confidentiality information of the detection data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention has the configuration according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the transmission section responds to priority information of the detection data. The detection data is transmitted to the external device in the order described above.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the priority information of the detection data means information indicating the priority of the detection data at the time of transmission, for example, depending on the type of the detected sensor and the importance of the destination external device. , Is assigned to each detection data. Specifically, the detection data of the sensor a is information that always has priority over the detection data of the sensor b. Such priority information may be included as part of the detection data, or may be recorded in a data table included in the information processing device.

According to the above configuration, the transmission unit transmits the detection data to the external device in the order according to the priority information of the detection data, that is, the detection data with higher priority comes earlier. Send.

As a result, any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided.
In addition to the function and effect of the term, the detection data with higher priority can be transmitted earlier, so that efficient information transmission is possible.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention has the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the transmission section is a communication selected by the communication line selection section. A feature is that the data format of the detection data is converted according to the line and transmitted to the external device.

According to the above configuration, the transmitting section is adapted to correspond to the type of communication line selected by the communication line selecting section.
The data format of the detection data is converted. The following are examples of data format conversion. Convert the detection data into a specific protocol format suitable for the communication line. Digital detection data is generated by sampling analog detection data so that it can be transmitted through a digital communication line. The detection data is compressed or the detection data is thinned so as to be suitable for a communication line with a low communication speed.

As a result, any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided.
In addition to the function and effect of the term, it is possible to realize efficient information transmission by using an optimum data format according to the type of communication line.

A sensor network system according to a seventh aspect includes the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and the plurality of sensors in order to solve the above problems. I am trying.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention provides a computer,
The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 6 is made to function.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium for solving the above problems.
The information processing program described in 1. is recorded.

According to these configurations, the sensor network system or the computer for reading and executing the information processing program can achieve the same effect as the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. it can.

[0038]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

(1. Overall Configuration) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system including a sensor network according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the sensor network 1 (sensor network system) is connected to the external device 2 via the communication line 3 and is in a data communicable state. The sensor network 1 includes a sensor network controller 4 (information processing device) and a plurality of sensors 5
The sensor network controller 4 receives / collects the detection data of each sensor 5 and manages the entire sensor network 1.

In FIG. 2, the number of external devices 2 communicatively connected to the sensor network 1 is one, but there may be a plurality of external devices 2 communicatively connected to the sensor network 1.

Here, the outline of the processing executed in the sensor network 1 will be described. In the sensor network 1, the detection information of each sensor 5 is notified to the sensor network controller 4 as needed. Therefore,
When the sensor 5 detects a predetermined state, the sensor network controller 4 recognizes this.

Then, the sensor network controller 4 transmits the detection data acquired from each sensor 5 individually or collectively to the external device 2 by combining the acquired detection data. Thereby, when the sensor 5 detects a predetermined state, the detection data can be transmitted to the predetermined external device 2.

The sensor network controller 4 usually includes a plurality of sensors 5 (for example, a maximum of 256 sensors 5,
1 in sensor network 1 for security management
About 0 sensors 5) are managed, and these constitute the sensor network 1. When there are a plurality of sensor networks 1, the detection areas of each sensor network 1 may overlap each other as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which a plurality of sensor networks 1 overlap each other. In the example of FIG.
One sensor 5 belongs to a plurality of sensor networks 1, or two sensor network controllers 4 exist in one sensor network 1. In this way, when the sensor 5 is managed by the plurality of sensor network controllers 4, even if one sensor network controller 4 fails, the other sensor network controller 4 can normally manage the sensor 5. Become. Therefore, it is desirable that the sensor 5 that requires high reliability be managed by the plurality of sensor network controllers 4 as described above.

In the system of FIG. 2, the individual sensors 5
Are identified by the unique sensor IDs assigned to each. In such a system, generally, the larger the number of the sensors 5 used, the higher the demand for users can be met. In order to give a unique sensor ID to a large number of sensors 5, the sensor ID is set to a high bit (for example, 64 bits).
More than a bit). As the sensor ID, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Inte
rnet Protocol) IP address can be used,
128-bit IPv6 can be used to increase the sensor ID bit.

The respective components of the sensor network 1 will be described in detail below.

(1-1. Sensor) Sensor Network 1
The configuration of the sensor 5 in 1 will be described in detail. Various types of sensors can be used as the sensor 5, and an example thereof is as follows.

There are photoelectric sensors, beam sensors, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, etc. for detecting the human body and the like. A vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor (3D sensor, ball semiconductor type sensor), or the like is used as a sensor for detecting movement or destruction of an object. For detecting sound,
There are microphones, sound sensors, acoustic sensors, and the like. A video camera or the like is one that detects an image. There are a temperature sensor, a smoke sensor, a humidity sensor, and the like for detecting a fire or the like. As to be mounted on a vehicle,
There are GPS (Global Positioning System), acceleration sensor, wiper ON / OFF sensor, vibration sensor, tilt sensor, and the like. Lighting to be installed in the room
/ OFF sensor, water leak sensor, etc. There are rain gauges, anemometers, thermometers, etc. installed outdoors.
In addition to these, there are various types such as a capacitance level sensor, a capacitance penetration sensor, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a reed switch that detects opening and closing of a door, and a timepiece that detects time.

As described above, the sensor 5 of the sensor network 1 is not limited to what is generally called a "sensor", but a phenomenon is detected, the detection result is converted into an electric signal, and the like, and the sensor network controller 4 is detected. Includes any equipment that can be sent.

Further, the sensor 5 of the sensor network 1 may include an active sensor. The active sensor is, for example, a video camera, and has a CCD (Charge Coupled Devic) as a detection unit that performs detection.
In addition to e), a function having a zoom function, an autofocus function, a direction switching function for switching the shooting direction, and the like, which can be operated automatically or by a control signal from the sensor network controller 4, is referred to. With such an active sensor, more accurate detection can be performed according to the phenomenon. For example, in the above video camera example, a moving object (smoke or the like) is detected within the shooting range and the shooting direction is switched to that direction, so that the moving object can be shot more accurately.

Further, the sensor 5 of the sensor network 1
May include an autonomous sensor. Here, the autonomous sensor means a sensor which informs the sensor network controller 4 or the external device 2 of information (sensor information) about the sensor itself, for example, periodically. The sensor information is, for example, information on the type of the sensor (including the content that can be detected) and the arrangement (position, installation place).

The sensor may be attached to a moving body such as a vehicle. When the sensor moves, the information obtained by the detection result of the sensor may change. For example, considering a thermometer attached to a vehicle as a sensor, when the temperature is detected by the sensor, it depends on the position of the vehicle, that is, the position of the sensor, at which point the detection result represents the temperature. . In such a case, by using the autonomous sensor, it is possible to always recognize at which point the temperature is detected.

Further, by using the sensor network controller 4 compatible with the autonomous type sensor, when adding a new autonomous type sensor, it is possible to easily add the new autonomous type sensor in a so-called plug-and-play manner.

These sensors 5 are usually used for a specific purpose,
For example, it is selected according to the purpose of vehicle theft monitoring, indoor intrusion monitoring, fire monitoring, etc., and is installed in an appropriate place according to the purpose. In addition, the sensor network 1 is usually configured for each purpose, and processing such as monitoring and reporting for achieving the purpose is performed by the external device 2, for example.

The sensor 5 is a method of informing the detection result,
That is, it can be roughly classified into three types, that is, a periodic type, an event type, and a polling type, depending on how the detection data of the detection result is sent to the sensor network controller 4. Here, the periodic sensor notifies the detection result in a predetermined time period. The event-type sensor notifies the detection result when the sensor 5 detects a predetermined phenomenon, for example, a physical quantity equal to or more than a threshold value.
The polling type sensor notifies the detection result when receiving a notification command of the detection result from the sensor network controller 4 side.

(1-2. Sensor Network Controller) Next, the configuration of the sensor network controller 4 in the sensor network 1 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the sensor network controller 4. The sensor network controller 4 is a CPU (Central Processing) that performs various processes.
Unit) 41, a storage unit 42 that stores various data,
A communication interface 43 serving as an interface with the communication line 3 and a sensor interface 44 serving as an interface with the sensor 5 are provided.

The CPU 41 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and based on its arithmetic function,
It performs various data processing and gives instructions to various control circuits. As a result, the CPU 41 controls the entire sensor network controller 4. Also, CPU4
1 functions as each functional block of the signal processing unit 45, the detection data processing unit 46, and the sensor control unit 47.

The storage unit 42 (recording medium) stores various programs and data for performing various processes in the CPU 41.

The signal processing unit 45 processes the detection data performed by the detection data processing unit 46 and the sensor control unit 47 based on the control signal sent from the external device 2 via the communication line 3 and the communication interface 43. It controls the process for controlling the sensor 5.

The detection data processing unit 46 subjects the detection data (primary data) as the detection result sent from the sensor 5 via the sensor interface 44 to predetermined processing as necessary, and executes the processing. The applied detection data (secondary data) is sent to the external device 2 via the communication interface 43 and the communication line 3.

The detection data processing unit 46 may store the secondary data in the storage unit 42 and send the secondary data to the external device 2 in response to a request from the external device 2.

The sensor control unit 47 controls the sensor 5 by sending a control signal to the sensor 5 via the sensor interface 44. The control of the sensor 5 includes control of the transmission cycle of detection data in the periodic sensor, control of the threshold of the event sensor, polling control of the polling sensor, operation control of the active sensor, and the like. How the sensor controller 47 controls the sensor 5 is based on a command from the signal processor 45.

Here, the data communication mode between the sensor network controller 4 and the sensor 5, which the sensor control unit 47 controls via the sensor interface 44, will be described. Each sensor 5 is provided with a communication device, and the sensor interface 44 of the sensor network controller 4 is a master device, and the communication device of the sensor 5 is a slave device. Then, data communication is performed between the master unit and the slave unit.

The data communication between the master unit and the slave unit may be wireless communication or wire communication. As the wireless communication, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard or Blu
A weak electric wave of the eTooth (registered trademark) standard, a device using a short-range wireless such as a specific low-power wireless, a device using an optical wireless, a short-range infrared communication and the like are considered. As the wired communication, one using a LAN or one using a dedicated wiring can be considered.

The communication system between the master unit and the slave unit includes bidirectional communication or unidirectional communication, which differs depending on the type of the sensor 5. When the sensor 5 is controlled by receiving a control signal or the like from the sensor network controller 4 (sensor interface 44), the communication method is bidirectional communication. On the other hand, the sensor 5 is unilaterally connected to the sensor network controller 4 (sensor interface 4
4), the communication method is one-way communication from the slave unit to the master unit.

In the sensor 5, the interface between the detection unit for detecting and the communication device (child device) is, for example, R
S-232C, RS-485, DeviceNET, etc. can be used. Through this interface, an analog current, an analog voltage, a pulse signal or the like as a detection result of the detection unit is sent from the sensor 5 to the sensor network controller 4.

(1-3. External Device) FIG. 5 shows the external device 2.
3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of FIG. The external device 2 is for performing various processes based on the detection data from the sensor network 1, and is configured by, for example, a computer having a communication function (a personal computer, a large computer, or the like).

The external device 2 is the CPU 2 which performs various processes.
2. The storage unit 23 stores various data, and the communication interface 21 serving as an interface with the communication line 3. In addition, the external device 2 includes a storage unit 23.
Input unit 24 for inputting and updating various information to
(Keyboard, mouse, etc.) and display unit 25 (display, etc.) are provided.

The CPU 22 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and based on its arithmetic function,
It performs various data processing and gives instructions to various control circuits. As a result, the CPU 22 controls the entire external device 2.

The storage unit 23 stores various programs and data for performing various processes in the CPU 22.

The communication interface 21 is the communication line 3
The external device 2 functions as an interface with the sensor network 1 via the communication interface 21.
You can send and receive data to and from.

With the above configuration, the external device 2 provides information to the user and various information processing based on the detection data from the sensor network 1. The configuration of the external device 2 is shown in FIG. It is not limited to the configuration. For example, as the external device 2, various mobile phones and P
DA (Personal Digital Assistance) or the like may be adopted.

(2-1. Communication Processing Operation of Sensor Network Controller) In this section, the data communication processing operation of the sensor network controller 4 will be described.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are conceptual diagrams showing an example of a data communication mode between the external device 2 and the sensor network controller 4 in the sensor network 1.

Here, FIG. 6A shows the case where the Internet is used as the communication line 3. Although the entire external device 2 and the sensor network controller 4 may be the Internet, wireless packet communication such as mobile data communication service adopting a packet communication system may be used between the Internet and the sensor network controller 4, for example. It may be connected by a line.
In addition, a telephone line (for example, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is provided between the Internet and the external device 2.
twork) line, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System)
Public line such as a line or a mobile phone line).

Further, FIG. 6B shows the Internet as the communication line 3 and a LAN connected to the Internet.
The case where (Local Area Network) is used is shown.
In FIG. 6B, a LAN is interposed between the Internet and the sensor network controller 4. LAN
For example, Ethernet (registered trademark) or wireless LA
N can be used. A LAN may be interposed between the Internet and the external device 2.

FIG. 6C shows the case where a public line is used as the communication line 3. As the public line, a public line such as a telephone line (including ISDN, PHS line, mobile phone line, etc.) can be used.

In FIG. 2, the sensor network controller 4 and the external device 2 are described as simply connected via the communication line 3 so that data can be transmitted and received. However, the sensor network 1 ( The sensor network controller 4) can use various communication lines 3 as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, and a plurality of communication lines 3 can be used according to the characteristics of the detection data collected from the sensor 5. One of the above is selected and the above detection data is transmitted to the external device 2.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view schematically showing the connection form between the sensor network controller 4 and the external device 2 as described above. In the figure, the sensor network controller 4 uses a wireless packet communication line 3a and a PHS as a plurality of selectable communication networks (communication lines).
(Personal Handy-phone System) Line 3b, ISDN
Data is transmitted and received via the line 3c.

Further, in FIG. 7, the sensor network controller 4 has a communication line DB (database) 10
Connected with. In the communication line DB 10, for example, information about the communication cost, communication speed, communication confidentiality performance (security) of the wireless packet communication line 3a, the PHS line 3b, the ISDN line 3c is recorded as information about each communication line. Details of the information recorded in the communication line DB 10 will be described later in Section 2-2.

Next, a processing operation example when the sensor network 1 (sensor network controller 4 and sensor 5) according to the present embodiment transmits data to the external device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the above processing operation example for each step (S1 to S5).

First, each sensor 5 detects the environmental condition and transmits the detection result as a signal (detection data) to the sensor network controller 4 (S1).

As described above, if the sensor 5 is a periodic type, it notifies the detection result at a predetermined time cycle, and if it is an event type, when the sensor 5 detects a predetermined phenomenon, for example, a physical quantity equal to or greater than a threshold value. Etc., the detection result is notified. If the sensor 5 is the polling type, the detection result is notified when the detection result notification command is received from the sensor network controller 4 side.

The detection data of the sensor 5 includes the detection data processing unit 46 of the sensor network controller 4.
The data processed in (see FIG. 4) and the data once stored in the storage unit 42 of the sensor network controller 4 are included.

In the next step, the sensor network controller 4 selects one from a plurality of communication lines according to the characteristics of the detection data acquired in S1 (S2). Details of the communication line selection processing in this step will be described later in Section 2-2.

In the next step, the sensor network controller 4 rearranges the detection data in the order according to the priority information of the acquired detection data (S3).

Here, the priority information of the detection data means information indicating the priority of the detection data at the time of transmission. For example, depending on the type of the detected sensor 5 and the importance of the external device of the transmission destination, It is assigned to each detection data. Specifically, the detection data of a certain sensor 5 (for example, the sensor a) always refers to information such that the detection data of the other sensor 5 (for example, the sensor b) has priority. Such priority information may be included as a part of the detection data, or may be recorded in the data table included in the sensor network controller 4.

By the processing of this step, the detection data transmitted externally in a later step are rearranged so that the detection data having a higher priority comes earlier.

In the next step, the sensor network controller 4 converts the data format of the detection data according to the type of communication line selected in S2 (S).
4). The following is an example of data format conversion performed by the sensor network controller 4 in this step. Convert the detection data into a specific protocol format suitable for the communication line. Digital detection data is generated by sampling analog detection data so that it can be transmitted through a digital communication line. The detection data is compressed or thinned out so as to be suitable for a communication line with a low communication speed.

As an example of the above, the case where the sensor network controller 4 converts the analog current, analog voltage, pulse signal or the like sent from the sensor 5 into a digital signal which conforms to the communication protocol of the communication line 3 is given. To be

As an example of the above, as the primary data from the video camera as the sensor 5, that is, as the image data, data of about 20 to 30 kilobits per screen is constantly sent for three screens per second. Sometimes the above 1
There is a case where the secondary data is subjected to a process such as thinning out an image having a small change to generate secondary data which is useful and has a small data amount.

In this step, the sensor network controller 4 performs, in addition to the above-mentioned data format conversion example,
In order to reduce the risk of the transmitted data being decrypted by a third party, the detected data may be appropriately encrypted.

In the final step, the sensor network controller 4 transmits the detection data converted in S4 to the external device 2 via the communication line selected in S2 (S5).

The data communication processing operation (S1 to S5) of the sensor network controller 4 described above is as follows.
It is realized by the CPU 41 and the communication interface 43 based on a predetermined information processing program.

The information processing program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as the storage unit 42 of the sensor network controller 4. Such an information processing program may be supplied by a program medium that is read by the drive unit provided in the sensor network controller 4 as an external storage device in addition to the storage unit 42.

The program medium is a recording medium which can be separated from the main body, and is a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a hard disk, or a CD-ROM /
Disc system of optical disc such as MO / MD / DVD, IC
Card (including memory card) / card system such as optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPRO
It may be a medium that fixedly holds the program, including a semiconductor memory such as M and a flash ROM.

The information processing program may be downloaded to the sensor network controller 4 via a communication network including the Internet. When the information processing program is downloaded from the communication network, the download program may be stored in the sensor network controller 4 in advance, or may be installed from another recording medium. The content stored in the recording medium is not limited to the program and may be data.

(2-2. Communication Line Selection Processing by Sensor Network Controller) In this column, the communication network selection by the sensor network controller 4 (S above) is performed.
2) The details of the processing will be described.

Here, the sensor network controller 4 uses the wireless packet communication line 3 shown in FIG.
The description will be made assuming that one is selected from a, the PHS line 3b, and the ISDN line 3c. Of course, the type of communication line selected by the sensor network controller is not limited to the above and is arbitrary.

As described above, the sensor network controller 4 is connected to the communication line DB (database) 10 (see FIG. 7), and the communication line DB 10 stores information about each communication line, for example, a wireless packet communication line. Information regarding the communication speed, communication cost, and communication confidentiality performance (security) of the 3a, the PHS line 3b, and the ISDN line 3c is recorded.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information about communication lines recorded in the communication line DB 10. As shown in the figure, the communication line DB 10 includes a wireless packet communication line 3a, a PHS line 3b, and an ISDN line 3
For each of c, information regarding communication cost (during continuous communication), communication cost (during intermittent communication), communication speed, communication concealment performance (security), etc. is recorded.

In the database item shown in FIG. 8,
The ◯ mark is “excellent”, and the Δ mark is “medium”.
The evaluation of “x” corresponds to the evaluation of “inferior”.
According to the information example regarding the communication line shown in the figure, for example, in the wireless packet communication (3a), the communication cost during intermittent communication is excellent, while the communication cost during continuous communication, the communication speed, and the security item are medium. It can be seen that this is a grade evaluation. On the other hand, the ISDN line (3c), which is a wired communication, has a medium evaluation of the communication cost during the intermittent communication, but the communication cost during the continuous communication, the communication speed,
It can be seen that each item of security is excellent.

Such information regarding the communication line may be recorded in the storage unit 42 or the like inside the sensor network controller 4 instead of the external device such as the communication line DB 10. Since the communication cost varies depending on not only the type of communication line but also the charging system of the line provider, it is preferable that the sensor network controller 4 also refer to the information on this charging system.

The sensor network controller 4 refers to the information about the communication line recorded in the communication line DB 10 or the like, and according to the characteristics of the detection data acquired from the sensor 5, the wireless packet communication line 3a, PH.
The optimum one is selected from the S line 3b and the ISDN line 3c.

The sensor network controller 4 selects an optimum communication line according to the characteristics of the detection data acquired from the sensor 5 from the following viewpoints, for example.

I, if the sensor 5 is an event type and the detection data reported from the sensor 5 is intermittent packet data, the characteristic of the detection data is that the data format is intermittent packet data. Is mentioned. In response to this, the sensor network controller 4 selects the wireless packet communication 3a which is excellent in communication cost during intermittent communication.

II, when the sensor 5 is a video camera or the like,
The characteristic of the detection data is that the data size is large. In response to this, the sensor network controller 4 selects the ISDN line 3c which has a high communication speed and is excellent in communication cost during continuous communication.

III. If the sensor 5 is a fire detection sensor or the like and the urgency of reporting the detection data is high and it is necessary to transmit the detection data to the external device 2 in a short predetermined time or with high priority, the detection data A characteristic is high urgency. In response to this, the sensor network controller 4
Selects the PHS line 3b or ISDN line 3c, which is superior in communication speed.

As the urgency level information of such detection data, urgency levels A, B, C, ..., Urgency levels assigned in descending order of urgency are selected according to the type of sensor 5 and the nature of the detection data. Information such as 1, 2, 3, ... Is included, but the urgency level information may be included in a part of the detection data, is set in advance for each sensor 5, and is connected to the sensor network controller 4 It may be recorded in an internal or external database.

When the detection data notified from the IV and the sensor 5 indicates the operating status of the safe and the entry / exit status to / from the important section, and it is highly necessary to keep it secret from a third party. The characteristics of the detection data include high confidentiality such as high relevance to individual privacy and high confidentiality. In response to this, the sensor network controller 4 selects the ISDN line 3c having excellent security performance.

The confidentiality information of such detection data may be included in a part of the detection data, or the sensor 5 may be stored in advance.
Is set according to the sensor network controller 4
It may be recorded in an internal or external database.

As described above, the sensor network controller 4 selects one from the wireless packet communication line 3a, the PHS line 3b, and the ISDN line 3c (a plurality of communication lines) according to the characteristics of the detection data collected from each sensor 5. CPU41 (communication line selection unit) for selecting
A communication interface 43 (transmission unit) for transmitting the detection data to the external device 2 using the communication line selected in No. 1 is provided.

As a result, the sensor network controller 4 can realize efficient information transmission such as reduction of communication cost burden, improvement of information transmission efficiency, and improvement of information utilization efficiency on the external device side.

When there are a plurality of characteristics of the detection data collected from the sensor 5, it is preferable to set in advance which characteristics should be noted or which characteristics should be prioritized.

As a result, even if the detection data has a plurality of characteristics, for example, when the detection data includes a fire report, a communication line having a communication speed higher than economic efficiency and security is wired. This makes it possible to make advanced selection decisions regarding communication lines. In addition, it is possible to confirm whether the detection data is stream data or non-stream data, and if the detection data is stream data, select a communication line having a relatively high communication speed.

Further, such setting items may be recorded in advance in a database in the sensor network controller 4, or may be recorded in advance in the sensor network controller 4.
May accept the external instruction.

[0117]

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect collects a plurality of sensors and the detection data of each sensor, and transmits the detection data to the external apparatus via the communication line. The information processing device in a sensor network system including a processing device, the communication line selecting unit selecting one from a plurality of the communication lines according to the characteristics of the detection data collected from the sensors, and the communication. It is configured to include a transmission unit that transmits the detection data to the external device using the communication line selected by the line selection unit.

Therefore, an optimum communication line is selected from a plurality of communication lines prepared in advance according to the characteristics of the above-mentioned detection data. After that, the transmission unit transmits the detection data to the external device through the communication line thus selected.

As a result, it is possible to realize efficient information transmission such as reduction of communication cost burden and improvement of information transmission efficiency.

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is configured such that, in the configuration of the first aspect, the communication line selection unit uses the urgency level information of the detection data as a characteristic of the detection data. is there.

Therefore, the communication line selection unit can select the optimum communication line in consideration of the emergency information. For example, for highly urgent information,
It becomes possible to select a communication line having a good responsiveness and a high communication speed regardless of whether the communication cost is high or low.

As a result, in addition to the effects of the first aspect, it is possible to select an appropriate communication line according to the urgency information of the detection data and to perform data transmission to an external device.

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the third aspect is configured such that, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, the communication line selecting section uses the data size of the detection data as the characteristic of the detection data. Is.

Therefore, the communication line selection unit can select the optimum communication line in consideration of the data size of the detection data.

As a result, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to perform appropriate and economical data transmission according to the data size of the detection data.

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention has the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects.
The communication line selection unit, as a characteristic of the detection data,
This is a configuration using confidentiality information of the detection data.

Therefore, the communication line selecting section can select the optimum communication line in consideration of the confidentiality information of the detection data. For example, when it becomes necessary to transmit highly confidential detection data, there is less risk of unauthorized interception by a third party or alteration of transmitted data, such as wired communication rather than wireless communication, encrypted digital communication rather than analog communication, etc. It becomes possible to select a communication line.

As a result, any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided.
In addition to the function and effect of the item, there is an effect that safe and appropriate data transmission can be performed according to the confidentiality information of the detection data.

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention has the configuration according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.
The transmission unit is configured to transmit the detection data to the external device in an order according to the priority information of the detection data.

Therefore, the transmitting section transmits the detection data to the external device in the order according to the priority information of the detection data, that is, the detection data having a higher priority comes earlier.

As a result, any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided.
In addition to the function and effect of the item, the detection data having a higher priority can be transmitted earlier, so that the information can be efficiently transmitted.

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention has the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.
The transmission unit is configured to convert the data format of the detection data according to the communication line selected by the communication line selection unit and transmit the detection data to the external device.

Therefore, the transmission unit converts the data format of the detection data according to the type of the communication line selected by the communication line selection unit.

Accordingly, any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided.
In addition to the function and effect of the item, there is an effect that efficient information transmission can be realized by using an optimum data format according to the type of communication line.

As described above, the sensor network system according to claim 7 is configured to include the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the plurality of sensors.

As described above, the information processing program according to claim 8 is configured to cause a computer to function as the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

A computer-readable recording medium according to a ninth aspect has a configuration in which the information processing program according to the eighth aspect is recorded as described above.

According to these configurations, the same operational effect as the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 can be obtained by the sensor network system or the computer that reads and executes the information processing program. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing operation example when a sensor network according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits data to an external device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system including a sensor network according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which a plurality of sensor networks overlap each other.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a sensor network controller.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an external device.

6A to 6C are conceptual diagrams showing an example of a data communication form between an external device and a sensor network controller in a sensor network.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a connection form between a sensor network controller and an external device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information about a communication line recorded in the communication line.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Sensor Network (Sensor Network System) 2 External Device 3 Communication Line 3a Wireless Packet Communication Line (Communication Line) 3b PHS Line (Communication Line) 3c ISDN Line (Communication Line) 4 Sensor Network Controller (Information Processing Device) 5 Sensor 41 CPU (Communication line selection unit) 42 Storage unit (Recording medium) 43 Communication interface (Transmission unit)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masayuki Oyagi             Shiokyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture             801 Kudo-cho Omron Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masataka Yamato             Shiokyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture             801 Kudo-cho Omron Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2F073 AA40 AB06 AB12 BB01 BB05                       BB09 BB20 BC01 BC02 CC14                       CC20 GG01 GG08                 5K033 BA11 BA17 CB17 DB14

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An information processing device in a sensor network system, comprising: a plurality of sensors; and an information processing device that collects detection data from each sensor and transmits the detection data to an external device via a communication line. Therefore, depending on the characteristics of the detection data collected from each of the above sensors,
A communication line selecting unit for selecting one from a plurality of the communication lines; and a transmitting unit for transmitting the detection data to the external device using the communication line selected by the communication line selecting unit. Information processing equipment. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication line selection unit uses urgency level information of the detection data as a characteristic of the detection data. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication line selection unit uses a data size of the detection data as a characteristic of the detection data. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication line selecting unit uses confidentiality information of the detection data as a characteristic of the detection data. 5. The transmission unit transmits the detection data to the external device in an order according to priority information of the detection data, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Information processing equipment. 6. The transmission unit converts the data format of the detection data according to the communication line selected by the communication line selection unit and transmits the converted detection data to the external device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 1. 7. A sensor network system comprising the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 and the plurality of sensors. 8. An information processing program causing a computer to function as the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 9. A computer-readable recording medium on which the information processing program according to claim 8 is recorded.