JP2003141662A - Sensor controller, sensor network system, program for processing information, and computer-readable recording medium recorded with the program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sensor network usable for a purpose different from an installed purpose. SOLUTION: This sensor controller 4 for receiving sensor information from a plurality of sensors 5 and for controlling some of the sensors 5, based on a prescribed purpose, is provided with a sensor information processing part 46 for processing the sensor information based on the prescribed purpose, a sensor control part 47 for controlling the sensors 5 based on the prescribed purpose, and an external information processing part 45 for receiving information from an outside of the controller 4, and for updating a processing content in the sensor information processing part 46 and/or a control content in the sensor control part 47, based on the received information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention receives sensor information from a plurality of sensors for a predetermined purpose, and
A sensor management device that controls several sensors,
A sensor network system including a plurality of sensors, a plurality of the sensor management devices, and a central management device, an information processing program regarding the sensor management device and / or the central management device, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the information processing program. It is about. Specifically, the present invention relates to a sensor management device capable of changing the above purpose.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of living spaces, etc. have been installed in accordance with purposes such as vehicle theft monitoring, indoor intrusion monitoring, and fire monitoring.
Many diverse sensors are installed. These sensors usually form a sensor network for each purpose of installation. We can achieve the intended purpose based on the sensor information in the sensor network.

[0003]

However, recently,
It is desired to utilize the sensor effectively by using the sensor network for a purpose other than the purpose of installation.

Consider, for example, a sensor network for detecting an intruder. Examples of sensors used in the sensor network include door sensors, microphones, and human body sensors. These sensors are deployed in place in the security area to form the sensor network. In this sensor network, when an intruder is detected, it is desired to know the intruder's intrusion route and trend.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor network that can be used for purposes other than the purpose of installation.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, a sensor management device of the present invention receives sensor information from a plurality of sensors based on a predetermined purpose, and
A sensor management device for controlling some sensors, comprising a sensor information processing unit for processing the sensor information based on the purpose, a sensor control unit for controlling the sensor based on the purpose, and a device. An external information processing unit that receives information from the outside and that updates the processing content of the sensor information processing unit and / or the control content of the sensor control unit based on the received information is provided.

In the sensor management device having the above configuration, the sensor information processing unit processes the sensor information based on the purpose, and the sensor control unit controls the sensor based on the purpose.

At this time, information is sent from the outside of the device to the sensor management device, so that the external information processing unit, based on the received information, the processing content of the sensor information processing unit and / or the sensor control unit. Update the control contents of.

Therefore, in the sensor management apparatus of the present invention, if the updated processing content and / or control content is for a purpose other than the installation purpose, the sensor information processing unit is not The sensor information is processed based on the above purpose, and the sensor control unit controls the sensor based on another purpose. As a result, the sensor network to which the sensor management device of the present invention belongs can be used for purposes other than the installation purpose.

Furthermore, the sensor management apparatus of the present invention further comprises a storage unit for storing various data and programs in the above configuration, and the storage unit stores the sensor processing information stored in the sensor information processing unit. An information processing program and a sensor control program that stores control content in the sensor control unit are stored, and the external information processing unit stores the sensor information processing program and / or the sensor control program stored in the storage unit. It is characterized by updating to a new sensor information processing program and / or sensor control program received from outside the apparatus.

The sensor management device having the above-mentioned configuration is configured to execute various processes in the sensor information processing unit and the sensor control unit.
Based on the sensor information processing program and the sensor control program stored in the storage unit, the CPU (Central Process
ng Unit), each of which can be implemented on a computer that is widely used in general. Further, the external information processing unit performs the updating process by writing the program data in the storage unit, which facilitates the updating process.

Further, the sensor management apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the storage unit has a backup area for storing the sensor information processing program and / or the sensor control program before updating.

According to the above configuration, the sensor management device used for a purpose other than the installation purpose restores the sensor information processing program and / or the sensor control program before updating stored in the backup area of the storage unit. By doing so, it can be used again for the original purpose.
Therefore, the sensor network to which the sensor management device of the present invention belongs can be easily restored to the original purpose after being used for another purpose.

Further, the sensor network system of the present invention includes a plurality of sensors and a plurality of sensor managements for receiving sensor information from the sensors based on a predetermined purpose and controlling the sensors. A sensor network system comprising a device and an information processing device connected to the sensor management device via a communication network, wherein at least one sensor management device is a sensor management device having any one of the above configurations. Is characterized by.

In the above configuration, the information processing device can communicate with the sensor management device, so that the sensor management device used for a purpose other than the installation purpose is
It is possible to send an instruction and receive sensor information from the sensor management device.

Therefore, the sensor network system of the present invention can utilize the sensor information from the sensor network which is used for purposes other than the purpose of installation.

Further, in the sensor network system of the present invention, in the above-mentioned configuration, the information processing device has the processing content of the sensor information processing unit and / or the control content of the sensor control unit in the sensor management device having any one of the above configurations. A storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of update information for updating the storage unit for various purposes, and an update information transmission unit that reads the update information from the storage unit and transmits the read update information to the sensor management device. It is characterized by having.

In the above configuration, in order to change the purpose of use of the sensor network, the update information transmission unit of the information processing device stores the update information of the processing content and / or the control content corresponding to the purpose to be changed. It is performed by reading from the unit and transmitting it to the sensor management device of the sensor network to be changed.

Therefore, in the sensor network system of the present invention, the information processing device can easily change the sensor network to a desired purpose.

In the above sensor management device and / or information processing device, the operation of each part can be realized on a computer by an information processing program.
Further, by storing the information program in a computer-readable recording medium, the operation of each unit in the sensor management device and / or the information processing device can be realized on any computer.

[0021]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sensor network system according to this embodiment. The sensor network system 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of sensor networks 3a to 3a each including a plurality of sensors 5.
3d and a central management device (information processing device) 2 that manages the sensor networks 3a to 3d, and the sensor networks 3a to 3d and the central management device 2 can communicate data via the communication network 6. Has become. In the following, the sensor networks 3a to 3d will be referred to as "sensor network 3" unless otherwise distinguished.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sensor network system 1 transmits to the system 1 a server 7 having various programs and data to be transmitted to the system 1 and a request from a user. At the same time, the user terminal device 8 for providing the user with the information from the system 1 may be connected via the communication network 6.

The sensor network 3 includes a plurality of sensors 5.
And a sensor management device 4 that manages the sensor 5. The number of sensors 5 managed by one sensor management device 4 can be several to several hundreds, but in the sensor network 3 for security management, it is usually about 10. The sensor networks 3 may overlap each other as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which a plurality of sensor networks 3 overlap each other. In the example of FIG.
For example, one sensor 5 belongs to a plurality of sensor networks 3 or two sensor management devices (sensor network controllers) 4 exist in one sensor network 3. In this way, when the sensor 5 is managed by the plurality of sensor management devices 4, the sensor 5
Even if one sensor management device 4 fails, another sensor management device 4 can operate normally. Therefore,
It is desirable that the sensor 5 requiring high reliability be managed by the plurality of sensor management devices 4 as described above.

A plurality of sensor management devices 4 have individual sensors 5
In order to identify each sensor 5, a unique sensor ID is assigned to each sensor 5. In the system of FIG. 2, a large number of sensors 5
It is possible to more accurately respond to the user's request by using the sensor ID.
4 bits or more). The sensor ID is, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / In).
ternet Protocol) IP address (32-bit width) can be used. In order to increase the sensor ID bit, the IPv4 IP address is expanded to 128-bit width.
6 can be used.

The sensor management device 4 converts the sensor information from the sensor 5 so as to match the transmission system of the communication network 6, and outputs it to the central management device 2 via the communication network 6. Examples of the communication network 6 include the Internet and a telephone line (ISD
N (Comprehensive Service / Digital Communication Network), PHS (Person
al Handyphone System) line, including mobile phone line)
And public lines, LAN (Local Area Network), and combinations thereof.

Each of the sensor management device 4 and the sensor 5 in the sensor network 3 has a communication device. The communication device of the sensor management device 4 is the master device, and the communication device of the sensor 5 is the slave device. Then, communication is performed between the master unit and the slave unit.

The communication between the master unit and the slave unit may be wireless communication or wire communication. As wireless communication, for example,
Weak radio waves of the wireless LAN standard and the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, those using short-range wireless such as specific low power wireless, those using optical wireless, and short-range infrared communication can be 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. The sensor management device 4 in this embodiment is
The sensor information from the sensor 5 is converted into a transmission method suitable for the communication network 6 and is transmitted to the central management device 2 via the communication network 6, and has a function as a gateway and a function as a controller for controlling the sensor 5. Have. Therefore, when the sensor 5 is controlled by receiving a control signal or the like from the sensor management device 4, the communication method is bidirectional communication. On the other hand, when the sensor 5 unilaterally sends a signal to the sensor management device 4, the communication method is one-way communication from the slave unit to the master unit.

The sensor 5 is provided with a detection section for performing detection, and as an interface between the detection section and the communication device (slave unit), for example, RS-232C, RS-48.
5, DeviceNET or the like can be used. Through this interface and the communication device (child device), the sensor 5 sends an analog current, an analog voltage, a pulse signal or the like as a detection result by the detection unit to the sensor management device 4.

Various sensors are used as the sensor 5 of the sensor network 3, and an example thereof will be given below.

There are photoelectric sensors, beam sensors, ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, etc. for detecting the human body. 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 3 is not limited to what is generally called a "sensor", and the sensor management device 4 can detect a phenomenon and convert the detection result into an electric signal. Includes any equipment that can be sent to.

The sensors 5 of the sensor network 3 may include active sensors. 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 management device 4, is referred to. With such an active sensor, more accurate detection can be performed according to the phenomenon.
For example, in the example of the video camera described above, a moving object (smoke or the like) is detected within the shooting range and the shooting direction is changed to that direction, so that the moving object can be shot more accurately.

Further, the sensor 5 of the sensor network 3
May include an autonomous sensor. Here, the autonomous sensor refers to, for example, a sensor that periodically notifies the sensor management device 4 or the central management device 2 of information about the sensor itself. The information on the sensor itself is, for example, information on the type of the sensor (including the content that can be detected) and the arrangement (position, installation location). In the present application, “sensor information” is used as a term indicating one or both of the information detected by the sensor and the information about the sensor itself.

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 management device 4 compatible with the autonomous type sensor, when a new autonomous type sensor is added, 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. Further, usually, the sensor network 3 is configured for each purpose, and processing such as monitoring and reporting for achieving the purpose is performed by the central management device 2, for example. The system 1 of FIG. 2 enables the sensor thus installed according to a specific purpose to be used for other purposes.

The sensor 5 is a method of informing the detection result,
That is, it can be roughly classified into three types of a periodic type, an event type, and a polling type, depending on how the detection result is sent to the sensor management device 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 detection result notification command from the sensor management device 4 side.

Next, the configuration of the sensor management device 4 in the sensor network 3 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sensor management device 4.

The sensor management device 4 receives sensor information such as analog currents, analog voltages, and pulse signals sent from a plurality of sensors 5 and controls the controllable sensor 5 based on a predetermined installation purpose. It is something to do. Further, the sensor management device 4 stores the sensor information in
The data is converted into digital data suitable for the transmission system of the communication network 6 and transmitted to the central management unit 2.

The sensor management device 4 is a CP that performs various processes.
A U41, a storage unit 42 that stores various data and various programs, a communication I / F unit 43 that interfaces with the communication network 6, and a sensor I / F unit 44 that interfaces with the sensor 5. ing.

The sensor I / F unit 44 converts the sensor information from the sensor 5 into a predetermined digital format and converts it into the CPU 4
Send to 1. The sensor I / F unit 44 is used to determine which sensor 5
It is specified whether the sensor information is from. In this particular,
Usually, the sensor ID is used. When the sensor information includes the sensor ID, the identification is not necessary,
When it is not included, the sensor I / F unit 44 is, for example,
The sensor ID is specified by the input port number or the like to which the sensor information is input, and the specified sensor ID is added to the sensor information and transmitted to the CPU 41.

Further, the sensor I / F section 44 includes the CPU 41
The sensor control signal from is converted into an appropriate transmission format and transmitted to a specific sensor 5.

The communication I / F unit 43 converts the sensor information data transmitted from the CPU 41 so as to match the transmission system of the communication network 6 and transmits it to the central management unit 2 via the communication network 6. In addition, the communication I / F unit 43 includes the central management device 2
The external information data transmitted from the computer via the communication network 6 is converted into a predetermined digital format and transmitted to the CPU 41.

The external information data transmitted by the central control unit 2 includes sensor information instruction data for instructing the sensor information to be transmitted to the central control unit 2 and its processing contents, sensor control instruction data for instructing sensor control, and the like. Is mentioned. Further, in the present embodiment, as the external information data,
A sensor information processing program that stores the content of processing sensor information based on a certain purpose, and a sensor control program that stores the content of controlling a sensor based on the purpose,
It is transmitted from the central management unit 2.

The CPU 41 performs various data processing and gives instructions to various control circuits, and thereby controls the entire sensor management device 4. In addition, the CPU 41
Functions as the functional blocks of the external information processing unit 45, the sensor information processing unit 46, and the sensor control unit 47.

The external information processing unit 45 processes the sensor information performed by the sensor information processing unit 46 based on the external information data transmitted from the central management unit 2 via the communication network 6 and the communication I / F unit 43. , Instructing a process for controlling the sensor 5 performed by the sensor control unit 47. Further, when the sensor information program or the sensor control program is transmitted from the central management device 2 as the external information data, the external information processing unit 45 stores the sensor information processing program 421 or the sensor control program prestored in the storage unit 42. 422
To the newly transmitted program.

The sensor information processing section 46 receives sensor information (1) sent from the sensor 5 via the sensor I / F section 44.
Next data) is subjected to a predetermined process, and based on the processed sensor information data (secondary data), a signal indicating the sensor 5 to be controlled and its control content is transmitted to the sensor control unit 47. To do. In addition, the sensor information processing unit 46
Transmits the sensor information data to the central management unit 2 via the communication I / F unit 43 and the communication network 6. The sensor information processing unit 46 may store the sensor information data in the storage unit 42 and send the sensor information data to the central management device 2 in response to a request from the central management device 2. In addition to the sensor information, additional information such as the type of sensor and the amount of data is added to the sensor information data.

The sensor information processing section 46 may process the sensor information based on an instruction from the external information processing section 45. In this case, of the sensor information data sent from the sensor 5, only the useful sensor information data is sent to the central management unit 2
By sending the data to the central management unit 2, the amount of data sent to the central management unit 2 can be reduced.

For example, as the primary data, that is, image data, from the video camera as the sensor 5, data of about 20 to 30 kilobits per screen may be constantly sent for three screens per second. In the sensor information processing unit 46, the primary data is subjected to processing such as thinning out images with small changes to generate useful secondary data with a small amount of data.

The sensor control section 47 includes a sensor I / F section 44.
The sensor 5 is controlled by sending a control signal to the sensor 5 via. 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 and which sensor 5 is controlled by the sensor control unit 47 is based on a command from the external information processing unit 45 or the sensor information processing unit 46.

The storage unit 42 stores various programs and data for performing various processes in the CPU 41, the sensor information processing program 421 and the sensor control program 42.
I remember 2 and 2. Sensor information processing program 421
Stores the content for processing the sensor information based on the installation purpose of the sensor network to which the sensor management device 4 belongs, and the sensor control program 422 stores the content for controlling the sensor based on the installation purpose. Is stored.

Next, the configuration of the central management unit 2 in the sensor network 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the central management device 2. In this embodiment, the central management device 2 transmits the sensor information program and the sensor control program corresponding to a desired purpose to the sensor management device 4.

The central management unit 2 is a CPU for performing various processes.
21, a storage unit 22 that stores various data and various programs, and a communication I / F unit 23 that interfaces with the communication network 6.

The communication I / F unit 23 converts the external information data and the like transmitted from the CPU 21 so as to match the transmission system of the communication network 6 and transmits the data to the sensor management device 4 via the communication network 6. . In addition, the communication I / F unit 23 converts the sensor information data and the like transmitted from the sensor management device 4 and the like via the communication network 6 into a predetermined digital format, and the CPU 21
Send to.

The storage unit 22 stores various programs and data for performing various processes in the CPU 21. Further, the storage unit 22 stores a plurality of sensor information processing programs 221 corresponding to various purposes and a plurality of sensor control programs 222 corresponding to various purposes. Each sensor information processing program stores the content for processing the sensor information based on each purpose, and each sensor control program stores the content for controlling the sensor based on each purpose. .

The CPU 21 performs various data processing and gives instructions to various control circuits, and thereby controls the central management device 2 as a whole. Further, the CPU 21
It functions as each functional block of the input information processing unit 211 and the update information transmission unit 212.

The input information processing unit 211 performs various processes on the sensor information data transmitted from the sensor management device 4 via the communication network 6 and the communication I / F unit 23. Further, when the user terminal device 8 is connected to the system 1, the user request data indicating the user's request is:
From the user terminal device 8 to the communication network 6 and the communication I / F unit 23
Is transmitted to the input information processing unit 211 via, and the input information processing unit 211 performs various processes on the transmitted user request data.

Although not shown in the figure, the input information processing unit 211 performs a process of creating the instruction information data based on the sensor information data and transmitting the instruction information data to the sensor management device 4. In addition, the system 1 includes a user terminal device 8
Is connected, the process of creating the instruction information data and transmitting it to the sensor management device 4 is performed based on the user request data, and the process result data is created based on the sensor information data. Processing for transmission to the user terminal device 8.

In the present embodiment, the input information processing unit 211
When specific sensor information data is transmitted or user request data for requesting the user to change the installation purpose of the sensor network 3 to a desired purpose is transmitted to the update information transmission unit 212. To do.

Here, the specific sensor information data means the sensor information data specified in advance by the central management unit 2 in order to change the purpose of installing the sensor network 3 to a predetermined purpose. For example, a sensor network 3 whose installation purpose is to detect an intruder in a security area,
After the detection of the intruder, when changing to the sensor network 3 for detecting the intrusion route and the trend of the intruder, the sensor information data indicating the detection of the intruder corresponds to the specific sensor information data.

The update information transmission unit 212 specifies the sensor management device 4 to be updated and the purpose based on the received data, and stores the sensor information processing program 221 and the sensor control program 222 corresponding to the specified purpose, respectively. It is read from the unit 22 and transmitted to the sensor management device 4 to be updated.

In the sensor network system 1 having the above configuration, the sensor management device 4 is
The sensor information processing unit 46 processes the sensor information transmitted from the sensor 5 based on the installation purpose of the sensor network 3 to which the sensor information processing unit 4 belongs.
6 sends control instruction information to the sensor control unit 47,
The sensor 5 is controlled by the control of the sensor control unit 47.

At this time, when specific sensor information data is transmitted from the sensor management device 4 to the central management device 2 or user request data for requesting the purpose change is transmitted from the user terminal device 8 to the central management device 2. In the central management device 2, the update information transmission unit 212 specifies the sensor management device 4 to be updated and the purpose from the specific sensor information data or the user request data, and the sensor information processing program corresponding to the specified purpose. 221 and the sensor control program 222 are read from the storage unit 22 and transmitted to the sensor management device 4 to be updated.

The sensor management device 4 to which the sensor information processing program and the sensor control program are transmitted from the central management device 2 causes the external information processing unit 45 to store the sensor information processing program 421 and the sensor control program 422 stored in the storage unit 42. , And a new sensor information processing program 221 and sensor control program 222 from the central management device 2. As a result, the sensor network 3 to which the sensor management device 4 belongs can be used for a purpose other than the installation purpose.

Further, the sensor management device 4 executes various processes in the sensor information processing section 46 and the sensor control section 47.
Sensor information processing program 421 stored in the storage unit 42
And the CPU 4 based on the sensor control program 422.
Since each can be realized on one computer, a widely used computer can be used. Further, the external information processing unit 45 can write the program data in the storage unit 42 in order to perform the updating process, and therefore the updating process is facilitated.

Further, the central management device 2 can send the instruction information to the sensor management device 4 which is used for a purpose other than the installation purpose, and can receive the sensor information from the sensor management device 4. You can

In the sensor network system 1 of this embodiment, the central management device 2 can easily change the sensor network 3 to a desired purpose.

In the present embodiment, both the sensor information processing program 421 and the sensor control program 422 are updated in the update processing. However, depending on the purpose of changing, the processing content of the sensor information and the control content of the sensor are changed. In some cases, only one of the sensor information processing program 421 and the sensor control program 422 may be updated.

In the above embodiment, a plurality of sensor information processing programs 221 and a plurality of sensor control programs 222 corresponding to various purposes are stored in the storage unit 22 of the central management unit 2, but the server 7 shown in FIG. It is also possible to store the program in another information processing device such as the user terminal device 8 and to transmit the program from the information processing device to each sensor management device 4 according to an instruction from the central management device 2.

Further, the storage unit 42 of the sensor management device 4 is
It may have a backup area for storing the pre-update sensor information processing program 421 and / or the sensor control program 422 corresponding to the purpose of installation. In this case, the sensor management device 4 is used for a purpose other than the installation purpose, and is then stored in the backup area of the storage unit 42 before the update of the sensor information processing program 421 and / or
Alternatively, by restoring the sensor control program 422, it can be used again for the original installation purpose.

The external information processing unit 45 in the sensor management device 4 and the update information transmission unit 212 in the central management device 2 are realized by programs (information processing programs) executed by the CPUs 41 and 21, respectively. May be.

The information processing program is stored in the storage unit 42 of the sensor management device 4 or the storage unit 2 of the central management device 2.
2 and the like are stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The information processing program may be supplied by a program medium read by a drive device provided in the sensor management device 4 or the central management device 2 as an external storage device in addition to the storage units 42 and 22.

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 management device 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 management device 4 or the central management device 2 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.

[0078]

EXAMPLES [Example 1] Specific examples of the above embodiment will be described below.

Sensor network system 1 of this embodiment
Then, a certain sensor network 3 has an installation purpose of detecting an intruder in the security area. The sensor network 3 is provided with a plurality of door sensors, microphones, human body sensors, etc. at appropriate places as sensors 5 for detecting an intruder. When the sensor management device 4 belonging to the sensor network 3 detects an intruder based on the sensor information from the sensor 5, the sensor information processing unit 46 notifies the central management device 2 of the intruder. It is set to transmit the information data to the central management unit 2.

The central management unit 2 stores in advance a sensor information processing program 221a and a sensor control program 222a for detecting the intruder's intrusion route and trend in the storage unit 22. In addition, the central management device 2
The sensor information data that has detected the intruder is the sensor management device 4
Then, the update information transmission unit 212 reads the sensor information processing program 221a and the sensor control program 222a from the storage unit 22 and transmits them to the sensor management device 4.

In the above configuration, when the sensor network 3 detects an intruder, the sensor management device 4 transmits the sensor information data of the detected intruder to the central management device 2, and the central management device 2 sends the sensor information data. In addition, a sensor information processing program 221a and a sensor control program 222a for detecting an intrusion route and a trend.
Is transmitted. As a result, the sensor network 3
Its purpose is changed to detect intrusion routes and trends.

That is, the sensor management device 4 can know the intruder's intrusion route, trend, etc. by combining the position information and detection information of the sensor 5 with the detection time in the sensor information processing unit 46. Can be transmitted to the central management device 2 as sensor information data.

Therefore, in the sensor network system 1 of the present embodiment, the sensor network 3 for detecting the intruder can be used as the sensor network 3 for detecting the intrusion route or the trend of the intruder. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a new sensor network 3 for detecting an intruder's intrusion route or trend, and the number of installed sensors can be reduced.

[Embodiment 2] In the sensor network system 1 of the present embodiment, a certain sensor network 3 has a temperature sensor, a human body sensor for detecting the position and heartbeat of a person, a light quantity sensor, a microphone, etc. in a certain room. The purpose of the installation is to arrange the sensor 5 in a proper place and control the air conditioner (air conditioner) arranged in the room based on the sensor information from the sensor 5.

The central control unit 2 has a sensor information processing program 22 for the purpose of knowing the comfort level of the room.
1b and the sensor control program 222b are stored in the storage unit 22 in advance.

In the above configuration, when the user request data for requesting the knowledge of the indoor comfort level is transmitted from the user terminal device 8 to the central management device 2, the central management device 2 causes the sensor management device 4 to A sensor information processing program 221b and a sensor control program 222b for the purpose of obtaining comfort level are transmitted. As a result, the purpose of the sensor network 3 is changed to obtain the comfort level.

That is, the sensor management device 4 obtains the comfort level by combining the sensor information from the sensor 5 in the sensor information processing section 46, and transmits this to the central management device 2 as sensor information data. The central management device 2 can provide the user with the comfort level by transmitting the transmitted comfort level to the user terminal device 8.

When the purpose of knowing the comfort level is achieved,
The sensor management device 4 updates the sensor information processing program and the sensor control program corresponding to the original installation purpose by transmitting them from the central management device 2, or saves them in another storage area in the storage unit 42 in advance. The sensor network 3 can be restored to its original installation purpose by being restored by using the above-mentioned program.

Therefore, in the sensor network system 1 of this embodiment, it is not necessary to install a new sensor network 3 in order to meet the user's request, and the sensor network 3 is used for a purpose other than the purpose of installation. By doing so, it is possible to meet a variety of user requests.

[0090]

As described above, the sensor management device of the present invention is a sensor management device that receives sensor information from a plurality of sensors and controls several sensors based on a predetermined purpose. A sensor information processing unit that processes the sensor information based on the purpose, a sensor control unit that controls the sensor based on the purpose, receives information from the outside of the device, and based on the received information, It is configured to include an external information processing unit that updates the processing content of the sensor information processing unit and / or the control content of the sensor control unit.

According to the above configuration, when the updated processing content and / or control content is for a purpose other than the installation purpose, the sensor information processing unit is based on the other purpose. The sensor information to process the sensor information, and the sensor control unit controls the sensor based on the another purpose. As a result, the sensor network to which the sensor management device of the present invention belongs has an effect that it can be used for purposes other than the purpose of installation.

Further, as described above, the sensor management device of the present invention further comprises a storage unit for storing various data and programs in the above-mentioned configuration, and the storage unit processes the sensor information processing unit. A sensor information processing program storing contents and a sensor control program storing control contents in the sensor control unit are stored, and the external information processing unit stores the sensor information processing program and / or the sensor information processing program stored in a storage unit. The sensor control program is updated to a new sensor information processing program and / or sensor control program received from outside the device.

As a result, the sensor management apparatus can realize various processes in the sensor information processing unit and the sensor control unit on the CPU based on the sensor information processing program and the sensor control program stored in the storage unit, respectively, and thus is generally widely used. The effect is that the computer being used can be used. Further, the external information processing unit performs the updating process by writing the program data in the storage unit, so that the updating process is facilitated.

Further, as described above, the sensor management apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which the storage unit has a backup area for storing the sensor information processing program and / or the sensor control program before updating. .

As a result, after the sensor network to which the sensor management device of the present invention belongs is used for another purpose,
It has the effect of easily returning to the original purpose.

As described above, the sensor network system of the present invention receives the sensor information from each of the plurality of sensors based on a predetermined purpose and controls each of the sensors. What is claimed is: 1. A sensor network system comprising: a plurality of sensor management devices to perform; and an information processing device connected to the sensor management devices via a communication network, wherein at least one sensor management device is a sensor having any one of the above configurations. The configuration is a management device.

As a result, the sensor network system of the present invention has the effect of being able to utilize the sensor information from the sensor network used for purposes other than the purpose of installation.

Further, as described above, in the sensor network system of the present invention, in the above-mentioned configuration, the information processing device is configured so that the sensor information processing unit of the sensor management device having any one of the above-mentioned configurations and / or the sensor A storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of update information for updating the control content of the control unit for various purposes, and an update that reads the update information from the storage unit and transmits it to the sensor management device. And an information transmission unit.

As a result, the sensor network system of the present invention has the effect that the information processing apparatus can easily change the sensor network to a desired purpose.

In the sensor management device and / or the information processing device described above, even if the operations of the respective parts are realized on the computer by the information processing program, the same effects as the above can be obtained. Further, by storing the information program in a computer-readable recording medium, it is possible to realize the operation of each unit in the sensor management device and / or the information processing device on any computer. An effect similar to the above is produced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sensor management device in a sensor network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a central management device in the sensor network system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Central management device (information processing device) 4 Sensor management device 5 sensors 22 Memory 42 storage 45 External information processing unit 46 Sensor information processing unit 47 Sensor control unit 212 Update Information Transmission Unit 221 Sensor Information Processing Program 222 Sensor control program 421 Sensor Information Processing Program 422 Sensor control program

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G08B 25/10 G08B 25/10 Z (72) Inventor Masayuki Oyagi Shiorikoji, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Fudodocho 801 Omron Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshihiko Fukushima Yoshihiko Fukushima Minami Horikawa Higashiirinami Shiojikoji, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Prefecture BB11 BB18 BB46 BB65 BB74 DD03 DD14 DD24 EE16 FF01 FF02 FF04 FF16 FF19 GG28 GG51 GG90 5H223 AA20 CC05 EE02 EE28

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sensor management device that receives sensor information from a plurality of sensors based on a predetermined purpose and controls several sensors, and processes the sensor information based on the purpose. A sensor information processing unit, a sensor control unit that controls the sensor based on the purpose, and information received from outside the device, and based on the received information, the processing content of the sensor information processing unit and / or the A sensor management device, comprising: an external information processing unit that updates control contents of the sensor control unit. 2. A storage unit for storing various data and programs, wherein the storage unit stores a sensor information processing program storing processing contents in the sensor information processing unit and control contents in the sensor control unit. The external information processing unit stores the sensor information processing program and / or the sensor control program stored in the storage unit as a new sensor information processing program and / or The sensor management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor management program is updated. 3. The sensor management device according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit has a backup area for storing the sensor information processing program and / or the sensor control program before being updated. 4. Based on a plurality of sensors and a predetermined purpose,
A sensor network system that includes a plurality of sensor management devices that respectively receive sensor information from the sensors and that control several sensors, and an information processing device that is connected to the sensor management devices via a communication network. A sensor network system, wherein at least one sensor management device is the sensor management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The information processing apparatus updates information for updating the processing content of the sensor information processing section and / or the control content of the sensor control section in the sensor management apparatus according to claim 1. And a storage unit that stores a plurality of storage units corresponding to various purposes, and an update information transmission unit that reads out the update information from the storage unit and transmits the update information to the sensor management device. Item 5. The sensor network system according to Item 4. 6. An information processing program for causing a computer to realize the operation of each part of the sensor management device and / or the information processing device according to claim 1. Description: 7. A computer-readable recording medium in which the information processing program according to claim 6 is recorded.