JP2007097358A - Information collecting device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information collecting device capable of supplying energy comparatively easily and reliably to sensor nodes arranged extensively and collecting measured data reliably with no need of battery replacement work. <P>SOLUTION: The sensor nodes 11a-11c having sensors 12a-12c stores the data measured by the sensors 12a-12c. A mobile node 13 collects the measured data by each of the sensors 12a-12c with a data transmission/reception means while going around the vicinity of the sensor nodes 11a-11c passing a predetermined path 15 from a base station 14. The mobile node 13 having an energy storing means that stores the energy is provided with an energy supplying means that supplies the energy from the energy storing means to the sensor nodes 11a-11c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information collection apparatus and method for collecting measurement data of a sensor node by circulating around a mobile node in the vicinity of the sensor node.

  Semiconductor chip-type micro sensor technology using MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System), short-range wireless communication technology using RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification), signal processing technology, network technology, database technology, etc. The network sensing technology that collects data by collecting sensors widely and connecting to the network by short-range wireless has been studied and some demonstration tests have been conducted. In such network sensing, a theme of how to collect measurement data of scattered sensors using a technique such as multi-hop in an ad hoc network is a main research target.

On the other hand, the energy supply method of the sensor node is also a problem, but in most cases, on the premise that the battery (primary battery) is used, the main research theme is how to extend the battery life by reducing the power consumption. That is, reducing the battery replacement frequency is an important research theme. Here, as an energy transmission method, there is a method in which power transmission is performed by electric induction from an electromagnetic induction coil on a charging unit side to a power receiving coil on a power reception unit side (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-163792

  However, in network sensing, the replacement work when the batteries of widely distributed sensor nodes have reached the end of their lives naturally requires a lot of labor, and there is a problem that waste of a large amount of used batteries is generated. is there. In addition, generating electricity on the spot where sensor nodes are installed using natural energy such as sunlight and wind, temperature differences, and vibrations is also used to some extent as a technology to supplement battery operation. However, it is premised that a specific environmental condition corresponding to the power generation principle is established, and there is no guarantee that it always operates reliably. For example, in the case of sunlight, it is necessary to have a certain amount of solar radiation, and there is no guarantee that it will operate reliably when the solar radiation amount is insufficient.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information collection apparatus and method capable of realizing relatively easy and reliable energy supply to a wide range of sensor nodes and reliable measurement data collection without requiring battery replacement work. It is to be.

  An information collecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a sensor node that stores measurement data, and a mobile node that collects measurement data of each sensor by a data transmission / reception unit while circulating through the vicinity of the sensor node. The node has energy storage means for storing energy, and has energy supply means for supplying energy from the energy storage means to the sensor node.

  In addition, the information collection method of the present invention sequentially moves the mobile node of the information collection device in the vicinity of a plurality of distributed sensor nodes, and collects data held by each sensor of the sensor node of the information collection device. And energy supply to the energy source for operation of each sensor.

  According to the present invention, when the mobile node and the sensor node are brought close to each other, energy can be supplied from the energy storage means of the mobile node to the sensor node. Therefore, the sensor nodes arranged in a wide range without requiring battery replacement work. Relatively easy and reliable energy supply and reliable measurement data collection can be realized.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information collecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an outline of a system that collects data of sensors arranged everywhere for daily inspection of a plant. Sensor nodes 11a, 11b, and 11c added to an object to be measured in the plant are provided with sensors 12a, 12b, and 12c, respectively, and the measurement data measured by the sensors 12a, 12b, and 12c is a semiconductor chip (not shown). Is stored in the storage unit.

  The mobile node 13 collects measurement data of the sensors 12a to 12c while traveling through the vicinity of the sensor nodes 11a to 11c through a route (circulation route) 15 determined from the base station 14, and Energy is supplied to the sensor nodes 11a to 11c, and the process returns to the base station again. In FIG. 1, the movable mobile node 13 is a robot that can move autonomously, but it may be a portable device carried by a human.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information collecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The mobile node 13 normally stands by at the base station 14 and sufficiently charges the energy storage means of the mobile node 13 itself. The energy storage means is composed of a secondary battery, an electric double layer capacitor (hereinafter referred to as a capacitor) or the like, and has a sufficiently large capacity as compared with the power sources of the sensor nodes 11a to 11c. Then, the flow shown in FIG. 2 is started at a predetermined tour start time (for example, midnight).

  It is confirmed that its own energy storage means is charged (S1), and when the energy storage means is not charged, it waits until charging is completed (S2). When charging is confirmed, “1” is set as an initial value of N (S3), and the first (N = 1) sensor node 11a is approached according to a prescribed circulation route (S4). When the vicinity of the first sensor node 11a (a distance of a certain value or less) is reached, wireless communication with the sensor 12a of the sensor node 11a becomes possible.

  Therefore, first, the measurement data held by the sensor 12a is requested (S5), and is received and stored in the storage unit in the mobile node 13 (S6). Thereafter, it is also inquired by wireless communication whether or not charging is required for the sensor 12a (S7), and it is determined whether or not charging is required (S8). If necessary, energy supply is prepared for the sensor 12a (S9), and energy supply is performed as soon as the sensor 12a is ready (S10). When the charging of the sensor 12a is completed (S11), a value obtained by adding “1” to N is set to repeat the same operation toward the next sensor node 11b (S12). Then, it is determined whether or not work for all the sensor nodes 11 has been completed (S13). Then, after data collection and energy supply to all the sensors to be visited are completed, the mobile node 13 returns to the base station 14 and transmits the collected measurement data to the base station computer and to its own energy storage means. Is started to prepare for the next day's patrol (S14).

  FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the mobile node 13 and the sensor node 11 according to the first example of the embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment shows a case where the mobile node 13 and the sensor node 11 are coupled by using electromagnetic coupling.

  The mobile node 13 includes a data transmission / reception unit 16, an energy storage unit 17, and an energy supply unit 18. Similarly, the sensor node 11 includes a data transmission / reception unit 19, an energy storage unit 20, and an energy reception unit 21. . The data transmission / reception means 16 of the mobile node 13 includes a control unit 22 (generally a CPU), a storage unit 23 (semiconductor memory), a wireless communication reception unit 24, and a transmission unit 25. The energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 includes an oscillation circuit 26 and a coil 27. The control unit 22, the storage unit 23, the wireless communication reception unit 24, the transmission unit 25, and the transmission circuit 26 are connected by an internal bus line 28.

The energy storage means 17 is a battery having a capacity sufficient to charge all of the sensor nodes 11 to be supplied with energy as well as the circuit operation of the mobile node 13 itself. It consists of a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor (capacitor). The oscillation circuit 26 is connected to the coil 27 and is electromagnetically coupled to the coil 29 of the energy receiving means 21 of the sensor node 11.
As described above, the sensor node 11 includes the data transmission / reception means 19, the energy storage means 20, and the energy reception means 21. The data transmission / reception means 16 of the sensor node 11 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a wireless communication reception unit 32, a transmission unit 33, and a monitoring target measurement measurement circuit 34. The measurement circuit 34 is an input circuit of a thermocouple for temperature measurement, for example. The energy receiving means 21 of the sensor node 11 includes a coil 29, a rectifier circuit 35, and a charge control circuit 36.

  The energy receiving means 21 for receiving energy supply rectifies the electric energy received by the coil 29 via the rectifier circuit 35, and the charge control circuit 36 serves as an operating power source for the energy storage means 20 (secondary battery or capacitor). accumulate.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of communication and energy supply operations from the mobile node to the sensor node in the first example of the embodiment of the present invention. Although the antenna 37 is shown in FIG. 3 in the mobile node 13, it is connected to the receiving unit 24 and the transmitting unit 25 in the data transmitting / receiving means 16 (not shown in FIG. 4), and the antenna 38 is used for data transmission / reception of the sensor node 11. The means 19 is connected to the receiving unit 32 and the transmitting unit 33.

  Data communication between the mobile node 13 and the sensor node 11 is performed with the transmission unit 33 of the sensor node 11 by short-range wireless communication corresponding to a communication distance of about several tens of centimeters to several meters such as weak wireless, Bluetooth, and ZigBee. This is performed between the reception units 24 of the mobile node 13 and between the transmission unit 25 of the mobile node 13 and the reception unit 32 of the sensor node 11.

  One energy supply is performed in a state where the coil 27 of the mobile node 13 and the coil 29 of the sensor node 11 are opposed to each other via a distance of, for example, several centimeters so as to be electromagnetically coupled by magnetic flux. When the energy supply is started, the oscillation circuit 26 oscillates according to the command of the control unit 22 shown in FIG. 3 of the mobile node 13 and the coil 27 of the mobile node 13 is AC excited. If the coil 29 of the sensor node 11 is electromagnetically coupled to the coil 27 of the mobile node 13, the coil 29 of the sensor node 13 is excited in response to the excitation of the coil 27 of the mobile node 13, and an alternating current flows.

  This current is rectified by the rectifier circuit 35 and the energy storage means 20 of the sensor node 11 is charged via the charge control circuit 36. When the energy storage means 20 is a rechargeable battery, it takes a relatively long time to fully charge, but when it is a capacitor, it can be charged in a short time on the order of seconds.

  FIG. 5 is an internal configuration diagram of the mobile node 13 and the sensor node 11 according to the second example of the embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment shows a case where the mobile node 13 and the sensor node 11 are coupled by using electromagnetic induction. The same elements as those in the first embodiment of FIG.

  Electromagnetic induction by electromagnetic waves is used for energy supply. As shown in FIG. 5, the electrical energy stored in the energy storage unit 17 of the mobile node 13 is transmitted to the antenna 40 of the energy receiving unit 21 of the sensor node 11 via the antenna 39 of the energy supply unit 18. In addition, the mobile node 13 includes a modulation unit 41 that modulates the transmission signal of the transmission unit 25 and a demodulation unit 42 that demodulates the reception signal and outputs it to the reception unit 24, and the sensor node 11 modulates the transmission signal of the transmission unit 33. And a demodulator 44 that demodulates the received signal. The data transmission / reception means 16 of the mobile node 13 and the data transmission / reception means 19 of the sensor node 11 communicate by using modulation of the energy supply amount between the energy supply means 18 and the energy reception means 21. In this case, energy is transferred bidirectionally, but charging from the mobile node to the sensor node is performed by ensuring a sufficiently long transmission time on the mobile node side.

  Thus, the use of the electromagnetic induction phenomenon is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, but the electromagnetic wave is used rather than the electromagnetic coupling between the coils. Compared with, energy supply over a long distance (for example, several tens of centimeters) is possible.

  FIG. 6 is an internal configuration diagram of the mobile node 13 and the sensor node 11 according to the third example of the embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, energy is transmitted between the mobile node 13 and the sensor node 11 by microwave propagation. The same elements as those in the first embodiment of FIG.

  Microwave propagation is used for energy supply. As shown in FIG. 6, the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 includes a drive circuit 45, a magnetron 46, and a parabolic antenna 47, and the energy reception means 21 includes a rectenna array 48 and a charge control circuit 36. .

  In the energy supply means 18, the drive circuit 45 is driven by the energy of the energy storage means 17, and a microwave is generated by the magnetron 46. Then, the microwave is transmitted using the parabolic antenna 47. On the energy receiving means 21 side, microwaves are received by a rectenna (antenna + rectifier element) array and stored in the energy storage means 20 via the charge control circuit 36.

  FIG. 7 is an internal configuration diagram of the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11 according to the fourth example of the embodiment of the present invention. Data transmission / reception means is omitted. This 4th Example has shown the case where energy is transmitted between the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13, and the energy receiving means 21 of the sensor node 11 by light irradiation.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the energy supply unit 18 of the mobile node 13 includes a drive circuit 45 and a light source 49, and the energy reception unit 21 includes a light receiving element 50 and a charge control circuit 36.

  The energy supply means 18 drives the drive circuit 45 with the energy of the energy storage means 17 and emits light from the light source 49. The light source 49 is a lamp, LED, laser oscillator, or the like. In the energy receiving means 21, the light from the light source is received by the light receiving element 50, and the light energy is converted into electric power and stored in the energy storage means 20 (not shown) via the charging control circuit 36. The light receiving element 50 is a solar cell, a phototransistor, a photodiode, CdS, or the like.

  FIG. 8 is an internal configuration diagram of the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11 according to the fifth example of the embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment shows a case where energy is transmitted between the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11 using ultrasonic waves.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the energy supply unit 18 of the mobile node 13 includes a drive circuit 45 and an ultrasonic transducer 51, and the energy reception unit 21 includes a microphone 52 and a charge control circuit 36.

  The energy supply means 18 drives the drive circuit 45 with the energy of the energy storage means 17 and emits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 51. In the energy receiving means 21, the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 51 are received by the microphone 52, converted into electric power, and stored in the energy storage means 20 (not shown) via the charging control circuit 36.

  FIG. 9 is an internal configuration diagram of the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11 according to the sixth example of the embodiment of the present invention. In the sixth embodiment, energy is transferred between the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11 by heat.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 includes a drive circuit 45 and a heater 53, and the energy reception means 21 includes a Seebeck element 54 and a charge control circuit 36.

  The energy supply means 18 drives the drive circuit 45 with the energy of the energy storage means 17 and emits heat from the heater 53. In the energy receiving means 21, the heat from the heater 53 is received by the Seebeck element 54, converted into electric power, and stored in the energy storage means 20 (not shown) via the charging control circuit 36.

  FIG. 10 is an internal configuration diagram of the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11 according to the seventh example of the embodiment of the present invention. The seventh embodiment shows a case where energy is transmitted by vibration between the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 includes a drive circuit 45 and a shaft eccentric motor 55, and the energy reception means 21 includes a piezoelectric element 56 and a charge control circuit 36. Unlike the above-described embodiments, the energy supply means 18 and the energy reception means 21 need to be in physical contact.

  In the energy supply means 18, the drive circuit 45 is driven by the energy of the energy storage means 17 and the shaft eccentric motor 55 generates vibration. In the energy receiving means 21, vibration from the shaft eccentric motor 55 is received by the piezoelectric element 56, converted into electric power, and stored in the energy storage means 20 (not shown) via the charging control circuit 36.

  FIG. 11 is an internal configuration diagram of the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11 according to the eighth example of the embodiment of the present invention. In the eighth embodiment, fuel is supplied between the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11, thereby transmitting energy.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 includes a fuel tank 57, a valve 58, a nozzle 59, and a control unit 60. The energy reception means 21 includes a receiving port 61, a fuel tank 62, and a remaining amount monitoring. The unit 63 is configured.

  In the energy supply means 18, the fuel stored in the fuel tank 57 is injected from the nozzle 59 while adjusting the opening degree of the valve 58 and supplied to the receiving port 61 of the energy receiving means 21. Examples of the fuel include gasoline, light oil, kerosene, LPG, hydrogen, methanol, and the like. In the energy receiving means 21, the fuel is received at the receiving port 61 and stored in the fuel tank 62. The amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank 62 is monitored by the remaining amount monitoring unit 63.

  The energy supply is the supply of fuel such as gasoline, light oil, kerosene, LPG, hydrogen, methanol, etc., and the energy supply side consists of a fuel tank and supply valves and nozzles from there, and the energy reception side is a receiving port and fuel tank And a fuel tank remaining amount monitoring unit. In the sensor node 11 on the energy receiving side, fuel is supplied to an internal combustion engine and a generator (not shown) or a fuel cell and converted into electric energy.

  FIG. 12 is an internal configuration diagram of the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11 according to the ninth example of the embodiment of the present invention. In the ninth embodiment, the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 and the energy reception means 21 of the sensor node 11 are directly connected by a connector which is an electrical connection means to transmit energy. Is.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the energy supply means 18 of the mobile node 13 includes a protection circuit 64 and a connector 65, and the energy reception means 21 includes a connector 66, a charging circuit 67, and a remaining amount monitoring unit 68. .

  On the energy supply means 18 side, electric energy from the energy storage means 17 (not shown) is supplied to the connector 65 via the protection circuit 64. On the other hand, on the energy receiving means 21 side, electrical energy is received by the connector 66 and stored in the energy storage means 20 (not shown) via the charging circuit 65. The amount of power stored in the energy storage unit 20 is monitored by the remaining amount monitoring unit 68.

  Here, the mobile node 13 may be a robot that can move independently, or a device that moves on a trajectory laid so as to pass through the vicinity of the sensor 12 that is the target of data collection and energy supply. Also good. In this case, the movement is controlled so that the sensors 12a to 12c can automatically stop at positions where data can be collected and energy can be supplied. The mobile node 13 may be a terminal device carried by a person. In this case, a person collects data and supplies energy while holding the terminal device at an appropriate position.

  The energy storage unit 20 that stores energy on the sensor node 11 side may be any storage unit that can charge and discharge, and may be a capacitor in addition to a secondary battery or a capacitor (electric double layer capacitor). The required performance is that the charge energy (plus a margin) that allows the sensor 12 to operate during the period in which energy is supplied by the mobile node 13 can be stored at the time of energy supply. In the case of a secondary battery such as nickel cadmium or lithium ion, a relatively long charging time is required, but large capacity charging is possible. On the other hand, in the case of a capacitor, the charging time is extremely short, but the capacity is relatively small. The capacitor has a short charge time as compared with the secondary battery, a large capacity compared with the capacitor, and has a performance suitable for the application of the present invention.

  Furthermore, “movement” is inherently relative, and the mobile node 13 on the information collecting and energy supply side may be stationary and the plurality of sensor nodes 11 may move. That is, when the sensor group of the sensor node 11 moves, a specific fixed place is an energy supply area, and the sensor group is positioned in the vicinity of the energy supply area, energy is supplied to the sensor. It is also possible. In that case, in the energy supply area, it is also possible to acquire information held by the sensor when energy is supplied to the sensor group.

  Also, a confirmation means for confirming that the energy supply means 18 is in a position where energy supply can be reliably performed with respect to the energy supply target is provided, and energy supply is performed only when the confirmation means confirms that the energy supply means 18 is in a normal position. To do. Thereby, the safety | security of the supply of energy improves. In addition, the remaining amount monitoring unit monitors that the energy supply target is in an energy holding state of a certain level or more due to energy supply, but the remaining amount is confirmed by communication with the energy supply target and automatically The energy supply may be stopped. Further, inquiries are made by communication with the sensor nodes 11a to 11c, the remaining energy of the sensor nodes 11a to 11c is confirmed, and the energy supply is performed only to the sensor nodes 11 that require energy supply. It may be. In this case, a predetermined amount of energy corresponding to the normal consumption amount may be supplied to a sensor node that does not answer the inquiry about the remaining energy amount. As a result, the shortage of energy itself can be prevented, and a sensor node that is completely discharged and cannot communicate can be relieved. Furthermore, only when the charge amount of the sensor node 11 is equal to or higher than a certain level, data transmission from the sensor side is possible, and it is prevented that only measurement data is collected without supplying energy.

  Here, it can apply also in the case of measuring instruments, such as a gas meter and a water meter, as sensors 12a-12c. That is, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a meter reader charges a battery built in each meter simultaneously with meter reading using a handy terminal in meter reading work. Furthermore, the sensors 12a to 12c can be applied to so-called security sensors such as magnet sensors or human sensors attached to openings such as windows, fire detectors such as smoke and heat. In other words, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the handheld terminal is used to charge the battery built in each sensor simultaneously with the operation state of each sensor when the security guard patrols the patrol.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the mobile node 13 sequentially moves in the vicinity of a group of sensors arranged in a distributed manner, collecting the data held by each sensor 12, and supplying the energy source for operation of each sensor 12. Since energy supply is simultaneously performed in parallel, relatively easy and reliable energy supply to a wide range of sensor nodes and reliable measurement data collection can be realized without requiring battery replacement work.

The block diagram of the information collection device concerning embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information collection apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. The internal block diagram of the mobile node by the 1st Example in embodiment of this invention, and a sensor node. Explanatory drawing of communication and energy supply operation | movement from the mobile node of a 1st Example in embodiment of this invention to a sensor node. The internal block diagram of the mobile node by the 2nd Example in embodiment of this invention and a sensor node. The internal block diagram of the mobile node and sensor node by the 3rd Example in embodiment of this invention. The internal block diagram of the energy supply means of a mobile node and the energy reception means of a sensor node by the 4th Example in embodiment of this invention. The internal block diagram of the energy supply means of a mobile node and the energy reception means of a sensor node by the 5th Example in embodiment of this invention. The internal block diagram of the energy supply means of a mobile node and the energy reception means of a sensor node by the 6th Example in embodiment of this invention. The internal block diagram of the energy supply means of a mobile node and the energy reception means of a sensor node by the 7th Example in embodiment of this invention. The internal block diagram of the energy supply means of a mobile node and the energy reception means of a sensor node by the 8th Example in embodiment of this invention. The internal block diagram of the energy supply means of a mobile node and the energy reception means of a sensor node by the 9th Example in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Sensor node, 12 ... Sensor, 13 ... Mobile node, 14 ... Base station, 15 ... Path | route, 16 ... Data transmission / reception means, 17 ... Energy storage means, 18 ... Energy supply means, 19 ... Data transmission / reception means, 20 ... Energy Accumulating means, 21 ... energy receiving means, 22 ... control section, 23 ... storage section, 24 ... receiving section, 25 ... transmitting section, 26 ... oscillating circuit, 27 ... coil, 28 ... internal bus line, 29 ... coil, 30 ... Control unit, 31 ... storage unit, 32 ... reception unit, 33 ... transmission unit, 34 ... measurement circuit, 35 ... rectification circuit, 36 ... charging control circuit, 37 ... antenna, 38 ... antenna, 39 ... antenna, 40 ... antenna, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 ... Modulator, 42 ... Demodulator, 43 ... Modulator, 44 ... Demodulator, 45 ... Driver circuit, 46 ... Magnetron, 47 ... Parabolic antenna, 48 ... Rectenna array, 49 Light source, 50 ... light receiving element, 51 ... ultrasonic transducer, 52 ... microphone, 53 ... heater, 54 ... Seebeck element, 55 ... shaft eccentric motor, 56 ... piezoelectric element, 57 ... fuel tank, 58 ... valve, 59 ... nozzle , 60 ... control unit, 61 ... receiving port, 62 ... fuel tank, 63 ... remaining amount monitoring unit, 64 ... protection circuit, 65 ... connector, 66 ... connector, 67 ... charging circuit, 68 ... remaining amount monitoring unit, 69 ..., 70 ...

Claims (21)

A sensor node that stores measurement data; and a mobile node that collects measurement data of each sensor by a data transmission / reception unit while circulating through the vicinity of the sensor node, the mobile node storing energy An information collecting apparatus comprising an energy supply unit that includes an accumulation unit and supplies the sensor node with the energy accumulation unit. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy supply unit supplies the sensor node with electromagnetic induction from the energy storage unit of the mobile node. 2. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy supply unit converts the energy of the energy storage unit of the mobile node into a microwave and supplies the microwave to the sensor node. 2. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy supply unit converts the energy of the energy storage unit of the mobile node into light energy and supplies the light energy to the sensor node. 2. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy supply unit converts the energy of the energy storage unit of the mobile node into ultrasonic energy and supplies the ultrasonic energy to the sensor node. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy supply unit converts the energy of the energy storage unit of the mobile node into heat energy and supplies the heat energy to the sensor node. 2. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy supply unit converts the energy of the energy storage unit of the mobile node into vibration energy and supplies the vibration energy to the sensor node. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy supply unit supplies the fuel stored in the energy storage unit of the mobile node to the sensor node. 2. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy supply unit supplies the electrical energy stored in the energy storage unit of the mobile node to the sensor node through an electrical connection unit. 10. The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission / reception unit uses modulation of an energy supply amount by the energy supply unit. It is provided with a confirmation means for confirming that the energy supply means is in a position where energy can be reliably supplied to the energy supply target, and the energy supply is performed only when the confirmation means confirms that the energy supply means is in a normal position. The information collection device according to claim 1, wherein The said energy supply means confirms by the communication with an energy supply object that the energy supply object became the energy holding state more than a fixed level by energy supply, and stops an energy supply automatically, The energy supply means is characterized by the above-mentioned. Thru | or 11 information collection device. The sensor of the information collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the mobile node of the information collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is sequentially moved in the vicinity of a plurality of distributed sensor nodes. An information collection method comprising collecting data held by each sensor of a node and supplying energy to an energy source for operation of each sensor. The mobile node makes an inquiry by communication to each sensor node, confirms the remaining amount of energy of each sensor node, and supplies energy only to the sensor node that requires energy supply. The information collecting method according to claim 13. 14. The information collecting method according to claim 13, wherein the mobile node supplies a predetermined amount of energy even to a node that does not answer the inquiry about the remaining amount of energy. The information collection method according to claim 13, wherein the mobile node simultaneously acquires data from the sensor node and supplies energy to the sensor node in parallel. 17. The information collecting method according to claim 13, wherein the sensor node enables data transmission from the sensor side only when a charge amount of the sensor is equal to or higher than a certain level. The sensor group of the sensor node is a measuring instrument such as a gas meter or a water meter, and in meter reading work, a meter reader charges a battery built in each meter simultaneously with meter reading using a handy terminal. The information collection method according to any one of 13 to 17. The sensor group of the sensor node is a so-called security sensor group such as a magnet sensor or a human sensor attached to an opening such as a window, or a fire detector such as smoke or heat. The information collecting method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein a battery built in each sensor is charged simultaneously with an operation state check of each sensor using a handy terminal. A specific fixed place is set as an energy supply area, the sensor node is moved instead of the mobile node, and when the sensor group of the sensor node is located in the vicinity of the energy supply area, the sensor is supplied with energy. The information collecting method according to claim 13, wherein the information collecting method is performed. 21. The information collecting method according to claim 20, wherein in the energy supply area, information held by the sensor is acquired when energy is supplied to the sensor group of the sensor node.

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