JP2011030033A - Communication system, communication method and sensor information collection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of prolonging an operating time of a sensor. <P>SOLUTION: A sensor information collection apparatus acquires sensor information transmission time, at which a sensor transmits sensor information to a gateway device, and calculates a next session initiation time, at which the gateway device should next establish a session with the sensor information collection apparatus so that the next session initiation time becomes preceding a next sensor information transmission time of the sensor, on the basis of the sensor information transmission time and transmission intervals of sensor information of the sensor. Prior to the sensor transmitting the next sensor information to the gateway device, the gateway device establishes a session with the sensor information collection apparatus, on the basis of the next session initiation time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication method, and a sensor information collection device.

  As sensor network technology develops such as miniaturization and power saving of wireless technology, sensors regularly sense sensor information such as personal items, environment, human movement, temperature / humidity, blood pressure / weight, etc. It is now possible to collect sensor information in a remote sensor information collection device via the network.

  When collecting sensor information via a network, the sensor transmits the sensor information to the sensor information collecting device via a gateway device having a network communication function, particularly an Internet communication function (for example, Patent Document 1).

  The sensor periodically transitions from the standby state to the activated state at the timing of transmitting the sensor information, and transitions from the activated state to the standby information when receiving a reception confirmation of the sensor information. Here, the sensor is in the activated state after the sensor information is transmitted to the gateway device, the gateway device transmits the sensor information to the sensor information collection device, and the sensor information collection device transmits the reception confirmation of the sensor information to the gateway device. This is a period until the gateway device transmits a reception confirmation to the sensor.

JP 2009-38624

  However, in the above prior art, the period from when the sensor transitions to the start state to the transition to the standby state, that is, the period from when the sensor transmits sensor information until it receives a reception confirmation is long. There is a problem that the operable time of the sensor is shortened by depleting the battery.

  This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. After the sensor (terminal device) transmits the sensor information to the gateway device, the gateway device first performs a series of processes (steps 608 to 611) for establishing a session with the sensor information collection device. The gateway device transmits sensor information to the sensor information collection device only after the session is established, and obtains reception confirmation of the sensor information from the sensor information collection device (steps 612 to 614). The gateway device transmits a sensor information reception confirmation to the sensor (step 615). Of this series of processing, a lot of time is spent on the processing operation for establishing a session, the battery is consumed for this period, and the sensor operable time is shortened. Although the power consumption per one time is not so large, the power consumption cannot be ignored when the transmission of sensor information is repeated.

  Further, it is possible to reduce the power consumption if the sensor returns to the standby state immediately after the sensor information is transmitted and before the reception confirmation is obtained, but this is not desirable from the viewpoint of system reliability. For example, when the gateway device cannot communicate with the sensor information collection device, information may be lost. In that case, if the sensor is in a standby state, information cannot be retransmitted or the transmission status cannot be confirmed, making it difficult to ensure reliability.

  In addition, if the gateway device always maintains a session with the sensor information collecting device, it is possible to immediately send the sensor information to the sensor information collecting device. This is because the gateway device and the sensor information collecting device can establish a session. Since necessary resources are consumed, the performance of the apparatus may be deteriorated, which is not preferable.

  Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the power consumption of the sensor and extend the operable time while satisfying each of these requirements.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in a communication system including a sensor, a gateway device that transmits and receives sensor information transmitted from the sensor, and a sensor information collection device that collects sensor information transmitted from the gateway device, the sensor information collection device includes: The sensor information transmission time for transmitting the sensor information to the gateway device is acquired, and the next session start time for the gateway device to establish a session with the sensor information collection device next is calculated so that it is before the sensor information transmission time. The session start time is transmitted to the gateway device, and the gateway device establishes a session with the sensor information collection device based on the next session start time before the sensor transmits the next sensor information to the gateway device.

  Further, in a communication method in a communication system including a sensor, a gateway device that transmits and receives sensor information transmitted from the sensor, and a sensor information collection device that collects sensor information transmitted from the gateway device, the sensor information collection device includes: , Sensor acquires sensor information transmission time to send sensor information to gateway device, and gateway device calculates next session start time to establish session with sensor information collection device before sensor information transmission time Then, the next session start time is transmitted to the gateway device, and the gateway device establishes a session with the sensor information collection device based on the next session start time before the sensor transmits the next sensor information to the gateway device.

  Further, in the sensor information collection device that is connected to the sensor and the gateway device that transmits and receives the sensor information transmitted from the sensor via the network and collects the sensor information transmitted from the gateway device, the CPU and the network via the network A communication unit that communicates with the gateway device; and a storage unit that stores information received by the communication unit. The communication unit receives a sensor information transmission time at which the sensor transmits sensor information to the gateway device. The sensor information transmission time is stored in association with the sensor, and the CPU stores the next session start time when the gateway device should establish a session next with the sensor information collection device, the sensor information transmission time, and the sensor information transmission interval of the sensor. Based on the above, it is calculated to be before the next sensor information transmission time of the sensor, and the communication unit Sending a session start time to the gateway device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce battery consumption of the sensor and lengthen its operable time.

It is a figure which shows a system block diagram. It is a figure which shows the session management table of a sensor information collection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the gateway apparatus specific information table of a gateway apparatus. It is a figure which shows the terminal device specific information table of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the sensor information collection table of a sensor information collection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the sequence diagram which showed the whole operation | movement outline | summary of the terminal device in the prior art, a gateway apparatus, and a sensor information collection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the sequence diagram which showed the whole operation | movement outline | summary of the terminal device, the gateway apparatus, and the sensor information collection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the reception of the sensor information of a gateway apparatus, and a session management procedure. It is a figure which shows the reception and recording procedure of the sensor information of a sensor information collection apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the system configuration of the communication session management system and method will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, and then the entire system processing sequence of the communication session and data transmission timing management method with reference to FIGS. A processing procedure of the gateway device and a processing procedure of the sensor information collection device will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram regarding a session establishment timing management method. Here, the configuration of a system including three elements, that is, a sensor information collection device, a gateway device, and a sensor (terminal device) will be described.

  In this figure, reference numeral 101 is a sensor information collecting device, reference numeral 102 is a CPU, reference numeral 103 is a communication IF, reference numeral 104 is a main storage device, reference numeral 105 is a communication session management unit, reference numeral 106 is an application processing unit, and reference numeral 107 is communication processing. Reference numeral 108 denotes a sensor information collection table, reference numeral 109 denotes a network, and reference numeral 110 denotes a timer.

  111 is a gateway device, 112 is a CPU, 113 is an RF processing unit, 114 is a ROM, 115 is a session management unit, 116 is a communication processing unit, 117 is an EEPROM, 118 is a gateway device specific information table 119 is a communication I / F, 120 is a display unit, 121 is a timer, 122 is a RAM, and 123 is next session information.

  Reference numeral 124 is a terminal device, reference numeral 125 is a CPU, reference numeral 126 is a RAM, reference numeral 127 is an RF processing unit, reference numeral 128 is a sensor unit, reference numeral 129 is an EEROM, reference numeral 130 is a terminal device specific information table, reference numeral 131 is a ROM, reference numeral 132 Is a communication processing unit, reference numeral 133 is a display unit, and reference numeral 133 is an application processing unit.

  The sensor information collection device 101 is a device that stores sensor information collected by the terminal device, and is a device that manages a communication session between the gateway device and the sensor information collection device. The CPU 102 executes a program in the main storage device 104, controls the operation of each component and data communication based on the processing of the program, and is connected to the communication IF 103, the timer 110, and the main storage device 104. Each flowchart and operation processing in the sensor information collection device described later is realized by the CPU 102 reading a program from the main storage device 104 and executing the program with reference to data in each table described later. A communication IF 103 is an I / F for connecting to an existing Internet network, and is connected to the network 109 and the CPU 102. The main storage device 104 is a device that stores programs to be executed and collected information, and includes a communication session management unit 105, an application processing unit 106, a communication processing unit 107, and a sensor information collection table 108, and is connected to the CPU 102. ing. The communication session management unit 105 is a part that manages a communication session with the gateway device 111. The application processing unit 106 is a part that performs application processing such as interpretation of packets transmitted by the terminal device 124, setting of transmission intervals, and storage of sensor information, and is connected to the sensor information collection table 108. The communication processing unit 107 is a program that the sensor information collection device 101 should normally perform, and is a part that executes processing for communicating with the gateway device 111 via the communication IF 103. This is the part that performs processing such as IP. The sensor information collection table 108 is a table that stores sensor information collected by the terminal device 124 and is connected to the application processing unit 106. The network 109 is an existing Internet network or the like, and is connected to the communication I / F 119 and the communication IF 103. The timer 110 is connected to the CPU 102.

  The gateway device 111 is a device for connecting the terminal device 124 and the sensor information collection device 101. The CPU 112 executes the program of the ROM 114 and controls the operation and data communication of each component based on the processing of the program. The ROM 114, RAM 122, EEPROM 117, RF processing unit 113, communication I / F 119, display unit 120, timer 121 Connected with. Each flowchart and operation process in the gateway device described later is realized by the CPU 112 reading a program from the ROM 114 and executing the program with reference to data in each table described later. The RF processing unit 113 performs transmission / reception of wireless communication with the terminal device 124. For example, wireless communication includes IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.15.4, BLUETOOTH (registered trademark), specific low power wireless , Performs communication such as UWB and is connected to the CPU 112. The ROM 114 is a storage device composed of a read-only semiconductor memory, and is composed of a session management unit 115 and a communication processing unit 116, and is connected to the CPU 112. The session management unit 115 is a part that manages the communication session start time with the sensor information collection device. The communication processing unit 116 is a program that the gateway device 111 should normally perform, and is a part that executes processing for communicating with the sensor information collection device 101 via the communication IF 103. For example, the TCP / IP used in the Internet protocol This is the part that performs processing such as IP. The EEPROM 117 is an electrically erasable semiconductor memory, and includes a gateway device specific information table 118, and is connected to the CPU 112. The gateway device unique information table 118 is a table in which unique information or registration information of the gateway device 111 is stored. A communication I / F 119 is an I / F for connecting to an existing Internet network, and is connected to the network 109 and the CPU 112. The display unit 120 represents the state of the device, and is, for example, an LED or an LCD, and is connected to the CPU 112. The timer 121 is an I / F for connecting to an existing Internet network, and is connected to the CPU 112. The RAM 122 is a storage device such as a rewritable semiconductor memory element, and includes the next session information 123 and is connected to the CPU 112. The next session information 123 is a part for storing the next session start time with the sensor information collecting apparatus 101. The next session information 123 stores a next session start time which is a time for establishing a session with the sensor information collection device 101 before the sensor information is transmitted from the terminal device 124.

  The terminal device 124 has a function of transmitting information sensed from the sensor unit 128 to the gateway device 111 via the RF processing unit 113. The CPU 125 executes the program of the ROM 114 and controls the operation and data communication of each component based on the processing of the program, and is connected to the ROM 131, RAM 126, EEROM 129, RF processing unit 127, display unit 133, and sensor unit 128. Yes. Each flowchart and operation processing in the terminal device described later is realized by the CPU 125 reading a program from the ROM 131 and executing the program with reference to data in each table described later. The RAM 126 is a storage device such as a rewritable semiconductor memory element, and is connected to the CPU 125. The RF processing unit 127 performs transmission and reception of wireless communication with the gateway device 111. For example, wireless communication includes IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.15.4, BLUETOOTH (registered trademark), specific low power wireless , Performs communication such as UWB, and is connected to the CPU 125. The sensor unit 128 senses temperature and humidity, or information such as a weight scale and a sphygmomanometer, and acquires it as data, and is connected to the CPU 125. The EEROM 129 is an electrically erasable semiconductor memory, and includes a terminal device unique information table 130 and is connected to the CPU 125. The terminal device unique information table 130 is a table that stores unique information or registration information of the terminal device 124. The ROM 131 is a storage device including a read-only semiconductor memory, and includes a communication processing unit 132 and an application processing unit 133, and is connected to the CPU 125. The communication processing unit 132 is a program that the terminal device 124 should normally perform, and is a program for transmitting sensor information to the gateway device 111 via the RF processing unit 113. The display unit 133 represents the state of the device, and is, for example, an LED or LCD, and is connected to the CPU 125. The application processing unit 133 is a program that the terminal device 124 should normally perform, and is a program for performing application-dependent processing such as collecting sensor information via the RF processing unit 113 and transmitting it to the gateway device 111. .

  FIG. 2 shows a session management table.

  This is a table in the main storage device 104 of the sensor information collection device 101, which combines the gateway device wireless identifier 201, the terminal device wireless identifier 202, the next session start time 203, and the transmission interval 204.

  “Gateway device wireless identifier” 201 is an area for storing an ID for uniquely identifying the gateway device 111, and row 205 indicates that “Gateway device wireless identifier” is “08: 09: 0A: 0B: 0C: 0D: 0E”. : 0F ”, line 206 is a description regarding the“ gateway device radio identifier ”being“ 08: 09: 0A: 0B: 0C: 0D: 0E: 0F ”, and line 207 is“ A description of the gateway device wireless identifier is “08: 09: 0A: 0B: 0C: 0D: 0E: 0F”, and line 208 indicates that the “gateway device wireless identifier” is “07: 09: 0A: 0B: 0C: 0D: 0E: 0F ”, and line 209 is a description of the“ gateway device wireless identifier ”“ 07: 09: 0A: 0B: 0C: 0D: 0E: 0F ”. Line 210 is a description regarding the “gateway device radio identifier” of “07: 09: 0A: 0B: 0C: 0D: 0E: 0F”.

  The “terminal device wireless identifier” 202 describes an area for storing an ID for uniquely identifying the terminal device 124. “Next session start time” 203 describes an area in which the gateway device 111 stores a time at which the sensor information collection device 101 should start the next session. The “transmission interval” 204 describes an area for storing an interval at which the terminal device 124 transmits sensor data to the gateway device 111.

  Here, the session start time and the transmission interval depend on the application. The transmission interval is stored in advance in the sensor information collection device. The next session start time is calculated by adding the transmission interval stored in advance to the time when the sensor information collection device receives the sensor information, and the updated value after the addition is stored in FIG. .

  FIG. 3 shows a gateway device specific information table.

  This is in the EEPROM 117 of the gateway device 111. The gateway device unique identifier 302, the gateway device wireless identifier 303, the network identifier 304, the IP address 305, the subnet mask 306, the default gateway 307, and the sensor information collection center IP address 308 are combined. It is a table. “Gateway device unique identifier” 302 is an area for storing an ID for uniquely identifying gateway device 111, and column 301 is a description relating to “Gateway device unique identifier” having “ZZZZZZ”. “Gateway device wireless identifier” 303 describes an area for storing an identifier for uniquely identifying gateway device 111 when performing wireless communication. For example, although the “gateway device unique identifier” is “ZZZZZZ”, the “gateway device wireless identifier” is “08: 09: 0A: 0B: 0C: 0D: 0E: 0F”. The “network identifier” 304 describes an area for storing an identifier for uniquely identifying the gateway device 111 when performing network communication. “IP address” 305 is described. “Subnet mask” 306 is described. “Default gateway” 307 is described. The “sensor information collection device IP address” 308 describes an area for storing the IP address of the sensor information collection device 101.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a terminal device specific information table. This is a table in the EEPROM 117 of the terminal device 124, in which the terminal device unique identifier 402, the wireless identifier, the gateway device unique identifier 404, and the gateway device wireless identifier 405 are combined.
The “terminal device unique identifier” 402 is an area for storing an ID for uniquely identifying the terminal device 124, and the column 401 is a description regarding the “terminal device unique identifier” having “AAAAAA”.
“Terminal device wireless identifier” 403 describes an area for storing an identifier for uniquely identifying a terminal device when performing wireless communication. The “gateway device unique identifier” 404 describes an area for storing an ID for uniquely identifying the gateway device 111. “Gateway device wireless identifier” 405 describes an area in which the network identifier of gateway device 111 is stored.

FIG. 5 shows a sensor information collection table. This is a table in the RAM 122 of the sensor information collection device 101, which combines the gateway device wireless identifier 504, the terminal device wireless identifier 202, the reception date and time, and sensor information.
Column 501 is an area for storing an ID “gateway device wireless identifier” for uniquely identifying gateway device 111, column 502 is an area for storing an ID for identifying “terminal device”, and column 503 is This is a description related to an area in which the sensor information collection device stores “sensor information” received from the “terminal device” via the “gateway device”. For example, here, the sensor information indicates temperature information as an example.

  Next, using FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, an overall operation outline of the terminal device, the gateway apparatus, and the sensor information collection apparatus and an operation outline for each apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a network communication sequence diagram from the terminal device to the sensor information collection device. Here, reference numeral 701 is a terminal apparatus, reference numeral 702 is a gateway apparatus, and reference numeral 703 is a sensor information collecting apparatus.

  First, the sensor information collection device 703 performs an activation process 704.

  Next, the gateway device 702 starts session establishment 705 and transmits SYN 706 to the sensor information collection device 703. Next, the sensor information collection device 703 transmits SYN / ACK 707 to the gateway device 702. Next, the gateway device 702 transmits ACK 708 to the sensor information collection device 703. Here, the gateway device 702 starts the above processing operation for establishing a session with the sensor information collection device 703 at the timing when the sensor information is transmitted from each terminal device 701. The start time of the processing operation for establishing a session, that is, the next session start time is transmitted from the sensor information collection device 703 in advance and stored as the next session information 123 in the RAM 122 of the gateway device 702. The next session start time is transmitted when the previous session with the sensor information collection device 703 is established.

  Next, the terminal device 701 performs processing 709 for starting measurement. At this time, the terminal device 701 transitions from the standby state to the activated state. The terminal device 701 periodically performs measurement, and transitions from the standby state to the activated state every time the measurement timing comes. Next, the terminal device 701 transmits a sensor information transmission 710 to the gateway device 702. At this stage, since the gateway device 702 has already established a session with the sensor information collection device 703, when the sensor information is received, the gateway device 702 can immediately transmit it to the sensor information collection device 703. Accordingly, the activation time of the terminal device 701 can be shortened.

  Next, the gateway device 702 performs processing 711 for receiving sensor information. Next, the gateway device 702 performs processing 712 for encapsulating sensor information. Next, the gateway device 702 transmits the encapsulated information 713 to the sensor information collection device 703. As described above, since the gateway device 702 has already established a session with the sensor information collecting device 703, it is not necessary to start a processing operation for establishing a session after receiving the sensor information, thereby reducing the time accordingly. Is possible.

  Next, the sensor information collection device 703 transmits ACK714 to the gateway device 702 as a response to sensor information reception.

  Next, the gateway device 702 transmits a reception confirmation response 715 to the terminal device 701. At this time, the terminal device 701 transitions from the activated state to the standby state and can enter the power saving mode.

  Next, the sensor information collection device 703 transmits the next session establishment time 716 of the terminal device 701 to the gateway device 702. The next session establishment time is recorded in a session management table (see FIG. 2) stored in the main storage device of the sensor information collection device 703, and the next session start time is described for each terminal device. This next session start time is stored in the RAM 122 of the gateway device 702 as next session information 123. Note that the gateway device 702 need only have information on the next session start time, and does not need to be associated with each terminal device 701. For this reason, the RAM of the gateway device can be saved.

  Next, the gateway device 702 transmits ACK 717 to the sensor information collection device 703. Next, the sensor information collection device 703 transmits the FIN 718 to the gateway device 702. Next, the gateway device 702 transmits FIN / ACK719 to the sensor information collection device 703. Next, the sensor information collection device 703 transmits ACK 720 to the gateway device 702. Next, the sensor information collection device 703 performs processing 721 for starting analysis of received information. Finally, the sensor information collection device 703 performs a process 722 for recording the sensor information received this time.

  As described above, the sensor information collection device 703 acquires the sensor information transmission time when the terminal device 701 transmits the sensor information to the gateway device 702, and the gateway device 702 should establish a session with the sensor information collection device 703 next. The next session start time is calculated to be before the next sensor information transmission time of the sensor based on the sensor information transmission time and the sensor information transmission interval, and the calculated next session start time is transmitted to the gateway device 702. Further, the gateway device 702 establishes a session with the sensor information collection device based on the next session start time before the terminal device 701 transmits the sensor information to the gateway device 702 next time. In this way, battery consumption of the sensor can be reduced and the operable time can be lengthened.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating processing of the gateway device. This shows the sensor data reception and session management processing procedure of the gateway device.

  Step 801 is processing for timer interruption. In this step, the CPU detects an interrupt from the timer.

  Step 802 is processing for instructing the communication processing unit to establish a session. The communication processing unit establishes a session with the sensor information collection device stored in the gateway specific information management table.

  Step 803 is a process of receiving sensor information. In this step, the RF processing unit receives a packet from the terminal device, and transmits the terminal device radio identifier and packet data to the communication processing unit.

  Step 804 is a process for transferring sensor information. In this step, the communication processing unit that has received the packet transmits the gateway wireless identifier, the terminal device wireless identifier, and the sensor information to the sensor information collection device.

  Step 805 is processing for receiving the next session start time. In this step, the communication processing unit disconnects the session after receiving the next session start time from the sensor information collection device.

  Step 806 is processing for updating the next session start time. In this step, the communication processing unit transmits the next session start time to the session management unit, and the session management unit updates the next session start time to the value of the next session start time.

  Step 807 is a timer setting / standby process. In this step, the session manager sets a timer interrupt at the next session start time and waits until the next timer interrupt.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing sensor data recording processing. This shows a processing procedure for receiving and recording sensor data of the sensor information collecting apparatus.

  Step 901 is a process of receiving sensor information. In this step, the communication IF of the sensor information collection device receives the packet transferred from the gateway device, and the CPU transmits the packet data to the communication processing unit in the main storage device.

  Step 902 is packet processing in the communication processing unit. In this step, the communication processing unit that has received the packet identifies the gateway device and the terminal device, and transmits the gateway device wireless identifier, the terminal device wireless identifier, and sensor information that is the payload portion of the network to the application processing unit.

  Step 903 is processing for examining whether or not there is a change in the transmission interval, which is the interval at which the terminal device transmits sensor information. In this step, the application processing unit confirms whether or not there is a change in the interval at which the terminal device transmits sensor information to the gateway device with respect to the application program. If there is a change in the transmission interval, the process proceeds to step 904. If there is no change in the transmission interval, the process proceeds to step 905.

  The change of the transmission interval is detected by comparing the transmission interval described in the session management table of FIG. 2 with the interval of the sensor information actually transmitted.

  Step 904 is processing for updating the transmission interval. In this step, the application processing unit updates the interval at which the terminal device transmits sensor information to the gateway device to a new value. At this time, the transmission interval 204 of the session management table is changed to a new value.

  Step 905 is processing for confirming the timer. In this step, the application processing unit acquires the current time from the timer. Information obtained by adding the transmission interval to the current time is stored in the session information management table as the next session start time.

  Step 906 is processing for acquiring the next session start time. In this step, the application processing unit selects, from the session information management table in the main storage device, the one closest to the current time among all the next session start times 203 under the gateway device, and Character session start time.

  Step 907 is processing for transmitting the next session start time. In this step, the application processing unit transmits the gateway device radio identifier and the next session start time to the communication processing unit, and the communication processing unit disconnects the session after transmitting the next session start time to the gateway device.

  Step 908 is processing for examining whether or not there is a change in the transmission interval. The reason why this step is added in addition to step 903 is that the timing of the transmission interval changing process may differ depending on the terminal device. By checking the change of the transmission interval twice, it is possible to grasp the change of the transmission interval more reliably. In this step, the application processing unit confirms again whether or not there is a change in the interval at which the terminal device transmits sensor information to the gateway device in the application program. If there is a change in the transmission interval, the process proceeds to step 909. If there is no change in the transmission interval, the process proceeds to step 910. However, the transmission interval is updated in this step only when the transmission interval is longer than the current transmission interval. If it is shorter, it is changed in steps 903 and 904 after the next session is established.

  Step 909 is a process for updating the transmission interval. In this step, the application processing unit updates the interval at which the terminal device transmits sensor information to the gateway device to a new value.

  Step 910 is processing to update the next session start time. In this step, the application processing unit obtains the interval at which the terminal device next transmits the sensor information to the gateway device from the session information management table in the main storage device, adds the transmission interval to the current time, and obtains the addition result. Update to the next session start time.

  Step 911 is a process for storing sensor information. In this step, the application processing unit stores the gateway device wireless identifier, the terminal device wireless identifier, the reception date and time, and the sensor information in the sensor information collection table 108.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to establish a communication session between the gateway device and the sensor information collection device before the terminal device transmits the sensor information to the gateway device. Even with reliable communication, it is possible to reduce the waiting time and delay for establishing a session, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device and extending the operation time.

  This will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In the comparative example shown in FIG. 6, after the terminal device transitions to the activated state and transmits the sensor information to the gateway device, the gateway device establishes a session with the sensor information collection device, transmits the sensor information after the session is established, The information collecting device transmits the reception confirmation of the sensor information to the gateway device, the gateway device transmits the sensor information to the terminal device, and after receiving this, the terminal device has transitioned to the standby state.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, before the terminal device transitions to the activated state and transmits the sensor information, the gateway device establishes a session with the sensor information collecting device, and then the terminal device is activated. Transition to the state and send sensor information to the gateway device, the gateway device sends the sensor information to the sensor information collection device, the sensor information collection device sends the reception confirmation of the sensor information to the gateway device, the gateway device is the terminal device After the sensor information is transmitted to and received, the terminal device transitions to the standby state. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the activation time of the terminal device by the time for establishing the session. In the example of FIGS. 6 and 7, since the packet transmission / reception time between the gateway device and the sensor information collection device is reduced from 5 packets to 2 packets, the startup time of the terminal device is reduced to 40% by simple calculation. Accordingly, power consumption can be reduced accordingly. In the present embodiment, the packet received from the terminal device by the gateway device is encapsulated in a network packet such as a TCP / IP packet, transmitted to the sensor information collection device, and then encapsulated from the sensor information collection device. Is unencapsulated and the gateway device transmits an acknowledgment to the terminal device. However, this is not limited to the collection of sensor information. That is, the embodiment enables not only the transmission of sensor information but also the operation of a communication protocol between a terminal device and a gateway device that should originally operate on the gateway device on the sensor information collection device. In other words, when the gateway device packetizes the packet received from the terminal device, the sensor information collection device can receive the same information as that received by the gateway device by encapsulating all the received packets. Complex packet analysis by a protocol can be executed by a sensor information collection device having a processing capability much higher than that of a gateway device. After the analysis, the sensor information collection device generates a packet that the gateway device originally uses as a terminal device, encapsulates it, and sends it to the gateway device. The gateway device that received the packet uncapsulates and sends it to the terminal device. Therefore, it seems to the terminal device that the communication protocol is operating on the gateway device. As described above, the function to be operated on the gateway device can be executed on the sensor information collecting device connected to the network.

  101 ... Sensor information collecting device, 102 ... CPU, 103 ... Communication IF, 104 ... Main storage device, 105 ... Communication session management unit, 106 ... Application processing unit, 107 ... Communication processing unit 108 ... Sensor information collection table 109 ... Network 110 ... Timer 111 ... Gateway device 112 ... CPU 113 ... RF processing unit 114 ... ROM, 115 ... session management unit, 116 ... communication processing unit, 117 ... EEPROM, 118 ... gateway device specific information table, 119 ... communication I / F, 120 ... display unit 121 ... Timer, 122 ... RAM, 123 ... Next session information, 124 ... Terminal device, 125 ... CPU, 126 ... RAM, 127 ... RF processing unit, 128 ..Sensor unit, 129 ... EEROM, 130 ... Terminal device specific information table, 131 ... ROM, 132 ... Communication processing unit, 133 ... Display unit, 133 ... A Application processing unit 201 ... Gateway device wireless identifier 202 ... Terminal device wireless identifier 203 ... Next session start time 204 ... Transmission interval 302 ... Gateway device unique identifier 303 ... -Gateway device wireless identifier, 304 ... Network identifier, 305 ... IP address, 306 ... Subnet mask, 307 ... Default gateway, 308 ... Sensor information collection center IP address, 402 ... Terminal Device unique identifier, 403... Terminal device wireless identifier, 404... Gateway device unique identifier, 405 .. gateway device wireless identifier, 504.

Claims (13)

In a communication system comprising a sensor, a gateway device that transmits and receives sensor information transmitted from the sensor, and a sensor information collection device that collects sensor information transmitted from the gateway device.
The sensor information collection device includes:
The sensor acquires sensor information transmission time for transmitting sensor information to the gateway device, and the gateway device sets a next session start time for establishing a session with the sensor information collection device, the sensor information transmission time and the sensor information transmission time. Based on the sensor information transmission interval of the sensor, calculated to be before the next sensor information transmission time of the sensor, and transmits the next session start time to the gateway device,
The gateway device is
A communication system comprising: establishing a session with the sensor information collection device based on the next session start time before the sensor transmits next sensor information to the gateway device. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein
The sensor information collection device includes a session management table that associates an identifier of the gateway device, an identifier of the sensor, a next session start time, and a transmission interval of sensor information of the sensor,
A communication system, wherein the next session start time is transmitted to the gateway device using the session management table. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein
The sensor information collection device starts a next session in which the gateway device should establish a next session with the sensor information collection device based on a time when the sensor information collection device receives the sensor information and information on the transmission interval. A communication system characterized by calculating time. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The sensor transitions from a standby state to an activated state and transmits the sensor information to the gateway device. The gateway device receives the sensor information from the sensor and transmits the sensor information to the sensor information collection device.
The sensor information collection device transmits a reception confirmation of the sensor information to the gateway device,
The gateway device transmits a reception confirmation of the sensor information to the sensor,
The communication system, wherein the sensor transitions from an activated state to standby information after receiving a reception confirmation of the sensor information. The communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
When the sensor information collection device detects that the sensor information transmission interval of the sensor has changed, the sensor information collection device calculates the next session start time based on the sensor information transmission time and the changed transmission interval. A communication system. The communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The sensor information collection device detects a change in the transmission interval of the sensor information of the sensor by comparing the transmission interval described in the session management table with the interval of the actually transmitted sensor information. A featured communication system. The communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The sensor information collection device updates the transmission interval of the session management table when detecting that the transmission interval of the sensor information of the sensor has changed. In a communication method in a communication system comprising: a sensor; a gateway device that transmits and receives sensor information transmitted from the sensor; and a sensor information collection device that collects sensor information transmitted from the gateway device.
The sensor information collection device includes:
The sensor acquires sensor information transmission time for transmitting sensor information to the gateway device, and the gateway device sets a next session start time for establishing a session with the sensor information collection device, the sensor information transmission time and the sensor information transmission time. Based on the sensor information transmission interval of the sensor, calculated so as to be before the next sensor information transmission time of the sensor, and transmits the next session start time to the gateway device,
The gateway device is
Before the said sensor transmits the following sensor information to the said gateway apparatus, the session with the said sensor information collection apparatus is established based on the said next session start time. The communication method according to claim 8, wherein
The sensor information collection device includes a session management table in which the gateway device identifier, the sensor identifier, the next session start time, and the sensor information transmission interval of the sensor are associated with each other.
The communication method, wherein the next session start time is transmitted to the gateway device using the session management table. The communication method according to claim 9, wherein
The sensor information collection device starts a next session in which the gateway device should establish a session with the sensor information collection device based on a time when the sensor information collection device receives the sensor information and information on the transmission interval. A communication method characterized by calculating time. In a sensor information collection device that is connected to a sensor and a gateway device that transmits and receives sensor information transmitted from the sensor via a network and collects sensor information transmitted from the gateway device,
CPU,
A communication unit that communicates with the gateway device via a network;
A storage unit for storing the information received by the communication unit,
The communication unit receives a sensor information transmission time when the sensor transmits sensor information to the gateway device,
The storage unit stores the sensor information transmission time in association with the sensor,
The CPU sets a next session start time for the gateway device to establish a session next with the sensor information collection device, based on the sensor information transmission time and the sensor information transmission interval of the sensor. Calculate to be before the information transmission time,
The said communication part transmits the said next session start time to the said gateway apparatus, The sensor information collection apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the sensor information collection device according to claim 11,
The sensor information collection device includes a session management table in which the gateway device identifier, the sensor identifier, the next session start time, and the sensor information transmission interval of the sensor are associated with each other.
The sensor information collection device, wherein the next session start time is transmitted to the gateway device using the session management table. The sensor information collecting apparatus according to claim 12,
The sensor information collection device starts a next session in which the gateway device should establish a session with the sensor information collection device based on a time when the sensor information collection device receives the sensor information and information on the transmission interval. A sensor information collecting apparatus characterized by calculating time.

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