JP2014138245A - Communication device autonomously controlling network management method, communication method, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device in which power consumption related to device management can be suppressed autonomously, and to provide a communication method, and a communication system.SOLUTION: A managed device comprises: a management information request message reception unit 110 for receiving a request message of management information; and a management information message transmission unit 150 for transmitting a management information response message including the management information to a part of the management information request message received by the management information request message reception unit 110. A management device comprises: an autonomous response method determination unit 228 for autonomously determining the transmission conditions of the management information response message of the managed device; a management information request message generation unit 225 for generating and transmitting a management information request message including the determination content; and a management information request message transmission unit 230.

Description

  Some embodiments according to the present invention relate to a communication device, a communication method, and a communication system.

  In recent years, for example, communication network systems such as smart grids, M2M (Machine to Machine) networks, home networks, and office networks are becoming widespread. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a communication adapter device connected to a network.

  The communication network system includes, for example, a computer such as a server or a PC (Personal Computer), a device such as a sensor device or an actuator device (herein, the sensor device will be described below as an example), and a gateway that relays communication between the two ( For example, HGW: Home Gate Way, BGW: Building Gate Way, etc.) are included. In such a communication network, for example, the server relays a gateway and periodically transmits a message for acquiring management information from the sensor device or the like, so that the server grasps the status of each sensor device. Will be able to.

International Publication No. 2004/032425

  On the other hand, some devices (devices) to be managed, such as sensor devices, are battery-driven, and in order to operate the system stably for a long time, the power consumption of the devices to be managed can be suppressed as much as possible. Necessary.

  However, when the sensor device transmits a response message to the management information request message periodically transmitted from the server, the drive time of the sensor device to be managed is shortened due to the power consumption of the communication. There is a problem that it ends up. On the other hand, if the management information is not sufficiently communicated, management information necessary for the operation of the communication network is not sufficiently transmitted to the server side, and there is a problem that the accuracy of the management information held on the server side is lowered. . Therefore, there is a trade-off between reducing the power consumption of the managed device and improving the accuracy of management information.

  Here, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for permitting or prohibiting device access (for example, page 13, line 42 to page 14, line 33). However, this is intended only to prohibit inadvertent operations on the communication adapter device, and no consideration is given to the suppression of power consumption.

  Some aspects of the present invention have been made in view of the above-described problems. One of the objects of the present invention is to autonomously control an efficient device management method considering the trade-off between power consumption and management information accuracy based on the state of the sensor device, etc., and to reduce the power consumption related to device management. It is to provide a communication device, a communication method, and a communication system that can be suppressed.

  The communication apparatus according to the present invention, a transmission means for transmitting a management information request message to another communication apparatus, a reception means for receiving the management information of the other communication apparatus by a response message to the request message, A response condition determining means for determining a response condition for determining whether or not the other communication device responds to the request message using the received management information of the other communication device; and including the determined response condition And message creating means for creating the request message transmitted by the transmitting means at a predetermined timing after the determination.

  A communication method according to the present invention is a communication method implemented in a communication device, wherein a transmission step of transmitting a management information request message to another communication device, and a response message to the request message, A reception step of receiving management information of the communication device and a response for determining a response condition for determining whether or not the other communication device responds to the request message using the received management information of the other communication device The method includes a condition determining step and a message creating step of creating the request message transmitted at a predetermined timing after the determination including the determined response condition.

  A communication system according to the present invention is a communication system in which a first communication device and a second communication device communicate with each other, and the first communication device transmits management information to the second communication device. Means for transmitting a request message, means for receiving management information of the second communication device by a response message to the request message, and using the received management information of the second communication device, Means for determining a response condition for determining whether or not the communication apparatus responds to the request message; and creating the request message transmitted by the transmitting means at a predetermined timing after the determination, including the determined response condition Means for receiving the management information request message from the first communication device, and the response to the received request message. When the matter is included, on the basis of the response condition, as a response to the request message thus received, and further comprising a means for transmitting a message including the management information.

  In the present invention, “unit” and “means” do not simply mean physical means, but also include cases where the functions of the “part” and “means” are realized by software. In addition, even if the function of one “unit” or “means” is realized by two or more physical means or devices, the function of two or more “units” or “means” can be one physical means or It may be realized by an apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication apparatus, a communication method, and a communication system that can autonomously suppress power consumption related to device management.

It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of schematic structure and operation | movement of a communication system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for showing the functional composition of the sensor device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure for showing the functional composition of the gateway in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a format of the management information request message transmitted / received by the communication system shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a format of the management information response message transmitted / received by the communication system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the management status information of the gateway shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the sensor device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the gateway shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of schematic structure and operation | movement of the communication system in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure for showing the functional composition of the sensor device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the sensor device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the function structure of the gateway in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the gateway shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the function structure of the gateway in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of the gateway shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the function structure of the gateway in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following description and the description of the drawings to be referred to, the same or similar components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

(1 assumption)
The premise common to the embodiments described in “2” and after will be described.
In the following embodiments, sensor networks that can communicate with each other (communication methods such as ZigBee, Z-Wave, WiFi, etc. can be used for communication. However, the present invention is not limited to these wireless communication methods. Sensor devices and actuator devices (devices that change the environment), etc., and devices in these sensor networks, and servers and PCs (Personal Computers) that are devices outside the sensor network The present invention relates to a communication network system including a gateway (HGW: Home Gate Way, BGW: Building Gate Way, etc.) that relays communication. In the first and second embodiments, in such a communication network system, for example, the power consumed when the server acquires management information for remotely managing the sensor device can be reduced. In the third embodiment, it is possible to reduce power consumed in remote management of the sensor device while maintaining the accuracy of the management information.

  In recent years, attention has been focused on sensor devices and actuator devices in the field of communication network systems such as smart grids, M2M (Machine to Machine) networks, home networks, and office networks. In the M2M network, sensors are used to acquire a large amount of environmental information (for example, power information, temperature information, vibration information, sound information, radiation dose, etc.) that changes every moment in local areas such as offices, factories, homes, and automobiles. Devices and environmental information measuring devices are often used.

  Information obtained from these sensor devices is handled by an information processing apparatus such as a server installed in each local area, and an Internet network or a 3G (3rd Generation) network (or an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network is also conceivable. ), WiMAX (World Wide Interoperability for Microwave Access) network, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) network, PLC (Power Line Communication) communication network, etc.

  For example, power consumption information obtained at each home is stored and processed by an information processing device provided at each home, and is also transmitted to a server owned by a power generation company, a power transmission company, a power distribution company, etc. It is conceivable that information is processed in an integrated manner by an application in the server.

  Similarly, actuator devices installed in each local area may be controlled by an information processing apparatus in each local area, or may be controlled from an external server via the Internet network or the like.

  In particular, in the smart grid field, automatic meter reading using power smart meters, gas smart meters, and water smart meters, remote control and automatic control of related devices, and other additional services are considered. These smart meters are sensor devices. And an actuator device. Hereinafter, sensor devices and actuator devices that construct a sensor network may be collectively referred to as “sensor devices”.

  In order to continuously maintain the service provision using the sensor network, it is necessary to continuously manage the state of the sensor device. This is because a failure, malfunction, or poor maintenance of a sensor device can be an obstacle to service using the sensor device.

  However, end users who install (place) sensor devices (in many cases, a general consumer corresponds to an end user) rarely have knowledge about managing these sensor devices, and It is also difficult to acquire such knowledge. Therefore, for sensor device management, it is preferable that a specialist or the like who has sensor device management knowledge remotely manages the sensor device from a server or the like. In addition, it is preferable to use a standard technique for remote management of the sensor device. This is because the use of standard technology ensures versatility related to remote management, resulting in various cost savings.

  Here, as a communication method used for standard remote management, TR-069 (Technical Report 069) or OMA-DM (Open Mobile Alliance) that manages broadband routers, STB (Set Top Box), 3G communication devices, and the like. -There is a standardized method such as Device Management. In the remote management method using these communication methods, the server communicates with each device to be managed, and the server side obtains device information (management information) and gives instructions on management / control, etc. Each terminal can be managed.

(1.1 Embodiments concerning remote management of possible sensor devices)
Therefore, when the sensor device is remotely managed using such a remote management method, the following forms may be considered.

  First, consider a communication system model in which a remote management server (which may be a TR-069 server or an OMA-DM server) relays a gateway and manages one or more sensor devices constituting a sensor network. Here, the remote management server and the gateway perform remote management by performing unicast communication with each sensor device at regular intervals. Thereby, the remote management server can always grasp the state of the sensor device.

  The sensor device parameters managed by the remote management server include, for example, manufacturing vendor information (vendor name, vendor code), device model name, serial number, type information of the power source used, remaining power information (battery Remaining information), network address, MAC address, routing information, adjacent link quality information, retained software module information, and the like.

  Here, the gateway relays between the remote management server and the sensor device because the communication protocol used in the communication between the remote management server and the gateway and the communication between the gateway and the sensor device and This is because the communication method is different.

  Communication between the gateway and the sensor device is realized by multi-hop communication on the wireless sensor network. It is also possible to consider a communication system in which no remote management server exists by providing all or part of the functions of the remote management server in a conventional gateway.

Hereinafter, the remote management method in the communication system described here will be specifically described.
The remote management server transmits a management request message (hereinafter also referred to as “management request”) to the gateway. The gateway that has received the management request message transmits a management information request message created based on the management request message to the sensor device to be managed. The sensor device creates a management information response message including the status information (management information) of its own device, and transmits it to the gateway. The gateway creates a management response message (hereinafter also referred to as “response information”) based on the received management information response message, and transmits the management response message to the remote management server.

  Here, as described above, normally, both the management information request message and the management information response message are transmitted and received by unicast communication between the gateway and the sensor device. Note that the management information request message may be transmitted by broadcast or multicast in consideration of efficiency of message propagation related to the management information request. For example, in periodic management of sensor devices for managing the status of all sensor devices, it is efficient to use broadcast communication for the management information request message.

  In order to continuously maintain services using sensor devices in the field of smart grids and M2M networks, not only remote management of sensor devices but also power saving is required. Because, in general, many sensor devices that perform wireless communication operate by battery drive, if the power consumption of the sensor devices is not suppressed as much as possible, the sensor network constructed from these sensor devices is driven for a long time. It is because it cannot be made to do.

  On the other hand, during remote management of the sensor device, since the management information request message and the management information response message are periodically transmitted and received as described above, excessive power consumption occurs when this transmission and reception is frequently performed. However, the driving time of the sensor network may be shortened. In particular, since the sensor device consumes much of the power related to communication with the wireless communication module related to communication, the generation of power consumption related to transmission / reception can be a big problem.

  Therefore, it is necessary to suppress power consumption of the sensor device while realizing remote management of the sensor device. That is, it is necessary to suppress (reduce) communication traffic of communication related to remote management of the sensor device. However, if communication traffic for communications related to remote management of sensor devices is suppressed, management information for sensor devices is insufficient and the accuracy of management information decreases. It is necessary to consider the accuracy of information. The embodiment described below has one of the main purposes to suppress communication traffic related to remote management.

(2 Embodiment 1)
1 to 9 are diagrams for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described along the following flow with reference to these drawings. First, “2.1” shows an overview of the first embodiment. Then, “2.2” is the configuration of each device, “2.3” is the configuration of the management information request message and management information response message, and “2.4” is the configuration of the management status information related to device management. Each will be described. “2.5” describes the flow of processing. Finally, the effects and the like according to the first embodiment will be described after “2.6”.

(2.1 Overview)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a communication system including a sensor device and a gateway, which is a specific example of the communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a sensor device 100 (in the case where attention is not paid to the individual sensor devices 100A to 100F, it will be described as “sensor device 100”), a gateway 200, and a remote management server. 300 is included.

  The sensor device 100 is, for example, a sensor device that is an apparatus that detects environmental information including power information, temperature information, vibration information, sound information, radiation dose, or the like, or an actuator device that is an apparatus that changes the environment. It is possible. The sensor devices 100A to 100F constitute a sensor network N1.

  The gateway 200 communicates with the sensor device 100 directly or indirectly and is connected to the remote management server 300 via the Internet network N2. In this embodiment, an example in which the gateway 200 and the remote management server 300 are connected by the Internet network N2 will be described, but the connection method is not limited to this.

  The remote management server 300 is, for example, a server or a PC, and can remotely manage the sensor network N1 and the sensor device 100 by performing remote management communication with the sensor device 100 via the gateway 200.

  Although the remote management server 300 and the gateway 200 are described as separate devices through the first and second embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication system 1 can be configured not to include the remote management server 300 by providing the gateway 200 with all or part of the functions of the remote management server 300.

  Hereinafter, processing related to remote management performed by transmitting and receiving the management information request message 400 and the management information response message 500 between the sensor device 100 and the gateway 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Upon receiving a remote management instruction (remote management message / management request) from the remote management server 300, the gateway 200 starts remote management communication of the sensor device 100. In this communication, the gateway 200 transmits a management information request message 400 by broadcasting to the sensor devices 100A to 100F.

  In the example of FIG. 1, broadcast communication is used for propagation of the management information request message 400, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to use unicast communication or multicast communication. However, it is more efficient to transmit the management information request message to the sensor devices by unicast communication than the unicast communication, so that the message propagation efficiency is higher and power consumption can be generally suppressed.

  In the first embodiment, when the sensor device 100 receives the management information request message 400 transmitted from the gateway 200, the sensor device 100 refers to the response method instruction included in the management information request message 400, and receives the response received this time or before. Based on the instruction of the method, the management information response message 500 is created and returned to the gateway 200. Since the sensor device 100 continues to hold the response method included in the management information request message 400, the subsequent management information request message 400 is processed according to the response method (the management information response message 500). Can be created and responded).

  In the management information request message 400 shown in FIG. 1, the broadcast address “0xFFFF” is set as the destination, the gateway 200 address “0x1234” is set as the destination, and the parameter instance is sent to each sensor device 100 as the management command. “Parameter acquisition” instructing the response to “command” and “remaining power information” as the command target parameter are specified. Also, as a response method for instructing the sensor device 100, the content “The sensor devices A, C, and F respond to the third management information request message from the current management information request message” It is specified in the information request message 400.

  The sensor devices 100B, 100D, and 100E that have received the management information request message 400 confirm that there is no instruction for the own device in the response method, and the management command (parameter acquisition), command target parameter (power remaining amount information), , The management information response message 500 including the value of the remaining power information (remaining battery information) is transmitted (returned) to the gateway 200.

  In the management information response message 500 relayed by the sensor device 100A (the sensor devices 100B, 100D, and 100E transmit each of them, the sensor device 100A relays a total of three), the address “0x1234” of the gateway 200 is set as the destination. A “parameter response” indicating that the address of each sensor device 100 (“0x000E” in the case of the sensor device 100E) is a response to a parameter acquisition command as a management response as a transmission source, and “power” as a response target parameter “Remaining amount information” includes the remaining electric power value of each sensor device 100 (“17830” for the sensor device 100E) as an instance value of the parameter.

  On the other hand, the sensor devices 100A, 100C, and 100F that have received the management information request message 400 confirm that there is an instruction for the own device in the response method, and “the sensor devices of A, C, and F are the current management information. In response to the instruction “respond to the third management information request message from the request message”, the current management information request message 400 is not responded.

  The gateway 200 stores the information of the management information response message 500 regarding the received sensor devices 100B, 100D, and 100E, and notifies the remote management server 300 of the response information (transmits the management response message). Further, the gateway 200 does not respond to the sensor devices 100A, 100C, 100C, etc. that have not responded when the threshold for regular management is exceeded (immediately before entering the next regular management) or when the remote management server 300 is instructed to perform the next management. And 100F response information is created based on the management status information previously acquired (received) from the sensor devices 100A, 100C, and 100F, and is transmitted to the remote management server 300.

  In this manner, the sensor device 100 responds to the management information request message 400 according to the response method instruction included in the management information request message 400 transmitted from the gateway 200 (whether to transmit the management information response message 500). Or not).

  Accordingly, the sensor device 100 does not respond to at least a part of the management information request message 400, and as a result, it is possible to suppress traffic related to the management information response message 500 in the remote management communication. .

  That is, if the gateway 200 specifies an appropriate response method so as to suppress power consumption, the power consumption of the sensor device 100 can be reduced, and as a result, the operational life of the entire sensor network N1 can be extended. .

  In addition, the gateway 200 has not received the management information response message 500 to the gateway 200 due to a sensor device 100 that has not responded by a predetermined time (the sensor device 100 that has not transmitted the management information response message 500 or a packet loss). The management information of each sensor device 100A to 100F can be transmitted to the remote management server 300 by creating the response information of the sensor device 100) based on the past information of the corresponding sensor device 100 that is held. .

  Therefore, it is possible to extend the lifetime of the sensor network N1 and the sensor device 100 by suppressing the communication traffic related to the remote management communication for realizing the remote management while realizing the remote management for managing the sensor device 100 at regular intervals. It becomes.

(2.2 Configuration of each device)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the sensor device 100 will be described in “2.2.1”, and the configuration of the gateway 200 will be described in “2.2.2”.

(2.2.1 Configuration of sensor device 100)
The configuration of the sensor device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, solid-line arrows indicate control and reference between components and information flow.

  The sensor device 100 receives the management information request message 400 and creates and transmits a management information response message 500 for the subsequent management information request message 400 according to the response method instructed in the management information request message 400.

  The sensor device 100 includes a management information request message receiving unit 110 that receives the management information request message 400, a packet processing determining unit 120 that determines whether the received management information request message 400 is received and transferred, and the management information request message 400 A response processing unit 130 for processing the response method and generating a management information response message 500, a storage unit 140 that is a storage medium for storing sensor information 141 that is the state information of the sensor device 100, transmission of the management information response message 500, and A management information message transmission unit 150 for transferring the management information request message 400 and a sensor device interface 160 for directly communicating with other sensor devices 100 are included.

The management information request message receiving unit 110 receives the management information request message 400 addressed to itself from the gateway 200 on which another sensor device 100 or sensor module is mounted, performs the reception process, and then performs the packet processing determination unit 120. To the received management information request message 400. The management information request message 400 may be a unicast packet, a broadcast packet, or a multicast packet, and the management information request message receiving unit 110 receives all messages that can be determined to be addressed to the own device.
The format of the management information request message 400 received by the management information request message receiving unit 110 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The packet processing determining unit 120 receives the data of the management information request message 400 from the management information request message receiving unit 110 and performs the following two processes.
First, the packet processing determining unit 120 refers to the received data and determines whether or not to transfer the management information request message 400. If the packet processing determination unit 120 determines that the management information request message 400 is to be transferred based on the received data information, the packet processing determination unit 120 should transmit (transfer) the management information request message 400 to another sensor device 100. Data of the management information request message 400 is passed to the management information message transmission unit 150.

  Note that the packet processing determining unit 120 may determine whether or not to transfer according to the same rules as general sensor network routing. In other words, unicast packets and multicast packets are forwarded to a predetermined transfer destination if they are not addressed to the own device, and broadcast packets are transferred to adjacent sensor devices 100 according to a predetermined broadcast method. The packet processing determining unit 120 may determine to transfer the packet.

  As the second processing, the packet processing determination unit 120 determines whether or not the data related to the received management information request message 400 is processed (accepted). When receiving the data (when it is determined that the data should be processed), the packet processing determining unit 120 passes the received data relating to the management information request message 400 to the response determining unit 131 of the response processing unit 130. On the other hand, when the data is not received (not processed by the own device), the packet processing determining unit 120 discards the data.

  For example, when the management information request message 400 is received as a unicast packet, if the destination is not addressed to the own device, the packet processing determining unit 120 can determine that it should not be processed (not accepted) by the own device. . On the other hand, for example, when the management information request message 400 is received as a broadcast packet, if it is not the same as the management information request message 400 received before, the packet processing determination unit 120 should process (accept it) by itself. Judgment can be made.

  In addition, as a judgment of the upper layer regarding the reception processing of the management information request message 400, if the management information request message 400 relayed by a specific sensor device 100 is accepted or discarded, it is accepted with reference to the address of the transmitted gateway 200 or Judgment criteria such as discarding or accepting or discarding with reference to the security information of the management information request message 400 may be considered.

  The response processing unit 130 refers to the response method in the data of the management information request message 400 received from the packet processing determination unit 120, determines the response method according to the response method instruction, and stores (holds) the response method. Further, the response processing unit 130 refers to the stored (stored) response method, determines whether or not to transmit the management information response message 500 to the management information request message 400 received this time, and determines the management information response message 500. Is determined to be transmitted, the management information response message 500 is created based on the sensor information 141 of the device itself.

  The response processing unit 130 determines a response method, determines whether or not to respond, stores (holds) the response method as response method information 136, and receives the management information request message 400, etc. A storage unit 135 that stores response method calculation information 137 that is a parameter related to the management information response message 500, and a management information response message creation unit 133 that creates a management information response message 500.

  The response determination unit 131 refers to the response method in the data of the management information request message 400 received from the packet processing determination unit 120, determines the response method according to the response method instruction, and stores the response method in the storage unit 135. Stored as response method information 136. When the response method is not instructed in the management information request message 400, the response method is not determined and stored in the response method information 136.

  The response determination unit 131 can store a plurality of response method information 136 in the storage unit 135. However, when the response determination unit 131 receives a response in a response method that contradicts the response method stored as the response method information 136, The response method having a high priority is stored as the response method information 136, and the response method having a low priority is deleted from the response method information 136. Here, the priority can be freely set by an operator or the like based on the operation policy of the sensor network N1, but in general, the newly determined response method has a higher priority.

  In addition, the response determination unit 131 responds to the management information request message 400 received by the device itself this time based on the response method and response method calculation information 137 held as response method information 136 this time and before. It is determined whether or not 500 is transmitted, that is, whether or not to respond to the management information request message 400. When the response determination unit 131 determines to transmit the management information response message 500 in response to the management information request message 400 received by the device itself this time, the response determination unit 131 instructs the management information response message creation unit 133 to create the management information response message 500. To do.

  Further, the response determination unit 131 updates the response method calculation information 137 by receiving the management information request message 400. For example, as the response method information 136, if the response method "Receive management information response message after receiving the management information request message twice and send the management information response message once" is held as the response method information 136, the response determination The unit 131 stores the number of times this management information request message 400 has been received as response method calculation information 137 and updates it.

  In addition, the response determination part 131 refers to the sensor information 141 of the memory | storage part 140, when the response method which contains the content of sensor information (status information of an own apparatus) as a response condition is received. Then, the response determination unit 131 updates the response method calculation information 137 in the storage unit 135 according to the content of the referenced sensor information 141.

  The response method information 136 stored in the storage unit 135 stores the content of the response method received from the response determination unit 131. The response method calculation information 137 is a parameter managed in association with the response method information 136. The response method calculation information 137 is updated as a parameter with the reception of the management information request message 400 as described above. When the parameters of the response method calculation information 137 satisfy the threshold value and the adaptive value determined by the response method adopted by the response determination unit 131, the response determination unit 131 determines that the response to the management information request message 400 is to be made. The As described above, the storage unit 135 can hold one or more sets of response method information 136 and response method calculation information 137 related thereto.

  The management information response message creation unit 133 creates the management information response message 500 in accordance with the instruction from the response determination unit 131. The management information in the management information response message is created with reference to sensor information 141 (status information of the own device) stored in the storage unit 140. The final destination of the management information response message 500 is the transmission source (for example, the gateway 200) of the management information request message 400. The management information response message creation unit 133 passes the created management information response message 500 to the management information message transmission unit 150. The format of the management information response message 500 created by the management information response message creation unit 133 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The sensor information 141 stored in the storage unit 140 is the state information of the own device as described above. The information included in the sensor information 141 is all information related to the device itself. As an example, manufacturing vendor information (vendor name, vendor code), device model name, serial number, type information of the power source used, remaining power level Information (remaining battery information), network address, MAC address, routing information, adjacent link quality information, software module to be held, and the like.

  The management information message transmission unit 150 designates the management information request message 400 instructed to be transferred from the packet processing determination unit 120 and the management information response message 500 created by the management information response message creation unit 133 of the response processing unit 130. Send to destination.

  The sensor device interface 160 is an interface for transmitting / receiving a management information request message 400 and a management information response message 500 to / from a gateway 200 (with a sensor device interface) on which another sensor device 100 and a sensor module are mounted. It is.

  The sensor device 100 can have any hardware configuration that a general device (or communication device) has, for example, a control unit, a storage unit (for example, a hardware disk), a memory (for example, a RAM (for example, RAM ( Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory)), and the like. In this case, each functional configuration of the sensor device 100 can be realized by, for example, the control unit developing and executing a program from the storage unit or the memory. Alternatively, the sensor device 100 may include a circuit for realizing each functional configuration described above. The same applies to the embodiments described below.

(2.2.2 Configuration of gateway 200)
The configuration of the gateway 200 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, solid arrows indicate control and reference between components and information flow.

  When the gateway 200 receives a remote management request (management request message / management request) from the remote management server 300, the gateway 200 provides a response method for instructing each sensor device 100 from the current management state information related to each sensor device 100. The management information request message 400 including the response method is generated and transmitted.

  The gateway 200 receives an instruction from the remote management server 300 and performs a process of transmitting a device management unit 210 that performs remote management processing, a remote management message processing unit 220 that performs power-saving remote processing of the sensor device 100, and a management information request message 400. Management information request message transmission unit 230 to perform, management information response message reception unit 240 that performs reception processing of management information response message 500, external connection interface 250 for communication with an external server such as remote management server 300, and communication with sensor device 100 Including a sensor device interface 260.

  The device management unit 210 receives a remote management request from the remote management server 300. If the request is a content that requires remote management of the sensor device 100, the response management instruction determination unit of the remote management message processing unit 220 221 instructs remote management of the sensor device 100. The instruction to the response method instruction determination unit 221 is an instruction to which sensor device 100 (an instruction to a specific sensor device 100A to 100F, an instruction to all the sensor devices 100, etc.) Yes, and what parameters are handled.

  The device management unit 210 receives remote management response information of the sensor device 100 from the response message processing unit 227 of the remote management message processing unit 220 and transmits the response information as a response to the remote management server 300.

  The remote management message processing unit 220 receives an instruction for remote management of the sensor device 100 from the device management unit 210, determines a response method for performing suitable remote management while suppressing power consumption, and sends a management information request message 400. The device management unit 210 appropriately manages, creates, and processes response information included in the management information response message 500 received from the sensor device 100 and response information for unanswered sensor devices that have not been received. The response information is output.

  The remote management message processing unit 220 includes a response method instruction determination unit 221, a storage unit 223 that stores management state information 224, a management information request message creation unit 225, and a response message processing unit 227.

  The response method instruction determination unit 221 receives an instruction for remote management of the sensor device 100 from the device management unit 210 and determines the response method of each sensor device 100. The response method refers to the management status of each sensor device 100 held as the management status information 224, the configuration and status of the sensor network N1, and the like, while suppressing power consumption of the entire sensor network N1 and performing appropriate remote control. It is determined for each sensor device 100 by determining how to perform management.

  The response method instruction determination unit 221 instructs the management information request message creation unit 225 to create the management information request message 400 including the determined response method. In determining the response method, the response method instruction determining unit 221 may not instruct any of the sensor devices 100 about the response method. In this case, the response method instruction determination unit 221 does not specify a response method using the management information request message 400.

  In addition, the response method instruction determination unit 221 notifies the response message processing unit 227 of the determined response method (response method for instructing the sensor device 100).

  The storage unit 223 stores (holds) the management status information 224 regarding each sensor device 100 received from the response message processing unit 227. The management status information 224 of each sensor device 100 includes past information previously acquired (received) from each sensor device 100 in addition to the latest information newly acquired this time. A specific example of the management status information 224 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The management information request message creation unit 225 creates a management information request message 400 including a response method for instructing each sensor device 100 determined by the response method instruction determination unit 221 and passes the management information request message 400 to the management information request message transmission unit 230. When the response method is not particularly instructed from the response method instruction determination unit 221, the management information request message creation unit 225 does not particularly describe the response method. The specific contents of the management information request message 400 created by the management information request message creation unit 225 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The response message processing unit 227 receives the management information response message 500 from the management information response message receiving unit 240, and stores the management information of the sensor device 100 (management state information 224 of each sensor device 100) included therein in the storage unit 223. Is recorded as management status information 224. Further, the response message processing unit 227 organizes the information, such as converting the format of the received management information response message 500, and outputs the information to the device management unit 210. If the management parameter in the received management information response message 500 is partially missing, the response message processing unit 227 reads the management status information 224 corresponding to the corresponding sensor device 100 from the storage unit 223 and With reference to the response method determined by the response method instruction determination unit 221, the missing information is compensated (processed).

  When there is a sensor device 100 that has not transmitted the management information response message 500 by a predetermined time (or a predetermined time), the response message processing unit 227 corresponds to the sensor device 100. With reference to the management status information 224 and the response method received from the response method instruction determination unit 221, data corresponding to the management information response message 500 is created and output to the device management unit 210. The predetermined time (threshold time) is, for example, a time uniquely determined in the gateway 200, a time given from the remote management server 300, or a remote management instruction for the next cycle received from the remote management server 300. Various times such as time can be considered, but any of them may be used.

  The management information request message transmission unit 230 performs transmission processing of the management information request message 400 received from the management information request message creation unit 225 of the remote management message processing unit 220 and transmits it to the sensor device 100.

  The management information response message receiving unit 240 receives the management information response message 500 from the sensor device 100 and performs reception processing, and then passes the data of the management information response message 500 to the response message processing unit 227.

  The external connection interface 250 is an interface for the gateway 200 to communicate with an external server such as the remote management server 300.

  The sensor device interface 260 is an interface for the gateway 200 to communicate with the sensor device 100.

  The gateway 200 can have any hardware configuration that a general device (or communication device) has, for example, a control unit, a storage unit (for example, a hardware disk), a memory (for example, a RAM, a ROM). ) And the like. In this case, each functional configuration of the gateway 200 can be realized by, for example, the control unit expanding and executing a program stored in the storage unit or the memory. Alternatively, the gateway 200 may include a circuit for realizing each functional configuration described above. The same applies to the embodiments described below.

(2.3 Message structure)
Next, the format of the management information request message 400 and the management information response message 500 that the sensor device 100 transmits / receives to / from the gateway 200 and other sensor devices 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

(2.3.1 Management information request message 400)
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary format of the management information request message 400. The management information request message 400 includes a destination address 410, a transmission source address 430, and management contents 450.

  The destination address 410 indicates the network address of the sensor device 100 that is the final destination of the management information request message 400. As the destination address 410, any of a unicast address, a multicast address, a broadcast address, and an anycast address can be designated.

  The transmission source address 430 indicates the network address of the transmission source sensor device of the management information request message 400 or the sensor module of the transmission source gateway 200.

  The management content 450 is a data group related to remote management of the sensor device 100, and includes a management command 451 indicating the content of remote management, a management parameter 453 indicating a target parameter for remote management, and a response method 459.

The management instruction 451 includes an instruction on how the management information request message 400 performs management for the destination sensor device 100. Examples of the contents of the management command 451 include the following.
Instructs the sensor device 100 to respond to an instance for a specified management parameter.
Instructs the sensor device 100 to set the specified management parameter instance.
Instructs the sensor device 100 to restart.
A simple response is instructed to the sensor device 100 (for life and death management).
Instruct the sensor device 100 to install, uninstall, start or stop the software module in the device.
Instructs the sensor device 100 to download an arbitrary software module.

  In the description of the first and second embodiments, for the sake of simplicity, the management information request message in which “instruct the sensor device 100 to give an instance response to a specified management parameter” is mainly set in the management command 451. A case where 400 is transmitted and received is described as an example. That is, a case where the management information request message 400 requests the sensor device 100 for sensor device status information is described as an example. However, another command may be set in the management command 451. That is, no matter what management instruction 451 is set, the sensor device 100 creates a management information response message 500 according to the response method determined based on the response method instructed by the response method 459, and responds. Yes (or no response).

  The management parameter 453 is a data group regarding the state information of the sensor device 100 handled by the management information request message 400. The management parameter 453 may not exist depending on the type of the management command 451. The management parameter 453 includes a parameter 455 and an instance 457.

  The parameter 455 is used to specify a state information parameter acquired from the sensor device 100 or a state information parameter set in the sensor device 100. That is, manufacturing vendor information (vendor name, vendor code), device model name, manufacturing number, type information of power source used, remaining power information (remaining battery information), network address, MAC address, routing information, adjacent A parameter type to be acquired from the sensor device 100 such as link quality information and a software module to be held is designated by a parameter 455.

  In the instance 457, an instance (entity, entity value) of the parameter type designated by the parameter 455 is described. For example, when a network address is specified in the parameter 455, the value of the network address is described in the instance 457. Note that the instance 457 may not be described depending on the type of the management instruction 451 and the type of the parameter 455.

  The response method 459 is for designating how to respond to the management information request message 400 after the reception of the management information request message 400 this time to the sensor device 100. As an example of the response method described in the response method 459, for example, the following can be considered. Note that a plurality of the following examples can be set as the response method 459.

  Also, the response method 459 is instructed which sensor device 100 should accept which response method. (In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, when the destination address 410 is a broadcast address, the sensor device 100 that should accept the response method described below is indicated.)

In response to X management information request messages 400, Y management information response messages 500 are transmitted (where Y is an integer value less than or equal to X. If X = Y, an instruction to respond each time is sent).

In the management information request message 400 of X times, the management information response message 500 is transmitted at the Nth time (where N is an integer value less than or equal to X. N can be specified multiple times, for example, 1, 3 5th response may be indicated).

The management information response message 500 is transmitted in response to the Zth management information request message 400 from the reception of the current management information request message 400 (after the Zth transmission process, this example is repeated and the next Z For example, after the Z-th response, a response may be made to the management information request message 400 from the Z + Z-th reception from the starting reception).

The management information response message 500 is transmitted or transmitted to the management information request message 400 including a specific management parameter 453, parameter 455, or instance 457 among the management information request messages 400 after this time. Don't do it.

The management information response message 500 is transmitted to all the management information request messages 400 up to the Zth time from the reception of the management information request message 400 this time (that is, to the management information request messages 400 after the Zth time). You don't have to respond).

The management information response message 500 is transmitted or not transmitted only to the designated sensor device 100 (At this time, the designation method of the sensor device 100 includes not only designation by a network address, a MAC address, and other identifiers of the sensor device 100) , Designation by the number of hops from the gateway 200 (up to the M hop, only the M hop, or after the M hop, etc.), designation by an application held by the sensor device 100, designation by the geographical position information of the sensor device 100, etc. Can be considered).
A management information response message 500 is transmitted with a probability of P in response to the management information request message 400.

The measured value (instance) of the management parameter 453 specified in the management information request message 400 in the sensor device 100 at the time of receiving the management information request message 400 or at an arbitrary timing before that is compared with the previous measurement time. When the change is greater than or equal to W (or less), the management information response message 500 is transmitted.

The measured value (instance) of the management parameter 453 specified in the management information request message 400 in the sensor device 100 exceeds the threshold value V at the time of receiving the management information request message 400 or at an arbitrary timing before that. If it is (or below), send the management information response message 500.

A new value (or an old value) is added to the actual value (instance) of the management parameter 453 specified by the management information request message 400 in the sensor device 100 at the time of receiving the management information request message 400 or at an arbitrary timing before that. Value) is set, the management information response message 500 is transmitted.
When the condition related to the management parameter 453 specified in the management information request message 400 in the sensor device 100 is satisfied U times or more (or below) in the past several measurements, the management information response message 500 is transmitted. .

  There is also a management information request message 400 in which information is entered only in the response method 459 of the management content 450 and the other management command 451, management parameter 453, parameter 455, and instance 457 are empty information. In this case, the management information request message 400 is actually a message for instructing the response method 459 rather than requesting the sensor device 100 for management information.

The management information request message 400 with only the response method 459 information as described above is the same as the other management information request message 400, the device management unit 210 of the gateway 200, the response method instruction determination unit 221, and the management information request message creation. The data is created by the unit 225 and transmitted to the sensor network N1 by the management information request message transmission unit 230.
Further, in the sensor device 100, the management information request message 400 having only the response method 459 information as described above is received and processed by the management information request message receiving unit 110 in the same manner as the other management information request messages 400, and the packet Through the processing of the processing determination unit 120 and the response determination unit 131, the storage unit 135 holds the response method information 136 and the response method calculation information 137.

(2.3.2 Management information response message 500)
Next, the management information response message 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of the management information response message 500.
The management information response message 500 includes a destination address 510, a transmission source address 520, and management contents 530.

  The destination address 510 is a network address of the sensor device 100 or gateway 200 (the sensor module) that is the final destination of the management information response message 500.

  The transmission source address 520 is a network address of the sensor device 100 that is a transmission source of the management information response message 500.

  The management content 530 is a data group related to remote management of the sensor device 100, and includes a management response 531 indicating the content of remote management and a management parameter 533 indicating the target parameter type of remote management.

  The management response 531 describes the response content to the management command content instructed to the sensor device 100 by the management information request message 400. That is, the management response 531 describes what management command 451 is responding to.

  The management parameter 533 is a data group regarding the state information of the sensor device 100 handled by the management information response message 500. The management parameter 533 includes a parameter 535 and an instance 537. Note that the management parameter 533 may not exist depending on the type of the management response 531.

  The parameter 535 is for designating the parameter type of the state information of the sensor device 100. That is, manufacturing vendor information (vendor name, vendor code), device model name, manufacturing number, type information of power source used, remaining power information (remaining battery information), network address, MAC address, routing information, adjacent Types such as link quality information, software modules to be held, and the like are designated by the parameter 535.

  In the instance 537, an instance (entity, entity value) of the parameter type designated by the parameter 535 is described. For example, when a device model name is specified as a type in the parameter 535, a character string or a character string code of the name of the device model is described in the instance 537. Note that the instance 537 may not exist (not described) depending on the type of the management response 531 and the type of the parameter 535.

(2.4 Management status information 224)
Next, the management status information 224 stored in the storage unit 223 of the gateway 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an example of the management status information 224 recorded in the storage unit 223 of the gateway 200 according to the first embodiment.

  The management status information 224 is referred to when the response method instruction determination unit 221 of the gateway 200 determines a response method, or when the response message processing unit 227 processes missing data or creates response information of an unresponsive sensor device. Information.

  Here, the management status information 224 holds the management status of the sensor device 100 in the form of a table shown in FIG. 6 as an example. However, the management format of the management status information 224 is not limited to a table, and any format such as a list structure, a tree structure, or a ring structure may be used as long as a similar function can be realized.

  The management status information 224 includes a sensor device ID 224A, a time 224B, and a management parameter 224C such as a manufacturing number and remaining power information. The management status information 224 can use any information of the sensor device ID 224A, the time 224B, and the management parameter 224C as a key of other information in information retrieval, information insertion, correction, and deletion. For example, new arbitrary time 224B and management parameter 224C data can be added using the sensor device ID 224A as a key.

  The sensor device ID 224A is an identifier that can uniquely identify the sensor device 100. For example, as an example of information used for the sensor device ID 224A, it is conceivable to use a MAC address uniquely assigned to the communication module of each sensor device 100, or a device-specific identification information corresponding to this.

  Time 224B is the time when the management information response message 500 is received from each sensor device 100 (or the time when the management information response message 500 is received and the information is registered in the management status information 224). The time 224B may be indicated by an absolute time (year, month, day, hour, minute, second, millisecond) or may be indicated by a relative time based on the activation time of the gateway 200. In the example of FIG. 6, the time 224B is expressed in absolute time. The granularity of description at time 224B (how many milliseconds or how many microseconds, etc.) can be freely set.

  The management parameter 224 </ b> C is status information of each sensor device 100 acquired from each sensor device 100 at the time described in the time 224. The status information includes, for example, manufacturing vendor information (vendor name, vendor code), device model name, manufacturing number, power source type information used, remaining power information (remaining battery information), network address, MAC address. , Routine false information, adjacent link quality information, retained software modules, and the like.

(2.5 Process flow)
The processing flow of the sensor device 100 and the gateway 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively.

(2.5.1 Process flow of sensor device 100)
A processing flow of the sensor device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the sensor device 100 according to the first embodiment. The sensor device 100 may execute this process again after the flowchart according to FIG.

  When the management information request message receiving unit 110 receives the management information request message 400 (S701), the packet processing determining unit 120 determines whether or not the received management information request message 400 needs to be transferred (S703). . If it is necessary to transfer the received management information request message 400 (Yes in S703), the management information message transmission unit 150 performs a transfer process of the management information request message 400 (S705).

  Here, the determination of whether or not to perform the transfer process by the packet processing determination unit 120 can be performed in the same manner as the general sensor network routing. For example, if the unicast packet and the multicast packet are not addressed to the own device, the packet processing determination unit 120 determines to transfer the packet to a predetermined transfer destination. For the broadcast packet, the packet processing determining unit 120 determines to transmit to the adjacent sensor device 100 in accordance with the determined broadcast method.

  When the received management information request message 400 does not need to be transferred (No in S703), or when the transfer process is completed (S705), the packet processing determination unit 120 indicates that the management information request message 400 indicates In step S707, it is determined whether the request message is to be processed. For example, when the management information request message 400 is received as a unicast packet, the packet processing determining unit 120 can determine that the packet should not be processed unless the destination is the own device. On the other hand, for example, when the management information request message 400 is received as a broadcast packet, the packet processing determination unit 120 can determine that the packet is to be processed by the own device. In addition, as described above, there may be a determination of acceptance and discard based on the determination of the upper layer regarding the reception processing of the management information request message 400.

  If it is determined that the received management information request message 400 should not be processed (not to be accepted) by the own device, the process returns to S701, and the sensor device 100 waits for reception of the next management information request message 400.

  When it is determined that the received management information request message 400 should be processed (accepted) by the own apparatus, the response determination unit 131 includes an instruction of a response method in the management information request message 400. It is determined whether or not (S709).

  If there is a response method in the received management information request message 400 (Yes in S709), the response method and the previously registered response method stored as the response method information 136 in the storage unit 135, However, the response determination unit 131 determines whether or not the content is inconsistent (S711).

  If the response method newly instructed this time is inconsistent with the registered response method, the response determination unit 131 determines which priority is higher (S713), and the management information received this time When the priority of the response method indicated by the request message 400 is higher (Yes in S713), the response determination unit 131 registers the response method in the storage unit 135 as response method information 136 (S715). If the response method registered in the storage unit 135 has a higher priority in S713, the response determination unit 131 ignores the response method instructed this time by the received management information request message 400, and in S717 Proceed to processing.

  If the response method specified in the management information request message 400 received this time and the response method registered as response method information 136 are not inconsistent in S711 (No in S711), the response determination unit 131 The response method specified by the management information request message 400 is newly recorded (registered / updated) in the response method information 136 (S715).

  After a new response method is recorded in S715, if there is no response method instruction in S709 (No in S709), or if the priority of the management information request message 400 received in S713 is low (No in S713) The response determining unit 131 determines whether or not to respond to the current management information request message 400 based on the response method information 136 and the response method calculation information 137 recorded in the storage unit 135 (S717). (S719).

  In S719, for example, when there is no response method registered as response method information 136 so far including the current time, the response determination unit 131 should respond to the current management information request message 400. It can be judged that there is. If there is a response method registered as the response method information 136 and the parameters managed by the response method calculation information 137 corresponding to the response method satisfy a predetermined threshold value or conformity value, the management information The response determination unit 131 can determine that it should respond to the request message 400 and not respond if it does not satisfy the request message 400. If it is determined that the response should not be made, the sensor device 100 ends the series of processes according to FIG.

  When the response determination unit 131 determines that the response to the current management information request message 400 is to be made (Yes in S719), the management information response message creation unit 133 applies the status information of the own device in the storage unit 140. A management information response message 500 is created based on the sensor information 141, and the management information message transmission unit 150 transmits this (S721).

(2.5.2 Processing flow of gateway 200)
Next, the processing flow of the gateway 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the gateway 200 according to the second embodiment. The gateway 200 may execute this process again after the flowchart according to FIG. 8 ends.

  The device management unit 210 determines whether or not a management request has been received from the remote management server 300 (S801). If not received (No in S801), the device management unit 210 proceeds to processing in S811 described later.

  When a management request is received from the remote management server 300 (Yes in S801), the device management unit 210 analyzes the content of the received management request and determines what management information request message 400 should be transmitted. At the same time, information necessary for creating the management information request message 400 is extracted (S803).

  Then, the response method instruction determination unit 221 uses the contents of the management information request message 400 to be created (request contents from the remote management server 300) and the management status information 224 of the sensor device 100 and sensor network N1 to A response method of the sensor device 100 (response method instructing each sensor device 100) is determined (S805).

  The determined response method of the sensor device 100 (how to instruct each sensor device 100A to 100F to respond) is held (stored) in the gateway 200 (S807), and a management information request message is created. The unit 225 creates the management information request message 400 based on the determined response method, and the management information request message transmission unit 230 transmits this (S809).

  If the management request is not received from the remote management server 300 in step 801 (No in S801), the management information response message receiving unit 240 determines whether the management information response message 500 is received from the sensor device 100 or not. It is determined (S811). If the management information response message 500 has not been received, the process proceeds to S819 described later.

  If the management information response message 500 is received (Yes in S811), the response message processing unit 227 checks whether or not the management information response message 500 is missing (S813). If any part is missing (Yes in S813), the response message processing unit 227 sends the management status information 224 regarding the corresponding sensor device 100, the management status information of the sensor network N1, and step S807. With reference to the stored (retained) response method, the missing data is compensated (processed) (S815).

  After the completion of step S815, or in the case of No in step 813, the received management information response message 500 data (if there is a missing data, the management information response message 500 data after the missing data is compensated) Based on the above (No in S813, 815), the response message processing unit 227 creates response information, and the device management unit 210 transmits the response information to the remote management server 300 (S817).

  The response message processing unit 227 checks whether or not a predetermined threshold time (limit time for accepting reception of the management information response message 500) has been missed within the remote management period performed at regular intervals. If the threshold time has not passed (No in S819), the process returns to S801, and the gateway 200 determines that a new management request has been received.

  The threshold time is any one of a time uniquely determined in the gateway 200, a time given from the remote management server 300, a time when a remote management instruction for the next cycle is received from the remote management server 300, and the like. good.

If the threshold time has passed (Yes in S819) and there is still a sensor device 100 that has not yet responded (management information due to a sensor device 100 that has not transmitted the management information response message 500 or packet loss). When there is a sensor device 100 in which the gateway 200 could not receive the response message 500), the response message processing unit 227 includes the management status information 224 corresponding to the corresponding sensor device 100 and the response stored in step 807. Referring to the method, response information that responds to the remote management server 300 is created (processed) (S821).
The device management unit 210 transmits the response information created by the response message processing unit 227 to the remote management server 300 (S823).

(2.6 Effects of this embodiment)
As described above, in the first embodiment, whether the sensor device 100 responds to the management information request message 400 according to the instruction of the response method of the management information request message 400 transmitted by the gateway 200 (management information response). Whether or not to send the message 500). Accordingly, it is not necessary to respond to at least a part of the management information request message 400, and as a result, it is possible to suppress traffic related to the management information response message 500 in the remote management communication.

  That is, if the gateway 200 specifies an appropriate response method so as to suppress power consumption, the power consumption of the sensor device 100 can be reduced, and as a result, the operational life of the entire sensor network N1 can be extended. .

  In addition, the gateway 200 has not received the management information response message 500 to the gateway 200 due to a sensor device 100 that has not responded by a predetermined time (the sensor device 100 that has not transmitted the management information response message 500 or a packet loss). By creating the response information of the sensor device 100) based on the past information of the corresponding sensor device 100, the management information of each sensor device 100A to 100F can be transmitted to the remote management server 300.

  Accordingly, it is possible to suppress power consumption related to communication traffic related to remote management communication for realizing remote management while realizing remote management for managing the sensor device 100 at regular intervals, thereby extending the lifetime of the sensor network N1 and the sensor device 100. It becomes possible.

(3 Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment will be described below. In addition, about the structure which is the same as that of Embodiment 1, or corresponds, the code | symbol similar to Embodiment 1 is attached | subjected, and description may be abbreviate | omitted. In addition to the configuration, the description of operations, effects, processing contents, and the like that are the same as those in the first embodiment is omitted. Hereinafter, the description will be focused on differences from the first embodiment.

  9 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described along the following flow with reference to these drawings. First, “3.1” gives an overview of the entire second embodiment. Then, the configuration of the sensor device 100 will be described with “3.2”, and the process flow will be described with “3.3”. Finally, “3.4” describes effects and the like according to the second embodiment.

(3.1 Overview)
When the sensor device 100 according to the second embodiment receives the management information request message 400, the response method instructed by the current or previous management information request message 400 or a response method uniquely set in the sensor device 100 The management information response message 500 is created and transmitted based on the above.

  That is, when the sensor device 100 receives the management information request message 400 including the response method instruction, the sensor device 100 refers to and holds the instructed response method. A significant difference from the first embodiment is that a uniquely defined response method is maintained.

The outline (specific example) of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication system 1 according to a specific example including the sensor device 100 and the gateway 200 which are communication apparatuses according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment also includes the sensor device 100, the gateway 200, and the remote management server 300 as in the first embodiment. The general functions and the like of each device are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the remote management server 300 is included in the communication system 1. However, as in the first embodiment, all or part of the functions of the remote management server 300 are provided in the gateway 200, so that the remote management server 300 It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which 300 does not exist.

  At an arbitrary timing, the sensor device 100C newly formulates its own response method (“responds to the management information request message 400 every time”) locally. Since this response method is inconsistent with the response method previously stored as the response method information 136, the sensor device 100C determines that the response method stored previously and the response method established by the device itself are the same. Compare priorities. Here, the sensor device 100C determines that the newly established response method has a higher priority, and newly holds it. The subsequent operation description is after this processing is completed.

  The gateway 200 receives a remote management instruction from the remote management server 300 and starts remote management communication with the sensor device 100. More specifically, the gateway 200 transmits a management information request message 400 by broadcast to each of the sensor devices 100A to 100F.

  In the example of FIG. 9, broadcast communication is used for propagation of the management information request message 400, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to use unicast communication or multicast communication.

  In the management information request message 400 shown in FIG. 9, the broadcast address “0xFFFF” is the destination, the gateway 200 address “0x1234” is the destination, and the parameter instance is sent to each sensor device 100 as the management command. “Parameter acquisition” instructing the response to “command” and “remaining power information” as the command target parameter are specified. Further, as a response method to the sensor device 100, the content that “the sensor devices of A, C, and F respond to the third management information request message from the current management information request message” is the management information request message 400. It is specified in.

  The sensor devices 100A and 100F that have received the management information request message 400 confirm that there is an instruction for the device in their response method, and “A, C, F sensor devices are the third time from the current management information request message. In response to the instruction “Respond to management information request message”, the management information request message 400 of this time is not responded.

  On the other hand, the sensor device 100C that has received the management information request message 400 holds the response method included in the management information request message 400 (“responding to the third management information request message from this time”) and the device itself. It is determined that there is a contradiction with the response method (a response method established locally, “response to the management information request message every time”). The sensor device 100C compares the priorities of the two response methods, and discards the response method indicated in the management information request message 400 if it is determined that the priority of the response method held by itself is high. . Then, the sensor device 100C creates and transmits a management information response message 500 including the value of the remaining power information (remaining battery information) by referring to the management command 451 and the command target parameter 455.

  The sensor devices 100B, 100E, and 100D that have received the management information request message 400 confirm that there is no instruction for themselves in the response method, and refer to the management command 451 and the command target parameter 455, A management information response message 500 including the value of the remaining power information (remaining battery information) is transmitted to the gateway 200.

  The management information response message 500 transmitted by the sensor devices 100C, 100B, 100E, and 100D includes an address “0x1234” of the gateway 200 as a destination and an address of each sensor device 100 as a transmission source (in the case of the sensor device 100C in FIG. 0x000C ”),“ parameter response ”indicating a response to the parameter acquisition command as a management response,“ remaining power information ”as the response target parameter type, and the remaining power value of each device as the parameter instance value ( In the case of the sensor device 100C of FIG. 9, “18188”) is included.

  The gateway 200 holds the information of the received management information response message 500 and notifies the remote management server 300 of the response information. Further, at the time when the threshold for regular management is exceeded (immediately before entering the next regular management), or when the remote management server 300 is instructed to perform the next management, the gateway 200 receives the unresponsive sensor devices 100A and 100F. Response information is created based on the management status information 224 previously acquired from the sensor devices 100A and 100F, and the created response information is notified to the remote management server 300.

  As described above, the sensor device 100 sends the management information request message 400 to the management information request message 400 according to an instruction of a response method of the management information request message 400 transmitted by the gateway 200 or a response method established locally by the sensor device 100 at an arbitrary timing. It is determined whether or not the management information response message 500 is transmitted as a response.

  This eliminates the need for the sensor device 100 to respond to at least some of the management information request messages 400. As a result, it is possible to suppress traffic related to the management information response message 500 in remote management communication. Become.

  That is, the gateway 200 or the sensor device 100 designates (selects) an appropriate response method, thereby reducing the power consumption of the sensor device 100 and, as a result, extending the operational life of the entire sensor network N1. .

  In addition, by formulating a response method locally in the sensor device 100 at an arbitrary timing, it is possible to reduce power consumption reflecting the policy of the manufacturer, installer, and user of the sensor device 100. It becomes.

  In addition, the gateway 200 has not received the management information response message 500 to the gateway 200 due to a sensor device 100 that has not responded by a predetermined time (the sensor device 100 that has not transmitted the management information response message 500 or a packet loss). By generating response information of the sensor device 100) based on the past information of the sensor device 100 that is held, all management information of the sensor devices 100A to 100F can be transmitted to the remote management server 300. it can.

  Therefore, communication related to remote management communication that realizes remote management while reflecting the policies of the manufacturer, installer, and user of the sensor device 100 while realizing remote management for managing the sensor device 100 at regular intervals. It is possible to extend the lifetime of the sensor network N1 and the sensor device 100 by suppressing traffic.

(3.2 Device configuration)
The configuration of the sensor device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, solid arrows indicate control, reference, and information flow between components.

  As described above, the sensor device 100 according to the second embodiment receives the management information request message 400 and uses the response method instructed in the management information request message 400 and an arbitrary timing in the sensor device 100. The management information response message 500 for the subsequent management information request message 400 is created and transmitted in accordance with the response method defined in (1).

  The sensor device 100 includes a management information request message receiving unit 110 that receives the management information request message 400, a packet processing determination unit 120 that determines acceptance and transfer of the received management information request message 400, and a response method in the management information request message 400 And a response processing unit 130 that creates a management information response message 500, a storage unit 140 that is a storage medium that stores sensor information 141 that is state information of the sensor device 100, a transmission of a management information response message 500, and a management information request It includes a management information message transmitter 150 for transferring the message 400, a sensor device interface 160 for directly communicating with other sensor devices 100, and a response method instruction unit 170 for setting a response method at an arbitrary timing.

  Since the functions of the management information request message receiving unit 110 and the packet processing determining unit 120 and the cooperation with other functions are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Further, the format of the management information request message 400 received by the management information request message receiving unit 110 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  The response processing unit 130 refers to the response method in the data of the management information request message 400 received from the packet processing determination unit 120, and from the response method and the response method instructed by the response method instruction unit 170, the response processing unit 130 The method is determined and stored (held). The response processing unit 130 refers to the stored response method, determines whether to transmit the management information response message 500 to the management information request message 400 received this time, and transmits the management information response message 500. If it is determined, the management information response message 500 is created based on the sensor information 141 of the own device.

  The response processing unit 130 determines a response method, determines whether or not to respond, stores (holds) the response method as response method information 136, and receives the management information request message 400, etc. A storage unit 135 that stores response method calculation information 137 that is a parameter of the management information, and a management information response message creating unit 133 that creates a management information response message 500

  The response determination unit 131 refers to the response method in the data of the management information request message 400 received from the packet processing determination unit 120 or the response method instructed from the response method instruction unit 170 and finally selects the response method. Is recorded as response method information 136 in the storage unit 135.

  The response determination unit 131 can store a plurality of response method information 136 in the storage unit 135. However, when the response determination unit 131 determines a response with a response method that is inconsistent with the response method stored as the response method information 136. The response method having a high priority is stored as the response method information 136, and the response method having a low priority is deleted from the response method information 136.

  Here, the priority is common to both the response method in the data of the management information request message 400 received from the packet processing determination unit 120 and the response method instructed from the response method instruction unit 170. Is used. The priority can be freely set by the operator, the manufacturer and the installer of the sensor device 100 based on the operation policy of the sensor network N1, but in general, the newly determined response method has a higher priority. Is expensive.

  In addition, the response determination unit 131 responds to the management information request message 400 received by the device itself this time based on the response method and response method calculation information 137 held as response method information 136 this time and before. It is determined whether or not 500 is transmitted, that is, whether or not to respond to the management information request message 400. When the response determination unit 131 determines to transmit the management information response message 500 in response to the management information request message 400 received by the device itself this time, the response determination unit 131 instructs the management information response message creation unit 133 to create the management information response message 500. To do.

  Further, the response determination unit 131 updates the response method calculation information 137 by receiving the management information request message 400. For example, if the response method information 136 holds a response method of “transmit the management information response message once after receiving the management information request message twice”, the response determining unit 131 A parameter indicating how many times the management information request message 400 is received is stored as response method calculation information 137 and updated.

  In addition, the response determination part 131 refers to the sensor information 141 of the memory | storage part 140, when the response method which contains the content of sensor information (status information of an own apparatus) as a response condition is received. Then, the response determination unit 131 updates the response method calculation information 137 in the storage unit 135 according to the content of the referenced sensor information 141.

  Since the response method information 136 and response method calculation information 137 stored in the storage unit 135 and the contents of the sensor information 141 stored in the storage unit 140 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, the functions of the management information response message creation unit 133, the management information message transmission unit 150, and the management information message transmission unit 150 and the cooperation with other functions are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The response method instruction unit 170 creates a response method of the own device at an arbitrary timing, and instructs the response determination unit 131 of the created response method. The response method formulation by the response method instructing unit 170 is determined, for example, when instructed directly from the outside of the sensor device 100 or when determined based on an algorithm preset in the sensor device 100 (response method determining algorithm). Etc. are considered. As an example of the response method determination algorithm, for example, the following can be considered.

A certain response method is formulated when the remaining battery level of the sensor device 100 exceeds a predetermined threshold.
If any parameter of the sensor information 141 of the sensor device 100 is within the determined fluctuation value, some response method is formulated.
A certain response method is formulated according to the response limit frequency policy of an arbitrary parameter determined by the manufacturer, installer, and user of the sensor device 100.
Depending on the number of hops to the gateway 200 of the sensor device 100, some response method is formulated.
A certain response method is formulated according to a module (application) included in the sensor device 100 or an activated module.
A certain response method is formulated according to the number of sensor devices 100 that perform relay processing to the gateway 200 by the sensor device 100.
The sensor device 100 formulates some response method with reference to the response method of the management information request message 400 received from the gateway 200.

  Note that the response method formulated by the response method instruction unit 170 is the same as the response method that can be formulated by the gateway 200 of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  The sensor device 100 according to the first embodiment and the sensor device 100 according to the second embodiment can communicate with each other.

(3.3 Process flow)
Next, the flow of processing related to the formulation of the response method of the sensor device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sensor device 100. Note that a series of operations related to transmission / reception of the management information request message 400 and the management information response message 500 are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here. The sensor device 100 may execute this process again after the flowchart according to FIG. 11 ends.

  The response method instruction unit 170 formulates a response method at an arbitrary timing (S1101). The response method may be formulated directly from the outside of the sensor device 100 or may be determined by an algorithm (response method determination algorithm) included in the sensor device 100.

  Next, the response determination unit 131 checks whether or not the response method newly established by the response method instruction unit 170 is inconsistent with the response method previously stored in the storage unit 135 as the response method information 136 (S1103). If there is a contradiction between the two response methods (Yes in S1103), the response determination unit 131 determines which priority is higher (S1105).

  As a result of the determination, if the response method formulated by the response method instruction unit 170 has a higher priority (Yes in S1105), the response method is recorded in the storage unit 135 as response method information 136 and updated. Even when the response method instructed by the response method instruction unit 170 in S1103 and the response method stored as the response method information 136 are consistent (No in S1103), the response determination unit 131 Is recorded in the storage unit 135 as response method information 136 (S1107).

  If the priority of the response method formulated by the response method instruction unit 170 is lower than the stored response method (No in S1105), the response method is discarded and the series of processing ends.

(3.4 Effects According to this Embodiment)
As described above, the sensor device 100 sends the management information request message 400 to the management information request message 400 according to an instruction of a response method of the management information request message 400 transmitted by the gateway 200 or a response method established locally by the sensor device 100 at an arbitrary timing. It is determined whether or not the management information response message 500 is transmitted as a response.

  This eliminates the need for the sensor device 100 to respond to at least some of the management information request messages 400. As a result, it is possible to suppress traffic related to the management information response message 500 in remote management communication. Become.

  That is, the gateway 200 or the sensor device 100 designates (selects) an appropriate response method, thereby reducing the power consumption of the sensor device 100 and, as a result, extending the operational life of the entire sensor network N1. .

  In addition, by formulating a response method locally in the sensor device 100 at an arbitrary timing, it is possible to reduce power consumption reflecting the policy of the manufacturer, installer, and user of the sensor device 100. It becomes.

  In addition, the gateway 200 has not received the management information response message 500 to the gateway 200 due to a sensor device 100 that has not responded by a predetermined time (the sensor device 100 that has not transmitted the management information response message 500 or a packet loss). By generating response information of the sensor device 100) based on the past information of the sensor device 100 that is held, all management information of the sensor devices 100A to 100F can be transmitted to the remote management server 300. it can.

  Therefore, communication related to remote management communication that realizes remote management while reflecting the policies of the manufacturer, installer, and user of the sensor device 100 while realizing remote management for managing the sensor device 100 at regular intervals. It is possible to extend the lifetime of the sensor network N1 and the sensor device 100 by suppressing traffic.

(4 Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment will be described below. In addition, about the structure which is the same as that of Embodiment 1, 2, or corresponding | compatible, the code | symbol similar to Embodiment 1, 2 may be attached | subjected and description may be abbreviate | omitted. In addition to the configuration, the description of operations, effects, processing contents, and the like that are common to the first and second embodiments is omitted. Hereinafter, description will be made focusing on differences from the first and second embodiments.

  12 to 13 and 16 are diagrams for explaining the third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described along the following flow with reference to these drawings. First, “4.1” gives an overview of the entire third embodiment. Then, the configuration of the gateway 200 will be described with “4.2”, and the process flow will be described with “4.3”. Finally, “4.4” describes effects according to the third embodiment.

(4.1 Overview)
The gateway 200 according to the third embodiment refers to the management state information 224 of each sensor device 100 up to the present, the configuration and state of the sensor network N1, and the like for each sensor device 100 to autonomously perform appropriate remote management. Thus, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to improve the accuracy of the management status information. The gateway 200 is a response method that increases the frequency of responses to the sensor device 100 that needs to improve the accuracy of the management status information (that is, a response method that acquires the management status information even at the expense of power consumption). On the other hand, for the sensor device 100 that does not need to increase the accuracy of the management state information, a response method that reduces the frequency of response (that is, a response method that suppresses power consumption) is determined. If it is determined that the current response method instructed to the sensor device 100 is appropriate after determining whether or not to improve the accuracy of the management status information, no response method is set for the sensor device 100. You may decide not to. The response method is determined at an arbitrary timing. For example, the end time of the current management cycle, a time uniquely determined in the gateway 200, a time given from the remote management server 300, a time when a remote management instruction for the next cycle is received from the management cycle remote management server 300, etc. Among them, the response method can be determined at any timing.

  For example, the response message processing unit 227 manages insufficient sensor information (= management state information) (that is, management of the sensor device 100 that has not transmitted the management information response message 500 by a predetermined time or a predetermined time). When the status information is created, the gateway 200 confirms for each sensor device 100 whether or not the management status information that is lacking can be created appropriately according to the method in which the response information is created. The gateway 200 determines a response method for increasing the response frequency for the sensor device 100 determined to be inappropriate, and determines a response method for decreasing the response frequency for the sensor device 100 determined to be appropriate. decide.

  As described above, it may be determined that no response method is set. In addition, as a method of creating the management state information that is insufficient, the past management state information 224 of each sensor device 100 is used, the estimation by regression analysis using the least square method, the estimation by the average value, or simply the past value Various types of estimation, such as estimation using a Kalman filter and estimation using a Kalman filter, can be used.

  To describe a more detailed example, for example, when adjacent link quality information is managed as management information, the gateway 200 first acquires the adjacent link quality information acquired by a response from a certain sensor device 100, and the sensor device. When 100 does not return a response, the adjacent message quality information created by the response message processing unit 227 is compared. As a result of the comparison, if the difference between the actually acquired adjacent link quality information and the adjacent link quality information created by the response message processing unit 227 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value indicating that it is an unacceptable deviation ( That is, as a result of suppressing the response, it is determined that the accuracy of the management state information that is the result of the final remote management created by the response message processing unit 227 is not sufficient even in the management cycle in which the sensor device 100 does not return a response. If possible, the gateway 200 determines a response method that increases the frequency of responses to the sensor device 100. Otherwise (that is, as a result of response suppression, even in the management cycle in which the sensor device 100 does not return a response, the accuracy of the management state information that is the final remote management result created by the response message processing unit 227) Gateway 200 determines a response method that reduces the frequency of responses to the sensor device 100.

  That is, in other words, the response method used for remote management of the sensor device 100 and the sensor network N1, instructing each sensor device 100 to suppress power consumption, and creating the management state information that is insufficient due to the response method Determine whether the method is operating properly in remote management, and if it is not appropriate, determine a response method that obtains management status information even at the expense of power consumption. Decide how to respond to consumption.

  As described above, the gateway 200 autonomously determines the management state information 224 of each sensor device 100 up to now, the configuration and state of the sensor network N1, and the response method instruction determination unit 221 and is instructed to each sensor device. For the sensor device 100 that needs to improve the accuracy of the management status information in order to perform appropriate remote management with reference to the response method or the like, a response method that increases the frequency of response is determined, while the management status information For the sensor device 100 that does not need to increase the accuracy of the response, a response method that reduces the frequency of response is determined. Further, the gateway 200 sets the determined response method for each sensor device 100 in the next management cycle (a management cycle started when a remote management request is received from the remote management server 300) or the like (not limited to the next time). Then, each sensor device 100 is instructed by the management information request message 400.

  As a result, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the accuracy of the management status information that finally becomes the result of the remote management as a result of the remote management using the response method for suppressing the response in order to suppress the power consumption. Furthermore, it is possible to perform remote management that suppresses power consumption as much as possible while maintaining sufficient accuracy of the management status information.

(4.2 Device configuration)
The configuration of the gateway 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 16, solid arrows indicate control, reference, and information flow between the components. 12 shows a connection relationship between the gateway 200 and the sensor device 100, which is another communication device, and the remote management server 300, and FIG. 16 shows a configuration of the gateway 200 alone.

  As described above, the gateway 200 according to the third embodiment autonomously determines whether to respond to each sensor device 100 to increase the response frequency or to decrease the response frequency at an arbitrary timing. In any of the management cycles after the determination (a management cycle started when a remote management request is received from the remote management server 300), it is adopted as a response method for instructing each sensor device 100, and includes the response method A management information request message 400 is created and transmitted.

  The gateway 200 receives an instruction from the remote management server 300 and performs a process of transmitting a device management unit 210 that performs remote management processing, a remote management message processing unit 220 that performs power-saving remote processing of the sensor device 100, and a management information request message 400. Management information request message transmission unit 230 to perform, management information response message reception unit 240 that performs reception processing of management information response message 500, external connection interface 250 for communication with an external server such as remote management server 300, and communication with sensor device 100 Including a sensor device interface 260.

  Since the device management unit 210, the management information request message transmission unit 230, the management information response message reception unit 240, the external connection interface 250, and the sensor device interface 260 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. Since the sensor device 100 can use either the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here. Further, the formats of the management information request message 400 and the management information response message 500 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  The remote management message processing unit 220 determines whether to set a response method for increasing the response frequency or to set a response method for decreasing the response frequency for each sensor device 100 at an arbitrary timing. When a remote management instruction for the sensor device 100 is received from the management device 100, a management information request message 400 including the determined response method is created. Note that the gateway 200 may include a transmission timing determination unit that determines at which timing the determined response method is included in the management information request message 400 to be transmitted. In this case, the remote management message processing unit 220 determines a response method according to the timing determined by the transmission timing determination unit, and creates a management information request message 400 including the determined response method.

  Further, the remote management message processing unit 220 appropriately manages, creates, processes, etc. response information included in the management information response message 500 received from the sensor device 100 and response information corresponding to unanswered sensor devices that have not been received. Then, the management status information is output, and the response information (= management status information) is output to the device management unit 210.

  The remote management message processing unit 220 includes a response method instruction determination unit 221, a storage unit 223 that stores management state information 224, a management information request message creation unit 225, a response message processing unit 227, and an autonomous response method determination unit 228.

  When the response method instruction determination unit 221 receives an instruction for remote management of the sensor device 100 from the device management unit 210, the response method instruction determination unit 221 confirms the response method to be instructed to each sensor device to the autonomous response method determination unit 228, and the autonomous response method A response method for instructing each sensor device determined by the determination unit 228 is adopted.

  The response method instruction determination unit 221 instructs the management information request message creation unit 225 to create the management information request message 400 including the adopted response method. In adopting the response method, the response method instruction determining unit 221 may not instruct any of the sensor devices 100 about the response method. In this case, the response method instruction determination unit 221 does not specify a response method using the management information request message 400.

  In addition, the response method instruction determination unit 221 notifies the response message processing unit 227 of the determined response method (response method for instructing the sensor device 100).

  Since the storage unit 223 for storing the management status information 224, the management status information 224, and the management information request message creation unit 225 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  The response message processing unit 227 receives the management information response message 500 from the management information response message receiving unit 240, and stores the management information of the sensor device 100 (management state information 224 of each sensor device 100) included therein in the storage unit 223. Is recorded as management status information 224. Further, the response message processing unit 227 organizes the information, such as converting the format of the received management information response message 500, and outputs the information to the device management unit 210. If the management parameter in the received management information response message 500 is partially missing, the response message processing unit 227 reads the management status information 224 corresponding to the corresponding sensor device 100 from the storage unit 223 and With reference to the response method determined by the response method instruction determination unit 221, the missing information is compensated (processed) (that is, the missing information is compensated). The management parameter supplemented with the information is output to the device management unit 210 and recorded in the storage unit 223.

  In addition, the response message processing unit 227 refers to the management state information 224 corresponding to the sensor device 100 and the response method received from the response method instruction determination unit 221 at a predetermined time (or a predetermined time). Data corresponding to the management information response message 500 (management status information) is created. The response message processing unit 227 has not transmitted the management information response message 500 by a predetermined time (or a predetermined time) (or has transmitted the management information response message 500 but was not received by the gateway 200) ) Regarding the sensor device 100 (that is, regarding the sensor device 100 that lacks the latest management state information in the current management cycle), the created data is used as final management state information (that is, the missing information is compensated) ) Output to the device management unit 210 and record in the storage unit 223. On the other hand, the response message processing unit 227 outputs the created management state information of each sensor device to the autonomous response method determination unit 228 regardless of whether or not each sensor device has returned a response. The predetermined time (threshold time) is, for example, a time uniquely determined in the gateway 200, a time given from the remote management server 300, or a remote management instruction for the next cycle received from the remote management server 300. Various times such as the time and the end time of the management cycle can be considered.

  Note that, as described above, the management state information to be deficient is created by regression analysis using the least square method using the past management state information 224 of each sensor device 100, estimation by average value, simply past Various things, such as estimation using a value and estimation using a Kalman filter, can be used.

  The autonomous response method determination unit 228 includes the management state information of each sensor device 100 and the configuration and state of the sensor network N1 held in the management state information 224 of the storage unit 223, and the sensor device 100 created by the response message processing unit 227. From the management state information, a response method for the next management cycle of each sensor device 100 is autonomously determined. As described above, the response method determines whether or not the accuracy of the management state information of each current sensor device 100 is sufficient, and responds to the sensor device 100 that needs to improve the accuracy of the management state information. A response method that increases the frequency is determined, while a response method that decreases the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100 that does not need to increase the accuracy of the management state information. If it is determined that the current response method instructed to the sensor device 100 is appropriate after determining whether or not to improve the accuracy of the management status information, no response method is set for the sensor device 100. You may decide not to.

  An example of how to determine a specific response method will be described below. However, the present embodiment is not limited to the following example.

  Response information (= management status information) (hereinafter referred to as actual management information) acquired as a response from a certain sensor device 100, and a response received by the response message processing unit 227 from the management status information 224 and the response method instruction determination unit 221 One of the following processes is performed using management state information created by referring to the method (hereinafter referred to as creation management information). Note that the following processing can be executed in combination of one or more.

-Reverse the response method that increases the frequency of response for the sensor device 100 whose actual management information for any past X times (X is an integer equal to or greater than 1) is smaller than (or less than or equal to) the threshold T that is arbitrarily determined. For the sensor device 100 that is greater than or equal to the threshold value T (or greater than T), a response method for decreasing the response frequency is determined. The threshold T can be set for all sensor devices 100 or for each sensor device 100.

-The absolute value (or absolute value of the ratio) of the difference between the actual management information and the creation management information for any past X times (X is an integer equal to or greater than 1) is smaller than an arbitrarily determined threshold T (or less than T A response method for reducing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100, and a response method for increasing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100 that is equal to or greater than the threshold T (or greater than T). The threshold T can be set for all sensor devices 100 or for each sensor device 100.

Regarding the sensor device 100, the absolute value (or the absolute value of the ratio) of the difference between the latest actual management information and the actual management information of any N times before (N is an integer of 1 or more) is arbitrarily determined up to now. When Y times (Y is an integer equal to or greater than 1) (or continuously Y times), the response method for lowering the response frequency when the value is smaller than the arbitrarily defined threshold value T (or less than T), the threshold value is reversed. If it is equal to or greater than T (or greater than T), a response method for increasing the response frequency is determined. The threshold T can be set for all sensor devices 100 or for each sensor device 100. (That is, it counts whether the latest management information of a certain sensor device 100 and the N-th previous actual management information has fallen below or exceeded the threshold T, and when the number of counts becomes Y times, the response frequency is decided to be raised or lowered.)

The frequency of response to the sensor device 100 in which the actual management information of any past X times (X is an integer equal to or greater than 1) is a value (that is, an abnormal value, a bug value, etc.) that the management status information should not originally take On the contrary, for the sensor device 100 having a normal value, a response method for decreasing the response frequency is determined.

・ Following the topology of the sensor network N1, in particular in the multi-hop tree topology with the gateway at the top, the frequency of responses to the sensor devices 100 that do not respond to actual management information from all the child and grandchild sensor devices 100 The response method for increasing the response frequency is determined, and conversely, the response method for decreasing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100 having a response of the actual management information from any of the child and grandchild sensor devices 100.
In any of the above processing methods, as described above, the current response instructed to the sensor device 100 after (or during the determination) whether or not the response method is to increase the accuracy of the management state information. If it is determined that the method is appropriate, it may be determined that no response method is set for the sensor device 100.

Further, any response method for increasing the response frequency may be used. As a specific example, the following method can be used in the example of the response method 459 described in the first embodiment.
In response to X management information request messages 400, Y management information response messages 500 are transmitted (where Y is an integer value less than or equal to X. If X = Y, an instruction to respond each time). In the response method, the difference (or ratio) between Y and X is reduced (or X = Y).

In the management information request message 400 of X times, the management information response message 500 is transmitted at the Nth time (where N is an integer value less than or equal to X. N can be specified multiple times, for example, 1, 3 In the response method, “the fifth response may be instructed”, the number of times designated by N is increased or X is decreased.

The management information response message 500 is transmitted or not transmitted only to the designated sensor device 100 (At this time, the designation method of the sensor device 100 includes not only designation by a network address, a MAC address, and other identifiers of the sensor device 100) , Designation by the number of hops from the gateway 200 (up to the M hop, only the M hop, or after the M hop, etc.), designation by an application held by the sensor device 100, designation by the geographical position information of the sensor device 100, etc. Is designated as a sensor device to be transmitted.

The measured value (instance) of the management parameter 453 specified in the management information request message 400 in the sensor device 100 exceeds the threshold value V at the time of receiving the management information request message 400 or at an arbitrary timing before that. In the case of (or below), the value of V of the response method of transmitting the management information response message 500 is increased or decreased.

  Also, any response method may be used as the response method for reducing the response frequency. Specifically, the setting may be reversed to the specific example for increasing the response frequency.

  The autonomous response method determination unit 228 holds the determined response method of each sensor device 100 and returns the held response method in response to the confirmation (inquiry) from the response method instruction determination unit 221.

(4.3 Process flow)
Next, a flow of processing related to determination of a response method in the gateway 200 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gateway 200. FIG. 13 relates to the operation of the portion corresponding to S805 in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the series of operations of the gateway 200 according to the third embodiment, the operations other than S805 in FIG. 8 are almost the same as those in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  The autonomous response method determination unit 228 starts a response method determination process at an arbitrary timing, and initializes the check of the processed sensor devices 100 in order to attempt the determination process of all the sensor devices 100 to be managed. (S1201)

  When the response method determination processing is performed for all the sensor devices 100 to be managed (Yes in S1202), the determined response method of each sensor device 100 is held and the response method is disclosed to an external function ( S1207). On the other hand, when the sensor device 100 to be determined remains (No in S1202), the process proceeds to the determination process of the response method of the next sensor device 100.

  Regarding the sensor device 100, it is confirmed whether or not it is necessary to increase the accuracy of the management status information. If it is determined that the accuracy of the management status information needs to be increased (Yes in S1203), the response frequency is increased. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no need to increase the accuracy of the management status information (No in S1203), a response method that reduces the response frequency is determined (S1205). In either of S1204 and S1205, when it is determined that the current response method instructed to the sensor device 100 is appropriate as a result of determination of the response method (or during the determination), the sensor device 100 It may be determined that no response method is set. A specific processing example regarding the series of response method determination processing of S1203, S1204, and S1205 will be described below. However, the present embodiment is not limited to the following example.

  Response information (= management status information) (hereinafter referred to as actual management information) acquired as a response from a certain sensor device 100, and a response received by the response message processing unit 227 from the management status information 224 and the response method instruction determination unit 221 One of the following processes is performed using management state information created by referring to the method (hereinafter referred to as creation management information). Note that the following processing can be executed in combination of one or more.

-Reverse the response method that increases the frequency of response for the sensor device 100 whose actual management information for any past X times (X is an integer equal to or greater than 1) is smaller than (or less than or equal to) the threshold T that is arbitrarily determined. For the sensor device 100 that is greater than or equal to the threshold value T (or greater than T), a response method for decreasing the response frequency is determined. The threshold T can be set for all sensor devices 100 or for each sensor device 100.

-The absolute value (or absolute value of the ratio) of the difference between the actual management information and the creation management information for any past X times (X is an integer equal to or greater than 1) is smaller than an arbitrarily determined threshold T (or less than T A response method for reducing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100, and a response method for increasing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100 that is equal to or greater than the threshold T (or greater than T). The threshold T can be set for all sensor devices 100 or for each sensor device 100.

Regarding the sensor device 100, the absolute value (or the absolute value of the ratio) of the difference between the latest actual management information and the actual management information of any N times before (N is an integer of 1 or more) is arbitrarily determined up to now. When Y times (Y is an integer equal to or greater than 1) (or continuously Y times), the response method for lowering the response frequency when the value is smaller than the arbitrarily defined threshold value T (or less than T), the threshold value is reversed. If it is equal to or greater than T (or greater than T), a response method for increasing the response frequency is determined. The threshold T can be set for all sensor devices 100 or for each sensor device 100. (That is, it counts whether the latest management information of a certain sensor device 100 and the N-th previous actual management information has fallen below or exceeded the threshold T, and when the number of counts becomes Y times, the response frequency is decided to be raised or lowered.)

The frequency of response to the sensor device 100 in which the actual management information of any past X times (X is an integer equal to or greater than 1) is a value (that is, an abnormal value, a bug value, etc.) that the management status information should not originally take On the contrary, for the sensor device 100 having a normal value, a response method for decreasing the response frequency is determined.

・ Following the topology of the sensor network N1, in particular in the multi-hop tree topology with the gateway at the top, the frequency of responses to the sensor devices 100 that do not respond to actual management information from all the child and grandchild sensor devices 100 The response method for increasing the response frequency is determined, and conversely, the response method for decreasing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100 having a response of the actual management information from any of the child and grandchild sensor devices 100.

  In any of the above processing methods, as described above, the current response instructed to the sensor device 100 after (or during the determination) whether or not the response method is to increase the accuracy of the management state information. If it is determined that the method is appropriate, it may be determined that no response method is set for the sensor device 100.

  As a response method for increasing the response frequency, any method such as the response method 459 described in the first embodiment may be used. As a specific example, in the example of the response method 459 described in the first embodiment, the following method may be used.

In response to X management information request messages 400, Y management information response messages 500 are transmitted (where Y is an integer value less than or equal to X. If X = Y, an instruction to respond each time is given). The difference (or ratio) between Y and X in the response method is reduced (or X = Y).

In the management information request message 400 of X times, the management information response message 500 is transmitted at the Nth time (where N is an integer value less than or equal to X. N can be specified multiple times, for example, 1, 3 The number of times designated by N is increased or X is made smaller in the response method that the fifth response may be instructed).

The management information response message 500 is transmitted or not transmitted only to the designated sensor device 100 (At this time, the designation method of the sensor device 100 includes not only designation by a network address, a MAC address, and other identifiers of the sensor device 100) , Designation by the number of hops from the gateway 200 (up to the M hop, only the M hop, or after the M hop, etc.), designation by an application held by the sensor device 100, designation by the geographical position information of the sensor device 100, etc. Is specified as a sensor device to be transmitted.

The measured value (instance) of the management parameter 453 specified in the management information request message 400 in the sensor device 100 exceeds the threshold value V at the time of receiving the management information request message 400 or at an arbitrary timing before that. In the case of (or below), the value of V of the response method of transmitting the management information response message 500 is increased or decreased.

  Also, any response method may be used as the response method for reducing the response frequency. Specifically, the setting may be reversed to the specific example for increasing the response frequency.

  Thereafter, the next sensor device 100 is checked (S1206), and the process proceeds to S1202 in order to try to determine all the sensor devices 100 to be managed.

(4.4 Effects According to the Present Embodiment)
As described above, the sensor device 100 sends the management information request message 400 to the management information request message 400 according to an instruction of a response method of the management information request message 400 transmitted by the gateway 200 or a response method established locally by the sensor device 100 at an arbitrary timing. It is determined whether or not the management information response message 500 is transmitted as a response.

  This eliminates the need for the sensor device 100 to respond to at least some of the management information request messages 400. As a result, it is possible to suppress traffic related to the management information response message 500 in remote management communication. Become.

  That is, the gateway 200 or the sensor device 100 designates (selects) an appropriate response method, thereby reducing the power consumption of the sensor device 100 and, as a result, extending the operational life of the entire sensor network N1. .

  In addition, the gateway 200 has not received the management information response message 500 to the gateway 200 due to a sensor device 100 that has not responded by a predetermined time (the sensor device 100 that has not transmitted the management information response message 500 or a packet loss). By generating response information of the sensor device 100) based on the past information of the sensor device 100 that is held, all management information of the sensor devices 100A to 100F can be transmitted to the remote management server 300. it can.

  Further, the gateway 200 autonomously instructs the sensor device 100 that needs to increase the accuracy of the management status information to a response method that increases the response frequency, while the accuracy of the management status information needs to be increased. Since a response method that lowers the frequency of response is instructed to the sensor device 100 that does not exist, it is possible to maintain the accuracy of the management status information when continuing remote management.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress communication traffic related to remote management communication for realizing remote management while realizing appropriate remote management for managing the sensor device 100 at regular intervals by maintaining sufficient management state information accuracy in the operation of the sensor network. Thus, the lifetime of the sensor network N1 and the sensor device 100 can be extended.

(5 Embodiment 4)
The fourth embodiment will be described below. In addition, about the structure which is the same as that of Embodiment 1, 2, 3, or respond | corresponds, it may attach | subject the code | symbol similar to Embodiment 1, 2, 3, and may abbreviate | omit description. In addition to the configuration, the description of operations, effects, processing contents, and the like that are common to the first, second, and third embodiments is omitted. Hereinafter, description will be made focusing on differences from the first, second, and third embodiments.

  14 to 15 are diagrams for explaining the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described along the following flow with reference to these drawings. First, “5.1” gives an overview of the entire embodiment 4. Then, the configuration of the gateway 200 will be described with “5.2”, and the processing flow will be described with “5.3”. Finally, “5.4” describes effects and the like according to the fourth embodiment.

(5.1 Overview)
The gateway 200 according to the fourth embodiment autonomously refers to the management status information 224 of each sensor device 100 up to the present, the configuration and status of the sensor network N1, and the like, so as to perform appropriate remote management. For the sensor device 100 that needs to increase the response, a response method that increases the response frequency is determined, while for the sensor device 100 that does not need to increase the accuracy of the management status information, the response frequency is decreased. The correct response method. Then, in which management cycle the determined response method is to be notified to the sensor network N1 is determined. As an example, it is determined whether or not the determined response method can be notified to the sensor network N1 in the most recent management cycle. If it can be notified, the determined response method and the target sensor device 100 are transmitted in the most recent management cycle. If the notification method cannot be notified, the determined response method and the target sensor device 100 are held as transmission contents of a management cycle that can be transmitted next time. If it is determined that the current response method instructed to the sensor device 100 is appropriate after determining whether or not to improve the accuracy of the management status information, no response method is set for the sensor device 100. You may decide not to. The response method may be determined at an arbitrary timing. The end time of the current management cycle, the time uniquely determined in the gateway 200, the time given from the remote management server 300, the next from the management cycle remote management server 300 Any time etc. which received the remote management instruction | indication of a cycle may be sufficient.

  For example, as a result of checking the accuracy of the management state information in the management cycle N, it is assumed that a response method for increasing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100A and a response method for decreasing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100B. If only the response method for increasing the response frequency in the management cycle N + 1 can be notified to the sensor network N1, the gateway 200 transmits a response method for transmitting the response method for increasing the response frequency to the sensor device 100A in the management cycle N + 1. On the other hand, in the management cycle N + 2 or later (for example, the management cycle N + 2 or the management cycle N + 3), the contents for transmitting a response method for reducing the response frequency to the sensor device 100B are held. The gateway 200 refers to the stored contents in the management cycle N + 1, and transmits a management information request message 400 to which a response method for increasing the response frequency with respect to the sensor device 100A is added to the sensor network N1, and after the management cycle N + 2 (for example, In the management cycle N + 2), the held information is referred to, and a management information request message 400 to which a response method for reducing the response frequency with respect to the sensor device 100B is added is transmitted to the sensor network N1.

  As a result, the sensor network is determined in one management cycle as determined by the packet size limit of the management information request message 400 and the management information response message 500, the influence of the communication environment (delay, bandwidth, loss rate, etc.), and the operation policy. In order to be able to notify the sensor device 100 and the set of response methods in the other management cycle for the amount that cannot be notified to N1, as a result of checking the accuracy of the management state information, different response methods are determined for the plurality of sensor devices 100. Even in the case where it is done, all the determined response methods can be finally notified to the sensor network N1.

  Note that there are one or more sets of determined sensor devices 100 and response methods that can be notified to the sensor network N1 in one management cycle. The sensor device 100 and the response method have an N-to-N relationship. For example, a plurality of sensor devices 100 may be associated with one response method.

(5.2 Device configuration)
The configuration of the gateway 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 14, solid arrows indicate control, reference, and information flow between components.

  As described above, the gateway 200 according to the fourth embodiment autonomously determines whether to respond to each sensor device 100 to increase the response frequency or to decrease the response frequency at any timing. In the management cycle after the determination (management cycle started when a remote management request is received from the remote management server 300), it is adopted as a response method for instructing each sensor device 100, and management information including the response method Create and send a request message 400. At this time, as an example, it is determined whether or not the determined response method can be notified to the sensor network N1 in the most recent management cycle, and if it can be notified, the determined response method and the target sensor device 100 are notified of the most recent management cycle. If it is held as transmission content and notification is not possible, the determined response method and the target sensor device 100 are held as transmission content of a management cycle that can be transmitted next time, and a management information request message 400 is created and transmitted according to the result I do.

  The gateway 200 receives an instruction from the remote management server 300 and performs a process of transmitting a device management unit 210 that performs remote management processing, a remote management message processing unit 220 that performs power-saving remote processing of the sensor device 100, and a management information request message 400. Management information request message transmission unit 230 to perform, management information response message reception unit 240 that performs reception processing of management information response message 500, external connection interface 250 for communication with an external server such as remote management server 300, and communication with sensor device 100 Including a sensor device interface 260.

  Since the management information request message transmission unit 230, the management information response message reception unit 240, the external connection interface 250, and the sensor device interface 260 are the same as those in the first and third embodiments, description thereof is omitted. Since the sensor device 100 can use either the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here. Further, the formats of the management information request message 400 and the management information response message 500 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  The device management unit 210 receives a remote management request from the remote management server 300. If the request is a content that requires remote management of the sensor device 100, the response management instruction determination unit of the remote management message processing unit 220 221 instructs remote management of the sensor device 100. The instruction to the response method instruction determination unit 221 is an instruction to which sensor device 100 (an instruction to a specific sensor device 100A to 100F, an instruction to all the sensor devices 100, etc.) Yes, and what parameters are handled.

  In addition, the device management unit 210 informs the management cycle handling unit 229 of the autonomous response method determination unit 228 of the remote management message processing unit 220 what interval the management cycle that the device management unit 210 is aware of. Notice.

  The device management unit 210 receives remote management response information of the sensor device 100 from the response message processing unit 227 of the remote management message processing unit 220 and transmits the response information as a response to the remote management server 300.

  The remote management message processing unit 220 determines whether to set a response method for increasing the response frequency or to set a response method for decreasing the response frequency for each sensor device 100 at an arbitrary timing. It is determined and held in which management cycle to notify the sensor network N1. Further, the remote management message processing unit 220 creates a management information request message 400 including the determined response method when receiving an instruction for remote management of the sensor device 100 from the device management unit 210, and from the sensor device 100. The response information included in the received management information response message 500 and the response information for the unacknowledged sensor devices that have not been received are appropriately managed, created, processed, etc., to obtain management status information, and to the device management unit 210 And the response information (= management state information).

  The remote management message processing unit 220 includes a response method instruction determination unit 221, a storage unit 223 for storing management state information 224, a management information request message creation unit 225, a response message processing unit 227, an autonomous response method determination unit 228, and a management cycle. A corresponding portion 229 is included.

  When receiving a remote management instruction for the sensor device 100 from the device management unit 210, the response method instruction determination unit 221 transmits each sensor to be transmitted to the management cycle corresponding unit 229 of the autonomous response method determination unit 228 in the latest management cycle. A response method for confirming the device response method and instructing each sensor device to transmit in the most recent management cycle determined by the autonomous response method determination unit 228 is adopted.

  The response method instruction determination unit 221 instructs the management information request message creation unit 225 to create the management information request message 400 including the adopted response method. In adopting the response method, the response method instruction determining unit 221 may not instruct any of the sensor devices 100 about the response method. In this case, the response method instruction determination unit 221 does not specify a response method using the management information request message 400.

  In addition, the response method instruction determination unit 221 notifies the response message processing unit 227 of the determined response method (response method for instructing the sensor device 100).

  Since the storage unit 223 for storing the management status information 224, the management status information 224, the management information request message creation unit 225, and the response message processing unit 227 are the same as those in the first and third embodiments, description thereof will be omitted.

  The autonomous response method determination unit 228 includes the management state information of each sensor device 100 and the configuration and state of the sensor network N1 held in the management state information 224 of the storage unit 223, and the sensor device 100 created by the response message processing unit 227. From the management state information, a response method for the next management cycle of each sensor device 100 is autonomously determined. As described above, the response method determines whether or not the accuracy of the management state information of each current sensor device 100 is sufficient, and responds to the sensor device 100 that needs to improve the accuracy of the management state information. A response method that increases the frequency is determined, while a response method that decreases the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100 that does not need to increase the accuracy of the management state information. If it is determined that the current response method instructed to the sensor device 100 is appropriate after determining whether or not to improve the accuracy of the management status information, no response method is set for the sensor device 100. You may decide not to.

  An example of how to determine a specific response method will be described below. However, the present embodiment is not limited to the following example.

Response information (= management status information) (hereinafter referred to as actual management information) acquired as a response from a certain sensor device 100, and a response received by the response message processing unit 227 from the management status information 224 and the response method instruction determination unit 221 One of the following processes is performed using management status information (referred to as creation management information hereinafter) created by referring to the method. Note that the following processing can be executed in combination of one or more.
-Reverse the response method that increases the frequency of response for the sensor device 100 whose actual management information for any past X times (X is an integer equal to or greater than 1) is smaller than (or less than or equal to) the threshold T that is arbitrarily determined. For the sensor device 100 that is greater than or equal to the threshold value T (or greater than T), a response method for decreasing the response frequency is determined. The threshold T can be set for all sensor devices 100 or for each sensor device 100.

-The absolute value (or absolute value of the ratio) of the difference between the actual management information and the creation management information for any past X times (X is an integer equal to or greater than 1) is smaller than an arbitrarily determined threshold T (or less than T A response method for reducing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100, and a response method for increasing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100 that is equal to or greater than the threshold T (or greater than T). The threshold T can be set for all sensor devices 100 or for each sensor device 100.

Regarding the sensor device 100, the absolute value (or the absolute value of the ratio) of the difference between the latest actual management information and the actual management information of any N times before (N is an integer of 1 or more) is arbitrarily determined up to now. When Y times (Y is an integer equal to or greater than 1) (or continuously Y times), the response method for lowering the response frequency when the value is smaller than the arbitrarily defined threshold value T (or less than T), the threshold value is reversed. If it is equal to or greater than T (or greater than T), a response method for increasing the response frequency is determined. The threshold T can be set for all sensor devices 100 or for each sensor device 100. (That is, it counts whether the latest management information of a certain sensor device 100 and the N-th previous actual management information has fallen below or exceeded the threshold T, and when the number of counts becomes Y times, the response frequency is decided to be raised or lowered.)

The frequency of response to the sensor device 100 in which the actual management information of any past X times (X is an integer equal to or greater than 1) is a value (that is, an abnormal value, a bug value, etc.) that the management status information should not originally take On the contrary, for the sensor device 100 having a normal value, a response method for decreasing the response frequency is determined.

・ Following the topology of the sensor network N1, in particular in the multi-hop tree topology with the gateway at the top, the frequency of responses to the sensor devices 100 that do not respond to actual management information from all the child and grandchild sensor devices 100 The response method for increasing the response frequency is determined, and conversely, the response method for decreasing the response frequency is determined for the sensor device 100 having a response of the actual management information from any of the child and grandchild sensor devices 100.
In any of the above processing methods, as described above, the current response instructed to the sensor device 100 after (or during the determination) whether or not the response method is to increase the accuracy of the management state information. If it is determined that the method is appropriate, it may be determined that no response method is set for the sensor device 100.

  As a response method for increasing the response frequency, any method such as the response method 459 described in the first embodiment may be used. As a specific example, the following method can be used in the example of the response method 459 described in the first embodiment.

In response to X management information request messages 400, Y management information response messages 500 are transmitted (where Y is an integer value less than or equal to X. If X = Y, an instruction to respond each time). In the response method, the difference (or ratio) between Y and X is reduced (or X = Y).

In the management information request message 400 of X times, the management information response message 500 is transmitted at the Nth time (where N is an integer value less than or equal to X. N can be specified multiple times, for example, 1, 3 In the response method, “the fifth response may be instructed”, the number of times designated by N is increased or X is decreased.

The management information response message 500 is transmitted or not transmitted only to the designated sensor device 100 (At this time, the designation method of the sensor device 100 includes not only designation by a network address, a MAC address, and other identifiers of the sensor device 100) , Designation by the number of hops from the gateway 200 (up to the M hop, only the M hop, or after the M hop, etc.), designation by an application held by the sensor device 100, designation by the geographical position information of the sensor device 100, etc. Is designated as a sensor device to be transmitted.

The measured value (instance) of the management parameter 453 specified in the management information request message 400 in the sensor device 100 exceeds the threshold value V at the time of receiving the management information request message 400 or at an arbitrary timing before that. In the case of (or below), the value of V of the response method of transmitting the management information response message 500 is increased or decreased.

  Also, any response method may be used as the response method for reducing the response frequency. Specifically, the setting may be reversed to the specific example for increasing the response frequency.

  The autonomous response method determination unit 228 notifies the management cycle response unit 229 of the determined response method of each sensor device 100.

  The management cycle handling unit 229 can determine in which management cycle the response method of each sensor device 100 acquired from the autonomous response method determination unit 228 is to be notified to the sensor network N1, and can notify the sensor network N1 with the determined content. As described above, information on the response method of each sensor device 100 is held. As an example of determination and holding, it is determined whether or not the sensor device 100 and the response method set acquired from the autonomous response method determination unit 228 can be notified to the sensor network N1 in the most recent management cycle. If the response method and the target sensor device 100 are held as the transmission contents of the most recent management cycle and cannot be notified, the response method and the target sensor device 100 are held as the transmission contents of the management cycle that can be sent next time.

  Note that the management cycle handling unit 229 determines whether the management cycle interval acquired from the device management unit 210 or other information based on the operation policy (management cycle interval, any response method in any management cycle) in the above determination. Which sensor device 100 should be instructed or possible in which management cycle, which response method can be notified in one management cycle, the number of sets of sensor devices 100, and one management The number of management information request messages 400 that can be transmitted in a cycle is referred to.

  In addition, the management cycle response unit 229 discloses the held response method and the information of the target sensor device 100 to other functions, for example, a response to be transmitted in the most recent management cycle from the response method instruction determination unit 221. In response to an inquiry of a set of methods and target sensor devices 100, a target list is returned. Note that the information to be disclosed is not limited to the response method to be transmitted in the most recent management cycle and the information on the target sensor device 100, but the contents to be transmitted in other management cycles can also be confirmed.

(5.3 Process flow)
Next, a flow of processing related to determination and holding of a response method in the gateway 200 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the gateway 200. FIG. 15 relates to the operation of the portion corresponding to S805 in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, as in the third embodiment. Therefore, in the series of operations of the gateway 200 according to the fourth embodiment, the operations other than S805 in FIG. 8 are the same as those in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here. In FIG. 15, steps S1201 to S1206 are the same as those in FIG. 13 of the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

  The management cycle handling unit 229 determines in which management cycle the acquired response method and the target sensor device 100 should be notified to the sensor network N1. For example, it is determined whether or not the acquired sensor device 100 and the set of response methods can be notified to the sensor network N1 in the most recent management cycle (S1207). If the notification can be notified (Yes in S1207), the response method and the target method are determined. The sensor device 100 is held as the transmission content of the most recent management cycle (S1208), and when the notification cannot be made (Yes in S1207), the response method and the target sensor device 100 are transmitted as the transmission content of the management cycle that can be transmitted next time. Hold (S1209).

  Note that the management cycle handling unit 229 determines in S1207 the interval between management cycles acquired from the device management unit 210 and information based on other operation policies (the interval between management cycles, which response method is used in any management cycle). Which sensor device 100 should be instructed or possible in which management cycle, which response method can be notified in one management cycle, the number of sets of sensor devices 100, and one management The number of management information request messages 400 that can be transmitted in a cycle is referred to.

  The management cycle handling unit 229 discloses, to the external function, information indicating in which management cycle the response method and the target sensor device 100 are notified to the sensor network N1 that are organized and held in S1208 and S1209 (S1210). .

(5.4 Effects of the present embodiment)
As described above, the sensor device 100 sends the management information request message 400 to the management information request message 400 according to an instruction of a response method of the management information request message 400 transmitted by the gateway 200 or a response method established locally by the sensor device 100 at an arbitrary timing. It is determined whether or not the management information response message 500 is transmitted as a response.

  This eliminates the need for the sensor device 100 to respond to at least some of the management information request messages 400. As a result, it is possible to suppress traffic related to the management information response message 500 in remote management communication. Become.

  That is, the gateway 200 or the sensor device 100 designates (selects) an appropriate response method, thereby reducing the power consumption of the sensor device 100 and, as a result, extending the operational life of the entire sensor network N1. .

  In addition, the gateway 200 has not received the management information response message 500 to the gateway 200 due to a sensor device 100 that has not responded by a predetermined time (the sensor device 100 that has not transmitted the management information response message 500 or a packet loss). By generating response information of the sensor device 100) based on the past information of the sensor device 100 that is held, all management information of the sensor devices 100A to 100F can be transmitted to the remote management server 300. it can.

  Further, the gateway 200 autonomously instructs the sensor device 100 that needs to increase the accuracy of the management status information to a response method that increases the response frequency, while the accuracy of the management status information needs to be increased. Since a response method that lowers the frequency of response is instructed to the sensor device 100 that does not exist, it is possible to maintain the accuracy of the management status information when continuing remote management.

  In addition, the management information request message is obtained by determining whether the gateway 200 determines the response method determined and in which management cycle the sensor network N1 is to be notified to the sensor network N1, and holding and releasing the information. 400 and the management information response message 500 are determined based on the limit of the packet size, the influence of the communication environment (delay, bandwidth, loss rate, etc.), the operation policy, etc., and the determined sensor device that cannot be notified to the sensor network N1 in one management cycle 100 and a set of response methods can be notified in another management cycle. As a result of checking the accuracy of the management status information, even when different response methods are determined for a plurality of sensor devices 100, finally All the determined response methods can be notified to the sensor network N1.

  Accordingly, in the operation of the sensor network, it is possible to instruct each sensor device 100 with a different appropriate response method. Therefore, it is possible to manage the sensor device 100 at regular intervals by maintaining sufficient management state information accuracy. It is possible to extend the lifetimes of the sensor network N1 and the sensor device 100 by suppressing communication traffic related to remote management communication for realizing remote management while realizing remote management.

(4 Appendix)
Note that the configurations of the above-described embodiments may be combined or some of the components may be replaced. The configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
A part or all of each of the above-described embodiments can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
A transmission means for transmitting a management information request message to another communication device;
Receiving means for receiving management information of the other communication device by a response message to the request message;
Response condition determination means for determining a response condition for determining whether or not the other communication device responds to the request message using the received management information of the other communication device;
A message creation unit that creates the request message transmitted by the transmission unit at a predetermined timing after the determination including the determined response condition.
(Appendix 2)
Storage means for storing the received management information of the other communication device;
Accuracy judgment means for judging whether or not the accuracy of the stored management information is low, using the received management information of the other communication device;
The communication apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the response condition determination unit determines the response condition according to a determination result by the accuracy determination unit.
(Appendix 3)
The communication apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the response condition determination unit determines the response condition so as to increase a response frequency of the other communication apparatus when the accuracy determination unit determines that the accuracy is low.
(Appendix 4)
The communication apparatus according to appendix 2 or 3, wherein the response condition determining unit determines the response condition so as to reduce a response frequency of the other communication apparatus when the accuracy determining unit determines that the accuracy is high. .
(Appendix 5)
Transmission timing determination means for determining at which timing the response condition determined by the response condition determination means is included in the request message transmitted;
The communication apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the message creating unit creates the request message including the determined response condition according to the timing determined by the transmission timing determining unit.
(Appendix 6)
A communication method implemented in a communication device,
A transmission step of transmitting a management information request message to another communication device;
A receiving step of receiving management information of the other communication device by a response message to the request message;
A response condition determination step for determining a response condition for determining whether or not the other communication device responds to the request message using the received management information of the other communication device;
A message creating step of creating the request message that is transmitted at a predetermined timing after the decision including the decided response condition.
(Appendix 7)
A storage step of storing the received management information of the other communication device;
An accuracy determining step of determining whether or not the accuracy of the stored management information is low using the received management information of the other communication device;
The communication method according to appendix 6, wherein the response condition determining step determines the response condition according to a determination result obtained by the accuracy determining step.
(Appendix 8)
The communication method according to appendix 7, wherein the response condition determining step determines the response condition so as to increase a response frequency of the other communication device when the accuracy determining step determines that the accuracy is low.
(Appendix 9)
The communication method according to appendix 7 or 8, wherein the response condition determining step determines the response condition so as to reduce a response frequency of the other communication device when the accuracy determining step determines that the accuracy is high. .
(Appendix 10)
The communication method according to any one of appendices 6 to 9, further comprising a transmission timing determination step for determining at which timing the response condition determined in the response condition determination step is included in the request message transmitted.
(Appendix 11)
The communication method according to appendix 10, wherein the message creating step creates the request message including the determined response condition according to the timing determined by the transmission timing determining step.
(Appendix 12)
A communication system in which a first communication device and a second communication device communicate with each other,
The first communication device is:
Means for transmitting a management information request message to the second communication device;
Means for receiving management information of the second communication device by a response message to the request message;
Means for determining a response condition for determining whether or not the second communication device responds to the request message using the received management information of the second communication device;
Means for creating the request message transmitted by the transmission means at a predetermined timing after the determination, including the determined response condition;
The second communication device is:
Means for receiving a management information request message from the first communication device;
A communication system comprising: means for transmitting a message including management information as a response to the received request message based on the response condition when the received request message includes the response condition.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 100 ... Sensor device, 110 ... Management information request message receiving part, 120 ... Packet processing determination part, 130 ... Response processing part, 131 ... Response determination part, 133: Management information response message creation unit, 135 ... Storage unit, 136 ... Response method information, 137 ... Response method calculation information, 140 ... Storage unit, 141 ... Sensor information, 150 ... Management information message transmission unit, 160 ... Sensor device interface, 200 ... Gateway, 210 ... Device management unit, 220 ... Remote management message processing unit, 221 ... Response method instruction determination unit 223, storage unit, 224, management status information, 225, management information request message creation unit, 227, response message processing unit, 228 ··· Autonomous response method decision unit, 229 ··· Management cycle response unit, ··· 230 ··· Management information request message transmission unit, ······································· Sensor device interface, 300 ... remote management server, 400 ... management information request message, 500 ... management information response message

Claims (12)

A transmission means for transmitting a management information request message to another communication device;
Receiving means for receiving management information of the other communication device by a response message to the request message;
Response condition determination means for determining a response condition for determining whether or not the other communication device responds to the request message using the received management information of the other communication device;
A message creation unit that creates the request message transmitted by the transmission unit at a predetermined timing after the determination including the determined response condition. Storage means for storing the received management information of the other communication device;
Accuracy judgment means for judging whether or not the accuracy of the stored management information is low, using the received management information of the other communication device;
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the response condition determining unit determines the response condition according to a determination result by the accuracy determining unit.   The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the response condition determining unit determines the response condition so as to increase a response frequency of the other communication device when the accuracy determining unit determines that the accuracy is low.   The communication according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the response condition determining unit determines the response condition so as to reduce a response frequency of the other communication device when the accuracy determining unit determines that the accuracy is high. apparatus. Transmission timing determination means for determining at which timing the response condition determined by the response condition determination means is included in the request message transmitted;
5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the message creation unit creates the request message including the determined response condition according to the timing determined by the transmission timing determination unit. A communication method implemented in a communication device,
A transmission step of transmitting a management information request message to another communication device;
A receiving step of receiving management information of the other communication device by a response message to the request message;
A response condition determination step for determining a response condition for determining whether or not the other communication device responds to the request message using the received management information of the other communication device;
A message creating step of creating the request message that is transmitted at a predetermined timing after the decision including the decided response condition. A storage step of storing the received management information of the other communication device;
An accuracy determining step of determining whether or not the accuracy of the stored management information is low using the received management information of the other communication device;
The communication method according to claim 6, wherein the response condition determination step determines the response condition according to a determination result obtained by the accuracy determination step.   The communication method according to claim 7, wherein the response condition determining step determines the response condition so as to increase a response frequency of the other communication device when the accuracy is determined to be low by the accuracy determining step.   The communication according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the response condition determining step determines the response condition so as to reduce a response frequency of the other communication device when it is determined that the accuracy is high by the accuracy determining step. Method.   The communication method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising a transmission timing determination step of determining at which timing the response condition determined in the response condition determination step is included in the request message transmitted.   The communication method according to claim 10, wherein the message creation step creates the request message including the determined response condition according to the timing determined by the transmission timing determination step. A communication system in which a first communication device and a second communication device communicate with each other,
The first communication device is:
Means for transmitting a management information request message to the second communication device;
Means for receiving management information of the second communication device by a response message to the request message;
Means for determining a response condition for determining whether or not the second communication device responds to the request message using the received management information of the second communication device;
Means for creating the request message transmitted by the transmission means at a predetermined timing after the determination, including the determined response condition;
The second communication device is:
Means for receiving a management information request message from the first communication device;
A communication system comprising: means for transmitting a message including management information as a response to the received request message based on the response condition when the received request message includes the response condition.