JP2021034981A - Communication device, communication system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow appropriate selection of a wireless communication system in a configuration allowing external attachment of a sensor device.SOLUTION: A communication device 100 designed for a plurality of wireless communication systems comprises: a sensor interface 160 that is electrically connected to a sensor device 170; and a processor 130 that selects, from the plurality of wireless communication systems, a target communication system that is used for transmission of detection data output from the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160. The processor 130 selects the target communication system based on at least one of the type of the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 and a transmission period for transmitting the detection data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to communication devices, communication systems, control methods, and programs.

In recent years, with the spread of IoT (Internet of Things) technology, the number of communication devices used for sensing applications is increasing. Such a communication device has a sensor that detects temperature, humidity, and the like, and transmits the detection data output by the sensor to the server by using wireless communication.

On the other hand, communication devices compatible with a plurality of wireless communication methods have been widely used. Patent Document 1 describes a communication device that selects a wireless communication method that can be used at this position from a plurality of wireless communication methods based on the position of the communication device.

Patent Document 2 describes a device that selects a wireless communication method used for data transfer by a wearable device corresponding to a plurality of wireless communication methods based on the state information of the wearable device. This status information includes the remaining battery level of the wearable device, the amount or importance of the data transferred by the wearable device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-23506 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-85678

In order to meet the various needs of various users for communication devices used in sensing applications, there is an approach of configuring communication devices equipped with various sensors and providing highly versatile communication devices.

However, such an approach increases the cost of communication equipment due to the cost of various sensors. Therefore, it is considered that a highly versatile communication device can be provided at low cost by configuring the sensor device so that it can be externally attached to the communication device.

Here, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not consider a communication device to which a sensor device can be externally attached, and there is a problem that a wireless communication method to be used by such a communication device cannot be appropriately selected. There is.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication system, a control method, and a program that enable an appropriate selection of a wireless communication method in a configuration in which a sensor device can be externally attached.

The communication device according to the first aspect is a device corresponding to a plurality of wireless communication methods. The communication device selects an interface electrically connected to the sensor device and a target communication method used for transmitting detection data output by the sensor device connected to the interface from the plurality of wireless communication methods. It has a processor. The processor selects the target communication method based on at least one of the type of the sensor device connected to the interface and the transmission cycle for transmitting the detection data.

The communication system according to the second aspect is a system including a communication device according to the first aspect and a server that acquires detection data transmitted from the communication device. The server calculates a predicted value regarding at least one of the power consumption and the communication charge of the communication device based on the acquisition status of the detection data and the wireless communication method used by the communication device for transmitting the detection data. , The calculated predicted value is displayed on the display device.

The control method according to the third aspect is a method of controlling a communication device corresponding to a plurality of wireless communication methods. In the control method, after the sensor device is electrically connected to the communication device, a target communication method used for transmitting detection data output by the connected sensor device is selected from the plurality of wireless communication methods. Including doing. Selecting the target communication method includes selecting the target communication method based on at least one of the type of the sensor device connected to the interface and the transmission cycle for transmitting the detection data.

The program according to the fourth aspect is a program for causing a communication device to execute the control method according to the third aspect.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication device, a communication system, a control method, and a program that enable an appropriate selection of a wireless communication method in a configuration in which a sensor device can be externally attached.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table stored in the communication device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table stored in the communication device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table stored in the communication device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table stored in the communication device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the server which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the communication device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example when the sensor device connected to the communication device which concerns on one Embodiment is an image sensor device. It is a figure which shows the operation example when the sensor device connected to the communication device which concerns on one Embodiment is an acceleration sensor device.

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals.

(Communication system configuration)
First, the configuration of the communication system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a communication device 100, a communication network 200, a server 300, and a management terminal 400.

The communication device 100 is a device having a communication function. The communication device 100 is, for example, a device used for sensing purposes. The communication device 100 has a configuration in which the sensor device 170 can be externally attached, and can be provided with high versatility and low cost. The communication device 100 transmits the detection data output by the sensor device 170 to the server 300 by communicating via the communication network 200.

The communication device 100 supports a plurality of wireless communication methods. In one embodiment, the plurality of wireless communication systems supported by the communication device 100 include an LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication system and a short-range wireless communication system.

The LPWA method is a wireless communication method that realizes long-distance communication while suppressing power consumption. The LPWA method is, for example, cellular LPWA, Sigfox, or LoRaWAN. Cellular LPWA ^may be 3GPP (3 rd generation partnership project) eMTC specified in Standard (enhanced Machine Type Communications) or NB-IoT (Narrow Band-Internet of Things). In the following, a case where the communication device 100 is compatible with the two LPWA systems of Sigfox and NB-IoT will be mainly described.

The short-range wireless communication method is a wireless communication method that realizes short-range wireless communication. The short-range wireless communication system is, for example, wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark, hereinafter referred to as Bluetooth). The wireless LAN is a short-range wireless communication system defined by the IEEE802.11 standard, and is sometimes called Wi-Fi (registered trademark; the same applies hereinafter). Hereinafter, a case where the communication device 100 is compatible with two short-range wireless communication methods of wireless LAN and Bluetooth will be mainly described.

The communication network 200 is connected to a base station 201 that performs LPWA communication with the communication device 100 and an access point 202 that performs short-range wireless communication with the communication device 100. The communication network 200 includes a high-frequency communication network (WAN: Wide Area Network). The communication network 200 may further include the Internet.

The server 300 is connected to the communication network 200. The server 300 collects detection data from the communication device 100 by communicating with the communication device 100 via the communication network 200. The server 300 does not necessarily have to be a dedicated server. The server 300 may be a general-purpose terminal (for example, a smartphone or a PC) in which a device management application program is installed.

The management terminal 400 is a terminal that constitutes a display device that displays information received from the server 300 via the communication network 200. The management terminal 400 may be a portable terminal, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, or a wearable terminal.

(Communication equipment configuration)
Next, the configuration of the communication device 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication device 100 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 100 includes an antenna 110, a multimode communication device 120, a processor 130, a storage 140, a battery 150, and a sensor interface 160.

The antenna 110 is used for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The multi-mode communication device 120 is a communication device that supports a plurality of wireless communication methods, and is configured so that the wireless communication methods can be switched.

The multimode communication device 120 includes a Sigfox module 121, an NB-IoT module 122, a Bluetooth module 123, and a wireless LAN module 124. The antenna 110 may be provided for each of these communication modules, or two or more communication modules may share one antenna 110.

The Sigfox module 121 is an example of an LPWA communication module. The Sigfox module 121 performs wireless communication conforming to the Sigfox standard.

The NB-IoT module 122 is another example of an LPWA communication module. The NB-IoT module 122 performs wireless communication conforming to the NB-IoT standard.

The Bluetooth module 123 is an example of a short-range wireless communication module. The Bluetooth module 123 performs wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth standard.

The wireless LAN module 124 is another example of a short-range wireless communication module. The wireless LAN module 124 performs wireless communication conforming to the wireless LAN standard.

Each of these communication modules is configured to perform amplification processing, filtering processing, and the like on the radio signal received by the antenna 110, convert the radio signal into a baseband signal, and output the radio signal to the processor 130. Further, each of these communication modules is configured to convert the baseband signal output from the processor 130 into a wireless signal, perform amplification processing and the like, and transmit it from the antenna 110.

The processor 130 performs various processes and controls in the communication device 100. The processor 130 may include a baseband processor and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The baseband processor modulates / demodulates and encodes / decodes the baseband signal. The CPU executes a program stored in the storage 140 to perform various processes.

The storage 140 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The storage 140 stores a program executed by the processor 130 and information used for processing by the processor 130. For example, the storage 140 stores a table as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 in advance.

The table shown in FIG. 3 is association information for associating the type of the sensor device 170 with the target communication method used for transmitting the detection data output by the sensor device 170. As shown in FIG. 3, a wireless LAN is associated with the image sensor device 171 and a Sigfox (or NB-IoT) is associated with the position sensor device 172.

Here, the image sensor device 171 is an example of a predetermined sensor device that outputs predetermined data having a data capacity larger than the communication capacity of the LPWA communication method as detection data. That is, the image sensor device 171 is a sensor device (camera) that outputs a large amount of image data. Hereinafter, an example in which the predetermined sensor device is the image sensor device 171 will be described. However, the predetermined sensor device may be a sensor device 170 that outputs a large amount of data, and the predetermined sensor device may be a voice sensor device, for example. ..

Further, the position sensor device 172 outputs the positioning data as detection data. When the position sensor device 172 is connected to the communication device 100, a scenario in which the communication device 100 is used for position tracking is assumed. In such a case, the communication device 100 is not fixed at a specific position and is considered to move together with a position tracking object (for example, a product or a baggage). Therefore, the LPWA communication method capable of long-distance communication is applied. There is.

The table shown in FIG. 4 is association information for associating the transmission cycle in which the multimode communication device 120 transmits the detection data output by the sensor device 170 with the target communication method used for transmitting the detection data. As shown in FIG. 4, a wireless LAN is associated with a case where the transmission cycle is less than the threshold value, and a Sigfox (or NB-IoT) is associated with a case where the transmission cycle is equal to or more than the threshold value. There is.

Here, since Sigfox (or NB-IoT) has a small communication capacity, there is a possibility that the detection data cannot be completely transmitted within one transmission cycle if the transmission cycle is short. Therefore, when the transmission cycle is short, a wireless LAN having a large communication capacity is used. However, if the transmission cycle is short, Bluetooth may be used instead of the wireless LAN.

The table shown in FIG. 5 is information that determines the priority of the wireless communication method used for transmitting the detection data output by the sensor device 170. The priority shown in FIG. 5 emphasizes the communication capacity (communication speed) and is set to have a high priority for large-capacity communication, and the priority becomes lower as the communication capacity decreases.

The table shown in FIG. 6 is information that determines the priority of the wireless communication method used for transmitting the detection data output by the sensor device 170. The priority shown in FIG. 6 emphasizes power consumption and is set to have a high priority for low power consumption communication, and the priority becomes lower as the power consumption increases.

The tables shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are used to select an alternative communication method when the target communication method cannot be applied. Which of the tables shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is used may be selected in advance by user setting. Alternatively, which of the tables shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be automatically selected according to the remaining battery level of the battery 150. For example, when the remaining battery level is less than the threshold value, the alternative communication method is selected using the table shown in FIG. 6, and when the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the alternative communication method is selected using the table shown in FIG. ..

As shown in FIG. 2, the battery 150 is composed of a primary battery or a secondary battery, and supplies electric power for driving the communication device 100.

The sensor interface 160 is an interface that electrically connects to the sensor device 170. For example, the sensor interface 160 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter), or the like. The sensor interface 160 may be connected to the sensor device 170 without a cable. In the following, an example in which one sensor interface 160 is provided will be mainly described, but a plurality of sensor interfaces 160 may be provided.

For example, the sensor device 170 that can be connected to the sensor interface 160 is at least one of the image sensor device 171, the position sensor device 172, and the acceleration sensor device 173. The user of the communication device 100 purchases the sensor device 170 according to his / her needs as needed, and connects the sensor device 170 to the communication device 100. The sensor device 170 connected to the communication device 100 can be replaced by the user.

The image sensor device 171 is an example of a predetermined sensor device that outputs predetermined data as detection data. The image sensor device 171 outputs image data as detection data by performing imaging. The image data may be still image data or moving image data.

The position sensor device 172 outputs positioning data as detection data by performing positioning. For example, the position sensor device 172 is configured to include a GNSS receiver. GNSS receivers include GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers, IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) receivers, IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) receivers ) Includes at least one of the receivers.

The acceleration sensor device 173 is an example of an environmental sensor device. The acceleration sensor device 173 detects the acceleration and outputs the acceleration data as the detection data. The acceleration sensor device 173 may be a uniaxial acceleration sensor or a multi-axis acceleration sensor. Instead of the acceleration sensor device 173, at least one of a temperature sensor device, a humidity sensor device, a pressure sensor device, a magnetic field sensor (geomagnetic sensor) device, an illuminance sensor device, and a proximity sensor device may be used.

In the communication device 100 configured in this way, the processor 130 selects the target communication method used for transmitting the detection data output by the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 from the plurality of wireless communication methods. Then, the processor 130 transmits this detection data to the server 300 using the selected target communication method. Specifically, the processor 130 outputs the detection data to the communication module corresponding to the selected target communication method, and the communication module transmits the detection data by wireless communication.

In one embodiment, the processor 130 selects a target communication method from a plurality of wireless communication methods based on the type of the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 and at least one of the transmission cycles for transmitting the detection data. To do. As a result, when the sensor device 170 is configured to be externally attachable to the communication device in order to provide a highly versatile communication device at low cost, wireless communication to be used for transmitting the detection data output by the sensor device 170 The method can be automatically selected appropriately.

The processor 130 can specify the type of the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 by acquiring identification information (for example, sensor type information) from the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160. Further, the processor 130 can specify the transmission cycle for transmitting the detection data by acquiring the setting information from the server 300.

For example, when the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 is the image sensor device 171 based on the table shown in FIG. 3, the processor 130 uses a wireless LAN, which is an example of the short-range wireless communication method, as the target communication method. select. On the other hand, the processor 130 selects the target communication method based on the table shown in FIG. 4 when the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 is not the image sensor device 171. Specifically, the processor 130 selects the LPWA communication method when the transmission cycle is equal to or more than the threshold value, and selects the short-range wireless communication method when the transmission cycle is less than the threshold value.

On the other hand, when the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 is the position sensor device 172, the processor 130 selects the LPWA communication method as the target communication method based on the table shown in FIG.

Alternatively, the processor 130 may select the target communication method based on the transmission cycle regardless of the type of the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160. Specifically, based on the table shown in FIG. 4, the processor 130 selects the LPWA communication method when the transmission cycle is equal to or more than the threshold value, and selects the short-range wireless communication method when the transmission cycle is less than the threshold value. To do.

However, when the user-set wireless communication method used for transmitting the detection data is set in advance, the processor 130 may give priority to this user setting and select the user-set wireless communication method as the target communication method. .. The processor 130 can specify the presence or absence of such user settings by acquiring the setting information from the server 300. As a result, the target communication method can be selected while taking into consideration the user's wishes.

Here, the processor 130 may determine whether or not data transmission using the target communication method is possible based on at least one of the contract state of the target communication method and the radio wave environment state of the target communication method. Then, when the processor 130 determines that the data transmission using the target communication method is impossible, the alternative communication method used for transmitting the detection data instead of the target communication method is assigned the priority shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. Select based on. Here, the processor 130 sequentially tries to transmit the detection data by the alternative communication method based on the priority until the detection data is successfully transmitted.

Further, the processor 130 may compare the data amount of the detected data with the data amount threshold value associated with the target communication method. Then, when the data amount of the detected data exceeds the data amount threshold value, the processor 130 selects an alternative communication method to be used for transmitting the detected data instead of the target communication method based on the priority shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. .. Here, the processor 130 sequentially tries to transmit the detection data by the alternative communication method based on the priority until the detection data is successfully transmitted.

(Server configuration)
Next, the configuration of the server 300 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of the server 300 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the server 300 has a communication interface 310, a processor 320, and a storage 330.

The communication interface 310 is an interface that is connected to the communication network 200 by wire or wirelessly. For example, the communication interface 310 receives detection data from the communication device 100.

The processor 320 performs various processes and controls on the server 300. The processor 320 executes a program stored in the storage 330 to perform various processes.

The storage 330 includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and an auxiliary storage device (hard disk, etc.). The storage 330 stores a program executed by the processor 320 and information used for processing by the processor 320.

In the server 300 configured in this way, the processor 320 acquires the detection data transmitted from the communication device 100. The processor 320 calculates a predicted value regarding at least one of the power consumption and the communication charge of the communication device 100 based on the acquisition status of the detection data and the wireless communication method used by the communication device 100 to transmit the detection data.

For example, the processor 320 has a unit time (for example, one month, one day, etc.) based on the communication charge per transmission of the wireless communication method used by the communication device 100 for transmitting the detection data and the transmission cycle of the detection data. Or calculate the estimated value of the total communication charge per hour, etc.).

Further, the processor 320 has a unit time (for example, one month, one day, etc.) based on the power consumption per transmission of the wireless communication method used by the communication device 100 for transmitting the detection data and the transmission cycle of the detection data. Or calculate the predicted value of the total power consumption per hour, etc.).

The processor 320 transmits the predicted value calculated in this way and the information indicating the wireless communication method used by the communication device 100 to transmit the detection data to the management terminal 400 (display device) via the communication interface 310. The management terminal 400 displays the information received from the server 300. As a result, for example, the user of the communication device 100 can confirm with the user whether or not there is a problem in the setting of the current wireless communication method, and it becomes easy to appropriately select the wireless communication method by the user setting.

(Example of operation of communication equipment)
Next, an operation example of the communication device 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation example of the communication device 100 according to the embodiment. However, the order of processing shown in FIG. 8 is only an example, and the order of processing can be changed as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 8, in step S101, the processor 130 identifies the type of sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160.

In step S102, the processor 130 determines whether or not the user-set wireless communication method used for transmitting the detection data is preset. When the wireless communication method set by the user is set in advance (step S102: YES), in step S103, the processor 130 gives priority to the user setting and selects the wireless communication method set by the user as the target communication method.

When the wireless communication method set by the user is not set in advance (step S102: NO), in step S104, the processor 130 uses the method described above to determine the type of the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 and the detection data. The target communication method is selected from a plurality of wireless communication methods based on at least one of the transmission cycles for transmitting the data.

In step S105, the processor 130 specifies at least one of the contract state of the target communication method and the radio wave environment state of the target communication method. For example, the processor 130 acquires information on whether or not the contract of the target communication method is valid from the communication module corresponding to the target communication method. Further, the processor 130 acquires information on whether or not it is within the service range of the target communication method from the communication module corresponding to the target communication method.

In step S106, the processor 130 determines whether or not data transmission using the target communication method is possible based on the result of step S105. For example, the processor 130 determines that data transmission using the target communication method is not possible when the contract of the target communication method is not valid. Further, when the communication module corresponding to the target communication method indicates that the service area is out of service, the processor 130 determines that data transmission using the target communication method is impossible. When it is determined that data transmission using the target communication method is impossible (step S106: NO), in step S111, the processor 130 uses an alternative communication method for transmitting detection data instead of the target communication method in FIG. Alternatively, the selection is made based on the priority shown in FIG. After that, the processor 130 returns the process to step S105. In this case, the process is started from step S105 with the alternative communication method as the new target communication method.

When it is determined that data transmission using the target communication method is possible (step S106: YES), in step S107, the processor 130 outputs the data amount of the detection data output by the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 (step S106: YES). That is, the size) is specified. This amount of data may be the amount of data after additional information such as error correction data and header information is added to the detected data.

In step S108, the processor 130 compares the data amount of the identified detected data with the data amount threshold value associated with the target communication method. Specifically, the data amount threshold value for each wireless communication method is stored in the storage 140 in advance, and the processor 130 acquires the data amount threshold value associated with the current target communication method from the storage 140 and uses it for comparison. .. When the data amount of the detected data exceeds the data amount threshold value (step S108: YES), in step S111, the processor 130 shows an alternative communication method used for transmitting the detected data instead of the target communication method in FIGS. 5 or 6. Select based on the priority shown. After that, the processor 130 returns the process to step S105. In this case, the process is started from step S105 with the alternative communication method as the new target communication method.

When the amount of detected data is equal to or less than the data amount threshold (step S108: NO), in step S109, the processor 130 transmits the detected data to the server 300 using the communication module corresponding to the target communication method.

In step S110, the processor 130 determines whether or not the detection data has been successfully transmitted. For example, when the processor 130 receives the delivery confirmation information from the server 300, it determines that the transmission of the detection data has been successful, and otherwise determines that the transmission of the detection data has failed. When it is determined that the transmission of the detection data has failed (step S110: NO), in step S111, the processor 130 shows an alternative communication method used for transmitting the detection data instead of the target communication method, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. Select based on priority. After that, the processor 130 returns the process to step S105. In this case, the process is started from step S105 with the alternative communication method as the new target communication method. On the other hand, if it is determined that the detection data has been successfully transmitted (step S110: YES), this flow ends.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation example of the communication device 100 when the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 is the image sensor device 171. However, the order of processing shown in FIG. 9 is only an example, and the order of processing can be changed as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 9, in steps S201 and S202, the processor 130 acquires image data from the image sensor device 171 via the sensor interface 160. In this operation example, the processor 130 selects the wireless LAN as the target communication method used for transmitting the image data.

In steps S203 and S204, the processor 130 acquires information on whether or not there is a user-set wireless communication method, that is, a preselected wireless communication method (communication module) by communicating with the server 300. Here, the description will proceed on the assumption that there is no user-configured wireless communication method.

In steps S205 and S206, the processor 130 can identify at least one of the wireless LAN contract state and the wireless LAN radio wave environment state by in-device communication with the wireless LAN module 124, and can transmit data using the wireless LAN. Determine if it exists. Here, the description will proceed on the assumption that it is determined that data transmission using a wireless LAN is possible.

In step S207, the processor 130 compares the data amount of the image data with the data amount threshold value associated with the wireless LAN, and determines whether or not the data transmission using the wireless LAN is possible. Here, the description will proceed on the assumption that it is determined that data transmission using a wireless LAN is possible.

In step S208, the processor 130 transmits image data to the server 300 using a wireless LAN (wireless LAN module 124). Then, in step S209, the processor 130 receives the delivery confirmation information (OK) from the server 300.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation example of the communication device 100 when the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 is the acceleration sensor device 173. However, the order of processing shown in FIG. 10 is only an example, and the order of processing can be changed as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 10, in steps S301 and S302, the processor 130 acquires acceleration data from the acceleration sensor device 173 via the sensor interface 160.

In steps S303 and S304, the processor 130 acquires information on whether or not there is a user-set wireless communication method, that is, a preselected wireless communication method (communication module) by communicating with the server 300. Here, the description will proceed on the assumption that there is no user-configured wireless communication method.

In steps S305 and S306, the processor 130 acquires the set value of the acceleration data transmission cycle by communicating with the server 300. The processor 130 selects an LPWA communication method (for example, Sigfox) when the transmission cycle is equal to or more than the threshold value, and selects a short-range wireless communication method (for example, wireless LAN) when the transmission cycle is less than the threshold value. .. In this operation example, it is assumed that the processor 130 selects Sigfox as the target communication method used for transmitting acceleration data.

In steps S307 and S308, the processor 130 identifies at least one of the contract state of Sigfox and the radio wave environment state of Sigfox by in-device communication with the Sigfox module 121, and whether or not data transmission using Sigfox is possible. To judge. Here, the description will proceed on the assumption that it is determined that data transmission using Sigfox is possible.

In step S309, the processor 130 compares the data amount of the acceleration data with the data amount threshold value associated with the Sigfox, and determines whether or not the data transmission using the Sigfox is possible. Here, the description will proceed on the assumption that it is determined that data transmission using Sigfox is possible.

In step S310, the processor 130 uses the Sigfox (Sigfox module 121) to transmit acceleration data to the server 300. Then, in step S311 the processor 130 receives the delivery confirmation information (OK) from the server 300.

As described above, in the communication device 100 according to the embodiment, the processor 130 uses a plurality of wireless communications based on the type of the sensor device 170 connected to the sensor interface 160 and at least one of the transmission cycles for transmitting the detection data. Select the target communication method from the methods. As a result, in order to provide a highly versatile communication device at low cost, the sensor device 170 should be externally attached to the communication device, and the wireless communication method should be used for transmitting the detection data output by the sensor device 170. Can be automatically selected appropriately.

(Other embodiments)
A program that causes a computer to execute each process performed by the communication device 100 or the server 300 may be provided. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media can be used to install programs on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transient recording medium. The non-transient recording medium is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

Further, the functional unit (circuit) that executes each process performed by the communication device 100 or the server 300 may be integrated, and the communication device 100 or the server 300 may be configured as a semiconductor integrated circuit (chipset, SoC).

Although the embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes and the like can be made within a range that does not deviate from the gist.

1: Communication system 100: Communication device 110: Antenna 120: Multimode communication device 121: Module 122: NB-IoT module 123: Bluetooth module 124: Wireless LAN module 130: Processor 140: Storage 150: Battery 160: Sensor interface 170: Sensor device 171: Image sensor device 172: Position sensor device 173: Acceleration sensor device 200: Communication network 201: Base station 202: Access point 300: Server 310: Communication interface 320: Processor 330: Storage 400: Management terminal

Claims (13)

It is a communication device that supports multiple wireless communication methods.
An interface that electrically connects to the sensor device,
A processor that selects a target communication method to be used for transmitting detection data output by the sensor device connected to the interface from the plurality of wireless communication methods is provided.
The processor is a communication device that selects the target communication method based on at least one of the type of the sensor device connected to the interface and the transmission cycle for transmitting the detection data. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless communication methods include an LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication method and a short-range wireless communication method. When the sensor device connected to the interface is a predetermined sensor device that outputs predetermined data as the detection data, the processor selects the short-range wireless communication method as the target communication method.
The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined data is data having a data capacity larger than the communication capacity of the LPWA communication method. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined sensor device is an image sensor device, and the predetermined data is image data. The processor, when the sensor device connected to the interface is not the predetermined sensor device,
When the transmission cycle is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the LPWA communication method is selected as the target communication method.
The communication device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when the transmission cycle is less than the threshold value, the short-range wireless communication method is selected as the target communication method. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein when the sensor device connected to the interface is a position sensor device that outputs positioning data as the detection data, the LPWA communication method is selected as the target communication method. .. The processor
When the transmission cycle is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the LPWA communication method is selected as the target communication method.
The communication device according to claim 2, wherein when the transmission cycle is less than the threshold value, the short-range wireless communication method is selected as the target communication method. The processor selects any one of claims 1 to 7 by selecting the user-set wireless communication method as the target communication method when the user-set wireless communication method used for transmitting the detection data is preset. Communication equipment described in the section. The processor
Based on at least one of the contract state of the target communication method and the radio wave environment state of the target communication method, it is determined whether or not data transmission using the target communication method is possible.
Any of claims 1 to 8 in which, when it is determined that data transmission using the target communication method is impossible, an alternative communication method used for transmitting the detected data is selected in place of the target communication method based on the priority. The communication device according to item 1. The processor
The data amount of the detected data is compared with the data amount threshold value associated with the target communication method, and the data amount is compared.
Any one of claims 1 to 9 in which when the data amount of the detected data exceeds the data amount threshold value, an alternative communication method used for transmitting the detected data is selected based on the priority order instead of the target communication method. Communication equipment described in. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
A server for acquiring detection data transmitted from the communication device is provided.
The server calculates a predicted value regarding at least one of the power consumption and the communication charge of the communication device based on the acquisition status of the detection data and the wireless communication method used by the communication device for transmitting the detection data. , A communication system that displays the calculated predicted value on the display device. A control method that controls communication devices that support multiple wireless communication methods.
After the sensor device is electrically connected to the communication device, the target communication method used for transmitting the detection data output by the connected sensor device is selected from the plurality of wireless communication methods.
Selecting the target communication method includes selecting the target communication method based on at least one of the type of the sensor device connected to the interface and the transmission cycle for transmitting the detection data. .. A program for causing a communication device to execute the control method according to claim 12.

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