JP2022080557A - Information collection system, collection device, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information collection system capable of correcting time at which a sensor device has acquired a measurement value while reducing the total amount of data to be received by a collection device.SOLUTION: A sensor device 421 transmits, to a repeating device 400, measurement information including a measurement period, first measurement time, and second to tenth measurement time. The measurement information includes RTC time that is acquired from an RTC 436 when the measurement information is transmitted by the sensor device 421. The repeating device 400 transmits the measurement information and NTP time to a collection device 200. The collection device 200 corrects the first measurement time on the basis of a difference between the NTP time and the RTC time received from the repeating device 400. On the basis of the corrected RTC time and the measurement period received from the repeating device 400, the collection device 200 calculates time at which each of a plurality of measurement values have been acquired by sensors 411, 412.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present disclosure relates to information collection systems, collection devices and control methods.

Techniques have been developed that utilize IoT (Internet of Things) to deploy sensor measurements collected by various devices on servers and the cloud. By collecting the acquired sensor measurements from a remote location, the server can monitor various states of the device. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-171497 (Patent Document 1) discloses a sensor net system in which observation values from a plurality of sensor nodes are received by a sensor net server.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-171497

However, in the sensor device to which the sensor is connected, the measurement cycle for acquiring the measured value of the sensor may be very short (for example, at intervals of several milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds). In this case, if data is generated by adding the time when the measured value is acquired in addition to the measured value for each measurement cycle, the total amount of data transmitted to the collecting device such as a server becomes large. When the total amount of data increases, the communication load increases and the packet communication cost charged for communication increases. Therefore, how to reduce the total amount of data transmitted to the collecting device (received by the collecting device) becomes an issue.

Further, the sensor device includes a time measuring unit such as an RTC (real-time clock) that measures the time. There is a machine difference (individual difference) in the timekeeping part, and there is a possibility that the time may gradually deviate from the actual time due to long-term use. If the time shift occurs and the time measured by the sensor device shows an inaccurate value, the measured time and the actual time become inconsistent. As a result, the time when the state of the sensor device changes or the time when the abnormality occurs cannot be accurately grasped on the collecting device side. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the measured time to an accurate time by using a time correction register or the like, or to acquire an accurate time. However, if the sensor device is equipped with a time correction function, the number of parts mounted on the sensor device increases, and a program for controlling the parts is also required, which increases the development cost and reduces the maintainability of the sensor device. .. In addition, there are cases where the time correction function cannot be added due to restrictions on the hardware of the sensor device (for example, the capacity of the CPU or ROM, the number of control lines, etc.). Therefore, how to correct the time when the sensor device acquired the measured value to the correct time without installing the time correction function in the sensor device (without adding hardware or adding a control program). Is the issue.

This disclosure is made in view of the actual situation, and provides an information collection system capable of reducing the total amount of data received by the collection device and correcting the time when the sensor device acquires the measured value. Is one purpose.

An information gathering system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a sensor device connected to at least one sensor, a collecting device that collects measured values of the sensor, and a relay device that relays communication between the sensor device and the collecting device. To prepare for. The sensor device includes a timekeeping unit that measures the time. The sensor device acquires a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value from the sensor by acquiring the measured values of the sensor at predetermined intervals. The sensor device acquires the first time from the timekeeping unit when the first measured value is acquired. The sensor device transmits measurement information including the measurement cycle, the first time, and a plurality of measured values to the relay device. The measurement information includes a second time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the sensor device transmits the measurement information. When the relay device receives the measurement information, it acquires the third time from an external device different from the timekeeping unit. The relay device transmits the measurement information and the third time to the collection device. The collecting device corrects the first time based on the difference between the second time and the third time received from the relay device. The collecting device calculates the time obtained by the sensor for each of the plurality of measured values based on the corrected first time and the measurement cycle received from the relay device.

A collector according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a collector that collects measurements from at least one sensor. The sensor is connected to the sensor device. The measured value of the sensor acquired by the sensor device is relayed by the relay device and transmitted to the collection device. The sensor device includes a timekeeping unit that measures the time. The sensor device includes a timekeeping unit that measures the time. The sensor device acquires a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value from the sensor by acquiring the measured values of the sensor at predetermined intervals. The sensor device acquires the first time from the timekeeping unit when the first measured value is acquired. The sensor device transmits measurement information including the measurement cycle, the first time, and a plurality of measured values to the relay device. The measurement information includes a second time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the sensor device transmits the measurement information. When the relay device receives the measurement information, it acquires the third time from the external device. The relay device transmits the measurement information and the third time to the collection device. The collecting device corrects the first time based on the difference between the second time and the third time received from the relay device. The collecting device calculates the time obtained by the sensor for each of the plurality of measured values based on the corrected first time and the measurement cycle received from the relay device.

A control method according to another aspect of the present disclosure controls an information gathering system. The information gathering system includes a timekeeping unit that measures the time. The control method is a step of acquiring a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value from the sensor by acquiring the measured values of the sensor at predetermined intervals, and acquiring the first measured value. Occasionally, it includes a step of acquiring the first time from the timekeeping unit and a step of transmitting measurement information including the measurement cycle, the first time, and a plurality of measured values. The measurement information includes a second time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the step of transmitting the measurement information transmits the measurement information. The control method corrects the first time based on the step of acquiring the third time from an external device different from the timekeeping unit and the difference between the second time and the third time when the transmitted measurement information is received. Further includes a step of calculating a time for each of the plurality of measured values to be acquired by the sensor based on the corrected first time and the measurement cycle.

According to the present disclosure, measurement information including the first time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the first measured value is acquired and a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value is used as a relay device. Since it is transmitted, the total amount of data received by the collecting device can be reduced. Further, since the sensor device corrects the first time based on the difference between the second time acquired from the timekeeping unit and the third time acquired from the external device when the sensor device transmits the measurement information, the sensor device corrects the measured value. The acquired time can be corrected to an accurate time.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of an information gathering system. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of an information gathering system. It is a figure explaining the reduction method of transmission data performed by a sensor device. It is a figure explaining the time correction method performed by a collecting device. It is a flowchart which shows the sensor device processing. It is a flowchart which shows the relay device processing. It is a flowchart which shows the collecting apparatus processing. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the information gathering system which concerns on the modification.

Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

Techniques have been developed that utilize IoT (Internet of Things) to deploy sensor measurements collected by various sensor devices on servers and the cloud. By collecting measured values such as the state of the device acquired by the sensor device from a remote location, the server monitors changes over time of the device, life diagnosis, abnormality detection, and changes in the state of people and things to be measured by the device. Can be done.

IoT refers to the concepts, mechanisms, and technologies for connecting various things to the Internet and making them usable. The "IoT system," which is a system that utilizes IoT, is practical for full-scale expansion into business from the stage of demonstration experiments using the mobile phone network (3G / LTE / 4G / 5G) and wireless LAN. It has moved to the stage, and some have begun to expand to business sites.

Since the IoT system collects data, accumulates, visualizes, analyzes it, and provides feedback as needed, a large number of components are required. To give an example of applying the IoT system, it is used in the following fields.

Automotive field: Automobiles equipped with sensors can automatically perform actions such as "running," "turning," and "stopping." In addition, by communicating with transportation, it is possible to grasp the operation status in real time. Logistics field: Used for warehouse inventory management and delivery status monitoring. Medical field: Memory and management of one's health condition with a wearable device, and health management by sharing with a doctor. It will also be possible to connect medical devices to a network and perform surgery by a doctor at a remote location. Agricultural field: Watering and automatic fertilizer spraying in house cultivation enable optimal cultivation for crops based on the information acquired by sensors installed on the farmland. In this way, the range of use of the IoT system is wide-ranging.

In the IoT system, the sensor device to which the sensor is connected is connected to the network, and the value of the sensor device and the state of the sensor device are transmitted to the cloud, so that the device registered in the cloud from a remote location via the Internet. It becomes possible to monitor the status.

[Information collection system 10]
In the present embodiment, the information collection system 10 will be described as an example of the above-mentioned IoT system. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the information collection system 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the information collection system 10 includes a sensor device 421, a collection device 200 (also referred to as a “server device”), and a relay device 400 (also referred to as a “gateway”).

The sensor device 421 is a device connected to at least one sensor. In this embodiment, the sensor device 421 is connected to two sensors 411 and 412. The collecting device 200 is a device that collects the measured values of the sensors 411 and 412. The relay device 400 is a device that relays the measured values of the sensors 411 and 412 acquired by the sensor device 421 and transmits them to the collection device 200. That is, the relay device 400 relays the communication between the sensor device 421 and the collection device 200.

The sensor device 421 and the relay device 400 are connected wirelessly or by wire via a LAN (Local Area Network). Alternatively, the sensor device 421 and the relay device 400 may be connected using Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity). The relay device 400 and the collection device 200 can be connected to each other via the Internet 100.

In this way, the measured values of the sensors 411 and 412 acquired by the sensor device 421 pass through the relay device 400 and are finally collected by the collecting device 200. For example, it is assumed that the sensor device 421 and the relay device 400 are installed in a certain factory, and the collection device 200 is a server device installed in a remote place.

Further, the terminal 300 can be connected to the collecting device 200. The terminal 300 can monitor the measured values collected by the collecting device 200 and perform abnormality diagnosis of the sensor and the sensor device 421. The terminal 300 may be installed in the same area as the collection device 200, may be installed in a different area, or may be installed in the factory where the sensor device 421 and the relay device 400 are installed. It may be something that is done.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information collection system 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor device 421 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 431, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 432, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 433, a storage unit 434, a communication interface 435, and an RTC (RTC). It includes a real-time clock) 436 and an I / O (Input / Output) interface 437.

The CPU 431 comprehensively controls the entire sensor device 421. The CPU 431 expands the program stored in the ROM 432 into the RAM 433 and executes it. The ROM 432 stores a program in which the processing procedure of the sensor device 421 is described.

The RAM 433 is a work area when the CPU 431 executes a program, and temporarily stores the program, data when the program is executed, and the like. The communication interface 435 is an interface for communicating with the relay device 400. The storage unit 434 is a non-volatile storage device. The storage unit 434 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

The I / O interface 437 is an interface for input to the sensor device 421 or output from the sensor device 421. The sensor device 421 is connected to the sensors 411 and 412 via the I / O interface 437. Sensor IDs are attached to the sensors 411 and 412 as identification information for identifying each of them. The sensor ID of the sensor 411 is 01, and the sensor ID of the sensor 412 is 02.

The RTC436 measures the time. By acquiring the time from the RTC 436 when the measured values from the sensors 411 and 412 are acquired, the acquisition time of the measured values of the sensors 411 and 412 can be obtained.

The relay device 400 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a storage unit 404, and a communication interface 405. The communication interface 205 is an interface for communicating with the relay device 400 and the collection device 200.

The CPU 401 comprehensively controls the entire relay device 400. The CPU 401 expands the program stored in the ROM 402 into the RAM 403 and executes it. The ROM 402 stores a program in which the processing procedure of the relay device 400 is described.

The RAM 403 is a work area when the CPU 401 executes a program, and temporarily stores the program, data when the program is executed, and the like. The storage unit 404 is a non-volatile storage device.

Further, the relay device 400 can be connected to the NTP (Network Time Protocol) server 220. The relay device 400 can acquire accurate time information provided by the NTP server 220 by connecting to the NTP server 220 via the Internet 100.

The collecting device 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage unit 204, and a communication interface 205. The communication interface 205 is an interface for communicating with the relay device 400.

The CPU 201 comprehensively controls the entire collection device 200. The CPU 201 expands the program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executes it. The ROM 202 stores a program in which the processing procedure of the collecting device 200 is described.

The RAM 203 is a work area when the CPU 201 executes a program, and temporarily stores the program, data when the program is executed, and the like. The storage unit 204 is a non-volatile storage device.

The collecting device 200 may include a display device for displaying various screens and an input device for receiving an input including an instruction from a user. The input device is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like.

[How to reduce transmitted data]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method of reducing transmission data performed by the sensor device 421.

The sensor device 421 acquires measured values from the sensors 411 and 412 by accessing the sensors 411 and 412 at predetermined measurement cycles (also referred to as “predetermined cycles”). For example, the sensor 411 is a thermometer and the sensor 412 is a pressure gauge. When the sensor device 421 acquires the measured value from the sensors 411 and 412, the sensor device 421 acquires the time (current time) from the RTC 436. Here, the measurement cycle of the sensor 411 and the sensor 412 is 60 seconds. The measurement cycle is not limited to this, and may be shorter (for example, several milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds).

As shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the first measured value acquired by the sensor device 421 from the sensor 411 (sensor ID = 01) is "25.5". Then, it is assumed that the time (first measurement time) acquired from RTC436 at this time is 12:34:56 on January 31, 2020. Next, it is assumed that the first measured value acquired by the sensor device 421 from the sensor 412 (sensor ID = 02) is "760.3". Then, it is assumed that the time (first measurement time) acquired from RTC436 at this time is 12:34:57 on January 31, 2020.

Further, when the measurement cycle of the sensor 411 has elapsed (12:35:56 on January 31, 2020), the second measurement value acquired by the sensor device 421 from the sensor 411 (sensor ID is 01) is obtained. It is assumed that it was "25.4". When the measurement cycle of the sensor 412 has elapsed (January 31, 2020, 12:35:57), the second measurement value acquired by the sensor device 421 from the sensor 412 (sensor ID is 02) is "760". It is assumed that it was "1.1".

In this way, the measured value is acquired for each measurement cycle of the sensors 411 and 412. Then, it is assumed that the measured value acquired by the sensor device 421 from the sensor 411 at the 9th time is "25.4" and the measured value acquired at the 10th time is "25.6". It is assumed that the measured value acquired by the sensor device 421 from the sensor 412 for the 9th time is "760.3" and the measured value acquired for the 10th time is "759.8".

In the storage unit 434, the acquisition time (measurement time) and the measurement value of the measurement value for each measurement cycle are recorded together with the sensor ID and the measurement cycle for each sensor. In the sensor 411, [ID = 01, Freq = 60] indicating that the sensor ID is 01 and the measurement cycle is 60 seconds is stored in the storage unit 434, and the data of the first time and the measured value {2020/01 /31 12:34:56 25.5}, 2nd time and measurement data {2020/01/31 12:35:56 25.4}, ... 10th time and measurement data {2020/01/31 31 12:42:56 25.6} is stored in the storage unit 434.

In the sensor 412, [ID = 02, Freq = 60] indicating that the sensor ID is 02 and the measurement cycle is 60 seconds is stored in the storage unit 434, and the data of the first time and the measured value {2020/01 /31 12:34:57 760.3}, 2nd time and measurement data {2020/01/31 12:35:57 760.1}, ... 10th time and measurement data {2020/01/31 31 12:42:57 759.8} is stored in the storage unit 434. In this way, the storage unit 434 stores the plurality of measured values and the time acquired from the RTC 436 when each of the plurality of measured values is acquired.

Next, the sensor device 421 transmits the measurement information as transmission data to the relay device 400. The measurement information is data obtained by processing the data stored in the storage unit 434. In the previous example, the data stored in the storage unit 434 is data in which time information for 10 times and measured values are set. On the other hand, the transmission data (measurement information) is data in which one time information and ten measurement values are set.

Specifically, in the sensor 411, the first time information "Time = 2020/01/31 12:34:56" and the first to tenth measured values "Val = 25.5,25.4, ..., 25.4," 25.6 "is generated as a set of data. In the sensor 411, further, "ID = 01, Freq = 60" indicating that the sensor ID of the measurement information is 01 and the measurement cycle is 60 seconds, and "Data = 10" indicating that there are 10 data. Information is added.

In the sensor 412, the first time information "Time = 2020/01/31 12:34:57" and the first to tenth measurement values "Val = 760.3,760.1, ..., 760.3,759.8" are included in the set. The data is generated. In the sensor 412, further, "ID = 02, Freq = 60" indicating that the sensor ID of the measurement information is 02 and the measurement cycle is 60 seconds, and "Data = 10" indicating that there are 10 data. Information is added.

In addition, as the identification information of the sensor device 421, the information "Board = 01" indicating that the ID of the sensor device 421 is "01" is added. Further, the sensor device 421 acquires a time (hereinafter, this time is also referred to as “RTC time”) from the RTC 436 when transmitting the measurement information as transmission data, adds the time, and transmits the time to the relay device 400. For example, if the transmission time is 12:44:55 on January 31, 2020, the information "Send = 2020/01/31 12:44:55" is added to the transmission data.

In this way, the sensor device 421 acquires the measured values of the 1st to 10th times from the sensors 411 and 412. The sensor device 421 acquires the first measurement time from the RTC 436 when the first measurement value is acquired.

The sensor device 421 transmits measurement information including the measurement cycle, the first measurement time, and the 1st to 10th measurement values to the relay device 400. The measurement information includes identification information that identifies each of the sensors 411 and 412. The measurement information includes the RTC time acquired from the RTC 436 when the sensor device 421 transmits the measurement information.

Further, as a method of reducing the amount of data transmitted by the sensor device 421, a method of compressing the data or a method of storing only the difference between the second and subsequent values and the previously measured value can be considered. The amount of data can be reduced by saving the difference in the measurement time.

As described above, a plurality of measured values including the time acquired from the RTC436 when the first measured value is acquired (the first measured time), the first measured value, and the 2nd to 10th measured values. The measurement information including and is transmitted to the relay device 400. Since the 2nd to 10th measurement times are not transmitted, as a result, the total amount of data received by the collecting device 200 can be reduced.

[Time correction method]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a time correction method performed by the collecting device 200.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor device 421 transmits the generated transmission data to the relay device 400. The relay device 400 generates transmission data based on the data received from the sensor device 421. The relay device 400 transmits the generated transmission data to the collection device 200. The collecting device 200 corrects the time data received from the relay device 400. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

In the example of FIG. 3, the transmission data of the sensors 411 and 412 are generated based on the data of the sensors 411 and 412 stored in the storage unit 434. In the example of FIG. 4, it is assumed that the transmission data of the sensor 411 is generated based on the data of the sensor 411 stored in the storage unit 434. Here, since it is similar to the example of FIG. 3, detailed description will be omitted.

The relay device 400 receives the data transmitted by the sensor device 421. When the relay device 400 receives data from the sensor device 421, the relay device 400 acquires the time from the NTP server 220. The relay device 400 determines that the time acquired from the NTP server 220 (hereinafter, also referred to as “NTP time”) is the data reception time.

As described above, when the relay device 400 receives the measurement information, the relay device 400 acquires the current time from an external device different from the RTC436. For example, an external device is a device having a function of measuring time. In this embodiment, the NTP server 220 is used as an external device. Not limited to this, any method may be used as long as the relay device 400 can acquire the current time from the outside.

The relay device 400 transmits the measurement information and the NTP time to the collection device 200. For example, if the transmission time is 12:44:58 on February 5, 2020, the information "NTP = 2020/02/05 12:44:58" is added to the transmission data of the sensor device 421. , Sent to the collector 200.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there is almost no time lag between the transmission time (RTC time) of the sensor device 421 and the reception time (NTP time) of the relay device 400. In the present embodiment, the sensor device 421 and the relay device 400 are configured by a network in which the number of connected sensor devices 421 and the communication path from the sensor device 421 to the relay device 400 are limited (fixed). It is assumed that the response time for sending and receiving data through the communication path can be completed in a time shorter than the accuracy of correcting the time when the sensor device 421 acquires the measured value (relative to the current time).

Since the NTP time is an accurate current time, if a difference occurs between the NTP time and the RTC time, it can be determined that the time measured by the RTC436 is different from the actual current time.

In this embodiment, the communication between the sensor device 421 and the relay device 400 is described as one-to-one, but it is also possible to connect a plurality of sensor devices to the same local environment (for example, an in-house LAN). Is. At that time, the communication between each sensor device and the relay device 400 requires a throughput sufficient to complete the communication with the relay device 400 within the minimum unit time corrected by all the connected sensor devices.

The collecting device 200 corrects the first measurement time based on the difference between the RTC time and the NTP time received from the relay device 400. In this example, the NTP time is "2020/02/05 12:44:58" and the RTC time is "2020/01/31 12:44:55". The difference (NTP time-RTC time) is "0000/00/05 00:00:03". That is, the RTC time is 5 days and 3 seconds behind the correct NTP time.

The correct 1 is the first measurement time "2020/01/31 12:34:56" plus the difference "0000/00/05 00:00:03" (2020/02/05 12:34:59). It is the first measurement time (the first measurement time after correction). Moreover, since the measurement cycle of the sensor 411 is 60 seconds (Freq = 60), the second measurement time is the corrected first measurement time plus 60 seconds (2020/02/05 12:35). : 59), and the third measurement time is the corrected second measurement time plus 60 seconds (2020/02/05 12:36:59). Similarly, the 10th measurement time is the 9th measurement time plus 60 seconds (2020/02/05 12:45:59).

Even when the data of the sensor 412 is transmitted from the sensor device 421, the time is corrected by the same method, and then the first to tenth measurement times are calculated.

As described above, the collecting device 200 calculates the time obtained by the sensors 411 and 412 for each of the plurality of measured values based on the corrected first measurement time and the measurement cycle received from the relay device 400.

Further, the collecting device 200 determines that the time measured by the RTC 436 is abnormal when the difference between the RTC time and the NTP time exceeds a specified value (for example, 10 seconds). For example, if there is a difference of about 5 days between the RTC time and the NTP time as in the above example, it is hard to say that the RTC436 is timing the exact current time. In such a case, the collecting device 200 determines that the time measured by the RTC 436 is abnormal, and sets the time abnormality flag. When the time abnormality flag is set, for example, the collecting device 200 may notify that the time measured by the RTC 436 is abnormal.

As described above, the first measurement time is corrected based on the difference between the RTC time (transmission time) acquired from the RTC 436 and the NTP time acquired from the NTP server when the sensor device 421 transmits the measurement information. Therefore, the time when the sensor device 421 acquires the measured value can be corrected to an accurate time.

[Sensor device processing]
Hereinafter, the processes executed by the sensor device 421, the relay device 400, and the collection device 200 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 7.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the sensor device processing. The sensor device process is a process in which the sensor device 421 acquires the measured values of the sensors 411 and 412 and transmits the data to the relay device 400. The sensor device processing is realized by the CPU 431 executing a program stored in the ROM 432. In the following, the step is simply referred to as S.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the sensor device processing is started, the sensor device 421 acquires and stores the measured values and the measured times of the sensors 411 and 412 (S11). Specifically, the measured values are acquired from the sensors 411 and 412 at each predetermined measurement cycle. When the sensor device 421 acquires the measured value from the sensors 411 and 412, the sensor device 421 acquires the measurement time (current time) from the RTC 436. Then, the measured value and the measured time are stored in the storage unit 434.

Next, the sensor device 421 determines whether or not the measured values for 10 times have been stored in the storage unit 434 for the sensor 411 or the sensor 412 (S12). If it is not determined that the measured values for 10 times have been stored in the storage unit 434 for the sensor 411 or the sensor 412 (NO in S12), the process returns to the process of S11.

If it is determined that the measurement values for 10 times have been stored in the storage unit 434 for the sensor 411 or the sensor 412 (YES in S12), the process proceeds to S13. For example, when the measured values for 10 times are stored in the sensor 411 (sensor ID = 01), the storage unit data in the sensor device as shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the storage unit 434.

S13 to 17 are processes for generating transmission data in the sensor device of FIG. In S13, the sensor device 421 acquires the device ID, the sensor ID, and the measurement cycle. In the example of FIG. 4, the device ID = 01, the sensor ID = 01, and the measurement cycle = 60 seconds.

Next, the sensor device 421 acquires the first measurement time (S14). In the example of FIG. 4, the first measurement time = "January 31, 2020 12:34:56". Next, the sensor device 421 acquires the measured values for the 1st to 10th times (S15). In the example of FIG. 4, the measured values of the 1st to 10th times = "25.5", "25.4" ... "25.4", "25.6".

Next, the sensor device 421 acquires the transmission time (RTC time) from the RTC436 (S16). In the example of FIG. 4, the transmission time = "January 31, 2020 12:44:55". Next, the sensor device 421 generates transmission data (measurement information) (S18). For example, data such as transmission data in the sensor device of FIG. 4 is generated.

Finally, the sensor device 421 transmits the transmission data to the relay device 400 (S18), and ends the sensor device processing.

[Relay device processing]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the relay device processing. The relay device process is a process of transmitting data generated by the relay device 400 based on the data received from the sensor device 421 to the collection device 200. The relay device processing is realized by the CPU 401 executing the program stored in the ROM 402.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the relay device process is started, the relay device 400 determines whether or not the data transmitted by the sensor device 421 has been received (S21). When the relay device 400 has not received the data transmitted by the sensor device 421 (NO in S21), the relay device 400 waits until the data transmitted by the sensor device 421 is received (YES in S21).

When the relay device 400 receives the data transmitted by the sensor device 421, the relay device 400 acquires measurement information from the received data (S22). In the example of FIG. 4, the relay device 400 acquires the transmission data (measurement information) in the sensor device.

Next, the relay device 400 acquires the current time (NTP time) from the NTP server 220 (S23). In the example of FIG. 4, the NTP time = "February 5, 2020 12:44:58". Next, the relay device 400 generates transmission data (S24). In the example of FIG. 4, data such as transmission data in the relay device is generated. The transmission data is the data received from the sensor device 421 with the NTP time added.

Finally, the relay device 400 transmits the transmission data to the collection device 200 (S25), and ends the relay device process.

[Collection device processing]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the collection device processing. The collecting device processing is a processing for correcting data received from the relay device 400 by the collecting device 200. The collection device processing is realized by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 202.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the collection device processing is started, the collection device 200 determines whether or not the data transmitted by the relay device 400 has been received (S31). When the collecting device 200 has not received the data transmitted by the relay device 400 (NO in S31), the collecting device 200 waits until the data transmitted by the relay device 400 is received (YES in S31).

When the collecting device 200 receives the data transmitted by the relay device 400, the collecting device 200 acquires the measurement information and the NTP time from the received data (S32). Next, the collecting device 200 calculates the difference value (NTP time-RTC time) (S33). For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the difference value is "0000/00 /" for the NTP time "2020/02/05 12:44:58" and the RTC time "2020/01/31 12:44:55". 05 00:00:03 ".

Next, the collecting device 200 determines whether or not the difference value exceeds the specified value (S34). For example, the default value is "10 seconds". In the example of FIG. 4, the RTC time is 5 days and 3 seconds behind the NTP time, and therefore exceeds the specified value.

If the difference value exceeds the specified value (YES in S34), the time abnormality flag is set (S35), and the process proceeds to S36. If the difference value does not exceed the specified value (NO in S34), the process proceeds to S36 without setting the time abnormality flag.

In S36, the collecting device 200 calculates the corrected first measurement time from the first measurement time + the difference value (S36). In the example of FIG. 4, "2020/02/05 12:34" is obtained by adding the difference "0000/00/05 00:00:03" to the first measurement time "2020/01/31 12:34:56". : 59 "is the first measurement time after correction.

Next, the collecting device 200 calculates the 2nd to 10th measurement times from the corrected first measurement time and the measurement cycle (S37), and ends the collection device process. In the example of FIG. 4, since the measurement cycle of the sensor 411 is 60 seconds, the second measurement time is the corrected first measurement time plus 60 seconds (2020/02/05 12:35). : 59). The third to tenth measurement times can be calculated in the same manner.

[Modification example]
In the above embodiment, as in the information collection system 10 shown in FIG. 1, an example in which two sensors 411 and 412 are connected to the sensor device 421 and connected to the collection device 200 via the relay device 400 has been described. ..

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information collection system 11 may be configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an information collection system according to a modified example. As shown in FIG. 8, the information collection system 11 includes a plurality of relay devices 400, 500, and 600 for one collection device 200.

For example, the plurality of relay devices 400, 500, 600 may be provided in different factories. Further, a plurality of terminals 300 and 301 may be connected to the collecting device 200.

The relay device 400 is connected to one sensor device 421, and the sensor device 421 is connected to two sensors 411 and 412, as in the example of FIG.

On the other hand, the relay device 500 is connected to two sensor devices 521 and 522. The sensor device 521 is connected to two sensors 511 and 512. The sensor device 522 is connected to two sensors 513 and 514.

The relay device 600 is connected to two sensor devices 621 and 622. The sensor device 621 is connected to one sensor 611. The sensor device 622 is connected to one sensor 612.

As described above, one or a plurality of relay devices may be provided, and one or a plurality of sensor devices may be provided. Further, one sensor may be connected to one sensor device, or a plurality of sensors may be connected to one sensor device.

In this embodiment, the storage unit 434 of the sensor device 421 stores the measurement data of the sensor for 10 times and the measurement time for 10 times corresponding to each measurement data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the storage unit 434 may store the measurement data of the sensor for 10 times and the measurement time for one time.

Further, as the transmission data of the sensor device 421, the measurement data of the sensor for 10 times and the measurement time for one time are generated from the measurement data of the sensor for 10 times and the measurement time for 10 times corresponding to each measurement data. did. As described above, in the present embodiment, the sensor device 421 reduces the measurement time data from 10 times to 1 time to reduce the transmission data capacity. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the relay device 400 may reduce the measurement time for 10 times to the measurement time for one time. Further, the measurement time for one time is not limited to the time of the first measurement, and may be any of the measurement times of the 2nd to 10th times.

Further, in the present embodiment, the collecting device 200 performs the time correction process based on the difference between the NTP time and the RTC time. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the relay device 400 may perform the time correction process. Further, the collection device processing (FIG. 7) including the time correction process is not limited to the one executed by the collection device 200, and such processing may be executed on the terminal 300 side.

By applying the configuration disclosed in this embodiment, communication equipment such as mobile phones, rice cookers, washing machines, home appliances such as air conditioners, in-vehicle equipment such as automobiles, aerospace equipment, medical equipment, agricultural equipment, and signal equipment It is expected to be used in a wide range of fields such as equipment such as elevators, vending machines, and industrial equipment operating in factories.

[Aspect]
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following embodiments.

(Clause 1) The information collection system according to one aspect relays communication between a sensor device connected to at least one sensor, a collection device that collects measured values of the sensors, and the sensor device and the collection device. It is equipped with a relay device. The sensor device includes a timekeeping unit that measures the time. The sensor device acquires a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value from the sensor by acquiring the measured values of the sensor at predetermined intervals. The sensor device acquires the first time from the timekeeping unit when the first measured value is acquired. The sensor device transmits measurement information including the measurement cycle, the first time, and a plurality of measured values to the relay device. The measurement information includes a second time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the sensor device transmits the measurement information. When the relay device receives the measurement information, it acquires the third time from an external device different from the timekeeping unit. The relay device transmits the measurement information and the third time to the collection device. The collecting device corrects the first time based on the difference between the second time and the third time received from the relay device. The collecting device calculates the time obtained by the sensor for each of the plurality of measured values based on the corrected first time and the measurement cycle received from the relay device.

According to the information gathering system described in Section 1, the first time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the first measured value is acquired, and a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value are obtained. Since the measurement information including the measurement information is transmitted to the relay device, the total amount of data received by the collection device can be reduced. Further, since the sensor device corrects the first time based on the difference between the second time acquired from the timekeeping unit and the third time acquired from the external device when the sensor device transmits the measurement information, the sensor device corrects the measured value. The acquired time can be corrected to an accurate time.

(Clause 2) In the information collection system described in paragraph 1, the sensor device stores a plurality of measured values and a storage unit that stores the time acquired from the timekeeping unit when each of the plurality of measured values is acquired. Further prepare.

According to the information collection system described in Section 2, the storage unit stores the time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the second measured value is acquired, while transmitting the measurement information to the relay device. In this case, since the time acquired from the timekeeping unit is not transmitted when the second measured value is acquired, the total amount of data received by the collecting device can be reduced.

(Clause 3) In the information gathering system according to the first or second paragraph, the sensor device is connected to a plurality of sensors. The measurement information includes identification information that identifies each of the plurality of sensors.

According to the information collecting system according to the third item, when the sensor device is connected to a plurality of sensors, the collecting device can identify the plurality of sensors.

(Clause 4) In the information collection system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, the external device is an NTP server.

According to the information collection system described in Section 4, the first time is based on the difference between the second time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the sensor device transmits the measurement information and the third time acquired from the NTP server. Therefore, the time when the sensor device acquired the measured value can be corrected to an accurate time.

(Clause 5) In the information gathering system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, when the difference between the second time and the third time exceeds the specified value, the timekeeping unit of the collecting device is set. Judge that the time to be clocked is abnormal.

According to the information collecting system described in the fifth item, when the time measured by the time measuring unit is inaccurate, or when a failure occurs in the measuring unit, the collecting device can recognize it as an abnormality.

(Section 6) The collecting device according to one aspect is a collecting device that collects the measured values of at least one sensor. The sensor is connected to the sensor device. The measured value of the sensor acquired by the sensor device is relayed by the relay device and transmitted to the collection device. The sensor device includes a timekeeping unit that measures the time. The sensor device includes a timekeeping unit that measures the time. The sensor device acquires a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value from the sensor by acquiring the measured values of the sensor at predetermined intervals. The sensor device acquires the first time from the timekeeping unit when the first measured value is acquired. The sensor device transmits measurement information including the measurement cycle, the first time, and a plurality of measured values to the relay device. The measurement information includes a second time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the sensor device transmits the measurement information. When the relay device receives the measurement information, it acquires the third time from the external device. The relay device transmits the measurement information and the third time to the collection device. The collecting device corrects the first time based on the difference between the second time and the third time received from the relay device. The collecting device calculates the time obtained by the sensor for each of the plurality of measured values based on the corrected first time and the measurement cycle received from the relay device.

According to the collecting device according to the sixth item, the first time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the first measured value is acquired, and a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value are included. Since the measurement information is transmitted to the relay device, the total amount of data received by the collection device can be reduced. Further, since the sensor device corrects the first time based on the difference between the second time acquired from the timekeeping unit and the third time acquired from the external device when the sensor device transmits the measurement information, the sensor device corrects the measured value. The acquired time can be corrected to an accurate time.

(Section 7) The control method according to one aspect controls an information collection system. The information gathering system includes a timekeeping unit that measures the time. The control method is a step of acquiring a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value from the sensor by acquiring the measured values of the sensor at predetermined intervals, and acquiring the first measured value. Occasionally, it includes a step of acquiring the first time from the timekeeping unit and a step of transmitting measurement information including the measurement cycle, the first time, and a plurality of measured values. The measurement information includes a second time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the step of transmitting the measurement information transmits the measurement information. The control method corrects the first time based on the step of acquiring the third time from an external device different from the timekeeping unit and the difference between the second time and the third time when the transmitted measurement information is received. Further includes a step of calculating a time for each of the plurality of measured values to be acquired by the sensor based on the corrected first time and the measurement cycle.

According to the information gathering method described in Section 7, the first time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the first measured value is acquired, and a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value are obtained. Since the measurement information including the measurement information is transmitted, the total amount of data received can be reduced. In addition, since the first time is corrected based on the difference between the second time acquired from the timekeeping unit and the third time acquired from the external device when transmitting the measurement information, the time when the measured value is acquired is accurate. It can be corrected to the time.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

10, 11 Information collection system, 100 Internet, 200 collection device, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 storage, 205 communication interface, 220 NTP server, 300, 301 terminal, 400 relay device, 401 CPU, 402 ROM, 403 RAM, 404 storage, 405 communication interface, 411, 412 sensor, 421 sensor device, 431 CPU, 432 ROM, 433 RAM, 434 storage, 435 communication interface, 436 RTC, 437 I / O interface, 500 relay device, 511, 512, 513, 514 sensors, 521, 522 sensor devices, 600 relay devices, 611, 612 sensors, 621, 622 sensor devices.

Claims (7)

It is an information gathering system
A sensor device connected to at least one sensor,
A collecting device that collects the measured values of the sensor, and
A relay device for relaying communication between the sensor device and the collection device is provided.
The sensor device is
Including the timekeeping part that measures the time
By acquiring the measured values of the sensor at predetermined intervals, a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value are acquired from the sensor.
When the first measured value is acquired, the first time is acquired from the timekeeping unit, and the first time is acquired.
Measurement information including the predetermined cycle, the first time, and the plurality of measured values is transmitted to the relay device.
The measurement information includes a second time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the sensor device transmits the measurement information.
The relay device is
When the measurement information is received, the third time is acquired from an external device different from the timekeeping unit, and the third time is acquired.
The measurement information and the third time are transmitted to the collection device, and the measurement information is transmitted to the collection device.
The collecting device is
The first time is corrected based on the difference between the second time and the third time received from the relay device.
An information collection system that calculates the time obtained by the sensor for each of the plurality of measured values based on the corrected first time and the predetermined cycle received from the relay device. The information collection system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device further includes a storage unit that stores the plurality of measured values and the time acquired from the clock unit when each of the plurality of measured values is acquired. .. The sensor device is connected to a plurality of the sensors.
The information collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measurement information includes identification information for identifying each of the plurality of sensors. The information collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the external device is an NTP server. Any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the collecting device determines that the time measured by the time measuring unit is abnormal when the difference between the second time and the third time exceeds a specified value. The information collection system described in item 1. A collection device that collects the measured values of at least one sensor.
The sensor is connected to the sensor device and
The measured value of the sensor acquired by the sensor device is relayed by the relay device and transmitted to the collection device.
The sensor device is
Including the timekeeping part that measures the time
By acquiring the measured values of the sensor at predetermined intervals, a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value are acquired from the sensor.
When the first measured value is acquired, the first time is acquired from the timekeeping unit, and the first time is acquired.
Measurement information including the predetermined cycle, the first time, and the plurality of measured values is transmitted to the relay device.
The measurement information includes a second time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the sensor device transmits the measurement information.
The relay device is
When the measurement information is received, the third time is acquired from an external device different from the timekeeping unit, and the third time is acquired.
The measurement information and the third time are transmitted to the collection device, and the measurement information is transmitted to the collection device.
The collecting device is
The first time is corrected based on the difference between the second time and the third time received from the relay device.
A collecting device that calculates the time obtained by the sensor for each of the plurality of measured values based on the corrected first time and the predetermined cycle received from the relay device. It is a control method that controls the information collection system.
The information gathering system is provided with a timekeeping unit for measuring time.
The control method is
A step of acquiring a plurality of measured values including the first measured value and the second measured value from the sensor by acquiring the measured values of the sensor at predetermined intervals, and
The step of acquiring the first time from the timekeeping unit when the first measured value is acquired, and
A step of transmitting measurement information including the predetermined cycle, the first time, and the plurality of measured values is included.
The measurement information includes a second time acquired from the timekeeping unit when the step of transmitting the measurement information transmits the measurement information.
The control method is
The step of receiving the transmitted measurement information and
When the step of receiving the measurement information receives the measurement information, the step of acquiring the third time from an external device different from the timekeeping unit, and the step of acquiring the third time.
A step of correcting the first time based on the difference between the second time and the third time, and
A control method further comprising a step of calculating a time in which each of the plurality of measured values is acquired by the sensor based on the corrected first time and the predetermined period.

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