JP2024039425A - Relay device, information collection system and relay method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a relay device and the like that can link a sensor terminal and a relay device more easily than before.
SOLUTION: The relay device is a relay device that relays communication between a sensor terminal 10 that transmits a wireless signal and a collection device 50 that collects sensing data including sensing data of the sensor terminal 10, and the relay device is one or more relay devices that relay communication between a sensor terminal 10 that transmits a wireless signal and a collection device 50 that collects sensing data including sensing data of the sensor terminal 10. of the one or more sensor terminals 10 based on information regarding the one or more sensor terminals 10 based on the received one or more wireless signals. A control unit 32 selects a sensor terminal 10 to be linked to establish local communication with the relay device, and a collection device 50 collects sensing data of the target sensor terminal 10 determined based on the selection result of the control unit 32. and a communication section 31 for transmitting data to the computer.
[Selection diagram] Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a relay device, an information collection system, and a relay method.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a system for collecting sensing data from a plurality of installed sensor terminals has been studied (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-081860

By the way, in a system that collects sensing data, a relay device that relays communication between a sensor terminal and a collection device that collects sensing data is sometimes provided. In such a system, communication between a sensor terminal and a relay device may be linked. Linking involves, for example, selecting a relay device to link from a map in which multiple relay devices are arranged on the screen of a tablet terminal, and inputting the identification information of the sensor terminal to be linked to the relay device. This is necessary and time-consuming. Moreover, if the number of sensor terminals and relay devices increases, the effort will further increase. Therefore, it is desirable to easily link sensor terminals and relay devices. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not disclose how to easily link a sensor terminal and a relay device.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a relay device, an information collection system, and a relay method that can link sensor terminals and relay devices more easily than before.

A relay device according to one aspect of the present invention is a relay device that relays communication between a sensor terminal that transmits a wireless signal and a collection device that collects sensing data of the sensor terminal, and the relay device is a relay device that relays communication between a sensor terminal that transmits a wireless signal and a collection device that collects sensing data of the sensor terminal, and that a receiving unit that receives the wireless signal transmitted from each of the terminals; and a relay unit that receives the relay among the one or more sensor terminals based on information regarding the one or more sensor terminals based on the one or more received wireless signals. a control unit that selects a sensor terminal to be linked for establishing local communication with the device; and a control unit that transmits the sensing data of the target sensor terminal determined based on the selection result of the control unit to the collection device. and a transmitter.

An information collection system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-mentioned relay device, the sensor terminal, and the collection device.

A relay method according to one aspect of the present invention is a relay method for relaying communication between a sensor terminal that transmits a wireless signal and a collection device that collects sensing data including sensing data of the sensor terminal, comprising: The radio signal transmitted from each of the sensor terminals is received, and based on the information regarding the one or more sensor terminals based on the received one or more radio signals, one or more of the one or more sensor terminals is A relay device that relays communication and a sensor terminal to be linked for establishing local communication are selected, and the sensing data of the target sensor terminal determined based on the selection result is transmitted to the collection device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a relay device or the like that can more easily link a sensor terminal and a relay device than before.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an information collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the information collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information collection system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the information collection system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit according to the second embodiment.

Each embodiment will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

Note that each embodiment described below is a comprehensive or specific example. The numerical values, shapes, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and do not limit the present invention.

Furthermore, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Therefore, for example, the scale etc. of each figure do not necessarily match. Further, in each figure, substantially the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping explanations will be omitted or simplified.

In addition, in this specification, terms indicating relationships between identical elements, numerical values, and numerical ranges are not expressions expressing only strict meanings, but are expressions that indicate a substantially equivalent range, such as a few percent. This expression means that it also includes a difference of about 10% (for example, about 10%).

(Embodiment 1)
The information collection system according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[1-1. Information collection system configuration]
First, the configuration of the information collection system according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an information collection system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information collection system 1 is an information processing system that collects sensor information from sensor terminals 10 installed in an indoor space 100 (an example of a space) such as an office. In the information collection system 1, the signal receiving terminal 30 attached to the lighting fixture 20 relays communication between the sensor terminal 10 and the collection device 50 that collects sensor information from the sensor terminal 10. The sensor terminal 10 and the signal receiving terminal 30 communicate via a local communication network, and the present invention provides a sensor terminal 30 and a sensor communicably connected to the signal receiving terminal 30 via the local communication network. The main feature is the method of linking with the terminal 10. The detailed configuration of the information collection system 1 will be described below with further reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information collection system 1 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information collection system 1 includes a sensor terminal 10, a lighting fixture 20, and a collection device 50. The lighting fixture 20 and the collection device 50 are communicably connected via a wide area communication network 40. The wide area communication network 40 is a public communication network such as the Internet, and is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone, or a public line. The wide area communication network 40 is a wireless network, but may also be a wired network or a combination of a wireless network and a wired network. A wide area communication network 40 connecting the signal receiving terminal 30 and the collecting device 50 is constructed in advance regardless of the presence or absence of the sensor terminal 10.

The sensor terminal 10 is installed within the indoor space 100 and measures environmental information within the indoor space 100. The sensor terminal 10 may be, for example, portable or detachable. Further, a plurality of sensor terminals 10 may be arranged within the indoor space 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor terminal 10 includes a communication section 11, a control section 12, a storage section 13, and a sensor section 14.

The communication unit 11 transmits a wireless signal. The wireless signal is, for example, a beacon (beacon signal). The beacon is transmitted, for example, without specifying the destination, and is received by the signal receiving terminal 30 existing within the range. The beacon may be a broadcast signal that conforms to the Bluetooth (registered trademark, hereinafter the same) communication standard, or a broadcast signal that conforms to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark, the same hereinafter) communication standard. The beacon may be, for example, an advertising signal. For example, the communication unit 11 may transmit a predetermined advertisement signal periodically (for example, every second). The advertisement signal is a signal for notifying the signal receiving terminal 30 of the presence of the sensor terminal 10, and includes source information. The transmission source information is, for example, sensor terminal information including identification information of the sensor terminal 10 and the like. The identification information of the sensor terminal 10 is an example of information regarding the sensor terminal 10.

The communication unit 11 includes a wireless communication circuit (wireless communication module) for communicating with the signal receiving terminal 30 via a local communication network. Regarding communication standards used for communication, although Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication standards are illustrated, the communication standards are not particularly limited. Note that the communication unit 11 cannot communicate with the collection device 50.

The control unit 12 controls each component of the sensor terminal 10. The control unit 12 controls the communication unit 11 to transmit a wireless signal. Further, the control unit 12 controls the sensor unit 14 to measure environmental information. The control unit 12 is realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a processor, and its functions are realized by reading and executing a software program stored in the storage unit 13.

The storage unit 13 stores sensor terminal information of the sensor terminal 10, sensor information including at least sensing data measured by the sensor unit 14, and the like. The storage unit 13 is realized by a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

The sensor unit 14 measures environmental information of the indoor space 100 in which the sensor terminal 10 is installed. The environmental information includes at least one of the temperature and humidity in the indoor space 100, illuminance, amount of ultraviolet rays, atmospheric pressure, sound (volume), odor, PM (particulate matter) concentration, and the like.

The sensor terminal 10 as described above may be realized as a single device, may be built into another device (for example, an air purifier), or may be realized by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) dongle or the like. It may be configured to be detachable from a PC or the like via a USB connector. Further, the sensor terminal 10 may be attached to equipment that requires temperature management, such as a refrigerated showcase or a frozen showcase.

Note that the sensor terminal 10 may have a configuration other than the above as long as it can transmit a wireless signal such as a beacon and can measure environmental information. Further, the sensor terminal 10 may be a sensor terminal capable of BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication.

One or more (for example, a plurality of) lighting fixtures 20 are arranged within the indoor space 100 and illuminate the interior of the indoor space 100. The lighting fixture 20 includes a signal receiving terminal 30 in addition to a configuration for illuminating (for example, a light source, etc.). One or more lighting fixtures 20 installed in the indoor space 100 have a signal receiving terminal 30, and for example, the signal receiving terminal 30 may be attached to all of the one or more lighting fixtures 20.

The signal receiving terminal 30 is an example of a relay device, and is an information processing device that performs processing for transferring sensor information from the sensor terminal 10 to the collecting device 50. The signal receiving terminal 30 may be built into the lighting fixture 20 or may be detachably attached to the lighting fixture 20. "Removable" here means that the lighting fixture 20 and the signal receiving terminal 30 can be attached and removed without destroying them. Further, the signal receiving terminal 30 may be attached to the lighting fixture 20 so as to be visible from the outside, or may be attached to the lighting fixture 20 so as to be invisible from the outside.

The signal receiving terminal 30 includes a communication section 31, a control section 32, and a storage section 33.

The communication unit 31 communicates with the sensor terminal 10 and the collection device 50. The communication unit 31 receives sensor terminal information and sensor information from the sensor terminal 10 . The communication section 31 functions as a receiving section. Further, the communication unit 31 functions as a transmitting unit that transmits (transfers) sensor information from the sensor terminal 10 linked to the signal receiving terminal 30 to the collecting device 50. The communication unit 31 also scans beacons (advertisement signals).

The communication unit 31 includes a wireless communication circuit (wireless communication module) for communicating with the sensor terminal 10 via the local communication network, and a communication circuit (wireless communication module) for communicating with the collection device 50 via the wide area communication network 40. communication module). The communication standard used for communication is not particularly limited.

Note that although the signal receiving terminal 30 and the sensor terminal 10 are linked one-to-one, they may be linked one-to-many, for example. In the following, a case will be described in which the signal receiving terminal 30 and the sensor terminal 10 are associated in a one-to-one correspondence.

The control unit 32 controls each component of the signal receiving terminal 30. The control unit 32 selects the sensor terminal 10 to be linked to establish local communication with the signal receiving terminal 30 based on the sensor terminal information that the communication unit 11 receives from each of the one or more sensor terminals 10. . Furthermore, the control unit 32 determines the sensor terminal 10 to which sensor information is to be transmitted to the collection device 50 based on the selection result. Further, the control unit 32 controls the light source unit of the lighting fixture 20 when it is estimated that the sensor terminal 10 has approached the signal receiving terminal 30 within a predetermined distance based on the radio field intensity of the wireless signal from the sensor terminal 10. Then, the light may be emitted in a desired light emission mode (for example, blinking).

Note that establishment of local communication means that the signal receiving terminal 30 can recognize the sensor information of the determined sensor terminal 10 via the local communication network. Furthermore, linking refers to associating identification information of each of the sensor terminal 10 and the signal receiving terminal 30 that are communicably connected via the local communication network. For example, linking is a process of determining a sensor terminal 10 that is communicably connected to one signal receiving terminal 30 via a local communication network, and storing identification information of the sensor terminal 10 in the signal receiving terminal 30. May include.

The control unit 32 is realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor, and its functions are realized by reading and executing a software program stored in the storage unit 33.

The storage unit 33 stores sensor terminal information of the sensor terminal 10 that has been linked to the signal receiving terminal 30, sensor information (for example, sensing data) of the sensor terminal 10 that has been linked, and the like. Furthermore, the storage unit 33 may acquire and store the identification information of the sensor terminal 10 that is linked to the signal receiving terminal 30 before linking. There may be one piece of identification information, or there may be more than one piece of identification information. The storage unit 33 is realized by a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the signal receiving terminal 30 is attached to the lighting fixture 20, but the signal receiving terminal 30 is not limited to this, and may be attached to other devices in the indoor space 100 (for example, a fire alarm, a sound output device, etc.). may be attached to.

The collection device 50 is a device that collects sensor information including sensing data obtained by the sensor terminal 10 measuring environmental information. The collection device 50 collects the sensor information via the signal receiving terminal 30. Note that the collection device 50 may collect at least sensing data.

The collection device 50 includes a communication section 51, a control section 52, and a storage section 53. The collection device 50 is, for example, a server device located remotely from the indoor space 100.

The communication unit 51 communicates with the signal receiving terminal 30. The communication unit 51 acquires sensor information from the signal receiving terminal 30. Note that the communication unit 51 cannot communicate with the sensor terminal 10.

The communication unit 51 is configured to include a communication circuit (communication module) for communicating with the signal receiving terminal 30 via the wide area communication network 40. The communication standard used for communication is not particularly limited.

The control unit 52 controls each component of the collection device 50. The control unit 52 causes the storage unit 53 to store the sensor information acquired from the signal receiving terminal 30. The control unit 52 is realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor, and its functions are realized by reading and executing a software program stored in the storage unit 53.

The storage unit 53 stores sensor information (for example, sensing data) of the sensor terminal 10. The storage unit 53 is realized by a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

The sensor information collected by the collection device 50 may be used for visualization to the user, or may be used for data that must be submitted, such as temperature and humidity.

[1-2. Operation of information collection system]
Next, the operation of the information collection system 1 configured as described above will be explained with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (relay method) of the information collection system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor terminal 10 transmits a wireless signal via the communication unit 11 (S11). The wireless signal includes sensor terminal information and sensor information. For example, the sensor terminal 10 periodically transmits an advertisement signal as a wireless signal.

Next, the signal receiving terminal 30 receives a wireless signal from the sensor terminal 10 (S21). The signal receiving terminal 30 receives wireless signals from, for example, all the sensor terminals 10 that the wireless signals can reach. Further, the signal receiving terminal 30 acquires information regarding the strength of the radio waves of the received wireless signal. Information regarding the strength of radio waves is, for example, radio field strength (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indicator), but is not limited thereto. The radio wave intensity is an example of information regarding the sensor terminal 10.

Next, the signal receiving terminal 30 turns on the sensing data collection function (S22). The signal receiving terminal 30 has a connection mode in which sensor information from the sensor terminal 10 is transferred to the collection device 50 and a non-connection mode in which the sensor information is not transferred to the collection device 50. It can be said that the connected mode is a mode in which the signal receiving terminal 30 establishes local communication with the sensor terminal 10, and the non-connected mode is a mode in which the signal receiving terminal 30 does not establish local communication with the sensor terminal 10. Note that turning on the sensing data collection function means that the operation mode of the signal receiving terminal 30 changes from the non-connected mode to the connected mode.

Note that the time for turning on the sensing data collection function may be set in advance. For example, the sensing data collection function may be automatically turned off several minutes after the sensing data collection function is turned on.

Note that the trigger for turning on the sensing data collection function is not limited to receiving a wireless signal from the sensor terminal 10 (that is, the sensor terminal 10 approaches within a predetermined distance with respect to the signal receiving terminal 30); The sensor terminal 10 continues to receive a wireless signal with a radio field strength of the above value for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 seconds) or more, that is, the sensor terminal 10 continues to approach the signal receiving terminal 30 for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 seconds) or more. It may be that the current time has arrived, or that a predetermined time has arrived.

Next, the control unit 32 of the signal receiving terminal 30 determines whether to link the wireless signal with the sensor terminal 10 that received the wireless signal (S23). Step S23 includes a selecting step and a determining step.

First, the control unit 32 selects the sensor terminal 10 that is a candidate to be linked, for example, based on the radio field strength of the wireless signal. The control unit 32 preferentially selects the sensor terminal 10 whose radio field intensity is high. The number of sensor terminals 10 selected may be one or more. The control unit 32 may, for example, select the sensor terminal 10 with the highest radio field strength of the wireless signal, or select the sensor terminal 10 whose radio field strength of the wireless signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined strength (for example, when the signal receiving terminal 30 and the sensor terminal 10 The sensor terminal 10 whose distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance may be selected. In this way, the control unit 32 of the signal receiving terminal 30 selects the sensor terminal 10 to be linked for establishing local communication when operating in the connected mode of the connected mode and the non-connected mode.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 32 determines the selected sensor terminal 10 as the sensor terminal 10 to which sensor information is to be transmitted to the collection device 50. That is, the control unit 32 automatically determines the target sensor terminal 10 based on the wireless signal from each sensor terminal 10.

If the target sensor terminal 10 is determined, the control unit 32 determines Yes in step S23, and if the target sensor terminal 10 is not determined, the control unit 32 determines No in step S23.

Note that when the storage unit 33 stores the identification information of the sensor terminal 10 that is linked to the signal receiving terminal 30, the control unit 32 selects information that matches the stored identification information of the sensor terminal 10 in the selection step. The sensor terminal 10 having the identification information may be selected. Further, when the storage unit 33 stores the identification information of the sensor terminal 10 associated with the signal receiving terminal 30, the control unit 32 determines that the identification information of the sensor terminal 10 that matches the stored identification information of the sensor terminal 10 is stored in step S23. The sensor terminal 10 having identification information may be determined as the target sensor terminal 10.

Next, when the control unit 32 determines Yes in step S23, it stores the identification information of the target sensor terminal 10 in the storage unit 33 (S24). That is, when operating in the connection mode, the control unit 32 performs linking for establishing local communication. Thereby, the signal receiving terminal 30 and the target sensor terminal 10 are linked.

Next, the control unit 32 transmits the sensor information of the target sensor terminal 10 to the collection device 50 (S25). In the example of FIG. 3, the sensor information includes linking information and sensing data. The association information is information indicating that association between the signal receiving terminal 30 and the target sensor terminal 10 has been completed, and includes, for example, identification information of each of the signal receiving terminal 30 and the target sensor terminal 10.

Thereby, sensor information can be transmitted to the collection device 50 via the wide area communication network 40 constructed between the signal receiving terminal 30 and the collection device 50. That is, sensor information can be transmitted to the collection device 50 without constructing a dedicated network for transmitting the sensor information of the sensor terminal 10 to the collection device 50. Moreover, compared to the case where communication between the sensor terminal 10 and the collection device 50 is performed by connecting a router or the like, hardware costs can be suppressed.

After step S24, the communication unit 31 receives wireless signals from all the sensor terminals 10 whose wireless signals reach the signal receiving terminal 30. Based on the identification information of the terminal 10, only the sensor information from the target sensor terminal 10 is transmitted to the collection device 50 via the communication unit 31.

Next, the collection device 50 receives sensor information of the target sensor terminal 10 from the signal receiving terminal 30 and stores it (S31).

Note that in step S22, if the storage unit 33 has acquired the identification information of the sensor terminal 10 that is linked to the signal receiving terminal 30 before linking, the control unit 32 stores the same identification information as the relevant identification information. If a wireless signal containing the information is received, the sensing data collection function may be turned on. Then, the control unit 32 may select, as the candidate sensor terminal 10, the sensor terminal 10 that has transmitted the wireless signal including the same identification information as the identification information.

As a result, for example, when the sensor terminal 10 is moved, the signal receiving terminal 30 corresponding to the location of the movement destination and the sensor terminal 10 are automatically connected for communication via the local communication network, so that the user can use the tablet There is no need to perform any operations for linking on a terminal, etc.

[1-3. Effects, etc.]
As described above, the signal receiving terminal 30 (an example of a relay device) according to the present embodiment relays communication between the sensor terminal 10 that transmits a wireless signal and the collection device 50 that collects sensing data of the sensor terminal 10. A communication unit 31 (an example of a receiving unit) that is a signal receiving terminal and receives wireless signals transmitted from each of the one or more sensor terminals 10, and one or more sensor terminals based on the received one or more wireless signals. 10, a control unit 32 selects a sensor terminal 10 to be associated with the signal receiving terminal 30 to establish local communication from among the one or more sensor terminals 10, and The communication unit 31 (an example of a transmitting unit) transmits the sensing data of the target sensor terminal 10 determined based on the data to the collecting device 50.

As a result, when linking the signal receiving terminal 30 and the sensor terminal 10, the map (location map) on the screen of the tablet terminal can be used to link the signal receiving terminal 30 (the main In the embodiment, operations such as selecting the lighting fixture 20) are not necessary. Therefore, according to the signal receiving terminal 30, it is possible to link the sensor terminal 10 and the signal receiving terminal 30 more easily than before. Further, since the control unit 32 narrows down the candidate sensor terminals, it becomes possible to easily determine the target sensor terminal 10.

Further, the information regarding the sensor terminal 10 includes the radio field strength of the wireless signal, and the control unit 32 preferentially selects the sensor terminal 10 with the high radio field strength of the wireless signal from among the one or more sensor terminals 10.

As a result, the linking is not performed unless the sensor terminal 10 approaches the signal receiving terminal 30, so that the signal receiving terminal 30 can link the sensor terminals 10 other than the desired sensor terminal 10 with the signal receiving terminal 30. can be suppressed.

Further, the control unit 32 determines the selected sensor terminal 10 from among the one or more sensor terminals 10 as the target sensor terminal 10.

Thereby, the process up to the determination of the target sensor terminal 10 can be automated, so the signal receiving terminal 30 can more easily link the sensor terminal 10 and the signal receiving terminal 30.

Further, the signal receiving terminal 30 is attached to the lighting fixture 20.

As a result, when the lighting fixture 20 is caused to emit light in a desired light emission mode in the linking process, for example, the lighting fixture 20 to be linked can be easily visually confirmed, so the signal receiving terminal 30 uses the sensor. The terminal 10 and the signal receiving terminal 30 can be linked more easily.

Further, the signal receiving terminal 30 has a connection mode in which local communication is established and a non-connection mode in which local communication is not established, and the control unit 32 operates in the connection mode of the connection mode and the non-connection mode. In this case, the sensor terminal 10 to be linked for establishing local communication is selected.

Thereby, it is possible to prevent an unintended device such as an unauthorized device from being associated with the signal receiving terminal 30.

Further, the information collection system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the above-described signal receiving terminal 30, the sensor terminal 10, and the collection device 50.

This produces the same effects as the signal receiving terminal 30 described above.

Further, the relay method according to the present embodiment is a relay method that relays communication between the sensor terminal 10 that transmits a wireless signal and the collection device 50 that collects sensor information including sensing data of the sensor terminal 10. and receives a wireless signal transmitted from each of the one or more sensor terminals 10 (S21), and based on the information regarding the one or more sensor terminals 10 based on the received one or more wireless signals, the one or more sensor terminals Among the 10 sensor terminals 10, a sensor terminal 10 to be linked for establishing local communication with the signal receiving terminal 30 that relays the communication is selected (S23), and the sensor of the target sensor terminal 10 determined based on the selection result is selected. The information is transmitted to the collection device 50 (S25).

This produces the same effects as the signal receiving terminal 30 described above.

(Embodiment 2)
The information collection system according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. In the following, differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and descriptions of contents that are the same as or similar to Embodiment 1 will be omitted or simplified.

[2-1. Information collection system configuration]
First, the configuration of the information collection system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information collection system 1a according to this embodiment. The configuration of the information collection system 1a according to the present embodiment differs from the information collection system 1 according to the first embodiment mainly in that it includes an information terminal 60.

As shown in FIG. 4, the information collection system 1a includes a sensor terminal 10, a lighting fixture 20, a collection device 50, and an information terminal 60.

The information terminal 60 is a terminal device owned by a user, and is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The information terminal 60 is communicatively connected to the signal receiving terminal 30 via the wide area communication network 40 (see FIG. 1).

The information terminal 60 includes a communication section 61, a control section 62, a display section 63, and a reception section (not shown).

The communication unit 61 communicates with the signal receiving terminal 30. The communication unit 61 acquires candidate information indicating the sensor terminal 10 selected as the sensor terminal 10 for which the signal receiving terminal 30 is a candidate from the signal receiving terminal 30 . The candidate information includes identification information of the selected sensor terminal 10. The candidate information may further include information indicating the radio field strength of the selected sensor terminal 10.

The communication unit 61 includes a communication circuit (communication module) for communicating with the signal receiving terminal 30 via the wide area communication network 40. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard used for the communication. The communication unit 61 may also be capable of communicating with the collection device 50 via the wide area communication network 40.

The control unit 62 controls each component of the information terminal 60. The control unit 62 displays the candidate information acquired from the signal receiving terminal 30 on the display unit 63 and transmits instruction information indicating the instruction acquired via the receiving unit to the signal receiving terminal 30 via the communication unit 61. . The control unit 62 is realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor, and its functions are realized by reading and executing a software program stored in a storage unit (not shown).

The display unit 63 displays candidate information. The display section 63 is realized by a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel.

The reception unit receives user instructions regarding candidate information. For example, the instruction is to determine the selected sensor terminal 10 as the sensor terminal 10 to which sensor information is to be transmitted to the collection device 50, but the instruction is not limited thereto. The reception unit is, for example, a button, a touch panel, a mouse, etc., but may also be configured to accept instructions by voice or the like.

[2-2. Operation of information collection system]
Next, the operation of the information collection system 1a configured as described above will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation (relay method) of the information collection system 1a according to this embodiment.

The control unit 62 of the information terminal 60 transmits an instruction to turn on the sensing data collection function to the signal receiving terminal 30 (S61). For example, the control unit 62 receives an instruction to turn on the sensing data collection function from the user via the reception unit, and transmits the instruction to the signal receiving terminal 30 via the communication unit 61.

Note that the sensing data collection function of the signal receiving terminal 30 is turned off until an instruction to turn on the sensing data collection function is obtained from the information terminal 60. That is, the signal receiving terminal 30 operates in the non-connection mode until it obtains an instruction to turn on the sensing data collection function from the information terminal 60, and upon obtaining the instruction, changes to the connected mode.

Next, upon acquiring the instruction from the information terminal 60, the control unit 32 of the signal receiving terminal 30 transmits the radio field intensity of the selected sensor terminal 10 from the one or more sensor terminals 10 to the information terminal 60 together with identification information. (S126). For example, the control unit 32 selects a sensor terminal 10 that is a candidate for linking from among the one or more sensor terminals 10 based on the radio field intensity of the wireless signal (corresponding to the selecting step in the first embodiment), and selects the sensor terminal 10 that is a candidate for linking. The radio field strength and identification information of the sensor terminal 10 are transmitted to the information terminal 60. It can also be said that the control unit 32 transmits to the information terminal 60 information for suggesting to the user sensor terminals 10 that are recommended to be associated with the signal receiving terminal 30. The number of sensor terminals 10 selected may be one or more. Note that in step S126, at least identification information may be transmitted.

Next, the control unit 62 of the information terminal 60 causes the display unit 63 to display a sensor list in which the received radio field strength and identification information are associated (S62). For example, the control unit 62 displays a map showing the arrangement of a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 arranged in the indoor space 100 (see FIG. 1), and sends a signal to establish local communication with the sensor terminal 10 in the sensor list. The lighting fixture 20 to which the receiving terminal 30 is attached may be displayed in an emphasized manner.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display section 63 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, a map of nine lighting fixtures 20 from L01 to L09 and a candidate sensor terminal 10 that establishes local communication with the signal receiving terminal 30 attached to the lighting fixture 20 of L01 (" "Sensor cooperation target") is the sensor No. The case where there are five numbers 001 to 005 is shown. Sensor No. The sensor terminals 10 of 001 to 005 are sensor terminals selected by the control unit 32.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lighting fixture 20 (the lighting fixture 20 of L01) to which the signal receiving terminal 30 to which the sensor terminal 10 to be linked is determined is attached is shown in a frame, and the sensor list for the signal receiving terminal 30 is shown in a frame. is displayed on the display section 63. In the example of FIG. 6, the MAC address (Media Access Control address) and radio field strength of the sensor terminal 10 are displayed as the sensor list.

Note that the control unit 32 may cause the lighting fixture 20 attached to the signal receiving terminal 30 to which the selected sensor terminal 10 is linked to emit light in a different light emission mode from the other lighting fixtures 20. In the case of FIG. 6, the control unit 32 may cause the lighting fixture 20 of L01 (the lighting fixture 20 to which the signal receiving terminal 30 is attached) to emit light in a different light emission mode from the lighting fixtures 20 of L02 to L09. For example, the control unit 32 may cause the lighting fixture 20 of L01 to blink or may change its color.

In this way, when establishing local communication, the control unit 62 connects the display unit 63 with the signal receiving terminal 30 (specifically, the signal receiving terminal 30 is connected to The displayed lighting fixture 20) may be highlighted and displayed. In other words, when establishing local communication, the control unit 32 of the signal receiving terminal 30 causes the display unit 63 to highlight and display the lighting fixture 20 to which the signal receiving terminal 30 that establishes the local communication is attached. information may be sent. Note that, as another example of emphasizing the lighting fixture 20 and displaying it on the display unit 63, the control unit 32 may make the display mode of the icon of the lighting fixture 20 different from the icons of other lighting fixtures 20. For example, the control unit 32 may cause the icon of the lighting fixture 20 to blink or may change its color.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the control unit 62 of the information terminal 60 acquires the sensor terminal 10 selected by the user from the sensor list as a selection result via the reception unit, and communicates the acquired selection result. The signal is transmitted to the signal receiving terminal 30 via the section 61 (S63). The selection result is an example of instruction information including a user's instruction regarding the sensor list.

Next, the control unit 32 of the signal receiving terminal 30 receives the selection result via the communication unit 31, and stores the identification information of the sensor terminal 10 included in the received selection result as the identification information of the target sensor terminal 10. 33 (S127). This corresponds to determining the sensor terminal 10 included in the selection result as the sensor terminal 10 to be linked. The sensor terminal 10 determined based on the user's selection result is an example of the target sensor terminal 10 determined based on the selection result of the control unit 32.

In this way, the control unit 32 transmits candidate information including the selected sensor terminal 10 (for example, identification information of the candidate sensor terminal 10) to the information terminal 60, which is obtained from the information terminal 60. The target sensor terminal 10 may be determined based on instruction information including instructions for the candidate information.

Note that the signal receiving terminal 30 may transmit linking information among the sensor information to the information terminal 60 in step S25. Thereby, on the display unit 63 of the information terminal 60, which signal receiving terminal 30 and which sensor terminal 10 are linked can be displayed in a pop-up or the like. Further, the information terminal 60 may access the collection device 50 and acquire the linking information stored in the collection device 50.

[2-3. Effects, etc.]
As described above, the control unit 32 of the signal receiving terminal 30 (an example of a relay device) according to the present embodiment transmits candidate information indicating the selected sensor terminal 10 from one or more sensor terminals 10 to the information terminal 60. The target sensor terminal 10 is determined based on the instruction information including the instruction regarding the candidate information from the information terminal 60 acquired in the above.

Thereby, the user can confirm the candidate sensor terminals 10 to be linked, and the user can select the sensor terminal 10 to be linked. In this case, since the sensor terminal 10 as a candidate to be linked is selected by the control unit 32, the burden of selection on the user can be reduced. This leads to easily linking the sensor terminal 10 and the signal receiving terminal 30.

Further, the information terminal 60 has a display section 63, and the control section 32 further causes the display section 63 to display a sensor list including the identification information of each selected sensor terminal 10 and the radio field strength of the wireless signal, and gives instructions. The information includes instructions for the sensor list.

Thereby, the user can select the sensor terminal 10 to be linked while checking the identification information and radio field intensity of the sensor terminal 10. In other words, it is possible to display a display that supports the user's selection of the sensor terminal 10. This leads to easily linking the sensor terminal 10 and the signal receiving terminal 30.

Further, in an indoor space 100 (an example of a space) in which one or more sensor terminals 10 are arranged, a signal receiving terminal 30 and other signal receiving terminals 30 are arranged. The terminals 30 are attached to different lighting fixtures 20 within the indoor space 100. Then, when performing the linking, the control unit 32 causes the lighting fixture 20 to which the signal receiving terminal 30 is attached to light up differently from the lighting fixture 20 to which the other signal receiving terminal 30 is attached, and the display unit 63 The signal receiving terminal 30 is highlighted and displayed among the signal receiving terminal 30 displayed in and the other signal receiving terminals 30.

Thereby, the user can compare and confirm the icon on the screen of the display unit 63 and the actual lighting fixture 20 corresponding to the icon. Therefore, the signal receiving terminal 30 can make it easier to visually understand the lighting fixture 20 to which the signal receiving terminal 30 to which the link is attached is attached, so that the signal receiving terminal 30 and the sensor terminal 10 can easily understand the lighting fixture 20 to which the signal receiving terminal 30 is attached. Linking with the signal receiving terminal 30 can be easily performed.

(Other embodiments)
Although the lighting system according to one or more aspects has been described above based on each embodiment, the present invention is not limited to each embodiment. Unless departing from the spirit of the present invention, the present invention may include various modifications that can be thought of by those skilled in the art to this embodiment, and embodiments constructed by combining components of different embodiments. .

For example, in each of the above embodiments, the sensor terminal and the lighting fixture are arranged indoors, but they may be arranged outdoors. The sensor terminal may be a sensor terminal capable of measuring environmental information of an outdoor space (an example of a space).

Further, for example, in each of the above embodiments, an example was described in which the lighting fixture is attached to the ceiling, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, if it has a communication function, it is possible to carry a tabletop lighting fixture, etc. It may also be a lighting fixture.

Further, for example, at least a part of each component included in the signal receiving terminal in each of the above embodiments may be replaced with a component included in a lighting fixture in advance.

Moreover, although the information terminal in the second embodiment is a mobile terminal, it may be a stationary terminal.

Further, in the second embodiment, an example in which a map of lighting equipment is displayed on the display unit has been described, but for example, a map of signal receiving terminals may be displayed.

Further, the order in which the steps in the sequence diagram are executed is merely an example for specifically explaining the present invention, and may be in an order other than the above. Furthermore, some of the above steps may be executed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps, or some of the above steps may not be executed.

Furthermore, the division of functional blocks in the block diagram is just an example; multiple functional blocks can be realized as one functional block, one functional block can be divided into multiple functional blocks, or some functions can be moved to other functional blocks. You can. Further, functions of a plurality of functional blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or in a time-sharing manner by a single piece of hardware or software.

Further, the signal receiving terminal according to each of the embodiments described above may be realized as a single device or may be realized by a plurality of devices. When a signal receiving terminal is realized by a plurality of devices, each component included in the signal receiving terminal may be distributed to the plurality of devices in any manner. When the signal receiving terminal is realized by a plurality of devices, the communication method between the plurality of devices is not particularly limited, and may be wireless communication or wired communication. Additionally, wireless communication and wired communication may be combined between devices.

Furthermore, each component described in each of the above embodiments may be realized as software, or typically, as an LSI that is an integrated circuit. These may be integrated into one chip individually, or may be integrated into one chip including some or all of them. Although it is referred to as an LSI here, it may also be called an IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. Moreover, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI, and may be implemented using a dedicated circuit (a general-purpose circuit that executes a dedicated program) or a general-purpose processor. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections or settings of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used after the LSI is manufactured. Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, that technology may of course be used to integrate the components.

A system LSI is an ultra-multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating multiple processing units on a single chip, and specifically includes a microprocessor, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. A computer system that includes: A computer program is stored in the ROM. The system LSI achieves its functions by the microprocessor operating according to a computer program.

Further, one aspect of the present invention may be a computer program that causes a computer to execute each characteristic step included in the relay method shown in either of FIGS. 3 and 5.

Further, for example, the program may be a program to be executed by a computer. Further, one aspect of the present invention may be a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium in which such a program is recorded. For example, such a program may be recorded on a recording medium and distributed or distributed. For example, by installing a distributed program on a device having another processor and having that processor execute the program, it is possible to cause that device to perform each of the above processes.

(Additional note)
(Technology 1)
A relay device that relays communication between a sensor terminal that transmits a wireless signal and a collection device that collects sensing data of the sensor terminal,
a receiving unit that receives the wireless signal transmitted from each of the one or more sensor terminals;
Based on information regarding the one or more sensor terminals based on the one or more received wireless signals, select a sensor terminal from among the one or more sensor terminals that is linked to establish local communication with the relay device. a control section to select;
A transmitting unit configured to transmit the sensing data of the target sensor terminal determined based on the selection result of the control unit to the collecting device.

(Technology 2)
According to technique 1, the information regarding the sensor terminal includes the radio field strength of the wireless signal, and the control unit preferentially selects a sensor terminal with a high radio field strength of the wireless signal from among the one or more sensor terminals. Relay device.

(Technology 3)
The relay device according to technology 1 or 2, wherein the control unit determines a sensor terminal selected from among the one or more sensor terminals as the target sensor terminal.

(Technology 4)
The control unit is configured to operate on the basis of instruction information including an instruction regarding the candidate information from the information terminal, which is obtained by transmitting candidate information indicating a selected sensor terminal among the one or more sensor terminals to the information terminal. The relay device according to technique 1 or 2, wherein the target sensor terminal is determined.

(Technology 5)
The information terminal has a display section,
The control unit further causes the display unit to display a sensor list including identification information of each of the selected sensor terminals and radio field strength of the wireless signal,
The relay device according to technique 4, wherein the instruction information includes an instruction for the sensor list.

(Technology 6)
The relay device and another relay device are arranged in a space where one or more of the sensor terminals are arranged,
The relay device and the other relay device are attached to mutually different lighting fixtures in the space,
When performing the linking, the control unit causes the lighting fixture to which the relay device is attached to turn on in a different manner from the lighting fixture to which the other relay device is attached, and the control unit causes the lighting fixture to which the relay device is attached to light up differently from the lighting fixture to which the other relay device is attached, and The relay device according to technique 5, wherein the relay device is highlighted and displayed among the relay device and the other relay device.

(Technology 7)
The relay device according to any one of techniques 1 to 5, wherein the relay device is attached to a lighting fixture.

(Technology 8)
The relay device has a connection mode in which the local communication is established, and a non-connection mode in which the local communication is not established,
The control unit selects a sensor terminal to be linked for establishing the local communication when operating in the connected mode of the connected mode and the non-connected mode. The relay device described.

(Technology 9)
The relay device according to any one of techniques 1 to 8,
The sensor terminal;
An information collection system comprising the collection device.

(Technology 10)
A relay method for relaying communication between a sensor terminal that transmits a wireless signal and a collection device that collects sensor information including sensing data of the sensor terminal, the method comprising:
receiving the wireless signal transmitted from each of the one or more sensor terminals;
Linking for establishing local communication with a relay device that relays the communication among the one or more sensor terminals based on information regarding the one or more sensor terminals based on the one or more received wireless signals. Select the sensor terminal to perform,
A relay method comprising transmitting the sensor information of a target sensor terminal determined based on a selection result to the collection device.

1, 1a Information collection system 10 Sensor terminal 32 Control unit 20 Lighting equipment 30 Signal receiving terminal (relay device)
31 Communication section (receiving section, transmitting section)
50 Collection device 60 Information terminal 63 Display section 100 Indoor space (space)

Claims (10)

A relay device that relays communication between a sensor terminal that transmits a wireless signal and a collection device that collects sensing data of the sensor terminal,
a receiving unit that receives the wireless signal transmitted from each of the one or more sensor terminals;
Based on information regarding the one or more sensor terminals based on the one or more received wireless signals, select a sensor terminal from among the one or more sensor terminals that is linked to establish local communication with the relay device. a control section to select;
A transmitting unit configured to transmit the sensing data of the target sensor terminal determined based on the selection result of the control unit to the collecting device. The information regarding the sensor terminal includes the radio field strength of the wireless signal,
The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit preferentially selects a sensor terminal whose radio field intensity of the wireless signal is high among the one or more sensor terminals. The relay device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit determines a selected sensor terminal among the one or more sensor terminals as the target sensor terminal. The control unit is configured to operate on the basis of instruction information including an instruction regarding the candidate information from the information terminal, which is obtained by transmitting candidate information indicating a selected sensor terminal among the one or more sensor terminals to the information terminal. The relay device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the target sensor terminal is determined. The information terminal has a display section,
The control unit further causes the display unit to display a sensor list including identification information of each of the selected sensor terminals and radio field strength of the wireless signal,
The relay device according to claim 4, wherein the instruction information includes an instruction for the sensor list. The relay device and another relay device are arranged in a space where one or more of the sensor terminals are arranged,
The relay device and the other relay device are attached to mutually different lighting fixtures in the space,
When performing the linking, the control unit causes the lighting fixture to which the relay device is attached to turn on in a different manner from the lighting fixture to which the other relay device is attached, and the control unit causes the lighting fixture to which the relay device is attached to light up differently from the lighting fixture to which the other relay device is attached, and The relay device according to claim 5, wherein the relay device is highlighted and displayed among the relay device and the other relay device. The relay device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the relay device is attached to a lighting fixture. The relay device has a connection mode in which the local communication is established, and a non-connection mode in which the local communication is not established,
The control unit selects a sensor terminal to be linked for establishing the local communication when operating in the connected mode of the connected mode and the non-connected mode. Relay device. The relay device according to claim 1 or 2,
The sensor terminal;
An information collection system comprising the collection device. A relay method for relaying communication between a sensor terminal that transmits a wireless signal and a collection device that collects sensing data including sensing data of the sensor terminal, the method comprising:
receiving the wireless signal transmitted from each of the one or more sensor terminals;
Linking for establishing local communication with a relay device that relays the communication among the one or more sensor terminals based on information regarding the one or more sensor terminals based on the one or more received wireless signals. Select the sensor terminal to perform,
A relay method comprising transmitting the sensing data of a target sensor terminal determined based on a selection result to the collection device.

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