JP5279760B2 - Wireless access point and sensor network system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology that enhances usability of a wireless access point itself as well as the usability of a whole sensor network system using the wireless access point, and makes the operation thereof possible only by supplying a power source by mounting a recording function in the wireless access point, even if there is no information processor, such as a PC. <P>SOLUTION: The sensor network system includes a wireless sensor terminal 10, a wireless access point 20 that is capable of wireless connection with the wireless sensor terminal 10, and a PC 30 to which the wireless access point 20 can be connected by insertion and removal, and makes a memory card 25 possible to be inserted/removed to/from the wireless access point 20, and makes the access point function compatible with the recording function of the memory card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor network system, and in particular, is effective when applied to a wireless access point that receives wireless sensor data from a wireless sensor terminal and can be connected to an information processing apparatus, and a sensor network system using the wireless access point. Technology.

  A conventional sensor network system includes a wireless sensor terminal, a wireless access point that can be wirelessly connected to the wireless sensor terminal, and a PC (personal computer) to which the wireless access point can be connected. There are systems in which the point is configured to receive wireless sensor data from a wireless sensor terminal and transmit the sensor data to a PC.

  By the way, in the sensor network system as described above, for example, a wireless access point is used by being connected to a PC, and therefore cannot be used without a PC. Furthermore, this wireless access point is limited to a method of transmitting sensor data from the wireless sensor terminal to the PC in a connection state with the PC.

  Therefore, a typical object of the present invention is that a wireless access point is equipped with a recording function so that it can be operated only by supplying power without an information processing device such as a PC, the usability of the wireless access point itself, An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving usability of the entire sensor network system using a wireless access point.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  That is, a typical outline is characterized in that a memory card can be inserted into and removed from a wireless access point, and both an access point function and a recording function to the memory card are compatible.

  Specifically, in a wireless access point that receives wireless sensor data and can be connected to an information processing device by insertion / extraction, a wireless IC circuit that receives the wireless sensor data and a microcomputer that controls the wireless sensor data received by the wireless IC circuit And an interface circuit that outputs wireless sensor data controlled by the microcomputer and a memory card that can be inserted into and removed from the wireless access point, and the wireless sensor data received by the wireless IC circuit is recorded in the memory card. And a second function mode for outputting the wireless sensor data recorded on the memory card from the interface circuit to the information processing apparatus.

  Further, as a function mode, a third function mode in which wireless sensor data received by the wireless IC circuit is output to the information processing apparatus through the serial interface circuit, the wireless sensor data is relayed by the first wireless access point, And a fourth function mode for transmitting to the wireless access point.

  In the above-described sensor network system including a wireless access point, a wireless sensor terminal, a wireless access point that can be wirelessly connected to the wireless sensor terminal, and an information processing device that can be connected to the wireless access point by insertion / extraction are provided. The configuration having the first functional mode, the second functional mode, the third functional mode, and the fourth functional mode described above is characterized.

  Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, effects obtained by typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  In other words, the effect obtained by a typical one is that a wireless access point is equipped with a recording function and can be operated only by supplying power without an information processing apparatus such as a PC. As a result, the usability of the wireless access point itself and the usability of the entire sensor network system using the wireless access point can be improved.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the sensor network system which is one embodiment of this invention. In the sensor network system which is one embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a wireless sensor terminal. In the sensor network system which is one embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a wireless access point. In the sensor network system which is one embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of a wireless access point. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of "AP mode (PC connection)" in the sensor network system which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of "AP mode (power supply only)" in the sensor network system which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of "reader mode" in the sensor network system which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of "router mode" in the sensor network system which is one embodiment of this invention.

<Outline of Embodiment of the Present Invention>
An outline of an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a memory card can be inserted into and removed from a wireless access point, and both an access point function and a recording function to a memory card are compatible. The wireless access point receives wireless sensor data and can be connected to an information processing apparatus.

  In this embodiment, as an example, a PC is used as an information processing apparatus, for example, the USB interface of this PC is used, a wireless access point is inserted into and removed from a USB port of the PC, and the wireless access point and the PC are connected. A case will be described as an example. However, the information processing apparatus is not limited to a PC, and can be widely applied to any apparatus having an external interface such as an information processing terminal or a portable information terminal. Also, the external interface is not limited to the USB interface, and any interface that can input and output power and data is applicable. As described above, the types and types of the information processing apparatus and the external interface are not particularly limited.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of the main configuration of the sensor network system, the sensor network system includes a wireless sensor terminal, a wireless access point, and a PC, and has four functions and four modes. It is as follows.

  The four functions include “wireless sensor data reception function”, “data transmission function to PC”, “data recording function to memory card”, and “data reading function from memory card”.

  The “wireless sensor data reception function” receives data from the wireless sensor terminal. This “wireless sensor data reception function” is realized in “AP mode (PC connection)”, “AP mode (power supply only)”, and “router mode”.

  The “data transmission function to the PC” transmits data received wirelessly from the wireless sensor terminal to the PC by serial communication (using a COM port) when the wireless access point is connected to the PC. This “data transmission function to PC” is realized in “AP mode (PC connection)” and “router mode” (transmission to a wireless access point by multi-hop communication).

  The “data recording function to the memory card” records data received wirelessly from the wireless sensor terminal on the memory card. This “data recording function to the memory card” is realized in “AP mode (power supply only)”, “AP mode (PC connection)”, and “router mode”.

  The “data reading function from the memory card” can refer to the contents of the memory card when the wireless access point is connected to the PC, and reads the data file recorded on the memory card. This “data reading function from the memory card” is realized in the “reader mode”.

  The four modes include “AP mode (PC connection)”, “AP mode (power supply only)”, “reader mode”, and “router mode”.

  In “AP mode (PC connection)”, the wireless access point is connected to the PC and the application software of the PC is started, so that the data received wirelessly from the wireless sensor terminal is displayed on the PC display in real time through the wireless access point. indicate. In the “AP mode (PC connection)”, by inserting a memory card, data can be displayed on the PC display and simultaneously recorded on the memory card.

  In “AP mode (power only)”, when a memory card is inserted in the wireless access point and power is supplied, or when connected to a PC and the PC is turned on, the application software starts. If not, the data received wirelessly from the wireless sensor terminal is recorded in the memory card of the wireless access point.

  In “reader mode”, by connecting the wireless access point to the PC, the memory card of the wireless access point is recognized as a removable disk by the PC, and the data file is read from the memory card on the PC.

  "Router mode" relays data received wirelessly from a wireless sensor terminal by only supplying power to the wireless access point and placing a wireless access point for relay between the wireless sensor terminal and the wireless access point To the wireless access point through multi-hop communication. In the “router mode”, data received wirelessly can be recorded on the memory card at the same time by inserting the memory card into the wireless access point. This “router mode” is realized by using a microcomputer with a large ROM capacity at the time of shipment and by an environment setting by the user (writing a setting value in the flash ROM).

  Note that wireless communication from a wireless sensor terminal to a wireless access point uses, for example, a 950 MHz band.

  One embodiment of the present invention based on the outline of the embodiment of the present invention described above will be described in detail below based on the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated form. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

<Configuration of sensor network system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a sensor network system according to the present embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the wireless sensor terminal, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the wireless access point, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the wireless access point.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor network system according to the present embodiment has a wireless sensor terminal 10, a wireless access point 20 that can be wirelessly connected to the wireless sensor terminal 10, and the wireless access. The point 20 includes a PC 30 that can be connected by insertion / extraction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless sensor terminal 10 is an active wireless tag including the sensor 11, the microcomputer 12, the wireless IC circuit 13, a battery 14 that supplies power to each block, and the like. . The wireless sensor terminal 10 can connect various sensors 15 to the outside in addition to the built-in sensor 11, and sensor data from the built-in sensor 11 and the sensor 15 connected to the outside is controlled by the microcomputer 12. The wireless IC circuit 13 transmits the radio wave on a radio wave at regular intervals. These sensors 11 and 15 include, for example, vibration, temperature, humidity, illuminance, atmospheric pressure, electric energy, electric power consumption, flow rate, gas usage, water usage, petroleum, depending on the application of the sensor network system. There are sensors that detect usage amount, position information of persons and objects, and the sensor data is transmitted to the wireless access point 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless access point 20 includes a wireless IC circuit 21, a microcomputer 22, a serial interface circuit 23, a storage interface circuit 24, a memory card 25, a function changeover switch 26, a status display LED 27, and the like. . As an example, for example, a serial USB-IC circuit or the like is used for the serial interface circuit 23, and a storage USB-IC circuit or the like is used for the storage interface circuit 24. As the memory card 25, an SD card (trade name), Memory Stick (registered trademark), SmartMedia (registered trademark), Compact Flash (registered trademark), or the like is used.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless access point 20 has a memory card 25 that can be inserted into and removed from the main body. Further, on the surface of the main body, a function changeover switch 26 is attached so as to be switchable, and a state display LED 27 is also provided so that the switching state can be seen from the outside.

  In this wireless access point 20, sensor data transmitted from the wireless sensor terminal 10 is received by the wireless IC circuit 21, converted to serial interface data by the serial interface circuit 23 under the control of the microcomputer 22, and transmitted to the PC 30. It is possible. Sensor data can be recorded on the memory card 25 simultaneously with transmission to the PC 30 under the control of the microcomputer 22. The sensor data recorded in the memory card 25 can be converted into USB interface data by the storage interface circuit 24 and read out to the PC 30. Further, data can be recorded in the memory card 25 from the PC 30 via the storage interface circuit 24.

  The wireless access point 20 can switch between the “AP mode” using the serial interface circuit 23 and the “reader mode” using the storage interface circuit 24 by switching the function changeover switch 26. It is. The state of each switched mode can be recognized from the outside by the display of the status display LED 27. This status display LED 27 is displayed under the control of the microcomputer 22.

  The PC 30 is a general notebook type personal computer, and includes a microcomputer, a memory, a display, a keyboard, and the like. As an example, for example, a USB port or a serial port is provided as an interface with the outside, and an external device can be connected. In the present embodiment, the wireless access point 20 can be inserted into and removed from the USB port.

  The PC 30 starts various application software under the control of the microcomputer, stores the data transmitted from the wireless access point 20 in a memory, displays it on a display for monitoring, and manages and analyzes the collected data.・ Various types of processing can be executed including statistical processing.

  In addition to the wireless sensor terminal 10, the wireless access point 20, and the PC 30, the sensor network system configured as described above includes an AC adapter 40 that converts AC power into DC power and supplies power to the wireless access point 20. In addition, the sensor network system according to the present embodiment is constructed. Further, the quantity of each component of the wireless sensor terminal 10, the wireless access point 20, the PC 30, and the AC adapter 40 is not limited to one, and a sensor network applicable to various applications by combining two or more. A system can be constructed.

<Operation of sensor network system>
5 to 8 are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the sensor network system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows “AP mode (PC connection)” and FIG. 6 shows “AP mode (power supply only)”. 7 shows a “reader mode”, and FIG. 8 shows a “router mode”.

  The “AP mode (PC connection)” that realizes the “wireless sensor data reception function” and “data transmission function to PC” includes a wireless sensor terminal 10, a wireless access point 20, and a PC 30, as shown in FIG. Is realized. The connector of the wireless access point 20 is inserted into the USB port of the PC 30, the wireless access point 20 and the PC 30 are connected, and the wireless access point 20 transmits / receives wireless sensor data transmitted from the wireless sensor terminal 10 in real time (COM port) Use) through the serial interface circuit 23. By starting the application software of the PC 30, the data is displayed on the display of the PC 30, and the log data is stored in the memory of the PC 30. The function of displaying data on the display of the PC 30 and the function of saving log data in the memory of the PC 30 can be selected to be performed or not, and have four patterns.

  Further, in the “AP mode (PC connection)”, a “data recording function to the memory card” can be realized. By inserting the memory card 25 into the wireless access point 20, data is displayed on the display of the PC 30 at the same time. Recording to the memory card 25 is also possible.

  This “AP mode (PC connection)” is performed while the function switch 26 of the wireless access point 20 is switched to “AP mode” using the serial interface circuit 23 and the monitor application software of the PC 30 is activated. It becomes a mode.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the “AP mode (power supply only)” for realizing the “wireless sensor data receiving function” and the “data recording function to the memory card” has two wireless sensor terminals 10 and 10a (in FIG. This is realized in a configuration having a wireless access point 20 and an AC adapter 40. Even if the PC 30 is not provided, if the connector of the wireless access point 20 is inserted into the AC adapter 40 connected to the AC power source, and the power is supplied to the wireless access point 20 from the AC adapter 40, the wireless sensor data is transferred to the memory card 25. Record.

  This “AP mode (power supply only)” is performed while the function selector switch 26 of the wireless access point 20 is switched to “AP mode” using the serial interface circuit 23 and power is supplied from the AC adapter 40. It becomes a mode. Data recorded in the memory card 25 is read from the PC 30 in “reader mode”.

  The “reader mode” for realizing the “data reading function from the memory card” is realized in a configuration having the wireless access point 20 and the PC 30 as shown in FIG. When the connector of the wireless access point 20 is connected to the USB port of the PC 30, the memory card 25 is recognized as a removable disk by the PC 30, and the data file recorded in the memory card 25 is transferred to the PC 30 through the storage interface circuit 24. read out.

  This “reader mode” is set when the function changeover switch 26 of the wireless access point 20 is switched to the “reader mode” using the storage interface circuit 24. This “reader mode” can be used in the same manner as a normal memory card reader.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the “router mode” for realizing the “wireless sensor data reception function” and “data transmission function to PC” includes the wireless sensor terminal 10, the wireless access points 20a and 20b for relay, and the AC adapter 40a. , 40b (two examples are shown in FIG. 8), and a relay destination wireless access point 20 and an AC adapter 40 are implemented. Even without the PC 30, the connectors of the wireless access points 20a, 20b, 20 for relay and relay are inserted into the AC adapters 40a, 40b, 40 connected to the AC power source, and the wireless access points 20a, 20b, 20 are connected. If the power is supplied from each AC adapter 40a, 40b, 40, the sensor data received wirelessly from the wireless sensor terminal 10 is first relayed by the router including the first wireless access point 20a, and then the second one. Relay to the wireless access point 20 as a relay destination. The relay wireless access points 20a and 20b are not limited to two but can be relayed by three or more.

  Further, in this “router mode”, a “data recording function to a memory card” can be realized. By inserting each memory card 25a, 25b, 25 into each wireless access point 20a, 20b, 20, the memory card 25a can be simultaneously used. , 25b, 25 can record data received wirelessly.

  In this "router mode", the wireless access points 20a and 20b for relay use the microcomputer 22 having a large ROM capacity, and the environment setting (writing the set value in the flash ROM) by the user is performed at the time of shipment and relaying. This mode is set while power is supplied from the AC adapters 40a, 40b, 40 by switching the function changeover switch 26 of the previous wireless access point 20 to the “AP mode” using the serial interface circuit 23.

<Effects of the present embodiment>
According to the sensor network system according to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) As the wireless access point 20, since the memory card 25 can be inserted into and removed from the wireless access point 20, both the access point function and the recording function to the memory card 25 can be achieved. It becomes possible to improve the usability of. In particular, the wireless access point 20 can be operated only by supplying power without the PC 30.

  (2) The sensor network system has four functions: “wireless sensor data reception function”, “data transmission function to PC”, “data recording function to memory card”, and “data reading function from memory card” , "AP mode (PC connection)", "AP mode (power supply only)", "reader mode", "router mode" can be operated in four modes, improving the usability of the entire sensor network system It becomes possible.

  (3) The sensor network system can be used in a wide range of applications by variously combining the types of sensors 11 and 15 of the wireless sensor terminal 10 and the types of processing by application software in the PC 30.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The sensor network system of the present invention can be used in a wireless access point that receives wireless sensor data from a wireless sensor terminal and can be connected to an information processing apparatus such as a PC, and a sensor network system using this wireless access point. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a ... Wireless sensor terminal, 11 ... Sensor (built-in), 12 ... Microcomputer, 13 ... Wireless IC circuit, 14 ... Battery, 15 ... Sensor (external),
20, 20a, 20b ... wireless access point, 21 ... wireless IC circuit, 22 ... microcomputer, 23 ... serial interface circuit, 24 ... storage interface circuit, 25, 25a, 25b ... memory card, 26 ... function selector switch, 27 ... Status display LED,
30 ... PC,
40, 40a, 40b ... AC adapter.

Claims (8)

A wireless access point that receives wireless sensor data and can be connected to an information processing device by insertion and extraction,
A wireless IC circuit that receives the wireless sensor data, a microcomputer that controls wireless sensor data received by the wireless IC circuit, an interface circuit that outputs wireless sensor data controlled by the microcomputer, and a wireless access point Having a memory card enabled,
A first functional mode for recording wireless sensor data received by the wireless IC circuit on the memory card in a state where the wireless access point is inserted into the information processing apparatus and the memory card is inserted into the wireless access point; A second functional mode for outputting wireless sensor data recorded in the memory card from the interface circuit to the information processing device;
The interface circuit is a serial interface circuit that converts the wireless sensor data and outputs the data to the information processing device, and a storage interface that converts the wireless sensor data recorded on the memory card and outputs the data to the information processing device. Interface circuit,
A third functional mode for outputting wireless sensor data received by the wireless IC circuit to the information processing device through the serial interface circuit;
In the second function mode, the wireless access point outputs wireless sensor data recorded on the memory card to the information processing apparatus through the storage interface circuit. The wireless access point according to claim 1 ,
In a state where the wireless access point is removed from the state where it is inserted into the information processing apparatus , the wireless access point can be supplied with power from the outside,
A wireless access point that performs the first function mode by supplying power from the outside. The wireless access point according to claim 2 ,
When there are a plurality of wireless access points to which power can be supplied from the outside, the first wireless access point is used for relay and the second wireless access point is used as a relay destination among the plurality of wireless access points. Use
The wireless sensor data is relayed by the first wireless access point, transmitted to the second wireless access point, and the wireless sensor data is inserted into the first wireless access point, and the memory card A wireless access point, further comprising a fourth function mode for recording in a memory card inserted in the second wireless access point. The wireless access point according to claim 3 ,
A function changeover switch for switching between the first or fourth function mode or the third function mode using the serial interface circuit or the second function mode using the storage interface circuit; A wireless access point further comprising a status display LED for recognizing and displaying a mode switched by a changeover switch. A sensor network system comprising: a wireless sensor terminal; a wireless access point that can be wirelessly connected to the wireless sensor terminal; and an information processing device to which the wireless access point can be connected by insertion and extraction,
The wireless access point is
A wireless IC circuit that receives wireless sensor data from the wireless sensor terminal; a microcomputer that controls wireless sensor data received by the wireless IC circuit; an interface circuit that outputs wireless sensor data controlled by the microcomputer; It has a memory card that can be inserted into and removed from a wireless access point,
A first functional mode for recording wireless sensor data received by the wireless IC circuit on the memory card in a state where the wireless access point is inserted into the information processing apparatus and the memory card is inserted into the wireless access point; A second functional mode for outputting wireless sensor data recorded in the memory card from the interface circuit to the information processing device;
The interface circuit is a serial interface circuit that converts the wireless sensor data and outputs the data to the information processing device, and a storage interface that converts the wireless sensor data recorded on the memory card and outputs the data to the information processing device. Interface circuit,
A third functional mode for outputting wireless sensor data received by the wireless IC circuit to the information processing device through the serial interface circuit;
In the second function mode, the sensor network system, wherein the wireless sensor data recorded in the memory card is output to the information processing apparatus through the storage interface circuit. The sensor network system according to claim 5 , wherein
In a state where the wireless access point is removed from the state where it is inserted into the information processing apparatus , the wireless access point can be supplied with power from the outside,
The sensor network system, wherein the first function mode is performed by supplying power from the outside. The sensor network system according to claim 6 , wherein
When there are a plurality of wireless access points to which power can be supplied from the outside, the first wireless access point is used for relay and the second wireless access point is used as a relay destination among the plurality of wireless access points. Use
The wireless sensor data is relayed by the first wireless access point, transmitted to the second wireless access point, and the wireless sensor data is inserted into the first wireless access point, and the memory card A sensor network system, further comprising a fourth function mode for recording in a memory card inserted in the second wireless access point. The sensor network system according to claim 7 , wherein
The wireless access point has a function of switching between the first or fourth function mode, the third function mode using the serial interface circuit, or the second function mode using the storage interface circuit. A sensor network system further comprising: a changeover switch; and a status display LED for recognizing and displaying a mode switched by the function changeover switch.

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