JP5500658B2 - Battery driving device, battery driving method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery driving device, a battery driving method, and a program.

  In recent years, a sensor network has been developed in which a network is constructed by a plurality of sensor nodes having a communication function and information measured by the sensor nodes individually or in cooperation is collected. In particular, wireless sensor networks that make wireless the communication function of sensor nodes and eliminate the need for wiring when installing the sensor nodes have attracted attention.

  In many cases, power of a sensor node in a wireless sensor network is supplied from a battery (for example, a dry battery, a button battery, or the like). Such a sensor node may be referred to as a battery-powered sensor node. In the following description, the battery-powered sensor node is simply referred to as a sensor node unless there is a particular need for distinction.

  Further, the sensor node for constructing the sensor network is preferably small in size in order to satisfy the requirement that it can be installed anywhere.

  A typical application of a wireless sensor network is collecting environmental information. Environmental information collection is performed by constructing a wireless sensor network using sensor nodes equipped with environmental sensors (for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, etc.), so that environmental information (for example, temperature, Humidity, illuminance, etc.). At this time, the sensor node often performs an operation of measuring the environment information at a constant cycle and repeating the transmission of the environment information to the radio base station.

  The sensor node is desired to operate for several months to several years, sometimes more than once, with a battery once attached in order to save time for charging work when the battery runs out, battery replacement work, and the like. Therefore, it is necessary for the sensor node to reduce the amount of discharge and reduce battery consumption. That is, it is necessary to operate the sensor node for a long time by reducing the power consumption of the sensor node and operating the sensor node with low power.

  Generally, a battery has a low discharge start voltage (electromotive force) in a low temperature environment or a high temperature environment, and a voltage drop width is increased. Voltage drop means that the voltage drops in the battery during discharge. The voltage drop width is a drop width of the voltage drop per unit time. For this reason, if the sensor node continues to operate for a long time depending on the outside temperature (for example, the operation such as the environmental information collection described above), the operation is interrupted below the operable voltage due to the voltage drop, The battery life may be shortened.

  Therefore, the sensor node is required to operate for a long time in consideration of the influence of the temperature characteristics of the battery.

  Patent Document 1 discloses information processing that increases the convenience of the user by extending the time during which the battery can actually be used when controlling the system state such as the hibernation state by monitoring the remaining battery level. A device and a battery device are presented. The technology of Patent Document 1 is based on information indicating the remaining battery level and transition conditions for transitioning to a hibernation state or the like, based on not only the remaining battery level but also the environmental conditions and deterioration state of the battery, and so on. The remaining power of the power required for the state transition can be accommodated as power that can be used by the user.

  Patent Document 2 proposes a wireless communication device that extends the battery driving time as much as possible from the viewpoint of communication traffic. The wireless communication device of Patent Literature 2 monitors the battery state of the battery, and determines a data time interval at which a charge recovery effect is obtained based on the battery state. Then, control is performed so that data is extracted from the transmission buffer at the data time interval. Further, the wireless communication device of Patent Document 2 predicts the remaining battery capacity from parameters such as battery voltage, charge / discharge history, and external temperature.

  Patent Document 3 proposes a portable information terminal that can estimate a battery capacity corresponding to a function necessary for processing of the terminal, can prevent the function from being stopped while the terminal is in use, and can use the terminal stably. The portable information terminal of Patent Document 3 includes a battery drive target that is driven by receiving power supply from the battery, and discharge characteristics based on the number of times of charge / discharge of the battery detected during operation control of each battery drive target. Based on the current battery voltage above, if the battery drive target to be operated at the current battery voltage cannot be stably driven, part or all of the operation of the battery drive target is regulated and controlled. Preventing an intermediate stop or an overall stop of the entire device.

  Patent Document 4 proposes an electronic device that includes a generator and a battery as a power source, and requires almost no battery replacement by extending the life of the battery. The electronic device disclosed in Patent Literature 4 determines whether to supply power from the generator or from the battery, and controls intermittent operation in the sensor node based on the determination result.

  Patent Document 5 proposes an environment control system that performs comfortable environment control as a whole while ensuring energy saving. In the environmental control system of Patent Document 5, a sensor node is connected to each of a plurality of environmental control devices, and environmental information measured by the sensor node and information of other sensor nodes existing in the vicinity of the sensor node are transmitted to the server. To do. The server generates a device control signal in which the difference between the device control signals between neighboring sensor nodes is made as small as possible so that the total of the device control signals falls within a predetermined range. As a result, the output of the entire environmental control device can be kept within a predetermined range, and at the same time, the output (such as brightness) between the environmental control devices existing in the vicinity can be smoothly changed. In addition to consideration, environmental control can be performed in consideration of human comfort.

  Patent Document 6 proposes a node time synchronization method that synchronizes the time between a plurality of sensor nodes that perform intermittent operation that repeats an operation state and a sleep state at regular time intervals in order to save power.

  Patent Document 7 presents a communication control method in which a sensor node transmits predetermined information to a sensor network server as soon as possible while preventing communication congestion when an abnormal phenomenon occurs in a very crowded communication environment. .

  Patent Document 8 proposes a portable electronic device that can substantially extend the battery life and reduce the battery replacement burden even when the discharge characteristics fluctuate from a new state to a life end state. In the portable electronic device of Patent Document 8, the load current to the load device is controlled so that the discharge current is constant until the discharge end voltage is reached, and the fluctuation state of the voltage value of the battery detected by the sub CPU is detected. An arithmetic process is performed to identify and determine the discharge characteristics of the battery, and the battery remaining capacity determination reference value is automatically changed according to the determined discharge characteristics, and each battery remaining capacity determination reference value and the detected battery pack voltage value are obtained. The remaining battery level of the battery is determined by comparison.

JP 2004-334475 A JP 2007-295052 A JP 2003-140785 A JP 2006-204024 A JP 2007-249647 A JP 2010-016576 A JP 2010-020504 A JP-A-08-126216

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is merely a transition to the hibernation state when the remaining battery level is equal to or lower than a threshold value. Further, since power supply from the AC adapter is used as a means for returning and continuing operation, it cannot be directly applied to a battery-driven sensor node. Furthermore, in order to use the technique of Patent Document 1, a device for monitoring the remaining capacity of the battery device such as “EC” (Embedded Controller) is required, which increases the device cost.

  In addition, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, in order to consider the temperature characteristics of the battery device, a process for predicting the remaining capacity of the battery device from the temperature parameter or the like is required, which increases the calculation cost. Occurs.

  The techniques described in Patent Documents 3 to 8 do not extend the operation time of a device driven by a battery in consideration of the temperature characteristics of the battery device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a low device cost and a low calculation cost. In consideration of the influence of the temperature characteristics of the battery, a battery drive device capable of extending the operation time driven by the battery, It is an object to provide a battery driving method and a program.

A battery driving device according to a first aspect of the present invention provides:
A device including a temperature sensor that measures at least the ambient temperature;
A battery for supplying driving power of the device;
Shows the relationship between the temperature and the driving time interval of the device, which is calculated from the temperature characteristics of the battery, wherein the temperature in which the voltage drop width becomes smaller corresponding to the drop width of the unit discharge amount per voltage of the battery more driving distance Storage means for storing a drive interval evaluation function that is short and has a longer drive interval at a temperature at which the voltage drop width of the battery is larger ;
A drive interval calculating means for calculating the drive interval applied to the measurement data indicating a measurement result of the temperature sensor to the drive interval evaluation function,
Drive means for driving the device at the drive interval calculated by the drive interval calculation means;
It is characterized by providing.

The battery driving method according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
Shows a device including a temperature sensor for measuring at least ambient temperature, and a battery for feeding drive power of the device, the relationship between the temperature and the driving time interval of the device, which is calculated from the temperature characteristics of the battery, the unit of the battery Driving interval evaluation function such that the driving interval is shorter at a temperature where the voltage drop width corresponding to the voltage drop width per discharge amount is smaller, and the driving interval is longer at a temperature where the voltage drop width of the battery is larger. A battery driving method executed by a battery driving device comprising storage means for storing
An acquisition step of acquiring measurement data indicating a measurement result of the temperature sensor;
A drive interval calculating step of calculating a drive interval by applying measurement data of the temperature sensor to the drive interval evaluation function;
A driving step of driving the device at the driving interval calculated in the driving interval calculating step;
It is characterized by providing.

A program according to a third aspect of the present invention shows a relationship between a temperature calculated from a temperature characteristic of a battery that supplies power for driving a device and a driving interval of the device, and a voltage drop per unit discharge amount of the battery. A storage means is provided for storing a drive interval evaluation function such that the drive interval is shorter at a temperature at which the voltage drop width corresponding to the width is smaller, and the drive interval is longer at a temperature at which the voltage drop width of the battery is greater. On the computer,
An acquisition step of acquiring measurement data indicating a measurement result of a temperature sensor included in the device;
A drive interval calculating step of calculating a drive interval by applying measurement data of the temperature sensor to the drive interval evaluation function;
A driving step of driving the device at the driving interval calculated in the driving interval calculating step;
Is executed.

  According to the present invention, the apparatus cost and the calculation cost are low, and the operation time driven by the battery can be extended in consideration of the influence of the temperature characteristic of the battery.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the sensor node which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the temperature characteristic of the battery which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the drive space | interval evaluation function which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the sensor node which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the sensor node which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the sensor node which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a sensor node according to an embodiment of the present invention. A battery-driven sensor node 1 will be described as an example of the battery driving device in the present embodiment. In addition, the device included in the battery driving device (sensor node 1) is a sensor group (surrounded by a broken line in the figure) that measures the surrounding state of the battery driving device including a temperature sensor that measures the ambient temperature.

  The sensor node 1 includes a temperature sensor 11, a humidity sensor 12, an illuminance sensor 13, an atmospheric pressure sensor 14, a storage unit 15, a drive interval calculation unit 16, a drive unit 17, a battery 18, and a transmission unit 19.

  The temperature sensor 11 measures the ambient temperature of the sensor node 1 and sends measurement data indicating the measurement result to the drive interval calculation unit 16 and the transmission unit 19. Regardless of the type of the temperature sensor 11, for example, a resistance temperature detector, a thermocouple, a thermistor, or the like can be used. The temperature sensor that sends the measurement data to the drive interval calculation unit 16 may be a temperature sensor that is different from the temperature sensor that sends the measurement data to the transmission unit 19.

  The humidity sensor 12 measures the humidity around the sensor node 1 and sends measurement data indicating the measurement result to the transmission unit 19.

  The illuminance sensor 13 measures the illuminance around the sensor node 1 and sends measurement data indicating the measurement result to the transmission unit 19.

  The atmospheric pressure sensor 14 measures the atmospheric pressure around the sensor node 1 and sends measurement data indicating the measurement result to the transmission unit 19.

  The storage unit 15 stores in advance a drive interval evaluation function indicating the relationship between the temperature calculated from the temperature characteristics of the battery 18 and the drive interval. The drive interval evaluation function is a calculation rule, coefficient, constant, or the like for calculating the drive interval from the temperature. The storage unit 15 stores information indicating these. Details of the drive interval evaluation function will be described later.

  The drive interval calculation unit 16 calculates the drive intervals of the temperature sensor 11, the humidity sensor 12, the illuminance sensor 13, and the atmospheric pressure sensor 14 from the measurement data received from the temperature sensor 11 using the drive interval evaluation function stored in the storage unit 15. calculate. The drive interval may be calculated individually for each sensor or may be calculated in common. The drive interval evaluation function may be acquired by the drive interval calculation unit 16 from the outside, or the drive interval calculation unit 16 may calculate in advance based on the temperature characteristics of the battery 18.

  The drive unit 17 drives the temperature sensor 11, the humidity sensor 12, the illuminance sensor 13, and the atmospheric pressure sensor 14 at the drive interval calculated by the drive interval calculation unit 16.

  The battery 18 supplies driving power to the temperature sensor 11, the humidity sensor 12, the illuminance sensor 13, and the atmospheric pressure sensor 14.

  The transmission unit 19 transmits the measurement data received from the temperature sensor 11, the humidity sensor 12, the illuminance sensor 13, and the atmospheric pressure sensor 14 to the outside. In the case of a wireless sensor system including a plurality of sensor nodes 1 that communicate with a wireless base station wirelessly, the transmission unit 19 transmits measurement data to the wireless base station. The radio base station accumulates the measurement data received from each sensor node 1, aggregates it, analyzes it, and transmits it to another server.

  The measurement data generated by the temperature sensor 11, the humidity sensor 12, the illuminance sensor 13, and the atmospheric pressure sensor 14 may be stored in the storage unit 15. In this case, the transmission unit 19 may not be provided. The temperature sensor 11, the humidity sensor 12, the illuminance sensor 13, and the atmospheric pressure sensor 14 may be provided outside. In that case, the sensor node 1 includes an acquisition unit that acquires measurement data from each sensor.

  In addition, the device included in the battery driving device 1 is not limited to the temperature sensor 11, the humidity sensor 12, the illuminance sensor 13, and the atmospheric pressure sensor 14, but may be other sensors such as an acceleration sensor, a gas concentration sensor, and an acoustic level. It may be a device. Further, only the temperature sensor 11 may be used. That is, the device included in the battery driving device 1 may be a device including at least the temperature sensor 11.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of temperature characteristics of the battery according to the embodiment. When a battery having temperature characteristics as shown in FIG. 2 is used, an electromotive force is lowered in a 40 ° C. environment and a voltage drop width is increased in a 40 ° C. environment. In an environment of −20 ° C., the electromotive force is further reduced and the voltage drop width is increased. For example, when comparing the electromotive force, it is 3.09 V in the environment of 20 ° C., 2.93 V in the environment of 40 ° C., and 2.85 V in the environment of −20 ° C., and decreases in order. Further, for example, when comparing the voltage drop width between 0.6 Ah and 0.8 Ah, the discharge capacity is 0.10 V in the environment of 20 ° C., 0.15 V in the environment of 40 ° C., and 0.005 in the environment of −20 ° C. It becomes 21V and becomes large in order.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drive interval evaluation function according to the embodiment. When the battery 18 has temperature characteristics as shown in FIG. 2, for example, a drive interval evaluation function as shown in FIG. 3 is used. In the drive interval evaluation function of FIG. 3, the drive interval is set longer in the environment of 40 ° C. in order to take more recovery time of the electromotive force than in the environment of 20 ° C. Further, in the environment of −20 ° C., the drive interval is set longer in order to take more electromotive force recovery time. Specifically, the driving interval when the temperature is 20 ° C. is 5 seconds, the driving interval when the temperature is 40 ° C. is 10 seconds, and the driving interval when the temperature is −20 ° C. is 20 seconds.

  For example, if the storage unit 15 stores the drive interval evaluation function of FIG. 3, when the measurement data of the temperature sensor 11 of the sensor node 1 is 20 ° C., the drive interval calculation unit 16 sets the drive interval of 5 seconds. calculate. Thus, by calculating the drive interval of each sensor using the drive interval evaluation function calculated based on the temperature characteristics of the battery 18, the operation is interrupted below the operable voltage due to the influence of the voltage drop, or the battery life is decreased. Can be shortened, and the operation time of the sensor node 1 can be extended.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the drive interval evaluation function is represented by a graph, but actually, the drive interval evaluation function is stored as a correspondence table between temperature and drive interval. For example, in the correspondence table of temperature and drive interval, a drive interval corresponding to a temperature of every 1 ° C. from −50 ° C. to 50 ° C. is set. When the temperature of the measurement data received from the temperature sensor 11 is not in the correspondence table, the drive interval calculation unit 16 calculates and interpolates an approximate function from the drive intervals of the previous and subsequent temperatures. Such a correspondence table between temperature and driving interval is one of the calculation rules.

  Alternatively, the drive interval evaluation function may be an approximation function that approximates a curve as shown in FIG. 3 for each section. In this approximate function, the independent variable X is the temperature, and the dependent variable Y is the driving interval. The drive interval calculation unit 16 substitutes the temperature of the measurement data received from the temperature sensor 11 for X, and calculates the drive interval Y.

  As described above, the drive interval evaluation function includes calculation rules, coefficients, constants, and the like, and a plurality of these may be used. When batteries having different temperature characteristics are used as the battery 18, a drive interval evaluation function may be defined according to the temperature characteristics. For example, when batteries having different temperature characteristics are used, a new drive interval evaluation function is defined by changing the coefficients and constants of the approximate function described above. The drive interval evaluation function may be calculated from the temperature characteristics of the battery 18 by the sensor node 1 or may be acquired from the outside.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the sensor node according to the embodiment. The example of FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation of the sensor node 1 that calculates the driving interval each time each sensor is driven.

  When the power of the sensor node 1 is turned on, first, the drive unit 17 drives each sensor (step S11). The drive interval calculation unit 16 receives measurement data obtained by measuring the ambient temperature of the sensor node 1 from the temperature sensor 11 (step S12). The drive interval calculation unit 16 reads the drive interval evaluation function from the storage unit 15, and calculates the drive interval from the measurement data received from the temperature sensor 11 using the drive interval evaluation function (step S13).

  When the drive interval calculated by the drive interval calculation unit 16 has elapsed (step S14; YES), the process returns to step S11, and steps S11 and S14 are repeated. If the drive interval calculated by the drive interval calculation unit 16 has not elapsed (step S14; NO), it is determined whether the power is turned off or the battery has run out (step S15), and the power is turned off or the battery has run out. If not (Step S15; NO), the process returns to Step S14, and Steps S14 and S15 are repeated. If the power is turned off or the battery has run out (step S15; YES), the process is terminated.

  In step S14, the time taken to execute steps S12 and S13 may be considered. For example, if it takes 1 second to execute step S12 and step S13, the drive interval-1 second calculated by the drive interval calculation unit 16 is set as the standby period, and it is determined in step S14 whether the standby time has elapsed. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the sensor node according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 5, an example of the operation of the sensor node 1 that calculates a driving interval for each predetermined number of times of driving is shown.

  When the power of the sensor node 1 is turned on, first, the drive unit 17 drives each sensor (step S21). When this is the first drive (step S22; YES), the drive interval calculation unit 16 receives measurement data obtained by measuring the ambient temperature of the sensor node 1 from the temperature sensor 11 (step S23). The drive interval calculation unit 16 reads the drive interval evaluation function from the storage unit 15, and calculates the drive interval from the measurement data received from the temperature sensor 11 using the drive interval evaluation function (step S24).

  When the drive interval calculated by the drive interval calculation unit 16 has not elapsed (step S26; NO), it is determined whether the power is turned off or the battery has run out (step S27). If the power is not turned off or the battery has not run out (step S27; NO), the process returns to step S26, and steps S26 to S27 are repeated. If the power is turned off or the battery has run out (step S27; YES), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the drive interval calculated by the drive interval calculation unit 16 has elapsed (step S26; YES), the process returns to step S21, and the drive unit 17 drives each sensor. If this is not the first drive (step S22: NO), it is determined whether or not it is a predetermined drive count (for example, a multiple of 5) (step S25).

  If it is not the predetermined number of times of driving (step S25; NO), step S26 is executed. When it is the predetermined number of times of driving (step S25; YES), the driving interval calculation unit 16 receives measurement data obtained by measuring the ambient temperature of the sensor node 1 from the temperature sensor 11 (step S23). The drive interval calculation unit 16 reads the drive interval evaluation function from the storage unit 15, calculates the drive interval from the measurement data received from the temperature sensor 11 using the drive interval evaluation function (step S24), and executes step S26. .

  When the drive interval calculated by the drive interval calculation unit 16 has elapsed (step S26; YES), the process returns to step S21, and steps S21 to S26 are repeated. When the drive interval calculated by the drive interval calculation unit 16 has not elapsed (step S26; NO), it is determined whether the power is turned off or the battery has run out (step S27). If the power is not turned off or the battery has not run out (step S27; NO), the process returns to step S26, and steps S26 to S27 are repeated. If the power is turned off or the battery has run out (step S27; YES), the process is terminated.

  Note that the determination in step S25 is not limited to determining whether or not the number of times of driving is a predetermined number of times, and may be determining whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed, for example.

  As described above, according to the battery driving device of the present embodiment, the device cost and calculation cost are low, and the operation time driven by the battery can be extended in consideration of the influence of the temperature characteristics of the battery. In the present invention, a complicated device for monitoring the remaining capacity of the battery 18 such as EC is not necessary, and a simple temperature sensor may be provided. If the sensor node is equipped with a temperature sensor in advance as in this embodiment, the measurement data of the temperature sensor can be used to determine the drive interval, thereby further reducing the device cost and reducing the size. is there. The process of obtaining the drive interval from the measurement data of the temperature sensor 11 executed by the drive interval calculation unit 16 using the drive interval evaluation function is more than the case of performing the process of predicting the remaining capacity of the battery 18 from the measurement data of the temperature sensor 11. The calculation cost is low.

  Further, by calculating the driving interval every predetermined number of times or every predetermined time, it is possible to omit the determination of the measuring interval at which the same or similar results can be obtained in an environment where rapid temperature changes do not occur frequently. This makes it possible to reduce the calculation cost and further extend the battery life of the battery driving device as compared with the case where the determination of the measurement interval is performed each time the device is driven.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the sensor node according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor node 1 includes a control unit 31, a main storage unit 32, an external storage unit 33, a battery 34, a sensor group 35, and a transmission / reception unit 36. The main storage unit 32, the external storage unit 33, the operation unit 34, the display unit 35, the battery 34, the sensor group 35, and the transmission / reception unit 36 are all connected to the control unit 31 via the internal bus 30.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and executes each process according to a control program 39 stored in the external storage unit 33. The control unit 31 executes each process of the drive interval calculation unit 16, the drive unit 17, and the transmission unit 19.

  The main storage unit 32 is composed of a RAM (Random-Access Memory) or the like, loads a control program 39 stored in the external storage unit 33, and is used as a work area for the control unit 31.

  The external storage unit 33 includes a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk, a DVD-RAM (Digital Versatile Disc Random-Access Memory), a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disc ReWritable), and controls processing of the battery driving device 1. A program to be executed by the unit 31 is stored in advance, and data stored by the program is supplied to the control unit 31 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 31, and the data supplied from the control unit 31 is stored. The storage unit 15 is configured in the external storage unit 33.

  The battery 34 supplies driving power to the sensor group 35.

  The sensor group 35 is the temperature sensor 11, the humidity sensor 12, the illuminance sensor 13, and the atmospheric pressure sensor 14 in FIG. The sensor group 35 sends measurement data indicating the measurement result to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 transmits these measurement data to the outside via the transmission / reception unit 36.

  The transmission / reception unit 36 includes a network termination device or a wireless communication device connected to the communication network, and a serial interface or a LAN (Local Area Network) interface connected to them. The transmission / reception unit 36 and the control unit 31 function as the transmission unit 19. When acquiring the drive interval evaluation function from the outside, the transmission / reception unit 36 sends the received drive interval evaluation function to the control unit 31.

  In the processing of the drive interval calculation unit 16, the drive unit 17, and the transmission unit 19 illustrated in FIG. 1, the control program 39 includes a control unit 31, a main storage unit 32, an external storage unit 33, a battery 34, a sensor group 35, and a transmission / reception unit 36. Etc., as a resource.

  In addition, the hardware configuration and the flowchart described above are merely examples, and can be arbitrarily changed and modified.

  The central part that performs the battery driving process including the control unit 31, the main storage unit 32, the external storage unit 33, the transmission / reception unit 36, the internal bus 30 and the like uses a normal computer system, not a dedicated system. Is feasible. For example, a computer program for executing the above operation is stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.), and the computer program is installed in the computer. Thus, a sensor node that executes the above-described processing may be configured. Alternatively, the sensor node may be configured by storing the computer program in a storage device included in a server device on a communication network such as the Internet and downloading it by a normal computer system.

  In addition, when the function of the sensor node is realized by sharing of the OS (operating system) and the application program, or by cooperation between the OS and the application program, only the application program part is stored in a recording medium or a storage device. Also good.

  It is also possible to superimpose a computer program on a carrier wave and distribute it via a communication network. For example, the computer program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS, Bulletin Board System) on a communication network, and the computer program may be distributed via the communication network. The computer program may be started and executed in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS, so that the above-described processing may be executed.

  Part or all of the above embodiments can be described as in the following claims, but are not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
A device including a temperature sensor that measures at least the ambient temperature;
A battery for supplying driving power of the device;
Storage means for storing a drive interval evaluation function indicating the relationship between the temperature calculated from the temperature characteristics of the battery and the drive interval of the device;
Drive interval calculation means for calculating a drive interval using the drive interval evaluation function from measurement data indicating the measurement result of the temperature sensor;
Drive means for driving the device at the drive interval calculated by the drive interval calculation means;
A battery driving device comprising:

(Appendix 2)
The battery drive apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the drive interval evaluation function is such that the drive interval is short at a temperature where the voltage drop width of the battery is small and the drive interval is long at a temperature where the voltage drop width of the battery used is large. .

(Appendix 3)
3. The battery driving apparatus according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the driving interval calculating means calculates the driving interval every predetermined number of times or every predetermined time.

(Appendix 4)
The device is a sensor for measuring a state around the battery driving device,
The battery drive according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, further comprising a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits measurement data indicating a measurement result each time the sensor measures a state around the battery drive device. apparatus.

(Appendix 5)
Stores at least a device including a temperature sensor that measures the ambient temperature, a battery that supplies power for driving the device, and a drive interval evaluation function that indicates the relationship between the temperature calculated from the temperature characteristics of the battery and the drive interval of the device A battery driving method executed by a battery driving device comprising:
An acquisition step of acquiring measurement data indicating a measurement result of the temperature sensor;
A drive interval calculating step of calculating a drive interval from the measurement data of the temperature sensor using the drive interval evaluation function;
A driving step of driving the device at the driving interval calculated in the driving interval calculating step;
A battery driving method comprising:

(Appendix 6)
The battery driving method according to appendix 5, wherein the driving interval evaluation function has a short driving interval at a temperature where the voltage drop width of the battery is small and a long driving interval at a temperature where the voltage drop width of the battery used is large. .

(Appendix 7)
The battery driving method according to appendix 5 or 6, wherein, in the driving interval calculating step, the driving interval is calculated every predetermined number of times or every predetermined time.

(Appendix 8)
The device is a sensor for measuring a state around the battery driving device,
The battery drive according to any one of appendices 5 to 7, further comprising a transmission step of wirelessly transmitting measurement data indicating a measurement result every time the sensor measures a state around the battery drive device. Method.

(Appendix 9)
On the computer,
An acquisition step of acquiring measurement data indicating a measurement result of a temperature sensor included in the device;
Drive interval calculation that calculates a drive interval from a measurement data of the temperature sensor using a drive interval evaluation function indicating a relationship between a temperature calculated from a temperature characteristic of a battery that supplies power for driving the device and a drive interval of the device Steps,
A driving step of driving the device at the driving interval calculated in the driving interval calculating step;
A program characterized by having executed.

  The present invention makes it possible to reduce the discharge amount and extend the life by considering the temperature characteristics of each sensor node in the wireless sensor system. In addition, the wireless communication system, in particular, savings in each wireless node. It can be applied to an electronic tag system or a sensor network system in which power generation is important.

  The battery driving device of the present invention is not limited to a sensor node of a wireless sensor system that performs wireless communication, and can be applied to a battery driving device that is driven by a dry battery, a button-type battery, or the like. Any battery driving device can be applied to various battery driving devices regardless of its form or use.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sensor node 11 Temperature sensor 12 Humidity sensor 13 Illuminance sensor 14 Atmospheric pressure sensor 15 Memory | storage part 16 Drive interval calculation part 17 Drive part 18 Battery 19 Transmission part 31 Control part 32 Main memory part 33 External storage part 34 Battery 35 Sensor group 36 Transmission / reception part 39 Control program

Claims (7)

A device including a temperature sensor that measures at least the ambient temperature;
A battery for supplying driving power of the device;
Shows the relationship between the temperature and the driving time interval of the device, which is calculated from the temperature characteristics of the battery, wherein the temperature in which the voltage drop width becomes smaller corresponding to the drop width of the unit discharge amount per voltage of the battery more driving distance Storage means for storing a drive interval evaluation function that is short and has a longer drive interval at a temperature at which the voltage drop width of the battery is larger ;
A drive interval calculating means for calculating the drive interval applied to the measurement data indicating a measurement result of the temperature sensor to the drive interval evaluation function,
Drive means for driving the device at the drive interval calculated by the drive interval calculation means;
A battery driving device comprising: The battery driving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving interval calculation unit calculates the driving interval every predetermined number of times or every predetermined time. The device is a sensor for measuring a state around the battery driving device,
3. The battery drive device according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits measurement data indicating a measurement result every time the sensor measures a state around the battery drive device. 4. Shows a device including a temperature sensor for measuring at least ambient temperature, and a battery for feeding drive power of the device, the relationship between the temperature and the driving time interval of the device, which is calculated from the temperature characteristics of the battery, the unit of the battery Driving interval evaluation function such that the driving interval is shorter at a temperature where the voltage drop width corresponding to the voltage drop width per discharge amount is smaller, and the driving interval is longer at a temperature where the voltage drop width of the battery is larger. A battery driving method executed by a battery driving device comprising storage means for storing
An acquisition step of acquiring measurement data indicating a measurement result of the temperature sensor;
A drive interval calculating step of calculating a drive interval by applying measurement data of the temperature sensor to the drive interval evaluation function;
A driving step of driving the device at the driving interval calculated in the driving interval calculating step;
A battery driving method comprising: 5. The battery driving method according to claim 4 , wherein in the driving interval calculating step, the driving interval is calculated every predetermined number of times or every predetermined time. The device is a sensor for measuring a state around the battery driving device,
6. The battery driving method according to claim 4, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting measurement data indicating a measurement result to the outside wirelessly each time the sensor measures a state around the battery driving device. A temperature indicating a relationship between a temperature calculated from a temperature characteristic of a battery that supplies power for driving the device and a driving interval of the device, and a voltage drop width corresponding to a voltage drop width per unit discharge amount of the battery becomes smaller. In a computer comprising a storage means for storing a drive interval evaluation function such that the drive interval is shorter and the drive interval becomes longer at a temperature at which the voltage drop width of the battery becomes larger .
An acquisition step of acquiring measurement data indicating a measurement result of a temperature sensor included in the device;
A drive interval calculating step of calculating a drive interval by applying measurement data of the temperature sensor to the drive interval evaluation function;
A driving step of driving the device at the driving interval calculated in the driving interval calculating step;
A program characterized by having executed.

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