JP6550918B2 - Sensor information transmission apparatus, sensor, sensor information transmission system, sensor information transmission method, and sensor information transmission program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor information transmission apparatus, a sensor, a sensor information transmission system, a sensor information transmission method, and a sensor information transmission program, in particular, a sensor information transmission apparatus for transmitting sensor information to a sensor, the sensor, the sensor information transmission system. The present invention relates to a sensor information transmission method and a sensor information transmission program.

  As a system using communication services such as wireless LAN, LTE, and wireless PAN, specifically, ZigBee (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark), an M2M (Machine to Machine) system is known. In the M2M system, when devices equipped with wireless devices mutually transmit and receive information without human intervention, the stock status of the products built in the vending machine is automatically reported to the server, etc. Device control is performed automatically.

  As an example of the M2M system, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 4237134) discloses the following technology. That is, a mobile communication network having a wireless terminal, a gateway node capable of wireless communication with the wireless terminal, and a position information storage device holding position information of the wireless terminal, and a message transmission destination from the above-mentioned wireless terminal It is a network system in which another network to which a certain terminal is connected is connected via a gateway. The network system includes terminal address holding means for holding the address of the terminal that is a transmission destination predetermined for each wireless terminal. When transmitting a message from the wireless terminal to the terminal, when the gateway node receives a wireless frame from the wireless terminal, the gateway node accesses the terminal address holding means to transmit a message transmission destination terminal for each wireless terminal. An address is specified, and a message is sent to the specified destination terminal via the gateway. When transmitting a message from the terminal to the wireless terminal, the gateway accesses the position information storage device, acquires position information from the ID of the wireless terminal, and corresponds to the corresponding gateway node from the acquired position information. Forward the message to The gateway node forwards the message to the wireless terminal.

Patent No. 4237134

  In such an M2M system, a method may be considered in which sensor information, for example, maintenance information for performing maintenance on the wireless terminal is transmitted from the gateway node to the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal performs its own maintenance, for example, based on the maintenance information received from the gateway node.

  For example, in order for the wireless terminal to receive maintenance information transmitted from the gateway node at an arbitrary timing, it is necessary to continue supplying power to the receiving circuit in order to continuously operate the receiving circuit in the wireless terminal. is there. For this reason, power consumption in the wireless terminal is increased, which is not preferable.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to transmit sensor information to the sensor while suppressing an increase in power consumption of the sensor in a sensor information transmission system that transmits sensor information. A sensor information transmission device, a sensor, a sensor information transmission system, a sensor information transmission method, and a sensor information transmission program are provided.

  (1) In order to solve the above problems, a sensor information transmission apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives sensor information indicating a measurement result by a sensor from the sensor, and the receiving unit performs the sensor information And a transmission processing unit that performs transmission processing of transmitting sensor information to the sensor at transmission timing based on the received timing.

  (7) In order to solve the above problems, a sensor according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transmission processing unit that performs transmission processing for transmitting sensor information indicating measurement results periodically or non-periodically to a sensor information transmission apparatus; A receiving unit for receiving sensor information from the sensor information transmission apparatus; and a control unit for performing control to stop the operation of the receiving unit until the timing of the next transmission process when the receiving unit receives the sensor information. Is provided.

  (9) In order to solve the above problems, a sensor information transmission system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a sensor and a sensor information transmission device, and the sensor information transmission device is a sensor that indicates a measurement result by the sensor Information is received from the sensor, and the sensor information transmission apparatus performs transmission processing for transmitting sensor information to the sensor at transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information is received.

  (11) In order to solve the above problems, a sensor information transmission method according to an aspect of the present invention is a sensor information transmission method in a sensor information transmission apparatus, which receives sensor information indicating a measurement result by a sensor from the sensor And a step of performing a transmission process of transmitting sensor information to the sensor at a transmission timing based on a timing at which the sensor information is received.

  (12) In order to solve the above problems, a sensor information transmission method according to another aspect of the present invention is a sensor information transmission method in a sensor, wherein sensor information indicating measurement results is periodically or aperiodically detected. The step of performing transmission processing to transmit to the transmission device, the step of receiving the sensor information from the sensor information transmission device, and the reception of the sensor information, the sensor information is received until the timing of the next transmission processing. And performing control to stop the operation.

  (13) In order to solve the above problems, a sensor information transmission method according to another aspect of the present invention is a sensor information transmission method in a sensor information transmission system including a sensor and a sensor information transmission device, the sensor information transmission method Transmitting the sensor information indicating the measurement result by the sensor to the sensor information transmission device, and the sensor information transmission device transmitting the sensor information to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing when the sensor information is received And performing the transmission process.

  (14) In order to solve the above problems, a sensor information transmission program according to one aspect of the present invention is a sensor information transmission program used in a sensor information transmission apparatus, and sensor information indicating a measurement result by a sensor to a computer Is received from the sensor, and a step of performing transmission processing of transmitting sensor information to the sensor at transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information is received.

  (15) In order to solve the above problems, a sensor information transmission program according to another aspect of the present invention is a sensor information transmission program used in a sensor, and periodically or sensor information showing measurement results in a computer. A step of performing transmission processing to transmit to the sensor information transmission device aperiodically; a step of receiving sensor information from the sensor information transmission device; and upon receiving the sensor information, the sensor until the next transmission processing timing. It is a program for performing the step which performs control which stops operation for receiving for-use information.

  The present invention can be realized not only as a sensor information transmission device provided with such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of the sensor information transmission device.

  Further, the present invention can be realized not only as a sensor including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit which realizes a part or all of the sensor.

  Further, the present invention can be realized not only as a sensor information transmission system including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the sensor information transmission system.

  According to the present invention, in a sensor information transmission system for transmitting sensor information, it is possible to transmit sensor information to the sensor while suppressing an increase in power consumption of the sensor.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor information transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensor packet transmitted by a sensor in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of transmission of maintenance information and sensor information in the sensor information transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor information transmission apparatus in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a buffer in the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the transmission processing unit in the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention performs sensor information transfer processing and maintenance information transfer processing. FIG. 9 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention performs transmission processing of sensor information, reception processing of maintenance information, and sleep processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of sensor information transfer processing and maintenance information transfer processing in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the contents of the embodiment of the present invention will be listed and described.

  (1) A sensor information transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a reception unit that receives sensor information indicating a measurement result by a sensor from the sensor, and transmission timing based on the timing at which the reception unit receives the sensor information. And a transmission processing unit that performs transmission processing for transmitting sensor information to the sensor.

  As described above, the sensor information is transmitted to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information from the sensor arrives, so that the sensor can recognize the reception timing of the sensor information from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Therefore, the sensor information can be received in a temporary standby period for receiving the sensor information. As a result, in the sensor, the period for supplying power to the receiving circuit can be limited to the above-mentioned standby period, so power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, in the sensor information transmission system that transmits the sensor information, it is possible to transmit the sensor information to the sensor while suppressing the increase in the power consumption of the sensor.

  (2) Preferably, the receiving unit further receives the sensor information from another device, and the sensor information transmission device further holds the sensor information received by the receiving unit. And the transmission processing unit transmits the sensor information held by the holding unit to the sensor at the transmission timing in the transmission process.

  As described above, the configuration is such that the sensor information received from the other device is temporarily held, and the sensor information is transmitted to the sensor after the arrival of the transmission timing, so that the other device receives the sensor information at an arbitrary timing. Sensor information can be transmitted to the transmission device. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the sensor while facilitating the transmission of the sensor information from the other device to the sensor information transmission device.

  (3) More preferably, in the transmission process, the transmission processing unit corresponds to the sensor information at a plurality of transmission timings based on timings at which the reception unit receives the sensor information from the plurality of sensors. Send to sensor.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to transmit sensor information for each sensor to a plurality of sensors at appropriate timings.

  (4) Preferably, the transmission processing unit performs the transmission processing in response to reception of the sensor information by the receiving unit.

  With such a configuration, the sensor can further reduce power consumption, for example, by shortening the standby period, and can set, for example, the transmission timing of sensor information as the start timing of the standby period. It is possible to provide a simple configuration that does not require complicated processing such as securing synchronization with the

  (5) More preferably, in the transmission process, the transmission processing unit transmits the dummy sensor information at the transmission timing when the sensor information not transmitted to the sensor is not held in the holding unit. Send to sensor.

  With this configuration, the sensor can end the standby period by receiving dummy sensor information. Thereby, for example, when there is no sensor information to be transmitted to the sensor, it is possible to avoid a situation where the sensor continues to wait for the sensor information, so that the power consumption of the sensor can be further reduced.

  (6) Preferably, in the transmission process, the transmission processing unit attaches identification information of the sensor information to the sensor information and transmits the sensor information to the sensor, and the sensor information transmission device further includes the sensor And a confirmation unit configured to compare identification information attached to the sensor information received from the identification information attached to the sensor information to the sensor.

  With such a configuration, whether or not the sensor has successfully received the sensor information can be recognized based on the comparison result of the identification information. Information can be provided to the sensor.

  (7) A sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a transmission processing unit that performs transmission processing for transmitting sensor information indicating a measurement result to the sensor information transmission device periodically or aperiodically, and the sensor information transmission device to the sensor And a control unit configured to stop the operation of the receiving unit until the timing of the next transmission process when the receiving unit receives the sensor information.

  With such a configuration, for example, when the sensor information transmission apparatus transmits sensor information to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information is received, the reception timing of the sensor information starts from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Since it can be recognized, the sensor information can be received in a temporary standby period for receiving the sensor information. In addition, by stopping the operation of the reception unit from the end of the standby period to the timing of the next transmission process, the period for turning on the reception circuit can be limited, so power consumption can be reduced. . Therefore, in a sensor information transmission system that transmits sensor information, sensor information can be transmitted to the sensor while suppressing an increase in power consumption of the sensor.

  (8) Preferably, the transmission processing unit acquires identification information attached to the sensor information, and attaches identification information corresponding to the acquired identification information to the sensor information in the next transmission process. To send.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to notify the sensor information transmission apparatus that the reception of the sensor information has succeeded in the next transmission processing, so in the sensor information transmission apparatus, the reception of the sensor information in the sensor is successful. Can be confirmed. Thereby, for example, the sensor information that could not be confirmed for the successful reception can be retransmitted to provide the sensor information to the sensor more reliably.

  (9) A sensor information transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor and a sensor information transmission device, and the sensor information transmission device receives sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor from the sensor. The sensor information transmission device performs a transmission process of transmitting sensor information to the sensor at a transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information is received.

  As described above, the sensor information is transmitted to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information from the sensor arrives, so that the sensor can recognize the reception timing of the sensor information from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Therefore, the sensor information can be received in a temporary standby period for receiving the sensor information. As a result, in the sensor, the period for supplying power to the receiving circuit can be limited to the above-mentioned standby period, so power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, in the sensor information transmission system that transmits the sensor information, it is possible to transmit the sensor information to the sensor while suppressing the increase in the power consumption of the sensor.

  (10) Preferably, in the transmission process, the sensor information transmission device attaches identification information of the sensor information to the sensor information and transmits the sensor information to the sensor, and the sensor corresponds to the identification information. Identification information is attached to the sensor information and transmitted to the sensor information transmission apparatus.

  With such a configuration, the sensor can notify the sensor information transmission apparatus that the reception of the sensor information has succeeded in the next transmission process. Further, in the sensor information transmission apparatus, it is possible to recognize whether the sensor has succeeded in receiving the sensor information based on the comparison result of the identification information, so for example, the sensor information is retransmitted to be more surely Sensor information can be provided to the sensor.

  (11) A sensor information transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a sensor information transmission method in a sensor information transmission apparatus, the step of receiving sensor information indicating a measurement result by a sensor from the sensor, and the sensor information. Performing transmission processing for transmitting sensor information to the sensor at transmission timing based on the timing at which the signal is received.

  As described above, the sensor information is transmitted to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information from the sensor arrives, so that the sensor can recognize the reception timing of the sensor information from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Therefore, the sensor information can be received in a temporary standby period for receiving the sensor information. As a result, in the sensor, the period for supplying power to the receiving circuit can be limited to the above-mentioned standby period, so power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, in the sensor information transmission system that transmits the sensor information, it is possible to transmit the sensor information to the sensor while suppressing the increase in the power consumption of the sensor.

  (12) A sensor information transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a sensor information transmission method in a sensor, and performs a transmission process of transmitting sensor information indicating a measurement result to a sensor information transmission device periodically or aperiodically. And performing the steps of: receiving the sensor information from the sensor information transmission device; and stopping the operation for receiving the sensor information until the next transmission processing timing when the sensor information is received. Performing steps.

  With such a configuration, for example, when the sensor information transmission apparatus transmits sensor information to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information is received, the reception timing of the sensor information starts from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Since it can be recognized, the sensor information can be received in a temporary standby period for receiving the sensor information. In addition, by stopping the operation of the reception unit from the end of the standby period to the timing of the next transmission process, the period for turning on the reception circuit can be limited, so power consumption can be reduced. . Therefore, in a sensor information transmission system that transmits sensor information, sensor information can be transmitted to the sensor while suppressing an increase in power consumption of the sensor.

  (13) A sensor information transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a sensor information transmission method in a sensor information transmission system including a sensor and a sensor information transmission device, wherein the sensor outputs a measurement result by the sensor. Sending the indicated sensor information to the sensor information transmission device, and performing the transmission process of sending the sensor information to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information transmission device receives the sensor information. Including.

  As described above, the sensor information is transmitted to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information from the sensor arrives, so that the sensor can recognize the reception timing of the sensor information from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Therefore, the sensor information can be received in a temporary standby period for receiving the sensor information. As a result, in the sensor, the period for supplying power to the receiving circuit can be limited to the above-mentioned standby period, so power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, in a sensor information transmission system that transmits sensor information, sensor information can be transmitted to the sensor while suppressing an increase in power consumption of the sensor.

  (14) A sensor information transmission program according to an embodiment of the present invention is a sensor information transmission program used in a sensor information transmission apparatus, and a step of receiving sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor from the sensor. And a step of performing transmission processing of transmitting sensor information to the sensor at transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information is received.

  As described above, the sensor information is transmitted to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information from the sensor arrives, so that the sensor can recognize the reception timing of the sensor information from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Therefore, the sensor information can be received in a temporary standby period for receiving the sensor information. As a result, in the sensor, the period for supplying power to the receiving circuit can be limited to the above-mentioned standby period, so power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, in the sensor information transmission system that transmits the sensor information, it is possible to transmit the sensor information to the sensor while suppressing the increase in the power consumption of the sensor.

  (15) A sensor information transmission program according to an embodiment of the present invention is a sensor information transmission program used in a sensor, and the sensor information indicating the measurement result is periodically or aperiodically transmitted to the sensor information transmission apparatus. A step of performing transmission processing to transmit, a step of receiving sensor information from the sensor information transmission apparatus, and an operation for receiving the sensor information up to the timing of the next transmission process when the sensor information is received. And a step of performing control to stop the program.

  With such a configuration, for example, when the sensor information transmission apparatus transmits sensor information to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information is received, the reception timing of the sensor information starts from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Since it can be recognized, the sensor information can be received in a temporary standby period for receiving the sensor information. In addition, by stopping the operation of the reception unit from the end of the standby period to the timing of the next transmission process, the period for turning on the reception circuit can be limited, so power consumption can be reduced. . Therefore, in the sensor information transmission system that transmits the sensor information, it is possible to transmit the sensor information to the sensor while suppressing the increase in the power consumption of the sensor.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[Sensor information transmission system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor information transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, sensor information transmission system 301 includes sensors 121A and 121B, sensor information transmission device 101, management device 161, and database 71. Hereinafter, each of the sensors 121A and 121B is also referred to as a sensor 121.

  The sensor information transmission system 301 may be configured to include one sensor 121, or may be configured to include three or more sensors 121.

  The sensor information transmission system 301 is installed, for example, in a factory 1 and an office 2 of a business operator. For example, in the sensor information transmission system 301, collection of information on the facilities 3A and 3B in the factory 1 is performed. In this example, the sensor information transmission device 101 and the sensor 121 are provided in the factory 1, and the database 71 and the management device 161 are provided in the office 2. Hereinafter, each of the installations 3A and 3B is also referred to as an installation 3.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensor packet transmitted by a sensor in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the sensor 121 is provided in, for example, the equipment 3 in the factory 1, and performs measurement related to the measurement target, specifically, the state and environment of the equipment 3 installed in the factory 1.

  The sensor 121 creates, for example, sensor information indicating its own sensor ID, specifically its own MAC (Media Access Control) address, and measurement results, and the sensor information transmission device 101 indicates the created sensor information and the transmission destination. A sensor packet 401 including the MAC address of

  Here, in the synchronization header area in the sensor packet 401, for example, a predetermined preamble is stored. For example, a destination MAC address and a sequence number are stored in the MAC header area. For example, sensor information is stored in the data area.

  Although the size of the data area is 20 octets in FIG. 2, it can be changed according to the size of the information stored in the data area.

  The sensor 121 transmits, for example, a wireless signal including the sensor packet 401 to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101.

  In FIG. 1, as an example, the case where the several installation 3 is provided in the factory 1, and one sensor 121 provided corresponding to the installation 3 is provided in corresponding | compatible installation 3 is shown. Note that a part or all of each sensor 121 may be configured to wire-transmit sensor information to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101.

[Task]
For example, when many sensors 121 for various monitoring applications are operated in the factory 1, if the user performs maintenance such as change of operation parameters of the sensors 121 and update of firmware for each sensor 121, it takes much time and effort.

  For example, when the sensor 121 stands by for maintenance information used for its own maintenance, and the user operates the management apparatus 161 or the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 to transmit maintenance information to the sensor 121, the user can transmit the maintenance information to each sensor 121. Since operation can be performed collectively, significant reduction of maintenance man-hours can be expected.

  However, when the sensor 121 stands by for maintenance information, for example, in order to wait for maintenance information transmitted from the management apparatus 161 or the sensor information transmission apparatus 101, power is continuously supplied to the reception circuit of the sensor 121. There is a need. For this reason, the power consumption of the sensor 121 increases, which is not preferable. For example, when the sensor 121 operates using power from the battery, the life of the battery is reduced.

  That is, in the sensor information transmission system 301 that transmits sensor information, a technology is required that can transmit maintenance information to the sensor 121 while suppressing an increase in power consumption of the sensor 121.

  Therefore, in the sensor information transmission system 301 according to the embodiment of the present invention, such a problem is solved by the following configuration and operation.

[Summary of transmission of maintenance information and sensor information]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an outline of transmission of maintenance information and sensor information in the sensor information transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 3, management device 161 transmits, for example, maintenance information to sensor 121. Here, for example, the maintenance information includes the sensor ID of the maintenance target sensor 121 and the maintenance content of the sensor 121. The maintenance content includes the change content of the operation parameter of the sensor 121, the update content of the firmware, and the like.

  More specifically, for example, when the user performs different maintenance for each sensor 121, the user causes the management apparatus 161 to transmit maintenance information of different contents for each sensor 121 to the sensor 121 in a unicast manner. Perform the operation.

  The maintenance software in the management device 161 transmits, for example, maintenance information (hereinafter also referred to as individual maintenance information) including the MAC address of the sensor 121 to be maintained as a sensor ID to the sensor information transmission device 101 according to the user operation. To do.

  Also, for example, when the user performs common maintenance on each sensor 121 in the sensor information transmission system 301, the user broadcasts maintenance information of common contents to the management device 161 to the sensor 121. Do the operation to

  The maintenance software in the management device 161 transmits, for example, maintenance information including a broadcast address as a sensor ID (hereinafter also referred to as common maintenance information) to the sensor information transmission device 101 in a wired manner in accordance with a user operation.

  For example, when receiving the individual maintenance information or the common maintenance information from the management device 161, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 holds the received individual maintenance information or common maintenance information.

  Further, the sensor 121 periodically transmits a wireless signal including sensor information indicating a measurement result to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101.

  For example, when the sensor information transmission device 101 receives sensor information from the sensor 121, the sensor information transmission device 101 performs the following process.

  That is, for example, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 holds the common maintenance information if the MAC address of the sensor 121 that is the transmission source of the sensor information matches the sensor ID included in the held individual maintenance information, or In this case, the held individual maintenance information or common maintenance information is transmitted to the sensor 121 of the transmission source.

  Then, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 transmits, for example, the received sensor information to the management apparatus 161 by wire.

  The sensor information transmission apparatus 101 may transmit the held individual maintenance information or common maintenance information to the sensor 121 after transmitting the received sensor information to the management apparatus 161, for example.

  For example, when the individual maintenance information or the common maintenance information is received from the sensor information transmission apparatus 101, the sensor 121 performs its own maintenance based on the contents of the received individual maintenance information or the common maintenance information.

  For example, when receiving the sensor information from the sensor information transmission device 101, the monitoring software in the management device 161 stores the received sensor information in the database 71.

  The maintenance information and the sensor information may be transmitted and received between the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 and the management apparatus 161 by a wireless signal without being limited to the configuration in which the maintenance information and the sensor information are transmitted and received by wire.

[Sensor information transmission device]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor information transmission apparatus in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a buffer in the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the transmission processing unit in the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 includes a buffer 11, a receiving unit 12, a transmission processing unit 13, and a confirmation unit 14. A circuit or the like for wireless communication in the receiving unit 12 may be provided outside the sensor information transmission apparatus 101.

  Referring to FIG. 5, buffer 11 includes a maintenance information holding unit 16 and a transmitted packet holding unit 17.

  Referring to FIG. 6, transmission processing unit 13 includes control unit 18 and transmission unit 19. A circuit or the like for wireless communication in the transmission unit 19 may be provided outside the sensor information transmission apparatus 101.

  With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, for example, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 accommodates one or more sensors 121 under control, and transmits sensor information to the management apparatus 161, which transmits sensor information received from the sensors 121 under control. In addition to performing the process, a maintenance information transfer process for transmitting the maintenance information received from the management device 161 to the subordinate sensor 121 is performed.

  More specifically, the maintenance information holding unit 16 in the buffer 11 holds the maintenance information received by the receiving unit 12, for example.

  The transmitted packet holding unit 17 in the buffer 11 holds, for example, a maintenance packet of the same format as the sensor packet 401 shown in FIG. 2 transmitted by the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 of its own. Details of the maintenance packet will be described later.

  For example, the receiving unit 12 receives maintenance information from another device. Specifically, for example, when receiving individual maintenance information or common maintenance information from the management device 161, the receiving unit 12 outputs the received individual maintenance information or common maintenance information to the control unit 18 in the transmission processing unit 13.

  For example, the control unit 18 performs different processing depending on whether the individual maintenance information is received from the receiving unit 12 or the common maintenance information.

  For example, when the control unit 18 receives the individual maintenance information from the receiving unit 12, the control unit 18 holds the received individual maintenance information in the maintenance information holding unit 16.

  Also, for example, when the control unit 18 receives the common maintenance information from the receiving unit 12, the control unit 18 performs the following process.

  That is, for example, the control unit 18 duplicates the received common maintenance information, and creates common maintenance information for the number of sensors 121 accommodated by its own sensor information transmission apparatus 101.

  Then, the control unit 18 rewrites, for example, the broadcast address included as a sensor ID in each of the created common maintenance information, into the MAC address of each sensor 121 accommodated by the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 of its own.

  For example, the control unit 18 holds the common maintenance information in which the sensor ID is rewritten in the maintenance information holding unit 16.

  Therefore, the maintenance information held in the maintenance information holding unit 16 includes the MAC address of the sensor 121 targeted for maintenance as the sensor ID regardless of whether it is the individual maintenance information or the common maintenance information.

  Further, the receiving unit 12 receives sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor 121 from the sensor 121.

  Specifically, for example, when receiving the sensor packet 401 shown in FIG. 2, the receiving unit 12 acquires a sequence number from the MAC header area in the received sensor packet 401, and acquires the acquired sequence number (hereinafter also referred to as a reception sequence number). ) Is output to the confirmation unit 14.

  For example, the receiving unit 12 acquires sensor information from the data area in the sensor packet 401 and outputs the acquired sensor information to the control unit 18.

  The transmission processing unit 13 performs transmission processing for transmitting maintenance information to the sensor 121 at transmission timing based on the timing when the reception unit 12 receives sensor information. For example, the transmission processing unit 13 performs transmission processing in response to the reception of the sensor information by the reception unit 12.

  For example, in the transmission process, the transmission processing unit 13 transmits the maintenance information held by the maintenance information holding unit 16 to the sensor 121 at the transmission timing.

  Also, for example, in the transmission process, the transmission processing unit 13 transmits maintenance information to the corresponding sensor 121 at a plurality of transmission timings based on the timing when the reception unit 12 receives sensor information from the plurality of sensors 121, respectively.

  More specifically, when receiving the sensor information from the receiving unit 12, for example, the control unit 18 in the transmission processing unit 13 starts the following transmission processing with the timing at which the sensor information is received as the transmission timing.

  That is, for example, the control unit 18 acquires the sensor ID from the sensor information, and based on the acquired sensor ID (hereinafter, also referred to as target sensor ID), the control unit 18 also detects the sensor 121 (hereinafter, target sensor 121) It is confirmed whether or not maintenance information that has not been transmitted to the maintenance information holding unit 16 is held.

  For example, upon confirming the maintenance information (hereinafter referred to as target maintenance information) addressed to the target sensor 121 held by the maintenance information holding unit 16, the control unit 18 acquires the target maintenance information from the maintenance information holding unit 16. .

  For example, the control unit 18 outputs the acquired target maintenance information and the target sensor ID to the transmission unit 19, and deletes the target maintenance information in the maintenance information holding unit 16.

  The control unit 18 also refers to, for example, the transmission destination MAC address stored in the MAC header area for the maintenance packet held in the transmitted packet holding unit 17.

  Then, for example, when the control unit 18 confirms the maintenance packet including the transmission destination MAC address having the same value as the target sensor ID in the transmitted packet holding unit 17, maintenance information (hereinafter referred to as retransmission maintenance) from the data area in the maintenance packet Also referred to as information).

  For example, the control unit 18 outputs the retransmission maintenance information and the target sensor ID to the transmission unit 19, and deletes the maintenance packet in the transmitted packet holding unit 17.

  For example, in the transmission process, the transmission processing unit 13 adds the maintenance information identification information to the maintenance information and transmits the maintenance information to the sensor 121.

  More specifically, when the transmission unit 19 in the transmission processing unit 13 receives, for example, target maintenance information, retransmission maintenance information, or target maintenance information and retransmission maintenance information, and a target sensor ID from the control unit 18, as shown in FIG. A maintenance packet of the same format as the sensor packet 401 shown is created.

  Here, target maintenance information, retransmission maintenance information, or target maintenance information and retransmission maintenance information are stored in the data area in the maintenance packet. A target sensor ID as a transmission destination MAC address and a sequence number are stored in the MAC header area.

  The sequence number is, for example, identification information of target maintenance information, retransmission maintenance information, or target maintenance information and retransmission maintenance information stored in the data area. The sequence number may be, for example, a random number or a serial number for each sensor ID. Also, different sequence numbers are stored in different maintenance packets.

  The transmitting unit 19 transmits, for example, a wireless signal including the created maintenance packet to the target sensor 121, and holds the maintenance packet in the transmitted packet holding unit 17 in the buffer 11.

  Further, for example, in the transmission process, the transmission processing unit 13 does not hold maintenance information that has not been transmitted to the target sensor 121 in the maintenance information holding unit 16 and holds retransmission target maintenance information in the transmitted packet holding unit 17. If not, dummy maintenance information is transmitted to the sensor 121 at the transmission timing.

  More specifically, in the above case, for example, the control unit 18 in the transmission processing unit 13 creates dummy maintenance information (hereinafter also referred to as dummy information), and transmits the created dummy information and the target sensor ID 19 output. Here, the dummy information includes, for example, null.

  For example, when receiving the dummy information and the target sensor ID from the control unit 18, the transmission unit 19 creates a maintenance packet storing the dummy information, the sequence number, and the target sensor ID. Note that the sequence number in the maintenance packet storing dummy information may be a predetermined value or an arbitrary value.

  The transmitter 19 transmits, for example, a wireless signal including the created maintenance packet to the target sensor 121. Further, the transmission unit 19 does not hold the maintenance packet in which the dummy information is stored in the transmitted packet holding unit 17 in the buffer 11.

  Further, control unit 18 outputs, for example, the sensor information received from reception unit 12 to transmission unit 19. Transmission unit 19 transmits, for example, the sensor information received from control unit 18 to management device 161.

[Confirmation process]
For example, the confirmation unit 14 compares the identification information attached to the sensor information received from the sensor 121 with the identification information attached to the maintenance information for the sensor 121.

  Specifically, for example, when the reception sequence number as identification information attached to the sensor information received from the sensor 121 is received from the reception unit 12, the confirmation unit 14 performs the following confirmation process.

  That is, for example, the confirmation unit 14 maintains the sequence number stored in the MAC header area of the maintenance packet held in the transmitted packet holding unit 17 (hereinafter also referred to as a transmitted sequence number) to the sensor 121. It is referred to as identification information attached to the information.

  Then, for example, the confirmation unit 14 compares the received sequence number with the transmitted sequence number being referred to.

  For example, when confirming the maintenance packet storing the transmitted sequence number having the same value as the reception sequence number, the confirmation unit 14 confirms that the maintenance packet has been correctly received by the sensor 121, and holds the transmitted maintenance packet in the maintenance packet. Delete from section 17.

[Sensor]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sensor in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the sensor 121 includes a sensor element 31, a receiver 32, a transmission processor 33, a timer 34, a controller 35, a battery 36, and a memory 37.

  Although one sensor element 31 is representatively shown in FIG. 7, the sensor 121 may include a plurality of sensor elements 31. Also, the battery 36 may be provided outside the sensor 121. In addition, a circuit or the like for wireless communication in the reception unit 32 and the transmission processing unit 33 may be provided outside the sensor 121.

  The sensor element 31, the receiver 32, the transmission processor 33, the timer 34, the controller 35 and the memory 37 in the sensor 121 operate, for example, using the power received from the battery 36.

  More specifically, the memory 37 is a non-volatile memory, for example, and holds a sequence number received from the receiving unit 32.

  The timer 34 always receives power from the battery 36, for example, and outputs a timer expiration signal to the control unit 35 when the sleep time or reception time set by the control unit 35 has expired.

[Transmission status]
For example, the control unit 35 constantly receives power from the battery 36, and controls the sensor 121 of its own using the power.

  Specifically, for example, the control unit 35 collectively controls the supply of electric power from the battery 36 to the sensor element 31, the reception unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37. Provide a period during which no power is supplied. Thereby, the control unit 35 reduces the power consumed by the sensor 121 of itself. The control unit 35 supplies power to the four functional blocks by separately controlling the supply of power from the battery 36 to the sensor element 31, the reception unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37, for example. The non-periods may be set separately.

  More specifically, for example, the control unit 35 changes the state of its own sensor 121 in the order of a sleep state, a transmission state, and a reception state.

  Specifically, for example, when receiving a timer expiration signal from the timer 34 in the sleep state, the control unit 35 changes the state of its own sensor 121 from the sleep state to the transmission state, and starts the following transmission processing.

  That is, the control unit 35 starts supplying power to the sensor element 31, the reception unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37, for example.

  The sensor element 31 is, for example, a temperature sensor element, and when receiving power from the control unit 35, the sensor element 31 measures the temperature around itself using the received power, and outputs a signal indicating the measurement result to the control unit 35.

  The sensor element 31 may be an element for measuring physical quantities other than temperature, such as illuminance, humidity, current, voltage, concentration, acceleration, gyro, and pressure.

  For example, the control unit 35 acquires the measurement result measured by the sensor element 31 from the transmission signal of the sensor element 31, creates sensor information including the acquired measurement result and its own sensor ID, and creates the sensor information. Are output to the transmission processing unit 33.

  The transmission processing unit 33 performs transmission processing to periodically transmit sensor information indicating the measurement result to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101. Note that the transmission processing unit 33 may perform a transmission process of transmitting the sensor information indicating the measurement result to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 aperiodically.

  In addition, the transmission processing unit 33 acquires, for example, identification information attached to maintenance information, and transmits identification information corresponding to the acquired identification information to sensor information in the next transmission process.

  Specifically, upon receiving sensor information from the control unit 35, for example, the transmission processing unit 33 acquires a sequence number from the memory 37 as identification information corresponding to the identification information attached to the maintenance information. Then, the transmission processing unit 33 creates the sensor packet 401 shown in FIG. 2 using, for example, the sensor information and the sequence number.

  More specifically, the transmission processing unit 33 stores, for example, the sequence number acquired from the memory 37 in the MAC header area of the sensor packet 401, and deletes the sequence number in the memory 37.

  Further, the transmission processing unit 33 stores, for example, sensor information in a data area in the sensor packet 401. Further, the transmission processing unit 33 stores, for example, the MAC address of the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 in the MAC header area of the sensor packet 401 as the transmission destination MAC address.

  The transmission processing unit 33 transmits, for example, a wireless signal including the created sensor packet 401 to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101, and outputs a transmission completion signal to the control unit 35.

[Reception status]
For example, when receiving a transmission completion signal from the transmission processing unit 33, the control unit 35 changes the state of its own sensor 121 from the transmission state to the reception state, and starts the following reception processing. That is, control unit 35 sets, for example, the reception time to timer 34.

  The receiving unit 32 receives maintenance information from the sensor information transmission apparatus 101. Specifically, for example, when receiving a maintenance packet from the sensor information transmission apparatus 101, the receiving unit 32 performs the following processing.

  That is, for example, the receiving unit 32 acquires a sequence number from the MAC header area in the received maintenance packet as identification information attached to the maintenance information, and holds the acquired sequence number in the memory 37.

  In addition, for example, the reception unit 32 acquires maintenance information from the data area in the maintenance packet, and outputs the acquired maintenance information to the control unit 35.

  When the receiving unit 32 receives the maintenance information, the control unit 35 performs control to stop the operation of the receiving unit 32 until the next transmission processing timing. Specifically, for example, when the receiving unit 32 receives the maintenance information, the control unit 35 performs control to stop the operation of the receiving unit 32 until the next transmission processing start timing.

  More specifically, when control unit 35 receives maintenance information from receiving unit 32 before receiving a timer expiration signal from timer 34, for example, control unit 35 performs the following processing.

  That is, for example, when the maintenance information includes null, the control unit 35 recognizes that the maintenance information is dummy information, and discards the maintenance information.

  Then, for example, the control unit 35 changes the state of its sensor 121 from the reception state to the sleep state, and starts the following sleep processing.

  That is, for example, the control unit 35 sets the sleep time to the timer 34 and stops the supply of power to the sensor element 31, the receiving unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37.

  Also, for example, when the maintenance information does not include null, the control unit 35 changes the operation parameter of the sensor 121 of its own or updates the firmware according to the content of the maintenance information.

  Then, for example, when the change of the operation parameter of its own sensor 121 or the update of the firmware is completed, the control unit 35 starts the sleep process.

  In addition, for example, when the control unit 35 cannot receive maintenance information from the receiving unit 32 before receiving a timer expiration signal from the timer 34, the control unit 35 starts sleep processing without further waiting for maintenance information from the receiving unit 32. Do.

[Operation (Sensor information transmission device only)]
Each device in the wireless communication system 301 includes a computer, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU in the computer reads and executes a program including a part or all of each step of the following sequence diagram or flowchart from a memory (not shown). To do. The programs of the plurality of devices can be installed from the outside. The programs of the plurality of apparatuses are distributed while being stored in a recording medium.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention performs sensor information transfer processing and maintenance information transfer processing.

  Referring to FIG. 8, first, sensor information transmission apparatus 101 waits until it receives maintenance information from management apparatus 161 or receives sensor packet 401 from sensor 121 (NO in step S102 and NO in step S106). ).

  Next, when the maintenance information is received from the management device 161 (YES in step S102), the sensor information transmission device 101 holds the received maintenance information in the maintenance information holding unit 16 (step S104).

  Next, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 waits until new maintenance information is received from the management apparatus 161 or a sensor packet 401 is received from the sensor 121 (NO in step S102 and NO in step S106).

  When the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 receives the sensor packet 401 from the sensor 121 (YES in step S106), the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 performs the following process.

  That is, if the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 confirms in the transmitted packet holding unit 17 a maintenance packet that stores a sequence number having the same value as the sequence number stored in the received sensor packet 401, the maintenance packet is transmitted to the sensor 121. And confirming that the maintenance packet is deleted from the transmitted packet holding unit 17 (step S110).

  Next, in the sensor information transmission apparatus 101, the target maintenance information to be transmitted to the target sensor 121 of the transmission source of the sensor packet 401 is held in the maintenance information holding unit 16, or the retransmission maintenance information to be transmitted to the target sensor 121 Is stored in the transmitted packet storage unit 17 (YES in step S112), the following processing is performed.

  That is, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 creates a maintenance packet storing target maintenance information, retransmission maintenance information, or target maintenance information and retransmission maintenance information, a target sensor ID, and a sequence number (step S120).

  Next, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 transmits the created maintenance packet to the target sensor 121, and holds the maintenance packet in the transmitted packet holding unit 17 (step S122).

  On the other hand, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 does not hold the target maintenance information to be transmitted to the target sensor 121 in the maintenance information holding unit 16 and transmits a maintenance packet storing retransmission maintenance information to be transmitted to the target sensor 121. If the packet is not held in the completed packet holding unit 17 (NO in step S112), the following processing is performed.

  That is, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 creates dummy information (step S114).

  Next, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 creates a maintenance packet storing the created dummy information, the target sensor ID, and the sequence number (step S116).

  Next, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 transmits the created maintenance packet to the target sensor 121 (step S118).

  Next, if the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 transmits the created maintenance packet to the target sensor 121 and holds the created maintenance packet in the transmitted packet holding unit 17 (step S122) or transmits the created maintenance packet to the target sensor 121 (Step S118), the following processing is performed.

  That is, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 acquires sensor information from the received sensor packet 401, and transmits the acquired sensor information to the management apparatus 161 (step S124).

  Next, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 waits until it receives maintenance information from the management apparatus 161 or receives a new sensor packet 401 from the sensor 121 (NO in step S102 and NO in step S106).

[Operation (Sensor only)]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart that defines an operation procedure when the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention performs sensor information transmission processing, maintenance information reception processing, and sleep processing.

  Referring to FIG. 9, it is assumed that sensor 121 holds the sequence number stored in the previously received maintenance packet in memory 37 and is in the sleep state.

  First, the sensor 121 waits in the sleep state until the sleep time expires in the timer 34 (NO in step S202).

  Next, when the sleep time expires in the timer 34 (YES in step S202), the sensor 121 changes its own state from the sleep state to the transmission state, and the sensor element 31, the reception unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37. Power supply to the memory is started (step S204).

  Next, the sensor 121 creates sensor information based on the transmission signal from the sensor element 31 (step S206).

  Next, the sensor 121 creates a sensor packet 401 that stores the created sensor information and the sequence number stored in the memory 37, and transmits the created sensor packet 401 to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 (step S208). .

  Next, the sensor 121 changes the state of its own sensor 121 from the transmission state to the reception state, and sets the reception time in the timer 34 (step S210).

  Next, the sensor 121 waits for reception of a maintenance packet from the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 until the reception time expires in the timer 34 (NO in step S212 and NO in step S218), and receives the maintenance packet (in step S218). YES), do the following processing.

  That is, the sensor 121 acquires maintenance information from the received maintenance packet, and changes its own operation parameter or updates firmware according to the content of the acquired maintenance information (step S220).

  Next, the sensor 121 changes its state from the reception state to the sleep state, and stops the power supply to the sensor element 31, the receiving unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37 (step S214).

  On the other hand, when the sensor 121 can not receive the maintenance packet from the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 by the time the reception time expires in the timer 34 (YES in step S212), the sensor 121 performs the following process.

  That is, the sensor 121 changes its state from the reception state to the sleep state, and stops the power supply to the sensor element 31, the receiving unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37 (step S214).

  Next, the sensor 121 sets the sleep time to the timer 34 (step S216).

  Next, the sensor 121 waits in the sleep state until the sleep time expires in the timer 34 (NO in step S202).

[Operation (sequence)]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an exemplary sequence of sensor information transfer processing and maintenance information transfer processing in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the maintenance packet that the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 previously transmitted to the sensors 121 </ b> A and 121 </ b> B and that stores “2145” and “26784” as sequence numbers is held as a transmitted packet. Assume the situation held in section 17. Further, it is assumed that the sensors 121A and 121B hold “2145” and “26784” as the sequence numbers stored in the previously received maintenance packet in the memory 37 and are in the sleep state.

  The management device 161 transmits maintenance information addressed to the sensor 121A to the sensor information transmission device 101 (step S302).

  Next, when receiving the maintenance information addressed to the sensor 121A from the management device 161, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 holds the received maintenance information addressed to the sensor 121A in the maintenance information holding unit 16 (step S304).

  Next, when the sleep time has expired in the timer 34, the sensor 121A starts power supply to the sensor element 31, the receiving unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37 (step S306).

  Next, the sensor 121A creates sensor information based on the transmission signal from the sensor element 31 (step S308).

  Next, the sensor 121 </ b> A creates a sensor packet 401 storing the created sensor information and “2145”, which is a sequence number held in the memory 37, and transmits the created sensor packet 401 to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101. At the same time, the sequence number is deleted (step S310).

  Next, when receiving the sensor packet 401 from the sensor 121A, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 acquires the sequence number stored in the received sensor packet 401, that is, “2145”, and the transmitted packet holding unit 17 sets “2145”. When the maintenance packet storing the sequence number is confirmed, it is confirmed that the maintenance packet is correctly received by the sensor 121, and a confirmation process for deleting the maintenance packet is performed (step S312).

  Next, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 acquires maintenance information addressed to the sensor 121A from the maintenance information holding unit 16, creates a maintenance packet MP addressed to the sensor 121A storing the acquired maintenance information and a sequence number, and performs maintenance. The maintenance information addressed to the sensor 121A in the information holding unit 16 is deleted (step S314).

  Next, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 transmits the created maintenance packet MP to the sensor 121A (step S316).

  Next, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 acquires sensor information from the sensor packet 401, and transmits the acquired sensor information to the management apparatus 161 (step S318).

  Next, when receiving the maintenance packet MP from the sensor information transmission apparatus 101, the sensor 121A performs a process related to the received maintenance packet MP. Specifically, the sensor 121A acquires a sequence number from the received maintenance packet MP, and holds the acquired sequence number in the memory 37. Further, the sensor 121A acquires maintenance information from the maintenance packet MP, and changes its own operation parameter or updates firmware according to the content of the acquired maintenance information (step S320).

  Next, the sensor 121A sets the sleep time to the timer 34, and stops the power supply to the sensor element 31, the receiving unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37 (step S322).

  Next, when the sleep time has expired in the timer 34, the sensor 121B starts power supply to the sensor element 31, the receiving unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37 (step S324).

  Next, the sensor 121B creates sensor information based on the transmission signal from the sensor element 31 (step S326).

  Next, the sensor 121B creates a sensor packet 401 storing the created sensor information and the sequence number “26784” stored in the memory 37, and transmits the created sensor packet 401 to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101. At the same time, the sequence number is deleted (step S328).

  Next, when the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 receives the sensor packet 401 from the sensor 121B, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 acquires the sequence number stored in the received sensor packet 401, that is, “26784”, and the transmitted packet holding unit 17 sets “26784”. When the maintenance packet storing the sequence number is confirmed, it is confirmed that the maintenance packet is correctly received by the sensor 121, and a confirmation process for deleting the maintenance packet is performed (step S330).

  Next, since maintenance information addressed to the sensor 121B is not held in the maintenance information holding unit 16, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 creates a maintenance packet DMP addressed to the sensor 121B storing dummy information and a sequence number (step S332). ).

  Next, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 transmits the created maintenance packet DMP to the sensor 121B (step S334).

  Next, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 acquires sensor information from the sensor packet 401, and transmits the acquired sensor information to the management apparatus 161 (step S336).

  Next, when receiving the maintenance packet DMP from the sensor information transmission apparatus 101, the sensor 121B performs processing related to the received maintenance packet DMP. Specifically, the sensor 121B acquires a sequence number from the received maintenance packet DMP, and holds the acquired sequence number in the memory 37. Further, the sensor 121B acquires maintenance information from the maintenance packet DMP, and when confirming that the acquired maintenance information is null, the sensor 121B discards the maintenance information (step S338).

  Next, the sensor 121B sets the sleep time to the timer 34, and stops the power supply to the sensor element 31, the receiving unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37 (step S340).

  Note that, in the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing unit 33 acquires the identification information attached to the maintenance information, and in the next transmission process, as the identification information corresponding to the acquired identification information, Although it is described that the identification information is attached to the sensor information and transmitted, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the transmission processing unit 33 may be configured to add, to the sensor information, identification information obtained by performing predetermined processing on the acquired identification information as identification information corresponding to the acquired identification information.

  Specifically, for example, when the transmission processing unit 33 acquires a sequence number as identification information attached to maintenance information, a sequence that has been subjected to a predetermined calculation such as incrementing the acquired sequence number in the next transmission processing The configuration may be such that the number is attached to the sensor information as identification information corresponding to the acquired identification information and transmitted.

  Further, in the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the receiving unit 32 receives the maintenance information, the control unit 35 performs control to stop the operation of the receiving unit 32 until the start timing of the next transmission process. However, it is not limited to this. When the receiving unit 32 receives the maintenance information, the control unit 35 may perform control to stop the operation of the receiving unit 32 until, for example, the end timing of the next transmission process.

  More specifically, for example, the control unit 35 separately controls the supply of electric power from the battery 36 to the sensor element 31, the reception unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37, so that the four functional blocks described above are performed. Set periods for which power is not supplied. Then, for example, the control unit 35 stops the supply of the power from the battery 36 to the receiving unit 32 until the next transmission processing end timing after the receiving unit 32 receives the maintenance information.

  In the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 35 is configured to perform control to stop the operation of the sensor element 31, the reception unit 32, the transmission processing unit 33, and the memory 37. It is not limited. The control part 35 should just be the structure which performs control which stops operation | movement of the receiving part 32 at least.

  Further, in the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the receiving unit 12 is configured to receive maintenance information from the management apparatus 161, but the present invention is not limited to this. The sensor information transmission apparatus 101 may be configured to create maintenance information by itself, or may be configured to hold information created in advance.

  In the sensor information transmission device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing unit 13 is configured to transmit maintenance information and a sequence number as identification information of the maintenance information to the sensor 121 as separate information. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the transmission processing unit 13 may be configured to transmit the maintenance information including the identification information of the maintenance information to the sensor 121.

  Further, in the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing unit 33 acquires a sequence number different from the maintenance information as identification information, and in the next transmission process, the sequence number corresponding to the acquired sequence number is detected by the sensor. Although the configuration is such that the information is transmitted as separate information, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the transmission processing unit 13 may be configured to acquire identification information included in the maintenance information and transmit the identification information corresponding to the acquired identification information in the sensor information in the next transmission process.

  By the way, in such an M2M system, a method may be considered in which sensor information, for example, maintenance information for performing maintenance on a wireless terminal, is transmitted from the gateway node to the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal performs its own maintenance, for example, based on the maintenance information received from the gateway node.

  For example, in order for the wireless terminal to receive maintenance information transmitted from the gateway node at an arbitrary timing, it is necessary to continue supplying power to the receiving circuit in order to continuously operate the receiving circuit in the wireless terminal. is there. For this reason, power consumption in the wireless terminal is increased, which is not preferable.

  On the other hand, in the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the receiving unit 12 receives sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor 121 from the sensor 121. And the transmission process part 13 performs the transmission process which transmits maintenance information to the sensor 121 in the transmission timing based on the timing when the receiving part 12 received sensor information.

  As described above, the maintenance information is transmitted to the sensor 121 at the transmission timing based on the arrival timing of the sensor information from the sensor 121, so that the sensor 121 recognizes the reception timing of the maintenance information from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Therefore, maintenance information can be received in a temporary standby period for receiving maintenance information. Thereby, in the sensor 121, since the period for supplying power to the receiving circuit can be limited to the standby period, power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, in the sensor information transmission system which transmits sensor information, maintenance information can be transmitted to the said sensor, suppressing increase of the power consumption of a sensor. In addition, for example, when the sensor 121 operates with power from the battery 36, the sensor 121 can be operated for a longer period of time.

  In the sensor information transmission device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the receiving unit 12 receives maintenance information from the management device 161. The maintenance information holding unit 16 holds the maintenance information received by the receiving unit 12. In the transmission process, the transmission processing unit 13 transmits the maintenance information held by the maintenance information holding unit 16 to the sensor 121 at the transmission timing.

  As described above, the maintenance information received from the management device 161 is temporarily held, and the maintenance information is transmitted to the sensor 121 after the arrival of the transmission timing, so that the management information transmission can be performed at any timing. Maintenance information can be sent to the device 101. Thereby, the power consumption in the sensor 121 can be reduced while facilitating the transmission of maintenance information from the management device 161 to the sensor information transmission device 101.

  In the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing unit 13 performs maintenance at a plurality of transmission timings based on the timing at which the reception unit 12 receives sensor information from the plurality of sensors 121 in the transmission processing. The information is sent to the corresponding sensor 121.

  With such a configuration, maintenance information for each sensor 121 can be transmitted to each of the plurality of sensors 121 at appropriate timing. Further, since maintenance of the plurality of sensors 121 can be performed collectively, man-hours for maintenance can be reduced.

  Further, in the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing unit 13 performs transmission processing in response to the reception of the sensor information by the reception unit 12.

  With such a configuration, the sensor 121 can further reduce power consumption by shortening the standby period, for example, and can set the transmission timing of sensor information as the start timing of the standby period, for example. A simple configuration that does not require complicated processing such as ensuring synchronization with the apparatus 101 can be achieved.

  Further, in the sensor information transmission device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing unit 13 performs transmission processing when the maintenance information not transmitted to the sensor 121 is not held in the maintenance information holding unit 16 in the transmission processing. The dummy maintenance information is sent to the sensor 121.

  With such a configuration, the sensor 121 can end the standby period by receiving the dummy maintenance information. Accordingly, for example, when there is no maintenance information to be transmitted to the sensor 121, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the sensor 121 continues to wait for the maintenance information, so that the power consumption of the sensor 121 can be further reduced.

  In the sensor information transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing unit 13 transmits the maintenance information to the sensor 121 with a sequence number that is identification information of the maintenance information in the transmission process. Then, the confirmation unit 14 compares the sequence number, which is identification information attached to the sensor information received from the sensor 121, with the sequence number attached to the maintenance information to the sensor 121.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to recognize whether or not the sensor 121 has successfully received the maintenance information based on the comparison result of the sequence number that is identification information. The maintenance information can be given to the sensor 121.

  Further, in the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing unit 33 periodically or non-periodically transmits the sensor information indicating the measurement result to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101. The receiving unit 32 receives maintenance information from the sensor information transmission apparatus 101. Then, when the receiving unit 32 receives the maintenance information, the control unit 35 performs control to stop the operation of the receiving unit 32 until the next transmission processing timing.

  With such a configuration, for example, when the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 transmits the maintenance information to the sensor 121 at the transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information is received, the reception timing of the maintenance information is changed from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Since it can be recognized, maintenance information can be received during a temporary standby period for receiving maintenance information. In addition, by stopping the operation of the reception unit 32 from the end of the standby period until the timing of the next transmission process, it is possible to limit the period during which the reception circuit is turned on, thereby reducing power consumption. it can. Therefore, in the sensor information transmission system that transmits sensor information, maintenance information can be transmitted to the sensor while suppressing an increase in power consumption of the sensor. In addition, for example, when the sensor 121 operates with power from the battery 36, the sensor 121 can be operated for a longer period of time.

  In the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing unit 33 acquires a sequence number that is identification information attached to maintenance information, and the identification information corresponding to the acquired sequence number in the next transmission process. Is attached to the sensor information and transmitted.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to notify the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 that the maintenance information has been successfully received in the next transmission process. Therefore, in the sensor information transmission apparatus 101, the sensor 121 has successfully received the maintenance information. Can be confirmed. As a result, for example, maintenance information that could not be confirmed for successful reception is retransmitted, and the maintenance information can be given to the sensor more reliably.

  Further, in the sensor information transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 receives sensor information indicating the measurement result by the sensor 121 from the sensor 121. The sensor information transmission apparatus 101 performs a transmission process of transmitting maintenance information to the sensor 121 at a transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information is received.

  As described above, the maintenance information is transmitted to the sensor 121 at the transmission timing based on the arrival timing of the sensor information from the sensor 121, so that the sensor 121 recognizes the reception timing of the maintenance information from the timing at which the sensor information is transmitted. Therefore, maintenance information can be received in a temporary standby period for receiving maintenance information. Thereby, in the sensor 121, since the period for supplying power to the receiving circuit can be limited to the standby period, power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, in the sensor information transmission system which transmits sensor information, maintenance information can be transmitted to the said sensor, suppressing increase of the power consumption of a sensor. In addition, for example, when the sensor 121 operates with power from the battery 36, the sensor 121 can be operated for a longer period of time.

  In the sensor information transmission system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 attaches a sequence number, which is identification information of maintenance information, to the maintenance information and transmits it to the sensor 121 in the transmission process. And the sensor 121 attaches | subjects the sequence number which is the identification information corresponding to the said sequence number to sensor information, and transmits to the sensor information transmission apparatus 101. FIG.

  With such a configuration, the sensor 121 can notify the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 in the next transmission process that the maintenance information has been successfully received. Further, the sensor information transmission apparatus 101 can recognize whether or not the sensor 121 has successfully received the maintenance information based on the comparison result of the sequence number that is the identification information. Thus, maintenance information can be provided to the sensor 121 more reliably.

  In the sensor information transmission device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission processing unit 13 performs a transmission process of transmitting maintenance information to the sensor 121 at a transmission timing based on the timing at which the reception unit 12 receives the sensor information. Although not limited to this. The transmission process part 13 should just be the structure which performs the transmission process which transmits the information for sensors to the sensor 121 in the transmission timing based on the said timing. Here, the sensor information includes, in addition to the maintenance information, an ACK indicating that the receiving unit 12 has received the sensor information, user data to be stored in the sensor 121, and the like.

  Similarly, in the sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, the receiving unit 32 is configured to receive maintenance information from the sensor information transmission apparatus 101, but the present invention is not limited to this. The receiving unit 32 may be configured to receive sensor information from the sensor information transmission apparatus 101. For example, when the receiving unit 32 receives the sensor information, the control unit 35 performs control to stop the operation of the receiving unit 32 until the next transmission processing timing.

  It should be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The above description includes the features described below.

[Supplementary Note 1]
A receiver that receives sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor from the sensor;
A transmission processing unit that performs a transmission process of transmitting sensor information to the sensor at a transmission timing based on a timing at which the reception unit receives the sensor information;
The sensor includes a battery
The sensor operates with power from the battery,
The sensor information is stored in maintenance information indicating at least one of the change content of the operation parameter of the sensor and the update content of the firmware, an ACK indicating that the reception unit has received the sensor information, and the sensor Sensor information transmission apparatus containing at least any one of the user data which should be.

[Supplementary Note 2]
A sensor,
A transmission processing unit that performs transmission processing of periodically or nonperiodically transmitting sensor information indicating measurement results to the sensor information transmission apparatus;
A receiving unit that receives sensor information from the sensor information transmission device;
When the receiving unit receives the sensor information, the control unit performs control to stop the operation of the receiving unit until the next transmission processing timing,
The sensor information may be maintenance information indicating at least one of the change content of the operation parameter of the sensor and the update content of the firmware, an ACK indicating that the sensor information transmission apparatus has received the transmitted sensor information, and Including at least one of the user data to be stored at the sensor,
The control unit performs maintenance of the sensor itself according to the content of the maintenance information included in the sensor information received by the receiving unit,
The sensor further comprises:
With a battery,
The transmission processing unit, the receiving unit, and the control unit operate using power from the battery,
The control unit collectively controls the supply of power from the battery to the transmission processing unit and the reception unit.
When the receiving unit receives the sensor information, the control unit stops supplying power from the battery to the transmission processing unit and the receiving unit until the next transmission processing timing.

[Supplementary Note 3]
A sensor,
And a sensor information transmission device,
The sensor information transmission device receives sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor from the sensor,
The sensor information transmission apparatus performs transmission processing for transmitting sensor information to the sensor at transmission timing based on the timing at which the sensor information is received,
The sensor includes a battery
The sensor operates with power from the battery,
The sensor information may be maintenance information indicating at least one of change content of the operation parameter of the sensor and update content of the firmware, an ACK indicating that the sensor information transmission apparatus has received the sensor information, and the sensor A sensor information transmission system including at least one of user data to be stored.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Buffer 12 Reception part 13 Transmission processing part 14 Confirmation part 16 Maintenance information holding part 17 Transmitted packet holding part 18 Control part 19 Transmission part 31 Sensor element 32 Reception part 33 Transmission processing part 34 Timer 35 Control part 36 Battery 37 Memory 71 Database DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Sensor information transmission apparatus 121,121A, 121B Sensor 161 Management apparatus 301 Sensor information transmission system

Claims (12)

A sensor information transmission device,
A receiver that receives sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor from the sensor;
A transmission processing unit that performs a transmission process of transmitting sensor information to the sensor at a transmission timing based on a timing at which the reception unit receives the sensor information ;
The transmission processing unit attaches identification information of the sensor information to the sensor information in the transmission process, and transmits the information to the sensor.
The sensor information transmission apparatus further includes:
A sensor information transmission device comprising: a confirmation unit that compares identification information attached to the sensor information received from the sensor and identification information attached to the sensor information to the sensor . The receiving unit further receives the sensor information from another device,
The sensor information transmission apparatus further includes:
A holding unit that holds the sensor information received by the receiving unit;
The sensor information transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission processing unit transmits the sensor information held by the holding unit to the sensor at the transmission timing in the transmission processing.   The transmission processing unit transmits the sensor information to the corresponding sensor at a plurality of transmission timings based on the timing at which the reception unit receives the sensor information from the plurality of sensors, in the transmission processing. The sensor information transmission apparatus according to 2.   The sensor information transmission apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission processing unit performs the transmission process in response to the reception of the sensor information by the reception unit.   The transmission processing unit transmits dummy sensor information to the sensor at the transmission timing when the sensor information not transmitted to the sensor is not held in the holding unit in the transmission process. The sensor information transmission apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3. A transmission processing unit that performs transmission processing of periodically or nonperiodically transmitting sensor information indicating measurement results to the sensor information transmission apparatus;
A receiving unit that receives sensor information from the sensor information transmission device;
When the receiving unit receives the sensor information, the control unit performs control to stop the operation of the receiving unit until the next transmission processing timing ,
The said transmission process part acquires the identification information attached | subjected to the said sensor information, and attaches | subjects the identification information corresponding to the acquired said identification information to the said sensor information in the said following transmission process, and transmits . A sensor,
And a sensor information transmission device,
The sensor information transmission device receives sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor from the sensor,
The sensor information transmitting device, have line transmission processing of transmitting the sensor information to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing of receiving the sensor information,
In the transmission process, the sensor information transmission apparatus attaches identification information of the sensor information to the sensor information and transmits the information to the sensor.
The sensor information transmission system, wherein the sensor attaches identification information corresponding to the identification information to the sensor information and transmits the identification information to the sensor information transmission device . A sensor information transmission method in a sensor information transmission apparatus, comprising:
Receiving sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor from the sensor;
See containing and performing a transmission process of transmitting the sensor information to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing of receiving the sensor information,
In the step of performing the transmission processing, identification information of the sensor information is attached to the sensor information, and the information is transmitted to the sensor.
The sensor information transmission method further includes
A method for transmitting sensor information , comprising: comparing identification information attached to the sensor information received from the sensor and identification information attached to the sensor information to the sensor . A sensor information transmission method in a sensor, comprising:
Performing transmission processing of periodically or nonperiodically transmitting sensor information indicating a measurement result to the sensor information transmission apparatus;
Receiving sensor information from the sensor information transmission device;
Upon receiving the sensor information, performing a control to stop the operation for receiving the sensor information until the next transmission processing timing ;
A step of transmitting identification information corresponding to the identification information attached to the sensor information attached to the sensor information in the next transmission process. A sensor information transmission method in a sensor information transmission system comprising a sensor and a sensor information transmission device,
The sensor transmitting sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor to the sensor information transmission device;
The sensor information transmitting device, viewed contains and performing a transmission process of transmitting the sensor information at the transmission timing based on the timing of receiving the sensor information to the sensor,
In the step of performing the transmission process, the sensor information transmission device attaches identification information of the sensor information to the sensor information and transmits the sensor information to the sensor,
The sensor information transmission method further includes
The sensor information transmission method includes a step of comparing the identification information attached to the sensor information received from the sensor and the identification information attached to the sensor information to the sensor . A sensor information transmission program used in a sensor information transmission apparatus, comprising:
On the computer
Receiving sensor information indicating a measurement result by the sensor from the sensor;
A program for executing and performing a transmission process of transmitting the sensor information to the sensor at the transmission timing based on the timing of receiving the sensor information,
In the step of performing the transmission processing, identification information of the sensor information is attached to the sensor information, and the information is transmitted to the sensor.
The sensor information transmission program further includes
In the computer,
A sensor information transmission program for executing a step of comparing the identification information attached to the sensor information received from the sensor and the identification information attached to the sensor information to the sensor . A sensor information transmission program used in a sensor, comprising
On the computer
Performing transmission processing of periodically or nonperiodically transmitting sensor information indicating a measurement result to the sensor information transmission apparatus;
Receiving sensor information from the sensor information transmission device;
Upon receiving the sensor information, performing a control to stop the operation for receiving the sensor information until the next transmission processing timing ;
A sensor information transmission program for executing the step of attaching identification information corresponding to the identification information attached to the sensor information to the sensor information in the next transmission process .

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