JP7187849B2 - Data collection system and data collection method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to data collection systems and data collection methods.

In an IoT (Internet of Things) system, various data are acquired by sensors, the acquired data are collected by a cloud server via the Internet, and data analysis is performed (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a system, in order to send data from the sensor to a cloud server on the Internet, an edge device equipped with the sensor and a repeater that sends data from the edge device to the cloud server via the Internet are provided. . The edge device has an interface for connecting with the repeater. The repeater has an interface for connecting to the edge device and an interface for connecting to the cloud server via the Internet.

JP 2017-188767 A

With the spread of IoT systems, the number of sensors that detect various types of data has increased, and along with this, the number of edge devices has also increased. As the number of edge devices increases, the number of edge devices connected to one repeater increases, increasing the load on the repeater. Therefore, it is conceivable to introduce a repeater capable of withstanding high-load processing so as to cope with the increased load on the repeater. However, repeaters that can withstand high-load processing are expensive. It is also conceivable to increase the number of repeaters and reduce the load on each repeater. However, repeaters are expensive, and increasing the number of repeaters increases system construction costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a data collection system and a data collection method capable of suppressing an increase in the load on a repeater.

In view of the above-described problems, a data collection system according to one aspect of the present invention is a data collection system that collects information detected by a plurality of edge devices in a server device, and includes slave devices in communication between the plurality of edge devices. and a slave device that adds first source information indicating the source to the detected detection information and transmits it; A master device that adds second source information indicating a source different from the first source information to the detection information and transmits the detection information, and when receiving the detection information to which the first source information is added, A relay device that does not perform acquisition processing for acquiring the detection information, performs the acquisition processing when receiving the detection information to which the second source information is added, and transmits the received detection information to the server device. and when the master device does not operate as a master in communication between the plurality of edge devices, the master device operates as a slave in communication among the plurality of edge devices and operates as a master in communication among the plurality of edge devices. If the detection information to which the first transmission source information is added is received while the detection information is being sent, the operation as the master is continued .

A data collection method according to an aspect of the present invention is a data collection method for aggregating information detected by a plurality of edge devices, wherein a slave device operates as a slave in communication between the plurality of edge devices, detects a step of adding first transmission source information indicating a transmission source to the detection information obtained and transmitting the detected information, and a master device acting as a master in communication between the plurality of edge devices and receiving one or more pieces of the detection information during a predetermined period of time. a step of adding second transmission source information indicating a transmission source different from the first transmission source information to and transmitting the detection information to which the relay device has received the detection information to which the first transmission source information is added; does not perform acquisition processing for acquiring the detection information, performs the acquisition processing when the detection information to which the second source information is added is received, and transmits the received detection information to the server device wherein the master device operates as a slave in communication between the plurality of edge devices and operates as a master in communication among the plurality of edge devices when the master device does not operate as a master in communication among the plurality of edge devices. and continuing the operation as a master when the detection information to which the first source information is added is received while the data collection method is in progress.

According to the present invention, an edge device with a master function is arranged in a plurality of edge devices, and the edge device with a master function is used as a relay device. Therefore, even if the number of edge devices increases, it is possible to prevent the number of edge devices communicating with the repeater from increasing, thereby suppressing an increase in the load on the repeater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is explanatory drawing of the outline|summary of the data collection system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a hierarchical structure in the data collection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of an edge device that serves as a relay device in the data collection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; It is an explanatory view of an outline of a data collection system concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of an edge device, which is a relay device, in the data collection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of codes used in the data collection system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of data communication in the data collection system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of data communication in the data collection system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a data collection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the data collection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of edge devices 10 (10a-1 to 10a-4, 10b-1 to 10b-4, 10c-1 to 10c -4, 10d-1 to 10d-4), a repeater 11, and a cloud server 12.

Edge devices 10 (10a-1 to 10a-4, 10b-1 to 10b-4, 10c-1 to 10c-4, 10d-1 to 10d-4) are equipped with one or more various sensors. ing. Here, the information detected by the sensor is an example of "detection information".

A temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a vibration sensor, a motion sensor, etc. can be considered as the sensor. Sensors also include sensors that detect the setting states of various devices and the occurrence of failures, sensors that read IC cards, and cameras that take pictures of products and production lines. Although 16 edge devices 10 (10a-1 to 10a-4, 10b-1 to 10b-4, 10c-1 to 10c-4, 10d-1 to 10d-4) are shown here, , the number of edge devices is arbitrary. In the following description, the edge device may be simply referred to as the edge device 10 when the edge device is not particularly limited.

Each edge device 10 has an interface for connecting with the repeater 11 . As an interface for connecting with the repeater 11, short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark), hereinafter referred to as BLE) is used. That is, each edge device 10 has a BLE slave function. Further, at least one edge device 10 in each group is a BLE master/slave switchable edge device. In this example, the edge device 10a-1, the edge device 10b-1, the edge device 10c-1, and the edge device 10d-1 are assumed to be edge devices capable of switching BLE master/slave operation. In the figure, "*" indicates an edge device capable of switching master/slave operation.

Here, an edge device capable of switching between master/slave operation is an example of a "master device." An edge device that is not switchable between master/slave operation is an example of a "slave device."

A plurality of edge devices 10 are divided into a plurality of groups. In this example, edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 belong to group A, edge devices 10b-1 to 10b-4 belong to group B, and edge devices 10c-1 to 10c- 4 is an edge device belonging to group C, and edge devices 10d-1 to 10d-4 are edge devices belonging to group D. FIG.

In this example, 16 edge devices 10 (10a-1 to 10a-4, 10b-1 to 10b-4, 10c-1 to 10c-4, 10d-1 to 10d-4) are grouped into groups A to D is divided into four groups, and four edge devices 10 are arranged in each group, but the number of edge devices, the number of groups, and the number of edge devices arranged in each group are limited to this. not something. As long as each group has at least one edge device capable of switching between master/slave operation, any division may be made.

The repeater 11 relays between the edge device 10 and the cloud server 12 . The repeater 11 has an interface for connecting with the edge device 10 and an interface for connecting with the cloud server 12 . An interface for connecting with the edge device 10 is a master function of short-range wireless communication such as BLE. The interface for connecting with the cloud server 12 is a connection interface to the Internet such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network), wireless LAN, 3G or 4G mobile communication network.

In the communication between the relay device 11 and the cloud server 12, the relay device 11 and the cloud server 12 may communicate directly, or another relay device (not shown) may be provided between the relay device 11 and the cloud server 12. There may be a base, and the relay machine 11 and the cloud server 12 may communicate via the relay base. That is, instead of having an interface capable of communicating with the cloud server 12 , the relay device 11 may be configured to have an interface capable of communicating with a relay base between the relay device 11 and the cloud server 12 .
In this case, there is a possibility that the data collection system 1 can be reduced. For example, if the cloud server 12 is a server device that connects to a mobile communication network such as 3G or 4G, a monthly contract with a mobile carrier that provides communication services via the mobile communication network is required, increasing running costs. Resulting in. On the other hand, if a communication network that is cheaper than a mobile communication network can be used as a part of the communication network between the repeater 11 and the cloud server 12, it would be possible to use a communication line using the mobile communication network, which has high running costs. can be reduced, and the costs related to communication can be suppressed. An example of a communication network that is cheaper than a mobile communication network is LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). An example of LPWA is the LoRa (registered trademark) standard. LPWA is based on the principle of low power consumption and low bit rate communication compared to mobile communication networks. It is believed that there is.
A specific configuration using an LPWA line for part of the system described above will now be described. The data collection system 1 includes, for example, an edge device 10, a relay machine 11, a relay base, and a cloud server 12. The repeater 11 and the repeater base are connected by LPWA. The relay station and the cloud server 12 are connected by a mobile communication network. The repeater 11 transmits the information received from the edge device 10 to the repeater base by LPWA. The relay station transmits the information received from the relay machine 11 to the cloud server 12 .

Moreover, although the case where the cloud server 12 connects with a mobile communication network was illustrated and demonstrated above, the cloud server 12 does not necessarily need to connect with a mobile communication network, and may connect with a fixed communication network. The fixed communication network is, for example, a wired LAN or the like. In this case, if the contract fee for the fixed communication network is lower than the running cost for the mobile communication network, it is possible to keep costs down. The fixed communication network connected to the cloud server 12 may or may not be connected to an external network. Also, instead of the external network, a PLC (Power Line Communications) that is often used in factories or the like may be connected. When the fixed communication network is not connected to an external network, cloud server 12 functions as a local server.
When the cloud server 12 is connected to a fixed communication network, the repeater 11 and the relay base are connected by, for example, LPWA, and the relay base and the cloud server 12 are connected by a fixed communication network (eg, wired LAN).

The cloud server 12 is a server device accessible through the Internet. Information of various sensors detected by the edge device 10 is collected in the cloud server 12 .

Next, an outline of data communication in the data collection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, in order to reduce the load on the repeater 11, the edge devices 10 are divided into a plurality of groups, and one edge device 10 in each group functions as a relay device within the group. An edge device capable of switching between master/slave operation functions as a relay device. As described above, edge devices capable of switching between master/slave operation are edge devices 10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, and 10d-1 in this example.
An edge device capable of switching master/slave operation normally operates as a slave and switches to master operation periodically or irregularly. When an edge device capable of switching master/slave operation switches to master operation, for example, in group A, the edge device 10a-1 becomes a relay device, in group B, the edge device 10b-1 becomes a relay device, and in group C, the edge device 10b-1 becomes a relay device. The edge device 10c-1 is the relay device, and in group D the edge device 10d-1 is the relay device. In this way, by using one edge device 10 in each group as a relay device, the communication system has a hierarchical structure.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the hierarchical structure in the data collection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the data collection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. The hierarchical structure is such that 10c-1 and 10d-1 come.

In group A, the edge device 10a-1 is the relay device. The edge device 10a-1 acting as a relay device is switched between master operation and slave operation. While the edge device 10a-1 is in master operation, the edge device 10a-1 is connected to the peripheral edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4 belonging to group A, and the peripheral edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4 are connected. is sent to the edge device 10a-1. When the edge device 10a-1 becomes a slave to the repeater 11, the repeater 11 and the edge device 10a-1 are connected, and the information of the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 belonging to group A is stored in the edge device 10a-1. is sent from the relay machine 11 to the cloud server 12 on the Internet.

More specifically, the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 in group A transmit group codes indicating that they are in the same group. Here, the group code is an example of "first source information".
When the edge device 10a-1 becomes the master operation, it receives information from peripheral edge devices and determines from the group code whether or not the information is from edge devices belonging to the same group. When the edge device 10a-1 determines from the group code that the information is from an edge device in group A, it acquires the information.
At this time, even if the edge devices 10b-1, 10c-1, and 10d-1, which are relay devices in other groups, are in master operation, the edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-1 have different group codes. No information from 4 is received. Also, the repeater 11 does not receive information to which a group code is added.
When the edge device 10a-1 acting as a relay device becomes a slave operation, it adds a code indicating communication to the relay device 11 and connects to the relay device 11. FIG. Here, the code indicating that the communication is to the repeater 11 is an example of the "second source information".
Then, the edge device 10a-1 transfers its own information and the information from the edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4 in group A to the repeater 11. FIG. The repeater 11 sends information from the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 in group A to the cloud server 12 on the Internet.

As described above, in group A, the information of the edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4 belonging to group A is once relayed by the edge device 10a-1 as a relay device. Information on the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 is sent to the cloud server 12 via the repeater 11. FIG. Similarly, in groups B, C, and D, the information of peripheral edge devices 10b-2 to 10b-4, 10c-2 to 10c-4, and 10d-2 to 10d-4 belonging to groups B, C, and D are The edge devices 10b-1, 10c-1, and 10d-1 serving as relay devices temporarily relay. Information on the edge devices 10b-1 to 10b-4, 10c-1 to 10c-4, and 10d-1 to 10d-4 is sent to the cloud server 12 via the repeater 11. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the edge devices 10 (10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, 10d-1) that serve as relay devices in the data collection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. . Here, processing in the edge device 10a-1 of group A, which is an edge device serving as a relay device, will be described. The same applies to edge devices 10 (10b-1, 10c-1, 10d-1) that are relay devices of other groups.

(Step S1) Set the edge device 10a-1 to slave operation. At this time, peripheral edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4 transmit information including identification IDs to the surroundings. In addition to the identification ID, this information includes a code indicating a group (group code) and information indicating communication within a group (layer code). Here, the identification ID is an example of "identification information".

(Step S2) The edge device 10a-1 determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and when the predetermined period of time has elapsed (step S2: Yes), the process proceeds to step S3.

(Step S3) Set the edge device 10a to master operation. When the edge device 10a becomes a master operation, it scans information from surrounding edge devices.

(Step S4) The edge device 10a-1 determines whether or not information with a group code of the same group to which a layer code indicating intra-group communication is added can be detected from the information of peripheral edge devices. do. If layer code information indicating intra-group communication cannot be detected in the group code of the same group (step S4: No), the process proceeds to step S5. If layer code information indicating intra-group communication can be detected from the group code of the same group (step S4: Yes), the process proceeds to step S6.

(Step S5) The edge device 10a-1 determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has passed, and when the predetermined period of time has passed (step S5: Yes), the process returns to step S1. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S5: No), the process returns to step S3 to continue scanning peripheral edge devices. In other words, when the edge device 10a-1 detects at least one piece of detection information about other peripheral edge devices in the group while operating as a master, it continues the master operation and continues the master operation. Collect information. On the other hand, if the edge device 10a-1 cannot detect the detection information of the edge devices in the group for a certain period of time while operating as the master, it switches to the slave operation again.

(Step S6) The edge device 10a-1 identifies the peripheral edge devices 10 (10a-2 to 10a-4) that transmitted the information from the identification ID code of the acquired information, and collects the information from the edge devices 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S7.

(Step S7) The edge device 10a-1 communicates with the repeater 11, transmits its own information and the information of the peripheral edge devices 10 (10a-2 to 10a-4) to the repeater 11, and proceeds to step S7. Return to S1.

As described above, in the first embodiment, among the plurality of edge devices 10, the edge devices 10 (10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, 10d-1) capable of switching master/slave operation are relayed. function as a device for This eliminates the need for the repeater 11 to communicate with all edge devices, and can suppress an increase in the burden on the repeater 11 even when the number of edge devices increases. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, if the repeater 11 communicates with all edge devices 10, the number of edge devices with which the repeater 11 communicates is 16, which is equal to the total number of edge devices. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the relay device 11 only needs to communicate with the edge devices 10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, and 10d-1, which are the relay devices of each group. The number of edge devices with which 11 communicates is four, which is equal to the number of edge devices serving as relay devices. In other words, in this embodiment, even if the number of edge devices increases from 4 to 16, which is four times the number, the number of edge devices with which the repeater 11 communicates can be kept unchanged. Increase can be suppressed.

Further, the edge devices 10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, and 10d-1, which are relay devices for each group, collect and communicate information about the peripheral edge devices 10 for each group, thereby enabling connections for that amount. Communications such as sequences are also reduced. Furthermore, filters can be easily added by using the edge devices 10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, and 10d-1, which are relay devices. When changing the filter of the repeater 11, the change of the filter may affect various other functions, which may affect the entire system. , 10b-1, 10c-1, 10d-1 are less likely to affect the entire system.
Further, in the first embodiment, when an edge device 10 capable of switching master/slave operation among the plurality of edge devices 10 does not function as a relay device, it performs a slave operation. As a result, when the number of edge devices 10 with which the repeater 11 communicates is small and the load on the repeater 11 does not increase, the conventional edge device does not function as a relay device and operates as a slave. It is possible to operate as a device.
Further, in the first embodiment, while the edge device 10 capable of switching between master/slave operation is functioning as a relay device, if it receives detection information with a group code added, it continues to operate as a relay device. Let As a result, when detection information is transmitted from an edge device that is performing a slave operation, the detection information can be relayed.
Further, in the first embodiment, while the edge device 10 capable of switching between master/slave operation is functioning as a relay device, if detection information to which a group code is added is not received for a predetermined period of time, the relay device cease to operate as As a result, when detection information is not transmitted from an edge device performing slave operation for a predetermined period of time, the edge device can operate as a conventional edge device by returning to slave operation.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the outline of the data collection system 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the data collection system 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of edge devices 110 (110a-1 to 110a-4, 110b-1 to 110b-4, 110c-1 to 110c -4, 110d-1 to 110d-4), a repeater 111, and a cloud server 112.

A plurality of edge devices 110 (110a-1 to 110a-4, 110b-1 to 110b-4, 110c-1 to 110c-4, 110d-1 to 110d-4) are divided into a plurality of groups. In this example, edge devices 110a-1 to 110a-4 are edge devices belonging to group A, edge devices 110b-1 to 110b-4 are edge devices belonging to group B, and edge devices 110c-1 to 110c- 4 is an edge device belonging to group C, and edge devices 110d-1 to 110d-4 are edge devices belonging to group D. FIG.

Each edge device 110 has a BLE slave function. In addition, there are multiple BLE master/slave switchable edge devices in each group. In this example, edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2, edge devices 110b-1 and 110b-2, edge devices 110c-1 and 110c-2, edge devices 110d-1 and 110d-2 are BLE master/slave Assume that it is an edge device that can switch operations. In the figure, "*" indicates an edge device capable of switching master/slave operation.

As described above, in the second embodiment, each group includes a plurality of edge devices capable of switching master/slave operation, and these edge devices capable of switching master/slave operation may serve as relay devices. can. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the load on the edge device capable of switching master/slave operation compared to the case where there is only one edge device capable of switching master/slave operation. In other words, the consumption of the battery of the edge device, which is the relay device, can be distributed.

For example, in the first embodiment, each group has one edge device capable of switching master/slave operation, so the edge device serving as a relay device is fixed. For this reason, if an edge device acting as a relay device malfunctions, there is a possibility that the communication of edge devices in the entire group will be affected. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a plurality of edge devices capable of switching between master/slave operation can be alternated to function as relay devices. Less likely to cause problems.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described. The data collection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same basic configuration as the data collection system according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

In the second embodiment described above, the edge devices 110 (110a-1 and 110a-2, 110b-1 and 110b-2, 110c-1 and 110c-2, 110d- 1 and 110d-2), it is possible to cope with problems such as edge device failures that are relay devices, and to distribute the battery consumption of relay devices to reduce risks in system operation. ing.

However, even if multiple edge devices capable of switching master/slave operation are provided in a group, the first edge device capable of switching master/slave operation becomes a relay device. If the switching timing between the master operation and the slave operation is constant, the edge device that becomes the relay device is determined. Therefore, the advantage of providing a plurality of edge devices capable of switching between master/slave operation in a group is lost.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when there are multiple edge devices capable of switching master/slave operation in a group, the switching timing is set by, for example, a random number so that the master operation and the slave operation are switched at different timings. I'm trying

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of an edge device which is a relay device in the data collection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Here, processing in the edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2 of group A will be described as the edge devices serving as relay devices. The edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2 are edge devices capable of switching master/slave operation. The processing of edge devices that are relay devices of other groups is the same.

(Step S201) Set the edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2 to slave operation. At this time, peripheral edge devices transmit information including an identification ID code to the surroundings. In addition to the identification ID, this information includes a code indicating a group (group code) and information indicating communication within a group (layer code).

(Step S202) The edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2 determine whether or not a predetermined time determined by a random number has passed, and when the predetermined time has passed (step S202: Yes), the process proceeds to step S203.

(Step S203) Set the edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2 to master operation. When edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2 become masters, they scan for information from surrounding edge devices.

(Step S204) Whether the edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2 have detected, from the information of the peripheral edge devices, the group code of the same group and the information added with the layer code indicating intra-group communication. determine whether or not If layer code information indicating intra-group communication cannot be detected in the group code of the same group (step S204: No), the process proceeds to step S205. If layer code information indicating intra-group communication can be detected from the group code of the same group (step S204: Yes), the process proceeds to step S206.

(Step S205) The edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2 determine whether or not a predetermined time determined by a random number has passed, and when the predetermined time has passed (step S205: Yes), the process returns to step S201. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S205: No), the process returns to step S203 to continue scanning peripheral edge devices.

(Step S206) The edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2 identify the peripheral edge device 10 that transmitted the information from the identification ID code of the acquired information, collect data from the edge device 10, and perform processing. Proceed to S207.

(Step S207) The edge devices 110a-1 and 110a-2 communicate with the repeater 111, transmit their own information and peripheral edge device information to the repeater 111, and return the process to step S201.

As described above, in the third embodiment, when there are a plurality of edge devices capable of switching between master/slave operation in a group, master operation and slave operation are performed so that master operation and slave operation are not performed at the same timing. A random number is used to set the switching timing between . As a result, the load on the edge devices capable of switching between master/slave operation within the group can be averaged.

In the above example, the switching timing between the master operation and the slave operation of the edge device capable of switching between master/slave operation is set by random numbers. You can

<Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described. The data collection system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the same basic configuration as the data collection system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, the data collection system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of edge devices 10 (10a-1 to 10a-4, 10b-1 to 10b-4, 10c- 1 to 10c-4, 10d-1 to 10d-4), a repeater 11, and a cloud server 12.

In this embodiment, in such a data collection system, edge devices 10 (10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, 10d-1), and edge devices 10 (10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, 10d-1) acting as relay devices add information indicating data update from peripheral edge devices 10. The information on the peripheral edge device 10 is transmitted to the repeater 11 only when the information on the peripheral edge device 10 is received. This can greatly reduce the amount of data communication. Here, the information indicating data update is an example of "update information".

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of codes used in the data collection system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of data communication in the data collection system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This sequence diagram is a sequence diagram of data communication among the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 belonging to Group A, the repeater 11, and the cloud server 12. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, this embodiment uses an identification ID, a layer code, a group code, and an option code. The identification ID is a unique identifier for each edge device. Here, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, it is assumed that the identification ID of the edge device 10a-1 is (0x0001) and the identification ID of the edge device 10a-2 is (0x0002). , the identification ID of the edge device 10a-3 is (0x0003), and the identification ID of the edge device 10a-4 is (0x0004).

The layer code indicates which layer of data communication is to be performed. Here, the layer code is (0x01) for the layer of intra-group communication, and the layer code is (0x02) for the layer of communication with the repeater 11 .

The group code indicates which group the edge device belongs to. For example, the group code of group A is (0x0001). Since the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 belong to group A, the group code of the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 is (0x0001) as shown in FIGS. It has become.

The option code indicates whether or not data has been updated. If there is no data update, the option code is (0x0000), and if there is data update, the option code is (0x0001).

In FIG. 7, at time t1, the edge device 10a-1 is in slave operation. Also, the other peripheral edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4 are always in slave operation. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 have identification codes (0x0001 to 0x0004), layer codes (0x01), and group codes (0x0001). ) and an option code (0x0000) are added to broadcast the advertising data.

At time t2, the edge device 10a-1 acting as a relay device becomes a master operation and scans advertising data from peripheral edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4. Here, as shown in FIGS. 6(B) to 6(D), the group code of the advertising data from the peripheral edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4 is (0x0001). It is equal to the group code of device 10a-1. However, the option code of the advertising data from the edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4 is (0x0000), and the data has not been updated. In this embodiment, the advertising data is discarded if the data has not been updated.

At time t3, the edge device 10a-1, which is a relay device, is in slave operation. At this time, as described above, the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 broadcast advertising data as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D.

Assume that the edge device 10a-3 updates data at time t4. As a result, the option code of the advertising data from the edge device 10a-3 becomes (0x0001), as shown in FIG. 6(E). Thus, in this embodiment, when data is updated, the option code changes from (0x0000) to (0x0001).

At time t5, the edge device 10a-1 acting as a relay device becomes a master operation. When the edge device 10a-1 becomes a master operation, it scans advertising data from the peripheral edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4. Here, as shown in FIG. 6E, the data from the edge device 10a-3 has an option code of (0x0001). Therefore, the edge device 10a-1 acquires advertising data from the edge device 10a-3. The edge device 10a-1 remains in master operation if there is an edge device with updated data.

Since the information from the edge device 10a-3 includes an option code (0x001), the edge device 10a-1 is in master operation at time t6. At time t6, the edge device 10a-1 identifies the edge device (edge device 10a-3) with which data has been updated from the identification ID, communicates with the edge device, and acquires detailed information.

At time t7, the edge device 10a-1 becomes a slave operation. Then, as shown in FIG. 6F, the edge device 10a-1 sets the layer code to (0x02) and transmits the data to the repeater 11. FIG. Further, the edge device 10a-1 transmits other data including information on edge devices that have updated data. Since the layer code is (0x02), the repeater 11 receives the data from the edge device 10a-1.

At time t8, the repeater 11 uploads to the cloud server 12 the data update information of the edge device 10a-3 sent via the edge device 10a-1.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the edge devices 10 (10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, 10d-1) serving as relay devices update data from peripheral edge devices 10. This update data is transmitted to the repeater 11 only if it is data. This can greatly reduce the amount of data communication.

In this embodiment, when the edge device 10a-1 detects at least one detection information of other peripheral edge devices in the group while operating as a master, it updates the detection information. The master operation may be continued when the indicating information is added. On the other hand, while the edge device 10a-1 is operating as a master, the edge device 10a-1 does not detect detection information of edge devices in the group for a certain period of time, or detects at least one or more pieces of detection information, but the detection information contains data. If the information indicating the update is not added, the operation may be switched to the slave operation.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment of the invention will be described. In the above-described fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the edge device 10a-1 serving as a relay device relays the update data from the peripheral edge device 10a-3 to the relay device 11 and transmits the update data. . On the other hand, in this embodiment, the edge device 10a-1 acting as a relay device designates the edge device 10a-3 having the update data, and the relay device 11 directly communicates with the edge device 10a-3 having the update data. Data communication is performed and data collection is performed. Other configurations are similar to those of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of data communication in the data collection system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Note that the processing from time t1 to time t6 is the same as in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.

In this example, at time t10, the edge device 10a-1, which is a relay device, transmits to the relay device 11 information including the identification ID information (0x003) of the edge device whose data has been updated. At time t11, the repeater 11 identifies the edge device whose data has been updated from the identification ID, directly communicates with the edge device 10a-3 whose data has been updated, and obtains updated data. 11 uploads this update data to the cloud server 12 .

In this embodiment, the repeater 11 directly communicates the detailed information with the edge device 10a-3 that has the update data, so that the repeater 11 sends the detailed data of the edge device 10a-3 that has the update data to the cloud server. 12 can be sent.

Further, in this embodiment, when the edge device 10a-1 serving as a relay device has data that cannot be held, or when the number of peripheral edge devices 10a-2 to 10a-4 in the group is large. Alternatively, it is effective when the edge device 10a-1 acting as a relay device functions as one filter.

As another example, it is conceivable that the repeater 11 directly communicates detailed information with the edge device according to a plurality of conditions. For example, assume that the edge device 10 (for example, the edge device 10a-2) that detects the temperature and the edge device 10 (for example, the edge device 10a-3) that detects the usage status of the air conditioner are included in the group. Then, it is assumed that the user wants to know the usage status of the air conditioner when the temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold. In this case, the edge device 10a-1 acting as a relay device acquires information from the edge device 10a-2 that detects the temperature, and detects the usage status of the air conditioner when the temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold. The identification ID of the edge device 10a-3 is sent to the relay device 11, and the relay device 11 directly communicates with the edge device 10a-3 that detects the usage status of the air conditioner to acquire the usage status of the air conditioner. to the cloud server 12.

<Sixth Embodiment>
In the above-described fourth and fifth embodiments, peripheral edge devices add information indicating whether or not the data is updated data, and the edge device acting as a relay device adds data to the relay device only when data is updated. By communicating with 11, the amount of data communication is reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, when the relay device 11 communicates with the edge devices 10 (10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, 10d-1) serving as relay devices, the edge devices 10 serving as relay devices adds information indicating how many pieces of update information exist in a group as information indicating priority. Here, the information indicating priority is an example of "priority information".

As a result, the repeater 11 is configured so that the edge device of the group with the highest priority among the edge devices 10 (10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, 10d-1) that start communication can communicate first. become.

For example, in FIG. 1, in group A, three edge devices, edge device 10a-2, edge device 10a-3, and edge device 10a-4, have update data, and in group B, only edge device 10b-4 is updated. Suppose you have data. In this case, the edge device 10a-1, which is a relay device in group A, transmits the number of update data "3" in group A to the relay machine 11 as priority information, and the edge device 10a-1, which is a relay device in group B. Device 10b-1 transmits the number of update data "1" in group B to repeater 11 as priority information. The repeater 11 determines the priority from the number of update data, and performs data communication from the edge device 10a-1 of group A first.

<Seventh Embodiment>
In the above-described embodiments, a path for uploading information from a peripheral edge device to a cloud server has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to downloading information from a cloud server to an edge device.

In FIG. 1, for example, when information is downloaded from the cloud server 12 to the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4, the repeater 11 downloads any edge device from the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 of Group A. and send the information to each edge device in group A via that edge device. At this time, an arbitrary edge device selected by the repeater 11 is assumed to be an edge device (edge device 10a-1) capable of switching master/slave operation. Furthermore, in information sharing within the group, the edge device 10a-1 that has received information from the repeater 11 switches to the master and passes the information to each of the edge devices 10a-1 to 10a-4 within the group.

<Eighth embodiment>
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the hierarchy of the repeater 11 and the hierarchy of the edge devices 10 (10a-1, 10b-1, 10c-1, 10d-1) serving as relay devices. , peripheral edge devices 10 (10a-2 to 10a-4, 10b-2 to 10b-4, 10c-2 to 10c-4, 10d-2 to 10d-4). If the number of edge devices is even greater, each group may be further divided into a plurality of subgroups to form a multi-layered system.

All or part of the data collection systems 1 and 101 in the above-described embodiments may be realized by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. It should be noted that the "computer system" referred to here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible discs, magneto-optical discs, ROMs and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard discs incorporated in computer systems. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" means a medium that dynamically retains a program for a short period of time, like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. It may also include something that holds the program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or client in that case. Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above, or may be capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. It may be implemented using a programmable logic device such as FPGA.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design and the like are included within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,110... Edge device, 11,111... Repeater, 12,112... Cloud server

Claims (7)

A data collection system that aggregates detection information detected by a plurality of edge devices into a server device,
a slave device that operates as a slave in communication between the plurality of edge devices and transmits the detection information by adding first transmission source information indicating a transmission source;
Acts as a master in communication between the plurality of edge devices, and transmits one or more pieces of detection information received in a predetermined period by adding second transmission source information indicating a transmission source different from the first transmission source information. a master device that
When the detection information to which the first source information is added is received, acquisition processing for acquiring the detection information is not performed, and when the detection information to which the second source information is added is received, the acquisition is performed. a relay device that performs processing and transmits the acquired detection information to the server device ;
When the master device does not operate as a master in communication between the plurality of edge devices, the master device operates as a slave in communication among the plurality of edge devices, and while operating as a master in communication among the plurality of edge devices. If the detection information to which the first source information is added is received, the operation as a master is continued;
A data collection system characterized by: the plurality of edge devices are divided into a plurality of groups to include at least one of the master devices;
In each group, the master device included in the group operates as a master in communication between the edge devices included in the group, and the slave device included in the group acts as a master in communication between the edge devices included in the group. 2. The data acquisition system of claim 1, operating as a slave. 3. When the plurality of groups includes a group including a plurality of the master devices, each of the master devices in the group including the plurality of master devices operates as a master at different timings. 2. The data collection system according to 2. When the detection information is updated, the slave device adds update information indicating the update to the detection information and transmits the detection information;
The master device transmits the detection information to the relay device when the update information is added to the detection information, and transmits the detection information to the relay device when the update information is not added to the detection information. 4. The data collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the data collection system does not transmit to When the detected information is updated, the slave device transmits update information indicating the update,
the master device transmits identification information identifying the slave device that transmitted the update information to the repeater;
4. The repeater communicates with the slave device indicated by the identification information, and receives information corresponding to the update information from the slave device . The data collection system described in . The master device adds, to identification information identifying the slave device that transmitted the detection information, priority information indicating a priority for acquiring the detection information determined based on at least one of the detection information and the update information. transmitting the information obtained to the repeater,
6. The data collection system according to claim 4 , wherein said repeater communicates with said slave devices indicated by said identification information in an order according to said priority information. A data collection method for collecting detection information detected by a plurality of edge devices into a server device,
a step of a slave device operating as a slave in communication between the plurality of edge devices, adding first transmission source information indicating a transmission source to the detection information and transmitting the detection information;
A master device acts as a master in communication between the plurality of edge devices, and adds second source information indicating a source different from the first source information to one or more of the detection information received during a predetermined period. and sending the
When the relay device receives the detection information to which the first transmission source information is added, the relay device does not perform acquisition processing for acquiring the detection information, and receives the detection information to which the second transmission source information is added. a step of performing the acquisition process and transmitting the acquired detection information to the server device ,
When the master device does not operate as a master in communication between the plurality of edge devices, the master device operates as a slave in communication among the plurality of edge devices, and while operating as a master in communication among the plurality of edge devices. If the detection information to which the first source information is added is received, the operation as a master is continued;
A data collection method characterized by:

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