JP7314769B2 - Information processing device and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and a computer program.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a sensor management system for managing sensors, which is a sensor management system having detection means for detecting replacement of a sensor connected to the sensor management system, an acquisition unit for acquiring sensing data from the sensor, and a replacement handling means for determining whether or not the sensing data of the sensor after replacement acquired by the acquisition unit is similar to the past sensing data of the sensor before replacement, and based on the result of the determination, deciding whether to use the sensor after replacement as a substitute for the sensor before replacement.

In Patent Document 2, a target device in which a plurality of sensors of different types are installed, a calculation processing unit that obtains the correlation between the plurality of sensors based on the measurement data of the plurality of sensors and selects the sensor with the obtained high correlation as an alternative sensor, and at least an operation management database that stores the correlation between the plurality of sensors. to the target device is disclosed.

JP 2018-054360 A JP 2018-097733 A

In some cases, the data sensed by the sensor cannot be output due to a failure of the sensor, the time for regular maintenance, or the like. In such a case, a maintenance company needs to go to the site with a replacement, but the sensor information cannot be obtained until the replacement arrives and the company replaces the sensor.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide an information processing device and a computer program that identify an alternative sensor capable of suppressing data loss when the sensor is unable to output sensing data.

An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a processor, and the processor extracts, within a predetermined range, a group of sensors that are functionally substitutable for a target sensor that transmits a sensing result at a predetermined timing, and executes a process of specifying a substitute sensor that substitutes for the target sensor from among the sensor group based on the transmission timing of the target sensor, the position of the target sensor, and the position of each sensor in the sensor group.

An information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processor identifies the alternative sensor based on whether it can be replaced with the target sensor by the data transmission timing of the target sensor.

An information processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the processor specifies the alternative sensor based on whether or not the alternative sensor can be restored after the data transmission timing of the target sensor and before the data transmission timing of the alternative sensor.

An information processing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein, when a plurality of the alternative sensors can be specified, the processor specifies the sensor with the longest time to spare until the data transmission timing of the target sensor as the alternative sensor.

An information processing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein, when a plurality of the alternative sensors can be identified, the processor identifies the one with the longest time to spare until the data transmission timing of the alternative sensor as the alternative sensor.

An information processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, wherein the processor calculates the spare time based on the transmission timing of the target sensor and the time required to replace the target sensor and the alternative sensor.

An information processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processor identifies the alternative sensor using the time required for replacing the target sensor and the sensor, which is obtained from the position of each sensor in the sensor group.

An information processing apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processor, when a plurality of the alternative sensors can be identified, identifies the alternative sensor based on the degree of margin of the retained power.

An information processing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processor identifies the alternative sensor based on a result of comparing the degree of importance between the measurement target of the target sensor and the measurement target of the alternative sensor.

An information processing apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, wherein the importance is an index determined by whether or not it is used to control the motion of the object to be measured.

An information processing apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the sensor group is a set of sensors capable of transmitting the same type of data as the target sensor.

An information processing apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the sensor group is a set of sensors capable of transmitting data within a range output by the target sensor.

An information processing apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect or the twelfth aspect, wherein the sensor group is a set of sensors capable of transmitting data with the same frequency as the target sensors.

An information processing apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect or the twelfth aspect, wherein the sensor group is a set of sensors that can be installed by the same method as the target sensor.

A computer program according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to extract, within a predetermined range, a group of sensors that are functionally substitutable for a target sensor that transmits a sensing result at a predetermined timing, and to execute a process of identifying a substitute sensor that substitutes for the target sensor from among the sensor group based on the transmission timing of the target sensor, the position of the target sensor, and the position of each sensor in the sensor group.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the data sensed by the target sensor cannot be output, data loss can be suppressed by specifying an alternative sensor to replace the target sensor.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a sensor that can be replaced by the data transmission timing of the target sensor can be used as a substitute sensor.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a sensor that can be replaced by the data transmission timing of the target sensor and that can be returned to the original location by the transmission timing of the substitute sensor can be used as the substitute sensor.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the substitute sensor can be the one that has the longest remaining time until the data transmission timing of the target sensor.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select the substitute sensor that has the longest remaining time until the data transmission timing of the substitute sensor.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to calculate the extra time based on the transmission timing of the target sensor and the time required to replace the target sensor and the alternative sensor.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, data loss can be suppressed by the substitute sensor specified using the time required for sensor replacement.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to specify a sensor with a large degree of power margin as an alternative sensor, and suppress data loss by the specified alternative sensor.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, missing data can be suppressed by the substitute sensor specified based on the comparison result of the degree of importance.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the degree of importance can be determined depending on whether or not it is used to control the motion of the object to be measured.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, data loss can be suppressed by the substitute sensor specified from among the sensors capable of transmitting the same type of data as the target sensor.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, data loss can be suppressed by the substitute sensor specified from among the sensors capable of transmitting data within the range output by the target sensor.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, data loss can be suppressed by the substitute sensor specified from among the sensors capable of transmitting data with the same frequency as the target sensor.

According to the 14th aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the lack of data by the substitute sensor specified from among the sensors that can be installed by the same method as the target sensor.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, data loss can be suppressed by specifying an alternative sensor to replace the sensor when it becomes impossible to output the data sensed by the sensor.

According to the present invention, by specifying an alternative sensor from among a group of sensors functionally substitutable for the target sensor and notifying the timing of replacement with the target sensor, it is possible to suppress the lack of data sensed by the target sensor.

It is a figure which shows the outline|summary of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of an information processing apparatus. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing device; FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the information which sensor information DB stores. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the information provision process by an information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the information provision process by an information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the information provision process by an information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the information provision process by an information processing apparatus. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the processing shown in FIG. 8; FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the processing shown in FIG. 8; FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the information provision process by an information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the information provision process by an information processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface displayed on a terminal; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface displayed on a terminal; FIG.

An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and portions are given the same reference numerals. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may differ from the actual ratios.

Sensors that can acquire various information and provide the acquired information through a network are becoming popular. Such sensors can measure, for example, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind force, carbon dioxide concentration, current, etc., and provide the measured values to the outside through a network.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows temperature sensors 30A, 30B, and 30C for measuring temperatures of showcases 20A, 20B, and 20C, which display refrigerated or frozen products, respectively. The temperature sensors 30A, 30B, 30C measure the temperatures of the showcases 20A, 20B, 20C, respectively, and transmit the measured temperature data as sensing results through the network at a predetermined timing. The temperature sensors 30A, 30B, and 30C transmit data using, for example, a technology called LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area) that enables long-distance communication with low power consumption.

Here, it is assumed that the temperature sensor 30A of the showcase 20A becomes temporarily unusable due to failure or the like. For example, if the temperature sensor 30A breaks down, the maintenance company 50 may bring in a replacement and replace it. However, the maintenance company 50 may not always be able to bring a replacement immediately. If the maintenance company 50 cannot bring a replacement immediately, the period during which the temperature data measured by the temperature sensor 30A is missing will be longer. If the showcase 20A displays high-grade foodstuffs or frozen foods such as ice cream, the store may be damaged if temperature abnormality in the showcase 20A cannot be detected in a timely manner.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the temperature sensor 30A becomes temporarily unusable due to a failure or the like, the information processing apparatus 10 selects an alternative sensor that can substitute for the temperature sensor 30A from sensors near the temperature sensor 30A. The information processing device 10 provides the terminal 60 used by the maintenance company 50 with information on a substitute sensor that can substitute for the temperature sensor 30A. The information processing apparatus 10 selects an alternative sensor to replace the temporarily unavailable sensor in this way, thereby suppressing data loss from the temporarily unavailable sensor.

In the following description, a sensor that is temporarily unusable due to a failure or the like is also referred to as a "target sensor", and a sensor that replaces the target sensor is also referred to as a "substitute sensor".

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the information processing apparatus 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 , a storage 14 , an input section 15 , a display section 16 and a communication interface (I/F) 17 . Each component is communicatively connected to each other via a bus 19 .

The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each section. That is, the CPU 11 reads a program from the ROM 12 or the storage 14 and executes the program using the RAM 13 as a work area. The CPU 11 performs control of the above components and various arithmetic processing according to programs recorded in the ROM 12 or the storage 14 . In this embodiment, the ROM 12 or the storage 14 stores an information providing program that provides information on substitute sensors that substitute for the target sensor.

The ROM 12 stores various programs and various data. RAM 13 temporarily stores programs or data as a work area. The storage 14 is configured by a storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory, and stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

The input unit 15 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for various inputs.

The display unit 16 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information. The display unit 16 may employ a touch panel system and function as the input unit 15 .

The communication interface 17 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the terminal 60, and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark), for example.

When executing the above information providing program, the information processing apparatus 10 uses the above hardware resources to implement various functions.

Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 10 has an acquisition unit 101, an identification unit 102, and a notification unit 103 as functional configurations. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 11 reading out a position confirmation program stored in the ROM 12 or the storage 14 and executing it. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 10 has a sensor information DB 111. FIG.

Acquisition unit 101 acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires a request from the outside of the information processing apparatus 10 to specify a substitute sensor that substitutes for the target sensor. Then, the acquisition unit 101 acquires sensor information from the sensor information DB 111 in response to acquisition of a specific request for an alternative sensor. When acquiring sensor information, the acquiring unit 101 acquires sensor information within a predetermined range from the target sensor. The predetermined range may be a range inside a circle with a predetermined radius centered on the target sensor, or may be a range of the same floor or building where the target sensor is installed. Further, when acquiring sensor information, the acquiring unit 101 acquires sensor information owned by the same user as the target sensor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the sensor information DB 111. As shown in FIG.

"Sensor ID" stores information for uniquely identifying the sensor. "Sensor position" stores information indicating the installation location of each sensor. "Original position" stores information indicating the original installation location of each sensor. In the example shown in FIG. 4, coordinate information is stored in the "sensor position" and "original position", but other than the coordinates, for example, a specific installation location may be stored.

Information on the time required to attach/detach each sensor is stored in the "required attachment/detachment time". The "mounting method" stores information about the mounting method of each sensor. The "type" stores information about the object sensed by each sensor. Information on the sensing range of each sensor is stored in the "range width". "Waterproof" stores information on whether or not each sensor has a waterproof function. Information on the transmission timing of the sensing result of each sensor is stored in the "transmission timing". Information on the shortest transmission interval of the sensing results of each sensor is stored in the "possible transmission frequency".

Note that the transmission timing of each sensor may not be periodic. For example, when a CO ₂ sensor that detects the concentration of carbon dioxide is installed in a school classroom, it is sufficient if data is transmitted from the CO ₂ sensor at the timing when a lesson is being held in the classroom. In such sensors, the transmission timing may contain day of the week and time of day information.

The identifying unit 102 identifies an alternative sensor from the group of sensors from which the obtaining unit 101 has obtained information. Details of how to identify a substitute sensor from among the sensor group will be described later.

The notification unit 103 notifies the terminal 60 of information related to the alternative sensor identified by the identification unit 102 . Specifically, the notification unit 103 notifies various information such as information on the substitute sensor identified by the identification unit 102, the timing of replacing the target sensor and the substitute sensor, information on the work performed by the maintenance company 50 at the time of replacement, and the timing of returning the replacement sensor to its original location after replacement.

In addition, in FIG. 3, the sensor information DB 111 is included inside the information processing apparatus 10, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. A database that stores sensor information may exist outside the information processing device 10 .

Next, the operation of the information processing device 10 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of information provision processing by the information processing device 10. As shown in FIG. The CPU 11 reads out the position confirmation program from the ROM 12 or the storage 14, develops it in the RAM 23, and executes it, thereby performing the information providing process.

When the CPU 11 acquires a specific request for a substitute sensor that substitutes for the target sensor, the CPU 11 obtains information on a group of sensors existing around the target sensor (step S11).

After step S11, the CPU 11 extracts a sensor group that is a candidate for a substitute sensor from the obtained sensor group information (step S12).

After step S12, the CPU 11 selects a group of sensors that are candidates for substitute sensors from among the extracted group of sensors (step S13).

After step S13, the CPU 11 identifies one substitute sensor from the selected sensor group (step S14).

Subsequent to step S14, the CPU 11 notifies the terminal 60 of information regarding the replacement timing of the identified alternative sensor (step S15).

Subsequent to step S15, the CPU 11 transmits to the terminal 60 information regarding support for the continuity check by the maintenance company 50 for the substitute sensor replaced from the target sensor (step S16).

Subsequent to step S16, the CPU 11 transmits to the terminal 60 information regarding support when the maintenance company 50 changes the logical association of the substitute sensor replaced from the target sensor (step S17).

Next, details of each process shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of information providing processing by the information processing apparatus 10, and is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S11 of FIG.

The CPU 11 requests the sensor information DB 111 for information on sensors in the vicinity of the target sensor (step S101). Specifically, the CPU 11 sends a query to the sensor information DB 111 to acquire information on sensors within a predetermined range from the sensor position of the target sensor.

Subsequent to step S101, the CPU 11 acquires information on sensors in the vicinity of the target sensor from the sensor information DB 111 (step S102). Specifically, the CPU 11 acquires sensor information within a predetermined range from the sensor position of the target sensor, which is output by the sensor information DB 111 in response to the query.

By executing the series of processes shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 11 obtains information on the sensor group existing around the target sensor.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of information providing processing by the information processing apparatus 10, and is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S12 of FIG.

The CPU 11 executes the processing shown in FIG. 7 for each sensor of the sensor group that has acquired information from the sensor information DB 111 . First, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the sensor that has acquired information from the sensor information DB 111 can output the same type of information as the target sensor (step S111). For example, when the target sensor outputs temperature data, the CPU 11 determines whether the sensor whose information is obtained from the sensor information DB 111 can also output temperature data.

If the sensor that has obtained information from the sensor information DB 111 can output the same type of information as the target sensor (step S111; Yes), then the CPU 11 determines whether the range width of the data output by the sensor that has obtained information from the sensor information DB 111 satisfies the range width of the data output by the target sensor (step S112). For example, if the target sensor can output temperature data in the range of -5° C. to 30° C., the CPU 11 determines whether the sensor that acquired the information from the sensor information DB 111 can also output data in the same range.

If the range width of the data output by the sensor whose information is obtained from the sensor information DB 111 satisfies the range width of the data output by the target sensor (step S112; Yes), then the CPU 11 determines whether the frequency of transmission of data output by the sensor whose information is obtained from the sensor information DB 111 satisfies the transmission frequency of data output by the target sensor (step S113). For example, if the target sensor can output data once every 10 minutes, the CPU 11 determines whether the sensor that has acquired information from the sensor information DB 111 can also output data once every 10 minutes.

When the transmission frequency of the data output by the sensor whose information is obtained from the sensor information DB 111 satisfies the transmission frequency of the data output by the target sensor (step S113; Yes), then the CPU 11 determines whether the sensor whose information is obtained from the sensor information DB 111 can be installed in the same manner as the target sensor (step S114). For example, if the target sensor can be installed with a magnet, it is determined whether the sensor whose information is acquired from the sensor information DB 111 can also be installed with a magnet.

Subsequently, if the sensor whose information is acquired from the sensor information DB 111 can be installed by the same method as the target sensor (step S114; Yes), then the CPU 11 determines whether waterproofing is required at the installation location of the target sensor (step S115). If waterproofing is required (step S115; Yes), then the CPU 11 determines whether or not the sensor that has acquired information from the sensor information DB 111 is waterproof (step S116).

If the sensors that have acquired information from the sensor information DB 111 are waterproof (step S116; Yes), the CPU 11 extracts the sensors that have acquired information from the sensor information DB 111 as a group of sensors that can be used primarily (step S117). Similarly, when waterproofing is not required at the installation location of the target sensor (step S115; No), the CPU 11 similarly extracts the sensors that have acquired information from the sensor information DB 111 as a group of sensors that can serve as alternative sensors.

On the other hand, if the conditions are not satisfied in steps S111, S112, S113, S114, and S116, the CPU 11 does not consider the sensors that have acquired information from the sensor information DB 111 as a group of sensors that can serve as substitute sensors.

The CPU 11 may use conditions other than those shown in FIG. 7 to extract a group of sensors that can serve as alternative sensors. For example, if the target sensor is compatible with wired data transmission, sensors that are similarly compatible with wired data transmission may be used as a group of sensors that can serve as alternative sensors.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of information providing processing by the information processing apparatus 10, and is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S13 of FIG.

The CPU 11 executes the processing shown in FIG. 8 for each sensor of the sensor group extracted as a sensor group that can be an alternative sensor in FIG. First, the CPU 11 calculates the travel time from the installation location of each sensor to the installation location of the target sensor (step S121). Specifically, the CPU 11 calculates the movement time by dividing the distance between the installation location of the target sensor and the installation location of each sensor by the human walking speed. A human walking speed is, for example, 80 meters per minute. It should be noted that there may be a case in which it is not possible to move in a straight line between installation locations due to the presence of obstacles or the like. In that case, the CPU 11 calculates the travel time by dividing the length of the travel route between the installation locations by the walking speed of the person.

After step S121, the CPU 11 calculates the time required to replace the sensor (step S122). Specifically, the CPU 11 calculates the travel time between installation locations + the detachment time of each sensor + the transmission preparation and confirmation time (time for conduction and data confirmation of the sensor after replacement) as the time required for sensor replacement.

Following step S122, the CPU 11 determines whether the replacement timing of each sensor is in time for the next transmission timing of the target sensor (step S123). Specifically, the CPU 11 judges whether or not the replacement of each sensor is in time for the next transmission timing of the target sensor by checking whether the time obtained by subtracting the current time from the transmission time of the target sensor exceeds the time calculated in step S122.

If the replacement timing of each sensor is in time for the next transmission timing of the target sensor (step S123; Yes), then the CPU 11 determines whether the timing to return each replaced sensor to its original position is in time for the next transmission timing of each sensor (step S124). Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the replacement of each sensor will be in time for the next transmission timing at the original location of each sensor by checking whether the time obtained by subtracting the transmission time of the target sensor from the transmission time of each sensor exceeds the time calculated in step S122.

If the timing of returning each replaced sensor to its original position is in time for the next transmission timing at the original location of each sensor (step S124; Yes), the CPU 11 selects the sensor as a group of sensors that can serve as substitute sensors (step S125).

On the other hand, if the replacement timing of each sensor is not in time for the next transmission timing on the target sensor side (step S123; No), or if the timing for returning each replaced sensor to its original position is not in time for the next transmission timing at the original location of each sensor (step S124; No), the CPU 11 does not select the sensor as a sensor group that can be a substitute sensor.

9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining a specific example of the processing shown in FIG. In FIGS. 9 and 10, horizontal double-headed arrows represent the time required to replace the sensor.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining whether sensor A has failed and sensor C can be a substitute sensor at sensor A's position. Assume that sensor A fails at time t1. The CPU 11 determines whether sensor A can be replaced with sensor C by time t2, which is the next transmission timing of sensor A. FIG. Here, it is assumed that sensor A can be replaced with sensor C by time t2. Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether the sensor C can be returned to its original position by the time t3, which is the next transmission timing of the sensor C. Here, it is assumed that sensor C cannot be returned to its original position by time t3. Therefore, the CPU 11 does not select sensor C as a group of sensors that can serve as substitute sensors.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining whether sensor A has failed and sensor B can be a substitute sensor at the position of sensor A. In FIG. Assume that sensor A fails at time t1. The CPU 11 determines whether sensor A can be replaced with sensor B by time t2, which is the next transmission timing of sensor A. FIG. Here, it is assumed that sensor A can be replaced with sensor B by time t2. Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether sensor B can be returned to its original position by time t4, which is the next transmission timing of sensor B. FIG. Here, it is assumed that sensor B cannot be returned to its original position by time t4. Therefore, the CPU 11 selects the sensor B as a group of sensors that can serve as substitute sensors.

The CPU 11 may select each sensor as a group of sensors that can serve as substitute sensors depending on whether or not the sensors can be replaced not only once but also multiple times. For example, in the example of FIG. 10, the CPU 11 further determines whether sensor A can be replaced with sensor B by time t5, which is the next transmission timing of sensor A. FIG. Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether sensor B can be returned to its original position by time t6, which is the next transmission timing of sensor B. FIG. Based on these determination results, the CPU 11 may determine whether or not to select sensor B as a group of sensors that can serve as alternative sensors.

The CPU 11 may select each sensor as a group of sensors that can serve as substitute sensors depending on the margin of the retained power, for example, whether the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In the example of FIG. 10, even if it is possible to replace sensor A with sensor B by time t2, which is the next transmission timing of sensor A, if the remaining battery level of sensor B is less than a predetermined threshold, the CPU 11 may not select sensor B as a sensor group that can serve as a substitute sensor. If the CPU 11 can supply power to the sensor at the position of the target sensor, and if the sensor extracted as the sensor group is a sensor to which power can be supplied, the remaining amount of the battery does not have to be used for determination.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of information providing processing by the information processing apparatus 10, and is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S14 of FIG.

The CPU 11 executes the processing shown in FIG. 11 for each sensor of the sensor group selected as the sensor group that can be the substitute sensor in FIG. First, the CPU 11 calculates the margin time on the side of the target sensor (step S131). The leeway time on the target sensor side is the leeway time until the transmission timing at the target sensor. Specifically, the CPU 11 takes the time obtained by subtracting the current time and the replacement time calculated in step S122 from the time of the next transmission timing of the target sensor as the leeway time on the side of the target sensor.

Subsequently, the CPU 11 calculates the surplus time on the alternative sensor side (step S132). The spare time on the alternative sensor side is the spare time until the transmission timing of the alternative sensor. Specifically, the CPU 11 subtracts the time of the next transmission timing of the target sensor and the replacement time calculated in step S122 from the time of the next transmission timing of the substitute sensor, and determines the spare time of the substitute sensor.

Subsequently, the CPU 11 extracts the top X sensors from the one with the longer margin time on the target sensor side (step S133). The initial value of X is arbitrary.

Subsequently, the CPU 11 extracts the top Y-ranked sensors from the one with the longest surplus time on the alternative sensor side (step S134). The initial value of Y is arbitrary. Either step S133 or step S134 may be performed first.

Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a sensor that satisfies both the top X sensors extracted in step S133 and the top Y sensors extracted in step S134 (step S135).

If there is a sensor that satisfies both the top X-ranked sensors and the top Y-ranked sensors (step S135; Yes), the CPU 11 identifies the highest-ranked sensor among them as a substitute sensor (step S136). On the other hand, if there is no sensor that satisfies both the top X-ranked sensors and the top Y-ranked sensors (step S135; No), the CPU 11 increases the value of X or Y by one (step S137), and returns to the process of step S133. When executing the process of step S137 multiple times, the CPU 11 may alternately increase the value of X and the value of Y, or may continue to increase only the value of X or the value of Y.

Through the series of processes shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 11 can determine one substitute sensor to substitute for the target sensor.

In the processing up to this point, the CPU 11 may not be able to extract the sensor group that is a candidate for the substitute sensor, or may not be able to determine the substitute sensor from the sensor group. In that case, the CPU 11 may determine a substitute sensor by comparing the importance of data measured at the location where the target sensor is installed and the importance of data measured at another location.

The degree of importance may be determined depending on whether or not it is used to control the motion of the measurement target. For example, if the temperature is measured for temperature control of the showcase, the importance of the temperature data may be set relatively high, and if the temperature data is simply acquired periodically, the importance of the temperature data may be set relatively low. Then, if the failed sensor is installed in a place where the importance of temperature data is high, the CPU 11 may determine a sensor installed in a place where the importance of temperature data is low as a substitute sensor.

Also, for example, if the judgment can be made only by single data, the importance of the data may be set high, and if the judgment is possible by combining a plurality of data, the importance of the data may be set low. Then, the CPU 11 may determine a sensor installed in a place where the importance of data is low as an alternative sensor.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of information providing processing by the information processing apparatus 10, and is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S15 of FIG.

The CPU 11 determines whether the time from the time of the next transmission timing of the target sensor to the time after subtracting the time required for replacement is less than a predetermined threshold from the current time (step S141). The predetermined threshold in step S141 is arbitrary.

If the time from the time of the next transmission timing of the target sensor to the time after subtracting the time required for replacement is less than the predetermined threshold from the current time (step S141; Yes), the CPU 11 notifies the terminal 60 of the maintenance company 50 that it is time to replace the sensor (step S142). The notification method to the terminal 60 is not limited to a specific one, and may be, for example, an e-mail, or may use a message service for mobile phones such as SMS (Short Message Service) or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service).

Next, the user interface displayed on the terminal 60 by the CPU 11 in the process of step S16 in FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface that the CPU 11 causes the terminal 60 to display. FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen displayed on the terminal 60 that prompts the maintenance company 50 to confirm whether a substitute sensor has been installed at the position of the target sensor, whether data has been manually sent from the sensor, and whether the data sent from the sensor is within the permissible range. The CPU 11 can support the work of the maintenance company 50 by causing the terminal 60 to display a user interface such as that shown in FIG. 13 .

Next, the user interface displayed on the terminal 60 by the CPU 11 in the process of step S17 in FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface that the CPU 11 causes the terminal 60 to display.

In FIG. 14, icons 71A and 71B indicating installation locations of temperature sensors are shown on the floor plan. Here, it is assumed that the "sensor 1" corresponding to the icon 71A is the failed target sensor and the "sensor 2" corresponding to the icon 71B is the substitute sensor. The maintenance company 50 can logically link the sensors by operating the screen with the hand 72 .

For example, the maintenance company 50 uses the hand 72 to touch the icon 71B and move the icon 71B to the location of the icon 71A. The CPU 11 updates the sensor information DB 111 so as to replace the sensor located at the icon 71A with the sensor located at the icon 71B until then in accordance with the operation of the maintenance company 50 .

Further, for example, when the maintenance company 50 continues to touch the icon 71A with the hand 72 for a predetermined time, the CPU 11 may update the sensor information DB 111 in accordance with the operation of the maintenance company 50 so as to unlink the sensor at the location of the icon 71A.

After replacing the sensor in this way, the original location of the sensor needs to be known if the sensor needs to be replaced. Since information indicating the original installation location of the sensor is stored in the sensor information DB 111, the CPU 11 may refer to the sensor information DB 111 and display the original installation location of the sensor on the floor plan.

By executing a series of operations, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can determine an alternative sensor from surrounding sensors when a sensor becomes temporarily unusable due to a failure or the like. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can assist the replacement work of the maintenance company who performs the replacement work of the sensor by executing a series of operations.

In the example of FIG. 10, the CPU 11 determines whether sensor B can be returned to its original location by time t4, which is the next transmission timing of sensor B. However, it is sufficient that an alternative sensor to replace sensor B exists at the original location of sensor B by time t4. Therefore, at the timing when sensor B is installed at the position of sensor A, sensor B becomes the target sensor this time, and the CPU 11 may determine an alternative sensor to replace sensor B, which is the target sensor.

Note that the information providing process executed by the CPU reading the software (program) in each of the above embodiments may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. The processor in this case includes a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute specific processing, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). is exemplified. In addition, the information providing process may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different type (for example, multiple FPGAs, a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, etc.). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, a mode in which the program for the information providing process is preliminarily stored (installed) in the ROM or storage has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the program may be downloaded from an external device via a network.

Further, the operations of the processors in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor but also by the cooperation of a plurality of physically separated processors. Also, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

10 information processing device 20A, 20B, 20C showcase 30A, 30B, 30C temperature sensor 50 maintenance company 60 terminal

Claims (15)

with a processor
The processor
A group of sensors that can be functionally substituted for the target sensor that transmits sensing results at a predetermined timing is extracted within a predetermined range,
An information processing device that executes a process of identifying an alternative sensor to substitute for the target sensor from among the sensor group based on the transmission timing of the target sensor, the position of the target sensor, and the position of each of the sensors of the sensor group. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processor identifies said alternative sensor based on whether it is replaceable with said target sensor by a data transmission timing of said target sensor. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said processor identifies said alternative sensor based on whether said alternative sensor can be returned to its original state by said alternative sensor's data transmission timing after said target sensor's data transmission timing. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a plurality of said alternative sensors are identified, said processor identifies as an alternative sensor a sensor with the longest remaining time until data transmission timing of said target sensor. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when a plurality of said alternative sensors are identified, said processor identifies, as an alternative sensor, one with the longest remaining time until data transmission timing of said alternative sensor. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said processor calculates said spare time based on the transmission timing of said target sensor and the time required for replacing said target sensor and said alternative sensor. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processor specifies said alternative sensor using a time required for replacing said target sensor and said sensor, which is obtained from the position of each sensor of said sensor group. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a plurality of said alternative sensors can be identified, said processor identifies said alternative sensor based on a degree of margin of power held. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processor specifies an alternative sensor based on a result of comparing degrees of importance between a measurement target of said target sensor and a measurement target of said alternative sensor. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said importance is an index determined depending on whether or not it is used for controlling motion of a measurement target. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensor group is a set of sensors capable of transmitting the same type of data as said target sensor. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said sensor group is a set of sensors capable of transmitting data within a range output by said target sensor. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said sensor group is a set of sensors capable of transmitting data with the same frequency as said target sensor. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said sensor group is a set of sensors that can be installed by the same method as said target sensor. to the computer,
A group of sensors that can be functionally substituted for the target sensor that transmits sensing results at a predetermined timing is extracted within a predetermined range,
A computer program for executing a process of identifying an alternative sensor to substitute for the target sensor from among the sensor group based on the transmission timing of the target sensor, the position of the target sensor, and the position of each sensor of the sensor group.