Communication terminal, communication method, communication program, communication system, management device, management method, and communication control method

Abstract

A communication terminal of the present invention sends device data output by a communication device via a wireless communication line, wherein the terminal comprises: a device communication unit for receiving the device data output by the communication device, and a communication control unit for sending the device data received by the device communication unit to the wireless communication line at the following timing, the timing being a timing based on the status of at least one of the communication terminal, the wireless communication line, the communication device, and the device data, or a timing based on information received from a management device indicating the timing for sending the device data, the management device managing the communication terminal from the outside.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application with application number 2017800523523, filed on September 25, 2017, and with the invention name “Communication terminal, communication method, communication program, communication system, management device, management method, and communication control method”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a communication terminal, a communication method, a communication program, a communication system, a management device, a management method, and a communication control method.

[0003] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2016-193578, 2016-193579, 2016-193580, 2016-193581, 2016-193582, and 2016-193583, all filed in Japan on September 30, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, there is known a system for collecting data output by sensors installed in various locations via wireless communication lines. Patent Document 1 discloses a data collection system in which a control unit can instruct sensors on the timing to transmit data.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-221206 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] For example, a data processing method is known in which a communication terminal that collects sensor output data sends the data to a server via a wireless communication line. However, if data processing is not performed at an appropriate time, there is a problem of being affected by congestion in the wireless communication line.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal, a communication method, a communication program, a communication system, a management device, a management method, and a communication control method for suppressing congestion in a wireless communication line.

[0010] Technical solutions to the problem

[0011] The communication terminal of the first embodiment of the present invention is a communication terminal that sends device data output by a communication device via a wireless communication line, wherein the communication terminal has: a device communication unit that receives the device data output by the communication device, and a communication control unit that sends the device data received by the device communication unit to the wireless communication line according to the following timing, which is based on the status of at least one of the communication terminal, the wireless communication line, the communication device, and the device data, or based on a signal received from a management device for indicating transmission.

[0012] The communication terminal may further include a motion detection unit for detecting whether it is in motion. When the motion detection unit determines that the communication terminal is in motion based on the state of the communication terminal, the communication control unit sends the device data after a first time has passed since the device data sent by the communication device was received. When the motion detection unit determines that the communication terminal is stopped, the communication control unit executes a delay mode or an erasure mode. The delay mode is a mode in which the device data is sent after a second time longer than the first time has passed since the device data was received. The erasure mode is a mode in which the sending of the device data is suspended.

[0013] Alternatively, when the movement detection unit determines that the communication terminal is stopped, the communication control unit may execute the delay mode when the device data has a first attribute, and execute the erasure mode when the device data has a second attribute different from the first attribute.

[0014] Alternatively, when the mobile detection unit determines that the communication terminal is stopped, the communication control unit executes the delay mode when the device data has the first attribute with a sending frequency below a specified threshold, and executes the erasure mode when the device data has the second attribute with a sending frequency greater than a specified threshold.

[0015] The communication control unit may execute the delay mode or the erasure mode under the condition that an instruction is received from a management device that manages the communication terminal via the wireless communication line.

[0016] Alternatively, when the sector to which the communication terminal belongs is switched in the wireless communication line, the communication control unit determines whether to switch processing when the movement detection unit determines that the communication terminal is moving and when the movement detection unit determines that the communication terminal is stopped.

[0017] The communication control unit may also send location information including the current location and moving direction of the communication terminal to a management device that manages the congestion of the wireless communication line, and when the movement detection unit determines that the communication terminal is stopped, decide whether to execute the delay mode or the erasure mode based on information indicating the congestion of the wireless communication line received from the management device after sending the location information.

[0018] The communication control unit may also send location information including the current location and moving direction of the communication terminal to a management device that manages the congestion of the wireless communication line, and when the movement detection unit determines that the communication terminal is stopped, send the device data at a timing indicated by timing information received from the management device after sending the location information.

[0019] The communication control unit may also send the location information including information for determining the sector of the wireless communication line to which the communication terminal belongs to the management device, and, when the sector of the wireless communication line to which the communication terminal belongs is switched, send the device data at the timing indicated by the timing information received from the management device for use after the sector is switched.

[0020] The communication control unit may also obtain a disconnection timing, which is a timing at which the base station providing the wireless communication line disconnects the wireless communication line, based on the state of the wireless communication line, and send the device data via the wireless communication line at a timing other than the obtained disconnection timing.

[0021] The communication control unit may acquire the state of the communication device and, based on the state, transmit the device data received by the device communication unit to the wireless communication line according to a priority level corresponding to the state.

[0022] The communication control unit can also determine whether the communication device is in the initial state or the non-initial state based on the device data received from the communication device; if the communication device is determined to be in the initial state, the device data is sent at an earlier time than when the communication device is determined to be in the non-initial state.

[0023] Alternatively, the communication terminal further includes a storage unit, in which a reception history of the device communication unit receiving prescribed data sent by the communication device in the initial state is stored. When the prescribed data is received from the communication device and the reception history is not stored in the storage unit, the communication control unit determines that the communication device is in the initial state.

[0024] The communication control unit may identify an application that has transmitted the device data, and determine that the communication device is in the initial state if the identified application is an application being executed by the communication device in the initial state.

[0025] The communication control unit may transmit the device data output by the application executed by the communication device in the initial state with a higher priority than the device data output by the application executed by the communication device in the non-initial state.

[0026] The communication control unit may determine the priority based on a combination of identification information of the communication device and identification information of the application that outputs the device data.

[0027] The communication control unit may determine the priority based on a time period in which the device data is transmitted.

[0028] The communication control unit may determine whether to transmit the device data in each time period according to a priority corresponding to the state of the communication device, based on the congestion level of the wireless communication line in each time period.

[0029] When receiving a plurality of pieces of device data having the same priority, the communication control unit may sequentially transmit the plurality of pieces of device data at random timings within a predetermined time range.

[0030] The communication control unit may determine the priority based on a radio wave state of a frequency band used in the wireless communication line during a period from when the device data is received to when the device data is transmitted.

[0031] The communication terminal may further include a storage unit in which the device data received by the device communication unit is accumulated. The communication control unit sends the accumulated device data after the device data accumulates in the storage unit until a specified amount is reached, based on the status of the device data accumulated in the storage unit. The specified amount is set in a manner that establishes an association with the communication device that outputs the device data or at least one of the attributes of the device data.

[0032] Alternatively, the communication control unit may send the accumulated device data after the device data is accumulated in the storage unit until the total data volume of the device data of multiple data packets accumulated in the storage unit, or the total number of data packets including the device data accumulated in the storage unit reaches the specified volume.

[0033] The communication control unit may transmit the accumulated device data after the device data is accumulated in the storage unit until the predetermined amount set according to the frequency of output of the device data by the communication device is reached.

[0034] The communication control unit may transmit the accumulated device data after the device data is accumulated in the storage unit until the predetermined amount set according to the attribute of the device data is reached.

[0035] The communication control unit may determine the predetermined amount based on the content of the device data received by the device communication unit.

[0036] The device communication unit may also receive a plurality of the device data from a plurality of the communication devices. When the plurality of the device data received by the device communication unit within a prescribed period includes device data with a high priority, the communication control unit may send the plurality of the device data before the device data accumulates to the prescribed amount.

[0037] The communication control unit may transmit the accumulated device data after the device data is accumulated in the storage unit until the predetermined amount set for each of the plurality of application programs executable by the communication device is reached.

[0038] Alternatively, when the device data output by one of the plurality of applications accumulates in the storage unit until reaching the specified amount corresponding to the one application, the communication control unit also sends the device data output by other applications among the plurality of applications.

[0039] Alternatively, when the device data output by two or more predetermined applications among the plurality of applications accumulates in the storage unit until reaching the specified amount corresponding to the two or more applications respectively, the communication control unit sends the device data output by the two or more applications.

[0040] The communication control unit may transmit the accumulated device data after the device data is accumulated in the storage unit until the predetermined amount corresponding to the transmission destination of the device data is reached.

[0041] The communication control unit may transmit the accumulated device data after the device data is accumulated in the storage unit until the predetermined amount corresponding to the time period in which the device data is received is reached.

[0042] Alternatively, the communication terminal further includes a storage unit, which associates and stores the device data received by the device communication unit with the communication device, and the communication control unit sends the latest device data via the wireless communication line based on the status of the device data stored in the storage unit, when the difference between the latest device data received by the device communication unit and the previous device data stored in the storage unit and associated with the same communication device is greater than a specified sending judgment threshold.

[0043] When transmitting the latest device data having the difference larger than a transmission determination threshold, the communication control unit may transmit data stored in the storage unit having the difference smaller than the transmission determination threshold before transmitting the latest device data.

[0044] The communication control unit may determine the transmission determination threshold based on at least one of a time zone, a day of the week, or a date. Furthermore, the communication control unit may determine the transmission determination threshold based on the congestion level of the wireless communication line. The communication control unit may further determine the transmission determination threshold based on the congestion level of a base station providing the wireless communication line.

[0045] The communication control unit may determine the transmission determination threshold based on a statistical value of a plurality of pieces of device data associated with the same communication device and stored in the storage unit. Furthermore, the communication control unit may determine the transmission determination threshold based on the state of the communication device indicated by the device data.

[0046] The storage unit may also associate the transmission decision threshold value with the communication device and store the associated information. In addition, the storage unit may also associate the transmission decision threshold value with an application executable by the communication device and store the associated information.

[0047] The communication control unit may also acquire the transmission determination threshold value transmitted from the device that acquires the device data via the wireless communication line. The communication control unit may also receive a designation of a frequency for transmitting the device data via the wireless communication line, and determine the transmission determination threshold value based on the designated frequency.

[0048] The communication method of the second embodiment of the present invention is executed by a computer possessed by a communication terminal, and the communication method is used to send device data output by a communication device via a wireless communication line, wherein the device data output by the communication device is received, and the received device data is sent to the wireless communication line according to the following timing, which is based on the timing of the status of at least one of the communication terminal, the wireless communication line, the communication device, and the device data, or based on the timing of information received from a management device for indicating the timing of sending the device data, and the management device manages the communication terminal from the outside.

[0049] The communication method may also further detect whether the communication terminal is moving. When it is detected based on the state of the communication terminal that the communication terminal is moving, the device data is sent after a first time has passed since the device data sent by the communication device was received during the sending. When it is detected that the communication terminal is stopped, a delay mode or an erasure mode is executed during the sending. The delay mode is a mode in which the device data is sent after a second time longer than the first time has passed since the device data was received. The erasure mode is a mode in which the sending of the device data is suspended.

[0050] The communication method may further acquire the state of the communication device, and in the transmission, based on the state, transmit the received device data to the wireless communication line according to a priority corresponding to the state.

[0051] The communication method may also accumulate the received device data in a storage unit, and during the sending, after the device data is accumulated in the storage unit until a specified amount is reached, the accumulated device data is sent according to the state of the device data accumulated in the storage unit, and the specified amount is set in a manner to establish an association with the communication device that outputs the device data or at least one of the attributes of the device data.

[0052] The communication method may also associate the device data received from the device communication unit with the communication device and store it in a storage unit. During the transmission, based on the status of the device data stored in the storage unit, when the difference between the latest device data received from the communication device and the previous device data stored in the storage unit and associated with the same communication device is greater than a specified transmission judgment threshold, the latest device data is sent via the wireless communication line.

[0053] The communication program of the third embodiment of the present invention causes a computer of a communication terminal to perform the following processing: receiving device data output by a communication device connected to the communication terminal via a wireless communication line, and sending the received device data to the wireless communication line according to the following timing, which is based on the status of at least one of the communication terminal, the wireless communication line, the communication device, and the device data, or based on the timing of information received from a management device indicating the timing of sending the device data, and the management device manages the communication terminal from the outside.

[0054] The communication method may also perform the following processing: further acquiring the status of the communication device, and in the sending, based on the status, sending the received device data to the wireless communication line according to the priority corresponding to the status.

[0055] The communication method may also perform the following processing: the received device data is also accumulated in a storage unit, and during the sending, according to the state of the device data accumulated in the storage unit, after the device data is accumulated in the storage unit until a specified amount is reached, the accumulated device data is sent, and the specified amount is set in a manner to establish an association with the communication device that outputs the device data, or at least one of the attributes of the device data.

[0056] The communication method may also perform the following processing: the device data received from the device communication unit is also associated with the communication device and stored in the storage unit. During the transmission, based on the status of the device data stored in the storage unit, when the difference between the latest device data received from the communication device and the previous device data stored in the storage unit and associated with the same communication device is greater than a specified transmission determination threshold, the latest device data is sent via the wireless communication line.

[0057] A communication system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises: a communication terminal for transmitting device data output by a communication device via a wireless communication line, and a management device for receiving the device data transmitted by the communication terminal; the communication terminal comprises: a device communication unit for receiving the device data output by the communication device, and a communication control unit for transmitting the device data received by the device communication unit to the wireless communication line at a timing based on the status of at least one of the communication terminal, the wireless communication line, the communication device, and the device data; the management device comprises a transmitting unit for acquiring information related to the communication terminal and providing the acquired information to the communication terminal.

[0058] Alternatively, the communication terminal may further include: a terminal transmitting unit that transmits location information indicating the location of the communication terminal to the management device; and a movement detecting unit that detects whether the communication terminal is moving; if the movement detecting unit determines that the communication terminal is moving based on the state of the communication terminal, the communication control unit transmits the device data after a first time has elapsed since the device data transmitted by the communication device was received; and if the movement detecting unit determines that the communication terminal is stopped, the communication control unit executes a delay mode or an erasure mode, wherein the delay mode is a mode in which the device data is transmitted after a second time longer than the first time has elapsed since the device data was received, and the erasure mode is a mode in which the transmission of the device data is suspended; and the management device may further include: an information receiving unit that receives the location information from the communication terminal, an acquiring unit that acquires a congestion level of the wireless communication line based on the location information, and a determining unit that determines the first time and the second time based on the congestion level acquired by the acquiring unit; and the transmitting unit transmits the information including the first time and the second time to the communication terminal.

[0059] Alternatively, the communication terminal further includes a storage unit, which associates and stores the device data received by the device communication unit with the communication device, and the communication control unit sends the latest device data via the wireless communication line when the difference between the latest device data received by the device communication unit and the previous device data stored in the storage unit and associated with the same communication device is greater than a prescribed sending judgment threshold. The sending unit determines the sending judgment threshold used by the communication terminal and provides the information including the determined sending judgment threshold to the communication terminal.

[0060] A management device of the fifth embodiment of the present invention manages the timing of sending device data output by a communication device to a base station via a wireless communication line by a communication terminal, wherein the management device comprises: an acquisition unit for acquiring the timing related to the communication of the device data, and a communication control unit for sending timing information indicating the timing to the communication terminal.

[0061] The acquisition unit may acquire the timing at which each of the plurality of communication terminals transmits the plurality of device data, and the communication control unit may transmit the timing information indicating the timing acquired by the acquisition unit to the plurality of communication terminals.

[0062] The acquisition unit acquires the timing based on, for example, the number of the plurality of communication terminals within a sector of the same base station providing the wireless communication link. Alternatively, the acquisition unit acquires the timing based on the number of communication devices communicating with the plurality of communication terminals within the sector of the same base station providing the wireless communication link.

[0063] Furthermore, the acquisition unit may acquire the timing based on a priority of an application that outputs data transmitted by a communication device communicating with the communication terminal via the wireless communication line.

[0064] The acquisition unit may acquire scheduled transmission times at which the plurality of communication terminals respectively schedule to transmit data, and acquire the timing based on the scheduled transmission times.

[0065] The acquisition unit can also obtain the scheduled sending times and the scheduled sending amounts of data, i.e., the scheduled sending amounts, respectively scheduled by multiple communication terminals for data transmission, and obtain the timing based on the relationship between the allowable sending amount corresponding to the time period including the scheduled sending times and the total value of the scheduled sending amounts corresponding to the same time period.

[0066] The transmitting unit may also transmit the timing information updated as the scheduled transmission amount corresponding to the same time period changes to at least one of the plurality of communication terminals. Furthermore, the transmitting unit may transmit the timing information to the communication terminal during the specified time period if a specified number (≧2) or more of the communication terminals are scheduled to transmit data during the specified time period.

[0067] The transmitting unit may obtain priorities of data scheduled to be transmitted by the plurality of communication terminals, and transmit the timing information to the communication terminals during a time period in which a proportion of data having a priority higher than a predetermined priority is greater than a predetermined value.

[0068] The acquisition unit may acquire a deadline for the communication terminal to transmit data and acquire the timing so that the communication terminal can transmit data before the acquired deadline. Alternatively, the acquisition unit may acquire the timing based on an attribute of the communication terminal.

[0069] The acquisition unit may further acquire the timing based on the number of the plurality of communication terminals utilizing a relay network including a plurality of base stations. Furthermore, the acquisition unit may acquire the timing at which at least two of the plurality of communication terminals transmit data requesting a firmware update, wherein the timing at which at least two of the plurality of communication terminals transmit data requesting a firmware update is different from one another.

[0070] The acquisition unit may acquire a disconnection timing as the timing at which the base station disconnects the wireless communication line, and the communication control unit may transmit the timing information including the disconnection timing acquired by the acquisition unit to the communication terminal.

[0071] The management method of the sixth embodiment of the present invention is used to manage multiple communication terminals that send multiple data output by multiple communication devices via wireless communication lines, wherein the timing for each of the multiple communication terminals to send the multiple data is obtained, and timing information for indicating the determined timing is sent to the multiple communication terminals.

[0072] The communication control method of the seventh embodiment of the present invention is used to control the timing of sending device data output by the communication device by the communication terminal via the wireless communication line, wherein a computer obtains the timing when the base station providing the wireless communication line used by the communication terminal cuts off the wireless communication line, that is, the cut-off timing, and sends the cut-off timing obtained by the computer to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal that receives the notification of the cut-off timing sends the device data received from the communication device via the wireless communication line at a timing other than the cut-off timing.

[0073] The communication system of the eighth embodiment of the present invention comprises: a communication terminal, which sends device data output by a communication device via a wireless communication line, and a management device, which manages the timing of the communication terminal sending the device data; wherein the management device comprises: an acquisition unit, which acquires the timing related to the communication of the device data, and a communication control unit, which sends timing information used to represent the timing to the communication terminal; the communication terminal comprises: a device communication unit, which receives the device data, a terminal receiving unit, which receives the timing information sent by the communication control unit, and a terminal control unit, which sends the device data received by the device communication unit via the wireless communication line according to the timing information.

[0074] It may also be that the acquisition unit acquires the timing at which each of the multiple communication terminals sends the multiple device data, the communication control unit sends the timing information indicating the timing acquired by the acquisition unit to the multiple communication terminals, and the terminal control unit sends data according to the timing indicated by the timing information received by the terminal receiving unit.

[0075] It can also be that the acquisition unit obtains the timing when the base station cuts off the wireless communication line, that is, the disconnection timing, the communication control unit sends the timing information including the disconnection timing obtained by the acquisition unit to the communication terminal, and the terminal control unit sends the device data received by the device communication unit via the wireless communication line at the timing other than the disconnection timing included in the timing information received by the terminal receiving unit.

[0076] Alternatively, the terminal control unit may transmit sector information for specifying the base station to which the communication terminal belongs to the management device, and the communication control unit may notify the communication terminal of the disconnection timing of the base station acquired based on the sector information.

[0077] The communication control unit may further notify the communication terminal of a disconnection period during which the wireless communication line is disconnected by the base station, and the terminal control unit may transmit the device data via the wireless communication line during a period other than the disconnection period.

[0078] The communication control unit may notify the disconnection timing using connection control information used for connection control of the wireless communication line.

[0079] The terminal control unit may not transmit the device data during a predetermined period before receiving the disconnection timing notified by the communication control unit, but may temporarily store the device data in the storage unit. The terminal control unit may also determine the predetermined period based on a communication delay time between the communication terminal and the base station.

[0080] The terminal control unit may determine the predetermined period based on the amount of the device data received from the communication device. In addition, the terminal control unit may determine the predetermined period to be a different length for each application used to cause the communication device to transmit the device data.

[0081] The terminal control unit may transmit the device data stored in the storage unit after a random time has elapsed since the disconnection timing ended.

[0082] Effects of the Invention

[0083] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress congestion in a wireless communication line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment.

[0085] Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of data in a communication system.

[0086] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication terminal in the first embodiment.

[0087] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the configuration of the data management device in the first embodiment.

[0088] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of the base station DB in the first embodiment.

[0089] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of the communication terminal DB in the first embodiment.

[0090] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a table for indicating scheduled transmission times for each communication terminal that the timing determination unit of the first embodiment causes the storage unit to store.

[0091] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0092] Figure 9 It is a diagram schematically showing the flow of data in the communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0093] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication terminal in the second embodiment.

[0094] Figure 11 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a data management device in the second embodiment.

[0095] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0096] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing an operation flow chart of the communication terminal in the second embodiment.

[0097] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication terminal in the third embodiment.

[0098] Figure 15 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a data management device in the third embodiment.

[0099] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing an example of the cutoff timing DB in the third embodiment.

[0100] Figure 17 This is a diagram showing an example of a communication terminal DB in the third embodiment.

[0101] Figure 18It is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system according to the third embodiment.

[0102] Figure 19 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication terminal in the fifth embodiment.

[0103] Figure 20 This is a diagram showing an example of a reception history database in the fifth embodiment.

[0104] Figure 21 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a data management device in the fifth embodiment.

[0105] Figure 22 It is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system according to the fifth embodiment.

[0106] Figure 23 This is a flowchart of the operation of the communication terminal processing device data in the fifth embodiment.

[0107] Figure 24 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication terminal in the sixth embodiment.

[0108] Figure 25 This is a table showing an example of the relationship between the amount of device data accumulated by the communication terminal 2 and the wireless resource occupancy rate in the sixth embodiment.

[0109] Figure 26 This is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the buffer amount and the radio resource occupancy rate, and the relationship between the buffer amount and the delay time in the sixth embodiment.

[0110] Figure 27 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a data management device in the sixth embodiment.

[0111] Figure 28 It is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system according to the sixth embodiment.

[0112] Figure 29 This is a flowchart of the operation of the communication terminal processing device data in the sixth embodiment.

[0113] Figure 30 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication terminal in the seventh embodiment.

[0114] Figure 31 It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the communication control unit in the seventh embodiment.

[0115] Figure 32 This is a table showing an example of the relationship among the transmission method, transmission interval, number of transmissions per unit time, and radio resource occupancy rate in the seventh embodiment.

[0116] Figure 33It is a diagram showing the structure of a data management device in the seventh embodiment.

[0117] Figure 34 This is a flowchart of the operation of the communication terminal 2 processing device data in the seventh embodiment.

[0118] Figure 35 It is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system S according to the seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0119] [Structure of Communication System S]

[0120] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a communication system S according to an embodiment. The communication system S includes a plurality of communication devices 1 ( Figure 1 exemplarily shows communication devices 1a, 1b, 1c), a communication terminal 2, a data management device 3, and a data acquisition device 4 ( Figure 1 4a, 4b, and 4c are shown as examples. The communication terminal 2 can transmit device data received from a plurality of communication devices 1 to the data management device 3 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0121] The communication network N1 is a mobile phone network having a plurality of base stations 5 ( Figure 1 denoted as base stations 5a, 5b, and 5c in the figure). Each of the multiple base stations 5 is, for example, an eNodeB in LTE (Long Term Evolution). Each of the multiple base stations 5 is connected to a plurality of communication terminals 2 via wireless communication lines. Communication terminals 2 can use the wireless communication lines provided by the base stations 5 to transmit device data received from communication device 1 to data management device 3.

[0122] The relay network N2 is a network that includes an EPC (Evolved Packet Core) such as an LTE PGW (Packet Data Network Gateway) or MME (Mobility Management Entity). The relay network N2 is connected to multiple base stations 5. The relay network N2 is connected to the data management device 3 via the Internet, for example.

[0123] Communication device 1 includes, for example, a sensor and transmits device data based on output signals from the sensor to communication terminal 2. Communication device 1 transmits and receives data to and from communication terminal 2 via a wireless communication channel suitable for short-range communication, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0124] Communication device 1 is installed in a vending machine, vehicle, office, factory, or other location. It transmits device data to data management device 3 via communication terminal 2. This device data includes various information that can be collected at the location where communication device 1 is installed. For example, if communication device 1 is installed in a vending machine, communication device 1 collects information related to temperature, remaining change, product inventory, and the presence of people nearby, and transmits the device data containing this information to communication terminal 2.

[0125] The capacity of device data transmitted by communication device 1 is smaller than the capacity of audio or video data transmitted and received by communication terminals such as smartphones and tablets. For example, the length of one piece of device data is 100 bytes or less. The device data transmitted by communication device 1 includes identification information assigned to each communication device 1, namely the device ID, and data including collected information.

[0126] Communication terminal 2 receives a plurality of device data from a plurality of communication devices 1. Communication terminal 2 temporarily accumulates the received device data and transmits the accumulated device data to data management device 3 by sending the accumulated device data to communication network N1 at a timing notified by data management device 3, thereby transmitting the device data to data management device 3.

[0127] The data management device 3 is, for example, a server managed by a communications carrier that provides services utilizing the communications network N1. Furthermore, the data management device 3 is a server that externally manages the communication terminal 2. The data management device 3 provides the device data received from the communication terminal 2 to the data acquisition device 4 via the communications network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0128] Specifically, data management device 3 collects device data transmitted from multiple communication devices 1 via communication terminal 2 and communication network N1. Data management device 3 accumulates the received device data on a storage medium such as a hard disk and, in response to a request from data acquisition device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c), transmits the device data itself or information generated based on the device data to data acquisition device 4.

[0129] The data management device 3 determines the timing for each of the multiple communication terminals 2 to transmit device data, and notifies the multiple communication terminals 2 of the determined timing. Since the data management device 3 appropriately determines the timing for multiple communication terminals 2 to transmit device data, it is possible to prevent a large number of communication terminals 2 from simultaneously transmitting device data to the same base station 5 or the same relay network N2, thereby preventing congestion.

[0130] The data acquisition device 4 is a computer capable of accessing the data management device 3. For example, the data acquisition device 4 is a PC (Personal Computer) used by a data acquirer to access the device data transmitted from the communication device 1 to the data management device 3. The data acquirer can browse the contents of the device data transmitted from the communication device 1 on their PC.

[0131] Here, if the communication device 1 is installed in a vending machine, the data acquirer may be, for example, the vending machine management company, a beverage manufacturer that manufactures the products in the vending machine, or a company that provides sales information. The data acquirer enters into a contract with the communications carrier that manages the data management device 3 to acquire device data output by a desired application on a desired communication device 1. The data management device 3 associates and stores the acquirer ID of each data acquirer, the device IDs of one or more communication devices 1 selected by each data acquirer, and the application IDs of one or more applications selected by each data acquirer.

[0132] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing the flow of data in the communication system S. One communication device 1 can execute a plurality of application programs corresponding to a variety of information. Figure 2 The illustrated communication device 1 is provided in a vending machine and is capable of executing a temperature application 111 , a change management application 112 , an inventory management application 113 , and a monitoring application 114 .

[0133] The temperature application 111 can transmit temperature information indicating the internal temperature of the vending machine. The change management application 112 can transmit change information indicating the change balance in the vending machine. The inventory management application 113 can transmit inventory information indicating the number of items in stock in the vending machine. The monitoring application 114 can transmit human detection information indicating when a person was detected within a specified distance from the vending machine.

[0134] The information sent by each application is distributed by the data management device 3 to the pre-registered data acquisition device 4. Figure 2 In the example shown, temperature information output by the temperature application 111 is transmitted to the data acquisition device 4a of the data acquisition provider who maintains the vending machine. Change information output by the change management application 112 is transmitted to the data acquisition device 4b of the data acquisition provider who manages the merchandise. Inventory information output by the inventory management application 113 is transmitted to the data acquisition device 4b and to the data acquisition device 4c of the data acquisition provider who provides sales information. Person detection information output by the surveillance application 114 is transmitted to the data acquisition device 4c.

[0135] It should be noted that the communication device 1 can be installed in any location, for example, it can be installed in a motor vehicle. When the communication device 1 is installed in the motor vehicle, it can transmit information such as the remaining gasoline level, remaining battery level, driving data (such as driving distance, average speed, fuel consumption rate, and number of sudden braking), location information, and vehicle fault information to the data management device 3.

[0136] First embodiment

[0137] [Structure of Communication Terminal 2]

[0138] Next, the configuration and operation of the communication terminal 2 will be described.

[0139] Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication terminal 2 in the first embodiment. The communication terminal 2 includes a device communication unit 121 , a control unit 122 , a network communication unit 123 , and a storage unit 124 .

[0140] The device communication unit 121 is a wireless communication interface for receiving data transmitted from the communication device 1 .

[0141] The control unit 122 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and stores the device data received via the device communication unit 121 in the storage unit 124. Furthermore, at a timing notified by the data management device 3, the control unit 122 reads the device data stored in the storage unit 124 and transmits the read device data to the communication network N1 via the network communication unit 123.

[0142] The control unit 122 may also transmit the device data received from the communication device 1 at a time set by the data acquirer and received via the data management device 3. The data acquirer can, for example, set the time for the communication terminal 2 to transmit the device data for each communication device 1 or application. If the control unit 122 does not receive a notification of a transmission timing from the data management device 3, it transmits the device data at the pre-set scheduled transmission time.

[0143] The network communication unit 123 is a wireless communication interface for transmitting data received from the communication device 1 to the communication network N1. The network communication unit 123 can transmit and receive data to and from the base station 5 of the communication network N1 according to, for example, the LTE standard.

[0144] The storage unit 124 includes storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk. The storage unit 124 stores programs executed by the control unit 122. Furthermore, under the control of the control unit 122, the storage unit 124 associates device data received from the communication device 1 with the device ID of the communication device 1 and the date and time of receipt from the communication device 1, and stores the data.

[0145] [Structure of the Data Management Device 3]

[0146] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data management device 3 in the first embodiment. The data management device 3 includes a communication unit 131 , a storage unit 132 , and a control unit 133 .

[0147] The communication unit 131 includes a first communication unit 1311 and a second communication unit 1312. The first communication unit 1311 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data with the communication terminal 2 via the communication network N1, such as a terminal interface for a mobile phone network. The first communication unit 1311 may also include a LAN (Local Area Network) interface for connecting to a terminal device on the mobile phone network.

[0148] The second communication unit 1312 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the data acquisition device 4 via the relay network N2. The second communication unit 1312 is, for example, a LAN interface.

[0149] The storage unit 132 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 132 stores a base station database (hereinafter referred to as the base station DB) that associates identification information of the base stations 5 (hereinafter referred to as the base station ID), the number of communication terminals 2 accommodated by each base station 5, and the communication terminal IDs, which are the identification information of the communication terminals 2 accommodated by the base stations 5.

[0150] Figure 5 This figure shows an example of a base station DB in the first embodiment. The number of accommodated terminals is the number of communication terminals 2 using the wireless communication lines provided by each base station 5. The number of accommodated terminals is updated under the control of the storage control unit 1333, described later. For example, the number of accommodated terminals is updated sequentially as the number of communication terminals 2 communicating with a base station 5 changes due to movement of a communication terminal 2.

[0151] The storage unit 132 also stores a communication terminal database (hereinafter referred to as communication terminal DB) that associates communication terminal IDs with device IDs, which are identification information of communication devices 1 that can directly communicate with each communication terminal 2 without going through the base station 5 .

[0152] Figure 6 This figure shows an example of a communication terminal DB in the first embodiment. The communication terminal DB stores, in association with the communication terminal ID, application IDs, which are identification information for applications executable by communication device 1 that can communicate with communication terminal 2, and the amount of data transmitted by each application during a single data transmission.

[0153] exist Figure 6 In the example shown, communication terminal 2 with communication terminal ID 9001 receives data output by communication device 1a with device ID 1001 and communication device 1b with device ID 1002. Communication device 1a can execute an application with application ID a51 that sends 10 bytes of data, and an application with application ID a52 that sends 20 bytes of data. Communication device 1b can execute an application with application ID a51 that sends 10 bytes of data, and an application with application ID a53 that sends 45 bytes of data.

[0154] Furthermore, the storage unit 132 associates and stores data transmitted from a plurality of communication devices 1 and received from the communication terminal 2 with the device ID of the communication device 1. Furthermore, the storage unit 132 may also store a data provision database (hereinafter referred to as a data provision DB) in which the acquirer ID of a data acquirer accessing the data management device 3 via the data acquisition device 4 is associated with the device ID and application ID of the communication device 1 and application registered as the target from which the data acquirer acquires data.

[0155] The control unit 133 is, for example, a CPU, and determines the timing at which each communication terminal 2 transmits data by executing a program stored in the storage unit 132 .

[0156] The control unit 133 includes a communication control unit 1331 , a request accepting unit 1332 , a storage control unit 1333 , and a timing determining unit 1334 .

[0157] Communication control unit 1331 controls data transmission and reception with communication terminal 2. Communication control unit 1331 notifies communication terminal 2, which is capable of communicating with communication device 1, of the gateway address of communication network N1, namely, the APN (Access Point Name), thereby starting to receive data from communication terminal 2. Communication device 1 then outputs data to be provided to data acquisition device 4. Furthermore, communication control unit 1331 functions as a transmitter that transmits timing information indicating the timing determined by timing determination unit 1334 to communication terminal 2 via first communication unit 1311.

[0158] The request accepting unit 1332 accepts a request for selecting communication devices 1 and applications from which data is to be acquired from the data acquisition device 4. The request accepting unit 1332 transmits a list of communication devices 1 and applications from which the data management device 3 collects data to the data acquisition device 4 via the second communication unit 1312.

[0159] When the data acquirer selects a communication device 1 and application from which to acquire data based on the list of communication devices 1 and applications displayed by the data acquisition device 4, the data acquisition device 4 transmits information identifying the selected communication device 1 and application (e.g., device ID and application ID) and a data acquisition request including the acquirer's ID to the data management device 3. Upon receiving the data acquisition request from the data acquisition device 4, the request accepting unit 1332 notifies the storage control unit 1333 of the acquirer ID, device ID, and application ID included in the data acquisition request, thereby registering the data in the data provision DB within the storage unit 132.

[0160] When request accepting unit 1332 receives a data acquisition request from data acquisition device 4, it references the data provision database stored in storage unit 132 and received via communication network N1, and transmits the data sent by the application indicated by the request to data acquisition device 4, thereby providing the data. The data provision database associates the acquirer ID corresponding to the data acquisition device 4 that sent the data acquisition request with the device ID of the communication device that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 with the acquirer ID. The data provision database may also associate the application ID of the application that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 with the acquirer ID.

[0161] The request accepting unit 1332 may also accept requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 to select the same communication device 1 to execute the same application. When the request accepting unit 1332 accepts requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 to select the same communication device 1 to execute the same application, the communication control unit 1331 provides the data sent by the application indicated by the request, among the data received via the communication network N1, to the multiple data acquisition devices 4.

[0162] Storage control unit 1333 writes data to storage unit 132 or reads data stored in storage unit 132 in accordance with instructions from communication control unit 1331 and request accepting unit 1332. For example, storage control unit 1333 associates device data received from communication terminal 2 by communication control unit 1331 with the device ID and application ID, and stores the data in storage unit 132.

[0163] Timing determination unit 1334 determines the timing for each of the plurality of communication terminals 2 to transmit a plurality of data. Timing determination unit 1334 determines the time or period at which each of the plurality of communication terminals 2 transmits the plurality of data, and notifies timing information indicating the determined time or period to the communication terminal 2 via communication control unit 1331. Timing determination unit 1334 determines the timing based on, for example, the number of communication terminals 2 within a sector of the same base station 5 providing a wireless communication link. Timing determination unit 1334 may determine the timing based on the time at which a communication terminal 2 transmits data, or based on the period at which a communication terminal 2 transmits data.

[0164] The timing determination unit 1334 determines the number of communication terminals 2 present within the sectors of each base station 5 by, for example, referring to the base station DB stored in the storage unit 132. If the number of communication terminals 2 present within the sector of the base station 5 exceeds a predetermined threshold that could lead to congestion, the timing determination unit 1334 determines the timing for each communication terminal 2 to transmit data so that the number of communication terminals 2 simultaneously transmitting data is kept below a predetermined number. The timing determination unit 1334 determines the timing so that the timing for multiple communication terminals 2 to transmit data is dispersed over a longer period of time as the number of communication terminals 2 within the sector of the same base station 5 increases.

[0165] The timing determination unit 1334 may also determine the timing based on the number of communication devices 1 with which multiple communication terminals 2 within a sector of the same base station 5 providing a wireless communication line can communicate without going through the base station 5. In this case, the timing determination unit 1334 refers to the base station DB and the communication terminal DB stored in the storage unit 132 to determine the number of communication devices 1 with which each communication terminal 2 within the sector of each base station 5 can communicate.

[0166] The timing determination unit 1334 then determines the number of communication devices 1 within each sector of the base station 5 by adding the number of communication devices 1 with which each communication terminal 2 can communicate. If the number of communication devices 1 within a sector of the base station 5 exceeds a predetermined threshold that could lead to congestion, the timing determination unit 1334 determines the timing for each communication terminal 2 to transmit data so that the number of communication terminals 2 simultaneously transmitting data is reduced to or below a predetermined number.

[0167] When determining the timing for each communication terminal 2 to transmit data, timing determination unit 1334 may determine the timing based on the priority of the application on communication device 1 that outputs the data. For example, timing determination unit 1334 may prioritize applications that output data requiring real-time performance over applications that output data that does not require real-time performance. Timing determination unit 1334 then does not specify a data transmission timing for communication terminals 2 that can execute high-priority applications, but specifies a data transmission timing for communication terminals 2 that can communicate with communication devices 1 that cannot execute high-priority applications.

[0168] Timing determination unit 1334 can specify a timing for transmitting data output by a low-priority application, rather than a timing for transmitting data output by a high-priority application, for a communication terminal 2 that can communicate with both a communication device 1 capable of executing a high-priority application and a communication device 1 incapable of executing a high-priority application. By determining the timing based on the priority of the application, timing determination unit 1334 can suppress congestion and prevent delays in the transmission of data requiring real-time performance.

[0169] Alternatively, the timing determination unit 1334 may obtain the scheduled transmission times for data transmission from multiple communication terminals 2 and determine the timing based on the scheduled transmission times. For example, the timing determination unit 1334 may determine the timing based on the number of communication terminals 2 that are scheduled to transmit data at the same time (or time period) based on the scheduled transmission times. The timing determination unit 1334 may pre-acquire the scheduled transmission times for communication terminals 2 and store them in the storage unit 132. When the scheduled transmission times (or time periods) for a predetermined number or more of the communication terminals 2 coincide, the timing determination unit 1334 may determine a modified scheduled transmission time for at least some of the communication terminals 2.

[0170] Timing determination unit 1334 can obtain information about the surrounding radio wave conditions of communication terminal 2 from communication terminal 2. If there are multiple communication terminals 2 scheduled to transmit data at the same time, the timing determination unit 1334 will prioritize changing the scheduled transmission time of communication terminals 2 with better radio wave conditions to earlier times. This allows communication terminals 2 with better radio wave conditions to complete data transmission more quickly, making it suitable for situations where data communication needs to be performed as soon as possible (for example, when performing a firmware update).

[0171] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a table indicating the scheduled transmission time for each communication terminal 2 , which the timing determination unit 1334 of the first embodiment causes the storage unit 132 to store. Figure 7In the example, multiple communication terminals 2 with communication terminal IDs 9001, 9002, and 9003 are scheduled to transmit data at 0:00. In this case, for example, timing determination unit 1334 determines to change the scheduled transmission time of communication terminal 2 with communication terminal ID 9001, which has a smaller interval between scheduled transmission times, to 0:01, and notifies communication terminal 2 with communication terminal ID 9001 of the changed scheduled transmission time.

[0172] The timing determination unit 1334 may also obtain the scheduled transmission times and the scheduled transmission data amounts, i.e., the scheduled transmission data amounts, of the plurality of communication terminals 2, and determine the timing based on the relationship between the allowable transmission amount corresponding to the time period including the scheduled transmission time and the total value of the scheduled transmission data amounts corresponding to the same time period. Figure 7 In the example shown, the total amount of data scheduled to be sent at 00:00 is 10 + 25 + 50 = 85 bytes. The total amount of data scheduled to be sent at 2:00 is 10 + 25 = 35 bytes. If the allowable transmission amount during the midnight time period from 00:00 to 6:00 is 50 bytes, then since the total amount of data scheduled to be sent at 00:00 exceeds the allowable transmission amount, timing determination unit 1334 changes the transmission timing of at least one of the multiple communication terminals 2 scheduled to transmit data at 00:00.

[0173] The timing determination unit 1334 updates the Figure 7 Specifically, the timing determination unit 1334 updates the scheduled transmission time and the scheduled transmission data amount each time it obtains the updated data from the communication terminal 2. Figure 7 The table shown.

[0174] Upon receiving updated data on the scheduled transmission time and the scheduled data transmission amount, timing determination unit 1334 recalculates the number of communication terminals 2 transmitting data at the same time and the scheduled data transmission amount at the same time. Timing determination unit 1334 transmits the updated timing information corresponding to the change in the scheduled data transmission amount corresponding to the same time period to at least one of the multiple communication terminals 2. For example, if, as a result of the recalculation, the number of communication terminals 2 transmitting data at the same time exceeds a threshold, or if the total amount of data that may be transmitted simultaneously exceeds the permissible transmission amount, timing determination unit 1334 changes the data transmission timing for at least some of the communication terminals 2 and notifies the communication terminal 2 of the changed timing.

[0175] Timing determination unit 1334 can obtain a deadline for communication terminal 2 to transmit data and determine the timing so that communication terminal 2 can transmit data before the deadline. For example, timing determination unit 1334 obtains the transmission deadline from communication terminal 2 and associates it with the scheduled transmission time. When determining the timing for communication terminal 2 to transmit data, timing determination unit 1334 determines the timing so that data can be transmitted before the transmission deadline. This ensures that even if timing determination unit 1334 determines to transmit data later than the scheduled transmission time of communication terminal 2, the timing for transmitting data, such as data that would be meaningless if not transmitted within the specified time, is not excessively delayed.

[0176] Alternatively, the timing determination unit 1334 may determine the timing based on the attributes of the communication terminal 2 stored in the storage unit 132. For example, if the attributes of the communication terminal 2 indicate that it can communicate with the communication device 1 that outputs data requiring real-time performance, the timing determination unit 1334 may determine the timing so that data can be transmitted with priority. However, if the attributes of the communication terminal 2 indicate that it cannot communicate with the communication device 1 that outputs data requiring real-time performance, the timing determination unit 1334 may lower the priority.

[0177] Timing determination unit 1334 may also determine the timing based on the attributes of communication terminal 2 and the contract terms of the communication carrier associated with communication terminal 2. For example, if the attributes of communication terminal 2 indicate a high-cost contract term, timing determination unit 1334 determines the timing so that data can be transmitted with priority.

[0178] It should be noted that the core network of relay network N2, such as the MME and PGW, must process data transmitted from multiple base stations 5. Therefore, when a large amount of data is transmitted simultaneously from a large number of base stations 5, congestion may occur in relay network N2. Therefore, the timing determination unit 1334 may also determine the timing based on the number of communication terminals 2 accommodated by the multiple base stations 5 and utilizing relay network N2.

[0179] To this end, the timing determination unit 1334 refers to Figure 5 In the illustrated base station DB, the number of communication terminals 2 accommodated by base stations 5 using relay network N2 is added together. If the added number is greater than a predetermined value, timing determination unit 1334 determines a timing such that the number of communication terminals 2 simultaneously transmitting data is below the permitted number. Timing determination unit 1334 can allocate the timings at which communication terminals 2 can transmit data to different time periods for each base station 5 so that the number of communication terminals 2 simultaneously transmitting data is below the permitted number.

[0180] Furthermore, if a communication terminal 2 requires a firmware update, the update may start simultaneously, potentially causing congestion in the communication network N1 and the relay network N2. Therefore, the timing determination unit 1334 may also determine that at least two of the multiple communication terminals 2 transmit data requesting a firmware update at different times. For example, if a firmware update is required for a communication terminal 2, the timing determination unit 1334 determines the firmware update timing to be notified to the communication terminal 2 to be different for each communication terminal 2. This prevents a large number of communication terminals 2 from transmitting data requesting a firmware update simultaneously.

[0181] Here, the communication control unit 1331 may transmit the timing information to the communication terminal 2 during a specified time period when the probability of congestion in the communication network N1 is high, and not transmit the timing information to the plurality of communication terminals 2 during time periods outside of the specified time period. Specifically, the communication control unit 1331 transmits the timing information to the communication terminal 2 during the specified time period, assuming that a specified number (≧2) or more of the communication terminals 2 are scheduled to transmit data during the specified time period. Specifically, the communication control unit 1331 may transmit the timing information indicating the timing determined by the timing determination unit 1334 to the communication terminal 2 during the time period when the specified number or more of the communication terminals 2 are scheduled to transmit data, and not transmit the timing information during other time periods. This prevents the communication control unit 1331 from transmitting ineffective timing information during time periods when the probability of congestion is low.

[0182] Furthermore, the communication control unit 1331 can obtain the priority of data that each of the multiple communication terminals 2 is scheduled to transmit, and transmit timing information to the communication terminal 2 during a time period in which the proportion of data with a priority higher than a predetermined priority is greater than a predetermined value. Thus, the communication control unit 1331 can distribute the timing of data transmission by the communication terminal 2 as much as possible during time periods in which the likelihood of congestion is high and the proportion of high-priority data is high, thereby reducing the probability of congestion.

[0183] [Communication Timing]

[0184] Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system S according to the first embodiment.

[0185] First, when the time has come to transmit the collected information ("Yes" in S11), communication device 1 generates transmission data (S112) and transmits the transmission data to communication terminal 2. Upon receiving the transmission data, communication terminal 2 accumulates the received transmission data in storage unit 124 (S113). Communication terminal 2 then notifies data management device 3 of the scheduled transmission time (S114). At this time, communication terminal 2 may also notify data management device 3 of the device ID of communication device 1 that outputs the data scheduled to be transmitted by communication terminal 2, or the application ID of the application executed by communication terminal 1.

[0186] Next, in the data management device 3, the timing determination unit 1334 determines the timing for each communication terminal 2 to transmit data based on the scheduled transmission times received from the plurality of communication terminals 2 (S115). The communication control unit 1331 transmits timing information indicating the timing determined by the timing determination unit 1334 to the communication terminal 2.

[0187] Next, when the timing for transmitting data to the data management device 3 arrives ("YES" in S116), the communication terminal 2 transmits the accumulated data to the data management device 3. Upon receiving the data, the communication control unit 1331 associates the received data with the communication terminal ID and registers the data in the data provision DB in the storage unit 132.

[0188] [Effects of Communication System S]

[0189] To prevent congestion in wireless communication lines, existing systems require a control unit to instruct each sensor when to send data. With the increasing popularity of the Internet of Things (IoT), the number of installed sensors has increased, and the control unit's instructions to each sensor have become complex. The first embodiment described above improves the efficiency of control for preventing congestion in wireless communication lines.

[0190] The data management device 3 in the first embodiment acquires the timing related to the communication of the device data and transmits timing information indicating the timing to the communication terminal 2. The communication terminal 2 receives the device data and the timing information and transmits the received device data via the wireless communication line according to the timing information.

[0191] More specifically, in the communication system S of the first embodiment, the data management device 3 includes a timing determination unit 1334 that determines the timing at which each of the plurality of communication terminals 2 transmits a plurality of data, and a communication control unit 1331 that transmits timing information indicating the timing determined by the timing determination unit 1334 to the plurality of communication terminals 2. With this configuration, the data management device 3 can control the timing at which the communication terminals 2 transmit data sent from the plurality of communication devices 1 simply by notifying the plurality of communication terminals 2 of the timing information. Therefore, in the communication system S, the data management device 3 does not need to control each communication device 1, but can control the timing at which data transmitted by a large number of communication devices 1 is transmitted to the communication network N1. As a result, the probability of congestion in the communication network N1 and the relay network N2 can be effectively reduced.

[0192] Second embodiment

[0193] [Structure of Communication System S]

[0194] The diagram for showing the configuration of the communication system S of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. Figure 1 The communication system S includes a plurality of communication devices 1, a communication terminal 2, a data management device 3, and a data acquisition device 4. The communication terminal 2 can transmit device data received from the plurality of communication devices 1 to the data management device 3 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0195] The base station 5, the communication network N1, and the relay network N2 are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0196] Communication device 1 includes, for example, a sensor and transmits device data based on output signals from the sensor to communication terminal 2. Communication device 1 transmits and receives data to and from communication terminal 2 via a wireless communication channel suitable for short-range communication, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0197] Communication device 1 is installed in a mobile facility such as a motor vehicle, train, or airplane, and transmits device data to data management device 3 via communication terminal 2. This device data includes various information that can be collected at the location where communication device 1 is installed. For example, if communication device 1 is installed in a motor vehicle, communication device 1 collects information related to the remaining gasoline level, remaining battery level, travel distance, and the temperature of various components, and transmits the device data including this collected information to communication terminal 2.

[0198] The capacity of device data transmitted by communication device 1 is smaller than the capacity of audio or video data transmitted and received by communication terminals such as smartphones and tablets. For example, the length of one piece of device data is 100 bytes or less. The device data transmitted by communication device 1 includes identification information assigned to each communication device 1, namely the device ID, and data including collected information.

[0199] Communication terminal 2 receives multiple pieces of device data from multiple communication devices 1. Communication terminal 2 temporarily accumulates the received device data and, at a timing notified by data management device 3, transmits the accumulated device data to communication network N1, thereby transmitting the device data to data management device 3. Communication terminal 2 is installed in the same facility as the multiple communication devices 1. In this embodiment, communication terminal 2 is installed in a motor vehicle. The timing of transmitting the temporarily accumulated device data is determined based on whether communication terminal 2 is in motion.

[0200] As will be explained in detail later, when the communication terminal 2 is moving, it transmits the device data after a first time has elapsed since the device data was received. When the communication terminal 2 is stationary, it transmits the device data after a second time has elapsed that is longer than the first time, or it erases the device data and does not transmit it. This reduces the probability of the vehicle carrying the communication terminal 2 transmitting device data simultaneously with other communication terminals 2 using the same base station 5 while the vehicle is stationary.

[0201] The data management device 3 is, for example, a server managed by a communication carrier that provides services using the communication network N1. The data management device 3 provides the device data received from the communication terminal 2 to the data acquisition device 4 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0202] Data management device 3 collects device data transmitted from multiple communication devices 1 via communication terminal 2 and communication network N1. Data management device 3 accumulates the received device data on a storage medium such as a hard disk and transmits the device data itself or information generated based on the device data to data acquisition device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c) in response to a request from the data acquisition device 4.

[0203] The data acquisition device 4 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0204] Figure 9 Schematic diagram showing the flow of data in the communication system S according to the second embodiment. One communication device 1 can execute a plurality of application programs corresponding to a variety of information. Figure 9 The communication device 1 shown is mounted in a motor vehicle and is capable of executing a fuel management application 211 , a battery management application 212 , a driving management application 213 , and an abnormality monitoring application 214 .

[0205] The fuel management application 211 can transmit fuel-related information, such as the remaining gasoline level and fuel consumption rate. The battery management application 212 can transmit battery-related information, such as the remaining battery level and current consumption. The driving management application 213 can transmit driving-related information, such as driving distance and speed. The abnormality monitoring application 214 can transmit information indicating the presence of abnormalities, such as abnormal temperatures in various parts of the vehicle.

[0206] The information sent by each application is distributed by the data management device 3 to the pre-registered data acquisition device 4. Figure 9 In the example shown, information output by the fuel management application 211 is transmitted to the data acquisition device 4a at a gas station within a predetermined distance from the communication terminal 2. Information output by the battery management application 212 is transmitted to the data acquisition device 4a at a gas station that sells vehicle batteries, and to the data acquisition device 4b of a company that manages the vehicle. Information output by the driving management application 213 is transmitted to the data acquisition device 4b and to the data acquisition device 4c of the vehicle manufacturer. Information output by the abnormality monitoring application 214 is transmitted to the data acquisition device 4c.

[0207] [Structure of Communication Terminal 2]

[0208] Next, the configuration and operation of the communication terminal 2 will be described.

[0209] Figure 10 This figure shows the configuration of a communication terminal 2 in the second embodiment. The communication terminal 2 includes a device communication unit 221, a network communication unit 222, a sensor 23, a storage unit 224, and a control unit 225. The control unit 225, such as a CPU, executes programs stored in the storage unit 224 to function as a motion detection unit 2251 and a communication control unit 2252.

[0210] The device communication unit 221 is a wireless communication interface for receiving data transmitted by the communication device 1 .

[0211] The network communication unit 222 is a wireless communication interface for transmitting data received from the communication device 1 to the communication network N1. The network communication unit 222 can transmit and receive data with the base station 5 of the communication network N1 according to the LTE standard, for example.

[0212] The sensor 23 is, for example, an acceleration sensor, and outputs a detection signal indicating acceleration for detecting whether the communication terminal 2 is moving or stationary. The sensor 23 notifies the movement detection unit 2251 of the detection signal.

[0213] The storage unit 224 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 224 stores programs executed by the control unit 225. Furthermore, under the control of the communication control unit 2252, the storage unit 224 associates device data received from the communication device 1 with the device ID of the communication device 1 and the date and time received from the communication device 1, and stores the data.

[0214] The movement detection unit 2251 detects whether the communication terminal 2 is moving based on the detection signal notified from the sensor 23. The movement detection unit 2251 generates movement information indicating whether the communication terminal 2 is moving or stationary, and notifies the communication control unit 2252 of the movement information. For example, the movement detection unit 2251 determines that the communication terminal 2 is moving if the moving speed is 10 km / h or higher, and determines that the communication terminal 2 is stationary if the moving speed is less than 10 km / h.

[0215] The communication control unit 2252 temporarily accumulates the device data received by the device communication unit 221 in the storage unit 224. Then, based on the movement information notified from the movement detection unit 2251, the communication control unit 2252 transmits the device data accumulated in the storage unit 224 to the data management device 3 via the network communication unit 222 at a timing corresponding to the movement state of the communication terminal 2.

[0216] If the movement detection unit 2251 determines that the communication terminal 2 is moving, the communication control unit 2252 transmits the device data after a first time has elapsed since the device data transmitted by the communication device 1 was received. If the movement detection unit 2251 determines that the communication terminal 2 is stationary, the communication control unit 2252 implements a delay mode in which the device data is transmitted after a second time, longer than the first time, has elapsed since the device data was received. The second time is, for example, the time until the communication terminal 2 begins moving again. The first and second times may be pre-stored in the storage unit 224, or the communication control unit 2252 may receive them from the data management device 3. By transmitting the device data at a different timing when the communication terminal 2 is stationary than when it is moving, the communication control unit 2252 can prevent a large number of communication terminals 2 from transmitting data simultaneously, especially when a vehicle carrying a communication terminal 2 is stopped at a traffic light or traveling at a low speed due to traffic congestion, which may result in a large number of communication terminals 2 being present nearby.

[0217] When the communication terminal 2 is stopped, the communication control unit 2252 may execute a wipe mode to suspend the transmission of device data instead of the delay mode. When the communication control unit 2252 executes the wipe mode, for example, it executes the wipe mode when a predetermined time has passed since the communication terminal 2 entered the stopped state.

[0218] Alternatively, if the movement detection unit 2251 determines that the communication terminal 2 is stopped, the communication control unit 2252 may implement a delay mode if the device data has a first attribute; or implement an erase mode if the device data has a second attribute different from the first attribute. Device data with the first attribute is, for example, data that is generated erratically or data that requires all device data to be transmitted. Device data with the first attribute is equivalent to data indicating an abnormality. Device data with the second attribute is, for example, data that is generated stably, such as data indicating the remaining fuel or battery level.

[0219] For example, if movement detection unit 2251 determines that communication terminal 2 is stopped, communication control unit 2252 may implement a delay mode if the device data is data with a first attribute that must be transmitted; and implement an erase mode if the device data is data with a second attribute that is not required to be transmitted. Alternatively, communication control unit 2252 may implement a delay mode if the device data has a first attribute with a transmission frequency below a predetermined threshold; and implement an erase mode if the device data has a second attribute with a transmission frequency greater than the predetermined threshold. In this way, communication control unit 2252 can reduce the amount of data transmitted by communication terminal 2 while it is stopped by determining whether to erase device data based on the device data's attributes, without erasing unwanted device data.

[0220] The communication control unit 2252 can also operate in the delay mode or erasure mode if it receives an instruction from the data management device 3 that manages the communication terminal 2 via the communication network N1. For example, even if the movement detection unit 2251 determines that the communication terminal 2 is moving, congestion may still occur if a large number of communication terminals 2 are present within a sector of a base station 5. Therefore, if congestion is likely to occur, the data management device 3 instructs the communication terminal 2 to operate in the delay mode or erasure mode, and the communication control unit 2252 operates in the delay mode or erasure mode according to the instruction. Conversely, if congestion is unlikely to occur, the data management device 3 instructs the communication terminal 2 not to operate in the delay mode or erasure mode, and the communication control unit 2252 operates in the same manner as when the communication terminal 2 is stationary, even when the communication terminal 2 is moving.

[0221] It should be noted that when the movement of communication terminal 2 causes the sector to be switched, the congestion level of the wireless communication line changes. Therefore, when the sector to which communication terminal 2 belongs is switched in communication network N1, communication control unit 2252 may determine whether to switch processing when movement detection unit 2251 determines that communication terminal 2 is moving or when movement detection unit 2251 determines that communication terminal 2 is stationary.

[0222] For example, at the time of sector switching, the communication control unit 2252 inquires about the congestion level of the sector after the switching from the data management device 3. If the congestion level of the sector after the switching is above a predetermined threshold, the communication control unit 2252 switches the processing when the communication terminal 2 is moving or stationary. If the congestion level is below the predetermined threshold, the communication control unit 2252 does not switch the processing when the communication terminal 2 is moving or stationary. This allows the device data to be transmitted to the data management device 3 as soon as possible when the communication terminal 2 is in an uncongested sector, while preventing congestion when the communication terminal 2 is in a congested sector.

[0223] The communication control unit 2252 may also transmit location information including information for identifying the sector of the communication network N1 to which the communication terminal 2 belongs (e.g., identification information of the base station 5) to the data management device 3. At this time, information related to the movement direction of the communication terminal 2 may also be transmitted to enable the data management device 3 to confirm that the communication terminal 2 is not frequently switching sectors.

[0224] Furthermore, the communication control unit 2252 may transmit the location information to the data management device 3 after a predetermined time has passed since the sector switch. Furthermore, after the sector switch, the communication control unit 2252 transmits the location information under the condition that the communication terminal 2 moves in a constant direction for a predetermined period of time. This prevents the communication control unit 2252 from frequently transmitting data for inquiring about the congestion level when the communication terminal 2 is located in a location where sector switching is frequent.

[0225] Based on the received information, data management device 3 determines the timing for communication terminal 2 to transmit device data and transmits timing information indicating the determined timing to communication terminal 2. Then, if the sector of communication network N1 to which communication terminal 2 belongs switches, communication control unit 2252 transmits the device data at the timing indicated by the timing information for use after the sector switch, received from data management device 3. This allows data management device 3 to accurately determine the planned location to which communication terminal 2 is expected to move, and thus to determine the transmission timing appropriate for the planned movement of communication terminal 2.

[0226] The communication control unit 2252 transmits location information including the current location and movement direction of the communication terminal 2 to the data management device 3 that manages the congestion level of the communication network N1, and obtains from the data management device 3 information indicating the congestion level of the wireless communication line at the movement destination of the communication terminal 2, determined based on the location information. If the movement detection unit 2251 determines that the communication terminal 2 is stopped, the communication control unit 2252 may determine whether to execute the delay mode or the erasure mode based on the information indicating the congestion level received from the data management device 3.

[0227] For example, if the congestion level is less than a threshold, communication control unit 2252 determines that the likelihood of congestion occurring even after a delay is low, and thus implements delay mode. If the congestion level is greater than the threshold, communication control unit 2252 determines that congestion is likely to occur if device data is transmitted after a delay, and implements erase mode to reduce the amount of data transmitted by erasing erasable data. This effectively prevents congestion by controlling the wireless communication link congestion at the destination of the vehicle carrying communication terminal 2.

[0228] Communication control unit 2252 may also transmit location information including the current location and movement direction of communication terminal 2 to data management device 3, and obtain timing information including an indication regarding the timing for transmitting device data from data management device 3. Furthermore, if movement detection unit 2251 determines that communication terminal 2 is stationary, communication control unit 2252 may transmit device data at the timing indicated by the timing information transmitted from data management device 3, corresponding to the transmission of location information. In this manner, data management device 3 can control the timing for each communication terminal 2 to transmit device data, based on the estimated future congestion level using the projected movement locations of a large number of communication terminals 2, to prevent congestion.

[0229] In this case, the communication control unit 2252 may also transmit the attributes of the device data scheduled to be transmitted, or the identification information of the application that outputs the device data, to the data management device 3. For example, if the communication control unit 2252 transmits information indicating whether the device data has real-time characteristics to the data management device 3, the data management device 3 can cause the communication terminal 2 scheduled to transmit device data with real-time characteristics to transmit data earlier than the communication terminal 2 not scheduled to transmit device data with real-time characteristics.

[0230] [Structure of the Data Management Device 3]

[0231] Figure 11 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data management device 3 in the second embodiment. The data management device 3 includes a communication unit 231 , a storage unit 232 , and a control unit 233 .

[0232] The communication unit 231 includes a first communication unit 2311 and a second communication unit 2312. The first communication unit 2311 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data with the communication terminal 2 via the communication network N1. The first communication unit 2311 includes, for example, a terminal interface for a mobile phone network. The first communication unit 2311 may also include a LAN interface for connecting to a terminal device on the mobile phone network.

[0233] The second communication unit 2312 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the data acquisition device 4 via the relay network N2. The second communication unit 2312 is, for example, a LAN interface.

[0234] The storage unit 232 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 232 stores a base station DB that associates the base station IDs of the base stations 5, the number of communication terminals 2 accommodated by each base station 5, and the communication terminal IDs, which are identification information of the communication terminals 2 accommodated by the base stations 5.

[0235] The base station DB in the second embodiment is different from the base station DB in the first embodiment. Figure 5 The number of accommodated terminals is the number of communication terminals 2 using the wireless communication lines provided by each base station 5. The number of accommodated terminals changes under the control of the storage control unit 2335 described later, for example, according to the movement of the communication terminal 2.

[0236] Furthermore, the storage unit 232 stores a communication terminal DB in which the communication terminal ID is associated with the device ID, which is identification information of the communication device 1 with which each communication terminal 2 can directly communicate without going through the base station 5 .

[0237] The diagram showing an example of the communication terminal DB in the second embodiment is similar to the diagram in the first embodiment. Figure 6 The communication terminal DB stores application IDs, which are identification information of applications executable by the communication device 1 with which the communication terminal 2 can communicate, and the amount of data transmitted by each application during one data transmission, in association with the communication terminal ID.

[0238] Furthermore, the storage unit 232 associates and stores data transmitted from multiple communication devices 1 received by the communication terminal 2 with the device IDs of the communication devices 1. Furthermore, the storage unit 232 may store a data provision DB in which the acquirer ID of a data acquirer accessing the data management device 3 via the data acquisition device 4 is associated with the device IDs and application IDs of the communication devices 1 and applications registered as targets for the data acquirer to acquire data.

[0239] The control unit 233 is, for example, a CPU, and determines the timing at which each communication terminal 2 transmits data by executing a program stored in the storage unit 232 .

[0240] The control unit 233 executes the program stored in the storage unit 232 to function as a communication control unit 2331 , a congestion degree determination unit 2332 , a timing determination unit 2333 , a request reception unit 2334 , and a storage control unit 2335 .

[0241] Communication control unit 2331 controls data transmission and reception with communication terminal 2. Communication control unit 2331 notifies communication terminal 2, which is capable of communicating with communication device 1, of the gateway address (APN) of communication network N1, thereby starting to receive data from communication terminal 2. Communication device 1 then outputs data to be provided to data acquisition device 4. Communication control unit 2331 acquires location information indicating the location of communication terminal 2 from communication terminal 2. Communication control unit 2331 can acquire location information including information indicating the direction in which communication terminal 2 is moving. Communication control unit 2331 functions as a transmitter for transmitting timing information indicating the first and second times determined by timing determination unit 2333 to communication terminal 2 via first communication unit 2311.

[0242] The congestion level determination unit 2332 determines the congestion level of the communication network N1 based on the location information indicating the location of the communication terminal 2, obtained from the communication control unit 2331. For example, by referring to the communication terminal database, the congestion level determination unit 2332 determines the congestion level based on the number of communication terminals 2 accommodated in the base station 5 corresponding to the sector to which the communication terminal 2 belongs. The congestion level determination unit 2332 notifies the timing determination unit 2333 of the determined congestion level.

[0243] Timing determination unit 2333 determines the timing for communication terminal 2 to transmit device data. For example, when communication terminal 2 is moving, timing determination unit 2333 determines the length of a first time, which is the time from when communication terminal 2 receives device data until it transmits the device data. Furthermore, when communication terminal 2 is stationary, timing determination unit 2333 determines the length of a second time, which is the time from when communication terminal 2 receives device data until it transmits the device data. Timing determination unit 2333 determines the first and second times based on the congestion level of communication terminal 2's current location or the location of its planned destination, as determined by congestion level determination unit 2332.

[0244] The request accepting unit 2334 accepts a request for selecting communication devices 1 and applications from which data is to be acquired from the data acquisition device 4. The request accepting unit 2334 transmits a list of communication devices 1 and applications from which the data management device 3 collects data to the data acquisition device 4 via the second communication unit 2312.

[0245] When the data acquirer selects a communication device 1 and application from which to acquire data based on the list of communication devices 1 and applications displayed by the data acquisition device 4, the data acquisition device 4 transmits information identifying the selected communication device 1 and application (e.g., device ID and application ID) and a data acquisition request including the acquirer's ID to the data management device 3. Upon receiving the data acquisition request from the data acquisition device 4, the request accepting unit 2334 notifies the storage control unit 2335 of the acquirer ID, device ID, and application ID included in the data acquisition request, thereby registering the data in the data provision database within the storage unit 232.

[0246] Upon receiving a data acquisition request from data acquisition device 4, request accepting unit 2334 references the data provision database stored in storage unit 232, received via communication network N1, and transmits the data transmitted by the application indicated by the request to data acquisition device 4, thereby providing the data. The data provision database associates the acquirer ID corresponding to the data acquisition device 4 that transmitted the data acquisition request with the device ID of the communication device that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 corresponding to the acquirer ID. The data provision database may also associate the application ID of the application that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 corresponding to the acquirer ID.

[0247] The request accepting unit 2334 may also accept requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 for selecting the same application program executed by the same communication device 1. When the request accepting unit 2334 accepts requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 for selecting the same application program executed by the same communication device 1, the communication control unit 2331 provides the data transmitted by the application program indicated by the request, among the data received via the communication network N1, to the multiple data acquisition devices 4.

[0248] Storage control unit 2335 writes data to storage unit 232 or reads data stored in storage unit 232 in accordance with instructions from communication control unit 2331, congestion determination unit 2332, timing determination unit 2333, and request acceptance unit 2334. For example, timing determination unit 2333 associates device data received from communication terminal 2 by communication control unit 2331 with the device ID and application ID, and stores the data in storage unit 232.

[0249] [Communication Sequence of Communication System S]

[0250] Figure 12 1 is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system S according to the second embodiment.

[0251] First, when the timing for transmitting the collected information arrives (Yes in S211), communication device 1 generates transmission data (S212) and transmits the transmission data to communication terminal 2. Upon receiving the transmission data, communication terminal 2 accumulates the received transmission data in storage unit 224 (S213).

[0252] Next, communication terminal 2 confirms whether it is time to transmit data to data management device 3 (S214). The process of step S214 will be described in detail later. If the time to transmit data has arrived ("Yes" in S214), communication terminal 2 transmits the accumulated data to data management device 3. Upon receiving the data, communication control unit 2331 associates the received data with the communication terminal ID and registers it in the data provision database within storage unit 232.

[0253] [Operation Flowchart of Communication Terminal 2]

[0254] Figure 13 This is a flowchart of the operation of confirming the timing for the communication terminal 2 to transmit data in the second embodiment. When the communication control unit 2252 receives device data from the communication device 1 (S221), it temporarily accumulates the received device data in the storage unit 224 (S222).

[0255] Next, the communication control unit 2252 determines whether the communication terminal 2 is moving based on the detection result of the movement detection unit 2251 (S223). If the communication control unit 2252 determines that the communication terminal 2 is moving ("Yes" in S223), it monitors whether a first time has passed since the device data was received (S224). If the first time has passed ("Yes" in S224), the communication control unit 2252 transmits the device data accumulated in the storage unit 224 to the data management device 3 (S225).

[0256] If the communication control unit 2252 determines in step S223 that the communication terminal 2 is not moving (No in S223), it monitors whether the second time has passed since the device data was received (S226). If the second time has passed, the communication control unit 2252 determines whether the attribute of the device data to be transmitted is the first attribute (S227).

[0257] If the device data to be transmitted is of the first attribute, for example, requiring all data to be transmitted ("Yes" in S227), the communication control unit 2252 transmits the device data to the data management device 3 (S225). If the device data to be transmitted is not data of the first attribute ("No" in S227), the communication control unit 2252 erases the device data stored in the storage unit 224 (S228). The communication control unit 2252 monitors whether the power of the communication terminal 2 has been turned off (S229). Until the power is turned off ("No" in S229), the communication control unit 2252 repeats the processing of steps S221 to S228.

[0258] [Effects of Communication System S]

[0259] Existing systems don't account for the situation where sensors transmitting data are moving. The probability of multiple sensors being in the same location is lower when sensors are moving than when they are stationary. Therefore, the probability of numerous sensors simultaneously transmitting data to the same wireless base station is lower when sensors are moving. In contrast, the probability of numerous sensors simultaneously transmitting data to the same wireless base station is higher when sensors are stationary, increasing the likelihood of wireless network congestion.

[0260] However, existing systems do not consider the movement of the sensor when determining the timing for the sensor to transmit data. Therefore, there is a problem that data cannot be transmitted at a timing that corresponds to the sensor's state. According to the second embodiment described above, the transmission timing can be determined according to the movement of the communication terminal transmitting data.

[0261] In the communication system S of the second embodiment, the communication terminal 2 includes a movement detection unit 2251 that detects whether the communication terminal 2 is moving. If the movement detection unit 2251 determines that the communication terminal 2 is moving, the communication control unit 2252 transmits the device data after a first time has elapsed since the communication terminal 2 received the device data transmitted by the communication device 1. Furthermore, if the movement detection unit 2251 determines that the communication terminal 2 is stationary, the communication control unit 2252 executes a delay mode for transmitting the device data or an erasure mode for suspending transmission of the device data after a second time, longer than the first time, has elapsed since the communication terminal 2 received the device data.

[0262] This reduces the probability of communication terminals 2 transmitting data while stopped. Therefore, in the communication system S, when a motor vehicle is equipped with communication terminals 2, the probability of a large number of communication terminals 2 simultaneously transmitting data while waiting at a traffic light or in a traffic jam, causing congestion in the communication network N1 or relay network N2, can be reduced.

[0263] Third embodiment

[0264] [Structure of Communication System S]

[0265] The diagram showing the configuration of the communication system S according to the third embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. Figure 1 The communication system S includes a plurality of communication devices 1, a communication terminal 2, a data management device 3, and a data acquisition device 4. The communication terminal 2 can transmit device data received from the plurality of communication devices 1 to the data management device 3 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0266] As described in the first embodiment, the communication network N1 is a mobile phone network having a plurality of base stations 5 ( Figure 1 denoted as base stations 5a, 5b, and 5c in the figure). Each of the multiple base stations 5 is, for example, an eNodeB in LTE. Each of the multiple base stations 5 is connected to the multiple communication terminals 2 via a wireless communication link. The communication terminals 2 can transmit device data received from the communication device 1 to the data management device 3 using the wireless communication link provided by the base stations 5.

[0267] The relay network N2 is a network including an EPC such as a PGW or MME of LTE. The relay network N2 is connected to a plurality of base stations 5. The relay network N2 is connected to the data management device 3 via the Internet, for example.

[0268] The base station 5 periodically temporarily releases the wireless communication line so that the communication terminal 2 that is not sending or receiving data does not occupy the wireless communication line for a long time. Specifically, when a predetermined time (e.g., 24 hours) has passed since the base station 5 began wireless communication with the communication terminal 2 and entered the RRC (Radio Resource Control) Connected state, the base station 5 transitions to the RRC Idle state. In the RRC Idle state, the base station 5 cannot normally receive data sent by the communication terminal 2. Therefore, the communication system S is characterized in that control is performed in such a way that the communication terminal 2 does not send device data in the RRC Idle state.

[0269] The communication device 1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0270] As described in the first embodiment, the communication terminal 2 receives a plurality of device data from a plurality of communication devices 1. The communication terminal 2 temporarily accumulates the received device data and transmits the accumulated device data to the data management device 3 by sending it to the communication network N1 at a timing notified by the data management device 3, thereby transmitting the device data to the data management device 3.

[0271] As described in the first embodiment, the data management device 3 is, for example, a server managed by a communication carrier providing services using the communication network N1. The data management device 3 provides the device data received from the communication terminal 2 to the data acquisition device 4 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0272] Data management device 3 collects device data transmitted from multiple communication devices 1 via communication terminal 2 and communication network N1. Data management device 3 accumulates the received device data on a storage medium such as a hard disk and transmits the device data itself or information generated based on the device data to data acquisition device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c) in response to a request from the data acquisition device 4.

[0273] The data management device 3 manages the timing for communication terminal 2 to transmit device data. For example, the data management device 3 notifies the communication terminal 2 of the disconnection timing when the base station 5 enters the RRC idle state. As will be described in detail later, the data management device 3 obtains information regarding the time from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state of multiple base stations 5, as well as the duration of the RRC idle state. Based on this information, the data management device 3 notifies the communication terminal 2 of disconnection timing information indicating the timing for disconnecting the wireless communication line.

[0274] The disconnection timing is, for example, the start of the RRC idle state, but may also be the period from the start of the RRC idle state to the end of the RRC idle state. In this manner, since the disconnection timing is notified to the communication terminal 2 by the data management device 3, the communication terminal 2 is prevented from transmitting device data during a period when the base station 5 cannot receive device data, thereby preventing packet loss.

[0275] The data acquisition device 4 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0276] The data flow in the communication system S in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. Figure 2 same.

[0277] [Structure of Communication Terminal 2]

[0278] Next, the configuration and operation of the communication terminal 2 will be described.

[0279] Figure 14 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication terminal 2 in the third embodiment. The communication terminal 2 includes a device communication unit 321 , a network communication unit 322 , a storage unit 323 , and a terminal control unit 324 .

[0280] The device communication unit 321 is a wireless communication interface for receiving data transmitted by the communication device 1 .

[0281] The network communication unit 322 is a wireless communication interface for transmitting and receiving data with the base station 5 of the communication network N1 according to the LTE standard, for example. The network communication unit 322 transmits data received from the communication device 1 to the communication network N1. In addition, the network communication unit 322 receives a signal indicating that the communication control unit 3332 (hereinafter referred to as Figure 15 The timing information of the disconnection timing sent by the user (description).

[0282] The network communication unit 322 obtains the disconnection timing by, for example, receiving timing information (e.g., the eNodeB InActive Timer value) included in signaling information, which is connection processing information exchanged with the base station 5. This timing information includes, for example, the scheduled time at which the base station 5 transitions to the RRC Idle state. The timing information may also include the period during which the base station 5 remains in the RRC Idle state after transitioning to the RRC Idle state. By using signaling information to obtain timing information in this manner, the communication system S can efficiently notify the communication terminal 2 of the disconnection timing.

[0283] The storage unit 323 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 323 stores programs executed by the terminal control unit 324. Furthermore, under the control of the terminal control unit 324, the storage unit 323 associates device data received from the communication device 1 with the device ID of the communication device 1 and the date and time received from the communication device 1, and stores the data.

[0284] The terminal control unit 324 is, for example, a CPU, and performs various processes by executing programs stored in the storage unit 323. The terminal control unit 324 stores the device data received via the device communication unit 321 in the storage unit 323. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 324 transmits the device data received by the device communication unit 321 via the wireless communication line at any time other than the disconnection timing when the base station 5 transitions to the RRC idle state, as received by the network communication unit 322.

[0285] Specifically, the terminal control unit 324 reads the device data stored in the storage unit 323 and transmits the read device data to the communication network N1 via the network communication unit 322 at a timing other than the disconnection timing notified by the data management device 3. The terminal control unit 324 does not transmit the device data during a predetermined period starting from the time corresponding to the disconnection timing. If the network communication unit 322 receives information indicating the duration of the RRC idle state, the terminal control unit 324 does not transmit the device data during the disconnection period, which lasts from the disconnection timing of the transition to the RRC idle state until the end of the RRC idle state period. Instead, the terminal control unit 324 retains the device data in the storage unit 323. The terminal control unit 324 then transmits the device data during periods other than the disconnection period.

[0286] To determine the disconnection timing of the base station 5 accommodating the communication terminal 2, the terminal control unit 324 transmits sector information to the data management device 3. This sector information identifies the base station 5 to which the communication terminal 2 belongs. The terminal control unit 324 transmits the sector information when the communication terminal 2 is powered on and becomes capable of communicating with the base station 5, or when a handover occurs, causing the base station 5 accommodating the communication terminal 2 to change. To prevent frequent transmission of sector information at sector boundaries, the terminal control unit 324 transmits the sector information after a predetermined period has elapsed since the sector was switched. The predetermined period is, for example, set based on the movement speed or direction of the communication terminal 2, and is the period during which the probability of the communication terminal 2 returning to the sector before the handover is below a predetermined threshold.

[0287] The terminal control unit 324 can also be used to control the communication between the terminal control unit 3332 and the communication control unit 3332 (described later). Figure 15 During a predetermined period before receiving the disconnection timing notification (described below), the device data received from the communication device 1 is not transmitted, but is temporarily stored in the storage unit 323. The terminal control unit 324 determines the predetermined period based on, for example, the communication delay time between the communication terminal 2 and the base station 5.

[0288] Assuming that the disconnection timing is 0:0:0:0 and the communication delay time between communication terminal 2 and base station 5 is 500 milliseconds, terminal control unit 324 does not transmit data during the 500 milliseconds before the disconnection timing 0:0:0:0. This allows the device data sent by communication terminal 2 to be in the RCC idle state while being transmitted to base station 5, thereby preventing the device data from failing to reach base station 5.

[0289] Terminal control unit 324 can also determine the specified period of time before the disconnection timing during which device data will not be transmitted based on the amount of device data received from communication device 1. For example, if the amount of device data received from communication device 1 is 500 bytes and the transmission speed of the wireless communication line is 1 Mbps, transmitting 500 bytes of data requires 500 ÷ (1 × 106 ÷ 8) = 4 milliseconds. In this case, terminal control unit 324 adds this time to the communication delay time of 500 milliseconds and will not transmit data for 504 milliseconds before the disconnection timing, at 0 hours, 0 minutes, and 0 seconds.

[0290] The terminal control unit 324 may also determine a predetermined period of time before the disconnection timing during which device data will not be transmitted based on the total amount of device data received from all communication devices 1 engaging in direct communication. For example, assume that a communication terminal 2 receives device data from 100 communication devices 1. In this case, if the maximum amount of device data transmitted by each communication device 1 is 500 bytes, the maximum total amount of device data received from all communication devices 1 is 500 × 100 = 50 KB. If the transmission speed of the wireless communication line is 1 Mbps, transmitting 50 KB of data requires 50,000 ÷ (1 × 106 ÷ 8) = 400 milliseconds. In this case, the terminal control unit 324 adds this to the communication delay time of 500 milliseconds, and thus no data will be transmitted during the 900 milliseconds before the disconnection timing at 0 hours, 0 minutes, and 0 seconds.

[0291] Furthermore, the terminal control unit 324 may also determine a different length for the prescribed period for each application that sends device data in the communication device 1. For example, when receiving device data output by an image-related application that outputs a large amount of data from the communication device 1, the terminal control unit 324 does not send the device data during a first period before the disconnection timing. On the other hand, when receiving device data output by an application that outputs a small amount of data from the communication device 1, the terminal control unit 324 does not send the device data during a second period that is shorter than the first period before the disconnection timing. Thus, since the terminal control unit 324 can send the device data at an appropriate time corresponding to the application that outputs the device data received by the device communication unit 321, the device data can be sent as early as possible, and the occurrence of a problem in which the sent data does not reach the destination can be prevented.

[0292] Terminal control unit 324 can transmit the device data stored in storage unit 323 after a random time has passed since the disconnection opportunity ended. For example, terminal control unit 324 can generate a random number based on the communication terminal ID of communication terminal 2 and transmit the device data after a time corresponding to the generated random number has passed since the disconnection opportunity ended. This prevents a large number of communication terminals 2 from simultaneously transmitting information for transitioning to the RRC connected state after the disconnection opportunity ends, even if the disconnection opportunity is notified to a large number of communication terminals 2 at the same time.

[0293] [Structure of the Data Management Device 3]

[0294] Figure 15 This figure shows the structure of the data management device 3 in the third embodiment. The data management device 3 includes a communication unit 331, a storage unit 332, and a control unit 333. The control unit 333 executes the program stored in the storage unit 332 to function as a determination unit 3331, a communication control unit 3332, a request reception unit 3333, and a storage control unit 3334.

[0295] The communication unit 331 includes a first communication unit 3311 and a second communication unit 3312. The first communication unit 3311 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data with the communication terminal 2 via the communication network N1, and may include, for example, a terminal interface for a mobile phone network. The first communication unit 3311 may also include a LAN interface for connecting to a terminal device on the mobile phone network.

[0296] The second communication unit 3312 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the data acquisition device 4 via the relay network N2. The second communication unit 3312 is, for example, a LAN interface.

[0297] The storage unit 332 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 332 stores a disconnection timing DB that is referenced when the determination unit 3331 determines a disconnection timing.

[0298] Figure 16 This diagram shows an example of a disconnection timing DB in the third embodiment. The disconnection timing DB associates base station 5 identification information (hereinafter referred to as base station ID), the communication terminal ID, which is identification information for each communication terminal 2 accommodated by each base station 5, the time when the wireless communication line connected to each communication terminal 2 transitions to the RRC idle state, and the duration of the RRC idle state. The RRC idle transition time is the time when a predetermined time (e.g., 24 hours) set for each base station 5 has elapsed since communication between the communication terminal 2 and the base station 5 began.

[0299] Furthermore, the storage unit 332 stores a communication terminal DB in which the communication terminal ID is associated with the device ID, which is identification information of the communication device 1 with which each communication terminal 2 can directly communicate without going through the base station 5 .

[0300] Figure 17 This figure shows an example of a communication terminal DB in the third embodiment. The communication terminal DB stores, in association with the communication terminal ID, application IDs (identification information for applications executable by communication device 1 with which communication terminal 2 can communicate), and the amount of data transmitted by each application during a single data transmission.

[0301] exist Figure 17In the example shown, communication terminal 2 with communication terminal ID 9001 receives data output by communication device 1a with device ID 1001 and communication device 1b with device ID 1002. Communication device 1a can execute an application with application ID a51 that sends 10 bytes of data and an application with application ID a52 that sends 20 bytes of data. Communication device 1b can execute an application with application ID a51 that sends 10 bytes of data and an application with application ID a53 that sends 45 bytes of data.

[0302] Furthermore, the storage unit 332 associates and stores data transmitted from a plurality of communication devices 1 received by the communication terminal 2 with the device IDs of the communication devices 1. Furthermore, the storage unit 332 may store a data provision DB in which the acquirer ID of a data acquirer accessing the data management device 3 via the data acquisition device 4 is associated with the device IDs and application IDs of the communication devices 1 and applications registered as objects from which the data acquirer acquires data.

[0303] The control unit 333 is, for example, a CPU, and determines a disconnection timing to be notified to each communication terminal 2 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 332 , and notifies the communication terminal 2 of the determined disconnection timing.

[0304] For example, upon receiving sector information from communication terminal 2 that identifies base station 5 to which communication terminal 2 belongs, determination unit 3331 requests base station 5 to initiate a transition to the RRC Connected state with communication terminal 2. Upon obtaining the time at which communication terminal 2, which has transmitted the sector information, transitions to the RRC Connected state from base station 5, determination unit 3331 determines the next transition to the RRC Idle state with communication terminal 2 by adding the obtained time to the time until base station 5 transitions to the RRC Idle state. Determination unit 3331 registers the determined RRC Idle transition time in the disconnection timing database and notifies communication control unit 3332. Determination unit 3331 may also obtain the RRC Idle duration corresponding to communication terminal 2 from base station 5, register the obtained RRC Idle duration in the disconnection timing database, and notify communication control unit 3332.

[0305] Communication control unit 3332 controls data transmission and reception with communication terminal 2. For example, communication control unit 3332 notifies communication terminal 2 of the RRC idle transition timing of base station 5 communicating with communication terminal 2 that has transmitted sector information, as notified by determination unit 3331. Communication control unit 3332 may also notify communication terminal 2 of the period during which base station 5 will disconnect the wireless communication link with communication terminal 2 that has transmitted sector information. Communication control unit 3332 notifies communication terminal 2 of the disconnection timing or disconnection period using, for example, signaling information used for wireless communication link connection control. Communication control unit 3332 also notifies communication terminal 2 of the gateway address of communication network N1, i.e., the APN, thereby beginning to receive data from communication terminal 2.

[0306] The request accepting unit 3333 accepts a request for selecting communication devices 1 and applications from which data is to be acquired from the data acquisition device 4. The request accepting unit 3333 transmits a list of communication devices 1 and applications from which the data management device 3 collects data to the data acquisition device 4 via the second communication unit 3312.

[0307] When the data acquirer selects a communication device 1 and an application from which to acquire data based on the list of communication devices 1 and applications displayed by the data acquisition device 4, the data acquisition device 4 transmits information identifying the selected communication device 1 and application (e.g., the device ID and application ID) and a data acquisition request including the acquirer's ID to the data management device 3. Upon receiving the data acquisition request from the data acquisition device 4, the request receiving unit 3333 notifies the storage control unit 3334 of the acquirer ID, device ID, and application ID included in the data acquisition request, thereby registering the data in the data provision DB within the storage unit 332.

[0308] Upon receiving a data acquisition request from data acquisition device 4, request accepting unit 3333 references the data provision database stored in storage unit 332, received via communication network N1, and transmits the data sent by the application indicated by the request to data acquisition device 4, thereby providing the data. The data provision database associates the acquirer ID corresponding to the data acquisition device 4 that sent the data acquisition request with the device ID of the communication device that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 with the acquirer ID. The data provision database may also associate the application ID of the application that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 with the acquirer ID.

[0309] The request accepting unit 3333 may also accept requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 to select the same communication device 1 to execute the same application. When the request accepting unit 3333 accepts requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 to select the same communication device 1 to execute the same application, the communication control unit 3332 provides the data sent by the application indicated by the request, among the data received via the communication network N1, to the multiple data acquisition devices 4.

[0310] Storage control unit 3334 writes data to storage unit 332 or reads data stored in storage unit 332 in accordance with instructions from determination unit 3331, communication control unit 3332, and request acceptance unit 3333. For example, storage control unit 3334 associates device data received from communication terminal 2 by communication control unit 3332 with the device ID and application ID, and stores the data in storage unit 332.

[0311] [Communication Timing]

[0312] Figure 18 It is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system S according to the third embodiment.

[0313] First, the terminal control unit 324 of the communication terminal 2 monitors whether communication with a new base station 5 has started due to power-on or handover of the communication terminal 2 (S311). If the terminal control unit 324 of the communication terminal 2 determines that communication with the new base station 5 has started ("YES" in S311), it identifies the sector of the base station 5 (S312) and transmits, for example, the base station ID as information related to the identified sector to the data management device 3.

[0314] In the data management device 3, the determination unit 3331 obtains the time when the communication terminal 2 enters the RRC connected state from the base station 5 and determines the disconnection timing based on the obtained information (S313). The communication control unit 3332 transmits the disconnection timing determined by the determination unit 3331 to the communication terminal 2.

[0315] Then, when the timing for transmitting the collected information arrives ("YES" in S314), communication device 1 generates transmission data (S315) and transmits the transmission data to communication terminal 2. Upon receiving the transmission data, terminal control unit 324 of communication terminal 2 accumulates the received transmission data in storage unit 323 (S316).

[0316] Next, the terminal control unit 324 of the communication terminal 2 monitors whether the current time is within the specified range relative to the disconnection timing (S317). If the terminal control unit 324 of the communication terminal 2 determines that the current time is different from the disconnection timing ("No" in S317), it transmits the transmission data accumulated in the storage unit 323 to the data management device 3. Upon receiving the data, the communication control unit 3332 of the data management device 3 associates the received data with the communication terminal ID and registers it in the data provision database within the storage unit 332. In step S317, if the terminal control unit 324 determines that the current time corresponds to the disconnection timing, it does not transmit the transmission data and instead enters standby mode.

[0317] [Effects of Communication System S]

[0318] In wireless communication networks, wireless communication lines are periodically disconnected to prevent them from remaining connected for extended periods. Existing systems fail to account for disconnected wireless communication lines, leading to data being sent when the wireless communication line is disconnected, resulting in some data not being collected. The third embodiment improves the probability of collecting data sent by communication terminals.

[0319] Data management apparatus 3 in the third embodiment acquires timing related to communication of device data and transmits timing information indicating the timing to communication terminal 2. Communication terminal 2 also receives the device data and timing information and transmits the received device data via a wireless communication line based on the timing information.

[0320] More specifically, in the communication system S of the third embodiment, the data management device 3 determines the disconnection timing at which the communication terminal 2 and the base station 5 transition to the RRC idle state, and notifies the communication terminal 2 of the determined disconnection timing. The communication terminal 2 transmits the device data received from the communication device 1 at a timing other than the notified disconnection timing. This prevents the loss (packet loss) of data packets including data transmitted by the communication terminal 2, thereby increasing the probability that the data management device 3 can collect the data transmitted by the communication terminal 2.

[0321] Fourth embodiment

[0322] While the data management device 3 determines the disconnection timing of the base station 5 in the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the communication terminal 2 determines the disconnection timing of the base station 5 in the fourth embodiment.

[0323] The terminal control unit 324 of the communication terminal 2 in the fourth embodiment determines the disconnection timing (i.e., the time at which the base station 5 disconnects the wireless communication line) and transmits the device data received by the device communication unit 321 via the wireless communication line at a timing other than the determined disconnection timing. The communication terminal 2 determines the disconnection timing and transmits the device data at a timing other than the disconnection timing according to the following flow.

[0324] For example, if the communication terminal 2 remains in the RRC connected state for a long period of time, the terminal control unit 324 obtains the time until the base station 5 transitions to the RRC idle state from the base station 5 and stores the obtained time in the storage unit 323. The terminal control unit 324 then adds the time when the communication terminal 2 first enters the RRC connected state with the base station 5 upon power-up to the time until the transition to the RRC idle state stored in the storage unit 323, thereby inferring the time of transition to the RRC idle state and setting it as the disconnection timing. Based on the inferred disconnection timing, the terminal control unit 324 performs the same processing as in the third embodiment and transmits device data at a time other than the disconnection timing.

[0325] Similar to the third embodiment, the terminal control unit 324 may not transmit the device data received from the communication device 1 during a predetermined period before the disconnection timing, but may temporarily store the device data in the storage unit 323. After the disconnection timing ends and the RRC connected state is established, the stored device data may be transmitted. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 324 may determine the predetermined period based on the communication delay time between the communication terminal 2 and the base station 5. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 324 may determine the predetermined period based on the amount of device data received from the communication device 1. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 324 may determine a different length for each application that causes the communication device 1 to transmit device data.

[0326] Fifth embodiment

[0327] [Structure of Communication System S]

[0328] The diagram showing the configuration of the communication system S according to the fifth embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. Figure 1 The communication system S includes a plurality of communication devices 1, a communication terminal 2, a data management device 3, and a data acquisition device 4. The communication terminal 2 can transmit device data received from the plurality of communication devices 1 to the data management device 3 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0329] The base station 5, the communication network N1, and the relay network N2 are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0330] The communication device 1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0331] Communication terminal 2 receives a plurality of device data from a plurality of communication devices 1. As will be described in detail later, communication terminal 2 temporarily accumulates the received device data and, at a timing determined by the status of communication device 1, transmits the accumulated device data to communication network N1, thereby transmitting the device data to data management apparatus 3.

[0332] As described in the first embodiment, the data management device 3 is, for example, a server managed by a communication carrier providing services using the communication network N1. The data management device 3 provides the device data received from the communication terminal 2 to the data acquisition device 4 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0333] Specifically, the data management device 3 collects device data transmitted from a plurality of communication devices 1 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication network N1. The data management device 3 accumulates the received device data on a storage medium such as a hard disk and transmits the device data itself or information generated based on the device data to the data acquisition device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c) in response to a request from the data acquisition device 4.

[0334] The data acquisition device 4 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0335] The data flow in the communication system S in the fifth embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment. Figure 2 same.

[0336] It should be noted that if a single base station 5 accommodates a large number of communication terminals 2, and these communication terminals 2 are connected to a large number of communication devices 1, device data output by a large number of communication devices 1 will be transmitted to the communication network N1. If a large amount of device data is transmitted simultaneously, the communication network N1 will become congested. Therefore, a solution is being considered whereby the communication terminals 2 accumulate the device data and transmit the accumulated device data during periods of low traffic on the communication network N1.

[0337] However, it is not desirable to allow device data that needs to be transmitted in real time to accumulate for an extended period of time in communication terminal 2. For example, if even the device data related to initial settings output by communication device 1 when communication device 1 is set up and powered on is delayed, the person monitoring whether the setup was successful would have to wait for a long time until the device data is transmitted.

[0338] Therefore, the communication terminal 2 in this embodiment is characterized by controlling the priority of device data to be transmitted based on the status of the communication device 1. This allows for the rapid transmission of device data that needs to be sent quickly, such as during initial setup. For example, when the communication device 1 transmits device data to the communication terminal 2 for the first time after power is turned on, the communication terminal 2 transmits the device data initially transmitted from the setup communication device 1 to the communication network N1 with a higher priority than the device data transmitted from the communication device 1 after a power outage is restored following the completion of initial setup.

[0339] Next, the configuration of the communication terminal 2 will be described in detail.

[0340] [Structure of Communication Terminal 2]

[0341] Next, the configuration and operation of the communication terminal 2 will be described.

[0342] Figure 19 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication terminal 2 in the fifth embodiment. The communication terminal 2 includes a device communication unit 421 , a network communication unit 422 , a storage unit 423 , and a communication control unit 424 .

[0343] The device communication unit 421 is a wireless communication interface for receiving data transmitted from the communication device 1 .

[0344] The network communication unit 422 is a wireless communication interface for transmitting data received from the communication device 1 to the communication network N1. The network communication unit 422 can transmit and receive data to and from the base station 5 of the communication network N1 according to the LTE standard, for example.

[0345] The storage unit 423 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 423 stores communication programs executed by the communication control unit 424. Furthermore, under the control of the communication control unit 424, the storage unit 423 associates device data received from the communication device 1 with the device ID of the communication device 1 and the date and time received from the communication device 1, and stores the data.

[0346] Furthermore, the storage unit 423 stores a reception history of predetermined data transmitted by the communication device 1 in the initial state and received by the device communication unit 421 .

[0347] Figure 20 This figure shows an example of a reception history database stored in the storage unit 423 in the fifth embodiment. In the reception history database, a status flag indicating whether each of the plurality of communication devices 1 with which the communication terminal 2 can communicate is in the initial state is associated with the device ID.

[0348] Until the device communication unit 421 receives the device data transmitted from the communication device 1 during initial setup, the storage unit 423 associates and stores a 0 flag indicating the initial state with the device ID identifying the communication device 1. After the device communication unit 421 receives the device data transmitted from the communication device 1 during initial setup, the storage unit 423 associates and stores a 1 flag indicating the completion of initial setup with the device ID.

[0349] The communication control unit 424, such as a CPU, performs various operations by executing a communication program stored in the storage unit 423. The communication control unit 424 determines the status of the communication device 1. The communication control unit 424 stores the device data received via the device communication unit 421 in the storage unit 423 and transmits the device data stored in the storage unit 423 and the device data received by the device communication unit to the communication network N1 according to the priority corresponding to the determined status of the communication device 1.

[0350] The communication control unit 424 determines whether the communication device 1 is in the initial state or the non-initial state based on the device data received from the communication device 1 by the device communication unit 421. If the communication control unit 424 determines that the communication device 1 is in the initial state, it transmits the device data at an earlier timing than if the state determination unit determines that the communication device 1 is in the non-initial state.

[0351] When device communication unit 421 receives predetermined data from communication device 1, if storage unit 423 does not store a reception history indicating receipt of device data transmitted during initialization (for example, if the flag is 0), communication control unit 424 determines that communication device 1 is in the initial state. Communication control unit 424 may also determine that communication device 1 is in the initial state if storage unit 423 does not store a device ID.

[0352] If the application of communication device 1 that has transmitted the device data is identified and the identified application is an application executed in the initial state of communication device 1, communication control unit 424 may determine that communication device 1 is in the initial state. Communication control unit 424 transmits the device data output by the application executed in the initial state of communication device 1 with a higher priority than the device data output by the application executed in the non-initial state of communication device 1.

[0353] For example, if the device data received by the device communication unit 421 is determined to be data transmitted in the initial state, the communication control unit 424 transmits the device data within a first time period from the receipt of the device data. If the device data received by the device communication unit 421 is determined not to be data transmitted in the initial state, the communication control unit 424 transmits the device data after a second time period, which is longer than the first time period, has elapsed from the receipt of the device data. This allows device data transmitted by the communication device 1 before initialization is completed to be preferentially transmitted, and the probability of congestion on the communication network N1 can be reduced.

[0354] The communication control unit 424 may also determine the priority based on a combination of the device ID of the communication device 1 and the application ID of the application that output the device data. For example, when the communication control unit 424 receives device data output by an application used in the initial settings from a communication device 1 whose device ID is not stored in the storage unit 423, it may set the priority of the device data to be higher than the priority of other device data.

[0355] If an abnormality is detected in communication device 1, communication control unit 424 may increase the priority of device data received from communication device 1. For example, if the device data received from communication device 1 indicates the occurrence of an abnormality, communication control unit 424 may transmit the device data with a higher priority than data that does not indicate the occurrence of an abnormality. This allows the administrator of communication device 1 to quickly identify the occurrence of an abnormality in communication device 1.

[0356] The communication control unit 424 may also determine the priority based on the time period during which the device data is transmitted. For example, the communication control unit 424 may determine whether to transmit the device data in each time period according to the priority level corresponding to the status of the communication device 1 based on the congestion level of the wireless communication line in each time period. For example, the communication control unit 424 may determine the priority based on the status of the communication device 1 during time periods when the congestion level of the communication network N1 exceeds a specified value, or when the frequency of retransmission of previously transmitted data exceeds a specified value. During other time periods, the device data is transmitted with the priority level unchanged based on the status of the communication device 1.

[0357] Furthermore, if multiple pieces of device data of the same priority exist during a time period in which device data is transmitted according to a priority corresponding to the status of communication device 1, communication control unit 424 may transmit each piece of device data at random times within a specified time range. Furthermore, if multiple pieces of device data of the same priority exist, communication control unit 424 may aggregate and transmit the multiple pieces of device data. This prevents a large number of data packets from being transmitted to communication network N1, for example, when a large number of communication devices 1 that have not yet completed initialization are activated simultaneously, thereby suppressing congestion.

[0358] Furthermore, communication control unit 424 can determine priority based on the radio wave conditions of the frequency band used in the wireless communication line between the time device data is received and the time device data is transmitted. For example, if the signal-to-noise ratio of the radio wave is less than a predetermined threshold, communication control unit 424 determines priority based on the status of communication device 1. During other periods, device data is transmitted without changing its priority based on the status of communication device 1. This allows communication terminal 2 to promptly transmit high-priority device data even when radio wave conditions are poor.

[0359] Furthermore, the above description focuses on the example of the communication device 1 being in its initial configuration. However, the communication terminal 2 can also use various other states as the communication device 1 state. For example, the communication terminal 2 can also prioritize the transmission of device data indicating movement of the communication device 1 from a communication device 1 that is assumed to be stationary. This allows, for example, a data collector monitoring the status of a vending machine to quickly detect theft of money from the vending machine based on the vibration of the communication device 1 installed in the vending machine.

[0360] [Structure of the Data Management Device 3]

[0361] Figure 21 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data management device 3 in the fifth embodiment. The data management device 3 includes a communication unit 431 , a storage unit 432 , and a control unit 433 .

[0362] The communication unit 431 includes a first communication unit 4311 and a second communication unit 4312. The first communication unit 4311 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data with the communication terminal 2 via the communication network N1, such as a terminal interface of a mobile phone network. The first communication unit 4311 may also include a LAN interface for connecting to a terminal device of the mobile phone network.

[0363] The second communication unit 4312 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the data acquisition device 4 via the relay network N2. The second communication unit 4312 is, for example, a LAN interface.

[0364] The storage unit 432 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 432 stores a communication terminal DB that associates communication terminal IDs with device IDs of communication devices 1 with which each communication terminal 2 can directly communicate without going through the base station 5 .

[0365] The diagram showing an example of the communication terminal DB in the fifth embodiment is similar to the diagram in the first embodiment. Figure 6 The communication terminal DB stores application IDs, which are identification information of applications executable by the communication device 1 with which the communication terminal 2 can communicate, and the amount of data transmitted by each application during one data transmission, in association with the communication terminal ID.

[0366] Furthermore, the storage unit 432 associates and stores data received from the communication terminal 2 and transmitted from a plurality of communication devices 1 with the device IDs of the communication devices 1. Furthermore, the storage unit 432 may store a data provision DB in which the acquirer ID of a data acquirer accessing the data management device 3 via the data acquisition device 4 is associated with the device IDs and application IDs of the communication devices 1 and applications registered as targets for the data acquirer to acquire data.

[0367] The control unit 433 is, for example, a CPU, and determines the timing at which each communication terminal 2 transmits data by executing a program stored in the storage unit 432 .

[0368] The control unit 433 includes a communication control unit 4331 , a request receiving unit 4332 , a storage control unit 4333 , and a timing determination unit 4334 .

[0369] Communication control unit 4331 controls data transmission and reception with communication terminal 2. Communication control unit 4331 notifies communication terminal 2, which is capable of communicating with communication device 1, of the gateway address (APN) of communication network N1, thereby starting to receive data from communication terminal 2. Communication device 1 then outputs data to be provided to data acquisition device 4. Furthermore, communication control unit 4331 functions as a transmitter that transmits timing information indicating the timing determined by timing determination unit 4334 to communication terminal 2 via first communication unit 4311.

[0370] Request accepting unit 4332 accepts a request for selecting communication devices 1 and applications from which data is to be acquired from data acquisition device 4. Request accepting unit 4332 transmits a list of communication devices 1 and applications from which data management device 3 collects data to data acquisition device 4 via second communication unit 4312.

[0371] When the data acquirer selects a communication device 1 and an application from which to acquire data based on the list of communication devices 1 and applications displayed by the data acquisition device 4, the data acquisition device 4 transmits information identifying the selected communication device 1 and application (e.g., the device ID and application ID) and a data acquisition request including the acquirer's ID to the data management device 3. Upon receiving the data acquisition request from the data acquisition device 4, the request accepting unit 4332 notifies the storage control unit 4333 of the acquirer ID, device ID, and application ID included in the data acquisition request, thereby registering the data in the data provision DB within the storage unit 432.

[0372] Upon receiving a data acquisition request from data acquisition device 4, request acceptance unit 4332 references the data provision database stored in storage unit 432 and received via communication network N1, and transmits the data transmitted by the application indicated by the request to data acquisition device 4, thereby providing the data. The data provision database associates the acquirer ID corresponding to the data acquisition device 4 that transmitted the data acquisition request with the device ID of the communication device that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 with the acquirer ID. The data provision database may also associate the application ID of the application that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 with the acquirer ID.

[0373] The request accepting unit 4332 may also accept requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 to select the same communication device 1 to execute the same application. When the request accepting unit 4332 accepts requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 to select the same communication device 1 to execute the same application, the communication control unit 4331 provides the data sent by the application indicated by the request, among the data received via the communication network N1, to the multiple data acquisition devices 4.

[0374] Storage control unit 4333 writes data to storage unit 432 or reads data stored in storage unit 432 in accordance with instructions from communication control unit 4331 and request accepting unit 4332. For example, storage control unit 4333 associates device data received from communication terminal 2 by communication control unit 4331 with the device ID and application ID, and stores the data in storage unit 432.

[0375] [Communication Sequence in Communication System S]

[0376] Figure 22 It is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system S according to the fifth embodiment.

[0377] First, when the timing for transmitting the collected information arrives (Yes in S411), communication device 1 generates transmission data (S412) and transmits the transmission data to communication terminal 2. Upon receiving the transmission data, communication terminal 2 accumulates the received transmission data in storage unit 423 (S413).

[0378] Next, communication terminal 2 confirms whether it is time to transmit data to data management device 3 (S414). The details of step S414 will be described later. If the time to transmit data has arrived ("Yes" in S414), communication terminal 2 transmits the accumulated data to data management device 3. Upon receiving the data, communication control unit 4331 associates the received data with the communication terminal ID and registers it in the data provision database within storage unit 432.

[0379] [Operation Flowchart of Communication Terminal 2]

[0380] Figure 23 This is a flowchart of the operation of processing device data by communication terminal 2. When receiving device data from communication device 1 (S421), communication control unit 424 determines the state of communication device 1 using any of the above methods. For example, communication control unit 424 determines whether communication device 1 is in the initial state (S422).

[0381] If the communication device 1 is determined to be in the initial state ("Yes" in S422), the communication control unit 424 monitors whether a first time has elapsed since the device data was received (S423). If the first time has elapsed ("Yes" in S423), the communication control unit 424 transmits the received device data to the communication network N1 (S424). It should be noted that the first time can be zero. In other words, if the communication device 1 is in the initial state, the communication control unit 424 can transmit the device data to the communication network N1 without waiting for the data to be received.

[0382] When the communication control unit 424 determines that the communication device 1 is not in the initial state ("No" in S422), it monitors whether a second time longer than the first time has passed since the device data was received (S425). If the second time has passed ("Yes" in S425), the received device data is sent to the communication network N1 (S424).

[0383] Until the power of the communication terminal 2 is turned off (No in S426 ), the communication control unit 424 repeats the operations of steps S421 to S425 .

[0384] [Effects of Communication Terminal 2]

[0385] When a communication terminal transmits data to a data collection management device, the importance or priority of the data varies depending on the state of the communication terminal. For example, immediately after setting up a communication terminal, the data priority is high because a prompt notification of successful completion is needed. However, during periods of stable data transmission, the data priority is low.

[0386] However, existing systems do not take into account the fact that data priority varies depending on the state of a communication terminal. Consequently, even when a communication terminal intends to transmit high-priority data, data transmission may be delayed to avoid overlapping with other communication terminals' data transmissions. According to the fifth embodiment, data can be transmitted at a timing appropriate to the state of the communication terminal.

[0387] Communication terminal 2 in the fifth embodiment includes a device communication unit 421, which receives device data output by communication device 1, and a communication control unit 424, which determines the status of communication device 1 and transmits the device data received by device communication unit 421 to the wireless communication line according to the priority level corresponding to the determined status. Due to this configuration of communication terminal 2, communication device 1 can quickly confirm the device data output by communication device 1 when the communication terminal 2 is in a state where prompt confirmation of the device data is required.

[0388] Sixth embodiment

[0389] [Structure of Communication System S]

[0390] The diagram showing the configuration of the communication system S according to the sixth embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. Figure 1 The communication system S includes a plurality of communication devices 1, a communication terminal 2, a data management device 3, and a data acquisition device 4. The communication terminal 2 can transmit device data received from the plurality of communication devices 1 to the data management device 3 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0391] The base station 5, the communication network N1, and the relay network N2 are the same as those described in the first embodiment. The communication device 1 is also the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0392] Communication terminal 2 receives a plurality of pieces of device data from a plurality of communication devices 1. As will be described in detail later, communication terminal 2 temporarily accumulates the received device data and, after a predetermined amount of data has been accumulated, transmits the accumulated device data to communication network N1, thereby transmitting the device data to data management device 3. The predetermined amount is set so as to be associated with at least one of the attributes of the communication device 1 or the device data.

[0393] As described in the first embodiment, the data management device 3 is, for example, a server managed by a communication carrier providing services using the communication network N1. The data management device 3 provides the device data received from the communication terminal 2 to the data acquisition device 4 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0394] Specifically, the data management device 3 collects device data transmitted from a plurality of communication devices 1 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication network N1. The data management device 3 accumulates the received device data on a storage medium such as a hard disk and transmits the device data itself or information generated based on the device data to the data acquisition device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c) in response to a request from the data acquisition device 4.

[0395] The data acquisition device 4 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0396] The data flow in the communication system S in the sixth embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment. Figure 2 same.

[0397] It should be noted that when a single base station 5 accommodates a large number of communication terminals 2 and these communication terminals 2 are connected to a large number of communication devices 1, the device data output by a large number of communication devices 1 is transmitted to the communication network N1. When a communication terminal 2 transmits data to the base station 5, in addition to the data being transmitted, it also needs to transmit various additional information, such as the destination address and the source address. Therefore, each communication device 1 periodically outputs small amounts of device data. If a communication terminal 2 transmits the received device data to the communication network N1 each time it receives device data from a large number of communication devices 1, the amount of additional information becomes proportional to the amount of data being transmitted. As a result, even though the amount of data transmitted is small, the resource utilization rate of the wireless communication line increases. Consequently, the probability of congestion in the communication network N1 increases.

[0398] Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication terminal 2 temporarily accumulates device data received from a large number of communication devices 1, integrates the accumulated device data into a single data packet, and then transmits it to the base station 5. This reduces the resource utilization rate of the wireless communication line per unit amount of transmitted device data, thereby preventing congestion in the communication network N1.

[0399] [Structure of Communication Terminal 2]

[0400] Next, the configuration and operation of the communication terminal 2 will be described.

[0401] Figure 24 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication terminal 2 in the sixth embodiment. The communication terminal 2 includes a device communication unit 521 , a network communication unit 522 , a storage unit 523 , and a communication control unit 524 .

[0402] The device communication unit 521 is a wireless communication interface for receiving data transmitted by the communication device 1 .

[0403] The network communication unit 522 is a wireless communication interface for transmitting data received from the communication device 1 to the communication network N1. The network communication unit 522 can transmit and receive data with the base station 5 of the communication network N1 according to the LTE standard, for example.

[0404] The storage unit 523 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 523 stores communication programs executed by the communication control unit 524. Furthermore, under the control of the communication control unit 524, the storage unit 523 associates and accumulates device data received from the communication device 1 with the device ID of the communication device 1 and the date and time of receipt from the communication device 1. The storage unit 523 also stores various information used by the communication control unit 524 to determine the amount of device data to be accumulated before transmitting the device data received from the communication device 1.

[0405] The communication control unit 524, for example, a CPU, operates the communication terminal 2 by executing a communication program stored in the storage unit 523. When device data accumulates in the storage unit 523 to a predetermined amount, which is associated with the communication device 1 that outputs the device data, the communication control unit 524 transmits the accumulated device data. This predetermined amount is set, for example, based on the relationship between the resource utilization rate of the wireless communication line and the transmission delay time, and is sometimes referred to as the buffer capacity in the following description. The resource utilization rate is the average proportion of the device data transmission volume to the total usage of the wireless communication line.

[0406] When the device data accumulates in the storage unit 523 to the total data volume of the device data of multiple data packets accumulated in the storage unit 523, or the total number of data packets including the device data accumulated in the storage unit 523 reaches a specified amount, the communication control unit 524 sends the accumulated device data to the communication network N1.

[0407] Figure 25 This is a table showing an example of the relationship between the amount of device data accumulated in the communication terminal 2 (buffer amount) and the radio resource occupancy rate in the sixth embodiment. Figure 26This is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the buffer amount and the radio resource occupancy rate, and the relationship between the buffer amount and the delay time in the sixth embodiment. Figure 26 The solid line in represents the delay time from when the communication terminal 2 receives the device data to when the device data is sent to the communication network N1. The dotted line represents the resource occupancy rate.

[0408] Figure 25 In [1], a relationship is established between the buffer capacity, the transmission interval, the number of transmissions per hour, and the radio resource occupancy rate. The larger the buffer capacity, the longer the interval between data transmissions from communication terminal 2 to communication network N1, and the fewer the number of transmissions per hour. As a result, the radio resource occupancy rate decreases.

[0409] according to Figure 26 , it can be seen that when the buffer amount increases, the delay time increases exponentially. Conversely, it can be seen that when the buffer amount increases, the resource utilization rate decreases exponentially. Therefore, by using an appropriate buffer amount determined based on the resource utilization rate and delay time, the communication control unit 524 can suppress the delay time and reduce the resource utilization rate.

[0410] The communication control unit 524 determines the buffering amount based on, for example, the maximum delay time notified by the data management device 3 based on the data acquirer's expectations. Alternatively, the communication control unit 524 may determine the buffering amount based on the maximum resource occupancy rate notified by the data management device 3 based on the communication carrier's expectations. Alternatively, the communication control unit 524 may determine the buffering amount so as to satisfy both the maximum delay time and the maximum resource occupancy rate notified by the data management device 3.

[0411] However, the properties of the device data transmitted by communication devices 1 vary. Some devices tolerate longer delays, while others tolerate shorter delays. Furthermore, some communication devices 1 frequently output small amounts of device data, while others infrequently output large amounts of device data. Therefore, communication control unit 524 controls the buffer size based on the properties of communication device 1, the properties of the device data, and other factors. The following describes in detail how communication control unit 524 controls the buffer size.

[0412] If the communication device 1 frequently outputs device data and the transmission interval is short, it is considered that even if the device data is stored for a long time, the delay time will not be excessive. Therefore, for example, after a predetermined amount of device data has accumulated in the storage unit 523, the communication control unit 524 transmits the accumulated device data. This predetermined amount is set based on the frequency of device data output by the communication device 1. The higher the frequency of device data output by the communication device 1, the more the communication control unit 524 accumulates the received device data in the storage unit 523. This allows the communication control unit 524 to prevent the delay time from being excessive and maintain the resource utilization rate below the predetermined value.

[0413] The communication control unit 524 may also transmit the accumulated device data after the device data has accumulated in the storage unit 523 to a predetermined amount, which is set according to the attributes of the device data. For example, by setting the buffering amount for device data assigned a higher priority to be smaller than the buffering amount for device data assigned a lower priority, the communication control unit 524 can reduce the delay time of the higher priority device data to a shorter delay time than that of the lower priority device data.

[0414] Here, when the device communication unit 521 receives multiple device data from multiple communication devices 1, when the multiple device data received by the device communication unit 521 within a specified period include device data with a high priority, the communication control unit 524 may also send multiple device data before the device data accumulates to a specified amount. For example, it is assumed that when receiving device data with a low priority, the communication control unit 524 sets the buffer amount to a pre-set reference amount (for example, 50) and receives device data with a high priority. In this case, even if the amount of device data accumulated in the storage unit 523 at this moment is less than the reference amount, the communication control unit 524 integrates the device data accumulated in the storage unit 523 with the received device data at the moment of receiving the device data with a high priority and sends them. In this way, the resource occupancy rate can be reduced, and the delay time of the device data with a high priority can be set to the shortest time. The communication control unit 524 can determine the buffer amount based on the content of the device data received by the device communication unit 521. For example, if the device data is smaller than a specified value, such as a sensor signal, the communication control unit 524 accumulates the device data in the first buffer size in the storage unit 523. If the device data is larger than a specified value, such as image data, the communication control unit 524 accumulates the device data in the second buffer size, which is smaller than the first buffer size. Through this control, the communication control unit 524 can set the size of data packets transmitted to the communication network N1 within a specified range, thereby stably maintaining the resource utilization rate within the specified range.

[0415] Alternatively, when the device data has accumulated in the storage unit 523 to a predetermined amount set for each of the plurality of applications executable by the communication device 1, the communication control unit 524 may transmit the accumulated device data. For example, the communication control unit 524 refers to a table pre-stored in the storage unit 523 indicating the relationship between application IDs and buffer amounts, and accumulates the device data to the buffer amount corresponding to the application that output the received device data.

[0416] When multiple pieces of device data output by multiple applications are sequentially received from communication device 1, communication control unit 524 accumulates the device data for each application in a different area of storage unit 523. Then, when the amount of device data accumulated for each application reaches the buffer size corresponding to the application, the accumulated device data is transmitted to communication network N1. This allows communication terminal 2 to transmit data with a delay time corresponding to the application while maintaining resource utilization within an appropriate range.

[0417] Even when a buffer size is set for each application, if the device data output by a first application among multiple applications accumulates in storage unit 523 to the buffer size corresponding to the first application, communication control unit 524 can also transmit the device data output by another second application in the multiple applications using the same data packet. In this case, communication control unit 524 can also transmit the device data of the second application simultaneously, provided that the sum of the device data output by the first application and the total amount of data accumulated by the second application at that time is below a predetermined threshold. This allows communication terminal 2 to transmit data within the delay time determined for each application while effectively reducing resource usage.

[0418] In addition, if the device data output by multiple applications is incomplete, it is meaningless for the data acquirer to acquire the device data. Therefore, as described above, when the data of multiple applications are sent in one data packet, the communication control unit 524 may also send the device data output by two or more applications in a predetermined manner under the condition that the device data output by two or more applications among the multiple applications are accumulated in the storage unit 523 to the buffer amount corresponding to the two or more applications.

[0419] For example, if a data acquirer requires both device data (e.g., data output by a sensor detecting the movement of a vending machine and data including images output by a surveillance camera capturing the surrounding conditions of the vending machine), the communication control unit 524 will transmit both types of device data after accumulating them to a predetermined buffer size. This allows the communication terminal 2 to avoid transmitting low-value device data even when transmitting individually, effectively reducing resource usage.

[0420] Furthermore, consider the situation where different data acquirers need device data at different times. For example, a data acquirer that monitors device data in real time would prefer to send the device data as soon as possible, while a data acquirer that only references device data once a day would only need to send the device data once a day.

[0421] Therefore, the storage unit 523 can associate and store the data acquirer ID, application ID, and buffer size. The communication control unit 524 then determines the buffer size based on the application sending the device data and the destination of the device data. Based on the relationship between the data acquirer ID and the buffer size accumulated in the storage unit 523, the communication control unit 524 transmits the accumulated device data when the buffer size corresponding to the destination of the device data, i.e., the data acquirer, has accumulated in the storage unit 523. This allows the communication terminal 2 to meet the data acquirer's requirements while effectively reducing resource usage.

[0422] When multiple data acquirers acquire device data output by an application on a communication device 1, the communication control unit 524 can determine the buffer size based on the earliest data acquisition timing desired by each of the multiple data acquirers. This allows the communication control unit 524 to transmit the device data at a timing that satisfies all data acquirers.

[0423] Furthermore, consider the case where the need to reduce resource utilization varies depending on the congestion level of communication network N1. During periods when communication network N1 is not congested, communication terminal 2 preferably transmits device data as soon as possible without reducing resource utilization. Therefore, communication terminal 2, for example, obtains statistical values of the congestion status for each time period from data management device 3 and stores them in storage unit 523. Then, based on the relationship between time periods and buffer amounts stored in storage unit 523, communication control unit 524 can transmit the accumulated device data after the buffer amount corresponding to the time period in which the device data was received has accumulated in storage unit 523. This allows communication terminal 2 to prioritize reducing resource utilization during periods when the likelihood of communication network N1 congestion is high, and prioritize quickly transmitting device data during periods when the likelihood of communication network N1 congestion is low.

[0424] [Structure of the Data Management Device 3]

[0425] Figure 27 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data management device 3 in the sixth embodiment. The data management device 3 includes a communication unit 531 , a storage unit 532 , and a control unit 533 .

[0426] The communication unit 531 includes a first communication unit 5311 and a second communication unit 5312. The first communication unit 5311 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data with the communication terminal 2 via the communication network N1, such as a terminal interface of a mobile phone network. The first communication unit 5311 may also include a LAN interface for connecting to a terminal device of the mobile phone network.

[0427] The second communication unit 5312 has a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data via the relay network N2 to and from the data acquisition device 4. The second communication unit 5312 is, for example, a LAN interface.

[0428] The storage unit 532 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 532 stores communication terminal IDs associated with device IDs of communication devices 1 with which each communication terminal 2 can directly communicate without going through the base station 5 .

[0429] The diagram showing an example of the communication terminal DB in the sixth embodiment is similar to the diagram in the first embodiment. Figure 6 The communication terminal DB stores application IDs, which are identification information of applications executable by the communication device 1 with which the communication terminal 2 can communicate, and the amount of data transmitted by each application during one data transmission, in association with the communication terminal ID.

[0430] Furthermore, the storage unit 532 associates and stores data transmitted from a plurality of communication devices 1 and received from the communication terminal 2 with the device IDs of the communication devices 1. Furthermore, the storage unit 532 may store a data provision DB in which the acquirer ID of a data acquirer accessing the data management device 3 via the data acquisition device 4 is associated with the device IDs and application IDs of the communication devices 1 and applications registered as targets for the data acquirer to acquire data.

[0431] The control unit 533 is, for example, a CPU, and determines the timing at which each communication terminal 2 transmits data by executing a program stored in the storage unit 532 .

[0432] The control unit 533 includes a communication control unit 5331 , a request receiving unit 5332 , a storage control unit 5333 , and a timing determination unit 5334 .

[0433] The communication control unit 5331 controls data transmission and reception with the communication terminal 2. The communication control unit 5331 notifies the communication terminal 2, which is capable of communicating with the communication device 1, of the gateway address of the communication network N1, or APN, thereby starting to receive data from the communication terminal 2. The communication device 1 then outputs data to be provided to the data acquisition device 4. Furthermore, the communication control unit 5331 functions as a transmitter that transmits timing information indicating the timing determined by the timing determination unit 5334 to the communication terminal 2 via the first communication unit 5311.

[0434] The request accepting unit 5332 accepts a request for selecting communication devices 1 and applications from which data is to be acquired from the data acquisition device 4. The request accepting unit 5332 transmits a list of communication devices 1 and applications from which the data management device 3 collects data to the data acquisition device 4 via the second communication unit 5312.

[0435] When the data acquirer selects a communication device 1 and an application from which to acquire data based on the list of communication devices 1 and applications displayed by the data acquisition device 4, the data acquisition device 4 transmits information identifying the selected communication device 1 and application (e.g., the device ID and application ID) and a data acquisition request including the acquirer's ID to the data management device 3. Upon receiving the data acquisition request from the data acquisition device 4, the request accepting unit 5332 notifies the storage control unit 5333 of the acquirer ID, device ID, and application ID included in the data acquisition request, thereby registering the data in the data provision DB within the storage unit 532.

[0436] Upon receiving a data acquisition request from data acquisition device 4, request accepting unit 5332 references the data provision database stored in storage unit 532, received via communication network N1, and transmits the data sent by the application indicated by the request to data acquisition device 4, thereby providing the data. The data provision database associates the acquirer ID corresponding to the data acquisition device 4 that sent the data acquisition request with the device ID of the communication device that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 with the acquirer ID. The data provision database may also associate the application ID of the application that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 with the acquirer ID.

[0437] The request accepting unit 5332 may also accept requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 to select the same communication device 1 to execute the same application. When the request accepting unit 5332 accepts requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 to select the same communication device 1 to execute the same application, the communication control unit 5331 provides the data sent by the application indicated by the request, among the data received via the communication network N1, to the multiple data acquisition devices 4.

[0438] The storage control unit 5333 writes data to the storage unit 532 or reads data stored in the storage unit 532 according to instructions from the communication control unit 5331 and the request receiving unit 5332. For example, the storage control unit 5333 associates the device data received from the communication terminal 2 by the communication control unit 5331 with the device ID and the application ID, and stores the data in the storage unit 532.

[0439] [Communication Sequence in Communication System S]

[0440] Figure 28 1 is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system S according to the sixth embodiment.

[0441] First, when the timing for transmitting the collected information arrives (Yes in S511), transmission data is generated (S512), and communication device 1 transmits the transmission data to communication terminal 2. Upon receiving the transmission data, communication terminal 2 accumulates the received transmission data in storage unit 523 (S513).

[0442] Next, communication terminal 2 confirms whether it is time to transmit data to data management device 3 (S514). The processing of step S514 will be described in detail later. If the time to transmit data has arrived ("Yes" in S514), communication terminal 2 transmits the accumulated data to data management device 3. Upon receiving the data, communication control unit 5331 associates the received data with the communication terminal ID and registers it in the data provision database within storage unit 532.

[0443] [Operation Flowchart of Communication Terminal 2]

[0444] Figure 29 This is a flowchart of the operation of the communication terminal 2 processing device data in the sixth embodiment. When the communication control unit 524 receives device data from the communication device 1 (S521), it accumulates the received device data in the storage unit 523 to a predetermined amount (i.e., a buffer amount) determined by any of the above methods (S522).

[0445] If the communication control unit 524 determines that the device data has accumulated to a predetermined amount ("Yes" in S522), it transmits the device data to the communication network N1 in a single data packet (S523). The communication control unit 524 repeats steps S521 to S523 until the power of the communication terminal 2 is turned off ("No" in S524).

[0446] [Effects of Communication Terminal 2]

[0447] In existing systems, data representing sensor detection results is transmitted at designated timings. However, if the data being transmitted is generated frequently, transmitting data every time it is generated can lead to congestion in the wireless communication line. The sixth embodiment reduces the probability of wireless communication line congestion when transmitting large amounts of data output from devices such as sensors.

[0448] In the sixth embodiment, communication terminal 2 accumulates device data output by communication device 1. When a predetermined amount of device data is accumulated in storage unit 523, communication control unit 524 transmits the accumulated device data. This predetermined amount is set in association with at least one of the communication device 1 that outputs the device data or an attribute of the device data. This reduces the frequency with which communication terminal 2 transmits small amounts of data to communication network N1, thereby reducing resource usage on wireless communication lines and the likelihood of congestion on communication network N1.

[0449] Seventh embodiment

[0450] [Structure of Communication System S]

[0451] The diagram showing the configuration of the communication system S according to the seventh embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. Figure 1 The communication system S includes a plurality of communication devices 1, a communication terminal 2, a data management device 3, and a data acquisition device 4. The communication terminal 2 can transmit device data received from the plurality of communication devices 1 to the data management device 3 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0452] The base station 5, the communication network N1, and the relay network N2 are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0453] The communication device 1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0454] Communication terminal 2 receives a plurality of device data from a plurality of communication devices 1. As will be described in detail later, communication terminal 2 receives the received device data and, if the received device data changes by a specified amount or a specified ratio, transmits the received device data to communication network N1, thereby transmitting the device data to data management device 3. "Changes by a specified ratio or a specified ratio" means that the ratio of the change in the data value relative to the value of the data before the change is greater than a specified value.

[0455] As described in the first embodiment, the data management device 3 is, for example, a server managed by a communication carrier providing services using the communication network N1. The data management device 3 provides the device data received from the communication terminal 2 to the data acquisition device 4 via the communication network N1 and the relay network N2.

[0456] Specifically, the data management device 3 collects device data transmitted from a plurality of communication devices 1 via the communication terminal 2 and the communication network N1. The data management device 3 accumulates the received device data on a storage medium such as a hard disk and transmits the device data itself or information generated based on the device data to the data acquisition device 4 (4a, 4b, 4c) in response to a request from the data acquisition device 4.

[0457] The data acquisition device 4 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

[0458] The data flow in the communication system S in the seventh embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment. Figure 2 same.

[0459] It should be noted that if a single base station 5 accommodates a large number of communication terminals 2, and these communication terminals 2 are connected to a large number of communication devices 1, the device data output by a large number of communication devices 1 will be transmitted to the communication network N1. Therefore, if each communication device 1 regularly outputs small amounts of device data, and if a communication terminal 2 transmits the received device data to the communication network N1 each time it receives device data from a large number of communication devices 1, the probability of congestion in the communication network N1 is high.

[0460] Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication terminal 2 temporarily accumulates device data received from a large number of communication devices 1, monitors whether the accumulated device data has changed, and, upon detecting a change, transmits the device data to the base station 5. This reduces the amount of device data transmitted, thereby preventing congestion in the communication network N1.

[0461] [Structure of Communication Terminal 2]

[0462] Next, the configuration and operation of the communication terminal 2 will be described.

[0463] Figure 301 is a diagram showing the configuration of a communication terminal 2 in the seventh embodiment. The communication terminal 2 includes a device communication unit 621 , a network communication unit 622 , a storage unit 623 , and a communication control unit 624 .

[0464] The device communication unit 621 is a wireless communication interface for receiving data transmitted by the communication device 1 .

[0465] The network communication unit 622 is a wireless communication interface for transmitting data received from the communication device 1 to the communication network N1. The network communication unit 622 can transmit and receive data to and from the base station 5 of the communication network N1 according to the LTE standard, for example.

[0466] The storage unit 623 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 623 stores communication programs executed by the communication control unit 624. Furthermore, under the control of the communication control unit 624, the storage unit 623 associates and accumulates device data received from the communication device 1 with the device ID of the communication device 1 and the date and time received from the communication device 1.

[0467] Furthermore, the storage unit 623 stores a transmission determination threshold value used by the communication control unit 624 when determining that the device data received from the communication device 1 has changed. The storage unit 623 associates the transmission determination threshold value with each of the multiple communication devices 1 and stores the threshold value. Alternatively, the storage unit 623 may associate the transmission determination threshold value with each of the multiple applications executable by the communication device 1 and store the threshold value. This allows the communication control unit 624 to control an appropriate data transmission volume using a transmission determination threshold value that corresponds to the trends in the device data output by the communication device 1 or the trends in the device data output by the application.

[0468] The communication control unit 624 is, for example, a CPU, and operates the communication terminal 2 by executing a communication program stored in the storage unit 623. If the difference between the latest device data received by the device communication unit 621 and the previous device data stored in the storage unit 623, which was associated with the latest device data and the same communication device 1, is greater than a predetermined transmission determination threshold, the communication control unit 624 transmits the latest device data via the wireless communication line.

[0469] Figure 31 This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the communication control unit 624 in the seventh embodiment. Figure 31 The horizontal axis represents time. The solid line represents the state of changes in the device data value. The device data value is, for example, the output value of a sensor included in communication device 1. The dotted line represents the state of changes in the amount of change in the device data. The amount of change increases when the device data value changes significantly and when it changes slightly.

[0470] exist Figure 31 In the example shown, communication control unit 624 transmits data four times when the amount of change exceeds the transmission determination threshold. For example, when the amount of change exceeds the transmission determination threshold, communication control unit 624 pairs the value before and after the change in the device data output value, assigns them to a single data packet, associates them with the time when the amount of change exceeded the transmission determination threshold, and transmits them to communication network N1.

[0471] For example, the communication control unit 624 Figure 31 At time T1, the communication control unit 624 sends data (T1, 0, 1), and at time T2, it sends data (T2, 1, 0). Furthermore, the communication control unit 624 sends data (T3, 0, 1) at time T3, and data (T4, 1, 0) at time T4. Thus, the communication control unit 624 samples the device data received from the communication device 1 at predetermined intervals. For example, compared to a case where data such as 00001111000000000111111111000 is sent, the amount of data transmitted can be reduced.

[0472] When a predetermined time has passed since the output value of the slave device data has changed, and a new output value change has occurred during the waiting period, the communication control unit 624 may transmit data indicating the output value changes at multiple times in one data packet. Figure 31 If the time between time T1 and time T2 is within a predetermined time, the communication control unit 624 transmits the data of (T1, 0, 1, T2, 1, 0). In this way, the communication control unit 624 can further reduce the amount of data transmission.

[0473] When transmitting the latest device data whose difference is greater than the transmission determination threshold, the communication control unit 624 may transmit the data whose difference is less than the transmission determination threshold accumulated in the storage unit 623 before transmitting the device data. Figure 31 In the example shown, communication control unit 624 transmits the device data from time T2 to time T3 at time T3. This reduces the frequency of data transmission compared to transmitting data each time it is generated, allowing for the transmission of more device data. By reducing the frequency of data transmission, the overhead of the destination and source addresses included in the transmitted data packets is relatively small, allowing communication control unit 624 to reduce resource usage.

[0474] It should be noted that the congestion level of wireless communication lines varies depending on the time of day, day of the week, or date. During periods when the wireless communication line is not congested, it is sometimes preferable to transmit as much device data as possible rather than reducing the amount of data transmitted. Therefore, the communication control unit 624 can determine the transmission decision threshold based on at least one of the time of day, day of the week, or date. Furthermore, the communication control unit 624 can obtain the congestion level of the wireless communication line or the congestion level of the base station 5 from the data management device 3 or the base station 5 and determine the transmission decision threshold based on the obtained congestion level. This prevents congestion in the wireless communication line and allows for the transmission of as much device data as possible.

[0475] The communication control unit 624 determines the transmission decision threshold based on the statistical values of multiple pieces of device data associated with the same communication device 1 and stored in the storage unit 623. For example, the communication control unit 624 stores the device data received from the communication device 1 in the storage unit 623 for a predetermined period of time and calculates a statistical value, such as an average value or median value, of the device data during the predetermined period. The communication control unit 624 then uses the value, excluding the statistical value, as the transmission decision threshold.

[0476] For example, if the statistical value is between 0 and less than 0.4, or between 0.6 and 1.0, the communication control unit 624 determines the transmission decision threshold to be 0.5, which is a value between 0.4 and less than 0.6. In this way, by using the statistical value of the device data to determine the transmission decision threshold, the communication control unit 624 can determine an appropriate transmission decision threshold without being affected by noise included in the device data.

[0477] The communication control unit 624 may also determine the transmission determination threshold based on the status of the communication device 1 indicated by the device data. The communication control unit 624 obtains information indicating the status of the communication device 1 via the device communication unit 621. If the status of the communication device 1 indicates that the data acquirer needs to confirm the status of the device data with high accuracy, the communication control unit 624 reduces the transmission determination threshold to increase the frequency of device data transmission.

[0478] For example, when the communication control unit 624 receives device data indicating that the communication device 1 installed in a vending machine that is assumed to be immobile has moved, it lowers the transmission determination threshold, allowing the vending machine administrator to detect even slight movement of the communication device 1. If the communication control unit 624 then determines that the state of the communication device 1 has changed and that the communication device 1 has not moved within a specified time, it may increase the transmission determination threshold.

[0479] The communication control unit 624 may also obtain a transmission determination threshold value transmitted from the data management device 3, which manages device data, via the wireless communication line of the communication network N1 and the network communication unit 622. For example, the communication control unit 624 obtains from the data management device 3 a transmission determination threshold value set by the data acquirer, or a transmission determination threshold value determined by the data management device 3 based on the congestion level of the wireless communication line provided by the base station 5 to the communication terminal 2, and utilizes the obtained transmission determination threshold value. This allows the communication control unit 624 to utilize a transmission determination threshold value appropriate for the data accuracy required by the data acquirer or the congestion level of the wireless communication line.

[0480] Furthermore, the communication control unit 624 may also receive a designation of the frequency at which device data should be transmitted via the wireless communication line and determine the transmission decision threshold based on the designated frequency. For example, the communication control unit 624 may receive a designation of the permissible transmission frequency determined by the base station 5 based on the congestion level of the wireless communication line. The greater the permissible transmission frequency, the lower the transmission decision threshold is set by the communication control unit 624, and the lower the permissible transmission frequency, the higher the transmission decision threshold is set by the communication control unit 624. This allows the communication control unit 624 to transmit data at a frequency appropriate to the conditions of the wireless communication line.

[0481] The communication control unit 624 can also determine the transmission determination threshold through machine learning. For example, the communication control unit 624 stores the device data group within a specified period in the storage unit 623 and transmits the device data group to the data management device 3. The communication control unit 624 then obtains the transmission determination threshold appropriate for the device data group, as set by the administrator of the data management device 3, associates the obtained transmission determination threshold with the device data group, and stores it in the storage unit 623. By performing the same process on various device data groups, the communication control unit 624 can associate a large number of device data groups with the transmission determination threshold.

[0482] If a device data group is received within a predetermined period, the communication control unit 624 selects a transmission decision threshold corresponding to the received device data group by referring to the storage unit 623. This allows the communication control unit 624 to determine a transmission decision threshold appropriate for the change pattern of the device data.

[0483] Figure 32 This table shows an example of the relationship between the transmission method, transmission interval, number of transmissions per unit time, and radio resource occupancy rate in the seventh embodiment. The normal transmission method is a method in which communication terminal 2 transmits all device data received from communication device 1 without using a transmission decision threshold. The change-based transmission method is a method in which communication terminal 2 transmits device data when it detects a change in device data.

[0484] exist Figure 32 In the example shown, communication terminal 2 transmits device data when it detects a change in device data, thereby increasing the transmission interval and significantly reducing the number of transmissions per unit time. Furthermore, the wireless resource occupancy rate caused by transmitting device data also significantly decreases.

[0485] [Structure of the Data Management Device 3]

[0486] Figure 33 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data management device 3 in the seventh embodiment. The data management device 3 includes a communication unit 631 , a storage unit 632 , and a control unit 633 .

[0487] The communication unit 631 includes a first communication unit 6311 and a second communication unit 6312. The first communication unit 6311 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data with the communication terminal 2 via the communication network N1, such as a terminal interface of a mobile phone network. The first communication unit 6311 may also include a LAN interface for connecting to a terminal device of the mobile phone network.

[0488] The second communication unit 6312 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the data acquisition device 4 via the relay network N2. The second communication unit 6312 is, for example, a LAN interface.

[0489] The storage unit 632 includes storage media such as ROM, RAM, and a hard disk. The storage unit 632 stores a communication terminal DB in which communication terminal IDs are associated with device IDs of communication devices 1 with which each communication terminal 2 can directly communicate without going through the base station 5 .

[0490] The diagram showing an example of the communication terminal DB in the seventh embodiment is similar to the diagram in the first embodiment. Figure 6 The communication terminal DB stores application IDs, which are identification information of applications executable by the communication device 1 with which the communication terminal 2 can communicate, and the amount of data transmitted by each application during one data transmission, in association with the communication terminal ID.

[0491] Furthermore, the storage unit 632 associates and stores data transmitted from multiple communication devices 1 and received from the communication terminal 2 with the device ID of the communication device 1. Furthermore, the storage unit 632 may store a data provision DB in which the acquirer ID of a data acquirer accessing the data management device 3 via the data acquisition device 4 is associated with the device ID and application ID of the communication device 1 and application registered as the target of the data acquisition by the data acquirer.

[0492] The control unit 633 is, for example, a CPU, and determines the timing at which each communication terminal 2 transmits data by executing a program stored in the storage unit 632 .

[0493] The control unit 633 includes a communication control unit 6331 , a request accepting unit 6332 , a storage control unit 6333 , and a timing determination unit 6334 .

[0494] The communication control unit 6331 controls data transmission and reception with the communication terminal 2. The communication control unit 6331 notifies the communication terminal 2, which is capable of communicating with the communication device 1, of the gateway address of the communication network N1, or APN, thereby starting to receive data from the communication terminal 2. The communication device 1 then outputs data to be provided to the data acquisition device 4. Furthermore, the communication control unit 6331 functions as a transmitter that transmits timing information indicating the timing determined by the timing determination unit 6334 to the communication terminal 2 via the first communication unit 6311.

[0495] The communication control unit 6331 may also obtain the congestion level of the base station 5 providing the wireless communication line used by the communication terminal 2 from the base station 5, and determine the transmission decision threshold used by the communication terminal 2 based on the obtained congestion level. The communication control unit 6331 provides the determined transmission decision threshold to the communication terminal 2.

[0496] The request accepting unit 6332 accepts a request for selecting communication devices 1 and applications from which data is to be acquired from the data acquisition device 4. The request accepting unit 6332 transmits a list of communication devices 1 and applications from which the data management device 3 collects data to the data acquisition device 4 via the second communication unit 6312.

[0497] When the data acquirer selects a communication device 1 and an application from which to acquire data based on the list of communication devices 1 and applications displayed by the data acquisition device 4, the data acquisition device 4 transmits information identifying the selected communication device 1 and application (e.g., the device ID and application ID) and a data acquisition request including the acquirer's ID to the data management device 3. Upon receiving the data acquisition request from the data acquisition device 4, the request accepting unit 6332 notifies the storage control unit 6333 of the acquirer ID, device ID, and application ID included in the data acquisition request, thereby registering the data in the data provision DB within the storage unit 632.

[0498] Upon receiving a data acquisition request from data acquisition device 4, request accepting unit 6332 references the data provision database stored in storage unit 632, received via communication network N1, and transmits the data sent by the application indicated by the request to data acquisition device 4, thereby providing the data. The data provision database associates the acquirer ID corresponding to the data acquisition device 4 that sent the data acquisition request with the device ID of the communication device that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 with the acquirer ID. The data provision database may also associate the application ID of the application that provided data to the data acquisition device 4 with the acquirer ID.

[0499] The request accepting unit 6332 may also accept requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 to select the same communication device 1 to execute the same application. When the request accepting unit 6332 accepts requests from multiple data acquisition devices 4 to select the same communication device 1 to execute the same application, the communication control unit 6331 provides the multiple data acquisition devices 4 with data transmitted by the application indicated by the request, among the data received via the communication network N1.

[0500] The storage control unit 6333 writes data to the storage unit 632 or reads data stored in the storage unit 632 according to instructions from the communication control unit 6331 and the request receiving unit 6332. For example, the storage control unit 6333 associates the device data received from the communication terminal 2 by the communication control unit 6331 with the device ID and the application ID, and stores the data in the storage unit 632.

[0501] [Operation Flowchart of Communication Terminal 2]

[0502] Figure 34 This is a flowchart of the operation of the communication terminal 2 processing device data in the seventh embodiment. Upon receiving device data from the communication device 1 (S611), the communication control unit 624 determines whether the amount of change in the device data is greater than a transmission determination threshold (S612).

[0503] If the communication control unit 624 determines that the change in the device data is greater than the transmission determination threshold ("Yes" in S612), it transmits the device data to the communication network N1 (S613). The communication control unit 624 repeats steps S611 to S613 until the power of the communication terminal 2 is turned off ("No" in S614).

[0504] [Communication Sequence in Communication System S]

[0505] Figure 35 It is a diagram showing a communication sequence in the communication system S according to the seventh embodiment. Figure 35The communication sequence when the data management device 3 determines the transmission determination threshold is shown.

[0506] First, the data management device 3 determines a transmission decision threshold used by the communication terminal 2 based on the congestion level of the wireless communication line used by the communication terminal 2 obtained from the base station 5 ( S621 ). The data management device 3 transmits the determined transmission decision threshold to the communication terminal 2 .

[0507] Upon receiving the transmission determination threshold value transmitted from the data management device 3 , the communication terminal 2 stores the received transmission determination threshold value in the storage unit 623 ( S622 ).

[0508] Next, when the timing for transmitting the collected information arrives (Yes in S623), communication device 1 generates transmission data (S624) and transmits the transmission data to communication terminal 2. Upon receiving the transmission data, communication terminal 2 accumulates the received transmission data in storage unit 623 (S625).

[0509] Next, communication terminal 2 checks whether it is time to transmit data to data management device 3 (S626). If the time has arrived ("Yes" in S626), communication terminal 2 transmits the accumulated data to data management device 3. Upon receiving the data, communication control unit 6331 associates the received data with the communication terminal ID and registers it in the data provision DB within storage unit 632 (S627).

[0510] [Effects of Communication Terminal 2]

[0511] In existing systems, all sensor output data is transmitted. Therefore, as the number of sensors transmitting data using the same wireless communication line increases, the wireless communication line becomes congested. The seventh embodiment can reduce congestion in the wireless communication line.

[0512] In the seventh embodiment, communication terminal 2 transmits the latest device data via the wireless communication line if the difference between the latest device data received by device communication unit 621 and the previous device data associated with the same communication device 1, stored in storage unit 623, is greater than a predetermined transmission determination threshold. This prevents communication terminal 2 from frequently transmitting small amounts of data to communication network N1, thereby reducing resource usage on the wireless communication line and the likelihood of congestion on communication network N1.

[0513] The first to seventh embodiments have been described above, respectively, but a plurality of the described embodiments may be combined and applied to the communication system S. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress congestion in the wireless communication line.

[0514] According to the above embodiment, communication terminal 2 receives device data output by communication device 1. Furthermore, communication terminal 2 transmits the received device data to the wireless communication line at a timing based on at least one of the states of communication terminal 2, the wireless communication line, communication device 1, and the device data, or based on information indicating the timing for transmitting the device data received from a management device that externally manages communication terminal 2. This can suppress congestion in the wireless communication line that occurs when data processing is not performed at the appropriate timing.

[0515] While the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the aforementioned embodiments. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and improvements may be made to the aforementioned embodiments. In particular, the specific implementations of device distribution and integration are not limited to those illustrated above; functional or physical distribution and integration may be performed in arbitrary units, in whole or in part, based on various additions or functional loads.

[0516] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress congestion in a wireless communication line.

[0517] 1. Communication equipment

[0518] 2 Communication Terminal

[0519] 3 Data management device

[0520] 121 Equipment Communication Department

[0521] 122 Control Department

[0522] 123 Network Communications Department

[0523] 124 Storage

[0524] 131 Ministry of Communications

[0525] 1311 First Department of Communications

[0526] 1312 Second Department of Communications

[0527] 132 Storage Department

[0528] 133 Control Department

[0529] 1331 Communication Control Department

[0530] 1332 Request Acceptance Department

[0531] 1333 Storage Control Unit

[0532] 1334 Timing Decision Department

[0533] 221 Equipment Communication Department

[0534] 222 Network Communications Department

[0535] 223 Sensor

[0536] 224 Storage Department

[0537] 225 Control Department

[0538] 2251 Motion Detection Department

[0539] 2252 Communication Control Department

[0540] 231 Ministry of Communications

[0541] 2311 First Ministry of Communications

[0542] 2312 Second Department of Communications

[0543] 232 Storage Department

[0544] 233 Control Department

[0545] 2331 Communication Control Department

[0546] 2332 Congestion Determination Department

[0547] 2333 Timing Decision Department

[0548] 2334 Request Acceptance Department

[0549] 2335 Storage Control Department

[0550] 321 Equipment Communication Department

[0551] 322 Network Communications Department

[0552] 323 Storage Department

[0553] 324 Terminal Control Unit

[0554] 331 Ministry of Communications

[0555] 3311 First Department of Communications

[0556] 3312 Second Department of Communications

[0557] 332 Storage Department

[0558] 333 Control Department

[0559] 3331 Determination Department

[0560] 3332 Communication Control Department

[0561] 3333 Request Acceptance Department

[0562] 3334 Storage Control Department

[0563] 421 Equipment Communication Department

[0564] 422 Network Communications Department

[0565] 423 Storage Department

[0566] 424 Communication Control Department

[0567] 431 Ministry of Communications

[0568] 4311 First Ministry of Communications

[0569] 4312 Second Department of Communications

[0570] 432 Storage Department

[0571] 433 Control Department

[0572] 4331 Communication Control Department

[0573] 4332 Request Acceptance Department

[0574] 4333 Storage Control Department

[0575] 521 Equipment Communication Department

[0576] 522 Network Communications Department

[0577] 523 Storage Department

[0578] 524 Communication Control Department

[0579] 531 Ministry of Communications

[0580] 5311 First Ministry of Communications

[0581] 5312 Second Department of Communications

[0582] 532 Storage Department

[0583] 533 Control Department

[0584] 5331 Communication Control Department

[0585] 5332 Request Acceptance Department

[0586] 5333 Storage Control Unit

[0587] 621 Equipment Communication Department

[0588] 622 Network Communications Department

[0589] 623 Storage Department

[0590] 624 Communication Control Department

[0591] 631 Ministry of Communications

[0592] 6311 First Department of Communications

[0593] 6312 Second Department of Communications

[0594] 632 Storage Department

[0595] 633 Control Department

[0596] 6331 Communications Control Department

[0597] 6332 Request Acceptance Department

[0598] 6333 Storage Control Department

Claims

1. A communication terminal that transmits device data output by a communication device via a wireless communication line, wherein: have: a device communication unit, receiving the device data output by the communication device, a storage unit that stores the device data received by the device communication unit, and a communication control unit that transmits the stored device data to the wireless communication line after the device data is stored in the storage unit until a predetermined amount is reached, wherein the predetermined amount is set in association with at least one of the communication device that outputs the device data or an attribute of the device data; After the device data is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount set for each of a plurality of application programs executable by the communication device is reached, the communication control unit transmits the stored device data. When the device data output by one of the plurality of application programs is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount corresponding to the one application program is reached, the communication control unit also transmits the device data output by another application program among the plurality of application programs.

2. A communication terminal that transmits device data output by a communication device via a wireless communication line, wherein: have: a device communication unit, receiving the device data output by the communication device, a storage unit that stores the device data received by the device communication unit, and a communication control unit that transmits the stored device data to the wireless communication line after the device data is stored in the storage unit until a predetermined amount is reached, wherein the predetermined amount is set in association with at least one of the communication device that outputs the device data or an attribute of the device data; After the device data is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount set for each of a plurality of application programs executable by the communication device is reached, the communication control unit transmits the stored device data. When the device data output by two or more predetermined applications among the plurality of applications is stored in the storage unit until the prescribed amount corresponding to the two or more applications is reached, the communication control unit transmits the device data output by the two or more applications.

3. The communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The communication control unit transmits the stored device data after the device data is stored in the storage unit until the total data volume of the device data of the plurality of data packets stored in the storage unit or the total number of data packets containing the device data stored in the storage unit reaches the specified volume.

4. The communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: After the device data is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount set according to the frequency of output of the device data by the communication device is reached, the communication control unit transmits the stored device data.

5. The communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: After the device data is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount set according to the attribute of the device data is reached, the communication control unit transmits the stored device data. The communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The communication control unit determines the prescribed amount based on the content of the device data received by the device communication unit.

7. The communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The device communication unit receives a plurality of the device data from a plurality of the communication devices. When the plurality of device data received by the device communication unit within a predetermined period include device data with a high priority, the communication control unit transmits the plurality of device data until the predetermined amount of device data is stored.

8. The communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: After the device data is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount corresponding to the transmission destination of the device data is reached, the communication control unit transmits the stored device data.

9. The communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: After the device data is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount corresponding to the time period for receiving the device data is reached, the communication control unit transmits the stored device data.

10. A communication method for transmitting device data output by a communication device via a wireless communication line, wherein: include: receiving the device data output by the communication device, storing the received device data in a storage unit, and After the device data is stored in the storage unit until a predetermined amount is reached, the stored device data is transmitted to the wireless communication line, wherein the predetermined amount is set in association with at least one of the communication device outputting the device data or an attribute of the device data. In the step of transmitting the stored device data to the wireless communication line, the stored device data is transmitted after the device data is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount set for each of the plurality of application programs executable by the communication device is reached. When the device data output by one of the plurality of application programs is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount corresponding to the one application program is reached, the device data output by another application program among the plurality of application programs is also transmitted.

11. A communication method for transmitting device data output by a communication device via a wireless communication line, wherein: include: receiving the device data output by the communication device, storing the received device data in a storage unit, and After the device data is stored in the storage unit until a predetermined amount is reached, the stored device data is transmitted to the wireless communication line, wherein the predetermined amount is set in association with at least one of the communication device outputting the device data or an attribute of the device data. In the step of transmitting the stored device data to the wireless communication line, the stored device data is transmitted after the device data is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount set for each of the plurality of application programs executable by the communication device is reached. When the device data output by two or more preset application programs among the plurality of application programs is stored in the storage unit until the predetermined amount corresponding to each of the two or more application programs is reached, the device data output by the two or more application programs is transmitted.

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