Wireless sensor system, wireless terminal device, communication control method and communication control program

Abstract

The present application relates to a wireless sensor system, a wireless terminal device, a communication control method, and a communication control program. The wireless sensor system includes: a wireless terminal device that is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and transmits measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; and a management device that receives the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application, and the parent case it is targeting is an invention patent application whose applicant is "Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.", the application date is June 13, 2019, the invention name is "Wireless sensor system, wireless terminal equipment, communication control method and communication control program", and the application number is 201980039295.4. Technical Field

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

[0003] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2018-113921, No. 2018-113950, and No. 2018-113923, filed on June 14, 2018, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Background Art

[0004] On the Internet<URL:http: / / ja.wikipedia.org / wiki / センサネツトヮーク> Sensor networks (wireless sensor networks, WSNs) are described in "Wikipedia" [online], [searched on May 11, 2018] (Non-Patent Document 1). Specifically, a sensor network is a wireless network that spatially disperses multiple wireless devices equipped with sensors and enables them to collaboratively collect information about environmental and physical conditions. Sensor networks are one of the core technologies used in the IoT (Internet of Things).

[0005] Citation List

[0006] [Patent Document]

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-261013

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-109338

[0009] [Non-patent literature]

[0010] Non-patent document 1: "On the Internet<URL:http: / / ja.wikipedia.org / wiki / センサネツトヮーク> "Wikipedia" on [online], [searched 11 May 2018]. Summary of the Invention

[0011] (1) A wireless sensor system according to the present disclosure includes: a wireless terminal device that is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and is configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; and a management device that is configured to receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device. The wireless terminal device performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmitting the measurement information in the first period, and performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, transmitting other information in the second period.

[0012] (15) A wireless terminal device driven by power stored in a power storage unit according to the present disclosure includes: a data creation unit configured to create measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; and a communication unit configured to transmit a radio signal including the measurement information created by the data creation unit or other information. The communication unit performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmitting the measurement information in the first period, performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, and transmits the other information in the second period.

[0013] (16) According to the present disclosure, a communication control method is performed in a wireless sensor system, the wireless sensor system including: a wireless terminal device driven by power stored in a power storage unit; and a management device configured to receive information transmitted from the wireless terminal device. The method further includes: performing unidirectional communication, by the wireless terminal device, in a first period, and transmitting measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor in the first period; and performing bidirectional communication, by the wireless terminal device, in a second period different from the first period, and transmitting other information in the second period.

[0014] (17) A communication control program for use in a wireless terminal device driven by power stored in a power storage unit according to the present disclosure. The program causes a computer to function as: a data creation unit configured to create measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; and a communication unit configured to transmit a radio signal including the measurement information via unidirectional communication. The communication unit performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmits the measurement information in the first period, performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, and transmits other information in the second period.

[0015] (18) A wireless sensor system according to the present disclosure includes: a wireless terminal device driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a relay device configured to relay information received from the wireless terminal device; and a management device configured to receive the measurement information relayed by the relay device. The wireless terminal device transmits a preparation request, the relay device receives the preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device and relays the preparation request to the management device, the management device receives the preparation request relayed by the relay device and transmits setting information related to the wireless terminal device to the relay device, the relay device receives and stores the setting information transmitted from the management device, the wireless terminal device transitions to a first sleep state after transmitting the preparation request to stop a communication operation, and transmits a setting request after returning from the first sleep state, and the relay device receives the setting request transmitted from the wireless terminal device and transmits the setting information stored therein to the wireless terminal device.

[0016] (25) According to a communication control method performed in a wireless sensor system of the present disclosure, the wireless sensor system includes: a wireless terminal device driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a relay device configured to relay information received from the wireless terminal device; and a management device configured to receive the measurement information relayed by the relay device. The method includes: transmitting a preparation request by the wireless terminal device; receiving the preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device by the relay device and relaying the preparation request to the management device; receiving the preparation request relayed by the relay device by the management device and transmitting setting information related to the wireless terminal device to the relay device; receiving and storing the setting information transmitted from the management device by the relay device; after transmitting the preparation request, transitioning to a first sleep state by the wireless terminal device to stop communication operation; after returning from the first sleep state, transmitting a setting request by the wireless terminal device; and receiving the setting request transmitted from the wireless terminal device by the relay device and transmitting the stored setting information to the wireless terminal device.

[0017] (26) A wireless sensor system according to the present disclosure includes: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, the plurality of low-order management devices configured to receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal devices; and a high-order management device configured to be able to communicate with each of the low-order management devices. The high-order management device assigns terminal identification information registered in the high-order management device to each wireless terminal device, the data length of the terminal identification information being shorter than the unique identification information of the wireless terminal device, and the wireless terminal device includes the terminal identification information assigned by the high-order management device in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0018] (28) A wireless sensor system according to the present disclosure includes: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, the plurality of low-order management devices configured to receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal devices; and a high-order management device configured to be able to communicate with each of the low-order management devices. The high-order management device assigns identification information in a format that allows identification of the measurement information to each wireless terminal device, and the wireless terminal device includes the identification information assigned by the high-order management device in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0019] (29) According to a communication control method performed in a wireless sensor system of the present disclosure, the wireless sensor system includes: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, the plurality of low-order management devices configured to receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal devices; and a high-order management device configured to be able to communicate with each of the low-order management devices. The method includes: assigning, by the high-order management device, to each wireless terminal device terminal identification information registered in the high-order management device, the data length of the terminal identification information being shorter than the unique identification information of the wireless terminal device; and, by each wireless terminal device, including the terminal identification information assigned by the high-order management device in measurement information, and transmitting the measurement information.

[0020] (30) According to a communication control method performed in a wireless sensor system of the present disclosure, the wireless sensor system includes: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, the plurality of low-order management devices configured to receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal devices; and a high-order management device configured to be able to communicate with each of the low-order management devices. The method includes: assigning, by the high-order management device, identification information in a format that allows identification of the measurement information to each wireless terminal device, and, by each wireless terminal device, including the identification information assigned by the high-order management device in the measurement information, and transmitting the measurement information.

[0021] One aspect of the present disclosure can be implemented not only as a wireless sensor system including such a feature processing unit, but also as a program that causes a computer to execute such a feature processing step. In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure can be implemented as a semiconductor integrated circuit that implements part or all of the wireless sensor system.

[0022] One aspect of the present disclosure can be implemented not only as a wireless terminal device including such a feature processing unit, but also as a communication control method including such feature processing as a step. In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure can be implemented as a semiconductor integrated circuit that implements part or all of the wireless terminal device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 A configuration of a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0024] Figure 2 The configuration of the sensor module in the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0025] Figure 3 An example of state transition of a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 4 A sequence of connection processing performed by a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 5 An example of a data format of a probe request sent by a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Figure 6 An example of a data format of a preparation request sent by a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 7 The configuration of a relay device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figure 8 FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a low-level management device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 9 FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a high-level management device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 10 An example of a configuration table stored by a high-level management device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 11 An example of a temporary sensor ID assigned to a wireless terminal device by a high-level management device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 12 An example of a data format of a setup response transmitted by a relay device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0035] Figure 13 An example of a data format of measurement information transmitted by a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Figure 14 An example of a data format of a re-preparation request sent by a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0037] Figure 15 An example of a data format of a reset response sent by a relay device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0038] Figure 16 Another example of a data format of a reset response sent by a relay device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0039] Figure 17 A sequence of a process of updating settings of a sensor module in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0040] Figure 18 A sequence is shown in a case where a relay device cannot receive setting information in a process of changing settings of a sensor module in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 19A sequence is shown in a case where a relay device cannot receive a reset response in a reconfiguration state in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] [Problems to be Solved by the Present Disclosure]

[0043] For example, a configuration is conceivable in which measurement results of sensors are aggregated by a management device using the mechanism described in Non-Patent Document 1. In this configuration, a packet transmitted from a wireless terminal device is transmitted to the management device via one or more relay devices.

[0044] A technology capable of constructing an excellent system for transmitting measurement results of sensors from a wireless terminal device to a management device is desired.

[0045] The present disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless sensor system, a wireless terminal device, a communication control method, and a communication control program capable of constructing an excellent system for transmitting measurement results of sensors from a wireless terminal device to a management device.

[0046] [Effects of the Present Disclosure]

[0047] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to construct an excellent system for transmitting measurement results of sensors from a wireless terminal device to a management device.

[0048] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0049] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described.

[0050] (1) A wireless sensor system according to the present disclosure includes: a wireless terminal device that is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and is configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; and a management device that is configured to receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device. The wireless terminal device performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmitting the measurement information in the first period, and performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, transmitting other information in the second period.

[0051] This configuration enables switching between one-way and two-way communication depending on the information being transmitted. Furthermore, since bidirectional communication transmits and receives information other than sensor measurement results, sensor setup information, firmware updates, and other information can be sent from the management device to the wireless terminal device. This eliminates the need to visit the site where the wireless terminal device is installed and change settings. Furthermore, since switches and other equipment required for setting up the wireless terminal device can be eliminated, the cost of the wireless terminal device can be reduced. Consequently, a superior system for transmitting sensor measurement results from the wireless terminal device to the management device can be constructed.

[0052] Preferably, the second period includes a period that starts regularly or irregularly after an initial period from when the wireless terminal device is activated to when the first period starts.

[0053] With this configuration, since the period for bidirectional communication is limited to the second period, the amount of data transmitted can be reduced. When the wireless terminal device and the management device perform asynchronous communication, it is difficult for the wireless terminal device to identify the timing of data transmission. Therefore, the wireless terminal device must wait for data during the bidirectional communication period, which increases power consumption. However, since the period for bidirectional communication is limited to the second period, the power consumption of the wireless terminal device can be reduced.

[0054] (3) More preferably, the wireless terminal device uses different channels for unidirectional communication and bidirectional communication.

[0055] With this configuration, in one-way communication in which data retransmission processing is not performed, interference of radio signals between wireless terminal devices can be suppressed, and the risk of data loss due to such interference can be reduced.

[0056] (4) Preferably, the management device outputs information allowing identification of the second period.

[0057] With this configuration, an administrator or the like can recognize when the wireless sensor system performs two-way communication, timing, etc. Therefore, this configuration is useful for maintenance or the like.

[0058] (5) Preferably, the management device transmits setting information related to the wireless terminal device to the wireless terminal device, and in the second period, the wireless terminal device receives the setting information transmitted from the management device and transmits the measurement information according to the received setting information.

[0059] With this configuration, the setting of the wireless terminal device can be performed through communication, and therefore, setting changes and the like can be remotely performed in a short time during a desired period.

[0060] (6) More preferably, the management device further transmits identification information of a format allowing identification of the measurement information to the wireless terminal device, and in the second period, the wireless terminal device receives the identification information transmitted from the management device and transmits the received identification information.

[0061] As described above, since the wireless terminal device transmits information indicating the setting contents thereof, the management device can easily judge whether the setting contents of the wireless terminal device are appropriate.

[0062] (7) More preferably, the wireless terminal device includes the identification information in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0063] With this configuration, even when the management device cannot confirm whether the change in the setting content has been reflected in the wireless terminal device during the second period, the management device can confirm whether the change in the setting content has been reflected during the first period. Therefore, the management device can more reliably identify the setting content of the wireless terminal device.

[0064] (8) More preferably, the management device receives the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device, and processes the received measurement information by using a format corresponding to the identification information included in the received measurement information.

[0065] With this configuration, processing for measuring information can be simplified.

[0066] (9) More preferably, the management device stores at least the latest identification information sent to the wireless terminal device and the latest identification information received from the wireless terminal device.

[0067] With this configuration, even if measurement information reflecting the previous setting content that changes in the setting content is transmitted from the wireless terminal device, the management device can accurately process the measurement information. In addition, the administrator or the like can confirm the setting content to be set by the wireless terminal device.

[0068] (10) More preferably, the wireless terminal device sends identification information in a second time period that starts periodically or irregularly, and the management device receives the identification information sent from the wireless terminal device, saves setting information corresponding to the received identification information, and selectively sends content different from the saved setting information to the wireless terminal device, which content is content in the content of the setting information to be newly applied to the wireless terminal device.

[0069] With this configuration, the setting contents of the wireless terminal device can be confirmed at predetermined intervals, and necessary setting contents can be reflected in the wireless terminal device. In addition, since only the updated part is sent to the wireless terminal device, the amount of data sent from the management device can be reduced.

[0070] (11) More preferably, the wireless terminal device transmits pre-registered setting information during a second period existing from when the wireless terminal device is activated to when the first period starts.

[0071] With this configuration, the management device can understand the initial settings of the wireless terminal device, thereby confirming whether the settings of the wireless terminal device are appropriate before transmitting measurement information from the wireless terminal device. Furthermore, even if the wireless terminal device does not include the settings information in the measurement information it transmits, the management device can still understand the settings of the wireless terminal device. Consequently, the amount of data transmitted from the wireless terminal device can be reduced.

[0072] (12) More preferably, the management device receives the setting information transmitted from the wireless terminal device, and selectively transmits, to the wireless terminal device, content different from the received setting information among the content of the setting information to be newly applied to the wireless terminal device.

[0073] With this configuration, when there is no need to change the initial setting, the amount of data transmitted from the management device can be reduced.

[0074] (13) More preferably, the management device receives setting information transmitted from the wireless terminal device and transmits identification information to the wireless terminal device regardless of whether there is content different from the received setting information among the contents of the setting information to be newly applied to the wireless terminal device.

[0075] With this configuration, the wireless terminal device can more reliably recognize the content to be set therein. In addition, the management device can more reliably process the measurement information from the wireless terminal device.

[0076] (14) More preferably, the management device receives setting information transmitted from the wireless terminal device, and regardless of whether there is content different from the received setting information among the contents of the setting information to be newly applied to the wireless terminal device, terminal identification information of the wireless terminal device registered in the management device having a data length shorter than the unique identification information is transmitted to the wireless terminal device.

[0077] This configuration reduces the amount of data transmitted within the wireless sensor system. Furthermore, because the management device manages terminal identification information uniformly, overlap of terminal identification information can be avoided, compared to, for example, a situation where terminal identification information is determined and allocated by each network under the control of the same management device. Consequently, even when a wireless terminal device moves to another network under the control of the same management device, it can continue to use the same terminal identification information. This prevents unused numbers in the terminal identification information due to the allocation range of terminal identification information being set for each network, thereby improving the efficient use of resources such as memory.

[0078] (15) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wireless terminal device is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and includes: a data creation unit configured to create measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; and a communication unit configured to transmit a radio signal including the measurement information created by the data creation unit or other information. The communication unit performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmits the measurement information in the first period, performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, and transmits the other information in the second period.

[0079] This configuration enables switching between one-way and two-way communication depending on the information being transmitted. Furthermore, since bidirectional communication transmits and receives information other than sensor measurement results, sensor setup information, firmware updates, and other information can be sent from the management device to the wireless terminal device. This eliminates the need to visit the site where the wireless terminal device is installed and change settings. Furthermore, since switches and other equipment used to configure the wireless terminal device can be eliminated, the cost of the wireless terminal device can be reduced. Consequently, a superior system for transmitting sensor measurement results from the wireless terminal device to the management device can be constructed.

[0080] (16) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication control method is performed in a wireless sensor system, the wireless sensor system including: a wireless terminal device driven by power stored in a power storage unit; and a management device configured to receive information transmitted from the wireless terminal device. The method includes: the wireless terminal device performing unidirectional communication in a first period and transmitting measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor in the first period; and the wireless terminal device performing bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period and transmitting other information in the second period.

[0081] This configuration enables switching between one-way and two-way communication depending on the information being transmitted. Furthermore, since bidirectional communication transmits and receives information other than sensor measurement results, sensor setup information, firmware updates, and other information can be sent from the management device to the wireless terminal device. This eliminates the need to visit the site where the wireless terminal device is installed and change settings. Furthermore, since switches and other equipment used to configure the wireless terminal device can be eliminated, the cost of the wireless terminal device can be reduced. Consequently, a superior system for transmitting sensor measurement results from the wireless terminal device to the management device can be constructed.

[0082] (17) A communication control program for use in a wireless terminal device driven by power stored in a power storage unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The program causes a computer to function as: a data creation unit configured to create measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; and a communication unit configured to transmit a radio signal including the measurement information via unidirectional communication. The communication unit performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmits the measurement information in the first period, performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, and transmits other information in the second period.

[0083] This configuration enables switching between one-way and two-way communication depending on the information being transmitted. Furthermore, since bidirectional communication transmits and receives information other than sensor measurement results, sensor setup information, firmware updates, and other information can be sent from the management device to the wireless terminal device. This eliminates the need to visit the site where the wireless terminal device is installed and change settings. Furthermore, since switches and other equipment used to configure the wireless terminal device can be eliminated, the cost of the wireless terminal device can be reduced. Consequently, a superior system for transmitting sensor measurement results from the wireless terminal device to the management device can be constructed.

[0084] (18) A wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a wireless terminal device driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a relay device configured to relay information received from the wireless terminal device; and a management device configured to receive the measurement information relayed by the relay device. The wireless terminal device transmits a preparation request, the relay device receives the preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device and relays the preparation request to the management device, the management device receives the preparation request relayed by the relay device and transmits setting information related to the wireless terminal device to the relay device, the relay device receives and stores the setting information transmitted from the management device, after transmitting the preparation request, the wireless terminal device transitions to a first sleep state to stop a communication operation, and after returning from the first sleep state, transmits a setting request, and the relay device receives the setting request transmitted from the wireless terminal device and transmits the setting information stored in the relay device to the wireless terminal device.

[0085] With this configuration, the management device can transmit setting information in response to a preparation request from a wireless terminal device. This allows, for example, the setting information to be transmitted at the exact timing the wireless terminal device requires it. Furthermore, after communication operations, the wireless terminal device transitions to a sleep state, and the relay device stores the settings to be applied to the wireless terminal device. This reduces power consumption in the wireless terminal device while more reliably reflecting the settings to be applied. Consequently, a superior system can be constructed for transmitting sensor measurement results from wireless terminal devices to the management device.

[0086] (19) Preferably, the relay device receives a setting request transmitted from the wireless terminal device, and then, if the relay device has not received setting information from the management device, the relay device transmits predetermined information to the wireless terminal device.

[0087] With this configuration, when the setting information from the management device has not yet reached the relay device, the wireless terminal device receives predetermined information and shifts to, for example, the sleep state, whereby an increase in power consumption due to waiting can be suppressed.

[0088] (20) More preferably, the wireless terminal device receives predetermined information transmitted from the relay device, shifts to the second sleep state to stop the communication operation, and transmits the setting request to the relay device after returning from the second sleep state.

[0089] With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably receive setting information from the management device while suppressing an increase in power consumption due to waiting in the wireless terminal device.

[0090] (21) Preferably, the relay device includes its own identification information in the preparation request and sends the preparation request to the management device.

[0091] With this configuration, the management device can identify the relay device that relays the setup request from the wireless terminal device, allowing the configuration information to be transmitted to the wireless terminal device more reliably. Furthermore, since the management device can transmit the configuration information simultaneously with the selected relay device, the amount of data transmitted can be reduced compared to transmitting data to multiple relay devices in parallel. This allows for smooth data transmission even on transmission paths with low transmission capacity.

[0092] (22) Preferably, the wireless terminal device performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmits measurement information in the first period, performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, and transmits other information in the second period.

[0093] This configuration enables, for example, switching between one-way and two-way communication depending on the information being transmitted. Furthermore, since information other than sensor measurement results can be sent and received via two-way communication, sensor settings and firmware updates can be sent from the management device to the wireless terminal device. This eliminates the need to visit the site where the wireless terminal device is installed and eliminates the need to change settings. Furthermore, since switches and other equipment used to configure the wireless terminal device can be eliminated, the cost of the wireless terminal device can be reduced.

[0094] (23) Preferably, the wireless sensor system further includes a relay device configured to relay information received from the wireless terminal device. The wireless terminal device performs a connection process for establishing a communication connection with the relay device. In the connection process, the wireless terminal device is capable of selecting a plurality of data rates and determines, in descending order, whether communication with the relay device is possible for each of the data rates.

[0095] Selecting a higher data rate configuration results in a reduction in the time required for data transmission, which may, for example, reduce power consumption.

[0096] (24) More preferably, in the connection process, the wireless terminal device is capable of selecting a plurality of channels and determining whether communication with the relay device is possible while switching channels at a fixed data rate.

[0097] The configuration of selecting a communicable channel while maintaining the data rate enables data transmission at a higher data rate.

[0098] (25) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication control method is performed in a wireless sensor system, the wireless sensor system including: a wireless terminal device driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a relay device configured to relay information received from the wireless terminal device; and a management device configured to receive the measurement information relayed by the relay device. The method includes: the wireless terminal device transmitting a preparation request; the relay device receiving the preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device and relaying the preparation request to the management device; the management device receiving the preparation request relayed by the relay device and transmitting setting information related to the wireless terminal device to the relay device; the relay device receiving and storing the setting information transmitted from the management device; after transmitting the preparation request, the wireless terminal device transitioning to a first sleep state to stop a communication operation; after returning from the first sleep state, the wireless terminal device transmitting a setting request; and the relay device receiving the setting request transmitted from the wireless terminal device and transmitting the setting information stored in the relay device to the wireless terminal device.

[0099] With this configuration, the management device can transmit setting information in response to a preparation request from a wireless terminal device. This allows, for example, the setting information to be transmitted at the exact timing the wireless terminal device requires it. Furthermore, after communication operations, the wireless terminal device transitions to a sleep state, and the relay device stores the settings to be applied to the wireless terminal device. This reduces power consumption in the wireless terminal device while more reliably reflecting the settings to be applied. Consequently, a superior system can be constructed for transmitting sensor measurement results from wireless terminal devices to the management device.

[0100] (26) A wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, the plurality of low-order management devices configured to receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal devices; and a high-order management device configured to be able to communicate with each of the low-order management devices. The high-order management device assigns terminal identification information registered in the high-order management device to each wireless terminal device, the data length of the terminal identification information being shorter than the unique identification information of the wireless terminal device, and the wireless terminal device includes the terminal identification information assigned by the high-order management device in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0101] This configuration reduces the amount of data transmitted within the wireless sensor system. Furthermore, because the management device manages terminal identification information uniformly, overlap of terminal identification information can be avoided compared to, for example, a situation where terminal identification information is determined and assigned to each network under the control of the same management device. Consequently, even when a wireless terminal device moves to another network under the control of the same management device, it can continue to use the same terminal identification information. This prevents unused numbers in the terminal identification information due to the allocation range of terminal identification information being set for each network, thereby improving the efficient use of resources such as memory. Consequently, a superior system for transmitting sensor measurement results from wireless terminal devices to the management device can be constructed.

[0102] (27) Preferably, each lower-order management device transmits measurement information obtained by changing terminal identification information included in the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device to corresponding unique identification information to another device.

[0103] With this configuration, for example, measurement information can be transmitted from a low-order management device to another device that cannot process terminal identification information.

[0104] (28) A wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, each of which is configured to receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal devices; and a high-order management device, the high-order management device being configured to be able to communicate with each of the low-order management devices. The high-order management device assigns identification information in a format that allows identification of the measurement information to each wireless terminal device, and the wireless terminal device includes the identification information assigned by the high-order management device in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0105] As described above, since the management device uniformly manages terminal identification information, overlap of terminal identification information can be avoided compared to, for example, a situation where terminal identification information is determined and assigned by each network under the control of the same management device. Therefore, even if a wireless terminal device moves to another network under the control of the same management device, the wireless terminal device can continue to use the same terminal identification information. This prevents unused numbers from appearing in the terminal identification information due to setting the allocation range of terminal identification information for each network, thereby improving the efficient use of resources such as memory. Furthermore, since the wireless terminal device transmits information indicating its settings, the management device can easily determine whether the settings of the wireless terminal device are appropriate. Furthermore, since the identification information is included in the measurement information, communication operations can be simplified. Consequently, a superior system for transmitting sensor measurement results from wireless terminal devices to management devices can be constructed.

[0106] (29) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication control method is performed in a wireless sensor system, the wireless sensor system including: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, the plurality of low-order management devices configured to receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal devices; and a high-order management device configured to be able to communicate with each low-order management device. The method includes: assigning, by the high-order management device, to each wireless terminal device terminal identification information registered in the high-order management device, the terminal identification information having a data length shorter than the unique identification information of the wireless terminal device; and each wireless terminal device including, by the high-order management device, the terminal identification information assigned by the high-order management device in measurement information, and transmitting the measurement information.

[0107] This configuration reduces the amount of data transmitted within the wireless sensor system. Furthermore, because the management device manages terminal identification information uniformly, overlap of terminal identification information can be avoided compared to, for example, a situation where terminal identification information is determined and assigned to each network under the control of the same management device. Consequently, even when a wireless terminal device moves to another network under the control of the same management device, it can continue to use the same terminal identification information. This prevents unused numbers in the terminal identification information due to the allocation range of terminal identification information being set for each network, thereby improving the efficient use of resources such as memory. Consequently, a superior system for transmitting sensor measurement results from wireless terminal devices to the management device can be constructed.

[0108] (30) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication control method is performed in a wireless sensor system, the wireless sensor system including: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of a sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices configured to receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal devices; and a high-order management device configured to be able to communicate with each of the low-order management devices. The method includes: assigning, by the high-order management device, identification information in a format that allows identification of the measurement information to each wireless terminal device; and, by each wireless terminal device, including the identification information assigned by the high-order management device in the measurement information, and transmitting the measurement information.

[0109] As described above, since the management device uniformly manages terminal identification information, overlap of terminal identification information can be avoided compared to, for example, a situation where terminal identification information is determined and assigned by each network under the control of the same management device. Therefore, even when a wireless terminal device moves to another network under the control of the same management device, the wireless terminal device can continue to use the same terminal identification information. This prevents unused numbers from appearing in the terminal identification information due to setting the allocation range of terminal identification information for each network, thereby improving the efficient use of resources such as memory. Furthermore, since the wireless terminal device transmits information indicating its settings, the management device can easily determine whether the settings of the wireless terminal device are appropriate. Furthermore, since the identification information is included in the measurement information, communication operations can be simplified. Consequently, a superior system for transmitting sensor measurement results from wireless terminal devices to management devices can be constructed.

[0110] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, identical or corresponding parts are represented by identical reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. At least some parts of the embodiments described below may be combined together as needed.

[0111] Figure 1 The configuration of a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0112] refer to Figure 1 The wireless sensor system 301 includes multiple sensor modules 1 , multiple relay devices 151 , a high-level management device 161 and multiple low-level management devices 171 .

[0113] The wireless sensor system 301 may not necessarily include multiple sensor modules 1, but may include one sensor module 1. The wireless sensor system 301 may not necessarily include multiple relay devices 151, but may include one relay device 151. The sensor system 301 may not necessarily include multiple low-level management devices 171, but may include one low-level management device 171.

[0114] For example, each relay device 151 is an access point. For example, the high-order management device 161 and each low-order management device 171 are servers.

[0115] For example, the relay device 151 , the high-order management device 161 , and the low-order management device 171 operate by power from the power system.

[0116] Each low-level management device 171 manages a sub-network including one or more relay devices 151 and one or more sensor modules 1 .

[0117] In the wireless sensor system 301 , each relay device 151 receives measurement information indicating measurement results of the sensor module 1 including sensors from the sensor module 1 or another relay device 151 and relays the measurement information to the low-order management device 171 that manages the subnet to which the relay device 151 belongs.

[0118] For example, the low-order management device 171 transmits the measurement information received from the relay device 151 to the cloud server 181 .

[0119] Communication between the sensor module 1 and the relay device 151 is performed by wireless multi-hop communication using a communication protocol such as ZigBee based on IEEE 802.15.4, Bluetooth (registered trademark) based on IEEE 802.15.1, or UWB (Ultra Wideband) based on IEEE802.15.3a. Communication protocols other than the above may be used.

[0120] For example, the communication between the relay device 151 and the low-order management device 171 is performed by wireless communication. The communication between the relay device 151 and the low-order management device 171 may be performed by wired communication.

[0121] For example, communication between the low-order management device 171 and the cloud server 181 is performed through wired communication.

[0122] For example, the communication between the low-order management device 171 and the high-order management device 161 is performed through wired communication. The communication between the low-order management device 171 and the high-order management device 161 may be performed through wireless communication.

[0123] [Configuration of sensor module 1]

[0124] Figure 2 The configuration of the sensor module in the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0125] refer to Figure 2 , the sensor module 1 includes a sensor 21 and a wireless terminal device 101. The wireless terminal device 101 includes a data creation unit 22, a communication unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a power storage unit 25.

[0126] For example, the sensor module 1 is driven by power stored in the power storage unit 25. For example, the power storage unit 25 is a power storage device including a primary battery, a secondary battery, a solar cell, a capacitor, etc. The power storage unit 25 stores energy therein and supplies power to the sensor 21, the wireless terminal device 101, and the circuits in the sensor module 1 by using the stored energy.

[0127] The wireless terminal device 101 performs one-way communication in the first period, and transmits measurement information indicating the measurement result of the sensor 21 .

[0128] In more detail, the sensor 21 in the sensor module 1 measures at least one of physical quantities such as temperature, humidity, current, acceleration, gyroscope value, pressure, etc., and sends an analog signal indicating the measured physical quantity to the data creation unit 22.

[0129] The data creation unit 22 creates measurement information indicating a measurement result of the sensor 21. In more detail, the data creation unit 22 receives an analog signal from the sensor 21, performs AD (analog-to-digital) conversion on the received analog signal to calculate a sensor measurement value, creates measurement information including the sensor measurement value, and outputs the measurement information to the communication unit 23.

[0130] Communication unit 23 transmits a radio signal including measurement information received from data creation unit 22 to, for example, relay device 151 through one-way communication. In addition to relay device 151, the radio signal including various information transmitted from communication unit 23 can reach low-order management device 171 or high-order management device 161.

[0131]

question

[0132] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-261013) discloses a method of transmitting, from a base station, a response to data received from a wireless terminal device and other information to be transmitted to the wireless terminal device.

[0133] However, in this method, when the wireless terminal device has transmitted data to the base station, the wireless terminal device must wait for a response from the base station, which results in increased power consumption.

[0134] Furthermore, when building asynchronous communication networks, wireless terminal devices struggle to grasp their own data transmission timing due to variations in the delay time required for data processing. Consequently, during bidirectional communication, wireless terminal devices must wait for a sufficient amount of time until data is received from the base station, leading to increased power consumption.

[0135] Meanwhile, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2011-109338) discloses a management system for managing multiple wireless devices in a communication network. The management system uses a first ID (identification) unique to each wireless device and a second ID having less information than the first ID.

[0136] However, in this method, since the range of the second ID available in each network is set in advance, it is difficult to efficiently use resources such as a memory.

[0137] The wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure solves the above-mentioned problems through the following configuration and operation.

[0138] For example, the wireless terminal device 101 performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period for unidirectional communication and sends other information to the relay device 151 in the second period. For example, the wireless terminal device 101 uses different channels for unidirectional communication and bidirectional communication.

[0139] For example, "unidirectional communication" refers to communication in which data transmitted from the transmitting side is received only by the receiving side, preventing the transmitting and receiving sides from switching to exchange data bidirectionally. Meanwhile, "bidirectional communication" refers to communication in which the direction of data transmission is not fixed, allowing the transmitting and receiving sides to switch to exchange data. In other words, wireless terminal device 101 cannot receive data during a first period, but can receive data during a second period.

[0140] Figure 3 An example of state transition of a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0141] refer to Figure 3The wireless terminal device 101 performs initialization processing during an initial period from when the wireless terminal device 101 is started to when the first period begins, and then transitions to the scan state. The initial period in which the wireless terminal device 101 enters the scan state is an example of the second period.

[0142] For example, the wireless terminal device 101 performs a connection process of establishing a communication connection with the relay device 151 in the scanning state.

[0143] Each device in wireless sensor system 301 includes a computer. An arithmetic processing unit, such as a CPU in the computer, reads a program including some or all of the steps in the following sequence diagram or flowchart from a memory (not shown) and executes the program. Programs for multiple devices can be installed externally. The programs for each of the multiple devices are distributed in a state stored in a storage medium.

[0144] Figure 4 A sequence of connection processing performed by a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 4 The operation of a wireless sensor system 301 including two relay devices 151 is shown.

[0145] refer to Figure 4 First, the wireless terminal device 101 transitions to a scanning state (step S101 ) and sends a probe request to two relay devices 151 .

[0146] Specifically, the communication unit 23 in the wireless terminal device 101 transmits a radio signal including a probe request to the two relay devices 151 .

[0147] Figure 5 An example of a data format of a probe request sent by a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0148] refer to Figure 5 ,The probe request is composed of fields corresponding to the PHY header, MAC header and message type in order from the beginning.

[0149] The communication unit 23 sends a radio signal including a probe request, in which the broadcast address is set as the destination in the MAC header, the lower two bytes of its own sequence number (hereinafter also referred to as "sensor ID") are set as the transmission source in the MAC header, and an identifier indicating that it is a probe request is set in the field corresponding to the message type.

[0150] Therefore, the wireless terminal device 101 broadcasts a radio signal including a probe request, thereby searching for a communicable relay device 151 (step S102 ).

[0151] Next, each relay device 151 receives the probe request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , and transmits a probe response to the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0152] The data format of the probe response is the same as Figure 5 The data format of the probe request shown is the same. Each relay device 151 transmits a radio signal including a probe response, in which the broadcast address is set as the destination in the MAC header, its own ID etc. is set as the transmission source in the MAC header, and an identifier indicating that it is a probe response is set in the field corresponding to the message type.

[0153] Therefore, the relay device 151 broadcasts a radio signal including a probe response, so that the relay device 151 can respond to the probe requests from the plurality of wireless terminal devices 101 at the same time (steps S103 and S104).

[0154] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 receives the probe response transmitted from each relay device 151 , and measures the LQI of each radio signal including the received probe response.

[0155] For example, in the connection process, the wireless terminal device 101 can select a plurality of data rates and determine, in descending order for each data rate, whether or not it is communicable with the relay device 151. For example, in the connection process, the wireless terminal device 101 can select a plurality of channels, i.e., frequency bands of radio signals to be transmitted, and determine whether or not it is communicable with the relay device 151 while switching channels at a fixed data rate.

[0156] More specifically, if a radio signal having a measured LQI value equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value exists in the received radio signal including the probe response ("Yes" in step S106), the communication unit 23 sets the relay device 151 corresponding to the transmission source included in the probe response included in the radio signal as the connection destination relay device and ends the connection process (step S107). The wireless terminal device 101 then transitions from the scanning state to the establishment state during the initial period (step S108).

[0157] Meanwhile, when there is no radio signal having a measured LQI value equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (No in step S106), the wireless terminal device 101 changes the channel of the radio signal including the probe request (step S109), and sends the probe request to the two relay devices 151 (step S102).

[0158] When a radio signal having a measured LQI value equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold does not exist in any channel at a certain data rate, the wireless terminal device 101 changes the data rate of the radio signal including the probe request and transmits the probe request to two relay devices 151 .

[0159] In more detail, when there is no radio signal having a measured LQI value equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value among the received radio signals including the probe response (No in step S106), the communication unit 23 changes the data rate to be lower than the current set value (step S109) and sends the radio signal including the probe request at the changed data rate (step S102).

[0160] In the setup state, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits a preparation request including setting information of the sensor module 1 registered in advance.

[0161] Figure 6 An example of a data format of a preparation request sent by a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0162] refer to Figure 6 ,The prepare request is composed of the fields corresponding to the PHY header, MAC header, message type, real sensor ID, firmware version, and ,setting information in sequence from the beginning.

[0163] The communication unit 23 in the wireless terminal device 101 sets the ID of the connection destination relay device (hereinafter referred to as "connection destination relay device ID") as the destination in the MAC header, sets the sensor ID as the sending source in the MAC header, and sets an identifier indicating that it is a preparation request in the field corresponding to the message type.

[0164] In addition, the communication unit 23 includes its own serial number as the real sensor ID, the firmware version of the sensor module 1 to which the communication unit 23 belongs, and the setting information S1 of the sensor module 1 in the preparation request, and sends a radio signal including the preparation request to the connection destination relay device.

[0165] The setting information of the sensor module 1 includes a reset period indicating the length of the first period and a transmission period indicating the timing of transmitting a radio signal including measurement information in the first period.

[0166] In addition, the setting information of the sensor module 1 includes: a unidirectional communication channel indicating a channel to be used to send a radio signal including measurement information; a transmission data rate indicating a data rate of the radio signal including measurement information; a bidirectional communication channel indicating a combination of channels (for example, 0ch and 1ch) to be used for sending / receiving radio signals when performing connection processing; and a bidirectional communication data rate indicating a combination of data rates of radio signals (for example, 100kbps and 1.2kbps) when performing connection processing.

[0167] The setting information of the sensor module 1 also includes, for example, a sensor type indicating the type of the sensor module 1 , various sensor parameters such as a clamping number according to the type of the sensor module 1 , and data formats of measurement information according to the various sensor parameters.

[0168] The connection destination relay device receives the radio signal including the preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , creates a radio signal including ACK confirming the reception of the radio signal, and transmits the created radio signal to the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0169] After transmitting the radio signal including the preparation request, when receiving the radio signal including the ACK from the connection destination relay device, the wireless terminal device 10 transitions to the sleep state to stop the communication operation. In the sleep state, the wireless terminal device 101 stops at least the reception operation.

[0170] Configuration of relay device 151

[0171] Figure 7 The configuration of a relay device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0172] refer to Figure 7 , the relay device 151 includes a sensor side communication processing unit 41 , a high-order side communication processing unit 42 and a storage unit 43 .

[0173] According to the AODV (Ad Hoc On-Demand Distance Vector) routing protocol, the connection destination relay device receives a radio signal including a preparation request sent from the wireless terminal device 101, and relays the preparation request included in the received radio signal to the low-order management device 171 by using a radio signal in the same channel.

[0174] The connection destination relay device may relay the preparation request to the low-order management device 171 via another relay device 151 .

[0175] Configuration of low-level management device 171

[0176] Figure 8FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a low-level management device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0177] refer to Figure 8 , the low-order management device 171 includes a receiving processing unit 51, a sending processing unit 52 and a storage unit 53.

[0178] The reception processing unit 51 in the low-order management device 171 receives the radio signal including the preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 via the connection destination relay device, and outputs the preparation request included in the received radio signal to the transmission processing unit 52 .

[0179] The transmission processing unit 52 receives the preparation request from the reception processing unit 51 , changes the destination in the MAC header of the preparation request to the ID of the high-order management device 161 , and transmits the preparation request to the high-order management device 161 .

[0180] Configuration of high-level management device 161

[0181] Figure 9 FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a high-level management device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0182] refer to Figure 9 , the high-level management device 161 includes a receiving processing unit 61, a sending processing unit 62 and a storage unit 63.

[0183] The reception processing unit 61 in the high-order management device 161 receives the preparation request transmitted from the low-order management device 171 .

[0184] Figure 10 An example of a configuration table stored by a high-level management device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0185] refer to Figure 10 , the reception processing unit 61 manages the real sensor ID, the firmware version, and the setting information S1 included in the preparation request by using the identification information.

[0186] More specifically, in order to manage the real sensor ID, connection destination relay device ID, firmware version, and setting information S1 in association with each other, the reception processing unit 61 assigns a configuration number (serial number) to the set of the real sensor ID, connection destination relay device ID, firmware version, and setting information S1 as an identification number. This configuration number allows the format of the measurement information to be identified.

[0187] In addition, the reception processing unit 61 assigns, to the wireless terminal device 101 , the terminal identification information that is assigned in advance to the corresponding wireless terminal device 101 , the data length of the terminal identification information being shorter than the unique identification information.

[0188] More specifically, for example, the reception processing unit 61 registers the real sensor ID included in the preparation request as the unique identification information of the corresponding wireless terminal device 101, and assigns a 2-byte temporary sensor ID having a shorter data length than the real sensor ID to the corresponding wireless terminal device 101 as terminal identification information. The high-level management device 161 uniformly manages the sensor ID and the temporary sensor ID.

[0189] Figure 11 An example of a temporary sensor ID assigned to a wireless terminal device by a high-level management device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0190] refer to Figure 11 , the high-order management device 161 assigns a temporary sensor ID that does not overlap with the temporary sensor IDs of other sensor modules 1 to each sensor module 1 regardless of which sub-network the sensor module 1 belongs to.

[0191] Then, the reception processing unit 61 creates or updates a configuration table indicating the correspondence relationship between the real sensor ID, the temporary sensor ID, the configuration number, the firmware version, and the setting information S1 , and stores the created or updated configuration table in the storage unit 63 .

[0192] The high-level management device 161 stores in advance in the storage unit 63 the real sensor ID, the temporary sensor ID, the firmware version and setting information S2 to be applied to the sensor module 1 , and the configuration number in association with each other.

[0193] The transmission processing unit 62 transmits the setting information related to the wireless terminal device 101 to the low-order management device 171 that manages the sub-network to which the wireless terminal device 101 belongs.

[0194] In more detail, when the reception processing unit 61 has created or updated the configuration table, the transmission processing unit 62 compares the configuration number CN1 corresponding to the setting information S1 with the configuration number CN2 corresponding to the setting information S2 in the storage unit 63 .

[0195] For example, when the configuration numbers are different from each other, the sending processing unit 62 selectively sends the configuration number CN2 and the corresponding temporary sensor ID; and content different from the received setting information S1 to the wireless terminal device 101 with the temporary sensor ID, which is the content in the setting information S2 to be newly applied to the wireless terminal device 101.

[0196] In more detail, when the configuration number CN1 and the configuration number CN2 are different from each other, the sending processing unit 62 obtains the content of the item from the item of the setting information S2 stored in the storage unit 63 as difference information, which has a setting value different from the setting information S1, and creates a response signal including the obtained difference information.

[0197] Regardless of whether there is content different from the setting information S1 received from the wireless terminal device 101 among the contents of the setting information S2 to be newly applied to the sensor module 1 , the transmission processing unit 62 transmits the configuration number and the temporary sensor ID to the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0198] In more detail, when the configuration number CN1 and the configuration number CN2 coincide with each other, the transmission processing unit 62 creates a response signal without acquiring the setting information S2 stored in the storage unit 63. In this case, the transmission processing unit 62 includes the corresponding real sensor ID, the corresponding temporary sensor ID, the configuration number CN2, and NULL (i.e., empty data) in the response signal.

[0199] The reception processing unit 61 may not necessarily assign a configuration number to the set of the real sensor ID, the connection destination relay device ID, the firmware version, and the setting information S1 included in the preparation request.

[0200] In this case, the reception processing unit 61 acquires the real sensor ID, connection destination relay device ID, firmware version, and setting information S1 from the preparation request, and assigns a temporary sensor ID corresponding to the acquired real sensor ID to the corresponding wireless terminal device 101 .

[0201] Then, the reception processing unit 61 compares the acquired setting information S1 with the setting information S2 applied to the sensor module 1 corresponding to the acquired real sensor ID, which is stored in the storage unit 63. When the setting information S1 and the setting information S2 coincide with each other, the reception processing unit 61 acquires the configuration number CN2 corresponding to the setting information S2 from the storage unit 63, and outputs the acquired configuration number CN2, the real sensor ID acquired from the preparation request, and the allocated temporary sensor ID to the transmission processing unit 62.

[0202] The transmission processing unit 62 creates a response signal including the configuration number CN2 , the real sensor ID, and the temporary sensor ID received from the reception processing unit 61 .

[0203] At the same time, when the setting information S1 and the setting information S2 are inconsistent with each other, the receiving processing unit 61 obtains the configuration number CN2 corresponding to the setting information S2 and the content of the item having a setting value different from the setting information S1 from the storage unit 63, and uses the content as difference information, and outputs the obtained configuration number CN2 and difference information, the real sensor ID obtained from the above-mentioned preparation request, and the assigned temporary sensor ID to the sending processing unit 62.

[0204] The transmission processing unit 62 creates a response signal including the configuration number CN2 , the difference information, the real sensor ID, and the temporary sensor ID received from the reception processing unit 61 .

[0205] Then, the transmission processing unit 62 transmits the response signal to the low-order management device 171 .

[0206] The reception processing unit 51 in the low-order management device 171 receives the response signal transmitted from the high-order management device 161 , and outputs the received response signal to the transmission processing unit 52 .

[0207] For example, according to the AODV routing protocol, the transmission processing unit 52 relays the response signal received from the reception processing unit 51 to the connection destination relay device.

[0208] The low-order management device 171 may relay the response signal to the connection destination relay device via another relay device 151 .

[0209] The high-order side communication processing unit 42 in the connection destination relay device receives the response signal sent from the high-order management device 161 via the low-order management device 171, and stores the various information contained in the received response signal (hereinafter also referred to as "terminal information") in the storage unit 43.

[0210] refer to Figure 3 , for example, the wireless terminal device 101 in the establishment state transitions to the sleep state, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transition into the sleep state, returns from the sleep state, and then transmits a setting request.

[0211] Set the requested data format and Figure 5 The data format of the probe request shown is the same and is composed of fields corresponding to a PHY header, a MAC header, and a message type in order from the beginning.

[0212] The communication unit 23 in the wireless terminal device 101 transmits a radio signal including a setting request to the connection destination relay device, in which the connection destination relay device ID is set as the destination in the MAC header, the sensor ID is set as the transmission source in the MAC header, and an identifier indicating that it is a setting request is set in the field corresponding to the message type.

[0213] The connection destination relay device receives the radio signal including the setting request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , creates a radio signal including ACK confirming the reception of the radio signal, and transmits the created radio signal to the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0214] Then, the connection destination relay device transmits the setting information of the sensor module 1 included in the corresponding terminal information held therein to the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0215] In more detail, upon receiving a radio signal including a setting request sent from the wireless terminal device 101, the sensor side communication processing unit 41 in the connection destination relay device refers to the sensor ID included in the setting request, obtains the terminal information corresponding to the sensor ID in the terminal information stored in the storage unit 43, and creates a setting response.

[0216] Figure 12 An example of a data format of a setup response transmitted by a relay device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0217] refer to Figure 12 ,The setup response consists of fields corresponding to the PHY header, MAC header, message type, real sensor ID, temporary sensor ID, configuration number, and setup information in order from the beginning.

[0218] The sensor side communication processing unit 41 sets the sensor ID as the destination in the MAC header, sets the connection destination relay device ID as the transmission source in the MAC header, and sets an identifier indicating that it is a setting response in a field corresponding to the message type.

[0219] The sensor-side communication processing unit 41 sets the real sensor ID, temporary sensor ID, configuration number, and setting information of the sensor module 1 included in the terminal information acquired from the storage unit 43 in the fields of the setup response corresponding to the real sensor ID, temporary sensor ID, configuration number, and setting information, respectively. The sensor-side communication processing unit 41 then transmits a radio signal including the setup response to the wireless terminal device 101 having the sensor ID. Furthermore, the sensor-side communication processing unit 41 outputs the setup response to the higher-order communication processing unit 42.

[0220] The higher-order communication processing unit 42 changes the destination in the MAC header of the setting response received from the sensor-side communication processing unit 41 to the ID of the lower-order management device 171 , and transmits a radio signal including the changed setting response to the lower-order management device 171 .

[0221] Like the high-order management device 161, the low-order management device 171 saves the configuration table in the storage unit 53. The reception processing unit 51 in the low-order management device 171 receives the radio signal including the setup response sent from the connection destination relay device and adds various information included in the setup response to the configuration table.

[0222] At the same time, the connection destination relay device receives a radio signal including a setting request sent from the wireless terminal device 101, and then, if the connection destination relay device has not yet received a response signal sent from the high-order management device 161 via the low-order management device 171, the connection destination relay device sends a preparation failure notification to the wireless terminal device 101.

[0223] The data format of the preparation failure notification is the same as Figure 5 The data format of the probe request shown is the same and is composed of fields corresponding to a PHY header, a MAC header, and a field corresponding to a message type in order from the beginning.

[0224] In more detail, the sensor-side communication processing unit 41 in the connection destination relay device sends a radio signal including a preparation failure notification to the wireless terminal device 101 having a sensor ID, wherein the sensor ID is set as the destination in the MAC header, the connection destination relay device ID is set as the transmission source in the MAC header, and an identifier indicating that it is a preparation failure notification is set in a field corresponding to the message type.

[0225] Upon receiving the radio signal including the setup response transmitted from the connection destination relay device, the communication unit 23 in the wireless terminal device 101 stores the temporary sensor ID, configuration number, and setup information of the sensor module 1 included in the received setup response in the storage unit 24. Then, the communication unit 23 creates a radio signal including an ACK confirming the reception of the radio signal, and transmits the created radio signal to the connection destination relay device.

[0226] refer to Figure 3When the setting information of the sensor module 1 stored in the storage unit 24 is difference information, the wireless terminal device 101 transitions from the setup state to the measurement state after the sensor module 1 has reflected the contents of the difference information. When the setting information of the sensor module 1 stored in the storage unit 24 is empty, the wireless terminal device 101 transitions from the setup state to the measurement state. The period during which the wireless terminal device 101 is in the measurement state is an example of a first period.

[0227] At the same time, upon receiving a radio signal including a preparation failure notification transmitted from a connection destination relay device, the wireless terminal device 101 transitions from the setup state to the scan state. The wireless terminal device 101 then performs connection processing again. While the wireless terminal device 101 has received a radio signal including a preparation failure notification transmitted from a connection destination relay device, the wireless terminal device 101 may repeatedly transition to the sleep state, return from the sleep state after a predetermined time has passed since the transition to the sleep state, and transmit a setup request.

[0228] For example, the wireless terminal device 101 in the measurement state performs one-way communication and transmits measurement information indicating the measurement result of the sensor to the relay device 151 .

[0229] In more detail, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits the measurement information according to the setting information of the sensor module 1 included in the received setting response, that is, the setting information in which the contents of the difference information are reflected.

[0230] For example, during the first period for transmitting the measurement information, the communication unit 23 transmits the configuration number included in the received setup response. For example, the communication unit 23 includes the configuration number in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0231] In more detail, the data creation unit 22 in the wireless terminal device 101 creates measurement information indicating the measurement result of the sensor 21 .

[0232] Specifically, data creation unit 22 receives analog signals from sensor 21 and performs A / D conversion on the received analog signals to calculate sensor measurement values. Furthermore, data creation unit 22 retrieves the configuration number corresponding to the setting information applied to the corresponding sensor module 1 from storage unit 24. Data creation unit 22 then outputs measurement information including the calculated sensor measurement values ​​and the retrieved configuration number to communication unit 23.

[0233] Figure 13 An example of a data format of measurement information transmitted by a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0234] refer to Figure 13,The measurement information consists of fields corresponding to the PHY header, MAC header, ,configuration number and sensor measurement value in order from the beginning.

[0235] The communication unit 23 sets the broadcast address as the destination in the MAC header and the temporary sensor ID as the transmission source in the MAC header in the measurement information received from the data creation unit 22 , and transmits a radio signal including the measurement information.

[0236] After transmitting the radio signal, the wireless terminal device 101 transitions to the sleep state, and returns from the sleep state after a predetermined time has elapsed since transitioning into the sleep state, and thereafter transmits measurement information.

[0237] The relay device 151 receives the radio signal including the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , and relays the radio signal to the low-order management device 171 .

[0238] The low-order management device 171 receives the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 via the relay device 151 , and processes the received measurement information by using a format corresponding to the configuration number included in the received measurement information.

[0239] In more detail, the reception processing unit 51 in the low-order management device 171 receives a radio signal including measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , and acquires the temporary sensor ID, configuration number, and sensor measurement value included in the measurement information.

[0240] Then, the reception processing unit 51 performs processing such as various arithmetic operations on the sensor measurement value by using a format corresponding to the acquired configuration number, and stores the processed sensor measurement value, temporary sensor ID, and configuration number in the storage unit 53 .

[0241] For example, the low-level management device 171 transmits the processed sensor measurement value. The low-level management device 171 transmits measurement information obtained by changing the temporary sensor ID included in the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 to the corresponding real sensor ID to the cloud server 181.

[0242] In more detail, the transmission processing unit 52 in the low-order management device 171 acquires the sensor measurement value, temporary sensor ID, and configuration number stored in the storage unit 53 .

[0243] Then, referring to the configuration table stored in the storage unit 53 , the transmission processing unit 52 acquires the real sensor ID of the wireless terminal device corresponding to the acquired temporary sensor ID.

[0244] The transmission processing unit 52 creates measurement information including the acquired real sensor ID, sensor measurement value, and configuration number, and transmits a signal including the created measurement information to the cloud server 181 .

[0245] In the measurement state, the wireless terminal device 101 periodically transmits measurement information according to the transmission cycle included in the setting information of the sensor module 1 , and shifts from the measurement state to the reconfiguration state after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0246] For example, the wireless terminal device 101 performs bidirectional communication in a second period starting regularly or irregularly after the initial period, and transmits other information to the relay device 151 in the second period. As one example, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits a configuration number in the second period.

[0247] For more details, refer to Figure 3 , for example, the wireless terminal device 101 measures time by using a timer (not shown) and transitions to the reset state once a day according to the reset cycle included in the setting information of the sensor module 1. Any cycle can be set as the reset cycle. For example, when the configuration table of the high-order management device 161 is updated according to an operation performed on the high-order management device 161 by an administrator or the like, the reset cycle is set. When the configuration table of the high-order management device 161 is updated according to a notification from the wireless terminal device 101 or the like, the reset cycle can be set. The period including the period during which the wireless terminal device 101 is in the reconfiguration state is an example of the second period. The wireless terminal device 101 in the reconfiguration state performs two-way communication.

[0248] Here, the low-order management device 171 and the high-order management device 161 respectively output information that allows identification of timing, time, etc. during reconfiguration to a screen or the like.

[0249] In more detail, for example, each of the low-order management device 171 and the high-order management device 161 stores the reception time of a re-preparation request from the wireless terminal device 101 (described later) for each wireless terminal device 101, calculates the time at which the re-preparation request will be received next by using the stored reception time and the reset cycle indicated in the configuration table, and outputs the time to a screen, etc. This allows an administrator, etc. to recognize the time, timing, etc. at which the wireless sensor system 301 performs two-way communication.

[0250] The wireless terminal device 101 in the reconfiguration state sends a re-prepare request.

[0251] Figure 14 An example of a data format of a re-preparation request sent by a wireless terminal device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0252] refer to Figure 14 , the re-prepare request consists of fields corresponding to the PHY header, MAC header, message type and configuration number in sequence starting from the beginning.

[0253] The communication unit 23 in the wireless terminal device 101 sets the connection destination relay device ID as the destination in the MAC header, sets the temporary sensor ID as the transmission source in the MAC header, and sets an identifier indicating that it is a re-preparation request in the field corresponding to the message type.

[0254] The communication unit 23 acquires the configuration number corresponding to the setting information applied to the corresponding sensor module 1 from the storage unit 24 and includes the configuration number in the re-preparation request. The communication unit 23 then transmits a radio signal including the re-preparation request to the connection destination relay device.

[0255] Upon receiving the radio signal including the re-preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , the sensor side communication processing unit 41 in the connection destination relay device creates a radio signal including ACK confirming reception of the radio signal and transmits the created radio signal to the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0256] When receiving a radio signal including ACK from the connection destination relay device, the wireless terminal device 101 transitions to the sleep state.

[0257] Meanwhile, the connection destination relay device relays the re-preparation request received from the wireless terminal device 101 to the low-order management device 171 , for example, according to the AODV routing protocol.

[0258] The reception processing unit 51 in the low-order management device 171 receives the radio signal including the re-preparation request relayed by the connection destination relay device, and outputs the received re-preparation request to the transmission processing unit 52 .

[0259] Upon receiving the re-preparation request from the reception processing unit 51 , the transmission processing unit 52 changes the destination in the MAC header of the re-preparation request to the ID of the high-order management device 161 , and transmits the re-preparation request to the high-order management device 161 .

[0260] The reception processing unit 61 in the high-order management device 161 receives the re-preparation request transmitted from the low-order management device 171 .

[0261] The high-level management device 161 stores at least the latest configuration number sent to the wireless terminal device 101 and the latest configuration number received from the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0262] In more detail, for example, the reception processing unit 61 acquires the temporary sensor ID and the configuration number CN4 included in the received re-preparation request, and stores them in the storage unit 63 .

[0263] The high-order management device 161 saves a configuration table in the storage unit 63 , which indicates the correspondence between the configuration number CN4 received by the reception processing unit 61 , the real sensor ID, the temporary sensor ID, the firmware version, and the corresponding setting information S4 .

[0264] In addition, the high-level management device 161 saves a configuration table in the storage unit 63, which indicates the correspondence between the latest configuration number CN3 sent to the wireless terminal device 101, the real sensor ID, the temporary sensor ID, the firmware version and the setting information S3 to be applied to the corresponding wireless terminal device 101.

[0265] When the reception processing unit 61 has stored the temporary sensor ID and the configuration number CN4 in the storage unit 63, the transmission processing unit 62 acquires the temporary sensor ID and the configuration number CN4 from the storage unit 63. Then, with respect to the configuration table stored in the storage unit 63, the transmission processing unit 62 compares the acquired configuration number CN4 with the corresponding configuration number CN3 in the configuration table.

[0266] Based on the result of the comparison, the transmission processing unit 62 sets a reconfiguration type which is information on the presence / absence of a change in the setting information of the sensor module 1 .

[0267] In more detail, when the configuration number CN4 and the configuration number CN3 in the configuration table are identical, the transmission processing unit 62 sets "1" as the reconfiguration type.

[0268] When the configuration number CN4 and the configuration number CN3 in the configuration table are different from each other, the transmission processing unit 62 sets "2" as the reconfiguration type.

[0269] When the configuration table does not exist in the high-order management device 161 due to replacement of the high-order management device 161, or when the temporary sensor ID obtained by the receiving processing unit 61 cannot be identified due to different contents of the configuration table, the sending processing unit 62 sets "3" as the reconfiguration type.

[0270] The transmission processing unit 62 creates a re-response signal including the set reconfiguration type.

[0271] In more detail, when the reconfiguration type is "1", the sending processing unit 62 creates a re-response signal including the reconfiguration type "1" and NULL (ie, empty data) as the setting information of the sensor module 1, and sends the re-response signal to the low-order management device 171.

[0272] Meanwhile, when the reconfiguration type is "2", the transmission processing unit 62 selectively transmits content different from the saved setting information S4 to the wireless terminal device 101, which is content in the setting information S3 to be newly applied to the wireless terminal device 101.

[0273] More specifically, the transmission processing unit 62 refers to the configuration table stored in the storage unit 53 and obtains the content of an item having a setting value different from that of the setting information S4 corresponding to the configuration number CN4 as difference information, the content of the item being the content of the item in the setting information S3 of the sensor module 1 corresponding to the configuration number CN3. In addition, the transmission processing unit 62 obtains the configuration number CN3 from the storage unit 63.

[0274] Then, the transmission processing unit 52 creates a re-response signal including the acquired configuration number CN3 , the reconfiguration type “ 2 ”, and the difference information acquired as the setting information of the sensor module 1 , and transmits the re-response signal to the low-order management device 171 .

[0275] When the reconfiguration type is “3”, the transmission processing unit 52 creates a re-response signal including the reconfiguration type “3” and NULL (ie, empty data) as setting information of the sensor module 1 , and transmits the re-response signal to the low-order management device 171 .

[0276] The reception processing unit 51 in the low-order management device 171 receives the re-response signal transmitted from the high-order management device 161 , and outputs the received re-response signal to the transmission processing unit 52 .

[0277] For example, according to the AODV routing protocol, the transmission processing unit 52 relays the re-response signal received from the reception processing unit 51 to the connection destination relay device.

[0278] The transmission processing unit 52 may relay the re-response signal to the connection destination relay device via another relay device 151 .

[0279] The high-order side communication processing unit 42 in the connection destination relay device receives the re-response signal sent from the high-order management device 161 via the low-order management device 171, and stores various information included in the received re-response signal (hereinafter also referred to as "reset information") in the storage unit 43.

[0280] The wireless terminal device 101 in the reconfiguration state transitions to the sleep state, and returns from the sleep state after a predetermined time has elapsed from the transition, and then transmits a reset request.

[0281] Reset request data format with Figure 5 The data format of the probe request shown is the same and is composed of fields corresponding to a PHY header, a MAC header, and a field corresponding to a message type in order from the beginning.

[0282] The communication unit 23 in the wireless terminal device 101 transmits a radio signal including a reset request to the connection destination relay device, in which the connection destination relay device ID is set as the destination in the MAC header, the temporary sensor ID is set as the transmission source in the MAC header, and an identifier indicating that it is a reset request is set in the field corresponding to the message type.

[0283] Upon receiving the radio signal including the reset request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , the connection destination relay device creates a radio signal including ACK confirming the reception of the radio signal, and transmits the created radio signal to the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0284] Then, the connection destination relay device transmits the setting information of the sensor module 1 included in the corresponding reset information held therein, that is, the NULL information or the difference information, to the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0285] In more detail, upon receiving a radio signal including a reset request sent from the wireless terminal device 101, the sensor side communication processing unit 41 in the connection destination relay device refers to the temporary sensor ID included in the reset request, obtains reset information corresponding to the temporary sensor ID and creates a reset response, which is the reset information in the reset information stored in the storage unit 43.

[0286] Figure 15 An example of a data format of a reset response sent by a relay device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0287] refer to Figure 15 ,The reset response consists of fields corresponding to the PHY header, MAC header, message type, reconfiguration type and setup information in order from the beginning.

[0288] When the reconfiguration type is "1" or "3", the connection destination relay device uses Figure 15 The data format shown.

[0289] Figure 16 Another example of a data format of a reset response sent by a relay device in a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0290] refer to Figure 16,The reset response consists of fields corresponding to the PHY header, MAC header, message type, configuration number, reconfiguration type and setting information in order from the beginning.

[0291] When the reconfiguration type is "2", the connection destination relay device uses Figure 16 The data format shown.

[0292] The sensor side communication processing unit 41 sets the temporary sensor ID as the destination in the MAC header, sets the connection destination relay device ID as the transmission source in the MAC header, and sets an identifier indicating that it is a reset response in a field corresponding to the message type.

[0293] In addition, the sensor-side communication processing unit 41 sets the configuration number, reconfiguration type, and setting information of the sensor module 1 included in the reset information acquired from the storage unit 43 in the fields of the reset response corresponding to the configuration number, reconfiguration type, and setting information of the sensor module 1. Then, the sensor-side communication processing unit 41 transmits a radio signal including the reset response to the wireless terminal device 101 having the temporary sensor ID. In addition, the sensor-side communication processing unit 41 outputs the reset response to the higher-order-side communication processing unit 42.

[0294] The higher-order communication processing unit 42 changes the destination in the MAC header of the reset response received from the sensor-side communication processing unit 41 to the ID of the lower-order management device 171 , and transmits a radio signal including the changed reset response to the lower-order management device 171 .

[0295] The low-order management device 171 receives the radio signal including the reset response transmitted from the connection destination relay device, and adds various information included in the reset response to the configuration table held by the low-order management device 171 .

[0296] If the connection destination relay device has not received the re-response signal sent from the high-order management device 161 via the low-order management device 171 at the timing when it has received the radio signal including the reset request, the connection destination relay device will send a re-preparation failure notification to the wireless terminal device 101.

[0297] The data format of the re-prepare failure notification is the same as Figure 5 The data format of the probe request shown is the same and is composed of fields corresponding to a PHY header, a MAC header, and a message type in order from the beginning.

[0298] The sensor-side communication processing unit 41 in the connection destination relay device sends a radio signal including a re-preparation failure notification to the wireless terminal device 101 having a temporary sensor ID. In the re-preparation failure notification, the temporary sensor ID is set as the destination in the MAC header, the connection destination relay device ID is set as the transmission source in the MAC header, and an identifier indicating that it is a re-preparation failure notification is set in a field corresponding to the message type.

[0299] The communication unit 23 in the wireless terminal device 101 receives the radio signal including the reset response or the re-preparation failure notification transmitted from the connection destination relay device.

[0300] When the configuration type included in the reset response is “1”, the communication unit 23 creates a radio signal including ACK confirming the reception of the radio signal, and transmits the created radio signal to the connection destination relay device.

[0301] Then, the wireless terminal device 101 shifts to the sleep state.

[0302] When the configuration type included in the reset response is "2", the communication unit 23 stores the content of the difference information in the storage unit 24 as the setting information of the sensor module 1 included in the reset response, creates a radio signal including an ACK confirming the reception of the radio signal, and sends the created radio signal to the connection destination relay device.

[0303] Then, after the sensor module 1 reflects the setting information of the sensor module 1 stored in the storage unit 24 , the wireless terminal device 101 shifts to the sleep state.

[0304] Meanwhile, when the configuration type included in the reset response is “3”, the communication unit 23 creates a radio signal including ACK confirming the reception of the radio signal, and transmits the created radio signal to the connection destination relay device.

[0305] Then, the wireless terminal device 101 transitions from the reconfiguration state to the establishment state, and transmits a preparation request.

[0306] The wireless terminal device 101 returns from the sleep state after a predetermined time has elapsed since transitioning into the sleep state, and then transitions from the reconfiguration state to the measurement state.

[0307] At the same time, reference Figure 3Upon receiving a radio signal including a re-preparation failure notification transmitted from a connection destination relay device, the wireless terminal device 101 transitions from the reconfiguration state to the rescan state. While the wireless terminal device 101 has received a radio signal including a re-preparation failure notification transmitted from a connection destination relay device, the wireless terminal device 101 may repeatedly transition to the sleep state, return from the sleep state after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transition to the sleep state, and transmit a reset request. The period including the period during which the wireless terminal device 101 is in the rescan state is an example of the second period. The wireless terminal device 101 in the rescan state performs two-way communication.

[0308] The wireless terminal device 101 in the rescan state executes Figure 4 The wireless terminal device 101 performs the connection processing shown in FIG. 1 and, after the connection processing, transitions from the rescan state to the establishment state. If the wireless terminal device 101 in the rescan state does not receive a probe response before a predetermined period of time has passed since the probe request was sent during the connection processing, the wireless terminal device 101 transitions from the rescan state to the measurement state.

[0309] The low-level management device 171 can send the processed sensor measurement values ​​to the high-level management device 161 instead of the cloud server 181. In this case, the low-level management device 171 does not need to store the configuration table. The high-level communication processing unit 42 in the relay device 151 does not need to send the radio signal including the setting response to the low-level management device 171.

[0310] Figure 17 A sequence of a process of updating the settings of the sensor module 1 in the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0311] refer to Figure 17 , first, the wireless terminal device 101 transitions to the establishment state (step S201), and transmits a preparation request to the connection destination relay device (step S202).

[0312] Next, the connection destination relay device receives the preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , and transmits ACK for the received preparation request to the wireless terminal device 101 (step S203 ).

[0313] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 receives ACK for the preparation request transmitted from the connection destination relay device, and transitions to the sleep state (step S204 ).

[0314] At the same time, the connection destination relay device relays the preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101. That is, the connection destination relay device receives the preparation request, and relays the received preparation request to the low-order management device 171 (step S205).

[0315] Next, the low-order management device 171 relays the preparation request that has been relayed by the connection destination relay device to the high-order management device 161 (step S206 ).

[0316] Next, the high-order management device 161 registers the sensor ID included in the preparation request that has been relayed by the low-order management device 171 as unique identification information corresponding to the wireless terminal device 101, and assigns a temporary sensor ID whose data length is shorter than the sensor ID to the wireless terminal device 101 as terminal identification information (step S207).

[0317] Next, the high-order management device 161 transmits a response signal including the sensor ID, temporary sensor ID, configuration number, and setting information of the sensor module 1 to the connection destination relay device via the low-order management device 171 (step S208 ).

[0318] Next, the connection destination relay device receives the response signal transmitted from the high-order management device 161 via the low-order management device 171 , and stores therein the terminal information included in the received response signal (step S209 ).

[0319] After a predetermined time has elapsed from the transition to the sleep state, the wireless terminal device 101 returns from the sleep state (step S210 ).

[0320] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits a setting request to the connection destination relay device (step S211 ).

[0321] Next, the connection destination relay device receives the setting request, and transmits a setting response including various setting contents included in the stored terminal information to the wireless terminal device 101 (step S212 ).

[0322] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 receives the setting response transmitted from the connection destination relay device, transmits ACK for the received setting response to the connection destination relay device (step S213), the wireless terminal device 101 itself reflects the setting information included in the setting response, and then transitions to the measurement state (step S214).

[0323] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 periodically transmits measurement information including the configuration number and to which the broadcast address is set as described above (step S215 ).

[0324] The connection destination relay device receives the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , and transmits the received measurement information to the low-order management device 171 (step S216 ).

[0325] Next, the low-order management device 171 receives the measurement information transmitted from the connection destination relay device, processes the sensor measurement values ​​included in the received measurement information, and transmits the processed sensor measurement values ​​to the cloud server 181 (step S217 ).

[0326] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 shifts from the measurement state to the reconfiguration state according to the reset cycle included in the setting contents (step S218 ).

[0327] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits a re-preparation request to the connection destination relay device (step S219 ).

[0328] Next, the connection destination relay device receives the re-preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , and transmits ACK for the received re-preparation request to the wireless terminal device 101 (step S220 ).

[0329] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 receives ACK for the re-preparation request transmitted from the connection destination relay device, and transitions to the sleep state (step S221 ).

[0330] At the same time, the connection destination relay device relays the re-preparation request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101. That is, the connection destination relay device receives the re-preparation request, and relays the received re-preparation request to the low-order management device 171 (step S222).

[0331] Next, the low-order management device 171 relays the re-preparation request that has been relayed by the connection destination relay device to the high-order management device 161 (step S223 ).

[0332] Next, the high-order management device 161 transmits a re-response signal including the configuration number and the reconfiguration type to the connection destination relay device via the high-order management device 171 (step S224 ).

[0333] Next, the connection destination relay device receives the re-response signal transmitted from the high-order management device 161 via the low-order management device 171 , and stores therein the reset information included in the received re-response signal (step S225 ).

[0334] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 returns from the sleep state after a predetermined time has elapsed from the transition to the sleep state (step S226 ).

[0335] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits a reset request to the connection destination relay device (step S227 ).

[0336] Next, the connection destination relay device transmits a reset response including various setting contents included in the stored reset information to the wireless terminal device 101 (step S228 ).

[0337] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 receives the reset response transmitted from the connection destination relay device, transmits ACK for the received reset response to the connection destination relay device (step S229), the wireless terminal device 101 itself reflects the setting information included in the reset response, and then transitions to the measurement state (step S230).

[0338] Figure 18 A sequence is shown in a case where a relay device cannot receive setting information in a process of changing settings of a sensor module in the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0339] refer to Figure 18 The operations in steps S301 to S307 are the same as Figure 17 The operations in steps S201 to S207 shown in FIG.

[0340] Due to any factors such as data transmission delay among the plurality of relay devices 151, the connection destination relay device cannot receive the response signal (step S308).

[0341] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 returns from the sleep state after a predetermined time has passed since the transition to the sleep state (step S309 ).

[0342] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits a setting request to the connection destination relay device (step S310 ).

[0343] Next, since the connection destination relay device has not received a response signal at the timing at which it has received the setting request, the connection destination relay device transmits a preparation failure notification to the wireless terminal device 101 (step S311 ).

[0344] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 receives the preparation failure notification transmitted from the connection destination relay device, transmits ACK for the received preparation failure notification to the connection destination relay device (step S312 ), and transitions to the scan state (step S313 ).

[0345] Figure 19 A sequence is shown in a case where a relay device cannot receive a reset response in a reconfiguration state in the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0346] refer to Figure 19 , the operations in steps S401 to S406 are the same as Figure 17 The operations in steps S218 to S223 shown in are the same.

[0347] Due to any factors such as data transmission delay among the plurality of relay devices 151, the connection destination relay device cannot receive the re-response signal (step S407).

[0348] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 returns from the sleep state after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transition to the sleep state (step S408 ).

[0349] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits a reset request to the connection destination relay device (step S409 ).

[0350] Next, since the connection destination relay device has not received the re-response signal at the timing at which it has received the reset request, the connection destination relay device transmits a re-preparation failure notification to the wireless terminal device 101 (step S410 ).

[0351] Next, the wireless terminal device 101 receives the re-preparation failure notification transmitted from the connection destination relay device, transmits ACK for the received re-preparation failure notification to the connection destination relay device (step S411 ), and transitions to the rescan state (step S412 ).

[0352] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay device 151 receives and stores the setting information, and the wireless terminal device 101 transitions to the sleep state after sending the preparation request. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The wireless terminal device 101 does not necessarily need to transition to the sleep state after sending the preparation request, and the relay device 151 can immediately transmit the setting information to the wireless terminal device 101 after receiving the setting information from the low-level management device 171.

[0353] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, high-level management device 161 assigns a temporary sensor ID registered in high-level management device 161 to wireless terminal device 101, where the data length of the temporary sensor ID is shorter than the sensor ID of wireless terminal device 101. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. High-level management device 161 does not necessarily need to assign a temporary sensor ID to wireless terminal device 101, and the sensor ID can be used by wireless terminal device 101, relay device 151, and low-level management device 171.

[0354] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second period includes an initial period and a period that starts regularly or irregularly after the initial period. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The second period may be the initial period, or may be a period that starts regularly or irregularly after the initial period.

[0355] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, different channels are used for unidirectional communication and bidirectional communication. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The wireless sensor system 301 may use the same channel for unidirectional communication and bidirectional communication.

[0356] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the low-level management device 171 and the high-level management device 161 each output information that allows identification of the timing, time, etc. of the second period. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The low-level management device 171 and the high-level management device 161 may not necessarily output such information.

[0357] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, high-level management device 161 transmits setting information related to wireless terminal device 101. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. High-level management device 161 may not necessarily transmit setting information related to wireless terminal device 101. In this case, wireless terminal device 101 transmits measurement information based on setting information S1 configured therein.

[0358] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 transmits a configuration number that allows identification of the format of the measurement information. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The high-level management device 161 may not necessarily transmit the configuration number.

[0359] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless terminal device 101 includes the configuration number in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The wireless terminal device 101 may transmit the configuration number and the measurement information separately.

[0360] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, low-level management device 171 processes measurement information transmitted from wireless terminal device 101 using a format corresponding to the configuration number included in the measurement information. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Low-level management device 171 may process measurement information using a format corresponding to the latest configuration number transmitted to wireless terminal device 101.

[0361] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 stores at least the latest configuration number sent to the wireless terminal device 101 and the latest configuration number received from the wireless terminal device 101. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The high-level management device 161 does not necessarily need to store the latest configuration number sent to the wireless terminal device 101 and the latest configuration number received from the wireless terminal device 101. In this case, for example, if the setting information has been changed by the administrator, the high-level management device 161 will send the changed setting information to the corresponding wireless terminal device 101.

[0362] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, during the second period, high-level management device 161 selectively transmits content different from the received setting information to wireless terminal device 101, the content being the content of the setting information to be newly applied to wireless terminal device 101. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. High-level management device 161 may transmit the content of the setting information to be newly applied to wireless terminal device 101 to wireless terminal device 101.

[0363] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits the registered setting information in the initial period. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The wireless terminal device 101 may not necessarily transmit the setting information in the initial period.

[0364] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, high-level management device 161 transmits a configuration number regardless of whether the contents of the setting information to be newly applied to sensor module 1 contain content that differs from the setting information received from wireless terminal device 101. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. High-level management device 161 may transmit a configuration number when the contents of the setting information to be newly applied to sensor module 1 contain content that differs from the setting information received from wireless terminal device 101.

[0365] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, high-level management device 161 transmits a temporary sensor ID regardless of whether the contents of the setting information to be newly applied to sensor module 1 contain content that differs from the setting information received from wireless terminal device 101. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. High-level management device 161 may transmit a temporary sensor ID when the contents of the setting information to be newly applied to sensor module 1 contain content that differs from the setting information received from wireless terminal device 101.

[0366] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 and the cloud server 181 are separate devices. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The wireless sensor system 301 may include a single device that functions as both the high-level management device 161 and the cloud server 181.

[0367] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 and the low-level management device 171 are separate devices. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The wireless sensor system 301 may include a single device that functions as both the high-level management device 161 and the low-level management device 171.

[0368] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay device 151 and the low-level management device 171 are separate devices. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The wireless sensor system 301 may include a single device that functions as both the relay device 151 and the low-level management device 171.

[0369] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when relay device 151 has received a setting request transmitted from wireless terminal device 101, if relay device 151 has not yet received setting information from the management device, relay device 151 transmits predetermined information to wireless terminal device 101. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Even if relay device 151 has not received setting information from the management device, relay device 151 does not necessarily need to transmit predetermined information to wireless terminal device 101.

[0370] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay device 151 includes its own identification information in the preparation request and sends the preparation request to the management device. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The relay device 151 may send the identification information and the preparation request separately.

[0371] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits measurement information via unidirectional communication during a first period, and transmits other information via bidirectional communication during a second period. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The wireless terminal device 101 may transmit measurement information and other information via unidirectional communication during a first period, and may transmit measurement information and other information via bidirectional communication during a second period.

[0372] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 assigns a temporary sensor ID to the wireless terminal device 101, the data length of which is shorter than the sensor ID of the wireless terminal device 101 registered in the high-level management device 161. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The high-level management device 161 does not necessarily need to assign the temporary sensor ID to the wireless terminal device 101, and the sensor ID can be used by the wireless terminal device 101, the relay device 151, and the low-level management device 171.

[0373] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 assigns a configuration number to the wireless terminal device 101. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The high-level management device 161 may not necessarily assign a configuration number to the wireless terminal device 101.

[0374] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, low-level management device 171 transmits measurement information obtained by changing the temporary sensor ID included in the measurement information transmitted from wireless terminal device 101 to the corresponding sensor ID to another device. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Low-level management device 171 may transmit measurement information including the temporary sensor ID to another device.

[0375] Incidentally, a technology capable of constructing an excellent system for transmitting measurement results of sensors from a wireless terminal device to a management device is desired.

[0376] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless terminal device 101 is driven by the power stored in the power storage unit 25 and transmits measurement information indicating the measurement results of the sensor 21. The low-level management device 171 receives the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device. The wireless terminal device 101 performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmitting the measurement information in the first period, performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, and transmits other information in the second period.

[0377] This configuration enables switching between one-way and two-way communication depending on the information being transmitted. Furthermore, since information other than sensor 21 measurement results is transmitted and received via two-way communication, sensor 21 setup information, firmware update information, and the like can be transmitted from high-level management device 161 to wireless terminal device 101. This eliminates the need to visit the site where wireless terminal device 101 is installed and change settings. Furthermore, since switches and other components used to configure wireless terminal device 101 can be eliminated, the cost of wireless terminal device 101 can be reduced.

[0378] Therefore, in the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an excellent system for transmitting the measurement results of the sensor 21 from the wireless terminal device 101 to the high-order management device 161 can be constructed.

[0379] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second period includes a period that starts regularly or irregularly after an initial period from when the wireless terminal device 101 is activated to when the first period starts.

[0380] With this configuration, since the period for bidirectional communication is limited to the second period, the amount of data transmitted can be reduced. When wireless terminal device 101 and high-level management device 161 perform asynchronous communication, it is difficult for wireless terminal device 101 to recognize the timing of data transmission. Therefore, wireless terminal device 101 needs to wait for data during the period of bidirectional communication, which leads to increased power consumption. However, since the period for bidirectional communication is limited to the second period, the power consumption of wireless terminal device 101 can be reduced.

[0381] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second period includes at least one of an initial period existing from startup of the wireless terminal device 101 to the start of the first period, and a period starting regularly or irregularly after the initial period.

[0382] With this configuration, the period for bidirectional communication is limited to the second period, thereby reducing the amount of data transmitted. When wireless terminal device 101 and high-level management device 161 perform asynchronous communication, it is difficult for wireless terminal device 101 to recognize the timing of data transmission. Therefore, wireless terminal device 101 needs to wait for data during the period of bidirectional communication, which increases power consumption. However, since the period for bidirectional communication is limited to the second period, power consumption of wireless terminal device 101 can be reduced. In addition, since bidirectional communication is performed during the initial period, the settings required for the operation of wireless terminal device 101 can be reflected.

[0383] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless terminal device 101 uses different channels for unidirectional communication and bidirectional communication.

[0384] With this configuration, in one-way communication in which data retransmission processing is not performed, interference of radio signals between the wireless terminal devices 101 can be suppressed, and the risk of data loss due to such interference can be reduced.

[0385] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 outputs information allowing identification of the second period.

[0386] With this configuration, an administrator or the like can recognize the time, timing, etc. at which the wireless sensor system 301 performs two-way communication. Therefore, this configuration is useful for maintenance or the like.

[0387] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 transmits setting information related to the wireless terminal device 101 to the wireless terminal device 101. In the second period, the wireless terminal device 101 receives the setting information transmitted from the high-level management device 161 and transmits measurement information according to the received setting information.

[0388] With this configuration, the setting of the wireless terminal device 101 can be performed through communication, and therefore, setting changes and the like can be remotely performed in a short time during a desired period.

[0389] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 also transmits identification information in a format that allows identification of measurement information to the wireless terminal device 101. In the second period, the wireless terminal device 101 receives the identification information transmitted from the high-level management device 161 and transmits the received identification information.

[0390] As described above, since the wireless terminal device 101 transmits information indicating the setting contents thereof, the high-order management device 161 can easily judge whether the setting contents of the wireless terminal device 101 are appropriate.

[0391] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless terminal device 101 includes identification information in measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0392] With this configuration, even when the high-level management device 161 cannot confirm whether the change in the setting content has been reflected in the wireless terminal device 101 during the second period, the high-level management device 161 can confirm whether the change in the setting content has been reflected during the first period. Therefore, the high-level management device 161 can more reliably identify the setting content of the wireless terminal device 101.

[0393] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the low-order management device 171 receives measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 and processes the received measurement information by using a format corresponding to identification information included in the received measurement information.

[0394] With this configuration, processing for measuring information can be simplified.

[0395] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 stores at least the latest identification information sent to the wireless terminal device 101 and the latest identification information received from the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0396] With this configuration, even if measurement information reflecting previous setting contents according to a change in setting contents is transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101, the high-level management device 161 can accurately process the measurement information. In addition, the administrator or the like can confirm the setting contents to be set by the wireless terminal device 101.

[0397] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wireless terminal device 101 transmits identification information during a second period that begins periodically or irregularly. High-level management device 161 receives the identification information transmitted from wireless terminal device 101, stores setting information corresponding to the received identification information, and selectively transmits to wireless terminal device 101 content that is different from the stored setting information, the content being the content of the setting information to be newly applied to wireless terminal device 101.

[0398] With this configuration, the setting contents of the wireless terminal device 101 can be confirmed at predetermined intervals, and necessary setting contents can be reflected in the wireless terminal device 101. In addition, since only the updated portion is sent to the wireless terminal device 101, the amount of data sent from the high-level management device 161 can be reduced.

[0399] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless terminal device 101 transmits pre-registered setting information while there is a second period from when the wireless terminal device 101 is activated to when the first period starts.

[0400] With this configuration, the high-level management device 161 can grasp the initial settings of the wireless terminal device 101, and thus can confirm whether the settings of the wireless terminal device 101 are appropriate before transmitting measurement information from the wireless terminal device 101. In addition, even if the wireless terminal device 101 does not include the setting information in the measurement information each time it transmits measurement information, the high-level management device 161 can grasp the settings of the wireless terminal device 101. Therefore, the amount of data transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 can be reduced.

[0401] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 receives setting information sent from the wireless terminal device 101, and selectively sends content different from the received setting information to the wireless terminal device 101, which is content in the setting information to be newly applied to the wireless terminal device 101.

[0402] With this configuration, when there is no need to change the initial settings, the amount of data sent from the high-order management device 161 can be reduced.

[0403] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 receives setting information sent from the wireless terminal device 101, and sends identification information to the wireless terminal device 101 regardless of whether there is content different from the received setting information among the contents of the setting information to be newly applied to the wireless terminal device 101.

[0404] With this configuration, the wireless terminal device 101 can more reliably recognize the content to be set therein. In addition, the high-order management device 161 can more reliably process the measurement information from the wireless terminal device 101.

[0405] In the wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the high-level management device 161 receives the setting information sent from the wireless terminal device 101, and regardless of whether there is content different from the received setting information among the contents of the setting information to be newly applied to the wireless terminal device 101, the terminal identification information registered in the high-level management device 161 is sent to the wireless terminal device 101, and the data length of the terminal identification information is shorter than the unique identification information of the wireless terminal device 101.

[0406] This configuration reduces the amount of data transmitted within the wireless sensor system 301. Furthermore, since the high-level management device 161 manages terminal identification information uniformly, overlap of terminal identification information can be avoided compared to, for example, a situation where terminal identification information is determined and allocated to each of the networks under the control of the same high-level management device 161. Consequently, even when the wireless terminal device 101 moves to another network under the control of the high-level management device 161, the wireless terminal device 101 can continue to use the same terminal identification information. This prevents empty numbers from appearing in the terminal identification information due to setting a specific allocation range for each network, thereby improving the efficiency of resource usage, such as memory.

[0407] In the wireless terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the data creation unit 22 creates measurement information indicating the measurement results of the sensor 21. The communication unit 23 transmits a radio signal including the measurement information or other information created by the data creation unit 22. The communication unit 23 performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmits the measurement information in the first period, performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, and transmits other information in the second period.

[0408] This configuration enables switching between one-way and two-way communication depending on the information being transmitted. Furthermore, since information other than sensor 21 measurement results is transmitted and received via two-way communication, sensor 21 setup information, firmware update information, and the like can be transmitted from high-level management device 161 to wireless terminal device 101. This eliminates the need to visit the site where wireless terminal device 101 is installed and eliminates the need to change settings. Furthermore, since switches and other components used to configure wireless terminal device 101 can be omitted, the cost of wireless terminal device 101 can be reduced.

[0409] Therefore, in the wireless terminal device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an excellent system for transmitting the measurement result of the sensor 21 from the wireless terminal device 101 to the high-order management device 161 can be constructed.

[0410] In the communication control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, first, the wireless terminal device 101 performs unidirectional communication in a first period and transmits measurement information indicating the measurement result of the sensor 21 in the first period. Next, the wireless terminal device 101 performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period and transmits other information in the second period.

[0411] This configuration enables switching between one-way and two-way communication depending on the information being transmitted. Furthermore, since information other than sensor 21 measurement results is transmitted and received via two-way communication, sensor 21 setup information, firmware update information, and the like can be transmitted from high-level management device 161 to wireless terminal device 101. This eliminates the need to visit the site where wireless terminal device 101 is installed and eliminates the need to change settings. Furthermore, since switches and other components used to configure wireless terminal device 101 can be omitted, the cost of wireless terminal device 101 can be reduced.

[0412] Therefore, in the communication control method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an excellent system for transmitting the measurement result of the sensor 21 from the wireless terminal device 101 to the high-order management device 161 can be constructed.

[0413] In a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wireless terminal device 101 is driven by power stored in a power storage unit and transmits measurement information indicating sensor measurement results. Relay device 151 relays the information received from wireless terminal device 101. Low-level management device 171 receives the measurement information relayed by relay device 151. Wireless terminal device 101 transmits a preparation request. Relay device 151 receives the preparation request transmitted from wireless terminal device 101 and relays it to high-level management device 161. High-level management device 161 receives the preparation request relayed by relay device 151 and transmits setting information related to wireless terminal device 101 to relay device 151. Relay device 151 receives and stores the setting information transmitted from high-level management device 161. After transmitting the preparation request, wireless terminal device 101 transitions to a first sleep state to cease communication operations, and then transmits a setting request after returning from the first sleep state. The relay device 151 receives the setting request transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 , and transmits the setting information held therein to the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0414] With this configuration, high-level management device 161 can transmit setting information in response to a preparation request transmitted from wireless terminal device 101. Therefore, for example, setting information can be transmitted at the timing when wireless terminal device 101 requires it. Furthermore, after a communication operation, wireless terminal device 101 transitions to a sleep state, and relay device 151 stores the setting contents to be applied to wireless terminal device 101. Therefore, while reducing the power consumption of wireless terminal device 101, the setting contents to be applied can be more reliably reflected in wireless terminal device 101.

[0415] Therefore, in the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an excellent system for transmitting the measurement results of the sensor 21 from the wireless terminal device 101 to the low-order management device 171 can be constructed.

[0416] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay device 151 receives a setting request sent from the wireless terminal device 101, and then, if the relay device 151 has not received setting information from the management device, the relay device 151 sends predetermined information to the wireless terminal device 101.

[0417] With this configuration, when setting information from the high-order management device 161 has not reached the relay device 151 , the wireless terminal device 101 receives predetermined information and shifts to, for example, a sleep state, thereby suppressing an increase in power consumption due to waiting.

[0418] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless terminal device 101 receives predetermined information transmitted from the relay device 151 , transitions to the second sleep state, and transmits a setting request to the relay device 151 after returning from the second sleep state.

[0419] With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably receive setting information from the high-order management device 161 while suppressing an increase in power consumption due to waiting in the wireless terminal device 101 .

[0420] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay device 151 includes its own identification information in a preparation request and transmits the preparation request to the management device.

[0421] With this configuration, since the higher-level management device 161 can identify the relay device 151 that relays the preparation request from the wireless terminal device 101, the setting information can be transmitted to the wireless terminal device 101 more reliably. In addition, since the higher-level management device 161 can transmit the setting information while selecting the relay device 151, the amount of data transmission can be reduced compared to the case of transmitting data in parallel to multiple relay devices 151. Therefore, even in a transmission path with a small transmission capacity, smooth data transmission can be achieved.

[0422] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, unidirectional communication is performed in a first period, measurement information is transmitted in the first period, bidirectional communication is performed in a second period different from the first period, and other information is transmitted in the second period.

[0423] This configuration enables, for example, switching between one-way and two-way communication depending on the information being transmitted. Furthermore, since information other than sensor measurement results is transmitted and received via two-way communication, sensor setup information, firmware update information, and the like can be transmitted from the advanced management device 161 to the wireless terminal device 101. This eliminates the need to visit the site where the wireless terminal device 101 is installed and eliminates the need to change settings. Furthermore, since switches and other components used to configure the wireless terminal device 101 can be omitted, the cost of the wireless terminal device 101 can be reduced.

[0424] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless sensor system 101 performs a connection process to establish a communication connection with the relay device 151. In the connection process, the wireless terminal device 101 can select a plurality of data rates and determines whether communication with the relay device 151 is possible in descending order for each data rate.

[0425] Selecting a higher data rate configuration results in a reduction in the time required for data transmission, which may, for example, reduce power consumption.

[0426] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, in the connection process, the wireless terminal device 101 can select a plurality of channels and determine whether communication with the relay device 151 is possible while switching channels at a fixed data rate.

[0427] The configuration of selecting a communicable channel while maintaining the data rate enables data transmission at a higher data rate.

[0428] In the communication control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, first, wireless terminal device 101 transmits a preparation request. Next, relay device 151 receives the preparation request transmitted from wireless terminal device 101 and relays the preparation request to high-level management device 161. Next, high-level management device 161 receives the preparation request relayed by relay device 151 and transmits setting information related to wireless terminal device 101 to relay device 151. Next, relay device 151 receives and stores the setting information transmitted from high-level management device 161. After transmitting the preparation request, wireless terminal device 101 transitions to a sleep state to cease communication operations. After returning from the sleep state, wireless terminal device 101 transmits a setup request. Then, relay device 151 receives the setup request transmitted from wireless terminal device 101 and transmits the stored setting information to wireless terminal device 101.

[0429] With this configuration, high-level management device 161 can transmit setting information in response to a preparation request sent from wireless terminal device 101. Therefore, for example, it is possible to transmit setting information at the timing when wireless terminal device 101 requires it. Furthermore, after communication operation, wireless terminal device 101 transitions to a sleep state, and relay device 151 stores the settings to be applied to wireless terminal device 101. Therefore, while reducing the power consumption of wireless terminal device 101, the settings to be applied can be more reliably reflected in wireless terminal device 101. Consequently, a superior system for transmitting sensor measurement results from wireless terminal devices to management devices can be constructed.

[0430] Therefore, in the communication control method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an excellent system for transmitting the measurement result of the sensor 21 from the wireless terminal device 101 to the low-order management device 171 can be constructed.

[0431] In a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of one or more wireless terminal devices 101 is driven by power stored in a power storage unit, and each wireless terminal device 101 transmits measurement information indicating measurement results of a sensor 21. Multiple low-level management devices 171 receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal devices 101. A high-level management device 161 communicates with each low-level management device 171. High-level management device 161 assigns terminal identification information registered in high-level management device 161 to each wireless terminal device 101, the data length of which is shorter than the unique identification information of the wireless terminal device 101. The wireless terminal device 101 includes the terminal identification information assigned by high-level management device 161 in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0432] This configuration reduces the amount of data transmitted in the wireless sensor system. Furthermore, since high-level management device 161 manages terminal identification information uniformly, overlap of terminal identification information can be avoided compared to, for example, a situation where terminal identification information is determined and allocated to each of the networks under the control of low-level management device 171. Consequently, even when the wireless terminal device 101 moves to another network under the control of another low-level management device 171 under the control of the same high-level management device 161, the wireless terminal device 101 can continue to use the same terminal identification information. This prevents empty numbers from appearing in the terminal identification information due to setting a specific allocation range for each network, thereby improving the efficiency of resource utilization, such as memory.

[0433] Therefore, in the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an excellent system for transmitting the measurement results of the sensor 21 from the wireless terminal device 101 to the low-order management device 171 can be constructed.

[0434] In the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the low-order management device 171 transmits measurement information obtained by changing terminal identification information included in measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device 101 to corresponding unique identification information to another device.

[0435] With this configuration, measurement information can be transmitted from the low-order management device 171 to another device that cannot process terminal identification information.

[0436] In a wireless sensor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more wireless terminal devices 101 are driven by power stored in a power storage unit and transmit measurement information indicating measurement results of a sensor 21. Multiple low-level management devices 171 receive the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal devices 101. A high-level management device 161 can communicate with each low-level management device 171. The high-level management device 161 assigns identification information in a format that allows identification of the measurement information to each wireless terminal device 101. The wireless terminal device 101 includes the identification information assigned by the high-level management device 161 in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0437] With this configuration, since high-level management device 161 uniformly manages terminal identification information, overlap of terminal identification information can be avoided compared to, for example, a situation where terminal identification information is determined and allocated to each network under the control of low-level management device 171. Therefore, even when the wireless terminal device 101 moves to a network under the control of another low-level management device 171 under the control of the same high-level management device 161, the wireless terminal device 101 can continue to use the same terminal identification information. This prevents empty numbers from appearing in the terminal identification information due to setting the allocation range of terminal identification information for each network, thereby improving the efficiency of resource utilization such as memory. In addition, since wireless terminal device 101 transmits information indicating its settings, high-level management device 161 can easily determine whether the settings of wireless terminal device 101 are appropriate. Furthermore, since identification information is included in measurement information, communication operations can be simplified.

[0438] Therefore, in the wireless sensor system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an excellent system for transmitting the measurement results of the sensor 21 from the wireless terminal device 101 to the low-order management device 171 can be constructed.

[0439] According to the communication control method of an embodiment of the present disclosure, first, high-level management device 161 assigns terminal identification information registered in high-level management device 161 to a wireless terminal device, the data length of which is shorter than the unique identification information of the wireless terminal device. Next, wireless terminal device 101 includes the terminal identification information assigned by high-level management device 161 in measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0440] With this configuration, the amount of data transmission can be reduced. Furthermore, since high-level management device 161 uniformly manages terminal identification information, overlap of terminal identification information can be avoided compared to, for example, a situation where terminal identification information is determined and allocated to each of the networks under the control of low-level management device 171. Therefore, even when the wireless terminal device 101 moves to a network under the control of another low-level management device 171 under the control of the same high-level management device 161, the wireless terminal device 101 can continue to use the same terminal identification information. This prevents empty numbers from appearing in the terminal identification information due to setting the allocation range of terminal identification information for each network, thereby improving the efficiency of resource utilization, such as memory.

[0441] Therefore, in the communication control method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an excellent system for transmitting the measurement result of the sensor 21 from the wireless terminal device 101 to the low-order management device 171 can be constructed.

[0442] In the communication control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, first, the high-level management device 161 assigns identification information in a format that allows identification of measurement information to the wireless terminal device 101. Next, the wireless terminal device 101 includes the identification information assigned by the high-level management device 161 in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

[0443] With this configuration, since the higher-level management device 16 uniformly manages identification information, overlap of identification information can be avoided compared to, for example, a situation where identification information is determined and allocated to each network under the control of the lower-level management device 171. Therefore, even when the wireless terminal device 101 moves to a network under the control of another lower-level management device 171 under the control of the same higher-level management device 161, the wireless terminal device 101 can continue to use the same identification information. This prevents empty numbers from appearing in the identification information due to setting the allocation range of identification information for each network, thereby improving the efficiency of resource utilization such as memory. Furthermore, since the wireless terminal device 101 transmits information indicating the contents of its settings, the higher-level management device 161 can easily determine whether the contents of the settings of the wireless terminal device 101 are appropriate. Furthermore, since the identification information is included in the measurement information, communication operations can be simplified.

[0444] Therefore, in the communication control method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an excellent system for transmitting the measurement result of the sensor 21 from the wireless terminal device 101 to the low-order management device 171 can be constructed.

[0445] The disclosed embodiments are only illustrative in all aspects and should not be considered restrictive.The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the scope of the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

[0446] The above description includes the functions described in the following additional description.

[0447]

Supplementary Note 1

[0448] A wireless sensor system comprising:

[0449] a wireless terminal device driven by the power stored in the power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of the sensor; and

[0450] A management device configured to receive measurement information sent from a wireless terminal device, wherein

[0451] The wireless terminal device performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmits measurement information in the first period, performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, and transmits other information in the second period, and

[0452] The wireless terminal device performs at least one of transitioning to the first sleep state after transmitting the measurement information and transitioning to the second sleep state after transmitting the other information.

[0453]

Supplementary Note 2

[0454] A wireless terminal device driven by power stored in a power storage unit, comprising:

[0455] a data creation unit configured to create measurement information indicating a measurement result of the sensor; and

[0456] a communication unit configured to transmit a radio signal including the measurement information or other information created by the data creation unit, wherein

[0457] The communication unit performs unidirectional communication in a first period, transmits measurement information in the first period, performs bidirectional communication in a second period different from the first period, and transmits other information in the second period, and

[0458] The wireless terminal device performs at least one of transitioning to the first sleep state after transmitting the measurement information and transitioning to the second sleep state after transmitting the other information.

[0459]

Supplementary Note 3

[0460] A wireless sensor system comprising:

[0461] a wireless terminal device driven by power stored in the power storage unit and configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of the sensor;

[0462] a relay device configured to relay information received from a wireless terminal device; and

[0463] A management device configured to receive measurement information relayed by a relay device, wherein

[0464] The wireless terminal device sends a preparation request,

[0465] The relay device receives the preparation request sent from the wireless terminal device and relays the preparation request to the management device,

[0466] The management device receives the preparation request relayed by the relay device and sends setting information related to the wireless terminal device to the relay device,

[0467] The relay device receives and saves the setting information sent from the management device.

[0468] After transmitting the preparation request, the wireless terminal device transitions to the first sleep state to stop the communication operation, and after returning from the first sleep state, transmits the setup request,

[0469] The relay device receives the setting request sent from the wireless terminal device and sends the setting information stored therein to the wireless terminal device, and

[0470] After sending the measurement information, the wireless terminal device switches to the second sleep state.

[0471]

Supplementary Note 4

[0472] A wireless sensor system comprising:

[0473] one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in the power storage unit and is configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of the sensor;

[0474] a plurality of low-order management devices configured to receive measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device; and

[0475] A high-level management device configured to communicate with each low-level management device, wherein

[0476] The high-level management device assigns terminal identification information registered in the high-level management device to each wireless terminal device, the data length of the terminal identification information being shorter than the unique identification information of the wireless terminal device,

[0477] The wireless terminal device includes the terminal identification information assigned by the high-level management device in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information, and

[0478] The wireless terminal device performs at least one of transitioning to the first sleep state after transmitting the measurement information and transitioning to the second sleep state after transmitting the other information.

[0479]

Supplementary Note 5

[0480] A wireless sensor system comprising:

[0481] one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in the power storage unit and is configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of the sensor;

[0482] a plurality of low-order management devices configured to receive measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device; and

[0483] A high-level management device configured to communicate with each low-level management device, wherein

[0484] The high-level management device assigns identification information of a format that allows identification of measurement information to each wireless terminal device,

[0485] The wireless terminal device includes the identification information assigned by the high-level management device in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information, and

[0486] The wireless terminal device performs at least one of transitioning to the first sleep state after transmitting the measurement information and transitioning to the second sleep state after transmitting the other information.

[0487] Reference Mark List

[0488] 1 sensor module

[0489] 21 Sensors

[0490] 22 Data Creation Unit

[0491] 23 Communication Unit

[0492] 24, 43, 53, 63 storage units

[0493] 41 Sensor side communication processing unit

[0494] 42 High-level communication processing unit

[0495] 51, 61 receiving processing unit

[0496] 52, 62 Send processing unit

[0497] 101 Wireless Terminal Equipment

[0498] 151 relay equipment

[0499] 161 Advanced Management Equipment

[0500] 171 Low-level management equipment

[0501] 181 Cloud Server

[0502] 301 Wireless Sensor System

Claims

1. A wireless sensor system comprising: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in the power storage unit and is configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of the sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, the plurality of low-order management devices being configured to receive the measurement information sent from the wireless terminal device; as well as A high-level management device, wherein the high-level management device is configured to communicate with each low-level management device, wherein the high-order management device assigning, to each wireless terminal device, terminal identification information of the wireless terminal device registered in the high-order management device having a data length shorter than unique identification information, and The wireless terminal device includes the terminal identification information assigned by the high-level management device in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information, wherein Each low-order management device transmits the measurement information obtained by changing the terminal identification information included in the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device to the corresponding unique identification information to another device.

2. A wireless sensor system comprising: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in the power storage unit and is configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of the sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, the plurality of low-order management devices being configured to receive the measurement information sent from the wireless terminal device; as well as A high-level management device configured to communicate with each low-level management device, wherein: The high-level management device assigns identification information that allows identification of the format of the measurement information to each wireless terminal device, and The wireless terminal device includes the identification information assigned by the high-order management device in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information.

3. A communication control method performed in a wireless sensor system, the wireless sensor system comprising: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in the power storage unit and is configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of the sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, the plurality of low-order management devices being configured to receive the measurement information sent from the wireless terminal device; and a high-level management device, wherein the high-level management device is configured to communicate with each low-level management device, the method comprising: assigning, by the high-level management device, to each wireless terminal device terminal identification information of the wireless terminal device registered in the high-level management device, the data length of which is shorter than the unique identification information; and Each wireless terminal device includes the terminal identification information assigned by the high-level management device in the measurement information and transmits the measurement information, wherein: The method further includes: each lower-order management device transmitting, to another device, the measurement information obtained by changing the terminal identification information included in the measurement information transmitted from the wireless terminal device to the corresponding unique identification information.

4. A communication control method performed in a wireless sensor system, the wireless sensor system comprising: one or more wireless terminal devices, each of which is driven by power stored in the power storage unit and is configured to transmit measurement information indicating a measurement result of the sensor; a plurality of low-order management devices, the plurality of low-order management devices being configured to receive the measurement information sent from the wireless terminal device; as well as a high-level management device configured to communicate with each low-level management device, The method comprises: assigning, by the high-level management device, identification information to each wireless terminal device that allows identification of a format of the measurement information; as well as Each wireless terminal device includes the identification information assigned by the high-order management device in the measurement information, and transmits the measurement information.

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