Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that make it possible to reduce communication between the device and a server. Provided are an air conditioner, a device provided with a temperature sensor for measuring the ambient temperature, and a server. The temperature measured by the temperature sensor is set as a condition under which the device performs transmission to the server. For example, by setting a temperature higher than the ambient temperature, the ambient temperature does not rise too high, and this reduces the frequency of communication to the server. The present invention can be applied to an air conditioner control system using a device provided with a sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program, and more particularly to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program capable of appropriately controlling a communication frequency with a server in a control system using an IoT device. Background Art

[0002] Control systems using Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become widely and commonly used.

[0003] For example, in a control system that controls the set temperatures of multiple air conditioners installed in a wide space such as an office, IoT devices, including temperature sensors installed at various locations throughout the room, transmit sensed temperature information to a server. The server then supplies the acquired temperature information to the air conditioners and controls the set temperatures based on the indoor temperature information acquired as sensed data by the air conditioners.

[0004] At this time, as the communication frequency between the IoT device and the server becomes higher, the set temperature can be controlled with higher accuracy, but the power consumption in the IoT device increases.

[0005] For example, in the case where an IoT device is driven by a battery, the higher the communication frequency, the faster the battery is consumed, the shorter the time that can be driven by the battery, and, for example, the frequency of maintenance such as battery replacement needs to be increased.

[0006] Therefore, a technology has been proposed for controlling the overall processing balance by switching the processing load of a device based on information on the remaining battery level or temperature of the device (see Patent Document 1).

[0007] Reference List

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2022 / 004412 Summary of the Invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the present invention

[0011] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, although the processing balance of the entire system can be controlled, if the communication frequency is simply reduced, the communication frequency is reduced, and there is a possibility that appropriate control cannot be performed even if an abnormal temperature change occurs.

[0012] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and in particular, the present disclosure enables appropriate control of the communication frequency with a server in a control system using an IoT device.

[0013] Solution to the problem

[0014] An information processing device and a program according to a first aspect of the present disclosure are an information processing device and a program that include a sensor that measures a sensor value, a transmission unit that transmits information of a sensor value measured by the sensor to a server device as sensor value information, and a transmission condition information acquisition unit that transmits the sensor value information, the transmission condition information being a condition of the sensor value when the transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the server device, wherein when the sensor value satisfies the condition based on the transmission condition information, the transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the server device.

[0015] An information processing method according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method, comprising the steps of: transmitting information of a sensor value measured by a sensor that measures a sensor value as sensor value information to a server device; and acquiring transmission condition information from the server device, the transmission condition information being a condition of the sensor value when the sensor value information is transmitted to the server device, wherein when the sensor value satisfies the condition based on the transmission condition information, the sensor value information is transmitted to the server device.

[0016] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a sensor value is measured, information of the measured sensor value is transmitted to a server device as sensor value information, transmission condition information is acquired from the server device, the transmission condition information being a condition of the sensor value when the sensor value information is transmitted to the server device, and when the sensor value satisfies a condition based on the transmission condition information, the sensor value information is transmitted to the server device.

[0017] An information processing device and program according to the second aspect of the present disclosure are an information processing device and program, including: a sensor value information acquisition unit, which acquires information of a sensor value measured and transmitted by a sensor of another information processing device as sensor value information; and a transmission condition information supply unit, which sets a condition of the sensor value when the other information processing device transmits the sensor value information to the information processing device, and supplies the information of the condition of the sensor value as transmission condition information to the other information processing device.

[0018] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method, comprising the following steps: acquiring information of a sensor value measured and transmitted by a sensor of another information processing device as sensor value information; setting a condition for the sensor value when the other information processing device transmits the sensor value information to the information processing device; and supplying the information of the condition of the sensor value as transmission condition information to the other information processing device.

[0019] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, information of a sensor value measured and transmitted by a sensor of another information processing device is obtained as sensor value information, conditions of the sensor value are set when the other information processing device transmits the sensor value information to the information processing device, and information of the conditions of the sensor value is supplied to the other information processing device as transmission condition information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 : is a diagram showing a configuration example of a first embodiment of the air conditioner control system of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A sequence diagram that summarizes the operations in .

[0022] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A hardware block diagram of an example configuration of the device in FIG.

[0023] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 Hardware block diagram of the server configuration example in .

[0024] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 Hardware block diagram of an example configuration of an air conditioner in .

[0025] Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 Hardware block diagram of the configuration example of the temperature setting panel in .

[0026] Figure 7 is a diagram showing description of SceneMode.

[0027] Figure 8 It shows Figure 1 Flowchart of the first task processing in .

[0028] Figure 9 It shows Figure 1 Flowchart of the second task processing in .

[0029] Figure 10 It shows Figure 1 Flowchart of the third task processing in .

[0030] Figure 11 It shows Figure 1 Flowchart of the fourth task processing in .

[0031] Figure 12 This is a sequence diagram when SceneMode is generated by SetSceneMode.

[0032] Figure 13: is a diagram showing a configuration example of a second embodiment of the air conditioner control system of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 14 It shows Figure 13 A sequence diagram that summarizes the operations in .

[0034] Figure 15 It shows Figure 13 A sequence diagram that summarizes the operations in .

[0035] Figure 16 It shows Figure 13 A hardware block diagram of an example configuration of the device in FIG.

[0036] Figure 17 It shows Figure 15 Flowchart of the thirteenth task processing.

[0037] Figure 18 It shows Figure 15 Flowchart of the fourteenth task processing.

[0038] Figure 19 It shows Figure 15 Flowchart of the fifteenth task processing.

[0039] Figure 20 Shown is a configuration example of a general-purpose computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0041] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present technology will be described. The description will be given in the following order.

[0042] 1. First Implementation

[0043] 2. Modification

[0044] 3. Second Implementation

[0045] 4. Examples of software execution

[0046] <<1. First embodiment>>

[0047] <Configuration Example of Air Conditioner Control System>

[0048] Specifically, the present disclosure enables a control system using an Internet of Things (IoT) device to appropriately control a communication frequency with a server.

[0049] Will refer to Figure 1A configuration example of an air conditioner (air conditioning) control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0050] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the air conditioner control system 11 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The air conditioner control system 11 in the system appropriately controls the set temperatures of a plurality of air conditioners provided in a relatively wide space such as an office, according to temperature conditions at respective locations provided in the space.

[0051] More specifically, if Figure 1 As shown, the air conditioner control system 11 according to the present embodiment includes devices 31 - 1 to 31 - x , a server 32 , air conditioners 33 - 1 to 33 - y , and temperature setting panels 34 - 1 to 34 - z .

[0052] It should be noted that, hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish the devices 31-1 to 31-x, the air conditioners 33-1 to 33-y, and the temperature setting panels 34-1 to 34-z individually, they are simply referred to as the device 31, the air conditioner 33, and the temperature setting panel 34.

[0053] Each of these devices functions as the air conditioner control system 11 by being connected to a network (not shown) via a base station (for example, a base station of a mobile phone, an access point of a wireless local area network (LAN), etc.) not shown, for example.

[0054] It should be noted that as a communication method used in the above-mentioned network, any method (for example, a fifth-generation communication system, WiFi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark) etc.) can be applied, whether wired or wireless, but a communication method that can transmit large amounts of data stably at high speed can be used.

[0055] The air conditioner control system 11 according to this embodiment can receive sensing data from a plurality of devices 31 and control the set temperature of the air conditioner 33 based on the received sensing data.

[0056] <Device>

[0057] The device 31 acquires sensing data (for example, temperature, image, sound, etc.) of the installed surrounding environment, and transmits distribution data (predetermined data) acquired from the acquired sensing data to the server 32 .

[0058] For example, the device 31 is set up at various locations in a space such as an office, where the temperature is controlled by the air conditioner 33, senses information of the surrounding environment necessary for controlling the set temperature of the air conditioner 33, and transmits the sensing data used as the sensing result to the server 32.

[0059] That is, in this instance, since the set temperature of the air conditioner 33 is controlled, the device 31 includes a temperature sensor for measuring the ambient temperature and an infrared camera used as a thermal image, and transmits temperature information obtained by the temperature sensor and sensing data including an infrared image captured by the infrared camera to the server 32.

[0060] It is to be noted that in embodiments of the present disclosure, the device 31 does not necessarily need to function as an infrared camera, as long as the device at least functions as a temperature measuring device.

[0061] The device 31 acquires information for controlling the communication frequency supplied from the server 32, and based on the acquired information for controlling the communication frequency, communicates the sensing data to the server 32. Note that control of the communication frequency will be described in detail later.

[0062] In addition, the device 31 is not limited to the above-mentioned devices. For example, the device 31 may be an imaging device (camera) mounted on a mobile object such as a car, an imaging device mounted on a smartphone carried by a user, or an imaging device such as a surveillance camera installed in a house, a store, etc., and in this case, the sensed data is an image.

[0063] In this case, these imaging devices can acquire an image by collecting light from a placed peripheral object, forming a light image on an imaging surface, and converting the light image formed on the imaging surface into an electrical image signal.

[0064] Note that the internal configuration of the device 31 is generally not limited, as long as the device has an interface (data transmission format, data transmission method, etc.) common to the air conditioner control system 11. Therefore, the air conditioner control system 11 according to this embodiment can employ various devices 31 having different specifications. Note that the detailed configuration of the device 31 will be described later.

[0065] <Server>

[0066] The server 32 acquires temperature information from the device 31 as sensing data and supplies the temperature information to the air conditioner 33. Furthermore, when acquiring setting information from the temperature setting panel 34, the server 32 supplies the acquired information of the setting temperature to the air conditioner 33.

[0067] Furthermore, the server 32 generates information for controlling the communication frequency of the device 31 based on the setting information from the temperature setting panel 34 , and transmits the information to the device 31 .

[0068] In addition, the server 32 can be realized by hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). It should be noted that the detailed configuration of the server 32 will be described later.

[0069] <Air Conditioner>

[0070] The air conditioner 33 is an air conditioning device installed in multiple places (such as an office) within a relatively wide space for controlling temperature, and when the temperature setting panel 34 is operated, it controls its own operating temperature based on temperature information that is sensing data from the device 31 and supplied from the server 32 and information on the set temperature supplied from the server 32.

[0071] <Temperature Setting Panel>

[0072] The temperature setting panel 34 is an operation panel operated by a user and installed in a plurality of places in a relatively wide space such as an office for controlling temperature, and transmits information of a set temperature corresponding to operation content to the server 32 .

[0073] < Figure 1 Overview of the operation of the air conditioner control system in>

[0074] Next, refer to Figure 2 The flowchart in Figure 1 An overview of the operation of the air conditioner control system 11 in FIG.

[0075] Note that in Figure 2 In the sequence diagram of FIG. 1 , operations of the device 31 and the server 32 will be described, but operations including the air conditioner 33 and the temperature setting panel 34 will be described in detail later.

[0076] In addition, Figure 2 In the present invention, the processing will be described based on an example in which commands including an application programming interface (API) are used when applying the specifications defined by the Network for Intelligent Camera Ecosystem (NICE) Alliance. However, there is no description indicating that the scope of application of this technology is limited to the NICE standard. That is, this technology can be applied to the NICE standard and can also be applied to standards other than the NICE standard.

[0077] like Figure 2 As shown in the left part of the , starting from the top, the first task, the second task, the third task and the fourth task are executed in this order. Figure 1 The operation of the air conditioner control system 11 in.

[0078] The first task is a processing task such as acquisition of destination information and time synchronization required for exchanging information defining an operation mode (referred to as SceneMode) related to control of the communication frequency of an IoT device (such as the device 31) with the server 32. The first task includes a processing task that is executed once at startup and a processing task that is executed periodically. Note that, referring to Figure 7 , describing a specific instance of SceneMode.

[0079] The second task is a processing task in which the device 31 requests and acquires SceneMode including various setting conditions related to control of the communication frequency from the server 32 based on the destination information acquired in the processing of the first task.

[0080] The third task is a processing task of the device 31 transmitting the sensed temperature of the surrounding environment to the server 32 at a communication frequency based on the SeneMode acquired in the second task.

[0081] The fourth task is the processing task of the server 32 and the temperature setting panel 34 (in Figure 2 (not shown in the sequence diagram), and is a processing task for updating the setting conditions of SceneMode for controlling the communication frequency according to the operation content of the temperature setting panel 34.

[0082] That is, in step S11 , the device 31 requests the server 32 for ManagementEndpoint, which is destination information of an API called GetManagementObject in a process in step S13 described later, by using a command including an API called GetManagementEndpoint.

[0083] Strictly speaking, ManagementEndpoint is a token for accessing the server of NICE License Authority that distributes management objects, public key information of the other party used for encryption, etc., but here, it is assumed that the server 32 is used as the server of NICE License Authority and the description is omitted.

[0084] In response to this process, in step S111, when GetManagementEndpoint is received, in step S112, the server 32 transmits the corresponding ManagementEndpoint to the device 31. In step S12, the device 31 obtains the ManagementEndpoint.

[0085] In step S13 , the device 31 requests the server 32 for ManagementObject, which is destination information of API called GetControlObject of the process in step S17 described later, by using a command including API called GetManagementObject on the basis of ManagementEndpoint.

[0086] Strictly speaking, the management object is a token for accessing the server of the NICE account service that passes the DeviceControl object, the public key information of the other party used for encryption, etc., but here, it is assumed that the server 32 is used as the server of the NICE licensing authority and the description is omitted.

[0087] In step S113, upon receiving GetManagementObject, the server 32 transmits the corresponding ManagementObject to the device 31 in step S114. In step S14, the device 31 obtains the management object.

[0088] In step S15, the device 31 uses a command including an API called GetDateTime to request time information from the server 32. In step S115, upon receiving GetDateTime, the server 32 transmits the DateTime, which is the current time information, to the device 31 in step S116. In step S16, the device 31 obtains the DateTime, which is the current time information, and synchronizes the time with the server 32.

[0089] In step S17, the device 31 requests a DeviceControl object using a command including an API called GetControlObject. The DeviceControl object is the destination information for a command including an API called GetSceneMode, which is the process in step S21 described later. After receiving the GetControlObject request in step S117, the server 32 transmits the DeviceControl object to the device 31 in step S118. In step S18, the device 31 obtains the DeviceControl object.

[0090] In step S19, device 31 uses a command including an API called GetDateTime to request time information from server 32. In step S119, upon receiving GetDateTime, server 32 transmits DateTime, which is information about the current time, to device 31 in step S120. In step S20, device 31 obtains DateTime, which is information about the current time, and synchronizes the time with server 32.

[0091] The processing up to this point is the processing of the first task. When the first processing is executed after the device 31 is activated, the processing of the first task is repeated at predetermined time intervals thereafter.

[0092] In step S21 , the device 31 requests SceneMode, which is information for controlling a transmission frequency of temperature information, which is sensing data, using a command including an API called GetSceneMode based on a DeviceControl object.

[0093] In step S121, when acquiring GetSceneMode, server 32 performs device condition settings based on the determined conditions for controlling the communication frequency, generates a SceneMode reflecting the device condition settings, and transmits the SceneMode to device 31. In step S22, when acquiring GetSceneMode, device 31 transmits temperature information to server 32. This temperature information is sensed data at the communication frequency based on the device condition settings under SceneMode in subsequent processing.

[0094] The device condition setting for controlling the communication frequency is, for example, a transmission condition of the device 31 based on temperature information as sensed data. For example, if the lower limit temperature of the temperature as sensed data is set to 30 degrees Celsius as a transmission condition, the transmission condition is considered to be satisfied when the temperature as sensed data exceeds 30 degrees Celsius as the lower limit temperature.

[0095] In this case, as the lower limit temperature set as the device condition is set to a higher temperature away from the currently set temperature, the frequency of satisfying the transmission condition becomes lower, causing the communication frequency to decrease. Conversely, as the lower limit temperature is set to a temperature closer to the set temperature, the frequency of satisfying the transmission condition becomes higher, and thus the communication frequency is set higher.

[0096] For example, the server 32 may set the threshold temperature to a high temperature that is away from the set temperature of the device 31 having a small battery amount or the set temperature of the device 31 that is expected to have a low remaining battery amount or already has a high load due to a high battery temperature, thereby reducing the communication frequency and suppressing the power consumption and load related to the communication.

[0097] Furthermore, since there is no need to consider the possibility of power loss in the device 31 to which the power supply is connected, the server 32 can increase the frequency of communication.

[0098] Furthermore, in the case where communication with the device 31 is paid communication, the server 32 may set the lower limit temperature to a high temperature away from the set temperature to reduce the frequency of communication and suppress the cost associated with the communication.

[0099] Furthermore, since there is no need to consider the communication cost of the device 31 or the like connected through a line that can be used free of charge, the server 32 can set the communication frequency to be high.

[0100] In addition, in the case where the communication load is a high load based on the state of the communication load between the server 32 and the device 31, the server 32 can set the lower limit temperature to a high temperature away from the set temperature, and can set the communication frequency to reduce the communication frequency and reduce the communication load.

[0101] Furthermore, the server 32 may compare the processing load in the server 32 with the processing load in the device 31 and set a lower limit temperature to balance the two processing loads. That is, for example, if the processing load of the device 31 is greater than the processing load of the server 32, the lower limit temperature is set to a higher temperature than the set temperature, and the communication frequency is set so that the communication load is reduced by lowering the communication frequency.

[0102] As the device condition setting, in addition to the lower limit specification of the sensing data, various conditions such as an upper limit specification, a range specification, an out-of-range specification, a specific value specification, and a value other than a specific value can be set.

[0103] Note that the above-mentioned GetSceneMode is an API defined in the NICE standard, but the device condition setting for determining the communication frequency with the server 32 in the device 31 is not defined in the standard and is assumed to be newly defined and used.

[0104] Furthermore, SceneMode generated by the server 32 based on GetSceneMode from the device 31 and supplied to the device 31 is also a command included in the API defined in the NICE standard, but device condition setting for controlling the communication frequency is not defined and is assumed to be newly defined and used.

[0105] Note that the processing of steps S21 , S121 , S122 , and S22 is the processing of the second task, but the processing of the second task is repeated at predetermined time intervals.

[0106] In step S23 , the device 31 measures the temperature of the surrounding environment, and when the temperature exceeds a lower limit temperature defined in SeneMode, for example, transmits the temperature information as sensing data to the server 32 using a command including an API called SetSceneMark.

[0107] The API called SetSceneMark is a command including an API that is sent when a transmission condition is satisfied according to a device condition setting based on SceneMode acquired by GetSceneMode.

[0108] In step S123, server 32 receives SetSceneMark, acquires temperature information as sensed data from device 31, and transmits a SetSceneMark receipt confirmation message in step S124. Device 31 receives SetSceneMark receipt confirmation message in step S24. At this point, server 32 supplies the temperature information included in SetSceneMark as sensed data from device 31 to air conditioner 33. Air conditioner 33 controls its own operating temperature based on the set temperature set by temperature setting panel 34 and the temperature information as sensed data. Specifically, if the temperature in the sensed data is higher than the set temperature, air conditioner 33 sets the operating temperature to a lower temperature. Conversely, if the temperature in the sensed data is lower than the set temperature, air conditioner 33 sets the operating temperature to a higher temperature.

[0109] In step S25, the device 31 measures the temperature of the surrounding environment, and when, for example, the lower limit temperature defined in SceneMode is exceeded, the device 31 uses a command including an API called SetSceneData to transmit information other than the temperature information as sensing data to the server 32. For example, if there is an infrared image of an infrared camera as temperature-related information, the device 31 transmits the infrared information using a command including an API called SetSceneData.

[0110] In step S125, server 32 receives SetSceneData and acquires the infrared image as sensing data of device 31. In step S126, server 32 transmits information confirming receipt of SetSceneData. In step S26, device 31 receives the SetSceneData receipt confirmation information. At this point, server 32 supplies the infrared image information, which is sensing data of device 31, included in SetSceneData, to air conditioner 33. Air conditioner 33 controls its own operating temperature based on the set temperature set by temperature setting panel 34 and the infrared image information, which is sensing data.

[0111] Note that although the processing of steps S23 to S26 and the processing of steps S123 to S126 mentioned above are the processing of the third task, when the device 31 repeats the temperature measurement of the surrounding environment and exceeds the lower limit temperature defined by SceneMode, the device transmits the temperature information (information and infrared image when an infrared camera is present) as sensing data to the server 32.

[0112] In addition, the fourth task will be described in detail later.

[0113] As described above, in the present disclosure, the server 32 sets a condition defining the communication frequency based on information about the device 31 based on GetSceneMode from the device 31, and transmits the condition as SceneMode to the device 31. The device 31 obtains the SceneMode supplied from the server 32, and transmits sensing data only when the transmission condition is satisfied based on the device condition setting defining the communication frequency.

[0114] Thereby, the frequency of communication from the device 31 to the server 32 is reduced, so that power consumption associated with communication in the device 31 can be reduced.

[0115] In addition, at this time, by setting the temperature as a condition for defining the communication frequency, for example, by setting a temperature at which it is clearly believed that an abnormality has occurred, even if the communication frequency is set to a relatively low level, when the temperature reaches an abnormal level, temperature information as detection data is reliably transmitted, so that the communication frequency can be appropriately controlled.

[0116] Furthermore, therefore, an IoT device that can be used as the device 31 can be used even in a configuration including only a small battery as long as the same application is installed.

[0117] Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the load on the communication lines between the device 31 and the server 32. Thus, the processing load itself of the server 32 can also be reduced.

[0118] Furthermore, the communication cost between the device 31 and the server 32 can be reduced, and for example, even in scale-up, the reinforcement cost of the server 32 can be reduced.

[0119] <Configuration Example of Device>

[0120] Next, we will refer to Figure 3 A configuration example of the device 31 is described. Figure 3 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the device 31 according to the present embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, the device 31 includes a sensor unit 51 , a control unit 52 , a communication unit 53 and a storage unit 54 .

[0121] The sensor unit 51 acquires sensing data and outputs the acquired sensing data to the control unit 52 described later. Specifically, when the device 31 has a function of measuring the temperature in the air conditioner control system 11, the sensor unit 51 functions as a temperature sensor and outputs the temperature of the surrounding environment as sensing data to the control unit 52.

[0122] In addition, the sensor unit 51 can acquire other sensing data as long as the information is information about the surrounding environment that can be used to control the air conditioner 33, and for example, in the case of setting an infrared camera, etc., the sensor unit can be used as a thermal image by capturing an image corresponding to the temperature as an infrared image, and therefore, in this case, the infrared image can be acquired as sensing data and output to the control unit 52.

[0123] Note that the sensor unit 51 may be provided so as to be fixed in the device 31 , or may be detachably provided on the device 31 .

[0124] In addition, in addition to the temperature sensor and the infrared imaging device, the sensor unit 51 may include a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor (not shown) as a depth sensor. The TOF sensor can obtain shape information (depth information / image) such as the distance and unevenness between the TOF sensor and the object by directly or indirectly measuring the return time of the reflected light from the object. In addition, the sensor unit 51 may include a sound collection device (microphone), a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a sunlight sensor, etc., and is not particularly limited as long as it can obtain sensing data from the surrounding environment. It should be noted that in this specification, an example of a case where temperature and infrared images are obtained as sensing data will be described.

[0125] The control unit 52 has the functions of processing the sensing data acquired by the sensor unit 51, controlling the communication unit 53, and transmitting the sensing data to the server 32. The control unit 52 is implemented by a processing circuit such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. Specifically, Figure 3As shown, the control unit 52 includes a communication destination acquisition unit 71 , a SceneMode acquisition unit 72 , a data processing unit 73 , a condition determination unit 74 , and an information transmission unit 75 .

[0126] The communication destination acquisition unit 71 primarily executes the API commands for GetManagementEndpoint, GetManagementObject, GetControlObject, and GetDateTime described in the first task processing. Specifically, the communication destination acquisition unit 71 controls the communication unit 53 to communicate with the server 32, acquires information related to the communication destination, and stores the acquired information as destination information 61 in the storage unit 54. Furthermore, the communication destination acquisition unit 71 can read and use the destination information 61 stored in the storage unit 54 as needed.

[0127] The SceneMode acquisition unit 72 executes a command of the API called GetSceneMode, mainly in the second task processing described above, obtains the destination information 61 from the storage unit 54, and sends GetSceneMode to the server 32. The SceneMode acquisition unit 72 then acquires the SceneMode supplied from the server 32 in response thereto, and stores it in the storage unit 54 as SceneMode information 62.

[0128] The data processing unit 73 mainly performs the third task processing described above, acquires temperature and infrared images as sensing data from the sensor unit 51 , processes the temperature and infrared images into a predetermined format, and outputs the processed data to the condition determination unit 74 .

[0129] Condition determination unit 74 primarily performs the third task processing described above. It reads the SceneMode information 62 from storage unit 54, acquires device condition settings based on the description of SceneMode in SceneMode information 62, and determines whether the transmission conditions for the sensed data are met based on the sensed data from data processing unit 73. If the sensed data meets the transmission conditions, condition determination unit 74 outputs a transmission instruction for the sensed data to information transmission unit 75.

[0130] The information transmission unit 75 mainly performs the third task processing mentioned above. When receiving a sending instruction from the condition determination unit 74, it executes a command containing APIs such as SetSceneMark or SetSceneData, obtains the destination information 61 from the storage unit 54, and controls the communication unit 82 to transmit the detection data supplied from the information transmission unit 75 to the server 32.

[0131] The communication unit 53 transmits information to and receives information from an external device (such as the server 32). The communication unit 53 can be said to be a communication interface having the function of sending and receiving data. It should be noted that the communication unit 53 is implemented by a communication device (not shown) such as a communication antenna, a transmission / reception circuit, and a port.

[0132] The storage unit 54 stores destination information 61 and SceneMode information 62, and stores programs, information, etc. for the control unit 52 to perform various types of processing, and information obtained by the processing. The storage unit 54 is realized by a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0133] <Server Configuration Example>

[0134] Next, we will refer to Figure 4 A configuration example of the server 32 according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 4 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server 32 according to the present embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, the server 32 includes a control unit 81 , a communication unit 82 , and a storage unit 83 .

[0135] The control unit 81 controls the communication unit 82 to communicate with the device 31 , the air conditioner 33 , and the temperature setting panel 34 , and supplies sensing data from the device 31 and temperature setting information from the temperature setting panel 34 to the air conditioner 33 .

[0136] The control unit 81 is implemented by, for example, a processing circuit such as a CPU or a GPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. Specifically, Figure 4 As shown, the control unit 81 includes a communication destination transmission unit 91 , a SceneMode transmission unit 92 , a panel operation reception unit 93 , a device information reception unit 94 , and an information transmission unit 95 .

[0137] The communication destination transmission unit 91 mainly performs response processing of commands including APIs such as GetManagementEndpoint, GetManagementObject, GetControlObject, and GetDateTime in the first task processing, and controls the communication unit 82 to transmit destination information as a communication destination to the device 31 .

[0138] The SceneMode transmission unit 92 mainly performs the second task processing, acquires the device determination condition 101 stored in the storage unit 83, and generates SceneMode information in response to a command including an API called GetSceneMode from the device 31. Then, the SceneMode transmission unit 92 controls the communication unit 82 to transmit the generated SceneMode information to the device 31.

[0139] The panel operation receiving unit 93 mainly performs a fourth task process of acquiring temperature setting information from the temperature setting panel 34 and recording the temperature setting information in the storage unit 83 as the device determination condition 101 .

[0140] The device information receiving unit 94 mainly performs a third task process, acquires sensing data by receiving a command including an API called SetSceneMark and SetSceneData from the device 31 , and outputs the sensing data to the information transmission unit 95 .

[0141] When the information transmission unit 95 mainly performs the fourth task process and acquires the sensing data from the device 31 supplied from the device information reception unit 94 , the information transmission unit transmits the sensing data to the air conditioner 33 .

[0142] Since the communication unit 82 and the storage unit 83 basically have the same configuration as the communication unit 53 and the storage unit 54 , description thereof will be omitted.

[0143] <Air Conditioner Configuration Example>

[0144] Next, we will refer to Figure 5 A configuration example of the air conditioner 33 is described. Figure 5 : is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the air conditioner 33 according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 As shown, the air conditioner 33 includes a control unit 121, a communication unit 122, and an air conditioning control unit 123. Note that the communication unit 122 has basically the same configuration as the communication units 53 and 82, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

[0145] The control unit 121 controls the communication unit 122, acquires information of the sensing data of the device 31 supplied from the server 32, and controls the air conditioning control unit 123. The control unit 121 is implemented by a processing circuit such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. Specifically, Figure 5 As shown, the control unit 121 includes a control information receiving unit 131 .

[0146] The control information receiving unit 131 obtains information on the sensing data of the device 31 and the set temperature of the temperature setting panel 34 supplied from the server 32 via the communication unit 122, controls the air conditioning control unit 123 based on the sensing data and the set temperature information, and controls the temperature setting of the air conditioner 33.

[0147] <Configuration Example of Temperature Setting Panel>

[0148] Next, we will refer to Figure 6 A configuration example of the temperature setting panel 34 is described. Figure 6 : is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the temperature setting panel 34 according to the present embodiment. Figure 6 As shown, the temperature setting panel 34 includes a control unit 151, a communication unit 152, and a panel unit 153. Note that the communication unit 152 has basically the same configuration as the communication units 53, 82, and 122, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

[0149] When the information of the set temperature is acquired from the panel unit 153, the control unit 151 controls the communication unit 152 to transmit the information to the server 32. The control unit 151 is implemented by a processing circuit such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. Specifically, Figure 6 As shown, the control unit 151 includes an information transmission unit 161 .

[0150] The information transmission unit 161 acquires the information of the set temperature from the panel unit 153 and controls the communication unit 152 to supply the information to the server 32 .

[0151] When receiving an operation input for setting a temperature from the user, the panel unit 153 outputs information on the set temperature corresponding to the received operation input to the control unit 151 .

[0152] More specifically, the panel unit 153 includes an operation unit 171 and a display unit 172. The operation unit 171 includes operation buttons, switches, etc., outputs an operation signal corresponding to an operation input for setting the temperature, and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 151 as information on the setting temperature input by the user.

[0153] The display unit 172 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), various operation lamps, and the like, and displays information of a currently set temperature and information of a set temperature according to an operation input.

[0154] <scenemode>

[0155] Next, we will refer to Figure 7 Description Description of SceneMode. Figure 7 An example of description of SceneMode is shown.

[0156] SceneMode defines conditions for transmitting sensing data acquired by the sensor unit 51 of the device 31 to the server 32 .

[0157] Figure 7 The description in the third line clearly indicates that it is a SceneMode in the NICE definition.

[0158] Furthermore, the description as the fifth to seventh lines defines the identifier (TransducerID) of the sensor of the device 31 as the transmission source and the interval (TransmissionInterval) of the time to transmit the sensing data.

[0159] The device condition setting is a transmission condition of the sensing data of the device 31 and is defined by the descriptions in the eighth to twenty-first lines (SceneModeConfig, line 8, AnalysisStage, line 14).

[0160] Specifically, in the sixteenth line, AnalysisThreshold is used to specify the lower limit value for determining the transmission of the sensing data, and in the seventeenth line, AdditionalThreshold is used to specify the upper limit value for determining the transmission of the sensing data.

[0161] That is, in the case where the sensed data is temperature, when 30 degrees is set as the analysis threshold, if the sensed data is equal to or greater than 30 degrees specified as the lower limit value, it is determined that the sensed data is transmitted to the server 32. Furthermore, when 30 degrees is set as the additional threshold, if the sensed data is equal to or less than 30 degrees as the upper limit value specification, it is determined that the sensed data is transmitted to the server 32.

[0162] Furthermore, a specific value when it is determined that the sensing data is to be transmitted is set by EqualsThreshold in the eighteenth row, and a value other than the specific value when it is determined that the sensing data is to be transmitted is set by NotEqualsThreshold in the nineteenth row.

[0163] That is, when 30 degrees is set as EqualsThreshold, the sensor data is determined to be transmitted to the server 32 only when the sensor data is 30 degrees, which is a specific value. In addition, when 30 degrees is set as NotEqualsThreshold, the sensor data is determined to be transmitted to the server 32 when the sensor data is not 30 degrees (it is a value other than the specific value).

[0164] Furthermore, in the case where the edge condition is set as the type of condition for determining transmission by DetectType on the twentieth line, when a value change across AnalysisThreshold or AdditionalThreshold occurs, it is determined that transmission is to be performed.

[0165] Furthermore, by TriggerDelay on the twenty-first line, a predetermined time required for continuously satisfying the threshold condition for determining transmission in the case where DetectType is set to the level condition is defined.

[0166] In SceneMode, conditions for transmitting sensing data to the server 32 are defined, and therefore it is sufficient if the information is described in any one of the device condition settings.

[0167] <First Task Processing>

[0168] Next, we will refer to Figure 8 The flowchart of FIG. 3 describes a first task process performed by the device 31 and the server 32 .

[0169] In step S201 , the communication destination acquisition unit 71 of the control unit 52 in the device 31 determines whether the processing timing related to the API of GetManagementEndpoint has arrived.

[0170] Then, in the event that it is determined in step S201 that the processing timing related to GetManagementEndpoint has arrived, the process proceeds to step S202 .

[0171] In step S202 , the communication destination acquisition unit 71 controls the communication unit 53 to execute the commands of GetManagementEndpoint, GetManagementObject, GetDateTime, and GetControlObject for the server 32 .

[0172] In response to this, in the server 32 , in step S211 , the communication destination transmission unit 91 controls the communication unit 82 to determine whether the communication related to GetManagementEndpoint has arrived.

[0173] Then, in step S211 , in the case where communication related to GetManagementEndpoint has arrived, the process proceeds to step S212 .

[0174] In step S212 , the communication destination transmission unit 91 controls the communication unit 82 to transmit a response to the command of GetManagementEndpoint, GetManagementObject, GetDateTime, or GetControlObject to the device 31 .

[0175] In step S203 , the communication destination acquisition unit 71 controls the communication unit 53 to acquire the destination information transmitted from the server 32 , and stores the destination information in the storage unit 54 as the destination information 61 .

[0176] Note that in step S201, if it is not the processing timing related to GetManagementEndpoint, the processing of steps S202 and S203 is skipped. In addition, in step S211, if the communication related to GetManagementEndpoint has not arrived, the processing of step S212 is skipped.

[0177] In steps S204 and S213 , the communication destination acquisition unit 71 and the communication destination transmission unit 91 each determine whether an instruction to end the process is given, and if no instruction to end the process is given, the process returns to steps S201 and S211 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

[0178] Then, in the case where the end instruction is given in steps S204 and S214, the processing ends.

[0179] That is, the above processing corresponds to Figure 2 The process of the first task process is performed, and through this process, in the device 31, the destination information 61 acquired from the server 32 is stored in the storage unit 54.

[0180] <Second Task Processing>

[0181] Next, we will refer to Figure 9 The flowchart of FIG. 3 describes the second task processing performed by the device 31 and the server 32 .

[0182] In step S231, the SceneMode acquisition unit 72 of the control unit 52 in the device 31 determines whether the processing timing associated with the API called GetSceneMode has arrived.

[0183] Then, in the event that determination is made in step S231 that the processing timing related to GetSceneMode has arrived, the process proceeds to step S232 .

[0184] In step S232 , the SceneMode acquisition unit 72 issues a GetSceneMode command, controls the communication unit 53 , and transmits the command to the server 32 .

[0185] In response to this, in the server 32 , in step S241 , the SceneMode transmission unit 92 controls the communication unit 82 to determine whether GetSceneMode has arrived.

[0186] Then, in step S241, in the case where GetSceneMode arrives, the process proceeds to step S242.

[0187] In step S242, the SceneMode transmission unit 92 accesses the storage unit 83, reads the device determination condition 101, sets the device condition based on the device determination condition 101 as a response to the GetSceneMode command, and generates the following: Figure 7 The SceneMode shown is set to reflect the device condition, controls the communication unit 82, and transmits the SceneMode to the device 31.

[0188] The device determination condition 101 includes information on the set temperature of the air conditioner 33 set by operating the temperature setting panel 34 through the fourth task processing to be described later. Based on the set temperature of the air conditioner 33 as the device determination condition, for example, when it is desired to reduce the communication frequency when the set temperature is 25 degrees, the SceneMode transmission unit 92 sets the lower limit temperature to, for example, 30 degrees, which is about 5 degrees higher than the set temperature.

[0189] That is, if the air conditioner 33 is properly controlled, then as long as it is set to 25 degrees, the possibility of the room temperature exceeding 30 degrees is low, and therefore the communication frequency can be reduced. Furthermore, in this case, if 26 degrees is set as the lower limit temperature, there is a possibility that the frequency of exceeding the lower limit temperature will increase during the daytime in summer. Therefore, based on the current set temperature of the air conditioner 33 included in the device determination condition 101, the SceneMode transmission unit 92 assumes a frequency that satisfies the transmission condition (i.e., the communication frequency), and reflects the device condition under SceneMode.

[0190] Note that the communication frequency can be set according to the state of the device 31. For example, the communication frequency can be controlled based on the battery remaining amount or the battery temperature of the device 31, and for example, when the battery remaining amount is low, the communication frequency can be lowered.

[0191] Furthermore, in a case where the line load of the communication line between the device 31 and the server 32 is higher than a predetermined value, the communication frequency may be set to decrease.

[0192] Furthermore, the device 31 with low communication fee can increase the communication frequency by relaxing the threshold or the like.

[0193] Furthermore, in the control of the communication frequency, in addition to the threshold determination, the change in the processing balance between the server and the edge can also be considered.

[0194] In addition, regarding control, in addition to the reference Figure 7 In addition to the control defined in the described SceneMode, for example, device condition setting can be performed so that communication starts when the angle exceeds 30 degrees and then stops when the angle falls below 25 degrees.

[0195] Furthermore, device condition setting may be performed such that communication is performed when the temperature of the surrounding environment where data is sensed is approximately 30° C. and starts to rapidly rise at a predetermined rate or more.

[0196] Furthermore, SetSceneMark may be issued when the device 31 stores a reference temperature rise rate according to the characteristics of its own temperature sensor or the like, and the temperature rise rate of the actual surrounding environment rises faster than the reference temperature rise rate.

[0197] In step S233 , the SceneMode acquisition unit 72 controls the communication unit 53 to acquire SceneMode that sets the device condition as a response to the GetSceneMode command transmitted from the server 32 , and stores the SceneMode in the storage unit 54 as the SceneMode information 62 .

[0198] Note that in step S231, if it is not a processing timing related to GetSceneMode, the processing of steps S232 and S233 is skipped. In addition, in step S241, if GetSceneMode does not occur, the processing of step S242 is skipped.

[0199] In steps S234 and S243 , the SceneMode acquisition unit 72 and the SceneMode transmission unit 92 each determine whether an instruction to end the process is given, and in a case where an instruction to end the process is not given, the process returns to steps S231 and S241 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

[0200] Then, in the case where the end instruction is given in steps S234 and S243, the processing ends.

[0201] The above processing corresponds to Figure 2 The second task processing is performed, and by this processing, in the device 31, the SceneMode for which the device condition is set and acquired from the server 32 is stored in the storage unit 54 as SceneMode information 62. That is, in the device 31, the communication frequency is controlled based on the device condition setting described in the description of the SceneMode stored as the SceneMode information 62.

[0202] <Third Task Processing>

[0203] Next, we will refer to Figure 10 The flowchart of FIG. 3 describes the third task processing performed by the device 31 , the server 32 , and the air conditioner 33 .

[0204] In step S261 , the data processing unit 73 of the control unit 52 in the device 31 acquires, for example, temperature information and an infrared image as the sensing data supplied from the sensor unit 51 , and outputs them to the condition determination unit 74 .

[0205] In step S262 , the condition determination unit 74 accesses the storage unit 54 , searches for the SceneMode information 62 as a response to GetSceneMode, and determines whether the SceneMode information 62 is acquired and the device condition setting is performed at least once, and the acquired sensing data satisfies the device condition setting.

[0206] Then, in step S262 , in a case where it is determined that the SceneMode information 62 has been acquired at least once and the device condition setting has been performed, and the acquired sensing data satisfies the device condition setting, the process proceeds to step S263 .

[0207] In step S263 , the condition determination unit 74 outputs the sensing data to the information transmission unit 75 and instructs the transmission of the sensing data. In response, the information transmission unit 75 generates SetSceneMark or SetSceneData based on the sensing data and controls the communication unit 53 to transmit SetSceneMark or SetSceneData to the server 32 .

[0208] Note that in step S262 , in a case where the SceneMode information 62 has never been GetSceneMode information 62 , or the device condition setting has not been performed, or the acquired sensing data does not satisfy the device condition setting, the process of step S263 is skipped.

[0209] In step S271 , the device information receiving unit 94 of the control unit 81 in the server 32 controls the communication unit 82 to determine whether SetSceneMark or SetSceneData has been received from the device 31 .

[0210] Then, in step S271 , in the case where it is determined that SetSceneMark or SetSceneData is received from the device 31 , the process proceeds to step S272 .

[0211] In step S272, the device information receiving unit 94 controls the communication unit 82 to acquire SetSceneMark or SetSceneData, extracts the included sensing data, and outputs the extracted sensing data to the information transmission unit 95. Then, the information transmission unit 95 controls the communication unit 82 to transmit the sensing data to the air conditioner 33.

[0212] It should be noted that in the event that it is determined in step S271 that SetSceneMark or SetSceneData is not the drawing state St3, the processing of step S272 is skipped.

[0213] In step S281 , the control information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 121 in the air conditioner 33 controls the communication unit 122 to determine whether the sensing data of the device 31 has been transmitted from the server 32 .

[0214] Then, in the case where it is determined in step S281 that the sensing data of the device 31 is transmitted from the server 32 , the process proceeds to step S282 .

[0215] In step S282 , the control information receiving unit 131 controls the air conditioning control unit 123 based on the sensing data supplied from the server 32 via the communication unit 122 and the set temperature corresponding to the operation content of the temperature setting panel 34 to control the set temperature.

[0216] Note that, in a case where the sensing data of the device 31 is not transmitted from the server 32 in step S281 , the process of step S282 is skipped.

[0217] In steps S264, S273, and S283, the condition determination unit 74, the device information receiving unit 94, and the control information receiving unit 131 each determine whether an instruction to end the processing is given, and if no instruction to end the processing is given, the processing returns to steps S261, S271, and S281, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

[0218] Then, in the case where an end instruction is given in steps S264, S273, and S283, the processing ends.

[0219] That is, the above processing corresponds to Figure 2 The third task process of the embodiment is performed, and through this process, in the device 31, SetSceneMark or SetSceneData including the sensing data is transmitted only when the device condition setting defined based on the SceneMode information 62 acquired from the server 32 satisfies the transmission condition.

[0220] Thereby, the communication frequency of the device 31 to the server 32 is controlled, and thus, for example, communication at the communication frequency set based on the device condition is achieved.

[0221] That is, for example, by setting the device condition setting so that the transmission condition is hardly satisfied, the communication frequency can be reduced.

[0222] <Fourth Task Processing>

[0223] Next, we will refer to Figure 11 The flowchart of FIG. 3 describes the fourth task processing performed by the temperature setting panel 34 and the server 32 .

[0224] In step S291 , the information transmission unit 161 of the control unit 151 in the temperature setting panel 34 controls the panel unit 153 to determine whether the operation unit 171 has been operated and the temperature setting has been changed.

[0225] In a case where it is determined in step S291 that the operation unit 171 has been operated and the temperature setting has been changed, the process proceeds to step S292 .

[0226] In step S292 , the information transmission unit 161 controls the communication unit 152 to transmit the temperature setting information changed by the operation signal corresponding to the operation content of the operation unit 171 of the panel unit 153 to the server 32 .

[0227] Note that, in a case where the operation unit 171 is not operated and the temperature setting is not changed in step S291, the processing of step S292 is skipped.

[0228] In step S301 , the panel operation receiving unit 93 of the control unit 81 in the server 32 controls the communication unit 82 to determine whether the temperature setting information has been supplied from the temperature setting panel 34 .

[0229] In a case where it is determined in step S301 that the temperature setting information has been supplied from the temperature setting panel 34 , the process proceeds to step S302 .

[0230] In step S302 , the panel operation receiving unit 93 controls the communication unit 82 to acquire temperature setting information from the temperature setting panel 34 , updates the device determination condition 101 , and reflects the temperature setting information in the next response of GetSceneMode.

[0231] Note that, in a case where the temperature setting information is not supplied from the temperature setting panel 34 in step S301 , the process of step S302 is skipped.

[0232] In step S303, the panel operation receiving unit 93 controls the communication unit 82 to transmit the temperature setting information to the air conditioner 33. In this way, the control information receiving unit 131 of the air conditioner 33 acquires and stores the temperature setting information as control information, and controls the air conditioning control unit 123 together with the sensing data supplied thereafter.

[0233] In steps S293 and S304 , the information transmission unit 161 and the panel operation receiving unit 93 each determine whether an instruction to end the process is given, and if no instruction to end the process is given, the process returns to steps S291 and S301 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

[0234] Then, in the case where the end instruction is given in steps S293 and S304, the processing ends.

[0235] That is, the above processing corresponds to Figure 2 The fourth task process is executed. When the temperature setting panel 34 is operated, temperature setting information corresponding to the operation is supplied to the server 32. The device determination condition 101 defining the device condition setting is updated and used to generate a SceneMode as a response to the next GetSceneMode call. Furthermore, the temperature setting information is supplied to the air conditioner 33 and used for air conditioning control.

[0236] The air conditioner control system has been described above, which controls the air conditioner using the temperature as the sensor value detected by the device 31 including the temperature sensor using the API defined in the NICE standard.

[0237] However, the sensor provided in the device may be a sensor other than a temperature sensor, and for example, the system may be applied to a system for monitoring congestion conditions by detecting a vehicle speed as a sensor value by a device including a vehicle speed sensor and transmitting sensing data including the detected vehicle speed to a server to manage vehicle speed information.

[0238] In this case, for example, the communication frequency with the server can be reduced by transmitting the vehicle speed as a sensor value to the server as sensing data only when the vehicle speed as a sensor value of the vehicle speed sensor exceeds the vehicle speed set to the lower limit value.

[0239] In addition, the system can be applied to a system in which a sensor supplied in a device detects location information as a sensor value through the device including a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, and transmits sensing data including the detected location information to a server, and the system manages location information of users carrying the device and monitors congestion conditions.

[0240] In this case, for example, based on the position information as a sensor value of a GPS sensor, the position information as a sensor value may be transmitted to the server as sensing data only when the moving distance from the position where the position information was transmitted to the server immediately before exceeds the moving distance set to the lower limit value, thereby reducing the communication frequency with the server.

[0241] <<2. Modifications>>

[0242] Although an example has been described above in which the server 32 transmits SceneMode to the device 31 as a response based on GetSceneMode from the device 31 , the server 32 may directly supply SceneMode without waiting for a request from the device 31 by a command including an API called SetSceneMode.

[0243] The API called SetSceneMode is an API for setting SceneMode. Specifically, GetSceneMode is an API for requesting SceneMode setting, and when this is supplied from device 31, server 32 sets SceneMode to device 31 as a response to GetSceneMode. However, SetSceneMode is an API for setting SceneMode even when there is no request such as GetSceneMode. Therefore, here, server 32 sets SceneMode to device 31 using the API called SetSceneMode.

[0244] Figure 12 3 is a sequence diagram showing processing in the case where the server 32 sets SceneMode to the device 31 through an API called SetSceneMode.

[0245] It should be noted that Figure 12 The processing of steps S311 to S320 and the processing of steps S411 to S420 are the first task processing. The processing of steps S321 and S322 and the processing of steps S421 and S422 are the second task processing. The processing of steps S323 to S326 and the processing of steps S423 to S425 are the third task processing and the fourth task processing.

[0246] because Figure 12 The first, third and fourth tasks in the reference Figure 2 The processing described in the sequence diagram is similar, so its description will be omitted.

[0247] That is, in Figure 12 In, with Figure 2 The difference is the second task.

[0248] In step S421 of the second task processing, the SceneMode transmission unit 92 of the control unit 81 in the server 32 accesses the storage unit 83, reads the device determination condition 101, sets the device condition based on the device determination condition 101 according to the SetSceneMode command, and generates the following: Figure 7 The SceneMode shown is set to reflect the device condition, and the communication unit 82 is controlled to transmit the SceneMode to the device 31.

[0249] In step S321 , the SceneMode acquisition unit 72 controls the communication unit 53 to acquire SceneMode for performing device condition setting based on SetSceneMode transmitted from the server 32 , and stores the SceneMode in the storage unit 54 as the SceneMode information 62 .

[0250] Then, in step S322 , the SceneMode acquisition unit 72 transmits a reception confirmation of SetSceneMode to the server 32 .

[0251] In response to this, in step S422 , the SceneMode transmission unit 92 receives a reception confirmation.

[0252] Through the above processing, similar to Figure 2 In the second task processing, in the device 31, the device condition setting is performed and the SceneMode acquired from the server 32 is stored in the storage unit 54 as SceneMode information 62. That is, in the device 31, hereinafter, the communication frequency is controlled based on the device condition setting of the SceneMode information 62.

[0253] <<3. Second embodiment>>

[0254] <Configuration Example of Air Conditioner Control System Including Device Capable of Ad-hoc Communication>

[0255] An example has been described above in which the device 31 determines whether to transmit the sensing data to the server 32 based on the device condition setting defined in SceneMode. However, in this case, since the determination based on the sensing data of multiple devices must be performed by the server 32, not only the load on the communication line increases, but also the processing load of the server 32 increases.

[0256] Thus, ad-hoc communication (direct communication) can be performed between devices, and after a determination based on sensing data is made between the devices, it can be comprehensively determined whether to transmit the sensing data to the server 32, and then the sensing data can be transmitted to the server 32, thereby reducing the communication frequency.

[0257] Figure 13 A configuration example of an air conditioner control system 11 ′ that performs ad-hoc communication between devices is shown.

[0258] It should be noted that Figure 13 The air conditioner control system 11' has Figure 1 Components having the same functions as those of the air conditioner control system 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be appropriately omitted.

[0259] Figure 13 The air conditioner control system 11 'and Figure 1 The air conditioner control system 11 in FIG. 1 is different in that a device 31 ′ capable of ad-hoc communication is provided instead of the device 31 .

[0260] In addition, the device 31' has the same basic functions as the device 31, but is further configured to enable ad-hoc communication between other devices 31'. When establishing ad-hoc communication, one of the multiple devices 31' is set as a representative device based on the mutual capability parameter, and the other devices are set as slave devices.

[0261] Then, the representative device collects sensing data from the slave devices, performs statistical processing such as obtaining an average value of sensing data of a plurality of devices 31 ′, performs transmission determination to the server 32 based on SceneMode, and transmits the sensing data to the server 32 when transmission conditions are met.

[0262] Therefore, since communication with the server 32 is performed only through the representative device, the communication frequency between the device 31 ′ and the server 32 can be reduced, and the communication load, power consumption, and communication fee can be reduced.

[0263] < Figure 13 Overview of the operation of the air conditioner control system in>

[0264] Next, refer to Figure 14 and Figure 15 A sequence diagram describing Figure 13 An overview of the operation of the air conditioner control system 11 ′ in FIG.

[0265] It should be noted that Figure 14 and Figure 15 In the sequence diagram of FIG, operations of two devices 31' and a server 32 will be described, and the processes of the first device, the second device, and the server will be described from the left in the drawing.

[0266] Here, when determining the representative device and slave devices described later, it is assumed that there are two devices 31' having different processing capabilities. Therefore, in the figure, the device 31' having a high processing capability is represented as "device (H)", and the processing is described in the center of the figure. Conversely, the device 31' having a low processing capability is represented as "device (L)", and the processing is described in the left part of the figure.

[0267] Note that operations involving the air conditioner 33 and the temperature setting panel 34 are similar to the above-described processing, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

[0268] exist Figure 13 In the operation of the air conditioner control system 11 ', as Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown in the left part of , processing is performed in the order of the eleventh task, the twelfth task, the thirteenth task, the fourteenth task, and the fifteenth task from the top.

[0269] Figure 14 The eleventh and twelfth tasks in Figure 2 The first task and the second task in the same task processing, therefore, their description will be omitted.

[0270] That is, in Figure 14 In the embodiment, both the device (H) 31 ′ and the device (L) 31 ′ acquire destination information, synchronize time, and acquire SceneMode by communicating with the server 32 .

[0271] Therefore, the processing of steps S511 to S522, the processing of steps S711 to S722, the processing of steps S611 to S622, and the processing of steps S723 to S734 correspond to Figure 2 The processing of steps S11 to S22 and the processing of steps S111 to 122.

[0272] exist Figure 15 The thirteenth task in the process is to establish an ad-hoc communication between the device (H) 31' and the device (L) 31'.

[0273] The fourteenth task is to determine the processing tasks of the representative device and the slave device between the device (H) 31' and the device (L) 31' based on the capability parameters, and establish ad-hoc communication between the representative device and the slave device. It should be noted that in this example, the device (H) 31' serves as the representative device and the device (L) 31' serves as the slave device.

[0274] In the fifteenth task, for example, device (H) 31′, serving as a representative device, acquires temperature sensing data from device (L)′, serving as a slave device, and integrates the acquired sensing data with the sensing data of device (H) 31′ to form an average value. Device (H) 31′, serving as the representative device, then determines whether to transmit the integrated sensing data to server 32 based on the device condition setting of SceneMode information, and transmits the average value of the sensing data to server 32 when the transmission condition is met.

[0275] More specifically, in steps S523 and S524 and steps S623 and S624, device 31'(L) (or device 31'(H)) performs a probe request / response (probe request / response) and its response processing based on the beacon frame, which probe request / response is a request for inquiring whether the device 13'(H) (or device 31'(L)) device itself can be connected to it.

[0276] In steps S525 and S526 and steps S625 and S626, the device 31'(L) and the device 31'(H) perform authentication request / response (Authentication Request / Response), which is a request for authentication and its response processing using an authentication method that is preset to determine whether to allow connection.

[0277] In steps S527 and S528 and steps S627 and S628, when it is determined based on the authentication result that device 31'(L) and device 31'(H) are connectable devices, device 31'(L) and device 31'(H) execute a connection request from device '(H) to device 31'(H) and an association request / response (association request / response) as a response processing thereof.

[0278] The above-mentioned processing of steps S523 to S528 and the processing of steps S623 to S628 are the processing of the thirteenth task, and through a series of processing of the thirteenth task, ad-hoc communication between device 31'(L) and device 31'(H) is established, and a state in which mutual communication is possible is obtained.

[0279] In steps S529 and S629, the device 31'(L) and the device 31'(H) send a capability parameter group indicating various capabilities to each other in order to determine which device collects the sensing data. Figure 15 , an arrow is drawn as a process in which the device 31 ′(L) transmits the capability parameter to the device 31 ′(H), but this is a process performed by both devices.

[0280] In steps S630 and S530, for example, if device 31'(H) determines that its capabilities are generally higher than those of device 31'(L) based on the comparison of the capability parameter groups from various capabilities, device 31'(L) is notified that device 31'(H) has become the representative device for collecting sensing data. In this case, any device 31' other than the representative device becomes a slave device that transmits sensing data to the representative device.

[0281] The capability parameters are parameters indicating various processing capabilities of the device 31', and are, for example, computing power, remaining battery capacity, thermal state of the device body, heat dissipation capacity to the server 32, computing efficiency (computational amount or calorific value per unit energy: note that calorific value can be calculated from the computational amount), communication speed and latency, communication cost per data when communicating with the server 32, security level available for server communication (secure communication level, encryption level, etc.), etc.

[0282] Based on these capability parameters, for example, among a plurality of devices 31', at least one of a device having high computing capability, a device having a large remaining battery amount, a device having a good thermal state, a device having a high heat dissipation capability, a device having high computing efficiency, a device having a high communication speed with the server 32, a device having a low communication waiting time with the server 32, a device having a low communication cost per data when communicating with the server 32, or a device having a high security level (secure communication level, encryption level, etc.) can be selected as a representative device.

[0283] Here, a capability score for each device 31 ′ may be obtained using various types of capability parameters, and the device 31 ′ having the largest capability score may be set as a representative device.

[0284] For example, based on the various processing capabilities in the device 31 ′, the capability score may be defined by the following formula (1).

[0285] Sc=a×P+b×B+c×H+d×D+e×E+f×T+g×L+h×C+i×S ...(1)

[0287] Here, Sc is a capability score, P is computing capability, B is the remaining battery level, H is a thermal state, D is a heat dissipation capability, E is computing efficiency, T is a communication speed to the server 32, and L is a communication delay to the server 32. In addition, C is a communication fee per data when communicating with the server 32, S is a security level available for communication with the server 32, and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, and i are predetermined coefficients.

[0288] Note that formula (1) is a linear combination formula of computing power P, remaining battery capacity B, thermal state H, heat dissipation capacity D, computing efficiency E, communication speed T to server 32, communication waiting time L to server 32, communication cost per data when communicating with server 32 C, and security level S that can be used for communication with server 32, but can be a nonlinear combination formula.

[0289] Here, the description returns to Figure 15 A sequence diagram of .

[0290] When the representative device and the slave devices are set by the fourteenth task, the fifteenth task is executed.

[0291] The fifteenth task corresponds to Figure 2 , and in step S531 , the device 31 ′(L) as the slave device transmits to the device 31 ′(H) as the temperature representative device as the sensing data of the temperature sensor.

[0292] In step S631, the device 31'(H) as the representative device obtains temperature information as the sensing data sent from the device 31'(L), and in step S632, sends a reception confirmation to the device 31'(L). In step S532, the device 31'(L) receives the reception confirmation from the device 31'(H).

[0293] In step S633, the device 31' (H) calculates the average temperature value (L) of the temperature of the sensed data as its own and the temperature of the sensed data of the device 31'. Note that here, the average value of the sensed data is used, but if integration is possible, integration with other values ​​can be performed, and for example, a weighted average value can be used, or a larger value or a smaller value can be used.

[0294] In step S634, for example, in the case where 30 degrees is set as the lower limit temperature specified in SeneMode, when the calculated average temperature value exceeds 30 degrees, the device 31'(H) transmits information of the average temperature value of the temperatures of the sensed data of the device 31'(H) and the device 31'(L) to the server 32 using a command including an API called SetSceneMark. Note that although not shown, for example, through an API called SetSceneData, the representative device can collect infrared images and the like from the slave devices and send at least one of the infrared images and the like to the server.

[0295] In step S735 , the server 32 receives the average temperature value as the sensing data, and in step S736 , transmits a receipt confirmation to the device 31 ′ (H).

[0296] In step S635 , the device 31 ′(H) receives a receipt confirmation from the server 32 .

[0297] Note that hereinafter, the processes of steps S531 and S532 and steps S631 to S633 are repeated, and the process of calculating the average temperature value of the temperatures as the sensing data of the device 31 ′ (H) and the device 31 ′ (L) is repeated.

[0298] Then, when the calculated average temperature value of the sensing data of device 31'(H) and device 31'(L) meets the conditions defined in SceneMode, through the processing of steps S634 and S635 and steps S735 and S736, device 31'(H) as the representative device transmits the average temperature value as sensing data to server 32.

[0299] Through the above processing, the communication between the device 31' and the server 32 is a relatively long-distance communication via the base station, and the communication load and communication cost are large. However, it is assumed that the ad-hoc communication between the devices 31' is a relatively short-distance communication, so the communication load and communication cost are small.

[0300] Therefore, between devices 31', sensing data is collected in the representative device through ad-hoc communication with low load and low cost, and only the representative device communicates with the server 32 with high load and high cost, so that the communication load and communication cost of the entire air conditioner control system 11' can be reduced.

[0301] Specifically, since only the representative device communicates with the server 32, by considering the communication cost when selecting the representative device, for example, the device 31' with the lowest communication cost becomes the representative device, thereby making it possible to reduce the communication cost.

[0302] Furthermore, because the necessity of transmission to the server 32 is determined based on the sensing data of the plurality of devices 31', the transmission of abnormal values, etc. to the server 32 is suppressed, and thus the sensing data that becomes an abnormal value is not transmitted to the air conditioner 33. In this way, the set temperature of the air conditioner 33 can be appropriately controlled, unnecessary communication volume can be reduced, and the processing load of both the device 31' and the server 32 can be reduced.

[0303] Furthermore, since the load associated with each communication with the device 31' is reduced, the battery life can be increased and the application range of the device can be expanded. In addition, even in IoT devices that can be used for the same application, smaller batteries can be used, thereby miniaturizing the IoT device itself.

[0304] Since the communication load can be reduced, even if the entire system is expanded, the communication fee can be reduced, and the cost of strengthening the server 32 can be suppressed.

[0305] Since the devices 31' can appropriately perform connection communication through ad-hoc communication, there is no need to perform detailed settings (position information, etc.) in advance between the devices 31', and therefore a control system that suppresses communication load and communication fees can be easily implemented.

[0306] < Figure 13 Configuration example of the device in>

[0307] Next, refer to Figure 16 , a configuration example of the communication device 31' will be described. Figure 16 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the device 31' according to the present embodiment. Figure 16 As shown, the device 31' includes a sensor unit 251, a control unit 252, a communication unit 253, a storage unit 254, and an ad-hoc communication unit 255. It should be noted that the sensor unit 251 and the communication unit 253 have the same Figure 3 The sensor unit 51 and the communication unit 53 have the same functions, so their description is omitted.

[0308] The control unit 252 has the following functions: processing the sensing data acquired by the sensor unit 251, controlling the communication unit 253, and transmitting the sensing data to the server 32. The control unit 252 is implemented by a processing circuit such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. Specifically, Figure 16 As shown, the control unit 252 includes a communication destination acquisition unit 271, a SceneMode acquisition unit 272, a data processing unit 273, a condition determination unit 274, an information transmission unit 275, an inter-device communication establishment unit 276, a processing / communication device determination unit 277 and a sensor data transmission unit 278.

[0309] Note that the communication destination acquisition unit 271 and the SceneMode acquisition unit 272 have the same Figure 3 The communication destination acquisition unit 71 and the SceneMode acquisition unit 72 in FIG. 7 have the same functional configuration, so description thereof is omitted.

[0310] In the case of a representative device, the data processing unit 273 has Figure 3 The data processing unit 73 in FIG. 2 has similar basic functions and mainly performs the above-mentioned fifteenth task processing, obtains the temperature as sensing data from the sensor unit 251 and the sensing data from the slave device, performs integration processing to obtain, for example, an average value, and outputs the result to the condition determination unit 274.

[0311] In the case of a representative device, the condition determination unit 274 has Figure 3 Condition determination unit 274 has similar basic functions to condition determination unit 74 in the data processing unit 273 and primarily performs the aforementioned task processing, reading SceneMode information 62 from storage unit 254, acquiring device condition settings based on the description of SceneMode as SceneMode information 262, and determining whether the transmission conditions for the sensed data are satisfied based on the average value of the sensed data from data processing unit 273. Then, if the sensed data satisfies the transmission conditions, condition determination unit 274 outputs a transmission instruction for the sensed data to information transmission unit 275.

[0312] In the case of acting as a representative device, the information transmission unit 275 has basic functions similar to those of the information transmission unit 75 and mainly performs the above-mentioned fifteenth task processing, and when receiving a transmission instruction from the condition determination unit 274, the information transmission unit 275 executes a command including an API such as SetSceneMark or SetSceneData, obtains the destination information 261 from the storage unit 254, controls the communication unit 282, and transmits the sensing data supplied from the condition determination unit 274 to the server 32.

[0313] The inter-device communication establishing unit 276 controls the ad-hoc communication unit 255 to establish ad-hoc communication with the device 31′ capable of communicating within a relatively short distance. At this time, the inter-device communication establishing unit 276 reads the security information 263 from the storage unit 254 to establish communication, and after communication is established, records information about the inter-device communication settings as the inter-device communication settings 264.

[0314] The processing / communication device determination unit 277 reads the own device capability information 265 including capability parameters and the like from the storage unit 254, controls the ad-hoc communication unit 255 to exchange information between the devices 31', determines which device 31' is the representative device that processes the sensing data and communicates with the server 32, and stores / communicates the output determination result.

[0315] In a case where the sensor data transmission unit 278 is not a representative device but a slave device, the sensor data transmission unit acquires sensing data provided from the sensor unit 251 and controls the ad-hoc communication unit 255 to periodically transmit the sensing data to the device 31 ′ which is the representative device.

[0316] The storage unit 254 stores destination information 261, scene mode information 262, security information 263, inter-device communication settings 264, and own device capability information 265, and stores programs, information, etc. for the control unit 252 to perform various types of processing, as well as information obtained by the processing. The storage unit 54 is implemented by a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), for example.

[0317] The ad-hoc communication unit 255 is controlled by the control unit 252 and enables ad-hoc communication with another device 31 ′ located at a relatively short distance.

[0318] <Thirteenth Task Processing>

[0319] Next, we will refer to Figure 17 The flowchart of FIG. 13 describes the processing of the thirteenth task between the devices 31'. In addition, the eleventh and twelfth tasks are the same processing as the first and second tasks described above, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0320] In step S801 , the inter-device communication establishing unit 276 controls the ad-hoc communication unit 255 to determine whether another device 31 ′ capable of performing ad-hoc communication exists nearby based on, for example, a beacon frame or the like.

[0321] In the event that it is determined in step S801 that another device 31 ′ capable of performing ad-hoc communication exists nearby, the process proceeds to step S802 .

[0322] In step S802, the inter-device communication establishing unit 276 sends a probe request, an authentication request, and an association request to the nearby another device 31′, attempting to establish ad-hoc communication. At this point, the inter-device communication establishing unit 276 reads the security information 263 from the storage unit 254 and transmits the security information to the other device 31′.

[0323] It should be noted that, in the event that it is determined in step S801 that no other device 31 ′ capable of performing ad-hoc communication exists nearby, the processing of step S802 is skipped.

[0324] Here, in step S811, in the device 31' requested to establish ad-hoc communication, the inter-device communication establishing unit 276 controls the ad-hoc communication unit 255 to determine whether there is a probe request, an authentication request, and an association request from the other device 31'.

[0325] If a probe request, an authentication request, and an association request are received in step S811, the process proceeds to step S812.

[0326] In step S812, if the security information 263 sent with the probe request, authentication request, and association request or other communication possible conditions are satisfied, the inter-device communication establishing unit 276 responds to the probe request, authentication request, and association request and establishes ad-hoc communication. At this time, the inter-device communication establishing unit 276 stores information related to the inter-device communication settings in the storage unit 254 as the inter-device communication settings 264.

[0327] Note that, in the event that there is no probe request, authentication request, or association request in step S811, the process of step S812 is skipped.

[0328] In steps S803 and S813 , the inter-device communication establishing unit 276 determines whether an instruction to end the process is given, and in a case where an instruction to end the process is not given, the process returns to steps S801 and S811 , and the subsequent processes are repeated.

[0329] Then, in the case where the end instruction is given in steps S803 and S813, the processing ends.

[0330] Through the above-described processing, the thirteenth task processing is executed, and ad-hoc communication between the devices 31 ′ is established.

[0331] It should be noted that Figure 17 , flowcharts of the processing of the device 31 ′ are shown on both the left and right sides, but both processing is performed using another device 31 ′, and the processing on the left and right sides is processing independently performed in the same device 31 ′.

[0332] <Fourteenth Task Processing>

[0333] Next, we will refer to Figure 18 The flowchart of describes the processing of the fourteenth task performed between the devices 31 ′.

[0334] In step S831 , the processing / communication device determination unit 277 determines whether it is timing to establish ad-hoc communication and determines which device 31 ′ periodically performs processing and server communication.

[0335] In step S831 , in a case where it is determined that it is the timing to establish ad-hoc communication and it is determined which device 31 ′ is the representative device that periodically performs processing and server communication, the process proceeds to step S832 .

[0336] In step S832, the processing / communication device determination unit 277 reads the own device capability information 265 including capability parameters and the like from the storage unit 254, controls the ad-hoc communication unit 255, and transmits the information to the other device 31'.

[0337] In the other device 31 ′, in step S841 , the processing / communication device determination unit 277 determines whether ad-hoc communication has been established and the own device capability information 265 including the capability parameter has been provided from the other device 31 ′.

[0338] In step S841 , in the event that ad-hoc communication is established and the own device capability information 265 including capability parameters and the like is supplied from the other device 31 ′, the process proceeds to step S842 .

[0339] In step S842, the processing / communication device determination unit 277 calculates and determines which device 31' is the representative device that performs processing and server communication based on the transmitted device capability information 265 of the other device 31' and its own device capability information 265. Then, if the processing / communication device determination unit 277 sets itself as the representative device, the processing / communication device determination unit registers itself as the representative device and controls the ad-hoc communication unit 255 to notify the other device 31' that it is the representative device.

[0340] It should be noted that, in the process of step S842, when it is determined that the device itself is not a representative device, there is no notification to the other devices 31'.

[0341] In step S833, the processing / communication device determination unit 277 controls the ad-hoc communication unit 255 to determine whether a notification as a representative device has been transmitted from another device 31'.

[0342] In a case where it is determined in step S833 that a notification as a representative device has been transmitted from another device 31 ′, the process proceeds to step S834 .

[0343] In step S834, the processing / communication device determination unit 277 registers the other device 31' as a representative device and sets itself as a slave device based on the provided notification.

[0344] Note that, in step S831 , in the event that ad-hoc communication is not established or it is not the timing to determine which device 31 ′ is the representative device that periodically performs processing and server communication, the processing in step S832 is skipped.

[0345] Furthermore, in step S833, in the case where a notification as a representative device is not transmitted from another device 31', the process of step S834 is skipped.

[0346] Furthermore, in step S841, if ad-hoc communication is not established, or if the own device capability information 265 including capability parameters and the like is not supplied from the other device 31', the process of step S842 is skipped.

[0347] In steps S835 and S843, the processing / communication means determination unit 277 determines whether an instruction to end the process is given, and in a case where an instruction to end the process is not given, the process returns to steps S831 and S841, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

[0348] Then, in the case where the end instruction is given in steps S835 and S843, the processing is terminated.

[0349] Through the above-described processing, the fourteenth task processing is executed, and the representative device and the slave devices are set based on the capability parameters reflecting the capability of each of the plurality of devices 31 ′.

[0350] It should be noted that Figure 18 , flowcharts of the processing of the device 31 ′ are shown on both the left and right sides, but both processing needs to be performed by another device 31 ′, and the processing on the left and right sides are processing independently performed in the same device 31 ′.

[0351] <Task 15>

[0352] Next, we will refer to Figure 19 The flowchart in describes the fifteenth task process performed by the device 31 ′, the server 32 , and the air conditioner 33 .

[0353] It should be noted that here, since it is assumed through the fourteenth task processing that one of the multiple devices 31' is set as a representative device and the others are set as slave devices, the two flowcharts on the left side of the accompanying drawings are used for slave devices and representative devices in sequence starting from the left side in the device 31'.

[0354] In step S851 , for example, the sensor data transmission unit 278 of the control unit 252 in the device 31 ′ which is a slave device acquires temperature information as sensing data supplied from the sensor unit 251 .

[0355] In step S852, the sensor data transmission unit 278 controls the ad-hoc communication unit 255 to transmit data to the device 31′ as the representative device. At this time, in the device 31′ as the representative device, the data processing unit 273 controls the ad-hoc communication unit 255 to obtain the sensed data transmitted from the slave device and output the sensed data to the condition determination unit 274.

[0356] In step S861 , for example, the data processing unit 273 of the control unit 252 in the device 31 ′ as the representative device acquires temperature information as sensing data supplied from the sensor unit 251 of the representative device, and outputs the temperature information to the condition determination unit 274 .

[0357] In step S862, since the own device is the representative device, the condition determination unit 274 merges the temperature information as its own sensed data and the temperature as sensed data provided from the slave device by, for example, averaging, accesses the storage unit 254, searches the SceneMode information 262, and determines whether the merged sensed data satisfies the device condition setting.

[0358] Then, in a case where it is determined in step S862 that the integrated sensing data satisfies the device condition setting, the process proceeds to step S863 .

[0359] In step S863 , the condition determination unit 274 outputs the sensing data to the information transmission unit 275 and instructs the transmission of the sensing data. In response, the information transmission unit 275 generates SetSceneMark or SetSceneData based on the integrated sensing data and controls the communication unit 253 to transmit the data to the server 32 .

[0360] Note that, in the event that the integrated sensing data does not satisfy the device condition setting in step S862 , the processing of step S863 is skipped.

[0361] In step S871 , the device information receiving unit 94 of the control unit 81 in the server 32 controls the communication unit 82 to determine whether SetSceneMark or SetSceneData has been received from the device 31 ′.

[0362] Then, in step S871 , in the case where it is determined that SetSceneMark or SetSceneData is received from the device 31 ′, the process proceeds to step S872 .

[0363] In step S872, the device information receiving unit 94 controls the communication unit 82 to acquire SetSceneMark and SetSceneData, extract the included sensing data, and output the extracted sensing data to the information transmission unit 95. Then, the information transmission unit 95 controls the communication unit 82 to transmit the sensing data to the air conditioner 33 as control information.

[0364] It should be noted that, in step S871 , in the event that SetSceneMark or SetSceneData is not received, the processing of step S872 is skipped.

[0365] In step S881 , the control information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 121 in the air conditioner 33 controls the communication unit 122 to determine whether the sensing data of the device 31 ′ is transmitted from the server 32 .

[0366] Then, in the case where it is determined in step S881 that the sensing data of the device 31 ′ is transmitted from the server 32 , the process proceeds to step S882 .

[0367] In step S882 , the control information receiving unit 131 controls the air conditioning control unit 123 based on the sensing data provided from the server 32 via the communication unit 122 and the set temperature corresponding to the operation content of the temperature setting panel 34 to control the set temperature.

[0368] In a case where the sensing data of the device 31 ′ is not transmitted from the server 32 in step S881 , the processing in step S882 is skipped.

[0369] In steps S853, S864, S873 and S883, the sensor data transmission unit 278, the condition determination unit 274, the device information receiving unit 94 and the control information receiving unit 131 each determine whether an instruction to end the processing is given, and if no instruction to end the processing is given, the processing returns to steps S851, S861, S871 and S881, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

[0370] Then, in the case where the end instruction is given in steps S853, S864, S873 and S883, the processing is terminated.

[0371] That is, the above processing corresponds to Figure 15 The fifteenth task processing is performed, and through this processing, among multiple devices 31', the representative device obtains the sensing data of the slave device, integrates the sensing data with its own sensing data through the processing of obtaining the average value, and transmits SetSceneMark or SetSceneData including the integrated sensing data based on the integrated sensing data obtained from the server 32 and the device condition setting specified by the SeneMode information 62 only when the transmission condition is met.

[0372] Therefore, only a representative device among the plurality of devices 31 ′ communicates with the server 32 , and also the communication frequency is controlled in SceneMode, so that the individual communication load of the device 31 ′ can be reduced.

[0373] In the above description, an air conditioner control system that controls the set temperatures of multiple air conditioners installed in an office or the like has been described as an example, but it can also be applied to other systems as long as they are systems that control devices using sensing data of multiple devices.

[0374] For example, the present invention can also be applied to a system in which each vehicle is equipped with a device including a vehicle speed sensor, measures the vehicle speed, and transmits the speed to a server, thereby managing vehicle speed information and monitoring traffic congestion conditions.

[0375] In the case of this system, at the time of traffic congestion, almost all devices transmit sensing data with a constant vehicle speed to the server, and since there are many vehicles nearby, although redundant information increases, the load of the communication line and the load of the server increase.

[0376] Therefore, in this case, ad-hoc communication can be achieved between devices installed on vehicles traveling nearby, any of which can be used as a representative device, so that, for example, when the speed of surrounding vehicles is lower than a predetermined speed and is substantially the same speed, it can be considered that traffic congestion has occurred, and only the representative device can transmit information on the vehicle speed to the server.

[0377] This process can reduce the burden on communication lines and servers.

[0378] Furthermore, a child viewing system can be realized by providing a child with a device including a GPS sensor or the like that detects position information, transmitting the position information as sensing data to a server, and managing the position information of the child.

[0379] In this case, if the child is with another friend, it can be confirmed that the child has not been taken away, which is important information. Therefore, ad-hoc communication can be performed between devices, one of which can be set as a representative device, and the representative device can transmit the child's location information along with the location information of other dependent devices. In this case, even if the user is playing in a park far from home, it can be confirmed that the user has not been taken away because the user is with a friend.

[0380] Note that, in the above, although an example has been described in which the devices 31 and 31 ′ establish communication with the server 32 once before the eleventh task, the twelfth task, etc., a representative device may be determined first through ad-hoc communication, and only the representative device may establish communication with the server 32 .

[0381] In addition, in a case where a predetermined type of sensing data can be acquired with higher accuracy than other devices among a plurality of devices, a device capable of acquiring sensing data with high accuracy through ad-hoc communication is set as a representative device and shared with other slave devices, so that the group of devices capable of performing ad-hoc communication can improve detection accuracy as a whole.

[0382] Furthermore, for example, if there is a device with relatively higher processing capabilities than other devices, that device can be used as a representative device for complex processing. Furthermore, if power efficiency is a priority, a device with high power efficiency can be used as a representative device for sharing a large amount of processing. If processing time is a priority, a device with high processing speed can be set as a representative device, and a large amount of processing can be shared.

[0383] Furthermore, the representative device may be a device having the lowest load at that time when the load status is monitored in real time.

[0384] <<4. Examples of Software Implementation>>

[0385] Incidentally, the above series of processing can be performed by hardware, but can also be performed by software. In the case where the series of processing is performed by software, the program forming the software is installed from a recording medium to, for example, a computer built into dedicated hardware or a general-purpose computer capable of performing various functions by installing various programs.

[0386] Figure 20 1001. An example of a configuration of a general-purpose computer is shown. The computer includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1001. An input / output interface 1005 is connected to the CPU 1001 via a bus 1004. A read-only memory (ROM) 1002 and a random access memory (RAM) 1003 are connected to the bus 1004.

[0387] The input / output interface 1005 is connected to an input unit 1006, an output unit 1007, a storage unit 1008, and a communication unit 1009. The input unit 1006 includes an input device (such as a keyboard or mouse for the user to input operation commands), the output unit 1007 outputs a processing operation screen and an image of the processing result to a display device, the storage unit 1008 includes a hard disk drive for storing programs and various types of data, and the communication unit 1009 includes a local area network (LAN) adapter and the like and performs communication processing via a network represented by the Internet. In addition, a drive 1010 is connected to read data from and write data to a removable recording medium 1011 such as a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk), an optical disk (including a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disk (DVD)), a magneto-optical disk (including a minidisc (MD)), or a semiconductor memory.

[0388] The CPU 1001 executes various types of processing according to a program stored in the ROM 1002 or a program read from a removable recording medium 1011 (such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory) installed in the storage unit 1008 and loaded from the storage unit 1008 into the RAM 1003. The RAM 1003 also appropriately stores data required for the CPU 1001 to execute various types of processing and the like.

[0389] In the computer configured as described above, for example, the CPU 1001 loads a program stored in the storage unit 1008 into the RAM 1003 via the input / output interface 1005 and the bus 1004 and executes the program, thereby performing the above-described series of processing.

[0390] For example, the program executed by the computer (CPU 1001) can be provided by being recorded in the removable recording medium 1011 as a package medium, etc. In addition, the program can be provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

[0391] In the computer, the program can be installed in the storage unit 1008 via the input / output interface 1005 by attaching the removable recording medium 1011 to the drive 1010. In addition, the program can be received by the communication unit 1009 via a wired or wireless transmission medium to be installed on the storage unit 1008. In addition, the program can be installed in the ROM 1002 or the storage unit 1008 in advance.

[0392] It should be noted that the program executed by the computer may be a program that performs processing in time series according to the order described in this specification, or may be a program that performs processing in parallel or at necessary timing such as when a call is made.

[0393] It should be noted that Figure 20 CPU 1001 implementation in Figure 3 The control unit 52 of the device 31, Figure 4 The control unit 81 of the server 32, Figure 5 The control unit 121 of the air conditioner 33, Figure 6 The control unit 151 of the temperature setting panel 34 and Figure 16 The functions of the control unit 252 in.

[0394] In addition, in this specification, a system means a group of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), and it does not matter whether all the components are in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected to each other via a network and a single device including multiple modules housed in a single housing are both systems.

[0395] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0396] For example, the present disclosure may have a configuration of cloud computing in which one function is shared by a plurality of devices via a network and processes are performed in collaboration.

[0397] Furthermore, each step described in the above flowcharts may be performed by a single device, or may be performed by a plurality of devices in a shared manner.

[0398] Furthermore, in the case where a single step includes a plurality of pieces of processing, the plurality of pieces of processing included in the single step may be executed by a single device or may be executed by a plurality of devices in a shared manner.

[0399] It should be noted that the present disclosure may also have the following configurations.

[0400] <1> An information processing device, comprising:

[0401] Sensor, measuring sensor value;

[0402] a transmission unit that transmits information of a sensor value measured by the sensor to the server device as sensor value information; and

[0403] a transmission condition information acquisition unit that acquires transmission condition information as a condition of the sensor value from the server device when the transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the server device;

[0404] When the sensor value satisfies a condition based on the transmission condition information, the transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the server device.

[0405] <2> according to <1> An information processing device, wherein

[0406] The condition of the sensor value is set according to a communication frequency associated with transmitting the sensor value information to the server device through the transmission unit.

[0407] <3> according to <2> An information processing device, wherein

[0408] The conditions of the sensor value are a lower limit value, an upper limit value, within a predetermined range, outside a predetermined range, a specific value, and a value other than the specific value of the sensor value.

[0409] <4> according to <2> An information processing device, wherein

[0410] The sensor value condition is that the sensor value remains at a lower limit value, an upper limit value, within a predetermined range, outside a predetermined range, a specific value, or a value other than the specific sensor value for a predetermined period of time.

[0411] <5> according to <2> An information processing device, wherein

[0412] The transmission condition information acquisition unit acquires transmission condition information proactively provided from the server device.

[0413] <6> according to <2> An information processing device, wherein

[0414] The transmission condition information acquisition unit acquires transmission condition information provided in response to a request to the server device.

[0415] <7> according to <1> to <6> The information processing device of any one of the items , further comprising:

[0416] an ad-hoc communication unit that performs ad-hoc communication with another information processing device; and

[0417] a representative determining unit that determines one of the information processing device or another information processing device as a representative device and determines the other device as a slave device, the representative device will perform ad-hoc communication with the other information processing device to communicate with the server device as a representative, wherein

[0418] In the slave device,

[0419] The transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the representative device through ad-hoc communication, and

[0420] In the representative device,

[0421] The transmission unit integrates sensor value information from the slave device and sensor value information from the representative device into integrated information, and when the integrated information satisfies a condition, transmits the integrated information to the server device.

[0422] <8> according to <1> to <6> Any one of the information processing devices, wherein

[0423] The server device includes:

[0424] a sensor value information acquiring unit, which acquires sensor value information; and

[0425] The transmission condition information supply unit sets a condition for the sensor value and provides the condition as the transmission condition information when the information processing device transmits the sensor value information to the server device.

[0426] <9> according to <1> to <8> Any one of the information processing devices, wherein

[0427] The sensor value is temperature and the sensor is a temperature sensor.

[0428] <10> An information processing method comprises the following steps:

[0429] transmitting information of a sensor value measured by a sensor that measures a sensor value to a server device as sensor value information; and

[0430] Acquire transmission condition information from the server device, the transmission condition information being a condition of the sensor value when the sensor value information is transmitted to the server device, wherein

[0431] When the sensor value satisfies the condition based on the transmission condition information, the sensor value information is transmitted to the server device.

[0432] <11> A program that causes a computer to:

[0433] a transmission unit that transmits information of a sensor value measured by a sensor that measures a sensor value to a server device as sensor value information; and

[0434] a transmission condition information acquisition unit that acquires transmission condition information as a condition of the sensor value from the server device when the transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the server device;

[0435] When the sensor value satisfies a condition based on the transmission condition information, the transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the server device.

[0436] <12> An information processing device, comprising:

[0437] a sensor value information acquisition unit that acquires information of a sensor value measured and transmitted by a sensor of another information processing device as sensor value information; and

[0438] The transmission condition information supply unit sets a condition of the sensor value when another information processing apparatus transmits sensor value information to the information processing apparatus, and supplies information of the condition of the sensor value as the transmission condition information to the other information processing apparatus.

[0439] <13> according to <12> An information processing device, wherein

[0440] The transmission condition information supply unit sets a condition of the sensor value in the transmission condition information according to a communication frequency related to transmission of the sensor value information from another information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus.

[0441] <14> according to <12> An information processing device, wherein

[0442] The sensor value condition is a lower limit value, an upper limit value, a value within a predetermined range, a value outside a predetermined range, a specific value, or a value other than a specific value of the sensor value.

[0443] <15> according to <12> An information processing device, wherein

[0444] The sensor value condition is that the sensor value remains at a lower limit value, an upper limit value, within a predetermined range, outside a predetermined range, a specific value, or a value other than the specific sensor value for a predetermined period of time.

[0445] <16> according to <12> An information processing device, wherein

[0446] The transmission condition information supply unit automatically provides transmission condition information to another information processing apparatus.

[0447] <17> according to <12> An information processing device, wherein

[0448] The transmission condition information supply unit supplies the transmission condition information to the other information processing apparatus in response to a request from the other information processing apparatus.

[0449] <18> according to <12> An information processing device, wherein

[0450] The sensor value is temperature and the sensor is a temperature sensor.

[0451] <19> An information processing method comprises the following steps:

[0452] acquiring information of a sensor value measured and transmitted by a sensor of another information processing device as sensor value information;

[0453] When another information processing apparatus transmits sensor value information to the information processing apparatus, a condition of the sensor value is set; and information of the condition of the sensor value is provided to the other information processing apparatus as transmission condition information.

[0454] <20> A program that causes a computer to:

[0455] a sensor value information acquisition unit that acquires information of a sensor value measured and transmitted by a sensor of another information processing device as sensor value information; and

[0456] The transmission condition information supply unit sets a condition of the sensor value when another information processing apparatus transmits sensor value information to the information processing apparatus, and supplies information of the condition of the sensor value as the transmission condition information to the other information processing apparatus.

[0457] Reference Symbols List

[0458] 11. 11' air conditioner control system

[0459] 31, 31', 31-1 to 31-x devices

[0460] 32 servers, 33, 33-1 to 33y air conditioners

[0461] 34, 34-1 to 34-z temperature setting panels

[0462] 51 sensor unit

[0463] 52 control unit

[0464] 53 Communication Unit

[0465] 54 storage units

[0466] 71 Communication destination acquisition unit

[0467] 72SceneMode acquisition unit

[0468] 73 Data Processing Unit

[0469] 74 Condition determination unit

[0470] 75 Information Transmission Unit

[0471] 81 control unit

[0472] 82 Communication Unit

[0473] 83 storage units

[0474] 91 Communication destination transmission unit

[0475] 92SceneMode transmission unit

[0476] 93 Panel operation receiving unit

[0477] 94 Device information receiving unit

[0478] 95 Information Transmission Unit

[0479] 131 Control information receiving unit

[0480] 161 Information Transmission Unit

[0481] 251 sensor unit

[0482] 252 control unit

[0483] 253 Communication Unit

[0484] 254 storage units

[0485] 255 ad-hoc communication unit

[0486] 271 Communication destination acquisition unit

[0487] 272SceneMode acquisition unit

[0488] 273 Data Processing Unit

[0489] 274 Condition determination unit

[0490] 275 Information Transmission Unit

[0491] 276 Inter-device communication establishment unit

[0492] 277 Processing / communication device determination unit

[0493] 278 sensor data transmission unit< / scenemode>

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising: Sensor, measuring sensor value; a transmitting unit that transmits information of the sensor value measured by the sensor to a server device as sensor value information; as well as a transmission condition information acquisition unit that acquires transmission condition information from the server device, wherein the transmission condition information is a condition of the sensor value when the transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the server device, When the sensor value satisfies the condition based on the transmission condition information, the transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the server device.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein The condition of the sensor value is set according to a communication frequency associated with transmitting the sensor value information to the server device through the transmission unit.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The sensor value conditions include a lower limit value, an upper limit value, within a predetermined range, outside a predetermined range, a specific value, and a value other than the specific value of the sensor value.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The sensor value condition is that the sensor value remains within a lower limit value, an upper limit value, a predetermined range, outside a predetermined range, a specific value, or a value other than the specific value for a predetermined period of time.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The transmission condition information acquisition unit acquires the transmission condition information proactively supplied from the server device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein: The transmission condition information acquisition unit acquires the transmission condition information supplied in response to a request to the server device.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an ad-hoc communication unit that performs ad-hoc communication with another information processing device; as well as a representative determining unit that determines one of the information processing device or the other information processing device as a representative device and determines the other device as a slave device, the representative device performing ad-hoc communication with the other information processing device, the representative device communicating with the server device on behalf of the other information processing device, wherein In the slave device, The transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the representative device through the ad-hoc communication, and In the representative device, The transmission unit integrates the sensor value information from the slave device and the sensor value information of the representative device into integrated information, and when the integrated information satisfies the condition, transmits the integrated information to the server device.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The server device includes: a sensor value information acquiring unit that acquires the sensor value information; and a transmission condition information supplying unit that sets a condition for the sensor value when the information processing device transmits the sensor value information to the server device, and the transmission condition information supplying unit supplies the condition as the transmission condition information.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The sensor value is temperature, and the sensor is a temperature sensor.

10. An information processing method comprising the following steps: transmitting information of a sensor value measured by a sensor that measures the sensor value to a server device as sensor value information; as well as Acquire transmission condition information from the server device, the transmission condition information being a condition of the sensor value when the sensor value information is transmitted to the server device, wherein: When the sensor value satisfies the condition based on the transmission condition information, the sensor value information is transmitted to the server device.

11. A program for causing a computer to: a transmitting unit that transmits information of a sensor value measured by a sensor that measures a sensor value to a server device as sensor value information; and a transmission condition information acquisition unit that acquires transmission condition information from the server device, wherein the transmission condition information is a condition of the sensor value when the transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the server device, When the sensor value satisfies the condition based on the transmission condition information, the transmission unit transmits the sensor value information to the server device.

12. An information processing device comprising: a sensor value information acquiring unit that acquires information of a sensor value measured and transmitted by a sensor of another information processing device as sensor value information; as well as A transmission condition information supply unit sets a condition of the sensor value when the other information processing device transmits the sensor value information to the information processing device, and supplies information of the condition of the sensor value as transmission condition information to the other information processing device.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The transmission condition information supply unit sets a condition of the sensor value in the transmission condition information according to a communication frequency related to transmission of the sensor value information from the another information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus.

14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The sensor value condition is a lower limit value, an upper limit value, within a predetermined range, outside a predetermined range, a specific value, or a value other than the specific value of the sensor value.

15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The sensor value condition is that the sensor value remains within a lower limit value, an upper limit value, a predetermined range, outside a predetermined range, a specific value, or a value other than the specific value for a predetermined period of time.

16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The transmission condition information supply unit actively supplies the transmission condition information to the other information processing device.

17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The transmission condition information supply unit supplies the transmission condition information to the another information processing device in response to a request from the another information processing device.

18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The sensor value is temperature, and the sensor is a temperature sensor.

19. An information processing method comprising the following steps: acquiring information of a sensor value measured and transmitted by a sensor of another information processing device as sensor value information; setting a condition for the sensor value when the other information processing device transmits the sensor value information to the information processing device; and supplying information on the condition of the sensor value to the other information processing device as transmission condition information.

20. A program for causing a computer to: a sensor value information acquiring unit that acquires information of a sensor value measured and transmitted by a sensor of another information processing device as sensor value information; as well as a transmission condition information supply unit that sets a condition for the sensor value when the other information processing apparatus transmits the sensor value information to the information processing apparatus; and supplying information on the condition of the sensor value to the other information processing device as transmission condition information.

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