Data processing device, data processing device system, data processing method, and program

Abstract

To appropriately associate a plurality of data acquired from each of sensor devices with each other.SOLUTION: A data processing device comprises: a measurement instruction unit that outputs a start instruction to start measurement to a plurality of sensor devices; a data acquisition unit that acquires, from the plurality of devices, a dataset which is a collection of data measured by the sensor devices at a predetermined sampling rate; and a data synchronization unit that stores data remaining after deleting data of sensor devices other than a second sensor device acquired prior to third timing when the second sensor device starts data measurement, the second sensor device having transmitted dataset acquired immediately before second timing, in the case where a first condition is satisfied that the dataset is acquired once from all sensor devices other than a first sensor device in a period from first timing when the dataset is acquired for the first time until the second timing when the dataset is acquired for the next time, from the first sensor device in which the data acquisition unit acquires the dataset for the first time after outputting the start instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a data processing device, a data processing device system, a data processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known method for acquiring data detected by a plurality of sensors at predetermined time intervals. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle control system having a plurality of sensor devices mounted on a vehicle and a control device, in which the control device periodically transmits a measurement trigger signal to each of the sensor devices, and each of the sensor devices measures measurement data using the measurement trigger signal as a time reference. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-63710 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, there are cases where it is required to appropriately associate the data acquired from each sensor device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a data processing device, a data processing device system, a data processing method, and a program that are capable of appropriately associating data obtained from each sensor device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a data processing device according to the present disclosure is a data processing device that wirelessly communicates while switching between multiple sensor devices that are communication partners at predetermined time intervals, and includes a measurement instruction unit that outputs a start command to the multiple sensor devices to start data measurement, a data acquisition unit that acquires from each of the multiple sensor devices a dataset that is a collection of multiple data measured by the sensor devices at a predetermined sampling rate, and a data synchronization unit that deletes the datasets of sensor devices other than the second sensor device that were measured before a third timing at which a second sensor device that transmitted a dataset acquired immediately before the second timing started data measurement, and stores the remaining datasets that were not deleted, when a first condition is satisfied that the dataset has been acquired once from all of the sensor devices other than the first sensor device from a first sensor device that first acquired the dataset after the start command was output, from the first sensor device that first acquired the dataset after the start command was output, from the first sensor device that acquired the dataset first, from a first timing at which the dataset was first acquired to a second timing at which the dataset was next acquired from the first sensor device.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a data processing device system according to the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned data processing device and the plurality of sensor devices.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a data processing method according to the present disclosure is a data processing method using a data processing device that wirelessly communicates while switching between multiple sensor devices as communication partners at a predetermined time, and includes the steps of: outputting a start command to cause the multiple sensor devices to start data measurement; acquiring from each of the multiple sensor devices a dataset which is a collection of multiple data measured by the sensor devices at a predetermined sampling rate; and, after the step of outputting the start command, if a first condition is satisfied that the dataset has been acquired once from each of the sensor devices other than the first sensor device from a first sensor device that first acquired the dataset, from a first timing at which the dataset was first acquired to a second timing at which the dataset is next acquired from the first sensor device, deleting the data of the sensor devices other than the second sensor device that were measured before a third timing at which the second sensor device that transmitted the dataset acquired immediately before the second timing started data measurement, and storing the remaining data that has not been deleted.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a program according to the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute a data processing method using a data processing device that wirelessly communicates while switching between multiple sensor devices as communication partners at a predetermined time, the program causing the computer to execute the following steps: outputting a start command to cause the multiple sensor devices to start data measurement; acquiring from each of the multiple sensor devices a dataset that is a collection of multiple pieces of data measured by the sensor devices at a predetermined sampling rate; and, after the step of outputting the start command, if a first condition is satisfied that the dataset has been acquired once from each of the sensor devices other than the first sensor device from a first sensor device that first acquired the dataset, from a first timing at which the dataset was first acquired to a second timing at which the dataset was next acquired from the first sensor device, deleting the data of the sensor devices other than the second sensor device that was measured before a third timing at which the second sensor device that transmitted the dataset acquired immediately before the second timing started data measurement, and saving the remaining data that was not deleted. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, data acquired from each sensor device can be appropriately associated with each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a data processing device system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the sensor device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a data processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of data transmission. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a time chart for explaining the synchronization process. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a time chart for transmitting a data measurement stop command signal during communication skip. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a time chart for explaining the data end time synchronization process. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the data synchronization process flow. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0013] (Data Processing Device System) FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a data processing device system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the data processing device system 1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of sensor devices 10 and a data processing device 12 (logger). The sensor device 10 is a device that detects data. The data processing device 12 can acquire data detected by the sensor devices 10 from the plurality of sensor devices 10 and synchronously process (associate) the acquired plurality of data. Note that, in the example of this embodiment, there is one data processing device 12, but this is not limited thereto and a plurality of data processing devices may be provided. In addition, the data processing device system 1 has a calculation device (computer) not shown, and the calculation device may perform calculations based on the data acquired by the data processing device 12 (data detected by each sensor device 10).

[0014] The data detected by the sensor device 10 may be any data, but in this embodiment, the sensor device 10 detects data indicating the behavior of the vehicle C. That is, in this embodiment, the sensor device 10 is mounted on the vehicle C and detects data indicating the behavior of the vehicle C when the vehicle C is traveling on a road. The data processing device 12 is also mounted on the vehicle C and acquires data detected by the sensor device 10 (in this example, data indicating the behavior of the vehicle C). However, the data processing device 12 is not limited to being mounted on the vehicle C and may be provided at any position. In this case, it is preferable that the data processing device system 1 has a calculation device (computer) not shown, and the calculation device calculates the road surface condition of the road on which the vehicle C traveled based on the data acquired by the data processing device 12 (data detected by each sensor device 10). In this embodiment, the road surface condition is an index indicating the degree of unevenness of the road surface. More specifically, in this embodiment, the road surface condition is IRI (International Roughness Index). However, the road surface condition is not limited to IRI, and may be any index indicating the condition of the road surface. For example, the road surface condition may be at least one of IRI, road surface flatness, cracks, rutting, and MCI (Maintenance Control Index).

[0015] The sensor device 10 may detect any data indicating the behavior of the vehicle C. In this embodiment, the sensor device 10 preferably detects the acceleration of the vehicle C as data. In this case, the sensor device 10 is an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration, and more preferably an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration in three axes. In addition, the data detected by the sensor device 10 is not limited to acceleration, and may be, for example, at least one of acceleration, image data captured around the vehicle C, the speed of the vehicle C, the angular velocity of the vehicle C, the steering angle of the vehicle C, the amount of braking of the vehicle C, the operation of the wipers of the vehicle C, and the amount of operation of the suspension of the vehicle C. Note that the image data around the vehicle C changes depending on the movement of the vehicle C, and therefore can be information indicating the behavior of the vehicle C. The sensor device 10 that detects the captured image of the surroundings of the vehicle C is, for example, a camera, the sensor device 10 that detects the speed of the vehicle C is, for example, a speed sensor, the sensor device 10 that detects the speed of the vehicle C is, for example, a three-axis gyro sensor, the sensor device 10 that detects the steering angle of the vehicle C is, for example, a steering sensor, the sensor device 10 that detects the braking amount of the vehicle C is, for example, a brake sensor, the sensor device 10 that detects the operation of the wipers of the vehicle C is, for example, a wiper sensor, and the sensor device 10 that detects the operation amount of the suspension of the vehicle C is, for example, a suspension sensor. In addition, at least a part of the sensor device 10 may detect the position information of the vehicle C. The sensor device 10 that detects the position information of the vehicle C is, for example, a module for an INS (Inertial Navigation System).

[0016] In the example of FIG. 1, the sensor devices 10 include a sensor device 10A provided vertically above the wheel TR1, which is the left front wheel, a sensor device 10B provided vertically above the wheel TR2, which is the right front wheel, a sensor device 10C provided vertically above the wheel TR3, which is the left rear wheel, and a sensor device 10D provided vertically above the wheel TR4, which is the right rear wheel. However, the sensor devices 10 may be provided at any position. The number of the sensor devices 10 is not limited to four, and may be any multiple. Although the number of the wheels TR is four in the example of FIG. 1, the number may be any number, for example, two or more. In the example of FIG. 1, the sensor devices 10A to 10D detect the same type of data (here, acceleration), but each of the sensor devices 10 may detect different types of data. For example, a sensor device 10 (for example, an acceleration sensor) that detects the same type of data and a sensor device 10 (for example, a speed sensor) that detects different data may be provided.

[0017] The sensor device 10 is not limited to detecting data indicating the behavior of the vehicle C. For example, the sensor device 10 may be provided at any location and detect any data at predetermined time intervals. For example, the sensor device 10 may be provided in a plant device and detect data (e.g., pressure, temperature, rotation speed, load torque, etc.) indicating the behavior of the plant device while it is operating. In this case, the data processing device 12 acquires data indicating the behavior of the device from each sensor device 10.

[0018] (Configuration of the sensor device) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the sensor device 10. Note that, unless otherwise specified, the structure and processing contents of the sensor device 10 described below are common to all sensor devices 10.

[0019] 2 is a schematic block diagram of the sensor device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor device 10 includes a sensor 20, a storage unit 22, a communication module 24, and a control unit .

[0020] (Sensor) The sensor 20 is a sensor that detects data. That is, for example, when detecting the acceleration of the vehicle C, the sensor 20 is an acceleration sensor.

[0021] (Storage part) The storage unit 22 is a memory that stores various information such as the calculation contents and programs of the control unit 26 and data detected by the sensor 20, and includes at least one of main storage devices such as a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM), and non-volatile storage devices such as a flash memory and a solid state disk drive (SSD). The programs for the control unit 26 saved in the storage unit 22 may be stored in a recording medium readable by the sensor device 10.

[0022] (Communication module) The communication module 24 is a module that communicates with an external device (here, the data processing device 12). The communication module 24 may be any module that can communicate with an external device, but in this embodiment, it communicates with the data processing device 12 wirelessly. More specifically, the communication module 24 of this embodiment is a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module. The communication module 24 of this embodiment internally allocates a time slot (period) for transmitting and receiving data with the data processing device 12. In other words, the communication module 24 negotiates a time slot in which communication is possible with the data processing device 12 before starting communication, and during communication, uses the time slot (period in which communication is possible) to communicate. That is, the communication module 24 transmits and receives data with the data processing device 12 at a predetermined cycle, and the cycle can be said to be fixed. For example, the protocol stack of the communication module 24 is composed of multiple layers, and a time slot in which communication with the data processing device 12 is possible is set inside the communication module by a lower layer. In this embodiment, since a general-purpose communication module 24 is used and the lower layers are not adjusted, it can be said that the time slots for transmitting and receiving data are fixed.

[0023] (Control unit) The control unit 26 is a calculation device and includes a calculation circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 26 includes a sensor control unit 30 and a communication control unit 32. The control unit 26 realizes the sensor control unit 30 and the communication control unit 32 by reading and executing a program (software) from the storage unit 22, and executes the processes. The control unit 26 may execute these processes using one CPU, or may be provided with multiple CPUs and execute the processes using the multiple CPUs. At least a part of the sensor control unit 30 and the communication control unit 32 may be realized by hardware.

[0024] The processing contents of each part of the control unit 26 will be described later.

[0025] (Configuration of Data Processing Device) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the data processing device 12. Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the data processing device. As shown in Fig. 3, the data processing device 12 has a storage unit 40, a communication module 42, and a control unit 44.

[0026] (Storage part) The storage unit 40 is a memory that stores various information such as the calculation contents and programs of the control unit 44 and data transmitted from the sensor device 10, and includes at least one of a RAM, a main storage device such as a ROM, and a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or an SSD. The programs for the control unit 44 saved in the storage unit 40 may be stored in a recording medium readable by the data processing device 12.

[0027] (Communication module) The communication module 42 is a module that communicates with an external device (here, the sensor device 10). The communication module 42 may be any module capable of communicating with an external device, but in this embodiment, it communicates wirelessly with the sensor device 10. More specifically, the communication module 42 in this embodiment is a Bluetooth module. The communication module 42 in this embodiment may have fixed time slots for transmitting and receiving data to and from two or more partner devices (here, the sensor device 10) for each sensor device 10, similar to the communication module 24 of the sensor device 10.

[0028] (Control unit) The control unit 44 is a calculation device and includes a calculation circuit such as a CPU. The control unit 44 includes a measurement instruction unit 50, a data acquisition unit 52, a data synchronization unit 54, and a communication control unit 56. The control unit 44 realizes the measurement instruction unit 50, the data acquisition unit 52, the data synchronization unit 54, and the communication control unit 56 by reading and executing a program (software) from the storage unit 40, and executes the processes. The control unit 44 may execute these processes using one CPU, or may include multiple CPUs and execute the processes using the multiple CPUs. At least a part of the measurement instruction unit 50, the data acquisition unit 52, the data synchronization unit 54, and the communication control unit 56 may be realized by hardware.

[0029] The processing contents of each part of the control unit 44 will be described later.

[0030] (Data Processing Device System Processing) Next, the processing contents of the data processing device system 1 will be described.

[0031] (Instruction to start data measurement) The measurement instruction unit 50 of the data processing device 12 uses the communication module 42 to transmit a data measurement start command signal to the sensor device 10 .

[0032] (Data Measurement) When the sensor control unit 30 of the sensor device 10 receives the data measurement start command signal via the communication module 24, it controls the sensor 20 to measure data. The sensor control unit 30 causes the sensor 20 to measure data at predetermined intervals. The frequency of data detection by the sensor 20 is preferably, for example, 250 Hz or more and 2000 Hz or less. The frequency of data detection by the sensor 20 refers to the number of times detection is performed by the sensor 20 per unit time (for example, one second).

[0033] The above-mentioned data measurement process is performed for each sensor device 10.

[0034] (Transmission of data) FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of data transmission. The communication control unit 32 of the sensor device 10 controls the communication module 24 to transmit data measured by the sensor 20 from the communication module 24 to the data processing device 12. The sensor device 10 and the data processing device 12 transmit and receive data in a time-division manner. That is, in this embodiment, a time slot for transmitting and receiving data to and from the data processing device 12 is assigned to each sensor device 10, and each sensor device 10 is assigned a time slot with a different time period. At this time, the time slots are assigned in a round-robin manner according to the number of communication partners. Then, the communication control unit 56 of the data processing device 12 switches the sensor device 10 to communicate with for each time slot. For example, in FIG. 4, time slots T1 to T9 are set in a chronological order. In the example of FIG. 4, sensor device 10A is assigned time slots T1, T5, and T9, sensor device 10B is assigned time slots T2 and T6, sensor device 10C is assigned time slots T3 and T7, and sensor device 10B is assigned time slots T4 and T8.

[0035] The time slots assigned to each sensor device 10 are set in advance. However, in this embodiment, the time slots assigned to each sensor device 10 cannot be set on the data processing device 12 side, and cannot be known in advance on the data processing device 12 side until data is acquired from each sensor device 10. In other words, the order of communication between the data processing device 12 and each sensor device 10 is unknown until data is acquired from each sensor device 10, and the time slot assignment shown in FIG. 4 is one example.

[0036] Furthermore, the length of the time slot may be set appropriately, but in this embodiment, it is set to be longer than the time t0 from when the sensor 20 acquires a data measurement start command signal to when it actually starts measurement. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the length of the time slot is longer than the interval between detection timings of the sensor 20 (the time from one detection to the next detection). In other words, if the number of time slots in a unit time (e.g., one second) (the number of times the time slot switches in a unit time) is defined as the time slot switching frequency, the time slot switching frequency is lower than the frequency of data detection by the sensor 20. For example, the time slot switching frequency is preferably 33 Hz or more and 134 Hz ​​or less.

[0037] The measurement instruction unit 50 of the data processing device 12 transmits a data measurement start command signal to the sensor device 10 in the time slot assigned to each of the sensor devices 10. When the sensor control unit 30 of the sensor device 10 receives the data measurement start command signal via the communication module 24, it controls the sensor 20 to cause the sensor 20 to start data measurement.

[0038] For example, in FIG. 4, the data processing device 12 transmits a data measurement start command signal to the sensor device 10A in time slot T1, transmits a data measurement start command signal to the sensor device 10B in time slot T2, transmits a data measurement start command signal to the sensor device 10C in time slot T3, and transmits a data measurement start command signal to the sensor device 10D in time slot T4.

[0039] When the sensor control unit 30 acquires the data measurement start command signal, it causes the sensor 20 to measure data at predetermined intervals. In the example of FIG. 4, the sensor device 10A acquires the data measurement start command signal in the time slot T1, and starts measuring data at predetermined intervals after time t0 has elapsed since acquiring the signal. Similarly, the sensor device 10B acquires the data measurement start command signal in the time slot T2, and starts measuring data at predetermined intervals after time t0 has elapsed since acquiring the signal, the sensor device 10C acquires the data measurement start command signal in the time slot T3, and starts measuring data at predetermined intervals after time t0 has elapsed since acquiring the signal, and the sensor device 10D acquires the data measurement start command signal in the time slot T4, and starts measuring data at predetermined intervals after time t0 has elapsed since acquiring the signal.

[0040] Then, the communication control unit 32 of the sensor device 10 transmits a data set, which is a collection of a plurality of pieces of data measured by the sensor 20, to the data processing device 12. The data set here includes a plurality of pieces of data that have not yet been transmitted to the data processing device 12. The communication control unit 32 transmits the data set for each time slot assigned to its own sensor device 10.

[0041] In the example of FIG. 4, the sensor device 10A transmits a data set A1, which is a collection of a plurality of measured data, to the data processing device 12 during the period of the time slot T5. In the example of FIG. 4, the data set A1 is a collection of data measured by the sensor device 10A during the period from the start of measurement in the time slot T1 to immediately before the start of the time slot T5. The sensor device 10A continues measuring data after the time slot T5, and transmits a data set A2 to the data processing device 12 during the period of the time slot T9 next to the time slot T5. The data set A2 includes data measured immediately after the start of the time slot T5 to data measured immediately before the start of the time slot T9. That is, the data set transmitted from the second time onwards includes data measured from the oldest data not included in the immediately preceding data set to data measured immediately before the start of the time slot in which the current data set is transmitted. The sensor device 10A repeats this process thereafter.

[0042] Similarly, the sensor device 10B transmits a data set B1 to the data processing device 12 during the time slot T6. In the example of FIG. 4, the data set B1 is a collection of data measured by the sensor device 10B during the period from the start of measurement in the time slot T2 to immediately before the start of the time slot T6. The sensor device 10B continues measuring data after the time slot T6, and transmits a data set B2 (not shown) to the data processing device 12 during the time slot T10 (not shown) next to the time slot T6. The data set B2 includes data measured immediately after the start of the time slot T6 (the oldest data not included in the immediately preceding data set B1) to data measured immediately before the start of the time slot T10 (the time slot from which the current data set is transmitted). The sensor device 10B repeats this process thereafter.

[0043] Similarly, the sensor device 10C transmits a data set C1 to the data processing device 12 during the time slot T7. In the example of FIG. 4, the data set C1 is a collection of data measured by the sensor device 10C during the period from the start of measurement in the time slot T3 to immediately before the start of the time slot T7. The sensor device 10C continues measuring data after the time slot T7, and transmits a data set C2 (not shown) to the data processing device 12 during the time slot T11 (not shown) next to the time slot T7. The data set C2 includes data measured immediately after the start of the time slot T7 (the oldest data not included in the immediately preceding data set C1) to data measured immediately before the start of the time slot T11 (the time slot from which the current data set is transmitted). The sensor device 10C repeats this process thereafter.

[0044] Similarly, the sensor device 10D transmits a data set D1 to the data processing device 12 during the time slot T8. In the example of FIG. 4, the data set D1 is a collection of data measured by the sensor device 10D during the period from the start of measurement in the time slot T4 to immediately before the start of the time slot T8. The sensor device 10D continues measuring data after the time slot T8, and transmits a data set D2 (not shown) to the data processing device 12 during the time slot T12 (not shown) next to the time slot T8. The data set D2 includes data measured immediately after the start of the time slot T8 (the oldest data not included in the immediately preceding data set D1) to data measured immediately before the start of the time slot T12 (the time slot for transmitting the current data set). The sensor device 10D repeats this process thereafter.

[0045] (Getting the Dataset) The data acquisition unit 52 of the data processing device 12 acquires a data set (data detected by the sensor 20) transmitted from the sensor device 10 via the communication module 42. Then, the communication control unit 56 of the data processing device 12 switches the communication target among the multiple sensor devices 10 for each time slot (predetermined period) to transmit and receive data. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, the data acquisition unit 52 acquires a data set A1 measured by the sensor device 10A from the sensor device 10A within the time slot T5. Similarly, the data acquisition unit 52 acquires a data set B1 measured by the sensor device 10B from the sensor device 10B within the time slot T6. Similarly, the data acquisition unit 52 acquires a data set C1 measured by the sensor device 10C from the sensor device 10C within the time slot T7. Similarly, the data acquisition unit 52 acquires a data set D1 measured by the sensor device 10D from the sensor device 10D within the time slot T8. Thereafter, the data acquisition unit 52 again acquires data set A2 measured by the sensor device 10A from the sensor device 10A during the period of time slot T9, and thereafter continues to acquire data sets measured by other sensor devices 10 for each time slot.

[0046] The data acquisition unit 52 stores in the storage unit 40 the data sets (a collection of data detected by the sensors 20) acquired from the respective sensor devices 10.

[0047] (Number of data in the dataset) Here, the number of data in the data set acquired by the data acquisition unit 52 from the sensor device 10 during the same period may be required to correspond to each of the simultaneously connected sensor devices 10. Here, "the number of data corresponds to each of the sensor devices 10" refers to the number of data transmitted from the sensor device 10 to the data processing device 12 being the same for all of the simultaneously connected sensor devices 10, but is not limited thereto. It may refer to the number of data transmitted from each of the sensor devices 10 during the same time being as close as possible to the same number, or the ratio of the number of data being as close as possible to a predetermined ratio. By making the number of data correspond to each of the sensor devices 10 in this way, it is possible to appropriately associate the data of each of the sensor devices 10, and the data of each of the sensor devices 10 can be effectively used, for example, by appropriately calculating road surface information. The data set according to this embodiment is assumed to be a collection of 60 pieces of data, which is a specified value.

[0048] However, since the time slots in which the sensor devices 10 transmit and receive data are switched in a chronological order for each sensor device 10, the timing of transmitting the data measurement start command signal differs for each sensor device 10, and the timing of starting data measurement differs for each sensor device 10, as described above. Therefore, for example, in the initial period, only some of the sensor devices 10 will perform data measurement, and as a result, the number of data acquired by the data processing device 12 during the same period may differ for each sensor device 10. In response to this, the data processing device 12 according to this embodiment can appropriately associate the number of data sets acquired from the sensor devices 10 by deleting data during a period in which only some of the sensor devices 10 performed data measurement, once it has determined that the data sets have been appropriately acquired from all the sensor devices 10. This process will be described in detail below.

[0049] (Dataset Synchronization) FIG. 5 is a time chart for explaining the synchronization process. Here, among the sensor devices 10, the sensor device 10 that first transmits a data set to the data processing device 12 after the data processing device 12 outputs a data measurement start command signal to the sensor device 10 is defined as the first sensor device. As described above, the order of communication with the sensor device 10 is unknown until the data processing device 12 acquires data from each sensor device 10. In the example of FIG. 4, the sensor device 10A corresponds to the first sensor device. Also, the timing at which the data processing device 12 acquires a data set for the first time after the data processing device 12 outputs a data measurement start command signal to the sensor device 10 is defined as the first timing. In the example of FIG. 4, the time t1 at which the data processing device 12 acquires the data set A1 from the sensor device 10A corresponds to the first timing. Also, the timing at which the data processing device 12 acquires the data set from the first sensor device after the first timing is defined as the second timing. In the example of FIG. 4, the time t2 at which the data processing device 12 acquires the data set A2 from the sensor device 10A corresponds to the second timing. Furthermore, among the sensor devices 10, the sensor device 10 that transmits the data set acquired by the data processing device 12 immediately before the second timing (the sensor device 10 that transmits the data set in the time slot immediately before the second timing) is defined as the second sensor device. In the example of FIG. 4, the sensor device 10D that transmits the data set immediately before time t2, which is the second timing, corresponds to the second sensor device. Furthermore, the timing at which the second sensor device starts measuring data is defined as the third timing. In the example of FIG. 4, time t3 at which the sensor device 10D, which is the second sensor device, starts measuring corresponds to the third timing. The third timing is a timing earlier than the first timing.

[0050] In this case, when the first condition is satisfied that a data set has been acquired once from each of the sensor devices 10 other than the first sensor device between the first timing and the second timing, the data synchronization unit 54 of the data processing device 12 deletes data acquired before the third timing and stores the remaining data that has not been deleted. In the example of FIG. 4, the data synchronization unit 54 acquires a data set (data sets B1, C1, D1) once each from each of the sensor devices 10B, 10C, and 10D, which are all the sensor devices 10 other than the first sensor device, between the time t1, which is the first timing, and the time t2, which is the second timing. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, since the first condition is satisfied, the data synchronization unit 54 deletes data measured up to the time t3, which is the third timing, and stores data acquired thereafter in the storage unit 40, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0051] That is, in the example of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the data synchronization unit 54 deletes data measured by the sensor device 10A before time t3 from the data set acquired from the sensor device 10A, and stores data measured after time t3 in the storage unit 40. Also, the data synchronization unit 54 deletes data measured by the sensor device 10B before time t3 from the data set acquired from the sensor device 10B, and stores data measured after time t3 in the storage unit 40. Also, the data synchronization unit 54 deletes data measured by the sensor device 10C before time t3 from the data set acquired from the sensor device 10C, and stores data measured after time t3 in the storage unit 40. Also, the data synchronization unit 54 stores all data included in the data set acquired from the sensor device 10D in the storage unit 40 without deleting it.

[0052] In this manner, in the example of this embodiment, data measured before the third timing (time t3) is deleted, and data measured after the third timing (time t3) is left without being deleted. However, this is not limited thereto, and data measured after the third timing may also be deleted. That is, the data synchronizer 54 may delete data measured from the third timing until a predetermined period in addition to data measured before the third timing, and store data thereafter. The predetermined period in this case may be set appropriately.

[0053] As described above, when the first condition is satisfied, the data synchronization unit 54 determines that the data sets have been properly acquired from all the sensor devices 10, deletes the data measured before the third timing (time t3), and stores the remaining data that has not been deleted. When proper transmission with all the sensor devices 10 has been performed, the data processing device 12 acquires the data sets from each sensor device 10 in order, so that the first condition is satisfied. In this way, when the first condition is satisfied, by deleting the data measured before the third timing, the data measured during the period when only some of the sensor devices 10 performed measurements is deleted without being stored. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the timing at which the data that has not been deleted is measured for each sensor device 10 can be matched, and the number of pieces of data acquired from each sensor device 10 can be properly associated with each other.

[0054] (Data measurement stop command) Up to this point, the case where the first condition is satisfied (when data sets can be appropriately acquired from all the sensor devices 10) has been described, but in reality, the first condition may not be satisfied due to the influence of the communication environment, etc. Examples of events occurring when the first condition is not satisfied include an event where communication between some of the multiple sensor devices 10 and the data processing device 12 fails (hereinafter referred to as a communication skip), or communication fails when the number of data in the acquired data set does not reach the specified value of 60. In this embodiment, the data processing device 12 stops measurement of all the sensor devices 10 when the first condition is not satisfied.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a time chart when a data measurement stop command signal is transmitted during communication skip. When the first condition is not satisfied, the data processing device 12 outputs a data measurement stop command signal to all the sensor devices 10 to stop data measurement. After the second timing when it becomes possible to determine that the first condition is not satisfied, the data processing device 12 outputs a data measurement stop command signal to all the sensor devices 10. In this case, the data processing device 12 outputs a data measurement stop command signal to each sensor device 10 in turn in each time slot after the second timing. The sensor device 10 that has acquired the data measurement stop command signal stops data measurement by the sensor 20. Thus, in this embodiment, when the first condition is not satisfied, the data processing device 12 determines that the data set has not been properly acquired from all the sensor devices 10, and outputs a data measurement stop command signal to each sensor device 10 without performing a process of deleting data acquired before the third timing and storing the remaining data. This makes it possible to suppress the continuation of data measurement when the data set cannot be properly acquired from all the sensor devices 10. In this case, the data processing device 12 may delete all the data acquired from each sensor device 10.

[0056] Examples of cases in which the first condition is not satisfied include a case in which the data processing device 12 has not acquired a data set from a sensor device 10 during the period from the first timing to the second timing, or a case in which the data processing device 12 has acquired a data set multiple times from the same sensor device 10 during the period from the first timing to the second timing.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows an example in which the data processing device 12 does not acquire a data set from the sensor device 10C during the period from the first timing to the second timing. In the example of FIG. 6, the data processing device 12 does not acquire a data set from the sensor device 10C during the period from time t1 to time t2. In this case, the data processing device 12 outputs a data measurement stop command signal to each sensor device 10 as the first condition is not satisfied. In the example of FIG. 6, the data processing device 12 outputs a data measurement stop command signal to the sensor device 10B in time slot T10 immediately after time t2, outputs a data measurement stop command signal to the sensor device 10C in time slot T11, outputs a data measurement stop command signal to the sensor device 10D in time slot T12, and outputs a data measurement stop command signal to the sensor device 10A in time slot T13. When sensor device 10B receives a data measurement stop command signal in time slot T10, it stops measurement by sensor 20. When sensor device 10C receives a data measurement stop command signal in time slot T11, it stops measurement by sensor 20. When sensor device 10D receives a data measurement stop command signal in time slot T12, it stops measurement by sensor 20. When sensor device 10A receives a data measurement stop command signal in time slot T13, it stops measurement by sensor 20.

[0058] In this embodiment, as described above, when the first condition is satisfied, data before the third timing is deleted, and when the first condition is not satisfied, measurement is stopped. However, the data processing device 12 may determine whether to perform these processes based on the second condition described below in addition to the first condition. A specific description will be given below.

[0059] In this example, when both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the data processing device 12 determines that the data set has been properly acquired from all the sensor devices 10, deletes the data measured before the third timing, and stores the remaining data that has not been deleted. On the other hand, when at least one of the first condition and the second condition is not satisfied, the data processing device 12 outputs a data measurement stop command signal to all the sensor devices 10.

[0060] The second condition here means that the number of data items included in the data set from each sensor device 10 is a predetermined number. In other words, the second condition means that the number of data items included in the data set acquired in one time slot from each sensor device 10 is a predetermined number. For example, in FIG. 4, if all of the data items included in the data sets A1 to D1 acquired by the sensor devices 10A to 10D are the predetermined number, the second condition is considered to be satisfied, and if the number of data items included in at least one of the data sets A1 to D1 is not the predetermined number, the second condition is considered not to be satisfied. The predetermined number here may be any number.

[0061] Here, when communication is performed properly, the number of data items included in one data set is a predetermined value. Therefore, by applying the second condition and performing the above-mentioned processing, it becomes possible to synchronize data more appropriately.

[0062] (Instruction to resume data measurement) After stopping the data measurement of all the sensor devices 10, the data processing device 12 can output a data measurement restart instruction to the sensor devices 10 at any timing. For example, the timing of outputting the data measurement restart instruction may be determined according to the number of sensor devices that did not acquire a data set between the first timing t1 and the second timing t2. Specifically, the start time of the communication cycle between each sensor device 10 and the data processing device 12 may be estimated based on the number of sensor devices that did not acquire a data set between the first timing t1 and the second timing t2, and the timing of outputting the data measurement restart instruction may be set based on the estimation result. In more detail, the data processing device 12 switches the sensor devices 10 that communicate with each other for each time slot, and the interval between the data processing device 12 communicating with a sensor device 10 once and the next communication with the same sensor device 10 is set as the communication cycle (the time for four time slots in this example). At this time, due to a difference between the communication cycle and the communication timing of the data measurement start command signal by the data processing device 12, the data set may not be properly acquired. When instructing to resume data measurement, it is preferable to correct the difference in timing before instructing to resume data measurement. For example, if there is only one sensor device that has not acquired a data set between the first timing t1 and the second timing t2, this indicates that the communication timing of the data measurement start command signal was delayed by one time slot with respect to the communication cycle. By matching this difference with the time information of the data measurement start command signal timing by the data processing device 12, the start time of the communication cycle between the data processing device 12 and the sensor device 10 can be clarified. By outputting an instruction to resume data measurement to the sensor device 10 in accordance with the cycle (four time slots) of the start time of the communication cycle between the data processing device 12 and the sensor device 10, it is possible to prevent failure in acquiring a data set from the next time onwards due to a difference between the communication cycle and the communication timing of the data measurement start command signal by the data processing device 12.

[0063] (End time synchronization process for data to be saved) As described above, the data synchronizer 54 of the data processing device 12 deletes data acquired before the third timing t3 from the acquired data set, thereby synchronizing the measurement start times of the remaining data that have not been deleted. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the data synchronizer 54 may also synchronize the measurement end times of the data transmitted from each sensor device 10.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a time chart for explaining the data end time synchronization process. When the data synchronization unit 54 ends the data measurement, it outputs a data measurement stop command signal to each sensor device 10 in turn in each time slot. The sensor device 10 that has acquired the data measurement stop command signal stops the data measurement by the sensor 20. At this time, the measurement start times of the data stored by the data synchronization unit 54 are aligned by the above-mentioned synchronization process, but the measurement end times may not be aligned because the time at which the data measurement stop command signal is acquired differs for each sensor device 10. In contrast, in this embodiment, the data synchronization unit 54 performs a process for synchronizing the measurement end times. Here, the sensor device 10 that has transmitted the least total number of data after the synchronization process of the measurement start times among the data acquired from the sensor device 10 and stored in the storage unit 40 is set as the third sensor device. In the example of FIG. 7, the third sensor device is the sensor device 10A, which is the same as the first sensor device. In addition, the timing at which the third sensor device stops the data measurement is set as the end time t4. In this case, the data synchronization unit 54 deletes data measured after the end time t4 from among the data transmitted from each sensor device 10, and stores the remaining data that has not been deleted in the storage unit 40. This makes it possible to synchronize the measurement end times of the data measured by each sensor device 10 that is stored. In other words, the data synchronization unit 54 synchronizes the measurement start time and the measurement end time of the data and stores the data from each sensor device 10, so that the number of data acquired from each sensor device 10 can be uniform. Note that, although an example has been described in which the data synchronization unit 54 executes the end time synchronization process in accordance with the end time t4 of the data of the third sensor device, the end time synchronization process may be executed in accordance with any time after the third timing t3, as long as it is the time when the data measurement is performed in the third sensor device.

[0065] (Processing flow) The flow of the data synchronization process described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flow chart for describing the data synchronization process flow. As shown in FIG. 8, when the measurement instruction unit 50 of the data processing device 12 transmits a data measurement start command signal to the sensor device 10 via the communication module 42 (step S10), the sensor device 10 starts data measurement using the sensor 20. Thereafter, the measured data is transmitted to the data processing device 12 via the communication module 24. The data acquisition unit 52 acquires a data set, which is a collection of data transmitted from the sensor device 10 via the communication module 42 (step S12). If the sensor device 10 that measured the data set acquired by the data acquisition unit 52 does not overlap (step S14; No), that is, if the data set has not been acquired from the same sensor device 10 more than twice, the process returns to step S12 and continues acquiring data. On the other hand, if the data set acquired by the data acquisition unit 52 overlaps with the sensor device 10 that measured it (step S14; Yes) and if the data set has been acquired from all the sensor devices 10 (step S16; Yes), the first condition is satisfied and the process proceeds to step S18. In other words, if the first condition is satisfied and the number of data in the data set acquired by the data acquisition unit 52 is a predetermined number (step S18; Yes), the second condition is also satisfied in addition to the first condition, so the data synchronization unit 54 deletes the data measured before the third timing t3 and saves the data measured after the third timing t3 (step S20), and terminates this process.

[0066] The method of determining if the data acquisition unit 52 has acquired data sets from all the sensor devices 10 (step S16; Yes) may be set to any method. For example, the data acquisition unit 52 may determine whether the data sets have been acquired from all the sensor devices 10 based on the count number assigned to the data set acquired by the data acquisition unit 52. For example, the count number assigned to the data set indicates the number of the data set transmitted from each sensor device 10, using a number ranging from 0 to 65536. Therefore, the data acquisition unit 52 may check the count numbers of the data sets for the number of sensor devices 10 (the fourth if there are four sensor devices 10) starting from the data set received first, and if all the count numbers are "0", it may be determined that the communication has been successful and that the data acquisition unit 52 has acquired data sets from all the sensor devices 10.

[0067] On the other hand, if the data sets have not been acquired from all the sensor devices 10 (step S16; No), the first condition is not satisfied and a data measurement stop command signal is transmitted to all the sensor devices 10 via the communication module 42 (step S22). Similarly, if the number of data in the data set acquired by the data acquisition unit 52 is not a predetermined number (step S18; No), the second condition is not satisfied and the measurement instruction unit 50 transmits a data measurement stop command signal to all the sensor devices 10 via the communication module 42 (step S22).

[0068] Any method may be set as the method of determination when the data acquisition unit 52 has not been able to acquire data sets from all the sensor devices 10 (step S16; No). For example, the data acquisition unit 52 checks the count numbers of the data sets for the number of sensor devices 10 (the fourth if there are four sensor devices 10) from the data set received first, and if the count numbers are not all "0", for example, if there is a mixture of "0" and "1", it may be determined that communication has failed and that the data acquisition unit 52 has not been able to acquire data sets from all the sensor devices 10.

[0069] (effect) As described above, the data processing device 12 according to the present disclosure is a data processing device 12 that wirelessly communicates while switching among a plurality of sensor devices 10 that are communication partners at predetermined time intervals, and includes a measurement instruction unit 50 that outputs a start command to start data measurement for the plurality of sensor devices 10, a data acquisition unit 52 that acquires a data set, which is a collection of a plurality of data measured by the sensor devices 10 at a predetermined sampling rate, from each of the plurality of sensor devices 10, and a data synchronization unit 54 that deletes data of sensor devices other than the second sensor device that were measured before a third timing t3 at which the second sensor device that transmitted the data set acquired immediately before the second timing t2 started data measurement, and stores the remaining data that was not deleted, when a first condition is satisfied that a data set has been acquired once from each of the sensor devices 10 other than the first sensor device from the first sensor device that first acquired the data set after the start command was output, from the first sensor device that first acquired the data set after the start command was output, to the second timing t2 at which the data set was acquired next from the first sensor device. According to the present disclosure, the data processing device 12 can appropriately associate data acquired from each sensor device.

[0070] Furthermore, when the first condition is not satisfied, the measurement instruction unit 50 outputs a data measurement stop command signal to stop data measurement to all of the multiple sensor devices 10. According to the present disclosure, when the acquired data does not satisfy the first condition, the data processing device 12 stops the data measurement and does not execute the synchronization process, so that it is possible to prevent inappropriate data association using data with different measurement start times.

[0071] Furthermore, the measurement instruction unit 50 determines the next timing for outputting a start command depending on the number of sensor devices 10 that did not acquire a data set between the first timing t1 and the second timing t2. According to the present disclosure, the data processing device 12 can prevent failure in acquiring a data set due to a mismatch between the communication cycle and the timing of outputting a data measurement start command signal.

[0072] Furthermore, when the first condition is satisfied and the second condition is satisfied that the number of data included in the data set from each sensor device 10 is a predetermined number, the data synchronizer 54 deletes data measured before the third timing t3 and stores the remaining data that has not been deleted. According to the present disclosure, the data processing device 12 can appropriately associate data acquired from each sensor device when the acquired data satisfies the first condition and the second condition.

[0073] Furthermore, when the second condition is not satisfied, the measurement instruction unit 50 outputs a data measurement stop command signal to stop data measurement to all of the multiple sensor devices 10. According to the present disclosure, when the acquired data does not satisfy the second condition, the data processing device 12 stops the data measurement and does not execute the synchronization process, so that it is possible to prevent inappropriate data association using data in which the number of data in the data set is different from a predetermined number.

[0074] Moreover, the data processing device system 1 according to the present disclosure includes a data processing device 12 and a plurality of sensor devices 10. According to the present disclosure, the data processing device system 1 can appropriately associate data acquired from each sensor device.

[0075] Although the embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to the contents of these embodiments. The above-mentioned components include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-mentioned components can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Data Processing Device System 10 Sensor device 12 Data Processing Device 20 Sensors 54 Data Synchronization Section

Claims

1. A data processing device that wirelessly communicates with a plurality of sensor devices by switching between the sensor devices at predetermined time intervals, a measurement instruction unit that outputs a start command to the plurality of sensor devices to start data measurement; a data acquisition unit that acquires, from each of the plurality of sensor devices, a data set that is a collection of a plurality of pieces of data measured by the sensor devices at a predetermined sampling rate; a data synchronization unit that deletes the data of the sensor devices other than the second sensor device that was measured before a third timing at which the second sensor device that transmitted the data set acquired immediately before the second timing started data measurement, and stores the data that was not deleted, when a first condition is satisfied that the data set has been acquired once from each of the sensor devices other than the first sensor device from which the data acquisition unit first acquired the data set after outputting the start command, from a first timing at which the data set was acquired for the first time to a second timing at which the data set is next acquired from the first sensor device; Equipped with Data processing device.

2. When the first condition is not satisfied, the measurement instruction unit outputs a stop command to stop data measurement to all of the plurality of sensor devices.

2. A data processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. the measurement instruction unit determines a next timing for outputting the start command depending on the number of the sensor devices that have not acquired the data set during a period from the first timing to the second timing.

3. A data processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. the data synchronization unit, when the first condition is satisfied and a second condition is satisfied that a number of pieces of data included in the data set from each of the sensor devices is a predetermined number, deletes the data measured before the third timing and stores the data that has not been deleted. The data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When the second condition is not satisfied, the measurement instruction unit outputs a stop command to stop data measurement to all of the plurality of sensor devices.

5. A data processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. A data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; The plurality of sensor devices; having Data processing device system.

7. A data processing method using a data processing device that wirelessly communicates with a plurality of sensor devices by switching the communication partners at predetermined time intervals, comprising the steps of: outputting a start command to the plurality of sensor devices to start data measurement; acquiring, from each of the plurality of sensor devices, a data set that is a collection of a plurality of pieces of data measured by the sensor devices at a predetermined sampling rate; a step of deleting the data of the sensor devices other than the second sensor device that was measured before a third timing at which the second sensor device that transmitted the data set acquired immediately before the second timing started measuring data, and storing the data that was not deleted, when a first condition is satisfied that the data set has been acquired once from each of the sensor devices other than the first sensor device from the first sensor device that acquired the data set first, from a first timing at which the data set was acquired first, to a second timing at which the data set is acquired next from the first sensor device; Including, Data processing methods.

8. A program for causing a computer to execute a data processing method using a data processing device that wirelessly communicates with a plurality of sensor devices by switching between the sensor devices at predetermined time intervals, the program comprising: outputting a start command to the plurality of sensor devices to start data measurement; acquiring, from each of the plurality of sensor devices, a data set that is a collection of a plurality of pieces of data measured by the sensor devices at a predetermined sampling rate; a step of deleting the data of the sensor devices other than the second sensor device that was measured before a third timing at which the second sensor device that transmitted the data set acquired immediately before the second timing started measuring data, and storing the data that was not deleted, when a first condition is satisfied that the data set has been acquired once from each of the sensor devices other than the first sensor device from the first sensor device that acquired the data set first, from a first timing at which the data set was acquired first, to a second timing at which the data set is acquired next from the first sensor device; to cause a computer to execute program.

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