Information processing device, information process system, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and an information processing method that can suppress complication of a device compared with conventional ones.SOLUTION: An information processing device 100 comprises: a clocking unit that counts a time; a signal acquisition unit that acquires a binary signal transmitted from an external device; a time information acquisition unit that acquires time information indicating a time when the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit on the basis of the time counted by the clocking unit; a time determination unit that determines in which one of a plurality of predefined periods the time when the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit falls, on the basis of the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit; and an estimation unit that estimates to which one of a plurality of predefined pieces of information related to a state of the external device the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit corresponds on the basis of a determination result of the time determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a remaining amount warning system for kerosene has been disclosed in which a hot water detection signal is output when the remaining amount of kerosene in a kerosene tank decreases to a predetermined value or less, and delivery request data is transmitted to a host computer of a kerosene supplier through a telephone line based on the hot water detection signal (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The system described in Patent Document 1 is a system that detects whether the remaining amount of kerosene is more than a predetermined value. When the remaining amount of kerosene is more than the predetermined value, it is not possible to detect how much more the remaining amount of kerosene is than the predetermined value. For example, by outputting a signal corresponding to the remaining amount of kerosene, it becomes possible to detect how much more the remaining amount of kerosene is than the predetermined value. However, when configured to detect how much more the remaining amount of kerosene is than the predetermined value by outputting a signal corresponding to the remaining amount of kerosene in this way, there is a problem that the information amount of the signal increases, and thus the apparatus, particularly the communication apparatus for transmitting the detected signal onto the network, becomes more complicated than when detecting only whether the remaining amount of kerosene is more than the predetermined value.

[0005] The present disclosure solves the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method capable of suppressing complication of the apparatus as compared with the conventional case.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a timekeeping unit that measures time, a signal acquisition unit that acquires a binary signal transmitted from an external device, a time information acquisition unit that acquires time information indicating the time when the binary signal is acquired by the signal acquisition unit based on the time measured by the timekeeping unit, a time determination unit that determines which of a plurality of preset periods the time when the binary signal is acquired by the signal acquisition unit is included in based on the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit, and an estimation unit that estimates which of a plurality of pieces of information regarding the state of the external device preset corresponds to the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit based on the determination result by the time determination unit. It is characterized by comprising these components.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, since the information possessed by the binary signal is estimated based on the time when the binary signal is acquired and the state of the binary signal acquired at that time, it is possible to suppress the complication of the apparatus compared to the case of estimating information based on a binary or more complex signal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system according to Embodiment 1 includes a plurality of external devices 11, 12, ···, 1N (N is a natural number, the same applies hereinafter), a plurality of communication devices 21, 22, ···, 2N provided corresponding to each external device, and an information processing device 100. The external devices 11, 12, ···, 1N are respectively connected to the corresponding communication devices among the communication devices 21, 22, ···, 2N so as to be communicable with each other wirelessly or by wire. Further, the communication devices 21, 22, ···, 2N and the information processing device 100 are connected to each other wirelessly or by wire via a communication network NT1. For example, the communication network NT1 is a communication network such as the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), or a LAN (Local Area Network), and is configured by an optical fiber line, a telephone line, a communication network in which a plurality of communication devices are connected to each other, or a combination thereof. In the following description, any one of the external devices 11, 12, ···, 1N is also simply referred to as an "external device", and any one of the communication devices 21, 22, ···, 2N is also simply referred to as a "communication device".

[0010] The external device is installed, for example, in each household, store, enterprise, factory, and other facilities, and includes a timekeeping unit (not shown) that measures time and a signal output unit (not shown) that outputs a signal to the outside. Specifically, the external device includes a storage tank, a storage sensor (not shown) that detects the amount of contents such as fuel, water, beverages, grains, food, other gases, liquids, or granular or powdered substances stored in the storage tank, and a controller (not shown) that controls the consumption amount (discharge amount) of the contents consumed (discharged) by the operation of the external device and realizes the functions of the timekeeping unit and the signal output unit. More specifically, the external device includes a storage tank that stores fuel such as kerosene, light oil, LP gas, city gas, gasoline, etc., a storage sensor that detects the amount of fuel stored in the storage tank, a combustion chamber that obtains thermal energy by burning the supplied fuel, and a controller that controls the supply of fuel to the combustion chamber and realizes the functions of the timekeeping unit and the signal output unit. For example, when the external device is an oil water heater, since the amount of kerosene injected from its nozzle in a certain period of time is determined, if the total injection time from the nozzle is known, the amount of kerosene used can be known and the remaining amount in the tank can be estimated. In this way, the storage sensor that detects the amount of contents stored in the storage tank may be configured to indirectly detect the amount of contents stored by detecting the amount of contents discharged (consumed) from the storage tank, or may be configured to directly detect the amount of contents stored in the storage tank.

[0011] The timekeeping unit is composed of, for example, a hardware clock, a system clock, or a combination thereof, and measures the time when the external device performs processing.

[0012] The signal output unit outputs an identification signal for identifying which one of the plurality of external devices 11, 12, ···, 1N it is, and a binary signal, based on the time measured by the time measuring unit. For example, the signal output unit becomes on based on a preset specific trigger, and outputs a binary signal that becomes off after a preset specific time. For example, the signal output unit outputs the identification signal and the binary signal based on the time measured by the time measuring unit and the amount of fuel detected by the fuel storage sensor. For example, the binary signal output by the signal output unit is a contact signal that can be switched between the on state and the off state of the contact of the controller. For example, the binary signal output by the signal output unit only needs to be a signal capable of discriminating between two values, and may be a signal capable of discriminating between two values in the on state and the off state of a pulse signal, or may be an analog signal, or may be a digital signal.

[0013] Also, for example, the identification signal output by the signal output unit is a signal corresponding to the individual identification number set individually for each external device. Note that the identification signal output by the signal output unit only needs to be a signal capable of identifying each external device. For example, it may be a signal indicating the address of the location where each external device is installed, or may be a signal indicating the identification information for identifying the user of each external device.

[0014] Also, the signal output unit outputs a binary signal together with the identification signal. In other words, the signal output unit outputs the identification signal and the binary signal at substantially the same time. For example, the signal output unit outputs the identification signal and the binary signal so that they are continuous. Also, for example, the signal output unit outputs the identification signal and the binary signal so that the time between them is within 1 second. Also, for example, the signal output unit outputs a signal obtained by overlapping the identification signal and the binary signal. The timing at which the signal output unit outputs the identification signal and the binary signal will be described later.

[0015] The storage sensor detects the amount of oil stored in the storage tank as a discrete value and outputs a signal corresponding to the detection result to the controller. For example, when the state where the storage tank is full is 100% and the state where the storage tank is empty is 0%, the storage sensor detects whether the amount of oil stored in the storage tank is 50% or more and 100% or less, less than 50% and 30% or more, less than 30% and 10% or more, or less than 10%.

[0016] The controller is composed of an electric circuit having a plurality of circuit elements. For example, the controller is composed of circuit elements such as a processor, a memory, and an I / O port. Also, for example, the controller is composed of a dedicated processing circuit and an I / O port. Note that the external device is not limited to the above, and may be a computer, home appliance, fuel storage facility, food storage facility, water storage facility, or other device having a function of outputting a signal to the outside. For example, the controller measures time by a time measuring unit and outputs a signal to a communication device by a signal output unit. Also, for example, the controller adjusts the time measured by the time measuring unit based on an input signal from the outside.

[0017] The communication device transmits a signal from a corresponding external device to the information processing device 100 via the communication network NT1. For example, the communication device is composed of a smart meter installed in each home, store, company, factory, or other facility and having a communication function for measuring the usage amounts of gas, water, electricity, etc. Note that the communication device is not limited to the above, and may be a modem, an ONU (Optical Network Unit), or other device capable of transmitting a signal from an external device to the communication network NT1. Also, the communication device may be integrally configured with a corresponding external device, or may be communicably connected to a plurality of external devices and configured to transmit signals from the plurality of connected external devices to the information processing device 100 via the communication network NT1.

[0018] The information processing apparatus 100 includes an input unit 101, an output unit 102, a timing unit 103, a period setting unit 104, a signal acquisition unit 105, an external device identification unit 106, a time information acquisition unit 107, a time determination unit 108, an estimation unit 109, and a storage unit 110.

[0019] The input unit 101 receives signals from the communication network NT1. For example, the input unit 101 receives signals from each communication device by receiving signals transmitted from each communication device via the communication network NT1. Specifically, the input unit 101 receives binary signals and identification signals from each external device transmitted from each communication device via the communication network NT1. The output unit 102 outputs information regarding the processing result of the information processing apparatus 100 to other devices via the communication network NT1.

[0020] The timing unit 103 measures time. For example, the timing unit 103 is composed of a hardware clock, a system clock, or a combination thereof. Also, for example, the timing unit 103 adjusts the measured time based on a specific trigger. For example, the timing unit 103 adjusts the measured time when it acquires a signal for adjusting time from another device via the communication network NT1. Note that the timing unit 103 may be configured to acquire a signal for adjusting time from a device (not shown) directly connected to the information processing apparatus 100, or may be configured to acquire a signal for adjusting time from an input device (not shown) that the information processing apparatus 100 has and receives input operations from the user.

[0021] The period setting unit 104 presets a plurality of periods including a first period as a specific period and a second period as a specific period that does not overlap with the first period based on the time measured by the timing unit 103. For example, the period setting unit 104 divides each day into one-hour intervals starting from 0:00 and sets 24 periods for each day.

[0022] The signal acquisition unit 105 acquires a signal from an external device based on the signal input to the input unit 101. For example, the signal acquisition unit 105 acquires a binary signal and an identification signal from the external device based on the signal input to the input unit 101. Specifically, the signal acquisition unit 105 acquires the binary signal transmitted from the external device and the identification signal transmitted from the external device together with the binary signal based on the signal input to the input unit 101.

[0023] The external device identification unit 106 identifies from which of a plurality of external devices the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 is transmitted based on the signal from the signal acquisition unit 105. For example, the external device identification unit 106 identifies from which of the plurality of external devices the binary signal transmitted from the external device together with the identification signal is transmitted based on the identification signal from the external device acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105. In other words, when the signal acquisition unit 105 acquires the first identification signal transmitted together with the binary signal from the first external device among the plurality of external devices and the second identification signal transmitted together with the binary signal from the second external device among the plurality of external devices, the external device identification unit 106 identifies from which of the first external device and the second external device the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 is transmitted based on the first identification signal and the second identification signal.

[0024] The time information acquisition unit 107 acquires time information indicating the time when the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 based on the time measured by the timer unit 103. For example, the time information acquisition unit 107 acquires time information indicating the hour, minute, and second of the time when the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 based on the time measured by the timer unit 103. Also, for example, the time information acquisition unit 107 acquires information regarding the time measured by the external device that transmitted the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 based on the time measured by the timer unit 103. Specifically, the time information acquisition unit 107 acquires time difference information regarding the time difference between the time measured by the external device that transmitted the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 and the time measured by the timer unit 103 based on the time measured by the timer unit 103. Details of the information regarding the time measured by the external device acquired by the time information acquisition unit 107 will be described later.

[0025] The time determination unit 108 determines, based on the information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 107, in which of a plurality of periods preset by the period setting unit 104 the time when the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 is included. For example, the time determination unit 108 determines, based on the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 107, in which of a plurality of periods preset by the period setting unit 104 the time when the binary signal was acquired is included. Also, for example, the time determination unit 108 determines, based on the time information and the time difference information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 107, in which of a plurality of periods preset by the period setting unit 104 the time when the binary signal was acquired is included.

[0026] Specifically, based on the time information and time difference information acquired by the time determination unit 108, the time determination unit 108 determines which period among a plurality of periods set by the period setting unit 104 the time when the external device was timing when the binary signal was transmitted is included in. More specifically, the time determination unit 108 corrects, based on the time information and time difference information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 107, the time measured by the timer unit 103 when the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 to the time measured by the external device, and determines which period among a plurality of periods set by the period setting unit 104 the time when the external device was timing when the binary signal was transmitted is included in.

[0027] Based on the determination result by the time determination unit 108, the estimation unit 109 estimates the content of the information from the external device. Specifically, based on the determination result by the time determination unit 108, the estimation unit 109 estimates which information among a plurality of preset information the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to. In other words, based on the determination result by the time determination unit 108, the estimation unit 109 estimates which information among the preset first information and second information the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to.

[0028] For example, based on the determination result by the time determination unit 108, the estimation unit 109 estimates information regarding the state of the external device that transmitted the binary signal. Specifically, in a state where information indicating a first state and information indicating a second state are preset as the state of the external device, the estimation unit 109 estimates which of the first state and the second state the external device that transmitted the binary signal corresponds to based on the determination result by the time determination unit 108. For example, when the determination result by the time determination unit 108 indicates that the period during which the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 is the first period, the estimation unit 109 estimates that the state of the external device is the first state, and when the determination result by the time determination unit 108 indicates that the period during which the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 is the second period, the estimation unit 109 estimates that the state of the external device is the second state.

[0029] For example, based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit 108, the estimation unit 109 estimates the storage amount of the content in the storage tank of the external device as the state of the external device. Specifically, as the state of the external device, information indicating that the storage amount of the content in the storage tank of the external device is the first amount, information indicating that it is the second amount, and information indicating that it is the third amount are preset. In this state, the estimation unit 109 estimates, based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit 108, which of the first amount, the second amount, and the third amount, which are the storage amounts of the content in the storage tank of the external device, the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to. For example, when the external device is an oil-fired water heater, the estimation unit 109 estimates, based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit 108, which of the information indicating the storage amount of the content in the oil-fired water heater, that is, the fuel such as kerosene consumed by the oil-fired water heater, the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to.

[0030] Also, for example, based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit 108, the estimation unit 109 estimates information regarding the operation history of the external device. Specifically, as information regarding the operation history of the external device, information indicating that the consumption amount of the content in the storage tank of the external device is the first amount, information indicating that it is the second amount, and information indicating that it is the third amount are preset. In this state, the estimation unit 109 estimates, based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit 108, which of the first amount, the second amount, and the third amount, which are the consumption amounts of the content in the storage tank of the external device, the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to. Details of the estimation by the estimation unit 109 will be described later.

[0031] The storage unit 110 stores set values, programs, information indicating the results of the processes performed by the information processing apparatus 100, and other information used in the processes performed by the information processing apparatus 100. Each component of the information processing apparatus 100 performs each process with reference to the information stored in the storage unit 110 as necessary.

[0032] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration different from that of FIG. 2 of the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a processor 100a, a memory 100b, and an I / O port 100c, and is configured such that the processor 100a reads and executes a program stored in the memory 100b. The memory 100b may be a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM. Also, the memory 100b may be a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD, or the like. Further, the memory 100b may be an HDD or an SSD.

[0033] Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a processing circuit 100d, which is dedicated hardware, and an I / O port 100c. The processing circuit 100d is configured by, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel-programmed processor, a system LSI (Large-Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Each function of the information processing apparatus 100 is realized by the processor 100a or the processing circuit 100d, which is dedicated hardware, executing a program that is software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Note that the information processing apparatus 100 may have hardware and circuit elements other than those described above. Also, the information processing apparatus 100 may be configured as a single device, or the functions may be distributed among a plurality of devices, and each function may be realized by the cooperation of these plurality of devices.

[0034] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the processing performed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. The processing performed by the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4 is processing for the information processing apparatus 100 to estimate the content of information from an external device based on a binary signal transmitted from the external device. Further, FIG. 5 is a table showing a table stored by the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. The table shown in FIG. 5 is a table showing the correspondence between a plurality of preset periods and a plurality of information by the information processing apparatus 100.

[0035] For example, before performing the processing shown in FIG. 4, the information processing apparatus 100 sets in advance the table shown in FIG. 5 and stores it in the storage unit 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 100 sets in advance five periods from 0:00 AM to 1:00 AM (0:00 AM hour), from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM (8:00 AM hour), from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (9:00 AM hour), from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (10:00 AM hour), and from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (11:00 AM hour) each day, and sets a plurality of information so that any one of the plurality of information corresponds to each period. Specifically, information indicating that the acquired binary signal is a time adjustment signal is stored in the period of 0:00 AM hour each day, information indicating that the remaining amount of the tank as a storage tank is 50% or more and 100% or less is stored in the period of 8:00 AM hour, information indicating that the remaining amount of the tank is 30% or more and less than 50% is stored in the period of 9:00 AM hour, information indicating that the remaining amount of the tank is 10% or more and less than 30% is stored in the period of 10:00 AM hour, and information indicating that the remaining amount of the tank is less than 10% is stored in the period of 11:00 AM hour. A plurality of information is stored so as to correspond to each other. Note that the unit of the remaining amount of the tank may be a unit other than %, as long as it can be detected by a sensor or the like, and may be a unit of weight, a unit of volume, or a unit of number.

[0036] When the process shown in FIG. 4 is started with the table shown in FIG. 5 set, information processing apparatus 100 first acquires a binary signal from an external device (step ST1). In this process, information processing apparatus 100 acquires, via a communication device and communication network NT1, a binary signal from one of a plurality of external devices by signal acquisition unit 105.

[0037] When the process of step ST1 is performed, information processing apparatus 100 acquires time information indicating the time at which the binary signal was acquired by signal acquisition unit 105 (step ST2). In this process, information processing apparatus 100 acquires, based on the time measured by timing unit 103, time information indicating the time at which the binary signal was acquired in the process of step ST1 by time information acquisition unit 107.

[0038] When the process of step ST2 is performed, information processing apparatus 100 determines in which period the time at which the binary signal was acquired is included (step ST3). In this process, information processing apparatus 100 determines, based on the time information acquired by time information acquisition unit 107, in which of a plurality of preset periods the time at which the binary signal was acquired in the process of step ST1 is included by time determination unit 108.

[0039] When the process of step ST3 is performed, information processing apparatus 100 determines whether the time at which the binary signal was acquired is a time adjustment period (step ST4). In this process, information processing apparatus 100 determines, by time determination unit 108, whether the time at which the binary signal was acquired in the process of step ST1 is a specific period for which time information acquisition unit 107 acquires time difference information regarding the time measured by the external device that transmitted the binary signal, i.e., whether it is a time adjustment period.

[0040] For example, the time adjustment period is the period of the AM0 time zone shown in FIG. 5, and is a period during which the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 is treated as a time adjustment signal. When the time at which the binary signal was acquired in the process of step ST1 is within the time adjustment period (YES in step ST4), the information processing apparatus 100 acquires time difference information (step ST5). In this process, the information processing apparatus 100 treats the binary signal acquired in the process of step ST1 as a time adjustment signal, and the time difference information indicating the time difference between the time measured by the external device that transmitted the binary signal based on the time adjustment signal and the time measured by the timing unit 103 is acquired by the time information acquisition unit 107. For example, each external device is configured to transmit a binary signal to the information processing apparatus 100 together with identification information at 30 minutes past AM0 at the time measured by each external device. When the time at which the binary signal was acquired in the process of step ST1 is within the time adjustment period, the information processing apparatus 100 acquires, for each external device, time difference information indicating the time difference between the time at which the binary signal was acquired and 30 minutes past AM0 at the time measured by the timing unit 103.

[0041] When performing the process of step ST5, the information processing apparatus 100 stores the time difference information of each external device in the storage unit 110 (step ST6). Thereby, the information processing apparatus 100 can determine, based on the time difference information of each external device, at what time the time at which the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 is in the time measured by each external device, and in which period the time at which the binary signal was acquired is included in the time measured by each external device. That is, it is possible to determine in which period the time at which the binary signal was acquired is included after calibrating the deviation between the time measured by each external device and the time measured by the information processing apparatus 100. Therefore, it can be said that in the process of step ST6, the information processing apparatus 100 re-sets the period set by the period setting unit 104 for each external device.

[0042] When the time at which the binary signal is acquired in the process of step ST1 is not within the time adjustment period (NO in step ST4), the information processing apparatus 100 estimates the content of the information from the external device based on the time at which the binary signal is acquired in the process of step ST1 (step ST7). For example, in this process, when the time at which the binary signal is acquired in the process of step ST1 is in the 8 o'clock AM period, the information processing apparatus 100 refers to the table stored in the storage unit 110, and the estimation unit 109 estimates that the remaining amount of the tank of the external device that transmitted the binary signal, that is, the storage amount of the content in the storage tank, is 50% or more and 100% or less.

[0043] When performing the process of step ST7, the information processing apparatus 100 outputs the estimated information (step ST8). For example, in this process, the information processing apparatus 100 outputs the estimated information to other devices via the communication network NT1 by the output unit 102. Also, for example, in this process, the information processing apparatus 100 outputs the estimated information to a display device (not shown) such as a liquid crystal monitor provided in the information processing apparatus 100. When performing the process of step ST6 or step ST8, the information processing apparatus 100 ends the process.

[0044] As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a timekeeping unit that keeps time, a signal acquisition unit that acquires a binary signal transmitted from an external device, a time information acquisition unit that acquires time information indicating the time at which the binary signal is acquired by the signal acquisition unit based on the time kept by the timekeeping unit, a time determination unit that determines which of a plurality of preset periods the time at which the binary signal is acquired by the signal acquisition unit is included in based on the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit, and an estimation unit that estimates which of a plurality of preset information the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit corresponds to based on the determination result by the time determination unit.

[0045] Generally, when an information processing apparatus acquires information indicating any one of a plurality of preset information from an external apparatus, the information processing apparatus is required to acquire at least different signals from the external apparatus for each of the plurality of preset information. However, when the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus are configured in this way, there is a problem that the signal becomes complicated due to an increase in the information amount of the signal according to the number of information to be handled, and the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus become complicated.

[0046] On the other hand, even if the signal acquired by the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 is a binary signal, the information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 can estimate which of two or more preset pieces of information the binary signal indicates. Therefore, it is possible to suppress complication of the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus.

[0047] In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes an external apparatus identification unit that identifies from which of a plurality of external apparatuses the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 is transmitted. Thereby, even when the information processing apparatus 100 acquires binary signals from a plurality of external apparatuses, the information processing apparatus 100 can identify from which external apparatus the binary signal is transmitted.

[0048] Further, the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 acquires time difference information indicating the time difference between the time measured by an external device and the time measured by the timer unit 103 based on the time when the binary signal is acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 during a specific period, and determines which period among a plurality of preset periods the time when the binary signal is acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 is included in based on the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 107 and the time difference information. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 100 can estimate at which time of the time measured by the external device the binary signal was transmitted in consideration of the time difference between the time measured by the external device and the time measured by the information processing apparatus 100, so that the discrimination accuracy of the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit 108 can be improved.

[0049] Further, the information processing apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 is configured to estimate which information among the information indicating a plurality of amounts of the storage amount of the contents in the storage tank of the external device, which is preset as information regarding a plurality of states of the external device, the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit 108. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 100 can, for example, use the estimation result by the estimation unit 109 as business information for selling the contents to customers according to the remaining amount of the storage amount of the contents in the storage tank. Further, thereby, the customers and the replenishers can know that the contents in the storage tank are decreasing before the contents run out, and it becomes possible to prevent the contents in the storage tank from running out. Note that the external device may be configured such that when the contents are replenished in the storage tank, a storage amount initialization operation is performed by a customer or a replenisher so that the storage amount becomes 100%.

[0050] Note that, in Embodiment 1, the information processing apparatus 100 is configured to set the time period from 0:00 AM to 0:59 AM as the time adjustment period for a plurality of external devices, but it is not limited thereto. The information processing apparatus may be configured to set other periods as the time adjustment period, or may be configured to set a plurality of time adjustment periods. For example, in the first period, based on the time when a binary signal is acquired from a first external device among a plurality of external devices by the signal acquisition unit, the information processing apparatus acquires first time difference information indicating the time difference between the time measured by the first external device and the time measured by the timing unit. In the second period that does not overlap with the first period, based on the time when a binary signal is acquired from a second external device among a plurality of external devices by the signal acquisition unit, the information processing apparatus may be configured to acquire second time difference information indicating the time difference between the time measured by the second external device and the time measured by the timing unit. Note that it is desirable that the number of set time adjustment periods is less than the number of periods for acquiring binary signals that are treated as other than the time difference adjustment signal. Also, each external device may be configured to transmit a binary signal as a time adjustment signal at a frequency at which the time difference between the time measured by the external device and the time measured by the timing unit becomes sufficiently small. For example, each external device may be configured to transmit a binary signal as a time adjustment signal on different days in a state where one time adjustment period is set for each day.

[0051] Specifically, the information processing apparatus may be configured to classify a plurality of external devices into two or more groups including a first group and a second group, set the time adjustment period corresponding to the first group to the time period from 0:00 AM to 0:59 AM, and set the time adjustment period corresponding to the second group to the time period from 1:00 AM to 1:59 AM. By being configured in this way, the information processing apparatus can suppress the situation where time adjustment signals are input from a large number of external devices at the same timing, and can improve the accuracy of the time difference information.

[0052] Also, in Embodiment 1, the information processing apparatus 100 is configured to set five periods for each day, but it is not limited thereto. The information processing apparatus only needs to be configured to be able to determine in which of a plurality of preset periods the time when the binary signal is acquired is included. For example, it may be configured to set five or more periods for each day, or may be configured to set less than five periods, or may be configured to set a plurality of periods for each hour of the 24 hours of each day, or may be configured to set a plurality of periods for each minute of each hour. For the plurality of periods to be set, various periods can be considered according to the frequency of the information acquired by the information processing apparatus.

[0053] Also, in Embodiment 1, the information processing apparatus 100 is configured to determine in which of a plurality of preset periods the time when the binary signal is acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 is included based on the time information and the time difference information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 107, but it is not limited thereto. The information processing apparatus only needs to be configured to determine in which of a plurality of preset periods the time when the binary signal is acquired by the signal acquisition unit is included based on the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit. For example, when it is clear that the difference between the time measured by the external device and the time measured by the information processing apparatus is sufficiently small, the information processing apparatus does not need to acquire the time difference information based on the signal from the external device. Also, for example, the information processing apparatus may be configured to acquire information indicating the time measured by the external device together with the binary signal from the external device.

[0054] Further, in Embodiment 1, the information processing apparatus 100 is configured to estimate which of a plurality of preset information the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to, based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit 108 and the discrimination result by the external device discrimination unit 106 identified based on the identification information, but is not limited thereto. The information processing apparatus may be configured to estimate which of a plurality of preset information the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit corresponds to, based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit.

[0055] For example, when there is one externally connected device that can communicate, the information processing apparatus may be configured to estimate which of a plurality of preset information the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to, regardless of the identification information. Alternatively, the information processing apparatus may be configured to estimate which of a plurality of preset information the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to, based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit 108 and the length of the acquired binary signal (for example, the length of the on-state time). Further, the information processing apparatus may be configured to estimate which of a plurality of preset information the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to, based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit 108 and the number of times the on-state and off-state of the acquired binary signal repeat. Also, different plural information may be preset for each externally connected device identified based on the identification information. Further, for example, the information processing apparatus may be configured to identify the externally connected device based on the time when the binary signal is acquired. Specifically, the information processing apparatus may be configured such that 24 or fewer externally connected devices are communicably connected, each day is divided into one-hour intervals from 0:00, 24 periods are set for each day, and based on which period among the 24 periods the binary signal is acquired, it is identified which externally connected device the binary signal is from, and based on which period among the plurality of periods set for each one-hour interval the binary signal is acquired, the content of the information is obtained.

[0056] Also, in the first embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 is configured to be connected to a communication device and an external device via the communication network NT1, but is not limited thereto. The information processing apparatus only needs to be connected to the external device so as to be able to acquire a binary signal from the external device. For example, the information processing apparatus may be configured to be directly connected to the external device by a communication means such as short-range wireless communication.

[0057] Also, in the first embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 is configured to estimate, based on the determination result by the time determination unit 108, which information among the information indicating a plurality of amounts of the storage amount of the content in the storage tank of the external device, which is preset as information regarding a plurality of states of the external device, the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 105 corresponds to, but is not limited thereto. The information processing apparatus only needs to be configured to estimate, based on the determination result by the time determination unit, which information among the plurality of preset information the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit corresponds to. Various information can be considered as the information preset by the information processing apparatus. For example, the information processing apparatus may be configured to estimate, based on the determination result by the time determination unit, which information among the information indicating the weather of the next day, which is a plurality of preset information, the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit corresponds to. Or, based on the determination result by the time determination unit, the information processing apparatus may be configured to estimate which information among the information indicating the average stock price of yesterday, which is a plurality of preset information, the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit corresponds to. Or, based on the determination result by the time determination unit, the information processing apparatus may be configured to estimate which information among the information indicating the communication traffic volume of the previous month by the mobile terminal as the external device, which is a plurality of preset information, the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit corresponds to.

[0058] Note that in the present disclosure, any component of the embodiment can be modified, or any component in the embodiment can be omitted.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0059] 11, 12, 1N: External devices 21, 22, 2N: Communication devices 100: Information processing device 101: Input unit 102: Output unit 103: Timing unit 104: Period setting unit 105: Signal acquisition unit 106: External device identification unit 107: Time information acquisition unit 108: Time discrimination unit 109: Estimation unit 110: Memory unit NT1: Communication network

Claims

1. A timekeeping unit that keeps time; A signal acquisition unit that acquires a binary signal transmitted from an external device; A time information acquisition unit that acquires time information indicating the time when the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit based on the time kept by the timekeeping unit; A time discrimination unit that discriminates, based on the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit, in which of a plurality of preset periods the time when the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit is included; An estimation unit that estimates, based on the discrimination result by the time discrimination unit, which of a plurality of pieces of information regarding the state of the external device preset corresponds to the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit, and An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. An external device identification unit that identifies from which of a plurality of external devices the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit is transmitted, and The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The time information acquisition unit acquires time difference information indicating the time difference between the time kept by the external device and the time kept by the timekeeping unit based on the time when the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit in a specific period, The time discrimination unit discriminates, based on the time information and the time difference information acquired by the time information acquisition unit, in which of a plurality of preset periods the time when the binary signal was acquired by the signal acquisition unit is included, and The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The time information acquisition unit acquires first time difference information indicating the time difference between the time kept by the first external device and the time kept by the timekeeping unit based on the time when the binary signal was acquired from the first external device, which is the external device, by the signal acquisition unit in a first period as the specific period, and acquires second time difference information indicating the time difference between the time kept by the second external device and the time kept by the timekeeping unit based on the time when the binary signal was acquired from a second external device different from the first external device by the signal acquisition unit in a second period as the specific period that does not overlap with the first period, and The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. When the determination result by the time determination unit indicates that the period during which the binary signal is acquired by the signal acquisition unit is the first period among the plurality of periods, the estimation unit estimates that the state of the external device is the first state set in advance. When the determination result by the time determination unit indicates that the period during which the binary signal is acquired by the signal acquisition unit is the second period that does not overlap with the first period among the plurality of periods, the estimation unit estimates that the state of the external device is the second state set in advance. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. Based on the determination result by the time determination unit, the estimation unit estimates which information among the information preset as information regarding a plurality of states of the external device the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit corresponds to, which indicates the storage amount of the content in the storage tank of the external device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that.

7. The external device is an oil water heater, Based on the determination result by the time determination unit, the estimation unit estimates which information among the information indicating the storage amount of the content of the oil water heater the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit corresponds to. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

8. It includes a communication device that transmits the binary signal transmitted from the external device to the signal acquisition unit, The communication device is a smart meter having a communication function The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

9. Based on the determination result by the time determination unit, the estimation unit estimates which information among the plurality of pieces of information regarding the operation history of the external device preset the binary signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit corresponds to. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, One or more external devices that transmit binary signals, One or more communication devices that transmit binary signals to the information processing apparatus, are provided with An information processing system, characterized in that.

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