Sensing device arranged in a predetermined space and its interlocking method

Abstract

The method for linking multiple sensing devices according to the present disclosure may include a step of generating a first search signal by a first sensing device arranged in a predetermined space to search for other sensing devices, a step of generating a first synchronization signal by a second sensing device arranged in the space in response to the first search signal, a step of the first sensing device logically connecting the second sensing device upon receiving the first synchronization signal, a step of the first sensing device generating a connection tree, which is a data structure for the logical connection relationship with the other sensing devices, and a step of the second sensing device generating a second search signal to search for the other sensing devices.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for linking sensing devices, and more particularly to a method for linking multiple sensing devices arranged in a predetermined space. [Background technology]

[0002] If a product is damaged due to improper temperature, vibration, humidity, etc. during transportation, it is highly likely that other products in the same transportation space will also be damaged in a chain reaction. This risk is even more fatal for high-value-added products.

[0003] To solve these problems, cargo visibility technology is emerging, which visualizes various information about the state of cargo by attaching sensing devices that measure temperature and humidity directly to the logistics transportation space or to the product.However, even though multiple sensing devices are located in the same space, the reality is that diversified information about the logistics transportation space through the connection between each sensing device has not yet been obtained. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to solve various problems, including the above-mentioned problems, and provide a method for linking multiple sensing devices arranged in a predetermined space, for example, a logistics transportation space. However, these problems are merely examples, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for linking multiple sensing devices is provided.

[0006] According to this embodiment, a method for linking multiple sensing devices includes a step of a first sensing device arranged in a predetermined space generating a first search signal for searching for other sensing devices, a step of a second sensing device arranged in the space generating a first synchronization signal in response to the first search signal, a step of the first sensing device logically connecting the second sensing device upon receiving the first synchronization signal, a step of the first sensing device generating a connection tree, which is a data structure for the logical connection relationship with other sensing devices, and a step of the second sensing device generating a second search signal for searching for other sensing devices.

[0007] The method for linking multiple sensing devices according to this embodiment may further include a step in which the second sensing device logically connects the third sensing device upon receiving a second synchronization signal, a step in which the second sensing device provides its connection relationship to the first sensing device, and a step in which the first sensing device updates a connection tree, which is a data structure, according to the connection relationship.

[0008] In the interlocking method of multiple sensing devices according to this embodiment, the first sensing device may include multiple operating modes, and may store a connection relationship with a nearest neighboring sensing device that transmitted the earliest received synchronization signal among multiple synchronization signals in the first operating mode, and store a connection relationship with a sensing device of interest located within a region of interest among the multiple synchronization signals in the second operating mode.

[0009] The method for linking multiple sensing devices according to this embodiment can be characterized in that, when the difference in reception time between the synchronization signal received first and the synchronization signal received second in time by the first sensing device is less than a critical value, all sensing devices that transmitted each signal are logically grouped into one group.

[0010] The method for linking a plurality of sensing devices according to this embodiment may further include a step in which the second sensing device stores a connection relationship with the first sensing device upon receiving the first synchronization signal.

[0011] The method for linking multiple sensing devices according to this embodiment may further include a step in which the fourth electronic device, having received the first search signal, receives the first synchronization signal and thereby interrupts the generation of its own synchronization signal.

[0012] In the method for linking a plurality of sensing devices according to this embodiment, the space may be a cargo loading space for transportation, and at least one of the plurality of sensing devices may be attached to the cargo.

[0013] In the method for linking a plurality of sensing devices according to this embodiment, each of the plurality of sensing devices may generate a synchronization signal only once.

[0014] In the method for linking multiple sensing devices according to this embodiment, the second sensing device may be characterized by terminating the generation of the connection tree due to the absence of a synchronization signal in response to the transmission of the second search signal.

[0015] The sensing device arranged in a predetermined space according to this embodiment may include a memory, a communication module configured to support short-range communication with other sensing devices, a sensor subsystem configured to sense environmental information including temperature or humidity, and a processor configured to generate a connection tree based on connection relationships with other sensing devices and process sensing information.

[0016] Other aspects, features, and advantages beyond those described above will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the claims, and the drawings.

[0017] Furthermore, such general and specific aspects may be implemented using a system, a method, a computer program, or a combination of any system, method, or computer program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when a plurality of sensing devices are located together in a predetermined space, the plurality of sensing devices may be sequentially linked with each other to provide a basis for acquiring diversified information about the space. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensing devices may be logically connected to other sensing devices located in the vicinity or in an area of ​​interest through communication of a search signal and a synchronization signal, and a connection tree for connection relationships may be constructed.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensing device can maintain a connection relationship with all sensing devices located within a specified space through a connection tree, and can grasp the loss or theft status of one or more sensing devices and / or cargo by receiving various information such as sensing information and location information from other sensing devices.

[0020] In addition, since any one sensing device according to the exemplary embodiments is connected to all other sensing devices arranged in a predetermined space, it is possible to realize a function of confirming whether the necessary number of sensing devices have been installed or removed, and also whether the appropriate number of cargoes have been loaded and / or handled when the sensing devices are individually attached to cargoes. Of course, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by such effects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates cooperation between multiple sensing devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates a sensing device disposed within a predetermined space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating cooperation between sensing devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a relationship diagram that schematically illustrates a connection tree for the interlocking of sensing devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates a sensing device disposed within a predetermined space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating cooperation between sensing devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a relationship diagram that schematically illustrates a connection tree for the interlocking of sensing devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9a] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates a sensing device disposed within a predetermined space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9b] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates a sensing device disposed within a predetermined space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9c] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates a sensing device disposed within a predetermined space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9d] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates a sensing device disposed within a predetermined space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9e] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates a sensing device disposed within a predetermined space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for disposing a sensing device in a predetermined space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional image of a transportation space to which a temperature measuring sensor according to an embodiment is attached; [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram illustrating a heat map image of a cargo transportation space in which temperatures are measured and estimated according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present disclosure can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, and specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. The advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods for achieving them will become clearer with reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments together with the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be embodied in various forms.

[0023] In the following examples, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to be limiting.

[0024] In the following examples, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0025] In the following examples, terms such as "comprise" or "have" mean that the features or components described in the specification are present, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0026] In the following examples, when a layer, region, component, or other part is said to be on or above another part, this includes not only when it is directly on top of the other part, but also when another region, component, or the like is interposed between them.

[0027] In the drawings, the size of components may be exaggerated or reduced for the sake of convenience of explanation. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the sake of convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings.

[0028] In some embodiments, the order of operations may be different from that described. For example, two steps described as successive may be performed substantially simultaneously or may be performed in the reverse order from that described.

[0029] In this specification, "A and / or B" refers to A, B, or A and B. And "at least one of A and B" refers to A, B, or A and B.

[0030] In the following examples, when layers, regions, components, etc. are referred to as being connected, this includes cases where the layers, regions, components, etc. are directly connected, and / or cases where the layers, regions, components, etc. are indirectly connected by intervening layers, regions, or components. For example, when layers, regions, components, etc. are referred to as being electrically connected in this specification, this includes cases where the layers, regions, components, etc. are directly electrically connected, and / or cases where the layers, regions, components, etc. are indirectly electrically connected by intervening layers, regions, components, etc.

[0031] The x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are not limited to the three axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, but may be interpreted in a broader sense including this. For example, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may be perpendicular to each other, or may indicate different directions that are not perpendicular to each other.

[0032] The advantages and features of the present disclosure, and methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. However, the present embodiments are provided to complete the disclosure of the present disclosure and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0033] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In this disclosure, the singular can include the plural unless otherwise specified in the context. The terms "may comprise" and / or "comprising" used in this disclosure do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements in addition to the elements referenced. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the disclosure, and "and / or" can include each and every combination of one or more of the referenced elements. Although "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various elements, it is understood that these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, it is understood that a first element referred to below may also be a second element within the technical spirit of this disclosure.

[0034] The word "exemplary" is used in this disclosure to mean "serving as an example or illustration." Any embodiment described in this disclosure as "exemplary" should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0035] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described in terms of functions or blocks that perform functions. Blocks in the present disclosure, which may be referred to as "modules" or "modules," may be physically embodied as analog or digital circuits, such as logic gates, integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, memories, passive electronic components, active electronic components, optical components, hardwired circuits, etc., and may optionally be driven by firmware and software. The term "module" as used herein may refer to software or hardware elements, such as FPGAs or ASICs, and may perform certain functions. However, "module" is not limited to software or hardware. A "module" may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium or to execute one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, "module" may include elements such as software elements, object-oriented software elements, class elements, and task elements, as well as processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided within the elements and "units" may be combined into fewer elements and "units" or further separated into additional elements and "units."

[0036] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using at least one software program executing on at least one hardware device and capable of performing network management functions to control elements.

[0037] Spatially relative terms such as "below," "beneath," "lower," "above," and "upper" may be used to easily describe the relationship of one component to another, as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms should be understood to encompass different orientations of components in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if a component depicted in the drawings were turned over, a component described as "below" or "beneath" another component would be positioned "above" the other component. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of below and above. Components may be oriented in other directions, and the spatially relative terms may be interpreted accordingly.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this disclosure may be used in a manner commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless expressly defined otherwise.

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing the drawings, identical or corresponding components will be given the same drawing numbers, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0040] 1. Example 1 1 is a block diagram illustrating a sensing device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the exemplary embodiment, the sensing device 100 may be a device to which cargo visibility technology is applied, which visualizes various information about the state of cargo by measuring temperature, humidity, etc. within a predetermined space or directly on a product.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, the sensing device 100 may include a sensor subsystem 110 , a communication module 120 , a processor 130 , and a memory 140 .

[0042] The sensor subsystem 110 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of a temperature sensor, an illumination sensor, a humidity sensor, a proximity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gravity sensor (G-sensor), a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an infrared sensor (IR sensor), a finger scan sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared ray sensor, a magnetic sensor, an RGB (RGB) sensor, a radar sensor, a current sensor, an environmental sensor (e.g., a barometric pressure sensor, a radiation detection sensor, a heat detection sensor, a gas detection sensor, etc.), a chemical sensor (e.g., a healthcare sensor, a biometric recognition sensor, a gas leak monitoring sensor, etc.), and a virtual sensor that performs a function corresponding to the corresponding hardware sensor. Here, the proximity sensor may be a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching or present in the vicinity of a predetermined detection surface without mechanical contact by using electromagnetic field force, infrared rays, etc. At least one such sensor may be built into the sensor subsystem 110. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by those skilled in the art from its name, so detailed description will be omitted.

[0043] The communication module 120 may transmit various information acquired in the transportation space and / or transportation environment to another sensing device, another terminal, or a server. For example, the communication module 120 may transmit at least one of sensing data including various information such as temperature data, humidity data, vibration data, temperature data, acceleration data, gravity data, and gas data sensed by the sensor subsystem 110 to another sensing device, another terminal, or a server.

[0044] The communication module 120 can communicate with external devices. Thus, the sensing device 100 can transmit and receive information to and from external devices through the communication unit. For example, the sensing device 100 can communicate with external devices using the communication module 120 to share information sensed and generated in a logistics transportation environment. The communication module 120 can include, for example, at least one of a wired communication module, a wireless communication module, a short-range communication module, and a location information module. The communication module according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured to support short-range communication with other sensing devices.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication module 120 can communicate with other logically connected sensing devices. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication module 120 can transmit and receive various information, such as sensing information, location information, and cargo information, of the corresponding sensing device using various wireless communication methods, such as short-range communication, with other sensing devices that are determined to be logically connected through processing by the processor 130.

[0046] Here, communication, i.e., data transmission and reception, can be performed wired or wirelessly. To this end, the communication unit can be configured as a wired communication module that connects to the Internet via a local area network (LAN), a mobile communication module that connects to a mobile communication network via a mobile communication base station and transmits and receives data, a short-range communication module that uses a wireless local area network (WLAN)-based communication method such as Wi-Fi, a wireless personal area network (WPAN)-based communication method such as Bluetooth or Zigbee, a satellite communication module that uses a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) such as the global positioning system (GPS), or a combination thereof. Wireless communication technologies used for communication can include Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) for low-power communication. Here, NB-IoT technology can be an example of a low-power wide area network (LPWAN) technology and can be implemented using standards such as LTE Cat (category) NB1 and / or LTE Cat NB2, but is not limited to the above-mentioned names. Additionally or alternatively, wireless communication technology implemented in wireless devices according to various embodiments may perform communication based on LTE-M technology. Here, for example, LTE-M technology may be an example of LPWAN technology and may be referred to by various names such as enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC). For example, LTE-M technology may be implemented using at least one of various standards such as 1) LTE CAT 0, 2) LTE Cat M1, 3) LTE Cat M2, 4) LTE non-BL (non-Bandwidth Limited), 5) LTE-MTC, 6) LTE Machine Type Communication, and / or 7) LTE M, and is not limited to the aforementioned names.Additionally or alternatively, wireless communication technologies implemented in wireless devices according to various embodiments may include at least one of ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN), which consider low-power communication, and are not limited to the aforementioned names. For example, ZigBee (registered trademark) technology can create personal area networks (PANs) related to small / low-power digital communication based on various standards such as IEEE 802.15.4, and may be called by various names.

[0047] The wired communication module may include various wired communication modules such as a local area network (LAN) module, a wide area network (WAN) module, or a value added network (VAN) module, as well as various cable communication modules such as a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a digital visual interface (DVI), a recommended standard 232 (RS-232), a power line communication module, or a plain old telephone service (POTS).

[0048] The wireless communication module may include a Wi-Fi module, a wireless broadband module, and other wireless communication modules that support various wireless communication methods such as GSM (global system for mobile communication), CDMA (code division multiple access), WCDMA (wideband code division multiple access), UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system), TDMA (time division multiple access), LTE (long term evolution), 4G, 5G, and 6G.

[0049] The wireless communication module may include a wireless communication interface including an antenna and a transmitter for transmitting a signal, and may further include a signal conversion module that modulates a digital control signal output from the controller through the wireless communication interface into an analog wireless signal under the control of the controller.

[0050] The wireless communication module may include a wireless communication interface including an antenna and a receiver for receiving a signal, and may further include a signal conversion module for demodulating an analog wireless signal received through the wireless communication interface into a digital control signal.

[0051] The short-range communication module is for short-range communication and is compatible with Bluetooth (registered trademark). TM(registered trademark), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless Universal Serial Bus (Wireless USB) technologies can be used to support short-range communication.

[0052] The communication module 120 may further include a location information module. The location information module is a module for acquiring the location (or current location) of the sensing device 100 according to the present disclosure, and representative examples thereof include a Global Positioning System (GPS) module or a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) module. For example, by using a GPS module, the location of the sensing device can be acquired using signals transmitted by GPS satellites. As another example, by using a Wi-Fi module, the location of the sensing device 100 can be acquired based on information from the Wi-Fi module and a Wireless Access Point (AP) that transmits or receives wireless signals. If necessary, the location information module may alternatively or additionally perform some function of another module of the communication unit to acquire data related to the location of the device. The location information module is a module used to acquire the location (or current location) of the device, and is not limited to a module that directly calculates or acquires the location of the device.

[0053] The processor 130 processes, compresses, corrects, estimates, etc. data sensed within the transportation space by the sensing subsystem 110, converts the sensed data into N-dimensional information, and displays it on a display, thereby controlling the overall operation of the sensing device 100. The processor 130 communicates with the memory 140 and can execute at least one instruction stored in the memory 140.

[0054] The processor 130 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to generate a connection tree based on the connection relationships with the other sensing devices and process the sensing information.

[0055] The processor 130 can perform the above-described operations using the memory 140, which stores data for an algorithm or a program that reproduces the algorithm for controlling the operation of the components in the device, and the data stored in the memory 140. In this case, the memory 140 and the processor 130 may be implemented as separate chips, or the memory 140 and the processor 130 may be implemented as a single chip.

[0056] The processor 130 may be configured with one or more cores. In this case, the one or more processors may be general-purpose processors such as a CPU, AP, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor), dedicated graphics processors such as a GPU or VPU (Vision Processing Unit), or dedicated AI processors such as an NPU. The one or more processors control the processing of input data according to predefined operating rules or AI models stored in memory. Alternatively, if the one or more processors are dedicated AI processors, the dedicated AI processors may be designed with a hardware structure specialized for processing a specific AI model.

[0057] The memory 140 can store data supporting various functions of the device and programs for the operation of the control unit, can store input / output data (e.g., music files, still images, videos, etc.), can store a number of application programs (or applications) run by this system, and data and commands for the operation of the device. At least some of these application programs can be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication.

[0058] The memory 140 can store at least one instruction. The memory 140 can include at least one type of storage medium selected from the group consisting of flash memory, hard disk, solid state disk (SSD), silicon disk drive (SDD), micro multimedia card, card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. The memory 140 can also be a database separate from the system but connected via wire or wireless.

[0059] The components illustrated in FIG. 1 are not essential to implementing the cargo transportation space sensing device interlocking method and interlocking system of the present disclosure, and the configurations described herein may have more or fewer components than those described above.

[0060] The sensing device 100 can generate sensing data by sensing at least one of temperature, acceleration, humidity, temperature, tilt, impact, and position inside the space through a sensor subsystem 110 installed inside a predetermined space (e.g., a cargo loading space or a cargo transport space) where goods to be transported are loaded. For example, the sensing device 100 can generate sensing data in real time or at preset intervals. For example, the sensing device 100 can calculate a fluctuation amount for the actual sensing data for each preset time period and activate one of a first storage mode and a second storage mode based on a comparison result between the fluctuation amount and a preset critical fluctuation amount.

[0061] According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensing device 100 can store sensing data in a storage manner provided in the activated storage mode. Accordingly, the sensing device 100 provides a method for storing, in a preset storage manner, logistics status information obtained by sensing at least one of temperature, acceleration, humidity, tilt, impact, and position in a delivery vehicle that delivers logistics, thereby reducing the amount of data representing logistics status information to be stored and managed.

[0062] In addition, the sensing device 100 can compress the status information stored in the form of an electronic code (e.g., a QR code or a barcode), thereby allowing more data to be stored on one page and increasing the efficiency of logistics-related work. Here, the electronic code can include any of two-dimensional codes such as a barcode or a QR code, a hologram or a three-dimensional code based on a tape camera, and the like, and there is no limit to the form of its implementation.

[0063] In the present disclosure, the sensing device 100 can be directly attached to a predetermined space or cargo, and therefore, after being attached to a logistics transportation space, it can be collected and recycled after the logistics transportation is completed. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one sensing device 100 can be placed (attached) in the logistics transportation space.

[0064] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the sensing device 100 may further include functional units necessary for sensing and displaying information, such as a display and an input / output device.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment, the input / output unit may be various interfaces or connection ports that receive user input or output information to a user. The input / output unit may be divided into an input module and an output module.

[0066] The input module receives user input from a user. The input module is for inputting image information (or signals), audio information (or signals), data, or information input by a user, and may include at least one of at least one camera, at least one microphone, and a user input unit. The voice data or image data collected by the input unit may be analyzed and processed as a user control command.

[0067] User input can be in various forms, including key input, touch input, voice input, etc. Examples of input modules that can receive such user input include not only traditional keypads, keyboards, and mice, but also touch sensors that detect user touches, microphones that receive voice signal input, cameras that recognize gestures through image recognition, proximity sensors that include illuminance sensors, infrared sensors, etc. that detect the approach of a user, motion sensors that recognize user movements through acceleration sensors, gyro sensors, etc., and other various forms of input means that sense or receive user input in various forms.

[0068] According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensing device 100 includes a module for receiving information input from a user. When information is input through the input module, the processor 130 can control the operation of the device in accordance with the input information. Such user input units may include hardware physical keys (e.g., buttons, dome switches, jog wheels, jog switches, etc., located on at least one of the front, rear, and side of the device) and software touch keys. For example, touch keys may be virtual keys, soft keys, or visual keys displayed on a touchscreen display through software processing, or touch keys located outside the touchscreen. Meanwhile, the virtual keys or visual keys may have various forms and be displayed on the touchscreen, such as graphics, text, icons, videos, or a combination thereof.

[0069] The touch sensor according to the exemplary embodiment may be implemented as a piezoelectric or electrostatic touch sensor that senses touch through a touch panel or touch film attached to a display panel, an optical touch sensor that senses touch through an optical method, etc. Alternatively, the input module may be implemented in the form of an input interface (USB port, PS / 2 port, etc.) that connects an external input device that receives user input instead of a device that independently senses user input.

[0070] The output module can output various information to provide it to the user. The output module is a comprehensive concept that includes a display that outputs images, a speaker (and / or an amplifier connected thereto) that outputs sounds, a haptic device that generates vibrations, and various other output means. Alternatively, the output module may be embodied in the form of a port-type output interface that connects the individual output means described above.

[0071] For example, a display-type output module can display text, still images, and moving images. The term "display" refers to a broad range of image display devices, including liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting diode (LED) displays, organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, flat panel displays (FPDs), transparent displays, curved displays, flexible displays, 1D displays, holographic displays, projectors, and other devices capable of outputting images. Such displays may be in the form of a touch display integrated with the touch sensor of the input module.

[0072] According to an exemplary embodiment, the information processed by the sensing device 100 may be transmitted to a user terminal of an intermediate manager or a server (including a cloud server) for post-processing.

[0073] For example, the user terminal may include both a computer and a portable user terminal, or may be any one of them. Here, the computer may include, for example, a notebook PC, desktop, laptop, tablet PC, slate PC, etc. equipped with a web browser. Here, the portable user terminal is, for example, a wireless communication device that ensures portability and mobility, and may include all kinds of handheld-based wireless communication devices such as PCS (Personal Communication System), GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), PHS (Personal Handyphone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication)-2000, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)-2000, W-CDMA (W-Code Division Multiple Access), WiBro (Wireless Broadband Internet) terminals, smartphones, etc., as well as wearable devices such as watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lenses, or head-mounted devices (HMDs).

[0074] For example, the server is a server that communicates with external devices and processes information, and may include an application server, a computing server, a database server, a file server, a game server, a mail server, a proxy server, and a web server.

[0075] The sensing device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be logically connected to other sensing devices. A logistics integration system capable of controlling a plurality of sensing devices and communicating with all of the plurality of sensing devices according to the present disclosure may perform the following steps: a first sensing device disposed within a predetermined space generates a first search signal for searching for other sensing devices; a second sensing device disposed within the space generates a first synchronization signal in response to the first search signal; the first sensing device logically connects the second sensing device to the first synchronization signal; the first sensing device generates a connection tree, which is a data structure for the logical connection relationship with the other sensing devices; and the second sensing device generates a second search signal for searching for the other sensing devices.

[0076] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates cooperation between multiple sensing devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of sensing devices 201, 202, 203, and 204 may be disposed in a predetermined space (SPACE). In the present disclosure, the predetermined space (SPACE) may refer to a physically separated space such as a cargo hold of a cargo vehicle, a cargo storage area of ​​an airplane or ship, a transport space of a container box that is a unit space for transporting cargo, or a space in which cargo such as a reefer container and liner is transported, but is not limited thereto, and may refer to a space that is located within a predetermined distance from a specific sensing device and can implement a separate communications network 20 even if there is no physical partition.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 2, a predetermined space SPACE may include a first sensing device 201, a second sensing device 202, a third sensing device 203, and an Nth sensing device 204, each including a communication module 221.

[0079] The communication module 221 of the first sensing device 201 can communicate with communication modules (not shown) included in other sensing devices. For example, the first sensing device 201 can communicate with the second sensing device 202, the third sensing device 203, and the Nth sensing device 204, respectively; the second sensing device 202 can communicate with the first sensing device 201, the third sensing device 203, and the Nth sensing device 204, respectively; the third sensing device 203 can communicate with the first sensing device 201, the second sensing device 202, and the Nth sensing device 204, respectively; and the Nth sensing device 204 can communicate with the first sensing device 201, the second sensing device 202, and the third sensing device 203, respectively. At this time, each individual sensing device can perform short-distance communication with a nearby sensing device through the communication network 20, long-distance mobile communication, or relay communication through a gateway.

[0080] Among the components, the communication module may include one or more components that enable communication with an external device, and may include, for example, at least one of a broadcast receiving module, a wired communication module, a wireless communication module, a short-range communication module, and a location information module.

[0081] The wireless communication module may include a WIFI module, a wireless broadband module, and other wireless communication modules that support various wireless communication methods such as GSM (global system for mobile communication), CDMA (code division multiple access), WCDMA (wideband code division multiple access), UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system), TDMA (time division multiple access), LTE (long term evolution), 4G, 5G, and 6G.

[0082] The wireless communication module may include a wireless communication interface including an antenna and a transmitter for transmitting a mobile communication signal, and may further include a mobile communication signal conversion module that modulates a digital control signal output from the controller through the wireless communication interface into an analog wireless signal under the control of the controller.

[0083] The wireless communication module may include a wireless communication interface including an antenna and a receiver for receiving a mobile communication signal, and may further include a mobile communication signal conversion module for demodulating an analog wireless signal received through the wireless communication interface into a digital control signal.

[0084] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when multiple sensing devices are located together in a predetermined space, the multiple sensing devices can be sequentially linked to each other to provide a basis for obtaining diversified information about the space.

[0085] 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating sensing devices arranged in a predetermined space SPACE1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, six sensing devices 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, and 306 are illustrated in FIG. 3, but the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various numbers and arrangements of sensing devices are contemplated.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 3, a first sensing device 301 may be logically connected to an adjacent second sensing device 302 by communicating (comm1) with the second sensing device 302. The first sensing device 301 may receive sensing information from the second sensing device 302, including temperature, humidity, etc., sensed at the location where the second sensing device 302 is installed. In an exemplary embodiment, the first sensing device 301 may further receive transportation information, such as terminal-specific information of the second sensing device 302, a network bandwidth used, a location where the second sensing device 302 is installed, shipping and handling information, and a transportation route, in addition to the sensing information. In an exemplary embodiment, the second sensing device 302 may receive sensing information and / or transportation information from the first sensing device 301.

[0087] According to an exemplary embodiment, the second sensing device 302 may be logically connected by communicating (comm2) with the adjacent third sensing device 303 and fourth sensing device 304. The second sensing device 302 may further receive sensing information including temperature, humidity, etc. sensed at the locations where the third sensing device 303 and fourth sensing device 304 are installed, and / or transportation information such as terminal-specific information, network bandwidth used, installed location, shipping and handling information, and transportation route from the third sensing device 303 and fourth sensing device 304. As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment, the third sensing device 303 and fourth sensing device 304 may each receive sensing information and / or transportation information from the second sensing device 302.

[0088] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the third sensing device 303 and the fourth sensing device 304 may have first connected and communicated with the second sensing device 302 within a predetermined time period. In other words, the third sensing device 303 and the fourth sensing device 304 may be treated as part of the same group as a result of being linked to the second sensing device 302 in close time proximity. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0089] According to an exemplary embodiment, the third sensing device 303 may be logically connected to the fifth sensing device 305 by communicating (comm3), and the fourth sensing device 304 may be logically connected to the sixth sensing device 306 by communicating (comm3), and as described above, sensing information and various transportation information may be provided to each other.

[0090] According to an exemplary embodiment, the third sensing device 303 and the fourth sensing device 304 can be treated as the same group as a result of being connected to the second sensing device 302 in close temporal proximity, and the fifth sensing device 305 and the sixth sensing device 306 can use the communication (comm3) network in the same way or be treated as the same group as a result of being subsequently logically connected from the same group.

[0091] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, if the fifth sensing device 305 and the sixth sensing device 306 cannot find a sensing device to which they are subsequently logically connected, it can be assumed that the logical connection is terminated and all sensing devices within a predetermined space SPACE 1 are logically connected. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensing device can maintain a connection relationship with all sensing devices located within a predetermined space and can determine the loss or theft of one or more sensing devices and / or cargo by receiving various information such as sensing information and location information from other sensing devices.

[0092] Furthermore, since any one sensing device according to the exemplary embodiments is connected to all other sensing devices arranged within a given space, it is possible to provide a function of confirming whether the necessary number of sensing devices have been installed or removed, and also whether the appropriate amount of cargo has been loaded and / or handled if the sensing devices are individually attached to cargo.

[0093] According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensing device may further include a light-emitting unit configured with an organic light-emitting diode element, and may display a first color (e.g., green) when all the sensing devices are logically connected, either constantly or temporarily through a trigger such as pressing a specific button, and a second color (e.g., red) when any one of the sensing devices is not logically connected. Of course, the connection status may be immediately notified to the user through other visual representations such as the light-emitting unit, or connection status information may be provided to a central control server.

[0094] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the interaction between sensing devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 will be described together with reference to FIG.

[0095] In step S110, a first sensing device may generate a first search signal. For example, referring to FIG. 3, a first sensing device 301 disposed in a predetermined space SPACE1 may generate a first search signal to search for other sensing devices.

[0096] In step S120, the second sensing device may generate a first synchronization signal in response to the first search signal. For example, the second sensing device 302 disposed in a predetermined space SPACE1 may generate the first synchronization signal in response to the first search signal.

[0097] In step S130, the first sensing device may logically connect to the second sensing device in response to the first synchronization signal. For example, the first sensing device 301 may logically connect to the second sensing device 302 upon receiving the first synchronization signal. The order and method of logical connection have been described with reference to FIG. 3, so repeated description will be omitted.

[0098] In step S140, the first sensing device may generate a connection tree for logical connection relationships with other sensing devices. For example, the first sensing device 301 may generate a connection tree, which is a data structure for logical connection relationships with other sensing devices. The connection tree will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0099] In step S150, the second sensing device may generate a second search signal to search for other sensing devices for subsequent logical connection. For example, the second sensing device 302 may generate a second search signal to search for other sensing devices. As a result, the third sensing device 303 and the fourth sensing device 304 may be logically connected to the second sensing device 302. In this manner, when a specific sensing device is logically connected to other sensing devices, the connected sensing device may again generate a search signal to search for other sensing devices to be logically connected.

[0100] According to an exemplary embodiment, the second sensing device 302 can logically connect to the third sensing device 303 upon receiving the second synchronization signal. At this time, the second sensing device 302 can provide the first sensing device 301 with a connection tree indicating its connection relationships with other sensing devices. In this case, the first sensing device 301 can update the connection tree, which is a data structure, according to the connection relationships. This method is repeated until no further synchronization signals are received, and all sensing devices can be connected and synchronized.

[0101] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the search signal and the synchronization signal can be individually separated and a signal-independent modulation method can be used so that there is no room for mistaking the search signal for the synchronization signal and the synchronization signal for the search signal.

[0102] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the probe signal and the synchronization signal may be conceptually separated but originate from the same relay signal, in which case each sensing device may conceptually interpret the initially received relay signal as a probe signal and the signal transmitted in response to the relay signal as a synchronization signal.

[0103] In the present disclosure, the predetermined space SPACE1 may be a cargo loading space for transportation, and at least one of the plurality of sensing devices 301 to 306 may be attached to the cargo.

[0104] 5 is a relationship diagram that schematically illustrates a connection tree LT1 for sensing device interworking according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, the connection tree LT1 is part of a data structure that illustrates connection relationships between nodes, where the nodes may correspond to the sensing devices described above.

[0105] 5, the connection tree LT1 may be composed of a total of six nodes N301, N302, N303, N304, N305, and N306. The connection tree LT1 in FIG. 5 is applied in the predetermined environment in FIG. 3 and may correspond to the arrangement of the sensing devices in FIG. 3.

[0106] A first node N301 corresponding to the first sensing device 301 may be generated (first level). The first node N301 may be connected to a second node N302 corresponding to the logically connected second sensing device 302 (second level). The second node N302 may be simultaneously connected to a third node N303 corresponding to the logically connected third sensing device 303 and a fourth node N304 corresponding to the logically connected fourth sensing device 304 (third level). Similarly, the third node N303 may be connected to a fifth node N305, and the fourth node N304 may be connected to a sixth node N306. Here, the fifth node N305 and the sixth node N306 may be connected from the same level and therefore may be in the same fourth level.

[0107] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, if a sensing device that has received a first search signal further receives a first synchronization signal from another sensing device, the sensing device may stop generating its own synchronization signal. Since the logical connection between the two different nodes is completed, no further connection with other sensing devices other than the closest sensing device or the sensing device set as the area of ​​interest or cargo of interest is required.

[0108] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, for data integrity, the concatenated tree LT1 must be unique, so once a probe signal is generated, no additional probe signals should be generated, and once a synchronization signal is generated, no additional synchronization signals should be generated.

[0109] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of sensing devices 301 to 306 can generate a probe signal and a synchronization signal at a single time, so that the synchronization signal or the probe signal is not generated in other sensing devices, thereby suppressing node division of the connection tree LT1 and ensuring uniqueness of the connection tree.

[0110] FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram that schematically illustrates a sensing device disposed in a predetermined space SPACE2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] 6, a first sensing device 401 may be logically connected by communicating (comm1) with its neighboring second sensing device 402, third sensing device 403, fourth sensing device 404, and fifth sensing device 405. The second sensing device 402, third sensing device 403, fourth sensing device 404, and fifth sensing device 405 are at similar distances from the first sensing device 401, and their respective synchronization signals in response to a search signal may arrive with a time difference less than a critical value, thereby clustering them into the first zone ZONE1. The first sensing device 401 may receive sensing information, including temperature, humidity, etc., sensed at the locations where each of the sensing devices 402 to 405 is located, from the sensing devices 402 to 406 included in the first zone ZONE1. In an exemplary embodiment, the first sensing device 401 may receive, in addition to the sensing information, transportation information such as terminal specific information of the sensing devices included in the first zone ZONE1, the network bandwidth used, the location where the sensing devices are located, loading and unloading information, and transportation route. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensing devices 402 to 406 included in the first zone ZONE1 may receive the sensing information and / or transportation information from the first sensing device 401.

[0112] According to an exemplary embodiment, sensing devices 402-406 included in a first zone (ZONE1) may be logically connected by communicating (comm2) with sensing devices 406-409 included in an adjacent second zone (ZONE2). The sensing devices 402-405 included in the first zone (ZONE1) may further receive sensing information including temperature, humidity, etc. sensed at the respective locations where the sensing devices 406-409 are installed from the sensing devices 406-409 included in the second zone (ZONE2), and / or transportation information such as terminal-specific information, network bandwidth used, installed locations, loading and unloading information, and transportation route. As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment, the sensing devices 406-409 included in the second zone (ZONE2) may each receive sensing information and / or transportation information from the sensing devices 402-406 included in the first zone (ZONE1).

[0113] Similarly, sensing devices 406-409 included in the second zone ZONE2 can establish a logical connection by communicating (comm3) with sensing devices 410-413 included in the third zone ZONE3. Sensing devices 410-413 included in the third zone ZONE3 can communicate (comm4) with a fourth sensing device 414.

[0114] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensing devices 410 to 413 included in the third zone ZONE3 may each generate a probe signal, and the fourth sensing device 414 may generate a synchronization signal in response to the probe signal transmitted from any one of the sensing devices 410 to 413 included in the third zone ZONE3. In this case, although the synchronization signal is actually communicated between two sensing devices, all of the sensing devices 410 to 413 included in the third zone ZONE3 may be connected to the fourth sensing device 414.

[0115] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the fourth sensing device 414 may terminate the logical connection if it is unable to find any subsequent logically connected sensing devices, and may assume that all sensing devices within the specified space SPACE2 are logically connected.

[0116] For convenience of explanation, the present disclosure illustrates a connection relationship with the nearest neighbor sensing device that transmits the synchronization signal first, but the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0117] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the sensing devices may be designated as a sensing device of interest, a specific area in which the sensing device is installed may be designated as an area of ​​interest, or the sensing device may be preferentially logically connected to a specific cargo in which the sensing device is placed (e.g., a battery, which is one of the high-value-added items).

[0118] According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensing device may have a plurality of operation modes, for example, the sensing device may store a connection relationship with a nearest neighbor sensing device that transmitted the earliest received synchronization signal among the plurality of synchronization signals in a first operation mode, or may store a connection relationship with a sensing device of interest located within a region of interest among the plurality of synchronization signals in a second operation mode.

[0119] 7 is a flowchart illustrating the interaction between sensing devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 will be referenced together with FIG.

[0120] In operation S210, the first sensing device 401 may generate and broadcast a probe signal.

[0121] In step S220, the first sensing device 401 may receive a plurality of synchronization signals in response to the probe signal from the plurality of sensing devices 402 to 405. For example, the first sensing device 401 may receive all of the synchronization signals received from the sensing devices 402 to 405 included in the first zone ZONE1 in response to the probe signal, as well as the synchronization signals received from the sensing devices 406 to 409 included in the second zone ZONE2 or the sensing devices 410 to 413 included in the third zone ZONE3.

[0122] In step S230, the first sensing device 401 may determine whether it has already received a synchronization signal. If the first sensing device 401 has not received a synchronization signal, it may logically connect to the sensing device that responded first (step S240).

[0123] In step S250, if the first sensing device 401 has received a synchronization signal, it can determine whether the time difference between the currently received synchronization signal and the previously received synchronization signal is less than a threshold value.

[0124] In step S260, if the difference in reception time between the first received synchronization signal and the second received synchronization signal exceeds a threshold value, the first sensing device 401 can eliminate the logical connection with the corresponding sensing device. Thus, the first sensing device 401 can group only the sensing devices that have transmitted signals whose time difference between the synchronization signals is within the threshold value, and can not establish a logical connection with the remaining sensing devices.

[0125] In step S270, the first sensing device 401 can logically connect to sensing devices that have transmitted synchronization signals within a threshold value. For example, if the difference in reception time between the first received synchronization signal and the second received synchronization signal is less than a threshold value, the first sensing device 401 can logically group all sensing devices that transmitted each signal into one group. Thus, the first sensing device 401 can group all sensing devices that transmitted signals whose time difference in synchronization signals is within the threshold value.

[0126] In step S280, the first sensing device 401 may receive tracking information of the logically connected sensing devices. As described above in the present disclosure, the tracking information may include sensing information including temperature, humidity, etc. sensed at each location where the sensing device is installed, and / or transportation information such as terminal-specific information, network bandwidth used, installed location, shipping and handling information, and transportation route.

[0127] FIG. 8 is a relationship diagram that schematically illustrates a connection tree for the interlocking of sensing devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] 8, the connection tree LT2 may be composed of a total of 14 nodes N401, N402, N403, N404, N405, N406, N407, N408, N409, N410, N411, N412, N413, and N414. The connection tree LT2 of FIG. 8 is applied in the predetermined environment of FIG. 6 and may correspond to the arrangement of the sensing devices of FIG. 6.

[0129] A first node N401 corresponding to the first sensing device 401 may be generated (first level). The first node N401 may be connected to a second node N402, a third node N403, a fourth node N404, and a fifth node N405 corresponding to the second sensing device 402 logically connected thereto (second level).

[0130] The second node N402, the third node N403, the fourth node N404, and the fifth node N405 included in the second zone ZONE2 may be connected to nodes corresponding to the sensing devices located at the shortest distance and logically connected to each other. For example, the second node N402, the third node N403, the fourth node N404, and the fifth node N405 included in the second zone ZONE2 may be logically connected to the sixth node N406, the seventh node N407, the eighth node N408, and the ninth node N409 included in the third zone ZONE3, respectively (third level).

[0131] Similarly, the sixth node N406, the seventh node N407, the eighth node N408, and the ninth node N409 included in the third zone ZONE3 may be logically connected to the tenth node N410, the eleventh node N411, the twelfth node N412, and the thirteenth node N413 included in the fourth zone ZONE4, respectively (fourth level). The tenth node N410, the eleventh node N411, the twelfth node N412, and the thirteenth node N413 included in the fourth zone ZONE4 may be logically connected to the fourteenth node N414 (fifth level).

[0132] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fourteenth node N414 may terminate the creation of the concatenated tree due to the absence of a synchronization signal in response to transmitting a probe signal.

[0133] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, if a sensing device that has received a first search signal further receives a first synchronization signal from another sensing device, the sensing device may stop generating its own synchronization signal. Since the logical connection between the two different nodes is completed, no further connection with other sensing devices other than the closest sensing device or the sensing device set as the area of ​​interest or cargo of interest is required.

[0134] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, for data integrity, the concatenated tree LT1 must be unique, so once a probe signal is generated, no additional probe signals should be generated, and once a synchronization signal is generated, no additional synchronization signals should be generated.

[0135] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the sensing devices 401 to 414 can generate a probe signal and a synchronization signal at a single time, so that other sensing devices do not generate a synchronization signal or a probe signal, thereby suppressing node division of the connection tree LT2 and ensuring uniqueness of the connection tree.

[0136] 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, and 9e are conceptual diagrams that schematically illustrate sensing devices arranged in a predetermined space according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 9a, sensing devices occupying four vertices of a rectangular parallelepiped space SPACEa are illustrated. For example, for sensing efficiency in the space SPACEa, each sensing device must be separated by a maximum distance. Therefore, the sensing devices may be arranged in a "twisted position" diagonally opposite each other. In this case, only four sensing devices may be arranged at an optimal distance in space. This may be interpreted as being arranged at the furthest distance on the xy plane, the furthest distance on the yz plane, and the furthest distance on the zx plane, assuming that the space SPACEa is composed of the xy, yz, and zx planes.

[0138] According to another exemplary embodiment, the space SPACEa may be interpreted as a rectangular hexahedron. Assuming that the number of sensing devices is four, the sensing devices may be arranged at any four of the eight vertices of the rectangular hexahedron. All combinations of arrangement at four of the eight vertices may correspond to 8_C_4 (combination).

[0139] The logistics integration system or server can calculate the average separation distance for each combination of 8_C_4 in which the sensing device is placed, and determine the combination with the longest average separation distance as the placement of the sensing device.

[0140] Referring to Figure 9b, sensing devices occupying corners of a rectangular parallelepiped space SPACEb are illustrated. When the transportation environment allows for placement of sensing devices at corners, the layout configuration of Figure 9b can be applied. For example, for sensing efficiency in SPACEb, the sensing devices must be spaced a maximum distance apart, and because the corner lengths are fixed, the sensing devices must be equally spaced. Therefore, the sensing devices may be spaced a first distance d apart from each other horizontally, a second distance d' apart from each other vertically, and a third distance d'' apart from each other vertically.

[0141] According to an exemplary embodiment, the logistics integration system or server may arrange sensing devices at a first distance d at equal intervals along the x-axis, arrange sensing devices at a second distance d' along the y-axis that is different from the first distance d by no more than a second critical value, and arrange sensing devices at a third distance d'' along the z-axis that is different from the first distance d and the second distance d' by no more than a second critical value. In this case, sensing devices may be required in multiples of four.

[0142] Referring to Figure 9c, a sensing device occupying the center of the top surface of a three-dimensional space, SPACEc, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, is illustrated. When the transportation environment allows sensing devices to be placed at the center of the surfaces of six planes that make up the space, the placement shape of Figure 9c can be applied. For example, for sensing efficiency in SPACEc, each sensing device must be separated by a maximum distance, and since the number of surfaces is fixed, the number of each sensing device may be limited. In this case, only six sensing devices may be required.

[0143] Referring to Figure 9d, a sensing device occupying the center of the top surface of a rectangular parallelepiped space SPACEd is illustrated. When the transportation environment allows sensing devices to be arranged within the six surfaces that make up the space, the arrangement shown in Figure 9d can be applied. For example, for sensing efficiency in the space SPACEd, each sensing device must be separated by a maximum distance, and since the number of surfaces is fixed, the number of sensing devices may be limited. In this case, a multiple of six sensing devices may be required.

[0144] According to an exemplary embodiment, the logistics integration system or server may arrange the sensing devices at equal intervals on the xy plane, at equal intervals on the yz plane, and at equal intervals on the zx plane, in which case only 14 sensing devices may be required.

[0145] 9e, a sensing device occupying a first region REGION1, which is a region of interest in the three-dimensional space SPACEe, and a second region REGION2, which is a region of no interest, is illustrated. For example, for the sensing efficiency of the space SPACEe, sensing information of the region of interest may be more important than sensing information of the region of no interest.

[0146] According to an exemplary embodiment, the logistics integration system or server may determine whether or not zone separation is necessary for a space. For example, the logistics integration system or server may determine whether or not zone separation is necessary in cases where last-in, first-out (LIFO) is required during logistics delivery via a vehicle, where high-value-added items (e.g., batteries) are mixed with low-value-added items, where temperature- and / or humidity-sensitive items (e.g., industrial electronic equipment) are mixed with less-sensitive items, where control of bias due to inertia in vehicles and trains is required, or where management of the impact of air inflow / outflow and temperature changes due to door opening / closing is required.

[0147] According to an exemplary embodiment, the logistics integration system or server can separate composite structures that can be placed using a minimum number of 12 corners, 6 faces, and 4 vertices that make up the space by area, and determine the number and shape of the structures to be placed.

[0148] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for distributing sensing devices within a predetermined space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Although not shown in the drawings in this disclosure, a server for linking multiple sensing devices or a logistics integration system in which servers are connected via a network and run by applications is assumed. The server or logistics integration system can dispose of sensing devices within a predetermined space and manage each of the multiple sensing devices within the space and sensing information (e.g., temperature, humidity, vibration, gas, etc.) about the space acquired from the sensing devices by performing the following steps.

[0149] In step S310, width, length, and height information of the transportation environment may be acquired. The transportation environment may correspond to a predetermined space SPACE, and may refer to a physically separated space such as a cargo hold of a cargo vehicle, a cargo storage area of ​​an airplane or ship, a transport space of a container box which is a unit space for transporting cargo, or a space in which cargo such as a reefer container and liner is transported, but is not limited thereto. It may also refer to a space in which a separate communications network 20 can be implemented by being located within a predetermined distance from a specific sensing device even if there is no physical partition.

[0150] In step S320, the number of attachable sensing devices can be confirmed. The server or logistics integrated system can confirm the total number of sensing devices that can be inserted, placed, and attached based on the width, length, and height information of the transportation environment, the spatial characteristics (whether or not the environment is temperature-controlled, such as a reefer container), and the presence or absence of items of interest (high-value-added products, such as batteries). For example, in an environment for transporting general goods, only four sensing devices, which is the minimum number required for insertion, can be inserted, and in an environment for transporting high-value-added goods, only 100 sensing devices can be inserted.

[0151] In step S330, it may be determined whether the number of sensing devices is less than a first reference value. If the number of deployable sensing devices is less than the first reference value, the number and arrangement shape of the sensing devices may be determined to be a first setting mode (S340). In the present disclosure, if the first reference value is assumed to be "5," the number of sensing devices that can be deployed in the transportation environment through the first setting mode may be determined to be "4." Of course, the numbers provided are merely examples, and may vary depending on various transportation environments and determining factors.

[0152] In step S350, it may be determined whether the number of sensing devices is equal to or greater than a first reference value and less than a second reference value. If the number of deployable sensing devices is equal to or greater than the first reference value and less than the second reference value, a second setting mode may be selected (S360). In the present disclosure, if the second reference value is assumed to be "9," the number of sensing devices that can be placed in the transportation environment through the second setting mode may be determined to be "8." Of course, the numbers shown are merely examples, and it is obvious that they may vary depending on various transportation environments and determining factors.

[0153] In step S370, it may be determined whether the number of sensing devices is equal to or greater than a second reference value. If the number of sensing devices that can be introduced is equal to or greater than the second reference value, a third setting mode may be selected (S380). In this disclosure, the second reference value is assumed to be "9." Therefore, if more than nine sensing devices can be introduced, the number of sensing devices that can be arranged in the transportation environment through the third setting mode may be determined to be "10," "14," etc., so that various measurements can be made in space according to the various arrangement shapes shown in FIGS. 9a to 9e. Of course, the numbers shown are merely examples, and it is obvious that they may vary depending on various transportation environments and determining factors.

[0154] 2. Example 2 Other embodiments are illustrated below. In the following embodiments, a method for estimating environmental information of a cargo transportation space is described. In this disclosure, even if the reference numerals of the second embodiment are given the same numbers or letters as the reference numerals of the first embodiment, they may be understood to indicate different configurations.

[0155] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional image of a transportation space to which a temperature measuring sensor 300 according to an embodiment is attached.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 11, the transport space D430 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the shape of the transport space may be displayed in a predetermined three-dimensional space image.

[0157] 11, the temperature measuring sensors 300 may be attached to a plurality of positions corresponding to the vertices of a rectangular parallelepiped (a plurality of first positions, D410). The plurality of first positions may be predetermined by a user, and the plurality may mean a value between 2 and 4.

[0158] Meanwhile, the vertices in the transport space where the temperature measuring sensors 300 are not attached may be determined as a plurality of second positions D420. That is, the plurality of second positions may mean a value between 4 and 6.

[0159] 11, a load D440 may be located within the transport space D430. The load D440 may be located at a specific position within the transport space D430 and may form three-dimensional coordinates (x, y, z) by setting a position predetermined by the user as a reference (origin).

[0160] Therefore, the position of the payload D440 required for the distance measurement sensor 400 to generate distance data can be generated for each of the three-dimensional coordinates x, y, and z.

[0161] For example, in FIG. 11, if the temperature measuring sensor 300 is set as the origin, the coordinates of the first position where the temperature measuring sensor 300 is attached may be (0, 0, 0), and the position of a point where another temperature measuring sensor located among the multiple first positions other than the position (0, 0, 0) where the temperature measuring sensor 300 is attached may be (0, 3, -3) (D410), and the position of the load D440 may be determined as (3, 1, 5, -1, 5) based on the center of the load.

[0162] Meanwhile, since each of the second positions can be displayed in three-dimensional coordinates, three-dimensional temperature data can be generated for each of the temperature data for the x coordinate, the temperature data for the y coordinate, and the temperature data for the z coordinate.

[0163] When temperature data (Tx) for the x-coordinate, temperature data (Ty) for the y-coordinate, and temperature data (Tz) for the z-coordinate are formed, the vertex estimated temperature data can be determined as either the arithmetic mean value or the RMS value of (Tx, Ty, Tz).

[0164] For example, if (Tx, Ty, Tz)=(8, 10, 9), the apex estimated temperature data may be determined to have an arithmetic mean value of 9 or an rms (Root-mean-square) value of approximately 9.04.

[0165] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 11, D420 may indicate a plurality of second positions to which no temperature measurement sensor is attached.

[0166] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a heat map image of a cargo transportation space where temperatures are measured and estimated according to an embodiment.

[0167] Referring to FIG. 12, when the transportation space is displayed as a rectangular 3D space image, if multiple estimated temperature data for multiple cargoes are generated based on multiple measured temperature data and multiple estimated temperature data for the transportation space according to one embodiment of the present invention, the multiple measured temperature data, estimated temperature data for the transportation space, and estimated temperature data for the cargoes can be displayed on the user interface as a heat map image D500.

[0168] Meanwhile, heat map is a word that combines "heat" meaning heat and "map" meaning map, and it can refer to a visual graphic of heat distribution on a certain image that displays various information that can be expressed in color. By providing a heat map image, it is possible to easily grasp the temperature change over time of the cargo loaded in the transportation space.

[0169] Referring to FIG. 12, the first area D510, the second area D520, and the third area D530 may each generate different load estimated temperature data using a predetermined second estimation algorithm, and accordingly may be displayed at different temperatures on the heat map image D500.

[0170] The step of generating the angle estimated temperature data from the measured temperature data at the first position where the temperature measurement sensor is attached, the apex estimated temperature data, and the distance data may be performed according to Equation 1.

[0171]

number

[0172] (T(x): temperature at point x on the corner, A: temperature increase rate at the vertex, L(x): distance on the corner from the initial position to point x, To: temperature at the initial position) Meanwhile, since angles can be composed of elements corresponding to the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in three-dimensional coordinates, the above mathematical formula 1 can be applied to each of the x-, y-, and z-coordinates, and accordingly, T(x), T(y), and T(z) can be derived for each of x, y, and z.

[0173] For example, if the temperature at a first position on the x-axis is 10°C and the temperature at a second position on the same axis is 12°C, and the distance between the first and second positions is 10 m, then A=+0.2°C / m with the first position as the initial position, and therefore T(x)=0.2*L(x)+10 (where L(x)≦10). The temperature at the corner between the first and second positions on the x-axis can be determined using the above formula to generate angle-estimated temperature data. Based on this algorithm, angle-estimated temperature data for each angle for each of the x, y, and z coordinates can be estimated and generated.

[0174] In an exemplary embodiment, surface estimated temperature data for each of a plurality of surfaces within the rectangular parallelepiped transport space may be generated. For example, generating the surface estimated temperature data from the angle estimated temperature data and the distance data may be performed according to the following mathematical formula 2:

[0175]

number

[0176] (T(x): temperature of the surface, B: temperature increase rate of the corner, L(x): vertical distance from the initial point to the line on the surface parallel to the long corner where the initial point is located, To: temperature at the initial point)

[0177] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the temperature at a first position on the x-coordinate is measured to be 10°C and the temperature at a second position on the same axis is estimated to be 12°C, the temperature at the corner connecting the first and second positions is determined to be 11.51°C, which is the RMS average value of the first and second positions. If the corner temperature is one of the long corners on one side, and the temperature of another parallel long corner is the same RMS average value, 13°C, and the vertical distance between the two parallel long corners is 5m, then with the 11.51°C corner as the initial point, B = +0.098°C / m. Therefore, T(x) = 0.098*L(x) + 11.51 (where L(x)≦5), the surface temperature in the transportation space including the two parallel long corners can be determined using Equation 2, as above, to generate estimated surface temperature data.

[0178] According to one embodiment of the present invention, if the estimated temperature data of the long, parallel corners in the transportation space are T1(x)=0.2*L1(x)+10 and T2(x)=0.1*L2(x)+12 based on the estimation algorithm, then T3(x)=0.15*L3(x)+11, which is the line that bisectors the small angle between the linear equations of T1(x) and T2(x), may be determined as the estimated surface temperature data, which is the temperature of the surface containing the two parallel corners.

[0179] The estimated temperature data of the transportation space may be generated by a predetermined estimation algorithm based on the temperatures of the widest parallel surfaces of the transportation space.

[0180] The estimated temperature data of the transport space may be temperature data that estimates the temperature including any one of the vertices, corners, faces, and the entire transport space where no temperature measurement sensor is attached, if the transport space is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0181] The estimation algorithm may refer to an algorithm according to the following Equation 3, which generates estimated surface temperature data for each surface of the rectangular parallelepiped transport space according to Equation 4 based on the temperatures of the widest parallel surfaces of the transport space.

[0182]

number

[0183] (T(x): temperature of the space, C: temperature increase rate of the surface, L(x): vertical distance from the initial point to a line on the surface parallel to the surface on which the initial point is located, To: temperature at the initial point)

[0184] According to one embodiment of the present invention, if the temperature of a first long corner of a surface is estimated to be 10°C (RMS average value) by an estimation algorithm and the temperature of a second long corner parallel to the first long corner is estimated to be 12°C (RMS average value), the temperature of the surface connecting the first and second long corners is determined to be 11.51°C, which is the RMS average value of the first and second long corners. If the surface temperature is the temperature of the widest surface among three pairs of parallel surfaces in the transportation space, and the temperature of the other parallel wide surface is 15°C as the RMS average value, and the perpendicular distance between the two parallel surfaces is 10m, then with the 11.51°C surface as the initial point, C = +0.349°C / m. Therefore, T(x) = 0.349 * L(x) + 11.51 (where L(x) ≦ 10), the temperature of the transportation space including the two parallel wide surfaces can be determined using Equation 3 as above to generate estimated transportation space temperature data.

[0185] According to one embodiment of the present invention, if the estimated temperature data of the larger parallel surfaces of the transportation space are T1(x)=0.2*L1(x)+10 and T2(x)=0.1*L2(x)+12 based on the estimation algorithm, then T3(x)=0.15*L3(x)+11, which is the line bisector of the small angle between the linear equations of T1(x) and T2(x), may be determined as the estimated temperature data of the transportation space, which is the temperature of the space including the two parallel surfaces.

[0186] In an exemplary embodiment, the step of generating the estimated load temperature data using a predetermined estimation algorithm based on the estimated load position temperature data and the heat transmittance may be an algorithm for generating estimated load temperature data, which is the temperature of the load, based on the estimated load position temperature data, which is the temperature relative to the load position, and the heat transmittance, which is matched to the medium and packaging thickness of the load and which is stored in advance in a memory.

[0187] On the other hand, the heat quantity of the load can be determined based on the formula: heat quantity = temperature at the position of the load (℃) x heat transfer coefficient (kcal / m^2*h*Δ℃), and the temperature of the load can be determined based on the heat quantity of the load using the formula: Q=c*m*Δt (where c: specific heat of the material, m: mass of the material, Δt: temperature change of the material), i.e., Δt=Q / c*m.

[0188] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, these are merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical scope of protection of the present disclosure should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for linking a plurality of sensing devices, comprising: generating a first search signal by a first sensing device arranged in a predetermined space to search for other sensing devices; generating a first synchronization signal in response to the first search signal from a second sensing device disposed in the space; the first sensing device logically connecting the second sensing device upon receiving the first synchronization signal; generating a connection tree, which is a data structure for logical connection relationships between the first sensing device and the other sensing devices; and A method for linking a plurality of sensing devices, comprising the step of generating a second search signal by the second sensing device to search for other sensing devices.

2. the second sensing device logically connecting the third sensing device to the second sensing device upon receiving the second synchronization signal; The second sensing device providing its connection relationship to the first sensing device; and The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: the first sensing device updating a connection tree, which is a data structure, according to the connection relationship.

3. The first sensing device 2. The method for linking multiple sensing devices according to claim 1, further comprising: a first operating mode for storing a connection relationship with a nearest neighbor sensing device that transmitted a synchronization signal that was received earliest among the multiple synchronization signals; and a second operating mode for storing a connection relationship with a sensing device of interest that is located within a region of interest among the multiple synchronization signals.

4. The first sensing device 4. The method for linking multiple sensing devices according to claim 3, wherein if a difference in reception time between the earliest received synchronization signal and the second most recently received synchronization signal is less than a threshold value, all sensing devices that transmitted each signal are logically grouped into one group.

5. The second sensing device The method of claim 1 , further comprising: storing a connection relationship with the first sensing device upon receiving the first synchronization signal.

6. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a fourth electronic device receiving the first search signal suspending generation of its own synchronization signal by receiving the first synchronization signal.

7. The space is a cargo loading space for transportation, 2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensing devices is attached to cargo.

8. Each of the plurality of sensing devices 2. The method for linking a plurality of sensing devices according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal is generated once.

9. The second sensing device 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the generation of the connection tree is terminated due to the absence of a synchronization signal in response to transmission of the second probe signal.

10. In a sensing device disposed in a predetermined space, memory; a communication module configured to support short-range communication with other sensing devices; a sensor subsystem configured to sense environmental information including temperature or humidity; and The sensing device is arranged in a predetermined space, and includes a processor configured to generate a connection tree based on connection relationships with the other sensing devices and process sensing information.

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