Communication Systems

Abstract

This wireless communication device transmits acquired data by wireless communication. A gateway device receives data from a wireless communication terminal. A polling device polls the gateway device and controls data reception by the gateway device from the wireless communication terminal. In addition, the polling device receives, from the gateway device, the data received by the gateway device from the wireless communication terminal. A server device controls the starting and stopping of the polling device. In addition, the server device receives the data received by the polling device from the gateway device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for collecting information measured by a sensor or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Pet owners have a demand to know the status and behavior of their pets at home while they are at work or out. Patent Document 1 describes a system that detects the status of a pet using a sensor terminal, generates first-person utterance data based on the detected data, and uses an interactive SNS to have a conversation with the pet owner and other users. Patent Document 2 discloses a gateway device that communicates between a wireless communication terminal and a device that uses IP (Internet Protocol). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. WO2016 / 125478 [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-22808 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, sensors capable of transmitting measurement data via wireless communication such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) have become known. When using such sensors to detect the condition of a pet, it is desirable to obtain the measured data as close to real time as possible with as little delay as possible.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to collect data from devices capable of wireless communication with as little delay as possible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, in one aspect of the present invention, a communication system includes: a wireless communication terminal that transmits the acquired data by wireless communication; A gateway device that receives the data from the wireless communication terminal; a polling device that polls the gateway device to control data reception from the wireless communication terminal of the gateway device, and receives from the gateway device the data that the gateway device has received from the wireless communication terminal; and a server device that controls the start and stop of the polling device and receives data that the polling device receives from the gateway device. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to collect data from devices capable of wireless communication with as little delay as possible. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] The overall configuration of the system is shown below. [Diagram 2] 13 shows a configuration for transmitting data from a pet terminal to a server. [Diagram 3] 13 shows the flow of a process for transmitting data from the pet terminal to a server. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a home terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a pet terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a polling device and a server. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 8] An example of determining the state of a pet when vibration frequency is used as a physical quantity will be described. [Figure 9] 11 shows an example of message information according to a pet's status or change in status. [Figure 10] 13 shows an example of message information displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a communication device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart of a process performed by a communication device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] First Embodiment [Overall configuration] 1 shows an overall configuration of a communication system according to the present disclosure. The communication system 1 includes a home terminal 10 installed in a pet owner's home 5, a pet terminal 20, a server 200, and a user terminal 300 used by the pet owner. A pet P stays in the owner's home 5, and the pet terminal 20 is attached to the pet P. The home terminal 10 and the server 200 can communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. Furthermore, the server 200 and the owner's user terminal 300 can communicate with each other by wireless communication.

[0013] As a basic operation, the home terminal 10 transmits data on the state of the pet P acquired by the pet terminal 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as "pet data") to the server 200. The server 200 determines the behavior, state, etc. of the pet P (hereinafter collectively referred to as "state") based on the received pet data, generates message information on the pet P based on the determined state, and transmits it to the owner's user terminal 300 via an interactive SNS (Social Network Service). Here, the "message information" includes text messages, stamps, images, etc.

[0014] Specifically, when the transmission timing arrives, the server 200 transmits message information indicating the state of the pet P at that time to the owner's user terminal 300 via the interactive SNS. The owner can know the state of the pet P by looking at the message information transmitted to the user terminal 300.

[0015] The generated message information may be based on the behavior, location, and state of the pet P. The timing of sending the message information may be set arbitrarily. For example, when the state of the pet changes, the pet may initiate sending the message information. The message information may also be sent based on the request of the owner. An interactive dialogue is also possible, in which the pet P replies with an image, message, or stamp in response to an image or message sent by the owner. For example, when the owner sends a message saying "Have you eaten?", the pet P may reply with an image of food and a stamp. The message information may also be sent from the pet at regular time intervals.

[0016] [Send pet data] 2 shows a configuration for transmitting pet data generated by pet terminal 20 to server 200. Pet terminal 20 is a sensor that uses BLE communication, and communicates with home terminal 10 via Bluetooth (registered trademark). Home terminal 10 is a gateway (GW) device that mediates BLE communication with pet terminal 20 and IP communication connecting to Internet 7 via WiFi (wireless LAN), and is connected to cloud service 250 via Internet 7. Note that pet terminal 20 is an example of a wireless communication terminal, and home terminal 10 is an example of a gateway device.

[0017] The server 200 is implemented on a cloud service 250. Also provided on the cloud service 250 is a polling device 210 for acquiring pet data from the home terminal 10. The polling device 210 transmits and receives data to and from the home terminal 10 via an API (Application Programming Interface) for receiving data. The polling device 210 operates by executing a polling application (hereinafter referred to as a "polling AP"). The polling device 210 may be configured as a server on the cloud service 250. The polling AP is an example of a polling means.

[0018] The pet terminal 20 and the home terminal 10 perform BLE communication. Specifically, the pet terminal 20 corresponds to a peripheral device in BLE communication, and the home terminal 10 corresponds to a central device in BLE communication. The pet terminal 20 periodically transmits advertisements. Note that the pet terminal 20 of this embodiment also transmits advertisements when various sensors acquire data related to the activity of the pet P. The home terminal 10 searches (scans) for pet terminals 20 present in the vicinity, and when it receives an advertisement from the pet terminal 20, it establishes a connection with the pet terminal 20 and receives pet data from the pet terminal 20. In this way, when the advertisement from the pet terminal 20 and the timing of the search by the home terminal 10 match, the pet terminal 20 can transmit the pet data to the home terminal 10. Note that when the pet terminal 20 cannot transmit the pet data to the home terminal 10, it accumulates the pet data in an internal memory or the like, and transmits the pet data accumulated in the internal memory when it is able to connect to the home terminal 10.

[0019] In order for the server 200 to transmit message information to the user terminal 300 of the owner according to the state of the pet P, it is necessary to acquire pet data from the pet terminal 20 in as close to real time as possible. For this purpose, a polling device 210 is provided. A polling AP operated by the polling device 210 requests the home terminal 10 to search for the pet terminal 20, which is a BLE device, by polling. The home terminal 10 searches for the pet terminal 20 at a polling interval (frequency) instructed by the polling AP. The polling interval by the polling AP is tuned to match the advertising timing of the pet terminal 20. That is, the polling interval by the polling AP is adjusted so that the advertising timing by the pet terminal 20 and the searching timing of the BLE device by the home terminal 10 coincide more often. This increases the opportunities for the home terminal 10 to acquire pet data from the pet terminal 20, and makes it possible to acquire the pet data in as close to real time as possible without delay. Note that by tuning the polling interval to match multiple BLE devices, multiple BLE devices can be used in combination. The home terminal 10 transmits the pet data received from the pet terminal 20 to the polling AP.

[0020] The polling AP performs necessary format conversion on the received pet data according to the interface on the server 200 side, and transmits the data to server 200. In this way, server 200 acquires the pet data measured by the sensor of pet terminal 20. The timing at which the polling AP transmits the pet data to server 200 is set in the polling AP. Since the polling AP transmits the pet data to server 200 independently at the set timing, server 200 does not need to request the pet data from the polling AP. If the transmission interval of the pet data to server 200 is set to be short, the acquisition of the pet data can be made closer to real time.

[0021] The polling AP may be provided with a function of storing the pet data received from the home terminal 10. In this case, the polling device 210 is provided with a storage device 214 such as a memory. The polling AP temporarily stores the pet data received from the home terminal 10 in the storage device 214, and transmits the pet data to the server 200 in order from the oldest data at a transmission timing set for the polling AP. This allows the pet data measured by the pet terminal 20 to be transmitted to the server 200 without omission. Furthermore, by providing the polling device 210 with a function of storing the pet data, the burden on the pet terminal 20 side of storing the pet data that could not be transmitted can be reduced. Therefore, it is also possible to prevent the sensing ability of the sensor on the pet terminal 20 side from being reduced due to the load of storing the pet data. It is not essential that the polling AP has a function of storing the pet data.

[0022] If the polling AP has a function for storing pet data, the polling AP may select only a portion of the pet data stored in the storage device 214 and transmit it to the server 200. Specifically, the polling AP may transmit only new data from among the pet data stored in the storage device 214 to the server 200. Since the server 200 generates message information based on the pet data received from the polling AP and transmits it to the owner's user terminal 300, it is preferable that the polling AP transmits as new data as possible to the server 200 when new data has been acquired. From this perspective, the polling AP may discard any stored pet data that has been there for a certain period of time and transmit only new data to the server 200.

[0023] 3 shows the flow of the process in which the pet terminal 20 transmits the acquired pet data to the server 200. First, the server 200 sends an instruction to start the polling AP (step S1). When the polling AP is started by the instruction from the server 200, the polling AP issues a search instruction to the home terminal 10 at the polling interval set for the polling AP (step S2).

[0024] On the other hand, the pet terminal 20 transmits an advertisement at its own timing (step S3). Then, when the timing of the advertisement from the pet terminal 20 coincides with the timing of the search by the home terminal 10, the home terminal 10 acquires the pet data from the pet terminal 20 (step S4) and transmits it to the polling AP (step S5).

[0025] The polling AP transmits the pet data received from home terminal 10 to server 200 (step S6). At this time, the polling AP performs necessary data format conversion, etc. If the polling AP has a pet data storage function as described above, it may temporarily store the received pet data in storage device 214 before transmitting it to server 200, or it may discard old data and transmit only new data.

[0026] In this manner, the above process continues until a stop instruction is transmitted from server 200 to the polling AP, and when the stop instruction is transmitted (step S7), the process ends.

[0027] (Modification) In the above communication system 1, the polling function by the polling AP is provided in the cloud service 250. However, instead, the polling function by the polling AP may be provided in the home terminal 10.

[0028] In the above example, the pet data acquired from pet terminal 20 is transmitted to server 200, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of FIG. 2 can be used to transmit various other types of data.

[0029] [Home device] 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the home terminal 10. The home terminal 10 functions as a gateway device between the above-mentioned BLE communication and IP communication, and includes a communication unit 11, a processor 12, a memory 13, and a recording medium 14.

[0030] The communication unit 11 wirelessly communicates with the pet terminal 20 attached to the pet P by using BLE communication. The communication unit 11 also communicates with the polling device 210 by using IP communication.

[0031] The processor 12 is a computer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the entire home terminal 10 by executing a program prepared in advance. The processor 12 may be a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Demand-Side Platform), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like. The processor 12 executes the above-mentioned gateway function by executing a program prepared in advance.

[0032] The memory 13 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 13 stores various programs executed by the processor 12. The memory 13 is also used as a working memory while the processor 12 is executing various processes.

[0033] The recording medium 14 is a non-volatile, non-transitory recording medium such as a disk-shaped recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and is configured to be detachable from the home terminal 10. The recording medium 14 records various programs executed by the processor 12.

[0034] [Pet terminal] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the pet terminal 20 attached to the pet P. The pet terminal 20 is attached to the pet instead of the collar of the pet P, for example, or is attached to a collar worn by the pet. The pet terminal 20 is a BLE device, and includes a communication unit 21, a processor 22, a memory 23, a pet camera 24, an acceleration sensor 25, an air pressure sensor 26, a biosensor 27, and a microphone 28.

[0035] The communication unit 21 wirelessly communicates with the home terminal 10 by BLE communication. The processor 22 is a computer such as a CPU, and controls the entire pet terminal 20 by executing a program prepared in advance. The processor 22 transmits information acquired by each sensor and microphone to the home terminal 10 by executing a program prepared in advance. Specifically, the processor 22 transmits advertisements periodically and when the sensor detects an activity of the pet P of a predetermined amount or more, and transmits the pet data acquired from the sensor to the home terminal 10 when communication with the home terminal 10 is established.

[0036] The memory 23 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, etc. The memory 23 stores various programs executed by the processor 22. The memory 23 is also used as a working memory while the processor 22 is executing various processes. Furthermore, the memory 23 temporarily stores pet data detected by each sensor until the data is transmitted.

[0037] Pet camera 24 is a camera for capturing an image from the pet's point of view. Pet camera 24 may be configured to detect the direction of pet P's neck to determine the shooting direction, or may be attached near the head of pet P, or may be a camera that captures a wide-angle image in front of pet P. This allows pet terminal 20 to obtain an image from the pet's point of view.

[0038] The acceleration sensor 25 is a three-axis acceleration sensor, and measures the movement of the pet P in three axial directions. Specifically, the acceleration sensor 25 can output the amount of movement, vibration frequency, etc. of the pet P. Based on the output of the acceleration sensor 25, the server 200 can estimate the amount of activity of the pet P, etc. The air pressure sensor 26 measures the air pressure at the location of the pet P. Based on the output of the air pressure sensor 26, the server 200 can detect the upward and downward movement of the pet P, for example, the number of movements such as jumping, the distance, the accumulated distance, etc. Furthermore, although not shown in FIG. 5, a gyro sensor may be used. Furthermore, a six-axis sensor in which a three-axis acceleration sensor and a three-axis gyro sensor (a three-axis angular velocity sensor) are integrated may be used. The sensor is not limited to the above as long as it is a sensor capable of measuring the amount of activity of an animal.

[0039] The biosensor 27 is a sensor that measures bioinformation of the pet P, such as the body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate of the pet P. The microphone 28 collects sounds around the pet P. The server 200 can estimate the state of the pet P, such as whether it is meowing or barking, based on the received sounds. The server 200 can estimate the motion state and mental state of the pet P, for example, based on the sounds of the pet P running around and breathing sounds.

[0040] [Polling device] 6(A) is a block diagram showing the configuration of polling device 210. Polling device 210 receives pet data from home terminal 10 and transmits it to server 200. Polling device 210 includes a communication unit 211, a processor 212, a memory 213, a storage device 214, and a recording medium 215.

[0041] The communication unit 211 communicates with the home terminal 10 and the server 200. The processor 212 is a computer such as a CPU, and controls the entire server 200 by executing a program prepared in advance. The processor 212 may be a GPU, an FPGA, a DSP, an ASIC, or the like. Specifically, the processor 212 issues a search instruction to the home terminal 10 by polling through the communication unit 211, and receives pet data from the home terminal 10. The processor 212 also transmits the pet data received from the home terminal 10 to the server 200 through the communication unit 211.

[0042] The memory 213 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, etc. The memory 213 is also used as a working memory while various processes are being executed by the processor 212. The storage device 214 is a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, and accumulates the pet data received from the home terminal 10.

[0043] The recording medium 215 is a non-volatile, non-transient recording medium such as a disk-shaped recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and is configured to be detachable from the polling device 210. The recording medium 215 records a program executed by the processor 212. The recording medium 215 stores a polling AP.

[0044] [server] 6(B) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 200. The server 200 executes transmission and reception of messages by an interactive SNS between the server 200 and the user terminal 300. The server 200 includes a communication unit 201, a processor 202, a memory 203, a recording medium 204, and a database 205.

[0045] The communication unit 201 receives pet data from the home terminal 10 via the polling device 210. The communication unit 201 also transmits and receives message information to and from the user terminal 300 of the owner.

[0046] The processor 202 is a computer such as a CPU, and controls the entire server 200 by executing a program prepared in advance. The processor 202 may be a GPU, an FPGA, a DSP, an ASIC, etc. Specifically, the processor 202 determines the state of the pet P based on the pet data, and transmits message information to the owner's user terminal 300 via the interactive SNS.

[0047] The memory 203 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, etc. The memory 203 is also used as a working memory while the processor 202 is executing various processes. The recording medium 204 is a non-volatile and non-transient recording medium such as a disk-shaped recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and is configured to be detachable from the server 200. The recording medium 204 records various programs executed by the processor 202.

[0048] Database 205 stores pet data received from home terminal 10 via communication unit 201. Furthermore, message information sent by many users from user terminal 300 is saved in database 205. Database 205 also stores the timing of sending message information and prepared message information (e.g., a specific message, stamp, etc.) for each user. Server 200 may also include an input unit such as a keyboard or mouse for an administrator to give instructions or input, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display.

[0049] [User device] 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal 300 used by a pet owner. The user terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a PC, etc. The user terminal 300 includes a communication unit 311, a processor 312, a memory 313, and a touch panel 314.

[0050] The communication unit 311 transmits and receives data to and from an external device. Specifically, the communication unit 311 transmits and receives message information to and from the server 200.

[0051] The processor 312 is a computer such as a CPU, and controls the entire user terminal 300 by executing a program prepared in advance. The processor 312 may be a GPU, an FPGA, a DSP, an ASIC, or the like. Specifically, a messaging app for an interactive SNS executed by the server 200 is installed in the user terminal 300. The "messaging app" is an app that enables the exchange of message information such as text messages, stamps, still images, and videos. The processor 312 receives message information from the server 200 through the messaging app, and displays it on the touch panel 314. The processor 312 also transmits message information input by the owner to the server 200 through the messaging app.

[0052] The memory 313 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, etc. The memory 313 stores a messaging application. The memory 313 is also used as a working memory while the processor 312 is executing various processes. The touch panel 314 displays message information received by the user terminal 300. The touch panel 314 also functions as an input device for the user.

[0053] [Send message information] Next, a description will be given of the transmission of message information to the owner's user terminal 300. The server 200 transmits message information of appropriate content to the owner's user terminal 300 based on the state of the pet P. More specifically, the server 200 determines the state of the pet P based on the magnitude of physical quantities related to the movement and behavior of the pet P, and transmits message information according to the determined state to the owner's user terminal 300.

[0054] (Determining your pet's condition) The server 200 receives physical quantities related to the movements and behaviors of the pet P as pet data and determines the state of the pet P. Fig. 8 shows an example of determining the state of the pet when the vibration frequency acquired from the pet terminal 20 is used as the physical quantity. Note that the vibration frequency is merely one example of a physical quantity indicating the state of the pet P, and is not limited thereto.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows a graph of the vibration frequency of the pet P measured by the pet terminal 20. In this example, the server 200 classifies the state of the pet P into states 1 to 3 based on the vibration frequency. Note that this classification is merely an example, and the method of classifying the state of the pet P is not limited to this. State 1 is when the value of the vibration frequency is less than the threshold value TH1, and the pet P is sleeping. State 2 is when the value of the vibration frequency is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 and less than the threshold value TH2, and the pet P is making short or small movements (hereinafter also referred to as the "small movement state"). State 3 is when the value of the vibration frequency is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH2, and the pet P is making long or large movements (hereinafter also referred to as the "large movement state"). As shown in FIG. 8, the state of the pet P changes from moment to moment based on the change in the vibration frequency.

[0056] The server 200 determines message information to be sent to the owner according to the state of the pet P. The server 200 may determine the message information according to a change in the state of the pet P over time. FIG. 9 shows an example of message information prepared according to the state or change in state of the pet P. The message information in FIG. 9 is merely an example, and other message information may be used. The server 200 randomly selects one or more pieces of message information from the multiple pieces of message information prepared according to each state or change in state, and transmits the selected message information to the user terminal 300.

[0057] When the pet P is in state 1 (sleeping state), the server 200 selects message information, such as "sleeping" or "sleeping", which indicates that the pet P is sleeping. When the pet P is in state 2 (low movement state), the server 200 selects message information, such as "awake" or "wandering around", which indicates that the pet P is awake and performing daily activities. When the pet P is in state 3 (high movement state), the server 200 selects message information, such as "walking" or "sprinting", which indicates that the pet P is active. In this way, by using the magnitude of physical quantities related to the movement and behavior of the pet P, it is possible to determine the state of the pet P, including the magnitude (degree) of the movement and behavior.

[0058] Also, when the state of the pet P changes from one of states 1 to 3 to another state, the server 200 selects message information according to the change. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the state of the pet P changes from state 1 (sleeping state) to state 2 (small movement state), the server 200 selects message information such as "I'm awake~" or "Good morning". When the state of the pet P changes from state 2 (small movement state) to state 3 (large movement state), the server 200 selects message information such as "I'm fine!" or "I'm having fun". For other state changes, message information such as the example shown in FIG. 9 is similarly selected. In this way, by using the time change of physical quantities related to the movement and behavior of the pet P, it becomes possible to determine the state of the pet P, which changes from moment to moment, in more detail. In the example of FIG. 9, a text message is used as the message information, but a stamp or an image may also be used.

[0059] In the above example, the state of the pet P is classified into three, but each state may be further subdivided. For example, state 1 (sleeping state) may be subdivided into "deep sleep", "light sleep", "just lying down", etc. In this case, the server 200 may subdivide state 1 by subdividing the threshold used for classifying states 1 to 3. For example, when the threshold value TH1 of the vibration frequency is "10", the server 200 may determine the vibration frequency of "0" to "3" as deep sleep, the vibration frequency of "4" to "7" as light sleep, and the vibration frequency of "8" to "10" as just lying down. Instead, the server 200 may determine the classification by combining the vibration frequency value with the values ​​of other sensors. Specifically, the sleeping state may be subdivided based on the biological information of the pet P, such as body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate, in addition to the vibration frequency value.

[0060] (Example of sending message information) Fig. 10 shows an example of message information transmitted by the server 200. Fig. 10 shows an example of message information displayed on the owner's user terminal 300. The owner's name is "Ichiro" and the pet P's name is "John".

[0061] First, the owner sends a message saying "What are you doing?" At this time, the pet P is in state 1 (sleeping), and the server 200 sends the owner a message saying "Sleeping..." which corresponds to state 1, as shown in the example of Fig. 9. In response, the owner sends a message saying "Taking a nap..."

[0062] Thereafter, when the state of the pet P changes from state 1 to state 2 (small movement state), the server 200 transmits message information "I woke up" corresponding to the change from state 1 to state 2, as illustrated in Fig. 9. In response to this, the owner transmits message information "Did you sleep well?"

[0063] Thereafter, when the state of the pet P further changes from state 2 to state 3 (large movement state), the server 200 transmits message information "I want to go for a walk!" corresponding to the change from state 2 to state 3, as illustrated in Fig. 9. In response to this, the owner transmits message information "Be a good boy and wait for me."

[0064] Thereafter, when the state of the pet P returns from state 3 to state 2, the server 200 transmits message information "Come back soon" corresponding to the change from state 3 to state 2, as exemplified in FIG.

[0065] In this way, by transmitting message information according to the state of pet P or a change in state, it becomes possible to have a pleasant conversation with pet P.

[0066] <Second embodiment> 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment. The communication system 400 includes a wireless communication terminal 401, a gateway device 402, a polling device 403, and a server device 404.

[0067] The wireless communication device 401 transmits the acquired data by wireless communication. The gateway device 402 receives the data from the wireless communication terminal 401. The polling device 403 polls the gateway device 402 and controls the gateway device 402 to receive data from the wireless communication terminal 401. The polling device 403 also receives from the gateway device 402 the data that the gateway device 402 received from the wireless communication terminal 401. The server device 404 controls the start and stop of the polling device 403. The server device 404 also receives the data that the polling device 403 received from the gateway device 402. This enables the server device 404 to collect data from the wireless communication terminal 401 with as little delay as possible.

[0068] <Third embodiment> 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication device according to the third embodiment. The communication device 500 includes a polling unit 501 and a receiving unit 502.

[0069] 13 is a flowchart of processing by communication device 500. Polling means 501 polls the gateway device that receives data from the wireless communication terminal to control the gateway device's reception of data from the wireless communication terminal, and receives from the gateway device the data that the gateway device has received from the wireless communication terminal (step S31). Receiving means 502 receives the data that polling means 501 has received from the gateway device (step S32). This enables communication device 500 to collect data from the wireless communication terminal with as little delay as possible.

[0070] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0071] (Appendix 1) a wireless communication terminal that transmits the acquired data by wireless communication; A gateway device that receives the data from the wireless communication terminal; a polling device that polls the gateway device to control data reception from the wireless communication terminal of the gateway device, and receives from the gateway device the data that the gateway device has received from the wireless communication terminal; a server device that controls the start and stop of the polling device and receives data that the polling device has received from the gateway device; A communication system comprising:

[0072] (Appendix 2) 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the polling device instructs the gateway device to search for the wireless communication terminal by the polling.

[0073] (Appendix 3) The wireless communication terminal periodically transmits an advertisement; The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the polling device instructs a search for the wireless communication terminal at a timing set according to the timing at which the wireless communication terminal transmits an advertisement.

[0074] (Appendix 4) 4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the polling device stores data received from the gateway device in a storage device.

[0075] (Appendix 5) The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the polling device transmits to the server device, among the data received from the gateway device, data other than data for which a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0076] (Appendix 6) 6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the gateway device acquires the data from the wireless communication terminal when a timing of advertising from the wireless communication terminal coincides with a timing of searching by the gateway device.

[0077] (Appendix 7) a polling means for polling a gateway device that receives data from a wireless communication terminal to control reception of data from the wireless communication terminal by the gateway device, and for receiving from the gateway device the data that the gateway device has received from the wireless communication terminal; a receiving means for receiving the data received by the polling means from the gateway device; A communication device comprising:

[0078] (Appendix 8) polling a gateway device that receives data from a wireless communication terminal to control reception of data from the wireless communication terminal by the gateway device; A communication method in which the gateway device receives data that the gateway device has received from the wireless communication terminal from the gateway device.

[0079] (Appendix 9) polling a gateway device that receives data from a wireless communication terminal to control reception of data from the wireless communication terminal by the gateway device; A recording medium having a program recorded thereon that causes a computer to execute a process of receiving, from the gateway device, the data that the gateway device has received from the wireless communication terminal.

[0080] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments and examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and examples. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10 Home terminal 20 Pet Terminal 200 Servers 210 Polling Device 300 User terminals

Claims

1. a wireless communication terminal that transmits the acquired data by wireless communication; A gateway device that receives the data from the wireless communication terminal; a polling device that polls the gateway device to control data reception from the wireless communication terminal of the gateway device, and receives from the gateway device the data that the gateway device has received from the wireless communication terminal; a server device that controls the start and stop of the polling device and receives data that the polling device has received from the gateway device; A communication system comprising:

2. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said polling device instructs said gateway device to search for said wireless communication terminal by said polling.

3. The wireless communication terminal periodically transmits an advertisement; The communication system according to claim 2 , wherein the polling device issues an instruction to search for the wireless communication terminal at a timing set according to a timing at which the wireless communication terminal transmits an advertisement.

4. 4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the polling device stores the data received from the gateway device in a storage device.

5. 5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the polling device transmits to the server device data other than data for which a predetermined time has elapsed, among the data received from the gateway device.

6. 6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the gateway device acquires the data from the wireless communication terminal when a timing of advertising from the wireless communication terminal coincides with a timing of searching by the gateway device.

Images