Sensor data collection device, sensor data collection system, and sensor data collection method

Abstract

To provide a sensor data collection apparatus, a sensor data collection system, and a sensor data collection method capable of reducing battery consumption due to standby power.SOLUTION: A sensor data collection apparatus comprises: a power source; a power source control circuit for controlling the power source; a sensor for acquiring data by sensing; a memory for storing the data acquired by the sensor; and a control circuit for controlling the power source control circuit, the sensor, and the memory. The power source control circuit supplies the power supplied by the power source to the sensor, the memory, and the control circuit. The control circuit shifts to one of multiple operating states and makes the power source control circuit cut-off the power supplied by the power source before shifting to a second operating state after completing a first operating state, of multiple operating states.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor data collection device, a sensor data collection system, and a sensor data collection method.

Background Art

[0002] A sensor system including a sensor terminal that collects data and a data collection device connected to the sensor terminal via wireless communication is known. In the sensor system, the sensor terminal encrypts the sensor data measured by the sensor device according to the received measurement parameters using the received encryption key, and transmits the encrypted sensor data to the data collection device. The data collection device decrypts the sensor data received from the sensor terminal. When the sensor data is successfully decrypted, the decrypted sensor data is stored in the storage unit. When the sensor data cannot be successfully decrypted, the undecrypted sensor data is discarded, and the measurement parameters and the encryption key are transmitted to the sensor terminal.

[0003] Regarding the data collection device, a technique is known in which the microcomputer enters a sleep state during non-operation to reduce power consumption (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, regarding a biological information measurement device, a technique is known in which the microcomputer enters a sleep state when a predetermined number of measurements are completed to reduce power consumption (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Generally, a microcomputer has a standby (sleep) function, and the standby function is used to reduce power consumption while the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is not operating. However, when a small battery with a small battery capacity is used as the power supply and a long battery life is required, the power consumption of this standby power may also become a problem. Also, even if the power consumption is suppressed by the standby function of the microcomputer, there may be power consumption by other components other than the microcomputer connected to the power supply. Examples of power consumption by other components other than the microcomputer connected to the power supply include the leakage current of the capacitor and the power consumption by other ICs other than the microcomputer.

[0006] There is a device that operates the sensor a certain number of times to collect data, accumulates the collected data, then transitions to a long-term standby state, and after transitioning from the standby state to the startup state, transmits the accumulated data externally. An example of this device is a sensor device. The sensor device is installed in a place where there is no power supply and communication environment, collects data by performing the required measurements, and after completing the accumulation of the collected data, is recovered. The sensor device may require a period of several months from when it accumulates the collected data until it is recovered. Such a device is in a standby state until a data transmission instruction comes. For this reason, if such a device requires a long time until a data transmission instruction comes, the battery may be consumed more than expected only by the standby power. If the battery of such a device consumes more power than the power required for the operation of transmitting data externally, it becomes impossible to take out the data. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a sensor data collection device, a sensor data collection system, and a sensor data collection method capable of reducing the consumption of the battery due to standby power.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] (1) In view of the above problems, a sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a power supply, a power supply control circuit for controlling the power supply, a sensor for acquiring data by sensing, a memory for storing the data acquired by the sensor, and a control circuit for controlling the power supply control circuit, the sensor, and the memory. The power supply control circuit supplies power supplied by the power supply to the sensor, the memory, and the control circuit. The control circuit shifts to any one of a plurality of operating states, and before the first operating state is completed and shifted to the second operating state among the plurality of operating states, the power supply control circuit is caused to cut off the power supplied by the power supply. (2) In the sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the power supply may be a primary battery or a secondary battery. (3) In the sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the power supply control circuit includes a switch and a switch control circuit, and the switch control circuit may cut off the power supplied by the power supply by opening the switch. (4) In the sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the power supply control circuit may start the first operating state or the second operating state based on an external signal. (5) In the sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the switch control circuit includes a power generation element, and the switch control circuit may generate the external signal by the power generated by the power generation element. (6) In the sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the power generation element is a photovoltaic element, and the switch control circuit may generate the external signal by the photovoltaic power generated by irradiating the photovoltaic element with light. (7) In the sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention, in the case of the first operating state, the control circuit may periodically cause the sensor to acquire data and cause the acquired data to be held in the memory, and in the case of the second operating state, cause the wireless communication unit to transmit the data accumulated in the memory to the outside. In the sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention, when an exceptional event occurs during operation, the control circuit may cause the power supply control circuit to cut off the power supplied by the power supply. (9) In the sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control circuit includes a determination unit that determines whether there is a remaining battery level for transmitting the data stored in the memory in the second operating state, and a creation unit that creates a summary of the data stored in the memory when the determination unit determines that there is no remaining battery level for transmitting the data. In the case of the second operating state, the control circuit may cause the wireless communication unit to transmit the summary of the data created by the creation unit to the outside. (10) In the sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention, when the control circuit causes the power supply control circuit to cut off the power supplied by the power supply, the control circuit transmits a power-off signal to the power supply control circuit, and the power-off signal may be transmitted to the power supply control circuit via a signal holding circuit. (11) In the sensor data collection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the signal holding circuit may include a capacitor and be configured to hold electric charge. (12) A sensor data collection system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the sensor data collection device according to any one of (1) to (11) above, and an external device that generates an external signal for starting the second operating state in the sensor data collection device after the sensor data collection device causes the power supply control circuit to cut off the power supplied by the power supply.

[0008] (13) The sensor data collection method according to one aspect of the present invention is a sensor data collection method executed by a sensor data collection device including a power supply, a power supply control circuit that controls the power supply, a sensor that acquires data by sensing, a memory that stores the data acquired by the sensor, and a control circuit that controls the power supply control circuit, the sensor, and the memory. The method includes: a step in which the power supply control circuit supplies power supplied by the power supply to the sensor, the memory, and the control circuit; and a step in which the control circuit causes the power supply control circuit to cut off the power supplied by the power supply before the completion of a first operation state and the transition to a second operation state.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sensor data collection device, a sensor data collection system, and a sensor data collection method capable of reducing battery consumption due to standby power.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Next, the sensor data collection device, sensor data collection system, and sensor data collection method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, "based on XX" as used in this application means "based on at least XX", and includes cases where it is based on another element in addition to XX. Also, "based on XX" is not limited to the case where XX is directly used, and includes cases where it is based on something obtained by performing operations or processing on XX. "XX" is any element (for example, any information).

[0012] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components having the same or similar functions may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof may be omitted. (Sensor Data Collection System) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a sensor data collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sensor data collection system 1 of the present embodiment includes a sensor data collection device 100 and an external device 200. (Sensor Data Collection Device 100) The sensor data collection device 100 includes a wireless communication unit 101, a control circuit 102, a power source 103, a power source control circuit 104, a real-time clock (RTC), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 106, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 107, and a sensor 108.

[0013] The sensor data collection device 100 can be in any one of a plurality of operating states. The plurality of operating states include a first operating state, a power-off state, and a second operating state. In the case of the first operating state, the sensor data collection device 100 periodically causes the sensor 108 to perform sensing to obtain data, and causes the obtained data to be held in the ROM 107. Before the first operating state is completed and before transitioning to the second operating state, the sensor data collection device 100 causes the power control circuit 104 to cut off the power supplied by the power supply 103, thereby transitioning to the power-off state. The power-off state is a state in which the power supply 103 and the circuit connected to the power control circuit 104 are electrically disconnected by a switch or the like included in the power control circuit. The switch mentioned here may be a load switch IC (Integrated Circuit), MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor), JFET (Junction Field Effect Transistor), transistor, or the like. A small and low-power consumption switch is preferable, and for example, it is desirable to use a p-channel type MOSFET.

[0014] Based on an external signal, the sensor data collection device 100 causes the power control circuit 104 to conduct the power supplied by the power supply 103, thereby transitioning to the second operating state. An example of the external signal is emitted by the external device 200 and used as a trigger in the sensor data collection device 100. An example of the trigger is light, magnetism, radio waves, an electrical signal, etc. In the sensor data collection device 100, in order to monitor the trigger, it is desirable to use something that does not consume power such as a solar cell or energy harvesting technology. The second operating state is a state in which the power supply 103 and the circuit connected to the power control circuit 104 are electrically conductive by a switch or the like included in the power control circuit. In the case of the second operating state, the sensor data collection device 100 transmits the data accumulated in the ROM 107 externally by wireless communication.

[0015] The wireless communication unit 101 communicates with an external device 200. An example of the wireless communication method used for communication between the wireless communication unit 101 and the external device 200 is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). However, wireless communication may be performed between the wireless communication unit 101 and the external device 200 using a wireless communication method such as a wireless LAN other than BLE. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 101 receives an activation instruction signal transmitted by the external device 200. The activation instruction signal is an example of an external signal. The wireless communication unit 101 acquires the sensor data notification output by the control circuit 102 and transmits the acquired sensor data notification to the external device 200. The control circuit 102 controls the power control circuit 104, the RTC 105, the RAM 106, the ROM 107, and the sensor 108. The power supply 103 supplies power to each part of the sensor data collection device 100 via the power control circuit 104. An example of the power supply 103 is a primary battery or a secondary battery. The sensor data collection device 100 may not be provided with means for charging the secondary battery.

[0016] The power control circuit 104 controls the power supply 103. The power control circuit 104 supplies power from the power supply 103 to each part of the sensor data collection device 100, such as the wireless communication unit 101, the control circuit 102, the RTC 105, the RAM 106, the ROM 107, and the sensor 108. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the power control circuit included in the sensor data collection device according to the present embodiment. The power control circuit 104 includes a latch circuit and a cutoff circuit. The latch circuit includes an operational amplifier U1, a transistor Q1, and a resistor R1. The cutoff circuit includes a transistor Q2, a capacitor C1, and a resistor R2.

[0017] An example of the operation of the power control circuit 104 will be described. When a WAKEUP signal equal to or higher than a specified voltage is input to the operational amplifier U1, the transistor Q1 conducts, and the battery voltage is output from OUTPUT. At this time, since OUTPUT is fed back to the operational amplifier U1 by the resistor R1, the power supply remains conductive even when the WAKEUP signal is removed. In this state, when a signal with a voltage equal to or higher than the specified voltage is applied to SHUTDOWN, the capacitor C1 is charged, the transistor Q2 conducts, and charges are drawn from the operational amplifier U1 (because the drain capacity of the transistor Q2 is higher than the feedback current through the resistor R1). At this time, if the SHUTDOWN signal is generated by a circuit powered by OUTPUT, the SHUTDOWN signal may become an indeterminate state. However, since the input of the transistor Q2 is maintained at a high level by the capacitor C1, the transistor Q2 remains conducting until all the charges are completely drawn from the operational amplifier U1. Note that the resistor R2 is a pull - down resistor to prevent the potential from floating when SHUTDOWN is in an indeterminate state.

[0018] RTC105 is a clock built into a computer or the like, or an integrated circuit (IC) in which the clock function is implemented. RTC105 can continue to "tick" time by means of battery backup or the like even when the power from the power supply 103 of the sensor data collection device 100 is cut off. RAM106 is a short - term temporary storage area for operating the sensor data collection device 100. ROM107 stores the data acquired by the sensor 108. An example of ROM107 is a non - volatile memory.

[0019] The control circuit 102 acquires the startup instruction signal received by the wireless communication unit 101. Based on the acquired startup instruction signal, the control circuit 102 starts the control of the RTC105, the RAM106, the ROM107, and the sensor 108. For example, the control circuit 102 starts the time measurement by the RTC105. The control circuit 102 controls the sensor 108 to periodically cause the sensor 108 to perform sensing. The sensor 108 acquires data (sensing data) by performing sensing. An example of the sensor 108 includes at least one of a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, a pulse wave sensor, a pulse oximeter, a heart rate sensor, and a laser sensor. Here, the pulse wave sensor measures the pulse wave using light, the pulse oximeter measures the blood oxygen concentration using light, the heart rate sensor measures the heart rate using light, and the laser sensor measures the blood flow using laser light. The control circuit 102 acquires the data obtained by the sensor 108 through sensing, and temporarily stores the acquired data in the RAM 106. The control circuit 102 stores the data stored in the RAM 106 in the ROM 107.

[0020] The control circuit 102 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. An example of the predetermined condition is the elapse of a predetermined period. Hereinafter, the case where the predetermined condition is the elapse of a predetermined period (time) will be continued with an example. The control circuit 102 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed based on the time measured by the RTC 105. When the control circuit 102 determines that the predetermined period has elapsed, it outputs a power-off signal to the power control circuit 104 to disconnect the connection with the power supply 103. The power control circuit 104 acquires the power-off signal output by the control circuit 102. Based on the acquired power-off signal, the power control circuit 104 switches the connection state with the power supply 103 from an electrically connected state to an electrically disconnected state using a switch or the like. As a result, the sensor data collection device 100 shifts from the first operating state to the power-off state. Specifically, the power control circuit 104 includes a switch (not shown) and a switch control circuit (not shown). The switch control circuit cuts off the power supplied by the power supply 103 by opening the switch from the connection.

[0021] The power control circuit 104 switches the connection state with the power supply 103 to an electrically conductive state based on an external signal. An example of the external signal is emitted by the external device 200 and used as a trigger in the sensor data collection device 100. Examples of the trigger include light, magnetism, radio waves, electrical signals, etc. Hereinafter, the case where light is used as an example of the trigger will be continued with an explanation. In this case, the switch control circuit includes a power generation element. The power generation element generates electric power by, for example, a photovoltaic cell, a photodiode, a light-emitting diode, etc., when irradiated with light to generate a photovoltaic power. The switch control circuit generates an external signal by the electric power generated by the power generation element. In the power supply control circuit 104, the switch control circuit conducts the power supply 103 and the power supply control circuit 104 to the switch based on the external signal. By switching the connection state with the power supply 103 to the conductive state by the power supply control circuit 104, power is supplied from the power supply 103 to each part of the sensor data collection device 100, and thus the device transitions to the second operating state. In the second operating state, the control circuit 102 acquires the data stored in the ROM 107 and creates a sensor data notification addressed to the external device 200 including the acquired data. The control circuit 102 outputs the created sensor data notification to the wireless communication unit 101.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the operating state of the sensor data collection device according to the present embodiment. An example of the operating state of the sensor data collection device 100 has the first operating state, the power-off state, and the second operating state as described above. The sensor data collection device 100 transitions from the first operating state to the power-off state and from the power-off state to the second operating state. That is, the sensor data collection device 100 basically transitions unidirectionally from the first operating state, via the power-off state, to the second operating state. The sensor data collection device 100 accumulates the data acquired by the sensor 108 sensing in the first operating state. The sensor data collection device 100 transitions to the power-off state by electrically disconnecting the connection state with the power supply 103 from the power supply control circuit 104 in the first operating state based on the power-off signal output by the control circuit 102. The sensor data collection device 100 transitions to the second operating state by electrically connecting the connection state with the power supply 103 to the power supply control circuit 104 in the power-off state based on the external signal. The sensor data collection device 100 acquires the data stored in the ROM 107 in the second operating state. The sensor data collection device 100 creates a sensor data notification addressed to the external device 200, including the acquired data. The sensor data collection device 100 transmits the created sensor data notification to the external device 200. Returning to FIG. 1, the description will continue.

[0023] (External device 200) The external device 200 includes a wireless communication unit 201, a control circuit 202, and a signal generation unit 209. The wireless communication unit 201 communicates with the sensor data collection device 100. An example of the wireless communication method used for communication between the wireless communication unit 201 and the sensor data collection device 100 is Bluetooth Low Energy. However, wireless communication may be performed between the wireless communication unit 201 and the sensor data collection device 100 using a wireless communication method such as a wireless LAN other than BLE. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 201 acquires the activation instruction signal output by the control circuit 202. The wireless communication unit 201 transmits the acquired activation instruction signal to the sensor data collection device 100. The wireless communication unit 201 receives the sensor data notification transmitted by the sensor data collection device 100. The control circuit 202 controls the wireless communication unit 201 and the signal generation unit 209. The control circuit 202 creates an activation instruction signal and outputs the created activation instruction signal to the wireless communication unit 201. The control circuit 202 creates an external signal generation request for generating an external signal and outputs the created external signal generation request to the signal generation unit 209. The control circuit 202 acquires the sensor data notification received by the wireless communication unit 201. The control circuit 202 performs predetermined processing on the acquired sensor data notification. The signal generation unit 209 generates an external signal based on the external signal generation request output by the control circuit 202.

[0024] (Operation of the sensor data collection system) The operation of the sensor data collection system will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing Example 1 of the operation of the sensor data collection system according to the present embodiment. With reference to Figure 4, the operation when the sensor data collection device 100 is in the first operating state in the sensor data collection system will be described. (Step S1-1) In the external device 200, the control circuit 202 creates an activation instruction signal. (Step S2-1) In the external device 200, the control circuit 202 outputs the created activation instruction signal to the wireless communication unit 201. The wireless communication unit 201 acquires the activation instruction signal output by the control circuit 202. The wireless communication unit 201 transmits the acquired activation instruction signal to the sensor data collection device 100. (Step S3-1) In the sensor data collection device 100, the wireless communication unit 101 receives the activation instruction signal transmitted by the external device 200. (Step S4-1) In the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 acquires the activation instruction signal received by the wireless communication unit 101. Based on the acquired activation instruction signal, the control circuit 102 starts the control of the RTC 105, the RAM 106, the ROM 107, and the sensor 108. The control circuit 102 starts the time measurement by the RTC 105.

[0025] (Step S5-1) In the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 controls the sensor 108 to cause the sensor 108 to perform sensing. The sensor 108 acquires data (sensing data) by performing sensing. (Step S6-1) In the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 acquires the data acquired by the sensor 108 performing sensing, and temporarily holds the acquired data in the RAM 106. The control circuit 102 stores the data held in the RAM 106 in the ROM 107. (Step S7-1) In the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S5-1. (Step S8-1) In the sensor data collection device 100, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control circuit 102 outputs a power-off signal to the power control circuit 104 to disconnect the connection with the power supply 103. The power control circuit 104 acquires the power-off signal output by the control circuit 102. Based on the acquired power-off signal, the power control circuit 104 switches the connection state with the power supply 103 to a state where it is electrically disconnected by a switch or the like. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, steps S3-1 to S7-1 are in the first operating state. By switching the connection state between the power control circuit 104 and the power supply 103 to an electrically disconnected state, the transition is made from the first operating state to the power-off state.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example 2 of the operation of the sensor data collection system according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 5, the operation of the sensor data collection system when the sensor data collection device 100 is in the power-off state and the second operating state will be described. (Step S1-2) In the external device 200, the control circuit 202 creates an external signal generation request for generating an external signal, and outputs the created external signal generation request to the signal generation unit 209. (Step S2-2) In the external device 200, the signal generation unit 209 generates an external signal based on the external signal generation request output by the control circuit 202. The signal generation unit 209 outputs the generated external signal to the sensor data collection device 100. (Step S3-2) In the sensor data collection device 100, the power control circuit 104 is activated based on an external signal output by the external device 200. The power control circuit 104 switches the connection state with the power supply 103 from a state where it is electrically disconnected by a switch or the like to a state where it is electrically conductive. By the power control circuit 104 switching the connection state with the power supply 103 from a disconnected state to a conductive state, power is supplied from the power supply 103 to each part of the sensor data collection device 100, and the sensor data collection device 100 is activated.

[0027] (Step S4-2) In the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 acquires the data stored in the ROM 107. (Step S5-2) In the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 creates a sensor data notification addressed to the external device 200 that includes the acquired data. (Step S6-2) In the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 outputs the created sensor data notification to the wireless communication unit 101. The wireless communication unit 101 acquires the sensor data notification output by the control circuit 102 and transmits the acquired sensor data notification to the external device 200. (Step S7-2) In the external device 200, the wireless communication unit 201 receives the sensor data notification transmitted by the sensor data collection device 100. (Step S8-2) In the external device 200, the control circuit 202 acquires the sensor data notification received by the wireless communication unit 201. The control circuit 202 performs predetermined processing on the acquired sensor data notification. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, step S3-2 is in a power-off state, and steps S4-2 to S6-2 are in a second operating state.

[0028] In the foregoing embodiments, the case where the sensor data collection device 100 accumulates the data acquired by the sensor 108 sensing in the first operating state has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, in the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 may perform statistical processing such as counting the number of times the data acquired by the sensor 108 sensing in the first operating state exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and store the result of the statistical processing. In the foregoing embodiments, the case where the sensor data collection device 100 acquires the data stored in the ROM 107 in the second operating state, creates a sensor data notification addressed to the external device 200 including the acquired data, and transmits the created sensor data notification to the external device 200 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, in the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 may acquire the data stored in the ROM 107 in the second operating state, perform arithmetic processing such as binarization, fast Fourier transform (FFT), and compression on the acquired data, create a sensor data notification addressed to the external device 200 including the result of the arithmetic processing, and transmit the created sensor data notification to the external device 200.

[0029] In the foregoing embodiments, the case where, in the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed, and when it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsed, outputs a power-off signal to the power control circuit 104 to disconnect the connection with the power supply 103 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, in the sensor data collection device 100, when an exceptional event occurs during operation, the control circuit 102 may output a power-off signal to the power control circuit 104 to disconnect the connection with the power supply 103 and cut off the power supplied by the power supply 103. An example of an exceptional event is that in the first operating state, an error occurs in the communication between the control circuit 102 and the sensor 108, making it difficult to accumulate data in the ROM 107, in the second operating state, the wireless connection is unintentionally disconnected, or the device unintentionally transitions to the second operating state due to some noise or disturbance.

[0030] In addition, depending on exceptional circumstances, it is assumed that the control circuit 102 may enter a runaway state or be forcibly reset. Even in such a case, the control circuit 102 may output a power-off signal to the power control circuit 104 to disconnect the connection with the power supply 103, thereby cutting off the power supplied by the power supply 103. Specifically, when (forced) reset using a negative logic signal for the power-off signal, the control circuit 102 may output the power-off signal to cut off the power supplied by the power supply 103. Moreover, a monitoring circuit for monitoring whether the control circuit 102 is operating normally may be provided. In this case, when the monitoring circuit detects that the control circuit 102 is not operating normally, it may transmit a power-off signal to the power control circuit 104. By configuring in this way, it is possible to stably hold the data accumulated so far without unnecessarily consuming the battery. Therefore, the sensor data collection device 100 can surely perform data processing and transmission in the second operating state. Also, the sensor data collection device 100 may notify the user of the situation where an error has occurred during collection.

[0031] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the sensor data collection device 100 transitions to the second operating state by conducting the power supplied by the power supply 103 to the power control circuit 104 based on an external signal has been described, but it is not limited to this example. For example, in the sensor data collection device 100, the power control circuit 104 may be provided with a timer inside. The power control circuit 104 may automatically reconnect with the power supply 103 when the timer expires. When the power control circuit 104 automatically reconnects with the power supply 103, the sensor data collection device 100 transitions to the second operating state. By configuring it in this way, the sensor data collection device 100 can be made to operate for a sufficient period of time, transition to a power-off state when sufficient data has been accumulated, and transition to the second operating state at an appropriate timing set in advance by a timer. For this reason, the user of the sensor data collection device 100 can collect data at an appropriate timing according to their convenience.

[0032] In the above-described embodiment, in order to ensure the pulse width of the power-off signal, which is the length necessary for the power control circuit 104 to stably cut off the power supply 103, a signal holding circuit may be provided between the control circuit 102 and the power control circuit 104. An example of the signal holding circuit is a latch circuit, a charge holding circuit, or the like. When the power-off signal is transmitted from the control circuit 102 to the power control circuit 104, it is assumed that the power supply is cut off at the moment the control circuit 102 transmits the power-off signal, and the power-off signal becomes an indeterminate state. When the power-off signal is in an indeterminate state, the power supply may be unintentionally reconnected due to parasitic capacitance, external noise, or the like. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a charge holding circuit provided in the sensor data collection device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 shows, as an example, a signal holding circuit using a capacitor. An example of the signal holding circuit is independent of the power supplied from the power supply 103 to the power control circuit 104. According to this signal holding circuit, when the output impedance of the power-off signal port output by the control circuit 102 is sufficiently smaller than the input impedance of the power control circuit, the charge stored in the capacitor can keep the power-off signal active for a sufficiently long time.

[0033] In the above-described embodiment, all or part of the processing of the control circuit 102 and the power control circuit 104 may be a functional unit (hereinafter referred to as a software functional unit) realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in the ROM 107. Note that all or part of the processing of the control circuit 102 and the power control circuit 104 may be realized by hardware such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized by a combination of a software functional unit and hardware.

[0034] According to the sensor data collection system 1 according to the present embodiment, the sensor data collection device 100 includes a power supply 103, a power control circuit 104 that controls the power supply 103, a sensor 108 that acquires data by sensing, a memory as a ROM 107 that stores the data acquired by the sensor 108, and a control circuit 102 that controls the power control circuit 104, the sensor 108, and the memory. The power control circuit 104 supplies the power supplied by the power supply 103 to the sensor 108, the memory, and the control circuit 102. The control circuit 102 shifts to any one of a plurality of operating states, and before shifting from the first operating state to the second operating state after the completion of the first operating state, causes the power control circuit 104 to cut off the power supplied by the power supply 103.

[0035] By configuring in this way, in the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 can cause the power control circuit 104 to cut off the power supplied by the power supply 103 before shifting from the first operating state to the second operating state after the completion of the first operating state. Therefore, when there is a long standby period after the completion of the first operating state and before the start of the second operating state, the power supply 103 and other circuits can be cut off. Since the sensor data collection device 100 can prevent the battery from being consumed by standby power, the battery life can be extended.

[0036] In a general device, between the first operating state and the second operating state, the control circuit enters a standby (sleep state) so as to consume as little power as possible. However, in the standby state, in order to continue processing when returning from the standby state, a small amount of power is consumed for the retention of the volatile memory, the holding of the register values, and the power supply maintenance of other blocks necessary for the return. For example, when the power source is a battery and the battery capacity is extremely small, this small amount of power consumption may also become a problem. Furthermore, when the standby period between the first operating state and the second operating state lasts for a long period of one month or more, or when the length of that period is left to the user, the problem of this small amount of power consumption becomes prominent.

[0037] An example of such a usage method where the standby period between the first operating state and the second operating state lasts for a long period of one month or more is a stationary wireless sensor device installed in a place without a communication environment and a power supply environment. The stationary wireless sensor device installed in a place without a communication environment and a power supply environment accumulates data and is recovered by the user after a certain period has elapsed. If the period from the completion of data accumulation to recovery is several months to several years, the remaining battery level may be depleted by the current consumed during that period. Assume that the wireless sensor device is equipped with a primary battery or a secondary battery and does not have a means for charging and cannot be supplied with power from the outside. In this case, when the remaining battery level runs out during the standby period between the first operating state and the second operating state, the wireless sensor device cannot transition to the second operating state and operate, and the data accumulated by the normal method cannot be retrieved.

[0038] In the sensor data collection device 100, the power source 103 may be a primary battery or a secondary battery. If the power source 103 cannot be charged and the remaining battery level runs out during the standby period between the first operating state and the second operating state, the second operating state cannot be started. By configuring it in this way, the battery consumption during the standby period can be minimized. Therefore, in applications with a long standby period, the charging circuit can be eliminated from the sensor data collection device 100, and thus the sensor data collection device 100 can be miniaturized.

[0039] In the sensor data collection device 100, the power control circuit 104 includes a switch and a switch control circuit. The switch control circuit cuts off the power supplied by the power source 103 by opening the switch. By configuring it in this way, the switch is responsible for connecting or disconnecting the input side (power source) and the output side (circuit), and the switch control circuit that controls the switch can use the power generated by the switch control circuit itself. Therefore, the power consumption when the power source 103 is cut off from the power control circuit 104 can be made almost zero. That is, the switch control circuit does not receive power supply from the power source 103 when the power source 103 is cut off from the power control circuit 104.

[0040] In the sensor data collection device 100, the power control circuit 104 starts the first operating state or the second operating state based on an external signal. The power control circuit 104 may be provided with a mechanism for starting a state transition such as a timer inside. However, power is consumed to operate the timer. By configuring it in this way, the first operating state or the second operating state can be started by an external signal transmitted from outside the sensor data collection device 100. Therefore, the power consumption in the standby state is reduced and the battery life can be extended.

[0041] In the sensor data collection device 100, the switch control circuit includes a power generation element. The switch control circuit generates an external signal using the power generated by the power generation element. By configuring it in this way, since the state of the switch can be switched between off and on using the electric power generated by the power generation element, the electric power required for switching the switch can be covered by power generation. Therefore, when the power supply 103 is cut off from the power supply control circuit 104, there is no need to hold the electric power required for switching the switch.

[0042] In the sensor data collection device 100, the power generation element is a photovoltaic element. The switch control circuit generates an external signal by the photovoltaic power generated by irradiating light on the photovoltaic element. By configuring it in this way, since a photovoltaic element can be used, the state of the switch can be switched non - contact. For example, the first operating state or the second operating state can be started from the outside for a sealed device or the like.

[0043] In the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 causes the sensor 108 to periodically acquire data in the first operating state, causes the acquired data to be held in the memory, and causes the wireless communication unit 101 to transmit the data accumulated in the memory to the outside in the second operating state. By configuring it in this way, the operation of holding the data periodically acquired from the sensor 108 in the non - volatile memory in the first operating state and the operation of transmitting the data accumulated in the non - volatile memory to the outside in the second operating state can be achieved. Therefore, even if the control circuit 102 causes the sensor 108 to perform a sensing operation until a specific condition such as the number of times is satisfied and the standby period until the sensor data collection device 100 is recovered is as long as several months, data can be retrieved without charging or battery replacement.

[0044] In the sensor data collection device 100, when an exceptional event occurs during operation, the control circuit 102 causes the power supply control circuit 104 to cut off the power supplied by the power supply 103. By configuring in this way, when exceptional events such as errors, failures of the sensor 108, communication failures, and unintentional startups due to external signals caused by noise occur during the operation of the sensor data collection device 100, the power supply 103 can be immediately cut off from the power control circuit 104, so that the runaway state of the microcontroller and unnecessary waiting can be avoided. For this reason, battery consumption can be prevented and the start of the second operating state can be enabled again.

[0045] In the sensor data collection device 100, when the control circuit 102 causes the power control circuit 104 to cut off the power supplied by the power supply 103, the control circuit 102 transmits a power-off signal to the power control circuit 104, and the power-off signal is transmitted to the power control circuit via the signal holding circuit. When a power-off signal is sent from the control circuit 102 to the power control circuit 104, the power control circuit 104 and the power supply 103 are cut off. However, at that time, the transmission of the power-off signal is instantaneously interrupted, and the power control circuit 104 and the power supply 103 may be inadvertently connected again. By configuring in this way, a signal holding circuit such as a latch circuit and a charge holding circuit independent of the power supply 103 can be separately provided. Therefore, even after the power supply to the power control circuit 104 is cut off, the cut-off signal can be maintained for a sufficient time, and the connection between the power supply (battery) 103 and the power control circuit 104 can be surely cut off.

[0046] In the sensor data collection device 100, the signal holding circuit is configured to include a capacitor and hold electric charge. By configuring in this way, the signal holding circuit can be a charge holding circuit composed of a capacitor. Therefore, without an additional power supply, a power-off signal long enough for the power control circuit 104 to cut off the power supply 103 can be maintained.

[0047] According to the sensor data collection system 1 according to this embodiment, the sensor data collection system 1 includes any one of the above-described sensor data collection devices 100 and an external device 200 that generates an external signal for causing the sensor data collection device 100 to start a second operation state after cutting off the power supplied from the power supply 103 to the power control circuit 104. By configuring in this way, in the sensor data collection device 100, the control circuit 102 can cut off the power supplied from the power supply 103 to the power control circuit 104 before the first operation state is completed and before shifting to the second operation state. Therefore, after the first operation state is completed and before the second operation state starts, if there is a long standby period, the power supply 103 and other circuits can be cut off. Since the sensor data collection device 100 can prevent the battery from being consumed by standby power, the battery life can be extended.

[0048] (Modification of the embodiment) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a sensor data collection system according to a modification of the embodiment. The sensor data collection system 1a according to the modification of the embodiment includes a sensor data collection device 100a and an external device 200. The sensor data collection system 1a is different from the above-described sensor data collection system 1 in that it includes a sensor data collection device 100a instead of the sensor data collection device 100. The sensor data collection device 100a includes a wireless communication unit 101, a control circuit 102a, a power supply 103, a power control circuit 104, a real-time clock 105, a RAM 106, a ROM 107, a sensor 108, a determination unit 109, and a creation unit 110.

[0049] Even if the power consumption during the power-off state is reduced in the configuration of the sensor data collection device 100 according to the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the remaining battery level sufficient to complete the second operation state cannot be maintained due to natural discharge of the battery or the like. Therefore, when the sensor data collection device 100a transitions to the second operating state, it measures the remaining battery level. If the remaining battery level is below a predetermined threshold, it switches the processing in the second operating state. An example of the predetermined threshold is set based on whether the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 is equal to or greater than the power required to transmit the data stored in the ROM 107. When the remaining battery level of the sensor data collection device 100a is insufficient, it first transmits the summary data of the accumulated data externally. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to guarantee the provision of the minimum amount of information required by the user. Hereinafter, the configuration of the sensor data collection device 100a will be specifically described.

[0050] The control circuit 102a can apply the control circuit 102. However, in the second operating state, the control circuit 102a causes the power control circuit 104 to acquire information specifying the remaining battery level of the power supply 103. The control circuit 102a acquires the information specifying the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 acquired by the power control circuit 104. The control circuit 102a acquires the information specifying the amount of data stored in the ROM 107. The determination unit 109 acquires the information specifying the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 and the information specifying the amount of data stored in the ROM 107 from the control circuit 102a. Based on the acquired information specifying the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 and the information specifying the capacity of the data stored in the ROM 107, the determination unit 109 determines whether the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 is equal to or greater than the power required to transmit the data stored in the ROM 107.

[0051] The control circuit 102a acquires the determination result from the determination unit 109. When the acquired determination result indicates that the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 is equal to or greater than the power required to transmit the data stored in the ROM 107, the control circuit 102a acquires the data stored in the ROM 107 and creates a sensor data notification addressed to the external device 200 including the acquired data. The control circuit 102a outputs the created sensor data notification to the wireless communication unit 101. When the obtained determination result indicates that the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 is less than the power required to transmit the data stored in the ROM 107, the control circuit 102a acquires the data stored in the ROM 107 and outputs the acquired data to the creation unit 110.

[0052] The creation unit 110 acquires the data output by the control circuit 102a and creates summary data of the acquired data. An example of the summary data is a few points of the data stored in the ROM 107, feature amounts, and other characteristic and representative values. Here, an example of the feature amount is the maximum value, minimum value, average value, median value, standard deviation, etc. The summary data may include one or more values among the values obtained as a result of performing some operation on the accumulated data. Here, an example of some operation is counting after binarization, the frequency of the peak after FFT, etc. The summary data is preferably lightweight. The control circuit 102a acquires the summary created by the creation unit 110 and creates a sensor data notification addressed to the external device 200 that includes the acquired summary. The control circuit 102a outputs the created sensor data notification to the wireless communication unit 101. In the above-described embodiment, all or part of the processing of the control circuit 102a, the determination unit 109, and the creation unit 110 may be a functional unit (hereinafter referred to as a software functional unit) realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program stored in the ROM 107. Note that all or part of the processing of the control circuit 102a, the determination unit 109, and the creation unit 110 may be realized by hardware such as an LSI, ASIC, or FPGA, or may be realized by a combination of a software functional unit and hardware.

[0053] (Operation of the Sensor Data Collection System) The operation of the sensor data collection system will be described. In the sensor data collection system, since FIG. 3 can be applied to the operation when the sensor data collection device 100 is in the first operating state, the description here is omitted.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the sensor data collection system according to a modification of the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, the operation of the sensor data collection system when the sensor data collection device 100a is in the power-off state and the second operating state will be described. Since steps S1-3 to S3-3 can apply steps S1-2 to S3-2 described with reference to FIG. 5, the description here is omitted. (Step S4-3) In the sensor data collection device 100a, the control circuit 102a causes the power control circuit 104 to acquire information specifying the remaining battery level of the power supply 103. The control circuit 102a acquires the information specifying the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 acquired by the power control circuit 104. (Step S5-3) In the sensor data collection device 100a, the control circuit 102a acquires information specifying the amount of data stored in the ROM 107.

[0055] (Step S6-3) In the sensor data collection device 100a, the determination unit 109 acquires information specifying the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 and information specifying the amount of data stored in the ROM 107 from the control circuit 102a. The determination unit 109 determines whether the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 is equal to or greater than the power required to transmit the data stored in the ROM 107 based on the acquired information specifying the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 and the information specifying the capacity of the data stored in the ROM 107. (Step S7-3) In the sensor data collection device 100a, when the acquired determination result indicates that the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 is equal to or greater than the power required to transmit the data stored in the ROM 107, the control circuit 102a acquires the data stored in the ROM 107 and creates a sensor data notification addressed to the external device 200 including the acquired data. (Step S8-3) In the sensor data collection device 100a, the control circuit 102a acquires the determination result from the determination unit 109. When the acquired determination result indicates that the remaining battery level of the power supply 103 is less than the power required to transmit the data stored in the ROM 107, the control circuit 102a acquires the data stored in the ROM 107 and outputs the acquired data to the creation unit 110. The creation unit 110 acquires the data output by the control circuit 102a and creates a summary of the acquired data.

[0056] (Step S9-3) In the sensor data collection device 100a, the control circuit 102a acquires the summary created by the creation unit 110 and creates a sensor data notification addressed to the external device 200 that includes the acquired summary. (Step S10-3) In the sensor data collection device 100a, the control circuit 102a outputs the created sensor data notification to the wireless communication unit 101. The wireless communication unit 101 acquires the sensor data notification output by the control circuit 102a and transmits the acquired sensor data notification to the external device 200. (Step S11-3) In the external device 200, the wireless communication unit 201 receives the sensor data notification transmitted by the sensor data collection device 100a. (Step S12-3) In the external device 200, the control circuit 202 acquires the sensor data notification received by the wireless communication unit 201. The control circuit 202 performs predetermined processing on the acquired sensor data notification. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, step S3-3 is in a power-off state, and steps S4-3 to S10-2 are in a second operating state.

[0057] According to the sensor data collection system 1a according to a modified example of the embodiment, the sensor data collection device 100a includes, in the sensor data collection device 100, a determination unit 109 that determines whether there is a remaining battery level for transmitting the data stored in the ROM 107 in the second operating state, and a creation unit 110 that creates a summary of the data stored in the ROM 107 when the determination unit 109 determines that there is no remaining battery level for transmitting the data. The control circuit 102a causes the wireless communication unit 101 to transmit the summary of the data created by the creation unit 110 to the outside in the case of the second operating state. By configuring in this way, even when there is not enough remaining battery level to complete the second operating state at the start of the second operating state, the sensor data collection device 100a can transmit the summary of the accumulated data to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to guarantee the provision of the minimum amount of data required by the user.

[0058] (Application Example) An application example of the sensor data collection system 1 according to the present embodiment and the sensor data collection system 1a according to a modified example of the embodiment will be described. (Endoscopic Capsule) The sensor data collection device 100 included in the sensor data collection system 1 and the sensor data collection device 100a included in the sensor data collection system 1a are applied to a sensing device enclosed in an endoscopic capsule or the like. The sensing device incorporates sensors such as a camera, a temperature sensor, and a chemical sensor. The sensing device may incorporate a plurality of sensors. The sensing device is completely sealed. By configuring in this way, the influence on the human body can be reduced. The patient ingests the sensing device through the mouth. The sensing device ingested by the patient senses the biological information in the human body while passing through the digestive tract. The sensing device accumulates the biological information acquired by sensing inside the sensing device.

[0059] The patient is made to take the endoscopic capsule at the hospital by the doctor. After that, the patient resumes daily life until the endoscopic capsule is discharged from the human body. The endoscopic capsule discharged from the human body is stored by the patient himself / herself. At the next meeting with the doctor, the data stored in the sensing device sealed in the endoscopic capsule discharged from the human body is analyzed and examined. The patient obtains feedback on treatment based on the analysis and examination of the data. The first operating state is from when the patient takes the endoscopic capsule until it is discharged. The first operating state is a process in which various sensors provided in the sensing device sealed in the endoscopic capsule operate and accumulate data. The second operating state is a process in which the doctor receives the endoscopic capsule from the patient and reads out the data stored in the sensing device sealed in the received endoscopic capsule. By applying the sensor data collection device 100 and the sensor data collection device 100a to the sensing device enclosed in an endoscopic capsule or the like, during the waiting period from when the endoscopic capsule is discharged from the human body until the doctor receives it, the sensing device enclosed in the endoscopic capsule does not consume any power.

[0060] For those in which the sensing device consumes power during the waiting period from when the endoscopic capsule is discharged from the human body until the doctor receives it, it is necessary to have a contact or non-contact charging mechanism to supplement the insufficient power due to the power consumption by the sensing device. In comparison, when the sensor data collection device 100 and the sensor data collection device 100a are applied to the sensing device, during the waiting period from when the endoscopic capsule is discharged from the human body until the doctor receives it, since the sensing device does not consume power, there is no need to have a charging mechanism, so the sensing device can be made smaller and simplified. Since the sensing device can be made smaller and simplified, the endoscopic capsule can be made smaller and simplified. Furthermore, when the sensor data collection device 100 and the sensor data collection device 100a are applied to a sensing device, since power is not consumed by the sensing device, the patient does not need to meet with a doctor immediately after the endoscopic capsule is discharged and return the endoscopic capsule. Since the endoscopic capsule can be continuously stored to some extent according to the convenience of the patient, the convenience can be improved.

[0061] (Telemetry) The sensor data collection device 100 included in the sensor data collection system 1 and the sensor data collection device 100a included in the sensor data collection system 1a are applied to telemetry. Telemetry (remote data collection) is to transmit and manage the measurement data of a user at a remote location to a control center. In telemetry, the process is automated, data is transmitted to a specific location such as a control center, and the transmitted data is collected. Here, as an example of telemetry, the case of applying it to biologging will be described. Biologging refers to a recording device that can be attached to an animal to collect data by the animal itself rather than by a human.

[0062] Either the sensor data collection device 100 or the sensor data collection device 100a is attached to an organism such as a wild animal (living thing). Examples of wild animals include birds such as penguins, mammals such as seals and dolphins, and fish such as carp and sharks. The various sensors provided in either the sensor data collection device 100 or the sensor data collection device 100a attached to a wild animal record the ecology of the wild animal, ambient environmental information, etc. It is ideal that the sensor attached to a wild animal is recovered after collecting the ecology of the attached wild animal, ambient environmental information, etc. for a certain period of time. However, it is not certain whether either the sensor data collection device 100 or the sensor data collection device 100a attached to the wild animal can be recovered within the expected period. If the sensor data collection device attached to the wild animal consumes power during the standby period, there is a possibility that the stored data cannot be retrieved due to the depletion of the installed battery. Also, in order to prevent the stored data from becoming inaccessible due to the depletion of the installed battery, if a contact or non-contact charging mechanism is provided to compensate for the power shortage caused by power consumption, the sensor data collection device will be enlarged.

[0063] In comparison, when either the sensor data collection device 100 or the sensor data collection device 100a is attached to a wild animal, no power is consumed during the standby period from after the measurement is completed until it is recovered, so a charging mechanism or the like is unnecessary. For this reason, it is possible to avoid enlarging the sensor data collection device due to a small device such as a charging mechanism, and thus it is possible to track the wild animal without causing stress. By minimizing the influence of attaching the sensor data collection device 100 and the sensor data collection device 100a, it becomes possible to observe the natural living body of the organism.

[0064] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications include, for example, those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those within the equivalent range. For example, a computer program for realizing the functions of each of the above-described devices may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the computer program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Here, the "computer system" may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0065] In addition, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a writable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a storage device such as a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a computer program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and that holds the program for a certain period of time. Also, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication wire) such as a telephone line. Also, the above program may be for realizing a part of the aforementioned functions. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the aforementioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 1, 1a... Sensor data collection system, 100, 100a... Sensor data collection device, 101... Wireless communication unit, 102, 102a... Control circuit, 103... Power supply, 104... Power supply control circuit, 105... RTC, 106... RAM, 107... ROM, 108... Sensor, 109... Judgment unit, 110... Creation unit, 200... External device, 201... Wireless communication unit, 202... Control circuit, 209... Signal generation unit

Claims

1. A power source, a power generation element that generates electricity by the photovoltaic power generated by light irradiated from the outside, and a first switch that changes from a cutoff state, in which the supply of power from the power source to the load is cut off when a signal equal to or higher than a specified voltage is input to the gate terminal, to a conduction state in which the power is supplied, a feedback unit that connects between the power output terminal of the first switch and the gate terminal, and a second switch that is connected between the feedback unit and the ground terminal of the power source and has a higher drain capacity than the current flowing through the feedback unit, including a power supply control circuit that, when the photovoltaic power generated by the light irradiated on the power generation element becomes equal to or higher than the specified voltage, causes the first switch to change from the cutoff state to the conduction state and supplies power from the power source to the load, a sensor as the load that acquires data by sensing, a memory as the load that stores the data acquired by the sensor, and a control circuit as the load that controls the power supply control circuit, the sensor, and the memory, wherein the power supply control circuit supplies power supplied by the power source to the sensor, the memory, and the control circuit that are the load, the control circuit shifts to any one of a plurality of operating states, and before completing the first operating state of acquiring data by sensing with the sensor and storing the data acquired by the sensor in the memory among the plurality of operating states and shifting to the second operating state, causes the power supply control circuit to cut off the power supplied by the power source, a sensor data collection device.

2. The power source is a primary battery or a secondary battery, and the sensor data collection device according to Claim 1.

3. In the case of the first operating state, the control circuit periodically causes the sensor to acquire data, causes the acquired data to be held in the memory, and in the case of the second operating state, causes the wireless communication unit to transmit the data accumulated in the memory to the outside. The sensor data collection device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. When an exceptional event occurs during operation, the control circuit causes the power supply control circuit to cut off the power supplied by the power source. The sensor data collection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The control circuit in the second operating state, includes a determination unit that determines whether there is a remaining battery amount for transmitting the data accumulated in the memory. When the determination unit determines that there is no remaining battery power for transmitting the data, a creation unit that creates a summary of the data stored in the memory, and further comprising The control circuit causes the wireless communication unit to transmit the summary of the data created by the creation unit to the outside in the second operating state. The sensor data collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When the control circuit cuts off the power supplied by the power supply to the power supply control circuit, the control circuit transmits a power-off signal to the power supply control circuit, and the power-off signal is transmitted to the power supply control circuit via a signal holding circuit. The sensor data collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The signal holding circuit includes a capacitor and holds electric charge. The sensor data collection device according to claim 6.

8. A sensor data collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and An external device that generates light to start the second operating state in the sensor data collection device after the sensor data collection device cuts off the power supplied by the power supply to the power supply control circuit. A sensor data collection system comprising.

9. A power supply, A power generation element that generates electricity by photovoltaic power generated by light irradiated from the outside, and a first switch that changes from a cutoff state, in which the supply of power from the power supply to the load is cut off when a signal equal to or higher than a specified voltage is input to the gate terminal, to a conduction state in which the power is supplied. A feedback unit connecting between the power output terminal and the gate terminal of the first switch, And a second switch connected between the feedback unit and the ground terminal of the power supply, having a higher drain capacity than the current flowing through the feedback unit. Including, when the photovoltaic power generated by the light irradiated on the power generation element becomes equal to or higher than the specified voltage, the first switch changes from the cutoff state to the conduction state, and a power supply control circuit that supplies power from the power supply to the load. A sensor as the load that acquires data by sensing, A memory as the load that stores the data acquired by the sensor, A control circuit as the load that controls the power supply control circuit, the sensor, and the memory. A sensor data collection method executed by a sensor data collection device comprising. The step of the power control circuit supplying power to the sensor, the memory, and the control circuit, which are the loads; Before the first operating state in which the control circuit acquires data by sensing with the sensor and stores the data acquired by the sensor in the memory is completed and the control circuit shifts to the second operating state, the step of causing the power control circuit to cut off the power supplied by the power supply; A sensor data collection method comprising the above steps.

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