Control device, control method, and control program

Abstract

A control device (5) that controls a plurality of operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one control mode among a plurality of control modes. The plurality of operations include an operation A including writing of data (DAT) from a sensor (1), an operation B including recognition of the data (DAT) written through the operation A, and an operation C including transmission of data (DATrecog) after the recognition through the operation B. The plurality of control modes include: a first control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled such that in preference to the operation A on the data (DAT) from the sensor (1), the operation B and / or the operation C on the previous data (DAT) from the sensor (1) is performed; and a second control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled such that the operation A on the data (DAT) from the sensor (1) is performed in preference to the operation B and the operation C on the previous data (DAT) from the sensor (A).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for transmitting data from a sensor using power generated by ambient light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-46157 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The operations leading up to data transmission include, for example, writing data from a sensor, recognizing the written data, and transmitting the recognized data. There are times when it is not possible to perform all of these operations due to a lack of power generation, etc. Postponing the data writing operation may result in data being missed, leaving room for further consideration in operational control.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure makes it possible to suppress data loss. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control device that controls multiple operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one control mode out of multiple control modes, the multiple operations including operation A including writing data from a sensor, operation B including recognizing the data written by operation A, and operation C including transmitting the data after recognition by operation B, and the multiple control modes include a first control mode that controls the multiple operations so that operation A on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over at least one of operation B and operation C on data from the sensor that occurred earlier, and a second control mode that controls the multiple operations so that operation A on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over operation B and operation C on data from the sensor that occurred earlier.

[0007] A control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for controlling, in at least one control mode among a plurality of control modes, a plurality of operations that consume energy-harvested power, the plurality of operations including operation A including writing data from a sensor, operation B including recognizing the data written by operation A, and operation C including transmitting the data after recognition by operation B, and the plurality of control modes include a first control mode that controls the plurality of operations so that operation A on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over at least one of operation B and operation C on data from the sensor that occurred earlier, and a second control mode that controls the plurality of operations so that operation A on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over operation B and operation C on data from the sensor that occurred earlier.

[0008] A control program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control program that causes a computer to control multiple operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one of multiple control modes, the multiple operations including operation A including writing data from a sensor, operation B including recognizing the data written by operation A, and operation C including transmitting the data after recognition by operation B, and the multiple control modes include a first control mode that controls the multiple operations so that operation A on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over at least one of operation B and operation C on data from the sensor that occurred earlier, and a second control mode that controls the multiple operations so that operation A on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over operation B and operation C on data from the sensor that occurred earlier. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of control including control in a first control mode. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control including control in a second control mode. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control including control in a third control mode. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control including control in a third control mode. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control including control in a third control mode. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control including control in a third control mode. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control including control in a fourth control mode. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of control including control in a fifth control mode. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of control when the amount of additional power varies. [Figure 12]4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed in the control device. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] The present disclosure will be described in the following order: 1. Embodiment 1.1 First control mode 1.2 Second control mode 1.3 Third control mode 1.4 Fourth control mode 1.5 5th control mode 1.6 Control when additional power amount fluctuates 1.7 Processing Flow Example 2. Hardware configuration example 3.Example of effects

[0012] 1. Embodiment 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment. The system 100 includes a sensor 1, a storage device 2, a recognition device 3, a transmission device 4, a control device 5, a storage battery monitoring device 6, a storage battery 7, and an energy harvester 8. As will be described later, the energy harvester 8 performs energy harvesting, and therefore the system 100 can also be called an energy harvesting system, an energy power generation system, or the like.

[0013] The sensor 1 detects various objects. The sensor 1 may be any type of sensor installed in any location. For example, the sensor 1 may be a sensor device for the Internet of Things (IoT). To give just a few examples of the sensor 1, the sensor 1 may be a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, a human presence sensor, an air pressure sensor, a weather sensor, etc. Note that although one sensor 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , two or more sensors 1 may be present. The sensor 1 repeatedly performs detection during operation of the system 100, for example, at predetermined intervals or specified timing. Several detections by the sensor 1 are schematically illustrated as dashed arrows pointing toward the sensor 1.

[0014] Data indicating the detection results of sensor 1 is referred to as data DAT and is illustrated. Data DAT describes, for example, sensor information and detection results in association with each other. The sensor information may be information for identifying the type (model, etc.) of sensor 1, or may be identification information (sensor ID) for uniquely identifying sensor 1. For example, if sensor 1 is a temperature sensor, data DAT may be data in which sensor information, detection time, and detected temperature are associated with each other.

[0015] Data DAT from sensor 1 is written to storage device 2 and imported into system 100. Storage device 2 stores the written data DAT. In Fig. 1, the operation of writing data DAT from sensor 1 to storage device 2 (operation of importing data DAT) is referred to as "operation A" and is schematically indicated by a hollow arrow.

[0016] The recognition device 3 recognizes the data DAT written in the storage device 2. An example of recognition is whether or not the data DAT needs to be transmitted by the transmission device 4, which will be described later. The recognition device 3 recognizes, from the contents of the data DAT, whether or not the data DAT is data DAT that needs to be transmitted. For example, the recognition device 3 recognizes (extracts) data DAT detected at the time, time period, etc. when transmission is required, as data DAT that needs to be transmitted. Alternatively, the recognition device 3 recognizes data DAT that indicates a value within a predetermined range as data DAT that needs to be transmitted. For recognition, for example, a data table that associates the contents of the data DAT with the recognition result or an algorithm for calculating the recognition result from the contents of the data DAT may be used.

[0017] The recognition device 3 generates DATrecog corresponding to data DAT that it has recognized as needing to be transmitted, and writes it to the storage device 2. The data DATrecog describes, for example, the original data DAT in association with information (such as a flag) indicating that the data DAT has been recognized. When the data DATrecog is written to the storage device 2, the original data DAT is deleted from the storage device 2. The data DATrecog may update (overwrite) the original data DAT. Furthermore, data DAT that the recognition device 3 has recognized as not needing to be transmitted is deleted (discarded) from the storage device 2. The recognition device 3 may recognize multiple data DATs together, which will be described later.

[0018] In Figure 1, operations such as recognizing data DAT by recognition device 3, generating data DATrecog, writing it to storage device 2, and deleting the original data DAT from storage device 2 are referred to as "operation B" and are schematically indicated by white arrows.

[0019] The transmitting device 4 transmits the data DATrecog written to the storage device 2. An example of the destination is a server device (cloud computer, etc.) not shown. The server device, etc. receives and collects the data DATrecog from the transmitting device 4 via a network. The collected data DATrecog is utilized in various ways (analysis, etc.). The data DATrecog transmitted by the transmitting device 4 is deleted from the storage device 2.

[0020] In FIG. 1, operations such as transmission of data DATrecog by the transmitting device 4 and deletion of data DATrecog from the storage device 2 are referred to as "operation C" and are indicated schematically by white arrows.

[0021] The control device 5 performs overall control of the system 100. The control by the control device 5 includes the control of the above-mentioned operations A to C. Details will be described later.

[0022] For convenience, the battery monitoring device 6, the battery 7, and the energy harvester 8 will be described in the order of the energy harvester 8, the battery 7, and the battery monitoring device 6.

[0023] The energy harvester 8 is an energy harvesting device that generates energy from an environment using, for example, natural energy. Various types of energy harvesting may be used. To give just a few examples, solar power generation, vibration power generation, etc. may be performed by the energy harvester 8. Hereinafter, the power generated by the energy harvester 8 may also be referred to as "energy-harvested power." The energy-harvested power is charged into the storage battery 7. The amount of power charged into the storage battery 7 may also be referred to as "additional power."

[0024] The storage battery 7 is charged by the above-mentioned energy harvested from the environment, and discharges (supplies) the power consumed by the operation of the system 100. The disclosed technology relates to the power consumed by the above-mentioned operations A to C among the operations of the system 100. In the following, the power consumed by operations other than operations A to C in the system 100 will be ignored. Examples of other operations include control of operations A to C by the control device 5, monitoring of the storage battery 7 by the storage battery monitoring device 6, charging of the storage battery 7 from the energy harvester 8, etc.

[0025] The battery monitoring device 6 monitors the battery 7. For example, the battery monitoring device 6 monitors the remaining capacity of the battery 7. Since the method for monitoring the remaining capacity of the battery 7 is well known, a detailed explanation will not be given here. Hereinafter, the remaining capacity of the battery 7 may also be simply referred to as the "remaining battery capacity."

[0026] The control device 5 will be explained again. The control device 5 controls operations A to C. The control device 5 controls operations A to C by transmitting and receiving control signals, communication signals, etc. between the sensor 1, the storage device 2, the recognition device 3, the transmission device 4, the battery monitoring device 6, etc. For example, the control device 5 controls the sensor 1, etc. so that operation A is performed. The control device 5 controls the recognition device 3, etc. so that operation B is performed. The control device 5 controls the transmission device 4, etc. so that operation C is performed.

[0027] For example, the control device 5 controls operations A to C based on the monitoring results of the storage battery 7 by the storage battery monitoring device 6. An example of the monitoring results of the storage battery 7 is the remaining battery capacity. Another example of the monitoring results is the amount of additional power, which is calculated based on, for example, changes in the remaining battery capacity. The control device 5 can also control operations A to C based on the remaining memory capacity (described later) of the storage device 2.

[0028] There are multiple control modes for control. The control device 5 controls operations A to C in at least one of the multiple control modes. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the control of operations A to C by the control device 5 may be simply referred to as "control." Each control mode will be explained in turn.

[0029] 1.1 First control mode The first control mode is selected when there is sufficient remaining battery power (or additional power). For example, the control device 5 performs control in the first control mode when the remaining battery power is equal to or greater than a first level. An example of the first level is the amount of power consumed when three operations, operations A to C, are performed simultaneously. The first level does not necessarily have to be fixed to a single value. For example, the first level may be dynamically changed depending on the status of the system 100, etc. In the first control mode, the control device 5 performs control such that at least one of operations B and C for data DAT from the sensor 1 is performed with priority over operation A for data DAT from the sensor 1.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of control including control in the first control mode. "Remaining battery capacity (before operation)" is the remaining battery capacity after charging with additional power. "Remaining battery capacity (after operation)" is the remaining battery capacity after discharging the power consumed by operations A to C performed at that time (some or all of the operations may not be performed depending on the time). The unit of power capacity is an arbitrary unit, au. The amount of power required for each of operations A to C is assumed to be 1.0. At all of times t1 to t10, the additional power capacity is 10.0. The remaining battery capacity at the beginning (before time t1) is assumed to be 0.0.

[0031] Data DAT1 to data DAT6 are exemplified as newly captured data DAT. Of these, data DAT1, data DAT2, data DAT4, and data DAT6 are recognized by the recognition device 3 as needing to be transmitted, while data DAT3 and data DAT5 are recognized by the recognition device 3 as not needing to be transmitted (and may be discarded). DATrecog corresponding to data DAT1, data DAT2, data DAT4, and data DAT6 are referred to as data DATrecog1, data DATrecog2, data DATrecog4, and data DATrecog6 and are shown in the figure.

[0032] At time t1, the additional power amount of 10.0 makes the remaining battery amount (before operation) 10.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on new data DAT1. Operation A consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery amount (after operation) becomes 9.0.

[0033] At time t2, the additional power amount of 10.0 brings the remaining battery power to 19.0. The control device 5 controls the operation so that operation B is performed on data DAT1 and operation A is performed on new data DAT2. Operation B and operation A consume 2.0 power, bringing the remaining battery power to 17.0.

[0034] At time t3, the additional power amount of 10.0 brings the remaining battery power to 27.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C on data DATrecog1, operation B on data DAT2, and operation A on new data DAT3 are performed. Operations C to A consume 3.0 power, bringing the remaining battery power to 24.0.

[0035] At time t4, the additional power amount of 10.0 brings the remaining battery power to 34.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C on data DATrecog2, operation B on data DAT3, and operation A on new data DAT4 are performed. Operations C to A consume 3.0 power, bringing the remaining battery power to 31.0.

[0036] At time t5, the additional power of 10.0 brings the remaining battery power to 41.0. The control device 5 controls the operation so that operation B on DAT4 and operation A on new data DAT5 are performed. Operation B and operation A consume 2.0 power, bringing the remaining battery power to 39.0.

[0037] At time t6, the additional power amount of 10.0 brings the remaining battery power to 49.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C on data DATrecog4, operation B on data DAT5, and operation A on new data DAT6 are performed. Operations C to A consume 3.0 power, bringing the remaining battery power to 46.0.

[0038] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t7. At time t7, an additional amount of power of 10.0 causes the remaining battery power to become 56.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation B is performed on data DAT6. Operation B consumes an amount of power of 1.0, and the remaining battery power becomes 55.0.

[0039] At time t8, the remaining battery power becomes 65.0 due to the additional power amount of 10.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C is performed on the data DATrecog6. Operation C consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 64.0.

[0040] At time t9, the remaining battery power becomes 74.0 due to the additional power of 10.0. No particular action is taken.

[0041] At time t10, the remaining battery power becomes 84.0 due to the additional power of 10.0. No particular action is taken.

[0042] For example, as described above, when there is sufficient battery power remaining, the first control mode simply performs operations A to C on the same data DAT in this order. The data DAT from the sensor 1 is captured without omission, recognized, and then transmitted as necessary.

[0043] As explained above, the power source for operations A to C is the power generated by the energy harvester 8. The surrounding environment changes depending on the location of the energy harvester 8 provided together with the sensor 1, the time of day (time zone), and other factors, and the amount of power generated may fluctuate. For example, if the energy harvester 8 is a solar power generation device, the amount of power generated may decrease if it is cloudy or there is insufficient indoor light. Fluctuations in the amount of power generated also cause fluctuations in the remaining battery charge, which may result in a shortage of battery charge. If the amount of power generated or the remaining battery charge is insufficient, it may become impossible to perform control in the first control mode described above. To address this, there are control modes other than the first control mode.

[0044] 1.2 Second control mode The second control mode is selected when there is not enough remaining battery power (or additional power), in other words, when the remaining battery power may be insufficient. For example, the control device 5 performs control in the second control mode when the remaining battery power is below a first level, more specifically, when the remaining battery power is below the first level and equal to or greater than a second level. An example of the second level is the amount of power consumed when two operations, including operation A, among operations A to C, are performed simultaneously. The second level does not necessarily have to be fixed to a single value, and may be dynamically changed, for example, depending on the status of the system 100. In the second control mode, the control device 5 performs control so that operation A on data DAT from the sensor 1 is performed with priority over operations B and C on data DAT from the sensor 1 that preceded it. Furthermore, among operations B and C on previous data DAT, the control device 5 may perform control so that operation C is performed with priority. By prioritizing operation C over operation B, transmission of data DAT can be completed with priority. Delays in transmission of data DAT are minimized.

[0045] 3 is a diagram showing an example of control including control in the second control mode. At any of times t11 to t20, the additional power amount is 2.0.

[0046] At time t11, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 2.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT1. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 1.0.

[0047] At time t12, the additional power amount of 2.0 brings the remaining battery power to 3.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation B on data DAT1 and operation A on new data DAT2 are performed. Operation B and operation A consume 2.0 power, bringing the remaining battery power to 1.0.

[0048] At time t13, the additional power amount of 2.0 brings the remaining battery power to 3.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C on data DATrecog1, operation A on new data DAT3, and operation B on data DAT2 are performed. Operations C to A consume 3.0 of power, bringing the remaining battery power to 0.0.

[0049] At time t14, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power of 2.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT4 and operation C is performed on the data DATrecog2. Operation B is postponed for the previously imported data DAT3. Operation A and operation C consume 2.0 power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0050] At time t15, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 2.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on new data DAT5 and operation B is performed on data DAT3. Operation A and operation B consume 2.0 power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0051] At time t16, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 2.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on new data DAT6 and operation B is performed on data DAT4. Operation A and operation B consume 2.0 power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0052] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t17. At time t17, an additional power amount of 2.0 causes the remaining battery power to become 2.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C on data DATrecog4 and operation B on data DAT5 are performed. Operation C and operation B consume 2.0 power, causing the remaining battery power to become 0.0.

[0053] At time t18, the remaining battery capacity becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 2.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation B is performed on the data DATrecog6. Operation B consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.0.

[0054] At time t19, the additional power amount of 2.0 brings the remaining battery power to 3.0. The control device 5 performs control so that the action C is performed on the data DATrecog6.

[0055] At time t20, the remaining battery power becomes 4.0 due to the additional power of 2.0. No particular action is taken.

[0056] For example, as described above, when the remaining battery power may be insufficient, the second control mode causes operation A to be performed with priority over operations B and C performed on the previous data DAT. Specifically, in the above example, at time t14, the second control mode controls operation A on data DAT4 to be performed with priority over operation B on data D3 and operation C on data D2. Operation C on data D2 is performed with priority over operation B on data D3. If operation B on data D3 or operation C on data D4 were performed with priority over operation A on data D4, the remaining battery power would be insufficient, making it impossible to perform operation A and preventing data DAT4 from being acquired. The second control mode prevents such data DAT from being missed. This will be made clear from the comparative example described next with reference to FIG. 4.

[0057] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a comparative example. At any time from time t11E to time t20E, the additional power amount is 2.0, similar to the above-mentioned Fig. 3. However, in the comparative example, only control in the first control mode is performed.

[0058] At time t11E, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 2.0. Operation A is performed on new data DAT1. Operation A consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 1.0.

[0059] At time t12E, the additional amount of power of 2.0 brings the remaining battery power to 3.0. Operation B on data DAT1 and operation A on new data DAT2 are performed. Operation B and operation A consume 2.0 amount of power, bringing the remaining battery power to 1.0.

[0060] At time t13E, the additional power amount of 2.0 brings the remaining battery power to 3.0. Operation C on data DATrecog1, operation B on data DAT2, and operation A on new data DAT3 are performed. Operations C to A consume 3.0 of power, bringing the remaining battery power to 0.0.

[0061] At time t14E, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power of 2.0. Operation C on data DATrecog2 and operation B on data DAT3 are performed. At this point, the remaining battery power is depleted, so operation A cannot be performed. Therefore, new data DAT cannot be acquired, and some data DAT is missed.

[0062] At time t15E, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 2.0. Operation A is performed on new data DAT4. Operation A consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 1.0.

[0063] At time t16E, the additional power amount of 2.0 brings the remaining battery amount to 3.0. Operation B on data DAT4 and operation A on new data DAT6 are performed. Operation B and operation A consume 2.0 amount of power, bringing the remaining battery amount to 1.0.

[0064] At time t17E, the additional power amount of 2.0 brings the remaining battery power to 3.0. Operation C on data DATrecog4, operation B on data DAT5, and operation A on new data DAT6 are performed. Operations C to A consume 2.0 power, bringing the remaining battery power to 0.0.

[0065] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t18E. At time t18E, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 2.0. Operation B is performed on data DAT6. Operation B consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 1.0.

[0066] At time t19E, the remaining battery power becomes 3.0 due to the additional power amount of 2.0. Operation C is performed on data DATrecog6. Operation C consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 2.0.

[0067] At time t20E, the remaining battery power becomes 4.0 due to the additional power of 2.0. No particular operation is performed.

[0068] For example, as described above, in the comparative example, at time t14E, operation C on data DATrecog2 and operation B on data DAT3 are performed first, and the battery runs out. Therefore, operation A on new data DAT cannot be performed, and data DAT is missed. Such missed data DAT is suppressed by the second control mode, as described above with reference to FIG. 3.

[0069] 1.3 Third control mode The third control mode is selected when the remaining battery power (or additional power amount) may be further insufficient. For example, the control device 5 performs control in the second control mode when the remaining battery power is below the second level, more specifically when the remaining battery power is below the second level but equal to or greater than the third level. An example of the third level is the amount of power consumed when one of operations A to C, more specifically operation A, is performed. The third level does not necessarily have to be fixed to a single value, and may be dynamically changed, for example, depending on the status of the system 100. In the third control mode, in addition to the contents of the second control mode described above, when multiple data DATs are written to the storage device 2, the control device 5 performs control so that operation B is performed collectively on the multiple data DATs.

[0070] In this case, the recognition device 3 recognizes multiple pieces of data DAT written in the storage device 2 all at once. If at least one piece of data DAT among the multiple pieces of data DAT is data DAT that needs to be transmitted, one piece of data DATrecog (compressed data) corresponding to the multiple pieces of data DAT is generated. By transmitting the data DATrecog obtained in this manner, it becomes possible to transmit information on multiple pieces of data DAT at once. However, there is a possibility that the accuracy in the time direction will decrease. For example, there is a possibility that it will not be possible to accurately determine which piece of information included in the data DATrecog corresponds to which piece of data DAT among the original multiple pieces of data DAT and at what timing it was acquired. Nevertheless, there is still an advantage in that it is possible to prevent data DAT from being missed.

[0071] For example, the control device 5 may perform control such that after a predetermined number of data DAT have been written to the storage device 2, operation B is performed on that number of data DAT all at once. This will be described with reference to FIG.

[0072] 5 is a diagram showing an example of control including control in the third control mode. At any of times t21 to t30, the additional power amount is 1.5. In this example, operation B is performed on two pieces of data DAT at once.

[0073] At time t21, the remaining battery power becomes 1.5 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT1. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.5.

[0074] At time t22, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT2. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 1.0.

[0075] At time t23, an additional power amount of 1.5 is added, bringing the remaining battery power to 2.5. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT3, and operation B is performed collectively on data DAT1 and data DAT2. The data DAT1 and data DAT2 after being recognized collectively are referred to as data DATrecog12 and shown in the figure. An amount of power of 2.0 is consumed by operations A and B, bringing the remaining battery power to 0.5.

[0076] At time t24, the additional power amount of 1.5 brings the remaining battery power to 2.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on new data DAT4 and operation C is performed on data DATrecog12. Operation A and operation C consume 2.0 power, bringing the remaining battery power to 0.0.

[0077] At time t25, the remaining battery power becomes 1.5 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT5. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.5.

[0078] At time t26, an additional 1.5 of power is added, bringing the remaining battery power to 2.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT6, and operation B is performed collectively on data DAT3 and data DAT4. The data DAT3 and data DAT4 after being recognized collectively are shown in the figure as data DATrecog34. An additional 2.0 of power is consumed by operations A and B, bringing the remaining battery power to 0.0.

[0079] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t27. At time t27, the remaining battery power becomes 1.5 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 controls so that operation C is performed on data DATrecog34. Operation C consumes 2.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.5.

[0080] At time t28, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power of 1.5. The control device 5 controls the data DAT5 and data DAT6 so that operation B is performed collectively. The data DAT5 and data DAT6 after being recognized collectively are referred to as data DATrecog56 and are shown in the figure. Operation B consumes 1.0 power, and the remaining battery power becomes 1.0.

[0081] At time t29, the remaining battery capacity becomes 2.5 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 controls the DATrecog 56 so that action C is performed. Action C consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.5.

[0082] At time t30, the remaining battery power becomes 3.0 due to the additional power of 1.5. No particular action is taken.

[0083] For example, as described above, when there is a possibility that additional power may be insufficient, operation B is performed collectively on multiple data DATs in the third control mode. Specifically, in the above example, at time t23, operation B is performed collectively on data DAT1 and data DAT2. At time t26, operation B is performed collectively on data DAT3 and data DAT4. At time t28, operation B is performed collectively on data DAT5 and data DAT6. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of power consumed by operation B compared to, for example, performing operation B on each of data DAT1 to DAT6. This allows the remaining battery power for performing operation A to be secured, thereby preventing DATs from being missed.

[0084] The control device 5 may perform control so that operation B is performed all at once on all data DAT written in the storage device 2 up until the timing at which operation B can be performed. This will be described with reference to FIG.

[0085] 6 is a diagram showing an example of control including control in the third control mode. Time t31 is similar to time t21 in the above-mentioned FIG. 5, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

[0086] At time t32, the additional power amount of 1.5 brings the remaining battery power to 2.0. The control device 5 controls the operation so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT2 and operation B is performed on the data DAT. Operation A and operation B consume 2.0 power, bringing the remaining battery power to 0.0.

[0087] At time t33, the remaining battery power becomes 1.5 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT3. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.5.

[0088] At time t34, the additional power amount of 1.5 brings the remaining battery power to 2.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT4 and operation C is performed on the data DATrecog1. Operation A and operation C consume 2.0 power, bringing the remaining battery power to 0.0.

[0089] At time t35, the remaining battery power becomes 1.5 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT5. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.5.

[0090] At time t36, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT6 and operation B is performed collectively on data DAT2 to DAT5. The data DAT2 to DAT5 after being recognized collectively is referred to as data DATrecog2345 and is shown in the figure. Operation A and operation B consume 2.0 power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0091] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t37. At time t37, the remaining battery power becomes 1.5 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 controls so that operation C is performed on data DATrecog2345. Operation C consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.5.

[0092] At time t38, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 performs control so that operation B is performed on data DAT6. Operation B consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 1.0.

[0093] At time t39, the remaining battery power becomes 2.5 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C is performed on the data DATrecog6. Operation C consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 1.5.

[0094] At time t40, the remaining battery power becomes 3.0 due to the additional power of 1.5. No particular action is taken.

[0095] In the above example, at time t36, operation B is performed collectively on data DAT2 to data DAT5. This reduces the amount of power consumed by operation B compared to performing operation B on data DAT2 to data DAT5 one by one. This allows the remaining battery power for performing operation A to be secured, thereby preventing data DAT from being missed.

[0096] If there is a further shortage of additional power, operation B is performed on more data DAT at once. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0097] 7 is a diagram showing an example of control including control in the third control mode. At any of times t41 to t50, the additional power amount is 1.0. In this example, operation B is performed on three pieces of data DAT at once.

[0098] At time t41, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT1. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0099] At time t42, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT2. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0100] At time t43, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT3. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0101] At time t44, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT4. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0102] At time t45, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT5. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0103] At time t46, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT6. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0104] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t47. At time t47, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 controls the data DAT1 to data DAT3 so that operation B is performed collectively. The data DAT1 to data DAT3 after being recognized collectively is referred to as data DATrecog123 and shown in the figure. The power amount of 1.0 is consumed by operation B, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0105] At time t48, the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C is performed on the data DATrecog123. Operation C consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery capacity becomes 0.0.

[0106] At time t49, the additional power amount of 1.0 causes the remaining battery amount to become 1.0. The control device 5 controls the data DAT4 to data DAT6 so that operation B is performed collectively. The data DAT4 to data DAT6 after being recognized collectively is referred to as data DATrecog456 and is shown in the figure. Operation B consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery amount becomes 0.0.

[0107] At time t50, the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 controls the data DATrecog 456 so that the operation C is performed. The operation C consumes the power amount of 1.0, and the remaining battery capacity becomes 0.0.

[0108] In the above example, at time t47, operation B is performed collectively on data DAT1 to data DAT3, and at time t49, operation B is performed collectively on data DAT4 to data DAT6. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of power consumed by operation B compared to performing operation B on data DAT1 to data DAT6 one by one. This allows the remaining battery power for performing operation A to be secured, and prevents data DAT from being missed.

[0109] 8 is a diagram showing an example of control including control in the third control mode. Operation B is performed collectively on all data DAT written to the storage device 2 up until the timing at which operation B can be performed. Time t51 to time t56 is the same as time t41 to time t46 in FIG. 7 described above, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

[0110] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t57. At time t57, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 controls the data DAT1 to data DAT6 so that operation B is performed collectively. The data DAT1 to data DAT6 after being recognized collectively is referred to as data DATrecog123456 and shown in the figure. The power amount of 1.0 is consumed by operation B, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0111] At time t58, the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C is performed on the data DATrecog123456. Operation C consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery capacity becomes 0.0.

[0112] At time t59, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional power of 1.0. No particular action is taken.

[0113] At time t60, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power of 1.0. No particular action is taken.

[0114] In the above example, at time t57, operation B is performed collectively on data DAT1 to data DAT6. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of power consumed by operation B compared to performing operation B on each of data DAT1 to DAT6 individually. This allows the amount of power required to perform operation A to be secured, thereby preventing data DAT from being missed.

[0115] 1.4 Fourth control mode The fourth control mode is selected when there is no free space in the remaining storage capacity (hereinafter simply referred to as "memory") in the storage device 2, i.e., when the remaining memory may be insufficient. For example, the control device 5 performs control in the fourth control mode when the remaining memory is less than a predetermined amount. For ease of understanding, the remaining memory amount required to write one piece of data DAT or data DATrecog is represented as "1R". In the fourth control mode, the control device 5 performs control so that operation C is performed with priority. Note that operation B before operation C must always be performed. By performing operation C with priority, data DATrecog and the data DAT that was the source of that data are deleted from the storage device 2, and the memory size shortage is resolved.

[0116] Examples of the predetermined amount are 2R, 1R, etc. For example, if the data DAT after operation B has been performed, i.e., the data DATrecog, has been written to the storage device 2, the predetermined amount may be 1R. This is because the remaining memory amount can be recovered by performing operation C on the data DATrecog. If only the data DAT has been written to the storage device 2, the predetermined amount may be 2R. This is because the remaining memory amount is needed to perform operation B and further write the data DATrecog to the storage device 2 before operation C. The predetermined amount does not necessarily have to be fixed to these values ​​and may be dynamically changed, for example, depending on the status of the system 100, etc.

[0117] 9 is a diagram showing an example of control including control in the fourth control mode. At any of times t61 to t70, the additional power amount is 1.0. The initial remaining memory amount (before time t61) is assumed to be 4R.

[0118] At time t61, the additional power amount of 1.0 makes the remaining battery amount 1.0. The remaining memory amount (before operation) is 4R. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on new data DAT1. Operation A consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery amount becomes 0.0.

[0119] At time t62, the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The remaining memory capacity is 3R. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on new data DAT2. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery capacity becomes 0.0.

[0120] At time t63, the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The remaining memory capacity is 2R. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT3. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery capacity becomes 0.0.

[0121] At time t64, the additional power amount of 1.0 makes the remaining battery amount 1.0. The remaining memory amount is 1R. The control device 5 controls the data DAT1 to data DAT3 so that operation B is performed with priority. Although operation A is not performed and new data DAT is missed, the data DAT1 to data DAT3 that were the basis for data DATrecog123 are deleted from the storage device 2, and the remaining memory amount is restored. Operation B consumes 1.0 power amount, making the remaining battery amount 0.0.

[0122] At time t65, the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The remaining memory capacity is 3R. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on new data DAT4. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery capacity becomes 0.0.

[0123] At time t66, the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The remaining memory capacity is 2R. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT5. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery capacity becomes 0.0.

[0124] At time t67, the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The remaining memory capacity is 1 R. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT6.

[0125] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t68. At time t68, the additional power amount of 1.0 causes the remaining battery amount to become 1.0. The remaining memory amount is 0R. The control device 5 controls so that operation C is performed on the data DATrecog123. The data DATrecog123 is deleted from the storage device 2, and the remaining memory amount is restored. Operation C consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery amount becomes 0.0.

[0126] At time t69, the additional power amount of 1.0 makes the remaining battery amount 1.0. The remaining memory amount is 1R. The control device 5 controls the data DATrecog456 so that operation B is performed collectively with priority. Although operation A is not performed and new data DAT is missed, data DAT4 to data DAT6, which were the source of data DATrecog456, are deleted from the storage device 2, and the remaining memory amount is restored. Operation C consumes 1.0 power, making the remaining battery amount 0.0.

[0127] At time t70, the remaining battery capacity becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 1.0. The remaining memory capacity is 3R. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C is performed on the data DATrecog456. Operation C consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery capacity becomes 0.0.

[0128] In the above example, at time t64, in the fourth control mode, operation C on the previous data DAT1 to data DAT3 is given priority over operation A on the new data DAT, so operation B is performed toward that. Although some data DAT is missed, the remaining memory capacity is recovered, and operation A is then performed on the new data DAT from time t65 to time t67. Therefore, it is possible to prevent data DAT from being missed.

[0129] 1.5 5th control mode The fifth control mode is selected when the remaining battery power (or additional power amount) may be further deficient. For example, the control device 5 performs control in the fifth control mode when the remaining battery power is below the third level. In the fifth control mode, in addition to the contents of the third control mode (and further the fourth control mode) described above, the control device 5 performs control so that neither operation A on the data DAT from the sensor 1 nor operations B and C on the data DAT from the sensor 1 prior to that are performed. It can also be said that operation A operates intermittently.

[0130] 10 is a diagram showing an example of control including control in the fifth control mode. At any of times t71 to t80, the additional power amount is 0.8.

[0131] At time t71, the remaining battery power becomes 0.8 due to the additional power amount of 0.8. The control device 5 performs control so that the operation A is not performed. New data DAT is not received.

[0132] At time t72, the remaining battery power becomes 1.6 due to the additional power amount of 0.8. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT1. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.6.

[0133] At time t73, the remaining battery power becomes 1.4 due to the additional power amount of 0.8. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT2. Operation A consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.4.

[0134] At time t74, the remaining battery power becomes 1.2 due to the additional power amount of 0.8. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT3. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.2.

[0135] At time t75, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional power amount of 0.8. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT4. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0136] At time t76, the remaining battery power becomes 0.8 due to the additional power amount of 0.8. The control device 5 performs control so that the operation A is not performed. New data DAT is not received.

[0137] At time t77, the remaining battery power becomes 1.6 due to the additional power amount of 0.8. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT5. Operation A consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.6.

[0138] At time t78, the remaining battery power becomes 1.6 due to the additional power amount of 0.8. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on new data DAT6. Operation A consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.4.

[0139] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t79. At time t79, an additional amount of power of 0.8 reduces the remaining battery power to 1.2. The control device 5 performs control so that operation B is performed on data DAT1 to data DAT6. Operation B consumes an amount of power of 1.0, reducing the remaining battery power to 0.2.

[0140] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t80. At time t80, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to an additional power amount of 0.8. The control device 5 performs control so that operation C is performed on data DATrecog123456. Operation C consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0141] In the above example, at time t71 and time t76, the fifth control mode is selected, and control is performed so that operation A is not performed on new data DAT. Although a drop in the new data DAT occurs, operation A is performed on the new data DAT from time t72 to time t75, time t77, and time t78 thereafter. Therefore, a drop in the data DAT can be suppressed.

[0142] 1.6 Control when additional power amount fluctuates As mentioned above, in reality, the amount of power generated by the energy harvester 8, that is, the amount of additional power, fluctuates. An example will be described with reference to FIG.

[0143] 11 is a diagram showing an example of control when the additional amount of power fluctuates. At time t81, the remaining battery power becomes 1.0 due to the additional amount of power of 1.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on new data DAT1. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0144] At time t82, the remaining battery power becomes 1.5 due to the additional power amount of 1.5. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT2. Operation A consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.5.

[0145] At time t83, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power of 1.5. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT3 and operation B is performed on data DAT1 and data DAT together. Operation A and operation B consume 2.0 power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0146] At time t84, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 2.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT3. The power amount of 2.0 is consumed by operations A and B, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0147] At time t85, the remaining battery power becomes 2.0 due to the additional power amount of 2.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on the new data DAT5 and operation B is performed on data DAT3 and DAT4 together. Operation A and operation B consume 2.0 power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0148] At time t86, the remaining battery power becomes 3.0 due to the additional power of 3.0. The control device 5 performs control so that operation A is performed on new data DAT6, operation C is performed on data DATrecog34, and operation B is performed on data DAT5. Operation A, operation C, and operation B consume 3.0 power, and the remaining battery power becomes 0.0.

[0149] At time t87, the remaining battery power becomes 3.0 due to the additional power amount of 3.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation B is performed on the new data DAT6. Operation B consumes 1.0 amount of power, and the remaining battery power becomes 2.0.

[0150] It is assumed that there is no new data DAT after time t88. At time t88, the remaining battery power becomes 6.0 due to the additional power amount of 4.0. The control device 5 controls so that operation C is performed on data DATrecog6. Operation B consumes 1.0 power amount, and the remaining battery power becomes 5.0.

[0151] At time t89, the remaining battery power becomes 9.0 due to the additional power of 4.0. No particular action is taken.

[0152] At time t90, the remaining battery power becomes 14.0 due to the additional power of 5.0. No particular action is taken.

[0153] For example, as described above, various controls are performed in response to fluctuations in the amount of additional power, etc., and failure to receive data DAT is suppressed.

[0154] 1.7 Processing Flow Example FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a process (control method) executed by the control device.

[0155] In step S1, the control device 5 determines whether or not to start capturing the data DAT. For example, when the time or time period when collection of the data DAT is required arrives, the control device 5 determines that the capture of the data DAT should start. If the capture of the data DAT is to be started (step S1: Yes), the control device 5 proceeds to step S2. If not (step S1: No), the control device 5 repeats the process of step S1.

[0156] In step S2, the control device 5 determines whether the remaining memory capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. If the remaining memory capacity is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount (step S2: Yes), the control device 5 proceeds to step S4. If the remaining memory capacity is less than the predetermined amount (step S2: No), the control device 5 proceeds to step S3.

[0157] In step S3, the control device 5 controls, in the fourth control mode, the operations A to C. The control in the fourth control mode is as described above with reference to FIG.

[0158] In step S4, the control device 5 determines whether the remaining battery power is equal to or greater than a first level. If the remaining battery power is equal to or greater than the first level (step S4: Yes), the control device 5 proceeds to step S5. If the remaining battery power is less than the first level (step S4: No), the control device 5 proceeds to step S6.

[0159] In step S5, the control device 5 controls, in the first control mode, the operations A to C. The control in the first control mode is as described above with reference to FIG.

[0160] In step S6, it is determined whether the remaining battery power is equal to or greater than the second level. If the remaining battery power is equal to or greater than the second level (step S6: Yes), the control device 5 proceeds to step S7. If the remaining battery power is less than the second level (step S6: No), the control device 5 proceeds to step S8.

[0161] In step S7, the control device 5 controls, in the second control mode, the operations A to C. The control in the second control mode is as described above with reference to FIG.

[0162] In step S8, the control device 5 determines whether the remaining battery power is equal to or greater than the third level. If the remaining battery power is equal to or greater than the third level (step S8: Yes), the control device 5 proceeds to step S9. If the remaining battery power is less than the third level (step S8: No), the control device 5 proceeds to step S10.

[0163] In step S9, the control device 5 controls, in the third control mode, the operations A to C. The control in the third control mode is as described above with reference to, for example, FIGS.

[0164] In step S10, the control device 5 controls in the fifth control mode the operations A to C. The control in the fourth control mode is as described above with reference to FIG.

[0165] After completing the processing of step S3, step S5, step S7, step S9 or step S10, the control device 5 advances the processing to step S11.

[0166] In step S11, the control device 5 determines whether or not to end the acquisition of the data DAT. For example, when the time or time period when collection of the data DAT is unnecessary arrives, the control device 5 determines that the acquisition of the data DAT should be ended. If the acquisition of the data DAT is to be ended (step S11: Yes), the control device 5 proceeds to step S12. If not (step S11: No), the control device 5 returns the process to step S2.

[0167] In step S12, the control device 5 determines whether or not to terminate the system operation. For example, when an instruction to terminate the operation of the system 100 is given by a user operation (for example, an operation by an administrator of the system 100), the control device 5 determines that the system operation should be terminated. If the system operation is to be terminated (step S12: Yes), the control device 5 terminates the processing of the flowchart. If not (step S12: No), the control device 5 returns the processing to step S1.

[0168] For example, in this manner, control is performed in an appropriate control mode according to the remaining battery capacity (or the amount of additional power), the remaining memory capacity, etc. As explained above, it is possible to prevent data DAT from being lost.

[0169] 2. Hardware configuration example 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control device. In this example, the control device 5 is realized by a computer 1000. The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1300, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1400, a communication interface 1500, and an input / output interface 1600. The components of the computer 1000 are connected by a bus 1050.

[0170] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. For example, the CPU 1100 loads the programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400 into the RAM 1200 and executes processing corresponding to the various programs.

[0171] The ROM 1300 stores boot programs such as a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 is started, and programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000 .

[0172] HDD 1400 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records programs executed by CPU 1100 and data used by such programs. Specifically, HDD 1400 is a recording medium that records a control program according to the present disclosure, which is an example of program data 1450.

[0173] The communication interface 1500 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to an external network 1550 (e.g., the Internet). For example, the CPU 1100 receives data from other devices and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the communication interface 1500.

[0174] The input / output interface 1600 is an interface for connecting the input / output device 1650 and the computer 1000. For example, the CPU 1100 receives data from an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also transmits data to an output device such as a display, a speaker, or a printer via the input / output interface 1600. The input / output interface 1600 may also function as a media interface for reading programs and the like recorded on a predetermined recording medium. Examples of media include optical recording media such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), magneto-optical recording media such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), tape media, magnetic recording media, and semiconductor memories.

[0175] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the control device 5, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes a control program loaded onto the RAM 1200, thereby realizing the functions of the control device 5. The control program according to the present disclosure is stored in the HDD 1400. The CPU 1100 reads and executes program data 1450 from the HDD 1400, but as another example, the CPU 1100 may obtain these programs from another device via an external network 1550.

[0176] The control device 5 may be realized by various hardware configurations other than the above. For example, the control device 5 may be realized by a dedicated device customized to realize the functions of the control device 5.

[0177] 3.Example of effects The control device 5 described above can be specified, for example, as follows. As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 etc., the control device 5 controls a plurality of operations that consume environmentally harvested power (power generated by the energy harvester 8) in at least one of a plurality of control modes. The plurality of operations include operation A, operation B, and operation C. Operation A includes writing (to the storage device 2) data DAT from the sensor 1. Operation B includes recognizing (by the recognition device 3) the data DAT written by operation A. Operation C includes transmitting (by the transmission device 4) data DAT (data DATrecog) after recognition by operation B. The plurality of control modes include a first control mode and a second control mode. In the first control mode, the plurality of operations are controlled so that at least one of operation B and operation C for data DAT from the sensor 1 that was received earlier is performed with priority over operation A for data DAT from the sensor 1. In the second control mode, a plurality of operations are controlled so that operation A on data DAT from sensor 1 is performed with priority over previous operations B and C on DAT from sensor 1.

[0178] In the above-described control device 5, in the second control mode, operation A on data D is performed with priority over operations B and C on the previous data DAT. This makes it possible to prevent data DAT from being missed.

[0179] In the second control mode, the control device 5 may control a plurality of operations so that operation C is performed with priority among operation B and operation C for the data DAT from the previous sensor 1. This allows the transmission of the data DAT to be completed with priority.

[0180] The control device 5 may control the multiple operations in a first control mode when the remaining capacity (remaining battery power) of the storage battery 7 charged with energy from environmental harvesting is equal to or greater than a first level, and may control the multiple operations in a second control mode when the remaining capacity of the storage battery 7 is less than the first level. The first level may be the amount of power consumed when three operations A to C are performed simultaneously. For example, in this way, the multiple operations can be controlled in an appropriate control mode according to the remaining battery power, thereby preventing new data DAT from being missed.

[0181] As described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, the multiple control modes may include a third control mode in which multiple operations are controlled so that operation B is performed collectively on multiple pieces of data DAT from the sensor 1. The control device 5 may control the multiple operations in the third control mode when the remaining capacity (remaining battery power) of the storage battery 7 charged with energy harvested from the environment is below a second level. The second level may be the amount of power consumed when two of operations A to C, including operation A, are performed simultaneously. The third control mode makes it possible to reduce power consumption more than when operation B is performed on each of the multiple pieces of data DAT. Even if the remaining battery power may become even more insufficient, it is possible to prevent new data DAT from being missed.

[0182] 9 etc., the plurality of control modes includes a fourth control mode that controls the plurality of operations so that operation C for data DAT from the sensor 1 that has been received before is performed with priority over operation A for new data DAT from the sensor 1, and the control device 5 may control the plurality of operations in the fourth control mode when the remaining memory capacity for writing data DAT is less than a predetermined amount. The fourth control mode makes it possible to prevent new data DAT from being missed due to insufficient remaining memory capacity.

[0183] 10 etc., the plurality of control modes includes a fifth control mode that controls a plurality of operations so that neither operation A for new data from the sensor 1 nor operations B and C for data DAT from the sensor 1 prior to that are performed, and the control device 5 controls the operations in the fifth control mode when the remaining battery charge of the storage battery 7 is less than a third level, and the third level may be the amount of power consumed when operation A is performed. By using the fifth control mode, for example, although new data DAT may be missed once, the remaining battery charge can be recovered to that extent, and the subsequent missing of new data DAT can be suppressed (minimized).

[0184] The control method described with reference to Figure 12 etc. is also one of the embodiments. The control method controls multiple operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one of multiple control modes. The multiple control modes and multiple operations are as described above. This control method can also prevent new data DAT from being missed.

[0185] The control program (e.g., program data 1450) described with reference to FIG. 13 etc. is also one embodiment. The control program controls a computer (e.g., computer 1000) to perform multiple operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one of multiple control modes. The multiple control modes and multiple operations have been described above. Such a control program can also prevent new data DAT from being missed.

[0186] The effects described in this disclosure are merely examples and are not limited to the disclosed contents. Other effects may also be obtained.

[0187] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0188] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) A control device that controls a plurality of operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one control mode among a plurality of control modes, The plurality of operations include: Operation A includes writing data from a sensor; an operation B including recognition of the data written by operation A; an operation C including transmitting data after recognition by the operation B; Including, The plurality of control modes include: a first control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that at least one of the operation B and the operation C performed on data from the sensor earlier than the operation A performed on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over the operation A performed on the data from the sensor; a second control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that the operation A on the data from the sensor is performed in priority over the operations B and C on previous data from the sensor; Including, Control device. (2) The second control mode controls the plurality of operations so that operation C is performed preferentially among operation B and operation C performed on the data from the sensor earlier than the second control mode. The control device described in (1). (3) controlling the plurality of operations in the first control mode when a remaining capacity of the storage battery charged with the energy harvested power is equal to or greater than a first level; When the remaining capacity of the storage battery is less than the first level, the plurality of operations are controlled in the second control mode. The control device according to (1) or (2). (4) the first level is the amount of power consumed when the operation A, the operation B, and the operation C are performed simultaneously; (3) The control device described in (3). (5) the plurality of control modes includes a third control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that the operation B is performed collectively in response to the plurality of data from the sensor; The control device according to any one of (1) to (4). (6) When a remaining capacity of the storage battery charged with the energy harvested power is less than a second level, controlling the plurality of operations in the third control mode; The second level is the amount of power consumed when two operations including the operation A are performed simultaneously among the operations A to C. (5) A control device according to the present invention. (7) the plurality of control modes include a fourth control mode that controls the plurality of operations so that the operation C on data from the sensor that precedes the operation A on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over the operation A, the control device controls the plurality of operations in the fourth control mode when the remaining memory capacity for writing the data is less than a predetermined amount. The control device according to any one of (1) to (6). (8) the plurality of control modes include a fifth control mode that controls the plurality of operations so that neither the operation A on the data from the sensor nor the operations B and C on previous data from the sensor are performed; the control device controls the operation in the fifth control mode when a remaining battery level of the storage battery charged with the energy harvested power is less than a third level; The third level is the amount of power consumed when the operation A is performed. The control device according to any one of (1) to (7). (9) A control method for controlling a plurality of operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one control mode among a plurality of control modes, the method comprising: The plurality of operations include: Operation A includes writing data from a sensor; an operation B including recognition of the data written by operation A; an operation C including transmitting data after recognition by the operation B; Including, The plurality of control modes include: a first control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that at least one of the operation B and the operation C performed on data from the sensor earlier than the operation A performed on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over the operation A performed on the data from the sensor; a second control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that the operation A on the data from the sensor is performed in priority over the operations B and C on previous data from the sensor; Including, Control method. (10) A control program that causes a computer to control a plurality of operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one control mode among a plurality of control modes, the control program comprising: The plurality of operations include: Operation A includes writing data from a sensor; an operation B including recognition of the data written by operation A; an operation C including transmitting data after recognition by the operation B; Including, The plurality of control modes include: a first control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that at least one of the operation B and the operation C performed on data from the sensor earlier than the operation A performed on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over the operation A performed on the data from the sensor; a second control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that the operation A on the data from the sensor is performed in priority over the operations B and C on previous data from the sensor; Including, Control program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0189] 1 sensor 2 Storage device 3 recognition device 4. Transmitting device 5. Control device 6 Battery monitoring device 7. Storage battery 8 Energy Harvester 100 Systems (Energy Harvesting Systems, Energy Harvesting Systems) 1450 Program data (control program)

Claims

1. A control device that controls a plurality of operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one control mode among a plurality of control modes, The plurality of operations include: Operation A includes writing data from a sensor; an operation B including recognition of the data written by operation A; an operation C including transmitting data after recognition by the operation B; Including, The plurality of control modes include: a first control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that at least one of an operation B and an operation C performed on data from the sensor earlier than the operation A performed on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over the operation A performed on the data from the sensor; a second control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that the operation A on the data from the sensor is performed in priority over the operations B and C on previous data from the sensor; Including, Control device.

2. the second control mode controls the plurality of operations so that operation C is performed with priority among operation B and operation C performed on the data from the sensor earlier than the second control mode; The control device according to claim 1 .

3. controlling the plurality of operations in the first control mode when a remaining capacity of the storage battery charged with the energy harvested power is equal to or greater than a first level; When the remaining capacity of the storage battery is less than the first level, the plurality of operations are controlled in the second control mode. The control device according to claim 1 .

4. the first level is the amount of power consumed when the operation A, the operation B, and the operation C are performed simultaneously; The control device according to claim 3 .

5. the plurality of control modes includes a third control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that the operation B is performed collectively in response to the plurality of data from the sensor; The control device according to claim 1 .

6. When a remaining capacity of the storage battery charged with the energy harvested power is less than a second level, controlling the plurality of operations in the third control mode; The second level is the amount of power consumed when two operations, including the operation A, among the operations A to C are performed simultaneously. The control device according to claim 5 .

7. the plurality of control modes include a fourth control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that the operation C on data from the sensor earlier than the operation A on data from the sensor is performed with priority over the operation A on data from the sensor; the control device controls the plurality of operations in the fourth control mode when the remaining memory capacity for writing the data is less than a predetermined amount. The control device according to claim 1 .

8. the plurality of control modes include a fifth control mode that controls the plurality of operations so that neither the operation A on the data from the sensor nor the operation B and the operation C on data from the sensor earlier than the operation A are performed; the control device controls the operation in the fifth control mode when a remaining battery level of the storage battery charged with the energy harvested power is less than a third level; The third level is the amount of power consumed when the operation A is performed. The control device according to claim 1 .

9. A control method for controlling a plurality of operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one control mode among a plurality of control modes, the method comprising: The plurality of operations include: Operation A includes writing data from a sensor; an operation B including recognition of the data written by operation A; an operation C including transmitting data after recognition by the operation B; Including, The plurality of control modes include: a first control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that at least one of an operation B and an operation C performed on data from the sensor earlier than the operation A performed on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over the operation A performed on the data from the sensor; a second control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that the operation A on the data from the sensor is performed in priority over the operations B and C on previous data from the sensor; Including, Control method.

10. A control program that causes a computer to control a plurality of operations that consume energy-harvested power in at least one control mode among a plurality of control modes, the control program comprising: The plurality of operations include: Operation A includes writing data from a sensor; an operation B including recognition of the data written by operation A; an operation C including transmitting data after recognition by the operation B; Including, The plurality of control modes include: a first control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that at least one of an operation B and an operation C performed on data from the sensor earlier than the operation A performed on the data from the sensor is performed with priority over the operation A performed on the data from the sensor; a second control mode in which the plurality of operations are controlled so that the operation A on the data from the sensor is performed in priority over the operations B and C on previous data from the sensor; Including, Control program.

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