Location detection server and location change detection method

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a position detection server and a position fluctuation identification method capable of readily identifying a positional shift of a device group constituting an IoT service without human intervention to the extent possible, and increasing the reliability of IoT data.　A position detection server 13d according to the present invention is provided in a data accumulation system in which terminals 11 transmit information to a management node 13 at desired timing, and the management node 13 stores the information on a per terminal 11 basis. The position detection server 13d is characterized by further comprising a position calculation unit 13d3 that compares, for each of the terminals 11, the information from the past and the information most recent, stored in the management node 13, and sets the terminal 11 having a discrepancy between the information from the past and the information most recent as a terminal 11-1 in which a position fluctuation occurred.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to sensing data collection in the IoT (Internet of Things).

Background Art

[0002] Using a lightweight communication protocol that is standardized and does not require high performance, obtain network configuration information and device information of terminals and devices. For example, in Non-Patent Document 1, a method using LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol, see Non-Patent Document 3 for example) has been reported.

[0003] In the IoT, it is necessary to network-connect a large number of sensor terminals and collect the data (sensing data) they generate. Also, in data utilization in the IoT, the importance of not only the sensing data itself generated by sensor terminals but also data related to the sensing data, called metadata, has been reported (such as Non-Patent Document 2). By obtaining and distributing the sensing data and metadata together, it is expected that users can safely and easily utilize the sensing data. For example, by using LLDP disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, metadata (device information) such as the manufacturer name and model number related to the sensing data can be collected with an economical system configuration.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

[0005] As the proliferation of services utilizing IoT sensors (sensing devices) is expected to increase, it is conceivable that sensors may unknowingly enter a state different from the administrator's intentions (for example, location, environment, installation orientation, fixing status, power supply amount, etc.) when managing these services. In such a state, accurate data cannot be obtained from the sensors, potentially leading to incorrect control and the inability to provide appropriate services. To avoid this situation, it is necessary to periodically check the status of the sensors, but there is a challenge in that it is difficult for workers to inspect a large number of sensors. Furthermore, while it is possible to determine the location of sensors using BLE beacons, this requires deploying a large number of BLE beacons in precise locations, and there are challenges in that it is difficult for workers to perform this task accurately and to check for any deviations in the position of the BLE beacons.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a location detection server and a location change detection method that can easily grasp the positional deviation of a group of devices constituting an IoT service with minimal human intervention, thereby improving the reliability of IoT data, in order to solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the location detection server according to the present invention determines that the location of the terminal has shifted when there is a change in the information that is regularly acquired from the terminal.

[0008] Specifically, the present invention relates to a location detection server included in a data collection system in which the terminal transmits information to a management node at any time, and the management node stores the information for each terminal, The system is characterized by comprising a location calculation unit that compares the past information and the latest information stored in the management node for each terminal, and identifies terminals where there is a difference between the past information and the latest information as terminals whose location has changed.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for determining the positional changes of multiple terminals, Comparing the aforementioned information from the past with the latest information for each terminal, and A terminal that has a discrepancy between past information and the latest information is considered a terminal with a changed location. It is characterized by the following.

[0010] For example, if the information is the coordinates of the terminal, The position calculation unit moves the terminal whose position has changed to the coordinates after the change on the floor map displaying the terminal, or moves the terminal whose position has changed to the coordinates after the change on the network map displaying the terminal. By knowing the coordinates where the terminal is located, any change in these coordinates can be interpreted as a terminal having moved. By moving the terminal's marker on the floor map or network map in accordance with the change in the terminal's coordinates, workers can easily recognize the terminal's changes.

[0011] Furthermore, for example, if the information is sensing data acquired by the terminal, The position calculation unit displays the sensing data of the terminal whose position has changed, arranged in chronological order on a graph, distinguishing between the sensing data before and after the time when the position change occurred. When sensing data acquired by a terminal is arranged chronologically, the data maintains continuity if the terminal's position remains unchanged. However, if the terminal's position changes, the data loses its continuity at that point in time. Therefore, operators can easily recognize changes in the terminal from the continuity of the chronologically arranged data.

[0012] Furthermore, the above inventions can be combined as much as possible. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The present invention provides a location detection server and a location change detection method that can easily detect positional deviations of a group of devices constituting an IoT service with minimal human intervention, thereby improving the reliability of IoT data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating a data collection system related to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the terminal of a data collection system related to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the management node of a data collection system related to the present invention. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the frames sent from the terminal to the management node. [Figure 5]This is a diagram for explaining a data collection system including a position detection server according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a diagram for explaining a position calculation server according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a diagram for explaining the operation of a position detection server according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a diagram for explaining the operation of a position detection server according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a diagram for explaining the operation of a position detection server according to the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the present specification and drawings, components having the same reference numerals indicate the same components.

[0016] (Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, the basic configuration of the data collection system will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a data collection system 301 of this embodiment. The data collection system 301 is a data collection system that performs communication from the terminal 11 to the network device 12 by utilizing an extended area of a standardized communication protocol (such as LLDP, HTIP, IEEE802.11, etc.), The terminal 11 stores the sensing data detected by the sensor device in an area different from the area for storing metadata within the frame defined by the communication protocol, and sends it to the network device 12. The network device 12 transfers the frame to the management node 13. The management node 13 stores the sensing data and the metadata in association with each other based on the information for identifying the terminal 11 described in the frame. This is the feature.

[0017] The data collection network 15 is a network that connects sensor terminals 11 located within a specific range to a management node 13. The data collection network 15 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), a field area network (FAN), or an IoT area network. Within the same data collection network 15, there may be multiple sensor terminals 11 of a single type, or there may be multiple types of sensor terminals.

[0018] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating terminal 11. Terminal 11 is, for example, an IoT sensor terminal that performs sensing on an object to be observed and generates sensing data. Terminal 11 includes a sensor device 11a, a sensing data storage processing unit 11b, an equipment information storage processing unit 11c, a protocol operation unit 11d1, a metadata detection unit (11e1, 11e2, 11e3, ...), and a metadata storage processing unit 11f.

[0019] The sensor device 11a performs sensing on the object being observed and acquires sensing data (main data). Sensing data includes, for example, temperature, image, acceleration, sound, light, CO2, etc. The device information storage processing unit 11c collects information about the device being observed (for example, the manufacturer name, model name, model number, etc.) and stores this information in a predetermined location in the frame (an area that can be used for proprietary purposes, such as the "extended area" or "optional area" defined in the protocol).

[0020] The sensing data storage processing unit 11b stores the sensing data from the sensor device 11a in a predetermined location in the frame (such as the payload portion defined by the protocol). The sensing data storage processing unit 11b may also process the sensing data to fit the format / limitations of the frame's unique extension area, such as by converting it into a certain abbreviated code or by splitting it into multiple frames (fragmentation), before storing it in the frame.

[0021] The sensing data storage processing unit 11b can arbitrarily set the timing for storing sensing data in a frame. For example, the storage timing can be set to each time the sensing data is updated, or the sensing data can be stored after being accumulated for a certain period of time, rather than sequentially. In addition, if the sensing data storage processing unit 11b has accumulated sensing data for a certain period of time, it may also store the record (log) of that data or the results of specific calculations / statistical processing in a frame.

[0022] The type of sensing data stored in the frame and the timing of storage may be fixed or variable. The type of sensing data and the timing of storage may be dynamically changed based on the sensor terminal 11's own judgment, or on instructions from the data analysis unit 13 or the data collection unit 12. Furthermore, the frame transmission period may be fixed or variable. The frame transmission period may also be dynamically changed based on the sensor terminal 11's own judgment or instructions from the data analysis unit 13 or the data collection unit 12.

[0023] The metadata detection unit 11e acquires information other than device information (metadata). Information other than device information includes, for example, location information, time information, person, object, or event information of the detection target, and other information. However, the present invention is not limited to this information other than device information. To acquire this information, the metadata detection unit 11e has a location information detection unit 11e1, a time detection unit 11e2, a person, object, or event detection unit 11e3, and other detection units.

[0024] The location information detection unit 11e1 is, for example, a GPS, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or an RSSI receiver such as a Wi-Fi signal or a BLE beacon signal. The location metadata detected by the location information detection unit 11e1 is location information obtained from GPS signals, BLE beacon signals, radio wave information from wireless communication, non-communication radio wave information (television, radio, radio-controlled clocks, and other noise, etc.), power information, visible light information, sound wave information, vibration information, acceleration information, and other location metadata sources.

[0025] The time detection unit 11e2 is, for example, a receiver of information from GPS, NTP (Network Time Protocol), etc. The time metadata detected by the time detection unit 11e2 is information about the time obtained from GPS signals, information from NTP, and other time metadata sources.

[0026] The person, object, and event detection unit 11e3 is a receiver that receives information from sources such as BLE beacons (carried by a person), smartphones carried by a person, and image analysis results. The person, object, or event metadata detected by the person, object, and event detection unit 11e3 is information about people, objects, or events obtained from BLE beacons carried by a person, smartphones carried by a person, image analysis results, and other sources of timely metadata.

[0027] Other metadata detected by the detection unit includes information about the network configuration.

[0028] The metadata detection unit 11e may detect all of the multiple detection targets, or it may detect any one of them.

[0029] The metadata storage processing unit 11f stores the data detected by the metadata detection unit 11e as metadata in the extended area or optional area within the frame, as defined by the communication protocol. For example, the metadata storage processing unit 11f can store metadata in the control system frame of an IEEE 804.11 wireless LAN. Specifically, it stores various metadata in the "Vendor Specific" area, which is the extended area of ​​the Probe Request frame. Alternatively, it stores various metadata in the "Vendor Specific" area, which is the extended area of ​​the Probe Response frame.

[0030] The metadata storage processing unit 11f may store metadata in a frame after processing it, such as by converting it into a certain abbreviated code and storing it, or by splitting it and storing it in multiple frames (fragmentation), in order to conform to the format / limitations of the frame's unique extension area.

[0031] The metadata storage processing unit 11f can arbitrarily set the timing for storing metadata in a frame. For example, the storage timing can be set to each time the metadata is updated, or the metadata can be stored after a certain period of accumulation rather than sequentially. Furthermore, when metadata has been accumulated for a certain period, the metadata storage processing unit 11f may store the record (log) of that data or the results of specific calculations / statistical processing in a frame.

[0032] The type and timing of metadata stored in a frame may be fixed or variable. The type and timing of metadata storage may be dynamically changed based on the terminal 11's own judgment or instructions from the management node 13.

[0033] The protocol operation unit 11d1 transmits a frame containing sensing data and device information in a predetermined area and metadata in an extended area or optional area to the network device 12 using a lightweight, standardized communication protocol such as LLDP or HTIP. The communication protocol of the frame containing the sensing data and the communication protocol of the frame containing the device information may be the same or different. In the latter case, the metadata storage processing unit 11f may store the metadata in a frame of either one of the communication protocols (either the frame containing the sensing data or the frame containing the device information), or it may store it in frames of both communication protocols (the frame containing the sensing data and the frame containing the device information).

[0034] Furthermore, terminal 11 also has the function of operating in accordance with instructions from a management node, etc. Specifically, terminal 11 has an instruction interpretation unit 11g, and when it changes the BLE beacon signal or metadata information (information to be transmitted, radio wave strength, transmission frequency, etc.) transmitted by the terminal itself in accordance with instructions from the management node 13, it transmits that information to the outside. When transmitting information using the same protocol as communication with network device 12, it operates the communication protocol operation unit 11d1. When transmitting information using a different protocol than communication with network device 12, in addition to the communication protocol operation unit 11d1, it is equipped with a communication protocol operation unit 11d2, and operates the communication protocol operation unit 11d2.

[0035] This also includes cases where terminal 11 itself is a beacon signal source for other terminals to grasp metadata. For example, terminal 11 may be a beacon signal source for identifying location metadata, or it may be a beacon terminal carried by a worker to identify nearby people.

[0036] The network device 12 is, for example, a network switch, a wireless access point, or a wireless repeater. The network device 12 sends the frame group uploaded from the lower-level data collection network 15 directly to the management node 13. Here, the network device 12 may have a metadata processing unit (metadata detection unit 11e and metadata storage processing unit 11f) for metadata possessed by the terminal 11. Even if the network device 12 does not have a sensor device 11a, it can add unique information such as its own MAC address and metadata such as connection port to the frame sent from the terminal 11 and forward it to the management node 13, or it can add its own identifier and send it to the management node 13. If the network device 12 has a metadata processing unit, it becomes possible to understand the logical connections from the management node 13 to the terminal 11, and to create a more accurate logical / physical network management map. In other words, even if the network device 12 is a network switch (switching hub) or wireless repeater that does not have Layer 3 or higher functionality, this technology operates at Layer 2, making it possible to manage and understand the connections of network devices, including the network device 12.

[0037] Figure 3 illustrates the management node 13. The management node 13 comprises a protocol operation unit 13a, an information processing unit 13b, and an information storage unit 13c. The management node 13 extracts and stores information from frames received from the network device 12 and uses it for analysis. In particular, the management node 13 is characterized by its function of storing combinations of two or more collected pieces of information in the information storage unit 13c.

[0038] The protocol operation unit 13a receives frames containing sensing data and metadata from terminals 11 and network devices 12. The information processing unit 12b extracts sensing data, device information, and metadata from the received frames and organizes them in the information storage unit 13c based on information that identifies the individual terminal 11 (e.g., MAC address). (1) Physical information of the terminal (information such as the characteristics of the casing, image information, information on attached labels, the object the worker is pointing to, the object the worker is looking at, etc.) (2) Identifier of a terminal on the logical network (MAC address, UUID, etc.) (3) Main data (sensing data such as temperature, image, acceleration, sound, light, CO2, etc.) (4) Various metadata (data such as location, time, people, things, events, etc.) For example, the management node 13 refers to metadata about a location and stores primary data obtained from the same location or within a certain area in the format [location metadata, primary data]. [supplement] Let me add some information about location metadata. In some cases, like GPS information, the location metadata is directly determined at the time it is sensed by terminal 11. On the other hand, in some cases, such as signals from BLE beacons, visible light, or sound information, it is not determined whether the information is location information at the time it is sensed by terminal 11 and sent as metadata, and the management node 13 recognizes / understands the metadata as location metadata. [End of supplementary information]

[0039] Figure 4 illustrates a frame 41 transmitted from terminal 11 to management node 13. The network device 12 is omitted from Figure 4. Frame 41 is a Layer 2 communication frame, such as an Ethernet® frame or a Wi-Fi communication frame. Frame 41 consists of a logical identifier 41a of the communication device, such as a MAC address; a source and destination identifier 41b, such as an IP address; an area 41c where sensing data such as temperature and images are stored; and an extended area 41d where metadata is stored. Of these, the identifier 41b and area 41c constitute a Layer 3 communication packet.

[0040] The management node 13, for example, combines the MAC address of the logical identifier 41a with the location metadata of the extended area 41d to create [MAC address, location metadata], and combines the MAC address of the logical identifier 41a with the installer metadata of the extended area 41d to create [MAC address, installer metadata], and organizes this information in the information storage unit 13c.

[0041] Thus, the data collection system 301 can acquire network configuration information, device information, sensor data, and metadata of terminals and devices using a communication protocol that does not require high performance.

[0042] (Embodiment 2) Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the data acquisition system 302 of this embodiment. The data acquisition system 302 further includes a location detection server 13d in addition to the data acquisition system 301 described in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the location detection server 13d is described separately from the management node 13, but the management node 13 may have the location detection server 13d built into it.

[0043] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the location detection server 13d. The location detection server 13d comprises an information collection unit 13d1, a database 13d2, a location calculation unit 13d3, and a display application 13d4.

[0044] The information collection unit 13d1 accesses the information storage unit 13c of the management node 13 and obtains the necessary information. In this embodiment, we will describe the case where the necessary information is data related to the terminal 11 and its associated location. Specifically, the information collection unit 13d1 obtains information [MAC address, location metadata] from the information storage unit 13c and stores it in the database 13d2.

[0045] The position calculation unit 13d3 compares the past information and the latest information stored in the database 13d2 for each terminal 11, and identifies terminals 11 that have changed position if there is a difference between the past information and the latest information. In this embodiment, the information is the coordinates of the terminal 11.

[0046] Figure 7 illustrates an example of the display of the display application 13d4. The display application 13d4 moves terminal 11-1, whose position has changed on the floor map 70a on which terminal 11 is displayed, to the coordinates after the change.

[0047] Figure 7(A) shows the data collection system 302. Suppose the location of terminal 11-1 changes within the data collection system 302. For example, the location calculation unit 13d3 can find a MAC address from the information collected from the information storage unit 13c [MAC address, location metadata] where the location metadata value (e.g., spatial coordinates) is different from the previous value. The location calculation unit 13d3 can then determine that terminal 11-1 has moved from that MAC address.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7(B), the display application 13d4 displays the locations of terminals 11 and network devices 12 placed in the space on the floor map 70a. The display application 13d4 changes the display on the floor map 70a to the coordinates of the new location for terminal 11-1, which has been detected by the location calculation unit 13d3. By checking the floor map 70a, the worker can recognize that terminal 11-1 has moved.

[0049] Let's explain other display examples. Figure 8 illustrates an example of the display application 13d4. The display application 13d4 moves terminal 11-1, whose position has changed on the network map 70b displaying terminal 11, to the coordinates after the change.

[0050] Figure 8(A) shows the data collection system 302. Suppose the location of terminal 11-1 changes within the data collection system 302. For example, the location calculation unit 13d3 can find a MAC address from the information collected from the information storage unit 13c [MAC address, location metadata] where the location metadata value (e.g., spatial coordinates) is different from the previous value. The location calculation unit 13d3 can then determine that terminal 11-1 has moved from that MAC address.

[0051] As shown in Figure 8(B), the display application 13d4 displays the connection relationships between terminal 11 and network device 12 on the network map 70b. The network map 70b also displays information about the location (e.g., room number). The display application 13d4 changes the display on the network map 70b to the coordinates of the destination for terminal 11-1, which has been detected by the location calculation unit 13d3. For example, as shown in Figure 8(B), the display application 13d4 displays that terminal 11-1 has moved from room 2 to room 1, although there is no change in its connection to network device 12. By checking the network map 70b, the worker can recognize that terminal 11-1 has moved.

[0052] (Embodiment 3) In this embodiment, the data collection system 302 has an information collection unit 13d1 that accesses the information storage unit 13c of the management node 13 to acquire necessary information, which is the terminal 11 and the main data (sensing data) associated with it. Specifically, the information collection unit 13d1 acquires information [MAC address, sensing data] from the information storage unit 13c and stores it in the database 13d2.

[0053] The position calculation unit 13d3 arranges the sensing data stored in the database 13d2 in chronological order for each terminal 11, and identifies terminals 11 that show significant changes in the chronologically arranged sensing data as terminals whose position has changed.

[0054] Figure 9 illustrates an example of the display of the display application 13d4. The display application 13d4 displays the sensing data of the terminal 11-1 whose location has changed, arranged in chronological order on a graph 70c, distinguishing between the sensing data before and after the time when the location change occurred.

[0055] Figure 9(A) shows the data collection system 302. Each terminal 11 is distributed to various indoor and outdoor locations and periodically sends primary sensing data (hereinafter referred to as primary data), such as temperature, to the management server. Suppose the location of terminal 11-1 changes within the data collection system 302. For example, the location calculation unit 13d3 arranges the information [MAC address, sensing data] collected from the information storage unit 13c in chronological order for each terminal 11 (see Figures 9(B) and (C)). In such a case, suppose a significant fluctuation in sensing data is observed only for a specific terminal 11-1 at a certain time τ. As an example, the temperature, which had been stably sensing around 25°C, suddenly changes abruptly to around 30°C. Furthermore, suppose that the change is not gradual, but rather complex fluctuations occur in a short period of time, or discrete changes in values ​​lacking continuity are observed. With existing technologies, it was difficult to determine whether this was due to physical factors associated with movement, such as vibration or unusual airflow applied to the terminal's sensor parts, connectors, or casing, or whether some kind of anomaly truly occurred at the installation site. In the data collection system 302, terminal 11 collects environmental information other than the main data (received radio wave information from wireless communication, received BLE beacon information, acceleration sensor information, sound wave information, visible light information, etc.) as metadata in parallel with the main data, and periodically sends it to AP 12 and management server 13. Therefore, by comparing the time-series information of the main data and metadata of terminal 11, the location detection server 13d can determine that the unusual fluctuation in the main data 70c at time τ is not simply due to temperature changes at the site, but rather due to some kind of physical change applied to terminal 11. Furthermore, if metadata that can identify the current location is acquired, the location detection server 13d can even determine where terminal 11 has moved from and to. An example of a method for collecting metadata that can identify the current location is described in the appendix.

[0056] As shown in Figures 9(B) and (C), the display application 13d4 displays the sensing data from terminal 11 in chronological order on graph 70c. The display application 13d4 may also change the plot color and line type before and after the time τ in which the singularity P occurred. By checking graph 70c, the operator can recognize that terminal 11-1 has moved.

[0057] The data collection system 302 can collect metadata without increasing the load on low-resource terminals. Therefore, by comparing the time-series information of the main data and metadata, the data collection system 302 can make the following decisions. (Case 1) By combining the information that "there is a singularity in the main data" at a certain time and "it is estimated that the installation location has changed based on metadata," it is possible to more reliably estimate that the terminal's location has moved. (Case 2) By combining the information that "no significant changes were observed in the main data" at a certain time and "it is estimated that the installation location has changed based on the metadata," it is possible to estimate that the terminal's location has moved. Without metadata, the administrator would not be aware that the terminal had moved because the main data would continue to be received normally. However, since the data collection system 302 compares the time-series information of the main data and metadata, it can avoid a situation where it has unknowingly collected main data from a location different from what was expected.

[0058] As described above, the data collection system according to the present invention can alert administrators when the location of a terminal changes without their knowledge, preventing the acquisition of incorrect sensing data and status monitoring. Furthermore, because the data collection system according to the present invention collects location metadata using the low-level communication protocol extension domain, it has the advantages of low load, low latency (real-time reflection), and the ability to detect location changes independently of IP communication.

[0059] [appendix] As explained in Figures 1 and 4, terminal 11 stores location metadata in the extended area 41d of frame 41 and sends it to the management server 13. Here, we will explain how terminal 11 obtains location metadata.

[0060] (1) BLE beacon As shown in Figures 7 to 9, multiple BLE beacons 17 are placed in space. Each terminal 11 receives a beacon signal from each BLE beacon 17, transcribes the beacon signal information directly into the extended area of ​​the low-level communication protocol, and broadcasts it. The access point 12 reads the extended area of ​​the low-level communication protocol broadcast from the terminal 11 and forwards the data to the management server 13 (and consequently the location detection server 13d). The location detection server 13d can obtain information on the reception strength of each BLE beacon signal received by each terminal 11 at a given time, and can therefore estimate the distance between each BLE beacon 17 and each terminal 11. If a terminal 11 receives three or more BLE beacon signals, it is possible to estimate its position on a plane using tripoint positioning. If a terminal 11 receives four or more BLE beacon signals, it is also possible to estimate its position in space. The management server 13 records the location information of each terminal 11 at each time calculated by the location detection server 13d as location metadata. The distance d between terminal 11 and BLE beacon 17 is calculated from the received signal strength Y of terminal 11 and the transmitted signal strength X of BLE beacon 17. The received signal strength Y is, for example, the RSSI value (Received Signal Strength Indicator), which the sensor generates as a numerical value when it receives a signal. The formula for calculating distance d is as follows: d=10 ((X-Y) / N×10) Here, N is a coefficient that changes depending on the environment of the space where the beacon is placed. In an ideal space without obstacles, N=2.0, In a space where radio waves propagate while reflecting, N < 2.0, In a space where the signal is absorbed and attenuated by obstacles as it propagates, N > 2.0, Set it like this. <Specific measurement methods> The BLE beacon 17 is made to emit a sweeping beacon signal, changing the transmission strength from a weak state to a strong state, and RSSI is mutually collected between the communication terminal and nearby communication terminals. Performing such sweeping emission increases the amount of reference information, making it easier to estimate the distance d and coefficient N.

[0061] To measure the distance between a beacon and a sensor using beacon signals, it is preferable to have a signal strength reference value. While distance measurement is possible using only the RSSI, the accuracy of the measurement depends on whether the RSSI is greater than or less than the reference value. By comparing these two values, it is possible to determine that the distance is within 1 meter if the RSSI is greater than the reference value, and further otherwise. The signal strength reference value is the RSSI value when received at a distance of 1 meter from the transmitting device. It is attached to the end of the beacon information when the beacon is transmitted. This value exists only in the iBeacon® and AltBeacon formats.

[0062] (2)GPS(Global Positioning System) Each device is equipped with GPS, and location metadata is generated from the measurement results.

[0063] (3) Radio waves, light, sound waves Without using BLE beacons, terminals 11 transmit radio waves, light, and sound waves to each other to determine their relative positions. The intensity of the radio waves, light, and sound waves transmitted by terminal 11 and the intensity of the radio waves, light, and sound waves received by other terminals 11 are obtained, and the relative positions of the terminals are determined using the method described in "(1) BLE beacons". (4) Vibration, acceleration Terminal 11 has an accelerometer and estimates its current position from the accumulation of vibrations and acceleration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 11: Terminal 11a: Sensor device 11b: Sensing data storage unit 11c: Equipment information storage unit 11d1, 11d2: Protocol operation unit 11e, 11e1, 11e2, 11e3, ...: Metadata detection unit 11f: Metadata storage processing unit 11g: Instruction Interpretation Section 12: Network devices 12-1, 12-2: Access Point 13: Management Node 13a: Communication protocol operation unit 13b: Information Processing Section 13c: Information storage section 13d: Location detection server 13d1: Information Gathering Department 13d2: Database 13d3: Position calculation unit 13d4: Display app 15: Data Collection Network 16: Metadata source 41: Frame 41a: Logical identifier 41b: Source / Destination Identifier 41c: Main data area 41d: Extended area 301-302: Data collection system

Claims

1. A location detection server comprising a data collection system in which a terminal that performs sensing on an object to be observed and generates sensing data transmits the sensing data and information to a management node at any time, and the management node stores the sensing data and information for each terminal, The system includes a location calculation unit that compares the past information and the latest information stored in the management node for each terminal, and identifies terminals where there is a difference between the past information and the latest information as terminals whose location has changed. The aforementioned information is the coordinates of the terminal, The position calculation unit has a display application, and moves the terminal whose position has changed to the changed coordinates on the floor map displayed on the display application. A location detection server characterized by the following features.

2. A location detection server comprising a data collection system in which a terminal that performs sensing on an object to be observed and generates sensing data transmits the sensing data and information to a management node at any time, and the management node stores the sensing data and information for each terminal, The system includes a location calculation unit that compares the past information and the latest information stored in the management node for each terminal, and identifies terminals where there is a difference between the past information and the latest information as terminals whose location has changed. The aforementioned information is the coordinates of the terminal, The position calculation unit has a display application, and moves the terminal whose position has changed to the new coordinates on the network map displayed in the display application. A location detection server characterized by the following features.

3. A location detection server comprising a data collection system in which a terminal transmits information to a management node at any time, and the management node stores the information for each terminal, The system includes a location calculation unit that compares the past information and the latest information stored in the management node for each terminal, and identifies terminals where there is a difference between the past information and the latest information as terminals whose location has changed. The aforementioned information is sensing data acquired by the terminal, The position calculation unit displays the sensing data of the terminal whose position has changed, arranged in chronological order on a graph, distinguishing between the sensing data before and after the time the position change occurred. A location detection server characterized by the following features.

4. A data collection system that performs sensing on an object to be observed, generates sensing data, transmits the sensing data and information to a management node at any time, and stores the sensing data and information for each terminal, is used to determine the position changes of multiple terminals, the method being used to determine the position changes of multiple terminals, The location detection server of the data collection system, The process involves comparing the historical information and the latest information stored in the management node for each terminal. A terminal in which there is a discrepancy between the past information and the latest information is considered a terminal whose location has changed, and The aforementioned information is the coordinates of the terminal, The application displays the terminal on a floor map, and moves the terminal whose position has changed to the coordinates after the change. A method for determining positional changes characterized by the following.

5. A data collection system that performs sensing on an object to be observed, generates sensing data, transmits the sensing data and information to a management node at any time, and stores the sensing data and information for each terminal, is used to determine the position changes of multiple terminals, the method being used to determine the position changes of multiple terminals, The location detection server of the data collection system, The process involves comparing the historical information and the latest information stored in the management node for each terminal. A terminal in which there is a discrepancy between the past information and the latest information is considered a terminal whose location has changed, and The aforementioned information is the coordinates of the terminal, The application displays the terminal on a network map and moves the terminal whose position has changed to the coordinates after the change. A method for determining positional changes characterized by the following.

6. A method for determining the position changes of multiple terminals, To compare past information with the latest information for each of the aforementioned terminals, A terminal in which there is a discrepancy between the past information and the latest information is considered a terminal whose location has changed, and The aforementioned information is sensing data acquired by the terminal, On a graph that arranges the sensing data of the terminal whose position has changed in chronological order, the sensing data is displayed separately for the time before and after the time when the position change occurred. A method for determining positional changes characterized by the following.

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