Server device, data acquisition system, data acquisition method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technology that has improved user convenience.SOLUTION: A data collection system includes a first data acquisition unit that acquires first data on the basis of a first communication standard, a second data acquisition unit that acquires second data on the basis of a second communication standard and provides the second data to the first data acquisition unit on the basis of the first communication standard, and a storage control unit that performs control so as to store the first data acquired on the basis of the first communication standard and the second data given on the basis of the first communication standard.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, technologies for acquiring data related to an object by sensors are known. For example, there is known an elevator vibration monitoring device that detects and analyzes the vibration acceleration of an elevator car and determines that the riding comfort has deteriorated when the increase amount of the vibration acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, it is desired to provide a technology capable of further improving the convenience for users.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, A server device that is connected to the first device and the second device so as to be able to communicate via a wide-area wireless network, a first data acquisition unit that acquires first data based on a first communication standard, By communicating with the first device a second data acquisition unit that acquires second data and provides the second data to the first data acquisition unit based on the first communication standard, From the first device via the wide-area wireless network and a storage control unit that controls so that the acquired first data and the provided second data are stored based on the first communication standard. By communicating with the second device From the second device via the wide-area wireless network From the second device via the wide-area wireless network By communicating with the first data acquisition unit By communicating with the first data acquisition unit By communicating with the first device By communicating with the first device Through communication with the first data acquisition unit, the first data acquisition unit will receive Through communication with the first data acquisition unit, the first data acquisition unit will receive Server equipment ​It will be provided.

[0006] A data collection system comprising the aforementioned server device, The data collection system may include an analysis unit that performs analysis based on the first data and obtains analysis results by performing analysis based on the second data.

[0007] The data collection system may include a provisioning unit that provides the analysis results to a terminal.

[0008] The first device is a first sensor device, and the second device is a second sensor device. The first data mentioned above is: The aforementioned The second data includes sensing data measured by the first sensor device and the sensing date and time, and the second data includes, The aforementioned The system may include sensing data and sensing date and time measured by a second sensor device.

[0009] The memory control unit determines whether the first data includes the sensing date and time, and if the first data does not include the sensing date and time, Time information is obtained from the timing circuit. The first data mentioned above The aforementioned Time information may be included.

[0010] The aforementioned Server equipment The system may include a computing device that forms a second data acquisition unit corresponding to the second communication standard selected by the user, based on an input from the user to select the second communication standard from among multiple communication standards.

[0011] The first communication standard may be a publish / subscribe type communication protocol, and the second communication standard may be a client / server type communication protocol.

[0012] The first communication standard may be the MQTT protocol, and the second communication standard may be the TCP protocol.

[0013] The analysis unit may obtain an analysis result by performing machine learning-based analysis based on the first data and performing machine learning-based analysis based on the second data.

[0014] Also, according to another aspect of the present invention, A data acquisition method using a server device that is communicated with the first device and the second device via a wide-area wireless network, Based on the first communication standard By communicating with the first device Obtain the first data From the first device via the wide-area wireless network And obtain the second data based on the second communication standard By communicating with the second device Provide the second data to the first data acquisition unit based on the first communication standard From the second device via the wide-area wireless network And control so that the acquired first data and the provided second data are stored based on the first communication standard. A data collection method is provided. By communicating with the first data acquisition unit Provide the second data to the first data acquisition unit that acquires the first data The aforementioned Based on the first communication standard By communicating with the first device Based on the acquired first data and the first communication standard Through communication with the first data acquisition unit, the first data acquisition unit will receive And control so that the provided second data is stored. A data collection method is provided.

[0015] Also, according to another aspect of the present invention, a computer A server device that is connected to the first device and the second device so as to be able to communicate via a wide-area wireless network, Based on the first communication standard By communicating with the first device Obtain the first data From the first device via the wide-area wireless network A first data acquisition unit that acquires, and based on the second communication standard By communicating with the second device Obtain the second data From the second device via the wide-area wireless network And a second data acquisition unit that provides the second data to the first data acquisition unit based on the first communication standard By communicating with the first data acquisition unit Based on the acquired first data and the first communication standard By communicating with the first device And a storage control unit that controls so that the provided second data is stored. Through communication with the first data acquisition unit, the first data acquisition unit will receive A program is provided that causes the computer to function as such. Server equipment A program is provided that causes the computer to function as such.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to further improve the convenience for users.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of a data collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a sensor device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a gateway device. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of the functional configuration of a communication server. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of an information storage server. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the analysis server. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of an information provision server. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the device's functional configuration. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of how a data acquisition system transfers data obtained by a first sensor device. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of how a data acquisition system transfers data obtained by a second sensor device. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of configuration information. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates the detailed functions of the second data acquisition unit. [Figure 13] This diagram illustrates the detailed functions of the first data acquisition unit and storage control unit. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of setting information related to a modified form of the second data acquisition unit. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of displaying information indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit by the terminal can support. [Figure 16] This figure shows an example of data registered in the database. [Figure 17] This figure shows an example of how the analysis results for river water levels, conducted by the analysis department, are displayed. [Figure 18]This figure shows an example of how the analysis results for the inclination angle of a bridge, performed by the analysis department, are displayed. [Figure 19] This figure shows an example of how the analysis results for bridge acceleration, performed by the analysis department, are displayed. [Figure 20] This figure shows the hardware configuration of an information processing device as an example of a communication server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0019] Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different numbers after the same reference numeral. However, if there is no need to particularly distinguish each of multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numeral will be used. Also, similar components of different embodiments may be distinguished by adding different letters after the same reference numeral. However, if there is no need to particularly distinguish each of similar components of different embodiments, only the same reference numeral will be used.

[0020] [0. Overview] First, an overview of the embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0021] Regarding roads, bridges, tunnels, rivers, sewers, ports, etc., that were developed during the period of rapid economic growth, the proportion of facilities that will be over 50 years old in the next 20 years will increase at an accelerating rate. Therefore, there is a need to strategically maintain, manage, and renew aging infrastructure. This can be understood from the content of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's website, "Infrastructure Maintenance Information Portal Site for Countermeasures against Aging Social Capital" (https: / / www.mlit.go.jp / sogoseisaku / maintenance / 02research / 02_01.html).

[0022] Therefore, one of the objectives of the embodiments of the present invention is to collect information in order to understand and predict the progression of deterioration of structures and facilities and the state of disasters. Another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to analyze the collected information. Here, structures and facilities refer to infrastructure structures and facilities that are social capital of industrial infrastructure such as roads, railways, water and sewage systems, ports, dams, communications, and energy. Furthermore, structures and facilities refer to infrastructure structures and facilities that are social capital related to daily life such as schools, hospitals, parks, and social welfare facilities.

[0023] In this case, a data collection method that targets specific equipment would make it difficult to grasp or predict the progression of deterioration and disaster conditions of a wide range of structures and equipment, thus hindering user convenience. Therefore, this specification proposes improving user convenience by making it easier to grasp and predict the progression of deterioration and disaster conditions of a wide range of structures and equipment.

[0024] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above.

[0025] [1. Details of the Embodiment] Next, we will describe the details of embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] [1-1. System Configuration] First, an example of the configuration of a data collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the data collection system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which multiple communication devices are interconnected via multiple networks. Specifically, the data collection system 1 includes a first sensor device 10A, a first gateway device 30A, a second sensor device 10B, a second gateway device 30B, a base station 34, a communication server 40, an information storage server 50, an analysis server 60, an information provision server 70, and a terminal 80.

[0028] In the following explanation, "the first sensor device 10A" and "the second sensor device 10B" may be referred to simply as "sensor device 10" without distinction. Similarly, "the first narrow-area wireless network 12A" and "the second narrow-area wireless network 12B" may be referred to simply as "narrow-area wireless network 12" without distinction. Furthermore, "the first sensor device 10A" and "the second sensor device 10B" may be referred to simply as "sensor device 10" without distinction. Additionally, "the first gateway device 30A" and "the second gateway device 30B" may be referred to simply as "gateway device 30" without distinction.

[0029] Of the data acquisition system 1, the first sensor device 10A, the second sensor device 10B, the first gateway device 30A, and the second gateway device 30B are installed, for example, on riverbanks or bridge piers in mountainous areas, and in their vicinity. One or more of these devices may have a solar power generation panel and operate using the electricity generated by this solar power generation panel. On the other hand, the communication server 40, information storage server 50, analysis server 60, and information provision server 70 are installed, for example, in a designated building (not shown) and are constantly in operation by commercial power supply.

[0030] The first sensor device 10A and the first gateway device 30A are each wirelessly connected to the first narrow-range wireless network 12A. The first narrow-range wireless network 12A is a wireless communication network using the 920 MHz band, compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.15.4, which was established by the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

[0031] The first sensor device 10A may be wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the first gateway device 30A. Furthermore, communication between the first sensor device 10A and the first gateway device 30A may be relayed by a relay device (not shown). In this case, in the first narrow-area wireless network 12A, various data may be transmitted and received between each node (the first sensor device 10A, a relay device (not shown), and the first gateway device 30A) using a multi-hop method.

[0032] Similarly, the second sensor device 10B and the second gateway device 30B are wirelessly connected to the second narrow-range wireless network 12B, respectively. The second narrow-range wireless network 12B is a wireless communication network using the 920 MHz band, compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.15.4, established by the IEEE.

[0033] The second sensor device 10B may be wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the second gateway device 30B. Furthermore, communication between the second sensor device 10B and the second gateway device 30B may be relayed by a relay device (not shown). In this case, various data may be transmitted and received between each node (the second sensor device 10B, the relay device (not shown), and the second gateway device 30B) in the second narrow-area wireless network 12B using a multi-hop method.

[0034] Furthermore, radio waves in the 920 MHz band have lower directivity and better reach compared to higher frequency bands, and also have a larger transmission capacity per bandwidth compared to lower frequency bands, resulting in higher transmission speeds. Therefore, the narrow-area wireless network 12 enables stable communication connections between wireless devices and allows for high-speed transmission and reception of data. Note that the narrow-area wireless network 12 is not limited to the 920 MHz band; it can also use various other frequency bands specified by laws and ministerial ordinances, such as the 2.4 GHz band or the 429 MHz band.

[0035] The gateway device 30 is connected to the wide-area wireless network 32. The wide-area wireless network 32 is a wireless network configured using wireless communication technologies such as those defined in IEEE 802.16-2004, IEEE 802.16e, and IEEE 802.11, which were established by the IEEE, and wireless communication technologies such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), which was established by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project). Compared to the narrow-area wireless network 12, the wide-area wireless network 32 forms a wireless network deployed over a significantly wider area.

[0036] The wide-area wireless network 32 is connected to various wireless devices (not shown), and a higher-level network 36 is connected via a base station 34. The higher-level network 36 is composed of a wired LAN compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.3 (IEEE 802.3u / ab / an / ae). In addition to the base station 34, the higher-level network 36 is also connected to a communication server 40, and is further connected to other networks such as the Internet (not shown).

[0037] Therefore, the gateway device 30 can send and receive various types of data with the communication server 40 via the wide-area wireless network 32, the base station 34, and the upper-level network 36.

[0038] The data collection system 1 uses a sensor device 10 to detect, for example, river water levels or bridge pier vibrations and generates data. Subsequently, the sensor device 10 transmits the generated data into the narrow-area wireless network 12, and the gateway device 30 receives the data. The gateway device 30 relays this data to the wide-area wireless network 32, and has the communication server 40 receive it via the base station 34 and the upper-level network 36. The communication server 40 performs predetermined conversion processing on this data and then transmits it to the information storage server 50 for storage.

[0039] In this way, the data collection system 1 is configured to transmit data generated by the sensor device 10 through each network as appropriate, relay the data between networks via the gateway device 30, and store it in the information storage server 50. Furthermore, the data stored in the information storage server 50 is transmitted to the analysis server 60, where the analysis server 60 analyzes the data and obtains analysis results, and the information provision server 70 provides the analysis results to the terminal 80.

[0040] [1-1-1. Sensor device configuration] Next, the configuration of the sensor device 10 will be described. As shown in the block diagram in Figure 2, the sensor device 10 is configured as an information processing device centered around a control unit 120. The sensor unit 110, the storage unit 130, and the wireless communication unit 140 are connected to this control unit 120, respectively.

[0041] The control unit 120 is a processing unit that controls various operations of the sensor device 10. For example, the control unit 120 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and a timing circuit (not shown). The control unit 120 uses the RAM as a work area and executes programs read from the ROM and storage unit 130, etc., using the CPU to realize various functions and perform various processes. The control unit 120 can also recognize the current date and time and measure the elapsed time from a predetermined point in time using a timing circuit (not shown).

[0042] The memory unit 130 has a non-volatile storage medium such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a hard disk drive. This memory unit 130 stores various programs, setting information, or data generated by the sensor unit 110.

[0043] The wireless communication unit 140 is the part that performs wireless communication in accordance with standards such as IEEE 802.15.4, and has signal processing circuits and antennas (not shown). This wireless communication unit 140 can establish wireless connections with other wireless devices that constitute the narrow-area wireless network 12 (Figure 1), namely relay devices and gateway devices 30 (not shown), and can send and receive various data. The wireless communication unit 140 is also configured to perform intermittent operation, for example, every 2 seconds.

[0044] In the configuration in which the sensor device 10 is wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the gateway device 30, the wireless communication unit 140 is the part that performs wireless communication compliant with standards such as IEEE802.16-2004, IEEE802.16e, and IEEE802.11, or wireless communication compliant with wireless communication defined by LTE, etc., established by 3GPP, and has signal processing circuits, antennas, etc. (not shown).

[0045] Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 140 may have a narrow-area wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication related to the narrow-area wireless network 12 and a wide-area wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication related to the wide-area wireless network 32, and may identify the wireless communication unit that has a high probability of stable wireless connection and use it for wireless communication.

[0046] In this case, the wireless communication unit 140 may refer to the received signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio in the narrow-range wireless communication unit and the wide-range wireless communication unit, and identify the one with the larger value as the wireless communication unit with a higher probability of wireless connection.

[0047] The sensor unit 110 is the part that performs sensing. In this embodiment, the term "sensing" is used to describe the detection of estimated quantities (or detection of increase, decrease, or occurrence) of various physical quantities such as vibration, temperature, humidity, water level, rainfall, tilt, and weight, as well as the detection of the occurrence (or detection of increase, decrease, or estimated quantities) of smoke, chemical substances, radiation, electric current, voltage, and static electricity. In this embodiment, in addition to the detection described above, the term "sensing" is also used to describe the process of converting the detected content into an analog electrical signal, or the process of converting the electrical signal into digital data. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the detection described above, the term "sensing" is also used to describe the measurement or determination of the detected content.

[0048] Specifically, the sensor unit 110 is configured as, for example, an ultrasonic sensor, and includes a generating circuit for generating ultrasonic waves and an acquiring circuit for acquiring the ultrasonic waves (neither of which are shown). This sensor unit 110 generates ultrasonic waves and radiates them in a predetermined direction, acquires the ultrasonic waves that have returned due to reflection, converts these into electrical signals, and generates data by performing predetermined signal processing and conversion processing, and sends this data to the control unit 120.

[0049] In response, the control unit 120 can, for example, associate date and time information obtained from a timing circuit (not shown) with the data and store it in the storage unit 130, or transmit it from the wireless communication unit 140 to the narrow-area wireless network 12.

[0050] Incidentally, the sensor unit 110 is not limited to an ultrasonic sensor, but may be various sensors such as a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, vibration sensor, tilt sensor, pressure sensor, human presence sensor, illuminance sensor, biosensor, radiation sensor, soil sensor, or image sensor. Furthermore, the sensor unit 110 may be various sensors such as a position sensor using artificial satellites such as GPS (Global Positioning System) / GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), an odor sensor, a count sensor for counting vehicles or people, a smoke sensor, a chemical substance sensor, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, or an electrostatic sensor. Moreover, the sensor unit 110 is not limited to a single number or single type of sensor, but may also consist of multiple numbers or multiple types of sensors.

[0051] Furthermore, the control unit 120 reduces power consumption by controlling each part of the sensor device 10 to operate intermittently. Specifically, the control unit 120 controls the sensing operation by the sensor unit 110 to occur at a rate of once every 5 to 10 minutes. The control unit 120 also controls the communication operation by the wireless communication unit 140 to occur at a rate of once every 2 seconds.

[0052] [1-1-2. Gateway Device Configuration] Next, the configuration of the gateway device 30 will be described. The gateway device 30, acting as a relay device, is configured as an information processing device centered around a control unit 320, as shown in the block diagram in Figure 3. A storage unit 330, a first wireless communication unit 341, and a second wireless communication unit 342 are connected to this control unit 320.

[0053] The control unit 320, like the control unit 120 of the sensor device 10 (Figure 2), includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and a timing circuit (not shown). The control unit 320 uses RAM as a work area and executes programs read from ROM and storage unit 330, etc., using the CPU to realize various functions and perform various processes. Also, like the control unit 120, the control unit 320 can recognize the current date and time and measure the elapsed time from a predetermined point in time using a timing circuit (not shown).

[0054] The memory unit 330, like the memory unit 130 of the sensor device 10 (Figure 2), has a non-volatile storage medium such as an EEPROM, SSD, or hard disk drive. This memory unit 330 stores various programs, setting information, or data received by the first wireless communication unit 341.

[0055] The first wireless communication unit 341, like the wireless communication unit 140 of the sensor device 10 (Figure 2), is a part that performs wireless communication in accordance with standards such as IEEE 802.15.4, and has signal processing circuits and antennas (not shown). This first wireless communication unit 341 can establish wireless connections with other wireless devices that constitute the narrow-area wireless network 12 (Figure 1), namely the sensor device 10 and relay devices (not shown), and can send and receive various data.

[0056] The second wireless communication unit 342 is the part that performs wireless communication compliant with wireless communication technologies defined by, for example, IEEE 802.16-2004, IEEE 802.16e, IEEE 802.11, etc., established by the IEEE, or standards such as LTE for third-generation and fourth-generation mobile communication systems, and has signal processing circuits and antennas, etc., which are not shown. This second wireless communication unit 342 is connected to the base station 34 via the wide-area wireless network 32 (Figure 1), and further establishes a communication connection with the communication server 40 via the higher-level network 36, enabling it to send and receive various data.

[0057] Incidentally, a wireless network using wireless communication technology defined by IEEE 802.16-2004, IEEE 802.16e, IEEE 802.11, or LTE, such as the wide-area wireless network 32, may become a telecommunications network (public network) when telecommunications services (communication services) are provided. When this wide-area wireless network 32 is a telecommunications network (public network), the gateway device 30 can communicate with various other devices (not shown) connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 and the higher-level network 36 by performing wireless communication via the wide-area wireless network 32.

[0058] [1-1-3. Communication Server Configuration] Next, the configuration of the communication server 40 (Figure 1) will be described. As shown in the block diagram in Figure 4, the communication server 40 is configured as an information processing device centered around a control unit 420. A storage unit 430 and a communication unit 440 are connected to this control unit 420, respectively.

[0059] The control unit 420, like the control unit 120 (Figure 2) of the sensor device 10, has a CPU (arithmetic unit), ROM and RAM, and timing circuitry, etc. (not shown). The control unit 420 uses RAM as a work area and executes programs read from ROM and storage unit 430, etc., using the CPU to perform various functions and processes. The control unit 420 also includes a first data acquisition unit 421, a second data acquisition unit 422, and a storage control unit 423.

[0060] The memory unit 430, like the memory unit 130 of the sensor device 10 (Figure 2), has a non-volatile storage medium such as an EEPROM, SSD, or hard disk drive. This memory unit 430 stores various programs, setting information 431, or data received by the communication unit 440. The communication unit 440 is a wired LAN interface compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.3, and can send and receive various data with the upper network 36 (Figure 1).

[0061] [1-1-4. Configuration of the Information Storage Server] Next, the configuration of the information storage server 50 (Figure 1) will be described. As shown in the block diagram in Figure 5, the information storage server 50 is configured as an information processing device centered around a control unit 520. A storage unit 530 and a communication unit 540 are connected to this control unit 520.

[0062] The control unit 520, like the control unit 420 of the communication server 40 (Figure 4), has a CPU, ROM, RAM, and timing circuitry (not shown). This control unit 520 uses RAM as a work area and executes programs read from ROM and storage unit 530, etc., using the CPU to perform various functions and processes.

[0063] The storage unit 530, like the storage unit 430 of the communication server 40 (Figure 4), has a non-volatile storage medium such as an EEPROM, SSD, or hard disk drive. This storage unit 530 stores various programs, databases 531, configuration information, or data received by the communication unit 540. The communication unit 540 is a wired LAN interface compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.3, and can send and receive various data with the upper network 36.

[0064] [1-1-5. Configuration of the analysis server] Next, the configuration of the analysis server 60 (Figure 1) will be described. As shown in the block diagram in Figure 6, the analysis server 60 is configured as an information processing device centered around a control unit 620. A storage unit 630 and a communication unit 640 are connected to this control unit 620.

[0065] The control unit 620, like the control unit 420 of the communication server 40 (Figure 4), has a CPU, ROM, RAM, and timing circuitry (not shown). This control unit 620 uses RAM as a work area and executes programs read from ROM and storage unit 630, etc., using the CPU to perform various functions and processes. The control unit 620 also includes an analysis unit 621.

[0066] The storage unit 630, like the storage unit 430 of the communication server 40 (Figure 4), has a non-volatile storage medium such as an EEPROM, SSD, or hard disk drive. This storage unit 630 stores various programs, configuration information, and data received by the communication unit 640. The communication unit 640 is a wired LAN interface compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.3, and can send and receive various data with the upper network 36.

[0067] [1-1-6. Configuration of the Information Provision Server] Next, the configuration of the information provision server 70 (Figure 1) will be described. As shown in the block diagram in Figure 7, the information provision server 70 is configured as an information processing device centered around a control unit 720. A storage unit 730 and a communication unit 740 are connected to this control unit 720.

[0068] The control unit 720, like the control unit 420 of the communication server 40 (Figure 4), has a CPU, ROM, RAM, and timing circuitry (not shown). This control unit 720 uses RAM as a work area and executes programs read from ROM and storage unit 730, etc., using the CPU to perform various functions and processes. The control unit 720 also includes a supply unit 721.

[0069] The storage unit 730, like the storage unit 430 of the communication server 40 (Figure 4), has a non-volatile storage medium such as an EEPROM, SSD, or hard disk drive. This storage unit 730 stores various programs, configuration information, and data received by the communication unit 740. The communication unit 740 is a wired LAN interface compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.3, and can send and receive various data with the upper network 36.

[0070] [1-1-7. Terminal Configuration] Next, the configuration of terminal 80 (Figure 1) will be described. As shown in the block diagram in Figure 8, terminal 80 is configured as an information processing device centered around a control unit 820. The control unit 820 is connected to an operation unit 810, a storage unit 830, a communication unit 840, and a display unit 850, respectively.

[0071] The control unit 820, like the control unit 420 of the communication server 40 (Figure 4), has a CPU, ROM, RAM, and timing circuitry (not shown). This control unit 820 uses RAM as a work area and executes programs read from ROM and storage unit 830, etc., using the CPU to realize various functions and perform various processes.

[0072] The storage unit 830, like the storage unit 430 of the communication server 40 (Figure 4), has a non-volatile storage medium such as an EEPROM, SSD, or hard disk drive. This storage unit 830 stores various programs, configuration information, and data received by the communication unit 840. The communication unit 840 is a wired LAN interface compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.3, and can send and receive various data with the upper network 36.

[0073] The display unit 850 has a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, and displays various information such as characters, graphics, or images based on the control of the control unit 820. The operation unit 810 consists of, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, or touch panel, and receives user input and notifies the control unit 820.

[0074] [1-2. Data Transfer in Data Acquisition Systems] Next, with reference to Figures 9 and 10, an example of data transfer in the data acquisition system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the operation in which the data acquisition system 1 transfers data obtained by the first sensor device 10A. On the other hand, Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation in which the data acquisition system 1 transfers data obtained by the second sensor device 10B.

[0075] The first communication standard is used for data transmission by the first gateway device 30A and the first sensor device 10A, but a second communication standard, different from the first, is used for data transmission by the second gateway device 30B and the second sensor device 10B. Here, we assume that the first communication standard is an example of a publish / subscribe type communication protocol (Publish / Subscribe publishing / subscribe messaging transport protocol), and the second communication standard is an example of a client / server type communication protocol.

[0076] More specifically, we will consider the case where the MQTT (Message Queue Telemetry Transport) protocol is used as an example of a publish / subscribe type communication protocol. We will also consider the case where the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) protocol is used as an example of a client / server type communication protocol. However, publish / subscribe type communication protocols are not limited to the MQTT protocol, and client / server type communication protocols are not limited to the TCP protocol.

[0077] [1-2-1. Transfer of data obtained by the first sensor device] First, an example of the operation in which the data acquisition system 1 transfers data obtained by the first sensor device 10A will be described.

[0078] As shown in Figure 9, the control unit 120 of the first sensor device 10A reads a predetermined uplink data transmission program from the storage unit 130 and executes it, thereby starting the uplink data transmission process and moving to the first step S121. In step S121, the control unit 120 generates data using the sensor unit 110 and transmits the data to the first gateway device 30A via the first narrow-area wireless network 12A. The control unit 120 then terminates this uplink data transmission process.

[0079] The control unit 320 of the first gateway device 30A starts the uplink data reception and transmission processing procedure by reading and executing a predetermined uplink data reception and transmission program from the storage unit 330 in advance. When the control unit 320 receives the data transmitted by the first sensor device 10A with the first wireless communication unit 341, in step S131 the control unit 320 stores the data in the storage unit 330 and moves to step S132. In step S132 the control unit 320 transmits the data to the wide-area wireless network 32 by performing wide-area wireless network connection processing.

[0080] Specifically, the control unit 320 executes a wide-area wireless network connection processing procedure as a subroutine, and in step S132, controls the second wireless communication unit 342 so that the data received from the first sensor device 10A is transmitted to the wide-area wireless network 32 (Figure 1) based on the MQTT protocol. The transmitted data reaches the base station 34 in the wide-area wireless network 32 and then reaches the communication server 40 via the upper-level network 36. The control unit 320 then terminates the uplink data reception and transmission processing procedure.

[0081] The control unit 420 of the communication server 40 starts the uplink data conversion relay processing procedure by reading and executing a predetermined uplink data conversion relay program from the storage unit 430 in advance. The first data acquisition unit 421 receives the data transmitted by the first gateway device 30A based on the MQTT protocol via the communication unit 440. In step S142, the storage control unit 423 controls the communication unit 440 so that the data received by the communication unit 440 is transmitted to the upper network 36 (Figure 1) based on the MQTT protocol. The control unit 420 then terminates the uplink data conversion relay processing procedure.

[0082] The control unit 520 of the information storage server 50 starts the uplink data reception and storage processing procedure by reading and executing a predetermined uplink data reception and storage program from the storage unit 530 in advance. When the control unit 520 receives data transmitted by the communication server 40 based on the MQTT protocol via the communication unit 540, it moves to step S151. In step S151, the control unit 520 stores the received data in the database 531 of the storage unit 530. The control unit 520 then terminates the uplink data reception and storage processing procedure.

[0083] In this way, the data acquisition system 1 can store the data generated by the first sensor device 10A (i.e., uplink data) in the information storage server 50 by sequentially receiving and transmitting it through each device.

[0084] [1-2-2. Transfer of data obtained by the second sensor device] Next, an example of the operation in which the data acquisition system 1 transfers data obtained by the second sensor device 10B will be described.

[0085] As shown in Figure 10, the control unit 120 of the second sensor device 10B reads a predetermined uplink data transmission program from the storage unit 130 and executes it, thereby starting the uplink data transmission process and moving to the first step S221. In step S221, the control unit 120 generates data using the sensor unit 110 and transmits the data to the second gateway device 30B via the second narrow-area wireless network 12B. The control unit 120 then terminates this uplink data transmission process.

[0086] The control unit 320 of the second gateway device 30B starts the uplink data reception and transmission processing procedure by reading and executing a predetermined uplink data reception and transmission program from the storage unit 330 in advance. When the control unit 320 receives the data transmitted by the second sensor device 10B with the first wireless communication unit 341, in step S131 the control unit 320 stores the data in the storage unit 330 and moves to step S232. In step S232 the control unit 320 transmits the data to the wide-area wireless network 32 by performing wide-area wireless network connection processing.

[0087] Specifically, the control unit 320 executes a wide-area wireless network connection processing procedure as a subroutine, and in step S232, controls the second wireless communication unit 342 so that the data received from the second sensor device 10B is transmitted to the wide-area wireless network 32 (Figure 1) based on the TCP protocol. The transmitted data reaches the base station 34 in the wide-area wireless network 32 and then reaches the communication server 40 via the upper-level network 36. The control unit 320 then terminates the uplink data reception and transmission processing procedure.

[0088] The control unit 420 of the communication server 40 starts the uplink data conversion relay processing procedure by reading a predetermined uplink data conversion relay program from the storage unit 430 and executing it. The second data acquisition unit 422 receives the data transmitted by the second gateway device 30B via the communication unit 440.

[0089] In step S241, the second data acquisition unit 422 generates MQTT protocol data by performing a predetermined conversion process on the received TCP protocol data, and then proceeds to the next step S242. In step S242, the storage control unit 423 controls the communication unit 440 so that the generated data is transmitted to the upper network 36 (Figure 1) based on the MQTT protocol. The control unit 420 terminates the uplink data conversion relay processing procedure.

[0090] The control unit 520 of the information storage server 50 starts the uplink data reception and storage processing procedure by reading and executing a predetermined uplink data reception and storage program from the storage unit 530 in advance. When the control unit 520 receives data transmitted by the communication server 40 based on the MQTT protocol via the communication unit 540, it moves to step S251. In step S251, the control unit 520 stores the received data in the database 531 of the storage unit 530. The control unit 520 then terminates the uplink data reception and storage processing procedure.

[0091] In this way, the data acquisition system 1 can store the data generated by the second sensor device 10B (i.e., uplink data) in the information storage server 50 by sequentially receiving and transmitting it through each device.

[0092] [1-3. Details of the Data Acquisition Unit and Memory Control Unit] Next, with reference to Figures 11 to 16, the detailed functions of the first data acquisition unit 421, the second data acquisition unit 422, and the memory control unit 423 will be explained.

[0093] The first data acquisition unit 421 functions as a server that exchanges data with the first gateway device 30A based on a predetermined communication standard (first communication standard). More specifically, the first data acquisition unit 421 functions as a server in a publish / subscribe model. Here, we assume that the first data acquisition unit 421 functions as a server (MQTT server) that exchanges data with the first gateway device 30A based on the MQTT protocol. The MQTT server can also be described as an MQTT broker.

[0094] In the configuration in which the sensor device 10 is wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the gateway device 30, the first data acquisition unit 421 functions as a server that exchanges data with the first sensor device 10A based on a predetermined communication standard (first communication standard).

[0095] The second data acquisition unit 422 functions as a server that exchanges data with the second gateway device 30B based on a communication standard (second communication standard) different from the communication standard (first communication standard) used by the first data acquisition unit 421. More specifically, the second data acquisition unit 422 functions as a server in a client / server model, unlike the server in a publish / subscribe model (first data acquisition unit 421).

[0096] Here, we assume that the second data acquisition unit 422 functions as a server (TCP server) that exchanges data with the second gateway device 30B based on the TCP protocol. Furthermore, the second data acquisition unit 422 also functions as a client (MQTT client) to the first data acquisition unit 421 (MQTT server). An MQTT client can also be described as an MQTT publisher.

[0097] In the configuration in which the sensor device 10 is wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the gateway device 30, the second data acquisition unit 422 functions as a server that exchanges data with the second sensor device 10B based on a communication standard (second communication standard) different from the communication standard (first communication standard) used by the first data acquisition unit 421.

[0098] [1-3-1. Example of configuration information] Figure 11 shows an example of configuration information 431. Referring to Figure 11, the configuration information 431 is configured by associating, from left to right, which data acquisition unit it relates to, information indicating the protocols that the data acquisition unit can support, a network address as a configuration value (e.g., an IP (Internet Protocol) address), and a port number as a configuration value (e.g., a communication port in a transport protocol).

[0099] [1-3-2. Functional Details of the Second Data Acquisition Unit] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the detailed functions of the second data acquisition unit 422. As shown in Figure 12, the second data acquisition unit 422 comprises a communication control unit 4221, a first data processing unit 4223, and a second data processing unit 4225.

[0100] (Communication Control Unit 4221) The communication control unit 4221 acquires data transmitted from the second sensor device 10B via the second narrow-area wireless network 12B, the second gateway device 30B, the wide-area wireless network 32, and the communication unit 440, based on the TCP protocol. In other words, the communication control unit 4221 acquires data transmitted from the second sensor device 10B based on the TCP protocol. Then, the communication control unit 4221 outputs the acquired data to the first data processing unit 4223.

[0101] In the configuration where the sensor device 10 is wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the gateway device 30, the communication control unit 4221 acquires the data transmitted from the second sensor device 10B via the wide-area wireless network 32 and the communication unit 440 based on the TCP protocol. In other words, the communication control unit 4221 acquires the data transmitted from the second sensor device 10B based on the TCP protocol based on the TCP protocol. The communication control unit 4221 then outputs the acquired data to the first data processing unit 4223.

[0102] More specifically, the communication control unit 4221 establishes a connection (a communication path between the data source and destination) at the transport layer (layer 4) of the OSI reference model. Here, we assume that the communication control unit 4221 supports the TCP protocol. In this case, the communication control unit 4221 establishes a TCP connection (a stateful connection). Then, the communication control unit 4221 acquires the data transmitted from the second sensor device 10B via the established TCP connection.

[0103] More specifically, the CPU in the communication server 40 loads and executes a program related to the second data acquisition unit 422. The execution of this program generates a socket related to the communication control unit 4221. Based on the second row of data from the top of the configuration information 431 (Figure 11), socket registration (Bind) is performed using "address 1, port number 2," and socket connection preparation (Listen) is controlled. In this way, the second data acquisition unit 422, which functions as a TCP server, is formed.

[0104] When the communication control unit 4221 establishes a connection (Connect) with the second gateway device 30B, it waits for data to be received from the second gateway device 30B. When data is sent (Send) by the second gateway device 30B, the communication control unit 4221 receives (Recv) the transmitted data and outputs the received data to the first data processing unit 4223. On the other hand, when the transmission of data from the second gateway device 30B is completed, the communication control unit 4221 shuts down the connection with the second gateway device 30B.

[0105] In the configuration where the sensor device 10 is wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the gateway device 30, the communication control unit 4221 waits for data to be received from the second sensor device 10B when a connection is established (Connect) from the second sensor device 10B. When data is sent (Send) by the second sensor device 10B, the communication control unit 4221 receives (Recv) the transmitted data and outputs the received data to the first data processing unit 4223. On the other hand, when the transmission of data from the second sensor device 10B is completed, the communication control unit 4221 disconnects (Shutdown) the connection with the second sensor device 10B.

[0106] The communication control unit 4221 may support protocols other than the TCP protocol. For example, the communication control unit 4221 may support the UDP (User Datagram Protocol) protocol. In such a case, the communication control unit 4221 establishes a UDP connection (a stateless connection). Then, the communication control unit 4221 acquires the data transmitted from the second sensor device 10B via the established UDP connection.

[0107] More specifically, the CPU in the communication server 40 loads and executes a program related to the second data acquisition unit 422. The execution of this program generates a socket related to the communication control unit 4221, and the socket is registered (bound) using "address 1, port number 2," followed by control for waiting for reception (Recvfrom). In this way, the second data acquisition unit 422 is formed.

[0108] When the second gateway device 30B sends data to the communication control unit 4221, which is in a state of waiting for reception (Recvfrom), the communication control unit 4221 receives the transmitted data and outputs the received data to the first data processing unit 4223.

[0109] In the configuration in which the sensor device 10 is wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the gateway device 30, when the second sensor device 10B sends data to the communication control unit 4221, which is in a waiting state for reception (Recvfrom), the communication control unit 4221 receives the transmitted data and outputs the received data to the first data processing unit 4223.

[0110] (First data processing unit 4223) The first data processing unit 4223 extracts data to be sent to the information storage server 50 from the data transmitted from the second sensor device 10B, which is acquired by the communication control unit 4221.

[0111] For example, data transmitted from the second sensor device 10B or the second gateway device 30B based on the TCP protocol (hereinafter also referred to as "TCP packets") contains various types of data. For example, these types of data include the sensing date and time (year, month, day, hour, second), which is the date and time when sensing was performed by the second sensor device 10B; sensing data, which is the data obtained by sensing by the second sensor device 10B; identification code; data type; version number; transmission number; observation station ID; transmission date and time (year, month, day, hour, second); management number; and activation type.

[0112] The first data processing unit 4223 extracts from the TCP packet the data that is to be sent to the information storage server 50 (the second data).

[0113] For example, it is assumed that the entire data set in the TCP packet is sent to the information storage server 50. In this case, the first data processing unit 4223 only needs to output the TCP packet to the second data processing unit 4225. Alternatively, it is assumed that among the various data contained in the TCP packet, the sensing date and time and sensing data are sent to the information storage server 50. In this case, the first data processing unit 4223 only needs to extract the sensing date and time and sensing data from the TCP packet.

[0114] For example, the first data processing unit 4223 may extract data (various data) transmitted from the second sensor device 10B from the TCP payload of the TCP packet, in the format of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), CSV (Comma-Separated Values), YAML (YAML Ain't a Markup Language), XML (Extensible Markup Language), HTML (HyperText Markup Language), SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language), etc. Here, in a TCP packet, the area other than the TCP header is the TCP payload (data transmitted by TCP, data related to protocols higher than TCP). Note that a TCP packet is sometimes called a TCP segment.

[0115] In a configuration in which the first data processing unit 4223 extracts data to be sent to the information storage server 50 from among the various data contained in the data transmitted from the second sensor device 10B and the second gateway device 30B based on the UDP protocol (hereinafter also referred to as "UDP packets"), the data transmitted from the second sensor device 10B (various data) written in formats such as JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, and SGML may be extracted from the UDP payload of the UDP packets. Here, in a UDP packet, the area other than the UDP header is the UDP payload (data transmitted by UDP, data related to protocols higher than UDP). Note that a UDP packet is sometimes referred to as a UDP segment.

[0116] Furthermore, the first data processing unit 4223 may convert (process) the data (various data) transmitted from the second sensor device 10B, which is extracted from the payload of TCP packets or UDP packets and written in formats such as JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, or SGML. For example, data (various data) written in any of the formats of JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, or SGML may be converted (processed) into data (various data) written in JSON format.

[0117] The data extracted from the payload by the first data processing unit 4223 may be data (various data) sensed by the second sensor device 10B and written in the second sensor device 10B in the format of JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, SGML, etc., or it may be data (various data) sensed by the second sensor device 10B and written in the second gateway device 30B in the format of JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, SGML, etc.

[0118] The first data processing unit 4223 outputs the extracted data to the second data processing unit 4225.

[0119] (Second data processing unit 4225) The second data processing unit 4225 generates data corresponding to the MQTT protocol used by the first data acquisition unit 421 (hereinafter also referred to as an "MQTT packet") based on the data extracted by the first data processing unit 4223. More specifically, the second data processing unit 4225 generates an MQTT packet by adding an MQTT packet header to the data extracted by the first data processing unit 4223.

[0120] The second data processing unit 4225 uses the generated MQTT packet as data to be transmitted and provides it to the first data acquisition unit 421 based on the MQTT protocol. More specifically, the second data processing unit 4225 connects to the first data acquisition unit 421 using "address 1, port number 1" based on the third row of data from the top of the configuration information 431 (Figure 11), and provides the data to be transmitted to the connected first data acquisition unit 421 as an MQTT client (MQTT publisher).

[0121] In this way, the second data acquisition unit 422 is located between the second gateway device 30B and the first data acquisition unit 421. The second data acquisition unit 422 then performs a communication standard conversion between the second gateway device 30B and the first data acquisition unit 421 and relays the communication.

[0122] In the configuration in which the sensor device 10 is wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the gateway device 30, the second data acquisition unit 422 is located between the second sensor device 10B and the first data acquisition unit 421. The second data acquisition unit 422 then performs a communication standard conversion between the second sensor device 10B and the first data acquisition unit 421 and relays the communication.

[0123] [1-3-3. Functional Details of the First Data Acquisition Unit] Next, the functional details of the first data acquisition unit 421 will be explained. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the detailed functions of the first data acquisition unit 421 and the storage control unit 423.

[0124] The first data acquisition unit 421 acquires data provided by the second data processing unit 4225 based on the MQTT protocol (i.e., data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422 based on the MQTT protocol) based on the MQTT protocol.

[0125] Furthermore, the first data acquisition unit 421 acquires the data obtained by the first sensor device 10A (first data), which is transmitted from the first gateway device 30A based on the MQTT protocol, via the first narrow-area wireless network 12A, the first gateway device 30A, the wide-area wireless network 32, and further via the communication unit 440, based on the MQTT protocol.

[0126] The first data acquisition unit 421 outputs the data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422 and the data acquired from the first gateway device 30A to the memory control unit 423.

[0127] In the configuration in which the sensor device 10 is wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the gateway device 30, the first data acquisition unit 421 acquires the data obtained by the first sensor device 10A (first data), which is transmitted based on the MQTT protocol, via the first narrow-area wireless network 12A, the first gateway device 30A, the wide-area wireless network 32, and further via the communication unit 440, based on the MQTT protocol.

[0128] The first data acquisition unit 421 outputs the data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422 and the data acquired from the first sensor device 10A to the memory control unit 423.

[0129] More specifically, the first data acquisition unit 421 establishes a connection. Then, using the established connection, the first data acquisition unit 421 acquires data transmitted from the first gateway device 30A and the first sensor device 10A.

[0130] More specifically, the CPU in the communication server 40 loads and executes a program related to the first data acquisition unit 421. The execution of this program generates a socket related to the first data acquisition unit 421, and based on the first row of data in the configuration information 431 (Figure 11), socket registration (Bind) is performed using "address 1, port number 1," followed by control of socket connection preparation (Listen). In this way, the first data acquisition unit 421, which functions as an MQTT server, is formed.

[0131] When the first data acquisition unit 421 is connected to the first gateway device 30A, it waits to receive data from the first gateway device 30A. When data is sent by the first gateway device 30A, the first data acquisition unit 421 receives the transmitted data and outputs the received data to the storage control unit 423. Then, when the transmission of data from the first gateway device 30A is finished, the first data acquisition unit 421 shuts down its connection with the first sensor device 10A.

[0132] Furthermore, when the first data acquisition unit 421 is connected to the second data acquisition unit 422 (second data processing unit 4225), it waits to receive data from the second data acquisition unit 422 (second data processing unit 4225). When data is sent by the second data acquisition unit 422 (second data processing unit 4225), the first data acquisition unit 421 receives the transmitted data and outputs the received data to the storage control unit 423. Then, when the transmission of data from the second data acquisition unit 422 (second data processing unit 4225) is completed, the first data acquisition unit 421 shuts down its connection with the second data acquisition unit 422 (second data processing unit 4225).

[0133] In the configuration in which the sensor device 10 is wirelessly connected to the wide-area wireless network 32 without going through the gateway device 30, the first data acquisition unit 421 waits for data to be received from the first sensor device 10A once a connection (Connect) is established with the first sensor device 10A. When data is transmitted (Send) by the first sensor device 10A, the first data acquisition unit 421 receives (Recv) the transmitted data and outputs the received data to the storage control unit 423. Then, when the transmission of data from the first sensor device 10A is completed, the first data acquisition unit 421 disconnects (Shutdown) the connection with the first sensor device 10A.

[0134] The first data acquisition unit 421 may, like the first data processing unit 4223, extract data to be sent to the information storage server 50 from the data transmitted from the first sensor device 10A.

[0135] For example, the data (MQTT packets) transmitted from the first sensor device 10A or the first gateway device 30A based on the MQTT protocol include various types of data. For example, these data include various information such as the sensing date and time (year, month, day, hour, second), the sensing data obtained by the sensing of the first sensor device 10A, an identification code, data type, version number, transmission number, observation station ID, transmission date and time (year, month, day, hour, second), management number, and activation type.

[0136] The first data acquisition unit 421 extracts from the MQTT packet the data to be sent to the information storage server 50 (the second data) from among these various types of data.

[0137] For example, it is assumed that the entire data set in the MQTT packet is sent to the information storage server 50. In this case, the first data acquisition unit 421 only needs to output the MQTT packet to the storage control unit 423. Alternatively, it is assumed that among the various data contained in the MQTT packet, the sensing date and time and sensing data are sent to the information storage server 50. In this case, the first data acquisition unit 421 only needs to extract the sensing date and time and sensing data from the MQTT packet.

[0138] For example, the first data acquisition unit 421 may extract data (various types of data) transmitted from the first gateway device 30A from the MQTT payload of the MQTT packet, in formats such as JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, or SGML. Here, in the MQTT packet, the area other than the MQTT header is the MQTT payload (data transmitted via MQTT).

[0139] Furthermore, the first data acquisition unit 421 may convert (process) the data (various data) transmitted from the first gateway device 30A, which is extracted from the MQTT packet payload and written in formats such as JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, and SGML. For example, data (various data) written in any of JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, or SGML may be converted (processed) into data (various data) written in JSON format.

[0140] The data extracted from the payload by the first data acquisition unit 421 may be data (various data) sensed by the first sensor device 10A and written in the format of JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, SGML, etc. by the first sensor device 10A, or it may be data (various data) sensed by the first sensor device 10A and written in the format of JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, SGML, etc. by the first gateway device 30A.

[0141] [1-3-4. Modified form of the second data acquisition unit] The above mainly described the case where the second data acquisition unit 422 supports the TCP protocol as an example of a second communication standard. However, the second data acquisition unit 422 may also support other protocols.

[0142] For example, other protocols may include client / server type communication protocols such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol), Telnet (Teletype network), SSH (Secure Shell), SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

[0143] The protocol that the second data acquisition unit 422 should support may be predetermined. Alternatively, the protocol that the second data acquisition unit 422 should support may be selectable by the user. The following describes a modified example in which the protocol that the second data acquisition unit 422 should support is selected by the user.

[0144] Figure 14 shows an example of configuration information related to a modified configuration of the second data acquisition unit. As shown in Figure 14, the configuration information 431Y related to the modified configuration is configured, similar to the configuration information 431 shown in Figure 11, with the following information associated from left to right: which data acquisition unit it relates to, information indicating the protocols that the data acquisition unit can support, a network address as a configuration value, and a boat number as a configuration value.

[0145] However, compared to configuration information 431 (Figure 11), configuration information 431Y includes additional information indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can support, specifically FTP, Telnet, SSH, SMTP, SNMP, and HTTP. The communication server 40 transmits this information, which indicates the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can support, as set in configuration information 431Y, to the information provision server 70.

[0146] The information provision server 70 transmits information to the terminal 80 indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can support. The terminal 80 then displays the information transmitted from the information provision server 70 indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can support.

[0147] As an example, the information provision server 70 controls the display of information indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can support to the web browser displayed on the terminal 80. Then, the terminal 80 displays information indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can support in the web browser according to this control.

[0148] Figure 15 shows an example of how terminal 80 displays information indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can support. As shown in Figure 15, in terminal 80, the display unit 850 displays a protocol list 851 indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can support. The protocol list 851 includes FTP, Telnet, SSH, SMTP, SNMP, and HTTP as information indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can support.

[0149] The user inputs an operation to the operation unit 810 to select a protocol from the protocol list 851 that the second data acquisition unit 422 will correspond to. Based on the operation input to the operation unit 810, the control unit 820 transmits information indicating the protocol selected by the user to the information provision server 70 via the communication unit 840. The information provision server 70 transmits information indicating the protocol selected by the user to the communication server 40.

[0150] In the communication server 40, the CPU forms a second data acquisition unit 422 corresponding to the protocol selected by the user and transmitted from the information provision server 70. This causes the second data acquisition unit 422 to function as a server corresponding to the protocol selected by the user. For example, if the user selects the protocol "FTP," the CPU in the communication server 40 forms a second data acquisition unit 422 corresponding to the protocol "FTP." This causes the second data acquisition unit 422 to function as a server corresponding to the protocol "FTP" selected by the user.

[0151] Here, the information indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can handle may be information related to various sensor devices (for example, the first sensor device 10A or the second sensor device 10B) (such as product name, model number, serial number, license number, etc.).

[0152] In this case, the communication server 40 stores a table that associates information related to various sensor devices (product name, model, serial number, license number, etc.) with information indicating the protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can support. For example, it may store a table that associates product name "AAA" with protocol "FTP", and model "BBB" with protocol "HTTP".

[0153] Then, the information provision server 70 controls the display of information related to various sensor devices to the terminal 80, the terminal 80 sends information related to various sensor devices selected by the user on the web browser to the information provision server 70, the information provision server 70 sends the information related to various sensor devices selected by the user to the communication server 40, and the communication server 40 refers to a table based on the selected information related to various sensor devices and identifies the corresponding protocol. Then, in the communication server 40, the CPU forms a second data acquisition unit 422 corresponding to the identified protocol.

[0154] Furthermore, the information provision server 70 may store a table that associates information related to various sensor devices (product name, model, serial number, license number, etc.) with information indicating protocols that the second data acquisition unit 422 can handle. In this case, the information provision server 70 refers to the table based on the information related to the selected sensor devices to identify the corresponding protocol and transmits it to the communication server 40. In the communication server 40, the CPU forms a second data acquisition unit 422 that corresponds to the identified and notified protocol.

[0155] [1-3-5. Functional Details of the Memory Control Unit] The memory control unit 423 controls the communication unit 440 so that the data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422, and the data acquired from the first gateway device 30A and the first sensor device 10A, are stored in the information storage server 50. More specifically, the memory control unit 423 transmits the data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422, and the data acquired from the first gateway device 30A and the first sensor device 10A, to the information storage server 50 via the communication unit 440.

[0156] For example, the memory control unit 423 may transmit data to the information storage server 50 based on a communication protocol such as MQTT or HTTP.

[0157] In the mode in which the memory control unit 423 transmits data to the information storage server 50 based on the MQTT protocol, the information storage server 50 functions as a server (MQTT server) that exchanges data with the communication server 40 (memory control unit 423) based on the MQTT protocol, and the memory control unit 423 functions as a client (MQTT client) to the information storage server 50.

[0158] In the mode in which the memory control unit 423 transmits data to the information storage server 50 based on the HTTP protocol, the information storage server 50 functions as a server (HTTP server) that exchanges data with the communication server 40 (memory control unit 423) based on the HTTP protocol, and the memory control unit 423 functions as a client (HTTP client) to the information storage server 50.

[0159] Furthermore, when the memory control unit 423 controls the information storage server 50 to store data, it may also control the information storage server 50 to store data that has been sorted (for example, in ascending or descending order) based on various data (for example, sensing date and time (year, month, day, hour, second) and transmission date and time (year, month, day, hour, second), etc.).

[0160] Thus, according to the data acquisition system 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, even if each of the multiple sensor devices uses a different communication protocol, it is possible to collect the data output by each of the multiple sensor devices. As a result, even if the structures and facilities that each of the multiple sensor devices senses are diverse, it becomes easier to grasp the progression of deterioration and disaster conditions of a wide range of structures and facilities, thereby improving user convenience.

[0161] The memory control unit 423 primarily assumes a scenario where it controls the communication unit 440 so that the data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422 and the data acquired from the first sensor device 10A are stored in the information storage server 50 without being edited.

[0162] However, the memory control unit 423 may edit the data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422 and then control the communication unit 440 so that the edited data is stored in the information storage server 50. Similarly, the memory control unit 423 may edit the data acquired from the first sensor device 10A and then control the communication unit 440 so that the edited data is stored in the information storage server 50.

[0163] For example, the data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422 may not include the sensing date and time. In such cases, the memory control unit 423 determines whether or not the data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422 includes the sensing date and time. If it determines that the data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422 does not include the sensing date and time, it may include time information obtained from the timing circuit of the communication server 40 or the like in the data provided by the second data acquisition unit 422.

[0164] Similarly, the data acquired from the first gateway device 30A and the first sensor device 10A may not include the sensing date and time. Therefore, the memory control unit 423 determines whether or not the data acquired from the first gateway device 30A and the first sensor device 10A includes the sensing date and time. If it determines that the data acquired from the first gateway device 30A and the first sensor device 10A does not include the sensing date and time, it may include time information acquired from the timing circuit of the communication server 40 or the like in the data acquired from the first gateway device 30A and the first sensor device 10A.

[0165] In this way, by supplementing time information in the communication server 40, time information is more reliably added to the sensing data. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the possibility that the sensing data will not be registered as time-series data in the database 531 of the information storage server 50. In other words, the sensing data will be more reliably registered as time-series data in the database 531 of the information storage server 50.

[0166] [1-4. Detailed Functions of the Information Storage Server] Next, the functional details of the information storage server 50 will be explained. In the information storage server 50, the communication unit 540 receives data transmitted from the communication server 40. The data transmitted from the communication server 40 includes data obtained by the first sensor device 10A and data obtained by the second sensor device 10B. The control unit 520 then registers the data received by the communication unit 540 in the database 531.

[0167] Figure 16 shows an example of data registered in database 531. Referring to Figure 16, an example of data registered in database 531 is shown. The data registered in database 531 includes data obtained by the first sensor device 10A and data obtained by the second sensor device 10B. This data is time-series data, and the time information associated with the sensing data is used as the primary key for registration in database 531.

[0168] [1-5. Detailed Functions of the Analysis Server] Next, the functional details of the analysis server 60 will be explained. In the analysis server 60, the analysis unit 621 acquires data registered in the database 531 in the information storage server 50 via the communication unit 640. At this time, the data may be pre-processed for analysis. For example, if the management number in the data is not necessary for analysis, the data with the management number attribute removed may be acquired via the communication unit 640, or the management number attribute in the data may be removed after acquiring the data via the communication unit 640. Then, the analysis unit 621 obtains the analysis result by performing an analysis based on the acquired data. The analysis unit 621 transmits the analysis result to the information provision server 70 via the communication unit 640. Various types of analysis can be envisioned by the analysis unit 621.

[0169] Here, as an example, we will assume a scenario where the water level of a river is measured by the sensor device 10, and the analysis unit 621 performs an analysis of that river water level. The analysis of the river water level performed by the analysis unit 621 will be explained with reference to Figure 17. Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the analysis results of the river water level performed by the analysis unit 621.

[0170] Referring to Figure 17, analysis result G11 is shown as an example of the analysis results. Analysis result G11 shows the change in the "measured value" of the water level measured by the sensor device 10 in a time series. The current measured value of the water level by the sensor device 10 is shown as "1.6m".

[0171] Furthermore, the analysis result G11 shows a predetermined threshold value called the "caution value." The analysis unit 621 determines whether the measured value exceeds the caution value, and if it determines that the measured value exceeds the caution value, it may also include caution information in the analysis result. In addition, the analysis unit 621 may use machine learning to determine whether the measured value is likely to exceed the caution value, and if it determines that the measured value is likely to exceed the caution value, it may also include caution information in the analysis result. For example, the analysis unit 621 may use deep learning, a type of machine learning technique, to take the measured value (water level) and rainfall as input and output a predicted measured value (predicted water level), and if the predicted measured value (predicted water level) exceeds the caution value, it may also include caution information in the analysis result. Note that, as a machine learning technique, it is not limited to deep learning; various techniques such as artificial neural networks, random forests, and gradient boosting trees may also be used.

[0172] Furthermore, the analysis result G11 shows a predetermined threshold value called the "danger value." The analysis unit 621 determines whether the measured value exceeds the danger value, and if it determines that the measured value exceeds the danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis result. In addition, the analysis unit 621 may use machine learning to determine whether the measured value is likely to exceed the danger value, and if it determines that the measured value is likely to exceed the danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis result. For example, the analysis unit 621 may use deep learning, a machine learning technique, to take the measured value (water level) and rainfall as input and output a predicted measured value (predicted water level), and if the predicted measured value (predicted water level) exceeds the danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis result.

[0173] Next, as another example, let's consider a case where the inclination angle of a bridge is measured by the sensor device 10, and the analysis unit 621 performs an analysis of that bridge inclination angle. Referring to Figure 18, we will explain the analysis of the bridge inclination angle performed by the analysis unit 621. Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the analysis results for the bridge inclination angle performed by the analysis unit 621.

[0174] Referring to Figure 18, analysis result G12 is shown as an example of the analysis results. Analysis result G12 shows the change in the "measured value" of the bridge's inclination angle in the bridge axis direction, as measured by the sensor device 10, over time. The current measured value of the bridge's inclination angle in the bridge axis direction, as measured by the sensor device 10, is shown as "0.03 degrees".

[0175] Furthermore, analysis result G12 shows an upper "cautionary value" and a lower "cautionary value," which are predetermined thresholds. The analysis unit 621 determines whether the measured value exceeds the upper cautionary value, and if it determines that the measured value exceeds the upper cautionary value, it may also include cautionary information in the analysis result. The analysis unit 621 also determines whether the measured value falls below the lower cautionary value, and if it determines that the measured value falls below the lower cautionary value, it may also include cautionary information in the analysis result. The analysis unit 621 also uses machine learning to determine whether the measured value is likely to exceed the cautionary value, and if it determines that the measured value is likely to exceed the cautionary value, it may also include cautionary information in the analysis result. For example, the analysis unit 621 uses deep learning, a machine learning technique, to take the measured value (angle of inclination) and the total weight of vehicles crossing the bridge as input and output a predicted measured value (predicted angle of inclination). If the predicted measured value (predicted angle of inclination) exceeds the cautionary value, it may also include cautionary information in the analysis result.

[0176] Furthermore, analysis result G12 shows an upper "dangerous value," which is a predetermined threshold. The analysis unit 621 determines whether the measured value exceeds the upper danger value, and if it determines that the measured value exceeds the upper danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis results. The analysis unit 621 also determines whether the measured value falls below the lower danger value, and if it determines that the measured value falls below the lower danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis results. The analysis unit 621 also uses machine learning to determine whether the measured value is likely to exceed the danger value, and if it determines that the measured value is likely to exceed the danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis results. For example, the analysis unit 621 uses deep learning, a machine learning technique, to take the measured value (angle of inclination) and the total weight of vehicles crossing the bridge as input and output a predicted measured value (predicted angle of inclination). If the predicted measured value (predicted angle of inclination) exceeds the danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis results.

[0177] Furthermore, referring to Figure 18, analysis result G13 is shown as an example of the analysis results. Analysis result G13 shows the change in the "measured value" of the inclination angle of the bridge perpendicular to the bridge axis, as measured by the sensor device 10, over time. The current measured value of the inclination angle of the bridge perpendicular to the bridge axis, as measured by the sensor device 10, is shown as "-0.02 degrees".

[0178] Furthermore, analysis result G13 shows predetermined thresholds, an upper "caution value" and a lower "caution value." The analysis unit 621 determines whether the measured value exceeds the upper caution value, and if it determines that the measured value exceeds the upper caution value, it may also include caution information in the analysis result. The analysis unit 621 also determines whether the measured value falls below the lower caution value, and if it determines that the measured value falls below the lower caution value, it may also include caution information in the analysis result. The analysis unit 621 also uses machine learning to determine whether the measured value is likely to exceed the caution value, and if it determines that the measured value is likely to exceed the caution value, it may also include caution information in the analysis result. For example, the analysis unit 621 uses deep learning, a machine learning technique, to take the measured value (angle of inclination) and the total weight of vehicles crossing the bridge as input and output a predicted measured value (predicted angle of inclination). If the predicted measured value (predicted angle of inclination) exceeds the caution value, it may also include caution information in the analysis result.

[0179] Furthermore, analysis result G13 shows an upper "dangerous value," which is a predetermined threshold. The analysis unit 621 determines whether the measured value exceeds the upper danger value, and if it determines that the measured value exceeds the upper danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis result. The analysis unit 621 also determines whether the measured value falls below the lower danger value, and if it determines that the measured value falls below the lower danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis result. The analysis unit 621 also uses machine learning to determine whether the measured value is likely to exceed the danger value, and if it determines that the measured value is likely to exceed the danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis result. For example, the analysis unit 621 uses deep learning, a machine learning technique, to take the measured value (angle of inclination) and the total weight of vehicles crossing the bridge as input and output a predicted measured value (predicted angle of inclination). If the predicted measured value (predicted angle of inclination) exceeds the danger value, it may also include information indicating danger in the analysis result.

[0180] Furthermore, as another example, consider a case where the acceleration of the bridge is measured by the sensor device 10, and the analysis unit 621 performs an analysis on that acceleration to estimate the tension of the bridge's diagonal members. The analysis of the bridge's acceleration performed by the analysis unit 621 will be explained with reference to Figure 19. Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the analysis results of the bridge's acceleration performed by the analysis unit 621.

[0181] Referring to Figure 19, analysis result G14 is shown as an example of the analysis results. Analysis result G14 shows the change in the "estimated tension value" calculated based on the vibration frequency, which is derived from the acceleration values ​​of the bridge measured by the sensor device 10, in a time series. Analysis result G14 also shows the "initial value" of the estimated tension value and the "moving average tension" calculated from the change in the estimated tension value.

[0182] Furthermore, analysis result G14 shows upper and lower thresholds obtained by multiplying the tension estimate by a predetermined multiplier. Here, the upper threshold is set to the initial value × (+5%), and the lower threshold is set to the initial value × (-5%).

[0183] The analysis unit 621 determines whether the tension estimate exceeds the upper threshold, and if it determines that the tension estimate exceeds the upper threshold, it may also include information indicating an anomaly in the analysis results. The analysis unit 621 also determines whether the tension estimate falls below the lower threshold, and if it determines that the tension estimate falls below the lower threshold, it may also include information indicating an anomaly in the analysis results. Furthermore, the analysis unit 621 uses machine learning to determine whether the tension estimate is likely to exceed the upper threshold, and if it determines that the tension estimate is likely to exceed the upper threshold, it may also include information indicating an anomaly in the analysis results. For example, the analysis unit 621 uses deep learning, a machine learning technique, to output a predicted tension estimate using the tension estimate and the change in the tension estimate as input, and if the predicted tension estimate exceeds the upper threshold, it may also include information indicating a warning in the analysis results. Furthermore, the analysis unit 621 may use machine learning to determine whether the tension estimate is likely to fall below a lower threshold, and if it determines that the tension estimate is likely to fall below a lower threshold, it may also include information indicating an anomaly in the analysis results. For example, the analysis unit 621 may use deep learning, a machine learning technique, to output a predicted tension estimate using the tension estimate and the change in the tension estimate as input, and if the predicted tension estimate falls below a lower threshold, it may also include information indicating a warning in the analysis results.

[0184] [1-6. Provision of analysis results by the information provision server] In the information provision server 70, when the communication unit 740 receives the analysis results, the provision unit 721 retrieves the analysis results from the communication unit 740. The provision unit 721 then provides the retrieved analysis results to the terminal 80 via the communication unit 740. In the terminal 80, the analysis results are received by the communication unit 840 and displayed by the display unit 850. This allows the user to visually confirm the analysis results.

[0185] Examples of analysis results may be displayed, such as analysis result G11 (Figure 17), analysis result G12 (Figure 18), analysis result G13 (Figure 18), and analysis result G14 (Figure 19). The analysis results may also include data obtained from database 531. In this case, the display unit 850 may display the data obtained from database 531 along with the analysis results.

[0186] In addition, if images (still images, videos, etc.) captured by the camera of the sensor device 10 are added to the analysis results, the images added to the analysis results may be displayed by the display unit 850. In this case, the image displayed by the display unit 850 may be the image captured by the camera of the sensor device 10 itself, or it may be an image that has been subjected to a predetermined process (for example, super-resolution processing) by the analysis unit 621 to the image captured by the camera of the sensor device 10. Here, as an example of the predetermined processing, super-resolution processing may be performed using, for example, SCRNN (Super-Resolution Convolutional Neural Network), which performs super-resolution processing using a convolutional neural network (CNN). Alternatively, SRResNet, which performs super-resolution processing using ResNet (Residual Network), one of the CNN models, may be used. Furthermore, SCRNN, ResNet, and SRResNet may be combined in any way.

[0187] For example, the analysis unit 621 performs super-resolution processing, person recognition processing, and masking processing on the image captured by the camera of the sensor device 10, thereby making the image easier to view and masking the area containing people in the image. This protects the privacy of people who enter the imaging area of ​​the camera of the sensor device 10 (such as the sensing area of ​​the sensor device 10, the area surrounding the sensing area, and the area far away from the sensing area) and appear in the captured image.

[0188] In addition, if sound collected by the microphone of the sensor device 10 is added to the analysis results, the sound added to the analysis results may be reproduced by a speaker (not shown) of the terminal 80. In this case, the sound reproduced by the speaker (not shown) of the terminal 80 may be the sound collected by the microphone of the sensor device 10 itself, or it may be sound to which the analysis unit 621 has performed a predetermined process (for example, voice enhancement processing) on ​​the sound collected by the microphone of the sensor device 10.

[0189] For example, the sound collected by the microphone of the sensor device 10 is processed by the analysis unit 621 through speech coordination processing, speech recognition processing, and text conversion processing, making the sound easier to hear and converting it into text (characters). This makes it possible to visualize and recognize the sound in the sound collection area of ​​the microphone of the sensor device 10 (such as the sensing area of ​​the sensor device 10, the area surrounding the sensing area, and the area far away from the sensing area).

[0190] Various methods can be envisioned for providing the analysis results to the terminal 80 by the provisioning unit 721. For example, the provisioning unit 721 may control the communication unit 740 so that a notification email containing a URL string indicating the location of the analysis results is sent to the terminal 80. Alternatively, if the notification is sent via notification email (HTML email), the provisioning unit 721 may control the communication unit 740 so that a notification email containing text or images corresponding to the URL indicating the location of the analysis results is sent to the terminal 80.

[0191] In this case, in terminal 80, when the control unit 820 receives a notification email via the communication unit 840, it controls the display unit 850 so that the notification email is displayed. Note that terminal 80 (control unit 820) may be controlled to automatically display the notification email upon receiving it, or it may be controlled to display the notification email in response to user operation.

[0192] When the user wants to check the analysis results, they perform a URL selection operation on the operation unit 810. If the URL indicating the location of the analysis results is a string of characters or an image corresponding to the URL, the user performs a selection operation on the operation unit 810 to the string of characters or an image corresponding to the URL when they want to check the analysis results.

[0193] When the operation unit 810 receives a URL selection operation (an operation to select characters or images corresponding to the URL), the control unit 820 controls the communication unit 840 so that a data transmission request corresponding to the URL (characters or images corresponding to the URL) is sent to the information provision server 70. For example, the control unit 820 controls the communication unit 840 so that an HTTP GET request containing the GET method (character "GET") and the URL in the request line is sent to the information provision server 70 as a data transmission request (HTTP message).

[0194] In the information provision server 70, when the communication unit 740 receives a data transmission request corresponding to a URL from the terminal 80, the provision unit 721 retrieves the data transmission request corresponding to the URL from the communication unit 740. The provision unit 721 then retrieves the analysis results corresponding to the URL. The provision unit 721 controls the communication unit 740 so that the analysis results are sent to the terminal 80. For example, the provision unit 721 controls the communication unit 740 so that an HTTP response containing the analysis results is returned to the terminal 80 as a response to an HTTP GET request.

[0195] [2. Hardware Configuration Examples] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the communication server 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the hardware configuration examples of the gateway device 30, information storage server 50, analysis server 60, and information provision server 70 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be realized in the same way.

[0196] In the following, an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 will be described as an example of the hardware configuration of the communication server 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 described below is merely one example of the hardware configuration of the communication server 40. Therefore, the hardware configuration of the communication server 40 may be modified by removing unnecessary components from the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 described below, or by adding new components.

[0197] Figure 20 shows the hardware configuration of an information processing device 900 as an example of a communication server 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device 900 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, a host bus 904, a bridge 905, an external bus 906, an interface 907, an input device 908, an output device 909, a storage device 910, and a communication device 911.

[0198] The CPU 901 functions as both an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, controlling the overall operation of the information processing unit 900 according to various programs. The CPU 901 may also be a microprocessor. The ROM 902 stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 903 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901 and parameters that change as needed during its execution. These are interconnected by a host bus 904, which consists of a CPU bus and other components.

[0199] The host bus 904 is connected to an external bus 906, such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus, via a bridge 905. It is not always necessary to configure the host bus 904, bridge 905, and external bus 906 separately; these functions may be implemented on a single bus.

[0200] The input device 908 consists of input means for the user to input information, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, buttons, microphone, switches, and levers, and an input control circuit that generates input signals based on the user's input and outputs them to the CPU 901. By operating this input device 908, the user can input various types of data to the information processing device 900 or instruct it to perform processing operations.

[0201] The output device 909 includes, for example, display devices such as CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display devices, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) devices, lamps, and audio output devices such as speakers.

[0202] The storage device 910 is a device for storing data. The storage device 910 may include a storage medium, a recording device for recording data on the storage medium, a reading device for reading data from the storage medium, and a deletion device for deleting data recorded on the storage medium. The storage device 910 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). This storage device 910 drives the hard disk and stores programs executed by the CPU 901 and various data.

[0203] The communication device 911 is a communication interface, for example, consisting of a communication device for connecting to a network. The communication device 911 may support either wireless or wired communication.

[0204] [3. Summary] As described above, according to embodiments of the present invention, a data acquisition system 1 is provided, comprising: a first data acquisition unit 421 that acquires first data based on a first communication standard; a second data acquisition unit 422 that acquires second data based on a second communication standard and provides the second data to the first data acquisition unit 421 based on the first communication standard; and a storage control unit 423 that controls the storage of the first data acquired based on the first communication standard and the second data provided based on the first communication standard.

[0205] With this configuration, even if each of the multiple sensor devices uses a different communication protocol, it is possible to collect the data output by each of the multiple sensor devices. As a result, even if the structures and equipment that each of the multiple sensor devices senses are diverse, it becomes easier to grasp the progression of deterioration and disaster conditions of a wide range of structures and equipment, thereby improving user convenience.

[0206] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0207] [4. Other Embodiments] [4-1. Arrangement of the second data acquisition unit 422] The above mainly describes an embodiment in which the second data acquisition unit 422 is provided in the communication server 40. However, the second data acquisition unit 422 may be provided at any location between the second sensor device 10B and the first data acquisition unit 421. This allows sensing data transmitted using various communication protocols to be collected by the first data acquisition unit 421 (for example, an MQTT broker). For example, the second data acquisition unit 422 may be provided in the second sensor device 10B, in the second gateway device 30B, or in a relay device (not shown) that relays communication between the second sensor device 10B and the second gateway device 30B.

[0208] In this case, a program related to the second data acquisition unit 422 may be distributed from the communication server 40, the base station 34, the upper network 36, or a server (not shown) located in the wide-area wireless network 32, so that the second sensor device 10B, the second gateway device 30B, or a relay device (not shown) that relays communication between the second sensor device 10B and the second gateway device 30B is equipped with the second data acquisition unit 422.

[0209] In this case, the second sensor device 10B, the second gateway device 30B, or a relay device (not shown) that relays communication between the second sensor device 10B and the second gateway device 30B may identify whether or not it supports data transmission using the communication standard (first communication standard) used by the first data acquisition unit 421. If it identifies that it does not support this, it may request the distribution of the program related to the second data acquisition unit 422 from the communication server 40 that distributes the program related to the second data acquisition unit 422, the base station 34, or a server (not shown) located in the upper network 36 or the wide-area wireless network 32.

[0210] In this case, whether or not the device supports data transmission using the communication standard (first communication standard) used by the first data acquisition unit 421 may be determined by the presence or absence of the program related to the first data acquisition unit 421, the configuration file related to the program, and / or a predetermined description within the configuration file (identified as "supported" if present, and as "not supported" if absent).

[0211] Furthermore, the second data acquisition unit 422 may be pre-installed in the second sensor device 10B, the second gateway device 30B, and a relay device (not shown) that relays communication between the second sensor device 10B and the second gateway device 30B.

[0212] [4-2. Forms of the First and Second Communication Standards] In the above explanation, it was stated that the first communication standard is used for data transmission by the first sensor device 10A, but the second communication standard, which is different from the first communication standard, is used for data transmission by the second sensor device 10B. The first communication standard is given as an example of a publish / subscribe type communication protocol (MQTT protocol), and the second communication standard is given as an example of a client / server type communication protocol (TCP protocol). However, from the perspective that each of the multiple sensor devices uses different protocols for communication, it is sufficient that the first communication standard and the second communication standard are different.

[0213] For example, the first communication standard may be one of the IoT (Internet of Things) communication protocols that primarily handle sensing data and command messages, such as MQTT, MQTT-SN (MQTT for Sensor Networks), CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol), QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections), Kafka, REST (Representational State Transfer), AMQP (Advanced Message Queuing Protocol), XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol), WebSocket, NATS / NATS Messaging, or MapR / MapR Streams.

[0214] Since the second communication standard is different from the first communication standard, for example, if the first communication standard is MQTT, the second communication standard may be MQTT-NS, CoAP, QUIC, Kafka, REST, AMQP, XMPP, WebSocket, NATS / NATS Messaging, MapR / MapR Streams, FTP, SSH, SMTP, SNMP, HTTP, etc.

[0215] [4-3. Data Extraction] As described above, the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 (first data processing unit 4223) extract various data contained in the transmitted data (packet) (various information such as sensing date and time (year, month, day, hour, second), sensing data obtained by sensing by the sensor device 10, identification code, data type, version number, transmission number, observation station ID, transmission date and time (year, month, day, hour, second), management number, and activation type). Here, the various data to be extracted may be predetermined, or they may be selectable by the user.

[0216] When the user selects various data to be extracted, the information provision server 70 transmits information to the terminal 80 indicating the various data that can be extracted by the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422. The terminal 80 then displays the information transmitted from the information provision server 70 indicating the various data that can be extracted by the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422.

[0217] As an example, the information provision server 70 controls the display of information indicating various data that can be extracted by the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 to the web browser displayed on the terminal 80. Then, the terminal 80 displays information indicating various data that can be extracted by the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 to the web browser in accordance with this control.

[0218] For example, in terminal 80, the display unit 850 displays information indicating various types of data that can be extracted by the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422. The display of information indicating various types of data that can be extracted by the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 in terminal 80 includes various information such as the sensing date and time (year, month, day, hour, second), which is the date and time when sensing was performed by the sensor device 10, the sensing data obtained by sensing by the sensor device 10, an identification code, data type, version number, transmission number, observation station ID, transmission date and time (year, month, day, hour, second), management number, and activation type.

[0219] Furthermore, the display of information indicating the various data that can be extracted by the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 in the terminal 80 may be displayed separately for the display related to the first data acquisition unit 421 (various information such as the sensing date and time (year, month, day, hour, second) which is the date and time when sensing was performed by the first sensor device 10A, sensing data which is the data obtained by sensing by the first sensor device 10A, identification code, data type, version number, transmission number, observation station ID, transmission date and time (year, month, day, hour, second), management number, and activation type) and for the display related to the second data acquisition unit 422 (various information such as the sensing date and time (year, month, day, hour, second) which is the date and time when sensing was performed by the second sensor device 10B, sensing data which is the data obtained by sensing by the second sensor device 10B, identification code, data type, version number, transmission number, observation station ID, transmission date and time (year, month, day, hour, second), management number, and activation type).

[0220] The user inputs an operation to the operation unit 810 to select various data to be extracted from the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 based on the display of information indicating various data that can be extracted by the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422. Based on the operation input to the operation unit 810, the control unit 820 transmits information indicating the various data to be extracted selected by the user to the information provision server 70 via the communication unit 840. The information provision server 70 transmits information indicating the various data to be extracted selected by the user to the communication server 40.

[0221] In the communication server 40, the CPU sets the various data to be extracted, selected by the user and transmitted from the information provision server 70, into the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 (first data processing unit 4223).

[0222] Furthermore, as explained above, the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 (first data processing unit 4223) may extract and convert (process) data (various data) transmitted from the sensor device 10, which is written in formats such as CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, and SGML. Here, the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 (first data processing unit 4223) may use identifiers to identify the various data during extraction and conversion (processing).

[0223] In this case, the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 may have identifiers related to various types of data, for example, "S_DATE" for "sensing date and time (year, month, day, hour, second)", "S_DATA" for "sensing data", "S_SF" for "identification code", "S_DS" for "data type", "S_VER" for "version number", "S_SB" for "transmission number", "S_ID" for "observation station ID", "S_SN" for "transmission date and time (year, month, day, hour, second)", "S_KB" for "management number", and "S_KS" for "startup type".

[0224] For example, the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422, during extraction and transformation (processing), refer to the data (various data) transmitted from the sensor device 10, which is written in formats such as JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, and SGML, using identifiers related to the various data to extract it.

[0225] Furthermore, when the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 refer to data (various data) written in formats such as JSON, CSV, YAML, XML, HTML, and SGML using identifiers related to various data, they may transform the identifiers according to the data format (for example, transforming the identifier "S_DATE" to "S_DATE=" or "S_DATE:").

[0226] [4.4. Recognition, Measurement, and Setting of Date and Time] In the above explanation, the sensor device 10, gateway device 30, and communication server 40 can recognize the current date and time and measure the elapsed time from a predetermined point in time using a timing circuit (not shown). However, the sensor device 10 (control unit 120), gateway device 30 (control unit 320), and communication server 40 (storage control unit 423) may also form a timing means by executing a program that performs the same functions as a timing circuit, and the timing means may be used to recognize the current date and time and measure the elapsed time from a predetermined point in time.

[0227] Furthermore, the sensor device 10, gateway device 30, and communication server 40 may acquire and set time information (calibrate timing circuits and timing means) based on at least one of the communication protocols NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone) or NTP (Network Time Protocol). Here, NITZ can acquire time information to be set based on information such as the current time and time zone provided via the base station 34, and NTP can acquire time information to be set in the relay device 20 based on time values ​​acquired from an NTP server (not shown) located on the upper network 36 or the internet (not shown).

[0228] When the gateway device 30 is compatible with NITZ and acquires and sets time information, it connects to the wide-area wireless network 32 and acquires and sets the time information to be set based on the current time, time zone, and other information provided via the ground station 34.

[0229] In this case, time information may be acquired when the gateway device 30 performs a handover in the wide-area wireless network 32.

[0230] When the sensor device 10, gateway device 30, and communication server 40 are compatible with NTP and perform time information acquisition and setting, they acquire and set the time information to be set based on time values ​​obtained from an NTP server (not shown) located on the upper network 36 or the internet (not shown).

[0231] In this case, the sensor device 10, gateway device 30, and communication server 40 may acquire time information at predetermined intervals (for example, every 1024 seconds) or at random intervals.

[0232] Alternatively, the gateway device 30 may distribute time information acquired and set in accordance with NITZ or NTP to the sensor device 10 via the narrow-area wireless network 12.

[0233] [4-5. Program Configuration] The above describes the execution of a program related to data collection system 1. Here, the program may be compiled or interpreted.

[0234] If the program is of the interpreter type, each of the following devices that execute the program—the sensor device 10, the gateway device 30, the communication server 40, the information storage server 50, the analysis server 60, the information provision server 70, the terminal 80, and the relay device (not shown) that relays communication between the sensor device 10 and the gateway device 30—has a program execution environment (means for translating the source code into machine language).

[0235] For example, in a configuration in which a Java program (Java script) related to the second data acquisition unit 422 is provided on the communication server 40, the communication server 40 has a Java execution environment (Java Virtual Machine) and forms the second data acquisition unit 422 within its own device by executing the Java program based on the Java execution environment.

[0236] For example, in a configuration in which a Python program (Python script) related to the second data acquisition unit 422 is provided on the communication server 40, the communication server 40 has a Python execution environment (Python Virtual Machine) and forms the second data acquisition unit 422 within its own device by executing the Python program based on the Python execution environment.

[0237] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the second data acquisition unit 422 is equipped with the second data acquisition unit 422, the second sensor device 10B, the second gateway device 30B, or a relay device (not shown) that relays communication between the second sensor device 10B and the second gateway device 30B, the program execution environment may also be distributed in addition to the program related to the second data acquisition unit 422.

[0238] [4-6. Types of Power Supply] As explained above, the sensor device 10 and the gateway device 30 may have a solar power generation panel and operate using electricity generated by this solar power generation panel. However, the power source is not limited to solar power generation; for example, various power generation devices that utilize so-called natural energy such as wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy, solar thermal energy, heat in the atmosphere or other heat present in nature, biomass, etc., or combinations thereof as appropriate, may be used as the power source.

[0239] Furthermore, the sensor device 10 and gateway device 30 may also operate while charging a battery (not shown) with electricity generated by the solar power generation panel. In this case, the sensor device 10 and gateway device 30 can operate with electricity generated by solar power generation during the day and with electricity stored in the battery at night.

[0240] [4-7. Hardware Configuration Examples] In the above, the information processing device 900 (Figure 20) was described as a physical hardware example for the communication server 40, information storage server 50, analysis server 60, and information provision server 70. However, the information processing device 900 (Figure 20) may also be a virtual computer (VM) that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, host bus, bridge, external bus, interface, input device, output device, storage device, and communication device, formed in software on a computer, for example.

[0241] For example, each of the communication server 40, information storage server 50, analysis server 60, and information provision server 70 may be a plurality of information processing devices 900 formed by virtual computers located within a physical computer or virtual computers provided by HaaS / IaaS (Hardware / Infrastructure as a Service).

[0242] Here, if the communication server 40, information storage server 50, analysis server 60, and information provision server 70 are each information processing devices 900 formed by multiple virtual computers located within a single physical computer, they may communicate with each other via a virtual network formed within that single physical computer.

[0243] Here, if each of the communication server 40, information storage server 50, analysis server 60, and information provision server 70 is an information processing device 900 formed by multiple virtual computers provided by HaaS / IaaS, they may communicate with each other via a virtual network formed within a single HaaS / IaaS.

[0244] Furthermore, when communicating via a virtual network, each of the communication server 40, information storage server 50, analysis server 60, and information provision server 70 may have a virtual network interface for connecting to the virtual network. When the communication server 40, information storage server 50, analysis server 60, and information provision server 70 communicate with each other, they may communicate via the virtual network interface, and when communicating via the higher-level network 36, they may communicate via a communication device.

[0245] [4-8. Address related to data acquisition] The above describes the control and operation of the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 (second data processing unit 4225) based on the data contained in the configuration information 431 (Figures 11 and 14). However, the network address (address 1 in Figures 11 and 14) related to the server (communication server 40) including the first data acquisition unit 421 may be different.

[0246] For example, in a configuration where the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 are included in the same server (communication server 40), the "address 1" used by the second data acquisition unit 422 (second data processing unit 4225) (the third row from the top in Figures 11 and 14) may be a loopback address (a network address for loopback). For example, the loopback address in IPv4 is "127.0.0.0", and the loopback address in IPv6 is "::1".

[0247] For example, in a configuration where the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 are included in the same server (communication server 40), the "address 1" used by the second data acquisition unit 422 (second data processing unit 4225) (the third row from the top in Figures 11 and 14) may be a loopback address (a network address for loopback). For example, the loopback address in IPv4 is "127.0.0.0", and the loopback address in IPv6 is "::1".

[0248] [4-9. Maintaining and disconnecting sessions related to data acquisition] In the above explanation, it was stated that the first data acquisition unit 421 disconnects the established connection when it finishes transmitting data from the first gateway device 30A or the first sensor device 10A, and the second data acquisition unit 422 (communication control unit 4221) disconnects the established connection when it finishes transmitting data from the second gateway device 30B or the second sensor device 10B. However, the first data acquisition unit 421 and the second data acquisition unit 422 (communication control unit 4221) may maintain the established connection.

[0249] In this case, if there is no exchange of data or messages for a predetermined period (time) in the established connection, the first data acquisition unit 421 or the second data acquisition unit 422 (communication control unit 4221) may disconnect the established connection (the connection that has been established and maintained).

[0250] In this case, the first data acquisition unit 421 or the second data acquisition unit 422 (communication control unit 4221) may exchange periodic messages (keep-alive messages related to maintaining the established connection) with the data source. And if the exchange of messages fails, the first data acquisition unit 421 or the second data acquisition unit 422 (communication control unit 4221) may disconnect the established connection (the connection that has been established and maintained).

[0251] [4-10. Arrangement of Sensor Device 10] In the above, the mode in which the sensor device 10 arranged as an independent single device connects to a narrow - area wireless network or a wide - area wireless network and transmits data has been mainly described. However, the sensor device 10 may be connected (built - in or externally attached) to other devices such as a personal computer (PC: Personal Computer) having a communication function, a server, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone / smartphone, a landline phone, an audio player, a printer, a scanner, a digital camera, a TV, a game console, a vending machine, etc.

[0252] In this case, the sensor device 10 may provide sensing data to other devices, and the sensing data may be collected by the first data acquisition unit 421 or the second data acquisition unit 422 through the communication function of other devices. The sensor device 10 and other devices may be connected by connection means such as an internal bus, an external bus, a serial bus, a parallel bus, Bluetooth, etc., so that sensing data can be exchanged.

[0253] Also, the sensor device 10 may be powered by other devices and operate.

[0254] [4-11. Notification to the Terminal] In the above, as a method for providing the analysis result, notification to the terminal 80 by a notification mail (HTML e-mail) was explained. Here, the notification mail to the terminal 80 may be sent at various timings.

[0255] For example, the notification mail to the terminal 80 may be sent at the timing when the analysis server 60 (analysis unit 621) performs analysis based on the acquired data and obtains the analysis result (FIGS. 17, 18, 19). For example, the notification mail may be sent each time the analysis server 60 (analysis unit 621) performs various processes and determinations in the process leading to the analysis result (when the attention value or the danger value is exceeded). In this case, each time the analysis server 60 obtains the analysis result or performs various processes and determinations in the process leading to the analysis result, a notification request may be given to the information providing server 70, and the information providing server 70 that has received the notification request may send the notification mail.

[0256] When the notification mail is sent when the attention value or the danger value is exceeded, a notification message suppression function (a function for controlling so as not to send the same notification mail for a predetermined period or time) for preventing the same notification (such as a warning) from being continuously notified may be provided in the analysis server 60 or the information providing server 70. In this case, even when the notification message is suppressed by the notification message suppression function, when an analysis such as a transition from the attention value to the danger value is obtained, the notification mail to the terminal 80 may be sent.

[0257] Further, the notification mail may include an analysis result summary (digest information) such as an analysis result summary for the water level of a river, an analysis result summary for the inclination angle of a bridge, and an analysis result summary for the acceleration of a bridge.

[0258] [4-12. Data Collection in Various Fields] The above explanation described how, by using a first sensor device 10A that transmits data using a first communication standard and a second sensor device 10B that transmits data using a second communication standard different from the first, bridge acceleration, bridge inclination angle, river water level, etc., and by collecting the data output by each of the multiple sensor devices, it becomes easier to grasp the progression of deterioration and disaster conditions of a wide range of structures and equipment, thereby improving user convenience. This was an embodiment that focused on information gathering for understanding and predicting the progression of deterioration and disaster conditions of infrastructure structures and equipment. However, it may also be an embodiment that focuses on information gathering for understanding and predicting conditions in fields such as construction, finance, distribution and logistics, disaster prevention, healthcare, medical care and nursing, manufacturing, marine, transportation, office, and home appliances.

[0259] [4-12-1. Examples of data collection methods in the construction sector] For example, in the data collection system 1, a first sensor device 10A that transmits data using a first communication standard and a second sensor device 10B that transmits data using a second communication standard different from the first communication standard may be used to sense the condition (state, condition, operation, etc.) of heavy machinery (bulldozers, excavators, cranes, etc.), the condition (state, condition, operation, etc.) of tools (electric drills, impact drivers, electric saws, etc.), the condition (state, condition, inventory, etc.) of construction materials, the condition (state, condition, inventory, etc.) of structures under construction (framework of a building under construction, etc.), the condition (temperature, humidity, vibration, noise, etc.) of the surrounding environment of heavy machinery, tools, construction materials, and structures under construction, intrusion into restricted / dangerous areas, and the progress of construction work, and collect data output from each of the multiple sensor devices.

[0260] This makes it easier to understand the status of a wide range of sensing targets in the construction field (heavy machinery, tools, construction materials, structures under construction, surrounding environment, restricted / hazardous areas, construction work, etc.), thereby improving user convenience.

[0261] [4-12-2. Examples of data collection methods in the financial sector] For example, in the data collection system 1, a first sensor device 10A that transmits data using a first communication standard and a second sensor device 10B that transmits data using a second communication standard different from the first communication standard may be used to sense the condition (state, condition, operation, etc.) of automated equipment (ATMs (cash matines) (automated teller matines) (automatic teller matines), vending machines, automatic ticket machines, kiosk terminals, etc.) that are used by an unspecified number of people and automatically handle things, the condition (state, condition, operation, etc.) of cash handling machines (devices that manage the deposit and withdrawal of cash), the condition (state, condition, operation, etc.) of cashless payment systems (smartphones with payment apps installed, etc.), the condition (temperature, humidity, illuminance, user waiting time, number of users waiting, etc.) of the surrounding environment of automated equipment, cash handling machines, and cashless payment systems, and the progress of transactions in automated equipment, cash handling machines, and cashless payment systems, and collect data output from each of the multiple sensor devices.

[0262] This makes it easier to understand the status of a wide range of sensing targets in the financial sector (such as automated equipment, cash handling machines, cashless payment systems, and the surrounding environment), thereby improving user convenience.

[0263] [4-12-3. Examples of data collection methods in the distribution and logistics sector] For example, in the data acquisition system 1, a first sensor device 10A that transmits data using a first communication standard and a second sensor device 10B that transmits data using a second communication standard different from the first communication standard may be used to sense the condition of the means of transport (trucks, trains, ships, airplanes, etc.) (state, condition, operation, movement, position, etc.), the condition of the transported object (people, cargo, etc.) (state, condition, weight, size, number, shipping cost, etc.), the condition of the surrounding environment of the means of transport and the transported object (temperature, humidity, illuminance, etc.), and the progress of the transport operation, and collect data output by each of the multiple sensor devices.

[0264] This makes it easier to understand the status of a wide range of sensing targets in the distribution and logistics sector (transportation methods, transported items, surrounding environment, transportation operations, etc.), thereby improving user convenience.

[0265] [4-12-4. Examples of data collection methods in the disaster prevention field] For example, in data acquisition system 1, a first sensor device 10A that transmits data using a first communication standard and a second sensor device 10B that transmits data using a second communication standard different from the first communication standard can be used to acquire information on the condition (status, condition, operation, etc.) of fire extinguishing equipment (fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, etc.), the condition (status, condition, operation, etc.) of alarm equipment (fire alarms, emergency alarm systems, etc.), the condition (status, condition, operation, etc.) of evacuation equipment (evacuation ladders, exit signs, etc.), and firefighting equipment (smoke exhaust systems, linked sprinkler systems, water tanks, emergency outlets). The system may also sense the conditions (state, condition, operation, etc.) of various objects (such as fire shutters and fire doors), the conditions (state, condition, operation, etc.) of fire prevention equipment (such as fire shutters and fire doors), the conditions (temperature, humidity, smoke, etc.) of the surrounding environment of fire extinguishing equipment, alarm equipment, firefighting equipment, fire prevention equipment, and fire-protected objects (such as theaters, amusement parks, restaurants, department stores, and inns), and estimates and occurrences of physical quantities related to disasters (such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, heavy snow, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, wildfires, hail, heat waves, droughts, infectious diseases, and power outages), and collect data output from each of multiple sensor devices.

[0266] This makes it easier to understand the status of a wide range of sensing targets in the disaster prevention field (firefighting equipment, alarm systems, evacuation equipment, firefighting equipment, fire prevention equipment, surrounding environment, disasters, etc.), thereby improving user convenience.

[0267] [4-12-5. Examples of data collection methods in the healthcare, medical, and nursing care fields] For example, in data acquisition system 1, a first sensor device 10A that transmits data using a first communication standard and a second sensor device 10B that transmits data using a second communication standard different from the first communication standard can be used to collect data on the condition (state, condition, operation, location, etc.) of monitoring equipment (pots, refrigerators, toilets, etc.), the condition (state, condition, location, etc.) of sleeping equipment (beds, mattresses, futons, sofas, pillows, blankets, etc.), and medical equipment (stethoscopes, blood gas analyzers, X-ray machines, blood pressure monitors, electrocardiographs, hemodialysis machines, ventilators, pacemakers). Multiple sensor devices may be used to sense and collect data output from each of them, including the condition of devices such as blood glucose meters (state, condition, measurement, measurement content, etc.), the condition of pharmaceuticals (state, weight, size, quantity, size, color, ingredients, expiration date, etc.), the condition of the surrounding environment of monitoring equipment, sleep facilities, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals (temperature, humidity, illuminance, etc.), and the detection or occurrence of estimated quantities of various physiological and anatomical information related to living organisms (body temperature, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, heart sounds, height, weight, waist circumference, visual acuity, hearing, etc.).

[0268] This makes it easier to understand the status of a wide range of sensing targets in the healthcare, medical, and nursing care fields (monitoring equipment, sleep facilities, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, surrounding environment, living organisms, etc.), thereby improving user convenience.

[0269] [4-12-6. Examples of data collection methods in the manufacturing sector] For example, in the data acquisition system 1, a first sensor device 10A that transmits data using a first communication standard and a second sensor device 10B that transmits data using a second communication standard different from the first communication standard may be used to sense the condition (state, condition, operation, etc.) of manufacturing equipment (3D printers, press machines, plating equipment, textile machinery, packaging machinery, industrial robots, etc.), the condition (state, condition, inventory, etc.) of raw materials, the progress of manufacturing work, etc., and collect the data output by each of the multiple sensor devices.

[0270] This makes it easier to understand the status of a wide range of sensing targets in the manufacturing sector (manufacturing equipment, raw materials, manufacturing operations, etc.), thereby improving user convenience.

[0271] [4-12-7. Examples of data collection methods in the marine sector] For example, in the data collection system 1, a first sensor device 10A that transmits data using a first communication standard and a second sensor device 10B that transmits data using a second communication standard different from the first communication standard can be used to collect information on the condition of a ship (status, condition, operation, movement, position, etc.), the condition of warning and monitoring means (buoys, warning lights, poaching monitoring systems, terrorism monitoring systems, intrusion detection systems, etc.) (status, condition, operation, movement, etc.), the condition of seabed resource extraction equipment (floating offshore oil and gas production, storage and offloading facilities, etc.) (status, condition, extraction volume, extracted material composition, production volume, product composition, storage volume, stored material composition, etc.), and marine civil engineering The conditions of equipment (such as offshore drilling systems), the conditions of aquaculture equipment (such as feeding systems, net washing machines, circulating water tanks, live fish tanks, and filtration systems), the conditions of aquaculture targets (such as fish and shellfish, seaweed, etc.), the conditions of the surrounding environment (temperature, humidity, weather, wave height, tide height, etc.) of ships, warning and monitoring means, seabed resource extraction equipment, marine civil engineering equipment, aquaculture equipment, and aquaculture targets), and the progress of navigation, warning and monitoring, seabed resource extraction, marine civil engineering work, and aquaculture work may be sensed, and data output from each of multiple sensor devices may be collected.

[0272] By doing so, it becomes easier to grasp the situations of a wide variety of sensing targets in the marine field (ships, warning and monitoring means, subsea resource extraction equipment, marine civil engineering equipment, aquaculture equipment, aquaculture targets, surrounding environment, navigation, warning and monitoring, subsea resource extraction, marine civil engineering work, aquaculture work, etc.), and it becomes possible to improve the convenience for users.

[0273] [Example of data collection forms in the transportation field] For example, in the data collection system 1, by the first sensor device 10A that transmits data according to the first communication standard and the second sensor device 10B that transmits data according to the second communication standard different from the first communication standard, the condition (state, condition, operation, movement, position, etc.) of a vehicle (car, tram, etc.), the condition (state, condition, operation, movement, etc.) of an advanced road traffic system (VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System), ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System), tunnel emergency system, etc.), the condition (temperature, humidity, weather, etc.) of the surrounding environment of the vehicle and the advanced road traffic system, driving and operation, etc. are sensed, and the data output by each of the plurality of sensor devices may be collected.

[0274] By doing so, it becomes easier to grasp the situations of a wide variety of sensing targets in the transportation field (vehicles, advanced road traffic systems, surrounding environment, driving and operation, etc.), and it becomes possible to improve the convenience for users.

[0275] [Example of data collection forms in the office field] For example, in data collection system 1, a first sensor device 10A that transmits data using a first communication standard and a second sensor device 10B that transmits data using a second communication standard different from the first communication standard can be used to collect information on the condition (status, condition, operation, etc.) of telephone systems (PBX (Private Branch Exchange), landline phones, softphones, etc.), contact center systems (CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) systems), CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, etc. The following may be sensed: the condition (status, condition, operation, etc.) of management systems, video conferencing systems (video conferencing servers, video conferencing terminals, speakers, microphones, etc.), the condition (status, condition, operation, etc.) of printers, scanners, and multifunction devices, the condition (status, condition, operation, etc.) of conference and meeting room reservation management systems, the condition (status, condition, operation, etc.) of access control systems, the condition (status, condition, operation, etc.) of unmanned reception systems, the condition (status, condition, operation, etc.) of telephone systems, contact center systems, video conferencing systems, printers, scanners, multifunction devices, conference and meeting room reservation management systems, access control systems, and unmanned reception systems (temperature, humidity, illuminance, etc.), and the progress of office work. The data output by each of the multiple sensor devices may be collected.

[0276] This makes it easier to understand the status of a wide range of sensing targets in the office environment (telephone systems, contact center systems, video conferencing systems, printers, scanners, multifunction devices, conference and meeting room reservation management systems, access control systems, unmanned reception systems, surrounding environment, office operations, etc.), thereby improving user convenience.

[0277] [4-12-10. Examples of data collection methods in the consumer electronics sector] For example, in data acquisition system 1, a first sensor device 10A that transmits data using a first communication standard and a second sensor device 10B that transmits data using a second communication standard different from the first communication standard can be used to collect data on home appliances (washing machines, dryers, deodorizers, vacuum cleaners, irons, sewing machines, refrigerators / freezers, warmers, kettles / pots, dishwashers, coffee makers / espresso machines, water purifiers, water dispensers / drink dispensers, oven ranges / microwave ovens, rice cookers / rice polishers, toasters, hot plates / grills, electric pressure cookers / electric stewing pots, IH (Induction Cooktops) The system may also collect data from multiple sensor devices that sense the condition (state, condition, operation, etc.) of heating appliances (cooking appliances, electric stoves, bread makers, noodle makers, water heaters, circulators, fans, air conditioners, air purifiers, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, facial devices, telephones, fax machines, etc.), the condition of the surrounding environment of the appliances (temperature, humidity, illuminance, etc.), and the progress of household chores.

[0278] This makes it easier to understand the status of a wide range of sensing targets in the home appliance field (home appliances, surrounding environment, household chores, etc.), thereby improving user convenience. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0279] 1. Data Acquisition System 10 Sensor device 110 Sensor section 12. Narrow-area wireless network 120 Control Unit 130 Storage section 140 Wireless Communication Section 30 Gateway device 32 Wide Area Wireless Network 320 Control Unit 330 Storage section 34 base station 341 First Wireless Communication Unit 342 Second Wireless Communication Unit 36 Upper Network 40 Communication Servers 420 Control Unit 421 First data acquisition unit 422 Second Data Processing Unit 422 Second data acquisition unit 4221 Communication Control Unit 4222 Second data acquisition unit 4223 First data processing unit 4225 Second data processing unit 423 Memory Control Unit 430 Storage section 440 Communications Department 50 Information storage servers 520 Control Unit 530 Storage section 531 Databases 540 Communications Department 60 Analysis Servers 620 Control Unit 621 Analysis Department 630 Storage section 640 Communications Department 70 Information Provision Server 720 Control Unit 721 Provision Department 730 Storage section 740 Communications Department 80 devices 810 Control unit 820 Control Unit 830 Storage section 840 Communications Department 850 Display

Claims

1. A server device that is connected to a first device and a second device so as to be able to communicate via a wide-area wireless network, A first data acquisition unit that acquires first data from the first device via the wide-area wireless network by communicating with the first device based on a first communication standard, A second data acquisition unit acquires second data from the second device via the wide-area wireless network through communication with the second device based on a second communication standard, and provides the second data to the first data acquisition unit through communication with the first data acquisition unit based on a first communication standard. A storage control unit that controls the storage of the first data obtained by communication with the first device based on the first communication standard and the second data provided by the first data acquisition unit by communication with the first data acquisition unit based on the first communication standard, A server device equipped with the following features.

2. A data collection system comprising the server device described in Claim 1, The aforementioned data collection system is The system includes an analysis unit that performs analysis based on the first data and obtains analysis results by performing analysis based on the second data. Data collection system.

3. The aforementioned data collection system is The system includes a unit that provides the analysis results to a terminal. The data acquisition system according to claim 2.

4. The first device is a first sensor device, and the second device is a second sensor device, The first data includes sensing data measured by the first sensor device and the sensing date and time. The second data includes sensing data measured by the second sensor device and the sensing date and time. The server device according to claim 1.

5. The memory control unit, Determine whether the first data includes the sensing date and time, and if the first data does not include the sensing date and time, obtain time information from the timing circuit and include the time information in the first data. The server device according to claim 4.

6. The server device is The system includes a computing device that forms a second data acquisition unit corresponding to the second communication standard selected by the user, based on an input from the user to select the second communication standard from among multiple communication standards. The server device according to claim 1.

7. The first communication standard described above is a publish / subscribe type communication protocol, The second communication standard mentioned above is a client / server type communication protocol. The server device according to claim 1.

8. The first communication standard mentioned above is the MQTT protocol, The second communication standard mentioned above is the TCP protocol. The server device according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned analysis unit is Analysis results are obtained by performing machine learning analysis based on the first data and by performing machine learning analysis based on the second data. The data acquisition system according to claim 2.

10. A data collection method using a server device that is communicably connected to a first device and a second device via a wide-area wireless network, To acquire first data from the first device via the wide-area wireless network through communication with the first device based on a first communication standard, The system acquires second data from the second device via the wide-area wireless network through communication with the second device based on the second communication standard, and provides the second data to the first data acquisition unit that acquires the first data through communication with the first data acquisition unit based on the first communication standard. Controlling the system so that the first data acquired through communication with the first device based on the first communication standard and the second data provided by the first data acquisition unit through communication with the first data acquisition unit based on the first communication standard are stored, A data collection method comprising the following features.

11. Computers, A server device that is connected to the first device and the second device so as to be able to communicate via a wide-area wireless network, A first data acquisition unit that acquires first data from the first device via the wide-area wireless network by communicating with the first device based on a first communication standard, A second data acquisition unit acquires second data from the second device via the wide-area wireless network through communication with the second device based on a second communication standard, and provides the second data to the first data acquisition unit through communication with the first data acquisition unit based on a first communication standard. A storage control unit that controls the storage of the first data obtained by communication with the first device based on the first communication standard and the second data provided by the first data acquisition unit by communication with the first data acquisition unit based on the first communication standard, A program that makes a server device capable of functioning with the necessary features.

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