Information processing systems, information processing devices, information processing methods, information processing programs, air conditioning equipment, and lighting devices.

Abstract

The location of the sensor device is identified. [Solution] The information processing system comprises one or more transmitters capable of transmitting a first signal, a plurality of sensor devices capable of receiving the first signal, each arranged at a different location, and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, and an information processing device capable of acquiring from the plurality of sensor devices the physical quantity measured by each of the plurality of sensor devices and a second signal corresponding to the first signal transmitted from each of the transmitters. The information processing device comprises a memory unit that stores first correspondence information that associates the locations of the transmitters with the first signals transmitted by the transmitters and the second signals corresponding to the first signals, and an estimation unit that, based on the first correspondence information stored in the memory unit, identifies among the transmitters the transmitter that transmits a first signal corresponding to the second signal transmitted from the sensor device, and thereby estimates that a sensor device transmitting a second signal is located near that transmitter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method, an information processing program, air conditioning equipment, and a lighting device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a device for specifying the position of a sensor device. The position specifying device described in Patent Document 1 includes a pressure sensor and a reader that receives information on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor. The readers are arranged on each floor of a building. For each reader, an upper limit and a lower limit of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor arranged on each floor are set. The reader specifies that a pressure sensor that measures a pressure between the upper limit and the lower limit of the pressure exists on the floor where the reader is arranged.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above-described position specifying device uses pressure to specify the position in the height direction, and cannot specify the position when the pressure cannot be measured. Also, when specifying the position of an object, it may be required to specify the position in the horizontal direction.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method, an information processing program, air conditioning equipment, and a lighting device capable of specifying the position of a sensor device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing system in one embodiment comprises one or more transmitters that transmit power wirelessly, each transmitter capable of transmitting a different first signal; a plurality of sensor devices, each arranged at different locations and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, which receive power transmitted by the transmitters and are capable of receiving the first signal; and an information processing device capable of acquiring the physical quantity measured by each of the plurality of sensor devices and a second signal corresponding to the first signal transmitted from each of the transmitters from the plurality of sensor devices, wherein the information processing device comprises a storage unit that stores first correspondence information associating the location where the transmitters are arranged, the first signal transmitted by the transmitters, and the second signal corresponding to the first signal; and an estimation unit that, based on the first correspondence information stored in the storage unit, identifies a transmitter that transmits a first signal corresponding to a second signal transmitted from a sensor device, thereby estimating that there is a sensor device transmitting a second signal near that transmitter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, based on first correspondence information that associates the location where the transmitter is located, the first signal transmitted by the transmitter, and the second signal corresponding to the first signal, the transmitter that transmits the first signal corresponding to the second signal transmitted from the sensor device is identified from among a plurality of transmitters, and it is estimated that the sensor device that transmits the second signal is near that transmitter, so the location of the sensor device can be identified. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an information processing system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating a transmitter according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating an example of an antenna. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram illustrating a sensor device according to one embodiment. [Figure 5]This is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensor transmission unit. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a chair equipped with a sensor device. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensor receiving unit. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram illustrating an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure illustrates an example of a positioning method for a sensor device according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure illustrates another example of a positioning method for a sensor device according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 12] This figure illustrates yet another example of a positioning method for a sensor device according to a modified embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings illustrating the embodiments, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted. The following embodiments are not intended to unduly limit the content of this disclosure as described in the claims. Not all components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of this disclosure. Also, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily a strict illustration.

[0010] Furthermore, in the following description, "processor" refers to one or more processors. At least one processor is typically a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may be another type of processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). At least one processor may be single-core or multi-core.

[0011] Further, at least one processor may be a processor in a broad sense, such as a hardware circuit (e.g., FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)) that performs part or all of the processing.

[0012] Also, in the following description, expressions such as "xxx table" may be used to describe information from which an output can be obtained for an input, but this information may be data of any structure or a learning model such as a neural network that generates an output for an input. Therefore, "xxx table" can be referred to as "xxx information".

[0013] Also, in the following description, the configuration of each table is an example, and one table may be divided into two or more tables, or all or part of two or more tables may be one table.

[0014] Also, in the following description, the "program" may be used as the subject to describe the processing. However, since the program is executed by the processor to perform the defined processing while appropriately using the storage unit and / or the interface unit, etc., the subject of the processing may be the processor (or a device such as a controller having that processor).

[0015] The program may be installed in a device such as a computer, or may be in, for example, a program distribution server or a computer-readable (e.g., non-temporary) recording medium. Also, in the following description, two or more programs may be realized as one program, or one program may be realized as two or more programs.

[0016] Also, in the following description, an identification number is used as identification information for various objects, but other types of identification information (e.g., an identifier including letters or symbols) may be adopted.

[0017] In the following description, when describing elements of the same type without distinction, reference numerals (or common reference numerals among the reference numerals) are used, and when describing elements of the same type separately, identification numbers (or reference numerals) of the elements may be used.

[0018] Also, in the following description, control lines and information lines show those considered necessary for explanation, and not necessarily all control lines and information lines on the product are shown. All components may be interconnected.

[0019] [Overview of Information Processing System 1] First, an overview of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment.

[0021] The information processing system 1 includes, for example, a transmitter 100, a sensor device 200, an information processing device 300, and the like.

[0022] There may be a plurality of transmitters 100. The transmitter 100, for example, wirelessly transmits power to the sensor device 200 and transmits a first signal. Each of the plurality of transmitters 100 may transmit, for example, a different first signal. The first signal may be, for example, various signals transmitted from the transmitter to the sensor device, or a predetermined specific signal.

[0023] There may be a plurality of sensor devices 200. The sensor device 200 may receive power transmitted from the transmitter 100 and perform various operations including starting to measure a predetermined physical quantity. The sensor device 200 may transmit the predetermined physical quantity to the information processing device 300.

[0024] The sensor device 200 receives a first signal transmitted from the transmitter 100 and transmits a second signal corresponding to the first signal to the information processing device 300. For example, when the sensor device 200 receives a first signal transmitted by the transmitter 100, it may transmit that first signal as a second signal to the information processing device 300. Alternatively, for example, when the sensor device 200 receives a first signal transmitted by the transmitter 100, it may transmit a second signal that corresponds one-to-one with that first signal to the information processing device 300. For example, the sensor device 200 may transmit a second signal predetermined according to the first signal as a second signal that corresponds one-to-one with the first signal to the information processing device 300.

[0025] The information processing device 300 may be a computer such as a server, desktop, laptop, or tablet.

[0026] The information processing device 300 receives a predetermined physical quantity and a second signal transmitted from each of the multiple sensor devices 200. The information processing device 300, for example, refers to (first) correspondence information and estimates the location of the sensor device 200 that transmits the second signal. The first correspondence information may be, for example, information that associates the location of each of the multiple transmitters 100, the first signal transmitted by each transmitter 100, and the second signal corresponding to the first signal. That is, first, based on the first correspondence information, the information processing device 300 identifies the transmitter 100 among the multiple transmitters 100 that transmits the first signal corresponding to the second signal transmitted from the sensor device 200. Next, the information processing device 300 estimates that the sensor device 200 that transmits the second signal is located near the identified transmitter 100.

[0027] [Details of Information Processing System 1] Next, we will describe the details of one embodiment of the information processing system 1.

[0028] [Transmitter 100] First, we will describe the details of the transmitter 100 according to one embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a transmitter 100 according to one embodiment.

[0030] There may be multiple transmitters 100 (see Figure 1). Each transmitter 100 wirelessly transmits power to the sensor device 200, for example. Multiple transmitters 100 may each transmit a different first signal. The first signal may be various signals, or a specific signal predetermined. The transmitter 100 may transmit the first signal when transmitting power, for example. The transmitter 100 may transmit the first signal continuously, or it may transmit the first signal at predetermined timings. The predetermined timing may be, for example, every predetermined time, or at the timing when the sensor device 200 is newly installed, or at any other timing.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, each of the multiple transmitters 100 may be equipped with a directional coupler 103 for the power signal transmitted from the antenna 104. That is, the transmitter 100 may be equipped with, for example, a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit 101, an amplifier circuit (Amp.) 102, a directional coupler 103, and an antenna 104. The phase-locked loop circuit 101 may be, for example, a circuit that feeds back a portion of the input signal and outputs a signal with synchronized phase. The amplifier circuit 102 may be, for example, a circuit that amplifies a signal. The directional coupler 103 may be, for example, a device that can extract a portion of the signal (forward wave) input from the amplifier circuit 102 side and a portion of the signal (reflected wave) input from the antenna 104 side.

[0032] [Sensor device 200] Next, we will describe the details of a sensor device 200 according to one embodiment.

[0033] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of antenna 213.

[0034] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a sensor device 200 according to one embodiment.

[0035] There may be multiple sensor devices 200. Each of the multiple sensor devices 200 is arranged in a different location. Each sensor device 200 may be arranged in any location, or in a specific location. The sensor device 200 is equipped with a receiver that receives power transmitted by the transmitter 100 and is capable of receiving the first signal. The sensor device 200 is capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity.

[0036] Such a sensor device 200 includes, for example, a sensor communication unit 210 and a sensor unit 220.

[0037] The sensor communication unit 210 includes a sensor receiving unit 211 and a sensor transmitting unit 212.

[0038] The sensor receiving unit 211 may be one embodiment of the receiver described above. The sensor receiving unit 211 may, for example, receive power transmitted from the transmitter 100. Alternatively, the sensor receiving unit 211 may, for example, receive a first signal transmitted from the transmitter 100.

[0039] The sensor transmission unit 212 may, for example, transmit a predetermined physical quantity measured by the sensor unit 220 to the information processing device 300. The sensor transmission unit 212 may also, for example, transmit a second signal corresponding to the first signal to the information processing device 300. Furthermore, the sensor transmission unit 212 may transmit identification information to the information processing device 300 that identifies each of the multiple sensor devices 200. The identification information may include, for example, unique identification content for each of the multiple sensor devices 200 (e.g., content consisting of letters, numbers, and symbols). The identification content may, for example, be stored in each sensor device 200. As an example, the identification information may be included in the second signal.

[0040] The sensor communication unit 210 (for example, the sensor receiving unit 211, etc.) may be equipped with an antenna 213, as shown as an example in Figure 3, or it may be equipped with various other antennas. The antenna 213 shown as an example in Figure 3 is of a type in which one end of each of two flat plates is connected and a feed point 214 is provided at the other end of each.

[0041] The sensor unit 220 may measure, for example, a predetermined physical quantity. Examples of predetermined physical quantities include temperature, humidity, illuminance, and carbon dioxide, but there may also be various other physical quantities.

[0042] Furthermore, the sensor unit 220 may also have a control function for the sensor device 200. That is, when the sensor unit 220 receives a first signal at the sensor receiving unit 211 (sensor communication unit 210), it may control the sensor transmitting unit 212 (sensor communication unit 210) to transmit a second signal corresponding to the first signal to the information processing device 300. In this case, when the sensor unit 220 receives a first signal at the sensor receiving unit 211, it may control the sensor receiving unit 211 to transmit the first signal as the second signal. Alternatively, the sensor unit 220 may, for example, when the sensor receiving unit 211 receives a first signal, it may control the sensor receiving unit 220 to transmit a second signal that corresponds one-to-one with the first signal. In this case, the sensor unit 220 may, for example, control the sensor receiving unit 220 to transmit a predetermined second signal according to the first signal as a second signal that corresponds one-to-one with the first signal.

[0043] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the sensor transmission unit 212.

[0044] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a chair 231 on which the sensor device 200 is located.

[0045] The sensor transmitting units 212 of the sensor device 200 described above may be arranged in multiple units, as an example is shown in Figure 5. In the example shown in Figure 5, four sensor transmitting units 212 of the sensor device 200 are arranged, but one or more sensor transmitting units 212 of the sensor device 200 may be arranged so as to allow radio waves to be emitted in all directions or in a specific direction, taking into consideration the directivity of, for example, the antenna 2122. The sensor transmitting unit 212 of the sensor device 200 illustrated in Figure 5 comprises a housing 2121 in which a transmitting circuit (not shown) is housed, a heat sink (not shown) housed in the housing 2121, and an antenna 2122, etc. In the example shown in Figure 5, the antenna 2122 may be a bar antenna or the like. The antenna 2122 illustrated in Figure 5 has directivity in radio wave emission. For this reason, in the example shown in Figure 5, four sensor transmitting units 212 are provided, and by orienting each antenna 2122 in a different direction, the entire system is configured to emit radio waves in all directions.

[0046] The sensor device 200 illustrated in Figure 5 may be placed on a chair 231 or the like, as illustrated in Figure 6. The sensor device 200 may also be placed on the board surface 232 of the chair 231 that is in contact with the floor. In addition, a sensor receiving unit 211 (not shown in Figure 6) or the like (receiving side), which will be described later, may be placed on the seat surface 233 of the chair 231.

[0047] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensor receiving unit 211.

[0048] The sensor receiving unit 211 may have a configuration such as the one shown as an example in Figure 7. The sensor receiving unit 211 may, for example, receive signals (information) transmitted from the information processing device 300. The sensor receiving unit 211 may be placed, for example, on the seat surface 233 of the chair 231 illustrated in Figure 6 (the sensor receiving unit 211 is not shown in Figure 6). The sensor receiving unit 211 may, for example, be equipped with multiple antennas 213. In the example shown in Figure 7, there are six antennas 213, but the number of antennas 213 is not limited to this example (six). Each of the multiple antennas 213 may be connected, for example, by a DC line 2112 via a rectifier 2111. The DC line 2112 may also be connected, for example, to the sensor unit 220. Note that the antennas 213 are not limited to the configuration illustrated in Figure 3, but may have various configurations, including bar antennas, etc.

[0049] [Information processing device 300] Next, we will describe the details of the information processing device 300 according to one embodiment.

[0050] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing device 300 according to one embodiment.

[0051] The information processing device 300 can acquire physical quantities measured by each of the multiple sensor devices 200, and second signals corresponding to first signals transmitted from each of the multiple transmitters 100, from the multiple sensor devices 200.

[0052] Such an information processing device 300 includes, for example, a communication unit 321, a storage unit 322, a display unit 323, and a control unit 310. The communication unit 321, the storage unit 322, and the display unit 323 may be, for example, an embodiment of an output unit. The control unit 310 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 311, an estimation unit 312, an antenna control unit 313, a processing control unit 314, a receiving unit 315, a transmission control unit 316, and an output control unit 317. The control unit 310 may be configured by, for example, an arithmetic processing unit of the information processing device 300. The control unit 310 (for example, an arithmetic processing unit) may realize the functions of each unit (for example, the acquisition unit 311, the estimation unit 312, the antenna control unit 313, the processing control unit 314, the receiving unit 315, the transmission control unit 316, and the output control unit 317) by appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 322, etc.

[0053] The communication unit 321 can send and receive various types of information with, for example, devices located outside the information processing device 300 (external devices). The communication unit 321 can communicate with, for example, the transmitter 100, the sensor device 200, and the processing unit 400, which will be described later.

[0054] The storage unit 322 may store, for example, various information and programs. Examples of the storage unit 322 may include memory, solid-state drives, and hard disk drives.

[0055] The memory unit 322 stores (first) correspondence information that associates the positions where the transmitters 100 are located with the first signals transmitted by the transmitters 100 and the second signals corresponding to the first signals. Here, the first correspondence information may, for example, be information that associates the positions where each of the multiple transmitters 100 is located with the first signals transmitted from each of the multiple transmitters 100, when the sensor device 200 returns the first signal as a second signal as described above. Alternatively, the first correspondence information may be information that associates the positions where each of the multiple transmitters 100 is located with the first signals transmitted from each of the multiple transmitters 100 and the second signals that correspond to the first signals one-to-one, when the sensor device 200 returns a second signal that corresponds one-to-one with the first signal as described above.

[0056] The display unit 323 can display, for example, various characters, symbols, and images.

[0057] The acquisition unit 311 acquires physical quantities measured by each of the multiple sensor devices 200 and second signals corresponding to first signals transmitted from each of the multiple transmitters 100 from the multiple sensor devices 200. That is, the acquisition unit 311 acquires physical quantities and second signals from each of the multiple sensor devices 200, for example, via the communication unit 321. The acquisition unit 311 may also acquire identification information from each of the multiple sensor devices 200, for example, via the communication unit 321.

[0058] Based on the first correspondence information stored in the storage unit 322, the estimation unit 312 identifies one of the multiple transmitters 100 that transmits a first signal corresponding to a second signal transmitted from a sensor device 200 acquired by the acquisition unit 311, thereby estimating that a sensor device 200 transmitting a second signal is located near that transmitter 100. That is, the estimation unit 312, for example, refers to the first correspondence information and identifies a first signal that corresponds one-to-one with the second signal. Furthermore, the estimation unit 312, for example, refers to the first correspondence information and identifies the transmitter 100 that transmitted the first signal identified as described above. Since the estimation unit 312 has acquired identification information from the sensor device 200, for example, it can identify the sensor device 200 that transmitted the second signal. Therefore, the estimation unit 312 can estimate that a sensor device 200 that transmitted the second signal is located near the transmitter 100 identified as described above.

[0059] Furthermore, the sensor device 200 described above may be capable of receiving, for example, each of the first signals transmitted from multiple transmitters 100. In this case, the sensor device 200 may transmit a second signal corresponding to each of the multiple first signals to the information processing device 300. In addition, the sensor device 200 may include information regarding the radio wave strength of each of the multiple first signals when receiving each of them in the second signal.

[0060] The acquisition unit 311 may, for example, acquire a second signal corresponding to a plurality of first signals from one sensor device 200 (each of the plurality of sensor devices 200) via the communication unit 321.

[0061] The estimation unit 312 can estimate the distance from the transmitter 100 to the sensor device 200 based on the radio wave strength of the first signal when the sensor device 200 receives the first signal, for example, if the radio wave strength of the first signal transmitted from the transmitter 100 is predetermined. That is, assuming, for example, that the radio wave strength of the first signal attenuates according to the transmission distance of the first signal, the estimation unit 312 can estimate the distance from the transmitter 100 to the sensor device 200 based on the radio wave strength when the transmitter 100 transmits the first signal and the radio wave strength when the sensor device 200 receives the first signal.

[0062] Here, the estimation unit 312 can estimate the distance between each of the multiple transmitters 100 and the sensor device 200, for example, when one sensor device 200 (each of the multiple sensor devices 200) receives multiple first signals transmitted from each of the multiple transmitters 100. That is, the estimation unit 312 can estimate the position of the sensor device 200 based on multiple distances between each of the multiple transmitters 100 and the sensor device 200, and the position of the transmitter 100 recorded in the first correspondence information.

[0063] The antenna control unit 313 may include an antenna control unit 313 that controls the directivity of the transmitter 100's antenna 104 so that it is directed toward the position of the sensor device 200 estimated by the estimation unit 312. That is, if the antenna 104 is directional, the antenna control unit 313 may control the orientation of the antenna 104 so that the direction in which the radio wave intensity of the power and the first signal transmitted from the antenna 104 becomes relatively stronger is directed toward the sensor device 200. In this case, the antenna control unit 313 may control the orientation of the antenna 104 using, for example, various methods and equipment.

[0064] The antenna control unit 313 may control the antenna 104 of the transmitter 100 closest to the sensor device 200 based on the position of the sensor device 200 estimated by the estimation unit 312. For example, when the position of the sensor device 200 is estimated by the estimation unit 312, the antenna control unit 313 may control the antenna 104 of the transmitter 100 closest to the position of the sensor device 200 so that it points towards the sensor device 200. In this case, the antenna control unit 313 may identify the transmitter 100 closest to the position of the sensor device 200 by referring to the position of the transmitter 100 recorded in the first correspondence information.

[0065] The processing control unit 314 may control the processing unit 400 to perform predetermined processing on the location where the sensor device 200 is located, based on a physical quantity measured by the sensor device 200 whose position is estimated by the estimation unit 312.

[0066] As a specific example, the processing unit 400 may be an air conditioner (air conditioning equipment).

[0067] In this case, the sensor device 200 may include a temperature sensor. The sensor device 200 measures temperature as a physical quantity using the temperature sensor.

[0068] The processing control unit 314 may control the air conditioner by sending a control signal to the air conditioner to adjust the temperature at the location where the temperature sensor is located when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor changes. The processing control unit 314 may also control the air conditioner so that the temperature at the location where the sensor device 200 that measured the temperature is located decreases (increases) when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor increases (decreases). That is, the processing control unit 314 may, for example, control the air conditioner so that the airflow direction of the air conditioner is directed towards the location where the sensor device 200 is located. In this case, the processing control unit 314 may, for example, use first processing correspondence information that pre-associates the airflow direction of the air conditioner with various locations in the environment in which the air conditioner is located. The first processing correspondence information may be stored in, for example, the storage unit 322.

[0069] Furthermore, a first processing correspondence information may be prepared in advance, which associates the placement location of each sensor device 200 with the target temperature at that location. The air conditioner may then be controlled so that the temperature measured by the sensor device 200 (temperature sensor) approaches the target temperature associated with the placement location of the sensor device 200. The air conditioner can be controlled by adjusting the temperature and airflow direction of the air blown out from the air conditioner.

[0070] Preferably, the control signal is a combination of the temperature measured by the sensor device 200, which is a temperature sensor, and the position of the sensor device 200 estimated by the estimation unit 312.

[0071] Air conditioners typically have a temperature sensor in the unit itself and control themselves based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in the unit (which is usually the temperature near the unit). Here, the control of the air conditioner is performed by the temperature of the temperature-controlled air blown out from the air conditioner and the direction of the temperature-controlled air. When an air conditioner receives a control signal from the information processing device 300, it is preferable to perform control based on the control signal rather than control based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in the unit itself. Air conditioners installed on floors and rooms of buildings and houses are often installed near the ceiling or on the ceiling in order to quickly distribute cool / warm air throughout the floor, etc. Therefore, there is a considerable distance (in other words, a difference in height) between the occupants of the floor, etc. and the installation location of the air conditioner. Cool air tends to accumulate near the floor, and warm air tends to accumulate near the ceiling. Therefore, an unavoidable temperature difference occurs between the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in the air conditioner and the temperature felt by the occupants. On the other hand, since the sensor device 200 can be placed near the occupants of the floor, etc., it can measure a temperature close to the temperature felt by the occupants. Therefore, by prioritizing control based on control signals, temperature control can be performed quickly for residents, providing a more comfortable temperature, as well as efficient temperature control, resulting in increased energy savings.

[0072] There are no particular limitations on the control method of the air conditioner based on the control signal. However, if the control signal is a combination of the temperature measured by a sensor device 200, which is a temperature sensor, and the position of the sensor device 200 estimated by the estimation unit 312, the air conditioner may be controlled by the average value of the temperatures measured by multiple sensor devices 200. Alternatively, if there is a significant difference between the temperature measured by a specific sensor device 200 and the temperatures measured by other sensor devices 200, the air conditioner may be controlled to eliminate this difference. Furthermore, the information processing device 300 may generate a temperature distribution map of the floor, etc., and the air conditioner may refer to this temperature distribution map to control it so that the temperature distribution becomes as uniform as possible.

[0073] One possible approach is to equip the air conditioner's remote control with a temperature sensor and control the air conditioner based on the temperature measured by this sensor. However, remote controls typically do not have a means of notifying their own location, and therefore, it is unclear what kind of control would be appropriate based on the temperature measured by the remote control's temperature sensor. Furthermore, a configuration with multiple remote controls is not very practical. In addition, some air conditioners have a means of measuring the ambient temperature distribution based on the heat rays emitted by objects. While this may allow for indirect measurement of the temperature in areas with a clear line of sight from the air conditioner, it is difficult to measure the temperature in areas that are obscured, for example, by equipment on the floor.

[0074] As another specific example, the processing unit 400 may be a lighting device.

[0075] In this case, the sensor device 200 may include an illuminance sensor. The sensor device 200 measures the brightness of the environment as a physical quantity using the illuminance sensor.

[0076] The processing control unit 314 may control the lighting device by sending a control signal to the lighting device to adjust the brightness at the location where the illuminance sensor is located when the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor changes. The processing control unit 314 may also control the lighting device by measuring the illuminance when the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor decreases (increases) and making the lighting device near the location where the sensor is located brighter (turned on) (dimmed (turned off)). In this case, the processing control unit 314 may use, for example, second processing correspondence information that pre-associates lighting devices with various locations in the environment in which the lighting devices are located. The second processing correspondence information may be stored, for example, in the storage unit 322.

[0077] Similar to air conditioners, a second processing correspondence information may be prepared in advance for lighting devices, which associates the placement position of each sensor device 200 with the target illuminance at that placement position. The lighting device may then be controlled so that the illuminance measured by the sensor device 200 (temperature sensor) approaches the target illuminance associated with the placement position of the sensor device 200. The details of controlling the lighting device are the same as those for controlling air conditioners, so they will not be explained here.

[0078] As a result, similar to the case of a temperature sensor, the sensor device 200 can be placed near residents, such as on a floor, allowing it to measure illuminance close to the resident's perceived illuminance. Therefore, by prioritizing control based on the control signal, illuminance control can be performed quickly for residents, providing more comfortable illuminance control, as well as efficient illuminance control and increased energy savings. In other words, based on the illuminance at the location where the illuminance sensor is placed, the illuminance of the surrounding environment can be finely adjusted to be appropriate for people located near the illuminance sensor.

[0079] Furthermore, the sensor device 200 may be equipped with a human presence sensor, such as an infrared type. For example, if it is an infrared type human presence sensor, the sensor device 200 measures the amount of infrared radiation around the sensor device 200 as a physical quantity using the human presence sensor.

[0080] Air conditioners and lighting devices can be controlled based on measurement results from motion sensors. This allows for precise adjustment of the temperature and illuminance of the surrounding environment to be appropriate for people near the motion sensor, based on the infrared radiation emitted by people in the area where the sensor is located.

[0081] Furthermore, the sensor device 200 may have a button that can be operated by a resident in the vicinity of the sensor device 200. For example, regardless of the state of the numerical values ​​of the physical quantities measured by the sensor device 200, if a resident in the vicinity of the sensor device 200 wishes to have the processing unit 400 perform processing such as temperature control or illuminance control, the processing control unit 314 instructs the processing unit 400 to perform the control in the vicinity of the sensor device 200 where the button was pressed. For example, the processing control unit 314 instructs the air conditioner and lighting equipment to prioritize temperature control, illuminance control, etc., in the vicinity of the sensor device 200 where the button was pressed. Variations of prioritizing include control that quickly brings the temperature and illuminance in the vicinity of the sensor device 200 where the button was pressed to the target temperature, etc., and control that does not prioritize temperature control or illuminance control in the vicinity of the sensor device 200 where the button was pressed (i.e., the resident does not want temperature control, illuminance control, etc., to be performed too much).

[0082] Although the sensor device 200 was explained using examples of a temperature sensor and an illuminance sensor, the controlled object may also be a humidity sensor, a CO2 sensor, or a VOC (volatile organic compound) sensor.

[0083] The receiving unit 315 may receive predetermined characteristics measured by each of the multiple directional couplers 103. That is, the receiving unit 315 may receive predetermined characteristics for each of the multiple transmitters 100, for example, via the communication unit 321. The predetermined characteristics may be, for example, insertion loss based on the input wave and the reflected wave.

[0084] If a change occurs that worsens a predetermined characteristic received by the reception unit 315, the transmission control unit 316 may control the transmission power of the transmitter 100 to which the directional coupler 103 whose characteristics have changed is connected, to be weaker than when no change in characteristics occurs. For example, if a change occurs that relatively worsens the insertion loss of the directional coupler 103, the transmission control unit 316 can estimate that there is an object relatively close to the antenna 104. In this case, the transmission control unit 316 may control the transmitter 100 to relatively weaken the power transmitted from the transmitter 100.

[0085] In this case, for example, if a person is near the antenna 104, or if a person passes near the antenna 104, the predetermined characteristics of the directional coupler 103 (e.g., insertion loss) may temporarily deteriorate. Specific examples of situations where a person is near the antenna 104 include when a person is working near the antenna 104, or when multiple people are talking near the antenna 104. Therefore, if the transmission control unit 316 detects a change that would worsen the predetermined characteristics of the directional coupler 103, it may estimate that a person is nearby and control the transmitter 100 to reduce the transmission power for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period may be various times, such as 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 8 minutes, and 10 minutes. After the predetermined period has elapsed, the transmission control unit 316 may control the transmitter to return the transmission power to its original level.

[0086] Furthermore, if the transmission control unit 316 maintains a state of poor characteristics after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, it may estimate that an object is nearby and control the transmission power to return it to its original state.

[0087] The output control unit 317 may, for example, control the output unit to output the position of the sensor device 200 estimated by the estimation unit 312. The output unit may be, for example, a communication unit 321, a storage unit 322, and a display unit 323.

[0088] In other words, the output control unit 317 may, for example, control the communication unit 321 to transmit information regarding the position of the sensor device 200, which is estimated by the estimation unit 312, to an external device. In this case, the external device may be, for example, a server (not shown) and a user terminal (not shown) used by a user of the information processing device 300. The user terminal may be, for example, a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.

[0089] The output control unit 317 may, for example, control the storage unit 322 to store information regarding the position of the sensor device 200 estimated by the estimation unit 312.

[0090] The output control unit 317 may, for example, control the display unit 323 to display the position of the sensor device 200 estimated by the estimation unit 312.

[0091] Furthermore, the output control unit 317 may control the output unit to output various types of information generated by each part of the information processing device 300, not limited to the position of the sensor device 200 estimated by the estimation unit 312.

[0092] [Information Processing Methods] Next, an information processing method according to one embodiment will be described.

[0093] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an information processing method according to one embodiment.

[0094] In step ST101, the transmitter 100 wirelessly transmits power to the sensor device 200 and also transmits a first signal. Each of the multiple sensor devices 200 may, for example, transmit a different first signal.

[0095] In step ST102, when the sensor device 200 receives the power transmitted in step ST101, it measures a physical quantity and transmits it to the information processing device 300, and also transmits a second signal corresponding to the first signal transmitted in step ST101 to the information processing device 300.

[0096] In step ST103, the information processing device 300 acquires the physical quantity and the second signal transmitted in step ST102.

[0097] In step ST104, the information processing device 300 identifies a transmitter 100 that transmits a first signal corresponding to the second signal acquired in step ST103, based on the first corresponding information stored in the storage unit 322, and estimates that a sensor device 200 that transmits a second signal in step ST102 is located near that transmitter 100.

[0098] Furthermore, if the information processing device 300 receives multiple first signals with one sensor device 200, it may estimate the distance between each of the multiple transmitters 100 and the sensor device 200. The estimation unit 312 can estimate the position of the sensor device 200 by triangulation based on multiple distances between each of the multiple transmitters 100 and the sensor device 200, and the position of the transmitter 100 recorded in the first correspondence information.

[0099] In step ST105, the information processing device 300 controls the antenna 104 of the transmitter 100 so that its directivity is directed towards the position of the sensor device 200 estimated in step ST105. As an example, the information processing device 300 may control the antenna 104 of the transmitter 100 that is closest to the sensor device 200 based on the position of the sensor device 200 estimated in step ST105.

[0100] In step ST106, the information processing device 300 may control the processing unit 400 to perform predetermined processing on the location where the sensor device 200 is located, based on physical quantities measured by the sensor device 200 whose position is estimated in step ST105. Examples of physical quantities may be temperature and illuminance. Examples of the processing unit 400 may be an air conditioner and a lighting device.

[0101] In other words, the information processing device 300 may control the air conditioner to adjust the temperature at the location where the temperature sensor is located if the temperature measured by the sensor device 200 changes.

[0102] Furthermore, the information processing device 300 may control the lighting device to adjust the brightness at the location where the illuminance sensor is located if the illuminance measured by the sensor device 200 changes.

[0103] In step ST107, the transmitter 100 transmits predetermined characteristics acquired by the directional coupler 103 to the information processing device 300. An example of predetermined characteristics may be insertion loss, etc.

[0104] In step ST108, the information processing device 300 receives the predetermined characteristics of the directional coupler 103 in step ST107.

[0105] In step ST109, if the information processing device 300 detects a change in a predetermined characteristic that is degraded, it controls the transmitter 100 to which the directional coupler 103 whose characteristics have changed is connected, to reduce the transmission power to a level lower than when no change in characteristics occurs. In this case, the information processing device 300 may control the transmitter 100 to reduce the transmission power for a predetermined period of time.

[0106] [Effects of one embodiment] As described above, according to the information processing system 1 of one embodiment, the position of the sensor device 200 that is the target of wireless power transmission can be estimated and preferably identified.

[0107] In one embodiment of the information processing system 1, multiple transmitters 100 and sensor devices 200 are provided. By providing multiple sensor devices 200, in cases where many people reside in a space where sensor devices 200 are installed, such as offices or residences in a building, the sensor devices 200 can be placed near these people. The power required for the sensor devices 200 to measure physical quantities is not high, and therefore, sufficient power for measuring physical quantities by the sensor devices 200 can be supplied wirelessly from the transmitter 100. As described above, based on the physical quantities measured by the sensor devices 200, it is possible to control air conditioners, lighting devices, etc. That is, physical quantities near people residing in offices, etc., can be measured by the sensor devices 200, and air conditioners, etc., can be controlled to create a comfortable space for these people.

[0108] Temperature control for air conditioners and illuminance control for lighting systems are generally based on the temperature in the area where the air conditioner or lighting system is installed. However, there is a certain difference between the temperature in the area where the air conditioner or lighting system is installed and the temperature in the area where people live. This is mainly due to distance and also to differences in altitude. Conventional air conditioner control can be said to be temperature control optimized for areas where no one is present.

[0109] According to one embodiment of the information processing system 1, since the sensor device 200 can be placed near a person, temperature control and other measures that improve comfort for a person living in the space where the sensor device 200 is installed can be performed precisely and reliably.

[0110] [Differentiation] In the embodiment described above, the information processing device 300 acquired physical quantities measured by each of the multiple sensor devices 200 and second signals corresponding to first signals transmitted from each of the multiple transmitters 100 from the multiple sensor devices 200. At this time, the transmitter 100 may acquire (receive) signals representing physical quantities measured by each of the multiple sensor devices 200 and second signals corresponding to first signals transmitted from each of the multiple transmitters 100, and the transmitter 100 may send the acquired signals representing physical quantities and second signals to the information processing device 300. As described above, since the transmitter 100 has a directional coupler 103, it may transmit the signal input from the amplifier circuit 102 as a power transmission signal from the antenna 104 to the sensor devices 200, while also incorporating the signals representing physical quantities and second signals transmitted from the sensor devices 200, received by the antenna 104, as received signals.

[0111] The frequency band and protocol of the power transmission signal and the first signal from the transmitter 100 to the sensor device 200, and the frequency band and protocol of the signal representing the physical quantity and the second signal from the sensor device 200 to the transmitter 100 and / or the information processing device 300, can be appropriately selected from well-known options. An example is described below, but the frequency bands and protocols that can be used in the information processing system 1 disclosed in one embodiment and a modified example are not limited to those exemplified.

[0112] First, the power transmission signal transmitted from the transmitter 100 may, for example, be a continuous wave (CW) with a predetermined power. Furthermore, the frequency band of the power transmission signal is, for example, 900 MHz, taking into account the distance between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200. If the frequency band is higher than the example given, it may not be possible to supply the predetermined power necessary for the sensor device 200 to operate unless the distance between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200 is shortened. Therefore, an appropriate frequency band can be determined by considering a practical range (for example, a distance of several meters between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device).

[0113] In this case, the laws of the country where the information processing system 1 is installed may impose restrictions on the intermittent transmission of power signals with a predetermined power level. For example, if the power transmission signal from transmitter 100 falls under the provisions for radio stations as defined in Japan's Radio Law (regardless of whether a license is in place), it may be necessary to provide a certain pause period for the power transmission signal in accordance with the Radio Law. In this case, considering it over a certain time axis, the power transmission signal cannot be considered a continuous wave. Therefore, in the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, the intermittent power transmission signal is considered to also serve as the first signal. However, it is important to provide a pause period, and since this pause period only needs to be short, the power transmission signal transmitted from transmitter 100 can be considered a substantially continuous wave.

[0114] If we consider the power transmission signal as the first signal, then the first signal may not differ for each of the multiple transmitters 100. In other words, whether or not to synchronize the rest periods for each of the multiple transmitters 100 is a design matter and is not essential in the information processing system 1 of this embodiment. Of course, it is also possible to intentionally make the rest periods different for each of the multiple transmitters 100, and to adopt a configuration in which the sensor device 200 identifies each transmitter 100 based on the difference in these rest periods on the time axis.

[0115] Furthermore, the frequency bands of the signals representing physical quantities and the second signals transmitted from the sensor device 200 to the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300 may be determined by the transmission protocol for these signals. For example, if the protocol for these signals is defined by the wireless LAN (IEEE802.11) standard, the frequency band of the signals is 2.4 GHz. Similarly, if the protocol for the signals is defined by the Bluetooth® standard, the frequency band of the signals is also 2.4 GHz. Moreover, if the protocol for the signals is UWB (Ultra Wide Band), the frequency bands will be specific frequency bands defined by each country in the microwave band and quasi-millimeter wave band. Furthermore, if the protocol for the signals is RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), an appropriate frequency band will be selected depending on the distance between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200 (or its sensor communication unit 210), which is an RF tag, and the communication method.

[0116] Thus, the protocols for the signals representing physical quantities and the second signals transmitted from the sensor device 200 to the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300 are preferably protocols capable of data transmission and reception, particularly known protocols capable of communication over relatively short distances (e.g., a few meters). Examples include wireless LAN, Bluetooth, UWB, and RFID.

[0117] Furthermore, if these signals are received by the transmitter 100, communication between the transmitter 100 and the information processing device 300 is also required. The transmitter 100 and the information processing device 300 may be connected by a wired network, or by various wireless methods used for communication between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200. In the case of a wireless method, it is preferable that both the transmitter 100 and the information processing device 300 have wireless transmitting and receiving units.

[0118] The timing of the transmission of the power transmission signal from the transmitter 100 and the timing of the transmission of the signal representing the physical quantity from the sensor device 200 may be simultaneous. In other words, the sensor device 200 may transmit a signal representing the physical quantity at the same time that the transmitter 100 transmits the power transmission signal. Naturally, the timing of the transmission of the power transmission signal and the first signal from the transmitter 100 and the timing of the transmission of the signal representing the physical quantity and the second signal from the sensor device 200 may also be simultaneous.

[0119] When using RFID, particularly RFID tags called passive tags, the signals transmitted from the RFID use the reflected waves (backscatter) of the signals transmitted from the RFID reader / writer. Therefore, as in this embodiment, it is difficult to simultaneously transmit the power transmission signal from the transmitter 100 and the physical quantity signals from the sensor device 200. Furthermore, with communication using backscatter, the transmission and reception of signals are in the same frequency band, making simultaneous transmission and reception of signals technically difficult. In this respect, the information processing system 1 of this embodiment can use different frequency bands for the power transmission signal from the transmitter 100 and the physical quantity signals from the sensor device 200, thus reducing the technical difficulty of simultaneously transmitting and receiving these signals.

[0120] As described above, the storage unit 322 of the information processing device 300 stores (second) correspondence information. The second correspondence information is information that associates the distance between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200 with the second signal corresponding to the first signal. The details of the second correspondence information are determined by how the estimation unit 312 of the information processing device 300 detects the distance between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200.

[0121] Methods for detecting the distance between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200 include methods based on the received signal strength indication of the radio waves from the sensor device 200, methods based on the arrival angle of the radio waves from the sensor device 200, and methods based on the arrival time of the radio waves from the sensor device 200.

[0122] The method based on radio wave intensity is as follows: The radio wave intensity of the radio waves emitted by the sensor device 200 is given as second corresponding information, and the estimation unit 312 detects the radio wave intensity from the sensor device 200 received by the transmitter 100 and / or the information processing device 300. According to Frith's transfer formula, it is known that the radio waves from the sensor device 200 attenuate inversely proportional to the square of the distance to the transmitter 100 and / or the information processing device 300. Using this Frith's transfer formula, the estimation unit 312 can determine the distance from the sensor device 200 to the transmitter 100 and / or the information processing device 300. Such methods are widely used in wireless LANs (IEEE802.11).

[0123] Next, the method based on the angle of arrival of radio waves is as follows: If the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300 adopt a configuration in which radio waves from the sensor device 200 are received by multiple antennas, the estimation unit 312 can determine the angle of arrival of the radio waves from the sensor device 200 based on the difference in reception times at each antenna. Then, by determining the angle of arrival of radio waves from the same sensor device 200 using multiple transmitters 100 and / or information processing devices 300, the estimation unit 312 can determine the distance from the sensor device 200 to the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300. This method is defined as AoA (Angle of Arrival) in Bluetooth 5.0. Note that if the sensor device 200 has multiple antennas, AoD (Angle of Departure) can also be used. In this case, the second correspondence information is a table showing the relationship between the difference in radio wave reception times and the angle of arrival.

[0124] Furthermore, the method based on the arrival time of radio waves is as follows: Assume that the transmission timing of the radio waves transmitted from the sensor device 200 has a fixed period (for example, based on a clock), and that the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300 have a clock synchronized with this clock. The estimation unit 312 calculates the arrival time of the radio waves from the sensor device 200, that is, the difference between the time the radio waves were transmitted from the sensor device 200 and the time the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300 received the radio waves, from the timing when the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300 received the radio waves from the sensor device 200. Then, based on this time difference, the estimation unit 312 can calculate the distance from the sensor device 200 to the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300. Such a method is used when UWB is adopted as the radio wave protocol. In this case, the second correspondence information is a table showing the relationship between the arrival time of radio waves and the distance.

[0125] Using the method described above, the estimation unit 312 can calculate the distance between the sensor device 200 that transmitted the radio waves and the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300. Based on the calculated distance, it can identify the transmitter 100 that is closest to the sensor device 200 that transmitted the second signal. The estimation unit 312 then estimates that the sensor device 200 that transmitted the second signal is located near the identified transmitter 100. In addition, the estimation unit 312 can determine the position of the sensor device 200 by calculating the distance between the sensor device 200 and the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300, calculated using the method described above, for the same sensor device 200 and multiple transmitters 100 and / or information processing devices 300. The method for determining the position of the sensor device 200 will now be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12.

[0126] Methods for determining the position of the sensor device 200 include so-called triangulation, a method called check-in, and a fingerprinting method.

[0127] The triangulation method has already been explained, but it will be explained in more detail again using Figure 10. Triangulation assumes that the distances between at least two transmitters 100 and / or information processing devices 300 and the sensor device 200, preferably three or more transmitters 100 and / or information processing devices 300 and the sensor device 200, have been determined. In the example shown in Figure 10, it is assumed that the distance between each of the three transmitters 100 and the sensor device 200 has been determined by the estimation unit 312. These distances are shown by circles 500. Note that although Figure 10 shows the distance between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200, it may also be the distance between the information processing device 300 and the sensor device 200. From the relationship between the distances between each transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200, it can be estimated that the sensor device 200 is located at the intersection 510 of the three circles 500. In this way, the estimation unit 312 can determine the distance between the transmitter 100 and / or information processing device 300 and the sensor device 200.

[0128] A technique called "check-in" will be explained with reference to Figure 11. In check-in, a threshold value is predetermined for the radio wave intensity corresponding to a given distance. The estimation unit 312 monitors the radio wave intensity of the radio waves transmitted from the sensor device 200 for a specific transmitter 100, and if this radio wave intensity exceeds the predetermined threshold, it determines that the distance between the specific transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200 corresponds to this radio wave intensity. In Figure 11, the distance corresponding to the threshold is represented by a circle 600. By performing the same determination for multiple transmitters 100, the estimation unit 312 can determine the distance between the transmitter 100 and / or the information processing device 300 and the sensor device 200. Note that although Figure 11 shows the distance between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200, it may also be the distance between the information processing device 300 and the sensor device 200.

[0129] The fingerprinting technique will be explained with reference to Figure 12. For example, as shown in Figure 12, assume that multiple transmitters 100 (three in Figure 12) are installed near the roof of a room 700 where a sensor device 200 is located. Also, assume that the sensor device 200 is located on a plane 710 near the floor of room 700. This plane 710 is divided into a predetermined number of sections 720, and the signal strength of the radio waves received by each transmitter 100 from the sensor device 200, assuming that a sensor device 200 is located in each section 720, is determined in advance. In this case, the signal strength in each section 720 may be a measured value, or it may be determined by theoretical calculation (it can be calculated if the distance between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200 is known). The estimation unit 312 then detects the signal strength of the radio waves from the sensor device 200 detected by the multiple transmitters 100, and from among the sets of signal strength values ​​assigned to each section 720, it finds the section 720 to which the signal strength that matches or is closest in value is assigned, and estimates that the sensor device 200 is located in this section 720. Although Figure 12 shows the distance between the transmitter 100 and the sensor device 200, it may also be the distance between the information processing device 300 and the sensor device 200.

[0130] Although various aspects of the operation of the estimation unit 312 have been described above, in this embodiment, the estimation unit 312 may be provided in the transmitter 100, or it may be provided in the transmitting / receiving unit provided in the transmitter 100 and the information processing device 300. Thus, in the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, the transmitter 100 and the information processing device 300 shown in Figure 1, etc., can be considered together as an information processing device.

[0131] Therefore, the modified information processing system 1 can also achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 of one embodiment.

[0132] [Note] Each part of the information processing device 300 described above may be implemented as a function of a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. That is, the acquisition unit 311, estimation unit 312, antenna control unit 313, processing control unit 314, reception unit 315, transmission control unit 316, and output control unit 317 (control unit 310) of the information processing device 300 may be implemented as an acquisition function, estimation function, antenna control function, processing control function, reception function, transmission control function, and output control function (control function) by a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like.

[0133] Information processing programs can enable computers to implement the functions described above. These information processing programs may be recorded on non-temporary recording media that are readable by a computer, such as memory, solid-state drives, hard disk drives, or optical discs.

[0134] Furthermore, as described above, each part of the information processing device 300 may be implemented as a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. This arithmetic processing unit or the like is composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. For this reason, each part of the information processing device 300 may be implemented as a circuit that constitutes an arithmetic processing unit or the like. That is, the acquisition unit 311, estimation unit 312, antenna control unit 313, processing control unit 314, reception unit 315, transmission control unit 316, and output control unit 317 (control unit 310) of the information processing device 300 may be implemented as an acquisition circuit, estimation circuit, antenna control circuit, processing control circuit, reception circuit, transmission control circuit, and output control circuit (control circuit) that constitute an arithmetic processing unit or the like of a computer.

[0135] Furthermore, the communication unit 321, storage unit 322, and display unit 323 (output unit) of the information processing device 300 may be implemented as a communication function, storage function, and display function (output function) that includes the functions of an arithmetic processing unit, for example. Also, the communication unit 321, storage unit 322, and display unit 323 (output unit) of the information processing device 300 may be implemented as a communication circuit, storage circuit, and display circuit (output circuit) by being composed of an integrated circuit, for example. Furthermore, the communication unit 321, storage unit 322, and display unit 323 (output unit) of the information processing device 300 may be configured as a communication device, storage device, and display device (output device) by being composed of a plurality of devices, for example.

[0136] The information processing system 1 can combine one or any multiple of the above-described parts.

[0137] In this disclosure, the term "information" is used, but the term "information" can be replaced with "data," and the term "data" can be replaced with "information."

[0138] [Aspects and Effects of This Embodiment] Next, one aspect of this embodiment and the effects achieved by each aspect will be described. Note that this embodiment is not limited to the aspects described below, and may be realized by appropriately combining the parts described above. Furthermore, the effects described below are examples, and the effects achieved by each aspect are not limited to those described below.

[0139] (Aspect 1) An information processing system in one embodiment comprises one or more transmitters that wirelessly transmit power, each transmitter capable of transmitting a different first signal; a plurality of sensor devices, each arranged at different locations and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, which receive power transmitted by the transmitters and are capable of receiving the first signal; and an information processing device capable of acquiring the physical quantity measured by each of the plurality of sensor devices and a second signal corresponding to the first signal transmitted from each of the transmitters from the plurality of sensor devices, wherein the information processing device comprises a storage unit that stores first correspondence information associating the location where the transmitters are arranged, the first signal transmitted by the transmitters, and the second signal corresponding to the first signal; and an estimation unit that, based on the first correspondence information stored in the storage unit, identifies a transmitter that transmits a first signal corresponding to a second signal transmitted from a sensor device, thereby estimating that there is a sensor device transmitting a second signal near that transmitter.

[0140] This allows the information processing system to estimate the position of the sensor device. For example, the information processing system can determine the position of the sensor device by performing triangulation using the first signal transmitted from each of the multiple transmitters.

[0141] (Aspect 2) An information processing system in one embodiment comprises one or more transmitters that wirelessly transmit power, each capable of transmitting a first signal; a plurality of sensor devices, each arranged at different locations and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, which receive power transmitted by the transmitters and are also capable of receiving the first signal; and an information processing device capable of acquiring signals representing the physical quantities measured by each of the plurality of sensor devices and second signals corresponding to the first signals transmitted from each of the transmitters from the plurality of sensor devices, wherein the information processing device comprises a storage unit that stores second correspondence information relating the distance between the transmitters and the sensor devices to the second signals corresponding to the first signals; and an estimation unit that estimates that there is a sensor device transmitting a second signal near a transmitter by identifying the transmitter that is closest to the sensor device transmitting the second signal based on the second correspondence information stored in the storage unit.

[0142] This allows the information processing system to estimate the distance between the sensor device and the information processing device. For example, the information processing system can determine the position of the sensor device by performing triangulation using the second signals transmitted from each of the multiple transmitters.

[0143] (Aspect 3) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the information processing device may include an antenna control unit that controls the directivity of the transmitter's antenna to be directed towards the position of the sensor device estimated by the estimation unit.

[0144] This allows the information processing system to efficiently transmit power and the first signal from the transmitter to the sensor device.

[0145] (Aspect 4) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the antenna control unit may control the antenna of the transmitter closest to the sensor device based on the position of the sensor device estimated by the estimation unit.

[0146] This allows the information processing system to efficiently transmit power and the first signal from the transmitter to the sensor device.

[0147] (Appendix 5) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the information processing device may include a processing control unit that controls a processing unit to perform predetermined processing on the location where a sensor device is located, based on a physical quantity measured by a sensor device whose location is estimated by an estimation unit.

[0148] This allows the information processing system to use physical quantities in the environment where the sensor device is located to perform processing on the environment at the location (or nearby location) where the sensor device is placed.

[0149] (Aspect 6) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the processing unit is an air conditioner, the sensor device is equipped with a temperature sensor, and the processing control unit may control the air conditioner to adjust the temperature at the location where the temperature sensor is located when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor changes.

[0150] This allows the information processing system to adjust the temperature of the surrounding environment where the sensor device is located, based on the temperature at the location where the sensor device is placed.

[0151] (Aspect 7) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the processing control unit has first processing correspondence information that associates the placement location of a sensor device with a target temperature at that placement location, and may control the air conditioner so that the temperature measured by each temperature sensor approaches the target temperature associated with the placement location of the sensor device.

[0152] This allows the information processing system to adjust the temperature of the surrounding environment more precisely and to a comfortable level for people located near the sensor device, based on the temperature at the location where the sensor device is placed.

[0153] (Pattern 8) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the processing unit is a lighting device, the sensor device is equipped with an illuminance sensor, and the processing control unit may control the lighting device to adjust the brightness at the location where the illuminance sensor is located when the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor changes.

[0154] This allows the information processing system to adjust the illuminance of the surrounding environment where the sensor device is located, based on the illuminance at the location where the sensor device is placed.

[0155] (Aspect 9) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the processing control unit has second processing correspondence information that associates the placement position of a sensor device with a target illuminance at that placement position, and may control the lighting device so that the illuminance measured by each illuminance sensor approaches the target illuminance associated with the placement position of the sensor device.

[0156] This allows the information processing system to finely adjust the illuminance of the surrounding environment where the sensor device is located, based on the illuminance at the location where the sensor device is placed, to be appropriate for people located near the sensor device.

[0157] (Aspect 10) In one embodiment of the information processing system, each transmitter is equipped with a directional coupler for the power signal transmitted from the transmitter's antenna, and the information processing device may include a receiving unit that receives predetermined characteristics measured by each directional coupler, and a transmission control unit that, when a change occurs that worsens the predetermined characteristics received by the receiving unit, controls the transmission power of the transmitter to which the directional coupler whose characteristics have changed is connected to be weaker than when no change in characteristics occurs.

[0158] This allows the information processing system to reduce the power transmitted from the transmitter, for example, when a person is near the transmitter. In other words, the information processing system can prevent, for example, a person from being adversely affected by the transmitted power.

[0159] (Aspect 11) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the transmission control unit may control the transmitter to reduce the transmission power for a predetermined period of time.

[0160] This allows the information processing system to temporarily reduce the power transmitted from the transmitter, for example, if a person is near the transmitter.

[0161] (Aspect 12) In one embodiment of the information processing system, multiple transmitters may be provided, and the second correspondence information stored in the memory unit may be information that associates the distance between the transmitter and the sensor device with the signal strength of the second signal corresponding to the first signal, and the estimation unit may determine the signal strengths of multiple second signals received by multiple transmitters and, based on the multiple signal strengths and the second correspondence information, identify the transmitter among the multiple transmitters that is closest to the sensor device transmitting the second signal.

[0162] This allows the information processing system to more accurately identify the transmitter that is closest to the sensor device.

[0163] (Aspect 13) In one embodiment of the information processing system, there may be three or more transmitters, and the estimation unit may determine the signal strength of a plurality of second signals received by at least three or more transmitters, and based on the plurality of signal strengths and second correspondence information, identify the transmitter among the plurality of transmitters that is closest in distance to the sensor device that transmits the second signal, and also identify the location where the sensor device that is closest in distance to the transmitter is located.

[0164] This allows the information processing system to determine the location of the sensor device using the second signal transmitted from the sensor device.

[0165] (Aspect 14) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the estimation unit may determine the signal strength of the second signal received by the transmitter, and based on the signal strength and the second correspondence information, identify the transmitter that is closest to the sensor device transmitting the second signal among a plurality of transmitters, based on whether the signal strength is above a predetermined threshold.

[0166] This allows the information processing system to more accurately identify the transmitter that is closest to the sensor device.

[0167] (Aspect 15) In one embodiment of the information processing system, there may be three or more transmitters, and the second correspondence information stored in the memory unit may be information that associates the location where a sensor device is placed with the signal strength of a second signal corresponding to a first signal, and the estimation unit may determine the signal strengths of a plurality of second signals received by at least three or more transmitters, and based on the plurality of signal strengths and the second correspondence information, identify the transmitter among the plurality of transmitters that is closest in distance to the sensor device that transmits the second signal, and also identify the location where the sensor device that is closest in distance to the transmitter is placed.

[0168] This allows the information processing system to determine the location of the sensor device by utilizing the signal strength of the second signal transmitted from the sensor device.

[0169] (Aspect 16) In one embodiment of the information processing system, multiple transmitters may be provided, and the estimation unit may determine the arrival angles of multiple second signals received by the multiple transmitters, and based on the multiple arrival angles and the second correspondence information, identify the transmitter among the multiple transmitters that is closest to the sensor device transmitting the second signal.

[0170] This allows the information processing system to more accurately identify the transmitter closest to the sensor device by utilizing the angle of arrival of the second signal transmitted from the sensor device.

[0171] (Aspect 17) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the estimation unit may be provided in the transmitter.

[0172] This allows the information processing system to simplify the configuration of its information processing equipment.

[0173] (Aspect 18) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the power transmission signal sent from the transmitter may be used as the first signal.

[0174] This allows the information processing system to simplify the configuration of the transmitter.

[0175] (Aspect 19) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the power transmission signal is a substantially continuous radio frequency signal having a predetermined power, and this radio frequency signal may be transmitted intermittently from a transmitter at a predetermined period.

[0176] This allows the information processing system to stably supply power to the sensor device and to maintain a wide distance between the transmitter and the sensor device.

[0177] (Aspect 20) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the frequency bands of the first signal and the frequency bands of the second signal may be different.

[0178] This reduces the technical difficulty of simultaneously transmitting and receiving the first and second signals.

[0179] (Aspect 21) In one embodiment of the information processing system, a sensor device may transmit a physical quantity and a second signal simultaneously with a power transmission signal transmitted from a transmitter.

[0180] This allows the transmitter and sensor device to transmit the power transmission signal, physical quantity, and second signal at a timing determined by itself.

[0181] (Aspect 22) One embodiment of an information processing device includes: a location where one or more transmitters for wirelessly transmitting power are arranged, each capable of transmitting a different first signal; a storage unit for storing first correspondence information that associates the first signal transmitted by the transmitters with a second signal corresponding to the first signal; a plurality of sensor devices, each arranged at different locations and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, which receive power transmitted by the transmitters and are also capable of receiving the first signal; and an acquisition unit for acquiring the physical quantity to be measured and the second signal corresponding to the first signal transmitted from each of the transmitters from the plurality of sensor devices; and an estimation unit for estimating that there is a sensor device transmitting a second signal near a transmitter, by identifying the transmitter among the transmitters that transmits a first signal corresponding to the second signal transmitted from the sensor device acquired by the acquisition unit, based on the first correspondence information stored in the storage unit.

[0182] As a result, the information processing device can achieve the same effects as the information processing system of the above-described embodiment.

[0183] (Aspect 23) In one embodiment of the information processing method, a computer has a storage unit that stores location information of one or more transmitters that wirelessly transmit power, each capable of transmitting a different first signal, and a location information of first correspondence information that associates the first signal transmitted by the transmitters with a second signal corresponding to the first signal. The computer has a storage unit that stores location information of multiple sensor devices, each located at different locations and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, each equipped with a receiver that can receive power transmitted by the transmitters and the first signal, and performs an acquisition step of acquiring the physical quantity to be measured and the second signal corresponding to the first signal transmitted from each of the transmitters from the multiple sensor devices. The computer then performs an estimation step of identifying a transmitter among the transmitters that transmits a first signal corresponding to the second signal transmitted from the sensor device acquired in the acquisition step, based on the first correspondence information stored in the storage unit, and estimating that there is a sensor device transmitting a second signal near that transmitter.

[0184] As a result, the information processing method can achieve the same effects as the information processing system of the aforementioned embodiment.

[0185] (Aspect 24) In one embodiment of an information processing program, a computer is provided with a storage function that stores first correspondence information relating the locations of one or more transmitters that wirelessly transmit power, each capable of transmitting a different first signal, the first signal transmitted by the transmitters, and a second signal corresponding to the first signal; an acquisition function that acquires from multiple sensor devices, each located at a different position and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, the physical quantity to be measured, and the second signal corresponding to the first signal transmitted from each transmitter, based on the first correspondence information stored in the storage function, the sensor device that transmits the first signal corresponding to the second signal transmitted by the sensor device acquired by the acquisition function.

[0186] As a result, the information processing program can achieve the same effects as the information processing system described above.

[0187] (Aspect 25) One embodiment of an air conditioning system is an air conditioning system that controls based on the temperature measured by a plurality of temperature sensors placed at predetermined locations in a space, wherein each of the plurality of temperature sensors is placed at a predetermined location, and when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor changes, it receives a control signal to adjust the temperature at the location where the temperature sensor is placed, and controls based on this control signal.

[0188] This allows air conditioning equipment to adjust the temperature of the surrounding environment based on the temperature at the location where the temperature sensor is placed.

[0189] (Aspect 26) In one embodiment of the air conditioning equipment, based on first processing correspondence information that associates the placement location of a temperature sensor with a target temperature at that placement location, the equipment may accept a control signal that causes the temperature measured by each temperature sensor to approach the target temperature associated with the placement location of the temperature sensor.

[0190] This allows air conditioning equipment to adjust the temperature of the surrounding environment more precisely and to a comfortable level for people located near the temperature sensor, based on the temperature at the sensor's location.

[0191] (Aspect 27) One embodiment of a lighting device is a lighting device that controls based on illuminance measured by a plurality of illuminance sensors arranged at predetermined positions in a space, wherein each of the plurality of illuminance sensors is arranged at a predetermined position, and when the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensors changes, it receives a control signal to adjust the brightness at the position where the illuminance sensors are located, and controls based on this control signal.

[0192] This allows the lighting device to adjust the illuminance of the surrounding environment based on the illuminance at the location where the illuminance sensor is placed.

[0193] (Aspect 28) In one embodiment of the lighting device, there is a second processing correspondence information that associates the placement position of an illuminance sensor with a target illuminance at that placement position, and the device may accept a control signal that causes the illuminance measured by each illuminance sensor to approach the target illuminance associated with the placement position of the illuminance sensor.

[0194] This allows the lighting system to precisely adjust the illuminance of the environment surrounding the illuminance sensor based on the illuminance at the sensor's location, making it appropriate for people located near the sensor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0195] 1. Information Processing System 100 Transmitters 101 Phase-locked circuit 102 Amplifier Circuit 103 Directional coupler 200 Sensor device 210 Sensor communication unit 211 Sensor Receiver 212 Sensor Transmitter 213 Antenna 214 Power supply point 220 Sensor section 300 Information Processing Devices 310 Control Unit 311 Acquisition Department 312 Estimation Department 313 Antenna Control Unit 314 Processing Control Unit 315 Reception Department 316 Transmission Control Unit 317 Output Control Unit 321 Communications Department 322 Storage section 323 Display section 400 Processing Unit

Claims

1. A plurality of transmitters capable of wirelessly transmitting a power supply signal that can identify each of them, A receiver capable of receiving the power supply signal transmitted by the transmitter, and a plurality of sensor devices, each positioned at a different location and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, An information processing device capable of acquiring the physical quantity measured by each of the multiple sensor devices and the radio wave intensity of the power supply signal transmitted from each of the transmitters from the multiple sensor devices, Equipped with, The aforementioned information processing device is A storage unit that stores the location where the transmitter is located, An estimation unit estimates the position of the sensor device based on the position information of the transmitter stored in the memory unit and the radio wave intensity of the power supply signal acquired from the sensor device. Equipped with, The power supply signal can be considered as a substantially continuous wave by providing a rest period of any period, which is short compared to the rest period, in this information processing system.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, comprising a processing control unit that controls a processing unit to perform a predetermined processing on the position where the sensor device is located, based on the physical quantity measured by the sensor device whose position is estimated by the estimation unit.

3. The aforementioned processing unit is an air conditioner, The sensor device includes a temperature sensor, The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the processing control unit controls the air conditioner to adjust the temperature at the location where the temperature sensor is located when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor changes.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the processing control unit has first processing correspondence information that associates the placement position of the sensor device with a target temperature at the placement position, and controls the air conditioner so that the temperature measured by each of the temperature sensors approaches the target temperature associated with the placement position of the sensor device.

5. The aforementioned processing unit is a lighting device, The aforementioned sensor device includes an illuminance sensor, The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the processing control unit controls the lighting device to adjust the brightness at the location where the illuminance sensor is located when the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor changes.

6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the processing control unit has second processing correspondence information that associates the placement position of the sensor device with a target illuminance at the placement position, and controls the lighting device so that the illuminance measured by each of the illuminance sensors approaches the target illuminance associated with the placement position of the sensor device.

7. Three or more of the aforementioned transmitters are provided. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit determines the location where the sensor device is placed by triangulation based on the radio wave intensity of the power supply signals from at least three or more transmitters and the location information of the transmitters stored in the storage unit.

8. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the frequency band of the power supply signal and the frequency band of the signal transmitted by the sensor device to the information processing device, which includes the physical quantity and the radio wave intensity, are different.

9. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply signals transmitted from a plurality of transmitters can be identified by providing each of them with a different period of rest time.

10. A storage unit that stores the locations where a plurality of transmitters capable of wirelessly transmitting a power supply signal that can identify each of them are located, A plurality of sensor devices, each arranged at a different location and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, each having a receiver capable of receiving a power supply signal transmitted by the transmitter, and comprising an acquisition unit that acquires the physical quantity to be measured and the radio wave intensity of the power supply signal transmitted from each of the transmitters from the plurality of sensor devices, An estimation unit estimates the position of the sensor device based on the position information of the transmitter stored in the memory unit and the radio wave intensity of the power supply signal acquired from the sensor device. Equipped with, The power supply signal can be considered as a substantially continuous wave by providing a rest period of any period, which is a short period compared to the rest period.

11. A computer comprising a storage unit that stores the locations of a plurality of transmitters, each capable of wirelessly transmitting a power supply signal that can be identified by each transmitter, A plurality of sensor devices, each arranged at a different location and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, each having a receiver capable of receiving a power supply signal transmitted by the transmitter, the acquisition step of acquiring the physical quantity to be measured and the radio wave intensity of the power supply signal transmitted from each of the transmitters from the plurality of sensor devices, An estimation step of estimating the position of the sensor device based on the position information of the transmitter stored in the memory unit and the radio wave intensity of the power supply signal acquired from the sensor device, Execute, The power supply signal can be considered as a substantially continuous wave by providing a rest period of any period, which is short compared to the rest period.

12. On the computer, A memory function that stores the locations of multiple transmitters, each capable of wirelessly transmitting a power supply signal that can identify it, A plurality of sensor devices, each arranged at a different location and capable of measuring a predetermined physical quantity, each having a receiver capable of receiving a power supply signal transmitted by the transmitter, and comprising an acquisition function for acquiring the measured physical quantity and the radio wave intensity of the power supply signal transmitted from each of the transmitters from the plurality of sensor devices, An estimation function that estimates the position of the sensor device based on the position information of the transmitter stored by the memory function and the radio wave intensity of the power supply signal acquired from the sensor device, To make it happen, The power supply signal is an information processing program that allows it to be considered as a substantially continuous wave by providing a pause period of any period that is short compared to the period other than the pause period.

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