Sensing system

Abstract

A sensor terminal 10 according to the present disclosure comprises: an observation unit 18 that observes a surrounding physical quantity; a power source 11 that supplies power to the observation unit 18; a result presentation unit 17 that presents an observation result obtained by the observation unit 18 to the outside by a prescribed method; and a presentation unit power source 16 that supplies power to the result presentation unit 17.

Description

Sensing System

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for collecting data with low power consumption by sensors in an IoT system.

[0002] The number of IoT devices in use has been continuously increasing, and wireless IoT devices have increased at an annual rate of 120% so far (see Non-Patent Document 1). In the future, including communication in the 5G plan, the usage rate of IoT devices is expected to continue to increase. As shown in Non-Patent Document 1, among various communication methods, the usage rate of cellular communication is dominant.

[0003] However, in cellular communication connected to a base station, an increase in costs due to base station introduction costs and security measures for IoT devices becomes a problem. Therefore, in recent years, communication between IoT devices that does not use cellular communication has begun to be utilized.

[0004] For example, a technique for constructing a mesh network by interconnecting IoT devices has been developed (see Non-Patent Document 2). Also, when using IoT sensors arranged in places with poor power supply, a mechanism has been proposed in which another IoT device patrols the sensor placement location for power supply to the sensors and collection of sensing data (see Non-Patent Document 3). By directly communicating between IoT devices or between an IoT sensor and an IoT device, costs can be reduced compared to the case of performing cellular communication.

[0005] However, the cost associated with power consumption accompanying the increase in the number of IoT devices cannot be ignored. In particular, in the placement of IoT sensors in places where power supply is difficult, such as in Non-Patent Document 3, reduction of power consumption has great significance. Specifically, in Non-Patent Document 3, in order to transmit sensor data, it is necessary to activate the IoT sensor and establish wireless communication. In this case, since power consumption is large, high-capacity wireless power transmission by the patrolling IoT device was essential.

[0006] Yano Research Institute, “Wireless IoT market size projected to reach 27.1 million devices in FY2030” (2024) I. Lunden, “Wirepass nabs 22M to expand IoT business based on distributed, mesh technology”, TechCrunch (2023) Y. Luo, et al., “UAV Remotely-Powered Underground IoT for Soil Monitoring”, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Information, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 972-983 (2024)

[0007] Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide communication technology between IoT devices and sensors that suppresses power consumption.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the sensor terminal and sensing method of this disclosure use different power supply systems for driving the sensor terminal and for presenting the observation results, respectively.

[0009] Specifically, the sensor terminal of this disclosure comprises: an observation unit for observing surrounding physical quantities; a power source for supplying power to the observation unit; a result presentation unit for presenting the observation results from the observation unit to the outside in a predetermined manner; and a presentation unit power source for supplying power to the result presentation unit.

[0010] In the above configuration, the power source for the display unit comprises: a receiving antenna that receives radio signals radiated by mobile devices patrolling the surrounding area; a power conversion unit that converts the radio signals into electricity; a power storage unit that stores the converted electricity; a power storage amount observation unit that, when the electricity stored in the power storage unit reaches a predetermined storage amount sufficient for the transmission of the observation results by the result display unit, sends a signal indicating that the electricity stored in the power storage unit has reached the predetermined storage amount; and a power output unit that, upon receiving the signal from the power storage amount observation unit, supplies the electricity stored in the power storage unit to the result display unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the device may also include a light-receiving unit that detects the intensity of light irradiated upon it, and the result presentation unit may include an instruction selection unit that switches the presentation method between a light-emitting system that presents the observation results to the outside using light, an acoustic system that presents the observation results to the outside using sound waves, and a radio wave system that presents the observation results to the outside using radio waves, depending on the light intensity detected by the light-receiving unit.

[0012] More specifically, the sensing method of this disclosure is a sensing method performed by a sensor terminal comprising an observation unit that observes surrounding physical quantities and a result presentation unit that presents the observation results from the observation unit to the outside in a predetermined manner, wherein the observation unit receives power from a power source to observe surrounding physical quantities, and the result presentation unit receives power from a presentation unit power source to present the observation results to the outside in the predetermined manner.

[0013] The apparatus of the present invention can also be realized by a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a recording medium or provided via a network. The program of this disclosure is a program that causes a computer to realize each function of the apparatus of this disclosure, and is a program that causes a computer to execute each procedure of the method performed by the apparatus of this disclosure.

[0014] Furthermore, the above disclosures can be combined as much as possible.

[0015] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide communication technology between IoT devices and sensors that suppresses power consumption.

[0016] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a sensor terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a diagram illustrating the outline of a data collection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a result presentation unit according to an embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a result presentation unit according to a first modification. This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a result presentation unit according to a second modification. This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a result presentation unit according to a third modification. This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a result presentation unit according to a fourth modification. This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a power source for a presentation unit according to an embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating the protocol for transmitting observation results from a sensor terminal to an IoT device. This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a sensor terminal according to a second embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a sensor terminal according to a third embodiment.

[0017] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below. These examples are illustrative, and this disclosure can be implemented in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. In this specification and in the drawings, components with the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0018] [Configuration of the Sensing System] The sensing system 100 according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figure 1, the sensing system 100 mainly comprises a sensor terminal 10 and an IoT device 20. The sensor terminal 10 is, for example, an IoT sensor. The IoT device 20 is an example of a "mobile device" in this disclosure.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the sensor terminal 10 comprises a power source 11, a wireless communication unit 12, a CPU 13, an observation result storage unit 14, a control unit 15, a display unit power source 16, a result display unit 17, and an observation unit 18. The sensor terminal 10 is configured to present sensing data to the IoT device 20 in a predetermined manner.

[0020] Specifically, the sensor terminal 10 of this disclosure comprises: an observation unit 18 that observes surrounding physical quantities; a power source 11 that supplies power to the observation unit 18; a result presentation unit 17 that presents the observation results from the observation unit 18 to the outside in a predetermined manner; and a presentation unit power source 16 that supplies power to the result presentation unit 17.

[0021] The power source 11 has the function of supplying power to operate the wireless communication unit 12, CPU 13, observation result storage unit 14, and control unit 15. In addition, the power source 11 has the function of stopping the power supply and putting the sensor terminal 10 into a dormant state when sensing the object being observed is not in progress.

[0022] The wireless communication unit 12 has the function of communicating with other IoT sensors and IoT devices. The CPU 13 has the function of performing information processing to drive the entire sensor terminal 10. The observation result storage unit 14 has the function of storing the results of observing the measurement target. The observation unit 18 has the function of observing the target object. The control unit 15 has the function of controlling the information processing necessary for observing the target object and the mechanical operation of the observation unit 18.

[0023] The result presentation unit 17 has the function of displaying or transmitting some or all of the observation results (sensing data) held in the observation result storage unit 14 in a predetermined manner. The presentation unit power source 16 supplies power to the result presentation unit 17 as needed.

[0024] Here, the result presentation unit 17 operates solely on power supplied from the presentation unit power source 16, and can display or transmit observation results regardless of the operating status of the power source 11, wireless communication unit 12, CPU 13, observation result storage unit 14, and control unit 15. The result presentation unit 17 may be, for example, an LED light or a display board. In this way, by realizing result presentation through the blinking of an LED light or the display of a display board, it is not necessary to start up the sensor terminal 10 and establish wireless communication in order to transmit sensor data, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a system configuration for collecting observation results using multiple sensor terminals 10 distributed throughout the observation target area and an IoT device 20 that patrols the multiple sensor terminals 10. The IoT device 20 belongs to the departure and arrival area and patrols the observation target area when collecting sensing data. The departure and arrival area is provided with an information accumulation unit 31, an information analysis unit 32, and a power supply unit 33. The information accumulation unit 31 is configured to accumulate and manage the observation results from the sensor terminals 10 collected by the IoT device 20. The information analysis unit 32 is configured to analyze the information accumulated in the information accumulation unit 31. The power supply unit 33 is configured to supply power to the IoT device 20.

[0026] The IoT device 20 departs from the departure / arrival area at a predetermined time and tours some or all of the sensor terminals 10 located in the observation target area. The IoT device 20 has a function to identify the observation results presented by the result presentation unit 17 of the sensor terminal 10 in a manner relating to this disclosure. Specifically, the IoT device 20 recognizes the result presentation unit 17 and identifies the sensing data in a predetermined manner. Once the tour and collection of observation results are complete, the IoT device 20 returns to the departure / arrival area. The IoT device 20 transmits the collected observation results to the information aggregation unit 31. If necessary, the IoT device 20 receives power from the power supply unit 33 for the next tour.

[0027] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the result presentation unit 17 according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the observation results are presented by the flashing of light. Specifically, the result presentation unit 17 flashes light in a predetermined manner in response to the observation results. The IoT device 20 identifies the flashing rules and receives the observation results. For example, the success or failure of detecting the object being observed may be presented as a difference in the flashing frequency. The amount of information presented may be increased by subdividing the flashing frequency.

[0028] The result presentation unit 17 includes a receiving unit 17A, a modulation method determination unit 17B, a holding unit 17C, a current modulation unit 17D, and a light-emitting unit 17E.

[0029] The receiving unit 17A receives observation results from the observation result storage unit 14. The observation results received by the receiving unit 17A are stored in the holding unit 17C. This allows the observation results to be accessed from the holding unit 17C even when the functions of the sensor terminals 10 other than the result presentation unit 17 are inactive.

[0030] The modulation method determination unit 17B determines the modulation method for the light to be presented according to predetermined rules based on the observation results input to the receiving unit 17A. If necessary, the modulation method determination unit 17B can also determine the modulation method by referring to the observation results stored in the holding unit 17C instead of the observation results from the receiving unit 17A. The modulation method determination unit 17B transmits the information of the determined blinking method to the current modulation unit 17D.

[0031] The current modulation unit 17D controls the current applied to the light-emitting unit 17E so that a desired blinking method is achieved in the light-emitting unit 17E.

[0032] The light-emitting unit 17E emits flashing light outside the sensor terminal 10 and transmits the observation results to the external IoT device 20. According to this embodiment, the power required for starting up the entire sensor terminal 10, including the sensing function, and establishing wireless communication, which are necessary in conventional wireless communication, can be reduced. In this embodiment, light is used as the carrier wave for the signal output, but a similar effect can be achieved even if a configuration is used to perform intensity modulation using sound waves or radio waves as the carrier wave.

[0033] [Modification of the Results Presentation Section] The configuration of the results presentation section in the modified version will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

[0034] (First Modification) Figure 4 shows the first modification, in which the sensor terminal 10 is equipped with a result presentation unit 40 instead of a result presentation unit 17. In this modification, a means for presenting the observation results in a way that allows identification by the color of the emitted light will be described. Specifically, the result presentation unit 17 lights up light of a predetermined wavelength for the observation result, and the patrolling IoT device 20 receives the observation result by identifying the wavelength. For example, the result presentation unit 40 presents whether the detection of the observed target was successful or unsuccessful as a difference in wavelength.

[0035] The result presentation unit 40 includes a receiving unit 40A, a wavelength determination unit 40B, a holding unit 40C, a wavelength control unit 40D, and a wavelength tunable light source unit 40E. The functions of the receiving unit 40A and the holding unit 40C are the same as those of the receiving unit 17A and the holding unit 17C in the above embodiment, so their description is omitted.

[0036] The wavelength determination unit 40B refers to the observation results from the receiving unit 40A and determines the wavelength of the emitted light according to predetermined rules. The wavelength determination unit 40B may also, if necessary, refer to the observation results stored in the holding unit 40C to determine the wavelength of the emitted light.

[0037] The wavelength information determined by the wavelength determination unit 40B is transmitted to the wavelength control unit 40D. The wavelength control unit 40D is connected to the tunable light source unit 40E and controls the tunable light source unit 40E to output the desired light. The tunable light source unit 40E emits light outside the sensor terminal 10 and transmits the observation results to the external IoT device 20.

[0038] This modified method can be combined with the method using light flashing described in the above embodiment. Multiplexing the wavelength and flashing frequency in this way is preferable because it increases the amount of information that can be presented in the observation results. In this modified method, light was used as the carrier wave for the signal output, but similar effects can be obtained even with a configuration that uses sound waves or radio waves as the carrier wave and controls the frequency and wavelength.

[0039] (Second Modification) Figure 5 shows a second modification in which the sensor terminal 10 is equipped with a result presentation unit 41. In this modification, a means for presenting the observation results in a way that allows identification by the color of light of a predetermined wavelength extracted from a white light source will be described.

[0040] The result presentation unit 41 includes a receiving unit 41A, a wavelength determination unit 41B, a holding unit 41C, a wavelength control unit 41D, a wavelength extraction unit 41E, and a light-emitting unit 41F. The functions of the receiving unit 41A, the wavelength determination unit 41B, and the holding unit 41C are the same as those of the receiving unit 40A, the wavelength determination unit 40B, and the holding unit 40C in the first modified example, so their description is omitted.

[0041] The wavelength control unit 41D is connected to the wavelength extraction unit 41E and controls the wavelength extraction unit 41E to output light of a desired wavelength. The light emitting unit 41F is configured to include a white light source that includes all wavelengths that can be selected by the wavelength determination unit. The light of the light emitting unit 41F is input to the wavelength extraction unit 41E. The wavelength extraction unit 41E extracts only the light of the desired wavelength from the light from the light emitting unit 41F and emits only the light of that wavelength outside the sensor terminal 10. The wavelength extraction unit 41E may be realized using a band-pass filter or liquid crystal. Further, the light emitting unit 41F may be realized using a halogen lamp or a white LED.

[0042] (Third modification example) FIG. 6 shows a third modification example in which the sensor terminal 10 includes a result presentation unit 42. In this modification example, a plurality of light emitting units having different wavelengths are used.

[0043] The result presentation unit 42 includes a reception unit 42A, a light source determination unit 42B, a holding unit 42C, a selection unit 42D, and a plurality of light emitting units 42E. The figure shows an example in which N light emitting units 42E are provided. The functions of the reception unit 42A and the holding unit 42C are the same as the functions of the reception unit and the holding unit in the above embodiments and modification examples, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0044] The light source determination unit 42B refers to the observation result by the reception unit 42A and determines the light emitting unit 42E to be lit according to a predetermined rule. The light source determination unit 42B may determine the light emitting unit 42E to be lit by referring to the observation result from the holding unit 42C as necessary. The light source information determined by the light source determination unit 42B is transmitted to the selection unit 42D.

[0045] The selection unit 42D is connected to the plurality of light emitting units 42E and controls the light emitting unit 42E that emits light of a desired color to be lit. The light emitting unit 42E emits light outside the sensor terminal 10 and transmits the observation result to the external sensor terminal 10. In particular, in this modification example, the selection unit 42D may present the observation result only by switching the operation of the electric circuit. In this modification example, compared with the first and second modification examples, a simple operation and mechanism can be achieved. Thereby, power consumption can be reduced.

[0046] (Fourth Modification Example) FIG. 7 shows a fourth modification example in which the sensor terminal 10 includes a result presentation unit 43. In this modification example, by associating and presenting metadata related to the observation result, the amount of information of the observation result to be transmitted can be increased.

[0047] The result presentation unit 43 includes a reception unit 43A, an information analysis unit 43B, a storage unit 43C, an observation result presentation unit 43D, and a plurality of metadata presentation units 43E. The figure shows an example in which N metadata presentation units 43E are provided. For example, the metadata presentation unit 43E may be provided according to the number of types of metadata to be presented. Since the functions of the reception unit 43A and the storage unit 43C are the same as those of the reception unit and the storage unit in the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the description thereof is omitted.

[0048] The information analysis unit 43B refers to data from the reception unit 43A and / or the storage unit 43C, and classifies the observation results and metadata included in the data. The information analysis unit 43B is connected to the observation result presentation unit 43D and a plurality of metadata presentation units 43E. The observation result presentation unit 43D and the plurality of metadata presentation units 43E can present information by the means described in the above embodiments and modification examples. By presenting the observation results and metadata by independent means in each presentation unit (that is, by independent means between the observation result presentation unit 43D and the plurality of metadata presentation units 43E), the external IoT device 20 can appropriately receive the observation results and metadata.

[0049] [Configuration of Presentation Unit Power Source] The configuration of the presentation unit power source 16 according to the embodiment will be described while referring to FIG. 8. In this embodiment, power is supplied by wireless power transmission from the circulating IoT device 20. The power is mainly used for driving the result presentation unit 17.

[0050] The presentation unit power source 16 includes a power reception antenna 16A, a power conversion unit 16B, a power storage unit 16C, a power output unit 16D, and a power storage amount observation unit 16E.

[0051] Specifically, the display unit power source 16 includes: a receiving antenna 16A that receives wireless signals radiated by IoT devices 20 patrolling the surrounding area; a power conversion unit 16B that converts wireless signals into electricity; a power storage unit 16C that stores the converted electricity; a power storage amount observation unit 16E that sends a signal indicating that the power stored in the power storage unit 16C has reached a specified amount sufficient for the transmission of observation results by the result display unit 17 when the power stored in the power storage unit 16C has reached a specified amount; and a power output unit 16D that supplies the power stored in the power storage unit 16C to the result display unit 17 in response to receiving a signal from the power storage amount observation unit 16E.

[0052] The receiving antenna 16A receives wireless power radiated by the patrolling IoT device 20. The power conversion unit 16B is configured to convert the received signal into electrical power. The energy storage unit 16C is configured to hold the electrical power converted by the power conversion unit 16B.

[0053] The energy storage observation unit 16E is connected to the energy storage unit 16C and is configured to observe the amount of energy received by wireless power transmission. The energy storage observation unit 16E is also connected to the power output unit 16D. After confirming that a predetermined amount of energy has been stored in the energy storage unit 16C, the energy storage observation unit 16E communicates to the power output unit 16D that the specified amount of energy storage has been satisfied.

[0054] When the specified amount of stored energy is satisfied, that is, when a signal indicating that the specified amount of stored energy is satisfied is received from the stored energy observation unit 16E, the power output unit 16D outputs power from the stored energy unit 16C and supplies power to the result presentation unit 17. In this embodiment, the specified amount of stored energy is set to provide sufficient power for the result presentation unit 17 to present the observation results, thereby enabling the presentation of the observation results to the patrolling IoT devices 20.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the system is configured to transmit observation results only when it receives a request to receive observation results and power supply from the patrolling IoT device 20. This allows for power saving.

[0056] [Protocol] The protocol for the sensing system will be explained with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 shows the protocol for when the sensor terminal 10 transmits observation results when it receives a request to transmit observation results and power transmission from the patrolling IoT device 20, as shown in the configuration in Figure 8.

[0057] In step S11, the sensor terminal 10 performs observation of the object in accordance with the established rules.

[0058] In step S12, the sensor terminal 10 stores the observation results in the observation result storage unit 14.

[0059] In step S13, the observation result storage unit 14 transmits the necessary information to the result presentation unit 17.

[0060] In step S14, the result presentation unit 17 determines how to present the results to the outside based on the information received from the observation result storage unit 14.

[0061] In step S15, the sensor terminal 10 suspends all functions of the sensor terminal 10 except for the display unit power source 16 and the result display unit 17.

[0062] As shown in step S21, the IoT device 20 patrols the observation area where the sensor terminals 10 are distributed.

[0063] In step S22, when the IoT device 20 arrives at a position where it can recognize the target sensor terminal 10, in step S23, the IoT device 20 begins to identify the observation results that the sensor terminal 10 is supposed to be transmitting.

[0064] In step S24, the IoT device 20 determines whether or not it has been able to confirm a signal corresponding to the desired observation result. If it is determined in step S24 that it has been able to confirm a signal corresponding to the desired observation result (step S24: Yes), the reception process of the IoT device 20 is completed (step S27).

[0065] If it is determined in step S24 that a signal corresponding to the desired observation result cannot be confirmed (step S24: No), then in step S25, the IoT device 20 starts supplying wireless power to the sensor terminal 10.

[0066] In step S16, the energy storage amount observation unit 16E of the sensor terminal 10 determines whether the amount of energy stored in the energy storage unit 16C exceeds the specified amount of energy storage. In step S16, if the energy storage amount observation unit 16E confirms that a predetermined amount of energy has been stored in the energy storage unit 16C (step S16: Yes), it communicates to the power output unit 16D that the specified amount of energy storage has been satisfied. Subsequently, the power output unit 16D outputs power from the energy storage unit 16C and supplies power to the result presentation unit 17.

[0067] Subsequently, in step S17, the result presentation unit 17 begins to present the observation results.

[0068] In step S26, the IoT device 20 determines whether or not it has been able to confirm a signal corresponding to the desired observation result. If it is determined in step S26 that it has been able to confirm a signal corresponding to the desired observation result (step S26: Yes), the reception process of the IoT device 20 is completed (step S27).

[0069] [Second Embodiment] The sensor terminal 50 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 10. In the above embodiment and its modifications, light was used as the transmission carrier wave for the observation results. With this configuration, the patrolling IoT device 20 can identify the transmission signal by image sensing with a camera, which is preferable from the viewpoint of equipment cost.

[0070] Here, light has strong directional properties, and the circulating IoT device 20 can recognize the emitted light only when the emission direction is appropriately set. However, the sensor terminal 10 may be installed in a different orientation by chance. Therefore, in the sensor terminal 50 according to the second embodiment, a function to optimize the orientation of the result display unit is provided to enable the transmission of stable observation results.

[0071] The sensor terminal 50, like the sensor terminal 10, includes a power source 11, a wireless communication unit 12, a CPU 13, an observation result storage unit 14, a control unit 15, a display unit power source 16, and an observation unit 18. The sensor terminal 50 includes a result display unit 51 instead of a result display unit 17. The sensor terminal 50 also includes a display unit jig 52 and a jig adjustment unit 53.

[0072] In this embodiment, the result presentation unit 51 and the IoT sensor body are connected via a presentation unit jig 52. The jig adjustment unit 53 is connected to the presentation unit jig 52 and adjusts the position of the presentation unit jig 52 to optimize the orientation of the result presentation unit 51. Here, the presentation unit jig 52 and the jig adjustment unit 53 may include any configuration that can adjust the direction of the result presentation unit 51.

[0073] The result presentation unit 51 comprises a receiving unit 51A, a light-emitting system 51B, a holding unit 51C, and an illuminance observation unit 51D. The functions of the receiving unit 51A and the holding unit 51C are the same as those of the receiving unit and the holding unit in the embodiments and modified examples described above, so their description is omitted. The light-emitting system 51B comprises a light-emitting unit and presents the observation results by light in the same manner as in the embodiments and modified examples described above.

[0074] The illuminance observation unit 51D is installed in the same orientation as the light-emitting unit in the light-emitting system 51B. The illuminance information observed by the illuminance observation unit 51D is transmitted to the jig adjustment unit 53. Based on the received illuminance information, the jig adjustment unit 53 operates the display unit jig 52 so that the observed illuminance is optimized. For example, by adjusting the display unit jig 52 to maximize the illuminance, the result display unit 51 faces in a more open direction, allowing the light emitted from the light-emitting system 51B to be properly recognized by the circulating IoT device 20.

[0075] Furthermore, the jig adjustment unit 53 and the illuminance observation unit 51D can receive power from the power source 11 of the sensor terminal 10. In this case, the orientation of the result presentation unit 51 is optimized before the sensor terminal 10 enters a dormant state.

[0076] On the other hand, the jig adjustment unit 53 and the illuminance observation unit 51D can also receive power from the display unit power source 16. In this case, the orientation of the result display unit 51 can be optimized even when the sensor terminal 10 is in a dormant state.

[0077] [Third Embodiment] The sensor terminal 60 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 11. In Embodiment 2, when the observation results are presented using light, the result presentation unit 51 can be adjusted to the optimal orientation.

[0078] However, due to the influence of obstacles that occur by chance, it may not be possible to determine the optimal direction of the result presentation unit 51. In this case, it is preferable to be able to switch the presentation method from light to sound waves or radio waves. Therefore, the sensor terminal 60 according to the third embodiment is equipped with a configuration that switches from a presentation method using light to another presentation method, thereby enabling the transmission of stable observation results.

[0079] Sensor terminal 60, like sensor terminal 10, includes a power source 11, a wireless communication unit 12, a CPU 13, an observation result storage unit 14, a control unit 15, a display unit power source 16, and an observation unit 18. Sensor terminal 50 includes a result display unit 63 instead of a result display unit 17. Sensor terminal 60 also includes an analysis unit 61 and a reflected light receiving unit 62.

[0080] The result presentation unit 63 includes a receiving unit 63A, a holding unit 63B, an instruction selection unit 63C, a light-emitting system 63D, an acoustic system 63E, and a radio wave system 63F. The functions of the receiving unit 63A, the holding unit 63B, and the light-emitting system 63D are the same as those of the receiving unit, the holding unit, and the light-emitting system described in the above embodiment and modified examples, so their description is omitted.

[0081] Specifically, the sensor terminal 60 further includes a light-receiving unit 62 that detects the intensity of light irradiated onto it, and the result presentation unit 63 includes an instruction selection unit 63C that switches the presentation method among a light-emitting system 63D that presents the observation results externally using light, an acoustic system 63E that presents the observation results externally using sound waves, and a radio wave system 63F that presents the observation results externally using radio waves, according to the light intensity detected by the light-receiving unit 62.

[0082] The instruction selection unit 63C is configured to selectively drive the light-emitting system 63D, the acoustic system 63E, and the radio wave system 63F. The selected light-emitting system 63D, acoustic system 63E, and radio wave system 63F can access the observation results from either the receiving unit 63A or the holding unit 63B.

[0083] The reflected light receiving unit 62 is configured to detect the light intensity irradiated onto the sensor terminal 60. For example, if the result presentation unit 63 is covered by an obstruction, the light emitted by the light-emitting system 63D is scattered by the obstruction and received by the reflected light receiving unit 62. The received signal from the reflected light receiving unit 62 is transmitted to the analysis unit 61.

[0084] The analysis unit 61 analyzes the correlation between the emitted light information in the light-emitting system 63D and the received light signal of the reflected light receiving unit 62. The emitted light information in the light-emitting system 63D includes, for example, the flashing frequency in the first embodiment and the emitted wavelength in the first to third modified examples.

[0085] If a high correlation is found between the emitted light information in the light-emitting system 63D and the received light signal in the reflected light receiving unit 62, the analysis unit 61 determines that the emitted light does not reach the patrolling IoT device 20. In this case, the analysis unit 61 sends an instruction signal to the presentation selection unit 63C to present the observation results using either the acoustic system or the radio wave system. Upon receiving the instruction signal, the presentation selection unit 63C switches the method of presenting the observation results from the light-emitting system 63D to the acoustic system 63E or the radio wave system 63F.

[0086] According to this embodiment, even if the result display unit 63 is covered by an obstruction, the observation results can be reliably transmitted to the patrolling IoT device 20.

[0087] The sensing system described herein can be applied to the information and communication industry.

[0088] 10, 50, 60: Sensor terminals 11: Power source 12: Wireless communication unit 13: CPU 14: Observation result storage unit 15: Control unit 16: Display unit power source 16A: Receiving antenna 16B: Power conversion unit 16C: Energy storage unit 16D: Power output unit 16E: Energy storage amount observation unit 17, 40, 41, 42, 43, 51, 63: Result display unit 17A, 40A, 41A, 42A, 43A, 63A: Receiving unit 17B: Modulation method determination unit 17C, 40C, 41C, 42C, 43C, 63B: Holding unit 17D: Current modulation unit 17E: Light emission unit 40B, 41B: Wavelength determination unit 40D, 41D: Wavelength control unit 40E: Wavelength tunable light source unit 41E: Wavelength extraction unit 41F, 42E: Light emission unit 42B: Light source determination unit 42D: Selection unit 43B: Information analysis unit 43D: Observation result presentation unit 43E: Metadata presentation unit 51A: Receiving unit 51B: Light emission system 51C: Holding unit 51D: Illuminance observation unit 18: Observation unit 20: IoT device 31: Information accumulation unit 32: Information analysis unit 33: Power supply unit 52: Presentation unit jig 53: Jig adjustment unit 61: Analysis unit 62: Return light receiving unit 63C: Instruction selection unit 63D: Light emission system 63E: Acoustic system 63F: Radio wave system 100: Sensing system

Claims

1. A sensor terminal comprising: an observation unit for observing surrounding physical quantities; a power source for supplying power to the observation unit; a result presentation unit for presenting the observation results from the observation unit to the outside in a predetermined manner; and a presentation unit power source for supplying power to the result presentation unit.

2. The sensor terminal according to claim 1, wherein the power source for the display unit comprises: a receiving antenna that receives radio signals radiated by mobile devices patrolling the surrounding area; a power conversion unit that converts the radio signals into electricity; a power storage unit that stores the converted electricity; a power storage amount observation unit that, when the electricity stored in the power storage unit reaches a predetermined storage amount sufficient for the transmission of the observation results by the result display unit, sends a signal indicating that the electricity stored in the power storage unit has reached the predetermined storage amount; and a power output unit that, upon receiving the signal from the power storage amount observation unit, supplies the electricity stored in the power storage unit to the result display unit.

3. The sensor terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a light-receiving unit for detecting the intensity of light irradiated upon itself, wherein the result presentation unit includes an instruction selection unit that switches the presentation method among a light-emitting system that presents the observation results to the outside using light, an acoustic system that presents the observation results to the outside using sound waves, and a radio wave system that presents the observation results to the outside using radio waves, according to the light intensity detected by the light-receiving unit.

4. A sensing method performed by a sensor terminal comprising an observation unit for observing surrounding physical quantities and a result presentation unit for presenting the observation results from the observation unit to the outside in a predetermined manner, wherein the observation unit receives power from a power source to observe surrounding physical quantities, and the result presentation unit receives power from a presentation unit power source to present the observation results to the outside in the predetermined manner.

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