JP4657165B2 - Node system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a node system, and in particular, a node has a function of lighting a display unit according to the electric field strength, and an ad hoc type sensor network that easily considers the electric field strength is constructed by observing the lighting state of the display unit. The node can be switched between an installation mode in which the electric field strength can be investigated and a normal use mode in which the display unit is not lit, and the display unit is lit only during installation to reduce the power consumption of the node. It relates to a node system to be suppressed.

  When constructing a sensor network consisting of a large number of nodes (various sensors that measure temperature, humidity, etc.), in order to know in advance whether each node can communicate, the electric field strength must be It is necessary to determine the installation location of the node to be measured and installed (relocation node). In addition, even after setting a node, the location of the node and the electric field strength of the node may change due to changes in the layout indoors, installation of electronic devices, etc., and outdoors due to changes in the surrounding natural environment. .

Conventionally, a system has been proposed in which a wireless network to which a terminal belongs is indicated by lighting of an LED (light emitting diode) provided in the terminal (see Patent Document 1). In order to be able to confirm, a wireless communication device that displays a color corresponding to the electric field strength of a received signal on a liquid crystal panel has been proposed (Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-134131 A JP 2002-353826 A

  However, when the sensor network is constructed or when the node installation location is changed, it is necessary to measure the electric field strength at the installation location for each node and to consider the arrangement of the nodes. In particular, when building an ad hoc network, the node works not only as a sensor but also as a repeater, so changing the location of one node affects the communication status of other nodes. Because it changes, it is difficult for people without knowledge of communication technology and networks to install. In addition, each node relies on a battery as the power source of each node for the purpose of eliminating wired wiring, and it is necessary to reduce power consumption.

  In this way, workers or customers who do not have high technology cannot build and maintain an ad hoc network that considers the communication status, and can also reduce power consumption other than the sensor function of each node. There wasn't.

  Therefore, the present invention is a node system that enables a worker or a customer with a low technical level to easily install a sensor network node or change a node installation location, thereby suppressing power consumption other than the sensor function of the node. The purpose is to provide.

    The present invention is a node system for constructing an ad hoc network, which has a field intensity detection unit and a display unit that can be lit, and transmits / receives data measured by itself or other nodes to / from surrounding nodes. A plurality of nodes, and a management server that receives and stores data measured by one or more nodes, wherein the nodes are in an installation mode in which the electric field strength can be investigated, and in a normal use mode in which the display unit is not lit. It is a node system that can be operated.

  In addition, the present invention is a node system in which the node is lit with a color or blinking pattern corresponding to the electric field intensity level when the node is changed from the normal use mode to the installation mode.

  The present invention includes, as one pattern of the installation mode, an influence specifying mode in which only the display unit of the existing node that receives a signal from the relocation node that the operator is considering relocating the installation location is turned on. It is a node system.

  Furthermore, the present invention determines a threshold value from the electric field strength of each node at the time of installation when switching from the installation mode to the normal use mode after the installation of the node, and records the threshold in the node or the management server. A node system that determines that there has been a change in the installation location or environment of the node when the electric field strength of the node continuously falls below the threshold for a certain period of time It is.

  Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the automatic lighting based on the threshold value, the lighting of the display unit of the node is performed by designating a specific node from the management server to light up, thereby instructing an on-site worker to replace the node. It is a node system that can do.

  And this invention is a node system which emits a specific sound according to the said electric field strength level, when showing the said electric field strength.

  According to the present invention, since the electric field strength of a node to be installed can be intuitively grasped visually, an operator or a customer having a low technical level can install the node. In addition, it becomes easy to grasp which node is affected by moving a certain node in the influence identification mode. By making it possible to switch between an installation mode in which the display unit is lit and a normal use mode in which the display unit is not lit, the power consumption of the node during normal use can be suppressed.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.
Embodiments of the node system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Examples will be described. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the node system of this embodiment. The node system in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of nodes 10, a gateway 15, and a management server 20. Each node 10 includes various sensors that measure temperature, humidity, and the like, and the plurality of nodes 10 construct an ad hoc type sensor network. The gateway 15 and the management server 20 are connected by a public network 18 such as the Internet.

  The mode (installation mode or normal use mode) of each node 10 is set from a management portal operating on the management server 20. The management portal can be operated from the work site by the operator 19 via the public network 18, for example. Each node 10 has a communication unit that exhibits a wireless communication function so as to function not only as a sensor but also as a repeater. Moreover, each node 10 has a display unit 17 such as an LED, a storage unit for storing received data, and an influence specifying button.

  In the installation mode when each node 10 is installed, the electric field strength can be investigated, and the colors set in advance (green, yellow, red) according to the electric field strength level (good, normal, bad), respectively. Display) 17 is turned on. In addition, a field strength level reference value is calculated from the latest field strength log of each node 10, and the field strength level reference value is recorded on the management server 20 side. When each node 10 is in the normal use mode, the display unit 17 is not lit.

  Further, in the influence identification mode of each node 10, by pressing an influence identification button on the node to be moved (relocation node) 10, a specific mode is established from one relocation node 10 to another existing node 10 (existing node). It is possible to notify that it has been switched to. Thereafter, the relocation node 10 transmits an influence specific mode effective command to the existing node 10. The existing node 10 that has received the signal directly determines that it is affected by the relocated node 10, and the display unit 17 of the existing node 10 lights up a color corresponding to the electric field intensity level.

  The existing node 10 that has received a signal via another existing node 10 is determined as a node 10 that is not directly affected, and the lighting of the display unit 17 is stopped.

  In addition, when the influence identification button is pressed in the normal use mode, the display unit 17 of the node 10 notifies the operator or the customer by blinking red and green for a certain period that an operation error has occurred. To do.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of the initial setting. Using the management portal of the management server 20, the initial setting of the management server 20 and the initial setting of the node 10 are performed. The initial setting value of the set node 10 is distributed from the management server 20 to each node 10.

  First, when instructing the initial setting of the management server 20 and the initial setting of the node 10 using the management portal of the management server 20, steps S101 to S103 in FIG. First, in step S101, the setting of the electric field strength determination time and the mode (installation mode / normal use mode) of the node 10 are executed from the management portal operating on the management server 20. In step S102, the management server 20 records the electric field strength determination time and the current mode ID (identification code) (see FIG. 4A). In step S103, a mode ID indicating the mode selected for each node 10 and a field intensity level setting table (see FIG. 5B), a node setting initial value (see FIG. 3), and a lighting setting table (FIG. 5). (See (c)) is transmitted, and the process ends.

  Next, when initializing the set node 10, steps S111 to S112 in FIG. 2B are performed. In step S111, the mode ID, field strength level setting table (see FIG. 5B), node setting initial value (see FIG. 3), and lighting setting table (see FIG. 5C) are received from the management server 20. To do. In step S112, the received data is set in the storage unit of the node 10, and the process ends.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the node setting initial value. The node setting initial value is created in advance by the management server 20. The item of the node setting initial value has a field strength measurement interval, a mode ID, a warning flag, an influence identification flag, and an operation error flag.

  The electric field strength measurement interval is, for example, 10 seconds, and the mode ID is 1. 1. Normal use mode; It has an installation mode, and the initial value is set to the installation mode. The warning flag is turned on when the electric field strength level falls below the reference value, but is off as an initial value. The influence identification flag is turned on when the relocation node 10 is not affected, but is off as an initial value. The operation error flag is turned on when the influence specifying button is depressed in the normal use mode, but is off as an initial value.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of data stored in the management server 20. 4A shows a management server setting value, and FIG. 4B shows an electric field strength level setting table. FIG. 4C shows an electric field strength log, and FIG. 4D shows a node list. FIG. 4E shows a warning node list, FIG. 4F shows a field strength level reference table, and FIG. 4G shows a lighting setting table of the display unit 17 of the node 10.

  In the management server setting value of FIG. 4A, the mode is the installation mode, the mode ID is 2 (installation mode), and the electric field strength determination time is 1 minute. In the electric field intensity level setting table of FIG. 4B, level ID1 means electric field intensity level: bad, level ID2 means electric field intensity level: normal, and level ID3 means electric field intensity level: good. This data is distributed from the management server 20 to each node 10 and used to determine the electric field strength level.

  In the electric field strength log set for each node in FIG. 4C, the electric field strength for each time is shown, and when the electric field strength determination time is 1 minute, a value (for example, an average) used for calculating the electric field strength average value. Value: 12).

  In the node list of FIG. 4D, the node ID of the node 10 to be installed is registered in the management server 20 in advance. The warning node list in FIG. 4E shows a list of nodes 10 having a current electric field strength lower than the electric field strength at the time of installation, and is updated as appropriate in the normal use mode.

  In the field strength level reference table of FIG. 4 (f), field strength level reference value 1 is field strength level: bad, field strength level reference value 2 is field strength level: normal, and field strength level reference value 3 is field strength level: The field strength level reference table of FIG. 4 (f) can be compared with the level ID determined by the field strength level setting table of FIG. 4 (b).

  The field strength level reference table records the field strength at the time of setting each node, and is updated appropriately in the installation mode. The electric field strength level reference table is used for confirming that the electric field strength is not lower in the normal use mode than in the installation mode. The lighting setting table of the display unit of the node in FIG. 4G is shown in detail in FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of data stored in the storage unit of the node 10. FIG. 5A shows the set value of the node. Compared with FIG. 3, the mode ID is mode 1. FIG. 5B shows a field strength level setting table, which is the same as the contents of the field strength level setting table of FIG.

  FIG. 5C shows a lighting setting table, which indicates the lighting pattern of the display unit 17 of each node 10 based on the field intensity level (level ID) measured at each node, the current node, and the flag status of each node. To do. Examples of lighting patterns include green, yellow, red, no lighting, red and yellow blinking, and red and green blinking.

  FIG. 6 shows the procedure for changing the mode of the management server 20. FIG. 6 includes steps S201 to S203. In step S201, the mode (normal use mode / installation mode) of the node 10 is selected from the management portal operating on the management server 20, and the application is executed. In step S202, the current mode ID is recorded in the management server 20 (see FIG. 4), and the selected mode ID is transmitted to each node 10.

  FIG. 7 shows the procedure of the operation (normal use mode / installation mode) of the management server 20. FIG. 7 includes steps S301 to S344. In step S301, the electric field strength is received from each node and recorded as a field strength log (see FIG. 4C) for each node in the management server 20. As the time, the time measured on the management server 20 side is added. In step S302, the mode is determined from the current mode ID of the management server 20. If the mode is the normal use mode, the process proceeds to step S311. If the mode is the installation mode, the process proceeds to step S341.

  In step S311, the following processing (up to step S323 or S332) is performed on the nodes 10 described in the node list of FIG. First, in step S312, the average value of the electric field strength is calculated from the latest electric field strength log corresponding to the electric field strength determination time (see FIG. 4C). In step S313, the current field strength level is determined from the field strength level setting table (see FIG. 4B) and the average value of the field strength (see FIG. 4C). In step S314, the current field strength level is compared with the field strength level reference table (see FIG. 4F). As a result of the comparison, if the current field strength level is greater than or equal to the reference value in step S315, it is determined in step S321 whether there is a node ID in the warning node list (see FIG. 4E). Deletes the corresponding node ID from the warning node list in step S322, transmits a warning release command to the corresponding node 10 in step S323, and returns to step S311 to perform processing for the next node. In step S321, if there is no node ID in the warning node list (see FIG. 4E), the process returns to step S311 to perform the process for the next node.

  On the other hand, if the current field strength level is less than the reference value in step S315, the node ID is registered in the warning node list (see FIG. 4E) in step S331, and in step S332, the corresponding node 10 is registered. A warning instruction command is transmitted to step S311 and the process returns to step S311 to execute processing for the next node.

  If the current mode is the installation mode in step S302, the following processing (step S344) is performed one by one from the top for the nodes 10 described in the node list (see FIG. 4D) in step S341. To implement). First, in step S342, the average value of the electric field intensity is calculated from the latest electric field intensity log for the electric field intensity determination time (see FIG. 4C). In step S343, the current field strength level is determined from the field strength level setting table (see FIG. 4B) and the average value of the field strength (see FIG. 4C). In step S344, the current field strength level is recorded as a reference value in the field strength level reference table (see FIG. 4F).

  FIG. 8 shows the procedure of the operation of the node 10 (normal use mode / installation mode). FIG. 8 includes steps S401 to S481. First, in step S401, the node 10 measures the electric field strength at intervals set as the electric field strength measurement interval (see FIG. 5A), and in step S402, the node 10 notifies the management server 20 of the electric field strength. . In step S403, the current mode is determined from the mode information recording unit. If the current mode is the normal use mode, the process proceeds to step 411. If the current mode is the installation mode, the process proceeds to step S451.

  In the case of the normal use mode, in step 411, if a warning instruction command is received from the management server 20, the process proceeds to step S421, and if not received, the process proceeds to step S431.

  In step S421, the warning flag (see FIG. 5A) of the node 10 is set to ON. In step S422, the lighting setting table (see FIG. 5C) is referred to, and the display unit 17 is turned red as a warning. It blinks in yellow and returns to step S401.

  In step S431, the node 10 determines whether or not a warning cancellation command has been received from the management server 20. If received, the node 10 sets a warning flag (see FIG. 5A) to OFF in step S441. In S442, referring to the lighting setting table (see FIG. 5C), the lighting of the display unit 17 of the node 10 is stopped, and the process returns to Step S401.

  If the installation mode is set in step S403, the measured electric field strength and the electric field strength level setting table (see FIG. 5B) are compared in step S451 to determine the electric field strength level. In step S452, the field intensity level is compared with the lighting setting table (see FIG. 5C). If the result is “good”, the display unit 17 is lit in green in step S461, and the process returns to step S401. If the result is “normal”, the display unit 17 is lit yellow in step S471, and the process returns to step S401. If the result is “bad”, the display unit 17 is lit red in step S481 and the process returns to step S401.

  FIG. 9 shows a procedure of the operation of the relocation node 10 in the influence identification mode, and includes steps S501 to S525. In step S501, the influence specifying button on the relocation node 10 in FIG. 1 is pressed, and in step S502, the mode is determined with reference to the storage unit of the relocation node 10. As a result of the determination, if it is the installation mode, the process proceeds to step S511, and if it is the normal use mode, the process proceeds to step S521.

  In step S511, the relocation node 10 transmits an influence identification mode execution command to the existing node 10, and waits in step S512. If it is determined in step S513 that the influence identification button has not been depressed, the process returns to step S502. If it has been depressed, the process proceeds to step S514 to transmit an influence identification mode release command to the existing node 10 and the process ends.

  If the result of determination in step S502 is normal use mode, the operation error flag (see FIG. 5A) of the relocation node 10 is turned on in step 521, and the lighting setting table for the relocation node 10 in FIG. In step c523, the display unit 17 of the node 10 blinks in red and green in order to prompt the user to change to the installation mode.

  In step S524, the operation error flag of the relocation node 10 (see FIG. 5A) is turned off, and in step S525, the lighting setting table of the relocation node 10 (see FIG. 5C) is referenced to turn on the display unit 17. Stop and exit.

  FIG. 10 shows the procedure of the operation of an existing node in the influence identification mode (when the influence identification mode is executed), and includes steps S601 to S612. In step S601, the existing node 10 receives the influence identification mode execution command from the relocation node 10, determines in step S602 whether the transmission source node ID and the previous node ID are the same, and ends if they are the same. . If they are not the same and are not affected by the relocation node 10, the influence identification flag (see FIG. 5A) of the relocation node 10 is turned on in step S611. In step S612, referring to the lighting setting table (see FIG. 5C), the lighting of the display unit 17 is stopped and the process ends.

  FIG. 11 shows the procedure of the operation of the existing node in the influence identification mode (when the influence identification mode is canceled), and includes steps S701 to S703. In step S701, an influence identification mode execution command is received from the relocation node 10, and in step S702, the influence identification flag (see FIG. 5A) of the relocation node 10 is turned off. In step S703, the lighting setting table (see FIG. 5C) is referred to, the display unit 17 is turned on, and the process ends.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the execution command packet in the influence identification mode, in the case of the relocation node ID: 1, the relay node ID: 3, and the transmission destination node ID: 5. FIG. 12A shows a case where the execution command packet in the direct influence identification mode is received from the relocation node 10 without being passed through the other nodes 10 (influenced by the relocation node 10). b) shows a case where the execution command packet in the influence identification mode is received from the relocation node 10 via another node 10 (not affected by the relocation node 10).

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, lighting of the display unit 17 of each node 10 is stopped in the normal use mode. In order to monitor whether or not the electric field strength has decreased since the initial installation, the electric field intensity level reference value recorded in the installation mode is compared with the current electric field intensity level.

  If the current field strength level falls below the reference value of the field strength level, it is determined that the field strength has decreased due to environmental changes, and the display unit 17 blinks in red and yellow as a warning. Inform people around you, such as new users. When the electric field strength level becomes equal to or higher than the reference value due to the relocation of the node 10 receiving the warning or the addition of the relay node 10, the lighting of the display unit 17 is stopped.

  In addition to the automatic lighting based on the threshold value, the node 10 can be turned on by designating a specific node 10 from the management server 20 and turning on the display unit 17 of the node 10 so that a worker on site can be instructed to replace the node 10. To do.

  By illuminating the node 10 whose electric field strength is reduced at the time of installation, the user can change the installation location of the node 10 or the presence of the node 10 to be newly added as a relay node 10 Easy to grasp.

  Since the management server 20 can issue a lighting / non-lighting instruction to the display unit 17 of the node 10 at a time, the setting of lighting / non-lighting is easier than when a separate lighting switch is attached to the node 10. .

  Since the lighting pattern of the display unit 17 of the node 10 and the judgment pattern of the electric field strength can be distributed from the management server 20 in a lump, the node setting according to the customer's environment can be easily performed. The node 10 can be easily installed by attaching an external display unit 17 for indicating the electric field strength to the existing node 10. In the embodiment of the node system of the present invention, it is possible to introduce a sensor network and apply a sensor network management service.

  In an embodiment of the present invention, a node system for constructing an ad hoc network includes a display unit 17 that can be lit, and a plurality of nodes 10 that can communicate with each other, and a plurality of data measured at each node 10. And the management server 20 that stores the data by being transmitted via the gateway 15. Thereby, since the electric field strength of the node to be installed can be intuitively grasped visually, an operator or a customer having a low technical level can install the node.

  The node 10 includes an electric field strength detection unit and a display unit 17. The node 10 can switch between an installation mode in which the electric field strength can be investigated and a normal use mode in which the display unit is not lit. When the normal use mode is switched to the installation mode, the display unit 17 of the node 10 is turned on with a color or blinking pattern according to the electric field intensity level. This makes it possible to switch between the installation mode in which the display unit is lit and the normal use mode in which the display unit is not lit, so that the power consumption of the node during normal use can be suppressed, and workers and customers with low technical levels On the other hand, the level of the electric field strength in the installation mode can be reliably grasped visually.

  As one pattern of the installation mode, there is provided an influence specifying mode for lighting only the display section of the existing node that receives a signal from the relocation node that the operator is considering relocating the installation location. Thereby, it becomes easy to grasp which node is affected by moving a certain node in the influence identification mode.

  After the node is installed, the mode is switched from the installation mode to the normal use mode. The threshold value is determined from the electric field strength of each node at the time of installation and recorded in the node or the management server. If the value of the node continues to fall below a certain period, it is determined that there has been a change in the location or environment of the node, and the user is alerted by lighting the node or the surrounding nodes. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately install the node in response to changes in the node installation location and environment.

  The display unit 17 of the node 10 can be turned on by specifying a specific node 10 from the management server 20 to be turned on, in addition to automatic lighting by a threshold value, so that a worker on the site can be instructed to replace the node. Thereby, node replacement management can be easily performed while visually confirming. When the electric field strength is indicated, a specific sound is produced according to the electric field strength level, so that it can be confirmed not only by visual observation but also by hearing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and related technologies to which the node system of the present invention can be applied include a wireless LAN (local area network), power-saving wireless communication, and a sensor network. As the display unit 17, a liquid crystal panel other than LEDs, organic electroluminescence, or the like can be used.

Explanatory drawing of the node system of an Example. Explanatory drawing of the initial setting in an Example. Explanatory drawing of the node setting initial value in an Example. Explanatory drawing of the example of data preserve | saved at the management server in an Example. Explanatory drawing of the example of data preserve | saved at the node in an Example. Explanatory drawing of the mode change of the management server in an Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the management server in an Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the node in an Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the relocation node at the time of influence specific mode in an Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the existing node at the time of influence specific mode in an Example. Explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the existing node at the time of influence specific mode in an Example. Explanatory drawing of the example of the packet in an Example.

Explanation of symbols

10 node 15 gateway 17 display unit 18 public network 19 worker 20 management server

Claims (5)

A node system for building an ad hoc network,
Management that has a field intensity detector and a display unit that can be lit, and that receives and stores data measured by one or more nodes, and a plurality of nodes that transmit / receive data measured by itself or other nodes to / from surrounding nodes. comprising a server, wherein the node, the field intensity can be investigated installation mode, and Ri operation can der in the not light the display unit normal use mode,
As one pattern of the installation mode, a node having an influence specifying mode in which only a display portion of an existing node that receives a signal from a relocation node that an operator intends to relocate by considering the installation location is turned on system. A node system for building an ad hoc network,
Management that has a field intensity detector and a display unit that can be lit, and that receives and stores data measured by one or more nodes, and a plurality of nodes that transmit / receive data measured by itself or other nodes to / from surrounding nodes. A server, and the node is capable of operating in an installation mode in which the electric field strength can be investigated, and a normal use mode in which the display unit is not lit.
When the node is changed from the normal use mode to the installation mode, the node lights up the display unit with a color or blinking pattern corresponding to the electric field strength level, and an operator sets the installation location as one pattern of the installation mode. node system characterized Rukoto to have a effect specific mode for lighting only the display portion of the existing node for receiving a signal from the relocation node being moved to consider. In the node system according to claim 1 or 2,
When switching from the installation mode to the normal use mode after installation of the node, a threshold value is determined from the electric field strength of each node at the time of installation, recorded in the node or the management server, and the electric field strength of the node during use node system but that when it falls below continued a predetermined period than the threshold value, it is determined that there is a change in the location or environment of the node, and wherein the Rukoto is lit the said node or peripheral node . In the node system according to claim 3,
Lighting of the display portion of the nodes, in addition to automatic lighting by the threshold, by lighting with a specific node from the management server, wherein Rukoto can do an instruction of replacement of the node to the operator of the site A node system. The node system according to claim 4,
A node system that emits a specific sound according to the electric field intensity level when indicating the electric field intensity .

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