JP7420596B2 - charging system - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a charging system.

In recent years, as devices such as sensors and communication equipment have become smaller and more sophisticated, the concept of connecting a wide variety of "things" to the Internet, the so-called Internet of Things (IoT), has been gaining momentum. It is attracting increasing attention. In various industrial fields, the use of devices installed on objects (hereinafter referred to as IoT devices) to realize IoT is expected to be useful for automating work and improving efficiency.

For example, IoT devices are constructed by combining sensors, communication equipment, etc., and are installed in a wide variety of objects. When installed on a target object, the IoT device can detect physical quantities such as the temperature and amount of vibration of the target object, and can transmit the detected physical quantities to an external management device via the Internet.

Furthermore, as a power source for the above-mentioned IoT devices, a rechargeable battery (secondary battery) that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is generally employed. IoT devices that use rechargeable batteries charge the battery according to power consumption, which reduces the hassle of battery replacement compared to primary batteries, and allows continuous sensing and other operations. be able to. Conventional technologies related to battery charging include, for example, charging the battery of an information reading device that reads information through non-contact communication (see Patent Document 1), and non-contact power supply to a battery mounted on an aircraft. (see Patent Document 2) and the like have been proposed.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-174359 JP2017-71285A

By the way, some of the objects to which IoT devices are installed are local, such as home appliances and automobiles, and others, such as public electric wires and communication cables, where IoT devices are installed over a wide area. There is also. For example, when the object is a public power line, the IoT device is installed on each of a plurality of utility poles that extend the power line over a wide area. In addition, if the target object is a communication cable for a public facility such as a railway, the IoT device is housed inside an airtight container (closure) to protect equipment such as communication equipment equipped with the communication cable from flooding. A plurality of them are arranged so as to be distributed along the inside of the trough near the railway line.

Further, the characteristics of IoT devices include not only installing devices such as sensors on various objects, but also dynamically changing the objects on which the devices are installed.

Batteries in IoT devices such as those mentioned above have traditionally not been recharged. Therefore, when the battery of an IoT device runs out, the battery of the IoT device is replaced by, for example, opening and closing a sealed container in which the IoT device is stored.

Therefore, if the battery of an IoT device is recharged, that is, a worker carries a charger, moves to the installation location of the IoT device to be charged, and supplies power to the battery of this IoT device from the charger. Consider charging the battery. If a plurality of IoT devices are distributed over a wide area and installed on a target object, the battery will be charged for each of the plurality of IoT devices.

However, with the above battery charging method, if the battery of the IoT device does not start being charged (power supplied) by the charger, the battery is in a "state requiring charging" or "already charged state (for example, fully charged state)". It was difficult to grasp which state it was in. As a result, there are situations in which unnecessary charging is repeatedly performed on an already charged battery (hereinafter referred to as redundant charging), and situations where excessive power is supplied to a fully charged battery (hereinafter referred to as overcharge). There was a problem that a problem called "charging" occurred. Duplicate charging and overcharging of the battery not only increases the labor of the operator but also leads to accelerated battery deterioration.

In addition, with the above battery charging method, the state of deterioration (including damage) of the battery of an IoT device cannot be detected unless the on-site worker confirms the battery charging results (current capacity, voltage, etc. after charging) using the charger. It was difficult to understand. Therefore, if the battery of the IoT device to be charged has deteriorated to the point that it needs to be replaced, the worker must return to pick up a normal battery to replace the battery, and then move again to the installation location of this IoT device. There is a risk that the battery will have to be replaced due to the battery being replaced, which increases the amount of time and effort required by the operator.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a charging system that can prevent redundant charging and overcharging during maintenance such as battery charging and replacement, and can reduce the effort required for battery maintenance. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
a rechargeable battery, a functional unit that performs a predetermined function using electric power of the battery, a storage amount measurement unit that measures the amount of electricity stored in the battery, a terminal memory that stores a unique terminal ID, and a measurement unit. a first communication unit that transmits stored power amount measurement data in which the stored power amount and the terminal ID are associated with each other, and the functional terminal is installed on a target object;
a portable charger comprising: a second communication unit that receives maintenance instruction information for the battery; and a power transmission unit that charges the battery based on the maintenance instruction information;
a data server that receives the stored power amount measurement data from the first communication unit via a network, and manages maintenance records of the battery in each of the plurality of functional terminals in association with the terminal ID; a control device that controls maintenance of the battery for each of the functional terminals;
The control device includes:
a determination processing unit that determines whether or not the battery of the functional terminal requires maintenance based on the stored power amount measurement data;
The maintenance instruction information for instructing a specific charger among the plurality of chargers to perform maintenance on the battery for each functional terminal to be maintained that is determined to require maintenance among the plurality of functional terminals. an instruction processing unit that generates the
The data server is configured to transmit the maintenance instruction information to the second communication unit corresponding to the specific charger via the network.
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
a rechargeable battery, a functional unit that performs a predetermined function using electric power of the battery, a storage amount measurement unit that measures the amount of electricity stored in the battery, a terminal memory that stores a unique terminal ID, and a measurement unit. a first communication unit that transmits stored power amount measurement data in which the stored power amount and the terminal ID are associated with each other, and the functional terminal is installed on a target object;
a communication device having a second communication unit that receives maintenance instruction information for the battery;
a portable charger comprising: a third communication unit that communicates with the communication device to receive the maintenance instruction information; and a power transmission unit that charges the battery based on the maintenance instruction information;
a data server that receives the stored power amount measurement data from the first communication unit via a network, and manages maintenance records of the battery in each of the plurality of functional terminals in association with the terminal ID; a control device that controls maintenance of the battery for each of the functional terminals;
The control device includes:
a determination processing unit that determines whether or not the battery of the functional terminal requires maintenance based on the stored power amount measurement data;
The maintenance instruction information for instructing a specific charger among the plurality of chargers to perform maintenance on the battery for each functional terminal to be maintained that is determined to require maintenance among the plurality of functional terminals. an instruction processing unit that generates the
The data server is configured to transmit the maintenance instruction information to the second communication unit corresponding to the specific charger via the network.
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
The control device selects a specific charger from among the plurality of chargers that is in an idle state where the maintenance instruction information is not transmitted and has the shortest arrival time to the location of the functional terminal to be maintained. Equipped with a search processing unit that searches for containers,
the data server transmits the maintenance instruction information to the second communication unit corresponding to the specific charger searched for;
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
The control device includes a selection processing unit that selects a functional terminal to be inspected for the battery from among the plurality of functional terminals,
the data server receives the stored power amount measurement data from the first communication unit of the selected functional terminal;
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
The determination processing unit determines whether the battery of the selected functional terminal is in a state requiring maintenance.
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
The charger includes a power transmission amount measurement unit that measures the power transmission amount of the power transmission unit when charging the battery,
The data server receives power transmission amount measurement data indicating the measured power transmission amount from the second communication unit corresponding to the specific charger via the network,
The determination processing unit determines whether charging of the battery for the functional terminal to be maintained is completed based on the power storage amount measurement data of the functional terminal to be maintained and the power transmission amount measurement data of the specific charger. determine whether or not
When it is determined that charging of the battery is completed, the instruction processing unit generates completion instruction information for instructing the specific charger to complete charging, and determines that charging of the battery is not completed. generate recharging instruction information for instructing the specific charger to recharge the battery;
The completion instruction information or the recharging instruction information is transmitted from the data server to the second communication unit corresponding to the specific charger via the network,
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
The charger includes an imaging unit that captures still images or moving images.
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
The management device learns the power storage state of the battery in both cases where replacement is necessary and cases where replacement is not necessary, based on the maintenance record of the battery stored in the data server, and determines whether the battery requires replacement. Equipped with a learning device that constructs a judgment rule that can judge whether or not the state is required,
The determination processing unit determines whether or not the battery requires replacement based on the stored power amount measurement data according to the determination rule.
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
The data server corresponds battery information indicating a charging record of the battery in each of the plurality of functional terminals and history information indicating a replacement history of the battery to the terminal ID assigned to each of the plurality of functional terminals. and store it so that it can be updated.
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
The data server allocates installation target information indicating the object on which each of the plurality of functional terminals is installed and position information indicating the position of each of the plurality of functional terminals to each of the plurality of functional terminals. stored in an updatable manner in association with said terminal ID;
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
The functional unit is a sensor unit that detects information regarding the target object,
It is characterized by

Further, in the above invention, the charging system according to the present invention has the following features:
The information regarding the target object detected by the sensor unit is at least one physical quantity among temperature, humidity, vibration amount, acceleration, water leakage, flooding, freezing, snowfall, and presence or absence of rain at the target object.
It is characterized by

The charging system according to the present invention has the effect of preventing redundant charging and overcharging during maintenance such as battery charging and replacement, and reducing the effort required for battery maintenance.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a charging system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sensor device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the charger in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process flow of battery inspection of the charging system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an example of sensor selection processing in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of the installation target information update process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a process flow of battery maintenance processing by the charging system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a charging system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a charger set in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the charging system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationship of each element, the ratio of each element, etc. may differ from the actual one. Drawings may also include portions that differ in dimensional relationships and ratios.

<Embodiment 1>
(Charging system configuration)
First, the configuration of a charging system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a charging system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a, each of which has a rechargeable battery as a power source, and charges these batteries as needed. A management device 6 is provided to manage the status of maintenance such as charging and replacement of these batteries. Hereinafter, "battery maintenance" or simply "maintenance" means charging and replacing batteries.

Each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a is an example of a functional terminal such as an IoT device installed on a desired object (not shown). In the first embodiment, the above "a" is an integer of 2 or more (an integer of 4 or more in FIG. 1), and the total number of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a is a (≧2). be. For example, the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a are installed on a single object or on a plurality of objects so as to be distributed over a wide area. Further, the ID information used to identify the object on which each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a is installed is stored in each memory of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a and the management device 6. is stored in a storage device (data server, which will be described later).

Each of these sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a is equipped with a rechargeable battery as a power source, has a detection function for detecting predetermined information, and transmits and receives information to and from the management device 6 via the network 5 shown in FIG. It also has a communication function. Specifically, each of these sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a detects information regarding the object using battery power, and transmits the detected information to the management device 6 via the network 5. Send to. Note that the number of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a can be dynamically increased or decreased.

The objects on which each of these sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a are installed include, for example, electric wires, utility poles, steel towers, communication equipment such as communication cables installed underground or in troughs, buildings, and infrastructure facilities. Examples include structures that are installed over a wide area. Information on the object detected by each of the sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a includes, for example, temperature, humidity, amount of vibration, acceleration, water leakage, flooding, freezing (frozen road surface, It is at least one of the following physical quantities: presence or absence of ground freezing), snowfall, and rainfall. Hereinafter, simply "object" means the object on which each of the sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a is installed.

The plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b are each used to charge each battery of the sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a described above as necessary. In the first embodiment, "b" is an integer of 2 or more (an integer of 5 or more in FIG. 1), and the total number of chargers 3-1 to 3-b is b (≧2). For example, each of the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b is a portable charger that can be carried by an operator, and is moved while being carried by the operator. Each of these chargers 3-1 to 3-b is a wireless charging device that charges the battery without contacting the sensor device to be maintained (in the first embodiment, one of the sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a). and a communication function for transmitting and receiving information to and from the management device 6 via the network 5.

Specifically, each of these chargers 3-1 to 3-b transmits and receives information regarding maintenance such as battery charging and replacement for a sensor device to be maintained to and from the management device 6 via the network 5. In particular, among these chargers 3-1 to 3-b, a specific charger that receives battery maintenance instruction information from the management device 6 via the network 5 performs battery charging for the sensor device to be maintained. I do.

Note that each of the chargers 3-1 to 3-b may be of a portable type, and the communication function part and the charging function part may be configured to be separable or integrally configured. You can leave it there.

The management device 6 is a device that manages battery maintenance status and the like for the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a and the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the management device 6 acquires information such as the amount of electricity stored in the battery (charged amount) from each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a via the network 5. Information is managed separately for each sensor device 2-1 to 2-a. In addition, the management device 6 transmits and receives information regarding battery maintenance from each of the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b via the network 5, and thereby informs each charger of the status of battery maintenance, etc. 3-1 to 3-b are managed separately.

In the first embodiment, the network 5 is a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN (local area network), and has a plurality of base stations 4-1 to 4-c, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The plurality of base stations 4-1 to 4-c are base stations for wireless communication in the network 5, and are distributed over a wide area so that their communication areas partially overlap. Each of the sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a described above is installed on a target object so as to be located within the communication area of at least one base station among these base stations 4-1 to 4-c. . For example, one of the sensor devices 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 is located within each communication area of the base stations 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-4. Each of these base stations 4-1 to 4-c also uses a charger carried within its own communication area (for example, chargers 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3- shown in FIG. 1). 4) can perform wireless communication with.

In the following, for convenience of explanation, the sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a described above may be collectively referred to as "sensor device 2." That is, the sensor device 2 means any one or all of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. Similarly, the chargers 3-1 to 3-b described above may be collectively referred to as "charger 3", and charger 3 is one of the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b. It means one or all. The above-mentioned base stations 4-1 to 4-c may be collectively referred to as "base station 4", and base station 4 refers to any one or all of the plurality of base stations 4-1 to 4-c. do.

(Sensor device configuration)
Next, the configuration of the sensor device 2 included in the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sensor device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the sensor device 2 is an example of a functional terminal installed on the object described above, and as shown in FIG. , a storage amount measuring section 25, a terminal communication section 26, a local area communication section 27, and a control section 28.

The battery 21 is a rechargeable battery that functions as a power source for the sensor device 2, and is replaceably incorporated into the sensor device 2. The battery 21 is charged by the charger 3 and thereby stores electric power. The battery 21 can repeatedly perform such charging and discharging to supply power to each component of the sensor device 2. For example, the battery 21 supplies power to the sensor section 22, the memory 23, the stored power amount measuring section 25, the control section 28, and the like. Further, the battery 21 supplies power to the wide area transmitter 26a and the wide area receiver 26b of the terminal communication unit 26, and the local area communication unit 27 via the control unit 28. In the first embodiment, the wide area transmitting unit 26a, the wide area receiving unit 26b, and the local area communication unit 27 are supplied with power from the battery 21 via the control unit 28, but the present invention is not limited to this. Power may be supplied directly from the Further, as the battery 21, for example, a rechargeable battery (secondary battery) such as a capacitor, a lead-acid battery, or a lithium battery can be used.

The sensor unit 22 is an example of a functional unit that performs a predetermined function regarding the object on which the sensor device 2 is installed. In the first embodiment, the sensor section 22 has a detection function for detecting information regarding the object as the above-mentioned predetermined function. Specifically, the sensor unit 22 uses the power of the battery 21 to detect target information regarding the object. The above-mentioned information (information regarding the object) detected by the sensor unit 22 includes, for example, temperature, humidity, amount of vibration (vibration amplitude), vibration acceleration, water leakage, flooding, freezing (frozen road surface, The physical quantity may include at least one of the following: ground freezing), snowfall, presence or absence of rain, etc.

The memory 23 is an example of a terminal memory that stores a terminal ID unique to the sensor device 2. Specifically, the terminal ID assigned to this sensor device 2 among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a (see FIG. 1) described above is stored in the memory 23 of this sensor device 2. By storing the terminal ID in the memory 23, the sensor device 2 is associated with the terminal ID and can be identified from other sensor devices based on the terminal ID.

The power receiving unit 24 receives power for charging the battery 21 from the charger 3. The power receiving unit 24 is preferably of a wireless power supply type, but may be of a power outlet plug type. Specifically, when the power receiving unit 24 is of a wireless power supply type, the power receiving unit 24 is configured by elements such as coils and electrodes. The power receiving unit 24 converts an alternating electric field or an alternating magnetic field (hereinafter abbreviated as an electromagnetic field) generated from the charger 3 into electric power when the battery 21 is charged by the charger 3, receives the electric power, and converts the obtained electric power into electric power. Supplied to the battery 21. Thereby, the power receiving unit 24 causes the battery 21 to store the power from the charger 3.

The power storage amount measurement unit 25 measures the power storage amount of the battery 21. Specifically, the stored electricity amount measuring section 25 is configured by an ammeter, a voltmeter, and the like. The power storage amount measurement unit 25 measures the power storage amount (also referred to as battery remaining amount) stored (charged) in the battery 21 .

The terminal communication unit 26 is a wide area communication unit (an example of a first communication unit) for communication between the sensor device 2 and the management device 6 via the network 5 shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal communication section 26 includes a wide area transmitting section 26a and a wide area receiving section 26b. The wide area transmitter 26a and the wide area receiver 26b perform wireless communication with the base station 4 of the network 5, and are thereby communicably connected from the base station 4 to the management device 6 via the network 5. For example, the wide-area transmitter 26a includes the measurement data of the amount of electricity stored in the battery 21 in a wireless signal and transmits it to the base station 4, thereby transmitting the data from the base station 4 to the management device 6 via the network 5.

In the first embodiment, the wireless signal is a signal generated by performing predetermined modulation processing or the like on a carrier wave carrying data to be transmitted. The stored power amount measurement data of the battery 21 is data that associates the stored power amount of the battery 21 measured by the stored power amount measurement unit 25 with the terminal ID read from the memory 23. Further, the wide area receiving unit 26b receives information transmitted by the management device 6 (for example, instruction information instructing measurement of the amount of electricity stored in the battery 21, etc.) from the base station 4 via the network 5. At this time, the wide area receiving unit 26b performs a predetermined demodulation process on the radio signal received from the base station 4, thereby acquiring information included in this radio signal (transmission information from the management device 6).

The local area communication unit 27 performs communication within a narrower area (ie, local area) than the terminal communication unit 26 described above. The local area communication unit 27 is preferably one that performs wireless communication, but may also be one that performs wired communication. Specifically, when the local area communication unit 27 performs wireless communication, the local area communication unit 27 uses the charger 3 that generates an electromagnetic field for the power receiving unit 24, that is, the charger that charges the battery 21. performs wireless communication with device 3. For example, the local area communication unit 27 transmits and receives information regarding charging of the battery 21 to and from the charger 3.

The control unit 28 controls the operation of the sensor device 2. Specifically, the control unit 28 includes a memory that stores processing programs and the like, a CPU that executes the processing programs, and the like. The control unit 28 controls the operation and processing of each component of the sensor device 2 and the transmission and reception of signals between each component. For example, the control unit 28 controls the operation timings of the sensor unit 22 and the stored power amount measuring unit 25, the storage and reading processing of information by the memory 23, and the communication processing of the wide area transmitting unit 26a, the wide area receiving unit 26b, and the local area communication unit 27. control.

(Charger configuration)
Next, the configuration of the charger 3 included in the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the charger in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the charger 3 is an example of a portable charger that charges the battery of the functional terminal installed in the object described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the charger 3 includes a power transmission section 31, a power transmission amount measurement section 32, a charger communication section 33, a local area communication section 34, a memory 35, an input section 36, and a display section 37. , a large-capacity battery 38 , a control section 39 , and an imaging section 40 .

Note that the charger 3 includes a main body having components related to a charging function such as a power transmission section 31 and a power transmission amount measuring section 32, and components related to a communication function such as a wide area transmitting section 33a and a wide area receiving section 33b. It may be configured to be separable into separate bodies, or each of the above components may be provided inside an integrated housing.

The power transmission unit 31 is for charging the battery 21 (see FIG. 2) of the sensor device 2. The power transmitting unit 31 is preferably one that transmits power wirelessly, but may also be one that transmits power by wire. Specifically, when the power transmitting unit 31 transmits power wirelessly, the power transmitting unit 31 is configured of elements such as coils and electrodes, and is configured to transmit power based on maintenance instruction information of the battery 21 (see FIG. 2) of the sensor device 2. Then, this battery 21 is charged. For example, the power transmission unit 31 receives power from the large-capacity battery 38 and generates an electromagnetic field in the space outside the charger 3. The power transmitting unit 31 causes the power receiving unit 24 (see FIG. 2) of the sensor device 2 to receive this electromagnetic field, thereby transmitting power from the large-capacity battery 38 to the power receiving unit 24, and transmitting power through the power receiving unit 24. The power is supplied (charged) to the battery 21 (see FIG. 2) of the sensor device 2.

The power transmission amount measurement unit 32 measures the power transmission amount of the power transmission unit 31 when the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 is being charged. Specifically, the power transmission amount measuring section 32 is configured by an ammeter, a voltmeter, and the like. The power transmission amount measurement unit 32 measures the power transmission amount continuously or at predetermined time intervals during the period when the power transmission unit 31 is transmitting power to the power reception unit 24 of the sensor device 2 via an electromagnetic field in order to charge the battery 21 of the sensor device 2. The amount of power transmitted from the power transmission unit 31 is intermittently measured.

Charger communication unit 33 is a wide area communication unit (an example of a second communication unit) for communication between charger 3 and management device 6 via network 5 shown in FIG. 1 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the charger communication section 33 includes a wide area transmitting section 33a and a wide area receiving section 33b. The wide area transmitter 33a and the wide area receiver 33b perform wireless communication with the base station 4 of the network 5, and are thereby communicably connected to the management device 6 from the base station 4 via the network 5.

For example, the wide area transmitter 33a includes the power transmission amount measurement data of the power transmitter 31 in a wireless signal and transmits it to the base station 4, thereby transmitting the data from the base station 4 to the management device 6 via the network 5. The power transmission amount measurement data of the power transmission amount 31 is data indicating the amount of power stored in the power transmission section 31 measured by the power transmission amount measuring section 32. In the first embodiment, the power transmission amount measurement data is transmitted to the charger 3 in association with a unique charger ID.

Further, the wide area receiving unit 33b receives information transmitted by the management device 6 (for example, maintenance instruction information for instructing maintenance of the battery 21 of the sensor device 2, etc.) from the base station 4 via the network 5. . At this time, the wide area receiving unit 33b performs a predetermined demodulation process on the radio signal received from the base station 4, thereby acquiring information included in this radio signal (transmission information from the management device 6).

The local area communication unit 34 performs wireless communication within the local area. In detail, the local area communication unit 34 performs wireless communication with the sensor device 2 that receives power transmitted from the power transmission unit 31, that is, the sensor device 2 to be maintained. For example, the local area communication unit 34 receives information regarding charging of the battery 21 in the sensor device 2 to be maintained, from this sensor device 2 .

The memory 35 is an example of a charger memory that stores a charger ID unique to the charger 3. Specifically, the charger ID assigned to this charger 3 among the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b (see FIG. 1) described above is stored in the memory 35 of this charger 3. . By storing the charger ID in the memory 35, the charger 3 is associated with the charger ID and can be distinguished from other chargers based on the charger ID.

The input unit 36 is for inputting various information to the charger 3. Specifically, the input unit 36 is configured with an input button, a touch panel, or the like, and inputs various information to the control unit 39 according to input operations by the operator. Examples of the information inputted by the input unit 36 include information regarding maintenance of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2, information indicating the object on which the sensor device 2 is installed, and the like.

The display section 37 is for displaying various information on the charger 3. Specifically, the display section 37 is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays information instructed to be displayed by the control section 39. Examples of the information displayed by the display unit 37 include information received by the wide area receiving unit 33b from the management device 6 via the base station 4 of the network 5, information input by the input unit 36, and the like. Furthermore, the information displayed by the display unit 37 includes, for example, an image captured by the imaging unit 40, information indicating the position of the sensor device 2, and the like. Examples of the image captured by the imaging unit 40 include a previous image of the sensor device 2, an image of the object on which the sensor device 2 is installed, and the like.

The large-capacity battery 38 is a large-capacity battery that functions as a power source for the charger 3 and a charging power source for the sensor device 2 . Specifically, the large-capacity battery 38 is constituted by a primary battery or a secondary battery, and is replaceably incorporated into the charger 3, for example. The large-capacity battery 38 supplies power to each component of the charger 3, such as the power transmission amount measuring section 32, the memory 35, the input section 36, the display section 37, and the control section 39. Further, the large-capacity battery 38 supplies power to the wide area transmitter 33 a and the wide area receiver 33 b of the charger communication unit 33 and the local area communication unit 34 via the control unit 39 . On the other hand, the large-capacity battery 38 supplies charging power to the power transmission section 31 when the charger 3 charges the sensor device 2 . Note that in the first embodiment, the wide area transmitting unit 33a, the wide area receiving unit 33b, and the local area communication unit 34 are supplied with power from the large capacity battery 38 via the control unit 39, but the present invention is not limited to this. Power may be supplied directly from the large capacity battery 38.

The control unit 39 controls the operation of the charger 3. In detail, the control unit 39 includes a memory that stores processing programs and the like, a CPU that executes the processing programs, and the like. The control unit 39 controls the operation and processing of each component of the charger 3 and the transmission and reception of signals between each component. For example, the control unit 39 controls each operation timing of the power transmission unit 31 and the power transmission amount measurement unit 32, each communication process of the wide area transmission unit 33a, wide area reception unit 33b, and local area communication unit 34, and information storage and readout processing by the memory 35. , controls the input processing of the input section 36, the display operation of the display section 37, and the imaging operation of the imaging section 40.

The image capturing unit 40 captures images such as still images or moving images. For example, when imaging instruction information is input in response to an operation of the input unit 36 by a worker, the imaging unit 40 images an image based on the control of the control unit 39 that has received this instruction information. Images captured by the imaging unit 40 include, for example, an image of the sensor device 2 when the sensor device 2 is being charged, an image of the sensor device 2 before and after charging, an image showing the surrounding situation of the sensor device 2, and an image of an object on which the sensor device 2 is installed. etc. The image captured by the imaging unit 40 may be stored in the memory 35 of the charger 3, or may be transmitted from the wide area transmission unit 33a to the management device 6 via the base station 4 of the network 5.

(Configuration of management device)
Next, the configuration of the management device 6 included in the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the management device 6 manages various information regarding each of the plurality of sensor devices 2 and the charger 3 in the charging system 1, the maintenance status and performance of the battery 21 in each of these sensor devices 2, etc. It is a device. Such a management device 6 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a data server 61, a control device 62, a learning device 63, and an input section 64.

The data server 61 has a wide area communication function for transmitting and receiving various information and data via the network 5, and a management function for storing and managing acquired information and data. In the first embodiment, the data server 61 is communicably connected to the network 5 as shown in FIG. 2 and the charger 3. The data server 61 stores and manages various information based on received data from the sensor device 2, that is, various information regarding the sensor device 2. Further, the data server 61 stores and manages various information based on received data from the charger 3, that is, various information regarding the charger 3.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the data server 61 stores ID information 61a, installation target information 61b, position information 61c, battery information 61d, and history information 61e as information regarding the sensor device 2. and manage. Further, the data server 61 stores and manages charger information 61f as information regarding the charger 3.

Among the various types of information described above, the installation target information 61b is particularly important from the viewpoint of managing the status of the sensor device 2 functioning as an IoT device. This is because the sensor device 2 as an IoT device is installed on a wide variety of objects, and the objects on which it is installed change dynamically.

The ID information 61a is information indicating a terminal ID unique to the sensor device 2. Specifically, the ID information 61a includes a plurality of terminal IDs respectively assigned to a plurality of sensor devices 2 (specifically, all of the sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a shown in FIG. 1). For example, these multiple terminal IDs are input to the control device 62 by the input unit 64, and then input to the data server 61 via the control device 62. The data server 61 stores these multiple terminal IDs as ID information 61a, and manages each of the multiple sensor devices 2 separately.

The installation object information 61b is information indicating the object on which each of the plurality of sensor devices 2 is installed. For example, information on the object of the sensor device 2 is input by the input unit 64 to the control device 62 for each terminal ID of the sensor device 2, and is input to the data server 61 via the control device 62. Alternatively, the information on the object of the sensor device 2 is input to the charger 3 together with the terminal ID of the sensor device 2, and is sent to the data server 61 together with the terminal ID from the wide area transmitter 33a of the charger 3 via the network 5. Received. Further, the information on the object of the sensor device 2 may include an image transmitted from the charger 3 (a still image or a moving image taken by the imaging unit 40), surrounding information indicating the surroundings of the object or the surroundings of the sensor device 2. good.

The data server 61 stores the installation target information 61b including the information on the target acquired as described above in an updatable manner in association with the terminal ID assigned to each of the plurality of sensor devices 2. The data server 61 manages the stored installation target information 61b for each terminal ID of the sensor device 2 as information indicating the current object on which the sensor device 2 is installed.

The position information 61c is information indicating each position of the plurality of sensor devices 2. For example, the position of the sensor device 2 is calculated by a position processing unit 62e of the control device 62, which will be described later, and is input from the control device 62 to the data server 61. Alternatively, the position of the sensor device 2 is input to the charger 3 along with the terminal ID of the sensor device 2, and is received by the data server 61 together with the terminal ID from the wide area transmitter 33a of the charger 3 via the network 5. . The data server 61 stores the position information 61c indicating the position of the sensor device 2 acquired as described above in association with the terminal ID assigned to each of the plurality of sensor devices 2 in an updatable manner. The data server 61 manages the stored position information 61c as information indicating the current position of the sensor device 2 for each terminal ID.

The battery information 61d and the history information 61e are information indicating the maintenance performance of the battery 21 in each of the plurality of sensor devices 2. Specifically, the battery information 61d is information indicating the charging performance of the battery 21 in each of the plurality of sensor devices 2. The battery information 61d includes the amount of power stored in the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 (measured value), the amount of stored power profile, the number of times of charging, the amount of power transmitted by the power transmission unit 31 of the charger 3 (measured value), and the like. The power storage amount profile is a profile showing a change over time in the power storage amount when the battery 21 is charged or discharged.

For example, the data server 61 receives power storage amount measurement data including the measured power storage amount of the battery 21 from the terminal communication unit 26 of the sensor device 2 via the network 5 . The data server 61 stores updatable battery information 61d including the amount of stored electricity in association with the terminal ID assigned to each of the plurality of sensor devices 2. On the other hand, the history information 61e is information indicating the replacement performance of the battery 21 in each of the plurality of sensor devices 2. The history information 61e includes replacement date and time indicating the date and time of battery replacement of the sensor device 2, the type and model number of the battery 21, lot information, and the like. Further, the history information 61e includes the installation history of the sensor device 2 on the object (for example, the installation date and time indicating the installation date (year, month, day) and time). The data server 61 stores such history information 61e in an updatable manner in association with the terminal ID assigned to each of the plurality of sensor devices 2. The data server 61 manages the maintenance performance of the battery 21 in each of the plurality of sensor devices 2 in association with the terminal ID based on the battery information 61d and the history information 61e.

The charger information 61f is information for managing each of the plurality of chargers 3 regarding the maintenance status of the battery 21 with respect to the sensor device 2. In detail, the charger information 61f includes the charger ID assigned to each of the plurality of chargers 3, each position of the plurality of chargers 3, and information on whether maintenance of the battery 21 is to be performed for each of the plurality of chargers 3. It includes information (for example, a flag) indicating whether or not the The data server 61 stores such charger information 61f in association with a charger ID assigned to each of the plurality of chargers 3 in an updatable manner. The data server 61 manages the maintenance status of the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 for each of the plurality of chargers 3 based on the charger information 61f.

The control device 62 is a device that controls maintenance of the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 for each of the plurality of sensor devices 2 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 62 includes a selection processing section 62a, an instruction processing section 62b, a judgment processing section 62c, a search processing section 62d, a position processing section 62e, a timer 62f, A control section 62g is provided.

The selection processing unit 62a executes a selection process of selecting a target sensor device from among the plurality of sensor devices 2. Specifically, the selection processing unit 62a selects the sensor device 2 to be tested for the battery 21 (hereinafter referred to as the sensor device 2 to be tested) from among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. In the first embodiment, the inspection of the battery 21 is an inspection for determining whether the battery 21 is in a state requiring maintenance. The data server 61 described above receives the measurement data of the amount of electricity stored in the battery 21 via the network 5 from the terminal communication unit 26 of the sensor device 2 to be inspected selected by the selection processing unit 62a. Further, the selection processing unit 62a selects a sensor device 2 whose battery 21 is determined to require maintenance (hereinafter referred to as a sensor device 2 to be maintained) from among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. do.

The instruction processing unit 62b executes processing for instructing the charger 3 to perform maintenance on the battery 21 of the sensor device 2. Specifically, the instruction processing unit 62b selects a plurality of chargers 3- for each sensor device 2 to be maintained, which is determined to require maintenance of the battery 21, among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. Maintenance instruction information for instructing a specific charger 3 among the chargers 1 to 3-b to perform maintenance on the battery 21 is generated. In the first embodiment, the specific charger 3 is, for example, the only charger among the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b that satisfies a specific condition. The data server 61 described above transmits the maintenance information generated by the instruction processing unit 62b to the charger communication unit 33 of the specific charger 3 via the network 5.

The determination processing unit 62c determines the state of the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 (hereinafter appropriately referred to as battery state). Specifically, the determination processing unit 62c determines whether the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 should undergo maintenance based on the stored electricity amount measurement data received from the terminal communication unit 26 of the sensor device 2 via the network 5 to the data server 61. Determine whether the condition is required. Further, the determination processing unit 62c determines whether the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained has completed charging based on the measurement data of the amount of electricity stored in the sensor device 2 to be maintained and the measurement data of the amount of power transmitted by the specific charger 3. Determine whether the condition is the same or not.

The search processing unit 62d executes the above-described search process for the specific charger 3. Specifically, the search processing unit 62d searches for a specific charger 3 that satisfies a specific condition from among the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b. Examples of the above-mentioned specific conditions include the following conditions: the data server 61 is in an idle state where it is not transmitting maintenance instruction information, and the time taken to reach the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is the shortest. . Furthermore, the above arrival time is based on the position of the sensor device 2 to be maintained which is managed as part of the position information 61c, the position of the charger 3 which is managed as part of the charger information 61f, and their positions and movements. It is possible to calculate based on map information including routes and the like. The data server 61 described above transmits maintenance information via the network 5 to the charger communication unit 33 of the specific charger 3 searched by the search processing unit 62d.

The position processing unit 62e calculates the position of each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a and chargers 3-1 to 3-b. In the first embodiment, the location processing unit 62e selects a plurality of (for example, three) base stations from among the base stations 4-1 to 4-c of the network 5 that have received the wireless signal from the terminal communication unit 26 of the sensor device 2. Based on the position of the station 4 and the reception strength, the position of the sensor device 2 is calculated based on a method such as three-point positioning. Similarly, the position processing unit 62e uses a technique such as three-point positioning based on the positions and reception strengths of the plurality of base stations 4 that have received wireless signals from the charger communication unit 33 of the charger 3. Then, the position of this charger 3 is calculated.

The timer 62f has a clock function that outputs the current date and time and a clock function that measures elapsed time. Timer 62f outputs the requested current date and time. Further, the timer 62f measures the elapsed time from the designated reference time and outputs the measured elapsed time.

The control unit 62g controls each process of the selection processing unit 62a, instruction processing unit 62b, determination processing unit 62c, search processing unit 62d, and position processing unit 62e described above. For example, the control unit 62g controls the execution timing (start and end timing) of each of these processes based on the date and time or elapsed time output by the timer 62f. Further, the control unit 62g controls the storage (storage) and updating of various information by the data server 61.

The learning device 63 is a device that performs machine learning so that the determination processing unit 62c of the control device 62 constructs a determination rule 63a for determining the battery state of the sensor device 2. In detail, the learning device 63 determines whether replacement is necessary or not, based on the maintenance results of the battery 21 stored in the data server 61 (in the first embodiment, the battery information 61d and history information 61e described above). The power storage state of the battery 21 in both cases is learned.

For example, the learning device 63 learns the relationship between the length of time since the sensor device 2 was installed on the object, the number of times the sensor device 2 has been charged, and the amount of charge and the time it took to charge the sensor device 2 last time. Based on such information, the power storage state of the battery 21 is learned. Further, the learning device 63 may learn information such as changes between the charging profile immediately after the battery 21 is replaced and the latest charging profile. This information is stored and managed by, for example, a cloud computer (not shown) that can send and receive data to and from the data server 61. As a result, the learning device 63 can learn a larger amount of information than before.

Thereby, the learning device 63 constructs a determination rule 63a that can determine whether or not the battery 21 requires replacement. The learning device 63 provides the thus constructed decision rule 63a to the control device 62. The determination processing unit 62c of the control device 62 determines whether or not the battery 21 requires replacement based on the measurement data of the amount of stored electricity from the sensor device 2 to be inspected, according to the determination rule 63a. Furthermore, whenever the data server 61 updates at least one of the battery information 61d and the history information 61e, the learning device 63 determines whether replacement is necessary based on the updated battery information 61d and the history information 61e. The determination rule 63a is updated by relearning the power storage state of the battery 21 in both the case and the unnecessary case. The learning device 63 provides the updated judgment rule 63a to the control device 62.

The input unit 64 is for inputting various information to the management device 6. Specifically, the input unit 64 is configured by an input device such as a touch panel, and inputs various information to the control device 62 in accordance with input operations by the operator. Further, the input unit 64 inputs various information according to input operations by the worker to the data server 61 via the control device 62. Information inputted by the input unit 64 includes information stored in the data server 61, such as the terminal ID of the sensor device 2, information indicating the object on which the sensor device 2 is installed, and the charger ID of the charger 3. can be mentioned.

(Battery inspection)
Next, battery inspection of the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process flow of battery inspection of the charging system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the charging system 1 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment, the management device 6 periodically sends information such as physical quantities regarding the object (hereinafter referred to as , installation target data) is detected, the current remaining battery power is measured, and a battery inspection is performed based on the measured value of the remaining battery power.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the management device 6 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the last battery test was completed (step S101). In step S101, in the management device 6 (see FIG. 4), the control unit 62g of the control device 62 determines the elapsed time since the end of the previous battery test based on the time information output from the timer 62f. If the elapsed time has not reached a preset predetermined time, the control unit 62g determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S101, No), and repeats step S101 until the predetermined time has elapsed.

On the other hand, in step S101, if the elapsed time has reached the set predetermined time, the control unit 62g determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S101, Yes). In this case, the management device 6 executes sensor selection processing (step S102). In step S102, in the management device 6, the selection processing unit 62a of the control device 62 executes sensor selection processing to select the sensor device 2 to be inspected from among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. .

After executing step S102, the management device 6 instructs the selected sensor device 2 to be inspected to start measuring the remaining battery power (step S103). In step S103, in the management device 6, the instruction processing unit 62b of the control device 62 provides measurement start instruction information for instructing the sensor device 2 to be inspected to start measuring the remaining battery level and start detecting the installation target data. generate. The data server 61 transmits an instruction signal containing measurement start instruction information generated by the instruction processing section 62b to the sensor device 2 to be inspected via the network 5.

After executing step S103, the management device 6 determines whether or not the instructed measurement and detection data have been received from the sensor device 2 to be inspected (step S104). If the management device 6 has not received the above data from the sensor device 2 to be inspected (step S104, No), it repeats the process of step S104.

On the other hand, each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a is in a sleep state to suppress power consumption of the battery 21 unless an instruction to start an operation such as measurement or detection is received from the management device 6. It is determined whether there is an instruction from the management device 6 (step S201). If each of these sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a does not receive instruction information such as starting an operation from the management device 6, it determines that there is no instruction (step S201, No), and executes the process of step S201. repeat.

Among these sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a, the sensor device 2 to be inspected receives measurement start instruction information from the management device 6 in step S103 described above. Specifically, in the sensor device 2 to be inspected (see FIG. 2), the wide area receiving section 26b of the terminal communication section 26 receives an instruction signal including measurement start instruction information from the data server 61 via the base station 4 of the network 5. and obtains the measurement start instruction information from the received instruction signal through demodulation processing or the like. The control unit 28 acquires the measurement start instruction information from the wide area receiving unit 26b. The control unit 28 determines that there is an instruction from the management device 6 based on this measurement start instruction information.

In the sensor device 2 to be inspected, if there is an instruction from the management device 6 (step S201, Yes), the control unit 28 controls the stored power amount measuring unit 25 based on the acquired measurement start instruction information. The power storage amount measuring section 25 measures the remaining battery amount under the control of the control section 28 (step S202). In step S202, the power storage amount measurement unit 25 measures the power storage amount of the battery 21 continuously or intermittently for a predetermined period including, for example, a period during which the sensor device 2 to be inspected starts up from a sleep state. The stored power amount measuring section 25 transmits data on the measured amount of stored power to the control section 28 .

After executing step S202, the control unit 28 controls the sensor unit 22 based on the measurement start instruction information. Based on the control of the control unit 28, the sensor unit 22 detects installation target data such as physical quantities of the object on which the sensor device 2 to be inspected is installed (step S203). The sensor section 22 transmits the detected installation target data to the control section 28 .

After executing step S203, the sensor device 2 to be inspected transmits the obtained data to the management device 6 (step S204). In step S204, the control unit 28 associates the amount of stored power measured in step S202 with the terminal ID read out from the memory 23 (terminal ID unique to the sensor device 2 to be inspected), and determines the amount of stored power in the battery 21. Generate measurement data. Furthermore, the control unit 28 associates the installation target data detected in step S203 with the terminal ID. The control unit 28 controls the wide area transmitting unit 26a by giving the stored power amount measurement data and the installation target data to the wide area transmitting unit 26a. The wide-area transmitter 26a generates a data signal including the power storage amount measurement data and installation target data under the control of the controller 28, and transmits the generated data signal to the management device 6 via the network 5. . Thereafter, the sensor device 2 to be inspected enters a sleep state, returns to step S201 described above, and repeats the processing from step S201 onwards.

On the other hand, when the sensor device 2 to be tested transmits a data signal, the data server 61 in the management device 6 receives the data signal from the sensor device 2 to be tested via the network 5 . In this case, the data server 61 receives the electrical storage amount measurement data and the installation target data from the sensor device 2 to be inspected (step S104, Yes), and stores these received data. The control device 62 acquires this power storage amount measurement data from the data server 61, executes battery state analysis processing for the sensor device 2 to be inspected selected in step S102 described above (step S105), and It is determined whether the state requires maintenance (step S106).

In steps S105 and S106, the determination processing unit 62c of the control device 62 determines, for example, the change over time in the amount of stored electricity when the battery 21 is discharged ( A power storage amount profile (also referred to as a battery remaining amount profile) indicating a change in decrease over time is derived. The judgment processing unit 62c reads the previous power storage amount profile associated with the same terminal ID as the sensor device 2 to be inspected from the battery information 61d of the data server 61, and combines this previous power storage amount profile with the above derived power amount profile. Compare this with the current electricity storage amount profile. The determination processing unit 62c analyzes the battery status of the sensor device 2 to be inspected based on this comparison result, and determines whether the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 is in a state that requires maintenance or a normal state that does not require maintenance. Determine whether

In the first embodiment, battery states that require maintenance include a state in which the remaining capacity of the battery 21 has decreased to the extent that it requires charging, and a state in which the battery 21 has failed (including deterioration) to the extent that it requires replacement. . The determination processing unit 62c determines whether the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be inspected requires replacement based on the acquired power storage amount measurement data according to the determination rule 63a. As described above, the determination processing unit 62c determines whether the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be inspected is in a state that requires charging as maintenance, a state that requires replacement as maintenance, or a normal state. .

When the battery state of the sensor device 2 to be inspected is a state that requires charging (step S106, charging required), in the management device 6, the control device 62 sets a charging required flag indicating that the battery state is a state that requires charging. is set on (step S107). In step S107, the control unit 62g associates the terminal ID unique to the sensor device 2 to be inspected with the charging required flag, and sets the charging required flag in the information stored in the data server 61 (ID information 61a, etc.), for example. . After that, the management device 6 proceeds to the process of step S109.

Further, when the battery state of the sensor device 2 to be inspected is a state requiring replacement (step S106, replacement required), the control device 62 in the management device 6 sends a message indicating that the battery state is a state requiring replacement. The exchange flag is set on (step S108). In step S108, the control unit 62g associates the terminal ID unique to the sensor device 2 to be inspected with the replacement-required flag, and sets the replacement-required flag in the information stored in the data server 61 (ID information 61a, etc.), for example. . After that, the management device 6 proceeds to the process of step S109.

On the other hand, if the battery state of the sensor device 2 to be inspected is normal (step S106, normal), the management device 6 skips steps S107 and S108 described above and proceeds to step S109.

After executing steps S106, S107, or S108 described above, the management device 6 executes sensor position calculation processing for the sensor device 2 to be inspected (step S109). In step S109, in the management device 6, the position processing unit 62e of the control device 62 calculates the current position (ie, sensor position) where the sensor device 2 to be inspected exists based on a method such as three-point positioning.

After executing step S109, the management device 6 determines whether there is a positional change in the sensor device 2 to be inspected (step S110). In step S110, the position processing unit 62e reads the sensor position associated with the terminal ID of the sensor device 2 to be inspected from the position information 61c stored in the data server 61. The position processing unit 62e compares the amount of positional deviation between the read sensor position and the sensor position calculated in step 109 described above with a predetermined threshold (for example, 500 m).

If the amount of positional deviation exceeds the threshold value, the position processing unit 62e determines that there is a positional change in the sensor device 2 to be inspected (step S110, Yes), and uses the sensor position calculated in step S109 as the object to be inspected. is given to the data server 61 as the position of the sensor device 2. The data server 61 overwrites the given sensor position in the position information 61c as a position associated with the terminal ID of the sensor device 2 to be inspected, thereby updating the sensor position (step S111).

After that, the management device 6 returns to step S101 described above and repeats the processing from step S101 onwards. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned positional deviation amount is less than or equal to the threshold value, the position processing unit 62e determines that there is no positional change of the sensor device 2 to be inspected (step S110, No). In this case, the management device 6 returns to step S101 described above without performing step S111, and repeats the processing from step S101 onwards.

(sensor selection process)
Next, the sensor selection process in step S102 mentioned above will be explained in detail. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing an example of sensor selection processing in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the sensor selection process in step S102 (see FIG. 5) described above, the selection processing unit 62a (see FIG. 4) of the control device 62 in the management device 6 appropriately executes each process in steps S301 to S304 shown in FIG.

Specifically, when a predetermined time has elapsed in step S101 described above, the selection processing unit 62a first determines a sensor number (step S301). In the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment, sensor numbers #1 to #a are assigned in advance to the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a, respectively. The data server 61 manages these sensor numbers #1 to #a in association with each terminal ID of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. For example, sensor number #1 is a number assigned to sensor device 2-1, and is associated with the terminal ID of sensor device 2-1. That is, the sensor number #1 is associated with the terminal ID (ID information 61a) of the sensor device 2-1, the target object (installation target information 61b), the sensor position (position information 61c), the battery information 61d, the history information 61e, etc. It is being Such correspondence is the same between sensor numbers #2 to #a and sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a.

In step S301, the selection processing unit 62a determines the current sensor number by incrementing the sensor number in the previous step S303 or step S304. Specifically, if the process of step S303 was executed in the previous sensor selection process, the selection processing unit 62a selects the sensor number (=#x(x: positive) of the sensor device 2 selected in the previous step S303. Performs increment processing on the integer)). Thereby, the selection processing unit 62a determines the current sensor number (=#x+1). On the other hand, if the process of step S304 was executed in the previous sensor selection process, the selection processing unit 62a performs an increment process on the initial sensor number (for example, #0) resulting from the process of this previous step S304. Thereby, the selection processing unit 62a determines the current sensor number (for example, #1).

After executing step S301, the selection processing unit 62a determines whether the sensor number determined in step S301 exceeds the number of arranged sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a (step S302). In step S302, the selection processing unit 62a compares the determined sensor number #n (n: positive integer) with the number of arranged sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a (=a). If this sensor number #n is less than or equal to the number of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a (#n≦a) (step S302, No), the selection processing unit 62a selects the plurality of sensor devices 2-1. 2-a, the sensor device corresponding to this sensor number #n is selected as the sensor device 2 to be inspected (step S303). After that, the management device 6 returns to step S102 shown in FIG. 5, and performs the processing from step S102 onwards.

On the other hand, if the sensor number #n determined in step S301 described above exceeds the number of arranged sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a (#n>a) (step S302, Yes), A reset process is performed for this sensor number #n (step S304). In step S304, the selection processing unit 62a sets the sensor number #n to an initial value (for example, #n=0). After that, the selection processing unit 62a returns to step S301 described above and repeats the processing from step S301 onwards.

(Update processing of installation target information)
Next, the updating process of the installation target information 61b by the management device 6 of the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of the installation target information update process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the management device 6 (see FIG. 4) of the first embodiment, the data server 61 stores a plurality of pieces of installation target information 61b indicating objects of each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a, as described above. are stored and managed in association with each terminal ID of the sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. When the information indicating the object of the sensor device 2 is transmitted from the charger 3 via the network 5 to the data server 61 or when it is input to the control device 62 by the input section 64, the management device 6 Then, the control unit 62g of the control device 62 receives information about the object for the data server 61, and sets an interrupt flag in the data server 61. With this interrupt flag, the control unit 62g prohibits the reception of information indicating an object other than the already accepted information (for example, reception from another charger 3 via the network 5 or input by the input unit 64). In this state, the management device 6 performs updating processing of the installation target information 61b based on this accepted information.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the management device 6 first determines whether or not there is an interrupt flag (step S401). In step S401, if the above-mentioned interrupt flag is set in the data server 61, the data server 61 determines that the interrupt flag is present (step S401, Yes). In this case, the data server 61 updates the installation target information 61b based on information indicating objects that have been accepted before the interrupt flag is set (step S402). In step S402, the data server 61 associates the information indicating the accepted object with the same terminal ID as the terminal ID received with the information among the object information included in the installation target information 61b. Overwrite information indicating the target object. Thereby, the data server 61 completes updating the installation target information 61b.

After executing step S402, the management device 6 sets the interrupt flag to OFF (step S403). In step S403, the control unit 62g of the control device 62 cancels the interrupt flag set in the data server 61. Thereby, the control unit 62g allows the data server 61 to accept new information indicating the object. After that, the management device 6 returns to step S401 described above and repeats the processing from step S401 onwards.

On the other hand, in step S401 described above, if the interrupt flag is not set in the data server 61, the data server 61 determines that there is no interrupt flag (step S401, No). In this case, the management device 6 is in a state where new reception of information indicating the target object to the data server 61 is permitted, and the process of step S401 is repeated.

Examples of the installation target information 61b that is updated as appropriate as described above include text information and image information (still image information, video information) that indicate the object on which the sensor device 2 is installed. These pieces of information may be acquired by the imaging unit 40 of the charger 3, or may be acquired (input) offline by the operator operating the input unit 64 of the management device 6.

(Battery maintenance processing)
Next, a maintenance process for the battery of the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a process flow of battery maintenance processing by the charging system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the charging system 1 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment, the management device 6 records the maintenance results of the batteries 21 in the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a and the maintenance records of the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-a. While managing the maintenance status for the battery 21 in b, a specific one of the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b is connected to the sensor device 2 to be maintained among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. Charger 3 performs maintenance on battery 21.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the management device 6 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous maintenance process for the battery 21 was completed (step S501). In step S501, in the management device 6 (see FIG. 4), the control unit 62g of the control device 62 grasps the elapsed time from the completion of the previous battery 21 maintenance process based on the time information output from the timer 62f. do. If the elapsed time has not reached a preset predetermined time, the control unit 62g determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S501, No), and repeats step S501 until the predetermined time has elapsed.

On the other hand, in step S501, if the elapsed time has reached the set predetermined time, the control unit 62g determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S501, Yes). In this case, the management device 6 executes sensor selection processing (step S502). In step S502, in the management device 6, the selection processing unit 62a of the control device 62 appropriately executes substantially the same processing as steps S301 to S304 shown in FIG. 6. That is, the selection processing unit 62a selects the sensor device 2 to be maintained instead of the sensor device 2 to be inspected in step S303, and performs the other processes in the same manner as steps S301, S302, and S304 described above.

After executing step S502, the management device 6 determines whether the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is in a state that requires replacement (step S503). In step S503, in the management device 6, the determination processing unit 62c of the control device 62 determines whether the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained requires replacement, based on the presence or absence of the replacement flag corresponding to the sensor device 2 to be maintained. Determine whether it exists or not. Specifically, if the replacement required flag associated with the terminal ID of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is set in the information stored in the data server 61, the determination processing unit 62c determines that the battery 21 of this sensor device 2 is not required. It is determined that it is in a state of exchange. Furthermore, if the replacement flag associated with the terminal ID of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is not set in the information stored in the data server 61, the determination processing unit 62c determines that the battery 21 of this sensor device 2 does not require replacement. judge that it is not a condition.

If it is determined in step S503 that the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is not in a state that requires replacement (step S503, No), the management device 6 determines that the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is in a state that requires charging. It is determined whether or not (step S504). In step S504, in the management device 6, the determination processing unit 62c of the control device 62 determines whether the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained requires charging based on the presence or absence of the charging required flag corresponding to the sensor device 2 to be maintained. Determine whether it exists or not. Specifically, if the charging required flag associated with the terminal ID of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is set in the information stored in the data server 61, the determination processing unit 62c determines that the battery 21 of this sensor device 2 is not required. It is determined that the battery is in a charging state. Furthermore, if the charging required flag associated with the terminal ID of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is not set in the information stored in the data server 61, the determination processing unit 62c determines that the battery 21 of this sensor device 2 does not require charging. judge that it is not a condition.

If it is determined in step S504 that the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is not in a state that requires charging (step S504, No), the battery 21 of this sensor device 2 is not in a state that requires replacement or requires charging. Not even a state. That is, although this sensor device 2 was selected as a maintenance target in step S502, it is not a maintenance target. Therefore, the management device 6 returns to step S502 described above and repeats the processing from step S502 onwards. As a result, the management device 6 reselects the sensor device 2 to be maintained from among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained requires replacement (step S503, Yes), the management device 6 proceeds to step S505 without performing step S504. . If it is determined in step S504 that the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained requires charging (step S504, Yes), the management device 6 proceeds to step S505.

After executing step S503 or step S504 described above, the management device 6 searches for a specific charger 3 (step S505). In step S505, in the management device 6, the search processing unit 62d of the control device 62 searches for a specific charger 3 that satisfies a specific condition from among the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b. As described above, this specific condition is that the data server 61 is in an idle state where it is not transmitting maintenance instruction information, and that the arrival time to the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is the shortest. Can be mentioned. The search processing unit 62d selects one or more chargers from among the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b to which maintenance instruction information for the battery 21 has not been transmitted (that is, link setting described below has not been performed). is searched for as a free charger. Next, the search processing unit 62d searches for the charger that takes the shortest time to reach the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained, as the specific charger 3, among the searched empty chargers.

After executing step S505, the management device 6 performs link setting between the sensor device 2 to be maintained and the specific charger 3 (step S506). In step S506, in the management device 6, the control unit 62g of the control device 62 associates the terminal ID of the sensor device 2 to be maintained with the charger ID of the specific charger 3 searched in step S505. As a result, the control unit 62g assigns a specific charger 3 as a charger for performing maintenance of the battery 21 to the sensor device 2 to be maintained, that is, links the sensor device 2 and the charger 3. do. In this link setting state, the control unit 62g prohibits chargers other than the specific charger 3 from performing maintenance on the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. For example, the control unit 62g may send maintenance instruction information for the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained to a charger other than the specific charger 3, or control execution of maintenance for the battery 21 to the sensor device 2 to be maintained for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. Requests made by chargers other than charger 3 are prohibited.

Note that the terminal ID of the sensor device 2 to be maintained can be read from the ID information 61a stored in the data server 61. The charger ID of the specific charger 3 can be read from the charger information 61f stored in the data server 61.

After executing step S506, the management device 6 instructs the specific charger 3 to perform maintenance on the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S507). In step S507, in the management device 6, the instruction processing unit 62b of the control device 62 generates maintenance instruction information for instructing a specific charger 3 to perform maintenance on the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. For example, the instruction processing unit 62b associates information regarding the sensor device 2 to be maintained with the charger ID of the specific charger 3, and generates the maintenance instruction information. The information regarding the sensor device 2 to be maintained includes information such as maintenance instructions and contents of the battery 21, terminal ID of the sensor device 2 to be maintained, sensor position, and target object. The data server 61 transmits the instruction signal containing the maintenance instruction information generated in this way to the wide area communication unit corresponding to the specific charger 3 via the network 5. In the first embodiment, this wide area communication unit is the charger communication unit 33 (second communication unit) that the specific charger 3 has.

After executing step S507, the management device 6 determines whether or not the specific charger 3 that instructed the maintenance of the battery 21 has arrived at the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S508). In step S508, if the management device 6 has not received arrival information from the specific charger 3 indicating that the sensor device 2 to be maintained has arrived at the location, the management device 6 determines that the specific charger 3 has not arrived yet. It is determined (step S508, No), and the process of step S508 is repeated.

On the other hand, each of the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b is carried by a worker, for example, and it is determined whether there is a maintenance instruction from the management device 6 (step S601). If each of these chargers 3-1 to 3-b does not receive maintenance instruction information from the management device 6, it determines that there is no instruction (step S601, No), and repeats the process of step S601.

A specific charger 3 among these chargers 3-1 to 3-b receives maintenance instruction information from the management device 6 in step S507 described above. Specifically, in a specific charger 3 (see FIG. 3), the wide area receiving unit 33b of the charger communication unit 33 receives an instruction signal including maintenance instruction information from the data server 61 via the base station 4 of the network 5. The maintenance instruction information is obtained through demodulation processing or the like from the received instruction signal. The control unit 39 acquires the maintenance instruction information from the wide area receiving unit 33b. Based on this maintenance instruction information, the control unit 39 determines that there is a maintenance instruction from the management device 6.

If there is a maintenance instruction from the management device 6 in step S601 (step S601, Yes), the specific charger 3 outputs maintenance content information indicating the content of the instructed maintenance of the battery 21 (step S602). In step S602, in the specific charger 3, the control unit 39 controls the display operation of the display unit 37 by giving the maintenance content information of the battery 21 indicated by the maintenance instruction information to the display unit 37. The display section 37 visually outputs (that is, displays) this maintenance content information under the control of the control section 39 .

After executing step S602, the specific charger 3 determines whether it has arrived at the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S603). In step S603, in the specific charger 3, the control unit 39 determines whether the position of the sensor device 2 to be maintained (sensor position) has been reached based on the information input by the input unit 36. For example, if arrival information indicating that the sensor device 2 to be maintained has arrived at the location has not been input from the input section 36, the control section 39 determines that the sensor device 2 has not yet arrived at the sensor location (step S603, No. ). In this case, the control unit 39 repeats the process of step S603.

By visually checking the maintenance content information displayed on the display unit 37, the operator can grasp useful information when performing maintenance on the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. For example, the maintenance content information may include which of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a is the sensor device 2 to be maintained, the content of instructions for maintenance of the battery 21 to be performed, and the sensor device 2 to be maintained. Examples include information such as the object on which the sensor is installed and the location of the sensor.

Further, when the operator understands from this maintenance content information that the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained needs to be replaced, the operator goes to a predetermined location to pick up the replacement battery, and then Carrying a specific charger 3 and a replacement battery, the user heads to the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained. On the other hand, if the operator understands from this maintenance content information that the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained requires charging (replacement is not required), the operator carries a specific charger 3 and directly , toward the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained. The specific charger 3 moves together with such a worker to the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained.

When a worker carrying a specific charger 3 arrives at the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained, this specific charger 3 has arrived at the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained. In this case, the worker operates the input unit 36 of the specific charger 3 to input arrival information indicating that the charger has arrived at the location of this sensor device 2 .

In the above-described step S603, when the arrival information is input by the input unit 36 in the specific charger 3, the control unit 39 determines that the charger 3 has arrived at the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S603). , Yes). Thereafter, based on the input arrival information, the specific charger 3 notifies the management device 6 that it has arrived at the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S604). In step S604, in the specific charger 3, the control unit 39 acquires the arrival information from the input unit 36, provides the acquired arrival information to the wide area transmitter 33a, and controls the transmission operation of the wide area transmitter 33a. The wide area transmitting unit 33a generates a notification signal including this arrival information under the control of the control unit 39, and transmits the generated notification signal to the data server 61 of the management device 6 via the base station 4 of the network 5. do.

After executing step S604, the specific charger 3 determines whether there is a response from the management device 6 to the notification of arrival (step S605). In step S605, if the specific charger 3 has not received a response signal from the management device 6 to the notification signal, it determines that there is no response from the management device 6 (step S605, No), and the specific charger 3 determines that there is no response from the management device 6 (step S605, No). Repeat the process.

On the other hand, in the management device 6, the data server 61 receives, via the network 5, the notification signal transmitted from the specific charger 3 in step S604 described above. In this case, in step S508 described above, the control unit 62g of the control device 62 acquires the arrival information included in this notification signal from the data server 61, and determines whether the specific charger 3 is undergoing maintenance based on the acquired arrival information. It is determined that the position of the target sensor device 2 has been reached (step S508, Yes). Thereafter, the control unit 62g generates response information in response to this arrival information and provides it to the data server 61. Data server 61 generates a response signal including this response information, and transmits the generated response signal to specific charger 3 via network 5 . In this way, the management device 6 responds to the arrival notification from the specific charger 3 (step S509).

After executing step S509, the management device 6 determines whether the specific charger 3 has performed maintenance on the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S510). In step S510, if the management device 6 has not received maintenance execution information from the specific charger 3 indicating the result of the maintenance execution of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained, the management device 6 determines that the maintenance of the battery 21 has not yet been executed. It is determined that the process has not been completed (step S510, No), and the process of step S510 is repeated.

On the other hand, in the specific charger 3, the wide area receiving unit 33b receives the response signal transmitted from the data server 61 of the management device 6 in step S509 described above via the network 5. In this case, in step S605 described above, the control unit 39 acquires this response signal from the wide area receiving unit 33b, and determines that there is a response from the management device 6 based on the acquired response signal (step S605, Yes). ). After that, the control unit 39 determines whether or not the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained needs to be replaced (step S606).

In step S606, if the maintenance instruction information acquired from the management device 6 in step S601 described above indicates that replacement of the battery 21 is instructed, the control unit 39 determines that the battery 21 needs to be replaced (step S606, Yes). In this case, the control unit 39 determines whether the battery replacement of the sensor device 2 to be maintained has been completed (step S607).

In step S607, if information indicating that the replacement of the battery 21 has been completed is not inputted by the input unit 36, the control unit 62g determines that the replacement of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained is not completed. (Step S607, No), the process of this step S607 is repeated.

On the other hand, when the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is replaced, the operator operates the input section 36 of a specific charger 3 to specify replacement completion information indicating that the replacement of the battery 21 has been completed. input to charger 3. In this case, in step S607, the control unit 39 determines that the replacement of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained has been completed, based on the replacement completion information input by the input unit 36 (step S607, Yes). After that, the specific charger 3 proceeds to step S608.

On the other hand, in step S606 described above, if replacing the battery 21 is not instructed by the maintenance instruction information from the management device 6, the control unit 39 determines that replacing the battery 21 is unnecessary (step S606, No). . In this case, the specific charger 3 proceeds to step S608 without performing step S607 described above.

After executing step S606 or step S607, the specific charger 3 determines whether to start charging the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S608). In step S608, if charging start information for starting charging of the battery 21 has not been input by the input unit 36, the control unit 62g determines not to start charging the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained ( Step S608, No), the process of step S608 is repeated.

On the other hand, when starting charging the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained, the operator operates the input section 36 of the specific charger 3 to input charging start information, and Bring the specific charger 3 closer to the At this stage, in step S608, the control unit 62g determines to start charging the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S608, Yes). In this case, the specific charger 3 executes charging processing of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained, based on the maintenance instruction information from the management device 6 described above (step S609).

In step S609, in the specific charger 3, the control unit 39 causes the power transmission unit 31 to charge the battery 21 instructed by the maintenance instruction information from the management device 6, for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. control. The power transmission unit 31 receives electric power from the large-capacity battery 38 based on the control of the control unit 39 (that is, based on the maintenance instruction information described above), and transmits this electric power to the sensor device 2 to be maintained, for example, via an electromagnetic field. Transmit electricity.

In parallel with this, the power transmission amount measurement unit 32 continuously or intermittently measures the power transmission amount of the power transmission unit 31 while charging the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained. The power transmission amount measurement section 32 continuously measures the power transmission amount during the period when the battery 21 is being charged, and transmits data on the measured power transmission amount to the control section 39 . On the other hand, in the sensor device 2 to be maintained, the power receiving section 24 sequentially receives power from the power transmitting section 31 via an electromagnetic field, and sequentially supplies the received power to the battery 21 . The battery 21 sequentially stores the power supplied from the power receiving unit 24 . Thereby, the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is charged with electric power from the specific charger 3.

Further, in step S609, in the specific charger 3, the local area communication unit 34 transmits a signal indicating that charging of the battery 21 has started based on the control of the control unit 39 to the sensor device 2 to be maintained. . In the sensor device 2 to be maintained, the local area communication unit 27 receives a signal from a specific charger 3 . The control unit 28 controls the local area communication unit 27 to transmit charging stop information for stopping charging of the battery 21 at a predetermined timing from the time when the local area communication unit 27 receives this signal.

Note that the above-mentioned predetermined timing includes, for example, a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving a signal from a specific charger 3, and a timing when a predetermined amount of power has elapsed since receiving a signal from a specific charger 3. For example, the timing supplied to 21 may be mentioned. Under the control of the control unit 28, the local area communication unit 27 transmits a signal indicating charging stop information to the specific charger 3 at the predetermined timing. In this case, in the specific charger 3, the local area communication unit 34 receives the signal from the sensor device 2. The control unit 39 stops the power transmission operation of the power transmission unit 31 based on the charging stop information indicated by the received signal. Thereby, the specific charger 3 stops the charging process of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained.

Thereafter, the specific charger 3 transmits maintenance execution information indicating the maintenance execution record of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained to the management device 6 (step S610). In step S610, in the specific charger 3, the control section 39 uses the power transmission amount measurement data indicating the power transmission amount of the power transmission section 31 measured by the power transmission amount measuring section 32 and the charger ID read from the memory 35 (i.e., the corresponding charger ID). (unique ID of the charger 3), and generates maintenance execution information. Alternatively, when the battery of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is being replaced, the control unit 39 may store the battery 21 replacement history (exchange date and time, the battery 21 after replacement, etc.) in addition to the above-mentioned power transmission amount measurement data and charger ID. Generates maintenance execution information that includes information indicating the type of maintenance, etc.). The control unit 39 provides the generated maintenance execution information to the wide area transmitting unit 33a to control the transmission operation of the wide area transmitting unit 33a. The wide area transmitter 33 a transmits a data signal including this maintenance execution information to the management device 6 via the base station 4 of the network 5 under the control of the controller 39 .

After executing step S610, the specific charger 3 determines whether or not an instruction has been given to recharge the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S611). In step S611, if the specific charger 3 has not received the recharging instruction information from the management device 6, it determines that there is no recharging instruction (step S611, No), and the battery 2 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained is It is determined whether or not completion of charging has been instructed (step S612). In step S612, if the specific charger 3 has not received completion instruction information from the management device 6, it determines that there is no instruction to complete charging (step S612, No), returns to step S611 described above, and returns to step S611. Repeat the following process.

On the other hand, in the management device 6 , the data server 61 receives the above-described power transmission amount measurement data from the charger communication unit 33 of the specific charger 3 via the network 5 . Specifically, in step S510 described above, data server 61 receives, via network 5, the data signal transmitted from wide area transmitter 33a of specific charger 3 in step S610. Thereby, the data server 61 acquires the maintenance execution information included in the received data signal. This maintenance execution information includes information and data such as the power transmission amount measurement data of the specific charger 3, the charger ID, and the replacement history of the battery 21, as appropriate. The control unit 62g of the control device 62 acquires this maintenance execution information (for example, power transmission amount measurement data) from the data server 61, and based on the acquired maintenance execution information, determines whether the specific charger 3 is the sensor device 2 to be maintained. It is determined that maintenance of the battery 21 has been performed on the battery 21 (step S510, Yes). After that, the management device 6 executes a charging result analysis process for the battery 21 that has been charged by the specific charger 3 to the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S511).

In step S511, the determination processing unit 62c of the control device 62 analyzes the power transmission amount profile of the specific charger 3, for example, based on the acquired power transmission amount measurement data. The power transmission amount profile is a profile showing the correlation between the amount of power transmitted from a specific charger 3 to the sensor device 2 to be maintained and the time (power transmission time) during the current charging period of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. By analyzing this power transmission amount profile, the determination processing unit 62c determines the total amount of power transmitted from the specific charger 3 to the sensor device 2 to be maintained during the current charging period of the battery 21 (hereinafter, the total amount of power transmitted). (referred to as the amount of electricity transmitted).

After executing step S511, the management device 6 instructs the sensor device 2 to be maintained to check the operation of the battery 21 after performing maintenance (step S512). In step S512, in the management device 6, the instruction processing unit 62b of the control device 62 generates operation check instruction information for instructing the sensor device 2 to be maintained to start checking its operation. The data server 61 transmits an instruction signal containing the operation check instruction information generated by the instruction processing section 62b to the sensor device 2 to be maintained via the network 5.

After executing step S512, the management device 6 determines whether data indicating the result of the instructed operation check has been received from the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S513). If the management device 6 has not received the data from the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S513, No), it repeats the process of step S513.

On the other hand, after the maintenance of the battery 21 is performed by the specific charger 3 as described above, the sensor device 2 to be maintained determines whether or not there is an operation confirmation instruction from the management device 6 (step S701). In step S701, if the sensor device 2 to be maintained has not received the operation check instruction information from the management device 6, it determines that there is no instruction (step S701, No), and repeats the process of step S701.

Thereafter, the sensor device 2 to be maintained receives the above-mentioned operation check instruction information from the management device 6. Specifically, in step S701, in the sensor device 2 to be maintained, the wide area receiving unit 26b of the terminal communication unit 26 receives an instruction signal including operation check instruction information from the data server 61 via the base station 4 of the network 5. The received instruction signal is then subjected to demodulation processing or the like to obtain the operation confirmation instruction information. The control unit 28 acquires the operation check instruction information from the wide area receiving unit 26b. Based on this operation check instruction information, the control unit 28 determines that there is an instruction from the management device 6 (step S701, Yes). In this case, the sensor device 2 to be maintained performs an operation confirmation process (step S702).

In step S702, in the sensor device 2 to be maintained, the control unit 28 first controls the electrical storage amount measuring unit 25 based on the acquired operation confirmation instruction information. The power storage amount measurement unit 25 measures the power storage amount of the battery 21 after maintenance is performed based on the control of the control unit 28 . At this time, the power storage amount measurement unit 25 measures the power storage amount of the battery 21 continuously or intermittently for a predetermined period after charging the battery 21, for example. The stored power amount measuring section 25 transmits data on the measured amount of stored power to the control section 28 . Subsequently, the control section 28 controls the sensor section 22 based on the operation confirmation instruction information. The sensor unit 22 detects installation target data of the sensor device 2 to be maintained, and transmits the detected installation target data to the control unit 28 under the control of the control unit 28 .

After executing step S702, the sensor device 2 to be maintained transmits the obtained data to the management device 6 (step S703). In step S703, the control unit 28 associates the amount of stored power measured in step S702 with the terminal ID read from the memory 23, and generates data measuring the amount of stored power of the battery 21 after performing maintenance. Furthermore, the control unit 28 associates the installation target data detected in step S702 with the terminal ID. The control unit 28 controls the wide area transmitting unit 26a by giving the stored power amount measurement data and the installation target data to the wide area transmitting unit 26a. The wide-area transmitter 26a generates a data signal including the power storage amount measurement data and installation target data under the control of the controller 28, and transmits the generated data signal to the management device via the base station 4 of the network 5. Send to 6. Thereafter, the sensor device 2 to be maintained returns to step S701 described above and repeats the processing from step S701 onwards.

On the other hand, in the management device 6, when the sensor device 2 to be maintained transmits a data signal, the data server 61 receives the data signal from the sensor device 2 to be maintained via the network 5 in step S513 described above. . In this case, the data server 61 receives the power storage amount measurement data and the installation target data from the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S513, Yes), and stores these received data. The control device 62 acquires this stored power amount measurement data from the data server 61, and based on the acquired data, performs processing for analyzing the battery state of the sensor device 2 to be maintained after maintenance is performed (step S514).

In step S514, the determination processing unit 62c of the control device 62, for example, derives and analyzes the profile of the amount of electricity stored when the battery 21 is being charged, for the sensor device 2 to be maintained, based on the acquired electricity amount measurement data. . This power storage amount profile during charging is a profile that shows the correlation between the power storage amount of the battery 21 and time during the current battery 21 charging period for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. By analyzing this stored power profile, the determination processing unit 62c determines the amount of increase in the amount of stored power due to the current charging of the battery 21 performed by the specific charger 3 on the sensor device 2 subject to maintenance (hereinafter referred to as the increased amount of stored power). and the total value (hereinafter referred to as the total amount of stored electricity).

After executing step S514, the management device 6 determines whether or not the battery charging of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is completed (step S515). In step S515, the determination processing unit 62c of the control device 62 determines whether the battery for the sensor device 2 to be maintained is a 21 is completed.

Specifically, the determination processing unit 62c calculates the amount of increase in power storage during charging of the battery 21 and the total amount of stored power derived based on the power storage amount measurement data in step S514, and the power transmission amount measurement data in step S511 described above. and the total power transmission amount of the specific charger 3 derived in . Based on the result of the comparison process, for example, the determination processing unit 62c determines whether the sensor to be maintained is the sensor to be maintained if the difference between the total power transmission amount and the increase in power storage amount and the difference between the total power transmission amount and the total power storage amount are less than a predetermined threshold. It is determined that charging of the battery 21 for the device 2 is not completed yet. Further, when the difference between the total power transmission amount and the increase in power storage amount and the difference between the total power transmission amount and the total power storage amount are greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination processing unit 62c determines that the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained is not charged. Consider it complete.

If it is determined in step S515 that charging of the battery 21 is not completed, the management device 6 instructs the specific charger 3 to perform recharging of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S516). ). In step S516, in the management device 6, the instruction processing unit 62b of the control device 62 generates recharging instruction information for instructing a specific charger 3 to recharge the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. Data server 61 transmits an instruction signal including the generated recharging instruction information to charger communication section 33 of specific charger 3 via network 5 . After executing step S516, the management device 6 returns to step S510 described above and repeats the processing from step S510 onward.

When the instruction signal including the recharging instruction information is transmitted as described above, in the specific charger 3, the wide area receiving section 33b of the charger communication section 33 receives the information from the data server 61 via the base station 4 of the network 5. receive the instruction signal. In this case, in step S611 described above, the wide area receiving section 33b receives this instruction signal, acquires the recharging instruction information, and provides this recharging instruction information to the control section 39. Based on this recharging instruction information, the control unit 39 determines that there is a recharging instruction from the management device 6 (step S611, Yes). In this case, the specific charger 3 returns to step S609 described above and repeats the processing from step S609 onwards, in order to perform the recharging of the battery 21 instructed by this recharging instruction information.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S515 that charging of the battery 21 is completed, the management device 6 instructs the specific charger 3 to complete charging of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained (step S517). In step S517, in the management device 6, the instruction processing unit 62b of the control device 62 generates completion instruction information for instructing the specific charger 3 to complete charging of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. Data server 61 transmits an instruction signal including the generated completion instruction information to charger communication section 33 of specific charger 3 via network 5 .

After executing step S517, the management device 6 determines whether there is a response from the specific charger 3 to the charge completion instruction (step S518). In step S518, if the management device 6 has not received a response signal from the specific charger 3 to the instruction signal (completion instruction information), it determines that there is no response from the specific charger 3 (step S518, No), repeat the process of step S518.

On the other hand, in step S611 described above, if the instruction signal including the recharging instruction information is not received by the wide area receiving section 33b in the specific charger 3, the control section 39 determines that the recharging instruction information has not been acquired. Therefore, as described above, it is determined that there is no instruction to recharge, and the process advances to step S612. In the specific charger 3, when an instruction signal including the above-mentioned completion instruction information is transmitted from the data server 61, the wide area receiving section 33b receives this instruction signal via the base station 4 of the network 5. In this case, in step S612 described above, the wide area receiving section 33b acquires the completion instruction information included in this instruction signal, and provides this completion instruction information to the control section 39. Based on this completion instruction information, the control unit 39 determines that there is an instruction to complete charging from the management device 6 (step S612, Yes).

When there is an instruction to complete charging in step S612, the specific charger 3 notifies the operator that charging of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained has been completed, and receives the instruction from the management device 6 to complete charging. (step S613), and the process ends. In step S613, the control unit 39 of the specific charger 3 generates response information to the completion instruction information, and provides this response signal to the wide area transmitter 33a to control the transmission operation of the wide area transmitter 33a. The wide area transmitter 33a transmits this response signal to the data server 61 via the base station 4 of the network 5. Further, the control unit 39 controls the display unit 37 based on the completion instruction information. Under the control of the control unit 39, the display unit 37 displays information indicating that charging of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained has been completed. By visually recognizing this displayed information, the operator recognizes that the maintenance of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained has been completed.

On the other hand, in the management device 6, the data server 61 receives, via the network 5, the response signal transmitted from the specific charger 3 in step S613 described above. In this case, in step S518 described above, the control unit 62g of the control device 62 acquires the response information included in this response signal from the data server 61, and based on the acquired response information, It is determined that there is a response (step S518, Yes). In this case, the management device 6 executes a cancellation process to release the sensor device 2 from the maintenance target after the maintenance of the battery 21 is completed (step S519), and then provides various information regarding the sensor device 2 after the maintenance is completed. Update processing is executed (step S520). After that, the management device 6 returns to step S501 described above and repeats the processing from step 501 onwards.

In step S519, the control unit 62g of the control device 62 selects a flag corresponding to the sensor device 2 to be maintained, specifically a replacement required flag or a charging required flag, from information stored in the data server 61 (for example, ID information 61a). Delete (set off). Thereby, the control unit 62g releases the sensor device 2 after the maintenance is completed from being a maintenance target for the battery 21.

In addition, in step S520, the data server 61 determines the battery associated with the terminal ID of the sensor device 2 based on the various received data received from the sensor device 2 to be maintained and the specific charger 3 described above. Information 61d, history information 61e, and charger information 61f are updated. As a result, the updated battery information 61d and history information 61e include the current maintenance record of the battery 21 in a manner that is associated with the terminal ID. In addition, the updated charger information 61f includes information such as the maintenance status of the specific charger 3 that performed maintenance on the battery 21 this time in a manner that is associated with the charger ID. For example, the updated information includes information such as the amount of electricity stored in the battery 21, the number of times it has been charged, the date and time of replacement, the type of battery, the amount of power transmitted to the battery 21, and the position of the charger.

As described above, the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used to appropriately charge the sensor device 2 installed on the object and the rechargeable battery 21 provided as a power source in the sensor device 2. a portable charger 3, and a management device 6 having a data server 61 and a control device 62 for managing and controlling maintenance of the battery 21 in each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. We are prepared. In this charging system 1, the control device 62 includes a determination processing unit 62c that determines whether or not the battery 21 is in a state requiring maintenance based on data of measuring the amount of electricity stored in the battery 21, and a plurality of sensor devices 2-1. Maintenance for instructing a specific charger 3 among the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b to perform battery 21 maintenance for each sensor device 2 that requires maintenance of the battery 21 among ~2-a. and an instruction processing section 62b that generates instruction information. The data server 61 can communicate with each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a and the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b via the network 5, and is used by the above-mentioned judgment processing section 62c. The storage amount measurement data is received from each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a, and the maintenance instruction information by the instruction processing unit 62b is transmitted to a specific charger among the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b. I am trying to send it to 3.

With the above configuration, the battery status of each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a located remotely from the management device 6 is grasped and centrally managed, while the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b are A specific charger 3 can be remotely controlled by the management device 6 to perform maintenance such as replacing or charging the battery 21 necessary for the sensor device 2 to be maintained.

Therefore, it is not necessary for an operator to go to the location of the sensor device 2 where it is unclear whether or not maintenance of the battery 21 is required and check the state of charge and deterioration of the battery 21, and the management device 6 can also After making preparations to perform the instructed maintenance on the battery 21, the worker carries a specific charger 3 and moves to the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained, and uses the specific charger 3 to perform the maintenance. Maintenance of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 can be performed. This makes it possible to avoid unnecessary or repeated charging of the battery 21 for each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a, as well as to avoid having to go to the site of the sensor device 2 to pick up a replacement battery and then recharging the battery 21. It is possible to eliminate unnecessary travel such as returning to the site. As a result, redundant charging and overcharging during maintenance of the battery 21 can be prevented, and the effort required for maintaining the battery 21 can be reduced.

Furthermore, in the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the control device 62 of the management device 6 uses the search processing unit 62d to retrieve the maintenance instruction information from among the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b. A charger that is in an empty state that is not transmitting and that has the shortest arrival time to the location of the sensor device 2 to be maintained is searched as the above-mentioned specific charger 3, and the searched specific charger 3 is In contrast, the data server 61 transmits the maintenance instruction information via the network 5. Therefore, among the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b, a specific charger that is not performing maintenance on the battery 21 and is in a state where it can arrive at the position of the sensor device 2 to be maintained in the shortest time is selected. 3 to perform maintenance on the battery 21 of the sensor device 2. Thereby, maintenance of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained can be efficiently performed using the specific charger 3.

In addition, in the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the control device 62 of the management device 6 uses the selection processing unit 62a to select a test target for the battery 21 from among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. A sensor device 2 is selected, and the data server 61 receives the measurement data of the amount of electricity stored in the battery 21 from the selected sensor device 2 to be inspected via the network 5. Therefore, it is possible to sequentially acquire the measurement data of the amount of electricity stored in the battery 21 in each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a from the sensor device 2 selected as the inspection target. It is possible to efficiently obtain and manage the data of the amount of electricity stored in the battery 21 for each of the devices 2-1 to 2-a.

Furthermore, in the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the determination processing unit 62c determines whether the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 selected as the inspection target is in a state requiring maintenance. Therefore, the state of the battery 21 can be determined in order from the sensor device 2 selected as the test target among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. Thereby, the state of the battery 21 can be efficiently determined for each of the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a.

In addition, in the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the determination processing unit 62c determines whether charging of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a is completed. If it is determined that charging of the battery 21 is completed, the instruction processing unit 62b generates completion instruction information for instructing the specific charger 3 to complete charging, and the instruction processing unit 62b generates completion instruction information for instructing the specific charger 3 to complete charging. If it is determined that the completion is incomplete, the instruction processing unit 62b generates recharging instruction information for instructing the specific charger 3 to recharge the battery 21, and the data server 61 generates the completion instruction information. Alternatively, recharging instruction information is transmitted to the specific charger 3 via the network 5. Therefore, maintenance of the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained can be repeatedly performed until charging of the battery 21 is completed, and thereby, the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained can be reliably maintained. I can do it.

<Embodiment 2>
(Charging system configuration)
Next, the configuration of a charging system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a charging system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the charging system 1A according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of charger sets 8-instead of the plurality of chargers 3-1 to 3-b of the charging system 1 according to the first embodiment described above. 1 to 8-b. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same components are given the same reference numerals.

Each of the plurality of charger sets 8-1 to 8-b is used to perform maintenance such as charging the battery 21 on the sensor device 2 to be maintained among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a. It is something. As shown in FIG. 9, these charger sets 8-1 to 8-b each include a plurality of chargers 3A-1 to 3A-b and a plurality of communication devices 7-1 to 7-b. It is something. For example, charger set 8-1 is a set of charger 3A-1 and communication device 7-1, charger set 8-2 is a set of charger 3A-2 and communication device 7-2, Charger set 8-3 is a set of charger 3A-3 and communication device 7-3. Similarly, charger set 8-4 is a set of charger 3A-4 and communication device 7-4, and charger set 8-b is a set of charger 3A-b and communication device 7-b. .

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the plurality of charger sets 8-1 to 8-b may be collectively referred to as "charger set 8." That is, the charger set 8 means any one or all of the plurality of charger sets 8-1 to 8-b.

Each of the plurality of chargers 3A-1 to 3A-b is a portable device that has a charging function for charging the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 to be maintained in the charger set 8. Each of the plurality of communication devices 7-1 to 7-b is configured to transmit and receive signals to and from the data server 61 (see FIG. 4) of the management device 6 via the base station 4 of the network 5 in the charger set 8. It is a portable device that performs wide area communication functions. For example, the plurality of chargers 3A-1 to 3A-b and communication devices 7-1 to 7-b are each carried by the worker as a charger set 8 and move with the worker. Note that the total number of charger sets 8-1 to 8-b is b (≧2), similar to the charger 3 of the first embodiment described above.

In the second embodiment, each of the plurality of communication devices 7-1 to 7-b transmits and receives information regarding maintenance of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained, to and from the management device 6 via the network 5. The plurality of chargers 3A-1 to 3A-b perform local communication (communication between devices) with these communication devices 7-1 to 7-b to transmit and receive information regarding maintenance of the battery 21. . Particularly, among these chargers 3A-1 to 3A-b, a specific charger that has received maintenance instruction information from the management device 6 through the above-mentioned local communication sends the battery 21 to the sensor device 2 to be maintained. Charge the battery. Each piece of information regarding the chargers 3A-1 to 3A-b is transmitted from the communication devices 7-1 to 7-b to the management device 6 via the network 5, and is transmitted to the management device 6 from the communication devices 7-1 to 7-b. 3-b, the management device 6 manages each charger 3A-1 to 3A-b separately.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the chargers 3A-1 to 3A-b described above may be collectively referred to as "charger 3A". That is, the charger 3A means any one or all of the plurality of chargers 3A-1 to 3A-b. Similarly, the communication devices 7-1 to 7-b described above may be collectively referred to as "communication devices 7," and the communication device 7 is one of the plurality of communication devices 7-1 to 7-b. It means one or all.

(Charger set configuration)
Next, the configuration of the charger set 8 included in the charging system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a charger set in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the charger set 8 is a device set including a portable charger 3A and a portable communication device 7.

The charger 3A is an example of a portable charger that charges the battery of a functional terminal installed on an object, similar to the first embodiment described above. As shown in FIG. 10, the charger 3A includes components responsible for the charging function, specifically, a power transmission section 31, a power transmission amount measurement section 32, a local area communication section 34, a memory 35, and an operation section 36A. , a large-capacity battery 38 , a control section 39 , and an imaging section 40 . Among these components, the power transmission unit 31, the power transmission amount measurement unit 32, the local area communication unit 34, the memory 35, the large capacity battery 38, the control unit 39, and the imaging unit 40 are the same as the charger 3 of the first embodiment described above. is the same as

The operation unit 36A is configured with an operation button, a touch panel, or the like, and is used to manually start and end charging of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. For example, the operation unit 36A is operated by a worker, and inputs instruction information for starting or ending charging to the control unit 39 in response to this operation. The control unit 39 can start or end charging of the battery 21 of the sensor device 2 by the charger 3A based on this instruction information.

In addition, in the charger 3A, the local area communication unit 34 has a function of locally communicating with the sensor device 2 as in the first embodiment described above, and a third communication unit that locally communicates with the communication device 7. It also has the function of Specifically, the local area communication unit 34 directly communicates with the communication device 7 without going through the base station 4 of the network 5. Thereby, the local area communication unit 34 receives information from the management device 6 such as the above-mentioned maintenance instruction information from the communication device 7. Further, the local area communication unit 34 transmits information regarding maintenance of the battery 21, such as the above-mentioned power transmission amount measurement data, to the communication device 7.

The communication device 7 has a function as a second communication unit that transmits and receives signals to and from the management device 6 via the network 5, and a function that transmits and receives signals directly to and from the charger 3A without going through the network 5. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication device 7 includes a wide area transmitter 33a, a wide area receiver 33b, an input section 36, a display section 37, a local area communication section 74, and a control section 79.

The wide area transmitting unit 33a and the wide area receiving unit 33b have a wide area communication function of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the data server 61 of the management device 6 via the network 5, similarly to the first embodiment described above. In the second embodiment, the communication device 7 includes a wide area transmitter 33a and a wide area receiver 33b as components responsible for the wide area communication function of the charger 3 in the first embodiment. That is, the wide area transmitting section 33a and the wide area receiving section 33b constitute the charger communication section 33, which is the wide area communication section of the charger set 8.

Further, in the communication device 7, the input section 36 and the display section 37 function similarly to the first embodiment described above based on the control of the control section 79. Specifically, the input unit 36 is configured with a touch panel or the like, and inputs the same information as in the first embodiment to the control unit 79 in response to an input operation by the operator. The display section 37 is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays the same information as in the first embodiment under the control of the control section 79.

The local area communication unit 74 performs local area wireless communication with the charger 3A. Specifically, the local area communication unit 74 performs direct communication (local area communication) without going through the network 5 to the local area communication unit 34 of the charger 3A, which is responsible for the charging function of the charger set 8. conduct. Thereby, the local area communication unit 74 transmits and receives signals to and from the local area communication unit 34 of the charger 3A. Information transmitted and received between these local area communication units 34 and 74 includes, for example, information from the management device 6 such as maintenance instruction information, information regarding maintenance of the battery 21 such as power transmission amount measurement data, charger ID, etc. Information specific to the charger 3A, information input by the input section 36, and image information captured by the imaging section 40 are listed.

The control unit 79 controls the operation of the communication device 7. Specifically, the control unit 79 is configured by a memory that stores processing programs and the like, a CPU that executes the processing programs, and the like. The control unit 79 controls the operation and processing of each component of the communication device 7 and the transmission and reception of signals between each component. For example, the control unit 79 controls the communication processing of the wide area transmitting unit 33a, the wide area receiving unit 33b, and the local area communication unit 74, the input processing of the input unit 36, and the display operation of the display unit 37.

The communication device 7 having the above configuration can be configured by, for example, a communicable portable information terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet type or a rack-top type personal computer. For example, when the communication device 7 is a smartphone, operations such as charging of the charger 3A can be easily operated by operating an application installed in the communication device 7.

In addition, in the charging system 1A according to the second embodiment, the battery inspection of the sensor device 2 and the sensor selection process are performed by performing various processes according to the same processing flow as in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 5 to 8). , an update process for the installation target information 61b, and a maintenance process for the battery 21, respectively. At this time, in the charger set 8, the communication device 7 is responsible for transmitting and receiving signals (transferring and receiving information) to and from the data server 61 via the network 5. That is, the wide area communication unit (second communication unit) corresponding to the specific charger 3A to which information such as maintenance instruction information is transmitted from the data server 61 is the wide area transmitting unit 33a and the wide area receiving unit 33b of the communication device 7. Consisted of. The charger 3A is responsible for maintenance of the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained. Further, the charger 3A and the communication device 7 exchange information necessary to execute the various processes described above through local communication.

As described above, in the charging system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the charger 3A for performing maintenance on the battery 21 for the sensor device 2 to be maintained and the data stored in the management device 6 via the network 5 are provided. The server 61 and the communication device 7 for transmitting and receiving signals are configured separately, and the charger 3A and the communication device 7 communicate with each other in a local area to exchange information. It has the same configuration as 1. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be enjoyed, and wide-area communication of the charger 3A can be easily realized using an existing communication terminal. As a result, the charging system 1A can be configured easily, and the cost required for the charging system 1A can be reduced.

Note that in the first and second embodiments described above, the sensor device 2 is illustrated as an example of a functional terminal installed on a target object, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the functional terminal is not limited to one having a function of detecting a physical quantity (installation target data) related to an object, but may have a function other than detection, such as a measurement function, a detection function, a drive function, etc. That is, the functional unit of the functional terminal is not limited to the sensor unit 22 shown in FIG. 2, but may be one that uses the power of the battery 21 to perform the above-mentioned functions other than detection.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, a specific charger out of a plurality of chargers is instructed to perform battery maintenance for one sensor device that is a maintenance target, but the present invention It is not limited to. For example, the above-mentioned specific charger may be instructed to perform battery maintenance for a plurality of sensor devices to be maintained.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the control device 62 of the management device 6 has a timer 62f, and the timer 62f manages time such as elapsed time, but the present invention is not limited to this. It's not a thing. For example, the functional terminal (such as the sensor device 2) and the charger may have a timer, and each of the functional terminal and the charger may measure time information such as charging time.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, it is determined whether the battery of the sensor device is in a state that requires replacement (that is, a state that has deteriorated to the extent that it should be replaced) according to the judgment rule 63a constructed by the learning device 63. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the battery status can be determined by determining the difference between the data regarding the amount of power transmitted by the charger (measured power amount data or profile, etc.) and the data related to the amount of stored power of the sensor device (measured amount of power, data or profile, etc.). The determination may be made based on the comparison result by comparing with a set threshold value.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the sensor selection process (see FIG. 8) in step S502 in the maintenance process for the battery 21 is executed to select the sensor devices 2 in the order of preset sensor numbers. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the sensor selection process in step S502, a flag (replacement required flag or charging required flag) indicating that the terminal is to be maintained is selected from among the plurality of sensor devices 2-1 to 2-a regardless of the order of sensor numbers. The sensor device 2 set in the ID or the like may be selected as a maintenance target.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the charger is provided with an imaging section, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the above-described imaging unit may not be provided in the charger, may be provided in the communication device, or may be replaced by an existing imaging unit in the communication device.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, an example is given of a worker who performs battery maintenance work by carrying and operating a charger or a charger set, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the worker in Embodiments 1 and 2 may be a robot capable of performing battery maintenance work, or a mobile object (such as a drone) that is equipped with a charger and moves on the ground or in the air. Good too.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, and the present invention also includes structures constructed by appropriately combining each of the above-mentioned components. In addition, all other embodiments, examples, operational techniques, etc. made by those skilled in the art based on the first and second embodiments described above are included in the scope of the present invention.

1, 1A charging system 2, 2-1 to 2-a sensor device 3, 3-1 to 3-b, 3A, 3A-1 to 3A-b charger 4, 4-1 to 4-c base station 5 network 6 Management device 7, 7-1 to 7-b Communication device 8, 8-1 to 8-b Charger set 21 Battery 22 Sensor section 23 Memory 24 Power receiving section 25 Power storage amount measurement section 26 Terminal communication section 26a Wide area transmission section 26b Wide area reception section 27 Local area communication section 28 Control section 31 Power transmission section 32 Power transmission amount measurement section 33 Charger communication section 33a Wide area transmission section 33b Wide area reception section 34, 74 Local area communication section 35 Memory 36 Input section 36A Operation section 37 Display section 38 Large capacity battery 39, 79 Control unit 40 Imaging unit 61 Data server 61a ID information 61b Installation target information 61c Position information 61d Battery information 61e History information 61f Charger information 62 Control device 62a Selection processing unit 62b Instruction processing unit 62c Judgment processing unit 62d Search processing section 62e Position processing section 62f Timer 62g Control section 63 Learning device 63a Judgment rule 64 Input section

Claims (12)

a rechargeable battery, a functional unit that performs a predetermined function using electric power of the battery, a storage amount measurement unit that measures the amount of electricity stored in the battery, a terminal memory that stores a unique terminal ID, and a measurement unit. a first communication unit that transmits stored power amount measurement data in which the stored power amount and the terminal ID are associated with each other, and the functional terminal is installed on a target object;
a portable charger comprising: a second communication unit that receives maintenance instruction information for the battery; and a power transmission unit that charges the battery based on the maintenance instruction information;
a data server that receives the stored power amount measurement data from the first communication unit via a network, and manages maintenance records of the battery in each of the plurality of functional terminals in association with the terminal ID; a control device that controls maintenance of the battery for each of the functional terminals;
Equipped with
The control device includes:
a determination processing unit that determines whether or not the battery of the functional terminal requires maintenance based on the stored power amount measurement data;
The maintenance instruction information for instructing a specific charger among the plurality of chargers to perform maintenance on the battery for each functional terminal to be maintained that is determined to require maintenance among the plurality of functional terminals. an instruction processing unit that generates
Equipped with
The data server is configured to transmit the maintenance instruction information to the second communication unit corresponding to the specific charger via the network.
A charging system characterized by: a rechargeable battery, a functional unit that performs a predetermined function using electric power of the battery, a storage amount measurement unit that measures the amount of electricity stored in the battery, a terminal memory that stores a unique terminal ID, and a measurement unit. a first communication unit that transmits stored power amount measurement data in which the stored power amount and the terminal ID are associated with each other, and the functional terminal is installed on a target object;
a communication device having a second communication unit that receives maintenance instruction information for the battery;
a portable charger comprising: a third communication unit that communicates with the communication device to receive the maintenance instruction information; and a power transmission unit that charges the battery based on the maintenance instruction information;
a data server that receives the stored power amount measurement data from the first communication unit via a network, and manages maintenance records of the battery in each of the plurality of functional terminals in association with the terminal ID; a control device that controls maintenance of the battery for each of the functional terminals;
Equipped with
The control device includes:
a determination processing unit that determines whether or not the battery of the functional terminal requires maintenance based on the stored power amount measurement data;
The maintenance instruction information for instructing a specific charger among the plurality of chargers to perform maintenance on the battery for each functional terminal to be maintained that is determined to require maintenance among the plurality of functional terminals. an instruction processing unit that generates
Equipped with
The data server is configured to transmit the maintenance instruction information to the second communication unit corresponding to the specific charger via the network.
A charging system characterized by: The control device selects a specific charger from among the plurality of chargers that is in an idle state where the maintenance instruction information is not transmitted and has the shortest arrival time to the location of the functional terminal to be maintained. Equipped with a search processing unit that searches for containers,
the data server transmits the maintenance instruction information to the second communication unit corresponding to the specific charger searched for;
The charging system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The control device includes a selection processing unit that selects a functional terminal to be inspected for the battery from among the plurality of functional terminals,
the data server receives the stored power amount measurement data from the first communication unit of the selected functional terminal;
The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The determination processing unit determines whether the battery of the selected functional terminal is in a state requiring maintenance.
The charging system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The charger includes a power transmission amount measurement unit that measures the power transmission amount of the power transmission unit when charging the battery,
The data server receives power transmission amount measurement data indicating the measured power transmission amount from the second communication unit corresponding to the specific charger via the network,
The determination processing unit determines whether charging of the battery for the functional terminal to be maintained is completed based on the power storage amount measurement data of the functional terminal to be maintained and the power transmission amount measurement data of the specific charger. determine whether or not
When it is determined that charging of the battery is completed, the instruction processing unit generates completion instruction information for instructing the specific charger to complete charging, and determines that charging of the battery is not completed. generate recharging instruction information for instructing the specific charger to recharge the battery;
The completion instruction information or the recharging instruction information is transmitted from the data server to the second communication unit corresponding to the specific charger via the network,
The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The charger includes an imaging unit that captures still images or moving images.
The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The management device learns the power storage state of the battery in both cases where replacement is necessary and cases where replacement is not necessary, based on the maintenance record of the battery stored in the data server, and determines whether the battery requires replacement. Equipped with a learning device that constructs a judgment rule that can judge whether or not the state is required,
The determination processing unit determines whether or not the battery requires replacement based on the stored power amount measurement data according to the determination rule.
The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The data server corresponds battery information indicating a charging record of the battery in each of the plurality of functional terminals and history information indicating a replacement history of the battery to the terminal ID assigned to each of the plurality of functional terminals. and store it so that it can be updated.
The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The data server allocates installation target information indicating the object on which each of the plurality of functional terminals is installed and position information indicating the position of each of the plurality of functional terminals to each of the plurality of functional terminals. stored in an updatable manner in association with said terminal ID;
The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The functional unit is a sensor unit that detects information regarding the target object,
The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The information regarding the target object detected by the sensor unit is at least one physical quantity among temperature, humidity, vibration amount, acceleration, water leakage, flooding, freezing, snowfall, and presence or absence of rain at the target object.
The charging system according to claim 11.

Images