Management server, communication device, and communication method

A management method according to an embodiment is a management method performed by a management server for managing a plurality of communication devices, and includes receiving information indicating at least one of a position or acceleration detected by each of the plurality of communication devices, and managing a position information list including installation position information for each communication device based on the information received. The managing includes, in a case that a collection mode for collecting at least one of the plurality of communication devices is configured, in response to determining that a target communication device for the collection mode has moved, updating the position information list to delete the installation position information corresponding to the target communication device, and in response to determining that the target communication device has been stationary after moving, keeping the position information list without updating the position information list.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a management server, a communication device, and a communication method.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, as Internet of Things (IoT) technology is widely used, there is an explosive increase of devices with communication functions expected. Such devices include sensor devices that detect environmental data such as temperature and humidity, and transmit the data detected to a server. For example, in farms and the like, a large number of communication devices need to be installed in order to cover a large area.

Under such circumstances, in a case where the installed communication devices need to be collected due to, for example, replacement of sensor devices, refurbishment of agricultural fields, or the like, the collection is performed either in the manner in which the installation positions of the communication devices are marked or a note for the positions is made to prevent the positions from being lost after the collection, or in the manner in which the position information is acquired through a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or the like for the communication devices and referred for the collection.

On the other hand, Patent Literature 1 describes a technology in which, in a system including a communication device provided with a GNSS and a server apparatus that manages position information of the communication device, the communication device measures acceleration to determine a mobility state of the communication device, notifies the server of GNSS position information in response to a moving state of the communication device, and disables the GNSS function in response to a stationary state of the communication device.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2016-125936 A

SUMMARY

A management server according to a first aspect is a management server for managing a plurality of communication devices, the management server including a communication interface configured to receive information indicating at least one of a position or acceleration detected by each of the plurality of communication devices, and a processor configured to manage a position information list including installation position information for each of the plurality of communication devices based on the information received by the communication interface. The processor is configured to, in a case that a collection mode for collecting at least one of the plurality of communication devices is configured, in response to determining that a target communication device for the collection mode has moved, update the position information list to delete the installation position information corresponding to the target communication device, and in response to determining that the target communication device has been stationary after moving, keep the position information list without updating the position information list.

A communication device according to a second aspect is a communication device for communicating with a management server, the communication device including a communication interface, a sensor configured to detect information of at least one of a position or acceleration, and a processor configured to determine a mobility state of the communication device based on the information detected by the sensor. The processor is configured to, in response to determining that the communication device has been stationary after moving, transmit, to the management server via the communication interface, an installation notification message including position information indicating a position of the communication device in a stationary state, and in a case that a collection mode for collecting the communication device is configured, in response to determining that the communication device has moved, transmit, to the management server via the communication interface, a movement notification message for requesting deletion of the position information notified through the installation notification message.

A management method according to a third aspect is a management method performed by a management server for managing a plurality of communication devices, the management method including receiving information indicating at least one of a position and acceleration detected by each of the plurality of communication devices, and managing a position information list including installation position information for each of the plurality of communication devices based on the information received. The managing includes, in a case that a collection mode for collecting at least one of the plurality of communication devices is configured, in response to determining that a target communication device for the collection mode has moved, updating the position information list to delete the installation position information corresponding to the target communication device, and in response to determining that the target communication device has been stationary after moving, keeping the position information list without updating the position information list.

A communication method according to a fourth aspect is a communication method performed by a communication device for communicating with a management server, the communication method including detecting information of at least one of a position or acceleration, determining a mobility state of the communication device based on the information detected, in response to determining that the communication device has been stationary after moving, transmitting, to the management server, an installation notification message including position information indicating a position of the communication device in a stationary state, and in a case that a collection mode for collecting the communication device is configured, in response to determining that the communication device has moved, transmitting, to the management server, a movement notification message for requesting deletion of the position information notified through the installation notification message.

A program according to a fifth aspect causes the management server to perform the management method according to the third aspect.

A program according to a sixth aspect causes the communication device to perform the communication method according to the fourth aspect.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Not only the need for much time and effort but also entry omissions may be involved in a recording operation for marking the installation positions of communication devices or making a note for the installation positions in order to allow the communication devices to be collected.

On the other hand, according to a method in which a server learns the position of a communication device through communication between the communication device and the server as described in Patent Literature 1, the time and effort for the recording operation as described above can be reduced, and entry omissions can be avoided.

However, with such a method, the server side has difficulty determining which communication devices have not been collected and which communication devices have been collected. Thus, the management, by the server, of the positions of collected communication devices may involve an increase in processing load or omissions of collection of communication devices.

Thus, an object of the present disclosure is to enable efficient collection of installed communication devices.

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference signs.

Configuration of Device Management System

First, a configuration of a device management system according to an embodiment will be described.FIG.1is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a device management system1according to an embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the device management system1includes a plurality of communication devices100(communication devices100ato100d), a communication network200, a management server300, and a management terminal400.

The communication devices100are devices each having a communication function. The communication devices100are, for example, sensor devices including various sensors, and communicate via the communication network200to transmit, to the management server300, information acquired by the various sensors.

For example, each communication device100performs Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) scheme-based wireless communication with the communication network200. LPWA scheme is a wireless communication scheme that realizes long-range communication while suppressing power consumption. The LPWA scheme is, for example, cellular LPWA, SIGFOX, or LoRaWAN. The cellular LPWA may be enhanced Machine Type Communications (eMTC) or Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) specified in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards.

In an embodiment, each communication device100is provided outdoors and driven by a battery provided in the communication device100. For example, each communication device100detects environmental data such as the temperature and humidity of a farm, and transmits the environmental data detected to the management server300. By collecting and managing the environmental data from each communication device100, the management server300can make use of managed data for growing crops. Note that in farms and the like, a large number of communication devices are placed on the ground, underground, and near crops in order to measure local (partial) temperatures and humidities, allowing the environment of the field for crop growth to be understood.

The communication network200includes a plurality of base stations210that perform wireless communication with the communication devices100, and a high-frequency communication network (Wide Area Network (WAN)). The communication network200may further include the Internet.

The management server300is a server connected to the communication network200. The management server300manages the communication devices100by communicating with the communication devices100via the communication network200. The management server300need not necessarily be a dedicated server. The management server300may be a general-purpose terminal (e.g., smartphone or PC) in which a device management application program is installed.

In an embodiment, with a plurality of communication devices100previously installed, a scenario is mainly assumed in which at least one of the plurality of communication devices100is collected. For example, in a case where the old communication device100is replaced with a new one, a case where a battery for the communication device100is replaced, and a case where refurbishment of agricultural fields or the like is performed, the installed communication device100needs to be collected.

The management terminal400is a terminal including a display401(seeFIG.5) that displays information received from the management server300via the communication network200. The management terminal400may be a portable terminal, for example, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, or a wearable terminal. The management terminal400may be carried by collection personnel who collects the installed communication devices100.

Configuration of Communication Device

Now, a configuration of the communication device100according to an embodiment will be described.FIG.2is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication device100according to an embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the communication device100includes an antenna110, a communication interface120, a processor130, a storage140, a battery150, a position sensor161, an acceleration sensor162, an environmental sensor163, an input device170, and an output device180.

The antenna110is used to transmit and receive radio signals. The communication interface120communicate with the management server300via the communication network200. In an embodiment, the communication interface120includes an LPWA interface121for performing LPWA communication with the base station210included in the communication network200. The communication interface120includes a short-range wireless interface122for wireless LAN communication with access points or short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication.

The communication interface120performs amplification processing, filter processing, and the like on a radio signal received by the antenna110, converts the radio signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor130. The communication interface120converts the baseband signal output from the processor130into a radio signal, performs amplification processing and the like on the radio signal, and transmits the resultant signal from the antenna110.

The processor130performs various processing and control for the communication device100. The processor130may include a baseband processor and a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The baseband processor performs modulation and demodulation, and coding and decoding of a baseband signal, and the like. The CPU executes programs stored in the storage140to perform various processing.

The storage140includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The storage140stores programs to be executed by the processor130and information to be used for processing by the processor130.

The battery150includes a primary battery or secondary battery and supplies power to drive the communication device100.

The position sensor161is a sensor for detecting the current position of the communication device100. For example, the position sensor161includes a GNSS receiver. The GNSS receiver may include a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) receiver, an Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) receiver, a COMPASS receiver, a Galileo receiver, a Quasi-Zenith Satellites System (QZSS) receiver, and/or the like. The position sensor161acquires position information (GNSS position information), and outputs the position information acquired to the processor130.

The acceleration sensors162include an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration applied to the communication device100. The acceleration sensor162may be a single-axis acceleration sensor or a multi-axis acceleration sensor. The position sensor161detects acceleration and outputs the value of the acceleration detected to the processor130.

The environmental sensor163includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic field sensor (geomagnetic sensor), an illuminance sensor, a gas sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like. The environmental sensor163may include an image sensor for acquiring images via image capturing. The environmental sensor163outputs information detected to the processor130.

The input device170receives user operation and outputs a signal indicating the content of the operation to the processor130. For example, the input device170includes a power switch for powering on or off the communication device100. The input device170may include various keys (various buttons) that accept user input.

The output device180performs various output operations under the control of the processor130. The output device180may include an LED indicator that outputs light representing the current state of the communication device100and a speaker that outputs sound (e.g., a beep sound).

In the communication device100configured in this manner, the processor130determines the mobility state of the communication device based on information detected by at least one of the position sensor161or the acceleration sensor162. The mobility state refers to the state in which the communication device is moving or stationary. For example, in a case where the position sensor161periodically detects the current position, the processor130determines the mobility state of the communication device in response to a change in the detected position. In a case where the acceleration sensor162periodically detects acceleration, the processor130determines the mobility state of the communication device depending on whether the detected acceleration is greater than zero.

Note that in a case where the communication device100is installed near crops, when a transition from the stationary state to the moving state is determined, the determination that the stationary state has transitioned to the moving state may be made when the amount of movement exceeds a certain value in order to eliminate the effect of minute movement caused by a weather factor such as rain or wind. When a transition from the moving state to the stationary state is determined, the determination that the moving state has transitioned to the stationary state may be made in response to continuation of the stationary state for a certain period of time in order to eliminate an erroneous determination of the installation position when an installer is temporarily stationary before the installation of the communication device100.

The processor130also determines whether the collection mode intended for the communication device is configured based on information received from the management server300by the communication interface120. For example, the processor130determines that the collection mode has been configured when the communication interface120receives, from the management server300, a notification indicative of the initiation of the collection mode.

In a case that the collection mode is not configured, in response to determining that communication device is stationary after moving, the processor130transmits, to the management server300via the communication interface120, an installation notification message including position information (e.g., GNSS position information) indicating the position at which the communication device is stationary. The installation notification message is a message notifying the installation position of the communication device100or requesting registration of the installation position, and is a message including the ID of the communication device100and position information. By transmitting the installation notification message to the management server300, the management server300can smoothly register the installation position of the communication device100.

With the collection mode configured, in response to determining that the communication device has moved, the processor130transmits, to the management server300via the communication interface120, a movement notification message for requesting deletion of the position information notified to the management server300through the installation notification message. The movement notification message is a message notifying that the communication device100has been moved or requesting deletion of the registration of the installation position, the message including the ID of the communication device100. The movement notification message may further include position information (e.g., GNSS position information) obtained when the determination that the communication device has moved is made. By transmitting the movement notification message to the management server300, the management server300can smoothly determine which communication device has been collected based on the movement notification message.

When the collection mode is configured, the processor130causes the output device180to start outputting at least one of sound or light. For example, when the communication interface120receives, from the management server300, a notification indicating the initiation of the collection mode, the processor130may cause the LED indicator included in the output device180to start lighting or blinking or may cause the speaker included in the output device180to start outputting the beep. With the output device180caused to start outputting at least one of the sound or the light, the collection personnel collecting the communication device100can more easily locate the communication device100to be collected.

With the collection mode configured, in response to determining that the communication device has moved, the processor130causes the output device180to terminate the output of at least one of the sound or the light. For example, in response to determining that the communication device has moved after the communication interface120receives, from the management server300, the notification indicating the initiation of the collection mode, the processor130causes the LED indicator included in the output device180to terminate lighting or blinking or to cause the speaker included in the output device180to terminate the output of the beep. This prevents, under a situation where the collection personnel for the communication device100is considered to have located and collected the communication device100to be collected, the sound and the light emitted by the collected communication device100to interfere with the collection operation of the collection personnel.

Note that a high-precision positioning may be applied by combining the position sensor161and the signal received by the communication interface120. For example, the processor130may transmit, to the position server, position information indicating the position detected by the position sensor161and information related to the signal received by the communication interface120(e.g., the IDs of access points and received signal strength), and may acquire position information corrected by the position server.

Configuration of Management Server

Now, a configuration of the management server300according to an embodiment will be described.FIG.3illustrates a configuration of the management server300according to an embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the management server300includes a communication interface310, a processor320, and a storage330.

The communication interface310is connected by wire or wirelessly to the communication network200. The communication interface310receives various messages and information from each communication device100. For example, the communication interface310receives the installation notification message and the movement notification message described above.

The processor320performs various processing and control in the management server300. The processor320executes programs stored in the storage330to perform various processing.

The storage330includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and an auxiliary storage device (such as a hard disk). The storage330stores programs to be executed by the processor320and information to be used for processing by the processor320.

The storage330stores a position information list as illustrated inFIG.4. The position information list is a list including installation position information for each communication device100. For example, the position information list is a list that associates the ID of the communication device100with position information indicating the installation position of the communication device100. The position information may be GNSS position information including latitude and longitude.

In the management server300configured in this manner, the communication interface310receives information indicating at least one of the position or the acceleration detected by each communication device100. For example, the communication interface310receives an installation notification message including position information indicating the position detected by the communication device100.

The processor320configures the collection mode for collecting at least one of the communication devices100managed by the management server300as installed devices. The processor320may configure the collection mode based on information received from the management terminal400by the communication interface310.

The collection mode may be a mode for collecting all of the communication devices100managed by the management server300as installed devices, or a mode for specifying and collecting some of the communication devices100managed by the management server300as an installed device. The processor320may configure the collection mode for only the communication devices100specified by the management terminal400. When the processor320configures the collection mode, the processor320transmits a notification indicating the initiation of the collection mode, via the communication interface310to the communication device100intended for the collection mode.

The processor320manages the position information list stored in the storage330based on the information received by the communication interface310.

In a case that the collection mode is not configured, in response to determining that the communication device100has been stationary after moving, based on the installation notification message received by the communication interface310, the processor320updates the position information list to add position information indicating the position of the communication device100in a stationary state, to the list as installation position information. Specifically, the processor320adds the device ID and position information included in the installation notification message to the position information list. The device IDs of the communication devices100to be managed may be registered in advance in the position information list. In this case, the processor320only adds, to the position information list, the position information included in the installation notification message.

Thus, the installation position of each communication device100is automatically registered, thus eliminating the need for the recording operation for marking the installation position of each communication device or making a note for the installation position.

With the collection mode configured, in response to determining that the target communication device intended for the collection mode has moved based on the movement notification message received by the communication interface310, the processor320updates the position information list to delete, from the list, the installation position information corresponding to the target communication device. Specifically, the processor320deletes, from the position information list, the device ID included in the movement notification message and the position information associated with the device ID. The processor320may exclusively delete the position information associated with the device ID included in the movement notification message, while keeping the device ID in the position information list.

This enables automatic and efficient determination of whether the communication device100to be collected has been collected.

On the other hand, with the collection mode configured, in response to determining that the target communication device intended for the collection mode has been stationary after moving, based on the installation notification message received by the communication interface310, the processor320keeps the position information list without updating the position information list. In other words, even in response to receiving the installation notification message from the collected communication device100, the processor320does not add, to the position information list, the position information included in the installation notification message. This enables prevention of an increase in processing load due to the management, by the server, of the position of the collected communication device100.

When the collection mode is configured, the processor320may transmit, to the target communication device via the communication interface310, an indication to cause the target communication device to start outputting at least one of the sound or the light. The processor320may include such an indication in the notification indicating the initiation of the collection mode, and transmit the notification.

With the collection mode configured, in response to determining that the target communication device has moved based on the movement notification message received by the communication interface310, the processor320may transmit, to the target communication device via the communication interface310, an indication causing the target communication device to terminate the output of at least one of the sound or the light.

Furthermore, with the collection mode configured, the processor320may control the management terminal400(the display401) to display information based on the position information list, as illustrated inFIG.5. For example, the processor320transmits the ID and position information of the target communication device to the management terminal400, and these pieces of information are displayed on the display401of the management terminal400.

In this regard, the processor320may group target communication devices of the plurality of target communication devices intended for the collection mode into a group, the target communication devices being within a predetermined distance from each other, and cause the management terminal400(display401) to display the group in an identifiable display manner. The display manner making the group identifiable refers to, for example, displaying the respective groups in different colors or surrounding each group with a frame. This allows the collection personnel to identify a group of target communication devices that can be collected all together by the collection personnel.

Operation Example of Device Management System

Now, an operation example of the device management system1according to an embodiment will be described.

FIG.6is a diagram illustrating an operation example related to update of the position information list in the device management system1according to an embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.6, in step S101, the processor130of the communication device100determines that the communication device100has moved based on, for example, the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor162. Specifically, the processor130determines that the communication device has transitioned from the stationary state to the moving state.

In step S102, the processor130of the communication device100transmits, to the management server300, the movement notification message including the ID of the communication device.

In step S103, the communication interface310of the management server300receives the movement notification message from the communication device100.

In step S104, the processor320of the management server300updates the position information list to delete the position information (and the device ID) of the communication device100having moved, from the position information list based on the movement notification message received.

However, when the communication device100is initially installed, the position information (and the device ID) of the communication device100having moved may be unregistered in the position information list, the processing in step S104is omitted. Alternatively, the processor130of the communication device100may exclusively allow the transmission of the movement notification message after the communication device is once installed.

In step S105, the processor130of the communication device100determines, for example, based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor162, that the communication device has been stationary after moving, i.e., that the communication device has been installed. Specifically, the processor130determines that the communication device has transitioned from the moving state to the stationary state.

In step S106, the processor130of the communication device100uses the position sensor161to acquire position information in a stationary state.

In step S107, the processor130of the communication device100transmits an installation notification message including the acquired position information and the device ID of the communication device to the management server300.

In step S108, the communication interface310of the management server300receives the installation notification message from the communication device100.

In step S109, the processor320of the management server300determines whether the collection mode is in execution (collection mode has been configured). In response to determining that the collection mode is not in execution (step S109: NO), in step S110, the processor320updates the position information list to add, to the list, the position information (and the device ID) included in the installation notification message received. On the other hand, in response to determining that the collection mode is in execution (step S109: YES), the processor320terminates the flow without updating the position information list.

FIG.7illustrates an operation example of the communication device100during the collection mode in the device management system1according to an embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.7, in step S201, the processor130of the communication device100detects the initiation of the collection mode.

In step S202, the processor130of the communication device100causes the output device180to start outputting at least one of the sound or the light.

In step S203, the processor130of the communication device100determines whether the communication device has moved based on, for example, the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor162. Specifically, the processor130determines whether the communication device has transitioned from the stationary state to the moving state.

In response to determining that the communication device has moved (step S203: YES), in step S204, the processor130of the communication device100causes the output device180to terminate the output of at least one of the sound or the light. The processor130also transmits the movement notification message to the management server300.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In addition, an example has been described in the above-described embodiment, in which the communication devices100are sensor devices including various sensors. However, each communication device100is not limited to a sensor device, and may be any device having a communication function and installed at a certain position.

A program may be provided that causes a computer to execute the processing performed by the communication device100or the management server300. The program may be recorded in a computer readable medium. Use of the computer readable medium enables the program to be installed on a computer. Here, the computer readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM. Functional units (circuits) configured to execute the processing performed by the communication device100or the management server300may be integrated, and the communication device100or the management server300may be configured as a semiconductor integrated circuit (chipset or SoC).

Embodiments have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, but specific configurations are not limited to those described above, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.