Sensor network system managing method, sensor network system managing program, storage medium containing sensor network system managing program, sensor network system managing device, relay network managing method, relay network managing program, storage medium containing relay network managing program, and relay network managing device

• US 7,109,875 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2002
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Ota, Shunji, Oyagi, Masayuki, Otsuki, Yoshiyuki, Yamato, Masaki
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US10/491,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20040254652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,449 Days
• Field of Search: 340/635, 340/636.1, 340/636.11, 340/636.12, 340/636.13, 340/636.15, 340/636.19, 340/637, 340/660, 340/661, 320/127, 320/128, 320/132, 320/133, 320136-138, 320/155, 324/426, 324/433, 324/434, 324/522, 702/63, 702/64, 702/79, 700/291, 700/295, 700/297
• US Class Current: 340/635
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 due to failing power supply

Abstract

In a sensor network system, a communications network connects a set of sensors to a server collectively managing the set of sensors. First, the sensor-managing server acquires remaining drive times of batteries in the sensors, and specifies a target remaining drive time. The server then controls the operation of the sensors so that the remaining drive times of the batteries in the sensors are substantially equal to the target remaining drive time. This reduces the maintenance workload for a system manager, especially, in the recharging of the sensor batteries.

Claims

1. A sensor network system managing method implemented by a sensor network system managing device communicable with sensors, said device receiving sensor information from the sensors and controlling operation of the sensors, said method characterized in that by comprising the steps of:

acquiring remaining drive times of batteries in the sensors;

specifying a target remaining drive time; and

controlling the operation of the sensors so that the remaining drive times of the batteries in the sensors are substantially equal to the target remaining drive time.

2. The sensor network system managing method as defined in claim 1, wherein the target remaining drive time is set to a remaining drive time of a battery in a sensor of which the battery has the longest remaining drive time at the time.

3. The sensor network system managing method as defined in claim 1, wherein:

remaining battery power is detected; and

a target average power consumption is calculated from the remaining power and the target remaining drive time; and

the operation of the sensor is controlled so as to achieve the target average power consumption.

4. The sensor network system managing method as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a minimum operation control value at which a minimum level of functions is achieved is specified in advance for each sensor; and

the operation of the sensors is controlled so as not to fall below the minimum operation control value.

5. A sensor network system managing program causing a computer to implement the sensor network system managing method as defined in claim 1.

6. A storage medium containing a sensor network system managing program causing a computer to implement the sensor network system managing method as defined in claim 1.

7. A sensor network system managing device communicable with sensors, said device receiving sensor information from the sensors and controlling operation of the sensors, said device characterized in that by comprising:

a drive time control section calculating operation control quantities for the sensors based on information on batteries supplied by the sensors,

wherein the drive time control section implements the sensor network system managing method as defined in claim 1.

8. A relay network managing method of communicably linking communication terminals with each other through relays interconnected in a communicable manner, said method characterized by comprising the steps of:

acquiring selectable relay routes when two specific communication terminals communicate with each other;

acquiring information on remaining battery power of relays located on the selectable relay routes;

identifying a relay, for each relay route, which has a minimum remaining battery power on that relay route;

selecting one of the relay routes to which is located a relay with a maximum remaining battery power among those relays which have a minimum remaining battery power on the individual relay routes; and

specifying as a relay route for a signal transmission/reception between the two specific communication terminals, wherein the communication terminals are sensors and a sensor network system managing device receiving sensor information from the sensors and controlling operation of the sensors.

9. A relay network managing program causing a computer to implement the relay network managing method as defined in claim 8.

10. A storage medium containing a relay network managing program causing a computer to implement the relay network managing method as defined in claim 8.

11. A relay network managing device managing a relay network communicably linking communication terminals with each other through relays interconnected in a communicable manner, said device characterized by comprising a relay route managing section specifying a relay route in the relay network based on information on batteries supplied by the relays, wherein the relay route managing section implements the relay network managing method as defined in claim 8.