阅读说明：本技术 数据生成装置、数据生成方法以及程序 (Data generation device, data generation method, and program ) 是由 大和哲二 于 2018-06-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：数据生成装置构成为生成作为与虚拟传感器相关联的元数据的第1元数据,其中,该数据生成装置具有：取得部,其构成为取得作为实际传感器的元数据的第2元数据；受理部,其构成为受理第1元数据的临时输入；判定部,其构成为判定经由受理部临时输入的第1元数据与取得部所取得的第2元数据的匹配性；以及生成部,其构成为根据判定部的判定结果来生成最终的第1元数据。(The data generation device is configured to generate 1 st metadata as metadata associated with a virtual sensor, and includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire 2 nd metadata that is metadata of an actual sensor; a reception unit configured to receive a temporary input of the 1 st metadata; a determination unit configured to determine the matching between the 1 st metadata temporarily input via the reception unit and the 2 nd metadata acquired by the acquisition unit; and a generation unit configured to generate final 1 st metadata based on the determination result of the determination unit.)

1. A data generation device configured to generate 1 st metadata as metadata associated with a virtual sensor,

the virtual sensor is configured to output new sensing data using sensing data obtained by observing an object with an actual sensor as an input,

the data generation device has:

an acquisition unit configured to acquire 2 nd metadata that is metadata of the actual sensor;

a reception unit configured to receive a temporary input of the 1 st metadata;

a determination unit configured to determine a matching property between the 1 st metadata temporarily input via the reception unit and the 2 nd metadata acquired by the acquisition unit; and

and a generation unit configured to generate the 1 st metadata finally based on a determination result of the determination unit.

2. The data generation apparatus of claim 1,

the receiving unit is configured to receive an information input for a predetermined input item, thereby receiving a temporary input of the 1 st metadata.

3. The data generation apparatus of claim 2,

the data generation device further includes an output unit configured to output a screen for performing temporary input of the 1 st metadata,

the screen includes the input item.

4. The data generation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the data generating device further includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit data to an external device provided outside the data generating device,

the external device is configured to store the 2 nd metadata,

the transmitting part transmits the 1 st metadata generated by the generating part to the external device,

the external device is configured to store the received 1 st metadata.

5. The data generation apparatus of claim 4,

adding identification information indicating that the 1 st metadata is metadata of the virtual sensor to the 1 st metadata transmitted by the transmission unit.

6. The data generation apparatus of claim 4,

adding, to the 1 st metadata transmitted by the transmitting unit, identification information indicating that the 1 st metadata is metadata of sensing data output by the virtual sensor.

7. A data generation method that generates 1 st metadata as metadata associated with a virtual sensor,

the virtual sensor is configured to output new sensing data using sensing data obtained by observing an object with an actual sensor as an input,

the data generation method comprises the following steps:

an acquisition step of acquiring 2 nd metadata that is metadata of the actual sensor;

an acceptance step of accepting a temporary input of the 1 st metadata;

a determination step of determining the matching between the temporarily input 1 st metadata and the acquired 2 nd metadata; and

and generating the final 1 st metadata according to the judgment result of the judging step.

8. A program that causes a computer to generate 1 st metadata as metadata associated with a virtual sensor, wherein,

the virtual sensor is configured to output new sensing data using sensing data obtained by observing an object with an actual sensor as an input,

the program causes the computer to execute the steps of:

an acquisition step of acquiring 2 nd metadata that is metadata of the actual sensor;

an acceptance step of accepting a temporary input of the 1 st metadata;

a determination step of determining the matching between the temporarily input 1 st metadata and the acquired 2 nd metadata; and

and generating the final 1 st metadata according to the judgment result of the judging step.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a data generation device, a data generation method and a program.

Background

Japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-153797 (patent document 1) discloses a sensor network including a virtual sensor. Here, the virtual sensor is a sensor that analyzes and processes sensed data obtained from another sensor (e.g., an actual sensor) and outputs the analyzed data as new sensed data. In this sensor network, metadata of a virtual sensor (attribute information for identifying the virtual sensor) is registered in a virtual sensor host DB (database) (see patent document 1).

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Since the virtual sensor takes the sensing data of the real sensor as an input, the metadata of the virtual sensor is affected by the metadata of the real sensor outputting the sensing data to the virtual sensor. That is, the metadata of the virtual sensor cannot contradict the metadata of the actual sensor. Therefore, in the case of generating metadata of a virtual sensor, metadata of an actual sensor needs to be considered. Patent document 1 does not disclose a specific method for generating metadata of a virtual sensor.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data generation device, a data generation method, and a program that can generate appropriate metadata as metadata associated with a virtual sensor.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention adopts the following configuration.

That is, a data generating device according to an aspect of the present invention is configured to generate 1 st metadata as metadata associated with a virtual sensor configured to output new sensing data with sensing data obtained by observing an object with an actual sensor as an input, and the data generating device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire 2 nd metadata that is metadata of an actual sensor; a reception unit configured to receive a temporary input of the 1 st metadata; a determination unit configured to determine the matching between the 1 st metadata temporarily input via the reception unit and the 2 nd metadata acquired by the acquisition unit; and a generation unit configured to generate final 1 st metadata based on the determination result of the determination unit.

In this data generation device, the matching between the 1 st metadata (metadata of the virtual sensor) temporarily input and the 2 nd metadata (metadata of the actual sensor) is determined, and the final 1 st metadata is generated based on the determination result. According to the data generating apparatus, in the case of generating the 1 st metadata, since the matching between the 1 st metadata and the 2 nd metadata is judged, the 1 st metadata matching with the 2 nd metadata can be generated.

In the data generating device according to the above aspect, the receiving unit may be configured to receive the temporary input of the 1 st metadata by receiving an information input for a predetermined input item.

According to this data generation apparatus, since the input items for temporarily inputting the 1 st metadata are predetermined, the user can easily perform temporary input of the 1 st metadata.

The data generating apparatus according to the above aspect may further include an output unit configured to output a screen for temporarily inputting the 1 st metadata, and the screen may include the input item.

According to this data generating apparatus, since the input item is included in the screen output by the output unit, the user can easily perform temporary input of the 1 st metadata while visually confirming the input item.

The data generating device according to the above aspect may further include a transmitting unit configured to transmit data to an external device provided outside the data generating device, the external device may be configured to store the 2 nd metadata, the transmitting unit may transmit the 1 st metadata generated by the generating unit to the external device, and the external device may be configured to store the received 1 st metadata.

According to the data generation apparatus, since the 1 st metadata (metadata of the virtual sensor) is stored in the external apparatus, by using the 1 st metadata generated at one time, the virtual sensor associated with the 1 st metadata can be easily specified next time thereafter.

In the data generating device according to the above aspect, the 1 st metadata transmitted by the transmitting unit may be added with identification information indicating that the 1 st metadata is metadata of the virtual sensor.

According to this data generation device, since identification information (identification information indicating that the 1 st metadata is metadata of a virtual sensor) is added to the 1 st metadata, the 1 st metadata and the 2 nd metadata can be distinguished.

In the data generating device according to the above aspect, the identification information indicating that the 1 st metadata is the metadata of the sensing data output by the virtual sensor may be added to the 1 st metadata transmitted by the transmitting unit.

According to this data generation apparatus, since identification information (identification information indicating that the 1 st metadata is metadata of the sensing data output by the virtual sensor) is attached to the 1 st metadata, the 1 st metadata and the 2 nd metadata can be distinguished.

Further, a data generation method according to an aspect of the present invention generates 1 st metadata as metadata associated with a virtual sensor configured to output new sensing data with sensing data obtained by observing an object with an actual sensor as an input, the data generation method including the steps of: an acquisition step of acquiring 2 nd metadata that is metadata of an actual sensor; an acceptance step of accepting a temporary input of the 1 st metadata; a determination step of determining the matching between the temporarily input 1 st metadata and the acquired 2 nd metadata; and a step of generating final 1 st metadata according to a determination result of the determining step.

In this data generation method, the matching between the 1 st metadata and the 2 nd metadata that are temporarily input is determined, and the final 1 st metadata is generated based on the determination result. According to this data generation method, when the 1 st metadata is generated, since the 1 st metadata and the 2 nd metadata are judged to be compatible with each other, the 1 st metadata that matches the 2 nd metadata can be generated.

In addition, a program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to generate 1 st metadata as metadata associated with a virtual sensor configured to output new sensing data using sensing data obtained by observing an object with an actual sensor as an input, the program causing the computer to execute the steps of: an acquisition step of acquiring 2 nd metadata that is metadata of an actual sensor; an acceptance step of accepting a temporary input of the 1 st metadata; a determination step of determining the matching between the temporarily input 1 st metadata and the acquired 2 nd metadata; and a step of generating final 1 st metadata according to a determination result of the determining step.

In this program, the matching between the 1 st metadata and the 2 nd metadata that are temporarily input is determined, and the 1 st metadata is finally generated based on the determination result. According to this program, in the case of generating the 1 st metadata, since the matching between the 1 st metadata and the 2 nd metadata is determined, the 1 st metadata matching with the 2 nd metadata can be generated.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a data generation device, a data generation method, and a program that can generate appropriate metadata as metadata associated with a virtual sensor.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a sensor network system.

Fig. 2A is a diagram showing an example of items of the attribute of the virtual sensor implemented by the 2 nd server.

Fig. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the attributes of the virtual sensor implemented by the 2 nd server.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the 2 nd server.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the virtual sensor classification library.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the control unit.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed functional configuration of the virtual sensor metadata generation simulation unit.

Fig. 7 is an example of a screen displayed on the monitor of the user terminal after the "classification" of the virtual sensor is selected.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data mapping of the actual sensor-side metadata DB.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when an actual sensor that outputs sensed data to a virtual sensor is selected.

Fig. 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the monitor of the user terminal after the input sensor is selected.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a monitor of the user terminal after the operation start button is pressed.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual sensor example table.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing specific processing steps for simulating metadata for a virtual sensor.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a specific processing procedure of step S9 of fig. 13.

Detailed Description

[1. application example ]

Hereinafter, an embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as "the present embodiment") according to one aspect of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated. The embodiments described below are merely illustrative in all aspects of the present invention. The present embodiment can be modified and changed variously within the scope of the present invention. That is, when the present invention is implemented, a specific configuration can be adopted as appropriate depending on the embodiment.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example (sensor network system 100) of a scenario to which the present invention is applied. In the sensor network system 100, sensed data generated by a sensing device (e.g., an actual sensor, a virtual sensor (described later)) can be circulated from a data providing side to a data using side.

As shown in fig. 1, the sensor network system 100 includes a sensor network unit 1, an application server 2, and a management system 3. The sensor network unit 1, the application server 2, and the management system 3 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via the internet 90. The number of components (the application server 2, the sensor network adapter 11, the actual sensor 10, and the like) included in the sensor network system 100 is not limited to that shown in fig. 1.

In the sensor network system 100, for example, the management system 3 that realizes virtual sensors, the sensor network unit 1 (actual sensors 10) are the data providing side, and the application server 2 is the data utilizing side. The virtual sensor is, for example, a virtual sensor that outputs new sensing data by using sensing data generated by 1 or more sensors (for example, the actual sensor 10) as an input. In the present embodiment, the description will be mainly focused on the aspect of circulating the sensing data generated by the virtual sensor.

The sensor network unit 1 includes, for example, a plurality of sensor network adapters 11. The plurality of sensor network adapters 11 are connected to the plurality of actual sensors 10, respectively, and each actual sensor 10 is connected to the internet 90 via the sensor network adapter 11.

The actual sensor 10 is configured to obtain sensing data by observing an object. The actual sensor 10 may be any sensor such as an image sensor (camera), a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, a force sensor, a sound sensor, an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) sensor, an infrared sensor, a posture sensor, a rainfall sensor, a radioactivity sensor, and a gas sensor. The actual sensor 10 is not necessarily a fixed type, and may be a mobile type such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, and a tablet. Each of the actual sensors 10 is not necessarily constituted by a single sensing device, and may be constituted by a plurality of sensing devices. The actual sensor 10 may be provided for any purpose, for example, for FA (Factory Automation) and production management in a Factory, city traffic control, environmental measurement such as weather, health care, theft prevention, and the like.

In the sensor network unit 1, for example, the sensor network adapters 11 are disposed at respective (remote) locations, and the actual sensors 10 connected to the sensor network adapters 11 are disposed at the same (near) location.

Each application server 2 is configured to execute an application using the sensed data, and is implemented by a general-purpose computer, for example. The application server 2 obtains the required sensing data via the internet 90. As described above, in the present embodiment, each application server 2 can operate as a data utilization side in the sensor network system 100.

The management system 3 includes a 1 st server 4 and a 2 nd server 7. The 1 st server 4 is a server for realizing circulation of sensed data in the sensor network system 100. As will be described later, the 1 st server 4 performs matching between the data providing side and the data using side (searches for a data providing side that satisfies the requirements of the data using side) in the sensor network system 100, for example. The 2 nd server 7 is a server for implementing a virtual sensor. As will be described in detail later, the 2 nd server 7 implements, for example, a virtual sensor that outputs new sensing data using sensing data generated by 1 or more actual sensors 10 as an input. The 2 nd server 7 corresponds to an example of the "data generating apparatus" of the present invention.

The 1 st server 4 includes an actual sensor-side metadata Database (DB)41, an application-side metadata Database (DB)42, a virtual sensor-side metadata Database (DB)43, and a metadata matching unit 40. In order to circulate the sensing data, a providing-side data Directory (DC) is registered in advance in the real sensor-side metadata DB 41 and the virtual sensor-side metadata DB43, and a using-side data Directory (DC) is registered in advance in the application-side metadata DB 42.

The utilization-side DC is a directory representing attributes of sensors required by the data utilization side (for example, the application server 2). On the other hand, the providing-side DC is a directory representing attributes of a data providing side (e.g., the actual sensor 10) capable of providing sensed data to an external device (e.g., the application server 2). For example, a providing-side DC indicating an attribute of the real sensor 10 capable of providing the sensed data to the external device is registered in the real sensor-side metadata DB 41. In addition, for example, a providing-side DC indicating an attribute of a virtual sensor capable of providing sensing data to an external device is registered in the virtual sensor-side metadata DB 43. Note that the virtual sensor-side metadata DB43 includes the virtual sensor example table 44, but the virtual sensor example table 44 will be described later.

Fig. 2A is a diagram showing an example of items of the attribute of the virtual sensor realized by the 2 nd server 7. Fig. 2B is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the attributes of the virtual sensor realized by the 2 nd server 7. As shown in fig. 2A, items as attributes of the virtual sensor include, for example, "sensor classification", "sensor classification number", "sensor type", and "position and orientation of the sensor". As shown in fig. 2B, for example, "1" is an example of "sensor class", "001" is an example of "sensor class number", "speed sensor" is an example of "speed sensor", and "intersection of tokyo kyyokyo kiyak area semiconductor, east direction" is an example of "position and orientation of sensor". For example, a directory containing a part or all of the items contained in fig. 2B is an example of the providing side DC of the virtual sensor.

Referring again to fig. 1, the metadata matching unit 40 refers to the real sensor-side metadata DB 41 and the application-side metadata DB42, and transmits a data flow control instruction to the real sensor 10 when the providing-side DC satisfies the requirement of the using-side DC (requirement relating to the attribute of the sensed data required by the application server 2). The data flow control instruction is an instruction to circulate the sensing data from the data supply side to the data utilization side.

On the other hand, when the providing-side DC that satisfies the requirement of the using-side DC is not registered in the real sensor-side metadata DB 41, the metadata matching unit 40 refers to the virtual sensor-side metadata DB43 and the application-side metadata DB 42. Also, in the case where the providing-side DC registered in the virtual sensor-side metadata DB43 satisfies the requirement of the using-side DC registered in the application-side metadata DB42, the metadata matching section 40 transmits a data flow control instruction to the 2 nd server 7.

The 2 nd server 7 includes a virtual sensor DB5 and a virtual sensor simulation apparatus 6. The virtual sensor DB5 is a database storing information required to generate virtual sensors, for example, a virtual sensor classification library 54 (described later). The virtual sensor DB5 will be described in detail later.

The virtual sensor simulation apparatus 6 is an apparatus that virtually simulates a virtual sensor before actually generating the virtual sensor. In the virtual sensor simulation apparatus 6, not only the virtual sensor but also metadata (for example, information included in the providing-side DC registered in the virtual sensor-side metadata DB 43) attached to the virtual sensor is simulated. For example, when a virtual sensor is generated, the virtual sensor simulator 6 temporarily inputs metadata of the virtual sensor by a definer of the virtual sensor, and simulates the metadata based on the temporarily input metadata.

Since the virtual sensor inputs the sensing data of the real sensor 10, the metadata of the virtual sensor is affected by the metadata of the real sensor 10 (hereinafter, also referred to as "input sensor") that outputs the sensing data to the virtual sensor. In order to maintain the reliability of the sensed data generated by the virtual sensors, the metadata of the virtual sensors should also not contradict the metadata of the actual sensors 10. Therefore, in the case of generating metadata of the virtual sensor, the metadata of the actual sensor 10 needs to be considered.

In the present embodiment, the virtual sensor simulation apparatus 6 determines the matching between the metadata (1 st metadata) temporarily input by the definer of the virtual sensor and the metadata (2 nd metadata) of the actual sensor 10 (input sensor) that outputs the sensed data to the virtual sensor when simulating the metadata of the virtual sensor. Then, the virtual sensor simulation apparatus 6 generates final metadata from the determination result.

According to the 2 nd server 7 of the present embodiment, when simulating a virtual sensor, since the matching between the metadata temporarily input by the definer of the virtual sensor and the metadata of the input sensor (actual sensor 10) is determined, it is possible to generate the metadata of the virtual sensor matching the metadata of the input sensor. Hereinafter, a configuration example and an operation example of the 2 nd server 7 for realizing the virtual sensor will be described in order.

[2. structural example ]

< 2-1. hardware architecture of 2 nd server

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the 2 nd server 7. In the present embodiment, the 2 nd server 7 is implemented by a general-purpose computer.

As shown in fig. 3, the 2 nd server 7 includes a control unit 300, a communication interface (I/F)510, and a storage unit 400, and the respective components are electrically connected via a bus 350.

The control Unit 300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310, a RAM (random access Memory) 320, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 330, and the like, and is configured to control the respective components in accordance with information Processing. The control unit 300 will be described in detail later.

The communication I/F510 is configured to communicate with external devices (for example, the 1 st server 4, the application server 2, and the sensor network unit 1) provided outside the 2 nd server 7 via the internet 90. The communication I/F510 is constituted by, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) module or a wireless LAN module.

The storage unit 400 is an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive or a solid-state drive. The storage unit 400 is configured to store, for example, the virtual sensor simulation program 60 and the virtual sensor DB 5.

The virtual sensor simulation program 60 is a control program of the 2 nd server 7 executed by the control unit 300. The virtual sensor simulation program 60 is a program for performing virtual simulation before actually generating a virtual sensor. The processing executed by the control unit 300 according to the virtual sensor simulation program 60 will be described in detail later.

The virtual sensor DB5 is a database storing information required for implementing a virtual sensor. Virtual sensor DB5 contains virtual sensor classification library 54. The virtual sensor classification library 54 is a library that manages a plurality of "classifications" that are abstract concepts of virtual sensors. An "instance" (entity, instance) of a virtual sensor is generated based on a corresponding "classification".

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the virtual sensor classification library 54. As shown in fig. 4, a plurality of "classes" are managed in the virtual sensor class library 54. Each "category" is organized under the perspective of "function" and "area". As the "function", for example, "function a", "function B", "function C", "function D", and "function E" are present. As the "area", for example, there are "general", "FA area", "environment area", "social system area", and "health care area".

< 2-2. functional architecture of 2 nd server

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 300. The control unit 300 expands the programs (including the virtual sensor simulation program 60) stored in the storage unit 400 in the RAM 320. Then, the control unit 300 interprets and executes the program developed in the RAM 320 by the CPU 310, thereby controlling each component. As a result, as shown in fig. 5, the control unit 300 operates as the data input/output unit 51, the virtual sensor calculation unit 53, and the virtual sensor simulation device 6.

The data input/output unit 51 is configured to receive input of sensing data from, for example, 1 or a plurality of real sensors 10, and output the sensing data of the virtual sensor generated by the virtual sensor calculation unit 53 to an external device.

The virtual sensor calculation unit 53 is configured to be able to execute a virtual sensor function corresponding to each "classification" of the virtual sensor, for example, and is configured to calculate the sensing data of the virtual sensor using the sensing data of the actual sensor 10 acquired via the data input/output unit 51 as an input.

The virtual sensor simulation apparatus 6 is a functional block realized by the virtual sensor simulation program 60, and includes a virtual sensor simulation API unit 61, a virtual sensor metadata generation simulation unit 62, and a virtual sensor metadata generation unit 63. The virtual sensor simulation device 6 is configured to virtually simulate a virtual sensor before actually generating the virtual sensor.

The virtual sensor simulation API unit 61 is configured to select 1 or more input sensors (actual sensors 10) in accordance with an instruction from a definer of the virtual sensor.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a virtual sensor is simulated, a definer of the virtual sensor temporarily inputs metadata of the virtual sensor. The virtual sensor metadata generation simulation unit 62 is configured to determine whether or not the temporarily input metadata matches the metadata of the input sensor. The virtual sensor metadata generation simulation unit 62 will be described in detail later.

The virtual sensor metadata generation unit 63 is configured to generate metadata of a virtual sensor from a simulation result, and to transmit (register) the generated metadata to the virtual sensor-side metadata DB 43.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed functional configuration of the virtual sensor metadata generation simulation unit 62. As shown in fig. 6, the virtual sensor metadata generation simulation unit 62 includes an acquisition unit 621, a reception unit 622, and a determination unit 623.

The acquisition unit 621 is configured to acquire metadata of an input sensor from the actual sensor-side metadata DB 41. The reception unit 622 is configured to receive temporary input of metadata of the virtual sensor by a definer of the virtual sensor. The determination unit 623 is configured to determine whether or not the metadata of the real sensor 10 acquired via the acquisition unit 621 contradicts (matches) the metadata of the virtual sensor temporarily input via the reception unit 622.

[3. operation example ]

< 3-1. operation of definer of virtual sensor >

In order to create a new virtual sensor, a definer of the virtual sensor accesses the 2 nd server 7 from, for example, a user terminal (not shown) (e.g., a smartphone, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet, or the like). Thereby, the screen received from the 2 nd server 7 is displayed on the monitor of the user terminal.

For example, a screen for selecting "classification" of the virtual sensor is displayed on a monitor of the user terminal. For example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on a monitor of the User terminal. A plurality of selection buttons 56 are displayed in the GUI. The plurality of selection buttons 56 correspond to the respective "categories" of the virtual sensors. The user presses the selection button 56 corresponding to the "classification" of the virtual sensor that he wants to generate.

Fig. 7 is an example of a screen displayed on the monitor of the user terminal after the "classification" of the virtual sensor is selected. In this example, "average air temperature sensor" is selected as "classification" of the virtual sensor. The "average air temperature sensor" is a virtual sensor that outputs, as sensing data, an average value of a plurality of "air temperatures" detected by a plurality of actual sensors 10.

As shown in fig. 7, the mark column 201 shows that the selected "category" is the content of the "average air temperature sensor". The display column 202 displays a plurality of candidates for the input sensor (actual sensor 10) of the "average air temperature sensor" as a selection completion metadata list.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data map of the actual sensor-side metadata DB 41 (fig. 1). As shown in fig. 8, the metadata of each actual sensor 10 ("sensor ID", "sensor classification", "sensor type", "actual sensor classification No.", "position/orientation of sensor", "sensor owner ID", "operation history", "data reliability", and "IP address" and the like) registered is managed in the actual sensor-side metadata DB 41. A part or all of the plurality of real sensors 10 stored in the real sensor-side metadata DB 41 are displayed in the display field 202.

Referring again to fig. 7, the input field 203 is an area in which information of the actual sensor 10 selected by the definer among candidates of the plurality of input sensors (actual sensors 10) included in the selection completion metadata list is displayed. The display field 205 is an area for displaying an output example in a case where the sensing data of the real sensor 10 displayed in the input field 203 is input to the virtual sensor displayed in the mark field 201. The operation start button 210 is a button for receiving an instruction to start simulation of the virtual sensor. The metadata generation button 220 is a button for receiving an instruction to generate metadata of a virtual sensor.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when an input sensor is selected. As shown in fig. 9, for example, in this example, 4 actual sensors 10 ("temperature sensors" (R010, R011, R012, R013)) included in a frame 101 are selected as input sensors.

The 4 actual sensors 10 selected as the input sensors are displayed in the input field 203 in a transcribed manner. R010, R011, R012, and R013 are all temperature sensors provided near "kyoto station". Therefore, the virtual sensors (the virtual sensors displayed in the mark column 201) using R010, R011, R012, and R013 as input sensors are "average air temperature sensors" near the "kyoto station".

Fig. 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the monitor of the user terminal after the input sensor is selected. As shown in fig. 10, when the input sensors are selected, representative data 225 of each input sensor is displayed near each input sensor. For example, in this example, the representative data 225 is "temperature (sensed data)" and "measurement time (date and time) (metadata)". For example, the definer of the virtual sensor can recognize that the temperature measurement based on R010 is performed at "2017/3/14" and the measurement temperature is "12.1 ℃" by referring to the screen.

In addition, a setting column 204 is displayed on the screen. The setting field 204 is an area for the user to perform temporary input of metadata of the virtual sensor and setting options.

In this example, the setting field 204 includes a "virtual sensor metadata setting section" and an "option". The "virtual sensor metadata setting unit" includes, for example, "measurement object", "measurement location", "time", "price" and "type of sensing data". The "options" include, for example, "unit selection", "data output interval", "accuracy", "timer function", "presence or absence of trigger input", and "emergency mail setting". As described above, in the present embodiment, since the items for temporarily inputting the metadata of the virtual sensor are predetermined (displayed on the screen), the definer of the virtual sensor can easily perform temporary input of the metadata.

The items included in the "virtual sensor metadata setting unit" and the "options" are prepared in advance for each "category", for example, and the items corresponding to the "category" selected by the definer of the virtual sensor are displayed on the screen.

For example, at this stage, the definer of the virtual sensor can perform temporary input of each metadata included in the "virtual sensor metadata setting unit". When the temporary input of the metadata is completed, the definer of the virtual sensor can press the operation start button 210.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the monitor of the user terminal after the operation start button 210 is pressed. When the operation start button 210 is pressed, simulation of the virtual sensor is performed. Specifically, the sensing data of the virtual sensor is calculated, and it is determined whether the metadata of the virtual sensor temporarily input contradicts the metadata of the input sensor (the actual sensor 10).

As shown in fig. 11, the sensing data of the virtual sensor is calculated, and the calculation result (representative data 226) is displayed near the display field 205. For example, in this example, the measurement time (date and time) is "2017/3/1410: 00' at a temperature of 12.5 ℃.

In addition, a determination result icon 227 indicating a determination result of whether or not the temporarily input metadata of the virtual sensor and the input metadata of the sensor are inconsistent is displayed in the setting field 204. For example, each item is displayed as "OK" when there is no contradiction (match), and displayed as "NG" when there is a contradiction (mismatch).

In this example, all of R010, R011, R012, and R013 are "2017/3/1410: since the temperature of "outside air" was measured around "kyoto station" at 00 ", it was indicated as" OK "in each item. For example, in the measurement site, since a common keyword of "kyoto station" is added to both "eight mouths at kyoto station" and "before kyoto station", it is determined that there is no problem even if "kyoto station" is set as the metadata. For example, in this example (the measurement locations of the input sensors are "eight mouths at kyoto station" and "before kyoto station"), when "osaka station" is temporarily input as the measurement location (metadata) of the virtual sensor, the metadata of the input sensor and the metadata of the virtual sensor are contradictory, and therefore the determination result icon 227 indicates "NG".

When the simulation of the virtual sensor is completed, for example, a definer of the virtual sensor can perform option setting of the virtual sensor. The definer can select a unit of the sensing data, for example. In addition, such option setting is not necessary.

Thereafter, when the metadata generation button 220 is pressed, a simulated virtual sensor is actually generated, the metadata of the virtual sensor is registered in the virtual sensor-side metadata DB43 (fig. 1), and the information related to the instance is registered in the virtual sensor instance table 44 (fig. 1).

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the virtual sensor example table 44. As shown in fig. 12, the virtual sensor instance table 44 is a table for managing information related to instances (entities, instances) of virtual sensors. The virtual sensor instance table 44 manages, for example, "virtual sensor instance No.", "virtual sensor classification No.", "use actual sensor No.", "position information", "definer ID", and "definition day" of each instance.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when simulating the metadata of the virtual sensor, the 2 nd server 7 determines the matching between the metadata (1 st metadata) temporarily input by the definer of the virtual sensor and the metadata (2 nd metadata) of the input sensor (actual sensor 10). Then, the virtual sensor simulation apparatus 6 generates final metadata from the determination result. Therefore, according to the 2 nd server 7, it is possible to generate metadata of a virtual sensor that matches metadata of an input sensor.

< 3-2. concrete processing step >

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a specific processing step of modeling metadata. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed by the control unit 300 (virtual sensor simulation apparatus 6) in accordance with the instruction of the virtual sensor definer.

Referring to fig. 13, when the definer selects the classification of the virtual sensor (fig. 4), the control unit 300 selects the classification of the virtual sensor according to the selection of the definer (step S1, fig. 7). When the definer selects the input sensor of the virtual sensor, the control unit 300 selects the input sensor according to the selection of the definer (step S3, fig. 9). When the definer temporarily inputs the metadata of the virtual sensor, the control unit 300 temporarily sets the metadata of the virtual sensor according to the temporary input of the definer (step S5, fig. 11).

After that, the control unit 300 determines whether or not a simulation instruction is given (whether or not the operation start button 210 (fig. 11) is pressed) (step S7). When it is determined that the simulation instruction has been issued (yes at step S7), control unit 300 performs calculation for simulation and displays the result (step S9). That is, the control unit 300 determines whether or not the temporarily input metadata of the virtual sensor is inconsistent with the input metadata of the sensor, and outputs the determination result. The process of step S9 will be described in detail later.

When the simulation in step S9 is completed or it is determined that there is no simulation instruction (no in step S7), the control unit 300 sets option data of the virtual sensor according to the setting of the definer (step S11).

Thereafter, when the definer presses the metadata generation button 220 (fig. 11), the control part 300 generates metadata (virtual sensor side metadata) of the simulated virtual sensor (step S13), and controls the communication I/F510 so as to transmit the generated metadata to the virtual sensor side metadata DB43 (step S15). When transmitting the metadata of the virtual sensor to the virtual sensor-side metadata DB43, the control unit 300 also transmits identification information indicating that the metadata is the metadata of the virtual sensor to the virtual sensor-side metadata DB 43.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the metadata of the virtual sensor generated at one time is registered in the virtual sensor-side metadata DB 43. Therefore, the virtual sensor associated with the metadata can be easily specified after the next time.

Further, identification information (identification information indicating metadata of a virtual sensor instead of metadata of an actual sensor) is added to the metadata registered in the virtual sensor-side metadata DB 43. Therefore, the metadata of the virtual sensor and the metadata of the actual sensor 10 can be easily distinguished.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a specific processing procedure of step S9 of fig. 13. Referring to fig. 14, the control unit 300 acquires metadata of the input sensor (actual sensor 10) from the actual sensor-side metadata DB 41 (step S91).

After that, the control unit 300 determines the matching between the temporarily input metadata of the virtual sensor and the acquired metadata of the input sensor (step S92). The control unit 300 outputs the determination result (step S93).

[4. characteristics ]

As described above, in the present embodiment, when simulating metadata of a virtual sensor, the 2 nd server 7 determines the matching between the metadata (1 st metadata) temporarily input by the definer of the virtual sensor and the metadata (2 nd metadata) of the actual sensor 10 that outputs sensing data to the virtual sensor. Then, the virtual sensor simulation apparatus 6 generates final metadata from the determination result. Therefore, according to the 2 nd server 7, it is possible to generate metadata of a virtual sensor that matches metadata of an input sensor.

[5. modification ]

＜5-1＞

In the above embodiment, after the metadata of the virtual sensor is simulated, the metadata generation button 220 is pressed by the definer, thereby generating the metadata of the virtual sensor. However, the trigger for generating the metadata of the virtual sensor is not limited to this. For example, if the determination result after the simulation is "OK", the metadata of the virtual sensor may be generated even if the metadata generation button 220 is not pressed.

＜5-2＞

In the above embodiment, even if the determination result in the simulation of the metadata of the virtual sensor is "NG", the metadata is generated when the definer presses the metadata generation button 220. However, such a configuration is not necessarily required, and for example, when the determination result of the simulation is "NG", the metadata generation button 220 may not be allowed to be pressed. In addition, when the determination result of the simulation is "NG", for example, the correction candidates of the metadata may be output to the screen, or the display simply urging correction of the metadata may be output to the screen. In addition, when the real sensor 10 having metadata that is not inconsistent with the temporarily input metadata is not registered in the real sensor-side metadata DB 41, the content may be output to the screen.

＜5-3＞

In the above embodiment, the 1 st server 4 and the 2 nd server 7 are implemented by different servers, but the functions implemented by the 1 st server 4 and the 2 nd server 7 may be implemented by 1 server.

＜5-4＞

In the above embodiment, the simulation of the virtual sensor is performed in the 2 nd server 7, but the subject of the simulation is not limited to this. For example, a program necessary for simulation of the virtual sensor may be installed in the application server 2, and the application server 2 may simulate the virtual sensor.

＜5-5＞

In the above embodiment, when the 2 nd server 7 transmits the metadata of the virtual sensor to the virtual sensor-side metadata DB43, the identification information indicating that the metadata is the metadata of the virtual sensor is transmitted at the same time. However, the content of the identification information is not limited to this. For example, the 2 nd server 7 may generate metadata of the sensing data of the virtual sensor, and transmit identification information indicating that the metadata is the metadata of the sensing data of the virtual sensor when transmitting the metadata to the virtual sensor-side metadata DB 43.

Description of the reference symbols

1: a sensor network unit; 2: an application server; 3: a management system; 4: 1, a server; 5: a virtual sensor DB; 6: a virtual sensor simulation device; 7: a 2 nd server; 10: an actual sensor; 11: a sensor network adapter; 40: a metadata matching section; 41: an actual sensor-side metadata DB; 42: an application-side metadata DB; 43: a virtual sensor-side metadata DB; 44: a virtual sensor instance table; 51: a data input/output unit; 52: a virtual sensor function; 53: a virtual sensor calculation unit; 54: a virtual sensor classification library; 56: a selection button; 61: a virtual sensor simulation API unit; 62: a virtual sensor metadata generation simulation unit; 63: a virtual sensor metadata generation unit; 90: an internet; 100: a sensor network system; 101: framing; 201: a label bar; 202. 205: a display bar; 203: an input field; 204: setting a column; 210: an operation start button; 220: a metadata generation button; 225. 226: representing data; 227: a decision result icon; 300: a control unit; 310: a CPU; 320: a RAM; 330: a ROM; 350: a bus; 400: a storage unit; 510: a communication I/F; 621: an acquisition unit; 622: a reception unit; 623: a determination unit.