JP2002190088A - Log terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct a system capable of automatically recording and monitoring a phenomenon/state of a measurement object at a low cost. SOLUTION: This log terminal 10 having a measurement part 35 measuring a signal from a sensor at a sampling interval for obtaining measurement data, a recording part 34 recording the measurement data in a memory 34a at a measurement interval, a monitoring part 36 comparing the measurement data with an upper/lower limit value, and an informing part 37 outputting information according to the comparison of the measurement data is provided with a card interface 24. When a modem card 12 is mounted, data can be transmitted by communication. By replacement of the modem card 12, a communication function matching a various communication systems such as PHS and a portable phone network can be provided, and a grade is easily improved by replacement of the modem card 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal for detecting the state of various measuring objects such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, pressure, quantity, etc. The present invention relates to a log terminal capable of receiving a signal from a measuring device that outputs the data and outputting data relating to the signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Systems for recording measurements are used in various fields. For example, in a system for measuring weather conditions, phenomena or physical quantities of a measurement target such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, and atmospheric pressure are measured and recorded.
In addition, if it is a system for pollution investigation, in addition to the above,
Nitrogen gas concentration, carbon dioxide gas concentration, noise, etc. are measured. Furthermore, in the case of an industrial measurement system, in addition to the measurement target such as temperature and humidity related to the manufacturing environment, various phenomena or physical quantities are measured in order to grasp the state of the product and the shipping status, and these are measured. The measured data is recorded.

In these measuring systems or measuring systems, a sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to the state of each measuring object is installed so as to capture the state of the corresponding measuring object, and a signal from the sensor is output. Alternatively, a digital signal or an analog signal obtained by appropriately processing a signal from the sensor is output as a measurement signal. Then, the measurement signal is recorded on a suitable recording medium such as a recording paper or a magnetic tape. Thereafter, a task of periodically analyzing the data collected from the recording medium and recorded is performed.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art A data logger system is known in which sensors are arranged at a large number of measurement points, and the state of an object to be measured at those points is monitored and recorded. The signals are collected in a wired or wireless manner at a computer that is to be a host terminal. In addition, in the case of a measurement system installed in an area where ordinary access is difficult such as a remote place, a method of automatically transmitting recorded data wirelessly may be adopted.

When the measurement area or the monitoring area is limited, a data logger system of a certain size can be constructed by connecting the sensor and the host terminal with dedicated wiring. However, if the system is distributed in a measurement area, it is very difficult to connect with dedicated wiring, and it is desirable to connect using an already installed infrastructure such as a public line, the Internet, and a mobile phone system. Therefore, a relay device equipped with a wired telephone modem, a network interface for connecting to the Internet, for example, a relay device equipped with a LAN interface, a relay device equipped with a PHS modem, and a mobile phone modem are mounted. Requires a relay device. Then, a system for recording data for automatic transmission, a device for monitoring data, a device for outputting recorded data and an alarm from the monitoring device, and a computer for controlling them are constructed together with a system at a measurement point. Will do. Therefore, building a recording and monitoring system requires a large number of devices, the cost of purchasing them, the cost of designing systems using them, and the space for installing those devices. And the cost of actually operating the measurement system is very high.

On the other hand, it is conceivable to provide a log terminal in which functions such as a relay device, a recording device, a monitoring device, and an alarm device are packaged so that a system at a measurement point can be easily constructed. Have been. If the log is packaged including the communication function, the communication method is limited. For example, the communication method can be connected only through a public telephone network, and it is difficult to form a flexible system. It is possible to provide a log terminal corresponding to each communication method, but it is not preferable because there are many types.

Furthermore, even in the case of the public telephone network, the capacity for data communication is evolving steadily, and the only way to introduce the latest equipment that follows it is to give up a packaged log terminal. Also, once introduced, regardless of whether it is packaged or not, it will be an outdated system every day after the system is built.

Therefore, in the present invention, at low cost,
A log terminal that can automatically record and monitor the state and phenomena of the measurement target easily and easily. Furthermore, a log terminal that enables flexible system construction and easy updating of functions It aims to provide terminals.

[0009]

For this reason, according to the present invention, a measuring means for receiving a signal from at least one measuring device for outputting a signal corresponding to a state of an object to be measured and generating measurement data from the signal. A log terminal having recording means capable of recording the measurement data in a memory, and output means for outputting the measurement data by communication, wherein the output means includes a card interface to which a card-type communication device can be attached. I will provide a. For example, the card type communication device is a modem card or a LAN card.
If the log terminal of the present invention, a modem card or LA
By replacing the N card, it is possible to use communication infrastructures such as public telephone networks, the Internet, mobile phones, PHS and DoPa networks, and package functions as log terminals such as recording devices, monitoring devices, and alarm devices. A function as a relay device having an appropriate communication method or a communication function can be flexibly added to the dedicated terminal. When the communication means is changed or the communication function is improved, the function as a relay device of the log terminal can be changed or updated by exchanging the card type communication device.

Further, by providing a means for automatically determining the model of the communication device mounted on the card interface and downloading the applicable driver software, anyone can easily change the communication function of the log terminal, Can be updated.

In a log terminal specialized for a log, it is desirable that the measuring means can directly receive an analog signal and / or a digital signal from the measuring device. With such a log terminal, the function of receiving data from the measuring device and transmitting it to the host terminal by communication can be provided as one device, so that a measuring system at the measuring point can be constructed extremely easily. Since the communication function can be easily updated, it is possible to construct a data logger system that always collects data using the optimum communication infrastructure under the latest conditions. Further, the measurement means can receive signals from a plurality of the same or different types of measurement devices, so that a multipurpose measurement system can be easily constructed.

Further, it is desirable that the output means outputs a notification that the data recorded in the memory and / or the measured data exceeds the upper limit value or the lower limit value with respect to communication addressed to its own address. A telephone number or an IP address can be applied as the own address. With this log terminal, each log terminal can be identified by using only an address such as a telephone number or an IP address necessary for using the communication means, without adding an extra address. Also,
Since these addresses are general-purpose, the log terminal of the present invention can be used with various software or applications. Therefore, it is possible to construct a data logger system at low cost.

For example, in the case of a system using the log terminal of the present invention, the log terminal measures a signal from a measuring device that outputs a signal corresponding to the state of the object to be measured, and records and monitors the measured data. At the same time, when the measured data exceeds the upper limit or lower limit, a report can be output to a predetermined destination by a communication means of a protocol whose source address can be specified by the destination, and the host receives the report from the log terminal Then, the installation position of the log terminal can be specified from the source address obtained by the communication, and a report can be output in association with the specified installation position.

One example is that if a user's mobile phone is used as a host terminal and a modem of a log terminal is connected to a telephone line at home and a rain gauge or a thermometer is connected to the log terminal, it will rain. It is possible to easily construct a system that reports the fact to the mobile phone of the user who is out, or reports to the user's mobile phone that the temperature is abnormal and there is a possibility of fire. Further, the data recorded in the log terminal can be obtained from the host terminal by specifying the address of the log terminal and communicating means. Therefore, the user who has received the notification can obtain and check the data recorded in the log terminal from the mobile phone, and can check the status of the notification. The log terminal of the present invention can easily construct the data logger system as described above using a communication infrastructure open to the public such as a public telephone network or the Internet. Further, since the address of the log terminal is an address managed in the public communication network, there is no need to manage the address, and anyone can use it. Therefore, even a general user can easily construct a system for automatically recording and monitoring the state of the measurement target for various purposes.

Further, by providing an input / output interface capable of adding another log terminal, the scale of the measurement system can be freely expanded. That is, when one log terminal runs short of input from the sensor,
It is possible to increase the number of inputs by adding log terminals, and furthermore, by synchronizing the added log terminals, it is possible to acquire measurement data based on the same time and record the data. . For this reason, it is possible to capture the recording data of the added log terminal as the recording data of one log terminal.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a data logger system (instrumentation logger system) 1 using a log terminal 10 according to the present invention. Log terminal 10 of this example
Performs recording and alarm monitoring of four channels of analog signals and four channels of contact signals (DC signals or digital signals) output from various measuring devices 2 such as an electronic measuring device and an industrial site measuring device. The data and alarm recorded via the PC can be transmitted to a host system centering on a personal computer 4a serving as a host terminal, an information processing device such as a mobile phone 5 or a pager (registered trademark). Further, the log terminal 10a can be added using the additional cable 11.

To this end, the log terminal 10 includes input terminals 18 and 20 for receiving analog signals and digital signals from the measuring device 2 and a card interface 24 into which the modem card 12 can be inserted.
The modem card 12 is connected to a slot-like interface 24.
, It becomes a log terminal with a modem function.

Further, the log terminal 10 has an RS-232C16 as an external input / output interface.
Another log terminal 10 a is connected via the additional cable 11 so that data can be collected from more measuring devices 2.

In this data logger system 1,
The host system 4 includes a personal computer 4a,
And a modem 4b, and is connected to the public telephone network 3 through a telephone terminal 4c. Computer 4a has C
The dedicated communication software 9 stored in an appropriate recording medium readable by the computer 4a such as a D-ROM 4d is installed, and the log terminal 1
Download various settings and recorded data of
Processing based on the data downloaded in a can be performed. The alarm transmitted from the log terminal 10 is received by the computer 4a through the telephone line 3, and the log terminal 10 is identified from the telephone number notified at that time, and the dedicated communication software 9 specifies the alarm and the output location. Can be identified. Further, it is possible to set a report destination in the log terminal 10 in addition to the modem 4b of the computer 4a. For example, it is possible to report to the mobile phone 5 by setting the station number of the mobile phone 5. is there. further,
In this example, the log terminal 10 is connected to the public telephone network by wire, but can be connected to the public telephone network via a wireless communication such as a mobile phone or PHS.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the log terminal 10 of this embodiment. FIG. 2A is a front view of the log terminal 10,
2B is a side view, FIG. 2C is a bottom view, and FIG.
FIG. 2D is a rear view of the log terminal 10. On the front face 10b of the log terminal 10, there is provided an LCD 13 for monitoring the setting contents, the operation state and the measurement data, and the display output as shown in FIG. 3 is prepared. And
By operating the display changeover switch 14 located below the LCD 13, display contents can be controlled.

That is, the LCD 13 displays a battery life warning display 13a and a measurement state display 1 from the upper left side.
3b, a monitor result display 13c, and a telephone line use state display 13d are arranged. On the lower left side, a display 13f indicating that recording is in progress and a display 13g indicating the channel of the displayed measurement value are arranged vertically. On the right side, a display 13 indicating that communication is being performed using a communication cable is displayed vertically.
h, a display 13i indicating a communication error, and on the left side thereof,
A display 13j indicating that an external device is being connected is arranged. The area below the center of the LCD 13 is a region 13k for displaying measured values, that is, measured data obtained from the channels shown in the display 13g. On the left side of the measurement data display area 13k, a display 13m indicating the unit of the measurement data being displayed is prepared. The measurement data displayed in this area 13k is
With the display changeover switch 14, switching can be performed for each channel (1 to 8 channels), and a mode for switching each channel at intervals of about 1 second is also provided.

The measurement state display 13b is provided with 0-20mV and 0-5V indicating an analog input and ON / OFF display indicating a digital input, and the measurement data displayed below is displayed. The type of the input signal can be understood. Further, the display 13c of the monitoring result indicating that the measurement data has deviated from the upper limit value or the lower limit value and the measurement data has become abnormal is provided with two displays in the vertical direction. You can judge whether it is out of the range.

In these displays, first, during recording, a display 13f indicating that recording is being performed is turned on, and during a reservation standby before starting recording, the display 13f blinks. During communication, the start and communication of the communication can be recognized by blinking and lighting of the telephone line display 13d or the serial communication display 13h. Then, a communication error is displayed in combination with the error display 13i.

Returning to FIG. 2, an external contact 1 for outputting an alarm or the like is provided on the side surface 10c of the log terminal 10 shown in FIG.
5 and a serial interface (RS-232C in this example, but USB,
An IEEE 1394 or the like) 16 and a connector (jack) 17 for receiving power from an AC adapter serving as a main power supply are provided. The connector 15 for alarm output is configured to obtain a contact output linked to the alarm, so that it can be connected to an external device capable of outputting an alarm by sound or image display, so that an alarm can be output even in the vicinity of the log terminal 10. Can be output.

The analog input terminals 18 for four channels are provided on the bottom surface 10d of the log terminal 10 shown in FIG.
And a common ground terminal 19 for these analog input terminals.
In addition, a digital input terminal 20 for four channels and a ground terminal 21 common to these digital input terminals are arranged, and an analog input changeover switch 22 is arranged between them. Analog input terminal 1 for 4 channels
The digital input terminals 20 for 8 and 4 channels can be connected to different sensors, that is, the measuring device 2. The log terminal 10 of this example has a total of 8 analog and 4 digital sensors. Alternatively, measurement data from the measurement device 2 can be received. Also,
The analog input changeover switch 22 enables the inputtable analog signal to select either 0-20 mV current detection or 0-5 V voltage detection. Therefore, the log terminal 10 of the present example has a highly versatile specification that can output an output signal from almost all commercially available sensors to the analog input terminal 18 or the digital input terminal 20 as it is.

On the back (back) 10e of the log terminal 10 shown in FIG. 2D, a battery box 23 in which a lithium battery 25 serving as a sub power source can be installed, and a slot-shaped card into which the modem card 12 can be inserted. Interface 24 is provided, and the modem card 12 is inserted into the slot 2
4, the battery box 23 can also be covered. In the log terminal 10 of this example, the communication function is realized by using a modem card 12, and instead of a wired public line modem card, a PHS modem card, a mobile phone or a DoPa network, etc. It is also possible to wirelessly connect to a public telephone network by inserting a modem card. Therefore, a communication system to which the log terminal 10 can be applied can be selected by a card-type communication device (communication card) inserted into the card interface 24, and a communication system usable at a place where the log terminal 10 is installed The data logger system can be constructed flexibly by using.

Also, since it is only necessary to replace the communication card, it is not necessary to prepare in advance a log terminal individually corresponding to each communication system. For this reason, it is possible for a manufacturer that manufactures and supplies a large number of log terminals regardless of the communication system to be connected. In addition, since a user who purchases a log terminal and builds a logger system can purchase the log terminal without specifying a communication system to connect the log terminal in advance, ordering is easy.

Further, by replacing the communication card, it is possible to update the function and performance of the communication device, thereby improving the data transmission speed and making it possible to use a communication system of a higher quality transmission system. If possible, by replacing the communication card with the communication card of the communication system, it is possible to employ an optimum communication infrastructure as a data logger system that can be used on the spot.

When exchanging a communication card such as a modem card, it is necessary to initialize the log terminal (modem logger) 10, but the information can be transferred from the host computer 4a. Many modem cards 12 can receive data using the same protocol, so that data for initialization can be transferred via a telephone line. If reception is not possible, the serial interface 16 can be used. In the log terminal 10 of the present example, the card interface 24 is used as a program for a built-in microcomputer.
A program for automatically discriminating the model of the communication card 12 attached to the PC and downloading the applicable driver software is installed, and the above functions are realized on a program basis.

Also, instead of the modem card 12, a LAN
By installing the card, it is possible to communicate via a computer network such as a LAN or the Internet instead of the public telephone network 3. Further, a recording device such as a CD-RAM may be connected to the card interface (card slot) 24. As described above, the log terminal 10 of the present embodiment does not have a built-in communication interface, but has a card type and is detachable. By making it possible, a flexible configuration can be accommodated.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the log terminal 10. The log terminal 10 includes an analog signal input measurement unit 31 that measures a signal from a sensor connected to the analog input terminal 18 and a contact signal input unit 32 that measures a signal from a sensor connected to the digital input terminal 20. ing. The analog signal input measuring unit 31 is capable of processing input signals of four channels. For each channel, an FET switch 31a for short-circuit, an amplifier (voltage follower) 31b, and these four channels are switched. It comprises a multiplexer 31c for measuring, and an AD converter 31d for converting an analog signal into a digital signal. In the analog signal input measurement unit 31 of this example, 25 m
Switching to each channel every s, a signal input to each channel is measured at a sampling period of 100 ms (sampling interval, first time interval) and becomes measurement data. In the log terminal of this example, an average of 10 samplings, that is, an average value of the measured value for one second is taken and output as measurement data.

The contact signal input section 32 measures ON / OFF of a contact by a power supply 32b isolated from an analog input, and outputs the measured result via a photocoupler 32a. In the contact signal input unit 32, the edge sampling cycle can be selected from 10 ms or 30 ms. Furthermore, the event time resolution is set to 100 ms, and the measurement data is output as measurement data with almost the same accuracy as the analog signal input.

The input units 31 and 32 are controlled by a microcomputer (CPU) 33, and the measurement data is supplied to a recording unit 34 via the CPU 33 and recorded. The measurement data is also displayed on the LCD display device 13 by the CPU 33. Furthermore, CPU
33 determines whether the analog input signal is a voltage input or a current input for each channel based on the setting of the changeover switch 22, and performs processing in accordance with the determination.

The recording unit 34 includes a data memory 34a in which measurement data is recorded at a set time (a second time interval or a recording interval), and a non-volatile memory for protecting data set in the log terminal 10. 34b. The data memory 34a is also protected by the backup battery 25 even when the power supplied from the A / C adapter as the main power supply via the A / C connector 17 is stopped. In the recording section 34 of this example, an endless method of overwriting from the beginning when the recording area is full and a one-time method of stopping recording when the recording area is full can be adopted depending on the setting. Can be recorded as recording data. The recording interval can be set from 1 to 60 seconds in units of 1 second and from 1 to 60 minutes in units of 1 minute for both analog and digital signals. For analog signals, a method of recording without averaging the measurement data at each recording interval, a method of recording the average value of the measurement data at the recording interval, a method of recording the peak value (maximum value or minimum value) of the measurement data at the recording interval. (Selectable) recording method can be selected and set.

In the contact signal (digital signal), the number of pulses at the recording interval and the sum of the high and low levels of the recording interval can be selected and recorded. For digital signals, 4 inputs (4 channels)
, Two types of recording methods, a fixed interval and a signal period, can be selected. At regular intervals, the number of pulses or the sum of time is recorded at predetermined intervals as in the case of analog signals. In the signal synchronization, the polarity change of the measurement data is checked every second, and if there is a change in the polarity, the data is recorded at a time (resolution 1 second) from the start of recording. The polarity can be selected from three types: change to ON, change to OFF, and change to ON / OFF.

Further, the recording unit 34 has a function of monitoring power failure, and when the main power supply (A / C supply) is powered down, the CPU is operated by the backup power supply 25,
The power outage time is counted, and acquisition and recording of measurement data during that time stop. After the recovery, the power failure time is recorded, that is, the power failure start time and the power failure recovery time are recorded in the data memory 34a. Therefore, the data memory 3
When the recording data recorded in 4a is supplied to the host system 4, the host computer 4a can know whether or not there is a power failure during recording, and can perform an appropriate process on the power failure.

Further, an upper limit value and a lower limit value for each channel are recorded in the memory 34b.
Has a function as a monitoring unit that monitors measurement data supplied from the analog signal input measurement unit 31 and the contact signal input unit 32 for each channel. In the log terminal 10 of the present example, the upper limit value and the lower limit value for an analog signal can be set for each channel as a percentage of the full scale. For the digital signal, the upper limit value and the lower limit value for the number of pulses are set for each channel. it can.

Further, the CPU 33 also functions as an output unit for outputting data via the notification unit and the communication unit.
In the log terminal 10 of this example, a controller 39 of the RS-232C interface 16 and a modem card 12 mounted in the card slot 24 are prepared as communication means.

Further description will be made based on the block diagram shown in FIG. First, in the measuring section 31, an analog signal input from the analog input terminal 18 is sampled at a sampling interval of 100 ms by the analog signal measuring section 31 and further averaged every second. In practice, an added value of the measurement data sampled every second and a minimum value or a maximum value are created. On the other hand, a digital signal from the digital input terminal 20 is sampled at the contact signal input unit 32 at 10 ms, and changes in polarity and on / off polarity are detected to obtain measurement data. When noise (chattering) elimination is specified, if the polarity has not changed in three samplings, the polarity is made valid, the polarity is changed and the on / off polarity is detected for that polarity, and measurement is performed. Data. Then, measurement data of the number of pulses or the sum of the times of the designated polarity (resolution 100 ms) is created.

The measurement data φ1 is supplied to the recording unit 34 and the monitoring unit 36. In the recording unit 34,
By the method described above, data processed at each recording interval is recorded in the memory 34a as recording data. On the other hand, the monitoring unit 36, which is a function of the CPU 33, compares the upper limit value and the lower limit value. For analog signals, the upper limit, lower limit, and duration can be set in units of 1 second for each of the four channels.
When the measured data exceeds the upper limit value or the lower limit value and the state continues for the duration, the notification function 37 is activated.

For a digital signal, a change in the number of pulses or a change in polarity can be monitored. When the number of pulses is set as the monitoring condition, the monitoring interval can be set in addition to the upper and lower limits. For each monitoring interval, the upper limit and lower limit are compared with the number of pulses between the monitoring intervals, and the comparison result is displayed. Is greater than the set value, the notification function 37 is activated.
When a change in polarity is specified as the monitoring condition, the changed polarity and the duration of the changed polarity can be set for each of the specified inputs, and the polarity changes and the set duration after the change every second. The notification function 37 is activated when the comparison result exceeds the set duration.

The reporting function 37 of the log terminal 10 of the present embodiment is a CP
The notification output can be set independently for each of the four analog channels and the four digital channels. The type of notification is the first method of outputting via an external contact, serial interface 3
9, a third method of outputting a fixed message to a computer connected by a telephone line, and a fourth method of outputting an arbitrary message to a mobile phone or a pager by a tone signal. There are methods and any of these can be selected. However, the output destinations are common to the eight channels, and the third method has one output destination, and the fourth method can have two output destinations. Therefore, when a message is issued, the CPU 33 functioning as the output unit 38 of the log terminal 10 sends a message of the message from the communication card 12 with the card interface 24 attached thereto according to the conditions set for the channel. Alternatively, it is possible to output a notification via the RS232C interface 16.

For this reason, the log terminal 10 of the present embodiment has already been prepared by outputting a report to the public telephone line 3 via a communication card, in this example, the modem card 12, when there is an abnormality in the measured data. The notification can be transmitted to the computer 4a or the mobile phone 5 serving as the host terminal via the communication infrastructure. And the computer 4a
Alternatively, the mobile phone 5 can know the telephone number transmitted by the log terminal 10 by a telephone number notification provided by a public telephone network management company. For this reason,
The log terminal 10 of the report source can be specified from the telephone number, and a report can be output in relation to the installation position. For example, if a mobile phone of an out-of-home user receives a notification from the home telephone number of a certain phenomenon, for example, that it has rained or that the room temperature has become abnormally high, it can be dealt with.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart summarizing the processing in the log terminal 10 described above. First, when the log terminal 10 operates, in step 61, when the sampling interval is reached, in step 62, the measurement unit 31 acquires measurement data by the method described above. If the measurement data is an analog signal, it is further processed at one second intervals and is treated as measurement data φ1. Next, when the recording interval is reached in step 63 for each channel, the recording unit 34 records the measurement data φ1 in the memory 34a in step 64. At the same time, the measurement data φ1 is monitored by the monitoring unit 36 in step 65, and when the condition for reaching the upper limit value or the lower limit value and generating an alarm in consideration of conditions such as the duration or the monitoring interval is established in step 66. A report is issued from the report unit 37 and output via the output unit 38. If the alarm is output via the telephone line, the notification can be output to the user's mobile phone or the like at this time.

On the other hand, when a command to download recording data is received from the host system 4 through the telephone line 3 in step 67, the recording data φ2 recorded in the memory 34a by the output unit 38 is transmitted to the modem 12 in step 68.
Is output through At this time, if the additional log terminal 10a is connected to the log terminal 10, the recording data φ2 recorded in the memory 34a of the additional log terminal 10a
Is output to the host system 4. The additional log terminal 10a is a serial interface RS232.
The C interface 16 and the extension cable 11 are used for connection. Further, the log terminal 10
A synchronization signal is output to the added log terminal 10a,
RT for controlling the time at which data is recorded by the recording unit 34
A synchronization processing unit 10 for matching C (real time clock) 51 is provided.

If the log terminal 10 serving as the master unit and the log terminal 10a serving as the extension unit operate only with separate clocks, it is difficult to prevent an error of about 10 seconds to 1 minute in one month. . Therefore, if the time is different in each device, the timing of the data to be recorded will be shifted, and the time of the data recorded by the log terminal installed in the same place will be different. When such recording data is collected by the host system, data processing becomes troublesome, and also causes a processing result in which inconsistency occurs. On the other hand, the operation of the log terminal 10a on the extension side is
The above problem can be solved by collectively managing the RTC 51 on the 0 side, but the log terminal 10a on the extension side
When the time is different from the own RTC, the time of the recorded data may be discontinuous or the time may be inconsistent. On the other hand, as in this example, the RTC
Is synchronized, the measurement can be continued at the same time after the separation, so that no inconsistency occurs. Instead of incorporating the RTC 51, the time can be calculated by counting the internal clock of the CPU 33. However, in this case, if the internal clock of the CPU 33 is not synchronized, the same problem as described above may occur. On the other hand, the same problem can be solved by providing the synchronization processing unit 50.

In the log terminal 10 of this example, as shown in FIG. 7, the 25 ms timer interrupt of the CPU 33 is used for the synchronization processing, and the 50 ms is used for the 25 ms timer interrupt φr.
The synchronization signal φs of s is generated and exchanged between the base unit 10 and the extension unit 10a, and the value of the 2-bit internal counter φc of the CPU of the extension unit 10a is made equal to the value of the internal counter φc of the base unit. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in the interrupt processing of 25 ms, the value of the internal counter φc is advanced in steps 71 and 72 and every 100 ms when the counter φc becomes 0,
A 100 ms process (step 73) such as a 0.1 second timer, a 1 second timer, and a calendar timer is performed.
On the other hand, in steps 74, 75 and 76, a synchronizing signal φs which is inverted in 50 ms is generated. Step 7
7, when the value of the internal counter φc is advanced, the synchronization signal of the master unit is read in step 78, and if an edge is detected in step 79, the internal counter φc is detected in step 80.
Is forcibly set to 2 and the internal counter φc
Aligned to. On the other hand, if no edge is detected in step 79, the value of the internal counter φc of the extension machine advances as it is, and a unique clock advances. In addition, the master unit can also detect the synchronization signal φs of the extension unit, and can determine whether the extension unit is connected by detecting the presence or absence of an edge of the synchronization signal φs. And
When the extension device 10a is connected, the data recorded in the memory of the extension device 10a is also transmitted to the host system 4 as described above.

Returning to FIG. 6, the log terminal 1 of this example is further described.
0, if a power failure is detected in step 69,
0 performs power failure processing. In the power failure process, as described above,
The recording unit 34 records the time (first time) when the power failure occurred in the memory 34a and the time (second time) when the power was restored. At the same time, the functions of the measuring unit 35, the recording unit 34, the monitoring unit 36, the notification unit 37, and the like are all stopped, and the CPU 33 performs the intermittent operation with the backup lithium battery 25. During this time, 1
It updates the elapsed time from the start of recording at intervals of seconds and monitors the recovery from power failure. Further, the synchronization process is not performed because power consumption increases. Therefore, the clocks of the master unit and the extension unit operate independently during the power failure, and there is a possibility that a time difference occurs. However, there is almost no effect when considering that the chance of the power failure occurring is short. On the other hand, by recording the time of the power failure in the memory 34a, the host system 4 can recognize that the power failure has occurred during that period by merely outputting the recording data φ2 to the host system 4,
The processing corresponding thereto can be performed. Therefore, in the log terminal 10, there is no need to record unstable data during a power failure, so that it is possible to prevent wasting the area of the memory 34a and wasting the output of the backup battery 25.

FIG. 9 shows the initial setting of the log terminal 10,
An outline of the processing of the dedicated communication program 9 for controlling the log terminal 10 from the host system 4 is shown in a flowchart. First, in step 91, the log terminal 10 is connected to the host computer 4a using the serial interface 39 or is connected via the telephone line 3 using the modem card 24 to perform initialization. Initial settings include the process of registering the installation location (name and telephone line station number) to which the log terminal (hereafter, modem logger) is connected, and the process of recording signals from the sensor on each channel (recording Setting) and the process of setting a report (report setting)
And a process of setting for automatically downloading recorded data (download setting).

The registration of the setting position is a registration process of a modem logger, and includes a telephone number assigned to the modem logger,
An installation position or a name by which the installation position can be identified is assigned to each modem logger, and the modem logger is registered in the communication program 9.

The recording setting is a process for setting the recording for each channel according to the input device 2 connected to the modem logger 10. When the check box of each channel displayed in the initial setting is checked, it can be set assuming that the device is connected. Also, once the recording settings are made, all the recorded data in the modem logger will be discarded,
A new recording is started. Items that can be set for each channel in the recording settings include a recording interval (second time interval), a line disconnection time, and a recording method. The circuit disconnection time defines the time until the modem logger 10 ends the communication without data transmission / reception. As a recording method,
As described above, for each channel of the analog signal input, any one of the sample value of the measurement data at each recording interval (unprocessed data), the average value of the measurement data within the recording interval, and the peak value of the measurement data within the recording interval Can be selected. Also, the value of the full scale (upper limit and lower limit) is set. As for the contact signal (digital signal), a full scale value and a unit can be set for recording the number of pulses. Also,
The alarm setting can also be set by the scale value set by the user.
In addition, for each contact signal input channel, a method of counting and recording the number of pulses within the recording interval, a method of recording the sum of time at the level specified within the recording interval, and detecting the edge specified by signal synchronization One of the methods of recording the relative number of seconds from the start of the recording can be selected. Further, conditions for identifying digital signals such as a value of one pulse, a unit of one pulse, and a detection level (edge) can be input.

The report setting is a process for setting the contents of monitoring in the modem logger 10 so that a report can be transmitted to a personal computer / mobile phone / pager. Items that can be set for each channel are an upper limit value and a lower limit value for monitoring, and a value larger than the lower limit value for monitoring within the full scale range input in the recording setting is input. At this time, if it is the same as the full scale upper limit value, no monitoring is performed. Similarly, the monitoring lower limit value is smaller than the monitoring upper limit value within the range of the full scale. If the monitoring lower limit value is the same as the full scale lower limit value, the monitoring is not performed. further,
A character string indicating an upper limit value and a lower limit value can be set so that the content of the alarm can be easily understood when the alarm from the modem logger 10 is displayed by a communication program or the like. Also, the modem logger 10 of the present embodiment always records 0 to 4095 as full scale, so that the host computer 4
In a, the full scale value for replacing the recording data with the actual scale is recorded in the modem logger 10. Similarly, record the full scale units.

Further, all the parameters necessary for starting the above-mentioned notification, such as the duration from when the value falls outside the range of the upper and lower limits to the notification, are set. It is also possible to set, for each channel, whether to monitor the upper limit value and whether to monitor the lower limit value. Whether to enable the external output (contact output) when it deviates from the monitoring range (upper / lower limit) as an external output, and when the output deviates from the monitoring range (upper / lower limit) or when there is a level change Whether or not to report can also be set.

Further, it is possible to set whether or not to be notified when the backup battery has reached the end of its life, and whether or not to be notified when the power is restored from a power failure. The same setting applies to the extension machine 1
When 0a is connected, it can be performed also for an extension machine.

Next, a report destination is set. The report destination can be selected from the host computer 4a, the mobile phone 5, or a pager, and a report message can be set for each channel. Therefore, the telephone number and message of the destination (PC / mobile phone / pager) to which the modem logger 10 reports are registered. If you call your mobile phone directly,
The number of the mobile phone that is to receive the report message sent by the modem logger 10 is set. When the mobile phone is called via the mail center, the telephone number and connection number of the mail center are set.

The siphoning setting sets a process of siphoning recording data from the modem logger 10 at a regular interval or at a designated time according to an instruction from the host computer 4a. As a sucking method, you can suck at a regular time every day, or
Downloading can be selected at regular intervals, and can be set for each channel you want to download. The same applies to additional machines.

When these settings are completed, a communication test is further performed. The host computer 4a instructs the modem logger 10 to call back the host 4a. If there is a call from the modem logger 10 within the specified time, the operating environment is determined to be good. When the initial setting is completed by the processing described above, the modem logger 10 starts operating and records and monitors data from the sensor 2.

When the measurement data obtained from the sensor 2 matches the conditions for outputting a message, a message is output in step 92. Upon receiving a report (alarm) from the modem logger 10 of the present embodiment, the communication program 9 obtains the address of the modem logger 10 included in the communication for transmitting the report in step 93, in this case, a telephone number notification. Recognize the modem logger 10 that is outputting the message. Then, in step 94, the channel on which the notification of the modem logger 10 has occurred becomes an active display, and a message character is displayed. The contents to be displayed include the installation location name of the modem logger 10, the channel number, the measurement value serving as the source of the report, the lower and upper monitoring limit values, the date and time of occurrence, and the like. In the case of a battery life warning, a message to that effect and the date and time of occurrence are displayed, and in the case of recovery from a power failure, a message to that effect and the date and time of occurrence are displayed. The same applies to the case where a notification is displayed on the mobile phone 5.

During the recording of the measurement data, step 9
When an instruction to download data recorded in the modem logger 10 to the host computer 4a is issued to the host computer 4a in units of channels at 5 or when the timing set for automatic copying is reached at step 96, processing to download recorded data is performed at step 97. Is performed. When a manual download instruction is issued, the modem logger 1 displayed as an icon on the main screen of the communication program 9 or the like is used.
By selecting 0 or its installation location, the recorded data can be downloaded from the modem logger 10. A mode is also provided in which a data request is made at a period of about one second during line connection, and the current data of each channel is acquired and displayed. Furthermore, in the modem logger 10,
There is a case where data cannot be prepared immediately even if there is a request for data at present. For example, it is impossible to send back data in real time because the result is obtained after counting the pulses for a certain period of time. Therefore, a specification for returning the newest data among the recorded data is also prepared.

The collected analog signal recording data is converted to an actual full scale on the host computer (personal computer) side. When the recording data is downloaded, the full scale value and the full scale unit set at the time of the recording setting are returned to the information frame, so that the scale conversion can be performed based on these values. Further, the power failure data included in the recording data is written to the recording data file as it is and analyzed later. When the number of pulses is recorded, the value of the recording data of the contact signal is converted into an actual physical quantity on the personal computer side. When the print data is downloaded, one pulse value and one pulse unit set at the time of the print setting are returned in the information frame, so that the physical quantity conversion can be performed based on this. When the recorded data that records the total time of the specified level is downloaded, it is converted into a numerical value such as seconds on the personal computer side.

The date and time when the recording is started is calculated by the following equation, and the date and time when the individual recording data is recorded is specified.

Recording start date and time = personal computer date and time− (number of data−1) × recording interval−time elapsed since last recording (1) The log terminal 10 according to the present embodiment by using such a communication program 9
Can be initialized, a notification can be displayed on the personal computer 4a, and data recorded by the log terminal 10 can be analyzed by downloading recorded data from the log terminal 10. The communication program 9 is a program having instructions capable of executing the above-described processing, and can be provided by being recorded on a suitable recording medium such as the CD-ROM 4d, as described above.

In the above example, the log terminal 10 is connected to the public telephone network 3, but it can also be connected to a computer network open to the public such as the Internet. In the Internet, an IP address for identifying a device connected to the Internet is assigned to each log terminal 1 like a telephone number.
It can be used to identify 0. And
Since the source IP address is always included in the IP header of the communication packet and arrives at the destination, each log terminal 10 can be identified by the protocol for communicating via the Internet. In particular, the range in which an IP address can be allocated by IPv6 increases, so that each log terminal 10 can have an IP address.

[0064]

As described above, the log terminal of the present invention is a terminal in which functions required for automatic measurement such as measurement, recording, monitoring, reporting, and communication are packaged into one. Further, by providing a card interface for communication and attaching a communication card such as a modem card, data can be transmitted by communication. By supporting communication functions with communication cards, it is possible to have communication functions that are compatible with diversified communication systems such as PHS and mobile phone networks simply by exchanging communication cards, and upgrade communication functions. It will be easier.

For this reason, by connecting a measuring device equipped with a sensor to the log terminal of the present invention, it is possible to download recorded data using various communication infrastructures such as a public telephone line or the Internet. In addition, it becomes possible to receive an alarm. Therefore, a data logger system (recording, monitoring, and alarm system) that measures various physical quantities to be measured such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall, and records and reports abnormalities should be constructed with a very simple configuration and at low cost. Can be.

Furthermore, since publicly available lines or infrastructures such as public telephone lines or the Internet are used as means for outputting recorded data and reports by communication, no special equipment or permission is required. By employing the log terminal of the present invention, a data logger system can be constructed very easily. Further, in order to use a telephone number or an IP address used for specifying a transmission destination in such a communication infrastructure open to the public as information for identifying a log terminal, a telephone number notification or an Internet protocol is used. The originating log terminal can be identified by the established general-purpose service or protocol. In this respect, a highly reliable and economical data logger system can be provided by the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a data logger system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a log terminal (modem logger) according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 2 (a) is a front view, FIG. 2 (b) is a side view, and FIG. 2 (c) is a bottom view. 2D is a rear view.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display of the log terminal shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration inside a log terminal shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a log terminal illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process in the log terminal shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a method of synchronizing when an additional device is connected to a log terminal.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a synchronization process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing of a communication program installed on the host side.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Instrumentation logger system (data logger system) 2 Measuring equipment (sensor) 3 Public telephone network 4 Host system, 4a Host computer (PC) 5 Mobile phone 10 Log terminal (base unit), 10a Log terminal for extension (extension unit) 12) Modem card 18 Analog signal input terminal 20 Digital signal input terminal (contact signal input terminal) 24 Card interface 31 Analog signal input measurement unit 32 Digital signal input measurement unit 34 Recording unit, 34a memory 35 Measurement unit, 36 monitoring unit, 37 Report department, 3
8 Output section

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F073 AA23 AB01 BB09 CC03 CC08 CC10 CC12 DD02 DE13 DE17 EE11 FF09 FF16 FG01 FG02 FG04 FG05 FG14 5B076 BB06 EA18

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A measuring means for receiving a signal from at least one measuring device for outputting a signal corresponding to a state of a measurement target and generating measurement data from the signal, and a record capable of recording the measurement data in a memory Means for outputting the measurement data by communication, wherein the output means comprises a card interface to which a card-type communication device can be attached. 2. The log terminal according to claim 1, wherein the card type communication device is a modem card or a LAN card. 3. The log terminal according to claim 1, further comprising: means for automatically determining a model of the communication device mounted on the card interface and downloading applicable driver software. 4. The log terminal according to claim 1, wherein said measuring means can receive an analog signal and / or a digital signal from said measuring device. 5. The log terminal according to claim 1, wherein said measuring means is capable of receiving analog signals and / or digital signals from a plurality of said measuring devices. 6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs a notification that the data recorded in the memory and / or the measurement data exceeds an upper limit value or a lower limit value for communication addressed to the own address. Log terminal. 7. The log terminal according to claim 6, wherein the address is a telephone number or an IP address. 8. The log terminal according to claim 1, further comprising an input / output interface capable of adding another log terminal.