JPH1188967A - Measurement station data collection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To send efficiently data from a measurement device to a monitor station, to send data requiring urgent countermeasure quickly to the monitor station side, and to build up a system which expects a quick and sure countermeasure from the monitor station side. SOLUTION: A slave station 100 with pluralities of measurement devices 1051 -105n is provided with the measurement station data collection device 102. The measurement station data collection device 102 uses addresses stored specifically by each of the measurement devices 1051 -105n to access selectively each of the measurement devices 1051 -105n and collects and stores data. The collected and stored data are sent to a master station 300 or host computers 302, 402 of a maintenance station 400 via a public channel 200 or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a measurement station data collection device used for monitoring and controlling a measurement device placed in a measurement station by a host computer of the monitoring station, and more particularly to air pollutants and water quality. The present invention relates to a measurement station data collection device that can efficiently handle data obtained from a plurality of measurement devices such as analyzers for chemical components such as pollutants and thermometers and hygrometers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of environmental pollution measurement due to air pollutants and the like, data obtained from a measuring station (slave station) having a plurality of measuring devices is transferred to a facility (under a control of a government office or a local government). (Master station) and manage them collectively.

[0003] In addition, the data of the measuring device placed at the site of the process or the like (measuring station) is not only stored in the user's instrumentation room, but also
It is also sent to a measurement device manufacturer (maintenance bureau) for maintenance or the like.

In collecting data at a monitoring station such as a master station or a maintenance station, a telemeter system, a system using a telephone line, or the like is provided so that an observer can collect data without visiting the measuring station each time. Various data collection systems have been put into practical use.

Recently, there has been a demand for bidirectional communication for collecting more detailed and individual data and transmitting control signals and the like from a computer on the maintenance station side to the measuring device based on the information. . Accordingly, the present applicant has previously proposed a data communication system shown in FIG.
No. 356892).

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 100 denotes a slave station as a measuring station in which a plurality of analyzers are installed, 200 denotes a telephone-type public communication line (hereinafter simply referred to as a public line) constituting inter-station communication means, and 300 denotes a public line. It is a parent station as a monitoring station, and may be, for example, a facility under the control of a government agency or a local government that controls environmental administration. Further, a maintenance station 400 is also a monitoring station, and may be, for example, a facility under the control of a manufacturer or a maintenance company.

[0007] Of these components, the configuration of the slave station 100 is as follows. First, in the slave station 100,
101 is a modem for data communication, 108 is a signal converter, and these devices 101 and 108 are, for example, RS
It is connected via digital communication means such as a -232C cable 103. Here, the signal converter 108
Is used to convert the format of a signal transmitted and received between the modem 101 and each of the analyzers described later. For example, an RS-232C signal on the modem 101 and a differential balanced signal on the analyzer are used. And doing mutual conversion.

The signal converter 108 is provided with various analyzers 106 _{1 to} 106 _n as measuring devices, each of which is assigned a unique address, and uses the transmission cable 104 such as a twisted pair cable as a common signal line. The units are connected subordinately. Note that the last analyzer 106
_The terminator 107 is connected to _n .

Next, the master station 300 and the maintenance station 400
Are modems 301 and 401 connected to the telephone exchange 500 via the public line 200,
Host computers 302 and 402 are connected to 401 and analyze collected data, respectively.

Although not shown, each analyzer 10
6 ₁ - 106 _n includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU and A / D converter further comprises a memory for storing data of operation status of the measurement data and its at least a certain period.

The outline of the operation of this communication system is as follows. First, in this communication system, the host computer 302 or 402 in the master station 300 or the maintenance station 400 starts communication with the slave station 100 according to a predetermined protocol.
06 _1-106 either _n is one (or all the time sharing manner) responds, never initiates communication with the host computer 302, 402 from the analyzer 106 _{1-106 n-side.}

Here, the host computers 302 and 40
The message transmitted from the communication device 2 includes an address uniquely possessed by each of the analyzers 106 _{1 to} 106 _n , whereby the host computer 302 or 402 transmits the message to the analyzer 1.
06 _{1 to} 106 _n can be specified and transmitted, and it can be determined from which analyzer the data received by the host computers 302 and 402 is from.

[0013]

However, the present inventors have found that the system shown in FIG. 3 has the following points to be improved.

First, in the system shown in FIG. 3, since the host computer on the monitoring station directly accesses the individual measuring device and collects data, it takes a very long time to collect data of the entire measuring device. . Therefore, if a large number of measuring devices of a plurality of measuring stations are placed under the umbrella of one host computer, the amount of data that can be collected is limited. In addition, it takes a long time for communication between the measuring station and the monitoring station, which causes a problem in terms of communication cost.

Further, since the transmission from the measuring device to the host computer is not started, if an abnormality occurs in the measuring device immediately after the host computer collects the data of the specific measuring device, the data is not transmitted until the next collection timing. There has been a problem that a signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred is not transmitted to the monitoring station, and no action is taken and the terminal is left alone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned various problems. It is an object of the present invention to efficiently transmit data from a measuring device to a monitoring station and to provide data that needs urgent action. Is to make it possible to construct a system which can promptly transmit the information to the monitoring station and can expect a quick and accurate response from the monitoring station.

[0017]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have developed a data collection device placed in a measuring station,
I thought about incorporating this into the system.

That is, the measuring station data collection device according to the first aspect resides in a measuring station having a plurality of measuring devices,
A measurement station data collection device that collects and stores data of these measurement devices, and selectively accesses each of the plurality of measurement devices by using an address uniquely held by each of the plurality of measurement devices. The data of the measuring device is collected and stored, and the collected and stored data is transmitted to the monitoring station data processing device connected via the inter-station communication means.

Thus, the data of the measuring devices in the measuring station can be collected and transmitted to the monitoring station as a representative, so that a large amount of data can be efficiently transmitted to the monitoring station.

Here, a measuring device is a so-called analyzer for analyzing a chemical component, a so-called measuring device such as a thermometer or a pressure gauge, or any other device capable of obtaining some measurement data by operating the device. It includes a device.

It is sufficient that the measuring device can provide the data at the time of access to the measuring station data collecting device, but if the measured values for a certain period can be stored, the measuring device is accessed. Data at a specific time other than the instant can be provided to the measurement station data collection device. In addition, if data that is not normally required by the monitoring station, such as specific internal operating conditions, can be stored and stored independently, these data are provided only when required for maintenance and other purposes. can do.

The data handled by the measuring station data collection device includes not only measurement data but also information on the operation history of the measurement device such as calibration, and alarm signals indicating an abnormal measurement value or malfunction of the measurement device. It includes various data obtained as a result of operation (measurement) and various data relating to the measurement device itself.

The data transmission means for the measurement station data collection device to access each measurement device is not only a transmission means using a signal line such as a twisted pair cable, but also a non-contact transmission such as an infrared communication. Means are also available. When signal lines are used, not only a plurality of measuring devices may be connected to one signal line, but each measuring device may be connected to a plurality of signal lines singly or in plurality.

The inter-station communication means may be a communication means using a normal telephone line, whether wired or wireless,
It includes all communication means between two separated points, such as a communication means using a line, a means using a wireless telephone line, a communication means using an optical fiber, a means using a communication satellite, and the like.

Next, as described in claim 2, the measuring station data collection device itself has an address different from that of the measuring device, and receives a command signal using the address from the monitoring station data processing device. When the address is its own address, the self executes the command, and when the address is an address of any of the measuring devices, the command signal is transferred to the corresponding measuring device. Good.

[0026] Thus, since the commands from the monitoring station data processing device can be received collectively, the inter-station communication between the monitoring station and the measuring station is performed efficiently. In addition, since the measurement station data collection device can execute the command by itself if necessary,
It can respond immediately to the command from the monitoring station. In addition, an instruction that cannot be handled by the measuring station data collection device can be appropriately transferred to an appropriate measuring device, so that an appropriate action can be taken.

The command signals include various command signals such as an automatic calibration command, a time data correction command, and a command to change various set values, in addition to a data calling signal.

Further, when the command signal from the monitoring station data processing device is a data calling signal, as described in claim 3, when the calling signal at the address of the measuring station data collecting device itself is received, The data collected and stored by the measurement station data collection device is transmitted to the monitoring station data processing device,
If the address is the address of any of the measuring devices, transfer the calling signal to the corresponding measuring device,
In addition, it is preferable that the data transmitted by the measuring device in response to the call signal is transferred to the monitoring station data processing device.

Thus, the data held by the measuring station data collecting device can be immediately transmitted to the monitoring station, and the data not held by the measuring station data collecting device, for example, the current measured values and the internal maintenance of the measuring device can be obtained. Data such as information can be transmitted from the measurement device to the monitoring station data processing device via the measurement station data collection device.

Further, as described in claim 4, when specific data is collected from any of the measuring devices, the specific data is spontaneously transmitted to the monitoring station data processing device without waiting for a command signal from the monitoring station data processing device. A function to perform transmission may be provided.

Thus, when specific data of any one of the measuring devices, such as abnormal measurement values or information indicating that the operating condition of the measuring device is defective, is collected, the data can be immediately transmitted to the monitoring station. Becomes In this case, as the data transmitted from the data collection device to the monitoring station, the data collected from the measurement device may be directly transferred, or an error code or the like unique to the measurement station data collection device may be transmitted.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an example of a system using a measurement station data collection device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, the signal converter 1 shown in FIG.
08, the measuring station data collection device 10 according to the present invention.
2 is used. In addition, the measuring station data collection device 10
2, a unique address is assigned to each of the measuring devices 105 _{1 to} 105 _n , and the number of the measuring devices 105 _{1 to} 105 _n is connected in a dependent manner by using the transmission cable 104 as a common signal line.

Here, the measurement station data processing device 102
The connection configuration between the measurement devices 105 _{1 to} 105 _n will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, a measurement station data collection device 102 connects an RS-232C type connector 1021 for connection to the modem 101 and a differential balanced signal and an RS-232C type signal connected to the connector 1021. A processing unit 1023 such as a CPU and a memory device 1024 connected to the converter unit for collecting data, a buffer 1024 for signal transmission / reception 1026, a power supply device 102
7 and 8-pin modular jacks 1028, and each terminal of the modular jack 1028 has a data transmission signal line 1041 in the transmission cable 104.
It is connected to each terminal of a modular jack 1051 of the _first measurement device 1051 via a data reception signal line 1042 and a power supply line 1043.

In this measuring device 105 ₁ ,
Buffers 1052 and 1053 are provided at terminals of modular jack 1051 corresponding to signal lines 1041 and 1042, respectively.
An isolator 1054 composed of a signal isolating photocoupler or the like is connected via the. Further, a measurement sensor and the like (not shown) are connected to the isolator 1054 via amplifiers 1055 and 1056. The isolator 1054 is for preventing interference between the measuring devices.

Further, the modular jack 1051
Are connected to the respective terminals of the modular jack 1051 of the _second measuring device 1052 via the modular jack 1057 and the transmission cable 104, and similarly in the same manner, the modular jack 1057, the transmission cable 104,
A total of n measuring devices 105 _{1 to} 105 _n such as modular jacks 1051,... Are connected in series. Under such a connection configuration, the measuring station data collection device 10
Only the data from any of the measurement devices 105 _{1 to} 105 _n called by the polling operation from the communication device 2 can be transmitted to the measurement station data collection device 102.
05 _{1 to} 105 _n can be individually transmitted via the common transmission cable 104 without being superimposed. These transmission and reception operations are specifically performed via each pair of signal lines 1041 and 1042.

Although not shown, each measuring device 10
5 ₁ to 105 _n may analyzer of FIG. 3 106 ₁ - 106 _n
Similarly to the above, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU and an A / D converter are provided in a built-in or external form, and a memory for storing measurement data for a certain period of time and data such as the operation status of the apparatus is built-in or mounted. Have in shape.

The outline of the operation of this communication system is as follows. First, in this communication system, the measurement station data collection device 102 transmits a data collection signal according to a predetermined protocol via the transmission cable 104 at, for example, once an hour or the like. Its various either measuring apparatus 105 ₁ to 105 _n with respect to the command when (or all at a time division manner) is intended to respond, the measuring apparatus 105 ₁
The data transmission from the 105 _n side to the measurement station data collection device 102 does not start. For this reason, data is simultaneously transmitted from a plurality of measuring devices and the transmission cable 10 is transmitted.
There is no inconvenience that the data on 4 is superimposed and destroyed.

Here, the message transmitted from the measuring station data collecting device 102 includes an address which each of the measuring devices 105 _{1 to} 105 _n has inherently. 105 ₁ to 10
5 _n can be specified and transmitted, and it can be determined from which measurement device the data received by the measurement station data collection device 102 is from.
Then, the measurement station data collection device 102 performs data processing such as compiling the collected data in a tabular form as necessary, and prepares for a call from the host computer 302 or 402 in the master station 300 or the maintenance station 400.

Next, the host computer 302 or 4
02 transmits a data calling signal to the measuring station data collecting apparatus 102 at an interval such as once a day, for example, by specifying an address unique to the measuring station data collecting apparatus 102 via the inter-station communication means. . Then, the measurement station data collection device 102 that has received this signal collectively transmits data (for example, one day) after the previous communication to the host computer 302 or 402.

In this embodiment, the slave station 100
Modem 101, public line 200, telephone exchange 500,
The modems 301 and 401 of the master station 300 and the maintenance station 400 constitute inter-station communication means.

When it is necessary to change any of the set values of the measuring devices 105 _{1 to} 105 _n , such as a value determined to be an abnormality in the measured value or a constant of an arithmetic expression, the host computer 302 or 402 sends the value to the host computer 302 or 402. The address of the measuring device is designated, and a set value change command is transmitted to the measuring station data collecting device 102. Then, the measurement station data collection device 102 can transfer the command to the measurement device specified by the address.

As described above, the host computer 302
Alternatively, even when a call signal is not received from the 402 side, the measurement station data collection apparatus 102 starts transmission to the host computer 302 or 402 spontaneously in the following cases. For example, measuring devices 105 _{1 to} 105 _n
This is a case in which data that requires an immediate response, such as a measurement value or abnormal data of an operation situation, is collected from any of the above.

In such a case, the measuring station data collection device 1
02 transmits the data immediately to the host computer 302
Or, transfer to 402. At this time, the communication sent from the measurement station data collection device 102 is transmitted from the measurement devices 105 ₁ to 105 ₁ .
105 each _n is one containing the address and the data having the specific, the host computer 302 or 40
Reference numeral 2 indicates which measurement device the data received from the measurement station data collection device 102 is from.

It is to be noted that spontaneous transmission from the measurement station data collection device 102 to the host computer 302 or 402 may be overlapped with a data call signal from the host computer 302 or 402 to the measurement station data collection device 102 or the like. There is a need to. In such a case, for example, countermeasures such as giving priority to the one that started transmission first and giving priority to spontaneous transmission from the measurement station data collection device 102 side can be considered.

The host computer 302 or 4 that has voluntarily transmitted data from the measuring station data collection device 102
In order to respond to the abnormal data and the like, a command such as a call signal of data relating to the current value of the measured value or the operation status, a calibration command signal, a cleaning command signal, etc. Send using the address of Then, the measurement station data collection device 102 can immediately transfer the command signal to the corresponding measurement device.

In the above-described embodiment, the measuring station data collection device 102 uses the differential balanced signal and the RS-2 signal.
It has a function of mutually converting between signals of the 32C format, but it is possible to use G
It may be possible to perform mutual conversion with the P-IB format or the like. If the signal formats of the measuring device and the inter-station communication means are the same, it is needless to say that signal conversion is not required.

In the above embodiment, the case where a telephone public line is used as an inter-station communication means has been described. However, when an ISDN line or an optical fiber is used, an ISDN terminal is used instead of a modem. An appropriate relay device such as an optical transceiver is included as a component of the inter-station communication means.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a system in which two monitoring stations correspond to one measuring station has been described. However, the combination of the number of measuring stations and the corresponding monitoring stations is arbitrary. It may be one-to-one or plural-to-multiple. In the case of plural-to-multiple, in order to identify the other party, for example, a telephone number or the like may be used as the address of the station.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where specific data is collected as an example in which the measurement station data collection apparatus starts transmission spontaneously has been described. However, transmission may be started at a predetermined time. In this case, in order to prevent transmission from multiple measurement stations to the monitoring station at once,
Considerations such as shifting the transmission start time are required.

[0051]

By constructing a system using the measuring station data collection device of the present invention, data from the measuring device can be collected and transmitted to the monitoring station efficiently. In addition, transmission of commands from the monitoring station can be performed efficiently. Furthermore, urgent data such as abnormal data can be promptly transmitted to the monitoring station, and it is expected that a corresponding command is received promptly and accurately from the monitoring station and executed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram using a measurement station data collection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a connection configuration diagram between a measurement station data collection device and a measurement device in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram using a measurement station data collection device according to a conventional example.

[Description of Signs] 100 slave station 101 modem 102 measurement station data collection device 103 RS-232C cable 104 transmission cable 105 _{1 to} 105 _n measurement device 107 terminator 200 public line 300 master station 400 maintenance station 500 telephone exchange station

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A measurement station data collection device for collecting and storing data of a plurality of measurement devices in a measurement station having a plurality of measurement devices, wherein each of the plurality of measurement devices has a unique possession. Data of these measuring devices is collected and stored by selectively accessing each of the measuring devices using an address to be performed, and the collected and stored data is transmitted to a monitoring station data processing device connected via inter-station communication means. A measurement station data collection device, wherein the data is transmitted to the measurement station. 2. A self-owned address which is different from an address held by each of the measuring devices, and when an instruction signal using an address is received from a monitoring station data processing device, the self-address is changed to its own address. 2. The measuring station according to claim 1, wherein, in a certain case, the self-executing unit executes the command, and when the address is an address of any one of the measuring units, transfers the command signal to the corresponding measuring unit. Data collection device. 3. An own device has an address different from an address held by each of the measuring devices, and when receiving a data calling signal using an address from a monitoring station data processing device, the address is changed to the own address. If the address is an address, the self-collected data is transmitted to the monitoring station data processing device, and if the address is an address of any of the measuring devices, the call signal is transferred to the corresponding measuring device, and 2. The measuring station data collection device according to claim 1, wherein data transmitted by the measuring device in response to the call signal is transferred to a monitoring station data processing device. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when specific data is collected, the data is spontaneously transmitted to the monitoring station data processing device without waiting for a command signal from the monitoring station data processing device. The measurement station data collection device according to claim 2 or 3.