FR3064394A1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING - Google Patents

Abstract

Monitoring system (1) comprising a monitoring unit (2) for requesting the measurement value of a sensor unit (3), having an interface unit (6) for requesting by a wireless link, the value of measuring the sensor unit (3). A calculation unit (10) uses the entered measurement value, and a clock (11) determines an indication of time. A transmitting interface (15) transmits the measured value, stored in memory, related to the time indication. A sensor unit (3) is connected to a transmission unit (5) for transmitting a measurement value to the monitoring unit (2). The transmission unit (5) transmits the measured value only at the request of the monitoring unit (2).

Description

® Publication number: 3,064,394 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

National registration number: 18 52369 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE ® Int Cl ⁸ : G 08 C 17/02 (2017.01), G 06 K 19/07

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

(§) Date of filing: 20.03.18. ® Applicant (s): ROBERT BOSCH GMBH— DE. Priority: 21.03.17 DE 102017204667.8. @ Inventor (s): STEIN BENEDIKT and PURKL FABIAN. Date of public availability of the request: 28.09.18 Bulletin 18/39. (56) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: The latter was not established on the date of publication of the request. References to other national documents @) Holder (s): ROBERT BOSCH GMBH. related: Extension request (s): ® Agent (s): CABINET HERRBURGER.

FR 3 064 394 - A1 (04) MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD.

Monitoring system (1) comprising a monitoring unit (2) for requesting the measured value of a sensor unit (3), having an interface unit (6) for requesting via a wireless link, the value of sensor unit measurement (3). A calculating unit (10) uses the entered measurement value, and a clock (11) determines an indication of time.

A transmission interface (15) transmits the stored measurement value linked to the time indication.

A sensor unit (3) is connected to a transmission unit (5) for transmitting a measured value to the monitoring unit (2). The transmission unit (5) transmits the measured value only at the request of the monitoring unit (2).

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Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a monitoring system and a monitoring method.

State of the art

According to document CN 103373538 A, a container monitoring system is known according to which a monitoring unit comprises a sensor unit, a calculation unit and a current supply unit. The monitoring unit can equip a product to be monitored and it determines the deviations from n predefined states, for example, temperature, humidity or shocks.

Presentation and advantages of the invention

The subject of the invention is a monitoring system comprising a monitoring unit for requesting the measurement value of a sensor unit, the monitoring unit having an interface unit for requesting, via a wireless link, the value of measurement of the sensor unit, a calculation unit for exploiting the measurement value entered, a clock for determining a time indication and a memory unit for recording the measurement value processed in connection with the time indication provided by the clock and a transmission interface for transmitting the respective measured value, memorized, linked to the time indication and at least one sensor unit with a sensor and a transmission unit for transmitting a measurement value to the monitoring unit, the transmission unit transmitting a measured value only at the request of the monitoring unit.

The monitoring system according to the invention has the advantage of making the monitoring unit and the sensor unit separately. The sensor unit then supplies a measurement value to the monitoring unit only if requested. This reduces the power consumed in the sensor unit. Thus, it is not possible to make the sensor unit economically with only a small energy accumulator, but it is also possible to make the sensor unit itself, completely external, for example, by that the monitoring unit injects energy by an appropriate signal into the sensor unit. Furthermore, it is possible to realize the sensor unit with an energy collection unit so that the sensor unit can provide the lowest energy demand. To nevertheless have information concerning the time of delivery, a clock is fitted to the monitoring unit and can therefore, after requesting a measurement value, combine the measurement value information with the time information. This information is advantageously recorded in memory and is available in combination with a connection for reading the monitoring unit. This allows the measurement results to be saved at a later date, thereby proving when and for how long the measurement value has been outside of a predefined range.

The economical construction of the sensor unit makes it possible, if necessary, also for single use. On the other hand, the monitoring unit can be reused and must be permanently equipped and if necessary with additional functions.

It is particularly advantageous to have one or more sensor units, for example, on the products to be monitored and transported while a monitoring unit is provided in the central position of the different sensor units of the sensor installation.

In the event of improper transport and storage of products, damaging the products by impact, for example in the event of an accident, this results in damage to the products transported. In particular, this results in the cost consequence of the fact that damage by impacts, too high or too low temperatures or humidity during transport, are not detected if necessary. The present invention thus makes it possible in particular in the case of transport or storage with exceeding a threshold of a physical quantity which has an influence on the end of the products transported, to confirm the damage and to document legibly.

According to other advantages, the energy required for a transmission or a measurement operation in the sensor unit, the energy required by the wireless transmission by the monitoring unit and thus also for the power supply, does not require any cable connection to the sensor unit. Thanks to a wireless transmission of the measured values, there is no cable connection between the monitoring unit and the sensor unit. Thus, there is no mounting cost to link the monitoring unit and the sensor unit.

Particularly advantageously, the transmission unit of the sensor unit has an RFID unit. The RFID unit guarantees the transmission of data. If necessary, by making the RFID unit as a passive RFID unit, it is possible to supply the transmission unit and thus also the sensor in a simple manner to carry out a measurement by supplying them with energy by the resonant coupling of electromagnetic radiation in the oscillating system formed by the RFID unit to supply it with electrical energy.

The monitoring unit with several sensors is particularly advantageous because in this way a large number of sensors are monitored simultaneously.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the transmission means of the monitoring unit is a mobile radio station. In this way it will be possible to transmit known measurement values, in particular deviations between the measurement values relative to the initial values to an external central station or in general to a computer installation, for example, a mobile telephone. This provides efficient wireless monitoring. This also makes it possible to create a mobile telephone interface in the central units, such as the surveillance unit or a mobile radio unit.

The mounting of the sensor unit will be particularly simple and easy if this unit itself includes a fixing installation, for example a bonding means, such as for example an adhesive layer. This makes it easy to install the sensor unit on a moving object.

Corresponding advantages also arise from the monitoring method according to the invention. In particular, it is advantageous to transmit with the measured value, identity information from the sensor which has entered the measured value to the monitoring unit. This allows the monitoring unit to associate the measurement values with a particular sensor if several sensors are measuring simultaneously. The coded transmission of sensor identity information ensures that there has been no manipulation, that there has been no false sensor information transmitted to the monitoring unit. The sensor identity information is confirmed in that the predetermined sensor actually transmits the information.

It is also advantageous to supply power to the monitoring unit by the on-board network of the vehicle in which the monitoring unit is installed. This avoids, if necessary, the use of an internal energy accumulator for the monitoring unit.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the monitoring unit determines a position, for example, a GPS position, in a road network. This allows the measurement values to be entered according to the positioning. This not only captures the timing of the measurement, but also the position. For example, in the case of a refrigerated vehicle, it will be seen that the temperature measured at a location increases while at this location the refrigerated vehicle should not have been opened. We can easily see a drift of the actual measurement data compared to the predictable measurement data at a location.

According to another advantageous characteristic, a measurement value is only stored and / or transmitted if the new measurement value exceeds by a certain difference, a predefined value or a value measured beforehand. Limiting the recording to such values can reduce the memory capacity required for monitoring. By limiting the transmission to such data, it is ensured that the data transmission network for the transmission of the measured values between the monitoring unit is not overloaded unless the deviation from the predefined measured values has actually been exceeded by not acceptable. This reduces the means of implementation for data transmission and monitoring of the measured values transmitted while ensuring that the information will be transmitted in the event of an unacceptable deviation.

Drawings

The present invention will be described below, in more detail with the aid of exemplary embodiments of a monitoring system shown in the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a monitoring system equipped with a monitoring unit and a sensor unit, Figure 2 shows an example of the use of a monitoring unit equipped with several monitoring units sensor in a motor vehicle, FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the progress of a monitoring method, and FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the processing of a measured value in a sensor unit and in a measurement unit surveillance.

Description of embodiments of the invention

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a monitoring system 1 comprising a monitoring unit 2 and a sensor unit 3. The sensor unit 3 comprises a sensor 4 and a transmission unit 5. The sensor 4 monitors different physical quantities such as, for example, temperature, humidity or movement. According to another embodiment, the sensor can also monitor several quantities using an integrated sensor component, equipped with several measurement installations. For example, the sensor 4 is produced in microsystems technique. It is also possible to produce the sensor 4 with the transmission unit 5 on a substrate. In addition, the transmission unit 5 and the sensor 4 can be produced on a support, for example, on a plastic support and connected to electrical conductor paths. Such a support is, for example, glued with an adhesive on a suitable surface. The transmission unit 5 is preferably produced, in particular in the form of a passive RFID unit.

The monitoring unit 2 comprises an interface unit 6 carrying out by an antenna 7, a radio link 8 with the transmission unit 5 of the sensor unit 3. The interface unit 6 is controlled by a unit 10. The calculation unit 10 requests the interface unit 6 to request, via a radio link 8, the sensor unit 3 to enter a measurement value using the sensor 4. According to one embodiment, the radio signal is transmitted by a wireless radio link 8 so that the passive RFID unit receives a radio signal by a transmission unit 5 and also the energy for the operation of the sensor 4 by the transmitted radio wave.

The measurement result of the sensor 4 is transmitted by the transmission unit 5 and the antenna unit to the calculation unit 10. The calculation unit 10 accesses a clock 11 which provides the time information . The calculation unit 10 stores the result of the measurement with the time information supplied by the clock 11 in a memory unit 12. The memory unit 12 is preferably a non-volatile memory, in particular, a semiconductor component. According to a first embodiment, the content of the memory unit 12 can be read by a data interface 13 connected by wire. According to another embodiment, the content of the memory unit 12 can be transmitted directly by an output unit 14 for example, a display unit to the monitoring unit 2. According to another embodiment, the the monitoring unit 2 has a wireless interface 15, in particular a mobile radio interface by which a radio link 16 is produced with a data transmission network 17. It is thus possible to transmit measurement results from the memory unit 12 to a calculation unit connected to the data transmission network 17 and to transmit them thus, for example, a mobile telephone or a computer.

The power supply to the monitoring unit 2 is done according to a first embodiment by a cable connection 18 to the electrical network. Alternatively or in addition, an internal battery unit 21 can also be provided. This can serve as a buffer battery in the event of a break in the supply of cable by the interface 18.

According to another embodiment, the monitoring unit comprises other sensors, for example, a positioning sensor 19 or a temperature sensor 20. The temperature sensor 20 makes it possible, for example, to compare the temperature measured by the 'monitoring unit 2 at the temperature entered by the sensor of the monitoring sensor installation and thus increase the redundancy of the measurements. The position sensor 19, for example, in the form of a GPS receiver unit allows the moment at which the sensor unit 3 measures, to also determine a position. This saves the measurement value with the entered position.

It is possible to provide a memory unit for several measured values in the sensor unit 3 but this is not necessary. Furthermore, it is preferable to determine the measurement value carried out at all times and then to transmit it by the transmission unit 5. The transmission of the measurement values takes place as long as the monitoring unit 2 requests the sensor unit 3 to make measurements.

Instead of an energy supply via the radio link 8, it is also possible to supply energy to the sensor unit 3, for example, by an energy collector 26. As long as the monitoring unit 2 does not request a measurement, the sensor unit 3 does not provide a measurement result. In particular, the sensor unit 3, according to one embodiment, has no time determination unit because the time of the measurement is supplied to it by the clock 11.

According to one embodiment, the transmission unit 5 has a memory unit 9 containing in particular the identity information of the sensor unit 3 in coded form. The measurement value can be transmitted by the transmission unit 5 with sensor identity information, in particular transmitted in coded form. This guarantees the security of the data transmission to the monitoring unit 2. In addition, the monitoring unit 2 in the case of several sensor units, can unequivocally associate the measured values received with a monitoring unit. sensor.

To successively interrogate a set of sensors without the various responses reciprocally disturbing the different sensors, an anti-collision protocol can be used, for example, implemented in UHF-RFID technique.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the monitoring of a load of a truck 30 in a loading space 31. In the loading space 31 there is a first package 41, a second package 42 and a third package 43. The first package 41 is equipped with a first sensor unit 44, the second package is equipped with a second sensor unit 45 and the third package is equipped with a third sensor unit 46. A monitoring unit 32 according to a preferred embodiment equips the roof 33 of the truck 30. An antenna unit 34 performs the mobile radio link and if necessary a GPS unit also equips the roof 33 of the vehicle. An antenna unit 35 in the load volume 31 makes a first radio link 47 with the first sensor unit 44, the second radio unit 48 to the second sensor unit 45 and a third radio link 49 with the third sensor unit 46. This allows the monitoring unit 32 to monitor the three loads 41, 42, 43 in the loading space 31.

According to one embodiment, the load can be selected, for example, the first load 41 more frequently than the second or the third load 42, 43. For this it is determined whether the respective load is particularly sensitive and / or precious. According to a first embodiment, the frequency of monitoring of the monitoring unit 32 is predefined for each load. According to another embodiment, monitoring by the monitoring unit 32 on demand is predefined by an external device, via the external interface. It is also possible for the monitoring unit to supply a message at times predefined by the radio interface 34. According to another embodiment, a message is only sent if, for one of the loads 41, 42, 43 an unauthorized value has been found for a monitored physical quantity.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a monitoring method according to the invention. In the initialization step 50, the monitoring unit is started and the sensors to be monitored are identified. In particular, each measurement value to be provided by such a sensor and the identity of the sensor are fixed. By the following request 51, the first sensor is requested. The sensor transmits the current measured value of the monitored quantity, for example, a temperature in a request step. In the first verification step 52, it is checked whether the determined measurement value is within a predefined range. The predefined range is, for example, the lower limit and / or the upper limit of a physical quantity such as the lower or upper temperature, for example, 5 ° C or 25 ° C or even an upper limit for an acceleration applied to the sensor, for example 20 m / s ² . For an acceleration measurement, the sensor recognizes the maximum acceleration value from the last measurement. According to another embodiment, the actual measurement value ac3064394 can be compared with a previous measurement and it will be seen whether the deviation from the previous measurement value exceeds a predefined threshold.

If there is no deviation, we go to the second control step 53. In the second control step 53, it is checked whether all the sensors concerned by the initialization step 50 have been interrogated. If this is not the case, we return to the next sensor for the interrogation step 51. In this case we drift towards a waiting step 54. In step 54, we wait for a predefined period for the next measurement has elapsed. Then, we return to the request step 51. If in the first control step 52 we find that there is a deviation, then in a memory step 55 the measurement value is recorded with time information. In another embodiment, other information can be recorded such as, for example information concerning the respective sensor, information on the location and / or information of at least one other sensor in the memory step 55 with the measured value. In an optional signaling step 56, a message is sent via the interface of the monitoring unit to the outside, for example, to a data network.

Figure 4 shows an example of how to process a measured value. In a request step 60, the sensor unit 60 notes that a measurement has to be made. In a consecutive measurement step 61, the sensor determines the physical quantity. Then, the physical quantity measured is transformed into an electrical value, for example, a voltage level or a digital signal. In the identification step 63, this other measurement value obtained, processed, is linked to a sensor identification requested from the memory 59 for a data set. This will then be transformed into a radio signal 64, if necessary coded. The radio signal 64 is transformed by the monitoring unit into an electrical reception signal 65. The calculation unit decodes the received signal and evaluates the measurement value. The measurement value information sent 66 is recorded with time 73 and the sensor identification 67 in the memory unit 12. If necessary, the data set 68 thus obtained and other information are saved, for example, position information 69, which will be called in ίο the positioning unit 70 and for other data or sensor information 71 extracted from another sensor 72. Preferably, several data sets are thus recorded in the format of the data set 68 in the memory unit 12 and they can be taken up by an appropriate interface using a monitoring unit. In addition, it is possible that the calculation unit 10 uses the data set and provides operating information concerning the data set to a user or to the mobile interface.

NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

Surveillance system

Monitoring unit

Sensor unit

Sensor

Transmission unit

Interface unit

Antenna

Radio link

Memory unit calculation unit

Clock

Memory unit

Output unit

Radio interface

Radio link

Dataset / data network

Connection / interface / wireless link

Position sensor

Temperature sensor

Internal battery unit

Truck

Loading volume

Monitoring unit

Truck roof

Antenna unit

First fee

Second fee

Third fee

First sensor unit

Second sensor unit

Third sensor unit

First radio link

Second radio link

Third sensor unit

50-54 Steps in the flowchart for implementing the process 60-72 Manufacturing steps

Claims (12)

1 °) Monitoring system (1) comprising a monitoring unit (2) for requesting the measured value of a sensor unit (3), the monitoring unit (2) having an interface unit (6) to request the measured value of the sensor unit (3) via a wireless link, a calculating unit (10) to use the entered measured value, a clock (11) to determine a time indication and a memory unit (12) for storing the measured value processed in connection with the time indication supplied by the clock (11) and a transmission interface (15) for transmitting the respective stored measurement value connected to the time indication and at least one sensor unit (3) with a sensor (4) and a transmission unit (5) for transmitting a measured value to the monitoring unit (2), the transmission unit (5) transmitting a measured value only at the request of the monitoring unit (2). 2 °) monitoring system according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy necessary for the transmission by a wireless link for the transmission and / or a measurement operation in the sensor unit (3) is provided by l 'monitoring unit (2). 3) Monitoring system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission unit (5) is an RFID unit for transmitting the measured value and / or for receiving the energy necessary for the operation of measurement or transmission. 4 °) monitoring system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the monitoring unit (2) comprises at least one other sensor (19, 20) and it is connected by a wire connection to the unit calculation (10). 5 °) surveillance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission interface (15) is a mobile radio interface. 6 °) surveillance system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (3) comprises a fixing installation in particular a bonding installation for fixing the sensor unit (3) to a mobile object (41, 42, 43). 7 °) Monitoring method according to which a monitoring unit (2) interrogates by a wireless interface (8) at least one sensor unit (3) to obtain a measured value, a sensor (4) of the monitoring unit sensor (3) performing a measurement, the measured value being transmitted by the sensor unit (3) by the wireless interface (8) to the monitoring unit (2), a calculation unit (10) exploiting the measured value entered, a clock (11) of the monitoring unit (2) determining a time indication, and the measured value processed being recorded in conjunction with the time indication provided by the clock (11) in the monitoring unit (2) and the monitoring unit (2) transmitting the recorded measured values on request, combined with a time indication. 8 °) monitoring method according to claim 7, characterized in that an identity information is transmitted from the sensor unit (3) to the monitoring unit (2) with the measured value. 9 °) Method according to one of claims 7-8, characterized in that the power supply of the monitoring unit (2) is ensured from the on-board network of the vehicle and the sensor unit (3) performs a measurement in the vehicle. 10 °) Monitoring method according to one of claims 7-9, characterized in that the position of the monitoring unit (2) is determined and recorded in connection with a measured value. 11 °) monitoring method according to one of claims 7-10, characterized in that a measurement value is recorded and / or it is transmitted only if this measurement value exceeds a predefined value or has a difference îo predetermined by compared to a previously recorded value. 1/3 12 19 20 11 10 6 41 44 42 45 43 46 2/3 3/3