JP2003143664A - Network connected measurement apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network connected measurement apparatus capable of measuring environment data of a building and transmitting the resulting data to a communication network installed in the building and through which a signal can be transmitted. SOLUTION: This invention provides a network connected measurement apparatus 10 that comprises: an illuminance sensor 11 (sensor section) connected to transmit an electric signal; a sensor interface section 12; a communication interface section 13; and a control section 14 and is connected to a LAN 15 (communication network) to transmit illuminance data (environment data) to the LAN 15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a measuring device connected to a communication network installed in a building, and more particularly to a measuring device for measuring environmental data of the building.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication network capable of transmitting signals such as a LAN (Local Area Network) is often installed in a building along with the progress of information society.
It is expected to increase further in the future. Further, the communication network is not limited to a communication network such as a LAN,
It is well known that commercial 100V power wiring is also a medium capable of carrying electric signals, and a communication network capable of signal transmission using such power wiring has been proposed.

On the other hand, for example, in conventional air-conditioning management of a building, environmental data such as temperature and humidity in the building are detected by a dedicated sensor, and further, a wireless or wired dedicated communication path is used to control an air conditioner or the like. The air conditioning equipment was controlled by transmitting it to the air conditioning equipment and feeding back the environmental data.

Further, for example, environmental data such as images taken by a surveillance camera for security of a building are recorded by a video recorder or transmitted to a monitor display for surveillance through a dedicated communication path such as a coaxial cable. There was a need.

As described above, although the environmental data that must be transmitted in a building is diverse, it is necessary to transmit it to each device through a dedicated communication path.
Construction of each communication path requires a lot of labor and cost for laying, and a plurality of communication paths are laid in a building, which is wasteful.

[0006]

As described above, since a building often has a communication network capable of transmitting signals, it is necessary to transmit environmental data using these general-purpose communication networks. By providing a measuring device capable of performing the above, not only the possibility of using the existing communication network can be expanded, but also the general-purpose one can be expected to reduce the cost by mass production.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a network connection measuring device capable of measuring and transmitting environmental data of a building to a communication network laid in the building and capable of transmitting signals. The purpose is to

[0008]

In order to achieve the object of the preceding paragraph, the network-connected measuring device according to claim 1 is a measuring device which is connected to a communication network capable of transmitting signals, which is laid in a building, and which is the environment of the building. A sensor unit that measures and outputs data, a sensor interface unit that converts the environmental data output by the sensor unit to the communication network, and a communication interface unit that sends the environmental data to the communication network; It is characterized by comprising a control unit for controlling each unit.

The network connection measuring device according to a second aspect is the network connecting measuring device according to the first aspect, wherein the environmental data measured by the sensor unit is at least one of temperature, humidity, illuminance, and video. It is characterized by that.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network-connected illuminance measuring device (network-connected measuring device) 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the network-connected illuminance measuring device 10 includes an illuminance sensor (sensor unit) 11, a sensor interface unit 12, a communication interface unit 13, and a control unit 14, which are connected to each other so that signals can be transmitted by electrical signals. Become, LAN (communication network) 1
5 is connected.

The illuminance sensor 11 is composed of a photoelectric tube, a phototransistor or the like for measuring illuminance, and the illuminance sensor 11
Ambient illuminance is measured and converted into illuminance data (environmental data) which is a signal that can be electrically processed.

The sensor interface unit 12 is an LA which is a communication network capable of transmitting illuminance data which has become a signal which can be electrically processed by the illuminance sensor 11.
Convert to a required format that can be transmitted to N15. This is, for example, a process in which the output of the illuminance sensor 11 is amplified when it is very small, and when the output of the illuminance sensor 11 is an analog value, it is digitally converted so as to be convenient for communication on the LAN 15. is there.

The communication interface unit 13 is an interface for connecting the network-connected illuminance measuring device 10 to the LAN 15, and is controlled by the control unit 14 so that the sensor interface unit 12 controls the L level.
The illuminance data converted into a required format adapted to the communication in the AN 15 is sent to the LAN 15 based on the required communication protocol used in the LAN 15. The required communication protocol is, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol) which is an Internet standard protocol.
col / Internet Protocol). Further, the communication interface unit 12 receives a control command directed to the network connected illuminance measuring device 10 from the LAN 15 side,
It is transmitted to the control unit 14. The control command is, for example, a command for stopping the transmission of the illuminance data.

The control unit 14 controls the communication interface 13, the illuminance sensor 11, and the sensor interface unit 12 as necessary or in accordance with a control command from the LAN 15, and measures measured illuminance data on the LAN 15. It controls each part of the network-connected illuminance measuring device 10 such as sending out or stopping.

Each of the above-mentioned parts is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The network-connected illuminance measuring device 10 is configured by being mounted in the housing 16. According to FIG. 2, the rectangular housing 16
The illuminance sensor 11 is provided on the side surface of the housing 16, and the connection terminal 13a is provided so as to be connectable to the LAN 15 from the other side surface of the housing 16 so as to be connected to the built-in communication interface unit 13 not shown. There is. Although not shown, the sensor interface unit 12, the control unit 14, and the like are also mounted inside the housing 16. of course,
The network-connected illuminance measuring device 10 is not limited to this shape, and can be realized by using a housing having an appropriate shape.

Next, an example of use of the network-connected illuminance measuring device 10 as described above will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, in the room A, a LAN 15 connected to a hub 15b which is a relay device is installed,
A plurality of network-connected illuminance measuring devices 10 are provided at the LAN terminal 15a, which is a connection portion with each device of N15. A window shutter 18 is provided on the window 17 facing the outside of the room B, and is opened and closed by a winding motor 19. The winding motor 19 is connected to the LAN 15 and can acquire the illuminance data sent to the LAN 15 by the network connected illuminance measuring device 10. The window shutter 18 can be opened and closed autonomously by referring to the illuminance data. Can be controlled.

This is, for example, when the sun is exposed to the window 17 during the day.
When the illuminance of the room A becomes high by entering the room A from the above, the window shutter 18 is lowered to the lower end of the window 17 to block the sunshine to reduce the illuminance of the room A. 18
Is rolled up to collect light through the window 17, and the illuminance of the room A is controlled to be large.

Since the plurality of network-connected illuminance measuring devices 10 are provided in the room A as described above, the illuminance data measured at a plurality of points in the room A can be supplied to the hoisting motor 19, and a dedicated sensor can be provided in the room. Compared to installing and constructing a system that performs the same function using a dedicated communication channel, it is possible to construct a system without the labor of laying a communication channel.

Next, a network connection temperature measuring device (network connection measuring device) 20 capable of measuring ambient temperature according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. Network connection temperature measuring device 20
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4, has a configuration similar to that of the above-described network-connected illuminance measuring device 10, and includes a temperature sensor (sensor unit) 21, a sensor interface unit 22, a communication interface unit 23, and a control unit. Part 2
4 and is connected to the power wiring (communication network) 25.

The temperature sensor 21 is a sensor such as a thermocouple for measuring the temperature, and measures the temperature around the temperature sensor 21 and converts it into temperature data (environmental data) which is a signal that can be electrically processed.

The sensor interface unit 22, the communication interface unit 23, and the control unit 24 are the same as those of the network-connected illuminance measuring device 10. That is, the sensor interface unit 22
Is for converting the temperature data, which has become a signal that can be electrically processed by the temperature sensor 21, into a communication network for transmission, and the communication interface unit 23 converts the converted temperature data into power for the communication network. The data is sent to the wiring 25, and the control unit 24 controls each unit of the network connection temperature measuring device 20.

Each of the above-mentioned parts is, for example, a casing 2 similar to the network connection temperature measuring device 10 as shown in FIG.
6 and the network connection temperature measuring device 20 is configured. According to FIG. 5, a vent hole 27 is formed on the side surface of the rectangular housing 26 so as to be inserted into the outside.
The temperature sensor 21 is mounted on the back surface of the. Further, an insertion terminal 28 is projectingly provided from the other side surface of the housing 26 so as to be inserted into an outlet of the power wiring 25, and is connected to a communication interface section 23 (not shown) incorporated therein. Although not shown, the sensor interface unit 22, the control unit 24, and the like also include the housing 2
6 is to be mounted inside. Of course, the shape of the housing 26 is not limited to this shape, and a housing having an appropriate shape is used to connect the network connection temperature measuring device 20.
Can be configured.

Next, an example of using the network connection temperature measuring device 20 as described above will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the power wiring 2 laid in the room B
A plurality of network connection temperature measuring devices 20 are provided in an outlet 25a which is a connection terminal of No. 5. Further, an air conditioner 29 for air conditioning is installed in the room B and is also connected to an outlet 25a for power wiring.

The power wiring 25 supplies power to each device and also serves as a communication path for temperature data sent from the network connection temperature measuring device 20, and the air conditioner 29 receives this temperature data so that it can be used at a plurality of points in the room B. It becomes possible to acquire temperature data in By feeding back this temperature data to the temperature control of the air conditioner 29,
The air conditioner 29 can accurately control the room temperature of the room B to the set temperature. By thus providing the plurality of network connection temperature measuring devices 20 in the room B,
It is possible to perform feedback control by measuring the temperature of the room B by the air conditioner 29 at a plurality of points without laying a dedicated communication path.

Next, a network connection video measuring device (network connection measuring device) 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.
The network-connected video measurement device 30 has the same configuration as the above-described network-connected illuminance measurement device 10, and has a different sensor used in the sensor unit. That is,
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 7, the network-connected video measurement device 30 includes a video sensor (sensor unit) 31, a sensor interface unit 32, and a communication interface unit 33.
And a control unit 34, LAN (communication network)
35 is connected.

The image sensor 31 is an image pickup tube or a CCD.
An image pickup device such as a (Charge Coupled Device) is used, and an image in front of the image sensor 31 is picked up and converted into image data (environmental data) which is a signal that can be electrically processed. It is desirable that an input adjustment unit 31a including an appropriate optical lens or the like be provided in front of the image sensor 31 so that input to the image sensor 31 such as adjustment of sensitivity and focus is appropriate.

The sensor interface unit 32, the communication interface unit 33, and the control unit 34 are the same as those of the network-connected illuminance measuring device 10. That is, the sensor interface unit 32
Is for converting the video data, which has become a signal that can be electrically processed by the video sensor 31, so as to be transmitted to the LAN 35, and the communication interface unit 33 sends the converted video data to the LAN 35, which is a communication network. The control unit 34 controls each unit of the network-connected video measuring device 30.

The respective units described above are mounted in a housing 36 as shown in FIG. 8, for example, to form a network-connected video measuring device 30. According to FIG. 8, the input adjustment unit 31a of the image sensor 31 including an optical lens is provided on the front surface of the rectangular housing 36, and the image sensor 31 is mounted behind the input adjustment unit 31a. A connection cord 37 for connecting to the LAN 35 is provided from the side surface of the housing 36, and is connected to the built-in communication interface unit 33. Although not shown, the sensor interface unit 32,
The communication interface unit 33 and the control unit 34 are also the housing 3
6 is to be mounted inside. Of course, the form of the network-connected video measuring device 30 is not limited to this, and can be configured using an appropriate housing.

Next, an example of use of the above-mentioned network-connected video measuring device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, in the room C, a LAN 35 is laid so as to be connected to a hub 35b which is a relay device, and a plurality of connected video measuring devices 30 connected to a LAN connection terminal 35b of the LAN 35 are arranged at appropriate intervals. It is provided. Further, the LAN 35 is provided with a video recorder 38 as a signal recording device. Thereby, the video data of the room C transmitted by the network-connected video measuring device 30 can be recorded by the video recorder 38. Further, if a monitor display is used as an alternative to or separately provided from the video recorder 38, the video data can be confirmed.

By thus providing the plurality of network-connected video measuring devices 30 in the room C, it becomes possible to obtain the video data taken at a plurality of locations in the room C, and monitor and record for security and safety monitoring. A monitor system for can be easily constructed. Further, in order to change the viewpoint of the network-connected video measuring device 30, by incorporating a drive device that can move the video sensor or the network-connected video measuring device 30 itself, the imaging range of the network-connected video measuring device can be expanded. By doing so, it is possible to construct an effective system with few blind spots.

The sensor used in the sensor unit of the network-connected measuring device is not limited to the above-mentioned temperature, illuminance, image, etc., but an ion concentration sensor for measuring negative ions, ozone ions, etc., and a humidity sensor for measuring humidity. Can also be used, and by sending the measurement results of these sensors to the communication network, they can be conveniently used for recording basic data such as air conditioning management and environmental records.

The communication network to which the network connection measuring device is connected is not limited to a wired network, and a wireless LAN using a wireless carrier medium or Bluetooth.
A communication network using a wireless connection technology such as th may be used. Note that Bluetooth is B
Bluetooth SIG (Special Inte
This is a wireless communication standard whose standard is established by the Rest Group).

[0033]

The network connection measuring device according to claim 1 is a measuring device which is connected to a communication network installed in a building and capable of transmitting signals, and a sensor section for measuring and outputting environmental data of the building. A sensor interface unit that converts the environmental data output by the sensor unit so that it can be transmitted to the communication network; and a communication interface unit that sends the environmental data to the communication network,
Since it is provided with a control unit that controls each of the above units,
It is possible to install a measuring device that transmits environmental data to each device that requires the environmental data, without the need for laying a dedicated communication path. Further, since the communication network laid in the building can be a general-purpose communication network, it becomes possible to use a general-purpose component as a network connection measuring device, and it is expected that mass production will reduce the cost. Further, there is an advantage that environmental data can be used at any place accessible to the communication network, and data can be used and recorded from a remote place.

The network connection measuring device according to a second aspect is the network connecting measuring device according to the first aspect, wherein the environmental data measured by the sensor unit is at least one of temperature, humidity, illuminance, and video. Therefore, for example, when the environmental data is temperature and humidity, the environmental data sent to the communication network is used by the air conditioning equipment to build a feedback system for air conditioning control without using a dedicated communication path. can do. Also, for example, when the environmental data is the illuminance, the environmental data sent to the communication network is
For example, by using it in a window shutter control system, a feedback system for illuminance management in a building can be constructed without a dedicated communication path. Also,
For example, when the environmental data is a video, the security system can be constructed without a dedicated communication path by recording the environmental data sent to the communication network with a video recorder or monitoring it with a monitor display.
Further, since it becomes possible to use these environmental data at any point on the communication network, there is an advantage that control and monitoring can be performed from a remote place. Further, by using a general-purpose communication network for these communication networks, these systems can be constructed at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network-connected illuminance measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a network-connected illuminance measuring device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of a network-connected illuminance measuring device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a network connection temperature measuring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a networked temperature measuring device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of a network connection temperature measuring device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a network-connected video measuring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a network-connected video measuring device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of a network-connected video measuring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Network Connection Illuminance Measuring Device (Network Connection Measuring Device) 20 Network Connection Temperature Measuring Device (Network Connection Measuring Device) 30 Network Connection Video Measuring Device (Network Connection Measuring Device) 11 Illuminance Sensor (Sensor Unit) 21 Temperature Sensor (Sensor Unit) 31 video sensor (sensor unit) 12, 22, 32 sensor interface unit 13, 23, 33 communication interface unit 14, 24, 34 control unit 15, 35 LAN (communication network) 25 power wiring (communication network)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tetsuo Iwakura             Sekisui Ha, 1-188 Oyodo-Naka, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi             Inside Us Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5K048 AA02 AA11 BA12 DA05 DA08                       DC06 EA12 EB10 EB15 HA02

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A measuring device connected to a communication network laid in a building capable of transmitting signals, comprising: a sensor unit for measuring and outputting environmental data of the building; and environmental data output by the sensor unit. A network connection measuring device comprising: a sensor interface unit that converts the data into a communication network, a communication interface unit that sends environmental data to the communication network, and a control unit that controls each unit. 2. The network connection measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the environmental data measured by the sensor unit is at least one of temperature, humidity, illuminance, and video.