JP2003308589A - Data logger - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data logger collecting specific data at an arbitrary time as well as recording of sequential data in a prescribed sampling time and controlling the measuring time of the data. <P>SOLUTION: In a save mode, a CPU 12 adds an identification number and a measurement time information from a real time clock 30 to the specific data and stores them in a memory 22. On the other hand, in a log mode, the CPU 12 adds the identification number and the measurement time information from the real time clock 30 to sequential data groups at prescribed sample time intervals and stores them in the memory 22. The stored data and the data groups are displayed on a display 20 along with the identification numbers and the measurement time information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data logger that collects data from an object to be measured such as a plant, a laboratory, an aging room and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Data loggers are used for collecting measurement data in environment measurement, for example. In such environmental measurements, it is desirable to collect data at other locations or to collect data at any time in order to compare and refer to the measurement data periodically collected at a predetermined location. There is also. The request for such multipoint measurement is not limited to environmental measurement, but also occurs in product inspections on manufacturing lines and inspection inspections of outdoor equipment.

However, since the conventional data logger is designed to record the observed amount at a set time, it is not suitable for such a request.

The data logger is also used to collect measurement data and status data from plants and the like. The collected data is used to create reports such as daily and monthly reports for recording the operating state of the plant and operation records. In such an application, there is also a demand for grasping the time when the data was collected together with the individual data on the data logger.

However, in the conventional data logger, no consideration is given to the management of the collection time of individual data, and therefore the time at which each data is collected must be recorded separately.

For data processing and management, it is desired to use software or a storage medium on an external information processing device such as a personal computer. Particularly, in order to facilitate data processing and management, not only one data logger but also one data logger can be collectively managed by one information processing device. It is required to build a system connected to the information processing device.

However, the conventional data logger can be connected only one-to-one to the external information processing device such as a personal computer. Therefore, if a plurality of conventional data loggers are to be managed by one external information processing device, a complicated work of connecting the connection cables for each data logger is required. Also, naturally, it is not possible to construct a system of many-to-one connection as described above.

[0008]

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned demand, one object of the present invention is to collect continuous data groups at a predetermined sampling time and collect independent data at any time. And to provide a data logger capable of recording the data collection time together with the data.

Another object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned demands.
To provide a data logger system capable of transferring data collected by a plurality of data loggers to an external information processing device such as a personal computer.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the data logger of the present invention comprises a command input means for giving a command from an operator and a first command selectively determined by this command input means. It has a control means for controlling the data logger in the mode and the second mode, and a clock means for giving a real time to the control means.

The data logger of the present invention further comprises a memory and display means. Under the control of the control means, the memory assigns an externally input data with an identification number for each data in the first mode, and also with an actual time given by the clock means for each individual data. Store as. On the other hand, in the second mode, an identification number is added to each continuous data group at a predetermined sampling time, and the real time given from the clock means is added and stored as a data group.

Further, the display means, under the control of the control means, with respect to the data and the data group stored in the memory, the individual data designated by the command input means in the first mode together with the associated real time. indicate. On the other hand, in the second mode, the data group designated by the command input means is displayed together with the real time associated therewith.

The data logger of the present invention further gives a command transmitted from an external information processing device to the control means, and sends the data and the data group stored in the memory from the control means to the same or the same as the external information processing device. It has a communication means for transferring to another external information processing apparatus.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the data logger of the present invention compares externally input data with predetermined upper and lower limit values for the purpose of detecting an abnormal value of the externally input data. Alarm output means for outputting an alarm signal when the upper limit value and the lower limit value are deviated is further provided.

The command input means for giving a command from the operator preferably includes two switches, and one of the first mode and the second mode is selected by activating one of the switches, and this selection is made. The selected mode is determined by the activation of the other switch. In order to avoid an increase in the number of switches due to the multi-functionalization, and consequently a complicated operation panel, a command corresponding to the activation of these two switches is
It is preferable that different commands are assigned before and after the mode is determined.

[0016] Preferably, the communication means comprises serial connection means. In this case, a data logger system in which a plurality of data loggers are connected to one external information processing device may be constructed.

[0017]

1 is a block diagram of a data logger according to the present invention.
The block diagram of is shown. In FIG. 1, the data logger 10
The signal processing and control of the entire data logger 10 are executed by the CPU (control means) 12 inside the data logger 10. Two push button switches (command input means) for the user to give a command to the CPU 12, that is, a mode switch 14 and a select switch 1
6 is arranged on an operation panel (not shown) on the surface of the data logger 10.

An alternating current (AC) at the time of measuring current or voltage
A command for switching between the mode and the direct current (DC) mode is issued by the CPU 12
The AC / DC switch 18 provided to the control panel is also arranged on the operation panel. The mode switching other than the AC / DC mode switching and its execution are executed by the CPU 12 based on the operation of the mode switch 14 and the select switch 16.

When the user presses the mode switch 14,
The CPU 12 selects the corresponding mode of the data logger 10, and displays the currently selected mode on the display (display means) 20 on the operation panel, for example, the LCD display.

When the user presses the select switch 16 while the display 20 is displaying the selected mode, C
The PU 12 considers that the mode selected by the mode switch 14 has been decided and sets the data logger 10 to that mode. On the other hand, when the mode switch 14 is pressed without pressing the select switch 16, the CPU 12 causes the display device 20 to display the corresponding mode each time the mode switch 14 is pressed. These can also be confirmed by the select switch 16.

As modes selected by the mode switch 14, first, a save mode (first mode) and a log mode (second mode) are prepared.

After the mode is decided, a command different from that before the mode is decided is assigned to the operation of pushing the mode switch 14 and the select switch 16. If multi-functionality is added to the data logger, the number of switches such as push buttons will naturally increase, and the operation panel will become complicated and large, which is contrary to the size and weight reduction required for the data logger. Therefore, by assigning different commands to the operation of the two switches 14 and 16 before and after the mode is determined, the operation panel can be simplified.

Therefore, the execution of each function of the data logger 10 under the decided mode can also be performed based on the operation of the mode switch 14 and the select switch 16.

The data logger 10 further includes a memory 22 and a real time clock 30. The real-time clock 30 gives the CPU 12 real time, and based on this, the CPU 12 causes the memory 22 to store time information indicating the measurement date and time together with the data.

It is assumed that the save mode is selected and confirmed. Here, every time the select switch 16 is pressed,
The CPU 12 stores one piece of data in the memory 22. At this time, the CPU 12 adds an identification number to the data to be stored, adds time information from the real-time clock 30, and stores these in the memory 22 together with the data.

On the other hand, after the log mode is selected and confirmed, when the select switch 16 is pressed once, the CPU 12 causes the memory 22 to continuously store data at a predetermined sampling time interval. At this time, the CPU 12 adds an identification number and time information from the real-time clock 30 to the data group to be stored, and stores these in the memory 22 together with the data group. It should be noted that it is preferable to give an identification number to each piece of data in the data group, as in the save mode, and it is preferable to give time information to each piece of data.

Here, the predetermined sampling time interval is specified by an external information processing device (for example, a personal computer of desktop type, notebook type, palmtop type, etc.) 50 as a host of the data logger 10,
It can be provided to the CPU 12 via an interface (communication means) built in the data logger 10, for example, the RS-232C port 24, the optical insulation interface 26, the communication interface 28, or the like. When the select switch 16 is pressed again, the CPU 12 ends the log mode.

The save mode and the log mode are, as their subordinate modes, a read mode of the save mode (hereinafter referred to as "read of save").
And read mode of log mode (hereinafter “read log”)
Called). Each time the mode switch 14 is pressed, these modes are displayed on the display unit 20 by the CPU 12 in the order of, for example, save mode, log mode, save read, and log read, and are confirmed by the select switch 16 as described above. it can.

When the save read is confirmed, every time the select switch 16 is pressed, the CPU 12 retrieves the previous data stored in the save mode from the memory 22 and displays it together with the identification number and time information attached to it. It is displayed on the container 20. Conversely, each time the mode switch 14 is pressed, the CPU 12 searches the memory 22 for the next data stored in the save mode and displays it on the display 20 together with the identification number and time information.

When the log read is confirmed, the previous data group stored in the log mode each time the select switch 16 is pressed, and the mode switch 14 is pressed once, similarly to the save read. The data group after the one stored in the log mode is displayed on the display 20 together with the identification number and the time information.

Here, by performing a combined operation with the mode switch 14 and the select switch 16, for example, an operation of simultaneously pressing the two switches 14 and 16 for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), the CPU 12 can identify a new one. Can give a command. For example, it is assumed that the individual data in the data group is also given an identification number. In this case, as a new command, for example, when a data group is displayed on the display device 20 in reading a log, a command for displaying individual data in the displayed data group on the display device 20 is issued. Can be assigned. When the data in the data group is displayed on the display 20,
Similar to the save read, each time the select switch 16 is pressed, the previous data in the data group is displayed, and each time the mode switch 14 is pressed, the next data in the data group is displayed. 20 can be displayed. If time information is also given to each data in the data group, this time information can be displayed together with the data.

The time setting of the real time clock 30 can also be executed by the CPU 12 based on a command from the mode switch 14 and the select switch 16. For example, each time the mode switch 14 is pressed, the save mode, the log mode, the save read, and the time set mode are displayed on the display unit 20 following the log read. Can be confirmed with. For the time setting under the time setting mode, for example, each time the mode switch 14 is pressed, the unit of date and time (year, month,
Day, hour, minute, second, etc.) and select switch 16
With this, it is possible to input a numerical value in each unit (for example, each time the button is pressed, the value is incremented by one).

The data logger 10 preferably outputs an alarm when an abnormal value is detected. Possible modes for the alarm include alarm setting, alarm log, alarm log read, and alarm log print. In these modes, for example, each time the mode switch 14 is pressed once, the CPU 12 causes the save mode, log mode, save read, log read,
Then, the display 20 can be sequentially displayed after the time setting mode, and this can be confirmed by the select switch 16 as described above.

When the alarm setting is confirmed, the select switch 16 is pressed once, for example, to cause the CPU 12 to take the upper limit value setting state as a lower mode of the alarm setting. Enter the upper limit value in this state.
Then, by pressing the select switch 16 once, for example, the CPU 12 is set to the lower limit value setting state, and the lower limit value is input in this state. When the upper limit value and the lower limit value are set and stored in the memory 22, the CP is based on this.
U12 monitors abnormal values. The CPU 12 outputs the HI alarm signal 34 when the monitored value exceeds the upper limit value.
If the lower limit is exceeded, the LOW alarm signal 36
Output each.

When an abnormal value deviating from the range defined by the upper limit value and the lower limit value is detected, an audiovisual alarm device (eg, buzzer, lamp, etc.) 70 may be activated.

Further, for the alarm signals 34 and 36, for example, the optically isolated digital output signal 32 can be used, and the output signal can be operated only when one optically isolated digital input signal is in the ON state. The optically isolated digital signal may be output and input from the information processing device 50.

In the alarm log, the CPU 12 refers to the upper limit value and the lower limit value in the memory 22 set in the alarm mode, and when the upper limit value is exceeded and the lower limit value is exceeded, the data at that time is written. Then, the data identification number is added to the data and stored in the memory 22.

In reading the alarm log, for example, each time the select switch 16 is pressed, the previous alarm data, and each time the mode switch 14 is pressed, the next alarm data is read from the memory 22 to the CPU 12. It is read and displayed on the display 20.

In printing the alarm log, a printer (not shown) is connected to the RS-232C port 24 which is normally used for connection with the information processing apparatus 50. Here, for example, the operation of pressing the select switch 16 once is used as a print start command, and the CPU 12 causes the printer to start printing the alarm log data. When the printing is completed, the CPU 12 puts the data logger 10 in the standby state and waits for the next command.

The data stored in the memory 22, the data group, and the information associated with them are sent to the RS via the CPU 12.
It can be transferred from the 232C port 24 to an external information processing device. This information processing device to be transferred may be the same as the information processing device 50 used as the host, or may be another information processing device. The data transferred to the information processing device is converted into a form that can be displayed on the information processing device by the software designed for the data logger 10 and can be stored in a hard disk, a flexible disk, or another storage medium. To be done.

Each mode is valid in each range 40 designated by the user via the rotary switch 38 arranged on the operation panel of the data logger 10.
That is, the current range 40 designated by the rotary switch 38 is controlled by the gain 42, the AD converter 44, and the CP.
Given to U12. The drive power of the data logger 10 is
It is supplied from the internal power supply 46 and the battery 48, but may be supplied from the external power supply 60.

Although not shown, serial connection means for communicating between the CPU 12 and the information processing device 50 may be provided. This is, for example, R in addition to RS-232C port 24
RS-485 / RS-232 for providing S-485 port or connecting to RS-232C port 24
This can be achieved by providing a C adapter. In this case, it is possible to construct a data logger system in which a plurality of data loggers 10 are multi-drop connected via the serial connection means and a cable and are connected to one host (information processing device) 50. In such a system,
Data processing, data processing, and alarm output can be intensively performed by one information processing device 50 for a plurality of data loggers 10.

The invention is intended to be defined by the claims and is not limited to the particular embodiments described above.

For example, the order and the number of times the mode switch 14 and the select switch 16 are pressed in the above embodiment and the commands assigned to them are merely examples, and are not always necessary when designing the data logger of the present invention. It is not necessary to follow the example given in.

[0045]

As described above, according to the data logger of the present invention, data can be stored and displayed in different modes in the first mode and the second mode, and a single data can be collected. Moreover, since the data measurement time can also be managed, one data logger can be used for multiple purposes such as multipoint measurement and long-term measurement. In this case, since the time information is added to the data, it may be possible to create a graph having a time axis, for example, which facilitates data analysis.

Further, according to the data logger system of the present invention, the data of a plurality of data loggers can be centrally managed by an external information processing device such as a personal computer. No need to reconnect. Therefore, for example, by using general-purpose software, data analysis from a plurality of data loggers can be quickly and easily performed by one information processing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a data logger of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Data logger 12: CPU (control means, alarm output means) 14: Mode switch (command input means) 16: Select switch (command input means) 20: Display (display means) 22: Memory 50: Information processing device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A data logger for storing and displaying data inputted from the outside, and a command input means for giving a command from an operator, and a first command selectively determined by this command input means. Control means for controlling the data logger in the first mode and the second mode, clock means for giving real time to the control means, and under the control of the control means, the data input from the outside is controlled in the first mode. An identification number is added to each data, and the real time given from the clock means is added and stored as individual data. In the second mode, identification is performed for each continuous data group at a predetermined sampling time. A memory for storing a data group with a number and a real time given by the clock means, and the memory stored in the memory under the control of the control means. For the data and data group, in the first mode, individual data designated by the command input means is displayed together with the real time associated therewith, and in the second mode, the data group designated by the command input means. With the real time associated therewith, a command transmitted from an external information processing device to the control means, and the data and data groups stored in the memory from the control means to the external device. A data logger provided with an information processing device or a communication means for transferring to another external information processing device. 2. The data logger according to claim 1, wherein the value of the data input from the outside is compared with a predetermined upper limit value and a lower limit value, and an alarm signal is output when the upper limit value and the lower limit value are deviated. A data logger further comprising an alarm output means. 3. The data logger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the command input means includes two switches, and one of the first mode and the second mode is selected by activating one of the switches. , A data logger whose selected mode is determined by the activation of the other switch. 4. The data logger according to claim 3, wherein commands corresponding to activation of the two switches are assigned different commands before and after the mode is fixed. 5. The data logger according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit has a serial connection unit. 6. A data logger system in which a plurality of data loggers according to claim 5 are connected to one external information processing device via the serial connection means.