JP2007114210A - Measuring unit and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record measuring data in a measuring unit which measures variation of physical quantities, such as temperature, and to find a measuring time of day of each measuring datum, after being transferred to a management device without recording the time information. <P>SOLUTION: When transmitting the measuring data recorded on a memory by a transfer request from the management device, an elapsed time τ2 from the last measuring data S(2) to a communication time of day t15 is transferred together to the management device. The management device can find the measuring time of day of each measuring datum by the time elapsed τ2 and an interval τ0, by grasping the communication time of day using RTC or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a measurement unit capable of measuring physical quantities such as temperature and humidity, and a control method thereof.

  Measure physical quantities such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, and air volume using measurement units equipped with appropriate sensors in a wide variety of fields such as production, sales, logistics, and inventory management, and regularly manage the results on personal computers. A system has been developed that leads to the equipment and monitors the environment in each area intensively.

  In such a measurement system, the physical quantity of a predetermined place, for example, the temperature and the date and time when the measurement was made, are recorded by a sensor, so that the temperature change can be displayed in a graph or when the temperature fluctuates. It can be used for various purposes such as investigating the cause from the date and time. Therefore, it is important to acquire and record at least the measurement time together with the measurement data.

  In order to record the measurement time when data is measured, it is necessary to incorporate a clock function such as a real-time clock (RTC) system. Although it is possible to mount a clock function on a measurement unit installed at each measurement location, it becomes a factor that increases the manufacturing cost, and becomes a factor that increases the size of the measurement unit and increases power consumption. Furthermore, when measuring using a plurality of measurement units, it is necessary to periodically adjust the time of the clock function mounted on these measurement units, which makes the measurement system complicated and expensive. In addition, since the opportunity to communicate with the measurement unit increases, there is a problem that the power consumption in the measurement unit increases. If a highly accurate clock system is adopted, the frequency of time adjustment can be reduced, but the manufacturing cost becomes higher and it becomes difficult to provide a measurement system that can be easily used by anyone.

  On the other hand, if the clock function is removed from the measurement unit, the time data when the measurement data is acquired cannot be obtained, and the reservation function is set so that the measurement is automatically started when the measurement start time is set. Can not be provided, and the usability of the measurement unit is deteriorated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a measurement unit that can omit the clock function and a control method thereof.

  One aspect of the present invention is a measurement unit capable of sequentially recording measurement data measured at regular time intervals in a recording unit, a communication unit capable of transferring a plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording unit, and a recording A measurement unit having a counter capable of measuring a first elapsed time from measurement of the last measurement data among measurement data sequentially recorded on the means until communication is performed by the communication means. The communication means of this measurement unit can transfer the first elapsed time measured by the counter together with a plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording means. In the measurement system having this measurement unit, the measurement time of the final measurement data can be obtained by the communication time and the elapsed time, and other measurement data is sampled at regular time intervals. Therefore, the measurement time of those measurement data can be obtained. Therefore, even when the measurement data obtained from the measurement unit is not accompanied by the measurement time, the reception side can specify and use the measurement time of the measurement data. For this reason, it is possible to omit the timekeeping function from the measurement unit.

  Another aspect of the present invention includes a measurement unit capable of sequentially recording measurement data measured at regular time intervals and a measurement management device capable of receiving a plurality of measurement data transferred from the measurement unit. A measuring system. The measurement unit includes a recording means for recording the measurement data in order, a communication means capable of transferring a plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording means, and the last of the measurement data recorded in order in the recording means. And a counter capable of measuring a first elapsed time from when the measurement data is measured until communication is performed by the communication means. The communication means is measured by the counter together with a plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording means. The first elapsed time can be transferred. The measurement management device includes a communication unit capable of receiving a plurality of measurement data and a first elapsed time from a measurement unit, a time measuring unit capable of acquiring a communication time at which communication is performed, a communication time, an elapsed time, and a measurement time. Means for determining a measurement time of each received measurement data based on the interval.

  In this measurement management device, it is possible to obtain the measurement time of each measurement data. In addition, a communication process for receiving a plurality of measurement data transferred from a measurement unit capable of sequentially recording measurement data measured at regular time intervals, and a timing process for acquiring a communication time, , It is possible to receive the elapsed time from the measurement of the final measurement data together with a plurality of measurement data until the communication is performed, and further, based on the communication time, the elapsed time and the measurement time interval, By using a measurement management method having a process for obtaining a measurement time, it is possible to specify measurement times of a plurality of measurement data obtained in the communication process. Therefore, in the system including the measurement unit and the measurement management device, various processes such as display of the measurement result or analysis of the measurement result can be executed using each measurement time and measurement data.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a measurement unit. The measurement unit includes a recording unit capable of recording measurement data, a communication unit capable of transferring a plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording unit, a counter capable of measuring time, and a control unit for controlling the measurement unit And have. The control method includes a recording step in which the control unit acquires measurement data measured at regular time intervals and sequentially records the measurement data in the recording unit, and a communication unit includes a plurality of recording units recorded in the recording unit. And a communication step of transferring measurement data. The counter measures the first elapsed time from the measurement of the last measurement data recorded in order in the recording means to the time when communication is performed by the communication means. In the communication process, The communication means transfers the first elapsed time measured by the counter together with the plurality of measurement data.

  There is no need to provide a clock device for measuring time on the measurement unit side, and the measurement management side to which the measurement data is transferred can specify the measurement time of each measurement data. For this reason, it becomes possible to simplify the configuration of the measurement unit, and the measurement unit side does not have to have time information for each measurement data, so that the substantial storage capacity is greatly improved. Can do. For this reason, a small-sized measuring unit with a large storage capacity can be realized. Furthermore, since troublesome procedures such as time adjustment of individual measurement units are not required, management and maintenance of the measurement units are facilitated, and a program for managing the measurement units is also simplified.

  When the recording means becomes full, the measuring means can overwrite the recorded measurement data in order and continue the measurement and recording.

  The communication means can receive a measurement start command, and the measurement start command includes a measurement start date and time and a waiting time from the communication to the measurement start date and time, and further performs measurement based on the measurement start command. It is preferable to have control means that can be started. The counter can measure the second elapsed time from when the measurement start command is received, and the control means starts the measurement when the second elapsed time measured by the counter has passed the waiting time. Is preferred. In this measurement unit, measurement can be automatically started at a predetermined measurement start date and time without having a clock function.

  The measurement start command further includes a measurement time interval, the control means records the measurement start date and time and the measurement time interval in the recording means, and the communication means starts measurement together with a plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording means. It is preferable to transfer the date and time interval of measurement. The measurement management device can specify the measurement time of each measurement data based on the measurement start date and time.

  The communication means can receive a measurement start command, the measurement start command includes a measurement time interval, and further includes a control means capable of starting measurement based on the measurement start command. It is preferable that the time interval is recorded in the recording means, and the communication means transfers the measurement time interval together with the plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording means.

  A recording process capable of sequentially recording measurement data measured at regular time intervals, a first communication process for receiving a measurement start command before the recording process, and a measurement based on the measurement start command The measurement start command includes a waiting time from the communication to the measurement start date and time, and the measurement start process indicates that the waiting time elapses after receiving the measurement start command. By adopting a method characterized by comprising a waiting step, it is possible to provide a measuring apparatus and a measuring method that automatically start at a predetermined measurement start date and time without using a clock function or a time monitoring step. . In addition, it has a second communication step of transferring a plurality of recorded measurement data, and in this second communication step, the measurement start date and time included in the measurement start command is transferred together with the plurality of measurement data. By adopting the measurement method, it is possible to provide a measurement unit and a measurement method that can specify the measurement time of each measurement data on the management device side without recording the clock function or the time when measuring each measurement data. .

  Communication means that can send measurement start commands to measurement units that can record measurement data measured at regular time intervals in order, and time measurement means that can acquire the communication time when measurement start commands are communicated The communication means is capable of transmitting a measurement start command including a waiting time from the communication time to the measurement start date and time. You can control to start the measurement. The communication means is capable of receiving a plurality of measurement data and measurement start date / time transferred from the measurement unit, and means for obtaining the measurement time of each received measurement data based on the measurement start time and the measurement time interval. By providing, the measurement management device side can specify the measurement time of each measurement data even if the data of the measurement time for each measurement data is not transferred.

  That is, it is possible to obtain the first communication step for transmitting the measurement start command to the measurement unit capable of sequentially recording the measurement data measured at regular time intervals and the communication time when the measurement start command is communicated. A clock function by using a measurement management method characterized by being capable of transmitting a measurement start command including a waiting time from the communication time to the measurement start date and time in the first communication step. It is possible to send a command to start automatic measurement to a measurement unit that does not have A second communication step of receiving a plurality of measurement data and measurement start date and time transferred from the measurement unit; and a step of calculating a measurement time of each received measurement data based on the measurement start time and the measurement time interval Thus, even if the measurement time of the data is not transferred for each measurement data, the measurement time can be obtained on the measurement management side.

  The above-described method can be provided as software (application software) that can be executed by an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. The program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, or a CD-ROM that can be read by the processing device. It is also possible to supply the software (program) via a computer network such as the Internet.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a temperature measurement system 1 according to the present invention. The measurement system of this example is configured around a personal computer 2 that is a measurement management device 30, and the personal computer 2 and a plurality of measurement units 10 are connected by a transmission line 9. The plurality of measurement units 10 can of course be connected by other methods such as a network form using a bus instead of being individually connected by the transmission line 9 as in this example. The personal computer 2 which is a management apparatus may have a usual system configuration using the main body 3, the display 4, the keyboard 5, and the like. The main body 3 is provided with a fixed hard disk device 7 and a replaceable floppy (registered trademark) disk device 6 so that it can be used as a storage device for data and programs.

  A measurement unit 10 installed in an individual measurement area (site) away from the personal computer 2 includes a main body 11 and a sensor cable 13 having a temperature sensor 12 connected to the tip. The sensor cable 13 is connected to the main body 11. It can be connected to measure ambient temperature. The main body 11 is provided with a display LCD 14 and a switch 15 for manual operation. Further, a connector 16 for connecting the transmission line 9 is provided on the side surface of the main body 11 so that it can communicate with the personal computer 2 at an appropriate timing.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the measurement unit 10 using a block diagram. The measurement unit 10 of this example measures the temperature at a predetermined interval using the temperature sensor 12 and records the measured temperature data (measurement data) in order in the measurement unit 21 that can be recorded in a memory 22 such as a RAM. In addition, other data, for example, a recording unit (memory) 22 capable of recording setting values such as the measurement start date and time and measurement interval, and the measurement data in the memory 22 are transmitted to the personal computer 2. And a communication unit 23 capable of receiving the measurement start command and the like. Furthermore, the measurement unit 10 of this example includes a counter 24 that measures intervals in seconds or minutes. Further, a control unit 25 for controlling each of these functional units is provided. For example, an instruction to measure data is issued to the measurement unit 21 based on the counter 24, and when a transfer request is received from the personal computer 2, the memory 22 is provided. All controls such as instructing the start of transfer of accumulated measurement data are performed. In addition, the measurement unit 10 of the present example is configured such that each unit 10 operates independently by a battery 29 built in the main body 11, and the temperature change in the region can be performed only by installing the measurement unit 10. Can be measured and recorded.

  The measurement unit 10 of this example uses the communication unit 23 to measure the time (waiting time) from the time when communication is performed to the measurement start date and time in addition to the measurement start date and time and the interval τ0 that is the time interval for performing measurement. A measurement start command including τ1 can be received. Therefore, in the measurement unit 10, the elapsed time (second elapsed time) from when the control unit 25 receives the measurement command is measured using the counter 24, and the measurement is started when the waiting time τ1 has elapsed. Thus, the measurement can be started at a predetermined measurement start date and time sent by the measurement start command.

  In addition, when transferring a plurality of measurement data stored in the memory 22, the measurement unit 10 of this example adds to the measurement start date and time t2 and the interval τ0, and from when the measurement data is last measured to when communication is performed. The elapsed time (first elapsed time) τ2 can be transmitted together.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the measurement management device 30 realized by using the personal computer 2. The measurement management device 30 of this example includes a communication unit 31 for performing communication with the measurement unit 10, a recording unit 32 capable of storing measurement data received from the measurement unit 10, and the communication unit 31 and the recording unit 32. The control part 33 which performs control of this is provided. The display unit 4 and the keyboard 5 are connected to the control unit 33, through which the measurement data obtained from the measurement unit 10 can be displayed, the measurement start instruction, and the measurement data can be analyzed. Yes. Furthermore, the measurement management device 30 of this example is provided with a real-time clock (RTC) 34 that continuously counts the date and time, and the time when the communication with each measurement unit 10 is started, etc. It can be acquired with high accuracy.

  Two methods for automatically measuring the temperature using the temperature measurement system 1 of this example will be described using the sampling timing chart shown in FIG. The first measurement method is a method called “one time”. The temperature is measured at a constant interval τ 0 and the measured measurement data is sequentially recorded in the memory 22 until the memory 22 becomes full. This is a method of stopping the measurement when the measurement is repeated. In this one-time mode, when the measurement unit 10 receives a start command from the management apparatus 30 at time t1, recording starts from time t2 after waiting for the waiting time τ1 included in the start command. Therefore, since the waiting time τ1 is the time from the time when communication is performed to the measurement start date and time, when the measurement is started after the waiting time τ1 has elapsed, the measurement start date and time sent by the start command are actually Measurement can be started. Thereafter, the measurement is repeated every interval τ0, and the measurement data is recorded. When the last measurement data S (n) that can be recorded at time t12 is measured and recorded, the measurement is stopped, and when a transfer request is received from the management device 30 at time t15, a series of measurement data S ( 1) to S (n) are transferred to the management apparatus 30. At that time, by simultaneously transferring the measurement start date and time t2 and the interval τ0, the measurement time of each measurement data S (n) can be calculated and obtained on the management device 30 side. Of course, it is also possible to issue a transfer request to the measurement unit 10 at an arbitrary time before the last measurement data S (n) is measured. In this case, the measurement is performed halfway from the first measurement data S (1). The data up to the data S (i) is transmitted, and then the measurement is continued until the capacity of the memory 22 is full.

  The other measurement method is called “endless”, and measures the temperature at a constant interval τ0 and records the measured data in the memory 22 in order. When the memory 22 becomes full, it is recorded first. This is a method of continuing measurement and recording by overwriting the measured data. In the endless mode, measurement is performed at intervals τ0 set from time t2 and the data is recorded. When the nth measurement data S (n) that can be recorded in the memory 22 is recorded at time t12, the measurement data obtained at time t13, which is the next sampling timing, is the first measurement data S (1 ) Is recorded. As described above, in the endless manner, when the measurement is continuously repeated and the memory 22 becomes full, the n measurement data measured most recently are recorded. Then, when a transfer request is sent from the management device 30 at time t15, communication is performed from a plurality of measurement data recorded in the memory 22, the last measurement data, or measurement data S (2) in the example shown in FIG. The information of the elapsed time τ2 up to the time t15 at which the operation is performed is transferred to the management device 30. Therefore, the management device 30 can obtain the time when each measurement data is obtained by the elapsed time τ2 and the interval τ0 by accurately grasping the time t15 that is the transfer time. In the endless mode, even after the accumulated data is transferred, the next measurement is performed and the data is recorded in the memory 22 at time t16 when a predetermined interval has elapsed. When the next transfer request is received from the management device 30 at an appropriate timing, the measurement data accumulated up to that time and the elapsed time τ2 are transmitted. If the transfer request is obtained before overwriting the untransferred data stored in the memory 22, it is possible to obtain continuous measurement data without omission on the management device 30 side at an appropriate timing, such as temperature. The environmental conditions can be continuously measured and managed.

  Thus, in the measurement unit 10 of this example, only temperature data is recorded in the memory 22 during recording, and the time when the data is measured is not recorded. Therefore, the capacity of the memory 22 can be almost used only for storing measurement data, and a very large amount of measurement data can be stored in a small memory. Moreover, when transferring data from the measurement unit 10 to the management device 30, it is only necessary to provide temperature data measured and stored in the memory 22 in order and the elapsed time τ2, and transfer time can be reduced. Processing time can be shortened. Accordingly, since the communication time is shortened, consumption of the battery 29 can be suppressed. Among the above measurement methods, even in the one-time mode, it is possible to obtain the measurement time of individual measurement data on the management device 30 side by transmitting the elapsed time τ2. Further, when the measurement start time and the interval instructed to each measurement unit 10 are not stored on the management device 30 side, the information is transferred to the management device 30 together with the measurement data from the measurement unit 10 side. The measurement time can be obtained using the measurement start time and the interval τ0. In addition, even when these pieces of information are managed on the measurement management device 30 side, the measurement start time and the interval τ0 are measured data in order to confirm the consistency with the measurement unit 10 and improve the certainty of the information. Acquiring with is important.

  Furthermore, the measurement unit 10 of this example can also start measurement manually. When measuring manually, the total amount of measurement data is generally small, and the elapsed time from the start of measurement (start time t2) to the transfer time t15 is not so long. Therefore, when the previous elapsed time of measurement is short, the same applies to automatic measurement as well as manual measurement, but the measurement data is transferred by counting the elapsed time τ3 from the measurement start time t2 to the transfer time t15. Sometimes, it can be sent to the host side, and the measurement time of each data can be obtained based on the elapsed time τ3 on the host side. Of course, it is also possible to obtain the measurement time of each data using the elapsed time τ2 after the last measurement data is measured. In this way, by measuring the elapsed time from the measurement of specific data that can be commonly identified on the measurement unit side and the host side and sending it at the time of data transfer, the measurement time of each data is measured on the measurement unit side. The measurement time of each data can be obtained on the host side even without measuring or recording with. And as specific data, the data measured last or first is easy to identify. The elapsed time τ2 from the time when the last data is measured is appropriately short and the error is not easily generated. For this reason, it is excellent for analyzing data measured over a long time and then transferred.

  5 to 8 show an outline of processing in the measurement unit 10 and the measurement management apparatus 30 described above using flowcharts. FIG. 5 shows a schematic procedure for making a reservation start for each measurement unit 10 from the measurement management device 30. Of course, each measurement unit 10 can perform local control using the switch 15 and can also start immediately.

  When a reservation start is performed using the management apparatus 30, first, in step ST11, a measurement start date and time (time t2 shown in FIG. 4) and a measurement interval τ0 are input. In addition, if necessary, a name or identification information that can be assigned to each measurement unit 10 can be input. Next, communication with the measurement unit 10 is started using the communication unit 31 in step ST12, and a start command including the interval τ0 is transmitted in step ST13. In addition to the measurement start date and time, this start command includes a waiting time τ1 from the time when the communication obtained using the RTC 34 having a clock function is performed to the measurement start date and time. The measurement unit 10 can measure from the measurement start date and time only by grasping that the waiting time τ1 has elapsed by a method such as counting down the waiting time τ1 using the counter 24. The start point of the waiting time τ1 may be any timing as long as communication is started, or the timing at which both the management apparatus 30 and the measurement unit 10 can be synchronized thereafter. Further, since the measurement unit 10 starts the measurement based on the waiting time τ1, the measurement start date / time information itself is unnecessary, and if the measurement management device 30 can manage the information reliably, the measurement unit 10 does not necessarily have to. You do not have to send it. However, it is important as identification information when collecting measurement data, and is also important in that the subsequent measurement time can be calculated by the management device 30 based on the measurement start date and time. It is desirable to keep it.

  FIG. 6 shows a process in which the measurement unit 10 performs measurement in the one-time mode. First, when a start command including information such as the measurement start date and time, the interval τ0, the waiting time τ1, and the like is acquired from the management device 30 via the communication unit 23 in step ST21, the control unit 25 determines, for example, a 1 second pitch in step ST22. The waiting time τ1 is measured by using the counter 24 that can be counted in step (1). Next, in step ST23, it is confirmed whether or not the memory 22 is full. If the memory 22 is free, measurement is performed at intervals τ0 in step ST24, and the measurement data is sequentially stored in the memory 22. In parallel with these measurement operations, or before and after, as shown in step ST25, it is confirmed whether or not there is a data transfer request from the management device 30 as the host. Alternatively, the transfer request shown in step ST25 can be executed as an interrupt process for the control unit 25 realized using a CPU or the like. If there is a transfer request in step ST25, the transfer request is stored in the memory 22 in step ST26. The plurality of measured data, the interval τ0, and the measurement start date and time are transferred.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST23 that the memory 22 is full, the measurement in step ST24 is not performed, or even if the measurement is performed, the measurement data is not recorded in the memory 22 and the state of the memory 22 is maintained. Is done. When there is a transfer request, the measurement data stored in the memory 22 is transferred to the management apparatus 30 together with other information as described above.

  FIG. 7 shows a process in which the measurement unit 10 performs measurement in the endless mode. First, in step ST31, measurement is performed at an interval τ0 obtained from the management device 30 via the communication unit 23, and the measurement data is recorded in the memory 22. If there is a transfer request from the management apparatus 30 as shown in step ST32 during the measurement process, the communication unit 23 is used to communicate with the management apparatus 30 in step ST33, and the measurement data stored in the memory 22 and the interval The elapsed time τ 2 from when τ 0 and the final measurement data are measured until when communication is performed is transferred to the management device 30. The base point (communication time) of the elapsed time τ2 may be at the start of communication, or can be set to an appropriate timing at which both the management device 30 and the measurement unit 10 can be synchronized during communication. The elapsed time τ2 is not limited to endless, but may be transferred when the measurement data is transferred during the above-mentioned one time. By using this elapsed time τ2, the measurement time of each measurement data is obtained. Can do. In particular, when measuring in endless mode, there is a possibility that a long time has passed since the measurement start date and time when the measurement was first started. In such a case, the individual measurement time was obtained from the measurement start date and time. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the error becomes large. On the other hand, if the elapsed time τ2 is used, a measurement time with almost no error can be obtained based on the time obtained using the clock function of the management device 30.

  FIG. 8 shows a process in which the measurement management apparatus 30 as a host receives measurement data from the measurement unit 10 and obtains the measurement time of each measurement data. First, in step ST41, the communication unit 31 is used to issue a transfer request to the processing measurement unit 10 for communication, and the measurement data recorded in the measurement unit 10 is received. And communication time is acquired using RTC34 by step ST42. This communication time is a time used together with the elapsed time τ2, and as described above, it is desirable to measure at an appropriate timing that can be synchronized with the measurement unit 10. Next, in step ST43, it is confirmed whether or not the measurement start date and time acquired from the measurement unit 10 is valid. For example, in the one-time mode, the measurement start date and time is almost effective, and in step ST44, the measurement time of each measurement data can be obtained using the measurement start date and time τ0. On the other hand, in the case of the endless mode, as described above, the measurement start time is not included, or it is often not available after a long period of time. Therefore, in step ST45, the communication time (time t15 in FIG. 4). And the time of the measurement data measured last can be obtained from the elapsed time τ2, and the measurement time of each measurement data can be obtained using the interval τ0.

  The processing shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 can be provided as a program that can be executed by a measurement unit or a personal computer. In particular, the processing related to the measurement management apparatus 30 is read by a personal computer as an application program of the personal computer. It can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk 6 or a CD-ROM. It can also be provided via a computer network such as the Internet.

  In the measurement system 1 using the measurement unit 10 and the measurement management device 30 (the personal computer 2) of this example, each measurement is performed by recording only the measurement data in the memory on the measurement unit 10 side and transferring it to the management device 30. The measurement time of data can be obtained on the management device 30 side. Furthermore, if the measurement start time is designated on the management device 30 side, the measurement can be started at a predetermined start time without looking at the start time on the measurement unit 10 side. Therefore, each measuring unit 10 does not need a time measuring function (clock function) for measuring time, and the configuration can be simplified and time-consuming processing such as time adjustment can be omitted. Furthermore, since the measurement unit 10 does not have to record time information regarding individual measurements, the memory capacity can be fully utilized for recording measurement data, and the measurement unit is small and has a large storage capacity for measurement data. Can provide. In addition, a clock function is unnecessary, and it is not necessary to transmit time information relating to individual measurement data even during transfer, so the communication load is reduced and battery consumption can be greatly suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a measurement unit that has a long measurement life and can measure and record data continuously over a long period of time.

  Moreover, in the measurement system of this example, since the time of each measurement data measured by each measurement unit can be obtained on the management device 30 side, the data of the plurality of measurement units 10 is obtained with high accuracy of the management device 30. Centralized management is possible with the time of the clock function (RTC unit). Therefore, there is no time lag in each measurement unit, and extremely reliable time information can be obtained for each measurement data. Therefore, the measurement system of this example can be used for various purposes, such as managing indoor conditions and conditions in the warehouse using these measurement data and time information, or looking for the cause by monitoring changes in environmental conditions. Can be used.

  In this example, the temperature is described as an example of the measurement target. However, it is needless to say that the present invention of the measurement system for various physical quantities such as humidity, vibration, and noise can be applied. is there.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the measurement unit and method for sampling physical quantities such as temperature in the field do not need to record time information, while measurement data that does not have time information individually from the measurement unit. The received measurement management apparatus can obtain the measurement time of each measurement data and use it for display or analysis of the measurement data. Further, even if the time cannot be measured on the measurement unit side, the measurement can be started from a predetermined time. Therefore, the clock function can be omitted from the measurement unit, and since it is not necessary to record time information, a small-sized measurement data recording capacity and a low power consumption measurement unit and a measurement system using the same are provided. can do.

  In addition, the measurement time of individual measurement data can be obtained according to the time of a management device such as a personal computer without adjusting the time in each measurement unit, so that anyone can easily build a measurement system that can be used easily and has a reservation function. Since it can be used, an easy-to-use measurement system can be provided.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a temperature measurement system to which the present invention is applied. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the measurement unit shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the measurement management apparatus shown in FIG. The timing chart which shows the example of the measuring method using the temperature measuring system shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the process which starts temperature measurement automatically. The flowchart which shows the process which measures temperature in one time mode. The flowchart which shows the process which measures temperature by endless mode. The flowchart which shows the process which transfers measurement data and calculates | requires measurement time.

Explanation of symbols

1 Measurement System 2 Personal Computer 9 Transmission Line 10 Measurement Unit 12 Sensor 13 Sensor Cable 21 Measurement Unit 22 Recording Unit (Memory)
23 Communication Unit 24 Counter 25 Control Unit 29 Battery 30 Measurement Management Device (Management Device)
31 Communication Unit 32 Recording Unit 33 Control Unit 34 Timekeeping Unit (Real Time Clock)

Claims (7)

Measurement means capable of sequentially recording measurement data measured at regular time intervals in the recording means;
Communication means capable of transferring a plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording means;
A counter capable of measuring a first elapsed time from the measurement of the last measurement data recorded in order in the recording means until communication is performed by the communication means;
The communication unit is capable of transferring the first elapsed time measured by the counter together with the plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording unit.   2. The measurement unit according to claim 1, wherein when the recording unit becomes full, the measurement unit continues measurement and recording by sequentially overwriting the recorded measurement data. In claim 1, the communication means is capable of receiving a measurement start command, the measurement start command includes a measurement start date and time, and a waiting time from communication to the measurement start date and time,
Furthermore, it has a control means capable of starting measurement based on the measurement start command,
The counter is capable of measuring a second elapsed time from when the measurement start command is received,
The control means is a measurement unit that starts measurement when the second elapsed time measured by the counter has passed the waiting time. The measurement start command according to claim 3, further comprising a measurement time interval,
The control means records the measurement start date and time and the measurement time interval in the recording means,
The communication unit transfers the measurement start date and time and the measurement time interval together with the plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording unit. In Claim 1, the said communication means can receive a measurement start command, The said measurement start command contains the time interval of measurement,
Furthermore, it has a control means capable of starting measurement based on the measurement start command,
The control means records the time interval of the measurement in the recording means,
The communication unit transfers the measurement time interval together with the plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording unit. A measurement unit capable of sequentially recording measurement data measured at regular time intervals;
A measurement management device having a measurement management device capable of receiving a plurality of measurement data transferred from the measurement unit,
The measurement unit includes recording means for sequentially recording the measurement data;
Communication means capable of transferring a plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording means;
A counter capable of measuring a first elapsed time from measurement of the last measurement data among measurement data sequentially recorded in the recording means until communication is performed by the communication means,
The communication means can transfer the first elapsed time measured by the counter together with the plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording means,
The measurement management device includes a communication unit capable of receiving the plurality of measurement data and the first elapsed time from the measurement unit;
A time measuring means capable of acquiring a communication time when communication is performed;
And a means for obtaining a measurement time of each received measurement data based on the communication time, elapsed time, and measurement time interval. A method for controlling a measuring unit,
The measurement unit includes a recording unit capable of recording measurement data, a communication unit capable of transferring a plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording unit, a counter capable of measuring time, and a control unit for controlling the measurement unit. A control unit,
In the control method, the control unit acquires measurement data measured at regular time intervals, and records the measurement data in the recording unit in order.
The communication means includes a communication step of transferring a plurality of measurement data recorded in the recording means;
The counter measures a first elapsed time from measurement of the last measurement data among measurement data sequentially recorded in the recording means until communication is performed by the communication means,
In the communication step, the communication means transfers the first elapsed time measured by the counter together with the plurality of measurement data.

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