JP2007334465A - Radio measurement device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce mean power consumption, and to lengthen the life of an incorporated battery in a radio measurement device to be used for the radio communication of measurement data. <P>SOLUTION: Measurement data relating to the measurement object of an environment atmosphere outside a device main body 9 are measured in a first cycle by a measurement part 13. A transmission/reception part 15 transmits a radio wave on which the measurement data are superimposed to external equipment. A transmission mode changing part 21 performs the low speed transmission control of the measurement data from a transmission/reception part 15 in every second cycle which is longer than the first cycle, and when the measurement data fluctuate, the transmission mode changing part 21 performs the high speed transmission control of the measurement data from the transmission/reception part 15 in every third cycle which is longer than the first cycle, and shorter than the second cycle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless measurement device, and more particularly to a wireless measurement device suitable for use in wireless transmission of measurement data such as temperature, pressure, and humidity.

  When measuring them in a sealed environment where temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. vary widely, it is difficult to pull out the cable from the measurement sensor to the outside. The proposal to use as is made.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a wireless measuring device 3 having a transmitter (not shown) built in the temperature chamber 1 is arranged, and a measuring device 7 is connected to a receiver 5 arranged outside the temperature vessel 1. It is the structure to do.

In such a configuration, for example, the temperature in the temperature chamber 1 is measured by the wireless measurement device 3, the radio wave is transmitted to the outside of the temperature chamber 1 by placing this measurement data on a carrier wave having a predetermined frequency, and the external receiver 5. Thus, the radio wave is received and demodulated and measured and displayed by the measuring device 7. Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-210799) is similar to this.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-210799

  However, in the wireless measuring device 3 as shown in FIG. 4, it is necessary to incorporate a battery. However, generally, a large amount of power is required for transmission of radio waves, making it difficult to use the battery for a long time. There is a drawback that the life of the product tends to be shortened.

  Therefore, as a result of observing and examining the change in various measurement data and the power consumption of the wireless measurement apparatus 3, the present inventor has found that the measurement data is not always in the changed state, and the measurement data is in a stable state with a short timing. The present invention has been completed by paying attention to the point that there is no need to transmit data.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless measurement device capable of suppressing average power consumption and making appropriate measurement data communication with an external device.

  In order to solve such a problem, a wireless measurement apparatus according to the present invention includes a transmission unit that transmits at least radio waves carrying measurement data with an external device, and a measurement related to a measurement object of an environmental atmosphere outside the apparatus main body. Measurement means for measuring data in the first period, and low-speed transmission control of the measurement data from the transmission means for each second period longer than the first period, and when the measurement data fluctuates, Transmission mode changing means for performing high-speed transmission control of the measurement data from the transmission means every third period longer than the second period and shorter than the second period.

  In the present invention, it is also possible to form the transmission mode changing means so as to perform high-speed transmission control when the measurement data changes beyond a predetermined set value.

  Also, in the present invention, the transmission mode changing means is formed so as to control transmission of measurement data up to the second period that arrives after the change to the third period after the change to the high-speed transmission control. Is also possible.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, it is also possible to form the transmission mode changing means so as to perform high-speed transmission control when a preset time arrives.

  In such a wireless measurement apparatus according to the present invention, the measurement data related to the measurement object of the environmental atmosphere outside the apparatus main body is measured at the first period by the measurement means, and the radio wave carrying the measurement data by the transmission means is transmitted to the external device. The transmission mode change means controls the low-speed transmission of the measurement data from the transmission means every second period longer than the first period, and when the measurement data fluctuates, the second longer than the first period. Since the measurement data is controlled to be transmitted at high speed from the transmission means every third period shorter than the above period, the average power consumption can be kept small and appropriate measurement data communication can be performed with an external device.

  When the measurement data changes beyond a predetermined set value, the configuration in which the transmission mode changing unit is configured to perform high-speed transmission control transmits in a short cycle when the change in measurement data is larger than the set value. Therefore, it is possible to reliably reduce the average power consumption and to appropriately communicate the changing measurement data.

  Further, in the configuration in which the transmission mode changing means is formed so as to control the transmission of the measurement data up to the second period that comes after the change to the third period, for example, on the external device side, Even when a processing period is required for reception from the second cycle to the third cycle, the measurement data can be transmitted without omission.

  Further, in the configuration in which the transmission mode changing means is formed so that the high-speed transmission control is performed when a preset time comes, the measurement data can be automatically sent at a high speed when the set time comes.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a wireless measuring apparatus according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the wireless measurement device 9 includes a measurement unit 13, a transmission / reception unit 15, an internal oscillation unit 17, a storage unit 19, and a transmission mode change unit 21 that are connected to a control unit 11 as a control unit. For example, it is arranged and used in the temperature tank 1 of FIG. 4 mentioned above.

  Reference numeral 23 in FIG. 1 denotes a power supply unit (power supply means) such as a built-in battery that supplies power to the control unit 11, the transmission / reception unit 15, the internal oscillation unit 17, the storage unit 19, the transmission mode change unit 21, and other necessary parts. The broken line in FIG. 1 shows the apparatus main body.

  The measurement unit 13 is a sensor that is disposed outside the wireless measurement device (device main body) 9 and measures a measurement target of an environmental atmosphere such as temperature, pressure, or humidity in the temperature bath 1 of FIG. 4 described above, for example. As shown in FIG. 2, measurement data measured at a predetermined short basic temperature measurement interval (fixed), that is, a first period (for example, 100 ms) is digitally converted and output to the control unit 11. The measurement means is formed below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transmission / reception unit 15 receives and demodulates a specific radio wave having a determined frequency (eg, 429 MHz) from an external device (calling station) (not shown) by the antenna ANT and outputs it to the control unit 11. , Which constitutes a main part of a transceiver (called station) that transmits a radio wave modulated with measurement data, which will be described later, to a carrier wave having a frequency matched to the frequency of the received radio wave, to the external device. A transmission / reception means is formed.

  The internal oscillating unit 17 uses, for example, a crystal resonator (not shown) to oscillate a high frequency signal having a reference frequency (for example, 14 MHz) that is a source of a carrier wave of a radio wave emitted from the transmitting / receiving unit 15 and divide the frequency signal. The frequency is multiplied and the above-mentioned 429 MHz high frequency signal for the carrier wave is generated and output to the control unit 11. Under the control of the control unit 11, internal oscillation means is formed.

  The storage unit 19 is a conventionally known memory that can be read and written under the control of the control unit 11, and stores measurement data and other data during operation of the control unit 11 and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission mode changing unit 21 is a measurement timing cycle of measurement data (circle numbers in FIG. 2 are shown in parentheses in the present specification, and FIG. 3 is also the same). The transmission / reception unit 15 is controlled to be transmitted via the control unit 11 so that the measurement data is intermittently transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 15 every second period (for example, 10 s) longer than the first period, and other than when measurement data is transmitted Has a function of controlling the transmission / reception unit 15 so as not to transmit radio waves, and forms transmission mode changing means under the control of the control unit 11. This is the low speed mode.

  Therefore, the measurement data measured every 1st period are transmitted for every 2nd period, and it will be in the state where the measurement data in the meantime were thinned.

  The transmission mode changing unit 21 constantly monitors, for example, the rate of change from the previous and next measurement data, and when the measurement data fluctuates beyond a predetermined set change rate, the transmission mode change unit 21 is longer than the first cycle and longer than the second cycle. 2 has a function of controlling transmission / reception of the transmission / reception unit 15 via the control unit 11 so that the measurement data is intermittently transmitted at high speed from the time point (1) in FIG. 2 every short third period (for example, 1 s). is doing. This is the high speed mode.

  Under the control of the control unit 11, the transmission mode change unit 21 always keeps track of the change rate of the measurement data before and after the measurement data in the comparative calculation period, and from the second cycle (low speed mode) to the third When it is changed to the cycle (high-speed mode), it also has a function of controlling transmission of the measurement data up to the second cycle (time (2) in the figure) that arrives thereafter after changing to the third cycle. Yes.

  The transmission mode changing unit 21 also has a function of changing from the high-speed mode to the low-speed mode again when the change rate of the measurement data is lower than the set change rate, for example, at time (3) in FIG. .

  In addition to the above-described control and transmission / reception operation control of the transmission / reception unit 15, the control unit 11 temporarily stores measurement data from the measurement unit 13 in the storage unit 19 and transmits / receives an oscillation high-frequency signal from the internal oscillation unit 17. 15 has a function to output to 15.

  The control unit 11 has a function of controlling transmission of the low-speed mode and high-speed mode change information to the external device via the transmission / reception unit 15 together with the transmission mode change unit 21.

  In such a wireless measurement apparatus according to the present invention, a measurement unit (measuring means) 13 that measures measurement data related to a measurement target of the environmental atmosphere outside the apparatus main body 9 in a first period, and a radio wave carrying the measurement data. A transmitter / receiver 15 for transmitting and receiving radio waves from the external device, and low-speed transmission control of measurement data from the transmitter / receiver 15 for each second period longer than the first period. When the measurement data fluctuates, the transmission mode changing unit (transmission mode changing means) 21 controls the high-speed transmission of the measurement data from the transmission / reception unit 15 every third period longer than the first period and shorter than the second period. It is equipped with.

  Moreover, the transmission mode changing unit 21 is configured to perform high-speed transmission control when the measurement data changes exceeding a predetermined change rate.

  Therefore, since the apparatus main body 9 automatically transmits measurement data intermittently in the second and third cycles, radio waves are not always transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 15, and the average power consumption can be kept small. The power source unit 23 such as a built-in battery can be used for a long time, and its life can be extended.

  In addition, since the measurement data is transmitted to the external device at a predetermined cycle, the measurement data can be communicated in real time.

  If it is not very important to transmit changes in measurement data in real time, when transmitting measurement data intermittently in the second period, a plurality of measurement data during the period must be transmitted at once. Is also possible.

  Furthermore, since the transmission mode changing unit 21 controls transmission after changing the measurement data to the third period after the change to the third period, the apparatus main unit 9 and the above-mentioned In a wireless measurement system that transmits and receives timing (synchronization) with an external device, even if the device main body 9 changes from the second cycle to the third cycle, a slight change processing period occurs on the external device side. Therefore, even when measurement data is required, it is possible to transmit measurement data without leaking, and appropriate measurement data communication is possible from this point.

  In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the change from the low speed mode to the high speed mode is performed when the rate of change of the measurement data before and after the change exceeds a predetermined set value. It may be an absolute value or the like, and the object of the present invention can be achieved if the measurement data changes beyond a predetermined set value.

  In addition, the transmission / reception unit 15 in the present invention can achieve the object of the present invention without necessarily having a reception function, and may be any transmission means having at least a transmission function.

  By the way, the wireless measurement device of the present invention is not limited to a configuration that changes between the low-speed mode and the high-speed mode when the change rate of measurement data changes beyond a predetermined set value.

  In other words, in the present invention, it is also possible to form the transmission mode changing unit 21 described above so as to change between the low speed mode and the high speed mode when a preset time arrives.

  For example, the transmission mode changing unit 21 has a timer function, performs a first count with a timer for a predetermined period from the time of starting the apparatus, and when a preset count time arrives and counts up, as shown in FIG. Thus, the second count is performed from the time point (1) to the time point (2) in the figure, and the measurement data is transmitted / received via the control unit 11 so as to be intermittently transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 15 in the high-speed mode. It is the structure which carries out transmission control of the part 15, and what is necessary is just to form the control part 11, the transmission mode change part 21, etc. according to this.

  Such a configuration is useful when, for example, the time or period during which temperature fluctuation occurs is known, and the above-described effects can be obtained sequentially.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the wireless measurement device transmits based on the received radio wave from the external device. However, the wireless measurement device 9 of the present invention can be used as the external device.

It is a block diagram which shows the radio | wireless measurement apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the radio | wireless measuring apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the radio | wireless measuring apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline of use of the conventional radio | wireless measuring apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Temperature bath 3, 9 Wireless measuring device (device main body)
5 Receiver 7 Measuring device 11 Control unit (control means)
13 Measuring unit (measuring means)
15 Transmission / reception unit (transmission / reception means, transmission means)
17 Internal oscillator (internal oscillation means)
19 memory | storage part 21 transmission mode change part (transmission mode change means)
23 Power supply (power supply means)
ANT antenna

Claims (4)

Transmitting means for transmitting at least radio waves carrying measurement data with an external device;
Measuring means for measuring measurement data related to a measurement object of an environmental atmosphere outside the apparatus main body at a first period;
The measurement data is controlled to be transmitted at low speed every second period longer than the first period, and when the measurement data fluctuates, the measurement data is longer than the first period and shorter than the second period. Transmission mode changing means for performing high-speed transmission control of the measurement data from the transmission means every three periods;
A wireless measurement device comprising: The radio measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission mode changing unit performs the high-speed transmission control when the measurement data changes exceeding a predetermined set value. The radio measurement apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission mode changing unit performs transmission control after changing to the high-speed transmission control after changing to the third cycle and then changing to the high-speed transmission control. The radio measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission mode changing unit performs the high-speed transmission control when a preset time arrives.

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