JP2008256510A - Data collector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To install a data collector at an outdoor location in a convenient manner. <P>SOLUTION: The data collector 3 comprises: a leg 30b buried in the ground, and stationarily raised; and a main housing 30a separably coupled to the leg 30b, and supported by the leg. In this case, the leg 30b includes a column 30d provided with a plurality of sharp needle protrusions 30e at a buried tip. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data collection device, and more particularly to a data collection device that collects outdoor environmental information.

With the recent introduction of IT, information communication technology using an electric communication line such as the Internet is utilized in various fields. For example, a data collection device that collects information on the surrounding environment is installed at a remote location, and the information from this data collection device is aggregated via a telecommunication line for centralized management or collected by the data collection device. It is possible to browse the information at home. For example, such a data collection device is installed on a farmland (farm), and collects various information such as environmental information such as temperature, humidity, and amount of solar radiation, crop growth information, and work information such as agricultural chemical application. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2006-42721 A Design Registration No. 1255590

  However, since the data collection device is installed and used outdoors such as farmland, if it is not firmly fixed in the ground, it will fall over due to wind and rain, etc., and malfunction of electronic equipment etc. housed inside the main body housing There is also a risk of causing it.

  For example, it is conceivable to install the data collection device using a large machine or the like, but this method is not preferable because the installation process becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to install a data collection device outdoors by a simple technique.

  In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a data collection device that collects outdoor environmental information. The data collection device includes a leg portion embedded in the ground and standing upright, and a main body housing that is detachably connected to the leg portion and supported by the leg portion. In this case, the leg portion is constituted by a columnar column portion in which a plurality of needle-like sharp convex portions are provided at the tip portion on the embedded side.

  In the present invention, the leg portion is formed by bundling a plurality of column portions.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the leg portion further includes an anchor portion configured to be freely opened and closed on a side surface portion of the column portion, and the anchor portion is opened after the leg portion is embedded in the ground. To fix the legs in the ground.

  According to the present invention, the leg portions can be firmly fixed by embedding the leg portions in the ground and the plurality of sharp convex portions each biting into the soil in the ground. Therefore, by connecting the main body housing to the leg portion, the data collection device can be firmly fixed, and a situation such as a fall can be suppressed.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a crop cultivation support system 1 to which a data collection device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. A crop cultivation support system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a farmer computer (hereinafter referred to as “farmer PC”) 2 provided on the farmer's worker side, a data collection device (field server) 3 provided on the farmland, and tabulation. -It is mainly composed of the server 4 provided on the analyzer side. In this crop cultivation support system 1, the farmer PC 2, the data collection device 3, and the server 4 are configured to be able to communicate information with each other via an electric communication line 5 such as the Internet.

  The farmer-side PC 2 is configured by a general-purpose information processing device such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). This farmer-side PC 2 browses or downloads various information (specifically, collected data) held by the data collection device 3 or the server 4 via the telecommunication line 5 or collects data via the telecommunication line 5. The apparatus 3 can be operated remotely.

  The data collection device 3 is installed in the farmland where the farm products are cultivated, and collects information (data) related to the farming and the farm products in the farmland. Details of the data collection device 3 will be described later. The data collection device 3 can perform information communication with the farmer-side PC 2 or the server 4 through the electric communication line 5 by performing wireless communication with an access point (not shown).

  The server 4 is configured by a general-purpose information processing device such as a workstation. This server receives information detected by the data collection device 3, aggregates the received information in a predetermined format for each farm, and analyzes the aggregated information using an analysis method such as statistical processing. It is possible to extract information related to the optimal growth conditions for the farmland and the crop, and to realize a function of transmitting the extracted information to the farmer-side PC 2.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the data collection device 3 according to the present embodiment. The data collection device 3 is mainly composed of a main unit 30, and the main unit 30 is installed on farmland. The support column 30c is fixedly installed independently of the main unit 30, and a camera unit 50 and a temperature / humidity sensor 61, which are one of detection means described later, are attached to the upper portion of the support column 30c.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing the overall configuration of the data collection device 3. When the main body unit 30 grasps this functionally, the data control unit 31, the data collection unit 32, the data calculation unit 33, the data storage unit 34, the data display unit 35, the wireless communication control unit 36, The wireless communication unit 37, the sensor interface (sensor I / F) unit 38, the power source unit 39, the internal environment control unit 40, and the internal environment measurement unit 41 are mainly configured.

  The data control unit 31 has a function of comprehensively controlling the operation of the data collection device 3. In relation to the present embodiment, the data control unit 31 stores information generated by the data calculation unit 33 in the data storage unit 34 or displays it on the data display unit 35. In addition, the data control unit 31 reads information stored in the data storage unit 34 and outputs the information to the wireless communication control unit 36.

  The data collection unit 32 has a function of automatically collecting the image data from the camera unit 50 and the sensor data from the various sensors 60 to 67 via the sensor I / F unit 38 at a preset cycle. Yes. The data collected by the data collection unit 32 is output to the data calculation unit 33.

  The data calculation unit 33 targets each of various sensor data output from the data collection unit 32 as a target, and converts the sensor signal (voltage value, etc.) into a predetermined format (for example, temperature) that can be understood by the user. By converting, it has a function of generating data (hereinafter referred to as “collected data”). The collected data generated in the data calculation unit 33 is output to the data control unit 31.

  The data storage unit 34 has a function of storing collected data, and is configured by, for example, an external memory. The collected data output from the data calculation unit 33 to the data control unit 31 is stored in the data storage unit 34 by the data control unit 31. In the data storage unit 34, for example, the time and date when the data is acquired are stored in association with the collected data for each data.

  The data display unit 35 is controlled by the data control unit 31 and has a function of displaying the collected data output from the data calculation unit 33. For example, a liquid crystal display can be used as the data display unit 35 and is attached to the main body housing 30 a of the main body unit 30. The data display unit 35 allows the collected data to be browsed in real time on the farmland.

  The wireless communication control unit 36 collects a predetermined amount of collected data stored in the data storage unit 34 with respect to the data control unit 31 (for example, collected data not transmitted to the server 4) at predetermined time intervals. Request. Upon acquiring the collected data from the data control unit 31, the wireless communication control unit 36 transmits the collected data to the server 4 by transmitting the collected data to the designated access point via the wireless communication unit 37. To do. In addition, when the wireless communication control unit 36 receives a collection data transmission request from the farmer-side PC 2 via the wireless communication unit 37, the wireless communication control unit 36 transmits the collection data for a predetermined period specified in the transmission request to the data control unit 31. To request. When the wireless communication control unit 36 acquires the collected data from the data control unit 31, the wireless communication control unit 36 transmits the collected data to the designated access point via the wireless communication unit 37, so that the farmer-side PC 2 that has transmitted the transmission request. The collected data is transmitted.

  The wireless communication unit 37 has a function of performing wireless communication, and includes, for example, an antenna (not shown).

  The sensor I / F unit 38 is connected to sensors such as the camera unit 50 and various sensors 60 to 67 that detect information on farmland and crops on the farmland.

  The power supply unit 39 has a function of driving the main unit 30 by receiving power supply from a power source such as a solar panel, a 100 V power source, a 12 V battery, or the like.

  The internal environment control unit 40 has a function of controlling the internal environment so that an electronic component housed in the internal housing 30a does not malfunction due to a change in the internal environment of the main body housing 30a due to a change in outside air temperature or rain and ice. ing. The internal environment control part 40 is based on the measurement result from the internal environment measurement part 41 which measures internal environments, such as a temperature / humidity sensor, a fan (not shown), a heating apparatus (not shown), and a cooling device (not shown). ) Is controlled to control the internal environment to a predetermined environment.

  A camera unit 50 and various sensors 60 to 67 are connected to the data collection device 3 via a sensor I / F unit 38.

  The camera unit 50 is mainly composed of a camera 51 and a power supply unit 52 for driving the camera 51, and these elements are accommodated inside the housing. The camera unit 50 is attached to a column 30 c that is independent of the main unit 30. The camera 51 has a built-in image sensor (for example, a CCD or CMOS sensor), and has a function of capturing an image of a farmland and a landscape including farm products on the farmland and outputting the image data as image data. The power source unit 52 has a function of driving the camera unit 50 by receiving power supply from a power source such as a solar panel, a 100V power source, a 12V battery, or the like.

  The camera unit 50 also includes an internal environment control unit 53 that controls the internal environment, like the main unit 30. The internal environment control part 53 is based on the measurement result from the internal environment measurement part 54 which measures internal environments, such as a temperature / humidity sensor, a fan (not shown), a heating apparatus (not shown), and a cooling device (not shown). ) Is controlled to control the internal environment to a predetermined environment.

  The temperature / humidity sensors 60 to 62 are sensors for detecting temperature and humidity, and a platinum resistance thermometer type (temperature), a capacitive polymer type (humidity), and the like can be used. For example, the temperature / humidity sensor 60 is laid out inside the housing of the main unit 30 and detects the temperature and humidity of the air taken from the outside to the inside of the housing. The temperature / humidity sensor 60 can also be used as the internal environment measuring unit 41 described above. The temperature / humidity sensor 61 is attached to the outside of the main unit 30, for example, a support 30c to which the above-described camera unit 50 is attached, and detects temperature and humidity in farmland. Moreover, the temperature / humidity sensor 62 is installed at a location different from the temperature / humidity sensor 61 in the farmland, and detects the temperature and humidity in the farmland.

The soil temperature sensor 63 is a sensor that detects the soil temperature in the farmland. The soil moisture sensor 64 is a sensor that detects soil moisture in farmland. For example, an electrical resistance type sensor can be used. The soil EC sensor 65 is a sensor that detects the fertilizer content tendency existing in the soil of farmland using the electrical conductivity. The solar radiation amount sensor 66 is a sensor that detects the total solar radiation amount on the ground surface, and a thermocouple type or the like can be used. CO2 sensor 67 is a sensor for detecting the CO ₂ concentration, or the like can be used individual polymer type.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the main unit 30 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the main body unit 30 includes a main body housing 30a having an overall rectangular shape, and leg portions 30b connected to the bottom side of the main body housing 30a. The main body housing 30a and the leg portion 30b are integrally connected, but can be separated if necessary.

  The main body housing 30a accommodates various electronic components necessary for data collection and information transmission / reception, such as control means, information collection means, and communication means. A part (or all) of the leg portion 30b is embedded in the ground and stands upright, and has a function of supporting the main body housing 30a by connecting the main body housing 30a.

  As one of the features of the present embodiment, the leg portion 30b is mainly composed of a columnar column portion 30d. The column portion 30d has a thickness (cross-sectional area) necessary to support the main body housing 30a. A plurality of needle-like sharp convex portions 30e are formed at the tip portion on the embedded side of the column portion 30d.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for installing the main unit 30 according to the first embodiment on farmland. First, when the main body housing 30a and the leg 30b are separated and transported to the farmland installation location, the leg 30b is embedded in the ground at the installation location. As a method for embedding the leg portion 30b, the upper end of the leg portion 30b is hit with a hammer or the like while the needle-like sharp convex portion 30e side is pierced into the ground, and a vertical load is applied. . Next, by connecting the main body housing 30a to the embedded leg 30b, both are integrated. Thus, the main body housing 30a is supported by the leg portions 30b.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the data collection device 3 that collects outdoor environmental information (in this embodiment, information on farmland and crops in the farmland) is embedded in the ground and fixedly stands up. And a body housing 30a that is detachably connected to the leg 30b and supported by the leg. In this case, the leg portion 30b is constituted by a columnar column portion 30d in which a plurality of needle-like sharp convex portions 30e are provided at the tip portion on the embedded side.

  According to such a configuration, by embedding the leg portion 30b in the ground, the plurality of sharp convex portions 30e each bite into the soil in the ground, so that the leg portion 30b can be firmly fixed. Thereby, since the data collection device 3 can be fixed firmly, the situation of a fall can be suppressed.

  Further, since the leg portion 30b and the main body housing 30a can be separated, the leg portion 30b can be embedded in the ground using a hammer or the like. This eliminates the need for delicate handling as in the case of the main body housing 30a for storing electronic components, and makes it possible to easily perform the burying operation.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the main unit 30 in the data collection device 3 according to the second embodiment. The main unit 30 of the data collection device 3 according to the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in the configuration of the legs 30b. The basic system configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted by citing the reference numerals.

  As shown in the figure, the main body unit 30 includes a main body housing 30a having an overall rectangular shape, and leg portions 30b connected to the bottom side of the main body housing 30a. The main body housing 30a and the leg portion 30b are integrally connected, but can be separated if necessary.

  The main body housing 30a accommodates various electronic components necessary for data collection and information transmission / reception, such as control means, information collection means, and communication means. A part (or all) of the leg portion 30b is embedded in the ground and is fixedly erected, and has a function of supporting the main body housing 30a by being connected thereto. Here, as one of the features of the present embodiment, the leg portion 30b is mainly composed of a plurality of columnar column portions 30g. Each column 30g has a plurality of needle-like sharp projections 30h formed at the tip of the embedding side. The leg portion 30b is configured such that the total thickness of the plurality of column portions 30g is a collection of the total number capable of supporting the main body housing 30a, and the main body housing 30a is coupled to the upper portion thereof. A connecting plate 30f is fixedly attached.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of installing the main unit 30 according to the second embodiment on farmland. First, when the main body housing 30a and the leg 30b are separated and transported to the farmland installation location, the leg 30b is embedded in the ground at the installation location. As a method of embedding the leg 30b, with the sharp projection 30h side of each column 30g pierced into the ground, the top of the leg 30b (connection plate 30f) is struck with a hammer or the like to It seems to add a load. Next, when the leg portion 30b is embedded, the main body housing 30a is connected to the connecting plate 30f of the leg portion 30b, so that both are integrated. Thus, the main body housing 30a is supported by the leg portions 30b.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the leg part 30b which comprises the main body unit 30 is configured by bundling a plurality of columnar column parts 30g each provided with a plurality of needle-like sharp protrusions 30h at the embedded end part. .

  According to such a configuration, by embedding the leg portion 30b in the ground, the plurality of sharp convex portions 30e in the individual pillar portions 30g respectively bite into the soil in the ground, thereby firmly fixing the leg portion 30b. it can. Thereby, since the data collection device 3 can be fixed firmly, the situation of a fall can be suppressed.

  Further, since the leg portion 30b and the main body housing 30a can be separated, the leg portion 30b can be embedded in the ground using a hammer or the like. This eliminates the need for delicate handling as in the case of the main body housing 30a for storing electronic components, and makes it possible to easily perform the burying operation.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the leg 30b of the main unit 30 in the data collection device 3 according to the third embodiment. The main unit 30 of the data collection device 3 according to the third embodiment is different from that of the second embodiment in that a fixing means is added to the leg 30b. The basic system configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted by citing the reference numerals. Here, as in the first embodiment, the main unit 30 includes a main body housing 30a having an overall rectangular shape and leg portions 30b coupled to the bottom side of the main body housing 30a. The main body housing 30a and the leg portion 30b are integrally connected, but can be separated if necessary.

  As shown in the figure, the leg portion 30b is mainly composed of a columnar column portion 30d and an anchor portion 30i.

  The column part 30d has a thickness (cross-sectional area) necessary to support the main body housing 30a. A plurality of needle-like sharp convex portions 30e are formed at the tip portion on the embedded side of the column portion 30d.

  The anchor part 30i is provided on the side part of the pillar part 30d, and is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the pillar part 30d. When the self part is in the closed state, the anchor part 30i has a shape integrated with the side part of the pillar part 30d. Moreover, the anchor part 30i is mechanically connected with the projection part 30j provided in the upper end side of the pillar part 30d. Therefore, the operation of the anchor portion 30i is interlocked with the operation of the protrusion 30j provided on the upper end side of the column portion 30d. Specifically, the anchor portion 30i is opened by driving the protrusion 30j into the column portion 30d. On the other hand, by closing the anchor portion 30i in the open state to the side surface portion of the column portion 30d, the protruding portion 30j enters a state in which the column portion 30d protrudes (initial state).

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method of installing the main unit 30 according to the third embodiment on farmland. When the main body housing 30a and the leg 30b are separated and transported to the farmland installation location, the leg 30b is embedded in the ground at the installation location. As a method for embedding the leg 30b, the upper part of the leg 30b is struck with a hammer or the like while the needle-like sharp convex part 30e side is pierced into the ground, and a load in the vertical direction is applied. Next, by using a hammer or the like to drive the protrusion 30j into the column 30d, the anchor 30i is opened. And both are integrated by connecting the main body housing 30a to the embedded leg 30b. Thus, the main body housing 30a is supported by the leg portions 30b.

  On the other hand, when the main body unit 30 is withdrawn, first, the connection between the main body housing 30a and the leg portion 30b is released, and the main body housing 30a is separated from the leg portion 30b. Next, the leg 30b is pulled out from the ground. At this time, since the force in the closing direction acts on the anchor portion 30i due to the resistance in the ground, when the leg portion 30b is pulled out, the anchor portion 30i is in the closed state. In this case, the protrusion 30j is returned to the initial position.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the leg part 30b which comprises the main body unit 30 further has the anchor part 30i comprised by the side part of the pillar part 30d so that opening and closing is possible, and this anchor part 30i is a leg part. The leg 30b is fixed in the ground by being opened after the 30b is buried in the ground.

  According to such a configuration, when the anchor portion 30i is in an open state, the anchor portion 30i bites into the ground and becomes a resistance, so that the leg portion 30b is reliably fixed in the ground. Therefore, the main body housing 30a can be firmly installed.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. The data collection device 3 may perform wired communication other than wireless communication. Further, the data collection device 3 according to the present invention can be used in a system without the server 4 or in a system directly connected to the server 4.

  Moreover, in each embodiment mentioned above, although the data collection device 3 collects the information regarding a farmland and the crop in this farmland, this invention is not limited to this, Generally collects outdoor environmental information widely It can be applied as a data collection device.

The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the crop cultivation assistance system 1 to which the data collection device 3 is applied. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the data collection device 3 typically Functional block diagram of the overall configuration of the data collection device 3 The perspective view which shows typically the structure of the main body unit 30 concerning 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining the installation method of the main body unit 30 concerning 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows typically the structure of the main body unit 30 in the data collection device 3 concerning 2nd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining the installation method of the main body unit 30 concerning 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows typically the leg part 30b of the main body unit 30 in the data collection device 3 concerning 3rd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining the installation method of the main body unit 30 concerning 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Crop development support system 2 Farmer side PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Data collection device 4 Server 5 Electric communication line 30 Main body unit 30a Main body housing 30b Leg part 30c Post 30d Column 30e Sharp convex part 30f Connection plate 30g Column part 30h Sharp convex part 30i Anchor part 30j Protrusion part 31 Data control part 32 Data Collection unit 33 Data operation unit 34 Data storage unit 35 Data display unit 36 Wireless communication control unit 37 Wireless communication unit 38 Sensor I / F unit 39 Power supply unit 40 Internal environment control unit 41 Internal environment measurement unit 50 Camera unit 51 Camera 52 Power supply unit 53 Internal Environment Control Unit 54 Internal Environment Measurement Unit 60 Temperature / Humidity Sensor 61 Temperature / Humidity Sensor 62 Temperature / Humidity Sensor 63 Soil Temperature Sensor 64 Soil Moisture Sensor 65 Soil EC Sensor 66 Solar Radiation Sensor 67 CO ₂ Sensor

Claims (3)

In a data collection device that collects outdoor environmental information,
Legs embedded in the ground and standing upright,
A body housing that is separably coupled to the leg and supported by the leg;
The said leg part is comprised by the column-shaped column part by which the needle-like pointed convex part was provided in the front-end | tip part by the side of an embedding side, The data collection device characterized by the above-mentioned.   The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the leg portion is configured by bundling a plurality of the pillar portions. The leg part further has an anchor part configured to be freely opened and closed on a side part of the pillar part,
The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the anchor portion is fixed in the ground by being opened after the leg is buried in the ground.

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