JP2009244934A - Data collecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively determine abnormal situations such as mischief or theft. <P>SOLUTION: A force to be added from the outside to a housing 31 is detected so that it is possible to determine the abnormal situations of a body unit 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data collection device that collects environmental information.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an outdoor installation type data collection device. This apparatus includes components (electronic components) such as a collection unit such as a camera that collects outdoor environmental information, a calculation unit that performs various calculations, and a transmission unit that transmits the acquired environmental information. These constituent members are accommodated in a casing formed from a casing.
JP 2007-199368 A

  However, there is a problem that devices installed outdoors are exposed to dangers such as mischief and theft.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to effectively determine an abnormal situation such as mischief or theft.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a data collection device that collects ambient environmental information, and a housing that is installed outdoors and accommodates components used for collecting environmental information. A first detection means provided on the casing for detecting a force applied to the casing from the outside; and an abnormality processing means for determining an abnormal situation of the casing based on a detection result of the first detection means. Have.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the first detection means is preferably an impact sensor that detects an impact applied to the housing.

  In the present embodiment, it is desirable that the first detection means is an acceleration sensor that detects accelerations in three axial directions.

  In the present embodiment, the data collection device further includes second detection means for detecting whether or not the housing is removed from the standing state, and the abnormality processing means is the second detection means. It is desirable to determine an abnormal situation of the housing based on the detection result.

  In the present embodiment, the data collection device further includes third detection means for detecting whether or not the detachable cover part that constitutes a part of the housing is removed, and the abnormality processing means includes: It is desirable to determine an abnormal situation of the housing based on the detection result of the third detection means.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the data collection device further includes alarm means for notifying the outside of the abnormality, and the abnormality processing means preferably operates the alarm means when determining an abnormal situation of the housing. .

  In the present embodiment, the data collection device further includes a communication unit that can communicate with an external system via a network, and the abnormality processing unit is configured to communicate with the external device via the communication unit when an abnormal situation of the housing is determined. It is preferable to notify the system of the abnormality.

  In the present embodiment, the data collection device further includes a storage unit that stores environment information, and a data control unit that stores the environment information collected by the information collection unit in the storage unit. When the abnormal state of the body is determined, it is preferable to instruct the data control means to erase the environmental information stored in the storage means.

  In the present embodiment, the data collection device further includes power supply means for supplying power to the system by receiving power supply from an external power supply, and the abnormality processing means determines an abnormal situation of the casing. In this case, it is preferable to stop the power supply from the external power supply by controlling the power supply means.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the power supply means can supply power to the system by switching between power supply from an external power supply and power supply from an internal power supply inside the housing. In this case, when the abnormality processing means determines an abnormal situation of the casing, it is desirable to stop the power supply from the external power source and to switch to the power supply from the internal power source by controlling the power source means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to grasp an abnormal situation of the data collection device, that is, a situation such as mischief or theft.

  Further, by using an acceleration sensor or a shock sensor, it is possible to effectively detect an impact on the housing, removal of the housing, and the like.

  Moreover, since the removal of the housing and the removal of the cover part can be detected by the detection means, it is possible to grasp a situation such as theft or destruction of the device.

  Moreover, according to this invention, the warning with respect to a suspicious person who performs mischief or theft can be performed. In addition, it is possible to notify the farmer or manager of an abnormal situation, or to suppress the collected data from being stolen. Furthermore, the abnormal stop of the apparatus can be prevented.

  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. The 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 3 provided on the farmland, and a tabulation / analyzer side. And a server 4 provided in the server. 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 a farmland that grows crops, and collects information on the farmland and the crops in the farmland. 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). Details of the data collection device 3 will be described later.

  The server 4 is configured by a general-purpose information processing device such as a workstation. This server receives information collected 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 totaled information or the extracted information to the farmer PC 2.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the data collection device 3. The data collection device 3 includes a main unit 30 and information collection means.

  The main unit 30 includes a housing portion 31 and leg portions 32. A portion of the leg portion 32 is embedded in the ground, and the main body unit 30 is installed on the farmland by supporting the housing portion 31.

  The housing part 31 is a substantially quadrangular prism-shaped housing that houses therein a plurality of electronic components necessary for information collection, and includes a main body part 33, a bottom plate part 34 attached to the bottom part of the main body part 33, and the main body part 33. The antenna cover 35 is attached to the top of the antenna. The main body portion 33 and the bottom plate portion 34 are made of metal from the viewpoint of securing the strength of the data collection device 3, and the antenna cover 35 is made of resin from the viewpoint of not hindering the radio wave characteristics of the antenna.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the main unit 30. The main body portion 33 is a main casing constituting the housing portion 31, and accommodates the fixed plate 30a therein. The fixing plate 30a functions as a substrate on which various electronic components necessary for information collection are fixed. Examples of electronic components fixed to the fixed plate include a CPU board 30b configured by a wireless card in addition to a CPU and a memory, and a data collection board 30c that acquires signals from sensors and cameras and collects data. In addition to this, a sensor interface 30d to which a cable connected to an information collecting means such as a sensor or a camera is physically connected, a power supply interface 30e to which a cable connected to an external power source is physically connected, and various electronic devices in the system An AC / DC power supply (not shown) and a DC / DC power supply (not shown) for supplying power to the components also correspond to this.

  The bottom plate portion 34 is disposed at the bottom portion of the main body portion 33, and has a function of sealing the bottom portion of the main body portion 33 and a function of holding a fixing plate accommodated in the main body portion 33. The bottom plate portion 34 also has a function of connecting the leg portion 32 and the housing portion 31 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna cover 35 is disposed on the upper portion of the main body portion 33 and has a function of sealing the upper opening of the main body portion 33. The antenna cover 35 also has a function of accommodating and covering an antenna for wireless communication inside.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the data collection device 3. In the data collection device 3, when the main body unit 30 grasps this functionally, the data control unit 40, the data collection unit 41, the data calculation unit 42, the data storage unit 43, the data display unit 44, Wireless communication control unit 45, wireless communication unit 46, sensor interface (sensor I / F) unit 48, power supply unit 49, internal environment control unit 50, internal environment detection unit 51, and internal environment adjustment unit 52 It is mainly composed. The functions of these functional elements are realized by various electronic components housed in the main unit 30.

  The data control unit 40 performs numerical calculation, information processing, device control, and the like, and comprehensively controls the operation of the data collection device 3. The data control unit 40 can store the information generated by the data calculation unit 42 in the data storage unit 43 or display the information on the data display unit 44 in real time.

  Furthermore, when the data control unit 40 acquires a transmission request for the collected data from the server 4 at a predetermined cycle or a predetermined amount of collected data stored in the data storage unit 43 (for example, for the server 4) Uncollected collected data) is read, and this collected data is output to the wireless communication control unit 45. In addition, when the data control unit 40 acquires a browsing request or download request for the collected data from the farmer-side PC 2, the data control unit 40 reads the collected data for a predetermined period specified in the request from the data storage unit 43. The data control unit 40 converts the read collected data into a viewable format or a downloadable format, and then outputs the collected data to the wireless communication control unit 45.

  The data collection unit 41 automatically collects sensor signals from various sensors 60 to 67 as information collection means and image signals from the camera unit 70 via the sensor I / F unit 48 at a preset cycle. To do. Data collected by the data collection unit 41 is output to the data calculation unit 42.

  The data calculation unit 42 converts the sensor signal (voltage value, etc.) into a predetermined format (for example, temperature) that can be understood by the user for each of various signals output from the data collection unit 41. By doing so, the collected data is generated. The collected data generated in the data calculation unit 42 is output to the data control unit 40.

  The data storage unit 43 has a function of storing collected data. The collected data output from the data calculation unit 42 to the data control unit 40 is stored in the data storage unit 43 by the data control unit 40. In the data storage unit 43, for each collected data, for example, the time and date when the data is acquired are stored in association with the data.

  The data display unit 44 is controlled by the data control unit 40 to display the collected data output from the data calculation unit 42 and various information such as the current operation status. The data display unit 44 allows the collected data to be browsed in real time on the farmland and the operation status thereof can be confirmed.

  The wireless communication control unit 45 decodes the packet from the wireless communication unit 46, outputs the decoded signal to the data control unit 40, converts the data from the data control unit 40 into a packet, and converts the converted packet Or output to the wireless communication unit 46. Further, the wireless communication control unit 45 acquires the collected data from the data control unit 40 at a predetermined cycle or in response to a collection data transmission request from the server 4. Then, the wireless communication control unit 45 transmits the collected data to the server 4 by transmitting the collected data to the designated access point via the wireless communication unit 46. Further, the wireless communication control unit 45 acquires the collected data from the data control unit 40 in response to a browse request or download request for the collected data from the farmer-side PC 2. Then, the wireless communication control unit 45 transmits the collected data to the designated access point via the wireless communication unit 46, thereby transmitting the collected data to the farmer-side PC 2 that has made the request.

  The wireless communication unit 46 has a function of performing wireless communication using radio waves with an access point. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 46 receives a packet wirelessly transmitted by radio waves from the access point, and outputs the received packet to the wireless communication control unit 45. Further, the wireless communication unit 46 transmits the packet acquired from the wireless communication control unit 45 and wirelessly transmits it to the access point by radio waves.

  The sensor I / F unit 48 transmits the detection signal and the image signal from the information detection unit that detects information on the farmland and the crops in the farmland to the data collection unit 41. In the present embodiment, detection signals from various sensors 71 to 74 are transmitted to the abnormality processing unit 53.

  The power unit 49 receives power from an internal power source such as a solar panel, a 100 V external power source, and a 12 V battery inside the main unit 30 to supply power to each part of the system of the main unit 30 and control the power state. It has a function to do. In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 49 can supply power to the system by switching between power supply from an external power supply and power supply from an internal power supply. The power supply unit 49 normally supplies power to the system by receiving power supply from an external power supply.

  The internal environment control unit 50 controls the internal environment so that a malfunction of the electronic component housed therein does not occur due to a change in the internal environment of the main unit 30 due to a change in the outside air temperature, the amount of solar radiation, or rain and ice. It has a function to do. The internal environment control unit 50 is based on a detection result from the internal environment detection unit 51 that detects the internal environment in the housing unit 31 such as a temperature / humidity sensor, for example, an internal environment adjustment unit 52 (for example, a fan, a heating device, and a cooling device). By controlling (any), the internal environment is controlled under a predetermined environment.

  The information collecting means is configured by a sensor or the like that collects information on the farmland and crops in the farmland. The information collecting means is connected to the main unit 30 via the sensor I / F unit 48, and various sensor signals and image signals are read by the main unit 30. The information collection means is attached to, for example, the support column 39 (see FIG. 2). In the example shown in FIG. 2, a temperature / humidity sensor 61 and a camera unit 70, which are one of information collection means, are attached to the support column 39.

  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. The temperature / humidity sensor 60 detects the temperature and humidity in the farmland from the air taken into the housing portion 31 of the main unit 30. The temperature / humidity sensor 61 is attached to the outside of the main unit 30, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, and supports the temperature and humidity in the 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. The CO2 sensor 67 is a sensor that detects the CO2 concentration, and an individual polymer type or the like can be used.

  The camera unit 70 is mainly composed of a camera (not shown) and a power supply unit (not shown) for driving the camera, and these elements are accommodated in the casing. The camera unit 70 is attached to the column 39 as shown in FIG. The camera has a built-in image sensor (for example, a CCD or CMOS sensor), captures an image of a farmland and a landscape including agricultural products on the farmland, and outputs this as an image signal. The power supply unit supplies power to each part of the system of the camera unit 70 by receiving power supply from a power source such as a solar panel, a 100V power supply, a 12V battery, or the like.

  Here, as one of the features of the present embodiment, the main unit 30 of the data collection device 3 includes an abnormality processing unit 53 in addition to the functional elements 40 to 52 described above. The abnormality processing unit 53 reads sensor signals from the sensors 71 to 74 via the sensor I / F unit 48.

  The acceleration sensor 71 is a sensor that detects acceleration in the three-axis directions. For example, a semiconductor sensor that detects acceleration from a resistance change of a piezoresistive element can be used. The acceleration sensor 71 is provided in the housing portion 31 of the main unit 30, for example, on the fixed plate 30a (see FIG. 3). The acceleration sensor 71 can detect an impact applied to the main unit 30 and an inclination state of the main unit 30. The shock sensor 72 is a sensor that detects an impact applied to the housing portion 31 of the main body unit 30. For example, a sensor using a piezoelectric element that converts pressure due to the impact on the housing portion 31 into an electrical signal may be used. it can. This shock sensor is provided in the housing part 31 of the main unit 30, for example, on the inner surface of the housing part 31 (see FIG. 3). In other words, the acceleration sensor 71 or the shock sensor 72 functions as a detection unit that detects a force applied to the main body unit 30 from the outside.

  The contact sensors 73 and 74 are pressure detection type sensors that detect a contact state based on a pressure generated by contact of an object. As shown in FIG. 3, one contact sensor 73 is provided on the bottom plate portion 34 of the housing portion 31, and detects a contact state at a connection portion between the housing portion 31 and the leg portion 32. Thereby, the contact sensor 73 functions as a detection unit that detects whether or not the housing portion 31 has been removed from the standing state. Since the acceleration sensor 71 can detect the tilted state, the acceleration sensor 71 also functions as a detection unit that detects whether the housing portion 31 has been removed from the standing state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the other contact sensor 74 is provided on the upper portion of the housing portion 31 and detects a contact state in which the housing portion 31 and the antenna cover 35 are assembled. Thereby, the contact sensor 74 functions as a detection unit that detects whether or not the detachable antenna cover 35 that constitutes a part of the housing portion 31 is removed.

  The abnormality processing unit 53 determines an abnormal state of the main unit 30 based on the detection results of the acceleration sensor 71, the shock sensor 72, and the contact sensors 73 and 74. In the present embodiment, a situation such as an external impact, destruction, or removal due to mischief or theft is assumed as an abnormal situation. When the abnormality processing unit 53 determines an abnormal situation of the housing, the abnormal processing unit 53 can perform various operations described later in order to escape from the abnormal situation.

The alarm unit 54 is provided outside the main unit 30 and has a function of notifying the outside of the abnormality. The alarm unit 54 includes a speaker that outputs an alarm sound and a predetermined alarm message, an illumination device such as a flashlight that emits alarm light, and the like.
Hereinafter, the operation of the abnormality processing unit 53 will be described. First, the abnormality processing unit 53 determines an abnormal situation of the main unit 30. Specifically, the abnormality processing unit 53 determines that the main body unit 30 has an acceleration of a predetermined amount or more in any of the three axes based on the detection result of the acceleration sensor 71, or the main body unit 30 is in place. If it is inclined more than a fixed amount, an abnormal situation of the main unit 30 is determined. In addition, the abnormality processing unit 53 determines an abnormal state of the main body unit 30 when determining an impact of a predetermined amount or more based on the detection result of the shock sensor 72. Similarly, when the abnormality processing unit 53 determines that the housing unit 31 has been removed from the standing state or the antenna cover 35 has been removed based on the detection results of the contact sensors 73 and 74. Determines an abnormal state of the main unit 30.

  When the abnormal state of the main unit 30 is determined, the abnormality processing unit 53 performs the following operation. First, as a first operation, the abnormality processing unit 53 operates the alarm unit 54. As a second operation, the abnormality processing unit 53 notifies the abnormality to the farmer PC or the server 4 by outputting an abnormality notification to the wireless communication control unit 45. As an abnormality notification method, Trap-PDU (Protocol Data Units) of SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or electronic mail can be used. As a third operation, the abnormality processing unit 53 instructs the data control unit 40 to erase the collected data stored in the data storage unit 43. As a fourth operation, the abnormality processing unit 53 controls the power supply unit 49 to stop the power supply from the external power supply and switch to the power supply from the internal power supply. Any one of the first to fourth operations may be executed, or two or more operations may be selected and combined.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the impact applied to the main unit 30 can be detected by detecting the force applied to the housing portion 31 from the outside. Thereby, it is possible to grasp an abnormal situation of the main unit 30, that is, a situation such as mischief or theft.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the force applied to the housing part 31 by the acceleration sensor 71 or the shock sensor 72 is detected. Thereby, the impact etc. to the housing part 31 can be detected effectively. In particular, according to the acceleration sensor 71, since the abnormal inclination state of the housing portion 31 can be determined, even in a case where an extreme force does not act, an abnormal situation of the main body unit 30 can be recognized effectively. Can do.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the acceleration sensor 71 and the contact sensors 73 and 74 can detect a state in which the housing portion 31 has been removed or the antenna cover 35 has been removed. Thereby, it is possible to grasp the situation such as theft and destruction of the device. In the present embodiment, the contact sensor 73 detects the connection between the housing portion 31 and the leg portion 32 based on the contact state. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the embedded state of the leg portion 32 is detected based on the contact state. It may be. Similarly, the removal of the antenna cover 35 is detected by the contact sensor 74, but in addition to this, the removal is detected with a removable cover part constituting a part of the housing part 31 as a detection target. Also good.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, in the case of an abnormal situation, an alarm can be given to a suspicious person who performs mischief or theft by giving an alarm by the alarm unit 54.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, in the case of an abnormal situation, it is possible to notify the farmer side PC 2 or the server 4 of the abnormality, so that the abnormal situation of the data collection device 3 can be notified to the farmer or the administrator. .

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the collected data stored in the data storage unit 43 is deleted in the case of an abnormal situation. Thereby, even if the data collection device 3 is stolen, it is possible to prevent the collected data from being stolen.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, in the event of an abnormal situation, the power supply from the external power supply is stopped and the power supply is switched from the internal power supply. Thereby, for example, even if the cable connected to the external power source is disconnected or the data collection device 3 is taken away and the connection to the external power source is disconnected, the alarm control unit 53 causes the detection processing described above to be performed by the internal power source. It is possible to realize the determination of abnormal situation or the operation. Moreover, the abnormal stop of the apparatus can be prevented. However, in an abnormal situation, the power supply from the external power source may be stopped on an initiative. Thereby, before the situation occurs when the connection with the external power supply is forcibly disconnected, the power supply is stopped, thereby preventing an abnormal stop of the apparatus.

  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. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the data collection device 3 collects information on farmland and crops in the farmland. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and generally collects outdoor environment information. 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 Sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the main body unit 30 typically Functional block diagram of the configuration of the data collection device 3

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Crop development support system 2 ... Farmer side PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Data collection device 4 ... Server 5 ... Electrical communication line 30 ... Main body unit 31 ... Housing part 32 ... Leg part 40 ... Data control part 41 ... Data collection part 42 ... Data operation part 43 ... Data storage part 44 ... Data display part 45 ... Wireless communication control unit 46 ... Wireless communication unit 48 ... Sensor I / F unit 49 ... Power supply unit 53 ... Abnormality processing unit 54 ... Alarm unit 71 ... Acceleration sensor 72 ... Shock sensor 73 ... Contact sensor 74 ... Contact sensor

Claims (10)

In a data collection device that collects ambient environmental information,
A housing that is erected outdoors and accommodates the components used for collecting the environmental information;
A first detection means provided on the housing for detecting a force applied to the housing from the outside;
A data collection apparatus comprising: an abnormality processing unit that determines an abnormal state of the housing based on a detection result of the first detection unit.   The data collection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first detection unit is an impact sensor that detects an impact applied to the housing.   The data collection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first detection unit is an acceleration sensor that detects accelerations in three axis directions. A second detecting means for detecting whether or not the housing is removed from the standing state;
4. The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality processing unit determines an abnormal state of the casing based on a detection result of the second detection unit. 5. . And further comprising third detecting means for detecting whether or not the removable cover part constituting a part of the housing is removed,
4. The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality processing unit determines an abnormal state of the housing based on a detection result of the third detection unit. 5. . It further has an alarm means for notifying the outside of the abnormality,
6. The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality processing unit activates the alarm unit when it determines an abnormal situation of the casing. 7. A communication unit capable of communicating with an external system via a network;
The abnormality processing means notifies the abnormality to the external system via the communication means when determining an abnormal situation of the housing. The abnormality processing means according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Data collection device. Storage means for storing the environmental information;
Data control means for storing in the storage means the environmental information collected by the information collection means,
The abnormality processing means instructs the data control means to erase the environmental information stored in the storage means when determining an abnormal situation of the casing. 8. The data collection device according to any one of items 7. A power supply means for supplying power to the system by receiving power from an external power supply;
9. The abnormality processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality processing unit stops the power supply from the external power source by controlling the power source unit when the abnormality of the casing is determined. The data collection device described in the section. The power supply means can supply power to the system by switching power supply from the external power supply and power supply from the internal power supply inside the housing.
The abnormality processing means, when determining an abnormal situation of the housing, controls the power supply means to stop the power supply from the external power supply and switch to the power supply from the internal power supply. The data collection device according to claim 9.

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