JP2012174176A - Wireless communication equipment, facility information management system, and wireless communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide wireless communication equipment and a facility information management system capable of performing communication using a power source efficiently, while securing the power source for performing the communication.SOLUTION: A facility information management system comprises: a communication device attached to a moving body which moves along a facility to be monitored; and a recording medium for wirelessly transmitting information to the communication device. The recording medium includes: a storage part for storing facility information being a detection result by a sensor provided in the facility; a receiving part for receiving a signal of a deep-ultraviolet ray as a start instruction from a deep-ultraviolet emission unit in the communication device; and a transmitting part for transmitting the facility information stored in the storage part to the communication device based on the signal of the deep-ultraviolet ray received at the receiving part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus, a facility information management system, and a wireless communication method for managing information from sensors provided in a wide range of facilities such as tracks and roads.

A system for monitoring equipment by attaching various sensors to equipment on tracks and roads and collecting information on detection results of these sensors is provided. For this information collection, for example, a mobile device such as a train or an automobile is provided with a communication device that receives the information, and the mobile device receives the information while the mobile device moves along a track or road. Is done by.
As a method for collecting such information, for example, the detection result of the sensor is stored in an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag, and the information stored in the RFID tag is read by the RFID tag reader provided in the moving body. A method of collecting by reading is proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-131173 A

  However, in the information collection method shown in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to secure a power source for driving the RFID tag. In other words, an active RFID tag having a battery has a merit that a communication distance can be increased by receiving power from the battery and performing communication, but it is necessary to provide a battery. And it takes time to perform maintenance of the battery for each RFID tag. Although it is conceivable to charge the battery with a solar battery, it is necessary to use the battery efficiently because the amount of charge depends on the weather.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus capable of performing communication using this power supply efficiently while securing a power supply capable of communication. The object is to provide an equipment information management system and a wireless communication method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides equipment information including a communication terminal attached to a moving body that moves along equipment to be monitored, and a wireless communication apparatus that transmits information to the communication terminal wirelessly. A wireless communication device in a management system, a storage unit that stores facility information that is a detection result of a sensor provided in the facility, and a deep ultraviolet signal that receives a deep ultraviolet signal as an activation instruction from the deep ultraviolet light emitting device of the communication device An ultraviolet signal receiving unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the facility information stored in the storage unit to the communication terminal based on the deep ultraviolet signal received by the receiving unit.

  In the wireless communication apparatus described above, the control unit may receive the facility information by the transmitting unit when the deep ultraviolet signal receiving unit continuously receives the deep ultraviolet signal for a predetermined time or more. Transmitting to the communication terminal.

  Further, the present invention is a facility information management system having a communication terminal attached to a moving body that moves along the facility to be monitored, and a wireless communication device that transmits information to the communication terminal wirelessly, The communication terminal includes a receiving unit that receives facility information transmitted from the wireless communication device, and a deep ultraviolet light emitting device that transmits a deep ultraviolet signal as an activation instruction, and the wireless communication device is connected to the facility. A storage unit that stores facility information that is a detection result of a sensor provided; a deep ultraviolet signal receiving unit that receives the deep ultraviolet signal from the deep ultraviolet light emitting device of the communication device; and the deep ultraviolet signal receiving unit. A transmission unit configured to transmit the facility information stored in the storage unit to the communication terminal based on the received deep ultraviolet signal.

  The present invention also relates to a wireless communication device in a facility information management system having a communication terminal attached to a mobile body that moves along a facility to be monitored, and a wireless communication device that transmits information to the communication terminal wirelessly. A wireless communication method, wherein the wireless communication device receives a deep ultraviolet signal as an activation instruction from a deep ultraviolet light emitting device of the communication device, and a sensor provided in the facility based on the received deep ultraviolet signal The facility information is read from the storage unit that stores the facility information that is the detection result of the above, and the read facility information is transmitted to the communication terminal.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when an activation instruction signal is received from a mobile body, the stored information is transmitted by receiving power from the power source. As a result, it is possible to efficiently use and communicate with the power supply when necessary while securing the power supply.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the installation information management system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the equipment information management system of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the monitoring object equipment. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a reader 2 and a wireless tag 6. FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the ultraviolet light receiver 61 and the drive circuit 62. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a time change of an output voltage Vout of the drive circuit 62. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the power supply part 63 at the time of applying a solar cell. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example of the wireless tag 6. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of the wireless tag 6. FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a modified example of a power supply unit 63.

Hereinafter, a facility information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of a facility information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The train 1 receives power from the trolley line and collects data transmitted from the wireless tag 6 by the reader 2 while moving along the track. Using this collected data, the status of the equipment to be monitored can be monitored, and maintenance of the equipment can be performed as necessary.
The reader 2 is provided on the train 1 and communicates with the wireless tag 6 existing within the communicable area, and stores information received from the wireless tag 6 in itself, or receives information received from the wireless tag 6. , Send to the server connected to itself and store.
The feeder compression connection 3 connects the wires with a compression sleeve, and a sensor for detecting the temperature (temperature at the time of measurement, maximum temperature) of the feeder compression connection 3 is attached, and the detection result of this sensor Is output to the wireless tag 6.

The automatic tension adjusting device 5 applies tension to the overhead wire laid between the overhead wire columns so that the overhead wire has a tension within a predetermined range. A sensor for detecting tension (tension at the time of measurement, maximum value, minimum value) is attached to the automatic tension adjusting device 5, and the detection result of this sensor is output to the wireless tag 6. As the automatic tension adjusting device 5, for example, a spring type automatic tension adjusting device that applies tension to the overhead wire by a spring, a pulley type automatic tension adjusting device that applies tension to the overhead wire by a weight suspended from the pulley, and the like are applied.
The wireless tag 6 transmits the detection result of the sensor attached to the monitoring target to the reader 2 wirelessly. The wireless tag 6 is attached to, for example, the feeder connection compression part 3 or the automatic tension adjusting device 5. An active type is applicable to the wireless tag 6 (details will be described later). The wireless tag 6 corresponds to the above-described wireless communication device.
As described above, the detection results of the sensors are collected from the wireless tag 6 by the reader 2 and the status of each part in the facility can be grasped and managed by referring to the detection results.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the facility information management system of FIG. The reader 2 attached to the train 1 is connected to the wireless tag 6 within the communicable area among the wireless tags 6 installed near the track 8 when the train 1 moves along the track 8. Communication is performed to sequentially collect sensor detection results.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the equipment to be monitored. In FIG. 3, the main line facility 10 is provided with various devices along the line 8. The stop facility 11 is a facility that serves as a train stop, and is provided with various devices. For example, the on-premises equipment 12 is provided with various devices provided on the premises of a station. Here, a sensor for monitoring the state of each device is attached to each of the various devices provided in each facility, and the detection result of this sensor is transmitted to the reader 2 by the wireless tag 6.

Next, the wireless tag 6 will be further described with reference to the drawings.
The wireless tag 6 configured as an active type has a power source and actively emits radio waves, and therefore generally has a longer communication distance than the passive type. Therefore, even when communicating with a communication device (reader 2) provided in a high-speed moving body such as a train or an automobile, normal communication can be realized with a higher probability. However, in the case of the active type, since a battery is required, maintenance problems such as battery replacement occur. Therefore, this embodiment has the following configuration.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the reader 2 and the wireless tag 6 in this embodiment. First, the reader 2 will be described. The reader 2 includes an ultraviolet light emitting device 21 and an RFID reader 22. The ultraviolet light emitting device 21 emits light using ultraviolet rays having a predetermined range of wavelengths as a start command. The ultraviolet light emitting device 21 is configured using, for example, a deuterium lamp or a deep ultraviolet light emitting tube, and emits deep ultraviolet light. Deep ultraviolet rays are ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of about 200 to 350 nanometers and are hardly contained in light existing in a natural environment such as sunlight. More preferably, the deep ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting device 21 is UV-C (Ultra Violet · C wave) composed of ultraviolet light having a wavelength of about 200 to 280 nanometers. In the following description, a configuration when the ultraviolet light emitting device 21 emits deep ultraviolet light will be described. The ultraviolet light emitting device 21 may always emit light or may emit light in response to the approach to the wireless tag 6.
The RFID reader 22 includes an antenna 221 and wirelessly communicates with the wireless tag 6 via the antenna 221. The RFID reader 22 receives the detection result (data) of the sensor and the identification information (ID) of the wireless tag 6 from the wireless tag 6. Further, the RFID reader 22 transmits a reception confirmation to the wireless tag 6 when reception of the sensor detection result and identification information is completed.

Next, the wireless tag 6 will be described. The wireless tag 6 includes an ultraviolet light receiving device 61, a drive circuit 62, a power supply unit 63, and an RFID 64. The ultraviolet light receiving device 61 receives deep ultraviolet light transmitted from the ultraviolet light emitting device 21 of the reader 2 provided in the moving train 1 as an activation command. More preferably, the ultraviolet light receiving device 61 receives UV-C composed of ultraviolet rays in the vicinity of 200 to 280 nanometers as an activation command.
The drive circuit 62 outputs an operation command to the RFID in response to the reception of deep ultraviolet light by the ultraviolet light receiving device 61.
The power supply unit 63 supplies power to devices that require power among the devices included in the wireless tag 6.

  The RFID 64 transmits the detection result output from the sensor to the outside (reader 2) by a radio signal in accordance with the operation command output from the drive circuit 62. Hereinafter, a specific example of the configuration of the RFID 64 will be described. The RFID 64 has a storage unit that acquires and temporarily stores the detection result output from the sensor, and stores the detection result in the storage unit until transmission to the reader 2 is completed. The RFID 64 is in standby by operating an internal electronic circuit in order to establish communication with the reader 2, and shifts from a standby state to an operating state in accordance with an operation command output from the drive circuit 62. The RFID 64 that has shifted to the operating state transmits the detection result stored in the storage unit from the antenna 641. When the transmission to the reader 2 is completed, the RFID 64 stops radiating radio waves from the antenna 641. Completion of transmission to the reader 2 is determined, for example, by receiving a reception confirmation from the reader 2.

  Next, specific examples of the configuration of the ultraviolet light receiving device 61 and the drive circuit 62 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the ultraviolet light receiving device 61 and the drive circuit 62. Hereinafter, a specific example of the configuration shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The ultraviolet light receiver 61 is configured using an ultraviolet detector 611. The drive circuit 62 includes an oscillation circuit 621, a booster circuit 622, a first resistor 623, a second resistor 624, a capacitor 625, and an output terminal 626. The anode terminal A of the ultraviolet detector 611 is connected to the first resistor 623, and the cathode terminal K is connected to the second resistor 624, the capacitor 625, and the output terminal 626. A voltage based on the power supplied from the power supply unit 63 is applied to the anode terminal A and the cathode terminal K of the ultraviolet detector 611 via the oscillation circuit 621, the booster circuit 622, the first resistor 623, and the second resistor 624. . The voltage Vout output from the output terminal 626 when the ultraviolet detector 611 does not receive deep ultraviolet rays (hereinafter referred to as “output voltage”) Vout and the output when the ultraviolet detector 611 receives deep ultraviolet rays. The value is different from the voltage Vout. A change in the value of the output voltage Vout is output to the RFID 64 as an operation command. The RFID 64 determines whether or not to transmit a detection result based on a change in the value of the output voltage Vout.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the time change of the output voltage Vout of the drive circuit 62. FIG. 6A represents the time change of the output voltage Vout when the deep ultraviolet rays are not received. FIG. 6B represents a time change of the output voltage Vout when deep ultraviolet light is received. FIG. 6C shows a time change of the output voltage Vout when deep ultraviolet rays stronger than the case of FIG. 6B are received. FIG. 6D shows the time change of the output voltage Vout when deep ultraviolet light stronger than that in FIG. 6C is received. As apparent from FIGS. 6A to 6D, the stronger the intensity of the received deep ultraviolet light, the greater the number of changes in the output voltage Vout per unit time tu.

The RFID 64 may transmit the detection result when even a little deep ultraviolet light is received by the ultraviolet light receiving device 61. In this case, the RFID 64 may be configured to transmit the detection result when the output voltage Vout per unit time tu changes even once.
The RFID 64 may transmit the detection result when deep ultraviolet rays are received for a predetermined time by the ultraviolet light receiving device 61. In this case, the RFID 64 may be configured to transmit the detection result when the unit time tu in which the number of changes in the output voltage Vout is 1 or more continues for a predetermined number of times.

The RFID 64 may transmit a detection result when deep ultraviolet light having a predetermined intensity or higher is received by the ultraviolet light receiving device 61. In this case, the RFID 64 may be configured to transmit the detection result when the number of changes in the output voltage Vout per unit time tu is a predetermined number or more.
The RFID 64 may transmit a detection result when deep ultraviolet light having a predetermined intensity or more is continuously received for a predetermined time or longer by the ultraviolet light receiving device 61. In this case, the RFID 64 may be configured to transmit the detection result when the unit time tu in which the number of changes in the output voltage Vout is equal to or greater than the predetermined number continues for the predetermined number of times.
These determinations in the RFID 64 are performed by information processing hardware such as a microcomputer mounted on the RFID 64.

Next, the power supply unit 63 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply unit 63 when a solar cell is applied.
In this figure, the solar cell 63a receives sunlight and generates electric power. The charging circuit 63b charges the capacitor 63c with the electric power generated by the solar battery 63a. The capacitor 63c is charged by receiving power from the charging circuit 63b and supplies power to the step-up / step-down DC-DC converter 63d. The step-up / step-down DC-DC converter 63d receives the electric power from the capacitor 63c, raises or lowers the voltage to a predetermined voltage, and supplies the electric power to the drive circuit 62 and the RFID 64 which are loads.
Thus, the power supply unit 63 generates and stores electric power by the solar battery 63a, and supplies electric power to the load as necessary.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example of the wireless tag 6. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of the wireless tag 6. In the first operation example, the wireless tag 6 transmits the detection result of the sensor when receiving even a little deep ultraviolet light. In the second operation example, the wireless tag 6 transmits the detection result of the sensor when deep ultraviolet rays are received for a predetermined time. Next, the operation of the wireless tag 6 in the configuration of FIG. 4 will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, a first operation example will be described with reference to FIG. When the train 1 approaches the wireless tag 6, the ultraviolet light receiving device 61 of the wireless tag 6 receives the deep ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting device 21 of the reader 2 attached to the train 1 (step S101). In response to this light reception, the output voltage Vout output from the drive circuit 62 changes (step S102). A change in the output voltage Vout is input to the RFID 64 as an operation command. The RFID 64 stands by without transmitting the sensor measurement result until the output voltage Vout changes (step S201—NO). When the output voltage Vout changes (step S201—YES), the RFID 64 transmits the sensor detection result to the reader 2 (step S202). Thereafter, the RFID 64 continues the transmission process until reception confirmation is received from the reader 2 (step S203—NO). When the reception confirmation is received from the reader 2 (step S203—YES), the RFID 64 stops the transmission process and enters a standby state (step S204).

  Next, a second operation example will be described with reference to FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 9, the operations of the ultraviolet light receiving device 61 and the drive circuit 62 are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. The RFID 64 first initializes a variable n (step S301). In FIG. 9, the RFID 64 is initialized by substituting “0” for a variable n. Next, the RFID 64 determines whether or not the output voltage Vout has changed within the unit time tu (step S302). If there is no change (step S302-NO), the RFID 64 returns to the process of step S301 and initializes the variable n.

  On the other hand, when the output voltage Vout changes within the unit time tu (step S302—YES), the RFID 64 increments the variable n (step S303). For example, the RFID 64 is incremented by adding “1” to the variable n. Next, the RFID 64 determines whether or not the value of the variable n is larger than a preset constant N (step S304). When the variable n is equal to or smaller than the constant N (step S304—NO), the RFID 64 returns to the process of step S302 and determines whether or not the output voltage Vout has changed with respect to the next unit time tu. On the other hand, when the variable n is larger than the constant N (step S304—YES), the RFID 64 transmits the sensor detection result to the reader 2 (step S305). Thereafter, the RFID 64 continues the transmission process until reception confirmation is received from the reader 2 (step S306—NO). When the reception confirmation is received from the reader 2 (step S306-YES), the RFID 64 stops the transmission process and enters a standby state (step S307).

  As described above, in the facility information management system according to the present embodiment, the wireless tag 6 does not execute the transmission process until receiving the activation command from the ultraviolet light emitting device 21 of the reader 2, and transmits when receiving the activation command. Execute. Therefore, power consumption in the wireless tag 6 can be reduced. In addition, the power consumption can be reduced by reducing the power consumption. Furthermore, the reduction in power consumption makes it possible to extend the life of the power supply unit 63, and it is possible to reduce maintenance work such as replacement and repair of the power supply unit 63. Further, since the power supply unit 63 of the wireless tag 6 can store electricity, it is not necessary to replace the battery due to power consumption, and the maintenance work can be further reduced.

  In addition, when the activation command is transmitted by deep ultraviolet light emission, the following effects can be obtained. Since deep ultraviolet light has a wavelength that hardly exists in nature, deep ultraviolet light is rarely emitted from a light source other than the reader 2. Therefore, in the wireless tag 6, it is possible to prevent the detection result of the sensor from being erroneously transmitted even though the reader 2 is not approaching. Therefore, waste of power due to erroneous transmission can be prevented. Since the number of light emission sources is generally limited in the case of deep ultraviolet rays than in infrared rays, the effect of preventing erroneous transmission as described above is more effective than that in the case of transmitting a start command by infrared emission. It is higher when the activation command is transmitted by light emission.

<Modification>
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a modified example of the power supply unit 63. The power supply unit 63 in the modification includes an electric double layer capacitor 63e instead of the capacitor 63c. The electric double layer capacitor 63e stores the electric power received via the charging circuit 63b and outputs it to the step-up / step-down DC-DC converter 63d. The electric double layer capacitor 63e generally has a long product life. Therefore, with such a configuration, it is possible to further reduce maintenance work such as replacement and repair of the power supply unit 63.

In the embodiment described above, the case where the mobile body is a train and the equipment is a track has been described. However, the mobile body is an automobile and the equipment is a road, and a wireless tag and various sensors may be attached to the road. Good.
The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Train, 2 ... Reader, 3 ... Feed wire compression connection part, 6 ... Wireless tag, 21 ... Ultraviolet light-emitting device, 22 ... RFID reader, 61 ... Ultraviolet light-receiving device, 62 ... Drive circuit, 63 ... Power supply part, 64 ... RFID

Claims (4)

A wireless communication device in a facility information management system having a communication terminal attached to a moving body that moves along a facility to be monitored, and a wireless communication device that transmits information wirelessly to the communication terminal,
A storage unit that stores facility information that is a detection result of a sensor provided in the facility;
A deep ultraviolet signal receiving unit for receiving a deep ultraviolet signal as an activation instruction from the deep ultraviolet light emitting device of the communication device;
Based on the deep ultraviolet signal received by the deep ultraviolet signal receiver, a transmission unit that transmits the facility information stored in the storage unit to the communication terminal;
A wireless communication device.   The control unit causes the transmission unit to transmit facility information to the communication terminal when the deep ultraviolet signal receiving unit continuously receives the deep ultraviolet signal for a predetermined time or longer. The wireless communication device according to 1. A facility information management system having a communication terminal attached to a moving body that moves along a facility to be monitored, and a wireless communication device that wirelessly transmits information to the communication terminal,
The communication terminal is
A receiving unit for receiving facility information transmitted from the wireless communication device;
A deep ultraviolet light emitting device that transmits a deep ultraviolet signal as an activation instruction,
The wireless communication device
A storage unit that stores facility information that is a detection result of a sensor provided in the facility;
A deep ultraviolet signal receiving unit for receiving the deep ultraviolet signal from the deep ultraviolet light emitting device of the communication device;
Based on the deep ultraviolet signal received by the deep ultraviolet signal receiver, a transmission unit that transmits the facility information stored in the storage unit to the communication terminal;
A facility information management system comprising: A wireless communication method for a wireless communication device in a facility information management system having a communication terminal attached to a moving body that moves along a facility to be monitored and a wireless communication device that transmits information to the communication terminal wirelessly. ,
The wireless communication device
Receiving a deep ultraviolet signal as an activation instruction from the deep ultraviolet light emitting device of the communication device;
Based on the received deep ultraviolet signal, the facility information is read from a storage unit that stores facility information that is a detection result of a sensor provided in the facility,
A wireless communication method, comprising: transmitting the read facility information to the communication terminal.

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