JP2804909B2 - Distributed data collection system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an analog
A plurality of data collection terminals installed near the place where data or digital data is generated and collecting the generated data are connected by digital transmission lines (hereinafter simply referred to as transmission lines) relayed for each data collection terminal. The present invention relates to a distributed data collection system that is connected to a central recording device and collects data collected by each data collection terminal device by the central recording device.

In particular, the data collection terminal is installed in a wide area outdoors and the location of data generation moves sequentially, and accordingly, the installation location of the data collection terminal also moves, and the data collection terminal connected to the central recording device The present invention relates to a distributed data acquisition system in which the number of satellites frequently changes, for example, a digital telemetry type physical exploration device for exploring an underground structure by a sound reflection method using an artificial earthquake as a sound source.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In such a distributed data collection system, in order to reduce the power consumption of the system, the operation state of a data collection terminal device is usually set to a sleep state (a state in which power consumption is minimal). When necessary for data collection, an operation of powering up to an operating state is performed. In particular, when installed in a wide area outdoors and the installation location is moving, there is no power supply originally existing near each data collection terminal device, and power is supplied from a separately installed battery or the like. To operate, operations to reduce power consumption are essential.

In addition, when the installation location moves, the connection relationship between the central recording device and the data collection terminal device changes successively, so that the operation of initializing the connection relationship as a transmission system is frequently performed. Done.

Therefore, prior to data collection, the central recording device performs operations such as power control of each data collection terminal device, initialization and setting of address information and the like on a transmission line, connection confirmation, and the like. Procedure for establishing a connection relationship with the device (hereinafter referred to as "system startup sequence")
Is frequently implemented.

Although the system start-up sequence is indispensable, it is an extra operation in terms of data collection, which is the original purpose of the system, and the central recording device quickly and reliably grasps the number of connected data collection terminals. It is required that execution be completed in the shortest time.

Further, in data collection, since the work is performed by communication via a transmission line, various factors obstructing the communication (for example, transmission obstruction due to electromagnetic waves / discharge, disconnection of the transmission line, transmission / reception function). It is not uncommon for work efficiency to drop or to be interrupted due to failures, power failures, etc.) and to waste a great deal of money (1 to 10 million yen per day of delay). Therefore, when a transmission failure occurs, it is required to promptly identify and restore the failure location if it is a permanent failure. In the case of intermittent failures, it is necessary to identify the location of the failure with minimum impact on work in order to prevent permanent damage and improve fault-tolerant technology by grasping the causes of external failures. I have.

[0008] 1. Explanation of "system startup sequence" in conventional distributed data collection system

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a conventional system startup sequence. First, “Transmission path initialization” S
In 1, the central recording device sends a signal for initializing the transmission line to the downstream of the transmission line, and in the data collection terminal device receiving this signal from the transmission line (upstream), when the signal is detected, it is allocated. The address and the like on the transmission path are reset, and this signal is relayed and transmitted to the downstream of the transmission path. When the signal from the upstream disappears, the command signal from the upstream is not relayed thereafter. Note that "signal disappears" means, for example, that the signal is reset by a signal pulse from upstream,
After that, a non-signal detection function realized by detecting with a comparator or the like that the count value of a timer (counter) that counts up from 0 at a certain time interval becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. It means that the pulse is no longer detected.

Next, in "address set" S2 to S6, the central recording device first sets address information A to 1
Is transmitted, and every time a response signal to the command signal is normally received, the value of the address information A is incremented by one and the next address set command is transmitted. Repeat that. As a result of sending the address set command, if the time is over (the response signal cannot be received within a predetermined time set by the central recording device), it is determined that there is no more data collection terminal device, and the last data A flag indicating that the terminal device is the farthest end terminal device is set in the collection terminal device (S6), and the "address set" ends.

When the data collection terminal device receives the address set command, it is assigned an address by the command (address information A is assigned as its own address on the transmission line). After the address on the transmission path is allocated, the state is set to relay the command signal other than the command signal addressed to itself (specifying the own address). That is, when the central recording device next sends an address set command having different address information A,
The data collection terminal device to which the address has already been assigned relays this downstream.

[0012] At the end of the above-mentioned "address set", the process ends in an abnormal state in which there is no response signal to the command signal, so that abnormal information is recorded in all data collection terminal devices. This function of recording anomaly information is necessary for investigating the place where the anomaly occurred, but the anomaly in the “address set” is expected and does not need to be recorded as anomaly. It is necessary to delete it because it becomes confusing with the record of the abnormalities.

Then, finally, the procedure of "abnormal recording deletion" S7 is executed. The central recording device usually sends out a command signal for abnormal recording erasure in the form of a so-called broadcast command signal, which causes all data collection terminal devices to execute the command with one command signal.

The data collection terminal receives the command signal, deletes the abnormal record, and relays the data to the downstream. However, only the data collection terminal device for which the “farthest end flag” has been set transmits a response signal to the upstream without relaying this command signal to the downstream.

FIG. 34 is a time chart of a conventional system startup sequence.

In the "transmission line initialization", since the number of data collection terminal devices is unknown, the central recording device assumes that the maximum number of data collection terminal devices that can be connected is connected. The signal for initialization is continuously transmitted for the time necessary to initialize all of them.

Next, in the "address set", addresses on the transmission path are allocated in order from the data collection terminal device close to the central recording device (FIG. 34 shows an example of four data collection terminal devices).

Finally, "abnormal recording deletion" is executed, and the processing ends. 2. Explanation of "time-over processing during data collection sequence" in conventional distributed data collection system

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a time-over process during a data collection sequence according to the conventional technique.

First, in the "data collection command" S21, the central recording device sends downstream a data collection command signal designating an address on the transmission path of the data collection terminal device to be collected at this time. At that time, the maximum time to wait for a response signal from the downstream (time-over monitoring time)
And wait for the response signal.

Here, when a time-over occurs, the central recording apparatus stops waiting for a response signal after the time set as described above, and determines that the time is over. In the data collection terminal device between the central recording device and the data collection terminal device for which data is to be collected, the data collection terminal device is waiting to prepare for relaying a response signal from the downstream. If the next command signal is received from the CPU, it is determined that the time-out of the response signal to the immediately preceding data collection command has occurred, and the abnormality is recorded internally.

Next, the central recording apparatus starts operations S23 to S29 for specifying the location where the abnormality has occurred.

It is assumed that the address on the transmission path of the data collection terminal device is 1, which is closest to the central recording device, and thereafter, the address is assigned to a value that increases by one in ascending order. First, the central recording device sends out an "abnormal record read command signal" in which the address information A is 1, obtains the abnormal record included in the response signal from the first data collection terminal device in response thereto, and Check for over-recorded. If there is a record of the time over, the central recording device determines that there is a failure location downstream from the data collection terminal device, increases the address by 1, and obtains an error record from the next data collection terminal device to check it. repeat.

As a result, (1) if a time-over occurs, the portion between the data collection terminal device designated at that time and the data collection terminal device on the one upstream side is determined to be an abnormality occurrence location. In this case, since the failure at the same location has been reproduced, it is determined that the failure is a permanent failure. (2) If there is no record of time-over, no abnormality has occurred since the data collection terminal device specified at that time.
An area between the data collection terminal device and the data collection terminal device on the one upstream side is determined as an abnormal occurrence location. In this case, the failure that occurred earlier was not reproduced,
It is determined that the failure occurs intermittently.

FIG. 36 is a time chart of a time-over process during a data collection sequence according to the conventional technique.

In this example, the number of data collection terminals connected to the central recording device is four, and a failure where a response signal is not transmitted between the third and fourth data collection terminals (permanent failure) Shows the case in which is generated.

Due to the "time over occurrence", the central recording apparatus starts "abnormal recording reading". First, the abnormality record is read from the first data collection terminal device, and the content is checked. Since there is a record of time over, the same operation is performed for the second data collection terminal device. The same applies to the third data collection terminal device. Next, when the central recording device sends an abnormal recording read command signal to the fourth data collection terminal device, a response signal from the fourth data collection terminal device is sent to the third data collection terminal device. Since it cannot be reached, the central recording device cannot receive the response signal either. Here, a time-over occurs again, and the central recording device determines that a permanent failure has occurred between the third and fourth data collection terminal devices, and ends.

[0028]

Problems in the conventional distributed data collection system will be described below.

First, in the "system startup sequence", problems (1) Since the number of connected data collection terminals is not known for the central recording device, even if the number is Assuming that it is the maximum number in the specification, the transmission line initialization signal must be transmitted for an unnecessarily long period of time, which is inefficient. In addition, the central recording device needs to generate an abnormality such as a time-over (a response signal to a command signal cannot be detected) in order to grasp the number of connected data collection terminal devices.

Problem (2) Therefore, when an actual abnormality occurs on the transmission line during the address set sequence, the transmission line is connected to the central recording device and the data collection terminal device targeted for the address set. If it exists between
Even though this data collection terminal device is not the farthest end, the central recording device ends the sequence of address set to number detection from the detection of time over,
As a result, the number of connected data collection terminal devices is erroneously recognized.

Problem (3) In order to avoid this problem, it is necessary to repeat the system startup sequence a plurality of times, which is complicated and requires a great deal of processing time. In particular, in an environment where a plurality of time-over fault locations occur intermittently, it may not be possible to correctly determine the number.

Problem (4) As another method, when the time over occurs in the problem (2), the address set for the data collection terminal device may be retried, thereby shortening the retry time. However, the process of distinguishing and erasing abnormal records, or processing when the place of occurrence is indeterminate and intermittent becomes very complicated.

Next, in the "time-over processing during the data collection sequence", it is necessary to immediately and quickly identify a location (failure location) where a time-over (no response signal to the command signal) has occurred, Issues are a recording processing method and a method of setting a time-out monitoring time. In particular,

Problem (5) When a time-over occurs, the data collection must be interrupted and a complicated procedure for identifying a failure location must be executed (FIG. 35). Occurs.

Problem (6) Depending on the system, there is also a usage which also serves as a data collection command and the activation of the data collection operation of the data collection terminal device. In some cases, it may be necessary to give up identifying the location of the failure because parts are lost. As a result, for example, a semi-break of a cable constituting a transmission line (a difficult-to-find obstacle in which a cut wire material keeps conduction by contact and becomes intermittently non-conductive due to mechanical stimulation or environmental conditions). However, there is also a problem that failures occur intermittently for a long period of time without being able to find them.

Problem (7) Further, when a time-over occurs when an abnormal record is read in order to specify a fault location, and the fault location is different from the fault location to be specified, the fault fault location is erroneously recognized. Problems arise.

Problem (8) If a retry is performed to avoid this, since a plurality of abnormalities are recorded, it is extremely complicated to correctly determine a failure situation and a failure location from the records.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improvement in inefficiency and uncertainty in grasping the number of data collection terminal devices in a conventional distributed data collection system, and a time-out in which a response signal to a command signal is not detected within a predetermined time. It is intended to improve inconvenience caused by a failure, to realize quick and reliable status grasp when the time-over failure occurs, and the like.

[0039]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a distributed data collection system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of data collection terminal devices connected in series to each other via a digital transmission line. And a central recording device connected to one of the plurality of data collection terminal devices via a digital transmission line, wherein a specific address is selected from among different addresses allocated to the plurality of data collection terminal devices. By controlling the corresponding data collection terminal device by specifying the, including the central recording device to record the data collected in the plurality of data collection terminal device, each of the plurality of data collection terminal device, The first signal is received from a digital transmission path on the side of the central recording device (hereinafter, referred to as “upstream”) and a digital transmission path on the opposite side from the upstream (hereinafter, “downstream”). And relay means for relaying the first signal to the "hereinafter), by detecting the first signal from the upstream, a detecting means for outputting a detection signal in response to the detection signal,
Means for transmitting a second signal upstream within a predetermined time; and a standby state for receiving a second signal from downstream in response to the detection signal, wherein the second signal is received within a predetermined time. If no is detected, a third signal including the first numerical value is transmitted upstream, and if the second signal is detected within the predetermined time, the third signal from downstream is detected. Means for adding a predetermined numerical value to the numerical value included in the third signal by an adding means, and transmitting the added signal to the upstream, wherein the central recording device transmits the first signal to a digital transmission path. And a standby state for receiving the second signal from the digital transmission path, and if the second signal is not detected within a predetermined time, the second numerical value is stored in the storage means, If the second signal is detected within the predetermined time, a digital transmission path Third detecting signal Luo third
Means for storing the numerical value included in the signal of the above in the storage means.

Here, the first numerical value and the predetermined numerical value may be “1”, and the second numerical value may be “0”.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the distributed data collection system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first to third signals are used for data collection. The central recording device and the plurality of data collection terminal devices each have a higher degree of redundancy than a transmission signal (command signal and response signal), and each of the central recording device and the plurality of data collection terminal devices receives the first to third signals received from a digital transmission path. For detection, the apparatus further includes a signal quality improving unit having a noise removal function or an error correction function using the redundancy.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the distributed data collection system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the central recording device sends a command signal to a specific data collection terminal device, The specific data collection terminal device sends a response signal including an address assigned to the specific data collection terminal device to the central recording device in response to the command signal, and the specific data collection terminal device and the central Another data collection terminal device between the recording device and the recording device is controlled to be transmitted by relaying the response signal from downstream to upstream, and each of the plurality of data collection terminal devices includes the predetermined data collection terminal device. If the second signal is not detected within the time, a third numerical value is stored in the terminal side storage means, and if the second signal is detected within the predetermined time, the third signal is stored. Numeric values included Means for storing in the terminal-side storage means, and first arithmetic means for giving a monotonically increasing characteristic to the numerical value stored in the terminal-side storage means after the data collection terminal device relays an instruction signal from upstream to downstream. Means for waiting for a response signal from the downstream, up to a time value obtained by applying the response signal, and, when the response signal is received within the time value, relaying the response signal to the upstream, and responding within the time value. If the signal is not received, a signal including information indicating that the response signal from the downstream could not be received (hereinafter, referred to as “time over”) and the address assigned to the data collection terminal device is used as the response signal. Means for sending the command signal to a digital transmission path, and then providing a monotonically increasing characteristic to the numerical value stored in the storage means. Means for waiting for a response signal from the digital transmission line, up to a time value obtained by applying the above, and when a response signal not containing the information indicating the time-out and the address within the time value is received, the response Means for performing a predetermined process thereafter assuming that the signal has been normally received, and, when a response signal including the information indicating the time-out and the address within the time value is received, corresponding to the address included in the response signal. A data collection terminal device, and a means for recording that a failure point that caused a response signal to be unable to reach the central recording device exists between the data collection terminal device on one downstream side thereof,
If a response signal is not received within the time value, a cause that the response signal cannot reach the central recording device between the central recording device and the data collection terminal device closest to the central recording device. Means for recording the existence of the failed part.

Here, the third numerical value may be “0”.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the central recording apparatus can recognize (1) the end of the transmission path initialization sequence as a result of the transmission path initialization sequence in the system initialization sequence. (2) The number of connected data collection terminal devices can be ascertained.

That is, the central recording device transmits the first signal, and the data collection terminal device between the central recording device and the data collection terminal device at the farthest end transmits the second response signal from downstream. Since it receives the signal, it recognizes that there is another device downstream and waits for a third signal from the downstream, and the farthest end data collection terminal device receives the second response signal from the downstream within a predetermined time. Since the terminal cannot recognize itself as the farthest end, it sends a third signal having a numerical value of 1 and the upstream data collection terminal device receiving the signal adds 1 to the numerical value to obtain an upstream signal. Relay to In this way, the numerical value part of the third signal is incremented by one each time the data signal is relayed by the data collection terminal device and relayed upstream, so that when reaching the central recording device, the content of the numerical value part is: It is the number of data collection terminal devices 2 connected. When the third signal reaches the central recording device, the transmission path initialization sequence is completed.

Therefore, the central recording device can terminate the transmission of the transmission path initialization signal in a time corresponding to the number of the connected data collection terminal devices.
Is resolved.

Further, the central recording device can grasp the number of data collection terminal devices before the next address set sequence, and it is sufficient to repeat only the transmission path initialization sequence to confirm the number. Problems (2)-(4)
Is resolved.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, a signal in a transmission line initialization sequence is
In other words, since the error can be reduced and the accuracy can be increased, the transmission path initialization sequence itself can be enhanced, and the problems (2) to (4) can be solved more reliably.

Next, according to the third aspect of the present invention, when a time-over fault occurs in the data collection sequence, the central recording apparatus can immediately grasp the location where the time-over fault occurs.

That is, in the central recording device and the data collection terminal device, as shown in the example of FIG.
Is set as an input, and a time-out monitoring time is set by the first arithmetic means 75 which gives an output that increases monotonically with respect to the input. As a result, a device farther from the central recording device detects the time-over earlier, that is, a device closer to the failure location, and sends a response signal indicating the time-over detection to the upstream, so that the device upstream from this device has a time-out. , And relay this response signal upstream. In other words, the central recording device is notified that the data collection terminal device immediately before (at the upstream side of) the failure has detected a time over, so that the central recording device can immediately grasp the failure location. Therefore, since the work for identifying the fault location is not required, the problems (5) to (8) are solved.

[0051]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example of the configuration of a distributed data collection system according to the present invention. Although the number of data collection terminals for one central recording device is not limited, an example is shown in which four data collection terminals are connected.

The system includes a central recording device 1, a plurality of data collection terminal devices 21 to 24, and transmission lines 31 to 35, which are connected in tandem by the transmission lines to form a telemetry system as a whole.

Central recording device 1 and each data collection terminal device 2
There is a full-duplex or half-duplex digital transmission function (wired or wireless) between 1 to 24, and each data collection terminal device 21 to 24 has a relay function for this transmission. In this transmission, the direction toward the central recording device 1 (left side in FIG. 1) is defined as “upstream”, and the opposite direction is defined as “downstream”.

The central recording apparatus 1 has a function of initializing the telemetry system and transmitting an initialization signal for starting the telemetry system, and a command signal destined for one or all of the plurality of data collection terminals 21 to 24. It has a function of transmitting and receiving a response signal from the data collection terminal device designated as the destination. That is, it has a "master function" for controlling the start to end of transmission in the telemetry system.
Also, the central recording device 1 is usually a computer system or a microcomputer system, and the telemetry control device controlled by the computer system or the microcomputer system,
It is composed of a storage device such as a magnetic tape device, an input / output device such as a printer / plotter / keyboard / display, etc., and extracts necessary information from the response signal to determine the contents or record the information in the storage device. Data collection is performed by combining a plurality of types of operations.

The data collection terminal devices 21 to 24 receive the initialization signal from the upstream, initialize the telemetry interface part and relay it to the downstream, and receive the command signal from the upstream, If the destination included is only yourself, execute the command and send a response signal upstream within a predetermined time, and if the destination is another, relay the command signal downstream and wait for a response signal from downstream. Relay to the upstream, if the destination is all data collection terminal equipment, relay the command signal to the downstream and execute the command, wait for the response signal from the downstream and relay to the upstream, and at the end of the response signal from yourself And sends it. That is, it has a “slave function” in the telemetry system. Further, the data collection terminal devices 21 to 24
Has at least a digital or analog data input circuit, samples the output of this input circuit,
After performing data conversion processing such as analog-to-digital conversion as necessary, it is stored as digital data,
This data is sent upstream according to the received command signal.

The first point of the present invention is that, in the initialization of the telemetry (system initialization sequence),
An object of the present invention is to provide means for easily grasping the number of data collection terminal devices to which the central recording device 1 is connected.

FIG. 2 is a time chart on a transmission line in the distributed data collection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The horizontal axis represents time. The vertical axis is the transmission path (ie,
The output signal of the data collection terminal device) represents each signal. On the vertical axis,
Arrows pointing left indicate signals going upstream, and arrows pointing right indicate signals going downstream.

(1) The central recording device 1 sends the first signal to the data collection terminal device 21, that is, at the same time or after the first signal is sent to the downstream of the transmission line 31, so that the first time of the second signal from the downstream is obtained. Start monitoring means.

(2) The data collection terminal device 21 detects the first signal and sends the second signal to the central recording device 1, that is, upstream of the transmission line 31. Central recording device 1
Stops the first time monitoring by detecting this second signal and waits for the third signal from downstream.

(3) The data collection terminal device 21
In parallel with (2), when the first signal is sent to the data collection terminal device 22, that is, downstream of the transmission line 32, the first time monitoring means of the second signal from downstream is activated simultaneously or with delay. I do.

(4) The data collection terminal device 22 detects the first signal and sends the second signal to the data collection terminal device 21, that is, upstream of the transmission line 32. The data collection terminal device 21 stops monitoring the first time by detecting the second signal, and waits for the third signal from the downstream.

(5) The data collection terminal device 22 transmits the first signal to the data collection terminal device 23, that is, downstream of the transmission line 33 at the same time or after the second signal is transmitted, in parallel with Activating the first time monitoring means of the signal.

(6) to (8) The same applies hereinafter.

(9) The data collection terminal device 24 transmits the first signal to the downstream of the transmission line 35 at the same time or with a delay,

(10) The first time monitoring means for the second signal from the downstream is activated.

(11) Since the second signal from the downstream is not detected, the monitoring time is over.

(12) After the monitoring time has elapsed (11), the data collection terminal device 24 sets a numerical value 0 in the first storage means, and sets the numerical value portion to the data collection terminal device 23, that is, upstream of the transmission line 34. Is transmitted as a third signal.

(13) The data collection terminal device 23 receives the third signal, and sets the value 1 of the numerical part of the third signal to 1
Is set in the first storage means, and a third signal having a value obtained by adding 1 to this value (that is, 2) as a numerical value part is transmitted to the data collection terminal device 22, that is, upstream of the transmission line 33. .

(14), (15) Thereafter, similarly,
A third signal whose numerical value is 3 is transmitted from the data collection terminal device 22 to the data collection terminal device 21, and a third signal whose numerical value portion is 4 is transmitted from the data collection terminal device 21 to the central recording device 1. A signal is transmitted.

In this way, the central recording device 1 can obtain the number of data collection terminal devices connected downstream. Also, each data collection terminal device can obtain the number of data collection terminal devices connected downstream from itself in each first storage means. In this embodiment, the number of data collection terminal devices is four, but it is clear that the same effect can be obtained with any number of data collection terminal devices.

The central recording device 1 and each of the data collection terminal devices 21 to 24 operate within a predetermined time after the first time monitoring means has exceeded the monitoring time or after detecting the third signal from the downstream. , Stop sending the first signal ((1
6) to (20)).

It is not essential that the first signal also has the function of initializing the transmission line, but it is useful to grasp the number of data collection terminal devices connected simultaneously with the initialization of the transmission line. In the following description, it is assumed that the first signal has a function of initializing the transmission path. Therefore, each of the data collection terminal devices 21 to 24 performs the same operation as when the transmission line initialization signal is received in the related art.
, The transmission line interface is initialized, and it is detected that the first signal has disappeared. Thereafter, the command signal is not relayed downstream until the address on the transmission line is set. .

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the data collection terminal device in the present embodiment.

The first signal from the upstream is detected by the first signal detecting means 41. First signal detecting means 4
1 is a digital pattern detection circuit or a tank circuit for detecting a periodic signal according to the definition of the first signal.
This is realized by an LL circuit or the like, and the detection output thereof activates the first signal relay / transmission unit 42, the second signal transmission unit, the first time monitoring unit, and the second signal detection unit.

The first signal relaying / sending means 42 is means for relaying the first signal from the upstream to the downstream, or means for sending a signal similar to the first signal to the downstream. , The first signal is sent downstream.

The second signal transmitting means 43 is realized by a circuit for generating a predetermined signal waveform defined as the second signal, and when activated, transmits the second signal upstream.

The first time monitoring means 44 is realized by a timer circuit, a counter circuit, or the like.
However, it becomes 1 when a predetermined time elapses after being activated, indicating that the monitoring time has elapsed. This output is
When the time monitoring is stopped by the output of the signal detection means 45, the signal remains at 0.

The detection means 45 for the second signal is a digital signal.
This is realized by a pattern detection circuit or the like, and when the second signal from the downstream is detected, the operation of the first time monitoring means 44 is stopped by the output.

When the output of the first time monitoring means 44 becomes 1, that is, when the second signal is not detected from the downstream within a predetermined time after receiving the first signal from the upstream, the output of the selector 47 is output. Is a specific initial value, for example, 0, and 0 is set in the first storage means 48. At the same time, a value obtained by adding, for example, 1 to the selector output 0 as a predetermined numerical value by the first adding means 50, that is, 1 is input to the third signal output means 49 as a numerical part of the third signal. , A third signal having a numerical value of 1 is sent upstream.

On the other hand, when the output of the first time monitoring means 44 is 0
That is, if the second signal is detected from the downstream within a predetermined time after the reception of the first signal from the upstream, the output of the selector 47 is output to the third signal detecting means 46.
, And waits for the detection of the third signal from the downstream.

The third signal detection means 46 is realized by a digital pattern detection circuit, a numerical value extraction circuit (for example, a pulse number counter, a transmission data conversion circuit, etc.) according to the definition of the third signal. After being activated by the output of the second signal detection means, when a third signal from downstream is detected, the numerical value part is set in the first storage means 48 via the selector.

At the same time, the first adding means 50
Then, the value obtained by adding the predetermined numerical value 1 is input to the third signal transmitting means 49 as a numerical value part, and the numerical value part is upstream, and the numerical value part of the third signal received from the downstream is one. A third signal that is the added value is transmitted.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the central recording apparatus in the present embodiment. When the central recording device 1 needs to "initialize the transmission path", a sequence start signal is input to the portion of this block diagram, and the first signal transmitting means 51, the first time monitoring means 44, the second Signal detection means 45 is activated.

The first signal transmitting means 51 is realized by a circuit for generating a predetermined signal waveform defined as the first signal, and when activated, transmits the first signal downstream.

The first time monitoring means 44 is realized by a timer circuit or a counter circuit, the output of which is normally 0.
However, it becomes 1 when a predetermined time elapses after being activated, indicating that the monitoring time has elapsed. This output is
When the time monitoring is stopped by the output of the signal detection means 45, the signal remains at 0.

The second signal detection means 45 is a digital signal detector.
This is realized by a pattern detection circuit or the like, and when the second signal from the downstream is detected, the operation of the first time monitoring means 44 is stopped by the output.

If the output of the first time monitoring means 44 becomes 1, that is, if the second signal is not detected from the downstream within a predetermined time after sending the first signal to the downstream, the output of the selector 47 is output. Is a specific initial value, for example, 0,
0 is set in the storage means 48 of.

On the other hand, if the output of the first time monitoring means 44 is 0
That is, if the second signal is detected from the downstream within a predetermined time after sending the first signal to the downstream,
The output of the selector 47 becomes the numerical output of the third signal detecting means 46, and is in a state of waiting for the detection of the third signal from the downstream.

The third signal detection means 46 is realized by a digital pattern detection circuit, a numerical value extraction circuit (for example, a pulse number counter, a transmission data conversion circuit, etc.) in accordance with the definition of the third signal. After being activated by the output of the second signal detection means, when a third signal from downstream is detected, the numerical value part is set in the first storage means 48 via the selector.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is apparent that the number of data collection terminal devices to which the central recording device is connected can be grasped in the transmission line initialization sequence in the system startup sequence. Even if the specific initial value is not 0 or the predetermined value is not 1, if those values are known by the central recording device, the number of data collection terminal devices can be similarly calculated. is there.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a system startup sequence according to this embodiment. The effect of the present invention will be described in comparison with a flowchart of a system startup sequence in the conventional distributed data collection system shown in FIG.

First, in the transmission line initialization sequence S1 in the conventional distributed data collection system, a time longer than the length required to initialize the maximum number of data collection terminal devices that can be connected is required. In the transmission path initialization sequence S11, the execution ends in a time corresponding to the number of connected data collection terminal devices, as is apparent from the description of FIG. This is shown in FIG. 6 (invention) and FIG.
4 (conventional) is also clear from the comparison of the time charts.
For example, in a geophysical survey device, the actual maximum number is 1
The difference is very large because the number of practical units is about 100 at about 000.

Next, the address set sequence S1
Regarding 2 to S16, in the section of "Problems to be Solved by the Invention", it has been described that there is a problem in S2 to S7 according to the related art that the process ends in an abnormal state of time over. However, according to the present invention, the number N of data collection terminal devices can be obtained as a result of the transmission path initialization sequence S11. Obviously this does not happen and the sequence has been simplified.

Such an effect becomes even greater when a plurality of retries are performed in order to surely complete the system startup sequence in a situation where a failure may actually occur. In the case of the conventional technique, all the flows in FIG. 33 must be repeated, whereas in the present invention, only the transmission path initialization sequence S11 needs to be repeated.

Further, the second embodiment of the present invention described below enhances the accuracy of the transmission line initialization sequence and further enhances the effect of improvement over the prior art.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a data collection terminal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is that between the signal input from the upstream and the means for detecting the first signal, and between the signal input from the downstream and the means for detecting the second signal 45. ,
This means that the signal quality improving means 61 is inserted between the third signal detecting means 46 and the third signal detecting means 46. Thereby, noise or errors included in the input signal can be removed or suppressed, and the most important point of the present invention, that is, “acquisition of the number of data collection terminal devices” can be obtained with extremely high accuracy. it can.

The signal quality improving means 61 is realized under the following conditions.

First, the first to third signals (hereinafter referred to as special signals) are defined in a signal format having sufficient redundancy with respect to the transmission performance of the transmission line. Next, as a circuit, a signal quality enhancing means such as an analog filter or a digital filter utilizing this redundancy or an error detection / correction means is adopted, and a special signal is passed through the signal quality enhancing means. Improve signal quality, that is, accuracy.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show examples that can be easily realized. In this example, the transmission path is a bipolar digital signal transmission path for transmitting an AMI code or a dicode code, and has a transmission performance of 4 Mbps for a normal command signal or the like. And a pulse width T1 of 20 times. This allows
It is possible to pass an analog filter or a digital filter having a sufficiently narrow band with respect to the transmission performance of the transmission path, thereby improving the accuracy. FIGS. 10 and 11 show an LPF (low-pass filter) which is well known as an embodiment of the signal quality improving means.

As another embodiment, a special signal is subjected to error correction coding (a number of known examples such as vertical parity + horizontal parity, CRC code and other hamming codes), and error correction is performed as signal quality improving means to remove the redundancy. This can be sufficiently realized by a known technique, such as a method using a circuit, or defining a special signal in which the same pattern is repeated three or more times and employing a majority circuit as a signal quality improving means.

Note that the central recording device of this embodiment is
Similarly, this is realized by inserting a signal quality improving unit 61 between the signal input from the downstream in FIG. 4 and the second signal detecting unit 45 and the third signal detecting unit 46. .

As apparent from the above description, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the retry portion for improving the accuracy in the system initialization sequence is limited to the transmission path initialization sequence. As a special signal, a signal that has sufficient redundancy with respect to the normal command signal etc. is specified, and the accuracy of the system initialization sequence is improved without lowering the efficiency of the normal operation sequence such as data collection. Can be.

Next, a third embodiment of the first essential point of the present invention (providing means for easily grasping the number of data collection terminal devices) will be described with reference to FIGS. .

FIG. 14 is a time chart in the third embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of the data collection terminal device.

In this embodiment, when the transmission path is a bipolar digital signal transmission path, the first signal is a negative pulse train signal with a predetermined pulse width and a predetermined period, and the second signal is the same pulse signal. A pulse signal that alternates between positive and negative twice in width, and a third signal is defined as a positive pulse train signal with the same pulse width and period, the number of pulses is a numerical part, and an end mark that is one negative pulse at the end. doing.

For the description of (1) to (20), see FIG.
Since the description is almost the same as that described above, the details are omitted. However,
In the third signal, the number of positive pulses is a numerical value, and the number increases by one each time it is relayed upstream by the data collection terminal device. Note that the end mark may be a negative pulse as in this embodiment, another specific pattern, or no signal for a predetermined time or more.

FIG. 15 shows that the numerical value part of the third signal of the present embodiment is a pulse train and the number of pulses is a numerical value. The part up to the sending means 49 is realized by means different from the same part in the first embodiment (FIG. 3).

When the third signal is input from the downstream to the third signal detecting means, the third signal numerical pulse separating means 9
The first storage means 4 which is constituted by a counter circuit for extracting a numerical value as a pulse number by 1 and counting the pulse number
8, the value of the numerical part of the third signal from the downstream is set in the first storage means as a result. Further, the third signal numerical pulse separating means 91 activates the third signal numerical pulse transmitting means 94 at the first pulse, and the third signal numerical pulse transmitting means 94 delays the numerical value by one pulse. The transmission of the partial pulse is started. Thereafter, the third signal end mark detecting means 92 detects the end mark of the third signal from the downstream, and the first delay means 93 outputs 1st mark.
After a delay of the pulse time, the third signal numerical pulse sending means 94 is stopped and the third signal end mark sending means 95 is activated. Third signal numerical pulse sending means 94
Stops the transmission of the numerical part pulse with a delay of one pulse. The third signal end mark sending means 95 includes:
The end mark is transmitted with a delay of one pulse.

As a result, the number of pulses of the numerical part of the third signal going upstream is smaller than the number of pulses of the numerical part of the third signal coming downstream by the delay of the first delay means 93, that is, one pulse. More.

The output of the first time monitoring means 44 is 1
If (monitoring time is over), the third signal numerical pulse sending means 94 is delayed by the first delay means by one pulse after the activation of the third signal numerical pulse sending means 94.
Is stopped and the third signal end mark sending means 95 is activated, so that a third signal having a numerical part pulse number of 1 is sent upstream.

In addition to the above examples, some special signal formats can be exemplified to easily show examples of corresponding devices. Hereinafter, examples of special signal formats will be described. A detailed description of the specific configuration of the device will be omitted.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show NRZ (Non R).
7 is an example of the format of a special signal in digital signal transmission.

The waveforms W11 to W13 shown in FIG.
This is an example in which pulse trains having different periods are defined for each of the third to third signals. Detection of each signal can be easily detected and distinguished by a pulse width detection circuit.

The waveforms W21 to W23 shown in FIG.
Is an example in which the second signal has the same phase, the third signal has the opposite phase in the numerical value part, and the same phase in the end mark part. Again, the corresponding circuit can be easily realized.

In W13 and W23, the end mark portion may be substituted by detecting the time of no signal.

FIG. 18 is an example of a time chart of a transmission line initialization sequence in half-duplex digital signal transmission.

In the half-duplex transmission line, since signals in both the upstream and downstream directions cannot exist at the same time, except that the signal is temporarily suspended in the middle of the first signal, almost the same as the example of FIG. The same is true.

Incidentally, the rear part (16) to (2) of the first signal
0) indicates the end of the transmission path initialization, but becomes unnecessary if the transmission of the third signal also has its meaning.

Next, the second point of the present invention is that there is no response signal to a command signal such as data collection (time over).
An object of the present invention is to provide a means for immediately specifying a location of a failure when a failure has occurred.

In the present invention, the second essential point is realized by applying the first to third embodiments which realize the first essential point of the present invention.

First, according to the prior art, when a time-over occurs, the central recording device cannot receive a response signal from the data collection terminal device, so that it is necessary to identify the cause of the failure, which is a problem. This point was mentioned in the section "Problems to be solved by the invention".

[0125] Regarding the point that "response signal cannot be received", even in the prior art, it has been possible to detect it by providing the data collection terminal device with a time monitoring function of the response signal.

FIGS. 37 and 38 show an example. When each of the data collection terminal devices 221 to 223 has finished receiving the command signals (1) to (3) from the upstream, the address (A4) in the command signals is not addressed to itself, and thus the data collection terminal devices 221 to 223 wait for the relay of the response signal from the downstream. The state becomes the state, and the monitoring timer for the waiting time is started ((5) to (7)). Data collection terminal device 22
4 ends receiving the command signal (4), and is addressed to itself.
A response signal (9) is sent upstream. However, this response signal is transmitted to the data collection terminal devices 221 to 223 due to a failure.
, The response signal indicating the time-over is sent upstream due to the respective response signal waiting time timeout ((10), (12), (14)) ((11), ( 13), (15)).

Here, as is apparent, the monitoring time is the same for all the data collection terminal devices, so that the response signal arriving at the central recording device 201 is the signal from the first data collection terminal device 221. Therefore, it is impossible to immediately grasp the location of the failure.

Therefore, there is not much meaning except for an application in which the transmission path is half-duplex and the communication direction is reset at a predetermined time (waiting for signal reception from upstream).

On the other hand, in the present invention, a response signal indicating that a time-over abnormality has been detected is transmitted from the data collection terminal device immediately before the point of failure (as viewed from the central recording device 1). In addition, the central recording device 1 can immediately grasp the failure location.

Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment for realizing the second essential point of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 20 shows an example of the system shown in FIG.
It is a time chart which shows an example of a response signal time-over measure.

Each of the data collection terminal devices 21 to 24 completes receiving the command signals (1) to (4) from the upstream, starts a response signal waiting time monitoring timer ((5) to (7)), and The collection terminal device 24 sends a response signal (9) to the upstream, but the response signal is sent to the data collection terminal device 23 due to a failure.
37 and 38, which show the case of the conventional technique, up to the point where it cannot be reached.

Here, in the present invention, the maximum value (I) of the waiting time of the response signal is set so that the central recording device 1 is maximum and the data collection terminal device closer to the central recording device 1 becomes longer. . In this example, according to the content (K) of the first storage means 48 in each device shown in FIG.
The figure shows a case where there is a first calculating means 75 having an action such that 0 + Tw × K. T0 and Tw are time constants. As a result, as apparent from FIG. 20, it is the data collection terminal device 23 that first detects the time-over of the response signal, and the data collection terminal device 23
Sends a response signal having its own address (A3) and time-over information (ST) upstream. This response signal is transmitted to the central recording device 1 and the data collection terminal devices 21 to 21.
These devices receive or relay this response signal without detecting a time-over because the devices 22 reach each device sooner than the time-out is detected.

Therefore, the central recording device 1 recognizes that a time-over fault has occurred from the status portion (ST) of the received response signal, and from the address portion (A3), the data collection terminal device 23 and the data collection terminal 23 It is possible to grasp that a failure point is located between the terminal device 24 and the terminal device 24.

Also, the response signal does not reach the central recording device 1 only when a similar failure occurs between the central recording device 1 and the data collection terminal device 21, so that the central recording device 1 Even when no signal can be detected, the location of the failure can be grasped. In addition, since the maximum waiting time of the response signal is automatically set according to the number of connected data collection terminal devices, the central recording device 1 has the maximum number of data collection terminal devices as in the related art. There is no need to wait for a time assuming that a failure has occurred, and a failure can be found in a shorter time.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the time-over process during the data collection sequence, which is simpler than the conventional technique shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a time chart of the time-over process, and it can be seen that the time chart is shorter than that of the prior art shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 shows the configuration of the data collection terminal device in this embodiment.

In the figure, double-framed blocks (48, 75)
The other parts are the same as those of the other embodiments, and the detailed description of the other blocks will be omitted.

When a command signal from the upstream is input, the command signal detecting means 71 detects this and activates the command signal relay means 72 to relay the command signal to the downstream. At the same time, the response signal detecting means 74 and the second time monitoring means 73 are activated.

If the response signal from the downstream is detected by the response signal detecting means 74 within the monitoring time of the second time monitoring means 73, the response signal relay means 76 is activated and the response signal is transmitted to the upstream. Relayed to

On the other hand, when the downstream response signal is not detected by the response signal detecting means 74 within the monitoring time of the second time monitoring means 73, the output of the second time monitoring means 73 becomes 1. As a result, the response signal unreceivable status 78 (time over) is transmitted upstream by the response signal transmitting means 79.

In the present embodiment, the monitoring time of the second time monitoring means 73 is the first time in the first embodiment.
First calculating means 75 which receives the contents of the storing means 48 as an input
Is set. The first calculating means 75 is for obtaining an output value having a monotonically increasing relationship with the input value. This is because after the data collection terminal device is configured with a programmable MPU (microprocessor) system, the MPU can read the contents of the first storage means and performs a programmed operation on the value. , The second time monitoring means 73 can be easily set. Alternatively, the first arithmetic means 75 may be a ROM (read only) in which a predetermined output value is stored in the storage content.
Memory) or RAM (random access memory)
And the like, which can be realized by connecting an input as an address terminal and an output as a data terminal.

The characteristic of the monotonic increase is that the difference between adjacent output values is at least the sum of the propagation delay time of the command signal and the response signal and the relay delay time between the data collection terminals. By having it, it is designed so that the upstream side does not detect time-out first.

It is obvious that the central recording device can be provided with a similar time monitoring function.

In the central recording device, (1) when a response signal having no time-over information is received within the time-out monitoring time value (I), it is determined that the response signal has been normally received. Means for performing predetermined processing thereafter; (2) when a response signal having the time-over information is received, a data collection terminal device having an address included in the response signal, and a data collection terminal one downstream of the data collection terminal device Means for recording that there is a failure point between the device and the device that has prevented the response signal from reaching the central recording device. (3) On the other hand, the response signal is not received within the time value (I). In this case, it is recorded that there is a failure point between the central recording device and the data collection terminal device closest to the central recording device, which causes the response signal to be unable to reach the central recording device. Means, a central recording apparatus, usually, by being constituted by a computer system,
It is clear that it can be easily realized.

As apparent from the above description, the second essential point of the present invention is that when a failure occurs in which there is no response signal to a command signal for data collection or the like (time over),
Provision of a means for immediately specifying the location of a failure ”can be realized by the present embodiment.

Next, a fifth embodiment which is an improvement of the fourth embodiment will be described.

FIG. 22 shows an example in which the fifth embodiment has an improvement effect over the fourth embodiment.

In the distributed data collection system, when the data generation place (system development) moves sequentially,
As shown in FIG. 22, data collection terminal devices 21 to 26 are initially connected to the central recording device 1 to perform data collection operation, and during the operation, the data collection terminal devices 27 to 26 are used.
The system deployment work is performed such that the 29 are sequentially connected.

In this case, the contents K of the first storage means 48 in each device and the address A of each data collection terminal device are initially set as in STEP1.

Here, it is assumed that the data collection terminal has means for initializing the transmission path for the data collection terminal located downstream of itself, and the central recording device 1 instructs the data collection terminal 26 to transmit the data to the data collection terminal. Collection terminal device 2
The transmission lines 7 to 29 are initialized. As a result, the values of K and A of each device are as shown in STEP2.

Next, the central recording device 1 executes a procedure for adding the data collection terminal devices 27 to 29 to the operation range. First, the value of K is 9 in the central recording device 1 because the total number of data collection terminal devices has increased from 6 to 9, and thereafter, in the data collection terminal device, 8, 7 ,... 0 must be set. That is, in the data collection terminal devices 21 to 25, the value of K needs to be changed.

In the case of the fourth embodiment, there is a problem that all the data collection terminal devices must be restarted from the initialization of the transmission line, and cannot be executed during the data collection operation.

Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, each data collection terminal device receives a command signal from the central recording device 1 to execute K
This problem was solved by having a means for changing the value of. As a result, during the data collection operation, the central recording device 1 can access the data collection terminal device to be added next, and even in that case, if a time-over failure occurs, the failure is immediately performed. The location can be grasped. Therefore, if there is a defect such as a cable break in the added portion, the failure can be eliminated beforehand, and a decrease in system efficiency can be prevented.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a data collection terminal device according to this embodiment. FIG. 21 showing a fourth embodiment.
The only difference is that a means for the command signal receiving means 71 changing the contents of the first storage means 48 to a numerical value included in the received command signal is added. This is, for example, M
It can be easily implemented by the PU reading the numerical value of the instruction signal and setting it in the first storage means 48.

The sixth embodiment provides a means for further improving the operation of changing the numerical value K.

In FIG. 22, from STEP 2 to STEP
Looking at the changes in the numerical values of the data collection terminals 21 to 25 to 3, all of them have increased by the number of added data collection terminals (ie, 3). That is, if the data collection terminal device has means for increasing the value of K by the value included in the command signal, the central recording device 1 sends the same command signal to the data collection terminal devices 21 to 25. It will be good. In addition, the central recording device 1 prevents the command signal from being transmitted to the data collection terminal device 26 and thereafter, for example,
By sending a command signal (so-called broadcast command) for causing all data collection terminal devices to execute commands simultaneously by temporarily setting the farthest end flag in the data collection terminal device 25, etc. The value of K can be changed.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a data collection terminal device according to the sixth embodiment. The difference from the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 23 is that only a second operation means 80 for adding the value of the command signal to the contents of the first storage means 48 is added. This can be easily implemented by, for example, reading the numerical value of the instruction signal and the contents of the first storage means 48 by the MPU, adding them, and then setting them in the first storage means 48.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the maximum waiting time (I) of the response signal from the downstream to the command signal is given from the content (K) of the first storage means 48. As an example of the calculation of the calculation means 75,

[0160]

I = T0 + Tw × K Here, T0 is defined as the maximum time required for transmitting a response signal after the data collection terminal device which has received the command signal addressed to itself and the completion of reception of the command signal + margin, Tw
Is the maximum value of the sum of the relay delay time and the transmission path delay time of the command signal between the adjacent data collection terminal devices and the relay delay time and the transmission path delay time of the response signal (hereinafter referred to as the round-trip relay transmission delay time). ) + Margin, it is an arithmetic expression for minimizing useless waiting time when a time-over fault occurs.

However, T0 may vary greatly depending on the type of command signal. For example, in the case of a command signal in which a response signal is sent immediately upon completion of the reception of the command signal, T0 is small. In the case of a command signal transmitted on a signal, T0 increases.

In this case, the latter is selected as T0. In a system in which most of the former instruction signals are used, there is a problem that a wasteful waiting time when a time-over fault occurs is large.

The seventh embodiment solves such a problem.

The solution is that in the distributed data collection system according to the fourth embodiment, both the central recording device and the data collection terminal device have a plurality of arithmetic functions that can be selected according to the command signal. . As a result, the maximum wait time of the response signal can be set to the optimum value according to the command signal, and this problem is solved.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the configuration of a data collection terminal device according to the seventh embodiment.
The difference is that, instead of the first operation means 75, a third operation means 102 capable of selecting a plurality of operations is provided, and the instruction signal receiving means 71 is provided with an operation selection code holding means 101 from the instruction signal. In addition, the configuration is such that the operation can be selected by the output (ie, the operation selection code (R)).

The operation selection code holding means 101 is realized by a register circuit holding a predetermined portion of the instruction signal, and the third calculation means 102 is a register circuit holding a plurality of T0 values. It is composed of a selector circuit, an adder, a multiplier, etc., selected by the operation selection input, or, if the operation selection code is defined to represent T0, it is composed of an adder and a multiplier, or holds the operation selection code. A predetermined operation is selected from the contents of the means 101, and the result of the operation obtained by operating on the contents of the first
By using an MPU system programmed to be set in the time monitoring means 73, it can be easily realized.

The configuration of the central recording device can be easily configured by removing the interface portion with the upstream side from the configuration diagram of the data collection terminal device, and therefore the description is omitted.

The same problem as described above also occurs for Tw. For example, wired and wireless transmission paths are mixed, and a wired system uses a relay system with a small relay delay time, and a wireless unit uses a transmission relay system with a large relay delay time with an error correction code as an error countermeasure. In such a case, Tw (hereinafter, referred to as Twc) is small in the wired portion, and Tw (hereinafter, referred to as Twr) is large in the wireless portion.

In this case, the latter is selected as Tw. In a system in which most of the wired portion is used,
There is a problem that a wasteful waiting time when a time-over failure occurs is long.

The eighth embodiment solves such a problem. In the data collection terminal device according to the fourth embodiment, the value of the numerical part of the third signal received from the downstream is set to a constant value (T) corresponding to the type of the device.
And a function of transmitting a third signal to the upstream, in which the value obtained by adding is used as a new numerical value part. Here, if a unique constant value (T) that is proportional to the unique round-trip relay transmission delay time is assigned to each device, the maximum wait time (I) of the response signal is:

[0171]

## EQU2 ## The Tw × K portion of I = T0 + Tw × K can be optimized according to the system configuration. As a result, this problem is solved.

However, the content of the numerical part of the third signal received by the central recording device is not the number of connected data collection terminal devices, but a unique constant value (T) possessed by the connected data collection terminal devices. Is the sum of Therefore, in the address set sequence, the central recording device has a variable (V) whose initial value is the content of the first storage means 48, and for each data collection terminal device, the address set result and each data collection The constant value (T) unique to the terminal device is read out and sequentially subtracted from the variable (V), and the value of the variable value (V) is set in the first storage means of the farthest end data collection terminal device. When the value reaches a certain initial value, for example, 0, the address set sequence ends.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the improvement according to the present embodiment. In this example, nine data collection terminal devices are connected to the central recording device, and between the data collection terminal devices 23 and 24 and the data collection terminal device 26.
And 27 are wireless transmission paths, and the others are wired transmission paths. The round-trip transmission delay time of the wired portion is 2 μsec, and the round-trip relay transmission delay time of the wireless portion is 100 μsec. Therefore, the constant value (T) unique to the data collection terminals 24 and 27 is 50, and 1 for the other data collection terminals.
It is. In the transmission line initialization sequence, the contents (K) of the first storage means in each device are as shown in the table, and are 107 in the central recording device 1. Therefore, the value of Tw × K is also as shown in the table, and is 214 μsec in the central printing apparatus.
Incidentally, the value of Tw × K according to the third aspect is 900 μsec.
Thus, according to the present embodiment, it can be seen that the time is greatly reduced. The greater the number, the greater the gap.

Next, FIG. 27 is a configuration diagram mainly showing a transmission line initialization function part of the data collection terminal device in this embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment (FIG. 3) is that, instead of the first adding means 50, there is provided a second adding means 111 for outputting the sum of two numerical values, and the numerical value of the third signal from downstream is provided. A third value having a numerical value obtained by adding a constant 112 unique to the device to the unit (a numerical value 0 when the second signal from the downstream is not detected)
Is transmitted upstream. Both the second adding means 111 and the constant 112 unique to the device can be easily realized as a circuit.

A response signal transmitting means 79 and
The response signal information selector 113 is extracted from a response signal transmission portion for the command signal, and is also implemented in the data collection terminal device 2 according to the related art. In this embodiment, as an option of the response signal information selector, a means for transmitting the value of a constant 112 unique to the device when the instruction code is an address set is provided.

[0177] The configuration of the central recording device can be easily configured by removing the interface with the upstream side from the configuration diagram of the data collection terminal device, so that the description is omitted.

Another solution to this problem is the ninth solution.
This is an embodiment of the present invention.

The solution is to measure the response time of the third signal in the transmission line initialization sequence in the distributed data collection system according to the fourth embodiment, and use the measurement result (hereinafter referred to as Tr). , A net delay time (hereinafter referred to as Tpd) excluding the time required from the start of the first signal reception to the start of the third signal transmission (hereinafter referred to as Td), which is determined by the definition of the first to third signals. And the time obtained by adding T0 to the maximum waiting time (I) of the response signal from the downstream to the command signal in the data collection sequence.
Is set in the second time monitoring means 73.

[0180]

I = T0 + Tpd; Tpd =
Tr−Td

Further, in each data collection terminal device, in the transmission path initialization sequence, the third signal is received from the downstream or the first time monitoring means is over the monitoring time, and then the data collection terminal device is connected to the device. After waiting for a unique maximum round-trip delay time (hereinafter referred to as Tud), the third signal is transmitted upstream. Since this Tud can be set to the minimum necessary value according to the type of the apparatus, the maximum waiting time (I) can be set without waste as the whole system, and this problem is solved.

Here, the case where the first to third signals are defined as shown in FIG. 14 will be described as an example. FIG. 14 does not include the relay delay and the transmission path delay due to the device.

First, in the farthest end device 24, Td is (1
It is the time from 0) to (11) (12 pulses of the first signal, and the time from (10) to (11) is the time required to detect that there is no device downstream). Next, in the device 23, Td in the device 24 is changed from (7) to (9):
4 pulses required for the device 24 to detect the signal of (3) from (12) to (13):
A total of five pulses, one pulse for the time required for the transmission, are added, resulting in 17 pulses. Similarly, the Td of the device 22 is 22 pulses, and the Td of the device 21 is 27 pulses. That is, Td in each data collection terminal device is:
Using the value of the numerical part of the third signal received from the downstream (= the value set in the first storage means) (K),

[0184]

## EQU4 ## It can be calculated by Td = 12 + 5 × K. Therefore, it is feasible for each data collection terminal device 2 to remove Td from Tr.

Next, this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 and 29. FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram of a portion related to a transmission path initialization function of the data collection terminal device in the present embodiment. This figure is similar to FIG. 3 showing the first embodiment, but (1)
The third signal response time measuring means 121 is added to
From the detection of the first signal from the upstream by the signal detection means 41 to the detection of the third signal from the downstream by the third signal detection means 46, or the first time monitoring means. The time measurement function until the monitoring time of 44 elapses, and (2) the second delay means 122 allows only the maximum value of the round trip transmission delay time that can occur in the device,
A function of delaying the transmission of the third signal to the upstream is added. These circuits can be easily realized by a counter circuit, a shift register circuit, and the like.

FIG. 29 is a configuration diagram of a portion related to the data collection function of the data collection terminal device in the present embodiment. This figure shows (1) the first embodiment of FIG. 21 which is the fourth embodiment.
(3) Instead of the storage means 48, the response time measuring means 121 for the third signal is provided. And a fourth calculating means 123 for calculating the maximum waiting time (I) of the time monitoring means. The arithmetic means can be easily realized by an adder, a multiplier, an MPU system, or the like, as described in the other sections.

The configuration of the central recording device can be easily configured by removing the interface portion with the upstream side from the configuration diagram of the data collection terminal device, so that the description is omitted.

Finally, by means different from the fourth to ninth embodiments, when a time-over fault occurs for an instruction signal, the location of the fault can be immediately grasped. A distributed data collection system according to an embodiment will be described.

The principle of this embodiment will be described with reference to the time chart of this embodiment in FIG.

In summary, in the first embodiment, the first
Is replaced with a command signal, the second signal is replaced with a response confirmation signal, and the third signal is replaced with a response signal. However, regarding the relay of the response signal,
Since processing such as numerical value change is not performed, there is no corresponding configuration.

In FIGS. 30 and 31, first, the central recording device 1 sends (1) a command signal addressed to the data collection terminal device 24 to the downstream, and (6) simultaneously with the completion of the sending, a response confirmation signal from the downstream. The detection time monitoring means is activated. (2)
(5) This command signal is transmitted to the data collection terminal devices 21 to 2
3 and reaches the data collection terminal device 24.
At this time, (7) to (9) data collection terminal devices 21 to 2
3 activates the detection time monitoring means of the response acknowledgment signal from the downstream simultaneously with the completion of the relay of the command signal, and (11) to (1)
3) Send a response confirmation signal to the upstream within a predetermined time. The central recording device 1 to the data collection terminal device 22 receive this response confirmation signal, and stop the response confirmation signal detection time monitoring means.

Since the data collection terminal device 24 which has received this command signal is addressed to itself, (10) without activating the detection time monitoring means for the response confirmation signal from the downstream, (14) within the predetermined time, To send a response confirmation signal. But,
Since there is a failure in the transmission path from the device 24 to the device 23, and the response confirmation signal (14) does not reach the data collection terminal device 23, the data collection terminal device 23 (15) has exceeded the monitoring time, and (16) A response signal including a status indicating that the time-over has been detected is transmitted upstream. (17)-(19) The response signal is relayed and arrives at the central recording device 1, and the central recording device 1 recognizes that a failure point exists between the data collection terminal devices 23 and 24.

FIG. 32 is a configuration diagram of the data collection device in this embodiment.

The circuit structure of the command signal to the response signal according to the first embodiment includes a response confirmation signal transmitting means 131 for transmitting a response confirmation signal upstream within a predetermined time after receiving or relaying the command signal. , Instead of the response signal detection means 74 from the downstream, the response confirmation signal detection means 1 from the downstream
32, if a response confirmation signal is detected from the downstream within the maximum waiting time defined by the second time monitoring means 73, the monitoring means 73 is stopped and the apparatus waits for a response signal relay from the downstream. . If the response confirmation signal is not detected from the downstream within the maximum waiting time defined by the second time monitoring means 73, the monitoring means 73 has exceeded the monitoring time, and the status 78 indicating that a time-over fault has been detected upstream. Is transmitted.

Response acknowledgment signal sending means 131, and
The response confirmation signal detection means 132 is provided by a conventional technique.
It can be easily realized.

The configuration relating to the detection of the response confirmation signal of the central recording device can be easily configured by removing the interface portion with the upstream side from the configuration diagram of the data collection terminal device. Omitted.

In the central recording device, (1) when the response confirmation signal having no time-out information is received within the time-out monitoring time value (I), the response confirmation signal is normally received. (2) when receiving a response confirmation signal having the time-over information, a data collection terminal device having an address included in the response confirmation signal; Means for recording that there is a failure point that caused the response confirmation signal to be unable to reach the central recording device between the data collection terminal device and the time value (I)
If the response acknowledgment signal is not received within the central recording device and the data collection terminal device closest to the central recording device, the reason why the response acknowledgment signal cannot reach the central recording device is The means for recording the existence of the failed part is a central recording device, which is usually constituted by a computer system, analyzes the contents of the received information, and performs processing such as recording according to the result. It is also clear that this can be achieved.

In this embodiment, as compared with the fourth to ninth embodiments, since the response confirmation operation is added for each command signal, the efficiency in the data collection sequence by the command signal is reduced. This method has the disadvantage that the method of responding to the abnormal reception of the response confirmation signal itself becomes complicated, but it is used in applications where the change processing must be performed flexibly and quickly according to the change of the system configuration (number of data collection terminals). Has the advantage of being easy to handle.

[0199]

As described above, according to the present invention, according to the present invention, a central recording device and a data collection terminal device connected to the central recording device by a transmission line are provided, and the number of data collection terminal devices is sequentially changed. In such a distributed data collection system, the central recording device can reliably grasp the number of connected data collection terminal devices in a minimum necessary time according to the number, and a time-over failure occurs. Occurs, it is possible to provide a system capable of immediately grasping the fault location.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a distributed data collection system according to the present invention (an example of four data collection terminal devices).

FIG. 2 is a signal time chart on a transmission line in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a data collection terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a central recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a system startup sequence according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a time chart of a system startup sequence in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a time-over process during a data collection sequence according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a time chart of a time-over process during a data collection sequence according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a data collection terminal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an example of an LPF used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an example of an LPF used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing waveform samples used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an example of a signal format on a transmission line according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a signal time chart on a transmission line according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a data collection terminal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a time chart of an example of a signal on a transmission line according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a time chart of an example of a signal on a transmission line according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a time chart (in the case of half-duplex transmission) of an example of a signal on a transmission line according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a distributed data collection system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a transmission path signal time chart of a response signal time-over countermeasure example (in the case of four data collection terminal devices) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram of an example of a data collection terminal device according to a fourth example of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of an example of a data collection terminal device according to a fifth example of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of an example of a data collection terminal device according to a sixth example of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a data collection terminal device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a configuration diagram of a part of a transmission line initialization function of a data collection terminal device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram of a part of a transmission line initialization function of a data collection terminal device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a configuration diagram of a part of a data collection function of a data collection terminal device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a distributed data collection system according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a signal time chart on a transmission line in a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a configuration diagram of a data collection terminal device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a system startup sequence according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 34 is a time chart of a system startup sequence according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a time-over process during a data collection sequence according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 36 is a time chart of a time-over process during a data collection sequence according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a conventional distributed data collection system.

FIG. 38 is a transmission signal time chart of a response signal time-over countermeasure example (in the case of four data collection terminals) according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 201 Central recording device 21-29, 221-224 Data collection terminal device 31-35 Digital transmission path 41 First signal detection means 42 First signal relay or transmission means 43 Second signal transmission means 44 First time monitoring means 45 second signal detection means 46 third signal detection means 47 digital data selector 48 first storage means 49 third signal transmission means 50 first addition means 51 1 signal sending means 61 signal quality improving means 62 analog LPF 63 hysteresis comparator (analog comparator circuit having hysteresis characteristics) 64 digital LPF 71 command signal receiving means 72 command signal relay means 73 second time monitoring Means 74 Response signal detection means 75 First calculation means 76 Response signal relay means 77 Digital Data selector 78 Response signal unreceivable status (status meaning time-over detection) 79 Response signal sending means 80 Second calculating means (adding means of two digital numerical values) 91 Third signal numerical pulse separating means 92 Third signal end mark detecting means 93 First delay means 94 Third signal numerical value pulse sending means 95 Third signal end mark sending means 101 Operation selection code holding means 102 Third operation means 111 Second Addition means 112 Device-specific constant 121 Third signal response time measurement means 122 Second delay means (delay time = Tud) 123 Fourth calculation means 131 Response confirmation signal transmission means 132 Response confirmation signal detection means

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masayuki Namba 1 Fuji-cho, Hino-shi, Tokyo Inside Fuji Faccom Control Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshitaka Watanabe 3-5-27 Tanihara, Kasukabe-shi, Saitama (72) Inventor Masaaki Konno 4-43-23 Midoricho, Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama (56) References JP-A-1-241942 (JP, A) JP-A-4-337937 (JP, A) JP-A 64-15857 (JP, A) JP 62-230198 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04L 12/24 H04L 12/26 H04L 12/28

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A distributed data collection system, comprising: a plurality of data collection terminal devices connected in series to each other via a digital transmission line; and one of the plurality of data collection terminal devices via a digital transmission line. A central recording device connected to one of the plurality of data collection terminal devices, by controlling a corresponding data collection terminal device by specifying a specific address from among different addresses allocated to the plurality of data collection terminal devices, A central recording device that records data collected in a data collection terminal device, wherein each of the plurality of data collection terminal devices transmits a first signal to a digital transmission path (hereinafter, “ Upstream means) and relay means for relaying the first signal to a digital transmission path on the opposite side of the upstream (hereinafter referred to as "downstream"); Detecting means for detecting the first signal and outputting a detection signal; means for transmitting a second signal upstream within a predetermined time in response to the detection signal; and responding to the detection signal. Then, a standby state for receiving the second signal from the downstream is established, and if the second signal is not detected within a predetermined time, a third signal including the first numerical value is sent upstream, and When the second signal is detected within a predetermined time, the third signal from the downstream is detected, and a predetermined numerical value is added to a numerical value included in the third signal by an adding means. Means for transmitting the first signal to the digital transmission path, and a standby state for receiving the second signal from the digital transmission path; and If the second signal is not detected within a predetermined time, the second numerical value is used. When the second signal is detected within the predetermined time, the third signal is detected from a digital transmission path, and a numerical value included in the third signal is stored in the storage means. The distributed data collection system, comprising: 2. The distributed data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the first to third signals are more redundant than transmission signals (command signals and response signals) used for data collection. The central recording device and the plurality of data collection terminal devices each have a noise removal function using the redundancy for detecting the first to third signals received from a digital transmission path. Alternatively, the distributed data collection system further includes signal quality improving means having an error correction function. 3. The central recording device sends a command signal to a specific data collection terminal device, and the specific data collection terminal device responds to the command signal to assign an address assigned to the specific data collection terminal device. Is transmitted to the central recording device, and another data collection terminal device between the specific data collection terminal device and the central recording device transmits the response signal by relaying the response signal from downstream to upstream. The distributed data collection system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of data collection terminal devices is controlled when the second signal is not detected within the predetermined time.
Means for storing a third numerical value in the terminal-side storage means, and for storing the numerical value contained in the third signal in the terminal-side storage means when the second signal is detected within the predetermined time. After the data collection terminal device relays the command signal from the upstream to the downstream, the time value obtained by operating the first arithmetic means for giving a monotonically increasing characteristic to the numerical value stored in the terminal-side storage means is obtained. As a limit, means for waiting for a response signal from downstream, and if a response signal is received within the time value, relay the response signal upstream, and if no response signal is received within the time value, Means for sending a signal containing information indicating that a response signal from the downstream could not be received (hereinafter referred to as “time over”) and an address assigned to the data collection terminal device as a response signal to the upstream. Comprising, said After sending the command signal to the digital transmission line, the central recording device operates the digital transmission line up to the time value obtained by operating the second arithmetic means for giving a monotonically increasing characteristic to the numerical value stored in the storage means. Means for waiting for a response signal from the server, and when a response signal not containing the information indicating the time-out and the address within the time value is received, the subsequent predetermined processing is performed assuming that the response signal has been normally received. Means for receiving a response signal including information indicating the time-out and the address within the time value, a data collection terminal device corresponding to the address included in the response signal, and data collection one downstream thereof Means for recording that there is a failure point between the terminal device and the terminal device, the response signal being unable to reach the central recording device; and a response signal not received within the time value. In this case, it is recorded that there is a failure point between the central recording device and the data collection terminal device closest to the central recording device, which causes a response signal to be unable to reach the central recording device. The distributed data collection system, further comprising: 4. The distributed data collection system according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of data collection terminal devices includes a numerical value stored in the terminal side storage unit in a command signal received from an upstream. The apparatus further comprises means for changing to a numerical value, wherein the central recording device transmits the command signal to all the data collection terminal devices that need to change the numerical value stored in the terminal-side storage means, and performs the change by transmitting the command signal. Even at the time of completion, the numerical value stored in the terminal side storage means is larger for the data collection terminal device on the upstream side, and the numerical value stored in the storage means of the central recording device is the closest. The numerical value stored in the storage means of the central recording device and the terminal of the plurality of data collection terminal devices so as to be larger than the numerical value stored in the terminal side storage means. To change the stored number in the storage means, the distributed data acquisition system. 5. The distributed data collection system according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of data collection terminal devices is included in a command signal received from an upstream in a numerical value stored in the terminal-side storage means. The distributed data collection system, further comprising a unit for adding a numerical value. 6. The distributed data collection system according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of data collection terminal devices includes, as the first calculation means, an operation selection code extracted from an instruction signal received from an upstream. An operation selection input into which a value is input,
The central recording device includes an arithmetic unit that selects and executes two or more types of arithmetic methods in accordance with the value of the arithmetic selection code, and the central recording device performs, as the second arithmetic unit, a command signal transmitted to a digital transmission path. The distributed data having an operation selection input to which the same value as the included operation selection code is input, and having an operation means for selecting and executing two or more types of operation methods according to the value of the operation selection code; Collection system. 7. The distributed data collection system according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of data collection terminal devices includes a value included in the third signal as each of the plurality of data collection terminal devices. Further comprising: adding means for adding a constant value according to the type, including a constant value included in a response signal to the address set command signal addressed to the data collection terminal device, and sending the signal upstream. If the second signal from the downstream is not detected within the predetermined time, the terminal-side storage means holds the third numerical value, and sends the third signal including the constant value to the upstream, The central recording device initializes a numerical value stored in the storage means in an address set sequence for allocating an address on a digital transmission path to each data collection terminal device in an order close to the central recording device. Has a variable as a value, sends an address set command signal for each data collection terminal device, extracts the constant value from a response signal to the signal, substitutes the result obtained by subtraction from the variable into the variable,
The operation of moving to the address set of the next data collection terminal is repeated while the value of the variable is positive, and the address set sequence is terminated when the value of the variable becomes equal to the third numerical value. Further comprising means for controlling
The distributed data collection system. 8. The distributed data collection system according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of data collection terminal devices is configured to detect the first signal from an upstream signal and then output the third signal from a downstream device. First response time measuring means for measuring a time until a signal is detected; and the plurality of the plurality of communication means connected downstream from a data collection terminal device based on the time measured by the first response time measuring means. Means for calculating the sum of the round-trip relay transmission delay times of the data collection terminal devices and adding a predetermined waiting time to the sum as the predetermined time for each data collection terminal device; and The time from when the third signal is detected or the predetermined time is exceeded to when the transmission of the third signal is started to the upstream is defined as the maximum round-trip delay time unique to each data collection terminal device. Only Further comprising delay means La Celle, wherein the central recording unit, after sending the first signal to the downstream, the third from the downstream
Second response time measuring means for measuring a time until a signal is detected, and the plurality of data connected to a digital transmission path based on the time measured by the second response time measuring means. Means for calculating a sum of round-trip relay transmission delay times of the collection terminal device and adding a predetermined waiting time to the sum as the predetermined time for the central recording device, further comprising: Type data collection system. 9. The central recording device sends a command signal to a specific data collection terminal device, and the specific data collection terminal device responds to the command signal to assign an address assigned to the specific data collection terminal device. Is transmitted to the central recording device, and another data collection terminal device between the specific data collection terminal device and the central recording device transmits the response signal by relaying the response signal from downstream to upstream. 2. The distributed data collection system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of data collection terminals relays the command signal from an upstream to a downstream, and a predetermined time value as a limit after the relay of the command signal from the upstream. 3. Means for waiting for a response acknowledgment signal from the communication device; and, when the response acknowledgment signal is received within the time value, waiting for a response signal from downstream and relaying the response signal to the upstream. If no acknowledgment signal was received, a response acknowledgment signal from the downstream could not be received (hereinafter,
Means for transmitting a signal containing information indicating the address allocated to the data collection terminal device to the upstream as a response signal, and the central recording device digitally transmits the command signal. Means for waiting for a response acknowledgment signal from the digital transmission line up to a predetermined time value after transmitting to the channel, and receiving a response acknowledgment signal not including the information indicating the time-out and the address within the time value. Means for normally receiving the response acknowledgment signal, means for performing predetermined processing after waiting for the reception of the response signal, and a response acknowledgment signal including information indicating the time-over and the address within the time value. When received, a data collection terminal corresponding to the address included in the response confirmation signal,
Means for recording the presence of a failure point that has caused the response confirmation signal to be unable to reach the central recording device between the data collection terminal device on the downstream side and the response confirmation signal within the time value. Is not received, there is a fault location between the central recording device and the data collection terminal device closest to the central recording device, which caused the response confirmation signal to fail to reach the central recording device. The distributed data collection system, further comprising: means for recording what to do. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first numerical value and the predetermined numerical value are “1”, and the second numerical value is “0”.
Or a distributed data collection system according to 2 or 9. 11. The first numerical value and the predetermined numerical value are “1”, and the second numerical value and the third numerical value are “0”.
The distributed data collection system according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein