JP3672397B2 - Gas detector capable of docking with mobile communication terminals - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas detector that can be docked with a mobile communication terminal in order to transmit inspection data to a central management center.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the field of pressure measurement such as plant equipment, when performing pressure measurement at a predetermined measurement point, the inspector should report the inspection data measured by the inspector using a pressure measuring instrument to the management center via radio each time. Recently, it has been proposed to send inspection data to a management center by combining a measuring device and a wireless device such as an MCA. In this method, inspection data from a measuring device is sent down to a management center, and the inspection data is monitored at the management center to check the operation status and inspection status of the plant.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of gas detection measurement, the required measurement points are often any number of locations, the measurement periods vary, and there are situations where specific measurement points are monitored intensively. Considering that it occurs, it is not possible to obtain a great advantage by simply applying the above-described conventional pressure measurement system using radio to a gas detection device as it is. In other words, it is desirable that the selected gas detector send inspection data at a predetermined timing, not a system in which a lot of inspection data is sent to the management center at the same time. In addition, if it is considered that the gas detector normally has multiple measurement ranges, the measurement mode such as the measurement range of the gas detector located locally can be changed and set freely from the management center. Is preferred.
An object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent bidirectional communication function to a gas detection device.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the gas detection device according to the present invention can be docked with a mobile communication terminal, and the gas detection device is provided for a first docking unit for the mobile communication terminal and a gas sensor module. A second docking unit, an inspection data storage unit that stores inspection data captured by the gas sensor module, a reception data storage unit that stores management data for the gas sensor module, and the movement of the inspection data An automatic transmission unit that transmits to a remote server via a body communication line, and an automatic reception unit that stores management data transmitted from the remote server via the mobile communication line in the reception data storage unit , and the front Symbol management data includes measurement control command to set the measurement range of the gas sensor module, Serial measurement range suitable for the test point with respect to the gas sensor module is set.
[0005]
In this configuration, the inspection data captured by the gas sensor module is temporarily stored in the inspection data storage unit, and only necessary inspection data can be transmitted via the mobile communication terminal when necessary for the management center. Further, management data such as past measurement information on measurement points and control signals for the gas sensor module can be transmitted from the remote server of the management center to the gas detection device via the mobile communication terminal. Thereby, the inspection data selected from the inspection data taken in by the selected measurement method can be transmitted to the remote server of the management center at the selected time, thereby realizing a gas detection system that operates efficiently.
Furthermore, since the management data includes a measurement control command for setting the measurement range of the gas sensor module, measurement control for a desired measurement range is performed from the management center via the automatic reception unit of a specific gas detection device. By sending a command and setting the measurement range of the gas sensor module to a desired range, many gas sensor modules at many measurement points can always be operated optimally. Of course, a measurement control command can be sent from the management center to optimize the measurement mode of other gas sensor modules.
[0006]
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the management data includes a transmission control command that sets a transmission timing of inspection data to a remote server. For example, when a maximum measurement value is required at a 15-minute interval for a specific gas detection device, a 15-minute interval transmission control command is sent from the management center via the automatic reception unit, and the automatic transmission unit is set at a 15-minute interval. By setting, the gas detection apparatus calculates the inspection data stored in the inspection data storage unit and transmits the maximum value at 15-minute intervals. Thereby, a maximum measured value can be obtained from a desired gas detection device at a desired time interval.
[0008]
In addition, there is a display unit that displays inspection data and management data for convenience of monitoring of the gas detection device by the inspector and transmission of data information from the management center to the inspector.
[0009]
As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, if the gas sensor device main body is configured as an explosion-proof structure, the gas detection device is also arranged at a measurement point in an accident area or a construction area where flammable gas is drifting. However, it is possible to continue sending inspection data to the remote server of the management center from time to time without risk of explosion. In that case, in order to perform data transfer with the mobile communication terminal, the first docking unit is not a communication interface using a current such as the RS-232C standard, but generally IrDA using an infrared ray that does not cause an explosion ( If an optical communication port based on Infrared Data Association is provided, a structure with the first docking part exposed can be adopted, and the mobile communication terminal can be removed from the gas detection device and used as a normal communication device. It becomes easy.
[0010]
As yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second docking unit can be mounted with one module arbitrarily selected from gas sensor modules such as a combustible gas sensor module, a gas concentration measurement module, and a CO detection module. There is a structure. In this case, by selectively attaching various gas sensor modules to the second docking unit, a gas detection device having an intelligent communication function for each purpose is realized.
[0011]
In the present invention, it is particularly proposed to adopt a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) terminal as a suitable mobile communication terminal. In PHS, data of 32 kbps (kilobits / second) can be transmitted and received digitally between a PHS terminal and a base station, and a private line connected to the base station is also completely digital by using a high-speed digital line. Data communication can be performed between the remote server of the management center and the PHS terminal, and high-speed data transfer and high reliability can be obtained. In addition, since the transmission output of the PHS terminal is small (about 10 milliwatts), the burden on the battery is small and the weight can be suppressed. The small transmission output of the PHS terminal has the advantage that it does not cause radio interference when used in the plant office. Of course, if the transmission output of the PHS terminal is small, the coverage area of one base station is small. However, in the office, the installation location of the base station can be selected virtually arbitrarily. The base stations can be arranged with the most effective distribution, and the installation cost of the PHS base station is lower than that of other mobile communications. In addition, if the PHS terminal is provided with a function for switching between the office line and the public line, it is possible to connect to a remote server of the management center through a nearby base station even at the construction site from the operator. .
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention using the drawings.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a utilization mode of a gas detection device that can be docked with a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a remote server group 5 having a center computer 11 as a core connected to a local computer network (hereinafter simply referred to as an in-house LAN) 10 constructed in a central management center 1 of a plant facility, The gas detection device 2 arranged at the site of the plant facility can be connected to be capable of bidirectional communication through a PHS line 3 as an example of a mobile communication line. For this reason, the PHS terminal 30 can be docked to the gas detection device 2 with an infrared interface (for example, based on the IrDA standard).
[0013]
The gas detection device 2 includes a bus structure such as a docking station centered on a controller 20 that performs various control processes. The bus 21 includes a first docking unit 22 that can dock a PHS terminal 30, and the like. , A second docking unit 23 that can be docked with various gas sensor modules 4 such as a combustible gas sensor module, a gas concentration measurement module, and a CO detection module, and a display unit 24 comprising a flat panel for displaying various data. Are connected.
[0014]
Optical communication ports 30a and 22a based on the IrDA standard are provided in the PHS terminal 30 and the first docking unit 22, respectively. By attaching the PHS terminal 30 to the first docking unit 22, the PHS terminal 30 and the gas detection device Explosion-proof type data communication with 2 is realized. Since the PHS terminal 30 is removed from the first docking unit 22 and is always used in the field as a single phone, the first docking unit 22 adopts a form exposed to the outside. For this reason, the advantage by performing between the PHS terminal 30 and the 1st docking part 22 by optical communication from the problem on explosion prevention is large.
[0015]
On the other hand, the gas sensor module 4 is selected and mounted from various target modules as necessary, but there is almost no request to replace the gas sensor module 4 at the site, so the gas sensor module 4 and the second docking unit 23 are installed. Data communication between the RS-232C ports 4a and 22b provided in each of them can be performed by connecting them with cables, and at this time, the gas sensor module 4 including the gas sensor module 4 is encased in an explosion-proof housing. Use an explosion-proof structure. A typical gas sensor module 4 is an automatic suction type, detects the gas introduced through the gas sampling unit 4 b, generates a detection signal, and sends it to the controller 20 through the bus 21. Conversely, a measurement control command for setting the measurement range and the operation timing of the suction pump is sent from the controller 20 to the gas sensor module 4 through the bus 21.
[0016]
The controller 20 is configured with a microcomputer as a core element, and its function is created by executing a program stored in the microcomputer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the functions of the controller 20 that are notable in the present invention.
[0017]
The controller 20 includes an inspection data storage unit 20a for temporarily storing inspection data sent from the gas sensor module 4, the above-described measurement control signal sent from the management center 1 through the PHS terminal 30, and this gas detection. A reception data storage unit 20b that temporarily stores inspection information for an inspector who handles the apparatus 2, and a display that displays data stored in the inspection data storage unit 20a or the reception data storage unit 20b on the display unit 21 And a processing unit 20c. Further, after the PHS terminal 30 is off-hooked, the telephone number of the management center 1 set in advance is sent to the PHS line 3, and the center computer 11 is connected and necessary data is sent out from the inspection data storage unit 20a. When the PHS terminal 30 is on-hooked and the line is disconnected, the automatic transmission unit 20c and when the data communication is received by the ringing signal from the management center 1, the PHS terminal 30 is off-hooked and the received management data is received data. And an automatic receiving unit 20e for storing in the storage unit 20b.
[0018]
With the configuration as described above, the controller 20 responds to the tag number of the inspection point to be inspected, which is input by a key not shown, from the remote server group 5 of the management sensor 1 including the center computer 11 to the PHS line. The management data sent via 3 is displayed on the display unit 24, or a measurement range and an evaluation threshold suitable for the inspection point are set for the gas sensor module 4. Of course, the tag number of each inspection point and the measurement mode data such as the measurement range and the evaluation threshold linked to the tag number are not shown here, but are stored in a memory card connected to the bus 21 or a non-volatile memory. Data can be stored in a storage device, and data is written to the storage device directly from a terminal connected to the in-house LAN 10 in the management center 1.
[0019]
The PHS terminal 30 that functions as a communication unit of the gas detection device 2 is carried by an inspector as a set with the gas detection device 2, and is installed at an inspection site as necessary. During the gas detection operation, the PHS terminal 30 can be connected to the remote server group 5 via the PHS line 3 at any time through the automatic transmission and automatic reception functions to be in a bidirectional data communication state. For example, when an abnormality is detected by the gas sensor module 4, the fact can be sent to the remote computer group 5, for example, the center computer 11, and if further necessary inspection data is required on the management center side, It is also possible to set the gas detection device 2 so that management data is transmitted to the gas detection device 2 and desired inspection data is transmitted at a desired interval.
[0020]
In addition to the center computer, the remote server group 5 further includes various servers such as an inspection database server 12, a failure diagnosis server 13 and a document server 14 connected by an in-house LAN 10, and a client terminal for an inspector. Inspection data indicating an abnormality sent from the gas detection device 2 can be accurately diagnosed. Furthermore, it is also possible to send the history data of the corresponding inspection point from the inspection database server 12 or the document server 14 in response to a request from an inspector handling the gas detection device 2. Although not shown in the figure, this in-house LAN 10 is also connected to an in-house LAN in another region via an ISDN to form a company wide WAN (wide area network). As a result, the gas detection device 2 can be connected to any department.
[0021]
In order to connect the remote server group 5 and the gas detection device 2 via the PHS line 3, the in-house LAN 10 is further connected to the PHS control device 31 via the router 6. The PHS control device 31 is connected to the base station 32 constituting the PHS line 3 via the private digital line 33 and also to the private telephone exchange 7. In other words, if the signal sent from the PHS terminal 30 via the base station 32 and the private digital line 33 is a telephone voice, the PHS control device 31 switches to the private branch exchange 7 and the sent signal is used for data communication. If so, switch to the in-house LAN 10. In any case, the signal sent from the private branch exchange 7 or the in-house LAN 10 is sent to the destination PHS terminal 30 via the base station 32. Since the service area of the base station 32 is several hundred meters, the base stations 32 are distributed in order to cover all inspection points. Since the private branch exchange 7 is connected to the public line and the in-house telephone network, the PHS terminal 30 can also make a call with an outside line telephone or an in-house telephone.
[0022]
The gas detection system constructed by the gas detection device 2 as described above has the following characteristics.
An inspector who arrives at the site to be inspected installs the gas sampling part 4b of the gas sensor module 4 at the inspection point. When the inspection work is started, the inspection data is displayed on the display unit 24, stored in the inspection data storage unit 20a, and transmitted to the remote server group 5 at the set transmission timing. For example, at the interval of 15 minutes, the maximum value of the inspection data sampled during that time can be transmitted as the inspection data. Of course, if necessary, it is possible to transmit all inspection data in a running manner. These settings may be made manually by an inspector or may be set from the management center 1 as management data using a PHS line. For this reason, this gas detection apparatus 2 can be operated for 24 hours unattended. In other words, a stationary or temporary stationary remote control monitoring device will be realized, and by arranging it appropriately in an area that requires monitoring, such as a construction site, it can be operated at any time of day and night by remote operation from a remote location. An inspection system that monitors gas leaks at intervals can be easily constructed.
[0023]
In addition, when the field inspector needs past inspection data and maintenance / inspection history of the target inspection point for maintenance / inspection work, the inspection database server 12 is accessed via the PHS line 3. Thus, necessary information can be extracted.
In any case, as is apparent from the above description, in the gas detection device 2 configured as described above, the gas sensor module 4 is connected to the center via the PHS line 3 capable of high-speed digital data communication (32 kbps). By connecting to the computer 11, it is possible to construct a gas detection system in which the inspection site and the remote server group 5 of the management center 1 can be communicated unattended and at a predetermined timing.
[0024]
In the above description of the embodiment of the invention, the gas detection device 2 has a configuration in which various gas sensors can be selectively mounted as the gas sensor module 4, but single-purpose gas detection that cannot be selectively mounted. The gas detection device according to the present invention can also be applied as an apparatus, and in this case, the second docking unit 23 is configured as a fixed interface between the bus 22 and the gas sensor module 4.
In the above description of the embodiment, PHS is adopted as mobile communication, but the use of other mobile phones and the like falls within the scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a use form of a gas detector capable of docking with a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a controller of the gas detector.
3 mobile communication line 4 gas sensor module 20a inspection data storage unit 20d automatic transmission unit 20b reception data storage unit 20e automatic reception unit 22 first docking unit 23 second docking unit 30 mobile communication terminal

Claims (7)

A first docking unit for a mobile communication terminal;
A second docking portion for the gas sensor module;
An inspection data storage unit for storing inspection data captured by the gas sensor module;
A reception data storage for storing management data for the gas sensor module;
An automatic transmission unit for transmitting the inspection data to a remote server via a mobile communication line;
An automatic receiving unit for storing management data transmitted from a remote server via the mobile communication line in the received data storage unit;
Equipped with, and
The management data includes a measurement control command for setting a measurement range of the gas sensor module, and a measurement range suitable for an inspection point is set for the gas sensor module. A gas detector that can be docked with a communication terminal.   2. The gas detection device dockable with a mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the management data includes a transmission control command for setting a transmission timing of the inspection data to the remote server. . Mobile communication terminal and dockable gas detecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display unit to display the management data and the test data are provided. The gas detection device capable of docking with a mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the gas sensor device main body is configured as an explosion-proof structure. The movement according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein an optical communication port based on IrDA is provided in the first docking unit to perform data transfer with the mobile communication terminal. A gas detector that can be docked with a body communication terminal. The first docking unit can be mounted with one module arbitrarily selected from gas sensor modules such as a combustible gas sensor module, a gas concentration measurement module, and a CO detection module. mobile communication terminal and dockable gas detecting apparatus according to any one of the 5. The said mobile communication terminal is PHS, The gas detection apparatus dockable with the mobile communication terminal of any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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