JP3705951B2 - Sensor management device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an efficient sensor management technique used for measuring traffic volume, for example, performed almost simultaneously in a plurality of locations.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In devices that perform statistical processing, etc., based on data measured by a number of sensors under predetermined measurement conditions, each sensor appropriately manages information on when, where, and under what conditions data was acquired. There is a need. In addition, when attempting to measure with a sensor, it is also necessary to manage the state of the sensor so that the sensor does not operate due to sensor failure or battery exhaustion.
In particular, in the field of traffic volume measurement, measurements are often performed almost simultaneously at several hundred or more locations, and a large number of sensors are used in parallel. In such a case, if all sensors are managed manually, human error will occur frequently, and valuable data collected will not be able to be used effectively. It is easy to make mistakes such as removing the sensor and stopping the measurement. Conventionally, there has been no device for efficiently managing such sensors.
[0003]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor operation state management method capable of managing the operation states of a large number of sensors in an integrated manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sensor management apparatus suitable for carrying out the operation state management method.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The sensor operation state management method of the present invention that solves the above-described problem is a method for obtaining status information including a measurement preparation state, a measurement-in-progress state, and a measurement end state of a sensor that measures a physical quantity at a predetermined measurement location. In the sensor management device arranged in FIG. 4, the sensor management information is stored in association with the sensor identification information, and the measurement condition including the measurement start scheduled time and the measurement end scheduled time is set in the sensor having the timing mechanism to perform autonomous measurement. In addition, the sensor management device estimates the current operating time of the sensor by measuring the current date and time in synchronization with the sensor timing mechanism, and dynamically calculates the status information based on the estimation result. And a predetermined message based on the updated status information is presented from the sensor management device to the operator. . As a result, even if the number of sensors increases, the operation status can be grasped in a centralized manner, eliminating input errors and human error such as removing sensors during measurement, enabling reliable operation. Become.
[0005]
Preferably, the collection schedule time is set in the sensor, and when the current date and time reaches the collection schedule time, a message prompting the collection of the sensor is presented to the operator, and after the sensor collection, The status information is updated to the collected state. In addition, a bidirectional communication path is established between the measurement data at the measurement location and the sensor that records the operation history, and the sensor record data is automatically read, and the necessary data processing is performed based on the sensor record data. This processing result is presented in a form that is visible to the operator. Further, the number of operation times of the sensor and defect information generated at the time of operation are retained as history information that can be reproduced at any time, and the maintenance time of the sensor is determined based on the history information.
[0006]
The sensor management apparatus of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned other problems is provided with unique identification information, and the operation states of a plurality of sensors that measure physical quantities at a predetermined measurement place are unified at a place apart from each sensor. A two-way communication path with a sensor having a timing mechanism, setting measurement conditions for the sensor, automatic collection of sensor record data from the sensor, Sensor operation means for performing sensor operation including power supply control by communication, status management means for managing status information including measurement preparation state, measuring state, and measurement end state in association with identification information of each sensor, and Data processing means for executing a desired process based on the sensor record data collected from the sensor.
The measurement condition includes a scheduled measurement start time and a scheduled measurement end time, and the status management means counts the current date and time in synchronization with the timing mechanism of the sensor to be managed, and the timing result and the measurement start The status information of the sensor is dynamically updated according to the comparison between the scheduled time and the scheduled measurement end time, and a predetermined message based on the updated status information is presented to the operator.
[0007]
Preferably, each time a communication path is established with an individual sensor, the sensor management apparatus further includes means for reading and holding the final operation content of the sensor and generating a measurement history of the sensor based on the held information Configure.
[0008]
From the viewpoint of maintaining sensor recording data, the sensor operating means is configured to establish a communication path with each sensor and back up the recorded data in the sensor before performing a predetermined sensor operation. .
[0009]
Some or all of the plurality of sensors are driven by a rechargeable battery. In this case, the sensor operating means inspects the charging state of the battery of the sensor when a communication path is established with the sensor driven by the battery, and charges the battery when charging is necessary. Information for prompting is output, and information for prompting a complete discharge of the battery is output when a cumulative value of the number of times this information is output reaches a predetermined number.
[00010]
From the viewpoint of facilitating maintenance management, the status management unit is configured to hold the number of operation times of the sensor and defect information generated during the operation as history information that can be reproduced at any time.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sensor management system in which the present invention is applied to management of a sensor that measures traffic as an example of a physical quantity will be described. This sensor management system is provided with unique identification information and is provided at a plurality of measurement locations to perform autonomous measurement, and a traffic measurement sensor that centrally manages the operation state of these traffic measurement sensors. And a management device. For convenience, the traffic measurement sensor management device is referred to as a “sensor management device”, and the traffic measurement sensor is referred to as a “sensor”.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the sensor management apparatus 10.
The sensor management apparatus 10 is realized by a computer, and is formed by reading and executing a program code recorded on a predetermined recording medium by a CPU of the computer, and an input / output control unit 11 and a communication control unit 12. , Sensor operation unit 13, status management unit 14, data processing unit 15, database management unit 16, and database 17.
[0013]
The input / output control unit 11 controls input of measurement conditions and the like from the operator, and outputs various interface screens and statistical data to the operator, and is connected to a keyboard, a display, a printer, and the like (not shown). The communication control unit 12 wakes up the sensor 20 in the sleep state and establishes a bidirectional communication path with the sensor 20. The communication path is generally direct communication using a cable, but a public line can also be used. In this embodiment, an example in the case of using a cable is given.
[0014]
The sensor operation unit 13 performs control related to the operation of the sensor 20 using communication means, and includes a sensor setting unit 131, a data collection unit 132, a sensor discharge control unit 133, and other control functions (such as an adjustment function of a time measuring unit). )have.
The sensor setting unit 131 sets measurement conditions for the sensor 20, the data collection unit 133 automatically collects measurement results from the sensor 20, and the sensor discharge control unit 133 is a battery for the sensor 20. Voltage check and discharge control are performed.
[0015]
The status management unit 14 cooperates with a sensor management DB 172 described later to manage the status information of the sensor 20 in association with the identification information of each sensor, and generates various information such as a message based on the latest status information. And has a clock function, a data comparison function, a comparison result notification function, and the like.
[0016]
Here, the “status information” is information indicating the state of the sensor 20, for example, information for identifying a measurement preparation state, a measurement-in-progress state, and a measurement end state. The “measurement preparation state” includes an unused state and a state until the scheduled measurement start time comes. “In-measurement state” refers to a state in which the scheduled measurement end time does not arrive after the scheduled measurement start time has passed. The “measurement end state” refers to a state in which measurement is completed after the scheduled measurement end time has arrived. Note that the status information includes information that has been collected by the sensor, the communication status with the sensor 20, the number of times the sensor 20 has been charged, and failure type information in the event of some failure in the sensor 20.
[0017]
The data processing unit 15 performs necessary processing based on the measurement results collected from the sensor 20, for example, graph display processing (processing for generating a graph and displaying statistical data), matrix display processing (arranging statistical data in a matrix) Display processing), graph-matrix change processing, other statistical processing, generation processing of measurement schedule information and the like for the next time, various list display processing, and the like.
[0018]
The database management unit 16 manages a database (hereinafter “DB”) 17. The DB 17 includes, for example, a measurement condition DB 171 that manages traffic measurement conditions for each sensor 20, a sensor management DB 172 that manages the status information, a measurement data DB 173 that manages measurement data collected from the sensor 20, and a statistical data DB 17 , A statistical data DB 174 for managing various statistical data generated by the data processing unit 15, and an operation history DB 176 for managing the final operation content of each sensor 20. “Statistical data” refers to data obtained by processing measured data using a statistical method generally used in the field of traffic volume measurement.
[0019]
The sensor 20 is configured as shown in FIG. The sensor 20 includes a sensor unit 21, a sensor control unit 22 that controls the sensor unit 21, a battery 23 that outputs operating power (voltage) of the entire sensor 20, a battery control unit 24 that manages the state of the battery 23, and measurement conditions. A measurement condition file 25 storing data, a data DB 26 for managing measurement data, a profile DB 27 for managing profiles (serial numbers and other sensor-specific information) of individual sensors 20, a time measuring unit 28 for measuring the current time, a sensor management device 10 has a communication control unit 29 that establishes a bidirectional communication path.
[0020]
The sensor unit 21 measures the number of vehicles that have passed, the speed of the vehicle, the vehicle type (ordinary passenger car, large vehicle, etc.), etc., using the characteristic that the magnetic field formed by the geomagnetism is disturbed when the vehicle passes. It is.
[0021]
Specifically, the sensor control unit 22 controls the sensor unit 21 based on the measurement conditions in the measurement condition file 25 set in advance by the sensor management apparatus 10, and compresses the measurement data obtained thereby into the data DB 26. While storing. As the battery 23, a rechargeable battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery or a lithium battery is selected.
[0022]
Next, an example of the operation form of the sensor management system according to the present embodiment will be described.
<Setting measurement conditions>
Setting of the measurement conditions to the sensor 20 is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.
First, the sensor 20 is connected to the sensor management apparatus 10 via a cable such as RS-232C (step S101).
Then, the sensor 20 in the sleep state is woken up, and an interface screen for setting measurement conditions is displayed on the display of the sensor management apparatus 10 to prompt the operator to input measurement conditions. When the operator inputs a measurement condition through this interface screen, the sensor setting unit 131 stores this in the measurement condition DB 171 and further stores it in the measurement condition file 25 of the sensor 20 (step S102).
[0023]
Examples of measurement conditions set here include measurement location (region, road, lane code data), measurement date, scheduled measurement start time, scheduled measurement end time, measurement interval, speed range during measurement, and vehicle length range (Measure only applicable ones), operator name, etc.
The identification number of the sensor 20 is recorded in advance when the sensor 20 is manufactured in principle and is read by the sensor management apparatus 10 side, but can be designated on the sensor management apparatus 10 side afterwards. Anyway. In this case, this identification number is also included in the measurement conditions.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, two measurement modes are prepared for setting the measurement conditions. One is a frame mode, and the other is a sequential mode. The “sequential mode” is a mode for measuring a passing data group such as the passing time, speed, and vehicle length of each vehicle in time series. The “frame mode” is, for example, a measurement interval, a speed range, a vehicle This mode is used to measure the number of vehicles passing only for vehicles that meet long range conditions. Since the measurement data in the former mode can be changed later to the measurement mode in the latter mode, any of the selections in setting the mode results in the same result.
[0025]
Thereafter, initial communication is performed with the sensor 20 (step S102). Normally (except when set from the sensor management apparatus 10 side), identification information is acquired from the sensor 20 by this initial communication, and communication is established. After the communication is established, the data collection unit 132 checks the presence or absence of the previous measurement data stored in the sensor 20. This check is performed using the identification information of the sensor 20 as a key. If measurement data exists, it is collected and stored in the measurement data DB 173. This is for backup of the previous measurement (step S104).
[0026]
After the measurement data backup process, the sensor operation unit 13 checks the voltage of the battery 23 of the sensor 20 (step S105). When the voltage value is less than or equal to the predetermined value, a warning message for prompting the operator to charge is output and the “number of times of charging” in the sensor management DB 15 is incremented by one (step S105: abnormal, S105). Instead of outputting the warning message to the operator or together with the output of the warning message, automatic charging can be performed through a power source (not shown) of the sensor management apparatus 10. As a result of the count-up, when the “number of times of charging” reaches a predetermined number, in order to maintain the life of the battery 23, the discharge control unit 133 of the sensor operation unit 13 performs the complete discharge of the battery 23 (step S107: Yes, S108). This complete discharge is performed after confirming that the voltage value of the battery 23 is an operable voltage value. After complete discharge, the “number of times of charging” in the sensor management DB 15 is cleared (set to an initial value), and the process proceeds to the next process (step S109).
[0027]
If the voltage value of the battery 23 is higher than the predetermined value in step S105, it is determined that the sensor 20 is operating normally, and the time of the time measuring mechanism of the time measuring unit 28 of the sensor 20 is adjusted (step S105). : Normal, S110). That is, the timing mechanism in the status management unit 14 and the timing unit 28 of the sensor 20 are synchronized.
[0028]
The sensor 20 in which the measurement conditions are set as described above is removed from the sensor management device 10 (cable), deployed at a measurement location, and used for traffic volume measurement (step S111). For example, it is placed on a predetermined road or embedded in the ground, and is used for measuring the number of passing vehicles, speed, and the like.
[0029]
<Operation status monitoring of sensor 20 (before recovery)>
The sensor 20 automatically measures the traffic volume based on the measurement result set by the time measurement unit 28 and the measurement location. That is, automatic measurement is started when the time measured by the time measuring unit 28 reaches the scheduled measurement start time of the corresponding day, and the measurement data obtained thereby is compressed and stored in the data DB 26. Further, the measurement is automatically finished when the time measured by the time measuring unit 28 reaches the measurement end scheduled time, and the computer waits in the sleep state until the next scheduled measurement start time on the corresponding day. Note that if the power is not turned off even after the measurement is finished, the sleep state is entered.
[0030]
The operation state of the sensor 20 being measured is monitored by the sensor management apparatus 10 according to the procedure shown in FIG. That is, the status management unit 14 measures the current time (step S201), and compares the time measurement result with the set time in the measurement condition DB 171, that is, the scheduled measurement start time or the scheduled measurement end time. When the current time reaches the scheduled measurement start time, it is estimated that the sensor 20 has started measurement, that is, the sensor is operating, and the status information of the sensor 20 is updated from “measurement preparation state” to “measurement state”. (Step S202: Yes, S203: No, S204: No, S205). Further, when the measurement end scheduled time is reached, it is estimated that the sensor 20 has ended the measurement, and the status information is updated from “measuring state” to “measurement end state” (steps S202: Yes, S203: Yes, S206). These updates are performed dynamically.
[0031]
In the state where measurement is being performed or in the state where measurement has been completed, if any state change, for example, forced termination based on an instruction from the operator, or occurrence of an error in the sensor 20 is detected offline, the status information is changed. The state is updated (step S204: Yes, S207: Yes, S208). If the monitoring is to be continued, the process returns to step S201 (step S209: No), and if the measurement is to be ended, the monitoring of the sensor 20 is ended (step S209: Yes).
[0032]
A message based on the updated status information is appropriately displayed on the display through the input / output control unit 11 according to the request of the operator and presented to the operator. As a result, the operator can easily grasp the operating state of the remote sensor 20.
[0033]
<Process after data collection>
At the predetermined time, the sensor 20 is withdrawn. The withdrawn sensor 20 is again connected to the sensor management device 10 with a cable, and the measurement data is collected by the sensor management device 10. FIG. 5 is a processing procedure diagram at this time.
[0034]
First, initial communication is performed between the sensor management apparatus 10 and the sensor 20 to establish a bidirectional communication path (step S301), and after checking the voltage of the battery 23 as described above (step S302), data recovery is performed. The measurement data is automatically collected through the unit 132 (step S303) and stored in the measurement data DB 173 (step S304). At this time, the status information of the sensor 20 managed in the sensor management DB 172 is updated to “collected”, and the final operation content of the sensor 20 is stored in the operation history DB 176 (steps S305 and S306).
[0035]
The data processing unit 15 performs necessary statistical / analysis processing using the measurement data stored in the measurement data DB 173 and displays the result on the display (step S307). In response to an input of a data processing request from an operator, required data processing based on measurement data or the like, for example, statistical processing is executed, and, if necessary, the sensor 20 based on the operation history stored in the operation history DB 176. Generates information such as measurement history and measurement status at the next use.
[0036]
As described above, in the sensor management system 1 of the present embodiment, the identification information of the sensor 20 is used as a key, and the status information of the sensor 20 is managed on the sensor management apparatus 10 side based on the measurement time. It is possible to centrally grasp the current state of the sensor 20 used for traffic volume measurement performed in parallel at almost the same location at more than one place. The human error such as removing the sensor can be eliminated.
[0037]
In addition, since the operation history of the sensor 20 is also managed, it becomes possible to grasp not only the current sensor state but also the past number of times of use and what kind of trouble has occurred, and can be used when determining the maintenance timing. become able to. In addition, the measurement status can be easily grasped.
[0038]
In addition, since the voltage of the battery 23 is checked when setting the measurement conditions to the sensor 20 or collecting the measurement data, it is possible to reliably avoid the situation where the operation is stopped due to the battery being cut off during the measurement as in the prior art. It becomes like this. Furthermore, since the battery that can be charged is completely discharged when the number of times of charging reaches a certain number, the life of the battery can be extended.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, management of a sensor that performs traffic volume measurement has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to management of a sensor that performs physical quantity measurement.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to centrally manage the operation states of a large number of sensors, and there is an effect of suppressing the occurrence of human error. As a result, the measurement data obtained by the sensor can be effectively used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a sensor management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a sensor according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for setting measurement conditions according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for monitoring an operation state of a sensor according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure after collection of measurement data according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sensor management apparatus 11 Input / output control part 12 Communication control part 13 Sensor operation part 131 Sensor setting part 132 Data collection part 133 Sensor discharge control part 14 Status management part 15 Data processing part 16 Database management part 17 Database 171 Measurement condition DB
172 Sensor management DB
173 Measurement data DB
174 Statistical data DB
175 Statistical data DB
176 Operation history DB
20 sensor 21 sensor unit 22 sensor control unit 23 battery 24 battery control unit 25 measurement condition file 26 data DB
27 Profile DB
28 Timekeeping Unit 29 Communication Control Unit

Claims (10)

Status information including a measurement preparation state, a measurement-in-progress state, and a measurement end state of a sensor that measures a physical quantity at a predetermined measurement location is associated with identification information of the sensor in a sensor management device arranged at a site away from the sensor. Hold
The sensor having a time measuring mechanism is set to perform measurement autonomously by setting measurement conditions including a scheduled measurement start time and a scheduled measurement end time,
In the sensor management device, by estimating the current operation date and time in synchronization with the timing mechanism of the sensor to estimate the operation status at the time of timing in the sensor, dynamically update the status information based on the estimation result, A sensor operating state management method, wherein a predetermined message based on the updated status information is presented to the operator from the sensor management device. A recovery schedule time is set for the sensor, and when the current date and time counted by the sensor management device reaches the recovery schedule time, a message prompting the recovery of the sensor is presented to the operator. Is characterized by updating the status information of the sensor to the collected state,
The operation state management method according to claim 1. The sensor management apparatus automatically establishes a bidirectional communication path with the sensor and automatically reads sensor record data including measurement data, and performs necessary data processing based on the read sensor record data. Presenting the processing result in a form visible to the operator,
The operation state management method according to claim 1. The sensor management device holds the number of operation times of the sensor and defect information generated during operation as history information that can be reproduced as needed, and determines the maintenance time of the sensor based on the history information,
The operation state management method according to claim 1. Each device is uniquely assigned identification information, and is a device that centrally manages the operation state of a plurality of sensors that measure physical quantities at a predetermined measurement location at a location apart from each sensor,
Establish a two-way communication path with a sensor with a timekeeping mechanism to communicate sensor operations including setting measurement conditions for the sensor, automatic collection of sensor record data from the sensor, and control of the power supply for the sensor Sensor operating means performed by:
Status management means for managing status information including a measurement preparation state, a measurement-in-progress state, and a measurement end state in association with identification information of each sensor;
Data processing means for executing a desired process based on sensor recording data collected from each sensor,
The measurement condition includes a measurement start scheduled time and a measurement end scheduled time,
The status management means counts the current date and time in synchronization with a timing mechanism of the sensor to be managed, and obtains status information of the sensor according to a comparison between the timing result and the scheduled measurement start time and scheduled measurement end time. A sensor management apparatus configured to dynamically update and present a predetermined message based on the updated status information to an operator. It further comprises means for reading and holding the final operation content of the sensor every time communication is established with each sensor, and generating a measurement history by the sensor based on the held information.
The sensor management device according to claim 5. 6. The sensor management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sensor operation means is configured to back up recorded data in the sensor before operating each sensor. A part or all of the plurality of sensors is driven by a rechargeable battery,
The sensor operation means inspects a charging state of the battery of the sensor when a communication path is established with the sensor driven by the battery, and information that prompts charging of the battery in a state that requires charging. In addition to outputting, it is configured to completely discharge the battery when the cumulative number of output times of this information reaches a predetermined number of times,
The sensor management device according to claim 5. The status management means is configured to hold the number of operation times of the sensor and defect information generated at the time of operation as history information that can be reproduced at any time,
The sensor management device according to claim 5. The physical quantity is a traffic volume at a remote measurement place, and the data processing means performs statistical processing based on a traffic data group for each vehicle that has passed the sensor,
The sensor management apparatus according to claim 4.

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