JP6079416B2 - Temperature estimation method, temperature estimation device, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a temperature estimation method, a temperature estimation device, and a computer program for estimating temperature.

  Conventionally, a technique for remotely monitoring the temperature is known (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-50882

  However, in the conventional temperature remote monitoring technology, a sensor for measuring temperature and a transmitter for transmitting the measurement data of the sensor are required, and electric power is required for the operation. . Therefore, it is assumed that power can be supplied to the temperature monitoring place.

  An example of a place where temperature monitoring is performed is an agricultural greenhouse or greenhouse (hereinafter referred to as “greenhouse”). This is because the temperature in the greenhouse must always be suitable for the growth of crops. In order to perform temperature monitoring as described above, power supply is required. However, there are cases where power is not drawn to the place where the greenhouse is installed. In that case, a great initial cost is required when a new power source is pulled. If power is not supplied, temperature monitoring cannot be performed.

  In one aspect, the present invention provides a temperature estimation method, a temperature estimation device, and a computer program capable of estimating temperature even in a place where power is not supplied.

  Heat that has two heat sensitive parts, is installed so that one of the heat sensitive parts is exposed to the room and the other is exposed to the outside air, and generates electricity by the temperature difference between the room temperature and the outside air temperature, and stores the generated power A computer that obtains reception notification of a signal from a receiver that receives a signal transmitted by a wireless device that is supplied with power by a differential power generation chip counts the number of receptions of the signal per predetermined time, The temperature difference corresponding to the counted number of receptions is read out from the storage unit storing the correspondence between the number of receptions and the temperature difference between the two heat-sensitive parts of the heat differential power generation chip, the outside air temperature is obtained, and the read temperature difference and Based on the acquired outside air temperature, the indoor temperature of the installation location of the heat differential power generation chip is estimated.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to estimate temperature even in a place where power is not supplied.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a greenhouse temperature estimation system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a thermal difference electric power generation chip | tip. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the internal structure of a heat differential electric power generation chip | tip. It is the table | surface which showed the relationship between the surface temperature difference of a thermal difference electric power generation chip | tip, and electric power generation output. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an external appearance of the sensor apparatus attached to a greenhouse. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the record layout of a chip | tip management database. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the record layout of a threshold value database. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the record layout of a temperature difference database. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the record layout of a reception log database. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the transmission process which a sensor apparatus performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the data reception process which a home terminal performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the temperature estimation process which a home terminal performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the temperature estimation process which a home terminal performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the chip | tip management database which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the record layout of the reception frequency database which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the temperature estimation process which the home terminal which concerns on Embodiment 2 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the temperature estimation process which the home terminal which concerns on Embodiment 2 performs. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of a statistical process. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function with which the home terminal in Embodiment 1 and 2 is provided.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a greenhouse temperature estimation system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the heat differential power generation chips 41 and 51. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the internal structure of the thermal power generation chips 41 and 51. FIG. 4 is a table showing the relationship between the surface temperature difference of the heat differential power generation chips 41 and 51 and the power generation output. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an appearance example of the sensor devices 4 and 5 attached to the greenhouse. The greenhouse temperature estimation system includes a home terminal 1, a wireless reception unit 2, a temperature measurement unit 3, sensor devices 4 and 5, and an output device 6. Home terminal 1 (temperature estimation device) is a terminal installed in the home of the user of the greenhouse temperature estimation system. Similarly, the wireless reception unit 2 and the temperature measurement unit 3 are also installed in the user's home or home site. The sensor devices 4 and 5 are installed in a greenhouse. The output device 6 includes various messages (outside temperature, room temperature of the greenhouse, etc.) to the user, a display and a buzzer that output a warning. In the greenhouse temperature estimation system, it is assumed that the distance between the greenhouse and the home is several tens of emails.

  The home terminal 1 (computer) includes a CPU (Central Processor Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a mass storage device 14, an I / F unit 15, a clock unit 16, and a reading unit 17. The output unit 18 is included. The CPU 11 controls each part of the hardware according to the control program 1P stored in the ROM 12 or the mass storage device 14. The RAM 13 is, for example, SRAM (Static RAM), DRAM (Dynamic RAM), flash memory, or the like. The RAM 13 temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 11 executes the program. The mass storage device 14 is, for example, a hard disk or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The mass storage device 14 includes a chip management database T1, a threshold database T2, a temperature difference database T3, and a reception log database T4. In addition, various data are stored. The I / F unit 15 receives data from the wireless reception unit 2 and the temperature measurement unit 3. The clock unit 16 outputs information on the current date and time to the CPU 11. The reading unit 17 reads a portable storage medium 1a such as a CD (Compact Disk) -ROM and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) -ROM. The control program 1P may be read by the reading unit 17 from the storage medium 1a and stored in the mass storage device 14. Further, the control program 1P may be downloaded from another computer via a network. Furthermore, the control program 1P may be read from the semiconductor memory 1b. The output unit 18 outputs various messages and warnings to the user to the output device 6.

  The wireless receiver 2 (receiver) receives a signal wirelessly transmitted from the sensor devices 4 and 5 installed in the greenhouse via the antenna 21. The wireless receiver 2 extracts data included in the received signal and outputs it to the home terminal 1. The temperature measurement unit 3 measures the temperature in the vicinity of the user's home and outputs the measured data to the home terminal 1.

  The sensor device 4 includes a heat difference power generation chip 41, a wireless transmission unit 42 (wireless device), and an antenna 43. The sensor device 5 includes a heat difference power generation chip 51, a wireless transmission unit 52, and an antenna 53. The sensor device 4 and the sensor device 5 have the same structure. The difference is the installation status of the heat differential power generation chip 41 and the heat differential power generation chip 51. This will be described later. Hereinafter, the sensor device 4 and the sensor device 5 will be described together.

  The heat difference power generation chip 41 (51) includes, for example, two (two surfaces) planar heat-sensitive portions. The heat difference power generation chip 41 (51) generates power when there is a temperature difference between one surface and the other surface of the heat sensitive part of the chip. The wireless transmission unit 42 (52) operates with the electric power supplied from the thermal power generation chip 41 (51), puts the ID of the thermal power generation chip 41 (51) stored in advance on the radio signal, and transmits the antenna 43 (53). To the wireless receiver 2. The wireless reception unit 2 and the wireless transmission unit 42 (52) are wireless devices that can operate with low power consumption, for example, wireless devices of the ZigBee (registered trademark) standard. In addition, the wireless device conforms to the EnOcean (registered trademark) standard.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heat differential power generation chip 41 (51) includes a power generation unit 41a (51a), a power storage unit 41b (51b), a power storage amount estimation unit 41c (51c), and a discharge control unit 41d (51d). As shown in FIG. 3, the power generation unit 41a (51a) is formed by connecting a P-type semiconductor of a hybrid element composed of a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor in series. The inside of each hybrid element is an N-type semiconductor, and the outside is a P-type semiconductor. As shown in FIG. 3, the hybrid element has a property of generating electricity when there is a temperature difference between one end and the other end. The power storage unit 41b (51b) stores the power generated by the power generation unit 41a (51a). The power storage amount estimation unit 41c (51c) estimates the amount of power stored in the power storage unit 41b (51b) and determines whether or not sufficient power has been stored for the wireless transmission unit 42 (52) to operate. . The discharge controller 41d (51d) controls whether or not to output the electric power stored in the power storage unit 41b (51b) to the outside. The power storage amount estimation unit 41c (51c) and the discharge control unit 41d (51d) are incorporated in the heat differential power generation chip 41 (51), but are not limited thereto. The power storage amount estimation unit 41c (51c) and the discharge control unit 41d (51d) may be configured as separate components from the heat differential power generation chip 41 (51).

  The power stored in the power storage unit 41b (51b) can be estimated using a known technique. For example, it is possible to continuously measure the amount of power generated by the power generation unit 41a (51a) and estimate the amount of stored electricity. Alternatively, the amount of power storage can be estimated by periodically measuring the voltage of the power storage unit 41b (51b). Two estimation methods may be combined. Note that the power required for the operation of the charged amount estimating unit 41c (51c) and the discharge control unit 41d (51d) is supplied from the stored power unit 41b (51b). Therefore, it is desirable that the power consumption of the power storage amount estimation unit 41c (51c) and the discharge control unit 41d (51d) is as small as possible. This is because the power for operating the wireless transmission unit 42 (52) needs to remain in the power storage unit 41b (51b) after the operation of the power storage amount estimation unit 41c (51c) and the discharge control unit 41d (51d). .

  As shown in FIG. 4, the relationship between the temperature difference on the element surface of the heat differential power generation chip 41 (51) and the power generation output is substantially proportional. Therefore, by dividing the power generation output of the heat difference power generation chip 41 (51) by the power consumption of the wireless transmission unit 42 (52), it is possible to determine how many times the wireless transmission unit 42 (52) can be operated by each temperature difference. Can be sought.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor devices 4 and 5 are attached to an acrylic or polycarbonate surface that constitutes a greenhouse wall. Or you may comprise a part of wall by sensor apparatus 4 and 5 itself. The wireless transmitters 42 and 52 and the antennas 43 and 53 may not be attached to the wall, and only the thermal difference power generation chips 41 and 51 may be attached to the wall. The sensor devices 4 and 5 have the same configuration, but the mounting directions of the heat differential power generation chip 41 and the heat differential power generation chip 51 are changed. The heat differential power generation chip 41 is attached to the wall of the greenhouse in such a direction that power is generated when the temperature inside the greenhouse is higher than the temperature outside the greenhouse. The heat differential power generation chip 51 is attached to the wall of the greenhouse in such a direction that power is generated when the temperature inside the greenhouse is lower than the temperature outside the greenhouse, that is, when the temperature outside the greenhouse is higher than the temperature inside the greenhouse. . By doing in this way, even if the temperature inside the greenhouse is lower or higher than the temperature outside the greenhouse, the temperature inside the greenhouse can be estimated. 1 and 5 show a set of two sensor devices, that is, the sensor device 4 and the sensor device 5, this is only an example. Two or more sensor devices may be installed in one greenhouse. Moreover, when a warning is required only when the temperature is lower or higher than the outside air temperature, one sensor device may be installed at each observation place. The number of sensor devices installed in the greenhouse may be determined as appropriate depending on the size of the greenhouse and the accuracy of the estimation results.

  Next, a database stored in the mass storage device 14 of the home terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a record layout of the chip management database T1. The chip management database T1 includes a chip ID column, a greenhouse ID column, and a power generation direction column. In the chip ID column, IDs (identification information) of the heat differential power generation chips 41 and 51 are stored. The greenhouse ID column stores the ID of the greenhouse to which the thermal power generation chip corresponding to the chip ID is attached. In the power generation direction column, information on whether the heat differential power generation chip generates power when the inside or outside of the greenhouse is high is stored. If power is generated when the inside of the greenhouse is high, “inner high” is stored. If power is generated when the outside of the greenhouse is high, “outside high” is stored. In this embodiment, it is assumed that one set of sensor devices is installed in each greenhouse.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a record layout of the threshold database T2. The threshold value database T2 includes a greenhouse ID column and an allowable temperature column. The greenhouse ID column stores the ID of the greenhouse. The upper limit value and lower limit value of the allowable temperature of the greenhouse are stored in the allowable temperature column.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a record layout of the temperature difference database T3 (storage unit). The temperature difference database T3 includes a reception frequency column and a temperature difference column. The number of receptions column stores the number of times data has been received from the sensor devices 4 and 5 within a predetermined time. A temperature difference corresponding to the number of receptions is stored in the temperature difference column. The contents stored in the temperature difference database T3 may be determined by conducting experiments and simulations in advance.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a record layout of the reception log database T4. The reception log database T4 includes a reception time column. In the reception time column, the time when signals are received from the sensor devices 4 and 5 is stored. The reception log database T4 is provided for each sensor device (thermal difference power generation chip). The reception log database T4 may not be provided for each sensor device but may be a single database. In that case, a chip ID field may be provided in addition to the reception time field, and the reception time and the chip ID may be stored in association with each other.

Next, processing performed in the greenhouse temperature estimation system will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the transmission process performed by the sensor device 4 (5). The power storage amount estimation unit 41c (51c) of the sensor device 4 (5) determines whether or not the power storage amount stored in the power storage unit 41b (51b) is an amount that can perform the transmission operation of the wireless transmission unit 42 (52). To do. That is, it is determined whether or not the transmission operation of the wireless transmission unit 42 (52) is possible (step S11). When transmission is possible (YES in step S11), the charged amount estimation unit 41c (51c) instructs the power supply of the discharge control unit 41d (51d). The discharge control unit 41d (51d) supplies the power stored in the power storage unit 41b (51b) to the wireless transmission unit 42 (52). The wireless transmission unit 42 (52) transmits the ID of the thermal power generation chip 41 (51) stored in advance to the wireless reception unit 2 (step S12). Communication between the wireless transmission unit 42 (52) and the wireless reception unit 2 is performed in an asynchronous mode. This is because the asynchronous mode is simpler and can reduce power consumption. If the amount of power storage is insufficient (NO in step S11), the power storage amount estimation unit 41c (51c) continues the estimation. Although the above function has been described as a software function, it may be realized by hardware.
Further, since the power storage amount estimation unit 41c (51c) and the discharge control unit 41d (51d) operate using the power stored in the power storage unit 41b (51b), the power stored in the power storage unit 41b (51b) is to some extent. If it is not the amount, it does not work. Further, since the wireless transmission unit 42 (52) operates to consume almost all the electric power stored in the power storage unit 41b (51b), immediately after the operation of the wireless transmission unit 42 (52), the storage amount estimation unit 41c (51c). ), The discharge controller 41d (51d) does not operate.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of data reception processing performed by the home terminal 1. The wireless receiver 2 of the home terminal 1 performs a data receiving operation (step S21). The CPU 11 determines whether or not the wireless reception unit 2 has received data (step S22). For example, this determination is performed as follows. The packet transmitted by the wireless transmission unit 42 (52) has a fixed length, and is determined by whether or not the length of the received packet is a predetermined length. Also, the predetermined bit at the beginning of the packet is used as an identifier, and determination is made based on whether or not the predetermined bit at the beginning of the received packet matches a predetermined identifier. These two may be combined. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured such that distinction can be made even if a packet is received from a transmitting station other than the wireless transmission unit 42 (52). When it determines with having received (it is YES at step S22), CPU11 acquires the present | current time from the clock part 16 (step S23). The CPU 11 reads the chip ID of the heat differential power generation chip 41 (51) from the received data (step S24). The CPU 11 writes the acquired current time in the reception log database T4 corresponding to the read chip ID (step S25). The CPU 11 ends the process. If it is determined that no data is received (NO in step S22), the CPU 11 ends the process. The CPU 11 periodically executes these processes using a timer. Alternatively, these processes may be activated at the timing when the wireless reception unit 2 receives data.

  12 and 13 are flowcharts showing a procedure of temperature estimation processing performed by the home terminal 1. The CPU 11 of the home terminal 1 acquires the outside air temperature from the temperature measuring unit 3 (step S1). The CPU 11 calculates the number of greenhouses (total number) from the threshold database T2 (step S2). CPU11 sets the number of greenhouses to the variable N (step S3). The CPU 11 sets the loop variable m to 1 (step S4). The CPU 11 specifies the mth greenhouse (step S5). For example, the mth record stored in the threshold value database T2 or the mth record when the threshold value database T2 is sorted by the greenhouse ID is specified, and the greenhouse ID is acquired. The CPU 11 specifies a record having the greenhouse ID of the greenhouse to be processed from the chip management database T1, and reads the chip ID and the power generation direction (step S6). Since one set of sensor devices is installed in each greenhouse, a chip ID of a chip with an inner power generation direction and a chip ID of a chip with an outer power generation direction are specified one by one. The CPU 11 counts the number of records included within a predetermined time (within the past 5 minutes from the current time) from the reception log database T4 corresponding to each chip ID, that is, the number of receptions of the chip ID (step S7).

  The CPU 11 determines whether or not the power generation direction is inside height (step S8). That is, the CPU 11 identifies the chip ID having the larger count value obtained in step S7, and whether the power generation direction associated with the identified chip ID is internal high (power generation when the inside of the greenhouse is high) or not. Determine. When the power generation direction is internal high (YES in step S8), the CPU 11 reads the temperature difference value corresponding to the count value of the chip whose power generation direction is internal high from the temperature difference database T3 (step S9). The CPU 11 sets the value obtained by adding the read temperature difference value to the outside air temperature value as the room temperature of the greenhouse (step S10). When the power generation direction is not inside height (NO in step S8), the CPU 11 reads the temperature difference value corresponding to the count value of the chip whose power generation direction is outside height from the temperature difference database T3 (step S11). The CPU 11 sets the value obtained by subtracting the value of the temperature difference from the value of the outside air temperature as the room temperature of the greenhouse (step S12).

  The CPU 11 reads the allowable temperature range (threshold upper limit value and lower limit value) corresponding to the greenhouse ID of the greenhouse to be processed from the threshold database T2 (step S13). The CPU 11 determines whether or not the obtained room temperature of the greenhouse is lower than the lower limit value of the allowable temperature (lower limit value of the threshold value) (step S14). When the room temperature of the greenhouse is lower than the lower limit value of the allowable temperature (YES in step S14), the CPU 11 warns that the room temperature of the greenhouse is lower than the allowable temperature (step S15). When the room temperature of the greenhouse is equal to or higher than the lower limit value of the allowable temperature (NO in step S14), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the room temperature is higher than the upper limit value of the allowable temperature (step S16). When the room temperature is higher than the upper limit value of the allowable temperature (YES in step S16), the CPU 11 warns that the room temperature of the greenhouse is higher than the allowable temperature (step S17). When the room temperature is equal to or lower than the upper limit value of the allowable temperature (NO in step S16), the CPU 11 moves the process to step S18.

  The warning is output from the output unit 18 of the home terminal 1 and is notified to the user from the output device 6. Display a warning message on the display and sound the buzzer. Note that if the home terminal 1 is connected to a network such as the Internet and the user has a mobile terminal having a communication function such as a mobile phone or a smartphone, a warning may be sent to the user's mobile terminal. good.

  The CPU 11 adds 1 to the loop variable (step S18). The CPU 11 determines whether or not the loop variable m is larger than N (step S19). That is, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the processing for all greenhouses has been completed. If the processing for all the greenhouses has been completed (YES in step S19), the CPU 11 ends the processing. If the processing for all the greenhouses has not been completed (NO in step S19), the CPU 11 returns the processing to step S5 and repeats the above-described processing. The processing described above may be executed periodically by a timer, or may be executed every time the wireless reception unit 2 receives data from the sensor device.

  In the processing described above, a warning is given if necessary every time the room temperature is estimated, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to store necessary warning contents when estimating the room temperature, and to issue warnings collectively after processing for all greenhouses is completed.

  As described above, the greenhouse temperature estimation system according to Embodiment 1 has the following effects. The temperature difference (temperature difference between the outside and inside of the greenhouse) generated in the heat differential power generation chip 41 (51) is proportional to the number of times the chip ID is transmitted from the wireless transmission unit 42 (52). The home terminal 1 can calculate the temperature difference between the outside temperature and the room temperature in the greenhouse from the number of times the received chip ID is received. Furthermore, since the greenhouse is close to the home, the outside temperature near the greenhouse can be obtained by measuring the outside temperature near the home. By adding and subtracting the outside temperature and the obtained temperature difference, it is possible to estimate the room temperature in the greenhouse. In the greenhouse, the wireless transmitter is operated using the electric power generated by the heat differential power generation chip 41 (51), and therefore the room temperature in the greenhouse is estimated even in a greenhouse installed in a place where electric power cannot be supplied. Is possible. Since there is no need to install a generator or a primary battery, the temperature can be estimated stably without maintenance such as refueling or battery replacement.

  It was assumed that only one set of sensor devices was installed in each greenhouse. When multiple sets of sensor devices are installed in one greenhouse and temperature management is performed for each set of sensor devices, a set ID is assigned to each set and the temperature estimation process performed for each greenhouse is performed for each set. Just do it. In this case, a group ID column is added to the chip management database T1 and the threshold database T2.

Embodiment 2
In the first embodiment described above, a set of sensor devices is installed for each greenhouse or for each measurement location. However, the second embodiment also supports the case where a plurality of sensor devices are installed in one greenhouse. . Since the hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the chip management database T1 according to the second embodiment. The record layout of the chip management database T1 is the same as that in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, since one set of sensor devices is installed in each greenhouse, there are two chip IDs of the thermal power generation chips corresponding to each greenhouse ID. Since a plurality of sets of sensor devices are installed in the second embodiment, there are greenhouse IDs associated with four or more chip IDs. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 14, there are eight records whose greenhouse ID is GH01, and four sets of sensor devices are installed. The chip IDs of the heat differential power generation chips are i01 to i04 and o01 to o04. There is a set of chip IDs having the same value in the lower two digits.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a record layout of the reception count database T5 according to the second embodiment. The reception count database T5 has a layout in which a reception count column is added to the chip management database T1 shown in FIG. The reception frequency database T5 is a database that temporarily stores the reception frequency for each heat differential power generation chip. The reception frequency database T5 is provided in the RAM 13 or the mass storage device 14.

  FIG.16 and FIG.17 is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the temperature estimation process which the home terminal 1 which concerns on Embodiment 2 performs. In the following description, it is assumed that the total number N of heat differential power generation chips and the total number R of greenhouses are calculated in advance. Alternatively, it is stored in the mass storage device 14. The CPU 11 of the home terminal 1 acquires the outside air temperature (step S31). This is the same processing as step S1 (FIG. 12) of the first embodiment. The CPU 11 sets 1 to the loop variable m (step S32).

  The CPU 11 specifies the mth chip (step S33). For example, the mth record in the chip management database T1 or the mth record when the chip management database T2 is sorted by chip ID is specified, and the chip ID is acquired. The acquired chip ID is set as the chip ID of the heat differential power generation chip to be processed. The CPU 11 counts the number of records included within a predetermined time (within the past 5 minutes from the current time) from the reception log database T4 corresponding to the chip ID to be processed (step S34). The CPU 11 reads out the greenhouse ID and the power generation direction corresponding to the chip ID to be processed from the chip management database T1 (step S35). The CPU 11 stores the greenhouse ID, chip ID, power generation direction, and number of receptions in the reception number database T5 (step S36).

  The CPU 11 adds 1 to the loop variable m (step S37). The CPU 11 determines whether or not processing has been performed for all the thermal power generation chips. That is, it is determined whether or not the loop variable m is larger than the total number N of heat differential power generation chips (step S38). If m is less than or equal to N (NO in step S38), since there is a heat differential power generation chip that has not been processed, the CPU 11 returns the process to step S33 and repeats the above-described process. If m is greater than N (YES in step S38), since the process has been completed for all the thermal power generation chips, the CPU 11 performs the processes in and after step S39. The CPU 11 sets the loop variable m to 1 again (step S39). CPU11 specifies the mth greenhouse (step S40). For example, the mth record stored in the threshold value database T2 or the mth record when the threshold value database T2 is sorted by the greenhouse ID is specified, and the greenhouse ID is acquired. The CPU 11 specifies a record having the greenhouse ID of the greenhouse to be processed, and reads the chip ID, the power generation direction, and the number of receptions (step S41). The CPU 11 performs statistical processing to determine the number of receptions used for temperature estimation and the power generation direction (step S42).

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a statistical processing procedure. The CPU 11 classifies according to the power generation direction associated with the number of receptions, adds up the number of receptions for each power generation direction, and obtains the total value of the reception times (step S61). The CPU 11 divides by the half of the number of read data because the total number of the obtained totals, that is, the generation direction is “inner high” and “outer high” is half each. Then, the average number of receptions for each power generation direction is obtained (step S62). The CPU 11 compares the average value of the number of receptions in the power generation direction “inside high” with the average value of the number of receptions in the power generation direction “outside height”, and selects the one with the larger value (step S63). CPU11 returns the selected average value as the frequency | count of reception used for temperature estimation with the electric power generation direction corresponding to it, and complete | finishes a process (step S64).

  Moving to FIG. 17, the CPU 11 reads a temperature difference corresponding to the number of receptions obtained by the statistical process from the temperature difference database T3 (step S43). If the number of receptions obtained by statistical processing is a decimal, the first decimal place is rounded, rounded down or rounded up to an integer, and the temperature difference database T3 is searched. The CPU 11 determines whether or not the power generation direction determined by the statistical processing is “inner height” (step S44). When the power generation direction is “inside high” (YES in step S44), the CPU 11 sets the value obtained by adding the temperature difference to the outside air temperature (obtained in step S31 in FIG. 16) as room temperature (step S45). When the power generation direction is “outside high” (NO in step S44), the CPU 11 sets the value obtained by subtracting the temperature difference from the outside air temperature as the room temperature (step S46).

  The CPU 11 reads the allowable temperature range of the greenhouse to be processed (step S47), and performs warning processing as necessary (steps S49 and S51). Since the processing from step S47 to step S51 is the same as the processing from step S13 to step S17 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the description thereof is omitted.

  The CPU 11 adds 1 to the loop variable m (step S52). The CPU 11 determines whether or not the loop variable m is larger than the total number R of greenhouses (step S53). That is, it is determined whether or not all greenhouses have been processed. If m is greater than R (YES in step S53), the process has been completed for all the greenhouses, so the CPU 11 ends the process. If m is equal to or less than R (NO in step S53), the greenhouse that has not been processed remains, so the CPU 11 returns the process to step S40 and repeats the above-described process.

  The greenhouse temperature estimation system according to the second embodiment has the following effects in addition to the first embodiment. Since a plurality of sets of heat differential power generation chips 41 (51), that is, a plurality of sets of sensor devices 41 (51) are installed in one greenhouse, reception obtained from the plurality of sets of sensor devices 41 (51) By statistically processing the number of times, it is possible to estimate the room temperature of the greenhouse with higher accuracy.

  In the statistical processing described above, the average value of the number of receptions is obtained, but is not limited thereto. Various statistical processes can be applied. For example, when the average value is obtained, the maximum value and the minimum value of the number of receptions may be removed, and the average value may be obtained using the remaining values. Further, the median value may be obtained instead of the average value. Instead of obtaining the number of receptions for each power generation direction, the following may be performed. The number of receptions of “outside high” is set to a negative value, and an average value of all receptions is obtained. The value to be returned is the absolute value of the average value. The power generation direction may be “outside height” if the average value is negative, and “inside height” if the average value is positive.

Embodiment 3
FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing functions provided in home terminal 1 in the first and second embodiments. Home terminal 1 includes an outside air temperature processing unit 10a, a reception processing unit 10b, a temperature difference estimation processing unit 10c, and an alarm processing unit 10d. The temperature difference estimation processing unit 10 c includes a counting unit 101, a reading unit 102, a statistics unit 103, and an estimation unit 104. When the CPU 11 executes the control program 1P, the home terminal 1 operates as follows.

  The outside air temperature processing unit 10 a (acquisition unit) acquires the outside air temperature from the temperature measurement unit 3. The reception processing unit 10b processes the signal received by the wireless reception unit 2, extracts the chip ID of the heat differential power generation chip included in the signal, and stores the current time for each chip ID. The temperature difference estimation processing unit 10c performs a room temperature estimation process of the greenhouse. The counting unit 101 obtains the number of chip IDs (number of receptions) received within a predetermined time for each chip ID based on the time stored in the reception processing unit 10b. The reading unit 102 reads the temperature difference corresponding to the number of receptions obtained by the counting unit 101 from the storage unit that stores the correspondence between the number of receptions per predetermined time and the temperature difference generated in the heat differential power generation chip. The estimation unit 104 estimates the room temperature of the greenhouse from the outside air temperature acquired by the temperature measurement unit 3 and the read temperature difference. The statistical unit 103 statistically processes the number of receptions obtained by the counting unit 101 and passes it to the reading unit 102 when a plurality of thermal power generation chips are installed at one measurement location. The reading unit 102 reads the temperature difference using the number of receptions passed from the statistical unit 103 instead of the number of receptions obtained by the counting unit 101. The alarm processing unit 10d determines whether the room temperature of the greenhouse estimated by the estimation unit 104 is included in a predetermined allowable temperature range, and issues an alarm when it is lower than the minimum value or higher than the maximum value of the allowable temperature range.

The technical features (components) described in each embodiment can be combined with each other, and new technical features can be formed by combining them.
The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-mentioned meaning but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  The following additional notes are further disclosed with respect to the embodiments including the first to third embodiments.

(Appendix 1)
Heat that has two heat sensitive parts, is installed so that one of the heat sensitive parts is exposed to the room and the other is exposed to the outside air, and generates electricity by the temperature difference between the room temperature and the outside air temperature, and stores the generated power A computer that obtains a reception notification of a signal from a receiver that receives a signal transmitted by a wireless device that receives power supplied from the differential power generation chip,
Count the number of receptions of the signal per predetermined time,
Read the temperature difference corresponding to the counted number of receptions from the storage unit that stores the correspondence between the number of receptions per predetermined time and the temperature difference between the two heat sensitive parts of the heat differential power generation chip,
Get the outside temperature,
A temperature estimation method characterized by estimating an indoor temperature of a place where the heat differential power generation chip is installed from a read temperature difference and an acquired outside air temperature.

(Appendix 2)
The temperature estimation method according to appendix 1, wherein a warning is issued when the estimated temperature of the installation location is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value or lower than a predetermined threshold value.

(Appendix 3)
The temperature estimation method according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the signal transmitted by the wireless device includes identification information attached in advance to the thermal power generation chip.

(Appendix 4)
The temperature estimation method according to appendix 3, wherein the heat differential power generation chip is installed at a plurality of installation locations.

(Appendix 5)
A plurality of the thermal power generation chips are installed at each installation location, and the temperature of the installation location is estimated using a statistical value obtained by statistically processing the number of receptions of a signal transmitted from a wireless device corresponding to each thermal differential generation chip. The temperature estimation method according to appendix 3 or appendix 4, characterized by:

(Appendix 6)
Heat that has two heat sensitive parts, is installed so that one of the heat sensitive parts is exposed to the room and the other is exposed to the outside air, and generates electricity by the temperature difference between the room temperature and the outside air temperature, and stores the generated power In a temperature estimation device including a notification acquisition unit that acquires a reception notification of a signal from a receiver that receives a signal transmitted by a wireless device that receives power supplied from a differential power generation chip,
A storage unit storing a correspondence relationship between the number of receptions of the signal per predetermined time and a temperature difference between the two heat-sensitive units of the thermal power generation chip;
From the number of notifications by the notification acquisition unit, a counting unit for obtaining the number of receptions per predetermined time of the signal,
A reading unit that reads the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature at the installation location of the thermal power generation chip corresponding to the obtained number of receptions;
An acquisition unit for acquiring the outside temperature;
A temperature estimation device comprising: an estimation unit that estimates the temperature of the installation location based on the acquired outside air temperature and the obtained temperature difference.

(Appendix 7)
Heat that has two heat sensitive parts, is installed so that one of the heat sensitive parts is exposed to the room and the other is exposed to the outside air, and generates electricity by the temperature difference between the room temperature and the outside air temperature, and stores the generated power From a receiver that receives a signal transmitted by a wireless device that receives power supplied from a differential power generation chip, to a computer that obtains a notification of reception of the signal,
Count the number of receptions of the signal per predetermined time,
Read the temperature difference corresponding to the counted number of receptions from the storage unit that stores the correspondence between the number of receptions per predetermined time and the temperature difference between the two heat sensitive parts of the heat differential power generation chip,
Get the outside temperature,
A computer program for executing a process of estimating a temperature at a place where the heat differential power generation chip is installed based on the acquired outside air temperature and the obtained temperature difference.

1 Home terminal (computer)
11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Mass Storage Device 15 I / F Unit 16 Clock Unit 17 Reading Unit 1a Portable Storage Medium 1b Semiconductor Memory 1P Control Program 10a Outside Air Temperature Processing Unit (Acquisition Unit)
10b reception processing unit 10c temperature difference estimation processing unit 101 counting unit 102 reading unit 103 statistical unit 104 estimation unit 10d alarm processing unit 2 wireless reception unit (receiver)
3 Temperature measurement unit 4, 5 Sensor device 41, 51 Thermal difference power generation chip 42, 52 Wireless transmission unit (wireless device)

Claims (7)

Heat that has two heat sensitive parts, is installed so that one of the heat sensitive parts is exposed to the room and the other is exposed to the outside air, and generates electricity by the temperature difference between the room temperature and the outside air temperature, and stores the generated power A computer that obtains a reception notification of a signal from a receiver that receives a signal transmitted by a wireless device that receives power supplied from the differential power generation chip,
Count the number of receptions of the signal per predetermined time,
Read the temperature difference corresponding to the counted number of receptions from the storage unit that stores the correspondence between the number of receptions per predetermined time and the temperature difference between the two heat sensitive parts of the heat differential power generation chip,
Get the outside temperature,
A temperature estimation method characterized by estimating an indoor temperature of a place where the heat differential power generation chip is installed from a read temperature difference and an acquired outside air temperature. The temperature estimation method according to claim 1, wherein a warning is issued when the estimated temperature of the installation location is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value or lower than a predetermined threshold value. 3. The temperature estimation method according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmitted by the wireless device includes identification information added in advance to the heat differential power generation chip. The temperature estimation method according to claim 3, wherein the heat differential power generation chip is installed at a plurality of installation locations. A plurality of the thermal power generation chips are installed at each installation location, and the temperature of the installation location is estimated using a statistical value obtained by statistically processing the number of receptions of a signal transmitted from a wireless device corresponding to each thermal differential generation chip. The temperature estimation method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: Heat that has two heat sensitive parts, is installed so that one of the heat sensitive parts is exposed to the room and the other is exposed to the outside air, and generates electricity by the temperature difference between the room temperature and the outside air temperature, and stores the generated power In a temperature estimation device including a notification acquisition unit that acquires a reception notification of a signal from a receiver that receives a signal transmitted by a wireless device that receives power supplied from a differential power generation chip,
A storage unit storing a correspondence relationship between the number of receptions of the signal per predetermined time and a temperature difference between the two heat-sensitive units of the thermal power generation chip;
From the number of notifications by the notification acquisition unit, a counting unit for obtaining the number of receptions per predetermined time of the signal,
A reading unit that reads the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the room temperature at the installation location of the thermal power generation chip corresponding to the obtained number of receptions;
An acquisition unit for acquiring the outside temperature;
A temperature estimation device comprising: an estimation unit that estimates the temperature of the installation location based on the acquired outside air temperature and the obtained temperature difference. Heat that has two heat sensitive parts, is installed so that one of the heat sensitive parts is exposed to the room and the other is exposed to the outside air, and generates electricity by the temperature difference between the room temperature and the outside air temperature, and stores the generated power From a receiver that receives a signal transmitted by a wireless device that receives power supplied from a differential power generation chip, to a computer that obtains a notification of reception of the signal,
Count the number of receptions of the signal per predetermined time,
Read the temperature difference corresponding to the counted number of receptions from the storage unit that stores the correspondence between the number of receptions per predetermined time and the temperature difference between the two heat sensitive parts of the heat differential power generation chip,
Get the outside temperature,
A computer program for executing a process of estimating a temperature at a place where the heat differential power generation chip is installed based on the acquired outside air temperature and the obtained temperature difference.

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