JP7377787B2 - Sensing system and detection method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for detecting data to be monitored using a sensor. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for collecting detection data via a communication path such as an optical fiber cable.

In recent years, sensing systems have been used to monitor infrastructure facilities such as water and sewage systems, gas piping, and public ditches, as well as natural conditions such as the atmosphere, rivers, and coastlines. At this time, the status of infrastructure equipment, etc. is monitored based on the data detected by the sensors, and measures are taken against daily operations, abnormalities, and disasters (tsunamis, typhoons, underground cave-ins), and the management of the equipment itself.

For this purpose, sensors detect various data related to the status of infrastructure facilities and the like. The various data include the deterioration of the equipment itself and physical quantities such as water quality and water level. Then, managers of infrastructure facilities and the like use sensing systems to collect various detection data detected by sensors, and use this to monitor the status of infrastructure facilities and the like.

Such sensors used for monitoring may suffer from defects such as deterioration or failure. If a malfunction occurs, it will be necessary to take measures such as replacing or repairing the sensor. Further, since the sensor may be configured with an analog circuit, individual variations in detection data occur from sensor to sensor. To deal with this individual variation, adjustment, that is, correction of the detected data is required.

Here, in monitoring the status of infrastructure equipment, etc., it is necessary to collect and understand various detection data such as equipment status and various physical quantities. In addition, there are many parts of infrastructure facilities that require monitoring. For this reason, sensing systems require multiple types and large numbers of sensors. This requires time and effort to manage the sensor, such as processing detection data from the sensor, replacing the sensor, repairing the sensor, and setting corrections.

Therefore, in order to handle a large number of different types of sensors, it is required to identify each sensor and connect it to a slave station device, which is a host device, in accordance with each sensor.

Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a prior art that handles such a large number of sensors. In Patent Document 1, a sensor holds a sensor ID for identifying itself, and an adapter section reads the sensor ID when the sensor device is activated. Then, the adapter section performs predetermined processing on the analog physical quantity measured by the sensor, converts it into digital data, and outputs this digital data and the sensor ID.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-139075

In a sensing system, a sensor is connected to a connection device called a slave station device or the like via a sensor interface device (hereinafter referred to as a sensor IF circuit). A plurality of types of sensors will be connected to this slave station device. This is because each detection location handles multiple types of detection data as described above. Normally, it is necessary to prepare an interface for the slave station device for each type of detected data. Therefore, in managing the sensors described above, it is important to make this interface general-purpose or common (hereinafter simply "common").

Here, in Patent Document 1, a sensor ID reading section 121 is provided in the adapter section 120 to identify the sensor when replacing the sensor. However, no consideration was given to standardization of communications with slave station devices. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to simplify the management of each sensor by making this commonality possible.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a sensor IF device that relays between a slave station device and a sensor, which has a common interface between the slave station device and the sensor, and which stores at least characteristic information of the corresponding sensor. We propose a sensing system that includes an IF device. Here, the sensor characteristic information includes at least the sensor type.

A more detailed aspect of the present invention provides a sensing system for monitoring a monitoring target, including a plurality of sensors that detect detection data regarding the status of the monitoring target, and a plurality of sensors that transmit the detection data via a communication path. a slave station device, a master station device that connects to the plurality of slave station devices, a plurality of sensor IF devices that connect to the plurality of sensors and the plurality of slave station devices, and the communication path. an application server that receives detection data and outputs monitoring data of the monitoring target using the received detection data; The master station device shares the connection with the slave station device, stores characteristic information for each of the connected sensors, and transmits a read request for the sensed data to each of the slave station devices; In response to the read request, each of the plurality of slave station devices acquires detection data and characteristic information in each of the plurality of sensor IF devices from the plurality of sensor IF devices, and reads each of the plurality of acquired sensor IF devices. This is a sensing system that transmits slave station data, which is a collection of detection data and characteristic information, to the master station device .

Note that the present invention also includes a detection method using a sensing system and each device (particularly a sensor IF device) that constitutes the sensing system.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to manage each sensor in a sensing system more easily.

It is a schematic diagram when a sensing system is applied to a sewage pipe, which is a type of sewage facility to be monitored in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration regarding input and output of a sensing node in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a slave station device in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a first model related to a sensor IF device in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a second model related to the sensor IF device in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external view when a sensor and a sensor IF device are connected in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external view of a sensing node in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a sensing system processing sequence in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing various information and data used in an embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram when a sensing system 10 is applied to a sewage pipe 1, which is a type of sewage facility to be monitored in this embodiment. Currently, with regard to sewage pipes, there is a need to systematize the measurement of water levels in sewage facilities, to understand the quality of discharge and overflow water during rainy weather, to predict the deterioration of pipes, and to improve the efficiency of their maintenance. In order to respond to these demands, it is necessary to detect and utilize various detection data. In this embodiment, based on these premises, the sensing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 executes each process described below.

In FIG. 1, a sewer pipe 1 is the monitoring target of this embodiment. A sensing system 10 was installed at each base (location) of the sewer pipe 1 so that various detection data could be detected. This base includes a branch point for the sewer pipe 1, a manhole installation point, etc., and these can be set as appropriate.

Note that the "-" added to the reference numerals in FIG. 1 is a branch number for distinguishing between the same items when they exist. For this reason, in the following description, unless otherwise specified or described without a "-", the same processing is executed for each component.

Hereinafter, the connection relationship of each component constituting the sensing system 10 will be explained, and then the outline of each component will be explained. In the sensing system 10, each sensor 101 installed at each base is connected to a slave station device 103 via a sensor IF device 102. The slave station device 103 is connected to the master station device 104 via an optical fiber cable 110 for feeding optical fiber power to each sensor 101 and communicating communication light (detection data, etc.) from each sensor 101. . Further, the optical fiber cable 110 is provided with an optical branch 111 for each slave station device 103, which branches the optical fiber feeding and communication light (detection data, etc.) to each slave station device 103. Note that the slave station device 103 may be called any name such as a connecting device.

In FIG. 1, arrows pointing from the master station device 104-1 to each slave station device 103 via the optical fiber cable 110 indicate optical fiber power feeding and communication light (control commands). Conversely, an arrow pointing from each slave station device 103 to the master station device 104 via the optical fiber cable 110 indicates the communication direction of communication light such as detection data.

The master station device 104 is also connected to a sensing gateway (hereinafter referred to as sensing GW 105), and transmits detection data and the like in response to reception of communication light. Further, the sensing GW 105 is connected to a network 109 of an administration building, which is a facility for monitoring the sewer pipe 1. Further, the sensing GW 105 is connected to a worker terminal 107 used by a worker such as a maintenance worker of the sewer pipe 1. Note that the sensing GW 105 may be connected to the worker terminal 107 via the network 109. Sensing GW 105 is a network node for connecting optical fiber cable 110 and network 109. The hardware configuration can be realized using a gateway capable of general optical communication. Therefore, each process of the sensing GW 105, which will be described later, may be executed according to software (program) stored in the storage medium itself, or may be executed by hardware that is a dedicated circuit.

Next, the functions of each component of the sensing system 10 will be explained. Sensors 101-1 to 101-4 are installed for each base to be monitored, and each sensor 101-1 to 101-4 is a sensor for each detection data to be detected. That is, the sensor 101-1 is a water quality sensor that detects the water quality of sewage in the sewage pipe 1, and the sensor 101-2 is a water level sensor that detects the overflow of sewage. Further, the sensor 101-3 is a liquid level sensor that detects overflow of sewage, and the sensor 101-4 is a gas sensor that detects gas generated in the sewage pipe 1. Here, the sensor 101-1 detects the quality of sewage water based on electrical conductivity. Therefore, sensor 101-1 can also be referred to as an electrical conductivity sensor. Further, the sensor 101-2 (water level sensor) and the sensor 101-3 (liquid level sensor) each detect overflow of sewage, but the principles for detection are different as follows.

The sensor 101-2 (water level sensor) detects the water level and overflow based on the water pressure of the sewage. Furthermore, the sensor 101-3 (liquid level sensor) detects the water level and overflow by specifying the float position in the sewer pipe 1 based on light reflection. Note that the sensor type (type) of the sensor 101 of this embodiment is just an example, and is not limited thereto. In particular, either one of the sensor 101-2 and the sensor 101-3 may be provided.

Next, sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4 are provided for each of the sensors 101-1 to 101-4, and receive and record detection data from these sensors 101-1 to 101-4. Further, sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4 connect sensors 101-1 to 101-4 and slave station device 103-1. Regarding this connection, the sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4 share the connection or communication between each sensor 101-1 to 101-4 and each slave station device 103-1. This means that the sensor IF device 102 allows each sensor 101 and each slave station device 103 to share a communication means or an interface in a communication standard. Note that each of the sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4 may be configured integrally with each of the sensors 101-1 to 101-4. Here, slave station device 103-1 and each sensor IF device 102-1 to 102-4 are connected via sensor IF relay cables 112-1 to 112-4, respectively. For example, a 19-core metal cable can be used as the sensor IF relay cables 112-1 to 112-4.

Further, each of the sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4 stores the following information as characteristic information for each connected sensor. The sensor IF device 102-1 stores a "water quality sensor" indicating the sensor type of the connected sensor 101-1 and a "correction value A" for correcting the detection data. The sensor IF device 102-2 stores the sensor type "water level sensor" of the connected sensor 101-2 and "correction value B" for correcting the detection data. The sensor IF device 102-3 stores a "liquid level sensor" indicating the sensor type of the connected sensor 101-3 and a "correction value C" for correcting the detection data. The sensor IF device 102-4 stores "gas sensor" indicating the sensor type of the connected sensor 101-4 and "correction value D" for correcting the detection data. This information will be described later. In this way, each sensor IF device 102-1 to 102-4 stores the sensor type and correction value as characteristic information. Note that the structures of the sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4 will be explained later. Note that the characteristic information may include at least the sensor type.

Next, each of the slave station devices 103-1 to 103-4 is installed at each base. The slave station device 103-1 then reads out the detection data recorded in the sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4. The slave station device 103-1 then transmits this detection data to the master station device 104-1 via the optical fiber cable 110. The structure of this slave station device 103-1 will also be explained later. Note that the sensors 101-1 to 101-4, the sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4, and the slave station device 103-1 are configured in one housing as the sensing node 11 for each base. Good too.

Next, the optical fiber cable 110 is an optical transmission line, and enables communication of various information using light and power supply. Note that the optical fiber cable 110 can be replaced with other transmission means. The optical branch 111 is provided for each slave station device 103 and has a function of branching communication contents and power supply energy. In other words, a plurality of slave station devices 103 or sensing nodes 11 are accommodated, and the optical fiber cable 110 can be saved. Note that although the optical fiber cable 110 is used in this embodiment, it can be replaced with other communication media.

Next, the master station device 104 is installed between the optical fiber cable 110 and the sensing GW 105. The master station device 104 includes a power feeding LD 1041 that supplies power to the slave station devices 103-1 to 103-n and each of the components thereon via the optical fiber cable 110. Further, the master station device 104 issues a sensing command based on a sensing interval set in advance for itself, and transmits a sensing instruction to each slave station device 103. With this, each slave station device 103 operates by optical fiber power feeding. Further, each slave station device 103 can control the sensor 101. Therefore, each slave station device 103 receives a command from the master station device 104, detects detection data with each sensor 101, and transmits the detected data to the master station device 104.

Then, the master station device 104 transmits data to the application server every time collected data is received from each slave station device 103. Furthermore, the master station device 104 includes a photodetector (PD 1042) that receives detection data and the like transmitted from the slave station device 103 as communication light. Furthermore, the master station device 104 transmits detection data included in the communication light to the sensing GW 105. Note that each master station device 104 is preferably provided for each management unit, such as each pumping station of a sewer system.

The sensing GW 105 then distributes the received detection data and the like to each device. For example, the sensing GW 105 transmits detection data and the like to the application server 106 via the worker terminal 107 and the network 109.

Here, the worker terminal 107 is realized by a computer used by the worker who maintains the sewage pipe 1, more specifically a mobile terminal (tablet, notebook PC). The detected data can be received and checked by the worker.For this purpose, the worker terminal 107 sets its own configuration information in the sensing GW 105 and the master station device 104 through the worker's operation.

The application server 106 receives detection data of each facility collected via the network 109. Then, this detection data and monitoring data 202 such as maintenance data created based on the detection data are output. Examples of this output destination include the administrator terminal 108 and the worker terminal 107. Here, the application server 106 is realized by a so-called computer. For this reason, the application server 106 includes a processing unit such as a CPU, and a storage unit such as a memory, HDD, or SSD. Then, various calculations are executed according to the computer program stored in the storage unit. Note that the application server 106 may be implemented using so-called cloud computing.

Further, the administrator terminal 108 can also be realized by a computer. Here, the administrator terminal 108 has an input section and a display section for use by the administrator regarding the sewage facility. Furthermore, a plurality of administrator terminals 108 and a plurality of application servers 106 may be prepared. Note that the application server 106 itself may have a display unit.

Next, typical components constituting the sensing system 10 will be explained. First, FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration regarding the input/output functions of the sensing node 11. The sensing node 11 includes a sensor 101. As an example of this sensor 101, the sensor 101 includes a capacitor 1011 and an L terminal 1012. Furthermore, the sensing node 11 includes a photodiode 11A that receives power supplied via an optical branch 111. Then, the power supplied to the photodiode 11A is stored in the capacitor 1011. Further, power is supplied to the L terminal 1012.

Furthermore, the sensing node 11 has an optical transmitter 11B implemented with a diode. The optical transmitter 11B transmits detection data from the sensor 101 to the optical branch 111 as uplink communication light.

Next, FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the slave station device 103. The slave station device 103 includes photodetectors 1031A, 1031B (PD), a battery 1032 (Batt), a CPU 1033, a demodulator 1034, a modulator 1035, and a laser light source 1036 (LD). In the slave station device 103, the photodetector 1031A receives power supplied via the optical branch 111. Then, the power received by the photodetector 1031A is stored in the battery 1032. Using the power stored in the battery 1032, the slave station device 103, particularly the CPU 1033, operates.

The CPU 1033 controls the operation of each component of the slave station device 103. The CPU 1033 uses a demodulator 1034 to demodulate the downlink communication light input from the optical branch 111 via the photodetector 1031B. Then, the CPU 1033 performs a read operation on the sensor IF device 102 according to the demodulated content. As a result, in the CPU 1033, the modulator 1035 modulates the detection data from the sensor 101 collected via the sensor IF device 102 into communication light. Then, the CPU 1033 uses the laser light source 1036 to output the detection data to the optical branch 111 as upstream communication light. Note that the content of the information included in the communication light will be explained later.

Next, the configuration of the sensor IF device 102 will be explained using FIGS. 4A and 4B. The sensor IF device 102 can be broadly classified into those for water quality sensors, water level sensors, and gas sensors (first model), and those for liquid level sensors (second model). Therefore, the configuration of each of these models will be explained. In this embodiment, the configuration of the sensor IF device 102 has been described using two types of models, but the implementation details may be different for each type of sensor 101. Furthermore, regardless of the model, the sensor IF device 102 has the following three functions. (1) A correction value and sensor type, which are characteristic information of the sensor 101, are stored in an EEPROM 1023 (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). (2) A detection request from the slave station device 103 is relayed to the sensor 101 to enable detection by the sensor. (3) Relay the detection data from the sensor 101 to the slave station device 103. That is, the sensor IF device 102 has a function of relaying between the sensor 101 and the slave station device 103. As a relay function, the sensor IF device 102 has an interface in which communication standards or communication means are physically standardized.

Further, it is preferable that this relaying function is executed by a command issued by software of the application server 106 and received by the slave station device 103 via the sensing GW 105 and the master station device 104. Furthermore, in order to realize this function, an IF circuit as a hardware configuration may be used. This content will be explained below using FIGS. 4A and 4B.

First, FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a first model regarding the sensor IF device 102 in this embodiment. The first model is a water quality sensor, a water level sensor, a gas sensor, in other words, a sensor IF device for sensors 101-1, 101-2, and 101-4. That is, FIG. 4A shows the hardware configuration of the sensor IF devices 102-1, 102-2, and 102-4 (sensor IF device 102). In FIG. 4A, the sensor IF device 102 includes connectors 1021A, 1021B, an AD converter 1022, and an EEPROM 1023. These are connected to each other via a bus. An example of this bus is SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface).

The connectors 1021A and 1021B are connected to other devices. The connector 1021A is connected to the sensor 101, and transmits (relays) a detection request transmitted from the slave station device 103 to the connected sensor 101 via the connector 1021B. It also accepts various detection data detected in accordance with this detection request. Although the detection data differs depending on the sensor type of the sensor 101, it is also possible to receive a plurality of detection data from one sensor 101. For example, in the case of sensor 101-1 (water quality sensor), connector 1021A may receive water quality or temperature. Note that in the first model, various data are transmitted and received between the sensor 101 and the connector 1021A using electrical signals.

Furthermore, the connector 1021B is connected to the slave station device 103. Then, the received detection data is outputted from the connector 1021B to the slave station device 103. The connection with this slave station device 103 is preferably a bus interface such as the above-mentioned SPI or I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit). Here, it is desirable that the connector 1021A be a unique connector for each sensor, and the connector 1021B be a common connector for a plurality of sensor IF devices 102.

Next, the EEPROM 1023 stores characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the connected sensor 101. The EEPROM 1023 may be any other memory or storage device as long as it can store information. However, it is preferable to use a so-called non-volatile memory.

Here, the characteristic information stored in the EEPROM 1023 includes a correction value for correcting the detection data, a sensor type indicating the type of the connected sensor 101, and the like. In particular, the correction value is a value for correcting individual differences and variations (errors) in detection specific to the sensor 101. Correction using this correction value also includes making necessary adjustments for each sensor type of the sensor 101. Examples include air pressure correction for sensor 101-1 (water quality sensor), installation height correction for sensor 101-2 (water level sensor), and the like. Furthermore, the correction values include those for correcting the offset of the sensor 101 and the inclination in installation. In this way, the correction value may include data for calibrating the detection data (which can also be expressed as calibration). In this embodiment, as described later, the sensing GW 105 performs the correction using the correction value, but the sensor IF device 102 may also perform the correction.

Next, the AD converter 1022 digitally converts the detection data, which is analog data, received via the connector 1021A. Then, the sensor IF device 102 transmits the converted detection data and the correction value stored in the EEPROM 1023 to the slave station device 103 via the connector 1021B.

Next, FIG. 4B is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a second model regarding the sensor IF device 102 in this embodiment. Note that the second model uses a sensor IF device 102-3 connected to the sensor 101-3 (liquid level sensor) as the sensor IF device 102. Sensor IF device 102-3 has connectors 1021A, 1021B and EEPROM 1023, like the first model.

Further, the branch optical coupler 1024 outputs the reference reflected light from the laser light source 1026 (LD) to the connector 1021A in accordance with the received command. Then, the connector 1021A outputs optical power to the sensor 101-3 in response to the command received by the slave station device 103, and responds to the sensor reflected light that is the reflected light detected by the sensor 101-3. is accepted as detection data. In this way, in the second model, light is used as a medium for transmission and reception between the sensor 101-3 and the connector 1021A.

Next, the branch optical coupler 1024 outputs the sensor reflected light received via the connector 1021A to the photodetector 1025B (PD). Further, the branch optical coupler 1024 outputs the reference reflected light to the photodetector 1025A (PD). Then, the comparison circuit 1027 compares the outputs of the photodetector 1025A (PD) and the photodetector 1025B (PD), and outputs the result as detection data to the slave station device 103 from the connector 1021B. Note that the characteristic information of the sensor 101-3 stored in the EEPROM 1023 is also output from the connector 1021B. The characteristic information is the same as that described in FIG. 4A. Further, the connector 1021B and the EEPROM 1023 are connected by SPI, as in FIG. 4A, but the connection is not limited thereto.

Further, in this embodiment, it is desirable that the branch optical coupler 1024 output the reference reflected light from the laser light source 1026 by dividing it into 50% parts for the connector 1021A and 50% for the photodetector 1025B. In this case, it is preferable that the branch optical coupler 1024 also attenuates the sensor reflected light received via the connector 1021A to 50%, and compares it with the reference reflected light in the comparison circuit 1027. Note that in this embodiment, the results of comparison with the reference reflected light are output as detection data, but this may not be used. In this case, the sensor IF device 102-3 may output the sensor reflected light itself as detection data.

Next, the appearance of this embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows an external view when the sensor 101 and the sensor IF device 102 are connected. This figure shows that in addition to the sensor 101 and the sensor IF device 102, a sensor IF relay cable 112 and its connector 1021C connected to the slave station device 103 are provided. A slave station device 103 will be installed in the upper part of the figure. In FIG. 5, connecting portions 1001A and 1001B are provided between the sensor 101 and the sensor IF device 102 and between the sensor IF 102 and the connector 1021C (sensor IF relay cable 112), respectively, so that each structure can be separated. However, the sensor 101 and sensor IF device 102 shown in FIG. 5 or the connector 1021C may be integrally configured.

Further, FIG. 6 is an external view of the sensing node 11 in this embodiment, that is, the sensors 101-1 to 101-4, the sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4, and the slave station device 103. In this figure, a slave station device 103 is fixed to the wall of the sewer pipe 1. The slave station device 103 and the sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4 are connected via sensor IF relay cables 112-1 to 112-4, respectively. The sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4 are fixed to the wall via the sensor IF fixed plate 1003 in the same manner as the slave station device 103.

Further, sensors 101-1 to 101-4 are connected to respective sensor IF devices 102-1 to 102-4, respectively. Here, since the sensor 101-4 is a gas sensor as described above, it is installed at a different height from the other sensors 101-1 to 101-3 such as the water level sensor. Additionally, in the figure, an optical fiber cable 110 extends to the top of the slave station device 103.

This concludes the explanation of the configuration and structure of this embodiment, and next, the processing sequence of the sensing system 10 in this embodiment, that is, the detection method in this embodiment will be explained using FIG.

First, as a premise, in step S1021, each sensor IF device 102 stores the correction value and the sensor type of the sensor 101 connected to itself as characteristic information. As described above, each sensor IF device 102 stores this characteristic information in the EEPROM 1023.

Then, in step S1011, each sensor 101 detects detection data and transmits it to the connected sensor IF device 102. That is, each sensor 101 transmits detection data, which is a so-called raw value, to the sensor IF device 102. For this transmission, as described above, each sensor IF device 102 transmits a detection request to the sensor 101 to which it is connected. Note that each sensor IF device 102 may relay this detection request received from the slave station device 103 as described above, or each sensor IF device 102 may autonomously transmit it. In these cases, it is desirable to perform this at regular intervals.

Next, in step S1022, each sensor IF device 102 stores the received detection data in the EEPROM 1023. However, each sensor IF device 102 may omit the storage of the detection data and may relay the detection data from each sensor 101 to the slave station device 103. In this case, each sensor IF device 102 also transmits the corresponding characteristic information when relaying the detection data, or transmits the characteristic information in step S1032, which will be described later.

Further, in S1041, each master station device 104 outputs a read request for sensing data to each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n connected to itself via the optical fiber cable 110. It is desirable that each master station device 104 outputs this read request for each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n at a predetermined period. This makes it possible to suppress communication traffic on the optical fiber cable 110 and the optical branches 111-1 to 111-n, allowing more efficient communication. Here, the master station device 104 transmits the read request and power supply from the power supply LD 1041 shown in FIG. Further, as an example of the predetermined period, a period of once/5 seconds can be assumed.

Next, in step S1031, each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n reads the detection data from each sensor IF device 102 in response to the read request. Then, in step S1032, each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n acquires this detection data. The following method can be assumed for reading and acquiring the detection data in steps S1031 and S1032.
(1) Pull type (1)-1: In response to a detection data request from the master station device 104, each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n receives the detection data stored in each sensor IF device 102 and Characteristic information consisting of correction values and sensor types is read out (method used in this embodiment). Note that each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n may read the detection data and characteristic information at different timings or may read them at the same timing.
(1)-2: Each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n judges that the above-mentioned predetermined period has arrived, and the detection is stored in each sensor IF device 102 from each sensor IF device 102 at the predetermined period. Read data and characteristic information. This reading may be performed at different timings or at the same timing as in (1)-1.
(2) Push type (2)-1: Each sensor IF device 102 relays detection data from each sensor 101 to the slave station device 103. Then, the slave station device 103 stores this detection data in its own storage unit. Furthermore, each sensor IF device 102 may transmit the characteristic information at a different timing from the detection data, or may transmit the characteristic information at the same timing.
(2)-2: When each sensor IF device 102 receives detection data from each sensor 101, it relays this to the slave station device 103. Furthermore, each sensor IF device 102 may transmit the characteristic information at a different timing from the detection data, or may transmit the characteristic information at the same timing.

Note that in any of the methods, data detection and transmission of detected data in steps S1011 to S1022 are performed in response to a detected data request or a detection request from the master station device 104, slave station device 103, and sensor IF device 102. do. Alternatively, in step S1011, the sensor 101 actively performs detection, and the sensor IF device 102 relays or stores this result.

Further, in step S1032, each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n may perform digital conversion on the detection data. This digital conversion may be performed in the sensor IF devices 102-1, 102-2, and 102-4 for the first model described above and may be omitted here. Then, digital conversion may be performed on the second model, that is, the detection data from sensor 101-3 (liquid level sensor).

Next, in step S1033, each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n responds to the master station device 104 in response to step S1041. That is, each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n transmits slave station data 201 to the master station device 104 via the optical fiber cable 110. The contents of this slave station data 201 are shown in FIG. 8(a). Note that the slave station data 201 shown in FIG. 8(a) is a collection of data from a plurality of sensor IF devices 102. Therefore, each record in FIG. 8A corresponds to slave station 201 data in each sensor IF device 102 or each sensor 101. Furthermore, the environmental data may be treated as characteristic information. In this case, it is desirable to use data detected by each sensor 101 as the environmental data.

Here, the slave station data 201 includes received detection data, characteristic information, and a slave station ID that identifies the slave station device 103 itself, as shown in the figure. Furthermore, the slave station data 201 of this embodiment includes environmental data. This environmental data is data indicating the environment of the sewer pipe 1, and is data that is estimated to affect the detected data. In this embodiment, the temperature measured by a thermometer and the humidity measured by a hygrometer installed in the slave station device 103 are exemplified. These may be measured using other devices such as the master station device 104, which will be described later, or external weather data may be used. Note that the environment data may not be included in the slave station data 201. Furthermore, the slave station data 201 will be transmitted as communication light. Furthermore, the environmental data may include other data such as atmospheric pressure data, or some of them may be omitted.

Further, the transmission in step S1033 may be batch transmission or serial transmission. In the case of batch transmission, each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n may transmit data at any arbitrary period, such as the above-mentioned predetermined period, or each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n may transmit data at any arbitrary period, such as the above-mentioned predetermined period. The detection data may be transmitted at the timing when the detection data is received from each. In the case of serial transmission, each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n executes transmission each time it receives detection data from any of the sensor IF devices 102 to 102-4. In this case, it may be transmitted every predetermined number of detection data.

Next, in step S1042, the master station device 104 receives the communication light transmitted from each of the slave station devices 103-1 to 103-n, that is, receives the slave station data 201. This light reception is performed by the PD 1042 shown in FIG. Then, in step S1043, the master station device 104 collects the slave station data 201 from each slave station device 103-1 to 103-n and transmits it to the connected sensing GW 105. Here, in collecting the slave station data 201, the master station device 104 determines whether or not it has received the slave station data 201 of each of the slave station devices 103-1 to 103-n in the above-described predetermined period. Then, if each slave station data has been received, the master station device 104 transmits the plurality of slave station data 201 to the sensing GW 105. At this time, the PD 1042 may transmit a plurality of slave station data 201 as communication light.

Next, in step S1051, the sensing GW 105 receives a plurality of slave station data 201 from the master station device 104. Then, in step S1052, the sensing GW 105 performs physical quantity conversion and correction for each of the received slave station data 201. Here, physical quantity conversion means converting detection data, which is a so-called raw value, into a so-called physical quantity or the like so that subsequent information processing can be performed. Moreover, correction means applying a correction value to the converted detection data included in the characteristic information to correct it.

Here, more specific processing contents of step S1052 will be explained. First, as a physical quantity conversion, the sensing GW 105 stores in advance a conversion formula for performing physical quantity conversion for each sensor type. Then, the sensing GW 105 converts the received detection data, which is a raw value, using this conversion formula. That is, the physical quantity conversion in this embodiment is a conversion according to the sensor type included in the received characteristic information.

Next, correction will be explained. The sensing GW 105 performs correction by applying the correction value of the received characteristic information to the physical quantity converted detection data. Furthermore, the detection data affected by the environment of the sewer pipe 1 may be selectively corrected using environmental data. For this correction, it is desirable to use a correction formula determined in advance for each sensor type.

Further, regarding the detection data of the water level sensor, an error occurs in the detection data with respect to the corrected value depending on the installation height of the water level sensor (sensor 101-2). Therefore, the sensing GW 105 stores the installation height and performs correction by adding the corrected detection data installation height. Note that as for the installation height, the one transmitted from the sensor 101-2 or the sensor IF device 102-2 may be used. Moreover, the installation height indicates the height from a predetermined standard.

This concludes the explanation of step S1052, but this process may be executed by the master station device 104, slave station device 103, or sensor IF device 102.

Next, in step S1053, the sensing GW 105 creates monitoring data 202 from the physical quantity conversion and corrected slave station data 201. Then, the sensing GW 105 notifies the application server 106 of this monitoring data 202. Here, the contents of the monitoring data 202 are shown in FIG. 8(b). The monitoring data 202 includes a base indicating the base where the sensor 101 is installed, detection data that has undergone physical quantity conversion and correction, and sensor type. Here, the sensing GW 105 identifies the base from the slave station ID included in the slave station data 201 using a correspondence table between the slave station ID and the installation location (base) that it stores. Furthermore, the sensor type of the slave station data 201 is used as the sensor type.

Note that in this embodiment, the slave station data 201 may be used as the monitoring data 202. Furthermore, the sensing GW 105 may transmit the monitoring data 202 to the worker terminal 107 or the administrator terminal 108, or may transmit the monitoring data 202 to the worker terminal 107 or the administrator terminal 108 from the application server 106.

In this embodiment, steps S1042 to S1053 are executed by two devices, the master station device 104 and the sensing GW 105, but they may be executed by one higher-level device. Further, although FIG. 7 shows the master station device 104 and the sensing GW 105 as higher-level devices, the slave station device 103 may also be included as a higher-level device.

Next, in step S1061, the application server 106 outputs the received monitoring data 202. Output of this monitoring data 202 includes storage in the application server 106's own storage device or a file system connected via a network, and transmission to the worker terminal 107 or administrator terminal 108. Further, the application server 106 may display the monitoring data 202 on its own display unit.

Out of this output, the sewer pipe 1 can be maintained and managed by outputting it to the worker terminal 107 or the manager terminal 108 or displaying it on the display unit. For example, application server 106 can use monitoring data 202 to develop a maintenance schedule. Additionally, workers can be quickly dispatched to locations that require urgent attention. Furthermore, the situation of the sewer pipe 1 can be shared with related parties such as managers stationed in the administration building.

Furthermore, if the application server 106 does not receive the monitoring data 202 at a timing corresponding to the predetermined cycle in step S1041, it is possible to determine that there is an abnormality in any of the devices. Furthermore, it is also possible to check for abnormalities not only in the application server 106 but also in the sensing system 10 from the higher-level device to the lower-level device (from the left side to the right side in FIG. 7). That is, if communication from a lower-level device to a higher-level device is delayed, it can be determined that an abnormality has occurred in the lower-level device or the communication path such as the optical fiber cable 110.

According to the present embodiment described above, each sensor can be managed more easily. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of slave stations 103 or sensing nodes 11 are connected to one master station apparatus 104 via an optical fiber cable 110. A plurality of sensors 101 are connected to each slave station device 103. Therefore, the following effects are achieved.
(1) Multi-location/multiplication (2) High-speed sensing (detection)
(3) Reduction of 110 optical fiber cables: Optical power supply and up/down optical communication for four slave station devices 103 can be realized with one core.
(4) Sensor expandability: By sharing the sensor IF device 102, the sensor 101 can be freely selected.
(5) Remote monitoring: In addition to the sewer pipe 1, abnormalities in the sensor 101, sensor IF device 102, slave station device 103, master station device 104, sensing GW 105, optical fiber cable 110, optical branch 111, etc. can also be monitored.

1... Sewage pipe, 10... Sensing system, 101... Sensor, 102... Sensor IF device, 103... Slave station device, 104... Master station device, 105... Sensing GW, 106... Application server, 107... Worker terminal, 108 ...Administrator terminal, 109...Network

Claims (8)

In a sensing system for monitoring a monitored target,
a plurality of sensors that detect detection data regarding the situation of the monitoring target;
a plurality of slave station devices that transmit the detection data via a communication path;
a master station device that connects with the plurality of slave station devices;
a plurality of sensor IF devices connected to the plurality of sensors and the plurality of slave station devices;
an application server that receives detection data transmitted via the communication path and uses the received detection data to output monitoring data of the monitoring target;
The plurality of sensor IF devices share the connection between the connected sensors among the plurality of sensors and the slave station device, and store characteristic information for each of the connected sensors ,
The master station device transmits a read request for the sensed data to each of the slave station devices,
In response to the read request, each of the plurality of slave station devices acquires detection data and characteristic information in each of the plurality of sensor IF devices from the plurality of sensor IF devices, and reads the acquired sensor IF devices. A sensing system that transmits slave station data summarizing detection data and characteristic information to the master station device . The sensing system according to claim 1,
The plurality of sensor IF devices store, as the characteristic information, a sensor type indicating the type of the connected sensor and a correction value for correcting the detected detection data according to the sensor type. system. The sensing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The sensing system has a sensing GW connected to the master station device ,
A sensing system that converts the detection data into a physical quantity in any of the plurality of sensor IF devices, the plurality of slave station devices, the master station device, and the sensing GW. The sensing system according to claim 1,
A sensing system in which each of the plurality of sensor IF devices is integrated with one of the plurality of sensors connected to the sensor IF device. In a detection method using a sensing system for monitoring a monitored target,
detecting detection data regarding the situation of the monitoring target by a plurality of sensors of the sensing system;
A plurality of slave station devices of the sensing system connected to a master station device of the sensing system transmit the detection data via a communication path,
Connecting to the plurality of sensors and the plurality of slave station devices by the plurality of sensor IF devices of the sensing system,
An application server of the sensing system receives detection data transmitted via the communication path, uses the received detection data to output monitoring data of the monitoring target,
The plurality of sensor IF devices commonize the connections between the connected sensors of the plurality of sensors and the slave station device, and store characteristic information for each of the connected sensors ,
The master station device transmits a read request for the sensed data to each of the slave station devices,
The plurality of slave station devices acquire detection data and characteristic information in each of the plurality of sensor IF devices from the plurality of sensor IF devices in response to the read request, respectively, and each of the plurality of sensor IF devices obtained A detection method using a sensing system that transmits slave station data summarizing detection data and characteristic information to the master station device . In the detection method using the sensing system according to claim 5,
Sensing in which the plurality of sensor IF devices store, as the characteristic information, a sensor type indicating the type of the connected sensor and a correction value for correcting the detected detection data according to the sensor type. Detection method using the system. A detection method using the sensing system according to claim 5 or 6,
The sensing system includes the master station device and a sensing GW connected to the master station device,
A detection method using a sensing system that converts the detection data into a physical quantity in any one of the plurality of sensor IF devices, the plurality of slave station devices, the master station device, and the sensing GW. In the detection method using the sensing system according to claim 5,
A detection method using a sensing system in which each of the plurality of sensor IF devices is integrally configured with one of the plurality of sensors connected to the sensor IF device.

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