JP7495618B2 - Surveillance equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a monitoring device that monitors the operating status of equipment.

Conventionally, there is a monitoring device that includes a display panel that displays symbols representing the operating status of equipment by lighting up each lamp, an image processing device that processes an image of the display panel to distinguish the symbols, and a display device that displays the results of the distinction (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-49232

The monitoring device described in Patent Document 1 requires the user to set the feature points of the symbol image and the logical processing to be performed when the feature points are detected. Furthermore, in order for the monitoring device to know which equipment the lamp is indicating the operating status of, the user must register the correspondence between the equipment and the lamp in the monitoring device. For this reason, specialized knowledge and a large amount of work are required to install the monitoring device, and it is not easy to install the monitoring device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its main objective is to provide a monitoring device that is easy to install.

The first means for solving the above problem is to
a lamp that lights up to indicate that the equipment is in a specified operating state;
A code member displaying a code that encodes information that enables the equipment to be identified;
a code reader for reading and decoding the code;
A monitoring device comprising:
the code member is disposed between the lamp and the code reader and facing the code reader;
The code reader is capable of reading the code when the lamp is off, and is unable to read the code when the lamp is on.

According to the above configuration, the lamp lights up to indicate that the equipment is in a specified operating state. The code member displays a code that encodes information that allows the equipment to be identified. The code reader reads and decodes the code.

Here, the code member is disposed between the lamp and the code reader, facing the code reader. The code reader can read the code when the lamp is off, and cannot read the code when the lamp is on. Therefore, when the code reader cannot read the code, it can determine that the lamp is on, i.e., that the equipment is in a specified operating state. On the other hand, when the code reader can read the code, it can determine that the lamp is off, i.e., that the equipment is not in a specified operating state.

Furthermore, by reading and decoding the code when the lamp is off, the code reader can obtain information that enables identification of the equipment, and can determine which equipment's operating status the lamp is indicating. Therefore, compared to the monitoring device described in Patent Document 1, the user does not need to perform the tasks of setting image feature points, setting logical processing to be performed when feature points are detected, and registering the correspondence between equipment and lamps in the monitoring device. This makes it easy to introduce the monitoring device.

Lamps that light up to indicate the operating status of equipment are often set to emit a large amount of light to improve visibility for users. For this reason, the inventors of this application noticed that if a code is displayed on a translucent member of a code member and a lamp is turned on behind the code member, halation occurs, making it impossible for the code reader to read the code.

In this regard, in the second means, the code member comprises a translucent member, the code is displayed on the translucent member, and when the lamp is turned on, the light from the lamp causes halation on the code, making the code unreadable by the code reader. With this configuration, halation can be actively used to create a state in which the code reader cannot read the code when the lamp is turned on.

In the third method, the code member is attached to the outer surface of the lamp. This configuration makes it easy to install the code member, and makes it even easier to introduce the monitoring device.

In the fourth method, the lamp lights up to indicate that the equipment is stopped, and the code reader determines that the equipment is stopped if it cannot read the code.

According to the above configuration, the lamp lights up to indicate that the equipment is in a stopped state. Therefore, when the code reader cannot read the code, it can determine that the lamp is on, i.e., that the equipment is in a stopped state. Note that when the code reader can read the code, it can also determine that the lamp is off, i.e., that the equipment is not in a stopped state (is in an operating state).

From an energy conservation perspective, it is not desirable for a code reader to read codes continuously. On the other hand, if a code reader only reads a code once, it can only grasp the operating status of the equipment at the moment the code is read.

In this regard, in the fifth aspect, the code reader intermittently reads the code, and determines that the equipment has been in a stopped state for a continuous period of time during which the code cannot be read. With this configuration, it is possible to determine the period during which the equipment has been in a stopped state while realizing energy savings.

In the sixth means, the lamp lights up to indicate that the equipment is in operation, and the code reader determines that the equipment is in operation if it cannot read the code.

According to the above configuration, the lamp lights up to indicate that the equipment is in operation. Therefore, when the code reader cannot read the code, it can determine that the lamp is on, i.e., that the equipment is in operation. Note that when the code reader can read the code, it can also determine that the lamp is off, i.e., that the equipment is not in operation (stopped).

In the seventh aspect, the code reader intermittently reads the code, and determines that the equipment has been in operation for a continuous period during which the code cannot be read. With this configuration, it is possible to determine the period during which the equipment has been in operation while achieving energy savings.

When the code is a barcode (one-dimensional code), generally, in order to read the barcode with a code reader, the length and width of the barcode must be aligned with the length and width of the code reader. On the other hand, when the code is a two-dimensional code, in order to read the two-dimensional code with a code reader, it is not necessary to align the length and width of the two-dimensional code with the length and width of the code reader, and generally, the code reader performs the processing in software.

In this regard, in the eighth means, the code is a two-dimensional code. Therefore, when installing the code member and the code reader on the lamp, the user does not need to match the vertical and horizontal directions of the two-dimensional code with those of the code reader. This makes it even easier to introduce the monitoring device. In general, a two-dimensional code reader can read multiple two-dimensional codes collectively (or sequentially), and can also collectively (or sequentially) monitor the operating status of multiple pieces of equipment corresponding to multiple lamps.

Schematic diagram of a monitoring device. FIG. A photo showing halation. 11 is a table showing an example of whether a code can be read and the determination result. 13 is a table showing an example of the readability of the code and the determination result in a modified example of the monitoring device. FIG. 11 is a partial view showing a modified example of the lamp. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of attaching the cord member.

Below, we will explain one embodiment of a monitoring device that monitors equipment installed in a factory or the like, with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring device 10 includes a stacked signal light 20, a code member 30, a code reader 40, etc. Equipment A includes a conveying device that conveys parts, a processing device that processes parts, a supplying device that supplies parts, etc.

The stacked signal light 20 is an indicator light that indicates the operating status of equipment A by appropriately lighting multiple colored lamps. The stacked signal light 20 is attached to the top of equipment A, making it easy for users to see even from a distance. The stacked signal light 20 is cylindrical and includes a green lamp 21, a red lamp 22, etc.

The green lamp 21 and the red lamp 22 use LEDs or incandescent bulbs as light sources, and the light intensity is set to be greater than a predetermined light intensity in order to improve visibility for users. The predetermined light intensity is an intensity that allows a user to visually determine whether the green lamp 21 and the red lamp 22 are on or off from a remote location in the factory.

The green lamp 21 (lamp) emits green light and indicates when equipment A is in operation. That is, when the green lamp 21 is lit, equipment A is in operation. The red lamp 22 (lamp) emits red light and indicates when equipment A is in a stopped state (predetermined operating state). That is, when the red lamp 22 is lit, equipment A is in a stopped state.

Only one of the green lamp 21 and the red lamp 22 is always on. Therefore, when the green lamp 21 is off, the red lamp 22 is on and equipment A is stopped. When the red lamp 22 is off, the green lamp 21 is on and equipment A is in operation.

A code member 30 is attached to the outer surface 22a of the red lamp 22. The code member 30 is disposed between the red lamp 22 and the code reader 40, facing the code reader 40. In other words, the code member 30 is attached to the red lamp 22 in a manner that allows it to be read by the code reader 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the code member 30 includes a transparent sheet 31 formed into a sheet shape from a transparent material. The transparent sheet 31 (a light-transmitting member) transmits visible light, i.e., transmits the green light of the green lamp 21 and the red light of the red lamp 22.

Code 32 is printed (displayed) in black on one side of transparent sheet 31. Code 32 is a two-dimensional code such as QR Code (registered trademark), DataMatrix, MaxiCode, PDF417, Aztec, etc. The dots of code 32 block (partially absorb) visible light, i.e., block (partially absorb) the green light of green lamp 21 and the red light of red lamp 22. Code 32 encodes identification information that enables equipment A to be identified. The identification information (information) includes, for example, the identification number of equipment A, the installation location, the function (type) of equipment A, the operation schedule, the initial installation date, etc.

Code 32 includes symbols 32a to 32c that enable code reader 40 to recognize code 32 and detect the position of code 32. Code 32 has an error correction function, and even if part of code 32 is missing (unidentifiable), code 32 itself can restore the information as long as the loss rate is lower than a predetermined loss rate. Code 32 can be easily created using well-known code creation software, etc.

Code reader 40 is a well-known code reader that reads and decodes code 32. In order for code reader 40 to read code 32, the contrast between the dots and non-dots of code 32 (hereinafter referred to as "contrast of code 32") must be equal to or greater than a predetermined contrast. Code reader 40 reads the code in accordance with the standard.

The code reader 40 detects the symbols 32a-32c and performs software processing to determine the length and width of the code 32. In other words, in order to read the code 32 with the code reader 40, it is not necessary to match the length and width of the code 32 with the length and width of the code reader 40. If the code reader 40 cannot detect the symbols 32a-32c when reading the code 32, it cannot recognize that the code 32 is a standard-compliant code, and cannot read the code 32. If the loss rate of the code 32 is equal to or greater than the predetermined loss rate, the code reader 40 cannot restore the identification information of the code 32, and cannot read the code 32.

Equipment A and stacked signal light 20 are moderately illuminated by lighting or indirect light from sunlight. Therefore, when red lamp 22 is off, code reader 40 can read code 32. Code reader 40 obtains the above-mentioned identification information by reading and decoding code 32, and determines that code 32 (stacked signal light 20) corresponds to equipment A based on the identification information. In more detail, it determines which (what kind of) equipment's operating status is being indicated by stacked signal light 20.

As described above, the green lamp 21 and the red lamp 22 are set to emit a light intensity greater than a predetermined intensity in order to improve visibility for the user. For this reason, the inventors of the present application have noticed that when a code 32 is displayed on a transparent sheet 31 in the code member 30 and the red lamp 22 is turned on behind the code member 30, halation occurs, making it impossible for the code reader 40 to read the code 32.

Figure 3 is a photograph showing the state in which halation occurs on code 32 when red lamp 22 is lit. Halation occurs in part P1, indicated by a dashed oval, and code reader 40 cannot detect symbol 32a. As a result, code reader 40 cannot recognize code 32 as a code that complies with the standard, and cannot read code 32. Even if halation occurs in parts other than symbols 32a to 32c, the ratio of unreadable parts of code 32 due to halation will exceed the above-mentioned specified loss rate, and code reader 40 will not be able to restore the above-mentioned identification information of code 32 and will not be able to read code 32. In other words, when red lamp 22 is lit, halation occurs on code 32 due to the red light of red lamp 22, making it impossible for code reader 40 to read code 32.

Therefore, when the code reader 40 cannot read the code 32, it determines that the red lamp 22 is on, i.e., the equipment A is in a stopped state. On the other hand, when the code reader 40 can read the code 32, it determines that the red lamp 22 is off, i.e., the equipment A is in an operating state.

Figure 4 is a table showing an example of whether code 32 can be read and the determination result. Here, the code reader 40 reads code 32 at one-minute intervals (intermittently) and determines the operating status of equipment A. In this example, equipment A was stopped from 12:03 to 12:59 on September 4, 2020, and equipment A was operating before and after that time.

The code reader 40 determines that equipment A is in an operational state because it is able to read code 32 at 12:00, 12:01, and 12:02 on September 4, 2020. Furthermore, the code reader 40 reads code 32 at one-minute intervals and determines that equipment A was in an operational state from 12:00 to 12:02 on September 4, 2020, i.e., for the continuous period during which it was able to read code 32.

On the other hand, the code reader 40 is unable to read code 32 at each of the times 12:03, ..., 12:59 on September 4, 2020, and therefore determines that equipment A is in a stopped state. Furthermore, the code reader 40 reads code 32 at one-minute intervals and determines that equipment A was in a stopped state from 12:03 to 12:59 on September 4, 2020, i.e., for the continuous period during which it was unable to read code 32.

The code reader 40 is able to read code 32 at 13:00 on September 4, 2020, and therefore determines that equipment A is in operation.

The present embodiment described above has the following advantages:

- The code member 30 is disposed between the red lamp 22 and the code reader 40, facing the code reader 40. The code reader 40 can read the code 32 when the red lamp 22 is off, and cannot read the code 32 when the red lamp 22 is on. Therefore, when the code reader 40 cannot read the code 32, it can determine that the red lamp 22 is on, i.e., that equipment A is stopped. On the other hand, when the code reader 40 can read the code 32, it can determine that the red lamp 22 is off, i.e., that equipment A is not stopped.

- The code reader 40 can obtain identification information that identifies equipment A by reading and decoding the code 32 when the red lamp 22 is off, and can determine which equipment A's operating status the red lamp 22 is indicating. Therefore, compared to the monitoring device described in Patent Document 1, the user does not need to perform the tasks of setting image feature points, setting logical processing when feature points are detected, and registering the correspondence between equipment and lamps in the monitoring device. Therefore, the monitoring device 10 can be easily introduced.

- The code member 30 includes a transparent sheet 31 on which a code 32 is displayed, and when the red lamp 22 is lit, the light from the red lamp 22 causes halation on the code 32, making it impossible for the code reader 40 to read the code 32. With this configuration, halation can be actively used to create a state in which the code reader 40 cannot read the code 32 when the red lamp 22 is lit.

- The code member 30 is attached to the outer surface 22a of the red lamp 22. This configuration allows the code member 30 to be easily installed, making it even easier to introduce the monitoring device 10.

- The red lamp 22 lights up to indicate that equipment A is in a stopped state. Therefore, when the code reader 40 cannot read the code 32, it can determine that the red lamp 22 is on, i.e., equipment A is in a stopped state. Also, when the code reader 40 can read the code 32, it can determine that the red lamp 22 is off, i.e., equipment A is not in a stopped state (is in an operating state).

- From the viewpoint of energy conservation, it is undesirable for the code reader 40 to continuously read the code 32. On the other hand, if the code reader 40 only reads the code 32 once, it can only grasp the operating state of the equipment A at the moment when the reading is performed. In this regard, the code reader 40 reads the code 32 intermittently, and determines that the equipment A was in a stopped state for a continuous period during which the code 32 could not be read. With this configuration, it is possible to determine the period during which the equipment A was in a stopped state while realizing energy conservation.

- When the code is a barcode (one-dimensional code), generally, in order to read the barcode with a code reader, the vertical and horizontal directions of the barcode must be aligned with the vertical and horizontal directions of the code reader. In this regard, the code 32 is a two-dimensional code. Therefore, when installing the code member 30 and the code reader 40 relative to the red lamp 22, the user does not need to align the vertical and horizontal directions of the code 32 with the vertical and horizontal directions of the code reader 40. This makes it even easier to introduce the monitoring device 10.

The above embodiment can be modified as follows. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

- The code reader 40 can also read the code 32 continuously. In this case, the operating status of equipment A can be monitored in real time, and any stoppage of equipment A can be quickly detected.

- Instead of attaching the code member 30 to the red lamp 22, the code member 30 may be attached to the green lamp 21. The green lamp 21 lights up to indicate that equipment A is in operation. If the code reader 40 cannot read the code 32, it determines that equipment A is in operation.

Figure 5 is a table showing an example of whether code 32 can be read and the determination result. In this example, as in the above embodiment, equipment A was stopped from 12:03 to 12:59 on September 4, 2020, and equipment A was in operation before and after that time.

The code reader 40 determines that equipment A is in an operating state because it is unable to read code 32 at 12:00, 12:01, and 12:02 on September 4, 2020. Furthermore, the code reader 40 reads code 32 at one-minute intervals and determines that equipment A was in an operating state from 12:00 to 12:02 on September 4, 2020, i.e., throughout the continuous period during which it was unable to read code 32.

On the other hand, the code reader 40 is able to read the code 32 at each of the times 12:03, ..., 12:59 on September 4, 2020, and therefore determines that the equipment A is in a stopped state. Furthermore, the code reader 40 reads the code 32 at one-minute intervals and determines that the equipment A was in a stopped state from 12:03 to 12:59 on September 4, 2020, i.e., for the continuous period during which the code 32 was able to be read.

The code reader 40 is unable to read code 32 at 13:00 on September 4, 2020, and therefore determines that equipment A is in operation.

According to the above configuration, when the code reader 40 cannot read the code 32, it can determine that the green lamp 21 is on, i.e., the equipment A is in operation. Also, when the code reader 40 can read the code 32, it can determine that the green lamp 21 is off, i.e., the equipment A is not in operation (stopped).

Furthermore, the code reader 40 intermittently reads the code 32, and determines that equipment A has been in operation for a continuous period during which the code 32 cannot be read. With this configuration, it is possible to determine the period during which equipment A has been in operation while achieving energy savings.

- As shown in FIG. 6, equipment A may be equipped with a power lamp 121 and an end lamp 122. The power lamp 121 lights up to indicate that equipment A is turned on (power is being supplied). The end lamp 122 lights up to indicate that equipment A is not turned on (power is not being supplied). Only one of the power lamp 121 and the end lamp 122 is always on. Then, a code member 30 is affixed to the end lamp 122, and the code reader 40 reads and decodes the code 32. With this configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the above embodiment.

- As shown in FIG. 7, the lamp 222 can be covered with a transparent box 50 (case) and the code member 30 can be attached to the transparent box 50. With this configuration, even if it is difficult to attach the code member 30 directly to the lamp 222, the code member 30 can be disposed between the lamp 222 and the code reader 40.

- The code reader 40 can also monitor multiple pieces of equipment. For example, a stacked signal light 20 is attached to each of pieces of equipment A to C, and a code member 30 is affixed to each of the red lamps 22. Each code 32 of each code member 30 encodes identification information that allows each piece of equipment A to C to be identified. The code reader 40 is then positioned so that it can read each code 32 of each piece of equipment A to C. With this configuration, it is possible to read multiple codes 32 corresponding to multiple red lamps 22 all at once (or sequentially), and the operating status of multiple pieces of equipment A to C can be monitored all at once (or sequentially).

- The code reader 40 may be a dedicated device for reading the code 32, a smartphone with a code reader app installed, or a device that combines a camera and a PC (personal computer).

- A barcode (one-dimensional code) can also be used as code 32. Even in this case, the barcode can be read by code reader 40 by aligning the vertical and horizontal directions of the barcode with those of code reader 40. Then, code reader 40 can monitor the operating status of equipment A based on whether the barcode can be read or not.

- The stacked signal light 20 is not limited to having two-color lamps, and may have three or more color lamps. Even in this case, the monitoring device 10 can monitor the operating status of equipment A based on the operating status of each equipment A indicated by the lighting of each lamp and whether or not the code 32 can be read.

10...monitoring device, 20...stacked signal light, 21...green lamp (lamp), 22...red lamp (lamp), 30...code member, 31...transparent sheet (translucent member), 32...code, 40...code reader, 121...power lamp (lamp), 122...end lamp (lamp), 222...lamp, A...equipment.

Claims (8)

a lamp that lights up to indicate that the equipment is in a specified operating state;
A code member displaying a code that encodes information that enables the equipment to be identified;
a code reader for reading and decoding the code;
A monitoring device comprising:
the code member is disposed between the lamp and the code reader and facing the code reader;
A monitoring device, wherein the code reader is capable of reading the code when the lamp is off and is unable to read the code when the lamp is on. The code member includes a light-transmitting member, and the code is displayed on the light-transmitting member.
2. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein when the lamp is turned on, the light from the lamp causes halation on the code, making it impossible for the code reader to read the code. The monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the code member is attached to the outer surface of the lamp. The lamp is lit to indicate that the equipment is stopped,
4. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the code reader determines that the equipment is in a stopped state when the code cannot be read. The monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein the code reader intermittently reads the code, and determines that the equipment has been in a stopped state for a continuous period of time when the code cannot be read. The lamp is lit to indicate that the equipment is in operation,
4. The monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the code reader determines that the equipment is in operation when the code cannot be read. The monitoring device according to claim 6, wherein the code reader intermittently reads the code, and determines that the equipment has been in operation for a continuous period of time when the code cannot be read. The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the code is a two-dimensional code.

Images