JPH0879856A - Remote supervisory equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To supervise remotely a number of data collection sites such as the goveners of a city gas supply system by a common center supervisory equipment. CONSTITUTION: This system is made up of a site processing unit 3 at a data collection site, a common center supervisory equipment 4 connected to many site processing units through a communication channel 5, and each site processing unit is made up of a supervisory data collection means A, a data read/write means 12 for a portable nonvolatile recording medium 13, a data abnormality supervisory means B and a communication means C with the center supervisory equipment 4, the communication means has a function for replying a prescribed reply signal in response to a reply request from the center supervisory equipment and the center supervisory equipment is called from the site processing unit when an abnormality supervisory means detects an abnormality to inform of an abnormality and the site processing unit is called from the center supervisory equipment at a proper time to send a reply request.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote monitoring device for a data collection site such as a governor of a city gas supply system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The current patrol inspection work in a governor for supplying city gas is based on safety regulations, and a leak inspection is performed every 7 days.
This is done for the purpose of collecting pressure recording paper. For this reason, the governor chamber that houses the governor is equipped with a recorder that records the primary pressure, secondary pressure, and governor opening. The recorder records the measured data on a recording sheet, collects the recorded data, and brings it back to the host computer or the like for batch processing.

On the other hand, there has been an attempt to remotely monitor governors installed in a large number of places by using a common center monitoring device. For example, as an attempt to do so, a data collecting device equipped with a communication means with the center monitoring device is installed in each governor, and the monitoring measurement data of each governor collected by the data collecting device is transmitted to the center monitoring device through a communication line. Then, there is a method in which the center monitoring device collects the data and records the data and determines abnormality.

[0004]

In the former method, the governor cannot be monitored in real time, and the processing after data collection is very troublesome, so the above-mentioned inspection is essential.

Further, in the latter method, the amount of data collected by the center monitoring device becomes enormous, and the arithmetic processing such as abnormality determination becomes enormous, which is not practical in terms of both hardware and software. Therefore, the present invention aims to solve such a problem.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, an on-site processing device installed at a data collection site and a common center monitoring device connected to many on-site processing devices via communication lines. The on-site processing device comprises a monitoring data collecting means, a data reading / writing means for a portable nonvolatile recording medium, a data abnormality monitoring means, and a communication means with the center monitoring device for communication. The means has a function of responding to a predetermined response signal in response to a response request from the center monitoring device, and the on-site processing device makes a call to the center monitoring device when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality monitoring device. We propose a remote monitoring device configured to send a response request by making a call from the center monitoring device to the on-site processing device at appropriate time intervals as well as reporting.

The present invention proposes that the portable non-volatile recording means in the above structure is an IC memory card.

Further, the present invention proposes to apply a governor as a data collection site in the above configuration.

[0009]

[Operation] Data from various kinds of monitoring equipment at the data collecting site are intermittently and continuously collected by the data collecting means of the on-site processing device, and sequentially recorded on the portable non-volatile recording medium by the read / write means every set time. To be done.

The collected data is constantly monitored by the abnormality monitoring means to detect the abnormality. Then, when an abnormality is detected, the communication means calls the center monitoring device to notify the center monitoring device of the abnormality.

Therefore, the center monitoring device can detect an abnormality that has occurred at each data collection site without collecting and processing the data by itself to detect the abnormality, thereby reducing system resources. be able to. In addition, the operator on the side of the center monitoring device does not need a high level of knowledge or skill to analyze the data and detect an abnormality, and even if the operator does not have such a high level of ability, a quick countermeasure against the abnormality can be taken. Is possible.

Further, the center monitoring device calls the on-site processing device and transmits a response request at appropriate time intervals. Then, the communication means receives a response request from the center monitoring device and transmits a predetermined response signal to the center device. At this time, if the communication means is not operating normally, no response signal is returned to the center device. Therefore, the center monitoring device can monitor the abnormality of the communication system by monitoring the presence or absence of a response signal to the response request, and the on-site processing device does not notify the center monitoring device of the abnormality due to the communication system abnormality. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience.

When the portable non-volatile recording means is an IC memory card capable of accumulating data for a long period of time such as one year, it is possible to eliminate the need for short-term exchange and to pass a predetermined period. Later, it can be recovered from the on-site processing device and processed by a personal computer or the like. In addition, the data recorded in the portable non-volatile recording means is
If necessary, it can be read and processed by a portable terminal device at the data collection site, or read and processed by the center monitoring device via a communication line.

[0014]

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of the present invention.
Reference numerals 1 (1a, 1b, ..., 1n) are governor chambers installed at appropriate places in the city gas supply system. In these governor chambers 1, together with the governor main body 2, the position gauge of the governor main body 2 and the governor main body 2 are provided. Various devices for monitoring (primary side, secondary side pressure sensor, flow meter, gas detector, etc.), governor cutoff sensor, SI sensor, etc.
Has been installed and is a data collection site for governor monitoring. The on-site processing device 3 that collects and processes data from these various devices is installed outside the governor room 1.

Reference numeral 4 is a common center monitoring device for monitoring the operation of the governor main body 2 at a plurality of locations, and this center monitoring device 4 and the on-site processing device 3 at each data collection site are connected via a communication line 5. Connected to form a remote monitoring device. The communication line 5 may be a public line, a dedicated line, or a wireless line, either alone or in combination, and the center monitoring device 4 and each on-site processing device 3 constitute communication means corresponding to these communication lines.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the construction of the on-site processing unit 3 constituted by a microcomputer application device or the like. Reference numeral 6a connected to the on-site processing unit 3 is an opening meter of the governor main body 2 and a governor. A measurement device group including a pressure sensor, a flow meter, and a gas detector on the primary side and the secondary side of the main body 2 is shown, and these are configured to output measurement data in an analog amount. Reference numeral 6b indicates a group of abnormality detecting devices such as a governor cutoff sensor and an SI sensor, which are contact outputs. In FIG. 2, a block group corresponding to the data collecting unit A, the abnormality monitoring unit B, and the communication unit C among the above-described constituent elements is shown by being surrounded by a chain double-dashed line in the drawing.

The on-site processing device 3 includes the above measuring instrument group 6a.
And input means 7a and 7b for connecting the abnormality detection device group 6b. That is, reference numeral 7a is a measurement data input means, which is composed of an analog preprocessing circuit, an A / D converter, a level converter, etc., and has a function of converting the analog data of each measuring device into a predetermined digital signal. It is configured to let. Reference numeral 7b is an abnormality detection data input means, which is composed of a level conversion circuit or the like.

The data converted into a predetermined digital signal by each of the data input means 7a and 7b is temporarily read into an appropriate storage area by the data reading means 8 for the subsequent processing. The data reading means 8 can be configured as a function of controlling each of the data input means 7a and 7b to intermittently transfer data to a predetermined storage area of the main memory at an appropriate time interval, for example, every 0.5 seconds. .

Of the data read intermittently by the data reading means 8, the data of the measuring device group 6a is compared with the upper and lower limit set values by the abnormality detecting means 9, correction and other calculations are performed, and the result is obtained. As a result, processing such as alarm generation is performed.

That is, the governor body 2 from the measuring device group 6a
Data such as the primary side pressure, the secondary side pressure, the opening degree of the governor main body 2, the flow rate, and the gas concentration are read by the data reading means 8 at every sampling time of, for example, 0.5 seconds, and are preset by the abnormality detecting means 9. The upper and lower limits are monitored by comparing them with the respective upper and lower limits. The sampling time is set as short as possible so as to correspond to the maximum rate of data change expected when an abnormality occurs. In addition to the processing described above, if necessary, calculate the difference between the data between adjacent sampling points and calculate the weighted average of the data by time, and compare these data with the upper and lower limit set values. It can be performed. In the former case, the abnormality can be monitored in consideration of changes over time, and in the latter case, the abnormality can be monitored in the past performance comparison.

As a result of the above comparison, if any of the data exceeds the upper and lower limits, the abnormality detecting means 9 issues an alarm output to the abnormality processing means 10 and transfers it to the storage area of the main memory by the data reading means. The corresponding data
It is transferred to the progress data storage means 11 together with the data before and after it as progress data. Therefore, the storage area on the main memory to which the data is read by the data reading means is at least an area having a size capable of storing the elapsed data. The progress data storage means 11 is not a storage area on the main memory, but a non-volatile auxiliary memory such as a battery-backed SRAM or the like.

On the other hand, the data read into the storage area on the main memory by the data reading means 8 as described above is recorded on the portable non-volatile recording medium 13 such as an IC memory card by the recording medium reading / writing means 12 every predetermined time. To do. The recording interval of the data to the portable nonvolatile recording medium 13 is determined in consideration of the capacity of the portable nonvolatile recording medium 13 and the continuous recording period of the data, and in the embodiment, it is longer than the sampling time. , For example, every one minute, and the continuous recording period is one year or more. The recording interval can be different for each data item. The data recorded in the portable non-volatile recording medium 13 is the measuring device group 6a.
In addition to the raw data obtained from the above, a part of the data obtained by the above-mentioned calculation in the abnormality detecting means 9 may be recorded, and the data to be recorded is from the measuring device group 6a at the time of recording. In addition to data, a large number of data sampled during the recording interval may be statistically processed data.

Reference numeral 10 is the above-mentioned abnormality processing means,
The abnormality processing means 10 monitors the alarm from the abnormality detection means 9 and the abnormality detection output from the abnormality detection equipment group 6b obtained via the data reading means 8 and processes the abnormality in the data of the equipment groups 6a and 6b. At the same time, the processing for the abnormality of the equipment of the on-site processing apparatus 3 itself such as the operation error of the data reading means 8 is performed. That is, the abnormality processing means 10 is used when the abnormality detection means 9 issues an alarm or when the abnormality detection device group 6 is used.
When b outputs the abnormality detection output, the abnormality handling processing is performed in a predetermined procedure. The abnormality handling processing includes abnormality importance classification processing, processing corresponding to abnormality importance, output to the communication management means 14, and the like.

That is, the abnormality processing means 10 is the abnormality detection means 9
If an alarm is issued by the device group 6a, whether the error is due to a process error such as governor operation, or the device group 6a,
It is determined whether or not 6b itself is abnormal, and what kind of abnormality it is, and classification processing is performed for the importance of abnormality. The importance of the abnormality corresponds to the urgency. In the above, the abnormality processing means 1
Depending on the content of the abnormality, 0 indicates that the portable non-volatile recording medium 13 is accessed through the recording medium reading / writing means 12 as necessary, and the abnormal data is past similar data recorded in the portable non-volatile recording medium 13. The abnormality is determined by comparing with the above. Further, the progress data temporarily stored in the progress data storage means 11 can be used for such an abnormality determining operation.

In this way, the abnormality processing means 10 classifies various abnormalities according to their importance as follows, for example. The most important abnormalities (requires the highest priority processing) ... Abnormalities that affect society and human life (gas leaks, etc.) Important abnormalities (requires priority processing) ... Abnormalities that may eventually lead to the most important abnormality (governor cutoff, governor abnormality, etc.) Area abnormality, etc. Normal abnormality (no need for priority processing) …… Supply operation abnormality (upper and lower limit alarms, etc.) Clear equipment abnormality (processing at any time)… Sensor, equipment, recording, communication abnormality, etc.

After the abnormalities are classified by the abnormality processing means 10 in this way, the abnormality notification processing from the on-site processing device 3 to the center monitoring device 4 is performed by the operation of the communication means C. That is, if the abnormality is classified as, it is an abnormality that is extremely urgent and therefore interrupt processing is performed, and other processing that is currently operating is interrupted and abnormality notification processing is performed.
If it is classified as, since it is an abnormality with some urgency, it is prioritized processing, and after the processing currently in operation is completed,
Abnormality notification processing is performed in priority to other processing. In the case of being classified into 3, the abnormality is not so urgent and therefore, as the normal processing, the abnormality notification processing is performed after completion of other processing prior to this. If it is classified as
Since it is obvious that the device is faulty, and it is not important and can be processed slowly, an error notification process is performed as necessary.

Next, the structure of the communication means C will be described. Reference numeral 15 is a communication control means managed by the communication management means 14, 15a is a dedicated / wireless line communication control means, and 15b is a communication control means.
Is a public line communication control means, and 15c is a serial communication communication control means. In the embodiment, the communication control means 15
a is connected to a wireless communication device 17 via a dedicated / wireless communication modem 16a.
The startup control is performed via the communication device control means 18 and the control output means 19. The public line communication control means 15b is connected to the public line 20 through the public communication modem 16b. Further, the communication control means 15c for serial communication is the modemless serial interface 1
6c, and a portable terminal device 28 is connectable to the modemless serial interface 16c.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the basic structure of the center monitoring device. The center monitoring device 4 includes a communication means D corresponding to the communication means C of the on-site processing device 3, a monitoring means 21, and a display means 22. , Alarm means 23, and operation input means 24. As the communication means D, as in the case of the on-site processing apparatus 3, a dedicated / wireless line communication control means 26a corresponding to the wireless device 25, a dedicated / wireless line communication modem 27a, and a dedicated / wireless line corresponding to the public line 20. The communication control means 26b for public use and the public communication modem 27b are configured.

When an abnormality occurs in the equipment in the governor room 1 in the above configuration, the communication managing means 14 causes the abnormality detecting means 9 to operate.
In response to the output from, the communication control means 15 is selected and the center monitoring device 4 is called.

For example, when the public line 20 is used as the communication line 5, the communication management means 14 selects the public line communication control means 15b and calls the center monitoring device 4 via the public communication modem 16b. Make a line connection. Next, the communication management means 14 of the calling source and the monitoring means 21 of the calling destination establish mutual confirmation by establishing a data link, and then the abnormality processing means 10 detects from the on-site processing device 3 side to the center monitoring device 4. The data of the content of the abnormality in the above ,, and is transmitted.

In the center monitoring device 4, the monitoring means 21 displays the content of the abnormality notified from the on-site processing device 3 by the display means 22.
And the alarm means 23 issues an alarm if necessary. In this way, the center monitoring device 4 can detect the occurrence of an abnormality and its content without collecting and processing raw data of the equipment at the data collection site.

Therefore, the center monitoring device 4 collects and stores a large amount of data from a large number of data collection sites, processes the large amount of data, and detects hardware resources, information resources and Human resources, that is, system resources can be significantly reduced. In addition, the operator on the side of the center monitoring device does not need a high level of knowledge or skill to analyze the data and detect an abnormality, and even if the operator does not have such a high level of ability, a quick countermeasure against the abnormality can be taken. Is possible.

Of course, the center monitoring device 4 can collect raw data of the equipment at each data collection site as needed. That is, when raw data is required in the center monitoring device 4, a data transmission request is sent from the monitoring means 21 of the center monitoring device 4 to the communication management means 14 of the on-site processing device 3 by inputting from the operation input means 24 or the like. When sent,
The communication management means 14 uses the recording medium reading / writing means 12 in accordance with the content of the data transmission request to make the portable nonvolatile recording medium 1
3 is accessed to read predetermined data, and this is transmitted to the center monitoring device 4 side. In this way, the center monitoring device 4 side can collect and analyze raw data of the equipment at each data collection site as needed. Further, when the temporary data storage means 11 is configured as described above, the data in the temporary storage means 11 can also be configured to be transmitted to the center monitoring device 4 as necessary.

When the predetermined processing is completed as described above,
Either the center monitoring device 4 or the on-site processing device 3 terminates the data link, opens the line, and ends the abnormality notification process.

The communication management means 14 is configured to transmit a response signal in response to a response request from the center monitoring device 4 in addition to the configuration for performing the above-mentioned abnormality notification processing. The response signal can be the telephone number of its own station when using a public line, or can be configured to transmit an appropriately configured ID code or the like.

In such a configuration, the center monitoring device 4 calls each of the on-site processing devices 3 at an appropriate time, for example, once a day, transmits a response request to each, and determines whether there is a response signal to the response request. Monitor. Communication means C of on-site processing unit 3
Is operating normally, a response signal such as an ID code from the communication managing means 14 is transmitted to the monitoring means 21 of the center monitoring device 4, but if it is not operating normally, the response signal is sent. Is not returned. In this way, by monitoring the presence or absence of a response signal to the response request, the center monitoring device 4
In the above, it is possible to monitor the abnormality of the communication system of the on-site processing apparatus 3, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the inconvenience in which the abnormality is not notified from the on-site processing apparatus to the center monitoring apparatus due to the abnormality of the communication system.

The portable non-volatile recording medium 13 has, for example, a capacity capable of recording the above-mentioned data for one year or more, and the data is collected from the on-site processing device 3 every year and taken back for analysis of the data by a personal computer or the like. You can If necessary, the portable terminal device 28 is connected to the modemless serial interface 16c, and the communication control means 15c for serial communication is connected.
By transmitting a data transmission request to the communication management means 14 via the, the data recorded in the portable non-volatile recording medium 13 can be read out to the portable terminal device 28 and processed.

[0038]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. There is no need for collection work every short period of time, such as on-site recording paper. The data can be directly processed by the computer without the input work required in the case of the field recording paper system. The processing load on the center monitoring device is small, and system resources can be significantly reduced. Since the operation of the center monitoring device is simple, no expert is required. In the center monitoring device, it is possible to take a countermeasure by detecting an abnormal operation of the transmitting means of each on-site processing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the basic configuration of the on-site processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a basic configuration of a center monitoring device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Data collection means B Abnormality monitoring means C, D Communication means 1 Governor room 2 Governor main body 3 Field processing device 4 Center monitoring device 5 Communication line 6a Measuring equipment group 6b Abnormality detection equipment group 7a Measurement data input means 7b Abnormality detection data input means 8 data reading means 9 abnormality detection means 10 abnormality processing means 11 progress data storage means 12 recording medium reading / writing means 13 portable non-volatile recording medium 14 communication management means 15a, 26a dedicated / wireless line communication control means 15b, 26b for public line Communication control means 15c Serial communication communication control means 16a, 27a Dedicated / wireless line communication modems 16b, 27b Public communication modem 16c Modemless serial interface 17 Wireless communication equipment 18 Communication equipment control means 19 Control output means 20 Public line 21 Monitoring Means 22 Display means 3 warning means 24 operational input means 25 wireless device 28 Allowed 搬端 end devices

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A site processing device installed at a data collection site and a common center monitoring device connected to a number of site processing devices via communication lines.
A monitoring data collecting means, a data reading / writing means for the portable nonvolatile recording medium, a data abnormality monitoring means,
A communication means with the center monitoring device is configured, and the communication means is configured with a function of responding to a predetermined response signal in response to a response request from the center monitoring device, and a call from the on-site processing device to the center monitoring device is abnormal. Remote monitoring, characterized in that when the monitoring means detects an abnormality, the abnormality is reported and the center monitoring device makes a call to the on-site processing device at appropriate time intervals to send a response request. apparatus 2. The remote monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the portable non-volatile recording means is an IC memory card. 3. The remote monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the data collection site is a governor room.