KR20090106832A - Indoor environment sensing apparatus based on Ubiquitous Sensor Network using indoor light source and vibration - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A USN(Ubiquitous Sensor Network) based indoor sensor is provided to obtain the power using the vibration or light provided from the outside. CONSTITUTION: A sensing module(100) provides sensing information by sensing an environment element. A wireless communication module wireless transmits the sense information. A wireless communication module(400) transmits the sense information by wireless. The power module provides the power to the wireless communication module and the sense module. A vibration generation module(230) generates the electric energy by the vibration from the outside. A charging module(250) stores the electric energy.

Description

Indoor environment sensing apparatus based on Ubiquitous Sensor Network using indoor light source and vibration}

The present invention relates to a USN-based sensing device, and more particularly, to a USN-based indoor environment sensing device using electric energy generated by itself using indoor light sources and / or vibrations.

Ubiquitous is a Latin word that means "exists all at the same time," and means a technology that allows people to connect naturally to various networks regardless of time and place. Recently, with increasing interest in ubiquitous, research on Ubiquitous Sensor Network (USN), which binds sensing devices into one network and subordinates them to a Personal Area Network coordinator or a residential gateway, has become active. have.

The USN places individual wireless sensing devices in various places of buildings such as buildings, apartments, and the like, and manages the environment inside the building by detecting environmental elements such as temperature, humidity, or illuminance at regular intervals. It is used as a management system.

However, since these wireless sensing devices are operated by an internal independent power source such as a battery, it may not be able to effectively collect information when the battery reaches its end of life. In addition, even if the battery is periodically replaced and recharged, the number of wireless sensing devices installed in the building may be too large, or the life of each battery may be different, so the wireless sensing devices may not be managed efficiently.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a USN-based sensing device that can provide power by generating electrical energy itself.

The USN-based sensing device according to the embodiments of the present invention for solving the above problems is a sensing module for detecting the environmental element to provide the sensing information, a wireless communication module and wireless sensing module for transmitting the sensing information wirelessly and a wireless communication module A power supply module for providing a power source, the power generation module includes a vibration generation module for generating electrical energy by an externally generated vibration and a charging module for storing the generated power.

Vibration power generation module of the USN-based sensing device according to the embodiments of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a core portion including a piezoelectric element power generation module and / or magnetic material and a coil portion surrounding the core portion, from the outside It includes a mechanical power generation module for generating the electrical energy by vibrating the coil portion or the core portion by the vibration provided.

The power supply module of the USN-based sensing device according to the embodiments of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a photovoltaic module for generating electrical energy by light provided from the outside.

The sensing module of the USN-based sensing device according to the embodiments of the present invention for solving the above problems provides the first to n-th sensing information by sensing the environmental element at the first to n-th time point, m-1 And a control module for comparing the m-1 sensing information at the time point with the sensing information at the m time point, and providing a control signal according to a change amount of the sensing information.

Other specific details of the invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the USN-based sensing device and its operation method according to the embodiments of the present invention as described above has one or more of the following effects.

First, without the periodic replacement or charging of the battery, it is possible to provide its own power by using the vibration or light provided outside the USN-based sensing device.

Second, according to the amount of change in the detection information at the previous detection time and the current detection time, it is possible to detect the environmental element at an adjusted detection period, or selectively transmit the detection information, which is provided by the power module of the detection device The power can be used efficiently.

 Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the general knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims.

In the following, each block may represent a portion of a module, segment or code containing one or more executable instructions for executing a specified logical function (s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, the two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the corresponding function.

As used herein, the term 'module' refers to software or a hardware component such as an FPGA or an ASIC, and a module plays a role. However, modules are not meant to be limited to software or hardware. The module may be configured to be in an addressable storage medium and may be configured to play one or more processors. Thus, as an example, a module may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and processes, functions, properties, procedures, subroutines. , Segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided within the components and modules may be combined into a smaller number of components and modules or further separated into additional components and modules.

Hereinafter, a USN-based sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a USN-based sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary vibrational generation module of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a USN-based sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensing module 100, a control module 300, a power module 200, and a wireless communication module 400.

The sensing module 100 senses an environmental element at first to nth time points (n is a natural number) and serves to provide first to nth sensing information. In detail, the sensing module 100 is inactivated in a standby state that consumes a very small amount of power, and is activated every predetermined sensing period in response to a control signal provided from the control module 300, thereby providing the first to nth time points. Environmental elements can be detected in. The sensing module 100 includes a sensor 110 and an analog-to-digital converter 120.

The sensor 110 detects an environmental element and serves to provide an analog signal. The environmental element may be, for example, the temperature, humidity or illuminance of the place where the sensing device is installed, and thus the sensor 110 may be a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor or an optical sensor or a combination thereof.

An analog-to-digital converter 120 converts an analog signal provided from the sensor 110 into a digital signal. The analog-to-digital converter 120 may be an 8-bit, 11-bit, 12-bit, 16-bit or 24-bit converter, preferably a 12-bit converter, depending on the environmental elements sensed by the sensor 110.

The control module 300 controls each module of the sensing device such as the sensing module 100 and the wireless communication module 400. In detail, the control module 300 is activated by the sensing module 100 at predetermined intervals to detect environmental elements and provide sensing information, and transmits the sensing information to the main system from the wireless communication module 400. You can control the module.

The memory (not shown) may store sensing information sensed by the sensing module 100, an address or information unique to the sensing device, and the like.

The wireless communication module 400 serves to wirelessly transmit the first to nth sensing information detected by the sensing module 100 at the first to nth time points, respectively. For example, the wireless communication module 400 may convert the sensing information detected by the sensing module 100 into a radio frequency signal corresponding to a predetermined radio frequency (RF) communication protocol and transmit it to the main system. The main system receiving the radio frequency signal may be, for example, a personal area communication controller or a residential gateway.

The wireless communication module 400 may include a media access controller (MAC) for controlling protocol conversion and an access problem of a data link layer, a baseband processor for converting sensing information into a radio frequency signal, an antenna, and the like.

The power module 200 provides electrical energy to each module of the sensing device, such as the sensing module 100, the control module 300, and the wireless communication module 400, and supplies the vibration generation module 230 and the charging module 250 to each other. Include.

The vibration generation module 230 generates electric energy by using vibration provided from the outside of the sensing device. Specifically, the vibration generation module 230 may generate electrical energy using vibration provided by the operation of the mechanical device in a space where the sensing device is disposed, for example, a machine room, an electric room, an air conditioning room, and the like.

The vibration generation module 230 includes a piezoelectric element power generation module and / or a mechanical power generation module.

2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary piezoelectric element power generation module.

Referring to FIG. 2, the piezoelectric element power generation module 231 generates electrical energy from the vibration provided from the outside using the piezoelectric element 233, and includes a vibration weight 232b, a piezoelectric element 233, and a fixing part 232a. ) And charge collection module 234.

One end of the piezoelectric element 233 is fixed to the fixing part 232a, and the other end of the piezoelectric element 233 on which the oscillating weight 232b is disposed is vibrated by external vibration, so that both surfaces of the piezoelectric element 233 have the same ratio. Positive and negative charges can form. The charges formed on both sides of the piezoelectric element 233 are collected by the charge collection module 234 and transferred to the charging module 250.

3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary mechanical power generation module.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mechanical power generation module 235 generates electrical energy by using the current induction phenomenon of the coil generated from the outside, and the fixing part 236, the core part 239, and the vibration part 237. And a coil unit 238.

Here, the core part 238 is fixed to the fixing part 236, and includes a magnetic material in which the N pole and the S pole are repeated.

The vibrator 237 is interposed between the fixed part 236 and the coil part 238 to vibrate together with the coil part 238 by the vibration generated from the outside. Here, the vibrator 237 may have a thin plate shape to easily vibrate by vibration generated from the outside.

The coil part 238 is connected to the fixing part 236 via the vibration part 237 and disposed outside the core part 239, and includes a coil surrounding the iron core and the iron core. The coil unit 238 vibrates together when the vibrating unit 237 vibrates by an externally generated vibration. As the coil part 238 surrounding the magnetic body of the core part 239 vibrates, current may be induced in the coil of the coil part 238 to generate electrical energy, and the generated electrical energy may be generated at both ends of the coil ( It is delivered to the charging module 250 connected to a, b).

In the drawings, the coil part is vibrated by an externally generated vibration, but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment of the present invention, the core may be vibrated by the externally generated vibration to induce a current in the coil.

The charging module 250 stores electric energy generated by the vibration generating module 230 and supplies power to each module of the sensing device, such as the sensing module 100, the control module 300, and the wireless communication module 400, as necessary. Can be provided.

Accordingly, the USN-based sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention does not need to periodically replace or charge a battery that provides power to the sensing device. Specifically, the USN-based sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention generates electrical energy by itself using vibration provided by the operation of the mechanical device in a sensing room, for example, a machine room, an electric room, an air conditioning room, and the like. By charging it and using it as a power source, it can operate without a separate battery replacement or charging.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the sensing module is activated every certain sensing period, and has been described as sensing the environmental element at the first to nth time points. However, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sensing module may be configured according to the amount of change of sensing information. It may be activated every adjusted sensing period to detect the environmental element at the first to nth time points.

In more detail, in the control module, m-th detection information at the m-th time point (2 ≦ m ≦ n−1, m is a natural number) is compared with m-th detection information at the time point m−1, which is a previous time point, and the detection information is detected. The detection period may be adjusted according to the change amount of to control the m + 1 time point, which is the next detection time point.

Accordingly, the USN-based sensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention detects the environmental element by changing the detection cycle according to the change situation of the environmental element, rather than detecting the environmental element in the sensing module every fixed sensing period. The power of the power supply module can be used efficiently. That is, when the change of the environmental element where the sensing device is installed is not severe, the sensing device may detect the environmental element by varying the detection cycle by itself, thereby preventing power consumption by frequently detecting the environmental element.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication module has been described as transmitting all the sensing information provided by the sensing module, in another embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication module selectively detects the sensing information according to the amount of change of the sensing information. You can also send.

In more detail, the control module compares the m-th sensing information and the m-1th sensing information to selectively provide the enabled control signal to the wireless communication module only when the amount of change of the sensing information is greater than the predetermined amount of change to provide the m-th sensing information. You can transmit wirelessly.

As a result, the USN-based sensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention selectively transmits the first through nth sensing information detected by the sensing module to the main system instead of the main system. The power of the power supply module can be used efficiently. That is, when the change of the environmental element where the sensing device is installed is not severe, power consumption can be prevented by not transmitting unnecessary sensing information by deactivating the wireless communication module).

In addition, the USN-based sensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention may not only adjust the sensing period of the sensing module according to the amount of change of the sensing signal, but also selectively transmit the sensing signal to the main system according to the amount of change of the sensing signal. That is, only when the change amount of the detection signal is larger than the predetermined change amount, the detection signal can be selectively transmitted to the main system.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a USN-based sensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the USN-based sensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention is different from the USN-based sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Is to include more.

The photovoltaic module 240 receives light from the outside, and generates electrical energy to provide the charging module 250. The photovoltaic module 240 may include, for example, a photovoltaic device that generates electrical energy using light provided from lighting of a room where a sensing device is disposed.

Since the power supply module 201 of the USN-based sensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes not only the vibration power generation module 230 but also the photovoltaic power generation module 240, the power supply module 201 may be provided from a mechanical device or the like in which the sensing device is disposed. In addition to the vibration provided, light provided by lighting or the like may be used to generate electrical energy. Therefore, when the space in which the sensing device is disposed is a place where the vibration provided by the mechanical device is weak, electric energy can be generated by using the light provided from the lighting and the like, thereby effectively supplying power to the USN-based sensing device. have.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a USN-based sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary piezoelectric element power generation module as the vibration power generation module of FIG. 1.

3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary mechanical power generation module as the vibration power generation module of FIG. 1.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a USN-based sensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

(Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing)

100: detection module 110: sensor

120: analog-to-digital converter 200, 201: power supply module

230: vibration generation module 240: optical generation module

250: charging module 300: control module

400: wireless communication module

Claims (11)

A sensing module for sensing environmental elements and providing sensing information; A wireless communication module for wirelessly transmitting the sensed information; And A power supply module for providing power to the sensing module and the wireless communication module, the power supply module comprising a vibration generation module for generating electrical energy by an externally generated vibration and a charging module for storing the generated electrical energy. USN based sensing device. The method of claim 1, The vibration generation module is a piezoelectric element power generation module USN-based sensing device. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The vibration power generation module Core part containing a magnetic material and USN-based sensing device including a coil unit surrounding the core portion, a mechanical power generation module to generate electrical energy by vibrating the coil portion or the core portion by the vibration provided from the outside. The method of claim 1, The power supply module is a USN-based sensing device comprising a photovoltaic module for generating electrical energy by the light provided from the outside. The method of claim 1, The sensing module detects the environmental element at first to nth time points (n is a natural number) and provides first to nth sensing information. Comparing m-1 sensing information at the m-th time point (2 ≦ m ≦ n-1, m is a natural number) with sensing information at the m-th time point, and providing a control signal according to the amount of change of the sensing information. USN-based sensing device further comprising a control module. The method of claim 5, And the sensing module detects the environmental element at the m + 1 time point that changes in response to the control signal. The method of claim 6, The control module, when the amount of change of sensing information at the m-th time point and the m-th time point is less than the amount of change in the sensing information at the m-th time point and the m-th time point, The USN-based sensing device of claim 1, wherein the control signal is provided such that the time interval between the m-th time point and the m-th time point is longer than the time interval between the m-th time point and the m-th time point. The method of claim 6, The USN-based sensing device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless module for sequentially transmitting wirelessly detected information detected at the first to n-th time point. The method of claim 5, A wireless module for wirelessly transmitting the sensing information sensed by the sensor, the USN based further comprises a wireless module for wirelessly transmitting the m-1 sensing information at the m-1 time point in accordance with the control signal selectively Detection device. The method of claim 5,  USN-based sensing device further comprises a memory for storing the sensing information detected at the m-th time point. The method of claim 1, The environmental element comprises temperature, humidity, or illuminance.

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