WO2005055164A1

WO2005055164A1 - Environment monitoring method and system

Info

Publication number: WO2005055164A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/018138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seimei Shiratori; Masashi Kikuchi
Original assignee: Snt Co.,Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-12-04
Filing date: 2004-12-06
Publication date: 2005-06-16
Also published as: JPWO2005055164A1

Abstract

An environment monitoring system for gas molecules and molecules in water through a network using the Web and a database where the physical structures and chemical properties of molecules to be detected are built using the molecule identifying technology. Sensor devices are installed at monitoring points so as to monitor the situation where gas comes into existence. Measurement data measured by the sensor devices are sent to a center server through a network. The center server has a database used for deducing molecule species and collates the sent measurement data with the data in the database to deduce the molecule species of the gas. If the molecule species is judged to be harmful and identified, the gas removing device provided at the monitoring point is operated.

Description

Specification

Environmental monitoring method and system

[0001] The present invention specifies measurement data detected by a sensor device installed at a monitoring point via a network, and specifies gas molecules or molecular species of underwater molecules that are determined to be harmful. The present invention relates to an environment monitoring method and system for operating a gas molecule or underwater molecule removal device installed at a monitoring point when the monitoring is performed.

Background art

[0002] In recent years, concerns about the environment surrounding us have increased the voice of promoting the preservation of air environment and water quality, and the importance of environmental monitoring has been recognized. And the substances expected as such targets are increasing, such as dioxins. Therefore, sensors for various gases and components in water are being developed. There are various principles of such a sensor, but most of them use the chemical properties (such as oxidizing property and reducing property) of gas, and their selectivity is limited. Therefore, when it is necessary to perform strict component analysis, a large-sized apparatus such as gas chromatography is used at present.

[0003] In such air and water quality inspections, ministries and agencies and local governmental organizations have conducted analysis after bringing target gases and liquids back in sampling bags and sample bottles. A familiar example is that during the eruption of Miyakejima, a staff from Tokyo went directly to the site to measure the sulfur-based gas concentration on the island, put the gas from each part of the island into a sampling bag, brought it back, and examined it at an inspection organization. Did. Water sampling of rivers is still carried out by sampling. However, this method is labor-intensive and may expose the investigator to harmful gas atmospheres.

[0004] On the other hand, the construction of networks using TCP / IP is approaching a completed form worldwide. In addition, it is expected that the construction of networks using wireless LANs will be fully established in the future. Wireless LAN was originally developed mainly for indoor use in offices, etc. In recent years, public services including outdoor use have begun to be developed. Narita Express is also conducting tests to provide services on trains. Such infrastructure will be further improved It is expected that wireless LAN will be available with the same feeling as mobile phones.

[0005] Therefore, in recent years, remote environment measurement using communication technology can be considered, but a precise analysis system has not been created for the above reasons. However, due to recent advances in nanotechnology, methods for measuring powerful physical quantities such as the shape and size of molecules that have not been able to be measured have evolved, and molecular recognition of gas components and water components is not as difficult as before. It's coming.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which adsorption characteristics obtained for a plurality of types of gases are prepared in a computer as a database, and discrimination of an unknown gas is enabled. Is disclosed.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-249644

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides an environment monitoring system for gas molecules and underwater molecules by creating a database of the physical structure of the molecules to be detected and networking using the Web using the above-described molecular recognition technology. The purpose is to build.

[0008] The environmental monitoring system of the present invention can be applied to real-time environmental information distribution, and in this case, it is possible to provide more and more accurate information on remote locations in real time. . For example, by constantly monitoring the gas concentration around the factory and providing that information to nearby residents, the company will not have anxiety to the nearby residents, which will increase corporate value as a result .

[0009] Further, the present invention can be applied to an indoor environment monitoring system such as a care sensor system, and in this case, an "environment control system" can be constructed by feedback control. For example, it is possible to construct a system that activates a gas removal device at the same time as detecting abnormal gas generation.

Means for solving the problem

[0010] The environmental monitoring method of the present invention uses a central server via a network for measuring data detected by a plurality of sensor devices installed at a plurality of monitoring points to monitor the generation state of gas molecules or underwater molecules. The central server is provided with a database for molecular species estimation, and the measurement data is compared with the data on the database. If the molecular species determined to be harmful are identified by determining the molecular species of the gas molecules or water molecules, the gas and water molecules removal device installed at the monitoring point is activated. Let it.

[0011] In addition, the environmental monitoring system of the present invention transmits measurement data detected by a plurality of sensor devices installed at a plurality of monitoring points to monitor the generation state of gas molecules or underwater molecules via a network. A central server, a database for estimating molecular species provided in the central server, and comparing and judging measurement data with data on the database to estimate molecular species of gas molecules or water molecules. It consists of a molecular species identification unit and a control unit that operates a gas molecule or underwater molecule removal device installed at the monitoring point when a molecule species that is determined to be harmful is identified.

[0012] Further, according to the present invention, a gas removing device such as the sensor device and the air purifier is arranged near a bed of a person requiring care, and the gas removing device is activated when a detection target substance is detected. It can be applied to a care system.

The invention's effect

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide more and more accurate information on a remote place in real time. For example, by constantly monitoring the gas concentration around the factory and providing that information to nearby residents, the company will not feel anxious about the nearby residents, which will increase corporate value as a result. become.

Further, the present invention can be applied to an indoor system, and in this case, an “environmental control system” can be constructed by feedback control. For example, it is possible to construct a system that detects abnormal gas generation and activates the gas removal device at the same time.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an environment monitoring system embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a care system in which the environmental monitoring system embodying the present invention is applied for monitoring and controlling the hospital room environment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying a detailed arrangement of devices in each of the hospital rooms illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a graph showing a temporal change of a nitrogen-based gas (NH 2) concentration with respect to an elapsed time.

Three

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a time change of a sulfur-based gas (HS) concentration with respect to an elapsed time.

2

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a change in temperature with respect to elapsed time.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing changes in humidity with respect to elapsed time.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an environment monitoring system embodying the present invention. As shown in the figure, the monitoring status of sensor device gas is monitored at multiple monitoring points (only two are shown), and the detected data is transmitted to the central server via TCP / IP. In the following, the case of monitoring gas molecules will be described as an example. However, the present invention relates to a surfactant (detergent) such as dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid flowing into a river, a harmful heavy metal ion, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and trichloroethylene. The same can be applied to the monitoring of molecules in water, such as the detection of molecules in water such as harmful substances, or the detection of oils and fats dispersed in water.

[0017] The central server is provided with a database for estimating molecular species, and sensor response characteristics for each molecular species are classified by two parameters of molecular size and chemical properties, and stored in this database. Have been. For this reason, the measured data at a remote location is collated with the data on the database, and the molecular species can be estimated. In this way, the sensor response characteristics of many molecules are stored in this database, and the results of measurements on unknown gases are compared with this database to identify molecular species and determine whether or not the force is harmful to the human body. You can judge. In other words, sensing is performed by arranging only the minimum number of sensor device elements near the site or at fixed intervals such as telephone poles and power transmission towers, and the database for data collation is centrally managed elsewhere. It becomes possible.

[0018] Further, according to this method, a self-learning sensor network that stores information on molecules in the database when unknown molecules are detected from the sensor output by collecting information on the molecules in the database for each sensor is also provided. Becomes possible. Alternatively, each sensor can download the latest molecular information by downloading the molecular information in the database. The strike can be obtained. According to the present invention, it is possible to convert a molecular recognition technology, which is a mere measurement technology, into a content by connecting it to a network and forming a bidirectional network. In this way, the fusion of analysis technology and communication technology can promote further development of analysis technology including molecular recognition technology.

[0019] This system is assumed to be installed in a nursing facility such as a factory 'hospital', and outputs from a plurality of sensors are stored in an environmental data storage database of a central server. This database can be installed at any location, such as the head office, and when an abnormality occurs, a warning is displayed promptly and action is taken promptly. The environment data stored in this database can be configured to be viewed from any terminal device connected to the TCP / IP network. By using a LAN, sensor output can be viewed with a PC that can connect to the Internet without any special equipment. This makes it easy to view data or operate the system from a remote location. Furthermore, this environmental data can be configured to be transmitted via a Web server via a network such as the Internet in response to a request from client software such as a Web browser. Each sensor device, gas removal device, or web server has an independent IP address, and data is transferred using a wireless LAN and a wired LAN.

[0020] When the harmful molecular species is specified by the molecular species specifying unit, the gas removal device control unit of the central server cleans the spatial environment by feedback-controlling the output to the gas removal device. As described above, according to the present invention, by connecting the sensor unit and the gas removing unit by wireless communication or the like, the situation of the entire space can be grasped, and the gas removing efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, by using a TCP / IP network, it is possible to browse the results of environmental monitoring at a remote location with a PC that can connect to the Internet without any special equipment.

According to the environmental monitoring system of the present invention, harmful gases can be monitored “anywhere in the world” and “anywhere in the world”. Even if a special receiver is not at hand, the generation of gas and photochemical smog caused by volcanic plumes can be immediately recognized by any PC and LAN. By combining this environmental monitoring system with ordinary measurement sensors that do not use molecular recognition technology such as temperature sensors and humidity sensors, Comprehensive environmental measurement becomes possible.

Example 1

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a care system in which the environmental monitoring system embodying the present invention is applied for monitoring and controlling a hospital room environment. This system assigns an IP address to each handy-sized gas sensor, transfers its output to a remote server (data accumulation / abnormality detection server), and performs overall control of the sensor output. Also, as described above with reference to FIG. 1, the data stored in this server can be configured to be viewable from any terminal device connected to the server via the TCP / IP network.

[0023] The detection target substances here are ammonia gas (for urination detection) and methyl mercaptan gas (for defecation detection), and a sensor for this purpose is placed near the bed of the care recipient, resulting in abnormal state. Is detected. The exemplary system detects these gases and operates an air purifier, such as an air conditioner, deodorizer, or odorant, as a gas remover. Although only one hospital room is shown, similar devices are usually provided in each of the multiple hospital rooms, each of which is connected to the data accumulation / abnormality detection server by wireless LAN.

The sensor set has a sensor device for measuring temperature and humidity, in addition to the above two types of gas sensor devices, ammonia gas and methyl mercaptan gas. The output of each sensor is transferred to the server for data collection and abnormality detection via the wireless LAN transceiver unit. This data is sampled at regular intervals and transmitted to the server in chronological order. By assigning a network address to each sensor set, its location data can be recognized by the server.

[0025] In this server, as described with reference to Fig. 1, the sensor output is automatically converted into the gas concentration using the data stored in the molecular species estimation database, and the gas concentration is calculated. When the density exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that the state is abnormal. When it is determined that the status is abnormal, the server controls the operation of the air conditioner, deodorizing device, fragrance device, etc. via the wireless LAN transceiver unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying a detailed arrangement of devices in each of the hospital rooms illustrated in FIG. Communication between the gas removal device and each sensor exemplified as a filter and the transmission / reception unit has an independent IP address, and data transfer is via a wireless LAN and a wired LAN. Perform using As a result, the transmission / reception unit receives the four types of sensor outputs to the server and simultaneously receives the filter control signal from the server. A threshold value is set for each numerical value, and when the detected value exceeds the threshold value, feedback for controlling peripheral devices such as an air purifier is provided. Sensor sensitivity for each gas can be corrected from Sano. The server can be configured to judge the sensitivity deterioration of each detection unit from the sensitivity deterioration index data, and to transmit the sensitivity correction function to each sensor at regular intervals. Further, by adding a configuration for detecting output abnormalities and lifespan of each sensor, a failure can be prevented beforehand, and the device can be repaired / replaced promptly. As a result, it is possible to properly judge the deterioration of the gas sensor and reduce the error that occurs in the measurement of the concentration of the offensive odor gas.

[0027] By providing the transmission / reception unit with a Web server function, the data collection / abnormality detection server connected to the transmission / reception unit parses a file transmitted as an html file, extracts sensor data, and extracts this data. Repeatedly, further attach date and time, secure as time-series data, and write and save files at regular intervals.

[0028] In a server or a client (not shown) connected to the server, data of a specific sensor is obtained by a TCP command or http, and graphs are monitored as needed using the accompanying time data and monitored. This makes it possible to graphically display various types of gas concentrations 'temperature' and humidity. In addition, by storing data, it is possible to obtain past specific time zone sensor data by selecting a period.

[0029] As described above, a plurality of indoor gas concentrations are simultaneously monitored in real time, and when an abnormality occurs, the state is recovered by an air purifier or the like, and the occurrence of the abnormality is detected by a Web browser even in a remote place. Build a system that can do

Example 2

[0030] The nursing care system applied for monitoring and controlling the hospital room environment shown in Fig. 2 above was constructed, and with the cooperation of the care recipient, the gas was actually used for 7 days (about 160 hours). The result of the concentration measurement is as follows. Nitrogen-based gas sensors, sulfur-based gas sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors were used for measurement. A remover (based on activated carbon) for sulfur-based gas and nitrogen-based gas was installed at each sensor location, and the gas removal effect was measured using a sensor. [0031] FIG. 4 shows the time-dependent change of the nitrogen-based gas (NH 2) concentration with respect to the elapsed time.

Three

4 is a graph showing a change over time of a sulfur-based gas (HS) concentration with time. These graphs

2

From this, it can be seen that the main odor factor is nitrogen-based gas. As can be seen in Figure 4, the concentration of ammonia gas has been almost flat, but the output has increased since around the fifth day. The possibility that the sensitive film has reacted with a high concentration of sulfur-based gas has been shown.

[0032] From FIG. 5, it can be seen that the sulfur-based gas concentration periodically changes during the day. If an auxiliary line is drawn at the point where the date changes, it can be seen that the concentration increase is concentrated at the time of 3:16 am. This indicates that the caregiver power ^, the gas concentration has risen during no hours! / /

FIGS. 6 and 7 are a graph showing the temperature change with respect to the elapsed time measured simultaneously and a graph showing the humidity change with respect to the elapsed time, respectively. It has been shown that changes in temperature in the measurement environment are almost invariable due to changes in humidity.

[0034] As described above, it is possible to simultaneously monitor a plurality of gas concentrations in a room in real time, detect the occurrence of an abnormality, and estimate the cause.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] Measurement data detected by a plurality of sensor devices installed at a plurality of monitoring points to monitor the generation status of gas molecules or underwater molecules is transmitted to a central server via a network,

The central server includes a database for molecular species estimation,

The measured data is collated and determined with the data on the database to estimate the molecular species of gas molecules or water molecules, and when the molecular species determined to be harmful is identified, the An environmental monitoring method consisting of operating an installed gas or underwater molecule removal device.

[2] The environmental monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein data transmission between the monitoring point and the central server is performed via TCP / IP.

[3] The sensor device estimates a molecular species of a gas molecule or a water molecule by using data downloaded from a database for molecular species estimation via a network.

The environmental monitoring method described in 1.

4. The environmental monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein the central server further includes a database for storing environmental data, and is configured to be able to browse from any terminal device connected to a network.

[5] The sensor device and the apparatus for removing gas molecules or underwater molecules each have an independent IP address, and data transfer is performed using a wireless LAN and a wired LAN.

The environmental monitoring method described in 1.

[6] The environment according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device and a gas removing device such as an air purifier are arranged near a bed of a care-requiring person, and the gas removing device is activated when a detection target substance is detected. Monitoring method.

[7] A central server that transmits measurement data detected by a plurality of sensor devices installed at a plurality of monitoring locations to monitor the generation status of gas molecules or underwater molecules via a network;

A database for molecular species estimation provided in the central server,

The measured data is collated and determined with data on the database, and gas molecules or Is a molecular species identification unit that estimates the molecular species of the water molecule,

When a molecular species determined to be harmful is specified, a control unit for operating a gas molecule or underwater molecule removal device installed at the monitoring point is provided.

Environmental monitoring system.

[8] The environmental monitoring system according to claim 7, wherein transmission of data between the monitoring point and the central server is performed via TCP / IP.

[9] The sensor device estimates a molecular species of a gas molecule or a molecule in water using a database force for molecular species estimation using data downloaded via a network.

7. The environmental monitoring system according to 7.

10. The environment monitoring system according to claim 7, wherein the central server further includes a database for storing environmental data, and is configured to be able to be viewed from any terminal device connected to a network.

[11] The sensor device and the apparatus for removing gas molecules or underwater molecules each have an independent IP address, and data transfer is performed using a wireless LAN and a wired LAN.

7. The environmental monitoring system according to 7.

[12] A care system in which the sensor device and a gas removing device such as an air purifier are arranged near a bed of a care recipient and a gas removing device is activated when a detection target substance is detected. 7. The environmental monitoring system according to 7.