WO2013024877A1

WO2013024877A1 - Communication device, communication processing program, monitoring system, data logger

Info

Publication number: WO2013024877A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/070768
Authority: WO
Inventors: 伊藤　哲; 勝溝口; 大樹小林
Original assignee: 株式会社クロスアビリティ; 国立大学法人東京大学
Priority date: 2011-08-17
Filing date: 2012-08-15
Publication date: 2013-02-21
Also published as: JPWO2013024877A1

Abstract

Provided are a communication device, a communication processing program, and a monitoring system whereby a monitoring system using various data loggers can be more easily implemented and constructed. The system comprises a first communication part (58) for communicating with a data logger group (14) composed of a plurality of data loggers (16, 18, 20, 22) installed in a predetermined management range (12), a second communication part (60) connected to a server (28) via a network (26), and an automatic recognition part (64) having a storage part (66) that stores communication protocol information of the data loggers (16, 18, 20, 22). The system is characterized in that communication protocol of the data loggers (16, 18, 20, 22) is automatically recognized, measurement data stored in the data loggers (16, 18, 20, 22) is downloaded, and the measurement data is uploaded to the server (28).

Description

Communication device, communication processing program, monitoring system, data logger

The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication processing program, a monitoring system, and a data logger, and is particularly suitable when applied to a monitoring system that acquires weather information in a remote place.

A monitoring system using a field server is disclosed as a system for obtaining environmental information including weather information in a management range of large-scale farms and mountains (for example, Patent Document 1). The field server is configured to transmit measurement data acquired by a sensor group including a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor to a client PC through a network such as the Internet. Thereby, the client PC can acquire the environment information acquired by each sensor provided in the field server in real time.

However, since the field server is not provided with a storage device, the measurement data may be lost if the communication state is unstable, so there is a problem that it is necessary to ensure a high-quality communication state. It was.

On the other hand, a data logger provided with a sensor group, a storage device that stores environmental information acquired by the sensor group, and a communication device connected to a network has recently been used.

JP 2008-64591 A

However, the monitoring system using the data logger is not easy to use in the operation and construction of the system. In other words, data loggers generally use data loggers from different manufacturers at the same time in terms of product characteristics and price, but specifications such as communication protocols and measurement data extraction methods for each manufacturer. Is different. For this reason, the user must prepare a program tailored to each manufacturer's data logger and communicate with each data logger. In addition, the data logger can be directly connected to the data logger using a network such as the Internet. In order to acquire the stored measurement data, there is a problem that a communication device connected to the network is required for each data logger.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication processing program, a monitoring system, and a data logger that can more easily operate and construct a monitoring system using various data loggers.

A communication apparatus according to the present invention includes a first communication unit that communicates with a data logger group including a plurality of data loggers installed within a predetermined management range, and a second communication unit that connects to a server via a network. And an automatic recognition unit having a storage unit storing communication protocol information of the data logger, the storage unit has functional information for each data logger, and the automatic recognition unit is included in the data logger group. A plurality of commands are collectively transmitted, a response to the command is compared with the function information, the data logger is automatically identified by specifying the data logger, and the measurement stored in the data logger The data is downloaded and the measurement data is uploaded to the server.

A communication processing program according to the present invention automatically connects a computer to a server via a network and a step of automatically recognizing a communication protocol of a data logger group composed of a plurality of data loggers installed within a predetermined management range. The step of downloading the measurement data stored in the data logger and uploading the measurement data to the server and automatically recognizing the communication protocol of the data logger is performed on the data logger group. A plurality of commands are transmitted collectively, a response to the command is compared with function information stored in advance, and the data logger is specified.

A monitoring system according to the present invention includes a first communication unit that communicates with a data logger group including a plurality of data loggers installed within a predetermined management range, and a second communication unit that connects to a server via a network. And an automatic recognition unit having a storage unit that stores communication protocol information of the data logger, the storage unit has functional information for each data logger, and the automatic recognition unit A plurality of commands are collectively transmitted to the data logger group, a response to the command is compared with the function information, and the data logger is specified to automatically recognize the communication protocol of the data logger. The measurement data stored in the server is downloaded and the measurement data is uploaded to the server. .

The data logger according to the present invention is installed within a predetermined management range, and includes a control unit, a sensor that acquires environmental information within the management range, and a storage unit that stores environmental information acquired by the sensor as measurement data. A network adapter having a third communication unit that communicates with a portable terminal that downloads measurement data stored in the storage unit, wherein the network adapter includes a control unit, the control unit, and the third communication. And a battery for charging the power generated by the solar battery, and a timer for turning on the main power at the same timing.

A monitoring system according to the present invention includes a first communication unit that communicates with a data logger group including a plurality of data loggers installed within a predetermined management range, and a storage unit that stores communication protocol information of the data logger. A portable terminal having an automatic recognition unit, wherein the storage unit has function information for each data logger, and the automatic recognition unit transmits a plurality of commands to the data logger group in a batch, By comparing the response to the function information with the function information and specifying the data logger, the communication protocol of the data logger is automatically recognized, the data logger includes a network adapter, and the network adapter includes a control unit and , A third communication unit that communicates with the first communication unit, and a solar that supplies power to the control unit and the third communication unit And pond, and a battery for charging the power generated by the solar cell, characterized by comprising a timer to turn on the main power at a predetermined timing.

According to the present invention, since the communication protocol is sequentially switched according to the data logger and communication is established with the data logger, the trouble of performing communication for each data logger can be omitted. It can be operated more easily. In addition, according to the present invention, since the measurement data downloaded from the data logger group is configured to be uploaded to the server through the network, it is not necessary to provide a communication unit for connecting to the network for each data logger as in the past. Therefore, a monitoring system can be easily constructed.

In addition, according to the data logger of the present invention, the third communication unit is configured not to always activate the third communication unit but to activate according to the activation timing of the field router. The measurement data accumulated in the data logger can be downloaded more reliably.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the monitoring system using the field router which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the data logger which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the field router which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the measurement data acquisition process sequence in the field router which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the data logger which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the network adapter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the connection process procedure in the network adapter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

10: Monitoring system 12: Large-scale farm (management range)
14: Data logger group 24: Field router (communication device)
26: Internet (network)
28: Server 30: Personal computer 54: Timer 58: First communication unit 60: Second communication unit 62: Display unit 64: Automatic recognition unit 66: Storage unit

(First embodiment)
(overall structure)

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The monitoring system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a data logger group 14, a field router 24, a server 28, and a personal computer 30.

The data logger group 14 includes a plurality of

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 installed in a large-scale farm 12 as a predetermined management range, in the case of this embodiment, and each data The

loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 are configured to be wirelessly connected to the field router 24. The first to

fourth data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 acquire and store environmental information such as temperature and humidity in the large-scale farm 12.

Communication between the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 and the field router 24 is performed according to a method compliant with Bluetooth (registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group)) which is a short-range wireless communication standard. In Bluetooth, when devices have the same communication protocol, they recognize each other and can communicate with each other.

In the case of this embodiment, each

data logger

16, 18, 20, 22 is set with a different communication protocol according to the environment information to be acquired. Therefore, in this embodiment, the large-scale farm 12 includes a plurality of data loggers having different communication protocols.

The field router 24 is connected to the server 28 through the Internet 26 as a network. The personal computer 30 is installed in a university or research institution far away from the large-scale farm 12 and is connected to the server 28 through the Internet 26.

In this case, the field router 24 downloads the environmental information stored in each

data logger

16, 18, 20, 22 and uploads it to the server 28 via the Internet 26. As a result, the user can acquire environmental information of the large-scale farm 12 by accessing the server 28 from the personal computer 30.

Environmental information consists of weather information and soil information, and examples of weather information include temperature, humidity, rainfall, solar radiation, and the amount of ultraviolet rays. The soil information includes water content, temperature, electrical conductivity, and the like. Moreover, it is good also as including a radiation dose as environmental information.

Since the first to

fourth data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 are not different in configuration except for the sensor group, the first data logger 16 will be described with reference to FIG. In the first data logger 16, a control unit 32 that centrally controls various functions of the first data logger 16, a sensor group 34, a storage unit 36, and a communication unit 38 are connected via a control bus 40. .

The control unit 32 reads various programs such as a basic program and environment information acquisition program stored in advance, and controls the entire first data logger 16 according to these various programs.

The sensor group 34 includes one or more various sensors, such as an air temperature sensor and a humidity sensor. Thereby, the sensor group 34 converts the environmental information acquired by the sensor into measurement data. In the second to fourth data loggers 18 to 22, the sensor group 34 may have different sensor configurations in accordance with the acquired environment information.

The control unit 32 acquires various environmental information from the sensor group 34 at a predetermined timing, and converts the environmental information into measurement data. Next, the control unit 32 receives the measurement data through the control bus 40 and stores the measurement data in the storage unit 36. The measurement data is individually stored for each sensor constituting the sensor group 34. That is, the measurement data is composed of the same number of individual data as the number of sensors. Individual data includes information indicating the size of the data.

The control unit 32 can transmit the measurement data stored in the storage unit 36 to the field router 24 via the communication unit 38 and the antenna ANT1. In practice, the control unit 32 first transmits one piece of individual data of the measurement data, and transmits the next piece of individual data after the transmission of the piece of individual data is completed. In addition, the control unit 32 transmits a capacity display signal indicating the capacity of the entire measurement data to the field router 24.

As shown in FIG. 3, the field router 24 includes a control unit 42, a power supply unit 44, an LED 52, a timer 54, a camera 56, a first communication unit 58, a second communication unit 60, a display unit 62, and an automatic recognition unit 64. Are connected via a control bus 68.

The control unit 42 reads various programs such as a basic program and a measurement data transmission / reception processing program stored in advance, and controls the entire field router 24 according to these various programs.

The power supply unit 44 includes a solar panel 46, a battery 48, and a charge controller 50. The charge controller 50 is configured to monitor the charge / discharge amount of the battery 48 and prevent overcharge and overdischarge. The LED 52 is appropriately lit when receiving an energization signal indicating a power-on state, a net connection signal indicating a state connected to the Internet 26, and the like, so that the power-on state and the connection state to the Internet 26 can be displayed. Yes. The timer 54 generates an activation signal at a predetermined timing and transmits it to the control unit 42 through the control bus 68. Thereby, the control part 42 can be started at a predetermined timing. For example, the control unit 42 may be configured to be activated once a day for 30 minutes. The camera 56 takes a picture of the periphery of the field router 24 when activated. When the measurement data is downloaded from the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22, the display unit 62 displays a download source data logger, a measurement data remaining amount, and the like.

The first communication unit 58 is configured to perform wireless communication with the communication unit 38 of the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 via the antenna ANT2. The second communication unit 60 is configured by a USB modem, and is configured to be connected to the Internet 26 by dial-up connection.

The automatic recognition unit 64 is configured to execute an automatic recognition processing program stored in advance. In this specification, “automatic recognition” means that the field router 24 specifies the communication protocol of the

unknown data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 so that it can communicate with the data logger. The automatic recognition unit 64 includes a storage unit 66. The storage unit 66 includes communication protocol information including a plurality of communication protocols that can be set in the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22, and data logger specifying information. It is remembered.

In the case of the present embodiment, the communication protocol information includes all communication protocols used for the first to

fourth data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22, and includes other communication protocols. Although not described here, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that other communication protocols not used in the first to

fourth data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 may be included. Further, the data logger specifying information includes, for example, function information of each

data logger

16, 18, 20, and 22.

The automatic recognition unit 64 sequentially reads one of a plurality of communication protocols from the storage unit 66, and executes connection request processing for transmitting a connection request signal to the data logger group 14 via the first communication unit 58 and the antenna ANT2. To do. Further, when there is no response from any of the data loggers to the connection request, the automatic recognition unit 64 executes a command confirmation process for sending a plurality of commands together to the data logger group 14. The command transmitted here is a command for executing a function that characterizes the data logger stored in the storage unit 66 as function information. For example, a “getver command” for checking the version of a data logger made by Decagon or a product made by Davis There is a “TEST command” for checking the connection with the data logger.

In each process described above, the automatic recognition unit 64 receives the response signal from the data logger group 14 via the antenna ANT2 and the first communication unit 58, and identifies the data logger based on the response signal. By specifying the data logger by the automatic recognition unit 64 in this way, the control unit 42 can wirelessly communicate with the data logger using the same communication protocol as the data logger.

(Measurement data acquisition processing procedure)
Next, the measurement data acquisition processing procedure of the field router 24 will be described. In accordance with the measurement data acquisition processing program, the control unit 42 enters from the start step of the measurement data acquisition processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. 4 and proceeds to step SP1. First, the control unit 42 searches for a data logger that is installed around the field router 24 and can communicate with the field router 24. Actually, the control unit 42 causes the automatic recognition unit 64 to execute an automatic recognition processing program in step SP1. The automatic recognition unit 64 starts an automatic recognition processing procedure according to the automatic recognition processing program, selects one communication protocol from the communication protocol information, transmits a connection request signal to the data logger group 14, and proceeds to step SP2.

In step SP2, the automatic recognition unit 64 determines whether or not there is a response to the connection request signal from each of the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP2, this means that any one of the first to

fourth data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 has established communication with the field router 24, but has not yet been established. The field router 24 indicates that the data logger with which communication has been established cannot be specified. At this time, the automatic recognition unit 64 proceeds to step SP3.

In step SP3, the automatic recognition unit 64 determines whether or not a predetermined time for starting the command confirmation processing to be executed when there is no response to the connection request has elapsed.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP3, this means that it is a period waiting for a response signal from the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22. At this time, the automatic recognition unit 64 proceeds to step SP2. Return. After this, until a predetermined time elapses for starting the command confirmation processing in step SP3 and a positive result is obtained, the processing loop of step SP2 and step SP3 is repeated from the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22. Wait for a response.

If the automatic recognition unit 64 obtains a positive result in step SP3, the process proceeds to step SP4, and a plurality of commands are collectively transmitted to the data logger group 14, and then the process proceeds to step SP5.

In step SP5, the automatic recognition unit 64 specifies a data logger based on response signals from the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 for the transmitted command, ends the automatic recognition processing procedure, and proceeds to step SP6.

In practice, the data logger sends correct event signals for the functions it has, but sends error signals for functions it does not have. By comparing the data logger specifying information with the data logger specifying information, the data logger can be specified.

On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP2, this means that there is a response from the data logger and that the data logger can be specified only in the connection request processing. The recognition processing procedure is terminated and the process proceeds to step SP6.

In step SP6, the control unit 42 transmits a download command to the identified data logger according to the measurement data acquisition processing program, and proceeds to step SP7.

In this case, the control unit 42 communicates with the data logger specified by the automatic recognition unit 64 using a predetermined communication protocol. The control unit 42 transmits a download command for requesting transmission of measurement data to the data logger via the first communication unit 58 and the antenna ANT2.

In step SP7, the control unit 42 downloads the measurement data transmitted by the specified data logger based on the download command, and proceeds to step SP8.

In step SP8, the control unit 42 determines whether or not the download of the measurement data is completed.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP8, this indicates that the download of the measurement data has not been completed, and at this time, the control unit 42 returns to step SP7.

When the control unit 42 obtains a positive result in step SP8, the control unit 42 proceeds to step SP9, transmits a confirmation message signal to the data logger, and proceeds to step SP10.

In step SP10, the control unit 42 determines whether there is next data that has not been downloaded to the data logger.

If a positive result is obtained in step SP10, this indicates that there is the next data not downloaded to the data logger, and at this time, the control unit 42 returns to step SP7.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP10, this indicates that the download of measurement data has been completed in the data logger, and at this time, the control unit 42 proceeds to step SP12.

Actually, the control unit 42 receives the measurement data transmitted from the data logger based on the download command via the antenna ANT2 and the first communication unit 58. One piece of individual data is transmitted from the data logger. On the other hand, the control unit 42 determines whether or not one individual data has been downloaded from the information indicating the size of the data included in the individual data. When the download of one piece of individual data is completed, the control unit 42 transmits a confirmation message signal to the data logger and requests the next piece of individual data. By repeating such a procedure, the control unit 42 downloads the individual data stored in the data logger one by one. At this time, the control unit 42 determines whether or not the download of the measurement data is completed based on the capacity display signal transmitted from the data logger. In addition, the control unit 42 calculates a difference between the capacity display signal and the capacity of the already downloaded measurement data, transmits a data remaining amount display signal generated from the difference to the display unit 62, and transmits data to the display unit 62. Display the remaining amount.

In step SP12, the control unit 42 determines whether or not downloading of measurement data is completed for all the first to fourth data loggers.

When a plurality of data loggers having a common communication protocol are specified in step SP5, the control unit repeats the processing loop from step SP6 to step SP10 for each data logger in an arbitrary order.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP12, this indicates that there is still a data logger for which measurement data has not yet been downloaded. At this time, the control unit 42 proceeds to step SP13.

In step SP13, the control unit 42 selects a communication protocol that has not yet been selected from the communication protocol information, and returns to step SP1.

If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP12, this indicates that the download of measurement data has been completed in all the first to

fourth data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22, and at this time, the control unit 42 Moves to step SP14 and ends the measurement data acquisition processing procedure.

(Operation and effect)
Next, the operation and effect of the field router 24 configured as described above will be described.

The field router 24 according to the present embodiment is not always activated, but is set to activate at a predetermined timing for a predetermined period, for example, once a day for 30 minutes. When the control unit 42 receives an activation signal from the timer 54, the field router 24 turns on the main power supply, first activates the basic program, and then turns on all the devices connected to the control bus 68. Each device transmits an activation confirmation signal to the control unit 42 when the power is turned on. When the control unit 42 receives the activation confirmation signal of all the devices, the control unit 42 generates an energization signal and transmits it to the LED 52. Thereby, the LED 52 is lit to indicate the power-on state. Note that the charge controller 50 is always activated independently of the control unit 42 in terms of the function of monitoring the charge / discharge amount of the battery.

Next, the field router 24 connects to the Internet 26 by dial-up connection through the second communication unit 60. When the connection to the Internet is completed, the control unit 42 generates a net connection signal and transmits it to the LED 52. As a result, the LED 52 is lit to indicate the Internet connection state.

Then, the field router 24 takes a peripheral photograph with the camera 56 and uploads the image data taken via the second communication unit 60 and the Internet 26 to the server 28. Thus, the user can download the image data through the personal computer 30 that can access the server 28.

Next, the field router 24 downloads measurement data from the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 installed in the vicinity. First, the field router 24 automatically recognizes the communication protocol of one data logger from the data logger group in which a plurality of data loggers having different communication protocols are mixed, and specifies the data logger. Thereby, the field router 24 starts wireless communication with the one data logger, transmits a download command to the data logger, and downloads measurement data from the data logger.

Next, the field router 24 automatically recognizes communication protocols of other data loggers sequentially from the data logger group 14 and sequentially specifies other data loggers. As a result, the field router 24 sequentially starts wireless communication with the other data loggers and sequentially downloads the measurement data. In this way, the field router 24 can communicate with all the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 included in the data logger group 14 and download measurement data.

As described above, the field router 24 can establish communication with the data logger by automatically recognizing the unknown communication protocols of the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 sequentially. Therefore, the field router 24 can omit the trouble of the user performing communication for each of the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 as in the prior art, and thus the monitoring system 10 can be operated more easily.

In addition, the field router 24 according to the present embodiment is configured to identify the data logger by the command confirmation process when there is no response from the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, and 22 when communication is established. As a result, even a data logger that does not respond when communication is established can be identified, and communication can be started more reliably. Furthermore, the field router 24 can specify a data logger by command confirmation processing even when there are a plurality of data loggers having the same communication protocol.

Further, the field router 24 uploads the measurement data downloaded from the data logger group 14 to the server 28 via the Internet 26. Thereby, since the field router 24 does not need to provide a communication unit connected to the Internet 26 for each

data logger

16, 18, 20, and 22 as in the prior art, the monitoring system 10 can be easily constructed.

(Second Embodiment)
(overall structure)
Next, another embodiment of the data logger in the monitoring system according to the present invention will be described. In the data logger according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the data logger 16B, a first control unit 32B, a sensor group 34, and a storage unit 36 are connected via a control bus 40B. The data logger 16B is configured to be able to communicate with the field router 24 (not shown in the figure) via the network adapter 70 connected to the control bus 40B.

As shown in FIG. 6, the network adapter 70 includes a second control unit 72, a third communication unit 74, a second timer 76, a second solar panel 78, and a second battery 80 via a control bus 82. Connected. The control bus 82 is connected to the control bus 40B.

The second control unit 72 reads various programs such as a basic program and a communication control program stored in advance, and controls the entire network adapter 70 according to these various programs.

The second control unit 72 monitors the charge / discharge amount of the second battery 80 to prevent overcharge and overdischarge. In addition, the second control unit 72 performs communication between the third communication unit 74 and the first control unit 32B, and communication between the third communication unit 74 and the second control unit 72. Switch at a predetermined timing.

When the communication circuit between the third communication unit 74 and the first control unit 32B is connected, the field router 24 can communicate with the data logger 16B, and the measurement data stored in the storage unit 36 is stored. The field router 24 can be downloaded via the third communication unit 74 and the antenna ANT3.

When the communication circuit between the third communication unit 74 and the second control unit 72 is connected, the field router 24 can communicate with the network adapter 70, and the charge amount of the second battery 80 is increased. The second control unit 72 can transmit to the field router 24 via the three communication units 74 and the antenna ANT3.

The timing for switching communication is not particularly limited, but may be triggered by receiving a special command transmitted from the field router 24, for example. The special command in this case can be a character string that does not exist in the second control unit 72. The second control unit 72 can recognize the character string as a special command by receiving a character string that is not stored.

The second control unit 72 normally connects a communication circuit between the third communication unit 74 and the first control unit 32B. When receiving the special command, the second control unit 72 cuts off the communication circuit between the third communication unit 74 and the first control unit 32B, and the third communication unit 74 and the second control unit 72. Connect the communication circuit between. The second control unit 72 restores communication between the third communication unit 74 and the first control unit 32B after a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds after receiving the special command.

The second timer 76 generates an activation signal at a predetermined timing and transmits it to the second control unit 72 through the control bus 82. Thereby, the 2nd control part 72 can start the 3rd communication part 74 at a predetermined timing. The second timer 76 is set in the same manner as the timer 54 (not shown in the figure) of the field router 24. As a result, the third communication unit 74 can be activated at the same timing as the field router 24.

The second solar panel 78 converts light energy such as sunlight incident on the surface into electric energy. Electric energy generated by the second solar panel 78 is charged in the second battery 80.

(Processing procedure)
Next, the communication acquisition process procedure of the network adapter 70 will be described. The second control unit 72 enters from the start step of the communication processing procedure RT2 shown in FIG. 7 according to the communication processing program and proceeds to step SP20.

In step SP20, the second control unit 72 determines whether or not the second timer 76 is turned on.

If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP20, this indicates that it is the timing at which the field router 24 is activated. At this time, the second control unit 72 proceeds to step SP21.

In step SP21, the second control unit 72 activates the network adapter 70, that is, the third communication unit 74, and proceeds to step SP23.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP20, this indicates that it is not the timing at which the field router 24 is activated. At this time, the second control unit 72 proceeds to step SP22.

In step SP22, the second control unit 72 maintains a state where the power of the third communication unit 74 is turned off, and returns to step SP20. Thereafter, until the second timer 76 is turned on in step SP20, the second control unit 72 waits for the timing when the second timer 76 is turned on by repeating the processing loop of step SP20 and step SP22.

In step SP23, the second control unit 72 determines whether or not the second timer 76 is turned off.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP23, this indicates that the activation status of the field router 24 is maintained, and at this time, the second control unit 72 proceeds to step SP24.

On the other hand, if an affirmative result is obtained in step SP23, this means that it is the timing when the field router 24 has stopped, and at this time, the second control unit 72 proceeds to step SP22.

In step SP24, the second controller 72 determines whether or not a special command has been received from the field router 24.

Actually, before starting communication with the network adapter 70, the field router 24 automatically recognizes the communication protocol of the network adapter 70 as in the first embodiment. Specifically, the processing procedure of steps SP1 to SP5 of the automatic recognition processing procedure shown in FIG. 4 is performed. The field router 24 automatically recognizes the communication protocol of the network adapter 70 (third communication unit 74) provided in each data logger from a data logger group in which a plurality of data loggers having different communication protocols are mixed. Thereby, the field router 24 starts wireless communication with the network adapter 70.

If an affirmative result is obtained in step SP24, this indicates that there has been a charge amount acquisition request from the field router 24. At this time, the second control unit 72 proceeds to step SP25.

In step SP25, the second control unit 72 cuts off the communication circuit between the third communication unit 74 and the first control unit 32B, and communicates with the field router 24 via the third communication unit 74. And charging amount data of the second battery 80 is transmitted.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP24, this indicates that a charge amount acquisition request is not made from the field router 24, and at this time, the second control unit 72 proceeds to step SP26.

In step SP26, the second control unit 72 connects the communication circuit of the third communication unit 74 and the first control unit 32B, and returns to step SP23. At this time, the field router 24 can download the measurement data.
In practice, the field router 24 performs the processing procedure from step SP6 to step SP14 of the measurement data acquisition processing procedure shown in FIG. 4, and then returns to step SP1 to install not only the data logger 16B but also the surrounding area. Wireless communication with other data loggers (not shown) can be performed to sequentially download measurement data.

The second control unit 72 repeats the processing procedure from step SP23 to step SP26 until the second timer 76 is turned off.

(Operation and effect)
Next, operations and effects of the data logger 16B and the network adapter 70 configured as described above will be described.

In the case of this embodiment, the third communication unit 74 is not always activated, but is set to be activated in accordance with the activation timing of the field router 24.

The second timer 76 is set in the same manner as the timer 54 of the field router 24. Thereby, the network adapter 70 turns on the main power supply when the second control unit 72 receives the start signal from the second timer 76 at the timing when the main power supply of the field router 24 is turned on, and first starts the basic program. After that, the power source of the third communication unit 74 connected to the control bus 82 is turned on. The second control unit 72 connects a communication circuit between the third communication unit 74 and the first control unit 32B and receives the communication.

As described above, the network adapter 70 does not always activate the third communication unit 74 but activates it in accordance with the activation timing of the field router 24. Thereby, the field router 24 can more reliably download the measurement data accumulated in the data logger 16B via the third communication unit 74.
Further, the network adapter 70 stops the third communication unit 74 and enters the sleep mode while the field router 24 is not activated. For this reason, since the network adapter 70 can reduce the power consumption of the third communication unit 74, the electric energy generated by the second solar panel 78 can be more efficiently charged.

Next, when the second control unit 72 receives the special command from the field router 24, the second control unit 72 cuts off the communication circuit between the third communication unit 74 and the first control unit 32B, and the third communication unit 74 and the first control unit 32B. The communication circuit between the two control units 72 is connected. Thereby, the field router 24 can acquire the charge amount of the second battery via the third depth part 74.

Incidentally, since the data logger 16 of the first embodiment is directly connected to the solar panel and the third communication unit 74, when the power generation amount of the solar panel is reduced, such as when bad weather continues, There was a case where the communication unit 74 did not start. As described above, when the third communication unit 74 is not activated, there is a problem that the measurement data stored in the data logger 16 cannot be downloaded from the field router 24.

On the other hand, by providing the network adapter 70 in the data logger 16B as in the present embodiment, the electric energy generated by the second solar panel 78 can be charged in the second battery 80 in fine weather. Therefore, the network adapter 70 can activate the third communication unit 74 by using the electrical energy charged in the second battery 80 even in bad weather.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the

data loggers

16, 18, 20, 22 and the field router 24 are installed on a large-scale farm as the management range has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the A data logger and a field router may be installed in a water pipe or the like.

Further, although the case where the data logger group 14 is configured by the first to fourth four data loggers has been described, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this and may be less than four or more than four. .

In the above embodiment, the case where the measurement data accumulated in the data logger is uploaded to the server through the field router has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication unit mounted on the data logger can communicate. It is good also as acquiring measurement data directly from a data logger using the portable terminal provided with the 1st communication part. In this case, the mobile terminal includes an automatic recognition unit, and automatically recognizes unknown communication protocols of a plurality of data loggers in order, thereby establishing communication with each data logger and acquiring measurement data.

Claims

A first communication unit that communicates with a data logger group composed of a plurality of data loggers installed within a predetermined management range;
A second communication unit connected to the server via the network;
An automatic recognition unit having a storage unit storing communication protocol information of the data logger,
The storage unit has function information for each data logger,
The automatic recognition unit automatically transmits a plurality of commands to the data logger group, compares a response to the command with the function information, and specifies the data logger to automatically set the communication protocol of the data logger. Recognized,
A communication device that downloads measurement data stored in the data logger and uploads the measurement data to the server.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a timer that turns on the main power supply at a predetermined timing.
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit that displays an acquisition status of the measurement data after the download of the measurement data from the data logger is started.
Against the computer,
A step of automatically recognizing a communication protocol of a data logger group composed of a plurality of data loggers installed within a predetermined management range;
Connecting to the server via the network;
Downloading the measurement data stored in the data logger and uploading the measurement data to the server;
The step of automatically recognizing the communication protocol of the data logger transmits a plurality of commands to the data logger group collectively, compares the response to the command with function information stored in advance, and specifies the data logger. A communication processing program.
A first communication unit that communicates with a data logger group composed of a plurality of data loggers installed within a predetermined management range;
A second communication unit connected to the server via the network;
A communication device having an automatic recognition unit having a storage unit storing communication protocol information of the data logger;
The storage unit has function information for each data logger,
The automatic recognition unit collectively transmits a plurality of commands to the data logger group, compares a response to the command with the function information, and specifies the data logger, thereby determining a communication protocol of the data logger. Automatic recognition,
A monitoring system that downloads measurement data stored in the data logger and uploads the measurement data to the server.
The data logger includes a network adapter;
The network adapter is
A control unit;
A third communication unit communicating with the first communication unit;
A solar cell for supplying power to the control unit and the third communication unit;
A battery for charging the power generated by the solar cell,
The monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit activates the third communication unit in accordance with an activation time of the communication device.
The monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein the communication device and the network adapter include a timer that turns on a main power supply at the same timing.
Installed within the prescribed management range,
A control unit;
A sensor for acquiring environmental information within the management range;
A storage unit for storing environmental information acquired by the sensor as measurement data;
A network adapter having a third communication unit that communicates with a portable terminal that downloads measurement data stored in the storage unit;
The network adapter is
A control unit;
A solar cell for supplying power to the control unit and the third communication unit;
A battery for charging the power generated by the solar cell;
A data logger comprising a timer that turns on the main power supply at the same timing.
A first communication unit that communicates with a data logger group composed of a plurality of data loggers installed within a predetermined management range;
A portable terminal having an automatic recognition unit having a storage unit storing communication protocol information of the data logger;
The storage unit has function information for each data logger,
The automatic recognition unit collectively transmits a plurality of commands to the data logger group, compares a response to the command with the function information, and specifies the data logger, thereby determining a communication protocol of the data logger. Automatic recognition,
The data logger includes a network adapter;
The network adapter is
A control unit;
A third communication unit communicating with the first communication unit;
A solar cell for supplying power to the control unit and the third communication unit;
A battery for charging the power generated by the solar cell;
A monitoring system comprising a timer for turning on a main power supply at a predetermined timing.