JPH09311994A - Data collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] (Correction) [PROBLEMS] It took time to collect data from a sensor after the data collector irradiates light and the data transfer device operates. Moreover, it has been impossible to transmit a complicated signal or a long control signal at one time. A photoelectric converter 22d of a data transfer device 22 is constantly irradiated with light from a light irradiator 21d of a data collector 21 and converted into electric energy in a photoelectric converter 22d to a sensor 22e in the data transfer device. Supply power. The control signal output from the collection side processing unit 21a is
The optical signal transmitting unit 21b transmits the optical signal to the first optical signal receiving unit, the sensor side processing unit 22a inputs the control signal, processes the data from the sensor 22e, and outputs the optical signal from the second optical signal transmitting unit 22c. The second optical signal receiving unit 21c as an optical signal
And the collection side processing unit 21a can collect the data from the sensor 22e.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data collection system for remotely and wirelessly measuring the state of each device in a plant or the like by using a sensor and collecting data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a conventional data collection system shown in Japanese Patent Publication, which is separated into a data collection device 1 having a processing unit and a data transfer device 2 having a sensor. 3 is a processing unit of the data collection device 1, 4 is a driver connected to the processing unit 3,
5 is a first light emitter driven by the driver 4, and 6 is a first light emitter.
A lens attached to the light emitter 5 and light 7 generated from the first light emitter 5. Reference numeral 8 is a second light receiver for receiving the light 9 from the data transfer device 2, and 10 is a preamplifier between the second light receiver 8 and the processing unit 3. Further, 11 is a first light receiver for receiving the light 7, 12 is a decoder connected to the first light receiver 11, 13 is a battery for accumulating electric energy from the first light receiver 11, and 14 is controlled by the decoder 12. It is a switch. Reference numeral 15 is a sensor of the data transfer device 2, 16 is an encoder that encodes a signal from the sensor 15, and 17
Is a driver connected to the encoder 16, 18 is a second light emitter driven by the driver 17, and 19 is a second light emitter 1.
It is a lens attached to 8. Further, 20 is a diode connected to the battery 13.

In such a conventional data collecting system, the processing unit 3 of the data collecting apparatus 1 drives the driver 4 and the first light emitter 5. The light 7 from the first light emitter 5 is condensed by the lens 6 and converted into electric energy by the first light receiver 11 of the data transfer device 2. The electric energy is stored in the battery 13 through the diode 20. Next, when a start control signal is sent from the first light emitter 5, the decoder 12 turns on the switch 14 for a certain period of time, and the electric energy is supplied to the sensor 15, the encoder 16, and the encoder 15.
And to the driver 17. As a result, the sensor 1
5 is activated, the signal of the sensor 15 is coded by the encoder 16, and the second light emitter 18 is driven through the driver 17. The light 9 emitted from the second light emitter 18 is the lens 1
The second light receiver 8 is irradiated with light through 9. The signal from the second light receiver is converted into an electric signal by the preamplifier 10 and introduced into the processing unit 3, so that the processing unit 3 acquires the signal from the sensor 15 and performs a predetermined process corresponding to the content of the signal. I do.

[0004]

In the conventional data collection system as described above, the sensor operates after the light emitted from the data collection device is converted into electric energy and stored in the battery. It took time to transmit the control signal after irradiating light and to acquire the data from the sensor of the data transfer device. Also, since the power supply by light is not independent from the transmission and reception of control signals,
When transmitting a control signal, it is necessary to wait for light irradiation each time, and since the time to operate with one light irradiation is short, it is possible to efficiently send complicated signals such as designation of the operation target device and long control signals. There is a problem that the data cannot be transmitted to the data transfer device side.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to reduce the time from the irradiation of light from the data collection device to the operation of the data transfer device. It is what gets the collection system.
A second object is to obtain a data collection system capable of efficiently transmitting a complicated and long control signal from the data collection device to the data transfer device even by light.

[0006]

In a data collection system according to the present invention, a sensor for converting a physical quantity of a device state in a plant or the like into an electric signal, a sensor side optical signal transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving an optical signal, the sensor side A sensor side processing means for processing an electric signal from the sensor based on a signal from the optical signal transmitting / receiving means and outputting it to the sensor side optical signal transmitting / receiving means, and the sensor and the sensor side optical signal upon receiving light irradiation. An optical signal between a data transfer device having a photoelectric conversion means for supplying electric power to the transmission / reception means and the sensor side processing means, a light irradiation means for irradiating the photoelectric conversion means with light, and the sensor side optical signal transmission / reception means. Collecting side optical signal transmitting / receiving means for transmitting and receiving, and collecting processing for outputting the control signal to the collecting side optical signal transmitting / receiving means and processing the data received from the sensor side In which and a data collection device having a processing unit.

When there are a plurality of data transfer devices, I indicating the data transfer device is shown in the data transfer device.
It has a D code storage means.

Further, when there are a plurality of data transfer devices, I indicating the data transfer device is provided in the data transfer device.
The data transfer device has a D code storage means, and the selection ID code is input together with the control signal from the collection side optical signal transmission / reception means, and the ID code stored in the ID code storage means and the selection ID code are It has an ID code comparing means for determining whether or not they are the same.

Further, when a plurality of data transfer devices are present, the sensor side optical signal transmitting / receiving means in the data transfer device transmits narrow band optical signals each having a different central wavelength, and the collecting side light in the data collecting device is transmitted. The signal transmitting / receiving means selects the central wavelength of the optical signal to be received.

Further, the collecting side processing means in the data collecting device controls the light irradiating means to be turned on only when a signal is transmitted / received to / from the data transfer device.

Further, the spectral distribution of the irradiation light emitted from the light irradiation means has a narrow band, and the central wavelength is in the wavelength range which maximizes the conversion efficiency of the photoelectric conversion means.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows a data collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which optical signals are exchanged between a data collection device 21 and a data transfer device 22 as in the conventional case. The data collection device 21 is carried by an inspector in a plant, for example, and the first optical signal transmission unit 21
The collection side processing unit 21 that outputs a control signal to b and inputs the data obtained from the second optical signal receiving unit 21c to perform processing
a and a light irradiation unit 21d that irradiates the photoelectric conversion unit 22d of the data transfer device 22 with light. Light irradiation unit 21
As the d, for example, a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a metal halide lamp, a laser, a light emitting diode or the like is used. The data transfer device 22 is attached to, for example, each device of the plant, and includes the first optical signal receiving unit 22.
The sensor-side processing unit 22a that processes the signal from the sensor 22e corresponding to the control signal received in b and outputs the result to the second optical signal transmission unit 22c, and the photoelectric conversion unit 22d that converts the optical signal into electric power. And have. The sensor 22e includes, for example, acceleration, temperature, pressure, displacement, distance, humidity, speed, P
H, gas, illuminance sensor, microphone, IT
Various devices such as a V camera, an infrared camera, and a color camera convert an input physical quantity into an electric signal. Further, as the photoelectric conversion unit 22d, for example, a solar cell, a photodiode or the like is used. Reference numeral 23 denotes the photoelectric conversion unit 2 from the light irradiation unit 21d.
Light emitted to 2d, 24 is an optical signal transmitted from the first optical signal transmitter 21b to the first optical signal receiver 22b, and 25 is light from the second optical signal transmitter 22c to the second optical signal receiver 2.
It is an optical signal transmitted to 1c.

In the data collection system configured as described above, the light irradiation unit 21d irradiates the photoelectric conversion unit 22d with the light 23, and the photoelectric conversion unit 22d converts the light 23 into electric energy. This electric energy is supplied to the sensor side processing unit 22a, the first optical signal receiving unit 22b, the second optical signal transmitting unit 22c, and the sensor 22e. After that, the electric energy is always supplied to the data transfer device 22 side. Collection side processing unit 21a of the data collection device 21
First sends a start signal from the first optical signal transmitter 21b as an optical signal 24 to the first optical signal receiver 22b of the data transfer device 22. The sensor side processing unit 22a receives the start signal via the first optical signal receiving unit 22b, performs a predetermined process on the output signal from the sensor 22e, and then outputs the processing result data to the second optical signal transmitting unit 22c. . The second optical signal transmitter 22c sends the data as an optical signal 25 to the second optical signal receiver 21c of the data collection device 21. The collection side processing unit 21a acquires data via the second optical signal receiving unit 21c.

Thereafter, various control signals are output from the collection side processing unit 21a, and the sensor side processing unit 22a is connected to the sensor 22e.
The data from is subjected to processing according to each control signal and transmitted to the data collection device side. Although not shown, various controls can be performed by providing the data collection device 21 with a keypad, buttons, and the like so that control commands can be issued to the collection-side processing unit 21a. Further, if the data collection device 21 is provided with a display section for displaying the content of the control signal output from the collection side processing section 21a, the content of the collected data can be easily understood. As described above, since power is constantly supplied to the data transfer device side and optical signals such as control signals are transmitted and received at the same time as the power supply and on a separate route, the data transfer device irradiates the data transfer device with light. It is possible to shorten the time from the start of the operation of the data transfer device to the operation of the data transfer device, to transmit a complicated control signal or a long control signal at one time, and to efficiently collect various data.

Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, the power supply on the data collecting device side is performed from the outside, but by providing the battery 21e inside the data collecting device 21 as shown in FIG.
The portability is improved and work can be done efficiently.

Embodiment 3 In the first and second embodiments described above, the case where there is one data transfer device for one data collection device has been described.
A case where one data collection device collects data from a plurality of data transfer devices is shown. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the data collection system according to the present embodiment, and 22f is an ID code storage unit for outputting the ID code of the data transfer device 22 to the sensor side processing unit 22a. The other parts in the figure that are the same as or correspond to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the data collection system configured as described above, when the sensor side processing unit 22a performs a predetermined process on the output signal from the sensor 22e and sends the result to the second optical signal transmitting unit 22c, the ID code storage unit 22f. The ID code read from is also sent at the same time. Second optical signal transmitter 22
The processing result data and the ID code sent to c are the optical signal 2
5 is transmitted to the second optical signal receiving section 21c of the data collecting apparatus and is then transmitted to the collecting side processing section 21a. This allows
Since the collecting side processing unit 21a can identify which data transfer device the collected data is from by the ID code, it is not necessary for the inspector to visually check the data and the work efficiency can be improved.

Embodiment 4 Further, in the third embodiment, it is possible to identify which data transfer device the data is from, but it is not possible to select a specific data transfer device from the data collection device side to collect the data. The present embodiment shows an example in which a specific data transfer device can be selected from a plurality of data transfer devices by an ID code from the data collection device. In FIG. 4, 22g is the ID of the data transfer device read from the ID code storage unit 22f.
The code and the ID read from the first optical signal receiver 22b
An ID code comparison unit for comparing with a code. The other parts in the figure that are the same as or correspond to those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this form example, the collection side processing unit 21a, together with the control signal, is an ID code (referred to as a selection ID code) of the data transfer device that is the data collection target.
Is transmitted to the first optical signal receiver 22b as an optical signal 24 via the first optical signal transmitter 21b. ID code comparison unit 2
2g determines whether or not the ID code of the data transfer device read from the ID code storage unit 22f and the selection ID code read from the first optical signal receiving unit 22b are the same. The subsequent operation of the data transfer device is stopped. Therefore, the sensor side processing unit 22a uses the control signal sent to the first optical signal receiving unit 22c as in the above embodiment only when the ID code of the data transfer device and the selection ID code match. Depending on the sensor 2
The output signal from 2e is processed, and the processing result is sent to the second optical signal transmitter 22c. As described above, the data from the data transfer device selected on the data collecting device side can be surely collected, and there is no mistake in collecting unnecessary data.

Embodiment 5 Further, in the above third and fourth embodiments, the plurality of data transfer devices are identified by the ID code, but each data transfer device may be identified by the wavelength of the optical signal that can be transmitted and received. In FIG. 5, 21f has a narrow bandpass characteristic, and the wavelength selecting unit capable of selecting light according to the wavelength by changing the central wavelength of the bandpass characteristic, and 22h have a narrow wavelength characteristic. This is the second optical signal transmission unit, and the central wavelength of the emitted light is set to a different value for each data transfer device 22. Therefore, the emitted optical signal 26 has a narrow band wavelength characteristic. In the other parts of the figure, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. According to this embodiment, the wavelength selection unit 21f selects the center wavelength of the optical signal to be received, and if the wavelength of the optical signal 26 received from the second optical signal transmission unit 22h matches the preselected center wavelength. It is sent to the second optical signal receiver 21c.
If the selected center wavelength does not match the wavelength of the optical signal 26 received from the second optical signal transmitter 22h, the optical signal is blocked by the wavelength selector 21f. As described above, even when there are a plurality of data transfer devices, only the data from the desired data transfer device can be collected.

Embodiment 6 FIG. It should be noted that the first to the first embodiments
5, the light irradiation unit 21d is always the photoelectric conversion unit 22d.
Light is being radiated to, but as shown in FIG.
If the collection side processing unit 21a can control the turning on / off of the light, the power consumption of the data collecting apparatus can be saved. In this case, the collection side processing unit 21a may turn on the light irradiation unit 21d, transmit a control signal, and turn off the light immediately after acquiring the desired data.

Embodiment 7 Although the photoelectric conversion unit 22d directly supplies the electric energy to the sensor-side processing unit 22a and the like in the first to sixth embodiments, the converted electric energy may be temporarily stored. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, an electric energy storage unit 22i is provided to store the electric energy from the photoelectric conversion unit 22d, and the electric energy storage unit 22i stores the sensor side processing unit 22a, the first optical signal receiving unit 22b, and the first optical signal receiving unit 22b. 2 Electric energy is supplied to the optical signal transmitter 22c and the sensor 22e. A capacitor, a battery, or the like is used for the electric energy storage unit 22i. Thereby, for example, in a place exposed to light such as sunlight, the data transfer device can accumulate electric energy by itself, and can turn off the light irradiation from the data collection device to save power.

Embodiment 8. Further, in the sixth embodiment, the power consumption is saved by controlling the lighting of the light irradiation unit 21d, but the power consumption can also be saved by increasing the conversion efficiency of light to electric energy.
In FIG. 8, 21g is a light irradiation unit having a narrow band wavelength characteristic, and emits light 27. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing wavelength characteristics of the light irradiation unit 21g and the photoelectric conversion unit 22d. From the figure, it can be seen that the light intensity of the light irradiation unit 21g changes depending on the wavelength, and as a matter of course, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photoelectric conversion unit 22d becomes maximum when receiving light having a wavelength that maximizes the light intensity. I see. Therefore, if the light irradiation unit 21g irradiates the light 27 with the wavelength that maximizes the photoelectric conversion efficiency, the electric energy can be efficiently supplied.

[0022]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

Since the data transfer device is always irradiated with light and the electric energy is supplied and the control signal is transmitted and received individually, the data transfer device is operated after the data collector is irradiated with light. It is possible to shorten the time until, and it is possible to efficiently transmit complicated control signals and long control signals at one time.

Since the plurality of data transfer devices are identified by the ID code, it is not necessary for an inspector to visually check the data transfer devices, and the work efficiency can be improved.

Since the data transfer device as the object of data collection is selected by the ID code and the data is collected only when the data having the ID code is received, unnecessary data is not received.

Since the plurality of data transfer devices are identified by the wavelengths of the optical signals to be transmitted / received, data collection of a desired data transfer device can be easily performed.

Since the light is emitted from the data collection device to the data transfer device only when necessary, the power consumption can be saved.

Since the wavelength of the light emitted from the data collection device to the data transfer device is adjusted to the wavelength at which the photoelectric conversion efficiency is maximized, the electric energy can be efficiently supplied.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a data collection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a data collection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a data collection system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a data collection system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a data collection system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a data collection system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a data collection system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a data collection system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing wavelength characteristics of a light irradiation section and a photoelectric conversion section.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional data collection system.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 data collection device, 21a collection side processing unit, 21b
First optical signal transmitter, 21c Second optical signal receiver, 21c
d light irradiation unit, 21e battery, 21f wavelength selection unit, 2
1g light irradiation part (having a narrow band wavelength characteristic), 22
Data transfer device, 22a Sensor side processing unit, 22b First optical signal receiving unit, 22c Second optical signal transmitting unit, 22d
A photoelectric conversion unit, a 22e sensor, a 22f ID code storage unit, a 22g ID code comparison unit, a 22h second optical signal transmission unit (having a narrow band wavelength characteristic), and a 22i electric energy storage unit.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hajime Nakajima 2-3-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Sanryo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuo Takashima 2-3-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 3 Inside Ryo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A sensor for converting a physical quantity of a device state in a plant or the like into an electric signal, a sensor side optical signal transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving an optical signal, and the sensor based on the signal from the sensor side optical signal transmitting / receiving means. Sensor side processing means for processing the electric signal of the above and outputting it to the sensor side optical signal transmitting / receiving means, and supplying electric power to the sensor, the sensor side optical signal transmitting / receiving means and the sensor side processing means upon receiving light irradiation. A data transfer device having photoelectric conversion means, a light irradiation means for irradiating the photoelectric conversion means with light, a collection side optical signal transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving an optical signal to / from the sensor side optical signal transmission / reception means, and the collection side. A data collecting device having a collecting side processing means for outputting a control signal to the optical signal transmitting / receiving means and processing the data received from the sensor side. Data collection system. 2. When a plurality of data transfer devices are present, an ID indicating the data transfer device in the data transfer device.
The data collection system according to claim 1, further comprising a code storage means, wherein the ID code is transmitted to the data collection device side together with an optical signal from the sensor. 3. When a plurality of data transfer devices are present, an ID indicating the data transfer device in the data transfer device.
The data transfer device has code storage means, and the data transfer device inputs the selection ID code together with the control signal from the collection side optical signal transmission / reception means, and the ID stored in the ID code storage means.
The data collection system according to claim 1, further comprising ID code comparison means for determining whether or not the code and the selection ID code are the same. 4. When a plurality of data transfer devices are present, the sensor side optical signal transmitting / receiving means in the data transfer device transmits narrow band optical signals each having a different center wavelength, and the collecting side light in the data collecting device. 2. The data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmitting / receiving means selects the center wavelength of the optical signal to be received. 5. The collecting side processing means in the data collecting device comprises:
5. The data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiating means is controlled to be turned on only when a signal is transmitted / received to / from the data transfer device. 6. The spectrum distribution of the irradiation light emitted from the light irradiation means has a narrow band, and the central wavelength is in a wavelength range that maximizes the conversion efficiency of the photoelectric conversion means. 5. The data collection system according to any one of 5.