MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING OUTPUT OF SENSOR IN MEASUREMENT DEVICE

Provided is a measurement device capable of reducing the complexity related to installation of sensors for various measurements or the burden related to the expertise required for installation of sensors for various measurements, and achieving a reduction in sensor settings by a user. A measurement device includes: one or more sensors; a signal processor configured to process an output signal of the sensor; and a connector unit interposed between the sensor and the signal processor and configured to connect the sensor and the signal processor. Pins of the connector unit include a plurality of identification pins for identification of the sensor, and each of the plurality of identification pins is short-circuited using a short-circuit pattern that corresponds to a type of the sensor and/or a type of a communication protocol of the sensor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a measurement device and a method for transmitting sensor output in the measurement device.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there has been proposed an environmental information acquisition device (10), which is convenient and expensive and is used for applications such as agriculture. As the environmental information acquisition device, there is known a device including: an environmental information acquisition unit (11) that communicates with an environmental sensor (20) configured to include one or more sensors to acquire environmental information; a storage unit (12) that stores the environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit; and a transmission processing unit (11) that transmits the environmental information stored in the storage unit to the outside (e.g., see Patent Document 1).

Also, an environmental measurement device that corrects a difference in measurement time among various types of environmental data has been proposed. As the environmental measurement device, there is known a device including: a plurality of environmental sensors (S1to Sn) that respectively detect a plurality of types of environmental information; conversion units (C1to Cn) that are provided for the respective environmental sensor and convert the detection signals of the respective environmental sensors into predetermined environmental data; and a processor (P) that collects the environmental data from each of the conversion units and transmits the collected environmental data to a management device (KS) at a remote location via a communication network (N). The processor collects environmental data with the same time by providing common time information to each of the conversion units simultaneously (e.g., see Patent Document 2).

In recent years, environmental information acquisition devices and environmental measurement devices (hereinafter simply referred to as “measurement devices”) that enable environmental measurement using one or more sensors, as described in the above patent documents, have become widespread. The environmental devices as described above are often required to be configured such that the sensor matches a device to which the sensor is connected, such as a signal processor (or sensor adapter). Ideally, the matching of the sensor with the device to which the sensor is connected is easy for the user of the measurement device.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. Regarding the measurement device as described above, it is the ultimate purpose of the present invention to provide a measurement device that reduces the complexity related to installation of sensors for various measurements or the burden related to the expertise required for installation of sensors for various measurements.

Means for Solving the Problems

The present invention for solving the above problems is a measurement device including:one or more sensors;a signal processor configured to process an output signal of the sensor; anda connector unit interposed between the sensor and the signal processor and configured to connect the sensor and the signal processor.

Pins of the connector unit include a plurality of identification pins for identification of the sensor, and each of the plurality of identification pins is short-circuited using a short-circuit pattern that corresponds to a type of the sensor and/or a type of a communication protocol of the sensor.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily recognize, in the signal processor, which type is connected to which and to the signal processor, based on the short-circuit patterns of the plurality of identification pins. It is thus possible to reduce the complexity of installation work by an operator installing the sensor in the measurement device or the burden related to the expertise required for installation of sensors for various measurements.

Further, in the present invention, the sensor may be capable of acquiring measurement data, and the measurement device may include a communication unit configured to transmit the output signal processed by the signal processor. Thereby, it is possible to transmit the measurement data acquired by the sensor to a remote computing device and process the measurement data. The remote computing device may be a personal computer (PC) or a server connected via wireless communication or a wired network. In the remote computing device, the measurement data acquired by the sensor may be visualized to facilitate the management of the site of work by the operator.

Further, in the present invention, the signal processor may be configured to be applicable to a communication standard of the sensor connected, and a signal compliant with the communication standard may be assigned to a pin other than the identification pin in the connector unit. This makes it possible to selectively use some pins of the connector unit for identifying the sensor and the communication protocol, and the remaining pins for exchanging signals according to the communication standard of the sensor. Note that the communication standard here corresponds to a hard interface (IF) of each sensor.

Further, in the present invention, the signal processor may be configured to be applicable to a communication standard of the sensor connected, and the identification pin in the connector unit may be also used for exchanging a signal compliant with the communication standard. Thereby, the number of pins required for the measurement device is reduced, and a reduction in size and weight of the measurement device can be achieved.

Further, in the present invention, the communication standard of the sensor may be RS485. This enables the sensor and the signal processor to communicate using general-purpose RS485. As a result, more types of sensors can be connected.

Further, in the present invention, one type of the communication protocol may be MODBUS RTU. Due to good transmission efficiency of MODBUS RTU, it is possible to quickly and accurately transmit the output information of the short-circuit pattern of each of the plurality of identification pins to the information processor.

Further, the present invention may be a method for transmitting sensor output in a measurement device that includes one or more sensors, and a signal processor configured to process an output signal of the sensor, the method including identifying a type of the sensor in the signal processor by short-circuiting one of output lines of the sensor, using a short-circuit pattern that corresponds to the type of the sensor and/or a type of a communication protocol of the sensor.

Note that means for solving the above problems can be used in combination as much as possible.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, in the measurement device, it is possible to reduce the complexity of installation work by an operator installing the sensor or the burden related to the expertise required for installation of sensors for various measurements. As a result, it becomes easier to install the sensor in the measurement device.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Application Example

In the present application example, a measurement device equipped with an automatic recognition connector including a pin for identifying an environmental sensor will be described. The measurement device according to the present application example is a device used in agriculture to measure environmental parameters that affect agriculture and calculate an index. However, the measurement device in the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG.1is a schematic view illustrating an example of a measurement device1to which the present invention can be applied. The measurement device1in the present application example includes: a plurality of environmental sensors2; a plurality of sensor adapters3, each connected to its corresponding one of the plurality of environmental sensors2; a communication module6that is connected to a battery4and transmits a signal to a network in which a cloud service5is deployed; and an automatic recognition connector7interposed between the environmental sensor2and the sensor adapter3to enable connection therebetween. The environmental sensor2in the present application example can acquire various measurement data by using a plurality of sensors. The environmental sensor2includes, for example, a weather sensor2arelated to measurement of weather, a soil moisture sensor2brelated to measurement of a moisture content of soil, and a water level sensor2crelated to measurement of a water level.

A plurality of pins are incorporated in the automatic recognition connector7. Some of the plurality of pins are a group of pins for identifying the environmental sensor2, and are short-circuited using a short-circuit pattern that corresponds to the type of the environmental sensor2connected to the sensor adapter3. The plurality of pins also include a group of pins for transmitting the output signal of the environmental sensor2from the automatic recognition connector7to the sensor adapter3.FIG.2andFIG.3illustrate details of the plurality of pins incorporated in the automatic recognition connector7.

InFIG.1, the sensor adapter3automatically recognizes the type of the environmental sensor2connected to the sensor adapter3, using a short-circuit pattern of pins for identifying the environmental sensor2in the automatic recognition connector7. The circuit of the sensor adapter3includes a signal processor8in addition to a surge suppression integrated circuit (IC)3aand an isolator3b. The output signal of the environmental sensor2is adjusted in a processable manner in the circuit of the sensor adapter3and transmitted to the communication module6. The communication module6wirelessly communicates the output signal of the environmental sensor2, which has been adjusted in a processable manner, to the cloud service5, using an antenna attached to the communication module6. Calculation processing is applied to environmental parameters, obtained from the environmental sensor2, in the cloud service5. In this way, an index of the environmental parameter is obtained, and the index is visualized in the cloud service5. Visualizing the index makes it easier to manage the agricultural field.

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example of the present invention being applied for agricultural use as an environmental control device will be described. However, the present invention may be applied to other uses, such as factory automation (FA) in a factory. Note that the measurement device according to the present invention is not intended to be limited to the following configuration.

Here, the description returns toFIG.1. As described above, the output signal obtained from the environmental sensor2is transmitted to the network (cloud), in which the cloud service5is deployed, via the automatic recognition connector7, the sensor adapter3, and the communication module6. The cloud service5performs processing for visualizing the information on the environmental parameters and provides the information to a user. Regarding the serial communication standard between the environmental sensor2and the sensor adapter3, the sensor adapter3is created depending on the hard IF of each environmental sensor2. In the measurement device1according to the first embodiment, the hard IF of the sensor adapter3corresponds to RS485. Note that the serial communication standard may be other than RS485.

The length of the output line between each environmental sensor2and the automatic recognition connector7may be, for example, about 10 m. The length of the output line between the automatic recognition connector7and the sensor adapter3may be, for example, about 5 cm. The communication standard from the communication module6to the cloud is, for example, NBIoT, CAT.M1, or the like. Note that the information may be transmitted from the communication module6to the cloud service5via wired communication or wireless communication. Here, the environmental sensor2corresponds to a sensor in the present invention.

The communication module6particularly corresponds to a communication unit in the present invention. The automatic recognition connector7corresponds to a connector unit in the present invention. In the embodiment, the signal output from the environmental sensor2and adjusted by the sensor adapter3is transmitted via wireless communication by the communication module6to a PC or a server operating in the cloud service5. However, the signal may be directly transmitted from the sensor adapter3to the PC or the server in a wired manner.

FIG.2is an explanatory diagram of the signal assignment of a plurality of pins incorporated in the automatic recognition connector7of the measurement device1in the first embodiment. The automatic recognition connector7in the first embodiment includes eight pins, which will be described below as Pins1to8. Eight pins are connected to the sensor adapter3through the output lines, and Pins2and3are assigned to exchange output information between the environmental sensor2and the sensor adapter3.

More specifically, Pin2is a pin that enables transmission of a command signal, after being processed in the sensor adapter3, from the PC or the server in the cloud service5to the environmental sensor2. Pin3receives the output signal of the environmental sensor2. Note that “TxD” illustrated inFIG.2indicates that the pin is a terminal for transmitting data to the environmental sensor2. In addition, “RxD” represents that the pin is a terminal for receiving data from the environmental sensor2. Further, “Y” and “Z” illustrated inFIG.2indicate that the respective pins are connected to the driver of the inversion output and the non-inversion output in the sensor adapter3. Pin1is a pin connected to a power supply, and Pin4is a pin connected to a ground G.

Among the eight pins, Pins5to8are used as a group of pins for identifying the environmental sensor2connected to the sensor adapter3. Pin8is a pin connected to the ground G. The measurement device1can be connected to both a MODBUS RTU-compatible environmental sensor which is a type of communication protocol, and a MODBUS RTU-incompatible environmental sensor (FIG.2illustrates an environmental sensor A, an environmental sensor B, and an environmental sensor C). The manner in which Pins5to8automatically recognize the environmental sensor2varies depending on whether the target of automatic recognition is the MODBUS RTU-compatible environmental sensor or the MODBUS RTU-incompatible environmental sensor.

In the embodiment, in a case where the target of the automatic recognition is the MODBUS RTU-compatible environmental sensor, Pins5to8of the automatic recognition connector7are short-circuited using a common short-circuit pattern. The common short-circuit pattern indicates that Pins5and8are short-circuited inFIG.2. In other words, when Pins5and8are short-circuited, it is automatically recognized that the sensor is the MODBUS RTU-compatible environmental sensor. In a case where the target of the automatic recognition is the MODBUS RTU-incompatible environmental sensor, a short-circuit pattern has been determined for Pins5to8according to the type of environmental sensor, and the type of MODBUS RTU-incompatible environmental sensor is recognized using this short-circuit pattern.

For example, inFIG.2, when Pins6and8are short-circuited, it is automatically recognized that the connected sensor is the environmental sensor A. Here, a different IP address has been assigned to each of the environmental sensor A, the environmental sensor B, and the environmental sensor C. For example, a communication protocol unique to a manufacturer of each sensor may be used. The functions of Pin1to Pin8and the short-circuit pattern are not limited to those illustrated inFIG.2, and the number of pins is not limited to eight. As illustrated inFIG.2, in the embodiment, seven sensor adapters3are provided, and seven types of environmental sensors2can be connected. However, the number of sensor adapters3and the number of connectable environmental sensors2are not limited thereto.

InFIG.2, Pins5to8are pins that recognize the type of environmental sensor. However, in addition to being pins that recognize the type of environmental sensor, these pins may be shared with pins that exchange signals, such as Pins2and3. In this case, the timing for identifying the sensor and the timing for exchanging signals may be switched in time. At this time, the pins that are used may be enabled, and the pins that are not used may be disabled by bringing the pins into a high impedance state.

FIG.3is a functional block diagram illustrating the functions of the measurement device1in the first embodiment. As described above, in the measurement device1, the environmental sensor2is connected to the sensor adapter3through the output lines via the eight pins incorporated in the automatic recognition connector7. InFIG.3, the output lines connected by Pins2and3pass through the surge suppression IC3aand the isolator3bin the sensor adapter3. The surge suppression IC3asuppresses an abnormally high voltage, which is generated instantaneously, and protects a circuit in the measurement device1including the sensor adapter3. The isolator3binsulates noise generated in the circuit in the sensor adapter3.

The output line connected by Pin1is connected to the power supply (not illustrated), and is connected to the ground G via an electrostatic discharge (ESD) suppressor3c, thereby protecting the sensor adapter3and the connected environmental sensor2from static electricity. As also illustrated inFIG.2, Pins5to8are short-circuited using a short-circuit pattern that corresponds to the type of the environmental sensor2.FIG.3is an example of the measurement device1in which Pins5and8are short-circuited, and according to the example illustrated inFIG.2, the environmental sensor2is recognized as being compatible with MODBUS RTU.

The output signals output from Pin2, Pin3, and Pins5to8are finally processed by the signal processor8. Thereafter, as described above, the output signals are transmitted to the PC or the server in the cloud service5via wireless communication by the communication module6, and subjected to signal processing. Even if a surge or noise that is instantaneously generated is included, when little influence is exerted on the function of the signal processor8, the surge suppression IC3aor the isolator3bis not necessarily required. In that case, the sensor adapter3corresponds to a signal processor in the present invention. The short-circuit pattern in the automatic recognition connector7may be set for each type of sensor or for each type of communication protocol.

To enable a comparison between the constituent elements of the present invention and the configurations of the embodiments, the constituent elements of the present invention will be described below with reference signs in the drawings.

A measurement device (1) including:one or more sensors (2);a signal processor (8) configured to process an output signal of the sensor; anda connector unit (7) interposed between the sensor and the signal processor and configured to connect the sensor and the signal processor,in which pins of the connector unit include a plurality of identification pins for identification of the sensor, and each of the plurality of identification pins is short-circuited using a short-circuit pattern that corresponds to a type of the sensor and/or a type of a communication protocol of the sensor.

A method for transmitting sensor output in a measurement device (1) that includesone or more sensors (2), anda signal processor (8) configured to process an output signal of the sensor,the method includingidentifying a type of the sensor in the signal processor by short-circuiting one of output lines of the sensor, using a short-circuit pattern that corresponds to the type of the sensor and/or a type of a communication protocol of the sensor.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS