JP7193832B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology of a communication device that detects a current position, detects changes in the external environment, and communicates with the outside.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various technologies related to communication devices that are attached to a main body, detect the current position, detect changes in the external environment, and communicate with the outside are known.
Examples of the main body include buoys that float on the surface of the sea for a long time and are used as navigation aids, mooring aids, marine weather observations, and the like (see Patent Document 1). In addition, such a buoy includes a position detector for detecting the current position, a sensor unit for detecting changes in the external environment, a lighting device, a communication device, and electric power for performing various operations such as the sensor unit. and a battery (primary battery, secondary battery, etc.) to be supplied.
The position detector of the sensor detects the current position, and is composed of a GPS (Global Positioning System), a beacon, or the like.
The sensor unit of the buoy includes, for example, a hygrometer for detecting ambient temperature, a water level meter for detecting water level, and a wave height meter for detecting wave height.

JP-A-11-63984

However, in the buoy, power is consumed as various operations such as the position detector and the sensor continue for a long period of time. In such a case, if the battery is a primary battery, the buoy needs to be collected or replaced, and if the battery is a secondary battery, it must be charged. Become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and enables continuous detection of the current position by a position detector for a long period of time without requiring battery collection, replacement, or charging work. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device capable of continuously detecting changes in the external environment for a long time by means of a sensor unit.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above, and the means for solving the problems will now be described.

That is, according to claim 1, there is provided a communication device that is attached to an object to be attached and communicates information about the current position or information about changes in the external environment to the outside, wherein the object to be attached vibrates or shakes due to its own movement. It also vibrates or oscillates due to changes in the external environment. a control unit that transmits information or information about changes in the external environment detected by the sensor unit to the outside; a power generation unit that converts energy to generate power necessary for operating the position detector, the sensor unit, or the control unit, and the attachment object is a buoy, a lifebuoy, or a life jacket. The sensor unit is composed of one or more of a water level gauge and a wave height gauge, and the position detector continuously detects that the current position is out of a predetermined location a plurality of times. When it is detected, the control unit transmits information about the deviation of the current position from the predetermined location to the outside .

In claim 2, a battery that can be charged with the power generated by the power generation unit is provided .

As effects of the present invention, the following effects are obtained.
That is, according to the present invention, the current position can be continuously detected by the position detector 1 for a long period of time without requiring collection, replacement, or charging of the battery, and the sensor section can detect the current position continuously for a long period of time. Changes in the external environment can be continuously detected for a long period of time.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a power generation unit of the communication device as well.

Next, the communication device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained using FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

The communication device 100 is attached to an object to be attached (hereinafter referred to as "main body 10") and communicates information about the current position or information about changes in the external environment to the outside.
As shown in FIG. 1 , communication device 100 includes position detector 1 , sensor section 2 , control section 3 , power generation section 4 , and case section 5 .

The main body 10 vibrates or rocks due to its own motion, and also vibrates or rocks due to changes in the external environment. The main body 10 is composed of, for example, a buoy, a lifebuoy, a life jacket, pipes in a plant, or a case of an engine or a motor.

The position detector 1 detects the current position, and is configured by a GPS (Global Positioning System), a beacon, or the like. The position detector 1 is housed in the case portion 5 .

The sensor unit 2 detects changes in the external environment. The sensor section 2 is housed in the case section 5 .
The sensor unit 2 includes, for example, a thermometer that detects ambient temperature, a hygrometer that detects ambient humidity, a water level gauge that detects water level, a wave height gauge that detects wave height, a vibration meter that detects vibration, an altitude It consists of an altimeter, a sound sensor (microphone), an odor sensor, an illuminance sensor, a camera, etc.

For example, when the main body 10 is a buoy, a lifebuoy, or a life jacket, the sensor unit 2 is composed of one or more of a water level gauge, a wave height gauge, and a vibration gauge. In this case, the sensor unit 2 includes, in addition to any one or more of water level gauges, etc., one or more of thermometers, hygrometers, sound sensors, smell sensors, illuminance sensors, cameras, and the like. It can also consist of
Further, for example, when the main body 10 is a pipe of a plant or the like, or a case of an engine, a motor, or the like, the sensor section 2 is composed of a vibration meter. Further, in this case, in addition to the vibrometer, the sensor unit 2 includes one or more of a thermometer, a hygrometer, a water level gauge, a wave gauge, an altimeter, a sound sensor, an odor sensor, an illuminance sensor, a camera, and the like. It can also consist of

The control unit 3 controls various operations of the communication device 100 . The control unit 3 stores information on the current position detected by the position detector 1 and/or information on changes in the external environment detected by the sensor unit 2 (transmission information) in a storage device, and transmits the information to the outside wirelessly (such as the Internet). by satellite communication). The control section 3 is housed in the case section 5 .
The transmission information is information about the current position detected by the position detector 1 and/or information about changes in the external environment detected by the sensor unit 2, and includes temperature, humidity, water level, wave height, vibration (amplitude, vibration number, etc.), altitude, sound, smell, illuminance, or image, and information on the detection time.
The outside to which the control unit 3 communicates transmission information includes, for example, a remote communication base station or monitoring center, or a mobile information terminal.

The power generation unit 4 is an inertial force power generation device or a vibration power generation device configured to be able to convert vibration or rocking motion into electrical energy, It generates electric power (power supply) necessary for various operations and various operations of the main body 10 . The power generation unit 4 is configured to generate power when the main body 10 vibrates or rocks. The power generation section 4 is housed in the case section 5 . The power generation unit 4 does not impair the original function or operation of the main body 10 even if it is attached to or built into the main body 10 (for example, when the main body 10 is a lifebuoy, the main body 10 does not sink due to the weight of the power generation unit 4). It consists of relatively small items such as
The communication device 100 may include a secondary battery so that the secondary battery can be charged with the power generated by the power generation unit 4 .

The power generation unit 4 is, for example, of an electromagnetic induction type that generates power using a permanent magnet and a coil.
The power generation unit 4 configured in this way will be described. As shown in FIG. 2 , the power generation unit 4 includes a fixed portion 41 and a movable portion 42 , and when the body 10 vibrates or swings and inertial force acts, the movable portion 42 moves relative to the fixed portion 41 . Generate electricity by moving to The size of the power generation unit 4 is configured to be approximately 8 cm in the vertical direction. A fixed portion 41 of the power generation portion 4 includes a coil (not shown) and a coil case 43 that houses the coil, and is fixed to the case portion 5 . The movable portion 42 of the power generation portion 4 includes a resin frame 44 , a magnet (not shown), and a yoke 45 . A resin frame 44 of the movable portion 42 is movably inserted through the coil case 43 . The magnet of the movable portion 42 is housed in a housing hole 44 a formed in the resin frame 44 , and faces the coil when the resin frame 44 is inserted through the coil case 43 . A yoke 45 of the movable portion 42 is fixed to the resin frame 44 while contacting the magnet.
The power generation mechanism of the power generation unit 4 is not limited to the configuration described above, and may be configured to generate power by other methods (for example, a piezoelectric method, an electrostatic induction method, or the like).

As described above, in the communication device 100, the main body 10 is attached to the main body 10. The main body 10 vibrates or oscillates due to its own operation, and also vibrates or sways due to changes in the external environment. a sensor unit 2 for detecting a change in the external environment; information on the position detected by the position detector 1 and information on the change in the external environment detected by the sensor unit 2 (transmission information) are transmitted to the outside. and a power generation unit 4 that converts vibration or rocking into electrical energy to generate electric power necessary for the operation of the position detector 1, the sensor unit 2, or the control unit 3. Even if various operations are continued for a long period of time and power is consumed, the main body 10 vibrates or the like so that the power generation unit 4 generates the power necessary for the various operations. Therefore, according to the communication device 100, the current position can be continuously detected by the position detector 1 for a long period of time without requiring battery collection work, battery replacement work, charging work, or the like. The unit 2 can continuously detect changes in the external environment for a long period of time.

In addition, as described above, since the power generation unit 4 is configured with a relatively small size that does not impair the original functions and operations of the main body 10, the overall configuration does not increase in size, and the main body 10 can be The current position can be detected by the position detector 1 without impairing the function and operation of the device, and without the need for battery recovery work, or the sensor unit 2 can detect changes in the external environment continuously for a long time. A communication device 100 capable of sensing can be implemented.

Here, the buoy configured as the main body 10 is used for various purposes while floating on the surface of the sea for a long time. Buoys are used in a variety of applications such as, for example, navigation aids, mooring aids, or marine weather observations. Such buoys are equipped with lighting devices, wireless devices and the like. When the main body 10 is composed of such a buoy, the communication device 100 is arranged on or inside the main body 10 (buoy), and the power generated by the power generation section 4 of the communication device 100 powers the main body 10 (buoy). A lighting device etc. operate.

Also, the life vest configured as the main body 10 is a gas-filled vest for the user on or in the water to gain buoyancy. Life jackets are worn in advance by workers working on small ships or the like, and are also provided in advance on ships and the like, and are removed from the installation site at the time of use. When the main body 10 (life jacket) includes a lighting device, a wireless device, etc., the communication device 100 is arranged on the outer surface of the main body 10 (life jacket), and the power generated by the power generation unit 4 of the communication device 100 powers the main body 10 ( Life jacket) lighting device etc. operate.

Also, the lifebuoy configured as the main body 10 is a bladder filled with gas and used for lifesaving. Lifebuoys are preliminarily provided on ships and the like, and are removed from the place of installation at the time of use. When the main body 10 (lifebuoy) includes a lighting device, a wireless device, etc., the communication device 100 is arranged on the outer surface of the main body 10 (lifebuoy), and the power generated by the power generation unit 4 of the communication device 100 powers the main body 10 ( Lifebuoy) lighting device etc. will operate.

In addition, when the piping of a plant or the like configured as the main body 10 or the case of an engine or the like is provided with a lighting device, a wireless device, or the like, or a speaker device that emits sound, the communication device 100 is mounted on the outer surface of the main body 10. The lighting device and the like of the main body 10 are operated by electric power generated by the power generation unit 4 of the communication device 100 .

The position detector 1, the sensor unit 2, or the control unit 3, when the operation of the main body 10 is started (for example, when the operation switch of the main body 10 is turned on), when the main body 10 is a lifebuoy, the installation location When the main body 10 is removed from the life jacket or put on the user if the body 10 is a life jacket), it begins to operate.
Since the position detector 1, the sensor unit 2, or the control unit 3 starts operating when the main body 10 starts operating in this manner, the position detector 1 and the like start operating only when necessary. With this configuration, power consumption due to various operations of the position detector 1 and the like can be suppressed.

If it is not necessary to constantly detect the current position or constantly detect changes in the external environment, the position detector 1 detects the current position when a predetermined condition (detection condition) is satisfied, Alternatively, the sensor unit 2 may be configured to detect changes in the external environment.
The predetermined condition for the position detector 1 to detect the current position or for the sensor unit 2 to detect a change in the external environment is, for example, every predetermined time (for example, every few minutes or every few hours). . When configured in this way, for example, when the main body 10 is a buoy, a lifebuoy, or a life jacket, the position detector 1 detects the current position every minute, or the sensor unit 2 detects the current position. Detect changes in the external environment.
Predetermined conditions for the sensor unit 2 to detect changes in the external environment may be set by the operator.
Thus, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the position detector 1 detects the current position, or the sensor unit 2 detects changes in the external environment, so the position detector 1 detects the current position. Alternatively, power consumption due to the operation of the sensor unit 2 to detect changes in the external environment can be suppressed.

If it is not necessary for an external person to always know (not need to notify) the current position detected by the position detector 1 or the change in the external environment detected by the sensor unit 2, a predetermined condition (transmission condition) is satisfied, the control unit 3 may transmit the transmission information to the outside.
As a predetermined condition for the control unit 3 to transmit the transmission information to the outside, for example, every predetermined time (for example, every few minutes or every few hours). When configured in this manner, for example, when the main body 10 is a buoy, the control unit 3 transmits transmission information to the outside every 10 minutes.
Predetermined conditions for the control unit 3 to transmit transmission information to the outside include, for example, when the current position detected by the position detector 1 is outside a predetermined location, or when the external environment detected by the sensor unit 2 , when the value for the change is higher or lower than a predetermined threshold. When configured in this manner, for example, when the main body 10 is a buoy, the control unit 3 transmits transmission information to the outside when the buoy is drifted farther than a predetermined location. Further, for example, when the main body 10 is a lifebuoy or a life jacket, the control unit 3 transmits the transmission information to the outside when the main body 10 is used and separated from the installation location. Further, for example, when the main body 10 is a pipe of a plant or the like, when the value detected by the sensor unit 2 (vibration meter) indicates that the pipe of the plant or the like is abnormally vibrating, the control unit 3 transmits Send information externally. Further, for example, when the main body 10 is composed of a case of an engine, a motor, etc., when the value detected by the sensor unit 2 (thermometer) indicates that the temperature of the case of the engine, the motor, etc. is abnormal, The control unit 3 transmits the transmission information to the outside.
The control unit 3 can also allow the operator to set the predetermined conditions for transmitting the transmission information to the outside.
In this way, since the control unit 3 transmits the transmission information to the outside when the predetermined condition is satisfied, it is possible to suppress the power consumption due to the operation of transmitting the transmission information of the control unit 3 to the outside.

When the current position detected by the position detector 1 deviates from a predetermined location a plurality of times in a row, or when the value related to changes in the external environment detected by the sensor unit 2 is higher than a predetermined threshold value a plurality of times in a row. Alternatively, the control unit 3 may be configured to transmit the transmission information to the outside when it is low.
With this configuration, when the current position detected by the position detector 1 deviates from a predetermined position due to a malfunction or an erroneous detection, or when the value related to the change in the external environment detected by the sensor unit 2 is not a predetermined value. Transmitted information can be prevented from being transmitted if it falls above or below the threshold.

The power generation unit 4 can also be configured to perform a power generation operation when a predetermined condition (power generation condition) is satisfied (when power generation is required). As the predetermined condition, for example, various operations of the main body 10 or the communication device 100 (operations of the position detector 1, the sensor unit 2, or the control unit 3) are being performed, or the battery voltage is a predetermined value. There are things such as the following.
In this way, by configuring the power generation unit 4 to perform the power generation operation when a predetermined condition is satisfied (when necessary), deterioration due to use is suppressed, and the communication device 100 can be used continuously for a long period of time. can do.

The transmission information can include information about various states of the communication device 100 in addition to information about the current position detected by the position detector 1 and information about changes in the external environment detected by the sensor unit 2 . Information about the state of the communication device 100 includes, for example, information about whether the position detector 1, the sensor unit 2, the power generation unit 4, or the like is operating normally or abnormally. Further, for example, the information about the state of the communication device 100 includes information about the remaining battery level for the communication device 100 to operate. As for the abnormal operation of the position detector 1, for example, the operation of detecting the current position by the position detector 1 may not be performed normally. As for the abnormal operation of the sensor unit 2, for example, the operation of detecting the external environment by the sensor unit 2 may not be performed normally. Alternatively, the abnormal operation of the power generation unit 4 includes, for example, that the power generation unit 4 does not perform power generation operation, or that the power generation amount of the power generation unit 4 is lower or higher than a predetermined value.
By configuring in this way, it is possible to inform the outside that the communication device 100 needs to be repaired and inspected in addition to the periodic inspection.

In addition, in the communication device 100, the position detector 1, the sensor section 2, the power generation section 4, and/or the control section 3 may be integrally configured (for example, a vibration power generation body with a beacon).
Further, in the communication device 100, at least one of the position detector 1, the sensor section 2, the power generation section 4, and the control section 3 may be provided in the main body 10 instead of being housed in the case section 5. .
Further, the communication device 100 may be configured such that the position detector 1 , the sensor section 2 , the power generation section 4 , and the control section 3 are provided in the main body 10 without the case section 5 .
In addition, the communication device 100 can be configured to be able to set various operations of the communication device 100 (various operations of the position detector 1, the sensor unit 2, the control unit 3, or the power generation unit 4) from the outside via radio. can also

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 position detector 2 sensor section 3 control section 4 power generation section 5 case section 10 main body 100 communication device

Claims (2)

A communication device that is attached to an object and communicates information about the current position or information about changes in the external environment to the outside,
The object to be attached vibrates or oscillates due to its own motion or vibrates or oscillates due to changes in the external environment, and a position detector for detecting a current position;
a sensor unit that detects changes in the external environment;
a control unit that transmits information about the current position detected by the position detector or information about changes in the external environment detected by the sensor unit to the outside;
Electric power necessary for operating the position detector, the sensor unit, or the control unit by converting the vibration or rocking into electric energy, which vibrates or rocks when the object to be attached vibrates or rocks. and a power generation unit that generates the
The attachment object is composed of a buoy, a lifebuoy, or a life jacket,
The sensor unit is composed of one or more of a water level gauge or a wave height gauge,
When the position detector continuously detects that the current position is deviated from a predetermined location a plurality of times, the control unit transmits information about the deviation of the current position from the predetermined location to the outside. Communication device. A battery that can be charged with the power generated by the power generation unit is provided,
A communication device according to claim 1 .

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