Signal transmission device

Abstract

To enable communication using scaffolding as a transmission medium through a signal transmission device.SOLUTION: The signal transmission device uses, as a communication signal transmission medium, a steel pipe that is a scaffolding component and placed vertically to the ground. A modulator is provided to contact the steel pipe. The modulator converts communication signals within the scaffolding and communication signals of other standards bidirectionally. Accordingly, the scaffolding can be used also as a communication medium in addition to the original function for workers working at a construction site.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a signal transmission device. [Background technology]

[0002] Advances in IT technology have led to the use of various IT tools at construction sites (hereafter, construction sites are also referred to as construction sites). When building a communication environment at a construction site, it is possible to use wireless LAN (Local Area Network) devices, but installing base stations on the ground floor poses problems such as wireless signals having difficulty propagating upwards, making it difficult to connect at high altitudes. In addition, installing wireless LAN cables also poses problems such as exposure to wind and rain, making them prone to breakage.

[0003] From the viewpoint of using a medium installed for another purpose as a communication medium, for example, there is Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of using an existing metal pipe as a communication medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-292359 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 1 is an example of applying an existing metal pipe to use as a communication medium, but at construction sites, scaffolding made of metal pipes is installed. Therefore, if scaffolding can be used as a communication medium at construction sites, it becomes possible to use almost all equipment installed at construction sites for another purpose, such as a communication medium. It is possible to build a simple and stable communication environment at construction sites while solving the problems of wireless LAN, such as difficulty in connecting at high places, and LAN cables, such as cables that are easily cut.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide a signal transmission device that utilizes scaffolding as a communication medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the signal transmission device of the present disclosure uses a steel pipe, which is a component of the scaffolding and is installed vertically to the ground, as a transmission medium for communication signals, and is equipped with a modulator in contact with the steel pipe, which converts communication signals within the scaffolding and communication signals of other standards into each other. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, scaffolding set up for work at a construction site can be used not only as a scaffolding for craftsmen to work on, but also as a communication medium for building a communication environment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a signal transmission device 10. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a basic configuration of a modulator 100. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a steel pipe 200. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection portion of a steel pipe. [Diagram 5] A diagram showing the connection between a steel pipe 200 and a handrail 300. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of the formation of a communication path. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example in which two wires are used as a transmission medium for communication signals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present disclosure described in the claims. In addition, not all components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present disclosure.

[0011] When constructing a LAN (Local Area Network) environment, it is common to use routers, switching hubs, Ethernet cables, etc. Recently, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) communication, which does not require laying wired Ethernet cables, is often used. In this case, wireless LAN communication is carried out using a wireless LAN router master, slave, repeater, etc. that conforms to the Wi-Fi standard. Furthermore, PLC (Power Line Communications) communication, which communicates using already installed power lines, is sometimes used.

[0012] In the present invention, when constructing a LAN environment, communication is performed using scaffolding that has already been set up for work at a construction site, and for this purpose, equipment is used to modulate and demodulate signals between standardized general-purpose communication methods such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and communication within the scaffolding. Since the scaffolding is not a transmission medium specialized for communication and is greatly affected by noise, a unique communication method is used within the scaffolding to modulate and demodulate communication signals, thereby achieving communication connected to other general-purpose communication methods.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a signal transmission device 10. The signal transmission device 10 is made up of a modulator 100 and a platform that serves as a transmission path for a signal.

[0014] In Fig. 1, an example is shown in which the components for constructing a scaffold are a steel pipe 200 installed vertically to the ground and a handrail 300 installed horizontally to the ground and connected to the steel pipe. In addition to the handrail 300, the equipment installed horizontally to the ground and connected to the steel pipe may be composed of scaffolding boards, reinforcing materials, etc. Also, the scaffold may be composed of the steel pipe 200 installed vertically to the ground and the handrail 300 installed horizontally to the ground, as well as fastening metal fittings, base metal fittings, braces, etc.

[0015] The modulator 100 is installed in contact with the path of communication within the scaffolding, such as a steel pipe 200 and / or a handrail 300, and is connected to information and communication devices in the office that comply with other standards such as Ethernet, Internet lines, information and communication devices used by workers, etc.

[0016] (Configuration of Modulator 100) The modulator 100 serves as a modulator / demodulator for mutually modulating and demodulating communication signals of other standards such as Ethernet and communication signals for intra-scaffolding communication (hereinafter, communication methods of other standards will be expressed as a representative Ethernet). The modulator 100 is connected to a steel pipe 200 and / or a handrail 300 on the scaffolding side and to an Ethernet cable on the Ethernet side, converting Ethernet communication signals into intra-scaffolding communication signals and, conversely, converting intra-scaffolding communication signals into Ethernet communication signals.

[0017] 2 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of the modulator 100. The modulator 100 includes a processor 110, a memory 120, a platform side communication IF 130, and an Ethernet side communication IF 140.

[0018] The processor 110 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, a register, a peripheral circuit, etc. The memory 120 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the programs, etc., and is realized by a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The scaffolding side communication IF 130 is an interface for the modulator 100 to transmit and receive signals flowing within the scaffolding and to communicate with another modulator 100. The Ethernet side communication IF 140 is an interface for transmitting and receiving signals to communicate with an external device that complies with Ethernet.

[0019] The modulator 100 converts the Ethernet communication signal into an intra-scaffolding communication signal as follows: The modulator 100 modulates the signal received from the Ethernet side communication IF 140 by the processor 110 using a program read from the memory 120, and transmits the signal from the scaffolding side communication IF 130.

[0020] The modulator 100 converts the signal for intra-scaffolding communication into an Ethernet communication signal as follows: The modulator 100 demodulates the signal received from the scaffolding side communication IF 130 by the processor 110 using a program read from the memory 120, and transmits the signal from the Ethernet side communication IF 140.

[0021] The specific modulation method of the modulator 100 may be a conventional method for modulating an Ethernet communication signal into an intra-scaffolding communication signal, such as Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), Phase Shift Keying (PSK), Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), or the like.

[0022] The modulator 100 may further combine secondary modulation means such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Direct Sequence (DS), Frequency Hopping (FH), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) to achieve high-speed communication, thereby achieving high speed and resistance to noise.

[0023] The specific demodulation method of the modulator 100, that is, when demodulating an intra-scaffolding communication signal into an Ethernet communication signal, is to perform demodulation processing by performing an inverse conversion method similar to the method used for modulation, thereby performing demodulation processing of the communication signal.

[0024] Since the signal transmission device 10 also uses the scaffolding as a transmission path, it is often difficult to achieve the same transmission efficiency for the scaffolding as an Ethernet cable designed specifically for communication. Therefore, by using a communication method for scaffolding within the scaffolding via the modulator 100, it is possible to realize communication using the scaffolding, improve robustness against noise, and realize stable communication.

[0025] (How to build a physical communication path) 3 shows the structure of a steel pipe 200 that is installed vertically to the ground. The steel pipe 200 is constructed to a desired height by combining members having a shape such as a steel pipe 201 having a certain length. That is, the steel pipe 200 is constructed by combining a plurality of individual steel pipes 201, and the upper part of one individual steel pipe 201 is connected to the lower part of another individual steel pipe 201, so that the steel pipes 200 are joined together and fixed in place. By increasing the number of these individual steel pipes 201, it is possible to increase the height of the steel pipe 200.

[0026] When constructing a signal path within the scaffolding using the steel pipes 200, individual steel pipes 201 are simply combined. Steel pipes are generally made of iron from the viewpoint of strength, and therefore have electrical conductivity. Therefore, by combining individual steel pipes 201, it is possible to form a transmission path for communication signals.

[0027] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a connection part of a steel pipe 200. In the case where a signal path is not constructed within the scaffolding, an insulating part 202 is provided when individual steel pipes 201 are combined. The material of the insulating part 202 may be a material with zero or extremely low conductivity, such as rubber. In this way, by providing the insulating part 202, it is possible to construct a path for transmitting communication signals.

[0028] 5 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of a portion connecting a steel pipe 200 and a handrail 300. The steel pipe 200 has a wedge receiving portion 203. The handrail 300 has a wedge portion 302 in addition to a main body portion 301, and the wedge receiving portion 203 of the steel pipe 200 and the wedge portion 302 of the handrail 300 are connected to each other, so that the steel pipe 200 and the handrail 300 are stably connected to each other.

[0029] When a communication path is formed, the steel pipe 200 and the handrail 300 are combined as usual. On the other hand, when a communication path is not formed, it is advisable to provide an insulating section by covering the portion of the wedge receiving portion 203 that contacts the wedge portion 302 with an insulator. Alternatively, an insulating section may be provided by covering the portion of the wedge portion 302 that contacts the wedge receiving portion 203 with an insulator. By providing an insulating section in this way, it becomes possible to provide a portion that prevents the steel pipe 200 and the handrail 300 from being electrically connected, and a path can be constructed.

[0030] Note that constructing scaffolding using wedges is just one example. In other cases, the steel pipe 200 and the handrail 300 may be connected using fastening fittings or the like. Even in this case, it is possible to choose whether or not to form a communication path by using an insulator to provide an insulating section at the connecting part.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the formation of a communication path. Two modulators 100 are shown in FIG. 6. A communication path is constructed between the two modulators 100 by a steel pipe 200 and a handrail 300. The dashed line drawn horizontally to the ground indicates the connection of the steel pipe 200. The part marked with X indicates a part designed to have no communication path by providing an insulating part when combining the steel pipe 200 and the handrail 300, and the part marked with Z indicates a part designed to have no communication path by providing an insulating part when connecting a single steel pipe 201. The part marked with (X) or (Z) may be either insulated or not insulated.

[0032] 6, when there are multiple paths connecting two modulators 100 (the number of modulators 100 may be more than two), efficient signal transmission can be achieved while reducing the amount of attenuation of communication signals by insulating all but the contacts required to construct one path connecting the modulators 100. Also, at both the connection part of the steel pipe 200 and the connection part between the steel pipe and the handrail 300, by providing at least one insulating part and increasing the number of insulating points as much as possible, efficient signal transmission can be achieved while reducing the amount of attenuation of communication signals.

[0033] Furthermore, by isolating the parts that do not form communication paths as much as possible, it is possible to prevent communication signals from being sent to other components unnecessarily. By concentrating the signals, it is possible to strengthen resistance to noise and achieve stable communication.

[0034] As described above, by combining the steel pipe 200 and the handrail 300 and providing an insulating section at any of the connection points, it is possible to construct a communication path within the scaffolding. Furthermore, in order to realize communication within the scaffolding, by connecting the modulator 100 and modulating and demodulating the communication signal within the scaffolding, it is possible to connect a communication terminal that complies with other standards, such as the Ethernet communication method, and perform communication.

[0035] Furthermore, particularly at renovation sites of existing buildings, there is a lot of noise, such as electromagnetic waves generated by wireless LANs and outdoor units of air conditioners, so even if a wireless LAN base station is installed in the site office, radio waves often do not reach the communication terminals of workers.The signal transmission device 10 uses scaffolding as a communication path, and by installing a modulator 100 near where the worker will be working and then installing a wireless LAN base station, the worker can connect his / her communication terminal to the LAN and perform the work.

[0036] In addition, the signal transmission device 10 according to the present invention uses scaffolding, which is always used at construction sites, so there is no need to introduce other large-scale equipment or lay LAN cables. As described above, the scaffolding is not only resistant to artificial jamming, but also has components such as the steel pipes 200 and handrails 300, which are made of robust materials that are resistant to corrosion. By using the scaffolding as a communication path, it is also resistant to natural influences such as rain, wind, and sunlight. Therefore, it is possible to realize a simple and stable communication environment.

[0037] (How to build a communication path using two wires) When using scaffolding as a transmission medium for communication signals, two wires can be used. That is, the scaffolding has the function of a place where workers can move or work, and is formed as a surface because it is assumed that workers will stand on it. Therefore, the steel pipe 200 for erecting the scaffolding and the handrail 300 are installed in parallel facing each other to form the width of the surface. By utilizing this, two wires can also be used as a transmission medium for communication signals. As already mentioned, the handrail 300 can be replaced by equipment that connects to the steel pipe 200, such as scaffolding boards, reinforcing materials, fastening metal fittings, base metal fittings, and braces.

[0038] A specific example of using scaffolding as a two-wire transmission medium for communication signals is shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows steel pipes 200-1 to 200-4 installed horizontally to the ground and handrails 300-1 to 300-2 installed horizontally to the ground and connected to steel pipe 200. In this case, steel pipes 200-1 and 200-2, steel pipes 200-3 and 200-4, and handrails 300-1 and 300-2 are installed in parallel facing each other, so that these can be used simultaneously as communication media, making it possible to use two wires.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, when a communication path is constructed using two wires, the modulator 100 is placed so as to be in contact with the two wires that form the communication path.

[0040] When constructing a communication path using two wires, the two wires may be divided into upstream and downstream for communication, or the two wires may be combined to form a communication path (in this case, the upstream and downstream are divided using time division or frequency division, etc.). In either case, by performing control in the modulator 100, it is possible to increase the communication capacity compared to the case where only one wire is used. Note that, when scaffolding is used as a communication medium, as mentioned above, it is structurally possible to use two wires since it has a surface structure, which makes it possible to realize efficient communication.

[0041] Although the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiment, and the present disclosure includes the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. In addition, the configurations of the devices described in the above embodiments can be appropriately combined as long as no technical contradiction occurs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10...signal transmission device, 100...modulator, 110...processor, 120...memory, 130...scaffolding side communication IF, 140...Ethernet side communication IF, 200, 200-1 to 200-4, 201, 201-1 to 201-4...steel pipe, 202...insulation part, 203...wedge receiving part, 300, 300-1 to 300-4...handrail, 301...handrail main body, 302...wedge part

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for transmitting a communication signal, comprising: The steel pipes that are components of the scaffolding and are installed vertically to the ground are used as a transmission medium for communication signals. A modulator is provided to contact the steel pipe, The modulator is a transmission device that converts communication signals within the scaffolding into communication signals of other standards and vice versa.

2. 1. An apparatus for transmitting a communication signal, comprising: A steel pipe, which is a component of a scaffold and is installed vertically to the ground, and a device, which is installed horizontally to the ground and is connected to the steel pipe, are used as a transmission medium for communication signals, A modulator is provided to contact the steel pipe or equipment to be connected to the steel pipe, The modulator is a transmission device that converts communication signals within the scaffolding into communication signals of other standards and vice versa.

3. 1. An apparatus for transmitting a communication signal, comprising: A steel pipe, which is a component of a scaffold and is installed vertically to the ground, and a device, which is installed horizontally to the ground and is connected to the steel pipe, are used as a transmission medium for communication signals, The steel pipe is composed of a plurality of steel pipes, and the connection portion of each steel pipe passes an electric signal without being provided with an insulating portion, or blocks an electric signal by providing an insulating portion, and the connection portion of each steel pipe has one or more locations where an insulating portion is provided, The equipment connected to the steel pipe is composed of a plurality of equipment, and each connection with the steel pipe forms a communication path by passing electrical signals without providing an insulating part or by providing an insulator to block electrical signals, and each connection with the steel pipe has one or more locations where an insulating part is provided, A modulator is provided to contact the steel pipe or equipment to be connected to the steel pipe, The modulator is a transmission device that converts communication signals within the scaffolding into communication signals of other standards and vice versa.

4. 1. An apparatus for transmitting a communication signal, comprising: A steel pipe, which is a component of a scaffold and is installed vertically to the ground, and a device, which is installed horizontally to the ground and is connected to the steel pipe, are used as a transmission medium for communication signals, A plurality of modulators are provided to contact the steel pipe or equipment to be connected to the steel pipe, The steel pipe is composed of a plurality of steel pipes, and the connection parts of each steel pipe pass electrical signals without providing an insulating part in a communication path necessary to connect the plurality of modulators, and the other connection parts are provided with insulating parts to block electrical signals, The equipment connected to the steel pipe is composed of a plurality of equipment, and each connection part with the steel pipe passes an electric signal without providing an insulating part in a communication path necessary to connect the plurality of modulators, and the other connection parts are provided with an insulator to block the electric signal and form a communication path, The modulator is a transmission device that converts communication signals within the scaffolding into communication signals of other standards and vice versa.

5. 1. An apparatus for transmitting a communication signal, comprising: A steel pipe which is a component of a scaffold and is installed vertically to the ground, and a steel pipe which is installed in parallel opposite to the steel pipe are used as a transmission medium for communication signals, A modulator is provided to contact the two parallel facing steel pipes or the steel pipe, The modulator is a transmission device that converts communication signals within the scaffolding into communication signals of other standards and vice versa.

6. The steel pipes used as a transmission medium for the communication signals and the equipment used in connection with the steel pipes are installed in parallel facing each other and the equipment used in connection with the steel pipes are also used as a transmission medium for the communication signals at the same time, The transmission device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a modulator adapted to contact the two parallel facing steel pipes or equipment connected to the two parallel facing steel pipes.

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