Remote management of object and method thereof

Abstract

To provide a remote management system and method that can more reliably grasp the state of an object such as a fender while avoiding restrictions on wireless communication and that suppresses energy consumption during a grasping process.SOLUTION: A sensor 2 powered by a battery 4 and a transmitting / receiving terminal 3 are installed on each fender 9, and detection data M from each sensor 2 is transmitted to a relay device 5A via radio waves W from each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 using communication based on a specified LPWA communication standard, and when the communication strength S between each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A is equal to or greater than a reference value Sc, the data is transmitted via a direct route Rd from each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A, and when the communication strength S is less than the reference value Sc, the data is transmitted via a detour route Rb in which another transmitting / receiving terminal 3 is interposed between each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A, management indicators based on the detection data are stored in a server 5B, and the management indicators are displayed on specific devices 6a, 6b, 6c that can access the server 5B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for remote management of objects, and more specifically, to a system and method for remote management of objects that, when grasping the status of multiple objects such as fenders through wireless communication, can more reliably grasp the status of each object while avoiding the constraints of wireless communication and can reduce energy consumption in the process of grasping the status of each object. [Background technology]

[0002] Various monitoring systems have been proposed that use wireless communication devices to acquire detection data from pressure sensors installed inside pneumatic fenders, and grasp the state of the pneumatic fenders based on the acquired detection data (internal pressure data) (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In these monitoring systems, power from batteries installed in the fenders is used to operate the pressure sensors and perform wireless communication. Since the batteries installed in the fenders cannot be replaced frequently, it is necessary to reduce battery power consumption. However, if battery power consumption is reduced and the frequency of wireless communication and the frequency of acquiring detection data are reduced, this is detrimental to accurately grasping the state of the fenders.

[0003] Generally, since a plurality of fenders are arranged in one area, the communication distance between the fenders arranged far from the wireless communication device becomes large, and wireless communication may not be possible, or the battery power consumption due to wireless communication may become excessive. Therefore, in order to ensure stable wireless communication, it is necessary to move the wireless communication device to a position close to each fender. However, if a ship equipped with a wireless communication device is moved to bring the wireless communication device close to a large number of fenders installed in an offshore facility, a corresponding amount of fuel is consumed. In this way, in order to more reliably grasp the state of each fender arranged in a wide area, energy consumption of batteries, fuel, etc. increases. Furthermore, there are various restrictions (legal regulations) on wireless communication. Such problems of increased energy consumption and restrictions on wireless communication are not limited to pneumatic fenders, but also occur when marine hoses and belt conveyor devices are monitored. Therefore, special ingenuity is required to more reliably grasp the state of the target object while avoiding the restrictions on wireless communication and further suppress energy consumption in the grasping process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-175298 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-266365 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for remote management of objects that can more reliably grasp the status of multiple objects, such as fenders, while avoiding the constraints of wireless communication when grasping the status of each object through wireless communication, and that can reduce energy consumption in the process of grasping the status of each object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a remote management system for objects, comprising a sensor and a transmitting / receiving terminal installed on an object, and a relay device connected to a communication network, communication based on a predetermined LPWA communication standard is performed between the transmitting / receiving terminal and the relay device, the sensor and the transmitting / receiving terminal are powered by a battery, detection data indicating a state of the object detected by the sensor is transmitted by the transmitting / receiving terminal to the relay device and transmitted to the communication network via the relay device, and the management indicator based on the detection data is displayed on a specific device connected to the communication network, the remote management system for objects is characterized in that the sensor and the transmitting / receiving terminal are installed on each of a plurality of objects, and the transmission route of each of the detection data from each of the transmitting / receiving terminals to the relay device is set so that if the communication strength between each of the transmitting / receiving terminals and the relay device is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, a direct route from each of the transmitting / receiving terminals to the relay device is selected, and if the communication strength is less than the reference value, a detour route in which at least one other of the transmitting / receiving terminals is interposed between each of the transmitting / receiving terminals and the relay device is selected.

[0007] The remote management method of the present invention involves installing a sensor and a transmitting / receiving terminal on the object, communicating between a relay device connected to a communication network and the transmitting / receiving terminal based on a predetermined LPWA communication standard, operating the sensor and the transmitting / receiving terminal on a battery, transmitting detection data detected by the sensor and indicating the state of the object from the transmitting / receiving terminal to the relay device, and transmitting the detection data to the communication network via the relay device, and displaying the management indicator based on the detection data on a specific device connected to the communication network, and is characterized in that the sensor and the transmitting / receiving terminal are installed on each of a plurality of objects, and the transmission route of each of the detection data from each of the transmitting / receiving terminals to the relay device selects a direct route from each of the transmitting / receiving terminals to the relay device when the communication strength between each of the transmitting / receiving terminals and the relay device is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, and selects a detour route in which at least one other of the transmitting / receiving terminals is interposed between each of the transmitting / receiving terminals and the relay device when the communication strength is less than the reference value. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, communication based on a predetermined LPWA communication standard is performed between a transmitting / receiving terminal installed in each object and a relay device connected to a communication network, and the transmitting / receiving terminal transmits detection data by a sensor installed in each object to the relay device, so that it is possible to avoid restrictions on wireless communication between each of the transmitting / receiving terminals and the relay device. The direct route or the detour route is selected as the transmission route of each of the detection data from each of the transmitting / receiving terminals to the relay device based on the communication strength between the two, so that the power consumption of the battery installed in each object can be reduced. Since the need to move the relay device close to each of the transmitting / receiving terminals in order to ensure stable wireless communication with the relay device is reduced, the fuel consumption for the close movement is also reduced. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably grasp the state of each object while suppressing energy consumption in the grasping process of grasping the state of each object. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an overall overview of a remote management system for an object. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a fender moored to a quay in a plan view. [Diagram 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which detection data by the sensor in FIG. 2 is transmitted via a direct route between a transmitting / receiving terminal device installed on a fender and a relay device. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic example of a state in which detection data by the sensor in FIG. 2 is transmitted via a detour route between a transmitting / receiving terminal device and a relay device installed on a fender. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hose line in which a plurality of marine hoses are connected in a plan view; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a belt conveyor device including a belt support mechanism in a plan view. [Figure 7] 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the belt conveyor device of FIG. 6 in a belt cross-sectional view. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a system and method for remotely managing an object according to the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0011] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a remote management system 1 for an object (hereinafter referred to as system 1) that uses wireless communication to grasp the state of pneumatic fenders 9 (9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E). Therefore, the object managed by this system 1 is the pneumatic fender 9 (hereinafter referred to as the fender 9).

[0012] The fender 9 is a hollow rubber body with a reinforcing layer embedded therein, and can be of various known specifications in which gas (air) is sealed inside. The fender 9 has a ferrule 10a at one axial end, and the ferrule 10a is provided with a communication port with the inside and valves. The ferrule 10a may be provided at both axial ends of the fender 9.

[0013] This system 1 comprises a sensor 2 and a transmitting / receiving terminal 3 installed on each fender 9, and a relay device 5A connected to a communication network 7. Since the sensor 2 and the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 are operated by a battery 4, each fender 9 is equipped with a battery 4. The battery 4 can be of various known specifications, such as a lithium battery. Examples of the communication network 7 include the Internet communication network and a specific LAN such as an in-house LAN. In this embodiment, a server 5B is connected to the communication network 7 so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0014] Between each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A, communication based on a predetermined LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication standard is performed. Examples of LPWA include LoRa WAN, Sigfox, WI-SUN, ELTRES, ZETA, etc. in unlicensed bands, and NB-IoT, LTE-M, LTE Cat.1, etc. in licensed bands. In this embodiment, communication based on an LPWA communication standard in an unlicensed band is performed between each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A, and communication based on the LoRa WAN communication standard is particularly preferable. Between the relay device 5A and the communication network 7, communication based on, for example, the above-mentioned licensed band LPWA communication standard is performed.

[0015] The sensor 2 has a detection unit, a memory unit, and a control unit, and the detection unit acquires detection data M indicating the state of the fender 9. The acquired detection data M is stored in the memory unit, and the control unit controls the operation of the sensor 2 (such as the timing of acquiring the detection data M). Examples of the detection data M include internal pressure data, internal temperature data, position data, and acceleration data acting on the fender 9.

[0016] Therefore, examples of the sensors 2 installed on the fender 9 include a pressure sensor that detects the internal pressure of the fender 9, a temperature sensor that detects the internal temperature, a position sensor such as a GPS receiver that detects the position of the fender 9, and an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration (external force) acting on the fender 9. The respective detected data M of the internal pressure data, internal temperature data, position data, and acceleration data indicate the internal pressure state, temperature state, position state, and external force load state of the fender 9. One or more of these types of sensors 2 are installed on the fender 9. The sensors 2 can have various known specifications.

[0017] In this embodiment, the sensor 2 is attached to the base 10a, but it can be attached to any other desired location. For example, the sensor 2 can be attached to the inner surface of the wall of the fender 9 or embedded in the wall.

[0018] Each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 can use various known specifications that enable communication with the relay device 5A based on the LPWA communication standard of the unlicensed band. In this embodiment, the battery 4 is disposed adjacent to the transmitting / receiving terminal 3, the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the battery 4 are connected by a board circuit, and the sensor 2 and the battery 4 are connected by a lead wire. By disposing the sensor 2 and the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 in close proximity and disposing the battery 4 adjacent to both of them, the length of the lead wire can be minimized.

[0019] The relay device 5A has a function of connecting each of the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 to the server 5B via the communication network 7. Therefore, the relay device 5A can be a gateway device of various known specifications that can connect the communication based on the LPWA communication standard of the unlicensed band and the communication network 7.

[0020] Specific devices 6 (6a, 6b, 6c) such as personal computers, tablet terminals, and smartphones are communicatively connected to the communication network 7. The server 5B is located in an office in charge of managing the fenders 9, but a cloud server on the communication network 7 can also be used. The specific devices 6 can access the server 5B via the communication network 7 by, for example, entering a preset password.

[0021] In this system 1, the sensors 2 set on each fender 9 acquire detection data M at preset intervals (e.g., every hour, every 12 hours, every 24 hours, etc.) or at preset times. The timing (interval) at which each sensor 2 acquires the detection data M is set to a desired timing. When the detection data M is acquired, it is transmitted to the relay device 5A by radio waves W emitted from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3. The detection data M transmitted to the relay device 5A is transmitted, input, and stored in the server 5B from the relay device 5A via the communication network 7. The detection data M is transmitted together with the identification information of the sensor 2 that detected the detection data M, and the identification information of the sensor 2 is also input to the server 5B.

[0022] The more frequently the sensor 2 acquires the detection data M and transmits it to the relay device 5A at shorter intervals, the more power the battery 4 consumes, but the more recent the detection data M can be acquired. The less frequently the sensor 2 acquires the detection data M and transmits it to the relay device 5A at longer intervals, the more the battery 4 consumes, but the more difficult it becomes to acquire the latest detection data M. Therefore, an appropriate timing for each sensor 2 to acquire the detection data M is set according to the object to be managed.

[0023] In the server 5B, a management index Mi for the fender 9 is calculated and stored based on the input detection data M. In the server 5B, unique information of each sensor 2 is stored in advance together with its identification information, and the fender 9 on which each sensor 2 is installed is also specified, and information on the product specifications, manufacturing history, and placement position of the fender 9 is also stored in the server 5B. In the server 5B, the management index Mi of the fender 9 is linked to various information on the fender 9 and stored. Therefore, by accessing the server 5B, it is possible to grasp the management index Mi of the fender 9 at a certain point in time, together with the placement position and placement start time of each fender 9.

[0024] The detected data M may be stored as the management indicator Mi as it is, but instead of or in addition to the detected data M, a data value obtained by processing the detected data M may be used as the management indicator Mi. For example, the difference between the detected internal pressure data M and the reference internal pressure data, the difference between the detected temperature data M and the reference temperature data, the difference between the detected position data M and the reference position data, and the difference between the detected acceleration data M and the reference acceleration data may be used as the management indicator Mi. The reference internal pressure data, the reference temperature data, the reference position data, and the reference acceleration data are set in advance as data when the fender 9 is normal. Therefore, the greater the difference between the detected data M and these reference data, the more it can be determined that the fender 9 is not in a normal state.

[0025] A user or manager of the fenders 9, a person in charge at a manufacturer of the fenders 9, or the like accesses the server 5B from the specific device 6, and the management index Mi stored in the server 5B is displayed on the specific device 6. By referring to the management index Mi displayed on the display of the specific device 6, the internal pressure state, temperature state, position state, external force load state, and the like of each fender 9 can be grasped.

[0026] Next, an example of a procedure for remotely managing the fenders 9 using this system 1 will be described.

[0027] 2, a large number of fenders 9 are moored to a quay 11 by connecting ropes 10b. Therefore, a large number of fenders 9 are arranged over a wide area. The relay device 5A is fixedly arranged at a predetermined position in an office building at the port, but it can also be mounted on a moving object 8 such as a car or a drone.

[0028] When the relay device 5A is fixed at a predetermined position, there are also fenders 9 that are placed at a very long distance (for example, at a position more than several hundred meters away) from the relay device 5A. Therefore, when the detection data M by the sensor 2 installed on the fender 9 is transmitted from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A, the communication distance between the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A may become excessively large.

[0029] When the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 transmits the detection data M to the relay device 5A by radio waves W, if the detection data M cannot be transmitted (if the transmission fails), the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 repeats the transmission until the transmission is possible. Therefore, if the communication distance between the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A is too large, the battery 4 consumes a lot of power for the communication between them, or the communication becomes impossible. Under weather conditions such as wind and rain that make wireless communication unstable, the battery 4 consumes a lot of power for the wireless communication between them, or the communication becomes impossible, even if the communication distance between them is relatively short. If a method is adopted in which the relay device 5A is mounted on the moving body 8 and placed close to each fender 9 in order to ensure stable wireless communication between them, fuel is consumed for the movement of the moving body 8.

[0030] In this system 1, the communication route of the detection data M from each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A is set so that the direct route Rd is selected when the communication strength S between each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A is equal to or greater than a preset reference value Sc, and the detour route Rb is selected when the communication strength S is less than the reference value Sc. This communication strength S is the strength of the radio waves W received by the relay device 5A when the detection data M is transmitted to the relay device 5A by radio waves W from each transmitting / receiving terminal 3.

[0031] The reference value Sc is determined by, for example, varying the communication strength S by varying the distance between the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A at multiple levels, and grasping the strength of the radio waves W at which the relay device 5A cannot stably receive the detection data M. The upper limit value of the grasped strength of the radio waves W is determined in advance as the reference value Sc. Then, when the detection data M is transmitted to the relay device 5A by the radio waves W from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3, if the strength of the radio waves W received by the relay device 5A is less than the reference value Sc (if the detection data M cannot be received), the detour route Rb is selected without repeating the transmission of the radio waves W.

[0032] The above-mentioned reference value Sc can be converted into a distance and substituted as the maximum distance between the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A at which the relay device 5A can always stably receive the detection data M. Therefore, it is possible to set up so that the detour route Rb is selected for the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 whose distance from the relay device 5A is greater than this reference value (reference value of distance) Sc, and the direct route Rd is selected for the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 whose distance from the relay device 5A is smaller than this reference value (reference value of distance) Sc.

[0033] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the direct route Rd is a transmission route through which the detection data M is transmitted directly from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A without the intervention of the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 installed in the other fenders 9. The transmitting / receiving terminals 3 installed in the fenders 9A, 9B, and 9C that are located relatively close to the relay device 5A have a short communication distance with the relay device 5A. Therefore, the communication strength S of the radio waves W transmitted by the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 installed in these fenders 9A, 9B, and 9C at the relay device 5A is equal to or greater than the reference value Sc, and therefore the direct route Rd is selected. In other words, the detection data M is transmitted directly from the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 installed in the fenders 9A, 9B, and 9C to the relay device 5A.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the detour route Rb is a transmission route in which, when the detection data M is transmitted from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A, the detection data M is transmitted via at least one transmitting / receiving terminal 3 installed in another fender 9 between the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A. The transmitting / receiving terminals 3 installed in the fenders 9D and 9E, which are located relatively far from the relay device 5A, have a long communication distance with the relay device 5A. Therefore, the communication strength S of the radio wave W, which the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 installed in these fenders 9D and 9E transmit the detection data M, at the relay device 5A is less than the reference value Sc, so the detour route Rb is selected. That is, the detection data M transmitted from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 installed in the fender 9D is transmitted to the relay device 5A via the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 installed in one or more other fenders 9.

[0035] For example, the detour route Rb is calculated by connecting the other transceiver terminals 3 constituting the detour route Rb with straight lines from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3, which is the starting point of the detour route Rb, to the relay device 5A, which is the end point, via the other transceiver terminals 3 constituting the detour route Rb, and calculating the total length AL of each straight line. Then, the line with the shortest calculated total length AL is selected as the detour route Rb. However, the via point immediately before the relay device 5A is the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 installed on the fender 9 (9A, 9B, 9C) that has a short communication distance with the relay device 5A and can form a direct route Rd.

[0036] Using the case of Figure 4 as an example, the detour route Rb from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 installed on the fender 9E, which is the starting point, to the relay device 5A, which is the end point, will be considered as follows. First, the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 that can form a direct route Rd with the relay device 5A are the fenders 9A, 9B, and 9C, so the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 installed on any one of these fenders 9A to 9C will be the waypoint immediately before the relay device 5A.

[0037] The waypoints are the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 installed on the fenders 9D, 9C, 9B, and 9A. In this case, the detour route Rb has three ways: a route (first route) that has the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 installed on the fenders 9D and 9C as waypoints in that order; a route (second route) that has the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 installed on the fenders 9D, 9C, and 9B as waypoints in that order; and a route (third route) that has the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 installed on the fenders 9D, 9C, 9B, and 9A as waypoints in that order. Comparing the total lengths AL of the first to third routes, the first route is the shortest and the third route is the longest. Therefore, the priority of the detour route Rb is the first route, the second route, and the third route in that order.

[0038] When transmitting the detection data M from the receiving / transmitting terminal 3, which is the starting point, to the relay device 5A, a detour route Rb with a shortest total length AL is preferentially selected, and transmission is attempted in order from the detour route Rb with the highest priority. If the detection data M can be successfully transmitted from the receiving / transmitting terminal 3 installed on the fender 9E to the relay device 5A via the detour route Rb (first route) with the first highest priority, the transmission of the detection data M is completed. If the detection data M cannot be transmitted to the relay device 5A via the detour route Rb with the first highest priority, the detour route Rb with the second highest priority (second route) is attempted. If the detection data M can be successfully transmitted to the relay device 5A via the detour route Rb with the second highest priority, the transmission of the detection data M is completed. In this way, the transmission of the detection data M is attempted in order of the detour route Rb with the highest priority until the detection data M can be successfully transmitted to the relay device 5A.

[0039] In Fig. 4, when detection data M is transmitted from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 installed on the fender 9D, which is the starting point, to the relay device 5A, the detour route Rb, which transmits from this transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A via the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 installed on the fender 9C, is selected as the top priority. In this way, by setting the detour route Rb with the shortest possible total length AL to be selected with priority, it is advantageous to reduce the power consumption of each battery 4.

[0040] According to the above-mentioned system 1, communication is performed between the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A installed on each fender 9 based on the unlicensed LPWA communication standard, so that it is possible to construct a highly flexible communication route network between the two that avoids legal restrictions on wireless communication. Furthermore, for the transmission route of each detection data M from each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A, a direct route Rd or a detour route Rb is selected based on the communication strength S between them. Therefore, unnecessary communication failures are not repeated, and the power consumption of the battery 4 installed on each fender 9 can be reduced. In order to ensure stable wireless communication with the relay device 5A, there is less need to mount the relay device 5A on the mobile body 8 and move it close to each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 (fender 9), so fuel consumption associated with the movement of the mobile body 8 is also reduced. As a result, it is possible to more reliably grasp the state of each fender 9 while suppressing energy consumption in the grasping process for grasping the state of each fender 9.

[0041] Since a large number of fenders 9 are also mounted on a ship moored to the quay 11, the above-mentioned system 1 can also be applied to grasp the state of these fenders 9. The above-mentioned system 1 can also be applied to grasp the state of a large number of fenders 9 moored to an offshore facility. In this case, if the ship serving as the mobile body 8 is equipped with relay device 5A and moves close to each fender 9, the mobile body 8 is a ship, and so the fuel consumption associated with the movement is excessive. Therefore, in this case, by using this system 1, the fuel consumption of the mobile body 8 can be minimized, which is very advantageous in suppressing energy consumption in the grasping process for grasping the state of each fender 9.

[0042] This system 1 requires the sensor 2 and transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to be installed on each fender 9, and the relay device 5A, and can be easily applied by equipping existing fenders 9 with these required components. Therefore, by applying this system 1, it becomes possible to accurately and stably grasp the condition of a large number of fenders 9 that have already been installed on quays 11, ships, etc. Of course, this system 1 can be applied if new fenders 9 are equipped with the above required components. The installation work of the sensor 2 and transmitting / receiving terminal 3 on new fenders 9 can be carried out more smoothly at the manufacturing factory or stock location of the fenders 9.

[0043] If the communication between each of the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 and the relay device 5A is based on the LoRa WAN communication standard, the mutual communication between them can be performed extremely freely without legal restrictions. Therefore, for example, by issuing an instruction from a specific device 6a of the administrator to each of the transmitting / receiving terminals 3 to change the timing of acquiring the detection data M by the sensor 2 or an instruction to change the frequency of transmitting the detection data M from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A, these settings can be easily changed.

[0044] When transmitting the detection data M from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A, it is advisable to adopt a modulation method suitable for the usage environment of the managed object (fender 9) for the transmitted radio waves W. Examples of modulation methods include CSS (chirp spread spectrum) and FHSS (frequency hopping spread spectrum). When CSS is adopted as the modulation method, it is considered to be suitable for wireless communication in an offshore environment because it greatly reduces electromagnetic interference while making interception difficult.

[0045] In the embodiment of the system 1 illustrated in Fig. 5, the objects of management are a plurality of marine hoses 12 (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, ...) that constitute a hose line extending while floating on the sea. Each marine hose 12 is a hollow rubber body with a reinforcing layer embedded therein, and various known specifications can be used. Each marine hose 12 has flanges 13a on both ends in the longitudinal direction, and adjacent marine hoses 12 are connected to each other via the opposing flanges 13a.

[0046] A sensor 2 and a transmitting / receiving terminal 3 are installed on each marine hose 12 . Relay device 5A may be fixedly disposed at a predetermined position in an office building at a port, but in this embodiment it is mounted on a ship, which is a mobile body 8. Sensor 2 is installed inside or on the surface of marine hose 12. Transmitting / receiving terminal 3 is installed on the surface of marine hose 12 near flange 13a. Examples of sensor 2 installed on marine hose 12 include a pressure sensor that detects the internal pressure of marine hose 12 as detection data M, a temperature sensor that detects the internal temperature, a position sensor such as a GPS receiver that detects the position of marine hose 12, and an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration (external force) acting on marine hose 12.

[0047] The procedure for remotely managing the marine hose 12 using this system 1 is similar to that for the above-mentioned fender 9. When the fluid flowing through the marine hose 12 leaks from the flow path of the marine hose 12, a change (anomaly) occurs in the internal pressure data and internal temperature data, which are the detection data M. Therefore, in this embodiment, the presence or absence of leakage of the fluid flowing through the marine hose 12 from the flow path of the marine hose 12 can be grasped by the management index Mi based on the internal pressure data and internal temperature data.

[0048] Since the hose line formed by the marine hose 12 is very long (for example, 1 km or longer), when transmitting detection data M from each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A by wireless communication, appropriately selecting the direct route Rd and the detour route Rb is very effective in suppressing the power consumption of the battery 4. For example, by moving and fixing the relay device 5A near one end of the hose line and using the detour route Rb, it becomes possible to reliably transmit the detection data M from each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A. In other words, the detection data M can be reliably transmitted from the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 arranged at the other end of the hose line to the relay device 5A fixed near one end of the hose line.

[0049] Furthermore, in order to ensure stable wireless communication between the transmitting / receiving terminal 3 and the relay device 5A, the mobile body (ship) 8 carrying the relay device 5A must be moved close to the marine hose 12 that is used floating on the ocean, and the mobile body 8 consumes a considerable amount of fuel. Therefore, by applying this system 1 to suppress the movement of the mobile body 8, the fuel consumption by the mobile body 8 is reduced. As a result, it is even more advantageous to suppress the energy consumption in the grasping process for grasping the state of each fender 9. When the relay device 5A moves, it is advisable to set in advance the position of the relay device 5A (mobile body 8) when transmitting the detection data M from each transmitting / receiving terminal 3 to the relay device 5A.

[0050] In the embodiment of the system 1 illustrated in Fig. 6, a plurality of belt support mechanisms 15 (15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, ...) of a belt conveyor device 14 forming an extending conveyor belt line are the objects of management. The belt support mechanisms 15 are arranged at intervals in the belt longitudinal direction.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 7, each belt support mechanism 15 has a plurality of support rollers 16 on which the conveyor belt 17 is placed, and three support rollers 16 arranged in parallel in the belt width direction support the conveyor belt 17 in a bowl shape protruding downward. The belt support mechanism 15 can be of various known specifications. The objects to be transported are placed on the conveyor belt 17 and transported to their destination.

[0052] A sensor 2 and a transmitting / receiving terminal 3 are installed in each belt support mechanism 15. The relay device 5A is fixedly disposed at a predetermined position such as an administrative office, but can also be mounted on a moving body 8 such as an automobile or a drone. The sensor 2 is installed on the support roller 16. The transmitting / receiving terminal 3 is installed on the frame of the belt support mechanism 15 together with a battery 4. Examples of the sensor 2 installed in the belt support mechanism 15 include a pressure sensor such as a load cell that detects the pressure acting on the support roller 16, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the support roller 16. The sensor 2 can be installed not on all support rollers 16, but on one support roller 16 at the center in the belt width direction, for example.

[0053] The respective detected data M of pressure data and temperature data detected by the sensor 2 indicate the load state and temperature state of the conveyed goods on the belt support mechanism 15 on which the sensor 2 is installed, and therefore can be considered to indicate the load state and temperature state of the conveyor belt 17 on the belt support mechanism 15 due to the conveyed goods. Therefore, in this embodiment, the load state of the conveyor belt 17 due to the conveyed goods can be grasped by the management index Mi based on this pressure data M. Also, the temperature state of the conveyor belt 17 due to the conveyed goods can be grasped by the management index Mi based on this temperature data M.

[0054] The procedure for remotely managing the belt support mechanism 15 (conveyor belt 17) by this system 1 is the same as that of the fender 9 described above. In this embodiment, the pressure data M acting on each of the support rollers 16 arranged in the belt width direction is acquired, so that the magnitude of the difference between the pressure data M can be grasped. Normally, the conveyed object is placed in the center of the width direction of the conveyor belt 17, so that the pressure data M of the support roller 16 arranged in the center of the width direction is larger than the pressure data M of the support roller 16 arranged at the end of the width direction. However, when the conveyor belt 17 meanders, the balance of the pressure data M of each support roller 16 is lost, and for example, the pressure data M of the support roller 16 arranged at one end of the belt width direction becomes higher than usual. Therefore, it is possible to grasp whether the conveyor belt 17 is meandering or not based on the change in the magnitude of the difference between the pressure data M of each support roller 16.

[0055] Since the conveyor belt line of the belt conveyor device 14 may be very long (for example, 1 km or more), when the detection data M is transmitted from each transmitting / receiving terminal device 3 to the relay device 5A by wireless communication, the direct route Rd and the detour route Rb are appropriately selected, which is very effective in reducing the power consumption of the battery 4. In this embodiment, the same remote management as in the case of the marine hose 12 described above can be performed, and the same effects can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Remote Management System 2 Sensors 3. Transmitting and receiving terminal 4. Battery 5A Relay Equipment 5B Server 6(6a, 6b, 6c) Specific Equipment 7. Communication Networks 8. Mobile 9 (9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E) Pneumatic fenders (objects) 10a Base 10b Connecting rope 11 Quay 12 (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) Marine hose (object) 13a Flange 14 Belt conveyor equipment 15 (15A, 15B, 15C, 15D) Belt support mechanism (object) 16 Support roller 17 Conveyor Belt W Radio

Claims

1. A system including a sensor and a transmitting / receiving terminal that are installed on an object, and a relay device that is connected to a communication network, and communication is performed between the transmitting / receiving terminal and the relay device based on a predetermined LPWA communication standard, a remote management system for an object, the system comprising: a sensor and a transmitting / receiving terminal, the sensor and the transmitting / receiving terminal being operated by a battery; detection data indicating a state of the object detected by the sensor being transmitted from the transmitting / receiving terminal to a relay device, the detection data being transmitted to the communication network via the relay device; and a management index based on the detection data being displayed on a specific device connected to the communication network, The sensor and the transmitting / receiving terminal are installed on each of the plurality of objects, A remote management system for an object, in which the transmission route of each of the detection data from each of the transmitting / receiving terminals to the relay device is set so that, when the communication strength between each of the transmitting / receiving terminals and the relay device is equal to or greater than a preset reference value, a direct route from each of the transmitting / receiving terminals to the relay device is selected, and, when the communication strength is less than the reference value, a detour route in which at least one other of the transmitting / receiving terminals is interposed between each of the transmitting / receiving terminals and the relay device is selected.

2. 2. A remote management system for an object as described in claim 1, wherein the detour route is formed by connecting the transmitting / receiving terminal that is the starting point of the detour route to the relay device that is the end point of the detour route with straight lines passing through the other transmitting / receiving terminals that constitute the detour route, and the waypoint immediately before the relay device is a transmitting / receiving terminal installed on the fender that can form the direct route, the total length of each of the straight lines is calculated, and priority is given to the shortest calculated total length.

3. 3. The remote management system for an object according to claim 1, wherein the object is a fender, a marine hose, or a belt support mechanism constituting a belt conveyor device.

4. A sensor and a transmitting / receiving terminal are installed on the target object, and communication is performed between a relay device connected to a communication network and the transmitting / receiving terminal based on a predetermined LPWA communication standard; A method for remotely managing an object, comprising the steps of: operating said sensor and said transmitting / receiving terminal on a battery; transmitting detection data detected by said sensor and indicating a state of said object to said relay device by said transmitting / receiving terminal; transmitting said detection data to said communication network via said relay device; and displaying said management index based on said detection data on a specific device connected to said communication network, The sensor and the transmitting / receiving terminal are installed on each of the plurality of objects, A method for remotely managing an object, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a direct route from each of the transmitting / receiving terminals to the relay device when the communication strength between each of the transmitting / receiving terminals and the relay device is equal to or greater than a preset reference value; and selecting a detour route in which at least one other transmitting / receiving terminal is interposed between each of the transmitting / receiving terminals and the relay device when the communication strength is less than the reference value.

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