Inundation detection system

Abstract

To accurately and quickly confirm the extent of inundation damage.SOLUTION: An inundation detection system 1 comprises: a sensor unit 10 that can be installed on a vending machine 30 or in the vicinity of the vending machine 30; and a communication unit 20 that can be installed on the vending machine 30. The sensor unit 10 comprises an inundation sensor 11 that can detect inundation; and a communication unit 12 that can transmit information related to inundation detected by the inundation sensor 11 to the communication unit 20. The communication unit 20 comprises a short-range communication unit 21 that can receive information related to inundation from the communication unit 12, and a long-range communication unit 22 that can transmit the received information related to inundation to a server 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flooding detection system.

Background Art

[0002] When flood damage occurs due to overtopping or breach of a levee, it is important to quickly grasp the flooding situation.

[0003] To grasp flood damage, for example, there is a method of going to the site by helicopter and checking the damage situation by visual inspection, photography, etc.

[0004] Also, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image analysis system for determining the situation of flood damage by analyzing satellite images or aerial images taken from above.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When trying to check flood damage by helicopter, it is dangerous to fly in bad weather and at night, so it is difficult to go to the site. Therefore, flood damage cannot be quickly confirmed.

[0007] Also, when checking flood damage by analyzing satellite images or aerial images, it is difficult to check the water level of the flood, so it is difficult to accurately grasp the extent of the flood damage.

[0008] In view of such a point, an object of the present invention made is to provide a flooding detection system capable of accurately and quickly confirming the extent of flood damage.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] A flooding detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor unit that can be installed in or around a vending machine, and a communication unit that can be installed in the vending machine. The sensor unit includes a flooding sensor capable of detecting flooding, and a communication unit capable of transmitting information about the flooding detected by the flooding sensor to the communication unit. The communication unit includes a short-range communication unit capable of receiving the information about the flooding from the communication unit, and a long-range communication unit capable of transmitting the received information about the flooding to a server.

[0010] In addition, in a flooding detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit can be installed at the lower part of the side or back of the vending machine, and the communication unit may be installed on the upper surface of the vending machine.

[0011] In addition, in a flooding detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the short-range communication unit can perform short-range wireless communication with the communication unit, and the long-range communication unit may be able to communicate with the server via a network.

[0012] In addition, in a flooding detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the short-range communication unit may be able to perform the short-range wireless communication according to the Bluetooth communication standard.

[0013] In addition, in a flooding detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the flooding sensor may be able to detect information about the water level of the flooding as the information about the flooding.

[0014] Also, in the water immersion detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit a DC / DC converter capable of converting the DC voltage supplied from the vending machine into a first DC voltage and supplying it to the communication unit, and a battery capable of supplying a second DC voltage lower than the first DC voltage to the communication unit may be provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the water immersion detection system of the present invention, the degree of water immersion damage can be accurately and quickly confirmed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a water immersion detection system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The water immersion detection system 1 includes a sensor unit 10 and a communication unit 20.

[0020] The sensor unit 10 can detect water ingress. The sensor unit 10 can be installed in the vending machine 30. The installation location of the sensor unit 10 is not limited to the vending machine 30. The sensor unit 10 can be installed at any location around the vending machine 30 that can detect water ingress and communicate with the communication unit 20. The sensor unit 10 may be installed, for example, on utility poles, billboards, signs, and other structures around the vending machine 30.

[0021] In this embodiment, the case where the sensor unit 10 is installed in the vending machine 30 will be described as an example.

[0022] The sensor unit 10 can be installed, for example, at the lower part of the side or back of the vending machine 30. The sensor unit 10 can be installed in the vending machine 30 by any mechanism. The sensor unit 10 can be installed in the vending machine 30, for example, by screwing.

[0023] In FIG. 1, the case where the water ingress detection system 1 includes one sensor unit 10 is shown, but the number of sensor units 10 included in the water ingress detection system 1 is not limited to one. The water ingress detection system 1 may include two or more sensor units 10. If the water ingress detection system 1 includes a plurality of sensor units 10, the water ingress detection system 1 can detect water ingress at a plurality of locations.

[0024] The communication unit 20 can be installed in the vending machine 30. The communication unit 20 can be installed, for example, on the upper surface of the vending machine 30. The communication unit 20 can be installed in the vending machine 30 by any mechanism. The communication unit 20 can be installed in the vending machine 30, for example, by screwing.

[0025] The communication unit 20 can perform short-range wireless communication with the sensor unit 10. The communication unit 20 can receive information regarding water ingress detected by the sensor unit 10 from the sensor unit 10 by short-range wireless communication.

[0026] The communication unit 20 can communicate with the server 40 via the network 50. The network 50 may be a network including a mobile communication network, the Internet, and the like.

[0027] The server 40 is a server managed by an information organization that collects information on flooding. The information organization that collects information on flooding may be, for example, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, local governments, and the like.

[0028] The communication unit 20 can transmit the information on flooding received from the sensor unit 10 to the server 40 via the network 50.

[0029] In FIG. 1, one flooding detection system 1 is shown, but a plurality of flooding detection systems 1 may be installed in vending machines 30 at various locations.

[0030] If a large number of flooding detection systems 1 are installed in a wide area in regions such as river basins where there is a risk of flooding, the server 40 can obtain information on flooding from a plurality of flooding detection systems 1 installed in vending machines 30 in a wide area.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the sensor unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The sensor unit 10 includes a flooding sensor 11, a communication unit 12, a control unit 13, and a battery 14.

[0033] The flooding sensor 11 can always detect flooding. When the flooding sensor 11 detects flooding, it outputs information on flooding to the control unit 13. The flooding sensor 11 can detect information on the water level of flooding as information on flooding.

[0034] The water immersion sensor 11 may be a water immersion sensor of any configuration capable of detecting water immersion. An example of the configuration of the water immersion sensor 11 is shown in FIG. 3.

[0035] The water immersion sensor 11 shown in FIG. 3 includes a common electrode 110, an electrode 111, an electrode 112, an electrode 113, and a sensor substrate 120.

[0036] The common electrode 110 may be installed, for example, such that the lower end of the common electrode 110 is located on a reference plane for measuring the water level.

[0037] The electrode 111 may be installed such that the lower end of the electrode 111 is located at a position H1 higher than the lower end of the common electrode 110.

[0038] The electrode 112 may be installed such that the lower end of the electrode 112 is located at a position H2 higher than the lower end of the common electrode 110.

[0039] The electrode 113 may be installed such that the lower end of the electrode 113 is located at a position H3 higher than the lower end of the common electrode 110.

[0040] H1, H2, and H3 are different heights. For example, H1 may be 5 cm, H2 may be 10 cm, H3 may be 15 cm, etc. In this way, if the electrodes 111 to 113 are installed at 5 cm intervals, the water immersion sensor 11 can measure the water level of water immersion with a resolution of 5 cm.

[0041] The sensor substrate 120 is a substrate on which various circuits are mounted. The sensor substrate 120 can apply a voltage between the common electrode 110 and the electrode 111. When the sensor substrate 120 applies a voltage between the common electrode 110 and the electrode 111 and a current equal to or greater than a threshold value flows, it determines that the water immersion level is H1 or higher. The sensor substrate 120 can apply a voltage between the common electrode 110 and the electrode 112. When the sensor substrate 120 applies a voltage between the common electrode 110 and the electrode 112 and a current equal to or greater than a threshold value flows, it determines that the water immersion level is H2 or higher. The sensor substrate 120 can apply a voltage between the common electrode 110 and the electrode 113. When the sensor substrate 120 applies a voltage between the common electrode 110 and the electrode 113 and a current equal to or greater than a threshold value flows, it determines that the water immersion level is H3 or higher.

[0042] The sensor substrate 120 outputs information regarding the detected water immersion level to the control unit 13 of the sensor unit 10.

[0043] Note that the configuration of the water immersion sensor 11 shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the configuration of the water immersion sensor 11 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 2 again, the sensor unit 10 will be described.

[0045] The communication unit 12 can transmit information regarding the water immersion detected by the water immersion sensor 11 to the communication unit 20.

[0046] The communication unit 12 can perform short-range wireless communication with the communication unit 20. The communication unit 12 includes a communication module corresponding to short-range wireless communication. The communication unit 12 may include, for example, a communication module corresponding to the communication standard of Bluetooth (registered trademark). When the communication unit 12 performs short-range wireless communication with the communication unit 20 according to the Bluetooth communication standard, it can communicate with the communication unit 20 up to a distance of about 10 m.

[0047] The control unit 13 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The control unit 13 controls the entire sensor unit 10 and each block.

[0048] When the control unit 13 acquires information regarding flooding from the flooding sensor 11, the control unit 13 transmits the acquired information regarding flooding to the communication unit 20 via the communication unit 12.

[0049] The battery 14 can supply power to the control unit 13. The battery 14 may be able to supply power not only to the control unit 13 but also to the entire sensor unit 10.

[0050] The battery 14 may be a primary battery or a secondary battery.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the communication unit 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The communication unit 20 includes a short-range communication unit 21, a long-range communication unit 22, a control unit 23, a DC / DC converter 24, a battery 25, a first diode 26, and a second diode 27.

[0053] The short-range communication unit 21 can perform short-range wireless communication with the communication unit 12 of the sensor unit 10. The short-range communication unit 21 includes a communication module corresponding to short-range wireless communication. The short-range communication unit 21 may include, for example, a communication module corresponding to the Bluetooth communication standard. When the short-range communication unit 21 performs short-range wireless communication with the communication unit 12 of the sensor unit 10 according to the Bluetooth communication standard, it can communicate with the communication unit 12 up to a distance of about 10 m.

[0054] The short-range communication unit 21 can receive information regarding flooding from the communication unit 12 of the sensor unit 10. When the short-range communication unit 21 receives information regarding flooding, the short-range communication unit 21 outputs the received information regarding flooding to the control unit 23.

[0055] The long-distance communication unit 22 can communicate with a remote server 40 via the network 50. The long-distance communication unit 22 includes a communication module corresponding to communication with the network 50. The long-distance communication unit 22 may include, for example, communication modules corresponding to communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), and 5G (5th Generation).

[0056] The long-distance communication unit 22 can transmit the information regarding flooding received by the short-distance communication unit 21 from the sensor unit 10 to the server 40 via the network 50.

[0057] The control unit 23 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The control unit 23 controls the entire communication unit 20 and each block.

[0058] When the control unit 23 acquires the information regarding flooding from the short-distance communication unit 21, it transmits the acquired information regarding flooding to the server 40 via the long-distance communication unit 22.

[0059] The DC / DC converter 24 can receive a supply of a DC voltage from the power supply of the vending machine 30. The DC / DC converter 24 converts the DC voltage supplied from the vending machine 30 into a first DC voltage and outputs it to the first diode 26. The DC / DC converter 24 receives a supply of, for example, a 24V DC voltage from the vending machine 30.

[0060] The DC / DC converter 24 can supply the first DC voltage to the control unit 23 via the first diode 26. The DC / DC converter 24 may be able to supply the first DC voltage not only to the control unit 23 but also to the entire communication unit 20.

[0061] The DC / DC converter 24 may be a DC / DC converter with any configuration.

[0062] The battery 25 can supply a second DC voltage to the control unit 23 via the second diode 27. The battery 25 may supply the second DC voltage not only to the control unit 23 but also to the entire communication unit 20.

[0063] The second DC voltage that the battery 25 can supply is a voltage lower than the first DC voltage that the DC / DC converter 24 can supply.

[0064] The battery 25 may be a primary battery or a secondary battery.

[0065] The first diode 26 may be a diode of any configuration. The anode of the first diode 26 is connected to the DC / DC converter 24, and the cathode is connected to the cathode of the second diode 27 and the control unit 23.

[0066] The second diode 27 may be a diode of any configuration. The anode of the second diode 27 is connected to the battery 25, and the cathode is connected to the cathode of the first diode 26 and the control unit 23.

[0067] The first DC voltage that the DC / DC converter 24 can supply is a voltage higher than the second DC voltage that the battery 25 can supply. Therefore, normally, the first DC voltage output by the DC / DC converter 24 is supplied to the control unit 23. In this way, normally, the communication unit 20 can operate using the voltage supplied from the vending machine 30.

[0068] In a situation where water damage occurs, the voltage may not be supplied from the vending machine 30 to the DC / DC converter 24 due to a power outage or the like. In such a case, the second DC voltage that the battery 25 can supply is supplied to the control unit 23. Thereby, even if a power outage or the like occurs, the communication unit 20 can operate using the voltage supplied from the battery 25.

[0069] As described above, the flooding detection system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a sensor unit 10 that can be installed in or around a vending machine 30, and a communication unit 20 that can be installed in the vending machine 30. The sensor unit 10 includes a flooding sensor 11 capable of detecting flooding, and a communication unit 12 capable of transmitting information regarding the flooding detected by the flooding sensor 11 to the communication unit 20. The communication unit 20 includes a short-range communication unit 21 capable of receiving information regarding flooding from the communication unit 12, and a long-range communication unit 22 capable of transmitting the received information regarding flooding to a server 40. Therefore, the flooding sensor 11 of the sensor unit 10 installed in the vending machine 30 can always detect flooding. That is, the flooding sensor 11 can quickly confirm flood damage even in bad weather or at night. Further, since the flooding detection system 1 according to the present embodiment detects flooding by the flooding sensor 11, the degree of flood damage can be accurately grasped as compared with the case where flood damage is grasped by image analysis. Therefore, the flooding detection system 1 according to the present embodiment can quickly and accurately confirm the degree of flood damage.

[0070] In addition, since many vending machines 30 are already installed in many places, the flooding detection system 1 according to the present embodiment can be easily installed over a wide area by using the vending machines 30 installed in many places. Further, the flooding detection system 1 according to the present embodiment can be installed simply by attaching it to the vending machine 30 and can use the power supply of the vending machine 30, so that flood damage can be grasped at low cost.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each component, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and it is possible to combine or divide a plurality of components or steps into one. Also, although the present invention has been described mainly centered around the device, the present invention can also be realized as a method including the steps executed by each component of the device. Further, although the present invention has been described mainly centered around the device, the present invention can also be realized as a method, program, or storage medium recording the program executed by a processor included in the device, and it should be understood that these are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0072] For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the communication unit 12 of the sensor unit 10 and the short - range communication unit 21 of the communication unit 20 perform short - range wireless communication via Bluetooth has been described as an example, but it is not limited to short - range wireless communication via Bluetooth. The communication unit 12 of the sensor unit 10 and the short - range communication unit 21 of the communication unit 20 may communicate via short - range wireless communication with a standard other than Bluetooth. Also, the communication unit 12 of the sensor unit 10 and the short - range communication unit 21 of the communication unit 20 may communicate by wire.

[0073] For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the long - range communication unit 22 of the communication unit 20 and the server 40 communicate according to standards such as LTE, 4G, 5G, etc. has been described as an example, but the communication between the long - range communication unit 22 of the communication unit 20 and the server 40 is not limited to these standards. The long - range communication unit 22 of the communication unit 20 and the server 40 may communicate according to a standard other than LTE, 4G, and 5G.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0074] 1 Flood detection system 10 Sensor unit 11 Water immersion sensor 12 Communication Unit 13 Control Unit 14 Battery 20 Communication Unit 21 Short - Range Communication Unit 22 Long - Range Communication Unit 23 Control Unit 24 DC / DC Converter 25 Battery 26 First Diode 27 Second Diode 30 Vending Machine 40 Server 50 Network 110 Common Electrode 111 - 113 Electrodes 120 Sensor Substrate

Claims

1. A vending machine or a sensor unit installable around the vending machine, and a communication unit installable in the vending machine, comprising: The sensor unit a water immersion sensor capable of detecting water immersion, and a communication unit capable of transmitting information about the water immersion detected by the water immersion sensor to the communication unit, comprising: The communication unit a short-range communication unit capable of receiving the information about the water immersion from the communication unit, and a long-range communication unit capable of transmitting the received information about the water immersion to a server, a water immersion detection system.

2. In the water immersion detection system according to Claim 1, the sensor unit can be installed at the lower part of the side surface or the back surface of the vending machine, and the communication unit can be installed on the upper surface of the vending machine, a water immersion detection system.

3. In the water immersion detection system according to Claim 1, the short-range communication unit can perform short-range wireless communication with the communication unit, and the long-range communication unit can communicate with the server via a network, a water immersion detection system.

4. In the water immersion detection system according to Claim 3, the short-range communication unit can perform the short-range wireless communication according to the communication standard of Bluetooth, a water immersion detection system.

5. In the water immersion detection system according to Claim 1, the water immersion sensor can detect information about the water level of the water immersion as the information about the water immersion, a water immersion detection system.

6. In the water immersion detection system according to Claim 1, the communication unit a DC / DC converter capable of converting the DC voltage supplied from the vending machine into a first DC voltage and supplying it to the communication unit, and a battery capable of supplying a second DC voltage lower than the first DC voltage to the communication unit, a water immersion detection system.

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