Measurement data input method and system

Abstract

To provide a data input method and system that can allow data of a device, such as measurement results and inspection results, to be input easily, accurately, and safely into a network terminal.SOLUTION: A measurement data input system 10 generates a transmission character string obtained by adding an identification character string of a predetermined number of digits, which identifies attributes of measurement data, to a data character string in which measurement data D1 is made to be a character string, connects a code issuing device 2, which generates a data image corresponding to the transmission character string, to a device 1, optically reads the data image to decode it into a transmission character string, extracts the data character string if the transmission character string contains the identification character string, connects a reading terminal 4, which inputs the measurement data, to a terminal 5, and inputs the measurement data into the terminal via the data image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a data input method and system for inputting measurement data from an apparatus, such as measurement results and inspection results, into a terminal connected to a network. [Background technology]

[0002] When workers visually read measurement data displayed on the display of various machine tools and inspection equipment and input the data into a terminal connected to a network, problems can arise, such as misreading numbers or incorrect input into the information terminal.

[0003] Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for collecting field data from various plants, in which a camera captures an image of a field device's display showing an indicated value, the captured image is processed to automatically read the indicated value, and the value is stored in a mobile information terminal in association with identification information that identifies the field device. Since there is no need for an operator to read the indicated value on the display or manually input the indicated value for recording, it is said that this system eliminates the possibility of operators misreading indicated values ​​or inputting them incorrectly into a mobile information terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-106389 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, as pointed out in Patent Document 1, the captured image of the device's display is subject to distortion due to the shooting angle, size differences due to distance, and disturbances such as lighting, so that in order to read the indicated value by image processing, the captured image must be corrected, which makes the system complicated.In addition, data is often input to terminals connected to a network via the network, but this raises safety concerns such as data leakage and the inclusion of malicious files.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a data input method and system that allows device data such as measurement results and test results to be input to a network terminal simply, accurately, and safely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A method according to the present invention is a data input method for inputting measurement data from an apparatus into a terminal connected to a network, which generates a transmission string by adding an identification string of a predetermined number of digits that identifies an attribute of the measurement data to a data string that is a character string of the measurement data, connects a code issuing machine to the apparatus to generate a data image corresponding to the transmission string, optically reads the data image and decodes it into the transmission string, and connects a reading terminal to the terminal that extracts the data string and inputs the measurement data if the transmission string includes the identification string, and inputs the measurement data into the terminal via the data image.

[0008] According to this feature, measurement data from the device can be input to the terminal easily and accurately without the need for visual inspection by an operator, and moreover, the data can be input safely because it does not go through a network.

[0009] In the above invention, the identification character string may include information on the order in which the measurement data should be received by the terminal. The identification character string may also be provided in advance to the code issuing device and the reading terminal. This feature allows multiple or long measurement data sets from the device to be input to the terminal easily and accurately.

[0010] In the above invention, the code issuing machine may print and output the plurality of data images, each assigned the reception order, and the reading terminal may read the plurality of data images at once, extract the data character strings from the data images in accordance with the reception order, and input the measurement data to the terminal. According to this feature, multiple or long measurement data from the device can be input easily and accurately by the terminal.

[0011] In the above invention, the identification character string may include a character string that identifies the code issuing machine. With this feature, measurement data from multiple code issuing machines can be input easily and accurately by a terminal, and input can be made safely by connecting only to registered code issuing machines.

[0012] The system according to the present invention is a data input system for inputting measurement data from an apparatus into a terminal connected to a network, and includes: a code issuing machine connected to the apparatus, which generates a transmission string by adding an identification string of a predetermined number of digits that identifies the attributes of the measurement data to a data string that is a character string of the measurement data, and generates a data image corresponding to the transmission string; and a reading terminal connected to the terminal, which optically reads the data image, decodes it into the transmission string, and extracts the data string if the transmission string contains the identification string, and inputs the measurement data, and is characterized in that the measurement data is input to the terminal via the data image.

[0013] According to this feature, measurement data from the device can be input to the terminal easily and accurately without the need for visual inspection by an operator, and moreover, can be input safely without going through a network.

[0014] In the above invention, the identification character string may include information on the order in which the measurement data should be received by the terminal. The identification character string may also be provided in advance to the code issuing device and the reading terminal. This feature allows multiple or long measurement data sets from the device to be input to the terminal easily and accurately.

[0015] In the above invention, the code issuing machine may print and output a plurality of the data images, each of which has been assigned the reception order, and the reading terminal may read a plurality of the data images at once, extract the data character strings from the data images in accordance with the reception order, and input the measurement data to the terminal. This feature enables multiple or long measurement data from the device to be input easily and accurately to the terminal.

[0016] In the above invention, the identification character string may include a character string that identifies the code issuing machine. With this feature, measurement data from multiple code issuing machines can be input easily and accurately by a terminal, and only registered code issuing machines can be connected, allowing safe input. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a measurement data input system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing the generation and processing of data by the code issuing machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a sheet of paper on which a plurality of data images are printed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A measurement data input method and system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[0019] 1, the measurement data input system 10 includes a device 1 that measures physical quantities and the like and stores the measurement data D1, and a terminal 5 for inputting the measurement data D1. The terminal 5 is connected to a network 6 such as the Internet, and can be equipped with the latest antivirus software to protect against viruses and the like from the network 6.

[0020] On the other hand, the device 1 is, for example, a measuring instrument that obtains measurement data from a machine tool, an inspection device, or the like, and a storage unit 1a such as a computer that stores the measurement data D1 is connected to the device 1. The storage unit 1a may be a personal computer connected separately from the device 1, or may be built into the device 1. Here, an example is shown in which the device 1 is equipped with a storage unit 1a inside, and the measurement data D1 is stored in the storage unit 1a.

[0021] Here, the storage unit 1a is a standalone type that is not connected to a network. Measuring instruments are often used for many years, and the computer that makes up the storage unit 1a that stores the measurement data often runs on a program dedicated to the measuring instrument and is not updated. Therefore, if it were connected to a network, it would be vulnerable to external attacks, and for these reasons it is a standalone type.

[0022] In order to input the measurement data D1 stored in the memory unit 1a into the terminal 5, conventionally, an operator would visually read the measurement data and manually input the data into the terminal 5. However, this is a time-consuming process and increases the possibility of input errors.

[0023] Therefore, the measurement data input system 10 in this embodiment includes a code issuing machine 2 connected to the device 1 and a reading terminal 4 connected to the terminal 5. The code issuing machine 2 receives measurement data D1 from the storage unit 1a of the device 1 and generates a data image D4 (see FIG. 2) including the data. Meanwhile, the reading terminal 4, such as a camera, can optically read the data image D4 and input the necessary data into the terminal 5.

[0024] 2, the code issuing machine 2 converts the measurement data D1 into a data string D2. For example, if the measurement data D1 is in a table format, the code issuing machine 2 converts the measurement data D1 into a character string in a format such as CSV (comma separated values) according to a predetermined rule. An identification string ID having a predetermined number of digits indicating the attributes of the measurement data D1 is then added to the data string D2 to create a transmission string D3. The code issuing machine 2 then generates a data image D4 corresponding to the transmission string D3 and displays the data image D4 on an image display device 3, such as a liquid crystal display, connected to the code issuing machine 2. The data image D4 may be any type that can be read by the reading terminal 4 and decoded into the transmission string D3. A suitable example of the data image D4 is a two-dimensional code, such as a QR code (registered trademark), which can contain a relatively large amount of information and can be read at high speed.

[0025] The reading terminal 4 optically reads the data image D4 displayed on the image display device 3 or the like and decodes it into the transmission character string D3. Then, the identification character string ID is extracted from the transmission character string D3 and verified to be correct by comparing it with a given character string. By verifying the presence of the identification character string ID, the erroneous input of data from an incorrect image is prevented. If it is verified that the identification character string ID is included, the data character string D2 is extracted from the transmission character string D3 and input to the terminal 5.

[0026] In the terminal 5, the input data character string D2 is converted into measurement data in an arbitrary format as required, and stored in a storage device or the like (not shown).

[0027] According to the measurement data input method using the measurement data input system 10 described above, the measurement data D1 from the device 1 can be input to the terminal 5 simply and accurately without the need for visual inspection by an operator. Moreover, since the connection is optically made via the data image D4, it is safe and does not involve a network.

[0028] As described above, the code issuing machine 2 displays the data image D4 on the image display device 3, but other methods may be used as long as a medium from which the data image D4 can be optically read by the reading terminal 4 is used. For example, instead of the image display device 3, the code issuing machine 2 may be connected to a printing device to print the data image D4 on paper or the like. It may also be connected to a projection device that projects the data image D4 onto a screen or the like. The transmission character string D3 to which the data image D4 corresponds may be encrypted and decrypted by the reading terminal 4 or 5 to prevent information leakage from the data image D4.

[0029] The code issuing device 2 may also be configured as a program stored and operated in the device 1 or the storage unit 1a. For example, if the storage unit 1a is a personal computer, a program for generating a data image D4 from the measurement data D1 may be stored as the code issuing device 2, and the display of the personal computer may be used as the image display device 3.

[0030] The attributes of the measurement data D1 indicated by the identification string ID may include, for example, information for identifying the device 1 and the order in which the data should be received by the terminal 5. Depending on the amount of information contained in the data image D4, it may be necessary to generate multiple data images D4, and in such cases, the order in which the data should be received can be determined so that consecutive measurement data can be input together. It is preferable to provide the identification string ID indicating such attributes to the code issuing machine 2 and the reading terminal 4 in advance, as this simplifies the generation and reading of the data image D4.

[0031] 3, when a plurality of consecutive data images D4-1, D4-2, and D4-3 are generated in a predetermined order, it is also preferable to print and output all of these on paper 3a, and have reading terminal 4 read the plurality of data images D4-1 to D4-3 at once and input measurement data D1 to the terminal in the order of reception. Here, a QR code is used as an example, but in such a case, the data images are printed so that they are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance or more to prevent erroneous recognition by reading terminal 4. Then, reading terminal 4 reads all of data images D4-1 to D4-3 printed on paper 3a at once.

[0032] In this case, the code issuing machine 2 and the reading terminal 4 are pre-stored with the combination of the number and arrangement of data images to be displayed at one time, and the reading terminal 4 recognizes the arrangement by image analysis or the like when reading the data images D4-1 to D4-3, and then reads all of the data images D4-1 to D4-3 at once. To facilitate the identification of the arrangement, a code indicating the arrangement may be printed at a predetermined position on the paper sheet, or a single combination of number and arrangement may be determined in advance. Alternatively, each of the multiple data images D4-1 to D4-3 may be assigned a character code C1 to C3 that allows the operator to easily recognize the order of reception, and the multiple data images D4-1 to D4-3 may be read individually and in order manually. This allows multiple or long measurement data to be easily input into the terminal 5.

[0033] Furthermore, it is preferable that the identification string ID includes a character string that identifies the code issuing machine 2. In this case, if the character string that identifies the code issuing machine 2 is included in the character string provided to the reading terminal 4, the code issuing machine 2 can connect only to registered code issuing machines by checking the identification string ID. In other words, measurement data can be input safely. Furthermore, measurement data from multiple code issuing machines 2 can be input easily and accurately without confusion.

[0034] While typical embodiments of the present invention and modifications based thereon have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these, and a person skilled in the art will be able to find various alternative embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention or the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 device 2 Code issuing machine 4 Reading terminal 5. Terminal 6 Network D1 Measurement data D2 Data String D3 Send string D4 Data Image

Claims

1. A data input method for inputting measurement data from an apparatus into a terminal connected to a network, comprising: a code issuing device is connected to the device, the code issuing device generating a transmission character string by adding an identification character string of a predetermined number of digits for identifying an attribute of the measurement data to a data character string in which the measurement data is used as a character string, and generating a data image corresponding to the transmission character string; A data input method comprising: connecting a reading terminal to the terminal; optically reading the data image and decrypting it into the transmission character string; extracting the data character string if the transmission character string contains the identification character string; and inputting the measurement data into the terminal via the data image.

2. 2. The data input method according to claim 1, wherein the identification character string includes information about the order in which the measurement data should be received by the terminal.

3. 3. The data input method according to claim 2, wherein the identification character string is provided in advance to the code issuing machine and the reading terminal.

4. 3. The data input method according to claim 2, wherein the code issuing machine prints out a plurality of the data images, each of which has been assigned the receiving order, and the reading terminal reads the plurality of data images at once, extracts the data character strings from the data images in accordance with the receiving order, and inputs the measurement data into the terminal.

5. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the identification string includes a character string that identifies the code issuing machine.

6. A data input system for inputting measurement data from an apparatus into a terminal connected to a network, a code issuing machine connected to the device, which generates a transmission character string by adding an identification character string of a predetermined number of digits that identifies an attribute of the measurement data to a data character string that is a character string of the measurement data, and generates a data image corresponding to the transmission character string; a reading terminal connected to the terminal, optically reading the data image and decoded into the transmission character string, and if the transmission character string contains the identification character string, extracting the data character string and inputting the measurement data, wherein the measurement data is input to the terminal via the data image.

7. 7. The data input system according to claim 6, wherein the identification character string includes information about the order in which the measurement data should be received by the terminal.

8. 8. The data input system according to claim 7, wherein the identification character string is provided in advance to the code issuing machine and the reading terminal.

9. 8. The data input system according to claim 7, wherein the code issuing machine prints out a plurality of the data images, each of which has been assigned the receiving order, and the reading terminal reads the plurality of data images at once, extracts the data character strings from the data images in accordance with the receiving order, and inputs the measurement data into the terminal.

10. 10. A data entry system according to claim 6, wherein said identification string comprises a string that identifies said code issuing machine.

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