Monitoring and control device

Abstract

The monitoring screen will display weather information for the plant's location more accurately. [Solution] The monitoring and control device (1) includes an information acquisition unit (101) which is a first acquisition unit for acquiring weather information and a second acquisition unit for acquiring time information, and a display control unit (102) which displays a monitoring screen (D1) which is a screen containing information about the plant (40) to be monitored and controlled. The display control unit displays weather images corresponding to the weather information and time information of the plant's location, associated with the plant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant monitoring and control device.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional technique, there is known a monitoring and control device that displays a weather mark representing the current weather in the vicinity of the location (installation site) of a plant on a monitoring screen of the plant in association with the plant (for example, Patent Document 1). In the above monitoring and control device, when an alarm or caution message is announced, an empty area is created on the monitoring screen, and it is also performed to display a message indicating that an alarm or caution message is being announced in the empty area.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional technique as described above does not display weather information considering the time zone. Therefore, in the case of fine weather, a sun mark is displayed even though it is a nighttime time zone, resulting in a display of a weather mark that deviates from reality.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a monitoring and control device capable of more accurately displaying information related to the weather at the location of a plant on a monitoring screen.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a monitoring and control device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first acquisition unit for acquiring weather information, a second acquisition unit for acquiring time information, and a display control unit for displaying a screen containing information about a plant to be monitored and controlled, wherein the display control unit displays a weather image corresponding to the weather information and time information for the location of the plant, in association with the plant. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the objective is to realize a monitoring and control device that can more accurately display weather information for the plant's location on the monitoring screen. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a monitoring and control device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and a system including the monitoring and control device. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing an example of a monitoring screen displaying information for two plants located in different locations, as shown on the above-mentioned monitoring and control device. [Figure 3] This is an example of a display on the monitoring screen of the above-mentioned monitoring control device, showing information for two plants located in different locations, and illustrating a situation where a heavy rain warning has been issued for one of the plants. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing an example of a monitoring screen display on the display unit of the above-mentioned monitoring and control device, which shows information for two plants located in different locations, and indicates that a heavy rain warning has been issued for one of the plants. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the process flow for displaying the monitoring screen in the above-mentioned monitoring and control device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention is described below.

[0010] Figure 1 shows the configuration of a monitoring and control device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and a system including the monitoring and control device 1. The monitoring and control device 1 is a device for monitoring and controlling a plant 40. In the example of Figure 1, the monitoring and control device 1 monitors and controls a plurality of plants 40-1, 40-2, ~40-n. The plant 40 is, for example, a water supply facility such as a water purification plant or water distribution plant, a sewage treatment plant, a sewerage facility such as a pumping station or sludge treatment plant, or an industrial wastewater treatment facility.

[0011] Plant 40 is equipped with one or more measuring devices (not shown). Information measured by each measuring device in Plant 40 is transmitted to the monitoring and control device 1 via the network 30. The measuring devices are, for example, devices that measure measurement data such as the water level and flow rate of the water source in Plant 40.

[0012] The monitoring and control device 1 acquires the received measurement data and displays a monitoring screen (display) D1 containing information about the plant 40 based on the measurement data (see Figure 2). As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, a weather image 21 showing the weather information and time period for the location (installation site) of the plant 40 is displayed on the monitoring screen D1 in association with the plant 40. The monitoring and control device 1 also accepts instruction input from the monitor of the plant 40. The monitoring and control device 1 transmits a control signal to the plant 40 via the network 30 to execute the input instruction.

[0013] (Monitoring and control device) As shown in Figure 1, the monitoring and control device 1 comprises a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, and an input unit 14. The control unit 10 controls all parts of the monitoring and control device 1. The storage unit 11 stores various data used by the monitoring and control device 1. The communication unit 12 enables communication between the monitoring and control device 1 and other devices. The display unit 13 displays images. The input unit 14 receives instruction inputs for the monitoring and control device 1.

[0014] <Department Head> As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 includes an information acquisition unit 101 and a display control unit 102. The information acquisition unit 101 acquires various information. The information acquisition unit 101, for example, acquires and collects measurement data from a measuring device.

[0015] Also, the information acquisition unit 101 acquires weather information related to weather provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Internet, an AMeDAS observation station, etc. via the network 30 (first acquisition unit). The weather information is, for example, weather forecast, precipitation, temperature, wind direction, wind speed, snow accumulation amount, sunshine duration, etc. In the present embodiment, it acquires in which of the 21 types of symbols described later indicating the weather the state is.

[0016] Also, the information acquisition unit 101 acquires time information related to time (second acquisition unit). In the present embodiment, it acquires information on the time as time information. When the time information of the location where the monitoring control device 1 is installed is the same as the time information of the location of each plant, the time information may be acquired from the clock function provided in the monitoring control device 1. When the time information of the location where the monitoring control device 1 is installed is different from the time information of the location of each plant, the time information of the location of each plant is acquired.

[0017] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the information acquisition unit 101 acquires disaster prevention weather information (third acquisition unit). The disaster prevention weather information includes advisories, warnings, and special warnings announced at the city, town, and village level.

[0018] The display control unit 102 controls the display unit 13. The display control unit 102 displays a monitoring screen D1 including information on the plant 40 to be monitored and controlled. When the display control unit 102 receives an instruction to display the monitoring screen D1 of the plant 40 from the input unit 14, it displays the corresponding monitoring screen D1 of the plant 40 on the display unit 13. When an instruction to display the monitoring screens D1 of a plurality of plants 40 is received, display areas are allocated to each of the plurality of plants 40 for display.

[0019] The display control unit 102 displays, on the monitoring screen D1, the weather image 21 corresponding to the weather information and time information of the location of the plant 40 in association with the plant 40 (see FIG. 2). "Corresponding to the time information" can be specifically rephrased as "corresponding to the time zone including the time of the time information".

[0020] In the present embodiment, the display control unit 102 displays the weather image 21 as the background image of the display area assigned to the plant 40 on the monitoring screen D1.

[0021] The display control unit 102 acquires the image data 114 necessary for the display of the monitoring screen D1 from the storage unit 11. That is, the display control unit 102 acquires, from the storage unit 11, the image data 114 of the weather image 21 corresponding to the weather information and time zone of the location of the plant 40 based on the weather information and time information of the location of the plant 40 acquired by the information acquisition unit 101.

[0022] Also, when disaster prevention weather information is announced in the area including the location of the plant 40, the display control unit 102 changes at least one of the display form of the boundary line of the display area assigned to the plant 40 or the display form of the weather image 21 according to the type of the disaster prevention weather information. "When disaster prevention weather information is announced in the area including the location of the plant 40" can be rephrased as "when the disaster prevention weather information of the corresponding area is acquired by the information acquisition unit 101". Specific examples of changing the display form will be described later.

[0023] Also, the control unit 10 includes a form creation unit (not shown). The form creation unit creates a form based on the measurement data 111 and weather information 112 stored in the storage unit 11. Since the creation of the form can be performed using a conventional technique, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the details will be omitted.

[0024] <Storage unit> As shown in Figure 1, the storage unit 11 stores measurement data 111, weather information 112, disaster prevention weather information 113, and image data 114. The measurement data 111 is data measured by the measuring device of the plant 40 and acquired by the information acquisition unit 101. The weather information 112 is weather information acquired by the information acquisition unit 101.

[0025] Disaster Prevention Weather Information 113 is information acquired by the Information Acquisition Unit 101, which includes at least advisories, warnings, and special warnings issued at the municipal level. Hereafter, the municipal level may also be referred to as a district.

[0026] Warnings, advisories, and special warnings include types of disasters such as heavy rain, floods, inundation, landslides, and flood forecasts. The 113 types of disaster prevention weather information are broadly divided into advisories, advisories, and special warnings. The 113 types of disaster prevention weather information may be further subdivided into advisories, advisories, and special warnings according to the type of disaster, such as heavy rain, floods, inundation, landslides, and flood forecasts.

[0027] Image data 114 is data necessary to display the monitoring screen D1. In this embodiment, image data 114 includes image data of equipment diagrams 20 that show the equipment of the plant 40 in geometric form, and image data of weather images 21 (see Figure 2).

[0028] Weather image 21 is, for example, a camera image (weather camera image) of the location of plant 40. Such camera images may be obtained from images taken by live cameras installed at or around the location of plant 40. Alternatively, images taken by workers at each plant 40 may be used.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the weather image 21 includes an image that can determine the intensity of the rain, indicating that it is raining. As a result, from the weather image 21, it is possible to immediately recognize not only that it is raining at the plant's location, but also the detailed conditions of the rainfall from the way the rain is falling.

[0030] Specifically, in this embodiment, the storage unit 11 stores 24 hours' worth of camera images as image data 114 of the weather image 21, for each plant 40 and for each of the 21 types of weather symbols. In other words, for one plant 40, it stores 21 (for 21 types of symbols) × 24 (for 24 hours) = 504 camera images.

[0031] The 21 weather symbols specifically refer to the following: "clear skies, sunny, cloudy, hazy, fog, sandstorm, blizzard, fog, drizzle, rain, heavy rain, shower, sleet, snow, heavy snow, snow shower, hail, thunder, heavy thunder, and unknown weather."

[0032] Note that it is not necessary to include all 21 types of images. For example, dust haze and fog, or clear skies and sunny skies, may be combined into one image. Also, depending on the location of Plant 40, it may not be possible to prepare camera images of dust haze, fog, sandstorms, blizzards, sleet, snow, heavy snow, snow showers, hail, etc. In such cases, camera images from other installation locations may be used as substitutes.

[0033] Furthermore, if hourly accuracy is not required, for example, a total of 252 images every two hours, 168 images every three hours, 126 images every four hours, and so on, may be used.

[0034] Alternatively, the time period may be divided into two time periods: nighttime and daytime. In other words, the weather image 21 may be an image that can distinguish the weather and at least whether it is nighttime or daytime. In that case, for one plant 40, there will be 21 (21 types of symbols) x 2 (daytime and nighttime) = 42 images.

[0035] By preparing at least daytime and nighttime images for each weather condition as weather images 21, it becomes immediately clear from the weather images 21 whether it is daytime or nighttime at the plant's location, along with the weather information for that location.

[0036] Furthermore, the daytime and nighttime periods at a given location vary depending on the season. Therefore, even if the time information is the same, the weather image 21 selected may differ depending on the season. In other words, the weather image 21 at 6 PM during the summer will be a daytime image appropriate for the weather, and the weather image 21 at 6 PM during the winter will be a nighttime image appropriate for the weather.

[0037] (Monitoring screen) The monitoring screen D1 displayed on the display unit 13 of the monitoring control device 1 will be explained using Figures 2 to 4.

[0038] Figure 2 shows an example of a display on monitoring screen D1, which shows information about two plants located in different areas, as displayed on the monitoring control device 1. Plant 40-A is located in area A, and plant 40-B is located in area B.

[0039] In the monitoring screen D1 of Figure 2, the display area is allocated to plant 40-A and plant 40-B. The allocated area for plant 40-A shows the equipment figure 20 of the pond, which is part of the equipment in plant 40-A. The allocated area for plant 40-B shows the equipment figures 20 of the pond, valves, pumps, and other equipment in plant 40-B. Water pipes connecting plant 40-A and plant 40-B, and connecting the various pieces of equipment within plant 40-B, are also shown.

[0040] In the allocated area of ​​plant 40-A, weather image 21-A for area A is displayed as the background image. In the allocated area of ​​plant 40-B, weather image 21-B for area B is displayed as the background image. In the example in Figure 2, weather image 21-A, indicating that it is sunny (weather information) during the daytime, is displayed in area A. Weather image 21-B, indicating that it is partly cloudy (weather information) during the daytime, is displayed in area B.

[0041] Figure 3 is an example of a display on monitoring screen D1, which shows information for two plants located in different locations, as displayed on the monitoring and control device 1, and shows a state where a heavy rain warning has been issued for one of the plants.

[0042] In the monitoring screen D1 of Figure 3, similar to the monitoring screen D1 of Figure 2, weather image 21-A is shown for plant 40-A, indicating that it is a sunny daytime. In contrast, for plant 40-B, weather image 21-B1 is shown, indicating that it is a rainy daytime, and the display of the boundary line L1 of the display area for plant 40-B is changed to indicate that a heavy rain warning has been issued for area B.

[0043] The display format for boundary line L1, which indicates that a heavy rain warning has been issued, includes the color of the boundary line assigned to the heavy rain warning, and / or the flashing pattern of the boundary line assigned to the heavy rain warning.

[0044] In the case of a warning, the level of alert and urgency is lower compared to a warning or special warning. Therefore, the boundary color may be yellow, for example, and the flashing pattern may be a slow flashing speed.

[0045] Figure 4 is an example of a display on monitoring screen D1, which shows information for two plants located in different locations, as displayed on the monitoring control device 1, and shows a state where a heavy rain warning has been issued for one of the plants.

[0046] In the monitoring screen D1 of Figure 4, similar to the monitoring screen D1 of Figures 2 and 3, weather image 21-A is shown for plant 40-A, indicating that it is a sunny daytime. In contrast, for plant 40-B, weather image 21-B2 is shown, indicating that it is a daytime with heavy rain, and the display format of the boundary line L1 of the display area for plant 40-B has been changed to indicate that a heavy rain warning has been issued for area B.

[0047] The display format for boundary line L1, which indicates that a heavy rain warning has been issued, includes the color of the boundary line assigned to the heavy rain warning, and / or the flashing pattern of the boundary line assigned to the heavy rain warning.

[0048] In the case of a warning, the level of alertness and urgency is higher than that of an advisory. Therefore, the boundary color may be red, for example, to indicate a higher level of urgency than yellow, and the flashing pattern may be faster than that of an advisory.

[0049] Although not shown in the diagram, special warnings indicate an even higher level of alertness and urgency than regular warnings. Therefore, the boundary color may be purple, for example, to indicate an even greater urgency than red, and the flashing pattern may be faster than that of regular warnings. In addition, the line width of the boundary may be made thicker as the level of alertness and urgency increases.

[0050] Here, we have provided an example of a display format that changes the border color and flashing speed, but it is also possible to change either the border color or the flashing pattern (e.g., flashing speed). Alternatively, instead of the border, the color of the weather image 21 (i.e., the background image itself) may be changed according to the alert level and urgency, or the weather image 21 may be displayed as a flashing display at a speed corresponding to the alert level and urgency.

[0051] (Processing flow) Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the process flow for displaying the monitoring screen D1 in the monitoring control device 1. As shown in Figure 5, the information acquisition unit 101 acquires various information (step S1). When the monitor inputs a command to display the monitoring screen D1 by specifying the plant 40 from the input unit 14 of the monitoring control device 1, the monitoring control device 1 accepts this command (step S2).

[0052] As a result, the display control unit 102 displays the monitoring screen D1 for the designated plant 40. On the monitoring screen D1, weather images 21 corresponding to the location weather information and time period are displayed in the display area assigned to the plant 40. In addition, if disaster weather information is issued for the area where the plant 40 is installed, the display format of the display area will be displayed in a format corresponding to the type of disaster weather information.

[0053] For example, if plant 40-A is located in area A and plant 40-B is located in area B, and no disaster weather information has been issued for either area A or B, then monitoring screen D1 as shown in Figure 2 above will be displayed. Weather images 21-A and 21-B will be based on the weather information and time of day at that time. On the other hand, for example, if a heavy rain warning has been issued for area B but no warning has been issued for area A, then monitoring screen D1 as shown in Figure 3 above will be displayed. Also, for example, if a heavy rain warning has been issued for area B but no warning has been issued for area A, then monitoring screen D1 as shown in Figure 4 above will be displayed.

[0054] While the monitoring screen D1 is being displayed, the information acquisition unit 101 acquires various types of information (step S4). The display control unit 102 determines whether there are any changes in weather information or time zone at the plant 40 being displayed (step S5).

[0055] If a change occurs (YES in step S5), the display control unit 102 updates the weather image 21 in the display area of ​​the corresponding plant to a weather image 21 corresponding to the weather information and time of day (step S6).

[0056] If there is no change (NO in step S5), the display control unit 102 determines whether or not disaster weather information has been issued for the area where the plant 40 to be displayed is located, and if so, whether or not there have been any changes to the disaster weather information (step S7).

[0057] When disaster weather information is issued, or when there are changes to disaster weather information (YES in step S7), the display control unit 102 changes the display format of the display area of ​​the corresponding plant 40 according to the type of disaster weather information (step S8).

[0058] As described above, the monitoring control device 1 displays a weather image 21 on the monitoring screen D1 that corresponds to the weather information and time of day at the location of the plant 40. Therefore, the weather information and time of day at the location of the plant 40 can be recognized simultaneously from the weather image 21. This allows for a more accurate display of weather information at the location of the plant 40 on the monitoring screen D1.

[0059] Furthermore, the weather image 21 is displayed as the background image for the display area allocated to plant 40. Therefore, it will be displayed using the entire display area, allowing for a more impactful display compared to displays using marks or other symbols.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when disaster prevention weather information is issued for the area where Plant 40 is located, the display area assigned to Plant 40 will indicate that disaster prevention weather information has been issued and its type in a display format. Therefore, it is possible to recognize the disaster prevention weather information issued for the location of Plant 40 from the display format of the display area assigned to Plant 40.

[0061] This is indicated by changing the display format of the display area assigned to Plant 40, so even when information from multiple Plants 40 is displayed separately, it is immediately clear which Plant 40 has issued disaster prevention weather information.

[0062] In this embodiment, the weather image 21 is an image (photograph or video) that was actually taken, but it is not limited to images such as photographs, and may also be a drawing. For example, a sunny daytime sky may be represented by a sun symbol, and a clear nighttime sky may be represented by a moon symbol or a star symbol.

[0063] [Examples of implementation using software] The function of the monitoring and control device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "device") is a program that causes the device to function as a computer, and can be realized by a program (monitoring and control program) that causes each control block of the device (especially each part included in the control unit 10) to function as a computer.

[0064] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, the functions described in each of the embodiments are realized.

[0065] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the above device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0066] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as each of the above control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0067] Furthermore, each process described in the above embodiments may be performed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may operate on the control device described above, or it may operate on other devices (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1. Monitoring and Control Device 10 Control Unit 11 Storage section Weather images 21, 21-A, 21-B 40, 40-1, 40-A, 40-B Plants 101 Information acquisition unit (1st acquisition unit, 2nd acquisition unit, 3rd acquisition unit) 102 Display Control Unit 112 Weather Information 113 Disaster Prevention Weather Information 114 Image Data D1 Monitoring screen (screen)

Claims

1. The first acquisition unit acquires weather information related to the weather, A second acquisition unit that acquires time-related time information, It comprises a display control unit that displays a screen containing information about the plant to be monitored and controlled, The display control unit is a monitoring and control device that displays weather images corresponding to the weather information and time information for the location of the plant, associated with the plant.

2. The monitoring and control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the weather image as the background image of the display area assigned to the plant on the screen.

3. The monitoring and control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the weather image is an image that can determine the weather and at least whether it is nighttime or daytime.

4. The monitoring and control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the weather image includes an image that can determine the intensity of the rain as an image indicating that it is raining.

5. It is further equipped with a third acquisition unit for acquiring disaster prevention weather information, The monitoring and control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the disaster prevention weather information is issued for the area in which the plant is located, the display control unit changes at least one of the display format of the boundary of the display area assigned to the plant or the display format of the weather image according to the type of disaster prevention weather information.

6. A monitoring and control program for causing a computer to function as a monitoring and control device according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring and control program causes the computer to function as the first acquisition unit, the second acquisition unit, and the display control unit.

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