Modular sensor platform device

Abstract

The modularized sensor platform device includes at least one first terminal that can be coupled to a power sensor, a plurality of second terminals that can be coupled to external sensor modules and communication modules, and a microcontroller unit that executes a predefined algorithm.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a modularized sensor platform device, and more particularly, to an Internet of Things (IoT)-based modularized sensor platform device that can be used in smart engineering solutions. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional machine tool power measurement devices are composed of simple circuits that collect power data and transmit it via wires. In addition, the conventional devices have an insufficient amount of data per unit time to analyze the quality and condition of the machine tool. The conventional devices are not intended to analyze various characteristics of the machine tool, but are intended to measure the power itself. Such conventional devices are not in line with the development direction of smart engineering, which simultaneously measures various physical quantities and calculates multiple physical quantity data at once.

[0003] In addition, when a conventional power measurement device and various sensor systems are attached to one machine tool, not only is there a problem with synchronization between data, but the measured values ​​of each sensor must be wirelessly transmitted as they are, which increases the amount of communication traffic.In addition, calculations cannot be performed at the end of the system, which makes it difficult to realize the efficiency of edge computing, one of the key technologies for smart engineering. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a modularized sensor platform device that can simultaneously perform the roles of an IoT device and edge computing and can be easily applied to smart engineering solutions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An example of a modularized sensor platform device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the aforementioned technical problem includes at least one or more first terminals that can be coupled to a power sensor, an external sensor module, and a plurality of second terminals that can be coupled to a communication module, and a micro control unit that executes a defined algorithm. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the non-contact current measurement method is used and can be implemented in a small size, it can be attached to an existing conventional machine tool. In addition, since various sensor modules and communication modules can be attached, various types of data such as temperature, humidity, and vibration as well as three-phase power can be synchronized and collected, and a desired communication protocol (e.g., WiFi5, BLE3, Zigbee (registered trademark), etc.) can be selected for communication. In addition, since a lightweight artificial intelligence can be inserted and calculations can be performed at the edge, it can be installed in a small- to medium-sized manufacturing line where the communication network is not properly constructed or sufficient communication speed cannot be secured, and the intelligent manufacturing line can be realized without a communication burden. In addition, it can be installed in a distribution board of a general home or a distribution board inside a building, and a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, etc. can be attached to construct intelligence, and it can be applied to a smart home or smart building solution. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an overall configuration of a modular sensor platform device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a modularized sensor platform device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a calculation method of a micro control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a modular sensor platform device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall shape of a modularized sensor platform device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] 1, the modularized sensor platform device 100 includes at least one first terminal 110 that can be coupled to a power sensor, and at least one second terminal 120 that can be coupled to an external sensor module and a communication module. The modularized sensor platform device 100 also includes a micro control unit in the main body for executing a predefined algorithm.

[0011] The modularized sensor platform device 100 does not incorporate various sensor modules and communication modules, but includes terminals 110, 120 that can be connected to the modules, and therefore can be manufactured in a small and lightweight manner. In addition, since various types of sensor modules and various types of communication modules can be connected to the modularized sensor platform device 100, the modularized sensor platform device 100 can be flexibly applied to various environments. That is, it is not necessary to replace the modularized sensor platform device 100 itself or replace or reassemble internal parts every time the physical quantity to be measured changes, but it is only necessary to change the sensor modules and communication modules connected to the modularized sensor platform device 100, and therefore it is possible to easily realize the intelligence of a conventional factory.

[0012] The first terminal 110 may be connected to a non-contact current sensor that measures three-phase power, or may be connected to various types of conventional power sensors that measure power, according to an embodiment.

[0013] The second terminal 120 may be configured with a USB (universal serial bus) type and / or a three-pole terminal. For example, the second terminal 120 may include at least one USB A type, at least one USB C type, and at least one 3.5 mm three-pole terminal. For example, the communication module may be connected to a USB port, and a sensor for measuring temperature, humidity, illuminance, vibration, or the like may be connected to the three-pole terminal. The three-pole terminal receives an output signal from a connected resistor-based sensor, so that it can read the output signal of the sensor and perform a role of DAQ (data acquisition) without further configuration of a microcontroller.

[0014] In another embodiment, the modularized sensor platform apparatus 100 may include at least one image sensor, i.e., a camera, or may be connected to at least one camera via the second terminal 120. As another example, the modularized sensor platform apparatus 100 may be wirelessly connected to at least one camera via a communication module connected to the second terminal.

[0015] The modularized sensor platform device 100 can synchronously collect sensing values ​​from multiple sensor modules via the second terminal 120. For example, the modularized sensor platform device 100 can collect sensing values ​​from multiple sensor modules at the same time.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a modularized sensor platform device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] 1 and 2, the modularized sensor platform device 100 includes a power meter reading IC 200, a microcontroller unit (MCU) 210, and a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) 220.

[0018] The power meter reading IC 200 grasps the power by using the sensing value received from the power sensor via the first terminal 110. For example, the power sensor is a non-contact type current sensor that is connected to a 380V three-phase four-wire power supply line and can measure the current flowing through each electric wire. The power meter reading IC 200 can grasp the power, etc. based on the current sensing value of each electric wire measured by the current sensor.

[0019] The micro control unit 210 is connected to at least one sensor module 250, 252 and at least one communication module 260, 262 via the second terminal 120. In one embodiment, the micro control unit 210 can directly transmit the sensing values ​​received from at least one sensor module 250, 252 connected by wired communication via the communication modules 260, 262 of wireless communication, but in this case, there is a problem that the communication volume increases. Therefore, in this embodiment, the micro control unit 210 can transmit the result value obtained by performing a predetermined calculation process based on the sensing values ​​received from at least one sensor module 250, 252 via the communication modules 260, 262. An example of a calculation method performed by the micro control unit 210 is shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] The micro control unit 210 may continuously receive sensing values ​​from the sensor modules and determine whether the sensor modules are to be operated. For example, the micro control unit 210 may receive a control command from the outside via the communication modules 260 and 262 and determine the type and number of sensor modules to be operated. That is, a user may transmit a control command to operate or stop the operation of the sensor modules connected to the modularized sensor platform apparatus 100 to the modularized sensor platform apparatus 100 via a server or a user terminal. For example, when the first sensor module to the n-th sensor module are connected via the second terminal 120, the micro control unit 210 may operate the first sensor module and the fifth sensor module by receiving an operation command for the first sensor module and the fifth sensor module.

[0021] As another example, the micro control unit 210 may determine whether the sensor module operates according to a predefined condition. For example, if one of the sensor modules is an image sensor, i.e., a camera, continuous processing of images captured by the camera by the modularized sensor platform apparatus 100 places a large load on storage space and calculation. In this case, the micro control unit 210 may normally stop the operation of the camera, and may operate the camera sensor module if the power sensing value connected to the first terminal 110 is abnormal or if values ​​measured from various sensor modules connected to the second terminal 120 correspond to a predefined condition (e.g., an abnormal state). In other words, if an abnormal state is found in the equipment or space in which the modularized sensor platform apparatus 100 is installed, the image captured by the camera may be transmitted to a server, a user terminal, or the like.

[0022] Depending on the communication mode of the location where the modularized sensor platform device 100 is located, different communication modules 260, 262 may be connected to or used in the modularized sensor platform device 100. For example, if ZigBee communication is required, a ZigBee communication module may be connected to the modularized sensor platform device 100.

[0023] In another embodiment, a plurality of communication modules 260, 262 are connected to the modularized sensor platform device 100 in advance, and the micro control unit 210 can transmit and receive data via any one of the plurality of communication modules 260, 262 as necessary. For example, in an environment where a plurality of communication protocols are available, the modularized sensor platform device 100 can select any one of the communication protocols according to a user setting or a communication environment (e.g., a bandwidth, the presence or absence of a communication delay, a communication volume, etc.) and transmit and receive data via a communication module that supports the communication protocol.

[0024] The power meter reading IC 200 and the micro control unit 210 may be connected via a UART 220. The power meter reading IC 200 and the micro control unit 210 are physically separated and transmit and receive data via the UART 220, so that even if a sudden overload occurs in the power meter reading IC 200, the micro control unit 210 can be protected.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a calculation method of a micro control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] 3, the micro control unit includes an algorithm 300 capable of performing calculations based on a sensing value, and thus can function as a kind of edge computing. The algorithm 300 is stored in a built-in memory of the micro control unit, or in a separate memory present in the modularized sensor platform device 100.

[0027] The micro control unit inputs the power measurement value 310 obtained through the power sensor and the sensing values ​​312, 314 measured through each sensor module into the algorithm 300 to derive the analysis result 320. The algorithm 300 may be an algorithm implemented by a general function, or may be an artificial intelligence algorithm based on deep learning or machine learning. For example, the modularized sensor platform device 100 may be attached to a machine tool, and may use the power measurement value 310 and the sensing values ​​312, 314 to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the machine tool through an algorithm and transmit the result 320. This reduces the amount of communication and the computational burden on the central server compared to transmitting the sensing value itself.

[0028] In another embodiment, the operating conditions of various sensor modules are also defined in the algorithm 300. For example, the micro control unit normally operates some of the multiple sensor modules according to the algorithm 300 to detect the presence or absence of an abnormality in a machine tool or the like, and if an abnormality is detected through the algorithm 300, the micro control unit can operate a camera and transmit the captured image to a server, a user terminal, or the like.

[0029] In yet another embodiment, the micro control unit can receive a control command for operating a specific sensor module from a user via the communication module. For example, the micro control unit can receive a control command for operating a camera from the outside, operate the camera according to the control command, and transmit the captured image.

[0030] The present invention has been described above with reference to its preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be embodied in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered from an explanatory perspective, not a restrictive one. The scope of the present invention is defined in the claims, not the above description, and all differences within the scope of the equivalents thereof should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

Claims

1. at least one first terminal coupleable to a power sensor; a plurality of second terminals that can be coupled to an external sensor module and a communication module; a micro control unit for executing a predefined algorithm; The modularized sensor platform device, wherein the micro control unit operates a camera sensor module connected to the second terminal to transmit captured images to an external device when a sensing value of a power sensor connected to the first terminal corresponds to an abnormal state.

2. The modular sensor platform device of claim 1 , wherein the first terminal is coupled to a non-contact current sensor for measuring three-phase power.

3. 2. The modular sensor platform device of claim 1, wherein the second terminal comprises a universal serial bus (USB) type terminal.

4. the second terminal includes a three-pole terminal, The modular sensor platform device of claim 1 , wherein the three-pole terminal receives an output signal from a resistor-based sensor module connected thereto.

5. The algorithm is a deep learning-based artificial intelligence algorithm, 2. The modularized sensor platform device of claim 1, wherein the micro control unit inputs the sensing values ​​received through the first and second terminals into the algorithm and transmits the resultant value through the communication module.

6. The power meter reading IC further includes a power meter reading IC configured to read power based on a signal received via the first terminal, The modular sensor platform device of claim 1 , wherein the power meter reading IC and the micro control unit are connected to each other via a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART).

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