Analysis system, analysis method for analysis system, server device, control method for server device, and program

By intermittently measuring and transmitting data to a server for combination and analysis, the system extends battery life and enables effective long-term frequency analysis.

JP7722399B2Active Publication Date: 2025-08-13YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023031437
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-03-01
Publication Date
2025-08-13
Estimated Expiration
2043-03-01

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional wireless sensors deplete their batteries quickly due to the need to transmit large amounts of data for frequency analysis, limiting the use of frequency analysis results to short periods.

Method used

A system where a wireless sensor intermittently measures and transmits data to a server device, which combines and performs frequency analysis on the data, allowing longer-term analysis results to be used.

Benefits of technology

Enables the use of frequency analysis results over extended periods without depleting the wireless sensor's battery, improving analysis effectiveness for long-term fluctuations.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To enable results of frequency analyses of measurement values measured over a long period by a wireless sensor to be used in other devices.SOLUTION: An analysis system 1 comprises a wireless sensor 10 and a server device 20 that are capable of communicating with each other. The wireless sensor 10 includes a first control unit 11 configured to: acquire physical quantity measurement values of a measurement object having been measured at predetermined measurement times distributed at a predetermined interval; and transmit the acquired physical quantity measurement values to the server device 20. The server device 20 includes a second control unit 21 configured to: combine the physical quantity measurement values having been measured at measurement times distributed at the predetermine interval, received from the wireless sensor 10 to acquire combination information composed of measurement values that are contiguous in time; perform frequency analysis on the combination information; and output a result of the frequency analysis on the combination information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an analysis system, an analysis method for the analysis system, a server device, a control method for the server device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Techniques relating to frequency analysis of signals, such as Fourier transform and frequency filters, are known (Patent Documents 1 and 2). Also known are small, battery-powered wireless sensors that measure various physical quantities, such as temperature, pressure, or vibration, and transmit the measured values of the physical quantities to other devices via wireless communication. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-021597 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-035666 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When performing frequency analysis on measurement results from a wireless sensor and using the analysis results in another device, the frequency analysis can be performed in the wireless sensor or another device. Here, performing frequency analysis on a signal requires performing arithmetic processing on data over a certain period of time. Therefore, when making the results of frequency analysis of measured values of physical quantities available to another device, the wireless sensor needs to transmit a large amount of data, i.e., the measurement results before or after the frequency analysis. Transmitting a large amount of data via wireless communication consumes power, and the communication speed of the wireless sensor may be slow. In such cases, conventional configurations have had the problem of the wireless sensor's battery being depleted by only transmitting and receiving measured values of physical quantities measured over a short period of time. In other words, the other device may only be able to use the results of frequency analysis of measured values over a specific short period of time.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to enable other devices to use the results of frequency analysis of measurements taken over a longer period of time by a wireless sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In some embodiments, the analysis system comprises: (1) An analysis system including a wireless sensor and a server device that can communicate with each other, The wireless sensor Acquire measured values of physical quantities of the measurement object measured at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals; transmitting the acquired measurement values of the physical quantities to the server device; A first control unit is provided, The server device combining the measurement values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals and received from the wireless sensors to obtain combined information as time-sequential measurement values; performing a frequency analysis on the bonding information; outputting the result of the frequency analysis on the bonding information; A second control unit is provided.

[0007] In this way, frequency analysis is performed after combining the measured values of the physical quantities of the object measured at measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals, so that the results of frequency analysis of measured values measured over a longer period of time can be used on another device, such as a server device.

[0008] In one embodiment, (2) In the analysis system of (1), The second control unit of the server device may perform window function processing on the measurement values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals, and combine the measurement values that have been subjected to the window function processing to acquire the combined information.

[0009] In this way, the measurement values are combined after applying a window function to obtain combined information, so that errors in frequency components caused by discontinuities in the signal can be prevented.

[0010] In one embodiment, (3) In the analysis system of (1) or (2), the second control unit of the server device transmits the time interval to the wireless sensor; The first control unit of the wireless sensor may acquire the measured value of the physical quantity at the time interval received from the server device as the predetermined interval.

[0011] In this way, the wireless sensor acquires the measured value of the physical quantity based on the time interval received from the server device, and therefore the time interval for measuring the physical quantity can be set from the server device.

[0012] In one embodiment, (4) In any of the analysis systems (1) to (3), the second control unit of the server device transmits a predetermined time to the wireless sensor; The first control unit of the wireless sensor may acquire the measured value of the physical quantity using the predetermined time received from the server device as the measurement time.

[0013] In this way, the wireless sensor acquires a measurement value of a physical quantity using the predetermined time received from the server device as the measurement time, and therefore the measurement time for measuring the physical quantity can be set from the server device.

[0014] In one embodiment, (5) In the analysis system of (1) or (2), the second control unit of the server device transmits the time interval range to the wireless sensor; The first control unit of the wireless sensor may randomly determine the time interval within the range received from the server device each time it acquires a measurement value of the physical quantity, and acquire the measurement value of the physical quantity using the randomly determined time interval as the predetermined interval.

[0015] In this way, the wireless sensor randomly determines time intervals within a certain range and acquires measurements of physical quantities at those randomly determined time intervals, thereby preventing the sensor from missing signals that occur at regular intervals.

[0016] In one embodiment, (6) In any of the analysis systems (1) to (6), the second control unit of the server device transmits the number of measurement values measured during the measurement time to the wireless sensor; The first control unit of the wireless sensor may acquire the number of measurements of the physical quantity at the measurement time received from the server device.

[0017] In this way, the wireless sensor acquires the specified number of measured values of the physical quantity from the server device, and therefore the number of samplings of the measured values of the physical quantity can be set by the server device.

[0018] An analysis method of an analysis system according to some embodiments includes: (7) An analysis method for an analysis system including a wireless sensor and a server device that can communicate with each other, The wireless sensor acquiring measured values of physical quantities of a measurement object measured at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals; transmitting the acquired measurement values of the physical quantities to the server device; Including, The server device: a step of combining the measured values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals and received from the wireless sensors to obtain combined information as time-sequential measured values; performing a frequency analysis on the binding information; outputting a result of the frequency analysis of the bonding information; Includes:

[0019] In this way, frequency analysis is performed after combining the measured values of the physical quantities of the object to be measured measured at measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals, so that the results of frequency analysis of measured values measured over a longer period of time can be used on the server device side.

[0020] In some embodiments, the server device (8) Capable of communicating with a wireless sensor that acquires measurements of physical quantities of a measurement object at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals; receiving the measurements from the wireless sensors; combining the measurement values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals and received from the wireless sensors to obtain combined information as time-sequential measurement values; performing a frequency analysis on the bonding information; outputting the result of the frequency analysis on the bonding information; It has a control unit.

[0021] In this way, frequency analysis is performed after combining the measured values of the physical quantities of the object to be measured measured at measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals, so that the results of frequency analysis of measured values measured over a longer period of time can be used on the server device side.

[0022] A method for controlling a server device according to some embodiments includes: (9) A control method for a server device including a control unit capable of communicating with a wireless sensor that acquires measured values of physical quantities of a measurement object measured at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals, the method comprising: The control unit receiving the measurements from the wireless sensors; a step of combining the measured values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals and received from the wireless sensors to obtain combined information as time-sequential measured values; performing a frequency analysis on the binding information; outputting a result of the frequency analysis of the bonding information; Includes:

[0023] In this way, frequency analysis is performed after combining the measured values of the physical quantities of the object to be measured measured at measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals, so that the results of frequency analysis of measured values measured over a longer period of time can be used on the server device side.

[0024] In some embodiments, the program (10) A computer capable of communicating with a wireless sensor acquires measured values of a physical quantity of a measurement object measured at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals, receiving the measurements from the wireless sensors; a process of combining the measurement values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals and received from the wireless sensors to obtain combined information as time-sequential measurement values; A process of performing frequency analysis on the bonding information; a process of outputting a result of the frequency analysis on the bonding information; Execute the following.

[0025] In this way, frequency analysis is performed after combining the measured values of the physical quantities of the object to be measured measured at measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals, so that the results of frequency analysis of measured values measured over a longer period of time can be used on the server device side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the results of frequency analysis of measurements taken over a longer period by a wireless sensor can be used in other devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a frequency analysis performed by a configuration according to a comparative example. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an analysis system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of some blocks of the analysis system of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a frequency analysis performed by the analysis system of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wireless sensor of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server device of FIG. 2; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a signal to be analyzed. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the signal illustrated in FIG. 7 after frequency analysis. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the signal illustrated in FIG. 7 after frequency analysis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] <Comparative Example> The analysis system according to the comparative example includes a wireless sensor that measures a physical quantity and a server device that receives the measured value of the physical quantity from the wireless sensor and performs predetermined processing. The wireless sensor measures the physical quantity, performs processing such as analog-to-digital (AD) conversion on the measured value of the physical quantity, and transmits the result to the server device via low-speed wireless communication. The server device performs predetermined processing on the measured value of the physical quantity received from the wireless sensor and outputs the result to a display or the like. In this configuration, when frequency analysis such as Fourier transform is performed on the measurement results of the wireless sensor and the analysis results are used in the server device, it is possible to perform the frequency analysis in the wireless sensor or the server device. That is, there are two possible configurations: one in which the wireless sensor performs frequency analysis on the measured value and transmits it to the server device, and another in which the wireless sensor transmits the measured value of the physical quantity to the server device without performing frequency analysis, and the server device performs the frequency analysis on the side of the server device.

[0029] In such a configuration, the wireless sensor or server device performs a high-speed Fourier transform using an FFT (Fast Fourier Transform). A typical STFT (Short-Term Fourier Transform) performs a Fourier transform by applying a window function to measured values while shifting it. The wireless sensor or server device moves the window function so that the ranges to which the window functions are applied overlap each other during processing, thereby preventing the loss of time-series data. When performing an FFT on the wireless sensor side, in order to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted, the wireless sensor may detect only the peak frequency after FFT processing and transmit the data of that frequency to the server device.

[0030] Frequency analysis such as FFT requires calculations to be performed on data over a certain period of time. Therefore, in this comparative example, a huge amount of data required for FFT calculations or a huge amount of data after FFT calculations must be collected and transmitted. As a result, data transmission takes time in low-speed communication, increasing the power consumption of the wireless sensor. In a configuration in which FFT is performed on the wireless sensor side, power consumption increases due to calculations performed by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a large amount of memory is required. Extracting peak frequencies, for example, requires a large amount of memory and additional power consumption for calculations, and data other than the selected data is lost. Even in a configuration using STFT, it is common to overlap the application ranges of adjacent window functions or set the gap between them to be short, resulting in power consumption for processing and transmitting a huge amount of data.

[0031] In this way, transmitting a large amount of data via wireless communication consumes power proportional to the amount of data, and the communication speed of the wireless sensor may be slow. In such a case, the configuration of the comparative example had a problem in that the battery of the wireless sensor would be depleted by only transmitting and receiving measurements of physical quantities measured over a short period of time. In other words, the server device could only use the results of frequency analysis of measurements over a specific short period of time.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating frequency analysis using a configuration according to a comparative example. FIG. 1 shows an example in which a wireless sensor according to the comparative example transmits N0 consecutively measured values over a fixed time period T0. In this way, the wireless sensor according to the comparative example transmits a large number (N0) of consecutively measured values over a fixed time period T0 in order to increase the resolution of the frequency analysis, which may result in battery power depletion. In other words, in the configuration according to the comparative example, the server device may only be able to use the results of frequency analysis of measurements taken over a specific short period of time.

[0033] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to enable other devices to use the results of frequency analysis of measurements taken over a longer period of time by a battery-powered wireless sensor.

[0034] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, parts having the same configuration or function are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, duplicated descriptions of the same parts may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0035] (Analysis system) 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an analysis system 1 according to an embodiment. The analysis system 1 includes a wireless sensor 10 and a server device 20. The wireless sensor 10 and the server device 20 are communicatively connected to a network N including, for example, the Internet, an intranet, a mobile communication network, and the like.

[0036] The wireless sensor 10 measures a physical quantity such as acceleration, and transmits the measured value of the physical quantity to the server device 20 via wireless communication. The wireless sensor 10 may be battery-powered. In this embodiment, the wireless sensor 10 is installed on a measurement object and measures the acceleration of the measurement object. However, the physical quantity measured by the wireless sensor 10 is not limited to acceleration, and may be any physical quantity such as temperature, pressure, or flow rate. The wireless sensor 10 collects measured values of physical quantities whose state fluctuates over a long period. The wireless sensor 10 transmits the measured value of the physical quantity to the server device 20 via a network N using a communication method such as LoRa communication.

[0037] The server device 20 receives the measured values of the physical quantities from the wireless sensors 10, performs frequency analysis such as Fourier transform, and then performs predetermined processing such as display.

[0038] In this configuration, the wireless sensor 10 measures a physical quantity intermittently at regular intervals and transmits the measured value of the physical quantity to the server device 20 for each measurement. When the server device 20 receives the measured values of the physical quantity measured intermittently at regular intervals, it combines these measured values as measured values measured continuously in time and performs frequency analysis on the combined measured values (combined information). Therefore, the configuration according to this embodiment makes it possible to perform frequency analysis on data reflecting measured values measured over a longer period than conventional configurations. The configuration according to this embodiment makes it possible to perform more effective frequency analysis when the state of the object to be measured fluctuates over a long period of time.

[0039] (wireless sensor) 2, the wireless sensor 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a measurement unit 13, a signal processing unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The wireless sensor 10 is configured, for example, as a dedicated electronic device, but is not limited to this, and for example, some or all of the components may be configured by any general-purpose electronic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0040] The control unit (first control unit) 11 includes one or more processors. In one embodiment, the "processor" may be, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor specialized for a particular process. The control unit 11 is communicatively connected to each component of the wireless sensor 10 and controls the overall operation of the wireless sensor 10.

[0041] The memory unit 12 includes any memory module, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a solid state drive (SSD). The memory unit 12 may function as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 12 stores any information used in the operation of the wireless sensor 10. For example, the memory unit 12 may store information such as the measured values of physical quantities and the measurement times. The control unit 11 and the memory unit 12 may be integrated into an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) or the like. The control unit 11 and the memory unit 12 are not limited to being integrated into an MCU or the like. For example, in the wireless sensor 10, all or any part of the control unit 11, the memory unit 12, the measurement unit 13, the signal processing unit 14, and the communication unit 15 may be integrated into an MCU or the like.

[0042] The measurement unit 13 is a sensor that measures a physical quantity related to a measurement object to obtain a measurement value. The measurement unit 13 is, for example, an acceleration sensor, but is not limited to this and may be, for example, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a flow rate sensor.

[0043] The signal processing unit 14 analyzes the signal of the measurement value of the physical quantity measured by the measurement unit 13. Details of the signal processing unit 14 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0044] The communication unit 15 includes any communication module for wireless communication with the server device 20 via the network N. In this embodiment, the communication unit 15 is a communication module for performing LoRa communication, but the type of wireless communication is not limited to this. For example, the communication unit 15 may include any wireless communication module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0045] Some or all of the components of the wireless sensor 10 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 11. That is, some or all of the components of the wireless sensor 10 may be realized by hardware. Alternatively, some or all of the components of the wireless sensor 10 may be realized by executing a computer program (program) on a processor included in the control unit 11. That is, some or all of the components of the wireless sensor 10 may be realized by software.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed example of the configuration of some blocks of the analysis system 1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows components provided in the signal processing unit 14 and communication unit 15 of the wireless sensor 10.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3 , the signal processing unit 14 includes a measurement value input unit 141, an amplifier 142, a filter 143, a timing setting unit 144, and an A / D converter 145. The measurement value input unit 141 receives a measurement value signal of a physical quantity acquired by the measurement unit 13. The amplifier 142 amplifies the measurement value signal acquired by the measurement value input unit 141 by a predetermined factor. The filter 143 performs frequency filtering on the measurement value signal amplified by the amplifier 142 and outputs a signal related to the measurement value within a predetermined frequency range. The A / D converter 145 converts the signal output from the filter 143 from an analog signal to a digital signal. The timing setting unit 144 sets the operation timing of the filter 143 and the A / D converter 145. Specifically, the timing setting unit 144 may set a sampling period for the A / D converter 145. The timing setting unit 144 may set the filter 143 to change the filter to be used depending on the sampling period.

[0048] The communication unit 15 includes a signal transmission unit 151. The signal transmission unit 151 transmits the digital measurement value signal output from the A / D converter 145 to the server device 20 via LoRa communication.

[0049] The components of the signal processing unit 14 and the communication unit 15 described with reference to Fig. 3 are configured, for example, as independent, separate hardware. Specifically, the components of the signal processing unit 14 and the communication unit 15 may be realized as separate blocks in an FPGA. Alternatively, the components of the signal processing unit 14 and the communication unit 15 may be realized by software.

[0050] (Server device) 2, the server device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 213, and a communication unit 15. The server device 20 is realized by a general-purpose computer such as a WS (Workstation) or a PC (Personal Computer), but may also be an FPGA or a dedicated electronic device.

[0051] The control unit (second control unit) 21 includes one or more processors. The control unit 21 is communicably connected to each component of the server device 20, and controls the operation of the server device 20 as a whole.

[0052] The storage unit 22 includes any storage module, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), an SSD, a ROM, and a RAM. The storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the server device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store system programs, application programs, and various information received by the communication unit 25. The storage unit 22 is not limited to being built into the server device 20, and may be an external database or an external storage module. For example, the storage unit 22 may hold measured values of physical quantities received from the wireless sensor 10.

[0053] The input unit 23 includes one or more input interfaces that accept a user's input operation and acquire input information based on the user's operation. For example, the input unit 23 may be, but is not limited to, a physical key, a capacitance key, a pointing device, or a touch screen that is integrated with the display of the output unit 24.

[0054] The output unit 24 includes one or more output interfaces that output information to the user and notify the user. For example, the output unit 24 is, but is not limited to, a display that outputs information as an image or a speaker that outputs information as sound. Such a display may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. At least one of the input unit 23 and the output unit 24 may be configured integrally with the server device 20 or may be provided separately.

[0055] The communication unit 25 includes any communication module that can communicate with other devices using any communication technology. The communication unit 25 may further include a communication control module for controlling communication with other devices and a storage module for storing communication data such as identification information required for communication with other devices.

[0056] 3, the communication unit 25 of the server device 20 includes a signal receiving unit 251. The signal receiving unit 251 receives the measurement value signal transmitted from the wireless sensor 10 via the network N.

[0057] The control unit 21 includes a data combining unit 211 and an analyzing unit 212. The data combining unit 211 accumulates and combines measurement values of physical quantities measured intermittently at regular intervals. The analyzing unit 212 performs frequency analysis such as Fourier transform on the signal of the measurement values (combined information) combined in the data combining unit 211.

[0058] The output unit 24 includes a display unit 241. The display unit 241 displays the signal that has been subjected to frequency analysis such as Fourier transform in the analysis unit 212.

[0059] Each of the components included in the control unit 21 described with reference to Fig. 3 is implemented, for example, by software. However, at least a portion of the components included in the control unit 21 may be implemented by dedicated hardware. Furthermore, the display unit 241 of the output unit 24 and the display unit 241 of the communication unit 25 are each configured, for example, by hardware. However, at least a portion of the components included in the output unit 24 and the communication unit 25 may be implemented by software.

[0060] (Analysis system operation) As described above, in the analysis system 1 according to this embodiment, unlike a typical frequency analysis method, the wireless sensor 10 intermittently measures the data required for one frequency analysis and transmits it to the server device 20. The server device 20 performs frequency analysis on a combination of the measurement values intermittently received from the wireless sensor 10. This allows the server device 20 to acquire and use frequency analysis results that reflect measurement values measured over a longer period of time than when a typical frequency analysis method is used.

[0061] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining frequency analysis by the analysis system 1 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Here, frequency analysis by the analysis system 1 according to this embodiment will be explained in comparison with Fig. 1 which shows frequency analysis in a configuration according to a comparative example.

[0062] In LoRaWAN (Wide Area Network), a common LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication, an air transmission time of about 400 ms is required to transmit 11 bytes of data. Here, we consider the air transmission time (Time on Air), which affects power consumption, but do not consider the waiting time due to duty restrictions, which does not affect power consumption. For example, in the configuration according to the comparative example, if the sampling period for one measurement is T0, the number of sampling points is N0 = 2048 points, and each measurement point contains 2 bytes of information, the amount of data to be transmitted will be 4096 bytes. As a result, the air transmission time T air0For example, the capacity of the power stored in the battery of the wireless sensor according to the comparative example is 149 seconds for such an air transmission time T air0 = 149 seconds of communication. In this case, the server device according to the comparative example can only use the results of frequency analysis that reflect the measurement values for a short period of 2.048 seconds.

[0063] On the other hand, in the analysis system 1 according to this embodiment, for example, the interval between measurements is not changed, the sampling period acquired in one measurement is t1 = 0.064 seconds, the number of data points is n1 = 64 points, and each measurement point contains 2 bytes of information. In this case, the air transmission time of the measurement value from one measurement is reduced to 4.7 seconds. Suppose that the wireless sensor 10 repeats such measurement and transmission 32 times, for example, every t2 = 1 day, and transmits the measurement value to the server device 20 for each measurement. In this case, the server device 20 accumulates the measurement values and combines them, thereby ultimately collecting data equivalent to a data amount of Σt1 = T1 = 2.048 seconds and Σn1 = N1 = 2048 points. In this case, the air transmission time T air1 = 4.7 seconds × 32 = 149 seconds, which is the air transmission time T air0 The power consumption of the wireless sensor 10 is proportional to the air transmission time. Therefore, if the battery capacity of the wireless sensor 10 in the analysis system 1 is the same as that of the wireless sensor in the comparative example, the server device 20 in the analysis system 1 can use the results of frequency analysis that reflects measurement values measured over 32 days. In this way, according to the analysis system 1 of this embodiment, the server device 20 can use the results of frequency analysis of measurement values measured over a longer period of time in other devices than in the configuration of the comparative example.

[0064] 4, the measurement value data acquired by the server device 20 is data with gaps in between, but by applying a window function to the measurement value signals for each sampling, combining the data, and performing frequency analysis such as Fourier transform, it is possible to acquire a waveform equivalent to that obtained by frequency analysis that collects data all at once. Analysis by the analysis system 1 according to this embodiment is more effective for systems in which the frequency of the measurement value fluctuates over the long term due to failures, etc., than for systems in which the frequency of the measurement value fluctuates over the short term.

[0065] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wireless sensor 10 of Fig. 2. The operation of the wireless sensor 10 described with reference to Fig. 2 may correspond to at least a part of the analysis method of the analysis system 1. The operation of each step in Fig. 5 may be executed under the control of the control unit 11 of the wireless sensor 10.

[0066] In step S1, the control unit 11 of the wireless sensor 10 determines a sampling rate and a measurement interval. Specifically, the control unit 11 may determine the sampling rate and the measurement interval in response to a signal from an external device such as the server device 20 or an instruction from a user. The sampling rate is the interval at which measurement values are acquired during one measurement time t1. The measurement interval is the interval t2 at which one measurement is performed.

[0067] In step S2, the control unit 11 sets the A / D converter 145. Specifically, the control unit 11 sets the operation timing according to the sampling rate and the measurement interval t2, as well as the amplitude rate, etc., for the A / D converter 145. These setting values may be determined in response to a signal from an external device such as the server device 20 or an instruction from the user.

[0068] The control unit 11 executes the processes of steps S3 to S6 at every measurement interval t2.

[0069] In step S3, the control unit 11 controls the measurement unit 13 to measure the physical quantity of the measurement object. Specifically, the control unit 11 measures the physical quantity for a measurement time t1 at the sampling rate determined in step S1. As a result, the control unit 11 obtains n1 measurement values.

[0070] In step S4, the control unit 11 acquires a digital signal of the measurement value of the physical quantity acquired in step S3. Specifically, the control unit 11 converts the analog signal of the measurement value of the physical quantity into a digital signal using the A / D converter 145, whose operation timing and the like are set in step S2, to acquire the digital signal of the measurement value.

[0071] In step S5, the control unit 11 causes the signal transmitting unit 151 to transmit the digitized measurement value signal to the server device 20.

[0072] In step S6, control unit 11 determines whether or not to end the process. Specifically, control unit 11 may determine to end the process based on the fact that a preset processing period has elapsed, that a user has instructed to end the process, or that the remaining battery charge has fallen below a predetermined threshold. If control unit 11 determines to end the process (YES in step S6), it ends the process of the flowchart in Fig. 5; if not (NO in step S6), it resumes the process from step S3 onwards after the measurement interval t2 has elapsed.

[0073] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server device 20 of Fig. 2. The operation of the server device 20 described with reference to Fig. 6 may correspond to at least a part of the analysis method of the analysis system 1 or the control method of the server device 20. The operation of each step in Fig. 6 may be executed based on the control of the control unit 21 of the server device 20.

[0074] In step S11, the control unit 21 of the server device 20 receives measurement values of physical quantities from the wireless sensor 10 via the network N. Specifically, the control unit 21 receives n1 measurement values measured at measurement time t1 in FIG.

[0075] In step S12, the control unit 21 applies a window function to the received n1 measurement values. For example, the control unit 21 may apply any window function, such as a Hamming window, a Hanning window, or a Blackman window, to the measurement values.

[0076] In step S13, the control unit 21 accumulates the measurement values to which the window functions have been applied in steps S11 and S12 and combines them as continuous time data. Specifically, the control unit 21 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S11 and S12 to accumulate a preset number of measurement values necessary for frequency analysis in the storage unit 22. In step S13, the control unit 21 combines the n1 measurement values acquired at measurement intervals t2 and accumulated in the storage unit 22, and acquires the combined data as data acquired continuously over time.

[0077] In step S14, the control unit 21 performs frequency analysis on the combined data acquired in step S13 as continuous-time data. The control unit 21 may perform frequency analysis using any known method. The frequency analysis performed by the control unit 21 is not limited to Fourier transform such as FFT or STFT, and may also be, for example, a frequency filter.

[0078] In step S15, the control unit 21 outputs the frequency data of the measurement values for which frequency analysis was performed in step S14. For example, the output may be stored in the storage unit 22, or an image of the frequency data may be displayed on the display unit 241. Then, the control unit 21 ends the processing of the flowchart in FIG.

[0079] The effect of the analysis process of the analysis system 1 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a signal to be analyzed. In FIG. 7, graphs 101 to 104 show an example of a signal indicating a measurement value of a physical quantity before a window function is applied in the server device 20 by the process of step 12. The periods 0 to 16 seconds, 16 to 32 seconds, 32 to 48 seconds, and 48 to 64 seconds each correspond to a single measurement time t1. In other words, graphs 101 to 104 as a whole correspond to a combination of signals of physical quantities measured intermittently at regular intervals without applying a window function. Here, graph 101 shows the fluctuation of the measurement value in the period 0 to 16 seconds. Graph 102 shows the fluctuation of the measurement value in the period 16 to 32 seconds. Graph 103 shows the fluctuation of the measurement value in the period 32 to 48 seconds. Graph 104 shows the fluctuation of the measurement value in the period 48 to 64 seconds. Graph 105 shows the fluctuations in the measurement values after applying a window function to a graph combining graphs 101 to 104 for periods of 0 to 16 seconds, 16 to 32 seconds, 32 to 48 seconds, and 48 to 64 seconds.

[0080] 8 and 9 are diagrams showing examples of the signals shown in FIG. 7 after Fourier transform. In FIG. 8, graph 201 is a graph showing the frequency components of graph 101 obtained by Fourier transforming the signal of graph 101 in FIG. 7. Graph 202 is a graph showing the frequency components of graph 102 obtained by Fourier transforming the signal of graph 102. Graph 203 is a graph showing the frequency components of graph 103 obtained by Fourier transforming the signal of graph 103. Graph 204 is a graph showing the frequency components of graph 104 obtained by Fourier transforming the signal of graph 104. In other words, graphs 201 to 204 each represent a signal after frequency analysis obtained by a configuration according to a comparative example. However, in the configuration according to the comparative example, the signal after frequency analysis obtained on the server device side by one measurement is any one of graphs 201 to 204. For example, as in the example described above with reference to Figures 1 and 4, if the battery of the wireless sensor is depleted after one measurement, in the comparative example, the server device can use only one of graphs 201 to 204.

[0081] Graph 205 in FIG. 9 is a graph showing the frequency components of graph 105 obtained by Fourier transforming the signal of graph 105 in FIG. 7. As described above, graph 105 is obtained by combining graphs 101 to 104 after applying a window function to each of them. Therefore, graph 205 shows the signal after frequency analysis acquired by analysis system 1 according to this embodiment. As is clear from comparing graphs 201 to 204 in FIG. 8 with graph 205 in FIG. 9, graph 205 shows a waveform that reflects the distribution of frequency components across graphs 201 to 204. Specifically, graph 205 has a waveform that allows recognition of the overall distribution of the peak frequencies of graphs 201 to 204. Therefore, according to analysis system 1, when wireless sensor 10 performs processing that consumes the same amount of power as the wireless sensor in the comparative example, server device 20 can use the results of frequency analysis of measurements taken over a longer period of time compared to the configuration of the comparative example. In other words, in the configuration of the comparative example, if the analysis waveform fluctuates over a long period (for example, on a daily or monthly basis), the server device can only acquire waveforms at individual time points and cannot perform analysis that includes waveform fluctuations. In contrast, in the analysis system 1 of this embodiment, the server device 20 can perform analysis that includes such long-period fluctuations. Furthermore, in the analysis system 1, the server device 20 can also acquire information such as the peak frequency and amplitude of each waveform acquired at individual time points in the comparative example.

[0082] As described above, the analysis system 1 includes a wireless sensor 10 and a server device 20 that can communicate with each other. The wireless sensor 10 acquires measurements of physical quantities of a measurement object measured at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals and transmits the acquired measurements of the physical quantities to the server device 20. The server device 20 combines the measurements of the physical quantities measured at measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals received from the wireless sensor 10 to acquire combined information that is a series of temporally continuous measurements, performs frequency analysis on the combined information, and outputs the results of the frequency analysis on the combined information. In this way, the analysis system 1 performs frequency analysis on the measurements of the physical quantities of the measurement object measured at measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals. Therefore, the results of frequency analysis of measurements taken over a longer period of time can be used on another device, the server device.

[0083] Furthermore, the server device 20 performs window function processing on the measured values of the physical quantities measured at measurement times t1 distributed at predetermined intervals, and combines the measured values that have undergone the window function processing to obtain combined information (combined measured values). Therefore, since the measured values are combined after applying the window function to obtain the combined information, it is possible to prevent errors in the frequency components due to discontinuities in the signal.

[0084] In the analysis system 1 according to this embodiment, by setting a longer measurement time t1 and using a window function that covers a longer time period, it is possible to improve the resolution at low frequencies without changing the number of measurement values, i.e., the power consumption of the wireless sensor 10.

[0085] In the analysis system 1, the number of measured values measured at a given time is smaller than in the configuration of the comparative example. As a result, the analyzable frequency range is narrowed, and it is conceivable that the server device 20 will not be able to acquire data in the frequency range desired for analysis. To avoid such a situation, the analysis system 1 may change the window width without changing the number of data points by downsampling (re-sampling at a lower frequency). Furthermore, the number of transmission data (n1) sent from the wireless sensor 10 may be changed based on an instruction from the server device 20, so that the server device 20 can measure the desired frequency range. Information about the window width may be transmitted from the wireless sensor 10 to the server device 20, allowing the server device 20 to perform analysis according to the window width.

[0086] The measurement interval t2 of the wireless sensor 10 may be set by an external device such as the server device 20. That is, the server device 20 may transmit a desired time interval to the wireless sensor 10. The wireless sensor 10 may acquire measured values of physical quantities using the time interval received from the server device 20 as a predetermined interval (measurement interval t2). For example, it is conceivable to attach the wireless sensor 10 equipped with an acceleration sensor to a rotating machine such as a motor and analyze frequencies that are integer multiples of the rotation speed of the rotating machine. In this way, if periodic frequency fluctuations are known in advance, a measurement interval corresponding to the periodic fluctuations may be set in the wireless sensor 10 by the server device 20 or the like. The measurement interval t2 may not be a fixed value, but may be set to vary randomly within a certain range. For example, the server device 20 may transmit a range of time intervals (e.g., upper and lower limits of the time range) to the wireless sensor 10, and the wireless sensor 10 may randomly determine the time interval t2 each time it acquires a measured value of a physical quantity within that range. Alternatively, the server device 20 may randomly determine the time interval t2 for each time interval t2 and instruct the determined time interval t2 to the wireless sensor 10. For example, if it is desired to capture frequency fluctuations that occur irregularly, setting the measurement interval t2 randomly makes it possible to effectively analyze such frequency fluctuations.

[0087] In the above example, the window function processing is performed in the server device 20, but the window function processing may be performed on the wireless sensor 10 side. When the window function processing is performed in the server device 20, the wireless sensor 10 side may perform the processing using a rectangular window function.

[0088] 7 on the display unit 241. Alternatively, the server device 20 may combine time-series waveforms of the received measurement values as shown in graph 105 in Fig. 7 without performing frequency analysis such as FFT. Alternatively, the server device 20 may analyze the signal received from the wireless sensor 10 without performing frequency analysis such as Fourier transform.

[0089] When the server device 20 does not receive a sufficient number of measurement values for frequency analysis, the measurement values for the section where the number of data is insufficient may be set to a fixed value such as 0, or may be set to a representative value such as the average value of the measurement values received up to that point, and then the analysis may be performed. For example, when the server device 20 collects 32 measurement values for measurement time t1 to create data for time T1, the server device 20 may perform such processing if only 10 measurement values have been received. Furthermore, the server device 20 may change the number of data points to be collected. For example, the server device 20 may combine 32 measurement values for analysis, or may simultaneously combine 8 measurement values for analysis.

[0090] The wireless sensor 10 may also be configured to be powered by energy harvesting technology such as vibration power generation instead of a battery. Alternatively, the wireless sensor 10 may be any device that is connected to a stable power source but requires low power consumption.

[0091] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, multiple blocks shown in the block diagrams may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Multiple steps shown in the flowcharts may be executed in parallel or in a different order depending on the processing capabilities of the device executing each step, or as needed, instead of being executed in chronological order as described. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1. Analysis system 10 Wireless Sensors 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Measuring part 14 Signal processing section 141 Measurement value input section 142 Amplifier 143 filters 144 Timing setting section 145 A / D converter 15 Communications Department 151 Signal transmitter 20 Server device 21 Control section 211 Data connection section 212 Analysis Department 22 Memory section 23 Input section 24 Output section 241 Display section 25 Communications Department 251 Signal receiving unit 101~105 graph 201~205 graph N Network

Claims

1. An analysis system including a wireless sensor and a server device that can communicate with each other, The wireless sensor Acquire measured values of physical quantities of the measurement object measured at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals; transmitting the acquired measurement values of the physical quantities to the server device; A first control unit is provided, The server device combining the measurement values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals and received from the wireless sensors to obtain combined information as time-sequential measurement values; performing a frequency analysis on the bonding information; outputting the result of the frequency analysis on the bonding information; A second control unit is provided. Analysis system.

2. 2. The analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit of the server device performs window function processing on the measurement values of the physical quantities measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals, and combines the measurement values that have been subjected to the window function processing to acquire the combined information.

3. the second control unit of the server device transmits the time interval to the wireless sensor; the first control unit of the wireless sensor acquires the measured value of the physical quantity at the time interval received from the server device as the predetermined interval. The analysis system according to claim 1 .

4. the second control unit of the server device transmits a time interval range to the wireless sensor; the first control unit of the wireless sensor randomly determines the time interval within the range received from the server device each time the first control unit acquires the measured value of the physical quantity, and acquires the measured value of the physical quantity using the randomly determined time interval as the predetermined interval. The analysis system according to claim 1 .

5. the second control unit of the server device transmits a predetermined time to the wireless sensor; the first control unit of the wireless sensor acquires the measured value of the physical quantity using the predetermined time received from the server device as the measurement time. The analysis system according to claim 1 .

6. the second control unit of the server device transmits the number of measurement values measured during the measurement time to the wireless sensor; the first control unit of the wireless sensor acquires the measured values of the physical quantity at the measurement time, the number of which is the same as the number received from the server device; The analysis system according to claim 1 .

7. An analysis method for an analysis system including a wireless sensor and a server device that can communicate with each other, The wireless sensor acquiring measured values of physical quantities of a measurement object measured at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals; transmitting the acquired measurement values of the physical quantities to the server device; Including, The server device: a step of combining the measured values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals and received from the wireless sensors to obtain combined information as time-sequential measured values; performing a frequency analysis on the binding information; outputting a result of the frequency analysis of the bonding information; A method for analyzing an analysis system, comprising:

8. A wireless sensor capable of communicating with the wireless sensor acquires measurements of physical quantities of a measurement object at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals; receiving the measurements from the wireless sensors; combining the measurement values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals and received from the wireless sensors to obtain combined information as time-sequential measurement values; performing a frequency analysis on the bonding information; outputting the result of the frequency analysis on the bonding information; A server device comprising a control unit.

9. A control method for a server device including a control unit capable of communicating with a wireless sensor that acquires measured values of physical quantities of a measurement object at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals, the method comprising: The control unit receiving the measurements from the wireless sensors; a step of combining the measured values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals and received from the wireless sensors to obtain combined information as time-sequential measured values; performing a frequency analysis on the binding information; outputting a result of the frequency analysis of the bonding information; A method for controlling a server device, comprising:

10. A computer capable of communicating with a wireless sensor acquires measured values of a physical quantity of a measurement object measured at predetermined measurement times distributed at predetermined intervals, receiving the measurements from the wireless sensors; a process of combining the measurement values of the physical quantity measured at the measurement times distributed at the predetermined intervals and received from the wireless sensors to obtain combined information as time-sequential measurement values; A process of performing frequency analysis on the bonding information; a process of outputting a result of the frequency analysis on the bonding information; A program to execute.

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