Monitoring system

Abstract

To provide a monitoring system and wiring system that can detect cable theft at an early stage. [Solution] The monitoring system 1 includes one or more position measuring devices 22 attached to a cable 21 laid at a predetermined location.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system and a wiring system.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, there is known a device that uses a sensor in a container for accommodating a cable to detect a change in the state of the container and detect theft of the cable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=2"]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The theft of the cable may not be immediately detected due to false detection by the sensor. Further, the theft of the cable may not be immediately detected when a thief of the cable tampering with the sensor. It is required to detect the theft of the cable at an early stage.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a monitoring system and a wiring system capable of detecting theft of a cable at an early stage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes one or more position measurement devices attached to a cable laid at a predetermined position.

[0007] (2) In the monitoring system according to (1) above, the position measurement device may be attached to each of two or more positions in different directions in which the cable extends.

[0008] (3) In the monitoring system described in (1) or (2) above, the position measuring device may be attached to each of the two or more cables.

[0009] (4) In the monitoring system described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the position measuring device may be attached to each of the two cables connected in series.

[0010] (5) The monitoring system described in any one of (1) to (4) above may further include a monitoring device that acquires location information from the location measuring device and monitors for the theft of the cable based on the location information.

[0011] A wiring system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (6) comprises a cable laid at a predetermined location and one or more position measuring devices attached to the cable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the monitoring and wiring systems described in this disclosure, cable theft can be detected at an early stage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the monitoring system related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the wiring system related to this disclosure. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example configuration in which position measuring devices are attached to multiple locations along the extension direction of a single power cable. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example configuration in which a position measurement device is attached to each of multiple power cables. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example configuration in which a position measurement device is attached to each of several power cables connected in series. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the monitoring procedure related to this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Cables are used to transmit electricity in solar power plants and other facilities. Due to factors such as the soaring price of copper, which is used as a material for cables, the risk of cable theft is increasing. Early detection of cable theft is required to deter cable theft or to recover stolen cables. The following describes monitoring system 1 and wiring system 2 (see Figure 1), which are used to detect cable theft at an early stage.

[0015] (Example configuration of monitoring system 1 and wiring system 2) As shown in Figure 1, the monitoring system 1 according to this disclosure comprises a monitoring device 10 and a position measuring device 22. As shown in Figure 2, the wiring system 2 according to this disclosure comprises a power cable 21 and a position measuring device 22. The wiring system 2 may also include a power generator 23 and a substation 27. The wiring system 2 is connected to the power grid 30 at the substation 27 and is configured to convert the power output from the power generator 23 into high-voltage power at the substation 27 and return it to the power grid 30. The power cable 21 is laid at a predetermined location to connect the power generator 23 to the power grid 30. The position measuring device 22 is attached to the power cable 21. Since the laid power cable 21 may be stolen, the monitoring system 1 is capable of monitoring the current position of the position measuring device 22 attached to the power cable 21, i.e., the current position of the power cable 21, and detects whether the power cable 21 has been stolen by monitoring whether the current position of the power cable 21 has moved from the predetermined position where the power cable 21 was laid.

[0016] Wiring system 2 is not required, but includes a PCS (Power Conditioning System) 26. If the power generation device 23 is a device that outputs DC power, such as a solar power generation device, the PCS 26 converts the DC power output from the power generation device 23 into AC power. If the power generation device 23 is a device that outputs AC power, the PCS 26 may convert the frequency of the AC power output from the power generation device 23. The PCS 26 outputs the converted AC power to the substation 27. The power generation device 23 may also output AC power to the substation 27 without going through the PCS 26.

[0017] The wiring system 2 may combine the power output from multiple power generators 23 from the upstream side to the downstream side and collect it at the substation 27, assuming the power generator 23 side is the upstream side and the substation 27 side is the downstream side. Specifically, the power cables 21 may be configured to merge in stages from the upstream side to the downstream side. When the power cables 21 are configured to merge in stages, the wiring system 2 includes a current collector 24 for merging the power cables 21. The current collector 24 includes multiple terminals for connecting multiple power cables 21 on the upstream side, one terminal for connecting one power cable 21 on the downstream side, and a circuit for connecting the multiple terminals on the upstream side and the one terminal on the downstream side. The current collector 24 may merge multiple upstream power cables 21 into a single downstream power cable 21 in order to increase the power transmitted by a single power cable 21 from the upstream side to the downstream side. If the current collector 24 simply merges multiple upstream power cables 21 and connects them to a single downstream power cable 21, the current flowing through the single downstream power cable 21 will be the sum of the currents flowing through each of the multiple upstream power cables 21. If the current collector 24 has a voltage transformation function, the transmission voltage of the single downstream power cable 21 may be increased compared to the transmission voltage of the multiple upstream power cables 21, thereby reducing the current flowing through the single downstream power cable 21 compared to the sum of the currents flowing through each of the multiple upstream power cables 21.

[0018] The power collection unit 24 is connected between the power generation device 23 and the PCS 26, and / or between the PCS 26 and the substation equipment 27. The power collection unit 24 may be connected only in one stage, or may be connected in series over two or more stages, between the power generation device 23 and the PCS 26, and / or between the PCS 26 and the substation equipment 27.

[0019] The wiring system 2 may include a portion that is connected such that the power cable 21 branches from the upstream side toward the downstream side. That is, some of the power collection units 24 may be configured to divert the current from the upstream side toward the downstream side. In the wiring system 2, the upstream side and the downstream side are distinguished by the direction of the current.

[0020] The wiring system 2 may be configured to supply the power received from the power system 30 to the power load when the power generation device 23 is replaced with a power load and the power collection unit 24 is replaced with a distribution board. In this case, the substation equipment 27 side is the upstream side and the power load side is the downstream side, and the wiring system 2 may branch the power received from the power system 30 from the upstream side toward the downstream side and supply it to the power load.

[0021] The position measurement device 22 measures its own current position and outputs the measurement result to the monitoring device 10. Information regarding the measurement result of the current position of the position measurement device 22 is also simply referred to as position information.

[0022] The position measuring device 22 may include a device that measures its own current position by receiving signals from satellites, such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) device. The position measuring device 22 may include a device that measures its own current position relative to a base station based on the angle and distance of radio waves received from a base station of a wireless communication network, such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The position measuring device 22 may include a device that identifies its own current position relative to a base station based on the angle and distance of radio waves received from a beacon. The position measuring device 22 is not limited to these examples and may include devices that measure its own current position in various ways.

[0023] The location measuring device 22 may include a communication module for transmitting location information to the monitoring device 10. The communication module may support mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The communication module may support communication standards such as LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth®. The communication module may support wired or wireless communication standards. The communication module is not limited to these and may support various communication standards.

[0024] The monitoring device 10 comprises a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, and an output unit 14.

[0025] The communication unit 11 acquires location information from the location measuring device 22 and outputs it to the control unit 12. The communication unit 11 may include a communication module configured to communicate with the location measuring device 22 via wired or wireless connection. The communication module may support mobile communication standards such as 4G or 5G. The communication module may support communication standards such as LAN. The communication module may support wired or wireless communication standards. The communication module is not limited to these and may support various communication standards. The communication unit 11 may be configured to be connectable to the communication module.

[0026] The control unit 12 monitors whether the power cable 21 to which the position measuring device 22 is attached has moved, based on the position information of the position measuring device 22 acquired by the communication unit 11. The control unit 12 may detect that the power cable 21 has been stolen, and if it detects that the power cable 21 has been stolen, it may output the detection result via the output unit 14.

[0027] The control unit 12 may be configured to include one or more general-purpose processors. The general-purpose processor may include, but is not limited to, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The control unit 12 may be configured to include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuit may include, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 12 may be configured by any combination of one or more general-purpose processors or one or more dedicated circuits.

[0028] The storage unit 13 may include, but is not limited to, semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory. The storage unit 13 may function as, for example, main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 13 may include an electromagnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk. The storage unit 13 may include a non-temporary computer-readable medium. The storage unit 13 stores any information or programs used for the operation of the monitoring device 10. The storage unit 13 may store programs such as system programs and application programs. The storage unit 13 may be included in the control unit 12 or may be configured separately from the control unit 12.

[0029] The output unit 14 outputs location information of the location measuring device 22 or the detection result of whether or not the power cable 21 has been stolen to the user of the monitoring device 10. The output unit 14 may include a display device that outputs visual information such as images, characters, and graphics. The display device may include, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display or an inorganic EL display, or a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), but is not limited to these and may include various other types of displays. The display device may include a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or an LD (Laser Diode). The display device may include various other devices. The output unit 14 may include an audio output device such as a speaker that outputs auditory information such as sound. The output unit 14 is not limited to these examples and may include various other devices.

[0030] The monitoring device 10 may include an input device that receives information or data from the user. The input device may include a pointing device such as a touch panel, touch sensor, or mouse. The input device may also include physical keys. The input device may also include an audio input device such as a microphone.

[0031] The monitoring device 10 may be configured as a PC such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet PC. The monitoring device 10 may be configured as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet. The monitoring device 10 may be configured including one server device or multiple server devices that can communicate with each other. The monitoring device 10 is not limited to these examples and may be configured in various other forms.

[0032] The monitoring device 10 may be implemented using a cloud service or in an on-premises environment. The monitoring device 10 may also have a part that performs information processing and a part that serves as a user interface, both as separate hardware components.

[0033] (Example of installation of position measurement device 22) In the wiring system 2, one position measuring device 22 may be attached to each power cable 21, as illustrated in Figure 2. Alternatively, multiple position measuring devices 22 may be attached at different locations along the direction in which a single power cable 21 extends. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, position measuring devices 22A, 22B, and 22C may be attached to a single power cable 21 at different locations along the direction in which the power cable 21 extends. Thieves often cut and steal a portion of the power cable 21. Therefore, by attaching multiple position measuring devices at different locations along the direction in which a single power cable 21 extends, the likelihood of detecting the theft of the power cable 21 increases even if a portion of the power cable 21 is cut.

[0034] Furthermore, one position measuring device 22 may be attached to each of the related power cables 21. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, position measuring devices 22D and 22E may be attached to each of the two related power cables 21A and 21B that are connected to and merged with one current collector 24. For example, multiple power cables 21 bundled together may be considered as multiple related power cables 21. Also, multiple power cables 21 bundled together, for example by a belt or band, may be considered as multiple related power cables 21. Furthermore, multiple power cables 21 extending along the same direction may be considered as multiple related power cables 21. Also, multiple power cables 21 extending along the same direction so as to be in contact with each other may be considered as multiple related power cables 21.

[0035] In a group of related power cables 21, a location measuring device 22 may be attached to some of the power cables 21. In other words, fewer location measuring devices 22 may be attached to a group of related power cables 21 than the number of power cables 21. One location measuring device 22 may be attached to a group of related power cables 21. Thieves often steal a group of related power cables 21, especially power cables 21 bundled together. Furthermore, it is difficult for a thief to find and steal a power cable 21 that does not have a location measuring device 22 attached from among a group of related power cables 21. Therefore, attaching at least one location measuring device 22 to a group of related power cables 21 increases the likelihood of detecting theft of power cables 21.

[0036] Furthermore, one position measuring device 22 may be attached to each of the two power cables 21 connected in series. The two power cables 21 may be connected in series via a current collector 24 or a PCS 26. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, position measuring devices 22F and 22G may be attached to each of the power cables 21C and 21D connected in series via a single current collector 24. In Figure 5, the current collector 24 may be replaced with a PCS 26. Also, in Figure 5, the current collector 24 may be replaced with a simple connecting member.

[0037] If the wiring system 2 includes multiple position measuring devices 22, each of the multiple position measuring devices 22 is distinguished. Furthermore, it is managed which of the multiple power cables 21 each of the multiple position measuring devices 22 is attached to, and at what position in the extending direction of the power cable 21 each is attached to. The information that manages which power cable 21 each position measuring device 22 is attached to, and at what position in the extending direction of the power cable 21 each is attached to, is also called management information.

[0038] (Example of operation of monitoring device 10) If a power cable 21 laid in the wiring system 2 is stolen, the current position of the position measuring device 22 attached to the stolen power cable 21 changes. The monitoring device 10 according to this disclosure can detect the theft of the power cable 21 to which the position measuring device 22 is attached by acquiring the current position of the position measuring device 22 and monitoring the movement of the power cable 21.

[0039] The control unit 12 of the monitoring device 10 may perform a monitoring method, including the example procedure shown in the flowchart in Figure 6, to detect the theft of the power cable 21 to which the position measuring device 22 is attached. The monitoring method may be implemented as a monitoring program to be executed by the control unit 12. The monitoring program may be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium. At least some of the steps of the monitoring method may be performed by a user using the monitoring device 10.

[0040] In the monitoring method, the control unit 12 acquires location information of one or more location measuring devices 22 using the communication unit 11 (step S1, also called the "acquisition procedure"). The control unit 12 determines whether the current location of the location measuring device 22 is within a predetermined range (step S2, also called the "determination procedure"). When the control unit 12 acquires location information of one location measuring device 22, it determines whether the current location of that location measuring device 22 is within a predetermined range. When the control unit 12 acquires location information of multiple location measuring devices 22, it determines whether the current location of each of the multiple location measuring devices 22 is within a predetermined range. If the control unit 12 determines that the current location of the location measuring device 22 is within a predetermined range (step S2: YES), it returns to the location information acquisition procedure in step S1. The control unit 12 repeats the location information acquisition procedure in step S1 and the determination procedure in step S2 for at least one location measuring device 22 until it determines that the current location is not within a predetermined range.

[0041] The determination procedure may be performed by the user based on the location information of the position measuring device 22. For example, the user may check the location information of the position measuring device 22 acquired by the control unit 12 on the display in the output unit 14 and determine whether the displayed location information is within a predetermined range.

[0042] The predetermined range may be set for each position measuring device 22. The predetermined range may be, for example, the area of ​​the premises of a facility such as a power plant that uses the power cable 21. The predetermined range may be set as an area where the distance from the location where the power cable 21 to which the position measuring device 22 is attached is less than or equal to a predetermined value. The predetermined range is not limited to these examples and may be set as appropriate. A different range may be set as the predetermined range for each of the multiple position measuring devices 22. A range common to all or some of the multiple position measuring devices 22 may be set as the predetermined range.

[0043] If the control unit 12 determines that the current location of at least one position measuring device 22 is no longer within a predetermined range (step S2: NO), it estimates the number or range of stolen cables based on the management information of the position measuring device 22 whose current location is no longer within the predetermined range (step S3). Specifically, if the control unit 12 determines that the current location of one position measuring device 22 is not within a predetermined range, it estimates that the entire power cable 21 to which the position measuring device 22 is attached, or a part of the cable including the location to which the position measuring device 22 is attached, has been stolen.

[0044] If the control unit 12 determines that the current position of some of the position measuring devices 22 attached to a single power cable 21 is no longer within a predetermined range, and that the current position of the remaining position measuring devices 22 is still within the predetermined range, then it estimates that a portion of the power cable 21 has been stolen, specifically the portion of the power cable 21 to which the position measuring devices 22 whose current position is no longer within the predetermined range are attached, i.e., a portion of the power cable 21 in the direction of its extension. For example, referring to Figure 3, if the control unit 12 determines that the current position of position measuring device 22B is no longer within a predetermined range, and that the current positions of position measuring devices 22A and 22C are still within the predetermined range, then it estimates that the power cable 21 has been stolen in the range from the position between position measuring devices 22A and 22B to the position between position measuring devices 22C and 22B.

[0045] For example, referring to Figure 4, if the control unit 12 determines that the current location of both position measuring devices 22D and 22E, which are attached to power cables 21A and 21B respectively, is no longer within a predetermined range, it presumes that power cables 21A and 21B have been stolen together. Also, if the control unit 12 determines that the current location of position measuring device 22D is no longer within a predetermined range, and that the current location of position measuring device 22E is within a predetermined range, it presumes that only power cable 21A has been stolen. Also, if the control unit 12 determines that the current location of position measuring device 22E is no longer within a predetermined range, and that the current location of position measuring device 22D is within a predetermined range, it presumes that only power cable 21B has been stolen.

[0046] In the example in Figure 4, position measuring devices 22D and 22E are attached to power cables 21A and 21B respectively. However, power cables 21A and 21B may be considered as a single related power cable 21, and only one position measuring device 22 may be attached. In this case, if the control unit 12 determines that the current position of the single position measuring device 22 attached to the related power cable 21 is no longer within a predetermined range, it will presume that the related power cable 21 has been stolen as a whole.

[0047] For example, referring to Figure 5, if the control unit 12 determines that the current position of both the position measuring devices 22F and 22G attached to the power cables 21C and 21D, which are connected in series via the current collector 24, is no longer within a predetermined range, it presumes that both power cables 21C and 21D have been stolen and that the current collector 24 has been disconnected from the other power cables 21 of the wiring system 2. In Figure 5, if the current collector 24 is replaced by a PCS 26, the control unit 12 can presum that the PCS 26 has been disconnected from the other power cables 21 of the wiring system 2.

[0048] Referring again to Figure 6, the control unit 12 outputs the detection result of the theft of the power cable 21 via the output unit 14 (step S4). The control unit 12 may output that it has detected that at least one power cable 21, or at least a portion of the power cable 21, has been stolen in the wiring system 2. By outputting the detection result of the theft of the power cable 21, the administrator of the wiring system 2 can grasp the theft damage in the wiring system 2 at an early stage, and can track down the thief by knowing the location information of the stolen power cable 21. As a result, it becomes possible to recover the stolen power cable 21. Furthermore, it becomes possible to deter crimes.

[0049] The control unit 12 may also output an estimated number or range of stolen power cables 21. By outputting the estimated number or range of stolen power cables 21, the administrator of the wiring system 2 can quickly grasp the extent of the damage to the wiring system 2, efficiently prepare for the restoration of the wiring system 2, and restore the wiring system 2 as soon as possible. For example, if the administrator knows the length or number of power cables 21 needed for restoration based on the estimated length or number of stolen power cables 21, they can appropriately arrange for the power cables 21 and the personnel required for the restoration work. Also, if it is found that the current collector 24 or PCS 26 has been disconnected from other power cables 21 of the wiring system 2, the administrator can consider the hierarchical structure of the power cable connections so that the wiring system 2 can be restored efficiently.

[0050] After executing the procedure in step S4, the control unit 12 terminates the execution of the procedure in the flowchart of Figure 6. The control unit 12 may continuously acquire location information and determine whether the current location is within a predetermined range for each of the multiple location measuring devices 22, and may detect the theft of the power cable 21 as it occurs. The control unit 12 may acquire and track the current location of the stolen power cable 21 even after outputting the theft detection result.

[0051] (summary) As described above, the monitoring system 1, monitoring device 10, and monitoring method according to this embodiment make it possible to detect early whether a power cable 21 has been stolen by acquiring location information of the laid power cable 21. Early detection of theft of the power cable 21 makes it possible to track the power cable 21 and deter crimes.

[0052] Furthermore, by attaching position measuring devices 22 to various locations on the power cables 21, the number or range of power cables 21 stolen from the wiring system 2 can be estimated. In this way, the administrator of the wiring system 2 can easily determine the number or length of power cables 21 needed to restore the wiring system 2, and can appropriately arrange for the necessary power cables 21 and personnel for the restoration work.

[0053] The location measuring device 22 may be attached to the inside of the power cable 21's sheath. In this case, the location of the location measuring device 22 is not visible from the outside of the power cable 21, so a thief would not know which part of the power cable 21 to cut to avoid the location measuring device 22, further increasing the likelihood of detecting theft.

[0054] The position measuring device 22 may be attached to the outside of the power cable 21's sheath. In this case, the position measuring device 22 can be easily attached. When the position measuring device 22 is attached to the outside of the power cable 21's sheath, theft can be made more difficult by increasing the number of position measuring devices 22, thereby increasing the number of places on the power cable 21 that a thief would have to cut. When the position measuring device 22 is attached to the outside of the power cable 21's sheath, a component that has the same appearance as the position measuring device 22 but does not have a position measuring function may be attached. In this case, a thief would not be able to distinguish the position measuring device 22 and would not know which part of the power cable 21 to cut, making theft more difficult. Such a component may be, for example, a component equivalent to the position measuring device 22 but not supplied with power, or a component that is identical in appearance to the position measuring device 22 or a component that is similar in appearance only.

[0055] The monitoring system 1 may be used to monitor various cables other than power cables 21, such as communication cables, by attaching the position measuring device 22 to them. The monitoring system 1 is not limited to cables, and may be used to monitor components that are installed in a fixed location and are not moved in principle, such as manhole covers, drain covers, chains, and wires, by attaching the position measuring device 22 to them.

[0056] While embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications or alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and it is possible to combine multiple components or steps into one, or to divide one component or step into multiple components or steps. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Monitoring System 2 Wiring System 10. Monitoring device (11: Communication unit, 12: Control unit, 13: Storage unit, 14: Output unit) 21, 21A~21D Power Cables 22, 22A~22G Position Measurement Devices 23 Power generation equipment 24 Current collector 26 PCS 27 Substations 30 Power system

Claims

1. One or more position measuring devices attached to a cable laid at a predetermined location, A monitoring device that acquires location information from the location measuring device and detects that the cable has been stolen by monitoring whether the current position of the cable has moved from the predetermined position based on the location information. Equipped with, A monitoring system in which the position measuring devices are attached to a bundle of two or more of the cables in a number less than the number of cables.

2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the position measuring device is attached to each of the two cables connected in series.

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