Monitoring system

Abstract

To provide a monitoring system which can appropriately notify a manager of occurrence of abnormality.SOLUTION: A measuring device has a first unit installed at a first position of a bridge, a second unit installed at a second position over a joint gap from the first position of the bridge, a connection part which is arranged between the first unit and the second unit and is held on the second unit, a sensor which is arranged in the first unit and measures a moving amount of the connection part, and a first communication part capable of communicating with an information processor. The measurement device or the information processor has determination means for determining whether or not device abnormality occurs in the measurement device, and the information processor has a second communication part capable of communicating with the measurement device, and notification means for notifying a first contact address of a manager of the bridge of occurrence of abnormality in the bridge when the moving amount exceeds a threshold, and notifying a second contact address of a manager of the measurement device of occurrence of the device abnormality when it is determined that the device abnormality occurs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for the maintenance management of bridges, a system has been developed that measures displacements in bridges and monitors them via a communication network.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gap width data collection system including a plurality of cases, a scale portion disposed in a space formed by a housing portion of each case and movable in a predetermined direction, and a sensor portion. Each case is installed on a structure straddling a gap in the structure, and the sensor portion measures the length between a first point and a second point straddling the gap in the scale portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a monitoring system for monitoring a bridge, in order to efficiently perform long-term maintenance management, large displacements that cannot occur daily are distinguished from daily displacements and notified, in order to surely continue monitoring over a long period, malfunctions occurring in displacement measuring devices are notified, and / or notifications are made at appropriate timings considering the urgency of abnormalities occurring in the bridge or devices. Thus, it is required to appropriately notify the occurrence of abnormalities.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system capable of appropriately notifying the occurrence of abnormalities.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The monitoring system according to the present invention is a monitoring system comprising a measuring device and an information processing device, wherein the measuring device comprises a first unit installed at a first position on a bridge, a second unit installed at a second position spanning a gap from the first position on the bridge, a connecting part disposed between the first unit and the second unit and held by the second unit, a sensor disposed on the first unit and measuring the amount of movement of the connecting part, and a first communication unit capable of communicating with the information processing device, wherein the measuring device or the information processing device has determination means for determining whether or not an equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device, and the information processing device has a second communication unit capable of communicating with the measuring device, and notification means for notifying a first contact of the bridge manager of the occurrence of an abnormality on the bridge if a value based on the amount of movement exceeds a threshold, and notifying a second contact of the manager of the measuring device of the occurrence of an equipment malfunction if it is determined that an equipment malfunction has occurred.

[0008] Furthermore, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that one of the first position and the second position is set to one of the bridge girder and the bridge abutment of the bridge, and the other of the first position and the second position is set to the other of the bridge girder and the bridge abutment of the bridge.

[0009] Furthermore, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that one of the first position and the second position is set on a bridge girder supported by a fixed bearing on the abutment of the bridge.

[0010] Furthermore, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, the measuring device is located in the first unit and further includes a second sensor that detects the inclination of the first unit, and the determination means determines that an equipment malfunction has occurred when the value based on the inclination exceeds the inclination threshold, and it is preferable that the first position is set on the bridge girder of the bridge and the second position is set on the bridge abutment of the bridge.

[0011] Furthermore, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the determination means determines that an equipment malfunction has occurred when the value based on the amount of movement exceeds an upper limit that exceeds a threshold.

[0012] Furthermore, the monitoring system according to the present invention is a monitoring system having a measuring device and an information processing device, wherein the measuring device has a first unit installed at a first position on the bridge, a second unit installed at a second position across the gap from the first position on the bridge, a connecting part disposed between the first unit and the second unit and held by the second unit, a sensor disposed on the first unit and measuring the amount of movement of the connecting part, and a first communication unit capable of communicating with the information processing device, wherein the information processing device has a second communication unit capable of communicating with the measuring device and a notification means for notifying the bridge manager of the occurrence of an abnormality on the bridge when an abnormality occurs on the bridge, and the measuring device or information processing device has a determination means for determining that an abnormality has occurred on the bridge when the value based on the amount of movement exceeds the first threshold by comparing a value based on the amount of movement with a first threshold every first hour, and when the value based on the amount of movement exceeds the second threshold by comparing a value based on the amount of movement with a second threshold that is larger than the first threshold every second hour which is shorter than the first hour, and determining that an abnormality has occurred on the bridge when the value based on the amount of movement exceeds the second threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The monitoring system according to the present invention is capable of appropriately notifying the occurrence of an anomaly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of monitoring system 1. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the measuring device 100. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the measuring device 100. [Figure 4] (A) and (B) are schematic diagrams intended to explain the technical significance. [Figure 5] This graph shows the relationship between the load on bridge girder B1 and the amount of movement of bridge girder B1. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the measuring device 100. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the information processing device 200. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of the management process flow. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the management process flow. [Figure 10] (A) is a graph showing the relationship between the first change and temperature, (B) is a correlation diagram of the combinations of the first change and temperature, and (C) is a graph showing the distribution of the difference between the change and the regression line E2. [Figure 11] (A) is a graph showing the daily changes in the slope a and intercept b of the regression line, and (B) is a graph showing the intercept b and the daily average temperature. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart showing an example of the measurement process flow. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart showing an example of the measurement process flow. [Figure 14] This graph illustrates another embodiment of the monitoring system 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0016] In the following, a displacement that shows a significant difference from the normal displacement (steady-state displacement), that is, a displacement that shows a significant difference from the displacement measured on a daily basis (steady-state value of displacement), is referred to as an abnormality or displacement abnormality of a structure (e.g., a bridge).

[0017] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the monitoring system 1 according to the present invention.

[0018] The monitoring system 1 comprises one or more measuring devices 100, an information processing device 200, one or more structure manager terminals 300, and one or more device manager terminals 400. Each measuring device 100, each information processing device 200, each structure manager terminal 300, and each device manager terminal 400 are interconnected via a first network N1 and a second network N2. The first network N1 is, for example, a mobile phone network. Each measuring device 100 is connected to the first network N1 via a base station. The first network N1 may also be a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), etc. In that case, each measuring device 100 may be connected to the first network N1 via an access point. The second network N2 is an intranet or the internet, etc. The first network N1 and the second network N2 are connected via a gateway device, etc. The information processing device 200, each structure manager terminal 300, and each device manager terminal 400 are connected to the second network N2.

[0019] Monitoring system 1 monitors for the occurrence of abnormalities in structures such as bridges, tunnels, or buildings. Each structure manager terminal 300 is a device used by users (customers) of monitoring system 1, i.e., the managers of the structures (objects being monitored) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as structure managers). Each structure manager terminal 300 is a personal computer, notebook personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone, etc. Each device manager terminal 400 is a device used by the managers of the measuring device 100 (monitoring system 1) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as device managers). Each device manager terminal 400 is a personal computer, notebook personal computer, tablet computer, smartphone, etc.

[0020] Figures 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of the measuring device 100. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the measuring device 100 in use, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the measuring device 100 with the frame of the first unit 110 removed.

[0021] Each of the multiple measuring devices 100 has a similar configuration and function. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the measuring device 100 measures the displacement of the object T1 with respect to the reference object T2, i.e., the change in its relative position, by measuring the change in distance between the reference object T2 and the object T1, which is the object to be measured and is positioned across a gap from the reference object T2. The gap is a play space, a space between two objects provided other than a play space, or a gap caused by a crack. The object T1 is, for example, a bridge girder, a tunnel, or a building. If the object T1 is a bridge girder, the reference object T2 is, for example, the abutment of the bridge where the end of the bridge girder is located. If the object T1 is a tunnel, the reference object T2 is, for example, a joint connecting the segments of the tunnel. If the object T1 is a building, the reference object T2 is, for example, one of the expansion joints connecting the buildings. Note that the reference object T2 and the target object T1 may be the same structure, such as the parts of a bridge girder with a gap that are arranged on either side of the gap, or the walls of a tunnel with a gap that are arranged on either side of the gap.

[0022] The measuring device 100 includes a first unit 110, a second unit 120, and a connecting part 130, etc. The first unit 110 is installed at an appropriate position P1 near the gap within the object T1. The second unit 120 is installed at a position P2 within the reference object T2, across the gap from position P1 within the object T1, that is, at a position P2 within the reference object T2 spaced apart from position P1 within the object T1. Position P1 is an example of a first position, and position P2 is an example of a second position. The connecting part 130 is positioned between the first unit 110 and the second unit 120.

[0023] Furthermore, instead of the first unit 110 being installed at position P1 within the object T1 and the second unit 120 being installed at position P2 within the reference object T2, the first unit 110 may be installed at position P2 within the reference object T2 and the second unit 120 may be installed at position P1 within the object T1. In that case, position P2 within the reference object T2 is an example of the first position, and position P1 within the object T1 is an example of the second position. When a bridge is the object of monitoring, one of the first position where the first unit 110 is installed and the second position where the second unit 120 is installed is set to one of the bridge girder and the bridge abutment. On the other hand, the other of the first position where the first unit 110 is installed and the second position where the second unit 120 is installed is set to the other of the bridge girder and the bridge abutment.

[0024] Figures 4(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams illustrating the technical significance of installing the first unit 110 and the second unit 120 on the bridge girder and abutment. Figure 4(A) shows the bridge girder B1 and abutment B2 in a normal state, while Figure 4(B) shows the bridge girder B and abutment B2 with damage to the central part and a crack (fissure). The left end of bridge girder B1 is supported so as to be fixed to abutment B2 by a fixed bearing U1. On the other hand, the right end of bridge girder B1 is supported so as to be able to move horizontally relative to abutment B2 by a movable bearing U2. As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), due to the weight of bridge girder B1 itself and objects on bridge girder B1, a large load is placed on the central part of bridge girder B1, causing bridge girder B1 to sag downwards and potentially resulting in a crack in the central part.

[0025] Figure 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the load on bridge girder B1 and the amount of displacement of bridge girder B1. The horizontal axis of Figure 5 shows the load on bridge girder B1 [kN], and the vertical axis shows the amount of displacement of bridge girder B1 [mm]. Graph H1 shows the horizontal displacement of the end of bridge girder B1 on the fixed support U1 side (change in the horizontal distance D1 between abutment B2 and the end of bridge girder B1 on the fixed support U1 side). Graph H2 shows the horizontal displacement of the end of bridge girder B1 on the movable support U2 side (change in the horizontal distance D2 between abutment B2 and the end of bridge girder B1 on the movable support U2 side). Graph H3 shows the vertical displacement of the end of bridge girder B1 on the fixed support U1 side (change in the vertical distance D3 between abutment B2 and the end of bridge girder B1 on the fixed support U1 side). Graph H4 shows the change in the vertical length D4 of the cracked portion of bridge girder B1. Graph H5 shows the change in the horizontal length D5 of the crack in bridge girder B1. Load K1 indicates the load at which cracking begins. Load K2 indicates the load at which abdominal cracking begins. Load K3 indicates the load at which orthogonal cracking begins. Load K4 indicates the load at which tensile strength cracking begins.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, when the load on bridge girder B1 increases, the amount of horizontal movement at the end of bridge girder B1 (graphs H1, H2) is sufficiently larger than the amount of vertical movement at the end of bridge girder B1 (graph H3) and the amount of change in the vertical and horizontal length of the cracked portion of bridge girder B1 (graphs H4, H5). It should be noted that even before damage occurs and cracks develop, the bridge girder may deflect due to elongation, etc. In that case as well, the amount of horizontal movement at the end of the bridge girder will be sufficiently larger than the other amounts of movement. Therefore, by installing the first unit 110 and the second unit 120 of the measuring device 100 on the bridge girder B1 and abutment B2 of the bridge and monitoring the distance between bridge girder B1 and abutment B2, the occurrence of bridge displacement can be detected early and reliably.

[0027] Furthermore, when bridge girder B1 bends downward, the end of bridge girder B1 on the fixed support U1 side pivots (rotates) around a single point supported by abutment B2. As a result, the upper surface of the end of bridge girder B1 on the fixed support U1 side moves significantly horizontally away from abutment B2. On the other hand, since the end of bridge girder B1 on the movable support U2 side is provided to be movable horizontally, when bridge girder B1 bends downward, the pivot axis (rotation axis) of the end on the movable support U2 side becomes slightly higher. As a result, the amount of movement of the upper surface of the end of bridge girder B1 on the movable support U2 side becomes smaller. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, when the load on bridge girder B1 increases, the amount of horizontal movement of the end of bridge girder B1 on the fixed support U1 side (graph H1) becomes larger than the amount of horizontal movement of the end of bridge girder B1 on the movable support U2 side (graph H2). Therefore, it is preferable that the measuring device 100 be installed between the bridge girder B1 and abutment B2, which are supported by fixed bearings U1 in the bridge. That is, it is preferable that one of the first position where the first unit 110 is installed and the second position where the second unit 120 is installed be set on the bridge girder B1, which is supported by abutment B2, which are supported by fixed bearings U1 in the bridge. This allows the measuring device 100 to detect the occurrence of bridge displacement more early and reliably.

[0028] The measuring device 100 may be installed between bridge girder B1 and abutment B2, which are supported by abutments U2 on the bridge. Alternatively, the measuring device 100 may be installed at both ends of the bridge girder (between bridge girder B1 and abutment B2, which are supported by abutment B2 on abutment B2 on a fixed bearing U1, and between bridge girder B1 and abutment B2, which are supported by abutment B2 on abutment B2 on a movable bearing U2). Furthermore, the measuring device 100 may be installed between adjacent bridge girders that are spaced apart. In this case, the information processing device 200 may comprehensively determine whether or not a displacement anomaly has occurred in the bridge based on information transmitted from multiple measuring devices 100 installed on a single bridge.

[0029] Returning to Figures 2 and 3, the first unit 110 consists of a housing (case) surrounded by a frame having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and contents such as the first sensor 112. The bottom surface 110a of the first unit 110 is an installation surface that is placed on the top, bottom, or side surface of the object T1. An opening 110c is formed on the side surface 110b of the first unit 110 that faces the second unit 120. An opening 110e is formed on the top surface 110d of the first unit 110. The first unit 110 contains a fixing member 111, a first sensor 112, a second sensor 113, a temperature sensor 114, a battery 115, a circuit board 116, a first communication device 117, an antenna 118, and a control unit 119, among others.

[0030] The second unit 120 is a housing (case) enclosed by a frame having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The bottom surface 120a of the second unit 120 is an installation surface that is placed on the top, bottom, or side surface of the reference object T2. A holding portion 121 is provided on the side surface 120b of the second unit 120 that faces the first unit 110.

[0031] The connecting portion 130 is positioned between the first unit 110 and the second unit 120. One end of the connecting portion 130 is attached to the holding portion 121 of the second unit 120. The other end of the connecting portion 130 is positioned inside the first unit 110 through an opening 110c formed in the side surface 110b of the first unit 110. The connecting portion 130 includes a rod portion 131, a bellows portion 132, a first locking portion 133, a first locked portion 134, a crank portion 135, and a second locking portion 136, etc.

[0032] In Figure 2, arrow A1 indicates the extension direction of the rod portion 131, arrow A2 indicates the height direction, and arrow A3 indicates the lateral direction A3 which is perpendicular to the extension direction A1 and the height direction A2 of the rod portion 131.

[0033] The fixing member 111 of the first unit 110 is a member for fixing the rod portion 131 of the connecting portion 130 in its initial position. When the product is shipped, the fixing member 111 is inserted into the first unit 110 from the top surface 110d through the opening 110e. By engaging the tip of the fixing member 111 with the opening 131a formed in the rod portion 131, the fixing member 111 fixes the rod portion 131 in its initial position. This prevents the rod portion 131 from impacting components inside the first unit 110, particularly the first sensor 112, during transport or installation of the measuring device 100, and prevents the first unit 110 from malfunctioning. Furthermore, it prevents the rod portion 131 from shifting from its initial position in the center of the measurement range during transport or installation of the measuring device 100, which would prevent the detection range of the first sensor 112 from being fully utilized.

[0034] On the other hand, when in use (during installation), the fixing member 111 is removed from the first unit 110, making the rod portion 131 movable, and the connecting portion 130 can slide along the extension direction A1 of the rod portion 131 relative to the first unit 110. After the fixing member 111 is removed, the cover member 111b is placed in the opening 110e in place of the fixing member 111. This prevents rain, dust, etc. from entering through the opening 110e, and prevents malfunction of the first unit 110.

[0035] The initial position of the rod portion 131 is set so that the tip of the rod portion 131 (the position detected by the first sensor 112) is located at the center of the detectable range of the first sensor 112. This allows the measuring device 100 to maximize the upper limit of the measurable distance of the object T1, both when the object T1 moves away from the reference object T2 and when it moves towards the reference object T2.

[0036] The first sensor 112 is an example of a sensor. The first sensor 112 is positioned inside the first unit 110, facing the tip of the rod portion 131 of the connection portion 130 (the end opposite to the second unit 120). The end of the rod portion 131 opposite to the second unit 120 is an example of the other end of the connection portion. The first sensor 112 is a linear position sensor, for example, a variable resistor. The first sensor 112 includes a resistor that extends along the extension direction A1 of the rod portion 131, and a contact (slider) that moves on the resistor in accordance with the movement of the tip of the rod portion 131. A constant voltage is applied to terminals provided at both ends of the resistor, and the voltage output from the contact fluctuates according to the position of the contact on the resistor. Therefore, the first sensor 112 can detect the position of the tip of the rod portion 131 and measure the amount of movement of the connection portion 130 based on the voltage output from the contact. The first sensor 112 outputs a displacement signal to the control unit 119 that indicates the displacement of the rod portion 131, i.e., the amount of movement of the connection portion 130, corresponding to the difference between the voltage output from the contact when the rod portion 131 is in its initial position and the voltage currently output from the contact. The amount of movement includes both positive and negative values. For example, the amount of movement in the direction in which the first unit 110 moves away from the second unit 120 is defined as a positive value, and the amount of movement in the direction in which the first unit 110 moves towards the second unit 120 is defined as a negative value.

[0037] One end of the connecting portion 130 is attached to the holding portion 121 of the second unit 120, thereby fixing the connecting portion 130 to the second unit 120 (it does not slide in the extension direction A1). When the position P1 in the object T1 on which the first unit 110 is installed moves in the extension direction A1 relative to the position P2 in the reference object T2 on which the second unit 120 is installed, the first sensor 112 moves relative to the rod portion 131, and as a result, the rod portion 131 moves relatively in the extension direction A1 as seen from the first sensor 112. That is, the first sensor 112 measures the displacement of the other end of the connecting portion 130 as the amount of movement of the connecting portion 130, i.e., the change in distance between the position P2 in the reference object T2 on which the second unit 120 is installed and the position P1 in the object T1 on which the first unit 110 is installed.

[0038] The first sensor 112 may also be a plurality of light emitters and light receivers arranged in a line along the extension direction A1 of the rod portion 131. Each light emitter and each light receiver is arranged facing each other across the range of movement of the tip of the rod portion 131. The first sensor 112 detects whether the rod portion 131 is present between each light emitter and each light receiver by determining whether each light receiver is receiving light emitted from each light emitter positioned opposite it, or whether it is not receiving light because it is blocked by the rod portion 131. The first sensor 112 outputs a displacement signal to the control unit 119 that indicates the displacement of the rod portion 131 corresponding to the difference between the number of light receivers currently receiving light emitted from the light emitter and the number of light receivers receiving light emitted from the light emitter when the rod portion 131 is in its initial position. Furthermore, the first sensor 112 may include a light emitter that irradiates light toward the tip of the rod portion 131, and a light receiver that receives the light irradiated by the light emitter and reflected from the tip of the rod portion 131. In this case, the first sensor 112 detects the displacement of the rod portion 131 based on the time from when the light emitter irradiates light until the light receiver receives the light. Alternatively, the first sensor 112 may be any other sensor capable of detecting the displacement of the rod portion 131, such as an image sensor.

[0039] The second sensor 113 is fixedly positioned inside the first unit 110. The second sensor 113 is, for example, a piezoresistive 3-axis accelerometer or a capacitive 3-axis accelerometer, and detects the acceleration applied to the first unit 110 in each of the three axes, and uses the detected acceleration to detect the tilt (orientation) of the first unit 110. The second sensor 113 outputs a tilt signal indicating the detected tilt of the first unit 110 to the control unit 119.

[0040] By fixing the second sensor 113 inside the first unit 110, the measuring device 100 can detect the tilt of the first unit 110. Generally, abutments are stable and unlikely to tilt, but girders are likely to sag downwards and tilt. Therefore, it is preferable that the first position where the first unit 110 is installed is set on the girder of the bridge, and the second position where the second unit 120 is installed is set on the abutment of the bridge. By installing the first unit 110 on the girder side, the measuring device 100 can detect the amount of horizontal movement of the girder while simultaneously detecting the tilt of the girder.

[0041] The temperature sensor 114 is located inside the first unit 110. The temperature sensor 114 detects the temperature (air temperature) in the environment where the measuring device 100 is installed, particularly inside the first unit 110, and outputs a temperature signal indicating the detected temperature to the control unit 119.

[0042] Battery 115 is either a primary or secondary battery. Battery 115 is connected to the first sensor 112, the second sensor 113, the temperature sensor 114, the first communication device 117, the antenna 118, and the control unit 119, and supplies power to these devices. The first unit 110 is also equipped with a voltmeter (not shown) capable of measuring the battery voltage of battery 115, and the control unit 119 can detect the battery voltage of battery 115 using the voltmeter.

[0043] The circuit board 116 is a circuit board on which various circuit components are mounted. The circuit board 116 is made of a resin material or the like and is fixed to the first unit 110. The first communication device 117 is located on the lower surface of the circuit board 116, and the antenna 118 and control unit 119 are located on the upper surface of the circuit board 116.

[0044] The first communication device 117 is an example of a first communication unit and output unit, and is provided to communicate with the information processing device 200. The first communication device 117 includes a wireless communication interface circuit and connects the measuring device 100 to a wireless communication network. The first communication device 117 performs wireless communication with a base station (not shown) via an antenna 118 using the LTE (Long Term Evolution) method, particularly the LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) method. The communication method with the base station is not limited to the LTE method, and may be other communication methods such as the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) method, W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) method, 5G (Fifth Generation) method, or any communication method to be used in the future. The first communication device 117 transmits data supplied from the control unit 119 to the information processing device 200 via the base station. The first communication device 117 supplies data received from the information processing device 200 via the base station to the control unit 119. Furthermore, the first communication device 117 supplies the received radio wave strength to the control unit 119 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 119. The first communication device 117 may also perform wireless communication via antenna 118 to a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) access point (not shown) using the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0045] Antenna 118 is an antenna that has a sensitivity band of 2GHz, 1.7GHz, 900MHz, 800MHz, etc. Alternatively, antenna 118 may also be an antenna that primarily has a sensitivity band of 2.4GHz, 5GHz, etc.

[0046] The control unit 119 is a unit that controls the processing performed by the measuring device 100. The control unit 119 is, for example, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). Details of the control unit 119 will be described later.

[0047] The holding portion 121 of the second unit 120 holds the second locking portion 136, which is provided on one end of the connecting portion 130, so that the crank portion 135 of the connecting portion 130 can rotate. That is, the holding portion 121 holds at least a portion of the connecting portion 130 so that one end of the connecting portion 130 can rotate.

[0048] The rod portion 131 is inserted into the first unit 110 from the outside through an opening 110c formed on the side surface 110b of the first unit 110. The tip of the rod portion 131 (the end opposite the second unit 120) is positioned opposite the first sensor 112. The rod portion 131 is provided to slide along its extension direction A1 and is designed not to rotate about its extension direction A1. The rod portion 131 is made of stainless steel, for example, as short as possible. This reduces the expansion and contraction of the rod portion 131 due to temperature differences, and the measuring device 100 can accurately measure the displacement of the object T1 regardless of the temperature.

[0049] The bellows portion 132 is provided outside the first unit 110 so as to abut against the side surface 120b of the first unit 110 and surround the rod portion 131. The provision of the bellows portion 132 prevents water droplets or dust from entering the first unit 110.

[0050] The first locking portion 133 and the first locked portion 134 are examples of locking portions. The first locking portion 133 is provided at the end of the rod portion 131 on the second unit 120 side. The first locking portion 133 is formed from a separate component from the rod portion 131. The first locking portion 133 may be formed integrally with the rod portion 131. The first locked portion 134 is provided at the end of the crank portion 135 on the first unit 110 side, so as to screw into the first locking portion 133. The first locked portion 134 is formed from a separate component from the crank portion 135. The first locked portion 134 may be formed integrally with the crank portion 135.

[0051] For example, the first locking portion 133 has a nut shape (female thread shape), and the first locked portion 134 has a bolt shape (male thread shape). The first locked portion 134 is rotatably mounted relative to the first locking portion 133 by screwing it onto the first locking portion 133. That is, the crank portion 135 is rotatably mounted relative to the rod portion 131. As a result, the measuring device 100 can suppress failure of the rod portion 131 or displacement from its initial position due to the load on the rod portion 131 when the crank portion 135 is rotated during the installation of the second unit 120.

[0052] Furthermore, when the first locking portion 134 is screwed into the first locking portion 133 and the tip of the first locking portion 134 reaches the bottom surface of the opening (screw hole) of the first locking portion 133, the tip 134a of the first locking portion 134 is pressed against the bottom surface of the first locking portion 133. Due to the frictional force between the tip of the first locking portion 134 and the bottom surface of the first locking portion 133, the first locking portion 134 is locked (fixed) to the first locking portion 133 and becomes unable to rotate. Therefore, the rotation of the crank portion 135 relative to the rod portion 131, that is, the rotation of the crank portion 135 relative to the first unit 110, is locked. In this way, the first locking portion 133 and the first locking portion 134 lock the rotation of at least a part of the connecting portion 130 relative to the first unit 110. As a result, when the measuring device 100 is in use, the rotation of the connection part 130 to the first unit 110 is restricted, and the measuring device 100 is positioned stably on the reference object T2 and the target object T1. Therefore, the measuring device 100 can suppress the occurrence of measurement errors due to the rotation of the crank part 135 after installation.

[0053] The crank portion 135 is a rod-shaped member bent at two points at approximately right angles (approximately 90°) such that the axis of the end on the second unit 120 side and the axis of the end on the first unit 110 side are arranged substantially parallel and offset from each other. That is, the crank portion 135 is formed such that, when viewed from the extension direction A1 of the rod portion 131, the axis of the end on the first unit 110 side and the axis of the end on the second unit 120 side are positioned at different locations. The end of the crank portion 135 on the second unit 120 side is rotatable in the direction of arrow A4 in Figure 2, about the axis of the end on the first unit 110 side, that is, about the extension direction A1 of the rod portion 131. That is, the crank portion 135 is rotatable along the extension direction A1 of the rod portion 131. The crank portion 135 is made of, for example, stainless steel. This reduces the expansion and contraction of the crank section 135 due to temperature differences, allowing the measuring device 100 to accurately measure the displacement of the object T1 regardless of the temperature.

[0054] The second locking portion 136 is provided at the end of the crank portion 135 on the second unit 120 side. The holding portion 121 of the second unit 120 is provided to screw into the second locking portion 136. The second locking portion 136 is formed from a separate component from the crank portion 135. The second locking portion 136 may also be formed integrally with the crank portion 135. The holding portion 121 is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow A5 in Figure 2, about the axis of the end of the crank portion 135 on the second unit 120 side, that is, about the extension direction of the end of the crank portion 135 on the second unit 120 side. That is, the second unit 120 is provided so as to be rotatable along the extension direction of the end of the crank portion 135 on the second unit 120 side. The holding portion 121 is formed from a separate component from the second unit 120. The holding portion 121 may be formed integrally with the second unit 120.

[0055] For example, the second locking portion 136 has a nut shape (female thread shape), and the holding portion 121 has a bolt shape (male thread shape). The holding portion 121 is rotatably mounted relative to the second locking portion 136 by screwing it into the second locking portion 136. As a result, the second unit 120 is rotatably mounted relative to the crank portion 135. Because the second unit 120 is rotatable relative to the crank portion 135, the measuring device 100 can reduce the load on the crank portion 135 when the second unit 120 is rotated during installation, thereby preventing the crank portion 135 from failing.

[0056] Furthermore, when the retaining portion 121 is screwed into the second locking portion 136 and the tip of the retaining portion 121 reaches the bottom surface of the opening (screw hole) of the second locking portion 136, the tip of the retaining portion 121 is pressed against the bottom surface of the second locking portion 136. Due to the frictional force between the tip of the retaining portion 121 and the bottom surface of the second locking portion 136, the retaining portion 121 is locked (fixed) to the second locking portion 136 and becomes unable to rotate. Therefore, the rotation of the second unit 120 relative to the crank portion 135 is locked. In this way, the second locking portion 136 locks the rotation of the retaining portion 121 relative to one end of the connecting portion 130. As a result, when the measuring device 100 is used, the rotation of the second unit 120 relative to the connecting portion 130 is restricted, and the measuring device 100 is positioned stably on the reference object T2 and the object T1. Therefore, the measuring device 100 can suppress the occurrence of measurement errors due to the rotation of the second unit 120 after installation.

[0057] As described above, the axis of the end of the crank section 135 on the second unit 120 side and the axis of the end on the first unit 110 side are arranged substantially parallel and offset from each other. Furthermore, the end of the crank section 135 on the second unit 120 side is provided to be rotatable about the axis of the end on the first unit 110 side. As a result, when the crank section 135 rotates, the second unit 120 is positioned offset from the first unit 110 in both the height direction A2 and the lateral direction A3. In other words, the crank section 135 can position the first unit 110 and the second unit 120 at positions P1 and P2, respectively, even if there is a difference in height between position P1 in the object T1 where the first unit 110 is installed and position P2 in the reference object T2 where the second unit 120 is installed. As a result, the measuring device 100 can position the first unit 110 and the second unit 120 at locations with a difference in height, and can accurately measure the displacement of the object T1, which has a difference in height relative to the reference object T2.

[0058] Furthermore, as described above, the second unit 120 is rotatably mounted relative to the crank portion 135, and the rotation of the second unit 120 relative to the crank portion 135 is locked by the second locking portion 136. That is, the second locking portion 136 locks the rotation of the holding portion 121 relative to one end of the connecting portion 130, i.e., the rotation of the second unit 120 relative to the crank portion 135, when the bottom surface 120a of the second unit 120 is positioned at an arbitrary angle with respect to the bottom surface 110a of the first unit 110. As a result, the measuring device 100 can position the first unit 110 and the second unit 120 at positions with any arbitrary angular difference, and can accurately measure the displacement of an object T1 having a surface with any arbitrary angular difference with respect to the surface of a reference object T2. In addition, the measuring device 100 can have a unique mounting surface for the first unit 110 and the second unit 120, and allow other surfaces to be any shape other than a plane, thereby improving the degree of freedom in installation.

[0059] In this way, the installer can easily and reliably install the measuring device 100 on the reference object T2 and the target object T1.

[0060] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the measuring device 100.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, the first sensor 112, the second sensor 113, the temperature sensor 114, the first communication device 117, and the control unit 119 are interconnected. The control unit 119 includes a first storage device 140 and a first processing circuit 150, etc.

[0062] The first storage device 140 includes semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The first storage device 140 stores computer programs, data, etc., used for processing by the first processing circuit 150. The computer program is installed in the first storage device 140 from the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 117, or from an installation device via a serial communication circuit (not shown). The computer program may also be installed in the first storage device 140 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. The portable recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) or a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc read only memory). The first storage device 140 also stores measurement information, judgment parameters, etc., as data. Details of the measurement information, judgment parameters, etc., will be described later.

[0063] The first processing circuit 150 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The first processing circuit 150 may also be an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. The first processing circuit 150 is connected to the first sensor 112, the second sensor 113, the temperature sensor 114, the first communication device 117, and the first storage device 140, and controls each of these parts. The first processing circuit 150 reads the program stored in the first storage device 140 and operates according to the read program, thereby functioning as the first acquisition means 151, the determination means 152, and the transmission means 153.

[0064] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the information processing device 200.

[0065] The information processing device 200 is, for example, a server. The information processing device 200 may also be composed of multiple computers. As shown in Figure 7, the information processing device 200 includes an operating device 201, a display device 202, a second communication device 203, a second storage device 210, and a second processing circuit 220, etc. The operating device 201, the display device 202, the second communication device 203, the second storage device 210, and the second processing circuit 220 are interconnected.

[0066] The operating device 201 has input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an interface circuit that acquires signals from the input devices. It accepts operations from the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the user's input to the second processing circuit 220.

[0067] The display device 202 has a display made of liquid crystal, organic EL, etc., and an interface circuit that outputs image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display according to instructions from the second processing circuit 220.

[0068] The second communication device 203 is an example of a second communication unit and is provided to communicate with multiple measuring devices 100. The second communication device 203 is equipped with a wired or wireless communication interface circuit and connects the information processing device 200 to a communication network. The second communication device 203 performs wired communication in accordance with a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). The second communication device 203 may also perform wireless communication in the same manner as the first communication device 117. The second communication device 203 transmits data supplied from the second processing circuit 220 to the measuring devices 100, the structure manager terminal 300, or the device manager terminal 400. The first communication device 117 supplies data received from the measuring devices 100, the structure manager terminal 300, or the device manager terminal 400 to the second processing circuit 220.

[0069] The second storage device 210 includes, for example, semiconductor memory such as RAM or ROM, a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as an optical disc. The second storage device 210 stores computer programs, data, etc., used for processing by the second processing circuit 220. The computer program is installed in the second storage device 210 from a server (not shown) via the second communication device 203. Alternatively, the computer program may be installed in the second storage device 210 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program, etc. The portable recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. The second storage device 210 also stores measurement information for each of the multiple measuring devices 100, judgment parameters, etc., as data.

[0070] The second processing circuit 220 is, for example, a CPU. The second processing circuit 220 may also be an LSI, ASIC, DSP, FPGA, etc. The second processing circuit 220 is connected to the operating device 201, display device 202, second communication device 203, and second storage device 210, etc., and controls each of these parts. The second processing circuit 220 reads the program stored in the second storage device 210 and operates according to the read program, thereby functioning as a control means 221, a second acquisition means 222, a calculation means 223, a setting means 224, and a notification means 225.

[0071] Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing an example of the management process flow performed by the information processing device 200.

[0072] The following describes an example of the operation of the management process of the information processing device 200, referring to the flowcharts shown in Figures 8 and 9. The operation flow described below is mainly executed by the second processing circuit 220 in cooperation with each element of the information processing device 200, based on a program that is pre-stored in the second storage device 210.

[0073] First, the control means 221 determines whether it has received property information from the device administrator terminal 400 used by the device administrator or the structure administrator terminal 300 used by the structure administrator (step S101). When the device administrator or structure administrator inputs an instruction to register property to the device administrator terminal 400 or structure administrator terminal 300, the control means 221 receives property information, including the instruction to register property, from the device administrator terminal 400 or structure administrator terminal 300 via the second communication device 203. In addition to the instruction to register property, the property information includes contract-related information such as structure administrator information about the structure administrator, structure information about the structure, and measurement device information about the measurement device 100, which are input by the device administrator or structure administrator. The structure administrator information includes the contact information of the structure administrator (for example, the email address of the user that the structure administrator can view on the structure administrator terminal 300). The contact information of the structure administrator is an example of a first contact. The structure information includes structure ID, which is the identification information of the structure. The measurement device information includes the device ID, which is the identification information of the measurement device 100, the time of periodic communication with the measurement device 100, and location information indicating the installation location of the measurement device 100. If no new property information has been received, the control means 221 proceeds to step S103.

[0074] On the other hand, when property information is received, the control means 221 associates the structure manager information, structure information, and measuring device information contained in the property information and stores them in the second storage device 210 (step S102).

[0075] Next, the control means 221 determines whether or not it has received installation information from the device administrator terminal 400 used by the device administrator (step S103). When the device administrator has installed the measuring device 100 and input installation information into the device administrator terminal 400, the control means 221 receives the input installation information from the device administrator terminal 400 via the second communication device 203. The installation information includes the device ID of the installed measuring device 100, the installation date, the start date of operation, the start flag of operation, and the date and time for sending the determination parameters. The start date of operation is set to a specific number of days after the installation date. The specific number of days is set in advance to a period (e.g., one month) during which sufficient data (the first change amount and the first temperature described later) can be obtained for each measuring device 100 to calculate the determination parameters. The initial value of the start flag of operation is set to OFF. The initial value of the date and time for sending the determination parameters is set to a date and time indicating that it has not been sent (e.g., blank). If no new installation information has been received, the control means 221 proceeds to step S106.

[0076] On the other hand, upon receiving installation information, the control means 221 identifies a device ID from among the device IDs stored in the second storage device 210 that matches the device ID included in the installation information, and stores each piece of information included in the installation information in the second storage device 210 in association with the identified device ID (step S104). Next, the control means 221 sends an installation completion notification (e.g., email) indicating that the installation of the measuring device 100 has been received, via the second communication device 203, to the contact information of the structure manager associated with that device ID (step S105). The structure manager can recognize that the installation of the measuring device 100 has been completed by viewing the installation completion notification using the structure manager terminal 300.

[0077] Next, the control means 221 determines whether or not it has received measurement information from any of the measuring devices 100 via the second communication device 203 (step S106). The measurement information includes the device ID of the measuring device 100, the battery voltage of the battery 115, the received radio wave strength by the first communication device 117, the date and time of each measurement performed, and the temperature, displacement, and tilt of the measuring device 100 (first unit 110) at each date and time. If no new measurement information has been received, the control means 221 proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, if measurement information has been received, the control means 221 identifies a device ID from among the device IDs stored in the second storage device 210 that matches the device ID included in the measurement information, and stores each piece of information included in the measurement information in the second storage device 210 in association with the identified device ID (step S107).

[0078] Next, the control means 221 determines whether a battery abnormality has occurred based on whether the battery voltage of the battery 115 included in the received measurement information is below a preset lower voltage limit (step S108). The control means 221 may also determine that a battery abnormality has occurred if the battery voltage included in the received measurement information is greater than a preset upper voltage limit. Furthermore, considering that the battery voltage changes with temperature, the control means 221 may not determine a battery abnormality with a single check, but rather determine a battery abnormality only if the battery voltage is confirmed to be below the lower voltage limit multiple times within a certain period. If no battery abnormality has occurred, the control means 221 proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if a battery abnormality has occurred, the control means 221 sends an equipment abnormality notification (e.g., email) indicating that an equipment abnormality has occurred to the equipment administrator's contact information (e.g., the equipment administrator's email address viewable by the equipment administrator on the equipment administrator terminal 400) via the second communication device 203 (step S109). The equipment administrator's contact information is an example of a second contact. This equipment malfunction notification includes the device ID included in the measurement information, as well as information indicating that a battery malfunction occurred as the equipment malfunction. The equipment administrator can quickly replace the affected measuring device 100 by viewing the equipment malfunction notification using the equipment administrator terminal 400.

[0079] Next, the control means 221 determines whether a radio wave anomaly has occurred based on whether the received radio wave strength from the first communication device 117 included in the received measurement information is less than a preset lower limit of radio wave strength (step S110). The control means 221 may also determine that a radio wave anomaly has occurred if the received radio wave strength included in the received measurement information is greater than a preset upper limit of radio wave strength. Furthermore, considering the possibility of a temporary communication failure caused by the base station, the control means 221 may not determine a radio wave anomaly with only one check, but rather determine a radio wave anomaly if the radio wave strength exceeds the lower or upper limit multiple times within a certain period. If no radio wave anomaly has occurred, the control means 221 proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, if a radio wave anomaly has occurred, the control means 221 sends an equipment anomaly notification to the equipment administrator's contact information via the second communication device 203 (step S109). This equipment anomaly notification includes the equipment ID included in the measurement information, and that a radio wave anomaly has occurred as an equipment anomaly. By viewing the equipment malfunction notification, the equipment administrator can quickly check the installation environment of the measurement device 100 in question and replace the measurement device 100 if necessary.

[0080] Next, the control means 221 determines whether there are any measuring devices 100 whose device IDs are stored in the second storage device 210 that have not received measurement information within a predetermined period (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "unreceiving devices") (step S111). The control means 221 identifies any measuring devices 100 that have not received measurement information within a predetermined period (for example, 3 minutes) from the periodic communication time stored in the second storage device 210 as unreceiving devices. If there are no unreceiving devices, the control means 221 proceeds to step S113. On the other hand, if there are unreceiving devices, the control means 221 sends an equipment malfunction notification to the equipment administrator's contact information via the second communication device 203, indicating that an equipment malfunction has occurred (step S112). This equipment malfunction notification includes the device ID of the measuring device 100 identified as an unreceiving device, and that the failure to receive measurement information has occurred as an equipment malfunction. The device administrator can quickly check the status of the measuring device 100 by viewing the device malfunction notification and replace the measuring device 100 if necessary.

[0081] Next, the control means 221 determines whether there are any measuring devices 100 whose device IDs are stored in the second storage device 210 whose current date is on or after the start date of operation and whose determination parameters have not yet been transmitted (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "devices requiring configuration") (step S113). The control means 221 identifies measuring devices 100 whose current date is on or after the start date of operation stored in the second storage device 210 and whose determination parameter transmission date and time stored in the second storage device 210 is set to a date and time indicating that the parameters have not been transmitted as devices requiring configuration. If there are no devices requiring configuration, the control means 221 proceeds to step S119.

[0082] On the other hand, if a device requiring configuration exists, the second acquisition means 222 acquires the amount of movement of the connection part 130 of the device requiring configuration (the change in distance between the first unit 110 and the second unit 120) at multiple points in time up to the present, and the temperature of the device requiring configuration (or ambient temperature) at each of those points in time (step S114). Hereinafter, multiple points in time up to the present will be referred to as the first point in time, the amount of movement (change) at the first point in time will be referred to as the first change, and the temperature at the first point in time will be referred to as the first temperature. For example, the second acquisition means 222 acquires the amount of movement of the connection part 130 and the temperature of the device requiring configuration at each measurement date and time up to the present, which are stored in the second storage device 210 in association with the device ID of the device requiring configuration, as the first change and the first temperature. The second acquisition means 222 may also acquire the temperature of the area where the device requiring configuration is installed at each measurement date and time from the Japan Meteorological Agency's regional weather observation system (AMeDAS), etc., as the first temperature. In this way, the second acquisition means 222 acquires a first change in the distance between the first unit 110 installed at position P1 and the second unit 120 installed at position P2, and a first temperature at each of the first time points, for a plurality of first time points.

[0083] Next, the calculation means 223 calculates a relational expression that shows the relationship between the first change amount at multiple first time points and the first temperature at each first time point (step S115).

[0084] Figure 10(A) is a graph showing the changes in the first change and the first temperature over a specific period. In Figure 10(A), the horizontal axis represents each measurement date and time, the left vertical axis represents the first change at each measurement date and time, and the right vertical axis represents the first temperature at each measurement date and time. Graph G1 in Figure 10(A) shows the change in the first change at each measurement date and time, and graph G2 shows the change in the first temperature at each measurement date and time. As shown in Figure 10(A), there is a correlation between the first temperature and the first change: the higher the first temperature, the smaller the first change, and the lower the first temperature, the larger the first change.

[0085] Figure 10(B) is a correlation diagram of each combination of the first change and the first temperature over a specific period. In Figure 10(B), the horizontal axis represents the first temperature, and the vertical axis represents the first change. Each point E1 in Figure 10(B) corresponds to each combination of the first change and the first temperature over a specific period. As shown in Figure 10(B), the first change has a roughly linear relationship with respect to the first temperature, with a negative slope.

[0086] The calculation means 223 calculates a relational expression (a one-variable linear equation) that shows the relationship between the first change and the first temperature by performing a simple linear regression analysis on the first temperature at each first time point and the first change at each first time point. That is, the calculation means 223 calculates a relational expression for the first change r(k) and the first temperature k, which is shown in equation (1) below. r(k) = a·k + b (1) Here, a and b are constants.

[0087] For example, the calculation means 223 uses methods such as the least squares method, maximum likelihood estimation, or Bayesian estimation to calculate a regression line that shows the relationship between the first change and the first temperature. In the example shown in Figure 10(B), a regression line E2 that passes through the center of the distribution range of the correlation of each point E1 corresponding to each combination of the first change and each first temperature is calculated as a relational expression. In this way, the calculation means 223 can accurately calculate the relationship between the first change and the first temperature by performing a simple linear regression analysis on the first temperature at each first time point and the first change at each first time point.

[0088] Next, the setting means 224 calculates the mean μ and standard deviation σ, which are representative values ​​of the distribution of the difference (xr(k)) between the first change amount x at each first time point and the change amount r(k) calculated from the first temperature k at each first time point using the calculated relational expression (r(k)=a·k+b) (step S116). Hereinafter, the difference (xr(k)) may be referred to as the change amount difference.

[0089] Figure 10(C) is a graph showing the difference in change between each first change during a specific period and the change calculated from the first temperature during that period using the calculated relational equation. In Figure 10(C), the horizontal axis shows the difference in change, the vertical axis on the right shows the frequency of each difference in change, and the vertical axis on the left shows the probability density of each difference in change. Graph G3 in Figure 10(C) is a graph showing the frequency of each difference in change, and graph G4 is a normal distribution using the mean μ and standard deviation σ of the frequency distribution shown in graph G3. It can be seen that the frequency distribution of the differences in change can be approximated by a normal distribution.

[0090] Next, the setting means 224 sets a first threshold value to compare with a value based on the change in distance between the first unit 110 and the second unit 120 after the start of operation, based on the calculated mean and standard deviation (step S117). The first threshold value is an example of a threshold value. For example, the setting means 224 sets the first threshold value by adding or subtracting a predetermined multiple of the calculated standard deviation σ to the mean value μ. For example, the monitoring system 1 can set (μ±3σ) as the first threshold value by adding or subtracting 3σ, which is three times the standard deviation σ, to the mean value μ, thereby setting a 99.7% confidence interval and suppressing the erroneous determination that the distance between the first and second positions is abnormal even though it is normal. Note that it is equivalent to setting the relational expression to (xr(k)-μ) and setting the first threshold value to (±3σ). The setting means 224 stores the relational expression and the first threshold value in the second storage device 210 as determination parameters for determining whether the distance between the first position and the second position is abnormal, in association with the device ID of the device requiring setting.

[0091] Thus, the setting means 224 sets a first threshold value based on the first change amount at multiple first time points, the first temperature at each first time point, and the relationship between them. In particular, the setting means 224 sets the first threshold value based on the standard deviation, i.e., distribution, of the difference between the first change amount at multiple first time points and the change amount calculated from the first temperature at each first time point using the relationship between them. That is, the setting means 224 sets the first threshold value by statistically processing the difference between the first change amount at multiple first time points and the change amount calculated from the first temperature at each first time point using the relationship between them. Alternatively, the setting means 224 may set the first threshold value based on the variance of the difference between the first change amount at multiple first time points and the change amount calculated from the first temperature at each first time point using the relationship between them. In that case, for example, the setting means 224 sets the first threshold value to a predetermined multiple of the variance of the change amount difference.

[0092] Furthermore, the calculation means 223 may calculate a relational expression (multivariable linear expression) by performing linear multiple regression analysis on the first temperature at multiple first time points, the average value of the first temperature over one or more predetermined periods including each first time point, and the first change at each first time point. In that case, the calculation means 223 calculates a relational expression (multivariable linear expression) on the first change x, the first temperature k1 which is the instantaneous temperature, and the average value of the first temperature k1 over a single period or multiple periods having different predetermined period lengths (k2, k3, ..., k N For ), the correlation function shown in equation (2) below is calculated as the relational expression. r(k1, k2, ..., k N ) = a1·k1 + a2·k2 + ... + a n ·k N +b (2) Here, a1, a2, ..., a N b is a constant.

[0093] For example, the calculation means 223 uses the least squares method, maximum likelihood estimation, or Bayesian estimation method to calculate a regression line that shows the relationship between the first change and the first temperature and the mean value of the first temperature. The period length is set to a period length in which the temperature change is relatively small, such as one day, one week, ten days, twenty days, or thirty days.

[0094] In this case, the setting means 224 takes the first change amount (x) at each first time point, the first temperature k1 at each first time point according to the calculated relational expression (2), and the average value of the first temperature k1 over a plurality of periods having a predetermined period length (k2, k3, ..., k N The change r(k1, k2, ..., k) calculated from ) N The difference between (xr(k1, k2, ..., k N The mean μ and standard deviation σ of )) are calculated. Then, the setting means 224 sets a first threshold value based on the calculated mean and standard deviation.

[0095] Figure 11(A) is a graph showing the slope a and intercept b of the relationship r(k1) = a·k1+b calculated by performing a simple linear regression analysis on the first temperature k and the first change x for each day from November 25, 2021 to April 28, 2022. In Figure 11(A), the horizontal axis represents each day, the left vertical axis represents the slope a for each day, and the right vertical axis represents the intercept b for each day. Graph G5 in Figure 11(A) shows the change in slope a, and graph G6 shows the change in intercept b. As shown in Figure 11(A), the range of variation in slope a is small, but the range of variation in intercept b is large during the period from November 25, 2021 to April 28, 2022. In other words, in the example in Figure 11(A), it can be seen that the relationship with the first change x cannot be represented with high accuracy using only the instantaneous temperature k1.

[0096] Figure 11(B) is a graph showing the intercept b shown in Figure 11(A) and the average daily temperature k2 corresponding to each intercept b. In Figure 11(B), the horizontal axis represents each day, the left vertical axis represents the intercept b for each day, and the right vertical axis represents the average daily temperature k2 for each day. Graph G7 in Figure 11(B) shows the change in intercept b, and graph G8 shows the change in the average daily temperature k2. As shown in Figure 11(B), the intercept b changes in conjunction with the change in temperature. That is, by using not only the instantaneous temperature k1 but also the average daily temperature k2 as explanatory variables, the relational equation can be made more accurate. Therefore, the calculation means 223 calculates a regression line (r(k1,k2)=a1·k1+a2·k2+b) that shows the relationship between the first change amount x and the first temperature k1 and the average temperature k2 of that day, and the setting means 224 calculates the mean μ and standard deviation σ of the difference (xr(k1,k2)) between the first change amount x at the first time point and the change amount (r(k1,k2)) calculated from the first temperature k1 at that time and the average value k2 of the first temperature k1 for the day including that time point, and sets the first threshold based on the calculated mean μ and standard deviation σ, thereby setting a first threshold that enables highly accurate judgment. Furthermore, depending on the bridge, or even on the same bridge but at different measurement locations, the slope a for the average temperature of the day may be positive, while the slope a for the average temperature of the week may be negative, and there may be a complex correlation between the slope a and / or intercept for multiple types of average temperatures with different period lengths. Furthermore, in some cases, expressing the correlation with the slope a and / or intercept of the average temperature over other period lengths may yield higher accuracy, such as when the correlation with the average temperature over a week is more dominant than the correlation with the average temperature over a day. To address these issues, monitoring system 1 can use the average temperature over a week k3, the average temperature over ten days k4, ... in addition to the average temperature over a day k2 as explanatory variables, or it can use the average temperature over a week k3, the average temperature over ten days k4, ... instead of the average temperature over a day k2 as explanatory variables.

[0097] Thus, the calculation means 223 calculates a relational expression showing the relationship between the first change amount and the first temperature for each device to be set, that is, for each of the multiple measuring devices 100, and the setting means 224 sets a first threshold value for each device to be set, that is, for each of the multiple measuring devices 100. As a result, the information processing device 200 can set judgment parameters suitable for the installation environment of each measuring device 100 for each measuring device 100.

[0098] Furthermore, the information processing device 200 sets the determination parameters after installing each measuring device 100 and acquiring sufficient data (first change amount and first temperature) to calculate the determination parameters. Specifically, for each of the multiple measuring devices 100, the calculation means 223 calculates a relational expression showing the relationship between the first change amount and the first temperature when the first acquisition means 151 acquires the first change amount and the first temperature at multiple first time points. For each of the multiple measuring devices 100, the setting means 224 sets the first threshold when the first acquisition means 151 acquires the first change amount and the first temperature at multiple first time points and the calculation means 223 calculates the relational expression. In this way, the information processing device 200 can set the determination parameters for each measuring device 100 at an appropriate timing.

[0099] Next, the setting means 224 sends an approval request notification (e.g., by email) to the contact person of the structure manager associated with the device ID of the device requiring setting, via the second communication device 203, requesting approval to start operation (step S118). The approval request notification includes a relational expression calculated for the device requiring setting, a first threshold value set for the device requiring setting, and measurement device information for the device requiring setting.

[0100] Next, the control means 221 determines whether or not it has received an approval signal for the start of operation from the device administrator terminal 400 used by the device administrator (step S119). If the structure administrator receives an approval request notification, it informs the device administrator that it approves the start of operation. The device administrator, having been informed by the structure administrator that it approves the start of operation, uses the device administrator terminal 400 to input approval for the start of operation of the relevant measuring device 100. If the device administrator has input approval for the start of operation to the device administrator terminal 400, the control means 221 receives an approval signal approving the start of operation from the device administrator terminal 400 via the second communication device 203. The approval signal includes the device ID of the measuring device 100 for which the start of operation has been approved. If no new approval signal has been received, the control means 221 proceeds to step S121. On the other hand, if an approval signal has been received, the control means 221 sets the start of operation flag stored in the second storage device 210 in association with the device ID included in the approval signal to ON (step S120).

[0101] Furthermore, the acceptance of approval for the start of operation may be carried out without going through the device administrator. In that case, in step S118, the setting means 224 generates a web page that can accept approval operations from the structure administrator and sends an approval request notification containing the URL of that web page to the structure administrator's contact information. When the structure administrator receives the approval request notification, they input approval for the start of operation of the relevant measuring device 100 from that web page.

[0102] Next, the control means 221 determines whether or not it has received a parameter request signal requesting determination parameters from any of the measuring devices 100 via the second communication device 203 (step S121). The parameter request signal includes the device ID of the measuring device 100. If no new parameter request signal has been received, the control means 221 proceeds to step S124. On the other hand, if a parameter request signal has been received, the control means 221 determines whether or not the operation start flag stored in the second storage device 210 in association with the device ID included in the parameter request signal is set to ON (step S122). If the operation start flag is not set to ON, the control means 221 proceeds to step S124. On the other hand, if the operation start flag is set to ON, the control means 221 transmits the determination parameters (relational expression and first threshold value) stored in the second storage device 210 in association with the device ID included in the parameter request signal to the measuring device 100 that sent the parameter request signal via the second communication device 203 (step S123). The control means 221 then sets the current date and time to the date and time for sending the determination parameter, which is stored in the second storage device 210 in association with the device ID included in the parameter request signal.

[0103] Next, the notification means 225 determines whether or not it has received equipment malfunction information from any of the measuring devices 100 via the second communication device 203 (step S124). The equipment malfunction information includes the device ID of the measuring device 100 and the type of equipment malfunction. The types of equipment malfunctions include movement amount abnormalities indicating that the movement amount of the connection part 130 is large, or tilt abnormalities indicating that the tilt of the first unit 110 is large, etc. If no new equipment malfunction information has been received, the notification means 225 proceeds to step S128.

[0104] On the other hand, when equipment malfunction information is received, the notification means 225 sends an equipment malfunction notification to the equipment administrator's contact information via the second communication device 203 (step S125). This equipment malfunction notification includes the equipment ID included in the equipment malfunction information and the type of equipment malfunction. The equipment malfunction information is sent when the determination means 152 of the measuring device 100 determines that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device 100. That is, when the determination means 152 determines that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device 100, the notification means 225 notifies the equipment administrator's contact information of the occurrence of the equipment malfunction. The equipment administrator can quickly check the status of the target measuring device 100 by viewing the equipment malfunction notification using the equipment administrator terminal 400 and replace the measuring device 100 if necessary.

[0105] Furthermore, if the equipment malfunction is a tilting abnormality, the structure may be tilted. Therefore, if the equipment malfunction is a tilting abnormality, the notification means 225 may send the equipment malfunction notification to the contact information of the equipment administrator as well as to the contact information of the structure administrator. Also, if the equipment malfunction is a displacement abnormality, the structure may have moved significantly due to a disaster or the like. Therefore, if the equipment malfunction is a displacement abnormality, the notification means 225 may send the equipment malfunction notification to the contact information of the equipment administrator as well as to the contact information of the structure administrator. The structure administrator can quickly check the status of the structure and take appropriate measures as necessary by viewing the equipment malfunction notification using the structure administrator terminal 300.

[0106] Next, the notification means 225 determines whether or not it has received displacement anomaly information from any of the measuring devices 100 via the second communication device 203 (step S126). The displacement anomaly information includes the device ID of the measuring device 100. If no new displacement anomaly information has been received, the notification means 225 proceeds to step S128.

[0107] On the other hand, when displacement anomaly information is received, the notification means 225 transmits a displacement anomaly notification via the second communication device 203 to the contact information of the structure manager stored in the second storage device 210, associated with the device ID included in the displacement anomaly information (step S127). This displacement anomaly notification includes structure information and measuring device information stored in the second storage device 210, associated with the device ID included in the displacement anomaly information, and a guidance message prompting the user to check the corresponding structure. Displacement anomaly information is transmitted when the value based on the amount of movement of the connection part 130 measured by the first sensor 112 in the measuring device 100 exceeds a first threshold. That is, when the notification means 225 detects that the value based on the amount of movement of the connection part 130 measured by the first sensor 112 exceeds a first threshold, i.e., when an anomaly occurs in the structure, it notifies the contact information of the structure manager of the occurrence of the equipment anomaly. The structure manager can quickly check the status of the structure and take appropriate measures by viewing the displacement anomaly notification using the structure manager terminal 300.

[0108] Furthermore, the notification means 225 may send the displacement abnormality notification to the contact information of the structure manager as well as to the contact information of the device manager. In that case, the structure manager may forward the displacement abnormality notification to the contact information of the device manager. The device manager can quickly check the status of the relevant measuring device 100 by viewing the displacement abnormality notification using the device manager terminal 400 and replace it if necessary.

[0109] Next, the control means 221 determines whether or not it has received a viewing request signal from the structure manager terminal 300 used by the structure manager, requesting to view measurement information (step S128). When the structure manager inputs a request to view measurement information into the structure manager terminal 300, the control means 221 receives a viewing request signal from the structure manager terminal 300 via the second communication device 203, requesting to view measurement information. The viewing request signal includes the device ID of the measurement device 100 for which the structure manager wishes to view the measurement information, and the period, etc. The period is selected by the structure manager from, for example, one day, one week, one month, three months, one year, or the entire period. If no new viewing request signal has been received, the control means 221 proceeds to step S130.

[0110] On the other hand, when a viewing request signal is received, the control means 221 extracts measurement information for a specified period from the measurement information stored in the second storage device 210 in association with the device ID included in the viewing request signal. The control means 221 transmits the extracted measurement information to the structure manager terminal 300, the source of the viewing request signal, via the second communication device 203 (step S129). The control means 221 may also generate a graph showing the changes in displacement and temperature within the specified period included in the extracted measurement information, and create a web page or the like with the generated graph drawn on it to display on the structure manager terminal 300. The structure manager can use the structure manager terminal 300 to check the changes in displacement and temperature at the measuring device 100.

[0111] Next, the control means 221 determines whether a predetermined aggregation date (for example, the 1st of each month or every Monday) has arrived (step S130). If the aggregation date has not arrived, the control means 221 returns to step S101.

[0112] On the other hand, when the aggregation day arrives, the control means 221 extracts and aggregates the measurement information of each measuring device 100 for each device ID stored in the second storage device 210 (step S131). Next, the control means 221 transmits each aggregated measurement information to the contact information of the structure manager stored in association with each device ID via the second communication device 203 (step S132), and returns the process to step S101. The control means 221 may also generate a graph showing the changes in each piece of information, including displacement and temperature, included in the extracted measurement information, and create a web page or the like with the generated graph drawn on it and transmit it to the contact information of the structure manager stored in association with each device ID. Each structure manager can check the changes in displacement and temperature at each measuring device 100 using the structure manager terminal 300.

[0113] Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of measurement processing performed by the measuring device 100.

[0114] The following describes an example of the operation of the measurement process of the measuring device 100, referring to the flowcharts shown in Figures 12 and 13. The operation flow described below is mainly executed by the first processing circuit 150 in cooperation with each element of the measuring device 100, based on a program pre-stored in the first storage device 140.

[0115] First, the first acquisition means 151 determines whether or not an interrupt has occurred (step S201). The control unit 119 of the measuring device 100 has an interrupt controller. The first sensor 112 outputs a limit signal to the interrupt controller if the value based on the amount of movement of the connection part 130 exceeds the second threshold. That is, the first sensor 112 outputs a limit signal to the interrupt controller if the value based on the amount of movement of the connection part 130 is greater than the second threshold which has a positive value, or less than the second threshold which has a negative value. The value based on the amount of movement of the connection part 130 is the amount of movement of the connection part 130 itself, or a value obtained by adding or subtracting a predetermined offset to the amount of movement of the connection part 130, or by multiplying or dividing by a predetermined coefficient, etc. When the interrupt controller receives a limit signal from the first sensor 112, it outputs an interrupt signal to the first processing circuit 150. The second threshold is an example of an upper limit value. The second threshold is a threshold set in common for all measuring devices 100, regardless of the installation environment of the measuring device 100, and is set to a magnitude greater than the first threshold set for each measuring device 100. The second threshold is pre-set to a value (for example, about ±20 mm) that could potentially damage the measuring device 100 if the connection part 130 moves beyond its upper limit.

[0116] Furthermore, the second sensor 113 outputs a limit signal to the interrupt controller if the value based on the tilt of the first unit 110 exceeds the tilt threshold. That is, the second sensor 113 outputs a limit signal to the interrupt controller if the value based on the tilt of the first unit 110 is greater than a tilt threshold that has a positive value, or less than a tilt threshold that has a negative value. The value based on the tilt of the first unit 110 is the tilt of the first unit 110 itself, or a value obtained by adding or subtracting a predetermined offset to the tilt of the first unit 110, or by multiplying or dividing it by a predetermined coefficient, etc. When the interrupt controller receives a limit signal from the second sensor 113, it outputs an interrupt signal to the first processing circuit 150. The tilt threshold is set in advance to a value that can be considered to indicate that the first unit 110 has fallen from its installation position, been carried away, or been damaged by a disaster or strong external force. The first acquisition means 151 determines that an interrupt has occurred when it receives an interrupt signal from the interrupt controller.

[0117] The time from when the first sensor 112 outputs a limit signal until an interrupt occurs is an example of the second time. In step S201, the first acquisition means 151 may determine whether a sufficiently short second time (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed, instead of determining whether an interrupt has occurred, by polling. If no new interrupt has occurred, the first acquisition means 151 proceeds to step S216.

[0118] On the other hand, if an interrupt occurs, the first acquisition means 151 acquires a displacement signal from the first sensor 112 and obtains the amount of movement indicated by the acquired displacement signal (step S202). Next, the first acquisition means 151 acquires a tilt signal from the second sensor 113 and obtains the tilt indicated by the acquired tilt signal (step S203).

[0119] Next, the determination means 152 determines whether the value based on the acquired amount of movement exceeds the second threshold (step S204). If the value based on the amount of movement exceeds the second threshold, the determination means 152 determines that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device 100 and that a displacement abnormality has occurred in the structure (step S205). Next, the transmission means 153 transmits equipment malfunction information and displacement abnormality information to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 117 (step S206), and proceeds to step S208. This equipment malfunction information and displacement abnormality information includes the device ID, amount of movement, and inclination of the measuring device 100. In addition, the equipment malfunction information indicates that the type of equipment malfunction is an abnormal amount of movement. As a result, the monitoring system 1 can notify the device manager if there is a possibility that the measuring device 100 is damaged and cannot correctly measure the displacement of the structure, and prompt them to replace the measuring device 100. Furthermore, if a structure has moved significantly due to a disaster or other reason, the monitoring system 1 can notify the structure manager and prompt them to check the condition of the structure. If the transmission means 153 fails to transmit equipment malfunction information or displacement malfunction information, such as when it does not receive an acknowledgment from the information processing device 200, it will retry the transmission a predetermined number of times (for example, about 5 times).

[0120] On the other hand, if the value based on the amount of movement does not exceed the second threshold, the determination means 152 determines that no equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device 100 and that no displacement abnormality has occurred in the structure (step S207). In this way, the determination means 152 determines whether or not an equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device 100 and whether or not a displacement abnormality has occurred in the structure.

[0121] Furthermore, the determination means 152 does not have to determine that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device 100 if the value based on the amount of movement exceeds the second threshold, and does not have to transmit equipment malfunction information to the information processing device 200. Alternatively, the determination means 152 does not have to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the structure if the value based on the amount of movement exceeds the second threshold, and does not have to transmit displacement abnormality information to the information processing device 200.

[0122] Next, the determination means 152 determines whether the value based on the acquired inclination exceeds the inclination threshold (step S208). If the value based on the inclination exceeds the inclination threshold, the determination means 152 determines that an equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device 100 (step S209). Next, the transmission means 153 transmits equipment malfunction information indicating that an equipment malfunction has occurred to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 117 (step S210), and proceeds to step S216. This equipment malfunction information includes the device ID of the measuring device 100, and indicates inclination malfunction as the type of equipment malfunction. As a result, the monitoring system 1 can notify the device manager if there is a possibility that the measuring device 100 is damaged and cannot correctly measure the displacement of the structure, and prompt the replacement of the measuring device 100. In addition, if the transmission means 153 fails to transmit the equipment malfunction information, it retries the transmission a predetermined number of times, similar to the process in step S206.

[0123] On the other hand, if the value based on the slope does not exceed the slope threshold, the determination means 152 determines that no equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device 100 (step S211). In this way, the determination means 152 determines whether or not an equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device 100.

[0124] Next, the first acquisition means 151 determines whether the first interval has elapsed and whether the communication flag is ON (step S212). The first interval is an example of the first time and is set in advance to a time that is sufficiently longer than the second time (the time from when the first sensor 112 outputs a limit signal until an interrupt occurs). The first interval is set in advance to an interval at which the state of the measuring device 100 should be monitored (for example, a predetermined time of less than 1 hour). For example, the interrupt controller outputs an interrupt signal to the first processing circuit 150 at each first interval, and the first acquisition means 151 determines that the first interval has elapsed when it receives the interrupt signal from the interrupt controller. The initial value of the communication flag is set to OFF. The communication flag is also set to ON when the transmission of measurement information to the information processing device 200 is successful in the processing described later, and to OFF when it fails. If the first interval has not yet elapsed, or if the communication flag is OFF, the first acquisition means 151 proceeds to step S226.

[0125] On the other hand, if the first interval has elapsed and the communication flag is ON, the first acquisition means 151 acquires the current date and time (step S213). Next, the first acquisition means 151 acquires a temperature signal from the temperature sensor 114 and acquires the temperature indicated by the acquired temperature signal (step S214). Next, the first acquisition means 151 acquires a displacement signal from the first sensor 112 and acquires the amount of movement indicated by the acquired displacement signal (step S215). Hereinafter, each point in time when the first interval has elapsed with the communication flag ON will be referred to as the second point in time, the amount of movement at the second point in time will be referred to as the second change, and the temperature at the second point in time will be referred to as the second temperature. The first acquisition means 151 acquires the amount of movement in step S215 and the temperature in step S214 as the second change and second temperature at the second point in time, respectively. Next, the first acquisition means 151 acquires a tilt signal from the second sensor 113 and obtains the tilt indicated by the acquired tilt signal (step S216).

[0126] Next, the determination means 152 determines whether or not it has received the determination parameters (relational expression and first threshold value) from the information processing apparatus 200 (step S217). The determination parameters are transmitted from the information processing apparatus 200 in a process described later and stored in the first storage device 140. The determination means 152 determines whether or not it has received the determination parameters from the information processing apparatus 200 based on whether or not the determination parameters are stored in the first storage device 140. If the determination parameters have not yet been received, the determination means 152 shifts the process to step S226.

[0127] On the other hand, if the determination parameters have already been received, the determination means 152 calculates a correction value obtained by correcting the second change amount (movement amount) acquired in step S215 using the second temperature and the relational expression included in the determination parameters (step S218). The correction value is an example of a value based on the second change amount. When the relational expression is calculated by linear regression analysis, the determination means 152 calculates the difference (x - r(k)) between the second change amount (x) at each second time point and the change amount (r(k)) calculated from the second temperature (k) at each second time point by the relational expression (r(k) = a·k + b) as the correction value. On the other hand, when the relational expression is calculated by multiple linear regression analysis, the determination means 152 calculates the difference (x - r(k1, k2,..., k N ) = a1·k1 + a2·k2 +... + a n ·k N + b) from the second temperature k1 at each second time point and the average value k n of the second temperature k1 over each predetermined period as the change amount r(k1, k2,..., k N ) and calculates the difference (x - r(k1, k2,..., k N )) as the correction value. That is, the correction value is a change amount (movement amount) temperature-compensated based on the second temperature. However, in this case, the determination means 152 determines whether or not the predetermined period in which each average value is calculated has elapsed, and does not calculate the correction value until the predetermined period in which all average values are calculated has elapsed. When each predetermined period has elapsed, the determination means 152 calculates the average value over each predetermined period and calculates the correction value.

[0128] Next, the determination means 152 determines whether the calculated correction value exceeds a first threshold value included in the determination parameters (step S219). For example, the determination means 152 determines that the correction value has exceeded the first threshold value if the correction value is less than μ-3σ or greater than μ+3σ. If the correction value exceeds the first threshold value, the determination means 152 determines that a displacement anomaly has occurred in the structure (step S220). In this way, the determination means 152 determines whether the distance between the position P1 where the first unit 110 is installed and the position P2 where the second unit 120 is installed is abnormal by comparing the correction value based on the second change in the distance between the first unit 110 and the second unit 120 at the second time point with the first threshold value. In particular, the determination means 152 determines whether the distance between the position P1 where the first unit 110 is installed and the position P2 where the second unit 120 is installed is abnormal by comparing a corrected value obtained by correcting the second change amount using the change amount calculated from the second temperature at the second time point using the relational formula, with the first threshold value. That is, the determination means 152 uses a corrected value obtained by correcting the second change amount using the change amount calculated from the second temperature at the second time point using the relational formula for its determination. By considering the temperature in the measuring device 100, the monitoring system 1 can accurately determine whether the distance between the position P1 where the first unit 110 is installed and the position P2 where the second unit 120 is installed is abnormal. Alternatively, the processing in step S218 may be omitted, and the determination means 152 may determine whether a displacement abnormality has occurred in the structure by determining whether the second change amount exceeds the first threshold value. In that case, the second change amount itself is an example of a value based on the second change amount.

[0129] The determination means 152 can appropriately correct the second change amount according to the environment in which the device is installed, particularly the ambient temperature of the device, by performing temperature compensation for the second change amount using a relational expression set based on the first change amount and temperature measured in advance in the device. Furthermore, the determination means 152 determines whether or not a displacement anomaly has occurred in the structure using a first threshold value set based on the first change amount and first temperature measured in advance in the device. Therefore, the determination means 152 can determine whether or not a displacement anomaly has occurred in the structure with high accuracy.

[0130] Next, the determination means 152 sets a specific value in a counter for continuously transmitting displacement anomaly information when it determines that a displacement anomaly has occurred in the structure (step S221). The specific value is pre-set to any natural number (for example, 5). Next, the transmission means 153 outputs the displacement anomaly information by transmitting it to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 117 (step S222), and proceeds to step S226. The displacement anomaly information is an example of information related to the determination result by the determination means 152. This displacement anomaly information includes the device ID of the measuring device 100 and the most recent predetermined number of displacements (for example, 10) and inclinations. This allows the structure manager to check the state of the structure immediately before the displacement anomaly occurs and to grasp the condition of the structure more accurately. In addition, if the transmission means 153 fails to transmit the displacement anomaly information, it retries the transmission a predetermined number of times, similar to the process in step S206.

[0131] Thus, the determination means 152 determines whether or not a displacement abnormality has occurred in the structure at mutually different intervals: every first hour (first interval) and every second hour (the time from when the first sensor 112 outputs a limit signal until an interrupt occurs). Every first hour, the determination means 152 compares a value based on the amount of movement of the connection part 130 with a first threshold value and determines that a displacement abnormality has occurred in the structure if the value based on the amount of movement of the connection part 130 exceeds the first threshold value. On the other hand, every second hour, which is shorter than the first hour, the determination means 152 compares a value based on the amount of movement of the connection part 130 with a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value and determines that a displacement abnormality has occurred in the structure, which may also indicate an equipment malfunction, if the value based on the amount of movement of the connection part 130 exceeds the second threshold value. The monitoring system 1 can prevent it from mistakenly notifying the system of an abnormality in the case of normal displacement of the connection part 130 by lengthening the judgment interval (every 1 hour) for the judgment criteria that distinguish between normal (steady) displacement and abnormal (unsteady) displacement. On the other hand, the monitoring system 1 can notify the administrator earlier if the connection part 130 moves significantly by shortening the judgment interval (every 2 hours) for the judgment criteria that distinguish between abnormal displacement and displacement that jeopardizes the continued operation of the measuring device 100.

[0132] On the other hand, if the correction value is less than or equal to the first threshold, the determination means 152 determines that no displacement abnormality has occurred in the structure (step S223). Next, the determination means 152 determines whether the counter is greater than 0 (step S224). If the counter is 0, the determination means 152 proceeds to step S226 without transmitting the displacement abnormality information. On the other hand, if the counter is greater than 0, the determination means 152 decrements the counter (-1) (step S225). Next, the transmission means 153 transmits the displacement abnormality information to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 117 (step S222). This displacement abnormality information includes the device ID of the measuring device 100, and the latest amount of movement and tilt. By using the counter, the structure manager can check the state of the structure after a displacement abnormality has occurred and grasp the condition of the structure more accurately. Note that, similar to the process in step S206, if the transmission means 153 fails to transmit the displacement abnormality information, it retries the transmission a predetermined number of times.

[0133] Next, the first acquisition means 151 stores the current date and time, temperature, displacement, and tilt acquired in steps S213 to S216 in the first storage device 140, relating them to each other (step S226). That is, the first acquisition means 151 stores each piece of information in the first storage device 140 regardless of whether or not a displacement anomaly has occurred. This information is read retrospectively when a displacement anomaly occurs and transmitted to the information processing device 200 as displacement anomaly information. Also, if the communication flag is set to OFF in step S212, the processes in steps S213 to S216 and S226 are not executed. Therefore, if the measuring device 100 loses communication connection with the information processing device 200 for any reason, it can prevent the information stored in the first storage device 140 from being overwritten and deleted by information measured while it was not communicating with the information processing device 200. Therefore, the measuring device 100 can reduce device costs by using a device with a small storage capacity as the first storage device 140, while more reliably transmitting information to the information processing device 200 immediately before a displacement anomaly occurs.

[0134] Next, the first acquisition means 151 determines whether the second interval has elapsed (step S227). The second interval is set in advance to the interval at which periodic communication with the information processing device 200 should be performed (for example, 24 hours). For example, the interrupt controller outputs an interrupt signal to the first processing circuit 150 every second interval, and the first acquisition means 151 determines that the second interval has elapsed when it receives the interrupt signal from the interrupt controller. If the second interval has not yet elapsed, the first acquisition means 151 returns to step S201.

[0135] On the other hand, once the second interval has elapsed, the first acquisition means 151 acquires the battery voltage of the battery 115 from the voltmeter (step S228). Next, the first acquisition means 151 acquires the received radio wave strength from the first communication device 117 (step S229). Next, the transmission means 153 transmits the measurement information to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 117 (step S230). The measurement information includes the battery voltage acquired in step S228, the received radio wave strength acquired in step S229, and a set of current date and time, temperature, displacement, and inclination that has been stored in step S226 but has not yet been transmitted to the information processing device 200. In addition, if the transmission means 153 fails to transmit the measurement information, it retries the transmission a predetermined number of times, similar to the process in step S206.

[0136] Next, the transmitting means 153 determines whether or not it has succeeded in transmitting the measurement information to the information processing device 200 (step S231). For example, if the transmitting means 153 succeeds in transmitting the measurement information within a predetermined number of retries, it determines that it has succeeded in transmitting the measurement information to the information processing device 200, and if it fails to transmit the measurement information for a predetermined number of consecutive times, it determines that it has failed to transmit the measurement information to the information processing device 200. If the transmitting means 153 succeeds in transmitting the measurement information to the information processing device 200, it sets the communication flag to ON (step S232), and if it fails to transmit the measurement information to the information processing device 200, it sets the communication flag to OFF (step S233). The initial value of the communication flag is OFF, and until the first successful transmission of measurement information to the information processing device 200 is achieved, the current date and time, temperature, amount of movement, and tilt are not stored in step S226. Therefore, the measurement information initially transmitted to the information processing device 200 does not include the current date and time, temperature, amount of movement, and tilt. However, after successfully transmitting the measurement information, the current date and time, temperature, displacement, and slope are stored in step S226, and the measurement information transmitted thereafter includes the current date and time, temperature, displacement, and slope. In this way, each transmission means 153 of the multiple measuring devices 100 sequentially transmits the first change and first temperature at each first time point, and the second change and second temperature at each second time point, to the information processing device 200.

[0137] Next, the first acquisition means 151 determines whether or not the determination parameters for its own device are stored in the information processing device 200 (step S234). The first acquisition means 151 sends an inquiry signal to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 117 to inquire whether or not the determination parameters for its own device are stored in the information processing device 200. The inquiry signal includes the device ID of the own device. When the control means 221 of the information processing device 200 receives the inquiry signal from the measuring device 100 via the second communication device 203, it determines in the second storage device 210 whether or not the determination parameters are stored in association with the device ID included in the inquiry signal. The control means 221 sends a response signal to the measuring device 100 via the second communication device 203 indicating whether or not the determination parameters are stored. The first acquisition means 151 receives the response signal from the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 117 and determines whether or not the determination parameters for its own device are stored in the information processing device 200 based on the received response signal. If the determination parameters for the device itself are not stored in the information processing device 200, the first acquisition means 151 returns to step S201.

[0138] On the other hand, if the determination parameters for the device itself are stored in the information processing device 200, the first acquisition means 151 acquires the determination parameters from the information processing device 200 and stores them in the first storage device 140 (step S235), and returns to step S201. The first acquisition means 151 acquires the determination parameters by transmitting a parameter request signal to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 117 and receiving the determination parameters from the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 117. This parameter request signal includes the device ID of the device itself. The first acquisition means 151 also performs time adjustment (time synchronization) in the measuring device 100.

[0139] Furthermore, even after the measurement device 100 has started operation, the information processing device 200 may periodically (for example, every month) execute the processes in steps S114 to S118 of Figure 8 to create (update) the judgment parameters and send them to the measurement device 100 for updating. This allows the monitoring system 1 to always use appropriate judgment parameters corresponding to the latest environment of the measurement device 100 to determine with high accuracy whether or not a displacement anomaly has occurred in the structure. In addition, since the temperature does not change significantly over several months, the monitoring system 1 can start operating the measurement device 100 without waiting until the measurement of the first change amount and first temperature for all seasons is completed, thereby improving user convenience.

[0140] As explained above, if the value based on the displacement of the connection part 130 exceeds the first threshold, the monitoring system 1 notifies the contact person of the structure manager of the occurrence of a displacement anomaly in the bridge, and if an equipment anomaly occurs, it notifies the contact person of the equipment manager of the occurrence of an equipment anomaly. This allows the monitoring system 1 to notify the appropriate manager of the occurrence of an anomaly depending on the type of anomaly that occurred, thereby enabling appropriate notification of anomalies. Furthermore, while monitoring the displacement of the connection part 130 at two different intervals, the monitoring system 1 sets the criteria for determining anomalies when monitoring the displacement of the connection part 130 at a shorter interval to be stricter than the criteria for determining anomalies when monitoring the displacement of the connection part 130 at a longer interval (assigning levels of urgency to anomalies). This allows the monitoring system 1 to notify managers earlier for anomalies of higher urgency, thereby enabling appropriate notification of anomalies.

[0141] Furthermore, the separation distance in gaps such as cracks that occur in structures such as bridges changes due to the daily expansion and contraction of the structure caused by temperature changes, etc. Such expansion and contraction can sometimes be greater than the influence of deformation of the structure itself (structural changes that do not normally occur, such as deflection of bridge girders). In addition, the separation distance in gaps that occur in such structures also differs depending on the characteristics of the structure, such as its size, material, or structure. The monitoring system 1 considers the relationship between the amount of change in distance measured by each measuring device 100 and the temperature, and determines whether the distance between the position P1 where the first unit 110 is installed and the position P2 where the second unit 120 is installed is abnormal. As a result, the monitoring system 1 can accurately determine whether the distance between the position P1 where the first unit 110 is installed and the position P2 where the second unit 120 is installed is abnormal, regardless of the temperature in the environment in which the measuring device 100 is installed or the characteristics of the structure being measured.

[0142] Figure 14 is a graph illustrating a monitoring system 1 according to another embodiment. Figure 14 is a graph showing the change in the first change and temperature over a specific period. The horizontal axis of Figure 14 represents each measurement date and time, the left vertical axis represents the first change at each measurement date and time, and the right vertical axis represents the temperature at each measurement date and time. Graph G9 in Figure 14 is a graph showing the change in the first change during a period including the period T1 before the start of operation of the measuring device 100 and the period T2 after the start of operation. Graph G10 is a graph showing the change in temperature during a period including the one-year period T0. Graph G9 shows the change in the first change measured by the monitoring system 1, and graph G10 shows the change in temperature obtained from the Japan Meteorological Agency's regional weather observation system (AMeDAS).

[0143] In this embodiment, the monitoring system 1 sets a relational expression and a first threshold using the annual temperature fluctuation range. In step S114 of Figure 8, the second acquisition means 222 acquires the amount of movement of the connection part 130 of the device to be configured (first change amount) at multiple first time points up to the present, the temperature of the area where the device to be configured is installed at each first time point, and the temperature of the area where the device to be configured is installed at multiple time points over a specific year. The second acquisition means 222 acquires the amount of movement of the connection part 130 at each measurement date and time up to the present, which is stored in the second storage device 210 in association with the device ID of the device to be configured, as the first change amount. The second acquisition means 222 also acquires the temperature of the area where the device to be configured is installed at each time point from the Japan Meteorological Agency's regional weather observation system via the second communication device 203. In the example shown in Figure 14, the second acquisition means 222 acquires the first change amount at each point in time within period T1 before the start of operation of the measuring device 100, the temperature of the area where the setting device is installed at each first point in time within period T1, and the annual temperature for period T0, which is one year prior to period T1. The period T0 from which the annual temperature is acquired may include period T1, or it may be a period longer than one year. If the threshold can be calculated retrospectively, period T0 may be a period later than period T1.

[0144] The second acquisition means 222 calculates the fluctuation range (difference between the maximum and minimum values) of the first change amount at multiple first time points. The second acquisition means 222 also calculates the fluctuation range (difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures) of the temperature (first temperature) at multiple first time points, and the fluctuation range (difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures) of the temperature at each time point throughout the year, i.e., the annual temperature. The second acquisition means 222 may also acquire the temperature fluctuation range at each first time point and the annual temperature fluctuation range from the Japan Meteorological Agency's regional weather observation system. In the example shown in Figure 14, the second acquisition means 222 calculates the fluctuation range C1 of the first change amount within period T1. WIDTH And the range of temperature fluctuation (first temperature) within period T1 D1 WIDTH And the range of temperature fluctuation (annual temperature) within period T0 D0 WIDTH Calculate the result.

[0145] In step S115, the calculation means 223 calculates a relational expression that shows the relationship between the first change amount at multiple first time points and the first temperature at each first time point. The calculation means 223 calculates a relational expression that shows that the ratio of the fluctuation range of the first temperature at multiple first time points to the fluctuation range of the annual temperature is equal to the ratio of the fluctuation range of the first change amount at multiple first time points to the fluctuation range of the annual change amount (estimated value). That is, the calculation means 223 calculates the annual fluctuation range as C2 WIDTH Therefore, C2 WIDTH and C1 WIDTH D1 WIDTH and D0 WIDTH Using these, we calculate the following relational expression (3). D0 WIDTH :D1 WIDTH =C2 WIDTH :C1 WIDTH (3)

[0146] The process in step S116 is omitted, and in step S117, the setting means 224 calculates the annual temperature fluctuation range, the first temperature fluctuation range at multiple first time points, the first change amount fluctuation range at multiple first time points, and the annual change amount fluctuation range based on the above relational expression. That is, the setting means 224 calculates D0 WIDTH D1 WIDTH and C1 WIDTH By substituting this into equation (3) above, D0 WIDTH ·D1 WIDTH / C1 WIDTH The annual change in the measurement device 100 is the fluctuation range C2. WIDTH The first annual change is calculated (estimated). Next, the setting means 224 sets a first threshold value based on the fluctuation range of the calculated first annual change. That is, the setting means 224 calculates (estimates) the upper and lower limits of the second change as the first threshold value.

[0147] As described above, there is a correlation between temperature and the amount of change, where the amount of change is smaller as the temperature is higher and larger as the temperature is lower. Therefore, the upper limit of the second amount of change (the upper limit of the annual amount of change) is estimated by adding to the maximum value of the first amount of change at multiple first time points the difference between the minimum annual temperature and the minimum first temperature at multiple first time points multiplied by the ratio of the fluctuation range of the annual amount of change to the fluctuation range of the annual temperature. That is, the setting means 224 calculates the upper limit of the second amount of change C2 according to the following equation (4) MAX Calculate. C2 MAX =C1 MAX +|D1 MIN -D0 MIN |×(C2 WIDTH / D0 WIDTH ) (4) Here, C1 MAX This is the maximum value of the first change at multiple first time points, D1 MIN D0 is the minimum value of the first temperature at multiple first time points. MIN This represents the minimum annual temperature.

[0148] On the other hand, the lower limit of the second change (the lower limit of the annual change) is estimated by subtracting from the minimum value of the first change at multiple first time points the value obtained by multiplying the difference between the maximum annual temperature and the maximum first temperature at multiple first time points by the ratio of the fluctuation range of the annual change to the fluctuation range of the annual temperature. That is, the setting means 224 calculates the lower limit of the annual change C2 according to the following equation (5). MIN Calculate. C2 MIN =C1 MIN +|D0 MAX -D1 MAX |×(C2 WIDTH / D0 WIDTH ) (5) Here, C1 MIN D0 is the minimum value of the first change at multiple first time points. MAX This is the maximum annual temperature, D1 MAX This is the maximum value of the first temperature at multiple first time points.

[0149] Furthermore, depending on the bridge, or even on the same bridge but at different measurement locations, there may be a correlation between temperature and change, where higher temperatures result in larger changes, and lower temperatures result in smaller changes. In such cases, the upper limit of the second change (the upper limit of the annual change) may be estimated by adding to the maximum value of the first change at multiple first time points the value obtained by multiplying the difference between the maximum annual temperature and the maximum first temperature at multiple first time points by the ratio of the fluctuation range of the annual change to the fluctuation range of the annual temperature. That is, the setting means 224 calculates the upper limit of the second change C2 according to the following equation (6). MAX You may calculate this. C2 MAX =C1 MAX +|D1 MAX -D0 MAX |×(C2 WIDTH / D0 WIDTH ) (6)

[0150] Similarly, the lower limit of the second change (the lower limit of the annual change) may be estimated by subtracting from the minimum value of the first change at multiple first time points the value obtained by multiplying the difference between the minimum annual temperature and the minimum first temperature at multiple first time points by the ratio of the fluctuation range of the annual change to the fluctuation range of the annual temperature. That is, the setting means 224 calculates the lower limit of the annual change C2 according to the following equation (7). MIN You may calculate this. C2 MIN =C1 MIN +|D0 MIN -D1 MIN |×(C2 WIDTH / D0 WIDTH ) (7)

[0151] The process in step S218 of Figure 12 is omitted, and in step S219, the determination means 152 compares the second change amount with the first threshold, i.e., the upper and lower limits of the annual change amount. If the second change amount is higher than the upper limit of the annual change amount, or if the second change amount is lower than the lower limit of the annual change amount, the determination means 152 determines in step S220 that a displacement abnormality has occurred in the structure. On the other hand, if the second change amount is less than or equal to the upper limit of the annual change amount and greater than or equal to the lower limit of the annual change amount, the determination means 152 determines in step S222 that no displacement abnormality has occurred in the structure. In other words, the determination means 152 determines whether the distance between the position P1 where the first unit 110 is installed and the position P2 where the second unit 120 is installed is abnormal by comparing the second change amount with the first threshold, i.e., the upper and lower limits of the annual change amount.

[0152] As explained above, even when using the annual temperature fluctuation range, the monitoring system 1 can accurately determine whether the distance between the location P1 where the first unit 110 is installed and the location P2 where the second unit 120 is installed is abnormal.

[0153] While preferred embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these. For example, the connecting portion 130 may be provided in a straight line without having a crank portion.

[0154] Furthermore, the determination means 152 may monitor the amount of movement of the connection part 130 not only at two time intervals of different lengths, but also at three or more time intervals of different lengths. In this case, the determination means 152 will make the criteria for determining abnormality stricter the shorter the time interval at which the amount of movement of the connection part 130 is monitored, and looser the criteria for determining abnormality the longer the time interval at which the amount of movement of the connection part 130 is monitored. This allows the determination means 152 to monitor the amount of movement of the connection part 130 more flexibly.

[0155] Furthermore, the division of functions between the measuring device 100 and the information processing device 200 is not limited to the example described above, and the placement of each means of the measuring device 100 and the information processing device 200 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the information processing device 200 may have a determination means 152. In that case, when the determination means 152 receives measurement information from the measuring device 100, it determines, based on the received measurement information, whether or not an equipment abnormality or displacement abnormality has occurred in the measuring device 100. Also in this case, if an interrupt occurs in step S201 of Figure 12, the measuring device 100 may immediately transmit the measurement information. As a result, even when the determination means 152 operates on the information processing device 200, it is possible to monitor the amount of movement of the connection part 130 at two intervals of different lengths, and make the criteria for determining abnormalities when monitoring the amount of movement of the connection part 130 at a short interval stricter than the criteria for determining abnormalities when monitoring the amount of movement of the connection part 130 at a long interval.

[0156] Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the embodiments and modifications described above may be combined as appropriate within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 1. Monitoring System 100 Measuring devices 110 Unit 1 112 First Sensor 113 Second Sensor 117 First communication device 120 Unit 2 130 Connection part 152 Judgment means 153 Transmission means 200 Information Processing Devices 203 Second Communication Device 223 Calculation method 224 Setting means 225 Means of Notification

Claims

1. A monitoring system having a measuring device and an information processing device, The aforementioned measuring device is The first unit is installed at the first position of the bridge, A second unit is installed at a second position on the bridge, spanning the gap from the first position, A connecting portion is positioned between the first unit and the second unit and held by the second unit, A sensor is placed in the first unit and measures the amount of movement of the connection part, It has a first communication unit that can communicate with the aforementioned information processing device, The measuring device or the information processing device has determination means for determining whether or not an equipment malfunction has occurred in the measuring device. The aforementioned information processing device is A second communication unit capable of communicating with the aforementioned measuring device, If the value based on the aforementioned displacement exceeds a threshold, a notification means is provided to notify the first contact person of the bridge manager of the occurrence of an abnormality at the bridge, and if it is determined that an equipment abnormality has occurred, a notification means is provided to notify the second contact person of the manager of the measuring device of the occurrence of the equipment abnormality. A monitoring system characterized by having the following features.

2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein one of the first position and the second position is set on one of the bridge girder and the bridge abutment of the bridge, and the other of the first position and the second position is set on the other of the bridge girder and the bridge abutment of the bridge.

3. The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the first position and the second position is set on a bridge girder supported by a bridge abutment with fixed bearings in a bridge.

4. The measuring device further includes a second sensor that is positioned in the first unit and detects the tilt of the first unit. The determination means determines that an equipment malfunction has occurred when the value based on the slope exceeds the slope threshold. The aforementioned first position is set on the bridge girder of the bridge, The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second position is set on the abutment of a bridge.

5. The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination means determines that an equipment malfunction has occurred when the value based on the amount of movement exceeds an upper limit that exceeds the threshold.

6. A monitoring system having a measuring device and an information processing device, The aforementioned measuring device is The first unit is installed at the first position of the bridge, A second unit is installed at a second position on the bridge, spanning the gap from the first position, A connecting portion is positioned between the first unit and the second unit and held by the second unit, A sensor is placed in the first unit and measures the amount of movement of the connection part, It has a first communication unit that can communicate with the aforementioned information processing device, The aforementioned information processing device is A second communication unit capable of communicating with the aforementioned measuring device, It has a notification means for notifying the bridge manager of the occurrence of an abnormality in the bridge when an abnormality occurs in the bridge, The measuring device or the information processing device has determination means that, every first hour, it compares a value based on the amount of movement with a first threshold and determines that an abnormality has occurred in the bridge if the value based on the amount of movement exceeds the first threshold, and every second hour, which is shorter than the first hour, it compares a value based on the amount of movement with a second threshold that is larger than the first threshold and determines that an abnormality has occurred in the bridge if the value based on the amount of movement exceeds the second threshold. A monitoring system characterized by the following features.

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