Electronic tag system including electronic tags and a data collector for collecting information of the electronic tags

Abstract

The present invention is characterized by comprising: a plurality of electronic tags that each store a unique number assigned differently to each other, and when a power data request requesting power information is received, sequentially transmit power data including said power information according to said assigned unique number in response to said received power data request; and a data collector that assigns a different unique number to each of said electronic tags, simultaneously transmits said power data request to said electronic tags, and sequentially receives said power data from said electronic tags based on different delay times determined according to said different unique number assigned to each of said electronic tags from the time when said power data request is transmitted.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic tag system comprising an electronic tag that collects data related to power supplied through a circuit breaker and a data collector that collects data from the electronic tag. Background Technology

[0002] With energy efficiency becoming increasingly important due to recent low-carbon policies, the importance of power supply management through distribution panels is on the rise. In particular, load-specific power management using circuit breakers within distribution panels is essential in smart factories, smart buildings, or similar ICT (Information Communication Technology) environments.

[0003] In load-based power management at the distribution panel level, it is crucial to monitor not only the power of individual loads but also the ON (power supply) and OFF (power cutoff) status of circuit breakers. For example, in the case of a circuit breaker connected to a medicine storage refrigerator in a hospital, the refrigerator may stop operating if the breaker is switched off due to unexpected circumstances. In such cases, the medicines stored inside may deteriorate or be damaged. Since the location must be quickly identified and corrective action taken when a circuit breaker unexpectedly switches off in an IDC environment, the importance of managing circuit breaker status information is increasing. Consequently, distribution panels, particularly smart distribution panels, are required to have the capability to detect the ON and OFF status of these circuit breakers in real time. Furthermore, to detect whether a circuit breaker is ON or OFF, a method is required that enables the distribution panel to detect in real time whether power is being supplied to each load.

[0004] In response to these demands, a method has emerged to monitor whether power is being supplied to each load using a separate electronic tag for each circuit breaker. In this case, the electronic tag detects whether power is being supplied from the circuit breaker to the load and transmits notification information indicating whether the power supply has been interrupted based on the detection result, thereby enabling a higher-level system, such as a data collector that collects data from the electronic tag, to identify the on / off status of the circuit breaker connected to the load. In this case, the data collector may be a smart distribution panel.

[0005] However, power supply is required to operate such electronic tags, and in this case, the power supply must utilize the power supplied to the load via the circuit breaker. In this case, there is a problem that if the power is cut off by the circuit breaker, the power supplied to the electronic tag is also cut off, causing the electronic tag to turn off. Consequently, the electronic tag is unable to transmit notification data, and thus, instead of direct information indicating the status of the circuit breaker, the power supply of the circuit breaker can only be determined in an indirect manner, where it is assumed that the circuit breaker has cut off the power supply if data is not collected from a specific electronic tag within a preset time.

[0006] However, the above-mentioned data collector can collect information from multiple electronic tags. In this case, since data transmitted from multiple electronic tags is sent to a single data collector, there is a problem that data transmitted from multiple electronic tags may collide and be lost. Furthermore, when such a collision occurs, a problem may arise where the circuit breaker connected to the electronic tag is mistakenly thought to be turned off because data is not received from the electronic tag where the collision occurred.

[0007] To resolve these collision issues, a method has emerged to equip each electronic tag with a Listen Before Talking (LBT) function. The LBT function involves the electronic tag detecting the signal strength (RSSI) of the surroundings before transmitting data, and transmitting data when the RSSI is below a certain value. However, methods like the LBT function, which determine whether another electronic tag is transmitting data based on the surrounding signal strength such as RSSI, have the disadvantage of being susceptible to noise. Furthermore, since the inclusion of the LBT function requires the additional provision of various sensor units, such as an RSSI detection unit, there is a problem of increased unit cost and bulk in the electronic tag. The problem to be solved

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems and other problems, and aims to provide an electronic tag system comprising an electronic tag capable of detecting the interruption of the power supply of a circuit breaker after the circuit breaker has cut off the power supply and transmitting notification data to a data collector to indicate this, and a data collector that collects data transmitted from the electronic tag.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide an electronic tag system in which a data collector can receive data transmitted by a plurality of electronic tags without collision of said data, without using an LBT function. means of solving the problem

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above or other purposes, an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of electronic tags that store unique numbers assigned differently to each of the plurality of electronic tags and, when a power data request requesting power information is received, sequentially transmit power data including said power information according to said assigned unique number in response to said received power data request; and a data collector that assigns different unique numbers to each of the plurality of electronic tags, transmits said power data request to the plurality of electronic tags simultaneously, and receives power data sequentially from said electronic tags based on different delay times determined according to the different unique numbers assigned to each of the plurality of electronic tags from the time when said power data request is transmitted.

[0011] In one embodiment, the different delay times are characterized by increasing in proportion to the number value of the unique number assigned by the data collector.

[0012] In one embodiment, the data collector is characterized by determining a unique number assigned to each electronic tag based on the type of load receiving power from a circuit breaker connected to each electronic tag.

[0013] In one embodiment, the electronic tag is characterized by repeatedly transmitting power data to the data collector a predetermined number of times according to the power data transmission cycle required for the plurality of electronic tags to sequentially transmit power data when the power data request is received.

[0014] In one embodiment, the electronic tag is characterized by transmitting notification data notifying the interruption of power supply to the data collector after a notification delay time determined according to the number value of the unique number has elapsed from the time when the interruption of power supply from the connected circuit breaker is detected.

[0015] In one embodiment, the notification delay time is characterized by being determined by summing a common delay time determined according to a unique number assigned to each electronic tag and a preset first unit time, and an individual delay time determined according to a second unit time different from the first unit time and the unique number.

[0016] In one embodiment, the electronic tag is characterized by, when a power supply interruption from a connected circuit breaker is detected, delaying the transmission of the notification data until the time when the power data is to be transmitted based on a delay time according to a unique number assigned to the electronic tag, and when the time when the power data is to be transmitted is reached, transmitting data including the power data collected up to that time and the notification data to the data collector.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above or other purposes, an electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a DC-DC converter that receives power supplied from a circuit breaker to a load and converts it into a DC current of a preset voltage; a capacitor disposed between the DC-DC converter and the circuit breaker and charged by power supplied via the circuit breaker; a detection unit driven by power supplied from the DC-DC converter and connected to the capacitor to detect a power supply interruption from the circuit breaker to the load through a voltage change of the capacitor and outputs a power supply interruption signal according to the detection result; a measurement unit driven by power supplied from the DC-DC converter and measuring information related to the power supplied from the circuit breaker to the load; and a communication unit driven by power supplied from the DC-DC converter and transmitting preset notification data to a preset data collector when the power supply interruption signal is received, wherein the DC-DC converter is formed to receive electrical energy discharged from the capacitor when the power supply from the circuit breaker to the load is interrupted and to supply power for driving the detection unit and the communication unit for a preset time.

[0018] In one embodiment, the communication unit receives and stores a unique number from the data collector, and when a power data request requesting the transmission of power information collected by the electronic tag is received from the data collector, the communication unit transmits power data including the collected power information to the data collector after a delay time determined according to the stored unique number and a preset unit time has elapsed from the time the power data request is received.

[0019] In one embodiment, the unique number is assigned differently to each electronic tag registered in the data collector, and the delay time is determined differently for each electronic tag according to the unique number assigned differently to each electronic tag.

[0020] In one embodiment, the communication unit is characterized by, upon receiving the power data request, transmitting the power data to the data collector repeatedly a predetermined number of times according to the power data transmission cycle required for the plurality of electronic tags to sequentially transmit the power data.

[0021] In one embodiment, the communication unit is characterized by transmitting notification data notifying the interruption of power supply to the data collector after a notification delay time determined according to the number value of the unique number has elapsed from the time when the interruption of power supply from the circuit breaker is detected.

[0022] In one embodiment, the communication unit, when the interruption of the power supply is detected through the detection unit, delays the transmission of notification data to indicate the interruption of the power supply based on a delay time according to a unique number assigned to the electronic tag until the time when the power data is to be transmitted, and when the time when the power data is to be transmitted is reached, transmits data including the power data collected up to that time and the notification data to the data collector.

[0023] In one embodiment, the notification delay time is characterized by being determined by summing a common delay time determined according to a unique number assigned to each electronic tag and a preset first unit time, and an individual delay time determined according to a second unit time different from the first unit time and the unique number.

[0024] In one embodiment, the notification delay time is determined to be within a time corresponding to the power data transmission cycle required for the plurality of electronic tags to sequentially transmit power data, and the notification data is transmitted to the data collector repeatedly at each time cycle in which the plurality of electronic tags transmit the power data.

[0025] In one embodiment, the detection unit outputs the power supply interruption signal to the communication unit, thereby disconnecting the DC-DC converter and the detection unit to turn off the power itself, and the measurement unit is connected to the detection unit and disconnects the DC-DC converter and the detection unit to turn off the power itself according to the power supply interruption detection result of the detection unit.

[0026] In one embodiment, the electronic tag further comprises a rectifier and a smoothing unit for rectifying an alternating current supplied to a load via a circuit breaker, and the capacitor is characterized as being a smoothing capacitor of the smoothing unit that smooths a pulsating electrical signal input from the rectifier. Effects of the invention

[0027] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, when power supply to a load is interrupted by a circuit breaker, the present invention allows the electronic tag to maintain an operating state for a preset time, thereby enabling notification data indicating that power supply to the load has been interrupted to be transmitted to a data collector. Accordingly, data directly indicating a change in the operating state of the circuit breaker can be collected, thereby providing the effect of more accurately determining the operating state of the circuit breaker.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention enables a plurality of electronic tags to transmit collected data at different time intervals for each electronic tag in response to a transmission request transmitted from a data collector. Accordingly, the data transmitted from each electronic tag can be collected by the data collector without collision.

[0029] In addition, the present invention can prevent collisions between data transmitted from each electronic tag without additional functions such as LBT functions by having a plurality of electronic tags transmit information related to power supplied from a circuit breaker at different time intervals set for each electronic tag to a data collector. Therefore, since there is no need to provide additional sensors for implementing the LBT function, a more compact electronic tag can be implemented, and the collected data can be transmitted to a data collector robustly against ambient noise. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the process of registering a plurality of electronic tags to a data collector and the process of collecting data in an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a data collector in an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic tag in an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the additional operating time of an electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention after the power supply from the circuit breaker is cut off. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation process of an electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention transmitting data to a data collector in response to a data transmission request. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of electronic tags according to an embodiment of the present invention transmit data to a data collector in response to a data transmission request. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation process of an electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention transmitting notification data to a data collector indicating that power supply from a circuit breaker has been interrupted. FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating problems that may occur when an electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits notification data according to a delay time set for each electronic tag. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation process of an electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention, which calculates a delay time by reflecting not only a common delay time but also an individual delay time determined individually for each electronic tag. FIG. 11 is an example illustrating an example in which an electronic tag transmits notification data according to the delay time calculated in FIG. 10, thereby preventing collisions between data transmitted from other electronic tags. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0031] It should be noted that technical terms used in this specification are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Additionally, singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may be omitted, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0032] In addition, when describing the technology disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art could obscure the essence of the technology disclosed in this specification, such detailed description is omitted.

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the process of registering a plurality of electronic tags to a data collector and the process of collecting data in an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] First, referring to FIG. 1, an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of electronic tag devices (hereinafter electronic tags) (20), and a data collector (10) that receives data collected by each electronic tag from the plurality of electronic tags (20).

[0036] Here, each electronic tag can be connected to a different circuit breaker and can be driven by receiving power supplied to the load via the connected circuit breaker as the operating power. Furthermore, various power data related to the power supplied to the load via the circuit breaker can be collected from each connected circuit breaker. For example, the electronic tag can collect data such as current, voltage, or energy detected from the power line supplying power to the load via the circuit breaker connected to the electronic tag as the power data.

[0037] Meanwhile, the data collector (10) may request each of the plurality of electronic tags (20) to transmit the power data collected by each electronic tag. In response to the request of the data collector (10), each electronic tag may transmit the power data it has collected to the data collector (10).

[0038] Here, the data transmission request transmitted from the data collector (10) to a plurality of electronic tags (20) can be in the form of a broadcast that is simultaneously transmitted to a plurality of registered electronic tags. To this end, the plurality of electronic tags (20) receive a scan command (E-tag scan command (200)) broadcast from the data collector (10) as shown in FIG. 2, and can transmit their own address information (E-tag address response (210)) in response to the received scan command.

[0039] Meanwhile, the above E-tag address response (210) process may be carried out during a preset E-tag scan period (E-tag Scan Period) (211). That is, the data collector (10) searches for electronic tags to collect data, broadcasts a scan command (200) to register the address of the searched electronic tag, and then searches for electronic tags by receiving address information of the electronic tags received as a response to the scan command during the preset E-tag scan period (E-tag Scan Period) (211), and stores the addresses of the received electronic tags.

[0040] When multiple electronic tags (20) are searched in this manner, the data collector (10) can perform numbering for each of the searched multiple electronic tags. That is, the data collector (10) can match a unique number to each electronic tag by numbering each of the searched multiple electronic tags with a different number. Then, the data collector (10) can transmit the different numbers assigned to each electronic tag, that is, the unique numbers assigned to each electronic tag, to each electronic tag (E-tag number input (220)). Accordingly, when the E-tag slot registration period (221) during which the unique numbers assigned to each electronic tag are transmitted has elapsed, a unique number can be assigned to each electronic tag, and the data collector (10) can store the unique number assigned to each electronic tag and the address information of the electronic tag corresponding to each unique number.

[0041] Meanwhile, according to the unique number assigned to each electronic tag, the delay time for each electronic tag to transmit the collected data in response to a data transmission request broadcast from the data collector (10) can be determined.

[0042] For example, whenever the numerical value of the unique number increases by one, the data transmission delay time can be determined by a preset unit time value. In this case, assuming the preset unit time value is 5ms, in the case of an electronic tag numbered 1, when a data transmission request is received from the data collector, the electronic tag #1 (E-tag #1) can transmit the data it has collected to the data collector (10) at a time delayed by 5ms (5 x 1). On the other hand, in the case of an electronic tag numbered 2 (E-tag #2), when a data transmission request is received from the data collector (10), it can transmit the data it has collected to the data collector (10) at a time delayed by 10ms (5 x 2).

[0043] That is, the unique number assigned to each electronic tag determines the delay time for each electronic tag to transmit data. The smaller the value of the number corresponding to the unique number, the faster the collected data can be transmitted in response to the data transmission request of the broadcasting data collector (10). The larger the value of the number corresponding to the unique number, the longer the time at which the collected data must be transmitted in response to the data transmission request of the broadcasting data collector (10) can be delayed.

[0044] Accordingly, a data transmission delay time can be determined in response to a data transmission request according to a unique number assigned to each electronic tag. Additionally, since the data transmission request from the data collector (10) is transmitted simultaneously to each of the multiple registered electronic tags via broadcasting (230), the order in which data is transmitted from each electronic tag to the data collector (10) can be determined according to the unique number assigned to each electronic tag, such as the electronic tag data collection period (E-tag Data collection period (231)) of FIG. 2. And, according to the assigned electronic tag, each electronic tag can sequentially transmit data to the data collector (10).

[0045] Meanwhile, since the order in which data is collected from each electronic tag is determined according to the unique number assigned to each electronic tag as described above, the data collector (10) may determine the unique number assigned to each electronic tag according to the importance of the circuit breaker connected to the electronic tag. In this case, the importance of the circuit breaker may be determined according to the load to which the circuit breaker supplies power.

[0046] For example, in the case of a circuit breaker connected to a load that needs to detect the fact that the power supply has been cut off as quickly as possible when the power supply is cut off, such as the refrigerator for storing medicines in the hospital mentioned above, the electronic tag connected to the circuit breaker may be assigned a unique number with a high priority, that is, a unique number with a relatively small value such as 1 to 3. On the other hand, in the case of a circuit breaker that supplies power to a load that does not need to urgently detect the fact that the power has been cut off, such as a light or a water purifier supplying purified water for drinking, rather than a load such as a refrigerator, the electronic tag connected to the circuit breaker may be assigned a unique number with a low priority, that is, a unique number with a relatively large value such as 17 to 20 (when the number of electronic tags is 20).

[0047] Here, the data collector (10) can detect information about a circuit breaker connected to each of the multiple electronic tags based on the collected address information for each of the multiple electronic tags. For example, the data collector (10) may store information related to multiple circuit breakers that are the subject of collection, and the information for each circuit breaker may include information about a load that receives power from that circuit breaker and address information of an electronic tag connected to that circuit breaker. Accordingly, the data collector (10) can identify whether the power data collected from each electronic tag is related to a specific circuit breaker and can store the power data collected from each electronic tag for each circuit breaker. Furthermore, the data collector (10) can determine the urgency of each electronic tag based on the information related to the circuit breaker and determine the unique information of each electronic tag based on the determined urgency.

[0048] Meanwhile, as shown in the electronic tag collection period (231) of FIG. 2, since each electronic tag transmits power data at different times according to a preset order, in the electronic tag system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the possibility of collision between power data transmitted from each electronic tag can be significantly reduced without additional functions such as LBT. Accordingly, the probability of loss of state data can be significantly reduced.

[0049] Meanwhile, the data collector (10) can transmit the collected power data to at least one of a pre-configured server and a terminal. In this case, the pre-configured server may be a server of a higher-level system, such as a management server connected to the data collector (10), and the terminal may be a terminal of a pre-configured user or an administrator managing the circuit breaker status.

[0050] Meanwhile, FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a data collector (10) in an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3, the data collector (10) of an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a control unit (300), a communication unit (310) connected to the control unit (300), and a memory (320). Since the components shown in FIG. 3 are not essential for implementing the data collector (10), the data collector (10) described in this specification may have more or fewer components than those listed in FIG. 3.

[0052] More specifically, the communication unit (310) among the above components may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between each of the data collector (10) and a plurality of electronic tags, and between the data collector (10) and a terminal of a server or manager of a pre-configured upper system.

[0053] And the memory (320) can store information related to at least one electronic tag to collect power data. The information related to the electronic tag may include address information of the electronic tags collected from each of the plurality of electronic tags and information of unique numbers assigned to each electronic tag.

[0054] In addition, the information related to the electronic tag may include information about the circuit breaker connected to each electronic tag. The information about the circuit breaker may include information about the load receiving power from each circuit breaker. The memory (320) can store such information related to the electronic tag for each electronic tag. Hereinafter, a portion of the memory (320) where information related to each electronic tag is stored will be referred to as the tag information storage portion (321).

[0055] Additionally, the memory (320) can store data transmitted from each electronic tag. In this case, the data may include power data detected from the power supplied to the load through the circuit breaker to which each electronic tag is connected. In this case, the power data collected from each electronic tag can be stored in the memory (320) for each electronic tag. In this case, since each electronic tag is connected to a different circuit breaker, each power data can be stored for each circuit breaker where the power data is collected. Hereinafter, a portion of the memory (320) where the data collected from each electronic tag is stored will be referred to as the data storage unit (322).

[0056] Meanwhile, the control unit (300) can typically control the overall operation of the data collector (10). For example, the control unit (300) can broadcast a scan command to register a plurality of electronic tags. In this case, the plurality of electronic tags that receive the scan command can each transmit their address information to the data collector (10) in response to the received scan command. Then, the data collector (10) can register the electronic tags corresponding to the received address information and assign a unique number to each registered electronic tag.

[0057] In this case, the control unit (300) can detect information about the circuit breaker connected to each electronic tag according to the address information of the received electronic tag. Additionally, the load connected to the circuit breaker can be detected using the detected information about the circuit breaker. Furthermore, the urgency of the circuit breaker can be determined according to the type of the detected load, and a unique number assigned to the electronic tag can be determined according to the determined urgency. Alternatively, the urgency may be information included in the information of the circuit breaker, which may be information predetermined by a system administrator, etc.

[0058] Here, the urgency refers to the degree to which the fact that the power supply to a circuit breaker has been cut off must be detected quickly when the circuit breaker cuts off power to the load; the higher the urgency of the circuit breaker, the more quickly the data collector, upper system, or terminal must recognize that the power supply has been cut off.

[0059] Meanwhile, the control unit (300) can register multiple electronic tags by storing address information of each electronic tag and assigning a different unique number to each electronic tag in which address information is stored. In this case, the data collector (10) transmits the unique information assigned to each electronic tag to each electronic tag, and the electronic tag can identify the unique information assigned to it by receiving it.

[0060] When the process of registering electronic tags is completed in this manner, the control unit (300) can control the communication unit (310) to broadcast a data transmission request requesting the transmission of power data to the registered plurality of electronic tags at regular intervals.

[0061] And the control unit (300) can receive power data transmitted sequentially from a plurality of electronic tags from the time when the data transmission request is broadcast. In this case, the plurality of electronic tags can transmit power data to the data collector (10) sequentially in the order according to different unique information assigned to each electronic tag. Therefore, the data received from each electronic tag can be transmitted to the data collector (10) at different times. Thus, since the times when data is transmitted from each electronic tag are different from each other, collisions between the data transmitted from each electronic tag can be prevented.

[0062] Meanwhile, the control unit (300) can broadcast a scan command to register a new electronic tag at regular intervals. In this case, among the electronic tags that received the scan command, any electronic tag that has not been assigned a unique number may transmit its address information to the data collector (10) in response to the received scan command. Then, the data collector (10) may register an electronic tag corresponding to the received address information and assign a unique number to the registered electronic tag.

[0063] Meanwhile, electronic tags are typically driven by power supplied to the load from a circuit breaker. Therefore, a typical electronic tag is configured to turn off along with the load if the power supply from the circuit breaker to the load is cut off.

[0064] Meanwhile, the electronic tag (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be equipped with a capacitor that stores power supplied through the circuit breaker. A communication unit (430) that transmits data to the data collector (10) may be driven by the power discharged from the capacitor. Accordingly, when the circuit breaker is turned off and the power supply from the circuit breaker to the load is cut off, the communication unit (430) may be additionally driven by an amount of power stored in the capacitor.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic tag (20) in an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 4, an electronic tag (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a DC-DC converter (410) that receives a DC current supplied to the load and converts it into a DC current of a preset voltage, a voltage reduction unit (450) that reduces the DC current supplied to the DC-DC converter (410) into a DC current having a preset voltage, a detection unit (420) that detects the voltage level of the DC current reduced by the voltage reduction unit (450) and detects whether the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) has been interrupted based on the detected voltage level, and a communication unit (430) that operates based on a detection signal input from the detection unit (420) and transmits notification data indicating that the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) to the load has been interrupted according to the detection signal.

[0067] In this case, the detection unit (420) and the communication unit (430) may each be configured as separate MCUs (Micro Controller Units). Additionally, the detection unit (420) and the communication unit (430) may each be individually turned on or off.

[0068] Additionally, although not shown in FIG. 4, the electronic tag (20) may further include a measuring unit for measuring current, voltage, and power amount from the power supplied to the load from the circuit breaker (30). In this case, the measuring unit may receive power for operation from the DC-DC converter (410). And, if it is determined that the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) has been interrupted according to the detection result of the detection unit (420), the power may be configured to turn off.

[0069] The components illustrated in FIG. 3 above are not essential for implementing the data collector (10), so the data collector (10) described in this specification may have more or fewer components than those listed in FIG. 3.

[0070] Meanwhile, an electronic tag (20) may be connected between the circuit breaker (30) and the load. Accordingly, power supplied to the load via the circuit breaker (30) may be supplied to the electronic tag (20). If the operating state of the circuit breaker (30) is in the ON state, the DC current supplied from the DC distribution panel may be supplied to the load via the circuit breaker (30). On the other hand, if the operating state of the circuit breaker is in the OFF state, the electrical connection between the DC distribution panel and the load is cut off, and the power supply from the DC distribution panel may be interrupted.

[0071] In this case, the electronic tag (20) may be configured to include a capacitor (400) that provides power supplied from the circuit breaker (30) to the DC-DC converter (410). Therefore, when the circuit breaker (30) is in the ON state, the output voltage of the capacitor (400) can be input to the DC-DC converter (410).

[0072] In this case, the capacitor (400) can be charged when the current supply continues through the circuit breaker (30), and the charged charge can be discharged when the current supply is interrupted. Accordingly, when the current supplied from the circuit breaker (30) is interrupted, that is, when the current supply to the electronic tag (20) is cut off due to the circuit breaker's off operation, the charge charged in the capacitor (400) can be discharged, and the current corresponding to the charge discharged from the capacitor (400) can be supplied to the DC-DC converter (410).

[0073] Therefore, even when the circuit breaker is turned off and the current supply to the electronic tag (20) is cut off, the DC-DC converter (410) can be maintained in operation until all the charge stored in the capacitor (400) is discharged. And the DC current converted by the DC-DC converter (410) can be supplied as the operating power for the detection unit (420) and the communication unit (430). Therefore, even when the current supply to the electronic tag (20) is cut off, the detection unit (420) and the communication unit (430) can be operated for a certain period of time.

[0074] Meanwhile, the detection unit (420) can receive the current output from the capacitor (400) via the voltage reduction unit (450). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit (420) is connected to the capacitor (400) and can receive the current output from the capacitor (400). For this voltage reduction, the voltage reduction unit (450) may be equipped with a voltage divider circuit including a plurality of resistors, and the voltage level of the voltage reduced to a voltage within a preset range through the voltage divider circuit can be detected by the detection unit (420).

[0075] And the detection unit (420) can detect whether the power supply to the electronic tag (20) has been interrupted depending on whether the detected voltage level is below a preset threshold level. Here, the threshold level can be determined between 70% and 80% of a preset reference voltage. And if the detected voltage level is below the threshold level, the detection unit (420) can transmit a voltage off signal to the communication unit (430).

[0076] Meanwhile, the communication unit (430) can transmit pre-set notification data to the data collector (10) according to the voltage off signal received from the detection unit (420). The notification data may be a signal indicating that the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) has been interrupted. The notification data may be transmitted in the form of a wireless signal, and to this end, the communication unit (430) may be equipped with a wireless signal transmission / reception module (not shown) for exchanging wireless signals with the data collector (10).

[0077] Here, the operating power of the communication unit (430) can be provided by a DC-DC converter (410). And when the power supplied from the circuit breaker (30) is cut off, the DC-DC converter (410) can be maintained for a predetermined period of time by the power discharged from the capacitor (400). Therefore, when the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) is cut off, time can be secured to transmit notification data indicating that the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) has been cut off to the data collector (10).

[0078] Here, the detection unit (420) can be turned off when the voltage off signal is transmitted to the communication unit (430). Then, the current supply to the detection unit (420) is interrupted, reducing the power consumption of the capacitor (400), and the operating time (additional operating time) during which the communication unit (430) can be operated after the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) is interrupted can be increased.

[0079] As such, the capacitor (400) provided in the electronic tag (20) according to the embodiment of the present invention provides power that allows the communication unit (430) to be additionally driven when the current supply from the circuit breaker (30) is cut off. And during the additional driving time, the communication unit (430) transmits notification data (current supply interruption notification data) according to the voltage off signal to the data collector (10), thereby enabling the data collector (10) to identify that the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) has been interrupted, that is, that the circuit breaker has been switched to an off state.

[0080] Meanwhile, considering cases where communication failures may occur, the communication unit (430) may transmit the notification data to the data collector (10) more than a preset number of times. In this case, the communication unit (430) transmits the notification data to the data collector (10) and can transmit the notification data again after a certain period of time. Accordingly, while the current supply from the circuit breaker (30) is interrupted, additional operating time may be required for the communication unit (430) to operate additionally for a minimum time during which the notification signal can be transmitted a preset number of times.

[0081] In this case, as described above, when power supply from the circuit breaker (30) is cut off, the power supplied to the detection unit (420) and the communication unit (170) is supplied from the capacitor (400), and the additional driving time of the communication unit (430) can be determined according to the amount of charge charged in the capacitor (400), that is, the capacitance of the capacitor. That is, the capacitor (400) provided in the electronic tag (20) according to the embodiment of the present invention can be designed with a sufficient capacity to secure the additional driving time required by the communication unit (430). For example, the capacitor (400) may have a capacity of 2μF to 10μF, and the larger the capacity of the capacitor (400), the longer the additional driving time of the communication unit (430) can be secured.

[0082] Meanwhile, the DC-DC converter (410) may additionally be equipped with an additional capacitor (not shown) at the output terminal. In this case, the additional capacitor can charge the output charge when current is output from the DC-DC converter (410) and discharge the charged charge when current is not output from the DC-DC converter (410). Accordingly, when the additional capacitor is provided, the power consumed by the capacitor (400) is reduced, thereby securing additional operating time for the communication unit (430).

[0083] Meanwhile, the above description explains an example in which a DC distribution panel is connected and direct current is supplied to the load from the circuit breaker (30), but it goes without saying that there may also be cases where an AC distribution panel is connected. In this case, alternating current may be supplied to the load via the circuit breaker (30), and the electronic tag (20) may be driven by receiving the alternating current supplied via the circuit breaker (30).

[0084] In this case, the electronic tag (20) may further include an AC-DC converter for converting the input AC current into DC current. Here, the AC-DC converter may be configured to include a rectifier unit comprising a diode bridge or a bridge rectifier that forms a bridge circuit, and a smoothing unit for smoothing the full-wave rectified pulsating signal converted from the current unit into a DC signal having a constant voltage.

[0085] Here, the smoothing capacitor provided in the smoothing section can perform the role of the capacitor (400) that supplies power to the DC-DC converter (410) for a predetermined time when the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) is interrupted. Additionally, the detection section (420) can detect whether the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) has been interrupted by detecting the voltage of the smoothing capacitor via the voltage reduction section (450).

[0086] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the additional time that an electronic tag (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention operates after the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) is cut off.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 (a) shows a first graph (500) showing a change in voltage detected by an electronic tag (20) when power supply from a circuit breaker (30) is interrupted, and FIG. 5 (b) shows a second graph (550) showing a change in DC voltage supplied to at least one of a detection unit (420) and a communication unit (430) from a DC-DC converter (160).

[0088] First, referring to FIG. 5(a), when power supply from the circuit breaker (30) is interrupted due to the off operation of the circuit breaker (30), there is no input electrical signal, so charging of the capacitor (400) may not occur. Therefore, only the discharge of the capacitor (400) continues, so the voltage of the electrical signal may gradually decrease. And when the voltage level of the capacitor (400) reaches a preset voltage level, the detection unit (420) determines that power supply from the circuit breaker (30) has been interrupted and can transmit a voltage off signal to the communication unit (430).

[0089] In this case, the detection unit (420) can determine that the power supply is interrupted when the voltage level of the capacitor (400) becomes below a reference voltage, or when the voltage level of the capacitor (400) drops by a voltage level that is preset based on the voltage peak value. Accordingly, before all the charge stored in the capacitor (400) is discharged, a voltage off signal based on the intermediate power supply detection result can be transmitted to the communication unit (170).

[0090] Therefore, at the point (510) when the interruption of the power supply is detected, the capacitor (400) may still have a charged charge remaining. Accordingly, the current output from the capacitor (400) can be input to the DC-DC converter (410). And as shown in the second graph (550), the current input to the DC-DC converter (410) can be maintained until all the charged charge in the capacitor (400) is discharged.

[0091] Meanwhile, since the DC-DC converter (410) converts the input current into a preset fixed voltage (e.g., 3.3V) and outputs it, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the DC-DC converter (410) can maintain the output of a DC current having the fixed voltage (e.g., 3.3V) while the current supply to the DC-DC converter (410) is maintained. Therefore, even when the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) is interrupted, the operating power supply of the communication unit (430) can be maintained until all the charge charged in the capacitor (400) is discharged.

[0092] Therefore, based on the voltage drop of the capacitor (400), the operation of the communication unit (430) can be maintained for a time (520) from the point (510) when the interruption of power supply to the power supply unit (10) is detected until the DC current output of the DC-DC converter (410) is maintained through the charge charged in the capacitor (400) (E-tag additional driving time). Thus, even when the circuit breaker (30) is turned off, a driving time can be secured during which the communication unit (430) can transmit notification data related to the interruption of power supply, i.e., the off operation of the circuit breaker (30), to the data collector (10) at least once.

[0093] Meanwhile, FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation process in which an electronic tag (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits data to a data collector (10) in response to a data transmission request.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 6, the electronic tag (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention can store the transmitted unique number when the unique number is transmitted from the data collector (10) during the electronic tag registration process (E-tag slot registration period (221)) (S600). It can also collect and store data related to power supplied to the load via the connected circuit breaker (30), i.e., power data (S602).

[0095] In this state, the electronic tag (20) can check whether a data transmission request has been received from the data collector (10) (S604). Here, the data transmission request may be simultaneously transmitted to each electronic tag in the form of broadcasting from the data collector (10). And if the electronic tag (20) determines that a tag data transmission request has not been received from the data collector (10) as a result of the check in step S604, it may repeat step S602, which collects and stores power data, and step S604, which checks whether a tag data transmission request has been received.

[0096] Meanwhile, if, as a result of the check in step S604 above, a tag data transmission request is received from the data collector (10), the electronic tag (20) can calculate a delay time according to the unique number assigned to it (S606). Here, the electronic tag (20), for example, the communication unit (430) of the electronic tag (20), can calculate the delay time in proportion to the unique number assigned to the electronic tag (20). As an example, the electronic tag (20) can calculate the delay time according to the unique number assigned to it by multiplying the unique number by a pre-set unit time.

[0097] In step S606 above, when the delay time according to the unique number assigned to it is calculated, the electronic tag (20) can check whether the time elapsed since the time when the tag data transmission request is received from the data collector (10) has reached the delay time calculated in step S606 (S608).

[0098] And if, as a result of the check in step S608, the elapsed time has not reached the calculated delay time, power data can be continuously collected and stored (S609). Accordingly, the electronic tag (20) according to the embodiment of the present invention can continue to perform the process of collecting and storing power data even when a request for transmission of tag data is received from the data collector (10), provided that the delay time corresponding to the unique number assigned to it has not elapsed. Therefore, power data after the point in time when the request for transmission of tag data is received can be continuously collected and stored. Then, the electronic tag (20) can proceed again to step S608 to check whether the elapsed time from the point in time when the request for transmission of tag data is received has reached the delay time calculated in step S606.

[0099] Meanwhile, if, as a result of the check in step S608, the time elapsed since the point in time when the tag data transmission request was received reaches the delay time calculated in step S606, the electronic tag (20) can transmit power data collected and stored to the data collector (10) in response to the tag data transmission request until the time elapsed since the point in time when the tag data transmission request was received reaches the delay time calculated according to the unique number of the electronic tag (20) (S610).

[0100] And the electronic tag (20) can proceed again to step S602 to perform the process of collecting and storing power data, and depending on whether a new tag data transmission request is received in step S604, it can continue to perform step S602 or perform the processes after step S606, which calculate the delay time according to the unique number.

[0101] Meanwhile, FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of electronic tags (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention transmit data to a data collector (10) in response to a data transmission request.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 assumes that 20 electronic tags (20-1, ~ 20-20) are registered in a data collector (10) and that the pre-set unit time is 5ms. It also illustrates examples of electronic tags that are shown moving away from the data collector (10) sequentially according to the unique number assigned to each electronic tag. Here, the distance between each electronic tag (E-tag#1 ~ E-tag#20) (20-1 ~ 20-20) and the data collector (10) shown in FIG. 7 is not the actual physical distance, but represents the distance according to the unique number assigned to each electronic tag.

[0103] In this manner, as shown in FIG. 7, the first electronic tag (E-tag#1) (20-1) may be displayed closest to the data collector (10), and the 20th electronic tag (E-tag#20) may be displayed furthest from the data collector (10). In this case, the first electronic tag (E-tag#1) (20-1) may be the electronic tag with the shortest delay time, and the 20th electronic tag (E-tag#20) (20-20) may be the electronic tag with the longest delay time.

[0104] In this case, when a data transmission request is broadcast from the data collector (10), all of the multiple registered electronic tags can receive the data transmission request. That is, the multiple electronic tags can receive the data transmission request simultaneously.

[0105] Then, each electronic tag can calculate a delay time based on the unique number assigned to it and the pre-set unit time. In this case, if the pre-set unit time is 5ms, as shown in FIG. 7, each electronic tag can calculate a different delay time for each electronic tag by multiplying the unique number assigned to it and the unit time.

[0106] Therefore, in the case of the first electronic tag (E-tag#1) (20-1) having a unique number of the minimum value '1', a delay time of 5ms (5 x 1) corresponding to a unit time can be calculated. Accordingly, the first electronic tag (E-tag#1) (20-1) can transmit power data collected from the circuit breaker connected to the first electronic tag (E-tag#1) (20-1) to the data collector (10) after 5ms have elapsed from the time when the data transmission request is received from the data collector (10).

[0107] Meanwhile, for each electronic tag having a unique number from 2 to 20 (second electronic tag (E-tag#2) (20-2) to 20th electronic tag (E-tag#2) (20-20)), delay times ranging from 10ms (5 x 2) to 100ms (5 x 20) can be calculated in 5ms increments. Then, power data collected after each delay time has elapsed from the time when the data transmission request is received from the data collector (10) can be transmitted to the data collector (10). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, power data can be collected sequentially from 20 electronic tags at 5ms intervals to the data collector (10) during a first period of 100ms (700) from the time when the data transmission request is broadcast from the data collector (10).

[0108] Meanwhile, in the case of an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to prevent data transmitted from electronic tags from being lost due to noise or other reasons, data may be transmitted repeatedly a predetermined number of times in response to a data transmission request from the data collector (10). In this case, the plurality of electronic tags may repeat the data transmission at a predetermined time interval. The predetermined interval may be determined based on the time required for all registered electronic tags to transmit data.

[0109] For example, if the unit time is 5ms and the number of registered electronic tags is 20, the time required to collect data from all of the registered electronic tags may be 100ms (5 x 20). That is, the data collector (10) may determine the period as a time greater than the time obtained by multiplying the number of registered electronic tags by the unit time, and may transmit information about the determined period along with a unique number determined for each electronic tag.

[0110] Accordingly, each electronic tag stores unique information assigned to it, and simultaneously stores information regarding a period determined by the currently set unit time and the number of currently registered electronic tags, and can repeat data transmission a preset number of times based on the said period. Here, the preset number of times may be pre-set by an administrator or a higher-level system, etc.

[0111] In this way, when the repetition cycle is determined to be 100ms, each electronic tag can transmit the collected power data to the data collector (10) again after 100ms have elapsed since the time when the data was transmitted in response to the data transmission request. Accordingly, each electronic tag can individually calculate the delay time again according to its unique number from the time when 100ms have passed since the time when the data transmission request from the data collector (10) was broadcast to each electronic tag. Then, it can transmit the power data to the data collector (10) again according to the calculated delay time. Thus, the process of transmitting data from the first electronic tag (E-tag#1) (20-1) to the 20th electronic tag (E-tag#2) (20-20) can be performed again during the second period (710) from 100ms elapsed to 200ms after the time when the data transmission request from the data collector (10) was broadcast. In addition, if the preset number of repetitions is 3 times, the process of transmitting data from the first electronic tag (E-tag#1) (20-1) to the 20th electronic tag (E-tag#2) (20-20) can be performed again during the third (720) from 200ms after the time when the data transmission request from the data collector (10) is broadcasted to 300ms.

[0112] Accordingly, each electronic tag can transmit power data to the data collector (10) a total of three times before 300ms have elapsed from the time when the data transmission request from the data collector (10) is broadcast. For example, in the case of the 19th electronic tag (E-tag#19) (20-19), power data collected can be transmitted once when 95ms have elapsed from the time when the data transmission request is broadcast, and power data collected can be transmitted to the data collector (10) a second time when 100ms have elapsed further (at the time when 195ms have elapsed). Then, power data collected can be transmitted to the data collector (10) a third time when 100ms have elapsed further (at the time when 295ms have elapsed).

[0113] Meanwhile, according to the above description, the electronic tag (20) according to the embodiment of the present invention suggests that even when the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) is interrupted, it is possible to operate for an additional period of time using the power charged in the provided capacitor (400). Accordingly, when the power supply from the circuit breaker (30) is interrupted and the power supplied to the electronic tag (20) is interrupted, the electronic tag (20) can detect the interruption of the power supply and transmit notification data to the data collector (10) through the communication unit (430).

[0114] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation process in which an electronic tag (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits notification data indicating that the power supply has been interrupted to a data collector (10) when the power supplied from the circuit breaker (30) is interrupted.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 8, when the circuit breaker (30) connected to the electronic tag (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention is switched to an off state, the power supply to the load via the circuit breaker (30) may be interrupted. Additionally, the power supply to the electronic tag (20) may be interrupted.

[0116] In this way, when the power supply to the electronic tag (20) is interrupted, there is no input current, so there may be no current input to the capacitor (400). However, since the capacitor (400) still has power currently charged, the electrical energy charged in the capacitor (400) can be discharged.

[0117] In this case, the DC-DC converter (410) can be connected to the capacitor (400). Therefore, the DC-DC converter (410) can receive power from the connected capacitor (400). That is, even if the power supply to the electronic tag (20) is interrupted, the DC-DC converter (410) can be driven by the electrical energy charged in the capacitor (400) (S800). Accordingly, the operation of the DC-DC converter (410) can be maintained for a predetermined time even after the circuit breaker (30) is switched to the off state.

[0118] Meanwhile, the detection unit (420) can detect the voltage level of the capacitor (400). In this case, when the power supply to the electronic tag (20) is interrupted, the electrical energy charged in the capacitor (400) is discharged, so the voltage of the capacitor (400) may decrease. Therefore, the detection unit (420) can detect that the power supply to the electronic tag (20) has been interrupted based on the voltage level detected from the capacitor (400).

[0119] For example, the detection unit (420) may determine that power supply to the electronic tag (20) has been interrupted if the detected voltage drops below a preset level or if the voltage level of the detected capacitor is below a preset voltage level. When it is determined that power supply to the electronic tag (20) has been interrupted, the detection unit (420) may transmit a voltage off signal to the communication unit (430) indicating that power supply has been interrupted (S802). The detection unit (420) may turn off power itself to prevent electrical energy discharged from the capacitor (400) from being supplied to the detection unit (420) (S804). In this case, a measurement unit (not shown) that measures the power status supplied to the load via the circuit breaker (30) may also be turned off together according to the result of the detection of power supply interruption by the detection unit (420).

[0120] Meanwhile, as described above, even after the power supply to the electronic tag (20) is interrupted, the operation of the DC-DC converter (410) is maintained for a predetermined time through the electrical energy charged in the capacitor (400), so the power supply to the communication unit (430) can be maintained. Accordingly, the communication unit (430) can receive a voltage off signal transmitted from the detection unit (420).

[0121] In this manner, when power supply to the electronic tag (20) is interrupted, the communication unit (430) of the electronic tag (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention may delay the transmission of notification data by a delay time corresponding to the unique number assigned to the electronic tag (20). By delaying the transmission of notification data in this way, it is possible to prevent a collision between the power data transmitted by another electronic tag in response to the data transmission request of the data collector (10) and the notification data.

[0122] Accordingly, when the power of the detection unit (420) is turned off, the communication unit (430) can calculate a delay time based on the unique number assigned to the electronic tag (20) (S806). Here, the delay time can be determined based on the unique number assigned to each electronic tag and a preset unit time. For example, the delay time can be calculated by multiplying the unique number assigned to each electronic tag by the unit time.

[0123] When the delay time is calculated in step S806, the communication unit (430) can check whether the delay time has expired (S808). And if the delay time has expired as a result of the check in step S808, that is, if the time elapsed from the point when the power supply interruption was detected by the detection unit (420) (the point when the voltage off signal was received) has reached the delay time, the communication unit can check whether the time elapsed has reached the delay time.

[0124] And, as a result of the check in step S808 above, if the time elapsed since the point in time when the interruption of the power supply is detected reaches the delay time, the communication unit (430) can transmit notification data to the data collector (10) indicating that the power supply to the electronic tag (20) has been interrupted, that is, that the circuit breaker (30) has been switched to an off state (S810).

[0125] In this case, the communication unit (430) may be driven by power input from a DC-DC converter (410) that operates with power charged in the capacitor (400). Accordingly, the delay time may be set by considering an additional driving time during which the DC-DC converter (410) can be driven by power discharged from the capacitor (400). For example, the delay time may be determined as the time during which the communication unit (430) can transmit the notification data a predetermined number of times within the additional driving time. As an example, the additional driving time may be set so that the notification data can be transmitted up to once during the period in which each electronic tag transmits power data. In this case, if the period during which each electronic tag transmits power data is 100ms as seen in FIG. 7 described above, the delay time may be determined within the maximum power data transmission period of 100ms.

[0126] In addition, the capacitor (400) may be determined such that the operation of the communication unit (430) can be maintained for a sufficient amount of time to transmit the notification data after the power supply to the electronic tag (20) is cut off. That is, the capacitor (400) may be determined such that power can be charged and discharged so as to maintain the operation of the DC-DC converter (410) for at least 100ms, which is the maximum value of the delay time, for example, the period during which each electronic tag transmits power data in FIG. 7, from the point in time when the detection unit (420) detects that the power supply to the electronic tag (20) has been interrupted (e.g., the point in time when the power supply is interrupted (510) in FIG. 5).

[0127] Meanwhile, when the above notification data is transmitted to the data collector (10), the communication unit (430) can reset the time elapsed since the voltage off signal was received (S812). Then, it can proceed again to step S808 to check again whether the delay time calculated in step S806 has elapsed. Then, depending on the result of the check in step S808, it can proceed again to step S810 to repeat the process of transmitting the notification data to the data collector (10). Then, it can proceed to step S812 to reset the elapsed time and repeat the process of proceeding to step S808.

[0128] Accordingly, the above notification data can be transmitted repeatedly until the power supply to the communication unit (430) is interrupted. In this case, since the communication unit (430) can be operated until all the power charged in the capacitor (400) is discharged, the above notification data can be transmitted repeatedly at least once depending on the power charged in the capacitor (400).

[0129] In this way, the electronic tag (20) according to the embodiment of the present invention can operate for a predetermined period of time even after the power supply is interrupted, thereby notifying the data collector (10) that the power supplied from the circuit breaker (30) has been interrupted. Accordingly, reliable information regarding the operating status of the circuit breaker can be collected.

[0130] Meanwhile, FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating a problem that may occur when an electronic tag (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits notification data according to a delay time set for each electronic tag. FIG. 9 assumes an example in which, in an electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a circuit breaker connected to electronic tag number 2 (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) among 20 electronic tags already registered in the data collector (10) is switched to an off state.

[0131] Referring to FIG. 9, when a data transmission request is broadcast (900) from a data collector (10), the electronic tags registered in the data collector (10) can simultaneously receive the data transmission request. Each electronic tag can then transmit power data collected from the circuit breaker (30) after a delay time determined based on a unique number assigned to it and a pre-set unit time has elapsed.

[0132] Meanwhile, while transmitting power data in this manner, if a circuit breaker connected to one of the electronic tags detects an abnormality and switches its operating state to the off state, the power supplied from the circuit breaker switched to the off state to the electronic tag measuring power information may be interrupted.

[0133] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, if the circuit breaker connected to the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) is switched to an off state after 40ms has elapsed since the data transmission request (900) was received from the data collector (10), the detection unit of the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) can detect that the power supply has been interrupted (950). Then, the detection unit of the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) can transmit a voltage off signal indicating that the power supply has been interrupted to the communication unit of the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) and can cut off the power supply to itself. Similarly, the measurement unit that measures power information in the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) can also cut off the power supply to itself according to the detection result of the detection unit. Accordingly, the above-mentioned electronic tag #2 (E-Tag#2(20-2)) can be switched to a state where only the communication part is operated.

[0134] Then, the communication unit of the above-mentioned electronic tag #2 (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) can check whether a preset delay time has elapsed, as observed in the operation process of FIG. 8. In this case, since the preset unit time is 5ms and the unique number assigned to the electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) where the interruption of the power supply was detected is 2, the delay time can be calculated as 10ms. Accordingly, the above-mentioned electronic tag #2 (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) can transmit notification data to the data collector (10) when a delay time of 10ms has elapsed after the interruption of the power supply was detected (951).

[0135] However, in this case, the notification data was delayed for a delay time to avoid a collision with power data transmitted from another electronic tag, but if the time from the time (900) when the data transmission request is received from the data collector (10) to the time when the interruption of the power supply is detected is a multiple of the pre-set unit time from the time (900) when the data transmission request is received from the data collector (10), there is a risk that a collision with power data transmitted from another electronic tag may occur.

[0136] That is, as shown in FIG. 9, if the time when the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2(20-2)) detects the interruption of power supply is 40ms after the time (900) when a data transmission request is received from the data collector (10) (8 times the unit time of 5ms), and the notification data is delayed by the delay time (10ms) (951), the time (902) when the notification data is transmitted from the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2(20-2)) to the data collector (10) may overlap with the time (910) when the tenth electronic tag (E-Tag#10(20-10)) transmits power data. And such overlap of data may cause a collision and may result in data loss.

[0137] To prevent such data conflicts and loss, the electronic tags of the electronic tag system according to an embodiment of the present invention may additionally reflect an individual delay time, i.e., an individual delay time, in addition to the common delay time calculated based on the unique number assigned to each electronic tag and the unit time. Accordingly, step S806 of FIG. 8 may further include a process of calculating the delay time by reflecting not only the common delay time but also the individual delay time determined individually for each electronic tag.

[0138] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation process of an electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention, which calculates a delay time by reflecting not only a common delay time but also an individual delay time determined individually for each electronic tag.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 10, when the communication unit (430) of the electronic tag (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention starts step S806 of FIG. 8, which calculates a delay time according to a unique number assigned to each electronic tag (20), the communication unit (430) can first calculate a common delay time according to a pre-set unit time and a unique number assigned to the electronic tag (S1000). Here, the common delay time is a delay time determined according to a unit time, that is, a common unit time, as described above, and can be calculated by multiplying the unit time by the unique number assigned to each electronic tag. For example, as in FIG. 9, if the assigned unique number is 2 and the unit time is 5ms, such as with electronic tag #2 (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) that detected the power supply cutoff of the circuit breaker, the common delay time can be calculated as 10ms.

[0140] When the above common delay time is calculated, the communication unit (430) may further calculate individual delay times calculated individually for each electronic tag according to the unique number assigned to each electronic tag (S1002). In this case, the individual delay time may be a delay time determined by applying a unit time (second unit time) different from the above common unit time (first unit time) to the unique number assigned to each electronic tag. In this case, the second unit time may be a unit time having a smaller value that is more finely subdivided than the first unit time.

[0141] For example, the second unit time may be 1ms. In this case, for an electronic tag with an assigned unique number of 2, such as electronic tag #2 (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) that detected the power supply cutoff of the circuit breaker, the individual delay time calculated for that electronic tag may be 2ms.

[0142] When the common delay time and individual delay time are calculated through the above steps S1000 and S1002, the communication unit (430) can sum the calculated common delay time and individual delay time (S1004). Then, the summed delay time can be determined as the delay time for transmitting the notification data.

[0143] And the communication unit (430) can proceed to step S808 of FIG. 8 to check whether the time elapsed since the point in time when the power supply from the circuit breaker is cut off has reached the calculated delay time, and according to the check result, transmit notification data indicating the cutoff of the power supply to the data collector (10).

[0144] FIG. 11 is an example diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic tag (20) transmits notification data according to the delay time calculated in FIG. 10, thereby preventing collisions between data transmitted from other electronic tags.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 11, if the circuit breaker connected to the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) is switched to an off state after 40ms have elapsed since the data transmission request (900) was received from the data collector (10), the detection unit of the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) can detect that the power supply has been interrupted (950). Then, the detection unit of the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) can transmit a voltage off signal indicating that the power supply has been interrupted to the communication unit of the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) and can cut off the power supply to itself. Likewise, the measurement unit of the second electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) can also cut off the power supply itself. Accordingly, the above-mentioned electronic tag #2 (E-Tag#2(20-2)) can be switched to a state where only the communication part is operated.

[0146] Then, the communication unit of the above-mentioned electronic tag #2 (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) can check whether a preset delay time has elapsed. In this case, since the preset unit time is 5ms and the unique number assigned to the electronic tag (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) where the interruption of the power supply was detected is 2, the common delay time can be calculated as 10ms and the individual delay time as 2ms according to the operation process of FIG. 10. Therefore, the delay time can be calculated as 12ms (10 + 2).

[0147] In this case, the above-mentioned electronic tag #2 (E-Tag#2 (20-2)) can transmit notification data to the data collector (10) when a delay time of 12 ms has elapsed (1151) after the interruption of the power supply is detected, as shown in FIG. 11 (1100).

[0148] In this case, the above notification data can be transmitted to the data collector (10) at a time when 52ms (40 + 12) has elapsed since the time when the data transmission request was transmitted (900). Accordingly, the notification data can be transmitted to the data collector (10) between the time when the power data of electronic tag #10 (E-Tag#10 (20-10)) is transmitted (at a time when 50ms have elapsed since the time when the data transmission request was transmitted (900)) and the time when the power data of electronic tag #11 (E-Tag#11 (20-11)) is transmitted (at a time when 55ms have elapsed since the time when the data transmission request was transmitted (900)). Accordingly, since the time when the data is received by the data collector (10) is different from each other, collisions between the received data can be avoided, and there is an effect of preventing data loss due to data collisions.

[0149] In addition, the present invention assigns a unique number to each electronic tag and can avoid collisions between power data and notification data received from each electronic tag by using a delay time determined according to the assigned unique number. Accordingly, the electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of being able to prevent collisions between data without a sensor for implementing LBT functions, etc., and since the LBT functions, etc. are not used, the data collector (10) can collect data including power information and data indicating the operating status of the circuit breaker from each electronic tag robustly against ambient noise.

[0150] Meanwhile, although specific embodiments have been described in the above description of the present invention, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, in the embodiments of the present invention, a case where the pre-set unit time is 5ms was assumed as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0151] In addition, regarding the individual delay time mentioned above, the explanation was given by assuming that the unit of the delay time calculated according to the unique number assigned to each electronic tag is 1ms, so that the individual delay time identical to the unique number assigned to each electronic tag is calculated; however, it is of course possible to subdivide the delay time unit for calculating the individual delay time in a different way. That is, the individual delay time may be calculated by multiplying the unique number by a smaller unit of delay time, for example, a unit time of 0.1ms.

[0152] Meanwhile, in the above description, a distinction was made between the transmission of notification data indicating the interruption of power supply and the transmission of power data when power supply from the circuit breaker is interrupted; however, it is obvious that, conversely, the notification data may be transmitted at the time when the power data is transmitted.

[0153] That is, the electronic tag according to an embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which the communication unit can be driven for an additional time using power supplied from a capacitor when the power supply from the circuit breaker is interrupted as described above. Therefore, when the power supply from the circuit breaker is interrupted, there is no need to transmit notification data immediately; instead, notification data indicating that the operating state of the circuit breaker has been switched to the off state may be transmitted to a data collector along with the power data collected up to that point, in accordance with the power data transmission cycle. In this case, since the notification data is not transmitted separately from the power data, a conflict between the notification data and the power data may not occur.

[0154] The present invention described above can be implemented as computer-readable code on a medium on which a program is recorded. A computer-readable medium includes all types of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable media include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Disk), SSD (Silicon Disk Drive), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc., and also include implementation in the form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission over the Internet). Furthermore, the computer may include a control unit (300) of a data collector (100) or a communication unit (430) or a detection unit (420) of an electronic tag (20). Accordingly, the above detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in all respects and should be considered exemplary. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claim 1 An electronic tag system comprising: a plurality of electronic tags that store unique numbers assigned differently to each of the plurality of electronic tags, and when a power data request requesting power information is received, sequentially transmit power data including said power information according to said unique number in response to said received power data request; and a data collector that assigns a different unique number to each of the plurality of electronic tags, transmits said power data request to the plurality of electronic tags simultaneously, and receives power data sequentially from the plurality of electronic tags based on different delay times determined according to the different unique number assigned to each of the plurality of electronic tags from the time when said power data request is transmitted, wherein the electronic tag transmits notification data notifying of the interruption of power supply to the data collector after a notification delay time determined differently for each electronic tag according to said unique number has elapsed from the time when said interruption of power supply from a connected circuit breaker is detected. Claim 2 An electronic tag system according to claim 1, wherein the different delay times increase in proportion to the number value of the unique number assigned by the data collector. Claim 3 An electronic tag system according to claim 1, wherein the data collector determines a unique number assigned to each electronic tag based on the type of load receiving power from a circuit breaker connected to each electronic tag. Claim 4 An electronic tag system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic tag, when the power data request is received, repeatedly transmits power data to the data collector a predetermined number of times according to the power data transmission cycle required for the plurality of electronic tags to sequentially transmit power data. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 An electronic tag system according to claim 1, wherein the notification delay time is determined by summing a common delay time determined according to a unique number assigned to each electronic tag and a preset first unit time, and an individual delay time determined according to a second unit time different from the first unit time and the unique number. Claim 7 An electronic tag system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic tag, when a power supply interruption from a connected circuit breaker is detected, delays the transmission of notification data to indicate the interruption of the power supply based on a delay time according to a unique number assigned to the electronic tag until the time when the power data is to be transmitted, and when the time when the power data is to be transmitted is reached, transmits data including the power data collected up to that time and the notification data to the data collector. Claim 8 An electronic tag provided in an electronic tag system of claim 1, comprising: a DC-DC converter that receives power supplied from a circuit breaker to a load and converts it into a DC current of a preset voltage; a capacitor disposed between the DC-DC converter and the circuit breaker and charged by power supplied via the circuit breaker; a detection unit driven by power supplied from the DC-DC converter and connected to the capacitor to detect a power supply interruption from the circuit breaker to the load through a voltage change of the capacitor and output a power supply interruption signal according to the detection result; a measurement unit driven by power supplied from the DC-DC converter and measuring information related to the power supplied from the circuit breaker to the load; and a communication unit driven by power supplied from the DC-DC converter and transmitting preset notification data to a preset data collector when the power supply interruption signal is received, wherein the DC-DC converter is formed to receive electrical energy discharged from the capacitor when power supply from the circuit breaker to the load is interrupted and to supply power for driving the detection unit and the communication unit for a preset time. Claim 9 An electronic tag according to claim 8, wherein the communication unit receives and stores a unique number from the data collector, and when a power data request requesting the transmission of power information collected by the electronic tag is received from the data collector, the communication unit transmits power data including the collected power information to the data collector after a delay time determined according to the stored unique number and a preset unit time has elapsed from the time the power data request is received. Claim 10 An electronic tag according to claim 9, wherein the unique number is assigned differently to each electronic tag registered in the data collector, and the delay time is determined differently for each electronic tag according to the unique number assigned differently to each electronic tag. Claim 11 An electronic tag according to claim 9, wherein the communication unit, upon receiving the power data request, transmits the power data to the data collector repeatedly a predetermined number of times according to the power data transmission cycle required for a plurality of electronic tags registered in the data collector to sequentially transmit power data. Claim 12 An electronic tag according to claim 9, wherein the communication unit, when a power supply interruption from the circuit breaker is detected, transmits notification data notifying the power supply interruption to the data collector after a notification delay time determined according to the number value of the unique number has elapsed from the time when the power supply interruption is detected. Claim 13 An electronic tag according to claim 12, characterized in that the notification delay time is determined by summing a common delay time determined according to a unique number assigned to each electronic tag and a preset first unit time, and an individual delay time determined according to a second unit time different from the first unit time and the unique number. Claim 14 An electronic tag according to claim 12, wherein the notification delay time is determined to be within a time corresponding to the power data transmission cycle required for a plurality of electronic tags registered in the data collector to sequentially transmit power data, and wherein the notification data is repeatedly transmitted to the data collector at each time cycle in which the plurality of electronic tags transmit the power data. Claim 15 An electronic tag according to claim 9, wherein the communication unit, when the interruption of the power supply is detected through the detection unit, delays the transmission of notification data to indicate the interruption of the power supply until the time when the power data is transmitted, based on a delay time according to a unique number assigned to the electronic tag, and when the time when the power data is transmitted is reached, transmits data including the power data collected up to that time and the notification data to the data collector. Claim 16 An electronic tag according to claim 8, wherein the detection unit, when outputting the power supply interruption signal to the communication unit, disconnects the DC-DC converter and the detection unit to turn off the power itself, and the measurement unit is connected to the detection unit and disconnects the DC-DC converter and the detection unit to turn off the power itself according to the power supply interruption detection result of the detection unit. Claim 17 In claim 8, the electronic tag further comprises a rectifier and a smoothing unit for rectifying alternating current supplied to a load via a circuit breaker, and the capacitor is characterized as being a smoothing capacitor of the smoothing unit that smooths a pulsating electrical signal input from the rectifier.

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