Information collection device and operation method therefor

Abstract

An information collection device according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document comprises: a controller comprising a signal transmission port and a signal reception port; and a plurality of sensors connected to the signal transmission port and the signal reception port, wherein the controller can sequentially transmit and receive a wake-up signal, a transmission signal, and a reception signal to and from each of the plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or the signal reception port.

Description

Information collection device and its operating method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2023-0125815, filed September 20, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to an information collection device and a method of operating the same.

[0005] Recently, research and development on secondary batteries has been actively conducted. Here, secondary batteries are rechargeable and include both conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of having a much higher energy density than conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in a compact and lightweight form, making them suitable for use as power sources for mobile devices. Recently, their use has expanded to include power sources for electric vehicles, attracting attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0006] Various battery-related information can be collected through sensors. Furthermore, the information collected from these sensors can be integrated into a higher-level control unit via IO-Link devices. An IO-Link device can refer to a system that provides connectivity to actuators or sensors commonly used in machine automation. Currently, control units (MCUs, Micro Controller Units) have a limited number of ports, allowing a maximum of eight IO-Link devices to be connected. However, in real-world situations, hundreds or even thousands of sensors exist, necessitating a method that can connect multiple IO-Link devices.

[0007] One purpose of the embodiments disclosed in this document is to provide an information collection device and an operating method thereof that can increase the number of IO-Link ports available in an upper controller.

[0008] One purpose of the embodiments disclosed in this document is to provide an information collection device and an operating method thereof that can increase the number of IO-Link ports available in an upper controller by using a multiplexer and provide a communication method for receiving information from a plurality of sensors through the multiplexer.

[0009] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below.

[0010] An information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document includes a controller including a signal transmission port and a signal reception port, and a plurality of sensors connected to the signal transmission port and the signal reception port, wherein the controller can sequentially transmit and receive a wake-up signal, a transmission signal, and a reception signal to each of the plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or the signal reception port.

[0011] In one embodiment, the controller includes a plurality of signal transmitting ports and a plurality of signal receiving ports, and each of the plurality of signal transmitting ports and each of the plurality of signal receiving ports can be connected to each of the plurality of sensors.

[0012] In one embodiment, the controller sequentially transmits the wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports, and when transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, the controller sequentially receives a response to the wake-up signal from each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal reception ports, and when the wake-up is completed, transmits and receives information with the plurality of sensors.

[0013] In one embodiment, when the controller completes receiving a response to a wake-up signal, the controller can sequentially transmit the transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports, and when the transmission of the transmission signal is completed, the controller can sequentially receive the reception signal from each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal reception ports.

[0014] In one embodiment, the method may further include a protocol change unit that is connected between each of the plurality of signal transmission ports, each of the plurality of signal reception ports, and each of the plurality of sensors, and changes a protocol.

[0015] In one embodiment, the plurality of signal transmission ports and the plurality of signal reception ports include a UART protocol, and the protocol change unit can change the UART protocol and the IO Link protocol to each other.

[0016] In one embodiment, the device further comprises a first multiplexer (MUX) connected to the signal transmission port and a second multiplexer connected to the signal reception port, wherein the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer can be connected to the plurality of sensors.

[0017] In one embodiment, the controller sequentially transmits a port selection signal to the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer to select one of the n ports, sequentially selects a port of the first multiplexer based on the port selection signal, sequentially transmits a wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors, and when the sequential transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, selects a port of the second multiplexer based on the port selection signal and sequentially receives a response to the wake-up signal from each of the plurality of sensors, and when the reception of the response to the wake-up signal is completed, based on the port selection signal, transmits and receives information with the plurality of sensors through the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer.

[0018] In one embodiment, when the controller completes receiving a response to a wake-up signal, the controller selects a port of the first multiplexer based on the port selection signal to sequentially transmit the transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors, and when the sequential transmission of the transmission signal is completed, the controller selects a port of the second multiplexer based on the port selection signal to sequentially receive the reception signal from each of the plurality of sensors.

[0019] In one embodiment, the system may further include a protocol change unit that is connected between the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer and the plurality of sensors, respectively, and changes the protocol.

[0020] In one embodiment, the signal transmission port and the signal reception port include a UART protocol, and the protocol change unit can change the UART protocol and the IO Link protocol to each other.

[0021] In one embodiment, the controller includes a plurality of signal transmission ports and a plurality of signal reception ports, and each of the plurality of signal transmission ports and each of the plurality of signal reception ports can be connected to a plurality of first multiplexers and a plurality of second multiplexers.

[0022] An operating method of an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document includes an operation of sequentially transmitting a wake-up signal to each of a plurality of sensors through a signal transmission port or a signal reception port and sequentially receiving a response to the wake-up signal, and an operation of sequentially transmitting a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or the signal reception port and sequentially receiving a reception signal, wherein the signal transmission port and the signal reception port can be connected to the plurality of sensors.

[0023] In one embodiment, the signal transmitting port includes a plurality of signal transmitting ports, and the signal receiving port includes a plurality of signal receiving ports, and the operation of sequentially transmitting a wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors through the signal transmitting port or the signal receiving port and sequentially receiving a response to the wake-up signal may include the operation of sequentially transmitting the wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal transmitting ports, and when the transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, the operation of sequentially receiving a response to the wake-up signal from each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal receiving ports.

[0024] In one embodiment, the operation of sequentially transmitting a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or the signal reception port and sequentially receiving a reception signal may include, when reception of a response to a wake-up signal is completed, the operation of sequentially transmitting the transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports, and when transmission of the transmission signal is completed, the operation of sequentially receiving the reception signal from each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal reception ports.

[0025] In one embodiment, the device further comprises a first multiplexer (MUX) connected to the signal transmission port and a second multiplexer connected to the signal reception port, wherein the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer can be connected to the plurality of sensors.

[0026] In one embodiment, the method may further include sequentially transmitting a port selection signal to the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer to select one of the n ports.

[0027] In one embodiment, the operation of sequentially transmitting a wake-up signal to each of a plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or the signal reception port and sequentially receiving a response to the wake-up signal may include the operation of sequentially selecting a port of the first multiplexer based on the port selection signal and sequentially transmitting the wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors, and when the sequential transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, the operation of sequentially receiving a response to the wake-up signal from each of the plurality of sensors by selecting a port of the second multiplexer based on the port selection signal.

[0028] In one embodiment, the operation of sequentially transmitting a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or the signal reception port and sequentially receiving a reception signal may include, when reception of a response to a wake-up signal is completed, the operation of sequentially selecting a port of the first multiplexer based on the port selection signal and sequentially transmitting the transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors, and when the sequential transmission of the transmission signal is completed, the operation of sequentially receiving the reception signal from each of the plurality of sensors by selecting a port of the second multiplexer based on the port selection signal.

[0029] In one embodiment, the operation may further include changing the protocol.

[0030] An information collection device and its operating method according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can increase the number of sensors capable of collecting information from a controller through a multiplexer.

[0031] An information collection device and its operating method according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can sequentially collect information from each of a plurality of sensors connected to a multiplexer by controlling an enable signal applied to the multiplexer.

[0032] In addition, the information collection device and its operating method according to one embodiment disclosed in this document prevent loss of information by sequentially transmitting signals through each port of a transmission multiplexer and sequentially receiving signals through each port of a reception multiplexer, and performs communication efficiently to prevent loss of time and expand the limited number of ports of IO-Link.

[0033] In addition, various effects may be provided, either directly or indirectly, through this document.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a drawing specifically showing an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document controlling communication of multiple ports.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an information collection device according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an information collection device according to another embodiment disclosed in this document controlling communication of multiple ports.

[0039] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an operation method of an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0040] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are flowcharts specifically showing an operation method of an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computing system for performing an operation method of an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this document will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When designating components in each drawing, it should be noted that, where possible, identical components are given the same reference numerals, even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing embodiments disclosed in this document, detailed descriptions of related known structures or functions will be omitted if they are deemed to hinder understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0043] In describing the components of the embodiments disclosed in this document, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. In addition, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document belong. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, an information collection device (100) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a controller (110) and a plurality of sensors (120).

[0046] The controller (110) may include a signal transmission port and a signal reception port. For example, the controller (110) may include a first signal transmission port (111) and a first signal reception port (116). For example, the controller (110) may transmit a signal through the first signal transmission port (111) and receive a signal through the first signal reception port (116).

[0047] The controller (110) can sequentially transmit and receive a wake-up signal, a transmission signal, and a reception signal to each of the plurality of sensors (120) through a signal transmission port and a signal reception port. For example, the controller (110) can sequentially perform a series of processes of transmitting a wake-up signal, transmitting a transmission signal, and receiving a reception signal to each of the plurality of sensors (120).

[0048] The signal transmitting port and the signal receiving port may be connected to a plurality of sensors (120). For example, the first signal transmitting port (111) and the first signal receiving port (116) may be connected to a plurality of sensors (120). For another example, the signal transmitting port may include a plurality of signal transmitting ports, the signal receiving port may include a plurality of signal receiving ports, and each of the plurality of signal transmitting ports and each of the plurality of signal receiving ports may be connected to a respective one of the plurality of sensors (120).

[0049] According to an embodiment, a plurality of transmitting ports and a plurality of receiving ports may correspond to each other and be connected to any one of a plurality of sensors (120).

[0050] According to an embodiment, the plurality of sensors (120) can sense various information. For example, the plurality of sensors (120) can sense various information related to the battery. According to an embodiment, the plurality of sensors (120) can sense various information such as voltage, current, temperature, pressure, SOC, SOH, and amount of generation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the plurality of sensors (120) can sense various information related to the battery or not related to the battery.

[0051] The controller (110) can transmit signals to multiple sensors (120) through the signal transmission port. For example, the controller (110) can transmit various signals, such as a signal to wake up multiple sensors (120), a signal to collect information, a signal to collect identification information, a signal to determine whether there is a failure, etc., through the signal transmission port.

[0052] The controller (110) can receive signals from a plurality of sensors (120) through the signal receiving port. For example, the controller (110) can receive various signals, such as a response signal to a wake-up signal, a response signal to a signal for collecting information, a response signal to a signal for collecting identification information, and a response signal to a signal for determining whether there is a failure, from the plurality of sensors (120) through the signal receiving port. According to an embodiment, the response signal to the wake-up signal may include a signal indicating that a wake-up has occurred, the response signal to the signal for collecting information may include information to be collected, the response signal to the signal for collecting identification information may include identification information of the sensor, and the response signal to the signal for determining whether there is a failure may include failure information.

[0053] That is, the controller (110) can transmit and receive one or more types of information to and from multiple sensors (120) through a signal transmission port and a signal reception port.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a drawing specifically showing an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, the controller (110) may include a plurality of signal transmission ports (111, 112) and a plurality of signal reception ports (116, 117). In addition, the plurality of sensors (120) may include a first sensor (121) and a second sensor (122). In FIG. 2, the signal transmission port, the signal reception port, and the plurality of sensors are illustrated as including two signal transmission ports, two signal reception ports, and two sensors, respectively, but are not limited thereto, and may include m (m is a natural number) signal transmission ports, m signal reception ports, and m sensors.

[0056] The controller (110) can sequentially transmit and receive a wake-up signal, a transmission signal, and a reception signal to each of a plurality of sensors (120) through signal transmission ports (111, 112) and signal reception ports (116, 117).

[0057] The controller (110) sequentially transmits a wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors (120) through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports (111, 112), and when transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, a response to the wake-up signal can be sequentially received from each of the plurality of sensors (120) through the plurality of signal reception ports (116, 117). According to an embodiment, the controller (110) transmits a wake-up signal to a first sensor (121) through a first signal transmission port (111), transmits a wake-up signal to a second sensor (122) through a second signal transmission port (112), and then receives a response to the wake-up signal from the first sensor (121) through the first signal reception port (116), and receives a response to the wake-up signal from the second sensor (122) through the second signal reception port (117). Through the above operation, the controller (110) can reduce the waiting time before receiving a response after transmitting a wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors (120).

[0058] When the wake-up is completed, the controller (110) can transmit and receive information with the plurality of sensors (120). For example, when the controller (110) completes receiving a response to a wake-up signal, the controller (110) can sequentially transmit a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors (120) through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports (111, 112), and when the transmission of the transmission signal is completed, the controller (110) can sequentially receive a reception signal from each of the plurality of sensors (120) through each of the plurality of signal reception ports (116, 117). According to an embodiment, when the reception of a response to a wake-up signal is completed, the controller (110) may transmit a transmission signal to a first sensor (121) through a first signal transmission port (111), transmit a transmission signal to a second sensor (122) through a second signal transmission port (112), receive a reception signal from the first sensor (121) through a first signal reception port (116), and receive a reception signal from the second sensor (122) through a second signal reception port (117). Through the above operation, the controller (110) may reduce the waiting time before a response is received after transmitting a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors (120).

[0059] According to the embodiment, although FIG. 2 illustrates and describes a case where there are two signal transmission ports, two signal reception ports, and two sensors, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the controller (110) may sequentially transmit wake-up signals to a plurality of sensors (120) through a plurality of signal transmission ports, sequentially receive responses to the wake-up signals from a plurality of sensors (120) through a plurality of signal reception ports, sequentially transmit transmission signals to a plurality of sensors (120) through a plurality of signal transmission ports, and sequentially receive reception signals from a plurality of sensors (120) through a plurality of signal reception ports.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the information collection device (100) may further include a protocol change unit (130) that is connected between each of a plurality of signal transmission ports (111, 112), each of a plurality of signal reception ports (116, 117), and each of a plurality of sensors (120), and changes a protocol. For example, the plurality of signal transmission ports and the plurality of signal reception ports may include a UART protocol, and the protocol change unit (130) may change the UART protocol and the IO-Link protocol. Accordingly, the protocol change unit (130) may change the protocol so that information can be transmitted and received efficiently even when the controller (110) and the plurality of sensors (120) use different protocols.

[0061] According to an embodiment, there may be a plurality of protocol change units (130), and a protocol change unit (130) may be connected to each sensor included in a plurality of sensors (120). According to an embodiment, the protocol change unit (130) may include an IO Link transceiver.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document controlling communication of multiple ports.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 3, the controller (110) of the information collection device (100) according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document can transmit (310) a wake-up signal to a first sensor through a signal transmission port and can transmit (320) a wake-up signal to a second sensor. In addition, when transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, the controller (110) can sequentially receive responses to the wake-up signal from the first sensor and the second sensor through the signal reception port.

[0064] When the reception of the response to the wake-up signal is completed, the controller (110) can transmit a transmission signal (330) to the first sensor through the first signal transmission port, and can transmit a transmission signal (340) to the second sensor through the second signal transmission port.

[0065] When the transmission of a transmission signal to each sensor through each signal transmission port is completed, the controller (110) can receive a reception signal (350) from the first sensor through the first signal reception port, and can receive a reception signal (360) from the second sensor through the second signal reception port.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an information collection device according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0067] An information collection device (400) according to another embodiment disclosed in this document may include a controller (410), a plurality of sensors (420), a first multiplexer (430), and a second multiplexer (440). According to an embodiment, the information collection device (400) may further include a protocol change unit (450).

[0068] The controller (410) may include a signal transmission port (411) and a signal reception port (412). For example, the controller (410) may transmit a signal through the signal transmission port (411) and receive a signal through the signal reception port (412).

[0069] The first multiplexer (430) may be connected to the signal transmission port (411). For example, the first multiplexer (430) may include a plurality of ports. For another example, the first multiplexer (430) may include n ports (n is a natural number). According to an embodiment, the first multiplexer (430) may transmit the received signal to any one of the plurality of ports when a signal is received from the signal transmission port (411). According to an embodiment, the first multiplexer (430) may determine which port to transmit the signal to through an enable signal, and the enable signal may be received from the controller (410).

[0070] The second multiplexer (440) may be connected to the signal receiving port (412). For example, the second multiplexer (440) may include a plurality of ports. For another example, the second multiplexer (440) may include n ports (n is a natural number). According to an embodiment, the second multiplexer (440) may transmit a signal to the signal receiving port (412) of the controller (410) when a signal is received from any one of the plurality of ports. According to an embodiment, the second multiplexer (440) may determine which port to receive the signal through an enable signal, and the enable signal may be received from the controller (410).

[0071] According to an embodiment, the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440) may include the same number of ports.

[0072] A plurality of sensors (420) may be connected to a first multiplexer (430) and a second multiplexer (440). For example, each of the plurality of sensors (420) may be connected to each of the plurality of ports of the first multiplexer (430), and each of the plurality of sensors (420) may be connected to each of the plurality of ports of the second multiplexer (440). According to an embodiment, each port of the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440) may correspond to each other and be connected to any one of the plurality of sensors (420).

[0073] According to an embodiment, the plurality of sensors (420) can sense various information. For example, the plurality of sensors (420) can sense various information related to the battery. According to an embodiment, the plurality of sensors (420) can sense various information such as voltage, current, temperature, pressure, SOC, SOH, and amount of electricity generated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the plurality of sensors (420) can sense various information related to the battery or not related to the battery.

[0074] The controller (410) can transmit signals to a plurality of sensors (420) through the signal transmission port and the first multiplexer (430). For example, the controller (410) can transmit various signals, such as a signal for waking up the plurality of sensors (420), a signal for collecting information, a signal for collecting identification information, a signal for determining whether there is a failure, etc., through the signal transmission port and the first multiplexer (430).

[0075] The controller (410) can receive signals from a plurality of sensors (420) through the signal receiving port and the second multiplexer (440). For example, the controller (410) can receive various signals, such as a response signal to a wake-up signal, a response signal to a signal for collecting information, a response signal to a signal for collecting identification information, and a response signal to a signal for determining whether there is a failure, from the plurality of sensors (420) through the signal receiving port and the second multiplexer (440). According to an embodiment, the response signal to the wake-up signal may include a signal indicating that a wake-up has occurred, the response signal to the signal for collecting information may include information to be collected, the response signal to the signal for collecting identification information may include identification information of the sensor, and the response signal to the signal for determining whether there is a failure may include failure information.

[0076] That is, the controller (410) can transmit and receive one or more types of information to and from multiple sensors (420) through a signal transmission port, a first multiplexer (430), a signal reception port, and a second multiplexer (440).

[0077] The protocol change unit (450) is connected between the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440) and the plurality of sensors (420), and can change the protocol. For example, there may be a plurality of protocol change units (450), and a protocol change unit (450) may be connected to each sensor included in the plurality of sensors (420). According to an embodiment, the protocol change unit (450) may include an IO-Link transceiver.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the signal transmission port and the signal reception port include a UART protocol, and the protocol change unit (450) can interchange the UART protocol and the IO-Link protocol. Accordingly, the protocol change unit (450) can change the protocol so that information can be transmitted and received efficiently even when the controller (410) and multiple sensors (420) use different protocols.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the controller (410) may include a plurality of signal transmission ports and a plurality of signal reception ports. In this case, each of the plurality of signal transmission ports and each of the plurality of signal reception ports may be connected to a plurality of first multiplexers and a plurality of second multiplexers. For example, the controller (410) may include four signal transmission ports and four signal reception ports, and each of the four signal transmission ports and the four signal reception ports may be connected to four first multiplexers and four second multiplexers. That is, when the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer each include eight ports, a total of 32 sensors may be connected to the controller (410). That is, according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the information collection device (400) can effectively expand the limited number of IO-Link ports.

[0080] The controller (410) can transmit a port selection signal to the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440) to select one of the n ports. For example, the port selection signal can include an activation signal. As another example, the controller (410) can transmit a signal to the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440) to select one of the n ports through the activation signal line (460). For example, the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440) can determine which port among the n ports to transmit or receive a signal through based on a signal received through the activation signal line (460). That is, the controller (410) can control the port to be used in the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440) through the activation signal line (460).

[0081] The controller (410) can transmit a signal to the first multiplexer (430) through the signal transmission port (411) and the first transmission line (465). The first multiplexer (430) can transmit a signal to at least one of the plurality of sensors (420) through the port selected by the activation signal and the second transmission line (470). According to an embodiment, before the signal is transmitted to the plurality of sensors (420), the protocol change unit (450) can change the protocol of the transmission signal and transmit the signal to at least one of the plurality of sensors (420).

[0082] At least one sensor among the plurality of sensors (420) can transmit a response signal for a received signal to the second multiplexer (440) through the second reception line (475). In this case, the second multiplexer (440) can receive the response signal transmitted from the at least one sensor through a port selected by an activation signal. The second multiplexer (440) can transmit the received response signal through the first reception line (480), and the controller (410) can receive the response signal from at least one of the plurality of sensors (420) through the signal reception port (412) and the first reception line (480). According to an embodiment, when at least one sensor among the plurality of sensors (420) transmits a signal, the protocol change unit (450) can change the protocol of the transmission signal and transmit the signal to the second multiplexer (440).

[0083] According to an embodiment, the controller (410) can sequentially wake up each of the n ports included in the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440), and sequentially transmit and receive signals to and from sensors connected to the n ports based on the wake-up order.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the controller (410) may transmit a port selection signal to the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440) to select one of n ports. The controller (410) may sequentially select a port of the first multiplexer (430) based on the port selection signal and sequentially transmit a wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors (420). In addition, when the sequential transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, the controller (410) may sequentially receive a response to the wake-up signal from each of the plurality of sensors (420) by selecting a port of the second multiplexer (440) based on the port selection signal.

[0085] When the reception of the response to the wake-up signal is completed, the controller (410) can transmit and receive information with a plurality of sensors through the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440) based on the port selection signal. For example, when the reception of the response to the wake-up signal is completed, the controller (410) can select a port of the first multiplexer (430) based on the port selection signal and sequentially transmit a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors (420). In this case, when the transmission of the transmission signal is completed, the controller (410) can select a port of the second multiplexer (440) based on the port selection signal and sequentially receive a reception signal from each of the plurality of sensors (420).

[0086] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an information collection device according to another embodiment disclosed in this document controlling communication of multiple ports.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 5, the controller (410) may transmit a signal (505) for selecting a first port of the first multiplexer (430). In this case, the controller (410) may transmit a signal (510) for waking up the first sensor. Thereafter, the controller (410) may transmit a signal (515) for selecting a second port of the first multiplexer (430) and may transmit a signal (520) for waking up the second sensor. According to an embodiment, the controller (410) may sequentially transmit wake-up signals to all sensors by performing the above-described operations.

[0088] The controller (410) can apply a port selection signal to the second multiplexer (440) in the same manner and sequentially receive a response to the wake-up signal through the second multiplexer (440).

[0089] When the reception of the response to the wake-up signal is completed, the controller (410) can transmit a signal (525) for selecting the first port of the first multiplexer (430) and transmit (530) a transmission signal to the first sensor through the first port of the first multiplexer (430). When the transmission of the transmission signal to the first sensor is completed, the controller (410) can transmit a signal (535) for selecting the second port of the first multiplexer (430) and transmit (540) a transmission signal to the second sensor through the second port of the first multiplexer (430). According to an embodiment, the controller (410) can sequentially transmit transmission signals to all sensors by performing the above-described operations.

[0090] When the transmission of the transmission signal is completed, the controller (410) can transmit a signal (545) for selecting the first port of the second multiplexer (440) and receive (550) a reception signal from the first sensor through the first port of the second multiplexer (440). When the reception of the reception signal from the first sensor is completed, the controller (410) can transmit a signal (555) for selecting the second port of the second multiplexer (440) and receive (560) a reception signal from the second sensor through the second port of the second multiplexer (440). According to an embodiment, the controller (410) can sequentially receive reception signals from all sensors by performing the above-described operations.

[0091] An information collection device (100) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can sequentially collect information from each of a plurality of sensors connected to a multiplexer by controlling an enable signal applied to the multiplexer.

[0092] In addition, the information collection device (100) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document transmits signals sequentially through each port of a transmission multiplexer and receives signals sequentially through each port of a reception multiplexer, thereby preventing loss of information, performing communication efficiently, preventing loss of time, and enabling expansion of the limited number of ports of IO-Link.

[0093] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. According to the embodiment, the operations illustrated in FIG. 6 may be performed through the information collection device (100) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 610, the controller (110) can sequentially transmit a wake-up signal to each of a plurality of sensors through a signal transmission port or a signal reception port, and sequentially receive a response to the wake-up signal.

[0095] In operation 620, the controller (110) can sequentially transmit a transmission signal to each of a plurality of sensors through a signal transmission port or a signal reception port, and sequentially receive a reception signal.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the signal transmitting port and the signal receiving port can be connected to a plurality of sensors (120).

[0097] According to an embodiment, the signal transmitting port may include a plurality of signal transmitting ports, and the signal receiving port may include a plurality of signal receiving ports. In this case, each of the plurality of signal transmitting ports and each of the plurality of signal receiving ports may be connected to each of the plurality of sensors (120).

[0098] In operation 630, the protocol change unit (150) can change the protocol. For example, if the protocols between multiple sensors (120) and the controller (110) are different, the protocol change unit (150) can change the protocol in order to transmit and receive mutual signals.

[0099] FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts specifically illustrating the operation method of an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. According to an embodiment, the operations illustrated in FIG. 7 may be performed through the information collection device (100) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 . According to an embodiment, the operations illustrated in FIG. 8 may be performed through the information collection device (400) of FIG. 4 .

[0100] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 710, the controller (110) can sequentially transmit a wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors (120) through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports.

[0101] In operation 720, when transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, the controller (110) can sequentially receive a response to the wake-up signal from each of the plurality of sensors (120) through each of the plurality of signal receiving ports.

[0102] In operation 730, when the controller (110) completes receiving a response to the wake-up signal, the controller can sequentially transmit a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors (120) through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports.

[0103] In operation 740, when the transmission of the transmission signal is completed, the controller (110) can sequentially receive a reception signal from each of the plurality of sensors (120) through each of the plurality of signal reception ports.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 8, in operation 810, the controller (410) can sequentially transmit a port selection signal to the first multiplexer (430) and the second multiplexer (440) to select one of n ports.

[0105] In operation 820, the controller (410) may select a port of the first multiplexer (430) based on a port selection signal and sequentially transmit a wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors (420).

[0106] In operation 830, when the sequential transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, the controller (410) selects a port of the second multiplexer (440) based on the port selection signal to sequentially receive a response to the wake-up signal from each of the plurality of sensors (420).

[0107] In operation 840, when the controller (410) completes receiving a response to the wake-up signal, the controller (410) may select a port of the first multiplexer (430) based on the port selection signal and sequentially transmit a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors (420).

[0108] In operation 850, when the sequential transmission of the transmission signal is completed, the controller (410) selects a port of the second multiplexer (440) based on the port selection signal to sequentially receive a reception signal from each of the plurality of sensors (420).

[0109] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computing system for performing an operation method of an information collection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 9, a computing system (1000) according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document may include an MCU (1010), a memory (1020), an input / output I / F (1030), and a communication I / F (1040).

[0111] The MCU (1010) may be a processor that executes various programs (e.g., an activation signal transmission / reception program, an information transmission / reception program, a multiplexer control program, etc.) stored in the memory (1020), processes various information including activation signals, communication signals, and transmitted / received information through these programs, and performs the functions of the controller included in the information collection device shown in the aforementioned FIG. 1.

[0112] The memory (1020) can store various programs, such as an activation signal transmission / reception program, an information transmission / reception program, and a multiplexer control program. In addition, the memory (1020) can store various information, including an activation signal, a communication signal, and information to be transmitted / received.

[0113] Such memories (1020) may be provided in multiple numbers as needed. The memories (1020) may be volatile memories or non-volatile memories. As volatile memories (1020), RAM, DRAM, SRAM, etc. may be used. As non-volatile memories (1020), ROM, PROM, EAROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memories, etc. may be used. The examples of the memories (1020) listed above are merely examples and are not limited to these examples.

[0114] The input / output I / F (1030) can provide an interface that enables data transmission and reception between an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and an output device (not shown) such as a display and the MCU (1010).

[0115] The communication I / F (1040) is a component capable of transmitting and receiving various data with the server, and may be any device capable of supporting wired or wireless communication. For example, an information collection device can transmit and receive various types of information, including activation signals, communication signals, and information to be transmitted and received, from a separately provided external server via the communication I / F (1040).

[0116] In this way, a computer program according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may be implemented as a module that is recorded in a memory (1020) and processed by an MCU (1010) to perform each function illustrated in FIG. 1, for example.

[0117] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea disclosed in this document, and those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0118] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this document are intended to illustrate, rather than limit, the technical concepts disclosed in this document, and the scope of the technical concepts disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical concepts disclosed in this document should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of this document.

Claims

1. A controller including a signal transmitting port and a signal receiving port; and A plurality of sensors connected to the signal transmitting port and the signal receiving port; The above controller, An information collection device that sequentially transmits and receives a wake-up signal, a transmission signal, and a reception signal to each of the plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or the signal reception port.

2. In paragraph 1, The above controller, comprising a plurality of signal transmitting ports and a plurality of signal receiving ports, An information collection device, wherein each of the plurality of signal transmission ports and each of the plurality of signal reception ports are connected to each of the plurality of sensors.

3. In paragraph 2, The above controller, Sequentially transmitting the wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports, When the transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, a response to the wake-up signal is sequentially received from each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal receiving ports, An information collection device that transmits and receives information to and from the plurality of sensors when wake-up is completed.

4. In paragraph 3, The above controller, When the reception of the response to the wake-up signal is completed, the transmission signal is sequentially transmitted to each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports, An information collection device that sequentially receives the reception signals from each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal reception ports when the transmission of the transmission signal is completed.

5. In paragraph 2, An information collection device further comprising a protocol change unit that is connected between each of the plurality of signal transmission ports, each of the plurality of signal reception ports, and each of the plurality of sensors, and changes a protocol.

6. In paragraph 5, The plurality of signal transmission ports and the plurality of signal reception ports include a UART protocol, The above protocol change unit is an information collection device that mutually changes the UART protocol and IO Link protocol.

7. In paragraph 1, A first multiplexer (MUX) connected to the signal transmission port; and Further comprising a second multiplexer connected to the signal receiving port; An information collection device, wherein the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer are connected to the plurality of sensors.

8. In paragraph 7, The above controller, Sequentially transmitting a port selection signal to the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer to select one of the n ports, Based on the above port selection signal, the ports of the first multiplexer are sequentially selected and a wake-up signal is sequentially transmitted to each of the plurality of sensors. When the sequential transmission of the wake-up signal is completed, a port of the second multiplexer is selected based on the port selection signal to sequentially receive a response to the wake-up signal from each of the plurality of sensors, An information collection device that transmits and receives information with the plurality of sensors through the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer based on the port selection signal when the reception of a response to the wake-up signal is completed.

9. In paragraph 8, The above controller, When the reception of the response to the wake-up signal is completed, the port of the first multiplexer is selected based on the port selection signal and the transmission signal is sequentially transmitted to each of the plurality of sensors. An information collection device that, when the sequential transmission of the above transmission signal is completed, selects a port of the second multiplexer based on the port selection signal and sequentially receives the reception signal from each of the plurality of sensors.

10. In paragraph 7, An information collection device further comprising a protocol change unit, each connected between the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer and the plurality of sensors, for changing a protocol.

11. In paragraph 10, The above signal transmitting port and the above signal receiving port include a UART protocol, The above protocol change unit is an information collection device that mutually changes the UART protocol and IO Link protocol.

12. In paragraph 7, The above controller, comprising a plurality of signal transmitting ports and a plurality of signal receiving ports, An information collection device, wherein each of the plurality of signal transmission ports and each of the plurality of signal reception ports is connected to a plurality of first multiplexers and a plurality of second multiplexers.

13. An operation of sequentially transmitting a wake-up signal to each of a plurality of sensors through a signal transmission port or a signal reception port, and sequentially receiving a response to the wake-up signal; and An operation of sequentially transmitting a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or the signal reception port and sequentially receiving a reception signal; including; A method of operating an information collection device, wherein the signal transmission port and the signal reception port are connected to the plurality of sensors.

14. In paragraph 13, The signal transmitting port includes a plurality of signal transmitting ports, and the signal receiving port includes a plurality of signal receiving ports. The operation of sequentially transmitting a wake-up signal to each of a plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or signal reception port and sequentially receiving a response to the wake-up signal is as follows: An operation of sequentially transmitting the wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports; and An operating method of an information collection device, comprising: an operation of sequentially receiving a response to the wake-up signal from each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal receiving ports when transmission of the wake-up signal is completed; 15. In paragraph 14, The operation of sequentially transmitting a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or the signal reception port and sequentially receiving a reception signal is as follows: When the reception of a response to a wake-up signal is completed, an operation of sequentially transmitting the transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal transmission ports; and An operating method of an information collection device, comprising: an operation of sequentially receiving the reception signals from each of the plurality of sensors through each of the plurality of signal reception ports when the transmission of the transmission signal is completed; 16. In paragraph 13, A first multiplexer (MUX) connected to the signal transmission port; and Further comprising a second multiplexer connected to the signal receiving port; A method of operating an information collection device, wherein the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer are connected to the plurality of sensors.

17. In paragraph 16, An operating method of an information collection device, further comprising: an operation of sequentially transmitting a port selection signal to the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer to select one of the n ports; 18. In paragraph 17, The operation of sequentially transmitting a wake-up signal to each of a plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or signal reception port and sequentially receiving a response to the wake-up signal is as follows: An operation of sequentially selecting a port of a first multiplexer based on the above port selection signal and sequentially transmitting a wake-up signal to each of the plurality of sensors; and An operating method of an information collection device, comprising: an operation of selecting a port of the second multiplexer based on the port selection signal and sequentially receiving a response to the wake-up signal from each of the plurality of sensors when the sequential transmission of the wake-up signal is completed; 19. In paragraph 18, The operation of sequentially transmitting a transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors through the signal transmission port or the signal reception port and sequentially receiving a reception signal is, When the reception of the response to the wake-up signal is completed, an operation of sequentially selecting a port of the first multiplexer based on the port selection signal and sequentially transmitting the transmission signal to each of the plurality of sensors; and An operating method of an information collection device, comprising: an operation of selecting a port of the second multiplexer based on the port selection signal and sequentially receiving the reception signal from each of the plurality of sensors when the sequential transmission of the transmission signal is completed; 20. In paragraph 13, An operation method of an information collection device, further comprising: an operation of changing a protocol;

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