JP2007114977A - Meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meter capable of detecting a change in using pattern of electricity, gas, city water or the like for the purpose of using the meter for confirmation of the safety of a user. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 3 successively stores a used amount detected by a usage detection part 2 detecting the usage of a measured system of electricity, gas, city water or the like for each time zone in a storage part 4a, calculates a difference of the latest time zone used amount from a corresponding past time zone used amount stored in the storage part 4b, and forms abnormality information when the number of times when the used amount difference exceeds a corresponding time zone allowable amount stored in the storage part 4c reaches a predetermined frequency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a measuring instrument that measures the amount of power used by a system under measurement.

  Conventionally, measuring instruments that measure the amount of electric power used, the amount of gas used, and the amount of water used in general households, factories, and business establishments have become popular. The measuring instrument includes a usage detection unit that measures the power consumption, gas usage, and water usage of the system to be measured, a control unit that edits the usage detected by the usage detection unit into data, and a control unit. And a display unit for displaying the edited data.

In addition, as a device for judging the safety of residents as users from usage data such as power consumption, gas usage, water usage, etc., the standard usage pattern of the user is stored and used on the day There is a system for determining whether a quantity pattern is abnormal. (For example, Patent Document 1)
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-6337 (page 7, FIG. 1)

In recent years, the number of elderly people living alone has increased, but it is difficult to report that the elderly living alone has lost their physical condition. When a user who is an elderly person living alone loses his / her physical condition, the usage of electricity, gas and water often changes from the conventional usage pattern. For example, in the case of electricity usage, if the amount of power consumption is extremely low during the time period that has been used in the past, it means that you are in a state of being unable to use a TV etc. If the amount used is large, it can be suspected that the physical condition has been lost during use of the electric heating appliance or the like. In such a case, it is necessary to promptly confirm the safety of the elderly living alone.

  However, the conventional system is a method of detecting an abnormality by a change in the usage pattern, and for example, the determination is made after accumulating the usage amount for a long time such as 24 hours. In addition, since the past usage amount of the user is stored every minute time, a large-capacity storage device is required, and equipment and services are expensive.

  The present invention provides a measuring instrument that can quickly detect an abnormal usage amount and can efficiently store usage data in a small-capacity storage device in order to help check the safety of the user. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, a measuring instrument according to the present invention includes a usage amount detection unit of a system to be measured, and a first storage unit that sequentially stores the usage amount detected by the usage amount detection unit for each time zone. The difference between the second storage means for storing the permissible amount for each corresponding time zone and the past time zone usage stored in the first storage means corresponding to the latest time zone usage is the first Abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality when an allowable amount in a corresponding time zone stored in the second storage means is exceeded, and abnormality information when the number of times determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determining means reaches a desired number of times. Anomaly information creating means for creating is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a measuring instrument that can quickly detect an abnormality in usage, and can efficiently store usage data in a small-capacity storage device.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  A first embodiment of a measuring instrument according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of a meter, which corresponds to a watt hour meter, a gas meter, a water meter, and the like.

In the case of a watt-hour meter, a power consumption detector 2 is configured by a power consumption detection device, which detects a voltage supplied from the outside and a current used on the load side, multiplies them and converts them into power consumption data. . In the case of a gas meter, it is constituted by a used gas amount detection device, which detects a gas flow rate and converts it into used gas amount data. In the case of a water meter, it is composed of a water usage detector, which detects the water flow rate and converts it into water usage data.

A control unit 3 is configured by a microcomputer or the like, and edits and stores the detection result of the usage amount detection unit 2 as usage amount data and controls display. Note that the usage data here refers to the total accumulated power consumption and power consumption for each time zone in the case of a watt-hour meter, and the total cumulative gas consumption and gas usage in each time zone for a gas meter. In the case of a water meter, it refers to data on the usage status of consumers, such as total accumulated water usage and water usage for each time period.

Reference numerals 4a, 4b, and 4c are storage units configured by a semiconductor memory such as a RAM. The storage unit 4a stores usage data for each time zone, and the storage unit 4b uses, for example, usage for each time zone for the past 30 days. The storage unit 4c stores an average amount of data used and an allowable amount representing an allowable difference value for each time period. The allowable amount is set by communication from the outside or written in a program at the time of manufacture.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a liquid crystal display or the like which is a display unit, and displays abnormality information when the control unit 3 determines that an abnormality has occurred, and usage data calculated by the control unit 3.

A communication unit 6 includes an interface circuit such as a current loop, and is connected to a telephone line or a network via an external transmission control device. Abnormal information when the controller 3 determines that an abnormality has occurred, and calculated usage data are transmitted to the outside.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a radio wave transmission unit for displaying abnormal information and calculated usage data when the control unit 3 determines that the radio wave transmission / reception storage device 8 attached to the outside of the measuring instrument body 1 in this embodiment is abnormal. Transmission is performed by radio waves, and the transmission operation is controlled by the control unit 3.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a radio wave transmission / reception storage device, which is configured by a so-called RF tag or IC tag, which is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that can be written and called by radio waves, and stores abnormal information and usage data transmitted by the radio wave transmission unit 7. This radio wave transmission / reception storage device 8 is affixed to the surface of the weighing instrument housing. Here, the radio wave transmission / reception type storage device 8 is configured as shown in FIG. 2, for example. That is, 201 is an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves. A transmission / reception unit 202 transmits / receives a radio signal via the antenna 201. A storage unit 203 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a ferroelectric memory (F-RAM). When the transmission / reception unit 202 receives it, it stores abnormal information and usage data, and similar data when it is transmitted. Has a function of reading out.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a timer that counts year / month / day / hour / minute / second and transmits the clock information to the control unit 3.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the program configuration diagram of FIG. This program is stored in a program memory in the control unit 3 and controls the operation of the control unit 3. The usage amount detection unit 2 detects the amount of power used by the user and informs the control unit 3 of the detection result. The control unit 3 converts this detection result into the amount of power used for each time zone, which is used amount data, stores the data in the storage unit 4a, and causes the display 5 to display the data. The usage data is stored in the storage unit 4a as shown in FIG. That is, the control unit 3 sequentially creates usage data for each time and stores it in the storage unit 4a whenever the time elapses for each predetermined time zone.

  For example, the control unit 3 calculates the average of the usage data for each corresponding time zone for the past 30 days and stores it in the storage unit 4b. An allowable amount is stored in the storage unit 4c. The allowable amount is set by communication from the outside or is written in the program at the time of manufacture.

  The control unit 3 determines whether it is the end time of each time zone (step 301), and newly creates usage data for each time zone and stores it in the storage unit 4a when each time zone elapses (step 302). For example, when 9:00 of the day has elapsed, the power consumption amount from 6:00 to 9:00 is calculated, and 3.0 kWh is stored in the storage unit 4a as the usage amount data in the time zone from 6:00 to 9:00.

One method for detecting an abnormal usage amount of the user is as follows. That is, the difference between the usage amount in the time zone of the day and the average usage amount in the corresponding time zone stored in the storage unit 4b is calculated (step 303), and there is a difference greater than the allowable amount stored in the storage unit 4c. It is determined whether or not there is (step 304), and if the difference is greater than or equal to the allowable amount, the calculation unit 3 determines that it is abnormal. In this example, since the difference in the average usage of the time zone corresponding to the day of the time zone “6:00 to 9:00” and “other time zone” is equal to or less than the allowable amount, the calculation unit 3 determines that it is abnormal. do not do. However, the difference between the average usage amount in the time zone corresponding to the day of the time zone “11: 0 to 14:00” and “17:00 to 23:00” is equal to or greater than the allowable amount, and the calculation unit 3 determines that it is abnormal. To do. The control unit 3 determined to be abnormal adds “1” to the count value of the number of abnormalities (step 305). Further, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the abnormality determination number has reached the set abnormality determination number value (step 306), and if it reaches, sets abnormality information (step 307). For example, when the number of abnormality determinations is set to “n”, the control unit 3 creates abnormality information when the abnormality determination is performed n times. This is intended to prevent abnormal information from being displayed and transmitted when the user is not in an unexpected situation such as going out. This abnormality determination frequency value is a parameter for determining the number of abnormality determinations of the control unit 3 that shifts to the creation of abnormality information, and indicates how many times abnormality determination is made within a certain time, for example, 24 hours, to shift to creation of abnormality information. . This abnormality determination frequency value is set by communication from the outside or by being written into a program at the time of manufacture.

In addition, another method for detecting an abnormal usage amount of a user is performed according to the following procedure. That is, when there is a difference greater than the allowable amount compared with the usage amount in the time zone of the current day and the usage amount in the corresponding time zone in the past, for example, 7 days ago, the calculation unit 3 determines that it is abnormal and creates abnormality information . In this example, the difference in the amount of use 7 days ago corresponding to the day of the time zone “6: 00 to 9:00”, “11: 00 to 14:00”, “other time zone” is less than the allowable amount. Therefore, the calculation unit 3 does not determine that there is an abnormality. However, the difference in the usage amount seven days ago corresponding to the current day in the time zone “17:00 to 23:00” is equal to or greater than the allowable amount, and the calculation unit 3 determines that it is abnormal and creates abnormality information. In the above example, the usage amount of the current time zone is compared with the usage amount of the corresponding time zone in the past, but there is also a method of comparing with the minimum value and the maximum value of the corresponding time zone of the past 30 days, for example. Conceivable.

When the abnormality information is created, the control unit 3 displays the abnormality information on the display unit 5 (step 308). In addition, the control unit 3 transmits the abnormality information to the center device installed in the sales office or the like via the communication unit 6 by, for example, a telephone line or an e-mail (step 309). Further, the control unit 3 stores the abnormality information in the radio wave transmission / reception storage device 8 via the radio wave transmission unit 7 (step 310). In addition, usage data of the electronic watt-hour meter is also stored in the radio wave transmission / reception storage device 8 via the radio wave transmission unit 7. Thereafter, the control unit 3 updates the time period average value and stores the new average value in the storage unit 4b (step 311).

In this way, if there is a change in the usage state for each time zone, the abnormality information is displayed or transmitted early, so that the safety of the user can be confirmed. Can be prevented. In addition, if a resident performs a safety judgment service or the like, for example, once every few hours, the RF tag as the radio wave transmission / reception storage device 8 is peeled off and taken home, and the presence of abnormal information is investigated at a sales office or the like. It can be used for safety confirmation. When the RF tag is peeled off, if an RF tag without data is attached at the same time, it is possible to obtain abnormality information until the next investigation.

  As described above, when this embodiment is used, it is possible to provide a measuring instrument that can quickly detect an abnormality and store, transmit, or display the abnormality information as abnormality information. Further, since the usage amount is stored not every time but every time zone, a measuring instrument capable of efficiently storing the usage amount data in a small-capacity storage device can be provided.

  Embodiment 2 of a measuring instrument according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. About each part of this Example 2, the same part as each part of the measuring instrument of Example 1 shown in FIG. 1 is shown with the same code | symbol.

  The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the radio wave transmission unit 7 and the radio wave transmission / reception storage device 8 are provided in the first embodiment, whereas in the second embodiment, these are stored in the measuring instrument instead. The device 9 is provided. In the first embodiment, the control unit 3 stores the abnormality information and the usage data in the radio wave transmission / reception storage device 8 via the radio wave transmission unit 7, whereas in the second embodiment, the storage device 9 is provided inside the measuring instrument and controlled. The unit 3 stores these data in the storage device 9.

The storage device 9 has a transmission function using radio waves, and its configuration is shown in FIG. The storage device 9 is constituted by a so-called RF tag or IC tag, which is a non-volatile semiconductor memory that can be written and called by radio waves. Storage and reading are controlled by an electrically connected control unit 3 and from the outside. It is also possible to read data by radio waves.

An antenna 601 transmits and receives radio signals to and from an external device such as a handy terminal having a radio wave generation function. Reference numeral 602 denotes a transmission / reception unit that receives a signal for requesting data transmission transmitted from a handy terminal having a radio wave generation function received by the antenna 601, and transmits the abnormality information and usage data stored in the storage unit 603 to the antenna 601. Send by radio wave from. A storage unit 603 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a ferroelectric memory (F-RAM), and stores abnormal information and usage data stored by the control unit 3 via the control circuit 604. A control circuit 604 controls electrical transmission with the outside, and is electrically connected to the control unit 3 through a bus or the like to write and read data.

  The control unit 3 stores abnormality information and usage data in the storage device 9. By checking the abnormality information and usage data stored in the storage device 9 with a handy terminal having a radio wave transmission / reception function, for example, once every few hours by a person who performs a safety judgment service for residents, Can be used for confirmation.

  On the other hand, when performing transmission / reception using normal radio waves, a large amount of power is required for transmission / reception of radio waves. Gas meters and water meters often operate using an internal battery or the like as a power supply source. When a normal radio wave transmission / reception circuit is used, power consumption is large, so a battery with a large capacity is required. However, in the embodiment, the storage device 9 operates using external radio waves as a power source and does not require a battery or the like, so that the power source of the measuring instrument can be reduced in size.

  As described above, when this embodiment is used, it is possible to provide a measuring instrument that can quickly detect an abnormality and store, transmit, or display the abnormality information as abnormality information. Further, since the usage amount is stored not every time but every time zone, a measuring instrument capable of efficiently storing the usage amount data in a small-capacity storage device can be provided.

The internal block diagram which shows the structure of Example 1 of the measuring instrument by this invention. The internal block diagram which shows the structure of the electromagnetic wave transmission / reception type | mold memory | storage device concerning the measuring device by this invention The program block diagram which shows the program of Example 1 by this invention The memory block diagram concerning the memory | storage part by this invention The internal block diagram which shows the structure of Example 2 of the measuring instrument by this invention. The internal block diagram which shows the structure of the memory | storage device concerning the measuring device by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Measuring device main body 2 Usage amount detection part 3 Control part 4a Memory | storage part 4b Memory | storage part 4c Memory | storage part 5 Indicator 6 Communication part 7 Radio wave transmission part 8 Radio wave transmission / reception type storage device 9 Storage device 10 Timer 201 Antenna 202 Transmission / reception part 203 Storage part 601 Antenna 602 Transmission / reception unit 603 Storage unit 604 Control circuit

Claims (9)

A usage detection means for the system under measurement;
First storage means for sequentially storing the usage amount detected by the usage amount detection means for each time zone;
Second storage means for storing a permissible amount for each corresponding time zone;
Abnormal when the difference between the latest time zone usage amount and the corresponding past time zone usage amount stored in the first storage means exceeds the allowable amount of the corresponding time zone stored in the second storage means An abnormality determination means for determining,
A measuring instrument comprising: abnormality information creating means for creating abnormality information when the number of times determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determining means reaches a desired number of times. A usage detection means for the system under measurement;
First storage means for sequentially storing the usage amount detected by the usage amount detection means for each time zone;
Second storage means for storing an average usage amount for each corresponding time zone stored in the first storage means;
A third storage means for storing an allowable amount for each corresponding time zone;
Abnormal when the difference between the latest usage amount of the time zone and the corresponding time zone average usage amount stored in the second storage means exceeds the allowable amount of the corresponding time zone stored in the third storage means An abnormality determination means for determining,
A measuring instrument comprising: abnormality information creating means for creating abnormality information when the number of times determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determining means reaches a desired number of times. 3. The measuring instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that reports abnormality information created by the abnormality determination unit. 4. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores the abnormality information created by the abnormality determination unit and can read the abnormality information by a radio wave signal from an external device. The measuring instrument described. A usage amount detecting means for the system to be measured, a first storage means for sequentially storing the usage amounts detected by the usage amount detecting means for each time zone, and a second memory for storing an allowable amount for each corresponding time zone The difference between the storage means and the past time zone usage stored in the first storage means corresponding to the latest time zone usage is the allowable amount of the corresponding time zone stored in the second storage means. An abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality when exceeding the above, an abnormality information generating means for generating abnormality information when the number of times determined as abnormal by the abnormality determining means reaches a desired number of times, and an abnormality information generating means A weighing unit having a radio wave transmission unit for transmitting the abnormal information generated by radio waves,
A measuring instrument comprising a storage device for storing the abnormality information by a radio wave signal from the radio wave transmitting unit outside the measuring unit. Usage amount detection means of the system to be measured, first storage means for sequentially storing the usage amounts detected by the usage amount detection means for each time zone, and corresponding time zones stored in the first storage means A second storage means for storing an average usage amount for each time, a third storage means for storing an allowable amount for each corresponding time zone, and a second storage means corresponding to the usage amount of the latest time zone. An abnormality determining means for determining an abnormality when a difference from the stored average time zone usage exceeds an allowable amount for the corresponding time zone stored in the third storage means, and an abnormality is determined by the abnormality determining means. An anomaly information creating means for creating anomaly information when the number of times reaches a desired number of times, and a radiometer transmitting section for transmitting the anomaly information created by the anomaly information creating means by radio waves,
A measuring instrument comprising a storage device for storing the abnormality information by a radio wave signal from the radio wave transmitting unit outside the measuring unit. The measuring instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the used amount detecting means is a used electric energy detecting means. 7. The measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the usage amount detection means is a usage gas amount detection means. The measuring instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the used amount detecting means is a used water amount detecting means.

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