JP2007322303A - System for reading electric power meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a system for reading electric power meter collecting power consumption in real-time. <P>SOLUTION: In the electric power meter reading system collecting power consumption measured by an integrating wattmeter, the system for reading electric power meter includes the integrating wattmeter measuring the power consumption and transmitting power consumption data via a power line, a conversion means receiving the power consumption data via the power line, to perform signal conversion and transfer of the power consumption data via the Internet, and a server receiving the power consumption data via the Internet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power meter reading system that collects power consumption measured by an integrating wattmeter, and more particularly to a power meter reading system that collects power consumption in real time.

  Prior art documents related to a power meter reading system for collecting power consumption measured by a conventional integrating wattmeter include the following.

JP 2002-168889 A

  FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of such a conventional power meter reading system. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a Web server machine having a Web server function and having a Web page on which an input form for inputting power consumption is prepared, and 2 is an integrated wattmeter (hereinafter referred to as an integrated power meter) that is installed in a house and measures power consumption. 3 is a personal computer equipped with a general-purpose browser, and 100 is the Internet.

  In FIG. 3, the power line is connected to the wattmeter 2. The Web server machine 1 and the personal computer 3 are connected to each other via the Internet 100.

  The operation of the conventional example shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the conventional example.

  In “S401” in FIG. 4, a power consumer (not shown) in the house reads power consumption data measured by the power meter 2 from the power meter 2 about once a month, for example.

  Next, in “S402” in FIG. 4, a power consumer (not shown) in the house uses the personal computer 3 to access the Web server machine 1 via the Internet 100 and opens a Web page (not shown). indicate.

  Further, in “S403” in FIG. 4, a power consumer (not shown) in the house transmits the power consumption data to the Web server machine 1 by inputting the power consumption data to the Web page (not shown). The Web server machine 1 receives power consumption data input to a Web page via the Internet 2.

  As a result, a power consumer (not shown) in the house accesses the Web server machine 1 through the Internet 2 and inputs the power consumption data read from the power meter into an input form prepared on the Web page. Electric power data can be collected, and it is possible to reduce the cost of the meter reading by eliminating the trouble of the meter inspector going around the house.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a power meter reading system using a conventional wireless communication device. In FIG. 5, 4 is a personal computer having a wireless communication function and a general-purpose browser, 5 is a device body, 6 is a wireless communication device, and 7 is a Web server function and an input form for inputting power consumption. And a Web server machine 101 having a Web page on which communication icons are prepared, 101 is the Internet. The device body 5 and the wireless communication device 6 constitute an integrating wattmeter 50 (hereinafter referred to as a wattmeter for simplicity) that measures power consumption.

  The personal computer 4 and the Web server machine 7 are connected to each other via the Internet 101.

  The output from the device main body 5 is connected to the wireless communication device 6, and the output from the wireless communication device 6 is connected to the personal computer 4 by wireless communication.

  The wireless function and the wireless communication device 6 installed in the personal computer 4 can be wirelessly transmitted using a method compliant with IEEE 802.11a, a method compliant with IEEE 802.11b, or a method such as Bluetooth, for example. Communicate.

  A power consumer (not shown) in the house uses the personal computer 4 to access the Web server machine 7 via the Internet 101 and displays a Web page (not shown).

  When a power consumer (not shown) in the house selects a communication icon prepared on the Web page, the personal computer 4 calls the wireless communication device 6 using the wireless communication function.

  After being called from the personal computer 4, the wireless communication device 6 acquires power consumption data from the device body 5 and transmits it to the personal computer 4.

  Based on the power consumption data from the wireless communication device 6, the personal computer 4 transmits the power consumption data to the Web server machine 7 by writing the measured power consumption data in the input form prepared on the Web page.

  The Web server machine 7 receives power consumption data from the personal computer 4 via the Internet 101.

  In this case, a communication icon for activating the wireless communication device 6 is provided on the screen of the personal computer 4, and by clicking this communication icon, the wireless communication device 6 is activated and the power consumption data from the wattmeter 5 is obtained. By automatically executing a series of processing to be read, the power consumption of the power meter 50 can be written on the screen of the Web page with a simple operation.

  As a result, the power meter 50 transmits the power consumption data measured by the device body 5 to the personal computer 4 via the wireless communication device 6, and the personal computer 4 automatically stores the power consumption data in the input form prepared on the Web page. By transmitting the data to the writing Web server machine 7, it is possible to collect power consumption data, and it is possible to save labor for the meter reader to go around the house and to reduce the cost for the meter reading.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a power metering system using a conventional PHS (Personal Handy-phone System). In FIG. 6, 8 is a personal computer having a communication function using PHS, 9 is a device main body which is a main body of an integrating wattmeter, 10 is a PHS chip capable of communication using PHS, and 11 is a Web server function. The Web server machine 102 has an input form for inputting power consumption and a Web page on which communication icons are prepared, and 102 is the Internet. Moreover, the apparatus main body 9 and the PHS chip 10 constitute an integrating wattmeter 51 that measures power consumption (hereinafter referred to as a wattmeter for simplicity).

  The personal computer 8 and the Web server machine 11 are connected to each other via the Internet 102.

  An output from the device main body 9 is connected to the PHS chip 10, and an output from the PHS chip 10 is connected to the personal computer 8.

  A power consumer (not shown) in the house uses the personal computer 8 to access the Web server machine 11 via the Internet 102 and displays a Web page (not shown).

  When a power consumer (not shown) in the house selects a communication icon prepared on the Web page, the personal computer 8 calls the PHS chip 10 using a communication function using PHS.

  After being called from the personal computer 8, the PHS chip 10 acquires power consumption data from the device body 9 and transmits it to the personal computer 8.

  The personal computer 8 transmits the power consumption data to the Web server machine 11 by writing the power consumption data in the input form prepared on the Web page based on the power consumption data from the PHS chip 10.

  The Web server machine 11 receives power consumption data from the personal computer 8 via the Internet 102.

  In this case, a communication icon for starting the PHS chip 10 is provided on the screen of the personal computer 8, and by clicking the communication icon, the PHS chip 10 is started to read the power consumption data of the wattmeter 51. By automatically executing the process, the power consumption data of the power meter 51 can be written on the screen of the Web page with a simple operation.

  As a result, the power meter 51 transmits the power consumption data measured by the device main body 9 to the personal computer 8 via the PHS chip 10, and the personal computer 8 automatically writes the power consumption data in the input form prepared on the Web page. By transmitting to the Web server machine 11, power consumption data can be collected, and the labor for the meter reader to go around the house can be saved and the cost for meter reading can be reduced.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration block diagram showing another example of the prior art. Also, 12 is a personal computer equipped with a general-purpose browser, 13 and 16 are modems capable of direct communication through power lines, 14 is an AC power line (commercial power), 15 is a device body, and 17 is a Web server function. A Web server machine 103 having an input form for inputting power consumption data and a Web page on which communication icons are prepared, is the Internet. The device body 15 and the modem 16 constitute an integrating wattmeter (hereinafter referred to as a wattmeter for simplicity) 52 for measuring power consumption.

  The personal computer 12 and the Web server machine 17 are connected to each other via the Internet 103.

  The output from the device main body 15 is connected to the modem 16, and the output from the modem 16 is connected to the modem 13 through the AC power supply line 14. The output from the modem 13 is connected to the personal computer 12.

  A power consumer (not shown) in the house uses the personal computer 12 to access the Web server machine 17 via the Internet 103, displays a Web page (not shown), and provides communication prepared on the Web page. Select an icon.

  Based on the selection of the communication icon prepared on the Web page, the personal computer 12 controls the modem 13 to establish a communication line with the modem 16 via the AC power supply line 14, and the device main body 15 via the modem 16. Power consumption data is extracted from

  Based on the power consumption data from the device main body 15, the personal computer 12 writes the power consumption data in an input form prepared on the Web page and transmits it to the Web server machine 17.

  The Web server machine 17 receives power consumption data written in an input form prepared on the Web page from the personal computer 12 via the Internet 103.

  As a result, the power consumption data measured by the power meter 52 at the device main body 15 is transmitted to the personal computer 12 via the modem 16, the AC power supply line 14, and the modem 13, and the personal computer 12 consumes the input form prepared on the Web page. By automatically writing power data and transmitting it to the Web server machine 17, it is possible to collect power consumption data, saving the cost of the meter reading by eliminating the trouble of the meter reader going around the house and reading the meter. it can.

However, in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the consumer needs to input power consumption through the Web page or select a designated icon on the Web page. There was a problem that it took a lot of work. In addition, there is a problem that the power company cannot collect power consumption in real time due to the manual operation of consumers.
Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to realize a power meter reading system capable of collecting power consumption in real time.

In order to achieve such a problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is:
In a power meter reading system that collects power consumption measured by an integrating wattmeter,
An integrating wattmeter that measures power consumption and transmits power consumption data via a power line; and conversion means for receiving the power consumption data via the power line, converting the signal, and transferring the power consumption data via the Internet; By providing a server that receives the power consumption data via the Internet, it becomes possible to collect power consumption in real time.

The invention according to claim 2
In a power meter reading system that collects power consumption measured by an integrating wattmeter,
An integrating wattmeter that measures power consumption and transmits power consumption data via a power line; and media conversion means for receiving the power consumption data via the power line, converting the signal, and transferring the power consumption data via the Internet And a server that receives the power consumption data via the Internet, it is possible to collect power consumption in real time.

The invention described in claim 3
In the electric power meter reading system which is the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The integrating wattmeter acquires power consumption data from the power measurement means for measuring the power consumption, PLC communication means, and the power measurement means, and controls the PLC communication means to transfer the power consumption data to the power line. The power consumption can be collected in real time by comprising the control means for transmitting to the conversion means or the media conversion means.

The invention according to claim 4
In the electric power meter reading system according to claim 3,
Based on the control of the control means, the PLC communication means superimposes the power consumption data modulated at a frequency higher than the frequency of the commercial power supply on the commercial power supply, and transmits the power consumption via the power line in real time. It becomes possible to collect.

The invention according to claim 5
In the electric power meter reading system which is the invention according to claim 1, claim 3 or claim 4,
The conversion means extracts the power consumption data superimposed from the commercial power supply, converts it, and transmits it via the Internet, thereby collecting power consumption in real time.

The invention described in claim 6
In the electric power meter reading system according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The media converting means can collect power consumption in real time by extracting, converting and transmitting the power consumption data superimposed from the commercial power source via the Internet.

The present invention has the following effects.
According to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, in the integrating wattmeter, the control means controls the power measurement means to transmit power consumption data to the PLC communication means. Transmits the power consumption data modulated at a frequency higher than the frequency of the commercial power source to the commercial power source and transmits it to the conversion unit, and the conversion unit separates, demodulates and converts the power consumption data superimposed from the commercial power source. The power consumption data is transmitted to the server via a telephone line or an optical communication line and the Internet, and the server can collect the power consumption in real time by receiving the power consumption data.

  Also, by providing PLC communication means in the integrating wattmeter and using PLC communication for communication with the conversion means, there is no need to newly install network equipment and lay new wiring in the house, and the costs associated with laying can be reduced. It becomes possible to suppress.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a power meter reading system according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 18 denotes conversion means for extracting and converting power consumption data superimposed from a commercial power source and transferring it via the Internet, 19 is a server for receiving power consumption data, and 20 is power measurement means for measuring power consumption. , 21 is a PLC communication unit that superimposes the power consumption data modulated at a frequency higher than the frequency of the commercial power source on the commercial power source and transmits it via the power line, and 22 is a CPU that controls the measurement unit 20 and the PLC communication unit 21. Control means 104 is the Internet. The power measuring means 20, the PLC communication means 21, and the control means 22 constitute an integrating wattmeter 53 (hereinafter referred to as a wattmeter for simplicity) that is installed in a house and measures power consumption and transmits it via a power line.

  Here, PLC (Power Line Communications) superimposes data modulated at a frequency higher than the frequency of the commercial power supply on the commercial power supply, uses the power line as a communication line, and connects to a personal computer via an electrical outlet and conversion means. And data communication.

  The house in FIG. 1 is supplied with power via a power line (commercial power supply) indicated by “EL101” in FIG.

  The output from the power measurement means 20 and the output from the PLC communication means 21 are connected to the control means 22, and the first and second control signals from the control means 22 are connected to the power measurement means 20 and the PLC communication means 21, respectively. The

  The output from the PLC communication means 21 is connected to the conversion means 18 via a power line (commercial power supply) indicated by “EL102” in FIG.

  The output from the conversion means 18 is connected to the server 19 via the telephone line or optical communication line indicated by “TOL200” in FIG. 1, the Internet 104, and the telephone line or optical communication line indicated by “TOL202” in FIG.

  Here, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the power meter reading system.

  In “S201” in FIG. 2, the control unit 22 controls the power measurement unit 20 to measure power consumption.

  Specifically, in the wattmeter 53, the control unit 22 controls the power measurement unit 20 to measure the amount of power supplied from the power line indicated by “EL101” in FIG. 1, that is, the power consumption used by the consumer.

  In “S202” in FIG. 2, the control unit 22 controls the power measurement unit 20 to output power consumption data to the PLC communication unit 21.

  Specifically, in the wattmeter 53, the control unit 22 controls the power measurement unit 20 to acquire power consumption data after a preset time has elapsed or when there is a request for power consumption data acquisition, Power consumption data is output to the PLC communication means 21.

  In “S203” in FIG. 2, the PLC communication unit 21 converts the power consumption data into a signal and outputs it to the conversion unit 18.

  Specifically, in the wattmeter 53, the PLC communication unit 21 acquires power consumption data from the control unit 22, and superimposes the power consumption data modulated at a frequency higher than the frequency of the commercial power source on the commercial power source. It is transmitted to the conversion means 18 via the power line (commercial power supply) indicated by “EL102”.

  In “S204” in FIG. 2, the conversion means 18 converts the power consumption data into a signal and transmits it to the server 19.

  Specifically, after receiving the power consumption data from the PLC communication means 21, the conversion means 18 separates and demodulates the power consumption data superimposed from the commercial power supply (that is, extracts power consumption data) and converts it. It transmits to the server 19 via the Internet.

  The power consumption data from the conversion means 18 is transmitted to the server 19 via the telephone line or optical communication line indicated by “TOL200” in FIG. 1, the Internet 104, and the telephone line or optical communication line indicated by “TOL202” in FIG. The server 19 receives power consumption data via the Internet 104.

  As a result, in the wattmeter 53, the control unit 22 controls the power measuring unit 20 to transmit power consumption data to the PLC communication unit 21, and the PLC communication unit 21 modulates the consumption at a frequency higher than the frequency of the commercial power supply. The power data is superimposed on the commercial power supply and transmitted to the conversion means 18, and the conversion means 18 separates the demodulated power consumption data from the commercial power supply, demodulates and converts it into "TOL200" in FIG. 1 is transmitted to the server 19 via the telephone line or the optical communication line, the Internet 104 and the telephone line or the optical communication line indicated by “TOL 202” in FIG. 1, and the server 19 receives the power consumption data. It becomes possible to collect.

  Further, by providing the PLC communication means 21 in the wattmeter 53 and using the PLC for communication with the conversion means 18, it is not necessary to newly install network equipment and lay new wiring in the house, and the costs associated with laying Can be suppressed.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the power consumption data is transmitted from the PLC communication means 21 via the power line (commercial power supply) indicated by “EL102” in FIG. 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a wireless communication device may be provided in the power meter 53 and the network laid in the house, and power consumption data may be transmitted to the server 19 via the Internet 104 via the wireless communication device.

  For example, in the wattmeter 53, the control means 22 controls the power measurement means 20 to acquire power consumption data after a preset time has elapsed or when there is a request for power consumption data acquisition. The power consumption data is transmitted to the wireless communication device installed in the network.

  The wireless communication device installed in the wattmeter 53 receives the power consumption data from the control unit 22 and then transmits the power consumption data as a wireless signal to the wireless communication device provided in the network laid in the house.

  A wireless communication device provided in a network laid in a house receives a wireless signal and transmits measured power consumption data to the server 19 via the Internet.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the conversion means 18 receives the power consumption data from the PLC communication means 21, and then separates and demodulates the power consumption data superimposed from the commercial power supply (that is, extracts the power consumption data). Media conversion for separating, demodulating and converting the power consumption data superimposed from the commercial power source and transferring it to the server 19 via the power line and the Internet Means may be used.

  Specifically, the media conversion means and the PLC communication means 21 are connected by a power line (commercial power supply) (not shown), one end of the power line is connected to the PLC communication means 21, and the other end is connected to the media conversion means. Is done. The output from the PLC communication means 21 is connected to the media conversion means via the power line. The output of the media converting means is connected to the server 19 via a telephone line or an optical communication line (not shown) and the Internet 104.

  The PLC communication unit 21 transmits power consumption data to the media conversion unit via the power line. After receiving the power consumption data from the PLC communication means 21, the media conversion means separates, demodulates and converts the power consumption data superimposed from the commercial power supply, and converts the power consumption data into a telephone line or optical communication line (not shown) and the Internet 104. To the server 19 via.

  The media converting means may be one media converting means for two or more houses.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the wattmeter 53 is installed in a house, but is not particularly limited thereto, and may be installed in a factory, a utility pole, or the like.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the power meter 53 transmits power consumption data via the Internet. However, the power meter 53 is not limited to this, and a power line between the power meter 53 and the server 19 is used. (Commercial power supply) may be installed and connected to each other, and the power line may be directly transmitted as a communication line.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the wattmeter 53 is composed of the power measuring means 20, the PLC communication means 21 and the control means 22, but is not particularly limited to this. It is good also as what consists of a communication means, a control means, and a power factor meter.

  For example, a power factor meter is installed in the wattmeter 53, and the output value of the power factor meter is added to the power consumption data and transmitted to the server 19, so that phase adjustment can be performed at a power transmission station or the like.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the embodiment in the wattmeter has been described. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and may be configured for other public charges such as water supply and telephone. .

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the power meter 53 transmits the power consumption data to the server 19 and the server 19 receives the power consumption data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is good also as what acquires power consumption data by accessing.

  Specifically, the power meter has a server function, and a personal computer accesses the power meter via the Internet to request acquisition of power consumption data, and in response to this, the power meter sends power consumption data to the personal computer. Send.

An embodiment of a power meter reading system according to the present invention Flow chart explaining the operation of the power meter reading system Configuration block diagram showing an example of a conventional power meter reading system Flow chart explaining the operation of the conventional example Configuration block diagram showing an example of a power meter reading system using a conventional wireless communication device Configuration block diagram showing an example of a power metering system using a conventional PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) Configuration block diagram showing another conventional example

Explanation of symbols

1, 7, 11, 17 Web server machine 2, 50, 51, 52, 53 Integrated power meter 3, 4, 8, 12 Personal computer 5, 9, 15 Device body 6 Wireless communication device 10 PHS chip 13, 16 Modem 14 AC Power line 18 Conversion means 19 Server 20 Power measurement means 21 PLC communication means 22 Control means 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 Internet

Claims (6)

In a power meter reading system that collects power consumption measured by an integrating wattmeter,
An integrating wattmeter that measures power consumption and transmits power consumption data via a power line;
Conversion means for receiving the power consumption data via the power line, converting the signal and transferring the power consumption data via the Internet;
A power meter reading system comprising: a server that receives the power consumption data via the Internet. In a power meter reading system that collects power consumption measured by an integrating wattmeter,
An integrating wattmeter that measures power consumption and transmits power consumption data via a power line;
Media converting means for receiving the power consumption data via the power line, converting the signal and transferring the power consumption data via the Internet;
A power meter reading system comprising: a server that receives the power consumption data via the Internet. The integrating wattmeter is
Power measuring means for measuring the power consumption;
PLC communication means;
A control unit configured to acquire the power consumption data from the power measurement unit, control the PLC communication unit, and transmit the power consumption data to the conversion unit or the media conversion unit via the power line. The electric power meter reading system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the above. The PLC communication means is
4. The power meter reading according to claim 3, wherein the power consumption data modulated at a frequency higher than a frequency of a commercial power source is superimposed on the commercial power source and transmitted via the power line based on the control of the control unit. system. The converting means is
5. The power metering system according to claim 1, wherein the power consumption data superimposed from the commercial power source is extracted, converted, and transmitted via the Internet. The media converting means is
5. The power meter reading system according to claim 2, wherein the power consumption data superimposed from the commercial power source is extracted, converted, and transmitted via the Internet.

Images