JP2008090368A - Centralized metering system and centralized metering device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a communication test between a meter and a centralized monitoring center without having to include an exclusive device for making a call and without having to prepare a new exclusive circuit and a component such as a switch in a centralized metering system composed of a centralized metering device connected to the meter and the monitoring center connected to the metering device. <P>SOLUTION: The system is provided with a centralized monitoring center 2; and a centralized metering device 1 which is connected to the center 2 via a telephone line and to which a plurality of meters (exemplified by a water meter 3) for making a call when a short-circuit or opening of the communication line is detected by a predetermined pattern. By transmitting a communication end signal for a time period longer than a fixed time period followed by communication start signal for longer than a certain time period to the meter 3, after transmitting a set telegram text for making the call to the connected meter 3, the device 1 shifts the meter 3 to a calling operation and makes the meter 3 notify the short-circuit or opening to the center 2 through the device 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a centralized meter reading system and a centralized meter reading device, and more specifically, a centralized meter reading system for transmitting information of a meter installed in each dwelling unit of an apartment house or information of a centralized meter reading device to a center, and the same The present invention relates to a centralized meter reading device used in the system.

  Conventionally, in a centralized metering system in which a plurality of water meters with communication functions are connected to a centralized metering device connected to the centralized monitoring center via a telephone line, information on terminals (water meters) is communicated through the centralized monitoring center. What is transmitted to the network has been put into practical use.

  In such a centralized meter reading system, when the installation work of the communication line from the central monitoring center to the water meter is completed through the central metering device, generally a connection completion test (telephone line) from the water meter to the central monitoring center is completed. Conduct a test.

  In this case, a test call of a water meter may be used. However, when the terminal is a water meter, there is no space for attaching a mechanical switch such as a reed switch to the water meter, and the installation location of the meter itself is often not easily accessible, such as underground or underground. Even if the meter is provided with a test call switch, it is difficult to operate the switch at the meter.

  A test calling method for solving such a problem is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this test calling method, in a communication system having a calling function from the terminal to the center, the communication line connected to the terminal is short-circuited / opened in a predetermined pattern, and the terminal is short-circuited / opened of the communication line. The pattern is detected and the test call operation is started.

Actually, this test call method requires a test call start signal generator for short-circuiting / opening, and this test call start signal generator is connected to the communication line to connect the test call start signal generator to the test call start signal device. The water meter makes a call by turning on / off the switch in a certain pattern.
Japanese Patent No. 3084300

  However, when such a calling method is adopted, it is necessary to prepare a test calling activation signal generating device for calling a water meter, and a connected water supply for performing a calling operation. It is necessary to connect and disconnect the test call start signal generator to the communication line for each meter. Further, when connecting to a communication line, removal and attachment work of a cover or the like of a device (in the case of Patent Document 1, NCU: network control device) in which a connection unit is stored occurs.

  In the centralized meter reading system described above, the connection work of the centralized meter reading device and the centralized monitoring center is first performed, and the installation work of the water meter is generally performed after a while. In this case, in the test call start signal generator described in Patent Document 1, it is impossible to perform a communication test using a call with the centralized monitoring center only after the installation work of the water meter is completed. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a dedicated meter for making a call in a centralized meter reading system including a centralized meter reading device connected to a meter and a centralized monitoring center connected to the device. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to perform a communication test between a meter and a centralized monitoring center without the need for a device and the need to newly prepare parts such as dedicated circuits and switches.

  Another object of the present invention is to enable a communication test between the meter and the centralized monitoring center even when the installation work of the meter is not completed.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a first technical means of the present invention includes a centralized monitoring center, a short circuit of a communication line connected to the centralized monitoring center via a telephone line and in a predetermined pattern, A meter with a communication function for making a call when detecting opening is provided with a centralized meter reading device connected by a communication line, and the central monitoring center transmits data to and from the meter via the central meter reading device. A centralized meter reading system, wherein the centralized meter reading device transmits a setting telegram for making a call to a connected meter, and then sends a communication start signal for a certain time or more to the meter, and then continues. By sending a communication end signal for a certain period of time or more to the meter, the meter is shifted to a calling operation, and the meter is notified to the centralized monitoring center via the centralized meter reading device. It is obtained by the features.

  The second technical means includes a centralized monitoring center and a centralized meter reading device connected to the centralized monitoring center via a telephone line and capable of connecting a plurality of meters with a communication function through a communication line. A centralized metering system that performs mutual data transmission with the meter via the centralized metering device, wherein the centralized metering device performs a calling procedure when performing a calling operation to the centralized monitoring center. And the call content is generated in a pseudo manner according to the call procedure and the call content of the meter, and is notified to the centralized monitoring center.

  A third technical means is the first technical means or the second technical means, wherein the centralized meter-reading device has an operation means for receiving a call operation start operation from an operator.

  According to a fourth technical means, in any one of the first to third technical means, the centralized meter reading device has a management table for managing a meter reading order, and the meter reading order registered in the management table includes It is characterized in that it indicates the starting order of call operations.

  According to a fifth technical means, in any one of the first to fourth technical means, the centralized meter reading device has a display means for displaying the communication state during the call operation while updating it as needed. It is.

  A sixth technical means is the centralized meter reading device used in the centralized meter reading system according to any one of the first to fifth technical means.

  According to the present invention, in a centralized meter reading system including a centralized meter reading device connected to a meter and a central monitoring center connected to the device, a dedicated device for making a call is not required, and a new dedicated device is newly provided. Therefore, it is possible to perform a communication test between the meter and the centralized monitoring center without preparing parts such as circuits and switches.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described effect, it is possible to perform a communication test between the meter and the centralized monitoring center even when the meter installation work is not completed. .

  Hereinafter, the centralized meter reading system and the centralized meter reading device according to the present invention will be described by exemplifying a water meter as a meter with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to other meters such as a gas meter and an electric meter.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a centralized meter reading system according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a centralized meter reading device, 2 is a central monitoring center, 3 is a water meter, and 4 is a terminal NCU. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart of signals of the centralized meter reading device in the centralized metering system of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 (A) is a timing chart during meter communication, and FIG. 2 (B) is the present invention. The timing chart at the time of the call operation concerning each is illustrated.

  The centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a communication circuit unit 12 with the centralized monitoring center 2 and can transmit data to and from the centralized monitoring center 2 via a telephone line. The centralized monitoring center 4 may be configured with a server device. Further, when a terminal transmission device (hereinafter referred to as a terminal NCU) 4 is connected to the centralized meter-reading device 1, the terminal NCU 4 is connected to the communication circuit unit 11 for the terminal NCU 4 via the terminal NCU 4. Data transmission can be performed with the centralized monitoring center 2. As described above, the centralized meter reading device 1 can communicate with the centralized monitoring center 2 as long as the communication circuit unit 12 for direct connection controlled by the control unit 10 or the communication circuit unit 11 for the terminal NCU4 is provided. It becomes.

  Moreover, the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a meter communication circuit unit 15 that performs communication with N water meters 3 via a communication line, and a control unit 10 that controls meter communication and calling operation. It has.

In the centralized meter reading device 1, the control unit 10 communicates with the water meter 3 by controlling the meter communication circuit unit 15 of the target water meter 3. Control unit 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2 (A), the generally 8-bit transmitted data during a communication start signal and (mark signal) length T ₁ and the communication end signal (space signal) length T ₂ Control is performed on the target meter communication circuit unit 15 so that communication is performed additionally. Here, the _{T 1, 150ms~250ms} is, 100Ms～110ms is generally used as _{T 2.}

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 10 executes the following control when executing a communication test. First, the control unit 10 performs communication as illustrated in FIG. 2A and transmits a setting message (call permission setting message) for making a call as transmission data to each water meter 3. Each water meter 3 can be placed in a call-permitted state by receiving a setting message for making a call (test call).

Subsequently, the control unit 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2 (B), the to example communication start signal (mark signal) length _{T 3} to 30 seconds, communication end signal (space signal) length _{T 4} and 45 seconds, 8 It is preferable to control the target meter communication circuit unit 15 so as to emit a signal having a certain pattern that does not add bit transmission data. Here, T ₃ and T ₄ may be determined to be equal to or longer than a certain time, and their values are not limited.

  The signal of this fixed pattern is a signal that triggers the transition to the calling operation. By sending such a pattern signal from the centralized meter-reading device 1 to each water meter 3, each water meter 3 has a communication line. Recognize as short circuit / recovery, and shift to call operation. Here, when each water meter 3 detects a short-circuit or open-circuit of a communication line with a predetermined pattern (the above-described constant pattern), the call permission is received by a call permission setting message received from the centralized meter reading device 1 before that. If it is in a possible state, a communication function for making a call may be provided.

  This calling operation is an operation in which each water meter 3 notifies the centralized monitoring center 2 via the centralized meter reading device 1. That is, the central meter-reading apparatus 1 shifts the water meter 3 to an operation for making a call to notify the central monitoring center 2 via the central meter-reading apparatus 1 by sending the fixed pattern to the water meter 3. The calling operation and subsequent data transmission / reception in the water meter 3 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, the order in which the control unit 10 performs the call operation (in this case, the call operation instruction to the water meter 3) follows the meter reading order registered in the management table stored in the storage device of the centralized meter reading device 1. Preferably. That is, it is preferable that the calling operation is also started sequentially using the originally registered meter reading sequence.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the intensive meter-reading apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided with the operation means which receives call operation start operation from an operator so that it may illustrate with the switch 14. FIG. This operation means can also be said to be an input means for inputting a call operation start operation. When the control unit 10 receives the call operation start operation information from the operator using the switch 14, the control unit 10 determines the meter call operation, and communicates the above-described communication with the plurality of connected water meters 3. Each meter communication circuit unit 15 is controlled to issue a start signal and a communication end signal. Each water meter 3 receives a signal from each meter communication circuit 15 and shifts to a calling operation. Even in this form, it is preferable to perform the migration in the order of the management table.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a calling procedure in the centralized meter reading system according to this embodiment. First, the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 will transmit a fixed pattern signal to each water meter 3 as mentioned above, if the call operation start operation from an operator is detected (step S1). Prior to step S1, the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 transmits a call permission setting message to each water meter 3, and sets them in a call-permitted state. The water meter 3 that has received the constant pattern signal in step S1 detects (recognizes) a short circuit / return by receiving the signal, and shifts to a calling operation (step S2).

  The calling operation is executed according to a calling procedure defined by the water meter 3. The call meter and the setting message used there are originally held by the water meter 3. In the following process (calling operation), an example will be described.

  First, a calling message included in the setting message for calling received from the centralized metering device 1 in advance is transmitted to the centralized monitoring center 2 via the centralized metering device 1 (step S3). This calling message is an alarm including the telephone number of the centralized monitoring center 2. The centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 that has received the outgoing call setting message transmitted in step S3 connects to the centralized monitoring center 2 using the described telephone number and transfers an alarm. When the central monitoring center 2 receives the alarm, the connection is established and the calling operation is completed.

  The calling operation may include confirmation up to operation in a series of predetermined sequences. In this example, when the central monitoring center 2 receives the alarm, the central monitoring center 2 requests the water meter 3 for the content of the call via the central meter-reading device 1 (step S4). The water meter 3 that has received the request message transmitted in step S4 transmits the content of the call as a response to the centralized monitoring center 2 via the centralized meter reading device 1 (step S5). This response message includes, for example, alarm information indicating that the communication line is short-circuited / restored. The centralized monitoring center 2 that has received the response message transmitted in step S5 transmits an end message to the water meter 3 by storing the contents thereof (step S6).

  Moreover, it is preferable that the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 is equipped with the display part 13, and it is comprised using this display part 13 so that the communication state during calling operation can be confirmed at any time. That is, the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 preferably has display means for displaying the communication state during the call operation while updating it as needed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the water meter 3 detects a short circuit or a return of the communication line, the water meter 3 shifts to a call operation and uses a call message to the central monitoring center 2 via the central meter reading device 1. A call is made according to the call procedure of the water meter 3. That is, in the present embodiment, a call operation (communication test with the centralized monitoring center 2) is performed by using a communication start signal and a communication end signal that are used in the communication function with the water meter 3 possessed by the centralized meter reading device 1. Can be implemented. In the present embodiment, a dedicated device for making a call and a mechanical configuration necessary for calling a terminal (meter) (parts such as a dedicated ON / OFF switch for calling operation) are required. In addition, since there is no need for special work (reed switch operation on the meter side, installation / removal of a dedicated device, etc.) for making a call, the call operation can be performed by the switch operation of the centralized meter reading device 1. This makes it possible to reduce the number of man-hours required and the cost required for dedicated equipment.

  Next, as a centralized meter reading system according to another embodiment of the present invention, a system capable of making a test call even if the installation work of the water meter 3 is not completed will be described.

  This system can be applied regardless of whether the water meter 3 as in the above-described embodiment has a communication function for making a call when a short circuit or an open communication line is detected in a predetermined pattern. Also, other applications in the above-described embodiment can be applied to this embodiment as well. For example, the centralized meter reading device 1 according to the present embodiment is preferably configured so that the communication state during the call operation can be confirmed as needed using the display unit 13.

  In the system of this embodiment, the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 simulates the calling procedure and the calling content according to the calling procedure and the calling content of the water meter 3 when performing a calling operation to the central monitoring center 2. To the centralized monitoring center 2.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, for example, the communication test is started by using the operation unit exemplified by the switch 14 as a trigger when a call operation start operation from the operator is received. When the control unit 10 receives the call operation start operation information from the operator, the control unit 10 determines that the central meter reading device call operation is performed, and the central meter reading device 1 sets the water meter 3 to the central monitoring center 2. A communication test is performed with the centralized monitoring center 2 using the calling procedure and the calling content.

  Even in this embodiment, it is preferable to shift in the order of the management table, and in accordance with the calling procedure and the calling content used in each water meter 3 in that order, the calling procedure and the calling content ( In practice, the calling procedure is the same, and the ID of the water meter 3 may be different in the calling content), and the central monitoring center 2 may be notified.

  In order to perform a communication test, the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 needs to hold the call content and call procedure for making a call used by the water meter 3. These may be input directly by the operator, but the control unit 10 performs communication as illustrated in FIG. 2A, requests one of the water meters 3, and receives it from the water meter 3. It may be.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a calling procedure in the centralized meter reading system according to this embodiment. First, when the centralized meter reading device 1 detects a call operation start operation from the operator (step S11), the central meter reading device 1 shifts to a call operation. The central meter-reading apparatus 1 transmits a water meter calling telegram to the central monitoring center 2 as a calling operation (step S12). This call message may be an alarm. When the centralized monitoring center 2 receives the water meter calling message (alarm) transmitted in step S12, the connection is established and the calling operation is completed.

  The calling operation may include confirmation up to operation in a series of predetermined sequences. The calling operation including the water meter calling message is executed according to a calling procedure defined by each water meter 3. In this example, when the central monitoring center 2 receives the alarm, the central monitoring center 2 requests the water meter 3 to make a call to the central metering device 1 (step S13). Here, the centralized monitoring center 2 in the present embodiment makes a request to the water meter 3 because the alarm is falsely disguised as the water meter 3.

  The centralized meter reading device 1 that has received the request message transmitted in step S13 transmits the water meter calling content to the centralized monitoring center 2 as a response (step S14). This response message is a message used in the water meter 3 currently worn, and includes, for example, alarm information indicating that the communication line is short-circuited / returned. The centralized monitoring center 2 that has received the response message transmitted in step S14 transmits an end message to the water meter 3 by storing the contents thereof (step S6). Also here, the centralized monitoring center 2 in the present embodiment makes a request to the water meter 3 because the alarm is falsely disguised as the water meter 3.

  However, the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 in this embodiment will transmit a request | requirement message | telegram to the corresponding water meter 3 in step S14, when the message | telegram with respect to the water meter 3 already installed and connected is received from the central monitoring center 2, step S14. The end message may be transferred to the water meter 3 in S15.

  In this system, a series of call processing is performed between the central monitoring center 2 and the central meter-reading apparatus 1, and when viewed from the central monitoring center 2, it seems as if the call processing is performed with the water meter 3. . In the present embodiment, the central meter-reading device 1 makes a call to the central monitoring center 2 with the calling procedure and the content of the call of the water meter 3 as described above. However, the call communication test can be performed on the central monitoring center 2 side.

It is a block diagram showing an example of 1 composition of a centralized meter-reading system concerning the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the timing chart of the signal of the centralized meter-reading apparatus in the centralized meter-reading system of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the calling procedure in the centralized meter-reading system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the calling procedure in the centralized meter-reading system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Centralized meter-reading apparatus, 2 ... Centralized monitoring center, 3 ... Water meter, 4 ... Terminal NCU, 10 ... Control part, 11 ... Communication circuit part for terminal NCU, 12 ... Communication circuit part for centralized monitoring center, 13 ... Display unit, 14 ... switch, 15 ... meter communication circuit unit.

Claims (6)

  A centralized monitoring center and a plurality of meters with a communication function that are connected to the centralized monitoring center via a telephone line and make a call when a short circuit or open of a communication line is detected in a predetermined pattern are connected by the communication line. A centralized metering system, wherein the centralized monitoring center performs mutual data transmission with the meter via the centralized metering device, wherein the centralized metering device is a setting message for making a call Is transmitted to the connected meter, a communication start signal for a certain period of time or more is sent to the meter, and a communication end signal for a certain period of time or more is subsequently sent to the meter. The centralized meter reading system is characterized by causing the meter to notify the centralized monitoring center via the centralized metering device.   A centralized monitoring center; and a centralized metering device that is connected to the centralized monitoring center via a telephone line, and a plurality of meters with a communication function can be connected by a communication line, the centralized monitoring center via the centralized metering device A centralized meter reading system for mutually transmitting data to and from the meter, wherein the centralized meter reading device transmits a call procedure and a call content when the call operation is performed to the central monitoring center. A centralized meter reading system characterized in that it is generated in a pseudo manner according to the call procedure and the content of the call and notifies the centralized monitoring center.   The intensive meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein the intensive meter reading device has an operation unit that receives a call operation start operation from an operator.   The centralized meter-reading apparatus has a management table for managing the meter-reading order, and the meter-reading order registered in the management table indicates the start order of the calling operation. The centralized meter reading system according to item 1.   The centralized meter reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the centralized meter reading device has display means for displaying a communication state during a call operation while being updated as needed.   The said intensive meter-reading apparatus used for the intensive meter-reading system of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5.

Images