JP3525994B2 - Meter setting device with meter type identification function - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable meter setting device for performing function switching and control of a flow rate measuring meter such as gas or water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a setting device, which is a portable terminal for setting and confirming the function of a flow meter such as gas or water and controlling a shutoff valve, has been used for each kind of flow meter. It is common to use a dedicated setter that operates only for On the other hand, there are a small number of versatile setters that operate with various types of flow rate measurement meters, but in that case, replace the ROM card etc. according to the type of flow rate measurement meter and adapt it to each type of meter. I was using it.

[0003]

As described above, conventionally, it is necessary to prepare various setting devices depending on the type of flow meter used, and even in the case of a versatile setting device, It was necessary to replace the ROM card for each flow meter used.

Therefore, if the type of flow rate meter at the work site is unknown, many types of setters and ROM cards must be taken to the work site, and the prepared setters and ROM cards must be used. If the flow meter was not compatible with the type of flow meter at the work site, it was not possible to switch the function or control the flow meter. Therefore, the operability of the setting work is poor, and the work efficiency cannot be improved.

Therefore, the present invention is for a meter capable of automatically discriminating the type of the flow rate meter being used, setting and confirming the function corresponding to the type of the flow rate meter being used, and controlling the shutoff valve. The purpose is to provide a setter.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a meter setting device in which the function setting of the flow rate measuring meter can be performed interactively and the operation is easy.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The above-mentioned object is, in a meter setting device for reading the contents of the function of the meter that has been set for a meter for measuring a passing flow rate, and for setting the function of the meter, It is characterized by further comprising: a unit for determining the type of the meter, and a unit for writing the functional data in a storage unit of the meter according to a setting control program according to the type of the meter determined by the determining unit. This is accomplished by providing a meter setter.

According to the present invention, the meter setting device can determine the type of the meter being used and can set the function corresponding to the meter. Therefore, the dedicated meter setting device corresponding to the type of the meter can be used. It is not necessary to prepare the, and the meter setting device can be shared.

Further, the meter setting device of the present invention has means for displaying an item of a function corresponding to the kind of the meter, which is displayed according to the kind of the meter judged by the judging means. The feature is that the function to be set can be selected from the function items.

According to the present invention, since the function item corresponding to the type of meter is displayed on the display of the meter setting device,
The operator can select a configurable function item corresponding to the type of meter.

Further, the display means of the meter setting device of the present invention displays the setting contents of the function corresponding to the kind of the meter according to the selection of the function item, and the setting contents are displayed from the displayed setting contents. It is characterized by making it possible to select.

According to the present invention, since the settable contents of the settable items corresponding to the type of meter are displayed, the operator can select the contents and set the function of the meter. It will be even easier.

Further, the determining means of the meter setting device of the present invention determines the type of the meter by transmitting an inquiry signal to the meter and receiving a signal in which the meter responds to the inquiry signal. It is characterized by doing.

According to the present invention, the discriminating means transmits the inquiry signal and receives the response signal to discriminate the kind of the meter, so that the kind of the meter can be discriminated automatically and the kind of meter of the operator can be discriminated. Work efficiency is improved because extra operations such as data input are omitted.

Further, the inquiry signal of the meter setting device of the present invention is transmitted in conjunction with turning on the power switch.

According to the present invention, the ID inquiry signal is
Since it is transmitted in conjunction with turning on the power of the meter setting device, the operation is further simplified and the work efficiency is improved.

Further, the meter setting device of the present invention is characterized in that it has means for notifying a voice of the kind of the meter judged by the judging means.

According to the present invention, since the discriminated type of the meter is notified by voice, the setting operation of the meter is further facilitated.

Further, the determining means of the meter setting device of the present invention is characterized by determining that communication with the meter is defective or that the meter is of a type not applicable.

According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether the communication is defective or the type is not applicable, so that a function setting error can be eliminated.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such an embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an external view of a meter setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an example of a connection relationship during a setting operation. In the present embodiment, a state is shown in which the meter setting device 1 performs data reading and function setting of a microcomputer meter with a communication function (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer meter) 20 that measures a gas flow rate.

The microcomputer meter 20 accommodates a gas flow rate sensor, a control board, a shutoff valve, a pressure switch, a seismic sensor, etc. inside, and further has a communication function. Communication functions include automatic notification, remote interruption, automatic meter reading, etc.
Therefore, it is connected to a terminal communication network control unit (hereinafter referred to as T-NCU) 22 by an A line 21.

The T-NCU 22 is connected to a telephone line and automatically switches between the telephone 24 and the microcomputer meter 20 in response to a command from a gas meter reading center (not shown) or the like so that the data of the microcomputer meter 20 can be transferred to the gas meter reading center. Send to. In addition, the T-NCU 22 is provided with a terminal (not shown) that connects the connection line 13 of the meter setting device 1, and the setting signal of the meter setting device 1 and the like are transmitted to the T-NCU 22.
It is transmitted to the microcomputer meter 20 via 22 and the A line 21, and the function setting of the microcomputer meter 20 and the like are performed.

The main body of the meter setting device 1 includes a power switch 1
0, the setting switch 11, the display 12, etc., the type of the installed microcomputer meter 20 is automatically discriminated, and the function suitable for the type is set, confirmed, and the shutoff valve is controlled. The items and contents that can be set and confirmed by the meter setting device 1 are, for example, as follows, and the specifications thereof are determined according to the operation form of the gas company.

(1) Safety continuous use time (usually extension 1,
Extension 2, bypass) The microcomputer meter 20 stores the safe continuous use time according to the gas consumption classification of the gas equipment. If the gas equipment continues to be used and the specified time is exceeded without any change in the flow rate, it is judged to be abnormal due to half-opening of the gas plug, forgetting to turn off the gas equipment, etc., and the gas is shut off. In addition, when a plurality of gas appliances are used, the judgment is made based on the gas appliance that has a short time to shut off.

Here, "normal" of the setting contents means a time determined in consideration of the usage status of a normal gas appliance in a general household, and "extension" means a large water heater or a bathtub. In the case of a consumer who uses the product, for example, "extension 1" is used to extend the safety continuous use time by several hours, and "extension 2" is extended by several hours. Further, “bypass” refers to a case where the setting of the safe continuous use time is canceled for a consumer who uses the gas appliance for business.

(2) Fire flow rate (registration, deletion) When a minimum flow rate such as a fire is continuously used in a normal use condition such as a bath cooker, the flow rate of the fire is prevented in order to prevent an erroneous leak alarm. Is registered. When the fire flow rate is registered, it is determined that a predetermined range before and after the registered flow rate is a fire, and if the flow rate is within this range, no alarm is issued even if the flow rate is continuously detected for 30 days or more. However, a flow rate outside this range is judged to be a leak and a leak warning is issued.

(3) Individual maximum flow rate (normally, commercial mode) The individual maximum flow rate is stored in the microcomputer meter 20 as the maximum flow rate flowing through the gas equipment being used. When the flow rate of the gas flowing through the microcomputer meter 20 increases, the microcomputer meter 20 compares the increased amount with the stored individual maximum flow rate, and when the increased amount is equal to or more than the individual maximum flow rate, the gas plug is erroneously opened. , It is judged that the rubber tube has come off abnormally, and the gas is shut off within about 1 minute. Here, the setting content "normal" is intended for general household gas appliances, and the "business mode" is intended for large-scale gas appliances used for business purposes. .

These three function items may have all the functions or some of the functions depending on the type of gas meter. Furthermore, the setting contents that can be selected for one function item also differ depending on the type of gas meter.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the meter setting device 1 and the microcomputer meter 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The microcomputer meter 20 includes a shutoff valve 35, a vibration sensor 36, a pressure switch 37, a flow sensor 38, and a control board 33. Further, the control board 33 includes a CPU 342,
It includes a RAM 343, a ROM 344, a microcomputer 34 having I / Os 345 to 348, and a communication interface 341.

The shutoff valve 35 is a self-holding solenoid valve using a permanent magnet, and is capable of shutting off gas with a one-shot current from the CPU 342. In the case of a bidirectional shutoff valve, it is also possible to return (opening process) with a one-shot current from the CPU 342.

When the seismoscope 36 detects a vibration of a predetermined gal or more, it outputs a signal to the CPU 342 via the I / O 346 to shut off the shutoff valve 35. The pressure switch 37 is a differential pressure detection method using a metal diaphragm, and is turned off when the gas pressure is applied, and turned on when the gas pressure is abnormally lowered.
A signal is output to the CPU 342 via the I / O 347 to shut off the shutoff valve 35.

Further, the flow rate sensor 38 has a magnet attached to a part of a gas flow rate meter (not shown) to detect the rotation of the gas flow rate meter and outputs a signal corresponding to the number of rotations to the I / O 348.
Output to the CPU 342 via. The CPU 342 stores the rotation speed in the RAM 343, and outputs the rotation speed at the time of automatic meter reading.

The CPU 342 stores set values (setting contents) such as the safe continuous use time, the ignition flow rate, the individual maximum flow rate, etc. stored in the RAM 343, the seismic intensity detected by the seismoscope 36, the gas pressure detected by the pressure switch 37, Based on the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 38 and the time measured by the internal timer, it is determined from the viewpoint of safety whether the shutoff valve 35 or the like should be operated. Further, the CPU 342 outputs the detected data of the seismic intensity, the gas pressure, and the flow rate to the telephone line via the communication interface 341 and the A line 21.

The meter setting device 1 includes a display device 12, an input switch 11, a power supply 31, a CPU 304, a RAM 302,
It includes a ROM 305, I / Os 301 and 303, and a communication interface 306. The display device 12 such as a liquid crystal display device displays the function items and setting contents to be set, confirmed or controlled by the meter setting device 1, and the operator presses the input switch 11 while looking at the display screen to set the items and setting contents. Enter.

As the power supply 31, a dry battery is used so that the meter setting device 1 can be carried. The CPU 304 captures an input signal from the input switch 11 via the I / O 303, executes a setting control program stored in the ROM 305, displays selectable function items and setting contents, and supports an operator. . Then, the control signal or the like is output to the microcomputer meter 20 via the communication interface 306. Further, the CPU 304 is the microcomputer meter 2
0 of the function data stored in the RAM 343 via the communication interfaces 341 and 306, and the I / O 3
It is displayed on the display 12 via 01.

The connecting wire 13 is an electric wire with a clip in FIG. 2 and is directly connected to the A line 21 of the microcomputer meter 20, but as shown in FIG. 1, the T-NCU 2
It is also possible to connect via 2.

In FIG. 2, the communication means between the meter setting device 1 and the microcomputer meter 20 is a wired means by the connection line 13, but a wireless means such as a radio wave transmitter / receiver, L
It is also possible to use an optical means such as an ED lamp and a photodiode, or a magnetic means such as a magnet and a reed switch. Furthermore, if the meter setting device 1 is provided with a voice synthesizing function and the setting operation is performed by voice, the setting work becomes easier.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a program structure of the meter setting device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this program, if the meter setting device 1 is connected to the microcomputer meter 20, the meter setting device 1
ID is automatically discriminated, and setting, confirmation, and control programs corresponding to the control board 33 (see FIG. 2) that differs depending on the type of each microcomputer meter 20 are started. By the program of this hierarchical structure, the operator does not have to prepare the meter setting devices 1 corresponding to the respective types of the microcomputer meters 20. It can be set, confirmed, and controlled.

In FIG. 3, the initial management program 50
Performs an initial reset or the like when the power switch 11 is turned on, and also confirms whether or not the connection line 13 of the meter setting device 1 is connected to the microcomputer meter 20 to be set. In the electronic message code 51, commands common to the plurality of types of control boards 33 of the microcomputer meter 20 are 30 to 50.
Each stored message code is a setting item of the meter setting device 1, for example, whether the safe continuous use time is a normal time or an extension time 1 or 2,
Alternatively, it includes an instruction code for registering or deleting the ignition flow rate.

Microcomputer meter ID discrimination program 52
Includes a program for the meter setter 1 to automatically determine the ID of the microcomputer meter 20 or the microcomputer meter of the customer in which the microcomputer meter 20 is installed. The ID having a response from 20 is displayed on the display unit 12.

The board menu program 53 includes a menu program for setting the function of each control board 33 of the microcomputer meter 20 by the meter setting device 1. Depending on the work contents such as the installation of the microcomputer meter 20, A menu program for opening, closing, setting, confirming, etc. is stored. From this menu program, the settings and confirmations corresponding to each control board 33 are called, the control programs 54 to 58 are called, and the function settings of the microcomputer meter 20 and the like are performed in an interactive manner.

FIG. 4 shows an operation flowchart of the meter setting device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS.
The example of the display screen of the meter setting device 1 is shown. 4 to 8
Accordingly, the operation and operation of the meter setting device 1 will be described.

In step S1, the connecting wire 13 (see FIG. 1) of the meter setting device 1 is connected to the connecting terminal of the T-NCU 22. When the T-NCU 22 is not installed, it can be directly connected to the A line 21 of the microcomputer meter 20.

In step S2, the power switch 10 of the meter setting device 1 and the communication start switch are turned on. As a result, the meter setting device 1 and the microcomputer meter 2
The CPUs 304 and 342 in 0 can communicate with each other via the communication interfaces 306 and 341.

In step S3, the initial management program built in the meter setting device 1 is executed. The initial management program includes initial settings of the CPU 304 and the like in the meter setting device 1, diagnosis of whether each unit is operating normally, and the connected microcomputer meter 20 being the meter setting device 1.
Then, it is diagnosed whether or not the type can be set, whether or not the polarity of the connection line 13 is normal, and the like. And as a result of the diagnosis,
For example, when there is a communication failure between the meter setting device 1 and the microcomputer meter 20, the fact is displayed on the display device 12.

In step 3, the guidance display shown on the screen 1 of FIG. 5 is displayed in order to facilitate the operation of the operator. If the connection line 13 is not yet connected to the communication line on screen 1, press the "2" key to
Is connected to the A line 21. When the "1" key and the enter key are pressed after the connection is completed, a process selection screen as shown in screen 2 is displayed.

On the screen 2, the opening process is a process when the consumer newly starts using the gas, and when this process is completed, the consumer can use the gas, and
The measurement of the amount of gas used is also started. The capping process is a process when the consumer finishes using the gas.
Further, the setting process is a process of setting a safe continuous use time in gas use and registering the ignition flow rate. Here, it is assumed that the cap opening process is selected and the "1" key and the enter key are pressed.

In step S4, the meter setting device 1 starts transmitting to the microcomputer meter 20 a signal for inquiring the ID of the installed microcomputer meter 20 or the meter of the consumer. This inquiry is for the meter setting device 1
From the CPU 304 (see FIG. 2) of the microcomputer to the CPU 342 of the microcomputer meter 20 and the communication interfaces 306 and 341.
Done through. However, this ID inquiry can also be transmitted in conjunction with turning on the power switch 10 of the meter setting device 1.

In steps S5 to S7, the meter setting device 1 receives the ID response signal from the microcomputer meter 20 (S5), determines the received message (S6), and determines the type of the microcomputer meter 20. (S7). And
The display 12 of the meter setting device 1 displays the model of the microcomputer meter 20 as shown in the screen 3 of FIG.

On the screen 3, if the microcomputer meter 20 is a model not applicable to the meter setting device 1 as a result of the ID inquiry, a message to that effect is displayed, and there is a failure in the communication path, etc. When the ID response cannot be obtained from the meter 20, the communication failure is displayed.

In step S8, the ID of each microcomputer meter 20 is determined based on the result of the type discrimination of the microcomputer meter 20.
Move to the hierarchical menu corresponding to. When the enter key is pressed on the screen 3 in FIG. 6, a screen for inquiring which process to select first is displayed as in the screen 4. On screen 4, opening is the process of opening the shutoff valve,
The setting is a function setting required at the time of opening the cap, and the confirmation means a process of confirming the setting content of the microcomputer meter 20 in use.

In step S9, a program for opening, setting, confirming, etc. corresponding to the model of the microcomputer meter 20 corresponding to the ID is executed. The procedure for setting the functions of the microcomputer meter 20 interactively while looking at the display screen will be described below.

When "open" is selected in the state of screen 4 in FIG. 6 and the "1" key and the enter key of the setting switch 11 of the meter setting device 1 are pressed, a program for opening processing is started and the screen 5 is displayed. Is displayed. On screen 5, "1" key,
When the enter key is pressed, an opening command is transmitted from the meter setting device 1 to the microcomputer meter 20, and the opening process is executed in the microcomputer meter 20. Specifically, the shutoff valve 35 of the microcomputer meter 20 is opened, and an area for storing the flow rate data of the gas used in the RAM 343 is secured. Then, when the opening processing is completed, a message to that effect is displayed on the screen 7.

However, the connected microcomputer meter 20
When the shut-off valve 35 of 1 is a one-way shut-off valve and cannot be opened by the signal from the meter setting device 1, for example, the screen 6 is displayed,
As a countermeasure in that case, guidance such as that the valve should be opened manually is displayed.

When the setting / confirmation process is selected on the screen 4 in FIG. 6 and the "2" key and the enter key are pressed, each item included in the setting / confirmation process is displayed as shown in the screen 8 in FIG. To be done. Here, fire registration, safe continuous use time,
The contents are the same as those described above. Here, microcomputer meter 2
Items that can be selected differ depending on the type of 0, and as shown in parentheses on the screen 8, for example, the individual maximum flow rate may be displayed as a selection item.

When the item of safe continuous use time is selected on the screen 8 and the "2" key and the enter key are pressed, first, as shown in screen 9, the safe continuous use time of the microcomputer meter 20 currently in use is 1 hour. It is displayed that it is set (for example, 12 hours). This is C of the meter setting device 1.
This is performed by the PU 304 by reading the data of the safe continuous use time stored in the RAM 343 of the microcomputer meter 20.

When the currently set safe continuous use time is confirmed on the screen 9 and the enter key is pressed, a screen for inquiring whether or not to change the safe continuous use time is displayed like the screen 10. On the screen 10, the extension 1 means a process of extending the safe continuous use time from the normal set time by, for example, 6 hours, and the extension 2 means a process of extending by 3 hours, for example. Bypass means a process in which the safe continuous use time is not set.

The screen 11 is an example of a screen displayed as a screen corresponding to the screen 10 when the microcomputer meter 20 used is another model. The microcomputer meter 20 of this model can be extended to extend the safe continuous use time.
(For example, 1 hour) is added, and the safe continuous use time can be set more finely according to the gas usage status of the consumer.

When the "2" key or the enter key is pressed on the screen 10 or 11, the time for adding the time corresponding to the extension 2 to the time 1 is added as the safety continuous use time, in this case 15 hours. However, the safety continuous use time may not be set due to communication failure between the meter setting device 1 and the microcomputer meter 20. In this case, the display 12 of the meter setting device 1 displays that the setting of the safe continuous use time has failed, as shown on the screen 12, and the guidance for re-execution is displayed. As a result, setting mistakes can be eliminated.

A screen 13 of FIG. 8 shows a display screen when the setting process is selected on the screen 2 of FIG. 5 and the "3" key and the enter key are pressed. Also in this case, first, an inquiry about the ID of the microcomputer meter 20 being used and an answer to the ID are made, and the model of the microcomputer meter 20 is displayed.

When the model of the microcomputer meter 20 is confirmed on the screen 13 and the enter key is pressed, the setting, confirmation and control program corresponding to the model of the microcomputer meter 20 is selected, and the processing selection as shown on the screen 14 is made according to the program. The screen is displayed. On the screen 14, reading the setting and changing the setting mean reading and changing the safe continuous use time and the like set in the microcomputer meter 20 in use, and the control (shut-off valve) means the microcomputer meter. This is a process for forcibly shutting off the shutoff valve 35 built in the 20. When each process is selected on the screen 14 and the enter key is pressed, the screen moves to a screen where each setting item is displayed, and the process of each item can be executed in the same manner as described above.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically discriminate the type of flow meter used and to set and confirm the function corresponding to the type of flow meter used. The meter setting device can be shared regardless of the type of flow meter used.

Further, according to the present invention, since the function setting of the flow rate measuring meter and the like can be performed interactively, the operation becomes easy and the working efficiency is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view and a connection diagram of a meter setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a meter setting device and a microcomputer meter according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a program structure of a meter setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the meter setting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a display screen (1) of the meter setting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a display screen (2) of the meter setting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a display screen (3) of the meter setting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a display screen (4) of the meter setting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Setting device for 1 meter 10 power switch 11 Setting switch 12 Display 13 connection line 20 Microcomputer meter with communication function 21 A line 22 Terminal Communication Network Control Unit (T-NCU) 23 telephone lines

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-3-42524 (JP, A) JP-A-4-61432 (JP, A) JP-A 61-245201 (JP, A) JP-A 1- 265123 (JP, A) Actual Kaihei 2-130100 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01F 1/00-9/02

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A means for determining the type of the meter in a meter setting device for reading the contents of the function of the meter that has been set for the meter for measuring the flow rate, and setting the function of the meter. , Multiple setting control programs according to the type of multiple meters
A unit for storing the ram and a unit for writing the function data in the storage unit of the meter according to the setting control program stored in the storing unit according to the type of the meter discriminated by the discriminating unit. A meter setting device having. 2. The function according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying an item of a function corresponding to the kind of the meter according to the kind of the meter judged by the judging means. A meter setting device characterized by making it possible to select the function to be set from the items. 3. The display unit according to claim 2, further comprising: displaying the setting contents of the function corresponding to the type of the meter according to the selection of the function item, and displaying the setting contents from the displayed setting contents. Meter setting device characterized by being selectable. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines the type of the meter by transmitting an inquiry signal to the meter and receiving a signal in which the meter responds to the inquiry signal. Characteristic meter setting device. 5. The meter setting device according to claim 4, wherein the inquiry signal is transmitted in conjunction with turning on a power switch. 6. The meter setting device according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying a voice of the type of the meter discriminated by the discriminating means. 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining further includes a communication failure with the meter.
Alternatively, a meter setting device characterized by determining that the type of meter is not applicable. 8. A setting for a meter for measuring a passing flow rate
Read the contents of the function of the meter that is
In the meter setting device that sets the function of the Means for determining the type of the meter, Depending on the type of the meter discriminated by the discrimination means,
According to the same setting control program, the storage unit of the meter
And a means for writing the function data to The determining means sends an inquiry signal to the meter.
Signal that the meter responds to the inquiry signal.
The type of the meter is determined by receiving The inquiry signal is for turning on the power switch.
Meter setting device characterized by being transmitted in conjunction.