JPH0541887A - Broad band data collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To collect the data of quantity such as power, water supply or gas supply for each house through a communication line in a radio wave. CONSTITUTION:A required signal is sent from a data collection source via a communication line 1, the signal is counted by a call counter 3 and a signal is outputted from a setting counter 4 by a setting value and a main radio equipment A is connected to the communication line 1 via a hook SW 5. A signal from the data collection source is demodulated by a demodulation section 6, identified by an identification section 7, converted into a required high frequency signal by a transmission section 10 and radiates to an antenna 11. The radio wave is received by an antenna 21 of each house dependent radio equipment B, demodulated by a demodulation section 23 via a reception section 22, identified by an identification section 24 and a signal from a meter 26 is converted into a digital signal at a conversion section 27 based thereon, the signal is converted into a required high frequency signal by a modulation section 28 and radiates to the antenna 21 via a transmission section 29. The radio wave is received by the main radio equipment A, stored once in a memory section 8, the signal read by the memory section 8 is converted into a required signal at a modulation section 13 altogether and sent to the data collection source through the communication line 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for collecting data on the amount of electricity, water, gas, etc. used in each dwelling unit. The present invention relates to a method of sequentially calling a small group via the service and collecting required usage data of each dwelling unit in the small group.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electricity, water, gas, etc. consumed in general dwelling units are used, for example, by regularly reading meter data accumulated according to the amount used and calculating the amount used during the calculation period. However, the fee corresponding to the calculated value is collected. In the past, most of the meter readings were performed manually by manually reading the meter, but in recent years, to save labor due to soaring personnel costs, for example, data collection between the data collection source and each dwelling unit There is a method of laying a dedicated line to collect data using this dedicated line, or collecting data using a general telephone line, but the usage rate is low when using a dedicated line. Therefore, there is a problem that the equipment cost becomes expensive, and that data cannot be collected while the line is used by a telephone or the like by using a general telephone line.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above point, and a plurality of dwelling units existing within the reach of a radio wave with a small electric power is a small group, and each dwelling unit is divided into smaller groups. A main radio that receives data wirelessly is installed,
Each dwelling unit is equipped with a door-to-door radio that transmits data on the amount of electricity, water, gas, etc. used by radio waves, and the main radios of each small group are connected to one communication line. It is intended to provide a wide area data collection device which sequentially calls these main radios by a signal and collects data from each dwelling unit to a data collection source via the main radio and the door-to-door radio.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a door-to-door installation provided for each dwelling unit for converting the data of the usage amount of electric power, water, gas or the like into a required high frequency signal and transmitting the same through radio waves. Data transmitting means, small group data receiving means provided for each small group consisting of a plurality of dwelling units and receiving the radio waves from the individual data transmitting means and demodulating into data, and receiving the plurality of small group data via a communication line or the like. A wide area data collecting means for collecting the data of each dwelling unit received by the means, the small group data receiving means is provided with a memory for recording the data from the individual unit data sending means, and the data read from the memory is collectively collected. A wide area data collection device configured to be sent out as a data is provided.

[0005]

With the above construction, in the wide area data collection device according to the present invention, the main radio for receiving data of each small group connected to the communication line is converted into a required signal from the data collection source. Specified individually, and individually call the individual radios installed in each dwelling unit of the relevant small group for data transmission via the main radio, and use the individual radios to collect data on the amount of electricity, water, gas, etc. used. The data is transmitted to the wireless device and these data are collected from the main wireless device to the data collection source through the communication line.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a wide area data collecting device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of essential parts of an embodiment of a wide area data collection device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the construction of a small group of wide area data collection devices according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a is a main radio that is installed for each small group for receiving data, etc., and b is a door-to-door radio that is installed in each dwelling unit for transmitting data, and is surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. Areas A, B, C, and D indicate ranges in which radio waves of low electric power can be transmitted / received to / from the main radio 31, and this range is set as one small group and installed in each main radio 31 and each dwelling unit 32. Data transmission / reception, etc. by radio waves is performed with the selected door-to-door radio.

[0007] The main radio (i) is installed in a small high place where each dwelling unit can be seen through in small groups, for example, in the upper part of a telephone pole, and is connected in parallel to the communication line 1 from the data collection source. A counter setting unit 2 sets a different numerical value for each small group. Reference numeral 3 denotes a call counter, which counts the number of times until the call signal is input and is completed once. Reference numeral 4 denotes a setting counter, which outputs a signal when the signal from the calling counter 3 matches the set value of the counter setting unit 2.
Reference numeral 5 is a hook switch, which off-hooks based on a signal from the setting counter 4 to connect the device to the communication line 1. A demodulation unit 6 demodulates a signal or the like from the data collection source sent via the communication line 1. Reference numeral 7 is an identification unit that identifies the signal from the demodulation unit 6. A memory unit 8 stores a sequence program for data collection, an identification code of its own small group, an identification code of each dwelling unit, and the like, and also records data from a door-to-door radio set in a data storage area. 9 is a control unit,
The identification code from the memory unit 8 and a signal or the like via the identification unit 7 are output to the transmission unit 10. The transmitter 10 converts the signal from the controller 9 into a high-frequency signal with a required low power and emits it via the antenna 11. Reference numeral 12 denotes a receiving unit, which receives a radio wave from the door-to-door radio set via the antenna 11 and demodulates it. A modulator 13 converts the data from the receiver 12 into a required signal for transmission through a communication line and sends the signal to the data collection source via the hook switch 5 and the communication line 1.

The door-to-door radio B is provided for each dwelling unit.
Reference numeral 21 is an antenna, which receives radio waves from the main wireless device a. twenty two
The receiving unit receives a high frequency signal from the antenna 21, tunes to a required frequency and amplifies it to an appropriate signal level. A demodulation unit 23 demodulates the high frequency signal from the reception unit 22. twenty four
Is an identification unit that identifies the signal from the demodulation unit 23. A memory unit 25 stores the identification code of the dwelling unit and the like. 26 is a meter that counts the cumulative amount of electricity, water, gas, etc. used. Reference numeral 27 is a conversion unit, which converts the signal from the meter 26 into required digital data. A modulator 28 converts the signal from the converter 27 into a desired high frequency signal. Reference numeral 29 denotes a transmitter, which performs power amplification for emitting a high-frequency signal from the modulator 28 with a radio wave of small power and emits the amplified signal via the antenna 21.

Next, the operation of the wide area data collecting apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In the counter setting unit 2, for example, the small group A is "1", the small group B is "2", and the small group D is "4".
As described above, different numerical values are set in advance for each small group. A calling signal is transmitted from the data collection source via the communication line 1. This call signal is input to the call counters 3 of each small group and counting is performed respectively, and the signal based on the count is input to the setting counter 4, and the counter setting unit 2
The signal is compared and the signal is output when they match. The call counter 3 counts the number of times the call signal is input once each time the call signal starts input. For example, in the small group A, the counter setting unit 2 is set to "1". Therefore, the setting counter 4 outputs a signal in response to the signal of the count value 1 output from the calling counter 3 in the first calling signal. This signal is input to the hook switch 5 and goes off-hook, whereby the calling signal is stopped and the main radios of the small group A are connected to the communication line 1. Then, at the next call signal (second time), the setting counter 4 of the small group B outputs a signal upon coincidence, the hook switch 5 is turned off-hook, the call signal is stopped, and the main radio is connected to the communication line 1. . Similarly, in the small group D, the main radio is connected to the communication line 1 by the fourth call signal. The counting of the signal from the call counter 3 by the setting counter unit 4 is reset after a required time set to collect data of all the small groups, for example, 48 hours has elapsed. Since this main radio a emits or receives radio waves of low power and consumes little power, the power source for operating the main radio a is, for example, a radiant energy of solar rays on a pillar. It is also possible to appropriately install a solar cell or the like for generating power according to the above, store the power from the solar cell or the like in a storage battery or the like, and supply this power to the main wireless device a.

For example, in the case of collecting power usage data, a data collection source issues a command signal for power usage data collection, and a required signal for transmitting this signal through a communication line, for example, FSK. (Frequency Shift Keyin
g) system or DTMF (multi-frequency code) signal is converted, and transmitted to the main radio B of each small group via the communication line 1. This signal is input to the demodulation unit 6, demodulated to the original signal, and input to the identification unit 7 for identification. The identified signal is
Based on the sequence program from the memory unit 8 via the control unit 9, it is input to the transmission unit 10 together with the required identification code of the dwelling unit, converted into a high frequency signal of the required frequency, amplified to a small power, for example, 10 milliwatts, and the antenna. Fired via 11 via radio waves. This radio wave is propagated in a range of, for example, a radius of 100 to 200 meters by appropriately setting the height of the antenna 11, and the dwelling units in this range form one small group.

The radio wave from the antenna 11 is received by the antenna 21 of the door-to-door radio B, is input to the receiving section 22, is tuned to a required frequency, is amplified to an appropriate signal level, and is input to the demodulating section 23 to be demodulated. Then, the demodulated signal is compared with the identification code of the self-dwelling unit read out from the memory section 25 and the identification section 24 to identify the coincidence. Based on this identification, through the control unit 30, for example, the measurement value from the meter 26 that integrates the power consumption is converted into a required digital signal by the conversion unit 27, and is input to the modulation unit 28 via the control unit 30. , For example, it is converted into a high frequency signal of a frequency different from the radio wave from the transmitter 10 and is transmitted via the transmitter 29.
Amplify to a signal with a small power such as 10 milliwatts, and antenna
Fires via radio waves via 21. This radio wave is received by the antenna 11 of the main radio B, is input to the receiving unit 12, is tuned to a required frequency, is amplified to an appropriate signal level, is demodulated, and is output as a digital signal. Then, the data is temporarily recorded in the area corresponding to the identification code of the dwelling unit in the data storage area of the memory unit 8 via the control unit 9. After collecting the data of all dwelling units,
The identification code of its own small group read from the memory unit 8 is added, converted into a required signal for sending to the communication line 1 via the modulating unit 13, and sent to the data collection source via the communication line 1. The time required for the memory unit 25 of each dwelling unit, for example,
Record the data from the meter 26 through the conversion unit 27 every 24 o'clock (midnight) when the amount of electricity used is small in one day,
This may be read out and transmitted by a command from the data collection source.

In the above description, the transmission of data between the main radio A and the door-to-door radio B is performed by a radio wave of low power, but it is laid between the main radio A-and the door-to-door radio B. It is also possible to use a distribution line included in the 1 step-down transformer and transmit data or the like via a carrier signal (high frequency signal of 2 to 30 kHz) superimposed on this distribution line. Further, the data sent to the data collection source is configured as in the example shown in FIG. That is, in order to identify the start of data, for example, a start bit 41 including a bit having a width several times the width of a bit signal forming the data is provided,
Next, a small group code 42 for identifying the own small group is provided,
Next, a dwelling unit code 43 set for each dwelling unit is arranged, and then a type code 44 for identifying the type of the meter reading data is provided, and
The meter reading data 45 is arranged, and finally, the end bit 46 for identifying the end of the data is provided. The type code 44 is, for example, the integrated power consumption at the present time, the power consumption for one day,
Or if you have data such as peak value of power consumption,
A code is set in advance for each of these types, and this code is provided before the meter reading data or the like so that the type of data can be identified.

[0013]

As described above, according to the wide area data collection device of the present invention, the data of the amount of electric power, water, gas or the like used in each dwelling unit is smaller than that of the wireless device installed in each dwelling unit. Is transmitted to the main radio of the small group to which each dwelling unit belongs, and the data received by each main radio is 1
The data is sequentially transmitted to the data collection source via the book communication line. Therefore, unlike the case of laying a dedicated line for data collection for each dwelling unit, the equipment cost does not increase,
It also solves the problem of not being able to collect data while using a telephone, such as when using a general telephone line, and that data can be collected efficiently at a relatively low equipment cost. It has advantages.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of essential parts of an embodiment of a wide area data collection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a small group of wide area data collection devices according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example of a data configuration used in the wide area data collection device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 communication line 2 counter setting unit 3 call counter 4 setting counter 5 hook switch 6 demodulation unit 7 identification unit 8 memory unit 10 transmission unit 11 antenna 12 reception unit 13 modulation unit 21 antenna 22 reception unit 23 demodulation unit 24 identification unit 25 memory unit 26 Meter 27 Converter 28 Modulator 29 Transmitter 31 Main radio 32 Door-to-door radio A Small group

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A unit-by-unit data transmission means which is provided for each dwelling unit and which converts the data of the usage amount of electric power, water, gas or the like into a required high-frequency signal and sends it out via radio waves, and provided for each small group consisting of a plurality of dwelling units. The small group data receiving means for receiving the radio waves from the individual unit data transmitting means and demodulating the data into the data, and the wide area data for collecting the data of each dwelling unit received by the plurality of the small group data receiving means via a communication line or the like. Wide area data comprising a collecting means, wherein the small group data receiving means is provided with a memory for recording the data from the individual unit data sending means, and the data read from the memory is collectively sent. Collection device. 2. A unit-by-unit data transmission means which is provided for each dwelling unit and which converts the data of the usage amount of electric power, water, gas or the like into a required high-frequency signal and sends out through radio waves, and provided for each small group consisting of a plurality of dwelling units. The small group data receiving means for receiving the radio waves from the individual unit data transmitting means and demodulating the data into the data, and the wide area data for collecting the data of each dwelling unit received by the plurality of the small group data receiving means via a communication line or the like. A collection unit, a counter for counting the number of signals in the small group data receiving unit, and a memory for storing a preset identification signal for each door-to-door data sending unit and recording data from the door-to-door data sending unit. , The designation of the own small group data receiving means is determined based on the count value of the counter of the required signal from the wide area data collecting means, and the determination is made based on the determination The identification signal is sent out via a required radio wave to call the corresponding door-to-door data sending means, the data from each door-to-door data sending means is recorded in the memory, and the data read from the memory is sent out collectively. A wide area data collection device characterized by the above.