JPH11168570A - Moving data collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the data collection system that collects data without the use of channels contracted by personal consumers. SOLUTION: Gas meters 7-1-7-n send periodically a current value to radio slave sets 5-1-5-n sequentially by means of a timer or the like. The radio slave sets 5-1-5-n send sequentially the received values of the gas meters 7-1-7-n to a radio master set. The data sent from the radio slave sets to the radio master set contain collection times (date and time) and required identification data of the gas meters. The radio master set 3 stores the data from the radio slave sets 5-1-5-n. When a radio mobile set 1 makes a call to call the radio master set 3, the radio mobile set 1 receives the stored data of the gas meters 7-1-7-n of each consumer. The data of the gas meters of each consumer received by the radio mobile set 1 are information-processed and used to decide, e.g. a patrol path.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data collection system, and more particularly to a system capable of collecting data while moving.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been an automatic meter reading system which communicates between a center and a customer's gas meter via a public line to collect data. FIG. 8 shows this conventional automatic meter reading system.

[0003] In FIG. 8, a gas meter 111 installed in a consumer is connected to a T via an interface 108.
-Connected to NCU (Network Control Unit) 107. The T-NCU 107 is a device for connecting the center 101 and the gas meter via the public network 103,
Switching to the telephone 109 of the important house is also performed.

In such a configuration, when performing automatic meter reading, when a call is made from the center 101 to a customer, the T-NCU 107 receives a signal from the center 101 and connects to the gas meter. Then, the value of the meter can be received by the center 101.

As described above, in the conventional automatic meter reading system, the line used for meter reading uses a public line to which a customer has contracted.

[0006]

In such a system, communication is performed by renting a line contracted by a consumer. Therefore, when the individual cancels the public line, automatic meter reading cannot be performed. Further, if the line is changed to use a new line such as an ISDN line or a CATV, it is necessary to connect the new line to the gas meter.

[0007] Further, if this line is used to frequently collect data such as gas usage status, there is also a problem that communication charges are high.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a data collection system capable of collecting data without using a line contracted by a consumer.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a mobile data collection system using wireless communication, wherein a wireless slave unit connected to a monitored device and transmitting data of the monitored device is provided. A plurality of wireless base units capable of wirelessly collecting and storing data from at least one of the wireless slave units, and wirelessly collecting and storing accumulated data from the wireless base units. And a wireless mobile device that can be used.

[0010] The wireless master devices can communicate with each other, can transmit the stored data to another wireless master device, and can also store the transmitted data of the other wireless master device.

According to the present invention, since data of a plurality of customers collected from the wireless slave device to the wireless master device are collected by the traveling mobile wireless device, the data can be collected without traveling all around the customer. Customers' data can be easily obtained.

[0012] The wireless master device may receive the control radio wave of the wireless mobile device, recognize that it has entered the communication range, and transmit the stored data to the wireless mobile device.

The wireless mobile device further has a position detecting device and position information of the wireless master device, and communicates using the current position from the position detecting device and the position information of the wireless master device. May be selected.

[0014] The wireless unit, the wireless master device, and the wireless unit of the wireless mobile device may have the same configuration as a PHS or a low-power wireless device.

As described above, by using a wireless device such as a PHS, data can be collected without using a public line contracted by another person.

Such a mobile data collection device can be used by using an LPG gas meter as a monitoring target device and mounting a wireless mobile device on an LPG delivery vehicle.

In this case, when the radio base station receives the emergency information on the LPG gas, it sends the emergency information to a nearby mobile radio. When there is no mobile radio nearby, emergency information is sent to the center.

With this configuration, emergency information can be quickly sent to a delivery vehicle near the consumer.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As an embodiment to be described, LP
A data collection system for automatic meter reading of G (liquefied petroleum gas) is used.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data collection system in automatic meter reading of LPG. In FIG. 1, the meters 7-1 to 7 of the LPG cylinder installed in the customer
-N is connected to the wireless slave devices 5-1 to 5-n. Similarly, the meters 11-1 to 11-n of the LPG cylinders
Are connected to the wireless handsets 9-1 to 9-n. Each of the wireless slaves 5-1 to 5-n or the wireless slaves 9-1 to 9-n can wirelessly communicate with at least one of the wireless masters 3-1 to 3-m. The number m of the wireless base units is smaller than the total number of the wireless base units, and the wireless base units 3-1 to 3-m
Can communicate with the wireless mobile device 1 wirelessly.
The wireless master units 3-1 to 3-m are installed at positions that can communicate with both the wireless slave unit and the mobile wireless unit, such as a telephone pole or a roof. The wireless master units 3-1 and the like are wireless slave units 5-1 to 5-
n, LPG gas data of each customer can be stored, and the stored data can be transmitted to the wireless mobile device 1. The wireless mobile device 1 is, for example, an LPG
It is mounted on a delivery vehicle that patrols to supply gas. Therefore, based on the latest data of the obtained LPG gas, for example, it is also possible to determine an optimal patrol route or the like for a customer of the delivery vehicle.

Further, by such communication, it is possible to obtain detailed data for each customer,
Similar to the extension telephone in the premises by the technology of S (Personal Handy Phone System), when the wireless slave unit and the wireless master unit and the wireless master unit and the wireless mobile unit are connected, it is possible to bypass the public line. Data collection can be performed.

The wireless slave unit is connected to a gas leak detector or the like,
Emergency information can also be sent to the wireless master device. Since this emergency information needs to be processed as soon as possible, the received wireless master device calls a nearby wireless mobile device, but if there is no response, the center can be called using a public line or the like. The configuration is as follows. With such a configuration, it is possible to quickly report to a nearby delivery vehicle, and to steadily contact the center even when a delivery vehicle is not nearby. The same applies to the case where the meter itself can detect emergency information.

If the wireless master devices are configured to be able to communicate with each other, the data of the important house stored in the wireless master device can be collected in a part of the wireless master device. In this configuration, the wireless mobile device communicates with a small number of wireless master devices,
Data of many consumers can be collected. The communication between the master units can also be performed by a command from the wireless mobile unit.

An example of the operation in the system configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. FIG. 2 illustrates a case where the wireless slave units 5-1 to 5-n connected to the gas meters 7-1 to 7-n of the cylinder are communicating with the wireless master unit 3.

In FIG. 2, gas meters 7-1 to 7-n
Sends the current value to the wireless slave units 5-1 to 5-n periodically using a timer or the like. The wireless slave units 5-1 to 5-n sequentially send the values of the sent gas meters 7-1 to 7-n to the wireless master unit. The data sent from the wireless handset to the wireless master
In addition to the value of the gas meter, necessary information such as the collection time (date and time) and the identification of the gas meter can be added and transmitted.

At this time, the values of the gas meters 7-1 to 7-n may be collected from the wireless slave units 5-1 to 5-n by a timer or the like and transmitted to the wireless master unit 3. Further, when the wireless slaves 5-1 to 5-n are periodically called in sequence from the wireless master unit 3, the wireless slaves 5-1 to 5-n are connected to the gas meters 7-1 to 7-n.
It may be configured to collect the value of n.

The wireless master unit 3 is connected to each of the wireless slave units 5
Data from -1 to 5-n can be stored. Then, when the wireless mobile device 1 makes a call and calls the wireless master device 3, the accumulated gas meters 7-1 to 7 of each customer are obtained.
-N data can be taken into the wireless mobile device 1.
The data of the gas meter of each customer taken into the wireless mobile device 1 is subjected to information processing and used, for example, to determine a tour route.

The configuration and operation of the wireless master device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the wireless master device.

In FIG. 3, a radio base station 3 includes an RF section (high-frequency section) 35, an intermediate frequency processing section 36, and a baseband processing section 37 constituting a radio section. Communicating with mobile device. The wireless unit and the data processing unit are connected by an interface 34. The data processing unit is a computer system including a CPU 31, a RAM 32, a ROM 33, and the like. The transmitted information from the wireless slave is received by the wireless unit, sent to the computer system via the interface 34, and stored in the RAM 32 or the like. In communication with the mobile device, information stored in the RAM 32 or the like is transmitted from the wireless unit. The radio unit, for example,
You can use something similar to the PHS system,
Communication between the wireless mobile device and the wireless slave device can be performed using a PHS extension line protocol. Also, PH
S can be connected to the S public line using the same configuration of the radio unit. Therefore, even when emergency information is sent to the center using the public line, if the PHS service area of the public line is used, a new Does not require any special equipment. The connection to the public line may be an ordinary telephone line.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the wireless base unit 3 having such a configuration.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 4, the radio cell station 3 transmits, for example, a PHS control radio wave from the radio section (S30).
2). Then, there is a call from the wireless mobile device side (S
If YES in 304, the mobile terminal is connected to the wireless mobile device (S32).
4) Transmit the accumulated customer data.

If there is a call from the wireless handset (YES in S306), and it is not emergency information such as a gas leak (NO in S310), the data from the wireless handset is stored in the RA.
It is stored in M32 or the like (S312). If the communication from the wireless slave device is emergency information (YES in S310), the mobile wireless device is called (S314), and if there is a response (S31).
6) The emergency information is transmitted to the mobile device by wireless (S318). For example, if there is no response from the wireless mobile device after calling for a certain period of time (NO in S316), the wireless master device calls the center via a not-shown public line (S32).
0) Send emergency information to the center. The emergency information to be transmitted includes the type of emergency, the identification of the slave, the reception time of the information, and the like.

In the above description, the radio cell station has responded to the call from the radio mobile station. As another embodiment, for example, the wireless mobile device constantly transmits a control radio wave, and when the wireless master device receives the control radio wave, it knows that the wireless mobile device is within the communication range, A call may be made to the wireless mobile device to transmit data.

In the case where the wireless base units are configured to be able to communicate with each other, when data is transmitted from the wireless base unit, the data is stored by itself and transmitted from another base unit sent to another integrated base unit. Is transmitting data. This data aggregation can also be performed by a command from a wireless mobile device coming near a certain master device, whereby the master device that has received the command can instruct another master device to aggregate the data. Then, the aggregated data is transmitted from the parent device to the wireless mobile device. With this configuration, a wide range of data can be collectively collected.

The configuration and operation of the wireless mobile device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 5, the RF constituting the radio section
A unit (high frequency unit) 20, an intermediate frequency processing unit 21, and a baseband processing unit 22 communicate with the wireless master device. The wireless unit and the data processing unit are connected by an interface 19. The data processing unit is a CPU 16, a RAM 15, a ROM
14 and the like. The transmitted information from the wireless base unit 3 is received by the wireless unit, sent to the computer system via the interface 19, and stored in the RAM 15 or the like to perform information processing. As the wireless unit, for example, the same unit as that of the PHS system can be used, and communication with the wireless master unit can be performed by using a PHS extension line protocol.

The mobile radio 1 has a GPS receiver 1
2 can also be provided. Using the GPS receiver 12, the computer system of the wireless mobile device 1 can obtain the position information via the interface 17 and grasp the current position of the delivery vehicle. Using the position information of the delivery vehicle, a nearby wireless master device can be selected from the wireless master device position database stored in the hard disk drive 13. The operation of the wireless mobile device 1 having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 6, when there is a call from the wireless master device (YES in S102), connection is established with the called wireless master device (S114), and data from the wireless master device is received (S116). If the received data is emergency information (YES in S118), the wireless mobile device issues an alert and displays from which consumer the emergency information was sent (S12).
0). If it is not emergency information (NO in S118), R
It is stored in an internal memory such as the AM 15 (S110), and processing is performed using this information and the like (S112).

Normally, from the position information from the GPS receiver 12 and the position database of the wireless master, a nearby wireless master is searched and if there is a nearby wireless master (YE in S104).
S), calling and connecting to a nearby wireless master device (S10)
6). The information of the customer accumulated by the wireless master device is received from the connected wireless master device (S108), and is stored in the internal memory (S110). Process the stored information,
For example, a customer who needs replenishment is selected, and an optimal patrol route or the like is determined. Then, the route is displayed to the driver of the LPG delivery vehicle.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the wireless slave device 5.

RF unit (high-frequency unit) constituting the radio unit
59, intermediate frequency processing unit 58, baseband processing unit 57
And is communicating with the wireless master unit. The wireless unit and the data processing unit are connected by an interface 56. The data processing unit is a computer system including a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, and the like. Gas meter 7
The data processing unit of the wireless slave device 5 is connected via a meter interface 55 and a serial interface 54. As the wireless unit, for example, the same unit as that of the PHS system can be used, and communication with the wireless master unit can be performed by using a PHS extension line protocol.

The wireless handset sends gas meter data periodically or in response to a command from the wireless master. At this time,
Necessary data such as the time at which the data was collected and the identification of the slave unit are also transmitted. The slave unit can also be connected to a gas leak detector (not shown) or the like to transmit emergency information such as gas leaks.

In the above-described embodiment, the radio unit has a PH
Although described as having the same configuration as S, for example, a configuration similar to that of a cordless telephone using radio waves of specific low power may be used. By using such a specific low-power radio unit, an inexpensive system configuration can be achieved. In addition, to use a specific allocated frequency,
Less affected by disturbance.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, data of a plurality of customers collected from a wireless slave unit to a wireless master unit is
Since the data is collected by the traveling mobile radio, the data of the customer can be easily obtained without having to go all the way around the customer. For this reason, by using the collected data, it is possible to avoid traveling to customers who do not need to go.

Further, by using a PHS or the like as a private extension for the wireless portion, it is not necessary to borrow a public line of a customer.

Further, by first transmitting emergency information to the traveling vehicle equipped with the mobile radio, it is possible to quickly respond to an emergency.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data collection system in LPG automatic meter reading.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram in communication of the data collection device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless master device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the wireless master device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless mobile device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the wireless mobile device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless slave device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a conventional automatic meter reading data collection system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 mobile device 3 wireless master device 5, 9 wireless slave device 7, 11 gas meter 31 CPU 32 RAM 33 ROM 34 interface 35 RF unit 36 intermediate frequency processing unit 37 baseband processing unit 38 antenna 12 GPS receiver 13 hard disk drive 14 ROM Reference Signs List 15 RAM 16 CPU 17 interface 18 interface 19 interface 20 RF section 21 intermediate frequency processing section 22 baseband processing section 52 RAM 53 ROM 54 serial interface section 55 meter interface section 56 interface section 57 baseband processing section 58 intermediate frequency processing section 59 RF unit 60 Antenna 101 Center 103 Public line network 107 Network control device 109 Telephone 108 Interface unit 111 Gas meter

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A mobile data collection system using wireless communication, comprising: a wireless slave unit connected to a monitored device and transmitting data of the monitored device; and wirelessly collecting data from at least one wireless slave device. A mobile data collection system, comprising: a plurality of wireless master devices for storing data; and a mobile wireless device that can collect and wirelessly collect data accumulated from the wireless master devices. 2. The mobile data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless master devices can communicate with each other, transmit accumulated data to another wireless master device, and transmit the transmitted other wireless master device. A mobile data collection system characterized by accumulating machine data. 3. The mobile data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless master device recognizes that it has entered a communication range by receiving a control radio wave of the wireless mobile device, and stores the data. A mobile data collection system for transmitting data to the wireless mobile device. 4. The mobile data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless mobile device further has a position detecting device and position information of the wireless master device, A mobile data collection system, wherein a wireless master device to communicate with is selected using the position of the wireless master device and position information of the wireless master device. 5. The mobile data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless slave device, the wireless master device, and a wireless unit of the wireless mobile device have the same configuration as a PHS. And mobile data collection system. 6. The mobile data collection system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless slave unit, said wireless master unit, and a wireless unit of said wireless mobile unit use a specific low-power wireless unit. Characterized mobile data collection system. 7. The mobile data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the device to be monitored is an LPG gas meter. 8. The mobile data collection system according to claim 7, wherein the wireless handset can transmit emergency information related to LPG in addition to the data, and the wireless master unit receives the emergency information, A mobile data collection system for transmitting emergency information to the mobile wireless device. 9. The mobile data collection system according to claim 8, wherein the wireless master device sends the emergency information to a predetermined center when the emergency information cannot be sent to the mobile wireless device. And mobile data collection system.