KR100523210B1 - Remote meter-reading system for cumulative meter - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system that can remotely read the amount of water, calories, electricity, gas, etc. using a network, and more particularly, the amount of the integrating meter generating pulses for a certain amount of use through the network. The present invention relates to a system that can be remotely read and that the instantaneous amount of use can be easily weighted when a certain amount is used.

The remote meter reading system of the totalizer according to the present invention includes a metering unit for measuring the amount of use, an integration display unit for accumulating and displaying the amount of use measured by the metering unit, and a pulse generator for generating and outputting pulses at a predetermined amount of use. An integration meter, an integration counter for counting pulses output from the pulse generator, a meter reading / receiving unit connected to a network for transmitting and receiving a signal, and an integrated meter reading command signal from the meter reading / receiving unit. A meter reading unit including a meter reading control unit for reading a count value and providing it to the meter reading / receiving unit and receiving an integration reset command signal, and a network meter connected to a network and integrating the meter reading at a predetermined time. The command signal or the accumulated reset command signal is transmitted and the integrated car is sent from the meter reading unit. And a control management unit for receiving and storing the counter value of the counter.

Description

Remote meter reading system of integrating meter {REMOTE METER-READING SYSTEM FOR CUMULATIVE METER}

The present invention relates to a system that can remotely read the amount of water, heat, electricity, gas, etc. using a network. The present invention relates to a system that can be remotely read and that the instantaneous amount of use can be easily weighted when a certain amount is used.

In order to charge for electricity, water, gas, etc. used for a certain period of time in a conventional home, building, or factory, the meter reader approaches each meter installed in a different place, and reads and records the amount of usage. It charges usage fee by multiplying unit price.

When a meter reader visits a customer and reads the meter one by one, it takes a lot of time and money according to the meter reading, and when there is no person in the meter, the meter has to be visited again. If you change the report arbitrarily, it was difficult to confirm.

A remote meter reading system of an integrating meter is proposed in Patent No. 10-375966 to solve the above problems. The totalizer of the remote meter reading system proposed in the patent is configured to read the total value of the meter and transmit it to the operation server. In particular, in the remote meter reading system of the patent, when the totalizing meter receives the metering command of the operating server and reads the totalizing value and transmits it to the operating server, the operating server reads the meter after a predetermined period from the previously read totalizing value to calculate the charge. It is intended to calculate the difference between the calculated values.

However, the above-described remote meter reading system reads and accumulates the accumulated accumulated amount from the point of time when the meter is used for the metering command of the operation server. The drawback is that you have to record the totalizer and perform the calculation to find the difference.

In addition, the remote meter reading system of the above-cited patent has a problem that it is not possible to read the instantaneous amount of use used in the totalizer at a specific point in time. If you want to read the amount of instantaneous use, you need to perform calculations such as time derivative to get instantaneous value by reading the accumulated amount at small time interval. Due to these drawbacks, it is difficult to apply realistically because the system is complicated when trying to apply the billing for the usage differentially when the load peaks.

An object of the present invention is to provide a remote meter reading system that does not require a separate operation for billing because it is possible to directly obtain the total amount used for a certain period from the totalizer.

In addition, the present invention is a remote meter reading system that can easily read the instantaneous amount of usage at a specific point in time so that consumers can reasonably control the load of the supply amount of water, gas, etc. The purpose is to provide.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a remote metering system capable of high-speed transmission and can read the amount of totalizer meter using a cable TV network cheap.

The remote meter reading system of the totalizer according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the metering unit for measuring the amount of use, the cumulative display unit for accumulating and displaying the amount of the amount measured by the metering unit, and generates a pulse for a certain amount of use An integration meter including a pulse generator for outputting, an integration counter for counting pulses output from the pulse generator, a meter reading / receiving unit connected to a network for transmitting and receiving signals, and a total meter reading command signal from the meter reading / receiving unit A meter reading unit including a meter reading control unit for reading a count value of the counting counter and providing it to the meter reading / receiving receiver when the counting counter is received, and a counting reset value of the counting counter when the counting reset command signal is input, and connected to a network. The integrated meter reading command signal or the integrated reset command signal is transmitted to the unit at a predetermined time. Receiving a receive count value of the integrating counter from the needle unit characterized in that it comprises a control management unit for storage.

In the present invention, the totalizing meter includes a gas meter, a water meter, a calorimeter, and an electric power accumulator, and conceptually refers to a device for accumulating and displaying the total amount of goods continuously supplied from a business operator in a general consumer. According to the present invention, the amount of use of a specific period from a metering unit including an integration meter having a pulse generator for outputting a pulse at a certain amount of use, and an integration counter capable of counting the pulses generated by the pulse generator to accumulate the amount of use of a specific period. It can be provided so that there is no need to calculate the usage amount for a specific period.

In addition, the remote meter reading system of the totalizer according to the present invention, the meter unit further includes an instantaneous counter for counting the pulse output from the pearl generating unit, the meter reading control unit receives an instantaneous reset command signal from the meter reading and receiving unit When the instantaneous counter is reset and the instantaneous meter reading command signal is input, the instantaneous counter count value is provided to the meter reading / receiving unit. And a storage means for storing the transmitted count value, a metering command signal or a reset command signal at a predetermined time in the control transmitter and receiver, and receiving a count value according to the metering command from the control transmitter and receiver to the memory means. Storing and setting a predetermined time value to the timer and simultaneously receiving the instantaneous reset command signal And a signal indicating that the set time has elapsed from the timer is provided to the control transmitter / receiver, and receives the count value of the instantaneous counter from the control transmitter / receiver and stores it in the storage means. It characterized in that it comprises a control management unit for outputting the coefficient value stored in the output means.

According to the present invention, the instantaneous counter provided to the meter reading unit and the timer provided to the management control unit can be used to measure the instantaneous amount used through the integrating meter for a predetermined unit time. There is no need for a separate operation to calculate the amount of usage, and the weighted price can be easily applied when the instantaneous amount of use becomes more than a certain value.

In addition, according to the present invention, the remote meter reading system of the integrated power meter, the total meter and the meter reading unit connected to the network is a plurality, the storage means includes a customer including information on the customer installed the totalizer and the type of the totalizer A usage database including information on a cumulative usage for a predetermined period of time for each totalizer, and a unit price and usage information about the usage of each totalizer, and information on the amount of usage. It includes a billing database and an instantaneous capacity database including the count value of the instantaneous counter for each totalizer, the control management unit stores the total counter count of each totalizer in the usage database and stores the instantaneous counter count in the instantaneous usage database Save, always in a certain time When the usage amount is more than a certain amount, it is characterized in that the use amount for the instantaneous usage is calculated and stored in the billing database at the unit price given the weight.

In addition, according to the present invention, the integrated power meter remote meter reading system is characterized in that the network is a cable TV network, the meter transmitter and receiver and the control transmitter and receiver is an RF modem.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily read the integrated usage and instantaneous usage of a specific period from a plurality of integration meters located at remote locations and to manage charging using a cable TV network.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a total meter remote meter reading system according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram of the total meter of the remote meter reading system according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a block of the transmission unit of the remote meter reading system according to the present invention 4 is a block diagram of a control management unit of the remote meter reading system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the total meter remote meter reading system of the present embodiment is connected to each of the plurality of total meters 10a, 10b, 10n and the total meters 10a, 10b, 10n, and reads the amount of usage. It is connected to the meter reading unit (20a, 20b, 20n) and the network 40, and transmits a signal such as a meter reading command to each of the meter reading unit (20a, 20b, 20n) to receive the meter reading value It consists of a control management unit 50 for storing. In the present embodiment, the signal is transmitted using the cable TV network 40 as the network 40. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an Internet, a power line network, or the like may be used. Reference numerals 30a, 30b, and 30n denote coaxial cables connecting the cable TV network 40 and the customer reading units 20a, 20b, and 20n.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the integrating meter 10a of this embodiment. The totalizer 10a of the present embodiment includes a metering unit 11 for measuring the amount of use, an integration display unit 12 for accumulating and displaying the amount of use measured by the metering unit 11, and measurement of a fixed unit amount in the metering unit. A pulse generator 13 for generating and outputting a pulse with respect to the value is provided.

The metering unit 11 is determined according to the physical quantity to be measured. In the present embodiment, the water metering integrator is used to measure the amount of water used. However, the metering unit 11 is not limited thereto. The calorimeter may be used to measure calories. That is, since the metering unit 11 may use a known meter according to the physical quantity to be measured, detailed description of the metering unit 11 is omitted. The integrated display unit 12 is a device that displays the measured amount cumulatively in proportion to the output signal of the measuring instrument. The integrated display unit 12 includes a mechanical numeric display plate or an electronic numeric display plate and is installed to be viewed by a meter reader. Since the integration display unit 12 is used in a normal integration meter, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The pulse generator 13 is a device that outputs a pulse when the output signal of the metering unit is input and integrated and reaches a predetermined value. For example, when the physical quantity to be measured is tap water, it is configured to output one pulse each time a flow rate corresponding to 0.1 liter is passed.

3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the meter reading unit 20a of this embodiment. The meter reading unit 20a of the present embodiment is connected to a network with an integration counter 21 and an instantaneous counter 24, each of which counts and stores the number of pulses output from the pulse generator 13 for a predetermined time, and is connected to a network. A meter reading and receiving unit 23 for receiving and transmitting a count value stored in each counter from a control unit, a meter reading and receiving unit 23, and an integrated and instantaneous counter. The meter reading control unit 22 is provided. The meter reading / receiving unit 23 is determined according to the type of network connected, and in this embodiment, an RF modem 23 capable of transmitting a signal through the cable TV network 40 is used. The RF modem 23 demodulates the control command signal transmitted from the control management unit 50 to provide it to the meter reading controller 22 and modulates the count values of the integrated counter and the instantaneous counter provided from the meter reading controller to the control management unit. do. The integration counter 21 counts and stores the pulses output from the pulse generator 13 in a predetermined period for billing, for example, on a monthly basis. After the predetermined period has elapsed, the stored value of the totalizer counter is reset to 0, but may be reset by the reset command in the meter reading controller 22. The instantaneous counter 24 counts and stores the pulses that are reset by the reset command from the meter reading control unit 22 and output from the pulse number generator 13. The meter reading control unit 22 analyzes and executes a control command signal provided from the RF modem 23. The control command includes a reading command for reading and transmitting the count value of the totalizing counter 21 and / or the instantaneous counter 24, a reset command for resetting the totalizing counter 21 and / or the instantaneous counter 24, and the reading unit. There are initials and orders.

4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the control management unit 50 of this embodiment. The control management unit 50 of this embodiment is connected to a network, and has a control transmitter and receiver 51 for transmitting and receiving signals, a timer 58, an output means 57, and a storage means for storing the transmitted count value. (53, 54, 55, 56), and the control management unit 52 for controlling the control transmission and reception unit 51, the timer 58, the output means 57, and the storage means 53, 54, 55, 56 ). The control transmitter / receiver 23 is determined according to the type of network to which it is connected. In this embodiment, an RF modem 23 capable of transmitting a signal through the cable TV network 40 is used. The RF modem 51 modulates the control command signal provided from the control management unit 52 and transmits it to the meter reading unit 20a, and counts the counts of the integration counter 21 and the instantaneous counter 24 transmitted from the meter reading unit 20a. The signal is demodulated and provided to the control manager 52. The storage means of the present embodiment includes a customer database 53 including information on a customer installed with an accumulator and information on the type of the accumulator, and information on cumulative usage for a predetermined period for each accumulator. A billing database 55 including a usage database 54, a unit price for the usage of each of the totalizers, information on the usage amount, and information on the amount of usage, and a count value of the instantaneous counter for each totalizer. Instantaneous usage database 56 is included. The control management unit 52 divides the count values of the total counter 21 and the instantaneous counter 24 provided from the RF modem 51, stores information on each total meter in the corresponding database, and reads the stored values. To the output means. The timer provides the control manager with an output signal informing that the predetermined time has elapsed according to the command of the control manager 52. The output unit 57 refers to a device for displaying information stored in the storage means to the outside, including a monitor and a printer. For example, the output unit 57 may also include a device for sending a usage amount and an amount of money for a customer by mail. have.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the operation of the present embodiment.

First, the process of metering and charging water usage for a certain period of use will be described. The control management unit 52 of the control management unit 50 transmits an integration counter set command for the meter reading unit 20a connected to the specific integration meter to be measured to the RF module 51. The RF module 51 modulates the command and transmits the command to the meter reading unit 20a through the cable TV network. The RF module 23 of the meter reading unit 20a demodulates the reset command and provides it to the meter reading controller 22. The meter reading control unit 22 interprets the command and resets the integration counter 21. The integration counter 21 continuously counts the pulses output from the pulse generator 13 of the totalizer until it is reset and stores the value. When a certain period (for example, one month) has elapsed in the control management unit 52 of the control management unit, an integrated counter reading command for the reading unit of the totalizing meter to be read is transmitted to the RF module 51. The RF module 51 modulates the command and transmits the command to the meter reading unit 20a through the cable TV network. The RF module 23 of the meter reading unit 20a demodulates the meter reading command and provides it to the meter reading controller 22. The meter reading controller 22 interprets the command, reads the count value of the integration counter 21 and provides it to the RF module 23, and the RF module 23 modulates the count value and transmits it to the control management unit. The RF module 51 of the control management unit demodulates the count value and provides it to the control management unit 52. The control management unit 52 analyzes which meter value is sent from which meter and uses the usage database corresponding to each meter. The value is stored in the billing database.

Next, the procedure for reading instantaneous values will be described. The instantaneous counter set command for the meter reading unit 20a connected to the specific integration meter to be measured by the control management unit 52 of the control management unit is transmitted to the RF module 51 while the timer ( 58). The RF module 51 modulates the command and transmits the command to the meter reading unit 20a through the cable TV network. The RF module 23 of the meter reading unit 20a demodulates the reset command and provides it to the meter reading controller 22. The meter reading control unit 22 interprets the command to reset the instantaneous counter 24. The instantaneous counter 24 continuously counts the pulses output from the pulse generator 13 of the integrating meter until reset and stores the value. When an output indicating that a predetermined time has elapsed from the timer of the control management unit is input, the control management unit 52 transmits an instantaneous counter reading command to the RF module 51 for the reading unit of the integrating meter to read the instantaneous value. . The RF module 51 modulates the command and transmits the command to the meter reading unit 20a through the cable TV network. The RF module 23 of the meter reading unit 20a demodulates the meter reading command and provides it to the meter reading controller 22. The meter reading control unit 22 interprets the command and reads the count value of the instantaneous counter 24 to the RF module 23, and the RF module 23 modulates the count value and transmits it to the control management unit 50. do. The RF module 51 of the control management unit 50 demodulates the count value and provides it to the control management unit 52. The control management unit 52 analyzes the count value from which meter and corresponds to each meter. The value is stored in the instantaneous usage database, and the calculation is performed for the charging with the weight according to the instantaneous usage and stored in the charging database.

According to the remote meter reading system of the present invention, the meter reader can perform remote meter reading without visiting the customer one by one, and can also obtain the total amount of the totalizer used for a certain period directly from the totalizer so that a separate operation is required for billing. This makes it easy to charge for usage.

In addition, according to the remote meter reading system of the present invention, it is possible to easily read the instantaneous amount of use at a specific time point, and when the instantaneous amount of use increases, the user can charge differently according to the amount of use. Can be adjusted.

In addition, according to the remote meter reading system of the present invention, it is possible to read the usage of the totalizer by using a network of cable TV that is capable of high-speed transmission and low cost to provide an economical remote metering system.

An embodiment of the present invention described above and illustrated in the drawings should not be construed as limiting the technical idea of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is limited only by the matters described in the claims, and those skilled in the art can change and change the technical idea of the present invention in various forms. Therefore, such improvements and modifications will fall within the protection scope of the present invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1 is a block diagram of an integrated meter remote meter reading system according to the present invention

2 is a block diagram of an integration meter of a remote meter reading system according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a meter reading unit of the remote meter reading system according to the present invention

Figure 4 is a block diagram of a control management unit of the remote meter reading system according to the present invention

<Short description of symbols>

10a ~ 10n Totalizer 20a ~ 20n Meter Reading Unit

30a to 30n coaxial cable 40 cable TV networks

50 Control Management Unit 53 Customer DB

54 Usage DB 55 Billing DB

56 Instantaneous Usage DB

Claims (4)

delete An integrating meter including a metering unit for measuring the amount of use, an integration display unit for accumulating and displaying the amount of use measured by the metering unit, and a pulse generator for generating and outputting a pulse at a predetermined amount of use; An integration counter for counting pulses output from the pulse generator, a meter reading / receiving unit connected to a network for transmitting and receiving signals, and a count reading value of the totaling counter when the total meter reading command signal is received from the meter reading / receiving unit; A meter reading unit including a meter reading control unit which is provided to the meter reading and receiving unit and resets the count value of the counting counter when the cumulative reset command signal is received; A control management unit connected to a network, transmitting an integrated meter reading command signal or an integrated reset command signal to the meter reading unit at a predetermined time, and receiving and storing a count value of the counting counter from the meter reading unit, The meter reading unit further includes an instantaneous counter for counting pulses output from a pearl generating unit, and the meter reading control unit resets the instantaneous counter when receiving an instantaneous reset command signal from a meter reading and receiving unit, and receives an instantaneous metering command signal. Provides the instantaneous counter count value to the meter reading and receiving unit, The control management unit includes a control transmitter and receiver connected to a network for transmitting and receiving signals, a timer, an output means, storage means for storing the transmitted count value, and a meter reading command signal at a time determined by the control transmitter and receiver. Or provide a reset command signal, receive a count value according to the meter reading command from the control transmitter / receiver, store it in the storage means, set a predetermined time value to the timer, and provide an instantaneous reset command signal to the control transmitter / receiver. When receiving a signal indicating that the set time has elapsed from the timer, the instantaneous meter reading command signal is provided to the control transmitter / receiver. The instantaneous counter count value is received from the control transmitter / receiver and stored in the storage means. Integrating meter, characterized in that it comprises a control management unit for outputting the value to the output means Remote meter reading system. The method of claim 2, The totalizer and the meter reading unit connected to the network is a plurality, The storage means includes a customer database including information on the customer installed on the totalizer and a type of the totalizer, a usage database including information on accumulated usage for a predetermined period of time for each totalizer, and It includes a billing database including the unit price and information on the amount of usage and the amount of use of each of the totalizer, and the instantaneous usage database including the count value of the instantaneous counter for each totalizer, The control manager stores the total counter count of each total meter in the usage database and the instant counter count in the instant usage database, When the instantaneous instantaneous amount of use of a specific time is a predetermined amount or more, the meter reading unit calculates the amount of use for the instantaneous use at the charging database, characterized in that stored in the billing database. The method according to claim 2 or 3, The network is a cable TV network, The meter reading and receiving unit and the control transmitter and receiver is a remote meter, characterized in that the RF modem.