JP2000286757A - Power line carrier communication equipment for automatic metering system, power line carrier communication system and automatic metering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a power-line carrier communication equipment where it is not required to install a communication line from a central transmitter in a multiple dwelling house to an inspection meter of each house in an automatic metering system. SOLUTION: The power-line carrier communication equipment 10 is installed between a central transmitter 2 and each meter communication unit 4 connected to each inspection meter 3 in the automatic metering system where a metering data collection center unit 101 is connected to a plurality of inspection meters 3 via a communication channel 300 and the central transmitter 2. A transmission reception interface circuit 11 of the power-line carrier communication equipment 10 is placed between a plurality of terminals of the central transmitter and a communication control section 20 to interface signal conversion, and a power-line carrier transmission reception interface circuit 12 is placed between each meter 3 and the communication control section 20 to interface signal conversion. The communication control section 20 refers to a table memory 21 corresponding to communication to conduct communication control between the interface circuits 11, 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic meter reading system for measuring and reading the amount of consumption of a consumer good continuously supplied from an external device such as electricity, gas or water and collecting meter reading data via a communication line. Line communication system, power communication system, and automatic meter reading system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional automatic meter reading system. In FIG. 7, a meter reading data collection center device 101 installed in a meter reading data collection center 100 and a centralized transmission device 2 installed in an apartment house 200 include a telephone line 300 and a terminal-side network control device (hereinafter, T-NCU). ) Are connected through a connection 1.
Each of the terminals T1 to TN of the centralized transmission device 2 is connected to a microcomputer meter (meter-reading meter) 3 by a star connection via, for example, two pairs of communication lines 6-1 to 6-N.
1 to 3-N. Here, T-NCU1
Executes a call process to the meter reading data collection center device 101 or an incoming call process from the meter reading data collection center device 101 under the control of the centralized transmission device 2 to execute the telephone line 3
00 is controlled. Here, instead of the telephone line 300, a wired line such as a dedicated line or a wireless line such as a mobile phone or a PHS may be used. In this case, T-NCU
A modem device for each line may be used in place of 1.

The centralized transmission device 2 receives a message signal from the meter reading data collection center device 101, processes the message signal as necessary based on the meter number of the microcomputer meter included in the message signal, The data is transmitted to the corresponding microcomputer meter (one of 3-1 to 3-N) via the terminal (one of T1 to TN) corresponding to the number. On the other hand, the centralized transmission device 2 has a microcomputer meter (3-1).
3 to N), the T-NCU 1 is used to make a call to the meter reading data collection center apparatus 101, and the received signal is transmitted to the telephone line 300.
To the meter reading data collection center device 101 via The meter reading data collection center device 101 is a device for centrally monitoring the microcomputer meters 3 and collecting meter reading data.

[0004]

In the conventional automatic meter reading system, in the apartment house 200, the microcomputer meters 3-1 to 3-N provided in each house from the centralized transmission device 2 are provided.
It is necessary to individually lay communication lines for star-type connection up to (collectively denoted by reference numeral 3), and there is a problem that the installation cost increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a power line carrier communication device and a power carrier communication device that do not require a communication line to be laid from a centralized transmission device of an apartment house to a meter meter of each house in an automatic meter reading system. System and an automatic meter reading system.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power line carrier communication device which is connected to a plurality of meter reading meters from a meter reading data collection center device via a predetermined communication line and a centralized transmission device. In the automatic meter reading system, a power line carrier communication device inserted between the centralized transmission device and each meter communication device connected to each of the meter reading meters, wherein a plurality of terminals of the centralized transmission device are provided. A first interface circuit connected to the plurality of meter communication devices; a second interface circuit connected to the plurality of meter communication devices; a communication control unit inserted between the first and second interface circuits; For each meter reading,
A storage device that stores a communication correspondence table including terminal information of the centralized transmission device and meter information of the meter reader,
The first interface circuit receives a telegram signal from the centralized transmission device, adds terminal information of the centralized transmission device to the received telegram signal, outputs the terminal signal to communication control means, and outputs terminal information from the communication control means. Is received, and the received message signal is selectively switched to the terminal of the centralized transmission device corresponding to the terminal information and transmitted, and the communication control means transmits the signal from the first interface circuit. On the basis of the message signal to which the terminal information is added, referring to the communication correspondence table stored in the storage device, meter information is searched, and the searched meter information is added to the message signal, and the second interface circuit is added. At the same time, and is stored in the storage device based on the message signal from the second interface circuit and the meter information included in the message signal. It was by referring to the communication correspondence table,
The terminal information of the centralized transmission device is searched, the searched terminal information is added to a telegram signal and output to the first interface circuit, and the second interface circuit includes meter information from the communication control means. The electronic signal is received, modulated by a predetermined modulation method, superimposed on the power line and transmitted to the respective meter reading meters via the respective meter communication devices, and from the respective meter reading devices to the respective meter communication devices. And receiving the demodulated signal to which the meter information is added, demodulating the signal, and outputting the demodulated signal to the communication control means.

The power line carrier communication device according to claim 2 is the power line carrier communication device according to claim 1,
A third interface circuit that is connected to the communication control means, converts the data of the communication correspondence table from an external device into a signal, and outputs the data to the storage device via the communication control means for storage; Features.

Further, the power line communication device according to the third aspect is the power line communication device according to the first aspect, wherein the power line communication device is connected to the meter reading data collection center device via the communication line or another predetermined communication line. Data communication means for performing data communication with the meter reading data collection center device, wherein the data communication means accesses the meter reading data collection center device via the communication line or the another communication line to support the communication. The data of the table is downloaded, converted into a signal, output to the storage device via the communication control means, and stored.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system for power line carrier, the communication device for power line carrier according to any one of the first to third aspects, each of the meter-reading meters and the power line carrier. A communication system for a power line carrier including a meter communication device inserted between the communication device and the communication device, wherein the meter communication device receives a message signal added with meter information from the power line communication device. Then, while outputting only the message signal to which the meter information corresponding to the connected meter reader is added to the connected meter meter, the meter signal corresponding to the meter meter is output to the message signal from the connected meter meter. Information is added to a telegram signal and transmitted to the power line carrier communication device.

The automatic meter reading system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention provides the power line carrier communication system and the centralized transmission connected to the power line carrier communication device of the power line carrier communication system. An automatic meter reading system comprising: an apparatus and the meter reading data collection center device connected from the centralized transmission device via the communication line to collectively collect meter reading data by centrally monitoring the meter meters; The transmission device receives a telegram signal from the meter reading data collection center device via the communication line, and processes the received telegram signal based on meter information of the meter reading meter included in the received telegram signal. While outputting to the power line carrier communication device via the terminal corresponding to the information, receiving the message signal from the power line carrier communication device, The message signal received by a call to the needle data acquisition center apparatus via the communication line and transmits to the meter reading data acquisition center device.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic meter reading system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the power line carrier communication device 10 of FIG. The automatic meter reading system of the present embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a power line carrier communication device 10 and meter communication devices 4-1 to 4-N for each microcomputer meter 3 (collectively,
Reference numeral 4 is assigned. ) Is inserted. Here, the power line carrier communication device 10 includes a transmission / reception interface circuit 11, a communication controller 20, a power line carrier transmission / reception interface circuit 12, a communication correspondence table memory 21, and an RS-232C interface 22.

In FIG. 1, a power line carrier communication device 10 is shown.
Are provided near the centralized transmission device 2, while each meter communication device 4 is provided near each microcomputer meter 3. Power line carrier communication device 10 and each meter communication device 4
Between, for example, 1
The power lines 5, 5-1 to 5-N of the alternating current of 00V are used.
Here, the power line is, for example, a plurality of N branches from the power line 5 and connected to the power lines 5-1 to 5-N of each house. The power line carrier communication device 10 and each meter communication device 4
A known power line carrier method of modulating a transmission signal, superimposing the signal on a power line, and transmitting the modulated signal is used as a communication method between the power line.

In FIG. 2, the transmission / reception interface circuit 11 is connected on one side to the terminals T1 to TN of the centralized transmission device 1 in a one-to-one relationship, while connected to the communication control unit 20 on the other side. . The transmission / reception interface circuit 11 receives a message signal from the meter reading data collection center device 101 received from each of the terminals T1 to TN of the centralized transmission device 2, and adds the received signal to the centralized transmission device 2.
(Hereinafter referred to as terminal number information), and outputs the result to the communication control unit 20. On the other hand, the transmission / reception interface circuit 11 sends the microcomputer
And the terminal information is selectively switched to the terminal (one of T1 to TN) of the centralized transmission apparatus 2 corresponding to the terminal information and transmitted.

Here, the meter reading data collection center device 10
The telegram signal from 1 is, for example, a meter reading request telegram signal instructing to upload meter reading data indicating gas usage, while the telegram signal from the microcomputer meter 3 responds to, for example, the meter reading instruction telegram. This is a meter reading response message signal including the meter reading data to be read.

In the communication control unit 20, for example, as shown in the following table, the terminal number of the centralized transmission device 2 and the ID number (= meter address) of the meter communication device 4 are stored for each microcomputer meter 3. The communication correspondence table memory 21 is connected.

[0017]

[Table 1] Communication correspondence table ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― Microcomputer meter number Terminal number of centralized transmission equipment ID of meter communication device (= meter address) ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― Meter 2 2 0001…… Microcomputer meter N N 1000 ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

The communication control unit 20 is constituted by, for example, a digital computer, and searches a meter address by referring to a communication correspondence table in a communication correspondence table memory 21 based on a message signal and a terminal number from the transmission / reception interface circuit 11. , Adding the searched meter address to the received message signal and transmitting / receiving interface circuit 1 for power line carrier
Output to 2. On the other hand, the communication control unit 20 refers to the communication correspondence table in the communication correspondence table memory 21 based on the message signal from the power line carrier transmission / reception interface circuit 12 and the meter address added thereto, and The terminal number of the corresponding centralized transmission device 2 is searched, and the searched terminal number is added to the received message signal and output to the transmission / reception interface circuit 11. An RS-232C interface circuit 22 is connected to the communication control unit 20, and the interface circuit 22 receives data of a communication correspondence table from a mobile personal computer 30 such as a notebook personal computer connected to the interface circuit 22. After performing signal conversion such as serial / parallel conversion, the data is output to the communication correspondence table memory 21 via the communication control unit 20 and written. As a result, an external device such as the mobile personal computer 30 can easily write the data into the communication correspondence table memory 21 via the communication control unit 20, and the setting can be changed.

The power line carrier transmission / reception interface circuit 12 receives a telegram signal (digital signal) from the communication control unit 20 to which the meter address is added, modulates the received signal with a predetermined modulation method, and superimposes the power signal on the power line 5 so as to superimpose each meter. It is transmitted to the communication device 4. On the other hand, the power line carrier transmission / reception interface circuit 12 receives and demodulates the message signal from the meter communication device 4 to which the meter address is added, and outputs a demodulated signal (digital signal) to the communication control unit 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the meter device 4 and the microcomputer meter 3 of FIG.

In FIG. 3, each meter communication device 4 is provided near each microcomputer meter 3 and a communication control unit 40 is provided.
, A processing memory 41 connected to the communication control unit 40, a power line carrier transmission / reception interface circuit 42, and a transmission / reception interface circuit 43. Here, the power transmission / reception interface circuit 42 is configured in the same manner as the power transmission / reception interface circuit 12, receives a message signal (digital signal) to which a meter address is added from the communication control unit 40, and performs predetermined modulation. Power line carrier communication device 1 by modulating in a manner superimposed on power line 5
0 is transmitted to the power transmission / reception interface circuit 12. On the other hand, the power line carrier transmission / reception interface circuit 42 receives and demodulates the demodulated signal (digital signal) from the power line carrier transmission / reception interface circuit 12 of the power carrier transmission / reception interface circuit 12 by receiving and demodulating the message signal to which the meter address is added. Output to the communication control unit 40. Also,
The transmission / reception interface circuit 43 converts the digital signal from the communication control unit 40 into a predetermined signal and then transmits the signal to the transmission / reception interface circuit 32 of the microcomputer meter 3, while transmitting the digital signal from the transmission / reception interface circuit 32 of the microcomputer meter 3. After receiving and performing predetermined signal conversion, the signal is output to the communication control unit 40.

The processing memory 41 stores setting information such as the meter address of the corresponding microcomputer meter 3 in advance and is connected to the communication control unit 40. The communication control unit 40 determines whether or not the corresponding meter address of the microcomputer meter 3 is added to the digital signal received from the power line carrier communication device 10 via the power carrier transmitter / receiver interface circuit 42, and The digital signal is transmitted to the microcomputer meter 3 via the transmission / reception interface circuit 43 only when the digital signal is received from the transmission / reception interface circuit 32 of the microcomputer meter 3 via the transmission / reception interface circuit 43. Is transmitted to the power transmission / reception interface circuit 12 of the power line communication device 10 via the power transmission / reception interface circuit 42.

In FIG. 3, each microcomputer meter 3 is connected to a corresponding meter communication device 4, and has a communication control unit 30 and a processing memory 31 connected to the communication control unit 30.
, The transmission / reception interface circuit 32, and the gas measurement unit 3
5 is provided. Here, the transmission / reception interface circuit 32 is configured in the same manner as the transmission / reception interface circuit 43, receives a telegram signal (digital signal) from the communication control unit 30 and performs signal processing such as signal conversion. Transmission / reception interface circuit 4
3 and the communication control unit 40 of the meter communication device 4.
The digital signal is received via the transmission / reception interface circuit 43, subjected to signal processing such as signal conversion, and then output to the communication control unit 30. Further, the gas measuring unit 35 measures the amount of gas used and the pressure value by measuring the flow rate and the supply pressure value of the gas, respectively, and outputs and stores them in the processing memory 31 via the communication control unit 30.

The processing memory 31 stores in advance setting information such as a meter address of the corresponding microcomputer meter 3 and setting data of the gas measuring unit 35, and is connected to the communication control unit 30. The communication control unit 30 includes the power line carrier communication device 1
0, interprets a digital signal which is a digital signal received via the meter communication device 4 and the transmission / reception interface circuit 32, and executes a process corresponding to the interpreted instruction command. For example, if the instruction command is a meter reading instruction (meter reading instruction message), the meter reading data for a predetermined period stored in the processing memory 31 is transmitted via the transmission / reception interface circuit 32. In addition, for example, in the case of a gas pressure measurement instruction (pressure measurement instruction message), the control unit 30 transmits gas pressure measurement data for a predetermined period stored in the processing memory 31 via the transmission / reception interface circuit 32.

In FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a telephone line 300 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a wired line such as a dedicated line or an ISDN line, a mobile phone or a PH
Another communication line such as a wireless line such as S may be used.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a communication control process executed by the communication control unit 20 of FIG. In FIG. 4, first, in step S1, it is determined whether the transmission / reception interface circuit 11 has received a message signal,
If YES, the first relay processing in FIG. 5 (FIG. 5)
Is performed, and the process returns to step S1. Step S
If NO in step S1, it is determined in step S2 whether the transmission / reception interface circuit 12 has received a message. If YES, the second relay processing (FIG. 6) is executed in step S4, and then step S1 Return to further,
If NO in step S2, the process returns to step S2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first relay process which is a subroutine of FIG. In FIG.
First, in step S11, the transmission / reception interface circuit 1
1, the terminal receives the message signal and terminal information from the center, and recognizes the terminal number based on the terminal information from the transmission / reception interface circuit 11 in step S12.
Next, a meter address is searched using the communication correspondence table 21 based on the terminal number recognized in step S13, and a message signal including the meter address searched in step S14 is transmitted and received by the transmission / reception interface circuit 1.
2 and return to the main routine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the second relay processing which is a subroutine of FIG. In FIG.
First, in step S21, a message signal from the meter communication device 4 is received from the transmission / reception interface circuit 12. Next, in step S22, a terminal number is searched using the communication correspondence table memory 21 based on the meter address in the message signal, and in step S23, the received message signal and the searched terminal number are output to the transmission / reception interface circuit 11, and Return to the main routine.

As described above, the present embodiment has the following unique effects. (1) The existing system can be used simply by inserting and installing the power line carrier communication device 10 and each meter communication device 4. (2) The power line carrier communication device 10 can be used without being conscious of the content of the message from the meter reading data collection center device 101. (3) It is possible to flexibly cope with the addition of a command of a telegram or the change of the data length. (4) Since the common power line can be used, construction is easy. That is, there is no need to lay a new communication line as in the conventional example.

In the above embodiments, the automatic meter reading system for gas has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is widely applied to automatic meter reading systems for other consumer goods such as electricity and water supply. be able to.

In the above embodiment, the ID of the meter communication device 4 and the corresponding meter address of the microcomputer meter 3 are set to be the same, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be different. In this case, a correspondence table between the ID of the meter communication device 4 and the meter address needs to be stored in the communication correspondence table memory 21 and the processing memory 41 in advance.

In the above embodiment, the terminal numbers are assigned to the plurality of terminals T1 to TN of the centralized transmission apparatus 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other terminal information such as symbols and characters may be used. May be attached.

In the above embodiment, the data in the communication correspondence table memory 21 is transmitted from the mobile PC 30 to the RS.
-232C interface circuit 22 and communication control unit 2
0 is stored in the communication correspondence table memory 21 through the communication control unit 20 through the communication control unit 20 shown in FIG.
, T-NCU 1 and telephone line 30
The data of the communication correspondence table may be downloaded by connecting to and accessing the meter reading data collection center apparatus 101 through the communication correspondence table memory 21 and stored in the communication correspondence table memory 21.
In this modification, the telephone line 300 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and another communication line such as a dedicated line, a wired line such as an ISDN line, or a wireless line such as a mobile phone or a PHS is used. Is also good. In this case, a data communication device such as a line modem device for performing data communication with the meter reading data collection center device 101 is provided.

In the above embodiment, the centralized transmission device 2 and the power line carrier communication device 10 are configured in separate housings, but may be housed and integrated in one housing. Further, the meter communication device 4 and the microcomputer meter 3 are configured in separate housings, but may be housed in one housing and integrated.

[0035]

As described above in detail, according to the power line carrier communication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of meter reading meters are transmitted from a meter reading data collection center device via a predetermined communication line and a centralized transmission device. In the automatic meter reading system connected to the, the communication device for power line carrier inserted between the centralized transmission device and each meter communication device connected to each of the meter reading meters, wherein the centralized transmission device A first interface circuit connected to the plurality of terminals, a second interface circuit connected to the plurality of meter communication devices, and a communication control inserted between the first and second interface circuits. Means, and a storage device for storing a communication correspondence table including terminal information of the centralized transmission device and meter information of the meter reader for each of the meter meters, The interface circuit receives a telegram signal from the centralized transmission device, adds the terminal information of the centralized transmission device to the received telegram signal and outputs it to the communication control means, and the terminal information is added from the communication control means. Receiving the received message signal, selectively switching the received message signal to the terminal of the centralized transmission device corresponding to the terminal information, and transmitting the signal. The communication control means determines that the terminal information from the first interface circuit is On the basis of the added telegram signal, referring to the communication correspondence table stored in the storage device, meter information is searched, and the searched meter information is added to the telegram signal and output to the second interface circuit. At the same time, based on the message signal from the second interface circuit and the meter information included in the message signal, the communication signal stored in the storage device is stored. The terminal information of the centralized transmission device is searched with reference to the correspondence table, the searched terminal information is added to the message signal and output to the first interface circuit, and the second interface circuit controls the communication control. Receiving the electronic signal including the meter information from the means, modulating it by a predetermined modulation method, superimposing it on the power line, and transmitting it to each of the meter reading meters via each of the meter communication devices, and transmitting each of the meter reading meters; And via the respective meter communication devices, receives and demodulates the telegram signal to which the meter information is added, and outputs the demodulated signal to the communication control means. Therefore, the present invention has the following specific effects. (1) The existing system can be used only by inserting and installing the power line carrier communication device and each meter communication device. (2) The power line communication device can be used without being conscious of the contents of the message from the meter reading data collection center device. (3) It is possible to flexibly cope with the addition of a command of a telegram or the change of the data length. (4) Since the common power line can be used, construction is easy. That is, there is no need to lay a new communication line as in the conventional example.

According to the power line carrier communication device of the second aspect, in the power line carrier communication device of the first aspect, data of the communication correspondence table from an external device is connected to the communication control means. The image processing apparatus further includes a third interface circuit for converting a signal, outputting the signal to the storage device via the communication control means, and storing the signal. Therefore, the data of the communication correspondence table can be fetched from the external device to the storage device and updated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the power line communication device according to the first aspect, wherein the meter reading data collection center device is provided via the communication line or another predetermined communication line. A data communication means for performing data communication with the meter reading data collection center device, wherein the data communication means accesses the meter reading data collection center device via the communication line or the another communication line to access the meter reading data collection center device. The data of the communication correspondence table is downloaded, converted into a signal, output to the storage device via the communication control means, and stored. Therefore, the data in the communication correspondence table can be fetched from the meter reading data collection center device into the storage device and updated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power line communication system, the meter reading meter, and the power line. A power line carrier communication system comprising a meter communication device inserted between the carrier communication device and the power line carrier communication device, wherein the meter communication device has a message signal to which meter information from the power line carrier communication device is added. And outputs only the message signal to which the meter information corresponding to the connected meter reader is added to the connected meter meter, while corresponding to the message signal from the connected meter meter and corresponding to the meter meter. The meter information to be transmitted is added to the message signal and transmitted to the power line carrier communication device. Therefore, the present invention has the following specific effects. (1) Existing systems can be used simply by inserting and installing the power line carrier communication device and each meter communication device. (2) The power line carrier communication device can be used without being conscious of the contents of the message from the meter reading data collection center device. (3) It is possible to flexibly cope with the addition of a command of a telegram or the change of the data length. (4) Since the common power line can be used, construction is easy. That is, there is no need to lay a new communication line as in the conventional example.

Further, according to the automatic meter reading system according to claim 5 of the present invention, the power line carrier communication system according to claim 4 and the power line carrier communication device of the power line carrier communication system. An automatic meter reading system comprising a centralized transmission device and the meter reading data collection center device, which is connected via the communication line from the centralized transmission device and collects meter reading data by centrally monitoring the meter meters, The centralized transmission device receives a message signal from the meter reading data collection center device via the communication line, and processes the received message signal based on meter information of the meter reading meter included in the received message signal. , While outputting to the power line carrier communication device via the terminal corresponding to the meter information, receiving a message signal from the power line carrier communication device The message signal received by a call to the meter reading data acquisition center apparatus via the communication line transmits to the meter reading data acquisition center device. Therefore, the present invention has the following specific effects. (1) Existing systems can be used simply by inserting and installing the power line carrier communication device and each meter communication device. (2) The power line carrier communication device can be used without being conscious of the contents of the message from the meter reading data collection center device. (3) It is possible to flexibly cope with the addition of a command of a telegram or the change of the data length. (4) Since the common power line can be used, construction is easy. That is, there is no need to lay a new communication line as in the conventional example.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic meter reading system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the power line carrier communication device 10 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a meter device 4 and a microcomputer meter 3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication control process executed by a communication control unit 20 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first relay process which is a subroutine of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second relay process which is a subroutine of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional automatic meter reading system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... T-NCU, 2 ... Centralized transmission device, 3,3-1 to 3-N ... Microcomputer meter, 4,4-1 to 4-N ... Meter communication device, 5,5-1 to 5-N ... Power line Reference numeral 11: transmission / reception interface circuit, 12: transmission / reception interface circuit for power line carrier, 20: communication control unit, 21: communication correspondence table memory, 22: RS-232C interface circuit, 30: mobile personal computer, 30: communication control unit, 31 ... processing memory, 32 ... transmission / reception interface circuit, 35: gas measurement unit, 40: communication control unit, 41: processing memory, 42: power transmission / reception interface circuit, 43: transmission / reception interface circuit, 100: meter reading data collection center, 101 … Measurement data collection center device, 200… Multi-family house, 300… Telephone line , T1 to TN ... terminals of the centralized transmission device.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Gen Fujii 4-1-2, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term in Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (reference) 5K046 AA03 BA01 BA02 BB05 PP01 PS05 PS44 PS47 YY01 5K048 AA11 BA36 DA02 DC06 DC07 EB10 HA01 HA02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An automatic meter reading system connected to a plurality of meter reading meters from a meter reading data collection center device via a predetermined communication line and a centralized transmission device, wherein the centralized transmission device is connected to each of the meter reading meters. And a first interface circuit connected to a plurality of terminals of the centralized transmission device, and a first interface circuit connected to the plurality of meter communication devices. A second interface circuit, communication control means interposed between the first and second interface circuits, and terminal information of the centralized transmission device and meter information of the meter reader for each meter meter. A storage device for storing a communication correspondence table including the communication correspondence table, wherein the first interface circuit receives and receives a message signal from the centralized transmission device. The terminal signal of the centralized transmission device is added to the message signal and output to the communication control means, and the message signal to which the terminal information is added is received from the communication control means, and the received message signal corresponds to the terminal information. The communication control means selectively switches to the terminal of the centralized transmission device for transmission, and the communication control means stores the communication correspondence stored in the storage device based on the message signal to which the terminal information from the first interface circuit is added. With reference to the table, meter information is searched, the searched meter information is added to the message signal and output to the second interface circuit, and the message signal from the second interface circuit and the meter included in the message signal are output. Based on the information, the terminal information of the centralized transmission device is searched by referring to the communication correspondence table stored in the storage device, and the searched terminal is searched. The information is added to the message signal and output to the first interface circuit. The second interface circuit receives the message signal including the meter information from the communication control means and modulates the message signal by a predetermined modulation method. While transmitting to the respective meter reading meters via the respective meter communication devices superimposed on the power line and receiving a message signal to which meter information has been added from the respective meter reading devices via the respective meter communication devices. A power line carrier communication device characterized by outputting a demodulated signal to a communication control means. 2. A third interface circuit, which is connected to the communication control means, converts the data of the communication correspondence table from an external device into a signal, and outputs the converted data to the storage device via the communication control means for storage. The power line carrier communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. A data communication means connected to the meter reading data collection center device via the communication line or another predetermined communication line for performing data communication with the meter reading data collection center device, wherein the data communication means is Accessing the meter reading data collection center device via the communication line or the another communication line to download the data of the communication correspondence table, convert the signal, and output the data to the storage device via the communication control means. The power line carrier communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is stored. 4. A power line carrier communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a meter communication device inserted between each of the meter reading meters and the power line carrier communication device. The power line carrier communication system, wherein the meter communication device receives a message signal to which meter information from the power line carrier communication device is added, and adds meter information corresponding to the connected meter reading meter. Only the transmitted electronic signal is output to the connected meter reading meter, while the meter information corresponding to the meter reading is added to the electronic signal from the connected meter reading meter and transmitted to the power line carrier communication device. A power line carrier communication system, comprising: 5. The power line carrier communication system according to claim 4, the centralized transmission device connected to the power line carrier communication device of the power line communication system, and the centralized transmission device via the communication line. Connected
An automatic meter reading system including the meter reading data collection center device that collects meter reading data by centrally monitoring the meter reading meters, wherein the centralized transmission device is connected to the meter reading data center device via the communication line. Receives the electronic message signal, processes the received electronic signal based on the meter information of the meter reading meter included in the received electronic signal signal, and outputs the processed electronic signal to the power line carrier communication device via a terminal corresponding to the meter information. On the other hand, receiving a message signal from the power line carrier communication device, calling the meter reading data collection center device, and transmitting the received message signal to the meter reading data collection center device via the communication line. Automatic meter reading system.