JP2001283365A - Measuring instrument management device and its system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a measuring instrument management device and system capable of collectively grasping information such as the occurrence of an earthquake or the damage of a conduit which may easily generate a dangerous situation such as the dying-out of flames on a gas consumption equipment or the occurrence of a fire and a section generating the dangerous situation by a management center or the like. SOLUTION: A detection information output device 22 displays an image obtained by plotting the geographic distribution of a place where an earthquake or a pressure drop is detected on a map on a screen of a CRT display device 251. A section area where an earthquake is detected on two or more positions out of all section areas is extracted. A message 'An earthquake occurred in a prefecture A' is outputted from a voice output device 252 on the basis of the extracted area and an image obtained by plotting the distribution of respective detection places on the map is printed out from a printer device 253.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to communication of various information between a measuring instrument such as a gas meter, a water meter or a power meter provided with a communication function, and a management center via a telephone line or a dedicated line. The present invention relates to a measurement device management device and a measurement device management system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Measuring instruments, such as gas meters, water meters, and power meters, are installed in each user's residence or store in order to calculate usage fees according to a predetermined metered system.

[0003] In recent years, for example, a gas meter has been proposed which includes a microcomputer (microcomputer) for controlling a measurement operation of a gas usage amount and processing data of a measured value.

A gas meter equipped with a microcomputer as described above detects a pressure abnormality detecting device for detecting, for example, an abnormal decrease in the pressure of the supplied gas, or detects the occurrence of a strong vibration exceeding a predetermined intensity. For example, a seismic device for determining that an earthquake has occurred is provided for each gas meter.

Further, each gas meter is provided with a shut-off valve, and when an earthquake or abnormal pressure is detected, the shut-off valve shuts off (stops) the supply of gas to the downstream side of the gas meter. ).

[0006] For example, when an earthquake occurs, gas pipes and the like are damaged and gas leakage occurs from that portion, or gas consumption equipment used on the user side falls over, and the like. In order to avoid such a dangerous situation, the gas meter automatically closes the shut-off valve and shuts off the gas supply because the burning may go out or a fire may occur.

[0007] Further, if a pressure drop abnormality occurs in the supplied gas, it is dangerous if incomplete combustion or extinguishing occurs in the gas consuming equipment used on the user side.
To avoid such a dangerous situation, the gas meter automatically closes the shut-off valve to cut off the gas supply.

As described above, in a conventional microcomputer gas meter or the like, when an event such as an earthquake or abnormal pressure drop occurs,
This is automatically detected and the shutoff valve is closed.

[0009]

However, in the above-described seismic device for a gas meter, even when no earthquake actually occurs, for example, when a human or an object collides, the vibration of the device does not occur. There is a problem that the supply of gas may be unnecessarily shut off by erroneously sensing the

Further, in such a case, the gas supply is automatically shut off without knowing the cause, so that the user is confused without knowing how to deal with it. There is.

[0011] When an earthquake actually occurs, it is desirable for a gas company or the like to first grasp an area where the influence of the earthquake is concerned. There is a problem that it is difficult to immediately grasp the overall situation of such a region.

It is desirable that all gas meters distributed in an area that has been strongly shaken by the earthquake should be shut off. However, there are gas meters that cannot be shut off due to a failure of a seismic device or the like. If you have
There is a problem that it may be difficult to avoid a dangerous state such as going out or gas leakage.

When an earthquake or pressure drop is automatically detected and shut down is performed, after the earthquake has subsided or the pressure drop has been eliminated, an operation of returning (reopening) the shutoff valve must be performed. Must, but since the user does not always have the exact knowledge of such a return operation,
There is a problem that inquiries about the return operation may flood the gas company, gas equipment management base, and the like.

Further, the pressure drop abnormality may occur due to breakage of the conduit and gas leakage from that portion. Therefore, when a pressure drop abnormality occurs, there is a possibility that the pipe near the point where the pressure drop has occurred is broken or gas leaking, and it may be necessary to re-inspect the pipe. .

However, the cause of the pressure drop abnormality is not only the damage of the conduit but also other factors. Therefore, whether the pressure decrease abnormality at that time is caused by the damage of the conduit,
Although it is necessary to determine whether the cause is caused by other factors, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform such determination immediately or reliably with the conventional gas meter or management system. In addition, even if it is determined that the cause of the pressure drop is a broken pipe or a gas leak, it is difficult for a gas company or the like to know at which point in which area it has occurred. There's a problem.

Such a disaster prevention function and an abnormality detection function have been proposed not only for a gas meter but also for a water meter, a power meter, and the like, but all have the same problems as described above.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to reduce the occurrence of various events, such as an earthquake or an abnormally low gas pressure, which may cause a dangerous situation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a measurement device management device and a measurement device management system that enable a management center or the like to detect with high reliability.

Information such as the occurrence of an earthquake or damage to a conduit which is likely to cause dangerous situations such as extinguishing or fire of gas consuming equipment, and information on the occurrence of the occurrence in which area and at a management center, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a measurement device management device and a measurement device management system that enable the user to collectively grasp the measurement device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a measuring instrument management apparatus and a measuring instrument management system which enable a gas company or the like to grasp the geographical distribution of points where various events as described above have occurred.

Further, when an event such as an earthquake or abnormal pressure occurs, the information can be collected by a management center or the like, and a countermeasure such as stopping the gas supply can be taken in response to the information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a measurement device management device and a measurement device management system that can more reliably avoid occurrence of a situation.

Further, when an event such as an earthquake or abnormal pressure occurs, a user in a district where the event occurred has a
It is an object of the present invention to provide a measurement device management apparatus and a measurement device management system that can present information about what kind of event has occurred, information about what kind of treatment is desirable, and the like. .

In addition, when a situation such as a pressure drop abnormality occurs, information for detecting the occurrence and determining whether the situation is caused by breakage of a conduit or the like is collected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a measurement device management apparatus and a measurement device management system that can output and output the information on a screen.

[0023]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A measuring instrument management apparatus according to the present invention stores information indicating that a predetermined type of event has occurred and information of a location where a measuring instrument which has detected the occurrence of the event is installed. Detection information carried as a set, detection information collecting means for collecting from the measuring device via the communication means, and when the detection information is collected from a predetermined number or more points at the same time, the detection information is carried A detection information output unit that outputs information of at least one of an image, a sound, and an electric signal by associating information of a type of an event and information of a place where the event occurs.

Another measuring device management apparatus according to the present invention carries, as a set, information indicating that a predetermined type of event has occurred and information of a place where the measuring device that has detected the occurrence of the event is installed. If the detection information is collected from a predetermined number or more of a plurality of points at the same time, the information of the geographical distribution of the plurality of points, A detection information output unit that outputs at least one of an image or a sound and an electric signal.

The measuring instrument management system according to the present invention measures at least one of gas usage, water usage, and power usage as a measurement object,
A measuring device that detects that a predetermined type of event has occurred, and outputs detection information that carries information of the type of the event and information of a point where the event has been detected as a set, and an output from the measuring device. Detection information collecting means for collecting the detected information via communication means, and when the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more points, information on the type of event carried by the detection information. And detection information output means for outputting information by at least one of an image, a sound, and an electric signal in association with information on a point where the event has occurred.

Another measuring instrument management system according to the present invention measures at least one of a gas usage, a water usage, and an electric power usage as a measurement target, and detects that a predetermined type of event has occurred. A measuring device that detects and outputs detection information that carries information of the type of the event and information of a point where the event is detected as a set, and the detection information output from the measuring device is transmitted through a communication unit. Detection information collecting means for collecting the information, and when the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more of the points, the information of the geographical distribution of the plurality of points is converted into at least one of an image, a sound, and a signal. And detection information output means for outputting the information.

The detection information output means may output information on the geographical distribution of the plurality of points in association with information on the type of the event. Further, the measuring device is a gas meter that measures the amount of gas used and outputs the detection information, wherein the event is an event in which vibration of a predetermined intensity or more is detected and a pressure value that deviates from a predetermined range is detected. At least one of the events may be set.

The detection information collecting means may include, as the predetermined type of event, fire occurrence information carrying information indicating that a fire has occurred and information of a point where the fire has occurred.
Further, the information may be collected.

When the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more points, a report corresponding to the information of the type of event carried by the detection information is made from among the predetermined report types. It may be further provided with a notification output means for selecting and outputting the notification by at least one of an image or a sound and an electric signal.

The report output means may transmit the report via a communication means to a user at a location where the detection information has been collected.

[0031] The report output means is provided with a communication means for a user of a point in an area including a predetermined number or more of points where the detection information is collected in a geographical area previously divided into a plurality of areas. The notification may be transmitted via the Internet.

When the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more points, the measurement device is caused to execute a measure corresponding to the information of the type of the event carried by the detection information. The apparatus may further include a treatment information output unit that selects from preset treatment information types and transmits the selected treatment information to the measurement device at the point where the detection information is collected via the communication unit. .

When the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more of points, the measurement device is configured to execute a measure corresponding to the information of the type of event carried by the detection information in advance. Select from among the types of treatment information that has been set, and select it from among the geographical areas divided in advance into a plurality of areas, the points in the area including a predetermined number or more of the points where the detection information is collected. The medical device may further include a treatment information output unit that transmits the measurement information to the measurement device via the communication unit.

[0034] Further, the measuring device is a gas meter which measures a gas usage and is provided with a shutoff valve, and the treatment is a treatment for closing or opening the cutoff valve. Good.

In the measuring instrument management apparatus or the measuring instrument management system according to the present invention, when a predetermined type of event such as an earthquake or a decrease in gas pressure occurs, the measuring instrument such as a microcomputer gas meter detects the event first. And with information about what kind of event that is,
Information on the location where the occurrence has occurred is combined as one set to provide detection information, which is transmitted to the detection information collection means via a communication means such as a telephone line. In addition, as the information of the point where the event has occurred, it is possible to apply the information of the installation location of the measuring device or the identification number of the measuring device.

The detection information transmitted from the measuring device is
Collected by the detection information collection means. At this time, if a predetermined number or more of the detected information is collected, the type of the event carried by the detected information is associated with the location where the event occurred, and information such as a personal computer or a dedicated computer is used. Displayed as a list on the display screen of the processing unit,
As a so-called mapping, the geographical distribution of the occurrence points is displayed on a map on the screen, or an announcement such as “an earthquake has occurred in the third district” is output by electronically synthesized voice. When a predetermined number or more pieces of detection information are collected at a time, it is determined that a vibration or a pressure drop that affects the entire area including the plurality of points has occurred.

That is, taking as an example the case of detecting an earthquake or a pressure drop abnormality in a gas meter, if the vibration is detected only by a conventional individual gas meter, the vibration detected at that time is actually caused by the earthquake. In practice, it is extremely difficult to reliably determine whether the difference is caused by vibration or impact. However, according to the present invention, since information such that a plurality of gas meters at a predetermined point or more simultaneously detected vibration in a wide area is grasped by a management center or the like, it is said that such a large number of gas meters detected vibration at once. This means that there is a high probability that an earthquake has occurred, and the fact that a gas pressure drop was detected in a large area at the same time means that the probability of breakage or gas leakage occurring in a pipe laid in that area is high. It can be determined that it is high.

Further, in the measuring equipment management apparatus or the measuring equipment management system according to the present invention, what kind of notification is made based on the information of the type of the event obtained from the collected detection information and the information of the distribution of the occurrence point. The report output means automatically selects whether to output the information based on a preset correspondence rule or the like, and outputs it. Alternatively, further, the report output means automatically determines to what kind of area the report should be sent,
Execute the transmission.

In addition to the output and transmission of the notification, the treatment information output means automatically determines what kind of treatment is desired in response to the event that has occurred and the point where it occurred. It is also possible to transmit information to a measuring device or a user at the corresponding point. The treatment information includes information for notifying the user of the treatment method, or information carrying instructions for controlling the measuring device remotely from the management center and performing a measure for coping with the occurring event. (Signal) and the like are preferable.

The measuring instrument management apparatus or the measuring instrument management system according to the present invention is suitable for a gas meter managing apparatus or a gas meter managing system. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus or a measurement equipment management system.

[0041]

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

FIG. 1 schematically shows a schematic configuration of a gas meter management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This gas meter management system includes a gas meter (measurement device) 1, an alarm 2, a user-side output terminal device 3, a T-NCU 4, and a management center 20 provided on a plurality of users.
0, a detection information collection device 21, a detection information output device 22, a notification output device 23, a treatment information output device 24, a center side output terminal device 25, and a private branch exchange device 26 are provided in a main part of the entire system. ing. Communication between the management center 200 and the user is performed by a communication system using the telephone line 100.

The gas meter 1 measures the amount of gas used,
This is a so-called microcomputer gas meter which incorporates a microcomputer for controlling the opening / closing operation of the shut-off valve 5, the seismic operation for detecting vibration having a strength equal to or higher than a predetermined vibration, the pressure drop detecting operation for detecting a gas pressure drop, and the like. .

The gas meter 1 further includes a telephone line 1
A device (not shown) for executing a communication function of communicating information such as meter reading data with the management center 200 via the control center 200 or the like is provided. The communication function attached to such a gas meter 1 is such that the usage amount of each user is managed by the management center 20.
In recent years, as an effective function for constructing an automatic meter reading management system that collectively performs automatic meter reading at 0 or controls or monitors the operation of each measuring device, further spread has been promoted.

The data such as the integrated value of the gas usage, which is converted into a signal by a microcomputer built in each gas meter 1 installed for each user, is managed by the communication function of the gas meter 1. It is transmitted to the center 200 and the like. That is, the gas meter 1
The communication function of T-NCU (Terminal network) is a terminal modem device provided exclusively for the gas meter.
rk control unit) 4 via telephone line 1
00 or a dedicated line, and further transmits data to an automatic meter reading information processing device (not shown) installed in the management center 200 of the gas company via the telephone line 100 or the like. In the automatic meter reading information processing device, the data of the gas usage amount together with the identification number of each user is stored in a storage device (not shown) or displayed on a display screen (not shown).

A communication system using the telephone line 100 and the like used in such an automatic meter reading system has been proposed for water, electric power, etc. in addition to gas. The communication system used for such automatic meter reading is a communication system (communication means) for collecting the detection information or communicating the treatment information and the notification as described later. ).

The gas meter 1 is accessed from the management center 200 side by using a communication system used for automatic meter reading, and the opening / closing operation of the shut-off valve 5 of the gas meter 1 and the gas usage amount measuring operation are remotely controlled. It is also possible to set.

In addition to the above, the gas meter 1 performs a shut-off valve 5 for shutting off the gas supply and a return operation called shut-off return for returning the valve once closed to the open state. A return button (not shown) for inputting,
It goes without saying that various devices and functions generally provided in the microcomputer / gas meter 1, such as a pressure sensor (not shown) for detecting a decrease in gas pressure or occurrence of an abnormal value, are similarly provided. .

Further, the gas meter 1 has a built-in seismic device for detecting vibration of a predetermined intensity or more, and when a vibration is detected, information indicating that the vibration has been detected and information of the gas meter 1 The information of the installed locations is collected into one set and output as detection information.
And the like to the management center 200.

Further, the gas meter 1 has a pressure sensor for measuring gas pressure and a pressure abnormality judging device for judging that the measured pressure is an abnormal value outside a predetermined pressure value range. (Not shown), and when a pressure abnormality is detected, information indicating that the pressure abnormality has been detected and information of a place where the gas meter 1 is installed are put together as a set of detection information. And transmits it to the management center 200 via the telephone line 100 or the like. Here, as the information of the place where the gas meter 1 is installed, the identification number of each gas meter 1 may be actually used. That is, generally, information such as the address of one user is registered in the information processing device or the like of the management center 200 in correspondence with one identification number, so that the information of the address corresponding to the identification number of one gas meter is stored. This is because by searching, it is possible to obtain information on the location where the terminal is installed. Alternatively, it goes without saying that information of the installation location of the gas meter 1 and information indicating which jurisdiction the installation location belongs to may be included in the detection information itself in advance.

In this gas meter 1, the management center 200
When a signal carrying a shut-off command or a return (open) command transmitted from the controller is received, the microcomputer controls the opening / closing operation of the shut-off valve 5 in response to the signal.

The alarm 2 detects the occurrence of a fire or carbon monoxide, and is installed indoors separately from the gas meter 1 which is generally installed outdoors. The alarm 2 is provided with the communication function of the gas meter 1 and the telephone line 100.
Various data and information can be communicated with the management center 200 via the Internet. Therefore, for example, when the alarm 2 detects that a fire has occurred,
An alarm to that effect is issued by an alarm sound, blinking of a signal light, or the like, and information on the occurrence of a fire event and information on the point of occurrence (that is, the point where the alarm device 2 is installed) are formed as a set. Is transmitted to the management center 200 as fire detection information.

On the user side, generally, the gas meter 1 described above is used.
A personal computer (personal computer) 301, facsimile machine 302, telephone set 303, and the like are provided in addition to the alarm device 2 and these are used as the user-side output terminal device 3.

The detection information collecting device 21 collects the detection information output from the gas meter 1 via the communication means. More specifically, the private branch exchange 26 (PB
X) once receives the detection information transmitted from the gas meter 1 and determines that it is the detection information, and transmits the detection information to the detection information collection device 21.

The detection information collecting device 21 holds the transmitted detection information in a state where reading / rewriting, erasing and the like can be performed for a predetermined time. When a plurality of pieces of detection information are held at the same time, the detection information collecting apparatus 21 determines whether or not the pieces of detection information are related to the same type of event, and further determines whether the pieces of detection information are related to the same type of event. It is determined whether or not the number is held equal to or more than a predetermined number. The above-described determination may be performed at predetermined intervals or may be performed at all times.

When the detection information collection device 21 determines that a predetermined number or more of detection information relating to the same type of event is held, the detection information output device 22
The information on the geographical distribution of the plurality of points is output in association with the information on the type of event occurring at that time. Here, the fact that the detection information relating to the same type of event is retained for a predetermined number or more means that, in other words, the same type of event is collected at once from a plurality of points equal to or more than the predetermined number of locations. is there. That is, when the same event is detected at a plurality of points at once, the detection information output device 22 associates the type of the event with information on the geographic distribution of the point where the event is detected. A so-called mapping of obtaining the data of the geographical distribution is performed, and the information is transmitted to the center side output terminal device 25 such as the CRT display device 251, the voice output device 252, the printer device 253, or the user side output terminal device 3. The data is transmitted to a facsimile machine 302, a personal computer 301, or the like.

When a data read command is input from the keyboard 27 or the like to the detection information output device 22,
There is also provided a reading function of mapping the distribution of the detection information as described above based on the detection information held at that time and outputting the data. The person in charge of the management center 200 can use this reading function to obtain mapping data of the detection information at any time, and output the distribution of the occurrence events to the display screen or the printer 253 based on the data. It is possible.

When the detection information collection device 21 determines that a predetermined number or more of pieces of detection information relating to the same type of event are held, the notification output device 23 outputs the event carried by the detection information. The report content corresponding to the type information is selected from the predetermined report content types, and the report is output by the center-side output terminal device 25 and the user-side output terminal device via the telephone line 100 or the like. 3.

More specifically, the notification output device 23
For example, if the detected event is an earthquake, a message is output to notify the user of information indicating that an earthquake has occurred and information indicating that shutoff by the shutoff valve 5 of the gas meter 1 has been executed. . At this time, the center side output terminal device 25
Display on the screen of the CRT display device 251 or issue a warning voice from the voice output device 252, etc.
00, the user is notified via the telephone line 100 or the like to the user at each point where the event is detected. Alternatively, the notification to the user side is transmitted only to the users in the divided area including a predetermined number or more of the points where the detection information is collected, among a plurality of geographical divided areas that are divided in advance. You may do so.

When the detection information collecting device 21 determines that a predetermined number or more of the detection information relating to the same type of event is held, the treatment information output device 24
Information on a treatment set in advance as it is desirable to cope with the information on the type of event carried by the detection information (this is referred to as treatment information) is selected from predetermined treatment information types. The selected treatment information is output by the center-side output terminal device 25 and transmitted to the user-side output terminal device 3 via the telephone line 100 or the like.

More specifically, for example, when the detected event is an earthquake, information on how to open or close the shutoff valve 5 when or after the earthquake occurs, and information on the management center Each gas meter 1 from 200
The treatment information carrying control information (control signal) for remotely controlling the opening and closing of the shutoff valve 5 is transmitted from the treatment information output device 24 to the corresponding gas meter 1 and the user. At this time, the treatment information may be displayed on the screen of the CRT display device 251 of the center side output terminal device 25. Alternatively, a warning sound may be issued from the sound output device 252. In addition, the treatment information may be transmitted to each user at all points where the event is detected via the telephone line 100 or the like, or may be performed on a geographically divided area previously divided into a plurality of areas. Of these, the detection information may be transmitted only to the users in the segmented area that includes a predetermined number of points or more.

The center side output terminal device 25 outputs the information of the distribution of the occurrence of the event by the detection information output device 22, the output of the notification by the notification output device 23, and the output of the treatment information by the treatment information output device 24 to the CRT display device. 251, an audio output device 252, a printer device 253, and the like.

Next, an outline of the operation of the gas meter management system will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when an earthquake occurs in an area called A prefecture, each gas meter 1 that has detected the vibration has information indicating that the vibration has been detected and the gas meter 1 is installed. The detection information carrying the information of the current location is transmitted to the management center 200 via the telephone line 100 or the like.
Send to In the example shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that each gas meter 1 marked with a dotted circle outputs detection information.

In the management center 200, when the detection information output from the gas meter 1 is transmitted via the telephone line 100, the private branch exchange device 26 in the management center 200 once receives it. Then, the telephone line is connected to the detection information collection device 21, and the detection information sent at that time is transmitted to the detection information collection device 21.

The transmitted detection information is held in the detection information collection device 21 in a state where reading / rewriting, erasing, and the like can be performed for a predetermined time. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the detection information is deleted. When the transmitted detection information carries the identification number of the gas meter 1 instead of the information of the place where the gas meter 1 is installed or the information of the jurisdiction area to which the gas information belongs, The collection device 21 retrieves data from a user list or the like, and obtains information on the installation location of the gas meter 1 or information on the address of the user corresponding to each identification number. Then, the information of the installation location or the address and the information of the occurrence event are held as one set and held.

According to an example shown in FIG. 2, a strong vibration caused by the seismic wave is generated by the gas meter 1 at each point as shown in FIG. 2 within several tens of seconds to several minutes at the latest after the occurrence of the earthquake. Upon detection, the detection information is transmitted to the management center 200.

Then, in the management center 200, when the detection information is collected at once from a number of points more than the predetermined number of points,
The detection information collection device 21 holds such a large number of pieces of detection information. When it is determined that the information of the type of the event carried by the detection information held in the detection information collection device 21 is the same earthquake event, and that a predetermined number or more of the earthquake detection information is held. Is an image in which the detection information output device 22 plots the geographical distribution of the point where the earthquake is detected on a map of the prefecture A as shown in FIG. 2 (displays the point by lighting the point on the map). , CR
It is displayed on the screen of the T display device 251. At this time, A
Of all the divided areas in the prefecture, only the divided areas where an earthquake is detected at two or more locations in one divided area are extracted. In the example of FIG. 2, the divided areas a, b, c, d, e, and f are extracted. On the basis of this, for example, “Segment area a,
b, c, d, e, f earthquakes have occurred ”, the sound output device 252 outputs the sound, and the distribution of those points is plotted on a map of the prefecture A. Prints out.

The information indicating the geographical distribution of the detection points is not limited to the above-mentioned plot on the map. In addition, a list of information on points or information on addresses carried by all pieces of detection information may be listed up on the display screen or printed out from the printer device 253. It is also possible to transmit information on the distribution of detection points to the user side.

As described above, the detection information output device 22 displays an image in which the distribution of the points where the earthquake is detected is plotted on the map of the prefecture A. A of gas meter 1 which received vibration
The distribution situation in the prefecture can be grasped at a glance.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, among the three points where the gas meter 1 is installed in the divided area f in the prefecture A, two earthquakes are detected, but the remaining one is A state in which the gas meter 1n at the point has not detected the state is displayed. In addition, earthquakes are also detected in the divided areas b, c, e, h, and i adjacent to the divided area f. In such a case, it can be determined that one gas meter 1n in which no earthquake is detected in the divided area f is causing a failure of the seismic device or the like.
In such a case, the management center 20n for the gas meter 1n that has not detected an earthquake in the divided area f.
By performing remote control for closing (cutting off) the shutoff valve 5 from 0 or making a telephone call to the user of the gas meter 1n, the seismic isolation can be more reliably performed.

Alternatively, in the section area k farthest from the epicenter X, only one gas meter 1p detects vibration, and the other three do not detect vibration. Also, the segmented area k
In the neighboring sections g, h, i, j, and l, the gas meter 1 closer to the epicenter X detects vibration, but the gas meter 1 farther from the epicenter X does not detect vibration. In such a case, there is a possibility that one gas meter 1p that has detected an earthquake in the segmented area k may have erroneously detected vibration other than the vibration caused by the earthquake, or may have caused a malfunction of the seismic device. It can be determined to be high.

As described above, the detection information output device 22 outputs the distribution information of the detection points of the earthquake, while the notification output device 23 outputs the notification contents corresponding to the occurrence of the earthquake to the predetermined notification contents. And outputs the notification to the center-side output terminal device 25.
And the facsimile 302 or the telephone 30 which is the user-side output terminal device 3 via the telephone line 100 or the like.
3 and so on. Alternatively, a report may be posted on an Internet website hosted by a gas company or the like as "emergency report items".

The contents of the report include, for example, sentences such as "An earthquake has occurred. The gas supply is stopped." And "The gas meter is temporarily shutting off the gas supply due to the earthquake." And illustrations are suitable.

Further, in the treatment information output device 24,
From among various types of treatment information, treatment information that is determined in advance as desirably dealt with when an earthquake occurs is selected, and the treatment information is output to the center-side output terminal device 25 and is also transmitted via the telephone line 100 or the like. It is transmitted to the user-side output terminal device 3. In some cases, it may be desirable to transmit the treatment information after a certain period of time has elapsed since the occurrence of the earthquake. Therefore, the treatment information may be transmitted separately from the above-described notification.

As the contents of the treatment information, for example, "An earthquake has occurred. Stop using gas appliances immediately.", "An earthquake has occurred. The gas supply has been temporarily stopped. To restart the gas supply, after confirming that all the gas appliances have stopped, remove the black cap on the front of the gas meter and press it until the return button stops. "
In other words, after the earthquake subsides, many users want the gas supply back to be available again,
In many cases, it cannot always be said that the user has knowledge of what kind of treatment or operation should be performed. Then, by transmitting the above-described treatment information, the user can perform a corrective operation or the like based on the treatment information.

Alternatively, as the treatment information, an instruction signal for remotely controlling the opening and closing of the shutoff valve 5 of the gas meter 1 from the management center 200 is also possible in addition to the information carrying textual information. . In other words, after a certain period of time has passed since the occurrence of the earthquake, it can be confirmed that there is no effect on the conduit or the like, and when the situation has subsided and the shutoff valve 5 can be returned, the treatment information output device 24 turns off the shutoff valve. 5 is a gas meter 1 which carries treatment information carrying a command signal for returning
Send to Thus, the opening and closing of the shutoff valve 5 can be remotely controlled from the management center 200.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a case where a pressure drop abnormality has occurred in a gas meter on the downstream side due to breakage or the like of a conduit.

The gas supplied from the gas tank 401 is
Through a governor (not shown) or the like, a main conduit 402-each branch conduit 403-a ground pipe (not shown), etc., to the gas meter 1 installed for each user.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the tributary conduit 403n buried so as to obliquely cross the divided area h.
If a part of the pipe 404 is damaged and a gas leaks from that point and a pressure drop abnormality occurs, the pressure drop abnormality is detected by the gas meters 1v, 1w, and 1y on the downstream side from the part where the conduit breakage occurs. Each gas meter 1v, 1w,
In 1y, the information indicating that the occurrence of the pressure drop has been detected and the information of the location where the pressure drop has been detected are paired and output as detection information. The output detection information is further transmitted to the detection information collection device 21 via the telephone line 100 or the like as in the case of the above-mentioned earthquake occurrence.

The detection information collecting apparatus 21 holds the transmitted detection information for a predetermined time in substantially the same procedure as in the case of the above-mentioned earthquake occurrence. In addition, it is desirable to set the holding time of the pressure drop detection information to a longer time than in the case of an earthquake in consideration of a time lag until a pressure drop due to breakage of a conduit or the like occurs.

When the pressure drop detection information is collected from a predetermined location or higher, the detection information output device 22
As in the case of the above-mentioned earthquake detection, the geographical distribution of the point where the pressure drop is detected is displayed on the screen of the CRT display device 251 as an image plotted on a map of the prefecture A as shown in FIG. I do. At this time, of all the divided areas in the prefecture A, only the divided areas in which the pressure drop is detected at two or more points belonging to one divided area are extracted. In the example of FIG. 3, the segmented area h is extracted. Based on this, for example, a sound such as “a pressure drop has occurred in the divided area h of the prefecture A” is output by the sound output device 252, and an image in which the distribution of each detection point is plotted on the map of the prefecture A is displayed. The printer 253 prints out.

Only when pressure is detected at two or more locations in one partitioned area, the reason for extracting the partitioned area is, for example, that only one location is selected, as in the partitioned area l shown in FIG. If the pressure drop is detected from the above, it is conceivable that the pressure drop has occurred due to factors of the gas meter 1q itself, and it is not always possible to identify the occurrence of breakage of the conduit or gas leakage.

As described above, the detection information output device 22 displays an image in which the distribution of the points where the pressure drop abnormality is detected is plotted on the map of the prefecture A.
The person in charge of 0 can visually grasp the distribution of the points where the pressure drop occurs at a glance. Then, based on the displayed distribution status, the geographical position of the conduit that needs to be inspected can be specified with high probability and easily. In the example of FIG. 3, the pressure drop is detected by three gas meters 1v, 1w, and 1y on the downstream side of the branch pipe 403n among the five gas meters 1 in the divided area h. No pressure drop is detected from the gas meter 1 connected to the other branch conduits. Therefore, the three gas meters 1 where the pressure drop is detected
It can be specified that breakage or gas leakage has occurred at any point in the branch conduit 403n extending to the main conduit 402 upstream of the points v, 1w, 1y. Then, the gas company's conduit maintenance staff, etc., focuses on such identified points, that is, tributary conduits 403n in the sectioned area h where there is a high possibility of breakage or gas leakage, and efficiently conducts conduit breakage or damage. Gas leaks and the like can be found.

When the detection information of the pressure drop is collected, and based on the collected information, it is confirmed that the pipe is broken or the gas leaks, the notification output device 23 notifies the user of the information indicating that the pressure drop has occurred. Then, a notification to the user is output, and transmitted to each user in the corresponding divided area (in the example of FIG. 3, within the divided area h) via the telephone line 100 or the like. More specifically, the contents of the report include the fact that a pressure drop has occurred in the divided area h, and that the gas meters 1v, 1w, and 1y in the divided area h have been shut down in response to the pressure drop. Is preferably sentence or illustration of the content for notifying the user. In more detail, for example, "The pressure of the supplied gas has dropped. There is a risk of going out, so shut off the gas.""It is necessary to check the gas supply system. Will be stopped. "

At this time, the treatment information output device 24
From among various types of treatment information, treatment information predetermined as desirably to be dealt with when a pressure drop occurs is selected, and the treatment information is transmitted to the center-side output terminal device 2.
5 and to the user output terminal device 3 via the telephone line 100 or the like. As the treatment information,
For example, "The gas appliance may go out because of a pressure drop abnormality. Please stop using the gas appliance.""The gas supply is temporarily stopped due to pressure drop. To restart the supply of gas, check that all gas appliances have stopped, remove the black cap on the front of the gas meter, and press it until the reset button stops. "
A sentence, illustration, etc. having such contents are preferable.

In this manner, geographical distribution information for detecting occurrence of a pressure drop abnormality and determining whether the abnormality is caused by breakage of a conduit or the like is displayed on the screen, You can also output audio. Further, the user can be notified by the notification output device 23 that the pressure drop has occurred and that the gas meter 1 has performed the shutoff of the gas in response thereto. In addition, the treatment information output device 24 can notify the user of a countermeasure and an operation method after the gas is cut off due to the occurrence of the pressure drop.

Further, information on the occurrence of a pressure drop abnormality which is likely to cause a dangerous situation such as extinguishing or a fire in the gas consuming equipment, and information on the occurrence of the pressure drop abnormality in the management center 200 or the like. It is possible to concentrate on and grasp.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a gas meter management system has been described. However, it goes without saying that the application of the present invention is not limited to such a gas meter management system. No.
In addition, the present invention can be applied to various meters such as a water meter and a power meter. Further, as the event to be detected, in addition to the earthquake and the pressure drop described as an example in the above-described embodiment, fire occurrence detection information detected by the alarm device can be used. In this case, for example, it is possible to grasp that a fire has occurred in a large-scale apartment house or the like.

[0090]

As described above, claims 1 to 1
According to the measuring device management apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects or the measuring instrument management system according to any one of the twelfth to twelfth aspects, it is possible to prevent a dangerous situation such as an earthquake or a gas pressure drop abnormality. It is possible to detect the occurrence of various events with high reliability by a gas company, a power company, or a management center of a waterworks management bureau.

Further, according to the measuring equipment management apparatus according to the second to fourth aspects and the measuring equipment management system according to the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, when the same type of event occurs at a predetermined number or more points at a time, This has the effect of enabling the management center or the like to grasp the geographical distribution of the location where the event has occurred. Further, according to the measuring equipment management device of the fifth aspect or the measuring equipment management system of the sixteenth aspect, fire occurrence information is further collected from the alarm device 2, and the fact that a fire has occurred is concentrated at a management center or the like. This has the effect of making it possible to grasp the information.

Further, according to the measuring equipment management apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 or the measuring equipment management system according to any one of claims 17 to 19,
For example, when an event such as an earthquake occurs, information on what kind of event occurred and information on what action should be taken for users in the area where the event occurred, etc. This has the effect of making it possible to report

A measuring instrument management apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11 or a measuring instrument management apparatus according to claims 20 to 2
According to the measurement equipment management system described in any of 2 above, when an event such as an earthquake or abnormal pressure occurs, the information is collected by a management center or the like, and the gas supply is stopped in response to the information. The above-mentioned countermeasure can be performed, and it is possible to more reliably avoid a dangerous situation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a gas meter management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where an earthquake occurs in a region called A prefecture.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where a failure or the like occurs in a conduit and a pressure drop abnormality occurs in a gas meter on a downstream side thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Gas meter, 2 ... Alarm, 3 ... User side output terminal device, 21 ... Detection information collection device, 22 ... Detection information output device, 23 ... Report output device, 24 ... Treatment information output device, 2
5 ... Center side output terminal device

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A communication system, comprising: communication means for detecting, through a communication unit, information indicating that a predetermined type of event has occurred and information of a location where a measuring device that has detected the occurrence of the event is installed as a set. Detection information collecting means for collecting from the measuring device, and when the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more points, information on the type of event carried by the detection information and the point where the event occurred And a detection information output means for outputting the information by at least one of an image, a sound, and an electric signal. 2. Detection information carrying a set of information indicating that a predetermined type of event has occurred and information of a place where a measuring device that has detected the occurrence of the event has been installed is transmitted via a communication unit. When the detection information is collected from a plurality of points of a predetermined number or more at the same time, the information of the geographical distribution of the plurality of points, at least one of an image or a sound and an electric signal. And a detection information output means for outputting the information by any one of the above. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detection information output means outputs information on the geographic distribution of the plurality of points in association with information on the type of the event. Measurement equipment management device. 4. A gas meter, wherein the measuring device measures gas usage and outputs the detection information, wherein the event is an event in which a vibration of a predetermined intensity or more is detected and a pressure value deviating from a predetermined range. The measuring device management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device is at least one of the detected events. 5. The detection information collecting means further collects, as the predetermined type of event, fire occurrence information carrying information indicating that a fire has occurred and information of a point where the fire has occurred. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
The measuring device management device according to any one of the above. 6. When the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more points, a report corresponding to the information of the type of event carried by the detection information is selected from the predetermined report types. And a report output means for outputting the report by at least one of an image, a sound, and an electric signal.
6. The measuring device management device according to any one of items 5 to 5. 7. The measuring instrument management according to claim 6, wherein the report output unit transmits the report via a communication unit to a user at a location where the detection information has been collected. apparatus. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the notification output unit communicates with a user at a point in a geographical area previously divided into a plurality of areas and including a predetermined number or more of points where the detection information is collected. 8. The measuring device management apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the notification is transmitted via a means. 9. When the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more of points, the measurement device is configured to execute a measure corresponding to the information of the type of event carried by the detection information in advance. The apparatus further includes a treatment information output unit that selects from the set types of treatment information and transmits the treatment information to a measuring device at a point where the detection information is collected via a communication unit. The measuring device management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein 10. When the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more of points, the measurement device is configured to execute a measure corresponding to information on the type of event carried by the detection information in advance. Select from among the types of treatment information that has been set, and measure the measurement equipment at a point in an area that includes a predetermined number or more of points where the detection information has been collected in a geographical area that has been divided into a plurality of areas in advance. 9. The measuring device management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a treatment information output unit that transmits the treatment information via a communication unit. 11. The measuring device is a gas meter that measures a gas usage amount and has a shut-off valve, wherein the treatment is a treatment for closing or opening the cut-off valve. The measuring device management device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein 12. A method for measuring at least one of a gas usage amount, a water usage amount, and an electric power usage amount as a measurement target, detecting that a predetermined type of event has occurred, and detecting the type of the event. A measuring device that outputs detection information that carries information and information of a point where the information is detected as a set; a detection information collection unit that collects the detection information from the measurement device via a communication unit; Are simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more points, the information of the type of event carried by the detection information is associated with the information of the point where the event occurred, and the image or sound and the electric signal And a detection information output means for outputting the detection information by at least one of them. 13. A method for measuring at least one of a gas usage amount, a water usage amount, and an electric power usage amount as a measurement target, detecting that a predetermined type of event has occurred, and detecting the type of the event. A measuring device that outputs detection information that carries information and information of a point where the information is detected as a set; a detection information collection unit that collects the detection information from the measurement device via a communication unit; And if the information is collected from a predetermined number or more points at the same time, information on the geographical distribution of the plurality of points is output by at least one of an image or a sound and a signal. Measuring instrument management system characterized by the following. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection information output means outputs information on a geographical distribution of the plurality of points in association with information on the type of the event.
3. The measuring device management system according to 3. 15. The gas meter, wherein the measuring device measures a gas usage amount and outputs the detection information, wherein the event is an event in which vibration of a predetermined intensity or more is detected and a pressure deviating from a predetermined range. The measuring device management system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the value is at least one of the detected events. 16. An alarm which is connected to the gas meter or the communication means, detects an occurrence of a fire, and sends information to that effect to the detection information collecting means via the communication means, further comprising: The collection means further collects, from the alarm device, fire occurrence information carrying information indicating that the fire has occurred as the event and information on the location of the fire occurrence. Item 16. A measuring device management system according to Item 15. 17. When the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number of points or more, a report corresponding to information of the type of event carried by the detection information is selected from the predetermined report types. 17. The measuring instrument management according to claim 12, further comprising a report output unit that outputs the report by at least one of an image, a sound, and an electric signal. system. 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the notification output unit transmits the notification via a communication unit to a user at a location where the detection information is collected.
The measurement equipment management system as described. 19. The notification output means communicates with a user at a point in a geographical area previously divided into a plurality of areas and including a predetermined number or more of points where the detection information is collected. 19. The measuring equipment management system according to claim 17, wherein the notification is transmitted via a means. 20. When the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more of points, the measurement information is pre-processed so as to cause the measuring device to execute a treatment corresponding to the information of the type of event carried by the detection information. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a treatment information output unit that selects from among the set types of treatment information and transmits the measurement information to a measuring device at a point where the detection information is collected via a communication unit. 20. The measuring instrument pipe system according to any one of 12 to 19. 21. When the detection information is simultaneously collected from a predetermined number or more of points, the measurement device is configured to execute a treatment corresponding to information of the type of event carried by the detection information in advance. Select from among the types of treatment information that have been set, and measure the measurement equipment at a point in an area that includes a predetermined number or more of the points at which the detection information has been collected in a geographical area that has been divided into a plurality of areas in advance. The measuring device management system according to claim 1, further comprising a treatment information output unit that transmits the treatment information via a communication unit. 22. The measuring instrument for measuring gas consumption and a gas meter provided with a shutoff valve, wherein the treatment is a treatment for closing or opening the cutoff valve. 22. The measuring device management system according to claim 20, wherein