JP2003058975A - Light and fuel use quantity measuring instrument and road survey data collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light and fuel use quantity measuring instrument and a road survey data collection system by which shortening of time required for collecting road survey data, reduction of the grand total of power quantity to be consumed for collecting the road survey data and shortening of use time of a communication path such as a telephone line and a data communication modem are achieved. SOLUTION: A gas meter (the light and fuel use quantity measuring instrument) 100 accesses an external road survey data collecting device 200 via the telephone line of a communication path 300 whenever the number of pieces of road survey data newly stored in a road survey data storage part 104 reaches the prescribed number, of pieces and continuously and collectively transmits the prescribed number of pieces of road survey data to the road survey data collecting device 200.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photothermal material usage measuring device and a load survey data collecting system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a photothermal material usage measuring device such as a gas meter or an electric power meter measures the usage quantity of the photothermal material such as city gas or electric power consumed by consumers such as general households and businesses, and The integrated value is set to be displayed on a counter and the data is automatically collected by a data management device or the like by a meter reading system.

As a photothermal material usage measuring device, for example,
A gas meter that displays the integrated value of the amount of gas used for fuel such as natural gas or propane gas or outputs it as data, an electric power meter that displays the integrated value of the amount of power used or outputs it as data, or tap water or There is a water meter that measures the flow rate of sewer water and displays the integrated value or outputs it as data.

Such a photothermal material usage measuring device is generally installed for each customer. In the past, the person in charge of meter reading patrolled the eaves of individual customers to perform visual meter reading, but in recent years, automatic meter reading data management devices installed at management companies and the amount of photothermal materials used by individual customers The measuring device automatically establishes a line connection by a communication line or the like via a communication network such as a telephone line or a dedicated line every predetermined meter reading date, and the amount of photothermal material used by each measuring device The so-called automatic meter-reading system, which collects the data of the integrated value of, has become widespread. With the progress of information and communication technology and the further enhancement of the infrastructure of information and communication networks, the automatic meter reading system is in the trend of becoming more widely and generally popular.

By the way, as such an automatic meter reading system and a communication system for effectively utilizing the meter have been developed and spread, not only automatic meter reading of the integrated value of the amount of photothermal materials used is performed, Use of heat and heat materials, such as what kind of time pattern and seasonal pattern the heat and heat materials are consumed by consumers, and what is the maximum value of consumption in each customer and each area Information on the situation (information on the consumption trends of photothermal materials by consumers) is collected from individual photothermal material usage measuring devices as load survey data, and the collected information is further summed or statistically processed. Therefore, the possibility of the system to grasp the actual consumption pattern of the photothermal material increases. By collecting the load survey data and grasping the consumption patterns based on such data, it is expected that future supply plans and production plans for photothermal materials will be based on the actual consumption patterns. To be done.

More specifically, for example, in the case of city gas,
Not to mention the data of the gas usage for the current month (the difference between the integrated value of the gas flow rate detected this month and the integrated value of the gas flow rate of the previous month), which is the value to be charged for the gas charge, measured by each gas meter. , For example, data of integrated value of gas flow rate (gas usage amount) every hour, so-called nighttime usage data from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, so-called daytime usage data from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Each gas meter collects the data of the above, the data of the amount of holidays used every Sunday, or the data of the maximum flow rate of the amount of gas used measured during the month of the current month as the above load survey data. Is collected (collected) from each gas meter by a load survey data collection device (photothermal material usage information collection device) on the center side and stored, for example, for each predetermined area, or Read by searching the data for each period of the constant, and it possible to obtain data for analyzing the actual consumption patterns, for example, by statistically processing is considered to be effective. It is considered that such collection of load survey data can be applied to not only the gas meter but also, for example, the electric power meter and the water meter.

[0007]

However, when collecting the above-mentioned load survey data, the conventional method is as follows.
Each time the photothermal material usage measuring device obtains one load survey data, the load survey data collecting device on the center side is accessed using a telephone line or the like, and one load survey data at that time is sent out. I was doing.

For this reason, for example, when collecting the integrated value of the gas usage amount per hour as load survey data, it is necessary to access at least 24 times per day with the operation of calling and ending the call. The time to use communication paths such as telephone lines used for access and communication means such as data communication modems increases,
In the meantime, there is a problem that communication of information other than load survey data such as earthquake occurrence information may not be possible.

Further, if access is made with such frequent call and call ending operations, the total amount of power consumed by the individual photothermal material usage measuring devices will increase, and the extension will be delayed. Furthermore, there is a problem that the life of the battery used as a power source in each of the photothermal material usage measuring devices is shortened.

In addition, generally, in a load survey, it is necessary to collect load survey data from each of a huge number of photothermal material usage measuring devices in a predetermined area. The total amount of time required to perform a call operation to start a call and a call end operation to start a call between the device and the load survey data collection device on the center side becomes extremely large, and, in total, the total usage time of the telephone line. There was a problem that would be extremely huge.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to shorten the time required to collect load survey data and to reduce the amount of power supply power consumed to collect the load survey data. An object of the present invention is to provide a photothermal material usage measuring device and a load survey data collection system that can achieve a reduction in the total sum and a reduction in the usage time of a communication path such as a telephone line and a data communication modem.

[0012]

The photothermal material usage measuring device according to the present invention comprises a photothermal material usage measuring means for measuring the usage of the photothermal material and a photothermal material usage integration for integrating the usage of the photothermal material. Means, for each predetermined time segment, load survey data collection means for collecting an integrated value of the usage amount of the photothermal material within that time as load survey data, and load survey data storage means for storing the load survey data. Whenever the number of load survey data newly stored in the load survey data storage means reaches a predetermined number, a new load survey data reading means for reading the predetermined number of load survey data and a new one for the load survey data storage means Each time the number of load survey data stored in the storage reaches a predetermined number, an external load survey data collection device And a communication means for accessing through a wireless communication path and / or wired line communication path, transmits a predetermined number the load survey data acquisition system continuously load survey data for.

Further, the load survey data collecting system according to the present invention comprises a photothermal material usage amount measuring means for measuring the usage amount of the photothermal material, a photothermal material usage amount integrating means for integrating the usage amount of the photothermal material, and a predetermined amount. For each time segment, load survey data collection means for collecting an integrated value of the usage amount of the photothermal material within that time as load survey data, load survey data storage means for storing the load survey data, and the load survey data. Load survey data reading means for reading a predetermined number of load survey data each time the number of load survey data newly stored in the storage means reaches a predetermined number; and load newly stored in the load survey data storage means. Whenever the number of survey data reaches a predetermined number, an external load survey data collection device And a first communication means for continuously transmitting the predetermined number of load survey data to the load survey data collecting device by accessing the load survey data via a wireless communication path and / or a wired communication path. A second communication means for receiving the load survey data transmitted from the first communication means upon receiving access from the usage measurement device and the photothermal material usage measurement device, and the received load. A load survey data collection device having a load survey data storage means for storing the survey data together with the identification information of the photothermal material usage measuring device from which the survey data has been transmitted.

That is, in the photothermal material usage measuring device or the load survey data collection system according to the present invention, the photothermal material usage amount is measured every time the number of the load survey data newly stored in the load survey data storage means reaches a predetermined number. The device accesses an external load survey data collecting device via a wireless communication path, a wire communication path, or the like, and continuously transmits the predetermined number of load survey data to the load survey data collecting device.

For example, when collecting the integrated value of the usage amount of the photothermal material for each hour, a total of 24 load survey data per day can be sent from the photothermal material usage measuring device to the load survey data collecting device. It is necessary, but 1
When a total of 24 load survey data for the day is stored in the load survey data storage means of the photothermal material usage measuring device, the 24 accumulated load survey data are loaded from the photothermal material usage measuring device to the load survey data. It is sent continuously at one time by a call by one access to the collection device. Therefore, according to the present invention, in the case of this example, it is possible to perform only one access per day according to the present invention, which conventionally required 24 times per day access and call end operation. Becomes

Another load survey data collecting system according to the present invention is a photothermal material usage amount measuring means for measuring the usage amount of the photothermal material, and a photothermal material usage amount integrating means for integrating the usage amount of the photothermal material. For each predetermined time segment, load survey data collection means for collecting an integrated value of the usage amount of the photothermal material within that time as load survey data, load survey data storage means for storing the load survey data, and the load. Each time the number of load survey data newly stored in the survey data storage means reaches a predetermined number, a load survey data reading means for reading the predetermined number of load survey data and a wireless communication path from an external load survey data collecting device And / or access via a wired line communication path to access the predetermined number of load servers. A photothermal material usage measuring device having a first communication means for continuously transmitting data to the load survey data collecting device, and a predetermined number of load survey data newly stored in the load survey data storing means Second communication means for accessing the photothermal material usage measuring device and receiving the load survey data transmitted from the first communication means, and the received load. A load survey data collection device having a load survey data storage means for storing the survey data together with the identification information of the photothermal material usage measuring device from which the survey data has been transmitted.

That is, in another load survey data collection system according to the present invention, the number of pieces of load survey data newly stored in the load survey data storage means is expected to reach a predetermined number or every predetermined time thereafter. In addition, an external load survey data collection device accesses the photothermal material usage measuring device via a wireless communication path or a wired line communication path, and a predetermined number of data stored in the photothermal material usage measuring device is stored. The load survey data is continuously transmitted to the load survey data collecting device.

For example, when collecting the integrated value of the usage amount of the photothermal material for each hour, a total of 24 pieces of load survey data per day can be sent from the photothermal material usage measuring device to the load survey data collecting device. It is necessary, but 1
At a time after or after the time when a total of 24 load survey data for the day is expected to be stored in the load survey data storage means of the photothermal material usage measuring device, the photothermal material usage measuring device is The 24 pieces of load survey data accessed by the load survey data collection device and accumulated in the photothermal material usage measuring device are read continuously at one time by a call by one access at that time. Therefore, in the case of this example, conventionally, it is 2 per day.
According to the present invention, it is possible to perform only one access per day, which requires access with four calling operations and call ending operations.

Furthermore, the load survey data is generally collected from a small number of load survey data collecting devices installed on the side of the photothermal material supply management company to an extremely large number of photothermal material usage measuring devices. Therefore, if a large number of these photothermal material usage measuring devices are accessed all at once, there is a risk that the access amount may exceed the connection capacity of a communication path such as a telephone line. By accessing the photothermal material usage measuring device from the load survey data collecting device as described above, the access time for each photothermal material usage measuring device is appropriately dispersed by, for example, providing a predetermined time difference, and the It is also possible to avoid the conventional inconvenience of exceeding the capacity of one-time connection in a communication path such as a line. .

Here, the above-mentioned photothermal material means city gas or L
Energy resources for light and heat such as fuel gas and electricity such as P gas, and resources for light and heat used in the lives of consumers and production activities such as water for sewerage and sewerage. Meters for measurement are installed in each customer.

More specifically, in the present invention, more specifically, the photothermal material may be a gas for fuel, and the photothermal material usage measuring device may be substantially a gas meter.

Alternatively, the photothermal material may be tap water, and the photothermal material usage measuring device may be substantially a water meter such as tap water or sewer.

Alternatively, the photothermal material may be electric power, and the photothermal material usage measuring device may be substantially an electric power meter.

The predetermined number of settings may be changeable. Furthermore, in order to change the predetermined number of settings, the load survey data collection device may access the photothermal material usage amount measurement device and execute the change processing remotely.

Further, the communication means (first communication means) installed in the above-described photothermal material usage measuring device has a built-in battery, and the battery is used as a power source to make a call operation and a call on a telephone line. A termination operation may be performed to access an external load survey data collection device.

That is, the call operation and the call end operation of the telephone line are performed by using the battery, which is incorporated in the communication means such as the data communication modem installed in the photothermal material usage measuring device, as the power source. In the photothermal material usage measuring device and load survey data collection system set to, the smaller the number of times the call operation and call end operation are executed and the shorter the execution time, the less the power consumption of the built-in battery. By reducing the number of accesses and the access time as described above, the power consumption of the battery can be reduced, and the life of the battery can be extended.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a gas meter and a gas usage amount information collecting system including the gas meter according to one embodiment of the present invention. This gas usage information collection system (load survey data collection system) performs transmission / reception of data and read commands between the gas meter (photothermal material usage measurement device) 100 and the load survey data collection device 200. The communication path 300 and its main parts are configured.

The gas meter 100 is installed for each consumer such as an individual home or business establishment, and is installed for city gas or LP.
Original measurement of photothermal material usage, in which the usage amount (flow rate) of fuel gas such as gas is measured, and the integrated value is calculated and displayed on a counter (not shown) of the gas usage integrated value display unit 107 or the like. The function of the device and the amount of gas used for each predetermined time, or the amount of gas used by customers, such as the amount used at night, the amount used in the daytime, and the peak amount used, etc. Is used as a statistical value to collect information on various types of gas usage (so-called load survey data) (photothermal material usage information), and information on such gas usage (hereinafter referred to as load It is provided with a function of sending the survey data) to the load survey data collection device 200 via the meter side communication device (first communication means) 106.

The load survey data collection device 200 is
For example, it is installed in a central management center of a gas supplier and the like, and collects load survey data that is read from a predetermined gas meter 100 and transmitted at predetermined intervals. In addition, although detailed description is omitted, such as collecting the data of the integrated gas usage amount for each individual customer sent from the gas meter 100 once a month by automatic meter reading, etc. Is also possible. Alternatively, it goes without saying that data obtained by such automatic meter reading may be collected by a data collecting device other than the load survey data collecting device 200.

The meter side communication device 106, the center side communication device (second communication means) 201, and the communication path 300 are composed of the gas meter 100 and the load survey data collection device 200.
It is used for transmitting and receiving the gas usage integrated value and the load survey data, and the read command and the like to and from. A telephone line is used as the communication path 300, for example. On the gas meter 100 side, which is one end of the communication path 300, the meter-side communication device 106 and the center-side communication device 201 on the centralized control center side are respectively used as communication terminals for call operation and call end operation by dialing a telephone line. And the function as a data communication modem. The meter-side communication device 106
As a power source for executing such a function, a small-sized, large-capacity and highly durable battery (not shown) such as a lithium battery is used.

More specifically, the gas meter 100 of the present embodiment has a gas flow rate measuring unit (photothermal material usage amount measuring means).
101, a gas flow rate integrated value calculation unit 102, a load survey data collection unit 103, a load survey data storage unit 104, a load survey data reading unit 105, a meter side communication device 106, and a gas usage integrated value display unit. 10
7 and 7 as its main part.

The gas flow rate measuring unit 101 measures the flow rate of gas consumed by a consumer such as a home or an office where the gas meter 100 is installed. For example, a film type (capacity measuring type), ultrasonic wave It is possible to use various types of flow rate measuring devices such as a propagation system, a fluidic oscillation system, and a hot wire system.

The gas flow rate integrated value calculation unit 102 integrates the gas flow rate values measured by the gas flow rate measurement unit 101 to calculate a gas flow rate integrated value. The method of calculating the integrated value and the configuration of the circuit device may be general ones.

The load survey data collection unit 103 outputs a value obtained by integrating the gas flow rate values measured by the gas flow rate measurement unit 101 based on predetermined conditions as load survey data. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the load survey data collection unit 103 includes an hourly integrated value computing unit 130 and a daytime integrated value computing unit 13.
1, a nighttime integrated value calculation unit 132, and a holiday integrated value calculation unit 1
33, a clock unit 134, and a peak flow rate detection unit 135 are incorporated.

The hourly integrated value computing unit 130 computes an integrated value of the gas flow rate for each predetermined time interval, such as every hour or every 30 minutes, and sends the data to the load survey data storage unit 104. is there.

The daytime integrated value calculation unit 131 receives the gas flow rate value measured by the gas flow rate measurement unit 101,
For example, the integrated value of the gas flow rate from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm is calculated every day for a predetermined period such as one day or one month, and is sent to the load survey data storage unit 104. .

The night-time integrated value calculation unit 132 receives the gas flow rate value measured by the gas flow rate measurement unit 101,
For example, the load survey data storage unit 1 calculates the integrated value of the gas flow rate from 10:00 pm every day to 6:00 am the next day for a predetermined period such as one day, one week, or one month.
It is to be sent to 04.

The holiday integrated value computing unit 133 computes a gas flow integrated value for each holiday such as every Sunday for a predetermined period such as one month or one year, and the load survey data storage unit. It is sent to 104.

The timekeeping section 134 measures the date and time,
The data is sent to the hourly integrated value computing unit 130, the daytime integrated value computing unit 131, the nighttime integrated value computing unit 132, and the holiday integrated value computing unit 133. This timer 134
Each of the hourly integrated value computing unit 130, the daytime integrated value computing unit 131, the nighttime integrated value computing unit 132, and the holiday integrated value computing unit 133 is based on the date and time data output from Controls the timing at which the integrated value is calculated. At the same time, the time data at that time is added to the calculated load survey data.

The peak flow rate detection unit 135 detects the peak (maximum) flow rate value of the gas flow rate values measured within a predetermined period such as one week or one month, and the load survey data storage unit. It is sent to 104.

Such a load survey data collection unit 1
The contents of the load survey data collected by No. 03 are as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Figure 3
"Total" in the table indicates the integrated value of the gas flow rate (gas usage amount) that has been continuously measured and incremented since the last read,
"Night" indicates the integrated value of the gas flow rate for 8 hours at night from 10:00 pm every day to 6:00 am the next day during the period from the time when the memory contents were reset to zero by the previous reading to the present time. Is the cumulative value of the gas flow rate for 6 hours in the daytime from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm the next day in the period from the time when the memory contents were reset to zero by the previous reading until the present. , Shows the integrated value of the gas flow rate for each Sunday (holiday) in the period from the time when the stored contents were reset to zero by the previous reading to the present. Further, the "peak flow rate" indicates the maximum flow rate value for each collection category as described above. Also, "every hour"
Indicates an integrated value of the gas flow rate at predetermined time intervals, for example, every hour in the example shown in FIG. 3, and 24 pieces of data are collected per day and the load survey data storage unit It will be stored in 104.

The gas supplier reads such load survey data from each gas meter by means of the load survey data collecting device, and changes in the gas usage condition within one day and the gas usage at night and daytime. To obtain various statistical (measured) data that are extremely important when planning a gas supply plan, such as differences in circumstances, the time and time when the maximum amount of gas used in the past, and the maximum flow rate. You can

Needless to say, the types of load survey data (photothermal material usage information) are not limited to the above. In addition to the data collection categories such as the accumulated value of the nighttime usage amount and the accumulated value of the daytime usage amount over a predetermined period such as one month or one year, for example, "dinner preparation between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm" Setting of time divisions for more detailed data collection, such as the cumulative value of the hourly gas usage and the cumulative value of the gas usage for each day such as Monday and Tuesday, and the spring season from March to May. And summer from June to August, autumn from September to November, and December to next year 1
Various settings are possible, such as the setting of period divisions such as the winter months. Alternatively, for example, the gas flow rate integrated value may be collected every 30 minutes between 10 am and 5 pm during the day, and data may be collected in more detailed collection cycles.

The load survey data storage unit 104 stores (stores) the load survey data collected as described above. Further, in the load survey data storage unit 104, the gas flow rate integrated value calculated by the gas flow rate integrated value computing unit 102 is stored while being incremented (rewritten one by one) as the “total integrated value” in the example shown in FIG. To be done.

When each of the various types of load survey data is accumulated up to a predetermined number, the load survey data reading unit 105 collects the accumulated predetermined number of load survey data as a group and stores them in the load survey data storage unit. Read from 104. More specifically, various types of load survey data as described above are newly stored in the load survey data storage unit 104 after the previous reading, and each of the various types of load survey data is stored in a predetermined number. Then, the predetermined number of load survey data are collected as one group and read out from the load survey data storage unit 104.

The meter-side communication device 106 makes a call operation to the load survey data collection device 200 (by dialing), and a communication path of a telephone line connecting the gas meter 100 and the load survey data collection device 200. Thirty
Secure 0. The load survey data reading unit 10
A predetermined number of load survey data read from the load survey data storage unit 104 by 5 are collected as one group, and once collected to the load survey data collection device 200 via the communication path 300 and the center side communication device 201. It is sent continuously at one time by access (call).

For example, when collecting hourly integrated values as load survey data, 24 hours have elapsed since the previous reading, and as shown in FIG.
When all the load survey data are prepared, the load survey data reading unit 105 collectively reads the 24 load survey data from the load survey data storage unit 104, and the gas meter 100 from which the load survey data is read. Data of ID (identification number) and time data at that time is added to the load survey data, and 24 pieces of load survey data for 24 hours are data at the time when it is read. Also, the data is output in a state that it can be collectively transmitted as one groove data together with the read gas meter identification number data.

By doing so, the number of calls (accesses) to the load survey data collection device 200 by the telephone line is sequentially read separately from the 24 load survey data as in the conventional case over 24 times. It can be reduced to only 1/24 as compared with the case where the data is transmitted to the load survey data collection device 200.

Further, by significantly reducing the number of calls from the gas meter 100 to the load survey data collection device 200 via the telephone line, it is possible to significantly reduce the call time. In addition, it is possible to reduce the amount of power consumption of the power source battery built in the meter-side communication device 106, and it is possible to extend the life of the battery.

More specifically, when a telephone line is used as the communication path 300, the breakdown of the time required for one call is as shown in FIG. , Load survey data transmission,
It mainly consists of three types of operation modes, a call ending operation and its response. Of these, the dial call operation and its response and the call termination operation and its response take the longest time, and in comparison with that, The time required to send the load survey data itself does not actually take much time. Therefore, even if the amount of load survey data to be transmitted at one time increases a little, it is possible to reduce the number of calls by sending multiple (predetermined number) load survey data collectively in one call. It is possible to achieve a drastic reduction in the call time.

Alternatively, for example, when collecting the integrated value for each holiday such as every Sunday as the load survey data, every four weeks of the load survey data for four weeks constituting almost one month are collected. It is also possible to read out the four load survey data, and collectively send them to the load survey data collection device 200 in one call. By doing so, the number of calls (accesses) to the load survey data collection device 200 via the telephone line can be made different from the conventional 24 load survey data by sequentially performing four times per month. Compared with the case of reading and transmitting to the load survey data collection device 200, it can be reduced to 1/4. Here, in one gas meter 100, it seems that only four calls are made once, but in reality,
Generally, a road survey is within a given area, for example 100
Since the load survey data is collected from each of an extremely large number of gas meters such as 0, the total number of calls is enormous. Therefore, if the number of calls for collecting data for such a huge number of gas meters can be reduced to 1/4, the effect of reducing the total call time and the total call cost will be extremely enormous. The merits obtained by the load survey data collection system according to the present embodiment are extremely large, and thus the present invention is extremely effective.

The load survey data storage unit 104
, After reading the load survey data, until the next load survey data is read after that,
Keeping the previous data is not mandatory. Furthermore, if the already read data is held thereafter, there is a risk that the data may be erroneously read at the next meter reading or the like. Therefore, after reading the load survey data, the load survey data storage unit 1
All memory contents in 04 are reset to zero once,
It is desirable to prepare for the next collection of load survey data. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this. The load survey data read at that time is stored as past data (actual value) for a predetermined period such as half a year, together with the information of the date when the data was read, and the predetermined data is stored. The data may be deleted after the holding period has passed. Alternatively, it may be held until the next load survey data is transferred, and the data may be sequentially incremented.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the load survey data collection device according to the present embodiment. The load survey data collection device 200 includes a center side communication device 201, a read command output unit 202, a load survey data storage unit 203, a load survey data totaling unit 204, a gas usage integrated value storage unit 205, and a gas. A usage amount integrated value reading unit 206 and a display unit 207 are provided.

The center side communication device 201 performs a communication function such as reception of load survey data and transmission of a read command thereof with the meter side communication device 106 provided in the gas meter 100.

The gas consumption integrated value storage unit 205 is read from the gas meter 100 of each customer and is sent through the meter-side communication device 108, the communication path 300 and the center-side communication device 201. The integrated value data is stored separately for each consumer identification number or each gas meter 100 identification number.

When the command for specifying the identification number of the consumer or the gas meter and the meter reading timing of the gas flow rate cumulative value to be read is input, the gas usage integrated value reading unit 206 responds to the identification number and the meter reading timing. The integrated gas usage amount is searched for and read from the integrated gas usage amount storage unit 205. The read information is displayed and output on, for example, a screen of a CRT display device (not shown) of the display unit 207. Alternatively, although not shown in FIG. 4, it may be printed out by a printer device or the like.

The gas usage amount integrated value storage unit 205 and the gas usage amount integrated value reading unit 206 may be the same as those used in a general automatic meter reading system for gas usage amount integrated values.

The read command output unit 202 issues a predetermined read command for reading the gas usage integrated value and the load survey data from the gas meter 100 via the center side communication device 201, the communication path 300 and the meter side communication device 106. , To the gas meter 100.

The load survey data storage section 203 stores the load survey data sent from the gas meter 100.

The load survey data totaling unit 204 selects a user (such as a person in charge of totaling at the centralized management center) from various load survey data read out from the gas meter 100 and stored in the load survey data accumulating unit 203 in the past. ), Extract data that meets the extraction conditions given by), perform numerical processing on the data according to the statistical calculation rule given by the user, and apply it as a powerful material in gas supply planning. It is possible to obtain statistical data. For example 50 in a given area
Calculate the aggregated value of the hourly gas flow rate collected from 0 gas meters for each hour and calculate the value for each hour to understand and analyze the aspect of daily changes in gas usage in that area. It is possible to obtain statistical data for doing so. The statistical data thus obtained is displayed and output, for example, on the screen of the CRT display device of the display unit 207. Alternatively, it may be printed out by a printer device (not shown) or the like.

Next, the main operation of the load survey data collection system according to this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a read between the gas meter installed in one customer and the load survey data collection device installed in the centralized control center side in the load survey data collection system according to the present embodiment. It shows the main flow of operations for sending and receiving instructions and load survey data.

After the previous reading, the load survey data is newly collected at predetermined time intervals and stored in time series in the load survey data storage unit 104 (S1). For example, the load survey data collected by the hourly integrated value calculation unit 130 is the data of the gas flow rate integrated value for each hour, so one data is output from the load survey data collection unit 103 for each hour. The data is stored in the load survey data storage unit 104.

The load survey data storage unit 104
When the number of the load survey data stored in (1) reaches a predetermined number (Y in S2), the meter-side communication device 106 is activated to execute the calling operation (S3). More specifically, 1
In the case of the gas flow rate integrated value for each time, for example, 24 data should be collected per day, so 24 is set as the predetermined number, and the 24 data are set in the load survey data storage unit. When the data is stored in 104 and stored, in order to send out the 24 pieces of data as load survey data to the load survey data collection device 200, a dialing operation of a predetermined telephone line (second communication on the center side) The operation of starting a call by dialing the telephone number of the device 201) is performed.

In response to the dial call, the center-side load survey data collection device 200 starts the load survey data collection operation (S4), and first starts reading the load survey data from the gas meter 100. A command message to that effect is sent (S5).

When the gas meter 100 receives the read start command, the load meter data storage unit 1
A predetermined number of load survey data stored in 04 is read (S6), and together with the ID data of the gas meter 100 and the data of the time when the reading was performed (S7), the center-side load survey data collection device. It transmits to 200 (S8). This transmission is continued until all the predetermined number of data are read and the transmission is completed (N of S9 to S8 to S9 are repeated).

In the load survey data collection device 200, when the load survey data is transmitted, it is received (S10) and the load survey data storage unit 20 is received.
3 (S11).

When all the predetermined number of data are read by the gas meter 100 (Y of S9), the operation of ending the call is executed (S12), and the predetermined number of data stored in the load survey data storage unit 104 until then is stored. The load survey data is erased (zero reset) to prepare for the next collection, read, and transmission of the load survey data (S13). On the other hand, the load survey data collection device 200 on the center side also ends the data reception when the call with the gas meter 100 ends (S14).

As described above, in the load survey data collection system according to the present embodiment, the plurality of load survey data stored in the load survey data storage unit 104 are transferred from the gas meter 100 to the load survey data collection device 200. Since it can be sent continuously at one time with one call, the time required to collect the load survey data can be shortened and the usage time of the communication path such as the telephone line and the data communication modem can be shortened. Can be achieved. In addition, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the battery built in the meter-side communication device 106, and it is possible to achieve the life of the battery.

Here, although illustration is omitted, the load survey data collection device 200 causes the gas meter 100 to operate at each time when the number of load survey data newly stored in the load survey data storage means is expected to reach a predetermined number. May be accessed via the telephone line which is the communication path 300 to cause the load survey data collection device 200 to continuously transmit the predetermined number of load survey data stored in the gas meter 100. In addition to this, for example, by providing a predetermined time difference in the access time from the load survey data collection device 200 for each of a plurality of gas meters, by appropriately dispersing the access time to each photothermal material usage measuring device, Communication in which access from an extremely large number of photothermal material usage measuring devices is concentrated on a small number of load survey data collection devices at the same time, and communication cannot be completed within one connection capacity of a communication path such as a telephone line It is possible to more surely avoid the occurrence of the above inconvenient situation.

In addition to the above-described load survey data storage unit 104, a second storage unit (not shown) dedicated for storing the integrated value of the gas flow rate since the installation of the gas meter 100 is provided. Needless to say, the storage unit may back up the data of the gas flow rate integrated value for calculating the gas usage fee as the original gas meter.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the gas meter 100 and the load survey data collection system including the gas meter 100 as the core of the system has been described. The photothermal material usage measuring device may be substantially an electric power meter. That is, in this case, the photothermal material handled by the photothermal material usage measuring device is an energy resource having electrical physical characteristics of electric power rather than fluidic physical characteristics of gas. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a power meter from the viewpoint of a system that collects data of integrated values of the usage amount, even if the physical characteristics of the photothermal material are different. .

Alternatively, the photothermal material may be tap water such as water supply or sewerage instead of energy resources such as gas and electricity, and the photothermal material usage measuring device may be substantially a water meter. Even in this case, there is a difference that the physical characteristics of the photothermal material are environmental resources such as domestic water, not energy resources such as the above-mentioned gas and electric power,
However, it is needless to say that the present invention is also applicable to a water meter from the basic viewpoint of collecting the data of the integrated value of the usage amount.

[0075]

As described above, according to the first to sixth aspects.
According to the photothermographic material usage amount measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the load survey data collection system according to any one of claims 7 to 12, the number of load survey data newly stored in the load survey data storage means is Each time the specified number of photothermographic materials is used, the photothermal material usage measurement device accesses the external load survey data collection device via a wireless communication path or a wired line communication path, and the specified number of load survey data is continuously acquired. Since the load survey data is stored in the load survey data storage device, a plurality of load survey data stored in the load survey data storage means can be accessed from the photothermal material usage measuring device once to the load survey data collection device. It becomes possible to send out one call continuously in a call, and eventually collect the load survey data. Time shortened and the required in order, it is possible to realize the shortening of the operating time of the communication path and the data communication modem such as a telephone line.

Furthermore, the photothermal material usage measuring device is provided (or the photothermal material usage measuring device) like the photothermal material usage measuring device according to claim 3 or the load survey data collecting system according to claim 9. (Attached to), if the communication means has a built-in battery for power supply, the photothermal material usage measuring device can continuously make a call by one access to the load survey data collecting device. 1
By sending the data every time, it is possible to reduce the total amount of power supply power consumed from the battery of the communication means when collecting the load survey data, and to achieve a long life of the battery. You can

According to the load survey data collection system of any one of claims 13 to 18, the number of load survey data newly stored in the load survey data storage means is expected to reach a predetermined number. An external load survey data collection device accesses the photothermal material usage measuring device via a wireless communication path or a wired line communication path at each time or at a predetermined time thereafter, and measures the photothermal material usage amount. Since a predetermined number of load survey data stored in the device are continuously transmitted to the load survey data collection device, a plurality of load survey data stored in the load survey data storage means can be used to calculate the usage amount of photothermal materials. Continuously send out at once by a call by one access from the measuring device to the load survey data collecting device Theft becomes possible, and shorten the time required for and by extension to collect the load survey data,
It is possible to shorten the use time of a communication path such as a telephone line or a data communication modem. Furthermore, for example, by providing a predetermined time difference, the access times to the photothermal material usage measuring devices are appropriately dispersed, and the same time is obtained by accessing the photothermal material usage measuring devices from the load survey data collection device. Access from a very large number of photothermal material usage measurement devices concentrates on a small number of load survey data collection devices, and communication inconvenient situations such as being unable to fit within one connection capacity of a communication path such as a telephone line Can be avoided more reliably.

Further, as in the load survey data collection system according to claim 15, the communication means provided in the photothermal material usage measuring device (or attached to the photothermal material usage measuring device) is for power supply. If the built-in battery is used, it is possible to reduce the total amount of power consumed by the battery of the communication means when collecting the load survey data. It is possible to achieve a long life.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a gas meter and a load survey data collection system including the gas meter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing in more detail the configuration of a main part of a load survey data collection unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of contents of load survey data collected by a load survey data collecting unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a load survey data collection device.

[Fig. 5] Main flow of operations for transmitting and receiving read commands and data between a gas meter installed at one customer and a load survey data collection device installed at the centralized control center side in the load survey data collection system It is a figure showing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the breakdown of the time required for one call.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... Gas meter, 200 ... Load survey data collection device, 300 ... Communication path, 101 ... Gas flow rate measurement unit,
102 ... Gas flow rate integrated value calculation unit, 103 ... Load survey data collection unit, 104 ... Load survey data storage unit, 105 ... Load survey data reading unit, 106 ... Meter side communication device, 107 ... Gas usage integrated value display unit, Two
01 ... Center side communication device, 202 ... Read command output unit,
Reference numeral 203 ... Load survey data storage unit, 204 ... Load survey data totaling unit, 205 ... Gas usage amount integrated value storage unit, 206 ... Gas usage amount integrated value reading unit, 207 ... Display unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04Q 9/00 311 H04Q 9/00 311J (72) Inventor Hitoshi Hayashi 1-5-20 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo No. Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Atsushi Kondo 1-270 Sennaku, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya Aichi Clock Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Norihisa Harazu 1-270 Sennaku, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya Aichi F-term (reference) within TOKYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A photothermal material usage amount measuring means for measuring the usage amount of the photothermal material, a photothermal material usage amount integrating means for integrating the usage amount of the photothermal material, and for each predetermined time segment, within the time. Load survey data collection means for collecting an integrated value of the usage amount of the photothermal material as load survey data, load survey data storage means for storing the load survey data, and load survey newly stored in the load survey data storage means Every time the number of data reaches a predetermined number,
Load survey data reading means for reading the predetermined number of load survey data, and each time the number of load survey data newly stored in the load survey data storage means reaches a predetermined number,
A communication means for accessing an external load survey data collecting device via a wireless communication path and / or a wired line communication path and continuously transmitting the predetermined number of load survey data to the load survey data collecting device. A measuring device for measuring the amount of photothermal material used. 2. The photothermal material usage amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of settings can be changed. 3. The communication means has a built-in battery,
The use of the photothermal material according to claim 1, wherein the battery is used as a power source to perform a call operation and a call end operation of a telephone line to access the external load survey data collecting device. Quantity measuring device. 4. The photothermal material usage amount measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the photothermal material is a gas for fuel, and the usage amount of the photothermal material is a gas flow rate. 5. The photothermal material usage amount measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the photothermal material is tap water, and the usage amount of the photothermal material is tap water flow rate. 6. The photothermal material usage amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photothermal material is electric power, and the usage amount of the photothermal material is power usage amount. 7. A photothermal material usage amount measuring means for measuring the usage amount of the photothermal material, a photothermal material usage amount integrating means for integrating the usage amount of the photothermal material, and for each predetermined time segment, within the time. Load survey data collection means for collecting an integrated value of the usage amount of photothermal materials as load survey data, load survey data storage means for storing the load survey data, and load survey newly stored in the load survey data storage means Each time the number of data reaches a predetermined number, load survey data reading means for reading the predetermined number of load survey data, and each time the number of load survey data newly stored in the load survey data storage means reaches a predetermined number. In addition, a wireless communication path and / or a wire line communication path to an external load survey data acquisition device is used. And accessing, and a photothermal material usage measuring device having a first communication means for continuously transmitting the predetermined number of load survey data to the load survey data collecting device, and from the photothermal material usage measuring device Access means for receiving the load survey data transmitted from the first communication means, and the received load survey data using the photothermal material from which the load communication data is transmitted. A load survey data collecting system, comprising: a load survey data accumulating means for storing together with identification information of a quantity measuring device; and a load survey data collecting device. 8. The load survey data collection device comprises:
The load survey data collection system according to claim 7, wherein the photothermal material usage measuring device can be accessed to change the predetermined number of settings. 9. The first communication means has a built-in battery, and the battery is used as a power source to perform a call operation and a call end operation of a telephone line to the external load survey data collection device. The load survey data collection system according to claim 7, wherein the system performs access. 10. The load survey data collection system according to claim 7, wherein the photothermal material is a gas for fuel, and the usage amount of the photothermal material is a gas flow rate. 11. The load survey data collection system according to claim 7, wherein the photothermal material is tap water, and the usage amount of the photothermal material is tap water flow rate. 12. The load survey data collection system according to claim 7, wherein the photothermal material is electric power, and the usage amount of the photothermal material is electric power usage amount. 13. A photothermal material usage amount measuring means for measuring the usage amount of the photothermal material, a photothermal material usage amount integrating means for integrating the usage amount of the photothermal material, and a predetermined time segment within the time period. Load survey data collection means for collecting an integrated value of the usage amount of the photothermal material as load survey data, load survey data storage means for storing the load survey data, and a load survey newly stored in the load survey data storage means Each time the number of data reaches a predetermined number, the load survey data reading means for reading the predetermined number of load survey data and access from an external load survey data collecting device via a wireless communication path and / or a wired line communication path. And continuously send the specified number of load survey data to the load survey data collection device. A photothermal material usage amount measuring device having a first communication means for communicating, and a time at or after which it is expected that the number of load survey data newly stored in the load survey data storage means will reach a predetermined number. The second communication means for accessing the photothermal material usage measuring device and receiving the load survey data transmitted from the first communication means, and the received load survey data at predetermined time intervals, A load survey data collecting device having a load survey data accumulating means for storing together with the identification information of the photothermal material usage measuring device from which the load survey data has been transmitted. 14. The load survey data collecting device accesses the photothermal material usage measuring device,
14. The load survey data collection system according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined number of settings can be changed. 15. The first communication means has a built-in battery, and the battery is used as a power source to perform a call operation and a call end operation of a telephone line to access the external load survey data collection device. The load survey data collection system according to claim 13, wherein the load survey data collection system is executed. 16. The load survey data collection system according to claim 13, wherein the photothermal material is a gas for fuel, and the usage amount of the photothermal material is a gas flow rate. 17. The load survey data collection system according to claim 13, wherein the photothermal material is tap water, and the usage amount of the photothermal material is tap water flow rate. 18. The load survey data collection system according to claim 13, wherein the photothermal material is electric power, and the usage amount of the photothermal material is electric power usage amount.