JP2004126936A - Radio meter reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To flexibly respond to a rate policy changed with times even after setting a meter reading device, and precisely respond to a plurality of integration counters. <P>SOLUTION: This device comprises a slave machine 104 for wirelessly transmitting a gas using state to a master machine 108 as the information of the maximum measuring resolution of a gas meter 101, a gas consumption calculation part for calculating the quantity consumed of gas by time bands or by appliances based on information for the gas using state from the slave machine 104 and operation information from gas appliances 106 and 107, and the master machine having a communication part for transmitting the calculation result to an automatic meter reading center, which is set within a dwelling house. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a meter reading device provided with a means for setting a gas rate policy in accordance with the actual usage of the rate for gas consumption used by each customer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This kind of conventional meter reading device has a configuration shown in FIG. 10 (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 denotes a gas meter; 1002, a measuring unit for measuring a gas flow; 1003, an electronic normal integrating counter for counting a normal integrated value of the gas flow based on the measurement result of the measuring unit 1002; A communication unit for transmitting the counter value, 1005 is a transmission unit (NCU), 1006 is a communication unit for communicating with the transmission unit 1004 of the gas meter 1001, and 1007 is a long-time integrated value based on the normal integrated value from the gas meter 1001. A plurality of electronic counter units 1008 for counting the integrated value of the flow rate, the integrated value of the designated time, and the integrated value at the designated temperature, and a communication unit 1008 that sends the values of the plurality of electronic counter units to the automatic meter reading center 1010 via the public line 1009.
[0004]
Next, the operation of the conventional configuration will be described. The gas meter 1001 sends the normal integration counter value counted by the normal integration counter unit 1003 from the communication unit 1004 of the gas meter 1001 to the transmission device 1005. The transmission device 1005 periodically captures the normal integration counter value of the gas meter 1001 via the communication unit 1006, and based on the captured normal integration counter value, a long-time integration value, a large flow rate integration value, a specified time integration value, and a designated time integration value. The integrated value at the time of temperature is counted by a plurality of electronic counter units 1007, and the plurality of electronic counter values are sent to the automatic meter reading center 1010 via the transmission unit 1008 and the public line 1009, and the respective fee structures are constructed to charge customers. Providing services.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-116606 (pages 5-7, FIGS. 12 and 13)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the prior art has the following problems.
[0007]
When judging an integrated value for each appliance, etc., since a plurality of electronic counter units 1007 are counting a plurality of counter values for a charge based on information of a normal integrated counter value from the gas meter 1001 instead of the actual use of gas, The accuracy was poor because the judgment was usually made based on the change of the integration counter.
[0008]
In addition, when the system is operated and the rate policy is changed, for example, when the counting method of the integrating counter is changed in response to the rate policy for a specific device, the system is generally installed near a telephone line protector. In order to replace the transmission device 1005, replacement work was difficult.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to flexibly cope with a fee policy that changes with the times, and an object of the present invention to be able to cope with a plurality of accumulative counters with high accuracy.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the wireless meter reading device of the present invention is a gas meter that transmits a gas usage status according to the maximum measurement resolution of the gas meter as gas usage information from the gas meter, and a gas meter connected to the gas meter. And a plurality of gas appliances that transmit wirelessly the operating information of gas appliances, and a wireless device that communicates wirelessly with the It has a main unit installed in the house that calculates gas usage and the like for each belt and device and sends it to the automatic meter reading center.
[0011]
If the gas meter, master unit, slave unit, etc. are installed and the system is operated, and if you want to change the method of counting the total amount of gas usage by time zone or by appliance, replace the master unit installed in the house Alternatively, the system can be easily expanded by changing the software of the master unit. Further, since the integrated counting is performed based on the information on the actual gas usage at the maximum measurement resolution from the gas meter and the operation information from the gas appliance, it is possible to flexibly cope with the integrated counting method with accuracy.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 includes an automatic meter reading center, a gas use state detection unit that detects a gas use state of each customer, and a communication unit that transmits the detected gas use state as information of the maximum measurement resolution. A gas meter, a slave unit having a communication unit connected to the gas meter and receiving the information on the gas use state from the communication unit of the gas meter and wirelessly transmitting the information, and a plurality of gas appliances for wirelessly transmitting operation information of the gas appliance. The communication unit that performs wireless communication with the slave unit and the gas appliance, and information on the gas use state from the slave unit and the gas usage amount for each time zone or appliance based on the operation information from the gas appliance. By using a gas consumption calculation unit to be calculated and a master unit installed in a house equipped with a communication unit for transmitting the calculation result to the automatic metering center, the master unit can use gas at the maximum measurement resolution of the gas meter. By based on information from the state information and the gas appliance counts the various integrating counter, be changed in the future counting function, it is possible to have a variety of integrated functions remembering accurately and flexibility. In addition, it is possible to cope with a change in the accumulated count according to a future fee system with a parent machine in a house that can be easily replaced.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slave unit according to the first aspect, a communication unit for receiving information on a gas usage state from the gas meter according to the first aspect, and a communication unit for receiving the received information on the gas usage state for a predetermined period. By using the storage unit A for storing the information and the communication unit for transmitting the information of the gas use state for the predetermined period stored in the storage unit A collectively by radio, when the slave unit is powered by the battery, By using the fact that various integration counters do not originally require real-time processing, the number of times of wireless communication of the slave unit is stored by storing the gas usage state from the gas meter for the predetermined period in the slave unit and transmitting it collectively to the master unit. The frequency of battery replacement of the slave unit can be reduced.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a communication unit for receiving the gas use state information from the gas meter according to the first aspect, and a gas use state information from the gas meter are provided. A storage unit B that stores a start time for a predetermined period and time interval information for each predetermined unit measurement, and a communication unit that collectively transmits gas use state information for a predetermined period stored in the storage unit B wirelessly. By doing so, when the slave unit is powered by a battery, the information of one block to be transmitted collectively by radio is not a list of times at the maximum measurement resolution of the gas meter, but the first time of the block and the information at the maximum measurement resolution. By storing the time interval information, the storage capacity of the storage unit can be reduced, the communication time sent to the master unit can be shortened, and the frequency of battery replacement of the slave unit can be reduced.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a communication unit for receiving the gas use state information from the gas meter according to the first aspect, and a gas use state information from the gas meter are provided. A data compression unit for compressing the data into variable length data as a difference between a start time for a predetermined period and a time interval for each predetermined unit measurement, and a storage unit C for storing information on a gas use state for a predetermined period compressed by the data compression unit And a communication unit that collectively transmits wirelessly the compressed gas use state information for a predetermined period stored in the storage unit C, so that when the slave unit is powered by a battery, By giving the information of the difference between the first time of the block and the time interval for each maximum measurement resolution to the variable block length, the actual use of gas is as follows. A little Flow rate can reduce the frequency of battery replacement constant since high probability of a minimum bit length by a has a shorter communication time for sending the stochastically master unit handset.
[0016]
A fifth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute all or a part of the means of the wireless meter reading device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.
[0017]
And since it is a program, a part or all of the shutoff device of the present invention can be easily realized using a microcomputer or the like. Further, by recording the program on a recording medium or distributing the program using a communication line, distribution and installation of the program can be simplified.
[0018]
【Example】
Hereinafter, first, second, third, and fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. FIG. Will be explained.
[0019]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a wireless meter reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 113 denotes an automatic meter reading center, 112 denotes a public line, 101 denotes a gas meter, 102 denotes a gas use state detecting unit for detecting a gas use state of each customer, and 103 denotes a gas use state of the use state detection unit 101. A communication unit that transmits the maximum measurement resolution every 0.1 L, 104 is a slave unit, 105 is connected to the gas meter 101, receives gas use state information (pulse information for each 0.1 L) from the gas meter 101, and wirelessly transmits the information. , A gas appliance A and a gas appliance B for wirelessly transmitting operation information of gas appliances, 108 is a master unit connected to a modular jack in the house, and 109 is a communication unit 105 of the slave unit 104. And a communication unit 110 for communicating with the gas appliances 106 and 107. The communication unit 110 communicates information on the gas use state (pulse information for each 0.1 L) from the slave unit 104 and the gas appliances 106, A gas usage calculator 111 for integrating counting of gas usage for each time zone and appliance based on driving information (for example, ON and OFF information) from 07, 111 automatically calculates the calculated result via a public line 112. It is a communication unit that transmits to the meter reading center 113.
[0020]
The operation and operation of the wireless meter device configured as described above will be described below.
[0021]
The gas meter 101 detects the gas use state by the gas use state detection unit 102 and notifies the gas use amount calculation unit 110 via the communication unit 103, the communication unit 105 of the slave unit 104, and the communication unit 109 of the master unit 108. On the other hand, the ON / OFF information of the gas appliance A 106 is also transmitted to the gas usage calculation unit 110 via the communication unit 109 of the parent device 108. The gas usage calculating unit 110 counts the usage of each gas appliance A by using the gas usage state information (pulse information for each 0.1 L) and the ON / OFF information of the gas appliance A, and communicates with the communication unit 111 and the public. The gas company can set a fee policy by transmitting the data to the automatic meter reading center 113 via the line 112 and setting a fee for each appliance at the automatic meter reading center 113.
[0022]
If the gas company wants to change the tariff policy in the future, for example, if it is necessary to change to the maximum flow rate when using gas appliances A and B or to use it for a long time, the gas meter 101 By changing the parent device 108 installed in the house without changing the child device 104 or the child device 104, it is possible to easily cope with the situation including the construction.
[0023]
Specifically, by replacing the parent device 108 or replacing the ROM of the microcomputer, it is possible to easily cope with a future fee policy.
[0024]
Also, as compared with the conventional meter reading device which usually only has the information of the accumulated count value, the parent device installed in the house has the information of the maximum measurement resolution of the gas meter, and also has the ON / OFF information of the appliance. By doing so, it is possible to have the possibility and flexibility to cope with the tariff policy while maintaining the accuracy of various accumulated counts in the future.
[0025]
(Example 2)
FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a wireless meter reader according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0026]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 213 denotes an automatic meter reading center, 212 denotes a public line, 201 denotes a gas meter, 202 denotes a gas use state detecting unit for detecting the gas use state of each customer, and 203 denotes the maximum gas use state of the use state detection unit 201. A communication unit that transmits every 0.1 L of measurement resolution, 204 is a slave unit, 205 is a communication unit that receives information on the gas use state from the gas meter 201, and 214 is information on the received gas use state (pulse every 0.1 L). The storage units A and 215 store the information of the gas use state (pulse information for each 0.1 L) of the predetermined period stored in the storage unit A214 wirelessly. Is a battery serving as a power source for the communication unit 205, the storage unit A214, and the communication unit 215 of the slave unit. Reference numerals 206 and 207 denote gas appliances A and B that wirelessly transmit operation information of the gas appliances. Is a master unit connected to a modular jack in the house, 209 is a communication unit that communicates with the communication unit 215 of the slave unit 204 and the gas appliances 206 and 207, and 210 is gas use state information (0.1 L) from the slave unit 204. A gas usage calculator 211 for integrating counting of gas usage and the like for each time zone and for each appliance based on the pulse information for each) and operation information (for example, ON and OFF times) from the gas appliances 206 and 207. The communication unit transmits the result to the automatic meter reading center 213 via the public line 212.
[0027]
The difference from the configuration of the first embodiment is that a storage unit A214 is provided in the slave unit 204 using a battery as a power supply.
[0028]
The operation and operation of the wireless meter device configured as described above will be described below.
[0029]
Based on the gas use state information (pulse information for each 0.1 L) from the gas meter 201, the time measured for each 0.1 L is stored in the storage unit A with an accuracy of 0.1 second. The storage unit A stores the information as 1024 pieces of time information, and then transmits the information to the parent device 208 via the communication unit 215. FIG. 3 shows a format and an example of the wireless data part when transmitting. The configuration is such that 1024 times at the time of a pulse of every 0.1 L are arranged in chronological order with an accuracy of 0.1 second.
[0030]
That is, as shown in the example of FIG. 3, the configuration is such that 1024 times are arranged in time series. The number of times of wireless communication can be reduced to 1/1024 as compared with the case where the gas usage state (pulse information for each 0.1 L) is wirelessly transmitted to the master unit 208 every 0.1 L, and the number of times of battery replacement of the slave unit Can be reduced.
[0031]
(Example 3)
FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of a wireless meter reading device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0032]
In FIG. 4, 413 is an automatic meter reading center, 412 is a public line, 401 is a gas meter, 402 is a gas use state detecting unit for detecting the gas use state of each customer, and 403 is the maximum gas use state of the use state detection unit 401. A communication unit that transmits every 0.1 L of measurement resolution, 404 is a slave unit, 405 is a communication unit that receives information on the gas use state from the gas meter 401, 414 is information on the received gas use state (pulse every 0.1 L) The storage units B and 415 store the information (information) as a start time for a predetermined period and time interval information for each predetermined unit measurement. 415, a communication unit 405 of the slave unit, a storage unit B414, a battery serving as a power source of the communication unit 415, and 406 and 407, operating information of gas appliances. A and gas appliances B, 408 are master units connected to a modular jack in the house, 409 is a communication unit that communicates with the communication unit 415 of the slave unit 404 and the gas appliances 406, 407, and 410 is Based on the gas use state information (pulse information for every 0.1 L) from the slave unit 404 and the operation information (for example, ON / OFF time) from the gas appliances 406 and 407, the gas consumption amount by time zone and appliance A gas use amount calculation unit 411 that counts the total and the like is a communication unit that transmits the calculated result to the automatic meter reading center 413 via the public line 412.
[0033]
The difference from the configuration of the first embodiment is that a storage unit B414 is provided in a slave unit using a battery as a power source.
[0034]
The operation and operation of the wireless meter device configured as described above will be described below.
[0035]
When storing 1024 times measured every 0.1 L with an accuracy of 0.1 second based on the gas use state information (pulse information every 0.1 L) from the gas meter 401, the time is stored only at the beginning. After that, the interval of the pulse for each 0.1 L is stored in the storage unit B414, and the storage unit B414 stores 1024 pieces of pulse information and transmits the information to the master unit 408 via the communication unit 415. FIG. 5 shows a format and an example of the wireless data part when transmitting. The first time when there is a pulse every 0.1 L is arranged first with an accuracy of 0.1 second, and thereafter, 1024 pulse intervals every 0.1 L are arranged in time series.
[0036]
The pulse interval is recorded as 2-byte data up to 6553.6 seconds, the maximum pulse interval being a modulo 16 of 2, and if there is an interval longer than that, it is transmitted in the next block.
[0037]
That is, as shown in the example of FIG. 5, data has a time first, and the subsequent data has a configuration in which pulse intervals of 2 bytes are arranged in time series. Since it is not necessary to store each pulse as a time, it is possible to reduce the memory capacity of the storage unit and shorten the length of a message sent to the master unit.
[0038]
Conversely, when the total message length is fixed, the number of times of communication can be reduced. In any case, it is possible to reduce the number of times of battery replacement of the slave unit.
[0039]
(Example 4)
FIG. 6 is a system block diagram of a wireless meter reading device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0040]
In FIG. 6, 613 is an automatic meter reading center, 612 is a public line, 601 is a gas meter, 602 is a gas use state detecting unit for detecting the gas use state of each customer, and 603 is the maximum gas use state of the use state detection unit 601. A communication unit that transmits every 0.1 L of measurement resolution, 604 is a slave unit, 605 is a communication unit that receives information on the gas use state from the gas meter 601, 617 is information on the gas use state from the gas meter 601 (every 0.1 L) Pulse information) is compressed into variable-length data as a difference between a start time for a predetermined period and a time interval for each predetermined unit measurement. Reference numeral 614 denotes gas usage state information (for a predetermined period) compressed by the data compression unit. The storage units C and 615 that store the pulse information for each 0.1 L) store the gas use state information (pulse information for each 0.1 L) for a predetermined period stored in the storage unit C 614. A communication unit for collectively transmitting wirelessly, 615 is a communication unit 605 of the slave unit, a data compression unit 617, a storage unit C614, a battery that is a power supply of the communication unit 615, and 606 and 607 wirelessly transmit operation information of gas appliances. Gas appliance A and gas appliance B, 608 are a master unit connected to a modular jack in the house, 609 is a communication unit for communicating with the communication unit 616 of the slave unit 604 and the gas appliances 606, 607, and 618 is a communication unit 616 and 609. A data decompression unit for decompressing the compressed gas use state information for a predetermined period sent through the data decompression unit 610 includes gas use state information (pulse information for each 0.1 L) decompressed by the data decompression unit. A gas usage calculation unit 611 calculates the total usage of gas usage for each time zone and each appliance based on driving information (for example, ON and OFF times) from the gas appliances 606 and 607. A communication unit for transmitting to the automatic meter reading center 613 result through the public line 612.
[0041]
The difference from the configuration of the first embodiment is that a data compression unit 617 and a storage unit C614 are provided in the slave unit using a battery as a power supply, and a data decompression unit 618 is provided in the master unit 608.
[0042]
The operation and operation of the wireless meter device configured as described above will be described below.
[0043]
When storing 1024 times measured every 0.1 L with an accuracy of 0.1 second based on the gas use state information (pulse information every 0.1 L) from the gas meter 401, the time is stored only at the beginning. Thereafter, the difference between the latest pulse interval of every 0.1 L and the latest is calculated by the data compression unit, and the result is stored in the storage unit C614. After storing 1024 pieces of pulse information, the communication unit 615 The data is transmitted to the parent device 608 via the main device. Master unit 608 receives the compressed data via communication unit 609 of master unit 608, decompresses data in data decompression unit 618, and performs various integrated counts in gas usage amount calculation unit 610.
[0044]
FIG. 7 shows a format and an example of the wireless data part when transmitting. The first time when there is a pulse every 0.1L is arranged first with an accuracy of 0.1 second, and thereafter, 1024 pulse interval differences every 0.1L are arranged in time series. I have. The pulse interval is recorded as variable-length data up to 1638.4 seconds, which is up to 2 byte data, and the maximum pulse interval is 2 × 14 (2 bits are 2 × 14 for use in another application). Then, if there is a longer interval, transmission is performed in the next block. That is, as shown in the example of FIG. 7, the data has a time first, and the subsequent data has a configuration in which the difference between the pulse intervals of 2 bytes is arranged in time series. FIG. 9 shows the data structure of the variable length data. Whether the data is 1-byte data is 1-byte data when the most significant bit (extended bit in FIG. 9) of each data is 0, and the most significant bit (extended bit in FIG. 9) is 1 when it is 2-byte data. . When the data is decompressed by the data decompression unit 618, the most significant bit (extended bit) is determined to determine whether the data is 1-byte data or 2-byte data. The next bit of the most significant bit is used as a +/- sign because the f-pulse interval varies. As shown in FIG. 8, as a normal gas use situation, when the gas appliance is not turned on / off, the gas flow rate is not easily changed (shaded portion in FIG. 8). .
[0045]
Therefore, if the ON / OFF of the gas appliance is small as compared with the case of 2-byte fixed-length data, the compression can be performed up to about 1/2 at the maximum. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the memory capacity of the storage unit and shorten the length of a message sent to the master unit. Conversely, when the total message length is fixed, the number of times of communication can be reduced. In any case, it is possible to reduce the number of times of battery replacement of the slave unit.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a gas meter, a master unit, a slave unit, or the like is installed, thereby operating the system and operating the system by time zone, or when it is desired to change the integrated counting method of gas usage by appliance, The system can be expanded easily by replacing the master unit installed in the house or changing the software of the master unit, and the master unit uses the information on the actual gas usage with the maximum measurement resolution from the gas meter and the gas appliance. It is possible to respond flexibly while maintaining the accuracy of the integration counting method for performing integration counting based on the driving information of, and to flexibly cope with rate policies that change with the times.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a wireless meter reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a wireless meter reading device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a wireless meter reading device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of a wireless meter reading device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a format of a wireless data portion of the wireless meter reading device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a system block diagram of a wireless meter reading device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a format of a wireless data portion of the wireless meter reading device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between a gas flow rate and time. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a variable-length data structure of a wireless data section of a wireless metering device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure [Description of the code]
113 Automatic meter reading center 101 Gas meter 102 Gas use state detection unit 103 Communication unit 104 Remote unit 105 Communication unit 106 Gas appliance A
107 Gas appliance B
108 Base unit 109 Communication unit 110 Gas consumption calculation unit 111 Communication unit

Claims (5)

An automatic meter reading center, a gas meter including a gas use state detection unit that detects a gas use state of each customer and a communication unit that transmits the detected gas use state as information of the maximum measurement resolution, and the gas meter connected to the gas meter. A slave unit provided with a communication unit that wirelessly transmits and receives information on the gas use state from the communication unit of the gas meter, a plurality of gas appliances that wirelessly transmits operating information of the gas appliance, and the slave unit and the gas appliance. A communication unit that performs wireless communication, a gas usage calculating unit that calculates gas usage by time zone or by appliance based on information on gas usage status from the slave unit and operation information from the gas appliance, and a calculation. And a master unit provided with a communication unit for transmitting the result to the automatic metering center, wherein the master unit is installed in a house. A communication unit that receives the gas use state information from the gas meter to the slave unit, a storage unit A that stores the received gas use state information for a predetermined period, and a gas use unit that stores the gas use state for a predetermined period stored in the storage unit A The wireless metering device according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication unit that collectively transmits status information wirelessly; and a battery as a power supply of the slave unit. A communication unit that receives the information on the gas use state from the gas meter to the slave unit, and a storage unit B that stores the information on the gas use state from the gas meter as start time for a predetermined period and time interval information for each predetermined unit measurement. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit information on a gas use state for a predetermined period stored in the storage unit B and wirelessly; and a battery as a power supply of the slave unit. Wireless meter reading device. A communication unit that receives the gas use state information from the gas meter to the slave unit, and compresses the gas use state information from the gas meter into variable-length data as a difference between a start time for a predetermined period and a time interval for each predetermined unit measurement. A data compression unit, a storage unit C for storing information of a gas use state for a predetermined period compressed by the data compression unit, and information of a compressed gas use state for a predetermined period stored in the storage unit C A communication unit that collectively transmits wirelessly, and a battery as a power supply of the slave unit, and performs wireless communication with a communication unit that wirelessly communicates the master unit with the slave unit and the gas appliance. 2. The wireless meter reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a data decompression unit that decompresses the compressed gas use state information for a predetermined period. A program for causing a computer to function as all or a part of the means of the wireless meter reading device according to claim 1.

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