JP2004148522A - Handy terminal, and gauge inspection system using the handy terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a handy terminal which has various different printing formats with affluent usable colors that facilitate management of consumption articles, and a gauge inspection system for inspecting various meters at a time with the use of the handy terminal. <P>SOLUTION: In the handy terminal which has a plurality of printing formats and writes variable data to a predetermined position of the printing format selected from the plurality of the formats, a multi-color recording medium is used which generates a desired color in accordance with a temperature applied under a predetermined pressure. Moreover, the handy terminal has a control means for controlling a platen roller and a thermal line head to apply the temperature and the pressure to the multi-color recording medium so that the desired color is generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is handy terminal having a plurality of printing formats, and to a meter reading system using the handy terminal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when performing meter reading of electricity, water, gas, and the like, each meter reader commissioned by each energy supply company patrols each customer's house and measures each meter. Then, at the site of the meter reading, a receipt, an invoice and the like are issued and mailed to the customer's house. It is widely known that a handy terminal having excellent portability is used as a means for issuing such a receipt or invoice, and is used in practice.
[0003]
However, in the case of the meter reading method described above, since the meter readers of the meter reading commission companies to which each energy supply company independently entrusts meter reading work patrol the customer's house and read each meter, it takes time. And economic efficiency are very poor. In other words, according to the conventional meter reading method, since different meter readers perform meter reading work on any one meter in one customer's house, the meter reader visits the customer's house at least three times. Become. As a result, the meter reading personnel to the meter reading work time becomes too high proportion of travel time to tour the home of the customer, thereby causing a reduction in the work efficiency. In addition, if each energy supply company independently outsources meter reading to a meter reading commissioning company, labor costs will increase. Therefore, in recent years, a meter reading system has been proposed in which the same meter reader collectively measures the meter reading of electricity, water, gas, and the like (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
In such a case where the various meter reading is the same meter reading membered needle collectively in its metering field, it is necessary to provide each print format such as receipts and bills each energy supply company uses.
[0005]
However, conventionally, the handy terminal has been used only in special situations such as the meter reading operation described above, collection of newspapers and broadcast reception fees, and versatility of its functions has not been required. That is, the handy terminals are individually set so as to correspond to the purpose of the user. For example, when performing the above-described meter reading operation, a dedicated sheet on which a pattern in a format corresponding to various meter readings is printed is used as a print sheet on which the examination result is printed. Then, the examination result is printed at a predetermined position in the pattern of the format. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the paper used for printing each time a different meter reading operation is performed. Further, it is necessary to change the position at which the examination result is printed with the exchange of paper. That is, the setting of the printing position must be performed together with the replacement of the paper, which is a complicated operation for the user. Therefore, in recent years, handy terminals having various different print formats so that various types of data can be printed have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-49983 (sections 2, 3 and 1)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-144668 (Sections 3, 4 and 1)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when the handy terminal has various different print formats and prints various receipts and bills, it is necessary to configure the handy terminal so as to correspond to the various print formats. For example, the colors used in the various print formats, such as receipts and bills, often are different for respective print formats. Further, the user, in order to facilitate understanding of the contents visually, even within a single print formats, often have a plurality of colors. That is, the color printing function is becoming an indispensable function for the handy terminal.
[0008]
Various methods are widely known for color printing by a printer. For example, there is a method of performing color printing using two-color thermal paper. This includes a leuco dye which develops an alkaline (for example, red) color on a support, a heat-sensitive layer containing a large excess of a high-melting solid alkali compound, a leuco dye which develops an acid (for example, blue), and a low-melting solid. And a heat-sensitive layer containing an acid compound. When heat is applied to the two-color heat-sensitive paper, the paper develops blue at low temperatures and red at high temperatures, and the blue-colored layer is neutralized and erased. That is, it is possible to obtain a printed material of two colors without color mixture, depending on the heat generation temperature of the heat generation resistor provided in the printer head. The two-color thermal paper are the consumable paper forms, there is a merit that is easy to manage for the user. However, usable colors are limited, and it is difficult to support various print formats.
[0009]
Also, thermal transfer and color printing by inkjet are widely known methods. For example, thermal transfer is a method in which a heated print head is pressed against an ink ribbon on which a solid ink is thinly applied, and the ink is melted and transferred to paper to perform color printing. In the case of these well-known thermal transfer and ink-jet color printing, the usable colors are abundant, so that it is possible to sufficiently cope with color printing such as receipts and bills. However, it is necessary to frequently replace the ink ribbon and ink cartridge, resulting in a troublesome work for the user. In addition, there is a problem that the size of the handy terminal is increased and portability required for the handy terminal is impaired.
[0010]
Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a variety of handy terminals having various print formats in which usable colors are abundant and easy to manage consumables, and various meters using the handy terminal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a meter reading system for collectively meter reading.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a handy terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of print formats prepared in advance for various purposes of a user, and at least one print format among the plurality of print formats. It has a selecting means for selecting and a writing means for writing variable data at a predetermined position of the print format selected by the selecting means. The recording medium used for printing the handy terminal is a multi-color recording medium that emits a desired color under a given pressure under a given temperature. Furthermore, the handy terminal includes a platen roller for pressing the recording medium at a predetermined pressure, the thermal line head added which is disjunctive freely disposed, the heat to the recording medium with respect to the platen roller, multi-color recording medium And control means for controlling the heat generation temperature of the thermal line head in order to give a temperature for emitting a desired color. That is, the recording medium used in the present invention is a form of thermal paper that emits a desired color in accordance with a given temperature and pressure. In other words, in this handy terminal, because the form of consumables is a self-coloring paper, easy to manage for the user. There are also many colors available for printing. Further, since the size of the handy terminal is not increased, portability is not impaired.
[0012]
Preferably, the handy terminal is configured to combine data of the selected print format and variable data written at a predetermined position of the selected print format, and print the data collectively.
[0013]
A meter reading system that performs collective meter reading of electricity, water, and gas using the handy terminal according to any one of the above, and the meter reading system has a host server connected to the handy terminal and a network. . In addition, the handy terminal records a user code owned by a company that supplies electricity, and reads information on meter reading results of electricity, water, and gas read by the host server together with a user code corresponding to the information on the meter reading result. Send to The host server records the user code of each company that supplies electricity, water, and gas, and upon receiving each piece of information transmitted from the handy terminal, receives the water code corresponding to the user code transmitted from the handy terminal. And the user code owned by the gas supply company. Then, the information of each meter reading results, based and user code transmitted from the handy terminal, to a user code that is called, to send to each company. That is, since the handy terminal has various print formats and is configured to be capable of color printing, a receipt or an invoice, etc., corresponding to each company's request is printed by one handy terminal. be able to. By providing at least one user code for identifying a customer in the handy terminal, the meter reading result can be transmitted to each company at a time via the host server. As a result, it is possible to shorten the meter reading operation time and effectively reduce labor costs.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a meter reading system 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The meter reading system 500 comprises a handheld device 100, the host server 200, a power supply company 310, the Water Authority 320, and a gas supply company 330.
[0015]
The handy terminal 100 is a terminal computer carried by a meter reader who patrols the customer's house, and can print the meter reading result on the recording medium 400 as a form such as a receipt or an invoice, and can output the result to the outside. The handy terminal 100 includes a communication unit 110, an operation unit 120, a display unit 130, a memory 140, a print unit 150, a control unit 160, and a calculation unit 170.
[0016]
The communication unit 110 is means for the handy terminal 100 to communicate with the host server 200. The communication unit 110 is used, for example, when downloading the customer data in the area where the meter reader makes a cyclic meter reading from the host server 200 to the handy terminal 100. Also, when uploading meter reading results handy terminal 100 acquires the host server 200, the communication is performed using the communication unit 110. The customer data referred to here is the meter values and meter readings of each meter of the customer who previously read electricity, water, and gas in the area where the meter reader cyclically reads the meter, and the customer's data in the past months. The data may be data indicating meter values and meter readings of electricity, water, and gas, or a user code used by the power supply company 310 to identify the customer. The meter value referred to here is a value indicated by each meter at the time of meter reading. Also, the meter reading value is a value representing an electrical monthly customer has used, water, the amount of each gas.
[0017]
The operation unit 120 is a means for inputting the meter values to the handy terminal 100 when the meter reader measures each meter of electricity, water, and gas. Therefore, the operation unit 120 includes at least a numerical key and an enter key. The numerical keys are keys in which numerical values from 0 to 9 can be input arranged in a matrix, and are mainly used when inputting the meter value of each meter. Further, the determination key, or to confirm the number entered by the numerical keys to select the format of the pattern, such as receipts and invoices for printing a meter reading results, or perform a predetermined command of the handy terminal 100 It is used when doing. Here, the predetermined command includes, for example, a command for the handy terminal 100 to download customer data from the host server 200, a command for uploading the meter reading result acquired by the handy terminal 100 to the host server 200, and a meter reading result. A command for printing a corresponding receipt or bill on the recording medium 400 is shown.
[0018]
The display unit 130, various and meter reading data, an LCD display for displaying the current status of the handy terminal 100. The various meter reading data includes, for example, customer data downloaded from the host server 200 by the handy terminal 100, meter values of respective meters input by meter readers, data indicating meter reading values of the current month, and the like. The display of the current status of the handy terminal 100 here means, for example, that the handy terminal 100 is communicating on the display unit 130 while the handy terminal 100 is communicating with the host server 200. That is, it indicates that the data transmission / reception has been completed, and if the data transmission / reception has been completed, indicates that the data transmission / reception has been completed.
[0019]
The memory 140 is a recording unit that can record various data. In the memory 140, data classified into two systems is recorded. One is data recorded in a non-writable area of the handy terminal 100 in an initial stage. The data recorded in the non-writable area is, for example, data in a format such as a receipt or an invoice specified by each energy supply company such as the power supply company 310, the water bureau 320, and the gas supply company 330, important notice to customers (and note the evocative language of the non-payment of various types of usage charges, wording an abnormal value to notify that it has been meter reading, announcements such as periodic inspections) or a. The other is data recorded in a writable area. Data recorded on the writable region, for example, or a meter reading data for each meter input by the operation unit 120, or a data of the aforementioned customer downloaded from the host server 200, or a meter reading Or meter reading. Print data such as various formats, alerts, and notices recorded in the memory 140 are all initially recorded so as to be printed in black or color. Further, the meter value and the meter reading value are recorded so as to be printed in black or color according to the meter reading result.
[0020]
The printing unit 150 is a thermal printer having a thermal line head (not shown) and a platen roller. The thermal line head has a plurality of heating resistors which are arranged on the line, these heating resistors, the recording medium 400, but the application of heat, such as to emit a desired color. The platen roller presses the recording medium 400 at a predetermined pressure, a roller for transporting the recording medium 400. The platen roller is biased by a biasing spring in a direction orthogonal to the recording medium 400, and is configured to apply a pressure to the recording medium 400 to emit a desired color.
[0021]
The control unit 160 controls various units of the handy terminal 100, and controls, for example, the printing unit 150. The control performed by the printer unit 150 means that each heating resistor of the thermal line head included in the printing unit 150 is controlled in accordance with print data and a temperature and pressure coloring characteristic (described later) of the recording medium 400 used for the printing. This is to control the heat generation temperature and the duty ratio of the energizing pulse.
[0022]
The calculation unit 170 is a unit that performs various calculations based on the data input to the meter reader. The calculation performed by the calculation unit 170 is, for example, a meter reading value calculated by subtracting a meter value of each meter read in n-1 month from a meter value of each meter read in n month. Or a usage fee calculated by multiplying the meter reading value by a predetermined coefficient.
[0023]
The host server 200 is a server configured to be able to communicate with the handy terminal 100, the power supply company 310, the water bureau 320, and the gas supply company 330. The host server 200 includes a communication unit 210, a user database 220, and an information storage unit 230.
[0024]
The communication unit 210, and the handy terminal 100, the power supply company 310, Waterworks 320 is a means for transmitting and receiving gas supplier 330 and the data. The host server 200 uses the communication unit 210, and transmit and receive the data described above and the handy terminal 100. Also, when each energy supplier requests the meter reading result of each meter from each energy supplier, it transmits each meter result to each energy supplier based on a user code of the user database 220 described later. ing.
[0025]
The user database 220 is a means for recording each user code of each energy supply company. This user code is an identification code created for the energy supply company to identify and manage each customer. The user codes used by each energy supply company are different from each other, and even among gas supply companies, different user codes are used by different gas supply companies.
[0026]
The information storage unit 230 is a unit for recording various data relating to a customer. The various data relating to the customer recorded in the information storage unit 230 include, for example, the name, address, telephone number, and usage fee collection method (debit withdrawal, transfer to a financial institution, etc.) of each customer, It is the meter value and meter reading value of each meter of the customer's electricity, water and gas this time, or the data showing the meter value and meter reading value of electricity, water and gas in the past months, It may be an estimated usage amount, which is a criterion for calling attention such as energy waste, calculated from each usage fee in the past several months or an electric appliance owned by the user.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the recording medium 400 used in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the temperature and pressure coloring characteristics of the recording medium 400. The recording medium 400 is a pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive multicolor recording medium that emits a predetermined color according to a given temperature and pressure when given a predetermined temperature and pressure. Here, the temperature-pressure coloring characteristic refers to a characteristic indicating in what hue the recording medium 400 develops a color in accordance with a given temperature and pressure.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium 400 includes a paper 410 and a coloring layer 420 applied to one surface of the paper 410. The coloring layer 420 is composed of two types of coloring layers, a pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 422 and a heat-sensitive coloring layer 424, and is formed on the surface of the paper 410. 424.
[0029]
The pressure-sensitive and heat-sensitive coloring layer 422 includes a large number of pressure-sensitive microcapsules 422a and emerald green coloring leuco in a layer of a developer mainly containing a leuco dye developer (indicated by “x” in FIG. 2). The dye components (indicated by “○” in FIG. 2) are uniformly distributed and formed.
[0030]
The pressure-sensitive microcapsules 422a are obtained by enclosing a color material used for color printing in a spherical wall film. The wall film is formed of, for example, a thermosetting resin such as an amino resin, and has a particle size of about 3 to 6 μm. In the present embodiment, the coloring material sealed in the wall film is a magenta coloring material. The magenta coloring material is obtained by dissolving a magenta coloring leuco dye in a vehicle.
[0031]
The thermosensitive coloring layer 424 is composed of a leuco dye component (indicated by “△” in FIG. 2) and a developer component (indicated by “x” in FIG. 2). The leuco dye component “△” uses a leuco dye for black coloring.
[0032]
FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the temperature and pressure coloring characteristics of the recording medium 400 configured as described above. The vertical axis shows the pressure (unit is MPa) applied to the recording medium 400, and the horizontal axis shows the temperature (unit is ° C) applied to the recording medium 400. The shaded area indicated by “MA” indicates an area where the recording medium 400 emits magenta, and the shaded area indicated by “MA / EG” indicates that the recording medium 400 is a mixed color of magenta and emerald green, that is, purple. The shaded area indicated by “EG” indicates an area where the recording medium 400 emits emerald green, and the shaded area indicated by “BK” indicates an area where black is emitted. That is, the recording medium 400 is configured to emit a predetermined color according to the given temperature and pressure. The details of such a multi-color recording medium are disclosed in JP-A-2002-19298 and JP-A-2002-11960.
[0033]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the batch meter reading process of the handy terminal 100 in the meter reading system 500. Hereinafter, this flowchart will be described.
[0034]
The meter reader downloads customer data in the area where the cyclic meter reading is performed from the host server 200 to the handy terminal 100 (S1). The downloaded data includes various data relating to the customer stored in the information storage unit 230 described above, a user code used by the power supply company 310 to identify the customer, and the like. The handy terminal 100 stores this data in the memory 140 via the communication units 210 and 110.
[0035]
Then, the meter reading staff, in order to carry out the meter reading of the meter, to visit the home of the customer, to find the data of the customer in the appropriate section of data downloaded. There are various methods of searching for customer data, such as searching by inputting a customer name, searching by inputting an address, and searching by inputting a telephone number. When the data of the visiting customer is searched, the handy terminal 100 selects a pattern of a format such as a receipt or an invoice for printing the meter reading result based on the searched data (S2). The selection of a pattern in this format will be described later in a subroutine shown in FIG.
[0036]
Searching customer data, the format pattern of is selected, based on the retrieved data, and selected format, the display unit 130, to use with the customer's data, and the customer meter reading input The item is displayed. At this time, the customer data displayed on the display unit 130 includes a customer name, an address, a telephone number, a meter value and a meter reading value of each meter that was previously measured, and respective meter values of electricity, water, and gas in the past months. The meter reading, a user code used by the electricity supply company 310 to identify the customer, and the like. The input items displayed are primarily electric meter, water meter, gas meter each meter value.
[0037]
When the above items are displayed on the display unit 130, the meter reader performs meter reading of each meter. That meter reading personnel reads the meter value indicated by each meter, the raw value read this, perform key operation using the operation unit 120, and inputs to the handy terminal 100 (S3).
[0038]
Handheld device 100 when the input of the meter values of the meters is completed, the arithmetic unit 170 calculates the respective meter reading value meter reading time. Further, the arithmetic unit 170 multiplies the calculated meter reading values by a predetermined coefficient, respectively, and calculates the current electricity, water and gas usage fees (S4).
[0039]
And meter values, the meter reading values calculated, and meter reading results such as the use fee is stored in the memory 140 together with the various print data (S5). The storage of the print data will be described later in a subroutine shown in FIG.
[0040]
When the print data is stored in the memory 140, the print data is combined with the pattern of the selected format as print data, and is stored in the memory 140 (S6). Data that is stored in the memory 140 as this time printing data, and each meter reading value, each use fee, in addition to the data in the format that has been selected, the customer name and, address, telephone number, meter reading in charge name, the reminder wording , Notice, etc. in black or color.
[0041]
Control unit 160 determines whether to compare the retrieved each meter reading values and the usage charge calculated customer data, there is no input leakage meter value by meter reading personnel. If it is determined that there is an omission in input of the meter value, the process returns to the input of the meter value in S3 (S7: N), the meter value of the input omission is input, and the process is continued. When it is determined that there is no omission of input of the meter value, it means that the meter reading operation for the customer has been completed (S7: Y).
[0042]
When the meter reading operation is completed, the handy terminal 100 uploads the customer data to the host server 200 (S8). Here, the data uploaded to the host server 200 is the data of the user code, the meter value read this time, and the meter reading value.
[0043]
When the data upload is completed, the handy terminal 100 starts printing a receipt, an invoice, and the like for the customer who performed the meter reading (S9). Receipts and bills to be printed are continuously printed in a format independent of each energy supply company. When printing is completed, the print data stored in the memory 140 is deleted, and the meter reading process ends. That is, in the present embodiment, the fixed print data recorded in the memory 140 such as the format of receipts and invoices, alerts, and notices is printed in color when the recording medium 400 is used. It is created as data for controlling a platen roller and a thermal line head. As a result, the handy terminal 100 can print a receipt or an invoice that satisfies the conditions (color, style, etc.) specified by each energy supply company. Further, print data currently meter reading was meter value, meter reading value, varies as the use fee is intended as data as to control the platen roller and the thermal line head to be printed in black. However, if the meter values, meter readings, and usage fees greatly exceed the estimated usage, which is a criterion for calling attention to energy waste, these meter readings are printed in color and visually displayed to customers. It can draw attention.
[0044]
FIG. 5 is a subroutine showing a process of selecting a pattern of the format of S2 in the flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, the subroutine will be described.
[0045]
The handy terminal 100 determines whether or not the customer has a contract with a power supply company based on the searched customer data (S11). When it is determined that the customer has not contracted with the power supply company (S11: N), the process proceeds to S15. At this time, it is considered that the selection of the format of the power supply company is completed. Then, in S15, it is determined whether or not the selection of each format of the power supply company, the water bureau, and the gas supply company has been completed. At this time, since it is determined that only the format selection of the power supply company has been completed and the selection of each format has not been completed (S15: N), the process returns to S11. And then, the customer is determined whether a contract with Water Authority (S11), according to the determination, performs the processing up to S11 to S15, similarly returns to S11. Then, it is determined whether a contract has been made with a gas supply company (S11). That is, in this subroutine, the format selection processing is performed in the order of the power supply company, the water bureau, and the gas supply company, and when it is determined that the selection of each format is completed (S15: Y), the processing of this subroutine is ended. .
[0046]
If it is determined in S11 that the customer has a contract with a power supply company (S11: Y), the handy terminal 100 searches for which power supply company the customer has a contract with (S12). In the present embodiment, the supply companies are temporarily set to A to K for clear explanation, but the number of the supply companies is not limited to this.
[0047]
After the company to which the customer has contracted is searched in S12, the method of paying the usage fee of the customer to the searched company is determined. If the payment method of use fee is a direct debit (S12A: Y or S12K,: Y), format data for color printing for direct debit of the company only is selected (S13A or S13K,), the memory 140 to the storage Is done. If the payment method of the usage fee is a transfer to a financial institution (S12A: N or S12K: N), a color printing format for transfer to a financial institution dedicated to the company is selected (S14A or S14A). S14K), and are stored in the memory 140.
[0048]
When the formats of all the companies contracted by the customer are selected (S15: Y), the subroutine of this format selection processing ends. If there is a company for which the format has not been selected among the companies to which the customer has contracted, the process returns to S11 (S15: N) and the process is continued.
[0049]
FIG. 6 is a subroutine showing the print data storing process of S5 in the flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, the subroutine will be described.
[0050]
First, data about a customer, such as a customer name, an address, and a telephone number, is stored in the memory 140 (S101). Data for these customers, the until the print data storage process are stored, such as in the cache memory control unit 160 has, as the first print data in this process, is stored in the memory 140.
[0051]
Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the current meter reading is normal (S102). This determination meter reading value meter reading is, when a very large value compared to the estimated amount of the above, it is to determine that the meter reading result is not normal (S102: N). If it is determined that the meter reading result is not normal, there is a high possibility that the customer is wasting energy. In order to visually call attention to the customer, the meter reading result at this time is stored in the memory 140 as data printed in color (S104). If it is determined that the meter reading result is normal, the meter reading result is stored in the memory 140 as data printed in black (S103).
[0052]
Next, it is determined whether it is necessary to call attention to the customer this time (S105). The alert to be determined here is unique to each customer. For example, if the customer has delinquent to use the fee, the fact is described in a column for printing the alert by color printing. The print data is stored in the memory 140 (S105: Y, S106). If it is determined that it is not necessary to call attention to the customer (S105: N), black print data for filling in, such as "***", is printed in the field for printing the attention. It is stored in the memory 140 (S107).
[0053]
Next, it is determined whether it is necessary to notify the customer this time (S108). The announcement to be determined here, is information that is common to all of the customer, for example, or a power outage information, or a suspension of water supply information, or a information of the periodic inspection. When it is determined that notification is necessary (S108: Y), print data indicating that fact is stored in the memory 140 in the column for printing the notification by color printing (S109). If it is determined that there is no need to notify the customer (S108: N), black printing data for filling in, such as "***", is printed in the memory printing field. (S110). When the print data storing process of this notice is completed, the subroutine of this print data storing process ends.
[0054]
The data uploaded to the host server 200 in S7 described above is recorded in the information storage unit 230 via the communication unit 210. As described above, the user code is uploaded to the host server 200 in addition to the meter reading result. In the present embodiment, in order to reduce the amount of data stored in the memory 140 and communication data between the handy terminal 100 and the host server 200, the user code to be downloaded and uploaded by the power supply company 310 is Only the code to be used.
[0055]
The user database 220 manages user codes of other water bureaus and gas supply companies in association with user codes used by power supply companies. That is, the code data is managed so that when the user code of the power supply company of a certain customer is known, the user code of the water bureau or the gas supply company with which the customer has a contract is also known.
[0056]
The host server 200, based on the user code to be used uploaded power supplier, search for the user code to be used Waterworks and gas companies, each company sends the meter reading results and respective user code .
[0057]
The above is the embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be modified in various ranges.
[0058]
In the present embodiment, the meter values are input by operating keys such as a numerical key and an enter key. However, a device such as a barcode reader optically reads the meter values of the respective meters. May be. In this case, it is possible to shorten the meter reading work time and prevent erroneous input by meter readers.
[0059]
Further, in the present embodiment, the user code of the electricity supply company as representative code, is performed for communication between the handheld device 100 and the host server 200, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, other May be used as a representative code.
[0060]
Further, in the present embodiment, the receipts and invoices to be printed by each of the energy supply companies, but is configured to print each successively in separate sheets, the receipts and invoices, collectively May be configured to print on one sheet of paper.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention is configured such that a multi-color recording medium having a temperature and pressure coloring property can be used as a recording medium, so that a printable color is abundant, and the management of consumables is easy. This makes it possible to realize a meter reading system that performs batch meter reading using the handy terminal.
[0062]
If color printing is possible, important notices to customers, such as the deadline for payment of various fees and abnormal meter reading results due to gas leakage, etc., are printed in conspicuous colors to alert the customer in various ways. It can encourage to become.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
It is a block diagram showing composition of a meter reading system of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of a recording medium used in the present embodiment.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating temperature-pressure coloring characteristics of a recording medium.
FIG. 4
Flowchart showing batch meter reading process of handy terminal in meter reading system
It is.
FIG. 5
Format patterns based on the data searched by Handy Terminal
This is a subroutine indicating a process to be selected.
FIG. 6
In the subroutine showing the print data storage processing of S5 in the flowchart of FIG.
is there.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Handy Terminal
200 host server
310 electricity supply company
320 Waterworks Bureau
330 gas supply company
500 meter reading system

Claims (3)

Multiple print formats,
Selecting means for selecting at least one print format from the plurality of print formats;
At a predetermined position of the print format selected by the selection means, writing means for writing variable data,
The recording medium used in the printing of the handy terminal, depending on the temperature given under a predetermined pressure, a multi-color recording medium that emits a desired color,
The handy terminal is a platen roller that presses the recording medium with a predetermined pressure,
A thermal line head to apply the disjunction freely disposed, heat the recording medium to said platen roller,
A control unit for controlling a heat generation temperature of the thermal line head in order to give a temperature for emitting a desired color to the multi-color recording medium. Data of the selected print format;
2. The handy terminal according to claim 1, wherein the variable data written in a predetermined position of the selected print format and the variable data are combined and printed collectively. 3. Using handy terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2, electricity, water, a metering system for bulk metering of the gas,
The meter reading system has a host server connected to the handy terminal by a network,
In the handy terminal, a user code owned by a company that supplies electricity is recorded,
Send meter reading electrical, water, information of the gas meter reading result to the host server along with the recorded user code corresponding to the information of the meter reading results,
In the host server, the user code of each company that supplies electricity, water, and gas is recorded,
Upon receiving each information transmitted from the handy terminal, the user code corresponding to the user code transmitted from the handy terminal, call a user code having a company that supplies water and gas,
A meter reading system, wherein information on the respective meter reading results is transmitted to the respective companies based on the user code transmitted from the handy terminal and the called user code.

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