JP2004150921A - Gas meter device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate meter inspection, in particular, about a gas meter device concerned in display and the inspection of the gas meter. <P>SOLUTION: This meter device is provided with a display 5 for displaying a measurement control data from the gas meter 8, a radio transmission circuit 6 for transmitting the measurement control data to the display 5, and a transmission switch 7 for starting the transmission by the radio transmission circuit 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention particularly relates to a gas meter device related to display and reading of a gas meter.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a meter of this type that displays a current usage amount in a customer's kitchen to provide a measure of cost savings (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873). There is also a technique for facilitating a meter control system between a meter and a meter remote controller provided in a house (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-133873).
[0003]
Generally, a gas meter measures a gas flow rate and displays an integrated value on a mechanical counter. Also, using a battery such as a lithium battery as a power source, the total gas flow rate and the specified time, time, and flow rate value per hour are integrated by a flow rate sensor, and the flow rate pattern of the gas flow rate is stored in a microcomputer, and the flow rate is calculated from the specified pattern. If the gas deviates, if the gas pressure is abnormal due to a pressure sensor, or if an unsafe signal such as a signal from an externally connected device such as a gas leak alarm or an earthquake signal from a seismic sensor is received, the gas is shut off. It has a function to prevent gas explosion and fire from leaking or forgetting to turn off gas appliances. The accumulated flow value and the like stored in the microcomputer are displayed on the LCD.
[0004]
Some have a wired communication function, which communicates data such as the integrated gas value of the gas meter, the security status, and specified patterns to a gas inspection device (setting device) by connecting a lead wire. is there. In addition, there is a type in which a telephone line terminal device is connected to the gas meter by a lead wire and remote management is performed by a telephone line, and a type in which a wireless device is provided in the gas meter and remote management is performed by wireless connection with the telephone line terminal device. On the other hand, the gas metering fee is checked by a meter reader on a door-by-door basis, and the integrated counter of the gas meter and the integrated flow rate value stored by the microcomputer are displayed on the LCD for confirmation. There is also a method using the above-mentioned telephone line.
[0005]
In contrast to these general techniques, the former technique of displaying the usage amount in the kitchen is to input the needle value at the time of the previous meter reading and to subtract and display from the read current needle value. Further, in the latter technique of the meter control system, the first and second terminal wireless communication means and the meter remote control side wireless communication means are provided, and the communication means facilitates the transmission means.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-81969 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-6-303675
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional gas meter, the integrating counter of the gas meter is difficult to read due to the installation position of the gas meter and the like, and there are many errors in reading the current guideline value. In the case of integrating the total gas flow rate and the specified time, time, and flow rate value per hour, it is displayed on the LCD, but it is convenient because detailed data can be obtained. Since it is necessary to read not only the total flow value but also several kinds of flow values, it is complicated and often wrong. If a gas meter is connected to a terminal such as a telephone line, the meter can be read unattended, but construction is required and the cost of the device is required, along with depreciation of the remote management device, telephone charges, and communication costs for sending slips and bills. If the customer is at a short distance to some extent, it is expensive and difficult to use. Further, when a wireless device is provided, it becomes expensive and is not widely used except in special cases.
[0008]
In the case where the gas meter is provided with a wireless device of the terminal wireless communication means, a meter reading value is transmitted as a wireless signal in accordance with a meter reading request signal from the meter reading wireless device, but the meter reading request signal is constantly monitored. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the wireless device on the meter side in operation at all times, and it has a large battery capacity. Further, in the case of a device having a wireless tag, it operates with a power supply from a wireless device held by a meter reader, so if the wireless device is not fixed firmly at a very short distance, erroneous meter reading is performed and reliability is lacking.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention has a means for wirelessly and simply reading a meter regardless of the installation position of the gas meter. In addition, there is provided a transmission switch for supplying power to the transmission circuit to start transmission, and operating the transmission switch to eliminate the necessity of constantly monitoring radio waves as in the related art.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A gas meter device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a display device for displaying measurement control data, and a transmission switch for supplying power to a transmission circuit and starting transmission. Then, the resource of the battery for constantly monitoring the transmission command signal is saved.
[0011]
A gas meter device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a gas meter having a storage device that receives a transmission signal of a wireless transmission circuit from a gas meter, displays measurement control data, and stores the data as data. The gas meter device aims to save labor for meter reading and rationalize slip processing.
[0012]
In the gas meter device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the transmission switch also functions as a switch for displaying measurement control data. By performing a display operation, transmission of measurement control data is enabled.
[0013]
In the gas meter device according to claim 4 of the present invention, the display device of the gas meter can be provided separately from the gas meter, and the transmission switch is provided on the display device. The measurement control data of the gas meter can be read and collected regardless of the installation location of the meter.
[0014]
A gas meter device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a transmission switch that changes the content of transmission of measurement control data by the transmission circuit depending on a time interval of opening and closing. Then, a number of data are transmitted by the transmission switch.
[0015]
In the gas meter device according to claim 6 of the present invention, the transmission switch performs control setting for the gas meter. Then, the gas meter operates based on the set contents.
[0016]
A gas meter device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention has a transmission switch of a magnetoresistive element, a Hall element, a light detecting element, a piezoelectric element, an electromagnetic element, or a radio wave detecting element. Then, the transmission switch enables operation utilizing characteristics of each element.
[0017]
In the gas meter device according to claim 8 of the present invention, the display device of the gas meter is connected to a public line. Then, the data can be arbitrarily read and counted from the public line.
[0018]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 shows an entire system which is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the circuit diagram. In FIG. 1, 1 is a computer of a gas dealer, 2 is a public line, 3 is a gas appliance, 4 is a battery power source, 5 is a display device, 6 is a wireless transmission circuit, 7 is a transmission switch, 8 is a gas meter, and 9 is a gas meter. A gas container, 10 is a gas meter, 11 is a display device, and 12 is a storage device. In FIG. 2, 8 is a gas meter, 13 is a wireless transmission circuit, 14 is a wired transmission circuit, 15 is an LCD, 16 is a microcomputer, 7 is a transmission switch, and 17 is a setting switch composed of a reed switch.
[0020]
Next, the operation and operation will be described with reference to FIGS. The gas is supplied from the gas container 9 to the gas appliance 3 through the gas meter 8. The gas meter detects the gas flow rate and stores the total integrated flow value, the integrated flow value over the specified value, the integrated flow value at the specified time, and the integrated flow value at the specified time in the microcomputer, and shuts off when the flow pattern is abnormal. Close valve to prevent gas accident. The total integrated flow value is displayed on a mechanical counter (not shown), but other integrated flow values are displayed on the display device 5.
[0021]
In the case of the present embodiment, the display device 5 is installed separately from the gas meter in a place where the user and the meter reader can easily see it, and the communication terminals are connected by a lead wire. When displaying the integrated value, the communication switch 7 is first pressed once. Then, the wired communication circuit 14 of the display device 5 operates (transmits the meter reading request message to the gas meter), and the gas meter operates the wired communication circuit to return data of each integrated value to the display device. Then, the values are sequentially displayed on the LCD 15 and displayed. At this time, the wireless transmission circuit 13 also operates, and the meter 10 reads each integrated value. The read integrated value is stored in the meter reader 10 and transferred to a computer for counting.
[0022]
In the case of prepaid gas sales, the setting switch 17 is used to set the amount of gas sold. An electromagnet (not shown) is provided on the head of the needle detector, and the setting switch is turned on / off by a specified on / off signal using the electromagnet to set the amount of gas sold. In addition, this method is also used for setting a gas cutoff pattern. At this time, the wireless transmission circuit 13 also operates as described above, and the meter 10 reads information such as the amount of gas sold, the remaining amount, other set values, and operation history.
[0023]
Further, when this switch is a magnetoresistive element, it is possible to turn on and off the electromagnet at a high speed by a program, thereby enabling more communication. In the case of a magnetoresistive element or a Hall element, the head of the meter detector is an electromagnet or the like, but a laser diode or LED for a light detecting element, a piezoelectric speaker for a piezoelectric element, an electromagnetic coil for an electromagnetic element, and a radio wave. In the case of a detecting element, it becomes a radio wave generator. Also, it can be used alone without being attached to the head.
[0024]
Further, when an emergency report such as a gas leak occurs, the display device 5 notifies the computer of the gas trader via the Internet line through the route connected to the public line.
[0025]
In this embodiment, the gas meter 8 and the display device 5 have been described separately, but may be integrated. Further, the communication between the gas meter and the display device has been described by wire, but wireless means is also conceivable. Also, the public line has been described as a telephone line network, but connection to a packet switching network or ISDN is also conceivable.
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the gas meter device of the present invention, it is possible to easily and definitely read even several types of integrated values of the gas meter. In addition, there is no need for construction work for connecting a telephone line terminal device for reading the integrated value, amortization of the remote management device, telephone bills, communication costs for sending slips and bills, and the like, which is economical. Further, in the case where the wireless device is provided, it is necessary to always monitor the signal from the wireless device possessed by the meter reader, and a large battery is required on the gas meter side. Since there is no need, the size of the battery is reduced, which contributes to resource saving. Further, since it is not necessary to fix as in the prior art, and the communication time is shortened, it is truly practical and excellent in convenience.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a gas meter device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial configuration diagram showing a display device and a gas meter of the gas meter device.
2 Public line 4 Battery power supply 5 Display device 6 Wireless transmission circuit 7 Transmission switch (display switch)
8 gas meter 10 gas meter 11 display device 12 storage device

Claims (8)

A gas meter having a shut-off function, measuring a gas flow rate and displaying an integrated value of the gas amount, a display device having a battery power supply, and displaying measurement control data from the gas meter, and A gas meter device comprising: a wireless transmission circuit for transmitting data; and a transmission switch for starting transmission to the wireless transmission circuit. The gas meter device according to claim 1, further comprising a gas meter, wherein the gas meter has a display device that receives a transmission signal from the wireless transmission circuit and displays measurement control data and a storage device that stores the data as data. 3. The gas meter device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission switch also functions as a display switch for displaying measurement control data. 4. The gas meter device according to claim 1, wherein the display device of the gas meter can be provided separately from the gas meter, and a transmission switch is provided on the display device. The gas meter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmission switch changes the content of transmission of the measurement control data by the transmission circuit according to an opening / closing time interval. The gas meter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transmission switch performs control setting for the gas meter. The gas meter device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transmission switch is a reed switch, a magnetoresistive element, a Hall element, a light detecting element, a piezoelectric element, an electromagnetic element, or a radio wave detecting element. The gas meter device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the display device of the gas meter is connected to a public line.

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