JP2005057411A - Terminal network control apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To calculate the exact power consumption of a battery considering the type of a communication system and the type of a terminal device because the power consumption of the battery differs depending on the types. <P>SOLUTION: The type of the communication system corresponding to a communication line and the type of the connected terminal device are set. Point values of the power consumption of the battery for the communication system and the terminal device are decided. During operation, the point values of the power consumption of the battery are integrated for every month. At this time, it is checked whether or not the communication system or the terminal device is changed. When the integrated point value exceeds the point value of the entire capacity of the battery, it is determined that a battery service life has expired, and a center side apparatus is notified with the expiration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is connected to a terminal device such as a gas meter, a water meter, a sensor, etc., and performs terminal meter control in response to a request from the center side device using a communication line, or reports from the meter to the center side device. Relates to the device.

  In a data communication system in which the terminal network control device and the center side device perform data transmission through a communication line, the terminal network control device may be activated from the center side or from a terminal call. When the terminal network control device is activated from the center side, the communication method differs depending on the type of communication line.

  When the communication line is an analog telephone line, a polarity inversion signal is emitted from the no ringing trunk, and then a no ringing (NRS) signal is emitted. If the signal matches the activation signal of the terminal network control device itself, the terminal network control device determines that it is addressed to its own terminal and sends a “#” signal that is a no-ringing response signal. Thereafter, communication with the center side device is performed.

  When the communication line is an analog telephone line and a no-ringing trunk is not used, a polarity inversion signal is issued from the exchange, and then a ringer signal is issued. When the signal rings for the number of times that matches the number of ringer incoming calls set in the terminal network control device itself, the terminal network control device determines that it is addressed to its own terminal and communicates with the center side device.

  When the communication line is an ISDN line, a polarity inversion signal is emitted from the TA (terminal adapter), and then a pre-ringer signal (short ringer signal) is emitted. When a primary response (off-hook) is received from the terminal network control device, a caller telephone number signal is issued from the TA. If the caller telephone number matches the caller telephone number set in the terminal network control device itself, the terminal network control device determines that it is addressed to its own terminal and, after a secondary response (on-hook), sends a ringer signal. Confirm and go off-hook to communicate with the center side device.

  A telephone is connected to the terminal network control device, and the telephone is connected to or disconnected from the communication line by a relay. When setting to ignore the off-hook of the telephone during communication, the communication is performed by separating the communication line and the telephone by a relay, and when the communication is completed, the relay is activated to connect the telephone to the communication line.

  The terminal network control device that performs operations such as communication and switching of the relay as described above is operated by a built-in battery. When this battery capacity is exhausted, the terminal network control device does not operate. Therefore, the battery consumption is calculated so that the battery life can be grasped.

  In Patent Document 1, there are meter reading data transmission, gas leak notification, setting change, etc. as terminal device operation types related to battery consumption. When such operations occur, the operation type is determined from the operation time. The battery life is predicted without detecting the battery voltage by integrating the battery consumption from the specific battery consumption according to the operation type and the number of times of each operation.

In Patent Document 2, since battery consumption per unit time varies depending on terminal devices such as a gas meter and a water meter connected to a plurality of connection ports of a terminal network control device, the battery is based on the combination of connection ports to be used. Estimating the lifespan.
JP 2002-135439 A (paragraphs 0008 and 0009) JP 2002-199465 (paragraphs 0008 and 0009)

  As described above, the battery consumption is calculated based on the operation type of the terminal network control device and the connected terminal device, and the battery life is assumed. By the way, battery consumption varies depending on the communication method. In addition, when the type and number of connected terminal devices are changed during operation of the terminal network control device, the battery consumption also changes. However, conventionally, these points are not taken into consideration, and the battery life cannot be accurately assumed.

  As described above, since the battery consumption varies depending on the connected terminal device and communication method, the battery life varies depending on the usage status of the terminal network control device. Therefore, the life may come earlier than the assumed number of years. As a result, if there is any problem from the user, it becomes a cause of the complaint.

  Further, when the battery life is shortened and the battery capacity is reduced, the relay cannot be switched. If the telephone is left disconnected from the communication line, there arises a problem that the telephone cannot be used.

  In view of the above, the present invention allows a battery consumption amount to be accurately calculated based on the usage situation, so that the lifetime of the battery can be reliably grasped, and the cause of the battery capacity decrease can be analyzed. The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention is a terminal network control device that is connected to a center-side device through a communication line and that is connected to a telephone and at least one terminal device, and that is operated by a built-in power supply. It comprises an integration means for integrating the power consumption of the power supply based on the type of the terminal device, and a determination means for determining the power consumption state from the integrated power consumption. Then, when it is determined by the determination means that the power supply has reached the end of its life, the center side device is notified.

  The terminal network control device is always operating, and the power of the power source is consumed during this period even if communication or the like is not performed. The power consumption varies depending on the communication method, and also varies depending on the connected terminal device. Since the power consumption is set according to the type of communication method and the type of terminal device, the integration means uses the power consumption according to the type of communication method in operation and the power consumption according to the type of terminal device. Is accumulated. When a plurality of terminal devices are connected, the respective power consumption amounts are integrated. That is, the power consumption per unit time is set for each type of communication method or each type of terminal device, and the power consumption is added periodically or every operation.

  The determination means compares the integrated power consumption with a preset reference amount. The reference amount is an amount corresponding to the life of the power supply. If the power consumption exceeds this reference amount, the power supply cannot stably operate the terminal network control device. In this way, by comparing with the reference amount, it can be determined whether the life has been reached as the power consumption state. Note that the reference amount may be set in a plurality of stages, and it may be determined and notified that the life has been approached.

  And the detection means which confirms the classification of a communication system and the classification of the terminal device connected during operation | movement is provided. The detecting means checks whether there is a change in the communication method or the terminal device periodically or every time it operates. If the change is found, the accurate power consumption is calculated by integrating based on the power consumption corresponding to the changed communication method or terminal device.

  Further, the integrating means adds the power consumption based on the operation content. The operation content is communication with the center side device, the number of communication is counted, and the amount of power consumption corresponding to this is added. Alternatively, the communication time is measured, and the power consumption corresponding to the time is added. During operation, there is a state in which operations such as communication are performed in addition to a standby state in which the device is not operating. When operating, power is consumed and the capacity of the power supply is reduced accordingly. Therefore, the power consumption is calculated in consideration of this, and an accurate power consumption is obtained.

  Then, a telephone is connected to the communication line, and switching means for disconnecting the telephone at the time of communication, and the switching means is driven so that the telephone can be used when it is determined by the judging means that the life of the power source is reached. Control means. When the power source reaches the end of its life, the operation of the terminal network control device becomes unstable and the switching means may not operate. If the telephone can be used at this time, the user is not inconvenienced.

  Specifically, when the switching unit periodically switches between connection and disconnection, the control unit shortens the cycle. The time when the telephone is disconnected from the communication line is shortened, and the time when the telephone is not usable is also shortened.

  The control means prohibits communication performed by disconnecting the telephone from the communication line, or changes communication performed by disconnecting the telephone from the communication line to communication performed while the telephone is connected to the communication line. This also prevents the telephone from being disconnected from the communication line during communication.

  According to the present invention, the power consumption state of the power source can be accurately recognized by calculating the power consumption amount of the power source according to the communication method that differs depending on the communication line and the type of the terminal device connected. Therefore, it is possible to accurately grasp the life of the power supply and prevent malfunction due to insufficient capacity of the power supply.

  Then, by adding the power consumption corresponding to the operation content such as communication, the power consumption based on the use state can be obtained, and the life of the power supply can be grasped more accurately.

  Further, by setting the telephone in a usable state when the power source reaches the end of its life, the telephone can be used even when the terminal network control device does not operate due to a decrease in capacity of the power source.

  FIG. 1 shows a data communication system including a terminal network control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a center side device, 2 is a center side switching center, 3 is a communication line, 4 is a terminal side switching center, 5 is a terminal network control device, 6 is a meter, 7 is a contact device, and 8 is a telephone. The communication line 3 is an analog telephone line or an ISDN line. When the no ringing system is used, the terminal side switching center 4 has a no ringing trunk.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal network control device 5 includes a communication circuit 10 that transmits / receives data to / from the center side device 1, a microcomputer 11 that is a control unit, an off-hook detection circuit 12 that detects an off-hook of the telephone 8, A primary battery 13 that is a built-in power supply, an interface circuit 14 that transmits signals between the terminal device of the meter 6 or the contact device 7 and the microcomputer 11, and a relay that connects or disconnects the communication line 3 and the telephone 8. 15.

  The relay 15 is driven by an instruction from the microcomputer 11 and includes a connection position for connecting the telephone 8 located behind the terminal network control device 5 to the communication line 3 and a disconnection position for disconnecting the telephone 8 from the communication line 3. Can be switched between. When the relay 15 is in the disconnected position, the telephone 8 is connected to the off-hook detection circuit 12.

  When the communication line 3 is an ISDN line, the terminal network control device 5 is connected to the ISDN line via a TA (terminal adapter). When the communication line 3 is an analog telephone line, the terminal network control device 5 is directly connected to the communication line 3. Further, the terminal network control device 5 is in a standby mode when not in communication. In the standby mode, the telephone 8 is connected to the communication line 3. During communication, the telephone 8 is disconnected from the communication line 3 or the telephone 8 is left connected to the communication line 3.

  In the data communication system, three types of communication methods, no ringing communication, ISDN communication, and ringing incoming communication, are provided as communication methods with the terminal network control device 5 by activation from the center side device 1. For these communication methods, any one communication method is selected according to the environment in which the terminal network control device 5 is installed.

  In no-ringing communication, the terminal network control device 5 is connected to an analog telephone line as the communication line 3, and the terminal network control device 5 is activated by a call from the center side device 1 through a no-ringing trunk.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the terminal network control device 5, when there is no ringing incoming from the center side device 1, the communication circuit 10 first detects polarity reversal (S1). When the polarity reversal is detected, the microcomputer 11 switches from the standby mode to the no ringing (NRS) signal detection operation mode. Then, the communication circuit 10 detects the NRS signal transmitted from the no ringing trunk (S2). The microcomputer 11 determines whether the preset NRS signal value matches the received NRS signal (S3). If they do not match, the process returns to the standby mode (S6). If they match, the communication circuit 10 regards it as a no-ringing incoming call, and transmits a no-ringing response signal “#”, which is a response signal, to the center side device 1 (S4). As a result, a communication link is established between the center side device 1 and data communication is performed between the terminal network control device 5 and the center side device 1 via the communication line 3 (S5). A value or the like is transmitted to the center side device 1.

  In ISDN communication, the terminal network control device 5 is connected to the analog terminal of the TA, and the TA is connected to the ISDN line. The terminal network control device 5 is activated from the center side device 1 using a caller telephone number signal transmitted from the TA.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the center side device 1 calls the terminal network control device 5 on the ISDN line, a polarity inversion signal is sent from the TA (S11), and then a pre-ringer signal is sent (S12). The pre-ringer signal is a ringer signal that is shorter than the ringer signal and rings at intervals of about 0.5 seconds. If it is a pre-ringer signal, the communication circuit 10 receives the next caller telephone number signal. If it is not a pre-ringer signal, the relay 15 is switched to the connection position and a ringer signal is sent to the rear telephone 8 (S13). The microcomputer 11 identifies whether or not the detected caller telephone number is a call from the center side device 1 (S14). When the identified telephone number is from the center side device 1, the ringer signal is waited (S15). When the ringer signal is detected, a message from the center side device 1 is waited (S16). When the terminal network control device 5 receives a message from the center-side device 1, the terminal network control device 5 performs meter reading, for example, on the meter 6 according to the instruction. When the identified telephone number is not from the center side device 1, the relay 15 is switched to the connection position, and the telephone 8 and the communication line 3 are connected. A ringer signal is transmitted to the telephone 8, and the ringer of the telephone 8 rings (S13).

  In the ringing incoming communication system, the terminal network control device 5 is connected to a telephone line or an ISDN line, and the terminal network control device 5 is activated from the center side device 1 using a ringer signal.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the center side device 1 calls the terminal network control device 5, a polarity inversion signal is sent from the exchange 4 or TA (S21), and then a ringer signal is sent (S22). The microcomputer 11 counts the number of times the ringer signal has been received and checks whether it matches the preset number of ringer incoming calls (S23). If they do not match, the timeout time is confirmed (S24). If it is not timed out, it will be in a ringer signal reception waiting state again, and if timed out, it will return to a standby state (S26). If the number of ringer incoming calls is the same, a message from the center side device 1 is waited (S25). Thereafter, communication with the center side device 1 is performed.

  Here, the terminal network control device 5 is operated by the electric power supplied from the battery 13. Not only during communication but also in standby mode, the terminal network control device 5 is in a state where it can receive an activation signal from the center side device 1 and the meter 6, and the power of the battery 13 is always consumed. The battery consumption, which is the power consumption of the battery 13, varies depending on the communication method, and also varies depending on the connected terminal device.

  Communication such as meter reading of the meter 6 is normally performed once a month. The battery consumption in one communication is much smaller than the battery consumption for one month in the standby mode. Therefore, by accumulating the battery consumption during the standby mode of the terminal network control device 5, the lifetime of the battery 13 can be grasped.

  By the way, the battery consumption for each type of communication method and the battery consumption for each terminal device such as the connected meter 6 and contact device 7 may be used as they are, and the battery consumption during operation may be integrated. If the battery consumption is converted into a point value and the point values are integrated, the calculation is simplified. For example, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show point values corresponding to the battery consumption for each type of communication method and the battery consumption for each terminal device in the standby mode. The point value represents the battery consumption per unit time, and FIG. 6 shows the point value of the battery consumption for one month for each type. FIG. 7 shows the point value of the battery consumption for each type of communication method. Here, the point value of the battery consumption during one month when communicating once a month is shown. The total point value is a point value corresponding to the total capacity of the battery 13. This total capacity corresponds to the amount of consumption when the terminal network control device 5 reaches the minimum capacity that can be stably operated. These point values are set in advance and stored in the memory.

The point value is set based on the actual value of current consumption. Specifically, the current consumption during operation is about 8 mA. The current consumption per second is
8 ÷ 30 days ÷ 24 hours ÷ 60 minutes ÷ 60 seconds = 0.000003 mA / second. Center communication by no-ringing communication is once a month, and the communication time of one time is 166 seconds.
0.000003 mA / sec x 166 sec = 0.0005 mA
It becomes. If this is converted per hour,
0.0005 mA × 60 seconds × 60 minutes = 1.8 mA
It becomes. The nominal capacity of the battery is 2400 mAH, which is normalized for easy calculation and set to 120,000 points. One point is 0.02 mAH. That is, center communication by no ringing communication is 90 points. Similarly, point values are set for other communication methods and terminal devices.

  Therefore, the microcomputer 11 of the terminal network control device 5 includes an integration function for integrating the point value that is the battery consumption based on the type of communication method and the type of connected terminal device during operation, and the accumulated points. The function of comparing the value with the reference value to determine the exhaustion state of the battery 13, the notification function for notifying the center side device 1 when it is determined that the battery 13 is at the end of its life, and the type of communication method during operation And a detection function for confirming the type of the connected terminal device. In the integration of point values, the point values are added periodically.

  A specific operation when determining the exhausted state of the battery 13 will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the battery 13 is set to be checked every month. When the terminal network control device 5 is installed (S30), the type of communication method of no ringing communication, ISDN communication, or ringing incoming communication is set according to the communication line 3 to be connected (S31). The type of terminal device such as meter 6, sensor, switch, etc. used by being connected to the terminal network control device 5 is set (S32).

  The microcomputer 11 checks the internal clock and determines whether one month has passed since installation (S33). When one month has passed, it is confirmed whether the setting of the communication method has been changed (S34). Also, it is confirmed whether the terminal device being used has been changed (S35). Based on the setting of the communication method and the type of terminal device being used, a point value for the battery consumption for one month is calculated (S36). This point value is stored in the memory. The above confirmation is repeated every month, the point values are added, and the previous battery consumption point values are accumulated (S37). It is compared whether or not the accumulated battery consumption point value exceeds all point values as preset reference values (S38). If it has exceeded, it is determined that the battery 13 has reached the end of its life, and the center side device 1 is notified (S39). Even if all the point values are exceeded, it is assumed that the battery 13 remains at a voltage sufficient to operate the terminal network control device 5 for a while.

  For example, if the communication method is no ringing communication and the terminal device used is one meter 6 and one contact device 7, the battery consumption per month is 600 + 120 + 280 = 1000 points from FIG. If the point value of the total capacity of the battery is 120,000 points, when 10 years have elapsed, the total point value is exceeded and the capacity of the battery 13 is exhausted.

  The center side device 1 that has received the notification from the terminal network control device 5 transmits a message that prompts the user to replace the battery 13. Alternatively, the worker goes out and replaces the battery 13 of the terminal network control device 5.

  By the way, during the operation of the terminal network control device 5, communication is performed at least once a month. By operating in this way, the power of the battery 13 is consumed. And as shown in FIG. 7, the battery consumption at the time of communication changes with communication systems. Further, the battery consumption varies depending on whether the communication is based on center activation or terminal call.

  The microcomputer 11 of the terminal network control device 5 has a function of adding a point value of battery consumption corresponding to the operation every time communication is performed. At this time, the number of communications in a certain period, for example, one month is counted, and the point value corresponding to the number of communications is added to the point value in the standby mode. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The basic operation is the same as that shown in FIG.

  When the terminal network control device 5 is installed (S40), the type of communication method is set (S41), and the type of terminal device to be connected and used is set (S42). The microcomputer 11 checks the internal clock and determines whether one month has passed since installation (S43). When one month has passed, it is checked whether the communication system setting has been changed (S44). Also, it is confirmed whether the terminal device being used has been changed (S45). Based on the setting of the communication method and the type of the terminal device being used, the point value of the battery consumption for one month is calculated (S46).

  When center communication is performed by activation from the center side apparatus 1 (S52), it is determined whether an NRS signal has been transmitted after the polarity inversion signal (S53). When the NRS signal can be received, the number of communication is added after the end of the no-ringing communication (S54). If there is no NRS signal, it is determined whether or not a pre-ringer signal has been transmitted (S55). When the pre-ringer signal is received, the number of communication is added after the ISDN communication is completed (S56). If a ringer signal is received instead of a pre-ringer signal (S57), ringing incoming communication is performed, and when the communication is completed, the number of communications is added (S58). When communication by terminal call is performed (S59), after the terminal call communication is completed, the number of communication is added (S60). The communication history is stored in a memory.

  Then, a battery consumption point value is calculated based on the number of communications (S47). Further, a battery consumption point value is calculated based on the number of times of communication by terminal call (S48). The point value by these communications is added to the point value of the battery consumption in the standby mode and accumulated (S49). It is compared whether the accumulated battery consumption point value exceeds the preset point value of the total battery capacity (S50). If it exceeds, the center side device 1 is notified (S51).

  For example, if the communication method is no-ringing communication, the battery consumption when no-ringing communication and a terminal call are made once a month is 90 + 180 = 270 points. Assuming that the battery consumption in the standby mode is 1000 points, when 120,000 ÷ 12 months ÷ (1000 + 270) = 7.8 years have passed, the point value of the total battery capacity is exceeded and the battery 13 is considered to have reached the end of its life.

  Thus, by counting the number of times when communication such as center communication is performed, calculating the point value of the battery consumption required for communication, and adding it, the accurate battery consumption can be calculated. . Therefore, the life of the battery 13 can be grasped more reliably, and it is possible to prevent the terminal network control device 5 from operating due to a decrease in the capacity of the battery 13.

  In the above, the point value is added according to the number of times of communication, but the point value may be added according to the communication time. That is, the point value per unit time is set according to the type of communication method, center communication, and terminal call. The microcomputer 11 has a function of measuring the communication time, calculating a point value at the time of communication, and collectively adding the point values according to the total communication time during a certain period to the point value at the time of the standby mode. .

  As shown in FIG. 10, when center communication is performed by activation from the center side device 1 (S82), the microcomputer 11 starts measuring the communication time after detecting the polarity inversion signal (S83). It is determined whether an NRS signal has been transmitted (S84). When the NRS signal can be received, the communication time is added after completion of the no-ringing communication (S85). If there is no NRS signal, it is determined whether or not a pre-ringer signal has been transmitted (S86). When the pre-ringer signal is received, the communication time is added after the ISDN communication is finished (S87). If a ringer signal is received instead of a pre-ringer signal (S88), ringing incoming communication is performed, and communication time is added when communication is completed (S89). When communication is performed by terminal call (S90), measurement of communication time is started (S91). After the terminal call communication ends, the communication time is added (S92).

  Then, the battery consumption point value is calculated based on the total communication time by the center communication (S77). Further, the battery consumption point value is calculated based on the total communication time of the communication by the terminal call (S78). The point value by these communications is added to the point value of the battery consumption in the standby mode and accumulated (S79). It is compared whether the accumulated battery consumption point value exceeds the preset point value of the total battery capacity (S80). If it exceeds, the center side device 1 is notified (S81). Other operations are the same as those shown in FIG.

  As described above, by calculating and adding the point value of the battery consumption based on the communication time required for communication, it is possible to calculate a more accurate battery consumption. In addition, the use record is saved by storing the communication time for each communication. By referring to this usage record, the operation content can be analyzed in detail. By utilizing this, it is possible to identify whether the capacity decrease of the battery 13 is due to a malfunction of the terminal network control device 5 or due to excessive use.

  During operation, the terminal network control device 5 periodically checks whether there is a change in the type of communication method or the type and number of connected terminal devices. When these are changed, the setting is changed. By this setting change, the microcomputer 11 detects that the type of communication method has been changed, or that the type and number of terminal devices have been changed. Alternatively, the type of communication method may be determined from a signal received during communication. The change of the terminal device may also be determined from a signal or a message at the time of communication with the terminal device. When there is such a change, a point value corresponding to the change is selected and thereafter added based on the point value. Therefore, by reflecting the change of the communication method and the terminal device in the calculation of the point value, it is possible to calculate the battery consumption with high accuracy and to know the life of the battery 13 accurately.

  By the way, when performing communication, the telephone 8 located behind the terminal network control device 5 with respect to the communication line 3 is disconnected from the communication line 3 by switching the relay 15. As a result, the telephone set 8 is not interrupted during communication. When the communication is completed, the relay 15 is switched to the connection position, the telephone 8 is connected to the communication line 3, and the telephone 8 can be used.

  Usually, in order to prevent the telephone 8 from being disconnected from the communication line 3 during the standby mode, the microcomputer 11 periodically drives the relay 15 from the disconnection position to the connection position. However, if the capacity of the battery 13 decreases, the relay 15 may not be able to operate.

  Therefore, the microcomputer 11 operates so that the telephone 8 can be used even when the battery 13 has reached the end of its life. That is, when it is determined that the battery 13 is at the end of its life, the cycle for switching from the disconnection position to the connection position is shortened. As a result, the period during which the telephone 8 is disconnected from the communication line 3 is shortened, and the situation where the capacity of the battery 13 is reduced and the relay 15 cannot be switched when the relay 15 is in the disconnected position is reduced. Can do. Even if it is determined that the battery 13 is at the end of its life, it is assumed that the battery 13 still has a voltage sufficient to drive the relay 15 for a while.

  Further, when the telephone 8 is disconnected from the communication line 3 during communication, the microcomputer 11 prohibits this communication when it is determined that the battery 13 is at the end of its life. That is, communication with the telephone 8 disconnected is not performed. When communication is performed without disconnecting the telephone 8 from the communication line 3, this communication is permitted. Thus, when it is determined that the battery 13 is at the end of its life, the telephone 8 is kept connected to the communication line 3 even if there is a case of communication, so that the telephone 8 can be used.

  Alternatively, for communication performed by disconnecting the telephone 8 from the communication line 3, communication performed by connecting the telephone 8 to the communication line 3 instead of prohibiting communication. Also in this case, when it is determined that the battery 13 is at the end of its life, the telephone 8 is kept connected to the communication line 3 when communicating, so that the telephone 8 can be used. Therefore, even if the capacity of the battery 13 is exhausted and the terminal network control device 5 is not operated, the telephone 8 can be used because the telephone 8 is connected to the communication line 3.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, many corrections and changes can be added to the said embodiment within the scope of the present invention. You may use a secondary battery, a solar cell, and a fuel cell as a power supply of a terminal network control apparatus. Further, a switching element may be used instead of the relay as the switching means.

  The communication line may be a dedicated line. Alternatively, a wireless line using PHS, wireless LAN, or the like may be used, and wireless communication is performed between the terminal network control device and the wireless base station. In this case, the wireless communication system is used. Although the above-mentioned communication line uses a metal cable, it may use an optical fiber and is an optical communication system. Then, data communication using the Internet may be performed. At this time, a DSL communication method such as ADSL may be performed on the analog telephone line.

Overall configuration diagram of data communication system of the present invention Block diagram showing schematic configuration of terminal network controller No-ringing communication flowchart ISDN communication flow chart Ringing incoming communication flowchart The figure which shows the point value for every classification of the communication system and the terminal equipment The figure which shows the point value at the time of communication for every kind of communication system Flow chart of battery consumption calculation in standby mode Flow chart of battery consumption calculation according to the number of communications Flow chart of battery consumption calculation according to communication time

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Center side apparatus 3 Communication line 5 Terminal network control apparatus 6 Meter 7 Contact apparatus 8 Telephone 11 Microcomputer 13 Battery 15 Relay

Claims (13)

A terminal network control device that is connected to a telephone and a terminal device, performs data communication with a center side device through a communication line, and operates by a built-in power source, and is based on the type of communication method and the type of the connected terminal device A terminal network control device comprising: an integration unit that integrates the power consumption of the power source; and a determination unit that determines a consumption state of the power source from the integrated power consumption. 2. The terminal network control device according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying the center side device when the determining unit determines that the life of the power source has been reached. 3. The terminal network control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for confirming a type of a communication method and a type of a connected terminal device during operation. The integrating means sets the power consumption per unit time for each type of communication system or each type of terminal device, and adds the power consumption periodically or each time of operation. The terminal network control apparatus in any one of 1-3. 5. The terminal network control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the integrating means adds the power consumption based on the operation content. 6. The terminal network control device according to claim 5, wherein the operation content is communication with the center side device, and power consumption is added according to the number of communication times. 6. The terminal network control device according to claim 5, wherein the operation content is communication with the center side device, and the power consumption is added according to the communication time. 8. The terminal network control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the integrating means sets power consumption during communication for each type of communication method, and adds the power consumption for each communication. 9. The terminal network according to claim 4, wherein the determining means determines that the life of the power supply is reached when the integrated power consumption exceeds a power consumption set in accordance with a capacity of the power supply. Control device. Switching means for connecting a telephone to a communication line and disconnecting the telephone at the time of communication, and control means for driving the switching means so that the telephone can be used when it is determined by the determining means that the power source has a lifetime The terminal network control device according to claim 1, comprising: 11. The terminal network control device according to claim 10, wherein the switching means periodically switches between connection and disconnection, and the control means shortens the period. 11. The terminal network control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit prohibits communication performed by disconnecting the telephone from the communication line. 11. The terminal network control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit changes communication performed by disconnecting the telephone from the communication line to communication performed while the telephone is connected to the communication line.

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