JP2005257310A - Gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas meter capable of fetching the usage of each apparatus in a gas passage including a plurality of gas apparatuses without individually setting the flow rates or use times of the gas apparatuses. <P>SOLUTION: This gas meter 1 comprises a measuring means measuring the use flow rate and use time in use of gas, and a pattern storage means storing flow rate patterns of gas, for example, provided in a flow sensor 17 and a microcomputer 18. In the microcomputer 18, based on the measured use flow rate and time, the corresponding flow rate pattern is retrieved and specified from the flow rate patterns stored in the pattern storage means, and the use flow rate is integrated based on the specified flow rate pattern. In the pattern storage means, when the corresponding flow rate pattern could not retrieved, the gas flow rate pattern concerned is newly stored as a flow rate pattern by combination with a certain specified gas apparatus or a plurality of specified gas apparatuses, and this stored flow rate pattern is returned as the retrieval result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas meter. More specifically, the present invention relates to a gas meter, which is installed in a gas flow path in which gas appliances having different charges per unit usage amount are mixed, and integrates gas usage for the gas appliance for the special fee. It relates to a gas meter.

  In energy competition for electricity, kerosene, and gas, for example, kerosene and electricity are often used for heating and cooling, and the share of gas is small. In order to gain an advantage in energy competition, it is necessary to reduce the cost of gas. To reduce the cost, it is effective to increase the amount of gas used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a system for setting a gas charge for each gas appliance having a different gas consumption amount is considered. As mentioned above, the energy share in air conditioning equipment is high for kerosene and electricity, so having a fee structure that discounts gas charges only for such equipment increases competitiveness and increases gas usage. I can expect that. In other words, by making it possible to set a different fee structure for each gas appliance, it is possible to diversify the services to users, and it is also possible to adopt a sales strategy for selling specific gas appliances. It is possible to expect an increase in the amount of gas used as well as widespread use.

  In other words, in order to set the gas charge for each gas appliance as described above, for example, the gas usage amount of the gas appliance group for which the normal fee is set and the gas appliance for which the discount fee is set is calculated separately. There is a need to. Conventionally, when a plurality of gas appliances are connected to a single gas meter and the gas flows, the gas meter can only integrate the total usage of the gas appliances in use, and the gas at a specific flow rate can be integrated. It was not possible to integrate only the amount of gas used by an instrument (for example, a gas fan heater). Therefore, in order to calculate the gas usage separately for each gas appliance, for example, it is necessary to install a plurality of meters for each pipe for each gas appliance, which increases the cost and reduces the overall cost. It becomes difficult to connect.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a gas meter that integrates the usage amount after a predetermined time when the gas flow rate is increased by a predetermined amount has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, a gas meter having means for separately integrating only the usage amount of a gas appliance having a specific flow rate by determining the flow rate pattern of the gas flowing through the gas meter by a determination algorithm possessed by the gas meter has been proposed ( For example, see Patent Document 2). In this gas meter, when the gas flow rate reaches the determination value L2, it is determined that the gas flow rate has stopped, and when the gas flow rate becomes less than L1, it is determined that the gas flow rate has reached L2. In addition, this gas meter has times T1 and T2 as determination values, and when the threshold value is not exceeded, determination of use stop / use is invalid.
Japanese Patent No. 2927626 JP 2002-162278 A

  As described above, in the gas flow path in which the gas appliances are mixed, in order to estimate only the specific gas appliance for the special fee and to multiply the usage amount separately, the flow rate used by the appliance and the appliance are used. It is necessary to measure and judge two characteristics of time.

  However, in the gas meter according to the prior art as described above, in order to make this determination, it is necessary to set the flow rate judgment value and the usage time of the appliance consumption corresponding to the specific appliance in advance. It becomes impossible to add up the amount of usage.

  For example, in the case where only a gas stove is added separately in a home where a gas stove, a large hot water heater, and a gas stove are installed, the flow rate of the gas stove is, for example, about 100 L / h, and thus the flow rate judgment value is set to this value . Since this flow rate is equivalent to the flow rate of the gas stove, a time judgment value is entered as a further judgment value. Since the gas stove is longer than the use time of the gas stove, for example, if it is used for 60 minutes or more, a judgment value is set by integrating separately.

  In such a case, if the user always stops the gas stove in about 40 minutes, or if it is ignited when it gets cold, separate integration for a specific instrument (in this example, separate gas stove for the gas stove) (Calculation) is not possible at all.

  In recent years, there are many instruments that control the temperature by repeatedly turning on and off, and it is very difficult to determine a determination value for use time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and in a gas flow path in which a plurality of gas appliances are mixed, even if the flow rate and usage time of the gas appliances are not individually set, It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas meter that can extract the amount of gas used.

The present invention is constituted by the following technical means in order to solve the above-described problems.
The first technical means is a gas meter that integrates the use flow rate for each gas appliance based on the gas flow rate pattern, the pattern storage means for storing the gas flow rate pattern, and the gas use flow rate when the gas is used. And a flow rate pattern stored in the pattern storage unit based on the gas usage flow rate and the gas usage time measured by the measurement unit and a measuring unit for measuring the gas usage time. The pattern specifying means to be specified, and the integrating means for integrating the gas usage flow rate for each flow rate pattern specified by the pattern specifying means.

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, when the pattern storage means cannot retrieve the flow rate pattern by the pattern specifying means, the gas usage flow rate and the gas usage time measured by the measurement means are used. Based on the above, a gas flow rate pattern is newly stored as a flow rate pattern by a specific gas appliance or a combination of a plurality of specific gas appliances, and the stored flow rate pattern is returned to the pattern specifying means as a search result. It is a thing.

  According to a third technical means, in the second technical means, the pattern specifying means, instead of the pattern storage means returning the flow rate pattern as a search result, a new flow rate pattern that could not be searched in the pattern storage means. It is characterized by searching again after storing the data.

  According to a fourth technical means, in any one of the first to third technical means, a predetermined period and information on a predetermined gas appliance that is used only during the predetermined period, or a predetermined period that is not used during the predetermined period. Calendar information including gas appliance information is built in, and the pattern specifying means specifies the flow rate pattern by giving priority to the calendar information.

  According to a fifth technical means, in any one of the first to fourth technical means, the flow rate pattern stored in the pattern storage means is set to one of large, medium, and small flow rates, and the use time is long. It is characterized by being classified as either medium or short.

  In a sixth technical means, in any one of the first to fifth technical means, an integrated value for each flow rate pattern integrated by the integrating means is obtained, and a flow rate pattern corresponding to the integrated value is large, medium, Display with a combination of information on whether the flow pattern is small and information on whether the flow rate pattern is long, medium or short in use time, or in the combination The display device further includes display means for displaying the corresponding specific gas appliance name.

  A seventh technical means is the flow rate pattern stored in the pattern storage means in any one of the first to fourth technical means, wherein the flow rate is classified as one of large, medium, and small. The pattern specifying means does not use the gas use time for specifying a flow rate pattern, and the pattern storage means does not use the gas use time when a new flow rate pattern is stored.

  The eighth technical means corresponds to the integrated value for each flow rate pattern integrated by the integrating means in the seventh technical means, and the flow rate pattern corresponding to the integrated value corresponds to any of large, medium and small in flow rate. It is characterized by further comprising display means for displaying the information together with information on whether or not the information is displayed, or displaying the specific gas appliance name corresponding to the information.

  According to a ninth technical means, in any one of the first to eighth technical means, a flow rate pattern is analyzed from a plurality of flow rate patterns stored by the pattern storage unit, and is regarded as a plurality of specific gas appliances. It further comprises pattern analysis means for resolving the pattern into flow patterns for specific gas appliances and rewriting the flow pattern of the pattern storage means.

  According to a tenth technical means, in the ninth technical means, the pattern analyzing means analyzes the flow rate pattern only for a predetermined analysis period, and stores the integrated amount for each flow rate pattern obtained during the analysis period. The pattern specifying unit and the integrating unit obtain only an integrated value relating to a flow rate pattern corresponding to a predetermined specific gas appliance after the end of the analysis period.

  According to the present invention, the gas usage state is learned and patterned, and the gas flow rate is integrated separately for the gas appliance, so even without setting the gas appliance flow rate and usage time individually, It becomes possible to take out the amount of gas used in each gas appliance.

  The gas meter according to the present invention is an integrated gas meter by flow rate that is installed in a gas flow path in which gas appliances are mixed and integrates the gas usage flow rate (gas usage amount) for each gas appliance based on the gas flow rate pattern. In a gas flow path in which gas appliances having different charges per usage amount are mixed, it effectively functions even when integrating gas usage amounts for specific gas appliances for different special charges. Therefore, it can be said that this gas meter has a function for determining use / non-use of a specific gas appliance based on a gas flow rate pattern. The accumulated usage amount (accumulated value) for each gas appliance is stored in the gas meter and read to the outside at any time or at the appropriate time such as when calculating the charge, or the storage device of the server on the gas company's side directly via the network. Will be transferred to.

  Of course, this gas meter may be installed in a gas flow path having only one gas appliance, and in this case, the flow rate measured by the gas meter is directly used as the gas usage of the gas appliance. In fact, the installation status of gas appliances that gas companies want to charge differently, such as gas stoves, stove-type gas stoves, large water heaters, etc., are almost always grasped by gas companies for each installation location (household). Yes.

  The gas meter according to the present invention includes at least each of a pattern storage unit, a measurement unit, a pattern specifying unit, and an integration unit, which will be described below, in order to integrate the used flow rate for each gas appliance based on the gas flow rate pattern. And

  The pattern storage means is means for storing a gas flow rate pattern, and may be configured by a storage device (such as various storage media or control means thereof). The measuring means is a means for measuring the gas usage flow rate and the gas usage time when the gas is used. Basically, the flow rate is monitored at any time, and the gas usage flow rate is time-series from the start of use to the end of use. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may measure.

  The pattern specifying unit is a unit that searches and specifies a corresponding flow rate pattern from the flow rate patterns stored in the pattern storage unit based on the gas usage flow rate and the gas usage time measured by the measuring unit. Since the present invention is based on the premise that a predetermined flow rate pattern is measured when a predetermined gas appliance is used, this pattern specifying means finally uses a specific gas appliance corresponding to the gas usage flow rate and the gas usage time. It is a means for specifying, and it can also be called a gas appliance specifying means. In the present invention, the predetermined flow rate pattern may be configured as a combination of flow rate patterns of two or more types of gas appliances, for example, in the first stage of pattern learning.

  The integrating means is means for integrating the gas usage flow rate for each flow rate pattern specified by the pattern specifying means, and the timing of integration is arbitrary. Therefore, the integrated value for each specific gas appliance within a predetermined period such as a monthly unit used for fee calculation may be integrated at any time, acquired at a predetermined date, or stored in a memory or the like built in the gas meter. Although depending on the capacity of the apparatus, it is also possible to hold the flow rate for one month in time series and collectively execute the pattern identification / integration processing. The integrating means associates the gas usage flow rate and the gas usage time measured by the measuring means with the information on one or more specific gas appliances specified by the pattern specifying means, and integrates the usage amount for each specific gas appliance. It can also be said that it is what it does.

  The pattern storage means in one embodiment of the present invention, based on the gas usage flow rate and the gas usage time measured by the measurement means when the flow rate pattern could not be retrieved by the pattern identification means, A new flow rate pattern is stored as a specific gas appliance or a combination of a plurality of specific gas appliances, and the stored flow rate pattern is returned to the pattern specifying means as a search result. That is, in this embodiment, even if no flow rate pattern has been registered in the pattern storage means in advance (of course, even if some flow rate patterns cannot be searched even when registered, they are registered each time a new flow rate pattern is generated. In addition, since the registered result is returned to the pattern specifying means as a search result, even a measurement result of a new flow rate pattern can be integrated in the same manner as that of an existing flow rate pattern.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a gas meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a gas meter, 2 is a data reader, 10 is a control unit, 11 is a pressure detector, 12 is a battery, 13 is a seismic sensor, 14 is a bidirectional shut-off valve, 15 is a test shut-off switch, 16 is a shut-off valve open switch, 17 is a flow sensor, 18 is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer), 19 is a terminal block, and 20 is integrated. A display (integration counter), 21 is a security display, and 22 is a weighing unit.

  The gas meter 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a flow sensor 17 and a microcomputer 18 in the control unit 10. The battery 12 serves as a power source for at least the control unit 10. The flow rate sensor 17 is a sensor for detecting the flow rate, and of course may be a flow rate sensor that calculates the flow rate by the microcomputer 18 or the microcomputer 18 via a flow rate calculator (flow rate converter). It is also possible to transmit the flow rate. The microcomputer 18 is an electronic control device that instructs the flow sensor 17 to measure and integrate the flow based on the flow detection signal from the flow sensor 17, and includes at least the above-described measurement means, pattern specifying means, integration means, It is an IC that functions as part or all of the pattern storage means. The microcomputer 18 includes an MPU that performs arithmetic processing, and a memory that records a program for causing the MPU to function as each of the units and records processing data. The processing data may be stored by providing storage means in each part connected to the microcomputer 18 (for example, the integration counter 20, the security indicator 21, etc.).

  The integration counter 20 is a device that totalizes and displays the total gas flow (not by flow pattern or by gas appliance) supplied by the gas meter 1, and is configured to be executed on the microcomputer 18 side. In this case, it is also called an integration indicator. The security indicator 21 is an indicator for displaying gas when it is shut off with a shut-off valve or when the gas is abnormally used. In other embodiments to be described later, an integrated value for each specific instrument is also displayed. It shall be. Similar to the integration counter 20, the security display 21 may be configured to execute integration by appliance.

  The data reader 2 is a device that reads out the total integrated value integrated by the integration counter 20 and the integrated value for each specific gas appliance according to the present invention from the microcomputer 18 and stores the total integrated value in an external storage device via a network. Or a network connection device that transmits an integrated value for each flow rate (and information on a user etc. regarding the gas meter 1). FIG. 1 shows an example in which a data reader 2 such as a handy terminal (meter reading device) is connected to a terminal block 19 having a terminal for exchanging information with the microcomputer 18.

  Further, in FIG. 1, as a safety function of the measuring unit 22 that performs various types of measurement and the gas meter 1, a pressure detector 11 that detects a drop in pressure, a seismic device 13 that detects a shake due to an earthquake, and the safety thereof. A shut-off valve for shutting off the gas flow path according to a command from the microcomputer 18 when it is determined that the two-way shut-off valve 14 is functioning normally is tested. An example including a test shutoff switch 15 for shutting off and a shutoff valve opening switch 16 for opening the valve by a command from the microcomputer 18 after the bidirectional shutoff valve 14 is closed is shown. It is not an essential component of the invention, and other functions may be incorporated as appropriate. Moreover, as a display function in the security indicator 21, various measurement results in the weighing unit 22, warnings regarding these security functions, and the like are displayed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example for explaining the integration processing by flow rate in the gas meter of FIG. 1, and is a time series graph illustrating the amount of gas used in a home where a gas stove, a large water heater, and a gas stove are installed. is there. In the figure, A to D are different flow patterns. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the flow rate integration processing in the gas meter of FIG.

  Each flow pattern memorize | stored in the above-mentioned pattern memory | storage means is illustrated in the home where the gas stove, the large-sized hot water heater, and the gas stove are installed. First, each flow pattern in the case of single use is as follows. That is, the large-sized water heater is generally used for a short time at about 1200 L / h at the maximum, and this is stored as the flow rate pattern A. The flow rate of the gas stove is, for example, about 100 L / h and generally used for a short time, and this is stored as a flow rate pattern B. The flow rate of the gas stove is assumed to be used for a long time, for example, at about 100 L / h, and this is stored as a flow rate pattern C. A flow pattern D is a pattern that cannot be patterned, such as overlapping use. In general, gas appliances used in households, for example, water heaters and bath tubs used for hot water supply consume a large amount of gas, and kitchen table stoves, rice cookers, gas stoves, gas heating and cooling (GHP), etc. consume gas. The amount is small.

  When the flow rate measurement is started, the microcomputer 18 first determines whether or not a predetermined period (for example, 15 seconds) has elapsed (step S1), and proceeds to the next step S2 only when it has elapsed. In step S2, the microcomputer 18 calculates the flow rate based on the flow rate or flow velocity detection signal from the flow sensor 17, and stores the calculated flow rate. Then, the microcomputer 18 determines whether or not the gas has been stopped (step S3). If it has not stopped, the process returns to step S1, and if it has stopped, the process proceeds to the next step S4.

  In step S4, the pattern specifying means determines whether or not the flow rate stored in step S2 is a pattern registered. The determination is performed by searching the previously stored flow rate patterns for the previously stored flow rate patterns. In this search, not only perfect matches but similar items such as feature points, sizes, and gradients may be extracted as similar searches. If it is determined in step S4 that the pattern is registered, the integrated value is added to the corresponding pattern (step S6), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the pattern is not registered, the flow pattern stored in step S2 is registered, and the integrated value is stored as the integrated value of the registered flow pattern (step S5), and the process is terminated. To do. After the pattern registration, the stored flow rate pattern may be returned as a search result to the pattern specifying means. In this way, it is preferable to discriminate the flow rate pattern within a certain fixed period (15 seconds in this example) and integrate it separately in the memory. As described above, in the present embodiment, the gas use flow rate and the gas use time are measured, and the determination value (flow rate pattern) for discriminating from the specific gas appliance in accordance with the movement (use state) of the corresponding specific gas appliance. Set automatically.

  As described above, those that cannot be regarded as a single pattern (flow pattern of one gas appliance), that is, those that cannot be normally patterned, such as overlapping use of gas appliances, may be registered as flow patterns. As will be described later as another embodiment, the registered flow rate pattern may be deleted by performing pattern analysis. In addition, information related to a reference regarded as a single pattern may be stored in any one of them.

  According to each embodiment of the present invention as described above, since the usage state of the gas is learned, patterned, and accumulated separately, the individual flow rate and usage time of each gas appliance are not individually set. The amount used for the gas appliance can be taken out.

  Further, as another embodiment of the present invention, instead of the pattern storage unit returning the flow rate pattern as a search result, the pattern specifying unit newly stores the flow rate pattern that could not be previously searched in the pattern storage unit, and then again. Even in this form, even if no flow rate pattern is registered in advance, it is possible to register whenever a new flow rate pattern is generated. Therefore, even if the measurement result is a new flow rate pattern, it can be integrated.

  Further, as another embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable to add a calendar function to the gas meter as described above, thereby making it possible to more accurately integrate by flow rate. Built-in calendar information including a predetermined period representing the month and season and information on a predetermined gas appliance used only during the predetermined period or information on a predetermined gas appliance not used during the predetermined period It is preferable to keep it. Further, the pattern specifying means may prioritize the calendar information and specify the flow rate pattern. That is, even if the flow rate patterns are substantially the same, what should be regarded as a different pattern according to the calendar information may be stored as a separate flow rate pattern.

  In practice, a calendar is built in the microcomputer 18 or in a memory connected to the microcomputer 18, and in addition to the calendar or in association with the calendar, a predetermined period and a predetermined gas appliance used only during the period are used. Information (or information on a predetermined period and information on a predetermined gas appliance not used in that period) may be stored. In view of regional differences in the installation location of the gas meter, it is preferable that the information regarding the calendar can be set by the gas administrator.

  In the gas meter according to the above-described embodiment, another integration is performed even when the flow rate pattern changes during seasonal variation. In other words, despite the low possibility of using a gas stove in the summer, the gas stove and gas stove can be separately added separately depending on the length of gas usage, and the summer and winter gas stoves are separate. There is a possibility of accumulating the flow rate separately.

  However, if a calendar function is added as in the present embodiment, for example, only the objects patterned in October to April are accumulated separately, the use of the gas stove in summer can be further reduced. There is no separate integration with the flow rate pattern, and there is no possibility of accidentally recognizing the use of a gas stove in the summer. Therefore, gas appliances having the same flow rate such as a gas stove and a gas stove in winter can be identified without error in summer. In addition, the summer gas stove and the winter gas stove can be handled as the same flow rate pattern, and the summer gas stove pattern can be used for pattern identification between the winter stove and the winter gas stove. Thus, according to the present embodiment, by having a calendar, it is possible to limit the function of a certain gas appliance from one month to a certain month, and more accurate integration by flow rate is possible. It becomes.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit in a gas meter according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which 21a and 21b are integrated flow rate display units for each gas appliance.

  As another embodiment of the present invention, the integrated value for each flow pattern integrated by the integrating means is information indicating whether the flow pattern corresponding to the integrated value corresponds to a large, medium, or small flow rate. And a combination with information indicating whether the flow rate pattern is long, medium or short in use time, or a specific gas appliance name corresponding to the combination (flow rate pattern) is displayed. It is preferable to further include display means. For judgments such as large, medium, small, and long, medium, or short usage time, a threshold value may be set in advance, or data is acquired as a sample for a certain period and divided into three. Alternatively, a threshold value may be set in advance, and the threshold value may be changed by a learning function to obtain a better threshold value. In order to display the specific gas appliance name, the specific gas appliance name corresponding to the combination of the use flow rate and the use time may be stored.

  This display means corresponds to the security indicator (specific instrument integration indicator) 21 of FIG. Of course, the contents displayed here can be stored in a built-in storage means such as a memory or a storage means via a network. In addition, although the structural example of the gas meter in this embodiment and the flow of the integrating | accumulating process according to flow volume are the same as that of FIG.1 and FIG.3, respectively, a means like the specific instrument integrating | accumulating display 21 is essential, The processing after steps S5 and S6 is different from the control that the microcomputer 18 performs the display as described above on the specific instrument integration indicator 21.

In the gas meter according to each of the above-described embodiments, it is conceivable to display the integrated value of the patterned specific instrument as, for example, a flow rate pattern B *** m ^3. I do not know (of course, you may make it display with a flow pattern and its integrated value). In the present embodiment, this is displayed as “large flow rate, short usage time *** m ³ ”, and the gas administrator (gas company) that reads the gas from the instrument management ledger of the installation location You can understand which instrument's integrated value. Furthermore, if the installation destination appliance is stored in the gas meter, as shown in the integrated flow rate display portions 21a and 21b for each gas appliance in FIG. 4, "hot water heater: *** m ³ " or " It becomes possible to display the appliance name and integrated value as “stove: *** m ³ ”. Further, the integrated value may be displayed on the specific instrument integrated display 21 by converting 1 m ³ into 1 point, for example.

  According to the present embodiment, the combination of the patterned flow rate value “high flow rate”, “during flow rate”, “low flow rate” and “long use time”, “during use time”, “short use time”, etc. Therefore, since it is displayed together with the integrated value, it is possible to specify which integrated value the specific gas appliance represents. Furthermore, by storing the instrument name of the specific gas instrument, the instrument name and its integrated value can be displayed together, and it is possible to clearly check which integrated value the specific gas instrument represents.

  With reference to FIG. 2 again, the flow-by-flow integration process in the gas meter according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. As another embodiment of the present invention, the flow rate pattern stored in the pattern storage means is classified as either large, medium or small flow rate and as long, medium or short use time. It is preferable that Each threshold value may be stored. Alternatively, data may be stored to some extent, and each threshold value obtained from the maximum value may be stored. In the example of FIG. 2, the flow rate pattern A corresponds to high flow rate and short time, the flow rate pattern B corresponds to low flow rate and short time, the flow rate pattern C corresponds to low flow rate and time length, and the flow rate pattern D corresponds to high flow rate and long time. .

  Note that the configuration example of the gas meter and the flow of the integration process for each flow rate in this embodiment are basically the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively, but the flow rate and time used in pattern specification and pattern storage are simplified. This makes it easier to pattern. In this embodiment, it is preferable to add the embodiment having the calendar function described above. The flow rate pattern (judgment value) is set to the gas meter with a combination of high, medium, small and usage time length, medium, short and calendar, and it is identified as a specific gas appliance by the content set in the gas meter and the usage state of the gas meter. Set the judgment value.

  Rather than setting the flow rate and time values as fixed values on the gas meter, the set values are “large flow”, “medium flow”, “low flow”, “use time length”, “use time”, “use time” By identifying the combination of “short” and the characteristics of the appliance to be accumulated separately in the season or the month and performing another accumulation, the specific appliance can be easily identified. According to the present embodiment, conditions for the flow rate, time, season, and month are set, so that data patterned according to the conditions can be extracted as data.

  For example, referring to FIG. 2, in a home where a gas stove (flow rate pattern C), a large water heater (flow rate pattern A), and a gas stove (flow rate pattern B) are installed, the flow rate is set low, the operating time length is set to winter. For example, if the winter is set to 11 to March, the flow rate during that period can be accumulated separately only for a small area with a long proportion of usage time. In this example, the gas stove (flow rate pattern C) However, it is easier to specify and accumulate during the winter period.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing another specific example for explaining the integration process by flow rate in the gas meter according to another embodiment of the present invention, and a gas stove, a large water heater, and a gas stove are installed as in FIG. It is a time series graph which illustrates the gas usage-amount in a household. In the figure, A to C are different flow patterns.

  As another embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the flow rate pattern stored in the pattern storage means is classified as either large, medium, or small in flow rate. The configuration example of the gas meter and the flow of the integration process for each flow rate in the present embodiment are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively, but the gas usage time is not used in pattern specification and pattern storage. That is, the pattern specifying unit does not use the gas use time for specifying the flow rate pattern, and the pattern storage unit does not use the gas use time when newly storing the flow rate pattern. Of course, even if the usage flow rate is patterned by the flow rate value itself, it is basically the same.

  The flow rate pattern is set to the gas meter as a judgment value only for the flow rate value or the flow rate large, medium and small. It is difficult to investigate at the stage of setting whether an instrument (flow rate pattern C in FIG. 5) for controlling the temperature by repeating ON / OFF is installed or an instrument that operates while continuously changing the flow rate. Therefore, only the usage flow rate is set instead of identifying the usage time judgment value. However, in order to make the determination (pattern identification) accurate, it is preferable to set the season and the month as described above. In this case, even if the flow rate is the same, as long as the user operates the gas stove (flow rate pattern B in FIG. 5), the gas flow rate pattern is the same as the temperature control device (flow rate pattern C). Therefore, it can be integrated separately regardless of the ON / OFF control or proportional control of the instrument. In FIG. 5, the flow rate pattern A represents when the water heater is used.

  According to the present embodiment, the determination value is set to the gas meter with only the flow value or the flow amount large, medium, and small, and when the set content appears repeatedly in the same flow pattern, it is determined that the corresponding specific gas appliance is used. In other words, since there is no time condition for specifying the pattern, it is possible to perform another accumulation corresponding to the movement of various instruments.

  Further, in the present embodiment, even when the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 is applied together, the display unit displays the integrated value for each flow rate pattern integrated by the integrating unit as the flow rate pattern corresponding to the integrated value. May be displayed together with information indicating whether the flow rate is large, medium, or small, or may be displayed together with a specific gas appliance name corresponding to the information (flow rate pattern).

  FIG. 6 is a view showing another specific example for explaining the integration processing by flow rate in the gas meter according to another embodiment of the present invention, and a gas stove, a large water heater, and a gas stove are installed as in FIG. It is a time series graph which illustrates the gas usage-amount in a household. In the figure, A to F are different flow patterns.

  As another embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the gas meter further includes pattern analysis means. In addition, the structural example of the gas meter in this embodiment and the flow of the integrating | accumulating process according to flow volume are fundamentally the same as FIG.1 and FIG.3 except the place regarding a pattern analysis.

  The pattern analysis unit analyzes the flow rate pattern from the plurality of flow rate patterns stored by the pattern storage unit, and determines a flow rate pattern that is regarded as a plurality of specific gas appliances, such as a large flow rate difference, for each specific gas appliance. It is preferable that the flow rate pattern is decomposed and the flow rate pattern of the pattern storage means is rewritten. For example, when data as shown in FIG. 6 is obtained, the flow patterns A, B, C, D, E, and F are specified, and the flow pattern D = flow pattern B is determined by pattern analysis. The pattern E = the flow rate pattern C and the flow rate pattern F = the flow rate pattern A + the flow rate pattern C are obtained, the flow rate patterns D to F are deleted, and the integrated value of that portion is changed to each pattern (B, C, A + C) should be added. Various frequency analyzes may be used to decompose the flow rate pattern.

  And in this embodiment, it is preferable that a pattern analysis means shall analyze a flow rate pattern only for a predetermined | prescribed analysis period. In that case, the integrated quantity for each flow rate pattern obtained during the analysis period is stored, and the pattern specifying means and the integrating means only obtain the integrated value relating to the flow pattern corresponding to the predetermined specific gas appliance after the end of the analysis period. You just have to ask for it. As described above, the gas appliance usage amount that appears during the analysis period (learning period) until the determination of the determination value is stored, and only the data of the specific gas appliance corresponding to the determination value determination is employed.

  For example, if it is performed in one week until the usage pattern is recognized, it is not possible to perform another integration during that period. Therefore, during this period, the flow rate integrated value that is finely patterned is stored in the memory, and at the stage where patterning has been completed. It is adopted as a separate integrated value. In the present embodiment, the gas meter can learn the flow rate pattern, and the error can be reduced by adding the usage amount of the different integration being learned later. The analysis period may be set to one week for each season.

It is a figure which shows one structural example of the gas meter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example for demonstrating the integration process according to flow volume in the gas meter of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the integration process according to flow volume in the gas meter of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display part in the gas meter which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other specific example for demonstrating the integration process according to flow volume in the gas meter which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other specific example for demonstrating the integration process according to flow volume in the gas meter which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Gas meter, 2 ... Data reading device, 10 ... Control part, 11 ... Pressure detector, 12 ... Battery, 13 ... Shock absorber, 14 ... Bidirectional shut-off valve, 15 ... Test shut-off switch, 16 ... Shut-off valve open switch , 17 ... Flow sensor, 18 ... Microcomputer (microcomputer), 19 ... Terminal block, 20 ... Integration counter (integration indicator), 21 ... Security indicator (specific instrument integration indicator), 21a, 21b ... Integrated flow rate display unit, 22 ... weighing unit, A to F ... flow rate pattern.

Claims (10)

  A gas meter that integrates the usage flow rate of each gas appliance based on a gas flow rate pattern, and stores a gas storage flow rate pattern and a gas storage flow rate and a gas usage time when the gas is used. A pattern specifying means for searching and specifying a corresponding flow rate pattern from the flow rate patterns stored in the pattern storage means based on the gas use flow rate and the gas use time measured by the measurement means. And an integrating means for integrating the gas usage flow rate for each flow rate pattern specified by the pattern specifying means.   The pattern storage means determines a gas flow rate pattern based on a gas use flow rate and a gas use time measured by the measurement means when a pattern flow rate cannot be retrieved by the pattern specifying means. 2. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the gas meter is newly stored as a flow rate pattern by a combination of a plurality of specific gas appliances, and the stored flow rate pattern is returned to the pattern specifying unit as a search result.   The pattern specifying means, instead of returning the flow rate pattern as a search result by the pattern storage means, newly searches the flow rate pattern that could not be previously searched in the pattern storage means, and then searches again. Item 3. The gas meter according to Item 2.   Calendar information including a predetermined period and information on a predetermined gas appliance that is used only during the predetermined period, or information on a predetermined gas appliance that is not used during the predetermined period, is built-in, and the pattern specifying unit includes: The gas meter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow rate pattern is specified by giving priority to the calendar information.   The flow rate patterns stored in the pattern storage means are classified as either large, medium, or small flow rates and long, medium, or short usage times. Item 5. The gas meter according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   The integrated value for each flow rate pattern integrated by the integrating means includes information indicating whether the flow rate pattern corresponding to the integrated value corresponds to the large, medium, or small flow rate, and the flow rate pattern is the usage time. And a display means for displaying with a combination with information on whether it is long, medium, or short, or displaying with a specific gas appliance name corresponding to the combination. The gas meter according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The flow rate pattern stored in the pattern storage means is classified as either large, medium, or small in flow rate, and the pattern specifying means does not use the gas use time for specifying the flow rate pattern, The gas meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pattern storage means does not use the gas use time when a flow rate pattern is newly stored.   The integrated value for each flow rate pattern integrated by the integrating means is displayed together with information indicating whether the flow rate pattern corresponding to the integrated value corresponds to a large, medium, or small flow rate, or The gas meter according to claim 7, further comprising display means for displaying the specific gas appliance name corresponding to the information.   The flow rate pattern is analyzed from the plurality of flow rate patterns stored by the pattern storage unit, and the flow rate pattern regarded as a plurality of specific gas appliances is decomposed into the flow rate patterns for the specific gas appliances, and the flow rate of the pattern storage unit The gas meter according to claim 1, further comprising pattern analysis means for rewriting the pattern.   The pattern analysis unit analyzes the flow rate pattern only during a predetermined analysis period, stores the integrated amount for each flow rate pattern obtained during the analysis period, and the pattern specifying unit and the integration unit are configured to analyze the analysis period. 10. The gas meter according to claim 9, wherein after completion, only an integrated value relating to a flow rate pattern corresponding to a predetermined specific gas appliance is obtained.

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