JP2006250806A - Meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meter prevented from being abused by means of falsification, etc. of a metered value. <P>SOLUTION: The meter 10, equipped with a metering function for metering a physical quantity of a supplied metering object, is equipped with a sealer 2 for sealing a meter body 1, and a non-contact IC tag 7 provided on the sealer 2. Further, the IC tag 7 comprises an antenna for signal transmission/reception, a transmission/reception circuit for generating a response signal with respect to a reception signal received by the antenna to transmit the generated signal from the antenna, and a storage means capable of reading/writing data passing through the transmission/reception circuit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a meter for measuring a physical quantity supplied with an object to be measured such as electric power, gas, water, and the like, and more particularly to a meter provided with a sealing device for preventing unauthorized use due to tampering of a measured value. .

  Conventionally, the supply amount of electricity, gas, water, etc. supplied from the supply side (operator) such as an electric power company, gas company, water bureau to companies and general consumers is And is managed by a meter such as an electric power meter, a gas meter, and a water meter provided with a measuring function.

  The purpose of this type of meter is to prevent the meter from being opened after the meter has been verified, and to prevent the operator from operating the meter incorrectly or improperly after the installation work is completed. A sealing device is provided.

  And once the meter body is sealed with this sealing device, the sealing device is prevented from being removed unless it is cut or destroyed, and unauthorized use due to tampering of the measured value or the like is prevented.

This type of conventional sealing device includes a wire type sealing device that crimps a lead ball or a plastic ball through a wire to a mounting screw, and a one-touch type sealing device that fits a plastic cover on the mounting screw.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-228618

  However, the meter provided with such a conventional sealing device has the following problems.

  That is, in the meter according to the prior art, a sealing device unique to each consumer is not used, but a common sealing device is used. For this reason, even if the sealing device is removed and the measured value of the meter is tampered with, if it is sealed with the sealing device of the same specification and returned to its original state, there will be no change in appearance from an ordinary meter. In addition, there is a problem that it is not possible to recognize that the measurement value has been tampered with, and there is a risk of unauthorized use.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. When the sealing device is removed, it can be recognized, and thus it is possible to prevent unauthorized use due to tampering of the measurement value or the like. The purpose is to provide a simple meter.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

  In other words, the invention of claim 1 is a meter having a measuring function for measuring a physical quantity of a measurement object to be supplied, the sealing device for sealing the meter main body, and the non-contact IC tag provided in the sealing device. It has. Then, the non-contact IC tag generates a first antenna for signal transmission and reception, a response signal for the reception signal received by the first antenna, and transmits the generated response signal from the first antenna. It has a transmission / reception circuit and a first storage means capable of reading and writing data by the first transmission / reception circuit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the meter according to the first aspect of the present invention, the meter main body includes a second antenna that transmits and receives signals to and from the first antenna, and a response to the received signal received by the second antenna. A second transmission / reception circuit that generates a signal and transmits the generated response signal from the second antenna, and a second storage unit that can read and write data by the second transmission / reception circuit are provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the meter according to the second aspect, the same identification information is stored in each of the first storage means and the second storage means. In the non-contact IC tag, the first transmission / reception circuit acquires the identification information stored in the first storage unit, and transmits the acquired identification information from the first antenna at a predetermined cycle. . Further, the second antenna receives the identification information transmitted from the first antenna. The second transmitting / receiving circuit stores the identification information received by the second antenna when the identification information is not received by the second antenna at a predetermined cycle or stored in the second storage means. If the identification information does not match, the date / time information at that time, or the measurement value information, or both the date / time information and the measurement value information are written in the second storage means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the meter according to the third aspect of the present invention, the meter body further includes a blocking means. The blocking means is configured such that when the identification information is not received by the second antenna at a predetermined cycle, or the identification information received by the second antenna is the identification information stored in the second storage means. If they do not match, supply of the weighing object is cut off.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the meter according to the third aspect of the present invention, the meter main body further includes an abnormality notification means. This abnormality notification means is the identification information stored in the second storage means when the identification information is not received by the second antenna at a predetermined cycle, or the identification information received by the second antenna is stored in the second storage means. If not, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the sealing device, and this abnormality is notified.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the meter according to the third aspect of the present invention, the meter main body further includes an abnormality occurrence notification means. This abnormality occurrence notifying means is used when the identification information is not received by the second antenna at a predetermined cycle, or the identification information received by the second antenna is stored in the second storage means. If the information does not match, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the sealing device, and the occurrence of this abnormality is notified to the supply side of the weighing object.

  According to the present invention, when the sealing device is removed, it can be recognized.

  As described above, it is possible to realize a meter that can prevent unauthorized use due to tampering of measurement values.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In the following embodiments, a power meter will be described as an example. However, the meter in the present invention is not limited to use in a power meter, and of course, other types such as a gas meter, a water meter, etc. Application to a meter is also possible.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a usage environment of a power meter 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  That is, the power meter 10 according to the embodiment includes a meter body 1 and a sealing device 2 that seals the meter body 1 as shown in FIG. A non-contact IC tag 7 is attached to one surface of the sealing device 2 with an adhesive or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sealing device 2 includes a sealing screw fitting portion 21 for inserting a sealing screw 6 for fixing the terminal cover 3 to the back surface of the meter body 1, and a sealing screw fitting portion 21 from the sealing screw 6. When removing, it has the groove | channel 22 for a division | segmentation for making the sealing apparatus 2 easy to break. The non-contact IC tag 7 is attached to the side surface 23 on the side having the dividing grooves 22 with an adhesive or the like.

  Then, the sealing screw 6 is pushed into the sealing screw fitting portion 21 to fit the sealing screw fitting portion 21 and the sealing screw 6. As a result, the sealing device 2 seals the meter body 1.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the non-contact IC tag 7. That is, the non-contact IC tag 7 includes an antenna 71, a transmission / reception circuit 72, and a storage device 73.

  The antenna 71 is between a handy type IC tag reading / setting device 9 carried by an operator 8 who performs work such as periodic inspection of the power meter 10 and an antenna 11 described later provided in the meter body 1. Signals are transmitted and received through the wireless communication line 5b.

  The storage device 73 reads and writes information by the transmission / reception circuit 72, and stores unique identification information given to the power meter 10. Here, specific information such as an ID number, a customer number, a test execution date, a test period, and a meter installation date can be specifically used as the identification information.

  The transmission / reception circuit 72 reads the identification information from the storage device 73 and causes the read identification information to be transmitted from the antenna 71 to the antenna 11 described later provided in the meter main body 1 at a predetermined transmission cycle. When a signal is received by the antenna 71, a response signal for the received signal is generated by writing the received signal into the storage device 73 or reading out necessary information from the storage device 73 as necessary. 71 is transmitted.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a state when the sealing device 2 having the non-contact IC tag 7 having such a configuration attached to the side surface 23 is removed from the terminal cover 3.

  That is, when removing the sealing device 2 from the terminal cover 3, it is performed by pulling the sealing device 2 in the arrow direction (upward direction) in the figure. Then, by this pulling force, the sealing device 2 is cracked from the dividing groove 22 and the side surface 23 is broken. Accordingly, the non-contact IC tag 7 attached to the side surface 23 is also destroyed.

  Thus, once the sealing device 2 is attached to the terminal cover 3, the sealing device 2, that is, the non-contact IC tag 7, cannot be turned without breaking the sealing screw 6. The contents cannot be opened.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of each component mounted on the contents of the meter body 1 of the power meter 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the meter body 1 includes an antenna 11, a transmission / reception circuit 12, a storage device 13, a CPU 14, a display unit 15, a weighing unit 16, a blocking device 17, and a communication unit 18. ing.

  The antenna 11 transmits and receives information to and from the antenna 71 of the non-contact IC tag 7 via the wireless communication line 5b. When the information is received, the received information is output to the transmission / reception circuit 12. Information to be transmitted is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 12.

  The transmission / reception circuit 12 outputs a reception signal received by the antenna 11 to the CPU 14 or writes it in the storage device 13. Further, based on an instruction from the CPU 14, a response signal for the received signal is generated appropriately using information stored in the storage device 13, and the generated response signal is transmitted from the antenna 11.

  The storage device 13 stores unique identification information given to the power meter 10 and a transmission cycle of a signal transmitted from the non-contact IC tag 7. That is, the identification information stored in the storage device 13 and the identification information stored in the storage device 73 are the same. Further, a signal received by the antenna 11 is written by the transmission / reception circuit 12 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 14.

  The metering unit 16 measures power supplied from a power supplier such as an electric power company to a consumer equipped with the power meter 10 such as a home, a building, or a factory, and outputs the measurement result to the CPU 14.

  The communication unit 18 transmits and receives information to and from the power supplier center device 4 via the wired communication line 5a. When the information is received, the received information is output to the CPU 14. The information to be transmitted includes, for example, a measurement result to which calendar information is attached by the CPU 14 and an abnormality occurrence notification signal output from the CPU 14 when the CPU 14 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the sealing device 2.

  When the CPU 14 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the sealing device 2, the display unit 15 performs a blinking display for notifying the abnormality in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 14.

  When the CPU 14 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the sealing device 2, the shut-off device 17 shuts off the power supplied from the power supplier to the consumer in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 14.

  The CPU 14 has a calendar function and is a part that performs overall control of the functions of the meter body 1 and functions as follows, for example. When the measurement result is output from the measurement unit 16, calendar information is added to the measurement result using a calendar function. Then, the measurement result to which the calendar information is added is transmitted from the communication unit 18 to the power supplier center device 4 through the wired communication line 5a.

  Further, when the antenna 11 receives the identification information transmitted from the antenna 71, the CPU 14 acquires the identification information via the transmission / reception circuit 12, and stores the acquired identification information in the storage device 13 together with the acquired date / time information. Write. Then, the acquired identification information is compared with the identification information originally written in the storage device 73, and when the identification information does not match, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the sealing device 2. Possible abnormalities include a case where the sealing device 2 is destroyed, a case where the sealing device 2 is replaced by another sealing device 2 after being destroyed, and a case where the non-contact IC tag 7 itself fails. In particular, when the sealing device 2 is broken or replaced by another sealing device 2 and sealed, the contents of the meter main body 1 may be opened and the measurement result may be tampered with.

  Further, even when both pieces of identification information match, the CPU 14 further identifies the date / time information when the identification information was sent in the current transmission and the date / time information when the identification information was written during the previous transmission. Obtain the information transmission cycle. Then, this transmission cycle is compared with the transmission cycle written in the storage device 13, and when both the cycles do not match, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the sealing device 2. As the content of the abnormality in this case, a failure of the non-contact IC tag 7 itself can be considered.

  As described above, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the sealing device 2, the CPU 14 writes the date / time information at this time and the measurement result from the measurement unit 16 in the storage device 13. And the interruption | blocking apparatus 17 is operated and the electric power supplied to a consumer from an electric power supplier is interrupted | blocked. Moreover, the display part 15 is operated and the blinking display for notifying the operator 8 of abnormality is made. Further, an abnormality occurrence notification is transmitted from the communication unit 18 to the power supplier center device 4.

  As described above, since the power meter 10 according to the embodiment is configured as described above, the identification information and the transmission cycle transmitted from the non-contact IC tag 7 attached to the sealing device 2 are determined. The identification information and the transmission cycle stored in the storage device 13 of the meter main body 1 can be respectively compared.

  As a result, when the sealing device 2 is broken or replaced by another sealing device 2 or the like, the identification information transmitted from the non-contact IC tag 7 and the storage device 73 are stored. Therefore, the abnormality can be recognized immediately, so that unauthorized use due to tampering of the measurement value can be prevented.

  Further, in addition to the destruction of the sealing device 2 or the replacement of the sealing device 2 with another sealing device 2, even if the non-contact IC tag 7 itself fails or becomes unable to communicate due to a power failure or the like, the determined transmission By detecting that the identification information is not transmitted in a cycle, occurrence of such an abnormality can be recognized.

  Further, when an abnormality occurs, the power supply is cut off to completely prevent unauthorized use, while the display unit 15 blinks and an abnormality occurrence notification is sent to the power supplier center device 4. Can be promptly notified to the worker 8 or the power supplier. Furthermore, when an abnormality occurs, the date and time information and the measurement result at the time of occurrence of the abnormality can be written in the storage device 13, so that the worker 8 and the power supplier can identify the time of occurrence of the abnormality and then contact the customer. Prompt responses such as penalties can also be expected.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Within the scope of the invented technical idea of the scope of claims, a person skilled in the art can conceive of various changes and modifications. The technical scope of the present invention is also applicable to these changes and modifications. It is understood that it belongs to.

The conceptual diagram which shows the use environment of the electric power meter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The conceptual diagram explaining the coupling | bonding method of a sealing device and a terminal cover. The functional block diagram which shows the structural example of a non-contact IC tag. The conceptual diagram which shows the state at the time of removing a sealing apparatus from a terminal cover. The functional block diagram which shows an example of each component mounted in the electric power meter which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Meter main body, 2 ... Sealing device, 3 ... Terminal cover, 4 ... Electric power supplier center apparatus, 5b ... Wireless communication line, 5a ... Wired communication line, 6 ... Seal screw, 7 ... IC tag, 8 ... Worker, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... IC tag reading / setting device, 10 ... Electricity meter, 11 ... Antenna, 12 ... Transmission / reception circuit, 13 ... Storage device, 14 ... CPU, 15 ... Display part, 16 ... Measurement part, 17 ... Shut-off device, 18 ... Communication , 21 ... Sealing screw fitting part, 22 ... Dividing groove, 23 ... Side face, 71 ... Antenna, 72 ... Transmission / reception circuit, 73 ... Storage device

Claims (6)

A meter having a weighing function for measuring a physical quantity of a measurement object to be supplied,
A sealing device for sealing the meter body;
A first antenna for signal transmission / reception, a first transmission / reception circuit for generating a response signal for the reception signal received by the first antenna, and transmitting the generated response signal from the first antenna; A meter having a first storage means capable of reading and writing data by one transmission / reception circuit, and a non-contact IC tag provided in the sealing device. The meter of claim 1, wherein
A second antenna that transmits and receives signals to and from the first antenna; and a second signal that generates a response signal to the received signal received by the second antenna and transmits the generated response signal from the second antenna. And a second storage means capable of reading and writing data by the second transmission / reception circuit, respectively. The meter according to claim 2, wherein
The same identification information is stored in each of the first storage unit and the second storage unit,
In the non-contact IC tag, the first transmission / reception circuit acquires identification information stored in the first storage means, and the acquired identification information is acquired from the first antenna at a predetermined cycle. Send
The second antenna receives identification information transmitted from the first antenna;
In the second transmitting / receiving circuit, when the identification information is not received at the predetermined period by the second antenna, or when the identification information received by the second antenna is the second storage unit. If it does not match the identification information stored in the meter, the date and time information at that time, or the measurement value information, or both the date and time information and the measurement value information are written in the second storage means. The meter according to claim 3,
When the identification information is not received by the second antenna at the predetermined period, or the identification information received by the second antenna is the identification information stored in the second storage means A meter provided with a shut-off means for shutting off the supply of the weighing object when the meter body does not match. The meter according to claim 3,
When the identification information is not received by the second antenna at the predetermined period, or the identification information received by the second antenna is the identification information stored in the second storage means If not, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the sealing device, and the meter body further includes an abnormality notifying means for notifying the abnormality. The meter according to claim 3,
When the identification information is not received by the second antenna at the predetermined period, or the identification information received by the second antenna is the identification information stored in the second storage means A meter further comprising an abnormality occurrence notifying means for determining that an abnormality has occurred in the sealing device and notifying the occurrence of the abnormality to the supply side of the object to be measured if they do not match.

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