JP2006330882A - Data porting unit for gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a setting data porting unit for a gas meter for porting the setting data of an already installed gas meter to a newly installed gas meter by a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: A setting data porting unit 1 for the gas meter is connected to an already installed gas meter 20, and when an operation button 7 is depressed, the batch reading operation of the setting data D(20) of the already set gas meter is carried out, and the setting data D are stored in an RAM 11. The setting data porting unit 1 for the gas meter is connected to the newly installed gas meter 30, and when the operation button 7 is depressed, the setting data D(20) in the RAM 11 are collectively written to the newly installed gas meter 30. Thus, it is possible to port the setting data only by performing connecting operations to the gas meters 20 and 30 and the operation of the single operation button 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data transplanter for a gas meter used for setting the setting data of an existing gas meter in a new gas meter when an existing gas meter is replaced with a new one.

  According to the Measurement Law, when an existing gas meter reaches the expiry date, it must be replaced with a new gas meter due to problems such as measurement errors. When exchanging the gas meter, it is necessary to port various setting data of the existing gas meter to the new gas meter. Conventionally, a setting method using a gas meter dedicated setting device, a setting method using a gas meter setting function-equipped transmission device (NCU), or a transmission device from the management center side using a telephone line network The method of setting via is known.

  In either method, the setting value of the existing gas meter is read for each item, the read setting data is written down on memo paper, etc., and the setting value is set in the new gas meter while looking at the memo paper that has been written down. Need to be repeated.

  For example, the work procedure when using a gas meter dedicated setting device is as follows. First, connect the gas meter dedicated setting device to the existing gas meter, operate the key of the gas meter dedicated setting device, select the required setting value item, and issue a request to read one required setting value from the existing gas meter ( That is, a message representing the request is input to the existing gas meter). When the gas meter dedicated setting device receives a reply from the existing gas meter, the setting value of the received setting item is displayed on the display screen. The operator writes down the displayed setting value on a memo paper or the like. Next, the gas meter dedicated setting device is removed from the existing gas meter and connected to a new gas meter. Then, by operating the key of the gas meter dedicated setting device, the set value that has been copied such as a memo paper is input. The input set value is transmitted to the new gas meter and set there. By repeating the setting operation according to the above procedure for the number of setting items, the operation of transplanting the setting data of the existing gas meter to the new gas meter is completed.

  Thus, the conventional setting operation for transplanting the setting data of the existing gas meter to the new gas meter requires a large number of operation procedures, and the operation method is complicated. Therefore, the setting work is difficult unless the person is familiar with the setting work. In addition, since a large number of key operations are required for each setting item, there is a high possibility that the new gas meter will be set incorrectly due to an input error or the like.

  Furthermore, the method of performing the setting operation by remote operation from the management center has a drawback that a communication fee is required because a telephone line network is used.

  On the other hand, in a conventional gas meter dedicated setting device or the like, the setting contents read from the existing gas meter are displayed on the display screen as a series of numbers. Therefore, if the operator is not familiar with the setting work, there is a possibility that the displayed content is mistakenly read, and the meaning of the displayed number may not be understood without referring to related materials. For this reason, when it is necessary to enter the setting contents of the newly installed gas meter in the management register of the gas meter, there is a problem that it takes time to complete the entry and an entry mistake is likely to occur.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to propose a gas meter data transplanter capable of accurately performing the work of transplanting the setting data of an existing gas meter to a new gas meter by a simple operation.

In order to solve the above problems, a data transplanter for a gas meter according to the present invention comprises:
A communication means for communicating with the gas meter;
Reading means for reading setting data set in the gas meter via the communication means;
Storage means for storing and holding the setting data read by the reading means;
Write means for writing the setting data held in the storage means to the gas meter via the communication means;
Operation buttons for starting the setting data reading and writing operations,
When the operation button is operated, when the setting data is not held in the storage means, the setting data is read by the writing means, and the setting data is held in the storage means Has a control means for causing the writing means to write setting data.

  In the gas meter data transplanter of the present invention, when the operation button is operated once, the setting data is read from the existing gas meter connected for communication and stored in the storage means. Alternatively, the setting data stored in the storage means is written to the newly connected gas meter that is communicatively connected. Therefore, there is no need to read the setting data of the existing gas meter, copy it on paper or the like, and write it to the new gas meter. In addition, the setting data is read or written in a batch by a single button operation. Therefore, an operation for porting the setting data item by item becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the setting data porting operation can be performed easily and accurately in a short time.

  Here, the setting data transplanter for a gas meter according to the present invention has data collating means for collating the set data written in the gas meter with the setting data held in the storage means, and the control means includes the writing data After completion of the setting data writing operation by the means, the transplanted data written in the gas meter by the reading means is read, and the set data is collated by the data collating means. According to this configuration, it can be confirmed that the setting data has been transplanted correctly.

  Further, the setting data transplanter for a gas meter of the present invention has a display means for displaying that when the setting data is in an unreadable state or an unwritable state, and the control means is in an unreadable state or When the operation button is operated in the write disabled state, the operation by the reading unit or the writing unit is performed from the beginning.

  For example, when the communication with the existing gas meter is interrupted during reading of the setting data and the like and the reading becomes impossible, the fact is displayed, so that the operator can know the abnormal state. In such a case, since the reading operation starts again from the beginning by operating the operation button once, the re-reading operation is very simple.

  Here, the display unit of the setting data transplanter for a gas meter of the present invention includes the collation result by the data collating unit, the progress of the setting data reading operation by the reading unit, and the setting data by the writing unit. It is characterized by displaying the progress status of the write operation.

  When the progress of the setting data reading or writing operation is displayed, the operator can visually recognize that the operation is normally performed, and can also know the number of remaining reading items or writing items. Therefore, the mental burden due to the waiting time until the operation is completed is reduced.

  Further, the display means of the setting data transplanter for a gas meter of the present invention displays a mark sheet in which a plurality of setting items are described, and performs marking display for each setting item that has been read or written, thereby enabling operation. It is characterized by displaying the progress status.

  Employing the mark sheet display method has an advantage that the setting state can be understood at a glance. Also, if the gas meter management ledger is a mark sheet system, and the mark sheet and the mark sheet displayed on the display screen of the display means are in the same form, the work of filling in the gas meter management ledger can be performed accurately and easily while viewing the display screen. It becomes possible. Moreover, the efficiency of the management operation of the gas meter setting contents can be achieved by reading the data of the mark sheet type management ledger using a computer system.

  Next, the control means of the gas meter data transplant setting device of the present invention is configured so that the operation button is not operated for a first time or more, and the operation button is set for a second time or more. When operated for a long time, each means is switched to a standby state with low power consumption, and when the operation button is operated in the standby state, the standby state is released.

  Switching to a standby state that is a power saving mode is advantageous when, for example, a battery power source is used as a power source. Further, switching to the standby state and returning from the state to the normal state are also performed by operating the operation buttons. In this way, since only a single operation button needs to be operated, there is an advantage that the operation is extremely simple.

  The setting data transplanter for a gas meter according to the present invention is configured such that setting data reading and writing operations can be performed collectively by operating a single operation button. Therefore, it is not necessary to copy the contents of the setting data of the existing gas meter on a piece of paper for each item in the reading operation, and a plurality of operation keys can be viewed while looking at the paper on which the setting contents are copied in the writing operation. There is no need to operate, it is only necessary to establish a communication connection state and operate a single operation button. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the transplanting operation for transferring the setting data of the existing gas meter to the new gas meter.

  An example of a setting data transplanter for a gas meter to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Description of configuration)
FIG. 1 is a front view of a setting data transplanter for a gas meter to which the present invention is applied. The gas meter setting data transplanter 1 of this example includes a transplanter body 2, a meter connection cable 3 drawn from the transplanter body 2, and a meter connection terminal 4 attached to the tip of the meter connection cable 3. have. When the meter connection terminal 4 is connected to a communication connection terminal on the gas meter side, the gas meter setting data transplanter 1 and the gas meter are in a communication connection state, and a telegram communication is possible between them.

  The transplanter body 2 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a display screen 6 a of the liquid crystal display 6 is disposed on the upper half of the operation surface 5. A single operation button 7 for performing various operations such as a setting data reading operation and a writing operation is arranged at the lower right of the display screen 6a.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the setting data transplanter 1 for the gas meter. The control system of the gas meter setting data transplanter 1 is configured around a control unit 8 comprising a microcomputer. The control unit 8 includes a CPU 9, a ROM 10, and a RAM 11, and can perform various operations described later by executing a control program stored in the ROM 10. The control unit 8 of this example functions as a reading unit that reads the setting data of the existing gas meter, and also functions as a writing unit that writes the read setting data to the new gas meter. The RAM 11 stores and holds setting data read from the existing gas meter, and also stores and holds the progress state of the setting data reading operation and the progress state of the setting data writing operation.

  An operation button 7 is connected to the control unit 8 via a button interface 13. A liquid crystal display 6 is also connected. Further, the control unit 8 is also connected to the meter connection cable 3 via the communication interface 14 and functions as a communication means for performing telegraphic communication with the gas meter side. In addition, the drive power supply of the setting data transplanter 1 for gas meters of this example is a battery 15, and a power switch 16 is disposed in the power supply path.

(Description of basic operation)
FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart showing the basic operation of the gas meter setting data transplanter 1. First, in the power-on state, when the button operation is not performed for a predetermined time T1 or more (steps ST1 and ST7), the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the standby state that is the power saving mode ( Step ST9). In addition, when the operation button 7 is pressed for a predetermined time t1 or more in the normal operation mode, the standby mode is switched (steps ST1, ST2, and ST9). However, when the setting data is held (step ST8), the normal operation mode is maintained (when the write operation is not performed after the read operation).

  Therefore, when the non-use state continues, the standby state is automatically switched to reduce the power consumption. Moreover, it is also possible to switch to a standby state by an operator as needed. In order to return from the standby state to the normal operation state, the operation button 7 may be operated (steps ST1, 2, 3, 10).

  Next, in the normal operation state, when the operation button 7 is operated in a normal form (that is, only for a time shorter than the time t1), it is determined whether or not the setting data of the gas meter is stored in the RAM 11 ( Step ST4). When the setting data is not stored and held, an operation for reading the setting data from the gas meter is performed, and the read setting data is stored and held in the RAM 11 (step ST5). When the setting data is already stored in the RAM 11, the setting data stored in the RAM 11 is transferred to the gas meter, and a writing operation for setting the setting data is performed (step ST6).

(Data porting procedure)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation procedure when the setting data of the existing gas meter is transplanted to the new gas meter using the gas meter setting data transplanter 1. In the setting data transplantation operation, first, the gas meter setting data transplanter 1 is connected to the existing gas meter 20 (procedure 1), and the operation button 7 is pressed (procedure 2). Thereafter, since the reading operation of the gas meter setting data transplanter 1 is started as described above, it waits for the reading operation of the setting data D (20) of the existing gas meter 20 to end (procedure 3).

  Next, the gas meter setting data transplanter 1 is disconnected from the existing gas meter 20 and connected to the new gas meter 30 (procedure 4), and the operation button 7 is pressed (procedure 5). As a result, the writing operation of the gas meter setting data transplanter 1 is started as described above, so that it waits for the setting data D (20) held in the RAM 11 to be written in the new gas meter 30 (procedure 6). After the writing operation is completed, that is, after the transplanting operation is completed, the set data D (30) of the new gas meter 30 displayed on the screen 6a of the liquid crystal display 6 is confirmed (procedure 7).

(Setting data reading operation)
Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart showing the reading operation (step ST5 in FIG. 3) of the gas meter setting data transplanter 1, and FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart showing the writing operation (step ST6 in FIG. 3). First, with reference to FIG. 5, the reading operation which reads setting data from the existing gas meter 20 is demonstrated.

  When the operation button 7 is pressed in the state where the gas meter setting data transplanter 1 is connected to the existing gas meter 20 (step ST51), the setting data is requested for each item to the gas meter. The first setting data is requested (step ST52 (1)), and in response to this, the gas meter waits for the transmission of the first setting data stored in the storage unit of the gas meter. .

  When the first setting data is received, the received data is checked for errors (step ST53 (1)). If it is determined that there is no error in the received data, the received data is stored in the RAM 11 (step ST54). (1)). Next, the progress status of the reading operation indicating that the reading of the first data has been completed is displayed on the display screen 6a of the liquid crystal display 6 (step ST55 (1)). A display example of the progress status of the reading operation will be described later. On the other hand, if there is an error in the received data, the fact that a reading error has occurred is displayed on the display screen 6a of the liquid crystal display 6 (steps ST53 (1), 56 (1)).

  When the above operation is repeated and the last n-th setting data is stored in the RAM 11 (step ST54 (n)), the fact that the reading operation has been normally completed is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 5 (step ST55 (n)).

  FIG. 7A shows a display example of the progress status of the reading operation. The screen 6a of the liquid crystal display 6 has a rectangular shape from the right side to the left side every time setting data is stored in the RAM 11. Black marks 71 (1), 71 (2), 71 (3), 71 (4)... Are displayed one by one, and when the last n-th setting data is saved, the read operation is normal. The character “good” 71 (n) indicating the completion is displayed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an error in the setting data, the communication with the existing gas meter 20 is interrupted and a message notifying that an error has occurred on the screen 6a of the liquid crystal display 6, for example, “E- 1 ”is displayed (step ST56). When the operation button 7 is pressed in this error display state, the communication with the gas meter is started again, and the above reading operation is executed from the beginning. It is also possible to read from an item in which an error has occurred.

(Setting data write operation)
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the writing operation for transferring the setting data stored in the RAM 11 to the new gas meter 30 and setting the setting data therein will be described. When the operation button 7 is pressed in the state where the gas meter setting data transplanter 1 is connected to the new gas meter 30 (step ST61), the setting data of the existing gas meter stored in the RAM 11 is stored in the new gas meter 30. Forward for each item. When the first setting data is transferred (step ST62 (1)), the gas meter 30 stores the first setting data in the storage unit and determines whether or not the storing operation has been performed normally. It returns a signal that represents it. When the signal is received, it is checked from this signal whether or not the storing operation has been normally performed (step ST63 (1)).

  If it is determined that the saving operation has been performed normally, the progress status of the writing operation is displayed on the screen 6a of the liquid crystal display 6 (step ST64 (1)). A display example of the progress status of the write operation will be described later.

  The above operation is repeated, the last n-th setting data is transferred (step ST62 (n)), and in the next step ST63 (n), it is determined that the storage operation is normally completed by a response from the new gas meter 30. Then, the fact that the writing operation has been completed normally is displayed on the screen 6a of the liquid crystal display 6 (step ST64 (n)).

  FIG. 7B shows a display example of the progress status of the writing operation, and the liquid crystal display 6 is referred to FIG. 7A every time the setting data transfer to the new gas meter 30 is normally completed. The rectangular black marks 72 (1), 72 (2), 72 (3), 72 (4),... Are displayed one by one from the left side to the right side of the screen opposite to the reading operation described above. When the transfer of the last n-th setting data is normally completed, a “good” character 72 (n) indicating that the write operation has been normally completed is displayed.

  On the other hand, referring to FIG. 6 again, when it is determined by the signal from the new gas meter 30 that the setting data storage operation has not been performed normally, communication with the new gas meter 30 is interrupted, A message notifying that an error has occurred, for example, the letter “E-2” is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 (step ST65). When the operation button 7 is pressed in the error display state, the control unit 8 starts communication with the gas meter again and executes the above writing operation from the beginning. It is also possible to execute the write operation from the place where the error has occurred.

  Next, after the writing operation for writing the setting data of the existing gas meter 20 to the new gas meter 30 is completed, a request for the set data D (30) written in the gas meter 30 is made to the new gas meter 30 (step). ST66). When the set data D (30) returned from the newly installed gas meter 30 in response to the request is collated with the set data D (20) stored in the RAM 11 (step ST67), and they do not match Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 such as a message “E-3” (step ST68). In this case, the setting data may be written again from the beginning by pressing the operation button 7 so that the collation matches. When collation is obtained, the set data D (30) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6 (step ST69).

(Example of screen display)
FIG. 8A shows a screen display example of the set data D (30). On the screen 6a of the liquid crystal display 6, setting items are described. The displayed mark image has a mark display portion 81 for each setting item. Each mark display unit is in a mark display state corresponding to the set content.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, the same gas meter management ledger sheet 90 as the mark display contents indicating the setting contents is prepared, and the displayed mark is displayed in the corresponding column of the sheet 90 to the setting operator. Just fill it out. If it does in this way, about the contents set up in the newly installed gas meter 30, the setting operator will finish the entry work only by checking the sheet 90 as shown on the screen. Therefore, the setting work on the management ledger sheet can be easily entered, and entry errors can be reduced. In addition, since the setting operator has only to enter a mark check, it is also easy for the overall management station for the setting contents of the gas meter to grasp the contents to be entered. In addition to this, by using the sheet 90 as a mark sheet in this way, it becomes possible to perform gas meter management by a management system using a computer, and it is possible to accurately manage gas meter setting contents. Management efficiency can also be achieved.

The contents of each setting item are as follows.
(1) CO: Continuous use time cutoff monitoring time for flow rate categories 5 and 6 is fixed at 20 minutes (Yes / No)
(2) Not connected: Gas leak alarm not connected judgment stop setting (Yes / No)
(3) Extension 1: Extension 1 setting (Yes / No)
(4) Extension 2: Extension 2 setting (Yes / No)
(5) BR stop: Pressure type (upstream) Slight leak monitoring setting (Yes / No)
(6) ABR stop: Adjustment pressure (supply pressure, occlusion pressure) abnormality detection function setting (Yes / No)
(7) 160 minutes: Continuous usage time cutoff monitoring time for flow rate category 2 set / fixed to lower limit (160 minutes) by microcomputer meter learning function

The setting contents of the display example of FIG. 8A are as follows.
(1) CO: Existence
(2) Not connected: None
(3) Expansion 1: None
(4) Expansion 2: Existence
(5) BR stop: Existence
(6) ABR stop: None
(7) 160 minutes: None (learning setting)

(Function and effect)
As described above, in the gas meter setting data transplanter 1 of this example, the setting data reading operation and writing operation can be performed collectively only by operating the single operation button 7. Therefore, it is not necessary to copy the contents of the setting data of the existing gas meter on a piece of paper for each item in the reading operation, and a plurality of operation keys can be viewed while looking at the paper on which the setting contents are copied in the writing operation. There is no need to repeat operations. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the work of transplanting the setting data of the existing gas meter to the new gas meter.

  The transplanted data set in the newly installed gas meter 30 is displayed in a mark sheet display form. Therefore, it is convenient because the setting contents can be confirmed with a glance at the screen. Further, if the same mark sheet as the displayed form is used as the gas meter management ledger sheet, the operation of transferring the setting contents to the mark sheet can be performed easily and without error. Furthermore, by using the mark sheet, the gas meter can be managed accurately and efficiently using a computer system.

It is a schematic front view of the setting data transplanter for gas meters to which the present invention is applied. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the control system of the transplanter for setting data for gas meters shown in FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement of the transplanter of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation procedure of the setting data using the transplanter of FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the reading operation | movement of the setting data of the transplanter of FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the write-in operation | movement of the setting data of the transplanter of FIG. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the progress of read operation, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the progress of a write operation. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the setting data of a gas meter, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the mark sheet | seat used as a management ledger sheet.

Explanation of symbols

1 Gas meter setting data transplanter 2 Setting device body 3 Meter connection cable 4 Meter connection terminal 5 Operation surface 6 Liquid crystal display 6a Display screen 7 Operation button 8 Control unit 11 RAM
20 Existing gas meter D (20) Setting data 30 New gas meter D (30) Setting data

Claims (6)

A communication means for communicating with the gas meter;
Reading means for reading setting data set in the gas meter via the communication means;
Storage means for storing and holding the setting data read by the reading means;
A writing means for writing the setting data held in the storage means to the gas meter via the communication means;
Operation buttons for starting the setting data reading and writing operations,
When the operation button is operated, when the setting data is not held in the storage means, the setting data is read by the writing means, and the setting data is held in the storage means The gas meter data transplanter according to claim 1, further comprising control means for performing a setting data writing operation by the writing means. In claim 1,
Data collating means for collating the set data written in the gas meter with the setting data held in the storage means;
The control means reads the set data written in the gas meter by the reading means after the writing operation of the setting data by the writing means, and causes the data collating means to collate the set data. Characteristic data transplanter for gas meter. In claim 2,
When the setting data falls into an unreadable or writable state, it has a display means for displaying that effect,
The data transfer device for a gas meter, wherein the control means causes the reading means or the writing means to perform an operation from the beginning when the operation button is operated in a reading impossible state or a writing impossible state. In claim 2,
The display means displays a collation result by the data collating means, a progress status of the setting data reading operation by the reading means, and a progress status of the setting data writing operation by the writing means. Data transplanter for gas meter. In claim 4,
The display means includes
Display a mark sheet with multiple setting items,
A data transplanter for a gas meter, which displays a progress state of an operation by performing a marking display for each setting item that has been read or written. In any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control means includes
When the state in which the operation button is not operated for the first time or more continues and when the operation button is operated for the second time or more, the respective units are set in the standby mode with low power consumption. Switch to the state,
A gas meter data transplanter which releases the standby state when the operation button is operated in the standby state.

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