JP2007298394A - Adapter for meter, and automatic meter-reading system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology capable of coping with diversification of service with respect to use of a utility to a consumer by deriving utility consumption corresponding to the state of the consumer, in an automatic meter-reading system utilizing an adapter for the meter capable of adding an additional function by being installed on the meter having a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The adapter 30 for the meter includes state signal input parts 33, 34 into which a state signal showing the state of the consumer A is input, and a totalization part 35 of the adapter 30 for the meter totalizes a consumption signal in the classified state by the state signal input into the state signal input part 32, and derives each classified consumption which is a utility consumption in the classified state of the state of apparatuses 40, 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is provided for a meter for measuring the total usage amount of a utility of a consumer, and a usage amount signal input unit to which a usage amount signal output for each unit usage amount of the utility is input from the meter side. A metering adapter that includes a counting unit that counts the usage signal input to the usage signal input unit, and an output unit that outputs a counting result of the counting unit, and a plurality of meter adapters. The present invention relates to an automatic meter reading system including an adapter communication unit and a center device configured to be able to communicate with each of a plurality of meters.

In recent years, meters such as gas meters, electricity meters, and water meters for measuring the total usage of utilities such as gas, electricity, water, etc. have been increasingly equipped with safety functions and communication functions in addition to their original measurement functions. It has become highly functional.
In particular, since a meter having a wired or wireless communication function with a center device on the utility business side has been developed, an automatic meter reading system that performs automatic meter reading from the center device is becoming widespread.
In addition, in order to make the meter highly functional, such as the above automatic meter reading system, the meter itself adopts a conventional simple structure, and a meter adapter for adding an additional function (for example, a communication function) to the meter. May be installed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Here, in order to construct an automatic meter reading system, a meter adapter installed in a meter includes an adapter communication unit that relays communication between the meter and an external center device. There is a case where the meter pointer value acquired as the usage amount can be transmitted to the center device.

  Further, in the meter adapter described in Patent Document 1, a usage amount signal output for each unit usage amount of the utility is input from the meter side separately from the total usage amount, and the input usage amount signal is It is configured so as to be aggregated for each time category measured by the clock unit, that is, for each time zone, and to derive the usage amount by time zone related to the usage amount of the utility by time zone. At the time of automatic meter reading, the center unit transmits the usage amount by time zone derived by the totaling unit together with the total usage amount acquired from the meter side to the center device side. In order to promote the use, the utility unit can be charged by applying a discount of the unit price of the utility during the specific time period.

  In the adapter for meter described in the above-mentioned patent document 2, the amount used by each device (the amount of gas used by each gas consuming device) in the device meter installed for each gas consuming device separately from the meter for measuring the total amount used. Is measured, and the measured usage amount by device is input.

JP 2006-90780 A JP 2002-150459 A

In recent years, services related to utility use for consumers have diversified. For example, when a utility is used in a specific situation in a consumer, a discount is applied to the usage amount in that specific situation. As a result, services that encourage consumers to use in specific situations are being considered.
However, in particular, the conventional meter adapter described in Patent Document 1 is configured to derive the usage amount according to the time zone, but the operating state of the utility consuming equipment installed in the consumer and the consumer It was not configured to be able to derive the usage amount according to the situation of the consumer as in the living state of

In particular, in the conventional meter adapter described in Patent Document 2, a device meter is installed for each utility consuming device in order to recognize the usage amount by device, which is a gas usage amount by utility (gas) consuming device. Since it is necessary, complication and cost increase become problems.
Furthermore, even when such an equipment meter is installed, for example, the utility usage amount of the consumer by the classification of the state of the equipment that does not use the utility, or the consumer of the classification by the combination of the state of each of a plurality of devices. Like utility usage, usage by category according to the detailed situation of consumers cannot be derived, and there is a limit to the diversification of services related to utility usage for consumers.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic meter reading system using an adapter for a meter that can be installed in a meter having a simple structure to add an additional function. It is the point which implement | achieves the technique which derives | leads-out the utility usage amount according to the condition of this, and can respond to the diversification of the service regarding the usage of the utility with respect to a consumer.

The adapter for a meter according to the present invention for achieving the above object is installed for a meter for measuring the total usage of a utility of a consumer,
A usage amount signal input unit to which a usage amount signal output for each unit usage amount of the utility is input from the meter side;
A totaling unit that counts the usage signal input to the usage signal input unit;
An adapter for a meter that includes an output unit that outputs a totaling result of the totaling unit, and the first characteristic configuration includes a status signal input unit that receives a status signal indicating a status in the consumer,
The aggregation unit aggregates the usage signal for each classification of the status signal input to the status signal input unit when the usage signal is input, and classifies the usage signal according to the classification related to the situation in the consumer. It is the point which is comprised so that the usage-amount according to classification | category which is the usage-amount of a utility may be derived | led-out.

According to the meter adapter having the first characteristic configuration, the usage signal output for each unit usage of the utility from the meter side is input to the usage signal input unit, and the status signal input unit Since the status signal indicating the situation in the consumer when the usage signal is input is input, the above-mentioned demand signal is calculated by the above-mentioned totaling unit for each classification of the above-mentioned status signal. It is possible to derive a usage amount classified by classification for the situation at home.
Therefore, the utility usage according to the customer's situation, such as the utility usage of the customer when the situation at the customer is a specific situation, is recognized from the derived usage amount by classification. The utility usage can be used to provide a utility for the consumer, such as applying a discount to the utility usage of the consumer when the situation at the consumer is a particular situation. It can cope with the diversification of services related to use.

  According to a second characteristic configuration of the adapter for a meter according to the present invention, in addition to the first characteristic configuration, the status signal input unit indicates an operating state of utility consuming equipment installed in the consumer as the status signal. A signal or a signal indicating a living state at the consumer is input.

  According to the meter adapter having the second characteristic configuration, the status signal input unit has a signal indicating an operation state such as operation / stop state of the utility consumer device, or a living state such as presence / absence at the consumer. Therefore, for example, the utility when the consumer is absent can be obtained by summing up the usage amount signal for each category related to the operating state of the utility consumer device and the living state by the counting unit. The utility usage amount according to the operating state of the utility consuming device and the living state of the consumer can be recognized, such as the usage amount and the utility usage amount during operation of the utility consuming device.

  A third characteristic configuration of the meter adapter according to the present invention is that a plurality of the status signal input units are provided in addition to the first or second characteristic configuration.

According to the adapter for meter which has the 3rd above-mentioned characteristic composition, since the above-mentioned situation signal input part is provided with two or more, the input of the situation signal which shows the situation of a plurality of kinds of consumers can be received.
Therefore, the above-mentioned totaling unit makes it possible to use the utility of the consumer according to the classification by combining the respective situations of multiple types of consumers, such as the utility usage amount when the consumer is absent and the utility consumer device is operating, for example. It is possible to derive the amount and recognize the usage amount by classification according to the detailed situation of the consumer from the utility usage amount.

  The fourth characteristic configuration of the meter adapter according to the present invention can display the usage amount classified by classification derived by the counting unit as the output unit in addition to any of the first to third characteristic configurations described above. It is in the point provided with a simple display part.

According to the meter adapter having the above fourth characteristic configuration, the consumer can directly visually check the usage amount classified by the display unit without inquiring of the utility supplier or the like. Therefore, the utility supplier can respond without providing a dedicated system for responding to individual inquiries regarding utility usage according to the customer's situation.
Furthermore, when a discount is applied to utility usage in a specific situation, the demand is confirmed by causing the display unit to confirm the usage by category corresponding to the specific situation. Motivation can be ensured for the home to actively use the utility in that particular situation.

A fifth characteristic configuration of the meter adapter according to the present invention includes, in addition to any of the first to fourth characteristic configurations described above, a clock unit that measures time,
The totaling unit totals the usage amount signal input to the usage amount signal input unit for each time period measured by the clock unit, and is used by time period, which is the usage amount of the utility by time period. In that it is configured to derive a quantity.

  According to the adapter for meter which has the 5th above-mentioned characteristic composition, since the amount of use according to the above-mentioned time zone can be derived by the above-mentioned total part, for example, when a customer's situation is a specific situation in a specific time zone Like the utility usage of a customer, the utility usage of a customer by category that combines the customer's situation and time zone is derived, and from the utility usage according to the detailed situation of the customer The amount of usage by classification can be recognized.

  The sixth feature configuration of the meter adapter according to the present invention includes, in addition to any of the first to fifth feature configurations described above, as the output unit, the use amount classified by classification derived by the counting unit as an external unit. An adapter communication unit capable of transmitting to the center device is provided.

According to the meter adapter having the sixth characteristic configuration described above, the utility supplier acquires the usage amount by each category in the center device, and identifies the situation at the consumer from the acquired usage amount by each category. The utility usage amount according to the customer's situation can be recognized, such as the utility usage amount of the customer when the current situation is. Then, using the utility usage amount, for example, a discount is applied to the utility usage amount of the consumer when the situation in the consumer is a specific situation, or advice on how to use the utility to the consumer. It is possible to cope with the diversification of services related to the use of utilities for consumers.
Further, when the meter adapter is provided with a clock unit, the clock unit is received from the center device by the adapter communication unit by being able to communicate with the center device through the adapter communication unit. It can be configured to correct the time based on the time correction signal, so that the time can always be accurately measured by the clock unit.

  According to a seventh characteristic configuration of the meter adapter according to the present invention, in addition to any of the first to sixth characteristic configurations, the adapter communication unit relays communication between the meter and the center device. The point is that it is configured to do.

  According to the meter adapter having the above seven characteristic configurations, it is not necessary to add a communication function to the meter or install another communication device. In the apparatus, it is possible to perform automatic meter reading by remotely communicating with the meter via the adapter communication unit to obtain the total usage measured by the meter.

In order to achieve the above object, the characteristic configuration of the automatic meter reading system according to the present invention is configured as a meter adapter having the sixth or seventh characteristic configuration described so far, and a plurality of meters installed in each of a plurality of meters. An adapter for the meter,
Communicating with each adapter communication unit of the plurality of adapters for the plurality of meters to obtain the usage amount classified by category for a specific consumer, and communicating with each of the plurality of meters And a center device capable of acquiring the total usage amount in a specific consumer.

According to the automatic meter reading system having the above characteristic configuration, the utility supplier communicates with the meter of each consumer at the center device at the time of automatic meter reading, for example, the utility usage amount for one month of the consumer. In addition to acquiring the total usage amount for the specific consumer, as described so far, it communicates with the adapter communication unit of each consumer, and the consumer In order to recognize the utility usage amount in a specific situation, the above-mentioned usage amount classified by category can be acquired.
Then, on the center device side, in order to apply a discount to the utility usage amount in a specific situation, the monthly utility charge of the consumer calculated from the total usage amount is classified according to the classification in the specific situation. By applying the discount calculated according to the usage amount, it is possible to reliably motivate the consumer to actively use the utility in the specific situation. Moreover, the usage method of a utility of a consumer can be analyzed using the usage amount classified by classification, and advice on the utility usage method can be given to the consumer.

  Embodiments of a meter adapter and an automatic meter reading system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a gas meter 10 (an example of a meter) that is installed in a consumer A and measures the total amount of gas (an example of a utility) uses a known membrane meter, an ultrasonic meter, or the like. Specifically, the measuring mechanism 13 for measuring the gas G flowing through the gas flow path through which the gas G flows, and the total usage amount of the gas G (total integrated flow rate) from the measurement result of the measuring mechanism 13 And a control unit 11 composed of a microcomputer for deriving ().
The control unit 11 is configured to display the total usage amount of the gas G on the number wheel 12 by driving the motor 12a according to the total usage amount and rotating the number wheel 12. Yes.

  On the other hand, the meter adapter 30 installed in the gas meter 10 includes an adapter communication unit 39 that relays communication between the control unit 11 of the gas meter 10 and the external center device 60. The total usage amount acquired from the gas meter 10 side can be transmitted to the center device 60.

  The meter adapter 30 is installed in each of the plurality of gas meters 10 provided to each of the plurality of consumers A, and the center device 60 is connected to each adapter communication unit 39 of the plurality of meter adapters 30. Communication with each other and the automatic meter reading system 100 is configured in such a manner that the total usage amount of the specific customer A can be acquired, so that the center device 60 side can receive 1 for each customer A. The total amount of gas used every month can be acquired, and the gas fee charged to each customer A can be calculated from the total amount used.

  Further, the meter adapter 30 is input to a usage signal input unit 32 to which a usage signal output for each unit usage of the utility is input from the numeric wheel 12 side of the gas meter 10, and input to the usage signal input unit 32. A totaling unit 35 that totalizes the used amount signals, and the adapter communication unit 39 adds the total usage amount acquired from the control unit 11 side of the gas meter 10 to the totaling result of the totaling unit 35, Transmission to the center device 60 is possible. That is, it can be said that the adapter communication unit 39 is an output unit that outputs the counting result of the counting unit 35.

  That is, the gas meter 10 is provided with a pulse transmitter 31 that outputs one pulse signal for each circulation of the gas G of unit usage, and the pulse transmission is transmitted to the usage signal input unit 32 of the meter adapter 30. The pulse signal output from the machine 31 is input as the usage amount signal.

  Specifically, the pulse transmitter 31 includes a magnet 31a provided on the rotating shaft of the number wheel 12 that rotates each time the total usage amount increases by a predetermined amount, and a predetermined number of times each time the magnet 31a rotates. The reed switch 31b is arranged to output a pulse signal.

  The meter adapter 30 includes a memory 37 that can store the counting results of the counting unit 35 and a clock unit 38 that measures time. Further, as an output unit that outputs the counting results of the counting unit 35, A display unit 36 capable of displaying the totaling result of the totaling unit 35 is provided.

The totaling unit 35 stores a usage amount classified by classification, which is the usage amount of the gas G for each of a plurality of preset categories, in the memory 37, as will be described in detail later. When one pulse signal as a usage amount signal is input to the signal input unit 32, the current classification is specified, and then one pulse is used for the specific classification usage amount stored in the memory 37. The unit usage amount corresponding to the signal is added to update the classification usage amount.
For example, the totaling unit 35 totals the pulse signals input to the usage amount signal input unit 32 for each time period measured by the clock unit 38, so that the time period that is the usage amount of the gas G for each time period is obtained. Different usage amounts can be derived.

  In addition, as a gas consuming device (an example of a utility consuming device) that consumes the gas G to operate the consumer A, a floor heating device that performs floor heating with hot water heated by burning the gas G in the heat source unit 41. 40 is installed. And this floor heating apparatus 40 is comprised so that the signal which shows the operation state of whether the floor heating apparatus 40 is driving | operating as a status signal which shows the condition in the consumer A may be output.

  Further, although the consumer A is a device that does not consume the gas G, the intrusion sensor 52 such as an infrared sensor is activated when the consumer A is absent, that is, when the warning mode is set by the mode changeover switch 51. Thus, a security system 50 for monitoring the intrusion of a person into the customer A is provided. That is, the security system 50 can recognize the presence / absence state as the living state of the customer A depending on whether or not the warning mode is set. And this security system 50 recognizes whether it is a signal which shows the living state of consumer A as a situation signal which shows the situation in consumer A, ie, a warning mode, or a normal mode which is not a warning mode. It is configured to output possible signals.

The meter adapter 30 includes a plurality of status signal input units 33 and 34 to which status signals are input from the floor heating device 40 or the security system 50 side, and the counting unit 35 further includes a usage amount signal. The pulse signal that is the usage amount signal input to the input unit 32 is aggregated for each classification of the status signal input to each of the plurality of status signal input units 33 and 34 when the pulse signal is input. The usage amount classified by category, which is the usage amount of the utility classified by category regarding the operating state of the floor heating device 40 and the living state of the consumer A recognized by the security system 50, is derived.
Hereinafter, the details of the counting process in the counting unit 35 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the totaling unit 35 sets nine classifications shown in Table 1 below as classifications for deriving the usage amount by classification.

That is, the classification of the total use amount is a classification for deriving the total use amount of the gas G in all periods regardless of the time zone, the operating state of the floor heating device 40, and the living state recognized by the security system 50. The first to eighth classifications include a plurality of whether the time zone is a set time zone, whether the floor heating device 40 is in operation, and whether the security system 50 is in a warning mode. There are eight classifications combining each of the states.
And the memory 37 is comprised so that the usage-amount according to classification | category which is the usage-amount of the gas G may be memorize | stored for every said some classification | category.

Then, when a pulse signal that is a usage amount signal is input to the usage amount signal input unit 32 (step # 1), the counting unit 35 first adds one pulse to the total usage amount stored in the memory 37. The unit usage corresponding to the signal is added (step # 2).
Furthermore, a process for determining whether or not the time when the pulse signal measured by the clock unit 38 is input is within a preset time zone (step # 3), and the situation when the pulse signal is input Processing for determining whether or not the floor heating apparatus 40 is in operation based on the status signal input to the signal input unit 33 (steps # 4 and # 7), and the security system based on the status signal input to the status signal input unit 34 The process (step # 5, # 6, # 8, # 9) which determines whether 50 is a warning mode is performed suitably, and the classification according to the present condition is specified.

  Then, the unit usage corresponding to one pulse signal is added to the usage of the specified classification among the usages of the first to eighth classifications stored in the memory 37 (step # 11). To # 18), the classified usage amount stored in the memory 37 is updated (step # 10).

  Therefore, depending on the amount of use classified by each stored in the memory 37, whether the time zone is a set time zone, whether the floor heating device 40 is in operation, and the security system 50 is in a warning mode. The usage amount of the gas G for each of the eight classifications obtained by combining each of the plurality of states of whether or not.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, there are a plurality of states of whether the time zone is a set time zone, whether the floor heating device 40 is in operation, and whether the security system 50 is in a warning mode. By combining each, the amount calculated as the product of the number of input pulse signals by classification (number of pulses by classification) and unit usage is added to the respective usage amounts of the first to eighth classifications. Will be.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the automatic meter reading system 100, the center device 60 communicates with each adapter communication unit 39 of the plurality of meter adapters, and in addition to the total usage amount, The usage amount classified by classification stored in 37 can be acquired.
Therefore, in the center apparatus 60, for example, the usage amount when the floor heating facility 40 is in operation during the set time period and the security system 50 is in the alert mode (absence) is recognized as the usage amount of the first classification. The discount can be applied by determining a discount fee according to the usage amount of the first classification and subtracting the discount fee from the gas fee obtained from the total usage amount.

  Then, on the customer A side, the gas G is used as much as the gas G is used in the specific situation where the floor heating facility 40 is in operation and the security system 50 is in the alert mode (absence) as described above. Since the charge is reduced, it is possible to motivate the consumer A to use the gas G actively in such a specific situation.

Further, the display unit 36 of the meter adapter 30 is configured to be able to display the usage amount classified by classification derived from the totaling unit 35 and stored in the memory 37.
Specifically, the display unit 36 can sequentially switch and display each of the plurality of usage amounts classified by classification automatically or by operating a button or the like. Further, the display unit 36 may be configured to display only the usage amount by classification in a specific classification of a target for which the service such as the discount is performed.
Therefore, in the consumer A, by confirming the usage amount classified by classification displayed on the display unit 36, a specific usage amount that increases the usage amount classified by classification of the service target is applied to receive a service such as a discount. The use of gas G in the situation is actively performed.

Moreover, the center apparatus 60 transmits the time correction signal which can recognize an exact time to the adapter communication part 39 of the adapter 30 for meters installed in each of the some consumer A at the time of the automatic meter reading for every month. It is configured as follows.
The clock unit 38 of the meter adapter 30 is configured to correct the time based on the time correction signal when the adapter communication unit 39 receives the time correction signal. Accurate time can be measured.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above embodiment, the utility is described as the gas G, but the utility is energy or goods supplied to consumers in various public services. The meter adapter or the automatic meter reading system according to the present invention can be implemented for an electric meter, a water meter or the like as a water supply or the like.

(2) In the above embodiment, the meter adapter 30 includes the status signal input unit 33 to which a status signal is input from the floor heating device 40 side and the status signal input unit 34 to which a status signal is input from the security system 50 side. As described above, the two status signal input units 33 and 34 are provided. However, one or more status signal input units are separately provided depending on the installation state of the equipment in the consumer, the classification set by the totaling unit 35, and the like. May be provided.

(3) In the said embodiment, although comprised so that a status signal might be input into the status signal input parts 33 and 34 of the adapter 30 for meters from the floor heating apparatus 40 or the security system 50 side installed in the consumer A, Separately, these floor heating devices and security systems may be appropriately replaced with other devices.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it comprised so that a status signal might be input from the one apparatus side with respect to the one status signal input part 33 and 34, the said apparatus group from the apparatus group side which consists of several apparatuses, for example A situation signal indicating whether or not the combination of the states of all the devices is a specific combination may be input to one situation signal input unit.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the meter adapter 30 is provided with various additional functions such as the display unit 36 for displaying the classified usage amount and the clock unit 38 for measuring time. In addition, these functions can be modified or omitted as appropriate.

(5) In the above embodiment, the adapter communication unit 39 provided in the meter adapter 30 is configured to relay the communication between the meter 10 and the center device 60. When adding another communication device or installing another communication device, the relay function of the adapter communication unit 39 may be omitted.
Further, when it is not necessary to perform communication between the meter adapter 30 and the center device 60, the adapter communication unit 39 may be omitted.

  The adapter device for an meter and the automatic meter reading system according to the present invention can be effectively used in various public services such as gas, electricity, and water.

Elevation showing the state of the gas meter with the meter adapter installed Schematic configuration diagram showing configuration and connection status of gas meter, meter adapter, and automatic meter reading system Process flow diagram of the aggregation process in the aggregation section of the meter adapter The figure explaining the Example of an aggregation process

Explanation of symbols

10: Gas meter (meter)
30: Adapter for meter 32: Usage signal input unit 33, 34: Status signal input unit 35: Totaling unit 36: Display unit (output unit)
37: Memory 38: Clock unit 39: Adapter communication unit (output unit)
40: Floor heating device 50: Security system 60: Center device 100: Automatic meter reading system A: Customer G: Gas

Claims (8)

Installed on a meter to measure the total usage of consumer utilities,
A usage amount signal input unit to which a usage amount signal output for each unit usage amount of the utility is input from the meter side;
A totaling unit that counts the usage signal input to the usage signal input unit;
An adapter for a meter including an output unit that outputs a counting result of the counting unit,
A situation signal input unit for inputting a situation signal indicating a situation in the consumer;
The aggregation unit aggregates the usage signal for each classification of the status signal input to the status signal input unit when the usage signal is input, and classifies the usage signal according to the classification related to the situation in the consumer. A meter adapter that is configured to derive utility usage by category.   The status signal input unit is configured to receive, as the status signal, a signal indicating an operating state of utility consuming equipment installed in the consumer or a signal indicating a living state in the consumer. The meter adapter according to claim 1.   The meter adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the status signal input units.   The meter adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a display unit capable of displaying the classified usage amount derived by the totaling unit as the output unit. It has a clock unit that measures time,
The totaling unit totals the usage amount signal input to the usage amount signal input unit for each time period measured by the clock unit, and is used by time period, which is the usage amount of the utility by time period. The meter adapter according to claim 1, wherein the meter adapter is configured to derive a quantity.   The meter adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an adapter communication unit capable of transmitting, as the output unit, the usage amount classified by classification derived by the aggregation unit to an external center device.   The meter adapter according to claim 6, wherein the adapter communication unit is configured to relay communication between the meter and the center device. A plurality of meter adapters configured as the meter adapter according to claim 6 or 7 and installed in each of a plurality of meters,
Communicating with each adapter communication unit of the plurality of adapters for the plurality of meters to obtain the usage amount classified by category for a specific consumer, and communicating with each of the plurality of meters An automatic meter reading system comprising a center device capable of acquiring the total usage amount for a specific consumer.

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