JP2010015486A - Wireless meter reading system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless meter reading system useful for specifying a cause of a communication fault due to a change in the overall level of noise and deterioration in an SN ratio. <P>SOLUTION: A slave unit 2 and/or a master unit 1 includes a field strength measuring means and a storage means and is configured to measure field strength at a preset time interval and store the measured result. The field strength is recorded by storing a mean value of measured values and adjusting time information of recording. Since changes in the field strength with the lapse of time, i.e. not only communication of another radio apparatus but also a change in overall noise level around the apparatus can be detected by reading out the recorded field strength, the system is useful for specifying a cause of a communication trouble. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless meter reading system, and more particularly to a wireless meter reading system that remotely measures a metered value of a gas meter, a water meter, or a power meter by wireless communication.

Conventionally, water meters, gas meters, and power meters are meter-reading terminals such as handheld terminals (HT) that are read by meter readers every month or every two months and read the indicator values of the meters installed in each house or facility. The meter reading work is input.
In this meter-reading work, there are cases where it is difficult to measure the meter, such as when an object is placed near the meter, a dog is present, the meter is in a building, or the meter is buried due to snow. Furthermore, if the meter is a water meter, there are places where the meter pointer cannot be confirmed without opening a heavy iron lid, which may be dangerous.

Therefore, a slave unit that can communicate wirelessly with the master unit is installed in each house, the slave unit is connected to a water meter, gas meter, or power meter, and the meter reader operates the master unit away from the meter to perform wireless communication. Has developed a wireless meter reading system for remotely reading the indicator value of a measuring instrument via a slave unit.
Also, so that the meter reader does not have to go to each house or facility, the master unit is installed on the walls of each household eaves and condominiums and other apartments, and the master unit is installed on a public line. A form such as an automatic meter reading system that performs centralized meter reading at a meter reading center or the like by connecting to the network is also provided.

In many cases, the wireless communication of the slave unit is battery-driven, and reception standby for preparing a call from the master unit is an intermittent reception operation at a preset interval in order to suppress battery consumption. Also, in order to prepare for transmission from the slave unit in the master unit, an intermittent reception operation may be performed.
And this kind of wireless meter reading system often uses 430MHz band telemeter telecontrol specific low power radio station, and use the same frequency before transmitting to prevent communication interference of other wireless devices It is obliged to confirm that there is no radio wave emission (carrier sense) by the selected wireless device, and if other devices are communicating frequently, it may become difficult to communicate, PC or other frequency There is a case where it is erroneously determined that there is a radio wave due to noise generated by the device using the band.

  Furthermore, since the output that can be transmitted is as small as 10 mW or less, the radio waves received by each of the master and slave units are weak due to attenuation by obstacles such as buildings and iron covers, etc. If the noise level changes and the level increases, the signal is buried in the noise (deterioration of the S / N ratio), and communication may not be possible or the communication distance may be shortened. is there.

And, it is difficult for the user to notice these faults. For example, when communication becomes impossible, the cause cannot be specified, and appropriate measures cannot be taken, or system recovery is delayed.
Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a system has been proposed in which other radio waves are used and the number of times the own device cannot emit radio waves is counted, and the cause of the malfunction is notified to the user.
JP 2004-180105 A

In the system described in Patent Document 1, when an electronic device that generates communication radio waves or relatively strong noise of a wireless device that uses the same frequency as that of its own system is installed in the vicinity of the machine, other Since it can be determined that the device is using radio waves and the user can be notified of the frequency of transmission, the user can take appropriate measures. However, it is not possible to specify the cause of communication failure due to a change in the overall level of noise and a deterioration in the S / N ratio.
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is possible to know a change in noise level of the entire periphery of the device as well as communication of other wireless devices, and to make a wireless meter reading useful for identifying the cause when there is a failure in communication. The purpose is to provide a system.

  The invention of claim 1 is composed of a master unit, a slave unit, and a measuring instrument connected to the slave unit, and performs wireless communication between the master unit and the slave unit. In the wireless meter reading system that collects information such as, the slave unit has an electric field strength measuring unit and a storage unit, measures the electric field strength at a preset interval, and stores the obtained electric field strength measurement result in the storage unit It is characterized by memorizing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the slave unit further includes a timing unit, and the electric field strength measurement result and time information are stored in the storage unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the time information is date / time information when the electric field strength measurement result is stored in the storage means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the time information is a cumulative operation time from the manufacture or installation of the slave unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, when the slave unit detects a start signal of the own system, the fact that the start signal of the time system is detected together with time information The information is stored in the storage means.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention stores in the storage means that when the slave unit detects wireless communication data in any one of the second to fourth aspects of the invention, the wireless communication data is detected together with time information. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 6, the electric field strength measurement result is an averaged result every predetermined number of times.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the slave unit detects a start signal of its own system, the field strength is not measured for a preset time. It is characterized by.

  The invention of claim 9 is the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when the slave unit detects wireless communication data, while determining that the wireless communication data is received, It is characterized by not measuring the electric field strength.

  In the invention of claim 10, in the invention of any one of claims 2 to 9, when the slave unit detects that the electric field strength has changed beyond a preset allowable value, the fact is indicated together with the time information. The information is stored in the storage means.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the slave unit measures the electric field strength of the communication addressed to the own device, and a difference from the stored electric field strength is a preset tolerance. When the value is less than or equal to the value, the fact is notified to the parent device.

  The invention of claim 12 is composed of a master unit, a slave unit, and a measuring instrument connected to the slave unit, and performs wireless communication between the master unit and the slave unit. In the wireless meter-reading system that collects information such as, the master unit has electric field strength measuring means and storage means, measures electric field strength at preset intervals, and stores the obtained electric field strength measurement results. It is characterized by memorizing.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, in the twelfth aspect of the invention, the base unit further includes a time measuring means, and the electric field strength measurement result and time information are stored in the previous term storage means.

  The invention of claim 14 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 13, the time information is date and time information when the electric field strength measurement result is stored in the storage means.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, in the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the time information is a cumulative operation time from the manufacture or installation of the parent device.

  A sixteenth aspect of the present invention stores, in the storage unit according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, when the base unit detects wireless communication data, the wireless communication data is detected together with time information. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the twelfth to sixteenth aspects, the electric field strength measurement result is an averaged result every predetermined number of times.

  The invention of claim 18 is the invention of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, when the base unit detects wireless communication data, while determining that the wireless communication data is received, It is characterized by not measuring the electric field strength.

  In the invention of claim 19, in the invention of any one of claims 13 to 18, when the base unit detects that the electric field strength has changed beyond a preset allowable value, the fact is indicated together with the time information. The information is stored in the storage means.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, in the invention of any one of the twelfth to nineteenth aspects, the master unit measures the electric field strength of the communication addressed to the own device, and the difference from the stored electric field strength is a preset allowable When the value falls below the value, the fact is notified to an external device such as a center.

According to the present invention, the slave unit and / or the master unit has the electric field intensity measuring means and the storage means, and the electric field intensity is measured and stored at a predetermined interval. The change of the electric field strength with respect to the signal, that is, the change of the noise level of the entire periphery of the device as well as the communication of other wireless devices is known, which is useful for identifying the cause when there is a communication failure.
In addition, since time information can be stored together with the electric field strength measurement result, it is more useful for identifying the cause of communication failure.
When it is determined that the activation signal of the own system has been detected, the detection is stored together with the time information, so it is determined whether the measured electric field strength is due to the own system or other equipment. It is possible to identify the cause of communication failure.

In addition, when the wireless communication performed by the own system or another system using the same frequency is detected, the detected electric field is stored together with the time information, so that the measured electric field strength includes the own system. It is possible to determine whether or not the communication data is performed by the wireless device, which is useful for identifying the cause of communication failure.
Moreover, since the average value of the electric field strength measured at a predetermined interval is calculated every predetermined number of times and the average value is stored, the storage capacity can be saved.
Also, when the system activation signal is detected, the field strength is not stored for a preset time, so the stored field strength is close to the actual noise level and It is possible to grasp the change of the noise level and to identify the cause of communication failure.

In addition, it is detected whether the local system or another system using the same frequency is communicating, and the field strength is not stored when the communication is performed. The noise level becomes closer to the noise level, and the change in the noise level around the device can be grasped more accurately, which is useful for identifying the cause of the communication failure.
In addition, since the allowable value of the electric field strength is set in advance and the electric field strength changes beyond the allowable value, the fact is stored together with the time information, so that the noise level changes, that is, the surrounding radio wave environment It is useful to identify the cause of communication failure.
In addition, an allowable value of the difference between the noise level and the electric field strength at the time of communication is set in advance, and the average value of the stored electric field strength, that is, the difference between the noise level and the electric field strength at the time of communication is less than the allowable value. In this case, since the notification is made to the external device such as the master unit or the center, the user may be notified that the S / N ratio has deteriorated due to an increase in noise level or a decrease in signal level during communication. This is useful for identifying the cause of communication failure and also preventing failure.

FIG. 1 is a configuration example of a wireless meter reading system according to the present invention.
The wireless meter reading system of FIG. 1 includes a master unit 1 that collects information of a measuring instrument 3 such as a gas meter, and a slave unit 2 connected to the meter 3, and between the master unit 1 and the slave unit 2 Wireless communication is performed to collect information on the measuring instrument 3 and the slave unit 2.

FIG. 2 is another configuration example of the wireless meter reading system according to the present invention.
The wireless meter reading system of FIG. 2 is a form in which the master unit 1 is connected to an external device 4 such as a handy terminal, a centralized meter reading board, a display, a terminal network control device, or a center device in the wireless meter reading system of FIG. It is.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the slave unit in the wireless meter reading system according to the present invention.
3 includes a wireless communication unit 5 for performing wireless communication with the parent unit 1, a control unit 6 for performing communication with the measuring device 3 and controlling the wireless communication unit 5, and various types of information. And storage means 7 for storing. Here, the control means 6 also functions as an electric field strength measuring means for measuring the electric field strength received by the wireless communication means 5.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of the configuration of the slave unit in the wireless meter reading system according to the present invention. In addition to the configuration of the slave unit 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a configuration example of the master unit in the wireless meter reading system according to the present invention.
A base unit 1 shown in FIG. 5 controls a wireless communication unit 9 for performing wireless communication with the handset 2 and controls the wireless communication unit 9 and communicates with an input unit, a display unit or an external device 4 (not shown). The control means 10 to perform and the memory | storage means 11 which memorize | stores various information are comprised. Here, the control means 6 also functions as an electric field strength measuring means for measuring the electric field strength received by the wireless communication means 5.
FIG. 6 shows another example of the configuration of the master unit in the wireless meter reading system according to the present invention. In addition to the configuration of the master unit shown in FIG.

(First embodiment)
The operation of the first embodiment of the slave unit in the wireless meter reading system of FIG. 1 or 2 according to the configuration of the slave unit shown in FIG. 3 will be described below.
In the wireless meter reading system of FIG. 1, each slave unit 2 is assigned a unique ID number, and performs a reception operation at preset intermittent time intervals to prepare for a call from the master unit.
Here, when the pointer value of the measuring instrument 3 is collected by the master unit 1, the master unit 1 shortens the ID number of the slave unit 2 and repeats the start signal (also called the start signal of its own system) for a predetermined time. 2 ID number and meter reading request data are transmitted.
The subunit | mobile_unit 2 receives an activation signal by intermittent reception operation | movement, if it judges that it is an activation signal of an own system, will extend reception time, will receive the ID number sent continuously, and will be addressed to an own device. If it is determined, data such as a guideline value is collected from the measuring instrument 3 according to the content of the request data and transmitted to the parent device 1 or data held by itself is transmitted to the parent device 1.

As described above, in order to prepare for a call from the parent device 1, the control device 6 of the child device 2 activates the wireless communication device 5 and performs a reception operation at a preset interval, for example, every 2 seconds.
Here, the control means 6 activates the wireless communication means 5 for intermittent reception every 2 seconds to perform the reception operation, and measures the electric field strength during the reception operation at a preset interval, for example, one hour interval. Thus, the measured electric field strength data is sequentially stored in the storage means 7.
Since the storage capacity of the storage means 7 is limited, when the capacity is exceeded, the oldest data is erased, and the latest data is saved instead.

In most cases, since communication between the parent device 1 and the child device 2 is not performed, the electric field strength data stored in the storage means 7 is a state in which various communication radio waves in the child device 2 are not emitted, that is, This will indicate the noise level.
Then, the user connects the reading unit to the input / output unit (not shown) of the slave unit 2 or the input / output unit with the measuring instrument 3 by wireless communication from the master unit 1 or another wireless device, and connects the slave unit by wired communication. By reading out and displaying the electric field strength data stored in the storage means 2 of FIG. 2, the electric field strength, that is, the noise level in the slave unit 2 can be confirmed at an interval of one hour, and the electromagnetic wave according to the passage of time or time zone It becomes possible to confirm changes in the environment.

  In addition, by making it possible to set the memory interval, it is possible to capture large environmental changes in units of days or hours, fine changes in units of seconds to minutes, etc. It is better to set the interval between measurement and storage.

(Second embodiment)
The operation of the second embodiment of the slave unit in the wireless meter reading system of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 according to the configuration of the slave unit shown in FIG. 4 will be described below.
The subunit | mobile_unit 2 has the time measuring means 8, This time measuring means 8 has a calendar function, and can produce | generate the present date.

  In order to prepare for a call from the master unit 1, the control unit 6 of the slave unit 2 activates the wireless communication unit 5 at a predetermined interval, for example, every 2 seconds, and performs a reception operation. For example, at an interval of 1 hour, the control means 6 measures the electric field strength during the reception operation of the wireless communication means 5 for intermittent reception every 2 seconds, and the current electric field strength data obtained from the measured electric field strength data and the timing means 8 are measured. The date and time are sequentially stored in the storage means 7.

Here, the storage of the date / time information is not necessarily limited to storing the current date / time. For example, the current date / time is stored only when the reference data such as the start of measurement is acquired, and the other data has elapsed from the reference. Time may be stored to save the storage capacity of the storage means 7, and other methods may be used as long as the date and time of data acquisition can be specified.
In addition, since the storage capacity of the storage means 7 is limited, the oldest data is erased when the capacity is exceeded by setting, and the latest data is saved instead, so that the latest data is always updated. Or when the capacity becomes full, the subsequent storage may not be performed, or the date and time for starting the storage may be set.

  Furthermore, the time measuring means 8 is used as a cumulative time timer, the timer is started at the time of manufacture, and the elapsed time is accumulated as the operation time from the time of manufacture. The timer is started not at the time of manufacture but at the time of installation of the slave unit 2. For example, there is a method of setting the time to start using the handset 2. In this case, the time adjustment operation which is necessary for the time measuring means 8 having the calendar function is not necessary, and the anxiety such as a time adjustment error is eliminated.

(Third embodiment)
The operation of the third embodiment according to the configuration of the slave shown in FIG. 4 by the slave in the wireless meter reading system of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 will be described below.
The subunit | mobile_unit 2 has the time measuring means 8, This time measuring means 8 has a calendar function, and can produce | generate the present date.
In order to prepare for a call from the master unit 1, the control unit 6 of the slave unit 2 activates the wireless communication unit 5 at a predetermined interval, for example, every 2 seconds, and performs a reception operation. At an interval, for example, at an interval of 1 minute, the control means 6 activates the wireless communication means 5 for intermittent reception every 2 seconds to perform a reception operation and measures the electric field strength and stores it in the storage means 7.

Based on the data received by the above receiving operation, the control means 6 determines whether or not it is a start signal of its own system. The information and “information on activation signal” are stored in the storage means 7.
In this way, information indicating that there was an activation signal is stored together with the measured electric field strength and the date and time of measurement, so it becomes easier to identify the time when abnormal radio waves are generated or the noise level changes, and communication failure It is more useful to identify the cause of In addition, it is possible to determine whether the measured electric field strength is that of the own system or another device, which is useful for identifying the cause of communication failure.

In another example, when it is determined that wireless communication is based on the received data, the current date and time information and the information “with communication” are stored in the storage unit 7 as wireless communication history information.
Here, the determination as to whether or not the communication is wireless may be performed by measuring a bit interval of communication data whether the communication speed is a specific communication speed, for example, a general communication speed such as 1200 bps or 2400 bps, It can be determined based on whether the data configuration such as the stop bit, the data length of 8 bits or 7 bits matches the configuration stored in advance.
And when it detects the wireless communication performed by its own system or another system using the same frequency, the information of the detection is stored together with the measured electric field strength and the time information at the time of measurement. It is possible to determine whether or not the measured electric field strength is that of communication data performed by a wireless device including the own system, which is useful for identifying the cause of communication failure.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the timing of electric field strength measurement in the wireless meter reading system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The slave unit in the wireless meter reading system in FIG. 1 or FIG. A fourth embodiment according to the configuration will be described below with reference to FIG.

The subunit | mobile_unit 2 has the time measuring means 8, This time measuring means 8 has a calendar function, and can produce | generate the present date.
Assume that the slave unit 2 is preset with 2 seconds as an intermittent reception interval, 10 seconds as an electric field strength measurement interval, and 6 times as an average value calculation number.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the control unit 6 of the slave unit 2 activates the wireless communication unit 5 and performs a reception operation every 2 seconds of the intermittent reception interval in order to prepare for a call from the master unit 1.

Further, the control means 6 measures the electric field strength at the timing of starting the wireless communication means 5 and performing a reception operation for intermittent reception every 2 seconds every 10 seconds which is the electric field intensity measurement interval. The intensity measurement data is added sequentially.
Then, when the measurement and addition of the electric field intensity are performed six times of the average value calculation number, the average value is calculated by dividing the added measurement data by the average value calculation number of six, and this average value is stored in the storage means 7 at present. Memorize with date and time.
As described above, the control means 6 measures the electric field intensity once every six reception operations, and stores the average value of the measured electric field intensity every six times.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), based on the data received in the 2-second intermittent reception operation, the control means 6 determines whether or not the activation signal of the own system. If the activation signal is determined, the measurement of the electric field strength is stopped for a predetermined time required for communication of the own system, and the electric field strength of the communication data of the own system is not included in the calculation. In this case, the stored electric field strength becomes a value close to the actual noise level, and the change in the noise level around the slave unit can be grasped, which is useful for identifying the cause of the communication failure.
If it is determined that wireless communication is based on the data received by intermittent reception for 2 seconds, the measurement and addition of the electric field strength may not be performed, and the same effect can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, the average value is obtained from a plurality of measured electric field strength values in order to save the storage capacity. However, if there is a margin in the storage capacity, the measured value is stored as it is without calculating the average value. By doing so, changes in the electric field strength can be grasped in more detail. Furthermore, the average method is also an example of the above-described method, and is not particularly limited to this example as long as the purpose of saving storage capacity is achieved, and other statistical methods may be used. Absent.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining detection of a change in noise level in the wireless meter reading system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The slave unit in the wireless meter reading system in FIG. 1 or 2 is the slave unit shown in FIG. A fifth embodiment according to the configuration will be described below with reference to FIG.

The subunit | mobile_unit 2 is measuring and memorize | storeing electric field strength data similarly to the above-mentioned Example 4. FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), a determination value of the electric field strength is set in advance in the slave unit 2, and the control means 6 determines this determination value when storing the measured and averaged electric field strength data. If the field strength data exceeds the judgment value, an alarm indicating that the field strength has increased abnormally (alarm over field strength) is stored along with the current date and time. Yes.

  In FIG. 8B, the slave unit 2 compares the average noise level stored in the storage means 7 when storing the electric field intensity data, and the difference between the electric field intensity data and the average noise level is determined. When a predetermined determination value is exceeded, an alarm (electric field intensity over alarm) indicating that the electric field intensity has abnormally increased is stored together with the current date and time.

  The average noise level is an average value of the electric field strength data stored in the storage means 7, and when the electric field strength data is stored, the average noise level is calculated together with the past electric field strength data already stored. Is remembered. The data range for calculating the average noise level may be, for example, all stored electric field strength data, or may be limited to the latest 100 data.

By doing so, it is possible to know when the noise level changes, that is, when the surrounding radio wave environment has changed, which is useful for identifying the cause of a communication failure.
If the control means 6 determines that the electric field strength has increased abnormally, it stores an electric field strength over alarm in the storage means 7 and notifies the wireless communication means 5 to the master unit 1 to that effect. Also good.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the electric field intensity level and the average noise level at the time of transmission / reception of the slave unit in the wireless meter reading system according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the slave unit in the wireless meter reading system of FIG. 1 or FIG. 6 will be described below with reference to FIG. 9 according to the sixth embodiment of the slave unit shown in FIG.

The subunit | mobile_unit 2 has the time measuring means 8, This time measuring means 8 has a calendar function, and can produce | generate the present date.
Assume that the slave unit 2 is preset with 2 seconds as an intermittent reception interval, 10 seconds as an electric field strength measurement interval, and 6 times as an average value calculation number.
And the control means 6 of the subunit | mobile_unit 2 starts the radio | wireless communication means 5 and performs reception operation for every 2 seconds of intermittent reception intervals, in preparation for the call from the main | base station 1. FIG.
Further, the control means 6 measures the electric field strength at the timing of starting the wireless communication means 5 for the intermittent reception every 2 seconds and performing the receiving operation every 10 seconds, and the measured electric field strength measurement data. Are added sequentially. Then, when the measurement and addition of the electric field intensity are performed six times of the average value calculation number, the average value is calculated by dividing the added measurement data by the average value calculation number of six, and this average value is stored in the storage means 7 at present. Memorize with date and time.

Here, based on the data received by the receiving operation, the control means 6 determines whether it is a start signal of its own system, determines that it is a start signal of its own system, and further determines the ID number sent subsequently. When it is determined that the communication is to the own device, the electric field strength at the time of communication is measured and stored in the storage means 7 as the electric field strength data addressed to the own device. If the communication is not addressed to the own device, the field strength measurement for calculating the average value of the field strength is not performed during the preset time required for the communication of the own system. Therefore, the electric field strength is not included in the calculation of the average value.
Further, even when it is determined that wireless communication is based on data received by intermittent reception for 2 seconds, measurement and addition of electric field strength are not performed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the slave unit 2 compares the average noise level stored in the storage unit 7 when storing the electric field strength data addressed to the own device, When the difference from the noise level is less than or equal to a preset determination value, it is determined that the S / N ratio has deteriorated due to an increase in the average noise level or a decrease in the electric field strength of the communication addressed to the own device, The fact and the current date and time are stored in the storage means 7, and the base unit 1 is notified by communication data. This helps to identify the cause of the communication failure and also prevents the communication failure.

  The slave unit 2 has been described above. In particular, when the master unit 1 is a fixed station, operations and effects similar to those of the slave unit 2 can be obtained. In this case, the base unit 1 in the above-described sixth embodiment can be read as a data collection device or a center device that is a user or an external device 4 connected to the base unit 1 in FIG.

1 is a configuration example of a wireless meter reading system according to the present invention. It is another example of composition of the wireless meter-reading system concerning the present invention. It is one structural example of the subunit | mobile_unit in the wireless meter-reading system which concerns on this invention. It is another structural example of the subunit | mobile_unit in the wireless meter-reading system which concerns on this invention. 1 is a configuration example of a base unit 1 in a wireless meter reading system according to the present invention. It is another structural example of the main | base station in the wireless meter-reading system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the timing of the electric field strength measurement in the wireless meter-reading system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the change detection of the noise level in the wireless meter-reading system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the electric field strength level and average noise level at the time of transmission / reception of the subunit | mobile_unit in the wireless meter-reading system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Master machine, 2 ... Slave machine, 3 ... Measuring device, 4 ... External apparatus, 5, 9 ... Wireless communication means, 6, 10 ... Control means, 7, 11 ... Storage means, 8, 12 ... Time measuring means.

Claims (20)

  A radio that consists of a master unit, a slave unit, and a measuring instrument connected to the slave unit, performs wireless communication between the master unit and the slave unit, and collects information such as measurement values of the measuring instrument In the meter-reading system, the slave has electric field strength measuring means and storage means, measures the electric field strength at predetermined intervals, and stores the obtained electric field strength measurement results in the storage means. Wireless meter reading system.   2. The wireless meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein the slave unit further includes a timing unit, and stores the electric field strength measurement result and time information in the storage unit.   3. The wireless meter reading system according to claim 2, wherein the time information is date and time information when the electric field strength measurement result is stored in the storage means.   The wireless meter reading system according to claim 2, wherein the time information is a cumulative operation time from manufacture or installation of the slave unit.   5. When the slave unit detects a start signal of its own system, it stores in the storage means that the start signal of the time system is detected together with time information. The wireless meter reading system described in 1.   The wireless device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the slave device detects wireless communication data, the storage unit stores information indicating that the wireless communication data is detected together with time information. Meter reading system.   The wireless meter reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electric field strength measurement result is an averaged result every predetermined number of times.   The wireless meter reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the slave unit detects a start signal of its own system, the field strength is not measured for a preset time. .   5. When the slave unit detects wireless communication data, the field strength is not measured while it is determined that the wireless communication data is received. The wireless meter reading system according to claim 1.   10. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein when the slave unit detects that the electric field intensity has changed beyond a preset allowable value, the fact is stored in the storage unit together with time information. The wireless meter reading system according to 1.   The slave unit measures the electric field strength of communication addressed to itself, and if the difference from the stored electric field strength is equal to or less than a preset allowable value, notifies the master unit of the fact. The wireless meter reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.   A radio that consists of a master unit, a slave unit, and a measuring instrument connected to the slave unit, performs wireless communication between the master unit and the slave unit, and collects information such as measurement values of the measuring instrument In the meter-reading system, the master unit has an electric field strength measuring unit and a storage unit, measures the electric field strength at predetermined intervals, and stores the obtained electric field strength measurement result in the storage unit. Wireless meter reading system.   13. The wireless meter reading system according to claim 12, wherein the master unit further includes a time measuring unit, and stores the electric field strength measurement result and time information in the previous period storage unit.   The wireless meter reading system according to claim 13, wherein the time information is date and time information when the electric field strength measurement result is stored in the storage means.   The wireless time metering system according to claim 13, wherein the time information is a cumulative operation time since the manufacture or installation of the master unit.   The wireless device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein when the base unit detects wireless communication data, the storage unit stores information indicating that the wireless communication data is detected together with time information. Meter reading system.   The wireless meter reading system according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the electric field strength measurement result is an averaged result every predetermined number of times.   16. When the base unit detects wireless communication data, electric field strength is not measured while it is determined that the wireless communication data is received. The wireless meter reading system according to claim 1.   19. The storage unit according to claim 13, wherein when the base unit detects that the electric field intensity has changed beyond a preset allowable value, the fact is stored in the storage unit together with time information. The wireless meter reading system according to 1.   The base unit measures the electric field strength of the communication addressed to itself, and if the difference from the stored electric field strength is equal to or less than a preset allowable value, notifies the external device such as the center of the fact. The wireless meter reading system according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein:

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