JP2014206398A - Flow rate measurement apparatus, shut-off method of flow channel and meter system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flow rate measurement apparatus capable of solving a problem in conventional flow rate measurement apparatuses with a cut-off valve which requires a model dedicated for a prepayment system and which does not allow a user to easily set the consumption amount.SOLUTION: A flow rate measurement apparatus 10 includes: a flow-rate measuring section 19 that measures the flow rate of a utility; a cut-off unit 18 that cuts off a flow channel; a communication section 14 that communicates with a mobile terminal 30; and a controller 21 that, receiving an available flow rate from the mobile terminal 30 via a communication section 14, controls the cut-off unit 18 to operate based on the available flow rate.

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow rate measuring device that measures the amount of utility (gas, electricity, water, etc.) used with a wireless communication function, a flow path blocking method, and a meter system.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for blocking a flow path by determining that a predetermined utility usable fee has been reached in a flow rate measuring device with a shut-off valve.

JP-A-9-7039

  The conventional flow rate measuring device described in Patent Document 1 requires a dedicated flow rate measuring device corresponding to the prepayment method, and there is a problem that the user cannot easily set the usage amount.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the problems in the conventional flow rate measuring device, and in the flow rate measuring device for measuring the usage amount of the utility, the use is easily set by the user without preparing a dedicated flow rate measuring device. It is to block the flow path when the amount is reached.

  The flow rate measuring device of the present invention includes a flow rate measuring unit that measures the flow rate of a utility, a blocking unit that closes a flow path, a communication unit that communicates with a mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal via the communication unit. And a control unit that operates the blocking unit based on the usable flow rate when the usable flow rate is received.

  By using the present invention, the user who owns the mobile terminal can easily set the usage amount without preparing a dedicated flow rate measuring device.

The figure which shows the basic composition of the flow measuring device in this invention. The figure which shows an example of the detailed structure of the flow measuring device in this invention, and the structure of a meter system The flowchart figure which shows an example of the initial registration process in the meter system of this invention The flowchart figure which shows an example of the authentication process in a server The flowchart figure which shows an example of the determination process in a gas meter The figure which shows an example of another structure of the flow measuring device and mobile terminal in this invention

  The flow rate measuring device of the present invention can be used via a flow rate measuring unit that measures the flow rate of a utility, a blocking unit that closes a flow path, a communication unit that communicates with a mobile terminal, and a communication unit from the mobile terminal And a control unit that operates the blocking unit based on the usable flow rate when the flow rate is received.

  According to the flow rate measuring device of the present invention, a user who owns a mobile terminal can easily set the used flow rate without preparing a dedicated flow rate measuring device.

  The flow measurement device of the present invention further includes a registration unit that registers the mobile terminal and a determination unit that determines whether or not the mobile terminal is registered in the registration unit, and the control unit is registered. The blocking unit may be operated based on the usable flow rate received from the mobile terminal determined to be present.

  Thereby, since the usage amount can be set only from the mobile terminals registered in advance, it is possible to prevent a person other than the user from changing the usage amount due to mischief.

  In the flow measurement device of the present invention, the control unit operates the blocking unit when it is determined that the use flow rate calculated by integrating the utility flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit has reached the usable flow rate. It may be.

  Thereby, the user who owns a mobile terminal can set a use flow rate easily, without preparing a dedicated flow measuring device.

  In the flow rate measuring device of the present invention, the blocking unit is a bidirectional valve capable of closing and opening the flow path, and the control unit is based on the additional usable flow rate received from the mobile terminal via the communication unit, The opening of the bidirectional valve may be operated.

  As a result, even if the usage limit is reached and the utility cannot be used, the valve is shut off (the flow path is closed). A return (opening of the flow path) can be performed.

  In the flow rate measuring device of the present invention, the control unit operates to open the bidirectional valve when the use flow rate calculated by integrating the utility flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit is less than the additional usable flow rate. It may be.

  As a result, even if the usage limit is reached and the utility cannot be used, the valve is shut off (the flow path is closed). A return (opening of the flow path) can be performed.

  In the flow rate measuring device of the present invention, when the use flow rate calculated by integrating the flow rate of the utility measured by the flow rate measurement unit approaches the usable flow rate, to the mobile terminal via the communication unit, Information indicating that the used flow rate has approached the usable flow rate may be transmitted.

  Thereby, the user can recognize that the amount that can be used up to the set usage amount is small even at a place away from the meter system.

  The flow path blocking method of the present invention is a method for measuring the flow rate of the utility and blocking the flow path of the utility based on the usable flow rate when the usable flow rate is received from the mobile terminal.

  According to the flow path blocking method of the present invention, the flow path can be blocked based on the setting by the user who owns the mobile terminal without preparing a dedicated flow measuring device.

  The meter system of the present invention is a system including the flow measuring device of the present invention, a mobile terminal, and a server that communicates with the flow measuring device of the present invention and the mobile terminal.

  The meter system of the present invention eliminates the need for a dedicated meter with a prebate function, and can further simplify the structure of the entire meter system.

  In the meter system of the present invention, the server converts the usable amount from the usable flow rate transmitted from the mobile terminal based on the unit price, and returns the converted usable amount to the mobile terminal. The terminal may include a display unit that displays a usable amount returned from the server.

  As a result, the user can recognize the limited usage amount as an easily understandable amount.

  In the meter system of the present invention, the mobile terminal may include a display unit for displaying the usage amount set last time and the actual usage amount when the user sets the usage amount of the utility. Good.

  Accordingly, the user can set a new set usage flow rate anytime and anywhere based on the past usage history.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment, and those skilled in the art can easily understand that it can be expressed using similar terms or similar descriptions in the same field. I will.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a flow rate measuring apparatus according to the present invention. The flow rate measuring device 10 includes a flow rate measuring unit 19 (hereinafter also simply referred to as a measuring unit 19) for measuring a utility flow rate, a blocking unit 18 (hereinafter also referred to as a blocking valve 18) for closing a flow path, and a mobile terminal. When the signal of the usable flow rate is received from the mobile terminal via the communication unit and the communication unit 14 (hereinafter also referred to as the wireless communication unit 14), the blocking unit is operated based on the usable flow rate. And a control unit 21.

  By using the flow rate measuring device of the present invention, the user who owns the mobile terminal can easily set the usage amount without preparing a dedicated flow rate measuring device. And a flow path can be interrupted | blocked based on the usage-amount set by the user.

  Moreover, the flow path blocking method of the present invention measures the flow rate of the utility, and when the usable flow rate is received from the mobile terminal, the flow path of the utility is blocked based on the usable flow rate.

  By using the flow path blocking method of the present invention, the flow path is blocked based on the usage amount set by the user who owns the mobile terminal without preparing a dedicated flow measuring device. Can do.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the detailed configuration of the flow rate measuring device and the configuration of the meter system in the present invention. Here, gas will be described as an example as a utility.

The meter system of FIG. 2 includes a gas meter 10 (hereinafter also simply referred to as a meter) corresponding to a flow rate measuring device that measures the amount of gas used, a mobile terminal 30 capable of communicating with the gas meter 10,
The server 50 which communicates with the gas meter 10 and the mobile terminal 30 is provided.

  The server 50 manages the gas meter 10 and the mobile terminal 30. The mobile terminal 30 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a home controller, or a dedicated terminal that can communicate with a flow rate measuring device.

  The gas meter 10 includes a registration unit 11, an information determination unit 13 (hereinafter simply referred to as a determination unit 13), a wireless communication unit 14 that communicates with the mobile terminal 30, and a blocking unit 18 configured to be able to block gas supply. And a measuring unit 19 provided in the gas supply pipe, and a control unit 21 for controlling each unit.

  The registration unit 11 registers the mobile terminal that has performed communication. More specifically, the registration unit 11 registers authentication permission information for specifying a permitted terminal that is a mobile terminal that permits communication. This authentication permission information is set, for example, by initial registration described later.

  The determination unit 13 determines whether the mobile terminal that has performed communication has been registered in the registration unit 11. More specifically, when the wireless communication unit 14 receives information from the mobile terminal 30, the determination unit 13 determines whether the mobile terminal 30 is an authorized terminal registered in the registration unit 11 based on the received information. Determine whether or not.

  And the control part 21 controls a interruption | blocking part based on the determination result by the determination part 13, and the usable flow volume transmitted from the mobile terminal. More specifically, when the determination unit 13 determines that the mobile terminal 30 is a permitted terminal registered in the registration unit 11, the control unit 21 transmits from the mobile terminal determined to be a permitted terminal. Based on the available flow rate, control is performed to close the flow path with respect to the blocking unit 18. The shutoff control by the control unit 21 based on the usable flow rate will be described later.

  In addition, the gas meter 10 includes an external communication unit 12 that communicates with the server 50, an arithmetic processing unit 15, a display unit 16, a home communication unit 17, and a usable flow rate storage unit 20 that stores a usable flow rate of gas. Hereinafter, the storage unit 20 is simply included).

  The mobile terminal 30 includes a registration unit 31, an external communication unit 32 that communicates with the server 50, an information determination unit 33, and a wireless communication unit 34 that communicates with the gas meter 10.

  The registration unit 31 registers unique information of meters that can communicate. This meter specific information can be obtained by initial registration described later.

  The information determination unit 33 permits communication with a meter registered in the registration unit 31, but does not permit communication with a meter that is not registered.

  In addition, the mobile terminal 30 includes a display unit 35, an input unit 36 for receiving an operation of a gas user, and a control unit 37 that controls each unit.

  It is assumed that the wireless communication unit 14 of the gas meter 10 and the wireless communication unit 34 of the mobile terminal 30 perform wireless communication by NFC (Near Field Communication), for example.

The meter specific information registered in the mobile terminal 30 is assumed to include, for example, a serial number, an identification key of an installed home, and the like. It is assumed that the authentication permission information registered in the gas meter 10 includes, for example, a serial number as unique information of the permitted terminal. Alternatively, the authentication permission information registered in the gas meter 10 may include a combination of meter specific information of the gas meter 10 and permission terminal specific information.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the initial registration process in the meter system according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, the mobile terminal 30 (which may be simply referred to as a terminal hereinafter) requests the gas meter 10 to transmit meter specific information (S21). The gas meter 10 that has received the transmission request for the meter specific information transmits the meter specific information to the mobile terminal 30 (S22).

  When receiving the meter specific information (S23), the mobile terminal 30 transmits an initial registration request to the server 50 (S24). This initial registration request includes the received meter unique information and the unique information of the mobile terminal 30.

  Upon receiving the initial registration request, the server 50 performs an authentication process on the mobile terminal 30 (S25), and determines whether or not the initial registration is permitted (S26). Details of this authentication processing will be described later. When it is determined that initial registration is permitted, the server 50 transmits authentication permission information to the mobile terminal 30 (S27). In addition, the server 50 performs registration for the combination of the gas meter 10 and the mobile terminal 30 that allow initial registration (S28).

  When the mobile terminal 30 receives the authentication permission information transmitted from the server 50 (S29), the mobile terminal 30 registers the unique information of the communicable gas meter 10 included in the received authentication permission information in the registration unit 31 (S2A). ). And authentication permission information is transmitted to the gas meter 10 (S2B).

  The gas meter 10 registers the authentication permission information received from the mobile terminal 30 in the registration unit 11 (S2C), and notifies the mobile terminal 30 of registration completion (S2D). The mobile terminal 30 receives the registration completion (S2E), and the initial registration process ends.

  Note that the server 50 may transmit the authentication permission information to the gas meter 10. That is, instead of the mobile terminal 30 that has received the authentication permission information from the server 50, the server 50 that has determined that the initial registration is permitted may transmit the authentication permission information to the gas meter 10 (S2F).

  Next, the authentication process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of authentication processing (corresponding to S25 to S28 in FIG. 3) in the server 50.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the server 50 receives an initial registration request from the mobile terminal 30 (S31), the mobile terminal 30 uses the specific information of the mobile terminal 30 included in the initial registration request. It is determined whether or not 30 has already been initially registered (S32).

  If registered, it is determined whether or not the mobile terminal 30 is a terminal that can be registered in plural (S33). If NO in S33, it is determined that initial registration is not permitted, and a message indicating that authentication is not permitted is transmitted to the mobile terminal 30 (S34). That is, when the mobile terminal 30 has already been initially registered and only one meter can be registered for the mobile terminal 30, the initial registration is not permitted. By making such a determination, security regarding the gas meter 10 can be enhanced.

When S32 is NO (that is, the mobile terminal 30 has not yet been initially registered), or
If YES in S33 (that is, the mobile terminal 30 is an initial registration and a plurality of terminals can be registered), reference is made to the gas user information of the gas meter 10 and the gas user information of the mobile terminal 30 (verification). Then, it is determined whether or not the initial registration is permitted (S35, 36, corresponding to S26 in FIG. 3). For example, when the householder name of the household where the gas meter 10 is installed matches the contractor name of the mobile terminal 30, initial registration is permitted.

  When permitting initial registration, the server 50 transmits authentication permission information to the mobile terminal 30 (S37, corresponding to S27 in FIG. 3), and the combination of the gas meter 10 and the mobile terminal 30 permitting initial registration. Registration is performed in the server (S38, corresponding to S28 in FIG. 3). When the initial registration is not permitted, an authentication non-permission is transmitted to the mobile terminal (S34).

  Here, for mobile terminal 30, whether or not initial registration is permitted is determined based on whether one or a plurality of meters can be registered, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an upper limit value of the number of meters that can be registered for the mobile terminal may be managed, and initial registration may not be permitted when the number of registered meters exceeds the upper limit value in the mobile terminal 30 that has requested initial registration. .

  The registration of the permission terminal in the gas meter 10 or the registration of the meter that can communicate with the mobile terminal 30 may be performed by other than the initial registration process as described above. For example, the authentication permission information may be transmitted directly to the gas meter 10 via the meter reader for a trader, and the gas user may be allowed to input meter specific information to the mobile terminal 30.

  Next, a usage amount setting method in the meter system of the present invention will be described.

  The gas meter 10 of the present invention further includes a registration unit 11 that registers the mobile terminal 30 and a determination unit 13 that determines whether or not the mobile terminal 30 has been registered in the registration unit 11. The blocking unit 18 is operated based on the usable flow rate received from the mobile terminal 30 determined to be registered.

  Further, in the gas meter 10 of the present invention, when the control unit 21 determines that the use flow rate calculated by integrating the flow rates of the utilities measured by the flow rate measurement unit 19 has reached the usable flow rate, the control unit 21 turns off the blocking unit 18. Make it work.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the determination process in the gas meter 10.

  When the user who uses gas restricts the flow rate for a certain period, the user sets a usable flow rate (S40). Specifically, the usable flow rate is input by the user from the input unit 36 of the mobile terminal 30.

  The control unit 37 sends the input data signal including the usable flow rate to the wireless communication unit 34, and the wireless communication unit 34 wirelessly transmits the data signal including the usable flow rate according to the NFC wireless standard, for example. It transmits to the gas meter 10 as a signal.

  In the gas meter 10, the wireless communication unit 14 receives a wireless signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 30 and outputs it to the determination unit 13. The determination unit 13 determines whether or not the mobile terminal 30 that has transmitted the received wireless signal is an authorized terminal registered in the registration unit 11. Then, the determination unit 13 outputs the determination result to the control unit 21.

When the control unit 21 determines that the mobile terminal 30 is an authorized terminal registered in the registration unit 11 based on the input determination result, the control unit 21 stores the usable flow rate included in the data signal in the storage unit 20.

  On the other hand, the measurement unit 19 periodically measures the flow rate of the flow path and outputs the measured flow rate to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 integrates the flow rate output from the measurement unit 19 by the arithmetic processing unit 15, and calculates the use flow rate (S41). Then, the control unit 21 compares the usable flow rate stored in the storage unit 20 with the calculated use flow rate, and determines whether or not the use flow rate has reached the usable flow rate (S42).

  As a result of comparison, when the used flow rate becomes the same as the usable flow rate or when the used flow rate exceeds the usable flow rate (that is, when the used flow rate is higher than the usable flow rate), the control unit 21 uses the used flow rate. It is determined that the possible flow rate has been reached, and a control signal for closing the valve is transmitted to the blocking unit 18 (S43). When receiving the control signal for closing the valve transmitted from the control unit 21, the blocking unit 18 closes the flow path using the blocking valve (closing valve) (S44).

  On the other hand, when the use flow rate and the useable flow rate are not the same or when the use flow rate is less than the useable flow rate (that is, when the use flow rate is less than the useable flow rate), the use flow rate is continuously calculated and the comparison is repeated.

  Thereby, the user himself / herself can determine the usage amount of the utility. For example, based on the amount that can be paid in the month, the user can limit the usage of the utility. If there is a financial allowance, the user himself can easily increase the usable amount from the previously restricted usage amount via the mobile terminal.

  In addition, since the usage amount can be set only from a pre-registered mobile terminal, it is possible to prevent a person other than the user from changing the usage amount due to mischief. When setting the usage amount, any settable range that can be set in a range up to 1.5 times the normal usage amount may be provided in advance.

  Furthermore, by using the mobile terminal and meter configured as in the system of the present invention, a dedicated meter with a prebate function becomes unnecessary, and the structure of the entire meter system can be further simplified.

  In addition, when the frequency of calculation of use flow rate and determination of use flow rate becomes high, especially in the case of a gas meter driven by a battery, there arises a problem that the battery is consumed more. Therefore, you may provide the predetermined period which shows the frequency which calculates the use flow rate and determines the use flow rate.

  In this case, the control unit 21 calculates the use flow rate by integrating the measurement values from the measurement unit 19 once in a predetermined period, compares the calculated use flow rate with the available flow rate, and uses the use flow rate. Determine whether the possible flow rate has been reached. Examples of the predetermined period include every several hours, twice a day at 9 o'clock and 21 o'clock (that is, every 12 hours), once every few days, etc. Can be mentioned. Thereby, consumption of the battery can be suppressed.

  Further, the predetermined period may be variable according to the degree of change in the used flow rate. When the change in the usage flow rate is abrupt, the predetermined period is shortened, and when the change in the usage flow rate is moderate, the predetermined period is lengthened. As a result, it is possible to prevent the use flow rate from greatly exceeding the usable flow rate and to prevent the battery from being consumed unnecessarily.

The wireless communication unit may use other wireless communication means such as communication _by Bluetooth _{(registered trademark),} communication by ZigBee, or infrared rays instead of NFC.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, charge display in the meter system of the present invention will be described.

  When the mobile terminal 30 transmits the usable flow rate that is the set value of the usage amount to the gas meter 10, the mobile terminal 30 also transmits the usable flow rate (set usage amount) to the server 50. Since the server 50 is connected to the management center, the received usable flow rate is converted into a usable amount based on the unit price notified from the center, and the usable amount as a conversion result is sent to the mobile terminal 30. Send back. The mobile terminal 30 displays the available amount received from the server 50 on the display unit 35.

  Therefore, in the meter system according to the second embodiment, the server 50 converts the usable amount from the usable flow rate transmitted from the mobile terminal 30 based on the unit price, and converts the converted usable amount into the mobile unit. The mobile terminal 30 replies to the terminal 30 and includes a display unit 35 that displays the usable amount returned from the server 50.

  As a result, the user can recognize the limited usage amount as an easily understandable amount. Further, since the amount is calculated by the server based on the unit price information notified from the center that is updated as appropriate, it is more accurate in terms of time.

(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, a charging method in the meter system of the present invention will be described.

  When the mobile terminal 30 transmits the usable flow rate that is the set value of the usage amount to the gas meter 10, the server 50 receives the usable flow rate (set usage amount) transmitted by the mobile terminal 30. The server 50 that has received the set usage amount sends the set usage amount of the user to the management center connected to the server. The management center calculates a billing amount (for example, monthly) based on the set usage amount from the user.

  Thereby, it is possible to charge a usage fee without the meter reader going directly to the user's gas meter.

  The server 50 measures the reception quality of the received signal from the mobile terminal and receives the signal power determined based on the received reception quality in order to receive the usable flow rate from the mobile terminal 30 more accurately. The value may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 30. In that case, the mobile terminal 30 transmits the usable flow rate according to the signal power value received from the server 50.

  Thereby, since the server 50 can receive the usable flow rate from the mobile terminal 30 more accurately, the billing amount can be calculated more accurately. Note that various methods known to experts can be used as a method for determining a signal power value based on reception quality.

  Moreover, in the above, although the management center showed the example which calculates a billing amount, the server 50 may calculate a billing amount.

(Embodiment 4)
In the following, description will be given of the return after interruption by the set use amount (usable flow rate) in the meter system of the present invention.

The blocking portion 18 can be a bidirectional valve (not shown) that moves not only to block (close) the flow path but also to open the flow path. When the determination method of the first embodiment is applied and a signal including the additional setting of the usage amount is received from the mobile terminal 30 determined to be registered, the control unit 21 Opens the bidirectional valve.

  Specifically, when the use flow amount reaches the set use amount and the flow path is blocked, when the use amount is additionally set in the mobile terminal 30, the use amount is additionally set from the mobile terminal 30 (that is, A signal containing the additional usable flow rate). When it is determined that the mobile terminal 30 that has transmitted the signal by the determination unit 13 is an authorized terminal registered in the registration unit 11, the control unit 21 controls the flow path to the bidirectional valve based on the additional usable flow rate. A control signal for opening is transmitted.

  More specifically, when receiving the additional usable flow rate, the control unit 21 compares the calculated used flow rate with the additional usable flow rate. As a result of the comparison, if the used flow rate is less than the additional usable flow rate, a control signal for opening the flow path is transmitted to the bidirectional valve. The bidirectional valve receives the control signal transmitted from the control unit and opens the flow path.

  Therefore, in the flow measurement device according to the fourth embodiment, the blocking unit 18 is a bidirectional valve that can close and open the flow path, and the control unit 21 is received from the mobile terminal 30 via the communication unit 14. Based on the additional usable flow rate (when the used flow rate calculated by integrating the flow rate of the utility measured by the flow rate measuring unit 19 is less than the additional usable flow rate), the opening of the bidirectional valve is operated.

  Thus, even if the usage limit is reached and the utility is not usable, the valve is shut off (the flow path is closed). Return (opening of the flow path) can be performed.

(Embodiment 5)
Below, the notification function of the setting usage-amount (usable flow volume) in the meter system of this invention is demonstrated.

  The control unit 21 included in the gas meter 10 of the present invention uses the mobile terminal 30 via the wireless communication unit 14 when the usage flow rate calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 15 approaches the set usage amount of the storage unit 20. Information indicating that the flow rate has approached the set usage amount is transmitted. In the mobile terminal 30 that has received the information via the wireless communication unit 34, the control unit 37 notifies the user that the use flow rate has approached the set use amount through the display unit 35.

  Therefore, in the flow rate measurement device according to the fifth embodiment, the control unit 21 communicates the communication unit 14 when the use flow rate calculated by integrating the utility flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 19 approaches the usable flow rate. Information indicating that the used flow rate has approached the usable flow rate is transmitted to the mobile terminal 30 via.

  As a result, the user can recognize that the amount that can be used up to the set usage amount is small even at a location away from the meter system.

  The content to be notified may be a periodic usage amount or a remaining usage amount, or an alarm when a certain set usage amount is exceeded. In addition, the user may arbitrarily set a new set usage amount for notification, which is different from the usable flow rate.

(Embodiment 6)
Below, the support function of the usage-amount setting in the meter system of this invention is demonstrated.

  When the user sets the usage amount, the control unit 37 included in the mobile terminal 30 of the present invention sets the previous usage amount (usable flow rate set last time) and the actual usage amount (past record). Are displayed on the display unit 35.

  Therefore, in the meter system according to the sixth embodiment, when the user sets the usage amount of the utility, the mobile terminal 30 displays the display unit 35 that displays the previously used usage amount and the actual usage amount. It has.

  Accordingly, the user can set a new set usage flow rate anytime and anywhere based on the past usage history.

  In addition, as a track record of the amount used, a track record of the amount used in the previous month may be displayed, or a track record of the amount used in the same month of the previous year may be displayed. Or you may display both the track record of the usage-amount of the last month, and the track record of the use flow volume of the same month the previous year.

  In the above description, a gas meter that measures the amount of gas used is described as an example of the meter. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a power meter that measures the amount of electricity used, a water meter that measures the amount of water used, or a heat meter that measures the amount of heat used may be used. That is, if it is a meter which measures the usage-amount of utility, it is possible to apply said embodiment similarly.

  The internal configurations of the gas meter 10 and the mobile terminal 30 in FIG. 2 are merely examples, and are not limited to those shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the external communication unit 12 and the wireless communication unit 14 in the gas meter 10 may be a common communication unit, or the external communication unit 32 and the wireless communication unit 34 in the mobile terminal 30 are common. The communication unit may be used.

  Further, in the gas meter 10, the functions of the information determination unit 13 and / or the arithmetic processing unit 15 may be realized by being integrated in the control unit 21. In the mobile terminal 30, the function of the information determination unit 33 may be realized by the control unit 37. It may be realized by concentrating on. Furthermore, in the gas meter 10, the registration unit 11 and the storage unit 20 may be configured as a common storage unit.

  Although cases have been described with the above embodiment as examples where the present invention is configured by hardware, the present invention can also be realized by software.

  Each functional block used in the description of each of the above embodiments is typically realized as an LSI which is an integrated circuit. These may be individually made into one chip, or may be made into one chip so as to include a part or all of them. The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

  Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after manufacturing the LSI or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.

  Further, if integrated circuit technology comes out to replace LSI's as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or a derivative other technology, it is naturally also possible to carry out function block integration using this technology. Biotechnology can be applied.

  The present invention is useful for constructing a highly convenient flow rate measuring device. In addition, when a monitoring target device having a wireless communication function is monitored using a mobile terminal, the authentication determination method, the initial registration method, or the setting method of the present invention can be applied.

10 Gas meter (meter or flow rate measuring device)
11, 31 Registration unit 12, 32 External communication unit 13, 33 Information determination unit (determination unit)
14, 34 Wireless communication unit (communication unit)
15 arithmetic processing units 16 and 35 display unit 18 shut-off unit (shut-off valve)
19 Flow rate measurement unit (measurement unit)
20 Usable flow rate storage unit (storage unit)
21, 37 Control unit 30 Mobile terminal 50 Server

Claims (10)

A flow rate measurement unit that measures the flow rate of the utility,
A blocking portion for closing the flow path;
A communication unit for communicating with a mobile terminal;
When receiving the usable flow rate from the mobile terminal via the communication unit, based on the usable flow rate, a control unit that operates the blocking unit;
A flow rate measuring apparatus comprising: A registration unit for registering the mobile terminal;
A determination unit for determining whether or not the mobile terminal has been registered in the registration unit;
Further comprising
The control unit operates the blocking unit based on an available flow rate received from the mobile terminal determined to be registered.
The flow measuring device according to claim 1. When the control unit determines that the used flow rate calculated by integrating the flow rate of the utility measured by the flow rate measurement unit has reached the usable flow rate, the control unit is operated.
The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1 or 2. The blocking portion is a bidirectional valve capable of closing and opening the flow path;
The control unit operates opening of the bidirectional valve based on an additional usable flow rate received from the mobile terminal via the communication unit.
The flow measuring device according to claim 1. The control unit operates the opening of the bidirectional valve when the use flow rate calculated by integrating the utility flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit is less than the additional usable flow rate,
The flow measurement device according to claim 4. When the use flow rate calculated by integrating the flow rate of the utility measured by the flow rate measurement unit approaches the usable flow rate, the control unit sends the use flow rate to the mobile terminal via the communication unit. Transmits information indicating that the flow rate has approached the usable flow rate,
The flow measuring device according to claim 1. Measure the flow rate of the utility,
When receiving the usable flow rate from the mobile terminal, the flow path of the utility is blocked based on the usable flow rate.
How to shut off the flow path. The flow rate measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The mobile terminal;
A server that communicates with the flow rate measuring device and the mobile terminal;
Including meter system. The server converts the usable amount from the usable flow rate transmitted from the mobile terminal based on the unit price, and returns the converted usable amount to the mobile terminal,
The mobile terminal includes a display unit that displays the usable amount returned from the server.
The meter system according to claim 8. The mobile terminal comprises a display unit for displaying the usage amount set last time and the actual usage amount when the user sets the usage amount of the utility.
The meter system according to claim 8.

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