JP2663722B2 - Remote monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a so-called terminal alert system for transmitting usage data such as gas, power, and water measured by various measuring instruments from a slave station to a master station via a telephone line. It relates to a monitoring device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a remote monitoring device of a so-called terminal alert system, there is an automatic meter reading device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-240999 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-261963. It is common to transmit data using a telephone line.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the configurations of a slave station and a master station of a remote monitoring apparatus as the background of the present invention. As shown in FIG. The data collection unit 4 includes a data collection unit 4 that collects measurement values of various measuring instruments that measure gas, electric power, water supply, and the like. The data collection unit 2 collects the measurement values from the collected measurement values. The usage amount of gas or the like in a predetermined period is calculated, and the calculated usage amount data is modulated by the modem 5 so that it can be transmitted through the telephone line 6, and then transmitted to the telephone line 6.

At this time, an NCU (Network Control Unit)
7 calls the NCU on the master station side to connect the telephone line 6. The arithmetic processing unit 3 determines whether or not the current time by the clock 8 is a preset date and time. If it is determined that there is, the NCU 7 operates to connect the telephone line 6 to the master station.

By the way, the date and time of data transmission is set in advance in the storage device 10 by operating a keyboard or the like of the operation unit 9, and other information such as setting of a telephone number on the master station side and what data is transmitted when. Transmission conditions are also set by operating the operation unit 9. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, in the master station 11, the NCU 12 responds to the call from the NCU 7 of the slave station 1, the telephone line 6 is connected, and the modem 13 demodulates the transmission data from the slave station 1. At the same time, the PB tone is demodulated by the PB tone demodulation unit 14, the arithmetic processing unit 15 is activated, the demodulated data is processed by the arithmetic processing unit 15, and the usage fee of gas and the like in a predetermined period is derived. Displayed on CRT 16.

At this time, the arithmetic processing unit 15 determines whether or not the current time by the clock 17 is the date and time when the preset data is transmitted, and if it is determined that the current time is the preset date and time. The arithmetic processing unit 15 performs a predetermined process on the transmission data.

A program such as a processing procedure of the arithmetic processing unit 15 is stored in the storage device 19 by operating the operation unit 18.
Is set in advance.

Here, a data processing unit 20 is constituted by the PB tone demodulation unit 14, the arithmetic processing unit 15, the CRT 16, the clock 17, the operation unit 18, and the storage device 19.

With this configuration, predetermined usage data is periodically transmitted from the slave station 1 to the master station 11 via the telephone line 6, so that a so-called periodic alert is issued.
From the remote station, it is possible to manage the usage fee of gas, electric power, water, and the like on the slave station 1 side.

When an abnormality occurs in the measuring instrument and other parts of the slave station 1, the telephone line 6 is connected by the NCUs 7 and 12 according to the preset abnormal data transmission conditions, and the abnormal data for notifying the abnormality. Is transmitted to the master station 11, so-called anomaly alert is performed. The master station 11 can detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the slave station 1 by receiving the abnormal data.

In this type of remote monitoring device, when the operation of the slave station 1 becomes suspicious, for example, when the above-described abnormal data is received by the master station 11, the worker sends the question to the slave station 1. Going out and grasping the situation of slave station 1.

[0012]

However, when the worker is not familiar with the structure of the slave station 1, the appearance is visually checked at most, and when the appearance is visually checked, most of the work is performed. Because it is an electronic component,
It is not possible to judge whether the operation is normal or abnormal from the appearance.

Therefore, when there is any doubt about the operation of the slave station 1, it is determined that the operation is abnormal or normal unless an operator with electrical expertise who is familiar with the structure of the slave station 1 is present. However, since it is not possible to accurately perform detection and the like, a skilled worker must always be on standby, and there is a problem that sufficient maintenance cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and when a telephone line is connected, all data held by a slave station is transferred to a master station. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to identify the abnormality of the slave station by checking the data collected by the master station and the data sucked by the master station, thereby eliminating the need for a skilled worker to go to the slave station as in the related art.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, a remote monitoring device according to the present invention is provided with a data collection unit (collecting measurement values of gas, electric power, water supply, etc., measured by various measuring instruments). 2) an arithmetic processing unit (3) for calculating usage data such as gas for a predetermined period from the collected measurement values, modulating the data from the arithmetic processing unit (3), and modulating the data from the telephone line (6); A modem (5) for demodulating data, and the modem (5) and the telephone line (6)
A slave station (1) having an NCU (7) for performing connection switching control between the NCU (12) and a NCU (12) for performing connection switching control between the telephone line (6) and the NCU (12). The modem (1) demodulates the data from the telephone line (6) and modulates the data to the telephone line (6).
3) and a master station (11) provided with a data processing unit (20) for processing data from the modem (13) by the telephone line (6), and the NCU on the slave station (1) side.
(7) calling the NCU (12) on the master station (11) side to connect to the telephone line (6), and using the usage data calculated by the arithmetic processing unit (3) to the connected telephone line; A remote monitoring device that transmits to the master station (11) via (6) and processes the usage data by the data processing unit (20) to manage at least usage fees such as gas, electric power, and water supply. A connection state detection function for detecting that the telephone line (6) is in a connected state by a call from the slave station (1); and a data processing unit (20) of the master station (11); When the connection state detection function detects that the telephone line (6) is in a connected state by a call from the slave station (1), the slave station (1) sends a call to the various measuring instruments. Confirmation finger as a command to transmit measured values The and a confirmation onset report function to give the master station from (11) to said slave station (1), the slave station (1)
The arithmetic processing unit (3) has a calculation function of calculating usage data such as gas in a predetermined period based on the measurement values collected by the data collection unit (2); A usage data transmission function for transmitting the usage data to the master station (11) by a call from the base station (11), and at least the data collection unit ( And a function of transferring all measured values collected in 2) to the master station (11).

[0016] Further, when the slave station (1) makes a call, the usage data is periodically reported to the master station (11) on a regular basis or when the slave station (1) has an abnormality. When the telephone line (6) is connected by an abnormal notification that transmits abnormal data for notifying the parent station 11 of the abnormality by calling the slave station (1), the master station (11) The slave station (1) is instructed to issue a confirmation alarm by the confirmation alarm function on the basis of the detection result of the connection state detection function, and the data collection is performed by the all measured value transfer function of the slave station (1). All the measurement values collected by the unit (2) may be transferred to the master station (11).

Further, when the telephone line (6) is connected by the calling of the master station (11) by manual dial from the slave station (1), the master station (11) is provided. When the alarm switch is turned on, the master station (1)
From 1), a command of confirmation issuance is given to the slave station (1), and all the measured values collected by the data collection unit (2) by the all measured value transfer function of the slave station (1) are transmitted to the slave station (1). It is also effective to transfer the data to the master station (11).

[0018]

In the present invention, when the telephone line 6 is connected by a call from the slave station 1, at least the master station 1 is connected.
In order to transfer all the measurement values held by the slave station 1 to the master station 11 under the initiative of the master station 1, the master station 11 checks the transferred measurement values, and the master station 11 uses the usage data. This makes it possible to identify the abnormalities of the slave station 1 that could not be identified only by the analysis of the slave station 1. Thus, there is no need for a skilled worker to visit the slave station 1 as in the related art.
Can be easily maintained.

At this time, a case where the connection state is established due to a regular alarm or an abnormal alarm which is normally performed, or a case where the connection state is established by calling the master station 11 by manual dial from the slave station 1 side is utilized. Based on the detection result of the connection state detecting function, the confirmation issuing function of the master station 11 gives a confirmation issuing instruction to the slave station 1, and the slave station 1 transmits at least all the measured values by the measurement value transfer function of the master station. 11 may be transferred.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the remote monitoring apparatus according to the present invention.

Here, since the configurations of the slave station and the master station of the remote monitoring apparatus applied to the present embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 described above, they will not be described again. The operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart in the case of automatically issuing a confirmation report under the initiative of the master station 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, it is set in advance in the arithmetic processing unit 15 of the master station 11 that there is a need to issue a confirmation alert (step S1).
When the NCU 12 on the first side is called, the telephone line 6 is connected, and there is a regular alert or an abnormal alert from the slave station 1 (step S2), the command transmission from the master station 11 to the slave station 1 and the slave station It is determined by the arithmetic processing unit 15 of the master station 11 whether or not data transmission / reception is necessary, such as reception of usage amount data and abnormal data from step 1 (step S3). After the transmission and reception of the data (step S4), it is determined whether or not the confirmation issuance is necessary (step S5). If it is determined that the confirmation is necessary, based on the confirmation and transmission command from the master station 11, Confirmation is automatically issued (step S6).

When it is determined in step S3 that there is no need to send and receive data, the process immediately proceeds to step S5.

Then, all data (including the measurement values collected by the data collection unit 2) held by the slave station 1 is downloaded by the master station 11 (step S7).
If all the retained data that has been downloaded is, for example, CRT16
Is displayed, and the data collected by the operator is confirmed based on the display on the CRT 16 (step S).
8), a series of routines ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that confirmation notification is not necessary, the routine ends.

Therefore, when the telephone line 6 is connected due to the periodic or abnormal notification, the slave station 1 owns the information by the automatic confirmation notification of the slave station 1 led by the master station 11. When all the data is collected by the master station 11, the abnormality on the slave station 1 side can be identified by confirming the data on the master station 11 side, and there is no need for a skilled worker to visit the slave station 1 as in the related art. If the abnormalities are specified on the station 11 side, it is possible to easily perform maintenance of the slave station 1 even if an inexperienced worker who does not have electrical specialized knowledge goes out, and even if the inexperienced worker is present. Sufficient maintenance can be performed.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of another embodiment of the present invention. This is a flow chart in the case where a confirmation report is issued from the slave station 1 by calling from the slave station 1 by manual dialing. The present embodiment considers a case where a worker (an inexperienced person without electrical expertise) may be present in the slave station 1.

As shown in the figure, the master station 11 is set to a manual state with respect to the confirmation notification (step T1), and the telephone provided in the slave station 1 is set to a manual dial and provided to the master station 11. The called telephone is called and the telephone line 6 is connected (step T2). At this time, a necessary instruction can be given from the master station 11 to the worker of the slave station 1 through a conversation through the telephone. (For example, when a confirmation alert switch is provided in the operation unit 9 of the slave station 1, it can be instructed to turn it on). Next, in response to the call on the master station 11 side, a confirmation alarm switch (not shown) provided on the operation unit 18 of the master station 11 is turned on (step T).
3) A confirmation issuing command is sent from the master station 11 to the slave station 1, and a confirmation alert is issued from the slave station 1 based on this command, and all data held by the slave station 1 are transmitted by the confirmation alert. Is sucked up by the master station 11 (step T
4), the downloaded data is confirmed on the master station 11 side (step T5).

Therefore, the worker at the slave station 1 side is
As long as it can be dialed, as in the case of FIG.
An abnormality of the slave station 1 can be specified on the master station 11 side, and there is no need for a skilled worker having electrical expertise to visit for maintenance of the slave station 1.

Further, since the telephone line is connected by manual dialing, it is possible to perform maintenance at the master station 11 which is not registered in the slave station 1.
Is provided as a service center, a large number of slave stations 1 can be maintained by a small number of service centers and a small number of service personnel.

[0032]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following unique effects.

When the telephone line 6 is connected by a call from the slave station 1, the slave station 1 owns at least the initiative of the master station 11 based on a confirmation notification command from the master station 11. In order to transfer all the measured values to the master station 11, the master station 11 confirms the transferred measurement values,
In the master station 11, it is possible to specify the abnormality of the slave station 1 which could not be identified only by analyzing the usage data, and it is not necessary for a skilled worker to visit the slave station 1 as in the related art. Even if there is, the maintenance of the slave station 1 can be easily performed.

Also, a case where a connection state is established due to a regular alarm or an abnormal alarm which is normally performed, or a case where a connection state is established by calling the master station 11 by manual dial from the slave station 1 side is utilized. It is sufficient that the master station 11 gives an instruction to issue a confirmation report to the slave station 1, and at least all the measured values of the slave station 1 are transferred to the master station 11, and the information required for the maintenance of the slave station 1 on the master station 11 side Can be easily obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the remote monitoring apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a slave station of the remote monitoring device as the background of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a master station of the remote monitoring device as the background of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 slave station 4 data collection processing unit 5, 13 modem 6 telephone line 7, 12 NCU 11 master station 20 data processing unit

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A data collection unit (2) for collecting measurement values of gas, electric power, water supply, and the like measured by predetermined various measuring instruments, and using the collected measurement values for usage data such as gas in a predetermined period. An arithmetic processing unit (3) for calculating, a modem (5) for modulating data from the arithmetic processing unit (3) and demodulating data from a telephone line (6), and the modem (5) and the telephone line ( NCU (1) having an NCU (7) that performs connection switching control with the telephone line (6) and the NCU (1) that performs connection switching control with the telephone line (6).
2) a modem (13) for demodulating data from the telephone line (6) connected by the NCU (12) and modulating data to the telephone line (6), and data from the modem (13). Processing unit (2)
0) is connected to the master station (11) by the telephone line (6), and the NCU (7) of the slave station (1) calls the NCU (12) of the master station (11). Connected to the telephone line (6), and transmits the usage data calculated by the arithmetic processing unit (3) to the master station (11) via the connected telephone line (6); A remote monitoring device that processes at least the usage data by a unit (20) and manages at least usage charges such as gas, electric power, and water, wherein the data processing unit (20) of the master station (11) includes: A connection state detection function for detecting that the telephone line (6) has been connected by a call from the station (1); and a telephone line (6) by a call from the slave station (1). Is connected by the connection status detection function. When the slave station (1) sends a confirmation issuing command as a command for transmitting the measured values of various measuring instruments from the slave station (1) from the master station (11) to the slave station (1). The arithmetic processing unit (3) of the slave station (1) calculates usage data such as gas in a predetermined period based on the measurement value collected by the data collection unit (2). A calculation function, and a call from the slave station (1) side, the master station (11)
And a usage data transmission function of transmitting the usage data to all of the measurement values collected by at least the data collection unit (2) based on the confirmation issuing instruction from the master station (11). And a function of transferring all measured values to the master station (11). 2. The remote monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage data by the call from the slave station (1) is periodically sent to the master station (11) on a regular basis or the slave station. When an abnormality occurs in the station (1), the telephone line (6) is connected due to an abnormality notification that transmits abnormal data for notifying the master station 11 of the abnormality by calling the slave station (1). At the same time, based on the detection result of the connection state detecting function of the master station (11), the confirmation issuing function issues a confirmation issuing command to the slave station (1), A remote monitoring device, wherein all the measurement values collected by the data collection unit (2) are transferred to the master station (11) by the all measurement value transfer function. 3. The remote monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein said telephone line (6) is connected by a call from said master station (11) by manual dialing from said slave station (1). The master station (11) gives a confirmation alarm command to the slave station (1) by turning on an alarm switch provided in the master station (11). A remote monitoring device, wherein all the measurement values collected by the data collection unit (2) are transferred to the master station (11) by a value transfer function.