JP3279666B2 - Wireless system for automatic meter reading - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic meter reading system for collecting data such as gas, water, electricity, etc. from a terminal device using a telephone line in a center device, and in particular, to a partial wireless system. The present invention relates to a wireless system for automatic meter reading.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic meter reading system of this type includes a non-ringing type automatic meter reading system which calls a terminal device from a center device via a terminal network control device by a no ringing communication system and collects data from the terminal device into the center device. There is a terminal calling type automatic meter reading system that calls a center device from a terminal network control device via a telephone line in response to a call request from the system and the terminal device, and collects data from the terminal device into the center device.

[0003] In any of the automatic meter reading systems of the no ringing system and the terminal calling system, for example, a terminal device for collecting usage data such as gas and water, specifically, a meter such as a gas meter, a water meter, and a watt-hour meter is used. The terminal network control device is connected by wire, and the terminal network control device is connected to the center device via a telephone line. The data from the meter, which is the terminal device, is collected by the center device via the terminal network control device and the telephone line.

[0004]

In the conventional automatic meter reading system, the meter, which is a terminal device, and the network controller for the terminal are connected by a wire. In many cases, there are various obstacles such as walls, buildings, etc. between the telephone line drop-in point where the device is set up, and in many cases, the distances are quite large. It is very difficult to perform wiring work with the control device, and there is a problem that it is difficult to introduce an automatic meter reading system.

In order to introduce an automatic meter reading system,
A power supply is required for the meter and the network controller for the terminal also requires a power supply, but the place where the meter and the network controller for the terminal are installed is almost always outdoors. There is a problem that it is difficult to supply power, particularly commercial power, to the apparatus.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
The purpose is to make the connection between the terminal device and the terminal network control device wirelessly with a battery drive so that the connection between the two can be made freely without being interrupted by obstacles and to consume the battery. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless system for automatic meter reading in which electric power is reduced as much as possible.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a wireless system for automatic meter reading according to the present invention uses a telephone line to transmit a terminal device from a center device via a terminal network control device in a no-ringing communication system. An automatic meter reading wireless system for calling and collecting data from the terminal device in a center device, wherein the wireless system is connected to the terminal network control device and communicates with the center device via the terminal network control device and a telephone line. A master wireless device that performs data communication between the wireless communication device and a wireless communication channel connected to the master wireless device, performs data communication with the master wireless device, and is connected to the terminal device to collect data from the terminal device A slave wireless device, wherein the master wireless device and the slave wireless device set a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication with each other, a clock unit that synchronizes the same time with each other, and data collection time. Data collection time setting means, switch means for stopping the supply of power to the wireless communication circuit, and storage means for storing data, wherein the slave radio sets the time indicated by the clock means When it is determined that the data collection time set in the collection time setting unit has been reached, the switch unit is controlled to supply power to the wireless communication circuit, collect data from the terminal device, and store the data. Means for storing and transmitting the collected data to the master wireless device via the wireless communication circuit and the wireless transmission path, wherein the master wireless device is displayed by the clock means. When the time reaches the data collection time set in the data collection time setting means, the switch means is controlled to supply power to the wireless communication circuit, A receiving and storing control means for receiving data transmitted from the slave wireless device via a circuit and storing the data in the storing means; and a telephone line from the center device and the terminal network control device. Transmission control means for transmitting data stored in the storage means to the center device in response to the no-ringing incoming call.

[0008]

Further, in the radio system for automatic meter reading of the present invention, a center device is called from a terminal network control device via a telephone line in response to a call request from a terminal device, and data from the terminal device is transmitted to the center device. A wireless system for automatic meter reading to collect, the parent wireless device connected to the network controller for the terminal, and performing data communication with the center device via the network controller for the terminal and a telephone line, A slave wireless device connected to the master wireless device via a wireless transmission path, performing data communication with the master wireless device and connected to the terminal device, and collecting data from the terminal device; The wireless device and the slave wireless device include a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication with each other, clock means for synchronizing each other with the same time, calling time setting means for setting a calling time, and a power supply for the wireless communication circuit. Switch means for stopping supply, and storage means for storing data, wherein the slave wireless device collects data from the terminal device in response to a call request from the terminal device; Is stored in the storage means, and when it is determined that the time displayed by the clock means has reached the calling time set in the calling time setting means, the switch means is controlled to control the wireless communication. Control means for supplying power to the circuit and controlling the collected data stored in the storage means via the wireless communication circuit to be transmitted to the parent wireless device via a wireless transmission path; When the time indicated by the clock means reaches the calling time set by the calling time setting means, the machine controls the switch means to supply power to the wireless communication circuit, Via communication circuit Reception storage control means for receiving data transmitted from the slave radio device and controlling the received data to be stored in the storage means; and a call request to a center device via the terminal network control device and a telephone line. And a transmission control means for establishing a communication line with the center device and transmitting the data stored in the storage means to the center device.

[0010]

[0011]

In the automatic meter reading radio system according to the present invention, when the data collection time has been reached, the slave radio device controls the switch means to supply power to the radio communication circuit and collect data from the terminal device. This data is transmitted to the parent wireless device via the wireless communication circuit and the wireless transmission path, and when the data collection time is reached, the parent wireless device controls the switch means to supply power to the wireless communication circuit, and Receiving data transmitted from the child wireless device via the wireless communication circuit, and transmitting the collected data to the center device in response to a telephone line from the center device and a no-ringing incoming call via the terminal network control device. .

[0012]

Further, in the automatic meter reading radio system according to the present invention, the slave radio device collects data from the terminal device in response to the call request from the terminal device, and controls the switch means when the call time comes. To supply power to the wireless communication circuit,
The collected data is transmitted to the parent wireless device via the wireless communication circuit, and when the calling time reaches the calling time, the parent wireless device controls the switch means to supply power to the wireless communication circuit, and the power is supplied through the wireless communication circuit. Receives data transmitted from the slave radio device, makes a call request to the center device via the terminal network control device and the telephone line, establishes a communication line with the center device, and Is transmitted to the center device.

[0014]

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a wireless system for automatic meter reading according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The wireless system for automatic meter reading shown in FIG. 1 calls a terminal device, for example, a gas meter, a water meter, a watt-hour meter, and the like from a center device 1 through a telephone line by a no-ringing communication method via a telephone line. The data of the usage such as water supply and electric power is collected in the center device 1 via a telephone line, and the center device 1 is connected to the telephone exchange 3 via the center network controller (C-NCU) 2. ing. This telephone exchange 3 is a terminal network controller (TN).
An R-NCU) 5 is connected to the parent wireless device 7, which is connected to a child wireless device 8 via a wireless transmission path, and the child wireless device 8 is connected to a meter 9. A no-ringing trunk (NRT) 4 for no-ringing communication is connected to the telephone exchange 3, and a telephone 6 is connected to the terminal network control device 5.

The master wireless device 7 and the slave wireless device 8 are configured as shown in FIG.
Has the same circuit configuration as shown in FIG. 1, a CPU 26 for controlling the entire operation, a battery 25 for supplying an overall operating voltage, an antenna 21 for transmitting and receiving a radio signal, for example, 400 MHz
Radio circuit (RF (Radio Frequency) module) 22 for performing FM modulation and demodulation in the radio frequency band
6 is converted into a voice band (300 Hz-3.4 kHz) such as a binary FSK signal or an MSK signal.
z) a modem circuit 23 that modulates the analog signal or demodulates the opposite, and a power switch circuit that is controlled by the CPU 26 and supplies and stops the operation voltage from the battery 25 to the radio circuit 22 and the modem circuit 23 24, a data storage circuit 20, such as a RAM, for temporarily storing data collected from the meter 9, a master wireless device 7, and a slave wireless device 8.
A meter reading time setting circuit 27 for setting a meter reading time which is a time to start wireless communication between the master wireless device 7 and the slave wireless device 8; The terminal network control device 5 is connected, and in the case of the slave radio device 8, the meter 9 is connected, and comprises an interface circuit 29 that performs level conversion of data from the terminal network control device 5 or the meter 9.

Note that the same meter reading time is set in both the meter reading time setting circuits 27 of the master wireless device 7 and the slave wireless device 8.
In addition, the CPUs 26 of the parent wireless device 7 and the child wireless device 8 always perform only the time check operation to determine whether or not the time indicated by the clock circuit 28 has reached the meter reading time set by the meter reading time setting circuit 27. Does not substantially operate. The CPU 26 of the parent wireless device 7 operates even when receiving a “meter reading request” message from the terminal network control device 5 via the interface circuit 29. Next, the operation of the wireless system for automatic meter reading configured as described above will be described with reference to a diagram showing a communication procedure shown in FIG.

Clock circuit 2 of parent radio 7 and child radio 8
When the time indicated by 8 is the meter reading time set in the meter reading time setting circuit 27, both the CPUs of the master wireless device 7 and the slave wireless device 8
26 starts operation, and both CPUs 26 are connected to the power switch circuit 2
4 to turn on the power switch circuit 24, thereby supplying the voltage of the battery 25 to the radio circuit 22 and the modem circuit 23 of the master radio device 7 and the slave radio device 8. The modem circuit 23 is operated.

Next, as shown in the upper right part of FIG. 3, the slave radio device 8 transmits a "meter reading request" message to the meter 9, receives a "meter reading data" message from the meter 9, and executes "communication". A series of communication operations of transmitting an "end" message
To collect meter reading data from the meter 9 and temporarily store the collected data in the data storage circuit 20.

Then, the child wireless device 8 calls the master wireless device 7 via the wireless transmission path, and transmits the collected data stored in the data storage circuit 20 to the master wireless device 7. Parent wireless device 7
Receives the meter reading data from the slave wireless device 8, temporarily stores the data in the data storage circuit 20, returns an “ACK” signal indicating normal reception to the slave wireless device 8,
The communication between the terminal and the child wireless device 8 is terminated.

Next, the center device 1 performs an operation of calling the parent wireless device 7 via the terminal network control device 5 by the no-ringing communication, that is, a “no-ringing calling operation”, the details of which are shown in FIG. A description will be given in accordance with the communication procedure shown on the left in the middle.

First, the center device 1 transmits a “meter reading request” message including the telephone number of the no-ringing trunk 4 and the telephone number information of the terminal network control device 5 to the center network control device 2. When the center network controller 2 receives this "meter reading request" message, it captures the telephone line (off-hook), confirms the dial tone (DT) from the telephone exchange 3, and checks the telephone number (first dial) of the no-ringing trunk 4. Dial). This telephone number is received by the telephone exchange 3, and the telephone exchange 3 establishes a connection with the no-ringing trunk 4 of the received telephone number. Then, when the no ringing trunk 4 receives the connection control signal NRTS sent from the center network control device 2, it returns a second selection signal request signal SDR to the center network control device 2.

Upon receiving the second selection signal request signal SDR, the center network control device 2 once receives the connection control signal NRTS
, And waits until the second selection signal request signal SDR from the no-ringing trunk 4 stops.

The second selection signal request signal SDR stops (disconnects)
The center network controller 2 detects that the telephone number (second dial) of the terminal network controller 5 and the NRS
A selection signal (dial information for selecting an arbitrary NRS from a plurality of non-ringing call signals (referred to as NRSs)) is sent to the no-ringing trunk 4, and then a connection control signal NRTS is sent to the no-ringing trunk 4.

The no-ringing trunk 4 selects the telephone line of the received telephone number (second dial), and slowly reverses the polarity of the telephone line so that the bell of the telephone does not ring (referred to as slow reversal). , NRS selection signal to the terminal network control device 5.

When the terminal network control device 5 receives the gentle reversal and the following NRS selection signal, it returns a response signal ANS to the no ringing trunk 4. This response signal AN
The no-ringing trunk 4 that has received S sends a response signal to the telephone exchange 3. The telephone exchange 3 inverts the polarity of the telephone line of the center network control device 2 according to the response signal.

By this polarity reversal, the center network controller 2 detects the response of the terminal network controller 5 and enters a data communication state. On the other hand, the terminal network control device 5 sends the response signal AN
After transmitting S, a “meter reading value request” message is transmitted to the parent wireless device 7. The above operation is the “no ringing call operation”.

As described above, the no-ringing call operation is performed, and the terminal network control device 5 sends a "meter reading request" message to the parent wireless device 7, and the parent wireless device 7 sends the "meter reading request" message. Is received, the parent wireless device 7 transmits the “meter-reading value data” message to the center device 1 in order to transmit the collected data stored in the data storage circuit 20 to the center device 1 via the center network control device 2 as described above. The center network control device 2 transmits the “meter-reading value data” message to the center device 1. Network control device for center 2
When the “meter reading value data” message is normally received, the “communication end” message is returned to the parent wireless device 7 to terminate the communication.

When the data communication is completed, the center network controller 2 stops transmitting the connection control signal NRTS. When the transmission of the connection control signal NRTS is stopped, the no-ringing trunk 4 slowly restores the polarity of the telephone line of the terminal network control device 5 and sends a restoration signal to the telephone exchange 3. Upon receiving this restoration signal, the telephone exchange 3 restores the polarity of the telephone line of the center network control device 2. The center network controller 2 detects this polarity recovery and releases the telephone line loop (off-hook), thereby ending a series of no-ringing communication. Next, FIG.
A wireless system for automatic meter reading according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the wireless system for automatic meter reading according to the second embodiment. The wireless system for automatic meter reading according to the second embodiment calls the meter 9 from the center device 1 by the no-ringing communication method and collects data from the meter 9 to the center device 1 as in the first embodiment. However, in the first embodiment, the master wireless device 7 and the slave wireless device 8 have the meter reading time setting circuit 27 and the clock circuit 28, and the master wireless device 7 and the slave wireless device 8 operate at the same time at the meter reading time. Although the data was collected from the meter 9, in the automatic meter reading wireless system of the second embodiment, the center device 1 has a meter reading time setting circuit 11 and a clock circuit 10 instead of the parent wireless device 7. They are different. The slave wireless device 8 similarly has a meter reading time setting circuit 27 and a clock circuit 28. Note that the meter reading time setting circuit 11 of the center device 1 and the slave radio 8
The same meter reading time is set with the parent wireless device 7. The clock circuit 10 of the center device 1 and the clock circuit 28 of the slave wireless device 8 keep the same time.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the wireless system for automatic meter reading of the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment shown in FIG.
In addition to the configuration of the automatic meter reading wireless system of the embodiment, the clock circuit 10 and the meter reading time setting circuit 11
And the parent wireless device 7 of FIG.
In that a master wireless device 17 without a meter reading time setting circuit 27 and a clock circuit 28 is used instead of the above. The other components in FIG. 4, that is, the configuration of the center device 1, the network control device for the center 2, the telephone exchange 3, the no-ringing trunk 4, the network control device for the terminal 5, the telephone 6, the child wireless device 8, and the meter 9 are as follows. This is the same as that of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the slave radio device 8, and the configuration of the slave radio device 8 is basically the same as that shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the master radio 7. The circuit configuration of the master radio 7 is different from the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2 in that the meter reading time setting circuit 27 and the clock circuit 28 are deleted. The other configuration is basically the same. Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the diagram showing the communication procedure shown in FIG.

When the time of the clock circuit 10 in the center device 1 becomes the meter reading time of the meter reading time setting circuit 11, this is the no-ringing communication start time for the center device 1, so the "meter reading request" is sent to the center network control device 2. A message is transmitted, and the “no ringing call operation” is started. In addition, at the same time as the meter reading time, that is, the no-ringing communication start time in the center device 1, the time of the clock circuit 28 also becomes the meter reading time of the meter reading time setting circuit 27 in the slave wireless device 8. CP
The power switch circuit 24 is turned on via U26,
As a result, the voltage of the battery 25 is supplied to the radio circuit 22 and the modem circuit 23, so that the radio communication from the master radio device 17 can be received.

The "no-ringing call operation" from the center apparatus 1 is the same as the above-described operation, and is shown in the upper left portion in FIG. In this no-ringing call operation, the terminal network control device 5 is called, and the terminal network control device 5 sends a “meter reading request” message to the parent wireless device 17.
The master radio device 17 temporarily stores the “meter reading request” message in the data storage circuit 20 and transmits
The power switch circuit 24 is turned on via the PU 26, and the voltage of the battery 25 is supplied to the radio circuit 22 and the modem circuit 23 to be activated, whereby the “meter reading request” stored in the data storage circuit 20 by wireless communication. "A message is transmitted to the child wireless device 8.

The child radio device 8 temporarily stores the "meter reading request" message from the parent radio device 17 in the data storage circuit 20, and then sends an ACK signal indicating that the radio signal has been normally received to the parent radio device 17. Reply. At the same time, the slave wireless device 8 transmits the meter reading request message temporarily stored in the data storage circuit 20 to the meter 9.

When the meter 9 receives the “meter reading value request” message, it transmits a “meter reading value data” message to the slave radio device 8.
The child wireless device 8 transmits the “metering value data” message to the parent wireless device 17.
, And the parent wireless device 17 returns an ACK signal to the child wireless device 8.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the parent wireless device 17 transmits the “meter-reading value data” message received from the child wireless device 8 to the center network control device 2,
Transmits this “metering value data” message to the center device 1. When the center network control device 2 normally receives the “meter-reading value data” message, it returns a “communication end” message to the parent wireless device 7 and ends the communication.

When the data communication is completed, the center network controller 2 stops transmitting the connection control signal NRTS. When the transmission of the connection control signal NRTS is stopped, the no-ringing trunk 4 slowly restores the polarity of the telephone line of the terminal network control device 5 and sends a restoration signal to the telephone exchange 3. Upon receiving this restoration signal, the telephone exchange 3 restores the polarity of the telephone line of the center network control device 2. The center network controller 2 detects this polarity recovery and releases the telephone line loop (off-hook), thereby ending a series of no-ringing communication. Next, FIG.
A wireless system for automatic meter reading according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of the wireless system for automatic meter reading according to the third embodiment. The wireless system for automatic meter reading of the third embodiment is of a so-called terminal calling system in which data from the meter 9 is transmitted to the center device 1 by a terminal calling operation from the meter 9 and collected by the center device 1. Yes, as shown in FIG. 8, a center device 1, a manual transmission / automatic reception network controller (MA-NCU) 12, a telephone exchange 3, an automatic transmission / manual reception network controller (AM-N)
CU) 14, parent wireless device 16, child wireless device 19, meter 9 and telephone 6.

The parent wireless device 16 and the child wireless device 19
As shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 26 controls the entire operation and has the same circuit configuration, and the battery 2 that supplies the entire operating voltage.
5. Antenna 21 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, for example, 400
Radio unit circuit (RF (Radio Frequency) module) 22, which performs FM modulation and demodulation in the radio frequency band of MHz, CP
The digital signal from U26 is converted into an audio band (300 Hz-3.4) such as a binary FSK signal or an MSK signal.
and a power supply switch circuit that is controlled by the CPU 26 and supplies and stops operating voltage from the battery 25 to the radio circuit 22 and the modem circuit 23. 2
4. R for temporarily storing data collected from the meter 9
A data storage circuit 20 composed of an AM or the like, a transmission time setting circuit 37 for setting a transmission time which is a time at which wireless communication between the parent wireless device 16 and the child wireless device 19 is started, a parent wireless device 16 and a child wireless device 19 In the case of the master radio 16, the automatic transmission / manual reception network controller 14 is connected, and in the case of the child radio 19, the meter 9 is connected, and the automatic transmission / manual reception is performed. Network controller 14 or meter 9
Interface circuit 2 that performs level conversion of data from
9.

Note that the same transmission time is set in both transmission time setting circuits 37 of the parent radio 16 and the child radio 19. Further, both CPUs of the parent wireless device 16 and the child wireless device 19
The reference numeral 26 always performs only the time check operation to determine whether or not the time indicated by the clock circuit 28 has reached the transmission time set by the transmission time setting circuit 37, and does not substantially perform other operations. The CPU 26 of the slave radio 19 is the interface circuit 2
9 also operates when receiving a “call request” message from the meter 9 via the meter 9. Next, referring to FIG.
The operation will be described.

When the slave radio device 19 receives the "call request" message from the meter 9, the slave radio device 19 activates the CPU 26, transmits a "meter reading request" message to the meter 9,
, And transmits a “communication end” message to the meter 9, whereby the slave radio device 19 receives the meter reading value data of the meter 9, stores it in the data storage circuit 20, and stores the data in the CPU 26. Stop operation.

When the clock circuits 28 of the parent wireless device 16 and the slave wireless device 19 reach the transmission time set in the transmission time setting circuit 37, the CPUs 26 of both devices start operating, turning on the power switch circuit 24, and Supplies the voltage of the battery 25 to the radio circuit 22 and the modem circuit 23 to operate them, and transmits the meter reading value data collected by the slave wireless device 19 to the master wireless device 16 by wireless communication. The master wireless device 16 stores the meter reading value data from the slave wireless device 19 in the data storage circuit 20, and then transmits an ACK signal indicating normal reception to the slave wireless device 19. When receiving the ACK signal, the slave wireless device 19 turns off the power switch circuit 24 and
The operation of 26 is stopped, and the wireless communication is terminated.

On the other hand, after transmitting the ACK signal to the child wireless device 19, the parent wireless device 16 turns off the power switch circuit 24 and terminates the wireless communication operation with the child wireless device 19. The calling and data transmission request operation for requesting the center device 1 to transmit the meter reading value data stored in the data storage circuit 20 is started.

In the "call / data transmission request operation",
The parent wireless device 16 transmits a “call request” message including the telephone number of the center device 1 to the automatic calling / manual receiving network control device 14. When the automatic calling / manual receiving network control device 14 receives this "call request" message, it captures the telephone line (loop closed) and dials the telephone number of the center device 1. As a result, a call signal is sent from the telephone exchange 3 to the manual transmission / automatic reception network control device 12, and a response signal is returned from the manual transmission / automatic reception network control device 12 to the telephone exchange 3 by closing the loop. Sends a polarity inversion signal to the automatic transmission / manual reception network controller 14. Further, the manual transmission / automatic reception network control device 12 simultaneously transmits an incoming signal to the center device 1 and transmits an answer tone to the automatic transmission / manual reception network control device 14.

When the automatic transmission / manual reception network control device 14 detects the answer tone, it sends out a “meter reading request” message to the parent wireless device 16, whereby the data communication state (communication of “meter reading value data”) is transmitted. Mode). The above operation is the "call / data transmission request operation".

According to the above-mentioned "call / data transmission request operation", when the "automatic transmission / manual reception network controller 14 transmits a" meter reading request "message to the parent wireless device 16, the parent wireless device 16
Responds to this by sending a "meter reading data" message to the center device 1.
, And the meter reading value data is collected by the center device 1. When the collection of the meter-reading value data is completed, the center device 1 returns a “communication completed” message to the parent wireless device 16 to terminate the communication, and the center device 1 sends a loop release request to the manual transmission / automatic receiving network control device 12. And make a manual call
The automatic incoming call network controller 12 releases the loop. Then, the telephone exchange 3 restores the polarity of the telephone line, and the automatic transmission / manual reception network controller 14 releases the loop. Next, FIG.
A wireless system for automatic meter reading according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The wireless system for automatic meter reading of the fourth embodiment has the same overall configuration as that of the third embodiment shown in FIG. The data is transmitted to the center device 1, and the center device 1
This is a so-called terminal calling method that is collected by the terminal. The third
In the fourth embodiment, the parent wireless device 16 and the slave wireless device 19 have the transmission time setting circuit 37 and the clock circuit 28. However, in the fourth embodiment, the slave wireless device 19 includes the transmission time setting circuit 37 and the clock. Instead of having the circuit 28, the meter 9 has a transmission time setting circuit (not shown) and a clock circuit (not shown) instead. The transmission time setting circuit of the meter 9 is set to the same transmission time as the transmission time setting circuit 37 of the parent wireless device 16, and the clock circuit of the meter 9 keeps the same time as the clock circuit 28 of the parent wireless device 16. It has become.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a master radio 16 used in the fourth embodiment. The master radio 16 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. Machine 1
Same as 6.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a slave radio 19 used in the fourth embodiment. This slave radio 19 is the slave radio of the third embodiment shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the transmission time setting circuit 37 and the clock circuit 28 are deleted. Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When the time of the clock circuit 28 of the parent wireless device 16 reaches the transmission time set in the transmission time setting circuit 37, the CPU 26 is started, and the power switch circuit 24 is turned on under the control of the CPU 26. As a result, the voltage of the battery 25 is supplied to the radio circuit 22 and the modem circuit 23 so as to be in an operating state, and a state in which the wireless communication from the slave radio device 19 can be received.

At the same time, also in the meter 9, the time of the clock circuit becomes the transmission time set in the transmission time setting circuit, whereby the meter 9 transmits a “call request” message to the parent wireless device 16. . When receiving the “call request” message from the meter 9, the slave wireless device 19 activates the CPU 26 and stores the “call request” message received from the meter 9 in the data storage circuit 20. Similarly to the parent wireless device 16, the child wireless device 19 turns on the power switch circuit 24 under the control of the CPU 26, thereby supplying the voltage of the battery 25 to the wireless circuit 22 and the modem circuit 23, and Transmits a “call request” message to the parent wireless device 16.

After storing the “call request” message from the child wireless device 19 in the data storage circuit 20, the parent wireless device 16
At the same time as transmitting the K signal to the slave radio 19,
6 transmits the “call request” message stored in the data storage circuit 20 to the automatic transmission / manual call receiving network control device 14. Upon receiving the "calling request" message, the automatic calling / manual receiving network control device 14 performs the "calling / data transmission requesting operation" to call the center device 1, and after receiving the answer tone, reads the "meter reading request". The message is transmitted to the parent wireless device 16.

The parent wireless device 16 transmits a “meter reading request” message to the child wireless device 19. The child radio 19 is the parent radio 16
After temporarily storing the "meter reading request" message in the data storage circuit 20, an ACK signal indicating normal reception is returned to the parent wireless device 16. At the same time, the child radio 1
9 transmits the meter reading request message temporarily stored in the data storage circuit 20 to the meter 9.

When the meter 9 receives the “meter-reading value request” message, it transmits a “meter-reading value data” message to the slave radio 19. The child wireless device 19 transmits the “metering value data” message to the parent wireless device 16, and the parent wireless device 16 returns an ACK signal to the child wireless device 19.

The parent wireless device 16 transmits the “meter-reading value data” message received from the child wireless device 19 to the center device 1 as in the third embodiment. When the center device 1 normally receives the “meter-reading value data” message, it returns a “communication end” message to the parent wireless device 16 and ends the communication.

When the data communication is completed, the parent wireless device 16 transmits a “communication end” message to the child wireless device 19 and
9 transmits an ACK signal to the parent wireless device 16, whereby the parent wireless device 16 and the child wireless device 19 end the wireless communication, and the child wireless device 19 transmits a “communication finished” message to the meter 9. On the other hand, at the same time as transmitting the "communication end" message, the center apparatus 1 sends a loop release request to the manual transmission / automatic reception network controller 12, and the manual transmission / automatic reception network controller 12 releases the loop in response. I do. As a result, when the polarity of the telephone exchange 3 is restored, the automatic outgoing / manual incoming call network controller 14 releases the loop.

In each of the above embodiments, the automatic meter reading system having a relatively low communication frequency has been described as an example. However, the wireless system for automatic meter reading of the present invention is, for example, a security information system which does not require urgency and maintenance of equipment. It is also applicable to information systems and the like.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The terminal network control device and the terminal device as a meter are connected via a master wireless device and a slave wireless device, and an operating voltage is supplied to a wireless communication circuit of each wireless device only when used. Therefore, even if there is an obstacle such as a wall or a building between the terminal network control device and the meter, the two can be easily connected by wireless communication, and the wireless communication circuit must be connected only when using. , Power consumption in the wireless device can be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a wireless system for automatic meter reading according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram of a master wireless device and a slave wireless device used in the automatic meter reading wireless system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication procedure of the wireless system for automatic meter reading of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a wireless system for automatic meter reading according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram of a child wireless device used in the automatic meter reading wireless system of FIG. 4;

6 is a circuit configuration diagram of a parent wireless device used in the automatic meter reading wireless system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure of the automatic meter reading wireless system according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a wireless system for automatic meter reading according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a circuit configuration diagram of a master wireless device and a slave wireless device used in the automatic meter reading wireless system of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication procedure of the wireless system for automatic meter reading of the third embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a circuit configuration diagram of a parent wireless device used in an automatic meter reading wireless system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a circuit configuration diagram of a slave wireless device used in the automatic meter reading wireless system of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a communication procedure of the automatic meter reading wireless system of the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 center device 2 center network control device 3 telephone exchange 4 no-ringing trunk 5 terminal network control device 7 parent wireless device 8 child wireless device 9 meter

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-252058 (JP, A) JP-A-1-245793 (JP, A) JP-A-6-76192 (JP, A) JP-A-5-205 207174 (JP, A) JP-A-5-336251 (JP, A) JP-A-6-62133 (JP, A) JP-A-3-109849 (JP, A) JP-A-57-113674 (JP, A) JP-A 64-68197 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 11/00-11/10 H04Q 9/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An automatic meter reading wireless system for calling a terminal device from a center device via a terminal network control device by a no-ringing communication method using a telephone line and collecting data from the terminal device in the center device. A parent wireless device that is connected to the terminal network control device and performs data communication with the center device via the terminal network control device and the telephone line, and a wireless transmission path to the parent wireless device. And a child wireless device connected to the terminal device for performing data communication with the parent wireless device and collecting data from the terminal device, wherein the parent wireless device and the child wireless device are mutually connected. A wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication; clock means for counting the same time in synchronization with each other; data collection time setting means for setting a data collection time; and stopping supply of power to the wireless communication circuit. Switch means, and storage means for storing data, wherein the slave wireless device identifies that the time displayed by the clock means has reached the data collection time set in the data collection time setting means. Controlling the switch means to supply power to the wireless communication circuit, collect data from the terminal device and store the data in the storage means, and store the collected data in the wireless communication circuit and the wireless line. Control means for controlling transmission to the master wireless device via the master wireless device, when the time displayed by the clock means reaches the data collection time set by the data collection time setting means Controlling the switch means to supply power to the wireless communication circuit, receiving data transmitted from the slave wireless device via the wireless communication circuit, and storing the data in the storage means. Reception storage control means for performing control to store the data, and transmission control for transmitting data stored in the storage means to the center device in response to a no-ringing incoming call via the telephone line from the center device and the terminal network control device. Wireless system for automatic meter reading. 2. A center device is called from a terminal network control device via a telephone line in response to a call request from a terminal device.
An automatic meter reading wireless system that collects data from the terminal device in a center device, wherein the automatic meter reading wireless system is connected to the terminal network control device and communicates with the center device via the terminal network control device and a telephone line. A parent wireless device that performs data communication, and a child wireless device that is connected to the parent wireless device via a wireless transmission path, performs data communication with the parent wireless device, and is connected to the terminal device and collects data from the terminal device. The master wireless device and the slave wireless device, a wireless communication circuit for performing wireless communication with each other, a clock unit that synchronizes the same time with each other, and a calling time setting in which a calling time is set. Means,
Switch means for stopping supply of power to the wireless communication circuit, and storage means for storing data, wherein the slave wireless device responds to a call request from the terminal device and receives data from the terminal device. And storing the collected data in the storage means, and identifying that the time displayed by the clock means has reached the calling time set in the calling time setting means, sets the switch means. Control means for supplying power to the wireless communication circuit and controlling the collected data stored in the storage means via the wireless communication circuit to be transmitted to the master wireless device via a wireless line. When the time indicated by the clock means reaches the calling time set by the calling time setting means, the master wireless device controls the switch means to supply power to the wireless communication circuit. Supply Receiving and controlling means for receiving data transmitted from the slave wireless device via the wireless communication circuit and storing the data in the storage means, and via the terminal network control device and the telephone line. Makes a call request to the center device to establish a communication line with the center device,
Transmission control means for transmitting the data stored in the storage means to the center device.