JP3394167B2 - Automatic reporting device in automatic meter reading system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is connected to a center via a communication line and is connected to a plurality of gas meters with a built-in microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as gas meters) to communicate meter reading value information and security information from each gas meter. The present invention relates to an automatic reporting device in an automatic meter reading system that reports to a center via a line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional automatic meter reading system of this type is shown in FIG.
It shows in 0. In the automatic meter reading system shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of gas meters 105a to 105n are connected to the automatic notification device 101 via signal lines 103a to 103n,
The automatic notification device 101 includes a plurality of gas meters 105a-1.
Security information such as gas leak detection information of 05n and meter reading value information are reported to the center 109 via the communication line 107.

In this case, the gas meter makes a call by a communication sequence as shown in FIG. First, for example, in No. When the gas meter of No. 5 detects a gas leak, this No. The gas meter No. 5 makes a start request to the automatic notification device 101 and sends data in a predetermined electronic form.

Next, the automatic notification device 101 is operated by the center 109.
The center 109 is connected to the automatic notification device 101 by a telephone line. And the automatic notification device 101
When the data is output from the gas meter, the terminal number “05” to which the gas meter is connected
It is called the instrument number. ) Is added, and the already registered ID (identification information) is added and transferred to the center 109. The instrument number is a code number previously described in the gas meter microcomputer according to the type such as the size of the gas meter, and is used when the center side wants to know the type of the gas meter.

On the other hand, the center 109 searches for an automatic notification device of the customer master corresponding to the ID of the received data,
The sub-customer master file is searched by the received instrument number, and the communication partner can be notified by displaying the customer name, gas meter user, address, telephone number, etc. corresponding to the retrieved instrument number on the screen. In addition, the automatic notification device 101
When, for example, a regular notification of gas meter reading value information is made, each gas meter can be called in ascending order of the terminal number to which the gas meter is connected and data can be transmitted to the center 109.

Next, as shown in the communication sequence of FIG. 12, when the external device connected to the spare terminal of the automatic notification device 101, such as the external sensor 111, is turned on, the automatic notification device 101 itself. Assuming that a calling event occurs, the sensor information of the external sensor 111 is notified to the center 109 by the gas meter unit number “01”. Then, the center 109 can manage the calling event of the automatic notification device by the device number.

In this case, when a call-out event of the automatic notification device by turning on the external sensor 111 continues for a predetermined time and a security event such as a gas leak occurs in the gas meter 105n, the security information is output from the gas meter 105n. Is sent with the instrument number "0n", and the automatic notification device
The security information is sent to the center 109 with the device number “0n”.

[0008]

However, if a security event occurs while the calling event of the automatic notification device continues, the security information is not only sent to the center 109 with the instrument number "0n". Instead, the information of the device number "01", which is the calling event of the automatic notification device, was also sent together. That is, there is a possibility that the call from the automatic notification device itself may be synergized with all of the gas meter device numbers “01” to “0n”.

Therefore, for example, when the security information is reported from the gas meter 105a with the instrument number "01" and the call of the automatic notification device itself is reported with the instrument number "01", the center notifies the instrument number information. Since it is managed by, it is a call event from the automatic notification device, or the gas meter 1
It was not possible to distinguish whether it was the security information from 05a. As a result, it was not possible to manage the information at the center because the origin of the reported information was unclear.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic notification device capable of smoothly performing center management by distinguishing information from a gas meter from information from an automatic notification device and clarifying the origin of the information. And

[0011]

The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. The invention according to claim 1, the automatic call device in an automatic meter reading system that notifies the center via the telephone line該器product number and gas information output from a plurality of gas meter each different vessels number is set, the Predetermined unique to the automatic notification device
A storage unit for storing the assigned instrument number and the plurality of gas
Connected to the computer, determines whether the automatic notification device makes a call, and stores the memory when the automatic notification device makes a call.
The item number of the automatic notification device read from the department
The information of the dynamic reporting device is transmitted to the center, said one of the gas meter of the calling of the automatic reporting device the plurality of the gas meter for the duration it is determined whether the call, the calling of pre SL automatic reporting device When any one of the gas meters makes a call while the call is continuing, the instrument number of the automatic notification device and
Determine if the equipment number of the calling gas meter is different
The gas meter that made a call with the equipment number of the automatic notification device specified above
And a control device for transmitting gas information to the center with the instrument number of the gas meter that called when the instrument number of the
Connected to the control device, the control device and the telephone
And a modulation / demodulation circuit for performing modulation / demodulation of information between lines . ◎ The invention of claim 2 is through the telephone line.
16H that indicates that the incoming call is being input by
z call signal is detected and the call detection signal is sent to the control device.
The output 16Hz detection circuit and the telephone are in use
And a telephone detection that outputs a detection signal to the control device.
At the start of communication between the output circuit and the center,
The control signal output from the
Disconnect from the line and connect the modem circuit to the telephone line.
And a changeover switch that continues.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an external device is connected to the automatic notification device, and the control device determines that the automatic notification device has made a call when the external device is turned on. Characterize.

ClaimsFourLike the invention ofControl device
While the automatic notification device is continuously calling,
When there is a next call from the device, the automatic notification device
With the equipment number, the above-mentioned automatic communication for the first call and the next call
Characterized by transmitting information of the information device to the center
It

[0014] According to the present invention, the control apparatus determines whether the automatic reporting device originates a call, the automatic call device for automatic reporting device is read from the storage unit when a call is <br /> Send the information of the automatic notification device to the center with the equipment number.

[0015] The control device may be any one of the gas meter of the gas meter call has multiple for the duration of the automatic reporting device determines whether the call, any call of the automatic reporting device is in continuous self when one of the gas meter has been calling or
The equipment number of the alarm device and the equipment number of the calling gas meter
And the item number of the automatic notification device
When the equipment number of the calling gas meter is different , the gas information is transmitted to the center by the equipment number of the calling gas meter.

That is, the equipment number of the automatic notification device is a unique predetermined number different from the equipment number of the gas meter, and the automatic notification device is used when a call is made from the gas meter while the automatic notification device is continuously calling. Since only the gas information is sent to the center with the instrument number of the gas meter without sharing the instrument number and its information of
The center management can be smoothly performed by distinguishing the information from the gas meter from the information from the automatic notification device and clarifying the origin of the information.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an automatic reporting device in an automatic meter reading system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration diagram of an embodiment of the automatic reporting device in the automatic meter reading system of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram in which the center and the automatic notification device are connected. In FIG. 3, the automatic notification device 12 includes a plurality of gas meters 21a to 21a.
21n, a telephone 22, and an external sensor 23 are connected,
The automatic notification device 12 is connected to the center 10 via an exchange 24 and a telephone line 25.

The center 10 creates setting data for setting each of the automatic notification device 12 and the gas meters 21a to 21n, and sets the setting data to the automatic notification device 12 and the gas meters 21a to 21n via the telephone line 25. It is supposed to do.

The terminal L _{1 of} the automatic notification device 12 shown in FIG.
A telephone line 25 is connected to L ₂ , a telephone 22 is connected to terminals T ₁ and T ₂ , and gas meters 21 a to 21 n are correspondingly connected to terminals TA _{1 to} TAn.

The automatic notification device 12 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 31a for executing a control program according to a flowchart described later, a read only memory (ROM) 31b for storing the control program, and a random access memory (RAM) for storing various data. ) 31c, programmable read only memory PROM 31d, clock / calendar 31e microcomputer (MPU)
31 is provided.

A modulation / demodulation circuit (modem) 32 is connected to the MPU 31 via a data bus and represents a number 0 to F.
It performs conversion between bit parallel data and signals transmitted via telephone lines. As the signal, an FSK signal or the like that represents a number of 0 to F in combination of signals of two frequencies is used. Gas meters 21a to 21n are connected to n input / output serial ports of the MPU 31.

The output of the battery voltage drop detecting circuit 33 is connected to the input port of the MPU 31, and the outputs of the 16 Hz detecting circuit 34 and the TEL detecting circuit 35 are connected to the photocoupler PC.
₁ and PC ₂ respectively. The battery voltage drop detection circuit 33 detects, for example, that the voltage of the lithium battery 36 drops below a certain value, and outputs a detection signal as MP
Output to U31. The DC-DC converter 36a boosts the voltage of the lithium battery 36 and supplies it to the MPU 31. Transistor Q ₁ is turned on or off by D
The output voltage from the C-DC converter 36a is set to the MPU31.
Supply or stop supply.

The input side of the 16 Hz detection circuit 34 is an MPU.
It is connected to the terminals L ₁ and L ₂ and the terminal T ₂ via the changeover switches SW ₁ and SW ₂ which are switched by the control signal from 31 and interlock with each other. 16Hz detection circuit 3
Reference numeral 4 detects a 16 Hz call signal indicating that a call is being received, which is input via the telephone line, and outputs a call detection signal to the MPU 31 via the photocoupler PC ₁ . One input side of the TEL detection circuit 35 is connected to the terminal L ₁ via the changeover switch SW ₁ , and the other input side is
It is connected to the terminal T ₁ . The TEL detection circuit 35 detects that the telephone 22 is in use, and outputs the detection signal to the MPU 31 via the photocoupler PC ₂ .

The changeover switches SW ₁ and SW ₂ are used for the automatic notification device 1 when the call event of the gas meters 21a to 21n occurs.
2 must notify the center 10 or receives data from the center 10, the MPU 31
It is switched to the opposite side to the state shown in the figure by the control signal output from. The data setting switch 37a is turned on to store the setting data from the center 10 in a predetermined storage area, and the setting data is stored in the gas meter 21a.
It is turned on so as to be stored in ~ 21n.

A photo coupler PC is provided on the output side of the MPU 31.
_The transistor Q ₂ is connected via ₃ . The transistor Q ₂ is turned on by the control signal from the MPU 31 via the photocoupler PC ₃ , so that the telephone line 25 is connected to the primary winding L1 of the coupling transformer T via the full-wave rectifier 39 and the transistor Q ₂ . A modem 32 is connected to the secondary winding L2.

The manual changeover switch 41, in the state shown,
The telephone 22, the 16 Hz detection circuit 34 and the TEL detection circuit 35, or the full-wave rectifier 39 is connected to the telephone line 25, and only the telephone 22 is connected to the telephone line 25 in a state opposite to that shown in the drawing. Therefore, when the manual changeover switch 41 is in the state shown in the drawing, if the changeover switches SW ₁ and SW ₂ are changed from the state shown in the drawing to the opposite state, the telephone 22,
The 16 Hz detection circuit 34 and the TEL detection circuit 35 are disconnected from the telephone line 25, and only the full-wave rectifier 39 is connected instead, and data can be exchanged with the center 10 via the modem 32.

An external sensor 23 is connected to the output port of the MPU 31, and when the external sensor 23 is turned on, sensor information is output from the external sensor 23 to the MPU 31. The ROM 31b stores the device number "00" of the automatic notification device 12 itself in the electronic message sent from the center 10.

When making a call, each of the gas meters 21a to 21n adds the instrument number set in its own gas meter to the electronic message together with the gas information and sends it to the automatic notification device 12. The gas meter 21a is set to the device number "01", the gas meter 21b is set to the device number "02", and the gas meter 21n is set to the device number "0n".

The CPU 31a makes a call determination means for determining whether or not the external sensor 23 as an external device is turned on, and when the external sensor 23 is turned on, it is automatically notified that a call event of the automatic notification device itself has occurred. The device number "00" of the device 12 itself and the sensor information are added to the message, and the center 1
It has a transmission control means for transmitting to 0.

The CPU 31a judges whether or not the external sensor 23 is continuously being made (on state), and the external sensor 23
While the makeup is being continued, a meter call determination means for determining whether or not security information such as gas leak detection from any gas meter is input.

The transmission control means of the CPU 31a, when security information such as gas leak detection from any of the gas meters is input while the make of the external sensor 23 is being continued, the device number and security of the automatic notification device 12 itself. It is determined whether or not the instrument number of the gas meter that outputs the information is different, and if the instrument number of the automatic notification device 12 itself is different from the instrument number of the gas meter that outputs the security information, the instrument number and the security information of the gas meter. Is added to the message and transmitted to the center 10.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation of the receiving process of the automatic notification device from the center side. The reception process from the center side will be described with reference to FIG. First, when a plurality of gas meters 21a to 21n are connected to the automatic notification device 12 in a housing complex or the like, the center 10 transmits the ID setting data of FIG. 5 in a telegram format of FIG. The reception process of FIG. 4 is performed.

Next, it is judged whether or not the line is connected from the center 10 (step S101). If the line is connected from the center, it is judged whether or not the ID setting data is transmitted from the center (step S103). When it is determined that the setting data is transmitted, the ID setting data is received (step S105).

This ID setting data is No. 1 shown in FIG.
1-No. 18 and No. 26 customer codes (ID),
Call destination phone number, dialing method, phone type, current time,
The notification time, notification cycle, notification date, etc. This ID setting data is transmitted in the electronic message format of FIG. 6A, and the device number part storing the device number is set to "01".

Next, the ID setting data is transferred to the PROM 31.
It is registered in the electronic message memory area of d (step S10).
7). That is, I of the automatic notification device 12 of this housing complex
It means that D, the telephone number, the report time, etc. are set by the center 10.

Next, it is determined whether or not the center setting data is transmitted from the center 10 (step S109), and if it is transmitted, the meter setting data is received (step S1).
11), which is stored in the RAM 31c (step S11)
3).

This meter setting data is N shown in FIG.
o. 19-No. The remaining amount management warning level of 25, the meter control code value, and the like. This meter setting data is shown in FIG.
It is transmitted in the electronic form of (b), and the instrument number is set to the number of the output terminal of the automatic notification device 12 corresponding to the gas meter number,
The device number ki is set to, for example, "01".

Next, the instrument number ki of the stored meter setting data is extracted (step S115), and is connected to the terminal number (hereinafter simply referred to as the number ki) corresponding to the gas meter number of the instrument number ki (step S117). , And outputs the received meter setting data hi to the gas meter (step S119). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a response from the gas meter (step S121), and when there is a response, the response data Gi is received (step S121).
123).

Next, the response data Gi is transferred to the center 10 (step S125). Then, which gas meter is deciphered from the output terminal number (step S12
7) Further, it is judged whether or not it is the nth gas meter (step S129). If it is not the nth gas meter, the process returns to step S103.

On the other hand, when the gas meter is the n-th gas meter, it waits for the line disconnection report from the center, and after receiving the report, waits for the line disconnection report response (step S131).
The process ends.

Next, a communication sequence with the center 10, the automatic notification device 12, and the gas meters 21a to 21n will be described with reference to FIG. First, the center 10 has an automatic notification device 12
And the telephone line 25 are connected to the automatic notification device 12,
The ID setting data shown in FIG. 5 is set in the ROM 31b.
The processing of the automatic notification device 12 at this time is from step S101 to step S107 in FIG.

Next, when the setting of the ID setting data is completed, the center 10 refers to the sub-customer file of the customer master and sets the meter setting data to the gas meter via the automatic notification device 12. The device number at this time is set to "01". Further, the gas meter “01” transfers the response data Gi as the device number “01” via the automatic notification device 12.

Next, when the response data Gi is returned, the center 10 requests a call start request to the automatic notification device 12, searches for the customer master, and the ID of the next gas meter.
Send the setting data. The device number at this time is "02".

Next, the meter setting data of the instrument number "02" is set to the "02" gas meter through the automatic notification device 12. In addition, the gas meter “02” indicates that the response data Gi
The device number is set to “02” and the information is transferred via the automatic notification device 12. This processing is performed from step S109 to step S125 in FIG.

In such a communication sequence, the center 10 repeats the communication process up to the nth gas meter, and disconnects the line when the setting of all the gas meters is completed. This processing is performed from step S127 to step S127 in FIG.
Perform at 131.

Next, the processing at the time of transmission from the meter side and the automatic notification device 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the CPU 31a of the automatic notification device 12 determines whether or not the external sensor 23 is turned on (step S2).
01), when the external sensor 23 is turned on, the center side is connected to the telephone line 25 (step S203).

Then, the CPU 31a uses the external sensor 23.
When the call is turned on, it is determined that the calling event of the automatic notification device itself has occurred, and the automatic notification device 1 read from the ROM 31b.
2 adds its own device number “00” and sensor information from the external sensor 23 to the electronic message, and the automatic notification device 12 makes the telephone line 2
5 to the center 10 (step S20).
5). After that, the telephone line 25 is opened (step S2).
07).

Next, the CPU 31a determines whether or not the make (ON state) of the external sensor 23 is continuing (step S209). If making is ongoing, CPU 31a
Judges whether or not there is a data transmission request from the gas meter (step S211), and if there is a transmission request,
The center side and the telephone line 25 are connected.

Further, it is judged whether or not the data is transmitted from the gas meter (step S213). External sensor 2
If data transmission, for example, security information such as gas leak detection and a device number “0n” are input by a message from the gas meter 21n while the make of 3 is continued, the CPU 31a.
Determines whether the instrument number "00" of the automatic notification device 12 itself and the instrument number "0n" of the gas meter 21n are different (step S215).

When the instrument number "00" of the automatic notification device 12 itself and the instrument number "0n" of the gas meter 21n are different, the CPU 31a adds the security information to the electronic message with the instrument number "0n" of the gas meter 21n. , Automatic notification device 12
Transmits the message to the center 10 via the telephone line 25 (step S217). Then, the telephone line 25 is opened (step S219).

As described above, when a call is made from the gas meter 21n of the unit number "0n" while the external sensor 23 is continuously making, the call of the automatic notification device itself is not shared. Therefore, the center side receives only the instrument number "0n" from the gas meter 21n, and thus the instrument number "0n" can manage the security information of the gas meter 21n.

That is, by setting a unique instrument number "00" other than the instrument numbers "01" to "0n" of the gas meter to the automatic notification device 12, the center side can set the instrument number sent. The source of the information can be clarified based on the information, and further, the security information and the meter reading value information from the gas meter and the sensor information from the automatic notification device 12 can be distinguished, so that the management in the center is smooth. Become.

FIG. 9 shows a communication sequence for calling the gas meter and calling the automatic reporting device in the automatic meter reading system. First, when the external sensor 23 of the automatic notification device 12 is turned on, the automatic notification device 12 transmits its own device number “00” to the center 10 together with the sensor information.

When a security event occurs in the gas meter 21n while the external sensor 23 is continuously making, the security information is sent from the gas meter 21n to the unit number "0".
n ”is sent to the automatic notification device 12. The automatic notification device 12 sends the instrument number “0n” of the gas meter 21n to the center 10 together with the security information, and the automatic notification device 12
The instrument number "00" of No. is not sent to the center 10.

If there is a first call from an instrument of a certain instrument number and a second call is made from an instrument of the same instrument number while the make of the instrument is continuing, The information of the first call may be piggybacked on the information of the second call.

For example, the external sensor 2 of the automatic notification device 12
There is a first call of the device number “00” due to the turning on of 3, and the battery voltage drop detection signal is input to the MPU 31 from the battery voltage drop detection circuit 33 in the automatic notification device 12 while the makeup is continuing. When the second call of the device number “00” is made, the sensor information, the battery voltage drop detection signal, and the device number “00” may be added to the message and transmitted to the center 10. On the center side, the information of the automatic notification device 12 can be distinguished by the device number "00".

Further, in the embodiment, the automatic notification device 12
Although the instrument number of “00” is set to “00”, the instrument number of the automatic notification device 12 is not limited to “00” as long as it is a unique number other than the instrument number of the gas meter. For example, five gas meters 21a to 21e are provided, and the gas meters 21a to 21e
When the device numbers “01” to “05” are given corresponding to e, “07” or the like may be set as the device number of the automatic notification device 12.

[0058]

According to the present invention, the controller determines whether the automatic reporting device originates a call, in vessels number of automatic reporting device automatic reporting device is read from the storage unit when a call is Send the information of the automatic notification device to the center.

[0059] The control device may be any one of the gas meter of the gas meter call has multiple for the duration of the automatic reporting device determines whether the call, any call of the automatic reporting device is in continuous self when one of the gas meter has been calling or
The equipment number of the alarm device and the equipment number of the calling gas meter
And the item number of the automatic notification device
When the equipment number of the calling gas meter is different , the gas information is transmitted to the center by the equipment number of the calling gas meter.

That is, the equipment number of the automatic notification device is a unique predetermined number different from the equipment number of the gas meter, and when there is a call from the gas meter while the automatic notification device is continuously calling, the automatic notification device Since only the gas information is sent to the center with the instrument number of the gas meter without sharing the instrument number and its information of
The center management can be smoothly performed by distinguishing the information from the gas meter from the information from the automatic notification device and clarifying the origin of the information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an automatic reporting device in an automatic meter reading system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic notification device in the automatic meter reading system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram in which a center and an automatic notification device are connected.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a reception process from the center side.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of setting data transmitted from a center.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a format of a message type in communication between the center and the automatic notification device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between a center, an automatic notification device, and a gas meter.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process when transmitting from a gas meter and an automatic notification device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a communication sequence of a gas meter call and an automatic notification device call in the automatic meter reading system.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional automatic meter reading system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication sequence for calling a gas meter in the conventional automatic meter reading system.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a communication sequence of calling a gas meter and calling an automatic notification device in a conventional automatic meter reading system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 centers 12 Automatic reporting device 14 Notification calling determination means 15-meter calling determination means 16 Transmission control means 21a-21n gas meter 22 telephone 23 External device (external sensor) 25 telephone lines 31 MPU 31a CPU 31b ROM

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI H04Q 9/00 311 H04Q 9/00 311H

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An instrument number and gas information output from a plurality of gas meters to which different instrument numbers are set respectively.
In an automatic reporting device in an automatic meter reading system that reports to the center via a telephone line, enter a predetermined equipment number unique to the automatic reporting device.
It is connected to the storage unit to be remembered and the plurality of gas meters, and it is determined whether or not the automatic notification device makes a call, and the automatic notification device makes a call.
Of the automatic notification device read from the storage unit when
Send the information of the automatic notification device to the center with a property number
Are allowed, it is determined whether any one of the gas meter of the plurality of the gas meter call of the automatic reporting device for the duration originates a call, before SL of the automatic warning apparatus call said one of the ongoing Automatic notification when the gas meter calls
The instrument number of the device and the instrument number of the calling gas meter are different.
It is determined whether or not
When the equipment number of the called gas meter is different from the equipment number of the calling gas meter, a control device for transmitting gas information to the center, and the control device and the telephone number connected to the control device.
An automatic notification device in an automatic meter reading system , comprising: a modulation / demodulation circuit that modulates / demodulates information between lines . 2. An incoming call input through the telephone line
Detects a 16Hz ringing signal indicating that the call is being sent
16Hz detection that outputs a call detection signal to the control device
When the output circuit and the telephone are in use, the detection signal is
The telephone detection circuit that outputs to the control device, and the control device that outputs when starting communication with the center.
A control signal to disconnect the telephone from the telephone line.
Switch to separate and connect the modem circuit to the telephone line
The automatic meter-reading system according to claim 1 , further comprising a switch.
Automatic notification device in the system. Wherein the external device is connected to the automatic reporting device, wherein the control device, according to claim 1 wherein when said external device is turned on automatically reporting device is characterized in that it is determined that a call or An automatic notification device in the automatic meter reading system according to claim 2 . 4. The control device , when there is a next call from the automatic notification device while the automatic notification device is continuously calling, the control device sends the first call with the instrument number of the automatic notification device. 3. The information of the automatic notification device in the next call is transmitted to the center.
Alternatively, the automatic reporting device in the automatic meter reading system according to claim 3 .