JP3435676B2 - Communication control device and communication control method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication control device and a communication control method, and particularly to an automatic meter reading system,
The present invention relates to a communication control device used as an automatic reporting device for automatically reporting meter reading data of a gas meter, a water meter, and an electric meter to a center device, and a communication control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an automatic reporting device for reporting meter reading data of gas, water, electricity, etc. to an information center via a telephone line. For example, an information center is installed at an LPG dealer, an automatic notification device as a terminal device is installed on the LPG user side, and a telephone shared between the information center and the automatic notification device is the subscriber telephone of the LPG user. It is known that a line is connected and an automatic reporting device reports the meter reading value of a gas to the information center on a regular basis or reports that the remaining amount of the LPG cylinder is low.

FIG. 6 (a) shows a schematic block diagram of a conventional automatic notification system for performing automatic meter reading of a gas meter. The automatic notification system 80 is roughly divided into a terminal system 81 provided on the LPG user side and an information center provided on the LPG dealer side, and collects and processes meter reading data from the terminal system 81 via a telephone line 82. 83
And are provided.

The terminal system 81 includes a gas meter 84 having a one-to-one communication function for detecting the amount of LPG used, calculating the remaining amount of the LPG cylinder and outputting meter reading data, the gas meter 84 and the subscriber telephone set 85. The meter data that is connected and output from the gas meter 84 is sent to the subscriber telephone 85.
And an automatic notification device 86 for making a notification to the information center 83 via the telephone line 82 shared with.

In this case, the one-to-one communication function means that the communication source and the communication destination are limited to one-to-one in advance, and therefore, in the communication, a predetermined communication procedure is performed without the communication source discriminating the communication destination. It refers to the function of communicating based on. As a result, communication cannot be performed with a plurality of communication destinations, but communication control is simplified.

The general operation of the conventional automatic notification system will be described. In this case, the notification timing of the automatic notification is stored and managed by the gas meter 84. The gas meter 84 of the terminal system 81 outputs a first data transmission request to the automatic notification device 86 in order to detect the amount of LPG used, calculate the remaining amount of the LPG cylinder, and output meter reading data.

As a result, the automatic notification device 86 determines whether or not the telephone line 82 can be used.
The telephone line 82 is connected to the information center 83, and the gas meter 8
4 directly or after temporarily storing the meter reading data output from the gas meter 84, the information center 83 is notified via the telephone line 82.

As a result, the information center 83 collects and processes the meter reading data. Although the above explanation has been made in the case of reporting the meter reading data, the reporting is also carried out at the time of abnormality detection such as gas leakage, valve shutoff, abnormal flow rate detection, or the like. By the way, in the conventional automatic notification system 80, when the LPG user wants to use the meter reading data of the gas meter by using an external information device such as a personal computer, the gas meter 84 has only a one-to-one communication function. However, since the automatic notification device 86 is already connected, it cannot be directly connected to the gas meter 84. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, the telephone line 82 is externally connected via the communication interface 87 such as a modem. The information center 88 is connected to the information equipment 88 and connected through the telephone line 82.
To access the meter reading data stored in the information center 83 or to refer to various data obtained by processing the meter reading data.

[0009]

As described above, in the conventional automatic notification system 80 described above, the gas meter 8
4 is installed in the user's house, the meter reading data of the gas meter 84 is stored in the external information device 8 such as a personal computer.
8, the gas meter 84 has only a one-to-one communication function, so when the automatic notification device 86 is connected, it cannot communicate with any device other than the automatic notification device 86, and the LPG user cannot , Gas meter 8
4 and the external information device 88 are connected to the information center 83 through the telephone line 82 even if they are arranged in the vicinity, and the meter reading data managed by the information center 83 must be used. there were.

Further, since all the meter reading data is stored in the information center 83, the amount of information becomes too large, and therefore the meter reading data which becomes unnecessary after various calculations may be discarded. However, there is a problem that it is not possible to obtain meter-reading data other than the information stored and stored on the side of the information center 83 or various data processed using them.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication control device and communication in which an external information device (personal computer) installed in a user's house can directly use and process the meter reading data of a gas meter without going through a telephone line. It is to provide a control method.

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

To solve the above object, according to an aspect of, the invention of claim 1 wherein the meter with a one-to-one data communication function and connected via a predetermined communication line and a first connecting terminal, wherein In the communication control device that automatically reports the output data of the meter to the center device via the telephone line,
A second connection terminal for connecting an external information device having a communication function; and a detection unit for detecting a voltage at the data head of a first data transmission control command from the external information device input via the second connection terminal. When the voltage at the data head of the first data transmission control command is detected, the connection is switched so that the data can be directly transferred between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal. First
And a switching means for outputting a data transmission control command to the meter side.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the detecting means detects the voltage at the data head of the first data transmission control command from the external information equipment inputted via the second connection terminal, and the switching means, When the first data transmission control command is detected, the connection is switched so that the data can be directly transferred between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, and the first data transmission control command is sent to the meter side. Output.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a meter having a one-to-one data communication function is connected via a predetermined communication line and a first connection terminal, and the output data of the meter is sent to a center unit via a telephone line. In a communication control device that automatically reports, connecting an external information device having a communication function
A connection terminal; detection means for detecting the presence / absence of a first data transmission control command from the external information device input via the second connection terminal; and, when the first data transmission control command is detected, Second data transmission control command output means for outputting a second data transmission control command to the meter;
Switching means for switching the connection so that the data can be directly transferred between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in response to the output of the data transmission control command.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the detecting means detects the presence / absence of the first data transmission control command from the external information device input through the second connection terminal, and detects the second data transmission control command. The output means outputs the second data transmission control command to the meter when the first data transmission control command is detected.

In parallel with this, the switching means switches the connection so that the data can be directly transferred between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in response to the output of the second data transmission control command. To do .

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

[0029]

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a meter having a one-to-one data communication function is connected via a predetermined communication line and a first connection terminal, and the output data of the meter is sent to a center unit via a telephone line. In a communication control method of a communication control device for automatically reporting, a first data transmission control command is issued from the external information device via a second connection terminal, and the first data transmission control command is output to the meter side. A direct communication step for detecting the voltage at the data head, and the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal when the voltage at the data head of the first data transmission control command is detected. The connection is switched so that data can be directly transferred between the two.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in the detecting step, the voltage at the data head of the first data transmission control command from the external information equipment input via the second connection terminal is detected, and the direct communication step is performed. Causes the data to be directly transferred between the meter and the external information device when the voltage at the data head of the first data transmission control command is detected, and outputs the first data transmission control command to the meter side. Let

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a meter having a one-to-one data communication function is connected via a predetermined communication line and a first connection terminal, and the output data of the meter is sent to a center unit via a telephone line. In a communication control method of a communication control device for automatically notifying, a detecting step of detecting the presence or absence of a first data transmission control command from the external information device input via a second connection terminal, and the first data transmission. A second data transmission control command output step of outputting a second data transmission control command to the meter when a control command is detected, and the first connection terminal and the And a direct communication step in which connection switching is performed so that data can be directly transferred to and from the second connection terminal.

According to the invention described in claim 4 , in the detecting step, the presence or absence of the first data transmission control command from the external information equipment inputted through the second connection terminal is detected, and the second data transmission control command is detected. The output step outputs the second data transmission control command to the meter when the first data transmission control command is detected.

As a result, in the direct communication process, the data is directly transferred between the meter and the external information device in response to the output of the second data transmission control command.

[0035]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration block diagram of an automatic notification system used as a gas meter automatic meter reading system.

The automatic notification system 20 is roughly divided into L
The terminal system 21 provided on the PG user side and the LPG
Communication terminal L of the terminal system 21 provided on the dealer side
1, an information center 23 that collects and processes meter reading data from L2 via the telephone line 22.

The terminal system 21 performs operation monitoring during normal operation such as detection of gas volumetric flow rate and abnormality monitoring such as gas leakage, and sends meter reading data or abnormality detection notification to a data telegram (digital data) having a predetermined format. Connected to the gas meter 25 via the communication terminals C11 and C12 as the first connection terminal, and performs various communication controls to automatically notify the information center 23 of the meter reading data and the like via the telephone line 22. The automatic notification device 26 is connected to the automatic notification device 26 via the communication terminals C21 and C22 as the second connection terminals, and performs various data communication with the gas meter 25 or the automatic notification device 26 via the automatic notification device 26. A personal computer system 27 as an external information device and an automatic notification device 26 via telephone terminals T1 and T2. And it is configured to include the connected telephone 28, a.

The automatic notification device 26 includes a controller 30 for controlling the entire automatic notification device 26, a first communication interface section 31 for performing a communication interface operation between the gas meter 25 and the controller 30, a personal computer system 27 and a controller 30. A second communication interface section 32 that performs a communication interface operation between the information center 23 and the controller 30 connected via the telephone line 22, and a third communication interface section 33 that performs a communication interface operation between the information center 23 and the controller 30.
A memory 34 for storing various data and a controller 30
Based on the first switching control signal SSW1 from the gas meter, the gas meter is connected to the first communication interface section 31 or the communication terminal C2.
1, personal computer system 27 via C22
The first changeover switch 35 connected to either one of the two, and the third communication interface section 33 is connected to the communication terminals L1 and L based on the second changeover control signal SSW2 from the controller 30.
2 or connect the telephone 28 to the communication terminals L1 and L
2 and a second changeover switch 36 connected to 2.

The personal computer system 27 is
A personal computer main body 40, a display 41 for displaying various data, an input device 42 for inputting various data, and a personal computer main body 4
0 and a communication terminal device 43 including a modem for performing a communication interface operation between the automatic notification device 26 and the automatic notification device 26.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the gas meter 2 will be described.
5 and the data communication operation between the personal computer system 27 will be mainly described. (1) When the personal computer system requests the gas meter for data transmission (part 1) The personal computer system 27 uses the gas meter 25.
A case in which the automatic notification device 26 makes a first data transmission request in place of the personal computer system 27 will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

In this case, in the initial state,
The gas meter 25 and the automatic notification device 26 are in a standby state, and the communication line connecting the gas meter 25 and the automatic notification device 26 and the communication line connecting the automatic notification device 26 and the personal computer system 27 have a voltage. Is not applied.

First, the user operates the input device 42 of the personal computer system (indicated by PCS in the figure) 27 to input a command to transmit data telegrams such as meter reading value data managed by the gas meter 25. Then, the personal computer main body 40 outputs the data transmission command message as the first data transmission control command for transmitting the data message to the communication terminal device 43.

As a result, the communication terminal device 43 transmits a data transmission command message to the automatic notification device 26 based on a predetermined protocol (step S1). Communication terminals C21, C22
The data transmission command message input to the automatic notification device 26 via the is input to the controller 30 via the second communication interface unit 32, and the controller 30 determines the data transmission command message and determines the first communication interface unit 3
A data transmission command message as a second data transmission control command corresponding to the data transmission command message is transmitted to the gas meter 25 via the first and first changeover switches 35 (step S).
2).

When the transmission of the data transmission command message is completed,
The controller 30 sends the first changeover control signal SSW1 to the first changeover switch 3 in order to change the first changeover switch 35 to the personal computer system 27 side (upper side in the drawing).
Output to 5. As a result, the first changeover switch 35
Is switched to the personal computer system 27 side (step S3), and the gas meter 25 sends a data message corresponding to the data transmission command message to the personal computer via the communication terminals C11 and C12, the first changeover switch 35, and the communication terminals C21 and C22. Output to the system 27 (step S4).

The communication terminal device 43 of the personal computer system 27 demodulates the transmitted data telegram, corrects errors, etc., and executes the personal computer main body 40.
Then, the personal computer main body 40 performs a predetermined process to display on the display 41.

Thereafter, the controller 30 of the automatic notification device 26 detects that no voltage is applied to the communication line connecting the gas meter 25 and the personal computer system 27 for a certain period of time, and automatically notifies the first changeover switch 35. First to switch to the device 26 side (in the drawing, the lower side)
The changeover control signal SSW1 is output to the first changeover switch 35, and the first changeover switch 35 is switched to the automatic notification device 26 side (step S5).

As described above, from the side of the personal computer system 27, which is an external information device, it can be considered that the data is directly transmitted from the gas meter 22 without passing through the automatic reporting device 26 and the telephone line 22. The external information device efficiently collects data telegrams,
The collected data telegram can be used, and the housing information such as meter reading data can be directly used on the personal computer 27 side without using a telephone line, and the housing information can be used highly. (2) When the personal computer system requests the gas meter for data transmission (part 2)
To the personal computer system 27 from the first data transmission request.
The case of performing is described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

In this case, in the initial state,
The gas meter 25 and the automatic notification device 26 are in a standby state, and the communication line connecting the gas meter 25 and the automatic notification device 26 and the communication line connecting the automatic notification device 26 and the personal computer system 27 have a voltage. Is not applied.

First, the user operates the input device 42 to input a command to transmit a data telegram such as meter reading value data managed by the gas meter 25.
The personal computer main body 40 outputs a data transmission command message as the first data transmission control command for transmitting the data message to the communication terminal device 43.

As a result, the communication terminal device 43 transmits the data transmission command message to the automatic notification device 26 based on a predetermined protocol (step S11). Communication terminals C21, C
When the data transmission command message is input to the automatic notification device 26 via the controller 22, the controller 30 detects the voltage at the data head of the data transmission command message and sets the first changeover switch 35 to the personal computer system 27 side (see the drawing). A first changeover control signal SSW1 is output to the first changeover switch 35 in order to change over (upper side, upper side), and the first changeover switch 35 is changed over to the personal computer system 27 side (step S12).

As a result, the data transmission command message is directly input to the gas meter 25 (step S).
13). When the transmission of the data transmission command message is completed, the gas meter 25 outputs the data message corresponding to the data transmission command message to the personal computer system 27 via the communication terminals C11 and C12, the first changeover switch 35, and the communication terminals C21 and C22. Yes (step S14).

The communication terminal device 43 of the personal computer system 27 demodulates the transmitted data, performs error correction and the like, and outputs the data to the personal computer main body 40. The personal computer main body 40 performs a predetermined process and displays the data. A display etc. will be performed on 41.

After that, the controller 30 of the automatic notification device 26 detects that no voltage is applied to the communication line connecting the gas meter 25 and the personal computer system 27 for a certain period, and automatically notifies the first changeover switch 35. First to switch to the device 26 side (in the drawing, the lower side)
The changeover control signal SSW1 is output to the first changeover switch 35, and the first changeover switch 35 is switched to the automatic notification device 26 side (step S15).

As described above, from the side of the personal computer system 27, which is an external information device, it can be considered that the data is directly transmitted from the gas meter 25 without passing through the automatic reporting device 26 and the telephone line 22. The external information device efficiently collects data telegrams,
The collected data can be used, and the housing information such as meter reading data can be directly used on the personal computer 27 side without using the telephone line 22, and the housing information can be used highly. (3) When the gas meter requests its own data transmission to the personal computer system (part 1) In the following description, even after the gas meter 25 has transmitted its own data message, the transmitted data message will be displayed. A case where the corresponding data is held will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In this case, in the initial state, the gas meter 25 and the automatic notification device 26 are in a standby state, and no voltage is applied to the communication line connecting the gas meter 25 and the automatic notification device 26.

First, the gas meter 25 transmits one's own data (abnormality notification data, etc.) as a first data transmission request by one voltage pulse (for example, an "H" level signal having a predetermined pulse width). The communication terminals C11, C12
It is output to the automatic notification device 26 via (step S21).

Then, the gas meter 25 is again in the standby state, and the voltage is not applied to the communication line connecting the gas meter 25 and the automatic notification device 26 (step S22). The voltage pulse input to the automatic notification device 26 is input to the controller 30 via the first changeover switch 35 and the first communication interface unit 31.

Based on the input voltage pulse, the controller 30 sends a data transmission command message as a first data transmission control command for permitting the first data transmission, to the first communication interface section 31 and the first changeover switch 35. , To the gas meter 25 via the communication terminals C11 and C12 (step S23).

When the data transmission command message is input, the gas meter 25 transmits the data message in a predetermined data format to the automatic notification device 26 via the communication terminals C11 and C12 (step S24). When the data telegram from the gas meter 25 is input through the first communication interface unit 31, the controller 30 of the automatic notification device 26 performs a corresponding process according to the content.

More specifically, in this response processing, when abnormal report data is transmitted from the gas meter 25, the controller 30 drives the shut-off valve provided in the gas meter 25 and / or the telephone line 22. After determining that the information center 23 can be used, the second changeover switch 36 is switched to the telephone line 22 side (the left side in the drawing), and the information center 23 is switched through the third communication interface unit 33 and the telephone line 22.
Report an abnormality to. In this case, the telephone line 22
Is unavailable when the telephone 28 is in use or an incoming call is in progress.

When the corresponding process is completed, the controller 30 sends a voltage pulse of 1 pulse (for example, an “H” level signal having a predetermined pulse width) as a second data transmission request to the second communication interface section 32 and the communication. Terminal C
21 through C22 through personal computer system 27
(Step S25).

When the transmission of the voltage pulse as the second data transmission request is completed, the controller 30 of the automatic notification device 26 first switches the first changeover switch 35 to the personal computer system 27 side (upper side in the drawing).
The changeover control signal SSW1 is output to the first changeover switch 35, and the first changeover switch 35 is switched to the personal computer system 27 side (step S26).

Then, the communication terminal device 43 of the personal computer system 27 demodulates the transmitted transmission request data, performs error correction and the like, and outputs it to the personal computer main body 40. The personal computer main body 40 performs predetermined data processing, displays on the display, and outputs a data transmission command message for data reading to the communication terminal device 43. As a result, the communication terminal device 43 directly outputs a data transmission command message as a first data transmission control command to the gas meter 25 through a predetermined protocol via the communication terminals C21, C22, the first changeover switch 35, and the communication terminals C11, C12. (Step S27).

As a result, the gas meter 25 determines the input data transmission command message and directly transmits the corresponding data message to the personal computer system 27 side (step S28). After that, the automatic notification device 2
The controller 30 of 6 detects that no voltage has been applied to the communication line connecting the gas meter 25 and the personal computer system 27 for a certain period of time, and sets the first changeover switch 35 to the automatic notification device 26 side (in the drawing, the lower part). The first changeover control signal SSW1 is output to the first changeover switch 35 in order to change over to the side), and the first changeover switch 35 is changed over to the automatic notification device 26 side (step S2).
9).

As described above, from the side of the personal computer system 27 which is an external information device, apparently, the data is directly transmitted from the gas meter 25 without passing through the automatic reporting device 26 and the telephone line 22. Data can be efficiently transmitted from the gas meter 25, and housing information such as meter reading data can be used directly on the personal computer 27 side without using the telephone line 22, and advanced use of housing information can be achieved. Is possible. (4) When the gas meter requests its own data transmission to the personal computer system (Part 2) In the following description, after the gas meter 25 transmits its own data, the data is transmitted from the viewpoint of storage capacity. Figure 5 shows the case where data is deleted (reset)
The timing chart will be described. In this case, in the initial state, the gas meter 25 and the automatic notification device 26 are in a standby state, and no voltage is applied to the communication line connecting the gas meter 25 and the automatic notification device 26.

First, the gas meter 25 transmits one's own data (abnormality notification data, etc.) as a first data transmission request by one voltage pulse (for example, an "H" level signal having a predetermined pulse width). The communication terminals C11, C12
Output to the automatic notification device 26 via (step S
31).

Then, the gas meter 25 again enters the standby state, and no voltage is applied to the communication line connecting the gas meter 25 and the automatic notification device 26 (step S32). The voltage pulse input to the automatic notification device 26 is input to the controller 30 via the first changeover switch 35 and the first communication interface unit 31.

Based on the input voltage pulse, the controller 30 sends a data transmission command message as a first data transmission control command for permitting the first data transmission to the first communication interface section 31 and the first changeover switch 35. , To the gas meter 25 via the communication terminals C11 and C12 (step S33).

When the data transmission command message is input, the gas meter 25 outputs its own data message in a predetermined data format to the automatic notification device 26 via the communication terminals C11 and C12 (step S34). When the data telegram of the gas meter 25 is input via the first communication interface unit 31, the controller 30 of the automatic notification device 26 stores the received data in the memory 34 (step S3).
5) Perform corresponding processing according to the content of the received data.

When the corresponding process is completed, the controller 30 sends one pulse of voltage pulse (for example, “H” level signal having a predetermined pulse width) as the second data transmission request to the second communication interface section 32 and the communication. Terminal C
21 through C22 through personal computer system 27
(Step S36).

When the transmission of the voltage pulse as the second data transmission request is completed, the controller 30 of the automatic notification device 26 enters the standby state again, and the communication line connecting the automatic notification device 26 and the personal computer system 27. A voltage is not applied to the device (step S37).

Then, the communication terminal device 43 of the personal computer system 27 demodulates the transmitted second data transmission request data, performs error correction and the like, and outputs it to the personal computer main body 40. The personal computer main body 40 performs predetermined data processing, displays on the display, and outputs a data transmission command message for data reading to the communication terminal device 43.

As a result, the communication terminal device 43 sends the data transmission command message according to the predetermined protocol to the communication terminals C21 and C21.
It is output to the controller 30 of the automatic notification device 26 via the 22 and the second communication interface unit 32 (step S
38). As a result, the controller 30 determines the input data transmission command message, reads the corresponding data message from the memory 34, and sends it to the personal computer system 27 side via the second communication interface unit 32 and the communication terminals C21 and C22. It will be transmitted (step S39).

After that, the controller 30 of the automatic notification device 26 detects that no voltage is applied to the communication line connecting the gas meter 25 and the personal computer system 27 for a certain period of time, and the controller 30 of the automatic notification device 26 operates. , Becomes the standby state again (step S4)
0).

As described above, even when the gas meter 25 itself deletes the received data after transmitting the data from the gas meter 25 to the automatic notification device 26,
Personal computer system 2 which is an external information device
From the viewpoint of the 7 side, it can be considered that the data is directly transmitted from the gas meter 25, the external information device can surely obtain the data, and the housing information such as the meter reading data can be obtained without passing through the telephone line 22. It can be used directly on the personal computer 27 side, and advanced use of housing information can be achieved.

In the above description, the data transmission command message as the first data transmission control command and the data transmission command message as the second data transmission control command have been treated as the same data, but they are different data. Can be processed similarly. Although the voltage pulse as the first data transmission request and the voltage pulse as the second data transmission request have been treated as the same data (signal), they can be processed in the same manner even if they are different data (signals). is there.

[0076]

[0077]

[0078]

[0079]

According to the invention described in claim 1 , the detecting means detects the voltage at the data head of the first data transmission control command from the external information equipment inputted through the second connection terminal, and the switching means. Switches the connection so that data can be directly transferred between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal when the first data transmission control command is detected.
Since the data transmission control command is output to the meter side, the external information device can directly communicate with the meter at a desired timing without sensing the connection state with the meter, such as meter reading data. It becomes possible to more easily use advanced housing information.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the detection means detects the presence or absence of the first data transmission control command from the external information equipment input via the second connection terminal, and detects the second data transmission control command. The output means outputs the second data transmission control instruction to the meter when the first data transmission control instruction is detected, and the switching means outputs the second data transmission control instruction and the first connection terminal and the first connection terminal. Since the connection is switched so that the data can be directly transferred between the two connection terminals, the external information device apparently does not detect the connection state with the meter, and apparently communicates with the meter at a desired timing. You can connect the communication line directly between the
Housing information such as meter-reading data can be directly obtained, and advanced use of housing information can be easily achieved.

[0081]

[0082]

[0083]

According to the third aspect of the invention, in the detecting step, the voltage at the data head of the first data transmission control command from the external information equipment input through the second connection terminal is detected, and the direct communication step is performed. Causes the data to be directly transferred between the meter and the external information device when the voltage at the data head of the first data transmission control command is detected, and outputs the first data transmission control command to the meter side. Since the external information device can directly communicate with the meter at a desired timing without sensing the connection state with the meter, the advanced use of house information such as meter reading data can be facilitated. It is possible to plan.

According to the invention described in claim 4 , in the detecting step, the presence or absence of the first data transmission control command from the external information equipment inputted through the second connection terminal is detected, and the second data transmission control command is detected. The output step outputs the second data transmission control instruction to the meter when the first data transmission control instruction is detected, and the direct communication step outputs the second data transmission control instruction along with the output of the meter and the external information device. Since the data is directly exchanged with the external information device, the external information device apparently connects the communication line directly with the meter at a desired timing without sensing the connection state with the meter. After the communication line is connected, the housing information such as the meter reading data can be directly obtained, and the advanced use of the housing information can be easily achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an operation timing explanatory diagram (1) of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an operation timing explanatory diagram (2) of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation timing explanatory diagram (3) of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an operation timing explanatory diagram (4) of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a conventional automatic notification system.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 Automatic reporting system 21 terminal system 22 telephone lines 23 Information Center 25 gas meters 26 Automatic reporting device 27 Personal computer system 28 telephones 30 controller 31 First Communication Interface Unit 32 Second communication interface section 33 Third Communication Interface Unit 34 memory 35 First changeover switch 36 Second selector switch 40 Personal computer body 41 display 42 Input device 43 Communication terminal C11, C22 communication terminal L1 and L2 communication terminals SSW1 1st switching control signal SSW2 Second switching control signal T1 and T2 telephone terminals

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A meter having a one-to-one data communication function.
Is connected via a predetermined communication line and the first connection terminal,
The output data of the meter is sent to the center unit via the telephone line.
Second connection terminal for connecting an external information device having a communication function in a communication control device for automatically reporting
And the external information device input via the second connection terminal
From the data head of the first data transmission control command from
Detecting means for detecting pressure and voltage at the data head of the first data transmission control command
The first connection terminal and the second connection end when
The connection is made so that data can be directly exchanged with the child.
The continuous switching is performed and the first data transmission control command is sent to the
Communication control apparatus characterized by comprising a switching means for outputting the data side. 2. A meter having a one-to-one data communication function.
Is connected via a predetermined communication line and the first connection terminal,
The output data of the meter is sent to the center unit via the telephone line.
Second connection terminal for connecting an external information device having a communication function in a communication control device for automatically reporting
And the external information device input via the second connection terminal
Detecting the presence or absence of the first data transmission control command from the
And a second step if the first data transmission control command is detected.
Second data for outputting a data transmission control command to the meter
Transmission control command output means, and the first connection in response to the output of the second data transmission control command.
Data is directly received between the connection terminal and the second connection terminal.
A communication control device comprising: switching means for switching connection so as to enable delivery . 3. A meter having a one-to-one data communication function.
Is connected via a predetermined communication line and the first connection terminal,
The output data of the meter is sent to the center unit via the telephone line.
In the communication control method of the communication control device that automatically reports
From the external information device input via the second connection terminal
Of the voltage at the data head of the first data transmission control command of
Detecting step of detecting and voltage at data head of the first data transmission control command
The first connection terminal and the second connection end when
The connection is made so that data can be directly exchanged with the child.
Continuing the switching, the first data transmission control command is sent to the
And a direct communication step of outputting the data to the computer side . 4. A meter having a one-to-one data communication function.
Is connected via a predetermined communication line and the first connection terminal,
The output data of the meter is sent to the center unit via the telephone line.
In the communication control method of the communication control device that automatically reports
From the external information device input via the second connection terminal
Detection step for detecting the presence or absence of the first data transmission control command
And when the first data transmission control command is detected, the second data transmission control command is detected.
Second data for outputting a data transmission control command to the meter
A transmission control command output step, and the first connection according to the output of the second data transmission control command.
Data is directly received between the connection terminal and the second connection terminal.
A direct communication worker that switches the connection to enable handing over
A communication control method characterized by comprising: a degree, the.