JP3674064B2 - Control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention is a line terminal device that transfers data between a data terminal device and a central monitoring device or a home controller by a no-ringing communication service using an existing analog public line network or a terminal call system, or a recent major gas supply company. The present invention relates to a control device using a battery as a power source, such as a gas shut-off device using a microcomputer widely used in a pipe.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 2, this type of line terminal apparatus is connected to a telephone line 1, a telephone 2, and a data terminal apparatus 3 such as a gas meter with a communication function. The line terminal device 4 connects the telephone 2 with the telephone line 1 or demodulates the analog signal from the telephone line 1 into a digital signal, and a network control unit 5 that performs line control at the time of no-ringing communication or terminal call. A signal transmission unit 6 that modulates a digital signal from the data terminal device 3 into an analog signal and sends the analog signal to the telephone line 1; a central control unit 7 that performs a line connection instruction to the network control unit 5 and controls the signal transmission unit 6; It is composed of a battery 8 such as a lithium battery serving as a power source for the circuit. The network control unit 5 includes a line switching unit 10 whose main component is a coil relay 9 that connects and disconnects the telephone 2 to and from the telephone line 1 and a line termination unit 11 that performs impedance matching with the telephone line 1. It is configured.
[0003]
Upon receiving the activation message from the data terminal equipment 3 Central control 7 first disconnect the controls Korirurire 9 line switching unit 10 phone 2 from the telephone line 1. Next, the line terminator 11 is controlled to close the line impedance and start dialing. After dialing is completed, communication is performed with the central monitoring center via the signal transmission unit 6. After the communication is completed, the line impedance control of the line terminating unit 11 is released, the coil relay of the line switching unit 10 is returned to the original state, and the telephone 2 is connected to the telephone line 1.
[0004]
In this way, the central control unit 7 controls the network control unit 5 and the signal transmission unit 6 to send information on the data terminal device 3 and voltage drop information on the battery 8 to the central monitoring center and the like via the telephone line 1.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above configuration, when a device returned due to replacement or failure is discarded, the battery as a normal power source has a remaining capacity and cannot be discarded as general waste as it is. It was necessary to have equipment and labor costs to dispose of it as general waste after removing it from the device and discharging it.
[0006]
In addition, even if the battery is used, there is a problem that it must be completely discharged because it cannot be disposed of as general waste if a small capacity remains.
[0007]
Furthermore, since it is possible to continue using the product even after the manufacturer's warranty period has passed, there is a possibility that the function will not operate after the warranty period, due to secular change, component life, etc., leading to claims. The present invention solves such a conventional problem. The first object is to easily discharge the battery provided in the apparatus, and the second object is to completely discharge the battery. The third purpose is to prevent the use of the device after a predetermined period.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a control device of the present invention includes a central control unit that receives calendar data from a central monitoring device, a calendar update unit in which calendar data is set by the central control unit, a power source for the data terminal device, Comparison determination to determine whether a predetermined period has elapsed by comparing the battery, a startup date setting unit for setting a timing for discharging the battery, and data of the calendar update unit and the startup date setting unit And the comparison / determination unit outputs a signal to the central control unit to start discharging when it is determined that a predetermined period has elapsed .
[0009]
[Action]
According to the present invention, since the guarantee period is counted by comparing with calendar data, the timer can be accurately obtained by calendar calibration from the central monitoring device when the timer is provided for a long period of 10 years. The usage period can be set strictly and the battery can be easily discharged.
[0010]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a line terminal apparatus according to the present invention. Components having the same numbers as those in FIG. 2 are components having the same functions. In FIG. 1, a line terminal device 19 includes a network control unit 5, a signal transmission unit 6, a central control unit 20, a battery 8, and a self-holding coil relay (latching relay) that maintains a state with a one-shot drive signal. 12, a discharge control unit 14 including a discharge resistor 13 that prevents an excessive current from flowing during discharge, a calendar update unit 15 having a calendar function, and a start-up date setting unit that sets a timing for discharging the battery 8. 16 and mosquito lenders updating unit 15 and start the comparison data of the date setting unit 16 determines that the lapse gives the timing of the activation start of the central control unit 20 to discharge the battery 8 made of the comparison determination unit 17. discharge The starting unit 18 is configured.
[0012]
The line terminal device 19 of the present invention is assembled by the manufacturer, and the system is reset after the power is turned on. The manufacturer then transmits a communication message to the line terminal device 19 in a calendar data format to set the current time. In the line terminal device 19, the communication message is received by the central control unit 20 through the signal transmission unit 6. The central control unit 20 sets the received calendar data in the calendar function of the calendar update unit 15. Thereafter, the calendar update unit 15 updates the time with an internal timer based on the set data. The central control unit 20 sets data in the calendar update unit 15 and simultaneously sets data obtained by adding 10 years (design useful life) to the calendar data received in the startup date setting unit 16. Thereafter, the comparison determination unit 17 determines whether the calendar of the calendar update unit 15 has passed the data of the start date setting unit 16.
[0013]
When the comparison determination unit 17 determines that it has elapsed, it outputs an activation start timing signal to the central control unit 20 to start discharging. That is, when the central control unit 20 receives a discharge activation start timing signal from the discharge activation unit 18 at the timing when 10 years have elapsed from the operation start, the central control unit 20 is a self-holding coil relay in the discharge control unit 14 by a one-shot drive signal. 12 is controlled so as to close the discharge circuit composed of the battery 8 and the discharge resistor 13. Once the discharge is started, the self-holding coil relay 12 continues to close the discharge circuit regardless of the voltage of the battery 8, so that the battery can be completely discharged. In addition, by using a one-shot drive self-holding coil relay, it is possible to realize complete discharge of the battery, which was difficult with a switching element using a semiconductor.
[0014]
Further, the frequency of communication may increase more than expected, or the circuit current may increase due to aging of the circuit or component failure, and the battery 8 may be consumed quickly. If the voltage of the battery 8 decreases at this time, the battery The network controller 5 is controlled so as to report the information on the voltage drop, and the line connection is made to the central monitoring center. After the line connection to the central monitoring center, the line terminal device 20 notifies the battery voltage drop state via the signal transmission unit 6. In the central monitoring center, in order to discard the line terminal device 20 after collection, the discharge control unit 14 is activated via the signal transmission unit 6 in advance by communication. Therefore, since the discharge controller 14 can discharge the battery 8 and stop the operation of the circuit, it can be treated as general waste immediately at the time of collection, and the voltage of the battery 8 is further lowered to be lower than the circuit operating voltage. In this state, communication is not performed, so that the operation is stopped while the line termination unit 11 of the network control unit 5 is controlled to close the line impedance or the line switching unit 10 is disconnected from the telephone line 1. Therefore, the telephone 2 cannot be used.
[0015]
In addition, the present invention can be applied to a gas meter, a communication adapter, an electronic water meter, etc. mounted on a microcomputer using a battery as a power source, which is one of the data terminal devices described in the embodiments of the present invention, and similar effects are obtained I can expect.
[0016]
According to an embodiment of the present invention as the following, when disposing of the returned device replacement or failure such as a device for a battery as a power source, as is the the battery has a remaining capacity The battery must be discharged because it cannot be disposed of as general waste, but according to the present invention, the battery can be easily discharged without removing it from the device, so that it is specially disposed for disposal as general waste. No equipment and labor costs are required.
[0017]
Also, although it is impossible to fully discharge partitioning the cell to below a semiconductor-on voltage for the battery by using the semiconductor switching of the discharge control unit (transistor, etc.) constitutes also the power of the discharge control unit themselves present invention So, since a self-holding coil relay is used for switching to form a discharge circuit, once a closed circuit is formed, the battery can be discharged completely without stopping the discharge even if the battery voltage drops. Yes, the battery can be discarded as general waste.
[0018]
Also, if discharged one Dan batteries, it can be reliably prevented to continue use even after the warranty period of the manufacturer can not be recovery of function by the system reset or the like. In addition, since the battery will not continue to be used beyond the design life, the battery voltage will eventually fall below the circuit operating voltage, and the communication will be suspended and the line will be closed or the telephone terminal will be closed. It is possible to prevent the user's telephone from becoming unusable due to being disconnected from the telephone.
[0019]
In addition, the warranty period is counted by comparing it with the calendar, so that the timer can be accurately set by calendar calibration from the central monitoring device when the timer is held for a long period of 10 years. It is possible to prevent an increase in cost that would result in overspecs regarding capacity and service life of parts.
[0020]
Furthermore, since a timer is configured for a long period of time with a calendar, the calendar can be easily advanced by communication telegram to check the functions at the time of device development, so it is not necessary to actually wait for 10 years, so development in a short period is possible. is there.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when a device that uses a battery as a power source and is returned due to replacement or failure, if the battery has a remaining capacity, it is left as it is as general waste. The battery must be discharged because it cannot be disposed of, but according to the present invention, the battery can be easily discharged without removing it from the device, so there are special equipment and labor costs for disposal as general waste. Do not need. And once the battery is discharged, the function cannot be restored by a system reset, etc., so it can be reliably prevented from continuing to use even after the manufacturer's warranty period has passed. By realizing by comparison, when the timer is provided for a long period of 10 years, the timer can be accurately set by calendar calibration from the central monitoring device, so that the setting of the period of use can be made strict.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional line terminal apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 Battery 12 Self-holding coil relay 13 Discharge resistance 14 Discharge control part 15 Calendar update part 16 Startup date setting part 17 Comparison determination part 18 Discharge start part 19 Line terminal device 20 Central control part

Claims (2)

  A central control unit that receives calendar data from a central monitoring device, a calendar update unit that sets calendar data by the central control unit, a battery that serves as a power source for the data terminal device, and an activation that sets when to discharge the battery A date and time setting unit; and a comparison and determination unit that compares the data of the calendar update unit and the start date and time setting unit to determine whether a predetermined period has elapsed, A control device that outputs a signal to start discharging to the central control unit when it is determined that the time has elapsed.   The control device according to claim 1, wherein the data terminal device is a gas meter equipped with a microcomputer.

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