JP3994727B2 - Automatic meter reading device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic meter-reading device that collects meter-reading data such as gas using radio, and particularly to an automatic meter-reading device with low voltage and low power consumption.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A system configuration of a conventional automatic meter reading device using PHS will be described with reference to FIG.
[0003]
In FIG. 7, 20 is a gas meter with a communication function, 41 is a PHS automatic meter reading device, 42 and 23 are antennas, 24 is a PHS public base station, and 25 is a center device. The center device 25 makes a meter reading request to the gas meter 20 by PHS radio via the PHS public base station 24. The PHS automatic meter reading device 41 receives the meter reading request and transmits the meter reading request to the gas meter 20. The gas meter 20 transmits the meter reading value to the center device 25 via the PHS automatic meter reading device 41 and the PHS public base station 24.
[0004]
Further, the gas meter 20 makes a communication request to the PHS automatic meter reading device 41 when there is an abnormality in the gas or when a regular information notification time comes. Then, the PHS automatic meter reading device 41 calls the center device 25 via the PHS public base station 24 and reports the information from the gas meter 20 to the center device 25.
[0005]
FIG. 8 shows a conventional PHS automatic meter-reading apparatus, and the components will be described. In FIG. 8, 1 is an antenna, 2 is a high-frequency transmission / reception means, 3 is a π / 4QPSK modulation / demodulation means, 4 is a protocol controller, 5 is a meter I / F, 6 is a battery, 7 is a PHS module, and 8 is a DC / DC converter. . The protocol controller 4 is implemented with a communication protocol determined by the PHS standard, and operates with a preset mode protocol. The meter I / F 5 has a communication I / F function with the gas meter 20 and can transmit and receive with the gas meter 20. The high frequency transmission / reception means 2, the π / 4QPSK modulation / demodulation means 3, and the protocol controller 4 constituting the PHS module 7 are integrated as ICs as standard parts, and the operating voltage is 3.3V and is sold by semiconductor manufacturers. In addition, some manufacturers have commercialized the PHS module 7. Some semiconductor manufacturers sell π / 4QPSK modulation / demodulation means 3 and protocol controller 4 as one-chip LSIs.
[0006]
The protocol controller 4 includes a CPU, a memory in which a program is written (hereinafter referred to as a ROM), and a memory (hereinafter referred to as a RAM) in which information necessary for communication with the PHS public base station is written and read. The so-called programming processing function is provided. PHS communication protocol processing is performed by a program written in the ROM. In order to execute a complicated PHS communication protocol, a 16-bit or 32-bit CPU is required as the CPU capability of the protocol controller 4. The battery 6 is a lithium battery, and the battery voltage rating is 3V. Therefore, in order to operate the PHS module 7, the battery voltage is boosted to 3.3 V by the DC / DC converter 8 and supplied to the PHS module 7.
[0007]
Next, communication with the PHS public base station 24 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0008]
From the PHS public base station 24, a calling slot addressed to itself is emitted by radio waves every 1.2 seconds. When there is a call to the own station, the PHS public base station 24 sets data informing that there is a call in this call slot. The protocol controller 4 receives the radio wave from the PHS public base station 24, synchronizes every time according to the calling slot addressed to its own station every 1.2 seconds, and sends it to the high frequency transmitting / receiving means 2 and the π / 4QPSK modulation / demodulating means 3. Supply power and start receiving operation. If there is no call addressed to the own station, the power supply to the high frequency transmission / reception means 2 and the π / 4QPSK modulation / demodulation means 3 is stopped, the reception is interrupted, and the operation is suspended until the next reception after 1.2 seconds is started. If there is a call addressed to the own station, radio wave reception is continued and the received data is analyzed. If the meter reading is requested, the meter reading request is transferred to the meter I / F 5 and communication with the gas meter 20 is started.
[0009]
In the PHS automatic meter reading device 41, a 16-bit or 32-bit CPU is used as a component of the protocol controller 4 of the PHS module 7. A 16-bit or 32-bit CPU is much higher in processing speed and processing capacity than a 4-bit or 8-bit CPU, but is inferior in terms of operating voltage and current consumption. For example, a 4-bit or 8-bit CPU operates at 2V, whereas a 16-bit or 32-bit CPU requires an operating voltage of 3.3V or higher. On the other hand, when the lithium battery is energized, the output voltage becomes lower than the rated voltage due to the internal resistance of the battery itself, so when driving with a rated 3V lithium battery, connect two lithium batteries in series or connect a DC / DC converter. The pressure was constantly increased.
[0010]
In the HALT mode, which is a low-speed and low-current consumption mode, the CPU current consumption is less than 10 μA for a 4-bit or 8-bit CPU used in a battery-equipped device. A 16-bit or 32-bit CPU that flows is about 40 μA. In addition, the current consumption during operation suspension of components other than the CPU used in the PHS automatic meter reading device is about several μA.
[0011]
Therefore, the current consumption of the PHS automatic meter-reading apparatus is approximately 40 μA to 50 μA during an operation pause between reception operations performed every 1.2 seconds. On the other hand, in the reception operation performed every 1.2 seconds, the CPU enters the high speed RUN mode, and is boosted to 3.3 V by the DC / DC converter and supplied with power to the PHS module, and the high frequency transmission / reception means 2 and π / 4 QPSK modulation / demodulation means 3 Works. Therefore, a current consumption of several tens of mA flows until the reception process is completed.
[0012]
When a DC / DC converter is used to steadily supply 3V with a rated 3V lithium battery, the efficiency of the DC / DC converter is very poor when the CPU is in a HALT mode current of 40 μA. It was 100 μA or more.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional automatic meter reading apparatus has the following problems.
[0014]
The accuracy of 1.2 seconds, which is the interval of the calling slot addressed to the own station emitted from the PHS public base station, is determined by the accuracy of the oscillator built in the PHS public base station. Also, the wake-up timing when the receiving operation is performed in accordance with the interval of the calling slot is also determined by the accuracy of the built-in oscillator. Since the base station uses a high-precision transmitter, the interval between the calling slots launched from the base station is as close as 1.2 seconds, but the PHS automatic meter-reading device has a cost-effective accuracy. Since a good oscillator cannot be used, there is always a difference in the timing of 1.2 seconds. Therefore, when this difference is accumulated, the PHS automatic meter-reading device cannot finally receive the call slot addressed to the own station emitted from the PHS public base station. Therefore, the PHS automatic meter-reading apparatus re-determines the next operation start timing of the PHS module at the timing of receiving the call slot addressed to the own station so that the difference due to the accuracy of the oscillator is not accumulated. Therefore, when a situation occurs in which the call slot addressed to the local station cannot be received, the next reception operation start timing cannot be determined, so the mode is to perform continuous reception from the intermittent reception mode in which the user wakes up and receives radio waves every 1.2 seconds. The mode of the PHS module is switched to and the system waits until a call slot addressed to the own station can be received.
[0015]
On the other hand, the radio wave environment for wireless communication using PHS is easily affected by the outside, and the radio wave condition is temporarily deteriorated at the timing when the PHS module starts the reception operation. There were many cases where it was impossible to receive. For this reason, the reception mode, which consumes a few tens of mA or more, often continues until the next call slot arrival timing addressed to the local station. There is a problem that a battery with a large capacity has to be installed to make the apparatus expensive.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention In an automatic meter-reading apparatus connected to a meter that performs PHS wireless connection with a PHS public base station in order to communicate with the center apparatus, a calling slot addressed to the own station transmitted from the PHS public base station every 1.2 seconds A PHS module that receives the PHS module, a first timer that sends a timing signal for starting the receiving operation of the PHS module to the PHS module at intervals of 1.2 seconds, and a timing signal that starts the receiving operation of the PHS module. A second timer for sending to the PHS module at a time interval longer than 2 seconds and an integer multiple of 1.2 seconds, and the PHS module receives the call slot addressed to the local station by a timing signal from the first timer. If not, reception of the paging slot addressed to the local station is performed by a timing signal from the second timer. If the PHS module can receive the calling slot addressed to the local station by the timing signal from the first timer, the PHS module is turned off and the first timer and the second timer are restarted simultaneously. It is characterized by .
[0017]
According to the above invention, the PHS module is normally suspended by the first timer until the reception operation is started, and when normal reception cannot be performed by the first timer, the second timer started simultaneously with the first timer. Thus, the PHS module can be suspended until the next reception operation is started. Therefore, even if the radio wave condition temporarily deteriorates, the intermittent reception operation of the PHS module can be continued, and an automatic meter-reading apparatus that can operate with low power consumption can be realized.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An automatic meter-reading device according to claim 1 of the present invention includes: A PHS module for receiving a call slot addressed to the own station transmitted from the PHS public base station every 1.2 seconds, and a timing signal for starting the reception operation of the PHS module are sent to the PHS module at intervals of 1.2 seconds. And a second timer for sending a timing signal for starting the reception operation of the PHS module to the PHS module at a time interval longer than 1.2 seconds and an integral multiple of 1.2 seconds, When the PHS module cannot receive the calling slot addressed to its own station by the timing signal from the first timer, the PHS module receives the calling slot addressed to the own station by the timing signal from the second timer, and the PHS module If the call slot addressed to the local station is received by the timing signal from the first timer, Characterized by simultaneously restart and the second timer and the first timer with turning OFF the power of the PHS module Is.
[0019]
Since the operation schedule of the PHS module is managed using two timers, the PHS module can be operated at the next operation timing by the second timer even if the first timer cannot operate normally. Even if the radio wave condition temporarily deteriorates, the intermittent reception operation can be continued and the PHS module can be stopped, so that an increase in power consumption can be prevented, and automatic meter reading that can be operated for 10 years with a small capacity battery A device can be realized.
[0020]
The protocol controller constituting the PHS module used in the automatic meter reading device according to the second aspect of the present invention interrupts the first timer and the second timer when a call addressed to the own station is received, and completes the incoming call processing when the incoming call processing is completed. The first timer and the second timer are restarted.
[0021]
When a call is made to the local station, the operation schedule management of the PHS module by the first timer or the second timer can be interrupted while the incoming call processing is being performed. PHS module operation schedule management by 1 timer or 2 timer can be resumed, so if you do not need to manage PHS module operation schedule by 1st timer and 2nd timer, stop 1st timer and 2nd timer Therefore, the current consumption is efficiently reduced because the process is resumed.
[0022]
The protocol controller constituting the PHS module used in the automatic meter-reading apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention is able to control the PHS with respect to the first timer and the second timer when the first timer and the second timer cannot operate normally. The PHS module for the first timer and the second timer is started from the timing at which the call slot addressed to the local station arrives by interrupting the management of the operation schedule of the module and continuously receiving the radio wave from the PHS public base station. Management of the operation schedule is resumed.
[0023]
Then, if the protocol controller does not receive the calling slot of the local station normally even in the first timer and the second timer, the protocol controller interrupts the management of the operation schedule of the PHS module for the first timer and the second timer, and the PHS public Since the first timer and the second timer are started again from the timing when the calling slot addressed to the local station arrives by continuously receiving radio waves from the base station, the first timer and the second timer cannot be used. Even if the synchronization is lost, the operation schedule management of the PHS module can be resumed immediately, which is effective in reducing current consumption.
[0024]
The protocol controller that constitutes the PHS module used in the automatic meter reading device according to claim 4 of the present invention changes when the operation schedule management information of the PHS module of the first timer and the second timer is changed by the information from the center device. The management of the operation schedule of the PHS module is updated for the first timer and the second timer.
[0025]
Then, information for changing the settings of the first timer and the second timer is transmitted from the center device via the PHS wireless connection. This information is once received and analyzed by the protocol controller. Then, the timer setting information is sent from the protocol controller to the first timer and the second timer, and the operation schedule management of the PHS module can be updated. Accordingly, the reception interval (resting time) of the PHS module can be set in accordance with each operation of the center apparatus, so that detailed operation is possible and further power consumption can be reduced.
[0026]
The protocol controller constituting the PHS module used in the automatic meter reading apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention causes the first timer and the second timer to interrupt the management of the operation schedule of the PHS module when there is a communication request from the meter. When the communication request processing from the meter is completed, management of the operation schedule of the PHS module is resumed for the first timer and the second timer.
[0027]
When a communication request from the gas meter is received by the protocol controller via the meter I / F, communication request processing with the meter is performed, and notification processing is performed with respect to the center device by PHS wireless connection. Then, the protocol controller interrupts the schedule management of the PHS module by the first timer and the second timer during the notification process. As soon as the notification process is completed, the protocol controller restarts the schedule management of the PHS module by the first timer and the second timer. Therefore, even if there is a communication request from the meter, the operation schedule management of the PHS module by the first timer and the second timer can be resumed immediately after the processing is completed, which is effective in reducing current consumption.
[0028]
The protocol controller that constitutes the PHS module used in the automatic meter reading device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention changes the operation schedule management information of the PHS module of the first timer and the second timer according to information from the setting device. The management of the operation schedule of the PHS module is updated for the first timer and the second timer.
[0029]
Then, information for changing the setting of the first timer is transmitted from the setting device via the setting device I / F. This information is once received and analyzed by the protocol controller.
[0030]
Then, the timer setting information is sent from the protocol controller to the first timer and the second timer, and the operation schedule management of the PHS module can be updated. Therefore, since the installer can arbitrarily change the timer using the setting device at the installation site of the automatic meter-reading apparatus, the optimum timer value can be set while checking the surrounding radio wave conditions on the spot.
[0031]
The automatic meter-reading apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention operates when the PHS module has reached the time to start the next operation when the normal operation cannot be performed at the operation start timings of the first timer and the second timer. It has one or more timers that send timing signals to start.
[0032]
And even when the first timer and the second timer cannot receive the call slot addressed to the own station, the operation schedule of the PHS module can be managed by other than the first timer and the second timer, so that the current consumption increases. It becomes difficult to shift to a continuous search, and further, the battery life can be extended, or a battery of a low battery capacity can be mounted, so that a low-cost automatic meter reading device can be realized.
[0033]
The protocol controller constituting the PHS module used in the automatic meter reading device according to claim 8 of the present invention is the first when the operation schedule management information of the PHS module of the first timer and the second timer needs to be changed by the information from the base station. The management information of the operation schedule of the PHS module is updated for the first timer and the second timer.
[0034]
In the public mode other than the public mode such as the private mode and the transceiver mode, the interval between the call slots of the local station is different from the public mode, and the information is transmitted by radio waves from the relay base station. When the information is received by the automatic meter-reading device, the protocol controller analyzes the information and changes the operation schedule management information of the PHS module of the first timer and the second timer to the first timer and the second timer. Since the management information of the operation schedule of the PHS module can be updated, the operation schedule management of the PHS module for reducing power consumption is automatically switched not only in the public mode but also in the private mode or the transceiver mode. And maintenance becomes easy.
[0036]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0037]
Example 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic meter reading device used in the first embodiment and will be described.
[0038]
In FIG. 1, 1 is an antenna, 2 is a high-frequency transmission / reception means, 3 is a π / 4QPSK modulation / demodulation means, 13 is a protocol controller, 5 is a meter I / F, 6 is a battery, 14 is a PHS module, 9 is a DC / DC converter, 10 is a first timer, and 12 is a second timer. The same numbers are assigned to the same functional blocks as in FIG. The first timer 10 is a timer controller that manages the time for synchronization with the PHS public base station and the call slot addressed to the local station that is launched every 1.2 seconds. The second timer 12 is a timer controller that manages the time of 2.4 seconds used as the next reception timing synchronization timer when the first timer 10 cannot receive the calling slot addressed to the own station.
[0039]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment. The operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the standby mode means that the DC / DC converter 9 is OFF and the PHS module 14 is not supplied with power, and only the first timer 10, the second timer 12, and the meter I / F 5 are used. The state in which power is supplied and the synchronization confirmation mode represents a state in which power is supplied to the entire PHS public base station in a state in which a call slot addressed to itself is received every 1.2 seconds. .
[0040]
Step (1)
Standby mode: In this state, the DC / DC converter 9 is OFF, power is not supplied to the PHS module, and power is supplied only to the first timer 10, the second timer 12, and the meter I / F 5. .
[0041]
Step (2)
The first timer 10 has a timer of 1.2 seconds, and turns on the power supply of the DC / DC converter 9 every 1.2 seconds. While the first timer is stopped, the second timer 12 has a timer of 2.4 seconds, and the DC / DC converter 9 is turned on at a timing of 2.4 seconds.
[0042]
Step (3)
When the DC / DC converter 9 is activated, power is applied to the protocol controller 13. The protocol controller 13 has clock generation means therein, and the CPU in the protocol controller 13 starts operation using the clock signal oscillated by the clock generation means, and executes initial processing.
[0043]
Step (4)
Subsequently, the CPU checks whether or not the predetermined input port A is High. When the port A is High, it means that information necessary for communication with the PHS public base station has already been written into the EEROM, which is a non-volatile memory. If the input port is High, the process proceeds to Step (5). Otherwise, go to step (10).
[0044]
Step (5)
If information necessary for communication with the PHS public base station is written in the EEROM, the information is transferred to the SRAM.
[0045]
Step (6)
Power is supplied to the high-frequency transmitter / receiver 2 and the π / 4QPSK modulator / demodulator 3 to receive radio waves from the PHS public base station. Then, radio waves from the PHS public base station are supplemented to receive the call slot addressed to the own station, and an interrupt activation signal is generated when the call slot addressed to the own station is received. If this activation signal is received, the process goes to step (7). Transition. If the activation signal cannot be received and the activation signal cannot be received by the first timer, the process goes to step (8) to receive the activation signal by the second timer next time. When the activation signal cannot be received by the second timer, the process goes to step (10).
[0046]
Step (7)
When the activation signal is received in step (6), it is analyzed whether there is a call addressed to the own station. If there is a call addressed to the own station, the incoming call processing is started and reception is continued. During the incoming call processing, the schedule management of the PHS module 14 by the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 is interrupted. When the incoming call processing is completed, the process proceeds to step (10) in order to restart the schedule management of the PHS module 14 by the first timer 10 and the second timer 12. If there is no call of the own station, the timer is restarted for the first timer 10 and the second timer 12, thereby re-synchronizing with the call slot addressed to the own station emitted from the PHS public base station, Move to (8).
[0047]
Step (8)
Necessary information is saved in the EEPROM.
[0048]
Step (9)
The power of the DC / DC converter 9 is turned off, and the process returns to the step (1) in a state where the power is not supplied to the PHS module 14.
[0049]
Step (10)
Since it is not synchronized with the PHS public base station, the high-frequency transmission / reception means 2 and π are used to interrupt the schedule management of the PHS module 14 by the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 and acquire the operation timing by the protocol controller 13 itself. / 4 QPSK modulation / demodulation means 3 is continuously supplied with power and continuously searched until a call slot addressed to itself can be received by radio waves from the PHS public base station. When receiving the radio wave from the PHS public base station and receiving the calling slot of the local station, the necessary information is written in the SRMA, and the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 are synchronized with the PHS public base station. In order to restart the timer management of the PHS module 14 by the first timer 10 and the second timer 12, the process proceeds to step (8).
[0050]
As is clear from the processing of the above steps (1) to (10), the call slot addressed to the own station is controlled by the timing control of the first timer 10 in accordance with the communication timing every 1.2 seconds with the PHS public base station. Even if the signal cannot be received, the process immediately moves to step (10) and does not continuously search until radio waves from the PHS public base station can be received, but temporarily enters the standby mode without going through step (10). In this configuration, the call slot addressed to the own station is received again by the timing control of the second timer 12. Therefore, even if a temporary radio interference occurs and the call slot addressed to the local station cannot be received, it can be received again at the next timing, so it does not immediately shift to a continuous search that increases current consumption. A low-cost PHS automatic meter-reading device can be realized by extending the battery life or mounting a battery of a low battery capacity. Note that the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 can be configured as two timers by one 4-bit to 8-bit CPU having low power consumption.
[0051]
9 and 10 are sequences showing the operation of the present embodiment. First, a normal operation sequence will be described with reference to FIG. When the PHS automatic meter reading device is initialized, it enters a mode for receiving radio waves from the base station. When the PHS automatic meter reading device receives supplementary operations such as candidate supplement, designated supplement, and BS supplement and receives its own call slot, the first timer and the second timer Are simultaneously activated to turn off the power of the PHS module. Thereafter, although the PHS module is in a dormant state, the power of the PHS module is turned on at the timing immediately before the first timer is 1.2 seconds, and the dormant state is released. The PHS module released from the dormant state receives radio waves from the base station, and when it finds its own calling slot, it notifies the first and second timers that it has been received. The first and second timers are restarted at the same time when the call slot of the local station can be received, and the power of the PHS module is turned off. Thereafter, the operation is continued in a similar sequence.
[0052]
Next, FIG. 10 shows a sequence in the case where the radio wave condition is temporarily deteriorated and the calling slot of the own station cannot be received by the first timer. As shown in this figure, even if the call slot of the call slot of the local station cannot be received by the first timer, the power of the PHS module is turned off and put into a dormant state. The next time the PHS module wakes up is the timing immediately before the second timer reaches 2.4 seconds, and the PHS module starts the reception operation at this timing, and may receive the call slot of the next call slot of its own station. it can. When the call slot of the call slot of the local station is received, both the first timer and the second timer are restarted, and the normal reception operation sequence can be returned.
[0053]
Thus, the PHS module can be put into a dormant state even in a situation where the radio wave is temporarily bad, and intermittent reception can be continued, resulting in low power consumption.
[0054]
When there is a meter reading request from the center device to the gas meter, the protocol controller 13 that has found the call of the own station in the call slot launched from the PHS public base station 24 starts the incoming call process. The protocol controller 13 interrupts the operation schedule management of the PHS module 14 by the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 during the incoming call processing. When the meter reading information acquired by communication with the gas meter is transmitted to the center device and the incoming call processing is completed, immediately after monitoring the radio wave of the PHS public base station 24 and finding the calling slot addressed to the own station, The first timer 10 and the second timer 12 are restarted, and the operation schedule management of the PHS module 14 is resumed. Therefore, the intermittent operation of the PHS module 14 can be performed without delay, which is effective in reducing current consumption.
[0055]
Further, when the radio wave condition is bad temporarily instead of temporarily, the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 may not be able to normally receive the calling slot of the own station. At this time, the protocol controller 13 interrupts the management of the operation schedule of the PHS module 14 with respect to the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 and continuously receives radio waves from the PHS public base station 24. In this case, as soon as the radio wave condition is recovered, the call slot addressed to the own station can be found, and the reception timing of the call slot addressed to the own station is used as a starting point for the PHS module 14 to the first timer 10 and the second timer 12. Resume operation schedule management. Then, the operation schedule management of the PHS module 14 by the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 can be resumed without missing the call to the own station.
[0056]
(Example 2)
In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the power of the entire PHS module 14 is turned off by turning off the power of the DC / DC converter 9 in step (9).
[0057]
In this case, since the power supply of the PHS module 14 is once turned off, the PHS module 14 needs to be initialized when the power supply is turned on next time. Depending on the type of PHS module, the battery capacity consumed for this initialization may be very large. In the second embodiment, an embodiment in which a PHS module that consumes a large amount of current during initialization is used will be described.
[0058]
In step (9), the CPU of the protocol controller 13 stops the operation of the clock generator itself and shifts the protocol controller 13 to the stop mode. In this stop mode, the PHS module 14 is supplied with power only to a part of the SRAM, CPU, etc., and most circuits are turned off. The DC / DC converter 9 is configured such that the output of the DC / DC converter 9 and the battery 6 are directly connected by control from the first timer 10 and the second timer 12. In step (9), the operation of the DC / DC converter 9 is turned off, and the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 are controlled so that the output of the DC / DC converter 9 and the battery 6 are directly connected. Therefore, in the stop mode state, the DC / DC converter 9 does not consume current, and the PHS module 14 is also applied with power only to some circuits such as SRAM that holds data and is not in dynamic operation. Do not consume.
[0059]
In step (2), the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 activate the DC / DC converter 9 and activate the protocol controller 13 to start the clock generation means and shift from the stop mode to the operation mode. , Current consumption can be reduced.
[0060]
(Example 3)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a PHS automatic meter reading device used in the automatic meter reading device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment corresponds to a case where the protocol controller 15 does not have the stop mode function used in the second embodiment.
[0061]
In the third embodiment, the same functional blocks as those in the block diagram shown in FIG. The first embodiment is different from FIG. 1 in that the clock control means 11 is provided and a clock for operating the CPU of the protocol controller 15 is supplied from the clock control means 11. The built-in clock generation means is not used.
[0062]
A difference from the second embodiment is that the clock control means 11 is prepared outside the PHS module 16 without using the clock generation means built in the protocol controller 15.
[0063]
The operation will be described below with a focus on differences from the second embodiment.
[0064]
In step (9), the protocol controller 15 turns off the power of the high frequency amplification means 2 and the π / 4 QPSK modulation / demodulation means 3, and the CPU of the protocol controller 15 waits for the interrupt of the port to which the start signal from the first timer 10 is input. Prepare to move to step (1). The first timer 10 controls the clock control means 11 to stop the supply of the clock from the clock control means 11 to the CPU of the protocol controller 15. Therefore, the CPU of the protocol controller 15 is in a stopped state. In this state, since no dynamic operation is performed, current consumption is very small. Furthermore, since no dynamic operation is performed, the power supply voltage supplied to the protocol controller 15 can be lowered.
[0065]
Therefore, the first timer 10 turns off the operation of the DC / DC converter 9 and directly connects the output of the DC / DC converter 9 and the battery 6. The DC / DC converter 9 is configured such that the output of the DC / DC converter 9 and the battery 6 are directly connected by the control from the first timer 10. When 1.2 seconds have elapsed, the DC / DC converter 9 is activated by the first timer 10 in step (2), and the clock controller 11 is activated to oscillate the clock and supply the protocol controller 15 with the clock. The first timer 10 outputs an activation signal to the port of the protocol controller 15. The clock control means 11 turns on / off the clock supply to the protocol controller 15 under the control of the first timer 10. When the first timer 10 cannot receive the calling slot addressed to the own station, the second timer 12 operates in the same manner.
[0066]
On the other hand, in order to receive the radio wave from the PHS public base station in the first embodiment, the PHS module 14 is woken up every 1.2 seconds by the first timer. In this case, the second timer 12 is set to a value obtained by adding 1.2 seconds to the first timer 10. For example, if the first timer 10 is woken up every 3.6 seconds, the second timer 12 becomes 4.8 seconds. By doing so, the average current consumption of the PHS module 14 can be reduced. However, if there is a call from the center device, the public base station may determine that it is out of service area or turned off depending on the timing. It is necessary to increase the number of retries from the device. Therefore, the value of the first timer 10 is determined by the operation of each center device. In this case, information for changing the setting of the first timer 10 from 1.2 seconds to 3.6 seconds is transmitted from the center apparatus via the PHS wireless connection. This information is once received and analyzed by the protocol controller 13. The protocol controller 13 sends 3.6 second timer setting information to the first timer 10 and 4.8 second timer setting information to the second timer 12 to update the operation schedule management of the PHS module 14. It becomes possible. Therefore, the interval at which the PHS module 14 is raised can be made longer depending on the operation of the center device, so that the power consumption can be further reduced.
[0067]
Further, when the communication request from the gas meter is received by the protocol controller 13 via the meter I / F 5, the meter communication request processing is started, and the notification processing is performed to the center apparatus by PHS wireless connection. Then, the protocol controller 13 during the reporting process interrupts the schedule management of the PHS module 14 by the first timer 10 and the second timer 12. As soon as the notification process is completed, the protocol controller 13 restarts the schedule management of the PHS module 14 by the first timer 10 and the second timer 12. Therefore, even if there is a communication request from the gas meter, the operation schedule management of the PHS module 14 by the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 can be resumed immediately after the processing is completed, which is effective in reducing current consumption.
[0068]
(Example 4)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a PHS automatic meter reading device used in the automatic meter reading device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0069]
In the fourth embodiment, the same numbers are assigned to the same functional blocks as those in the block diagram shown in FIG. The first embodiment is different from FIG. 1 in that it has a setting device I / F 17 and has a communication interface with a protocol controller 18 for communicating with a setting device for maintenance in the field. Is a point.
[0070]
The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described below. When a call is made from a PHS public base station, an incoming call response should be made within 4 seconds. The reception operation may be performed once or twice every three times. When the automatic meter reading device is installed in a place where the radio wave environment is good, for example, the setting of the first timer 10 is changed from 1.2 seconds to 3.6 seconds so that the reception operation is performed once every three times. Information is transmitted over the PHS wireless connection. This information is once received and analyzed by the protocol controller 18. The protocol controller 18 sends 3.6 second timer setting information to the first timer 10, and the second timer 12 sends 4.8 second timer setting information obtained by adding 1.2 seconds to 3.6 seconds. The operation schedule management of the PHS module 19 can be updated. Accordingly, since the timer can be changed at the installation site of the PHS automatic meter reading device, an optimal timer value can be set while checking the surrounding radio wave conditions. Here, the setting device I / F 17 is a separate component from the meter I / F 5, but the meter I / F 5 may also be used as a setting device communication interface.
[0071]
(Example 5)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a PHS automatic meter reading device used in the automatic meter reading device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0072]
In the fifth embodiment, the same functional blocks as those in the block diagram shown in FIG. The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that a third timer 30 and a fourth timer 31 are provided. Here, the first timer is 1.2 seconds, the second timer is 2.4 seconds, the third timer is 3.6 seconds, and the fourth timer is 4.8 seconds. Both are started at the timing of receiving the call slot. In an environment where the radio wave condition continues for about 3 to 4 seconds, the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 cannot receive the calling slot addressed to the own station, but the third timer 30 or the fourth timer 31. Since the call slot addressed to the own station can be received, the intermittent operation of the PHS module 33 can be continued. Therefore, it is more difficult to shift to the continuous reception operation in which the current consumption increases than in the first embodiment, and further, the battery life can be extended or a battery of a low battery capacity can be mounted. Can be realized.
[0073]
(Example 6)
FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram showing the PHS automatic meter reading device used in the automatic meter reading device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0074]
In the sixth embodiment, the same elements as those in the system configuration diagram shown in FIG.
[0075]
Here, a system configuration in which the PHS automatic meter-reading device 21 is not directly connected to the PHS public base station 24 but is once relayed to another PHS automatic meter-reading device 26 and connected to the PHS public base station 24 can be considered. In this case, it is conceivable that communication between the PHS automatic meter reading device 21 and the PHS automatic meter reading device 26 serving as another relay base station is performed in the PHS transceiver mode or the self-supporting mode. Even in the transceiver mode and the self-supporting mode, the PHS automatic meter reading device 26 intermittently emits the calling slot of the local station of the PHS automatic meter reading device 21 by radio waves. Although fired at intervals of 1.2 seconds in the public base station, the PHS automatic meter reading device 26 serving as a relay base station manages the interval in the transceiver mode and the self-supporting mode, so that information is sent to the PHS automatic meter reading device 21. To send. The PHS automatic meter reading device 21 receives and analyzes the information by the protocol controller 13, and when the schedule management information of the first timer 10 and the second timer 12 needs to be changed, the PHS automatic meter reading device 21 receives the PHS from the first timer 10 and the second timer 12. Since the management information of the operation schedule of the module 14 can be updated, the operation schedule management of the PHS module for reducing power consumption is automatically switched when the mode is switched to the private mode or the transceiver mode after being used in the public mode. Is possible.
[0076]
Although the automatic meter reading device of the present invention is applied to the self-supporting mode and the transceiver mode in the sixth embodiment, it can also be applied to the self-supporting mode and the transceiver mode in all the embodiments.
[0077]
The meter is not limited to gas but may be a meter such as water supply, electric power, or kerosene.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the automatic meter-reading apparatus of the present invention manages the PHS module, the operation schedule of the PHS module, and sends the timing signal for starting the operation when it is time to start the operation of the PHS module. And a second timer for sending a timing signal for starting the operation when the PHS module has reached a time to start the next operation when the normal operation cannot be performed at the operation start timing of the first timer, and a power source. Because it has a battery, the operation schedule of the PHS module is managed using two timers, so even if it cannot operate normally with the first timer, it will operate every 1.2 seconds with the second timer. Can operate the PHS module and maintain the operation start timing even if the radio wave condition temporarily deteriorates. Because it can realize automatic meter reading system can be low cost by mounting a small battery capacity in an apparatus for mounting a battery can be prevented an increase in power consumption.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic meter reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic meter reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an automatic meter reading device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an automatic meter reading device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an automatic meter reading device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram of an automatic meter reading device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional automatic meter reading device.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional automatic meter reading device.
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the automatic meter reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a sequence 2 diagram of the automatic meter reading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Antenna
2 High frequency transmission / reception means
3 π / QPSK modulation / demodulation means (wireless communication means)
4 Protocol controller
5 Meter I / F
6 batteries
7 PHS module
9 DC / DC converter
10 First timer
12 Second timer
17 Setter I / F
20 Gas meter
24 PHS public base station
25 Center equipment

Claims (8)

In an automatic meter-reading device connected to a meter that performs PHS wireless connection with a PHS public base station in order to communicate with the center device, a call slot addressed to the own station transmitted every 1.2 seconds from the PHS public base station A PHS module that receives the PHS module, a first timer that sends a timing signal for starting the receiving operation of the PHS module to the PHS module at intervals of 1.2 seconds, and a timing signal that starts the receiving operation of the PHS module. A second timer for sending to the PHS module at a time interval longer than 2 seconds and an integer multiple of 1.2 seconds ;
If the PHS module cannot receive the calling slot addressed to its own station by the timing signal from the first timer, the PHS module receives the calling slot addressed to the own station by using a timing signal from the second timer,
When the PHS module is able to receive the calling slot addressed to the local station by the timing signal from the first timer, the PHS module is turned off and the first timer and the second timer are restarted simultaneously. Automatic meter reading device characterized by   2. The automatic meter-reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a protocol controller that interrupts the first timer and the second timer when a call addressed to the local station is made and resumes the first timer and the second timer when the incoming call processing is completed.   When the first timer and the second timer do not operate normally, the management of the operation schedule of the PHS module is interrupted for the first timer and the second timer, and radio waves from the PHS public base station are continuously received. 2. The automatic meter-reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a protocol controller for resuming management of an operation schedule of the PHS module with respect to the first timer and the second timer, starting from a timing at which a call slot addressed to the local station arrives.   Protocol for updating management of the operation schedule of the PHS module for the first timer and the second timer when the operation schedule management information of the PHS module of the first timer and the second timer is changed by information from the center device The automatic meter-reading apparatus of Claim 1 provided with the controller.   When there is a communication request from the meter, the management of the operation schedule of the PHS module is interrupted by the first timer and the second timer, and when the communication request processing from the meter is completed, the PHS module for the first timer and the second timer is completed. The automatic meter-reading apparatus of Claim 1 provided with the protocol controller which restarts management of the operation schedule of this.   When there is a change in the operation schedule management information of the PHS module of the first timer and the second timer due to information from the setting device I / F having a function of communicating between the setting device and the protocol controller, and the setting device The automatic meter-reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a protocol controller that updates management of an operation schedule of the PHS module for the first timer and the second timer.   If the normal operation cannot be performed at the operation start timings of the first timer and the second timer, one or a plurality of timing signals for starting the operation when the time for the PHS module to start the subsequent operation comes. The automatic meter-reading apparatus of Claim 1 provided with the timer.   Protocol controller that updates the operation schedule management information of the PHS module for the first timer and the second timer when the operation schedule management information of the PHS module of the first timer and the second timer needs to be changed according to information from the base station The automatic meter-reading apparatus of Claim 1 provided with.

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