JP4529806B2 - Automatic wireless meter reading system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is an automatic metering radio device for metering the usage amount of gas, water, electricity, etc., and an automatic wireless device that can operate an infrared operation device remotely by incorporating an infrared circuit in the wireless slave unit. The present invention relates to a meter reading system.

  Conventionally, an automatic meter reading system that collects data recorded in meters for measuring usage of gas, water, electricity, etc. in homes, offices, factories, etc. to a center that is a remote metering meter device via a communication line such as a telephone. In this automatic meter reading system, for example, a telephone line and a meter installed in each consumer are connected by a communication line, and communication is performed between the center and the meter via the telephone line. .

  By the way, in the case of such an automatic meter reading system, it is necessary to connect a telephone line and a meter with a communication line, so that labor and cost for routing and wiring the communication line inside and outside the customer are required. In particular, when the telephone line and the meter are separated from each other, this wiring work is a considerable burden, and in the case of an existing house, the wiring is sometimes impossible.

  Therefore, a wireless master unit is connected to each customer's telephone line via a terminal network controller (hereinafter referred to as “T-NCU”), and a wireless slave unit is connected to the meter. An automatic wireless meter-reading system that eliminates the need for indoor and outdoor wiring has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 3 shows a conventional automatic wireless meter reading system described in Patent Document 1. In FIG.

  In FIG. 3, 1 is a center, 2 is a public telephone line, 3 is a customer, 4 is a terminal network control device, 5 is a wireless master unit, has a transmission / reception circuit, and the center 1 and T-NCU 4 are public telephones. The T-NCU 4 and the wireless master device 5 are connected by a communication line a. Reference numeral 6 denotes a wireless slave unit which has a transmission / reception circuit and is connected to an automatic meter-reading meter 7 by a communication line b. The wireless master device 5 and the wireless slave device 6 can communicate with each other wirelessly, and information in the automatic meter-reading meter 7 is transmitted from the wireless slave device 6 to the wireless master device 5.

  From the center, a radio base unit is driven via a terminal network control unit (T-NCU) installed in a consumer over a public telephone line, and a radio signal is sent from the radio base unit to the radio slave unit. . When the wireless slave device receives a signal from the wireless master device, the wireless slave device takes out the weighing information stored in the automatic meter-reading meter and transmits this information wirelessly to the wireless master device. The wireless master unit sends the information received from the wireless slave unit to the center via the T-NCU and the public telephone line.

As a result, it is not necessary to wire an automatic meter-reading meter in the building as in the prior art, and the construction is simplified and the aesthetics of the building are not impaired. In addition, when an automatic meter reading system is applied later, particularly in an existing apartment house or tenant building, it is not necessary to perform wiring work or the like for each meter, so that the automatic meter reading system can be easily realized.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-85938 (page 1-4, FIG. 1)

  By the way, in such a system, communication is possible only with the center and meter which are remote meter-reading devices.

  Therefore, by incorporating an infrared transmitter in the wireless slave unit, it is possible to remotely control the infrared operating device.

  However, each infrared operating device has different infrared data, so it is difficult to install it in the wireless slave unit from the beginning when manufacturing infrared data devices for all infrared operating devices. There has been a problem that an infrared operating device that can be operated by the wireless slave cannot be changed.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides an automatic meter reading radio system that can remotely control all infrared operating devices other than a meter and can increase the added value of the automatic meter reading system. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, an automatic wireless meter reading system according to the present invention includes a wireless master unit connected to a distance measuring meter device via a line, and an infrared operating device of a consumer provided opposite to the wireless master unit. It consists of a wireless slave unit with a built-in infrared circuit installed in the vicinity, and communicates wirelessly between the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit, and further communicates from the wireless slave unit to the infrared operating device by infrared. Thus, in the automatic meter reading system that can remotely control the infrared operating device by enabling communication between the infrared operating device and the remote meter reading device, the wireless slave unit is provided with an infrared light receiving unit, and one or more Remote detection of single or multiple infrared operating devices with infrared receivers by inputting the infrared data and registering and sending one or more arbitrarily registered infrared data from the wireless slave unit Radio cell station from the device is intended to operate through the radio personal station.

  The automatic wireless meter reading system of the present invention incorporates an infrared transmission unit and an infrared light receiving unit in a wireless slave unit, and can be configured to arbitrarily register single or plural infrared data from the infrared light receiving unit. Infrared operating equipment can be operated remotely.

  According to the above invention, in addition to meter reading, all infrared operating devices can be remotely controlled, and it is possible to arbitrarily register additional infrared operating devices even after the wireless slave unit is installed, thereby adding the added value of an automatic meter reading system. Can be increased.

A first aspect of the present invention is a wireless master unit connected to a remote measuring meter device via a line, and a wireless slave unit with a built-in infrared circuit that is provided opposite to the wireless master unit and is installed near a customer's infrared operating device. Wireless communication between the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit, and further, by infrared communication from the wireless slave unit to the infrared operating device, between the infrared operating device and the distance measuring needle device In an automatic meter-reading system that can remotely control infrared operating devices so that communication is possible, a wireless slave unit having an infrared light receiving unit inputs single or multiple infrared operating device control data from the infrared light receiving unit and registers them. by this registered infrared data were able to send the radio personal station to any infrared operation device to operate a single or plurality of infrared operating device with an infrared receiver, wireless master unit, infrared It has a light part, inputs single or plural infrared operation equipment control data, registers it, and this registered single or plural data is sent to the wireless slave unit by a control signal from the distance measuring needle device. By transmitting and transmitting from the wireless slave unit to the infrared operating device, a single or a plurality of operating devices are operated .

The second aspect of the invention is particularly connected to the remote measuring needle device by transmitting infrared data registered in the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit to the remote measuring needle device connected through the line in addition to the first invention. In addition, single or plural infrared operating device control data is transmitted from the wireless master device other than the wireless master device through the wireless slave device to the infrared operating device to operate the single or plural infrared operating devices .

In the third invention, in particular, in addition to the first or second invention, the wireless slave unit has a function of detecting the ON or OFF state of the infrared operating device, and the ON or OFF state is measured through the wireless master unit. By transmitting to the meter reading device, a third party registered in advance accesses this remote meter reading device and investigates whether the lives of people using infrared operation equipment that can be controlled from the wireless slave units are being conducted. It is something that can be done.

The fourth aspect of the invention is a case where the first wireless slave unit and the second wireless slave unit are further provided in addition to the first to third inventions, and the first wireless slave unit receives a control signal from the wireless master unit. When it is necessary to install the second wireless slave unit in a place where the control signal from the wireless master unit cannot be received, the first wireless slave unit can control the second wireless slave unit from the wireless master unit. The signal is relayed and secondly transmitted to the wireless slave unit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic wireless meter reading system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the remote meter reading device 1 is connected to the wireless master device 5 from the line 2 via the T-NCU 4. The wireless slave device 6 is provided opposite to the wireless master device 5.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a master radio transmission / reception unit of the opposite radio master unit 5, 8 a slave radio transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives data to / from the radio master unit 10, and 10 an infrared transmission unit built in the radio slave unit, 13 is an infrared receiving unit built in the wireless slave unit, 11 is an infrared operating device, 9 is an infrared receiving unit built in the infrared operating device, and 12 is a wireless slave unit that registers infrared data corresponding to the infrared operating device. This is an infrared data holding unit.

When remote control of the infrared operating device 11 from the center is performed, control data for operating the infrared operating device 11 is transmitted from the distance measuring needle device 1 to the wireless master device 5 via the line 2 and the T-NCU 4. The wireless master device 5 transmits control data to the wireless slave device 6. After that, the infrared operating device control data that is input and registered in advance from the infrared light receiving unit 13 from the infrared light receiving unit 13 is transmitted from the infrared slave unit 6 to the infrared operating device 11. The infrared operating device control data is, for example, an infrared code determined for each manufacturer and each device such as lighting and air conditioner. Here, the wireless master device 5 may be connected to a PHS, mobile phone, or DOPA terminal and connected to the remote meter reading device 1 via a PHS line, mobile phone, or DOPA network. Infrared operating device control data is transmitted from the infrared transmitting unit 10 built in the wireless slave unit 6 to the infrared receiving unit 9 of the infrared operating device 11. By the above operation, any infrared operation device 11 can be remotely controlled from the distance measuring needle device 1 .

  As described above, in addition to the conventional automatic meter reading of a meter, remote control among all infrared operation devices is possible, so that a service with high added value can be provided.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an automatic meter reading system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, the same components as those in the above embodiment are given the same numbers, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 15 denotes a wireless master unit infrared receiving unit built in the wireless slave unit, and reference numeral 16 denotes a wireless master unit infrared data holding unit for registering infrared data corresponding to the infrared operating device.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes an infrared light receiving unit built in the master unit.

When remote control of the infrared operating device 11 from the center is performed, control data for operating the infrared operating device 11 is transmitted from the distance measuring needle device 1 to the wireless master device 5 via the line 2 and the T-NCU 4. The wireless master device 5 transmits control data to the wireless slave device 6. At that time, the infrared operation device control data that has been input from the wireless master device infrared light receiving unit 15 to the infrared data holding unit 16 and registered in advance is transmitted from the infrared master device 5 to the infrared operation device 11 through the wireless slave device 6. The infrared operating device control data is, for example, an infrared code determined for each manufacturer and each device such as lighting and air conditioner. Here, the wireless master device 5 may be connected to a PHS, mobile phone, or DOPA terminal and connected to the remote meter reading device 1 via a PHS line, mobile phone, or DOPA network. Infrared operating device control data is transmitted from the infrared transmitting unit 10 built in the wireless slave unit 6 to the infrared receiving unit 9 of the infrared operating device 11. By the above operation, any infrared operation device 11 can be remotely controlled from the distance measuring needle device 1 .

  As described above, in addition to the conventional automatic meter reading of a meter, remote control among all infrared operation devices is possible, so that a service with high added value can be provided.

  Also, when there are multiple wireless slave units that can control infrared operating devices, each wireless slave device does not hold the infrared control data necessary to control the infrared operating device, but the wireless master device holds the infrared control data. By doing so, it becomes possible to control a plurality of infrared operation devices by one infrared control data holding operation.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an automatic wireless meter reading system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, the same components as those in the above embodiment are given the same numbers, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 17 denotes an infrared data holding unit with a built-in remote measuring device.

  When remote control of the infrared operating device 11 from the center is performed, control data for operating the infrared operating device 11 is transmitted from the distance measuring needle device 1 to the wireless master device 5 via the line 2 and the T-NCU 4. The wireless master device 5 transmits control data to the wireless slave device 6. At that time, the infrared operation device control data stored in advance in the wireless master device 5 or the wireless slave device 6 is transmitted from the wireless master device 5 or the wireless slave device 6 to the infrared operation device 11 to control the infrared operation device. When the corresponding infrared operating device control data is not held in the wireless master device 5 or the wireless slave device 6, the infrared data holding unit 21 of another wireless master device 28 connected to the distance measuring meter device 1 or another wireless device is connected. When there is corresponding infrared motion device control data in the infrared data holding unit 23 of the slave unit 29, the corresponding infrared motion device control data is transmitted to the wireless master unit 5 through the distance measuring needle device 1, and the data is retained. It is possible to control the infrared operating device controlled by the machine 6.

  As described above, in addition to the conventional automatic meter reading of a meter, remote control among all infrared operation devices is possible, so that a service with high added value can be provided.

  Further, when the wireless master device or the wireless slave device does not hold the control data of the target infrared operation device, and another wireless master device or wireless slave device connected to the distance measuring meter device 1 operates as the target infrared operation. When device control data is held, when infrared operation device control data is not input from the wireless master unit or wireless slave unit, or when the wireless master unit or slave unit does not have an infrared receiving unit or infrared data holding unit However, it becomes possible to control the corresponding infrared operating device.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an automatic wireless meter reading system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, the same components as those in the above embodiment are given the same numbers, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 4, 30 is an infrared operation equipment operation data holding unit.

  When the operation of the infrared operation device 11 is performed through the wireless slave device 6, the operation data (ON / OFF operation and its time, etc.) of the infrared operation is held in the infrared operation device operation data holding unit. Then, when a third party registered in advance accesses the distance measuring needle device 1 through a line, the distance measuring needle device 1 transmits the held infrared operation device operation data through the wireless master device 5 and the wireless slave device 6. This makes it possible to monitor whether or not a person who operates the corresponding infrared operating device lives.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an automatic wireless meter reading system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 5, 31 is a relay wireless slave unit, 32 is a relay wireless slave unit wireless transmission / reception unit, 33 is a relay wireless slave unit infrared transmission unit, 34 is a second infrared operation device, and 35 is a second infrared operation. It is a device infrared light receiver.

  When it is desired to perform the operation of the infrared operating device 11 through the wireless slave device 6 and the wireless master device 5 and the wireless slave device 6 have a long communication distance and communication is not possible, the relay is performed between the wireless slave device 5 and the wireless slave device 6. The wireless slave unit 31 is installed, and the relay slave unit wireless transmitter / receiver 31 built in the device can be used to relay the wireless slave unit. In addition, since the relay wireless slave device incorporates the infrared transmission circuit 33, the infrared operating device 34 can be controlled through the relay wireless slave device 31.

  As described above, the automatic meter reading system according to the present invention can provide remote control between all infrared operation devices in addition to the conventional meter automatic meter reading, and can provide a service with high added value.

  In addition, since the present invention can be applied to any wireless communication system, it can be applied to uses other than automatic wireless meter reading.

Block diagram of the automatic meter reading system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Block diagram of an automatic meter reading system in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Block diagram of an automatic meter reading system in Embodiment 3 of the present invention The block diagram of the automatic meter-reading system in Embodiment 4 of this invention Block diagram of an automatic meter reading system in Embodiment 5 of the present invention Block diagram of a conventional automatic meter reading system

Explanation of symbols

1 Remote measuring needle device (center)
2 Public telephone line 3 Customer 4 T-NCU
5 Wireless Master Unit 6 Wireless Slave Unit 7 Meter 8 Slave Unit Wireless Transmitter / Receiver 9 Infrared Receiving Unit 10 Infrared Transmitting Unit 11 Infrared Operational Device 12 Slave Unit Infrared Data Holding Unit 13 Slave Unit Infrared Light Receiving Unit 14 Master Unit Wireless Transmitting / Receiving Unit 15 Master Unit Infrared light receiving unit 16 Base unit infrared data holding unit 17 Remote measuring device infrared data holding unit 18 Second T-NCU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 2nd main | base station radio | wireless transmission / reception part 20 2nd main | base station infrared rays light-receiving part 21 2nd main | base station infrared data holding part 22 2nd sub-station | mobile_unit radio | wireless transmission / reception part 23 2nd sub-unit | set infrared data holding part 24 Infrared transmission Unit 25 Second slave unit infrared receiver 26 Infrared receiver 27 Second infrared operation device 28 Second wireless master device 29 Second wireless slave device 30 Infrared operation device operation data holding circuit 31 Relay wireless slave device 32 Relay wireless slave unit wireless transmission / reception unit 33 Relay wireless slave unit infrared transmission unit 34 Third infrared operation device 35 Infrared light receiving unit

Claims (4)

A wireless master unit connected to the remote meter reading device via a line, and a wireless slave unit with a built-in infrared circuit installed in the vicinity of the customer's infrared operating device provided opposite to the wireless master unit, By performing wireless communication between the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit, and further communicating by infrared from the wireless slave unit to the infrared operating device, between the infrared operating device and the distance measuring needle device In an automatic meter-reading system capable of remotely controlling the infrared operating device so that communication is possible,
The wireless slave unit has an infrared light receiving unit, inputs single or plural infrared operation device control data, registers it, and can operate with the registered single or plural data. Operate multiple infrared operating devices ,
The wireless master unit has an infrared light receiving unit, inputs single or plural infrared operation device control data, registers it, and registers the single or plural registered data according to a control signal from the distance measuring needle device. An automatic wireless meter-reading system that operates one or a plurality of operating devices by transmitting the data to the wireless slave device and transmitting the data from the wireless slave device to an infrared operating device. The distance measuring needle device is connected to the distance measuring needle device by transmitting single or plural operation device control data inputted from the infrared light receiving unit or the wireless child light receiving unit of the wireless master device to the distance measuring needle device. 2. The automatic radio according to claim 1 , wherein single or plural infrared operation device control data is transmitted from a non-wireless master device to the wireless slave device to operate the single or plural infrared operation devices. Meter reading system. The wireless slave unit has a function capable of detecting the ON or OFF state of an infrared operating device that can be operated. By transmitting this ON or OFF state to the remote measuring needle device through the wireless master unit, a third registered in advance. The automatic access device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a person can access the remote measuring needle device and investigate whether or not a person using an infrared motion device that can be controlled from a wireless slave unit is living. Wireless meter reading system. In the case where there is a first wireless slave device and a second wireless slave device, the first wireless slave device can receive a control signal from the wireless master device, but the second wireless slave device can be controlled from the wireless master device. When it is necessary to install in a place where signals cannot be received, the first wireless slave device may relay the second wireless slave device control signal from the wireless master device and secondly transmit the signal to the wireless slave device. The automatic wireless meter reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the automatic wireless meter reading system can be performed.

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