JP4779256B2

JP4779256B2 - Wireless data collection system

Info

Publication number: JP4779256B2
Application number: JP2001217778A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 稔田部; 潤一斎藤
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2001-07-18
Filing date: 2001-07-18
Publication date: 2011-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-18
Also published as: JP2003030773A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、住宅設備機器の各種データを無線及び回線を通じてセンター側と通信を行う無線データ収集システムに関するもので、特に無線親機と無線子機の設置時の動作に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のこの種の無線データ収集システムは図７に示すものが一般的であった。図７において、２１は各家庭にあるガスメータである。２２はガスメータ２１に取り付け（もしくは内蔵）されている無線子機である。２５は公衆回線等との通信を行うと共に無線子機２２と無線通信を行う無線親機である。２６は無線親機２５または無線子機２２の無線データを送受信する送受信手段である。
【０００３】
２７は電話回線等の回線である。２８は回線２７を通じて無線親機２５と通信を行いガスメータ２１の各種データの収集を行うセンター側装置である。
【０００４】
図７において、無線親機２５と無線子機２２の設置手順は、無線親機２５と無線子機２２を近づけて無線親機２５の外部入力信号検出手段２３を作動させ無線親機２５に内蔵された送受信手段２６を受信信号待ち状態にさせる。
【０００５】
その後所定期間内に無線子機２２も同様に無線子機２２の外部入力信号検出手段２３を作動させ無線子機２２の情報を無線データとして無線子機２２に内蔵された送受信手段２６より出力し受信信号待ち状態にさせる。無線親機２５はその無線データを受信しその無線データに含まれる通信時に使う相手識別のための無線子機のアドレスを記憶する。また無線親機２５は同様に通信時に使う相手識別のための無線親機のアドレスを付加した情報を無線データとして出力させる。無線子機２２はその無線データを受信し通信時に使う相手識別のための無線親機のアドレスを記憶する。そこで無線親機２５と無線子機２２はお互いに縁組が成立したとして無線親機２５は無線親機２５の報知手段２４ｂを作動させ、無線子機２２は無線子機２２の報知手段２４ａを作動させる。その後無線親機２５は電柱や家の壁に設置し、無線子機２２はメータ付近に設置し最後にセンター側装置２８より通信試験を行う。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら上記従来の無線データ収集システムでは、無線親機２５と無線子機２２の設置時最初に無線親機２５と無線子機２２を縁組させその後、無線親機２５を住宅の壁にまた、無線子機２２は集合住宅のガスメータや水道メータが設置されているパイプシャフト（以降ＰＳとする）に設置する。その後センター側装置２８より通信試験を行うが無線区間に建物や、ＰＳの鉄の扉があることで電波が減衰し無線機が受信可能な受信レベル以下になると無線親機２５と無線子機２２の無線による通信が不能となる。また、通信試験が成功した場合でも無線機が受信可能な受信レベルぎりぎりの値では環境の変化で次回の通信は成功しない場合もある。
【０００７】
このように、無線親機２５と無線子機２２の無線による通信がセンター側から確認できない場合は、無線親機２５と無線子機２２の設置場所を変え、その後センターに再度通信試験実施の連絡を行いセンターからの通信確認を通信試験が成功する迄行うこととなる。従来の無線データ収集システムには以上のような課題があった。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記課題を解決するため、無線親機に、無線子機からの受信レベルを判定する親機受信レベル判定手段を設けることにより、無線子機は外部からの信号で無線子機から送信を開始し、無線親機が受信した受信レベルをデータに付加し無線子機に送信し、そのデータの受信レベルが規定値以上または以下により通信状態の良否を無線親機側と無線子機側で判別可能としたものである。
【０００９】
上記発明によれば、設置後センター側からの通信確認無しに無線親機と無線子機を利用して無線通信試験が可能になるため、設置場所の確認が容易にしかも一人で対応することが可能となる。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の請求項１にかかる無線データ収集システムは、住宅設備機器に設けられた無線子機と、無線回線を介して前記無線子機と通信を行うと共に前記住宅設備機器の各種データを収集するためのセンター側装置と回線を通じて通信を行う無線親機とで構成される無線データ収集システムにおいて、前記無線子機は外部からの信号により無線電文を送信し送信した無線電文に対する応答電文を受信する子機送受信手段と、外部からの信号を受けてから前記子機送受信手段を動作させ無線電文を送信する迄の間に遅延時間を設けるデータ送信遅延手段と、前記子機送受信手段が受信した応答電文を解析し解析したデータにより報知する子機報知手段と、を有し、前記無線親機は無線子機からの無線電文の受信レベルを判定する親機受信レベル判定手段と、無線子機からの無線電文を受信し前記親機受信レベル判定手段で取得した判定データを応答電文に含めて送信する親機送受信手段と、前記親機受信判定レベル判定手段の判定結果により報知する親機報知手段と、を有するものである。
【００１１】
そして、無線親機の親機受信レベル判定手段によって測定したデータを無線子機からの応答電文として送信し、受信した無線子機はその測定データにより報知手段の内容を変えて無線通信の電波状態の良否を知らせると共に、無線親機の報知手段により電波状態の良否を知らせることができるため、無線親機と無線子機を設置する場合簡単に設置場所を確定することができる。そして、無線子機は外部からの信号を受けてから所定の遅延時間経過後に送受信手段により無線電文を送信するため、無線子機をＰＳなどに取付けた場合に無線子機を操作後ＰＳの扉を閉めてからデータが送信されるため、実設置と同様な状態での通信確認が可能となる。
【００１４】
また、本発明の請求項２にかかる無線データ収集システムは、無線親機は無線子機から無線電文の受信レベルを親機受信レベル判定手段で判定後、前記親機受信レベル判定手段で取得した判定データを無線子機に送信すると共に、前記判定データに対する無線子機からの応答により動作する親機報知手段を有するものである。
【００１５】
そして、無線親機は判定データを無線子機が受信したことを確認後、親機報知手段を動作させるため動作の信頼度が向上する。
【００１６】
また、本発明の請求項３にかかる無線データ収集システムは、無線子機は、少なくとも無線親機に無線電文を２回以上送信すると共に、無線親機から２回以上送られてくる親機受信レベル判定手段で取得した判定データにより前記子機報知手段を動作させるものである。
【００１７】
そして、無線子機は無線親機により２回以上の受信レベルの判定を行った結果を報知するため、報知内容の信頼性が向上する。
【００１８】
また、本発明の請求項４にかかる無線データ収集システムは、無線親機は、少なくとも無線子機からの無線電文を２回以上の親機受信レベル判定手段で判定することにより前記親機報知手段を動作させるものである。
【００１９】
そして、無線親機は無線子機からの受信レベルを２回以上判定を行った結果を報知するため、報知内容の信頼性が向上する。
【００２０】
また、本発明の請求項５にかかる無線データ収集システムは、無線親機報知手段は、親機受信レベル判別手段により親機報知手段を動作させる迄の間、異なった報知を行う第２の親機報知手段を有する。
【００２１】
そして、無線親機は判定結果を報知するまでの間、別の報知を行うため動作状態が把握でき操作性が向上する。
【００２２】
【実施例】
以下、本発明の実施例について図面を用いて説明する。
【００２３】
（実施例１）
図１は本発明の実施例１の無線データ収集システムを示すブロック図である。
【００２４】
図１において、１は各家庭にあるガスメータである。２はガスメータ１に取り付け（もしくは内蔵）されている無線子機である。６は公衆回線等との通信を行うと共に無線子機２と無線通信を行う無線親機である。
【００２５】
無線子機２において、３ａは外部からの信号を検出する外部信号検出手段である。５ａは無線子機２に内蔵された外部信号検出手段３ａが検出した信号により無線電文を送信し送信した電文に対する応答電文を受信する送受信手段５ａである。４ａは無線子機２の送受信手段５ａが受信した応答電文を解析し解析したデータにより報知する報知手段である。
【００２６】
無線親機６において、７は無線子機２からの受信データの受信レベル（例えば受信側で測定される受信の電界強度）を判定する親機受信レベル判定手段である。無線親機６に内蔵された５ｂは無線子機２からの電文を受信し親機受信レベル判定手段７で取得した受信レベルを送信する送受信手段５ｂである。３ｂは外部からの信号を検出する外部信号検出手段である。９は電話回線等の回線である。１０は回線９を通じて無線親機６と通信を行いガスメータ１の各種データの収集を行うセンター側装置である。
【００２７】
図１において、センター側装置１０は回線９を通じて無線親機６に対してガスメータ１の検針値やセキュリティデータ等の各種データの収集指令を送る。ここでの回線９は有線電話回線やＰＨＳやＰＤＣ、ＰＤＣＰ等の無線電話回線でもよいし、システム占有の専用回線でもよい。無線親機６は内蔵された送受信手段５ｂによりセンター側装置１０からの指令を無線を用いて送信する。無線子機２は内蔵された送受信手段５ａにより無線親機６からの無線信号を受信すると、ガスメータ１の動作状態やデータを収集しその結果を再び無線を通じて無線親機６へ送る。無線親機６は内蔵された送受信手段５ｂにより無線子機２からの無線応答を受信するとその内容を回線９を通じてセンター側装置１０へ送る。
【００２８】
しかし、実際前述の無線通信を行う場合は、あらかじめ設置時に無線親機６と無線子機２の縁組みを行う必要がある。縁組みの方法は無線親機６と無線子機２を近づけ無線親機６に内蔵された外部信号検出手段３ｂを作動させる。
【００２９】
例えば外部信号検出手段３ｂはリードＳＷ等を内蔵させた構造でマグネット等を近付けることで外部からの信号を検出させる。無線親機６は外部からの信号の検出により縁組みを行うため無線親機６に内蔵された送受信手段５ｂを無線子機２の無線データを受信するための受信待ち状態にする。
【００３０】
その後所定期間（例えば約２秒）以内に無線子機２に内蔵された外部信号検出手段３ａを作動させる。無線子機２に内蔵された送受信手段５ａは外部からの信号検出により無線子機２の情報を無線データとして出力し出力し終わると今度は無線親機６の無線データを受信するため受信待ち状態に入る。
【００３１】
無線親機６は無線子機２からの無線データを受信し通信時に使う相手識別のための無線子機のアドレスを子機情報として記憶する。次に無線親機６の情報（相手識別のための無線親機のアドレス）を親機情報として送信すると共に無線親機６側の縁組みが終了したことを通知するため報知手段４ｂを作動させる。報知手段はＬＥＤやＬＣＤで認識させたりブザー等の音で認識させても良い。
【００３２】
次に無線子機２は内蔵された送受信手段５ａにより無線親機６からの無線データを受信し親機情報（相手識別のための無線親機のアドレス）として記憶すると共に無線子機２側の縁組みが終了したことを通知するため無線子機２に内蔵された報知手段４ａを作動させる。これにより無線親機６と無線子機２の縁組みが成立しことになる。
【００３３】
その後、無線親機６と無線子機２を実際に設置する場所に取り付ける必要がある。例えば無線親機６は電話回線９の近くである家の２階の壁等に、無線子機２はガスメータ１の近くに取り付けることとなる。取り付けた後はセンター側装置１０から実回線を使用しての通信確認を行う。
【００３４】
しかし、無線親機６と無線子機２を取り付けた位置により、例えば無線親機６と無線子機２の距離が遠い場合や途中に障害物や遮蔽物がある場合に電波が途中で減衰し受信レベルに達せずせっかく無線親機６と無線子機２を近くで縁組みして設置場所に取り付けたのにセンター側装置１０からの通信試験を行う段階になって通信が成功しない場合がある。
【００３５】
ここで、無線親機６と無線子機２を設置工事を行う前に事前に電話回線９を使用しないで実設置する無線親機６と無線子機２の実物を使用して設置環境による受信レベル値を確認できればあらかじめ無線親機６と無線子機２の設置場所を決めることができるため、縁組を行い無線親機６と無線子機２を設置した後にセンター側装置１０からの通信試験を行う段階になって通信が失敗し再度無線親機６や無線子機２を移動し再試験することがない。
【００３６】
そこで無線親機６と無線子機２を縁組みさせた後、設置しようと考えている場所に無線親機６と無線子機２を仮止めしその状態で無線の受信レベルを測定する。
【００３７】
方法は無線子機２に既に内蔵されている外部信号検出手段３ａを使って行う。
【００３８】
これは縁組み時の作動と区別するため外部信号検出手段３ａの検出時間を例えば縁組み時の送信が１秒以上、設置後の受信レベル測定のための送信は３秒以上検出した場合というように区別しておく。
【００３９】
無線子機２は外部からの所定信号の検出により無線親機６に受信レベル確認要求の無線電文を無線子機２に内蔵された送受信手段５ａを用いて出力し、出力し終わると無線子機２に内蔵された送受信手段５ａは無線親機６の無線データを受信するため受信待ち状態に入る。
【００４０】
無線親機６は無線親機６に内蔵された送受信手段５ｂにより無線子機２からの無線データを受信し受信レベル確認要求だと判断すると親機受信レベル判定手段７でそのとき受信した無線の受信レベルをもらう。この時、親機受信レベル判定手段７は無線データを最後まで受信した後で受信レベル確認要求だと判断しても既に無線データは出力されていないため全ての無線受信毎に無線の受信レベルを格納しておく構成のほうが良い。
【００４１】
無線親機６に内蔵された送受信手段５ｂは親機受信レベル判定手段７よりもらった、無線子機２から送信され無線親機６で実際に受信した受信レベルを付けて無線子機２に対して応答電文を送る。この時、無線親機６は親機受信レベル判定手段７の判定結果を報知手段４ｂにより報知するように構成されている。
【００４２】
次に無線子機２は内蔵された送受信手段５ａにより無線親機６からの受信レベルが付加された無線データを受信し所定値以上であれば無線子機２と無線親機６の電波状態は正常であるとし無線子機２に内蔵された報知手段４ａを作動させる。
【００４３】
このとき正常と異常表示を区別して出力させる例えば報知手段がＬＥＤやブザーであれば正常だった場合は５秒以上連続作動させ、異常であった場合は短い間隔で作動させる。
【００４４】
従って報知手段からの信号が正常信号であった場合は現在の位置のままで設置作業を行うが、異常であった場合は無線子機２の位置を移動させ再度前述の受信レベル確認テストを行うこととなる。
【００４５】
ここで受信レベルの確認は外部からの信号により無線親機６を起点に受信レベルの確認を行う構成でも良い。
【００４６】
以上のように、無線親機と無線子機を仮設置した段階で実際の無線データを送受信するレベルが確認できるため、電話回線９を使用した確認試験の段階で電波状況により無線通信が不能になることがなくなると共に、無線子機がＰＳなどの密閉された場所に取付けられる場合には無線親機により確認試験の結果がわかるため、無線親機と無線子機の設置作業を円滑に行うことができ、かつシステムの無線データの送受信動作を高信頼性をもって実現することができる。
【００４７】
（実施例２）
図２は本発明の実施例２の無線データ収集システムを示すブロック図である。
【００４８】
図２において、図１と同じ機能を有するものは同じ名称、同じ符号として説明を省略する。
【００４９】
１２は無線親機６に内蔵された外部信号検出手段３ａからの入力を受けてから送受信手段５ａを動作させデータ送信をする迄の間に遅延時間を設けるデータ送信遅延手段である。遅延時間は例えば５秒程度であるが、入力部（図示せず）から遅延時間を設定できるようにしてもよい。
【００５０】
本データ送信遅延手段により、無線子機２と無線親機６の設置時の通信確認をするときに、無線子機２がＰＳなどの扉がある空間に設置されている場合、無線子機２の外部信号検出手段３ａを操作後、ＰＳの扉を閉める間の時間が経過してからデータが送信される為、通信の確認を実際の設置状況で行うことが可能となり、通信確認の信頼性が向上する。なお、データ送信遅延手段は光検出部やＰＳ扉との接触スイッチ部等によってＰＳ扉開閉検出を行い、ＰＳの扉が閉じるのを検知するまで送信しない、等のように自動的に遅延時間を設けるようにしても良い。
【００５１】
（実施例３）
図３は本発明の実施例３の無線データ収集システムを示すフローチャートである。図３のフローチャートにおいて、無線親機６の動作を説明する。
【００５２】
無線親機６が動作を開始した後、無線子機２からの無線電文を受信すると（ステップ３２）、無線親機６はその受信レベルが所定以上かどうかを判別し（ステップ３３）、その判定結果を無線子機２に送信する（ステップ３４）。無線子機２は無線電文を受信し、無線親機６の判定結果が正常である場合、その応答電文を送信する。前記応答電文を無線親機６が受信すると（ステップ３５）、無線親機６は親機報知手段４ｂを動作させ無線子機２が正常に受信したことを報知する。
【００５３】
正常には図１と同じ機能を有するものは同じ名称、同じ符号として説明を省略する。
【００５４】
以上のように、無線親機６は受信レベル判定結果を無線子機２が正常に受信したことを確認後、報知手段を動作させる為、報知の内容の信頼度が向上する。
【００５５】
（実施例４）
図４は本発明の実施例４の無線データ収集システムを示すフローチャートである。図４のフローチャートにおいて、無線子機２の動作を説明する。
【００５６】
無線子機２の外部信号検出端子３ａが操作され無線子機２が動作を開始した後、無線親機６に対して無線電文を送信する（ステップ４２）。無線親機６が前記無線電文を受信しその判定データの応答があるかどうかを検出し（ステップ４３）、前記応答があれば、その応答が２回目かどうかを判定する（ステップ４４）、前記応答が１回目であれば、その他の処理を行い（ステップ４６）、前記同様に再度無線親機６に無線電文を送信する（ステップ４２）。無線親機６からの２回目の応答があれば（ステップ４４）、無線子機報知手段４ａを動作させるように構成している。
【００５７】
以上のように、無線子機２は無線親機６に対して２回以上の通信確認を行った後、無線子機報知手段４ａを動作させるため、報知内容の信頼度が向上する。なお、２回以上受信した受信レベルの平均を報知したり、受信レベルの最大値・最小値側を報知するようにしてもよい。
【００５８】
（実施例５）
図５は本発明の実施例５の無線データ収集システムを示すフローチャートである。図５のフローチャートにおいて、無線親機６の動作を説明する。
【００５９】
無線親機６は動作開始後、と無線子機２からの無線電文を受信すると（ステップ５２）、その無線電文の受信レベルが所定以上かどうかを判別する（ステップ５３）。この受信レベルの判定が２回目かどうかを判定し（ステップ５４）、２回にならない場合は、その他の処理を行い（ステップ５６）、前記同様再度無線子機２からの無線電文の受信を行う（ステップ５２）。無線子機２からの無線電文を２回判定すれば無線親機報知手段４ｂを動作させる。
【００６０】
以上のように、無線親機６は無線子機２に対して２回以上の通信確認を行った後、無線親機報知手段４ｂを動作させるため、報知内容の信頼度が向上する。
【００６１】
（実施例６）
図６は本発明の実施例６の無線データ収集システムを示すフローチャートである。図６のフローチャートにおいて、無線親機６の動作を説明する。
【００６２】
無線親機６は動作開始後、無線子機２からの無線電文を受信すると（ステップ６２）、親機の第２の報知手段の動作をＯＮし（ステップ６３）、その無線電文の受信レベルが所定以上かどうかを判別し（ステップ６４）、その判定結果を無線子機２に対して送信する（ステップ６５）。無線子機２からの応答があれば（ステップ６６）親機報知手段４ｂを報知する（ステップ６７）が、無線子機２からの応答が返ってくるまでの間は無線親機６の報知手段を前記ステップ６７の報知とは異なった第２の報知手段をオン／オフして報知を行わせるように構成している。
【００６３】
以上のように、無線親機６は無線子機２からの応答の無線電文を受信するまで、第２の報知動作をさせるため、無線通信の動作確認中であることが判り使い勝手が向上する。
【００６４】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、設置前にあらかじめ無線親機と無線子機を利用して無線通信試験が可能になるため、設置場所の選定が容易にしかも一人で対応することが可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例１における無線データ収集システムのブロック図
【図２】本発明の実施例２における無線データ収集システムのブロック図
【図３】本発明の実施例３における無線データ収集システムのフローチャート
【図４】本発明の実施例４における無線データ収集システムのフローチャート
【図５】本発明の実施例５における無線データ収集システムのフローチャート
【図６】本発明の実施例６における無線データ収集システムのフローチャート
【図７】従来の無線データ収集装置のブロック図
【符号の説明】
１、２１ガスメータ
２、２２無線子機
３、２３外部信号検出手段
４、２４報知手段（親機報知手段、子機報知手段）
５、２６送受信手段（親機送受信手段、子機送受信手段）
６、２５無線親機
７親機受信レベル判定手段
９、２７電話回線等の回線
１０、２８センター側装置
１１設定確認装置
１２データ送信遅延手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wireless data collection system that communicates various types of data of house equipment with the center side wirelessly and via a line, and particularly relates to operations when a wireless master unit and a wireless slave unit are installed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional wireless data collection system of this type is generally shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, 21 is a gas meter in each household. Reference numeral 22 denotes a wireless slave unit attached to (or built in) the gas meter 21. Reference numeral 25 denotes a wireless master device that performs communication with the public line and the like and wireless communication with the wireless slave device 22. Reference numeral 26 denotes transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving wireless data of the wireless master device 25 or the wireless slave device 22.
[0003]
Reference numeral 27 denotes a line such as a telephone line. A center side device 28 collects various data of the gas meter 21 by communicating with the wireless master unit 25 through the line 27.
[0004]
In FIG. 7, the wireless master device 25 and the wireless slave device 22 are installed in the wireless master device 25 by operating the external input signal detecting means 23 of the wireless master device 25 by bringing the wireless master device 25 and the wireless slave device 22 close to each other. The transmitted / received means 26 is made to wait for a received signal.
[0005]
Thereafter, the wireless slave unit 22 similarly activates the external input signal detection means 23 of the wireless slave unit 22 within a predetermined period, and outputs information of the wireless slave unit 22 from the transmission / reception unit 26 built in the wireless slave unit 22 as wireless data. Set to receive signal waiting state. The wireless master device 25 receives the wireless data and stores the address of the wireless slave device for identifying the other party used during communication included in the wireless data. Similarly, the wireless master device 25 outputs information to which the address of the wireless master device for identifying the other party used during communication is added as wireless data. The wireless slave unit 22 receives the wireless data and stores the address of the wireless master unit for identifying the other party used during communication. Therefore, the wireless master unit 25 operates the notification unit 24b of the wireless slave unit 25, and the wireless slave unit 22 operates the notification unit 24a of the wireless slave unit 22, assuming that the wireless master unit 25 and the wireless slave unit 22 are established. Let Thereafter, the wireless master device 25 is installed on a utility pole or a wall of the house, and the wireless slave device 22 is installed near the meter, and finally a communication test is performed from the center side device 28.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional wireless data collection system, when the wireless master device 25 and the wireless slave device 22 are installed, the wireless master device 25 and the wireless slave device 22 are first assembled, and then the wireless master device 25 is wirelessly connected to the wall of the house. The subunit | mobile_unit 22 is installed in the pipe shaft (henceforth PS) in which the gas meter and water meter of a housing complex are installed. After that, a communication test is performed from the center side device 28. When there are buildings or PS iron doors in the radio section, the radio wave attenuates and falls below the reception level at which the radio can be received. Wireless communication becomes impossible. Even if the communication test is successful, the next communication may not succeed due to a change in the environment at a value just below the reception level that can be received by the wireless device.
[0007]
As described above, when the wireless communication between the wireless master device 25 and the wireless slave device 22 cannot be confirmed from the center side, the installation location of the wireless master device 25 and the wireless slave device 22 is changed, and then the communication test is performed again to the center. The communication confirmation from the center is performed until the communication test is successful. The conventional wireless data collection system has the above problems.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a master unit reception level determining means for determining a reception level from a wireless slave unit in the wireless master unit, so that the wireless slave unit transmits an external signal from the wireless slave unit. The reception level received by the wireless master unit is added to the data and transmitted to the wireless slave unit, and whether the communication status is good or not depending on whether the data reception level is above or below the specified value Can be discriminated.
[0009]
According to the above invention, since the wireless communication test can be performed using the wireless master device and the wireless slave device without the communication confirmation from the center side after the installation, the installation location can be easily confirmed and can be handled alone. It becomes possible.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A wireless data collection system according to claim 1 of the present invention communicates with a wireless slave unit provided in a home equipment device and the wireless slave device via a wireless line, and collects various data of the home equipment device. In the wireless data collection system comprising a center side device for communication and a wireless master device that communicates via a line, the wireless slave device transmits a wireless message by an external signal and receives a response message for the transmitted wireless message Slave unit transmission / reception unit , a data transmission delay unit for providing a delay time between receiving a signal from the outside and operating the slave unit transmission / reception unit to transmit a wireless message, and a response received by the slave unit transmission / reception unit It includes a handset informing means for informing the data analyzed by analyzing the message, wherein the wireless master unit base unit receives level-size determines the reception level of the radio message from the radio personal station Means and a base unit transceiver means for transmitting including determining data acquired by radio message received the base unit reception level determining means from the radio personal station in response message, the judgment result of the base unit reception determination level checker a base unit informing means for informing the one having a.
[0011]
Then, the data measured by the master unit reception level determination means of the radio master unit is transmitted as a response message from the radio slave unit, and the received radio slave unit changes the contents of the notification unit according to the measurement data, and the radio wave condition of radio communication In addition, it is possible to notify whether the radio wave condition is good or not by the notification means of the wireless master unit, so that the installation location can be easily determined when the wireless master device and the wireless slave device are installed. Since the wireless slave unit transmits a wireless message by a transmission / reception means after a predetermined delay time has elapsed since receiving a signal from the outside, when the wireless slave unit is attached to a PS or the like, the PS door is operated after the wireless slave unit is operated. Since the data is transmitted after closing the communication, it is possible to confirm communication in the same state as the actual installation.
[0014]
Further, in the wireless data collection system according to claim 2 of the present invention, the wireless master unit obtains the reception level of the radio message from the wireless slave unit by the master unit reception level determination unit and then acquires the reception level of the radio message from the master unit reception level determination unit. While transmitting judgment data to a radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit, it has a main | base station alerting | reporting means which operate | moves by the response from the radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit with respect to the said determination data.
[0015]
Then, after confirming that the wireless slave device has received the determination data, the wireless master device operates the parent device notification means, so that the reliability of the operation is improved.
[0016]
In the wireless data collection system according to claim 3 of the present invention, the wireless slave unit transmits a wireless telegram at least twice to the wireless master unit, and receives the master unit transmitted from the wireless master unit twice or more. The slave unit notifying unit is operated based on the determination data acquired by the level determining unit.
[0017]
And since the radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit notifies the result of having performed the determination of the reception level twice or more by the radio | wireless parent | base station, the reliability of the content of alerting | reporting improves.
[0018]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless data collection system, the parent device notifying unit is configured such that the wireless parent device determines at least a wireless message from the wireless child device by two or more parent device reception level determining means. Is to operate.
[0019]
And since the radio | wireless parent | base station alert | reports the result of having determined the reception level from a radio | wireless slave | mobile_unit twice or more, the reliability of alerting | reporting content improves.
[0020]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless data collection system in which the second master notification unit performs different notifications until the master unit notification unit operates the master unit reception level determination unit. Machine notification means.
[0021]
Since the wireless master unit performs another notification until the determination result is notified, the operating state can be grasped and the operability is improved.
[0022]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
Example 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a wireless data collection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, 1 is a gas meter in each household. Reference numeral 2 denotes a wireless slave attached to (or built in) the gas meter 1. Reference numeral 6 denotes a wireless master device that performs communication with a public line or the like and performs wireless communication with the wireless slave device 2.
[0025]
In the wireless handset 2, 3a is an external signal detection means for detecting an external signal. Reference numeral 5a denotes a transmission / reception means 5a that transmits a wireless message by a signal detected by the external signal detection means 3a built in the wireless slave unit 2 and receives a response message for the transmitted message. 4a is a notification means for analyzing the response message received by the transmission / reception means 5a of the wireless slave unit 2 and notifying it with the analyzed data.
[0026]
In the wireless master device 6, reference numeral 7 is a master device reception level determination means for determining the reception level of received data from the wireless slave device 2 (for example, the received electric field strength measured on the reception side). Reference numeral 5 b incorporated in the wireless master device 6 is a transmission / reception means 5 b that receives a message from the wireless slave device 2 and transmits the reception level acquired by the parent device reception level determination means 7. 3b is an external signal detecting means for detecting an external signal. Reference numeral 9 denotes a telephone line or the like. Reference numeral 10 denotes a center side device that communicates with the wireless master device 6 through the line 9 and collects various data of the gas meter 1.
[0027]
In FIG. 1, the center side device 10 sends a collection command of various data such as a meter reading value of the gas meter 1 and security data to the wireless master device 6 through a line 9. The line 9 here may be a wired telephone line, a wireless telephone line such as PHS, PDC, or PDCP, or a dedicated line occupied by the system. The wireless master device 6 transmits a command from the center side device 10 by wireless using the built-in transmission / reception means 5b. When the wireless slave device 2 receives a wireless signal from the wireless master device 6 by the built-in transmission / reception means 5a, the wireless slave device 2 collects the operating state and data of the gas meter 1 and sends the result again to the wireless master device 6 wirelessly. When the wireless master device 6 receives a wireless response from the wireless slave device 2 by the built-in transmission / reception means 5 b, the wireless master device 6 sends the content to the center side device 10 through the line 9.
[0028]
However, when actually performing the above-described wireless communication, it is necessary to assemble the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 in advance at the time of installation. In the method of framing, the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 are brought close to each other, and the external signal detection means 3b built in the wireless master device 6 is operated.
[0029]
For example, the external signal detection unit 3b has a structure in which a lead SW or the like is incorporated, and detects a signal from the outside by bringing a magnet or the like closer thereto. The wireless master device 6 sets the transmission / reception means 5b built in the wireless master device 6 to a reception waiting state for receiving the wireless data of the wireless slave device 2 in order to perform matching by detecting the signal from the outside.
[0030]
Thereafter, the external signal detection means 3a built in the wireless slave unit 2 is operated within a predetermined period (for example, about 2 seconds). The transmission / reception means 5a built in the wireless slave unit 2 waits for reception because it receives the wireless data of the wireless master unit 6 when it outputs and outputs the information of the wireless slave unit 2 as wireless data by external signal detection. to go into.
[0031]
The wireless master device 6 receives the wireless data from the wireless slave device 2 and stores the address of the wireless slave device for identifying the other party used during communication as slave device information. Next, the information on the wireless master device 6 (address of the wireless master device for identifying the other party) is transmitted as the parent device information, and the notifying means 4b is activated to notify that the assembly on the wireless master device 6 side has been completed. The notification means may be recognized by an LED or LCD, or may be recognized by a sound such as a buzzer.
[0032]
Next, the wireless slave unit 2 receives wireless data from the wireless master unit 6 by the built-in transmission / reception means 5a and stores it as parent unit information (address of the wireless master unit for identifying the other party). In order to notify that the edge assembly has been completed, the notifying means 4a built in the wireless slave unit 2 is operated. As a result, the combination of the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 is established.
[0033]
After that, it is necessary to attach the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 to a place where they are actually installed. For example, the wireless master unit 6 is attached to a wall on the second floor of a house near the telephone line 9, and the wireless slave unit 2 is installed near the gas meter 1. After installation, the center side device 10 confirms communication using a real line.
[0034]
However, depending on the position where the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 are attached, for example, when the distance between the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 is long, or when there are obstacles or shields in the middle, the radio wave is attenuated. Even if the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 are closely assembled and installed at the installation location without reaching the reception level, communication may not be successful at the stage of performing a communication test from the center side device 10.
[0035]
Here, before performing the installation work of the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2, reception using the actual environment of the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 that are actually installed without using the telephone line 9 in advance is performed. If the level value can be confirmed, the installation location of the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 can be determined in advance. Therefore, after the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 are installed, the communication test from the center side device 10 is performed. At this stage, communication fails and the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 are not moved again and retested.
[0036]
Therefore, after the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 are assembled, the wireless master device 6 and the wireless slave device 2 are temporarily fixed at a place where the wireless master device 6 is considered to be installed, and the wireless reception level is measured in that state.
[0037]
The method is performed using the external signal detection means 3a already built in the wireless slave unit 2.
[0038]
In order to distinguish this from the operation at the time of frame assembly, the detection time of the external signal detection means 3a is, for example, a case where transmission at the time of frame assembly is detected for 1 second or longer, and transmission for measurement of reception level after installation is detected for 3 seconds or longer. I'll keep it separate.
[0039]
The wireless slave unit 2 outputs a radio message of a reception level confirmation request to the wireless master unit 6 using the transmission / reception means 5a built in the wireless slave unit 2 upon detection of a predetermined signal from the outside. The transmission / reception means 5a built in 2 enters a reception waiting state in order to receive the wireless data of the wireless master device 6.
[0040]
When the wireless master device 6 receives the wireless data from the wireless slave device 2 by the transmission / reception means 5b built in the wireless master device 6 and determines that it is a reception level confirmation request, the master device reception level determination means 7 receives the wireless data received at that time. Get the reception level. At this time, even if it is determined that the reception level confirmation request is received after the wireless data has been received to the end, the base unit reception level determination means 7 does not already output the wireless data, so the wireless reception level is set for every wireless reception. The configuration to store is better.
[0041]
The transmission / reception means 5b incorporated in the wireless master device 6 is connected to the wireless slave device 2 with a reception level transmitted from the wireless slave device 2 and actually received by the wireless slave device 6 from the master reception level determination means 7. Send a response message. At this time, the wireless master device 6 is configured to notify the determination result of the parent device reception level determination means 7 by the notification means 4b.
[0042]
Next, the wireless handset 2 receives the wireless data to which the reception level from the wireless base unit 6 is added by the built-in transmission / reception means 5a. If the wireless handset 2 is above a predetermined value, the radio wave state of the wireless handset 2 and the wireless base unit 6 is The informing means 4a incorporated in the wireless slave unit 2 is operated as being normal.
[0043]
At this time, normal and abnormal indications are output separately. For example, if the notification means is an LED or a buzzer, it is operated continuously for 5 seconds or more when it is normal, and is operated at short intervals when it is abnormal.
[0044]
Therefore, if the signal from the notification means is a normal signal, the installation work is performed with the current position maintained, but if it is abnormal, the position of the wireless slave unit 2 is moved and the above reception level check test is performed again. It will be.
[0045]
Here, the reception level may be confirmed by confirming the reception level starting from the wireless master device 6 using an external signal.
[0046]
As described above, since the level at which actual wireless data is transmitted and received can be confirmed at the stage where the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit are temporarily installed, wireless communication becomes impossible due to radio wave conditions at the stage of the confirmation test using the telephone line 9 When the wireless slave unit is installed in a closed place such as PS, the result of the confirmation test can be understood by the wireless master unit, so the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit can be installed smoothly. In addition, the wireless data transmission / reception operation of the system can be realized with high reliability.
[0047]
(Example 2)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a wireless data collection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0048]
2, components having the same functions as those in FIG.
[0049]
Reference numeral 12 denotes a data transmission delay means for providing a delay time from when an input from the external signal detection means 3a built in the wireless master device 6 is received until the transmission / reception means 5a is operated to transmit data. Although the delay time is about 5 seconds, for example, the delay time may be set from an input unit (not shown).
[0050]
If the wireless slave unit 2 is installed in a space with a door such as a PS when performing communication confirmation when the wireless slave unit 2 and the wireless master unit 6 are installed by the data transmission delay unit, the wireless slave unit 2 After operating the external signal detection means 3a, the data is transmitted after the time between the closing of the PS door, so that the communication can be confirmed in the actual installation status, and the reliability of the communication confirmation Will improve. Note that the data transmission delay means automatically detects the delay time by detecting whether the PS door is open / closed by a light detection unit, a contact switch unit with the PS door, etc., and not detecting until the PS door is closed. You may make it provide.
[0051]
(Example 3)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a wireless data collection system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the operation of the wireless master device 6 will be described.
[0052]
When the wireless master device 6 starts operating and then receives a wireless telegram from the wireless slave device 2 (step 32), the wireless master device 6 determines whether or not the reception level is equal to or higher than a predetermined level (step 33). The result is transmitted to the wireless slave unit 2 (step 34). The wireless slave device 2 receives the wireless message, and transmits a response message when the determination result of the wireless parent device 6 is normal. When the wireless master device 6 receives the response message (step 35), the wireless master device 6 operates the parent device notification means 4b to notify that the wireless slave device 2 has been normally received.
[0053]
Normally, those having the same functions as those in FIG.
[0054]
As described above, since the wireless master device 6 operates the notification means after confirming that the wireless slave device 2 has normally received the reception level determination result, the reliability of the notification content is improved.
[0055]
Example 4
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a wireless data collection system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the operation of the wireless slave unit 2 will be described.
[0056]
After the external signal detection terminal 3a of the wireless slave device 2 is operated and the wireless slave device 2 starts operating, a wireless telegram is transmitted to the wireless master device 6 (step 42). The wireless master device 6 receives the wireless telegram and detects whether there is a response of the determination data (step 43). If there is the response, it determines whether the response is the second time (step 44), If the response is the first time, other processing is performed (step 46), and the wireless telegram is again transmitted to the wireless master device 6 in the same manner as described above (step 42). If there is a second response from the wireless master device 6 (step 44), the wireless slave device notification means 4a is configured to operate.
[0057]
As described above, since the wireless slave unit 2 operates the wireless slave unit notification unit 4a after confirming the communication with the wireless base unit 6 at least twice, the reliability of the notification content is improved. In addition, you may make it alert | report the average of the reception level received twice or more, and alert | report the maximum value / minimum value side of a reception level.
[0058]
(Example 5)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a wireless data collection system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the wireless master device 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0059]
When the wireless master device 6 receives a wireless message from the wireless slave device 2 after the start of operation (step 52), it determines whether or not the reception level of the wireless message is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (step 53). It is determined whether or not the reception level is determined for the second time (step 54). If it is not twice, other processing is performed (step 56), and the wireless telegram is received again from the wireless slave unit 2 as described above. (Step 52). If the wireless telegram from the wireless slave unit 2 is determined twice, the wireless master unit notification unit 4b is operated.
[0060]
As described above, since the wireless master device 6 operates the wireless master device notification unit 4b after confirming communication with the wireless slave device 2 at least twice, the reliability of the notification content is improved.
[0061]
(Example 6)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a wireless data collection system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the operation of the wireless master device 6 will be described.
[0062]
When the wireless master device 6 receives a wireless message from the wireless slave device 2 after the operation is started (step 62), the operation of the second notification means of the parent device is turned on (step 63), and the reception level of the wireless message is set. It is determined whether or not it is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (step 64), and the determination result is transmitted to the wireless slave unit 2 (step 65). If there is a response from the wireless slave unit 2 (step 66), the master unit notification unit 4b is notified (step 67), but until the response from the wireless slave unit 2 is returned, the notification unit of the wireless slave unit 6 Is configured to perform notification by turning on / off second notification means different from the notification in step 67.
[0063]
As described above, since the wireless master device 6 performs the second notification operation until the wireless message of the response from the wireless slave device 2 is received, it is understood that the wireless communication operation is being confirmed and the usability is improved.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since a wireless communication test can be performed in advance using a wireless master unit and a wireless slave unit before installation, the installation location can be easily selected and handled alone. It becomes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless data collection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless data collection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a wireless data collection system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a wireless data collection system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart of collection system [FIG. 7] Block diagram of conventional wireless data collection device [Explanation of symbols]
1, 21 Gas meter 2, 22 Wireless slave unit 3, 23 External signal detection unit 4, 24 Notification unit (master unit notification unit, slave unit notification unit)
5, 26 Transmission / reception means (master device transmission / reception means, slave device transmission / reception means)
6, 25 Radio base unit 7 Base unit reception level judgment means 9, 27 Line 10, such as telephone line, 28 Center side device 11, setting confirmation device 12, data transmission delay means

Claims

A wireless master device that communicates with a wireless slave device provided in a housing equipment device through a line with a center side device for communicating with the wireless slave device via a wireless line and collecting various data of the housing equipment device In a wireless data collection system consisting of
The wireless slave unit transmits a wireless message by an external signal and receives a response message for the transmitted wireless message, and operates the slave unit transmission / reception unit after receiving an external signal to transmit a wireless message. A data transmission delay means for providing a delay time until transmission, and a slave unit notifying means for notifying by the data analyzed and analyzed the response message received by the slave unit transmission and reception means ,
The wireless master device receives a wireless message from the wireless slave device and receives determination data obtained by the master device reception level determining device, which determines the reception level of the wireless message from the wireless slave device. A wireless data collection system comprising: a base unit transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting in a message ; and a base unit notifying unit for notifying based on a determination result of the base unit reception determination level determining unit.

The wireless master unit transmits the determination data acquired by the master unit reception level determination unit to the wireless slave unit after determining the reception level of the wireless message from the wireless slave unit by the master unit reception level determination unit, and wirelessly transmits the determination data. The wireless data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the parent device notification unit is operated in response to a response from the child device.

The wireless slave unit transmits the wireless telegram at least twice to the wireless master unit, and operates the slave unit notifying unit based on the determination data acquired by the base unit reception level determining unit sent from the wireless master unit twice or more. The wireless data collection system according to claim 1, wherein:

2. The wireless data collection according to claim 1, wherein the wireless parent device operates the parent device notification unit by determining at least a wireless message from the wireless child device by the parent device reception level determining unit twice or more. system.

2. The wireless master device notifying device according to claim 1, further comprising a second master device notifying device for performing different notifications until the master device notifying device is operated by the master device reception level determining device. Data collection system.