JP4824449B2 - Relay transmission device and centralized meter reading system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay transmission device and a centralized meter reading system, and more specifically, a relay transmission device that relays when a meter with a communication function of a plurality of activation telegram methods having different communication specifications is measured by a centralized meter reading device, and the same The present invention relates to a centralized meter reading system provided with a relay transmission device.

  A water meter is used to collect charges from users based on the results of measuring the amount of tap water used. Moreover, it is widely known that, in apartment houses and factories, the meter readings of water meters installed in each dwelling unit are collectively performed using a centralized meter reading device. In this case, a water meter with a communication function is used as the water meter, and a water meter of an 8-bit telegram system, a 5-bit telegram system, a pulse signal output system, or the like is used as the water meter with a communication function.

  Data used in an 8-bit telegram type water meter is composed of 8-bit data bits separated by a start bit and a stop bit, and data is transmitted and received at a communication speed of 300 bps. Data used in a 5-bit telegram type water meter is composed of 5-bit data bits delimited by a start bit and a stop bit, and data is transmitted and received at a communication speed of 200 bps. Moreover, the water meter of a pulse signal output system is a meter which outputs a pulse signal for a certain period of time every time a fixed amount is increased, for example, every time a flow rate of 100 L is detected.

  Thus, in apartment houses and factories, water meters having different communication methods (communication specifications) as described above are installed as water meters owned (managed) by the Waterworks Bureau and the owners of the apartment houses and factories. There are many cases.

  Conventionally, as a centralized meter-reading device that centrally measures the water meter installed in each dwelling unit of a housing complex, a relay transmission device has been arranged between the water meter and communication via the relay transmission device. There is also known an apparatus for performing meter reading according to the above.

  Concerning a centralized meter-reading device for metering each meter via a relay transmission device, Patent Document 1 discloses a centralized automatic meter-reading device for setting various information in a large number of telegram input / output meters via a plurality of relay transmission units in a short time. Patent Document 2 discloses a centralized automatic meter reading device that reads a large number of telegram input / output meters or reads information in a short time via a plurality of relay transmission units. In the centralized automatic meter reading devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2, a so-called simulation center function for assembling and sending a request message for each meter, which was conventionally performed by a central device, is performed by a relay transmission unit in the system, and more than one meter On the other hand, by making it possible to execute all of them at the same time, different messages can be sent out at the same time. Therefore, various information request messages other than responses to activation can be read in a high speed and in a short time.

Further, in Patent Document 3, a measurement value of a plurality of types of meters is output as a meter reading signal of the same format regardless of the signal format, and even when a plurality of types of meter groups having different signal formats coexist, A centralized meter reading system that can be displayed on a display unit and can be centrally managed accurately is disclosed.
JP-A-5-260563 JP-A-5-260564 Japanese Patent Publication No.7-111754

  As described above, there are cases in which water meters having different communication methods are mixedly installed due to the exchange. This applies not only to water meters but also to gas meters and power meters.

  However, conventionally, when meter reading is intensively performed on meters having different communication methods, it is necessary to prepare and separately install a centralized meter reading device corresponding to the communication method of each meter. In addition, even with a centralized meter reading device via a relay transmission device in the prior art including Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is impossible to meter each meter having a different communication method via the same type of relay transmission device. It is.

  In addition, the centralized meter reading system described in Patent Document 3 requires an A / D converter that executes complicated A / D conversion processing for every 5 bits and 8 bits, which complicates the processing and increases the cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. Even when meters of different communication systems are installed in each dwelling unit, the present invention can be achieved at low cost through a relay transmission device corresponding to the communication system of each meter. It is an object of the present invention to provide a centralized meter reading system and its relay transmission device that can perform meter reading at a location.

  The invention of claim 1 is a relay transmission device in which a centralized meter reading device and a plurality of meters with a communication function are connected, and relays when the centralized meter reading device performs meter reading with respect to the plurality of meters. Including a plurality of types of meters having different communication speeds and / or data configurations, the relay transmission device includes a centralized meter reading device communication circuit that transmits and receives transmission signals to and from the centralized meter reading device, and communication for each type of the meter A meter communication circuit that has an interface and transmits / receives transmission signals to / from the plurality of types of meters, and the centralized meter reading device and the meter via the centralized meter reading device communication circuit and the meter communication circuit. A control unit that controls communication from the corresponding source device to the destination device corresponding to the other, and the control unit transmits a transmission signal transmitted from the source device. The communication circuit on the transmission destination device side of the centralized meter reading device communication circuit and the meter communication circuit is received by the communication circuit on the transmission source device side of the centralized meter reading device communication circuit and the meter communication circuit. Conversion determination means for determining whether or not conversion of the communication speed and / or data configuration is necessary based on the type of the communication interface that is the communication target when transmitting to the transmission destination device, and the conversion determination means If it is determined that conversion of the communication speed is necessary, the communication speed of the transmission signal received from the transmission source device is set to the waveform length of the transmission signal received from the communication circuit on the transmission source device side. By controlling the communication conversion means for conversion according to the communication speed of the destination device, and when the conversion determination means determines that the data structure needs to be converted, Data conversion means for converting the data configuration of the transmission signal received from the source device in accordance with the data configuration of the destination device, and the conversion determination means does not require conversion of communication speed and data configuration When the determination is made, the transmission signal received by the communication circuit on the source device side is passed as it is, and control is performed to transmit to the transmission side device by the communication circuit on the destination device side. It is what.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the data conversion means is based on a data configuration used in the communication interface being a communication target and a data configuration used in the centralized meter reading device communication circuit. The data structure is converted by converting the bit structure of the transmission signal received from the communication circuit on the transmission source device side.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the type of meter includes a pulse signal output method, and the control unit receives the quantification received for each of the plurality of pulse signal output method meters. The pulse signal output type meter controlled by the control unit has a storage means for storing the meter reading value obtained based on the number of counted pulse signals for each increase and a preset coefficient value. Communication when the centralized meter reading device becomes a transmission destination device becomes a device, receives a pulse signal from the pulse signal output type meter, accumulates the received pulse signal in the storage means, and obtains the meter reading value, It is characterized by transmitting to the centralized meter reading device in response to an output request from the centralized metering device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the type of the meter includes an 8-bit telegram system and a 5-bit telegram system.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is a centralized meter reading system including a plurality of relay transmission devices according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention and the centralized meter reading device, wherein the centralized meter reading device is the relay transmission device. A communication circuit that transmits and receives transmission signals to and from the display, and a communication unit that communicates with the relay transmission device using the communication circuit, and reads and displays the meter reading values of a plurality of meters connected to the relay transmission device. It is characterized by having provided.

  According to the present invention, in the centralized meter reading system, even when meters of different communication methods are installed in each dwelling unit, they can be collectively collected at a low cost through the relay transmission device corresponding to the communication method of each meter. Meter reading can be performed.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a centralized meter reading system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a transmission procedure between apparatuses in the configuration example of FIG. 1 and 2, 1 is a centralized meter-reading device, 2 is a relay transmission device, 3 is a communication line between the centralized meter-reading device 1 and the relay transmission device 2, 4 is a water meter, and 4a is an 8-bit telegraphic water meter. 4b is a 5-bit telegram type water meter, 4c is a pulse signal output type water meter, 5 is a communication line between the relay transmission device 2 and the water meter 4, 10 is a control unit, 11 is a display unit, and 12 is for reading. A button switch, 13 is a communication unit, and 14 is a power supply unit.

  In the centralized meter reading system illustrated in FIG. 1, the centralized meter reading device 1 includes a plurality of relay transmission devices 2 in which a plurality of water meters 4 are connected by communication lines 5, and communication lines (connection lines) 3 that are output from a plurality of ports. Become connected. Hereinafter, a water meter will be described as an example, including the description in other embodiments, but other meters such as a gas meter can be similarly applied.

  The centralized meter reading device 1 includes a control unit 10 and a power supply unit 14 that supplies AC 100V power from the outside to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 includes a display unit 11 and a communication unit 13, and further includes an operator operation unit such as a read button switch 12. The communication unit 13 is a communication circuit that transmits and receives transmission signals to and from the relay transmission device 2. The display unit 11 is a display device that reads and displays the meter reading values of the plurality of water meters 4. Moreover, the control part 10 is equipped with the microcomputer which is not shown in figure, for example, and can be mounted by incorporating the program which performs control with respect to the display part 11, the communication part 13, and the operation part in the microcomputer.

  In the centralized meter reading device 1, the communication unit 13 outputs an 8-bit telegram-type meter reading request to the relay transmission device 2 via the communication line 3 by the operation of the read button switch from the operator, and the meter reading of the water meter 4 The response is received via the relay transmission device 2, the meter reading value of the water meter 4 is passed to the display unit 11, and the display unit 11 displays the meter reading value. As described above, the centralized meter reading device 1 reads the meter reading value of the water meter 4 by the output of the meter reading request and the reception of the meter reading response, and displays it on the display unit 11.

  As described above, the relay transmission device 2 is a device that connects the central meter-reading device 1 and a plurality of water meters 4 with communication functions, and relays the plurality of water meters 4 when the central meter-reading device 1 performs meter reading. .

  The relay transmission device 2 according to the present invention is a device that can handle a plurality of types of water meters 4 having different communication speeds and / or data configurations. Therefore, the relay transmission device 2 executes a conversion determination process set in advance so as to correspond to each communication interface (communication I / F) of the water meter 4, and corresponds to the communication speed of the water meter 4 according to the determination result. The communication conversion process to be performed and the data conversion process corresponding to the data configuration of the water meter 4 are performed to communicate with the water meter 4. On the other hand, the relay transmission device 2 performs communication with the centralized metering device 1 by performing data conversion processing corresponding to the data configuration of the centralized metering device 1 and communication conversion processing corresponding to the communication speed of the centralized metering device 1. Therefore, the centralized meter-reading device 1 can communicate with a plurality of water meters 4 having different data structures, communication speeds, and communication I / Fs via the relay transmission device 2, and the meter-reading values of these water meters 4 It can be read and displayed by communication.

  In the following description, when the communication unit 13 outputs an 8-bit telegram reading request to the relay transmission device 2, and when the relay transmission device 2 communicates with the 8-bit telegram water meter, communication speed conversion described later is performed. It is assumed that the data structure does not need to be converted. That is, conversion by data conversion means (and communication conversion means) is executed for other types of water meters based on an 8-bit message type water meter (data structure is 8-bit message and communication speed is 300 bps). An example is described below. However, the method for requesting meter reading may be a 5-bit telegram method, a pulse signal output method, or other methods. At this time, it is preferable that the relay transmission apparatus 2 has a configuration that does not need to perform communication speed conversion and data configuration conversion when communicating with a meter that performs a meter reading request. For example, an 8-bit telegram meter metering request is transmitted to a communication unit. Even if it is a case where it originates from 13, the relay transmission apparatus 2 may have a configuration in which communication with a 5-bit telegram type water meter (or pulse signal output type water meter) is performed without conversion.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the outline is demonstrated about the communication via the relay transmission apparatus 2 of the water meter from which a communication system differs, and the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1. FIG. When the communication method of the connected water meter 4 is an 8-bit telegram system, the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 passes directly through the relay transmission device 2 as in the transmission procedure shown in FIG. 2 and directly with the 8-bit telegram system water meter 4a. Transmit and receive transmission signals. Further, when the communication method of the water meter 4 to be connected is a 5-bit telegram system, the centralized meter-reading apparatus 1 converts the 5-bit telegram system by the relay transmission device 2 performing conversion as in the transmission procedure shown in FIG. Transmission / reception of transmission signals with the water meter 4b is performed.

  Further, when the communication method of the connected water meter 4 is a pulse signal output method, the centralized meter-reading device 1 relays and transmits the pulse signal output from the pulse signal output method water meter 4c as in the transmission procedure shown in FIG. The device 2 receives and stores the meter reading value obtained based on the count number of the received pulse signal and the preset coefficient value in the storage means. Then, based on the meter reading request from the centralized meter reading device 1, the relay transmission device 2 transmits the stored meter reading value.

  As described above, according to the centralized meter reading system of the present invention, a relay transmission apparatus for performing communication via a communication line with a meter with a communication function such as an 8-bit telegram system, a 5-bit telegram system, and a pulse signal output system, and the like. The relay transmission device has a centralized meter reading device for communicating with each other via a connection line, and the centralized meter reading device reads and displays the meter reading values of the meters with different communication methods. Even if it is installed in the instrument, the meter reading can be performed at one place at a low cost.

  The relay transmission apparatus 2 has been described briefly. Actually, however, the relay transmission apparatus 2 described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7 is necessary to enable communication as described above.

  3, 4, and 7 are block diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of the relay transmission apparatus in FIG. 1, in which an 8-bit telegram system, a 5-bit telegram system, and a pulse signal output system water meter are connected, respectively. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining data conversion executed in the relay transmission apparatus of FIG.

  3 to 7, 4a is an 8-bit telegram water meter, 4b is a 5-bit telegram water meter, 4c is a pulse signal output water meter, 20 is a main control unit, 21 is a non-volatile memory, and 22 is a timer unit. , 23 is a centralized meter reading device communication circuit, 24 is a water meter communication circuit, 24a is an 8-bit message I / F, 24b is a 5-bit message I / F, 24c is a pulse signal I / F, and 25 is a communication conversion means. , 26 is data conversion means, and 27 is conversion determination means.

  The relay transmission device 2 includes a centralized meter reading device communication circuit 23 that transmits and receives transmission signals to and from the centralized meter reading device 1 connected thereto, and communication I / Fs 24 a to 24 c for each type of the water meter 4. The water meter communication circuit 24 which transmits and receives a transmission signal between the meters 4a-4c is provided. Here, the centralized meter reading device communication circuit 23 can be used for communication with other relay transmission devices. However, since the same explanation can be made, only the communication with the centralized meter reading device 1 will be described below. . Here, when communicating with the pulse signal output type water meter 4c, the water meter communication circuit 24 outputs the pulse signal output type water meter 4c via the pulse signal I / F 24c for every fixed increase. A pulse signal is received.

  In addition, here, as the types of the water meter 4, three types of the 8-bit telegram system water meter 4a, the 5-bit telegram system water meter 4b, and the pulse signal output system water meter 4c will be described. is not. Similarly, the communication I / F included in the water meter communication circuit 24 will be described with three types of I / F 24a for 8-bit telegram, I / F 24b for 5-bit telegram, and I / F 24c for pulse signal. This is not the only one. For example, in the relay transmission device 2, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which only one type or two types of communication I / Fs are incorporated in the water meter communication circuit 24 by using the same components other than the water meter communication circuit 24. Becomes a centralized meter reading system in which only the type of water meter corresponding to the built-in communication I / F is connected.

  Further, the relay transmission device 2 transmits from the transmission source device corresponding to one of the central meter reading device 1 and the water meter 4 via the central meter reading device communication circuit 23 and the water meter communication circuit 24 to the destination corresponding to the other. A control unit for controlling communication with the apparatus is provided. The control unit includes a main control unit 20, and the main control unit 20 includes a communication conversion unit 25, a data conversion unit 26, and a conversion determination unit 27.

  The conversion determination unit 27 receives the transmission signal transmitted from the transmission source device by the communication circuit on the transmission source device side of the centralized meter-reading device communication circuit 23 and the water meter communication circuit 24, and performs communication on the transmission destination device side. When transmitting to the transmission destination device by the circuit, it is determined whether or not conversion of the communication speed and / or data configuration is necessary based on the type of the communication I / F 24a to 24c to be communicated.

  Here, an example of a method of identifying the 8-bit message I / F 24a, the 5-bit message I / F 24b, and the pulse signal I / F 24c by the conversion determination unit 27 will be described. When transmitting a transmission signal from the centralized meter reading device 1 to each water meter 4 via the relay transmission device 2, the following identification methods (a) and (b) can be exemplified.

  (A) Transmitted from the centralized meter reading device 1 as an activation message with an ID number, and the relay transmission device 2 searches the information of the destination water meter 4 from the ID number, and either 8 bits / 5 bits / pulse signals The conversion determination means 27 is a meter with which one of the three communication I / Fs 24a to 24c communicates using the previous water meter 4 to be transmitted. Can be identified. (B) The activation message without an ID number is transmitted from the centralized meter reading device 1, and the central metering device 1 or the relay transmission device 2 uses the 8-bit / 5-bit / pulse signal water meter 4 for each type. For example, when the communication order of the 8-bit telegram type water meter 4a is determined, transmission is naturally performed using the 8-bit telegram I / F 24a, so that the conversion determination unit 27 determines the communication I according to the order. / F can be identified. Further, when a transmission signal is transmitted from each water meter 4 to the centralized meter reading device 1 via the relay transmission device 2, the transmission signal from each water meter is input to the communication I / F for that water meter. The conversion determination unit 27 can identify the communication I / F by identifying the input source.

  When the conversion determining unit 27 determines that the communication speed needs to be converted, the communication converting unit 25 converts the communication speed of the transmission signal received from the transmission source device according to the communication speed of the transmission destination device. To do. The conversion of the communication speed is based on the communication speed in the communication I / F to be communicated and the communication speed in the centralized meter reading device communication circuit 23, and the waveform of the transmission signal received from the communication circuit on the source device side. This is done by controlling the length. In practice, a timer unit 22 is provided in the control unit of the relay transmission apparatus 2, and the timer unit 22 controls the waveform length of the transmission signal based on a communication speed conversion command from the communication conversion unit 25 of the main control unit 20. It is good to perform communication speed conversion.

  When the conversion determination unit 27 determines that the data configuration needs to be converted, the data conversion unit 26 converts the data configuration of the transmission signal received from the transmission source device according to the data configuration of the transmission destination device. To do. Here, the data conversion means 26 received from the communication circuit on the source device side based on the data configuration used in the communication I / F that is the communication target and the data configuration used in the centralized meter reading device communication circuit 23. It is preferable to convert the data configuration by converting the bit configuration of the transmission signal. By such bit configuration conversion, for example, data configuration conversion as described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 becomes possible.

  In this way, the main control unit 20 identifies the types of communication I / Fs 24a to 24c by the conversion determination means 27 for the transmission signal of the centralized metering device 1 input from the centralized metering device 1 through the centralized metering device communication circuit 23. Based on the result, if it is determined that the transmission signal needs to be converted, the data conversion means 26 performs bit configuration conversion. On the other hand, in the reverse communication, the main control unit 20 uses the conversion determination means 27 to transmit the transmission signals of the water meters 4a to 4c input from the water meters 4a to 4c through the water meter communication circuit 24 to the communication I / Fs 24a to 24c. If it is determined that the transmission signal needs to be converted based on the result of identifying the type, the data conversion means 26 performs bit configuration conversion.

  In addition, the control unit of the relay transmission device 2 needs to include storage means (illustrated by the nonvolatile memory 21) in order to support the pulse signal output type water meter. The nonvolatile memory 21 stores a meter reading value obtained based on the number of pulse signals received for each quantitative increase and a preset coefficient value for each of the plurality of pulse signal output type water meters. . Communication when the pulse signal output method meter 4c is a transmission source device and the centralized meter-reading device 1 is a transmission destination device controlled by the control unit of the relay transmission device 2 is a pulse signal from the pulse signal output method water meter 4c. The meter reading value obtained by accumulating the received pulse signal in the nonvolatile memory 21 is transmitted to the centralized meter reading device 1 in response to an output request from the centralized meter reading device 1.

  On the other hand, if conversion of the transmission signal is not necessary as determined by the conversion determination means 27, the transmission signal is passed through the bus line without performing bit configuration conversion and communication speed conversion based on the bus line selection signal from the main control unit 20. Then, the transmission signal of the water meter 4 is output to the water meter 4 through the water meter communication circuit 24. On the other hand, in the reverse direction communication, the bus line is similarly passed, and a centralized meter reading transmission signal is output to the centralized meter reading device 1 through the centralized meter reading device communication circuit 23.

  As described above, when the conversion determination unit 27 determines that the conversion of the communication speed and / or the data configuration is necessary, the control unit of the relay transmission device 2 performs the communication conversion unit 25 and / or the data conversion. The means 26 performs control to transmit the converted transmission signal to the transmission destination device by the communication circuit on the transmission destination device side. On the other hand, when the conversion determination unit 27 determines that the conversion of the communication speed and the data configuration is not necessary, the control unit passes the transmission signal received by the communication circuit on the transmission source device side as it is and transmits it. Control is performed to transmit to the transmission side device by the communication circuit on the destination device side.

  The main control unit 20 in the relay transmission apparatus 2 includes, for example, a microcomputer (not shown), and functions as a communication conversion unit 25, a data conversion unit 26, a conversion determination unit 27, and other units in the control unit. It can be implemented by incorporating the program to make it into the microcomputer. Further, in FIG. 3, even if the water meter communication circuit 24 is only an 8-bit telegram I / F 24a, a 5-bit telegram I / F 24b, and a pulse signal I / F 24c, the types of water meters that can be handled are reduced. This relay transmission device 2 functions.

  Based on the configuration as described above, first, the control when the 8-bit telegram type water meter 4a is connected will be described with reference to FIG.

  The conversion determination unit 27 determines the type of the communication I / F 24a to 24c via the identification line 31 of the communication I / F type. In the case of communication with the 8-bit telegram type water meter 4a as shown in FIG. 3, it is determined that the I / F 24a is for 8-bit telegram. The control unit of the relay transmission apparatus 2 performs control so as not to execute the conversion process in the data conversion unit 26 and the communication conversion unit 25 based on the determined result.

  The control unit of the relay transmission device 2 controls the bus line selection signal 30 to transmit the meter reading request output from the central meter reading device 1 received by the central meter reading device communication circuit 23 to the water meter communication circuit 24 as a transmission signal line. The meter reading request is output to the connected 8-bit telegraphic water meter 4a.

  The control unit of the relay transmission device 2 passes the meter reading response output from the 8-bit telegram type water meter 4a received by the water meter communication circuit 24 to the central meter reading device communication circuit 23 via the transmission signal line 32. The meter reading response is output to the connected centralized meter reading device 1.

  Next, an example of control when a 5-bit telegram type water meter is connected will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Similarly, in this case, the conversion determination unit 27 determines the types of the communication I / Fs 24 a to 24 c via the communication I / F type identification line 31. In the case of communication with the 5-bit telegram type water meter 4b as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that the I / F 24b is for 5-bit telegram. The control unit of the relay transmission device 2 performs control so that the data conversion unit 26 and the communication conversion unit 25 perform conversion processing based on the determined result.

  The control unit of the relay transmission device 2 controls the bus line selection signal 30 to transmit the meter reading request output from the central meter reading device 1 received by the central meter reading device communication circuit 23 to the water meter communication circuit 24 as a transmission signal line. The data is taken into the control unit of the relay transmission apparatus 2 without passing through the terminal 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the transmission signal taken into the control unit converts the 8-bit message into a 5-bit message by the data conversion unit 26, and the communication conversion unit 25 uses the timer unit 22 to convert 300 bps to 200 bps. The waveform length is controlled, and a meter reading request is output to the water meter communication circuit 24 via the transmission signal line 32 to the connected 5-bit telegraphic water meter 4b.

  The control unit of the relay transmission device 2 passes the meter reading response output from the 5-bit telegram type water meter 4b received by the water meter communication circuit 24 to the central meter reading device communication circuit via the transmission signal line 32. Without being taken into the control unit of the relay transmission apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission signal taken into the control unit converts the bit configuration from a 5-bit message into an 8-bit message by the data conversion unit 26, and the communication conversion unit 25 uses the timer unit 22 to convert 200 bps to 300 bps. Then, the waveform length is controlled, and a meter reading response is output to the centralized meter reading device 1 connected to the centralized meter reading device communication circuit 23 via the transmission signal line 32.

  Next, an example of control when a pulse signal output type water meter is connected will be described with reference to FIG.

  Similarly, in this case, the conversion determination unit 27 determines the types of the communication I / Fs 24 a to 24 c via the communication I / F type identification line 31. In the case of communication with the pulse signal output type water meter 4c as shown in FIG. 7, it is determined that the pulse signal I / F 24c is used.

  The control unit of the relay transmission device 2 receives the pulse signal output from the pulse signal output type water meter 4c by the water meter communication circuit 24, and causes the central meter reading device communication circuit 23 to pass through the transmission signal line 32. Instead, the pulse signal is taken into the control unit of the relay transmission apparatus 2. The pulse signal taken into the control unit stores a meter reading value obtained based on a preset coefficient value in the nonvolatile memory 21, waits for an output request from the centralized meter reading device 1, and stores the stored content as a meter reading response. Is output as follows.

  Thus, in the case of the pulse signal output type water meter 4c, the data stored in the nonvolatile memory 21 is transmitted to the centralized meter reading device 1 as a meter reading response. At that time, the communication conversion means 25 is used to convert the data in the nonvolatile memory 21 to 300 bps so that communication with the centralized meter reading device 1 is possible. Here, since the data in the nonvolatile memory 21 is stored in an 8-bit data format, there is no need for data conversion by the data conversion means 26. That is, the control unit of the relay transmission apparatus 2 performs control so that the conversion process in the data conversion unit 26 is not executed and the conversion process in the communication conversion unit 25 is executed based on the determined result.

  Actually, the control unit of the relay transmission device 2 controls the bus line selection signal 30 to transmit the meter reading request output from the centralized meter reading device 1 received by the centralized meter reading device communication circuit 23 to the water meter communication circuit 24. The data is taken into the control unit of the relay transmission apparatus 2 without passing through the signal line 32. In order to respond to the captured output request transmission signal, the control unit performs waveform length control at 300 bps on the data in the nonvolatile memory 21 by the communication conversion unit 25 and the timer unit 22, and the centralized meter reading device communication circuit The meter reading response is output to the centralized meter reading device 1 connected to the terminal 23 via the transmission signal line 32.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the centralized meter-reading system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the transmission procedure between the apparatuses in the structural example of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the relay transmission apparatus in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the relay transmission apparatus in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining data conversion executed in the relay transmission apparatus of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining data conversion executed in the relay transmission apparatus of FIG. 4. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the relay transmission apparatus in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Centralized meter-reading device, 2 ... Relay transmission device, 3, 5 ... Communication line, 4 ... Water meter, 4a ... 8-bit telegram system water meter, 4b ... 5-bit telegram system water meter, 4c ... Pulse signal output system water meter DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Control part, 11 ... Display part, 12 ... Reading button switch, 13 ... Communication part, 14 ... Power supply part, 20 ... Main control part, 21 ... Nonvolatile memory, 22 ... Timer part, 23 ... Centralized meter-reading apparatus Communication circuit, 24 ... Water meter communication circuit, 24a ... I / F for 8-bit telegram, 24b ... I / F for 5-bit telegram, 24c ... I / F for pulse signal, 25 ... Communication conversion means, 26 ... Data conversion means 27: Conversion determination means.

Claims (5)

In a relay transmission device that is connected to a centralized meter reading device and a plurality of meters with communication functions, and relays when the centralized meter reading device performs meter reading on the plurality of meters,
The plurality of meters includes a plurality of types of meters having different communication speeds and / or data configurations,
The relay transmission device has a centralized meter reading device communication circuit for transmitting and receiving transmission signals to and from the centralized meter reading device and a communication interface for each type of meter, and transmits and receives transmission signals to and from the plurality of types of meters. Communication from the source device corresponding to one of the centralized meter reading device and the meter to the destination device corresponding to the other via the meter communication circuit, the centralized meter reading device communication circuit, and the meter communication circuit. A control unit for controlling,
The control unit
The transmission signal transmitted from the transmission source device is received by the communication circuit on the transmission source device side of the centralized meter reading device communication circuit and the meter communication circuit, and the centralized meter reading device communication circuit and the meter communication circuit are received. Whether or not the communication speed and / or the data configuration needs to be converted based on the type of the communication interface to be communicated when transmitting to the transmission destination device by the communication circuit on the transmission destination device side. Conversion determination means for determining;
When the conversion determination means determines that the communication speed needs to be converted, the communication speed of the transmission signal received from the transmission source device is set to the transmission signal received from the communication circuit on the transmission source device side. By controlling the waveform length, communication conversion means for converting according to the communication speed of the destination device,
Data conversion means for converting the data configuration of the transmission signal received from the transmission source device according to the data configuration of the transmission destination device when the conversion determination unit determines that the data configuration needs to be converted When,
Have
When the conversion determining means determines that the conversion of the communication speed and the data structure is not necessary, the transmission signal received by the communication circuit on the source device side is passed as it is and the transmission on the destination device side is performed. A relay transmission apparatus that performs control of transmission to the transmission-side apparatus using a communication circuit.   The data conversion means, based on the data configuration used in the communication interface to be communicated and the data configuration used in the centralized meter reading device communication circuit, to the transmission signal received from the communication circuit on the source device side 2. The relay transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data configuration is converted by converting the bit configuration. The type of meter includes a pulse signal output method,
The control unit stores, for each of the plurality of pulse signal output type meters, a meter reading value obtained based on the number of pulse signals received for each quantitative increase received and a preset coefficient value. Have
The communication when the pulse signal output method meter is a transmission source device and the centralized meter reading device is a transmission destination device, which is controlled by the control unit, receives a pulse signal from the pulse signal output method meter and receives the pulse signal. The relay transmission according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a meter reading value obtained by accumulating a pulse signal in the storage means is transmitted to the central meter reading device in response to an output request from the central meter reading device. apparatus.   The relay transmission apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the type of meter includes an 8-bit telegram system and a 5-bit telegram system.   5. A centralized meter reading system comprising a plurality of relay transmission devices according to claim 1, and comprising the centralized meter reading device, wherein the centralized meter reading device transmits data to and from the relay transmission device. A communication circuit that transmits and receives signals; and a display unit that communicates with the relay transmission device using the communication circuit and reads and displays the meter reading values of a plurality of meters connected to the relay transmission device. Centralized meter reading system.

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