JP5143458B2 - Remaining usable time notification device and fluid supply system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid supply apparatus that supplies a usable amount of fluid corresponding to a prepaid card acquired through a prepaid card, communication, or the like.

  In the gas industry, there is known a prepaid supply control device that reliably collects gas charges and prevents the supply of useless gas. The prepaid supply control device shown in Patent Document 1 connects a gas meter and a controller via a communication line, and the controller converts the usage amount input from the gas meter into a frequency, and the card frequency stored in the prepaid card. Describes the technical idea of substituting the frequency corresponding to the amount of use from the above and giving an alarm when the residual frequency becomes zero.

Furthermore, in the gas meter shown in Patent Document 2, advance payment having a usable amount corresponding to the amount of advance payment paid by a consumer (consumer side) to a gas dealer or the like by purchase of a prepaid card, account transfer or the like. A technical idea is described in which information is taken into a memory unit in a gas meter via a communication unit and the remaining number is managed.
JP 11-316874 A JP-A-2005-43948

  However, in the prepaid supply control device shown in Patent Document 1 described above, when the remaining frequency becomes zero, the gas meter shuts off the gas flow path, so that when the remaining frequency becomes zero, an alarm is used. There is a problem that it becomes unavailable when a person wants to use it. For this reason, when the remaining frequency is reduced to a predetermined value in advance, it may be possible to notify the user of the remaining frequency or the remaining money. However, even if the user is notified of the remaining frequency or the remaining money, the user needs to pay immediately. If it is not possible to determine whether or not it is, there is a problem that the user has to take time and trouble such as depositing a deposit regardless of whether or not it is used. Such a problem is also a problem that occurs in the supply of other fluids such as tap water other than gas.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a remaining usable time notification device and a fluid supply system that improve user convenience in supplying a prepaid fluid.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the remaining usable time notification device according to claim 1 according to the present invention is a fluid supply device for supplying a supply amount of fluid corresponding to the advance payment as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. 10 is a remaining usable time notifying device that is provided separately from 10 and notifies the remaining usable time of the fluid corresponding to the advance payment, and transmits / receives various information to / from the fluid supply device 10. A communication unit 24; and a usable amount information acquisition unit 21a1 for acquiring usable amount information for specifying the usable amount of the fluid according to the advance payment from the fluid supply device 10 via the communication unit 24. a flow rate information acquiring unit 21a3 to acquire flow information indicating the flow rate per unit time from the fluid supply device 10 through the communication unit 24, obtained by the flow rate information acquiring unit 21a3 flow And remaining usable time calculating unit 21a2, the remaining usable time calculating unit 21a2 is calculated to calculate the distribution and the usable amount information acquisition unit 21a1 remaining usable time of the fluid based on the the acquired usable amount information An informing means 26 for informing the remaining usable time, an in-use apparatus determination information acquiring means 21a4 for acquiring in-use apparatus determination information for identifying one or a plurality of apparatuses to which the fluid supply device 10 supplies fluid. Use device identifying means 21a5 for identifying the used 21a2 device based on the used device determination information acquired by the used device determination information acquiring means and the flow rate information acquired by the flow rate information acquiring means, and the notification means 26 notifies the device specified by the used device specifying means 21a5 and the remaining usage time .

In order to solve the above problems, the fluid supply system according to claim 2 according to the present invention includes, as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. 2. The fluid supply system comprising the remaining usable time notification device according to claim 1 , wherein the remaining usable time notification device includes a gas alarm, a carbon monoxide alarm, a fire alarm provided indoors. It is incorporated in at least one indoor device arbitrarily selected from indoor devices such as a storage device and an indoor information board.

  As described above, according to the remaining usable time notification device of the present invention described in claim 1, usable amount information such as the remaining frequency, the used amount, and the remaining used amount is obtained from the fluid supply device by wired communication or wireless communication. Since the obtained remaining usable time of the fluid corresponding to the usable amount information is calculated and notified, the user is not obscure information such as the balance or the remaining amount, but the user has a specific remaining used time. In addition, it is possible to consider the advance payment in consideration of the future use of the fluid and the like, so the advance payment can be made at the optimal timing. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user in supplying the prepaid fluid.

Further, according to according to the invention described in claim 1, acquires flow rate information indicating the flow rate per unit time from the flow supply apparatus, it calculates a remaining usable time based on the available capacity information and the flow rate information Since the remaining usable time can be calculated more accurately, the supply of fluid can be prevented more accurately from stopping before the advance payment is made.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 1, taken on the basis of the obtained was used equipment determination information and rate information to identify the equipment used, it has to be informed as the remaining usable time of the equipment used was the specific Therefore, it is possible to make the user aware of the remaining available time focusing on the equipment being used, so it becomes easier for the user to grasp the future fluid usage forecast, etc. Etc. can be performed.

As described above, according to the flow rate supply system of the present invention described in claim 2 , the remaining usable time notification device is used as an indoor gas alarm device, carbon monoxide alarm device, fire alarm device, indoor information panel, etc. Since it was selected and installed from among the devices, the user could refer to the indoor device instead of vague information such as the balance or remaining amount, and the specific remaining usage time and future fluid usage Since the payment of the advance payment can be considered in consideration of the expectation and the like, the advance payment can be made at the optimum timing. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user in supplying the prepaid fluid.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the remaining usable time notification device and the fluid supply system according to the present invention are applied to a gas security system will be described below with reference to the drawings of FIGS.

  In FIG. 2, a gas security system 1 includes a gas meter 10 provided outdoors so as to be incorporated in a gas supply line, and a gas leak alarm (hereinafter referred to as an alarm) provided indoors separately from the gas meter 10. 20).

  The gas meter 10 has a microprocessor (MPU) 11 that operates according to a predetermined program. As is well known, the MPU 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11a that performs various processes and controls according to a predetermined program, a ROM 11b that is a read-only memory storing a program for the CPU 11a, and various data. And a RAM 11c, which is a readable / writable memory having an area necessary for processing operations of the CPU 11a.

  The gas meter 10 further includes a memory unit 12, a communication unit 13, a flow rate sensor 14, and a cutoff valve 15. Each of the memory unit 12, the communication unit 13, the flow sensor 14, and the shutoff valve 15 is electrically connected to the MPU 11.

  The memory unit 12 is capable of holding various stored data even when the power supply from the battery is cut off, and is an electrically erasable / rewritable read having various storage areas necessary for the processing operation of the CPU 11a. A dedicated memory (EEPROM) or the like is used. In this embodiment, the MPU 11 and the memory unit 12 realize the fluid supply device in the claims.

  In addition to various counters such as a meter-reading counter, the memory unit 12 stores various types of information such as usage time interruption classification information 51, instantaneous flow velocity information 52, individual use device discrimination information 53, remaining frequency information 54, and the like.

  The usage time cut-off category information 51 indicates the relationship between a plurality of cut-off categories obtained by dividing the flow rate [l / h] or the gas consumption [kg / h] into a plurality of predetermined ranges and the determination threshold value (minutes). From the table, the shut-off classification used in the gas meter 10 and each determination threshold value are set. For example, when the gas consumption amount is less than 0.042 and the flow rate is less than 21, the determination threshold is unlimited in the cutoff section 1. When the gas consumption is 0.042 or more and less than 0.126, and the flow rate is 21 or more and less than 63, the determination threshold is a lower limit value = 300, an upper limit value = 720, etc.

  In the instantaneous flow velocity information 52, data such as an instantaneous flow velocity value [l / s] is set. In the individual use device discrimination information 53, a flow rate threshold value, a flow velocity threshold value, etc. per unit time for discriminating one or a plurality of combustion devices that supply gas are set.

  The remaining number information 54 is set with a remaining number according to the advance payment paid by the consumer (consumer side) to the gas dealer or the like by purchase of a prepaid card, account transfer or the like. The remaining frequency is subtracted by the CPU 11a from the frequency corresponding to the gas supply amount. Further, the remaining frequency information 54 is obtained, for example, by purchasing a prepaid card from a management center of a gas dealer using a communication device such as an NCU (Network Control Unit), or from a setting device connected to the gas meter 10 or by transferring the account. The advance information corresponding to the amount of the advance paid from the consumer (consumer side) to the gas dealer is acquired and updated based on the advance information.

  The communication unit 13 is controlled by the MPU 11 and uses a terminal block to which various external devices outside the gas meter 10 are connected. The communication unit 13 is connected to the communication unit 24 of the alarm device 20 via the communication line 30. And while transmitting the signal which shows the various electronic messages input from MPU11 to the alarm device 20, the electronic message which the signal received from the alarm device 20 shows is output to MPU11.

  For example, the flow rate sensor 14 generates a flow rate signal in accordance with the movement of the movable part (film), and the flow rate signal is digitally converted and output to the MPU 11. In the present embodiment, the case where the flow sensor 14 generates a flow signal according to the movement of the movable part will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gas flowing through the gas passage in the gas meter 10 is described. A flow sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like that generates a flow signal according to the flow may be used.

  Although not shown, the shutoff valve 15 has a valve body and a drive circuit that drives the valve body. When a shutoff signal is input from the MPU 11, the valve seat provided in the gas flow path is shut off by the valve body. Is in a supply stop state in which the gas flow path is shut off. Further, when a return signal is input from the MPU 11, the valve body is driven so as to open the valve seat, so that the gas flow path can be opened.

  The gas meter 10 thus configured measures the amount of gas used using the flow sensor 14. Then, when a large amount of flow is measured, or when it has been used for a long time that would not be normal, it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the shutoff valve 15 is driven to shut off the gas flow path. It has a security function to ensure.

  The gas meter 10 outputs a safety signal related to the safety function to the alarm device 20 to display / output information corresponding to the safety signal on the indoor device. For example, examples of the security signal include a shut-off notice signal and a valve shut-off signal. The shut-off notice signal is used to call attention when the gas meter has forgotten to turn off the instrument when a certain gas has been used for a long time (for example, about 5 to 8 minutes before shutting off the gas). The signal output from the gas meter to the indoor device. The valve shut-off signal is a signal indicating that the gas meter valve is closed due to abnormal shut-off of gas use or shut-off by the operation of an external sensor.

  Next, an example of a schematic configuration of the alarm device 20 will be described below.

  The alarm device 20 includes a microprocessor (MPU) 21 that operates according to a predetermined program, a memory unit 22, a gas detection unit 23, a communication unit 24, a voice IC (integrated circuit) 25, a notification unit 26, ,have. Similar to the gas meter 10 described above, the MPU 21 includes a CPU 21a, a ROM 21b, and a RAM 21c. The MPU 21 includes a memory unit 22, a gas detection unit 23, a communication unit 24, an audio IC 25, and a notification unit. 26 is electrically connected.

  The ROM 21b includes a program for causing the CPU 21a to function as a remaining frequency acquisition unit, a remaining usable time calculation unit, a flow rate information acquisition unit, a used device determination information acquisition unit, and a used device identification unit, and a gas having a predetermined concentration or more is stored in the ROM 21b. A program or the like for performing an alarm when it is detected by the detection unit 23 is stored.

  The memory unit 22 uses an EEPROM or the like, and receives various types of information such as usage time interruption classification information 51, instantaneous flow velocity information 52, individual use device identification information 53, remaining frequency information 54, etc. received by the communication unit 24, and an audio information table 61. In addition, various tables such as a block classification table 62 and a usable time table 63 and a notification determination condition 71 are stored.

  The audio information table 61 is a table for selecting audio information of the audio IC 25 corresponding to the device used, time, alarm, and the like. The block classification table 62 is a table indicating the flow velocity corresponding to the block classification indicated by the use time block classification information 51. And the interruption | blocking division | segmentation table 62 uses 375 [l / s] which is the flow volume of a safe side, when the division | segmentation division | segmentation division 5 is 290-375 [l / s], for example. The usable time table 63 is a table indicating the usable flow time corresponding to the gas flow rate and the device used. As the notification determination condition 71, a determination condition set by a user or the like, for example, a device used, a remaining time, or the like is set.

  Although not shown, the gas detection unit 23 includes a gas sensor such as a catalytic combustion type gas sensor and a drive circuit that drives the gas sensor. The gas detection unit 23 is driven in response to a request from the MPU 21, thereby detecting a sensor output corresponding to the gas concentration and outputting it to the MPU 21.

  The communication unit 24 is controlled by the MPU 21 and is connected to the communication unit 13 of the outdoor gas meter 10 via the communication line 30. The communication unit 13 transmits a signal indicating various messages input from the MPU 21 to the gas meter 10 and outputs a message indicated by the signal received from the gas meter 10 to the MPU 21.

  The audio IC 25 stores a plurality of predetermined types of audio information. For example, “Soon”, “Remaining”, “15 minutes”, “10 minutes”, “5 minutes”,. "Cannot be used". And the audio | voice information designated from CPU21 is output to the alerting | reporting part 26 in the designated order.

  The notification unit 26 converts the audio information input from the audio IC 25 into an audio signal, amplifies it by an amplifier and outputs it from a speaker or the like, and displays various information input from the MPU 21 on a display such as an LCD (liquid crystal display). To display.

  Next, an example of a processing outline according to the present invention executed by the CPU 21a of the alarm device 20 will be described below with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the alarm device 20 receives the activation signal from the gas meter 10 via the communication unit 24, in step S11, a message requesting security data for the gas meter 10 is generated, and the communication unit 24 is requested to transmit a message. The message is transmitted from the communication unit 24 to the gas meter 10, and then the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the remaining frequency warning corresponding to the security data is received from the gas meter 10 via the communication unit 24. In step S13, a message requesting data transmission is generated, and the communication unit 24 is requested to transmit the message. Thus, the message is transmitted from the communication unit 24 to the gas meter 10, and then the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14 (usable amount information acquisition means, flow rate information acquisition means), the use time interruption classification information 51, the instantaneous flow velocity information 52, and the individual use appliance determination information 53 corresponding to the data transmission request from the gas meter 10 via the communication unit 24. The remaining frequency information 54 and the like are received, the usage time cutoff classification information 51, the instantaneous flow velocity information 52, the individual use appliance determination information 53 and the like are flow rate information, and the remaining frequency information 54 is stored in the memory unit 22 as usable amount information. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the flow rate information includes the usage time cut-off classification information 51, the instantaneous flow velocity information 52, and the individual use appliance determination information 53 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and per unit time. If the flow rate can be identified, the information configuration can be arbitrarily set.

  Further, the case where the usable amount information is the remaining number information 54 indicating the remaining number of prepaid cards will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the usable amount of gas corresponding to the advance payment is specified. If possible, it is possible to make various embodiments such as obtaining the remaining usage amount corresponding to the advance money managed on the gas meter 10 side, the usage amount used so far, etc. as usable amount information. .

  In step S15, the gas usage amount is estimated based on the flow rate information such as the usage time cutoff section information 51 and the instantaneous flow velocity information 52 in the memory unit 22 and the cutoff section table 62. Based on this, the currently used device is specified, and then the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16 (remaining usable time calculating means), the remaining usable time is calculated based on the calculated gas usage amount, the specified use device and the usable time table 63 of the memory unit 22, and then the process proceeds to step S17. move on.

  In step S <b> 17, it is determined whether or not the notification condition is satisfied based on the comparison result between the calculated remaining usable time and the predetermined notification determination condition 71. If it is determined that the notification condition is not satisfied (N in S17), the process returns to step S11, and a series of processes is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied (Y in S17), the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, the remaining usable time and the voice information of the voice IC 25 corresponding to the user device are selected from the voice information table 61, and then the process proceeds to step S19. As an example of selection of voice information, voice information such as “hot water heater” and “cannot be used in the remaining 10 minutes” is selected.

  In step S19, when notification of the audio information selected from the audio information table 61 is requested to the audio IC 25, the audio IC 25 outputs the requested audio signal to the notification unit 26, and the notification unit 26 outputs the audio signal to the outside. To output the remaining usable time of the fluid corresponding to the remaining frequency of the advance payment, and then the process is terminated.

  Next, an example of operations (actions) of the gas meter 10 and the alarm device 20 in the fluid supply system 1 described above will be described below.

  In FIG. 4, the gas meter 10 transmits an activation signal from the communication unit 13 to the alarm device 20 at a predetermined timing (D1). Then, the alarm device 20 requests the gas meter 10 to transmit security data via the communication unit 24 (D2). The gas meter 10 transmits a remaining frequency warning corresponding to the received security data from the communication unit 13 to the alarm device 20 (D3). When the alarm device 20 acquires the remaining frequency warning, the alarm device 20 requests the gas meter 10 to transmit data (D4). The gas meter 10 reads out the usage time cut-off classification information 51, the instantaneous flow velocity information 52, the individual use appliance determination information 53, the remaining frequency information 54, and the like in the memory unit 12 and transmits them to the alarm device 20 (D5).

  When the alarm device 20 estimates the gas usage based on the flow rate information such as the usage time interruption classification information 51 and the instantaneous flow velocity information 52 and the interruption classification table 62, the alarm device 20 identifies the used equipment and can use the remaining equipment. The time is calculated based on the remaining frequency information 54 that is usable amount information. And when the remaining usable time is “remaining 10 minutes” and it is estimated that the device used is “hot water heater”, the notification unit 26 “the hot water heater becomes unusable in the remaining 10 minutes.”, “Prepaid Card Please update or replenish. "

  According to the alarm device 20 described above, the remaining frequency information is acquired from the gas meter 10, and the remaining usable time of the fluid corresponding to the remaining frequency indicated by the remaining frequency information is calculated and notified, so that the remaining balance Rather than vague information such as remaining amount, etc., the user can consider the advance payment in consideration of the specific remaining usage time and future fluid usage forecast, etc. You can pay the advance payment. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user in supplying the prepaid fluid.

  Further, the usage time cut-off classification information 51, the instantaneous flow velocity information 52, the individual use appliance determination information 53, etc. indicating the flow rate per unit time are acquired from the gas meter 10 as the flow rate information, and the remaining usage is based on the flow rate information and the remaining frequency. Since the available time is calculated and notified, the remaining usable time can be calculated more accurately, so that the fluid supply can be more accurately prevented from stopping before the advance payment is made. Can do.

  Furthermore, because the device used is identified based on the acquired device identification information and flow rate information obtained, and the remaining usable time of the identified device used is calculated and notified, attention is paid to the device being used. Since the remaining usable time can be recognized by the user, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the future fluid usage prediction and the like, and the advance payment can be made at a more optimal timing.

  In the fluid supply system 1 described above, the case where the remaining usable time notification device of the present invention is realized by the alarm device 20 provided indoors and communicably connected to the gas meter 10 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and can be realized by various devices that can notify the user, that is, are close to the user or possessed by the user. For example, a wireless communication device or the like can be used for the communication units 13 and 24, and can be realized by a home device such as a CO alarm device, a fire alarm device, a television receiver, a personal computer, or a home information board. Furthermore, the remaining usable time notification device can be realized by a plurality of in-home devices.

  In the fluid supply system 1 described above, the case where the gas meter 10 and the alarm device 20 are wired communication via the communication line 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. As described above, when the communication units 13 and 24 are realized by a wireless device to enable wireless communication, and when the gas meter 10 and the alarm device 20 are supplied with power via a power cable, a known home network Various embodiments can be made such as enabling data communication via (for example, ECHONET: Energy Conservation Homecare Network).

  Moreover, although the fluid supply system 1 mentioned above demonstrated the case where gas was supplied, this invention is not limited to this, It can use also in the system which supplies other fluids, such as a tap water.

  As described above, the above-described embodiments are merely representative forms of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the remaining usable time alerting | reporting apparatus and fluid supply system of this invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fluid supply system of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process outline | summary which concerns on this invention which CPU of the alarm device in FIG. 2 performs. It is a figure which shows the data flow in the fluid supply system in FIG. It is a figure which shows the data flow by radio | wireless communication in the fluid supply system in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Fluid supply system 10 Fluid supply device (gas meter)
20 Remaining usable time notification device (gas alarm)
21a1 Remaining frequency acquisition means (alarm CPU)
21a2 Remaining usable time calculation means (alarm CPU)
21a3 Flow rate information acquisition means (alarm CPU)
21a4 Used device determination information acquisition means (alarm CPU)
21a5 Used device identification means (alarm CPU)
24 Communication means (communication part of alarm device)
26 Notification means (notification part of alarm device)

Claims (2)

A remaining usable time notification device that is provided separately from a fluid supply device that supplies a supply amount of fluid corresponding to the advance payment, and that notifies the remaining available time of the fluid corresponding to the advance payment,
Communication means for transmitting and receiving various information to and from the fluid supply device;
Usable amount information acquisition means for acquiring usable amount information for specifying the usable amount of the fluid according to the advance payment from the fluid supply device via the communication means;
Flow rate information acquisition means for acquiring flow rate information indicating a flow rate per unit time from the fluid supply device via the communication means;
And remaining usable time calculating means for calculating the remaining usable time of the fluid based on the available capacity information flow rate information and the usable amount information acquisition unit acquires obtained by the flow information acquiring means,
Informing means for informing the remaining usable time calculated by the remaining usable time calculating means;
Used device determination information acquisition means for acquiring used device determination information for identifying one or a plurality of devices to which the fluid supply device supplies a fluid;
Used device identifying means for identifying a used device based on the used device determination information acquired by the used device determination information acquiring unit and the flow rate information acquired by the flow rate information acquiring unit;
Have
The remaining usable time notifying device , wherein the notifying unit notifies the device specified by the used device specifying unit and the remaining used time. A fluid supply system comprising: a fluid supply device that supplies a supply amount of fluid corresponding to the advance payment; and the remaining usable time notification device according to claim 1 .
The remaining usable time notification device is incorporated in at least one indoor device arbitrarily selected from indoor devices such as a gas alarm device, a carbon monoxide alarm device, a fire alarm device, and an indoor information panel provided indoors. A fluid supply system.

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