JP6022754B2 - Water usage monitoring system and water usage monitoring method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water usage monitoring system and a water usage monitoring method for discriminating and notifying abnormal water usage including water leakage from the display of a water meter provided for each dwelling unit.

  Conventionally, household water supply equipment installed in apartment houses such as ordinary houses and condominiums installs a water meter at the part where the water pipe is drawn from the outside, integrates the amount of water used, and reads the meter for billing processing I am doing so.

On the other hand, in the recent water meter reading system, the water meter installed in the home with the digitization of the water meter is connected online to the meter reading center of the local government's water bureau, etc. It is possible to do.

JP 2006-118948 A JP-A-11-296774

  By the way, in household water supply facilities, water leaks from water-use equipment in places such as kitchens, washrooms, bathrooms, washing machine places, toilets, and joints of indoor water pipes, etc. during long-term residence. If there is a case, it can be found and dealt with if the water leaks out.

  However, it is difficult to find water leaks from water pipes and equipment that use water that are normally invisible, and if you notice that water charges are abnormally high compared to your living conditions, water leaks will occur. Although it may be doubted that it is, it is not easy to confirm whether the cause is a water leak.

To check for water leaks using a water meter, make sure that all faucets are closed and water is not being used. In this state, the water pilot (a windmill-like rotation that rotates according to the water flow) is provided. if the board) is long as the rotation, means that you have a water leak somewhere in from the water meter to the faucet, institutions of Waterworks Bureau or the like such confirmation methods are to publication using the home page If you find a water leak, you are advised to contact a repairer.

  However, water leaks are not regularly checked at home every day, and water leaks may be checked when water charges are abnormally high. It is in a situation where it is left without being discovered.

  In addition, real estate management companies such as rental apartments manage a large number of properties, and may know the existence of properties that have leaked without being discovered over a long period of time. In many cases, buildings and various facilities are damaged by water leakage over a long period of time, and there is a problem that it takes a great deal of cost and time to repair them.

The present invention relates to a water usage monitoring system and a water usage monitoring method that make use of a network environment such as the Internet to determine abnormal water usage including water leakage from the display of a water meter and notify a user or administrator. The purpose is to provide.

(Water usage monitoring system)
In the water usage monitoring system, the present invention detects a water usage status from a water meter display by a water meter detection unit, and transmits a water usage status detection signal to a processing device on the network .
If the processing device detects abnormal water usage including water leakage by processing the water usage status detection signal, the user terminal gives an instruction to send a confirmation response after stopping the water usage together with an abnormal water usage notification To
When a confirmation response is received by the processing device, the presence / absence of water supply is confirmed by processing the water usage status detection signal over a predetermined time, and the confirmation result is transmitted to the user terminal for notification.

In another aspect of the present invention, in a water usage monitoring system,
A plurality of water meter detection units installed in the water meter provided for each unit detects the water usage status from the display of the water meter and sends a water usage status detection signal to the processing unit outside the unit via the network. ,
When water treatment status detection signals for each water meter received from multiple water meter detection units are sequentially stored in the processing device, and abnormal water usage including water leakage is determined by processing of the stored water usage status detection signals In addition, an instruction to send a confirmation response for the contact display request together with the notification of the determination result is transmitted to the user terminal held by the resident of the dwelling unit where the abnormal water use is determined,
When the confirmation response is received by the processing device, a contact list such as a waterworks contractor is transmitted to the user terminal and displayed .

Here, the water meter detection unit is
A display detector that detects the water usage from the display of the water meter and outputs a water usage detection signal;
A communication unit that transmits a water use status detection signal output from the display detection unit to the processing device and receives a signal from the processing device;
Is provided.

Based on the water usage status detection signal, a usage pattern indicating whether or not water usage is used is generated every predetermined monitoring cycle, and abnormal water usage is discriminated when the unused time zone cannot be detected from the usage pattern .

  The predetermined time zone in which the water supply is not used is a predetermined bedtime or absent time zone.

Furthermore, an absence sensor for detecting the absence of a person is provided, and an absence detection signal from the absence sensor is transmitted to the processing device,
A processing apparatus discriminate | determines abnormal water use, when water use is detected in the absence time slot | zone based on an absence detection signal.

(Water usage monitoring method)
In the water usage monitoring method, the present invention detects the water usage status from the display of the water meter by the water meter detection unit and transmits it to the processing device on the network .
If the processing device detects abnormal water usage including water leakage by processing the water usage status detection signal, the user terminal gives an instruction to send a confirmation response after stopping the water usage together with an abnormal water usage notification To
When a confirmation response is received by the processing device, the presence / absence of water supply is confirmed by processing the water use status detection signal over a predetermined time, and the confirmation result is transmitted to the user terminal for notification.

In another form of the present invention, in the water usage monitoring method, the water usage status is detected from the display of the water meter by a plurality of water meter detection units installed in the water meter provided for each dwelling unit. Send the water usage status detection signal to the processing unit outside the dwelling unit via the network,
When water treatment status detection signals for each water meter received from multiple water meter detection units are sequentially stored in the processing device, and abnormal water usage including water leakage is determined by processing of the stored water usage status detection signals In addition, an instruction to send a confirmation response for the contact display request together with the notification of the determination result is transmitted to the user terminal held by the resident of the dwelling unit where the abnormal water use is determined,
When the confirmation response is received by the processing device, a contact list such as a waterworks contractor is transmitted to the user terminal and displayed .

  Here, a usage pattern that indicates the presence or absence of water usage is generated every predetermined monitoring cycle based on the water usage status detection signal, and abnormal water usage is detected when the unused time zone cannot be detected from the usage pattern. Determine.

  The predetermined time zone in which the water supply is not used is a predetermined bedtime or absent time zone (outing time zone).

Furthermore, an absence sensor that detects the absence of a person is provided, and an absence detection signal from the absence sensor is transmitted to the processing device.
A processing apparatus discriminate | determines abnormal water use, when water use is detected in the absence time slot | zone based on an absence detection signal.

  According to the present invention, a water meter usage unit detects a water usage status, transmits a water usage status detection signal to a network adapter according to a predetermined communication protocol, converts the network adapter into, for example, an Internet communication protocol, and transmits it to a server. Because the server uses the water supply status detection signal to detect abnormal water usage including water leaks, it uses the network environment in the home and the network environment outside the home to When abnormal use is monitored in real time and abnormal use is determined, for example, the occurrence of a water leak may be reported from a user terminal owned by a resident or a real estate management company, and appropriate and quick water leak repair measures may be taken. It is possible to spend unnecessary water charges due to being left unattended for a long time without finding a water leak. Building other damage or the like can be prevented in advance.

  In recent years, the home energy management system is a system that manages the consumption of electric power by connecting household appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and televisions over a network, with the goal of reducing electric power consumption at home. Development of energy management systems is underway.

  In such a home appliance power consumption management system (hereinafter referred to as a “power management system”), a sensor and a wireless transmission / reception IC are incorporated in a power outlet that supplies power to the home appliance, and the power consumption is detected by the sensor. Then, it transmits to the network adapter for Internet connection that has the same wireless transceiver IC as the power outlet, sends it from the network adapter to the server on the network, performs the necessary processing by the power management application, It can be sent to a user terminal such as a mobile phone that it owns for viewing. In addition, the user can control the power supply of the home appliance as needed by operating the mobile terminal.

  Therefore, if a home appliance management system such as HEMS is used, the water usage monitoring system of the present invention can be easily provided by simply providing a water meter detection unit that detects the status of water usage from the water meter display and transmits it to the server. Can be built.

On the other hand, in a power management system such as HEMS, a new function of monitoring abnormal water use including water leakage can be added, and there is a service that can be provided as a device management system by such function expansion. In addition to improving the convenience of service users, it is also expected to increase the number of subscribers of service users.

Explanatory drawing which showed schematic structure of the water use monitoring system by this invention using a power management system The block diagram which showed embodiment of the water meter detection unit used with the system of FIG. Explanatory drawing which showed the meter display part detected with the water meter detection unit of FIG. The block diagram which showed embodiment of the power outlet apparatus used with the system of FIG. The block diagram which showed embodiment of the gateway apparatus used with the system of FIG. Explanatory drawing which showed the water usage pattern processed with the server provided in the system of FIG. Explanatory drawing which showed the water leak notification screen displayed on the mobile phone of FIG. Explanatory drawing which showed other schematic structure of the water supply use monitoring system by this invention Explanatory drawing which showed other schematic structure of the water use monitoring system by this invention using home wireless LAN

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water usage monitoring system according to the present invention using a power management system for a house or the like.

  The water usage monitoring system in FIG. 1 is an example of a water supply facility of a dwelling unit 11 of a condominium such as an apartment, and a water meter 14 is arranged in a common box accessible from outside the dwelling unit, and a water pipe is connected via the water meter 14. 12 is drawn into the dwelling unit.

  The water meter 14 is provided with a water meter detection unit 10 according to the present invention. The water meter detection unit 10 of the present embodiment detects a water usage status from the display of the water meter 14, and a gateway device that functions as a network adapter provided in the power management system according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol for a water usage status detection signal. 18 to send. Of course, it may be transmitted by predetermined wired communication instead of wireless.

  On the other hand, the dwelling unit 11 is provided with a power outlet device 16 and a gateway device 18 for connecting to the Internet 20 as devices for constructing a power management system for managing the power consumption of home appliances.

  For example, an air conditioner 15 is connected to the power outlet device 16. In addition to the air conditioner, various home appliances such as a refrigerator and a television are installed in the dwelling unit 11, and are similarly connected to power outlet devices installed separately.

  The power outlet device 16 is provided with a sensor for detecting power consumption of a power supply target device connected thereto and a wireless transmission / reception chip (including a wireless transmission / reception IC), and the power consumption is periodically measured by the sensor. Then, a power detection signal indicating power consumption is transmitted from the wireless transmission / reception chip to the gateway device 18 according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol.

  The gateway device 18 converts a power detection signal transmitted from the power outlet device 16 according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol into an Internet communication protocol known as TCP / IP, and functions as a processing device on the network via the Internet 20. It transmits to the server 22 for management.

  The server 22 is provided with a function of a power management unit 32 as a software application. Based on a power detection signal transmitted from the power outlet device 16 via the gateway 18, for example, the power consumption per unit time of the target device The power consumption information is generated by obtaining the integrated power consumption and the like specifying the period, and is transmitted to the user terminal, for example, the mobile phone 28 via the mobile phone network 24 and the mobile phone base station 26, and the dwelling unit 11 It is possible to provide a power management service that allows users to browse and manage power consumption information of home appliances. The server 22 corresponds to a processing device on the network in the claims.

  The server 22 is provided with a database 36. In order to provide a power management service, for example, the customer number of the service subscriber is used as an index, and the telephone number, mail address, subscriber information, power consumption information, etc. of the mobile phone 28 are stored. Remember if necessary. The power management service provided by the server 22 is a paid service, for example.

  The water meter detection unit 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a sensor for observing the water usage status from the display of the water meter 14 and the same wireless transmission / reception chip as that provided in the power outlet device 16. A water usage status detection signal is generated according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol and transmitted to the server 22 via the gateway device 18. As is well known, the gateway device 18 connects to the Internet 20 using a connection service provided by a server (not shown) held by an Internet service provider (ISP).

  The server 22 is provided with a function of a water usage monitor 34 as a software application. The water usage monitoring unit 34 is based on a water usage status detection signal transmitted from the water meter detection unit 10 via the gateway device 18 and the Internet 20, for example, a water usage pattern having a monitoring period of 24 hours a day. If you cannot detect the time period when water is not used from this usage pattern (meaning that the water supply is being used continuously), use abnormal water usage including the possibility of water leakage. A corresponding signal is generated by discrimination and transmitted to the mobile phone 28 owned by the resident of the dwelling unit 11 via the mobile phone network 24 and the mobile phone base station 26. Notify abnormal use of water supply.

  In addition, when the dwelling unit 11 is a rental property, for example, a real estate management company may be a user, and the server 22 indicates abnormal water usage in response to a browsing request from the real estate management company client 30 via the Internet 20. Transmit predetermined management information to enable browsing.

  Abnormal water use here includes cases such as forgetting to tighten the faucet other than water leakage, and cases where water continues to flow due to failure of the water supply equipment, etc., but in the following explanation, These are collectively referred to as “water leakage”.

  In FIG. 1, since the gateway device 18 and the server 22 that constitute the power management system for the dwelling unit 11 are used for the water usage monitoring system according to the present invention, the dwelling unit 11 includes a water meter detection unit. A system for monitoring water leakage can be constructed simply and easily simply by installing 10.

  For example, RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) is an abbreviation for “individual identification by radio wave” as communication performed according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol by the power transmission / reception chip installed in the dwelling unit 11 and the wireless transmission / reception chip built in the gateway device 18. It uses a near field communication protocol for sensor networks known as Z-Wave (R) or ZigBee (R) using the assigned 900 MHz frequency, ie 950-957 MHz.

  In particular, Z-Wave (R) is a wireless communication protocol developed for home automation, uses an intelligent mesh network topology, does not have a master node, for example, nodes A, B, and C are arranged. Even if the node A and the node C cannot communicate with each other, a message can be transmitted from the node A to the node C by the relay function of the node B located between them. It is suitable as a wireless communication protocol for the system.

  ZigBee (R) provided as a short-range wireless communication standard for home appliances can also be used. In ZigBee (R), a node that functions as a coordinator and a plurality of nodes that function as routers can be used to construct a star-type network and a topology based on the coordinator. In the case of only, it is possible to construct a peer-to-peer network topology.

  The short-range wireless communication in the 900 MHz band such as Z-Wave (R) and ZigBee (R) has a transmission power of 1 mW or less like the specific low-power wireless station, and the line-of-sight communication distance is about several tens of meters.

  The signal transmission / reception performed by the wireless transmission / reception chip according to such a wireless communication protocol is the same for the water meter detection unit 10.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a water meter detection unit used in the system of FIG. This is an example, and the separation and integration of each function can be performed arbitrarily. In addition, any or all of the functions may be executed by software (program) or may be executed by hardware.

In FIG. 2, the water meter detection unit 10 includes a processor 38 and a wireless communication unit 40 using a wireless transmission / reception chip. In this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 40 includes an IC chip including a processor 60, a transmission circuit 56, and a reception circuit 58. Use a commercial product provided as. The wireless communication unit 40 transmits and receives signals via the antenna 42 according to a wireless communication protocol compliant with Z-Wave (R).

  The processor 38 is provided with a display unit 48, an operation unit 50, a memory 52, and a battery power source 54 that supplies power to each necessary unit. Of course, various power sources can be applied in addition to the battery power source.

  The processor 38 is provided with the function of the meter display detection unit 62. A detection adapter 46 is attached to the water meter 14 in correspondence with the meter display detection unit 62. The detection adapter 46 is a part of the water meter detection unit. The detection adapter 46 is a sensor for observing water flow (water usage status), and is disposed inside the lid 14a of the water meter 14, and is disposed relative to the meter display unit with the lid 14a closed, and is provided in the meter display unit. The water use status is detected from the indicated state of the water pilot, meter pointer or integration counter, and a detection signal is output to the processor 38.

  Since the detection adapter 46 is disposed inside the lid 14a, when it is opened like the lid 14a 'during meter reading, it is separated from the meter display portion and does not hinder reading of the meter pointer or the integration counter.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of a meter display unit of the water meter 14. In FIG. 3, the meter display unit 64 includes a 1 liter integrating meter 66 for displaying 0 to 10 liters by rotating the meter pointer, a 10 liter integrating meter 68 for displaying 0 to 100 liters by rotating the meter pointer, and a water flow pilot. 70 and an integration counter 72 are provided.

  As is well known, the water meter 14 has a built-in impeller that rotates by passing tap water. The rotation of a magnet provided coaxially with the impeller is transmitted to an isolated magnet gear, and a gear train is transmitted from the magnet gear. The water consumption is integrated and displayed by decelerating and transmitting the rotation to the 1-liter integrating meter 66, the 10-liter integrating meter 68, and the integrating counter 72. Further, the water pilot 70 has a small reduction ratio with respect to the rotation of the impeller, and rotates even if there is even a small amount of water, and displays that water is being passed.

  The detection adapter 46 shown in FIG. 2 incorporates a light emitting element such as an LED and a light receiving element such as a photodiode, and emits the rotation of the water pilot 70 or the rotation of the meter pointer of the 1 liter integrating meter 66 shown in FIG. As a change in reflected light due to light from the element, it is converted into an electric signal by a light receiving element, amplified by a light receiving amplifier circuit, and output.

For example, the water pilot 70 displays a black and white pattern divided into five as shown in FIG. 3 (divided into five groups with black and white as one set). received signal receiving the reflected light by a light receiving element which is irradiated to a predetermined position of the pilot display is a pulsed light signal that repeats turning on and off the rotation speed of the water passing pilot 70 at five times the frequency. Similarly, the light reception signal obtained by rotating the pointer of the 1-liter integrating meter 66 by observing the reflected light at a predetermined position of the meter is 10 liters because the meter pointer rotates once every time the water flow reaches 10 liters. This is a pulse signal output at each integration. In the following description, a case where a light reception signal that detects the rotation of the water pilot 70 is output from the detection adapter 46 is taken as an example.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, the meter display detection unit 62 provided in the processor 38 reads and processes the light reception signal from the detection adapter 46 by A / D conversion, for example, indicating the use of water supply. A detection signal is generated and output to the processor 60 of the wireless communication unit 40 to instruct control, and the processor 60 that receives the detection signal converts it into a water usage detection signal in accordance with a predetermined wireless communication protocol, The data is transmitted to the gateway device 18 via the antenna 42 and transmitted from the gateway device 18 to the server 22 via the Internet 20.

A signal received by the receiving circuit 58 via the antenna 42 is decoded by the processor 60. Hereinafter, the process up to this decoding may be referred to as reception. In particular, when the signal is determined to be valid as a result of decoding, it is called effective reception. In the case of the power outlet device 16 and the gateway device 18 which will be described later, the same processing is performed by the processors 124 and 222 provided in the wireless communication units 108 and 206.

The detection process of the meter display detection unit 62, a predetermined detection period, for example, to set the detection period of 30 seconds, tap When receiving signal is detected indicating the example rotation of the water flow pilot 70 during the detection period A water usage status detection signal indicating use is generated, and if not detected, a water usage status detection signal indicating that water usage is not generated is generated. This is performed for each detection cycle. Of course, the light reception signal of the detection adapter 46 is sampled and read at a frequency sufficient to detect the rotation of the water pilot by the A / D conversion of the processor 38 during the 30 seconds.

  As another example of the detection adapter 46, an image sensor is provided, and the minimum digit value portion of the water flow pilot 70, the 1 liter integrating meter 66 or the integrating counter 72 is imaged at predetermined intervals and the image is stored in the memory 52. The use of water supply may be detected when there is a change from the previously captured image.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a power outlet device used in the system of FIG. This is an example, and the separation and integration of each function can be performed arbitrarily. In addition, any or all of the functions may be executed by software (program) or may be executed by hardware.

  In FIG. 4, the power outlet device 16 is provided with an inlet 100 for inputting commercial AC power and two outlets 102 for branching and outputting the commercial AC power input from the inlet 100, to which a power plug of a home appliance is connected. Power supply is possible. A current sensor 104 is inserted and connected to one of the power lines for the output outlet 102, and for example, an alternating current consumed by a device connected to each outlet 102 is detected and input to the processor 106.

  One current sensor 104 may be provided for two outlets 102 (one inlet 100). In this case, the current sensor 104 detects the total of alternating current consumed by the devices connected to the two outlets 102.

  Further, as the inlet 100 and the outlet 102, plugs and sockets are specifically used, and fuses, noise filters, and the like are appropriately inserted in the input and output lines of the power supply (not shown).

  The power outlet device 16 includes a processor 106, a wireless communication unit 108 using a wireless transmission / reception chip including a processor 124, a transmission circuit 120, and a reception circuit 122, and performs communication according to a wireless communication protocol compliant with Z-Wave (R). To do.

  In addition, for the processor 106, a predetermined DC power source is generated from the power indicator lamp 112, the operation unit 114, the memory 116, and the commercial AC power supplied via the inlet 100, and the processor 106, the wireless communication unit 108, and the like are necessary. A power supply circuit unit 118 for supplying each unit is provided.

  The processor 106 is provided with the function of the power measurement control unit 126. The power measurement control unit 126 A / D-converts and reads the current detection signal detected by the current sensor 104 at a predetermined sampling period, calculates power consumption by a predetermined calculation, and generates a power detection signal indicating the calculated power consumption Then, the processor 124 of the wireless communication unit 108 is instructed to control, and is converted into a power detection signal according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol, and is transmitted to the gateway device 18 via the transmission circuit 120 and the antenna 110. The gateway device 18 further The data is transmitted to the server 22 via the Internet 20.

The power control unit 126 of the processor 106 receives a power control signal transmitted from the server 22 via the gateway device 18 as necessary via the antenna 110 by the reception circuit 122 of the wireless communication unit 108. When this is decoded by the processor 124 and effective reception is detected, power control corresponding to the received power control signal is performed. Such power control based on an instruction from the server 22 performs, for example, control for changing a limit of power that can be supplied to a device connected to the outlet 102 in order to save power. In addition, when the circuit breaker by a relay contact etc. is provided in the power supply line with respect to the outlet 102, the control which interrupts | blocks the power supply with respect to the household appliances connected to the outlet 102 by the instruction | indication from the server 22 side is also possible. It becomes.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the gateway device 18 used in the system of FIG. This is an example, and the separation and integration of each function can be performed arbitrarily. In addition, any or all of the functions may be executed by software (program) or may be executed by hardware. The gateway device is also called a broad hand router.

  In FIG. 5, the gateway device 18 includes a processor 200. For the processor 200, a wired communication unit 202, a wireless communication unit 206 that is a wireless transmission / reception chip connected to an antenna 208, a display unit 210, an operation unit 212, and a memory 214. A power supply circuit unit 216 is provided for connecting a commercial AC power supply (this inlet is not shown). The power supply circuit unit 216 generates a DC power source from a commercial AC power source and supplies it to each necessary unit. In addition, when a commercial power failure occurs, the power supply is maintained by switching to a standby power supply (not shown).

The wireless communication unit 206 connected to the antenna 208 is provided with a transmission circuit 218, a reception circuit 220, and a processor 222. The wireless communication unit 206 connects the power outlet device 16 and the water meter detection unit 10 according to a wireless communication protocol compliant with Z-Wave (R). Send and receive signals between them.

  The wired communication unit 202 is connected to a network device such as a router constituting the Internet 20 through a signal line 204, and transmits and receives signals to and from the server 22 according to the Internet communication protocol. Of course, when a wireless network device is used, a predetermined wireless communication unit and an antenna can be provided instead of the wired communication unit 202 and the signal line 204, and this communication can be made wireless.

  The processor 200 is provided with the function of the protocol conversion unit 224, and converts the IP signal (Internet protocol signal) according to the Internet communication protocol received by the wired communication unit 202 into a TCP signal (transfer protocol signal) to convert the wireless communication unit 206. Is transferred to the processor 222 and instructed to be controlled, and the control of the processor 222 converts the TCP signal into a signal in accordance with a wireless communication protocol conforming to Z-Wave (R) and transmits the signal through the transmission circuit 218 and the antenna 208. To do.

  Further, the processor 222 decodes a signal according to a wireless communication protocol conforming to Z-Wave (R) received via the antenna 208 and the receiving circuit 220, and converts the signal into a TCP signal when effective reception is detected, The data is transferred to the protocol conversion unit 224 of the processor 200 to instruct control. The protocol conversion unit 224 converts the TCP signal transferred from the processor 222 into an IP signal according to the Internet communication protocol, transfers the IP signal to the wired communication unit 202, and outputs the IP signal to the server 22 from the Internet 20.

  Next, the operation of the water usage monitoring system of FIG. 1 will be described focusing on the water usage monitoring processing in the server. The water meter detection unit 10 installed in the water meter 14 of the dwelling unit 11 uses a water supply status detection signal indicating whether or not the water supply is used in the dwelling unit 11 for 30 seconds based on a light reception signal obtained by detecting the rotation of a water flow pilot, for example. And is transmitted to the server 22 via the gateway device 18.

  When the water usage monitoring unit 34 of the server 22 receives the water usage status detection signal from the water meter detection unit 10 of the dwelling unit 11 via the gateway device 18 and the Internet 20, for example, the ID of the dwelling unit 11 is stored in the database 36. Using the code (customer number) as an index, water usage status detection data indicating whether the water usage is used or not used is stored together with time information based on the content of the water usage status detection signal. The time information may be a simple serial number.

  In the present embodiment, the server 22 generates a usage pattern indicating the presence or absence of water usage based on, for example, water usage status detection data stored in the database 36 with a monitoring period of 24 hours a day. Analyze the pattern to determine water leakage.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a water usage pattern generated by the server. FIG. 6A shows a monitoring cycle, which indicates 24 hours per day. FIG. 6 (B) shows a usage pattern of a general household consisting of, for example, a couple and a child. Water is used in the morning, noon, and night hours, and there is no water usage in the bedtime hours from 0 to 6:00. . FIG. 6C shows the usage pattern of a single person, who uses water in the morning and at night, but does not use water in the absence hours and bedtime hours due to daytime work.

  In the unlikely event that a water leak occurs with respect to such a normal usage pattern, for example, water supply is used for 24 hours a day. Therefore, in the server 22 of the present embodiment, the occurrence of water leakage is determined when the unused time zone cannot be detected in the usage pattern of 24 hours a day.

  In addition, as another embodiment of the water leakage determination by the server 22, a bedtime when the water supply is unused such as a predetermined time zone in which the water supply is not used in the usage pattern of 24 hours a day, for example, 0 to 5 o'clock is used. A band may be set, and the occurrence of water leakage may be determined when, for example, a predetermined number of times or a total of water usage for a predetermined time or more is detected in this sleep time period. Further, for example, in the case of a single person in FIG. 6C, an absence time zone is set in addition to the bedtime time zone, and when water use is detected during this absence time zone, the occurrence of water leakage is determined. good.

  Moreover, the absence sensor which detects a person's absence is provided in the dwelling unit 11, and the absence detection signal from an absence sensor is transmitted to the server 22 via the gateway apparatus 18, and the server 22 is water supply in the absence time zone based on an absence detection signal. When use is detected, the occurrence of water leakage may be determined. In this case, the absence detection signal is transmitted in conformity with Z-wave (R) in the same manner as the water use status detection signal, and is converted into a protocol by the gateway device 18 and reaches the server 22.

  When the server 22 determines the leakage of the dwelling unit 11 in this manner, the server 22 transmits the leakage detection result to the user's mobile phone 28 via the mobile phone network 24 and the mobile phone base station 26. If necessary, the user is informed, and in response to a browsing request from the real estate company client 30, a water leak determination result is transmitted to enable browsing.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a display example of a water leak notification screen by the mobile phone 28 of FIG.

The water leak notification using the screen in this embodiment is performed according to the following procedure.
(1) Confirmation of water leakage and confirmation of faucet closure (2) Confirmation of water leakage over a specified period of time from confirmation of faucet closure (3) Notification when water leakage stops upon confirmation of faucet closure (4) Faucet closure This is a notification when water leakage continues. Of course, (3) and (4) are selective notifications.

More specifically, when the server 22 determines that the water leak in the dwelling unit 11 is first, a water leak notification signal is generated and transmitted to the mobile phone 28 via the mobile phone network 24 and the mobile phone base station 26. Thus, the water leak notification screen 300-1 shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the mobile phone 28 together with the output of the alarm sound.

  On the water leak notification screen 300-1, for example, a message 302 is displayed indicating that “a water leak has occurred. Check that the faucet is tightened. A faucet confirmation button 304 is displayed below it.

  In response, the user closes the faucet in the dwelling unit 11 and confirms that there is no water leak. Since the touch panel is provided on the screen, the operation signal is displayed when the faucet confirmation button 304 is operated after confirmation. At the same time, the screen transits to a water leak notification screen 300-2 shown in FIG. 7B, and a time indicator 306 is displayed together with a message 304 of “Please wait for a while.

  The server 22 that has effectively received the operation signal of the faucet confirmation button 304 via the mobile phone base station 26 and the mobile phone network 24 then sends a water use status detection signal indicating that the water supply is not used from the water meter detection unit 10. When it is received via the gateway device 18 and the Internet 20, it is determined that the water leak has stopped, and a water leak notification signal corresponding to this is generated and transmitted, whereby the water leak shown in FIG. When the screen is changed to the notification screen 300-3 and the indicator 306 is full (when a predetermined time has elapsed), a message 308 “Water leakage has stopped” is displayed below it, and the end button 310 is pressed. Press to exit the screen. Thereby, it is possible to know that the water leakage has stopped by closing the faucet and confirming that there is no water leakage.

  On the other hand, the server 22 that has effectively received the operation signal of the faucet confirmation button 304 from the mobile phone 28 via the mobile phone base station 26 and the mobile phone network 24 then detects the water usage status indicating water usage. When a signal is received from the water meter detection unit 10 via the gateway device 18 and the Internet 20, it is determined that the water leak continues, and a corresponding water leak notification signal is generated and transmitted. In FIG. 7D, the screen is changed to the water leak notification screen 300-4, and when the indicator 306 becomes full, a message 312 “water leak continues” is displayed below, and further contact is made. A first button 314 and an end button 310 are displayed. When the contact button 314 is pressed, a transition is made to a contact list screen such as a water supplier who performs water leakage work, and a response can be requested.

  In addition, the person in charge of the real estate management company accesses the server 22 from the real estate management company client 30 and confirms the water supply management provided by the water usage management unit 34 when checking the leakage status of the rental property managed in-house. Information is displayed on the browsing screen on the client side, and for example, a list showing the property names and water leaks read from the database 36 using the ID code of the real estate management company as a search key in response to the browsing request operation is displayed, and the necessary water is displayed. Enables leak handling.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment of the water usage monitoring system according to the present invention, and a dedicated network environment is provided without using the network environment of the power management system as shown in FIG. It is characterized by that.

  In FIG. 8, the dwelling unit 11 is provided with a water meter detection unit 10 and a gateway device 18, and the gateway device 18 is connected to a server 22 via the Internet 20, and the server 22 includes a function and database of the water usage monitoring unit 34. 36, and the server 22 can access the mobile phone 28 owned by the resident of the dwelling unit 11 via the mobile phone base station 26 of the mobile phone network 24, and at the same time can be viewed by the real estate management company client 30. Yes.

  The server 22 is different in that the function of the power management unit 32 provided for power management is removed from the server 22 shown in FIG. 1, and the other points are basically the same. The water meter detection unit 10 provided in the water meter 14 of the dwelling unit 11 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  When a dedicated network system for such a water usage monitoring system is constructed, the power management of home appliances placed in the dwelling unit is not performed by the server, so the server burden is reduced and water leakage monitoring is efficient. Can be done.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of another embodiment of the water usage monitoring system according to the present invention, and uses the network environment of the power management system as in FIG. As a feature, a wireless LAN is used.

  In FIG. 9, the dwelling unit 11 is provided with a water meter detection unit 10 and a wireless LAN router 74.

  The wireless LAN router 74 has been put into practical use as a wireless broadband router, and is connected to the Internet 20 by cable. However, in the home, for example, signals are transmitted and received by a wireless communication protocol compliant with IEEE802.11a / b / g. I do. Other configurations and functions are basically the same as those of the system shown in FIG. As is well known, the LAN wireless router 74 connects to the Internet 20 using a connection service provided by a server (not shown) owned by an Internet service provider (ISP).

  The water meter detection unit 10 provided in the water meter 14 of the dwelling unit 11 is provided with a wireless LAN board unit instead of the wireless communication unit 40 shown in FIG. A control circuit is provided to transmit and receive signals using a wireless communication protocol compliant with IEEE 802.11a / b / g. Other configurations and functions are basically the same as those of the water meter detection unit 10 of FIG.

  When the wireless LAN is used for the communication in the house shown in FIG. 9, the system cost is slightly increased, but there is an advantage that a sufficient communication distance can be secured and high-speed communication can be performed.

  Construction of a water usage monitoring system using a wireless LAN in a house can be similarly applied to a system that does not use the power management system of FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the case where a water meter detection unit is provided in a water meter of an apartment house such as an apartment to monitor the leakage of each dwelling unit is taken as an example, but a water supply provided in a detached house or other building The same applies to the meter.

In the above embodiment, the case of detecting the display of a water meter that performs mechanical integration display is taken as an example. However, for an electronic water meter that performs integration display using a liquid crystal display or the like, for example, the numerical value of the display What is necessary is just to detect the presence or absence of water supply from the change of . Further, in the case of an electronic water meter, the integrated signal from the function of outputting an integrated signal to the outside may be input to the water meter detection unit according to the present invention to detect the presence or absence of water usage. . In addition, what detects a water use condition using an appropriate means and method is applicable.

  In the above embodiment, the case of constructing a water usage monitoring system using a power management system that manages the power consumption of home appliances is taken as an example. It is also possible to use an appropriate device management system that optimally controls home appliances.

  In addition, in the case of installing a wireless residential fire alarm (residential alarm) that detects and alerts a fire in a dwelling unit that performs water meter monitoring according to the present invention, the result of water leakage determined by the server May be transmitted to the residential fire alarm via the gateway device, and the occurrence of water leakage may be notified from the speaker of the residential fire alarm. In this case, the wireless communication unit of the residential fire alarm device may be the same as that of the gateway device, or if a communication protocol is different, a relay device that performs protocol conversion may be provided.

  Moreover, as a wireless communication part in the said embodiment, it is not necessarily necessary to use a commercially available wireless transmission / reception chip, and other modules, circuit blocks, etc. can be employ | adopted if the function is realizable.

  In addition, the processor shown in the above embodiment can replace some or all of its functions with other means such as wired logic. Other electrical and functional configurations including the processor can be appropriately integrated and abolished.

  Further, the above-described embodiment is applicable not only to residential use but also to water usage monitoring by various types of water meters such as buildings and offices.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, includes appropriate modifications without impairing the object and advantages thereof, and is not limited by the numerical values shown in the above-described embodiment.

10: Water meter detection unit 11: Dwelling unit 12: Water pipe 14: Water meter 16: Power outlet device 18: Gateway device 20: Internet 22: Server 24: Mobile phone network 26: Mobile phone base station 28: Mobile phone 30: Real estate Management company client 32: power management unit 34: water usage monitoring unit 38, 60, 106, 124, 200, 222: processor 40, 108, 206: wireless communication unit 42, 110, 208: antenna 46: detection adapter 48, 210 : Display units 50, 114, 212: operation units 52, 116, 214: memory 54: battery power sources 56, 120, 218: transmission circuits 58, 122, 222: reception circuit 62: meter display detection unit 64: meter display unit 66 : 1 liter integrating meter 68: 10 liter integrating meter 70: water pie Tsu DOO 72: integrating counter 74: Wireless LAN router 100: Inlet 102: outlet 104: current sensor 126: power measurement control unit 202: wired communication unit 224: protocol conversion unit 300-1 to 300-4: water leakage notification screen

Claims (11)

The water meter detection unit detects the water usage status from the display of the water meter, sends a water usage status detection signal to the processing device on the network,
In the case where abnormal water usage including water leakage is determined by processing of the water usage status detection signal in the processing device, an instruction to transmit a confirmation response after stopping water usage together with notification of abnormal water usage Sent to the user terminal,
When the confirmation response is received by the processing device, the presence or absence of water supply is confirmed by processing the water usage status detection signal over a predetermined time, and the confirmation result is transmitted to the user terminal for notification. Water usage monitoring system.
A plurality of water meter detection units installed in the water meter provided for each unit detects the water usage status from the display of the water meter, and a water usage status detection signal is sent to the processing unit outside the unit via the network. Send
The processing device sequentially stores water usage detection signals for each water meter received from the plurality of water meter detection units, and determines abnormal water usage including water leakage by processing the stored water usage detection signals. In such a case, an instruction to transmit a confirmation response about the contact display request together with the notification of the determination result is transmitted to the user terminal held by the resident of the dwelling unit where the abnormal water use is determined,
When the confirmation response is received by the processing device, a contact list of a waterworks contractor or the like is transmitted to the user terminal and displayed .
In the water use monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The water meter detection unit is
A display detection unit for detecting a water usage status from a display unit of the water meter and outputting a water usage status detection signal;
A communication unit that transmits a water usage status detection signal output from the display detection unit to the processing device and receives a signal from the processing device;
Water usage monitoring system characterized by comprising.
3. The water usage monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a usage pattern indicating the presence or absence of water usage is generated every predetermined monitoring cycle based on the water usage status detection signal, and water usage is not used from the usage pattern. Water usage monitoring system, characterized in that abnormal water usage is determined when the time zone cannot be detected.
5. The water usage monitoring system according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined time zone in which the water usage is not used is a predetermined bedtime or absence time zone.
The water usage monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising an absence sensor for detecting the absence of a person, and transmitting an absence detection signal from the absence sensor to the processing device,
The said processing apparatus discriminate | determines abnormal water usage, when water usage is detected in the absence time zone based on the said absence detection signal, The water usage monitoring system characterized by the above-mentioned.
The water meter detection unit detects the water usage status from the display of the water meter, sends a water usage status detection signal to the processing device on the network ,
In the case where abnormal water usage including water leakage is determined by processing of the water usage status detection signal in the processing device, an instruction to transmit a confirmation response after stopping water usage together with notification of abnormal water usage Sent to the user terminal,
When the confirmation response is received by the processing device, the presence or absence of water supply is confirmed by processing the water usage status detection signal over a predetermined time, and the confirmation result is transmitted to the user terminal for notification. Water usage monitoring method.
A plurality of water meter detection units installed in the water meter provided for each unit detects the water usage status from the display of the water meter, and a water usage status detection signal is sent to the processing unit outside the unit via the network. Send
The processing device sequentially stores water usage detection signals for each water meter received from the plurality of water meter detection units, and determines abnormal water usage including water leakage by processing the stored water usage detection signals. In such a case, an instruction to transmit a confirmation response about the contact display request together with the notification of the determination result is transmitted to the user terminal held by the resident of the dwelling unit where the abnormal water use is determined,
A water usage monitoring method , wherein when the confirmation response is received by the processing device, a contact list of a waterworks contractor or the like is transmitted to the user terminal and displayed .
9. The water usage monitoring method according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein a usage pattern indicating the presence or absence of water usage is generated every predetermined monitoring cycle based on the water usage status detection signal, and the water usage is not used from the usage pattern. A water usage monitoring method characterized by determining abnormal water usage when the time zone cannot be detected.
10. The water usage monitoring method according to claim 9 , wherein the predetermined time period for estimating the non-use of the water supply is a predetermined sleeping time period or absent time period.
The water use monitoring method according to claim 7 or 8 , further comprising an absence sensor for detecting the absence of a person, and transmitting an absence detection signal from the absence sensor to the processing device,
The water processing usage monitoring method, wherein the processing device discriminates abnormal water usage when water usage is detected in an absence time zone based on the absence detection signal.

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