JP6522440B2 - Gas meter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas meter.

  Conventionally, a gas meter provided with a flow rate sensor such as an ultrasonic type and a microcomputer is known. The microcomputer calculates the integrated flow rate from the flow rate of the gas detected by the flow rate sensor, and displays the integrated flow rate on a liquid crystal panel or the like. The meter reader visits the gas meter periodically and reads the integrated flow rate to specify the amount of use.

  In recent years, a method has been proposed in which optical communication is performed between a portable terminal held by a meter reading person and a gas meter from the viewpoint of improving the efficiency of the meter reading operation, thereby reading information from the gas meter (for example, 2).

  In addition, the gas meter has an advanced state monitoring function using a microcomputer in order to improve its commercial value, and retains various types of data as well as the integrated flow rate.

JP 2002-101475 A JP 2004-248128 A

  When reading out the information from a gas meter that holds a large amount of data, if the gas meter transmits all data uniformly, it will not only take a long time for communication, but it will also consume much power of the gas meter and mobile terminal along with this. . Gas meters and portable terminals often use power from batteries, and it is not preferable to consume the batteries unnecessarily.

  Alternatively, a method may be considered in which the portable terminal requests the gas meter to transmit necessary data, and only the data is read out. However, bi-directional communication must be possible between the portable terminal and the gas meter, and a photo sensor for reception and a required circuit must be provided on the gas meter side. For this reason, there is a problem that it leads to a significant cost increase for the gas meter.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gas meter capable of efficiently reading out necessary data from data held by the gas meter.

In order to solve such problems, the present invention relates to an operation unit that receives an operation on a gas meter, a light emission unit that can switch on and off states, a storage unit that stores a plurality of data including meter readings, and an operation A control unit for transmitting information stored in a storage unit using optical communication by lighting control of a light emitting unit according to an operation on the unit. Here, the control unit transmits information on the integrated flow rate data obtained by integrating the flow rate obtained by multiplying the flow rate of the gas by the flow path cross-sectional area from among the plurality of data stored in the storage unit. Data of a specific flow rate division integrated value obtained by integrating the flow rate of a specific flow rate division by operation or a preset setting, continuous use integration value of continuously used gas within a specific flow rate division range and a specified amount Data, data of a designated time zone integrated value in which gas is used in a designated time zone, and data of a counter value indicating a remaining gas amount usable by a prepaid gas user of a prepaid card. Send information about

Here, in the present invention, the gas meter includes a display unit capable of displaying a plurality of data stored in the storage unit, and the plurality of data includes data of integrated flow rate, data of specific flow rate division integrated value, continuous use integrated value Data of the designated time zone integrated value, and data of the counter value indicating the remaining gas amount, and the display unit is data of the specific flow rate division integrated value, data of the continuous use integrated value, The data of the designated time zone integrated value and the data of the counter value indicating the remaining gas amount can be switched, and the control unit is operated by the operation of the operation unit by the user or automatically for the specific flow rate division integrated value of the data group Switching the display of data, data of continuous use integrated value, data of specified time zone integrated value, and data of counter value indicating remaining gas amount, and transmitting information about data about integrated flow rate A, it is preferable that the information sent for the data group.

  In the present invention, preferably, the operating portion is a return button for opening the shutoff valve when the shutoff valve in the gas meter is closed.

  Further, in the present invention, when the control unit blinks the light emitting unit to notify the user of the warning about the gas meter, the control unit performs lighting control of the light emitting unit according to the information indicating the warning event during the blinking period. Preferably, the light from the light emitting part is modulated.

  According to the present invention, since a part of data is selectively transmitted from the data held by the gas meter, necessary data can be efficiently read out.

A front view schematically showing an appearance configuration of a gas meter according to a first embodiment Block diagram showing the configuration of the gas meter according to the first embodiment Explanatory drawing which shows the display content of each data which concern on separate integration data Explanatory drawing which shows the aspect of data selection according to operation of a return button Explanatory drawing which shows the display content of each data which concern on pressure information data Explanatory drawing which shows the display content of each data which concerns on meter information data Flow chart showing information transmission processing according to the second embodiment An explanatory view showing an aspect of display switching of a liquid crystal panel

First Embodiment
FIG. 1: is a front view which shows typically the external appearance structure of the gas meter 1 which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gas meter 1 according to the present embodiment. The gas meter 1 is disposed on a supply path for supplying the fuel gas from the gas supply source to the combustion device, and displays an integrated flow rate of the gas supplied to the combustion device side. The gas meter 1 is made of, for example, aluminum die cast and has a box shape.

  An inlet 7 is formed on the upper left side of the gas meter 1 and an outlet 8 is formed on the upper right side thereof. Furthermore, a substantially U-shaped gas flow passage (not shown) is formed inside the gas meter 1 as viewed from the front. The gas flow path connects the inlet 7 and the outlet 8. Upstream piping on the gas supply source side and downstream piping on the gas consumption side are connected to the inflow port 7 and the outflow port 8, respectively.

  The gas meter 1 includes a liquid crystal panel 2, an LED 3, a return button 4, a flow velocity sensor 5, a pressure sensor 6, a microcomputer 10, a lighting circuit 11, and the like. The gas meter 1 has a battery (not shown) for power supply mounted therein, and operates with power from the battery.

  The liquid crystal panel 2 is disposed in front of the gas meter 1. The liquid crystal panel 2 is controlled by the microcomputer 10 described later, and displays the integrated flow rate and various data held by the gas meter 1. The liquid crystal panel 2 also displays an abnormal state of the gas meter 1.

  The LED 3 is disposed in front of the gas meter 1 and is, for example, a red LED. The LED 3 lights up or blinks in response to the drive signal from the lighting circuit 11, thereby displaying an abnormal state of the gas meter 1. Therefore, the user of the combustion appliance or a meter reading person can visually recognize the abnormal state of the gas meter 1 through the lighting state (continuous lighting, blinking, etc.) of the LED 3. That is, the LED 3 has a function as a light emitting unit capable of switching between the lighting state and the lighting state. Moreover, the gas meter 1 can transmit desired information using optical communication according to the lighting state of the LED 3.

  The return button 4 is disposed on the front of the gas meter 1. The return button 4 is an operation unit that opens the shutoff valve by pressing the shutoff valve (not shown) when the shutoff valve (not shown) is closed. For example, at the time of an earthquake or gas leak, the gas meter 1 closes the shutoff valve to shut off the gas supply. When the return button 4 is pressed to solve a problem such as an earthquake or a gas leak, it is possible to resume the use of the gas which has been shut off by stopping the shutoff valve. The return button 4 is electrically connected to the microcomputer 10. When the return button 4 is pressed, the operation signal is input to the microcomputer.

  The flow velocity sensor 5 is provided in the gas flow passage inside the gas meter 1 and outputs a signal according to the gas flow velocity passing through the gas flow passage. As the flow velocity sensor 5, for example, an ultrasonic sensor or a flow sensor can be used. The signal output from the flow velocity sensor 5 is input to the microcomputer 10.

  The pressure sensor 6 is provided in the above-described gas flow channel, and outputs a signal according to the gas pressure in the gas flow channel. As the pressure sensor 6, a sensor such as a piezoresistive sensor or a capacitance sensor can be used. The signal output from the pressure sensor 6 is input to the microcomputer 10.

  The microcomputer 10 is a control unit that performs overall control of the gas meter 1. The microcomputer 10 mainly includes a CPU 10a, a ROM 10b, and a RAM 10c. The CPU 10 a is in charge of overall control of the gas meter 1. The ROM 10 b is a read only memory accessible by the CPU 10 a and holds in advance data of a program to be executed by the CPU 10 a. The RAM 10 c is a memory capable of reading and writing data, and temporarily stores various data generated during the operation of the gas meter 1 under the control of the CPU 10 a.

  In relation to the present embodiment, the microcomputer 10 calculates the instantaneous flow rate by multiplying the measurement data (instantaneous flow rate data) output from the flow rate sensor 5 at every sampling cycle by the cross-sectional area of the gas flow path The integrated flow rate is calculated by integrating the instantaneous flow rate. The integrated flow rate corresponds to a meter reading value read by a meter reader.

  Further, the microcomputer 10 is provided with an individual integration function in order to accurately detect a change in flow rate. With this individual integration function, data such as oversized flow rate division integrated value, large flow rate division integrated value, middle flow rate divided integration value, continuous use integrated value, designated time zone integrated value, prepaid remaining amount is processed.

  The oversized flow rate segment integrated value, the large flow rate segment integrated value, and the medium flow rate segment integrated value indicate an integrated flow rate corresponding to a specific flow rate segment or a flow rate segment used by a specific combustion appliance. The continuous use integrated value indicates an integrated flow rate when a gas within a specific flow rate division range and exceeding a specified amount is continuously used. The designated time zone integrated value indicates an integrated flow rate when gas is used in a designated time zone (day of the week / hour). The prepaid integrated value indicates the amount of usable gas for a prepaid gas user with a predetermined counter value.

  Further, the microcomputer 10 has a pressure information function in order to confirm information on gas pressure. The pressure information function processes various data such as the current pressure value, the maximum pressure value, the minimum pressure value, and the closing pressure value. The pressure information function is performed based on measurement data output from the pressure sensor 6 for each sampling cycle.

  The current pressure value is the current gas pressure. The maximum pressure value is the maximum value of the gas pressure when using the combustion device, and the minimum pressure value is the minimum value of the gas pressure when using the combustion device. The blockage pressure value is the gas pressure at the time of decommissioning of the combustion device.

  Furthermore, the microcomputer 10 has a meter information function to check the internal information of the gas meter 1. With this meter information function, various information such as battery voltage drop interruption remaining days, flow-type minute leakage elapsed days, pressure type minute leakage elapsed days, interruption details, etc. are processed.

  The battery voltage drop interruption remaining days warns the number of days until the shutoff valve is closed when the battery voltage is lowered. In the flow type minute leakage elapsed days, when a minute gas flow rate continues to flow beyond a predetermined period, it is judged that there is a minute leak in the piping after the gas meter 1 and warns the elapsed days is there. The pressure type micro leak elapsed days, judging that there is a slight leak in the piping after the microcomputer meter when the rise of the gas pressure in the gas flow path can not be grasped beyond the defined period, the elapsed days It is a warning. The shutoff information indicates a shutoff event that occurred as abnormal use of gas, and holds the past three shutoff events.

  The microcomputer 10 drives the lighting circuit 11 to control the lighting state of the LED 3 (lighting control). Further, the microcomputer 10 performs lighting control of the LED 3 in accordance with the information to be transmitted, modulates the light from the LED 3, and thereby performs information transmission using optical communication. By performing the optical communication using the lighting state of the LED 3, it is possible to transmit the information held by the gas meter 1 to the handy terminal 20 held by the meter reader.

  Various data processed by the microcomputer 10, that is, integrated flow rate data, individual integrated data, pressure information data, and meter information data are stored in the RAM 10c. Here, the individual integrated data is a data group including data on extra-large flow rate division integrated value, large flow rate division integrated value, middle flow rate division integrated value, continuous use integration value, designated time zone integration value, and prepaid remaining amount. . Similarly, the pressure information data is a data group including data relating to the current pressure value, the maximum pressure value, the minimum pressure value, and the blocking pressure value, and the meter information data includes battery voltage drop interruption remaining days, flow type micro leakage It is a data group that includes data on elapsed days, pressure-based minute leak elapsed days, and details of blocking for the past three times. As described above, the RAM 10 c stores a plurality of data groups divided according to the data attributes. Although the data is stored in the RAM 10 c which is a volatile memory owned by the microcomputer 10 here, the data may be stored, for example, in an EEPROM which is a non-volatile memory.

  The handy terminal 20 is a portable terminal owned by a meter reader, and is a terminal for receiving information transmitted from the gas meter 1 by optical communication. The handy terminal 20 mainly includes a photo sensor (PD) 21, a light receiving circuit 22, a microcomputer 23, a liquid crystal panel 24, and a speaker 25.

  The photosensor 21 is a photodetector that receives light output from the LED 3. The light receiving circuit 22 is a circuit that processes a detection signal output from the photosensor 21 and includes an amplification function and an AD conversion function. A detection signal from the photosensor 21 is input to the microcomputer 23 through the light receiving circuit 22. The microcomputer 23 demodulates the information transmitted from the gas meter 1 through the photosensor 21 and the light receiving circuit 22 and receives the data. The microcomputer 23 can notify the meter reader that the reception of the information transmitted from the gas meter 1 has been completed by controlling the liquid crystal panel 24 and the speaker 25 and performing predetermined display and alarm. Further, the microcomputer 23 can control the liquid crystal panel 24 to display the received information.

  Hereinafter, communication operation using LED3 with which gas meter 1 is provided is explained. In general, the integrated flow rate data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 24 of the gas meter 1. First, prior to the optical communication, the meter reader brings the handy terminal 20 and presses the return button 4 for a long time. The long press time is, for example, 3 seconds.

  If the microcomputer 10 of the gas meter 1 determines that the depression operation of the return button 4 is continued for 3 seconds or more and the shutoff valve is in the open state, the display of the integrated flow rate data or the request for data transmission Recognize what has been done.

  The microcomputer 10 reads integrated flow rate data and individual integrated data out of all data stored in the RAM 10 c. Then, the microcomputer 10 controls the liquid crystal panel 2 to display the read individual integrated data on the liquid crystal panel 2. As a result, the content of the individual integration data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 2 of the gas meter 1.

In the display of the individual integration data, as shown in FIG. 3, each data included in the individual integration data, that is, the oversized flow volume division integration value, the large flow volume division integration value, the middle flow volume division integration value, the continuous use integration value, the designated time Data on the band integration value and the prepaid remaining amount is displayed. Each data is individually displayed. For example, according to the short press of the return button 4, the oversized flow rate division integration value, the large flow rate division integration value, the middle flow rate division integration value, the continuous use integration value, the designated time It is possible to sequentially switch data to be displayed in the order of the band integration value and the prepaid remaining amount. However, the switching display of each data may be automatically performed on the condition that the predetermined display time has elapsed, without requiring the operation of the short push of the return button 4. In FIG. 3, "8888.88m ^3" as an extra large flow rate class integrated value, "6666.66m ^3" as a large flow rate class integrated value, "4444.44m ^3" as the medium flow rate class integrated value, as continued use integrated value " 3333.33M ³ "," 2222.22M ³ as the specified time period integration value "example" 88.8M ³ "is displayed is shown as prepaid remaining amount.

  Further, the microcomputer 10 performs lighting control of the LED 3 in accordance with information including integrated flow rate data and individual integrated data, and turns on the LED 3 at a predetermined control duty. Thereby, the light from the LED 3 is modulated, and information including the integrated flow rate data and the individual integrated data is transmitted.

  Prior to the communication operation by the gas meter 1, the meter reader positions the handy terminal 20 in front of the gas meter 1 and makes the light receiving surface of the photosensor 21 face the LED 3 of the gas meter 1. The light resulting from the lighting of the LED 3 is received by the photo sensor 21, and the signal output from the photo sensor 21 is input to the microcomputer 23 through the light receiving circuit 22.

  The microcomputer 23 demodulates the signal input from the light receiving circuit 22 and receives the data transmitted from the gas meter 1.

  Further, when the reception of the data transmitted from the gas meter 1 is completed, the microcomputer 23 controls one or both of the liquid crystal panel 24 and the speaker 25 to notify the user (reader etc.) that the data reception is completed. Inform. As an example, the notification sound may be output from the speaker 25.

  Further, the microcomputer 23 controls the liquid crystal panel 24 to display the data transmitted from the gas meter 1 on the liquid crystal panel 24. Thereby, the contents of the integrated flow rate data and the individual integrated data are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 24 of the handy terminal 20. In the display of the individual integration data, as shown in FIG. 3, each data included in the individual integration data, that is, the oversized flow volume division integration value, the large flow volume division integration value, the middle flow volume division integration value, the continuous use integration value, the designated time Data on the band integration value and the prepaid remaining amount are sequentially displayed.

  On the other hand, when the user visually recognizes the individual integrated data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 2 of the gas meter 1 and wants to read out (receive) different data, that is, pressure information data or meter information data, the return button 4 Press and hold again.

  If the microcomputer 10 of the gas meter 1 determines that the pressing operation of the return button 4 has continued for three seconds or more, it recognizes that a request for data communication has been made for different types of data. In this case, the microcomputer 10 reads predetermined data (pressure information data) out of all the data stored in the RAM 10c according to a predetermined rule as shown in FIG.

  The microcomputer 10 controls the liquid crystal panel 2 to display the read pressure information data on the liquid crystal panel 2. Thereby, the content of the pressure information data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 2 of the gas meter 1.

  In the display of pressure information data, as shown in FIG. 5, each data included in the pressure information data, that is, data on the current pressure value, the maximum pressure value, the minimum pressure value, and the occlusion pressure value is displayed. Each data is individually displayed. For example, in response to a short press of the return button 4, the data to be displayed is sequentially displayed in the order of the current pressure value, the maximum pressure value, the minimum pressure value, and the closing pressure value. Can be switched to However, the switching display of each data may be automatically performed on the condition that the predetermined display time has elapsed without requiring the operation of the short push of the return button 4. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the current pressure value is “2.5 kpa”, the maximum pressure value is “3.48 kpa”, the minimum pressure value is “2.08 kPa” and the closing pressure value is “3.63 kPa” It is shown.

  And microcomputer 10 performs lighting control of LED3 according to the information which makes pressure information data the contents. Thereby, information having pressure information data is transmitted to the handy terminal 20.

  Similarly, the user visually recognizes the pressure information data displayed on the liquid crystal panel 2 and long-presses the return button 4 again when it is desired to receive different data, that is, meter information data. The microcomputer 10 of the gas meter 1 reads meter information data among all the data stored in the RAM 10 c.

  Then, the microcomputer 10 controls the liquid crystal panel 2 to display the read meter information data on the liquid crystal panel 2. Thereby, the content of meter information data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 2 of the gas meter 1.

  In the display of meter information data, as shown in FIG. 6, each content included in the meter information data, that is, battery voltage drop interruption remaining days, flow days of minute flow of minute leakage, elapsed days of minute leakage of pressure, past 3 times Information on the blocking details is displayed. Each data is individually displayed. For example, according to the short press of the return button 4, the battery voltage drop interruption remaining days, the flow days of minute leak of minute leaks, the days of pressure leak of minute leaks, the past three times It is possible to sequentially switch data to be displayed in the order of blocking details. However, the switching display of each data may be automatically performed on the condition that the predetermined display time has elapsed, without requiring the operation of the short push of the return button 4. In FIG. 6, “16 days” as battery voltage drop interruption remaining days, “28 days” as flow type minute leakage elapsed days, “18 days” as pressure type minute leakage elapsed days, and interruption events as the latest interruption information. Showing "42" and "March 9, 2012 15 o'clock" showing the date, "11" showing the blocking event as the previous blocking information and "February 9, 2012 15 o'clock" showing the date and time As information, “34” indicating a blocking event and “January 9, 2012 15 o'clock” indicating a date and time are displayed.

  And the microcomputer 10 performs lighting control of LED3 according to the information which makes meter information data the content. As a result, information including meter information data is transmitted to the handy terminal 20.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the gas meter 1 includes an operation unit that receives an operation on the gas meter 1, an LED 3 that notifies alerting to the surroundings according to the lighting state, and a plurality of data groups divided according to the attributes of the data. And a microcomputer 10 for transmitting information stored in the RAM 10c using optical communication based on the lighting control of the LED. Here, in the information transmission, the microcomputer 10 selects a data group selected by the user from the plurality of data groups stored in the RAM 10 c by the operation of the operation unit, and collectively transmits the information group by the data group. I will do it.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to selectively transmit only a part of data, that is, only an arbitrary data group selected by the user, from all the data held by the gas meter 1. Therefore, since not all data are transmitted, communication time can be shortened, and wasteful consumption of the battery of the gas meter 1 and the handy terminal 20 can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the data group can be selected by the operation unit that receives the operation on the gas meter 1, it is not necessary to enable two-way communication between the portable terminal and the gas meter, and cost increase of the gas meter 1 can be suppressed. .

  When data can be selected from the gas meter 1 and data can be selected, it is necessary to read the data by operating the operation unit while checking the individual data with the liquid crystal panel 2 of the gas meter 1. Therefore, the operation is complicated, and when the operation is mistaken, there is a possibility that different data may be read.

  In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the reading of data is performed by grouping data groups including a plurality of data. For this reason, since it is not necessary to select each data individually, complicated operation is also unnecessary, and necessary data can be read appropriately.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the data group to be grouped together is divided according to the attribute of the data. For this reason, since the related data group can be read out collectively, the convenience of the user can be improved.

  As described above, since only necessary data can be read out with a simple operation at necessary timing, the convenience of the gas meter 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the microcomputer 10 switches the attribute of the data group to be selected according to the operation of the operation unit by the user.

  Thereby, the data group required by the user can be properly read out.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the microcomputer 10 transmits information on the integrated flow rate of gas together with a data group according to the attribute selected by the user.

  In general, a meter reader only needs data of the integrated flow rate of gas and often reads it out. In this case, if the data related to the integrated flow rate of gas is to be transmitted together with the data group (in the present embodiment, the integrated flow rate data) selected when the operating section is first operated, the operation section may be operated once. Therefore, data on the integrated flow rate of gas can be read out with a simple operation.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the operation unit is constituted by the return button 4 for opening the shutoff valve when the shutoff valve in the gas meter 1 is closed.

  According to this embodiment, data can be read using the existing configuration of the gas meter 1. Since there is no need to newly add an operation unit for reading data, cost increase can be suppressed. It is also possible to use an existing button other than the return button 4 or a dedicated button provided for information transmission as the operation unit. That is, the operation unit may be anything as long as it receives an operation on the gas meter 1. In the present embodiment, the operation unit receives an operation related to display switching and information transmission.

Second Embodiment
Below, the gas meter 1 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. The gas meter 1 according to the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in the aspect of information transmission by optical communication. Descriptions of contents in common with the first embodiment will be omitted, and in the following, description will be made focusing on differences.

  In the present embodiment, the microcomputer 10 selects a part of data from the plurality of data stored in the RAM 10 c, and transmits information on the selected data. The data to be selected is one or more data defined in advance. The data is set in advance for each individual gas meter 1 or for each model of the gas meter 1 according to a request from the manufacturer of the gas meter 1 or a customer who supplies the gas meter 1. These pieces of information are stored, for example, in the ROM 10 b.

  In the present embodiment, data to be transmitted includes an integrated flow rate which is a meter reading value, an oversized flow rate division integrated value, a large flow rate division integrated value, a medium flow rate division integrated value, a continuous use integrated value, a designated time period integrated value, security 1 , Security 2, water heater integrated value, FH integrated value, and object number. Here, security 1 and security 2 are information for security in communication. The water heater integrated value and the FH integrated value are information related to the integrated value for each combustion appliance. The item number is a number related to the gas meter 1.

  Hereinafter, communication operation using LED3 with which gas meter 1 is provided is explained. Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an information transmission process according to the second embodiment.

  In step 10 (S10), the microcomputer 10 determines whether or not the depression operation of the return button 4 is continued for 3 seconds or more, and the shutoff valve is in the open state. In general, the integrated flow rate data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 24 of the gas meter 1. As shown in FIG. 8, by long-pressing the return button 4, the data group displayed on the display panel 24 can be switched in the order of individual integration data, pressure information data, and meter information data.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step 10, the process proceeds to step 11 (S11). On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 10, the process returns to step 10.

  In step 11, the microcomputer 10 reads integrated flow rate data from among the data stored in the RAM 10c. Then, the microcomputer 10 controls the liquid crystal panel 2 to display the read individual integrated data on the liquid crystal panel 2. As a result, the content of the individual integration data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 2 of the gas meter 1.

  In the display of the individual integration data, as shown in FIG. 3, each data included in the individual integration data, that is, the oversized flow volume division integration value, the large flow volume division integration value, the middle flow volume division integration value, the continuous use integration value, the designated time Data on the band integration value and the prepaid remaining amount is displayed. Each data is individually displayed. For example, according to the short press of the return button 4, the oversized flow rate division integration value, the large flow rate division integration value, the middle flow rate division integration value, the continuous use integration value, the designated time It is possible to sequentially switch data to be displayed in the order of the band integration value and the prepaid remaining amount.

  In step 12 (S12), the microcomputer 10 reads data defined in advance from all data stored in the RAM 10c. The data to be targeted are the integrated flow rate which is the meter reading value, the oversized flow rate division integrated value, the large flow rate division integrated value, the middle flow rate divided integration value, the continuous use integrated value, the designated time zone integrated value, security 1, security 2, water heater They are an integrated value, an FH integrated value, and an object number.

  In step 13 (S13), the microcomputer 10 performs lighting control of the LED 3 in accordance with information including the read data as content, and causes the LED 3 to light at a predetermined control duty. As a result, the light from the LED 3 is modulated, and information containing the above-described predetermined data is transmitted. Further, in order to securely communicate with the handy terminal 20, the microcomputer 10 repeatedly transmits information at a predetermined cycle until reaching a predetermined upper limit number.

  On the other hand, when the content of the individual integration data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 2, the meter reader positions the handy terminal 20 in front of the gas meter 1 and makes the light receiving surface of the photosensor 21 face the LED 3 of the gas meter 1. The light resulting from the lighting of the LED 3 is received by the photo sensor 21, and the signal output from the photo sensor 21 is input to the microcomputer 23 through the light receiving circuit 22.

  In step 14 (S14), the microcomputer 10 determines whether the end condition is satisfied. The end condition is that the display of the individual integrated data is ended, or that the number of transmissions of information has reached the upper limit number. When an affirmative determination is made in step 14, the process proceeds to step 15 (S15). On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 14, the process returns to step 14.

  At step 15, the microcomputer 10 ends the lighting control of the LED 3.

  In the period when the contents of the separate integration data are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 2 by such a series of operations, the integration flow rate which is a meter reading value, oversized flow rate division integration value, large flow rate division integration value, middle flow rate division integration value, continuation Only data defined in advance including the use integrated value, designated time zone integrated value, security 1, security 2, water heater integrated value, FH integrated value, and object number is transmitted.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the microcomputer 10 selects data defined in advance from among a plurality of data stored in the RAM 10 c, and transmits information on the selected data.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to selectively transmit only predetermined data from among all the data held by the gas meter 1. Thereby, necessary data can be read efficiently. Therefore, since not all data are transmitted, communication time can be shortened, and wasteful consumption of the battery of the gas meter 1 and the handy terminal 20 can be suppressed. Further, since data to be transmitted is defined in advance, necessary information can be acquired without excess or deficiency.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, information transmission is performed on a data group unit divided according to the attribute or data defined in advance. However, the information transmission may be performed on a part of data selected from among the plurality of data stored in the RAM 10 c. As another mode, the microcomputer 10 may select data individually selected by the user by the operation of the return button 4 and transmit information on the selected data.

  For example, when any one of individual integrated data, pressure information data, and meter information data is displayed, when the return button 4 is pressed for a short time, the data displayed on the display panel 24 is displayed as shown in FIGS. It is possible to switch among the data group. Therefore, when the microcomputer 10 determines that the return button 4 has been pressed for a short time, it switches the data being displayed and transmits information after the switching.

  According to this configuration, individual data can be selectively transmitted from among all the data held by the gas meter 1. Thereby, necessary data can be read efficiently. Therefore, since not all data are transmitted, communication time can be shortened, and wasteful consumption of the battery of the gas meter 1 and the handy terminal 20 can be suppressed. Further, since data to be transmitted can be determined in advance, necessary information can be acquired without excess or deficiency.

  In this case, the data selected by the user and the individual data to be transmitted do not necessarily have to be one-to-one, and when the user selects the data, not only the data but also other data is collectively transmitted. It is also possible. For example, the data selected by the user and the data displayed before and after the data are collectively transmitted. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to repeat the operation for each data, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, in the gas meter 1, alerting is notified around the gas meter 1 through the lighting state of the LED 3. The alerting using the LED 3 includes, for example, a shutoff display by a shutoff valve and a warning display. Therefore, when the microcomputer 10 blinks the LED 3 to call attention to each event, the microcomputer 10 may perform lighting control of the LED 3 according to the information indicating the event in the blinking period to modulate the light from the LED 3 .

  For example, when flashing the LED 3 in total / increasing flow interruption, the microcomputer 10 performs lighting control of the LED 3 according to the information indicating that the total / increasing flow exceeds and shuts off the shutoff valve. And modulate the light from the point to transmit the information. If this information is received by the handy terminal 20, the liquid crystal panel 24 of the handy terminal 20 displays a message indicating that the gas meter 1 is currently alerting, for example, that the total / increased flow rate is being cut off. May be As a result, the user does not have to decipher the dedicated display displayed on the liquid crystal panel 2 of the gas meter 1, and the convenience is improved.

  As a result, the power consumption of the battery is almost equal to that of the conventional one, and it is possible to transmit information related to alerting by optical communication.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the LED 3 for displaying an abnormal state of the gas meter 1 is used as the light emitting unit for performing optical communication, but when the LED used for other applications is provided, the LED is used Alternatively, an LED dedicated to optical communication may be provided. However, the light emission part for performing an optical communication should just be what can switch a lighting state and a light extinction state, and can also utilize structures other than LED. For example, the backlight of the liquid crystal panel 2 can also be used as a light emitting unit.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the non-lighting state of the light emitting unit is assumed to be the non-lighting state, but if the light emitting state can be determined at a level at which optical communication can be performed, predetermined brightness It is also possible to treat the following lighting condition as the lighting condition.

  Although the gas meter according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

1 Gas meter 2 Liquid crystal panel 3 LED
4 return button 5 flow velocity sensor 6 pressure sensor 10 microcomputer 11 lighting circuit 20 handy terminal 21 photo sensor 22 light receiving circuit 23 microcomputer 24 liquid crystal panel 25 speaker

Claims (4)

An operation unit that receives an operation on the gas meter;
A light emitting unit capable of switching between on and off states;
A storage unit that stores a plurality of data including a meter reading value;
A control unit that transmits information stored in the storage unit using optical communication by lighting control of the light emitting unit according to an operation on the operation unit;
Among the plurality of data stored in the storage unit, the control unit transmits information on the integrated flow rate data obtained by integrating the flow rate obtained by multiplying the flow velocity of the gas by the flow passage cross-sectional area; Data of a specific flow rate division integrated value obtained by integrating the flow rate of a specific flow rate division by operation or a preset setting, continuous use integration value of continuously used gas within a specific flow rate division range and a specified amount Data, data of a designated time zone integrated value in which gas is used in a designated time zone, and data of a counter value indicating a remaining gas amount usable by a prepaid gas user of a prepaid card. gas meter, characterized in that the information sent for or. A display unit capable of displaying the plurality of data stored in the storage unit;
The plurality of data includes data of the integrated flow rate, data of the specific flow rate division integrated value, data of the continuous use integrated value, data of the designated time zone integrated value, and a counter value indicating the remaining gas amount A data group having data,
The display unit is capable of switching the data of the specific flow rate division integrated value, the data of the continuous use integrated value, the data of the designated time zone integrated value, and the data of a counter value indicating the remaining gas amount.
The control unit
Data of the specific flow rate division integrated value possessed by the data group by the operation of the operation unit by the user or automatically, data of the continuous use integrated value, data of the designated time zone integrated value, and the remaining gas amount Toggle the display of the counter value data,
The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the information transmission is performed on the data related to the integrated flow rate, and the information transmission is performed on the data group. The gas meter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation unit is a return button for opening the shutoff valve when the shutoff valve in the gas meter is closed. The control unit performs lighting control of the light emitting unit according to the information indicating an event of the alerting during the blinking period when flashing the light emitting unit and notifying alerting about the gas meter to the surroundings, the light emitting unit gas meter according to any of claims 3 to modulate the light from the claim 1, characterized in.

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