JP6884065B2 - Prepaid card type gas meter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a prepaid card type gas meter that supplies gas by the amount of gas that can be used corresponding to the prepaid amount read from the prepaid card.

As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the prepaid card type gas meter is provided with a card reader for reading a prepaid card composed of an IC card or the like, and each time gas is used, the gas usage fee is subtracted from the prepaid amount. When the prepaid amount becomes zero, the shutoff valve is closed and the use of gas is stopped.

A postpaid method is adopted for the settlement of gas usage fees in general gas usage. In the deferred payment method, the gas company may perform a reminder to pay the unpaid gas charge, and the gas charge may be delinquent. By adopting the prepaid method for gas charges, it is possible to eliminate the use of unpaid gas, so there is no need for dunning work for unpaid gas charges, and there is no delinquency in gas charges.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 09-7039 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-21153

Here, the prepaid card type gas meter is suitable for efficiently using the required amount of gas when the residence period is short and the user changes in a short period of time. For example, it is installed and used in weekly condominiums, rental housing, apartments, and the like. In such cases, it is often not possible to know in advance what kind of gas will be used. There is a risk that the cutoff flow rate and cutoff time for forcibly shutting off the gas supply set as the safety mechanism of the gas meter are not suitable for the gas usage pattern of the gas user.

For example, when a prepaid card type gas meter is installed in a weekly condominium, the previous resident is a person who does not cook and is in a state of using gas to boil water with a kettle, and the subsequent resident is the opposite. In addition, if the person is in a gas-using state where he / she frequently cooks for a long time, the gas-using state is significantly different. Regarding the cutoff time, for example, the cutoff value for the security of the previous resident may be "block after 60 minutes of continuous use", but if this is applied as it is to the next resident, it will be "60 minutes". I can't cook because I cut it off. "

Second, the prepaid card gas meter may be powered by a built-in battery power supply. In this case, it is necessary to save power in order to extend the battery life.

On the other hand, in the case of the prepaid method, it is easy to apply the metered rate as the gas usage fee, but it is difficult to apply it in the standard rate system that combines the basic rate and the metered rate. For example, if the basic charge is in units of one month, how to apply the basic charge when canceling the contract after using it for less than one month, or when making multiple advance payments in one month in small portions. Have difficulty. In order to collect the same gas usage charge as in the case of the charge system consisting of a combination of the basic charge and the metered charge, it is necessary to set the metered charge (metered unit price) higher than the current charge system. In such a charge system, if the amount of gas used increases, the gas charge will be higher than when the same amount is used due to the charge system consisting of the combination of the current basic charge and the metered charge, and the prepaid charge will be applied. Gas users cannot enjoy the benefits of the method.

In view of these points, an object of the present invention is to provide a prepaid card type gas meter that is easy for consumers to use, and a prepaid card type gas meter that employs a gas charge system suitable for the prepaid method.

The prepaid card type gas meter of the present invention that supplies gas by the amount of gas that can be used corresponding to the prepaid amount included in the prepaid card carrying information is
A shutoff valve for shutting off the gas supply,
A measurement / calculation unit that measures the gas supplied via the shutoff valve and calculates the gas flow rate, continuous gas usage time, and integrated gas flow rate.
A card reader that reads the carrier information of the prepaid card,
A storage unit that stores the read carrier information,
The shutoff flow rate setting change button and shutoff time setting change button, which are input operation units for setting or changing the shutoff flow rate and shutoff time for forcibly shutting off the shutoff valve, and the shutoff time setting change button,
The charge start operation unit, which is operated to activate the card reader,
The start-of-use operation unit operated to input the gas use start command,
A control unit that controls the drive of each unit,
A meter case with a cutoff flow rate setting change button and a cutoff time setting change button inside,
have.

The control unit includes a gas supply stop function unit that controls a shutoff valve to supply and stop gas.
From the prepaid amount, the settlement function unit for subtracting the gas usage fee corresponding to the supplied the gas flow rate,
A setting change function unit that sets or changes the cutoff flow rate and cutoff time based on the input from the input operation unit.
A gas forced shutoff function unit that forcibly shuts off the shutoff valve to stop the gas supply when the gas flow rate exceeds the shutoff flow rate or at least one of the cases where the continuous gas use time exceeds the shutoff time.
A function to prevent fraud and mischief that forcibly shuts off the shutoff valve when it detects that the meter case has been opened illegally,
Is equipped with
When the use start command is input, the gas supply stop function unit of the control unit switches the shutoff valve to the open state on condition that the prepaid amount remains.

The prepaid card type gas meter of the present invention is provided with an input operation unit for setting and changing the cutoff flow rate and cutoff time for safety. When the gas user (gas consumer) is replaced, the person in charge of the gas company can operate the input operation unit to set the cutoff flow rate and the cutoff time suitable for the new gas user.

For example, when the gas user does not use the gas continuously for a long time, the cutoff time is set short. When the next gas user frequently uses the gas for a long time such as cooking, the cutoff time is changed to a long time. As a result, unnecessary gas shutoff can be prevented, and convenience is improved.

Here, when the built-in battery power source is used as the driving power of the prepaid card type gas meter, a charging operation unit operated to activate the card reading unit is arranged, and the control unit is operated by the charging operation unit. When this happens, it is desirable to have a charge start function unit that activates the card reader unit and enables reading of the prepaid card.

When the gas user operates the charging operation unit to start using the gas, the communication unit of the card reading unit is activated. Since it operates only when necessary, the power consumption of the card reader can be suppressed. Further, by having the gas user operate the charging operation unit, it is possible to confirm the intention of the gas user to charge the prepaid amount from now on. When the charging operation is automatically performed when the prepaid card is held over the gas meter, for example, the charging may be performed unintentionally by the gas user. It will be necessary to add a function for canceling the charge. According to the present invention, such an adverse effect can be reliably prevented.

After the prepaid amount is read, the control unit can open the shutoff valve to switch the gas to a usable state. Instead of opening the shut-off valve automatically in this way, the shut-off valve may be opened and the state may be switched to a state in which the gas can be used by the operation input of the gas user. In this case, a use start operation unit for inputting a gas supply start command is arranged, and the gas supply stop function unit of the control unit is used by the gas user operating the use start operation unit. When the command is input, the shutoff valve is switched to the open state on condition that the prepaid amount remains.

Next, the settlement function unit of the control unit may calculate the gas usage charge based on the prepaid gas charge system included in the carrier information.

In this case, the gas company includes the information for specifying the prepaid gas charge system in the carrier information of the prepaid card to be issued. Based on this information, the control unit can set the specified charge system. Gas companies are convenient because they can easily adopt the desired tariff system. For example, a charge system consisting of a split basic charge and a pay-as-you-go charge, a charge system consisting of only a pay-as-you-go charge, and the like can be arbitrarily set.

As a prepaid gas charge system, a charge system that includes a split basic charge and a metered charge according to the amount of gas used can be adopted. The split basic charge is set as the daily split basic charge obtained by dividing the set basic charge by a predetermined number of days, and the settlement function unit of the control unit subtracts the daily split basic charge from the prepaid amount every day. , The basic charge can be collected in installments.

Further, in the case of the metered rate system, for example, the metered rate may be increased according to the gas usable amount corresponding to the prepaid amount. For example, if the prepaid amount is higher than a predetermined amount, the premium rate of the pay-as-you-go rate is lowered, and if the prepaid amount is low, the premium rate is increased. Of course, it is also possible to adopt other charge systems.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the prepaid gas supply system provided with the prepaid card type gas meter to which this invention is applied. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the gas use start procedure of the prepaid gas supply system of FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the gas supply operation of the prepaid gas supply system of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a prepaid gas supply system according to the present embodiment. The prepaid gas supply system 1 installed at each gas consumption location includes a gas supply source 2, a prepaid card type gas meter 3 (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "gas meter 3"), and a gas meter from the gas supply source 2. It is provided with a gas supply path 4 on the upstream side for supplying gas to 3 and a gas supply path 6 on the downstream side for supplying gas from the gas meter 3 to a plurality of gas-using devices 5.

The gas meter 3 supplies gas by the amount of gas that can be used corresponding to the prepaid amount 12 included in the carrier information 11 of the prepaid card 7. The prepaid card 7 is, for example, a non-contact type IC card, and can wirelessly communicate with the gas meter 3. The prepaid card 7 is issued, for example, by the card issuing machine 10 managed by the management system 9 of the gas company 8. The card issuing machine 10 issues a prepaid card 7 in which a prepaid amount 12 according to the deposit amount is written. It is possible to write prepaid information such as the corresponding prepaid frequency instead of the amount information that directly represents the prepaid amount 12, but in the present specification, the prepaid amount 12 is included in this case as well. It shall be called.

The information written on the prepaid card 7, that is, the carrying information 11, includes information for card authentication such as a card ID, issuance date and time, issuing place (or issuing machine ID), prepaid amount 12, prepaid gas charge system 13, and the like. Contains information for gas use. The prepaid gas charge system 13 includes a split basic charge 14 and a metered charge 15. The prepaid gas charge system 13 will be described later.

The gas meter 3 includes a meter case 21 indicated by a chain double-dashed line, in which a gas passage 22 is arranged. The gas inlet 22a of the gas passage 22 is connected to the gas supply path 4 on the upstream side, and the gas outlet 22b is connected to the gas supply path 6 on the downstream side. A shutoff valve 23 is arranged in the middle of the gas passage 22. A measuring unit 24 for measuring the gas flowing therethrough is arranged in a portion of the gas passage 22 on the downstream side of the shutoff valve 23.

Inside the meter case 21, a battery power supply 25 for supplying driving power for each part, a control unit 30 mainly composed of a computer, and a card reader 40 having a communication function are arranged. The control unit 30 controls the drive of each unit and the calculation unit 31 that calculates the gas flow rate supplied to the gas-using device 5 side, the integrated value of the gas flow rate, and the continuous gas use time from the measured values of the measurement unit 24. It includes a control unit 32 and a storage unit 33 that stores and holds various types of information. By holding the prepaid card 7 over the gas meter 3, wireless communication is performed between them, and the carrier information 11 of the prepaid card 7 is read by the card reader 40. The read carrier information 11 is held in the storage unit 33 under the control of the control unit 32.

A display unit 34 composed of a liquid crystal display or the like is arranged on the front surface of the meter case 21, and various information can be displayed under the control of the control unit 32. Further, a setting input operation unit 35 for setting / changing various setting values is arranged on the back surface or the inside of the meter case 21. The setting input operation unit 35 is provided with setting change buttons 36 and 37 that are operated to set / change the cutoff flow rate and the cutoff time. The cutoff flow rate 38 and the cutoff time 39 set or changed by the setting change buttons 36 and 37 are held in the storage unit 33, respectively.

On the surface of the meter case 21, a charge button 41 operated by a gas user is arranged at a position adjacent to the display unit 34 in order to activate the card reader 40. Further, a use start button 42 operated by the gas user is arranged to input the gas supply start command.

The control unit 32 operates as the following various functional units by executing the installed control program.
Gas supply stop function unit 51, which controls the shutoff valve 23 to supply and stop gas.
Settlement function unit 52, which subtracts the gas usage fee corresponding to the supplied gas flow rate from the prepaid amount 12.
Setting change function unit 53 that sets or changes the cutoff flow rate 38 and the cutoff time 39 based on the operation input of the setting change buttons 36 and 37.
Gas forced shutoff function that forcibly stops the gas supply when the gas flow rate calculated by the calculation unit 31 exceeds the shutoff flow rate 38 and at least one of the cases where the continuous gas use time exceeds the shutoff time 39. Part 54,
When the charge button 41 is operated, the card reader 40 is activated to enable reading of the prepaid card 7. Charge start function unit 55

Here, the gas supply stop function unit 51 of this example controls to switch the shutoff valve 23 to the open state on condition that the prepaid amount 12 remains when the use start button 42 is operated by the gas user. Do. Further, the settlement function unit 52 performs a process of calculating the gas usage charge based on the prepaid gas charge system 13 included in the carrier information 11 of the prepaid card 7.

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart showing a gas use start procedure in the prepaid gas supply system 1. Prior to the use of gas, the gas user inputs a predetermined amount of money in the card issuing machine 10 to prepaid the gas usage fee, and purchases a prepaid card 7 in which the prepaid amount 12 corresponding to the prepaid amount is written.

To start using the gas, the gas user first operates the charge button 41 of the gas meter 3 (step ST1). When the charge button 41 is operated, the control unit 32 of the gas meter 3 activates the card reader 40 to enable card reading (step ST2). In addition, an operation instruction to the gas user is displayed on the display unit 34.

When the gas user holds the prepaid card 7 over or comes into contact with the gas meter 3 according to the operation instruction, the carrier information 11 of the prepaid card 7 is read by the card reader 40 (step ST3). The control unit 32 authenticates the prepaid card 7 based on the read carrier information 11, and sets the prepaid amount 12 and the prepaid gas charge system 13 included in the carrier information 11 (step ST4).

When the gas user operates the use start button 42 of the gas meter 3 according to the displayed operation instruction, the control unit 32 opens the shutoff valve 23 (steps ST5 and ST6). As a result, the gas can be supplied by the prepaid gas supply system 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart showing a gas supply operation of the prepaid gas supply system 1. When the gas user uses the gas, the gas meter 3 measures the supplied gas and calculates the gas flow rate, the integrated value, and the continuous gas usage time (steps ST11 and 12). The control unit 32 calculates the gas charge of the used gas flow rate based on the prepaid gas charge system 13, and performs a settlement process of subtracting it from the prepaid amount 12 (step ST13). It is determined whether or not the prepaid amount 12 remains after the settlement (step ST14), and if it becomes zero, the shutoff valve 23 is closed to stop the gas supply (step ST16), indicating that the gas cannot be used. The reason or cause is displayed (step ST17), and the process ends.

The prepaid gas charge system 13 in this example includes a split basic charge 14 and a metered charge 15 according to the amount of gas used. The split basic charge 14 is a daily split basic charge obtained by dividing the set basic charge by a predetermined number of days. For example, when the basic charge per month in a general gas charge system is used, the daily basic charge obtained by dividing the basic charge by 30 days can be adopted as the divided basic charge 14. In this case, the settlement function unit of the control unit 32 performs, as the settlement process, a process of subtracting the daily split basic charge 14 from the prepaid amount 12 every day, in addition to the settlement process based on the pay-as-you-go charge 15. As a result, the monthly basic charge can be collected in installments on a daily basis.

As a result, the case of using the gas using the prepaid card 7 is significantly more expensive than the case of the general gas usage form, and the merit that the gas user uses the prepaid gas supply system 1 is sufficient. It is possible to avoid the harmful effect of not being able to enjoy it.

A pay-as-you-go rate system can be adopted as the prepaid gas rate system 13. If the prepaid amount 12 is high (when the amount of gas that can be used is large), the metered rate may be lowered, and in the opposite case, the metered rate may be increased.

When adopting a charge that is a premium rate according to the prepaid amount 12 (gas usable amount) and is a premium of the basic metered rate, for example, when the prepaid amount 12 is high (when the gas usable amount is large) In the opposite case, the premium rate is lowered, and in the opposite case, the premium rate is increased. Each time the gas is used, the control unit 32 subtracts the charge obtained by multiplying the metered charge calculated based on the amount of gas used by the premium rate from the prepaid amount 12.

When issuing the prepaid card 7 in the card issuing machine 10, the gas company may write information for designating the prepaid gas charge system 13. The gas company can settle the gas charge by adopting the desired prepaid gas charge system 13 simply by changing the information written in the prepaid card 7.

Next, in the gas meter 3, a cutoff flow rate 38 and a cutoff time 39 are set in the storage unit 33. Either when the gas flow rate of the gas used becomes a large flow rate exceeding the cutoff flow rate 38, when the continuous use time of the gas becomes a long time exceeding the cutoff time 39, or when both of these are satisfied. One of these cases is set as the gas forced shutoff condition.

Explaining again by returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, when it is detected that the gas forced shutoff condition is satisfied (step ST15), the control unit 32 determines that an abnormality has occurred in gas use and shuts off. The valve 23 is closed to forcibly shut off the gas supply (step ST16). After that, the fact that the gas cannot be used, the reason or the cause is displayed (step ST17), and the process is terminated.

When the gas users are replaced, the gas usage pattern may change significantly. In such a case, it is desirable to change these so that the set cutoff flow rate 38 and the set cutoff time 39 are suitable for the gas usage pattern of the gas user. The gas meter 3 of this example is provided with setting change buttons 36 and 37 that are operated to set and change the cutoff flow rate 38 and the cutoff time 39 (see FIG. 1). The person in charge of the gas company can operate these setting change buttons 36 and 37 to set or change the cutoff flow rate 38 and the cutoff time 39.

In the above example, it is also possible to omit the charge button 41 so that the prepaid card 7 can always be read. Further, the use start button 42 may be omitted so that the use of gas can be automatically started when the prepaid amount is charged.

Further, by providing the prepaid card type gas meter 3 with a fraud and mischief prevention function, it is possible to suppress fraud such as falsification of the gas meter 3 and rewriting of the prepaid amount 12 held in the storage unit 33. As a function for preventing fraud and mischief, for example, there is a function of detecting that the meter case 21 of the gas meter main body has been opened. Further, when it is detected that the meter case 21 has been opened, the shutoff valve 23 may be forcibly shut off so that the shutoff state can be released only by a special operation. As a result, it is possible to know that the meter case 21 has been opened due to fraud or mischief, and it is possible to prevent data falsification and the like. In addition, when data is falsified, gas cannot be used, so unauthorized use of gas can be prevented.

1 Prepaid gas supply system 2 Gas supply source 3 Gas meter (prepaid card type gas meter)
4 Gas supply path 5 Gas use equipment 6 Gas supply path 7 Prepaid card 8 Gas company 9 Management system 10 Card issuing machine 11 Carrying information 12 Prepaid amount 13 Prepaid gas charge system 14 Divided basic charge 15 Pay-as-you-go charge 21 Meter case 22 Gas passage 22a Gas inlet 22b Gas outlet 23 Shutoff valve 24 Measuring unit 25 Battery power supply 30 Control unit 31 Calculation unit 32 Control unit 33 Storage unit 34 Display unit 35 Setting input operation unit 36 Setting change button 37 Setting change button 38 Shutoff flow rate 39 Shutdown time 40 Card reader 41 Charge button 42 Use start button 51 Gas supply stop function unit 52 Settlement function unit 53 Setting change function unit 54 Gas forced shutoff function unit 55 Charge start function unit

Claims (4)

In a prepaid card type gas meter that supplies gas by the amount of gas that can be used corresponding to the prepaid amount included in the carrier information of the prepaid card.
A shutoff valve for shutting off the gas supply,
A measurement / calculation unit that measures the gas supplied through the shutoff valve and calculates the gas flow rate, gas continuous use time, and gas flow rate integrated value.
A card reading unit that reads the carrier information of the prepaid card, and
A storage unit that stores the read carrier information, and
A shutoff flow rate setting change button and a shutoff time setting change button , which are input operation units for setting or changing the shutoff flow rate and shutoff time for forcibly shutting off the shutoff valve,
The start-of-use operation unit operated to input the gas use start command,
A control unit that controls the drive of each unit,
A meter case in which the cutoff flow rate setting change button and the cutoff time setting change button are arranged internally, and
Have and
The control unit
A gas supply stop function unit that controls the shutoff valve to supply and stop gas,
A settlement function unit that subtracts the gas usage fee corresponding to the supplied gas flow rate from the prepaid amount .
A setting change function unit that sets or changes the cutoff flow rate and the cutoff time based on the input from the input operation unit.
When the gas flow rate exceeds the shutoff flow rate or at least one of the cases where the continuous use time of the gas exceeds the shutoff time, the shutoff valve is forcibly shut off to stop the gas supply. and the shut-off function unit,
A function to prevent fraud and mischief that forcibly shuts off the shutoff valve when it detects that the meter case has been opened illegally,
Equipped with a,
The gas supply stop function unit of the control unit is a prepaid card type gas meter that switches the shutoff valve to an open state on condition that the prepaid amount remains when the use start command is input. In claim 1,
Battery power supply that supplies drive power for each part,
It has a charge start operation unit that is operated to activate the card reading unit.
The control unit is a prepaid card type gas meter including a charge start function unit that activates the card reading unit when the charging start operation unit is operated to enable reading of the prepaid card. In claim 1 or 2,
The settlement function unit of the control unit is a prepaid card type gas meter that calculates the gas usage charge based on the prepaid gas charge system included in the carrier information. In claim 3,
The prepaid gas charge system includes a split basic charge and a metered charge according to the amount of gas used.
The split basic charge is a daily split basic charge obtained by dividing the set basic charge by a predetermined number of days.
The settlement function unit of the control unit is a prepaid card type gas meter that collects the set basic charge in installments by subtracting the divided basic charge from the prepaid amount every day.

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