JP7232677B2 - Water usage monitoring system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water usage monitoring system that uses an electronic water meter as an IoT terminal to centrally monitor the water usage at each place where tap water is used.

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of centralized monitoring systems have been proposed for performing meter reading, abnormality detection, etc., by centrally monitoring tap water usage conditions in general housing, collective housing, and the like. For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes a centralized meter reading device in which a plurality of water meters with a communication function and having a plurality of types of alarm functions are connected by a communication line, and alarm information generated by each water meter is read out. Moreover, in recent years, a meter reading system has been proposed that has a monitoring function for confirming the living conditions of consumers at each place where tap water is used, based on meter reading information.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-232682

Here, if the water meter set at each water usage location is provided with a communication function similar to that of a mobile phone and used as an IoT terminal, the management server side can frequently acquire meter reading data, etc., and monitor the water usage status. Accurate management becomes easy, and it becomes easy to check the living condition of the living person to be watched over in detail.

In view of this point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water usage monitoring system capable of realizing abnormality detection operation and monitoring operation suitable for each tap water usage location based on the water usage status at each tap water usage location. to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the water usage monitoring system for centrally monitoring the water usage at each tap water usage location according to the present invention comprises a meter reading device installed at each tap water usage location, and It is composed of a center device equipped with a management server that performs two-way communication with the meter reading device via a general communication line network. Each meter reading device is configured with an electronic water meter and a transmitter. An electronic water meter includes a meter reading unit for water usage and an abnormality detection unit that compares the meter reading result of the meter reading unit with a predetermined detection condition to detect an abnormal state. The abnormal state is, for example, at least one of a reverse flow state of tap water, an excessive flow state, a water leakage state, and a non-use state. The transmitter is equipped with a communication unit that performs electronic message communication with the electronic water meter, and a communication module that performs two-way communication with the management server via a general communication network such as a mobile phone network. there is The management server of the center device has an abnormality detection condition changing function for changing the detection condition of an abnormal state in the electronic water meter via the transmitter.

By connecting a transmitter equipped with a communication module to an electronic water meter, the meter reading device installed at each location where tap water is used can be used as an IoT terminal that communicates using, for example, a mobile carrier's cellular LPWA service. be able to. The management server can frequently communicate with the meter reading device to acquire the meter reading data of the electronic water meter. Based on a large amount of acquired meter reading data, it is possible to accurately check the water usage status, including the detection status of abnormal conditions at each tap water usage location. The operator of the management server can determine whether the abnormal state detection state is appropriate by checking the abnormal state detection state at each tap water usage location.

For example, if the water leakage state cannot be detected even though water leakage is occurring, the detection conditions (set time, set flow rate, etc.) that are criteria for water leakage detection may not be appropriate. In this case, on the side of the management server, the operator inputs a detection condition change command and a new detection condition to the management server. When the identification information of the meter reading device to be changed, the change command, and the new detection conditions are input, the abnormality detection condition changing function of the management server is activated, communicates with the corresponding meter reading device, and changes the meter reading device. Change the detection conditions set in the abnormality detection part of the electronic water meter. As a result, it is possible to appropriately and accurately detect an abnormal state at each place where tap water is used. In addition, from the management server side, the occurrence of abnormality of the person being watched over at the place where tap water is used, for example, the detection condition for non-use detection is set according to the tap water usage pattern that reflects the life pattern of the person being watched over. By setting or changing an appropriate value, the occurrence of abnormality can be detected with high accuracy.

Here, it is also possible to provide the management server with a function of verifying whether or not the set detection conditions for abnormality detection are appropriate. In this case, the management server is equipped with a verification function, and based on the automatic meter reading data obtained from the electronic water meter, which indicates the amount of water used at fixed intervals, the conditions for detecting abnormal conditions at the location where tap water is used are changed. It is sufficient to verify the detection status of the abnormal state in the case. For example, the operator uses the verification function of the management server to check the setting time, which is the detection condition for water leakage determination, the frequency of water leakage detection when the set flow rate is changed, the time of water leakage detection, etc. on the screen, Appropriate detection conditions can be set based on these.

The abnormality detection unit of the electronic water meter may hold a plurality of detection conditions as detection conditions used for detecting one abnormal state. In this case, the operator on the management side inputs a command for selecting the detection conditions to be used via the management server, and the management server determines the detection conditions set for the electronic water meter based on the input command. to the electronic water meter side. On the side of the electronic water meter, by setting specified detection conditions, the set detection conditions are changed.

In the present invention, for example, the leakage detection function of an electronic water meter can also be used as a monitoring function. In this case, two types of detection conditions are prepared for water leakage detection, one of which can be used for water leakage detection, and the other can be used for watch over detection such as detection of forgetting to close a faucet (draining water).

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a water usage monitoring system to which the present invention is applied; FIG. It is a meter reading device and a functional block diagram of a management server. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data configuration of automatic meter reading data of an electronic water meter, and an explanatory diagram showing a display example of hourly automatic meter reading data; FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a backflow detection function of an electronic water meter; It is explanatory drawing which shows the excessive flow detection function of an electronic water meter. It is explanatory drawing which shows the water leakage detection function of an electronic water meter. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the non-use detection function of the electronic water meter;

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, with reference to drawings, embodiment of the water usage monitoring system to which this invention is applied is described. The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a water usage monitoring system according to this embodiment. The water usage monitoring system 1 monitors water usage at tap water usage locations 2 (1), 2 (2), 2 (3), . are centrally monitored by the management server 40 installed in the center device 4 . A meter reading device 5 is installed at each place 2 where tap water is used. The management server 40 of the center device 4 performs two-way communication with each meter reading device 5 via the general communication line network 3 .

A meter reading device 5 installed at each tap water usage location 2 includes an electronic water meter 6 with a built-in microcomputer and a transmitter 8 . Communication between the electronic water meter 6 and the transmitter 8 is performed by, for example, an 8-bit message. As the general communication line network 3 between the transmitter 8 of the meter reading device 5 and the management server 40, for example, a cellular LPWA service provided by domestic mobile carriers is used.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing main functions of the electronic water meter 6 and transmitter 8 of the meter reading device. Inside the meter case of the electronic water meter 6, there is an impeller-type measuring chamber 62 for measuring the tap water flowing through a flow path 61 connected to a water pipe (not shown), and the flow rate is detected based on the rotation of the impeller. A measurement unit 63 and a control unit 64 are provided. These parts 62, 63, and 64 constitute a meter reading section. The control unit 64 is connected to a communication unit 65 that performs electronic message communication with the transmitter 8 and a power supply unit 66 that has a battery power supply. The control unit 64 is also connected to an input section 67 and a display section 68 such as a liquid crystal display.

The control unit 64 generates tap water usage data (see FIG. 3) including, for example, the amount of tap water used every hour and the integrated usage flow rate, based on the measured tap water flow rate measured by the measurement unit 63. A tap water usage data generator 71, a load survey unit 72, a storage unit 73 that stores and holds various data including tap water usage data, and detects an abnormal state based on the tap water usage data and preset values. An anomaly detector 74 is provided. The abnormality detection unit 74 has a water leakage detection function 75 , a backflow detection function 76 , an excessive flow rate detection function 77 and a non-use detection function 78 . The anomaly detection unit 74 is also provided with a monitoring function 79 that judges the health and living conditions of a person to be monitored, such as an elderly person living alone, living in the tap water usage location 2, based on the tap water usage pattern, if necessary. ing.

The load survey unit 72 has a function of collecting, for example, 64 integrated values of tap water usage generated by the tap water usage data generating unit 71 and storing and holding them in the storage unit 73 . Data is sent by a call from the management server 40 or a terminal call. For example, it collects and stores and stores the integrated value of the water consumption for the past 64 days every day at the designated time of regular meter reading. Data is sent by calling from the management server 40 . When the data becomes full, the oldest data is sequentially deleted, and the newest data is always stored and held. Each function of the abnormality detection unit 74 will be described later.

Next, the transmitter 8 comprises a control unit 81 and a power supply unit 82 built into the transmitter case. The control unit 81 includes a communication control unit 83, a communication unit 84 that performs electronic message communication with the communication unit 65 of the electronic water meter 6, a communication module 85 that performs two-way communication with the management server 40, and a storage unit. It has 86. Also, the control unit 81 is connected to an operation section 87 having operation buttons such as a power button. The communication module 85 is, for example, a LPWA communication standard module that can use cellular LPWA services. The communication control unit 83 is provided with a reception state determination function 88 that determines the reception state based on the electric field strength so that the communication state of the communication module 85 can be determined, for example.

On the other hand, the management server 40 of the center device 4 includes a communication module for two-way communication between the control unit 41, the storage unit 42, and the transmitters 8 of the meter reading devices 5 at the tap water usage locations 2. and a communication unit 43 . An input unit 44 and a display unit 45 are connected to the control unit 41 via an input/output interface. It is also connected to a customer management database 46 . The database 46 for customer management stores identification information of each tap water usage location 2, tap water usage history information including tap water usage data, abnormality detection history, and other management information. As is well known, the management server 40 transmits and receives data to and from each tap water usage location 2 based on this information. The control unit 41, the storage unit 42, the communication unit 43, etc. in the management server 40 can also be constructed as a cloud server.

Here, the control unit 41 of the management server 40 has an abnormality detection condition changing function 47 . When an abnormality detection condition change command and a new detection condition are input via the input unit 44, the abnormality detection condition change function 47 transmits the target tap water usage location 2 based on these. Via the device 8, the user instructs to change the detection conditions set in the electronic water meter 6. Upon receiving the change command information (change command and new detection conditions), the transmitter 8 transfers the change command information to the communication unit 65 of the electronic water meter 6 . Upon receiving the setting condition change information, the control unit 64 of the electronic water meter 6 selects one of the water leakage detection conditions, reverse flow detection conditions, and excessive flow rate detection conditions set for abnormality detection in the abnormality detection section 74. change the detection conditions. These detection conditions are stored and held in the storage unit 73, for example. Of course, when the detection conditions are initially set, an input operation for setting each detection condition can be similarly performed from the management server 40 side. Also, the initial set values can be set in the electronic water meter 6 in advance.

FIG. 3( a ) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of automatic meter reading data generated by the tap water usage data generator 71 of the electronic water meter 6 and transmitted to the management server 40 . FIG. 3(b) shows a screen display form of the tap water usage pattern generated from the automatic meter reading data. The automatic meter reading data 9 includes the date of reception, the time of reception, the customer code, the type of processing, the meter reading value, the alarm information indicating the detection state of an abnormal state, and the meter reading value at each time on the previous day. For example, by comparing the automatic meter reading data 9 with the result of visual meter reading by a meter reader, the consistency of meter reading values can be confirmed. Also, the electric field intensity detected by the reception state determination function 88 of the transmitter 8 can be included. If there is a missing part in the automatic meter reading data 9, the quality of the reception state can be confirmed from the value of the electric field intensity.

(abnormality detection function)
The abnormality detection function of the electronic water meter 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. FIG. 4(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the backflow detection function 76, and FIG. 4(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a display form of the backflow detection. The backflow detection function 76 is a function for detecting the occurrence of backflow due to the reverse installation of the electronic water meter 6, pulsating current generated in the water pipe, or the like. As a water leakage detection condition, when backflow occurs continuously over a preset set time, it is determined that backflow has occurred. When backflow is detected, abnormality detection information (backflow detection and backflow integrated flow rate value indicated by hatching in the drawing) is sent to the management server 40 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 4(b), an arrow mark pointing in the opposite direction is lit and displayed in the blank arrow mark displayed on the display screen of the display unit 68 of the electronic water meter 6. FIG. The reverse arrow mark may be displayed in a lighting state or may be displayed in a blinking state.

FIG. 5(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the excessive flow rate detection function 77, and FIG. 5(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a display form when an excessive flow rate is detected. The excess flow rate detection condition is the excess flow rate set value, which is the integrated value of the set flow rate and the excess flow rate. Excessive flow rate is detected when an excessive flow rate more than the set flow rate flows and the integrated value of the excess flow rate exceeds the excess flow rate set value. The fact that the flow rate is excessive and the maximum flow rate are transmitted to the management server 40 . In addition, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the display screen of the display unit 68 shows that the upper part of the white wavy mark in the off state displayed on the display screen of the display unit 68 is lit or blinking. change in form.

FIG. 6(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the water leakage detection function 75, and FIG. 6(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a display form when water leakage is detected. The water leakage detection conditions are set time and set flow rate. If water continues to flow in excess of the set flow rate for a set period of time, it is determined that there is a water leak. The water leakage is notified by a call from the management server 40 or a terminal call. Moreover, the amount of water leakage, the minimum flow rate, and the water leakage time can be sent out by communication. The minimum flow rate in leak detection refers to the minimum flow rate that exceeds the set flow rate. Further, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the mark representing water leakage from the water pipe displayed on the display screen of the display unit 68 switches from the white off state to the state where the water droplet mark portion lights up or blinks. .

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the non-use detection function 78. As shown in FIG. The non-use detection conditions are the set flow rate and the set number of days. If the instantaneous flow rate is always below the set flow rate during the set number of days, it is determined that it is not used. The non-use state is notified by a call from the management server 40 or a terminal call. If the flow rate continues to be below the set flow rate even after detection, the days of non-use are added.

Here, as described above, the setting value for abnormality detection can be changed from the management server 40 side. For example, the abnormality detection condition changing function 47 of the management server 40 generates a tap water usage pattern from the received automatic meter reading data and displays it on the screen of the display unit 45 . Based on the tap water usage pattern displayed on the screen, the operator can change the set value set as the abnormality detection condition to an appropriate value. As a result, the abnormality detection accuracy can be improved.

For example, setting values set as detection conditions for the water leakage detection function 75 of the electronic water meter 6 can be changed by downloading from the management server 40 side, thereby improving accuracy and speed of water leakage detection. For example, if the set flow rate set as the water leakage detection condition of the electronic water meter 6 is too large, water leakage cannot be detected with high accuracy. In this case, by downloading, the set flow rate is changed to a smaller value that matches the actual situation. By performing this operation on the screen, it is possible to easily set an appropriate set flow rate as a detection condition, thereby improving detection accuracy and detection speed. For example, a verification function may be installed in the abnormality detection condition change function 47 of the management server 40 so that when the detection conditions are changed, the detection accuracy etc. can be automatically detected based on the past tap water usage pattern. .

Next, the monitoring function 79 of the electronic water meter 6 will be described. The watching function 79 can determine the safety of the person being watched over by confirming the life pattern of the person being watched over, for example, based on the one-hour value of the tap water usage pattern generated from the automatic meter reading data. For example, the management server 40 calculates the daily average tap water usage pattern based on the hourly tap water usage and registers it in the storage unit 73 of the electronic water meter 6 . The monitoring function 79 monitors the usage of tap water according to a preset algorithm. For example, if the use of tap water is not detected during the morning hours, it is determined that the user has not woken up or cannot wake up. and notifies the management server 40. The operator of the management server 40, for example, confirms the usage status, and if it is determined to be necessary, reports to a predesignated contact.

Also, by using the water leakage detection function 75, it is possible to detect whether or not the faucet has been forgotten to be closed or whether the water has been left running. In this case, as the set flow rate and the set time, which are the detection conditions for water leakage detection, the first set flow rate and the first set time are set as the standard detection conditions for water leakage detection, and the faucet is not forgotten to be closed. As a second detection condition for detection, a second set flow rate and a second set time may be set.

Also, if the person being watched over does not use water for a long period of time, there is a possibility that the person will be unable to move due to health problems. Such a state of non-use for a long time can also be detected using the non-use detection function 78 . Even in this case, the first set flow rate and the first set number of days are set as the standard detection conditions for non-use detection, and the second set flow rate and the second set number of days are set as the second detection conditions for long-term non-use detection for monitoring. A set time can be set for detection. These can be set based on tap water usage patterns that reflect life patterns.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the transmitter 8 is externally attached to the electronic water meter 6 and used. Alternatively, the function of the transmitter 8 can be built into the electronic water meter 6 . In the above example, the abnormality detection unit 74 is mounted on the electronic water meter 6 side, but it can also be mounted on the transmitter 8 side or the management server 40 side. Furthermore, in the above example, the management server 40 changes the detection conditions for abnormality detection. In addition to the management server 40, it is also possible to set and change setting values from a communication device such as a management mobile terminal to which authority is given by the administrator.

1 Water usage monitoring system 2 Tap water usage location 3 General communication network 4 Center device 5 Meter reading device 6 Electronic water meter 8 Transmitter 9 Automatic meter reading data 2, 2 (1), 2 (2), 2 (3) Tap water usage location 40 Management server 41 Control unit 42 Storage unit 43 Communication unit 44 Input unit 45 Display unit 46 Customer management database 47 Abnormal detection condition change function 61 Channel 62 Measurement room 63 Measurement unit 64 Control unit 65 Communication unit 66 Power supply Unit 67 Input section 68 Display section 71 Tap water usage data generation section 72 Load survey section 73 Storage section 74 Abnormality detection section 75 Water leakage detection function 76 Backflow detection function 77 Excessive flow rate detection function 78 Non-use detection function 79 Monitoring function 81 Control unit 82 Power supply unit 83 Communication control unit 84 Communication unit 85 Communication module 86 Storage unit 87 Operation unit 88 Reception state determination function

Claims (4)

A water usage monitoring system for centrally monitoring water usage at each of tap water usage locations,
a meter reading device installed at each of the tap water usage locations;
a center device comprising a management server that performs two-way communication with the meter reading device via a general communication network;
and
The meter reading device comprises an electronic water meter and a transmitter,
The electronic water meter includes a meter reading unit for water usage, and an abnormality detection unit that compares the meter reading result of the meter reading unit with a predetermined detection condition to detect an abnormal state,
The transmitter includes a communication unit that performs electronic message communication with the electronic water meter, and a communication module that performs two-way communication with the management server via the general communication network,
The management server has an abnormality detection condition changing function for changing the detection condition of the abnormal state in the electronic water meter via the transmitter,
The abnormal state is at least a water leakage state among a backflow state of tap water, an excessive flow state, a water leakage state, and a non-use state,
The abnormality detection unit has a water leakage detection function,
The abnormality detection unit of the electronic water meter can hold a plurality of detection conditions as the detection conditions used for detecting one abnormal state,
The water leakage detection function is
Based on the first set time and the first set flow rate set as the detection conditions, the water leakage state occurs when water exceeding the first set flow rate continuously flows over the first set time. judge,
Based on the second set time and the second set flow rate set as the detection conditions, when water exceeding the second set flow rate continuously flows over the second set time, the faucet forgetting to close state or A water usage monitoring system that judges that the water is being released . The management server detects the abnormal state at the place where the tap water is used based on the automatic meter reading data representing the amount of water used at regular time intervals obtained from the meter reading unit of the electronic water meter. 2. The water usage monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a verification function for verifying the detection state of said abnormal state when conditions are changed. The abnormality detection condition changing function of the management server instructs the abnormality detection unit of the electronic water meter to use one of the plurality of detection conditions held in the electronic water meter as the detection condition. 2. The water usage monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the set detection conditions are changed by designating one. The abnormality detection unit of the electronic water meter has a function of detecting a backflow state, an excessive flow state, and a water leakage state of tap water,
The electronic water meter has a display unit having a display screen for displaying display marks representing the abnormal states of the reverse flow state, the excessive flow rate state, and the water leakage state,
The display unit
In a normal state in which the abnormal state is not detected, each of the display marks displayed on the display screen is turned off,
4. The water usage monitoring system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein when the abnormal condition is detected, part of the display mark representing the detected abnormal condition is switched to a lighting state or a blinking state.

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