JPH03229400A - Centralized meter inspection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display inspection values of meters having different signal forms at the same display part by obtaining a signal circuit which inputs the weighing data consisting of the voltage value in a stored signal form and digitizing the output signal of the signal circuit for production of the meter inspection signals shown in the same format. CONSTITUTION:A signal circuit production means 10 forms a signal circuit in accordance with the signal form stored in a storage means 8 via a signal circuit network 9. The weighting data on the meters M01-M12 inspected with output of a meter inspection request signal are inputted to the signal circuit as the voltage value. Then the weighing data are converted into the display meter inspection signals which are shown in the same format via a signal conversion means 11. Thus the weighing value is displayed on a display means 3 via the display meter inspection signal. As a result, the inspection values of meters M01-M12 of different signal forms can be displayed on a single display means 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a centralized meter reading system suitable for centrally managing measured values of meters with different signal formats in high-rise buildings and apartment complexes.

[Prior Art] A conventionally known centralized meter reading system is one in which a large number of meters with a common signal format are read. There was no system.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in recent years, with the increase in the number of high-rise buildings and large-scale housing complexes, there has been an increasing demand for centralized management of meters for water, electricity, gas, etc. However, these meters for water, electricity, gas, etc. have various signal formats such as pulse transmission type, encoder type, electronic type, etc., and for example, all water and electricity meters used in one apartment complex are the same. The signal format may not necessarily be the same. For this reason, conventionally known centralized meter reading systems that use a common signal format have a problem in that they cannot meet the above requirements.

The invention was made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a centralized meter reading system that can display meter reading values of meters with different signal formats on the same display unit.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the centralized meter reading system according to the invention includes: a plurality of meters with different signal formats; a command signal generating means for instructing meter reading; and an arbitrary one of the plurality of meters. A plurality of signal circuit networks each having an input terminal into which a meter's weighing signal can be input, a storage means that stores the signal format of the meter connected to the input terminal of the signal circuit network, and each signal circuit network is controlled. , a signal circuit forming means for forming a signal circuit for the signal format stored in the storage means and inputting measurement data in the form of a voltage value activated by the command signal; and digitizing the output signal of the signal circuit. Also, a signal conversion means for forming a display meter reading signal expressed in the same format based on this digital signal, and a signal conversion means for displaying the meter reading value of the tested needle meter based on the display signal outputted by the signal conversion means. It is characterized by comprising a display means, and.

[Function] In the centralized meter reading system configured as described above, the signal circuit forming means forms a signal circuit corresponding to the signal format stored in the storage means from the signal circuit network. The metering data of each meter read by outputting the meter reading request signal is input as a voltage value to the signal circuit, and is converted into a display meter reading signal expressed in the same format by the signal converting means. The meter reading signal for display causes the measured value to be displayed on the display means.

[Example] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a centralized meter reading system. In the centralized meter reading system shown in Figure 1.

Twelve meters MOI to M12 are connected to six data transmitters D1 to D6, respectively, and each data transmitter D1 to D6 is selectively connected, and one data transmitter D1 is connected to the meter reading center MC. A system S is provided, which is connected to the system S. In the illustrated example, there are four sets of systems S (for the other three sets, only the connections with the meter reading center MC are shown), and all of these systems S have meters MO1 to MO1 connected to each data transmitter D1 to D6. The meter reading value of M12 is displayed at the meter reading center. The meters MOI to M12 are water meters, gas meters, electricity meters, etc., and their signal formats include a mixture of pulse transmission type, encoder type, and electronic type.

The meter reading center MC includes a command signal generating means 2 for instructing meter reading, a display means 3 for displaying meter reading data, and a repeater 4 for relaying the plurality of systems S.

The command signal generating means 2 and display means 3 are configured in a personal computer C connected to a display and/or printer.

The command signal generated by the command signal generating means 2 consists of a start signal and a data request signal for the data transmitters D1 to D6. The activation signal is generated by an operator's operation, and the data request signal is generated by inputting a feedback signal from a data transmitter, which will be described later. Also,
Data request signals are sequentially sent to data transmitters D1-D6. The personal computer C inputs the signal formats of all the meters MO1 to M12 in each system S to the storage device 8 of the data transmitters D1 to D6, which will be described later, or inputs the initial value when the meters are pulse emitting meters. The constant speed call self-memory device (RA) of data transmitters D1 to D6
M) In addition to being used for inputting data to the data transmitters D1 to D6, the data transmitters D1 to D6 also have functions of calculating usage amounts and charges and creating slips from the meter readings inputted from the data transmitters D1 to D6.

The repeater 4 converts the signal speed between the personal computer C and each data transmitter D1 to D6, and as shown in FIG.
The input/output sections 42a to 42d1 corresponding to the personal computer C are comprised of an input/output section 43 corresponding to the personal computer C, a decoder 44, a read-only storage device 45, a constant speed access storage device 46, and the like. This repeater 4 is, for example, a data transmitter D.
The weighing data transmitted from 1 to D6 is input to/output unit 42a to
42d to the arithmetic control section 41, and the measurement data obtained by converting the signal speed can be sequentially output from the input/output section 43 to the personal computer C. This repeater 4 is also attached with a power supply device 5 that supplies power voltage to each data transmitter D1 to D6. 6 is an interface with the personal computer C, and 7 is an interface with the data transmitter DI.

Next, the data transmitters D1 to D6 will be explained.

These data transmitters D1 to D6 all have the same configuration,
Here, only the data transmitter D1 will be explained.

The data transmitter D1 includes a storage means 8, this data transmitter D
12 sets of signal circuit networks 9 provided corresponding to the 12 meters MOI to M12 connected to 1, a signal circuit forming means 1o for controlling these signal circuit networks 9, and the signal circuit network 9 Signal converting means 1 respectively connected to...
Consists of 1...

The storage means 8 is a nonvolatile memory (rewritable ROM), and stores the signal format of each meter MOI-M12 manually input by the personal computer C.

The signal network 9 each has a plurality of meters MOI~
Input terminals cl, c2.input terminals to which measurement data of any meter in M12 can be input. It is equipped with c3. That is, these input terminals cl, c2. The measurement data output terminals of the meters MOI to M12 are connected to c3, regardless of the type of signal format, such as the aforementioned pulse transmission type, encoder type, or electronic type.

When the data transmitter D1 receives a starting signal from the command signal generating means 2, the signal circuit forming means 10 generates a voltage value for the signal format stored in the storage means 8 and is activated by the command signal. The signal circuit network 9 is controlled to form a signal circuit for inputting measurement data.

The signal converting means 11 digitizes the output signal of the signal circuit formed under the control of the signal circuit forming means 10, and forms a meter reading signal for display expressed in the same format based on this digital signal.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a data transmitter D1 including the storage means 8, the signal circuit network 9, the signal circuit forming means 10, and the signal converting means 11 as described above. However, in FIG. 3, only a portion corresponding to one meter is shown for the sake of simplicity. Hereinafter, an example of forming a signal circuit for each signal format by the signal circuit network 9 and the signal circuit forming means 10 and an example of forming a meter reading signal for display by the signal converting means 11 will be explained using FIG.

This data transmitter D1 is connected to the personal computer C.
Upon receiving the activation signal from the controller, the arithmetic control unit 101 reads out the signal format of the connected meter from the storage means 8, and controls the signal circuit network 9 based on the control signal sent through the input/output device 102. , input terminal cl, c2.
A signal circuit is formed according to the signal format of the meter connected to c3.

Input terminals cl and c2 shown in FIG. A case will be explained in which the meter connected to c3 is a pulse emitting type meter. This pulse-emitting type meter outputs a voltage-free 0N-OFF signal, that is, a pulse signal, between the signal line and the common line every time a fixed amount increases.This pulse signal is generated by a mechanical contact such as a reed switch. There are two types: one that is generated by controlling a non-contact switch such as a thyristor.

From the storage means 8, the input terminal c1. c2. c.
When reading that the signal format of the meter connected to 3 is the pulse transmission type as described above, the arithmetic control unit 101 sets the I10 port PI2 of the input/output device 102 to output mode and outputs an H level signal, and also outputs an H level signal. Port P
(2) Make the output of 1 an L level signal. As a result, the transistor switch 902 is turned on, and a signal circuit 91 whose input terminal C2 is grounded as shown in FIG. 4 is formed. Therefore, by connecting the common line of the meter to the input terminal c2 and connecting the signal line of the meter to the input terminal C1 and/or input terminal c3, the first terminal 103a and/or the first terminal 103a of the level judgment circuit 103 The measurement data output from the meter is input to the third terminal 103c. That is, when voltage is supplied from the power supply terminal V, input terminals cl and c2 are turned ON and OFF by a pulse signal, and due to the presence of the resistor R1, the input terminal c1, that is, the first terminal 1 of the level determination circuit 103
03a changes, and this voltage change is input to the first terminal 103a as measurement data. Input terminal c3. c.
The same is true when the connection between the two terminals is turned ON and OFF by a pulse signal.

between input terminals cl and c2 and input terminal c3. When pulse signals are applied alternately between c2, the level judgment circuit 10
3 switches between the first terminal 103a and the third terminal 103C to input this alternately.

As described above, the first terminal 10 of the level determination circuit 103
3a and/or the third terminal 103C is sent to this level determination circuit 1.
03 to the A/D converter 104 where it is converted into a digital signal. The arithmetic and control unit 101 inputting this digital signal increments the count of the internal counting counter every time the voltage displacement occurs, and the increased count is stored in the constant velocity call self-memory device 105. Add it to the initial value of the pulse emitting meter to obtain the meter reading value. The data of this meter reading value is once stored in the constant velocity recall storage device 105, and is read out from the constant velocity recall storage device 105 by sending a data request signal from the command signal generating means 2 to the data transmitter DI. The meter reading signal is then sent to the personal computer C as a display meter reading signal expressed in a predetermined format.

The data request signal is sent to all data transmitters of system S (
In the illustrated example, when the meter reading values of each meter are stored in the six data transmitters D1 to D6), the command signal generating means 2 receives a storage completion signal sent from the final data transmitter, and the command signal is generated. It is something that

Next, input terminal c1. shown in FIG. ．． c2. c3
A case will be explained in which the meter connected to is an encoder type meter. As shown in FIG. 8, the encoder type meter has resistors Ra-Rj each having a different resistance value corresponding to the numbers 0 to 9, and these resistors Ra-R
The measured number is stored by selecting a resistor corresponding to each digit of the measured number from j.

The measured number is the resistance value of each digit of the resistance of all the resistances R.
It can be read between at least one or more terminals paired with the common terminal EC of a-Rj. In this figure 8, rotary switch ESI selects the resistance of the first digit and rotary switch 2
Terminals EA and 3 are connected to terminals EA and 3 to which rotary switches ES2 for selecting the resistance of the digit are respectively connected via the digit switching unit FSI.
A terminal EB is provided to which a rotary switch ES3 for selecting the resistance of the digit and a rotary switch ES4 for selecting the resistance of the fourth digit are connected via the digit switching section FS2, and these terminals EA and EB are connected to the common The resistance value of each digit is read between terminals EC.

The input terminals C1 and c2 read from the storage device 8
．． When the signal format of the meter connected to c3 is the encoder type as described above, the arithmetic control unit 101 sets the output of the OUT port P11 of the input/output device 102 to an L level signal, and sets the I10 port PI2 to input mode. A signal circuit 92 as shown in FIG. 5 for operating the decoder 108 is formed. This signal circuit 92 has an input terminal cl
, terminals EA and EB of the encoder type meter are connected to c3.
are connected to each other, and the common terminal EC is connected to the input terminal C2, and the metering data of this meter is input by supplying voltage from the power supply terminal V and controlling the decoder 108 as follows. That is, the decoder 10
When an H level signal is generated from the terminal P12 of the transistor 8 and the input terminal c2 is grounded, the transistor switch 902 is turned on. As a result, data indicating the resistance value of the resistor selected by the rotary switch ESI in the first digit of the meter is sent to the level determination circuit 103 as a divided voltage value with the resistance value of the resistor R1.
is input to the first terminal 103a of the meter, and
Data indicating the resistance value of the resistor selected by the digit rotary switch ES3 is inputted to the third terminal 103C as a divided voltage value of the resistance value of the resistor R3. Furthermore, when the input terminal C2 is grounded, an H level signal is generated from the terminal pH of the decoder 108, and the transistor switch 901 is turned on to ground the input terminal C1, the rotary switch ES2 of the second digit of the meter is turned on. Data indicating the resistance value of the selected resistor is input to the second terminal 103b of the level determination circuit 103 as a divided voltage value with the resistance value of the resistor R2.

Furthermore, the grounding of the input terminal c1 is canceled and the decoder 108
By generating an H level signal from the terminal P13 of the input terminal c3 and turning on the transistor switch 903, the input terminal c3
When grounded, the rotary switch ES at the 4th digit of the meter
The data indicating the resistance value of the resistor selected by 4 is the resistor R2.
The level judgment circuit 103 uses the second
Manual power is applied to the terminal 103b. In the manner described above, the resistance values of the resistors representing the first to fourth digits of the encoder type meter as shown in FIG. 8 can be read as data represented by voltage values.

As described above, the first terminal 10 of the level determination circuit 103
The data of the resistance value of each digit of the encoder type meter inputted to the third terminal 103C is sent to the level judgment circuit 10.
3 to the A/D converter 104 and converted into a digital signal. Arithmetic control device 101 is A/D converter 10
Based on the digital signal outputted by 4, the meter reading value is calculated using the arithmetic expression for the encoder type meter, and this meter reading value is temporarily stored in the constant speed recall storage device 105. When a data request signal is sent to this data transmitter DI, the meter reading read out from the constant speed recall storage device 105 is a display meter reading signal expressed in the same format as that of the pulse emitting meter. The data is sent to the personal computer C as a.

Next, a case where an electronic meter is connected to the input terminals cl and c2 shown in FIG. 3 will be explained. This electronic meter is a meter equipped with a transmitter that outputs a data message including meter readings. The above-mentioned message is transmitted, for example, by a communication method in which the transmission method is half-duplex communication, the communication speed is 200 bits/second, the synchronization method is the start-stop synchronization method, the transmission code is a 5-bit code, and the error check is inverted 2 consecutive transmissions, as shown in Fig. 9. It has the format shown below. In FIG. 9, between the start bit bO and the stop bit be, in addition to the data meter reading value, a meter number, a business entity code, inverted data, etc. are included.

When the signal format of the meter connected to the input terminals cl and c2 is electronic as described above, the arithmetic control unit 101 that has read it from the storage device 8 controls the signal circuit network 9 as follows to Read the message.

To read this message, the data transmitter D1 outputs an H level signal for reading the message to the electronic meter every unit time, and when the H level signal for reading the message is output, the signal forming the message is at H level. This is done by knowing whether it is L level or not. The H level signal for reading the message sent from the transmitter D1 to the electronic meter is a signal as shown in FIG. 6A when the input terminal c2 is grounded by setting the I10 port PI2 in output mode and outputting the H level signal from there. Circuit 93^
is formed, and in this state, an H level signal and an L level signal are alternately output from the OUT port P11 every unit time. When the arithmetic control unit 101 inputs the message of the meter when outputting the H level signal for reading the message, the I10 port PI2 is set to output mode and outputs the H level signal from there, thereby similarly controlling the input terminal c2. A grounded signal circuit 93B as shown in FIG. 6B is formed. This signal circuit 93B is supplied with voltage from the power supply terminal V, so that the telegram signal is input to the input terminal c1 of the input terminal 103a of the level determination circuit 103, which changes depending on whether it is at H level or L level.

As described above, the first terminal 10 of the level determination circuit 103
The electronic meter message data input in 3a is also
/D converter 104 converts it into a digital signal,
Based on this digital signal, the arithmetic and control unit 101 calculates the meter reading value using the arithmetic formula for the electronic meter. This meter reading value is temporarily stored in the constant velocity recall storage device 105, and is read out from the constant velocity recall storage device 105 by sending a data request signal to the data transmitter D1, and is read out from the constant velocity recall storage device 105, The meter reading signal is sent to the personal computer C as a display meter reading signal expressed in the same format as the meter.

Figure 7 shows the data transmitter D in the above electronic meter.
This is a correspondence diagram between the H level signal sent from the I and the telegram signal output from the meter, and when the transmission speed of the telegram is 200 bits/sec as described above, the H level signal is approximately 1.6
By generating the signal in units of 6 m5 ec, one data can be obtained from three H level signals. If the 14-level signal is generated in units of about 1.66 m5ec in this way, if the communication speed of the message is 300 bits/second, two H-level signals can be treated as one data. , even if the communication speed is 200 bits/second, 3
Even at 00 bits/sec, there is no need to change the unit time of H level signal generation.

When a start signal is sent from the command signal generating means 2 of the personal computer C, all the data transmitters D1 to D6 of one system S change the signal format of each meter to all of the meters M1 to M12. Signal circuits 91, 92 or 93A, B corresponding to the above are formed, and meter reading data is input from each meter.

Then, the meter reading data stored in the constant speed call self-storage device 105 of each data transmitter D1 to D6 is sent as a signal indicating that storage has been completed in all data transmitters D1 to D6 in the system. is input from the data transmitter side, a data request signal is issued to the data transmitters D1 to D6, and thereby each data transmitter D1 to D6
D6 reads the meter reading data stored in the constant speed call self-storage device 105 in predetermined numerical order and outputs it as a meter reading signal for display.

The meter reading signal for display read out from the constant speed recall storage device 105 by sending a data request signal from the command signal generation means 2 is outputted from the output terminals Ll and L2 of the data transmitter D1 via the interface 7. , is sent to the personal computer C via the repeater 4.

Then, the display means 3 consisting of a display or a printer of this personal computer C displays the meter reading value along with the meter number etc. based on the meter reading value signal for display.

Note that the above explanation has been made for the case where the meter is compatible with three types of signal formats: a pulse emitting meter, an encoder type meter, and an electronic meter.However, the centralized meter reading system according to the invention can perform meter reading using a signal circuit network and a signal circuit forming means. By making it possible to form a signal circuit that can manually input the data in voltage values corresponding to the signal format of the meter to be used, it can also be applied to cases where meters with other signal formats other than those mentioned above are included. It is something.

In addition, the above-mentioned centralized meter reading system has a function that, when a terminal call such as a gas leak alarm is issued, the meter reading is stopped even if the meter is being read, and the contents are displayed on the display means 3. may be added.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the number of data transmitters connected to the system S in the embodiments or the number of meters connected to these data transmitters can be changed as necessary. The number of data transmitters that can be connected to one system S can also be 32.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the centralized meter reading system of the invention, even if the meters have different signal formats, by connecting the data output terminals of the meters to the input terminals of the signal circuit network having the same configuration, it is possible to use one display means. This has the effect of being able to display the meter reading value.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the central meter reading system, Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a repeater, Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of a data transmitter,
Figures 4 to 6B show the signal circuit, Figure 7 shows the correspondence between the H level signal and the telegram signal, Figure 8 shows the principle of an encoder meter, and Figure 9 shows an example of the telegram format of the electronic meter. It is a diagram. M1 to M12...Meter 2...Command signal generation means 3...Display means 8...Storage means 9...Signal circuit network 10...Signal circuit forming means 11...Signal conversion means

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of meters with different signal formats, a command signal generating means for instructing meter reading, a plurality of signal circuit networks each having an input terminal into which a weighing signal from any meter among the plurality of meters can be input; storage means for storing signal formats of meters connected to input terminals of the signal circuitry; and controlling each signal circuitry to control a signal format stored in the storage means and activated by the command signal. Signal circuit forming means for forming a signal circuit for inputting measurement data consisting of voltage values; digitizing the output signal of the signal circuit;
a signal conversion means for forming a display meter reading signal expressed in the same format based on the digital signal; and a display means for displaying the meter reading value of the tested needle meter based on the display signal output from the signal conversion means. A centralized meter reading system characterized by comprising: and.