JPH08163665A - Meter inspection system and its automatic reporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the capacity of the memory of even a system wherein plural gas meters are connected to the automatic reporting device and to set data setting data in all gas meters by single line connection. CONSTITUTION: This system is provided with a gas meter connecting means 13 where plural gas meters installed in plural customer's places are connected, an ID code storage means 16 which stores the single ID code of a center, and a report data generating means 21 which generates report data by adding the meter number corresponding to the terminal number of the gas meter connecting means to which a gas meter is connected and the ID code to a message from the gas meter when a request for reporting from the gas meter to the center is made. When the message to the specific gas meter is received from the center, a gas meter selecting means 20 selects the gas meter to be communicated from the meter number includes in the message.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic notification device,
In particular, even if a plurality of gas meters with a microcomputer are connected to an automatic notification device, the present invention relates to an automatic notification device in which one ID is stored and the meter setting data of a plurality of gas meters is set by one line connection with the center.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when an automatic meter-reading controller is installed in an apartment house or the like, automatic meter-reading is performed for each gas meter with microcomputer (hereinafter simply referred to as gas meter) a to f provided in each home as shown in FIG. Controllers (hereinafter referred to as automatic notification devices) 1a to 1f are provided in a one-to-one manner, a telephone line is connected between any of the automatic notification devices and the center, and other automatic notification devices are connected in series. The side inputs the predetermined data based on the customer master file, makes it into a predetermined message format, and through the telephone line,
Set in each automatic notification device and gas meter.

As shown in FIG. 9, this data is an ID such as a customer code (ID), a telephone number to be reported, a telephone system (for example, a dial system), a current date, a current date and time, and a reporting date.
It consists of the setting data and the meter setting data of the gas meter such as the remaining amount management warning level. The automatic notification device receives the ID setting data from the center side and stores it, and the gas meter has the items of NO19 to NO25 in FIG. Set the setting data. The center manages the automatic notification device and the gas meter by the customer code (ID).

Also, the format of the electronic message format sent from the center side to the automatic notification apparatus and from the automatic notification apparatus to the center side is as shown in FIG. 10, and as shown in FIG. There is a meter type storage section (hereinafter referred to as the instrument number section) for writing. This device number is a code number previously described in the microcomputer of the gas meter according to the type such as the size of the gas meter, and is used when the center side wants to know the type of the gas meter.

When the above ID setting data is sent from the center side to the automatic notification device side, the message format (also referred to as down message) of FIG. When it is sent to the automatic notification device as "00" and the information is sent from the gas meter to the center side, the gas meter side has a unit number "αα" (αα: a code number held by the gas meter microcomputer depending on the type of gas meter) Is sent to the automatic notification device, and is sent to the center side in the electronic message format (also referred to as an upstream electronic message) of FIG.

Next, the center side received a message from the automatic notification device, searched the customer master file by the received ID, and displayed the searched customer name, address, telephone number, etc. on the screen.

However, the automatic notification device of FIG. 8 is provided for each gas meter, and in this system, only a few telephone lines can be connected.

Therefore, it is conceivable that a plurality of interfaces with gas meters are provided in the automatic notification device and a plurality of gas meters a to n are connected to the automatic notification device as shown in FIG. The device provides ID setting data for each gas meter, and the center side manages the automatic notification device and the gas meter by the customer code (ID).

Further, the format of the message format sent from the center side to the automatic notification device and from the automatic notification device to the center side is the format shown in FIG. 10, and the above ID setting data is sent from the center side to the automatic notification device side. When
As shown in FIG. 11, the message format of (a) of the device number part is “0”.
When the information is sent from the gas meter to the center side as "0" to the automatic notification device, the gas meter side displays "α"
“α” (αα: a code number held by the gas meter microcomputer according to the type of gas meter) is sent to the automatic notification device, and is sent to the center side in the electronic message format of FIG. 10 (b).

Next, the center side received a message from the automatic notification device, searched the customer master file by the received ID, and displayed the searched customer name, address, telephone number, etc. on the screen.

Next, a communication sequence for setting the ID setting data will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional communication sequence. As shown in FIG. 13, the center side connects the automatic notification device to the telephone line, the center side starts communication with the automatic notification device, and the automatic notification device transmits a response signal to the center side. When the center side receives the response signal, the ID setting data in the electronic form shown in FIG. 10 is sent to the automatic notification device, and the automatic notification device sends the response signal to the center side after reception. At this time, the ID setting data sent from the center side to the automatic notification device are No1 to No18 and No26 shown in FIG. 9 to which the customer code (ID) is added, and the automatic notification device stores these data.

Next, the center side sends the meter setting data to be set in the gas meter to the gas meter via the automatic notification device, and the gas meter side sends the response data to the center side via the automatic notification device. The meter setting data at this time is the setting data of No. 19 to No. 25 in FIG.

Next, when the center side transmits the response data to which the ID is added through the automatic notification device, the center side releases the automatic notification device and the telephone line. And
When setting the meter setting data for the next gas meter b, the telephone line is connected to the automatic reporting device again and the above communication sequence is carried out.

That is, in the communication sequence of FIGS. 8 and 10, every time the center side sets the meter setting data to each gas meter, the line is connected and the ID setting data is set to the automatic reporting device to set the meter setting data to the gas meter. Is the method to set.

[0015]

However, even if the automatic notification device is provided with a plurality of gas meters and interfaces so that a plurality of gas meters can be connected, the center side connects a plurality of automatic notification devices with the customer code (ID). Since the managed gas meter is managed, the automatic notification device has a customer code (ID), a notification date,
Since it is necessary to store a plurality of data corresponding to the terminal number to which the gas meter is connected to the ID setting data including the notification time, it is necessary to increase the memory capacity and time is required for the setting work. There was a problem.

Further, since the center side manages the gas meter by the ID and automatically disconnects the line when the communication for one ID ends,
On the center side, in order to send the meter setting data to the gas meter, it is necessary to connect the telephone line again to send the ID setting data and the meter setting data, so that there is a problem that the setting work takes time.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems. Even in a system in which a plurality of gas meters are connected to an automatic notification device, the memory capacity can be reduced and all the lines can be connected by one line connection. It is an object of the present invention to obtain an automatic reporting device capable of setting gas meter setting data.

[0018]

As shown in FIG. 1, when a meter reading system according to the present invention sets data in a gas meter installed for each of a plurality of customers to be managed, the meter of the gas meter is included in the message. When a number of gas meters are connected to the center 10 for writing and communicating with numbers, the center is connected to the center via a telephone line, and when data is received from the center side, from the terminal corresponding to the meter number in the message. An automatic notification device 1 that sends data to a gas meter, and when a response is sent from the gas meter, writes the meter number corresponding to the terminal number in the response message and communicates with the center 1
2 and.

In addition, the center 10 has an I
A customer file including the meter number of the terminal number of the automatic notification device corresponding to the D code and the ID code is provided, and when communicating with the automatic notification device, I of this customer file is used.
Based on the D code, the automatic notification device is called, the meter number is written in the message, and the message is transmitted.

In the case of a response message from the automatic notification device, the center side 10 retrieves the customer file based on the meter number of the response message and informs the communication partner. Further, the meter number is written in the meter type code storage section representing the type of gas meter in the electronic message.

Further, the automatic notification device 12 of the present invention is an automatic notification device for notifying the center of a message from a gas meter installed for each customer through a communication line, and a plurality of devices installed for each of a plurality of customers. Gas meter connection means 13 to which the gas meter is connected, and a single ID for the center
An ID code storage means 16 for storing a code, and a meter number and an ID corresponding to the terminal number of the gas-meter connection means to which the gas meter is connected when the gas meter requests a notification from any one of the plurality of gas meters. A notification data creating means 21 for creating a notification data by adding a code to a message from a gas meter, and a gas meter for selecting a gas meter to be communicated from a meter number included in the message when a message for a specific gas meter is received from the center. And a selecting means 20.

Further, the report data creating means 21 creates the report data by rewriting the type code stored in the meter type code storage section in the message from the gas meter into the meter number, and the gas meter selecting means 20 sends the message from the center. The gas meter to be communicated is selected from the meter numbers stored in the meter type code storage section therein.

Further, the notification data creating means 21 sets the meter number in the meter type code storage section in the response message from the gas meter when setting data is set from the center to the gas meter or when data is requested from the center to the gas meter. It is a rewrite of.

[0024]

In the meter reading system of the present invention, when the data is set from the center side to the gas meters installed for each of a plurality of customers to be managed, the meter number of the gas meter is written in the telegram, and the telephone line is written. Sent to the automatic notification device via.

When the data of this message is received by the automatic notification device, the setting data is transferred to the gas meter connected to the terminal corresponding to the meter number of this message, and the response message from the gas meter side is sent. The meter number corresponding to the terminal number is written in the response message and transmitted to the center via the telephone line.

When the center communicates with the automatic notification device, the center writes the meter number in the message based on this customer file and communicates with the automatic notification device.

Further, the meter number corresponding to the automatic communication device is written in the meter type code storage section representing the type of gas meter in the electronic message.

Further, in the automatic notification device of the present invention, a plurality of gas meters are connected, a single ID code is stored in the ID code storage means by the center side, and a notification request to the center is issued by the notification data creation means. Sometimes, when the message data with the message number from the gas meter attached to the meter number and ID code corresponding to the terminal number to which the gas meter is connected is created and sent to the center, and when the message for the specific gas meter is received from the center, The gas selecting unit selects the gas meter to be communicated from the meter number of the message and enables communication with a specific gas meter.

Further, the report data creating means rewrites the type code stored in the meter type code storage section in the message from the gas meter into the meter number to create the report data, and the meter selecting means creates the report data from the center. A gas meter to be communicated with is selected from the meter numbers stored in the meter type code storage section.

Further, the notification data creating means sends the response message from the gas meter as it is when setting data from the center to the gas meter or when requesting data from the center to the gas meter.

[0031]

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment. As shown in the figure, the automatic notification device 12 includes an MPU 31 and a ROM 31.
-A, RAM 31-b, FSK modem 32, modem oscillator 32a, clock and calendar-33, telegram meter I / F
37-1 to 37-n, a battery-detection buffer 38,
Lithium battery 39, 16Hz detection circuit 40, TEL
Detection circuit 41, CPU oscillator 43, full-wave rectification circuit 48,
It is composed of a power supply converter 50, a manual changeover switch 51 and the like.

The automatic notification device 12 has a microcomputer MPU31, a ROM31-a storing the program of the present invention and a RAM31 storing various data.
Based on -b etc., it operates according to a flow chart described later, and at least an ID code storage means 16 for storing a single ID code for the center and a request for notification from any one of the plurality of gas meters to the center 10 occur. When the gas meter is connected, the meter number and the ID code corresponding to the terminal number of the gas-meter connecting means 13 to which the gas meter is connected are added to the telegram from the gas meter to generate the notification data, and the specific gas meter from the center. When the electronic message for the message is received, the program configuration is composed of the gas meter selecting means 20 for selecting the gas meter to be communicated from the meter number included in the electronic message.

Further, the modem 32 converts the parallel data of several bits which can be processed by the MPU 31 and the signal transmitted through the telephone line, and the clock and calendar 33 count the clock of the oscillator 43 by the counter. And time are supplied to the MPU 31.

The MPU 31 has a telegram meter I.
/ F37-1 to telegram meter I / F37-n are connected,
Each is connected to multiple gas meters.

The modem 32 is also the transmitting / receiving means 14
The line is connected from the center 10 side, and the MPU3
When the center 10 side sends the ID setting data in the electronic form including at least the customer code of the automatic notification device 12 and the telephone number of the report destination via the modem 31, the ID 1
Registering the setting data as common data for the connected gas meters, then receiving the meter setting data sent from the center side, and communicating with each connected gas meter and center based on the registered common data. Is. Especially when using a gas meter, the telegram meter I / F3
7-1 to communicate using the telegram meter I / F 37-n.

Next, the operation of the program of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram in which the center and the automatic notification device are connected. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the receiving process from the center side.

For example, in an apartment house or the like, a plurality of gas meters a to gas meters n are provided in the automatic notification device 12 of this embodiment.
When the connection is completed, the center side 10 transmits the ID setting data of FIG. 9 in the electronic message format of FIG. Then, the MPU 31 of the automatic notification device 12 executes the reception process of FIGS. 4 and 5.

The center side judges whether or not the line is connected (S401). When the line is connected from the center side,
The center side determines whether or not the ID setting data is transmitted (S403), and when it is determined to be the transmission, the ID setting data is received (S405).

This ID setting data is No1 shown in FIG.
~ No18 and No26 customer code (ID), report destination telephone number, dialing method, phone type, current time, report time, report cycle, report date, etc., which are transmitted in the message format of (a) of FIG. The device number part is set to "01".

Next, this ID setting data is registered in the electronic message memory area of the ROM (S407). In other words, the ID, the telephone number, the time of the notification, etc. of the automatic notification device 12 of this housing complex are set by the center side.

Then, it is judged from the center side whether or not the meter setting data is transmitted (S409), and if it is transmitted, it is received (S411), and the buffer memory (RAM) is received.
The meter setting data is stored in (S413), such as the remaining amount management warning level and the meter control code value of No. 19 to No. 25 shown in FIG. 9, and the meter setting data is shown in FIG. Of the output terminal of the automatic notification device 12 corresponding to the gas meter number, and the device number ki is set to "01", for example.

Next, the instrument number ki of the stored meter setting data is extracted (S415), connected to the terminal number (hereinafter simply referred to as the number ki) corresponding to the instrument number of the instrument number ki (S417), and received. The meter setting data hi is output to the gas meter (S419). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a response from the gas meter (S421),
When there is a response, the response data Gi is received (S423). The instrument number of the instrument number portion of the response data Gi is “αα” which is the number (indicating the type of gas meter) held in the computer of the gas meter as in the conventional case.

Next, this response data Gi is transferred to the center side (S425). In this transfer, the unit number is set to “αα” as in the conventional case only when setting the ID setting data or meter setting data on the center side and when the center requests data from the gas meter. By sending the device number (αα) of the message to the center,
The center side can check the original gas meter number when setting.

Next, which gas meter is deciphered from the output terminal number (S427), and it is determined whether it is the nth gas meter (S429). If it is not the nth gas meter, the control is moved to step S403 to receive the ID setting data and the meter setting data.

If the gas meter is determined to be the n-th gas meter, it waits for a line disconnection report from the center, waits for a line disconnection report response after receiving the report (S431), and then ends the process.

That is, conventionally, when a plurality of gas meters are connected, the line connection is made for each gas meter and the setting data is sent in the telegram format of FIG. I had to register the ID setting data,
As shown in this embodiment, after connecting the line to the automatic notification device 12, only one ID setting data is set in the automatic notification device, and then the instrument number of the meter setting data of each gas meter is set to the meter or terminal number. Number and send.

Conventionally, the line was connected every time the setting data of each gas meter was completed.
On the side, the gas number is identified by the terminal number, and only one ID is provided for the automatic notification device. Therefore, the center side completes all setting processing by connecting the line once.

Next, the processing at the time of transmission from the meter side will be described. FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the processing at the time of transmission from the meter side.

The MPU 31 of the automatic notification device 12 determines whether or not it is a data transfer request from the meter Gi side (S
501).

Next, when it is judged that the data transfer request is made from the meter Gi side, the line is connected to the center side (S5).
03), it is judged whether or not the data Gi is transmitted from the gas meter (S505), and when transmitted, the instrument number part of the data is extracted (S507), and the instrument number αα is set to the preset terminal number or Change to meter number Ti (S51
1), insert it in the electronic message (S511), add the registered customer code (ID), and send it to the center side (S5).
13).

Next, the communication sequence with the center, the automatic notification device and the meter side will be described. FIG. 6 is a communication sequence diagram with the center, the automatic notification device, and the meter side.

The center side first connects the automatic notification device to the telephone line, and sets the ID setting data of FIG. 9 in the ROM 31a for the automatic notification device (d601). The processing of the automatic notification device at this time is steps S401 to S40 in FIG.
7

Next, when the setting of the ID setting data is completed, the center side refers to the sub-customer file of the customer master and sets the meter setting data to the gas meter via the automatic notification device 12. The device number at this time is "01". Further, the gas meter “01” transfers the response data Gi with the device number “01” via the automatic notification device 12 (d603).

Next, when the response data Gi is returned, the center side requests a call start request to the automatic notification device, searches for the customer master, and transmits the ID setting data of the next gas meter. The device number at this time is "02" (d605).

Next, the meter setting data of the instrument number "02" is set in the 02 gas meter through the automatic notification device 12. Further, the gas meter “02” transfers the response data Gi as the device number “02” through the automatic notification device 12 (d607). This process starts from step S409 of FIG.
It is carried out in S425.

In this communication sequence, the center side performs communication up to the nth gas meter, and disconnects the line when the setting of all gas meters is completed (d609). This processing is performed in steps S427 to S in FIG.
It has been implemented in 431.

Next, the communication sequence when calling the gas meter will be described. FIG. 7 is a communication sequence diagram when calling the gas meter. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, when the No. 5 gas meter detects a gas leak, the gas meter No. 5 makes a start request to the automatic notification device 12 and sends data in a predetermined message format. At this time, the instrument number is "α
α ”(d701).

Next, the automatic notification device 12 calls the center side, and the center side connects the line with the automatic notification device 12. Then, when this data is output from the gas meter, the automatic notification device 12 writes the number "05" of the terminal number to which the gas meter is connected as a device number and adds the registered ID to the center. Transfer to (d70
3). The center side searches the customer master's automatic notification device corresponding to the ID of the received data, searches the sub-customer master file from the received instrument number, and the customer name, gas meter user, corresponding to the retrieved instrument number, Display the address, phone number, etc. on the screen.

Further, the automatic notification device calls the gas meter and transmits the data to the center side in the ascending order of the terminal numbers to which the gas meter is connected, for example, at the time of regular notification of meter reading data of the gas meter.

Alternatively, the gas meter may be called in advance in ascending order of the terminal number before the regular notification time, and the data may be stored, and the data may be transmitted to the center side in order at the notification date and the notification time.

Further, the gas meter may be called, only the data of the abnormal gas meter may be judged and transmitted to the center side.

[0062]

As described above, according to the meter reading system of the present invention, when data is transmitted from the center side to the gas meters installed for each of a plurality of customers to be managed, the telegram of the data indicates the meter number of the gas meter. Write and send it to the automatic notification device via the telephone line, the automatic notification device transfers the data to the gas meter connected to the terminal corresponding to the meter number of this message, and the response message from the gas meter side is
By writing the meter number corresponding to the terminal number of the response message and transmitting it to the center via the line, the management of the gas meter can be managed by the meter number, so that the setting time can be shortened.

When the center communicates with the automatic notification device, the center writes the meter number in the message and communicates with the automatic notification device based on this customer file. In the case of a telegram, the effect that the customer file can be searched based on the meter number of the response telegram to notify the communication partner quickly is obtained.

Further, since the meter number is written in the meter type code storage section representing the type of gas meter in the electronic message, it can be easily extracted, and the effect that the communication partner can be quickly notified is obtained. .

Further, the automatic notification device of the present invention connects a plurality of gas meters and stores a single ID code by the center side. When any one of the gas meters issues a notification request to the center, that gas meter The meter number and ID code corresponding to the terminal number to which is connected are added to the telegram from the gas meter to create report data and sent to the center, and when the telegram for the specific gas meter is received from the center, By selecting the gas meter to communicate from the meter number and enabling communication with a specific gas meter, it is possible to specify the center side even if the ID corresponding to each gas meter is not provided corresponding to that terminal number as in the past. As you know the gas meter to do,
Since communication is performed with the gas meter side based on one ID, the memory capacity can be reduced, and meter setting data can be set for all gas meters with one line connection.

Further, the type code stored in the meter type code storage unit in the message from the gas meter is rewritten to the meter number to create report data, and the meter stored in the meter type code storage unit in the message from the center is stored. By selecting the gas meter to communicate from the number, if the center side writes the information corresponding to the unit number in the customer master, for example, the effect that it can easily determine which room in which apartment house Has been.

Further, when the setting data is set from the center to the gas meter or when the data request is sent from the center to the gas meter, the response message from the gas meter is transmitted as it is. The effect is that you can see if the gas meter is set to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an automatic notification device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram in which a center and an automatic notification device are connected.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a reception process from the center side.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process at the time of transmission from the meter side.

FIG. 6 is a communication sequence diagram with a center, an automatic notification device, and a meter side.

FIG. 7 is a communication sequence diagram when a gas meter is called.

FIG. 8 is a connection diagram of a conventional method in which only a few gas meters can be connected.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of setting data of a conventional automatic notification device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a message format.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sequence diagram of a conventional method in which only a few gas meters can be connected.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional system in which a plurality of gas meters can be connected.

FIG. 13 is a schematic sequence diagram of a system in which a plurality of conventional gas meters can be connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Center 12 Automatic Notification Device 14 Transmission / Reception Means 16 ID Code Storage Means 20 Gas Meter Selection Means 21 Notification Data Creation Means 31 MPU 31-a ROM 31-b RAM I / F 37-1 to 37-n Telemeter I / F

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. When transmitting data to a gas meter installed for each of a plurality of managed customers, a center for communicating by writing the meter number of the gas meter in the telegram is connected to the plurality of gas meters. Then, when the center is connected via a telephone line and the data from the center is received, the data is sent to the gas meter from the terminal corresponding to the meter number of the electronic message, and the response from the gas meter is sent. Has a meter number corresponding to the terminal number in its response message, and has an automatic reporting device for communicating with the center. 2. The center comprises a customer file including an ID code for each automatic notification device and a meter number of a terminal number of the automatic notification device corresponding to the ID code,
2. When communicating with the automatic notification device, the automatic notification device is called based on the ID code of the customer file, the meter number is written in the electronic message, and the message is transmitted. Meter reading system. 3. The center side retrieves the customer file based on the meter number of the response message to notify the communication partner when the response message is sent from the automatic notification device. Or the meter reading system according to 2. 4. The meter reading system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the meter number is written in a meter type code storage section representing a type of gas meter in the electronic message. 5. An automatic reporting device for reporting a message from a gas meter installed for each customer to a center via a communication line, and a gas meter connecting means to which a plurality of gas meters installed for each of a plurality of customers are connected. , An ID that stores a single ID code for the center
When a notification request to the center is issued from any one of the gas meters of the code storage means and the gas meter, the meter number and the ID code corresponding to the terminal number of the gas meter connection means to which the gas meter is connected are provided. Report data creating means for creating report data by adding to the message from the gas meter, and a gas meter for selecting a gas meter to communicate from a meter number included in the message when a message for the specific gas meter is received from the center An automatic notification device comprising: a selection unit. 6. The notification data creating unit creates the notification data by rewriting the type code stored in the meter type code storage unit in the message from the gas meter to the meter number, and the gas meter selecting unit is the center. 6. The automatic notification device according to claim 5, wherein the gas meter to be communicated with is selected from the meter numbers stored in the meter type code storage section in the message from. 7. The meter number of the meter type code storage unit in the response message from the gas meter when the setting data is set from the center to the gas meter or when the data is requested from the center to the gas meter. 7. The automatic notification device according to claim 5, wherein the automatic notification device is not rewritten.