JPH08182073A - Automatic metering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To rewrite a data transmission date and time simply by eliminating the need for electric installation work and extending the service life of a drive battery in the automatic metering system. CONSTITUTION: A battery is used for a power supply of a radio master set 7, a slave set 8 and an automatic metering meter 9, and the radio master set 7 and the slave set 8 are started automatically for the set date and time to form a standby state. The automatic metering meter 9 calls the center 1 by automatic dialing during that state to send data and the center 1 sets next drive date and time or initializes a timer in this transmission state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic meter reading system such as a gas meter, an electric meter, a water meter, a calorimeter, a hot water meter and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Data such as integrated values of consumption stocked in gas meters, electricity meters, water meters, calorimeters, hot water meters, etc. installed in customers using telephone lines are collected at the center side. A so-called automatic meter reading system is known in which the meter reading side calls the center by an automatic call from the meter reading side when a certain date and time come, and the integrated value of the consumption amount stored in the meter is automatically transmitted. In addition, in such an automatic meter reading system, a case where an automatic meter reading meter is connected to a telephone line terminal via a T-NCU and a case where a telephone line terminal is connected to a wireless master station via a T-NCU. There is known a method in which an automatic meter-reading meter is connected to a wireless slave unit on the automatic meter-reading meter side, and the automatic meter-reading meter is connected to a telephone line by a wireless method. In the case of the wireless system, the power source is commercial power source (A
C100V) is used, and a battery including an automatic meter reading meter is used.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned automatic meter reading system has the following problems. a. Wiring work is required when using a commercial power source. b. In the case of a wireless device, in order to detect that it has been called from the center, it is necessary to keep it in a receiving state (power ON) at all times, and at this time, an amplifier for detecting weak radio waves in the receiving state, from RF to IF It consumes a large amount of power because it drives a local detector for frequency conversion, a detector, and the like. c. The communication performance of the communication device deteriorates due to the power supply noise coming from the commercial power supply. d. It does not work during a power outage. e. Dielectric noise caused by lightning may come around from commercial radio waves and destroy the radio. f. The electrical wiring spoils the aesthetics of the surrounding area. g. In the case of a battery-powered system, the life of the battery is short because it consumes a large amount of power when it is driven, and this battery replacement requires time and expense, and periodic battery replacement work is necessary to prevent the battery from running out. . h. Since the due date and time for sending data by automatic call from the automatic meter reading side are set in advance, it is necessary to visit each customer and make the change settings in order to change the due date and time. This takes a lot of work. The present invention is an automatic meter reading system, wherein
The purpose is to eliminate the problem of.

[0004]

The structure of the automatic meter-reading system according to the present invention is as follows. 1. The center and each consumer are connected by a telephone line, a wireless master unit is attached to the terminal of this telephone line, and a wireless slave unit for communicating with the master unit is attached to the automatic meter reading meter side. A battery is used as a power source for driving the machine and the automatic meter-reading meter, the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit have a clock circuit or a clock circuit with a calendar, and an automatic starting circuit that simultaneously starts for a fixed time at a set date. The automatic meter reading meter is provided with a start-up setting circuit capable of rewriting the start-up date and the start-up time, and when the set date and time comes, the wireless slave unit transmits the stock data to the center side. The automatic call and automatic transmission circuit for calling the center from the device via the wireless master device and the call setting circuit capable of rewriting the automatic call due date and time are provided. In order to rewrite the start date and time recorded in the start setting circuit in the wireless master unit, the wireless slave unit and the automatic meter reading meter while the wireless master unit, the wireless slave unit and the automatic meter reading meter are being driven, An automatic meter reading system, characterized in that a circuit for rewriting the transmission date and time is provided.

[0005] 2. 1. The automatic meter-reading system according to the above 1, wherein the automatic meter-reading meter side is provided with a retry circuit for re-calling when there is a communication trouble.

[0006] 3. In 1 or 2 above, a battery voltage detection circuit and a battery voltage alarm circuit are provided in the automatic meter reading meter so that when the battery voltage drops below a certain level, the center is automatically called to notify the battery voltage drop. An automatic meter-reading system that is configured.

4. In the above 1 or 2 or 3, the ID number transmitted from the automatic meter reading side to the center side while the battery voltage detection circuit and the center and the automatic meter reading are communicating in the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit, and the call telephone of the center A memory circuit for recording numbers, an automatic calling circuit, a battery voltage detection circuit, and a battery voltage alarm circuit are provided, and when the battery voltage drops below a certain level, the center is called by an automatic call, and the wireless master unit or wireless child An automatic meter reading system configured to report when the battery voltage of the machine is low.

5. In the above 1 or 2 or 3 or 4,
When the automatic meter-reading meter automatically calls to send regular meter-reading information to the center side, the wireless handset calculates the difference between the time when the call should originally come and the time when the call actually comes. Adjust the clock of the wireless slave unit to the clock on the meter side,
In addition, an automatic meter reading system configured to transmit this correction information to the wireless master device side.

[0009]

When the automatic meter reading date and time come, the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit are automatically activated and enter a so-called standby state. In the same way, the automatic meter-reading meter side is automatically activated, and the center is automatically called from the wireless slave unit via the wireless master unit and T-NCU. Follow the instructions and send the stocked data. During this transmission time, the wireless master device and the slave device are driven, and the driving is stopped when the transmission is completed. This driving stop may be configured to stop at a predetermined time, or may be based on a transmission end signal from the automatic meter reading side.

The center side calculates the charge based on the data transmitted as described above. While the data is being received, the start setting circuit is used to determine the next transmission date and time. It transmits to the wireless master unit, slave unit, and automatic meter-reading meter side for rewriting, or controls to match the error of the timer with the center side. However, if this control is not performed from the center side, the wireless slave unit and the automatic meter reading meter each calculate the start time by the following predetermined method. Receives the startup time of and automatically sends the next time at the same date and time as before.

When the automatic meter-reading meter automatically makes a call to send the regular meter-reading information to the center side, the wireless handset recognizes the scheduled time when the call should originally come and the time when the call actually came. By calculating the difference, the clock on the wireless handset side is adjusted to the clock on the meter side, and this correction information is transmitted to the wireless master side, so that the regular calling time is always adjusted. Also, when the battery voltage in the automatic meter reading, the wireless master unit, and the wireless slave unit drops below a certain level, the battery voltage alarm circuit is activated and the center side is called by automatic call, and the battery voltage of each Report a decline. At this time, since the ID number and the telephone number of the center are stored in the memory circuit, the ID number is included in the telegram to notify the same center that manages the automatic meter-reading meter.
Further, when the wireless communication is not possible or fails in the middle, the wireless device is activated in accordance with the retry time of the automatic meter reading meter.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 is a charge calculation center, 2 is a telephone line,
This telephone line 2 is connected to a customer 4 via a telephone station 3. 5 is T-NCU, 6 is telephone, 7 is T-NCU
The wireless master unit 8 and the wireless master unit 8 are connected to each other. The wireless slave unit 8 and the automatic meter reading meter (microcomputer meter) 9 are connected by a cable 10. In the above embodiment, a battery (lithium battery) 20 is used as a power source for the wireless master device 7, the wireless slave device 8, and the automatic meter reading meter 9.

FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the wireless master device 7 and the slave device 8. An automatic startup circuit 16 and a startup setting circuit 17 for setting the startup date and time are added in addition to the wireless function. Further, when the automatic meter-reading meter 9 automatically calls the start-up setting circuit 17 to transmit the regular meter-reading information to the center 1 side, the wireless handset 8 calls the scheduled time when the call should originally come. By calculating the difference between the times when the calls actually arrive, a circuit for adjusting the clock on the wireless slave unit 8 side to the clock on the automatic meter reading meter 9 side and transmitting this correction information to the wireless master unit 7 side is added. ing.

FIG. 3 shows an automatic meter-reading meter 9. The automatic meter-reading meter 9 has an automatic calling circuit 11, a data recording circuit 12, and a calling setting circuit 1 for setting a starting date and time.
3, a flow rate detection circuit 14, and a flow rate calculation circuit 15 are incorporated. Reference numeral 18 denotes a retry circuit incorporated in the automatic meter-reading meter 9, and this retry circuit 18 calls again when there is a transmission trouble. In the case of the embodiment, the battery voltage detection circuit 2 is provided in the wireless master device 7 and the wireless slave device 8.
2 and the automatic meter reading meter 9 and the center 1 side are communicating, ID
A memory circuit 23 for recording the number and the center calling telephone number and an automatic calling circuit 24 are provided, and the battery 2
When the voltage of 0 drops below a certain level, the center 1 is called by automatic calling, and the battery voltage warning circuit 21 notifies the battery voltage drop. or,
A battery voltage detection circuit 26 is also provided in the automatic meter reading meter 9, and when the voltage of the battery 20 drops below a certain level, the center 1 is called by an automatic call to notify the battery voltage drop circuit of the battery voltage drop. It is configured to notify by 25.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. When the automatic meter reading date and time comes, the wireless master device 7 and the wireless slave device 8 are automatically activated, and are in a so-called standby state.
In the same way, the automatic meter reading meter 9 side is automatically activated, the center 1 is automatically called from the wireless slave unit 8 via the wireless master unit 7 and the T-NCU 5, and the stock is issued according to the instruction from the center 1 side. The transmitted data is transmitted to the center 1 side. During this transmission time, the wireless master device 7 and the wireless slave device 8 are driven, and when the transmission is completed, the driving is stopped. This drive stop may be configured to stop at a predetermined time, or may be based on a transmission end signal from the automatic meter reading meter 9 side. The center 1 side calculates the charge based on the data transmitted as described above. While the data is being received, the start setting circuit 17 is used to set the next transmission date and time by wireless. Base unit 7 and handset 8
And, it is transmitted to the automatic meter-reading meter 9 side to perform rewriting or control to match the error of the timer with the center side.
However, if this control is not performed from the center 1 side,
The next automatic transmission will be performed at the same date and time as before.

When the voltage of the battery 20 in the automatic meter reading meter 9, the wireless master device 7, and the wireless slave device 8 drops below a certain level, the battery voltage alarm circuit 21 or 25 is activated and the center 1 side is activated. Is called by automatic calling to report the battery voltage drop for each. The memory circuit 23 in the wireless master device 7 and the wireless slave device 8 stores the ID number and the telephone number of the center 1 while the automatic meter reading meter 9 and the center 1 are communicating. When the battery of the wireless master device 7 or the wireless slave device 8 or an alarm signal is transmitted to the center 1 side, the same center 1 that manages the automatic meter-reading meter 9 by inserting the ID number stored in the memory circuit 23 into the telegram. Report to. Further, when the wireless communication is not possible, or when the wireless communication fails in the middle, the wireless device is activated in accordance with the retry time of the automatic meter reading meter 9.

[0017]

The effects of the present invention are as follows. a. A wireless communication system was used between the terminal of the telephone line and the automatic meter reading meter, and a battery was used as a power source for the wireless master unit and slave unit and the automatic meter reading meter. As a result, there is no need for electrical work in constructing the automatic meter reading system. b. The wireless master unit and the slave unit enter the standby state when the preset date and time arrives, during which the automatic meter reading side automatically sends data to the center side by calling.
Since the driving is stopped at the end of this transmission, the power consumed during data transmission can be saved to a minimum. As a result, the life of the battery is extended. c. Since the center side can rewrite and synchronize the activation date and time of the wireless master device and slave device and the automatic meter reading meter at each data transmission, it is necessary for each customer to set the automatic calling date and time. It is not necessary to go out, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of troubles due to the time difference between the center side, each wireless master unit and slave unit, and the automatic meter reading meter. d. Since no commercial power source is used, there is no concern about power supply noise or damage to communication equipment due to lightning. e. No worries about blackouts. f. There is no aesthetic problem based on electrical wiring as in the past. g. When the voltage of the battery for the automatic meter reading, wireless master unit and wireless slave unit drops below a certain level, it is automatically notified to the center side, so there is a problem of inoperability due to battery exhaustion or periodic battery There is no waste associated with the disposal of batteries that are still usable due to replacement. h. The wireless master device and the wireless slave device are configured to read the ID number of the automatic meter-reading meter and the telephone number of the center while the automatic meter-reading meter and the center are communicating with each other, and to store these in memory. It is possible to put an ID number in the telegram of the alarm report and send it, or call the same center as the telephone number stored in the automatic meter reading meter. i. When the automatic meter-reading meter automatically calls to send regular meter-reading information to the center side, the wireless handset calculates the difference between the time when the call should originally come and the time when the call actually comes. By setting the clock of the wireless slave unit to the clock of the meter side and transmitting this correction information to the wireless master unit side, the automatic calling time between the automatic meter reading meter and the wireless master unit and slave unit The gap can be corrected. j. Since it is not necessary to directly set the time and activation time in the wireless device, it is not necessary to change the communication between the conventional management center and the terminal device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a wireless master device and a slave device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an automatic meter reading meter.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 center 4 customer 7 wireless master device 8 wireless slave device 9 automatic meter reading meter

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Kaoru Iketani Kaoru Ikeya, Oyama-cho, Kamishinagawa-gun, Toyama Prefecture 30 Tateyama Science & Technology Co., Ltd. Within the corporation

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A wireless main unit is attached to a terminal of this telephone line by connecting a center to each consumer by a telephone line, and a wireless slave unit for communicating with the parent unit is attached to an automatic meter reading meter side. A battery is used as a power source for driving the master unit, the wireless slave unit, and the automatic meter reading meter, and the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit have a clock circuit or a clock circuit with a calendar, and at a set date, start at a certain time at the same time. An automatic start circuit is provided, and a start setting circuit that can rewrite the start date and start time is provided. When the set date and time arrives, the automatic meter reading meter transmits stock data to the center side. For this purpose, an automatic calling and automatic transmission circuit that calls the center from the wireless slave device via the wireless master device is provided, and the automatic call due date and time can be rewritten. A circuit is provided in the center, while the wireless master device, the wireless slave device, and the automatic meter-reading meter are being driven, the startup date and time recorded in the startup setting circuit in the wireless master device, the wireless slave device, and the automatic meter-reading meter. An automatic meter-reading system characterized in that a transmission date and time rewriting circuit for rewriting is provided. 2. The automatic meter-reading system according to claim 1, wherein the automatic meter-reading meter side is provided with a retry circuit for re-calling when a communication trouble occurs. 3. The automatic meter reading system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a battery voltage detection circuit and a battery voltage alarm circuit are provided in the automatic meter reading device, and when the battery voltage drops below a certain level, the center is automatically called to check the battery voltage An automatic meter reading system configured to report a drop. 4. The ID transmitted from the automatic meter reading side to the center side according to claim 1, 2 or 3, during communication between the battery voltage detecting circuit and the center and the automatic meter reading meter in the wireless master unit and the wireless slave unit. Number, call center call memory number and automatic call circuit, battery voltage detection circuit and battery voltage alarm circuit provided, when the battery voltage drops below a certain level, call the center automatically, An automatic meter reading system configured to report a decrease in battery voltage of a wireless master device or a wireless slave device. 5. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3 or 4,
When the automatic meter-reading meter automatically calls to send regular meter-reading information to the center side, the wireless handset calculates the difference between the time when the call should originally come and the time when the call actually comes. Adjust the clock of the wireless slave unit to the clock on the meter side,
In addition, an automatic meter reading system configured to transmit this correction information to the wireless master device side.