JPH08317480A - Automatic reporting device in automatic meter reading system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an automatic reporting device in an automatic meter reading system capable of testing whether or not an actually installed gas meter is correctly connected to a specified terminal. CONSTITUTION: An erroneous connection detection means 301a-1 successively compares the counted value of a call origination counting means 301c-1 for counting call origination successively inputted from the plural gas meters 311 -31n with the numbers of the plural terminals TA1 -TAn to which the call origination is inputted and detects erroneous connection by the non-coincidence of both. An inspected result storage means 301c-2 stores the number of the terminal which is defined as non-coincident and a display means 310 displays it. A terminal information setting means 308 sets information relating to the number of the terminal to which the gas meter is connected, and when the terminal number corresponding to the counted value of the counting means is set to it, the erroneous connection detection means detects the presence/absence of the erroneous connection.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is connected to an information center via a communication line, and a plurality of gas meters with a microcomputer corresponding to each house of an apartment house are connected to the communication line to measure the gas consumption measured by each gas meter. The present invention relates to an automatic notification device in an automatic meter reading system for making a notification to an information center via a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of automatic meter reading system, as shown in FIG. 16, one gas meter G is connected to one automatic notification device AT connected to an information center S via a telephone line DL. Those connected by L are general. However, in the automatic notification device in which only one gas meter is connected as described above, when the automatic notification device is installed in a housing complex, an automatic notification device must be installed for each gas meter installed in each house. No longer
The number of automatic notification devices and telephone lines will increase accordingly, which is not desirable in terms of installation costs.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, one automatic
A plurality of gas meters G for the notification device AT ₁~ G_nIs the signal line L
₁~ L_nVia a single telephone line DL
Gas meter G₁~ G_nReport the meter reading value to the information center S
Proposed to configure an automatic meter reading system that can
Has been done.

When the automatic notification device AT of the proposed automatic meter reading system automatically dials the telephone number of the information center, the automatic notification device AT is connected to the information center through the telephone line, and after this line connection, the automatic notification is made. The device AT notifies the information center of the start of communication. The information center that has received the start of communication from the automatic notification device AT sends a response to the automatic notification device, and in response to this response, the automatic notification device AT sends the data collected from the gas meters G _{1 to} G _n to the information center. Then, the information center which has received this data sends a response to the automatic notification device AT to complete a series of notification operations. Automatic reporting device A that completed reporting operation
T informs the information center that the line is to be disconnected, and the information center which has received the communication disconnects the line by itself by notifying the automatic notification device AT of the disconnection of the line. .

When the information center receives a message sent from one automatic notification device AT with an ID, the customer center is searched by the ID given to the message,
In addition, a plurality of customer names, addresses, etc. can be output on the CRT screen or the like by the data of the gas meter connected to each customer destination which is received at the same time as the retrieved data. With this, automatic meter reading can be performed for gas meters of a plurality of customers.

[0006]

The message sent from each gas meter to the automatic notification device does not have the number corresponding to each room. The automatic notification device depends on the terminal number. , I have no choice but to decide which gas meter to communicate with. Therefore, in the information center, as shown in FIG. 18, rooms No. 101-No.
110 and gas meters No. 1 to No. 10 are managed in correspondence with each other,
At the site, construction will be done so that the gas meters connected to terminals No. 1 to No. 10 of the automatic notification device will be installed in rooms No. 101 to No. 110 of the housing complex, respectively.

[0007] Therefore, the terminal No. 1 and N of the automatic notification device
Gas meter No. installed in room No. 101 and No. 102 in o.2.
Figure 1 shows where 1 and No.2 must be connected.
As shown in No. 9, even if the gas meters No. 2 and No. 1 installed in rooms No. 102 and No. 101 are mistakenly connected, the information center cannot recognize such an error. When such a gas meter No. 1 and No. 2 replacement error connection occurs, as shown in FIG. 20, the setting data transmitted from the information center to set the gas meter No. 1 is the terminal data of the automatic notification device. It will be output from .1 and set to the gas meter No. 2 actually connected to this terminal. Therefore, the response from the gas meter is sent from the gas meter No. 2 to the automatic notification device. The response from the gas meter No.2 is sent from the automatic notification device to the information center as the gas meter No.1 and thereafter the gas meter No.2 is the gas meter No.1 or the room No.101.
It is managed as a gas meter installed in.

[0008] Then, for example, when the remaining amount of the cylinder falls below the warning level and the gas meter No. 1 makes a call as shown in FIG. 21, the automatic notification device which receives this calls from the terminal No. 2 a communication start signal. Send the gas meter N accordingly
o.1 returns the response. Then, in response to the response signal from the gas meter No. 1, the automatic notification device automatically dials to establish a line connection with the information center, and the gas meter No. 1
Since the response signal from the gas meter is reported to the information center as being from the gas meter No. 2, there is a problem that the correct management of the gas meter cannot be performed.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention can automatically test whether or not the gas meter actually installed at the designated terminal is correctly connected to the specified meter. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the automatic reporting device in the automatic meter reading system according to the present invention has a plurality of gas meters 31 ₁ having a communication function as shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG. An automatic meter reading system capable of reporting meter reading values of .about.31 _{n to} the information center 1 through one communication line 4, wherein a plurality of pre-numbered terminals TA _{1 to} TA to which the plurality of gas meters can be connected. _n
And a call counting means 301c-1 for counting the number of outgoing calls sequentially input from one of the plurality of gas meters, and the count value by the outgoing call counting means and the number of the terminal to which the outgoing call is input are sequentially compared. However, it is characterized by including an erroneous connection detecting means 301a-1 for detecting an erroneous connection due to a mismatch between the two.

The automatic notification device displays the inspection result storage means 301c-2 for storing the number of the mismatched terminals detected by the incorrect connection detection means and the inspection result stored in the inspection result storage means. The display means 310 is further provided.

The automatic notification device further comprises terminal information setting means 308 for setting information regarding the number of the terminal to which the gas meter is connected among the plurality of terminals, and the misconnection detecting means is configured to operate by the counting means. When the terminal number corresponding to the counted value is set by the terminal information setting means, the counted value by the calling counting means and the number of the terminal that inputs the call are sequentially compared, and the two do not match. Is characterized by detecting an erroneous connection.

[0013]

In the above configuration, the meter reading values of the plurality of gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n having a communication function are set to one communication line 4.
The automatic reporting device of the automatic meter reading system capable of reporting to the information center 1 by means of the call counting means 301c-1 and the incorrect connection detecting means 301a-1
a-1 sequentially compares the count value by the call counting means 301c-1 for counting the number of outgoing calls sequentially input from one of the plurality of gas meters with the number of the terminal into which the outgoing call is input, and erroneous connection due to a mismatch between the two Therefore, the correctness / incorrectness of the connection of the gas meter can be automatically detected only by calling the gas meter in order.

In addition, the automatic notification device further comprises the inspection result storage means 301c-2 and the display means 310, and stores the number of the mismatched terminal detected by the inspection result storage means 301c-2 by the incorrect connection detection means. Since the display unit 310 displays the inspection result stored in the storage unit 301c-2, it is possible to know whether the gas meter is connected correctly or not at the site where the gas meter is installed.

Further, a plurality of gas meters provided in the automatic notification device
A plurality of terminals TA to which the data can be connected ₁~ TA_nOut of moth
Get information about the number of the terminal to which the meter is connected.
Child information setting means 308 is set, and counting means
The terminal number corresponding to the counted value is the terminal information setting means.
When set by, the count value by the calling counting means
And the number of the terminal that input the call are compared sequentially, and the
Since the incorrect connection is detected by the match, the gas meter skips.
And the unconnected terminals of the gas meter.
Even if the gas meter is erroneously connected, it can be detected.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a gas automatic meter reading system to which the automatic notification device according to the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, for example, an information center 1 and terminals 3 _{1 to} 3 n are installed at an LPG seller and an LPG consumer, respectively, and these are connected by communication lines such as telephone lines 2 and 4. The terminal regularly reports the gas meter reading value to the information center, or the terminal reports to the information center that the remaining amount of the LPG cylinder is low.

In FIG. 1, the information center 1 comprises a host computer 1a, a transmitting / receiving device 1b, and a subscriber's telephone 1c, and is connected to a nearest telephone exchange office (not shown) via a telephone line 2. All of the terminals 3 _{1 to} 3 n incorporating the automatic notification device according to the present invention have the same configuration and are connected to the nearest telephone exchange office (not shown) via the telephone line 4. Etc. the information center 1 LPG seller of example LPG delivery stations, each terminal unit 3 ₁ 3n is LP
It is arranged at each of the G consumers.

[0018] Figure 3 shows one 3 ₁ of 3 ₁ 3n terminal unit that is installed in collective housing, the terminal unit 3 ₁ and one automatic warning apparatus 30 as shown in FIG. 3 n It has individual gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n . This automatic notification device 30
A telephone line 4 (Fig. 2) is connected to terminals L ₁ and L ₂ of
₁ and T ₂ are subscriber telephones (not shown), and terminals TA _{1 to} TAn are each equipped with a plurality of gas meters with microcomputers (hereinafter simply referred to as gas meters) installed in each home.
31 _{1 to} 31 _n are connected to each other.

In the information center 1, setting data for setting the automatic notification device 30 of each terminal and each of the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n is created by operating a key on an operation console (not shown) of the host computer 1a. This setting data is sent from the information center 1 in a predetermined message format via the communication lines 2 and 4 when the automatic notification device 30 and the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n are installed. It is set within _{1 to} 31 _n .

The automatic notification device 30, as shown in FIG.
Central processing unit (CPU) 3 that operates according to a flowchart described below based on a predetermined control program
01a, a read-only read-only memory (ROM) 301b storing a control program, a random access memory (RAM) 301c storing various data,
An electrically rewritable programmable read-only memory (PROM) 301d that stores various setting data and can retain the stored contents without a backup power supply, and CPU 301a that generates year, month, day, hour, minute (real time) data
It has a microcomputer (MPU) 301 having a built-in timepiece / calendar 301e for supplying to. In addition, the clock
The content of the counter of the calendar 301e is the CPU 301a.
The data supplied from the company can be rewritten to correct the year / month / day / hour / minute data generated by the clock / calendar 301e.

A modem (modulation / demodulation circuit) 302 is connected to an input / output parallel port of the MPU 301 via a data bus, and 4-bit parallel data representing 0 to F which can be processed by the MPU 301 and the telephone line 4 are transmitted. Convert between signals. The signal may be, for example, an FSK signal that represents 0 to F in a combination of signals of two frequencies. Further, the n-number of input and output serial ports MPU301 are gas meter 31 ₁ to 31 _n are adapted to be connected.

The output of the battery voltage drop detection circuit 303 is directly connected to the input port of the MPU 301, and the 16 Hz detection circuit 3
04 and the output of the TEL detection circuit 305 are the photocoupler P.
They are connected via C ₁ and PC ₂ , respectively. The battery voltage drop detection circuit 303 detects, for example, that the voltage of the lithium battery 306 of 3V drops below a certain value, outputs a detection signal, and the MPU 301 reads this detection signal through an input port. The output voltage of the DC-DC converter 306a that boosts the voltage of the lithium battery 306 is
Power is supplied to each part as the operating power supply for the MPU 301 itself and other parts, but for parts that do not always need to be supplied, the MPU
It is supplied via a switching transistor Q ₁ which is turned on / off by a control signal from the output port of 301. The DC-DC converter 30
The operation of 6a is controlled to be ON / OFF by a control signal from the output port of MPU 301.

Both inputs of the above 16 Hz detection circuit 304
Is always in the state shown in the figure and the
Interchangeable switches that can be switched under your control
SW ₁And SW₂Terminal to which the telephone line 4 is connected via
L₂And L₁Is connected to the
Terminal T₁And T₂One side T₂It is connected to the. Soshi
The 16 Hz detection circuit 304 is externally connected through the telephone line 4.
16H that indicates that an incoming call is being input from
Photo-coupler for detecting incoming signal by detecting z calling signal
PC₁The output signal is output to the MPU301.
Therefore, it is read.

Further, one input of the TEL detection circuit 305 is connected to one terminal L ₁ to which the telephone line 4 is connected through _one changeover switch SW ₁ , and the other input is connected to a telephone. Is connected to the other terminal T ₁ . Then, the TEL detection circuit 305 detects that the subscriber telephone is in use and outputs a busy detection signal via the photocoupler PC ₂ , and this detection signal is sent to the MPU 30.
Read by 1.

Further, at the other input port of the MPU 301, when starting a test for inspecting the communication function of the information center 1 of the automatic notification device 30 itself and one of the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n , and the automatic notification device 30. The test switches 307a, which are turned on when terminating the erroneous connection inspection for checking whether the connections of the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n are incorrect, are turned on when the operations of the test switch 307a and the MPU 301 are reset and started from the initial state. The reset switch 307b to be reset and the data sent from the information center 1 are received as the setting data, stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 301c as the setting data of itself, and the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 3 ₁ as the setting data for the gas meter.
The data setting switches 307c that are turned on when the data is stored in the corresponding 1 _n are respectively connected.

Further, M is connected to another input port of the MPU 301 to connect _n gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n.
Dip switch as terminal information setting means having n contacts for setting which input / output port of the n input / output ports (gas meter connection terminals) provided in PU 301 is actually connected to the gas meter 308 is connected via a multiplier 308a. MP
In addition to the contact a for the normal mode of the operation of the MPU 301, the gas meters 31 ₁ to 31-
31 b, a contact point b for an abnormality inspection mode for inspecting an abnormality in connection with 31 _n and an abnormality of the gas meter itself, a contact point c for an incorrect connection inspection mode for inspecting whether or not the connection of the gas meter to the automatic notification device is incorrect, and other It has a contact d for mode and is connected to a mode change switch 312 for selecting and switching these modes.

The n contacts of the dip switch 308 are gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n depending on the off state.
The MPU 301 is provided with information regarding the gas meter connection terminal not connected with. This information is used at the initial stage when the MPU 301 starts its operation when performing communication with the gas meter to perform an abnormality inspection process for inspecting an abnormality in the connection with the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n and an abnormality in the gas meter itself, In order to reduce the inspection time by not performing communication for the gas meter connection terminal to which the gas meter is not connected when performing the incorrect connection inspection process that inspects whether the gas meter connection to the automatic notification device is incorrect. And for determining whether the gas meter is normally connected to the gas meter connection terminal to which the gas meter should be connected.

Then, at the output port of the MPU 301,
The base of the switching transistor Q ₂ is connected via the photo coupler PC ₃ , and the switching transistor Q ₂ is controlled by the photo coupler P ₂ under the control of the MPU 301.
The telephone line 4 is turned on by being turned on via C _3.
Is connected to the primary winding L1 of the coupling transformer T via the full-wave rectifier 309 and the transistor Q ₂ . The secondary winding L2 of the coupling transformer T acts as a pseudo load on the telephone line 4, and the input / output of the modem 302 is connected to this secondary winding L2.

Further, the output port of the MPU 301, is connected to the control input of the changeover switch SW ₁ and SW ₂ in conjunction with one another, these changeover switches SW ₁ and S
W ₂ is output from the output port of the MPU 301 when the automatic notification device 30 has to notify the information center due to the occurrence of a calling event in the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n or when the information from the information center is received. The control signal is switched to the opposite side to the illustrated state.

Further, a 2-digit numeral display 310 is connected to the other output port of the MPU 301. The numeric indicator 310 has an abnormality as a result of the inspection of the abnormality of the connection with the gas meter and the abnormality of the gas meter itself, which is performed at the initial stage when the MPU 301 starts its operation in response to the ON operation of the reset switch 307c or the power-on. This is used to display the gas meter connection terminal numbers to which the gas meter is connected, in order, when there is a specified gas meter. The information displayed on the display unit 310 can be used to confirm an abnormal gas meter at the installation location of the automatic notification device 30 and does not require confirmation from the information center side. It is possible to eliminate the trouble of people being involved and notifying the people at the site of the abnormal gas meter one by one.

311 is a manual changeover switch,
In the state shown in the drawing, the 16 Hz detection circuit 304 and the TEL detection circuit 3 together with the subscriber telephone are connected to the telephone line 4.
No. 05 or full-wave rectifier 309 is connected, and only the subscriber telephone is connected to the telephone line 4 in the state opposite to that shown in the figure. Therefore, when the manual switch 311 is in the illustrated state, the changeover switches SW ₁ and SW ₂
Is switched from the illustrated state to the opposite side, the 16 Hz detection circuit 304 and the TEL detection circuit 305 are disconnected from the telephone line 4 together with the subscriber telephone, and only the full-wave rectifier 309 is connected instead. It becomes possible to exchange data with the information center via the modem 302.

The functions performed by the MPU 301 according to a predetermined program include a gas meter reading function, a battery voltage drop detecting function, a clock / calendar function, a transmission control function, a setting data setting function, an abnormality checking function, and an erroneous connection check. There are functions etc.

The above-mentioned setting data setting function provides the MPU 301 in the automatic notification device 30 with setting data necessary for the automatic notification device 30 and the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n to operate.
This is a function for storing in each of the PROM 301d and the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n . As setting data,
As shown in FIG. 4, No. 1 to customer code (ID), report destination (information center) telephone number, telephone system (dial type or push button type), current date, current time, notification time, etc. No. 19 to N such as the notification setting data set in the automatic notification device 3 of No. 18 and No. 26 items, the remaining amount management warning level, the remaining amount management counter value, and the meter control code value.
It consists of meter setting data set in each gas meter 31 _{1 to} 31 _n of item o.25. The information center manages the automatic notification device and the gas meter based on the customer code (ID).

In addition, from the information center side to the automatic notification device,
The format of the message format sent from the automatic notification device to the information center side is as shown in FIG. 5, and the format of the message format has a meter type storage section (hereinafter referred to as a module number section) in which the instrument number of the gas meter is written. This device number is a code number stored in advance in the memory in the microcomputer of the gas meter according to the type such as the size of the gas meter, and is used when the information center side wants to know the type of gas meter.

Then, when sending the notification setting data from the information center side to the automatic notification device side, the message type (downline message) of FIG. 5 (a) is sent to the instrument number section "00" and the gas meter side as shown in FIG. When setting, send it to the automatic notification device as the instrument number "n" (gas meter connection terminal No.). When sending information from the gas meter to the information center side as a response, the gas meter side sends the instrument number to the automatic notification device as “αα” (αα: code number held by the gas meter microcomputer according to the type of gas meter). In response to this, the automatic notification device displays the message type (uplink message) of FIG. 5 (b).
And send it to the information center. Further, when the abnormality information is sent from the gas meter to the information center side, "αα" is sent to the automatic notification device, and "n" is sent to the center.

Next, the center side receives a message from the automatic notification device, searches the customer master's automatic notification device corresponding to the ID of the received data, and searches the sub-customer master file from the received instrument number "n". Then, the customer name, gas meter user, address, telephone number, etc. corresponding to the retrieved instrument number are displayed on the CRT screen of the host computer.

Next, a communication sequence for setting the above-mentioned setting data will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, first, a call is made from the information center side or the subscriber telephone side in which the automatic notification device is installed to connect the two by a telephone line. After that, the operator at the information center side and the worker at the site where the automatic notification device was installed communicated with each other the intention to enter the setting work of the setting data, and subsequently the worker at the site turned on the setting switch 307c. Then, the information center side starts communication with the automatic notification device. The automatic notification device that has received this communication start signal transmits a response signal to the information center side. When the information center receives the response signal, it sends the telegram type ID data of FIG. 5A to the automatic notification device, and the automatic notification device transmits the response signal to the information center side after reception. At this time, the notification setting data sent from the information center side to the automatic notification device is No. 1 to No. 1 shown in FIG. 4 to which the customer code (ID) is added.
8 and No. 26, the automatic notification device stores these data in a predetermined area of the PROM 301d.

Next, the information center side sends the meter setting data for the gas meter 31 ₁ connected to the automatic notification device to the gas meter via the automatic notification device, and the gas meter side which has received this meter setting data Sends the response data to the information center side via the automatic notification device. Here, the setting data for the meter is No. 19 to No. 25 in FIG.
Setting data of MPU (not shown) in the gas meter
It is stored in the internal memory. When the information center receives the response data to the last transmission of the No. 25 setting data, it repeats the same communication sequence for the next gas meter 31 ₂ , and when the transmission to the last gas meter is completed. Open the automatic notification device and telephone line. Although the notification setting data is repeatedly sent, the automatic notification device overwrites the previous setting data each time the notification setting data is received.

The details of the operation of the automatic notification device when setting the setting data described with reference to the communication sequence of FIG.
This will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8 showing the processing performed by the U301a according to a predetermined control program.

CPU of MPU 301 in normal standby state
301a starts a reception process from the information center when a signal is input to an arbitrary input port and this is a telephone call from the information center. Then, in the first step S1, the reception of the communication start signal is waited, and when the communication start signal is received, the process proceeds to step S2 and the response signal is sent to the information center. After that, the process proceeds to step S3 to wait for reception of the notification setting data. When the notification setting data is received, the process proceeds to step S4 to store the received notification setting data in a predetermined area in the PROM 301d. In a succeeding step S5, a response signal is sent to the information center, and then the process proceeds to a step S6, where it is judged whether or not the data received and stored in the step S4 is the last one of the notification setting data. The judgment in S6 is Ν
When it is O, the process returns to 4 and the next one is received.
By executing steps S4 to S6, the PROM 301d
The notification setting data stored in is the data of the items No. 1 to No. 18 and No. 26 described above with reference to FIG. 4, and is transmitted in the message format of (a) of FIG.

After that, the process proceeds to step S7, where the reception of the meter setting data is waited, and when the meter setting data is received, the process proceeds to step S8 to temporarily store the received meter setting data in a predetermined area in the RAM 301c. . In the subsequent step S9, the instrument number in the temporarily stored received data is extracted, and the meter setting data is sent to the terminal corresponding to the extracted instrument number. In addition, the youngest terminal No. to which the gas meter is connected, for example, "01" is set in the instrument number portion in the first transmitted message. After that, the process proceeds to step S10 to wait for a response signal from the gas meter.

When the response signal from the gas meter is received, the process proceeds to step S11 and the response signal is sent to the information center. The transmission of this device number data is transmitted in the message format of FIG. Then proceed to step S12,
Here, it is determined whether the device number in the response signal is the last one. When the determination in step S12 is NO, the process returns to step S1 and waits for the communication start for the subsequent data setting of the gas meter. When the determination in step S12 is YES, line disconnection processing for disconnecting the connected telephone line is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S14 to enter the standby state.

The test function performed by the MPU 301 according to a predetermined program includes a function of inspecting the communication function of the information center 1 of the automatic notification device 30 itself and one of the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n , an automatic notification device and a gas meter. There is a function of inspecting the abnormality of the wire connection between and and the abnormality of the gas meter itself, and a function of inspecting the connection of the gas meter to the automatic notification device.

The first inspection function is the test switch 307a.
It is started by turning on the switch, and the communication function for the information center 1 of the automatic notification device 30 itself and one of the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n is inspected. The communication sequence for this test function will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, in the automatic notification device 30, the test switch 3
When the 07a is turned on, the automatic notification device 30 displays
When a data request is made to one gas meter and a data response made by the gas meter is received, an information center phone number stored as notification setting data is automatically dialed and the information center is called. Connect to the telephone line.

After that, the automatic notification device 30 transmits a communication start signal indicating the start of communication to the information center and waits for a response thereto. Then, when the automatic notification device 30 receives the response to the communication start signal, it transmits data next, and when it receives the response to the transmission of this data, it notifies that the telephone line will be disconnected. In response to this, the automatic notification device 3 informs the information center that the telephone line will be disconnected.
When 0 is received, the telephone line is disconnected assuming that a series of communication sequences has been completed.

The second inspection function of the inspection functions performed by the MPU 301 according to a predetermined program, that is, the abnormality of the connection between the automatic notification device 30 and the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n and the abnormality of the gas meter itself are detected. The function for inspecting and the third inspection function, that is, the function for inspecting whether the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n are properly connected to the automatic notification device 30 are the mode changeover switch 312 for the abnormality inspection mode. When the contact b and the contact c for erroneous connection inspection mode are respectively switched, the reset switch 307b that starts the operation of the MPU 301 by turning on the power or resets the operation of the MPU 301 and starts from the initial state is turned on. It starts automatically by operating.

Then, the MPU 301 which has started the operation performs the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, M
When the PU 301 starts its operation when the power is turned on or the reset switch 307b is turned on, initialization is performed in the first step S21 and then the process proceeds to step S22, in which the mode changeover switch 312 causes the contact a for the normal mode a. If it is YES, the process proceeds to step S23 to enter the standby state. In this standby state, the operation starts in response to a request from the outside.

When the judgment in step S22 is NO, the routine proceeds to step S24, where it is judged whether or not the mode changeover switch 312 is at the contact point c for the wrong connection inspection mode. When the judgment is YES, the routine proceeds to step S25. Figure 1
After performing an erroneous connection inspection process for 1 described below, the process proceeds to step S26, where a result display process described below for FIG. 13 is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S23. If the determination in step S24 is NO, step S27
Then, it is determined whether or not the mode changeover switch 312 is located at the contact point b for the abnormality inspection mode.
In the case of S, the process proceeds to step S28, and the abnormality inspection process described later with reference to FIG. 14 is performed for abnormality of the connection with the gas meter and abnormality of the gas meter itself, and then step S29.
15, the result display process described later with reference to FIG. 15 is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S23. Also, step S2
When the determination at 7 is NO, the process proceeds to step S30 and the standby process is performed.

Step S2 in the flowchart of FIG.
In the erroneous connection inspection process of 5, the first step S25a
At 0, the content of the x counter formed in the predetermined area in the RAM 301c is set to 0, and then the process proceeds to step S25b to wait for a call from the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n . Calls from the gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n during the erroneous connection inspection process are connected to the gas meter connection terminals No. 1 to No. 10 of the automatic notification device 30 as shown in the communication protocol of FIG. The gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n are artificially performed in ascending order of No. If there is a call from any of the gas meters and the determination in step S25b is YES, the flow advances to step S25c to increment (+1) the content of the x counter. After that, the process proceeds to step S25d, and it is determined whether or not the terminal of the DIP switch of the terminal No. x is on. If this determination is NO, the process returns to step S25c and the content of the x counter is incremented (+1) again.

This operation is judged as YES in step S25d.
Repeat until S is reached, and the determination in step S25d is YE.
When it becomes S, the process proceeds to step S25e and the call is made to the terminal No. x.
It is determined whether it is from the gas meter connected to, that is, whether or not the terminal No. that inputs the call is equal to x. When the determination in step S25e is NO, the process proceeds to step S25f and the gas meter that made the call is not connected to the one with the correct terminal No. and there is an error, and that terminal No.x is stored in a predetermined area in the RAM 301c. Then, the process proceeds to step S25g. If the determination in step S25e is YES, step S2
It proceeds to step 5g and determines whether the test switch 307a has been turned on.

The test switch 30 when the mode changeover switch 312 is at the contact c for the wrong connection inspection mode
7a functions as a switch for ending the operation in the incorrect connection inspection mode. When the determination in step S25g is NO, the process returns to step S25b to repeat the above-described operation, and when the determination in step S25g is YES, FIG. Return to the flowchart.

Step S2 in the flowchart of FIG.
In the result display process of No. 6, in the first step S26a, it is determined whether or not the terminal No. x as an error is stored in the predetermined area in the RAM 301c, and when this determination is ΝO, that is, the terminal with the incorrect connection. When there is no information on the No., the process proceeds to step S26b, and the normal display is performed on the display device 310. And the following step S
In 26c, a timer for a predetermined time is activated and started, and in the subsequent step S26d, the timer measures the predetermined time and waits until the time is over. If the determination of step S26d becomes YES after the lapse of a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S26e to turn off the display of the display device 310, and then returns to the flowchart of FIG.

When the determination in step S26a is YES, that is, when there is information about the number of the terminal having the incorrect connection in the predetermined area of the RAM 301c, the process proceeds to step S26f, where the display 310 is caused to display an abnormality. After that, the process proceeds to step 26g, in which the numbers of terminals with incorrect connections are sequentially displayed. Then, after displaying the No. of the terminal with the last erroneous connection, the process proceeds to step S26h, where it is determined whether or not the reset switch 307b is turned on. The determination in step S26h is
When it is O, the process returns to the step S26f, and the step S26
The processing of 26f to S26h is repeated.

While the above steps S26f to S26h are repeated, the number of the terminal having the incorrect connection is continuously displayed on the display unit 310 at a constant time interval. Therefore, the operator can view this display while viewing it. It is possible to check the gas meter connected to the No. of the connected gas meter connection terminal and perform the work to eliminate the incorrect connection. When the erroneous connection elimination work is completed and the worker turns on the reset switch 307b, the determination in the next step S26h becomes YES, and the operation from the start of the MPU 301 is started. At this time, the erroneous connection inspection is performed again, so that the result of the operation for eliminating the erroneous connection performed by the operator can be confirmed by the display on the display unit 310.

Step S2 in the flowchart of FIG.
8. In the abnormality checking process, the state of the input port to which the dip switch 308 is connected is read in the first step S28a to determine whether the contact of the dip switch corresponding to No. 1 of the gas meter connection terminal is on. Judge by When the determination in step S28b is NO, it is determined that the gas meter is not connected to the No. 1 gas meter connecting terminal, and the process proceeds to step S28c without performing communication through this gas meter connecting terminal. On the other hand, when the determination in step S28a is YES, it is determined that the gas meter is connected to the No. 1 gas meter connection terminal, and the process proceeds to step S28b, where it is connected to this No. 1 gas meter connection terminal. When communication with the gas meter is executed, and as a result, there is an abnormality such as abnormal communication, the No. of the gas meter connection terminal is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 301c, and then the process proceeds to step S28c.

In step S28c, it is determined whether or not the contact of the DIP switch corresponding to No. 2 of the gas meter connection terminal is turned on by reading the state of the input port to which the DIP switch 308 is connected, This judgment is also No.3, No.4 ...
The same determination is made for the contact of the DIP switch 308 corresponding to. Moreover, the determination in step S28c is YES.
If so, the process proceeds to step S28d to execute communication with the gas meter connected to the No. 2 gas meter connecting terminal, and as a result, if there is an abnormality such as communication not being normal, the No. of the gas meter connecting terminal . For RAM3
The data is stored in a predetermined area 01c before proceeding to the next step.

Then, in step S28e, the last
It is determined whether or not the contact of the DIP switch corresponding to No. n is turned on. If this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S29 in FIG. 10, and if YES, step S2.
Go to 8f and perform communication with the gas meter connected to the No. n gas meter connection terminal. As a result, when there is an abnormality such as communication not being performed normally, the No. of the gas meter connection terminal is set to the RAM 301c. After being stored in a predetermined area, the process proceeds to step S29 in FIG.

In the result display process of step S29, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 is performed. That is, in the first step S29a, the RAM 30
It is determined whether or not there is information about the abnormal gas meter connection terminal No. in the predetermined area of 1c. When the determination in step S29a is NO, that is, when there is no abnormal No. information, the process proceeds to step S29b and the display 310 is normally displayed. Then, in a succeeding step S29c, a timer for a predetermined time is activated and started, and in a succeeding step S29d, the timer measures a predetermined time and waits until the time is over. When the determination in step S29d becomes YES after the lapse of a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S29e to turn off the display on the display 310, and then proceeds to step S23 in the flowchart of FIG.

When the determination in step S29a is YES, that is, when there is information regarding the number of the gas meter connection terminal having an abnormality in the predetermined area of the RAM 301c, the process proceeds to step S29f, where an anomaly is displayed on the display 310. Let Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 29g, where the numbers of the gas meter connecting terminals to which the abnormal gas meter is connected are sequentially displayed. Then, after displaying the No. of the gas meter connection terminal to which the last abnormal gas meter is connected, the process proceeds to step S29h,
Here, it is determined whether or not the reset switch 307b is turned on. If the determination in step S29h is NO, the process returns to step S29f and step S29f
The processing of S29h is repeated.

While the above steps S29f to S29h are being repeated, the gas meter connection terminal No. to which the abnormal gas meter is connected is continuously displayed on the display unit 310 at a constant time interval. While checking the display, the operator can check the gas meter connected to the displayed gas meter connection terminal No. and perform work to eliminate the abnormality. And
After the abnormality elimination work is completed, the operator resets the switch 3
When 07b is turned on, the determination in the next step S29h becomes YES, and the operation from the start of the MPU 301 is started. At this time, since the abnormality inspection is performed again, it is possible to confirm the result of the work performed by the worker for eliminating the abnormality by the display on the display unit 310.

According to the automatic notification device of the embodiment described above, the CPU 301a in FIG. 3 functions as the wrong connection detecting means 301a-1 by executing the flowchart of FIG.
The count value by the call counting means 301c-1 (formed in a predetermined area of the RAM 301c) for counting the number of outgoing calls sequentially input from _{one of the} plurality of gas meters 31 _{1 to} 31 _n and the number of the terminal to which the outgoing call is input. , Especially the call counting means 301c-
When the terminal number corresponding to the count value counted by 1 is set in the terminal information setting means 308 which sets information regarding the number of the terminal to which the gas meter is connected among the plurality of terminals, the terminal numbers are sequentially compared and the two do not match. The incorrect connection is detected by.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, the count value of outgoing calls sequentially input from one of a plurality of gas meters and the number of the terminal to which the outgoing call is input are sequentially compared, and if they do not match, Since the erroneous connection can be automatically detected by just calling the gas meter in order, it is possible to correct the erroneous connection of the gas meter and to make the gas meter highly reliable.

Furthermore, since the number of the detected mismatched terminal is stored and the inspection result is displayed, the correctness of the gas meter connection can be known at the site where the gas meter is installed. Therefore, the operator can use this display. It is easy to repair the wrong connection of the gas meter.

Further, when the information regarding the number of the terminal to which the gas meter is connected among the plurality of terminals to which the plurality of gas meters can be connected is set and the terminal number corresponding to the call count value is set. , The count value and the number of the terminal that input the call are sequentially compared, and an incorrect connection is detected due to a mismatch between the two, so the gas meters are connected intermittently,
Even if there is a terminal to which the gas meter is not connected, it is possible to reliably detect an erroneous connection of the gas meter.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an automatic notification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a simplified configuration of the overall configuration of the automatic meter-reading system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of an automatic notification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of setting data transmitted from an information center in the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a format of a message type in communication between an information center and an automatic notification device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a method of collecting gas meter unit number information performed by an information center using the electronic message type of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a protocol of communication performed between the information center, the automatic notification device, and the gas meter when setting the setting data in the automatic notification device and the gas meter by the setting data sent from the information center.

8 is a flowchart showing a reception process from an information center performed by a CPU of the automatic notification device of FIG.

9 is a diagram showing a protocol of communication performed between the information center, the automatic notification device, and the gas meter by the test function of the automatic notification device of FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the CPU of the automatic notification device of FIG. 3 when the power is turned on.

11 is a flowchart showing details of a part of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a protocol when the gas meter makes a call.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of another part of FIG.

14 is a flowchart showing details of still another portion in FIG.

15 is a flowchart showing the details of another part in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic notification device in a conventional automatic meter reading system.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example of an automatic notification device in a conventional automatic meter reading system.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing how to correctly connect a gas meter to an automatic notification device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing how to incorrectly connect a gas meter to an automatic notification device.

20 is a diagram showing a protocol of communication performed between the information center, the automatic notification device, and the gas meter in the case of the correct connection in FIG.

FIG. 21 is an information center in the case of incorrect connection in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the protocol of communication performed between an automatic reporting device and a gas meter.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Information Center 4 Communication Line (Telephone Line) 30 Automatic Notification Device 31 _{1 to} 31 _n Multiple Gas Meters 301a-1 False Connection Detection Means (CPU) 301c-1 Call Counting Means (RAM) 301c-2 Inspection Result Storage Means ( RAM) 307 Test switch 308 Terminal information setting means (DIP switch) 310 Display means (numerical display) TA _{1 to} TA _n Plural terminals

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An automatic meter reading system capable of reporting the meter reading values of a plurality of gas meters having a communication function to an information center through a single communication line, wherein the plurality of gas meters are pre-numbered. A plurality of terminals, a call counting means for counting the calls sequentially input from one of the plurality of gas meters, and sequentially comparing the count value by the call counting means with the number of the terminal to which the call is input. However, the automatic notification device is provided with an erroneous connection detection means for detecting an erroneous connection due to a mismatch between the two. 2. A test result storage means for storing the number of the mismatched terminal detected by the incorrect connection detection means, and a display means for displaying the test result stored in the test result storage means. The automatic notification device according to claim 1. 3. The terminal information setting means for setting information on the number of the terminal to which the gas meter is connected among the plurality of terminals is further provided, and the erroneous connection detection means sets the count value counted by the counting means. When the corresponding terminal number is set by the terminal information setting means, the count value by the call counting means is sequentially compared with the number of the terminal that inputs the call, and an erroneous connection is detected due to a mismatch between the two. The automatic notification device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.