JPH0918599A - Data collecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To accurately and automatically set identification information on each terminal device by setting connection position information and temporary identification information on each terminal device in a data adapter and the terminal device, and changing the temporary identification information into working identification information. CONSTITUTION: Respective pieces of connection position information on respective connection terminals and temporary IDs of respective corresponding inspection meters connected to the respective connection terminals are held in a center device 1 in advance, and according to those connection position information and temporary IDs, the respective inspection meters 7a-7d are connected to the connection terminals of the meter interface part 15 of the data adapter. When a temporary ID is registered in the center device, the connection information table part 13 of the data adapter, and the respective inspection meters, the center device converts the temporary ID into a working ID used for actual operation. After the working IDs is thus registered at the three places of the center device, data adapter, and respective inspection meters 3 similarly, the center device uses this working ID to call the respective inspection meters and gather meter inspection data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a data adapter, to which a plurality of terminal devices (hereinafter referred to as demand ends), which are demand ends, such as meter meters for water supply, are connected via a network control device and a communication line. The present invention relates to a data collection system for connecting to a center device and collecting information from each of a plurality of demand ends to the center device via a data adapter, a network control device, and a communication line. The present invention relates to a data collection system capable of accurately setting identification information (hereinafter abbreviated as ID).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a data collection system for meter reading in the water supply field, data such as pointers of water meters scattered at terminals are automatically transmitted through telephone lines due to lack of manpower, bad working conditions and rising labor costs. An automatic meter reading system for collecting has been realized.

In particular, with the recent development of electronic technology, water meters, which are at the end of demand, have become electronic, and some have additional functions such as various modes and ID setting functions in addition to the metering function. . Such a demand end (meter) has a unique ID and is connected to the system. In particular, when the demand end is connected via a data adapter, the line address to which the data adapter itself is connected and the unique ID set when each demand end (meter) is installed are specified.

An example in which such a data collecting system is applied to an automatic meter reading system in the water supply field will be described with reference to FIG.

The data collection system shown in FIG. 2, which constitutes an automatic water meter reading system, is installed in each customer and has a plurality of meter reading meters 7a, 7 for measuring the water consumption of each customer.
, 7n, and the plurality of meter-reading meters 7a, 7n
, 7n are connected to a data adapter 6, and the data adapter 6 is connected via a terminal network control device 5 to a telephone line 9 which is a communication line. The telephone line 9 is connected to the exchange 4 and the telephone line 9 is connected to the center side network control device 3, and the center side network control device 3 is connected to the center computer 2. The center computer 2 and the center-side network control device 3 constitute a center device 1. Further, a no-ringing trunk (NRT) 8 for receiving a no-ringing call from the center device 1 to the terminal network control device 5 is connected to the exchange 4.

In the data collecting system thus constructed, the center device 1 is provided with the meter-reading meters 7a, 7b ,.
.. To collect meter reading data from 7n, the center computer 2 sends a call to the exchange 4 via the center side network control device 3 to receive no ringing at the terminal network control device 5, and the data from the terminal network control device 5 is received. .., 7n are sequentially called through the adapter 6 to collect meter reading data from each meter.

In this case, in order for the center device 1 to call the meter reading meter connected to the data adapter 6, the ID of the meter reading meter is given to the data adapter 6, and the corresponding meter reading meter is sent from the data adapter 6. The meter is activated and called, and meter reading data is transmitted from the called meter reading meter to the center device 1. The data
Each of the meter reading meters 7a, 7b, ...
The connection information such as the ID of 7n is registered, the corresponding meter meter is activated according to this information, and the meter data is transmitted to the center device 1.

[0008]

In the data collection system described above, in order to connect the demand end to the system as described above, it is necessary to set a unique ID for each demand end.
In particular, when connecting through a data adapter, the ID of each demand end is specified so that the data can be read out without considering the intervention of the data adapter as much as possible. Therefore, when connecting to the data adapter, the one with a unique ID set as each demand end is connected. However, in general, a unique ID is not given to each demand end (meter) in the manufacturing process in many cases (This is because the test / management in the manufacturing process is complicated, and thus the unique ID is not provided.
Is usually not set).

Therefore, each demand end is often used by setting an ID at the time of installation. At that time, a considerable amount of time is required for management of the ID to be set and setting work. Further, as the number of terminals increases, the number of setting errors increases, and the resetting work often takes more time.
When connecting the demand end to the system, the center device registers a predetermined ID, reads the demand end data, and confirms whether the ID is correct or not by reading the data. At this time, when an unreadable demand end is found, a considerable amount of time is taken to determine whether the ID setting error or the transmission trouble occurs. In particular, at the time of installation, it is necessary to match the ID at the connection point and the ID at the demand end (meter) on both the center device side and the data adapter side, and mistakes in ID are likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a data collection system capable of properly and automatically setting the identification information of each terminal device.

[0011]

To achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 connects a data adapter, to which a plurality of terminal devices are connected, to a center device via a network control device and a communication line. A data collection system that collects information from each of the terminal devices to a center device via a data adapter, a network control device, and a communication line. Information holding means for holding, for each terminal device, connection position information for connecting to each connection position of the data adapter and temporary identification information of each terminal device, and connection for each terminal device held by the information holding means The connection position information and the temporary identification information for each terminal device are set in the data adapter so as to correspond to the position information and the temporary identification information, and the connection position is set for each terminal device. Provisional identification information setting means for setting the provisional identification information corresponding to the information, identification information management means provided in the center device for managing operation identification information corresponding to the provisional identification information, and the provisional identification. The gist of the present invention is to have identification information changing means for changing the temporary identification information set in the data adapter and each terminal device by the information setting means to the operational identification information.

Further, the present invention according to claim 2 is based on claim 1.
The gist of the invention described above is that the temporary identification information setting means performs the setting processing of the temporary identification information for the data adapter and each terminal device under the control of the data adapter.

Further, the present invention according to claim 3 provides the invention according to claim 1.
The gist of the invention is that the temporary identification information setting means performs the setting processing of the temporary identification information for the data adapter and each terminal device under the control of the center device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the identification information changing means is based on the temporary identification information and connection position information of each terminal device from the center device, and the data adapter. And a means for calling each terminal device and changing the temporary identification information set in the data adapter and each terminal device to the operational identification information.

The present invention according to claim 5 provides the present invention according to claim 1.
In the invention described above, the identification information changing means calls the center device from the data adapter, and changes the temporary identification information set in the data adapter and each terminal device to the operation identification information under the control of the center device. The gist is to have means for doing so.

[0016]

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the connection position information and the temporary identification information of each terminal device are made to correspond to the connection position information and the temporary identification information of each terminal device previously held in the center device. Is set in the data adapter and each terminal device, and the set temporary identification information is changed to operational identification information.

According to the present invention of claim 2,
The setting process of the temporary identification information for the data adapter and each terminal device is performed under the control of the data adapter.

Furthermore, in the present invention according to claim 3,
The setting process of the temporary identification information for the data adapter and each terminal device is performed under the control of the center device.

According to the present invention, the data adapter and each terminal device are called from the center device based on the temporary identification information and the connection position information for each terminal device, and the temporary identification information is used as the operational identification information. Has been changed to.

According to the present invention of claim 5,
The data adapter calls the center device, and by the control of the center device, the temporary identification information set in the data adapter and each terminal device is changed to operational identification information.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data adapter used in a data collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The data adapter shown in the figure is
It can be applied to a data collection system having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 2, and the plurality of meter-reading meters 7a, 7b,
..., 7n connected meter interface unit 15
And the meter interface unit 15 is connected to the control unit 10 which controls the overall operation of the data adapter.

The control unit 10 includes a display unit 11, an operation unit 12,
The connection information table unit 13 and the upper transmission interface unit 14 are connected, and the upper transmission interface unit 14 is connected.
The terminal network control device 5 is connected to the center side network control device 5 via the telephone line 9 and the exchange 4 to the center device 1 including the center side network control device 3 and the center computer 2.

In the data collection system having the data adapter configured as above, the procedure for calling the meter-reading meters 7a, 7b, ..., 7n from the center device 1 and collecting the meter-reading data from each meter-reading meter is as follows. In the same way as the processing described above in FIG. 2, the center device 1 receives a call from the center device 1 by no ringing communication to the terminal network control device 5 based on each ID set for each meter reading meter, and data from the terminal network control device 5 is received. The meter reading data is collected from the meter reading meters to the center device 1 by activating each meter reading meter 7a, 7b, ..., 7n via the adapter 6, but when the meter reading meters are installed, each meter reading meter is installed. Since the ID for the meter is not set, it is necessary to first set the ID for each meter. Also,
This ID needs to be set in correspondence with the connection position information indicating which connection position of the meter interface unit 15 of the data adapter each meter reading meter is connected to, and also needs to be set for each meter reading meter. Needless to say, it is necessary that each ID for each meter reading meter is registered uniformly at the three locations of the center device 1, the data adapter, and each meter reading meter.

In order to perform such ID setting processing,
When installing each meter-reading meter, each meter-reading meter 7a,
, 7n to each connection terminal of the meter interface unit 15 of the data adapter, each connection position information indicating the position of each connection terminal, and the corresponding meter reading meter connected to each connection terminal. It is possible to store a temporary ID in the center device 1 in advance and connect the meter-reading meters 7a, 7b, ..., 7n to the connection terminals of the meter interface section 15 of the data adapter according to the connection position information and the temporary ID. is necessary.

For example, it is assumed that the center device 1 holds connection position information and a temporary ID corresponding to each meter meter as follows.

[0027] When installing the meter-reading meter, each meter-reading meter 7a, 7b, ..., 7n is connected to each meter interface section 15 of the data adapter based on the above-mentioned information registered in the center device 1 as described above. Connect to the terminal.

Then, as described above, the connection position information and the temporary ID corresponding to each meter reading meter are registered in the connection information table section 13 of the data adapter, and the meter reading meters 7a, 7b, ..., 7n are also registered. In order to register its corresponding temporary ID, the data adapter uses the automatic I shown in FIG.
Perform the processing of the D setting mode.

In the automatic ID setting process shown in FIG. 3, first, I
It is checked whether the D setting mode is set (step 1
10) If not, the operation of the data adapter is started (step 180), but in the ID setting mode, the connection information table section 13 of the data adapter is initialized (step 120). Then, the counter is set to 0 (step 130) and it is checked whether the counter is counter over (step 140). If the counter is not over, the ID is set in the connection information table section 13 (step 150).
Specifically, the value indicated by the count value of the counter is set in the connection information table unit 13 as a temporary ID of the meter-reading meter connected to the connection terminal of the meter interface unit 15 indicated by the count value (step). 150). That is, when the count value is initially "0001", this value "00"
01 ”is the connection terminal“ 0 ”of the meter interface unit 15.
It is registered in the connection information table unit 13 as a temporary ID of the meter reading meter connected to "001".

Next, the counted value "0001" is set as an ID in the meter reading meter connected to the connection terminal "0001" (step 160). That is, the meter meter has a memory and the like, and the count value “0001” is stored in the memory as a temporary ID of the meter meter. Then, the counter counts up (step 170) and the same operation is repeated until the counter counts over.

As a result of executing such automatic ID setting processing, a temporary ID is set in the connection information table section 13 of the data adapter and each meter reading meter as follows.

[0032] As described above, the provisional ID of each meter reading meter corresponding to the connection position information representing the connection terminal to which each meter reading meter is connected is set in the connection information table unit 13 of the data adapter, and each meter reading meter is also set. The temporary ID is also set, and these pieces of information are all unified with the information held or registered in the center apparatus 1 as described above.

As described above, the temporary ID is the center device 1,
When registered in the connection information table unit 13 of the data adapter and each meter reading meter, the center device 1 next performs a process of converting the temporary ID into an operation ID actually used for operation.
Therefore, the center device 1 has an operation ID corresponding to the temporary ID.
Are registered and held in advance as follows.

Temporary ID Operation ID 0001 xxx1 0002 xxx2 ... 000n xxxn The center device 1 has the operation I registered in advance in this way.
In order to perform the process of changing the temporary ID in D, the data adapter and each meter-reading meter are sequentially called through the exchange 4 and the terminal network control device 5 based on the temporary ID, and the data adapter and each meter-reading meter are described above. The temporary ID set as described above is changed to the operation ID. As a result, the operation ID of each center device 1 corresponding to the connection position information indicating the connection position of each meter reading meter is registered in the connection information table section 13 of the data adapter, and the operation ID is also registered in each meter reading meter. It will be registered. The center device 1
Needless to say, the operation ID is registered for each meter reading meter.

As described above, after the operation ID corresponding to each meter reading meter is similarly registered in the three locations of the center device 1, the data adapter and each meter reading meter, the center device 1 uses this operation ID. Then, the meter reading data can be collected by calling each meter reading meter, and each meter reading meter can use the operation ID to call the terminal and call the center device 1 to perform data communication between them. You can

In the above embodiment, the data adapter itself executes the automatic ID setting process. However, if the data adapter does not have this automatic ID setting function, the center device 1 performs this process. You can also That is,
The center device 1 transmits a new operation ID to the meter reading meter based on the ID set in the meter reading meter that is returned when the meter reading meter is called, and thereby the new operation ID is set.
Can be set to the meter reading meter.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, each terminal device is made to correspond to the connection position information and the temporary identification information of each terminal device previously held in the center device. Since the connection position information and the temporary identification information are set in the data adapter and each terminal device, and the set temporary identification information is changed to the operational identification information, ID management and setting work can be performed efficiently and without error. And it can be done quickly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the setting process of the temporary identification information for the data adapter and each terminal device is performed by the control of the data adapter, the load on the center device can be reduced and the efficiency can be improved. Can be realized.

Further, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, since the setting process of the temporary identification information for the data adapter and each terminal device is performed by the control of the center device, even if the data adapter does not have a setting function. Well, it can be economical.

According to the present invention described in claim 4, the data adapter and each terminal device are called from the center device based on the temporary identification information and the connection position information for each terminal device, and the temporary identification information is used as the operational identification information. Since it is changed, the function of the data adapter can be reduced and the economy can be improved.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 5, the data adapter calls the center device, and the temporary identification information set in the data adapter and each terminal device is changed to the operational identification information under the control of the center device. Because
The load on the center device can be reduced and efficiency can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data adapter used in a data collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a data collection system.

3 is a flowchart showing an automatic ID setting process of the data adapter shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 center device 2 center computer 3 center side network control device 4 switch 5 terminal network control device 6 data adapter 7a, 7b, ..., 7n meter reading meter 10 control unit 13 connection information table unit 14 upper transmission interface unit 15 meter interface Department

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A data adapter, to which a plurality of terminal devices are connected, is connected to a center device via a network control device and a communication line, and information from each of the terminal devices is connected to the data adapter, network control device, and communication. A data collection system for collecting data to a center device via a line, the connection position information for connecting each of a plurality of terminal devices to each connection position of a data adapter provided in the center device, and of each terminal device. Information holding means for holding temporary identification information for each terminal device, and connection position information for each terminal device so as to correspond to the connection position information and temporary identification information for each terminal device held by the information holding means. Temporary identification information setting means for setting the temporary identification information in the data adapter, and setting the temporary identification information corresponding to the connection position information for each terminal device; An identification information management unit provided in the center device for managing operation identification information corresponding to the temporary identification information, and a temporary identification set in the data adapter and each terminal device by the temporary identification information setting unit. A data collection system, comprising: identification information changing means for changing information to the operation identification information. 2. The data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the temporary identification information setting means performs the setting processing of the temporary identification information for the data adapter and each terminal device under the control of the data adapter. . 3. The data collection system according to claim 1, wherein the temporary identification information setting means performs the setting processing of the temporary identification information for the data adapter and each terminal device under the control of the center device. 4. The identification information changing means calls the data adapter and each terminal device from the center device based on the temporary identification information and connection position information of each terminal device, and the data adapter and each terminal device are connected to each other. The data collection system according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing the set temporary identification information to the operational identification information. 5. The identification information changing means includes the data
2. The data according to claim 1, further comprising means for calling the center device from the adapter and changing the temporary identification information set in the data adapter and each terminal device to the operational identification information under the control of the center device. Collection system.