JPH10208179A - Automatic metering system, meter and data collection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically read meters through the use of an existed fluid duct without the need of a special cable laying construction. SOLUTION: A water duct 11 securely connects a filtration plant with end users and it is filled with water. The individual water meters 12 holding accumulated value data of own water use quantity and a data collection device 40 are provided by making them face the common water duct 11 by notifying that the individual water meters 12 are provided by facing the water duct 11. Thus, the data collection device 40 can automatically read the respective water meters 12 with the water duct 11 as a transmission route by transmitting the transfer of accumulated value data between the water meters 12 becoming the meter objects and the data collection device 40 in the water duct 11 with water as a transmission medium by an ultrasonic wave signal, for example.

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, meter reading meter, and data collection device for measuring the usage of water, gas, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a water meter with an integrating mechanism is installed in the middle of a water pipe for each household or each business establishment. Every two months) a supervisor issues a slip by visually observing the indicated value of the integrating mechanism. Similarly, for gas, a slip is issued by visually observing the indicated value of a gas meter installed in the middle of the gas pipe.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a conventional water meter. This water meter 1 is a meter pipe 2 provided in the middle of a branch pipe of a water pipe connecting a tap water supply side such as a water purification plant and a user side such as each household, and an integrated value display connected to the meter pipe 2. And the mechanism 3. A part of the meter tube 2 is configured as an operating portion 4, and a stator 6 having a plurality of slits 5 formed in a diagonal flow direction, and is positioned at an inner center of the stator 6 and rotated by a diagonal flow from the slit 5. Rotor 7
And That is, the rotor 7 rotates according to the amount of tap water flowing to the user side via the meter tube 2. A plurality of speed reduction mechanisms 8 are connected to the shaft of the rotor 7. The speed reduction mechanism 8 sequentially rotates one of the previous shaft rotations.
/ 10, and a pointer 9 is attached to each gear shaft.
Each of the hands 9 has a scale line 10 on which numbers "0" to "9" are printed or stamped. The integrated value display mechanism 3 is constituted by the speed reduction mechanism 8, the pointer 9, and the scale line 10. FIG. 4 shows an example of four digits, where each digit (first, tenth,
By reading the number indicated by the pointer 9 with respect to the scale line 10 (100th, 1000th) from the upper digit, the amount of tap water used up to the present can be known. The read value at this time becomes the starting point for the next meter reading, and the difference between the two becomes the used amount in that period.

[0004] Therefore, the observer goes around each home or each business establishment, and guides the pointer 9 in the integrated value display mechanism 3 of the water meter 1.
By reading the numerical value indicated by the scale line 10, a slip is issued. The same applies to a gas meter.

[0005] Such manual meter reading method is digitized, and the amount of use in each home or each business place is transmitted to a place managed by a water utility or a place managed by a gas company by wire or wireless including a telephone line. Gathering that information at some point has already entered the implementation phase. According to this, the meter reading operation becomes extremely efficient.

[0006]

However, in the case of realizing such an electronic meter reading system, new transmission lines, power supply lines and the like must be laid to transmit data by wire. In this case, the cost associated with the cable laying work,
There are problems such as securing of the laying place and it is difficult to put it to practical use. Even in the method of wirelessly transmitting data, since the wire from the installation location of each meter meter to the wireless device (transmitter and receiver) is wired, laying work is necessary, and the same problem also occurs.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic meter reading system that can automatically perform meter reading using an existing fluid pipeline without requiring special cable laying work.

[0008]

The automatic meter reading system according to the first aspect of the present invention connects an individual meter and a data collection device having integrated value data of its own fluid usage to a common fluid line. The transmission and reception of the integrated value data between the target meter in the meter and the data collection device is performed by using an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave or an ultra-long wave electromagnetic wave as a transmission / reception signal in the fluid conduit. The fluid flowing through the tube is propagated through the fluid conduit as a transmission medium of the transmission / reception signal, and the automatic meter reading is performed.

Of course, the fluid lines are securely connected from the source of the fluid to the end user and are filled with the fluid, and the individual meter meters are arranged facing such a fluid line. I have. Therefore, in the present invention, a data collection device facing the fluid pipeline is provided, and an ultrasonic wave, an acoustic wave or an ultra-long wave electromagnetic signal is used, and the fluid flowing through the fluid pipeline is used as a transmission medium in the fluid pipeline. Since the ultrasonic wave, the sound wave, or the electromagnetic wave signal is propagated, the integrated value data can be transmitted and received between the data collection device and each of the meter meters using the fluid conduit as a transmission path. For this purpose, a special cable laying work is not required, and a system can be basically constructed using an existing fluid pipeline.

[0010] For transmission / reception signals in the present invention, any of ultrasonic waves, sound waves and ultra-long waves may be used.
The point is that a sound wave or an electromagnetic wave in a frequency band (for example, 5 to 8 kHz) that can avoid both of them in consideration of noise disturbance that becomes larger at lower frequencies and propagation attenuation that becomes more severe at higher frequencies is considered. By the way, when an ultrasonic wave or a sound wave signal is used, the propagation speed of the signal is extremely slow as compared with the propagation speed of the electric signal, so that it takes a long time to collect the integrated value data for one meter meter. However, since immediacy is not required for this type of meter reading, there is no problem by using a sound wave or an ultrasonic signal. Further, the data collection device determines the integrated value data by repeating the statistical processing of transmitting and receiving the integrated value data to and from the target meter meter a plurality of times during one measurement, as in the invention according to claim 2. You may do so. If information is transmitted and received only once at the time of measurement, it may not be the original data due to the influence of sound waves and extraneous electromagnetic waves existing in the natural world. The reliability of the data is improved by repeatedly performing statistical processing to determine the integrated value data. Even if information is exchanged a plurality of times during a single measurement, the size of the meter is not a problem for this type of meter meter, and is generally permanent. No problem.

In this case, the data collection device is used when the variation between the integrated value data obtained by repeating a plurality of times during one measurement is equal to or more than a predetermined value, as in the invention according to claim 3. It is desirable to have frequency changing means for automatically changing the frequency of ultrasonic waves, sound waves or electromagnetic waves. If the variation between the information is too large even if the information is transmitted and received a plurality of times, the probability of obtaining more accurate integrated value information increases by changing the frequency of the ultrasonic wave, sound wave or electromagnetic wave used. The function as an automatic meter reading system is exhibited as much as possible.

Further, the present invention is preferably an automatic meter reading system for tap water, wherein the meter meter is a water meter and the fluid pipe is a tap pipe through which tap water flows. In addition, for example, it is allowed to construct an automatic meter reading system for a gas in which a meter meter is a gas meter and a fluid channel is a gas channel through which a gas flows.

Further, as such a meter reading meter for an automatic meter reading system, for example, as in the invention according to the fifth aspect, an integrating means for integrating the amount of fluid flowing through a fluid pipe according to the amount of fluid used by the user. A mechanism, a storage unit for storing unique individual identification information allocated for itself, and reception for an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave, or an ultra-long wave electromagnetic wave disposed at a position exposed to a fluid flowing in the fluid conduit. Having a probe, an ultrasonic wave propagating in the fluid conduit, a receiving mechanism for receiving a sound wave or an electromagnetic wave signal, and an ultrasonic wave disposed at a position exposed to the fluid flowing in the fluid conduit, a sound wave or A transmitting mechanism for transmitting an ultrasonic wave propagating in the fluid conduit, a sound wave or an electromagnetic wave signal, having a transmitter for an electromagnetic wave of an ultra-long wave, and transmitting an integrated value response request accompanied with individual identification information for the ultrasonic wave. Receiving by sound wave or electromagnetic wave signal When the structure receives, response control means for driving the transmitter of the transmitting mechanism to transmit integrated value data held by its own integrating mechanism into the fluid conduit by ultrasonic, sound or electromagnetic wave signals, Is provided. Here, electronic circuit components such as receivers, transmitters, response control means, etc. are included, but their miniaturization and power saving are progressing, and the required power can be obtained by incorporating a battery in a part of the meter reading meter. Since it functions sufficiently, only such a meter is required to be interposed in a part of the fluid line, and no laying of cables is required.

Regarding such a meter meter, for example,
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the accumulating mechanism is responsive to a battery for supplying power to each unit such as an accumulating mechanism and a storage unit, and a rotor that operates in conjunction with the movement of the fluid flowing in the fluid pipeline. And a charging circuit for charging the battery based on the output of the pickup and power generation coil, the battery supplies power to each unit. Since the battery is charged by the charging circuit, the replacement of the battery is basically unnecessary, and the meter is easy to maintain.

Further, as a data collecting apparatus for such an automatic meter reading system, for example, as described in the invention according to claim 7, a plurality of meter reading meters are exposed to a fluid flowing in a fluid pipe commonly facing. Ultrasound placed at the position where
A transmitting mechanism for transmitting an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave or an electromagnetic wave signal propagating in the fluid conduit, having a transmitter for a sound wave or an ultra-long electromagnetic wave, and at a position exposed to a fluid flowing in the fluid conduit. A receiving mechanism for receiving an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave or an electromagnetic wave signal propagating in the fluid conduit, having a receiver for an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave or an ultra-long wave electromagnetic wave disposed therein, and the plurality of meter reading devices belonging thereto A storage unit that stores unique individual identification information assigned to each meter, and drives the transmitter of the transmission mechanism at the time of meter reading of the target meter, with an integrated value reply request accompanied with the individual identification information for the meter meter. Response means for transmitting the ultrasonic wave, sound wave or electromagnetic wave signal into the fluid conduit, and integrated value data from the meter reader to which individual identification information corresponding to the integrated value response request is assigned. Or electricity A reception processing means for holding the information for each individual identification information received by the receiving mechanism as a wave signal, is configured to include a. Therefore, the integrated value data of a plurality of meter reading meters can be collectively managed by the data collection device.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment is applied to tap water as an automatic meter reading system, and a water pipe (fluid pipe) 11 connecting a water purification plant to a plurality of end users (homes, business establishments, etc.) is provided. The pipes are provided as appropriate along roads and the like. The water pipe 11 includes, for example, a main pipe 11a and a branch pipe 11b branched from the main pipe 11a as appropriate. Here, the individual pipe section 11c supplied to the terminal user via the branch pipe 11b has a water meter 12 for each user.
Is installed. That is, each water meter 12 is provided so as to face the water pipe 11. The structure of the meter tube 13 of the water meter 12 is basically the same as that of the meter tube 2 shown in FIG. 4, and a stator 15 having a plurality of slits 14 formed in a diagonal flow direction and a structure of the stator 15 An actuating part 17 is provided at the center of the inner part by a rotor 16 which is rotated by a diagonal flow from the slit 14. Therefore, the rotor 16 rotates according to the amount of tap water flowing to the user side via the meter tube 13 as in the related art.

A permanent magnet 18 is mounted on the rotor 16 so as to rotate integrally therewith. The rotation locus of the permanent magnet 18 is set in the gap between the iron cores 19a, and a pickup / generator coil 19 for detecting rotation of the permanent magnets 18 is provided around the iron core 19a. Therefore, this pickup / generating coil 19
An alternating voltage having a frequency and a voltage corresponding to the rotation speed, the magnetic flux density, and the number of turns of the coil is generated at both ends of the magnet with the rotation of the permanent magnet 18 (that is, the rotor 16). A waveform shaping circuit 20 is connected between both ends of the pickup / generator coil 19, and an output of the waveform shaping circuit 20 is connected to an integrating counter 21. Since the output voltage frequency of the waveform shaping circuit 20 is proportional to the number of revolutions of the rotor 16, the integrating counter 21 integrates the output frequency of the waveform shaping circuit 20 by a predetermined amount to supply water. Integrate as usage. The waveform shaping circuit 20 and the integrating counter 21 constitute an integrating mechanism 22. In addition, a part of the integration counter 21 includes a display unit 23 that displays integrated value data held by the integration counter 21 itself in a 7-segment configuration as digital numerical values.

Here, the integrating counter 21 is constituted as a part of a microcomputer 24 for controlling the operation and the like of the water meter 12 itself. Each water meter 12 is provided with unique individual identification information (ID number), and a part of the microcomputer 24 is a storage unit for storing individual identification information allocated for itself. A certain register 25 is provided. The microcomputer 24 has a built-in battery 26 as a power supply for supplying power to various parts inside the microcomputer 24.

On the output side of the pickup / generator coil 19, there is provided a charging circuit 27 which is branched from the waveform shaping circuit 20 and charges the battery 26. The charging circuit 27 includes a rectifier 28 and a voltage regulator 29. As a result, an alternating voltage is induced at both ends of the pickup / generator coil 19 as the rotor 16 rotates, and the alternating voltage is supplied to the rectifier 28.
The battery 26 is charged by being converted into a necessary and stable voltage by the voltage regulator 29 and supplied to the battery 26. Accordingly, the battery 26 is charged by the charging circuit 27 while consuming power, so that the battery replacement is basically unnecessary.

Further, an ultrasonic receiver (receiver) 30 and an ultrasonic transducer (transmitter) 31 are both exposed to the tap water flowing through the meter tube 13 on the tube wall portion of the meter tube 13. Are provided to protrude into the meter tube 13. A receiving circuit 32 is connected to the ultrasonic receiver 30 to form a receiving mechanism 33, and a transmitting circuit 34 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 31 to form a transmitting mechanism 35. The receiving circuit 32 includes an input unit 36 and the transmitting circuit 34.
Is connected to an arithmetic unit 38 in the microcomputer 24 via an output unit 37.

The computing unit 38 is a microcomputer 2
Although not shown, a central processing unit (CPU) for executing various arithmetic processes and centrally controlling each unit, a ROM for storing fixed data such as program data, and a work area for storing variable data. RAM used as
And are configured as main components. The computing unit 38 is connected to the integrating counter 21 and the register 25, and has a function of a response control unit as a unit executed by the computing unit 38. As will be described later, the response control means functions when receiving an ultrasonic signal from the data collection device side, and sends an integrated value reply request accompanied with individual identification information by an ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic receiver 30 and When the data is received and input to the computing unit 38 via the receiving circuit 32, the matching is performed after a process of checking whether or not the individual identification information matches the individual identification information for the self stored in the register 25. In the case, the transmission circuit 34
The ultrasonic vibrator 31 is driven to transmit the integrated value data held in its own integration counter 21 by the ultrasonic signal to the meter tube 13, the branch tube 11 b, and the main tube 11.
This is a means for making a call during a.

On the other hand, a data collection device 40 is provided so as to face a part of the main pipe 11a. That is, in relation to the plurality of water meters 12, the water meters 12 are disposed so as to face the common water pipe 11. Here, the data collection device 40 is one in which, for example, tens to hundreds of water meters 12 are provided as one unit, and one automatic meter reading system is constructed. Overall,
A plurality of automatic meter reading systems are constructed according to the scale and the like. The data collection device 40 is installed, for example, in a management office of a water supply company, and mainly includes a computer 41. Main pipe 1 plumbed in the management office
An ultrasonic vibrator (transmitter) 42 and an ultrasonic receiver (receiver) 43 protrude into the main pipe 11a so that they are exposed to tap water flowing through the main pipe 11a. It is arranged to be. The ultrasonic vibrator 42 includes an output unit 4
4 is connected to form a transmitting mechanism 45, and the ultrasonic receiver 43 is connected to an input section 46 to form a receiving mechanism 47. The output unit 44 and the input unit 46 are connected to the computer 41.

Although not shown, the computer 41 executes a variety of arithmetic processing to centrally control each unit of the data collection device 40, a ROM storing fixed data such as program data, and a variable data storage. A RAM that stores and is used as a work area is configured as a main component. RO of this computer 41
In a main storage device such as M or RAM, for example, in the form of a list, unique individual identification information assigned to each of a plurality of meter reading meters 12 belonging to the automatic meter reading system together with the user name or the company name thereof. A storage unit for storing is set. The computer 41 has the functions of an answer request unit and a reception processing unit as units executed by the computer 41. The answer request means, which will be described in detail later, outputs an integrated value answer request accompanied with individual identification information for the meter meter 12 at the meter reading timing of the target water meter 12 to the output unit 44 so that the ultrasonic transducer 42 Is transmitted to the main pipe 11a, the branch pipe 11b, and the meter pipe 13 as an ultrasonic signal. As will be described later in detail, the reception processing means uses the integrated value data from the water meter 12 to which the individual identification information corresponding to the integrated value response request is assigned as an ultrasonic signal as the ultrasonic receiver 43 and its input section 46.
When the information is received and input via a personal computer, the information is held for each piece of individual identification information and processed as appropriate.

As a power source for the computer 41 or the data collection device 40, a commercial power source is used.

In such a configuration, the automatic meter reading process will be described with reference to a control flowchart shown in FIG. 3 executed by the CPU in the data collection device 40.

This flowchart is automatically started at a predetermined time, which is a meter reading date, or is started by a start command from a manager in the management office. First, the user name to be read is read (step S).
1) The individual identification information for specifying the water meter 12 corresponding to the user name is read from the storage unit (S).
2). Next, individual identification information for specifying the water meter 12 to be read and a signal corresponding to the integrated value response request are output to the output unit 44, and the ultrasonic transducer 42 is driven to transmit according to the signal content ( S3). As a result, the individual identification information and the integrated value reply request signal are emitted into the tap water in the state of an ultrasonic signal, propagate through the tap water of the main pipe 11a, the branch pipe 11b, and the meter pipe 13, and reach each water meter 12. The processing of steps S1 to S3 is executed as a function of the answer request unit. In addition, the data collection device 4
On the 0 side, the input unit 46 and the ultrasonic receiver 43 are set to the standby state (S4).

At this time, the microcomputer 24 of each water meter 12 receives and inputs the integrated value response request accompanied with the individual identification information as an ultrasonic signal to each calculator 30 via each ultrasonic receiver 30 and its receiving circuit 32. Then, a matching process is performed to determine whether or not the individual identification information matches the individual identification information for the self stored in each register 25.
Is transmitted to convert the information relating to the integrated value held in its own integrating counter 21 into an ultrasonic signal and transmit the answer to the meter tube 13, the branch tube 11b, and the main tube 11a.

Therefore, of the water meters 12 that have received the ultrasonic signal, only the water meter 12 whose individual identification information matches the individual identification information in the signal has its own individual identification information. The integrated value data is returned via the water pipe 11 in the form of an ultrasonic signal. That is, the answer is also an ultrasonic signal as a meter tube 13, a branch tube 11b, and a main tube 11a.
The water propagates inside the tap water as a medium and reaches the ultrasonic receiver 43 of the data collection device 40.

When the computer 41 receives the information received by the ultrasonic receiver 43 via the input section 46, the computer 41 reads the individual identification information and the integrated value data contained in the signal (S5). After confirming whether or not the individual identification information at this time matches the specified individual identification information (S
6) If they match, temporarily store them in RAM (S
7). A series of operations from the integrated value answer request to the receiving process is repeated a plurality of times, here, five times in one measurement for one water meter 12 (S8). It is determined whether or not the variation of the integrated value data for five times obtained by repeating the reading process five times is within a predetermined value range (within an allowable range) (S9). Data processing is performed on the integrated value data for five times, for example, a statistical process of calculating an average value is performed (S10), and integrated value data on the water meter 12 of the individual identification information by the current automatic meter reading is determined.

This is because sound waves are generated in the natural world, but the frequency of the sound waves generated in the natural world is in a relatively low frequency band, and the same frequency is rarely continued. In the embodiment, an ultrasonic signal having a frequency in the ultrasonic region is used, and the integrated value data is collected five times in one measurement, so that the influence of the sound wave in the natural world or the like is temporarily received as noise. Even so, measures are taken to improve the accuracy or reliability of the integrated value data. In general, meter reading of the amount of tap water used may be at regular intervals, such as every two months, as described above, and the size is not a problem, and the use of tap water, except for relocation or abolition, Since it is permanent, there is no problem even if the meter reading timing is slightly shifted due to the multiple times of collecting the integrated value data. Further, the propagation speed of the ultrasonic signal is considerably slower than the propagation speed of the electric signal, and it takes more time than data collection by the electric signal. However, the timing of the meter reading of the water meter 12 requires immediacy as described above. There is no problem in this regard.

When the integrated value data of the target water meter 12 is determined, the previous integrated value data acquired and stored at the time of the previous automatic meter reading is read out (S11) and compared with the current integrated value data. (S12) If the integrated value data this time is larger, it is regarded as normal data and stored in the data area of the corresponding user name or company name in the main storage device (S13). After the storage, the difference from the integrated value data at the time of the previous meter reading is calculated, the amount of tap water used from the previous meter reading to the current meter reading and the usage fee are calculated, and processing such as issuing a bill is performed. (S14). The processing of steps S4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14 is executed as a function of the reception processing means. Such a process is similarly repeated with respect to the water meter 12 of another user or company having different individual identification information (S15).

Here, in the judgment processing in step S12, if the previous integrated value data is larger than the current integrated value data, an alarm is displayed because some abnormality has occurred (S16). Is actually used to check whether the water meter 12 has been used or not (S17). At this time, since the integrated value data is always digitally displayed on the display section 23 of each water meter 12, even if automatic meter reading could not be performed, the numerical value displayed on the display section 23 should be read. it can.

Further, in the determination process regarding the variation of the integrated value data for five times in step S9, if the variation is large enough to exceed the allowable range, the process of automatically changing the frequency of the ultrasonic signal to be used is performed. After (S1
8), the integrated value data collection processing for a plurality of times in steps S3 to S8 is repeated. The processing in step S18 is executed by the CPU in the computer 41 as a function of the frequency changing means. Therefore, even when similar external data in which the variation falls within an allowable range due to the influence of some external ultrasonic signal or an acoustic signal around the system cannot be obtained, the frequency of the ultrasonic signal is automatically changed. Since the processing is performed again, the probability that correct integrated value data can be collected increases, so that the function as an automatic meter reading system can be exhibited as much as possible.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, as a facility of this type, the water pipe 11 naturally connects the water purification plant to the end user, and clean water (water). Paying attention to the fact that the individual water meters 12 are disposed facing such a water pipe 11, the data collecting device 40 is provided facing the common water pipe 11. At the same time, since the ultrasonic signal is used as a signal transmission form and the ultrasonic signal is propagated through the water pipe 11 using tap water flowing through the water pipe 11 as a transmission medium, the existing water pipe 11 is transmitted. As a route, it is possible to exchange information regarding the integrated value between the data collection device 40 and each water meter 12. For this purpose, no special cable laying work is required, and a system can be basically constructed simply by using the existing water pipe 11. Each water meter 12 includes an ultrasonic receiver 30 and an ultrasonic vibrator 3.
1. Includes electronic circuit components of the microcomputer 24. At present, their miniaturization and power saving are progressing.
The required power is stored in a part of the meter
If the water meter 12 is built in, the function is sufficient. Therefore, the water meter 12 only needs to be interposed in a part of the water pipe 11, and no cables are required to be laid.

In the present embodiment, an ultrasonic signal is used as a signal transmission mode. However, for example, under an institutional condition that is not easily affected by sound waves generated in the natural world, an ultrasonic signal is used. Alternatively, an electromagnetic wave signal of a very long wave in a frequency band that can avoid both of them may be used in consideration of a noise disturbance that becomes larger at lower frequencies and a propagation attenuation that becomes more severe at higher frequencies. In the case of using an acoustic wave signal or an electromagnetic wave signal of an ultra-long wave, a sound wave oscillator, an electromagnetic wave oscillator, an acoustic wave receiver, or an electromagnetic wave receiver is used instead of the ultrasonic oscillator or the ultrasonic receiver according to the present embodiment. What is necessary is just to comprise.

[0036]

According to the present invention, the fluid line reliably connects from the source of the fluid to the end user and is filled with the fluid, and the individual meter is connected to such a fluid line. Paying attention to the point that it is arranged facing, the individual meter and the data collection device that hold the integrated value data of its own fluid usage amount are arranged facing the common fluid line, and In transmitting and receiving the integrated value data between the meter reading meter and the data collection device to be subjected to the above, the ultrasonic wave, the acoustic wave or the ultra long wave electromagnetic wave is used as a transmission / reception signal, and the fluid flowing through the fluid pipe is transmitted as a transmission medium of the transmission / reception signal. As the automatic meter reading is performed by propagating through the fluid pipe, the integrated value data can be transmitted and received between the data collection device and each meter reading meter using the fluid pipe as a transmission path. There are special cable layers The without requiring essentially only utilize existing fluid conduit in can build the system can be suitably applied as an automatic meter reading system for tap water, such as in the invention of claim 4, wherein. Further, regarding the data collection device, as in the second aspect of the invention, the transfer of the integrated value data to and from the target meter reading meter is repeated a plurality of times during one measurement, and the statistical processing is performed to determine the integrated value data. By doing so, the reliability of the integrated value data to be determined can be improved even if it is affected by an external sound wave or electromagnetic wave signal. Further, regarding the data collection device, when the variation between the integrated value data obtained by repeating a plurality of times in one measurement is equal to or more than a predetermined value, as in the invention according to claim 3, the ultrasonic wave and the sound wave to be used are used. Or, if it has a frequency changing means for automatically changing the frequency of an ultra-long electromagnetic wave, even when externally affected, the probability of obtaining more accurate integrated value data increases, and as an automatic meter reading system, Functions can be demonstrated as much as possible. Further, with respect to the meter reading meter, if a charging circuit is provided between the battery and the pickup / generator coil responsive to the rotor as in the invention according to claim 6, the battery supplies power to each part and the charging circuit , The battery basically does not need to be replaced, and a meter reading meter with easy maintenance can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water meter showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram mainly including a data collection device including a pipe of a water pipe.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control process executed by a computer in the data collection device.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a water meter showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Water pipe, fluid pipe 12 Water meter, meter reading meter 16 Rotor 19 Pickup and power generation coil 22 Integration mechanism 25 Storage unit 26 Battery 27 Charging circuit 30 Receiver 31 Transmitter 33 Receiving mechanism 35 Transmitting mechanism 40 Data collection device 42 Transmitter 43 Receiver 45 Transmitter 47 Receiver

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A meter reading device in which meter reading devices each having an integrated value data of its own fluid usage amount and a data collecting device are arranged so as to face a common fluid pipe, and the meter reading device is a target meter in the meter reading meter. The transmission and reception of the integrated value data between the device and the data collection device are performed using an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave or an ultra long wave electromagnetic wave as a transmission / reception signal, and a fluid flowing through the fluid line as a transmission medium of the transmission / reception signal. Automatic meter reading system, wherein the automatic meter reading is carried out by transmitting the data. 2. The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer of the integrated value data to a target meter reading meter is repeated a plurality of times during one measurement to determine the integrated value data by performing statistical processing. 1. The automatic meter reading system according to 1. 3. The data collection device automatically changes the frequency of an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave or an electromagnetic wave to be used when a variation between integrated value data obtained a plurality of times in a single measurement is equal to or more than a predetermined value. 3. The automatic meter reading system according to claim 2, further comprising a frequency changing means for changing the frequency to a predetermined value. 4. The automatic meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein the meter reading meter is a water meter, and the fluid pipe is a water pipe through which tap water flows. 5. An accumulation mechanism for accumulating an amount of fluid flowing through a fluid conduit according to the amount of fluid used by the user, a storage unit for storing unique individual identification information allocated for the user, and the fluid conduit. A receiver for receiving an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave, or an electromagnetic wave signal propagating in the fluid conduit, having a receiver for an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave, or an ultra-long wave disposed at a position exposed to a fluid flowing therethrough. A mechanism, having an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave or a super long wave electromagnetic wave transmitter disposed at a position exposed to the fluid flowing in the fluid conduit, an ultrasonic wave and a sound wave propagating in the fluid conduit Or, a transmitting mechanism that transmits an electromagnetic wave signal, and an integrated value response request with
When the receiving mechanism receives the sound wave or the electromagnetic wave signal, the integrated value data held by its own integrating mechanism by driving the transmitter of the transmitting mechanism is transmitted to the fluid conduit by the ultrasonic wave, the sound wave, or the electromagnetic wave signal. A meter reading for an automatic meter reading system, comprising: response control means for transmitting a signal. 6. A self-fluid used by the accumulating mechanism in response to a battery for supplying power to each section such as an accumulating mechanism and a storage section, and a rotor operating in conjunction with the movement of the fluid flowing through the fluid pipeline. 6. The meter reading meter for an automatic meter reading system according to claim 5, further comprising: a pickup / generator coil for integrating the amount; and a charging circuit for charging the battery based on an output of the pickup / generator coil. 7. An ultrasonic wave, a sound wave, or an ultra-long wave electromagnetic wave transmitter disposed at a position where a plurality of meter readers belonging thereto are exposed to a fluid flowing in a fluid conduit facing a common line, A transmission mechanism for transmitting an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave or an electromagnetic wave signal propagating in the fluid conduit; and a reception for an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave or an ultra long wave electromagnetic wave disposed at a position exposed to a fluid flowing in the fluid conduit. A receiving mechanism for receiving an ultrasonic wave, a sound wave or an electromagnetic wave signal propagating through the fluid conduit, and a storage unit for storing unique individual identification information assigned to each of the plurality of meter meters to which the unit belongs. When reading the target meter, the integrated value response request accompanied with the individual identification information for the meter is driven by the transmitter of the transmitting mechanism to generate an ultrasonic, acoustic or electromagnetic wave signal in the fluid conduit. Answer request means to send Receiving the integrated value data from the meter reader to which the individual identification information corresponding to the integrated value answer request is assigned as an ultrasonic, sound or electromagnetic wave signal by the receiving mechanism and holding the information for each individual identification information A data collection device for an automatic meter reading system, comprising: processing means.