JPH10290485A - Radio metering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a radio metering system to take precedence of the communication with a terminal means over the communication for metering when the system is connected to the terminal means through a radio channel. SOLUTION: The radio metering system is made up of a meter side radio communication means 5 that is connected to a meter means 1, a network control side radio communication means 7 that is connected to a network control means 4, and a terminal side radio communication means 11 that is connected to a terminal means 10, and the network control side radio communication means 7 and the meter side radio communication means 5 transmit communication with the terminal means 10 by taking precedence over the other communication in order to decrease a channel use monitor time before the transmission when the means 5, 7 make communication with the terminal side radio communication means 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a meter reading system for counting the amount of gas, electricity, and water used by each customer from a remote place, and more particularly to a wireless meter reading system using wireless communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic meter reading system disclosed in JP-A-6-85938 is known as a wireless meter reading system.
As shown in FIG. 8, a network control means 4 for communicating with a center apparatus 3 on a supplier side using a public line 2 such as a telephone line is connected to a meter means 1 for measuring gas, electricity and water consumption as shown in FIG. The wireless communication is used for the connection between the meter means 1 and the network control means 4. In the figure, the meter side wireless communication means 5
The antenna 6 and the network control side wireless communication means 7 and the antenna 8 correspond thereto, and the radio wave uses the frequency f1.

[0003] The advantage of the wireless communication is that the connection between the meter means and the network control means is often distant or separated from a wall by using radio waves to facilitate the connection operation. As a result, the spread of automatic meter reading advances, and meter reading can be performed without the need for a meter reader to go around each building and read a meter as in the related art.

The function of the meter reading system is to shut off the supply valve in addition to collecting the used amount. For gas, for example, shut off the gas valve when the meter means detects a gas leak or earthquake,
The fact that the gas valve has been shut off is reported to the center device through the network control means. Conversely, the gas valve can be shut off from the center device to the meter device through the net control device. Therefore, the state of each meter can be managed and can be remotely controlled. Of course, the same can be done with electricity or water.

[0005] The wireless communication means connected to the meter means and the network control means needs to be driven for a long time by a battery power supply, so that an intermittent standby system is used for reception. For example, in order to reduce the battery life to about 10 years, the intermittent cycle is set to about 30 seconds, and power is supplied to the receiving circuit for about 1 second every 30 seconds to check whether a transmission signal is coming. At this time, if a transmission signal to be received has arrived, power is supplied to the receiving circuit until the signal ends, but if not, supply is stopped until 29 seconds later to reduce battery consumption by the receiving circuit. Therefore, when transmitting, the transmitting side transmits continuously for 30 seconds or more so that the receiving circuit of the communication partner can be turned on to receive the signal.

Assuming that the original communication data length is 2 seconds, a bit synchronization signal, a frame synchronization signal, an ID identification signal, an error correction code, etc. necessary for wireless communication are added thereto, and the transmission packet length is reduced to 5 seconds in wireless communication. And This transmission packet may be repeated six times and transmitted for 30 seconds, or a bit synchronization signal, a frame synchronization signal, and an ID identification signal may be repeatedly transmitted for 25 seconds and then transmitted once including communication data. Good. The bit synchronization signal is a signal for grasping the timing of one bit on the receiving side, the frame synchronization signal is a signal for grasping the first bit of data,
The ID identification signal includes information such as whether the transmission is addressed to itself, or whether the caller is his / her own communication partner. Therefore, if it is determined from the ID identification signal that the communication is not related to the user, the reception may be stopped.

At present, the frequency of communication is relatively low since meter reading is mainly performed. For this reason, battery consumption due to transmission is less than in standby reception, and the frequency used wirelessly can be reduced. In addition, since the amount of data handled in communication is not large, a low communication speed is sufficient and the processing speed required for the wireless communication means can be low. The above contributes to prolonging the battery life. However, since a plurality of communication data is exchanged between the center device and the meter means in one meter reading operation, the communication time and the processing time are long.

As described above, the meter reading system is very convenient for the supplier, but its benefits are not sufficient for users who use gas or electricity in the building. That is, although the meter means and the center device are connected by the wireless communication means, the user cannot use the center means. Specifically,
When a gas leak is detected and the meter means shuts off the valve, the user does not know what has happened and wants to close the gas valve in the event of a fire, but cannot remotely control the meter means. Further, the user cannot know the amount of gas used even though it is sent to the center device. In any case, it is impossible for the user to go to the meter device without any trouble, which is the same as before the meter reading system was introduced.

Therefore, a function of receiving a radio signal from the meter means or the network control means and informing the user of the state, a function of transmitting a radio signal to the meter means to remotely control the valve,
It is conceivable to provide the user with terminal means having a function of transmitting a radio signal to the network control means and contacting the center device. It is also possible to connect a terminal equipped with a gas leak alarm to expand the function of the meter reading system. A plurality of terminals may be used.

[0010]

However, the following problems can be considered when communication between the terminal means and the center device is added to the conventional wireless meter reading system.

(1) There is no priority between the communication between the network control means and the meter means and the communication between the terminal means. Processing is performed from the one received earlier. Therefore, a situation in which communication data is exchanged for a long time between the network control means and the meter means, such as a meter reading operation, may be considered while waiting for urgent communication from a terminal means such as a remote controller or a gas leak alarm.

(2) Frequent use of the terminal means increases the amount of communication and causes interference. It is conceivable that wireless communication is interrupted, which affects meter reading operations of a neighbor who does not use terminal means.

(3) The wireless communication has a communicable range, and the wireless communication which conventionally connects the meter side wireless communication means and the network control side wireless communication means cannot communicate with the newly added terminal side wireless communication means. Happens to be.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages when a new terminal means is connected to a conventional wireless meter reading system. However, in this case, it is premised that communication between the meter-side wireless communication means and the network control-side wireless communication means can be handled by changing only one of them so as to be compatible with the related art.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a meter means for measuring the usage of at least one of gas, electricity and water, and a method for collecting the usage using a public line. A meter control means for communicating with a center device which performs communication, a meter-side wireless communication means and a network control-side wireless communication means for connecting the meter means and the network control means by radio waves; Terminal-side wireless communication means for communicating with the network-control-side wireless communication means, and terminal means for connecting to the terminal-side wireless communication means and handling information communicated with the meter means and the center device. When communication is performed between at least one of the terminal side wireless communication means and the terminal side wireless communication means, the line use monitoring time before transmission is shorter than that of other communication. .

According to the above invention, the line use monitoring time before transmission is shortened, and the communication between the meter side wireless communication means, the network control side wireless communication means and the terminal side wireless communication means is carried out by the meter side wireless communication means and the network control means. Since the transmission is easier than the communication with the side wireless communication means, the communication with the terminal means is prioritized and the response time is shortened.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention can be embodied in the form described in each claim. That is, as in the first aspect of the present invention, when communication is performed between at least one of the control-side wireless communication means or the meter-side wireless communication means and the terminal-side wireless communication means, the line use monitoring time before transmission. Communication between the meter-side wireless communication means and the network control-side wireless communication means and the terminal-side wireless communication means is transmitted more than the communication between the meter-side wireless communication means and the network control-side wireless communication means. Since the previous line use monitoring time is short and transmission is easy, communication with the terminal means is prioritized and response time is shortened.

A time interval for retransmitting when communication is performed between at least one of the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means and the terminal-side wireless communication means. Is shorter than other communication, so that when communication is performed between the network control-side wireless communication means or the meter-side wireless communication means and the terminal-side wireless communication means,
Even if the second communication is not successful, retransmission is performed in a short time, so that the recovery time in case of failure can be made faster than the communication between the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means. As a result, the communication from the terminal means is given priority and the response time is shortened.

Further, when communication is performed between at least one of the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means and the terminal-side wireless communication means as in the third aspect of the present invention, By using a second frequency different from the first frequency for performing communication between the wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means, the network control-side wireless communication means, the meter-side wireless communication means, and the terminal-side wireless communication means Since different frequencies are used when communication is performed, communication can be performed irrespective of communication between the network control-side wireless communication unit and the meter-side wireless communication unit of another wireless meter reading system. in addition,
Since the frequencies are different, even if the communication with the terminal-side wireless communication means increases, the communication between the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means of another wireless meter reading system is not affected.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a relay unit for relaying communication between at least one of the meter side wireless communication unit and the network control side wireless communication unit and the terminal side wireless communication unit. The communication between at least one of the network-control-side wireless communication means or the meter-side wireless communication means and the relay means, by shortening the line use monitoring time before transmission compared to other communications, The communication between the side wireless communication means or the network control side wireless communication means and the relay means is easier to transmit than the communication between the meter side wireless communication means and the network control side wireless communication means. Becomes shorter.

According to the present invention, at least one of the network control-side wireless communication means or the meter-side wireless communication means and the relay means communicate with each other by changing the time interval for retransmission. By making it shorter than the communication, when communication is performed between the network control side wireless communication means or the meter side wireless communication means and the relay means, retransmission can be performed in a short time even if the first communication is not successful. The recovery time at the time of failure is earlier than the communication between the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means. as a result,
Communication with the terminal means is prioritized, and the response time is shortened.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when communication is performed between at least one of the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means and the relay means, the network control side wireless communication means. By using a second frequency, which is different from the first frequency for performing communication with the meter-side wireless communication means, and when performing communication between the network control-side wireless communication means or the meter-side wireless communication means and the relay means. Since different frequencies are used, communication can be performed irrespective of communication between the network control side wireless communication unit and the meter side wireless communication unit of another wireless meter reading system. In addition, since the frequency is different, even if the communication with the relay means increases, it does not affect the communication between the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means of other wireless meter reading systems.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, at least one of the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means has a second frequency higher than the first frequency when waiting for reception. By giving priority to the frequency, the network-control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means give priority to the second frequency over the first frequency when waiting for reception. Communication from the relay means has priority over communication with the meter-side wireless communication means, and the response time is short.

Also, when the reception standby is performed, the second frequency is viewed before the first frequency, so that the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication are performed. The communication means receives the second frequency before the first frequency when waiting for reception, so even if communication from the network control-side wireless communication means or the meter-side wireless communication means occurs at the same time, communication from the relay means is performed. Communication is prioritized and response time is shortened.

Further, when the reception standby is performed as in the ninth aspect of the invention, the second frequency is viewed longer than the first frequency, so that the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication are performed. The means has a higher probability of receiving the second frequency than the first frequency when waiting for reception, so even if communication from the network control side wireless communication means or the meter side wireless communication means occurs almost simultaneously, the relay means , And the response time is shortened.

Further, when communication to be performed immediately between the terminal side wireless communication means or the relay means and the network control side wireless communication means or the meter side wireless communication means as in the invention of claim 10, the first communication is performed. The first frequency for performing meter reading between the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means is stabilized in a state where the communication volume is relatively small irrespective of the terminal means. Therefore, by using this for emergency communication from the terminal means, the waiting time due to interference can be reduced and the communication time can be shortened.

According to the present invention, at least one of the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means performs bit synchronization when transmitting to the terminal side wireless communication means or the relay means. By shortening the transmission time including the repeated transmission of the signal, the frame synchronization signal, and the ID identification signal, the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means change the transmission time length according to the terminal side wireless communication means. Thus, the time for occupying the frequency can be reduced, and interference with other wireless communication systems can be reduced.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means transmits data to the terminal-side wireless communication means or the relay means. By changing
Since the network control side wireless communication means and meter side wireless communication means change the transmission speed when transmitting to the terminal side wireless communication means and relay means, the transmission speed can be increased to shorten the communication time, and the transmission speed can be reduced. By lowering it, the range of communication can be expanded and reliability can be increased.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the center device, the network control means, and the network control side wireless communication means determines the originator of the received communication and determines the terminal side wireless communication. Means, the communication from the meter-side wireless communication means is interrupted and processed with priority, so that the center device, the network control means, and the network control-side wireless communication means become terminal-side wireless communication means. Since the communication from the relay means is processed with priority over the communication from the meter-side wireless communication means, the waiting time when the processing is concentrated can be reduced, and the response from the center device can be made faster.

Further, at least one of the meter means and the meter-side wireless communication means determines the originator of the received communication and communicates with the terminal-side wireless communication means and the relay means. If this is the case, the processing of communication from the network control side wireless communication means is interrupted and the processing is performed with priority, so that the meter means and the meter side wireless communication means can perform communication from the terminal side wireless communication means and relay means on the network control side wireless communication means. Since the processing is performed prior to the communication from the communication means, the waiting time when the processing is concentrated can be reduced, and the response from the meter means can be made faster.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a wireless meter reading system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a meter means for measuring the usage of gas, electricity, and water in each house. Network control is provided to a center device 3 for calculating the usage fee by totalizing the usage using a public line 2 such as a telephone line. Means 4
Communicate by Reference numeral 5 denotes a meter-side wireless communication unit that converts the usage data from the meter unit 1 into a wireless signal and transmits the wireless signal through the antenna 6. Reference numeral 7 denotes a network control-side wireless communication unit that receives the wireless signal through the antenna 8 and extracts the usage data. Reference numeral 9 denotes a house in which the meter unit 1 and the network control unit 4 are installed.

The meter side radio communication means 5 and the network control side radio communication means 7 allow remote operation of the meter means 1 from the meter reading service and the center apparatus 3 even if the meter means 1 and the network control means 4 are separated. . As a wireless communication method, after transmitting from the meter side wireless communication means 5 to the network control side wireless communication means 7, a response signal is returned from the network control side wireless communication means 7 to the meter side wireless communication means 5 (simplex method) or the frequency Is used simultaneously to transmit a response signal while receiving (duplex system).

The network control means 4 receives the usage data and transmits it to the center device 2. Center device 3
May be provided in the network control means 4 or may be transmitted from the meter means 1 in addition to the usage data. The public line 2 may be an analog line such as a telephone or a digital line such as ISDN which is attracting attention as a new public line.

The above is a conventional wireless meter reading system. The present invention includes the following. Reference numeral 10 denotes a terminal for allowing a user to communicate with the meter unit 1 and the center device 3. Reference numeral 11 denotes a radio signal from the terminal unit 10 for communication with the meter side wireless communication unit 5 and the network control side wireless communication unit 7. The terminal-side wireless communication means 12 performs the antenna.

A specific example of the terminal means 10 will be described. The terminal means 10 is a remote controller for the meter means 1, and the user operates the terminal means 10 to open and close a supply valve provided in the meter means 1 from inside the house. Further, the current state of the supply valve can be confirmed. This makes it easy to operate the gas or water tap when going to bed or going out, and the power consumption is too large for electricity so that when the breaker is dropped, it can be restored at hand. The terminal means 10 is the center device 3
Communication means. It requests the gas, electricity and water charges of this month from the center device 3 and receives and displays it. It is also possible to notify the center device 3 when in trouble.

The terminal means 10 may be a gas leak alarm, a fire alarm, or an earthquake detector. The supply valve of the meter means 1 can be closed when there is a gas leak, fire or earthquake.

Conventionally, communication between the meter-side wireless communication means 5 and the network control-side wireless communication means 8 has been performed, but communication with the terminal-side wireless communication means 11 occurs. If the terminal means 10 is connected as described above, the communication frequency will increase, and the remote controller and various alarms will demand the response of communication more quickly. In view of this point, the meter-side wireless communication means 5
A system that prioritizes communication with the terminal unit 10 while utilizing conventional wireless communication between the network unit and the network control side wireless communication unit 7 will be described.

First, the frequencies used for communication are divided into those for meter reading and those for communication with the terminal. In FIG. 1, the frequency f1 is used for communication between the network control side wireless communication means 7 and the meter side wireless communication means 5, and the network control side wireless communication means 7 and the terminal side wireless communication means 1 are used.
The frequency f2 is used for communication with No. 1. Since the frequency f2 is used when performing communication between the meter-side wireless communication means 5 and the terminal-side wireless communication means 11, regardless of the communication between the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means of another wireless metering system. Can communicate. If the same frequency is used for communication, if the communication with the terminal means increases, interference will occur with the meter reading system (for example, of the neighbor) at a distance where radio interference will occur, and the communication between the meter means and the network control means, which is the primary business of the meter reading system Had the problem of affecting By dividing the frequency, even when the communication with the terminal-side wireless communication means increases, it does not affect the communication of the meter reading work in the neighbor or the like. In addition, the wavelength of the frequency f2 can be lengthened to extend the wireless reach, thereby enabling communication with distant terminal means.

By utilizing this, it is conceivable that communication is performed from the terminal means to the meter side wireless communication means and the network control side wireless communication means at the frequency f1. When the communication with the terminal means increases, the frequency f2 interferes with the communication of the neighbor, and the frequency f2 becomes an interference state. However, the frequency f1 is not affected by the interference and the communication can be smoothly performed. Therefore, when the terminal means is an earthquake sensor or a fire alarm, and the gas meter needs to be shut off immediately, the communication is immediately transmitted to the meter means without interrupting the wireless communication by using the meter reading frequency f1. This is effective for communication in which the terminal means has a function such as security or emergency notification and must urgently notify the meter means or center means.

Here, it is possible to give priority to wireless communication with the terminal means over other wireless communication. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows operation timings of transmission and reception from the terminal side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means to the network control side wireless communication means. The transmission output (A) of the terminal side wireless communication means, the transmission output (B) of the meter side wireless communication means, and the reception input (C) of the network control side wireless communication means are shown in order from the top. The network control side wireless communication means performs intermittent reception, and (C)
As described above, the reception standby is performed in a cycle of stopping the reception by watching the reception frequency f2 and f1. Therefore (C)
When transmission is simultaneously performed at the respective frequencies from the terminal-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means as shown in FIGS. Since the control-side communication means performs reception first from the frequency f2, reception is performed in the order of reception A and B. By performing standby reception as described above, it is possible to give priority to communication with the terminal-side wireless communication means. Here, the description has been given by taking the reception by the network control side wireless communication means as an example, but the same effect can be obtained by performing the reception by the meter side wireless communication means and the terminal side wireless communication means.

(Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a terminal-side wireless communication means similar to FIG.
It shows the operation timing of transmission and reception from the meter side wireless communication means to the network control side wireless communication means. The difference from FIG. 2 is the reception input (C) of the network control side wireless communication means. When performing reception standby at two frequencies f1 and f2, the standby time f2 is set longer than f1. As a result, even when transmission is performed at the respective frequencies from the terminal side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means as shown in (A) and (B) (transmission A, B), the network control side wireless communication means Since the reception time of f2 is long, the probability of reception in the order of reception A and reception B increases. By performing the standby reception as described above, it is possible to give priority to communication with the terminal means. Here, the network control-side wireless communication means is always in a reception state without providing a reception pause, but it is also effective in combination with intermittent reception in which a reception pause is provided as shown in FIG. Also, the description has been given by taking the reception of the network control-side wireless communication means as an example, but the same effect can be obtained by performing the reception by the meter-side wireless communication means and the terminal-side wireless communication means.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows the operation timing when transmitting from the terminal side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means to the network control side wireless communication means. The line use monitoring input (A) and transmission output (B) of the terminal side wireless communication means, the line use monitoring input (C) and the transmission output (D) of the meter side wireless communication means, and the network control side wireless communication means The reception input (E) is shown. The terminal side wireless communication means looks at the line use monitoring input (A) for a certain time before outputting the output (B) to be transmitted (raising to a high level), and confirms that another wireless communication means is not using the line (low level). ). If so, stop sending and wait for the next opportunity.

Here, the time T1 during which the terminal side wireless communication means monitors the line use is shorter than the time T2 of the meter side wireless communication means. (A) in the figure transmits transmission A of (B) because no line is used during T1. On the other hand, (D) is T
Since T2 is longer than T1, the line is used for transmission A during T2, and the transmission waits. After the line use monitoring of T2 is performed again, transmission B is transmitted. Viewing this in (F) on the receiving side, reception A receives before reception B. By shortening the line use monitoring time as described above, it is possible to set the priority of communication. Here, the line use monitoring time in the terminal side wireless communication means is shortened, but the line use monitoring time in the meter side wireless communication means and the network control side wireless communication means may be shortened. Shortening the line use monitoring time only when transmitting from the meter-side wireless communication means or the network control-side wireless communication means to the terminal-side wireless communication means has the effect of facilitating communication with the terminal means.

(Embodiment 4) Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the operation timing when retransmitting from the terminal side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means to the network control side wireless communication means. The transmission output (A) of the terminal side wireless communication means, the transmission output (B) of the meter side wireless communication means, and the reception input (C) of the network control side wireless communication means are shown in order from the top. If the terminal-side wireless communication means does not receive the signal at the network control-side wireless means even though it has issued the transmission output (A) (sets it to a high level), the terminal-side wireless communication means waits for a certain time interval and performs retransmission. This time is referred to as a retransmission waiting time. The fact that communication could not be performed by the network control side wireless communication means can also be detected on the transmission side because, for example, a response signal has not returned. Although not shown, transmission may be performed after waiting for a retransmission wait time even when transmission is attempted and transmission is not possible. For example, when another system is using a line in line use monitoring before transmission.

Here, the time T1 during which the terminal side wireless communication means waits for retransmission is shorter than the time T2 of the meter side wireless communication means. (A) in the figure transmits transmission A while waiting for T1. On the other hand, (B) transmits transmission B after waiting for T2. Viewing this in (C) on the receiving side, reception A receives before reception B. As described above, by reducing the retransmission waiting time line use monitoring time, the number of retransmissions per time changes, and it becomes possible to set the priority of communication. Here, the retransmission waiting time in the terminal side wireless communication means is shortened, but the retransmission waiting time in the meter side wireless communication means or the network control side wireless communication means may be shortened. Shortening the retransmission wait time only when transmitting from the meter-side wireless communication means or the network control-side wireless communication means to the terminal-side wireless communication means has the effect of enabling quick communication with the terminal means when communication is not possible.

Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows the operation timing when transmitting from the network control side wireless communication means to the terminal side wireless communication means. The transmission output (A) of the network control side wireless communication means, the reception power (B) and the reception input (C) of the terminal side wireless communication means are shown in order from the top. The terminal side wireless communication means performs intermittent reception and turns on / off the power supply to the receiving circuit as shown in (B) (high level is turned on and low level is turned off). The time during which the receiving circuit is cut off (reception pause time) is T1. In consideration of T1, the transmission output (A) on the transmission side is set so that the transmission time T3 is longer than T1 so that reception is possible. For example, an entire transmission packet may be repeatedly transmitted, or a bit synchronization signal, a frame synchronization signal, and an ID identification signal may be repeatedly transmitted, and an important data portion may be transmitted last. In the figure, the latter method is used, and T2 is the length of the repeated portion of the bit synchronization signal, the frame synchronization signal, and the ID identification signal.

Here, the transmission time length T3 of the network control side radio communication means is set in accordance with the reception suspension time T1 of the terminal side radio communication means.
Can be changed. The reception suspension time T1 on the terminal side varies depending on the power supply and life design of the terminal-side wireless communication means and the characteristics of the terminal means, and the transmission time length T3 is changed according to the terminal-side wireless communication means to be connected. Since the transmission time length T3 to be transmitted to the terminal side is changed according to various terminal-side wireless communication means, the minimum required time length can be transmitted in any system and the time occupying the frequency is reduced. Therefore, interference with other wireless communication systems can be reduced. The transmission time length may be changed at the time of initial setting, and may be constant thereafter, or the terminal-side wireless communication means changes the intermittent reception cycle according to the battery life. Alternatively, the network control-side wireless communication means may receive the message and automatically change it.

(Embodiment 6) Embodiment 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. 13 is a network control side wireless communication means 7,
Relay means for relaying the communication between the meter-side wireless communication means 5 and the terminal-side wireless communication means 11, and 14 is its antenna. The frequency f1 is used for communication between the network control side wireless communication means 7 and the meter side wireless communication means 5, and the terminal side wireless communication means 11 is used.
Communication with the terminal-side wireless communication means 1 using the frequency f2.
Even when the number of communications with 1 increases, it does not affect the communication of meter reading work in a neighboring house or the like. Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is possible to give priority to communication with the relay unit 13 by performing the process with the relay unit 13. Alternatively, the contents described in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 can be adopted for communication with the relay unit 13. Further, as an advantage of using the relay means 13,
The communicable range is widened, and the place where the terminal side wireless communication means 11 and the terminal means 10 can be installed is widened. As a result, when the number of the terminal means 10 increases, the relay means 13 can cope with the increase. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal-side wireless communication means 11 directly communicates with the meter-side wireless communication means 5 and the network-control-side wireless communication means 7.
When communicating with the terminal, it is necessary to register the ID to the meter-side wireless communication means 5 and the network control-side wireless communication means 7 every time the terminal means 10 increases. These were installed under the eaves and in the meter box, and it could not be said that the environment was easy to register. However, by using the relay unit 13 as shown in FIG. 7, the registration work only needs to be performed by the interruption unit 13 alone, and since the relay unit 13 is installed in the house, the working environment becomes comfortable.

At this time, it is conceivable that the relay unit 13 continuously supplies power from a household 100 V power supply. Continuous power supply enables continuous reception, and a rise in the power supply voltage makes it possible to use a high-speed microcomputer. As a result, the meter side wireless communication means 5 and the network control side wireless communication means 7
The transmission speed is increased to enable high-speed communication. Existing meter-side wireless communication means 5 and network control-side wireless communication means 7
Although it is difficult to perform high-speed reception processing on the Internet, it is easy to perform transmission. If the meter-side wireless communication means 5 and the network control-side wireless communication means 7 transmit at a high transmission rate when transmitting to the relay means 13, the time to transmit to the terminal means 10 is shortened and the time for occupying the frequency is reduced. be able to. Similarly, the terminal-side wireless communication means 11 is capable of high-speed reception, and the meter-side wireless communication means 5 and the network control-side wireless communication means 7 increase the transmission speed when transmitting to the terminal-side wireless communication means 11. May be sent. Also, if the transmission speed is reduced, the communication reliability increases and the communicable distance increases, so when the terminal-side wireless communication means 11 is relatively far away, the meter-side wireless communication means 5 and the network control-side wireless communication means 7 are connected to the terminal. When transmitting to the side wireless communication unit 11, the transmission speed may be set to be reduced so as to be transmitted.

As described above, in the wireless communication, the communication between the terminal side wireless communication means and the relay means can be given priority over the communication between the meter side wireless communication means and the network control side wireless communication means. The transmission speed may be changed at the time of initial setting and may be constant thereafter, or the current reception state is included in the transmission data from the terminal side wireless communication means, and the network control side wireless communication means automatically changes upon seeing this. You may do it.

(Embodiment 7) Next, an embodiment of the present invention other than the wireless communication unit will be described. In the conventional meter reading system, communication speed and processing speed are not required much because communication is rarely used for other purposes. However, when the communication volume from the terminal means increases and a quick response is required, new problems occur in other parts even if the speed of the wireless communication unit is increased. For example, during meter reading, a plurality of communication data is exchanged between the meter means side and the center apparatus side. At this time, when an emergency message is issued from the terminal means to the center device, the network control-side wireless communication means and the network control means wait until the work currently being performed is completed. Even if urgent gas valve shutoff is performed on the meter means, the meter side wireless communication means and the meter means are not performing any other processing and do not immediately receive the command. That is, the processes are performed one by one in the order of acceptance. Also, when wireless communication becomes faster than public line communication, communication data is stored in the network control means.

Therefore, the center device, the network control means, and the network control side wireless communication means determine the originator of the received communication, and if the communication is from the terminal side wireless communication means or the relay means, the communication from the meter side wireless communication means. Process is interrupted and processed with priority. Also, the meter means and the meter-side wireless communication means determine the originator of the received communication, and if the communication is from the terminal-side wireless communication means or the relay means, the processing of the communication from the network control-side wireless communication means is interrupted and given priority. Priority is given to processing by communication from the terminal side or the interruption means side.

The network control means checks the sender of the received communication data, and if the communication data is from the terminal means or the terminal-side wireless communication means, interrupts other processing and precedes the stored communication data. To the center device. The center device gives priority to the reception of communication data over other processing, checks the sender of the received communication data, and interrupts other processing if it is from terminal means or terminal side wireless communication means. , Performs processing before the stored communication data and returns a response. The meter means, the network control-side wireless communication means, and the meter-side wireless communication means also prioritize the reception of communication data over other processes, and check the sender of the received communication data, which is transmitted from the terminal means or the terminal-side wireless communication means. If it is, the other processing is interrupted and the processing is performed before the stored communication data. As described above, the waiting time when the processing is concentrated can be shortened, and the response from the center device or the meter unit in the communication with the terminal unit can be quickened. It is to be noted that the priority may be further set according to the content of the data as well as the originator of the data.

According to the present invention, the following can be performed. (1) Communication with the terminal means can be prioritized over communication with the network control means and the meter means. Therefore, even if communication between the network control means and the meter means, such as a meter reading operation, is performed for a long time, communication from the terminal means such as a remote controller or a gas leak alarm can be processed first.

(2) Frequent use of the terminal means does not affect the meter reading work of the neighbor who does not use the terminal means.

(3) It is possible to widen the communicable range of the radio which conventionally connects the meter side radio communication means and the network control side radio communication means, and to communicate with the newly added terminal side radio communication means. It is.

As described above, according to the present invention, the problem that occurs when a new terminal means is connected to a conventional wireless meter reading system is described below. It is possible to cope with it by changing only one of them so that it is compatible with. The terminal means is not limited to one.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, when communication is performed between the wireless communication means on the network control side or the wireless communication means on the meter side and the wireless communication means on the terminal side, the line use monitoring time before transmission is reduced. Thus, the transmission is easier than the communication between the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means. Thereby, the communication from the terminal means is prioritized, and the response time is shortened.

Further, the time interval for retransmission when communication is performed between the wireless communication means on the network control side or the wireless communication means on the meter side and the wireless communication means on the terminal side is shortened so that even if the first communication fails, Therefore, the recovery time when a failure occurs is made shorter than the communication between the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means. As a result, the communication from the terminal means is given priority and the response time is shortened.

When communication is performed between the network control-side wireless communication means or the meter-side wireless communication means and the terminal-side wireless communication means, first communication is performed between the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means. And a second frequency different from that of the second frequency is used. Thereby, communication can be performed regardless of communication between the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means of the other wireless metering system. Even if the communication with the terminal-side wireless communication means increases, the network control of the other wireless metering system can be performed. It does not affect the communication between the side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means.

Further, a relay means for relaying communication between the meter-side wireless communication means, the network control-side wireless communication means and the terminal-side wireless communication means is provided, and the network control-side wireless communication means, the meter-side wireless communication means and the relay means are provided. Shortened the line use monitoring time before transmission when communicating with. As a result, the communication with the terminal means is easier to transmit than the communication between the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means, and the response time is shortened.

Further, the time interval for retransmission when communication is performed between the network control-side wireless communication means or the meter-side wireless communication means and the relay means is shortened, and retransmission is performed in a short time even if the first communication fails. Therefore, the recovery time in case of failure is made shorter than the communication between the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means.

When communication is performed between the network control-side wireless communication means, the meter-side wireless communication means, and the relay means, a first frequency at which communication is performed between the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means. Used a different second frequency. As a result, communication can be performed irrespective of communication between the network control-side wireless communication unit and the meter-side wireless communication unit of the other wireless meter reading systems,
Even if the communication with the relay means increases, it does not affect the communication between the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means of the other wireless meter reading systems.

The wireless communication means on the network control side and the wireless communication means on the meter side prioritize the second frequency over the first frequency when waiting for reception. As a result, the communication from the terminal unit has priority over the communication between the network control side wireless communication unit and the meter side wireless communication unit, and the response time is shortened.

Further, the second frequency is viewed before the first frequency when performing reception standby. As a result, even if the communication between the network control side wireless communication unit and the meter side wireless communication unit occurs at the same time, the communication from the terminal unit is given priority and the response time is shortened.

Further, the second frequency is viewed longer than the first frequency when waiting for reception. As a result, the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means have a higher probability of receiving the second frequency than the first frequency when waiting for reception. Communication from the terminal means is given priority over communication with the communication means, and the response time is shortened.

Also, the terminal side wireless communication means, the relay means,
The first frequency is used when communication is to be performed immediately between the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means. As a result, the first frequency is stable in a state where the communication volume is relatively small, and is used for emergency communication from the terminal means, whereby the waiting time due to interference is reduced and the communication time is shortened.

The network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means use a transmission time including repetitive transmission of a bit synchronization signal, a frame synchronization signal, and an ID identification signal when transmitting to the terminal-side wireless communication means and the relay means. Was shortened. As a result, the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means change the transmission time in accordance with the terminal-side wireless communication means, thereby reducing the time for occupying the frequency and reducing interference with other wireless communication systems. it can.

The network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means change the transmission speed when transmitting to the terminal-side wireless communication means relay means. As a result, the communication time can be shortened, the communicable range can be increased, and the reliability can be improved.

The center device, the network control means, and the network control side wireless communication means determine the originator of the received communication, interrupt the processing of communication from the meter side wireless communication means, and terminate the terminal side wireless communication means. The priority is given to the processing of communication from the means. Thereby, the waiting time when the processing is concentrated can be shortened, and the response from the center device can be made faster.

The meter means and the meter-side wireless communication means determine the originator of the received communication, interrupt the processing of communication from the network control-side wireless communication means, and perform communication from the terminal-side wireless communication means and the relay means. Is given priority. As a result, the waiting time when the processing is concentrated can be reduced, and the response from the meter means can be made faster.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a wireless meter reading system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart of the communication.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart of communication according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart of communication according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a communication timing chart according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a communication timing chart according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration explanatory view of a wireless meter reading system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional wireless meter reading system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Meter means 2 Public line 3 Center apparatus 4 Network control means 5 Meter side wireless communication means 7 Network control side wireless communication means 10 Terminal means 11 Terminal side wireless communication means 13 Relay means

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. Meter means for measuring the usage of at least one of gas, electricity and water, network control means for communicating with a center device for collecting usage using a public line, and said meter means In a wireless meter reading system including a meter-side wireless communication unit and a network control-side wireless communication unit that connect the network control unit with a radio wave, a terminal-side wireless device that communicates with the meter-side wireless communication unit and the network control-side wireless communication unit Communication means, and terminal means for connecting to the terminal-side wireless communication means and handling information communicated with the meter means and the center device, wherein the network control-side wireless communication means or the meter-side wireless communication means A wireless metering system in which a line use monitoring time before transmission is shorter than other communication when performing communication between at least one communication unit and the terminal-side wireless communication unit 2. A communication system wherein at least one of the network control-side wireless communication means or the meter-side wireless communication means and the terminal-side wireless communication means communicate with each other, and a retransmission time interval is shorter than that of other communication means. Item 7. The wireless meter reading system according to item 1. 3. When communication is performed between at least one of the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means and the terminal side wireless communication means, the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a second frequency different from the first frequency for performing communication with the communication means is used.
Or the wireless meter reading system according to 2. 4. A meter means for measuring at least one of gas, electricity and water usage, a network control means for communicating with a center device for collecting the usage by using a public line, and the meter means. In a wireless meter reading system including a meter-side wireless communication unit and a network control-side wireless communication unit that connect the network control unit with a radio wave, a terminal-side wireless device that communicates with the meter-side wireless communication unit and the network control-side wireless communication unit A communication unit, a terminal unit that is connected to the terminal-side wireless communication unit and handles information communicated with the meter unit and the center device, and at least one of the meter-side wireless communication unit and the network control-side wireless communication unit Relay means for relaying communication between one communication means and the terminal side wireless communication means, wherein the network control side wireless communication means or the meter side wireless communication means Among wireless meter reading system where the line usage monitoring time before sending shorter than other communications when performing communication with at least one communication unit and the relay unit. 5. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a time interval for retransmission when communication is performed between at least one of the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means and the relay means is shorter than that of other communication. Wireless meter reading system. 6. When communication is performed between at least one of the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means and the relay means, the network control side wireless communication means and the meter side wireless communication means communicate with each other. The wireless metering system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a second frequency different from the first frequency for performing communication is used. 7. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means prioritizes the second frequency over the first frequency when waiting for reception. Item 7. The wireless meter reading system according to item 3 or 6. 8. The wireless metering system according to claim 7, wherein the second frequency is viewed before the first frequency when waiting for reception. 9. The wireless metering system according to claim 7, wherein the second frequency is viewed longer than the first frequency when waiting for reception. 10. A terminal-side wireless communication means or relay means,
7. The wireless metering system according to claim 3, wherein the first frequency is used when communication is to be performed immediately with the network control side wireless communication means or the meter side wireless communication means. 11. At least one of the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means transmits a bit synchronization signal, a frame synchronization signal, an ID identification signal when transmitting to the terminal-side wireless communication means or the relay means. The wireless meter reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a transmission time including a repeated transmission of the data is changed. 12. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the network control-side wireless communication means and the meter-side wireless communication means has a different transmission speed when transmitting to the terminal-side wireless communication means or the relay means. The wireless meter reading system according to claim 1. 13. At least one of the center device, the network control means, and the network control side wireless communication means determines the originator of the received communication and interrupts the processing of communication from the meter side wireless communication means. 13. The wireless meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein priority is given to processing of communication from the terminal side wireless communication means and the relay means. 14. At least one of the meter means and the meter-side wireless communication means determines the originator of the received communication, interrupts processing of communication from the network control-side wireless communication means, and terminates the terminal-side wireless communication means. 14. The wireless meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein priority is given to processing of communication from the relay means.