JPH11175869A - Automatic notifying device and connection state recognition method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic notifying device and a connection state recognition method that performs a communication with a gas meter and can recognize a connection state of the gas meter by the communication result. SOLUTION: A communication demand is transmitted in a specified recognition timing before a communication with each of meter inspection means 12 is performed, recognition of a state of connection with the meter inspection means 12 correlated to the communication demand is performed by means of a communication and, at the same time, the meter inspection means 12 of which connection response is confirmed is recognized as the meter inspection means 12 in a connection state. The meter inspection means 12 of which connection state is recognized is provided with a controller 20 for performing collection of meter inspection information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for collecting at least one or more meter reading means for collecting meter reading information relating to the usage status of gas, water, electricity or the like via a communication line. The present invention relates to an automatic reporting device and a connection state recognition method for collecting meter reading information and automatically reporting the information to an information center, and particularly to a meter reading means for collecting meter reading information relating to the usage status of gas such as LP gas via a communication line. The present invention relates to an automatic notification device and a connection state recognition method which can connect at least one or more, collects meter reading information for each meter reading means via a telephone line, and automatically notifies an information center.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 (a) is a functional block diagram for explaining a conventional automatic notification device. FIG. 7 (b) shows that a switch SW1 is turned on even though a gas meter is not connected.
A specific example in which the first gas meter is erroneously recognized to be connected according to the state, FIG. 7C illustrates the first gas meter according to the ON state of SW1 irrespective of the connection of the second gas meter. Shows a specific example in which it is erroneously recognized that is connected.

[0003] Conventionally, as this kind of automatic notification device, FIG.
As shown in (a), a plurality of meter reading means for collecting meter reading information (specifically, gas meter reading values) on the gas usage status at the LPG consumer via a communication line (ie, FIG. , The first gas meter 4 and the second gas meter 5) are connected, and each of the meter reading means (that is, the first gas meter 4 or the second gas meter 5) is connected.
The meter reading information of the gas meter 5) is collected and automatically notified to an information center (specifically, an LPG dealer),
An automatic notification device A having a function of notifying that the remaining amount of the PG cylinder is low is disclosed.

It is also disclosed that a gas meter with a built-in microcomputer (so-called gas microcomputer meter) having a built-in microcomputer for executing various controls is usually used as the first gas meter 4 and the second gas meter 5. .

The microcomputers built in the gas microcomputer meters 4 and 5 are connected to the automatic notification device A via a communication line, and the gas microcomputer meters 4 and 5 respond to a message request command from the automatic notification device A. It has a function of checking the gas usage status at the provided LPG consumer, generating meter reading information, creating a message based on the generated meter reading information, and transmitting the created message to the automatic notification device A via a communication line. It is disclosed.

Accordingly, the information center (LPG dealer) can collect meter reading information for each of the gas microcomputer meters 4 and 5 (that is, for each LPG consumer), and the remaining amount of the LPG cylinder decreases. It is disclosed to recognize that

In the connection state recognition method executed by the automatic notification device A, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the power of the automatic notification device A is turned on or when the CPU 1 provided in the automatic notification device A is used. Of the gas meter connection switches SW1 and SW2 connected to the CPU 1
The OFF state was detected.

The setting of the ON / OFF state of the gas meter connection switches SW1 and SW2 has been performed by the installer of the automatic notification device A.

Specifically, when the connection state recognition method is started, if it is detected that the gas meter connection switch SW1 is ON, the first gas meter 4 is connected to the CPU 1 via the terminal block 2. If it is determined that the first gas meter 4 is not connected to the CPU 1, it is determined that the gas meter connection switch SW1 is in the OFF state. For the same purpose, when it is detected that the gas meter connection switch SW2 is in the ON state, the second gas meter 5 is connected to the CPU via the terminal block 3.
When it is determined that the second gas meter 5 is connected to the CPU 1 and the gas meter connection switch SW2 is detected to be in the OFF state, it is determined that the second gas meter 5 is not connected to the CPU 1.

[0010]

However, in such a conventional automatic notification device A and the connection state recognition method executed by the automatic notification device A, the initial setting of the ON / OFF state of the gas meter connection switches SW1 and SW2 is performed. However, when the gas meter connection switches SW1 and SW2 are initially set to the wrong ON / OFF state because the installation was performed by the installer of the automatic notification device A, the gas meter was not connected despite being connected. There has been a technical problem that there is a possibility that the connection state may be erroneously recognized or the connection state may be erroneously recognized even though the gas meter is not connected.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), SW1 is initially set to the ON state although neither the first gas meter 4 nor the second gas meter 5 is connected. Accordingly, there is a technical problem that the first gas meter 4 may be erroneously recognized as being connected.

[0012] To the same effect, FIG. 7C shows that the first gas meter 4 is initially set to the ON state of SW1 in spite of the fact that the second gas meter 5 is connected. There has been a technical problem that connection may be erroneously recognized.

In other words, the provision of such gas meter connection switches SW1 and SW2 in the automatic notification device A has a technical problem that an initial setting work burden is imposed on a contractor of the automatic notification device A. .

In response to a change or additional connection of the gas meter, the gas meter connection switches SW1 and SW2 are turned on.
There was also a technical problem that the installer of the automatic notification device A had to reset the / OFF state.

As described above, the gas meter connection switches SW 1 and S 2
Since the ON / OFF state of W2 must be reset, the gas meter connection switches SW1 and SW2 are turned ON.
There was also a technical problem that erroneous setting of the / OFF state may newly occur.

Further, gas meter connection switches SW1, S
There is also a technical problem that providing the automatic notification device A with W2 is a factor that increases the device cost.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem. In particular, the present invention relates to a meter reading means for collecting meter reading information relating to usage of gas, water, electricity, etc. via a communication line. At least one or more can be connected, and in an automatic reporting device that collects meter reading information for each meter reading means and automatically notifies an information center, a communication request is issued at a predetermined recognition timing before communicating with each meter reading means. The transmission and the recognition of the connection state with the meter reading means in response to the communication request are executed using communication, and the meter reading means whose connection response is confirmed is recognized as the meter reading means in the connection state, and the connection state is recognized. By providing a controller that collects meter reading information for the meter reading means, an automatic communication that can actually communicate with the gas meter and recognize the connection state of the gas meter based on the communication result. And to provide a multicast device and a connection state recognizing method.

Further, the gas meter connection switch can be omitted, and the initial setting of the ON / OFF state of the gas meter connection switch can be omitted. As a result, even though the gas meter is connected, the gas meter may be erroneously recognized as not connected. It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic notification device and a connection state recognition method that can prevent erroneous recognition of a connection state even when a gas meter is not connected.

Also, since the connection state of the gas meter can be recognized based on the result of communication with the gas meter, the gas meter connection switch can be eliminated from the automatic reporting device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic notification device and a connection state recognition method that can reduce the amount of communication.

Further, as a result of the fact that the connection state of the gas meter can be recognized based on the communication result with the gas meter, even if the connection change or the additional connection of the gas meter occurs, the connection change or the additional connection of the gas meter is performed using the communication. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic notification device and a connection state recognition method capable of accurately and quickly recognizing the same.

Further, since the connection state of the gas meter can be recognized based on the communication result with the gas meter, the operation of resetting the ON / OFF state of the gas meter connection switch according to the connection change or the additional connection of the gas meter is eliminated. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic notification device and a connection state recognition method that can avoid occurrence of a new ON / OFF state of a gas meter connection switch.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic notification device and a connection state recognizing method that can reduce the cost of the device as a result of omitting the gas meter connection switch from the automatic notification device.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided meter reading information relating to usage of gas, water, electricity, and the like.
Meter reading means 1 for collecting 2a_1 via communication line 4
2 can be connected to at least one or more,
In an automatic reporting device 10 that collects each meter reading information 12a_1 and automatically notifies the information center 1, a communication request is transmitted at a predetermined recognition timing before communicating with each of the meter reading means 12, and the communication request is transmitted. Recognition of the connected state with the meter reading means 12 is executed using communication, and the meter reading means 12 for which the connection response has been confirmed is recognized as the meter reading means 12 in the connected state, and the meter reading for which the connection state has been recognized is recognized. An automatic notification device 10 having a controller 20 for executing a collection of the meter reading information 12a_1 for the means 12.

The meter reading means 12 in the present invention is
The usage status of gas, water, electricity, etc. (for example, meter reading values for each predetermined period) is measured, and the message information 12a in a predetermined format is
And transmits the message information 12a to the automatic notification device 10 in response to a message request from the automatic notification device 10. The gas meter 12, which is one type of the meter reading means 12, measures the usage of gas such as LP gas, generates message information 12 a in a predetermined format, and responds to a message request from the automatic reporting device 10. 12a means an apparatus that transmits 12a to the automatic notification device 10. In particular, the gas meter 12 with a built-in microcomputer for executing various controls is
It is generically called a gas microcomputer meter. The communication between the information center 1 and the automatic notification device 10 includes a no-ringing communication service (No-ringing Co., Ltd.).
The automatic notification function in the communication service (one of the supplementary services of the NTT subscriber telephone) is usually used.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to actually execute communication with the meter reading means 12 and recognize the connection state of the meter reading means 12 based on the result of the connection response without human intervention.
There is an effect that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art.

Also, the meter connection switch can be eliminated, and the initial setting of the ON / OFF state of the meter connection switch can be omitted. An erroneously recognized switch setting can be avoided, and even if the meter reading means 12 is not connected, a connection state and a switch setting erroneously recognized by a mounting company can be avoided, and the reliability is improved.

Further, since the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be quickly and accurately recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means 12, the meter connection switch can be eliminated from the automatic notification device 10. As a result, there is an effect that the work load of the above-mentioned initial setting from the installer of the automatic notification device 10 can be reduced.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means 12, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately as compared with the related art. Even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, or a removal operation of the means 12 occurs, the connection change operation, the additional connection operation, or the removal operation of the meter reading means 12 can be accurately and quickly recognized. It has the effect of becoming.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means 12, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than in the past. Since the work of resetting the ON / OFF state of the meter connection switch according to the connection change work, the additional connection work, the removal work, etc. of the means 12 is eliminated, an artificial erroneous setting of the meter connection switch is newly performed at the time of the reset. This has the effect of avoiding the occurrence and improving the reliability.

Further, the meter connection switch can be omitted from the automatic notification device 10, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of the device and reduce the size of the device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the automatic notification device 10 according to the first aspect, the controller 20
Is configured to transmit a communication request at the recognition timing at the time of resetting, and execute recognition of the connection state with respect to the meter reading means 12 in response to the communication request. is there.

The reset in the present invention means a process of directly resetting hardware in the controller 20 or the automatic notification device 10 and a process of returning control software to an initial state.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects described in (1), a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of resetting, communication with the meter reading means 12 is executed by the controller 20, and the meter reading means 1 is determined based on the connection response result.
2, the connection state can be recognized without manual operation, and an effect is obtained that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means 12, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately as compared with the related art. Even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, or a removal operation of the means 12 occurs, the communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of resetting,
There is an effect that the connection change work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the meter reading means 12 can be accurately and promptly recognized.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In the automatic notification device 10, the controller 20 is configured to transmit a communication request at the recognition timing at the time of power-on, and execute recognition of the connection state with respect to the meter reading means 12 in response to the communication request. ing,
The automatic notification device 10 is characterized in that:

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 1
Or in addition to the effect described in 2, the communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of turning on the power, the controller 20 executes communication with the meter reading means 12, and manually determines the connection state of the meter reading means 12 based on the connection response result. Thus, it is possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means 12, so that the meter reading processing can be executed more quickly and accurately as compared with the related art. Even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the means 12 occurs, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing when the power is turned on,
There is an effect that the connection change work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the meter reading means 12 can be accurately and promptly recognized.

The invention described in claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
In the automatic notification device 10 according to any one of the above, the controller 20 includes a display unit 260 that displays a connection status recognized by the meter reading unit 12.

According to the invention described in claim 4, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects described in any one of (1) to (3), a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or at the time of power-on, and communication with the meter reading means 12 is executed by the controller 20 based on the connection response result. There is an effect that the recognized connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be visually displayed.

Further, even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the meter reading means 12 occurs,
A communication request is transmitted at the time of recognition at the time of reset or power-on, so that the connection change work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the meter reading means 12 can be accurately and quickly recognized using a display form that appeals visually. It has the effect of becoming.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic notification device 10 according to the fourth aspect, the display means 260 comprises:
A communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of power-on or at the time of reset, and the connection status of the meter reading means 12 is indicated by LED2.
The automatic notification device 10 is configured to be displayed by flashing of 60.

Note that the LED 260 in the present invention means Light Emitting Diode.

According to the invention described in claim 5, according to claim 4,
In addition to the effects described in the above, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the controller 20 executes communication with the meter reading means 12 and connects the meter reading means 12 recognized based on the connection response result. There is an effect that the state can be visually displayed using a simple display form based on the LED 260.

Further, even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the meter reading means 12 occurs,
A communication request is transmitted at the time of recognition at the time of resetting or turning on the power, and the change of connection, addition of connection, or removal of the meter reading means 12 is accurately and quickly performed using a simple display form by the LED 260 that visually appeals. This has the effect of allowing the user to be recognized.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5
In the automatic notification device 10 according to any one of the first to third aspects, the controller 20 includes a storage unit 270 that stores a connection status of the meter reading unit 12.

According to the invention set forth in claim 6, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects described in any one of (1) to (5), the connection state of the meter reading means 12 recognized at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on can be stored in the storage means 270. As long as no additional connection work or disconnection work occurs, the data of the connection status held in the storage means 270 can be used. As a result, there is no need to communicate with the meter reading means 12 at each recognition timing, and the controller can be used. 20 has an effect of being able to improve the throughput.

The invention described in claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 6
In the automatic notification device 10 according to any one of the above, the controller 20 uses the message information 12a having a predetermined format received from the meter reading unit 12 to connect to the meter reading unit 12 that transmitted the message information 12a. An automatic notification device 10 configured to execute state recognition.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a first aspect is provided.
In addition to the effects described in any one of the above-described embodiments, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the electronic meter information 12a is transmitted from the meter reading means 12 to the controller 2.
0 can be received and the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized by the message information 12a without human intervention, so that an effect can be obtained that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than in the past.

The electronic message information 12a from the meter reading means 12
By utilizing the already provided resources such as the reception result of the above, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without manual operation, and as a result, the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately as compared with the related art. Even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the unit 12 occurs, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of turning on the power, and the connection change operation, the additional connection operation, or This has the effect that the removal operation can be recognized accurately, efficiently and quickly.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic notification device 10 according to the seventh aspect, the controller 20
Transmits a communication request command to the meter reading means 12 in response to the communication request, receives the electronic message information 12a from the meter reading means 12 that has received the communication request instruction, and includes the message information 12a included in the received electronic message information 12a. The automatic notification device 10 is configured to recognize the connection state with respect to the meter reading means 12 that transmitted the electronic message information 12a using the meter reading information 12a_1.

According to the invention described in claim 8, according to claim 7,
In addition to the effects described in the above, the communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, the controller 20 receives the message information 12a from the meter reading means 12, and uses the contents of the message information 12a to read the meter. It is possible to recognize the connection state of the means 12 without human intervention, and it is possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

The electronic message information 12a from the meter reading means 12
By diverting the contents of the above, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without human intervention, and a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art. Even if an additional connection operation or a removal operation or the like occurs, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of turning on the power, and the connection change operation, the additional connection operation, or the removal operation of the meter reading means 12 is accurately performed. There is an effect that communication can be efficiently and quickly recognized.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the meter reading information 12a_1 relating to the usage status of gas, water, electricity or the like is transmitted to the communication line 4.
At least one or more of the meter reading means 12 for collecting via the meter can be connected, and the meter reading information 12a for each of the meter reading means 12 is provided.
In the connection state recognition method used in the automatic notification device 10 that collects _1 and automatically notifies the information center 1, a communication request is transmitted at a predetermined recognition timing before communicating with each of the meter reading means 12, and A step of using communication to recognize the connection state with the meter reading means 12 in response to the communication request, and recognizing the meter reading means 12 whose connection response has been confirmed as the meter reading means 12 in the connected state, and Collecting the meter reading information 12a_1 with respect to the meter reading means 12 that has been recognized.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, by adding the connection state recognition processing step to the conventional meter reading processing step, communication with the meter reading means 12 is actually performed, and based on the connection response result. It is possible to recognize the connection state of the meter reading means 12 without human intervention, and it is possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Further, the meter connection switch can be omitted, and the initial setting of the ON / OFF state of the meter connection switch can be omitted. An erroneously recognized switch setting can be avoided, and even if the meter reading means 12 is not connected, a connection state and a switch setting erroneously recognized by a mounting company can be avoided, and the reliability is improved.

Also, the meter connection switch can be eliminated from the automatic notification device 10 because the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be quickly and accurately recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means 12. As a result, there is an effect that the work load of the above-mentioned initial setting from the installer of the automatic notification device 10 can be reduced.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without the need for manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means 12, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than in the past. Even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, or a removal operation of the means 12 occurs, the connection change operation, the additional connection operation, or the removal operation of the meter reading means 12 can be accurately and quickly recognized. It has the effect of becoming.

Also, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without the need for manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means 12, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than in the prior art. Since the work of resetting the ON / OFF state of the meter connection switch according to the connection change work, the additional connection work, the removal work, etc. of the means 12 is eliminated, an artificial erroneous setting of the meter connection switch is newly performed at the time of the reset. This has the effect of avoiding the occurrence and improving the reliability.

Further, as a result of omitting the meter connection switch from the automatic notification device 10, there is an effect that the cost of the device can be reduced and the size of the device can be reduced.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the connection state recognizing method according to the ninth aspect, the connection state recognizing processing step includes transmitting a communication request at the recognition timing when the automatic notification device 10 is reset. And a step of recognizing the connection state with respect to the meter reading means 12 in response to the communication request.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the ninth aspect, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of resetting, communication with the meter reading means 12 is performed, and the connection response is performed. Based on the result, it is possible to recognize the connection state of the meter reading means 12 without manual operation, and it is possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Further, based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means 12, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without manual operation, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately as compared with the related art. Even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, or a removal operation of the means 12 occurs, the communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of resetting,
There is an effect that the connection change work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the meter reading means 12 can be accurately and promptly recognized.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the connection state recognizing method according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the connection state recognizing processing step includes the step of transmitting a communication request to the automatic notification device 10 at the time of power-on. And performing a recognition of the connection state with respect to the meter reading means 12 in response to the communication request.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the ninth or tenth aspect, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing when the power is turned on, and communication with the meter reading means 12 is performed. Based on the result of the connection response, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without human intervention, and an effect is obtained that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means 12, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than in the prior art. Even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the means 12 occurs, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing when the power is turned on,
There is an effect that the connection change work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the meter reading means 12 can be accurately and promptly recognized.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the connection state recognizing method according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, the connection state recognizing processing step is performed at the time of the power-on or the reset. A connection state recognizing method comprising transmitting a communication request and displaying a connection state recognized by the meter reading means 12.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, by adding a display step to the connection state recognition processing step,
A communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, communication with the meter reading means 12 is performed, and the connection state of the meter reading means 12 recognized based on the connection response result can be visually displayed. It works.

Further, even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the meter reading means 12 occurs,
A communication request is transmitted at the time of recognition at the time of reset or power-on, so that the connection change work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the meter reading means 12 can be accurately and quickly recognized using a display form that appeals visually. It has the effect of becoming.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the connection state recognizing method according to any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, the connection state recognition processing step stores the connection state of the meter reading means 12. It is a connection state recognition method characterized by including a step.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, by adding a storage step to the connection state recognition processing step,
The connection state of the meter reading means 12 recognized at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on can be stored in the storage means 270, so that the connection change work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the meter reading means 12 is not stored. As a result of using the connection status data held in the means 270, there is no need to perform communication with the meter reading means 12 at each recognition timing, so that the throughput of the controller 20 can be improved. Play.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the connection state recognizing method according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, the connection state recognizing processing step includes the step of recognizing a predetermined format received from the meter reading means 12. Telegram information 12a
And a message recognition processing step of recognizing the connection state with respect to the meter reading means 12 which has transmitted the message information 12a using the method.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, a reset is achieved by adding a message recognition processing step to the connection state recognition processing step. When the communication request is transmitted at the time of recognition or at the time of power-on, the controller 20 receives the electronic message information 12a from the meter reading means 12 and can recognize the connection state of the gas meter 12 based on the electronic message information 12a without human intervention,
There is an effect that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art.

The electronic message information 12a from the meter reading means 12
By utilizing the already provided resources such as the reception result of the above, the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without manual operation, and as a result, the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately as compared with the related art. Even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the unit 12 occurs, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of turning on the power, and the connection change operation, the additional connection operation, or This has the effect that the removal operation can be recognized accurately, efficiently and quickly.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the connection state recognizing method according to the fourteenth aspect, the connection state recognition processing step transmits a communication request command to the meter reading means 12 responding to the communication request. Process and the message information 12a
Receiving the communication request command from the meter reading means 12 receiving the communication request command, and using the meter reading information 12a_1 included in the received message information 12a to recognize the connection state with respect to the meter reading means 12 that transmitted the message information 12a. A connection state recognition method including a message recognition processing step to be executed.

According to the invention described in claim 15, in addition to the effect described in claim 14, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the electronic mail information 12a is transmitted from the meter reading means 12. The controller 20 receives and uses the contents of the electronic message information 12a to read the meter reading means 12a.
The connection state can be recognized without human intervention, and an effect is obtained that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art.

The electronic message information 12a from the meter reading means 12
By using the contents of (1), the connection state of the meter reading means 12 can be recognized without human intervention, and a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art. Even when an additional connection operation or a removal operation or the like occurs, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, or a removal operation of the meter reading means 12 is performed. This has the effect of enabling accurate, efficient and quick recognition.

[0077]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, an embodiment of an LP gas home security system using the automatic notification device 10 will be described.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an LP gas home security system to which the automatic notification device 10 according to the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, 1 is an information center,
Host computer 1a, DTMF (dual tone multi-frequency) transceiver 1b, and subscriber telephone 1
c and is connected to a nearby telephone exchange (not shown) via a telephone line 4 which is a form of a communication line.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the automatic notification devices 10,..., 10 has a meter reading means 12 for collecting meter reading information 12a_1 relating to the usage status of gas, water, electricity, etc. via the telephone line 4. At least one or more are connected. Each of the automatic reporting devices 10,..., 10 has a controller 20 that collects meter reading information 12a_1 for each meter reading unit 12 and automatically notifies the information center 1.

The meter reading means 12 in the present embodiment measures the usage status of gas, water, electricity, etc. (for example, meter reading values at predetermined intervals), generates electronic message information 12a in a predetermined format, and Means that transmits the message information 12a to the automatic notification device 10 in response to a message request from.

In particular, the meter reading means 12 of this embodiment is
The gas meter 12 measures the usage status of gas such as P gas, generates message information 12a in a predetermined format, and transmits the message information 12a to the automatic notification device 10 in response to a message request from the automatic notification device 10.

The gas meter 12 of the present embodiment is an LP gas LP having a microcomputer for executing various controls.
It is desirable to use a gas microcomputer meter (hereinafter, two LP gas microcomputer meters 12
An embodiment in which 1, 122 are connected to the automatic notification device 10 will be described).

The information center 1 and the automatic reporting device 10
The communication between the server and the server includes a no-ringing communication service (No-ringing Communication Service).
Service, one of the supplementary services of NTT subscriber telephone
It is desirable to use the automatic notification function in (1).

Further, all the automatic notification devices 10,..., 10
Are connected in the same configuration to the nearest telephone exchange (not shown) via the telephone line 4. The information center 1 is located at an LPG distributor, such as an LPG delivery place,
Each of the controllers 20,..., 20 is installed at the LPG consumer.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the basic configuration of the automatic notification device 10 provided in the LP gas home security system of FIG.

Each of the automatic notification devices 10,..., 10 has the controller 20 as described above. The telephone line 4 is connected to the terminals L1 and L2 of the controller 20, the subscriber's telephone 3b is connected to the terminals T1 and T2, the gas leak sensor 3c is connected to the terminals TC2 and TC3, and the shut-off valve (not shown) is connected to the terminals TC4 and TC5. And a controller 3e for controlling the shutoff valve of the LP gas meter (LP gas microcomputer meter 12) at terminals TB1 to TB3.
Cylinder exchange switch 3 for terminals TB4, TB5 and TC1
f and LED for indicator built into this switch 3f
3g are respectively connected.

The gas leak sensor 3c is independently supplied with AC 100 [V] through an outlet.
[V], 0 [V] when power is turned off, 12 when gas leak is detected
[V] is applied to terminals TC2 and T
Supply to C3.

The flow rate sensor switch 3d 'of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is turned on each time a constant flow rate of LP gas flows through the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 to generate a pulse, and supplies the pulse to the terminals TC4 and TC5 of the controller 20. I do.

The controller 3e is connected to an AC10 through an outlet.
0 [V] is supplied independently, and the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 responds to a gas cutoff signal from the controller 20.
A shut-off valve closing drive signal for closing the internal shut-off valve is generated, and a power failure signal is supplied to a terminal TB3 of the controller 20 when power supply of AC100 [V] is stopped due to a power failure.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram for explaining the basic configuration of controller 20 provided in automatic notification device 10 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 20
It has a microcomputer (CPU) 231. CP
U231 incorporates a ROM 231a storing a control program, a RAM 231b storing various data, and the like.
It operates according to a flowchart described later based on the control program in the ROM 231a and the data in the RAM 231b. The CPU 231 also has a parallel data input / output port IO, input ports I1 to I8, output ports O1 to O4, and the like.

A DTMFMODEM (modulation / demodulation circuit) 232 and a clock and calendar 233 are connected to the parallel data input / output port IO via a data bus DB.

The DTMF MODEM 232 has a crystal oscillator 232 a and performs conversion between 4-bit parallel data representing numbers 0 to 9 that can be processed by the CPU 231 and DTMF signals transmitted through the telephone line 4.

The DTMF signal is a combination of two different frequency signals and represents the numbers 0-9. The clock and calendar 233 have a crystal oscillator 233a, count the clock by a counter, generate date data including year, month and day, and time data including hour and minute, and supply them to the CPU 231. The contents of the counter of the clock and the calendar 233 are rewritten by the data supplied from the CPU 231 so that the date and time data generated by the clock and the calendar 233 are corrected.

A terminal TB3 is connected to the input port I1 via a power failure detection I / F (interface) 234, and a power failure detection signal generated by the controller 3e (see FIG. 2) at the time of a power failure is input.

A switch I / F 23 is connected to the input port I2.
5, a terminal TB4 is connected, and a cylinder exchange signal generated by turning on a cylinder exchange switch 3f (see FIG. 2) is input.

The input port I3 has a gas leak detection I / F
The terminal TC2 is connected via the 236, and the gas leak sensor 3c (see FIG. 2) generates a signal when the gas leak is detected.
A gas leak detection signal is input according to the voltage of 2 [V].

The input port I4 has a meter reading I / F2.
37, the terminal TC4 is connected to the flow rate sensor switch 3 of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 (see FIG. 2).
A flow pulse generated by turning on and off d 'is input.

The output of the battery detection circuit 238 is connected to the input port I5.
When the battery detection circuit 238 detects that the voltage at 39 has dropped below a certain value, a detection signal is input.

A 16 Hz circuit 240 is connected to the input port I6.
Is connected, and when the 16 Hz detection circuit 240 detects that the incoming call is being received from the outside through the telephone line 4 by detecting the 16 Hz calling signal applied through the capacitor C1, the incoming call detection signal is input. You.

The TEL detection circuit 24 is connected to the input port I7.
1 is connected, and when the TEL detection circuit 241 detects that the subscriber telephone set 3b is in use, an in-use detection signal is input.

The data setting switch 42 is connected to the input port I8, and a data setting signal is input when the data setting switch 42 is turned on.

A clock pulse generator 43 is connected to the clock input port CK.
Is input. A power supply circuit 244 is connected to the power input port VDD.
A power supply voltage required for the operation of the CPU 231 is supplied.

On the other hand, the output port O 1 is connected to the cut-off I / F 24.
5 connected to the terminal TB1 and outputs a shut-off valve ON signal when closing the shut-off valve built in the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 (see FIG. 2). The output port O2 is connected to the terminal TC1 via the LED output I / F 246, and outputs an LED ON signal when turning on the LED 3g (see FIG. 2).

The output port O3 is connected to the control input of the switch circuit 247 and outputs a switch-on signal for turning on the switch circuit 247.

The switch circuit 247 turns on the switching transistor Q by turning on the switch circuit 247, and the telephone line 4
Is connected to the primary winding L1 of the coupling transformer T via the full-wave rectifier 248 and the switching transistor Q.

The secondary winding L2 of the coupling transformer T acts as a pseudo load on the telephone line 4. The secondary winding L2 is connected to the DTFM M via the capacitor C2 and the amplifier 249.
The output of ODEM 232 is connected to DT via capacitor C3.
The inputs of the MF MODEM 232 are respectively connected.

As described above, while the switch-on signal is being output to the output port O3, the DTM is transmitted between the automatic reporting devices 10,...
It is possible to exchange data by the F signal.

The output port O4 is connected to the voltage converter 250
And outputs an ON signal when the power supply voltage V2 is supplied to the DTMF MODEM 232, the amplifier 249, and the like via the power supply converter 250.

The power supply converter 250 has a power supply circuit 24
4 is supplied.

The power supply circuit 244 is connected to the terminal TC2 via the resistor R and the diode D1, and is connected to the gas leak sensor 3c.
And the voltage of the lithium battery 239 is supplied via the diode D2.

Reference numeral 251 denotes a manual changeover switch, which connects the 16 Hz detection circuit 240, the TEL detection circuit 241 and the full-wave rectifier 248 to the telephone line 4 together with the subscriber's telephone 3b when the contact a is present as shown in the figure. The telephone line 4 is connected to the subscriber's telephone 3b
Only to connect. A relay circuit 252 functions to disconnect the subscriber telephone set 3b from the telephone line 4 when a switch-on signal is output to the output port O3.

Next, the controller 20 having a newly added connection state recognition function will be described.

The controller 20 transmits a communication request at a predetermined recognition timing before communicating with each LP gas microcomputer meter 12 in addition to the conventional meter reading processing function (described later), and generates a communication request. Recognition of the connected state with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is performed using communication, and the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 whose connection response has been confirmed is connected to the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 in the connected state.
It is characterized in that it has a function (connection state recognition function) of collecting the meter reading information 12a_1 for the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 whose connection state has been recognized.

CPU provided in controller 20
231 transmits a communication request at the recognition timing at the time of reset, and outputs the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 that has generated the communication request.
Has the function of executing the recognition of the connection state with respect to.

Here, the reset means that the controller 20
And a process of directly resetting hardware in the automatic notification device 10 and a process of returning control software to an initial state.

By providing such a function, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of resetting, the controller 20 communicates with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, and based on the connection response result, the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without human intervention, and an effect is obtained that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art.

Further, based on the result of the electronic communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without manual operation, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than before. As a result, LP
Even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a detachment operation, or the like of the gas microcomputer meter 12 occurs, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of resetting, and a connection change operation, an additional connection of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is performed. There is an effect that the work or the removal work can be accurately and quickly recognized.

Further, the CPU 231 controls the automatic notification device 10
Has a function of transmitting a communication request at a recognition timing when the power is turned on, and recognizing a connection state with respect to the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 that has generated the communication request.

By providing such a function, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing when the power is turned on, the controller 20 communicates with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, and the LP gas microcomputer is controlled based on the connection response result. It is possible to recognize the connection state of the meter 12 without human intervention, and it is possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Further, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than before. As a result, LP
Even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a detachment operation, or the like of the gas microcomputer meter 12 occurs, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing when the power is turned on, and the connection change operation and the addition of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 are performed. There is an effect that the connection work or the removal work can be accurately and promptly recognized.

The CPU 231 uses the message information 12a having a predetermined format received from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 to recognize the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 that transmitted the message information 12a (message communication function). have.

More specifically, the CPU 231 transmits a communication request command to the LP gas microcomputer 12 that has issued the communication request, and receives the message information 12a from the LP gas microcomputer 12 that has received the communication request command. Using the meter reading information 12a_1 included in the received message information 12a, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 that transmitted the message information 12a is recognized, and the above-described message communication function is executed.

By providing such a message communication function, a communication request is transmitted at the time of recognition at the time of reset or power-on, and the controller 20 receives the message information 12a from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 and receives the message request. 1
By using the content of 2a, it is possible to recognize the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 without any manual operation, and it is possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Also, by using the contents of the electronic message information 12a from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without manual operation, and the meter reading can be performed more quickly and accurately than in the past. Even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 occurs as a result of being able to execute the process, the communication request is transmitted at the power-on recognition timing, and the LP request is transmitted. This has the effect that the connection change operation, the additional connection operation, or the removal operation of the gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized accurately, efficiently and quickly.

Further, the controller 20 transmits a communication request at the recognition timing at the time of power-on or reset, and
It has a display means 260 for displaying the recognized connection status of the P gas microcomputer meter 12.

As the display means 260, an LED for displaying the connection status of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 by flashing.
(Light Emitting Diode) 260
It is desirable to use In addition, LED for indicator
It is also possible to use 3 g.

The display form of the LED 260 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 in the description of the connection state recognition method.

By providing the LED 260 which blinks at the recognition timing at the time of power-on or reset, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is performed by the controller. The connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 executed by the LP gas microcomputer 20 and recognized based on the connection response result is LE.
There is an effect that visual display can be performed using a simple display form according to D260.

Also, even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 occurs, a communication request is transmitted at a reset or power-on recognition timing, and the LP gas Microcomputer meter 12
It is possible to accurately and quickly recognize the connection change operation, the additional connection operation, the removal operation, and the like by using a simple display form using the LED 260 that visually appeals.

Further, the controller 20 has a storage means 270 for holding the connection status of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12. In the present embodiment, it is desirable to use the RAM 231b of the controller 20.

By providing such a storage means 270, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 recognized at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on can be stored in the storage means 270.
As long as no connection change operation, additional connection operation, disconnection operation, or the like occurs, the connection status data held in the storage unit 270 can be used. This eliminates the necessity of performing communication, and has an effect that the throughput of the controller 20 can be improved.

Next, a description will be given of a meter reading processing function executed by the CPU 231 according to a predetermined program.

The meter reading processing function performed by the CPU 231 in accordance with a predetermined program includes a gas meter reading function, a gas remaining amount management function, a gas cutoff logic function, a gas leak sensor monitoring function, a battery voltage detection function, a clock and calendar function, and a setting function. There are functions, test functions, and transmission control functions.

Hereinafter, the outline of each function constituting the meter reading processing function will be described.

First, the gas metering function will be described.

The pulse output from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 at a constant flow rate is received at the input port I 4 via the meter reading I / F 237 and integrated, and the integrated value is stored in the RAM 23.
1b. The integrated value, that is, the meter reading value is, for example, 000
000 to 999999.

The above integrated value (meter reading value) is automatically reported to the information center 1. There are two ways to report.

One is a regular notification which has been conventionally performed, and the integrated value is periodically transmitted to the information center 1 at a date (report cycle) and time (report time) set in the initial setting.

The other one is to transmit the latest integrated value as a meter reading value to the information center 1 at a determined reporting time determined on a set date determined every month.

Next, the gas remaining amount management function will be described.

The pulses input from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 at a constant flow rate are integrated to calculate the remaining amount of LP gas in the cylinder. When the remaining amount of LP gas reaches the two remaining amount warning values set by the initial setting, the information center 1
Report to. The remaining amount of LP gas is determined by the cylinder replacement switch 3.
When f is turned on or when the remaining amount becomes 0, the cylinder capacity is reset to the set cylinder capacity set by the initial setting.

When the above-described cylinder exchange switch 3f is turned on, a cylinder exchange notification is made to the information center 1, and at the same time, a confirmation LED 3g (built-in in the switch 3f) is turned on.

Subsequently, the gas cutoff logic function will be described.

The gas consumption is monitored by a pulse from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 at a constant flow rate, and a calculation is performed per unit time to judge whether the flow rate is abnormal. If it is determined to be abnormal, the shut-off valve in the LP gas microcomputer meter 12
A cut-off signal is output via the controller 3e, and the information center 1 is notified of this.

In order to judge the above-mentioned abnormality, the maximum total flow rate is set by the initial setting, and when the gas flows exceeding the set maximum total flow rate, the gas plug is erroneously opened or the rubber tube is disconnected. Judge. The above-described abnormality is determined when five consecutive pulses from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 occur at intervals shorter than the pulse interval calculated from the set maximum total flow rate. Also, when the maximum flow rate is exceeded, a gas shutoff signal is output to the shutoff valve via the controller 3e, and the information center 1 is notified of the signal.

Next, the gas leak sensor monitoring function will be described.

A voltage signal (0 to 6 to 12 [V]) generated by the gas leak sensor 3c is monitored. Gas leak sensor 3
45 when the input from c exceeds 9 ± 0.5 [V]
Check for seconds, and if it becomes less than 9 ± 0.5 [V] before 45 seconds elapse, return to the state of monitoring the input from the sensor again. If the state of 9 ± 0.5 [V] or more continues for 45 seconds or more, it is determined that there is a gas leak, and a gas shutoff signal is output via the controller 3e to notify the information center 1 of the gas leak.

If the input voltage is less than 2 ± 0.5 [V], the check is performed for 10 seconds. If the state of less than 2 ± 0.5 [V] continues for 10 seconds or more, the gas leak sensor 3c becomes inoperable. (Disconnection, disconnection of outlet, etc.) and inform the information center 1 of the abnormality of the gas leak sensor 3c. However, when the power failure detection signal is input from the controller 3e, the abnormality notification about the gas leak sensor 3c is not performed.

Next, the battery voltage detecting function will be described.

When the battery detection circuit 238 detects that the voltage of the built-in lithium battery 239 has dropped,
The information center 1 is notified of the battery voltage drop. This notification is made at a voltage of about one month before inoperability.

Next, the clock and calendar functions will be described.

A clock is used for the transmission time of the aforementioned periodic report, and a clock and calendar are used for the transmission time and the transmission date of the aforementioned automatic meter reading report. Leap year correction is performed automatically.

The time data consists of hours and minutes (24 hours).
Date data consists of year, month and day. The time data and the date data are set by the initial setting, and thereafter are set and corrected for each notification.

Next, the setting function will be described.

The necessary message information 12a is set to R
It is set in a predetermined area in AM 231b. Message information 1
2a can be successively updated by the message information 12a transmitted from the information center 1 at the time of notification. The following is set as the message information 12a.

[0159] 1. 1. User ID (user code number) 2. Report destination telephone number (maximum 11 digits) 3. Dial method (dial pulse / push button) 4. Report time (regular report and automatic meter reading report time: hour and minute) 5. Reporting cycle (periodical reporting cycle: day [00-99]) 6. Report date (automatic meter reading report date: day [00-28]) 7. Gas meter reading (meter reading information 12a_1, meter reading 6 digits) 8. Maximum total flow rate (3 digits [pulse / hour]) Set cylinder capacity (Set cylinder capacity 6 digits [number of pulses]) 10. Warning remaining point 1 (first warning point [number of pulses]) 11. Warning remaining point 2 (second warning point [number of pulses]) 12. Current time (current time: hour and minute) 13. Current date (current date: Western calendar) When 00 is set as the report cycle, the periodic report function is not performed. When 00 is set as the report date, the automatic meter reading report does not operate.

Next, the test function will be described.

A function test can be performed with the information center 1 via the telephone line 4. Automatic reporting device 10
When an abnormal signal is input when is turned on, the line test information is transmitted to the information center 1. Except for the line test information, the current status is transmitted.

Next, the transmission control function will be described.

When transmitting information to the information center 1, it is checked whether the subscriber's telephone 3b is in use or an incoming call is in progress, and the system waits until the telephone line 4 becomes empty.

If the telephone line 4 is empty, automatic dialing is performed in accordance with a preset destination telephone number.

When the information center 1 is busy, erroneously connected, or there is no response from the information center 1, or when transmission is not normally completed, the telephone line 4 is temporarily released and, for example,
Redial after 0 seconds. For example, if the information cannot be transmitted by dialing three times in total, redialing is performed, for example, after five minutes. If the information cannot be transmitted even with three dials at regular time intervals in the redialing, the dialing is performed again, for example, five minutes later.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is actually executed, and the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is changed based on the connection response result without manual intervention. This makes it possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Further, the meter connection switch can be omitted, and the initial setting of the ON / OFF state of the meter connection switch can be omitted. As a result, the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is connected to the unconnected state despite being connected. It is possible to avoid the switch setting that the contractor misrecognized, and to avoid the connection state and the switch setting that the contractor misrecognized even though the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is not connected, thereby improving the reliability. .

Also, the meter connection switch is eliminated from the automatic notification device 10 because the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be quickly and accurately recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12. As a result, there is an effect that the work load of the above-mentioned initial setting can be reduced from the installer of the automatic notification device 10.

Further, based on the result of the electronic communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without manual operation, and the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than before. As a result, LP
Even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, or a removal operation of the gas microcomputer meter 12 occurs, the connection change operation, the additional connection operation,
Alternatively, there is an effect that the removal operation or the like can be recognized accurately and quickly.

Further, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than before. As a result, LP
O of the meter connection switch according to the connection change work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the gas microcomputer meter 12
Since the operation of resetting the N / OFF state is eliminated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a new artificial erroneous setting of the meter connection switch at the time of resetting, thereby improving the reliability.

Further, the meter connection switch can be omitted from the automatic notification device 10, and as a result, there is an effect that the cost of the device can be reduced and the size of the device can be reduced.

Next, an embodiment of a connection state recognition method used in the automatic notification device 10 will be described.

This connection state recognition method is for recognizing the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 for collecting the meter reading information 12a_1 relating to the LP gas use state via the telephone line 4 using a remote communication operation. Connection state recognition processing step (step S1 to step S5 or step S6 to
Step S9), and the connection state recognition processing step
At a predetermined recognition timing before communication with the P gas microcomputer meter 12 (specifically, at the time of reset or at the time of power-on), the LP gas microcomputer meter 1 for which a communication request has been issued.
(Step S2 or Step S6) of recognizing the connection state with the LP gas microcomputer 2 and recognizing the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 whose connection response has been confirmed as the connected LP gas microcomputer meter 12 (Step S2). S3,4,5
Alternatively, in steps S7, S8, and S9), L in which the connection state is recognized
Collecting the meter reading information 12a_1 for the P gas microcomputer meter 12.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a connection state recognition method executed by the CPU provided in the controller 20 of FIG.

In the connection state recognition processing step, the transmission of the message information 12a using the message information 12a having a predetermined format received from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is performed.
A telegram recognition processing step (steps S3, 4, 5 or steps S7, 8, 9) for recognizing the connection state of the gas microcomputer meter 12 is executed.

Such a connection state recognition processing step is a step of transmitting a communication request command to the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 that has generated a communication request (step S2 or step S2).
6) and the message information 12a is transmitted to the L
The step of receiving from the P gas microcomputer meter 12 (step S2 or step S6) and the recognition of the connection state with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 which transmitted the message information 12a using the meter reading information 12a_1 included in the received message information 12a are executed. Message recognition processing step (steps S3, 4,
5, or steps S7, 8, 9).

That is, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the controller 20 receives the electronic message information 12a from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 and uses the contents of the electronic message information 12a to perform the LP operation. It is possible to recognize the connection state of the gas microcomputer meter 12 without human intervention, and it is possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Further, by using the contents of the electronic message information 12a from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without manual operation, and the meter reading can be performed more quickly and accurately than in the past. Even if a connection change work, an additional connection work, a removal work, or the like of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 occurs as a result of the processing being executed, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on. And LP gas microcomputer meter 1
The second effect is that the connection change work, the additional connection work, the removal work, etc., can be recognized accurately, efficiently, and quickly.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the connection state recognition processing step receives the electronic message information 12a from the first LP gas microcomputer meter 121 (step S3), and uses the received electronic message information 12a to perform the first LP gas microcomputer operation. A message recognition processing step (steps S3, 4, 5) for executing recognition of the connection state with the meter 121 (steps S4, S5) is executed. That is, when the content of the received message information 12a is normal (Y in step S3), the first LP gas microcomputer meter 1
21 is in a connected state (Y in step S3 →
Step S5). If the content of the received message information 12a is not normal (N in step S3), it is recognized that the first LP gas microcomputer meter 121 is not connected (N in step S3 → step S4).

For the same purpose, the connection state recognition processing step is as follows.
As shown in FIG. 4, the second LP gas microcomputer meter 122
(Step S7), and using the received message information 12a, recognizes the connection state to the second LP gas microcomputer meter 122 (steps S8, S9) (steps S7, S8, S9). 9) is executed. That is, when the content of the received message information 12a is normal (Y in step S7), it is recognized that the second LP gas microcomputer meter 122 is in the connected state (step S7).
7Y → Step S9). In addition, the received message information 12
If the content of a is not normal (N in step S7), the second
It is recognized that the LP gas microcomputer meter 122 is not connected (N in step S7 → step S8).

FIGS. 5A and 5B are specific examples of the connection state recognition method of FIG.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), when it is uncertain what kind of LP gas microcomputer meter is connected to the automatic reporting device 10,
Transmits a communication request to the LP gas microcomputer meter 121 (122) using communication. When the message information 12a is received from the first LP gas microcomputer meter 121 (that is, when there is a response), and when the message information 12a is not received from the second LP gas microcomputer meter 122 (that is, when there is no response), As shown in FIG. 5B, only the first LP gas microcomputer meter 121 that has received the message information 12a recognizes that it is in the connected state.

As described above, by adding the message recognition processing step to the connection state recognition processing step, a communication request is transmitted at the time of recognition at the time of reset or power-on, and the message information 12a is transmitted from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 to the controller. 20 receives the message information 12a and recognizes the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 without any manual operation, thereby achieving an effect that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art.

Further, by utilizing the already provided resources such as the reception result of the electronic message information 12a from the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, the LP gas microcomputer meter 12
The connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without the need for manual operation, and the meter reading process can be performed more quickly and accurately than before. As a result, the connection change work, additional connection work, or removal work of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be performed. Even if it does,
A communication request is sent at the recognition timing at power-on, and LP
This has the effect that the connection change operation, the additional connection operation, or the removal operation of the gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized accurately, efficiently and quickly.

FIGS. 6A to 6D show the automatic notification device 1.
0 and LED 26 executed in connection state recognition method
FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram used for a 0 display mode.

In the connection state recognition processing step, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of power-on or reset,
A display step (step S10) of displaying the recognized connection status of the gas microcomputer meter 12 is included.

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
If no P gas microcomputer meter 12 is recognized, the automatic notification device 10 does not generate a drive pulse for blinking the LED 260, so that a communication request is transmitted at the power-on or reset recognition timing, and the LED 260 blinks. do not do. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the first LP gas microcomputer meter 121 is recognized, the automatic notification device 1
Since 0 generates one drive pulse for blinking the LED 260, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at power-on or at the time of reset, and the LED 260 blinks once. Also, as shown in FIG. 6C, the second LP gas microcomputer meter 1
When 22 is recognized, the automatic notification device 10 turns on the LED 26
Since two drive pulses for blinking 0 are generated, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at power-on or at reset,
LED 260 flashes twice. Further, as shown in FIG. 6D, the first LP gas microcomputer meter 121 and the second L
When the P gas microcomputer meter 122 is recognized, the automatic notification device 10 generates three drive pulses for blinking the LED 260. Therefore, the communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing when the power is turned on or at the time of reset, and the LED 260 blinks three times. I do.

By adding a display step to such a connection state recognition processing step, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is performed, and the connection response is performed. There is an effect that the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 recognized based on the result can be visually displayed.

Also, even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 occurs, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the LP gas Microcomputer meter 12
It is possible to accurately and quickly recognize the connection change work, the additional connection work, the removal work, and the like by using a display form that visually appeals.

The connection state recognition processing step may include a storage step (not shown) for holding the connection status of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 following step S10.
That is, by adding a storage step to the connection state recognition processing step, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 recognized at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on can be stored in the storage means 270. As long as no connection change operation, additional connection operation, disconnection operation, or the like of 12 is performed, the data of the connection status held in the storage unit 270 can be used. This eliminates the necessity of performing communication, and has an effect that the throughput of the controller 20 can be improved.

As described above, according to the connection state recognition method of this embodiment, the communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is actually performed by adding the connection state recognition processing step to the conventional meter reading processing step. Then, based on the result of the connection response, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without manual operation, and an effect is obtained that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art.

Further, the meter connection switch can be omitted, and the initial setting of the ON / OFF state of the meter connection switch can be omitted. As a result, even though the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is connected, it is set to the unconnected state. It is possible to avoid the switch setting that the contractor misrecognized, and to avoid the connection state and the switch setting that the contractor misrecognized even though the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 is not connected, thereby improving the reliability. .

Also, the meter connection switch is eliminated from the automatic notification device 10 because the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be quickly and accurately recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12. As a result, there is an effect that the work load of the above-mentioned initial setting can be reduced from the installer of the automatic notification device 10.

Also, based on the result of the electronic communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without manual operation, and the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than before. As a result, LP
Even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, or a removal operation of the gas microcomputer meter 12 occurs, the connection change operation, the additional connection operation,
Alternatively, there is an effect that the removal operation or the like can be recognized accurately and quickly.

Further, the connection state of the LP gas microcomputer meter 12 can be recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the LP gas microcomputer meter 12, so that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than before. As a result, LP
O of the meter connection switch according to the connection change work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the gas microcomputer meter 12
Since the operation of resetting the N / OFF state is eliminated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a new artificial erroneous setting of the meter connection switch at the time of resetting, thereby improving the reliability.

Further, the meter connection switch can be omitted from the automatic notification device 10, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of the device and reduce the size of the device.

[0197]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, communication with the meter reading means is actually performed, and the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized based on the result of the connection response without human intervention. There is an effect that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed.

Further, the meter connection switch can be omitted, and the initial setting of the ON / OFF state of the meter connection switch can be omitted. Recognized switch settings can be avoided, and even if the meter reading means is not connected, the connection state and switch settings that are incorrectly recognized by the installer can be avoided, resulting in an effect of improving reliability.

Further, since the connection state of the meter reading means can be promptly and accurately recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means, the meter connection switch can be eliminated from the automatic reporting device. There is an effect that the work load of the initial setting described above can be reduced from the installer of the notification device.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means, so that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the prior art. Even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, or a removal operation, etc. occurs, the effect that the connection change operation, the additional connection operation, or the removal operation of the meter reading means can be accurately and quickly recognized. Play.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means, so that the meter reading processing can be executed more quickly and accurately as compared with the conventional technique. ON / O of meter connection switch according to connection change work, additional connection work, removal work, etc.
Since the operation of resetting the FF state is eliminated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a new erroneous setting of the meter connection switch at the time of resetting, thereby improving the reliability.

Further, as a result that the meter connection switch can be omitted from the automatic notification device, there is an effect that the cost of the device can be reduced and the size of the device can be reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects described in (1), a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of resetting, the controller executes communication with the meter reading means, and can recognize the connection state of the meter reading means based on the connection response result without human intervention. In addition, there is an effect that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means, so that more rapid and accurate meter reading processing can be executed as compared with the related art. Even if connection change work, additional connection work, or removal work, etc. occurs, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at reset, and the connection change work, additional connection work, removal work, etc. of the meter reading means can be accurately performed. The effect is that the user can quickly and easily recognize.

According to the invention set forth in claim 3, according to claim 1
Or in addition to the effect described in 2, the communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of turning on the power, the controller executes communication with the meter reading means, and the connection state of the meter reading means is not manually operated based on the connection response result. This makes it possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means, so that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the prior art. Even if connection change work, additional connection work, or removal work, etc. occurs, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at power-on, and connection change work, additional connection work, or removal work of meter reading means is performed. There is an effect that recognition can be performed accurately and quickly.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a first aspect is provided.
In addition to the effects described in any one of (1) to (3), a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or at power-on, and communication with the meter reading means is performed by the controller, and recognition is performed based on the connection response result. There is an effect that the connection state of the meter reading means can be visually displayed.

Even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the meter reading means occurs, a communication request is transmitted at the time of resetting or at the recognition timing at power-on, and the connection change of the meter reading means is performed. There is an effect that it is possible to accurately and quickly recognize the work, the additional connection work, or the removal work using a display form that appeals visually.

According to the invention set forth in claim 5, according to claim 4,
In addition to the effects described in (1), a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the controller executes communication with the meter reading means, and displays the connection state of the meter reading means recognized based on the connection response result. The effect that it becomes possible to visually display using a simple display form according to the above.

[0210] Even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like of the meter reading means occurs, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the connection change of the meter reading means is changed. There is an effect that it is possible to accurately and quickly recognize the work, the additional connection work, the removal work, and the like by using a simple display form based on LEDs that visually appeal.

According to the invention of claim 6, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects described in any one of (5) to (5), the connection state of the meter reading means recognized at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on can be stored in the storage means. As long as no removal work or the like occurs, the connection state data held in the storage means can be used. As a result, there is no need to communicate with the meter reading means at each recognition timing, thereby improving the controller throughput. The effect that it becomes possible to do it is produced.

According to the invention described in claim 7, claim 1 is provided.
7. In addition to the effects described in any one of (6) to (6), a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the controller receives message information from the meter reading means, and connects the meter reading means based on the message information. It is possible to recognize the state without human intervention, and it is possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Also, by utilizing existing resources such as the reception result of the electronic message information from the meter reading means, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without manual operation, and a more rapid and accurate meter reading than before can be realized. Even if the connection change work, additional connection work, or removal work of the meter reading means occurs as a result that the processing can be executed, the communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of turning on the power, and the connection of the meter reading means is performed. It is possible to accurately, quickly and efficiently recognize a change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like.

According to the invention described in claim 8, according to claim 7,
In addition to the effects described in the above, transmitting a communication request at the time of recognition at the time of reset or power-on, the controller receives the message information from the meter reading means, and diverts the contents of the meter reading information included in the message information Thereby, it is possible to recognize the connection state of the meter reading means without human intervention, and it is possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Also, by using the contents of the meter reading information contained in the reception result of the electronic message information from the meter reading means,
The connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without human intervention, and the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than before. As a result, a connection changing work, an additional connecting work, or a removing work of the meter reading means may occur. Even when the power is turned on, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing when the power is turned on, so that the connection change work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the meter reading means can be recognized accurately, efficiently and quickly. This has the effect.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, by adding a connection state recognition processing step to the conventional meter reading processing step, communication with the meter reading means is actually performed, and the meter reading is performed based on the connection response result. It is possible to recognize the connection state of the means without human intervention, and it is possible to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before.

Further, the meter connection switch can be omitted, and the initial setting of the ON / OFF state of the meter connection switch can be omitted. Recognized switch settings can be avoided, and even if the meter reading means is not connected, the connection state and switch settings that are incorrectly recognized by the installer can be avoided, resulting in an effect of improving reliability.

Further, since the connection state of the meter reading means can be promptly and accurately recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means, the meter connection switch can be eliminated from the automatic reporting device. There is an effect that the work load of the initial setting described above can be reduced from the installer of the notification device.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means, and the meter reading processing can be executed more quickly and accurately as compared with the related art. Even if a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, or a removal operation, etc. occurs, the effect that the connection change operation, the additional connection operation, or the removal operation of the meter reading means can be accurately and quickly recognized. Play.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means, so that more rapid and accurate meter reading processing can be executed as compared with the conventional technique. ON / O of meter connection switch according to connection change work, additional connection work, removal work, etc.
Since the operation of resetting the FF state is eliminated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a new erroneous setting of the meter connection switch at the time of resetting, thereby improving the reliability.

Furthermore, as a result of omitting the meter connection switch from the automatic notification device, there is an effect that the device cost can be reduced and the device size can be reduced.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the ninth aspect, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of resetting, communication with the meter reading means is performed, and the connection response result is obtained. Based on the above, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without human intervention, and an effect that the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than before can be achieved.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without manual operation based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means, so that more rapid and accurate meter reading processing can be executed as compared with the conventional technique. Even if connection change work, additional connection work, or removal work, etc. occurs, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at reset, and the connection change work, additional connection work, removal work, etc. of the meter reading means can be accurately performed. The effect is that the user can quickly and easily recognize.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the ninth or tenth aspect, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of turning on the power, and communication with the meter reading means is performed to execute the communication request. Based on the connection response result, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without manual intervention, and an effect is obtained that a more rapid and accurate meter reading process can be executed as compared with the related art.

Further, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without human intervention based on the result of the electronic communication with the meter reading means, so that more rapid and accurate meter reading processing can be executed as compared with the conventional technique. Even if connection change work, additional connection work, or removal work, etc. occurs, a communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at power-on, and connection change work, additional connection work, or removal work of meter reading means is performed. There is an effect that recognition can be performed accurately and quickly.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, a display step is added to the connection state recognition processing step,
The communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the communication with the meter reading means is executed, and the connection state of the meter reading means recognized based on the connection response result can be visually displayed. Play.

Even when a connection change operation, an additional connection operation, a detachment operation, or the like of the meter reading means occurs, a communication request is transmitted at the time of resetting or at the recognition timing at the time of turning on the power, and the connection change of the meter reading means is changed. There is an effect that it is possible to accurately and quickly recognize the work, the additional connection work, or the removal work using a display form that appeals visually.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of any one of the ninth to twelfth aspects, by adding a storage step to the connection state recognition processing step,
Since the connection state of the meter reading means recognized at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on can be stored in the storage means, the connection changing work, the additional connection work, or the removal work of the meter reading means is stored in the storage means while no operation is performed. As a result of using the data of the connection status that has been set, there is no need to communicate with the meter reading means at each recognition timing, and the effect is achieved that the throughput of the controller can be improved.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, a reset is achieved by adding a message recognition processing step to the connection state recognition processing step. The communication request is transmitted at the time of recognition at the time or at the time of power-on, and the controller receives the message information from the meter reading means, and the connection state of the gas meter 12 can be recognized by the message information without manual operation, which is faster than before. In addition, it is possible to execute an accurate meter reading process.

Further, by utilizing the already provided resources such as the reception result of the electronic message information from the meter reading means, the connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without manual operation, and a more rapid and accurate meter reading than before can be realized. Even if the connection change work, additional connection work, or removal work of the meter reading means occurs as a result that the processing can be executed, the communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of turning on the power, and the connection of the meter reading means is performed. It is possible to accurately, quickly and efficiently recognize a change operation, an additional connection operation, a removal operation, or the like.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fourteenth aspect, a communication request is transmitted at a recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the controller reads the electronic message information from the meter reading means. By diverting the contents of the meter reading information received and included in the message information, it is possible to recognize the connection state of the meter reading means without human intervention, and to execute the meter reading process more quickly and accurately than before. It has the effect of becoming.

Also, by using the contents of the meter reading information contained in the reception result of the electronic message information from the meter reading means,
The connection state of the meter reading means can be recognized without human intervention, and the meter reading process can be executed more quickly and accurately than before. As a result, a connection changing work, an additional connecting work, or a removing work of the meter reading means may occur. Even if it is the case, the communication request is transmitted at the recognition timing at the time of reset or power-on, and the connection change work, additional connection work, removal work, etc. of the meter reading means can be recognized accurately, efficiently and quickly. It has the effect of becoming

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an LP gas home security system to which an automatic notification device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining a basic configuration of an automatic notification device provided in the LP gas home security system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram for explaining a basic configuration of a controller provided in the automatic notification device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a connection state recognition method executed by a CPU provided in the controller of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are specific examples of the connection state recognition method of FIG.

FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (d) are waveform diagrams used in an LED display mode executed in the automatic notification device and the connection state recognition method.

FIG. 7A is a functional block diagram for explaining a conventional automatic notification device, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a state in which SW1 is turned on even though a gas meter is not connected. FIG. 7C shows a specific example in which the first gas meter is erroneously recognized as being connected in response to the ON state of SW1, although the second gas meter is connected. The following shows a specific example in which it is erroneously recognized as being performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information center 4 Communication line 10 Automatic reporting device 12 Meter reading means (gas microcomputer meter) 12a Electronic message information 12a_1 Meter reading information 20 Controller 260 Display means (LED) 270 Storage means (RAM)

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. At least one or more meter reading means for collecting meter reading information relating to the usage status of gas, water, electricity, etc. via a communication line can be connected, and the meter reading information for each meter reading means can be collected. In an automatic reporting device that automatically reports to an information center, a communication request is transmitted at a predetermined recognition timing before communicating with each of the meter reading means, and the recognition of the connection state with the meter reading means in response to the communication request is communicated. And using
An automatic controller that recognizes the meter reading means for which the connection response has been confirmed as the meter reading means in a connected state, and executes collection of the meter reading information for the meter reading means having recognized the connection state. Notification device. 2. The controller is configured to transmit a communication request at the recognition timing at the time of reset, and execute recognition of the connection state with respect to the meter reading means in response to the communication request. The automatic notification device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The controller is configured to transmit a communication request at the recognition timing at the time of power-on, and execute recognition of the connection state with respect to meter reading means in response to the communication request. The automatic notification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The automatic notification device according to claim 1, wherein the controller has display means for displaying a connection status recognized by the meter reading means. 5. The display means is configured to transmit a communication request at the recognition timing at the time of power-on or at the time of reset, and to display the connection status of the meter reading means by blinking an LED. The automatic notification device according to claim 4, wherein 6. The automatic notification device according to claim 1, wherein the controller has a storage unit that stores a connection state of the meter reading unit. 7. The controller is configured to execute the recognition of the connection state with respect to the meter reading means that transmitted the message information, using the message information having a predetermined format received from the meter reading means. The automatic notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 8. The controller sends a communication request command to the meter reading means in response to the communication request, receives the electronic message information from the meter reading means that has received the communication request instruction, and adds the received message information to the received message information. The automatic notification device according to claim 7, wherein the automatic notification device is configured to execute recognition of the connection state with respect to meter reading means that transmitted the electronic message information using the included meter reading information. 9. At least one or more meter reading means for collecting meter reading information relating to the usage status of gas, water, electricity or the like via a communication line can be connected, and the meter reading information for each meter reading means can be collected. In a connection state recognition method used in an automatic reporting device that automatically reports to an information center, a communication request is transmitted at a predetermined recognition timing before performing communication with each of the meter reading means, and the meter reading means responding to the communication request. Performing the recognition of the connection state of the communication using communication;
Recognizing the meter reading means for which the connection response has been confirmed as the meter reading means in the connected state, and collecting the meter reading information for the meter reading means for which the connection state has been recognized. Connection status recognition method. 10. The connection state recognition processing step includes a step of transmitting a communication request at the recognition timing at the time of resetting the automatic notification device and executing recognition of the connection state with respect to the meter reading means in response to the communication request. The connection state recognition method according to claim 9, comprising: 11. The connection state recognition processing step includes transmitting a communication request at the recognition timing at the time of turning on the power of the automatic notification device, and performing recognition of the connection state with respect to meter reading means in response to the communication request. The connection state recognition method according to claim 9, further comprising: 12. The connection state recognition processing step includes a display step of transmitting a communication request at the recognition timing at the time of power-on or reset, and displaying a connection state recognized by the meter reading means. The connection state recognition method according to any one of claims 9 to 11. 13. The connection state recognition method according to claim 9, wherein the connection state recognition processing step includes a storage step of holding a connection state of the meter reading means. 14. The connection state recognition processing step of using the message information having a predetermined format received from the meter reading means to execute recognition of the connection state with respect to the meter reading means that transmitted the message information. including,
The connection state recognition method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein: 15. The connection state recognition processing step includes: transmitting a communication request command to a meter reading unit responding to the communication request; and receiving the message information from the meter reading unit that receives the communication request command. 15. A message recognition processing step of performing, using the meter reading information included in the received message information, recognition of the connection state with respect to meter reading means that has transmitted the message information, the message recognition processing step comprising: Connection status recognition method.