JPH11250137A - Rate controlling meter reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for generating an alarm to each user and/or a device for controlling home equipments by predicting the practical consumption of an object to be consumped by his (or her) family for a family budget while considering a problem that a user can not predict the consumption up to a prescribed point of time and comparing the predicted result with a budget previously planned in each family. SOLUTION: The rate controlling meter reader is provided with a means 16 for inputting the budget of an object to be consumed in a family at a prescribed point of time previously set by a user, a means 20 for automatically reading a meter at the time of receiving a meter reading command 19, a storage means 24 for storing each user's meter reading result, a means 25 for predicting consumption at the prescribed time by utilizing a user's past meter reading result, a means 32 for comparing the budget with the prediction, and a means 33 for giving an alarm to the user based on the compared result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for estimating consumption by inputting a budget set up by a user up to a predetermined point in time for household consumption such as gas, LP gas, electricity and water. The present invention relates to a device that issues a warning to a user in advance and a device that controls home appliances.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional technique will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0003] In the business of household goods such as gas, electricity, and water, a user basically decides in advance a budget for a usage fee at a predetermined time for a household, and at the predetermined time, There is no conventional device that predicts the performance of the above, compares the budget with the prediction of the performance, and issues a warning to each household in advance.

[0004] In view of the above, the present situation in which the user predicts the payment of a fee to a business entity for household consumption for the current month,
Next, the background for realizing the charge control meter reading device will be described in relation to recent advances in communication lines including computer networks.

[0005] First, with reference to FIG. 1, a description will be given of a mechanism of payment of a typical fee for a product currently consumed at home. After the meter reading is completed, the business 1 relating to the goods consumed at home sends a bill 3 to the user 2 by a paper medium such as mail. Alternatively, the user 2 knows the past performance and fee by making an inquiry such as a telephone call to the company 1 regarding the goods to be consumed at home. In the case of gas, the fee is determined by the sum of the basic fee and the metered fee. That is, the basic fee is determined according to the range of consumption. On the other hand, the pay-as-you-go fee is determined according to the usage amount. Invoice 3 describes the results and charges for the current month, the results and charges for the previous month, and the results and charges for the same month in the previous year. User 2
Can only use this information to predict the current month's usage and charges for households.

[0006] However, when the family of the user 2 newly increases or decreases, when a new device is purchased, or when the climate is different from that of the same month of the previous year, the budget based on the past usage is used. 2 is almost impossible to predict. The user 2 knows the result and the fee for the first time after the meter reading of the household consumption such as gas, electricity, and water is completed, and the bill 3 of the current month comes, and as a result, the household budget deviates from the original budget. It is currently difficult to manage. This month's actuals and charges, as listed on Invoice 3,
It is substantially difficult for the user 2 to predict the usage result and the fee for the current month for the household from the information of the result and the fee of the previous month and the result and the fee of the same month in the previous year.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a home gas metering automation system as a background of the present invention will be described.

[0008] The information collection center 4 is a telephone line or wireless,
It is connected to a detached house 5, a condominium 6, and detached houses 7 and 8, so that data can be exchanged with each other. The detached house 5 has a microcomputer meter 11 for automatically performing meter reading. It has a telephone 12 and is connected to the information collection center 4 via a dial signal transmitting / receiving device T-NCU 9. The apartment 6 has a centralized meter reading board 13 and is connected to the information collection center 4 via a dial signal transmitting / receiving device T-NCU10. The detached houses 7 and 8 have microcomputer meters 14 and 15 having a wireless communication function, respectively, and are connected to the information collection center 4 by wireless.

Next, the operation in such a background will be described.

The microcomputer meter installed in the single-family house 5 measures the amount of gas used. The meter reading result is sent from the telephone 12 to the information collection center 4 via the dial signal transmitting / receiving device T-NCU 9. The centralized meter reading board 13 installed in the apartment 6 performs centralized meter reading of the gas consumption of each household in the apartment. The result is sent to the information collection center 4 via the dial signal transmitting / receiving device T-NCU10. In addition, the detached houses 7 and 8 are automatically metered by the microcomputer meters 14 and 15, and the result is wirelessly transmitted to the information collection center 4.

[0011] In this way, information on the gas usage is collected in the information collection center 4 and after information processing, a bill for gas is sent to each house.

[0012]

However, as described above, the amount of consumption at a predetermined point in time for each household's household is predicted, and the budget and the prediction result set in advance by each household are compared. There has not previously been a device that alerts the home and / or controls home appliances. As described above, the present invention conventionally considers the problem that the user cannot predict the consumption amount of a product to be consumed at home for a household up to a predetermined point in time, predicts the actual consumption amount, and calculates the result. A device that warns the user by comparing with the budget and / or
Another object is to provide a device for controlling home appliances.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention according to claim 1 comprises budget input means for inputting a budget of goods to be consumed at home at a predetermined time set by a user in advance, A receiver for receiving the meter reading command, an automatic meter reading device for automatically reading the meter after receiving the meter reading command, a meter reading means having at least an automatic transmitter for automatically transmitting the result of the meter reading, and a meter reading means obtained by the meter reading means. A meter reading result storing unit storing the meter reading result of the user and a past meter reading result of the user stored in the meter reading result storing unit, the prediction of the consumption amount of the user at the predetermined time is performed. A charge unit comprising: a prediction unit for performing the calculation; a comparison unit for comparing the predicted consumption amount with the budget; and a warning transmission unit for performing the comparison and issuing a warning based on the comparison result. Control meter reading It is the location.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a budget input means for inputting a budget of a product to be consumed at home at a predetermined time set by a user in advance, a receiver for receiving a meter reading command, and receiving the meter reading command. An automatic meter reader that automatically measures
Meter reading means having at least an automatic transmitter for automatically transmitting the meter reading result, meter reading result storing means for storing a user's meter reading result obtained by the meter reading means, and meter reading result stored in the meter reading result storing means. A prediction unit that predicts the consumption of the user at the predetermined time by using a past meter reading result of the user; a comparison unit that compares the predicted consumption with the budget; and And a control means for controlling household appliances based on the comparison result.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a budget input means for inputting a budget of goods to be consumed at home at a predetermined time set by a user in advance, a receiver for receiving a meter reading command, and receiving the meter reading command. An automatic meter reader that automatically measures
Meter reading means having at least an automatic transmitter for automatically transmitting the meter reading result, meter reading result storing means for storing a user's meter reading result obtained by the meter reading means, and meter reading result stored in the meter reading result storing means. A prediction unit that predicts the consumption of the user at the predetermined time by using a past meter reading result of the user; a comparison unit that compares the predicted consumption with the budget; and Charge warning control means, comprising: a warning issuing means for performing a warning based on a result of the comparison, and a control means for controlling home appliances based on the result of the comparison. It is a meter reading device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided use status input means for inputting an initial state of the use status of the user and a schedule of a future use status of the user after the present time,
And a use status storage unit configured to store information input by the use status input unit, wherein the prediction unit performs prediction using information stored in the use status storage unit. 3. The charge control meter reading device according to any one of 3.

[0017] In the above invention, the use status is:
It is a charge control meter reading device characterized by the number of users and / or the use status of the appliance that performs the consumption.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the prediction means predicts the consumption at the predetermined time, the temperature storage means further stores past temperature data and / or future temperature data. The charge control meter reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein prediction is made based on past and / or future temperature data stored in the temperature storage means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the meter reading means is a means for reading the meter at a low frequency, and the predicting means uses the result of the previous month and the amount of change from the previous month to the same month last year. The charge control meter reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the meter is inserted and predicted.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the meter reading means is a means for reading the meter at a high frequency, and the predicting means obtains a regression formula from a predetermined past meter reading result and uses the regression formula. The rate control meter reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the consumption at a predetermined time is extrapolated and predicted.

The present invention also provides the meter reading result storing means,
The management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predicting unit, the comparing unit, and the warning transmitting unit are provided in a management system on the side of a business regarding the goods consumed in the home. It is a charge control meter reading device.

The present invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the user terminal device has the meter reading result storing means, the predicting means, the comparing means, and the warning transmitting means. Item 4. A charge control meter reading device according to any one of Items 1 to 3.

[0023]

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

First, as a first embodiment, an outline of the apparatus will be described first, and a detailed description of the contents will be described later.

FIG. 4 shows an outline of the charge control meter reading device.

The management system 36 is connected to a user terminal 37 via the Internet 38 and has a function of a WWW server. The management system 36 includes a meter reading result storage unit 24, a prediction unit 25, a comparison unit 32, a warning transmission unit 33, and a use status storage unit 18. The management system 36 uses the Internet 38 to communicate with user terminals 37 in each home. Further, the management system 36 includes a temperature storage unit 31 for obtaining and storing temperature data from the weather association 35 or the like in the prediction unit 25.

On the other hand, the user terminal 37 of each household has a budget inputting means 16 and a usage status inputting means 17 for measuring the consumption of gas, electricity, water and other goods consumed at home. And a meter reading means 20. In this embodiment, a gas will be specifically described as an example. The warning 34 from the management system is displayed on the user terminal 37.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be briefly described. The management system 36 periodically issues a meter reading command 19 to the meter reading means 20 in each home for gas. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a meter reading command is transmitted every day. In response to the meter reading command 19, the meter reading means 20 automatically reads the value of the meter 39 and sends the result to the management system 36. The management system 36 stores the meter reading result in the meter reading result storage means 24. In this manner, the past daily meter reading results are accumulated in the meter reading result storage means 24.
In the user terminal 37, the budget of the gas to be consumed for the current month at each household is input by the budget input unit 16.
The budget is managed by the management system 3 via the Internet 38.
Sent to 6. When the charge control meter reading device is used for the first time, or when the number of households and / or gas appliances change, the usage status input means 17 is used to input. This information
The information is stored in the usage status storage unit 18 in the management system 36 via the Internet 38. Management system 36
Predicts gas consumption for the current month by referring to the information of the meter reading result storage means 24, the temperature storage means 31 and the usage state storage means 18 of the meter reading means 24. Next, the budget for the current month at home and the estimated gas consumption
The comparison is performed by the comparing means 32. As a result, when there is a possibility that the budget for the current month may exceed the predicted consumption, the warning sending unit 33 issues a warning 34 to the home via the Internet. In response, households can review budgets and reduce gas consumption.

The outline of the first embodiment has been described above.
Next, a detailed description of the first embodiment will be given with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 3, the budget input means 16 constituting the user terminal 37 is a means for inputting a budget relating to the gas consumption for the current month. Usage status input means 17
Is a means for inputting a changed situation when the charge control meter reading device is used for the first time or when the number of people and / or appliances consuming gas changes at home. Further, the usage status storage means 18 constituting the management system 36 includes:
This is a means for storing information input by the use status input means 16. The meter reading command 19 issues a meter reading command to the meter reading means 20. As described above, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that a meter reading command is issued once every day.

The meter reading result storage means 24 has stored the meter reading means 2 in the past.
This is a means for storing the result of meter reading at 0. Prediction means 2
5 is a means for estimating the gas consumption for the current month, and includes extrapolation means 26, temperature change correction means 28, temperature storage means 31,
It is composed of a use status correcting means 29. Extrapolation means 26
Is a means for calculating a regression equation using the results of meter readings on a daily basis and extrapolating the gas consumption at the end of the month. The temperature storage unit 31 is a unit that obtains and stores past temperatures and temperature forecasts from the weather association 35 and the like. Temperature change correction means 28
Is a means for extracting the information of the temperature from the temperature storage means 31 and correcting the predicted value of the gas consumption based on the temperature. The usage status correction unit 29 is a unit that corrects the prediction of gas consumption due to a change in the number of people and / or appliances at home, which is stored in the usage status storage unit 18.

The comparison means 32 calculates the budget for the current month and the predicted value 30 of the gas consumption amount predicted by the prediction means 25 for the current month.
Is a means for comparing The warning issuing means 33 is a means for issuing a warning when the predicted consumption exceeds the budget for the current month as a result of the comparison by the comparing means 32. This warning is sent to the user terminal 37.

The meter reading means 20 comprises a receiver 21 and an automatic meter reader 2
2 and an automatic transmitter 23. The receiver 21 receives the meter reading command 19 and issues a command to the automatic meter reading device 22 to perform gas meter reading. The automatic meter reader 22 automatically measures the gas consumption. The automatic transmitter 23 automatically transmits the result of the meter reading by the automatic meter reading device 22 to the meter reading result storage means 24.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The meter reading instruction 19 is transmitted to the meter reading means 20 of each home every day using a telephone line or the like. This is received by the receiver 21 constituting the meter reading means 20, and the automatic meter reading device 22 automatically reads the value of the meter 39 indicating the gas consumption. The result is transmitted by the automatic transmitter 23 to the meter reading result storage means 24 in the management system 36 and stored.

In the budget input means 16 of the user terminal 37,
Enter your monthly budget. That is, at the beginning of the month, enter the budget for the gas that you plan to consume in the month. Budget input means 16
Displays a menu 41 as shown in FIG. In the menu 41, the year 1998 is entered as the year, and the budget for January and January is entered as 9800 yen as the month for inputting the current month's budget. In the user terminal 37, the identifier of the user can be specified. However, due to security concerns, the password is sent to the user in advance by mail or other means. As the identifier, a user's usage number or telephone number can be used. The input monthly budget is sent to the management system 36 using an electronic mail. Also, notification can be made by a push operation using a push line. In this case, an input of an identifier and a password like the menu 42 is added to the menu 41 as input items. 43894689 is input as an identifier and abcdef is input as a password by a push operation. The notification of the password by mail or the like in advance is the same as the notification by e-mail. When the budget for the current month is input, it is sent to the management system 36 and stored.

Next, in the case of using gas, the utilization status input means 17 is as shown in FIG. That is, the menu 43 is used when the number of persons and / or the status of the appliance is input for the first time by the usage status input unit 17, and the menu 44 is used when the usage status changes. When inputting for the first time, the menu 43 is used to input the number of family members who are currently living together. Next, information of a gas cooker, a gas heating device, and the like are sequentially input. In the case where the changed status is input by the usage status input means 17, the case 4 shown in FIG.
It will be like 4. In other words, only when the number of households changes this month, information indicating how many and how many people will increase and / or decrease will be input as necessary. Only when the number of used appliances and equipment changes this month, input the information as needed. For example, how many days are you going to buy a gas water heater, how many days are you going to increase or decrease the number of gas heaters, and how many days are you going to increase or decrease the number of gas cookers? Enter the information of the gas equipment in. Returning to FIG. 3, the information input by the usage status input unit 17 in this manner returns to the management system 3.
6 is stored in the usage status storage means 18.

In the future, it can be assumed that plug-and-play, that is, simply by connecting the appliances, will enable input of change information on the appliances used in the home. In this case, when inputting by the use status input unit 17, the use status of the appliance can be input simply by connecting the appliance, so that the user can assume that there is no need to input anything in the use status input unit 17. .

In FIG. 3, information on daily average temperature for the past 30 years, temperature forecast such as one-month forecast, three-month forecast, etc. is obtained from the Meteorological Association 35 or the like and stored in the temperature storage means 31. . This temperature data is used by the temperature change correction means of the prediction means 25 as described later.

The predicting means 25 reads the daily gas consumption meter reading results stored in the meter reading result storing means 24 and the number and / or number of households stored in the usage state storing means 18.
Alternatively, the gas consumption at the end of the current month is predicted from the appliance information and the past temperature and temperature forecast information stored in the temperature storage means 31. The prediction method is performed in the following three stages. That is, the extrapolation means 26, the temperature change correction means 28, and the use state correction means 29.

First, the first extrapolation means 26 will be described. The meter reading result storage means of FIG. 3 stores daily meter reading results as described above. A regression equation is determined using the results of the past 30 days in the meter reading results. The regression equation is a linear equation or a quadratic equation. However, in the present embodiment, the regression equation is obtained from the meter reading history for the past 30 days. In this case, it is known that the regression equation can be predicted empirically and accurately as shown by 49 in FIG. . It is empirically known that when a regression equation is obtained from the meter reading history of the past 60 days or 90 days, a quadratic equation can be more accurately predicted.
In FIG. 10, a mark means that gas consumption can be accurately predicted, a mark means that prediction can be made almost accurately, and a mark means that actual results and predictions are greatly different.

Next, the second stage temperature change correction means 28 will be described. The temperature change correction means 2 as shown in FIG.
8 refers to the temperature storage means 31. The average temperature record database 50 stores daily average temperatures for the past 30 years. As described above, the temperature prediction information 51
One month forecast and three month forecast for temperature are stored. The temperature change correction means 28 has a current month average temperature prediction logic 52 for predicting the current month's average temperature from the average temperature in the past 30 years. As a result of the prediction by the current month average temperature prediction logic 52, a current month average temperature prediction value 53 is obtained. The temperature change correction means 28 has monthly temperature sensitivity 54 as a database and is used when performing temperature correction 55. The monthly temperature sensitivity 54 is a database that has already been obtained from a past gas consumption survey, and is a database that represents the ratio of a change in gas consumption to a change in temperature for each application, for example, hot water supply or heating.

Next, the operation of the temperature change correction means 28 in the second stage will be described. First, this month average temperature prediction logic 52
Makes the following determination with reference to the actual average temperature database 50 and the temperature prediction information 51.

That is, in the forecast in the temperature prediction information 51: If it is predicted that the temperature is warmer than a normal year, it is determined that the average temperature in the past 30 years is +2 degrees.

When it is predicted that the temperature is slightly warmer than a normal year, it is determined that the average temperature in the past 30 years is +1 degree.

● If the forecast is on average, the past 30
Judge as the annual average temperature.

● If it is predicted to be slightly colder than normal,
Judgment is average temperature of the past 30 years minus 1 degree. ● If it is predicted that the temperature is colder than normal, it is determined that the average temperature of the past 30 years is minus 2 degrees. With the above determination, the average temperature prediction value 53 for the current month is obtained. Note that the present month average temperature predicted value 53 may be obtained by assuming that the difference is the same in the current month in consideration of the difference between the actual result and the average temperature in the past month or so in the present logic. In addition, an extrapolation value 27 of the current month of gas consumption is input, and a temperature correction 55 is performed using the monthly temperature sensitivity 54. The temperature correction 55 is performed by the following equation.

G ′ (c, m, u) = G (c, m, u) * {− TA (m, u) * T ′ (m) + TB (m, u)} / ｛− TA (m , U) * T (m) + TB (m, u) {Equation 1 where c: user (c = 1, 2 ,, n) m: current month (m = 1, 2, 12, 12) u : Use (u = kyu, dan) kyu: Hot water supply dan: Heating G (c, m, u): Predicted value by extrapolation of user u's use u for the current month (before temperature correction) G '(c, m , U): Temperature correction predicted value of use u of user c for the current month TA (m, u): Temperature sensitivity of use u for this month (calculated from monthly temperature sensitivity) TB (m, u): Temperature of the current month Temperature constant term of use u (calculated from monthly temperature sensitivity) T '(m): Current month average temperature predicted value T (m): Average temperature of actual results (30 days) used in regression equation. However, empirically, temperature changes are not corrected for kitchens because they are small. TA at 64 in FIG.
The values of (m, u) and TB (m, u) are shown.

Next, a description will be given of the use state correcting means 29 in the third stage. As shown in FIG. 12, the use situation correction means 29 receives the temperature correction predicted value 56 obtained in FIG. 11 as an input. The meter reading result storage means 24 has user usage history data 57. Here, a history of gas consumption by the user in the past is stored. Further, the usage status storage means 18
Has user usage history data 59. Here, the history of the user's use of gas in the past, that is,
A history of changes in the number of users and / or appliances consuming gas is stored. The usage sensitivity database 58
It has already been obtained from past meter reading results and user surveys. This is information indicating the ratio of how much gas consumption increases when the number of appliances increases or the number of users increases by one.

Next, the operation of the use status correcting means in the third stage will be described. First, the usage status correction unit 29 extracts the user usage history data 57 from the meter reading result storage unit 24. Further, the user usage history data 59 is extracted from the usage status storage unit 18. In addition, the usage status correction means 29
Refers to the user usage history data 57 and the user usage history data 59, and refers to the usage sensitivity database 58.
Extract the information of Further, the use status correction means 29
Inputs the temperature correction predicted value 56 obtained in the second stage as described above. Thus, the current month predicted consumption value 30 is predicted as follows. That is, GB ′ (c, m, u) = GB (c, m−12, u) * ｛1 + NR (m, u) * △ N (c, m) * D (c, m, u) / 30 + KR ( m, u) * {K (c, m, u) * E (c, m, u) / 30} Equation 2 where c: user (c = 1, 2 ,,, n) m: current month ( m = 1, 2 ,, 12) u: Usage (u = kyu, dan, chu) kyu: Hot water supply dan: Heating chu: Kitchen GB '(c, m, u): Usage c of user c for the current month Usage correction value GB (c, m, u): Temperature correction prediction value of usage u of user c for the current month (before usage correction) NR (m, u): Sensitivity of household members of usage u for the current month (Calculated from usage sensitivity database) △ N (c, m): Change in the number of households of user c in the current month KR (m, u): Sensitivity of equipment owned by use u in the current month (use sensitivity database ΔK (c, m, u): Number of changes in equipment owned by user c during the current month D (c, m, u): Days during which the number of households of user c changes during the current month E (c) , M, u): The number of days when the number of equipment owned by user c in the current month changes.

That is, the current month's predicted consumption value 3 of the user c.
0 is GB '(c, m, kyu) + GB' (c, m, d
an) + GB '(c, m, chu).

Note that NR (m, u) and KR (m, u)
Are shown in FIG. 13 at 64.

Returning to FIG. 3, the comparison means 32 compares the current month's budget input by the budget input means 16 with the current month's consumption predicted value 30 predicted by the prediction means 25. As a result, if it is determined that a warning should be issued to the user, a warning 34 is issued to the user terminal 37 by the next warning transmission unit 33. An example of the warning 34 may be as follows. First, a warning 34 using the energy saving database is possible. However, the energy saving database has a message to the user for each use and factor to encourage the user to save consumption. The following is a specific example of a message from the energy saving database. "Shower frequency per day /
It is estimated that reducing the number of weeks will reduce the amount of hot water gas used by about 1.6 m3 / month. You have a shower frequency of 7 days / week, and the average frequency of use in Kansai is 5.5 days /
1.5 days / week more than a week. The effect of increasing the amount of gas used for hot water supply is estimated to be about 2.4 m3 / month. In addition, it is estimated that if the shower head is changed to a type having a small amount of hot water, the amount of hot water gas used is reduced by about 3.0 m3 / month.

As another example of the warning 34, a simpler one may be used, for example, "The gas rate of this month is likely to exceed the budget.", "Budget: 9800 yen / forecast:
9900 yen. "If the budget is kept within, save the gas usage.", And the warning 34 can be transmitted by various devices as follows. That is, "the warning display button of the user terminal is turned on / flashing", "notify the user by e-mail, fax, pager, etc.", "notify the user by telephone by voice response system. Read the message with a mechanical sound. "

The first embodiment has been described above.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the meter is read only on a monthly basis. That is, in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the meter reading command 19 in FIG. 3 does not issue the meter reading command every day as in the first embodiment, but issues it every month. In response to this, the meter reading means 20 performs meter reading on a monthly basis, and stores the result in the meter reading result storage means 24. Prediction means 25
Stores the information on the monthly meter reading results in the meter reading result storage means 24.
Reference from. The extrapolation means 26 is extrapolated as shown in FIG. 7, unlike the first embodiment. That is, the prediction value of the current month is extrapolated and predicted using the results of the previous month and the amount of change from the previous month to the same month last year.

That is, the forecast value for the current month is the previous month's result + (the change amount of the previous month's result and the same month's result). That is, U (m) = U (m−1) + (U (m−12) −U ( m-13)) Equation 3 Here, U (m): Corrected monthly usage of m months. FIG.
As can be seen by comparing Nos. 45 and 46, it is assumed that the amount of change from the previous month's results is the same as the amount of change in the previous year.

Incidentally, the meter reading is not always performed on the same day every month. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the meter reading date in advance before extrapolating using Equation 3. This correction is performed using a known technique as shown in FIG. 1
Meter reading is performed on January 20 and the usage at that time is 50m3
Then, the meter reading was carried out on December 15, and the usage at that time was 6
It is assumed that the meter reading is performed on January 18 at 0 m3, and the used amount at that time is 70 m3. At this time, the corrected monthly usage in December is obtained. First, the amount used per day from November 20 to December 15 was 60 は 25m3.
/ Day. Next, the amount used per day from December 20 to January 18 is 70/34 m3 / day. Accordingly, the monthly usage amount in December is calculated by dividing the daily usage amount by day, and (60 ÷ 25) × 15 + (70 ÷ 3).
4) It becomes × 16m3 / month.

That is, U (m) = G (m) / (E (m-1) -D (m-1) + D (m)). Times.D (m) + G (m + 1) / (D (m + 1) + E (M) −D (m)) × (E (m−D (m)) Equation 4 where U (m): Corrected monthly usage in m months G (m): Meter reading day usage in m months D (M): Meter reading day of m month E (m): Days of m month The extrapolated value 27 of the current month is obtained as shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, since the regression equation is not used in T (m) of Equation 1, the average temperature for the past 30 days is simply used. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 3, the first embodiment and the second embodiment issue a warning 34 from the warning transmitting means 33, but in the present embodiment, the comparison result of the comparing means 32 Is that the home appliances are directly controlled based on the

In the present embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, there are provided a control means 60 and household equipment such as an air conditioner 61, a gas water heater 62 and a dishwasher 63.

The comparing means 32 is a means for comparing the budget for the current month inputted by the budget input means 16 with the predicted value 30 of the gas consumption of the current month predicted by the predicting means 25. The control means 60 is means for controlling an air conditioner 61, a gas water heater 62, a dishwasher 63 and the like used at home.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The comparison unit 32 compares the budget for the current month with the predicted value 30 of the gas consumption amount predicted by the prediction unit 25 for the current month. As a result, when the predicted value 30 of the current month consumption exceeds the budget for the current month, the information is sent to the control means 60. The control means 60 receives the information and controls the household appliances so that the consumption amount for the current month falls within the budget for the current month. That is, the set temperature of the air conditioner 61 is raised to a predetermined temperature to reduce the gas consumption. Further, the set temperature of the gas water heater 62 is reduced to a predetermined temperature to reduce the gas consumption. Further, the set temperature of the dishwasher 63 is reduced to a predetermined temperature to reduce gas consumption. For example, the set temperature of the air conditioner 61 is increased once, the set temperature of the gas water heater 62 is decreased once, or the set temperature of the dishwasher 63 is decreased once. In this way, the control means 60 can freely control the temperature setting of the household appliance, and can reduce the gas consumption. In this way, the gas consumption for the current month can be kept within the budget for the current month.

In the first and second embodiments, the meter reading result storing means, the predicting means, the comparing means, and the warning transmitting means are provided in the management system on the business side. However, not only the management system on the business side,
In short, the user terminal device may have it.

Further, the gas of the present invention is not limited to the gas of the above-described embodiment, but may be any gas such as LP gas, electricity, water, etc., that is, the gas is periodically measured and consumed.

Further, the meter reading means of the present invention is not limited to the automatic meter reading as in the above-described embodiment, but may be a manual meter reading. In short, a receiver for receiving the meter reading command, an automatic receiving device for receiving the meter reading command, What is necessary is just to comprise an automatic meter reading device for automatically reading the meter and a meter reading means having an automatic transmitter for automatically transmitting the result of the meter reading.

Further, the regression equation of the present invention considers only the history of the past 30 days in the above-described embodiment, but is not limited to the history of the past 30 days. In short, it is only necessary to have the history for any number of past days.

Further, the monthly temperature sensitivity of the present invention is not limited to the month as in the above-described embodiment, but may be divided into the day, the first half and the second half, the first half and the middle and the second half, and thus reflects the temperature change. It just needs to be in the way.

Further, the prediction of the current month of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is sufficient to simply predict the future, such as the next month, the next month, or one year ahead.

Further, the WWW server of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be any one having communication means and management means.

Further, the user terminal of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but is capable of inputting and outputting data and communicating, such as a telephone line, a pager, a mobile phone, and a wireless device. All you have to do is.

Further, the comparing means of the present invention can contribute not only to the case where the current month's budget may exceed the estimated consumption amount but also to the user's budget management as in the above-described embodiment. What is necessary is just a comparison means for performing a simple comparison.

Further, the warning of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be any warning that is easy for the user to understand.

[0075]

As is apparent from the above description,
According to the present invention, it becomes possible for a user to predict the consumption amount of a product to be consumed at home up to a predetermined time point, and the user can manage the budget of the product to be consumed at home by a warning issued by the present apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a typical fee payment for conventional household consumption.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional automatic gas metering system.

FIG. 3 is an apparatus configuration diagram according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a menu configuration of a budget input unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a menu configuration of a usage status input unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of extrapolation in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a specific example of meter reading date correction in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of extrapolation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an empirical rule of a regression equation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a temperature storage unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a usage status correction unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a parameter diagram according to the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 16 Budget input means 17 Usage status input means 18 Usage status storage means 20 Meter reading means 21 Receiver 22 Automatic meter reader 23 Automatic transmitter 24 Meter reading result storage means 25 Prediction means 26 Extrapolation means 28 Temperature change correction means 29 Usage status correction means 31 Temperature storage means 32 Comparison means 33 Warning sending means

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A budget input means for inputting a budget of goods to be consumed at home at a predetermined time set by a user in advance, a receiver for receiving a meter reading command, and an automatic meter for receiving the meter reading command automatically. A meter reading device, a meter reading device having at least an automatic transmitter for automatically transmitting the meter reading result, a meter reading result storing device storing a user meter reading result obtained by the meter reading device, and the meter reading result storing device. Prediction means for predicting the consumption of the user at the predetermined time point by using the past meter reading results of the user stored in the storage means, and comparison means for comparing the predicted consumption with the budget. And a warning transmitting means for performing the comparison and issuing a warning based on a result of the comparison. 2. A budget input means for inputting a budget of goods to be consumed at home at a predetermined time set by a user in advance, a receiver for receiving a meter reading command, and an automatic meter for receiving the meter reading command and automatically reading the meter. A meter reading device, a meter reading device having at least an automatic transmitter for automatically transmitting the meter reading result, a meter reading result storing device storing a user meter reading result obtained by the meter reading device, and the meter reading result storing device. Prediction means for predicting the consumption of the user at the predetermined time point by using the past meter reading results of the user stored in the storage means, and comparison means for comparing the predicted consumption with the budget. Control means for performing the comparison and controlling household appliances based on a result of the comparison. 3. A budget input means for inputting a budget of goods to be consumed at home at a predetermined time set by a user in advance, a receiver for receiving a meter reading command, and an automatic meter for receiving the meter reading command and automatically reading the meter. A meter reading device, a meter reading device having at least an automatic transmitter for automatically transmitting the meter reading result, a meter reading result storing device storing a user meter reading result obtained by the meter reading device, and the meter reading result storing device. Prediction means for predicting the consumption of the user at the predetermined time point by using the past meter reading results of the user stored in the storage means, and comparison means for comparing the predicted consumption with the budget. A warning transmission unit that performs the comparison and issues a warning based on the comparison result; and a control unit that controls home appliances based on the comparison result and the comparison result. Charge control meter reading device. 4. Usage status input means for inputting an initial state of the usage status of the user and a future usage status schedule of the user after the present time, and information input by the usage status input means. And usage status storage means for storing
The rate control meter reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the prediction unit performs prediction using information stored in a usage status storage unit. 5. The prediction means further comprises a temperature storage means for storing past temperature data and / or future temperature data when predicting the consumption at the predetermined point in time. The prediction is made based on stored past and / or future temperature data.
A charge control meter reading device according to any one of the above. 6. The meter reading means is a means for reading the meter at a low frequency, and the prediction means extrapolates and predicts using the results of the previous month and the amount of change from the previous month to the same month last year. The charge control meter reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 7. The meter reading means is a means for reading the meter at a high frequency, and the predicting means obtains a regression formula from a predetermined past meter reading result, and uses the regression formula to calculate the consumption at a predetermined time. And predicting by extrapolating
A charge control meter reading device according to any one of the above. 8. The user terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said meter reading result storing means, said predicting means, said comparing means, and said warning transmitting means are provided in a user terminal device. The meter control device for fee control described in 1.