JPH11298620A - Centralized monitor system and centralized monitor center for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To economize a call tariff by simplifying a test for loading set data to a controller. SOLUTION: A transmission/reception control part 41 controls the transmission of a telegraphic message including set data to be set to controllers 17a and 17b during a line connection to the controllers through no-ringing communication, a test notice request part 43 transmits the telegraphic message of a test notice request for originating a call to a terminal to the controllers at the transmission end of the telegraphic message including the set data during the line connection and after the telegraphic message including the set data is received from a centralized monitor center, the controller receives the test notice request and reports the test to the centralized monitor center by originating the call to the terminal in response to the test notice request. The transmission/reception control part 41 receives the test notice transmitted from the controller in response to the test notice request and displays the test notice.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a centralized monitoring system for performing automatic meter reading and the like based on report data from a controller and a centralized monitoring center in the system, and more particularly, to automatically load setting data to a controller and reduce telephone charges. The present invention relates to a centralized monitoring system for saving and a centralized monitoring center in the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a centralized gas monitoring system for performing automatic meter reading of a gas using a telephone line, a centralized monitoring center and a plurality of controllers and a gas meter as a plurality of terminal devices are provided.

[0003] The centralized monitoring center has a transmission / reception device, a host computer, and the like. The transmission / reception device receives report data such as gas meter reading information and gas leak detection information from a plurality of controllers, and the host computer receives the report data. Each report data is managed centrally.

[0004] In such a centralized monitoring system,
A line test report is issued by a terminal call from the controller. FIG. 7 shows a conventional line test report function by calling a terminal. First, the setting / test S in the controller
When W is pressed and a security data request is made from the controller to the meter, a security data response is sent from the meter to the controller.

Next, when a meter reading request is sent from the controller to the meter, a meter reading data response is sent from the meter to the controller. Further, the controller disconnects the line after transmitting the security data and the meter reading data to the center. During the test notification (from line capture to line release), the fact that the test notification is being performed is indicated by a light emitting diode (LED).

When the report to the center is completed normally, the LED display blinks once, and when the report is not completed normally, the LED display blinks twice. In this way, the communication function between the controller and the designated report destination can be tested via the line.

On the other hand, in a recent centralized monitoring system, a line test report has been made by a no-ringing call from a center. FIG. 8 shows a designated meter system test report function by the conventional no ringing communication.

First, when the controller receives a designated meter system test request from the center by a no-ringing call, the controller communicates with the designated meter, for example, 60 seconds after the end of the no-ringing communication.

That is, when a security data request is made from the controller to the meter, a security data response is sent from the meter to the controller. Next, when the controller issues a meter reading request to the meter, the meter sends a meter reading data response to the controller.

[0010] Further, after transmitting the security data and the meter reading data to the center, the controller disconnects the line. As described above, even if the controller does not have the setting / test SW, the communication function between the controller and the designated report destination can be tested via the line.

Next, FIG. 9 shows a conventional centralized gas monitoring system. In FIG. 9, each of the gas meters 108a-108
When n detects a gas leak, each controller 107a-
The information is transmitted to 107n. And each controller 1
07a to 107n are user IDs such as gas leak detection information.
Public telephone network 1 in a predetermined message format
06, transmitting to the centralized monitoring center 100 via the corresponding telephone lines 105a to 105n.

Then, the transmitting / receiving device 101 in the centralized monitoring center 100 includes a plurality of controllers 107a to 107c.
From each other, such as gas leak detection information.
Then, the personal computer 102 is
01, for example, RS-232C
The notification data is received via a cable or the like, and each notification data is displayed on a display unit (not shown) to monitor the notification data from each controller.

Next, loading of setting data to the controller and system test notification will be described with reference to FIG. First, a construction technician installs a gas meter and a controller (step S101), and an operator of the centralized monitoring center issues, for example, a user ID, a center telephone number, a gas capacity, a meter control code, and a remaining amount warning point for a gas consumer. The setting data such as values to be initialized is registered in the personal computer (step S103).

Next, the operator connects the line and accesses the controller from the personal computer.
After inputting the setting data to the controller, that is, loading the data, the line is disconnected (step S105).

Further, after the loading operation is completed, the operator connects the line again, accesses the controller from the personal computer, and confirms whether or not the terminal call by the controller is normal. Is transmitted to the centralized monitoring center, and a command for a system test report is transmitted to stand by (step S107).

After a predetermined time has elapsed, when the controller issues a "system test report" to the terminal (step S109), the centralized monitoring center receives the "system test report" and completes the process (step S109). S11
1).

Thus, the operator can confirm that the controller is operating properly (calling the terminal) by confirming the "system test report" from the controller.

The transmitting / receiving device 101 in the centralized monitoring center 100 has a memory, and the personal computer 102 is processed in three stages in step S105 in FIG. The process of the first stage is a process in which the personal computer 102 sends all the setting data to the memory in the transmission / reception device 101 at once, and waits for a transmission result from the transmission / reception device 101.

In the second stage, the transmitting / receiving apparatus 101 transmits setting data to the controller, and receives a normal response or a negative response from the controller and transmits / receives the setting data.
This is a process of storing the setting data in the memory of the communication device 01, and disconnecting the line when the transmission / reception of all setting data is completed. The third stage processing is
This is a process in which the transmission / reception device 101 transmits the transmission result stored in the memory to the personal computer 102, and the loading is completed.

According to this method, the personal computer 102 does not know whether all of the setting data is a normal response or a negative response unless the line is disconnected.
Therefore, the “system test report” is executed after the operator confirms the normal end of the loading, and it is determined that the operation is correct.

[0021]

However, in the conventional centralized monitoring system, as shown in FIG. 10, in step S105, the setting data loading operation (first line connection) is completed and the line is connected. After cutting,
Further, in order to confirm whether or not the controller operates correctly, in step S107, the controller is accessed again to transmit a system test report command (second line connection) to the controller.

For this reason, in the centralized monitoring center, the telephone call is made twice to the controller, so that the operator is troublesome and the telephone charge is high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a centralized monitoring system and a centralized monitoring center in the system capable of simplifying a test operation of loading setting data to a controller and saving telephone charges.

[0024]

The present invention has the following arrangement to solve the above problems. The invention of claim 1 is a centralized monitoring system for performing data transmission by ringing communication between a terminal device and a centralized monitoring center via a telephone line, wherein the centralized monitoring center sets the terminal device during line connection. A transmission control unit that controls transmission of a message including setting data to the terminal device by no ringing communication, and transmits a test report request for a terminal call to the terminal device from the end of transmission of the message including the setting data during the line connection. A test report requesting unit that transmits a message; and a reception control unit that receives a test report transmitted from the terminal device in response to the test report request and displays the test report. A receiving unit that receives the test report request from the centralized monitoring center after receiving a message including setting data from the monitoring center; The terminal calling in response to the the signal test messaging request, characterized in that it comprises a test reporting unit for testing reported to the central monitoring center.

According to the present invention, the transmission control unit of the centralized monitoring center controls transmission of a telegram including setting data to be set to the terminal device to the terminal device during line connection to the terminal device by no-ringing communication. From the end of transmission of the message including the setting data during the connection, the terminal transmits the message of the test report request for the terminal call to the terminal device.

Then, the receiving unit of the terminal device receives a test report request after receiving the message including the setting data from the centralized monitoring center, and the test report unit responds to the received test report request and makes a terminal call. Sends a test report to the centralized monitoring center, the reception control unit of the centralized monitoring center receives the test report transmitted from the terminal device in response to the test report request and displays the test report.

That is, by the displayed test message,
The operator can check whether the terminal call of the terminal device is normal or abnormal, and continuously transmits a test report request with the line connected after the transmission of the setting data is completed, so that the operator's work is reduced. Only one call is required, and the telephone charge is reduced by one time, so that the telephone charge can be saved.

[0028] In the invention according to claim 2, the reception control section includes:
It is determined whether a normal response in response to the normal reception of the message including the setting data at the terminal device has been received from the terminal device, and the transmission control unit determines whether the reception control unit has received the normal response. Is characterized by controlling transmission of a telegram including the following setting data to the terminal device.

According to the present invention, the reception control unit determines whether or not a normal response in response to the normal reception of the message including the setting data by the terminal device has been received from the terminal device. Since the transmission control unit controls transmission of a message including the next setting data to the terminal device, it is possible to confirm whether each setting data has been normally transmitted to the terminal device.

[0030] In the third aspect of the present invention, the test report request unit determines that the reception control unit has received a normal response from the terminal device in response to a normal reception of the message including the last setting data by the terminal device. If it is determined, a message of the test report request is transmitted to the terminal device, and the telephone line is disconnected.

According to the present invention, when it is determined that a normal response in response to the normal reception of the message including the last setting data by the terminal device has been received from the terminal device, the test report requesting unit sets the test report request Is transmitted to the terminal device and the telephone line is disconnected, so that all setting data can be reliably loaded into the terminal device, a test report request can be made to the terminal device, and one time telephone charge Only needs to be done.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a centralized monitoring center in a centralized monitoring system for performing data transmission by a no-ringing communication with a terminal device via a telephone line, wherein a message including setting data to be set in the terminal device during line connection. A transmission control unit for controlling transmission to the terminal device by no-ringing communication, and a test report for transmitting a terminal call test report request message to the terminal device from the end of transmission of the message including the setting data during the line connection. A request unit, and a reception control unit that receives a test report transmitted from the terminal device by a terminal call in response to the test report request and displays the test report.

[0033] In the invention according to claim 5, the reception control section includes:
It is determined whether a normal response in response to the normal reception of the message including the setting data at the terminal device has been received from the terminal device, and the transmission control unit determines whether the reception control unit has received the normal response. Is characterized by controlling transmission of a telegram including the following setting data to the terminal device.

[0034] In the invention according to claim 6, the test report requesting unit determines that the reception control unit has received a normal response from the terminal device in response to a normal reception of the message including the last setting data by the terminal device. If it is determined, a message of the test report request is transmitted to the terminal device, and the telephone line is disconnected.

[0035]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a centralized monitoring system of the present invention and a centralized monitoring center in the system will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a centralized monitoring system according to the present invention.

The centralized monitoring system is, for example, a centralized gas monitoring system for centrally monitoring notification data such as gas meter reading information and gas leak detection information. In this gas central monitoring system, as shown in FIG.
It has a transmitting and receiving device 11 for transmitting and receiving data.

The transmitting / receiving device 11 includes telephone lines 15a to 15a.
5n are connected. These telephone lines 15a to 15n are connected to a public telephone network 16, and controllers 17a to 17n as terminal devices and gas meters 18a to 18n are connected to the public telephone network 16. Further, a no-ringing trunk (NRT) 14 for performing no-ringing communication is connected to the public telephone network 16.

The controllers 17a to 17n are provided with central processing units (CPUs) 19a to 19n having a communication function and memories 20a to 20n in one-to-one correspondence with the controllers 17a to 17n.

The transmission / reception device 11 performs automatic dialing, connects to the controllers 17a to 17n via the telephone lines 15a to 15n and the public telephone line network 16, and reads gas from the gas meters 18a to 18n to the controllers 17a to 17n. Request information, etc.
17a to 17n by the telephone lines 15a to 15n, and receives report data from the controllers 17a to 17n.

The controllers 17a to 17n have a communication function, and transmit report data such as gas meter reading value information and gas leak detection information to the transmitting / receiving device 11 by calling a terminal. The CPUs 19a to 19n in the controllers 17a to 17n
The setting data to be set in the controller sent from the centralized monitoring center 10 is received, and the corresponding memories 20a to 20a are received.
20n.

The CPUs 19a to 19n include a receiving unit (not shown) for receiving a system test report request command for requesting a test report of a terminal call from the controller sent from the centralized monitoring center 10, and this receiving unit. And a test report unit (not shown) for performing a test report to the centralized monitoring center 10 via a telephone line by a terminal call after a lapse of a predetermined time from the reception of the system test report request command.

The transmission / reception device 11 includes modem boards 21a to 21a.
21n, a main board 25 connected to the modem boards 21a to 21n via a bus 24, and a memory 27 connected to the main board 25.

The modem boards 21a to 21n modulate and demodulate data, control a telephone line, and perform no-ringing communication. The main board 25 is a CPU
26. The memory 27 includes controllers 17a to 1
7n is stored.

The CPU 26 includes controllers 17a to 17
n, and transmits the report data to the personal computer 31 via the RS-232C cable 28, or requests the controllers 17a to 17n to transmit the report data by a command from the personal computer 31. The CPU 26 controls writing of the notification data to the memory 27 and reading of the notification data stored in the memory 27.

Further, the centralized monitoring center 10 has a personal computer 31 for managing data and an operation unit 33. The operation unit 33 inputs setting data to be set in the controller. The setting data includes, for example, a user ID, a center telephone number, a gas capacity, a meter control code, a remaining amount warning point value, and the like.

The personal computer 31 has a CPU 3
The CPU 35 includes a transmission / reception control unit 41, a test report requesting unit 43, and a memory control unit 45.

The transmission / reception control unit 41 receives report data from the transmission / reception device 11 at the time of line connection, and specifies each setting data to be loaded to the controller via the transmission / reception device 11 in the order of each message. Send to controller.

The transmission / reception control unit 41 determines whether the controller has normally received the setting data during the line connection and has received a normal response (ACK) to the reception from the controller. Sends the next setting data in a telegram.

FIG. 2 shows a format of a message including setting data to be loaded into the controller. This message includes STX, setting data, actual data, and ETB.

STX indicates the start of the message, and the setting data includes a user ID indicating an identification number of a gas consuming destination (user), a center telephone number, a gas capacity, a meter control code,
It is a remaining amount warning point value or the like. The actual data indicates a plurality of bytes of actual data such as a user ID and a center telephone number in the setting data, and the ETB indicates the end of the message and indicates that there is a next message to be transmitted.

The test report requesting unit 43, when being connected to the line and receiving an ACK for transmission of the last setting data, tests whether or not the designated controller correctly calls the terminal. A system test report request command for instructing the designated controller to issue a test report is transmitted to the designated controller via the transmission / reception device 11. Memory control unit 45
Writes the received notification data in the memory 37,
The notification data stored in the memory 37 is read.

FIG. 3 shows a format of a message including a system test report request command to be transmitted to the controller. This message includes an STX, a system test report request command, and an ETX. ETX is line disconnection information for indicating the end of all messages and instructing line disconnection.

Next, the operation of the centralized monitoring system will be described with reference to a communication sequence diagram showing a communication procedure between the centralized monitoring center and the controller in FIG. First, the centralized monitoring center 10 connects a line and transmits a message D (A) including STX, setting data A, actual data A, and ETB to, for example, the controller 17a.

Then, the controller 17a sends the message D
(A) is stored in the memory 20a, and ACK (A) indicating that the message D (A) has been received is returned to the centralized monitoring center 10.

On the other hand, when receiving the ACK (A) from the controller 17a, the centralized monitoring center 10 then proceeds to ST
A message D (B) including X, setting data B, actual data B, and ETB is transmitted to, for example, the controller 17a. The controller 17a stores the message D (B) in the memory 20a and returns ACK (B) to the centralized monitoring center 10.

Similarly, the centralized monitoring center 10 sends the controller 17 in order from the message D (C) to the message D (N).
a, and when ACK (N) is received from the controller 17a, it is confirmed that the last setting data of the loading was successfully transmitted to the controller 17a.

Next, while the line is connected, the centralized monitoring center 10 transmits a message D (N + 1) including STX, a system test report request command, and ETX to the controller 17a, for example.

Then, the controller 17a sends the message D
The controller 17a receives a system test report request command included in (N + 1), and after a lapse of a predetermined time from the reception, issues a terminal call, and sends a test report to the centralized monitoring center 10 as to whether the terminal call is normal or not. I will send it back.

On the other hand, when receiving the test report from the controller 17a, the centralized monitoring center 10 disconnects the line and ends the processing. This allows the operator to confirm that the controller 17a is operating properly (terminal call) by confirming the test report from the controller 17a.

Next, the operation of the centralized monitoring center will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the operator of the centralized monitoring center 10 operates the operation unit 33,
The necessary data of the gas consuming destination is registered as setting data in the memory 37 in the personal computer 31 (step S11).

Next, the line is connected, and the transmission / reception control unit 41 of the personal computer 31 accesses the controller 17a, for example, and transmits the setting data to the controller 17a.
To be loaded into the memory 20a in the controller 17a (step S13).

This loading operation is specifically performed as follows. The personal computer 31 sends all the setting data to the memory 27 in the transmission / reception device 11 at one time, and waits for a transmission result from the transmission / reception device 11.

When the transmission / reception device 11 transmits the setting data to the controller, the transmission / reception device 11 transmits a normal response (ACK) or a negative response (NC) from the controller.
K) is received and stored in the memory 27.

Further, the transmission / reception control unit 41 receives ACK or NCK from the memory 27 in the transmission / reception device 11,
It is determined whether an ACK for the setting data has been sent from the controller 17a (step S15).
If K has been sent, it is determined whether transmission of all setting data has been completed (step S17). If transmission of all setting data has not been completed, the process returns to step S13, and the loading process is continued.

On the other hand, when the transmission of all the setting data is completed, the test report request unit 43 keeps the line connected (the line is not disconnected) based on the control signal from the transmission / reception control unit 41. A system test report request command is transmitted to the controller 17a (step S19).

Further, the transmission / reception control section 41 determines whether or not a system test report has been received from the controller 17a (step S21). When the system test report has been received, the system test report is displayed on a screen. The line is disconnected, and the loading process and the test report process are completed (step S23).

Next, the operation of the controller will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, for example, the controller 17a determines whether or not each setting data has been received (step S31). When each setting data has been received, the controller 17a registers each setting data in the memory 20a (step S33).

Next, the controller 17a returns an ACK to the centralized monitoring center 10 (step S35), and determines whether a system test report request command has been received from the centralized monitoring center 10 (step S3).
7).

When receiving the system test report request command, the controller 17a transmits a system test report by a terminal call to the centralized monitoring center 10 (step S39), and disconnects the line (step S41).

As described above, according to the centralized monitoring system and the centralized monitoring center of the embodiment, when the line is connected and it is confirmed that the last setting data of the loading is normally transmitted to the controller, the line is connected. , The system test report request command is continuously transmitted to the controller.

Therefore, the operator's work only needs to be performed once,
Simplifies operator tasks and reduces telephone charges by one
Because the number of charges is reduced, telephone charges can be saved.

In the conventional method, each set data is simply transmitted in order from the centralized monitoring center. However, in the present embodiment, each set data is transmitted by each electronic message, and ACK is returned from the controller. Since the next message is transmitted in such a case, each setting data can be reliably loaded to the controller, and the reliability of the centralized monitoring system can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the embodiment, the gas centralized monitoring system has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a water supply centralized monitoring system or the like.

In the embodiment, the system test report request command is transmitted to the controller.
First to add a system test report request command to the message
And the second process in which the system test report request command is not added to the message may be alternatively selectable.

[0075]

According to the present invention, the transmission control unit of the centralized monitoring center controls the transmission of a message including the setting data to be set in the terminal device to the terminal device during the line connection by the no-ringing communication. From the end of transmission of the message including the setting data during the line connection, the terminal transmits the message of the test report request for the terminal call to the terminal device.

The receiving unit of the terminal device receives the test report request after receiving the message including the setting data from the centralized monitoring center, and the test report unit responds to the received test report request and centralizes the call by calling the terminal. When the test report is sent to the monitoring center, the reception control unit of the centralized monitoring center receives the test report transmitted from the terminal device in response to the test report request and displays the test report.

That is, according to the displayed test report,
The operator can check whether the terminal call of the terminal device is normal or abnormal, and continuously transmits a test report request with the line connected after the transmission of the setting data is completed, so that the operator's work is reduced. Only one call is required, and the telephone charge is reduced by one time, so that the telephone charge can be saved.

The reception control unit determines whether or not a normal response in response to the normal reception of the message including the setting data by the terminal device has been received from the terminal device. The unit controls transmission of a message including the next setting data to the terminal device, so that it is possible to confirm whether each setting data has been normally transmitted to the terminal device.

When it is determined that a normal response in response to the normal reception of the message including the last setting data by the terminal device has been received from the terminal device, the test report request unit transmits the test report request message to the terminal device. Since the data is transmitted to the device and the telephone line is disconnected, all setting data can be reliably loaded to the terminal device, a test report request can be made to the terminal device, and only one telephone charge is required.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a centralized monitoring system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a format of a message including setting data to be loaded into a controller.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of a message including a system test report request command to be transmitted to a controller.

FIG. 4 is a communication sequence diagram showing a communication procedure between a centralized monitoring center and a controller.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the centralized monitoring center.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional line test report function by calling a terminal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a designated meter system test report function by conventional no-ringing communication.

FIG. 9 is a configuration block diagram of a conventional gas centralized monitoring system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a conventional procedure of loading setting data to a controller and reporting a system test.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 centralized monitoring center 11 transmission / reception device 14 NRT 15a to 15n telephone line 16, public telephone line network 17a to 17n controller 18a to 18n gas meter 21a to 21n modem board 25 main board 19a to 19n, 26, 35 CPU 20a to 20n, 27, 37 memory 28 RS-232C cable 31 personal computer 33 operation unit 41 transmission / reception control unit 43 test report request unit 45 memory control unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A centralized monitoring system for performing data transmission by a no-ringing communication via a telephone line between a terminal device and a centralized monitoring center, wherein the centralized monitoring center has a setting to be set in the terminal device during line connection. A transmission control unit that controls transmission of a message including data to the terminal device by no ringing communication, and transmits a test report request message of a terminal call to the terminal device from the end of transmission of the message including the setting data during the line connection. A test report request unit for transmitting, and a reception control unit for receiving a test report transmitted from the terminal device in response to the test report request and displaying the test report, wherein the terminal device is the centralized monitoring center And a receiving unit for receiving the test report request from the centralized monitoring center after receiving a message including setting data from the receiving unit. Centralized monitoring system characterized in that it comprises a test reporting unit for testing reported to the central monitoring center by the terminal originates a call in response to said test notification request. 2. The reception control unit determines whether a normal response in response to a normal reception of a message including the setting data by the terminal device has been received from the terminal device. The centralized monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein when the reception control unit receives the normal response, the reception control unit controls transmission of a message including the next setting data to the terminal device. 3. The test report request unit, when the reception control unit determines that the terminal device has received a normal response from the terminal device in response to a normal reception of the message including the last setting data by the terminal device. 3. The centralized monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein a message of the test report request is transmitted to the terminal device to disconnect the telephone line. 4. A centralized monitoring center in a centralized monitoring system for performing data transmission by ringing communication with a terminal device via a telephone line, wherein a message including setting data to be set in the terminal device during line connection is transmitted by the ringing communication. A transmission control unit that controls transmission to a terminal device; a test report request unit that transmits a test report request message of a terminal call to the terminal device from the end of transmission of the message including the setting data during the line connection; A centralized monitoring center in a centralized monitoring system, comprising: a reception control unit that receives a test notification transmitted from the terminal device by a terminal call in response to a test notification request and displays the test notification. 5. The reception control unit determines whether a normal response in response to a normal reception of a message including the setting data by the terminal device is received from the terminal device. 5. The centralized monitoring center in the centralized monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein when the receiving control unit receives the normal response, the receiving control unit controls transmission of a message including the next setting data to the terminal device. 6. The test report request unit, when determining that the reception control unit has received a normal response from the terminal device in response to a normal reception of a message including the last setting data by the terminal device. 6. The centralized monitoring center in the centralized monitoring system according to claim 5, wherein a message of the test report request is transmitted to the terminal device to disconnect the telephone line.