JPS62233890A - Automatic gathering system for measured value - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To gather measurement data even at a distant position by composing an automatic gathering system of a measuring instrument which has an optical communication function and is installed where it is used actually, a portable data gathering device, and a computer for totalization. CONSTITUTION:The measuring instrument 2 which measures the consumption of gas, water, electricity, etc., is equipped with a meter display part 4, a transmission part 6a, and a reception part 6b. The data gathering device 8 has a keyboard input part 10, a data display part 12, an optical data transmission and reception part 15 composed of a transmission part 14a and a reception part 14b, and a data printing part 16. A transmission indication key 18 provided to the keyboard 10 is processed to gather measurement data to the data gathering device 8 from the measuring instrument 2 through the optical data transmission and reception parts 6 and 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a novel automatic measurement value collection system that enables the measurement of consumption of gas, water, electricity, etc., to be performed easily and easily.

(Conventional technology) Conventionally, the consumption of gas, water, electricity, etc. was measured once a month by a meter reader who read the meter reading status displayed on the gas meter, water meter, electricity meter, etc. installed in each home or business. death,
The process of writing meter reading results on pieces of paper and notifying users is repeated.

At first glance, this work may seem like Wm, but the installation location of each meter differs depending on each home or business, and it is best to install it in a high place or out of sight so that it does not interfere with normal operation or work. It is common for meter reading to occur in close proximity to the meter installation location, and it may be difficult to read the meter in close proximity to the meter installation location. It is normal to put effort into it. Furthermore, the current situation is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure workers for this type of simple work.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention was invented in view of the above points, and includes a measuring device equipped with an optical communication function installed at a point of use such as each home or business office, and It consists of a portable data collection device that collects the necessary data through optical communication with the device, and an aggregation computer that aggregates the data collected by the data collection device, and measures and displays the usage of gas, water, electricity, etc. The data collection device is configured so that the data collection device instructs the measurement device to send data and also receives the measurement data, eliminating the need for the conventional meter reading work by the eyes of a meter reader, and making it possible to perform measurements even from a considerable distance from the measurement device. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic measurement value collection system that enables data collection and also ensures data measurement and aggregation.

(Means for Solving the Problem) The gist of the present invention is to provide (a) a measuring device equipped with an optical communication function for transmitting at least three types of data: measurement data, identification data, and check data; and (b) a totalizing computer. and (c) a data collection device that instructs the measurement device to transmit data, receives data from the measurement device, and transfers the stored and collected data to the aggregation computer. The system consists of an automatic measurement value collection system.

If the totalization computer is further connected to a central computer installed at a head office or the like, a wide range of totalization and billing operations can be accomplished.

If the data collection device is provided with a keyboard input section, manual input is possible.

If the data collection device is equipped with a display and printing means so that calculation results can be displayed and printed based on the measured values, the numerical values can be visually checked, and the numerical values can be printed and displayed at the home, business, etc. where the measurements were taken. You can also leave it behind.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described below based on the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a measuring device for measuring usage of gas, water, electricity, etc., and has a meter display section 4 and an optical data transmitting/receiving section 6 consisting of a transmitting section 6a and a receiving section 6b. 8 is a data collection device, which includes an optical data transmitting/receiving section 14 (FIG. 2) consisting of a keyboard input section 10, a data display section 12, a transmitting section 14a and a receiving section 14b, and a data printing section 16.
have. Reference numeral 18 denotes a transmission instruction key provided on the keyboard section 10. By pressing this key 18, measurement data is collected from the measuring device 2 to the data collecting device 8 via the optical data transmitting/receiving sections 6 and 14. 20 is an optical data transmitting/receiving section 22 consisting of a transmitting section 22a and a receiving section 22b.
, a totalizing computer equipped with a keyboard section 24, a display section 26, and a printing section 28, totalizes and calculates the measurement data collected by the data collection device 8 and inputted via the optical data transmitting/receiving sections 14 and 22. It is something that performs a function. The totalizing computer 20 is located at the business office and is connected to the central computer D at the head office via a data communication function 29.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the measuring device 2. As shown in FIG. In the figure, 30 is a central processing unit (cPU), which includes an optical data receiving section 32, an optical data transmitting section 34, a display section 36, a measuring unit 38 that actually measures the consumption of gas, water, electricity, etc. A storage unit 40 that stores data is controlled via a data bus 42.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data collection device 8. As shown in FIG. In the figure, 50 is a central processing unit (cPU),
An optical data receiving section 52, an optical data transmitting section 54, a keyboard section 56, a display section 58, a printing section 60, and a storage section 62 that stores necessary data are controlled via a data bus 64. -Figure 5 shows a totalizing computer 20 located at a business office.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. In the figure, 70 is a central processing unit (cP U), which includes an optical data receiving section 72, an optical data transmitting section 74, a keyboard section 76, a display section 78, a printing section 80, a storage section 82 for storing necessary data, The external auxiliary storage device 84 and the communication function 29 with the head office are controlled via the data bus 86.

With the above-described configuration, a meter reader carries the data collection device 8 and goes to each home or business to check the installed measuring device 2.
The data collecting device 8 is directed to the optical transmitter 6a, and an optical transmission signal is sent from the optical transmitter 6a to instruct the measuring device 2 to transmit data. Upon receiving this instruction, the measuring device 2 forwards the measured measurement data from the optical data transmitting section 6a, and the data collecting device 8 receives the transmitted optical signal at the receiving section 14b and collects the data. . Therefore, the meter reader does not have to approach the measuring device 2 until the meter needle is visible, as in the past, but can operate the data collecting device 8 while standing at the location where the optical signal reaches. C that can collect measurement data and also has a built-in calculation of usage amount.
This can be done automatically by the PU60. Further, if necessary, the calculated numerical values can be printed on the printing unit 16 and distributed to each home or business office.

Furthermore, the meter reader goes around each home and business office to collect measurement data, returns to the business office, and transmits the data via the optical data transmitting/receiving units 14 and 22 between the data collection device 8 and the totalizing computer 20. When the measurement data collected through communication is sent to the aggregation computer 20, the aggregation computer 20 aggregates the data and performs necessary calculations such as calculating the usage amount from the usage amount for each household or business office. , print a bill for each household or business.

In addition to the measurement data described above, the data transmitted from the measuring device 2 includes at least three types of data: identification data for identifying the measuring device and check data for checking whether the data has been sent correctly. shall be taken as a thing. Of course, it is also possible to transmit other data as necessary.

Furthermore, an example of operation of the system of the present invention will be explained.

(b) If the metering device stores cumulative data on electricity, gas, water, etc., the meter reader can use the computer 20 in the business office to read the previous cumulative data for businesses and households in the area where he or she is about to read the meter. Copy it to the data collection device 8 (.

The meter reader stands in front of the measuring device 2 and presses the transmission command button 18 of the data collecting device 8. The measuring device 2 optically transmits three data: data for identifying the device, cumulative usage amount, and check data. When it is confirmed by the check data that correct data communication has been performed, the data used to identify the device is compared with the previous meter reading value stored internally, and the difference is determined as the current usage amount. The current usage fee is calculated based on the current usage amount using a preset calculation formula, and the previous meter reading amount, current meter reading amount, current fee, etc. are printed and left at business offices, each home, etc. When the meter reading in the scheduled area is completed, a check is made to see if there are any missed meter readings in the area where the meter was read, and each piece of data is copied from the data collection device 18 to the tallying computer 20 at the office. Clearing the data in the data collection device 18 when the data has been correctly copied;
The totalization computer 20 performs individual totalization request operations either alone or in conjunction with the central computer D at the head office.

(b) If the measuring device 2 saves the cumulative amount data of electricity, gas, water, etc., and also saves the date and time of the previous meter reading, and the amount of the previous meter reading, the meter reader can access the data from the totalizing computer 20 in the office. The user directly goes to read the meter without copying the previous cumulative value of a business office or household in the area to the data collection device 8. The meter reader stands in front of the measuring device 2 and presses the transmission command button 18 of the data collecting device 8. The measuring device 2 sends data identifying the device, cumulative usage, check data, date and time of previous meter reading,
The five pieces of data of the cumulative amount at the time of the previous meter reading will be sent in advance.

If the check data confirms that correct data communication has been performed, the current usage amount is determined based on the transmitted data. The current usage fee is calculated based on the current usage amount using a preset calculation formula, and the previous meter reading amount, current meter reading amount, current fee, etc. are printed and left at business offices, each home, etc. When the meter reading in the scheduled area is completed, it is connected to the aggregation computer 20 of the office, checks whether there are any missed meter readings in the area where the meter was read based on the identification data, and sends each individual data to the data collection device 18. computer 20 for tally at the sales office
Copy to. When the data has been correctly copied, the data in the data collection device 18 is cleared. Using identification data, the previous value stored at the business office or head office is compared with the previously collected meter reading value for each user, and if a difference is found, it is determined that there is a failure and maintenance procedures are performed. The certain company computer 20 performs individual tabulation request operations either alone or in conjunction with the central computer D at the head office.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the meter display section 4 and the optical transmitting/receiving section 6 were integrally provided in the measuring device 2, but the measuring device 2
If direct optical transmission and reception is not possible due to the installation, the optical transmission and reception section 6 can be installed separately from the measuring device 2, as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, when a plurality of measuring devices 2 are located close to each other, the optical transmitting/receiving section 6 is installed separately, so that the data collecting device 8 is placed extremely close to the optical transmitting/receiving section 6 of the data measuring device 2 and a data transmission command is issued. This has the advantage that interference can be avoided.

In addition, in the case of a large-scale measuring device that measures various usage amounts, a plurality of measurement sensors S are provided for each of the various objects to be measured, and each measurement data is transmitted to one optical transmitter/receiver 6.
You can also send it by .

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the data from each measurement sensor S is stored in the measurement management section K, and upon receiving a command from the data collection device 8, identification data and identification data from the data management section are stored for each data. , and send the data continuously.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the present invention includes a measuring device equipped with an optical communication function installed at a point of use in each home or business, and collecting necessary data by the measuring device and optical communication. It consists of a portable data collection device that collects data, and a computer that aggregates the data collected by the data collection device. The collection device can send data as well as receive measurement data, eliminating the need for conventional meter readers to read the meter with their eyes, and making it possible to collect measurement data even from a considerable distance from the measurement device. , and data measurement and aggregation can be performed reliably.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the tip of a data collection device, and FIG.
4 is a block diagram of the data collection device, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the totalizing computer, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the measuring device, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the data collection device. The figure is an explanatory diagram showing still another embodiment of the measuring device. 2.--Measuring device, 4=--Meter display section, 6.--Optical data transmission/reception section, 8.--Data collection device, 14.--Optical data transmission/reception section, 20--Tally computer, D-1-Center Computer

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) (a) A measuring device equipped with an optical communication function that transmits at least three types of data: measurement data, identification data, and check data; (b) a computer for aggregation; and (c) data transmission to the measuring device. A measurement value automatic collection system comprising: a data collection device that instructs transmission, receives data from the measurement device, and transfers the stored and collected data to the aggregation computer. (2) The automatic measurement value collection system according to claim 1, further comprising a central computer connected to the aggregation computer via a communication function. (3) The automatic measurement value collection system according to claim 1, wherein the data collection device is provided with a keyboard input section to enable manual input. (4) The automatic measurement value collection system according to claim 3, wherein the data collection device is provided with a display unit and a printing means so that calculation results can be displayed and printed based on the measurement values.