JPS62299160A - House information transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the power cost by charging a secondary battery by, electricity supplied from a telephone line and using the electricity charged in the secondary battery so as to activate an electric circuit. CONSTITUTION:A power supply section 9 is provided with the secondary battery 96 connected always to a telephone line network L via a 1.1Mohm resistor 9a and the battery 9b, 3.6V rating is charged by a current supplied from the network L. A nickel cadmium battery is used for the battery 9b. The power charged in the battery 9b energizes a line changeover relay 5 in the electric charge 1, a center signal detection circuit 6, a dial signal generating circuit 7 and a microprocessor 8. Further, a primary battery 10 has the rated voltage of 3.0V, for example and if the voltage of the battery 9b is lower than 3V, the primary battery control circuit 11 controls the power supply to the electric circuit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a residential information transmitting device that transmits data regarding usage of gas, electricity, water, etc. to a management center via a telephone line.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, this type of device rectifies and smoothes a 100-volt commercial alternating current that is distributed to a home, or activates an electric circuit in a residential information transmitting device by using a primary battery for tTl. was.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, residential information transmitting devices that use 100 volt commercial alternating current as a power source require a direct current circuit that converts alternating current into direct current, and a ° filter that smoothes pulse components. In addition to requiring a regulator to stabilize the voltage, it also requires an outlet, cord, fuse, etc. to connect the residential information transmitting device to the commercial AC power source, which raises the problem of high manufacturing costs. was.

In addition, if a residential information transmitting device uses a primary battery as a power source, if the widely used manganese battery is used as the primary battery, the usage period of the manganese battery will be short, so it will need to be replaced frequently. Yes, if a long-life lithium battery is used as the primary battery, lithium batteries are expensive, so
If a lithium battery is used to obtain the operating voltage of the device, the primary battery becomes very expensive.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a residential information transmission station that can keep the cost of power supplies low.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention detects the usage of gas, electricity, water, etc., and transmits the usage to the @submersion center via a telephone line. In a residential information transmitting device including an electric circuit, the electric circuit includes a power supply unit including a secondary battery that is charged by electricity supplied from the telephone line, and the electricity charged in the secondary battery is The technical means is to operate the electric circuit by.

[Operations and Effects of the Invention] The present invention having the above configuration charges a secondary battery with electricity supplied from a telephone line, and uses the electricity charged in the secondary battery to operate an electric circuit. The price of the power source can be kept lower than when using a conventional commercial AC power source or when using a primary battery.

[Example] Next, a residential information transmitting device of the present invention will be described based on an example shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show block diagrams of a residential information transmitting device.

A is the residential information transmitting device installed in each house, ■ is a regular telephone, L is the general subscriber telephone line network including the switching system (telephone office), and C is the city record residential information transmitting device A and the telephone line network. shows a computer at a gas supply company (management center) that monitors the amount of gas used in gas cylinders connected to the computer.

The residential information transmitting device A includes a pulse transmitting meter N1,
It includes an electric circuit 1 that inputs the outputs of a reset switch N2 and a gas leak sensor N3 and transmits this information to a computer C of a gas supply company.

The pulse generating meter N1 is constructed by attaching a single stone to the rotating body of a gas integration meter (not shown) that rotates proportionally to the gas flow 1, and generating pulses by contacting a reed switch with the magnetic force of the magnet. It is something.

The reset switch N2 is, for example, a push button switch, and is operated by a person replacing the gas cylinder when replacing the gas cylinder.

The electric circuit 1 includes a communication connector 2 that connects the telephone T and the telephone line network [-, a line usage detection circuit 3 that detects the call status of the telephone T, and a ring detection circuit 4 that detects the call status of the telephone IIAT. , a circuit switching relay 5 that switches the telephone line network, a center signal detection circuit 6 that detects a signal (for example, button button signal No. The voltage of the dial signal generation circuit 7 that generates signals, the microphone setter (CPU) 8, these power supply units 9, the primary battery 10 that is a backup power supply, and the voltage of the power supply unit 9 is When the voltage drops below the set voltage (e.g. 3 volts), 1
A primary battery control circuit 11 that supplies power from the secondary battery 10 to the electric circuit 1, and a dead battery detection circuit that detects when the voltage of the primary battery 10 has fallen below a second set voltage (for example, 2.6 volts). 12.

The circuit switching relay 5 has relay contacts 5a and 5b, and switches the telephone line network between the telephone T and the electric circuit 1.

The dial signal generation circuit 7 is a called Yamajaku (management center)
This is a device that generates a selection signal and a signal that transmits information to computer C.
A button signal is generated by combining one frequency from each of the two frequency groups, ie, low frequency group.

The microprocessor 8 controls the overall system control procedure, the Coser code, the date and time of automatic meter reading, and the telephone line 1lIL.
the calling signal of computer C of the gas supply company connected to (telephone number of the telephone connected to computer C),
Memorizes the setting value for the gas outflow rate (for example, a value corresponding to 70% of the gas usage amount and a value corresponding to 85% of the gas usage amount of the gas cylinder), etc., and is sent from the meter N1 with pulse transmission. In addition to counting the number of pulses, it also has an internal timer.

The settings of the automatic meter reading start date and time, the user code, the call signal of the computer C, the setting value of the gas outage flow 1, and the initial value of the gas meter, which are stored in this microprocessor 8, are set by this residential information transmitting device. This is set by a worker or the like when A is installed at home.

A predetermined amount of power can be obtained from the telephone line network 1 currently used in Japan. However, it is difficult to operate the electric circuit 1 with this power.

For this reason, the power supply section 9 according to the present invention includes a secondary pond 9b which is always connected to the telephone line network via a 1.1 megaohm resistor 9a, and is supplied by the telephone line tlA network. Depending on the current, e.g. 2 with a rated voltage of 3.6 volts
It is provided to charge the secondary battery 9b. A nickel cadmium battery, an alkaline battery, a sodium sulfur battery, an alkaline manganese battery, or the like is used as the secondary battery 9b. Power is supplied to the circuit switching relay 5, the center signal detection circuit 6, the dial signal generation circuit 7, and the microprocessor 8 in the electric circuit 1 using the charged power stored in the secondary battery 9b.

Further, the primary battery 10 is connected in parallel with the secondary battery 9b of the power supply unit 9. This primary battery 10 has a rated voltage of, for example, 3.
It is set to 0 volts, and when the voltage of the secondary battery 9b drops to 3 volts or less, the primary battery control circuit 11 is activated to supply power to the electric circuit 1. In this embodiment, a lithium battery with a long life and easy maintenance is used as the primary battery 10.

The dead battery detection circuit 12 generates the old output when the voltage of the primary battery 10 falls below the second setting IJ3'' of 2.6 volts (set by the operating voltage of the microphone [1 processor 8). It is something to do.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the functions of the microprocessor 8 to detect gas cylinder replacement time, automatic meter reading, detect dead battery of the primary battery 10, and report gas leak.

The automatic meter reading function includes a gas usage calculation process 811 that counts the number of pulses output by the pulse transmitting meter N1 and calculates the amount of gas used based on the counted number. The total amount of gas used calculated by the gas usage [i ratio processing 811 is accumulated in a total accumulation processing 812. On the other hand, a meter reading date and time detection process 815 compares the date and time set in the meter reading date and time setting unit 813 and the date and time when the timer 814 is counted by one count, and the date and time counted by the timer 814 is determined to be the date and time set in the meter reading date and time setting unit 813. When it reaches the total cumulative total I! I! The accumulated numerical value of step 812 is encoded by a gas usage amount encoding process 81G, and is reported to the computer C of the gas supply company by a transmission process 800.

The gas cylinder replacement timing detection function is activated at the beginning of 11' by the rising trigger when the reset switch N2 is turned on.
Trip cumulative processing 82 set (reset) to 11a
1, the amount of gas used after the reset is accumulated J1.

This trip total is 1! The value that is incremented by 1 at I'+821 indicates that the gas stored in the first gas out setting section 822 is 7.
The number corresponding to 0% usage $ (compared with a, so that
If it is determined that the accumulated value in the trip accumulation process 821 is larger than the value stored in the first out-of-gas setting unit 822, the first comparison process 823 generates a first alarm signal. In addition, the value accumulated in the trip accumulation processing 821 indicates that the gas stored in the second gas out setting section 824 is 85%.
As a result, if it is determined that the cumulative value of the trip cumulative processing 821 is larger than the numerical value stored in the second gas out setting section 824, the second The comparison process 825 generates a second alarm signal.

If the first comparison process 823 generates a first alarm signal,
The first out-of-gas encoding process 826 encodes the fact that the remaining amount in the gas cylinder is 30%, and the transmission process 800 notifies the gas supplier C of the gas supply company. When the second alarm signal is generated, a second gas out encoding process 827 encodes that the remaining amount in the gas cylinder is 15%, and a transmission process 800 notifies the computer C of the gas supply company.

The function of detecting the dead battery of the primary battery 10a is
When the voltage of a falls below the dead battery voltage 1a (2.5 volts), the dead battery detection circuit 12 outputs the signal lli to the microprocessor 8, and the dead battery encoding process 831 outputs a signal of 1.
The fact that the voltage of the secondary battery 10a has fallen below 1.5 volts is encoded and notified to the gas supply company's computer C by a transmission process 800.

In the gas leak reporting function, when the gas leak sensor N3 detects a gas leak, a gas leak encoding process 841 encodes the fact that a gas leak has been detected, and a transmission process 800 notifies the gas supply company's monitor C.

Next, when reporting an automatic meter reading or replacing a gas cylinder, 1
Transmission processing 8 in the microprocessor 8 when reporting that the primary battery 10a is dead and when reporting a gas leak
The 000 operation will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the line use detection circuit 3 determines whether the telephone tIT is in a call (Sl), and if it is in a call (Sl).
repeat. Furthermore, when a call is not in progress, the call wealth detection circuit 4 determines whether or not an incoming call is in progress (S2
), if it is being called, repeat from (Sl) again. When the telephone is not ringing, the circuit switching relay 5 disconnects the telephone T from the telephone line network.
and the microphone [1 and the processor 8 are connected (circuit closing) (33).

Next, it is determined whether 3 seconds have elapsed since the circuit was closed (S4), and if 3 seconds have not elapsed, (S4) is repeated. After 3 seconds have elapsed since the circuit was closed, the dial signal generating circuit 7 activates the computer C of the gas supply phase.
(S5), and determines whether the center signal detection circuit 6 has received the response signal from the destination side (S5).
S et al). When a response signal is received, information is transmitted according to each transmission control regulation (S7), and the center signal detection circuit determines whether or not a retransmission request signal has been received from the destination side (S8). ). When the retransmission request signal is not received, it is determined whether 3 seconds have elapsed since the end of information transmission (S9), and if not, the process returns to (S8). If 3 seconds have passed after the end of transmission, circuit switching relay 5
The telephone tiT is connected to the telephone line network, the telephone line wIL and the microprocessor 8 are separated (open circuit) (310), and the process ends.

If no response signal is received from the destination side in (S6),
It is determined whether 155 seconds have elapsed since the automatic dialing of the destination (S11), and if 15 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to (S6). Also, when 15 seconds have passed after automatic dialing, or (S8)
When a retransmission request signal is received, open the @ line (512).
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not automatic dialing has been made three or more times (313).

If the number of outgoing calls is less than 3, it is determined whether 5 seconds have elapsed since opening Ii1 (S14);
If seconds have not elapsed, repeat (314), and if five seconds have elapsed, return to (Sl) again.

(813) If it is determined that the number of J dial calls has been made is 3101 or more, it is determined whether or not automatic dial calls have been made 9 times (S15), and if the call has been made 9 times. has ended, and if less than 9 times, it is determined whether 5 minutes have passed since the line was opened (316), and if 5 minutes have not passed, repeat (31B), and when 5 minutes have passed If so, return to (S1) again.

During automatic meter reading as described above, when reporting the time to replace a gas cylinder, when reporting that the primary battery 10 is dead, and when reporting a gas leak, the circuit switching relay 5 in the electric circuit 1, the center signal detection circuit 6, the dial Since the signal generation circuit 7 and the microbe 8 operate 4 times, the secondary battery 9b of the power supply section 9
The charged power is consumed.

However, automatic meter reading is carried out, for example, only once a month, and notifications of gas cylinder replacement time, notifications of dead primary battery 10, and notifications of gas leaks are not carried out many times a month. Therefore, the secondary battery 9b of the power supply section 9 is always charged by the telephone line fgL and maintained at 3.6 volts.

In addition, the microprocessor 8 counts the number of pulses of the timer and the meter N1 with pulse transmission even when the information is not sent to the computer C of the gas supply company, but the current consumption of the timer is less than 1 microampere, and the pulse The extinction current when counting is 2 to 3 microphones [
Since the current is 1 ampere, the secondary battery 9b of the power supply unit 9 is charged with more power supplied from the telephone line network than consumed power.

As described above, the present invention charges the secondary battery 9b of the power supply unit 9 with the power supplied from the telephone line network, and operates the electric circuit 1 using the power charged in the secondary battery 9b. Therefore, the cost of the power source can be kept low compared to when a conventional commercial AC power source is used as the power source or when a primary battery is used as the main power source.

On the other hand, information is transmitted to the computer C of the gas supply company many times, and the power of the secondary battery 9b of the power supply unit 9 cannot keep up with charging, and the voltage of the secondary battery 9b is lower than the first set voltage (for example, 3 volts). ), when the power supply section 9 breaks down, or when the telephone line network [is disconnected for a long period of time and the secondary battery 9b of the power supply section 9 cannot be charged, the electrical circuit 1 receives power from the primary battery 10, so it can operate the system and store data stored in the microprocessor υ 8 for a long period of time.
,: Since data can be retained across the network, various confusion caused by data deletion can be eliminated.

Further, the primary battery 10 is such that the secondary battery 9b of the power supply section 9 is the first battery.
The primary battery 10 is not used until it drops below the set voltage, and even if it is used, the voltage of the secondary battery is charged again by the telephone line network and creates back pressure, so the frequency of use of the primary battery 10 is very low.
The life of the primary battery 10 can be significantly extended. By using a lithium battery as the primary battery 10, the life of the primary battery 10 can be further extended.

Furthermore, since the voltage of the primary battery 10 may be lower than the voltage of the power supply section 9, even if an expensive lithium battery is used as the primary battery 10, manufacturing costs can be reduced compared to the conventional power supply using a lithium battery. It can be kept low compared to other products.

(Modified example) In this example, an example was shown in which pulses were generated using a magnet trap switch attached to a rotating member within a gas integration meter, but it is also possible to generate pulses using rotational or reciprocating motion within a gas integration meter. Generate pulses by other means, such as by providing a slit at the location where the gas is to be used and generating pulses using the output of a photocoupler that detects the light passing through the slit, and detect the amount of gas used by counting the number of pulses. You may do so. Alternatively, the flow rate of gas passing through the gas supply pipe may be detected using an aphrometer or the like, thereby detecting the amount of gas used.

In addition, if the used product exceeds the set value within the set time (exceeding the maximum flow rate, using gas equipment for a long time, a small leak, etc.), the i2 will notify the sender of the information or shut off the gas valve. It's okay to go.

In addition to automatic gas meter reading, the present invention can be applied to other automatic meter readings such as electricity and water.

In this embodiment, an example of automatically reading the meter to the management center at a set date and time has been shown, but the present invention may be applied to a device that performs automatic meter reading by receiving support for transmission from the management center.

Further, in addition to gas leak detection, home security functions such as crime prevention and fire detection may be provided.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which an automatic checkup is sent to the management center at a preset date and time, but an automatic meter reading may be performed upon receiving a transmission instruction from the management center.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 and 2 are block diagrams of the residential information transmitting device of the present invention, Figure 3 is a block diagram of the microphone [Ibu [1 Sera], and Figure 4 is a flowchart of the transmission process of the Microbrolli. be.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A residential information transmitting device equipped with an electric circuit that detects usage of gas, electricity, water, etc. and transmits the usage to a management center via a telephone line, comprising: has a power supply unit including a secondary battery charged by electricity supplied from the telephone line, and operates the electric circuit by the electricity charged in the secondary battery. Transmitting device. 2) The residential information transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the secondary battery includes a primary battery in parallel, and is activated when the voltage of the secondary battery drops below a set voltage.