KR100312774B1 - Mesurement information monitoring apparatus and method using powerline - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention has to exponentially expand the communication line connected from the energy meter to the loader through the pulse generator as the number of meters and customers increases in the system for transmitting the meter information to the remote site through the power line to monitor the meter information. In order to solve the problem, the energy metering unit 41 for generating a respective pulse signal corresponding to the amount of use of each energy; A transmission module 42 which receives the pulse output from the energy metering unit 41 through each communication line, calculates the month and month rates, and transmits the metering information according to the power line; A reception module 51 for receiving the metering information transmitted from the transmission module 42 through a power line and converting the measurement information into a composite video signal; The television receiver 52 displays a composite video signal related to the metering information output from the receiving module 51 on the screen.

Description

Weighing information monitoring device and method using power line {MESUREMENT INFORMATION MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHOD USING POWERLINE}

The present invention relates to a technology for monitoring weighing information at a remote place by transmitting weighing information to a remote place through a power line, and in particular, using a power line to prevent the number of communication lines from increasing exponentially as the number of customers increases. An apparatus and method for monitoring weighing information.

In general, power line communication refers to a communication method that sends a fine communication signal to a power supply flowing in a power line for supplying power to a consumer and sends a signal to a metering device and a monitoring device within a range not causing damage to home appliances. Therefore, power line communication is a very economical communication method because it does not require a separate communication line despite the wired communication with each meter.

The present invention is to apply such a power line communication method to the metering information TV transmission system to facilitate the convenience of installation, economics and reliability of the system, expandability.

1 is a block diagram of a metering information monitoring apparatus using a power line according to the prior art, as shown therein, an energy meter 1 for generating a number of pulses corresponding to the amount of energy used when each energy is used; A pulse generator 2 for converting energy per unit of the energy measured by the energy meter 1 into a predetermined number of pulses; A loader (3) which calculates the original measured value of the corresponding energy based on the output pulse of the pulse generator (2) and sequentially outputs information on the power source, the current month or the charge according to the type of energy; An on-screen unit 4 for outputting the output data of the loader 3 as a composite video signal corresponding to a TV scan signal; A signal modulator (5) for carrying the TV composite video signal of the on-screen unit (4) on a carrier and assigning it to a specific channel; It consists of a switch 6 which switches to enable a consumer to view a video signal relating to the metering information of the signal modulator 5 through the television receiver 8 or to record it on the VRL 7.

Here, the loader 3 receives a pulse through each port according to the number of pulse generators built in the pulse generator 2 and outputs the original measured value sequentially according to the type of energy. Wow; A ROM 3B having stored therein a program for restoring the original weighing value with the pulse signal input to the microcomputer 3A; A read time clock (RTC) generator (3C) for informing time information so that the microcomputer (3A) can distinguish the previous month and the current month; And a RAM 3D for storing various data of the microcomputer 3A at an assigned address.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 attached to the operation of the conventional weighing information monitoring device configured as described above are as follows.

Each energy meter of the energy meter 1 generates pulses corresponding to the energy per unit of energy when the consumer uses the energy, and the pulse generator 2 generates a predetermined level of energy per unit based on the pulse. Convert to the number of pulses.

The weighed signal converted into pulses is transferred to the corresponding one of the parallel input / output ports P3 to P8 of the microcomputer 3A in the loader 3, so that the microcomputer 3A is stored in a program previously stored in the ROM 3B. Accordingly, the measured value of the energy usage is calculated and stored, and various data such as the current month usage, the previous month usage, and the current monthly amount so far are calculated and stored in the allocated address of the RAM 3D.

At this time, the microcomputer 3A classifies the previous month and the current month based on the time information provided by the lead time clock generator 3C, and sequentially calculates the calculated weighing information according to the energy type of the ports P0 to P2. It outputs to the on-screen unit (4) through.

2A and 2B show the format of the signal output from the microcomputer 3A to the on-screen unit 4.

Accordingly, the on-screen unit 4 processes the weighing information input from the microcomputer 3A into normal data, converts the measured information into a composite video signal corresponding to a TV scan signal, and outputs the composite image signal to the signal modulator 5. .

The signal modulator 5 carries an input composite video signal on a carrier wave to transmit a predetermined channel. Here, the constant channel means a channel assigned to the VC7. It means channel 3 or channel 4 allocated for (7), and the carrier should also have carrier frequency of channel 3 or channel 4.

Since the metering information output through the above process is transmitted to one fixed terminal (a) of the switch 6, the composite video signal reproduced and output from the V7 (7) is transmitted to the other fixed terminal (b) By switching the switch (6) using a specific key provided in the remote control it is possible to retrieve the metering information through the television receiver (8) or to enjoy the playback program of the V7 (7).

3 illustrates the flow of the operation signal of the loader 3, and the operation of the loader 3 will be described in more detail with reference to the following.

First, the count time of the lead time clock generator 3C is initialized, and the ROM 3B and RAM 3D are set to an initial state (S1).

Thereafter, the output pulses of the meter are input in the order of identification number I set on the program of the ROM 3B, and the amount of energy used is calculated using the program (S2-S4).

Afterwards, if you want to calculate the current month usage or the previous month usage according to the demand of the consumer, calculate the amount based on the previously stored previous month data, and calculate the current month data if you want to calculate the current month usage. Once stored in the RAM (3D) to calculate the amount (S5-S7).

When calculating the current month usage is calculated by subtracting the cumulative value consumed in the previous month from the value calculated in the step (S7).

Through the above process, the cumulative current month or previous month usage is stored in the RAM 3D, and a control signal is generated to display the value on the screen of the television receiver 8 (S8 and S9).

Thereafter, the data of the control signal, the weighing information data, and the data of the ROM 3B table are processed so as to be suitable for the input format of the on-screen unit 4, and then the identification number I of the currently selected meter is the number of the entire meter ( If it is smaller than N), if it is smaller, the above series of steps (S5-S12) are repeated for the next meter, and thus, the previous month or the current month usage of the entire meter for each energy is calculated and displayed on the screen. (S10, S11).

However, in the conventional weighing information monitoring apparatus, pulses are input from the energy metering unit for each meter, converted into the corresponding pulse number in the pulse generator, and then output to the loader side installed in the customer through each communication line. Therefore, as the number of meters and customers increases, communication lines connected from the energy meter to the loader through the pulse generator must be expanded exponentially, which causes a defect in the installation cost and the maintenance cost.

Therefore, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is that the transmission module receives the pulse generated from the energy metering unit and restores to the original metering value, and then calculates and backs up the usage fee using the metering information of the power line modem and power line. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for monitoring weighing information using a power line which transmits the data to a receiving module through the receiving module, and converts the data received through the power line and the power line modem into a composite video signal and then loads it on a carrier and assigns it to a specific channel.

1 is a block diagram of a metering information monitoring apparatus using a power line according to the prior art.

Figures 2a, 2b is a format diagram of the signal output to the on-screen unit in FIG.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation signal of the loader in FIG. 1;

Figure 4 is an exemplary block diagram of a transmitter in the weighing information monitoring apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is an embodiment block diagram of a receiving unit in the weighing information monitoring apparatus according to the present invention.

6 is a flow chart of the weighing information transmission process according to the present invention;

7 is a flow chart of a weighing information receiving process according to the present invention;

8 is another exemplary block diagram of a transmitter in the metering information monitoring apparatus according to the present invention.

*** Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings ***

41: energy meter 42: transmitting module

42A, 51B: microcomputer 42B, 51C: ROM

42C: RAM 42D, 51A: Power Line Modem

42E, 51D: Ipyrom 42F: Battery

51: receiving module 51E: on-screen part

51F: Signal modulator 52: TV receiver

PL: Power Line

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the transmission module in the weighing information monitoring apparatus using a power line for achieving the object of the present invention, Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the receiving module as shown As described above, the energy metering unit 41 generates a pulse signal corresponding to the usage amount of each energy; A transmission module 42 which receives the pulse output from the energy metering unit 41, calculates the previous month and the current month rate, and transmits the metering information obtained as a result of the calculation through the power line PL; A reception module 51 for receiving the metering information transmitted from the transmission module 42 through a power line PL and converting the measurement information into a composite video signal corresponding to a TV scan signal; The television receiver 52 displays a composite video signal related to the weighing information output from the receiving module 51 on the screen.

Here, the transmission module 42 includes a microcomputer 42A for receiving the pulse output from the energy metering unit 41, calculating charge information, and performing power line communication; A ROM 42B in which a program for operating the microcomputer 42A is stored; RAM 42C for storing charge information received from the energy metering unit 41; A power line modem 42D for modulating the metering information to send the metering information to the power line PL and demodulating the signal received from the receiving module 51 through the power line PL; An EEPROM 42E for storing the identification number (ID) of the transmission module 42 and the information of the energy metering unit 41; The battery 42F supplies emergency power in order to preserve the weighing information and other information in case of power failure.

In addition, the receiving module 51 restores the metering information transmitted from the transmitting module 42 side through the power line PL and transmits a signal to be transmitted to the transmitting module 42 side through the power line PL. A power line modem 51A for modulating; A microcomputer 51B which outputs the metering information extracted through the power line modem 51A and requests the meter module to transmit the metering information; A ROM 51C in which a program for operating the microcomputer 51B is stored; EPI rom 51D for storing the identification number (ID) of the receiving module (51); An on-screen unit 51E for converting the metering information data output from the microcomputer 51B into a composite video signal of a television; A signal modulator 51F is configured to allocate a TV composite video signal output from the on-screen unit 51E to a predetermined channel on a carrier wave.

Metering information monitoring method using a power line for achieving the object of the present invention comprises the steps of: generating a respective pulse signal corresponding to the amount of energy used; A second step of receiving the pulse signal through each communication line, calculating a charge for the previous month and the current month, confirming an identification number, and transmitting the corresponding weighing information through the power line; Converting the metering information received through the power line into a composite video signal and confirming an identification number; A fourth step of displaying the converted composite video signal on a display device is performed.

Referring to Figures 6 to 8 attached to the operation of the present invention configured as described above in detail as follows.

Each energy metering device of the energy metering unit 41, that is, the electricity meter 41A, the gas meter 41B, the water meter 41C, the hot water meter 41D, and the calorimeter 41E, is used when the consumer uses the energy. Generate a number of pulses corresponding to the energy per unit.

The microcomputer 42A restores and stores the energy per unit to the original measured value based on the pulses output from the energy metering devices of the energy metering unit 41, and stores the current amount, the amount of the previous month, the amount of the current month, the monthly fee, etc. Is stored in the RAM 42C.

Even if a power failure occurs, the weighing information is maintained by the power of the battery 42F, and the microcomputer 42A uses the power of the battery 42F to generate a pulse output from the energy metering unit 41 as described above. It can be processed normally.

When there is a request for transmitting the weighing information from the receiving module 51, the microcomputer 42A sends the currently received identification number ID to the identification number ID of the transmitting module 41 stored in the EPI-ROM 42F. The measurement information data is output to the power line modem 42D only when the comparison is made and the results match.

The power line modem 42D loads the data output from the microcomputer 42A on a carrier wave and loads the carrier wave on an AC power source AC of the power line PL to transmit to the receiving module 51 side.

On the other hand, in the receiving module 51, the power line modem 51A restores the original metering information data from the carrier wave transmitted through the AC power source AC of the power line PL and outputs it to the microcomputer 51B.

Accordingly, the microcomputer 51B compares the identification number ID included in the data transmitted from the power line modem 51A with the identification number ID already stored in the Y pyrom 51D and agrees with each other. If found, the input data is transferred to the on-screen part 51E side.

At this time, the on-screen unit 51E processes the data of control data (CSB) (SCK) and ROM (51C) table as well as weighing information data (SIN) transmitted from the microcomputer (51B). After generating a composite video signal corresponding to the output to the signal modulator (51F).

The signal modulator 51F loads a composite video signal transmitted from the on-screen unit 51E on a carrier wave and transmits it on a predetermined channel of the television receiver 52.

Accordingly, the consumer can tune the predetermined channel of the television receiver 52 to monitor the metering information if necessary.

Meanwhile, FIG. 6 is a signal flow diagram illustrating the measurement information data processing process of the transmission module 42. Hereinafter, the signal processing process of the transmission module 42 will be described in detail with reference to the following.

First, set the state of the ROM 42B, RAM 42C, and YPyrom 42E as the initial state including time, and receive pulses of the meter sequentially according to the information of the meter stored in the YPyrom 42E. (SA2) Calculate the original metered value of the energy (SA1-SA3).

Next, if the current time is checked and the current time is 24 hours on the last day of the current month, the previous month's total value is replaced with the current month's total value, the current month's total value is set to "0", and the accumulated value of the measured value calculated above and the royalties calculated based on the current time. Is cumulatively calculated and the royalties data is stored in the RAM 42C (SA4-SA6).

Thereafter, it is checked whether there is a data request from the receiving module 51 (SA7). If there is no data request, the process proceeds to the next meter processing routine, and if there is a data request, the identification number (ID) of the corresponding meter is YPROM 42E. Compared to the identification number (ID) stored in the comparison to the next meter processing routine and if it is matched and transmits the metering data of the corresponding meter to the receiving module 51 through the power line modem 42D and power line (PL).

On the other hand, Figure 7 is a signal flow diagram showing the measurement information data processing process of the receiving module 51 with reference to this will be described in more detail the signal processing of the receiving module 51 as follows.

First, the state of the ROM 51C and the Y pyrom 51D is set to an initial state, and then an identification number (ID) stored in the Y pyrom 51D is designated to request the data transmission to the transmission module 42. (SB1, SB2).

Thereafter, when the weighing data is received from the transmission module 42 through the power line PL, the input identification number ID is compared with the identification number ID stored in the Y pyrom 51D, and as a result, If they do not match, a retransmission request is made, but if they match, a control signal is generated to display the received weighing information on the TV screen (SB3-SB5).

Thereafter, the control data of the control signal, the weighing information data received from the transmission module 42, and the table data of the ROM 51C are processed and output to be suitable for the input format of the on-screen unit 51E, and the on-screen The unit 51E processes the input weighing information data SIN and data of the ROM 51C table and outputs the composite image signal corresponding to the creative scan signal (SB6 and SB7).

8 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention, and the basic operation thereof is the same as in FIG. 4.

However, the energy metering unit 81 includes a gas leakage alarm 81A, a fire alarm 81B, an anti-theft protector 81C, and the like for crime prevention and disaster prevention, and the transmission module 42 includes detection information therefrom. When outputted, the detection information is transmitted to the receiving module 51 side through the power line PL. Accordingly, the receiving module 51 displays the detected detection information on the television receiver 52. The difference is that it allows you to take action and be aware of the facts.

As described in detail above, in the present invention, the transmission module receives the pulse generated from the energy metering unit, restores the original metering value, and calculates and backs up the charge using the metering information. When the number of meters and customers increases by converting the data received through the power line and the power line modem into a composite video signal and outputting it to a display device such as a television receiver through the receiving module side, Since only the communication lines between the transmitting modules need to be expanded, the burden of the line extension due to the increase in the number of meters and customers is significantly reduced, and ultimately, the installation cost and maintenance cost of the communication lines can be reduced. In addition, the backup battery is provided in the loader, so that the metering information can be preserved as it is during power failure, thereby preventing the energy metering value stored by the power failure from being lost.

Claims (5)

An energy metering unit 41 for generating respective pulse signals corresponding to the amount of energy used; A transmission module 42 which receives the pulse output from the energy metering unit 41 through each communication line, calculates the month and month rates, and transmits the metering information through the power line modem and the power line; A receiving module 51 for receiving the metering information transmitted from the transmitting module 42 through a power line modem and a power line and converting the measured information into a composite video signal; Metering information monitoring apparatus using a power line, characterized in that composed of a television receiver 52 for displaying on the screen a composite video signal related to the metering information output from the receiving module (51). The microcomputer of claim 1, wherein the transmission module 42 receives pulses output from the energy metering unit 41, calculates billing information, and controls driving of each unit of the system to perform a transmission function through a power line. 42A); A RAM 42C in which a program for operating the microcomputer 42A is stored and the charge information received from the energy metering unit 41 is stored; A power line modem 42D that modulates the metering information to send the metering information to the power line and demodulates the signal received from the receiving module 51 through the power line; Metering information monitoring device using a power line, characterized in that it comprises an ID number (ID) of the transmission module 42 and EPIROM (42E) for storing the information of the energy metering unit (41). The metering information using a power line according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmission module 42 includes a battery 42F for supplying emergency power in order to preserve the metering information and other information in case of power failure. Monitoring device. The power line modem 51A of claim 1, wherein the receiving module 51 restores the metering information transmitted from the transmitting module 42 side through the power line and modulates a signal to be transmitted to the transmitting module 42 side. and; A microcomputer (51B) for controlling the driving of each part of the system to output the weighing information extracted through the power line modem (51A) to the display device side, and to request the sending of the weighing information to the transmitting module (42); A ROM 51C in which a program for operating the microcomputer 51B is stored and an ID number 51D in which an identification number (ID) of the receiving module 51 is stored; An on-screen unit 51E for converting the weighing information data output from the microcomputer 51B into a composite video signal; Metering information monitoring apparatus using a power line, characterized in that the signal modulator (51F) configured to load a complex video signal output from the on-screen unit (51E) to a specific channel by carrying a carrier wave. Generating a respective pulse signal corresponding to the amount of energy used; A second step of receiving the pulse signal through each communication line, calculating a charge for the previous month and the current month, and transmitting the metering information according to the power line modem and the power line; A third step of converting the metering information received through the power line and the power line modem into a composite video signal; And a fourth step of displaying the converted composite video signal on a display device.