KR101932056B1 - Remote integrated management system using gas control system through analysis of digital amount of gas usage data and thermal sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a remote integrated management system using a gas control system through data digitization on the amount of used gas and analysis of a thermal sensor. The remote integrated management system comprises: a gas meter installed at houses of customers to measure the amount of used gas; an imaging device installed to image measurement data of the gas meter; a device digitizing analog data inputted from the imaging device; a device individually attaching a thermal sensor to a plurality of gas usage devices installed by being connected to the gas meter and recognizing information of the thermal sensor; and a gas control system determining gas usage and gas leak by comparing digital data and information transmitted from the thermal sensor.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote integrated management system using a gas control system through digital data acquisition and analysis of a gas sensor,

The present invention relates to a gas leakage detecting apparatus and a gas usage monitoring system, and more particularly, to a gas control system for determining whether gas leakage is caused by comparing a gas supply amount in a gas sensor with a thermal sensor installed in a gas apparatus, ≪ / RTI >

Hereinafter, the operation of the remote leak gas detection system according to the prior art of FIG. 6 will be described.

When the user uses the gas supplied to the customer, the number wheels of the gas meter 10 are rotated in proportion to the usage amount. Accordingly, the sensing unit of the gas meter 10 generates a sensing signal as the magnet mounted on the number wheel approaches. On the other hand, the remote meter reading unit 20 receives the sensing signal from the sensing unit of the gas meter 10, generates the meter reading information for each predetermined time period by digitizing the sensing signal, and stores the meter reading information in the memory unit.

When the difference between the current detection signal generation time and the immediately preceding detection signal generation time is less than the minimum pulse generation time stored in advance in the memory unit, the remote meter probe 20 receives a detection signal from the gas meter 10, The remote meter reading server

(40). If the disconnection of the pulse connection line is confirmed, the remote meter reader 20 generates a message indicating the disconnection and transmits the message to the remote meter server 40.

The remote meter reading unit 20 compares the gas usage amount of the current time with the gas usage pattern calculated in advance in the gas usage pattern algorithm provided therein to determine whether or not the gas leakage occurs. The remote meter reading device (20) transmits the generated gas leakage information to the remote meter reading server (40) immediately.

Then, the remote meter reading server 40 manages the meter reading information transmitted through the wired / wireless communication network 30 for each customer, and when the gas leakage information is received, generates a notification request message including corresponding customer information, To the system (50). Upon receipt of the notification request message from the remote meter reading server 40, the call center system 50 calls the one or more telephone numbers included in the customer information and transmits an alarm message by voice.

In this case, the call center system 50 transmits an alarm message and is also checked whether the user is remote blocked. The call center system 50 transmits a gas shutdown command to the corresponding remote meter reading unit 20 via the remote meter reading server 40 and the wired or wireless communication network 30 when the gas shutdown command is input from the user, (20) generates a gas shutoff signal to control the gas circuit breaker (60) upon receipt of the gas shutoff command. The gas circuit breaker 60 receives a gas shutoff signal from the remote meter 20 and cuts off gas supplied to each customer through the gas supply pipe. Here, the gas circuit breaker 60 and the gas shutoff command corresponding thereto may be separately implemented for each gas appliance (e.g., gas range, boiler, etc.) used in the customer.

However, according to the related art, meter reading information is generated for each predetermined time period and stored in the memory unit, and the remote meter reading unit 20 compares the gas usage amount of the current time with the gas usage pattern calculated in the gas usage pattern algorithm, It is necessary to cope with this situation because there are many cases in which it is determined that the gas usage patterns are out of time by time.

In addition, there is an increasing need to operate integrated shutdown and remote meter reading and alarms in an integrated manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art.

Korea Patent Office Registration No. 10-0659474 (December 13, 2006) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 1998-029676 (Jul. 25, 1998)

An object of the present invention is to provide a gas control system through gas leakage digital detection by using a camera and a thermal sensor, and gas leak detection through analysis of a thermal sensor.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a gas leakage detection method using a camera and a thermal sensor.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a gas connecting device that interrupts when a gas leakage is detected and provides an alarm to a user and an administrator.

It is still another object of the present invention to enable remote meter reading.

       In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the following structure is provided.

A gas meter installed in a customer to quantify gas consumption;

An imaging device installed to capture measurement data of the gas meter;

An apparatus for digitizing analog data input from the image device;

An apparatus for recognizing information of a thermal sensor by attaching a thermal sensor to a plurality of gas use devices connected to the gas meter;

The gas control system is configured to compare the digital data with the information from the heat sensing sensor to determine gas use and gas leakage.

Wherein the imaging device periodically captures the measurement data of the gas meter to identify and monitor information about the amount of gas used.

Here, the thermal sensor includes a contact type, a non-contact type, and an infrared camera.

Here, it is preferable to configure a gas connection device capable of measuring or detecting the inflow of gas and opening / closing the inflow of gas between the gas meter and the gas using device.

If there is a gas inflow to the gas inflow sensor configured in the gas connection device but no heat is detected by the heat sensor, it is determined that there is gas leakage between the gas inflow sensor and the gas connection device.

If the numerical value of the digital data of the gas meter is increased and there is no gas inflow to the gas inflow sensor installed in the gas connection device, it is judged that gas leakage exists between the gas meter and the gas connection device.

Here, it is preferable that the signal of each of the heat sensor and the gas inflow sensor is transmitted by communication.

Here, the heat sensing sensor is configured in the vicinity of the gas using device or in the gas using device.

If the digital data value increases and all the heat sensors attached to the gas pipe passing through the meter can not detect the heat, it is determined that the gas leaks.

When it is judged that the gas is leaked, the gas lock device is automatically operated or information for issuing an alarm is received.

Here, the heat sensor information, the digital data information, and the gas inflow sensor information are transmitted to the gas control system via the wireless, WIFI, TCP / IP, mobile CDMA, beacon or ZigBee To analyze and control information pattern.

Here, it is preferable that information of the gas control system installed in the customer is transmitted to a user through a wired / wireless communication network.

In this case, it is preferable that the gas control system notify or inquire the gas leakage information and the gas consumption measurement data requested by the gas user in real time to the gas user's cell phone, E-mail and SNS.

Wherein the communication between the gas control system and the remote integrated management system is established via wired, wireless, WIFI, TCP / IP, mobile CDMA, beacon or ZigBee,

It is better to exchange information about the use of gas, analyze, monitor and control information about it.

In addition, when the gas leakage information is generated, the gas supply cutoff information is transmitted to the gas supply interrupter installed in the user's furniture to block the supplied gas.

When the gas supply interruption is required by the gas leakage alarm, the gas supply interruption information for the gas utilization device is input through the mobile phone app of the user or manager or the Internet web of the remote integrated management system, And a gas shutoff function for shutting off the supplied gas by transmitting a lock command to the shutoff device configured in the meter.

In addition, the gas usage measurement data may be transmitted to the gas energy management organization through wire / wireless communication, and the gas energy management agency may notify the user of the charge notice to the mobile phone, E-mail, and SNS.

In addition, it is also possible to allow the installer of the gas usage device according to the residence to directly set information on the gas user, to register the information through the authentication process with the gas user's mobile phone, and to set the information even when the gas usage device is removed Is more preferable.

Here, the user of the gas control system registers and manages the gas leakage information, the gas usage related payment notice information, the usage payment settlement information, and the gas use analysis information, and the manager of the remote integrated management system stores the gas leakage information It is preferable to register and manage the information so that the user can be notified of the information and transmit the information through the wired / wireless communication network.

The present invention has the effect of real-time detection of gas leakage through digital dataization of gas consumption and analysis of a thermal sensor using a camera and a thermal sensor.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the gas connection device is automatically shut off when a gas leak is detected and an alarm is sent to the user and the manager.

Another effect of the present invention is to enable remote meter reading.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the gas leakage information and the gas usage measurement data are notified or inquired to the user's cell phone, e-mail and SNS in real time.

Another effect of the present invention is that the gas energy management agency notifies the user of the bill to the mobile phone, E-mail and SNS.

It is possible to solve the problem of complaints even when the user removes the gas utilization device due to the relocation of the residence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a view showing the configuration of an entire drawing according to the present invention. FIG.
1B is a block diagram of a gas control system according to the present invention.
1C is a block diagram of a gas using apparatus of the present invention.
1D is a view showing a configuration of a gas connection device.
2 is a view showing a flow chart according to gas leakage.
3 is a view showing a flow of information processing of the gas control system.
4 is a flowchart showing a task processing flow of the remote integrated management system.
FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a gas shutoff process.
6 is a view showing a conventional technique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1A to 1D.

A gas meter 110 installed in the customer to quantify gas consumption,

A video device 120 installed to capture measurement data of the gas meter,

A digital data device 130 for converting the analog data inputted from the image device into digital data,

A plurality of gas using devices installed in connection with the gas meter are attached with heat sensors 140, 150 and 160, respectively,

The gas control system 200 is configured to compare the information from the digital data device 130 with the information from the thermal sensors 140, 150 and 160 to determine gas use and gas leakage.

Wherein the imaging device periodically captures the measurement data of the gas meter to identify and monitor information about the amount of gas used.

The imaging device 120 and the digital data device 130 analyze the image of the measurement data of the meter to obtain the numerical data of the gas usage amount.

The digital data device 130 separates the numeric image from the image of the meter and obtains the gas usage data from the numerical image. The image analysis technique necessary for this is well known to those skilled in the art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The imaging device 120 and the digital data device 130 periodically acquire data, preferably at 10 minute intervals, to obtain gas usage data.

The period of data acquisition may be adjustable according to the user's setting.

If the gas usage is high or special, the image analysis may be performed at shorter intervals, for example, 30 seconds apart, rather than every 10 minutes.

Here, the thermal sensor includes a contact type, a non-contact type, and an infrared camera.

The thermal sensors 140, 150 and 160 are installed in the gas utilization device and can determine whether the gas device is operating normally. That is, when a considerable amount of heat is detected by the heat sensing signal generated by the heat sensing sensors 140, 150 and 160, it can be seen that the gas using device is operating normally.

In this case, it is preferable to further configure a gas connection device (170, 180, 190) between the gas meter (110) and the gas using device to measure or detect the inflow amount of gas and to open and close the gas inflow.

In this case, when gas is introduced into each of the gas inflow sensors 174, 184, and 194 configured in the gas connection device but heat is not sensed by the heat sensors 140, 150 and 160, the gas inflow sensors 174, 184, and 194 and the gas connection devices 170, It is judged that there is a gas leak therebetween.

Wherein a numerical value of the digital data of the gas meter is increased and a gas inflow sensor (174, 184, 194) installed in the gas connection device has a gas leak between the gas meter (110) and the gas connection device (170, 180, 190) .

The gas connection devices 170, 180, and 190 control gas supply to the gas using devices 145, 155, and 165 and are shut off or open by a gas supply control signal output from the gas control system 200.

The gas control system 200 determines whether or not gas leakage occurs based on the gas usage amount data and the heat sensing signal. Specifically, it compares the gas usage data obtained in the previous and next cycle to determine whether the gas consumption is fluctuating. If no heat is detected by the heat sensing signal despite the fluctuation of the gas consumption amount, the gas leakage state is determined.

That is, when the numerical value of the digital data increases and all the heat sensors attached to the gas pipe passing through the meter can not sense the heat, it is determined that the gas leaks.

More specifically, if heat is not detected by the heat sensing signal despite the fluctuation of the gas usage amount, the gas leakage state is determined and a gas leakage alarm signal is generated.

When it is judged that the gas is leaked, the gas lock device is automatically operated or information for issuing an alarm is received.

The gas leak alarm signal can be obtained through a speaker, an alarm device, a warning light, or the like.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of detecting gas leakage according to the present invention.

The method for detecting gas leakage according to the present invention detects whether a gas usage amount is fluctuated based on a meter image acquired by a camera 120 which is a video apparatus and determines whether the amount of gas used varies by the thermal sensors 140, If no heat is detected, it is judged that gas leakage is occurring.

First, the gas meter 110 is imaged by the camera 120. (S302)

The digital data device 130 analyzes the gas meter image acquired by the camera 120, which is a video device, to obtain gas usage data (S304)

The gas control system 200 compares the gas consumption data of the front and rear periods to determine whether the gas consumption has fluctuated (S306).

The gas control system 200 can control the normal operation of the gas stove 145, the gas boiler 155, and other devices 165, which are hot air ballons, by the heat sensing signal obtained by the heat sensing sensor (S308).

If heat is not sensed by the thermal sensors 140, 150, and 160 despite the fluctuation of the gas usage, the gas control system 200 determines that the gas is leaking.

The gas control system 200 generates a gas leakage alarm signal (S310)

The gas control system 200 controls the gas connection devices 170, 180, and 190 to shut off the gas supply to the gas using device (S312) and again checks whether the gas usage amount fluctuates. (S314)

If there is no change in the gas usage amount, the gas control system 200 determines that gas leakage occurs between the gas connection device 170, 180, 190 and the gas utilization device.

On the other hand, if there is a change in the amount of gas used, the gas control system 200 determines that gas leakage occurs between the gas meter 110 and the gas connection devices 170, 180, 190.

The gas control system 200 outputs a gas leakage alarm message to the outside. (S316)

The opening and closing control units 176, 186, and 196 of the gas connection device control the gas connection devices 170, 180, and 190 to control the gas supply to the gas using device.

1a and 3, the following description is made.

Here, signals of the respective heat sensing sensors and gas inflow sensors are transmitted by wire / wireless communication.

Here, the heat sensor information, the digital data information, and the gas inflow sensor information are transmitted to the gas control system 200 through the wireless, WIFI, TCP / IP, mobile CDMA, beacon or ZigBee, And analyze and control the information.

Here, it is preferable that information of the gas control system installed in the customer is transmitted to a user through a wired / wireless communication network.

In this case, it is preferable that the gas control system notify or inquire the gas leakage information and the gas consumption measurement data requested by the gas user in real time to the gas user's cell phone, E-mail and SNS.

Here, the communication between the gas control system 200 and the remote integrated management system 300 is established through wired, wireless, WIFI, TCP / IP, mobile CDMA, beacon or ZigBee,

It is better to exchange information about the use of gas, analyze, monitor and control information about it.

In addition, when the gas leakage information is generated, the gas supply cutoff information is automatically transmitted to the gas supply interrupter installed in the user's furniture to block the supplied gas.

A block command can be issued by the user or the administrator.

When the gas supply interruption is required by the gas leakage alarm, the gas supply interruption information for the gas utilization device is input through the mobile phone app of the user or manager or the Internet web of the remote integrated management system, And a gas shutoff function for shutting off the supplied gas by transmitting a lock command to the shutoff device configured in the meter.

In addition, the gas usage measurement data transmits information to the gas energy management organization through wired / wireless communication, and the gas energy management agency notifies the user of the fee bill to the mobile phone, E-mail, and SNS.

By searching for a rate based on a user-centric fixed address through the Internet or a mobile phone as a means of collecting the bill on the bill, the user can easily access the Internet banking, mobile phone simple payment, mobile banking payment, And a prepaid card.

In addition, it is also possible to allow the installer of the gas usage device according to the residence to directly set information on the gas user, to register the information through the authentication process with the gas user's mobile phone, and to set the information even when the gas usage device is removed Is more preferable.

Here, the user of the gas control system registers and manages the gas leakage information, the gas usage related payment notice information, the usage payment settlement information, and the gas use analysis information, and the manager of the remote integrated management system stores the gas leakage information It is preferable to register and manage the information so that the user can be notified of the information and transmit the information through the wired / wireless communication network.

The first communication unit communicates with the thermal sensing sensors 140, 150 and 160 and the gas control system 200 through the first communication network 210.

And the second communication unit communicates with the remote integrated management system 300 through the second communication network 310. [

Here, the first and second communication networks 210 and 310 may be a TCP / IP network, a CDMA network, a WiFi network, a beacon network, or the like.

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the operation of the gas control system 200 shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, the camera 120 images a metering plate of the gas meter 110 to obtain a metering plate image.

The heat sensing sensors 1 to n are respectively installed in the gas using device and sense heat generated in the gas using device.

The gas connection device is installed in the gas utilization device, and controls the gas supply to the gas utilization device.

The gas control system detects the monthly gas consumption amount based on the measurement plate image obtained by the camera 120, the heat sensing data detected by the heat sensing sensors 140, 150 and 160, and detects whether leakage gas is generated.

The gas control system 200 transmits monthly monthly gas consumption and gas consumption analysis results in response to a request from the user and the remote integrated management system 300.

The gas control system 200 controls the gas connection device 170, 180, 190 in response to a request from the remote integrated management system 300 to shut off the gas supply to the gas utilization device.

The gas control system detects an amount of gas used, analyzes the amount of gas used, and performs an operation of detecting whether or not the gas is leaked.

The gas control system 200 analyzes the image of the measurement plate obtained by the camera 120 to obtain gas usage data, calculates the monthly gas consumption amount, and analyzes it in a time-series manner.

Also, in response to the request of the user and remote integrated management system 300, monthly monthly gas consumption and gas consumption analysis results are transmitted. The notification to the user uses the user's mobile phone, E-mail, or the like.

The user's cell phone number, E-mail address, etc. are stored in the database 600.

In the installation and demolition of the gas usage device according to the transfer of residence to each user, the information obtained from the information and the camera (image) is used to clarify the gas usage indication between the previous user and the new user, To maximize efficiency.

4 is a general flow chart of a remote integrated management system 300. FIG.

When the gas leakage information is notified from the gas system 200, the process proceeds to a step 610 of notifying the gas leakage.

If there is no gas leakage information or if a shutdown due to gas leakage is performed, the monthly usage amount management is performed and the flow proceeds to the monthly usage amount process 620. [

After the process for the monthly usage amount is performed, the flow proceeds to the bill management process 630, and after the bill management process, the bill payment process 640 is performed.

If the bill payment process is not performed, the gas supplier 500 may issue a gas shutdown instruction.

If this is the case, proceed to the gas shutoff process 650.

The above process is an example of a process performed in the remote integrated management system 300. [

The user or manager 600 is informed of the gas leakage alarm or performs the gas shutdown instruction by communication.

A part of a flow chart according to the progress of the process is shown below the gas leakage notification process 610, the payment process process 640, and the bill management process 630. [

The gas bill settlement institution 400 charges the user 600 for communication and decides whether to continue providing gas or blocking the gas supplier 500 by informing the gas supplier 500 that the charge is an unpaid or a payment user .

This will be described with reference to FIG.

Some examples of the flow of the gas shutoff process are shown.

And the user or manager 600 who has received the gas leakage notification cuts off the gas during the gas leak notification process.

Assume that the number of gas connection devices is P.

If it is determined in step S10 that all the gas connection devices are to be shut off, the process proceeds to step S20 if only the gas connection device that has leaked gas is shut off.

Where N means progression from 1 to P.

If there is a leak of the Nth gas, the Nth gas connecting device is shut off (S30)

If there is no leakage of the Nth gas utilization device, it moves to N + 1 (S40) and proceeds to the next gas utilization device to check the entire gas usage device.

If N is greater than P (S50), there is no more gas-using device to be inspected, so the use device in which the gas is leaked is blocked and the process proceeds to the shutoff notification (S90).

If all of the gas connecting devices are to be disconnected, the process proceeds to step S60, and the Nth gas is shut off and the N + 1th gas is shut off, and the process proceeds to step S70.

N proceeds to the step S80 until the total number N of the gas connection apparatuses becomes P, and finally the whole is shut off.

And then the process of shutting off by notifying the shut off of the gas connection (S90) is over.

In this way, the remote integrated management system 300 detects the gas leakage, instructs the shutdown, adds the charge by remote meter reading, and charges the cost accordingly. The entire process according to the gas use and supply is automatically or partly manually . ≪ / RTI >

     The terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary terms and the inventor may appropriately define the concept of the term in order to best describe its invention It should be construed as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the technical ideas of the present invention are described. Therefore, It should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may be present.

100: image data device 110: gas meter
120: imaging device 130: digital data device
140: thermal sensor 1 150: thermal sensor 2 160: thermal sensor 3
145, 155, 165: Gas-operated devices
170: gas connection device 1 180: gas connection device 2 190: gas connection device 3
172, 182, 192:
174,184,194: Gas inflow sensor
176, 168, 196:
200: Gas control system
210: First communication network 300: Remote integrated management system
310: second communication network 400: gas bill settlement agency (bank, carrier, mobile phone simple settlement) 500: gas supplier (gas corporation etc.) 600: database

Claims (19)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete A gas meter installed in a customer to quantify gas consumption;
An imaging device installed to capture measurement data of the gas meter;
The imaging device periodically captures measurement data of the gas meter in order to grasp information on the amount of gas used,
A digital data device for digitizing analog data input from the imaging device separates the numerical image from the image of the meter, acquires gas usage data from the numerical image,
The video device and the digital data device periodically acquire the data,
An apparatus for recognizing information of a thermal sensor by attaching a thermal sensor to a plurality of gas use devices connected to the gas meter;
The thermal sensor is composed of a contact type, a non-contact type, and an infrared camera,
And a gas connection device capable of measuring or detecting a gas inflow amount and opening / closing a gas inflow between the gas meter and the gas using device,
The gas connection device comprises an opening / closing switch, a gas inflow amount sensor, and an opening / closing control part,
The gas connection device controls the gas supply to the gas utilization device and is interrupted or opened by the gas supply control signal output from the gas control system,
And a signal of the gas sensor is communicated by communication,
Comparing the digital data with information from the heat sensing sensor to determine gas use and gas leakage,
Wherein the controller determines that there is gas leakage between the gas inflow amount sensor and the gas using device when the gas inflow sensor configured in the gas connection device has gas inflow but is not sensed by the heat sensor,
The numerical value of the digital data of the gas meter is increased and the gas inflow sensor installed in the gas connection device judges that there is gas leakage between the gas meter and the gas connection device when there is no gas inflow,
In the gas control system, it is determined whether or not the gas leakage is based on the gas usage amount data and the heat detection signal. By comparing the gas usage amount data acquired in the preceding and following periods, it is determined whether the gas usage amount fluctuates. And if the heat is not detected by the heat sensing signal, it is determined that the gas leakage state is present,
When it is judged that the gas is leaked, it automatically activates the gas lock device, receives information for issuing an alarm,
The thermal sensor information, the digital data information, and the gas inflow sensor information may include information on the gas control system, gas availability, and gas leakage through wired, wireless, WIFI, TCP / IP, mobile CDMA, beacon or ZigBee Exchange information, analyze information,
When the gas leakage information is generated, the gas supply cutoff information is transmitted to the gas supply breaker installed in the user's furniture. If the gas supply interruption is required, the gas And a gas shutoff function for shutting off the supplied gas by transmitting a lock command to the gas connection device installed in each user or the cutoff device provided in each gas meter,
Controlling the amount of gas used The information of the gas control system is transmitted and received to the user via the wired / wireless communication network through digital data acquisition and analysis of the thermal sensor. The gas control system measures the gas leakage information and the gas usage amount Data is notified or inquired in real time to the gas user's cell phone, E-mail and SNS,
Wherein the gas usage measurement data is transmitted to the gas energy management organization via wired / wireless communication, and the gas energy management agency notifies the user of the fee bill to the mobile phone, E-mail, and SNS. system.
[17] The method of claim 17, wherein the resident-specific gas-usage device installer is configured to directly set information on the gas user, and the gas-use mobile phone is registered through the authentication process. When the user removes the gas- Wherein the remote management system further comprises:
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the user of the gas control system registers and manages gas leak information, gas usage related payment notification information, usage payment information, and gas usage analysis information, and the administrator of the remote integrated management system Wherein the information is registered and managed so as to be notified of the gas leakage information, and information on the information is transmitted through the wired / wireless communication network.

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