KR20040013385A - A wireless terminal for checking the amount of gauge and a gauge management system using a wireless communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A telemetry system by using a wireless communication system is provided to reduce the consumption of human power to check the usage of the electricity, a water service and a gas service daily. CONSTITUTION: A telemetry system by using a wireless communication system includes a power supply(40), a transceiver(44), an image sensor(48), a memory(50) and a master controller. The power supply(40) supplies the power to each of the elements. The transceiver(44) receives the inspection command with communicating the data in bidirectional with the wireless communication network and transmits the inspected data. The image sensor(48) outputs the digital information of the usage by compressing the sensed data after the image of the usage status is sensed. The memory(50) stores the program required for the operation and the temporary data. And the master controller controls the transmission and reception of the data transceiver(44), drives the image sensor(48) by the inspection command decoded at the slave controller and outputs the data encoded at the slave controller after the digital information representing the usage is temporally stored at the memory(50).

Description

Wireless remote meter reading system using wireless communication network {A WIRELESS TERMINAL FOR CHECKING THE AMOUNT OF GAUGE AND A GAUGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK}

The present invention relates to a wireless remote meter reading system and method, and more particularly, to a system for performing meter reading and payment of a meter, which was made by hand, by using a wireless communication network, by attaching a wireless terminal without replacing an existing meter, It is about a method.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is a wireless remote meter reading system to perform a remote meter to the wireless terminal attached to the existing meter using a wireless communication network, and to settle the charges using the wireless meter reading meter using the wireless communication network And a method.

1 is in accordance with an embodiment of the invention

The present invention relates to a management system for managing a meter using a wireless terminal and a wireless communication network to check the usage of various types of meters. More specifically, bidirectional communication for transmitting a usage amount using a wireless communication network by sensing a value of a usage amount of a meter. The wireless terminal for checking the available meter usage, and the amount displayed on the meter installed to check the usage of electricity, water, gas, etc. as the wireless terminal senses the image and transmits it to the central station system through the wireless communication network, In the connected charge management system, the meter is a management system for each type of meter using a wireless communication network that manages the charge for the use of electricity, water, and gas.

Electricity, water, and gas are measured using a meter installed for each home or building, and the measured amount is settled at a corresponding fee and billed for each home or building.

The amount of usage displayed on the meter is checked by the meter reader visiting the place where each meter is installed and visually confirming and recording the amount of usage. Therefore, the usage checking method that relies on such a conventional visit has caused a lot of human resources, has low workability, and has a problem of inferior accuracy by relying on hand materials.

An object of the present invention is to sense the amount of usage displayed on the meter as an image, and to receive data about the amount of usage received through the wireless communication network through the wireless communication network to settle the charge for the amount in the billing management system displayed on the meter spread in each home or building Remote management of gas, water or electricity usage.

Another object of the present invention is to realize a remote management of the use of the meter using only wireless communication by configuring a wireless terminal for sensing the amount of gas, water or electricity displayed on the meter and installing the meter without changing the structure of the meter. have.

Still another object of the present invention is to realize a state check of a meter or a state check of a wireless terminal by frequently calling a wireless terminal for reading the amount of usage installed in the meter through a wireless communication network.

It is still another object of the present invention to detect a power failure when a power supply is interrupted to a wireless terminal installed to read a usage amount of a meter, and supply a reserve power using a backup battery to notify the management host of the power failure state through only wireless communication. In implementing the management of a wireless terminal.

Wireless terminal for checking the meter usage according to the present invention for achieving the above object is composed of a coupling member coupled to the meter on the base coupled to the case, the power supply for supplying power to each part, the data in both directions with the wireless communication network A data receiving / receiving unit for receiving a metering command and transmitting metering data, a slave controller for decoding / encoding data transmitted / received by the data transmitting / receiving unit, and sensing the usage state of the meter and sensing the sensed data. An image sensor that compresses and outputs digital information on usage, a memory for storing programs and temporary data necessary for operation, and controls transmission and reception of the data transceiver, and drives the image sensor by a reading command decoded by the slave controller. To the image sensor Emitter after temporary storage of digital information, for output to said memory utilization is achieved by having a master control section for outputting encoded by the slave control unit.

Here, the power supply unit may be configured to supply DC power to the respective units by jointly using an AC power supply and a rechargeable battery, and may include a circuit for detecting a power failure and a battery abnormality.

The image sensor includes a first compression for forming image data with one bit of data representing a light and dark state for each pixel, a second compression for reducing the size of the image area by determining unnecessary areas, and corresponding image data. It may be configured to perform a third order compression to convert the binary data corresponding to the number.

Meter management system using a wireless communication network according to the present invention, a central station system for transmitting a metering command transmitted through a wireless communication network, the wireless communication network, receiving meter reading data, receiving meter reading data from the central station system to perform a billing settlement process. Combination subject coupled to the meter is configured on the base coupled to the charge management system and the case to perform, image sensing the usage of the meter by the meter reading command received through the wireless communication network, and generates meter reading data according to the image sensing And a wireless terminal transmitting through the wireless communication network.

Referring to FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a central station system 12 is connected to a dedicated line of base stations included in the wireless communication network 10, and the wireless communication network 10 is connected to a network such as base stations and a relay tower. It supports two-way communication between the wireless terminal 16 and the central station system 12 for transmitting data by sensing the usage of the meter (14).

The central station system 12 includes a voice mailbox for managing voice mail, a service management system for remote control and call data processing, an Internet connection system for processing web mail messages, and a fee management system 18. The central station system 12 controls the association between them and the wireless communication network 10 as a whole. By way of example only the toll management system 18 is illustrated in FIG. 1 in the central station system 12.

In FIG. 1, the meter 14 is installed in each home or building in order to measure the amount of use of water, electricity, and gas, and the wireless terminal 16 is installed in each of these meters.

The wireless terminal 16 senses the measured value displayed on the meter 14, converts the value into data, and transmits the value to the central station system 12 through the wireless communication network. To this end, the wireless terminal 16 covers a front surface of the meter 14 as shown in FIG. 2, and the external shape is detachably configured to sense the amount of usage, while the inside of the block diagram is illustrated as shown in FIG. Can be configured.

In general, the meter 14 has a structure in which the instrument panel is exposed so that a person can check the numerical value with the naked eye, and the wireless terminal 16 measures the meter 14 to sense the amount of usage displayed on the instrument panel of the meter 14. It may have a shape to cover the top of.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the meter 14 is formed by assembling the base 20 and the case 24. And the contact | adherence plate 22 is comprised by the right angle in the longitudinal direction both sides of the surface which contact | connects the meter 14 of the base 20. As shown in FIG. In addition, the case 24 includes a window 26, a solar panel 28, and an antenna 30. Here, the window 26 may be made of transparent glass or synthetic resin to check the instrument panel value of the meter 14, or the instrument panel value of the meter 14 may be image sensed to display a digitized value. In addition, the solar panel 28 is configured to collect external light and supply power to operating power, and the power for operating the wireless terminal 16 uses a battery instead of configuring the solar panel 28 as described below. In addition, the two may be configured in parallel or the power supplied to the meter 14 may be used.

An internal configuration of the wireless terminal 16 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

The wireless terminal 16 is configured with a power supply unit 40 for supplying power to each unit, and the power supply unit 40 is supplied with a current generated in accordance with the condensing of the solar panel 28 to supply DC power as described above. It may be configured, and may be configured to supply a DC power by using a battery, and may be configured to draw the AC power supplied to the meter 14, convert it to DC, and then supply DC power to each unit. The configuration of the power supply unit 40 may be variously modified to supply DC power to each unit according to the manufacturer's intention.

The wireless terminal 16 includes a master controller 42, a data transceiver 44, a slave controller 46, an image sensor 48, and a memory 50 therein.

Here, the data transmitter 44 is configured to perform transmission and reception of bidirectional data through the wireless communication network 10 under the control of the master controller 42.

The slave controller 46 processes the received data provided by the data transceiver 44 and the transmission data provided by the data transceiver 44, and the received data and the transmitted data are output or received by the master controller 42. It is composed.

In addition, the image sensor 48 senses an image of the instrument panel of the meter 14 and converts the pixel array (not shown) into an electrical analog signal and converts the analog signal into a digital signal, compresses it, and outputs it to the master controller 42. An analog digital converting block (not shown) is provided.

The memory 50 is configured to store program data for controlling the operation and temporary data for data processing under the control of the master controller 42.

The master controller 42 is configured to perform control of each sub-operation required for an operation such as image sensing, data transmission, and data reception.

Here, the data transceiver 44 includes a data transmission circuit and a data reception circuit, and the data reception circuit is configured as shown in FIG. 4, and the data transmission circuit is configured as shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the data receiving circuit built into the data transmitting and receiving unit 44 is configured such that the amplifier 54 filters the signal having the minute current value received through the antenna 52 with the filter 56, where 300 MHz Since the signal having the frequency of the band is introduced, the filter 56 forms a saw filter, which is a band pass filter, to pass only the corresponding band and block the remaining band. As such, a signal having a specific bandwidth is configured to be input to the mixer 58.

The mixer 58 is configured to output the intermediate frequency signal to the amplifier 60, and the demodulator 62 demodulates the intermediate frequency signal amplified by the amplifier 60 into a digital signal and the final message is slave controller 46. Is configured to output

At this time, the mixer 58 receives a mixing signal to remove a carrier wave and output an intermediate frequency signal. The mixing signal is generated by the receiving phase synchronization circuit 64 and the multiplier 68 and provided to the mixer. Here, the reception phase synchronization circuit 64 is configured to be controlled by the control signal MCA of the master controller 42.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the data receiving circuit built in the data transmitting / receiving unit 44 is controlled by the control signal MCA of the master control unit 42 to form a transmission phase synchronization circuit 70 for generating a carrier wave. The reading data input as a result of the encoding by the carrier and the slave controller 46 is configured to be input to the VCO 72. At this time, the input terminal of the VCO 72 is preferably configured to determine the modulation width of the metering data by using a barrier cap element. The VCO 72 is configured to generate and output a signal carrying data superimposed on a carrier wave, and the multiplier 74 is configured to convert and output the output signal of the VCO 72 to have a frequency corresponding to four multiplications. And the divider 74 is configured to suppress noise and unwanted band signals contained in the signal amplified by the amplifier 76, and the power amplifier 80 finally has a sufficient strength to reach the relay station. And to amplify the signal and transmit it through the antenna 82.

As described above, an embodiment of a meter management system using a wireless communication network according to the present invention may be configured, thereby enabling wireless meter reading.

The meter reading using the wireless terminal 16 may be performed by the master controller 42 receiving a metering command from the central station system 12.

The central station system 12 searches for and maintains synchronization while calling the call channel, and then requests a point call to locate the wireless terminal 16. When the wireless terminal 16 performs channel setting for the response to the position confirmation, the central station system 12 determines whether the set channel is BUSY and transmits the result of the determination to the wireless terminal 16. The wireless terminal 16 then sends a location registration response to the central station system 12, which transmits a meter reading command to the call channel.

Accordingly, when the master control unit 42 receives the metering command from the central station system 12, the master control unit 42 performs amplification, filtering, intermediate frequency signal generation, and complex reading through the transmission circuit of FIG. 4 of the data transceiver 44. Receive the command.

The master controller 42 then controls the operation of the image sensor 48 for meter reading, and the image sensor 48 senses the amount of usage displayed on the instrument panel of the meter 14. The image sensor 48 compresses the numbers on the instrument panel of the meter 14 into data, and the data sensed by the image sensor 48 on the instrument panel of the meter 14 is stored in the memory 50.

6 illustrates that the power is supplied to the adapter, where the central controller 206 corresponds to the master controller of FIG. 3, the remaining circuit corresponds to the power unit of FIG. 3, and VBB is a rechargeable battery. .

Specifically, when an AC power supply of AC220V is supplied, a DC power supply device 200 converts to DC and outputs DC5V, and the DC power supply device 200 converts AC into a DC rectifier circuit (not shown) and converts a voltage. It consists of a transformer circuit (not shown), and a smoothing circuit (not shown) which smoothes a waveform. The regulator 22 is configured to convert the output of the DC power supply 200 into a voltage of 3.3V necessary for the operation of the actual wireless terminal, and outputs the two outputs to the input terminals IN1 and IN2 of the OR gate 204. .

The orate 204 is configured to provide a high level voltage at which the central controller 206 can operate when input to any one of the input terminals IN1 and IN2.

On the other hand, the output applied to the input terminal IN1 of the oragate 204 of the regulator 202 is connected to the rechargeable battery VBB through a resistor R1 connected in parallel, a resistor R2 connected in parallel, and a diode D1, and the current provided through this path. The rechargeable battery VBB is charged. In addition, the central controller 206 detects the power failure state when the voltage applied to the resistor R1 is applied. Resistor R1 also serves to prevent overcurrent.

In addition, a resistor R3 for sensing current supplied to the rechargeable battery VBB is connected to the port P2 of the central controller 206, a resistor R4 is connected in parallel to the resistor R3, and the resistor R4 is an oragate (rechargeable battery VBB). A regulator 208 is provided that provides a DC 3.3V dml voltage to the input terminal IN2 of 204. The central controller 206 senses the state of charge of the rechargeable battery VBB as a voltage applied to the port P1, and the resistor R3 also serves to prevent overcurrent. In addition, the resistor R4 stabilizes the level of the voltage supplied to the regulator 208 and stably distributes a current in which the rechargeable battery is shorted or abnormally operated, thereby preventing damage to the central controller 206 and the regulator 208. do.

When the power is normally supplied from the DC power supply by the above configuration, the high level voltage is input to the input terminals IN1 and IN2 of the OR gate 204 and supplied through a path including the resistors R1, R2 and the diode D1. The charging battery VBB is charged with the current. Accordingly, the oragate 204 supplies a high level voltage to both input terminals IN1 and IN2.

However, when a power failure occurs, the regulator 202 applies a low level voltage to the input terminals IN2 and IN2 of the oragate 204. However, since the high level voltage is supplied from the regulator 208 to the input terminal IN2 of the oragate 204 by the rechargeable battery VBB, the oragate 204 supplies the high level voltage necessary for operation to the central controller 206. do.

The ksvus central controller 206 outputs information on the signal TD when the power failure state is determined as a signal applied to the port P2, and the signal TD, which is the power failure information, is encoded by the slave controller and then transmitted to the central station system through the data transceiver. Is sent.

In addition, the central control unit 206 is a signal applied to the port P1 and detects an abnormality in the state of charge and operation of the rechargeable battery, and outputs information on the signal TD, and the signal TD, which is the battery abnormality information, is encoded by the slave controller. It is then sent to the central station system via the data transceiver.

As the circuit of FIG. 9 is applied as described above, the wireless terminal operates stably even during a power failure, and the operating state of each terminal can be centrally managed by transmitting a power failure or a battery abnormal state to the central station system wirelessly.

Here, in consideration of the current consumed for transmitting and receiving data, it is preferable to use a high capacity battery as a rechargeable battery.

According to the present invention, since wireless metering is performed without the need for meter readers to visit each day, it is possible to reduce the consumption of human resources for checking the amount of electricity, water and gas used.

In addition, since the meter reading that was made by hand is remotely managed by image sensing, workability is improved and data reliability is secured.

In addition, it is easy to apply to a common meter because the installation of the wireless terminal is made by a simple detachment without the need to improve the structure of the meter.

In addition, power management, such as power failure, battery failure, and meter status are remotely managed.

Claims (11)

A coupling member coupled to the meter is configured on the base coupled to the case, A power supply unit supplying power to each unit; A data transmitting / receiving unit which receives a meter reading command and transmits meter reading data while communicating data with a wireless communication network in both directions; An image sensor for sensing the usage display state of the meter and compressing the sensed data to output digital information on the usage amount; Memory to store programs and temporary data necessary for operation Controls the transmission and reception of the data transmission and reception unit, drives the image sensor by a reading command decoded by the slave controller, and temporarily stores digital information on the usage amount output from the image sensor in the memory and then encodes the slave controller. Wireless terminal for checking the meter usage, characterized in that it comprises a master control unit for outputting The wireless terminal of claim 1, wherein the power supply unit is configured to supply DC power to each of the power units by jointly using an AC power source and a rechargeable battery. The method of claim 2, wherein the power supply unit DC power supply means for converting and outputting the AC power to a DC voltage of a specific level; Voltage output means for outputting a low voltage for normal operation if any one of the voltage applied from the DC power supply means and the rechargeable battery is normal; A charging circuit for charging the rechargeable battery using power output from the DC power supply means; And a charging voltage output means for outputting power of the rechargeable battery to the power failure determining means. The wireless terminal of claim 3, wherein the master controller is configured to detect a current flowing through the charging circuit, determine a power failure state, and output corresponding information through a slave controller. The wireless terminal of claim 3, wherein the master controller is configured to sense an output of the rechargeable battery to determine a short circuit state of the rechargeable battery and to output corresponding information through a slave controller. . Wireless communication network; A central station system for transmitting an srjacla command transmitted through the wireless communication network and receiving meter reading data; A charge management system for receiving a meter reading data from the central station system and performing a charge settlement process; The base member coupled to the case is composed of a coupling member coupled to the meter, the sensor senses the amount of usage of the meter by the metering command received through the wireless communication network, generates metering data according to the image sensing and transmits through the wireless communication network Meter management system using a wireless communication network characterized in that it comprises a wireless terminal The method of claim 6, wherein the wireless terminal, A power supply unit supplying power to each unit; A data transmitting / receiving unit which receives a meter reading command and transmits meter reading data while communicating data with a wireless communication network in both directions; A slave controller to decode / encode data transmitted and received by the data transceiver; An image sensor for sensing the usage display state of the meter and compressing the sensed data to output digital information on the usage amount; A memory for storing programs and temporary data necessary for operation; Controls transmission and reception of the data transmission and reception unit, drives the image sensor by a reading command decoded by the slave controller, and temporarily stores digital information on the amount of usage output from the image sensor in the memory and then encodes the slave controller. Volume management system using a wireless communication network characterized in that it comprises a master control unit for outputting. The method of claim 7, wherein the power supply unit, Meter management system using a wireless communication network, characterized in that for supplying the DC power to each of the parts by using the AC garden and the rechargeable battery jointly. 8. The power supply apparatus of claim 7, wherein the power supply unit comprises: DC power supply means for converting the AC power into a DC voltage having a specific level and outputting the DC voltage; A charging circuit for charging the rechargeable battery with power output from the DC power supply means; A charging circuit for charging the rechargeable battery using a power source for outputting a voltage for a normal operation when any one of the DC power supply means and the voltage applied from the rechargeable battery is normal; Meter management system using a wireless communication network comprising a charging voltage output means for outputting the power of the rechargeable battery to the power failure determination means The method of claim 9, The master control unit is configured to detect the current flowing in the charging circuit to determine the power failure state and outputs the information according to the slave control unit, characterized in that the wireless communication network. The meter management system of claim 9, wherein the master controller is configured to sense an output of the rechargeable battery, determine a short circuit state of the rechargeable battery, and output the corresponding information through the slave controller. .