KR20040094030A - Modem for remote telemetering using communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A modem for a remote meter inspection, using a communication network is provided to inform a remote meter inspection server that an electronic meter does not respond or is disconnected, by monitoring a connected state of the electronic meter, and to confirm a current state outside, thereby immediately coping with an abnormal situation. CONSTITUTION: A body(110) protects an apparatus. A state display(120) is formed on one front side of the body(110), and displays a current operational state. A reset button is formed on one side of the body(110), and indicates to convert into an initial state. An SIO port performs data communication with an electronic meter. A power connector supplies an operational power. Communication network connection ports(170,180,190) perform data communication with a specific communication network. An operational module is mounted with plural protocols to communicate with the electronic meter, exchanges authorized data with the electronic meter, performs communication with a designated communication network, and confirms a current state outside.

Description

Modem for remote telemetering using communication network

The present invention relates to a remote meter reading modem using a communication network, and more particularly, when a specific signal (for example, a meter reading data request signal) is received from the outside (eg, a remote meter reading server (AMR server)), the meter reading is related to the meter reading from an electronic meter. Receives data and converts it into a standard protocol and transmits the converted data to a remote (eg AMR server) through a specific communication network (eg, CDMA network, PSTN network, CATV network or GSM network). It is about.

In general homes or companies, a meter is installed to accumulate energy consumption, and the meter is a mechanical meter that detects the rotation of the dial to generate a predetermined pulse signal and counts the generated pulses to record and display the accumulated energy usage. There is an electronic meter that calculates energy consumption by applying voltage and current of three phases. Recently, the use of electronic meters for the accurate counting of energy consumption is increasing.

In addition, a remote meter reading system has been developed for remote meter reading with a computer using wired / wireless communication media to eliminate the hassle of visiting the meter installation site and collecting meter reading data counted by the meter.

In such a conventional remote meter reading system, a wired or wireless modem is generally used to receive meter related data from an electronic meter and relay the meter to a remote metering server by a specific signal (eg, meter related data request signal) from a remote metering server. have. However, since the wired or wireless modem used in the conventional remote metering system only plays a role of relaying data exchange between the remote metering server and the electronic metering period, it is impossible to grasp the current state or operation state of the wired or wireless modem. There is this. In particular, in the case of a wireless modem, unlike a wired modem, since data is exchanged using a specific frequency, there is a high possibility of causing confusion with adjacent frequencies, and it is difficult to accurately diagnose various error sources. Doing. In addition, conventional wired or wireless modems exchange data using only a fixed specific communication network, and thus cannot be used in an environment in which a specific communication network is not supported, and data communication with a specific electronic meter is performed only by a specified protocol. There is a problem that can not be used in electronic meters.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a variety of electronic meters (e.g. ABB, GE, LG Electronics, Daehan Cable, Iljin, Kumho Metertack) with different protocols. Can communicate with the KEPCO standard, model manufactured by AMR-tech, etc., and can use a specific communication network (e.g., CDMA network, PSTN network, CATV network or GSM network) to specify specific data (e.g., meter related data) in various ways. It is to provide a remote meter reading modem using a communication network relaying.

Another object of the present invention is to monitor the connection status with the electronic meter and notifies the remote meter reading server when the electronic meter is unresponsive or disconnected, and the current status (for example, the connection status, data transmission / reception status, etc.) It is to provide a remote meter reading modem using a communication network that can be confirmed from the outside.

1 is an external configuration diagram of a remote metering modem according to the present invention,

2 is a bottom view of a remote metering modem according to the present invention,

Figure 3a is a plan view of a remote metering modem according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 3b is a plan view of a remote meter reading modem according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

3c is a plan view of a remote meter reading modem according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3d is a plan view of a remote meter reading modem according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the remote metering modem according to the present invention,

5 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation of the remote metering modem according to the present invention.

♣ Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing ♣

100, 400: remote metering modem 410: power supply

420: AC voltage and frequency measuring unit 430: backup power unit

440: meter interface unit 450: microprocessor

460: memory unit 470: communication module unit

480: status display unit 490: security control unit

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention implements mutual communication between an electronic meter and a remote metering server, and in a remote metering modem for transmitting specific data collected from the electronic meter to a remote metering server, the device from an external power source. A main body which protects and forms an exterior of a predetermined shape; A state display unit formed at one side of the front panel of the main body to display a current operation state; A reset button formed on one surface of the main body and instructing to switch to an initialization state; An SIO port formed on one surface of the main body to perform data communication with the electronic meter; A power connector formed on one surface of the main body to supply operation power; A communication network connection terminal formed on the other surface of the main body to perform data communication with a specific communication network; And a plurality of protocols embedded in the main body to enable communication with an electronic meter, and to control the exchange of authenticated data with the electronic meter, and to control the communication to a designated communication network by converting to a standard protocol for external transmission. And, characterized in that it comprises an operation module for controlling to check the current state from the outside.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a remote metering modem using a communication network according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an external configuration diagram of a remote metering modem 100 according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a bottom view of the remote metering modem 100 according to the present invention, Figure 3a is a first embodiment of the present invention 3 is a plan view of the remote metering modem 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3c is a remote metering method according to a third embodiment of the present invention 3 is a plan view of the modem 100, and FIG. 3D is a plan view of the remote metering modem 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3d, the remote meter reading modem 100 of the present invention is provided with a main body 110 that protects the device from external forces and forms an exterior of a predetermined shape. On one side of the front panel of the main body 110, a status display unit 120 for displaying the operation state of the remote metering modem 100 is formed, and a reset button for initializing the remote metering modem 100 on the lower surface of the main body. 130, an SIO port 140 for performing data communication with a specific electronic meter, and a power connector 150 for supplying operation power of the remote meter reading modem 100. In addition, on the upper surface of the main body 110, the wall-mounting 160 for installing and fixing the remote metering modem 100 at a specific position (for example, a wall) and a specific communication network (for example, a CDMA network, a PSTN network, a CATV network, or a GSM) Connection terminals 170, 180, 190 for communication with the network) are formed. The connection terminal includes an antenna connection terminal 170 for communicating with a CDMA network or a GSM network, a telephone line connection terminal 180 for communicating with a PSTN network, and a cable connection terminal 190 for communicating with a CATV network. According to the communication method to be implemented by the metering modem 100, only one of the above-described connection terminals may be implemented, or a combination or all of the above-described connection terminals may be implemented. The antenna connection terminal 170 is connected to a wireless antenna of a predetermined length (for example, 1 m) for communicating with a CDMA network or a GSM network, and the bottom portion of the antenna is made of a magnet so that the arbitrary position of the modem body 110 for remote meter reading is performed. It is desirable to implement so that it can be attached to. A telephone line (eg, RJ-11 cable) for communicating with a PSTN network is connected to the telephone line connection terminal 180, and a cable connector for communicating with a CATV network is connected to the cable connection terminal 190.

Here, the status display unit 120 is composed of eight LEDs, the local (LOCAL) side status display unit (121 to 123) and the remote meter for displaying the operating state of the remote metering modem 100 and the electronic metering period largely Remote status indicators 125 to 128 and a power supply status indicator (i.e., 'PWR' 124) for displaying the operation status between the modem 100 and the specific communication network are divided. The local status display unit is composed of three LEDs, and the 'TXD' 121 indicating that data is being transmitted from the remote metering modem 100 to the electronic meter, and from the electronic meter to the remote metering modem 100. 'RXD' 122 indicating that data is being received, and 'DTR' 123 indicating a connection state between the electronic meter and the remote meter reading modem 100. The remote status display unit is composed of four LEDs, and the 'TXD' 125 indicating that data is being transmitted from the remote meter reading modem 100 to a specific communication network, and the remote meter reading modem 100 from a specific communication network. 'RXD' (126) to indicate that data is being received, 'STBY' (127) to indicate whether the remote metering modem is in communication with a specific network, and to indicate that the remote metering modem is communicating with a specific network. 'BUSY' (128).

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the remote metering modem 400 according to the present invention, the remote metering modem 400 is a power supply unit 410, AC voltage and frequency measuring unit 420, a spare power supply unit 430, a meter interface unit 440, a microprocessor 450, a memory unit 460, a communication module unit 470, a status display unit 480, and a security control unit 490.

The power supply unit 410 converts the power applied from the AC power source to the DC power source through the power connector 150 of FIG. 1 to supply operating power of each component unit.

The AC voltage and frequency measuring unit 420 is connected to the power supply unit 410, and measures the AC voltage and frequency supplied from the power supply unit 410 to determine the quality state of the power supply and to provide a stable operating power supply. It plays a role. AC voltage and frequency measured by the AC voltage and frequency measurement unit 420 is preferably transmitted to the microprocessor and the AMR server to be described later, it is preferable to operate so that the quality of the power can be checked by the remote metering modem and AMR server. .

The preliminary power supply unit 430 serves to apply an operation power for notifying the external power supply (eg, an AMR server) that power is not applied from the power supply unit 410 due to a power failure.

Meter interface unit 440 is a variety of data (for example, meter reading data, a specific electronic meter ID, etc.) that is applied from the electronic meter 300 through the SIO port (140 of FIG. 2) and various data transferred to the electronic meter 300 It controls the operation speed and timing of (eg, meter reading data request signal, specific electronic meter ID, etc.) and interfaces to a designated data format. The meter interface unit 440 is implemented to perform data communication with the electronic meter 300 through the SIO port 140 through the RS-232C communication method.

The microprocessor 450 is connected to the power supply unit 410, the AC voltage and frequency measurement unit 420, the preliminary power supply unit 430, and the meter interface unit 440, and is powered by a power applied from the power supply unit 410. In operation, and transmits the metering data request signal to the electronic meter 300 through the meter interface unit 440 to instruct to store various data (eg, meter data, a specific electronic meter ID, etc.) applied from the electronic meter 300. And instructing to transmit specific data (eg, meter data, etc.) converted to a standard protocol through a designated communication network 500 to an designated path (eg, AMR server) at an external request, and operating state (eg, connection state, communication). Control the camera to transmit an operating state control signal for indicating a state). In addition, when the operating power is not supplied, the microprocessor 450 receives power from the preliminary power supply unit 430 and controls to transmit the power failure information to a designated path (eg, an AMR server). Here, the microprocessor 450 implements data communication through various communication networks 500 by embedding its own TCP / IP, and various electronic meters (eg, ABB, GE, LSIS, Daehan Cable, Iljin, Kumho). It is preferable to convert the protocol of the metric tack, KEPCO standard, model manufactured by AMR-tech, etc. into a standard protocol and implement the communication. In addition, the microprocessor 450 may receive meter reading data from an electronic meter by an external request and relay it to a corresponding path. However, the microprocessor 450 receives meter reading data from a specific electronic meter in advance and stores the meter reading data periodically. It can also be operated to send to the AMR server. Additionally, the microprocessor 450 may communicate on conditions of optimum (eg, shortest time, minimum cost) when capable of communicating with multiple communication networks (eg, CDMA network, PSTN network, CATV network and GSM network). It is preferable to first select a communication network and to operate data communication to the corresponding communication network. In addition, the microprocessor receives the AC voltage and frequency data applied from the AC voltage and frequency measuring unit 420 to check the current state of the power quality or to control to transmit the AC voltage and frequency data to the AMR server.

The memory unit 460 is interconnected with the microprocessor 450, has a respective protocol for communicating with various electronic meters, and various data (for example, meter reading data, applied from the microprocessor 450). Specific electronic meter ID, etc.), and extracts and authorizes corresponding data according to a request command of the microprocessor 450. The memory unit 460 stores RAM, which stores various variables and data generated during program execution, and important data (for example, meter reading data, specific electronic meter ID, and protocol related data) that are not lost even when the power supply is cut off. And a ROM for storing a program for performing the entire operation of the EEPROM for storing and the modem for the remote meter reading.

The communication module unit 470 serves to support data communication with the specific communication network 500. The communication module unit 470 may include a CDMA communication module 471 for performing data communication through a CDMA network, a PSTN communication module 472 for performing data communication through a PSTN network, and a CATV communication for performing data communication through a CATV network. Module 473 and a GSM communication module 474 for performing data communication via the GSM network. Here, the communication network 500 includes a CDMA network, a PSTN network, a CATV network, and a GSM network. Although the communication module unit 470 of FIG. 4 is illustrated as including the CDMA communication module 471, the PSTN communication module 472, the CATV communication module 473, and the GSM communication module 474. It can only be implemented with only one communication module, depending on the communication method to be implemented. Configuration and operation of each communication module described above are well known to those skilled in the art and thus will not be described in detail.

The state display unit 480 receives the operation state control signal applied from the microprocessor 450 and manages to drive the corresponding LED. As described above, the status display unit 480 of the present invention is implemented with eight LEDs. However, the LED implementing the status display unit 480 is just one embodiment, and can be changed freely by the designer's choice.

The security controller 490 is connected to the microprocessor 450, and controls the data so that all data transmitted / received through the microprocessor 450 can be interchanged by secure communication. For example, it implements communication with the electronic meter 300 through end-to-end security, and supports SSO (Single Sign On) to perform public key-based user authentication, Implement incoming data to be protected by a firewall. Therefore, only data authenticated by a predetermined procedure can be exchanged.

Hereinafter, the operation relationship of the remote metering modem using a communication network according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation of the remote metering modem according to the present invention, the remote metering modem includes an antenna connection terminal for communicating with a CDMA network or a GSM network, a telephone line connection terminal for communicating with a PSTN network, and a CATV network. It is assumed that all cable connection terminals for communication with the system are formed. However, in the case of communicating only with a specific communication network, only a specific connection terminal for communication with the corresponding communication network may be implemented. In addition, it is assumed that the remote metering modem is operated to receive and store metering data in advance from a connected electronic meter.

First, the user selects an installation position of the remote metering modem, installs a screw or the like on the wall at the selected installation position, and installs and fixes the remote metering modem using the wall mount. Next, connect the electronic meter to be read to the SIO port of the remote metering modem, connect the wireless antenna for CDMA or GSM communication to the antenna connection terminal, and connect the PSTN communication telephone line (for example, RJ-11) to the telephone line connection terminal. Connect the cable for CATV communication to the cable connector. After that, AC power is supplied to the remote metering modem through the power connector.

When the installation is completed and the AC power is applied, the user checks the initial state of the remote metering modem through the status display (S510). When the power is applied, the microprocessor controls the initial state through external LEDs of the status display unit. That is, the initial state of the remote metering modem is normal when the 'PWR' LED is on, and is normal when the 'DTR' LED, which indicates the connection status with the electronic meter, is normal, and it indicates whether communication with a specific communication network is possible. If 'STBY' LED is on, it is normal. However, 'STBY' LED may flash temporarily at modem initialization status, mode change, communication start or end, but this is normal. In addition, the microprocessor receives voltage and frequency data of the AC power applied from the AC voltage and frequency measuring unit to determine the quality state of the AC power or transmits the voltage and frequency data of the AC power to the AMR server.

After checking the initial state, the microprocessor determines whether an abnormality has occurred (S520), and if an abnormality (for example, power failure or communication failure) occurs, notifies the fact to the AMR server (S530). The meter data request signal is sent to the electronic meter (S540). When notifying the AMR server that the abnormality has occurred, the microprocessor controls the TXD LED on the remote side of the status display to blink, and controls the local TXD LED to blink when sending the meter data request signal to the electronic meter. In addition, when the microprocessor notifies the AMR server that the abnormality has occurred, it is preferable that the microprocessor is supplied with the reserve power from the reserve power supply and notified.

The electronic meter receiving the meter reading data request signal from the remote meter modem transmits the measured meter data along with the authentication ID to the remote meter modem. Here, data communication of the remote metering modem and the electronic metering period is performed through the RS-232C communication method. The microprocessor receives the metering data including the authentication ID authorized from the electronic meter and determines whether the data is the authenticated data (S550). The microprocessor ignores the data if not the authenticated data, and receives the data if the data is authenticated. Control to store in the memory unit (S560). When the meter data is received from the electronic meter, the microprocessor controls the local side RXD LED to blink and the authentication process of the data is performed through the security control unit.

Next, the microprocessor determines whether a signal for requesting reading data is received from an external device (eg, an AMR server) through a specific communication network (S570). If the request signal is not received, the microprocessor proceeds to step S560 and waits. When the request signal is received, the data is converted into a standard protocol capable of communicating with a specific communication network (for example, its own TCP / IP) (S580), and the data is transmitted to the AMR server through the designated communication network (S590). The remote metering modem of the present invention is a kind of electronic meters (for example, models manufactured by ABB, GE, LG Electronics, Daehan Cable, Iljin, Kumho Metertack, KEPCO Standard, AMR-tech, etc.) communicating with different protocols. Since each protocol is stored in the memory unit for communication, the meter data can be received from the electronic meter regardless of the type of the electronic meter. However, when transmitting the received meter reading data to the AMR server, it converts it into its own standard protocol and transmits the data to the designated communication network. In addition, when the telemetering modem is implemented to communicate with CDMA network, PSTN network, CATV network and GSM network, a specific communication network can be specified by the user or optimally (e.g., shortest time, minimum cost) through a microprocessor. Firstly, the communication network capable of communicating may be selected and operated to perform data communication to the corresponding communication network. Here, the microprocessor controls the remote side TXD LED to flash when transmitting meter reading data to the communication network.

If you want to initialize the remote metering modem, press the reset button. When the reset button is pressed, the remote STBY LED flashes 2 to 3 times and then turns on normally, and the remote TXD and RXD LEDs flash several times and then turn off. Thereafter, the local DTR LED turns on, the local TXD and RXD LEDs flash several times and attempts to communicate with the electronic meter. Next, the remote side TXD and RXD LEDs flash several times and attempt to communicate with the communication network. If BUSY LED blinks several times and turns on, it is connected to communication network.If remote RXD LED is turned on once, data is being transmitted.If STBY and BUSY are turned off at the same time and only STBY LED is lit again, connection to communication network is terminated. It is a state. When data is received from the communication network to the remote metering modem, the TXD and RXD LEDs on the remote side turn on several times and change to the communication receiving mode.

The above description is only for explaining one embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be variously changed within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the shape and structure of each component specifically shown in the embodiments of the present invention may be modified.

As described above, according to the modem for remote meter reading using the communication network according to the present invention, various electronic meters having different protocols (for example, ABB, GE, LG Electronics, Korea Electric Cable, Iljin, Kumho Metertack, KEPCO Standard, AMR-tech) It is possible to communicate with a model manufactured by the present invention, etc., and to exchange specific data (eg, meter related data) in various ways using a specific communication network (for example, a CDMA network, a PSTN network, a CATV network, or a GSM network). have.

In addition, the present invention monitors the connection state with the electronic meter and notifies the remote meter reading server when the electronic meter is unresponsive or disconnected, and informs the current state (eg, connection state, data transmission / reception state, etc.). It is effective to check externally and take immediate action in case of abnormality.

Claims (4)

In the remote metering modem to implement the mutual communication between the electronic meter and the remote meter reading server, and to transfer the specific data collected from the electronic meter to the remote meter reading server, A main body that protects the device from external forces and forms a sheath of a predetermined shape; A state display unit formed on one side of the front panel of the main body to display a current operation state; A reset button formed on one surface of the main body and instructing to switch to an initialization state; An SIO port formed on one surface of the main body to perform data communication with the electronic meter; A power connector formed on one surface of the main body to supply operating power; A communication network connection terminal formed on the other surface of the main body to perform data communication with a specific communication network; And Equipped with the main body is equipped with a plurality of protocols to enable communication with the electronic meter, and control the authentication data exchanged with the electronic meter, and converts to a standard protocol for external transmission to communicate with the designated communication network Remote control meter modem using a communication network comprising a control module for controlling, so as to determine the current state from the outside. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation module A power supply unit converting power applied from AC power through the power connector into DC power to supply operating power of each component; An AC voltage and frequency measurement unit connected to the power supply unit and measuring an AC voltage and frequency supplied from the power supply unit to determine a quality state of power; A preliminary power supply unit for supplying operating power for notifying that the power is not applied to the remote meter reading server when power is not supplied from the power supply unit; A meter interface unit for controlling the operation speed and timing of various data applied from the electronic meter and the various data transmitted to the electronic meter through the SIO port and interfacing the data in a designated data format; It is connected to the power supply unit, AC voltage and frequency measuring unit, the preliminary power supply unit and the meter interface unit, and is operated by the power applied from the power supply unit, and transmits the meter data request signal to the electronic meter through the meter interface unit. Instructs to authenticate and store various data authorized from the electronic meter, and to transmit specific data (for example, meter reading data, etc.) converted to a standard protocol through a designated communication network to an external meter reading server, when an external request is made. A microprocessor which controls to transmit an operation state control signal for displaying a current operation state and receives power from the reserve power unit when the operating power is not supplied from the power supply unit and transmits power failure information to the remote meter reading server. ; Interconnected with the microprocessor, the respective protocols for communicating with various electronic meters are embedded, various data applied from the microprocessor are stored, and the corresponding data is extracted according to the request command of the microprocessor. A memory unit for applying; A communication module unit supporting data communication with a specific communication network; A status display unit configured to receive an operation state control signal applied from the microprocessor and to drive a corresponding LED; And And a security control unit connected to the microprocessor and controlling all data transmitted / received through the microprocessor to be interchanged by secure communication. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The communication network includes a CDMA network, a PSTN network, a CATV network, and a GSM network. The communication network connection terminal includes an antenna connection terminal for communicating with the CDMA network or the GSM network, a telephone line connection terminal for communicating with the PSTN network, and a cable connection terminal for communicating with the CATV network, The communication module unit may include a CDMA communication module performing data communication through the CDMA network, a PSTN communication module performing data communication through the PSTN network, a CATV communication module performing data communication through the CATV network, and the GSM network. Remote meter reading modem using a communication network comprising a GSM communication module for performing data communication through. The microprocessor of claim 2, wherein the microprocessor is configured to control data communication through the communication network by embedding its own TCP / IP, convert the protocol of the electronic meter into a standard protocol, and communicate with the standard protocol. Receiving the meter reading data from the electronic meter at the request of the server to relay to the remote meter reading server or receives meter reading data from the electronic meter to store and store the meter data to the remote meter reading server periodically, If communication is possible with a plurality of communication networks, the communication network that can communicate under optimum conditions is preferentially selected to control data communication to the corresponding communication network, and the AC voltage and frequency data applied from the AC voltage and frequency measuring unit is transmitted. Current quality of the power supply And checking or controlling the AC voltage and frequency data to be transmitted to an AMR server.