JPH10255190A - Remote meter inspection device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the remote meter inspection device and system which can effectively perform a patrolling inspection job of an inspector without applying an automatic meter inspection system that uses a costly communication circuit. SOLUTION: A remote meter inspection device 2 containing an infrared communication port 2a also includes a command generation part to give a request command to a gas meter 1 containing an infrared communication port 1a for transmission of data. Meanwhile, the meter 1 includes a data generation part which generates the meter data consisting of a meter ID code and the meter detection data in reply to the received request command. The device 2 processes the received data meter based on the meter ID code.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote meter reading device and a remote meter reading system for performing meter reading such as usage of gas, water, electricity or the like at a position away from a meter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Meters for measuring meter usage of gas, water, electricity and the like in homes, offices and factories are provided. Conventionally, meter readers look around this meter,
Record the usage of gas, water, electricity, etc. Recently, an automatic meter reading system has been proposed in which the meter itself measures and stores the weighing data and transmits the weighing data to the center via a communication line at a predetermined timing.
In this automatic meter reading system, for example, a telephone line connected to a home or a factory is connected to a meter with a communication function, and data communication between the center and the meter is performed via a public line.

[0003]

However, in the former meter reading operation, an obstacle is temporarily placed in front of the meter, or a guard dog or the like is present at home.
The meter reader cannot get close enough to the meter, which makes it difficult to read the pointer of the meter. For this reason, the efficiency of the meter reading operation has not been improved, such as having to go to the meter reading again on a different day. The latter automatic meter reading system not only requires telephone line connection work and wiring work at each meter installation location, but also performs data communication between the center and the meter via a public line. The communication cost is not a value that can be ignored. Under such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a meter reading device and a meter reading system in which a round check operation can be efficiently performed by meter readers without employing an automatic meter reading system using an expensive communication line. It is to be.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a meter reading device according to the present invention is of a remote type. A command generation unit that generates a request command requesting transmission of the meter, wireless communication means that transmits the request command to the meter and receives meter reading data transmitted from the meter, and a meter reading value based on the received meter reading data. Display means for displaying
It has. In this configuration, a meter reader carrying the remote meter reading device transmits a request command for requesting transmission of meter reading data to the meter near the target meter, so that meter reading data is sent from the meter. This meter reading data is processed, and the meter reading is displayed.
The meter reader can read this display and record the meter reading value, and does not need to approach immediately before the meter. Therefore, even if some obstacles are temporarily placed in front of the meter, or if there is a watchdog in the home, if it is possible to communicate by light or radio waves, it is necessary to carry out meter reading work away from the meter. Can be. As a preferred embodiment according to the present invention,
The wireless communication means receives the meter ID code transmitted together with the meter reading data from the meter, and if storage means for linking and storing the meter ID code and the meter reading value is provided, a plurality of home and factory Meters installed at locations are individually recognized by the meter ID code, and each meter and its meter reading value are linked and stored, so meter reading work must be performed while checking the target meter. Can be. Attribute information such as that the meter tends to consume a large amount or a small amount is also included in the meter I.
If derived from the D code, it provides important reference information for checking the obtained meter reading. Further, the storage means stores the previous meter reading value of the meter having the same meter ID code, and prints the customer name converted from the meter ID code and the usage amount calculated from the previous and current meter reading values. If you have a printer to print out
It is possible to automatically create on-the-spot information sheets that print the current meter readings from the previous meter reading and the current meter readings, the difference between these and the current month's usage and customer name, making meter reading work more efficient. Becomes Further, in consideration of the convenience of the meter reader, it is proposed that map data indicating the location of the meter is stored in the storage means, and the location is displayed on the display means. Thus, it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as a meter reader who needs to read a large number of meters, skipping a meter reading of a specific meter, or searching for an installation place of a meter. As a preferred external form of the remote meter reading device according to the present invention, a device that can be operated by grasping with one hand, such as a so-called intelligence remote controller, is proposed. For this purpose, a trigger for transmitting the above-described request command to the meter is proposed. Buttons are provided on the outer surface,
The wireless communication means may include a light emitting diode for transmitting a request command in response to the operation of the trigger button and a photodiode for receiving transmission data from the meter. In this configuration, the remote meter reading device grasped with one hand is directed toward the meter, and the trigger reading operation is completed by pressing the trigger button with an appropriate finger of the hand grasping the remote meter reading device. That is, the meter reading operation can be performed with one hand, and if necessary, it is not impossible to perform the meter reading operation while riding in an automobile or a motorcycle. In particular, the two-way communication between the meter and the remote meter reader is IrDA (In
frared data association), you can use a general-purpose communication device or a standard communication format.
While reducing manufacturing costs, it also opens the way for this remote metering device to be able to communicate data with various companies' meters for various measurements of gas, water, electricity, and even temperature and pressure. . In a remote meter reading system for a meter, it is necessary to have a function of interacting between the meter side and the meter reading device side. For this reason, in the remote meter reading system according to the present invention, the meter for water, electricity, gas, or the like includes the first wireless communication unit, and the remote meter reading device has the second wireless communication unit capable of two-way communication with the first wireless communication unit.
The remote communication device includes a command generation unit that generates a request command for requesting data transmission to the meter, and the meter includes a meter ID code and meter reading data in response to the request command. The remote meter reading device is provided with a data generating unit for generating data, and processes the received meter data based on the meter ID code. In this configuration, the meter reader carrying the remote meter reading device transmits a request command to the meter to request transmission of meter reading data near the target meter, so that the meter reads the meter ID code and the meter reading data. Send The remote meter reading device processes the meter reading data based on the meter ID code. Therefore, the meter reader can perform a reliable meter reading operation without knowing the attribute information such as the type of the target meter, the consumption level, and the customer name. For example, whether the target meter is handling gas or electricity, depending on the meter ID code,
Since the remote meter reading device judges and processes the sent meter reading data, the meter reader only needs to come close to the meter and operate it, so that the load of meter reading work is reduced. In particular, if the communication port of the first wireless communication means on the meter side is provided at a high place, the meter reading operation can be performed even if the meter and the meter reader are far apart. The meter reading values obtained by processing the meter reading data may be displayed on a display means such as a liquid crystal display, but are stored in a storage device such as a PC card memory and used for work after returning to the center. May be. As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, if the meter is provided with a self-diagnosis unit and adopts a configuration in which self-diagnosis data is included in the meter data and transmitted to the remote meter reading device, inconvenience occurring in the meter, for example, An increase in measurement error, a decrease in the remaining battery level, and the like are confirmed by a meter reader through a remote meter reader. This allows for inspection and repair before the meter causes a serious trouble. As described above, when wirelessly communicating various data between the meter and the remote meter reading device, infrared data communication based on the IrDA (Infrared Data Association) method, which has a relatively high transmission speed, is preferable. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the remote meter reading system shown in FIG. 1, a two-way infrared communication (IrDA) is performed between a gas meter 1 provided on the wall of a house and a remote meter reading device 2 grasped by a traveling meter reader with one hand. Method), the meter reading data is taken into the remote meter reading device 2, and then a gas consumption amount notification sheet is punched out by the small printer 3 in the form of a traveling meter reader. The notification sheet includes the customer name,
This month's meter reading date, the current month's meter reading value, the previous month's meter reading value, the previous month's meter reading value, the current month's usage value that is the value obtained by subtracting the previous month's meter reading value from the current month's meter reading value are printed, etc. Just mail it to a post box, etc., and the meter reading operation will be completed. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the gas meter 1 is provided with an infrared communication port 1a and a meter display 2b for directly checking a meter value with the eyes, and the remote meter reading device 2 is provided with an infrared communication port 2a. A trigger button 2b for sending a request command for requesting transmission of meter reading data to the gas meter 1, a liquid crystal display 2c for displaying various information as printed on the above-mentioned notification sheet, and further storing various information in advance. Or a PC for inserting a PC card type interface such as a PHS terminal for data communication or a PC card type memory for storing information obtained during the meter reading operation.
A card slot 2d is provided. The liquid crystal display 2c functions as a touch panel when the remote meter reading device 2 is used as a pen input type information terminal. Small printer 3 for launching information sheets
Is connected to the remote meter reading device 2 by a connection cable 3a. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a meter reading control system of the gas meter 1, and the meter reading control system is intensively controlled by the control unit 10. For this reason, the control unit 10
A meter reading unit 11 having a gas flow sensor that outputs a flow pulse signal in accordance with the mechanical operation of the gas meter 1, and stores a meter ID code linked to a name of a customer who is a user of the gas meter 1, characteristics of the gas meter 1, and the like. E
PROM 12, RA as work area of control unit 10
M13, a self-diagnosis unit 14 for checking a remaining battery level, a measurement error check using a pseudo reference signal of a gas flow sensor, a meter reading unit 11, and an EPROM 1
And a data generation unit 15 for accessing the self-diagnosis unit 14 and generating data to be transmitted, and a remote meter reading device 2
An infrared communication unit (also referred to as a first infrared communication unit when it is distinguished from a communication unit on the remote meter reading device side) 50 as a wireless communication unit that performs two-way communication with the wireless communication device. The infrared communication unit 50 includes a modulation circuit 51 that modulates a carrier signal including a clock signal based on data transmitted from the data generation unit 15 via the control unit 50,
Based on the output of the modulation circuit 51, the light emitting diode 52
Is driven. The data of the gas meter 1 is transmitted by the emission of infrared light by the light emitting diode 52. further,
The infrared communication unit 50 includes an A / D converter 53 and a demodulation circuit 5
4 and the light receiving signal of the photodiode 55 is A
After being converted into a digital signal by the / D converter 53, it is converted into data by the demodulation circuit 54. A request command from the remote meter reading device 2 requesting transmission of the converted data, for example, the pointer data, is sent to the control unit 10. FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of the remote meter reading device 2, which is substantially constituted by a microcomputer which is appropriately programmed, but each component is centralized by a control unit 20 as its core element. Is controlled. For this reason, the control unit 20 controls the trigger button 2
a command generation unit 2 for generating a request command for requesting the gas meter 1 to transmit meter reading data by the operation of b
1. A data conversion unit 22 for converting data sent in a special data format that can occur when reading a meter for a special gas meter, and a PC card memory as storage means for storing customer information such as the previous meter reading of each gas meter 1. 23, RAM2 as work area of control unit 20
4. A display unit 25 for displaying various information including a meter reading value on a liquid crystal display, and an infrared communication unit as a wireless communication unit for bidirectional communication with the gas meter 1 (when distinguished from a communication unit on the gas meter side). Is also referred to as a second infrared communication unit) 60. The PC card memory 23 can store mapping data indicating the location including the installation point of each gas meter 1, and stores the location of the gas meter 1 to be read next, the point to which the remote meter reading device 2 should be aimed, and the like. It can notify the meter reader. The self-diagnosis unit 1 of the gas meter 1
The prescription measures for the diagnosis results sent from 4 can be stored in a database, and in that case, maintenance and inspection when any abnormality is found at the time of meter reading becomes easy. The second infrared communication unit 60 has substantially the same configuration as the first infrared communication unit 50, and the modulation circuit 61 and the light emitting diode 52 are driven. A light emitting diode 62, an A / D converter 63, and a demodulation circuit 64 are provided. Next, a meter reading process in the remote meter reading system will be described. First, the remote meter reading device 2 is connected to the infrared communication port 1a of the gas meter 1.
Pointing the infrared communication port 2a of the
push. Thereby, the command generation unit 21 sends the request command to the gas meter 1 through the second infrared communication unit 60. The gas meter 1, which receives the request command from the remote meter reading device 2 and the first infrared communication unit 50, converts the meter reading data output from the meter reading unit 11 and the diagnosis result data output from the self-diagnosis unit 14 to a unique meter ID code. The transmission data is generated integrally and sent to the remote meter reading device 2 through the first infrared communication unit 50. The remote meter reading device 2 converts the received transmission data from the gas meter 1 if necessary by the data conversion unit 22, interprets the data, and displays necessary information on the liquid crystal display 2c. Normally, the displayed content is similar to the gas consumption information sheet distributed to the customer. After checking the content, the meter reader uses the small printer 3 to print out the information sheet and distribute it to the customer. If the diagnosis result data includes an inconvenience such as the remaining battery amount being below the limit, a warning notifying the fact and a prescription may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 2c in some cases. Since the meter reading data of each gas meter 1 is also stored in the PC card memory 23, the meter reader returns to the PC after returning to the center.
Post-processing can be performed using the card memory 23. In the above description of the embodiment, the gas meter is dealt with as a meter to be read, but the present invention is not limited to the gas meter alone, but includes a water meter, an electric meter, and further, a pressure gauge, a thermometer, and the like. It is used for meter reading of measurement equipment. Further, the communication means is not limited to infrared communication, and wireless communication using radio waves or the like can be used. Proposed as a special embodiment is a combined remote meter reading device capable of performing meter reading by bidirectional communication with various measuring devices. In this case, based on the meter ID code sent from the meter, the type of the meter is determined, data conversion is performed if necessary, and gas consumption or electricity consumption or The meter reading value such as the pressure value is displayed. Further, although not shown,
As a preferred embodiment, when the communication ports of the various meters are located at positions where communication with the remote meter reading device is difficult, a configuration in which the positions of light reception and light emission of the communication ports are changed using a waveguide such as an optical fiber is also available. Suggested. In the above description of the embodiment, the remote meter reading device 2 employs a configuration such as an information terminal (PDA) having a large liquid crystal screen, but has only a communication port and a small liquid crystal screen indicating a meter reading value. In addition, adopting a configuration similar to a remote control such as a video also provides an advantage in terms of portability. Of course, a device that eliminates the display screen and checks the meter reading value only by printing out from a small printer may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the usage status of a remote meter reading system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a remote meter reading system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a gas meter.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a remote meter reading device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas meter 1a Infrared communication port 2 Remote meter reading device 2a Infrared communication port 2b Trigger button 11 Meter reading unit 15 Data generation unit 21 Command generation unit 50 First infrared communication unit 60 Second infrared communication unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] A command generation unit that generates a request command for requesting transmission of meter reading data to a meter such as water, electricity, or gas having a communication function; and transmitting the request command to the meter and from the meter. A remote meter reading device comprising: wireless communication means for receiving the transmitted meter reading data; and display means for displaying a meter reading based on the received meter reading data. 2. The wireless communication means receives a meter ID code transmitted from the meter together with meter reading data,
2. A storage means for linking and storing the meter ID code and the meter reading value.
The remote meter reading device according to 1. 3. The storage means stores the previous meter reading value of a meter having the same meter ID code, and is calculated from the customer name converted from the meter ID code and the previous and current meter reading values. The remote meter reading device according to claim 2, further comprising a printer that prints out a usage amount. 4. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores map data indicating the location of the meter, and the location is displayed on the display unit. Remote meter reading device. 5. A trigger button for transmitting the request command to the meter is provided on an outer surface, and the wireless communication means includes a light emitting diode for transmitting the request command in response to an operation of the trigger button and the meter. The remote meter reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a photodiode that receives the transmission data of (1). 6. The remote meter reading device according to claim 1, wherein the two-way communication between the meter and the remote meter reading device is performed by infrared data communication according to an IrDA method. 7. A remote control comprising: a meter of water, electricity, gas or the like provided with first wireless communication means; and a remote meter reading device provided with second wireless communication means capable of bidirectional communication with said first wireless communication means. In the meter reading system, the remote meter reading device includes a command generation unit that generates a request command for requesting the meter to transmit data, and the meter responds to the request command and the meter generates a command.
A remote meter reading system, comprising: a data generation unit that generates meter data including a D code and meter reading data, wherein the remote meter reading device processes received meter data based on a meter ID code. 8. The remote meter reading system according to claim 7, wherein the remote meter reading device includes display means for displaying a meter reading value obtained by processing meter reading data. 9. The meter has a self-diagnosis unit,
The self-diagnosis data is included in the meter data and transmitted to the remote meter reading device.
The remote meter reading system according to 1. 10. The infrared communication system according to claim 7, wherein the bidirectional communication between the meter and the remote meter reading device is performed by infrared data communication based on IrDA.
Remote meter reading device according to paragraph.