JP3090516B2 - Handy meter reading system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a handy meter reading system for a water meter or a gas meter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a handy meter reading system in which a connector at the tip of a cord of a portable meter is inserted into a meter reading box which is always connected to a meter by an electric wire, and the meter is read by simply pushing a button of the meter. It is well known.

The meter reading device used in this system is provided with a micro-CPU operated by a built-in lithium battery, performs various arithmetic processing, connects a connector to a meter reading box, and reads a meter integrated value by a “meter reading” push panel switch. Display for 30 seconds, the instantaneous flow rate is measured four times for 7.6 seconds by another push panel switch for "instantaneous flow rate", the check information of disconnection of meter part and meter reading box part, battery of meter side A function of displaying a voltage drop and a reset (all 8) is provided.

The transmission line has a round 2P connector for connection to the meter reading box with two lines, and the transmission system uses a message format recommended by the General Telemeter System Development Council. As another conventional technique, the tip of a portable meter reader is brought into contact with a predetermined portion of a meter box to be magnetically coupled, and a magnetic signal is read by reading information such as an integrated value, an instantaneous flow rate, a meter number, and the number of days of water leakage. What is displayed on a container is well known.

The hand-held meter of the hand-held meter reading system includes a push-button switch for meter reading and a push-button switch for power-off.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned prior art, the former requires the hand to hold the meter after connecting the connector, and the latter requires the tip to be connected to a predetermined portion of the meter box. It is necessary to keep the meter reader by hand, and in any case, there is an inconvenience (problem) that the meter cannot be read while the meter is released.

[0007] In both cases, since there is no indication of the flow rate pilot, there is a problem that whether or not water is flowing cannot be known. Furthermore, the former requires time and effort to insert a connector, and the latter does not make it clear whether the tip of the meter is correctly in contact with a predetermined portion of the meter box, so that the meter reading operation cannot be performed quickly. There was a problem that there was anxiety about performing a reliable meter reading operation.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a handy meter reading system which can solve such a problem.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a hand-held meter reading system according to the present invention includes a terminal (1) which is electrically connected to a meter and a portable terminal (1). In a meter reading system comprising a meter reader (8) for obtaining meter reading information through communication with 1) and displaying an integrated value and an instantaneous flow rate, the terminal (1) and the meter reader (8) are closely joined in a predetermined positional relationship. Hook (20) (2
1) to the terminal (1) and the case (2) of the meter reader (8).
2) A combination (5) of a light emitting diode (6) and a phototransistor (7) which is formed in (25) and constitutes an optical interface for optical communication between the terminal (1) and the meter reader (8). And (5), and these combinations (5) and (5) are arranged at positions facing each other in a state where the terminal (1) and the meter reader (8) are joined,
Further, the needle detector (8) was provided with a magnet (19) for turning on the reed switch (13) inserted in the power supply circuit of the terminal (1) in the joined state.

The terminal (1) may be provided with a flow rate display signal (11) for indicating that water is flowing.

[0011]

When the portable meter is joined to the terminal at the hook, the meter is held in a state of being joined to the terminal, so that it is maintained even if the hand is released.

In this joined state, the combination of the light emitting diode and the phototransistor provided respectively in the terminal and the meter reader oppose each other to constitute an optical interface. In addition, the meter reader turns on the terminal's reed switch and turns on the terminal's power circuit, so that the meter reader operates, communicates with the terminal via the optical interface, and measures the integrated value and instantaneous flow rate measured by the meter. Is displayed.

When the meter reading is completed and the meter is removed from the terminal, the terminal is automatically turned off. In addition, since the optical interface section is disposed opposite to the joint surface between the terminal and the meter reader, there is no malfunction due to extraneous light during meter reading.

In the terminal provided with a flow rate display signal, it can be seen from this signal that water is flowing.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a terminal 2 for electrically connecting to an electronic water meter (not shown).
And a terminal 3 for connecting to a T-NCU of a telephone line (not shown).

Reference numeral 4 denotes a switch, and the water meter is usually a T-NC.
U and is switched from the T-NCU to the optical interface only when communicating with the meter reader. Numeral 5 denotes a combination of a light emitting diode 6 and a phototransistor 7 constituting an optical interface, which are provided on the terminal 1 and the meter detector 8, respectively. Are arranged facing each other to constitute the optical interface 9.

At this time, the light emitting diode 6 of the needle detector 8 is connected to the phototransistor 7 of the terminal 1 and the terminal 1
The light emitting diode 6 is a phototransistor 7
Opposes.

The terminal 1 further includes a pulse input circuit 10 for inputting a flow pulse from the water meter, and a flow pilot display 11 for displaying when the flow pulse is continuously input, that is, when water is flowing. A lithium battery 12 as a power supply; and a reed switch 13 for turning on and off the power supply.

The meter 8 further includes a microcomputer (CPU) 14 for performing communication control and arithmetic processing, an integrating switch 15, an instantaneous flow rate switch 16, and a display unit (L).
CD) 17, a lithium battery 18 as a power supply, and a magnet 19.

Hooks 20 and 21 are formed in the case of the terminal 1 and the needle detector 8 for closely joining the two in a predetermined positional relationship, respectively. The magnet 19 of the needle detector 8 faces the reed switch 13 of the terminal 1, and the reed switch 13 is turned on to turn on the power of the terminal 1.

The terminal 1 has the outer shape shown in FIGS. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a dovetail groove forming the hooking portion 20 at the front of the case 22, a light emitting / receiving window 23 for performing optical communication by the optical interface 9, and a flow rate display for visually recognizing a flow rate pilot. A window 24 and a reed switch 13 are provided as shown.

The dovetail groove forming the hook 20 is shown in more detail in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, the meter reader 8 has a meter reading switch (the above-described integrating switch) 15 for measuring and displaying an integrated value on the front surface thereof, and an instantaneous flow rate switch 1.
6 and a display unit 17 are provided, and a dovetail forming a hooking unit 21 is formed on the back surface of the case 25 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In addition, on the back of the case 25 of the needle detector 8,
At the position facing the light emitting and receiving window of the case of Terminal 1,
A corresponding light emitting / receiving window is provided. Terminal 1 is Figure 1
0, as shown in FIG. 11, fixedly installed on the wall surface 26 of the house, connected to a water meter (not shown) by a cable 27, and furthermore, T-N by a cable 28 if necessary.
It is also connected to the CU.

At the time of meter reading, an operator joins the meter 8 to the terminal 1 as shown in the figure. At this time, the hook 2
The dovetail grooves and the dovetails constituting 0 and 21 are engaged with each other, and the needle detector 8 is joined to the front of the terminal 1 as shown in the figure.

Then, as described above, the magnet 19 of the meter 8 turns on the reed switch 13 of the terminal 1 to turn on the power. Also, an optical interface 9 is configured to face the combination 5 of the light emitting diode 6 and the phototransistor 7 of the terminal 1 via the light emitting / receiving window, and to read the meter reading information by optical communication between the terminal 1 and the meter reader 8. The information is transmitted and displayed on the display unit 17.

After the completion of the meter reading, the meter 8 is moved to the position shown in FIGS.
Is moved upward from the joined state, and removed from the turner mill, and moved to the next meter reading site. When the meter is removed from the terminal, the reed switch 13 of the terminal is turned off, and the power of the terminal is automatically turned off.

[0027]

Since the hand-held meter reading system of the present invention is constructed as described above, there is no malfunction due to extraneous light at the time of meter reading, and at the time of meter reading, the power of the terminal is automatically turned on. Can be turned off reliably.

Further, at the time of meter reading, the meter is hooked to the terminal and used in a state of being joined, so that there is an advantage that the meter can be read without requiring the operator to hold the meter. or,
Since the flow rate display pilot is provided in the terminal 1, it can be seen immediately whether the water is flowing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the terminal case taken along line AA in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the same.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the needle detector according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the same.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the same.

FIG. 10 is a left side view at the time of meter reading in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal 5 Combination of light emitting diode and phototransistor 6 Light emitting diode 7 Phototransistor 8 Meter detector 11 Flow rate display signal 13 Reed switch 19 Magnet 20, 21 Hook 22, 22 Case 23 Light emitting / receiving window

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-150627 (JP, A) JP-A 1-135596 (JP, U) JP-A-59-49292 (JP, U) (58) Investigation Field (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G08C 19/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A meter reading device which obtains meter reading information by communication with a terminal (1) installed electrically connected to a meter and a portable type terminal (1) and displays an integrated value and an instantaneous flow rate. In a meter reading system comprising a device (8), a hook (20) (21) for closely joining the terminal (1) and the meter (8) in a predetermined positional relationship is connected to the terminal (1) and the meter (8). A light emitting diode (6) and a phototransistor (7) are formed in each of the cases (22) and (25), and constitute an optical interface for optical communication between the terminal (1) and the meter detector (8). (5) and (5), and combinations (5) and (5)
Are arranged at positions facing each other when the terminal (1) and the meter reader (8) are joined, and furthermore, the reed switch (13) inserted into the power supply circuit of the terminal (1) is turned on in the joined state. Hand reading system provided with a magnet (19) to be mounted on the needle detector (8). 2. The terminal (1) and the case (22) (25) of the needle detector (8) are provided with light emitting / receiving windows (23) which are opposed to each other in a state where both are joined. Handy meter reading system. 3. A flow rate display signal (11) for indicating that water is flowing in the terminal (1).
Or the hand-held meter reading system according to claim 2.