JP3177082B2 - Terminal network controller - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention measures the number and time of operation of household electric appliances, or the remaining amount of liquid in a tank such as beer, and transmits data via a telephone line. The present invention relates to a terminal network control device used for a telemeter system to be performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a telemeter system using a general telephone line, a system which performs automatic meter reading of gas, water and the like is currently most widely used. FIG. 11 shows the configuration of a telemeter system for a gas meter. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1 denotes a terminal network controller connected to a telephone line, and 2 denotes the terminal network controller 1.
, A gas meter for detecting the flow rate of gas connected by a two-wire metallic wire, 3 a center network control device for reception, 4 a host computer, 5 and 6 exchange stations connected to the terminal side and the center side, 7 , 8 are telephone lines, and 9 is an interoffice trunk line.

In the terminal device, a terminal network control device 1 and a gas meter 2 are arranged separately, and the gas meter 2 measures a pulse count according to the amount of gas used, and converts the measured value into a telegram. And sends it to the terminal network controller 1. Then, the gas usage is communicated from the terminal network control device 1 to the center device via the telephone lines 7 and 8, and the gas usage is monitored by the center device.

[0004] In addition, the center-side device collects and processes data transmitted from the terminal network control device 1 and downloads information necessary for transmitting information such as an ID and a destination telephone number. Etc.

[0005]

In the above telemeter system, control circuits including a microcomputer are usually mounted on the gas meter 2 side and the terminal network controller 1 side, respectively. The main function of the terminal network control device 1 is to receive a message from a terminal device such as the gas meter 2 and transmit it to the center device, and there is no function of measuring the usage of the gas meter 2 or the like by itself. Was common. Some terminal network control devices 1 have a terminal for receiving a make contact signal, but this terminal only receives a change in state and performs a transmitting operation, and measures the usage time of the device or the like. There was nothing.

Therefore, in such a form in which the gas meter 2 and the terminal network control device 1 are separated into two, a separate control circuit needs to be mounted, so that the cost increases as a system and installation work is performed. This was also a factor in increasing costs. In addition, the telemeter system performs data communication with the gas meter. However, if terminal devices connected to the terminal network control device 1 are different, different control methods are desired. It was necessary and the manufacturing cost was high.

[0007] Further, with respect to electric equipment and the like used at home, the use state and operation status are confirmed by regularly visiting a user's house to perform maintenance of the equipment. For example, when the user's house is in a remote place, a large number of people and time are required, and regular visits cannot be made. Therefore, there has been a demand for monitoring and controlling the use state of the equipment in a remote place.
However, since the terminal network control device 1 cannot measure the use time and the like, there is no means for realizing it.

[0008] In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal network control device that measures a signal from a terminal device and manages a usage amount, a usage state, and the like of gas, water, home electric equipment, and the like. .

[0009]

The means for solving the problems according to the first and second aspects of the present invention is, as shown in FIG. 1, used by a main controller 23 based on signals from terminal devices 16a and 16b using a telephone line 21. In the terminal network control device that performs data communication with the center device, the main control unit 23 is issued from the terminal device 16a every time the terminal device 16a is turned on.
Measure the pulse number signal and integrate the pulse number, or
Is the terminal device 16b according to the ON time of the terminal device 16b?
A signal measuring means 29 for measuring a time width signal generated from the signal and integrating the time width, and a data transmission for transmitting data to the center side device when the integrated pulse number or the time width exceeds a predetermined set value. Means 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main controller 23 is provided with a signal discriminating means 32 for judging whether the signal from the terminal equipment 16a, 16b is a pulse number signal or a time width signal.

[0011] SUMMARY According to claim 3, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal device is a driving situation detection sensor 41 for detecting the operating state and operation time of the electric device 42, the row driving
Every time a pulse number signal is issued and the operation time
The signal measuring unit 29 is configured to emit a time width signal, and the signal measuring unit 29 is configured to accumulate the number of times of operation and the operating time of the electric device 42 based on the signal emitted from the operating state detection sensor 41. When the number of times of operation and the operation time of the electric device 42 exceed a predetermined set value, data communication with the center device is performed.

The means for solving the problem according to claim 4 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the terminal device is composed of a first flow sensor 52 and a second flow sensor 53 for detecting the fluid in the fluid storage container 51, and each of the flow sensors 52 and 53 is turned on when there is a fluid.
To generate time width signals, respectively, and the signal measuring means 29
Time width of first flow sensor 52 and second flow sensor 53
Timing difference of each signal and output time of the signal based on the signal
A flow rate integrating means 54 for detecting and integrating the flow rate from the length ,
A fluid remaining amount calculating means 55 for obtaining a remaining amount of fluid based on the flow rate value integrated by the flow rate integrating means 54. The data transmitting means 30 determines the remaining amount of fluid in the fluid container 51 in advance. When the set value is exceeded, data communication is performed with the center device.

[0013]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the terminal device 16a generates a pulse number signal for each use amount of the device, and the terminal device 16b generates a time width signal for each use time of the device. . Signal measuring means 2 of main controller 23
9, the signal generated from the terminal device 16a is
The signal generated by the terminal device 16b
Are measured and integrated. When the integrated pulse number or time width exceeds a predetermined set value, the main control unit 23 causes the data transmission means 30 to transmit the pulse to the telephone line 21 and causes the center-side device to use the used amount or the used time of the device. Is reported.

Further, since the input signals from the terminal devices 16a and 16b can be determined by the signal discriminating means 32 as the pulse number signal or the time width signal, the input signal can be selected according to the purpose.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the operating state and operating time of the electric equipment 42 are detected by the operating state detecting sensor 41, and the signals are input to the terminal network control device 15. Signal measurement based on input signal
By means 29, the number of operations or the operation time is integrated. When the accumulated number of operations or the operation time exceeds a predetermined set value, the main control unit 23 notifies the data transmission means 30 of the number of operations or the operation time to the center device. Therefore, the use state of the electric equipment can be monitored on the center side.

[0016]

[0017]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) FIG. 2 shows a telemeter system provided with a terminal network control device of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, 11 is a host computer, 12 is a center network control device, 13 is an exchange connected to the center side, 14 is an exchange connected to the terminal side, 15 is a terminal network control device, and 16a and 16b are gas. Terminal equipment such as a meter and a sensor for detecting the status of water supply, domestic electric equipment, etc., 17 is a data setting device for setting data such as a terminal network control device, 18 and 19 are connection lines, and 20 and 21 are telephone lines. , 22 are interoffice trunk lines.

The terminal network control device 15 is, as shown in FIG.
A main control unit 23 including a microcomputer having a CPU, a modem unit 24 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the center device, a station line unit 25 for transmitting data during communication, and terminal devices 16a and 16b to the main control unit 23. A sensor interface (I / F) unit 26 for transmitting a signal, and a setting unit I for transmitting a signal from the data setting unit 17 to the main control unit 23
/ F section 27, and a data storage section 28 for storing data of the main control section 23. The input terminal A is a terminal to which a pulse number signal indicating the usage amount is input from the terminal device 16a, the input terminal B is a terminal to which a time width signal indicating the usage time is input from the terminal device 16b, and / F section 26. And telephone line 2
1 is connected to a local line unit 25 and a modem unit 24, and the main control unit 23 includes a modem unit 24, a sensor I / F unit 26,
The setting device I / F unit 27 and the data storage unit 28 are connected.

The terminal network control device 15 measures signals from the terminal devices 16a and 16b indicating the usage amount and the usage time of gas, water, household electric appliances, etc., and according to the measurement result, the center side. Data communication is performed with the device.

In order to perform the communication, the main control unit 23 includes a signal measuring unit 29 for measuring a pulse number signal and a time width signal from the terminal devices 16a and 16b, respectively. A data transmitting means for transmitting data to the center-side device when the time width exceeds a predetermined set value;
And a data setting means 31 for setting and changing the set value in accordance with an external command.

The signal measuring means 29 is connected to the terminal device 16.
The pulse number signal and the time width signal transmitted from a and 16b are integrated, and the integrated signals are stored in the data storage unit 28.

The data transmission means 30 transmits the pulse number signal and the time width signal stored in the data storage unit 28 to the center device. When each signal is equal to or larger than a predetermined set value, Performs data communication when a certain usage amount and a certain usage time are exceeded.

The data setting unit 17 is connected to the main control unit 23 via a setting unit I / F unit 27, and externally instructs the data setting unit 31 to set or change the set value of the data transmitting unit 30. Things.

In the above configuration, the terminal device 16a generates a pulse number signal for each usage of gas, water, or electric equipment (for example, one meter scale). In addition, the terminal device 16b generates a time width signal every time the device is used (for example, 10 minutes during operation). Then, the terminal devices 16a,
Each signal generated by 16b is integrated by the signal measuring means 29 of the main control unit 23, and the integrated pulse number and time width are stored in the data storage unit 28, respectively.

When the number of pulses or the time width stored in the data storage unit 28 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined set value, the main control unit 23 activates the modem unit 24 by the data transmission unit 30 and the local line unit 25. To the telephone line 21 to notify the center device of the usage amount or usage time of the device.

As described above, the terminal device 16 is
By providing the signal measuring means 29 for measuring the signals from the terminals a and 16b, the terminal devices 16a and 16b only need to generate and transmit the pulse number signal or the time width signal, and the signals are measured by the terminal devices 16a and 16b. Since there is no need, there is no need for a conventional control circuit for a terminal device. Therefore, the structure of the terminal devices 16a and 16b is simplified, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of components, so that a low-cost telemeter system can be provided.

Further, the amount of use or the use time can be measured by the pulse number signal and the time width signal from the terminal devices 16a and 16b, so that not only the meter reading of gas and water, but also the use time measurement which could not be performed conventionally can be measured. And can be applied to any telemeter system.

By the way, the terminal network control device 1 of the above embodiment
In 5, the usage amount and the usage time are measured by the two terminal devices 16a and 16b, but in practice, only one of the usage amount and the usage time may be measured. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 23 is provided with a signal discriminating means 32 for judging whether the signal from the terminal equipment 16a, 16b is a pulse number signal or a time width signal.

The signal discriminating means 32 is provided, for example, after the terminal network controller 15 is installed, the terminal equipment 16a,
Based on the signal from 16b, it is automatically selected whether the measurement of the usage amount or the measurement of the usage time is performed thereafter. When signals from the terminal devices 16a and 16b are inputted, a trigger interrupt is issued to the main control unit 23 to count the internal clock of the main control unit 23, and the count number P by the counting unit 33 is set in advance. Determined first comparison value (for example, 20 msec)
A signal setting for determining the pulse number signal when it is greater than a and less than a second comparison value (for example, 50 msec) b, and determining the signal as a time width signal when it is greater than the second comparison value b, and measuring the signal. Means 34.

A method for selecting an input signal from a terminal device will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and a timing chart of signals from the terminal device shown in FIG. First, when a signal is input from the terminal devices 16a and 16b to the terminal network control device 15, a trigger interrupt is applied to the main control unit 23 at the input edge T1 of the signal, and the internal clock of the main control unit 23 is counted. At this time, +
It counts until 1 and the voltage level of the signal is inverted (T2). If the count number P is between the first set value a and the second set value b, it is determined as a pulse number signal,
If the count number P exceeds the second set value b, it is determined that the signal is a time width signal, and either the pulse number signal or the time width signal is selected, and the subsequent measurement is performed. If the count number P of the input signal is smaller than the first comparison value a, the signal is determined to be noise or the like, and the signal is canceled, and the system waits for the next input signal. Then, the first setting value a and the second setting value b can be arbitrarily set by the data setting device 17.

As described above, since the signals from the terminal devices 16a and 16b can be determined by the signal determining means 32, the measurement of the usage amount or the usage time can be automatically selected according to the purpose.

(Second Embodiment) In the future, household electric appliances will include:
In order to obtain the maintenance information, it is conceivable that a device such as an air conditioner (air conditioner) that outputs an operation number signal, an operation time signal, and the like is developed. Therefore, in the terminal network control device of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an operation status detection sensor 41 as a terminal device is disposed in the commercial power supply 43 of the air conditioner 42, and the signal measuring means 29 The data transmission means 30 is configured to accumulate the number of times of operation and the operation time of the air conditioner 42 based on a signal from the air conditioner 41, and the center side when the number of times of operation and the operation time of the air conditioner exceeds a predetermined set value. It is configured to communicate data to the device.

The operating condition detecting sensor 41 detects the operating condition and operating time of the air conditioner 42 based on a change in the frequency of the current flowing through the commercial power supply 43. The operating condition detecting sensor 41 includes the frequency detected by the sensor 41. Is connected to the amplifier 44, and the amplifier 44
A comparator 45 that converts the current amplified by the amplifier 44 into a signal of a theoretical level is connected, and the comparator 45 is connected to the sensor I / F unit 26 of the terminal network control device 15 via an input terminal. In this case, measurement can be performed using one input terminal. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment in which the signal discriminating means 32 of the main control unit 23 is not provided.

Each time the air conditioner 42 is operated, the air conditioner 42 outputs an operation number signal for outputting one pulse and an operation time signal which is turned on during operation of the equipment. The signal is sent from the operation status detection sensor 41 to the amplifier 44 and the comparator 4.
5 to the terminal network control device 15. The input signals are integrated by the signal measuring means 29, respectively.
The integrated signal is stored in the data storage unit 28, and when the number of operations or the operation time exceeds a predetermined set value, the main control unit 23 causes the data transmission unit 30 to execute the number of operations or the operation time of the air conditioner 42. To the center device.

As described above, since the number of times of operation and the operation time of home electric equipment such as the air conditioner 42 are measured and reported to the center side, the frequency of use of the equipment by the user can be managed at a remote place. it can. Therefore, the maintenance time of the electrical equipment can be accurately grasped, and the maintenance can be reliably performed even in a remote place without wasting time and personnel on maintenance.

Since the occurrence of a failure due to the life can be predicted in advance, it is possible to provide information on a newly planned product according to the replacement time of the electric equipment.

(Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, as a terminal network control device for managing the remaining amount of fluid in a tank of a product such as beer delivered in a tank, as shown in FIGS. The device is composed of a first flow sensor 52 and a second flow sensor 53 for detecting a fluid in the tank 51, and the signal measuring means 29 is configured to detect a fluid passing through the first flow sensor 52 and the second flow sensor 53. Flow rate integrating means 54 for measuring the delay time of the flow rate and integrating the flow rate;
And a fluid remaining amount calculating means 55 for calculating the remaining amount of the fluid based on the flow rate value integrated in step 4, and the data transmitting means 30 determines the remaining amount of the fluid in the tank 51 to a predetermined value. It is configured to perform data communication with the center-side device when it exceeds the limit.

The first flow sensor 52 and the second flow sensor 53 are arranged in the tank 51 at a predetermined interval L along the flow direction of the fluid, and as shown in FIG. It consists of 57. Then, infrared rays are passed from the photodiode 57 to the substantially U-shaped glass tube 58, and the change in the refractive index is detected by the phototransistor 56 to detect the presence or absence of the fluid. The timing at which the sensors 52 and 53 are turned on is set such that the second flow sensor 53 is turned on after a fixed time t1 when the first flow sensor 52 is turned on. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment in which the signal discriminating means 32 of the main control unit 23 is not provided.

When detecting the remaining amount of fluid in the tank 51, as shown in FIG. 10, first, the first flow rate sensor 52 is turned on first, and then, after a time t1 corresponding to the passage time of the fluid, the second flow rate sensor 52 is turned on. The sensor 53 turns on. At this time, the flow rate integrating means 54 measures the time difference between the sensors 52 and 53 and detects the flow rate per unit time. For example, the cross-sectional area of the tank 51 through which the fluid flows is Acm ² , and the two sensors 52, 5
Assuming that the distance of 3 is Lcm, the flow rate M per unit time is
M = AL / t1. By multiplying the flow rate by the flow time t2 of the fluid, the entire flow rate can be measured.

Then, the flow rate values are integrated, and the remaining amount value is obtained by calculating the initial value and the flow rate value by the fluid remaining amount calculating means 55 from the volume value of the entire tank 51 input as the initial value. . This fluid remaining amount value is stored in the data storage unit 2
When the fluid in the tank 51 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined set value, the main control unit 23 notifies the data transmission unit 30 to the center device.

As described above, since the remaining amount of the fluid in the tank 51 can be obtained and the center device can automatically manage the remaining amount of the fluid, the replenishment of the fluid in the tank 51 can be carried out before the exhaustion. Service can be improved.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the first embodiment, the signal discriminating means 3
Although the input signal has been selected by 2, the setting of the pulse number signal or the time width signal can be fixed in advance for the input signal.

In the second embodiment, the air conditioner 42 has been described as home electric equipment, but other electric equipment may be used.

Further, in the third embodiment, the fluid container 5
Although a beer tank is described as 1, other fluid storage containers may be used and may be used for managing the remaining amount of fluid fuel such as propane gas or kerosene.

[0046]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by providing the main control unit with the signal measuring means for measuring the signal from the terminal device, the terminal device can receive the pulse number signal or the time width signal. It is only necessary to generate and transmit the signal, and it is not necessary to measure the signal with the terminal device, so that the control circuit of the conventional terminal device is not required. Therefore, the structure of the terminal device is simplified, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of components, so that a low-cost telemeter system can be provided.

Moreover, the amount of use or the use time can be measured by the pulse number signal and the time width signal from the terminal device, so that not only the meter reading of gas and water, but also the use time which could not be measured conventionally can be measured. It can be applied to any telemeter system.

[0048] Then, it is possible to determine the signal from the terminal device by the signal discrimination means, it is possible to automatically select the measurement of the amount or use time according to the purpose.

According to the third aspect, since the number of times of operation and the operation time of the home electric appliance are measured and reported to the center side, the frequency of use of the appliance by the user can be managed at a remote place. Therefore, the maintenance time of the electrical equipment can be accurately grasped, and the maintenance can be reliably performed even in a remote place without wasting time and personnel on maintenance.

Further, since the occurrence of a failure due to the life can be predicted in advance, it is possible to provide information on a newly planned product according to the replacement timing of the electric equipment.

[0051]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a terminal network control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a telemeter system including the terminal network control device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a main control unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an input signal selecting operation;

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an input signal selecting operation;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a terminal network control device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a main control unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of flow measurement.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a flow sensor.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing a flow rate detection operation.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a telemeter system including a conventional terminal network control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 15 terminal network control device 16a, 16b terminal equipment 21 telephone line 23 main control unit 29 signal measuring means 30 data transmitting means 32 signal discriminating means 41 operating condition detecting sensor 42 air conditioner 51 tank 52 first flow sensor 53 second flow sensor 54 flow Integrating means 55 Fluid remaining amount calculating means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-45067 (JP, A) JP-A-5-99709 (JP, A) JP-A-58-162480 (JP, A) 108197 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 11/00-11/10 G01F 1/56-1/90 G01P 5/18

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A terminal network control device for performing data communication with a center-side device by a main control unit based on a signal from a terminal device using a telephone line, wherein the main control unit includes: A signal that measures a pulse number signal emitted from a terminal device each time the terminal device is turned on and integrates the number of pulses, or a signal that measures a time width signal emitted from the terminal device according to the ON time of the terminal device and integrates a time width. Measuring means, data transmitting means for transmitting data to the center-side device when the integrated pulse number or time width exceeds a predetermined set value, and a signal from the terminal device being a pulse number signal or time. A terminal network control device comprising: signal determination means for determining whether the signal is a width signal. 2. The terminal network control device according to claim 1, wherein two terminal devices are used, one terminal device generates a pulse number signal, and the other terminal device generates a time width signal. . 3. A terminal network control device for performing data communication with a center-side device by a main control unit based on a signal from a terminal device using a telephone line, wherein the terminal device has an operation state of an electric device. And a driving condition detection sensor that detects the driving time, emits a pulse number signal each time the driving is performed, and generates a time width signal according to the driving time, and the main control unit is output from the driving condition detection sensor. A signal measuring means for integrating the number of operations and the operation time of the electric device based on the signal; and performing data communication with the center device when the number of operations or the operation time of the electric device exceeds a predetermined set value. A terminal network control device comprising: a data transmission unit. 4. The signal determining means receives a signal from a terminal device.
When it is pressed, it starts counting,
More pulse number signal or time width signal,
If the count is smaller than the specified value, cancel the signal.
The terminal network control device according to claim 1, wherein