JP4136142B2

JP4136142B2 - Supply control system

Info

Publication number: JP4136142B2
Application number: JP34811098A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 晋吾大須賀
Original assignee: Ricoh Elemex Corp
Current assignee: Ricoh Elemex Corp
Priority date: 1998-12-08
Filing date: 1998-12-08
Publication date: 2008-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-08
Also published as: JP2000172940A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、ガスや水や温水や電気等の供給体を、磁気カードやＩＣカード等の記憶媒体に記憶されている使用可能量に相当する度数等に応じ、料金前払いで使用できるプリペイド式の供給制御システムに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種の供給制御システムは、磁気カードやＩＣカード等の記憶媒体に記憶されている度数を接触式または非接触式にて読み出して、ガスや水等の供給体の供給量を計量して度数を減算し、度数が０または規定度数以下になったとき、供給を自動的に停止する供給制御機能を有している。
【０００３】
このことから、プリペイド式の供給制御システムは、プリペイド用途以外、たとえば一般のガスメータや水道メータとしては使用できない。
【０００４】
また、たとえば特開平９−１８００５３号公報に記載されているように、ガス等の流量を計量して積算情報を出力する計測装置と、これを制御する制御装置とを分離してこれらを通信線にて接続し、制御装置において磁気カードやＩＣカード等の記憶媒体に記憶されている度数を読み出し、度数相当量だけガス等の供給が受けられるように計測装置を制御するようにした供給制御システムがある。
【０００５】
この場合、計測装置として一般のガスメータや水道メータを使用することは可能であるが、積算情報を常時出力する出力機能は無用な機能となり、計測装置の電池を無駄に消費してしまう。
【０００６】
さらに、上記のように計測装置と制御装置とが分離して使用される場合、計測装置と制御装置との間の通信線が切断されたとき、記憶媒体の度数とは無関係にガスや水等が使用されることを防止するために、計測装置に、通信線の断線を検出したら、供給体の供給を遮断する断線検知遮断機能を有するものもあるが、この場合も、計測装置をプリペイド用途以外、たとえば一般のガスメータや水道メータとしては使用できない。
【０００７】
そこで、この発明の目的は、度数減算による供給制御機能や積算情報の出力機能や断線検知機能を、有効または無効のいずれかに任意に切り換えることができるようにして、プリペイド用途以外、たとえば一般のガスメータや水道メータとして使用することも可能なプリペイド式供給制御システムを提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に係る発明は、供給体の使用可能量に相当する度数等の値を記憶した記憶媒体と、供給体の供給量を検出する供給量検出手段と、この供給量検出手段が検出した供給量の積算を行う制御手段と、この制御手段の制御により供給体の供給路を開閉する開閉手段と、記憶媒体に記憶された度数等の記憶値の読み込みや書き換えを行う読取手段と、外部からの信号を授受する外部入力手段とを有する供給制御システムにおいて、
制御手段は、外部入力手段からの入力に応じて供給制御機能の有効と無効を切り換えることができるようになっている。
【０００９】
請求項２に係る発明は、供給体の供給量を計測し積算するとともに、供給体の供給路を開閉する計測装置と、この計測装置の供給量の制御を行う制御装置と、供給体の使用可能量に相当する度数等の値を記憶した記憶媒体とからなり、
計測装置は、供給体の供給量を検出する供給量検出手段と、この供給量検出手段が検出した供給量の積算を行う計量制御手段と、制御装置との通信を行う通信手段と、供給路を開閉する開閉手段とを有し、
制御装置は、記憶媒体に記憶された記憶値の読み込みまたは書き換えを行う読取手段と、計測装置との通信を行う通信手段と、該通信手段および読取手段を制御する制御手段とを有する供給制御システムにおいて、
計測装置は、外部からの設定により供給制御機能の有効と無効を切り換えることができるようになっている。
【００１０】
請求項３に係る発明は、供給体の供給量を計測し積算するとともに、供給体の供給路を開閉する計測装置と、この計測装置の供給量の制御を行う制御装置と、供給体の使用可能量に相当する度数等の値を記憶した記憶媒体とからなり、
計測装置は、供給体の供給量を検出する供給量検出手段と、この供給量検出手段が検出した供給量の積算を行う計量制御手段と、該計量制御手段の積算情報を制御装置へ送信する通信を行う通信手段と、供給路を開閉する開閉手段とを有し、
制御装置は、記憶媒体に記憶された記憶値の読み込みまたは書き換えを行う読取手段と、計測装置との通信を行う通信手段と、該通信手段および読取手段を制御する制御手段とを有する供給制御システムにおいて、
計測装置は、外部からの設定により、制御装置への積算情報出力機能の有効と無効を切り換えることができるようになっている。
【００１１】
請求項４に係る発明は、供給体の供給量を計測し積算するとともに、供給体の供給路を開閉する計測装置と、この計測装置の供給量の制御を行う制御装置と、供給体の使用可能量に相当する値を記憶した記憶媒体とからなり、
計測装置は、供給体の供給量を検出する供給量検出手段と、この供給量検出手段が検出した供給量の積算等を行う計量制御手段と、制御装置との通信を行う通信手段と、供給路を開閉する開閉手段とを有し、
制御装置は、記憶媒体に記憶された記憶値の読み込みまたは書き換えを行う読取手段と、計測装置との通信を行う通信手段と、該通信手段および読取手段を制御する制御手段とを有する供給制御システムにおいて、
計測装置は、通信線の断線を検出する断線検出手段を有し、この断線検出手段が断線を検出したときは、開閉手段により供給路を遮断できる断線検知遮断機能を有するとともに、その断線検知遮断機能の有効と無効を外部からの設定により切り換えることができるようになっている。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、この発明の実施の形態を図面にしたがって詳細に説明する。
【００１３】
図１は、この発明の第１の実施形態のシステム構成を示す。この供給制御システムは、ガスや水や温水や電気等の供給体の供給路を開閉する開閉手段１と、供給体の供給量を検出する供給量検出手段２と、供給体の使用可能量に相当する度数を記憶した磁気カードやＩＣカード等の記憶媒体４と、記憶媒体４に記憶された度数の読み込みや書き換えを行う読取手段５と、制御手段３と、スイッチや通信回線など外部からの制御信号を入力する外部入力手段６とから構成される。
【００１４】
制御手段３は、この読取手段５により読み出した度数を記憶したり、供給量検出手段２が検出した供給量を積算したり、その積算値と度数とを比較演算し、あらかじめ設定された度数以下であれば、供給路を閉じ、設定度数以上であれば供給路を開くように、開閉手段１を制御する。
【００１５】
この第１の実施形態において、外部入力手段６にたとえば設定器を接続し、制御手段３と通信することにより、制御手段３のプリペイド式供給制御機能の有効と無効を切り換えることができるようになっている。なお、通信に代えて、スイッチ等で切り換えるようにしてもよい。
【００１６】
プリペイド式供給制御機能を有効とした場合には、あらかじめ度数が書き込まれている記憶媒体４を読取手段５に挿入すると、その度数を読取手段５が読み取る。制御手段３は、読取手段５にて読み取った度数が十分にあれば、開閉手段１を制御して供給路を開き、供給体の供給を行う。
【００１７】
さらに、制御手段３は、供給量検出手段２にて検出された供給量を積算し、供給量に応じた度数を減じる。このとき、残度数があらかじめ設定された度数、たとえば０になったとき、開閉手段１にて供給路を閉じて供給を停止する。
【００１８】
一方、プリペイド式供給制御機能を無効とした場合には、記憶媒体４を読取手段５に挿入しても、制御手段３はこれを無視して記憶媒体４の内容を変えない。さらに、制御手段３は、供給量検出手段２が流量を検出しても度数減算を行わず、度数があらかじめ設定された度数、たとえば０であっても、開閉手段１にて供給路を閉じることはしない。
【００１９】
次に、図２は、第２の実施形態を示す。この供給制御システムは、ガスや水や温水や電気等の供給体の供給量を計測し積算するとともに、供給体の供給路を開閉する計測装置Ａと、この計測装置Ａの供給量の制御を行う制御装置Ｂと、供給体の使用可能量に相当する度数を記憶した磁気カードやＩＣカード等の記憶媒体４とからなる。
【００２０】
計測装置Ａは、供給体の供給量を検出する供給量検出手段２と、この供給量検出手段２が検出した供給量に応じて度数の減算等を行う計量制御手段７と、制御装置Ｂとの通信を行う通信手段８と、計量制御手段７にて制御されて供給路を開閉する開閉手段１とを有する。
【００２１】
また、計測装置Ａは、その通信手段８にたとえば設定器を接続して計量制御手段７と通信することにより、該計量制御手段７のプリペイド式供給制御機能の有効と無効を切り換えることができるようになっている。なお、通信に代えて、スイッチ等で切り換えるようにしてもよく、また通信手段８とは別の通信手段から切り換え信号を入力できるようにしてもよい。
【００２２】
制御装置Ｂは、記憶媒体４に記憶された度数の読み込みまたは書き換えを行う読取手段５と、計測装置Ａとの通信を行う通信手段９と、該通信手段９および読取手段５を制御する制御手段１０とを有する。
【００２３】
第２の実施形態において、計測装置Ａのプリペイド式供給制御機能を有効とした場合には、あらかじめ度数が書き込まれている記憶媒体４を読取手段５に挿入すると、制御手段１０は、記憶媒体４が有効であるかどうか判断し、有効であれば、その度数を読取手段５にて読み取って通信手段９にて計測装置Ａへ度数情報を送る。
【００２４】
計測装置Ａの計量制御手段７は、度数が十分にあれば、開閉手段１を制御して供給路を開き、供給体の供給を行う。さらに、計量制御手段７は、供給量検出手段２が検出した供給量を積算し、供給量に応じた度数を減ずる。このとき、度数があらかじめ設定された度数、たとえば０になると、開閉手段１にて供給路を閉じる。
【００２５】
一方、計測装置Ａのプリペイド式供給制御機能を無効とした場合には、あらかじめ度数が書き込まれている記憶媒体４を読取手段５に挿入すると、制御手段１０は、記憶媒体４が有効であるかどうか判断し、有効であれば、その度数を読取手段５にて読み取って通信手段９にて計測装置Ａへ度数情報を送る。
【００２６】
しかし、計測装置Ａは、プリペイド式供給制御機能を無効にされているため、送られたきた度数情報を無視、またはプリペイド式供給制御機能が無効となっている旨の応答をする。さらに、プリペイド式供給制御機能を無効とする設定をした時点で、計測装置Ａに度数が残っていた場合において、供給量検出手段２が流量を検出しても、計量制御手段７は度数減算を行わず、度数があらかじめ設定された度数、たとえば０であっても、開閉手段１にて供給路を閉じることはしない。
【００２７】
次に、第３の実施形態を同じく図２を用いて説明する。この供給制御システムは、ガスや水や温水や電気等の供給体の供給量を計測し積算するとともに、供給体の供給路を開閉する計測装置Ａと、この計測装置Ａの供給量の制御を行う制御装置Ｂと、供給体の使用可能量に相当する度数を記憶した磁気カードやＩＣカード等の記憶媒体４とからなる。
【００２８】
計測装置Ａは、供給体の供給量を検出する供給量検出手段２と、この供給量検出手段２が検出した供給量の積算等を行う計量制御手段７と、該計量制御手段７の積算情報等を制御装置Ｂへ送信する等の通信を行う通信手段８と、計量制御手段７にて制御されて供給路を開閉する開閉手段１とを有する。
【００２９】
また、計測装置Ａは、その通信手段８にたとえば設定器を接続して計量制御手段７と通信することにより、該計量制御手段７の積算情報出力機能の有効と無効を切り換えることができるようになっている。なお、通信に代えて、スイッチ等で切り換えるようにしてもよく、また通信手段８とは別の通信手段から切り換え信号を入力できるようにしてもよい。
【００３０】
制御装置Ｂは、記憶媒体４に記憶された度数の読み込みまたは書き換えを行う読取手段５と、計測装置Ａからその通信手段８を通じて積算値を読み出したり供給路の開閉指令を送信する通信手段９と、該通信手段９および読取手段５を制御する制御手段１０とを有する。
【００３１】
第３の実施形態において、計測装置Ａの積算情報出力機能を有効とした場合には、あらかじめ度数が書き込まれている記憶媒体４を読取手段５に挿入すると、制御手段１０は、記憶媒体４が有効であるかどうか判断し、有効であれば、その度数を読取手段５にて読み取って内部メモリに記憶し、度数が十分にあれば、供給路を開き、または開くことを許可する指令を通信手段９から計測装置Ａへ送る。
【００３２】
計測装置Ａの計量制御手段７は、制御装置Ｂから供給路を開き、または開くことを許可する指令を受け取ると、開閉手段１を制御して供給路を開き、供給体の供給を行う。または、図示していないが、使用者がスイッチなどを操作することにより、供給路を開き、供給体の供給を行う。さらに、計量制御手段７は、供給量検出手段２が検出した供給量を積算し、供給量に応じた積算情報、たとえばパルス信号などを通信手段８から制御装置Ｂへ送る。
【００３３】
制御装置Ｂの制御手段１０は、計測装置Ａからの積算情報に基づき度数を減算し、残度数があらかじめ設定された度数、たとえば０になると、計測装置Ａへ供給路を閉じる指令を送る。計測装置Ａの計量制御手段７は、この指令に従い開閉手段１にて供給路を閉じる。
【００３４】
一方、計測装置Ａの積算情報出力機能を無効とした場合には、計測装置Ａの計量制御手段７は、供給量検出手段２が供給体の供給量を検出しても、供給量に応じた出力、たとえばパルス信号などを通信手段８から制御装置Ｂへ出力しない。
【００３５】
次に、図３は、第４の実施形態を示す。この供給制御システムは、ガスや水や温水や電気等の供給体の供給量を計測し積算するとともに、供給体の供給路を開閉する計測装置Ａ´と、この計測装置Ａ´の供給量の制御を行う制御装置Ｂと、供給体の使用可能量に相当する度数を記憶した磁気カードやＩＣカード等の記憶媒体４とからなる。
【００３６】
計測装置Ａ´は、供給体の供給量を検出する供給量検出手段２と、この供給量検出手段２が検出した供給量の積算を行う計量制御手段７と、制御装置Ｂとの通信を行う通信手段８と、計量制御手段７にて制御されて供給路を開閉する開閉手段１と、制御装置Ｂとの通信線の断線を検出する断線検出手段１１とを有する。
【００３７】
また、計測装置Ａ´は、その通信手段８にたとえば設定器を接続して、計量制御手段７と通信することにより、断線検出手段１１が断線を検出した場合における、計量制御手段７の断線検知遮断機能を有効とするか無効とするかを切り換えることができるようになっている。なお、通信に代えて、スイッチ等で切り換えるようにしてもよく、また通信手段８とは別の通信手段から切り換え信号を入力できるようにしてもよい。
【００３８】
制御装置Ｂは、記憶媒体４に記憶された度数の読み込みまたは書き換えを行う読取手段５と、計測装置Ａ´からその通信手段８を通じて積算値を読み出したり供給路の開閉指令を送信したりする通信手段９と、該通信手段９および読取手段５を制御する制御手段１０とを有する。
【００３９】
第４の実施形態において、計測装置Ａ´の断線検知遮断機能を有効とした場合には、あらかじめ度数が書き込まれている記憶媒体４を読取手段５に挿入すると、制御手段１０は、記憶媒体４が有効であるかどうか判断し、有効であれば、その度数を読取手段５にて読み取って内部メモリに記憶し、度数が十分にあれば、供給路を開き、または開くことを許可する指令を通信手段９から計測装置Ａ´へ送る。
【００４０】
計測装置Ａ´の計量制御手段７は、制御装置Ｂから供給路を開き、または開くことを許可する指令を受け取ると、開閉手段１を制御して供給路を開き、供給体の供給を行う。または、図示していないが、使用者がスイッチなどを操作することにより、供給路を開き、供給体の供給を行う。
【００４１】
制御装置Ｂの制御手段１０は、計測装置Ａ´から供給体の供給量情報を適時読み出して度数を減算し、残度数があらかじめ設定された度数、たとえば０になると、計測装置Ａ´へ供給路を閉じる指令を送る。計測装置Ａ´の計量制御手段７は、この指令に従い開閉手段１にて供給路を閉じる。
【００４２】
ここで、計測装置Ａ´は、断線検出手段１１にて制御装置Ｂとの間の通信線の断線の有無を監視しており、断線を検出したときは、計量制御手段７にて開閉手段１を制御して供給路を自動的に閉じる。
【００４３】
一方、計測装置Ａ´の断線検知遮断機能を無効とした場合には、計測装置Ａ´は、断線検出手段１１にて制御装置Ｂとの間の通信線の断線を検出しても、供給体の供給を停止しない。
【００４４】
【発明の効果】
請求項１に係る発明によれば、ガスや水などの供給体の供給量に応じた値を減算し、その値が０または規定度数以下の場合には、供給体の供給を停止するプリペイド式供給制御機能を有し、このプリペイド式供給制御機能の有効と無効とを外部入力手段からの入力に応じて切り換えることができるので、これを無効とすることにより、プリペイド用途以外、たとえば一般のガスメータや水道メータとして使用することも可能になる。
【００４５】
請求項２に係る発明によれば、計測装置と制御装置とに分離し、計測装置が、ガスや水などの供給体の供給量に応じた値を減算し、その値が０または規定度数以下の場合には、供給体の供給を停止するプリペイド式供給制御機能を有し、このプリペイド式供給制御機能の有効と無効とを外部からの設定により切り換えることができるので、これを無効とすることにより、プリペイド用途以外、たとえば一般のガスメータや水道メータとして使用することも可能になる。
【００４６】
請求項３に係る発明によれば、計測装置と制御装置とに分離し、計測装置が、積算情報を制御装置に出力する機能を有し、この積算情報出力機能の有効と無効とを外部からの設定により切り換えることができるので、これを無効とすることにより、プリペイド用途以外、たとえば一般のガスメータや水道メータとして使用する場合には、省電力化が可能となる。
【００４７】
請求項４に係る発明によれば、計測装置と制御装置とに分離し、計測装置が、制御装置との間を通信線の断線の有無を監視する機能を有し、この断線監視機能の有効と無効とを外部からの設定により切り換えることができるので、これを無効とすることにより、プリペイド用途以外、たとえば一般のガスメータや水道メータとして使用することも可能になる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の第１の実施形態のシステム構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】第２および第３の実施形態のシステム構成を併せて示すブロック図である。
【図３】第４の実施形態のシステム構成を示すブロック図である。
【符号の説明】
Ａ・Ａ´ 計測装置
Ｂ制御装置
１開閉手段
２供給量検出手段
３制御手段
４記憶媒体
５読取手段
６外部入力手段
７計量制御手段
８通信手段
９通信手段
１０制御手段
１１断線検出手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a prepaid type that can be used for prepaid charges such as gas, water, hot water, electricity, etc. according to the frequency corresponding to the usable amount stored in a storage medium such as a magnetic card or IC card. It relates to a supply control system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This type of supply control system reads the frequency stored in a storage medium such as a magnetic card or IC card in a contact or non-contact manner and measures the supply amount of a supply body such as gas or water to measure the frequency. Is subtracted, and when the frequency becomes 0 or less than the specified frequency, a supply control function for automatically stopping the supply is provided.
[0003]
For this reason, the prepaid supply control system cannot be used as a general gas meter or water meter other than the prepaid application.
[0004]
Further, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-180053, a measuring device that measures the flow rate of gas or the like and outputs integrated information and a control device that controls the measuring device are separated and connected to a communication line. The control system is configured to read the frequency stored in a storage medium such as a magnetic card or IC card in the control device, and to control the measurement device so that the gas or the like can be supplied by an amount corresponding to the frequency. There is.
[0005]
In this case, it is possible to use a general gas meter or water meter as the measuring device, but the output function that always outputs the integrated information becomes useless, and the battery of the measuring device is wasted.
[0006]
Furthermore, when the measurement device and the control device are used separately as described above, when the communication line between the measurement device and the control device is disconnected, gas, water, etc., regardless of the frequency of the storage medium In order to prevent the measurement device from being used, some measuring devices have a disconnection detection / blocking function for blocking the supply of the supply body when a disconnection of the communication line is detected. Other than this, for example, it cannot be used as a general gas meter or water meter.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable the supply control function by frequency subtraction, the output function of integration information, and the disconnection detection function to be arbitrarily switched between valid and invalid, and for other than prepaid applications, for example, An object of the present invention is to provide a prepaid supply control system that can be used as a gas meter or a water meter.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a storage medium storing a value such as a frequency corresponding to the usable amount of the supply body, supply amount detection means for detecting the supply amount of the supply body, and the supply amount detection means. Control means for integrating the supply amount, opening / closing means for opening and closing the supply path of the supply body under the control of the control means, reading means for reading and rewriting the stored value such as the frequency stored in the storage medium, and external A supply control system having external input means for transmitting and receiving signals from
The control means can switch the supply control function between valid and invalid according to the input from the external input means.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 2 measures and integrates the supply amount of the supply body, and opens and closes the supply path of the supply body, a control device that controls the supply amount of the measurement apparatus, and use of the supply body It consists of a storage medium that stores values such as frequency corresponding to the possible amount,
The measuring device includes a supply amount detection means for detecting the supply amount of the supply body, a metering control means for integrating the supply amounts detected by the supply amount detection means, a communication means for communicating with the control device, and a supply path Opening and closing means for opening and closing,
The control device includes a reading unit that reads or rewrites the stored value stored in the storage medium, a communication unit that communicates with the measuring device, and a control unit that controls the communication unit and the reading unit. In
The measuring device can switch the supply control function between valid and invalid by setting from the outside.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 3 measures and integrates the supply amount of the supply body, and opens and closes the supply path of the supply body, a control device that controls the supply amount of the measurement apparatus, and use of the supply body It consists of a storage medium that stores values such as frequency corresponding to the possible amount,
The measuring device transmits a supply amount detection means for detecting a supply amount of the supply body, a measurement control means for integrating the supply amounts detected by the supply amount detection means, and transmission information of the measurement control means to the control device. Communication means for performing communication, and opening / closing means for opening and closing the supply path,
The control device includes a reading unit that reads or rewrites the stored value stored in the storage medium, a communication unit that communicates with the measuring device, and a control unit that controls the communication unit and the reading unit. In
The measuring device can switch between enabling and disabling the integrated information output function to the control device by setting from the outside.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 4 measures and integrates the supply amount of the supply body, opens and closes the supply path of the supply body, a control device that controls the supply amount of the measurement apparatus, and the use of the supply body It consists of a storage medium that stores a value corresponding to the possible amount,
The measuring device includes a supply amount detection means for detecting the supply amount of the supply body, a measurement control means for integrating the supply amounts detected by the supply amount detection means, a communication means for communicating with the control device, and a supply Opening and closing means for opening and closing the road,
The control device includes a reading unit that reads or rewrites the stored value stored in the storage medium, a communication unit that communicates with the measuring device, and a control unit that controls the communication unit and the reading unit. In
The measuring device has a disconnection detecting means for detecting disconnection of the communication line. When the disconnection detecting means detects a disconnection, the measuring apparatus has a disconnection detection cutoff function that can shut off the supply path by the opening / closing means, and the disconnection detection cutoff. The function can be switched between enabled and disabled by an external setting.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1 shows the system configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. This supply control system includes an opening / closing means 1 for opening and closing a supply path for a supply body such as gas, water, hot water, and electricity, a supply amount detection means 2 for detecting a supply amount of the supply body, and a usable amount of the supply body. A storage medium 4 such as a magnetic card or IC card storing the corresponding frequency, a reading means 5 for reading or rewriting the frequency stored in the storage medium 4, a control means 3, a switch, a communication line, etc. It is comprised from the external input means 6 which inputs a control signal.
[0014]
The control means 3 stores the frequency read by the reading means 5, integrates the supply amount detected by the supply amount detection means 2, compares the integrated value with the frequency, and performs a calculation below the preset frequency. If so, the opening / closing means 1 is controlled so as to close the supply path and open the supply path if the frequency is equal to or higher than the set frequency.
[0015]
In the first embodiment, for example, by connecting a setting device to the external input means 6 and communicating with the control means 3, the prepaid supply control function of the control means 3 can be switched between valid and invalid. ing. In place of communication, a switch or the like may be used.
[0016]
When the prepaid supply control function is enabled, when the storage medium 4 in which the frequency is written in advance is inserted into the reading unit 5, the reading unit 5 reads the frequency. If the frequency read by the reading unit 5 is sufficient, the control unit 3 controls the opening / closing unit 1 to open the supply path and supply the supply body.
[0017]
Further, the control means 3 integrates the supply amounts detected by the supply amount detection means 2 and reduces the frequency according to the supply amount. At this time, when the remaining frequency becomes a preset frequency, for example, 0, the supply path is closed by the opening / closing means 1 to stop the supply.
[0018]
On the other hand, when the prepaid supply control function is disabled, even if the storage medium 4 is inserted into the reading means 5, the control means 3 ignores this and does not change the contents of the storage medium 4. Further, the control means 3 does not perform frequency subtraction even when the supply amount detection means 2 detects the flow rate, and closes the supply path by the opening / closing means 1 even if the frequency is a preset frequency, for example, 0. I do not.
[0019]
Next, FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment. This supply control system measures and integrates the supply amount of a supply body such as gas, water, hot water, electricity, etc., and controls the supply amount of the measurement apparatus A that opens and closes the supply path of the supply body. It comprises a control device B to be performed and a storage medium 4 such as a magnetic card or an IC card that stores a frequency corresponding to the usable amount of the supply body.
[0020]
The measuring device A includes a supply amount detection unit 2 that detects the supply amount of the supply body, a weighing control unit 7 that performs subtraction of the frequency according to the supply amount detected by the supply amount detection unit 2, and a control device B. Communication means 8 for performing the above communication, and opening / closing means 1 controlled by the measurement control means 7 to open and close the supply path.
[0021]
Further, the measuring device A can switch between valid and invalid of the prepaid supply control function of the measurement control means 7 by connecting, for example, a setting device to the communication means 8 and communicating with the measurement control means 7. It has become. Instead of communication, switching may be performed by a switch or the like, or a switching signal may be input from a communication unit different from the communication unit 8.
[0022]
The control device B includes a reading unit 5 that reads or rewrites the frequency stored in the storage medium 4, a communication unit 9 that communicates with the measuring device A, and a control unit that controls the communication unit 9 and the reading unit 5. 10 and.
[0023]
In the second embodiment, when the prepaid supply control function of the measuring apparatus A is enabled, when the storage medium 4 in which the frequency is written in advance is inserted into the reading unit 5, the control unit 10 Is valid, if it is valid, the frequency is read by the reading means 5 and the frequency information is sent to the measuring device A by the communication means 9.
[0024]
If the frequency is sufficient, the measurement control means 7 of the measuring device A controls the opening / closing means 1 to open the supply path and supply the supply body. Further, the metering control means 7 integrates the supply amounts detected by the supply amount detection means 2, and reduces the frequency according to the supply amount. At this time, when the frequency reaches a preset frequency, for example, 0, the opening / closing means 1 closes the supply path.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the prepaid supply control function of the measuring apparatus A is disabled, when the storage medium 4 in which the frequency is written in advance is inserted into the reading unit 5, the control unit 10 determines whether the storage medium 4 is valid. If it is valid, the frequency is read by the reading means 5 and the frequency information is sent to the measuring device A by the communication means 9.
[0026]
However, since the prepaid supply control function is invalidated, the measuring device A ignores the frequency information sent or responds that the prepaid supply control function is invalid. Furthermore, even when the frequency remains in the measuring apparatus A at the time when the prepaid supply control function is set to be invalidated, even if the supply amount detection means 2 detects the flow rate, the measurement control means 7 performs the frequency subtraction. Even if the frequency is a preset frequency, for example, 0, the supply path is not closed by the opening / closing means 1.
[0027]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This supply control system measures and integrates the supply amount of a supply body such as gas, water, hot water, electricity, etc., and controls the supply amount of the measurement apparatus A that opens and closes the supply path of the supply body. It comprises a control device B to be performed and a storage medium 4 such as a magnetic card or an IC card that stores a frequency corresponding to the usable amount of the supply body.
[0028]
The measuring device A includes a supply amount detection means 2 for detecting the supply amount of the supply body, a measurement control means 7 for integrating the supply amounts detected by the supply amount detection means 2, and integration information of the measurement control means 7. Communication means 8 for performing communication such as transmission to the control device B, and opening / closing means 1 controlled by the measurement control means 7 to open and close the supply path.
[0029]
Further, the measuring device A can switch between valid and invalid of the integrated information output function of the measurement control means 7 by connecting, for example, a setting device to the communication means 8 and communicating with the measurement control means 7. It has become. Instead of communication, switching may be performed by a switch or the like, or a switching signal may be input from a communication unit different from the communication unit 8.
[0030]
The control device B includes a reading unit 5 that reads or rewrites the frequency stored in the storage medium 4, and a communication unit 9 that reads an integrated value from the measuring device A through the communication unit 8 and transmits an opening / closing command for the supply path. And a control means 10 for controlling the communication means 9 and the reading means 5.
[0031]
In the third embodiment, when the integrated information output function of the measuring apparatus A is enabled, when the storage medium 4 in which the frequency is written in advance is inserted into the reading means 5, the control means 10 If it is valid, the frequency is read by the reading means 5 and stored in the internal memory. If the frequency is sufficient, the supply path is opened or a command for permitting opening is communicated. The data is sent from the means 9 to the measuring device A.
[0032]
When the measurement control means 7 of the measuring apparatus A receives a command to open or permit the opening of the supply path from the control apparatus B, it controls the opening / closing means 1 to open the supply path and supply the supply body. Or although not shown in figure, when a user operates a switch etc., a supply path will be opened and a supply body will be supplied. Further, the metering control unit 7 integrates the supply amount detected by the supply amount detection unit 2 and sends integration information corresponding to the supply amount, such as a pulse signal, from the communication unit 8 to the control device B.
[0033]
The control means 10 of the control device B subtracts the frequency based on the integration information from the measurement device A, and sends a command to the measurement device A to close the supply path when the remaining frequency reaches a preset frequency, for example, 0. The measurement control means 7 of the measuring device A closes the supply path by the opening / closing means 1 in accordance with this command.
[0034]
On the other hand, when the integrated information output function of the measuring device A is disabled, the weighing control unit 7 of the measuring device A responds to the supply amount even if the supply amount detection unit 2 detects the supply amount of the supply body. No output, such as a pulse signal, is output from the communication means 8 to the control device B.
[0035]
Next, FIG. 3 shows a fourth embodiment. This supply control system measures and integrates the supply amount of a supply body such as gas, water, hot water, and electricity, and also opens a measurement device A ′ that opens and closes the supply path of the supply body, and the supply amount of the measurement device A ′. It consists of a control device B that performs control and a storage medium 4 such as a magnetic card or IC card that stores a frequency corresponding to the usable amount of the supply body.
[0036]
The measuring device A ′ performs communication with the control device B, the supply amount detection means 2 for detecting the supply amount of the supply body, the metering control means 7 for integrating the supply amounts detected by the supply amount detection means 2, and the control device B. The communication means 8, the opening / closing means 1 that opens and closes the supply path under the control of the weighing control means 7, and the disconnection detection means 11 that detects disconnection of the communication line with the control device B.
[0037]
Further, the measuring device A ′ connects, for example, a setting device to the communication unit 8 and communicates with the measurement control unit 7, thereby detecting the disconnection of the measurement control unit 7 when the disconnection detection unit 11 detects the disconnection. It is possible to switch between enabling and disabling the blocking function. Instead of communication, switching may be performed by a switch or the like, or a switching signal may be input from a communication unit different from the communication unit 8.
[0038]
The control device B is a reading unit 5 that reads or rewrites the frequency stored in the storage medium 4 and a communication that reads an integrated value from the measuring device A ′ through the communication unit 8 or transmits an opening / closing command for the supply path. Means 9 and control means 10 for controlling the communication means 9 and the reading means 5 are provided.
[0039]
In the fourth embodiment, when the disconnection detection cutoff function of the measuring device A ′ is enabled, when the storage medium 4 in which the frequency is written in advance is inserted into the reading means 5, the control means 10 Is read, the frequency is read by the reading means 5 and stored in the internal memory. If the frequency is sufficient, the supply path is opened or a command for permitting opening is issued. The data is sent from the communication means 9 to the measuring device A ′.
[0040]
When the measurement control means 7 of the measuring apparatus A ′ receives a command to open or permit the opening of the supply path from the control apparatus B, it controls the opening / closing means 1 to open the supply path and supply the supply body. Or although not shown in figure, when a user operates a switch etc., a supply path will be opened and a supply body will be supplied.
[0041]
The control means 10 of the control device B reads the supply amount information of the supply body from the measurement device A ′ in a timely manner, subtracts the frequency, and when the remaining frequency reaches a preset frequency, for example, 0, the supply path to the measurement device A ′. Send a command to close. The metering control means 7 of the measuring device A ′ closes the supply path by the opening / closing means 1 in accordance with this command.
[0042]
Here, the measuring device A ′ monitors the presence / absence of a disconnection of the communication line with the control device B by the disconnection detecting means 11. When the disconnection is detected, the measuring control means 7 opens and closes the opening / closing means 1. To automatically close the supply path.
[0043]
On the other hand, when the disconnection detection / blocking function of the measuring device A ′ is disabled, the measuring device A ′ does not detect the disconnection of the communication line with the control device B by the disconnection detecting means 11. Do not stop the supply.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a prepaid type that subtracts a value corresponding to the supply amount of a supply body such as gas or water and stops supply of the supply body when the value is 0 or less than a specified frequency. Since it has a supply control function and the prepaid supply control function can be switched between valid and invalid according to the input from the external input means, by disabling this, other than prepaid applications, for example, a general gas meter It can also be used as a water meter.
[0045]
According to the second aspect of the invention, the measuring device and the control device are separated, and the measuring device subtracts a value corresponding to the supply amount of the supply body such as gas or water, and the value is 0 or less than the specified frequency. In this case, a prepaid supply control function for stopping the supply of the supply body is provided, and the prepaid supply control function can be switched between valid and invalid by an external setting. Therefore, it can be used as a general gas meter or water meter other than prepaid applications.
[0046]
According to the third aspect of the invention, the measurement device and the control device are separated, and the measurement device has a function of outputting the integration information to the control device, and whether the integration information output function is valid or invalid from the outside. Therefore, by disabling this, it is possible to save power when used as a general gas meter or water meter for purposes other than prepaid applications.
[0047]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, it isolate | separates into a measuring apparatus and a control apparatus, and a measuring apparatus has a function which monitors the presence or absence of the disconnection of a communication line between control apparatuses, and is effective of this disconnection monitoring function Can be switched by setting from the outside, and by disabling this, it becomes possible to use it as a general gas meter or water meter other than prepaid applications.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of second and third embodiments together.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
A / A 'Measuring device B Control device 1 Open / close means 2 Supply amount detection means 3 Control means 4 Storage medium 5 Reading means 6 External input means 7 Weighing control means 8 Communication means 9 Communication means 10 Control means 11 Disconnection detection means

Claims

A storage medium storing a value corresponding to the usable amount of the supply body, a supply amount detection means for detecting the supply amount of the supply body, a control means for integrating the supply amounts detected by the supply amount detection means, and Supply having open / close means for opening and closing the supply path of the supply body under the control of the control means, reading means for reading and rewriting the stored value stored in the storage medium, and external input means for transferring signals from the outside In the control system,
The supply control system according to claim 1, wherein the control means can switch the supply control function between valid and invalid according to an input from the external input means.

Measures and integrates the supply amount of the supply body, and stores a measurement device that opens and closes the supply path of the supply body, a control device that controls the supply amount of the measurement device, and a value corresponding to the usable amount of the supply body Storage medium,
The measurement device includes a supply amount detection unit that detects a supply amount of a supply body, a measurement control unit that integrates the supply amount detected by the supply amount detection unit, and a communication unit that communicates with the control device. Opening and closing means for opening and closing the supply path,
The control device includes: a reading unit that reads or rewrites a stored value stored in the storage medium; a communication unit that communicates with the measurement device; and a control unit that controls the communication unit and the reading unit. Having a supply control system,
The supply control system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement device can switch the supply control function between valid and invalid by an external setting.

Measures and integrates the supply amount of the supply body, and stores a measurement device that opens and closes the supply path of the supply body, a control device that controls the supply amount of the measurement device, and a value corresponding to the usable amount of the supply body Storage medium,
The measurement device includes a supply amount detection unit that detects a supply amount of the supply body, a measurement control unit that integrates the supply amount detected by the supply amount detection unit, and integration information of the measurement control unit to the control device. Having communication means for performing communication to be transmitted and opening / closing means for opening and closing the supply path;
The control device includes: a reading unit that reads or rewrites a stored value stored in the storage medium; a communication unit that communicates with the measurement device; and a control unit that controls the communication unit and the reading unit. Having a supply control system,
The supply control system according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device is capable of switching between enabling and disabling the function of outputting the integrated information to the control device by setting from outside.

Measures and integrates the supply amount of the supply body, and stores a measurement device that opens and closes the supply path of the supply body, a control device that controls the supply amount of the measurement device, and a value corresponding to the usable amount of the supply body Storage medium,
The measurement device includes a supply amount detection unit that detects a supply amount of a supply body, a measurement control unit that performs integration of supply amounts detected by the supply amount detection unit, and a communication unit that performs communication with the control device. Opening and closing means for opening and closing the supply path,
The control device includes: a reading unit that reads or rewrites a stored value stored in the storage medium; a communication unit that communicates with the measurement device; and a control unit that controls the communication unit and the reading unit. Having a supply control system,
The measuring device has a disconnection detecting means for detecting a disconnection of a communication line. When the disconnection detecting means detects a disconnection, the measuring apparatus has a disconnection detection / blocking function capable of interrupting a supply path by an opening / closing means, and detecting the disconnection. A supply control system characterized in that the cutoff function can be switched between enabled and disabled by an external setting.