JP4459079B2 - Wireless device for meter reading - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless device for meter reading that wirelessly communicates with meters such as electricity, gas, and water, and more particularly to a wireless device for meter reading that is battery-driven and can be replaced.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wireless system for meter reading that can remotely measure a meter is known. In this wireless system for meter reading, a wireless device as a wireless device is connected to a terminal device such as a meter installed in each door. A meter reader connects a wireless device as a wireless device base unit to a portable terminal device such as a handy terminal, and communicates with a wireless device slave unit connected to the meter, so that internal information such as a pointer value of the meter can be obtained. Collect and change meter settings.

  Conventional wireless devices such as this type of wireless device parent device and wireless device slave device are not necessarily installed in an environment where AC 100V or the like can be supplied from the outside. For this reason, there are many cases where the wireless device is driven by a battery, and the power consumption of the wireless device is required to be reduced.

  Further, in the conventional wireless device, when the battery runs out, all the wireless device is discarded, so the battery is soldered and fixed to the printed circuit board.

  On the other hand, environmental destruction has become a problem in recent years, and in particular, industrial waste processing methods are regarded as important, and separate collection of electronic devices is being promoted. In addition, from the viewpoint of reducing industrial waste, extending the life of electronic devices is also being studied.

For example, in the initial registration system of Patent Document 1, the life of a wireless device is extended by easily replacing a battery built in the wireless device. In the initial registration system of Patent Document 1, a terminal device whose battery has been replaced transmits a “request signal” from an internal transmission unit to an external communication device and operates a measurement unit in the same manner as when the power is first turned on. Let The measuring means completes the measurement of a predetermined time, and outputs that fact to the identification code confirmation means. The identification code confirmation means outputs to the operation determination means that at least one of “device identification code”, “wireless system identification code”, “number of channels / channel group”, “reception period”, etc. is stored in the storage means is doing.
JP 2003-332933 A

  By the way, the above-described conventional meter-reading wireless device sets an identification code of a partner station, a frequency to be communicated, and the like as information necessary for communicating with the partner wireless device during construction. However, since the information is deleted when the battery is replaced, it is necessary to set these information again after the battery replacement.

  However, for example, these wireless device slave units are wired to a meter and fixed to the meter or a wall, or the installation location is in an inaccessible place such as the backside of an outdoor house, or installed on the upper side of the wall. There is a problem that it is out of reach and it takes time to reset the information.

  Moreover, in the technique of Patent Document 1, it is difficult to determine whether information necessary for communication is normal or abnormal. For example, it occurs when a battery is removed or attached (when a battery is replaced). I don't know if the information is partially broken due to power noise. For this reason, there is a problem that normal communication cannot be performed after the battery is removed or attached.

  In addition, even when it is determined that the information is abnormal, radio waves are automatically transmitted beyond the intermittent reception interval, so that peripheral radio devices (non-pair radio devices) always detect radio waves during carrier sense, In order to receive data, the wireless device is activated in vain and consumes the battery.

  In addition, it is necessary to send radio waves longer than the intermittent reception interval, and it takes time from the time the battery is replaced to the time that the information is abnormal, so the operator overlooks the result. There's a problem. In addition, since the device is used for a longer time than before, it is necessary to further ensure the reliability of the device.

  The present invention can replace the battery and can improve the reliability of the stored information without resetting the information necessary for wireless communication even if the battery is replaced, and whether the information is normal or abnormal can be externally determined. A wireless device for meter-reading that can reduce the oversight of the results of the operator, and can effectively use the frequency by suppressing the transmission of radio waves and suppress the battery consumption of peripheral devices. It is to provide.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is a battery-driven wireless device for meter-reading which collects data held in the meter and performs meter-reading by performing wireless communication with the meter, wherein the battery A battery exchange unit configured to be replaceable, a non-volatile information storage unit that stores an identification signal and a frequency of a counterpart station that are required during the wireless communication, and an identification signal of the counterpart station that is stored in the information storage unit, and An error detection code storage unit that stores an error detection code calculated in advance with respect to the frequency and an error detection code for the identification signal and frequency of the other station read from the information storage unit when the battery is replaced a control unit for confirmation of an error detection code for the identification signal and the frequency of the error detecting code with the opposite station which the read error detection code storage unit, confirms confirmed by the control unit Characterized in that it comprises a notification unit for notifying the result.

The invention of claim 2 is a battery-driven wireless device for meter-reading which collects data held in the meter and performs meter-reading by performing wireless communication with the meter, wherein the battery is configured to be replaceable An exchange unit, a non-volatile information storage unit that stores the identification signal and frequency of the partner station required during the wireless communication, and an identification signal and frequency of the partner station stored in the information storage unit are calculated in advance. When the error correction code storage unit for storing the error correction code and the battery are replaced, the error correction code for the identification signal and the frequency of the counterpart station stored in the information storage unit is calculated and the error correction code and the confirm the error correction code for identification signals and the frequency of counterpart stations stored in the error correcting code storage unit, when the identification signal and the frequency of the other station becomes error detection, the counterpart Performs error correction on the identification signal and frequency, characterized in that it comprises a control unit for confirming again the error correction code, and a notification unit for notifying the verification result of the verified by the control unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the wireless device for meter reading according to the first or second aspect, the notification unit notifies the confirmation result confirmed by the control unit by ringing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless device for meter reading according to any one of the first to third aspects, the battery replacement number counting unit that counts the number of battery replacements and the battery replacement number counting unit count And a battery replacement number output unit for outputting the number of replacement times of the battery.

According to the first invention, since the battery replacement unit is used, the battery can be replaced, and since the nonvolatile information storage unit and error detection code storage unit are used, it is necessary for wireless communication even if the battery is replaced. There is no need to reset the information. Further, when the battery is replaced, the control unit calculates the error detection code for the partner station identification signal and frequency read from the information storage unit, and reads the error detection code and the partner station identification signal read from the error detection code storage unit. And the error detection code for the frequency is confirmed, and the notification unit notifies the confirmed confirmation result, so that the reliability of the stored identification signal of the opposite station and the frequency can be improved, and the identification signal of the opposite station and By quickly notifying the outside of whether the frequency is normal or abnormal, it is possible to reduce the oversight of the result of the operator, and by suppressing the transmission of radio waves, it is possible to effectively use the frequency and to suppress the battery consumption of peripheral devices. Can do.

According to the invention of claim 2, when the battery is replaced, the control unit calculates an error correction code for the identification signal and frequency of the counterpart station stored in the information storage unit, and calculates an error correction code and an error correction code storage unit. confirm the error correction code for identification signals and the frequency of the stored counterpart station, if the identification signal and the frequency of the other station becomes error detection, error correction on the identification signal and the frequency of the other station The error correction code is confirmed again, and the notification unit notifies the confirmation result confirmed by the control unit, so that the same effect as the effect of claim 1 can be obtained and the other party stored in the storage circuit Even if the identification signal and frequency of the station are incorrect, it can be repaired, so that the reliability of information required during wireless communication can be improved even under the influence of noise such as a power supply.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the notification unit notifies the confirmation result confirmed by the control unit by ringing, the confirmation result can be grasped.

  According to the invention of claim 4, when the battery replacement count section counts the number of battery replacements, the battery replacement count output section outputs the battery replacement count counted by the battery replacement count counter. The number of times can be displayed or notified to the outside.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a meter-reading wireless system including a meter-reading wireless device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This wireless system for meter reading is composed of a wireless device master unit 1, wireless device slave units 2 (2a to 2n), a gas meter 3 (3a to 3n), a communication terminal device 4, and a center device 5.

  The wireless device base unit 1 is connected to the center device 5 through a communication network such as a telephone line and the communication terminal device 4. The wireless device slave unit 2 is connected to a gas meter 3. In addition to the gas meter, for example, a power meter or a water meter for measuring the amount of electricity, water, or the like can be used as the meter.

  In this wireless system for meter reading, information from the center device 5 is sent to the wireless device base unit 1 by the communication terminal device 4 via a communication network such as a telephone line, and wirelessly transmitted from the wireless device base unit 1 to the wireless device handset 2. The data is sent from the wireless device slave unit 2 to the gas meter 3 using communication. The wireless system for meter reading uses information from the gas meter 3 by wireless communication from the wireless device slave unit 2 to the wireless device master unit 1, and the wireless device master unit 1 communicates with the communication terminal device 4 and a communication network such as a telephone line. To the center device 5.

  The wireless device base unit 1 is configured to be detachable from the communication terminal device 4 and controls wireless communication with the wireless device slave unit 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless device base unit 1 includes a control circuit 6, a wireless circuit 7, an interface (I / F) circuit 8, an own station identification code storage circuit 9, an opposite station identification code storage circuit 10, The frequency storage circuit 11, the display circuit 12, the battery 13, the connector 14, and the error detection code storage circuit 15 are configured.

  The control circuit 6 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, performs communication with the communication terminal device 4 via the I / F circuit 8, and performs wireless communication with the wireless device slave unit 2 via the wireless circuit 7. To control. The radio circuit 7 modulates the signal from the control circuit 6 and transmits it from the antenna, and demodulates the signal received by the antenna and sends it to the control circuit 6. The I / F circuit 8 controls transmission / reception of signals between the control circuit 6 and the communication terminal device 4.

  The local station identification code storage circuit 9 stores the local station identification code to be added to the wireless transmission data as information necessary for wireless communication. The local station identification code stored in the local station identification code storage circuit 9 is determined in advance and is read out by the control circuit 6.

  The identification code storage circuit 10 of the counterpart station stores the identification code of the counterpart station to be added to the wireless transmission data (identification code of the wireless device slave unit 2 that performs the radio communication) as information necessary for wireless communication. The partner station identification code stored in the partner station identification code storage circuit 10 is determined in advance and read by the control circuit 6.

  The frequency storage circuit 11 stores the frequency for wireless communication to be added to the wireless transmission data as information necessary for wireless communication. The radio communication frequency stored in the frequency storage circuit 11 is determined in advance and is read out by the control circuit 6.

  The error detection code storage circuit 15 stores an error detection code calculated in advance for each of the identification code storage circuit 9 of the local station, the identification code storage circuit 10 of the counterpart station, and the frequency storage circuit 11. That is, the error detection code for the identification code of the local station, the error detection code for the identification code of the partner station, and the error detection code for the frequency are stored.

  When the battery 13 is replaced, the control circuit 6 reads each information from the identification code storage circuit 10, the frequency storage circuit 11, and the error detection code storage circuit 15 of the counterpart station, and reads from the identification code storage circuit 10 of the counterpart station. The error detection code calculated for the identification code of the opposite station and the error detection code for the identification code of the opposite station read from the error detection code storage circuit 15 are checked for coincidence.

  In addition, the control circuit 6 confirms the match between the error detection code calculated for the frequency read from the frequency storage circuit 11 and the error detection code for the frequency read from the error detection code storage circuit 15. As the error detection code confirmation processing, for example, there is a CRC code check method.

  The local station identification code storage circuit 9, the partner station identification code storage circuit 10, the frequency storage circuit 11, and the error detection code storage circuit 15 are non-volatile storage circuits so that information is not erased even when the battery 13 is replaced. It consists of Non-volatile memory circuits include, for example, flash memory and EEPROM.

In addition to this, a reception interval, a customer ID, and the like may be stored.
The battery 13 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the connector 14 (corresponding to the battery replacement part of the present invention) (a structure capable of battery replacement), and supplies power to each circuit via the connector 14. It has become. Note that the same effect can be obtained by using a battery holder or a terminal block without connecting the battery 13 and each circuit with the connector 14. The display circuit 12 displays the confirmation result of the error detection code confirmed by the control circuit 6.

  Next, the operation of the wireless device master according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the old battery 13 is removed from the connector 14 and a new battery 13 is attached to the connector 14. That is, when the battery 13 is replaced (step S1), the control circuit 6 recognizes the power-on by the battery 13 via the connector 14, and the partner station identification code and the frequency memory circuit 11 from the partner station identification code storage circuit 10. Are read from the frequency and error detection code storage circuit 15 (step S2).

  Next, the control circuit 6 corresponds to the error detection code calculated for the identification code of the counterpart station read from the identification code storage circuit 10 of the counterpart station and the identification code of the counterpart station read from the error detection code storage circuit 15. Matching with error detection code is performed. In addition, the control circuit 6 confirms the match between the error detection code calculated for the frequency read from the frequency storage circuit 11 and the error detection code for the frequency read from the error detection code storage circuit 15. That is, the error detection code is confirmed (step S3).

  Here, when the error detection codes match each other, that is, when no error is detected for each information of the identification code of the opposite station and the frequency (error not detected), the display circuit 12 is not detected. Is displayed (step S4), and the operation is continued (step S5).

  On the other hand, if the error detection codes do not match, that is, if an error is detected for each information of the identification code of the opposite station and the frequency (error detection), the display circuit 12 displays an indication that the error has been detected. It performs (step S6). Thereafter, the control circuit 6 resets the identification code and frequency of the counterpart station in the identification code storage circuit 10 and the frequency storage circuit 11 of the counterpart station (step S7). The identification code and frequency of the partner station can be reset from the external communication terminal device 4 or the center device 5 via the I / F circuit 8, for example.

  Further, when an LED is used for the display circuit 12, it is necessary at the time of wireless communication by distinguishing the error not detected in step S4 by, for example, turning on the LED and distinguishing the error detection in step S6 by, for example, blinking the LED. It may be notified to the outside whether the stored information is normal or abnormal.

  In the first embodiment, only the wireless device base unit 1 is configured as shown in FIG. 2 (battery replaceable configuration). For example, only the wireless unit slave unit 2 is illustrated in FIG. Such a configuration (a configuration in which the battery can be replaced) may be used, or both the wireless device base unit 1 and the wireless device handset 2 may be configured as shown in FIG. 2 (a configuration in which the battery can be replaced).

  The wireless device base unit 1 and the communication terminal device 4 may be integrated, or the wireless device slave unit 2 and the gas meter 3 may be integrated.

  As described above, according to the wireless device for meter reading according to the first embodiment, a wireless device capable of replacing the battery is stored without resetting information necessary for wireless communication even when the battery is replaced. Can improve the reliability of information stored in the memory circuit and quickly notify the outside whether the information stored in the memory circuit is normal or abnormal, thereby reducing the oversight of the operator's results and suppressing the transmission of radio waves. Therefore, it is possible to provide a wireless device for meter-reading that can suppress battery consumption of peripheral devices.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless device master according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the wireless device for meter reading according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a ringing circuit 16 is provided in the wireless device master 1a of the second embodiment instead of the display circuit 12 of the wireless device master 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The other configuration of the wireless device master 1a is the same as that of the wireless device master 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The configuration of the meter-reading wireless system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the meter-reading wireless system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The ringing circuit 16 is, for example, a piezoelectric buzzer, and notifies the confirmation result of the error detection code confirmed by the control circuit 6a by ringing.

  Next, the operation of the wireless device base device according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when the battery 13 is replaced (step S1), the control circuit 6a recognizes that the battery 13 is turned on via the connector 14, and the partner station identification code storage circuit 10 to the partner station identification code, frequency storage circuit 11 Are read from the frequency and error detection code storage circuit 15 (step S2).

  Next, the control circuit 6a corresponds to the error detection code calculated for the identification code of the counterpart station read from the identification code storage circuit 10 of the counterpart station and the identification code of the counterpart station read from the error detection code storage circuit 15. Matching with error detection code is performed. In addition, the control circuit 6 confirms the match between the error detection code calculated for the frequency read from the frequency storage circuit 11 and the error detection code for the frequency read from the error detection code storage circuit 15. That is, the error detection code is confirmed (step S3).

  Here, when the error detection codes match each other, that is, when an error is not detected for each information of the identification code of the opposite station and the frequency, the ringing circuit 16a makes a ringing that the error is not detected. (Step S8) and the operation is continued (Step S5).

  On the other hand, if the error detection codes do not match, that is, if an error is detected for the identification code of the opposite station and the frequency information, the ringing circuit 16 rings that an error has been detected (step S9). Thereafter, the control circuit 6a resets the identification code and frequency of the counterpart station in the identification code storage circuit 10 and the frequency storage circuit 11 of the counterpart station (step S7). The identification code and frequency of the partner station can be reset from the external communication terminal device 4 or the center device 5 via the I / F circuit 8, for example.

  Further, when a piezoelectric buzzer is used for the ringing circuit 16, the error non-detection in step S8 is set as, for example, continuous ringing, and the error detection in step S9 is distinguished, for example, by intermittent ringing. Information that is sometimes necessary may be notified to the outside whether the stored information is normal or abnormal.

  Thus, even with the wireless device for meter reading according to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the wireless device for meter reading according to the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the second embodiment, only the wireless device base unit 1a is configured as shown in FIG. 4 (a battery replaceable configuration). For example, only the wireless device slave unit 2 is configured as shown in FIG. Such a configuration (a configuration in which the battery can be replaced) may be used, or both the wireless device master unit 1a and the wireless device slave unit 2 may be configured as shown in FIG. 4 (a configuration in which the battery can be replaced).

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless device base unit according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The wireless device for meter reading according to the third embodiment of the present invention replaces the error detection code storage circuit 15 of the wireless device master 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 with error correction in the wireless device master 1b of the third embodiment. The code storage circuit 17 is provided, and the other configuration of the wireless device master 1b of the third embodiment is the same as that of the wireless device master 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The configuration of the meter-reading wireless system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the meter-reading wireless system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The error correction code storage circuit 17 stores an error correction code calculated in advance for each information of the identification code storage circuit 9 of the own station, the identification code storage circuit 10 of the counterpart station, and the frequency storage circuit 11. The error correction code storage circuit 17 is composed of a nonvolatile storage circuit so that information is not erased even when the battery 13 is replaced.

  Next, the operation of the wireless device master according to the third embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when the battery 13 is replaced (step S1), the control circuit 6b recognizes that the battery 13 is turned on via the connector 14, and the partner station identification code storage circuit 10 and the partner station identification code frequency / frequency storage circuit 11 are recognized. Are read from the frequency and error correction code storage circuit 17 (step S10).

  Next, the control circuit 6b corresponds to the error correction code calculated for the identification code of the counterpart station read from the identification code storage circuit 10 of the counterpart station and the identification code of the counterpart station read from the error correction code storage circuit 17. Matching with error correction code is performed.

  In addition, the control circuit 6 b checks whether the error correction code calculated for the frequency read from the frequency storage circuit 11 matches the error correction code for the frequency read from the error correction code storage circuit 17. That is, the error correction code is confirmed (step S11a). Note that error correction code processing includes, for example, a BCH code method.

  Here, when the error correction codes coincide with each other, that is, when no error has been detected for the identification code and frequency information of the partner station, the display circuit 12 displays that no error has been detected (step S4), the operation is continued (step S5).

  On the other hand, when the error correction codes do not match, that is, when error detection is performed for each information of the identification code and frequency of the partner station, the control circuit 6b performs error correction for each information (step S12), and again, An error correction code is confirmed (step S12). If no error is detected for each piece of information, the display circuit 12 displays that no error has been detected (step S4), and the operation is continued (step S5).

  On the other hand, in the case of error detection for each piece of information, the display circuit 12 displays that error correction is not possible (step S13). Thereafter, the control circuit 6b resets the identification code and frequency of the counterpart station in the identification code storage circuit 10 and the frequency storage circuit 11 of the counterpart station (step S7). The identification code and frequency of the partner station can be reset from the external communication terminal device 4 or the center device 5 via the I / F circuit 8, for example.

  As described above, according to the meter-reading radio apparatus according to the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the meter-reading radio apparatus according to the first embodiment can be obtained, and even if the information stored in the storage circuit is incorrect. Since it can be restored, the reliability of information required during wireless communication can be improved even under the influence of noise such as a power supply.

  In the third embodiment, only the wireless device master unit 1b is configured as shown in FIG. 6 (battery replaceable configuration). For example, only the wireless device slave unit 2 is configured as shown in FIG. Such a configuration (a configuration in which the battery can be replaced) may be used, or both the wireless device master unit 1b and the wireless device slave unit 2 may be configured as shown in FIG. 6 (a configuration in which the battery can be replaced).

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless device parent device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the wireless device for meter reading according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a ringing circuit 16 is provided in the wireless device master 1c of the fourth embodiment in place of the display circuit 12 of the wireless device master 1b of the third embodiment shown in FIG. The other configuration of the wireless device master 1c according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the wireless device master 1b according to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. The configuration of the meter-reading wireless system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the meter-reading wireless system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the wireless device parent device according to the fourth embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when the battery 13 is replaced (step S1), the control circuit 6c recognizes the power-on by the battery 13 via the connector 14, and the partner station identification code storage circuit 10 to the partner station identification code, frequency storage circuit 11 Are read from the frequency and error correction code storage circuit 17 (step S10).

  Next, the control circuit 6c corresponds to the error correction code calculated for the identification code of the counterpart station read from the identification code storage circuit 10 of the counterpart station and the identification code of the counterpart station read from the error correction code storage circuit 17. Matching with error correction code is performed.

  In addition, the control circuit 6 c checks whether the error correction code calculated for the frequency read from the frequency storage circuit 11 matches the error correction code for the frequency read from the error correction code storage circuit 17. That is, the error correction code is confirmed (step S11a).

  Here, when the error correction codes match each other, that is, when no error is detected for the identification code and frequency information of the partner station, the ringing circuit 16 rings that no error has been detected (step In step S8, the operation is continued (step S5).

  On the other hand, if the error correction codes do not match, that is, if an error is detected for each piece of information, the control circuit 6c performs error correction for each piece of information (step S12), and checks the error correction code again (step S12). Step S11b). If no error is detected for each piece of information, the ringing circuit 16 rings that no error has been detected (step S8), and the operation is continued (step S5).

  In the case of error detection for each piece of information, the ringing circuit 16 rings that no error correction is possible (step S14). Thereafter, the control circuit 6c resets the identification code and frequency of the counterpart station in the identification code storage circuit 10 and the frequency storage circuit 11 of the counterpart station (step S7). The identification code and frequency of the partner station can be reset from the external communication terminal device 4 or the center device 5 via the I / F circuit 8, for example.

  As described above, the same effect as the effect of the meter-reading wireless device according to the third embodiment can be obtained by the meter-reading wireless device according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the fourth embodiment, only the wireless device base unit 1c is configured as shown in FIG. 8 (a battery replaceable configuration). For example, only the wireless unit slave unit 2 is configured as shown in FIG. Such a configuration (a configuration in which the battery can be replaced) may be used, or both the wireless device master unit 1c and the wireless device slave unit 2 may be configured as illustrated in FIG. 8 (a configuration in which the battery can be replaced).

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless device parent device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The wireless device master 1d as the meter-reading wireless device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has a battery replacement count circuit 18 and a battery replacement count in addition to the configuration of the wireless device master 1b of the third embodiment shown in FIG. A storage circuit 19 is provided, and the other configuration of the wireless device master 1d is the same as that of the wireless device master 1b shown in FIG. The configuration of the meter-reading wireless system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the meter-reading wireless system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The battery replacement count circuit 18 counts the number of times the battery 13 has been replaced. The number of exchanges is performed, for example, when the control circuit 6d recognizes that the battery 13 is powered on (battery 13 has been replaced). The battery replacement number storage circuit 19 stores the number of replacements counted by the battery replacement number count circuit 18. The battery replacement number storage circuit 19 is a non-volatile storage circuit so that information is not erased even when the battery 13 is replaced.

  Next, the operation of the wireless device parent device according to the fifth embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when the battery 13 is replaced (step S1), the control circuit 6d recognizes the power-on by the battery 13 via the connector 14, and the partner station identification code and frequency storage circuit 11 are identified from the partner station identification code storage circuit 10. The information of each error correction code is read out from the frequency and error correction code storage circuit 17 to confirm the error correction code, and the display circuit 12 displays the confirmation result of the error detection code (step S15).

  Then, the control circuit 6d reads the number of battery replacements stored in the battery replacement number storage circuit 19, and the battery replacement number counting circuit 18 increments the read battery replacement number by 1 (step S16).

  The control circuit 6d stores the battery replacement count incremented by the battery replacement count circuit 18 in the battery replacement count storage circuit 19 (step S17). The display circuit 12 displays the battery replacement count incremented by the battery replacement count circuit 18 (step S18).

  The battery replacement count may be read from the outside via the wireless circuit 7 or the I / F circuit 8 without displaying the battery replacement count on the display circuit 12. When an LED is used for the display circuit 12, it may be notified to the outside by blinking the LED for the number of times of battery replacement.

  With this configuration, when the battery is replaced, the number of battery replacements is notified to the outside. For example, in the center device 5, for example, the manufacturing date and the number of battery replacements displayed on the nameplate of the device (the meter reading wireless device) If the number of battery replacements is clearly large with respect to the operation period of the device, it can be determined that any circuit of the meter-reading wireless device has failed or deteriorated, resulting in an increase in current consumption. That is, since a device abnormality can be detected, it is possible to provide a meter-reading wireless device that can ensure the reliability of the device even when used for a long time.

  In the fifth embodiment, only the wireless device master 1d is configured as shown in FIG. 10 (battery replaceable configuration). For example, only the wireless device slave 2 is connected to the wireless device 1d shown in FIG. Such a configuration (a configuration in which the battery can be replaced) may be used, or both the wireless device master unit 1d and the wireless device slave unit 2 may be configured as shown in FIG. 10 (a configuration in which the battery can be replaced).

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the meter-reading wireless device according to the first to fifth embodiments. For example, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a combination of two or more of the wireless devices for meter reading according to the first to fifth embodiments.

  The wireless device for meter reading according to the present invention can be applied to a wireless device parent device, a wireless device child device, and the like that wirelessly communicate with electricity, gas, water meters, and the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a meter-reading wireless system including a meter-reading wireless device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless apparatus main | base station provided in the wireless system for meter-reading which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of battery replacement | exchange of the radio | wireless apparatus parent machine which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless apparatus parent machine which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of battery replacement | exchange of the radio | wireless apparatus parent machine which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless apparatus parent machine which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of battery replacement | exchange of the radio | wireless apparatus parent machine which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless apparatus parent machine which concerns on Example 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of battery replacement | exchange of the radio | wireless apparatus parent machine which concerns on Example 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless apparatus parent machine which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of battery replacement | exchange of the radio | wireless apparatus parent machine which concerns on Example 5 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a to 1c Wireless device base unit 2, 2a to 2n Wireless device slave unit 3, 3a to 3n Gas meter 4 Communication terminal device 5 Center device 6, 6a to 6d Control circuit 7 Wireless circuit 8 I / F circuit 9 Identification code storage circuit 10 Counter station identification code storage circuit 11 Frequency storage circuit 12 Display circuit 13 Battery 14 Connector 15 Error detection code storage circuit 16 Ringing circuit 17 Error correction code storage circuit 18 Battery replacement count circuit 19 Battery replacement count storage circuit

Claims (4)

A battery-driven wireless device for meter reading that collects data held in the meter and performs meter reading by performing wireless communication with the meter,
A battery replacement part configured to replace the battery;
A non-volatile information storage unit that stores an identification signal and a frequency of a counterpart station required at the time of the wireless communication;
An error detection code storage unit for storing an error detection code calculated in advance for the identification signal and frequency of the counterpart station stored in the information storage unit;
When the battery is replaced, an error detection code for the partner station identification signal and frequency read from the information storage unit is calculated, and this error detection code and the partner station identification signal read from the error detection code storage unit and A control unit for confirming an error detection code for a frequency ;
An informing unit for informing a confirmation result confirmed by the control unit;
A wireless device for meter reading, comprising: A battery-driven wireless device for meter reading that collects data held in the meter and performs meter reading by performing wireless communication with the meter,
A battery replacement part configured to replace the battery;
A non-volatile information storage unit that stores an identification signal and a frequency of a counterpart station required at the time of the wireless communication;
An error correction code storage unit for storing an error correction code calculated in advance for the identification signal and frequency of the counterpart station stored in the information storage unit;
When the battery is replaced, the error correction code corresponding to the identification signal and frequency of the counterpart station stored in the information storage unit is calculated and the error correction code and the counterpart station stored in the error correction code storage unit are identified. It confirms the error correction code for the signal and the frequency, when the identification signal and the frequency of the other station becomes error detection performs error correction on the identification signal and the frequency of the other station, again an error correction A control unit for confirming the code;
An informing unit for informing a confirmation result confirmed by the control unit;
A wireless device for meter reading, comprising:   The wireless device for meter-reading according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit notifies the confirmation result confirmed by the control unit by ringing. A battery replacement count section for counting the number of battery replacements;
A battery replacement number output unit for outputting the number of replacements of the battery counted by the battery replacement number counting unit;
The wireless device for meter-reading of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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