JP5379754B2 - counter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a counter for adjusting the unit price of a utility to an appropriate price during a specific time period, based on the usage of the utility. <P>SOLUTION: This counter 200 receives signals transmitted for each of the unit usages of a utility from a measuring means 10 that outputs an integrated amount of the utility found by integrating the usage of the utility. This counter 200 includes a count means 50 for counting signals in association with a specific time period and a nonspecific time period during an adjustment time period comprising the specific time period and the nonspecific time period. The count means 50 is constituted such that it counts signals in the specific time period, while multiplying the signals by a prescribed apportionment ratio. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a counter that receives and counts a signal transmitted for each unit utility usage amount from a measuring unit that outputs a utility integration amount obtained by integrating utility usage amounts.

  The supply amount of utilities such as gas, electricity, and water to the customer side is measured as utility usage by a meter-reading meter provided on the customer side. This utility usage amount is used to calculate a utility usage fee. Specifically, when the utility is gas, a basic charge is set for each predetermined gas usage range, and the basic charge is added to the customer's gas usage multiplied by a predetermined unit price. The gas usage fee has been calculated.

  In the conventional method of calculating utility charges based on utility usage, instead of applying a uniform utility unit price during the checkout period, the utility unit price for a specific period is increased or decreased, etc. Sometimes had variations. For example, when a supplier wants to encourage customers to use holiday utilities, differentiate between holiday fees and weekday fees, such as setting a lower utility unit price on holidays, especially on holidays. In some cases, the customer may be motivated to use the utility more actively.

  Therefore, the conventional gas flow rate measurement system is configured to measure and separately measure the amount of gas used in a specific period and a non-specific period by a meter for meter reading, and calculate a gas charge for each period (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-20228 A

  In general, the specific period may be divided by time period as shown in FIG. Here, for example, when the unit price of charge is greatly different depending on the time zone within the specific period, such as the specific period a that is an expensive time zone (10 to 16:00) and the specific period b that is a cheap time zone (16:00 to 20:00) It is assumed that many customers refrain from using until 16:00 and start using all at once after 16:00. In such a case, since the utility supply amount changes abruptly for the utility supplier, it is considered that it is not preferable from the viewpoint of the problem of the load on the supply facility and the stable supply. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, by providing a transition period (15:00 to 17:00) from the specific period a to the specific period b as another specific period, it is possible to suppress rapid fluctuations in the utility supply amount. It is thought that you can.

  However, when motivating the transition by setting the utility unit price in the transition period in detail, it is actually difficult to increase the number of counters in accordance with the number of unit prices set in the transition period.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a counter capable of adjusting a utility unit price for a specific period to an appropriate price based on the utility usage amount. . As a result, it is intended to promote the use of utilities during a specific period of customers.

The counter according to the present invention is a counter that receives and counts a signal transmitted for each unit utility usage amount from a measuring unit that outputs a utility integration amount obtained by integrating the utility usage amount.
In a checkout period consisting of a specific period and a non-specific period, the signal is counted in association with the specific period and the non- specific period, and the signal is included in a specific period and a discount time period that are high time periods in the specific period. A counting means for counting in association with a specific period of time ,
In the count associated with the signal in the non-specific period, the count means increases the count value by 1 every time the signal is received,
The count associated with the signal in the specific period is set in the range of 1 or less and 0 or more corresponding to the time in the specific period, with respect to the specific period that is the premium time zone and the specific period that is the discount time zone. A distribution ratio z, and each time the signal is received, the count value of the specific period that is the premium time zone is increased by z, and the count value of the specific period that is the cheaper time zone is increased by 1-z; It is in the point.

In the counter of this configuration, the counting means can count the signal of a specific period by multiplying a predetermined distribution rate, so that the utility supplier can determine the utility unit price for the specific period based on the utility usage amount. It is possible to adjust the price, and as a result, it is possible to promote the use of the utility for a specific period of the customer.
Moreover, a further characterizing feature of the counter of the present invention, between the a costly time zone specified period is the cheaper time zone as the specified period, the transition period is provided, the counting means is in the transition period, The signal is associated with a time within the transition period that is a transition time from a specific period that is the premium time zone to a specific period that is the discount time zone, and further, 1 or less corresponding to the time within the transition period. Using the distribution rate z set in the above range, every time the signal is received, the count value of the specific period that is the premium time zone is increased by z, and the count value of the specific period that is the cheap time zone is 1 a configuration that counts increased -z, as the a costly time zone from said specific time period is less expensive time slot time to a specific time period progresses, the distribution ratio z is in that it is set to decrease.

In the counter of the present invention, it is possible to provide a distribution rate setting means for setting the distribution rate z to be changeable.

  Since the counter of this configuration is provided with a distribution setting means for setting the distribution rate to be changeable, the utility supplier may gradually increase or decrease the increase rate of the signal count value in a specific period. Can do. Accordingly, the utility supplier can appropriately change the degree of motivation for the utility use in the customer's specific period, so that it is easy to appropriately shift the utility use in the customer's specific period.

In the counter of the present invention, a settlement period setting means for setting the settlement period, and a count value for the non-specific period and a sum of count values of the premium time period and the discount time period for the specific period from the count means. It is also possible to provide a ratio acquisition means for acquiring the ratio.

  With the counter of this configuration, it is possible to set the settlement period and obtain the ratio between the count value related to the specific period and the count value related to the non-specific period. It is no longer affected by the setting accuracy of the part. In addition, since more information about the utility can be directly provided to the customer from the counter, it is possible to promote the use of the utility during a specific period.

  In the counter according to the present invention, the total utility usage used in the settlement period is acquired from the measuring means, and the utility usage used in the specific period is calculated from the total utility usage and the ratio. It is also possible to provide a quantity calculation means.

  With the counter of this configuration, it is possible to calculate the utility usage amount used in a specific period. As a result, more information about the utility is directly provided to the customer from the counter, so that it is possible to promote the use of the utility during a specific period.

  In the counter of the present invention, it is possible to provide an output means for outputting information based on the count result by the count means.

  Since the counter of this configuration can output information based on the count result by the counting means, the customer can clearly recognize information on the utility based on the count result.

Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the utility management system Schematic showing the configuration of the signal distribution counter of the present invention Diagram showing unit price for the transition period during a specific period The flowchart which shows the procedure which calculates | requires the count number of the signal in each period using a distribution rate Schematic showing the configuration of the usage ratio counter of the present invention Schematic showing the configuration of the specific period usage counter of the present invention

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure described in the following embodiment and drawing.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the utility management system 100. According to the utility management system 100, it is possible to calculate the utility usage amount in a specific period out of a settlement period including a specific period and a non-specific period. Here, the specific period may be, for example, a period set in advance such as “period corresponding to a holiday”, or “a utility usage amount (or usage rate per hour) of a customer is predetermined. It may be a period set based on the utility usage state of the customer, such as “a time period when the value is greater than or equal to the value”. Or, by linking the utility management system 100 and the external device, the specific time is determined based on the state of the external device, such as a specific period of time when an input signal from the external device is present and a non-specific period of other time zone. It is also possible to set a period and a non-specific period. Hereinafter, the configuration of the utility management system 100 will be described.

  The utility management system 100 includes a measurement unit 10, a count unit 20, and a calculation unit 30. The measuring means 10 outputs a utility integrated amount and generates a signal for each unit utility amount. Here, the utility integrated amount is the integrated amount of the utility that has passed through the measuring means 10, that is, the integrated amount of the utility used by the customer. The utility integrated amount can be output from, for example, an external output terminal (not shown) provided in the measuring means 10. At the same time, it may be displayed on the display window 11 provided in the measuring means 10. A signal generated by the measuring means 10 is sent to a counting means 20 described later.

  The counting unit 20 counts the signal emitted from the measuring unit 10 in association with the specific period and the non-specific period. Here, “counting in association with the specific period and the non-specific period” means counting whether the signal from the measuring means 10 is emitted during the specific period or the non-specific period. That means. For this reason, for example, the timer 21 can be provided in the counting means 20 so that the specific period and the non-specific period can be recognized.

  The computing means 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the measuring means 10 and the counting means 20. The computing means 30 can execute the following steps in order to calculate the utility usage.

<Total usage amount derivation step (first step)>
Using the utility integrated amount output by the measuring means 10, the total utility usage amount in the settlement period is derived.
<Ratio acquisition step (second step)>
From the counting means 20, the ratio between the count value related to the specific period and the count value related to the non-specific period is acquired.
<Use amount calculation step (third step)>
The utility usage for a specific period is derived from the total utility usage and ratio.

  In the total usage amount deriving step, the total utility usage amount in the settlement period can be obtained by subtracting the utility integration amount at the start of the settlement period from the utility integration amount at the end of the settlement period. The utility integrated amount may be manually input to the computing unit 30 by a meter reader who has read the utility integrated amount output to the display window 11 of the measuring unit 10, but the utility integrated amount may be input to the external output terminal ( It is also possible to configure such that it is automatically transmitted to the computing means 30 via a communication line (not shown).

  In the ratio acquisition step, the ratio between the count value related to the specific period and the count value related to the non-specific period is specified by the timer 21 included in the count unit 20 associating time with the signal acquired from the measurement unit 10. It can be obtained by dividing into a period and a non-specific period and counting. In the present embodiment, the counting means 20 generates the ratio. However, the counting means 20 only transmits the count value related to the specific period and the count value related to the non-specific period to the calculating means 30. The ratio may be generated from the two count values acquired by 30.

  By executing the total usage amount derivation step, the ratio acquisition step, and the usage amount calculation step, it is possible to obtain the utility usage amount of the customer in a specific period of the settlement period.

  The utility management system 100 can also calculate the utility usage fee of the customer. If the case where the utility is gas and the specific period is a holiday is described as an example, the utility usage during the specific period can be the gas usage during the customer's holiday. Then, it is possible to adjust the utility unit price (gas unit price) on holidays to an appropriate price from the holiday gas consumption. This can be achieved by the calculation means 30 executing the following charge calculation steps.

<Fee calculation step (4th step)>
A utility unit price is derived based on the ratio between the count value for the specific period and the count value for the non-specific period, and the utility usage fee is calculated using the utility unit price.

  If the charge calculation step is executed by the calculation means 30, it becomes possible to calculate an appropriate utility charge more easily. In determining the gas unit price, for example, if the holiday gas unit price is set lower than the weekday gas unit rate on the condition that the holiday gas unit usage ratio is larger than the weekday gas unit usage rate, the customer Motivation for positive use of gas in a specific period (here, a holiday) can be given from the charge side. In addition, when performing a charge calculation step (4th step), the above-mentioned usage-amount calculation step (3rd step) can be skipped.

  The computing means 30 includes a memory 31 for storing the utility integrated amount acquired from the measuring means 10 and the ratio between the count value related to the specific period and the count value related to the non-specific period acquired from the counting means 20. It is also possible to configure the display means 40 to display the calculation results obtained by executing the steps described above. For example, the display unit 40 may have a configuration in which a display panel (not shown) is provided in the counting unit 20 or may be an external display device installed at a customer's home or the like. Or it is good also as a structure which transmits a calculation result to management centers, such as a utility supplier, via an electric line etc., and a customer confirms with PC etc. of a home via the internet. When such display means 40 is provided, the customer can confirm the ratio of the count value related to the specific period and the count value related to the non-specific period or the utility usage (or utility usage fee) via the display means 40. As a result, utility suppliers can respond without setting up a dedicated system for responding to individual inquiries about usage from customers, and motivate customers to actively use utilities for a specific period of time. It can be carried out.

  In addition, the utility management system 100 of this configuration derives the utility usage amount by using the ratio between the count value related to the specific period and the count value related to the non-specific period. There is also an advantage that it is not influenced by the setting accuracy of the signal generation unit for individual differences between the two. This will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.

<Example>
In this embodiment, the utility management system 100 is a gas management system for calculating a gas usage amount of a customer. In this gas management system, the measuring means 10 is a metering gas meter, the counting means 20 is an adapter that can be connected to the metering gas meter, and the computing means 30 is a central processing unit (CPU) that can communicate with the adapter. However, the central processing unit can be actually incorporated into an adapter and unitized. Note that this adapter corresponds to a counter described later in this specification, and various functions can be added as described later in addition to the function of counting signals.

  In the gas management system of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the gas usage amount of the customer in a specific period (holiday) in the settlement period is obtained.

Here, as one example, the following conditions (1) to (4) are set in calculating the gas usage amount of the customer using this gas management system.
(1) The unit gas consumption is 1 m ³ .
(2) The meter-reading gas meter is set to transmit one pulse to the adapter for each unit gas usage 1 m ³ as a signal.
(3) However, there is a + 10% pulse generation error in the signal generation unit of the metering gas meter, and actually one pulse is transmitted to the adapter every 1.1 m ³ .
(4) Of the gas payment period used by the customer, the ratio of the usage amount between the specific period (here, a holiday) and the non-specific period (here, a weekday) is 3: 7.

Here, when the customer's true total gas usage is 110 m ³ , the metering gas meter transmits 110 (m ³ ) /1.1 (m ³ / pulse) = 100 (pulses) to the adapter. Of the gas usage measured by the metering gas meter, the weekday gas usage is 110 (m ³ ) × 7/10 = 77 (m ³ ), and the holiday gas usage is 110 (m ³ ) × 3 / 10 = 33 (m ³ ).

On the other hand, the adapter determines that the amount of gas used is 1.0 (m ³ / pulse) × 100 (pulse) = 100 m ³ . Therefore, the holiday gas consumption determined on the adapter side is 100 (m ³ ) × 3/10 = 30 (m ³ ). Next, when calculating the weekday gas usage from the holiday gas usage, the calculation is based on the gas usage on the metering gas meter side, and the weekday gas usage is 110 (m ³ ) −30 (m ³ ) = 80. (M ³ ) will be derived.

Here, when both are compared, the ratio of the specific period (holiday) and the non-specific period (weekdays) on the meter-reading gas meter side is 33 (m ³ ): 77 (m ³ ) = 3: 7. On the other hand, the ratio of the specific period (holiday) and the non-specific period (weekdays) on the adapter side is 30 (m ³ ): 80 (m ³ ) = 3: 8. In this way, when determining the gas usage during a specific period (holiday) and the gas usage during a non-specific period (weekdays) based on the gas usage displayed on the metering gas meter, the pulse generation error of the metering gas meter If there is, accurate usage cannot be derived.

  However, as explained above, if the ratio between the specific period (holiday) and the non-specific period (weekdays) is used, even if there is a pulse generation error in the metering gas meter, the exact value of the pulse generator is found Even if it is not, it is possible to obtain an accurate gas usage amount in a specific period (holiday) without being influenced by it. For this reason, there is no need to perform individual adjustment work according to individual differences of the metering gas meter, which has been necessary in the past, and the amount of gas used in a specific period or a non-specific period can be obtained easily and accurately.

  Thus, if the gas management system of a present Example is used, a gas usage-amount can be calculated more correctly and it becomes possible to adjust a gas charge appropriately. Then, it becomes possible to promote the use of gas in a specific period of the customer.

  As another setting example of the specific period and the non-specific period, application to a charge by time zone can be considered. For example, it is possible to promote the use of gas at night by setting the specific period to night and the non-specific period to day.

  The utility management system can also include a settlement period setting means for setting a settlement period. If such a settlement period setting means is used, the utility supplier can arbitrarily set the settlement period, for example, every month, every time the meter is read, and the utility management system 100 by the utility supplier. Improved convenience.

<Counter>
The utility management system 100 is provided with a counting unit 20 that counts a signal generated from the measuring unit 10 in association with a specific period and a non-specific period. In the utility management system 100 described above, the counting means 20 does not perform any particular calculation, but by adding various functions to the counting means 20, it is possible to realize a highly functional counter. Hereinafter, an example of a counter used in the utility management system 100 will be described.

≪Signal distribution counter≫
As an embodiment of the counter of the present invention, there is a signal distribution counter 200 as shown in the schematic configuration diagram of FIG. This signal distribution counter 200 is the same as a normal counter in that it receives a signal for each unit utility usage amount transmitted by the measuring means and counts this signal in association with the specific period and the non-specific period. However, it is characterized in that it can be counted by multiplying a signal of a specific period by a predetermined distribution rate. Further, the signal distribution counter 200 can include distribution setting means for setting the distribution ratio to be changeable.

  Specifically, the signal distribution counter 200 includes a signal receiving unit 51, a count calculation unit 52, a count switching unit 53, and a counting unit 50 including a count storage unit 54, a specific period determination unit 55, a distribution rate. It comprises a signal distribution rate setting unit 56, an output unit 57, a power supply unit 58, and the like as setting means. In this signal distribution counter 200, the signal determined to be the specific period by the specific period determination unit 55 is multiplied by a predetermined distribution ratio set by the signal distribution ratio setting unit 56, and the counting unit 50 performs counting. . Such a counting method is effective in the following cases.

  In general, the specific period may be divided by time period as shown in FIG. Here, for example, when the unit price of charge is greatly different depending on the time zone within the specific period, such as the specific period a that is an expensive time zone (10 to 16:00) and the specific period b that is a cheap time zone (16:00 to 20:00) It is assumed that many customers refrain from using until 16:00 and start using all at once after 16:00. In such a case, since the utility supply amount changes abruptly for the utility supplier, it is considered that it is not preferable from the viewpoint of the problem of the load on the supply facility and the stable supply. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, by providing a transition period (15:00 to 17:00) from the specific period a to the specific period b as another specific period, it is possible to suppress rapid fluctuations in the utility supply amount. It is thought that you can.

  However, when motivating the transition by setting the utility unit price in the transition period in detail, it is actually difficult to increase the number of counters according to the number of unit prices set in the transition period. Therefore, in the present invention, by setting a plurality of distribution ratios as the utility usage count logic during the transition period, it is possible to obtain the same effect as using a large number of counters without increasing the number of counters. it can. This can be done based on the flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, this flowchart will be described.

  First, the signal distribution counter 200 determines whether a unit flow signal of the utility to be used has been received (step 1) and whether it is in the settlement period (step 2). If it is during the settlement period, count 1 is acquired as the total accumulated number (step 3), and it is determined whether this count is during the specific period (step 4). If it is not during the specific period, 1 is counted as the total accumulated number outside the specific period (non-specific period) c (step 5). When it is during the specific period, the count value is multiplied by the count distribution rate z (step 6), and the count number corresponding to the distribution rate z is calculated as the specific period a total integration number (step 7) and the specific period b total integration number. (Step 8) is counted. Thereafter, the signal distribution counter 200 determines whether or not the settlement period has ended (step 9). If it is determined that the settlement period has ended, the integration number A for the specific period a (step 10) and the integration for the specific period b are determined. The number B (step 11), the accumulated number C in the non-specific period c (step 12), and the total accumulated number N (step 13) during the settlement period are output, and the process ends. If it is determined that the payment period has not ended, the process returns to step 1.

  As one specific example, a case will be described in which the unit price is gradually shifted by dividing the transition time zone (15:00 to 17:00) into four time zones as shown in FIG. In this example, in order to lower the unit price every 30 minutes in the 2-hour transition time zone, the signals received from the measuring means are multiplied by the distribution ratios 0.80, 0.60, 0.40, and 0.20, respectively. It is carried out. By changing the distribution rate multiplied by the signal in this way and counting while gradually changing the rate of increase of the signal count value, the utility supplier can appropriately determine the degree of motivation for utility use during a specific period of the customer. Therefore, it is easy to appropriately shift the utility use during a specific period of the customer.

  In the signal distribution counter 200 of this embodiment, the transition time zone has four stages, but the distribution ratio can be set substantially steplessly by automatic calculation at each time. In addition to the distribution rate set for each time, it is also possible to perform signal distribution using a distribution rate based on an external signal and a distribution rate based on usage frequency. Thus, these distribution rates can be arbitrarily set. Further, by setting the distribution rate to 1.0, it is possible to count the pulses without particularly distributing them.

≪Use ratio counter≫
The usage ratio counter 300 of the present embodiment shown in the schematic configuration diagram of FIG. 5 is a counter obtained by further adding a function to the signal distribution counter 200 described above. In order to obtain the ratio between the number of counts in a specific period and the number of counts in a non-specific period, the usage ratio counter 300 includes a settlement period setting unit 61 as a settlement period setting means in addition to the components of the signal distribution counter 200 described above. And a ratio calculation unit 60 as a ratio acquisition unit.

  If the use ratio counter 300 of this embodiment is used, the settlement period is set and the ratio between the count value related to the specific period and the count value related to the non-specific period is acquired as in the ratio acquisition step by the utility management system 100 described above. Therefore, the measurement result is not affected by the setting accuracy of the signal generation unit with respect to individual differences of the meter-reading meter. In addition, since more information about the utility can be directly provided to the customer from the counter, it is possible to promote the use of the utility during a specific period.

  Note that the usage ratio counter 300 of the present embodiment can also have a function of outputting the ratio at that time as needed before the settlement period ends. The start / end of the checkout period is set by operating the button provided on the usage ratio counter 300 at each start / end, or set in advance with a timer (or calendar) provided on the usage ratio counter 300. It is also possible to set it remotely by communication.

≪Specified period usage counter≫
The specific period usage amount counter 400 of the present embodiment shown in the schematic configuration diagram of FIG. 6 is a counter obtained by further adding a function to the usage ratio counter 300 described above. The specific period use amount counter 400 is an integrated amount to which a signal related to the utility integrated amount is input from the measuring means in addition to the components of the use ratio counter 300 described above in order to calculate the utility use amount used in the specific period. The apparatus further includes a usage amount processing unit 70 as a specific usage amount calculation unit including an input unit 71, a specific usage amount calculation unit 72, and a specific usage amount storage unit 73.

  By using the specific period usage amount counter 400 of the present embodiment, the utility usage amount used in the specific period can be calculated in the same manner as the usage amount calculating step by the utility management system 100 described above. As a result, more information about the utility is directly provided to the customer from the counter, so that it is possible to promote the use of the utility during a specific period.

  Note that each of the signal distribution counter 200, the usage ratio counter 300, and the specific period usage counter 400 includes an output unit 57 as an output unit such as a liquid crystal display screen or an LED display screen in the counter body. Therefore, the customer can more clearly recognize the information about the utility based on the counting result by the counting means, and as a result, the utility can be promoted during a specific period. The output unit 57 can also be configured to transmit the information from an external output terminal to an external system or the like via a communication line.

  The counter of the present invention can be used as a counter used in various fields such as a gas management system, an electrical management system, a water supply management system, and a data transmission / reception amount management system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Measuring means 11 Display window 20 Count means 21 Timer 30 Calculation means 31 Memory 40 Display means 50 Count means (count part)
56 Distribution rate setting means (signal distribution rate setting unit)
57 Output means (output unit)
60 Ratio acquisition means (ratio calculation part)
61 Settlement period setting means (Settlement period setting part)
70 Specific usage calculation means (Usage processing unit)
100 Utility management system 200 Counter 300 Counter 400 Counter

Claims (6)

It is a counter that receives and counts the signal transmitted for each unit utility usage from the measuring means that outputs the utility integration amount obtained by integrating the utility usage amount,
In a checkout period consisting of a specific period and a non-specific period, the signal is counted in association with the specific period and the non- specific period, and the signal is included in a specific period and a discount time period that are high time periods in the specific period. A counting means for counting in association with a specific period of time ,
In the count associated with the signal in the non-specific period, the count means increases the count value by 1 every time the signal is received,
Wherein in the count associated with the signal in a specific period, relates with the costly time zone in which the specific period is the cheaper time zone as the specified period, at a time the corresponding 1 following 0 or more ranges within the specific time period Using the set distribution ratio z, every time the signal is received, the count value of the specific period that is the premium time zone is increased by z, and the count value of the specific period that is the cheap time zone is increased by 1-z. Counter that is configured. Between the a costly time zone specified period is the cheaper time zone as the specified period, provided the transition period,
In the transition period, the counting means associates the signal with a time within the transition period that is a transition time from the specific period that is the premium time zone to the specific period that is the discount time zone, and further, the transition period The distribution rate z set in the range of 1 or less and 0 or more corresponding to the time within the range is used, and each time the signal is received, the count value of the specific period that is the expensive time zone is increased by z, and the discount time In the configuration that counts by increasing the count value of the specific period that is a band by 1-z,
The more expensive as the specific period is a time zone time increases to a specific time period the a cheaper time zone, the distribution ratio z counter according to claim 1 which is set to drop to the expensive time slot.   The counter according to claim 1, further comprising a distribution rate setting unit configured to set the distribution rate z to be changeable. A settlement period setting means for setting the settlement period;
The ratio acquisition means which acquires the ratio of the count value regarding the said specific period and the count value regarding the said non-specific period and the total of the count value of the said special time period regarding the said specific period, and the said discount time period. The counter according to any one of the above.   Specific utility usage calculating means for acquiring the total utility usage used during the checkout period from the measuring means and calculating the utility usage used during the specific period from the total utility usage and the ratio. The counter according to claim 4.   The counter according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs information based on a count result obtained by the counting unit.

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