JP6273565B2 - Measuring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a measuring device that measures the consumption of equipment such as power, gas, water, and heat.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for controlling each facility device in accordance with an external DSM command has been proposed in order to reduce power consumption in household facility devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, a controller (DSM control device) is connected to a home network to which equipment (facility equipment) is connected, and the controller instructs a DSM command for instructing power usage restrictions from a DSM command center managed by an electric power company. In response, each device is controlled. Here, the controller detects the current value or the integrated power amount detected by the measuring device (current sensor) attached to the distribution board via the home network. The DSM command is given, for example, as a current consumption upper limit value for each time zone, and the controller performs control to lower or stop the operating capability of each device so that the detected current value does not exceed the upper limit value by the DSM command.

JP 11-313441 A

  By the way, in the system described in Patent Document 1, the controller that controls the device is separate from the measuring device for detecting the current value. For this reason, there is a problem in that each installation space is required for the measurement device and the controller, and wiring work for connecting the measurement device and the controller is necessary at the time of construction.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described reasons, and an object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that can save space and reduce the labor of wiring work.

The measurement device of the present invention is a measurement device including a measurement unit that measures the consumption of resources at a consumer, and includes a first communication unit that communicates with the consumer device, and the first communication unit. A communication module that controls the device based on the measurement result of the measurement unit, a second communication unit that communicates with an external controller that controls the device, and the measurement unit. The second communication unit transmits the measurement result to the external controller so that the external controller controls the device, and the communication unit includes the measurement unit and constitutes the first communication unit. The module further includes a communication function with a display terminal that displays display information based on a measurement result of the measurement unit. The consumer is a resource consumer, for example, a facility such as a detached house.

  In this measuring apparatus, it is more desirable that the first communication unit and the second communication unit share one communication module.

  In this measuring apparatus, it is more preferable that a disabling unit that invalidates the function of the control module is provided integrally with the measuring unit.

  In this measurement apparatus, it is more preferable that the invalidation unit is configured to switch whether to invalidate the function of the control module in accordance with an operation input to the operation unit.

  In this measurement apparatus, the transfer unit performs initial setting of the external controller by transmitting setting information used for controlling the device by the control module to the external controller by the second communication unit. Preferably, the invalidation unit is configured to automatically invalidate the function of the control module when the initial setting of the external controller by the transfer unit is completed.

  In this measuring device, a storage unit that stores the identification information of the device, and when receiving the identification information transmitted from the device at the start of operation of the device, determines whether the identification information is stored in the storage unit If it is not stored, it is more desirable to include a registration unit that writes the identification information in the storage unit integrally with the measurement unit.

  In this measurement apparatus, a detection unit that detects an operation start of the device based on a transition of a measurement result of the measurement unit is provided integrally with the measurement unit, and the registration unit receives the identification information from the device. Further, it is more preferable that the identification information is written when the detection unit detects the operation start of the device, and the identification information is not written unless the operation start is detected.

  The present invention integrates a first communication unit that communicates with a device and a control module that controls the device based on the measurement result of the measurement unit by communicating with the device in the first communication unit. Therefore, there is an advantage that space saving can be achieved and the labor of wiring work can be reduced.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a resource management system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the measurement apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the resource management system which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the resource management system according to the second embodiment.

  In the following embodiments, a resource management system used for controlling the device so as to suppress the consumption of resources in the device and saving energy (energy saving) will be described. Here, the resources are, for example, electric power, gas, water, heat, etc., and if it is electric power, the electric power company becomes the supply company, if it is gas, the gas company becomes the supply company, and if it is water, the water company Becomes a supplier. Hereinafter, a case where the resource is electric power will be described as an example. However, the resource management system is applicable not only to electric power but also to management of resources other than electric power. In addition, in the following, a case where the resource management system is used in a detached house that is a resource consumer will be described as an example. It may be an office, a store, or the like.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the resource management system 10 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of devices 2, a measuring device 1 that measures the consumption of resources (here, power) in the devices 2, and a display terminal 3. ing. As will be described in detail later, the measuring device 1 has a communication function with a plurality of devices 2 and the display terminal 3.

  The plurality of devices 2 are various home appliances and equipment used in a house, and in the example of FIG. . Hereinafter, when the air conditioner 21, the lighting fixture 22, the refrigerator 23, and the IH cooker 24 are not particularly distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as “device 2”.

  Here, the device 2 is configured to be capable of switching at least two states of an energy saving state with relatively small energy consumption and a non-energy saving state with relatively large energy consumption. That is, the device 2 is configured to be able to switch between two or more operating states in which the operating state is not one state and the amount of energy consumption varies depending on the operating state. For example, the air conditioner 21 enters a non-energy-saving state when the set temperature during the cooling operation is lower than the specified temperature or when the set temperature during the heating operation is higher than the specified temperature, and the set temperature during the cooling operation is higher than the specified temperature or is heated. If the set temperature during operation is lower than the specified temperature, the system enters an energy saving state. In the case of the lighting fixture 22 capable of dimming control, the fully lit (100% dimming) state is a non-energy saving state, and the dimming lighting state is an energy saving state.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the measuring device 1 uses the display terminal 3 as a user interface for displaying various information based on the measurement result and receiving an operation input from the user. The display terminal 3 has a function as a Web browser and displays content provided from the Web server. The measurement apparatus 1 may be configured to use a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like for the user interface instead of the dedicated display terminal 3.

  In the example of FIG. 1, a distribution board 4 connected to a single-phase three-wire service line (not shown) of a commercial power supply is provided in a house. The distribution board 4 has a main breaker (not shown) to which a lead-in line as a main system is connected, and a branch breaker (not shown) inserted for each of a plurality of branch systems branching from the secondary side of the main breaker. And are stored. The branch system here includes various devices 2 connected to the indoor wiring, as well as wiring devices such as an outlet and a wall switch.

  The measuring device 1 is housed in the distribution board 4. The measuring device 1 measures the current value flowing through the main system and each branch system and the voltage value of the indoor wiring, and is set at a predetermined location of the main system and each branch system based on these current values and voltage values. The power supplied to the device 2 through the measured points is obtained. In other words, the measuring device 1 has a function of measuring the consumption (power value) of resources (here, power) in the device 2 for each of the main system and each branch system. Further, the measuring device 1 has a function of performing integration processing of power values and calculating not only instantaneous power but also integrated power (amount of power). The measuring device 1 measures the value of current flowing through the main system and each branch system using a CT (current transformer) sensor (not shown). The CT sensor is attached to the main system and each branch system in the distribution board 4 and generates an output corresponding to the current flowing through the main system and each branch system.

  By the way, in addition to the basic function of measuring resource consumption (here, power consumption) in the device 2, the measurement device 1 of the present embodiment includes a communication function between the device 2 and the display terminal 3, and the device 2. It has a function to control.

  Specifically, the measurement device 1 includes a measurement unit 11 that measures power consumption in the device 2, and further includes a first communication unit 12 that performs communication with the device 2, and a measurement result in the measurement unit 11. A control module 13 that controls the device 2 based on the measurement unit 11 is integrally provided. In the present embodiment, the measuring device 1 further includes a storage unit 14 that stores the identification information of the device 2, a registration unit 15 that writes the identification information in the storage unit 14, and a detection unit 16 that detects the start of operation of the device 2. Is integrated with the measuring unit 11.

  In the present embodiment, the measuring apparatus 1 has a microcomputer as a main component, and implements the functions of each unit by executing a predetermined program stored in a memory (not shown). This measuring device 1 has a basic function of measuring the consumption of resources in the device 2, a communication function with the device 2 and the display terminal 3, and a function for controlling the device 2 all in one housing (not shown). Have. The measuring device 1 is housed in the distribution board 4 together with other internal devices (main circuit breaker or branch breaker), but is not limited to this configuration, and may be installed next to the distribution board 4. The casing of the measuring device 1 is provided with a power supply terminal (not shown) for supplying power and a sensor terminal (not shown) for connecting a CT sensor. , A power line (not shown) is connected to the power terminal, and a CT sensor is connected to the sensor terminal.

  As described above, the measuring unit 11 measures the current value flowing through the main system and each branch system and the voltage value of the main system, and based on these current values and voltage values, consumes each main system and each branch system. It has a function to measure power. The measuring unit 11 stores the measured power consumption (for each main system and branch system) in a memory, and updates the stored power consumption at regular time intervals (for example, at intervals of 5 seconds). Note that the measuring device 1 may have a power supply terminal connected to the main system. In this case, the measuring unit 11 measures the voltage value of the main system from the power supply voltage.

  The first communication unit 12 is configured to perform two-way wireless communication with the device 2 using radio waves as a transmission medium. The first communication unit 12 further has a communication function with the display terminal 3 and is configured to perform two-way wireless communication with the display terminal 3 using radio waves as a transmission medium.

  In the present embodiment, the first communication unit 12 performs communication between the device 2 and the display terminal 3 by 400 MHz band specific low power radio. However, the first communication unit 12 is not limited to this example, and may adopt a system such as 900 MHz band specific low power radio, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. Moreover, the 1st communication part 12 may be the structure which communicates with the apparatus 2 and the display terminal 3 not only via the structure directly communicated with the apparatus 2 and the display terminal 3, but via a repeater (not shown).

  The control module 13 is configured to control the device 2 based on the measurement result in the measurement unit 11 by communicating with the device 2 in the first communication unit 12. For example, the control module 13 compares the power consumption of the entire customer (the power of the main system) as a measurement result in the measurement unit 11 with a preset upper threshold value, and saves energy when the power consumption exceeds the upper threshold value. The device 2 is controlled so that

  Specifically, the control module 13 communicates with the device 2 through the first communication unit 12 to monitor whether the device 2 in operation is in a non-energy saving state or an energy saving state, that is, the state of the device 2. doing. The control module 13 stores a control command for each device 2 in advance, and when the power consumption measured by the measurement unit 11 exceeds the upper threshold, the control command corresponding to the device 2 in the non-energy saving state is sent to the device 2. Is transmitted from the first communication unit 12 to execute energy saving control.

  For example, when the set temperature of the air conditioner 21 during the heating operation exceeds a specified temperature, the control module 13 performs control for executing energy saving control that lowers the set temperature to be equal to or lower than the specified temperature (for example, 28 degrees). A command is transmitted to the air conditioner 21. Note that the control module 13 confirms that the device 2 is actually controlled by receiving a confirmation signal from the device 2 that is the target of the energy saving control after executing the energy saving control.

  The control module 13 further has a function of causing the display terminal 3 to display display information based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 by communicating with the display terminal 3 using the first communication unit 12. In the present embodiment, the control module 13 has a function of transmitting transmission data representing display information to the display terminal 3 in a prescribed format so that the display information is displayed on the display terminal 3.

  That is, the control module 13 uses, for example, the power consumption of the entire customer (power of the main system) as the measurement result in the measurement unit 11 and the power consumption of each branch system as display information, and transmission data representing this display information. Is transmitted to the display terminal 3. Here, the control module 13 transmits the transmission data and updates the display information displayed on the display terminal 3 every time the measurement unit 11 updates the measurement result (power consumption) at a constant time interval (for example, every 5 seconds). To do.

  The display information displayed on the display terminal 3 can be switched by the operation of the display terminal 3, and the user can switch and display the power consumption of the entire consumer and the power consumption of each branch system, The integrated power can be switched and displayed.

  In short, the control module 13 built in the measuring device 1 functions as a controller of HEMS (Home Energy Management System), controls the device 2 based on the measurement result in the measuring unit 11, and consumes in the device 2. Visualize (visualize) power. Therefore, according to the resource management system 10, it becomes possible to manage the consumption of resources in the device 2, and it is possible to suppress wasteful consumption of resources.

  The storage unit 14 stores identification information (ID information) unique to each device 2. Here, the control module 13 sets the device 2 whose identification information is stored in the storage unit 14 as a control target. That is, the device 2 can be controlled by the control module 13 only when the identification information is registered in the storage unit 14. Furthermore, since the control module 13 has a function of displaying the display information on the display terminal 3, the storage unit 14 also stores identification information assigned to the display terminal 3. The display terminal 3 can display and display the display information from the measuring device 1 only after the identification information is registered in the storage unit 14.

  The measurement apparatus 1 of the present embodiment employs the following configuration so that the identification information of the device 2 is automatically registered in the storage unit 14 when the operation of the unregistered device 2 starts.

  That is, the device 2 is configured to automatically transmit its own identification information by wireless communication when the power is turned on and the operation is started. When the registration unit 15 receives the identification information transmitted from the device 2 when the operation of the device 2 is started, the registration unit 15 determines whether or not the identification information is stored in the storage unit 14. Is written in the storage unit 14.

  Specifically, when the registration unit 15 receives the identification information transmitted from the device 2 at the first communication unit 12, first, whether the identification information is stored in the storage unit 14 (whether registered) or not. Determine. If the received identification information is not stored in the storage unit 14 (if it is not registered), the registration unit 15 shifts to a registration mode, and registers the identification information by automatically writing it in the storage unit 14. . If the received identification information is stored in the storage unit 14 (if registered), the registration unit 15 ends the process without writing the identification information in the storage unit 14.

  Here, only the registration of the identification information of the device 2 has been described. However, since the identification information is also assigned to the display terminal 3 as described above, the measuring device 1 does not start the operation of the unregistered display terminal 3. The identification information of the display terminal 3 is automatically registered in the storage unit 14.

  However, if the measuring apparatus 1 determines whether or not to write the identification information only from the determination result of whether or not the identification information is stored in the storage unit 14, the measurement apparatus 1 identifies from the device of another consumer (for example, a neighbor). When the information is received, this identification information may be registered erroneously. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the registration unit 15 receives the identification information from the device 2, the registration unit 15 writes the identification information when the detection unit 16 detects the operation start of the device 2, and if the operation start is not detected, the registration unit 15 writes the identification information. Is configured not to write. That is, in the registration unit 15, the identification information received by the first communication unit 12 is not stored in the storage unit 14, and when the identification information is received, the detection unit 16 detects the start of operation of the device 2. The identification information is written into the storage unit 14 only in the case where it is detected.

  The detection unit 16 is configured to detect the start of operation of the device 2 based on the transition of the measurement result of the measurement unit 11. That is, when the device 2 is turned on and the device 2 starts operating, the power consumption of the branch system to which the device 2 is connected is increased. Therefore, the detection unit 16 monitors the power consumption for each branch system that is measured by the measurement unit 11 and updated at a constant time interval (for example, every 5 seconds), and receives the power consumption immediately before receiving the identification information and the reception of the identification information. Compare the power consumption immediately after. At this time, if there is an increase in power consumption equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold in any branch system, the detection unit 16 determines that any device 2 in the consumer has started operation.

  Hereafter, the operation | movement at the time of registering the identification information of the measuring device 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the measuring apparatus 1 measures the power consumption for each of the first to fourth branch systems, and the power consumption of the first branch system is “A” and the power consumption of the second branch system. “B”, the power consumption of the third branch system is “C”, and the power consumption of the fourth branch system is “D”.

  When the device 2 connected to the second branch system is turned on in the same consumer as the measurement device 1, the power consumption of the first to fourth branch systems measured by the measurement device 1 is as shown in FIG. The state shown in (a) transitions to the state shown in (b). That is, the power consumption “B” of the second branch system among the first to fourth branch systems increases. At this time, since the measuring apparatus 1 receives the identification information transmitted from the device 2, the state shown in (a) of FIG. 2 is changed to the state shown in (b) before and after receiving the identification information. The measurement result in the measurement part 11 changes. Here, since the increase amount ΔP of the power consumption “B” of the second branch system is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the measuring device 1 determines that the operation of the device 2 has started in the detection unit 16.

  Therefore, if the identification information received from this device 2 provided in the same consumer is not stored in the storage unit 14 (if it is not registered), the measuring device 1 shifts to the registration mode, and this device The registration information received from 2 is registered in the registration unit 15. Furthermore, the measuring device 1 can estimate the branch system to which the device 2 that is the transmission source of the identification information is connected from the transition of the measurement result in the measuring unit 11. In the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the measuring device 1 estimates that the slave unit 2 that is the transmission source of the identification information is connected to the second branch system. Therefore, when registering the identification information, the measuring device 1 writes the connection destination (here, the second branch system) in the storage unit 14 in association with the identification information.

  On the other hand, when the power supply of the apparatus 2 provided in the consumer different from the measuring apparatus 1 is turned on, the power consumption of the 1st-4th branch system which the measuring apparatus 1 measures is shown to (c) of FIG. Transition from the state shown to the state shown in (d). That is, the power consumption of any of the first to fourth branch systems does not change (increase or decrease). At this time, since the measuring apparatus 1 receives the identification information transmitted from the device 2, the state shown in (c) of FIG. 2 is changed to the state shown in (d) before and after receiving the identification information. The measurement result in the measurement part 11 changes. Here, since the amount of increase in power consumption of any of the first to fourth branch systems is less than the predetermined threshold, the measuring device 1 determines that the operation of the device 2 has not started in the detection unit 16. .

  Therefore, the measuring apparatus 1 does not shift to the registration mode regardless of whether or not the identification information received from the device 2 provided in another consumer is stored in the storage unit 14. The processing ends without registering the identification information received from 2 in the registration unit 15.

  According to the measurement apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above, since the control module 13 that controls the device 2 based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 is included, power consumption in the device 2 is suppressed and energy saving is achieved. Therefore, it is possible to automatically perform energy saving control. Moreover, since the control module 13 as a controller for controlling the device 2 is provided in the same casing as the measurement unit 11 and integrated with the measurement unit 11, the controller and the measurement device 1 are separate from each other. Thus, the installation space can be saved.

  Furthermore, according to the above configuration, since the wiring work for connecting the measuring device 1 and the controller is not necessary, the labor of the wiring work can be reduced. In short, the measuring apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment incorporates the function of a controller that has been conventionally provided as a separate unit as the control module 13, so that space can be saved and wiring work is reduced. There is an advantage that you can. In particular, in the present embodiment, the measurement apparatus 1 is configured such that the first communication unit 12 that performs communication with the device 2 and the display terminal 3 performs wireless communication using radio waves as a transmission medium. Therefore, there is no need to wire communication signal lines. When the measurement device 1 and the controller perform wireless communication separately, there is a possibility that radio wave interference may occur. However, since the measurement device 1 of the present embodiment integrates the control module 13 with the measurement unit 11, Such radio wave interference can also be avoided.

  In addition, the measurement apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the function of causing the display terminal 3 to display display information based on the measurement result in the measurement unit 11, thereby visualizing (visualizing) the power consumption in the device 2. )can do. Therefore, the measuring apparatus 1 can make a user grasp the power consumption in the apparatus 2 by the display information displayed on the display terminal 3, and can make a user aware of energy saving. As a result, for example, when the power consumption of a certain branch system is larger than the others, the user can save energy by changing the set temperature of the air conditioner 21 connected to this branch system. .

  Furthermore, when the measuring device 1 receives the identification information transmitted from the device 2 when the operation of the device 2 is started, the measuring device 1 determines whether the identification information is stored in the storage unit 14. A registration unit 15 for writing in the storage unit 14 is provided. Therefore, since the measuring apparatus 1 can automatically register the identification information of the device 2 when the operation of the new device 2 is started, the user does not have to register the identification information.

  Further, when receiving the identification information from the device 2, the registration unit 15 writes the identification information when the detection unit 16 detects the operation start of the device 2, and does not write the identification information unless the operation start is detected. It is configured. Therefore, the measuring device 1 can register only the identification information received from the device 2 of the same consumer, and can prevent the registration of the identification information received from the device of another customer (for example, a neighbor) by mistake. .

(Embodiment 2)
The measurement apparatus 1 of this embodiment is different from the measurement apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 in that a second communication unit 17 that communicates with the external controller 5 is provided integrally with the measurement unit 11 as shown in FIG. Further, in the present embodiment, the measurement apparatus 1 includes a transfer unit 18, an invalidation unit 19, and an operation unit 20 integrally with the measurement unit 11. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the resource management system 10 of this embodiment includes an external controller 5 in addition to a plurality of devices 2, a measuring device 1, and a display terminal 3. The external controller 5 is separate from the measuring device 1 and the display terminal 3 and is installed side by side, for example, on the distribution board 4. The external controller 5 is not necessarily arranged in the vicinity of the distribution board 4, and may be arranged at a position away from the distribution board 4.

  The external controller 5 communicates with the device 2 to control the device 2 as well as the first communication unit 12 and the control module 13 of the measuring device 1, and communicates with the display terminal 3 to display information on the display terminal 3. The display function is a basic function. Furthermore, in addition to this basic function, the external controller 5 has additional functions that the control module 13 does not have, such as a communication function with the outside of the customer.

  That is, the external controller 5 is connected to a public network 6 such as the Internet, and is configured to be able to communicate with a server (not shown) on the public network 6. The external controller 5 can exchange information with a server provided in a remote place by communicating with the server through the public network 6. As an additional function, for example, the external controller 5 acquires an error code from the device 2 when the device 2 fails, and causes the display terminal 3 to display a measure to be taken by acquiring a measure corresponding to the error code from the server. Can do. As another example of the additional function, the external controller 5 has a remote control function of controlling the device 2 in accordance with an instruction from the outside (server) of the customer.

  The second communication unit 17 is configured to perform two-way wireless communication with the external controller 5 using radio waves as a transmission medium. The second communication unit 17 performs communication with the external controller 5 by 900 MHz band specific low power radio. However, the second communication unit 17 is not limited to this example, and may adopt a system such as 900 MHz band specific low power radio, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. In addition, the second communication unit 17 is not limited to a configuration that directly communicates with the external controller 5, and may be configured to communicate with the external controller 5 via a repeater (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, the first communication unit 12 and the second communication unit 17 share one communication module. That is, the measurement apparatus 1 uses the same communication method (900 MHz band specific low power radio) as that of the second communication unit 17 as the communication method of the first communication unit 12, so that the communication module configuring the first communication unit 12 is the second communication module. It is also used for the communication unit 17. Therefore, compared with the case where separate communication modules are used for the first communication unit 12 and the second communication unit 17, the measurement device 1 can be simplified in configuration and the number of parts can be reduced.

  The transfer unit 18 is configured to cause the external controller 5 to control the device 2 by transmitting the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 to the external controller 5 by the second communication unit 17. Therefore, the measurement device 1 can control the device 2 based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 using the external controller 5 instead of the built-in control module 13.

  When the external controller 5 receives the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 from the measurement device 1, the external controller 5 communicates with the device 2 to control the device 2 based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 11. The configuration for the external controller 5 to control the device 2 based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 is substantially the same as that of the control module 13 of the measurement apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description is omitted here. To do.

  Further, the external controller 5 further has a function of causing the display terminal 3 to display display information based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 received from the measurement device 1 by communicating with the display terminal 3. The external controller 5 functions as a Web server that uses the display information as Web content and displays it on the display terminal 3 as a Web browser. That is, the external controller 5 causes the display terminal 3 to display display information based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 as Web content. The other configuration for causing the external controller 5 to display the display information based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 on the display terminal 3 is substantially the same as the control module 13 of the measurement apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment. Then, detailed explanation is omitted.

  By the way, the measurement apparatus 1 uses the external controller 5 instead of the built-in control module 13 as described above to control the device 2 based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 and displays display information on the display terminal 3. In such a case, the function of the control module 13 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the measurement apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an invalidation unit 19 that invalidates the function of the control module 13 and an operation unit 20.

  Here, the operation unit 20 includes a slide switch, and the contact output is switched in response to an operation input from the user. The invalidation unit 19 is configured to switch whether or not to invalidate the function of the control module 13 in accordance with an operation input to the operation unit 20. That is, the invalidation unit 19 switches between a state in which the function of the control module 13 is invalidated and a state in which the function of the control module 13 is validated upon receiving the contact output of the operation unit 20. Specifically, the control module 13 is configured to determine invalidity / validity by turning on / off an invalid flag that switches according to the contact output of the operation unit 20, and is valid when the invalid flag is off. It becomes invalid when the invalid flag is turned on.

  Therefore, when the user does not introduce the external controller 5, the operation unit 20 selects a state in which the function of the control module 13 is enabled. When the user installs the external controller 5, the operation unit 20 controls the control module 13. It is sufficient to select a state in which the function is disabled. Thereby, when the resource management system 10 is not equipped with the external controller 5, the function of the control module 13 is validated, and when the resource management system 10 is equipped with the external controller 5, the function of the control module 13 is invalidated. It is invalidated by the conversion unit 19.

  The measurement apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above includes the second communication unit 17 that performs communication with the external controller 5 that controls the device 2, and the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 is transmitted to the external controller 5 by the second communication unit 17. A transmission unit 18 for transmission is provided integrally with the measurement unit 11. Therefore, the measurement apparatus 1 controls the device 2 based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 and displays the display information on the display terminal 3 using not only the built-in control module 13 but also the external controller 5. It becomes possible to do. Therefore, the measuring device 1 can meet a user's request for high functionality.

  Moreover, since the measuring device 1 includes the invalidating unit 19 that invalidates the function of the control module 13 and the measuring unit 11, the external controller 5 is used instead of the built-in control module 13 as described above. In addition, the control module 13 can be prevented from operating wastefully. Therefore, the measuring device 1 can suppress the power consumption of the first communication unit 12 and the control module 13.

  Furthermore, since the invalidation unit 19 switches whether to invalidate the function of the control module 13 according to an operation input to the operation unit 20, the user only operates the operation unit 20 when the external controller 5 is introduced. The function of the control module 13 can be easily invalidated. Moreover, since the user can arbitrarily decide whether or not to invalidate the function of the control module 13, it is also possible to validate the function of the control module 13 with the external controller 5 installed. .

  Therefore, the measuring device 1 uses the built-in control module 13 and the external controller 5 together to control the device 2 based on the measurement result of the measuring unit 11 or to display display information on the display terminal 3. Is possible. For example, the measuring apparatus 1 controls the lighting fixture 22 having a relatively simple control pattern using the built-in control module 13, and controls the air conditioner 21 having a relatively complicated control pattern using the external controller 5. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, as a modification of the present embodiment, the invalidation unit 19 may be configured to automatically invalidate the function of the control module 13 without using an operation input to the operation unit 20. In this case, the operation unit 20 can be omitted.

  In this modification, the transfer unit 18 is configured to perform initial setting of the external controller 5 by transmitting setting information to the external controller 5 by the second communication unit 17. The setting information here is information used for controlling the device 2 by the control module 13 and includes identification information of the device 2 to be controlled. Further, since the external controller 5 also has a function of displaying display information on the display terminal 3, the setting information includes identification information of the display terminal 3 that displays the display information. The measuring apparatus 1 has a registration switch (not shown) for registering the external controller 5, and is configured to start the initial setting of the external controller 5 when the registration switch is operated as a trigger. Has been.

  The external controller 5 has a storage unit (not shown) that stores identification information unique to each device 2. Like the control module 13, the external controller 5 stores the device 2 in which the identification information is stored in this storage unit. Controlled. Further, the storage unit of the external controller 5 also stores identification information assigned to the display terminal 3. When the external controller 5 receives the setting information from the measuring device 1, the external controller 5 is configured to execute a process of automatically writing the identification information included in the setting information in the storage unit as an initial setting. The external controller 5 may enable a function of communicating with the device 2 to control the device 2 or communicating with the display terminal 3 to display display information on the display terminal 3 until the initial setting is completed. These functions cannot be enabled until the initial setting is completed.

  In this modification, the invalidation unit 19 is configured to automatically invalidate the function of the control module 13 when the initial setting of the external controller 5 by the transfer unit 18 is completed. That is, when the initial setting of the external controller 5 is completed and the function of controlling the device 2 in the external controller 5 or displaying the display information on the display terminal 3 is enabled, the invalidating unit 19 turns on the invalid flag. Thus, the function of the control module 13 is automatically disabled.

  Note that the measurement apparatus 1 normally disables the function of the transfer unit 18 that transmits the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 to the external controller 5 and only disables the function of the control module 13 by the invalidation unit 19. The transfer unit 18 may be configured to enable the above function.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the resource management system 10 according to the modification will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the registration switch is turned on (S1), the measuring device 1 transmits setting information to the external controller 5 by the transfer unit 18 (S2). When receiving the setting information, the external controller 5 starts the initial setting, and first transmits a confirmation request to the device 2 and the display terminal 3 specified by the setting information (S3). Upon receiving the confirmation request from the external controller 5, the device 2 and the display terminal 3 transmit each identification information to the external controller 5 as a response to this (S4). Thereby, the external controller 5 confirms the validity of the setting information.

  When the validity of the setting information can be confirmed, the external controller 5 writes the setting information in the storage unit (S5). Thereafter, the external controller 5 sends its activation notification to the measuring device 1 (S6), thereby enabling its own function (function to control the device 2 or display display information on the display terminal 3). The measurement device 1 is notified that the preparation to be completed is completed. When receiving the activation notification from the external controller 5, the measuring device 1 transmits an activation response to the external controller 5 as a response thereto (S7).

  Upon receiving the activation response, the external controller 5 activates its function to activate (S8), and transmits a completion notification to the measuring device 1 (S9). When the measurement apparatus 1 receives the completion notification, the invalidation unit 19 invalidates the function of the control module 13 (S10). At this time, the measurement apparatus 1 enables the function of the transfer unit 18 that transmits the measurement result of the measurement unit 11 to the external controller 5.

  In this way, the measuring apparatus 1 can switch from a state where the built-in control module 13 is used for controlling the device 2 to a state where the external controller 5 is used for controlling the device 2. In addition, the measuring device 1 and the external controller 5 may be configured to notify the success or failure of switching from the control module 13 to the external controller 5 by a lighting state or sound of an indicator lamp (not shown). The measuring device 1 is configured to enable the function of the control module 13 when the registration switch is turned off and to disable the function of the transfer unit 18 that transmits the measurement result of the measuring unit 11 to the external controller 5. Also good.

  According to the measurement apparatus 1 of the modification, the invalidation unit 19 automatically invalidates the function of the control module 13 when the initial setting of the external controller 5 by the transfer unit 18 is completed. Therefore, the user can invalidate the function of the control module 13 without performing a special operation when the external controller 5 is introduced, and the operation for invalidating the function of the control module 13 can be saved. Further, according to this configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the function of the control module 13 remains valid against the user's intention even after the introduction of the external controller 5 because the user forgets to operate the operation unit 20.

  Other configurations and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first communication unit 12 and the second communication unit 17 employ wireless communication using radio waves as a transmission medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and wired communication using a communication line is performed. You may adopt. The wired communication here includes power line communication (PLC) using a power line as a communication line.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Measuring apparatus 11 Measuring part 12 1st communication part 13 Control module 14 Storage part 15 Registration part 16 Detection part 17 2nd communication part 18 Transfer part 19 Invalidation part 20 Operation part 2, 21, 22, 23, 24 Equipment 3 Display Terminal 5 External controller

Claims (7)

A measuring device with a measuring unit that measures the consumption of resources at a consumer
A first communication unit for communicating with the consumer device;
A control module that controls the device based on a measurement result of the measurement unit by communicating with the device in the first communication unit ;
A second communication unit that communicates with an external controller that controls the device;
A transmission unit that causes the external controller to control the device by transmitting the measurement result of the measurement unit to the external controller in the second communication unit, and is integrally provided with the measurement unit,
The communication module which comprises the said 1st communication part further has a communication function with the display terminal which displays the display information based on the measurement result of the said measurement part. The measuring device characterized by the above-mentioned.   The first communication unit and the second communication unit share one communication module.
  The measuring apparatus according to claim 1.   The invalidation part which invalidates the function of the control module is provided integrally with the measurement part.
  The measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   The invalidation unit is configured to switch whether to invalidate the function of the control module according to an operation input to the operation unit.
  The measuring device according to claim 3.   The transfer unit is configured to perform initial setting of the external controller by transmitting setting information used for controlling the device in the control module to the external controller in the second communication unit.
  The invalidation unit is configured to automatically invalidate the function of the control module when the initial setting of the external controller by the transfer unit is completed.
  The measuring device according to claim 3.   A storage unit for storing identification information of the device;
  When identification information transmitted from the device is received at the start of operation of the device, it is determined whether or not the identification information is stored in the storage unit. If not stored, the identification information is registered in the storage unit. With the measurement unit
  The measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein   A detection unit that detects the start of operation of the device based on the transition of the measurement result of the measurement unit is provided integrally with the measurement unit,
  When the registration unit receives the identification information from the device, the registration unit writes the identification information when the detection unit detects the operation start of the device, and does not write the identification information when the operation start is not detected. Is configured as
  The measuring apparatus according to claim 6.

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