JP2006277353A - Meter reading radio system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a meter reading radio system capable of performing mutual communication without affection and suppressing the increase in power consumption resulted from communication or noise of other radio systems. <P>SOLUTION: In the meter reading radio system for collecting data held in a meter 4 to a data collection device 1 for meter reading by performing radio communication between a radio master machine 2 connected to the data collection device 1 and a radio slave machine 3 connected to the meter 4, the radio master machine 2 wirelessly transmits a request of link connection to the radio slave machine 3 according to instruction from the data collection device 1, and the radio slave machine 3 wirelessly transmits a response to the request of link connection from the radio master machine 2 with individually set channel information stored in an individual set channel information storage circuit 14. The radio master machine 2 which received the individual set channel information from the slave machine 3 uses a channel shown by the individual set channel inforamtion for the subsequent communication with the radio slave machine 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless system for meter reading that uses wireless to collect information in a meter with a portable terminal device.

  Conventionally, in order to cope with, for example, night meter reading, difficult meter reading, etc., a wireless system for meter reading that can be measured remotely by radio is known. In this wireless system for meter reading, a wireless device serving as a wireless slave is connected to a terminal device such as a meter installed in each door. The meter reader, for example, collects internal information such as the indicator value of the meter by connecting a wireless device serving as a wireless master device to a portable terminal device such as a handy terminal and communicating with the wireless slave device connected to the meter. Change meter settings.

As such a meter-reading wireless system, an automatic meter-reading system that shortens communication time after link connection and reduces battery consumption is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this automatic meter reading system, the transmitting side adds channel information used for communication to the link connection signal and transmits it, and the receiving side determines the channel for carrier sense from link connection to link disconnection based on the channel information. To do. Thereby, a channel with less traffic can be selected.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-126291

  By the way, in the above-described conventional wireless system for meter reading, in the communication in which link connection is made from the wireless master unit, the channel is designated by the wireless master unit. The channel information is managed by any one of them (collectively referred to as the “wireless master side”), and the channel to be used must be indicated when performing communication.

  However, since it is difficult for the wireless master device side to grasp the installation location of the wireless slave devices and the positional relationship between the wireless slave devices, the channels to be used cannot be efficiently distributed (traffic distribution). As a result, the same channel as a neighboring wireless system may be used. In such a case, there is a problem that communication cannot be performed because the channel is blocked or that wireless data becomes abnormal due to interference, and normal communication cannot be performed.

  Here, since the radio wave environment and noise environment around the wireless device vary greatly depending on the installation location, if you attempt to bring in a measuring instrument during construction and investigate it, the problem of securing the power supply of the measuring instrument, the actual wireless device Since the installation environment and the measurement environment are different, there are problems such as poor measurement accuracy, poor construction efficiency, and high construction cost.

  In addition, it is difficult to secure a power source for wireless devices such as a wireless master device and a wireless slave device, and it is often necessary to use a battery drive. Therefore, reduction in power consumption is required. However, if the same channel is used with a nearby wireless system, or if the noise at the installation location is the same as the channel used for communication, the wireless device may malfunction due to communication or noise from other wireless systems. There is a problem that power consumption increases when the system is activated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a meter-reading wireless system that does not affect each other's communication, and that can suppress an increase in power consumption caused by the communication of other wireless systems and the influence of noise.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a wireless system for meter reading according to a first invention is connected to a wireless master unit and a meter connected to a communication terminal device connected to a center device via a portable terminal device or a communication network. A wireless system for meter reading in which data stored in a meter is collected in a portable terminal device or a center device by performing wireless communication with a wireless slave device, and the wireless master device is a portable terminal A link connection request is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless slave unit in accordance with an instruction from the device or the communication terminal device, and the wireless slave unit stores the link connection request from the wireless master unit in the individual setting channel information storage circuit. The wireless master unit that has added the individual setting channel information to the response and transmitted wirelessly to the wireless master unit, and has received the individual setting channel information from the wireless slave unit, communicates with the subsequent wireless slave units. Characterized by using a channel represented by the individual-specific setting channel information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a meter-reading wireless system is provided between a wireless master device connected to a mobile terminal device or a communication terminal device connected to a center device via a communication network and a wireless slave device connected to a meter. A wireless system for meter reading that collects data held in a meter in a portable terminal device or a center device and performs meter reading by performing wireless communication, and the wireless master device receives data from the portable terminal device or the communication terminal device. According to the instruction, a link connection request is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless slave unit. The wireless slave unit confirms an empty channel in response to the link connection request from the wireless master unit, and an individual setting indicating the confirmed empty channel. The wireless master unit that has added the channel information to the response and transmitted wirelessly to the wireless master unit, and has received the individual setting channel information from the wireless slave unit, will then use the individual setting channel for communication with the subsequent wireless slave unit. Characterized by using a channel represented by the channel information.

  A wireless system for meter reading according to a third invention is the wireless system for meter reading according to the first invention, wherein the wireless slave device receives an activation signal from the outside in a standby state in which communication with the wireless master device is not performed. When received, the empty channel is confirmed in response to the received activation signal, and individual setting channel information representing the confirmed empty channel is stored in the individual setting channel information storage circuit.

  According to the first invention, the wireless master unit performs communication with the wireless slave unit using the individually set channel information preset in the wireless slave unit, so that the channel information is transmitted to the portable terminal device or the wireless master unit. The channels used for communication can be easily and efficiently distributed even if they are not managed in the network, so there is no impact on each other's communication, and power consumption increases due to the effects of other wireless systems' communication and noise. Can be provided.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the wireless master device performs communication with the wireless slave device using the individually set channel information indicating the empty channel confirmed by the wireless slave device in response to the link connection request. It is possible to provide a wireless system for meter reading with high communication quality regardless of changes in the radio wave environment and noise environment around the wireless device.

  According to the third invention, since the wireless master device performs communication with the wireless slave device using the individually set channel information indicating the empty channel confirmed in the standby state, the radio environment around the wireless device and It is possible to provide a wireless system for meter reading that has high communication quality regardless of noise environment and can suppress an increase in power consumption due to interference.

  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 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This wireless system for meter reading includes a mobile terminal device 1, a wireless master device 2, a wireless slave device 3, and a meter 4.

  The portable terminal device 1 corresponds to the data collection device of the present invention, and is composed of a portable device such as a handy terminal. The wireless master device 2 is connected to the mobile terminal device 1 and used as a wireless interface of the mobile terminal device 1. The wireless slave device 3 is connected to the meter 4 and used as a wireless interface of the meter 4. As the meter 4, for example, a power meter, a gas meter, a water meter or the like for measuring the usage amount of electricity, gas, water or the like can be used.

  The wireless master device 2 is configured to be detachable from the mobile terminal device 1 and controls wireless communication with the wireless slave device 3. The wireless master device 2 includes an interface (I / F) circuit 5, a control circuit 6, a wireless circuit 7, a common channel information storage circuit 8, and a reception channel information storage circuit 9.

  The I / F circuit 5 controls transmission / reception of signals between the control circuit 6 and the mobile terminal device 1. The control circuit 6 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer and controls the entire wireless master device 2. 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 common channel information storage circuit 8 stores the channel number of the common channel used for link connection as common channel information. The common channel information stored in the common channel information storage circuit 8 is determined in advance. The channel information stored in the common channel information storage circuit 8 is read out by the control circuit 6.

  The reception channel information storage circuit 9 stores the channel number of the individual setting channel received from the wireless slave unit 3 as individual setting channel information. The channel information stored in the reception channel information storage circuit 9 is written and read by the control circuit 6.

  The wireless slave device 3 is connected to the meter 4 and controls wireless communication with the wireless master device 2. The wireless slave device 3 includes a wireless circuit 10, a control circuit 11, an interface (I / F) circuit 12, a common channel information storage circuit 13, and an individually set channel information storage circuit 14.

  The radio circuit 10 modulates the signal from the control circuit 11 and transmits it from the antenna, and demodulates the signal received by the antenna and sends it to the control circuit 11. The control circuit 11 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer and controls the entire wireless slave device 3. The I / F circuit 12 controls transmission / reception of signals between the control circuit 11 and the meter 4.

  The common channel information storage circuit 13 stores the channel number of the common channel used for link connection as common channel information. The common channel information stored in the common channel information storage circuit 13 is the same as the common channel information stored in the common channel information storage circuit 8 of the wireless master device 2 and is determined in advance. The common channel information stored in the common channel information storage circuit 13 is read by the control circuit 11.

  The individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 stores the channel number of the individual setting channel set in the wireless slave device 3 as individual setting channel information. The individual setting channel information stored in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 can be set individually for each wireless slave unit 3 in a system including a plurality of wireless slave units 3. The individual setting channel information stored in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 is written and read by the control circuit 11.

  Next, the operation (communication procedure) of the meter-reading wireless system according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  When the wireless meter reading is not performed, the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 3 are in a standby state. In this standby state, the wireless master device 2 is on standby while intermittently checking whether a link connection request has been sent from the mobile terminal device 1. The wireless slave device 3 stands by while intermittently checking whether or not wireless activation has been performed, specifically, whether or not a link connection request has been sent from the wireless master device 2.

  In this standby state, the mobile terminal device 1 sends a request 1 message requesting the start of meter reading to the wireless master device 2 (step a). When receiving the request 1 message from the mobile terminal device 1, the wireless master device 2 shifts to a communication state and wirelessly transmits the request 1 message requesting link connection to the wireless slave device 3 (step b). Specifically, when receiving the request 1 message sent from the mobile terminal device 1 via the I / F circuit 5, the control circuit 6 of the wireless master device 2 receives the common channel information from the common channel information storage circuit 8. Using the channel specified by this common channel information, a request 1 message requesting link connection is transmitted wirelessly to the wireless slave unit 3 via the wireless circuit 7 (step b).

  When receiving the request 1 message from the wireless master device 2, the wireless slave device 3 in the standby state shifts to the communication state and sends the request 1 message to the meter 4 (step c). Specifically, when the control circuit 11 of the wireless slave device 3 receives a request 1 message sent from the wireless master device 2 via the wireless circuit 10, the control circuit 11 sends the request 1 message via the I / F circuit 12. To meter 4.

  The meter 4 that has received the request 1 message from the wireless slave device 3 sends a response 1 message to the wireless slave device 3 (step d). The wireless slave device 3 that has received the response 1 message from the meter 4 adds the individual setting channel information to the response 1 message and wirelessly transmits it to the wireless master device 2 (step e). Specifically, when the control circuit 11 of the wireless slave unit 3 receives the response 1 message sent from the meter 4 via the I / F circuit 12, the individual setting channel read from the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 The information is added to the response 1 message, and wirelessly transmitted to the wireless master device 2 via the wireless circuit 10 using the common channel specified by the common channel information read from the common channel information storage circuit 8.

  The wireless master device 2 that has received the response 1 message to which the individually set channel information is added from the wireless slave device 3 stores the individually set channel information therein and sends the response 1 message to the mobile terminal device 1 ( Step f). Specifically, when receiving the response 1 message to which the individually set channel information is added from the wireless slave device 3, the control circuit 6 of the wireless master device 2 stores the individually set channel information in the received channel information storage circuit 9. The response 1 message is sent to the mobile terminal device 1 via the I / F circuit 5.

  The mobile terminal device 1 that has received the response 1 message from the wireless master device 2 sends a request 2 message requesting acquisition of data held in the meter 4 to the wireless master device 2 (step g). The wireless master device 2 wirelessly transmits a request 2 message requesting acquisition of data to the wireless slave device 3 (step b). Specifically, when receiving the request 2 message sent from the mobile terminal device 1 via the I / F circuit 5, the control circuit 6 of the wireless master device 2 receives the individually set channel information from the reception channel information storage circuit 9. And a request 2 message requesting acquisition of data is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless slave unit 3 via the wireless circuit 7 using the channel specified by the individually set channel information (step h).

  The wireless slave device 3 that has received the request 2 message from the wireless master device 2 sends the request 2 message to the meter 4 (step i). Specifically, when the control circuit 11 of the wireless slave device 3 receives a request 2 message sent from the wireless master device 2 via the wireless circuit 10, the control circuit 11 sends the request 2 message via the I / F circuit 12. To meter 4.

  The meter 4 that has received the request 2 message from the wireless slave device 3 sends a response 2 message including data requested by the request 2 message to the wireless slave device 3 (step j). The wireless slave device 3 that has received the response 2 message from the meter 4 wirelessly transmits the response 2 message to the wireless master device 2 (step k). Specifically, when the control circuit 11 of the wireless slave device 3 receives a response 2 message sent from the meter 4 via the I / F circuit 12, the control 2 sends the response 2 message to the individually set channel information storage circuit 14. By using the individual setting channel specified by the individual setting channel information read out from, it is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless master device 2 via the wireless circuit 10.

  The wireless master device 2 that has received the response 2 message from the wireless slave device 3 sends the response 2 message to the mobile terminal device 1 (step l). Specifically, when receiving the response 2 message from the wireless slave device 3, the control circuit 6 of the wireless master device 2 sends the response 2 message to the mobile terminal device 1 via the I / F circuit 5.

  The mobile terminal device 1 that has received the response 2 message from the wireless master device 2 stores the data included in the response 2 message within itself, and then acquires the next data held in the meter 4. Request 3 to be requested is sent to the wireless master device 2 (not shown). Thereafter, communication is performed between the portable terminal device 1 and the meter 4 using the individual setting channel in the same procedure as described above.

  And the portable terminal device 1 which acquired the last data sends the completion message showing completion of communication to the wireless main | base station 2 (step m). When receiving the end message from the mobile terminal device 1, the wireless master device 2 wirelessly transmits the end message to the wireless slave device 3 (step b), and shifts to a standby state. Specifically, when the control circuit 6 of the wireless master device 2 receives an end message sent from the mobile terminal device 1 via the I / F circuit 5, the individual channel setting information is received from the reception channel information storage circuit 9. Using the channel specified by this individual setting channel information, an end message indicating the end of communication is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless slave unit 3 via the wireless circuit 7 (step n). Thereafter, the wireless master device 2 shifts to a standby state.

  The wireless slave device 3 that has received the end message from the wireless master device 2 sends the end message to the meter 4 (step o) and shifts itself to a standby state. Specifically, when the control circuit 11 of the wireless slave device 3 receives an end message sent from the wireless master device 2 via the wireless circuit 10, it sends the request 2 message via the I / F circuit 12. Send to meter 4. Thereafter, the wireless slave device 3 shifts to a standby state. The meter 4 that has received the end message from the wireless slave unit 3 ends its own operation. Thus, a series of meter reading operations is completed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the wireless system for meter reading according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This wireless system for meter reading includes two wireless master units 2a and 2b, and n (n is an integer of 2 or more) wireless slave units 3a, wireless slave units 3b, wireless slave units 3c,. And the wireless slave device 3n. A portable terminal device 1a and a portable terminal device 1b are connected to the wireless master device 2a and the wireless master device 2b, respectively. Further, a meter 4a, a meter 4b, a meter 4c,..., A meter 4n are connected to the wireless slave device 3a, the wireless slave device 3b, the wireless slave device 3c,.

  Each of the wireless slave device 3a, the wireless slave device 3b,..., And the wireless slave device 3n stores the individual setting channel information set in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14.

  According to such a configuration, since the installation location of each wireless slave unit is known at the time of construction, the individual set channel information set in the individual set channel information storage circuit 14 of each wireless slave unit is stored in the wireless slave unit 3a. "A", "b" for the wireless slave unit 3b, "c" for the wireless slave unit 3c, "n" for the wireless slave unit 3n, etc. Channels can be easily and efficiently distributed.

  As a result, while communication is being performed between the wireless master device 2a and the wireless slave device 3a, the wireless master device 2b and the wireless slave device 3b may be used even if wireless communication is performed. Since different channels are used, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of situations in which communication cannot be performed because the channel is blocked due to the same channel being used, or in which wireless data becomes abnormal due to interference, and communication between each other can be avoided. Normal communication can be performed without affecting the network.

  Also, by setting different channels to be used by nearby wireless slave units, wireless devices are not erroneously started up by wireless communication between other wireless master units and wireless slave units, increasing power consumption. Can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the meter-reading wireless system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, channels used for communication can be easily and efficiently distributed without managing channel information by a mobile terminal device or a wireless master device. Therefore, it is possible to provide a wireless system for meter reading that can suppress an increase in power consumption caused by the communication of other wireless systems and the influence of noise without affecting each other's communication.

  In the meter reading wireless system according to the first embodiment described above, the mobile terminal device 1 to which the wireless master device 2 is connected is used as the data collection device of the present invention. However, as shown in FIG. As the data collection device, the center device 16 connected to the communication terminal device 15 to which the wireless master device 2 is connected via a communication network such as a telephone line can be used. The meter-reading wireless system according to this modification also has the same effect as the meter-reading wireless system according to the first embodiment described above.

  In the above-described wireless system for meter reading according to the first embodiment, the channel number is used as the common channel information and the individually set channel information. However, instead of the channel number, the signal used as the carrier in each channel is used. Frequency information can be used. Also in this case, the same effects as the meter-reading wireless system according to the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

  The wireless system for meter reading according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a channel used in subsequent communication when a wireless slave device that has received a link connection request from a wireless master device returns a response to the link connection request. Is determined from a plurality of free channels.

  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 operation of the meter-reading wireless system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the operation of the meter-reading wireless system according to the first embodiment shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 2 except for the following points. In other words, in the wireless system for meter reading according to the first embodiment, the wireless slave unit 3 is set in advance in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 when responding to the link connection request from the wireless master unit 2. The individual setting channel information is transmitted to the wireless master device 2.

  On the other hand, in the wireless system for meter reading according to the second embodiment, when the wireless slave device 3 responds to the link connection request from the wireless master device 2, the wireless slave device 3 performs an empty channel confirmation process. The vacant channel obtained in (1) is transmitted to the wireless master device 2 as individually set channel information.

  Next, the empty channel confirmation process executed in the wireless slave unit 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step d shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 2, the wireless slave device 3 that has received the response 1 message from the meter 4 starts the empty channel confirmation process shown in the flowchart of FIG. This empty channel confirmation process is executed by the control circuit 11.

  In the free channel confirmation process, first, an initial value of a channel number (for example, channel number = 1) is set (step S1). Next, it is checked whether or not the channel having the currently set channel number is an empty channel (step S2). Whether or not the channel is an empty channel is determined, for example, by performing carrier sense. If it is determined in step S2 that the channel having the currently set channel number is not an empty channel, it is checked whether the channel number is smaller than a predetermined value m (step S3).

  If it is determined in step S3 that it is not smaller than the predetermined value m, it is recognized that there is no free channel, and communication is terminated. In this case, the wireless slave device 3 includes an error message in the response 1 message and wirelessly transmits the response to the wireless master device 2, and the wireless master device 2 that has received the response 1 message transmits the message to the mobile terminal device 1. Notify When the mobile terminal device 1 receives the response 1 message, it outputs a message indicating that there is no free channel and notifies the user.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2 that the channel number is smaller than the predetermined value m, channel number switching setting is performed (step S4). Specifically, the channel number is incremented (+1). Thereafter, the sequence returns to step S2, and the above-described processing is repeatedly executed.

  In the middle of this repeated execution, if it is determined in step S2 that the channel having the currently set channel number is an empty channel, the channel number is stored in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 as an individual setting channel. It is stored as information (step S5).

  Thereafter, the wireless slave device 3 adds the individually set channel information to the response 1 message from the meter 4 and wirelessly transmits it to the wireless master device 2 (step e). Specifically, when receiving the response 1 message sent from the meter 4 via the I / F circuit 12, the control circuit 11 of the wireless slave device 3 stores the individual saved previously from the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14. Read the set channel information, add it to the response 1 message, and wirelessly transmit to the wireless master device 2 via the wireless circuit 10 using the common channel specified by the common channel information read from the common channel information storage circuit 8. .

  With the above processing, every time a request for link connection is issued from the mobile terminal device 1, an empty channel is checked and stored in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14, and the channel designated by the stored individual setting channel information is stored. Since the communication between the wireless master device 2 and the wireless slave device 3 is performed, wireless data due to a situation in which communication cannot be performed due to blockage of a channel caused by a change in radio wave environment and noise environment around the wireless device, or interference Can be avoided.

  Further, since the wireless slave unit 3 checks the presence / absence of an empty channel when responding to a link connection request, it is not necessary to check the presence / absence of an empty channel when checking whether the wireless activation has been performed in the standby state. . Therefore, the power consumption of the wireless slave device 3 in the standby state can be reduced.

  Further, in the empty channel confirmation processing, the last digit of the identification code (ID) of the wireless slave device 3 is used as the initial value of the channel number, and the wireless slave device is used as an increment value when the channel number switching setting is performed. By using the last one digit of the identification code (ID) of 3, the channel used for communication can be easily and efficiently distributed.

  As described above, according to the wireless system for meter reading according to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless system for meter reading with high communication quality regardless of changes in the radio wave environment and noise environment around the wireless device.

  In the wireless system for meter reading according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a channel to be used for subsequent communication is determined from a plurality of empty channels in response to an instruction from the outside made in a standby state. is there.

  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 operation of the meter-reading wireless system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the operation of the meter-reading wireless system according to the first embodiment shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 2 except for the following points. In other words, in the wireless system for meter reading according to the first embodiment, the wireless slave unit 3 is set in advance in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 when responding to the link connection request from the wireless master unit 2. The channel specified by the individually set channel information is used for the subsequent wireless communication.

  On the other hand, in the wireless system for meter reading according to the third embodiment, the wireless slave unit 3 performs an empty channel confirmation process according to an instruction from the outside in a standby state before the wireless activation is performed. The obtained empty channel is stored in the individual setting channel information storage circuit as individual setting channel information, and the channel specified by the stored individual setting channel information is used for the subsequent wireless communication.

  Next, empty channel confirmation processing executed in the wireless slave unit 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description, a case where the activation signal is received from the I / F circuit 12 will be described as an example.

  When the activation signal is received via the I / F circuit 12 in the standby state (step S10), the control circuit 11 of the wireless slave device 3 checks whether or not the activation signal has been sent from the meter 4 ( Step S11). And if it is judged that it is the starting signal sent from the meter 4, communication will be performed between the meters 4 (step S12). Thereafter, the process returns to the standby state (step S10).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the activation signal is not sent from the meter 4, it is checked whether or not it is a special activation (step S13). Here, the special activation includes, for example, activation by operating a switch (not shown), activation by a message sent from the wireless master device 2, and the like. If it is determined in step S13 that it is not a special activation, the process returns to the standby state (step S10).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that it is a special activation, an initial value of the channel number (for example, channel number = 1) is set (step S14). Next, it is checked whether or not the channel having the currently set channel number is an empty channel (step S15). Whether or not the channel is an empty channel is determined, for example, by performing carrier sense. If it is determined in step S15 that the channel having the currently set channel number is not an empty channel, it is checked whether the channel number is smaller than a predetermined value m (step S16).

  If it is determined in step S16 that it is not smaller than the predetermined value m, it is recognized that there is no free channel, and the process returns to the standby state (step S10). In this case, setting of individual setting channel information in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 is not performed. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S16 that the channel number is smaller than the predetermined value m, channel number switching setting is performed (step S17). Specifically, the channel number is incremented (+1). Thereafter, the sequence returns to step S15, and the above-described processing is repeatedly executed.

  In the middle of this repeated execution, if it is determined in step S15 that the channel having the currently set channel number is an empty channel, that channel number is stored in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 as an individual setting channel. It is stored as information (step S18). Thereafter, the process returns to the standby state (step S10).

  Through the above processing, the individual setting channel information indicating the empty channel can be stored in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 by the activation signal from the I / F circuit 12, so that the radio wave environment and noise environment around the wireless device can be changed. It is possible to avoid a situation in which communication cannot be performed due to a blockage of a channel that occurs due to this, and a situation in which wireless data becomes abnormal due to interference.

  In addition, since the wireless slave device 3 is not erroneously activated by interference due to changes in the radio wave environment and noise environment around the wireless device, power consumption can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the wireless system for meter reading according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the communication quality is high regardless of the radio wave environment and noise environment around the wireless device, and the increase in power consumption due to interference is suppressed. A wireless system for meter reading can be provided.

  In the third embodiment described above, the individually set channel information is set according to the activation signal sent from the I / F circuit 12, but as shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit 11 of the wireless slave device 3 is set. The push button switch 17 may be connected to the switch, and the push button switch 17 may be pressed to generate a start signal and send it to the control circuit 11.

  According to this configuration, since the special tool for storing the individual setting channel information representing the empty channel in the individual setting channel information storage circuit 14 is not required, the individual setting channel information can be easily set even during construction. When power is supplied from the outside, the same effect as described above can be obtained by using the start of power supply as a start signal.

  In the third embodiment described above, the individual channel setting information is set according to the activation signal sent from the I / F circuit 12. However, as shown in FIG. The circuit 11 may be modified such that a reed switch 18 that can be turned on from the outside without contact is connected to the circuit 11, and a start signal is generated and sent to the control circuit 11 by operating the reed switch 18.

  According to this configuration, since the mechanical part of the switch is not exposed to the outside, the waterproof property is high, and since the presence or absence of the switch is not known from the outside, the wireless slave device 3 can be prevented from being activated due to mischief.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless system for meter-reading which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement (communication procedure) of the wireless system for meter-reading which concerns on Example 1 and Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio | wireless system for meter-reading which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the modification of the radio | wireless system for meter-reading which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the confirmation process of the empty channel performed with the radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit of the wireless system for meter-reading which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the confirmation process of the empty channel performed with the radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit of the wireless system for meter-reading which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the modification of the wireless system for meter-reading which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the other modification of the wireless system for meter-reading which concerns on Example 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1 a, 1 b Mobile terminal device 2, 2 a, 2 b Wireless master device 3, 3 a, 3 b, 3 c,..., 3 n Wireless slave device 4, 4 a, 4 b, 4 c,. / F circuit 6, 11 Control circuit 7, 10 Radio circuit 8, 13 Common channel information storage circuit 9 Reception channel information storage circuit 14 Individual setting channel information storage circuit 15 Communication terminal device 16 Center device 17 Push button switch 18 Reed switch

Claims (4)

Meter reading by collecting data held in the meter in the data collection device by performing wireless communication between the wireless master device connected to the data collection device and the wireless slave device connected to the meter Wireless system for
The wireless master device wirelessly transmits a link connection request to the wireless slave device according to an instruction from the data collection device,
In response to a link connection request from the wireless master device, the wireless slave device adds the individual setting channel information stored in the individual setting channel information storage circuit to the response and transmits the request to the wireless master device wirelessly. ,
The wireless master unit that has received the individual setting channel information from the wireless slave unit uses a channel represented by the individual setting channel information for subsequent communication with the wireless slave unit. system. Meter reading by collecting data held in the meter in the data collection device by performing wireless communication between the wireless master device connected to the data collection device and the wireless slave device connected to the meter Wireless system for
The wireless master device wirelessly transmits a link connection request to the wireless slave device according to an instruction from the data collection device,
In response to the link connection request from the wireless master device, the wireless slave device confirms an empty channel, adds individually set channel information representing the confirmed empty channel to the response, and wirelessly transmits to the wireless master device. Send in
The wireless master unit that has received the individual setting channel information from the wireless slave unit uses a channel represented by the individual setting channel information for subsequent communication with the wireless slave unit. system.   When an activation signal is received from the outside in a standby state where communication with the wireless parent device is not performed, the wireless slave device confirms an empty channel in response to the received activation signal, and 2. The wireless system for meter reading according to claim 1, wherein the individually set channel information indicating the confirmed empty channel is stored in the individually set channel information storage circuit.   4. The meter reading radio system according to claim 1, wherein the data collection device is a mobile terminal device or a communication terminal device connected to a center device via a communication network.

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