JP2008135922A - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas shut-off device capable of communicating with all gas meters belonging to a base station only by fitting the gas meter. <P>SOLUTION: The gas shut-off device has a flow-rate measuring means 17 measuring a gas flow rate, a gas shut-off valve 2c interrupting a gas flow path in an abnormal case and an information storage means 10b storing various information based on the result of the measurement of the flow-rate measuring means 17. The gas shut-off device further has a radio module 11 transmitting and receiving information to and from a plurality of opposite places and a communication changeover means 10c changing over communication frequency bands in response to the opposite places. The radio module 11 is configured integrally with a control circuit board 10 constituting the flow-rate measuring means 17 and housed in the gas meter 2, and has the communication frequency band with at least the base station 14 and the communication frequency band with the gas meter fitted in a specified area while being configured so as to be able to set an arbitrary communication path by arbitrarily combining the communication frequency bands. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device, and more particularly to means for communicating with a base station and other gas meters.

Conventionally, as this type of gas shut-off device, in a wireless automatic meter reading system or the like, a wireless device that communicates with a wireless device provided in a meter via a wireless line to collect information including data measured by a meter. The wireless base station and the wireless handset are configured in a 1-to-N configuration so that N wireless handset units can be connected to one wireless base unit. There is a machine that performs wireless communication with a wireless handset using a specific low-power radio and communicates with the center device side via a mobile phone line or a teleterminal wireless line (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
JP 2001-111701 A

  However, in the conventional configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, when collecting various information of the gas meter, for example, meter reading data, a radio handset is separately attached to the gas meter and communicates with the center side using a telephone line. When the meter reading value data request command is sent from the center side to the wireless device master device, the meter reading value data is transmitted and received between the wireless device master device and the wireless device slave device. Meter reading data is sent from the radio base unit to the center using a telephone line, and after processing such as charge conversion at the center, gas usage and charges for each predetermined period by mail to customers It was a gas meter reading system to inform such information.

  Therefore, in this gas meter reading system, it is necessary to provide a radio slave unit in addition to the gas meter for automatic meter reading, and a radio master unit for communication with the center and for communication with the radio slave unit. It was. In addition, since communication with the center is performed via a telephone line, smooth information transmission may not be possible when the line is congested. Furthermore, there is a problem that communication is not possible when the radio base unit and the radio base unit are too far away to receive radio waves, and in order to solve this problem, for example, transmission is performed via the radio base unit. In such a case, it is necessary to limit the combination of the wireless slave unit and the meter, and there is a problem that the system becomes complicated.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and enables automatic meter reading according to a meter reading request instruction from the center by using a gas meter without using a telephone line, and installed in a place where radio waves do not reach. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gas shut-off device that can smoothly transmit information through another gas meter.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the gas shutoff device of the present invention monitors the usage status of a plurality of gas appliances connected to the pipe after passing through a gas meter, and communicates with a plurality of destinations other than telephone lines. A gas shut-off device capable of mounting a wireless module capable of direct transmission / reception using a line, the gas meter having a flow rate measuring means for measuring the gas flow rate, a gas shut-off valve for shutting off the gas flow path in the event of an abnormality, A control circuit that processes and stores various information based on the measurement result of the flow rate measuring means, a display means that displays various information from the control circuit, a wireless communication antenna that is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the gas meter, and a plurality of The wireless module includes a wireless module that transmits / receives information to / from a partner, a communication switching unit that switches a communication frequency band according to the partner, and a battery power source as a drive source. Removably attached to the control circuit that constitutes the measuring means, integrated and housed in the gas meter, at least a wide communication frequency band for communication with the base station and / or specific low power that can communicate within a predetermined area It has a wireless communication frequency band, and it is configured so that a communication mode can be freely selected by arbitrarily combining the communication frequency bands. As a communication mode, a wide communication frequency band for communication with a base station and a predetermined area A master gas meter having a built-in wireless module having a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band capable of communication with a specific gas meter in the system, and a specific low-power wireless communication capable of communication with the parent gas meter and a specific gas meter within a predetermined area A child gas meter including a wireless module having a frequency band, a child gas meter, and a specific gas meter within a predetermined area; Which is constituted by grandchild gas meter with a built-in radio module having a particular capable of communicating with other low-power radio communication frequency bands.

  According to the above invention, the wireless module capable of communicating with the base station using the wireless communication means other than the telephone line and the wireless module capable of communicating within the predetermined area are attached to and detached from the flow measurement control circuit board in the gas meter. Because it is configured to be freely mounted and integrated, it is possible to communicate with the base station without using a telephone line simply by installing a gas meter, and the meter reading request command from the base station is not affected by the congestion status of the line. Information such as an error recovery instruction can be transmitted smoothly, meter reading data based on commands from the base station and information when an abnormality occurs can be transmitted smoothly from the gas meter, and a separate telephone line as before There is no need to connect a wireless device that uses the network, or the meter reader goes to the customer's house to perform meter reading. It is possible to solve the problem that can not be.

  Similarly, a gas meter installed in a place where radio waves from the base station do not reach can be communicated with the base station via another gas meter simply by installing the gas meter. Since information is transmitted through a predetermined communication path such as a station and a parent meter, a parent meter and a child meter, a child meter and a grandchild meter, a gas meter installed at a location away from the base station is included. A communication system capable of reliably communicating with all the gas meters belonging to the base station can be constructed.

  In addition, by transmitting to a specific terminal device using an area communication wireless module built in the gas meter, various information based on the meter-reading value data transmitted to the base station can be changed to any terminal device, for example, charge information for each predetermined period. Since it can be transmitted to a display terminal device such as a TV or a mobile phone, sending the fee information, which has been done by mail from the center as in the past, can be omitted by using this TV or mobile phone for display. A rational information transmission system that can reduce the number of workers involved in the return work by visually displaying the return method when the gas shut-off valve is activated. Can be built.

  Furthermore, it is possible to freely select a communication mode according to the application by arbitrarily combining a wide-area wireless communication frequency band with a base station and a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band that can communicate within a predetermined area, With one gas meter specification, it is possible to freely select and configure multiple communication modes such as communication with the center, communication between the center and various terminals, communication with various terminals, and no communication function. A gas meter that is always installed can be used as an information relay device or information terminal device, and a wide range of services can be provided.

The gas cutoff device of the present invention includes a wireless module capable of communicating with a base station using wireless communication means other than a telephone line, and a wireless module capable of communicating within a predetermined area. Because it is detachably attached to and integrated with the base station, it is possible to communicate with the base station without using a telephone line simply by installing a gas meter, and the meter reading request from the base station is not affected by the congestion status of the line. Information such as commands and anomaly return instructions can be transmitted smoothly, meter reading data based on commands from the base station and information when an abnormality occurs can be transmitted smoothly from the gas meter. There is no need to connect a wireless device using a telephone line, or the meter reader goes to the customer's house to perform meter reading. It is possible to solve the problem of not being able to report to.

  Similarly, a gas meter installed in a place where radio waves from the base station do not reach can be communicated with the base station via another gas meter simply by installing the gas meter. Since information is transmitted through a predetermined communication path such as a station and a parent meter, a parent meter and a child meter, a child meter and a grandchild meter, a gas meter installed at a location away from the base station is included. A communication system capable of reliably communicating with all the gas meters belonging to the base station can be constructed.

  The first invention is a wireless module capable of monitoring the use status of a plurality of gas appliances connected to piping after passing through a gas meter and directly transmitting / receiving with a plurality of destinations using a communication line other than a telephone line. The gas meter includes a flow rate measuring means for measuring the gas flow rate, a gas shut-off valve for shutting off the gas flow path in the event of an abnormality, and various information based on the measurement results of the flow rate measuring means. A control circuit that processes and stores data, display means for displaying various information from the control circuit, an antenna for wireless communication integrally formed on the outer periphery of the gas meter, and a wireless for transmitting and receiving information to and from a plurality of destinations A module, a communication switching unit that switches a communication frequency band according to a partner, and a battery power source as a drive source, and the wireless module controls the flow rate measuring unit A detachable attachment to the road is integrally configured and housed in the gas meter, and at least a wide communication frequency band for communication with a base station or / and a specific low power wireless communication frequency band capable of communication within a predetermined area. And having a configuration capable of freely selecting a communication mode by arbitrarily combining communication frequency bands, and as a communication mode, a wide communication frequency band for communication with a base station and a specific gas meter in a predetermined area A parent gas meter incorporating a wireless module having a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band capable of communication with a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band capable of communication with the parent gas meter and a specific gas meter within a predetermined area Communication between a child gas meter incorporating a wireless module and the child gas meter and a specific gas meter within a predetermined area It is characterized in that is constituted by grandchild gas meter with a built-in radio module having a specified low power wireless communication frequency band as possible.

  A wireless module capable of communicating with the base station using a wireless communication means other than a telephone line and a wireless module capable of communicating within a predetermined area are detachably attached to the flow measurement control circuit board in the gas meter. Because it is built in, it is possible to communicate with the base station without using a telephone line simply by installing a gas meter, and it is not affected by the congestion status of the line, and a meter reading request instruction or abnormality return instruction from the base station Information can be smoothly transmitted, and meter reading data based on instructions from the base station and information when an abnormality occurs can be smoothly transmitted from the gas meter. There is no need to connect equipment or go to the customer's house to perform meter reading, and report to the center due to congestion of the line when there is an abnormality such as gas leak It is possible to solve the problem that can not be.

Similarly, a gas meter installed in a place where radio waves from the base station do not reach can be communicated with the base station via another gas meter simply by installing the gas meter. Since information is transmitted through a predetermined communication path such as a station and a parent meter, a parent meter and a child meter, a child meter and a grandchild meter, a gas meter installed at a location away from the base station is included. A communication system capable of reliably communicating with all the gas meters belonging to the base station can be constructed.

  In addition, by transmitting to a specific terminal device using an area communication wireless module built in the gas meter, various information based on the meter-reading value data transmitted to the base station can be changed to any terminal device, for example, charge information for each predetermined period. Since it can be transmitted to a display terminal device such as a TV or a mobile phone, sending the fee information, which has been done by mail from the center as in the past, can be omitted by using this TV or mobile phone for display. A rational information transmission system that can reduce the number of workers involved in the return work by visually displaying the return method when the gas shut-off valve is activated. Can be built.

  Furthermore, it is possible to freely select a communication mode according to the application by arbitrarily combining a wide-area wireless communication frequency band with a base station and a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band that can communicate within a predetermined area, With one gas meter specification, it is possible to freely select and configure multiple communication modes such as communication with the center, communication between the center and various terminals, communication with various terminals, and no communication function. A gas meter that is always installed can be used as an information relay device or information terminal device, and a wide range of services can be provided.

  In the second invention, a specific authentication code is assigned at the time of communication between the base station and the parent gas meter, the parent gas meter and the child gas meter, and the child gas meter and the grandchild gas meter, and the communication path from the base station to the grandchild meter is identified. It is characterized by that.

  And in order to reliably communicate with all gas meters belonging to the base station, a communication path that mediates a plurality of specific gas meters is set, and communication is performed while performing verification of the authentication codes with the specific gas meters. Information can be reliably transmitted using a route, and communication with a gas meter installed in a place where radio waves do not reach too far from the base station is possible.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the parent gas meter has a wide area communication radio module having a wide area communication frequency band and an area communication radio module having a specific low power radio communication frequency band, which are detachably attached to the control circuit board, and are integrated. The child gas meter and the grandchild gas meter are characterized in that an area communication wireless module having a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band is detachably attached to a control circuit board to have an integrated configuration.

  The master gas meter has a built-in wide-area communication wireless module for transmission / reception with the base station and an area communication wireless module for transmission / reception with the child gas meter and the specific terminal device. The child gas meter is for transmission / reception with the parent gas meter, the grandchild gas meter, and the specific terminal device. A built-in area communication wireless module, and a grandchild gas meter with a built-in area communication wireless module for transmission and reception with a child gas meter and a specific terminal device can form a communication path from the base station to the grandchild meter, and Communication with a specific terminal device is also possible in the gas meter.

  4th invention attaches / detaches a wide area communication radio module having a wide communication frequency band and an area communication radio module having a specific low power radio communication frequency band to / from a control circuit board to all gas meters of a parent gas meter, a child gas meter, and a grandchild gas meter A wireless module selecting means for arbitrarily selecting the wide area communication wireless module and the area communication wireless module is provided.

And it is set as the gas meter provided with the wide area communication wireless module and the area communication wireless module, and it is set as the structure provided with the wireless module selection means which selects the combination of a wireless module according to the communication form to be used. It is possible to change to a gas meter having a communication mode according to the system, and it can be used as an information relay device or information terminal device in addition to the measurement and safety functions that are the original functions of the gas meter simply by installing the gas meter, and can provide a wide range of services .

  5th invention is equipped with the radio | wireless module corresponding to a some communication frequency band in all the gas meters of a parent gas meter, a child gas meter, and a grandchild gas meter, and the frequency band setting means which sets a communication frequency band, The said frequency band setting A predetermined communication form is configured by the communication frequency band set by the means.

  Then, by providing a frequency band setting means capable of arbitrarily setting the communication frequency band, it is possible to provide one gas meter as in the fourth aspect of the present invention by incorporating one wireless module without incorporating a plurality of wireless modules. It is possible to change to a gas meter that has a communication form according to the application according to the specifications, and the configuration can be simplified, and by simply installing the gas meter, information relay devices or information other than the measurement and safety functions that are the original functions of the gas meter It can be used as a terminal device and can provide a wide range of services.

  The sixth invention is characterized in that the antenna for wireless communication is formed integrally with a glass body covering the display means.

  Then, an antenna for wireless communication is integrated with a non-metal body arranged so as to face a display window provided in a part of an outer shell made of a metal body, for example, a glass body covering the front surface of the display means. By forming the gas meter, the wireless signal can be effectively received in the gas meter in which the part other than the display window is covered with a metal body, and the antenna is configured by using the members constituting the gas meter. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an area communication wireless module having a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band built into a gas meter can communicate with a specific terminal device, and can transmit various information and display it on the specific terminal device. It is characterized by that.

  Then, by adding a communication function with a predetermined specific terminal device to an area communication wireless module for communication with a gas meter in a predetermined area, various information transmitted to other gas meters or the like can be stored in a specific terminal device such as a TV or It can be displayed on the screen of a mobile phone or the like, and can be used effectively as a notification means to consumers.

  In the eighth invention, the communication function using the wireless module and the measurement function using the flow rate measuring means are operable under predetermined conditions, and at least the communication function and the measurement function are restricted so as not to operate simultaneously. It is characterized by.

  Then, by setting the operating conditions of the communication function and the measurement function in advance and limiting the communication function and the measurement function so that they do not operate at the same time, for example, radio waves in the case where an ultrasonic sensor is used as the flow rate measuring means It is possible to prevent interference and reduce the influence related to battery consumption, and further, it is possible to respond according to the priority order of the processing modes, and the gas meter with a built-in communication function can be used effectively.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the battery power supply voltage detection means is provided, and the operating conditions of the communication function and the measurement function are limited in accordance with the state of decrease of the battery power supply.

  And by limiting the priority of processing with higher priority in the processing mode according to the degree of battery consumption, it is possible to give priority to ensuring safety when the battery is exhausted. It can be used effectively.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a communication mode between a gas meter, a base station, and various terminal devices as an example of a communication mode of a gas cutoff device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication mode between adjacent gas meters in the gas cutoff device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a communication mode between the gas meter and a specific terminal device in the gas cutoff device. 5 is a diagram showing the appearance and components of the gas shut-off device, FIG. 6 is an internal block diagram of the gas shut-off device, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the control circuit board of the gas shut-off device.

  First, the overall configuration of the gas shutoff device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. A gas meter 2 is installed at the entrance of the gas supply pipe 1 in each household 13, and the gas pipe 3 after passing through the gas meter 2. The gas is supplied to a pipe branched to a place where various gas appliances used at home are installed. For example, a gas water heater 4 is installed outdoors, and hot water generated by the gas water heater 4 is installed in a kitchen hot water tap 5, a bath 6 in which a bathtub and a shower device are installed, a living room and the like through a water pipe. The floor heating 7 is supplied to form various usage forms.

  In addition, when indoors, gas is supplied to a gas table 8 installed in a kitchen, a gas fan heater 9 installed in a living room, a bedroom, or the like, and is used as needed.

  When the installed gas appliance is used and gas consumption occurs, the amount of use is measured by the gas meter 2, and the data is accumulated and stored every predetermined period. The data stored in the gas meter 2 is subjected to predetermined information processing based on a periodic data request command from the gas company 15, and then the gas fee, the amount of gas used, a discount service provided by the gas company 15, etc. Is transmitted to the consumer 13 and the gas business operator 15 as the information.

  As the transmitting means, as shown in FIG. 5, a wireless module 11 integrated with a control circuit board 10 constituting flow rate measuring means built in the gas meter 2 is used, and this wireless module 11 is connected to a connector 10d. A gas meter that is mounted on the control circuit board 10 so as to be detachable by a connecting means, and that does not have the wireless module 11 and does not have a communication function, and a gas meter that has a communication function that includes the wireless module 11 can be arbitrarily selected; Even in the gas meter 2 equipped with the wireless module 11, when both the wireless module 11a and the wireless module 11b are mounted, only the wireless module 11a is mounted, only the wireless module 11b is mounted, and so on. Combinations are possible, and this combination allows communication according to the application. A built-in gas meter can be provided, and various information obtained by the flow rate measuring means can be transmitted to a necessary partner only by installing the gas meter 2, and various information from the partner can be received. it can.

  In addition, by sharing the measurement function that is the original function of the gas meter 2 and making the wireless module 11 detachable or selectable, the gas meter 2 can be shared and used regardless of the presence or form of the communication function. I can do it.

  In addition, since the wireless module 11 is detachable, even if it has a communication function, it is not necessary to acquire the standard as a communication device in the gas meter body if the wireless module that has acquired the communication standard is installed. In the case of changing the gas meter, etc., it can be changed relatively freely without being restricted.

In addition, in the mounting / demounting configuration of the wireless module 11, the connector 10d is used in this embodiment.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. The connector 10d provided at another location via a connection line connected to the control circuit board 10 is wireless. The module 11 may be configured to be detachably mountable. In short, any configuration is possible as long as the control circuit board 10 and the wireless module 11 are detachably integrated via the connector 10d. It ’s good. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a mounting opening 29 for the wireless module 11 is provided below the side surface of the outer shell 2 h of the gas meter 2, and an arbitrary wireless module 11 is mounted or removed from the opening 29 to thereby control the circuit board. 10 may be configured to connect or disconnect, and as shown in FIG. 9, the front lid 2 i of the gas meter 2 is opened, and an arbitrary wireless module 11 is attached to the connector 10 d provided on the control circuit board 10 or It may be configured such that it can be connected to or disconnected from the control circuit board 10 by being removed.

  Next, the wireless module selection means for selecting the wireless module 11 and constructing an arbitrary communication form will be described. In FIG. 5, the control circuit board 10 is provided with a wireless module selection means 26 constituted by a dip switch or the like. The wireless module 11 is selected by the above operation and an arbitrary communication form is constructed. For example, when SW1 and SW2 are turned on, the operation of the wireless module 11a and the wireless module 11b is set to be valid. When only SW1 is on, the operation of the wireless module 11a is valid, and when only SW2 is on, the operation is wireless. The operation of the module 11b is enabled, and the operation of the wireless module 11a and the wireless module 11b is disabled if SW1 and SW2 are turned off. As described above, since any wireless module is enabled by the setting of the wireless module selection unit 26, a plurality of wireless modules 11 may be provided in advance, or the wireless module 11 corresponding to the setting may be attached. Is.

  Further, as another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a single wireless module 11 is configured to support a plurality of communication frequency bands, and is provided with frequency setting means 28 for setting the communication frequency bands. By setting the communication frequency band of the wireless module 11 to be used in advance by the setting means 28, it is possible to construct a communication form in which the other party is specified. According to this embodiment, only one wireless module is required. Can be simplified. However, in this embodiment, only one communication partner can be set, and if it is possible to communicate with a plurality of destinations, the transceiver module capable of supporting a plurality of communication frequency bands is built in the wireless module, Setting control means for switching the setting of the communication frequency band depending on the other party is necessary and is somewhat restricted in terms of usability, but can be used by properly using depending on the application. Specifically, when SW3 of the frequency setting unit 28 is turned ON, for example, a wide area wireless communication frequency band is set in the communication frequency band to enable communication with the base station, and when SW4 of the frequency setting unit 28 is turned ON, For example, a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band is set in the communication frequency band, and communication with various terminals in a predetermined area becomes possible. When SW3 and SW4 are turned off, there is no communication function. It can be set as the gas meter which has the communication function which specified the other party easily.

In addition, a wireless antenna is necessary as an essential component in wireless communication. However, since the gas meter 2 is generally installed outdoors, its outer shell is made of a solid metal. It was difficult to construct an antenna. Therefore, the present invention provides means for configuring an antenna in the display window 2j that constitutes a part of the outer shell. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, glass disposed so as to cover the display window 2j. The antenna 2 is formed as a pattern band on the body 2k. With this configuration, it is not necessary to separately provide the antenna 27, the configuration can be simplified, the influence of obstacles and the like can be reduced, and effective reception is achieved. Performance can be ensured. The antenna 27 can be formed on a glass body covering the front surface of the display means 2e such as a liquid crystal disposed so as to face the display window 2j. The form is not limited as long as the antenna is configured.

  5, 6, and 7, the wireless module 11 is different from a telephone line for communicating with the base station 14, for example, a wide area communication wireless module 11 a having a communication frequency band of 200 MHz, To communicate with a specific gas meter 2E, 2F existing in the area or a customer's house 13 to communicate with a display terminal device 12 such as a television 12a, a personal computer or a mobile phone 12b, or with adjacent gas meters 2A to 2D For example, an area communication wireless module 11b having a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band of 429 MHz for direct communication in order to exchange various information, including flow rate signals from measuring means built in the gas meter and various sensors, A control circuit 10 that calculates the amount of gas used or detects an abnormality such as an earthquake or a gas leak based on the sensor signal. In response to the data, for example, gas communication, gas usage, or operation of a gas shut-off valve due to occurrence of an abnormality such as an earthquake or a gas leak, etc. Using the module 11b, the display data is transmitted to the display terminal device 12 such as the television 12a or the mobile phone 12b in the customer's house 13, and it is determined that the flow rate fluctuation range is larger than the specified value and the supply gas is pulsating. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, pulsation signals are transmitted to the adjacent gas meters 2A to 2D.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the display terminal device 12 as a specific terminal device also has a wireless module 11c having the same communication frequency band as the area communication wireless module 11b built in the gas meter 2 built in or integrally attached thereto. Thus, the display data transmitted from the gas meter 2 can be received, and the display data is displayed through the screen of the television 12a or the mobile phone 12b, so that information can be directly transmitted from the gas meter 2 to the consumer. As in the past, data is transmitted from the gas meter 2 to the gas company 15 and information processed by the gas company 15 such as postcards such as a charge notice is sent to the customer by mail or the like. Since there is no need to adopt a transmission method, the number of man-hours required for notification work can be reduced, and postage costs such as postcards for notification can be reduced. Raw also eliminated, thereby contributing to the reduction of the gas charge to realize the rationalization of notification operations.

  Moreover, when a pulsation signal is sent from the adjacent gas meters 2A to 2D, it is received by the area communication wireless module 11b, and the information is sent to the control circuit 10a and reflected in the measurement cycle when the gas flow rate is measured. In this way, the measurement accuracy is increased and the flow rate is measured to reduce the flow rate variation.

  When various information is transmitted from the gas meter 2 to the display terminal device 12, a notification completion signal is sent from the area communication wireless module 11b to the wide area communication wireless module 11a, and the wide area communication wireless module 11a sends the notification completion signal to the base station 14 To notify the gas company 15 that the information transmission to the consumer has been completed. In this case, it is preferable to receive a response signal from the display terminal device 12 and transmit a notification completion signal, so that information can be more reliably transmitted to consumers.

Next, a specific transmission path can be formed by a combination of the radio modules 11a and 11b built in the gas meter. As shown in FIG. 2, among a plurality of gas meters belonging to the base station 14, it is installed in the consumer 13. The gas meter 2 is set as a parent gas meter, and the wide area communication wireless module 11a and the area communication wireless module 11b are attached to the control circuit board 10 built in the parent gas meter 2 via the connector 10d as shown in FIG. Various types of information can be transmitted using a communication function capable of transmitting information with the base station 14 using a communication line other than a telephone line, a specific gas meter 2E existing in a predetermined area, and a specific low power wireless communication frequency band. A specific gas meter 2E installed in a consumer 13e existing in a predetermined area has a communication function and is a child gas meter. In this child gas meter 2E, an area communication wireless module 11b is mounted via a connector 10d as shown in FIG. 11, and a specific gas meter 2F existing in a predetermined area and a specific low power wireless communication. The communication function is capable of transmitting various types of information using a frequency band. Further, a specific gas meter 2F installed in a consumer 13f existing in a predetermined area is set as a grandchild gas meter, and the grandchild gas meter 2F has an area communication wireless module via a connector 10d as shown in FIG. 11b is installed and has a communication function capable of transmitting various information using the child gas meter 2E and a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band.

  Thus, the wide area communication wireless module 11a of the parent gas meter 2 from the base station 14, the area communication wireless module 11b of the child gas meter 2E from the area communication wireless module 11b of the parent gas meter 2, and the grandchild gas meter from the area communication wireless module 11b of the child gas meter 2E. By forming a communication path called the 2F area communication wireless module 11b, the child gas meter 2E installed in the consumer 13e where the radio wave from the base station 14 does not reach, and the parent installed in the base station 14 and the consumer 13 Information can be smoothly transmitted to the grandchild gas meter 2F installed in the consumer 13f where the radio wave from the gas meter 2 does not reach. By combining this communication path, information can be transmitted to all the gas meters belonging to the base station 14. A possible communication system can be constructed.

 Communication between the base station 14 and the parent gas meter 2, the parent gas meter 2 and the child gas meter 2E, and the child gas meter 2E and the grandchild gas meter 2F is given an authentication code specific to the specified communication path or an authentication code specific to each gas meter. The data is transmitted and received, and the reception process is executed only when the authentication code given to the data received by the authentication code verification means of each gas meter is verified. be able to.

  Here, the gas meter 2 has both a wide area communication wireless module 11a capable of communicating with the base station 14 and a gas meter in a predetermined area and an area communication wireless module 11b capable of communicating with various terminals. An example of the communication function and various processing modes based on the information in the gas meter that enables the communication will be described.

  From the base station 14 connected to the centralized monitoring center managed by the gas operator 15 through a dedicated line, for example, various types of information transmitted by the gas operator 15 using a wide-band communication frequency band of 200 MHz are gas meters installed in each customer's house. The gas meter 2 receives the various types of information by the built-in wide area communication wireless module 11a, inputs the received data to the control circuit 10a, and uses the area communication wireless module 11b to input a specific child gas meter 2E. Information transmitted from the gas company 15 is transmitted with a predetermined authentication code. Then, the child gas meter 2E that has received this information similarly uses the area communication wireless module 11b to attach a predetermined authentication code to the grandchild gas meter 2F and transmit it. Various information from the base station 14 can be accurately transmitted to the child gas meter 2E and the grandchild gas meter 2F to which radio waves from the base station 14 do not reach by a series of information transmission processes using the predetermined transmission path, which will be described below. Various processing modes to be performed can be similarly performed.

The control circuit 10a is provided with a processing mode storage unit 10g that stores a predetermined processing mode corresponding to the received information. Priorities are determined for the processing modes stored in the processing mode storage unit 10g, and processing is performed in the order of higher priority, for example, processing mode 1> processing mode 2> processing mode 3>. When processing mode 3 information is received while processing mode 3 is being executed, processing mode 3 is interrupted or stopped, and processing mode 2 is executed with priority. In this processing mode, the central monitoring center 15 transmits disaster information as a broadcast signal all at once, judging that a disaster will spread over a wide area due to a large-scale earthquake, etc., and at least gas corresponding to the disaster information Appropriate response according to the degree of urgency by giving priority to all processing modes as processing mode 1 including processing to transmit disaster information to a specific terminal device including shut-off operation of the shut-off valve 2c This makes it possible to manage gas supply with priority given to safety.

  Information transmitted from the base station 14 includes time setting information, meter-reading instruction information, and simultaneous shut-off information of the gas shut-off valve 2c associated with gas construction, etc., and the processing mode corresponding to each information is a processing mode. For example, as processing corresponding to the simultaneous shutoff information of the gas shutoff valve 2c associated with gas construction or the like as the processing mode 2, the shutoff related information is transmitted to the display terminal device 12 and the notification to the base station 14 is completed. It is determined that a signal is to be transmitted, and as processing corresponding to meter reading instruction information as processing mode 3, fee information and / or gas usage information stored in the control circuit 10a is transmitted to the display terminal device 12, and the base station 14 is determined to transmit a notification completion signal, and the processing mode 4 is built in the control circuit 10a as processing corresponding to the time setting information. It has been established to run the time setting of the clock function 10h all at once.

  In addition, information transmitted from the gas meters 2A to 2D adjacent to the base station 14 and the specific terminal device 12 can also be received. For example, as information from other gas meters, pulsation information, cutoff information, and life Similarly, for the received information, the processing mode given priority is stored in the processing mode storage means 10g, so that the measurement accuracy using the pulsation information can be improved, or the cutoff information Can be used to distinguish vibrations from earthquakes and shocks, or to check whether there are any abnormalities in elderly people living alone in the neighborhood based on life confirmation information based on actual gas usage.

  The information from other than the base station 14 is not related to information transmission through a predetermined transmission path, but is performed by using the area communication wireless module 11b included in each gas meter. Information can be acquired effectively.

  As described above, since the processing mode having a predetermined priority order is selected according to the information transmitted from the base station 14 or other gas meter or the like and the predetermined operation is executed, the urgency level of the received information It is possible to take appropriate measures according to the situation, and it is possible to distinguish between general information such as meter reading request commands and disaster information such as earthquakes, and it is impossible to report due to congestion of the line at the time of abnormalities such as earthquakes The safety can be ensured by eliminating and quick processing, and the processing for the general information can be smoothly executed via the wireless module 11 built in the gas meter 2, so that a rational information transmission system can be constructed.

  Specifically, when shutting off gas in a wide area due to gas construction, etc., the gas shutoff information specifying the date and time was sent to the customer's house in advance by mail, etc. By transmitting information, information can be reliably transmitted from the parent gas meter 2 to the child gas meter 2E and further to the grandchild gas meter 2F, and information transmission in the case of the entire gas meter belonging to the base station 14 can be executed. When the area up to the gas meter 2E is targeted, the information transmission to the grandchild meter 2F can be stopped by sending an information transmission command to the child gas meter 2E, and the area up to the parent gas meter 2 is also targeted. Similarly, information transmission to an arbitrary area can be performed by controlling information transmission. The gas meter installed in the reception target area executes the processing mode in which the gas shut-off information specifying the date and time is transmitted to the display terminal device 12 such as the television 12a or the cellular phone 12b, so that the television 12a or the cellular phone 12b is Can be used and displayed, and the sending operation of simultaneous blocking information that has been performed by mail from the center 15 as in the past can be omitted, and a notification completion signal to the display terminal device 12 can be sent to the base station 14. By transmitting, it can be confirmed that the transmission of information to the consumer is completed in the center 15.

  Further, the meter reading operation performed by the center (gas company) 15 every predetermined period is transmitted as a broadcast signal, so that the gas meters 2 installed in the reception target area can simultaneously perform the predetermined meter reading. The processing mode can be executed, and meter reading information is transmitted from the grandchild gas meter 2F opposite to the meter reading instruction information to the child gas meter 2E, from the child gas meter 2E to the parent gas meter 2, and from the parent gas meter 2 to the base station 14, and Since the meter reading information transmitted to the station 14 can be transmitted from each gas meter to the display terminal device 12 such as the television 12a or the mobile phone 12b, the conventional meter display information can be displayed by using the television 12a or the mobile phone 12b. Thus, it is possible to omit the work of sending meter reading information from the center 15 by mail or the like, and to the display terminal device 12 By transmitting a known completion signal to the base station 14, it can be confirmed that the information transmission to the customer is completed in center 15.

  Furthermore, by transmitting the time setting information from the center 15 as a broadcast signal, the gas meters 2 installed in the reception target area can perform time setting all at once, and the accuracy of the processing performed using the time information Information with less error.

  Here, an example of information transmission will be described in more detail. First, when meter-reading instruction information is transmitted as a broadcast signal from the gas operator 15 in the wide communication frequency band (200 MHz) via the base station 14, the parent gas meter 2 When the wide area communication wireless module 11a built in the receiver receives and the meter reading instruction information is sent to the control circuit 10a mounted on the same board, the meter switching instruction information is transmitted by the communication switching means 10c using the area communication wireless module 11b. Is assigned a predetermined identification code and transmitted to a specific child gas meter 2E. Then, the child gas meter 2E determines from the identification code given to the received meter reading information that it is transmitted from a predetermined communication path, and similarly uses the built-in area communication wireless module 11b to obtain meter reading instruction information. Send to grandchild gas meter 2F. The grandchild gas meter 2F also determines from the identification code given to the meter reading information that it is transmitted from a predetermined communication path, and executes a predetermined processing mode.

  When the instruction information from the base station 14 is received through a predetermined communication path, the processing mode corresponding to the reception information is stored in the processing mode storage means 10g in the control circuit 10a of each gas meter, and the meter reading instruction information is included in the meter reading instruction information. Corresponding processing mode 3 is selected, and as specific processing, the flow rate data measured by the flow rate measuring means is accumulated every predetermined period, and the accumulated data or information converted into fee data is stored in the information storage means 10b. When the meter reading instruction information from the gas company 15 is input, the control circuit 10a uses the area communication wireless module 11b to flow the instruction information flow by converting the accumulated flow rate data of the information storage means 10b or the charge data. The aggregated data is collected in the parent gas meter 2 in the opposite flow, and this aggregated data is transmitted by the communication switching means 10c. 11a and transmitted to the base station 14 in the wide area communication frequency band (200 MHz) was used to meter reading information is transmitted to the gas company 15 by using a dedicated line from the base station 14.

  In addition, the area communication wireless module 11b built in each gas meter transmits to the wireless module 11c integrally attached to the display terminal device 12 such as the television 12a in the specific low power wireless communication frequency band (429 MHz), and on the screen, for example, The charge information and the usage amount as shown in FIG. Then, when transmission to the display terminal device 12 is completed, as described above, a notification completion signal is transmitted to the gas company 15 using a predetermined communication path to notify that information transmission to the consumer is completed.

When disaster information is transmitted as a broadcast signal from the base station 14 during execution of this series of meter reading processing modes and the wide area communication wireless module 11a of the parent gas meter 2 receives the information, the child gas meter is used using a predetermined communication path. Information is transmitted to 2E and grandchild gas meter 2F. In each gas meter, the processing mode 1 corresponding to the information is selected from the processing mode storage means 10g. Since this processing mode 1 is executed with priority over all the processing, the processing mode for meter reading processing is performed. 3 is interrupted or stopped, and the disaster information to the display terminal device 12 is notified using the shutoff operation of the gas shutoff valve 2c which is the processing mode 1 and the area communication wireless module 11b.

  As another example, when the time setting information is transmitted as a broadcast signal from the gas company 15 in the wide-band communication frequency band (200 MHz) via the base station 14, the wide-area communication wireless built in the gas meter 2 is used. When the module 11a receives the information, information is transmitted to the child gas meter 2E and the grandchild gas meter 2F using a predetermined communication path in the same manner as described above. In each gas meter, the time setting information is sent to the control circuit 10a mounted on the same substrate. In the control circuit 10a, the processing mode corresponding to the received information is stored in the processing mode storage means 10g, and the processing mode 4 corresponding to the time setting information is selected. As a specific process, a clock function built in the control circuit 10a is selected. It is set all at once so that the time of 10h becomes a predetermined time. Also in this case, when the processing mode 4 is executed, the simultaneous shutoff information of the gas shutoff valve 2c associated with the high priority gas construction is transmitted as a broadcast signal, and when the wide area communication wireless module 11a receives the information, the same as above. Information is transmitted to the child gas meter 2E and the grandchild gas meter 2F using a predetermined communication path. In each gas meter, since the processing mode 2 is selected from the processing mode storage means 10g, the processing mode 4 being executed is interrupted and the processing mode 2 is preferentially executed, and the display terminal is displayed using the area communication wireless module 11b. Simultaneous shutoff information of the gas shutoff valve 2c specifying the date and time is transmitted to the apparatus 12, and gas stop information associated with the gas work is notified in advance through the screen of the television 12a or the mobile phone 12b.

  As another processing mode, when the shutoff valve 2c is forcibly operated in the processing mode 1, when the cause is eliminated and the safety is confirmed, a return instruction from the gas operator 15 is transmitted as a broadcast signal. The information may be transmitted in the wide communication frequency band (200 MHz) via the station 14, and in this case as well, information is transmitted to the child gas meter 2E and the grandchild gas meter 2F using a predetermined communication path, and the processing mode storage of each gas meter is performed. By storing the processing mode 5 in the means 10g, it is possible to simultaneously guide the return processing to the plurality of gas meters 2 by the broadcast signal from the base station 14. Specifically, when the wide area communication wireless module 11a built in the gas meter 2 receives the information, the information is transmitted to the child gas meter 2E and the grandchild gas meter 2F using a predetermined communication path. In each gas meter, the return instruction information is sent to the control circuit 10a mounted on the same substrate, and the processing mode 5 of the processing mode storage means 10g is selected and stored in the information storage means 10b. Information related to the return work is sent to the area communication wireless module 11b via the communication switching means 10c, and the area communication wireless module 11b is integrally attached to the display terminal device 12 such as the television 12a in the specific low power wireless communication frequency band (429 MHz). The wireless module 11c transmits the information to the wireless module 11c and displays the procedure of the return work as shown in FIG. Then, when the transmission to the display terminal device 12 is completed, as described above, a notification completion signal is transmitted to the gas company 15 to notify the completion of information transmission to the consumer.

  Further, the area communication wireless module 11b built in the gas meter 2 can perform mutual communication with the adjacent gas meter 2 in a predetermined area, and a control function that constitutes, for example, a flow rate measuring means using the communication function between the gas meters. When the circuit 10a detects a flow fluctuation caused by pulsation, the area communication wireless module 11b is used to transmit a pulsation signal to the adjacent gas meter, and the gas meter that has received the pulsation signal receives the gas supplied in the area. When it is determined that pulsation has occurred and the measured flow rate value exceeds a predetermined determination value, it is determined that the flow rate fluctuation is caused by pulsation and immediately switched to the high-accuracy measurement mode in which the measurement cycle is shortened. Various other devices that use the information by directly transmitting and receiving information between gas meters , It is also possible to use, for example, the earthquake and impact caused by the distinction of vibration, or gas, such as the elderly by using information life information such as confirmation. In this case, each gas meter independently executes each processing mode.

  As described in the priority processing regulations of the various processing modes described above, the meter processing functions including the communication processing function and the measurement processing function do not operate at the same time, but operate based on a predetermined condition, for example, a preset priority order. If high priority information is entered, the meter processing function currently being processed is interrupted, and the communication function is preferentially activated.

  In addition to this, when the consumption state is confirmed by the voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the battery 2f, the operating conditions of the meter processing function including the communication processing function and the measurement processing function are also restricted depending on the consumption state. For example, when the battery voltage drops below a predetermined voltage, the operation of the communication function is suppressed to a minimum to suppress the progress of battery consumption.

  Note that the information received by the wireless module 11 is not limited to the present embodiment, and all assumed information may be targeted, and the priority order of the processing modes is not limited to the present embodiment. Needless to say, it can be set freely.

  As described above, the control circuit 10a has the communication switching means 10c to select a wireless module having a different communication frequency band corresponding to the other party to communicate according to the information to be transmitted. If the information from the gas operator 15 is meter reading instruction information, the storage information of the information storage means 10b built in the control circuit 10a is transmitted to the gas operator 15 and the display terminal device 12 and to the child gas meter 2E. It is necessary to transmit meter-reading instruction information. In this case, for example, a wide-area communication wireless module 11a having a communication frequency band of 200 MHz and an area communication wireless module 11b having a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band of 429 MHz, for example, are selected. In the case of return instruction information from the gas company 15, the storage information of the information storage means 10b is transmitted to the display terminal device 12. Rutotomoni, it is necessary to transmit the return instruction information to the child gas meter 2E, in this case, for example, may be selected area communication wireless module 11b having a specified low power wireless communication frequency band of 429 MHz. Furthermore, in the case of communication between adjacent gas meters such as transmission / reception of pulsation signals, the area communication wireless module 11b can be selected and various information can be directly exchanged between the meters, reflecting changes in the surrounding environment. The gas meter can be managed.

  As described above, the wide area communication radio module 11a and the area communication radio module 11b may be provided separately, and the communication frequency band is switched between the wide area communication frequency band and the specific low power radio communication frequency band as a common radio module. In the former case, the communication switching means 10c needs to select the wide area communication wireless module 11a and the area communication wireless module 11b, and there is a merit that simultaneous communication is possible, but there is a large installation space and high cost. Has the disadvantages. In the latter case, the communication switching means 10c needs to switch the communication frequency band according to the communication partner, and has the demerit that the simultaneous communication cannot be performed and the alternate communication is possible while having the advantages of small installation space and low cost. ing.

  Next, various functions of each gas meter will be described.

  First, the flow rate measuring means for measuring the gas flow rate built in the control circuit 10a will be briefly described. The gas meter 2 has a gas inlet 2a and a gas outlet 2b as shown in FIGS. A gas shutoff valve 2c for shutting off gas in the event of an abnormality and a pair of ultrasonic sensors 17A and 17B for measuring the gas flow rate are provided in the gas flow path, and a pressure sensor 2d for detecting the gas pressure is disposed downstream thereof. . Further, a control circuit board 10 equipped with a control circuit 10a for calculating a gas flow rate by signals from the ultrasonic sensors 17A and 17B is arranged so as to face the liquid crystal display 10e on the display unit 2e of the gas meter 2, and further control is performed. A battery 2f for driving the circuit 10a is accommodated. Further, a return button 2g is arranged as means for manually performing a return operation after the shutoff valve 2c is activated.

  Then, the flow rate measurement unit 17 and the control circuit 10a that measure the gas flow rate, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, arrange a pair of ultrasonic sensors in the gas flow path, and change the propagation time that changes according to the flow rate flowing through the flow path. Some measure the flow rate by measuring. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described. A measurement control unit having a switching means that constitutes a control circuit 10a, in which a first transmitter / receiver 17A for transmitting or receiving ultrasonic waves and a second transmitter / receiver 17B for receiving or transmitting ultrasonic waves are arranged in the flow direction. Switching between transmission and reception is possible by 18 and the flow state of fluid such as gas is detected. The flow rate is measured by processing the signals of the first transmitter / receiver 17A and the second transmitter / receiver 17B. Specifically, the first transmitter / receiver 17A is first driven by the measurement control unit 18 and the second transmitter / receiver 17B is then driven. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward the upstream, that is, from the upstream to the downstream. Then, the signal received by the second transmitter / receiver 17B is amplified by the amplifying means provided in the measurement control unit 18, the amplified signal is compared with the reference signal, and after the signal equal to or higher than the reference signal is detected, the measurement control unit The above-described transmission / reception is repeated a predetermined number of times by the repeating means provided at 18, and each time value is measured by a time measuring means such as a timer counter provided at the measurement control unit 18.

  Next, transmission / reception of the first transmitter / receiver 17A and the second transmitter / receiver 17B is switched by the measurement control unit 18 having switching means, and the ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the second transmitter / receiver 17B to the first transmitter / receiver 17A, that is, from downstream to upstream. A signal is transmitted, this transmission is repeated as described above, and each time value is measured. Then, the flow rate value is obtained by the signal processing unit 19 in consideration of the size of the flow path 16 and the flow state of the fluid from the ultrasonic propagation time difference between the first transceiver 17A and the second transceiver 17B. The obtained flow rate data is accumulated in the information storage means 10b and stored as accumulated data for each predetermined period.

  Further, the flow path 16 in which the flow rate measuring unit 17 is disposed is provided with a shutoff valve 2c that shuts off the gas flow in the event of an abnormality or the like. When the flow rate value is detected beyond a certain usage time, it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the shutoff valve 2c is operated to shut off the gas flow path 16. Further, when an earthquake, impact, or abnormal gas pressure signal is input from the vibration sensor or pressure sensor 2d, the shutoff valve 2c is operated via the information storage means 10b to shut off the gas flow path 16.

  Next, the flow rate fluctuation caused by the pulsation phenomenon will be briefly described.

  When a GHP (gas heat pump) or the like is installed in a consumer connected to the same gas pipe 1, when this GHP is used, a pressure fluctuation occurs in the supply gas pressure, and this pressure fluctuation is transmitted through the gas pipe 1. This also affects the gas pressure supplied to other customers, and the gas flow rate, that is, the gas flow rate fluctuates as a pulsation phenomenon. In this case, since the gas flow rate is measured at a predetermined measurement cycle, if pulsation occurs at a cycle shorter than the measurement cycle, the flow rate that fluctuates during the measurement cycle is not reflected in the measurement value, and the flow rate variation increases. . For this reason, in general, the measurement cycle is shortened to cope with this problem. However, if the measurement cycle is shortened, another problem arises that battery consumption becomes severe and the battery warranty period cannot be satisfied.

  Therefore, it is only necessary to switch the measurement cycle to be shortened only when pulsation occurs, but it is difficult to accurately detect the timing of pulsation occurrence and termination, so high accuracy that once caused pulsation and shortened the measurement cycle When the measurement mode is entered, the measurement mode is continued for a predetermined period of time, and it is not possible to return to the normal measurement mode unless it is confirmed that the flow rate fluctuation has stabilized. Therefore, it was forced to measure the flow rate in an unnecessary high-precision measurement mode.

In the present embodiment, the timing of occurrence and termination of pulsation is confirmed by checking the pulsation phenomenon occurring in a specific area by receiving the pulsation signal from the adjacent gas meter, and switching the measurement mode based on the confirmation result. Specifically, a gas meter with a battery capacity that allows the battery life to sufficiently satisfy the warranty period even if the high-accuracy measurement mode is frequently performed in a specific area is installed. The pulsation phenomenon of the gas pipe 1 is detected. When the pulsation phenomenon is detected, a pulsation signal is transmitted from the area communication wireless module 11b to the adjacent gas meter.

  As a means for detecting the pulsation phenomenon in the specific gas meter, the pulsation determination unit 25 compares the flow rate value measured by the above method with the pulsation determination value set in advance in the normal measurement mode in which the measurement cycle is set to be long. When there is a flow rate fluctuation that exceeds the judgment value one or more times, it is determined that the flow rate is abnormal due to pulsation, and a pulsation signal is output. When a pulsation signal is output from the pulsation determination unit 25, the pulsation signal is sent to the wireless module 11 and transmitted as an external pulsation determination signal to another adjacent gas meter using the area communication wireless module 11b. When the pulsation phenomenon is determined, the control circuit 10a sends an instruction signal to the measurement control unit 18 to switch the measurement cycle to the high-accuracy measurement mode that drives and measures the ultrasonic sensors 17A and 17B at a cycle shorter than the normal measurement mode. Output. Thereafter, the flow rate measurement is performed in the high-accuracy measurement mode in which the measurement cycle is shortened, and when the measured flow rate value is kept stable for a predetermined period, the normal measurement mode is restored.

  Next, a gas meter that receives a pulsation signal transmitted from the specific gas meter and determines a pulsation phenomenon will be described. When the pulsation signal is received by the area communication wireless module 11b, the information is sent to the control circuit 10a and registered as having an external pulsation determination signal by the external pulsation signal determination unit 10f. In this state, when the flow rate value measured in the normal measurement mode exceeds the pulsation determination value, the pulsation determination unit 25 outputs a pulsation signal to the control circuit 10a. In other words, the state in which the pulsation signal is transmitted from the adjacent gas meter is that an instrument that causes pulsation in the area, such as GHP, is used, and the pulsation may be specified as the cause when the flow rate fluctuation occurs. Therefore, the flow rate variation can be reduced by immediately switching to the high-accuracy measurement mode and accurately measuring the flow rate.

  Further, when the area communication wireless module 11b does not receive a pulsation signal, it is registered in the external pulsation signal determination unit 10f of the control circuit 10a as no external pulsation determination signal. In this state, regardless of the determination result of the pulsation determination unit 25, that is, even if a flow rate fluctuation exceeding the pulsation determination value occurs, the normal measurement mode is continued and the flow measurement is continued without switching to the high-accuracy measurement mode. Do. In other words, the state in which no pulsation signal is transmitted from the adjacent gas meter is that an instrument that causes pulsation in the area, such as GHP, is not used, and the cause when the flow rate fluctuation occurs is the use of the instrument in your home. Therefore, it is possible to suppress battery consumption by continuing the normal measurement mode.

  In addition, when no external pulsation determination signal is registered during the high-accuracy measurement mode, battery consumption can be suppressed by immediately returning to the normal measurement mode without lapse of a predetermined stable period. .

  In addition, when switching between the high-accuracy measurement mode and the normal measurement mode using the external pulsation determination signal, the switching timing between the high-accuracy measurement mode and the normal measurement mode may be changed according to the number of times the external pulsation determination signal is received. In this case, the degree of influence of pulsation in the gas supply system in the area is determined from the number of occurrences of pulsation of the adjacent gas meter via the area communication wireless module 11b, and the high-accuracy flow rate measurement mode and normal flow rate measurement are performed according to the degree of influence. Since it is possible to switch modes, it is possible to accurately identify the cause of flow fluctuations, select flow measurement conditions suitable for actual usage conditions, and reduce battery consumption while suppressing battery consumption. Variations can be reduced.

In addition, as a communication partner using the area communication wireless module 11b, a pulsation signal is transmitted to and received from a gas meter specified in advance among neighboring gas meters, and the pulsation determination signal from the specific gas meter and the determination result of the pulsation determination unit are transmitted. Accordingly, the high-accuracy flow rate measurement mode and the normal flow rate measurement mode may be switched.In this case, the measurement mode is switched based on the pulsation information of the gas meter specified in advance based on the strength of the reception level, the condition of the instrument usage frequency, etc. Therefore, the cause of the accurate flow rate fluctuation can be specified, and the flow rate variation can be reduced while suppressing battery consumption by selecting a measurement mode suitable for actual use.

  In addition, the pulsation signal is transmitted to and received from a gas meter that is specified in advance among adjacent gas meters, and the flow measurement instruction unit performs high-accuracy flow measurement according to the number of pulsation determination signals from the specific gas meter and the determination result of the pulsation determination unit. The mode and normal flow rate measurement mode may be switched. In this case, the measurement mode is switched according to the frequency of pulsation information from a specific gas meter, so the cause of flow rate fluctuation can be specified more accurately. Therefore, the flow rate variation can be reduced while suppressing battery consumption by selecting a measurement mode suitable for actual use.

  Furthermore, in addition to the high-precision flow measurement mode and the normal flow measurement mode as the flow measurement mode, a medium-precision flow measurement mode may be provided and selected according to an external pulsation determination signal from an adjacent gas meter. By providing a medium-precision flow rate measurement mode, it is possible to set the measurement cycle in multiple stages, and it is difficult to identify flow fluctuations caused by pulsation by selecting according to the external pulsation judgment signal from the adjacent gas meter Thus, it is possible to achieve a good balance between the suppression of battery consumption and the like and the reduction in flow rate variation.

  In recent years, gas meters using an ultrasonic sensor can easily measure the instantaneous flow rate. Therefore, in addition to a security function such as gas leakage, provision of various services using an instrument discrimination function has been studied.

  An example of this would be to set a discount rate for gas charges according to the equipment used and the application, specify the gas appliance or application used by the instrument discrimination means using the instantaneous flow rate measurement function by the ultrasonic sensor, The amount of use is determined for each appliance or for each purpose, and a gas rate is calculated by applying a predetermined discount rate, thereby promoting gas use and providing services to consumers.

  As an example of the specific means, an appliance signal registration means 21 for setting and registering an appliance signal specifying the type of gas appliance to be used, an application-specific signal registration means 22 for specifying a usage form for each usage of the gas appliance to be used, and There is provided an appliance discriminating means 24 having appliance classification means 23 for classifying household gas appliances for each predetermined classification based on the registration information of the appliance signal registration means 21 and the application-specific signal registration means 22.

  Here, the appliance signal registration means 21 sets and registers a signal according to the type of appliance, for example, as shown in the following table (Table 1).

  Moreover, the signal registering means 22 classified by use sets and registers a signal for specifying a use form for each use of the appliance, for example, as shown in the following table (Table 2).

  Further, the appliance classification means 23 is the information obtained in the above (Table 1) and (Table 2), in which the gas business operator presets and classifies the discount target field of the gas fee based on the type and usage pattern of the gas appliance. For example, as shown in the following table (Table 3), if floor heating is performed using a water heater, discount A is used, and hot air is supplied by a gas fan heater or the like. When heating is performed, the discount is set to B, and the others are classified as standard, and the gas appliances used in the home are set and registered.

  Information storage for monitoring the amount of gas used according to the usage status of the gas appliance based on the registration signal from the appliance discriminating means 24 comprising the appliance signal registration means 21, the application-specific signal registration means 22, and the appliance classification means 23. Means 10b are provided. This information storage means 10b receives the gas flow rate value obtained by the signal processing means 19 of the flow rate measurement unit 17, is managed together with the registration information of the gas appliance corresponding to the field classified by the appliance classification means 23, and is supplied by the gas operator. When the wireless module 11 receives the meter reading instruction information periodically requested from 15, specifically, the wide area communication wireless module 11 a, the accumulated flow data for each predetermined period of the information storage means 10 b, the charge data reflecting the discount rate, etc. Information is taken out and transmitted to the base station 14 and the display terminal device 12 from the wireless module 11, more specifically, the wide area communication wireless module 11a and the area communication wireless module 11b, and notified to the gas company 15 from the base station 14 using a dedicated line. At the same time, the gas price information for a predetermined period is notified to the consumer using the screen of the display terminal device 12.

  An outline of appliance discrimination performed by the information storage means 10b will be described below. As registration data stored in the appliance discrimination means 24, for example, a flow rate pattern as shown in FIG. As actual registration data, for example, data of a flow rate value every 0.2 seconds from the start of the instrument is stored for a predetermined time. Note that the data time interval does not need to be limited to 0.2 seconds, and can be arbitrarily set depending on the required appliance discrimination capability.

  The flow rate measuring unit 17 measures the gas flow rate at regular intervals, and when the newly measured gas flow rate value increases by more than a predetermined value from the previous value, it is determined that a new instrument has been used, and the flow rate change and instrument discrimination The flow rate pattern corresponding to the instrument code registered in the means 24 is compared to determine the instrument being used.

In the present embodiment, the information storage means 10b manages the information on whether or not there is a gas appliance use registration for each classified item and the total gas use amount for each predetermined period, for example, During the heating period in winter, as shown in Table 3, gas usage is managed with the equipment used for floor heating and hot air heating registered, and in summer there is no use of equipment registered for discounted fields. In addition to this, for example, by adding a function for obtaining the amount of gas used for each gas appliance classified by the appliance discriminating means 24 to the information storage means 10b, a finer classification It is possible to provide a variety of services and enhance security.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the discount item is targeted as a classification item of the appliance discriminating means 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is intended for a service that a gas company or the like considers necessary, such as a security service. A monitoring method for each device can be adopted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a wireless module capable of communicating with a base station using wireless communication means other than a telephone line, and a wireless module capable of communicating within a predetermined area are connected to the flow rate in the gas meter. Since it is detachably attached to the measurement control circuit board and integrated into the unit, it is possible to communicate with the base station without using a telephone line simply by installing a gas meter, and the base is not affected by the congestion of the line. Information such as meter reading request command from the station and abnormality return instruction can be smoothly transmitted, meter reading value data based on commands from the base station and information at the time of abnormality can be smoothly transmitted from the gas meter, There is no need to connect a wireless device that uses a separate telephone line as in the past, or the meter reader goes to the customer's house to perform meter reading. It is possible to solve the problem of not being able to report to the center in the rough.

  Similarly, a gas meter installed in a place where radio waves from the base station do not reach can be communicated with the base station via another gas meter simply by installing the gas meter. Since information is transmitted through a predetermined communication path such as a station and a parent meter, a parent meter and a child meter, a child meter and a grandchild meter, a gas meter installed at a location away from the base station is included. A communication system capable of reliably communicating with all the gas meters belonging to the base station can be constructed.

  In addition, by transmitting to a specific terminal device using an area communication wireless module built in the gas meter, various information based on the meter-reading value data transmitted to the base station can be changed to any terminal device, for example, charge information for each predetermined period. Since it can be transmitted to a display terminal device such as a TV or a mobile phone, sending the fee information, which has been done by mail from the center as in the past, can be omitted by using this TV or mobile phone for display. A rational information transmission system that can reduce the number of workers involved in the return work by visually displaying the return method when the gas shut-off valve is activated. Can be built.

  Furthermore, it is possible to freely select a communication mode according to the application by arbitrarily combining a wide-area wireless communication frequency band with a base station and a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band that can communicate within a predetermined area, With one gas meter specification, it is possible to freely select and configure multiple communication modes such as communication with the center, communication between the center and various terminals, communication with various terminals, and no communication function. A gas meter that is always installed can be used as an information relay device or information terminal device, and a wide range of services can be provided.

  In addition, in order to reliably communicate with all the gas meters belonging to the base station, a communication path mediated by a plurality of specific gas meters is set, and communication is performed while executing verification of the authentication codes with the specific gas meters. Information can be reliably transmitted using a route, and communication with a gas meter installed in a place where radio waves do not reach too far from the base station is possible.

  The parent gas meter has a built-in wide-area communication wireless module for transmission / reception with a base station and a transmission / reception area communication wireless module for transmission / reception with a child gas meter and a specific terminal device. A built-in area communication wireless module, and a grandchild gas meter with a built-in area communication wireless module for transmission and reception with a child gas meter and a specific terminal device can form a communication path from the base station to the grandchild meter, and Communication with a specific terminal device is also possible in the gas meter.

  Moreover, it is set as the gas meter provided with the wide area communication wireless module and the area communication wireless module, and it is set as the structure provided with the wireless module selection means which selects the combination of a wireless module according to the communication form to be used. It is possible to change to a gas meter having a communication mode according to the system, and it can be used as an information relay device or information terminal device in addition to the measurement and safety functions that are the original functions of the gas meter simply by installing the gas meter, and can provide a wide range of services .

  Further, by providing a frequency band setting means capable of arbitrarily setting the communication frequency band, it is possible to provide one gas meter as in the fourth aspect of the invention just by incorporating one wireless module without incorporating a plurality of wireless modules. It is possible to change to a gas meter that has a communication form according to the application according to the specifications, and the configuration can be simplified, and by simply installing the gas meter, information relay devices or information other than the measurement and safety functions that are the original functions of the gas meter It can be used as a terminal device and can provide a wide range of services.

  In addition, an antenna for wireless communication is integrated with a non-metal body, for example, a glass body covering the front surface of the display means, which is disposed so as to face a display window provided in a part of an outer shell made of a metal body. By forming the gas meter, the wireless signal can be effectively received in the gas meter in which the part other than the display window is covered with a metal body, and the antenna is configured by using the members constituting the gas meter. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration.

  In addition, by adding a communication function with a predetermined specific terminal device to an area communication wireless module for communication with a gas meter in a predetermined area, various information transmitted to other gas meters or the like can be transmitted to a specific terminal device such as a television or the like. It can be displayed on the screen of a mobile phone or the like, and can be used effectively as a notification means to consumers.

  In addition, by setting the operating conditions of the communication function and the measurement function in advance and restricting at least the communication function and the measurement function to not operate at the same time, for example, radio waves when using an ultrasonic sensor as a flow rate measuring means It is possible to prevent interference and reduce the influence related to battery consumption, and further, it is possible to respond according to the priority order of the processing modes, and the gas meter with a built-in communication function can be used effectively.

  In addition, by limiting the priority of processing with higher priority in the processing mode according to the degree of battery consumption, it is possible to give priority to ensuring safety when the battery is exhausted. It can be used effectively.

  As described above, the gas shut-off device according to the present invention enables automatic meter reading according to the meter-reading request instruction from the center without using a telephone line just by installing a gas meter, and radio waves do not reach. Even when installed in a place, it is possible to transfer information smoothly through other gas meters, and it can also be applied to water and electricity rate meters.

Overall configuration diagram showing a communication mode between a gas meter, a base station, and various terminal devices as an example of a communication mode of the gas cutoff device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which shows the communication path which mediated the several gas meter in the gas cutoff device The figure which shows the communication form between the adjacent gas meters in the gas cutoff device The figure which shows the communication form of the gas meter and specific terminal device in the gas cutoff device The figure which shows the external appearance and component of the gas shut-off device Internal configuration diagram of the gas shutoff device Configuration block diagram of the control circuit board of the gas shutoff device The figure which shows an example of the attachment or detachment structure of the wireless module of the gas cutoff device The figure which shows another example of the attachment or detachment structure of the wireless module of the gas cutoff device Configuration diagram of the radio antenna of the gas shut-off device The figure which shows the selection means of the wireless module of the gas cutoff device (A) The figure which shows the charge information display form in the display terminal device (b) The figure which shows the return information display form in the display terminal apparatus Control block diagram of the gas shutoff device The figure which shows an example of the flow rate pattern for the instrument discrimination | determination in the gas cutoff device

Explanation of symbols

2 gas meter 2c gas shut-off valve 2E child gas meter 2F grandchild gas meter 10 control circuit board 10a control circuit 10b information storage means 10c communication switching means 11 wireless module 11a wide area communication wireless module 11b area communication wireless module 12 display device 12a television 12b mobile phone 14 base Station 27 Antenna

Claims (9)

Gas that can be used to monitor the usage status of multiple gas appliances connected to piping after passing through a gas meter, and that can be equipped with a wireless module that can be directly transmitted and received using multiple communication lines other than telephone lines. A shut-off device,
The gas meter includes a flow rate measuring unit that measures a gas flow rate, a gas shut-off valve that shuts off the gas flow path in the event of an abnormality, a control circuit that processes and stores various information based on measurement results of the flow rate measuring unit, and the control circuit Display means for displaying various information from, an antenna for wireless communication integrally configured on the outside of the gas meter, a wireless module for transmitting / receiving information to / from a plurality of destinations, and a communication frequency band according to the destinations Comprising a communication switching means for switching, and a battery power source as a drive source,
The wireless module is detachably attached to and integrated with a control circuit that constitutes the flow rate measurement means, and is housed in the gas meter, and at least a wide communication frequency band for communication with a base station or / and a predetermined area In addition to having a specific low-power radio communication frequency band that can be communicated within, it is possible to freely select a communication form by arbitrarily combining the communication frequency bands,
As a communication form, a parent gas meter having a built-in wireless module having a wide communication frequency band for communication with a base station and a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band capable of communicating with a specific gas meter within a predetermined area, and the parent gas meter And a child gas meter including a wireless module having a specific low power wireless communication frequency band capable of communicating with a specific gas meter in a predetermined area, and communication between the child gas meter and a specific gas meter in the predetermined area are possible. A gas shut-off device comprising a grandchild gas meter incorporating a wireless module having a specific low power wireless communication frequency band. 2. The communication path from the base station to the grandchild meter is specified by assigning a specific authentication code to each of the communication between the base station and the parent gas meter, the parent gas meter and the child gas meter, and the child gas meter and the grandchild gas meter. Gas shut-off device. In the parent gas meter, a wide area communication wireless module having a wide communication frequency band and an area communication wireless module having a specific low power wireless communication frequency band are detachably attached to the control circuit board to have an integrated configuration,
The gas shutoff device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the child gas meter and the grandchild gas meter have an integrated configuration in which an area communication wireless module having a specific low power wireless communication frequency band is detachably attached to a control circuit board. All gas meters of the parent gas meter, child gas meter, and grandchild gas meter are integrated by detachably attaching a wide area communication wireless module having a wide communication frequency band and an area communication wireless module having a specific low power wireless communication frequency band to the control circuit board. The gas shut-off device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a wireless module selection unit configured to arbitrarily select the wide area communication wireless module and the area communication wireless module. All gas meters of a parent gas meter, a child gas meter, and a grandchild gas meter are provided with a wireless module corresponding to a plurality of communication frequency bands, and a frequency band setting means for setting a communication frequency band,
The gas cutoff device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a predetermined communication form is configured by a communication frequency band set by the frequency band setting means. The gas cutoff device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the antenna for wireless communication is formed integrally with a glass body covering the display means. The area communication wireless module having a specific low-power wireless communication frequency band built in the gas meter enables communication with a specific terminal device, and transmits various information so that the specific terminal device can display the information. The gas shut-off device according to any one of the above. The communication function using the wireless module and the measurement function using the flow rate measuring means are operable under predetermined conditions, and at least the communication function and the measurement function are limited so as not to operate simultaneously. The gas shut-off device according to claim 1. The gas shut-off device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a battery power supply voltage detection means, wherein the operating conditions of the communication function and the measurement function are limited according to a battery power supply lowering state.