JP6422314B2 - Wireless communication apparatus and wireless telemeter system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless telemeter system that transmit usage amounts of water, gas, and the like measured by a meter to a center side using a wireless network.

  Conventionally, in a wireless telemeter system developed for meter reading of gas, water, etc., a wireless master unit is connected to a center side device equipped with a host computer and a center network control device via a wide area wireless network such as a PHS network and a FOMA network. Connected. In addition, a plurality of wireless slave devices are connected to the wireless master device, and a meter for meter reading is connected to each of the wireless slave devices. Data such as the meter reading value obtained from the meter is transmitted from the wireless slave unit to the wireless master unit, and further transmitted from the wireless master unit to the center side device.

  The wireless slave unit in the wireless telemeter system includes, for example, a lithium primary battery as a power source for driving, and is configured to be driven without replacing the battery for 10 years or more. On the other hand, the wireless master unit consumes a large amount of power, and when a lithium primary battery is used, it is necessary to frequently replace the battery. The commercial power source cannot be used when there is no commercial power source in the vicinity. Thus, for example, a power source combining a lithium primary battery and a capacitor that stores power supplied from a solar battery has been proposed as a power source for the wireless master unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4845866

  Capacitors such as those used in conventional wireless master units are generally less susceptible to deterioration due to charging / discharging, and therefore can be used for a long time as a power storage element even when repeated charging / discharging in combination with solar cells. have.

  However, since the capacitor has a low energy density, a large-capacity capacitor is required to stably operate the wireless master device under conditions that are affected by the weather. When a large-capacity capacitor is used alone, it is difficult to avoid problems such as an increase in equipment size and an increase in manufacturing cost.

  In Patent Document 1, an attempt is made to solve some of the above problems by combining a large capacity capacitor and a lithium primary battery. However, since a lithium primary battery is used, a large capacity capacitor is used alone. Compared with the case, the subject that the frequency of battery replacement becomes high remains.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a wireless communication device and a wireless telemeter system capable of extending the life of a power supply unit while suppressing an increase in the size of the device and an increase in manufacturing cost. For the purpose.

The wireless communication device of the present application includes a communication unit that performs communication for meter reading with a plurality of other wireless communication devices via a wireless network, and a secondary battery that stores electric power supplied from a solar battery. In a wireless communication apparatus comprising a power supply unit that supplies power stored in a secondary battery to the communication unit, a detection unit that detects a voltage of the secondary battery, and a voltage detected by the detection unit is equal to or lower than a set voltage A charging control means for starting charging from the solar battery to the secondary battery and stopping the charging when the secondary battery is in a fully charged state, and a storage means for storing meter reading date information, the charge control unit is characterized that you start charging in order to the rechargeable battery before the timing indicated by the meter reading day information fully charged.

Whether the wireless communication device of the present application has received a signal having the same attribute from a wireless communication device having a predetermined ratio or more of the plurality of other wireless communication devices, and means for determining an attribute of the signal received by the communication unit Means for determining whether or not, and when it is determined that a signal having the same attribute has been received from a wireless communication device having a predetermined ratio or more, the charge control means starts charging the secondary battery. It is characterized by being.

Wireless communication device of the present application, if it is determined that further comprises means for determining whether or not a signal has been received indicating an emergency stop of the other wireless communication device, receiving the signal, the charging control means, the two The charging of the next battery is started.

In the wireless telemeter system of the present application, a plurality of wireless slave devices each having a means for connecting a meter for measuring the amount of supply supplied to a consumer, and the plurality of wireless slave devices via a wireless network A wireless communication device including a wireless master unit including a communication unit that communicates and a secondary battery that stores electric power supplied from a solar battery, and a power supply unit that supplies the electric power stored in the secondary battery to the communication unit. In the telemeter system, the wireless master unit detects a voltage of the secondary battery, and starts charging the secondary battery from the solar cell when the voltage detected by the detection unit is equal to or lower than a set voltage. And charge control means for stopping charging when the secondary battery is fully charged, and storage means for storing meter reading date information, wherein the charge control means is based on timing indicated by the meter reading date information. Before It characterized that you start charging in order to the secondary cell to the full charge state.

  According to the present application, it is possible to extend the life of the power supply unit while suppressing an increase in the size of the device and an increase in manufacturing cost.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a radio telemeter system. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a wireless main | base station. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a charging operation according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a charging operation according to Embodiment 2. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the process which a control part performs. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the process which a control part performs.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the radio telemeter system. The wireless telemeter system according to the present embodiment includes a host computer 11 and a center-side network control device 12 as a configuration on the center side, and a wireless master device 21, wireless slave devices 22, 22,. 22 and meters 23, 23,... The meter 23 is a measuring instrument that is installed, for example, for each consumer, measures the amount of supply such as gas, water, and electricity, and outputs a measurement result (meter reading value). The radio telemeter system according to the present embodiment is configured to acquire data of meter reading values measured by the meter 23, for example, by transmitting a control signal (meter reading instruction) from the center side to the terminal side. The meter-reading instruction transmitted from the center side to the terminal side is transmitted to the wireless master device 21 through the wide area wireless network N1, and is transmitted from the wireless master device 21 to one or a plurality of wireless slave devices 22. When each wireless slave unit 22 receives a meter reading instruction, it acquires meter reading data from a meter 23 connected to the wireless handset 22. The wireless slave device 22 transmits the acquired meter reading data to the center side. At this time, the meter reading data transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22 to the center side is transmitted to the wireless master unit 21 via one or a plurality of wireless slave units 22, and the center is transmitted from the wireless master unit 21 through the wide area wireless network N1. To the host (host computer 11).
Not only the control signal related to the meter reading instruction and the data of the meter reading value but also the information to be notified from the center side to the terminal side and the information to be notified from the terminal side to the center side are appropriately transmitted / received via the wide area wireless network N1. It is configured as follows.

  The center-side network control device 12 and the terminal-side wireless master device 21 are connected to a wide-area wireless network N1 such as a PHS network or a FOMA network, and perform wireless communication via the wide-area wireless network N1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of the wireless master devices 21 connected to the wide area wireless network N <b> 1 is one, but it goes without saying that a plurality of wireless master devices 21 may be connected. .

  The center-side network control device 12 is provided, for example, in a base station of a communication carrier and has a function of controlling communication with the terminal side via the wide area wireless network N1. When data to be transmitted from the host computer 11 to the terminal side is input from the host computer 11, the center side network control device 12 transmits the data to the terminal side by a communication method compliant with the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. In addition, when the data transmitted from the terminal side is received via the wide area wireless network N1, the received data is transmitted to the host computer 11.

  The wireless master device 21 is connected to the center side via the wide-area wireless network N1, and forms, for example, a mesh-type narrow-area wireless network N2 with the plurality of wireless slave devices 22, 22,. . The wireless master device 21 performs wireless communication with the host computer 11 on the center side via the wide area wireless network N1 and wireless communication with the wireless slave devices 22, 22,..., 22 via the narrow area wireless network N2. It is configured.

  When the wireless slave device 22 acquires the meter reading value from the meter 23 connected to the wireless slave device 22, the wireless slave device 22 transmits data indicating the meter reading value to the wireless master device 21 via the narrow area wireless network N <b> 2. At this time, the wireless slave device 22 directly transmits data to the wireless master device 21 or transmits data to the wireless master device 21 through one or more other wireless slave devices 22, 22,. To do. When the wireless master device 21 receives data transmitted from the wireless slave device 22 or when an event to be notified to the host computer 11 occurs in the own device, the wireless master device 21 communicates with the host computer 11 via the wide area wireless network N1. Perform wireless communication.

  The wireless master device 21 according to the present embodiment has a power storage unit 210 (see FIG. 2) for storing the power supplied from the solar cell panel 20, and the power supplied from the power storage unit 210. It is comprised so that it may operate | move.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the wireless master device 21. The wireless master device 21 stores power from the solar battery panel 20 and communicates with a power source unit 21A that supplies power to each part of the hardware and a device on the center side via the wide-area wireless network N1, and narrow-band wireless. And a communication unit 21B that communicates with the wireless slave device 22 via the network N2.

  The power supply unit 21A includes a power storage unit 210, a charge control unit 211, a voltage detection unit 212, and an output unit 213.

  The power storage unit 210 includes, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel metal hydride battery, and is configured to be charged by electric power supplied from the solar battery panel 20. Further, the output unit 213 is configured to appropriately supply the power stored in the power storage unit 210 to the communication unit 21B.

  The charging control unit 211 includes, for example, a determination circuit that determines whether charging is possible and a switching circuit that blocks or connects a power supply path between the solar battery panel 20 and the power storage unit 210 according to a determination result by the determination circuit. . In addition, voltage detection unit 212 includes a circuit that detects the voltage value of power storage unit 210 at a periodic timing and outputs the detected voltage value to charge control unit 211.

  The determination circuit of the charge control unit 211 determines whether charging is possible by comparing the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 output from the voltage detection unit 212 with a preset voltage value set in advance. Note that the set voltage value is preferably set to a voltage value sufficient to operate the communication unit 21B even if the weather that prevents the power storage unit 210 from being charged continues for several days.

  When the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 is equal to or lower than the set voltage value, the determination circuit controls the switching circuit to connect the power supply path between the solar cell panel 20 and the power storage unit 210, thereby charging the power storage unit 210. To start. In addition, the determination circuit controls the switching circuit to cut off the power feeding path between the solar battery panel 20 and the power storage unit 210 when the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 becomes a voltage value corresponding to the fully charged state. To stop charging.

  The communication unit 21B includes a control unit 215, a storage unit 216, a wide area wireless communication unit 217, and a narrow area wireless communication unit 218.

  The control unit 215 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and causes the entire device to function as a communication device according to the present invention by the CPU executing a control program stored in advance in the ROM.

  The storage unit 216 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), for example. Remember.

  The wide area wireless communication unit 217 performs wireless communication via the wide area wireless network N1 by transmitting or receiving radio waves through an antenna not shown in the figure. For example, when the wireless master device 21 acquires data related to the meter reading value from the meter 23 connected to the wireless slave device 22, the wireless master device 21 transmits the data to the host computer 11 on the center side through the wide area wireless communication unit 217. Further, when the wide-area wireless communication unit 217 receives a radio wave through an antenna, the wide-area radio communication unit 217 acquires a signal in a predetermined format by decoding the received radio wave. The signal input through the wide area wireless communication unit 217 includes various control commands such as an activation command from the host computer 11, for example. The wide area wireless communication unit 217 outputs a signal obtained by decoding the received radio wave to the control unit 215. When the control unit 215 acquires the signal input from the wide area wireless communication unit 217, the control unit 215 performs various controls based on the signal.

  The narrow-area wireless communication unit 218 communicates with a plurality of wireless slave units 22, 22,..., 22 by a predetermined wireless communication method by transmitting or receiving radio waves through an antenna (not shown). As this wireless communication system, for example, a specific low power wireless system can be used. For example, the narrow area wireless communication unit 218 of the wireless master device 21 intermittently transmits a beacon as a search signal for searching for the wireless slave device 22 having data to be transmitted. In addition, when the narrow area wireless communication unit 218 receives a beacon transmitted from the wireless slave unit 22 and has own data to be transmitted, the narrow area wireless communication unit 218 transmits the data to the transmission source of the beacon.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless master device 21 will be described as having an NCU function, but a network control device having an NCU function is prepared as an individual device, and the wireless master device 21 is connected to the network control device. It may be. In this case, the wireless master device 21 may be configured to include a connection interface for connecting the network control device and to communicate with the center side via the network control device connected to the connection interface.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the charging operation according to the first embodiment. The voltage detection unit 212 of the power supply unit 21A detects the voltage of the power storage unit 210 at regular timing (step S11), and outputs a voltage value obtained as a detection result to the charge control unit 211.

  The charge control unit 211 compares the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 with the set voltage value (step S12). If the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 is equal to or lower than the set voltage value (S13: YES), the charge control unit 211 stores power with the solar battery panel 20. By connecting a power feeding path to unit 210, charging of power storage unit 210 is started (step S14). When the voltage value of power storage unit 210 is higher than the set voltage value (S13: NO), steps S11 to S13 are repeatedly executed.

  Next, the charging control unit 211 determines whether or not the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 is equal to or higher than the voltage value corresponding to the fully charged state (step S15). When the voltage value of power storage unit 210 is lower than the voltage value corresponding to full charge (S15: NO), charge control unit 211 continues to charge power storage unit 210. When the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 becomes a voltage value corresponding to full charge (S15: YES), the charge control unit 211 cuts off the power supply path between the solar cell panel 20 and the power storage unit 210, Charging to power storage unit 210 is stopped (step S16).

  As described above, in Embodiment 1, since charging is not started unless the voltage value of power storage unit 210 is equal to or lower than a set voltage, the number of times of charging is reduced as compared with the case of always charging from a solar battery. Thus, the life of the power storage unit 210 can be extended.

(Embodiment 2)
The wireless master device 21 used in the wireless telemeter system communicates with the wireless slave devices 22, 22,... On the meter reading date about once to several times a month, so that the power storage unit 210 is charged before the meter reading date. Preferably it is complete.
In Embodiment 2, a configuration for completing charging of power storage unit 210 before the meter reading date will be described.

  It is assumed that the wireless master device 21 according to Embodiment 2 stores in advance the information related to the meter reading date of each wireless slave device 22, 22,. The control unit 215 of the wireless master device 21 refers to the date information obtained from a built-in calendar (not shown) and the meter reading date information stored in the storage unit 216, and the current date is several days before the meter reading date. It is determined whether or not the charging start date is set to (for example, 3 days ago). It is assumed that the charging start date is set in consideration of a period in which full charging is performed between the start of charging of the power storage unit 210 and the meter reading date. When determining that the current date is the charging start date, the control unit 215 sends a control signal instructing the charging control unit 211 to start charging.

  When the charging control unit 211 receives a control signal instructing to start charging from the control unit 215, the charging control unit 211 starts charging the power storage unit 210 by connecting a power supply path between the solar cell panel 20 and the power storage unit 210. Let

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the charging operation according to the second embodiment. The voltage detection unit 212 of the power supply unit 21A detects the voltage of the power storage unit 210 at regular timing (step S11), and outputs a voltage value obtained as a detection result to the charge control unit 211.

  The charge control unit 211 compares the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 with the set voltage value (step S12). If the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 is equal to or lower than the set voltage value (S13: YES), the charge control unit 211 stores power with the solar battery panel 20. By connecting a power feeding path to unit 210, charging of power storage unit 210 is started (step S14).

Further, the charging control unit 211 determines whether or not a control signal instructing the start of charging has been received from the control unit 215 (step S21), and when receiving a control signal instructing the start of charging (S21: YES) ), Charging the power storage unit 210 is started by connecting a power feeding path between the solar cell panel 20 and the power storage unit 210 (step S14).
When the voltage value of power storage unit 210 is higher than the set voltage value (S13: NO), or when the control signal instructing the start of charging is not received (S21: NO), steps S11 to S13 are repeated. Executed.

  Next, the charging control unit 211 determines whether or not the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 is equal to or higher than the voltage value corresponding to the fully charged state (step S15). When the voltage value of power storage unit 210 is lower than the voltage value corresponding to full charge (S15: NO), charge control unit 211 continues to charge power storage unit 210. When the voltage value of the power storage unit 210 becomes a voltage value corresponding to full charge (S15: YES), the charge control unit 211 cuts off the power supply path between the solar cell panel 20 and the power storage unit 210, Charging to power storage unit 210 is stopped (step S16).

  As described above, in the second embodiment, since the power storage unit 210 can be fully charged on the meter reading date, meter reading data transmitted from the wireless slave devices 22, 22,. It is possible to reliably transmit to the center side.

(Embodiment 3)
When receiving notifications from more than a certain percentage of the wireless slave devices 22, 22,... Connected to the wireless master device 21, there is a possibility of receiving the same notification from other wireless slave devices 22. Therefore, it is preferable to start charging the power storage unit 210.
In the third embodiment, a description will be given of a configuration in which charging of the power storage unit 210 is started when notifications are received from the wireless slave devices 22 of a certain ratio or more.

  The wireless master device 21 according to the third embodiment determines whether or not the power storage unit 210 can be charged based on signals from the wireless slave devices 22, 22,. Specifically, out of the wireless slave units 22, 22,... Installed so as to be communicable with the own unit, signals of the same attribute are transmitted from a certain percentage (for example, 20%) of the wireless slave units 22, 22,. If received, there is a possibility that a signal with the same attribute may be received from another wireless slave unit 22, so the control unit 215 sends a control signal instructing the charging control unit 211 to start charging.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of processing executed by the control unit 215. The control unit 215 of the wireless master device 21 sets a built-in timer (not shown) (step S31), and sends a signal transmitted from the wireless slave device 22 installed so as to be communicable with the own device to the narrow area wireless communication unit. It is determined whether it is received at 218 (step S32). When not receiving (S32: NO), the control part 215 waits until the signal from the radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit 22 is received.

  When determining that the signal from the wireless slave device 22 has been received (S32: YES), the control unit 215 determines the attribute of the received signal (step S33), and counts the number of received signals for each attribute (step S33). S34). Here, the signal attributes are classified for each type of signal such as a signal indicating transmission of meter reading data, a signal notifying a communication error, and a signal notifying a decrease in the remaining battery level of the wireless slave unit 22. It can be discriminated from the information attached to.

  Next, the control unit 215 refers to the result counted in step S34, and of the wireless slave devices 22, 22,... ,..., Are judged (step S35). If the predetermined ratio has not been reached (S35: NO), the control unit 215 refers to the built-in timer to determine whether or not a predetermined period (for example, 1 hour) has elapsed (step S36). When the predetermined period has not elapsed (S36: NO), the control unit 215 returns the process to step S32. In addition, when a predetermined period has elapsed without receiving signals having the same attribute from the wireless slave devices 22, 22,... Above a certain ratio (S36: YES), the control unit 215 ends the processing according to this flowchart.

  When it is determined that signals of the same attribute are received from a certain percentage or more of the wireless slave units 22, 22,... Installed so as to be communicable with the own unit (S35: YES) The control unit 215 sends a control signal instructing the charging control unit 211 to start charging (step S37).

  In the case where the voltage value of power storage unit 210 is equal to or lower than the set voltage value or the control signal instructing the start of charging is received from control unit 215 by the same procedure as in Embodiment 2, charging control unit 211 is a solar cell. By connecting a power feeding path between panel 20 and power storage unit 210, charging of power storage unit 210 is started.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the charging is started when there is a possibility of frequent communication with the wireless slave device 22, which is caused by a decrease in the remaining battery level of the wireless master device 21. Communication errors can be avoided.

(Embodiment 4)
When receiving an emergency stop signal associated with an earthquake or the like from one wireless slave unit 22 among the wireless slave units 22, 22,... Connected to the wireless master unit 21, the other wireless slave units 22, 22,. It is preferable to start charging the power storage unit 210 because there is a possibility of receiving an emergency stop signal.
In the fourth embodiment, a configuration for starting charging of power storage unit 210 when a notification is received from one wireless slave unit 22 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of processing executed by the control unit 215. The control unit 215 of the wireless master device 21 determines whether or not an emergency stop signal associated with an earthquake or the like has been received from the one wireless slave device 22 installed so as to be communicable with the own device through the narrow-area wireless communication unit 218 ( Step S41). When determining that it has not been received (S41: NO), the control unit 215 ends the processing according to this flowchart.

  If it is determined that an emergency stop signal has been received from one wireless slave device 22 (S41: YES), the control unit 215 sends a control signal instructing the charging control unit 211 to start charging (step S42).

  In the case where the voltage value of power storage unit 210 is equal to or lower than the set voltage value or the control signal instructing the start of charging is received from control unit 215 by the same procedure as in Embodiment 2, charging control unit 211 is a solar cell. By connecting a power feeding path between panel 20 and power storage unit 210, charging of power storage unit 210 is started.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the charging is started when there is a possibility of frequent communication with the wireless slave device 22, which is caused by a decrease in the remaining battery level of the wireless master device 21. Communication errors can be avoided.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the meanings described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional notes are disclosed.

  The wireless communication device of the present application stores a communication unit (21B) that communicates with a plurality of other wireless communication devices (22) via a wireless network (N2), and a secondary that stores electric power supplied from the solar cell (20). A wireless communication device (21) having a battery (210) and a power supply unit (21A) that supplies power stored in the secondary battery (210) to the communication unit (21B). (210) detecting means (212), and when the voltage detected by the detecting means (212) is equal to or lower than a set voltage, charging from the solar cell (20) to the secondary battery (210) is performed. And charging control means (211) for stopping charging when the secondary battery (210) is fully charged.

  In the present application, unless the voltage value of the secondary battery is equal to or lower than the set voltage, the charging is not started. Therefore, the number of times of charging can be reduced compared to the case of always charging from the solar battery. Long life can be achieved.

  The wireless communication device of the present application includes means (215) for acquiring time information, and the charge control means (211) sets the secondary battery (210) to a fully charged state before the timing indicated by the time information. Charging is started as much as possible.

  In the present application, in the second embodiment, the secondary battery can be fully charged at the time indicated by the time information. The secondary battery can be charged.

  The wireless communication device of the present application includes a unit (215) for determining an attribute of a signal received by the communication unit (21B), and a signal having the same attribute as a predetermined ratio of the plurality of other wireless communication devices (22). A means (215) for determining whether or not the wireless communication device (22) is received from the wireless communication device (22), and when it is determined that a signal having the same attribute is received from the wireless communication devices (22) having a predetermined ratio or more; The charging control unit (211) is configured to start charging the secondary battery (212).

  In this application, since it is set as the structure which starts charge when communication with another radio | wireless communication apparatus may occur frequently, the communication error accompanying the fall of the battery remaining charge of an own apparatus can be avoided.

  The wireless communication device of the present application further includes means (215) for determining whether or not a signal indicating an emergency stop of another wireless communication device (22) has been received. The control unit (211) is configured to start charging the secondary battery (212).

  In this application, since it is set as the structure which starts charge when communication with another radio | wireless communication apparatus may occur frequently, the communication error accompanying the fall of the battery remaining charge of an own apparatus can be avoided.

  In the wireless telemeter system of the present application, a plurality of wireless slave units (22) and a wireless network (N2) each provided with a means for connecting a meter (23) for measuring the usage amount of a supply supplied to a consumer are provided. A communication unit (21B) that communicates with the plurality of wireless slave units (22) via a secondary battery (210) that stores electric power supplied from the solar battery (20), and the secondary battery (210 ), A power supply unit (21A) that supplies power stored in the communication unit (21B) to a wireless telemeter system (21), wherein the wireless master device (21) includes the secondary battery. (210) detecting means (212), and when the voltage detected by the detecting means (212) is equal to or lower than a set voltage, charging from the solar cell (20) to the secondary battery (210) is performed. Start the secondary battery 210) characterized in that it comprises a charging control means for stopping (211) the charging when is fully charged state.

  In the present application, unless the voltage value of the secondary battery is equal to or lower than the set voltage, the charging is not started. Therefore, the number of times of charging can be reduced compared to the case of always charging from the solar battery. Long life can be achieved.

  In the wireless telemeter system of the present application, a plurality of wireless slave units (22), a meter (23) connected to each of the plurality of wireless slave units (22) and measuring the amount of supply supplied to a consumer, And a communication unit (21B) that communicates with the plurality of wireless slave units (22) via the wireless network (N2), and a secondary battery (210) that stores electric power supplied from the solar cell (20). In the wireless telemeter system including the wireless master unit (21) including the power source unit (21A) for supplying the power stored in the secondary battery (210) to the communication unit (21B), 21) detecting means (212) for detecting the voltage of the secondary battery (210), and when the voltage detected by the detecting means (212) is equal to or lower than a set voltage, the secondary battery (210) Start charging the battery (210) , Characterized in that it comprises a charge control means (211) to stop charging when the rechargeable battery (210) is fully charged state.

  In the present application, unless the voltage value of the secondary battery is equal to or lower than the set voltage, the charging is not started. Therefore, the number of times of charging can be reduced compared to the case of always charging from the solar battery. Long life can be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Host computer 12 Center side network control apparatus 20 Solar cell panel 21 Radio | wireless main | base station 21A Power supply part 21B Communication part 22 Radio | wireless subunit | mobile_unit 23 Meter 210 Power storage part 211 Charge control part 212 Voltage detection part 213 Output part 215 Control part 216 Storage part 217 Wide area wireless communication part 218 Narrow area wireless communication part

Claims (4)

A communication unit that performs communication for meter reading and the other plurality of wireless communication devices via a wireless network, a secondary battery for storing electric power supplied from the solar cell, which is accumulated in the secondary battery power A wireless communication device comprising a power supply unit for supplying the communication unit to the communication unit,
Detecting means for detecting a voltage of the secondary battery;
Charge control means for starting charging from the solar battery to the secondary battery when the voltage detected by the detection means is less than or equal to a set voltage, and stopping charging when the secondary battery is fully charged; ,
Storage means for storing meter reading date information;
With
The charge control unit, a wireless communication device, wherein the than the timing shown meter reading day information you start charging in order to the secondary cell fully charged before. Means for determining an attribute of the signal received by the communication unit;
Means for determining whether or not a signal having the same attribute has been received from a predetermined number or more of the plurality of other wireless communication devices;
If it is determined that a signal has been received for the same attribute from a predetermined proportion or more of the wireless communication device, the charging control unit may in claim 1, characterized in that it is constituted such that it starts the charging of the secondary battery The wireless communication device described. Means for determining whether or not a signal indicating an emergency stop of another wireless communication device has been received;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein when it is determined that the signal has been received, the charging control unit starts charging the secondary battery. A plurality of wireless slave devices each comprising means for connecting a meter for measuring the amount of supply supplied to a consumer, a communication unit communicating with the plurality of wireless slave devices via a wireless network, and the sun In a wireless telemeter system including a wireless master device having a secondary battery that stores electric power supplied from a battery, and a power supply unit that supplies electric power stored in the secondary battery to the communication unit,
The wireless master unit is
Detecting means for detecting a voltage of the secondary battery;
Charge control means for starting charging from the solar battery to the secondary battery when the voltage detected by the detection means is less than or equal to a set voltage, and stopping charging when the secondary battery is fully charged; ,
Storage means for storing meter reading date information;
With
The charge control unit, a wireless telemetry system, wherein the than the timing shown meter reading day information you start charging in order to the secondary cell fully charged before.

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