WO2014132711A1

WO2014132711A1 - Data collecting device and data collecting method

Info

Publication number: WO2014132711A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/051451
Authority: WO
Inventors: 直大倉
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2013-02-27
Filing date: 2014-01-24
Publication date: 2014-09-04
Also published as: JP2014163879A

Abstract

A data collecting device for collecting flow rate data from a flow meter comprises: a communication means for communicating with the flow meter; a determination means for determining a communication protocol with the flow meter on the basis of communications with the flow meter; a storage means for storing parameters for the communication protocol with the flow meter; an update means for updating the parameters; a communication control means for controlling the communication protocol of the communication means so that the communication protocol with the flow meter is the communication protocol determined by the determination means; and a calculation means for receiving flow rate data input from the flow meter and calculating the flow rate using the parameters.

Description

Data collection apparatus and data collection method

The present invention relates to a data collection device and a data collection method, and more particularly to a data collection device and a data collection method for collecting flow rate data.

Conventionally, there are a pulse method and a telegram method as an output method of flow rate data from a gas meter or a water meter. For each method, parameters such as a pulse rate and the number of digits representing flow rate data are set, and the parameters differ depending on the meter.

As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-275457 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-224390 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2), data collection is performed by communicating with these meters to collect flow rate data. There is a device. In the data collection device, the communication method and settings between the gas meter and the water meter are specified in advance.

JP 2008-275457 A JP 2008-224390 A

Therefore, conventionally, the data collection device can collect the flow rate data only from the meter corresponding to the communication method and the meter corresponding to the setting. Therefore, when installing a data collection device in an existing house or the like where a gas meter or water meter is already installed, the meter is assumed to be incompatible with the communication method of the data collection device and its settings. There was a problem that had to be replaced.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a data collection device and a data collection method capable of collecting flow rate data from various flow meters.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the data collection device is a data collection device for collecting flow rate data from a flow meter, comprising: a communication means for communicating with the flow meter; Determining means for determining the communication method of the flow meter based on communication between the storage device, storage means for storing parameters in the communication method of the flow meter, updating means for updating the parameters, and flow meter The communication control means for controlling the communication method in the communication means so that the communication method between the communication means and the communication method determined by the determination means, and the input of the flow rate data from the flow meter, and using the parameters Calculating means for calculating the flow rate.

Preferably, the determination unit determines the communication method of the flow meter based on a response from the flow meter according to a request in each communication method from the data collection device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a data collection method is a method of collecting flow rate data from a flow meter with a data collection device, the step of storing parameters in a communication method of the flow meter, a data collection device, a flow meter, Determining the communication method of the flow meter at the data collection device based on the communication between
When the parameter needs to be updated, the method includes a step of updating the parameter and a step of calculating the flow rate by using the parameter for the flow rate data from the flow meter.

Preferably, in the determining step, a response is requested from the data collection device to the flow meter using a different communication method, and the communication method that has responded from the flow meter is determined as the communication method of the flow meter.

According to the present invention, flow rate data can be collected from various flow meters.

It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of the flow volume data collection system concerning embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the apparatus structure of the data collection device contained in a flow volume data collection system. It is a block diagram showing the specific example of the structure of the control part of a data collection device. It is a figure showing the operation | movement outline | summary in a data collection system. It is a block diagram showing the specific example of a function structure of a data collection device. It is a flowchart showing the specific example of the flow of operation | movement in a data collection device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, these descriptions will not be repeated.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the flow rate data collection system according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the flow rate data collection system according to the present embodiment includes a gas meter 300A and a water meter 300B (representative examples) of flow meters that are devices for measuring a flow rate of gas, water, and the like. The data collection device 100 for collecting flow rate data from the meter 300, and the integration of gas and water measured by each meter 300 based on the flow rate data collected by the data collection device 100 A terminal device 500 that is an example of a device for receiving and displaying a value from the data collection device 100 and is also an example of a control device for the data collection device 100, as will be described later, and the data collection device 100 and the terminal device 500 A communication relay device 500A, which is a device for relaying communication with the communication device.

The terminal device 500 is assumed to be a dedicated device equipped with a communication function and a display input function (for example, a touch panel). However, as another example, the terminal device 500 may be realized by installing a dedicated program in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone, or a device such as a PC (personal computer) or a so-called tablet terminal.

The meter 300, the data collection device 100, the data collection device 100, the communication relay device 500A, the communication relay device 500A, and the terminal device 500 can communicate with each other.

Communication between the meter 300 and the data collection device 100 follows various communication methods, and may be wireless communication or wired communication.

As an example, communication between the data collection device 100 and the terminal device 500 is performed via the communication relay device 500A. Examples of performing wireless communication are given. However, as another example, the terminal device 500 may include the communication relay device 500A, and these may be one device. That is, the data collection device 100 and the terminal device 500 may communicate directly. In that sense, it can be said that the communication relay device 500A is also an example of a control device of the data collection device 100. In the following examples, assuming that the terminal device 500 is an example of a control device, the terminal device 500 transmits and sets parameters in a communication method with the meter 300 to the data collection device 100 as described later. However, as described above, assuming that both the terminal device 500 and the communication relay device 500A are examples of the data collection device 100, the communication relay device 500A transmits parameters to the data collection device 100 in the same manner as the terminal device 500. It may be set.

Furthermore, the terminal device 500 or the communication relay device 500A that is a control device may be included in the data collection device 100, and these may be one device. That is, the control unit 10A of the data collection device 100 may realize the function of the terminal device 500 or the communication relay device 500A.

The meter 300 is provided at a position through which a fluid to be measured such as gas or water passes, and corresponds to the amount of fluid used. The amount of passage at that position in a given period is measured. Then, the meter 300 transmits flow rate measurement data (flow rate data) to the data collection device 100. The data collection device 100 reads the measurement data of the meter 300 from the flow rate data, and is a value representing the usage amount during the period as the usage amount for a predetermined period (for example, one day or one month) from the measurement data. Calculate the integrated value. Then, the data collection device 100 transmits the calculated integrated value to the terminal device 500. The terminal device 500 notifies the user of the amount of use such as gas or water by displaying the received integrated value.

<Device configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the device configuration of the data collection device 100. Referring to FIG. 2, data collection device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like,
10 A of control parts for controlling the whole apparatus, the operation part 21 comprised by a switch etc., the display part 22 comprised by LED (Light Emitting Diode) etc., and the meter communication part 23 for communicating with the meter 300 A tablet communication unit 24 for communicating with the terminal device 500, and a power source 25.

The communication method of the meter 300 includes, for example, a telegram method and a pulse method. When the communication method of the meter 300 is the above two methods, the meter communication unit 23 can perform communication using at least these two communication methods and can switch its communication method according to the communication method of the meter 300. It is. Of course, when there is another communication method, the meter communication unit 23 can also communicate with the communication method.

When the tablet communication unit 24 performs wireless communication with the terminal device 500 as an example, the tablet communication unit 24 includes an antenna as illustrated, and performs wireless communication with the terminal device 500 via the antenna.

Control unit 10A controls each of these units. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the control unit 10A. Referring to FIG. 3, control unit 10 </ b> A executes CPU 10 that is an arithmetic device, ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 that is a memory for storing a program executed by CPU 10, and CPU 10 executes the above program. RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 which is a memory for serving as a storage area, a power supply I / F (interface) 13 for connecting to a power supply 25 and receiving power supply, and a display unit 22 Display unit I / F 14, operation unit I / F 15 for connection with operation unit 21, first communication I / F 16 for connection with meter communication unit 23, and second for connection with tablet communication unit 24 Communication I / F17.

<Overview of operation>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the operation in the flow rate data collection system according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, as an initial setting operation, when the data collection device 100 is turned on or reset, or when a new meter 300 is connected to the system, the data collection device 100 is in an initial state. An operation (# 1) for specifying the communication method of each meter 300 is performed. In the operation (# 1), as a specific example, the data collection device 100 first requests the meter 300 to transmit data using one communication method (for example, a telegram method) (step S1). The data may be data that can identify the meter 300, such as security data. When there is an answer from the meter 300 to this request (step S2), the data collection device 100 can specify that the communication method (message method) is the communication method of the meter 300 (step S3). When there is no transmission of data as an answer from the meter 300, the data collection device 100 specifies that the communication method is not the communication method of the meter 300. In this case, if there is another communication method capable of dialogue, the next communication method is used to request data transmission. That is, the data collection device 100 sequentially adopts the communication methods possible in step S1 and requests the meter 300 to transmit data. In step S2, when data is transmitted as a response, the data collection device 100 performs step S3. The communication method can be specified as the communication method of the meter 300. In the case of this example, when it is not specified as the message method in step S3, the data collection device 100 can specify the communication method of the meter 300 as the pulse method. The data collection device 100 can specify the communication method of each meter 300 by repeating the operation (# 1) of specifying the communication method in steps S1 to S3 for each meter 300.

When the communication method of each meter 300 is specified, the data collection device 100 sets parameters in the communication method for each meter 300 (step S4). Setting means, for example, storing as a parameter used in a predetermined storage area of the memory for storing the parameter. In step S4, for example, the data collection device 100 stores the initial values of the parameters for each communication method in advance, so that the initial values can be set. Alternatively, by storing the previously set parameters by the data collection device 100, the stored previous parameters can be set. At this stage, parameters stored in advance in the memory are used as they are. Here, the parameter corresponds to the minimum digit that is a digit representing the position of the decimal point of the measurement data when the communication method is a telegram method. Further, when the communication method is a pulse method, the pulse rate is applicable.

When the parameters are set for the communication method of each meter 300, the data collection device 100 performs an operation (# 2) for calculating the integrated value of the flow rate. In the operation (# 2), as a specific example, first, flow rate data is transferred from the meter 300 to the data collection device 100 (step S5). The flow rate data is transferred from the meter 300 to the data collection device 100 at, for example, a certain time interval, a timing requested from the data collection device 100, or a predetermined timing. When the data collection device 100 receives the flow rate data from the meter 300, the parameter set in step S4 is read from the memory and applied, and the integrated value of the flow rate measured by the meter 300 is calculated from the flow rate data (step S6). .

The data collection device 100 repeats the above steps S5 and S6 in the operation (# 2) for calculating the integrated value of the flow rate. Further, in the operation (# 2), the data collection device 100 transmits the integrated value calculated at a predetermined timing to the terminal device 500 to be notified to the user by being displayed on a display (not shown) of the terminal device 500. May be.

At this time, when receiving an input of a parameter from the user, the terminal device 500 transmits a signal representing the parameter to the data collection device 100 (step S7). Here, for example, at the timing when the power of the data collection device 100 is turned on or reset, or when a new meter 300 is connected to the system, the terminal device 500 presents the communication method of each meter 300 on a display (not shown). Thus, the input of each minimum digit and pulse rate can be accepted. As an example, the terminal device 500 may display an input field, accept a direct input thereto, and transmit the value to the data collection device 100. As another example, the terminal device 500 stores parameters in advance associated with the model number and manufacturer of the meter 300, and automatically identifies and specifies the parameters by receiving input of the model number and manufacturer of the meter 300. The parameter may be transmitted to the data collection device 100. Parameters associated with the model number or manufacturer of the meter 300 may be stored in another device accessible via the Internet or the like. In this case, the terminal device 500 inputs the model number or manufacturer of the meter 300. By accepting, the other device may be accessed to obtain the associated parameter, and the obtained parameter may be transmitted to the data collection device 100. As another example, the terminal device 500 receives an input of a usage amount described in a bill for a predetermined period (for example, one month), so that a minimum digit or A parameter such as a pulse rate may be specified, and the specified parameter may be transmitted to the data collection device 100.

When receiving the signal representing the parameter from the parameter terminal device 500 during the operation (# 2), the data collection device 100 updates the parameter stored in the memory to the received parameter (step S8). The data collection device 100 then performs an operation (# 2) for calculating the integrated value of the flow rate using the updated parameter. That is, when the data collection device 100 receives the flow rate data from the meter 300 after the parameter update in step S8 (step S9), the data collection device 100 reads the parameter updated in step S8 from the memory and applies it. An integrated value of the flow rate measured by the meter 300 is calculated (step S10). Thereafter, similarly, the data collection device 100 repeats steps S9 and S10 in the operation (# 2).

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a functional configuration of data collection apparatus 100 for performing the above operation. Each function shown in FIG. 5 is mainly formed on the CPU 10 when the CPU 10 of the data collection apparatus 100 reads out and executes a program stored in the ROM 11 on the RAM 12. However, at least a part may be realized by the hardware configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, other electric circuits, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 5, a memory such as RAM 12 is provided with a parameter storage unit 201 that is a storage area for storing parameters for each meter 300 or initial values of parameters according to the communication method.

Further, referring to FIG. 5, CPU 10 determines the communication method of meter 300 based on the communication with meter 300 and the communication method in which the communication method between meter 300 is determined. A communication control unit 102 for controlling the communication method in the meter communication unit 23 and a parameter input unit for receiving input of parameters from the terminal device 500 by communicating with the terminal device 500 through the tablet communication unit 24. 103, the update unit 104 for updating the parameter stored in the parameter storage unit 201 to the parameter input from the terminal device 500, and the meter communication unit 23 communicates with the meter 300 to accept the input of the flow rate data. The flow rate data input unit 105 and the flow rate data from the meter 300 are stored in the parameter storage unit. The calculation unit 106 for calculating the integrated value of the flow rate using the initial value of the selected parameter or the parameter input from the terminal device 500, and the integrated value calculated by communicating with the terminal device 500 by the tablet communication unit 24 Is transmitted to the terminal device 500.

<Overview of operation>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the flow of operations in data collection apparatus 100. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is started at the timing when the data collection device 100 is turned on or reset, or when a new meter 300 is connected to the system and the initial state is reached. It is. This operation is realized by causing the CPU 10 of the data collection device 100 to read out and execute a program stored in the ROM 11 on the RAM 12 and exhibit the functions shown in FIG.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 6, when the initial state is reached, the CPU 10 executes the above-described operation (# 1) for specifying the communication method of each meter 300. As a specific example, the CPU 10 first requests the meter 300 to transmit data using a telegram method. Here, the CPU 10 may inquire the meter 300 itself, for example, requesting transmission of security data (step S101). When an answer is received from the meter 300 in response to this request (YES in step S103), the CPU 10 can specify the communication method of the meter 300 as a telegram method (step S105). In this case, the CPU 10 sets a minimum digit, which is a digit representing the position of the decimal point of the measurement data, as a message method parameter (step S107).

When there is no answer from the meter 300 to the inquiry in the telegram method in step S101 (NO in step S103), the CPU 10 can specify the communication method of the meter 300 as the pulse method (step S113). In this case, the CPU 10 sets a pulse rate or the like as a pulse method parameter (step S115).

In addition, when there is a communication method in which communication is possible other than the message method and the pulse method, the CPU 10 can identify the communication method of the meter 300 by sequentially checking the other communication methods in the same manner.

When the communication method of each meter 300 is specified and the parameters for each communication method are set, the CPU 10 executes the above-described operation (# 2) for calculating the integrated value of the flow rate. As a specific example, when the communication method of the meter 300 is a telegram method, the CPU 10 acquires the measurement data at the meter 300 from the minimum digit, which is the parameter set at step S107, of the flow rate data from the meter 300. (Step S117), an integrated value is calculated using a predetermined calculation formula (Step S121). When the communication method of the meter 300 is a pulse method, the measurement data at the meter 300 is acquired from the pulse rate that is the parameter set at step S115 of the flow rate data from the meter 300 (step S119). Similarly, the integrated value is calculated using a predetermined calculation formula (step S121). The same is true even if the communication method of the meter 300 is another method.

The CPU 10 transmits the calculated integrated value to the terminal device 500 (step S123). This transmission may be a timing requested from the terminal device 500 or may be a predetermined timing. The CPU 10 stores the integrated value calculated in step S121 in the memory, and when detecting that the timing has been reached, the CPU 10 reads the integrated value from the memory and transmits it to the terminal device 500.

When the CPU 10 does not accept input of parameters from the terminal device 500 (NO in step S125), the CPU 10 calculates the integrated value of the flow rate with the parameters set in step S107 or step S115 (# 2) (step S117 to S124) are repeated.

On the other hand, when receiving an input of a parameter from terminal device 500 (YES in step S125), CPU 10 performs a process of updating the parameter stored in the memory to the received parameter (step S127). Here, the CPU 10 previously stores the meter 300 in the memory, such as parameters stored in advance in the memory according to the communication method and parameters previously stored as parameters used for the meter 300. Update the existing parameters by overwriting them with the received parameters.

Thereafter, the CPU 10 repeats the operation (# 2) (steps S117 to S124) for calculating the integrated value of the flow rate using the updated parameter.

<Effect of Embodiment>
With the data collection device 100 configured as described above and operating as described above, in the flow rate data collection system according to the present embodiment, the communication method of the meter 300 that the data collection device 100 collects flow rate data from. Can be automatically determined and set. In addition, parameters corresponding to the communication method of the meter 300 that is the collection target of flow rate data can be set for the data collection device 100 from the terminal device 500 or the communication relay device 500A that is a control device.

Conventionally, since the communication method and its parameters have been defined in advance in the data collection device as described above, it was necessary to install a meter corresponding to the data collection device when introducing gas or water. By using the flow rate data collection system according to the embodiment, one data collection device 100 can correspond to various meters 300. In other words, conventionally, since the data collection device 100 can be made to correspond to an already installed meter even in an existing house or the like that needs to be replaced with a meter corresponding to the data collection device 100, the meter must be replaced. It is possible to introduce the flow rate data collection system according to the present embodiment.

<Other examples>
Furthermore, a program for causing these devices to function as the terminal device 500 can be provided by being installed in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone, or a device such as a PC or a so-called tablet terminal. Such a program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card, and provided as a program product. You can also. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

The program according to the present invention is a program module that is provided as a part of a computer operating system (OS) and calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. Also good. In that case, the program itself does not include the module, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such a module can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

Further, the program according to the present invention may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program. Even in this case, the program itself does not include the module included in the other program, and the process is executed in cooperation with the other program. Such a program incorporated in another program can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk and executed. The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

The embodiment disclosed this time should 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 description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

According to an aspect of the above embodiment, the data collection device is a data collection device for collecting flow rate data from a flow meter, and communicates with a control device and a first communication means for communicating with the flow meter. A second communication unit, a determination unit for determining a communication method of the flow meter based on communication between the flow meter, and an input unit for receiving input of parameters in the communication method of the flow meter from the control device And communication control means for controlling the communication method in the first communication means so that the communication method between the flow meter and the flow meter is the communication method determined by the determination means, and input of flow data from the flow meter And calculating means for calculating the flow rate using the parameter input from the control device.

Preferably, the data collection device further includes storage means for storing parameters, and update means for updating the parameters stored in the storage means to parameters input from the control device, wherein the calculation means includes The parameters are read from the storage means and used for calculating the flow rate.

According to another aspect of the above embodiment, the data collection method is a method of collecting flow rate data from a flow meter with a data collection device, wherein the data collection device is based on communication between the data collection device and the flow meter. Determining the flow meter communication method, the data collection device receiving a signal from the control device, setting a parameter in the flow meter communication method based on the signal, and from the flow meter to the data collection device On the other hand, a step of outputting flow rate data by a communication method and a step of calculating a flow rate by using a parameter for the flow rate data from the flow meter by the data collection device are provided.

10 CPU, 10A control unit, 11 ROM, 12 RAM, 13 power I / F, 14 display unit I / F, 15 operation unit I / F, 16 first communication I / F, 17 second communication I / F, 21 Operation unit, 22 display unit, 23 meter communication unit, 24 tablet communication unit, 25 power supply, 100 data collection device, 101 determination unit, 102 communication control unit, 103 parameter input unit, 104 update unit, 105 flow rate data input unit, 106 Calculation unit, 107 transmission unit, 201 parameter storage unit, 300 meter, 300A gas meter, 300B water meter, 500 terminal device, 500A communication relay device.

Claims

A data collection device for collecting flow rate data from a flow meter,
Communication means for communicating with the flow meter;
A determination unit for determining a communication method of the flow meter based on communication with the flow meter;
Storage means for storing parameters in the communication method of the flow meter;
Updating means for updating the parameters;
Communication control means for controlling the communication system in the communication means so that the communication system with the flow meter is the communication system determined by the determination means;
A data collection device comprising: calculation means for receiving flow rate data input from the flow meter and calculating a flow rate using the parameter.
The data collection device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines a communication method of the flow meter based on a response from the flow meter according to a request in each communication method from the data collection device.
A method of collecting flow rate data from a flow meter with a data collection device,
Storing parameters in the communication method of the flow meter;
Determining a communication method of the flow meter in the data collection device based on communication between the data collection device and the flow meter;
Updating the parameter when the parameter needs to be updated;
And a step of calculating the flow rate by using the parameter for the flow rate data from the flow meter.
The determination step requests a response from the data collection device to the flow meter using a different communication method, and specifies a communication method that has responded from the flow meter as a communication method of the flow meter. 3. The data collection method according to 3.