JPS61295750A - Transmitter for meter inspection information - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform remote meter inspection at low cost by providing a timer circuit indoors and switching an external telephone circuit from a speech circuit to the side of a meter inspecting circuit in a specific meter inspection time zone. CONSTITUTION:The timer circuit 8 is equipped with timer switches 8a and 8b which are operated by a timer in addition to the timer, and those switches are normally placed at sides of the speech circuit L3 to connect a telephone set 6 to the telephone circuit L1 from a telephone office 1, so that an outward call can be made from the telephone set 6. Further, the switches are connected to sides of a meter inspection circuit L4 as shown dotted lines in the preset specific meter inspection time, for example, from 0:00 p.m., on 1st of every month to 6:00 p.m., to transmit meter inspection information from the meter inspection circuit through the telephone circuit L1 only in this specific meter inspection time zone.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention collects meter reading information from meter reading circuits for gas, water, electricity, etc. installed in general residential units based on instructions from a meter reading center via a telephone line. The present invention relates to a meter reading information transmitting device.

(Prior Art) In recent years, various remote meter reading devices have been proposed that remotely collect meter reading information from meter reading circuits for gas, water, electricity, etc. installed in general residential units using telephone lines.

In such conventional remote meter reading devices, a no-ringing trunk (hereinafter abbreviated as NRT) is installed as special exchange equipment for automatic meter reading in the telephone office that has jurisdiction over the subscriber area where automatic meter reading is scheduled via telephone line. When performing a meter reading remotely, first the meter reading center sends out a first dial signal indicating that an automatic meter reading will be carried out, and then the N
The RT and the meter reading center are connected via a telephone line, and when the connection is completed, the meter reading center further specifies the subscriber's telephone number and sends out a second dial signal. NRT on the telephone station side
When the meter-reading center receives the second dial signal, it sends a no-ringing call signal with the polarity of the line voltage reversed to the specified subscriber, and connects the NRT and the subscriber's line without ringing the subscriber's telephone bell. Connect with. When the line connection between the subscriber and the meter reading center is completed via the NRT installed at the telephone office, the electronic meter for gas, water, electricity, etc. installed in the subscriber's residence, in other words, the meter reading circuit, is connected by command from the meter reading center. It was activated and collected meter reading information from the meter reading circuit.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, while it is possible to read the meter remotely without ringing the bell of the subscriber's telephone, special The problem is that the cost required for meter reading increases because the switching equipment must be installed at the telephone office, making the equipment configuration large-scale.

Furthermore, if a telephone office is not equipped with special exchange equipment for automatic meter reading, i.e., NRT, remote meter reading via telephone line is not available for subscribers in areas under the jurisdiction of such telephone office. However, there was a problem in that the areas where remote meter reading could be used were restricted.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and uses telephone lines to collect meter reading information from meter reading circuits for gas, water, electricity, etc. installed in the subscriber's residence. In order to provide a meter reading information transmission device that allows remote meter reading without restricting the area where automatic meter reading can be used and at low cost, a timer circuit is installed in the residence. At the end of a predetermined meter reading time period, the external telephone line is switched from the voice line to the meter reading line, and when the call signal receiving circuit receives the own calling signal input via this meter reading line, a response signal is generated. The transmitting circuit is driven to transmit a response signal, and when the meter reading information transmission circuit receives a center signal from the meter reading center that is input after the response signal transmission starts, the meter reading circuit is connected and the meter reading information from the meter reading circuit is transmitted. It's what I made.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

First, to explain the configuration, 1 is a telephone office, and a telephone line L1 is drawn out from the telephone office 1, to which general telephones 2 of a plurality of general subscribers are connected. In addition, the meter reading center 3 is connected to the telephone line L1 drawn out from the telephone station 1, and the meter reading center 3 connects the meter reading center 3 to the telephone line L1 drawn out from the telephone station 1.
Meter reading information from the electricity meter reading circuit is collected via the telephone line L1.

To explain specifically how the meter reading center 3 collects meter reading information, the meter reading center 3 has a built-in computer and collects meter reading information from a plurality of consumers based on an information collection program by the computer. Consumers whose information is to be collected are assigned to each preset meter reading time slot, and when the preset meter reading time slot is reached, each consumer is called individually to collect information using a polling method. That is, a call signal is sent to a consumer, and when a response signal is obtained from the corresponding consumer, a center signal is immediately sent, and an automatic meter reading device installed at the corresponding consumer is activated to read the meter with a built-in electronic meter. Collect meter reading information from the circuit. In this case, the time from receiving the response signal sent back based on the call signal to the consumer, that is, the time from determining the response signal from the corresponding consumer to sending the center signal, is the predetermined time To is set within A telephone line L1 drawn out from a telephone office 1 is connected to the dwelling unit shown on the right side. A switch 5 switches the connection between the subscriber line L2 leading to the telephone 6 and the automatic meter reading device 7. That is, in normal times, it is connected to the timer circuit 8 provided in the automatic meter reading device 7, but in an emergency, for example, when a failure occurs in the automatic meter reading device 7, or when you want to make an emergency call during automatic meter reading hours, the dotted line As shown, subscriber line L2
By switching to the side, the telephone 6 is connected to the telephone line L1 from the telephone office 1 via the subscriber line L2, and it is possible to make a call using the telephone 6. The telephone 6 is also provided with a lamp 6a, and when the switch 5 is switched to the dotted line side, it drives a built-in oscillation circuit to blink the lamp 6a, thereby functioning as a switch warning light. . In addition to the timer, the timer circuit 8 includes timer switches 8a and 8b operated by the timer.
Normally, the telephone line is switched to the telephone line L3, and the telephone 6 is connected to the telephone line L1 from the telephone office 1 via the telephone line L3, allowing the telephone 6 to make calls with outside parties. In addition, by connecting to the meter reading line L4 side, which is the dotted line side, as shown in Figure 1, only during a preset meter reading time period, for example, from midnight to 6 am on the 1st of every month. A9, which can transmit meter reading information from the meter reading line via the telephone line L1 only during a predetermined meter reading time period, is a call signal receiver that receives its own call signal input via the meter reading line L4 during the meter reading time period. When the circuit receives its own calling signal, it outputs a signal to the response signal transmitting circuit 10. The response signal transmitting circuit 10 is a circuit that returns a response signal via the telephone line L1 based on the signal output from the calling signal receiving circuit 9. By returning the response signal, the telephone station 1 connects the other party with the line. The transmission of the response signal is stopped based on the signal output from the meter reading information transmission circuit 11 which is connected and will be explained later, or the signal output from the off-hook detection circuit 16 which detects that the telephone 6 has been hung up due to the end of the call. and turn off the line connection with the other party. The response signal transmission circuit 10 also includes a signal output section that outputs a start signal to the timer circuit 13a in synchronization with the transmission of the response signal. Reference numeral 11 denotes a meter reading information transmission circuit, which includes a receiving section that receives a center signal from the meter reading center 3 that is input after the start of response signal transmission, and a switch 11a, and switches the switch 11a to the dotted line side based on the reception of the center signal from the receiving section. Then, the meter reading circuit 12 is connected to the telephone line L1. Further, upon receiving a center signal from the meter reading center 3, the meter reading information transmission circuit 11 drives an output section that outputs a restoration signal and a lighting signal. That is, the timer circuit 13
At the same time as outputting a recovery signal to the telephone 6, a lighting signal is output to the telephone 6, and by lighting the lamp 6a, it is displayed that the meter reading information is being transmitted. Reference numeral 12 denotes a meter reading circuit, which includes an electronic meter 12a that outputs the consumption of gas, water, electricity, etc. as an electric signal, and the meter reading information transmission circuit 1.
1, meter reading information is transmitted to the telephone line L1. In addition, meter reading information transmission circuit 1
1 completes the transmission of the meter reading information to the meter reading center 3, turns off the switch 11a, and at the same time outputs a recovery signal to the response signal transmitting circuit 10 and the lamp 6a to stop sending out the response signal and turn off the lamp 6a. 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a general call discrimination device that discriminates calls from other than the meter reading center 3, that is, calls from general subscriber telephones. If a recovery signal is not obtained from the meter reading information transmission circuit 11 within one hour To of the timer, it is assumed that the center signal from the meter reading center 3 cannot be obtained after one hour To of the timer has elapsed. A timer circuit that discriminates and outputs a signal in synchronization with the audio signal sending circuit 14 and the calling signal sending circuit 15.
13a and a voice synthesis integrated circuit, it operates based on commands from the timer circuit 13a, and outputs a voice response signal, such as "Currently calling." Please wait a while. ”
is connected to the telephone line L via the first switching means 16a.
1, and a timer circuit 1.
3a, and a calling signal sending circuit 15 which sends a calling signal to the telephone 6 to the telephone 6 via the second switching means 16b. , 16 is an off-footer detection circuit, and the timer switch 8 of the timer 8 switches to the dotted line side during meter reading time.
A detection unit that is connected to the telephone 6 through the terminal b and detects off-hook of the telephone 6, and an off-hook detection circuit 16.
When detects an off-footer of the telephone 6, the first switching means 16a and the second switching means 16b are configured to switch to the dotted line side in synchronization, and the audio signal sending circuit 14 and the calling signal sending circuit 15 are configured as follows. Telephone line L
At the same time, the telephone 6 is connected to the telephone line L1 via the second switching means 16b1 connection line L5 and the first switching means '16a, and the telephone 6 and a general subscriber's telephone are able to talk. . Further, the off-hook detection circuit 16 detects that the telephone call 6 has ended, that is, the telephone receiver has been hung up, and outputs a recovery signal to the response signal transmission circuit 10.

Next, the operation will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the transmission of meter reading information in response to a call from the meter reading center.

As shown in FIG. 2, the timer circuit 8 is activated, and a predetermined meter reading time period, that is, time 11, for example, from midnight to time t.
2. For example, by switching the timer switch 8a to the dotted line side until 6 a.m., the meter reading line L4 is connected to the telephone line L1 from the telephone office 1 via the timer switch 8a. When the call signal receiving circuit 9 receives its own call signal in response to a call from the meter reading center 3, it outputs a signal to the response signal transmitting circuit 1Q after a predetermined time T1 has elapsed, thereby activating the response signal transmitting circuit 1Q. The response signal transmission circuit 10 connects the meter reading center 3 and the automatic meter reading device 7 by transmitting a response signal to the meter reading center 3 via the telephone line L1. Next, the center signal transmitted following the call signal from the meter reading center 3 is sent to the telephone line L1 and the meter reading line L.
4 to the meter reading information transmission circuit 11. When the meter reading information transmission circuit 11 determines the center signal from the meter reading center 3, it switches the built-in relay contact 11a to the dotted line side, and connects the meter reading circuit 12 to the meter reading line L4 via the relay contact 11a. The meter reading information transmission circuit 11 transmits meter reading information from the electronic meter 128 built into the meter reading circuit 12,
Meter reading center 3 via meter reading line L4 and telephone line L1
to be transmitted.

Figure 3 is a timing chart showing the call function available during meter reading hours.

As shown in FIG. 2, during the meter reading period, that is, from time t1 to time ℃2, the timer switch 8a built in the timer circuit 8 switches to the dotted line side, and the telephone line L1
and the meter reading line L4 are connected. The operation in this state, that is, when a call is required from the general subscriber telephone 2 during the meter reading time period, will be explained. When a calling signal from a general subscriber telephone 2 is input via the telephone line L1 and a timer switch 8a to a calling signal receiving circuit 9, the calling signal receiving circuit 9
activates the response signal transmitting circuit 10 after a predetermined time T1 has elapsed. The response signal transmitting circuit 10 transmits a response signal based on the signal output from the calling signal receiving circuit 9, and connects the general subscriber telephone 2 that received the call and the automatic meter reading device 7 via the telephone line L1. do. Response signal transmission circuit]O
outputs a start signal to the timer circuit 13a in synchronization with the transmission of the response signal to start the timer operation of the timer circuit 13a. The timer circuit 13a determines whether or not the center signal has been received based on whether the recovery signal 1q is received from the meter reading information transmission circuit 11 within a predetermined time To after the timer starts operating. If the call signal is from the meter reading information transmission circuit 11 because the center signal cannot be obtained, the timer circuit 13a transmits the call signal to the voice signal transmission circuit 14 and the call signal transmission circuit after the predetermined time To has elapsed. A signal is output in synchronization with the circuit 15. The audio signal sending circuit 14 outputs an audio response signal, that is, "Currently calling." Please wait a while. '' is sent to the corresponding subscriber telephone 2 via the first switching means 16a1, relay contact 11a, meter reading line L4, timer switch 8a and telephone line L1. On the other hand, the calling signal sending circuit 15 operates based on the signal from the timer circuit 13a, sends out a calling signal to the own telephone 6, and causes the built-in bell of the telephone 6 to ring. When a resident of the dwelling unit hears the bell ringing and lifts the handset of the telephone 6, the off-footer detection circuit 16 detects that the telephone 6 is off-hook. Based on the detection operation of the off-footer detection circuit 16, the first switching means 16a and the second switching means 16a
The switching means 16b are switched to the dotted line side in synchronization.

That is, the audio signal sending circuit 14 and the calling signal sending circuit 15
is simultaneously disconnected from the telephone line L1, and the connection line L5 is disconnected from the telephone line L1.
The telephone 6 and the telephone line L1 are connected via the telephone line L1. Therefore, the resident in the dwelling unit has the telephone 6, the second switching means 16b, the connection line L5, and the first switching means 16a.
, the relay contact 11a, the meter reading line L4, the timer switch 8a, and the telephone line L1.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, a timer circuit is provided in the dwelling unit and the telephone line from outside is switched from the call line to the meter reading line during a predetermined meter reading time period. When the call signal reception circuit receives its own call signal input through this meter reading line, it drives the response signal transmission circuit to transmit the response signal, and receives the center signal from the meter reading center input after the response signal transmission starts. When the meter reading information transmission circuit receives the meter reading information, the meter reading information is transmitted from the meter reading circuit by connecting the meter reading circuit to a line, so that meter reading can be performed remotely at low cost based on instructions from the meter reading center. In addition, there is no need to install special exchange equipment for automatic meter reading in the telephone office, and automatic meter reading can be easily carried out by simply installing the meter reading information transmission device of the present invention in the residential unit where automatic meter reading is scheduled in advance. There are no restrictions on the area where meter reading can be used.

Furthermore, by using late-night hours when there are few calls on the telephone line as the automatic meter reading time, it is possible to effectively utilize the telephone line.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the transmission of meter reading information, and FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the call function during the meter reading time period. 1: Telephone office 2.6: Telephone 3: Meter reading center 5: Switch 6a: Lamp 7: Automatic meter reading device 8.13a: Timer circuit 3a, 3b: Timer switch 9: Calling signal receiving circuit 10: Response signal transmitting circuit 11: Meter reading information transmission circuit 12: Meter reading circuit 12a: Electronic meter 13 General call discrimination device 14: Voice signal output path 15: Call signal output circuit 16: Off-footer detection circuit Ll: Telephone line L2: Subscriber line [3: Call line L4: Meter reading line

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A meter reading information transmission device that transmits meter reading information from a meter reading circuit installed in a residential unit via a telephone line based on instructions from a meter reading center, comprising: a timer circuit that switches and connects the telephone line from the telephone line to the meter reading line; a calling signal receiving circuit that receives its own calling signal input via the meter reading line; and a response based on the command from the calling signal receiving circuit. a response signal transmission circuit that transmits a signal; and a meter reading information transmission circuit that connects the meter reading circuit to a line and transmits meter reading information from the meter reading circuit based on a center signal from the meter reading center that is input after the response signal transmission starts. A meter reading information transmission device characterized by being provided with.