Gas Meter System

Abstract

To provide a gas meter system capable of ensuring visibility even when the display on the gas meter body is small by displaying the display content of the gas meter on a portable terminal.SOLUTION: The gas meter system includes: a gas meter 200; a center unit 100 that performs communication with the gas meter 200; and a terminal unit 300 capable of communicating with the center unit 100. When receiving an identification code unique to the gas meter 200 from the terminal unit 300, the center unit 100 transmits a display content relevant to the gas meter 200 to the terminal unit 300. The terminal unit 300 displays the display content received from the center unit 100 on a display 301.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas meter system including a gas meter, a terminal device, and a center device, and in particular to the display of integrated values ​​and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, compact gas meters that use ultrasound to measure flow rate are becoming more common. However, although they are compact, they still need to display the integrated gas flow rate and other measured values ​​on the body of the gas meter, and this display inevitably determines the installation direction.

[0003] As a countermeasure, a gas meter has been proposed that allows the display content on the display unit to be changed in an easily viewable direction, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in installation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-225725 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in addition to the accumulated value, the gas meter needs to display information such as gas shutoff and the cause of the shutoff, and there was a limit to how small the display unit could be while still ensuring visibility. In addition, the need to ensure visibility meant that there were installation conditions such as no obstacles in front of the display unit, and the installation location was limited, such as not being able to install it in a high place.

[0006] The present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional art, and aims to provide a gas meter system that makes it possible to ensure visibility even if the display on the gas meter itself is made small by displaying the display contents of the gas meter on a mobile terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the gas meter system of the present invention comprises: A unique identification code for the gas meter is attached The system comprises a gas meter, a center device which communicates with the gas meter, and a terminal device which is capable of communicating with the center device. When the center device receives an identification code unique to the gas meter from the terminal device, it transmits display content relating to the gas meter to the terminal device, and the terminal device displays the display content received from the center device on its display unit. When the gas meter has cut off gas, the center device transmits the reason for the cut off and a restore button to the terminal device as the display content, and when the restore button displayed on the display unit of the terminal device is operated, the center device instructs the gas meter to release the cut off. The display content consists of a plurality of display items with different security levels. When the center device receives the identification code and a security code assigned to a user from the terminal device, it selects a display item from the plurality of display items according to the security code. only is transmitted to the terminal device as the display content. And before The terminal device transmits the identification code and the assigned code to the gas company's worker. The above When the security code is received, the display items including the gas appliances connected downstream of the gas meter are only is transmitted to the terminal device as the display content. death When the identification code is received from the terminal device but the security code is not received, the gas meter reading value and the abnormality content of the gas meter are only is transmitted to the terminal device as the display content.

[0010] This makes it possible to display the display contents of the gas meter on a terminal device such as a mobile terminal, and makes it possible to ensure visibility even if the display on the gas meter itself is made small. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the gas meter system of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gas meter system which ensures visibility even if the display of the gas meter itself is made small by displaying the display contents of the gas meter on a mobile terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a gas meter system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows a display example of a terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows a display example of a terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows a display example of a terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a communication sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The first invention is a gas meter system comprising a gas meter, a center device which communicates with the gas meter, and a terminal device which is capable of communicating with the center device, wherein when the center device receives an identification code unique to the gas meter from the terminal device, it transmits display content relating to the gas meter to the terminal device, and the terminal device displays the display content received from the center device on a display unit.By displaying the display content of the gas meter on a mobile terminal, it is possible to ensure visibility even if the display on the gas meter itself is made smaller.

[0014] The second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the display content consists of a plurality of display items having different security levels, and the terminal device displays on the display unit a display item selected from the plurality of display items in accordance with the security level set in the terminal device.

[0015] A third invention is a gas meter system comprising a gas meter and a center device that communicates with the gas meter, wherein the center device, when receiving an identification code unique to the gas meter from a terminal device, transmits display content related to the gas meter to the terminal device.

[0016] A fourth invention is characterized in that, in the third invention, the display content consists of a plurality of display items having different security levels, and the center device transmits to the terminal device a display item selected from the plurality of display items in accordance with the security level set in the terminal device as the display content.

[0017] A fifth invention is a center device capable of communicating with a gas meter, characterized in that when the center device receives an identification code unique to the gas meter from a terminal device, the center device transmits display content regarding the gas meter to the terminal device.

[0018] The sixth invention is characterized in that, in the fifth invention, the display content consists of a plurality of display items having different security levels, and the center device transmits to the terminal device a display item selected from the plurality of display items in accordance with the security level set in the terminal device as the display content.

[0019] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or duplicate description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0020] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure. These are intended as illustrative and not limiting aspects of the claimed subject matter.

[0021] (Embodiment 1) 1 is a configuration diagram showing a gas meter system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the gas meter system 1 includes a center device 100, a gas meter 200, and a terminal device 300.

[0022] The center device 100 and the gas meter 200 are communicatively connected via a communication path A using a telephone line, wireless, the Internet, or the like, and the center device 100 manages the gas meter 200, for example, by acquiring meter readings such as the amount of gas used measured by the gas meter 200 and information such as shutoff via communication.

[0023] A gas meter 200 is installed in each user's home, and connected downstream are various gas appliances such as a gas fan heater 201 and a water heater 202. Note that, of the multiple gas meters, only the gas meter in the user A's home is shown in Fig. 1.

[0024] The terminal device 300 is configured to be able to acquire the display contents and shutoff information of the gas meter 200 by communicating with the center device 100 via a communication path B, and is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

[0025] Then, when the terminal device 300 transmits an identification code unique to the gas meter 200 to the center device 100 via communication path B, data related to the display content regarding the gas meter 200 is transmitted from the center device 100 to the terminal device 300 via communication path B, and is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 300.

[0026] The method of inputting the identification code unique to the gas meter 200 is not particularly limited, and may be a method of reading a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode attached to the body of the gas meter 200 with the terminal device 300, or a method of inputting a serial number. The identification code unique to the gas meter 200 is registered in the center device 100 when the gas meter 200 is installed, and is associated with the user's home in which the gas meter 200 is installed.

[0027] The display content is preset to include content that can be displayed according to the security level, and in this embodiment, three security levels are set: general users (not limited to any particular user), users at user A's home, and workers (for example, the gas company that operates the center device).

[0028] Next, differences in display contents on a terminal device according to security levels will be described with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the display contents when the terminal device 300 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a general user.

[0030] First, a general user operates the terminal device 300 to transmit an identification code unique to the gas meter 200 to the center device 100 via the communication path B. At the same time, the terminal device 300 transmits a security code assigned to the general user.

[0031] Next, the center device 100 acquires from the gas meter 200 in which the identification code is set in accordance with the received identification code and security code, and selects display contents related to the gas meter 200 in accordance with the security code from among data stored in a memory or the like (not shown). and transmits it to the terminal device 300.

[0032] In the case of a general user, the security code may not be transmitted from the terminal device 300, and the center device 100 may determine that the user is a general user if the security code is not received.

[0033] The contents displayed on the display unit 301 are limited to the contents normally displayed on the gas meter 200, that is, the meter reading 304, which is the amount of gas used, and abnormality details 305, such as cutoff, in addition to the gas meter identification code 302. After confirmation, the display is terminated by pressing the end button 306.

[0034] As described above, when the operator of the terminal device 300 is a general user, only the contents normally displayed on the gas meter 200 can be displayed.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the display contents when the terminal device 300 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a specific user (here, a user in the home of user A is assumed).

[0036] It is assumed here that the terminal device 300 and the gas meter 200 are linked in advance, but a method may be used in which authentication is performed to confirm each time that the user operating the terminal device 300 is a specific user.

[0037] In this case as well, the user operates the terminal device 300 to transmit the identification code unique to the gas meter 200 to the center device 100 via the communication path B. At this time, the terminal device 300 simultaneously transmits a security code assigned to User A, who is a specific user.

[0038] Next, the center device 100 acquires the display contents related to the gas meter 200 according to the received identification code and security code, in accordance with the set identification code, from the data stored in a memory or the like (not shown), and selects the display contents related to the gas meter 200 according to the security code set for a specific user, and transmits the display contents to the terminal device 300.

[0039] The information displayed on the display unit 301 includes an identification code 302 unique to the gas meter, as well as information that is normally displayed on the gas meter 200, i.e., information that can be seen by general users, such as the meter reading 304, which is the amount of gas used, and information about abnormalities such as a cutoff 305, as well as the user's name 307 and usage information 308, such as the amount of gas used last month and billing information for last month.

[0040] In addition, in the event that gas is cut off, depending on the reason for the cutoff, if the cutoff can be restored by the user, a restore button 309 is displayed, and the user can operate this restore button 309 to issue an instruction to restore the cutoff from the terminal device 300 via the center device 100 to the gas meter 200, thereby canceling the gas cutoff.

[0041] As described above, when the operator of the terminal device 300 is a specific user, convenience can be improved by displaying information that is useful to the user. In addition, by displaying a button that the user can operate, such as a return button, unnecessary inquiries to the gas company can be reduced.

[0042] 4 is a diagram showing the display content when the terminal device 300 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by an employee of a gas business. It is assumed here that the terminal device 300 and the gas meter 200 are linked in advance. It is also possible to check each time by

[0043] In this case as well, the worker operates the terminal device 300 to transmit the identification code unique to the gas meter 200 to the center device 100 via the communication path B. At this time, the terminal device 300 simultaneously transmits a security code given to the worker by the sender.

[0044] Next, the center device 100 acquires the identification code and security code from the gas meter 200 in which the identification code is set, based on the received identification code and security code, and selects display content related to the gas meter 200 from the data stored in a memory or the like (not shown), based on the security code set by the operator, and transmits the selected display content to the terminal device 300.

[0045] The display contents shown on the display unit 301 are the same as those normally displayed on the gas meter 200, i.e., the meter reading value 304, which is the amount of gas used, and abnormality details 305, such as cutoff, that can be seen by general users, as well as the setting values ​​310 set on the gas meter 200, such as the pilot light setting and the usage time and cutoff time for the divided flow rate, and other information that is necessary for an operator.

[0046] In addition, by displaying the gas appliances 311 used in the user A's house, it becomes possible to check the status of the gas appliances when visiting the user A's house. In addition, as other display 312, it is also possible to display the user name and information necessary for the worker.

[0047] As described above, when the operator of the terminal device 300 is a worker, the work efficiency can be improved by displaying useful information required by the worker.

[0048] FIG. 5 shows a basic communication sequence in this embodiment, which is common to cases where the operator of the terminal device 300 is a general user, a specific user (here, a user at the home of user A), or a worker.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the gas meter 200 measures the amount of gas used (S101) and periodically transmits the accumulated value to the center device 100 as a meter reading value (S102). The center device 100 stores the received meter reading value in a storage device not shown (S103).

[0050] When the operator of the terminal device 300 needs data related to the display on the gas meter 200, the operator operates the terminal device 300 to obtain an identification code unique to the gas meter 200 by reading a QR code (registered trademark) attached to the gas meter 200 with the terminal device 300 (S104), and transmits the identification code to the center device 100. At this time, the terminal device 300 adds a security code given to the operator together with the identification code and transmits the resulting code to the center device 100 (S105).

[0051] The center device 100, which has received the gas meter-specific identification code and security code, requests the gas meter 200 to transmit the latest meter reading (S106), and the gas meter 200 transmits the meter reading (S107).

[0052] When the center device 100 receives the meter reading value from the gas meter 200, it stores the received value (S108), and then selects display data corresponding to the security code from various data related to the gas meter 200, such as setting values, that have been stored in advance in the storage device (S109), and transmits the display data to the terminal device 300 (S110).

[0053] Then, the terminal device 300 displays on the display unit 301 based on the display data received from the center device 100 (S111).

[0054] In this embodiment, when the center device 100 receives an identification code specific to the gas meter from the terminal device 300, it requests a meter reading value from the gas meter 200. However, the center device 100 may obtain the meter reading value through periodic communication, store it in a storage device, and then transmit the meter reading value.

[0055] When the gas meter 200 is capable of communicating with the terminal device 300, it is also possible to receive and display the display contents directly from the gas meter 200 via the communication path C. In this case, the gas meter 200 selects the display data and transmits it to the terminal device 300 based on the security code given to the operator.

[0056] In addition, instead of the center device 100 selecting and transmitting display data according to the security code, all data related to the display of the gas meter 200 may be transmitted from the center device 100, and the application of the terminal device may select and display according to the security code.

[0057] As described above, according to the gas meter system 1 of this embodiment, by displaying the display contents of the gas meter 200 on the terminal device 300, visibility can be ensured even if the display on the gas meter 200 itself is made small, and by setting the contents of the terminal device 300 according to a security code set according to the operator of the terminal device 300, it is possible to provide a display that is useful to the operator.

[0058] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the display on the gas meter 200 is removed, the integrated value can be confirmed, so that the gas meter 200 can be made even smaller and restrictions on the installation location can be eliminated.

[0059] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, if a reset button is provided on the terminal device 300, there is no need to provide a reset button on the gas meter 200, and the gas meter 200 can be made even smaller. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] As described above, the gas meter system according to the present invention can also be applied to an automatic meter reading system comprising a gas meter, a center device, and a terminal device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Gas meter system 100 Center device 200 Gas Meter 300 Terminal Equipment 301 Display section

Claims

[Claim 1] A gas meter having an identification code unique to the gas meter attached thereto, a center device that communicates with the gas meter, a terminal device capable of communicating with the center device, When the center device receives the gas meter-specific identification code from the terminal device, the center device transmits display content related to the gas meter to the terminal device; the terminal device displays the display content received from the center device on a display unit; When the gas meter cuts off the gas, the center device transmits a reason for the cutoff and a button for restoring the gas to the terminal device as the display content; When the reset button displayed on the display unit of the terminal device is operated, the center device issues an instruction to the gas meter to release the cutoff, The display content is made up of a plurality of display items with different security levels, The center device includes: when the identification code and a security code assigned to the user are received from the terminal device, only a display item selected from the plurality of display items in accordance with the security code is transmitted to the terminal device as the display content; When the identification code and the security code assigned to an operator of the gas business are received from the terminal device, only display items including gas appliances connected downstream of the gas meter are transmitted to the terminal device as the display contents, A gas meter system characterized in that, if the identification code is received from the terminal device but the security code is not received, only the gas meter reading value and the details of any abnormality in the gas meter are transmitted to the terminal device as the display contents.

Images