Wireless system, wireless system pairing method, alarm, and gas meter

Abstract

To provide a wireless system, a pairing method for the wireless system and a first device which can suppress complication in the pairing setting work.SOLUTION: A wireless system 1 performs transmission / reception of information between an alarm unit 10 and a gas meter 20. The alarm unit 10 performs a pairing request to the gas meter 20 following an operation for executing any action other than the pairing, or processing of the other action. Especially, the alarm unit 10 performs the pairing request to the gas meter 20 following an inspection operation performed to the alarm unit 10, preferably an interlocking inspection operation in which the gas meter 20 is caused to take an action related to inspection and the alarm unit 10 rings itself.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless system, a pairing method for a wireless system, Alarms and gas meters Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a wireless system has been proposed in which an alarm device that monitors anomalies in a monitoring area and issues an alarm when an anomaly is detected is wirelessly connected to a gas meter that displays the cumulative amount of gas used on the consumer side, and transmits and receives information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this wireless system, pairing settings must be performed as a prerequisite for transmitting and receiving information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3153013 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, when setting up pairing between the alarm device and the gas meter in the wireless system described in Patent Document 1, it is first necessary for one of the devices, the first device, to issue a pairing request to the other device, the second device. However, when issuing a pairing request, it is necessary to perform a specified operation on the first device or use a specified external terminal, which makes the pairing setup work more complicated.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless system, a pairing method for a wireless system, and Alarms and gas meters The purpose is to provide [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wireless system of the present invention is a wireless system in which information is transmitted and received between a first device, which is one of an alarm device and a gas meter, and a second device, which is the other of the devices, wherein the first device: The alarm device issues a pairing request to the gas meter, which is the second device, in conjunction with an inspection operation performed on the alarm device, and carries out an inspection in accordance with the operation. Alternatively, the first device is the gas meter, and issues a pairing request to the alarm device, which is the second device, in conjunction with processing to release the gas meter from shipping mode.

[0007] A pairing method for a wireless system of the present invention is a pairing method for a wireless system in which information is transmitted and received between a first device, which is one of an alarm device and a gas meter, and a second device, which is the other of the devices, wherein the first device: The alarm device issues a pairing request to the gas meter, which is the second device, in conjunction with an inspection operation performed on the alarm device, and carries out an inspection in accordance with the operation. Alternatively, the first device is the gas meter, and issues a pairing request to the alarm device, which is the second device, in conjunction with processing to release the gas meter from shipping mode.

[0008] Wireless system of the present invention The alarm device in the above is an alarm device in a wireless system that sends and receives information between the alarm device and a gas meter, and in conjunction with an inspection operation performed on the alarm device, it issues a pairing request to the gas meter and carries out an inspection in accordance with the operation. Wireless system of the present invention The gas meter is between the alarm and the gas meter. A wireless system that transmits and receives information Gas meter In When the shipping mode of the gas meter is released, a pairing request is sent to the alarm device. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a wireless system and a pairing method for a wireless system that can suppress complication in pairing setting work are provided. Alarms and gas meters can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a wireless system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram showing details of the alarm device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram showing details of the gas meter shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a pairing method performed by the wireless system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention will be described below in accordance with preferred embodiments. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, in the embodiments shown below, some components are omitted from illustration and description, but it goes without saying that publicly known or well-known technologies are applied as appropriate to the details of the omitted technologies within the scope of the content described below.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a wireless system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless system 1 shown in Fig. 1 performs wireless communication between an alarm device (first device) 10 and a gas meter (second device) 20.

[0013] The alarm 10 is, for example, a gas alarm or a fire alarm. A gas alarm detects abnormally high concentrations of target gases such as city gas, LP gas, and carbon monoxide, and issues an alert to that effect. A fire alarm detects whether heat, smoke, carbon monoxide, etc. correspond to symptoms of a fire, and issues an alert if they do.

[0014] The gas meter 20 measures the amount of gas used by the consumer. The gas meter 20 has an internal shutoff valve (not shown) that closes to cut off the flow of gas in the event of a gas leak, ensuring safety.

[0015] Figure 2 is a functional configuration diagram showing in detail the alarm device 10 shown in Figure 1. The alarm device 10 shown in Figure 2 comprises a gas sensor 11, a control unit 12, a speaker 13, a display unit 14, an inspection switch 15, and a communication unit 16.

[0016] The gas sensor 11 outputs a signal corresponding to the concentration of the gas to be detected, such as city gas, LP gas, or carbon monoxide, to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 controls the entire alarm device 10. This control unit 12 has the function of detecting abnormally high concentrations of the gas to be detected in the monitored area based on the signal from the gas sensor 11. The control unit 12 also comprises a memory unit 12a. The memory unit 12a stores programs, data, etc. necessary for the alarm device 10 to operate.

[0017] The speaker 13 outputs an audible alarm when a high concentration abnormality is detected in the monitored area. The speaker 13 is also capable of outputting inspection result information and the like by voice. The display unit 14 is made up of, for example, an LED (Light-Emitting Diode), and indicates the status of the alarm device 10 by its lighting state. This display unit 14 also issues an alarm status when a high concentration abnormality is detected in the monitored area.

[0018] The inspection SW 15 is an operation unit that can be operated by the user of the alarm device 10, etc. When a specified operation is performed, the inspection SW 15 outputs a signal to that effect to the control unit 12. When the control unit 12 receives a signal from the inspection SW 15, it carries out the specified inspection (individual inspection or linked inspection). Furthermore, if the inspection SW 15 is operated while the alarm device 10 is in alarm mode, the control unit 12 stops the alarm output from the speaker 13 and display unit 14.

[0019] The communication unit 16 performs wireless communication with the gas meter 20. The communication unit 16 transmits messages generated by the control unit 12 wirelessly to the gas meter 20 to notify the other party of its own status, request the other party to perform a predetermined operation, etc. Note that the communication unit 16 is supplied with power intermittently in order to reduce power consumption, and the power supply state is extended when necessary.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a functional configuration diagram showing details of the gas meter 20 shown in Fig. 1. The gas meter 20 shown in Fig. 3 includes a flow sensor 21, a control unit 22, a display unit 23, a reset switch 24, a test shutoff switch 25, and a communication unit 26.

[0021] The flow rate sensor 21 is configured, for example, by an ultrasonic sensor, and measures the flow rate of fuel gas in the flow path and calculates the gas flow rate per unit time based on the flow rate and the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path. The flow rate sensor 21 transmits information on the calculated gas flow rate per unit time to the control unit 22. The control unit 22 controls the entire gas meter 20 and has functions such as closing a shutoff valve to ensure safety when a leak, earthquake, or the like is detected. The control unit 22 also displays the cumulative gas flow rate on the display unit 23 based on the information on the gas flow rate per unit time transmitted from the flow rate sensor 21. The control unit 22 also includes a memory unit 22a. The memory unit 22a stores programs, data, and the like required for the gas meter 20 to operate.

[0022] The display unit 23 displays the cumulative gas flow rate. The display unit 23 also displays whether the shutoff valve is in a closed state, the reason for the shutoff when the shutoff valve is closed, and the details of any warnings. The return SW24 is an operating unit for opening a shutoff valve that is in a closed state. When the return SW24 is operated when the shutoff valve is closed, the control unit 22 opens the shutoff valve after performing a restoration safety confirmation process. The test shutoff SW25 is an operating unit that can be operated, for example, by bringing a magnet close to it. When this test shutoff SW25 is operated, the control unit 22 closes the shutoff valve. Whether the shutoff valve is operating normally can be determined based on whether or not a flow rate is measured when the valve is closed.

[0023] The communication unit 26 communicates wirelessly with the alarm device 10. By wirelessly transmitting messages generated by the control unit 22 to the alarm device 10, the communication unit 26 conveys its own status to the other party, requests the other party to perform a specified action, etc. Furthermore, with a view to reducing power consumption, power is supplied to the communication unit 26 intermittently, and the power supply state is extended when necessary.

[0024] The alarm device 10 and gas meter 20 described above are capable of wireless communication via the communication units 16, 26. To perform wireless communication, the two devices must first be paired. Generally, when pairing, it is necessary to perform a specified operation on one of the devices 10, 20 or use a specified external terminal, which makes the setup work complicated.

[0025] Therefore, in the wireless system 1 pertaining to this embodiment, the alarm device 10 is configured to issue a pairing request to the gas meter 20 in conjunction with an operation to cause another operation to be performed. Here, the operation to cause another operation to be performed is preferably an inspection operation that causes the alarm device 10 to carry out an inspection.

[0026] Generally, pairing is often carried out when, for example, a new alarm device 10 is installed on the consumer side. Here, when a new alarm device 10 is installed, various inspections are carried out by workers, and so if the system is configured so that a pairing request is made to the gas meter 20 in conjunction with the inspection operation that causes the alarm device 10 to carry out an inspection, then the pairing request will be made in conjunction with the operation at the time of installation.

[0027] Furthermore, it is more preferable that the operation for executing the other operation described above is a linked inspection operation that executes an operation linked with the gas meter 20. A linked inspection can be carried out when there is a wireless connection between the alarm device 10 and the gas meter 20. Therefore, it is possible to know whether a pairing request has been made and pairing has been carried out appropriately based on whether a linked inspection has been carried out.

[0028] The operation of the linked inspection here is assumed to be a long press (an operation to perform a linked inspection, for example, pressing the inspection SW15 for 3 seconds or more) performed within a predetermined time after the alarm 10 is turned on.

[0029] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a pairing method used by the wireless system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 12 of the alarm device 10 first determines whether the inspection switch 15 has been pressed and held down (S1). If the inspection switch 15 has not been pressed and held down (S1: NO), this processing is repeated until the inspection switch 15 is pressed and held down.

[0030] If the inspection SW 15 is pressed and held (S1: YES), the control unit 12 causes the speaker 13 to output a sound (e.g., "beep beep beep") indicating that the long press has been confirmed (S2). Next, the control unit 12 determines whether the inspection SW 15 has been turned off (S3). If the inspection SW 15 has not been turned off (S3: NO), this process is repeated until the inspection SW 15 is turned off.

[0031] On the other hand, if the inspection SW15 is turned off (S3: YES), the control unit 12 determines whether the long press was performed within a predetermined time from power-on (S4). If the long press was not performed within the predetermined time from power-on (S4: NO), the processing shown in Figure 4 ends. In this case, the alarm device 10 and gas meter 20 will carry out a normal linked inspection. For example, first the alarm device 10 sends a linked inspection request to the gas meter 20, and after receiving the linked inspection request the gas meter 20 closes the shutoff valve, it returns a sound request to the alarm device 10. Thereafter, the alarm device 10 that received the sound request will sound.

[0032] On the other hand, if the long press is performed within a predetermined time from power-on (S4: YES), the control unit 12 outputs a linkage inspection request and a pairing request via the communication unit 16 (S5). This output is repeated at certain intervals until there is a response from the gas meter 20 or until a specific time has elapsed without a response.

[0033] Meanwhile, the control unit 22 of the gas meter 20 determines whether the reset SW24 has been pressed for a long time (for example, pressed for 3 seconds or more) within a specified time from the request for linked inspection in step S5 (S6). If the reset SW24 has not been pressed for a long time within the specified time (S6: NO), the process proceeds to step S1.

[0034] If the recovery switch 24 is pressed and held within the specified time (S6: YES), the control unit 22 activates the pairing response mode (S7) and determines whether a pairing request has been received (S8). If a pairing request has not been received (S8: NO), this process is repeated until a pairing request is received.

[0035] On the other hand, if a pairing request has been received (S8: YES), the control unit 22 closes the shutoff valve and sends a sound request back to the alarm device 10 that made the pairing request (S9).

[0036] Thereafter, the control unit 12 of the alarm device 10 determines whether a sound request has been received (S10). If a sound request has not been received (S10: NO), this processing is repeated until it is determined that a sound request has been received.

[0037] If a sound request has been received (S10: YES), the control unit 12 causes the alarm device 10 to sound and completes pairing (S11), after which the processing shown in Figure 4 ends.

[0038] In this way, according to the wireless system 1 and pairing method for the wireless system 1 of this embodiment, a pairing request is made in conjunction with an operation to execute another operation, or in conjunction with the processing of another operation, so no special operation is required to perform pairing, and it is possible to prevent the work of setting up the pairing between the alarm device 10 and gas meter 20 from becoming too complicated.

[0039] Furthermore, in conjunction with an inspection operation on the alarm device 10, a pairing request is made to the gas meter 20 and an inspection is carried out in accordance with that inspection operation, and so since the inspection operation is carried out at least immediately after the alarm device 10 is installed, this can be used to make a pairing request. This can therefore contribute to pairing immediately after the alarm device 10 is installed.

[0040] Furthermore, the alarm device 10 causes the gas meter 20 to operate and, in conjunction with an interlocking inspection operation in which the alarm device 10 performs an interlocking inspection in which the alarm device 10 itself sounds, issues a pairing request to the gas meter 20. For this reason, it is possible to know whether pairing has been carried out appropriately by issuing a pairing request, based on whether the interlocking inspection has been carried out.

[0041] Furthermore, the alarm device 10 according to the present embodiment can contribute to the construction of a wireless system 1 that can prevent the pairing setup work between the alarm device 10 and gas meter 20 from becoming too complicated.

[0042] Next, a modified example of the wireless system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] In the above embodiment, a pairing request is made to the gas meter 20 in conjunction with an operation to execute another operation on the alarm device 10. In contrast to this, in the wireless system 1 according to the first modified example, a pairing request may be made in conjunction with the processing of another operation in the alarm device 10.

[0044] For example, the alarm device 10 may be configured to issue a pairing request in conjunction with processing during the initial delay time required for the gas sensor 11 to stabilize after the power is turned on. To give one example, the control unit 12 will issue a pairing request in conjunction with processing to check whether there are any abnormalities in the signal from the gas sensor 11, whether there is a malfunction in the memory unit 12a, etc. The alarm device 10 is not limited to issuing a pairing request in conjunction with processing during the initial delay time, and may also issue a pairing request when the initial delay time has elapsed and the device transitions to inspection mode, for example.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a pairing request was made from the alarm device 10 to the gas meter 20. In contrast to this, in the wireless system 1 pertaining to the second modified example, a pairing request may be made from the gas meter (first device) 20 to the alarm device (second device) 10. In this case, the pairing request may be made in conjunction with an operation on the gas meter 20 to execute another operation, or may be made in conjunction with the processing of another operation of the gas meter 20.

[0046] For example, a pairing request may be made to the alarm device 10 in conjunction with the operation of the test shutoff SW 25 of the gas meter 20, or in conjunction with the cancellation processing in which the shipping mode is cancelled when the test shutoff SW 25 is operated (and the return SW 24 is operated after that operation). Furthermore, the gas meter 20 may be configured to make a pairing request in conjunction with processing to transition from learning state "1" to "2" or the like, which is carried out one hour after the shipping mode is cancelled.

[0047] The same effects as in the embodiment can also be obtained with these first and second modified examples. In particular, when a pairing request is made in conjunction with other processing, the pairing request can be made without requiring any special operation on the alarm device 10 or gas meter 20. Furthermore, when a pairing request is made to the alarm device 10 in conjunction with processing to cancel shipping mode or processing to transition to learning state, the pairing request can be made using processing that is performed in the initial stages of gas meter 20 installation.

[0048] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and techniques from the embodiments (including variations) and other techniques may be combined as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0049] For example, the operation to perform other actions described above is the operation of switches provided as an operating unit, but this is not limited to this, and it may also be an operation performed on something other than switches, such as spraying a specified gas onto the alarm 10.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above linked inspection, first the shutoff valve on the gas meter 20 is closed, and then the alarm 10 sounds, but any type of inspection is acceptable as long as the alarm 10 and gas meter 20 are linked. For example, it would also be possible to spray the gas to be detected towards the alarm 10, first sounding the alarm 10, and then transmitting the sound of the alarm 10 to the gas meter 20 to close the shutoff valve.

[0051] Additionally, in the above embodiment, the alarm device 10 and gas meter 20 each have a built-in communication unit 16, 26, but this is not particularly limited, and the communication unit 16, 26 may be attached externally to both or either one of the alarm device 10 and gas meter 20. For this reason, for example, the gas meter 20 may be configured with an external repeater (communication unit 26) attached to a gas meter that does not have a communication function. In terms of external attachment, the gas meter that does not have a communication function and the repeater may be connected via a communication line, or the terminals of the repeater may be connected directly to the terminal section of a terminal block or the like of the gas meter that does not have a communication function, making a connection that does not involve an intermediate communication line. The same applies to the alarm device 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1: Wireless system 10:Alarm (1st device (2nd device)) 15: Inspection SW 20: Gas meter (second device (first device)) 24: Return SW 25: Test shutdown switch

Claims

1. In a wireless system for transmitting and receiving information between a first device, which is one of an alarm device and a gas meter, and a second device, which is the other of the devices, The first device is the alarm device, and in conjunction with an inspection operation performed on the alarm device, makes a pairing request to the gas meter, which is the second device, and performs an inspection in accordance with the operation. A wireless system characterized by:

2. The inspection operation is a linked inspection operation that causes the gas meter to perform an operation and also causes the gas meter to perform a linked inspection that sounds.

2. The wireless system according to claim 1.

3. A wireless system for transmitting and receiving information between a first device, which is one of an alarm device and a gas meter, and a second device, which is the other of the devices, The first device is the gas meter, and in conjunction with processing to cancel shipping mode of the gas meter, issues a pairing request to the alarm device, which is the second device. A wireless system characterized by:

4. A pairing method for a wireless system in which information is transmitted and received between a first device, which is one of an alarm device and a gas meter, and a second device, which is the other of the devices, comprising: The first device is the alarm device, and in conjunction with an inspection operation performed on the alarm device, makes a pairing request to the gas meter, which is the second device, and performs an inspection in accordance with the operation. A pairing method for a wireless system.

5. A pairing method for a wireless system for transmitting and receiving information between a first device, which is one of an alarm device and a gas meter, and a second device, which is the other of the devices, comprising: The first device is the gas meter, and in conjunction with processing to cancel shipping mode of the gas meter, issues a pairing request to the alarm device, which is the second device. A pairing method for a wireless system.

6. An alarm in a wireless system that transmits and receives information between the alarm and a gas meter, In response to an inspection operation performed on the alarm device, a pairing request is sent to the gas meter, and an inspection corresponding to the operation is performed. An alarm characterized by:

7. A gas meter in a wireless system that transmits and receives information between an alarm and a gas meter, When the shipping mode of the gas meter is released, a pairing request is sent to the alarm device. A gas meter characterized by:

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