Gas meter and setting transfer method

Abstract

To provide a gas meter capable of making transplanting work appropriate, and a setting and transplanting method.SOLUTION: A new gas meter 100 can measure a gas flow rate and perform integrating display of the measured gas flow rate, and includes: a communication control part 122 which receives from an old gas meter to be exchanged meter information including at least either a manufacturing company or a meter type; a contrasting part 124 which contrasts the meter information received by the communication control part 122 and self meter information; a mask setting part 125 which performs mask setting related to setting information that prohibits reflection on self on the basis of the result of contrast by the contrasting part 124; and a self setting part 123 setting self on the basis of setting information received from the old gas meter and not masked by the mask setting part 125.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas meter and a setting transplantation method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when replacing an old gas meter with a new one, a system has been proposed that performs a transplantation operation to transfer the setting information of the old gas meter (for example, information on the remaining gas amount in the LP container and cut-off conditions) to the new gas meter (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this system, the old and new gas meters are connected by a communication line, and by performing a predetermined operation (for example, operating a valve opening switch) on the new gas meter, first, a telegram is transmitted from the new gas meter to the old gas meter via the communication line, and then the transmission and reception of communication telegrams are repeated to transplant the setting information of the old gas meter to the new gas meter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, when the manufacturing companies (manufacturers) of the old and new gas meters are different or the meter types are different, etc., the new gas meter may not be able to inherit the settings of the old gas meter as they are, or may inherit them forcibly and not result in appropriate settings.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gas meter and a setting transplantation method capable of optimizing the transplantation operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gas meter according to the present invention is a gas meter capable of measuring gas flow rate and displaying the measured gas flow rate cumulatively, and comprises: a receiving means for receiving meter information including at least one of the manufacturer and meter type from another gas meter to be replaced; a comparison means for comparing the meter information received by the receiving means with its own meter information; a mask setting means for performing a mask setting regarding setting information that is prohibited from being reflected in itself based on the results of the comparison by the comparison means; and a self-setting means for performing its own settings based on setting information received from the other gas meter and not masked by the mask setting means.

[0007] The setting transfer method according to the present invention is a setting transfer method for a gas meter capable of measuring gas flow rate and displaying the measured gas flow rate integrally, comprising: a receiving step of receiving meter information including at least one of the manufacturer and meter type from another gas meter to be replaced; a comparison step of comparing the meter information received in the receiving step with the meter information of the own gas meter; a mask setting step of performing a mask setting for setting information that is prohibited from being reflected in the own gas meter based on the results of the comparison in the comparison step; and a self-setting step of performing the own settings based on setting information received from the other gas meter and that was not masked in the mask setting step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of transplantation work. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an external view showing a setting transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front view showing a portion of the new and old gas meters. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a control block diagram of the new gas meter. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a control block diagram of the old gas meter. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the contents of the second memory unit. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the processing of the new gas meter according to the first embodiment, and the first part is shown. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the new gas meter according to the first embodiment, showing the latter half of the process. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the details of the comparison and mask selection process. [Figure 9] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the memory contents of the new gas meter according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The present invention will be described below in accordance with preferred embodiments. It should be noted 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 invention. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown below, some illustrations and descriptions of certain components are omitted. It goes without saying that, regarding the details of the omitted technologies, publicly known or well-known technologies are applied as appropriate, to the extent that they do not contradict the content described below.

[0011] Figure 1 is an external view showing a setting transfer system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the setting transfer system 1 comprises a new gas meter (gas meter) 100 to be newly installed and an old gas meter (another gas meter) 200 to be replaced, and transfers the setting information of the old gas meter 200 to the new gas meter 100. For the transfer, the new gas meter 100 and the old gas meter 200 are connected by a communication line L, and the setting information of the old gas meter 200 is transmitted to the new gas meter 100 via the communication line L and stored in the new gas meter 100.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of the new gas meter 100 and the old gas meter 200 shown in FIG. 1. The new gas meter 100 and the old gas meter 200 shown in FIG. 1 are provided with a cover C below the front surface. By removing the cover C from the new and old gas meters 100 and 200, the terminal block T shown in FIG. 2 is exposed.

[0013] In the terminal block T shown in FIG. 2, the first terminal T1 is a frame ground terminal, and the second terminal T2 and the third terminal T3 are terminals for performing communication by the N line (communication by the first communication protocol), and serve as a communication connection part for performing N line communication. The fourth terminal T4 is a ground terminal. The fifth terminal T5 and the sixth terminal T6 are connection terminals to a gas leak alarm provided in the building. The seventh terminal T7 and the eighth terminal T8 are connection terminals to a second gas leak alarm, a CO alarm, an automatic switching regulator, and the like. The ninth terminal T9 and the tenth terminal T10 are terminals for performing communication by the U bus (communication by the second communication protocol), and serve as a communication connection part for performing U bus communication. U bus communication can transmit data at a higher speed and in a larger capacity than N line communication (and further H line communication described later).

[0014] Here, an operator who performs the setting information transplantation work connects the ninth terminal T9 and the tenth terminal T10 of the new gas meter 100 and the old gas meter 200 to each other by a communication line L. Alternatively, the operator connects the second terminal T2 and the third terminal T3 of the new gas meter 100 and the old gas meter 200 to each other by a communication line L. Then, the operator performs a predetermined input (operation or signal transmission, etc.), and the setting information of the old gas meter 200 is transplanted to the new gas meter 100 by U bus communication or N line communication.

[0015] Note that the new and old gas meters 100 and 200 may perform transplantation by H line communication in addition to U bus communication and N line communication. Also, in the above, an example of performing the transplantation work after connecting the communication line L has been described, but the transplantation work is not particularly limited to the case of connecting the communication line L, and the transplantation work may be performed by wireless connection.

[0016] Figure 3 is a control block diagram of the new gas meter 100 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the new gas meter 100 includes a flow measurement unit 110, a control unit 120, a display unit 130, a communication connection unit 140, an operation unit 150, and a storage unit 160.

[0017] The flow measurement unit 110 measures the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through a flow path (not shown) formed within the new gas meter 100, and is composed of a flow sensor (not shown), an arithmetic unit (not shown), etc. The information on the flow rate measured by the flow measurement unit 110 is transmitted to the control unit 120. The control unit 120 controls the entire new gas meter 100, and includes a display control unit 121 and a communication control unit (reception means) 122.

[0018] The display control unit 121 controls the display content of the display unit 130. The display unit 130, for example, performs an integrated display of the flow rate measured by the flow measurement unit 110. As shown in Figure 1, this display unit 130 is provided so as to be visible from the front side of the new gas meter 100.

[0019] The communication control unit 122 controls communication with the old gas meter 200 (see Figure 1), and transmits a telegram to the old gas meter 200 or receives and processes a telegram from the old gas meter 200. In particular, in the first embodiment, the communication control unit 122 performs information transmission and reception with the old gas meter 200 through the communication line L (see Figure 1) connected to the communication connection unit 140. The communication connection unit 140 is a connection unit for performing N-line communication or U-bus communication, and corresponds to the second terminal T2 and the third terminal T3, as well as the ninth terminal T9 and the tenth terminal T10 shown in Figure 2.

[0020] The operation unit 150 is for operating the new gas meter 100, and includes, for example, the reset button 151 and the container reset switch 152 shown in Figure 1. The reset button 151, when pressed, opens a shut-off valve (not shown) that has blocked the flow path. The container reset switch 152 resets the remaining gas capacity by bringing a magnet close to it, such as when replacing an LP gas container (not shown). The new gas meter 100 can also be configured to perform various settings, such as pilot light registration, by operating the reset button 151 and the container reset switch 152.

[0021] Furthermore, the control unit 120 is equipped with a self-setting unit (self-setting means) 123. The self-setting unit 123 receives a predetermined input, acquires the setting information of the old gas meter 200 through the communication control unit 122, and stores it in the storage unit 160, thereby reflecting the setting in itself.

[0022] In the first embodiment, the predetermined input is, for example, the operation of turning on the container reset switch 152 while pressing the reset button 151, but it is not limited to this and may be any other operation. In particular, the operation is not limited to an operation performed on the new gas meter 100, but may also be an operation to a terminal connected to the new gas meter 100. Furthermore, it is not limited to an operation, but may also be the input of a specific signal transmitted from a gas management center or the like.

[0023] The memory unit 160 stores control programs for controlling the new gas meter 100, information on the content of the messages to be transmitted, and setting information received from the old gas meter 200 to be set for itself.

[0024] Figure 4 is a control block diagram of the old gas meter 200 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, the old gas meter 200 includes a flow rate measuring unit 210, a control unit 220, a display unit 230, a communication connection unit 240, an operation unit 250, and a storage unit 260.

[0025] The flow rate measurement unit 210 measures the flow rate of fuel gas flowing through a flow path (not shown) formed in the old gas meter 200, and is composed of a flow rate sensor (not shown), a calculation unit (not shown), and the like. The flow rate information measured by the flow rate measurement unit 210 is transmitted to the control unit 220. The control unit 220 controls the entire old gas meter 200 and comprises a display control unit 221 and a communication control unit 222.

[0026] The display control unit 221 controls the display content of the display unit 230. The display unit 230 displays, for example, the cumulative flow rate measured by the flow rate measurement unit 210. As shown in Figure 1, the display unit 230 is provided so that it can be seen from the front side of the old gas meter 200.

[0027] The communication control unit 222 controls communication with the new gas meter 100 (see Figure 1), and sends messages to the new gas meter 100 and receives and processes messages from the new gas meter 100. In particular, in the first embodiment, the communication control unit 222 transmits and receives information with the new gas meter 100 through the communication line L (see Figure 1) connected to the communication connection unit 240. The communication connection unit 240 is a connection unit for N-line communication and U-bus communication, and corresponds to the second terminal T2 and third terminal T3, and the ninth terminal T9 and tenth terminal T10 shown in Figure 2.

[0028] The operation unit 250 is for operating the old gas meter 200, and includes, for example, the reset button 251 and the container reset switch 252 shown in Figure 1. The reset button 251 and the container reset switch 252 are the same as those of the new gas meter 100. The memory unit 260 stores control programs for controlling the old gas meter 200, as well as setting information and meter information described later.

[0029] Refer to Figure 3 again. In the first embodiment, the storage unit 160 comprises a first storage unit 161 and a second storage unit 162. The first storage unit 161 stores meter information of the new gas meter 100. The meter information includes at least one of the manufacturer (manufacturer) and meter type of the gas meter 100. In the first embodiment, the meter information consists of both manufacturer information and meter type information, but is not limited to these and may include other information such as the software version. Here, the meter type is determined by the meter type based on standards and the maximum flow rate of the gas meter 100. The meter types based on standards are classified into six types, for example, diaphragm-type household microcomputer meter (S), diaphragm-type commercial microcomputer meter (SB), ultrasonic-type household microcomputer meter (E), ultrasonic-type commercial microcomputer meter (EB), diaphragm-type No. 4 household microcomputer meter (S4), and ultrasonic-type No. 4 household microcomputer meter (E4). The maximum usable flow rate is the maximum flow rate declared when applying for type approval to the designated institution, and is 2.5 m³. 3 / h,4m 3 / h,6m 3 / h,10m 3 / h,16m 3 / h,25m 3 These are classified into six types, / h. Thus, the meter type is determined by the meter type based on the standard and the maximum flow rate of the gas meter 100, and the first storage unit 161 stores meter information including this meter type.

[0030] It should be noted that, as explained above, there are six types of meters and six maximum flow rates based on the standard. However, this number is as of the time of application, and it goes without saying that if the standard is changed later, or if the maximum flow rate at the time of declaration is no longer limited to six types, the number of types will no longer be limited to six.

[0031] The second storage unit 162 stores information related to mask settings. The new gas meter 100 according to the first embodiment does not unconditionally reflect all of the setting information of the old gas meter 200 to itself, but rather performs mask settings as needed to prevent the reflection of some of the setting information. In other words, the second storage unit 162 stores information to prevent such reflection.

[0032] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the control unit 120 includes a comparison unit (comparison means) 124 and a mask setting unit (mask setting means) 125. Based on these units 124, 125 and the contents of the storage unit 160, the new gas meter 100 according to the first embodiment will appropriately transfer setting information even if the manufacturers of the old and new gas meters 100 and 200 are different. This will be explained in detail below.

[0033] The comparison unit 124 compares the meter information received from the old gas meter 200 with its own meter information stored in the first storage unit 161. The meter information from the old gas meter 200 is transmitted from the old gas meter 200 at the request of the new gas meter 100 at the start of the transfer communication. By comparing the meter information, the comparison unit 124 determines whether the old and new gas meters 100 and 200 are manufactured by different companies or are of different meter types.

[0034] The mask setting unit 125 performs mask settings on setting information that is prohibited from being reflected in itself, based on the results of comparison performed by the comparison unit 124. The mask setting unit 125 performs mask settings based on mask data stored in the second storage unit 162. The mask setting unit 125 selects one of several types of mask data stored in the second storage unit 162 based on whether the manufacturer matches, whether the meter type matches, etc., and performs mask settings based on the selected mask data.

[0035] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the second storage unit 162 shown in Figure 2. The second storage unit 162 stores setting information (referred to as "request content" in Figure 5), number information (referred to as "No" in Figure 5), transmission mask information, and reflection mask information in association. For example, the second storage unit 162 stores the number information "1" in association with the setting information "gas remaining value of the container," the transmission mask information, and the reflection mask information. Similarly, the second storage unit 162 stores the number information "3" in association with multiple setting information items, "common control code K0," "common control code K7," and "common control code K9," the transmission mask information, and the reflection mask information.

[0036] This second memory unit 162 stores six types of information (corresponding to multiple types of mask data) for transmission masks, categorized from 1 to 6. Each of the 1 to 6 categories has either "○" or "×" information for each number of pieces of information. "○" indicates a request to transmit setting information to the old gas meter 200, while "×" indicates no request to transmit setting information to the old gas meter 200.

[0037] Furthermore, the second memory unit 162 stores six types of information (corresponding to multiple types of mask data) for the reflection mask, categorized into types 1 to 6. Each of the six categories has either "○" or "×" information for each numbered piece of information. "○" indicates that the setting information received from the old gas meter 200 will be reflected in itself, while "×" indicates that the setting information received from the old gas meter 200 will not be reflected in itself. Note that "-" indicates that no setting information is received at all.

[0038] Since multiple types of mask data are stored, the mask setting unit 125 shown in Figure 3 selects one of categories 1 to 6 and sets the mask based on the comparison results from the comparison unit 124, such as whether the manufacturer matches or whether the meter type matches.

[0039] Let's explain with an example. Suppose the mask setting unit 125 selects Category 5 based on the comparison result of the meter information of the old and new gas meters 100 and 200. Based on the selected Category 5, the mask setting unit 125 sets both the transmission mask setting and the reflection mask setting.

[0040] Let me explain the transmission mask. First, if Category 5 is selected, the mask setting unit 125 sets a mask to indicate that it will not send a request message for the setting information of number information "4". As a result, the communication control unit 122 will send a request message for the setting information of number information "1" to "3", but will not send a request message for the setting information of number information "4" (specific setting information) (the request will not be executed).

[0041] Next, let's explain the reflection mask. When Category 5 is selected, the mask setting unit 125 performs a mask setting to not reflect "common control code K7" and "common control code K9" from the setting information of number information "3" that was received after sending the request message into its own settings. As a result, the self-setting unit 123 reflects the setting information of received number information "1" and "2", and "common control code K0" from the setting information of number information "3" into its own settings. On the other hand, the self-setting unit 123 does not reflect "common control code K7" and "common control code K9" from the setting information of number information "3" into its own settings.

[0042] Thus, the new gas meter 100 according to the first embodiment performs mask settings by comparing the meter information of the old and new gas meters 100 and 200, thereby appropriately transferring setting information according to differences in manufacturers, meter types, etc.

[0043] Next, a method for transferring settings to the new gas meter 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the processing of the new gas meter 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, first, the self-setting unit 123 of the new gas meter 100 determines whether a predetermined operation has been performed (S1). If no predetermined operation has been performed (S1:NO), this process is repeated until a predetermined operation is performed.

[0044] On the other hand, if a predetermined operation occurs (S1:YES), the self-setting unit 123 determines whether it is connected to the old gas meter 200 via a communication line L in order to obtain setting information from the old gas meter 200 (S2). In this process, the self-setting unit 123 of the new gas meter 100 controls the communication control unit 122 and sends a message indicating that communication will be performed. The self-setting unit 123 determines whether it is connected to the old gas meter 200 via a communication line L depending on whether or not a message has been sent back from the old gas meter 200 in response to this message.

[0045] If the new gas meter 100 is not connected to the old gas meter 200 by the communication line L (S2:NO), the self-setting unit 123 controls the display control unit 121 to display on the display unit 130 that communication failed (that the transplant operation failed) (S3). After that, the processes shown in Figures 6 and 7 are completed.

[0046] On the other hand, if the new gas meter 100 is connected to the old gas meter 200 by a communication line L (S2: YES), the self-setting unit 123 controls the display control unit 121 to display on the display unit 130 that communication is in progress (S4). Next, the self-setting unit 123 controls the communication control unit 122 to send a message to the old gas meter 200 requesting meter information (S5).

[0047] Subsequently, the comparison and mask selection process is executed (S6). Figure 8 is a flowchart detailing the comparison and mask selection process (S6) shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 8, the self-setting unit 123 first determines whether the meter information requested from the old gas meter 200 has been received (S21). If the meter information has not been received (S21: NO), the mask setting unit 125 selects six types from among multiple mask data (S22). After that, the process shown in Figure 8 is completed, and the process moves on to step S7 in Figure 6.

[0048] If meter information is received (S21:YES), the comparison unit 124 compares the received meter information of the old gas meter 200 with its own meter information and performs the decisions in steps S23, S24, S26, S27, and S30. That is, the comparison unit 124 first determines whether the manufacturer codes are the same (S23). If the manufacturer codes are the same (S23:YES), the comparison unit 124 determines whether the meter types are the same (S24).

[0049] If the meter types are not the same (S24: NO), the mask setting unit 125 selects three types from among the multiple mask data (S25). After that, the process shown in Figure 8 is completed, and the process moves on to step S7 in Figure 6.

[0050] If the meter types are the same (S24:YES), the comparison unit 124 sends a request message for the software version (S26) and determines whether the software versions are the same (S27). If the software versions are the same (S27:YES), the mask setting unit 125 selects one type from among multiple mask data (S28). After that, the process shown in Figure 8 is completed, and the process moves to step S7 in Figure 6.

[0051] On the other hand, if the software versions are not the same (S27:NO), the mask setting unit 125 selects two types of mask data from among multiple mask data (S29). After that, the process shown in Figure 8 is completed, and the process moves on to step S7 in Figure 6.

[0052] By the way, if the manufacturer codes are not the same in step S23 (S23: NO), the comparison unit 124 determines whether the meter types are the same (S30). If the meter types are the same (S30: YES), the mask setting unit 125 selects four types from among the multiple mask data (S31). After that, the process shown in Figure 8 is completed, and the process moves on to step S7 in Figure 6.

[0053] On the other hand, if the meter types are not the same (S30: NO), the mask setting unit 125 selects type 5 from among the multiple mask data (S32). After that, the process shown in Figure 8 is completed, and the process moves on to step S7 in Figure 6.

[0054] Refer to Figure 6 again. In step S7 of Figure 6, the mask setting unit 125 performs a transmission mask based on the mask data selected in the process of Figure 8 (S7). For example, if mask data of type 6 is selected, the mask setting unit 125 will perform a transmission mask on the setting information of number information "3" and "4" among the setting information of number information "1" to "4".

[0055] Subsequently, the control unit 120 initializes the variable n (S8). Next, the self-setting unit 123 determines whether a transmission mask is applied to the setting information of the number information "n" (S9). If a transmission mask is applied (S9: YES), the control unit 120 increments the variable n (S10), and the process proceeds to step S9.

[0056] If the setting information for number information "n" is not masked for transmission (S9:NO), the self-setting unit 123 controls the communication control unit 122 to send a message requesting the setting information for number information "n" (S11). In particular, the new gas meter 100 according to the first embodiment stores multiple setting information corresponding to number information "3" and "4," as shown in Figure 5. For this reason, it requests that multiple setting information be sent together for number information "3" and "4." When requesting multiple setting information together, it is preferable for the old and new gas meters 100 and 200 to use U-bus communication. This is because U-bus communication allows for high-capacity and high-speed communication.

[0057] After sending the request message (after S11), the self-configuration unit 123 determines whether it has received the configuration information corresponding to the request message with number information "n" (S12). If configuration information is not received (S12: NO), this process is repeated until configuration information is received.

[0058] On the other hand, if setting information is received (S12:YES), the mask setting unit 125 performs a reflection mask on the received setting information, and the self-setting unit 123 reflects the unreflected information to itself by storing, writing, etc. (S13). For example, if type 2 is selected from among multiple mask data, when the mask setting unit 125 receives the setting information for number information "3", it sets a reflection mask on the setting information for "common control code K7" and "common control code K9". As a result, the self-setting unit 123 reflects "common control code K0" to itself without reflecting "common control code K7" and "common control code K9" to itself. The same applies to the setting information for number information "4", where the self-setting unit 123 reflects "company-specific control code G0" and "company-specific control code G1" to itself based on the reflection mask set by the mask setting unit 125, without reflecting "company-specific control code G2" to itself.

[0059] Next, the self-setting unit 123 determines whether processing has been completed with all the setting information (S14). If processing has not been completed with all the setting information (S14: NO), the control unit 120 increments the variable n (S10), and the process proceeds to step S9.

[0060] On the other hand, if processing is completed with all setting information (S14: YES), the self-setting unit 123 controls the display control unit 121 to display on the display unit 130 that the transfer work is complete (S15). After that, the processes shown in Figures 6 and 7 are completed.

[0061] In this way, according to the new gas meter 100 and setting transfer method of the first embodiment, the meter information of the old gas meter 200 and the meter information of the new gas meter 100 are compared, and a mask setting is made to prohibit the reflection of the information to itself based on the comparison result. Therefore, setting information that should not be reflected to itself based on the manufacturer, meter type, etc., can be prohibited from being reflected to itself. As a result, if the settings of the old gas meter 200 cannot be taken over, or if they are taken over but do not result in appropriate settings, the reflection of the information to itself can be prohibited. Accordingly, the transfer work can be made more appropriate.

[0062] Furthermore, to prevent the settings information received from the old gas meter 200 from being reflected in itself, a reflection mask is applied. This allows the settings information to be received once, and then the reflection mask can be used to select whether or not to reflect the settings information in itself. In particular, when requesting multiple pieces of settings information together, such as in the request message for number information "3" and "4", it is possible to receive all the settings information at once and then prevent only some of the settings information from being reflected in itself, thereby improving the efficiency of the migration process.

[0063] Furthermore, by setting a transmission mask for the old gas meter 200 to prevent the request for specific configuration information from being executed, the number of request messages sent for certain configuration information is reduced, thereby contributing to the simplification of the migration process.

[0064] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The transplant setting system according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, but some configurations are different. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0065] Figure 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the contents of the second storage unit 162 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the second storage unit 162 according to the second embodiment stores one setting information associated with one number information.

[0066] Specifically, in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, one number information was assigned to each of the three setting information items: "common control code K0," "common control code K7," and "common control code K9." Therefore, as shown in step S11 of Figure 7, a request message was sent with multiple setting information items bundled together. However, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the number information items "3," "4," and "5" are individually assigned to each of the three setting information items: "common control code K0," "common control code K7," and "common control code K9." Therefore, in step S11 of Figure 7, a message requesting each setting information item is sent one by one.

[0067] In communication methods with relatively slow communication speeds, such as N-line communication, it is preferable to receive setting information one piece at a time. Therefore, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, one number is assigned to each piece of setting information so that a request message is sent individually for each piece of setting information.

[0068] In this way, according to the new gas meter 100 and setting transplant method of the second embodiment, the transplant work can be made more appropriate, efficient, and simpler, similar to the first embodiment.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, since setting information is requested one by one, the migration work can be performed even in communication methods with relatively slow communication speeds, such as N-line communication.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described above based on embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and other technologies may be combined as appropriate to the extent possible.

[0071] For example, in the above embodiment, the new gas meter 100 and the old gas meter 200 are connected by a communication line L. However, the system is not limited to this, and may be connected wirelessly, with the configuration information being transferred wirelessly.

[0072] Furthermore, although the new gas meter 100 according to the above embodiment is equipped with a container reset switch 152, it is not limited to a gas meter that measures the flow rate of LP gas, but may also be a gas meter that measures the flow rate of city gas.

[0073] In addition, in the above embodiment, the new gas meter 100 is the newly manufactured one, and the old gas meter 200 is not necessarily older than the new gas meter 100. For example, the new gas meter 100 may be older than the old gas meter 200 based on the manufacturing date, or they may be manufactured on the same day. In other words, the old gas meter 200 is a gas meter that has already been installed, and the new gas meter 100 is a gas meter that will be newly installed, and the manufacturing date is irrelevant.

[0074] Furthermore, if possible, certain operations may be performed on the old gas meter 200 to initiate the transplantation work.

[0075] Furthermore, the setting information described above is not limited to what is shown in Figures 5 and 9, but may include various other information such as the shut-off conditions for the shut-off valve, whether or not a call sound is emitted when the shut-off valve is shut off, whether or not there is a minute leakage function, and the visible light communication output.

[0076] Furthermore, while both a transmission mask and a reflection mask are performed in the above embodiment, the system is not limited to this, and for example, only one of the masks may be performed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1: Configuration Transfer System 100: New gas meter (gas meter) 122: Communication control unit (receiving means) 123: Self-setting section (self-setting means) 124: Comparison section (comparison means) 125: Mask setting unit (mask setting means) 160: Storage section 161: 1st memory section 162:Second storage section 200: Old gas meter (other gas meter) 260: Storage section L: Communication line T:Terminal block

Claims

1. A gas meter capable of measuring gas flow rate and displaying the accumulated gas flow rate, A receiving means for receiving meter information, including at least one of the manufacturer and meter type, from another gas meter to be replaced, A comparison means for comparing the meter information received by the receiving means with its own meter information, A mask setting means that performs a mask setting regarding setting information that is prohibited from being reflected in itself, based on the results of the comparison by the comparison means, A self-setting means that performs its own settings based on setting information received from the aforementioned other gas meter and not masked by the mask setting means, A gas meter characterized by having the following features.

2. The mask setting means sets a reflection mask to prevent the setting information received from the other gas meter from being reflected in itself. The self-setting means reflects the setting information received from the other gas meter, for which no reflection mask has been set, as its own setting. The gas meter according to feature 1.

3. The mask setting means further sets a transmission mask that prevents the other gas meter from requesting specific setting information. The gas meter according to feature 2.

4. A method for setting up and installing a gas meter that measures gas flow rate and displays the measured gas flow rate as an integrated value, A receiving step of receiving meter information, including at least one of the manufacturer and meter type, from another gas meter to be replaced, A comparison step involves comparing the meter information received in the receiving step with the meter information of the present invention. A mask setting step is performed to set a mask for setting information that is prohibited from being reflected in itself, based on the results of the comparison step described above. A self-setting step in which the self-setting is performed based on setting information received from the aforementioned other gas meter and which is not masked in the mask setting step, A method for transferring settings, characterized by comprising the following features.

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