Safety device for flow rate measurement device, and flow rate measurement device

Abstract

This safety device (10A) for a flow rate measurement device comprises: internal communication units (12a, 12b) (the number of internal communication units may be one) that communicate with a flow rate measurement device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid; a safety assessment processing unit (11) that assesses the execution of a safety function by the flow rate measurement device by using output information from the flow rate measurement device, said output information being obtained through communication performed by the internal communication units (12a, 12b); and an authentication unit (13) that generates, as at least authentication information, an indicator value included in the output information from the flow rate measurement device, and, on the basis of the authentication information, assesses authentication with the flow rate measurement device with which communication is to be performed. This makes it possible, even with, e.g., a flow rate measurement device that does not have a safety function, to implement a safety function that is suitably reliable for the flow rate measurement device.

Description

Safety device for a flow measurement device and a flow measurement device

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety device used for a flow measurement device that measures the flow rate of a fluid, and a flow measurement device including the same. For example, the present invention relates to a safety device for a flow measurement device that can be mounted with a safety function on a flow measurement device that does not have a safety function, and a flow measurement device including this safety device.

[0002] A flow measurement device is a measuring instrument that measures the amount (flow rate) of a fluid such as a gas or a liquid flowing through a flow path per unit time. Such a flow measurement device is known to have a safety function such as issuing an alarm or shutting off the supply of the fluid when some abnormality occurs.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gas meter (a flow measurement device when the fluid is a gas) having a safety function. This gas meter can execute a safety function corresponding to the gas appliance by registering and specifying the gas appliance to be used.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-160003

[0005] In recent years, in flow measurement devices, from the viewpoint of promoting more stable and safe supply and use of fluids, the safety function has been attracting more attention than ever. However, since such a safety function is a function related to the safety during the use of the fluid, there is a need to effectively suppress or avoid the possibility that an insufficient or inappropriate safety function is implemented in the flow measurement device.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and for example, even for a flow measurement device that does not have a safety function, it is an object to enable the implementation of a safety function having suitable reliability for the flow measurement device.

[0007] The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to this disclosure, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises: at least one internal communication unit that communicates with a flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate of a fluid; a safety determination processing unit that determines the execution of a safety function in the flow rate measuring device using output information from the flow rate measuring device obtained through communication by the internal communication unit; and an authentication unit that generates at least an authentication information from the guideline value included in the output information from the flow rate measuring device, and determines authentication with the flow rate measuring device that is the communication target based on the authentication information.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the authentication unit of the safety device uses the guide value (or meter reading) obtained from the flow meter as authentication information to determine authentication between the safety device and the flow meter. Therefore, in the above configuration, the safety device installed on the flow meter is not authenticated by the flow meter; rather, the safety device installed on the flow meter determines authentication between the safety device and the flow meter based on authentication information obtained through communication with the flow meter. This not only enables authentication without using special information or complex encryption functions, but also allows the use of guide value, which is specific information tailored to the actual usage of the flow meter, as authentication information.

[0009] Therefore, it becomes possible to install appropriately licensed safety devices on flow measurement devices, and for these safety devices to perform appropriate (or suitable) safety functions. In other words, it is possible to effectively avoid or suppress the performance of inappropriate or insufficient safety functions due to the installation of inappropriate safety devices. For this reason, even a flow measurement device that does not have a safety function can be equipped with a safety function that is suitable and reliable for that flow measurement device.

[0010] Furthermore, this disclosure includes a flow measuring device equipped with a safety device for a flow measuring device having the above configuration. The flow measuring device according to this disclosure is not particularly limited, but a gas meter is a typical example.

[0011] The above-mentioned objectives, other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] The present invention, with the above configuration, has the effect of enabling the implementation of a safety function with suitable reliability even in a flow rate measuring device that does not have a safety function.

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a safety device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, wherein the safety device shown in Figure 1 is provided as a safety unit. Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing a typical communication example between the safety device shown in Figure 1 (or the safety unit shown in Figure 2) and the flow rate measuring device that is the communication target. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a typical example of authentication processing in the safety device shown in Figure 1 (or the safety unit shown in Figure 2). Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a safety device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure, wherein the safety device shown in Figure 5 is provided as a safety unit. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a safety device according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure, wherein the safety device shown in Figure 7 is provided as a safety unit. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a typical example of authentication processing in the safety device (or safety unit shown in Figure 8) shown in Figure 7. Figures 10A to 10C are flowcharts showing typical examples of operation mode switching control in the authentication processing flowchart shown in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of the safety device according to Embodiment 4 of this disclosure. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 4 of this disclosure, which includes the safety device shown in Figure 11 as a safety unit. Figure 13 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of the safety device according to Embodiment 5 of this disclosure. Figure 14 is a block diagram showing a typical example of a safety unit included in a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of this disclosure. Figure 15 is a block diagram showing another example of a safety unit included in a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of this disclosure. Figure 16 is a block diagram showing yet another example of a safety unit included in a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of this disclosure. Figure 17 is a block diagram showing yet another example of a safety unit included in a flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of this disclosure.Figure 18 is a block diagram showing yet another example of a safety unit included in the flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure. Figure 19 is a block diagram showing another example of a configuration of the flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure.

[0014] (Knowledge and other information forming the basis of this disclosure) In the case of gas meters, which are flow measurement devices, those sold and used in Japan (domestic gas meters) often have safety functions implemented, such as shutting off the gas supply in the event of an earthquake and detecting gas leaks. Such safety functions are generally implemented in the form of a controller for the gas meter.

[0015] In contrast, gas meters sold overseas (overseas gas meters) generally lack safety features, with the exception of a few models, and are primarily designed for flow rate measurement. However, even in overseas gas meters, there is growing interest in implementing safety features, similar to those in domestic gas meters, from the perspective of promoting a more stable and safer supply and use of fluids.

[0016] Therefore, the inventors considered separating only the safety function from flow measurement devices such as gas meters, making it an independent safety device, and installing it on the flow measurement device afterward. However, by making it easier to implement the safety function with an independent safety device in this way, it was anticipated that there would be a possibility of the safety device being obtained and used illegally, or of unauthorized safety devices being installed on the flow measurement device.

[0017] The safety functions of flow measurement devices are related to the safety of fluid use; therefore, the unauthorized use of such safety devices or the use of unauthorized safety devices may affect safety. Furthermore, even if a safety device is legitimate and has been officially licensed, if the license is revoked, continued use of the safety device after the revocation may prevent it from performing its proper safety function, thus potentially affecting safety in the same way as unauthorized use.

[0018] Therefore, after further intensive research, the inventors have independently discovered that by using the guideline value obtained from the flow meter as authentication information in the safety device to determine the authentication of the flow meter, authentication can be performed without requiring special information, and individual information such as the guideline value, which is tailored to the actual usage of the flow meter, can be used as authentication information, thus completing the technology of this disclosure.

[0019] Hereinafter, representative embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout all the drawings, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0020] (Embodiment 1) [Example of Configuration of Safety Device and Flow Measurement Device] First, a typical example of the configuration of the safety device for a flow measurement device according to this embodiment 1, and a typical example of the configuration of a flow measurement device equipped with the safety device for a flow measurement device will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the safety device 10A for a flow measurement device according to this embodiment 1 includes a safety determination processing unit 11, internal communication units 12a and 12b, and an authentication unit 13. In the following description, the safety device 10A for a flow measurement device may be abbreviated as safety device 10A as appropriate.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the flow rate measuring device 20A according to this embodiment 1 is a device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, such as a gas meter, and includes a meter unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a flow rate measuring unit 23, an operation unit 24, a sensor unit 25, etc., and also includes the safety device 10A shown in Figure 1 as a safety unit 30A. Note that the flow rate measuring device 20A may also have other components, or may not have some of these components as needed.

[0022] The safety device 10A is configured to communicate with the flow rate measuring device 20A, which acts as the "host" from the perspective of the safety device 10A, via internal communication units 12a and 12b. In this disclosure, communication between the flow rate measuring device 20A and the safety device 10A is referred to as "internal communication," and communication between the flow rate measuring device 20A and external devices is referred to as "external communication." In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the internal communication unit 12a of the safety device 10A communicates internally with the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20A, and the internal communication unit 12b of the safety device 10A communicates internally with the flow rate measuring unit 23 of the flow rate measuring device 20A. The flow rate measuring device 20A also communicates externally with external devices via an external communication unit 22.

[0023] The safety determination processing unit 11 of the safety device 10A uses the output information from the flow rate measuring device 20A, obtained from internal communication by the internal communication units 12a and 12b, to determine whether the flow rate measuring device 20A should perform the safety function. This determination result is transmitted from the internal communication units 12a and 12b to the flow rate measuring device 20A, and the flow rate measuring device 20A performs the safety function based on this determination result. A specific example of internal communication between the safety device 10A and the flow rate measuring device 20A will be described later.

[0024] The authentication unit 13 generates authentication information and determines authentication with the flow rate measuring device 20A, which is the target of internal communication, based on said authentication information. In this disclosure, the authentication unit 13 generates at least the guideline value included in the output information from the flow rate measuring device 20A as authentication information. Details of the authentication determination of the flow rate measuring device 20A by the authentication unit 13 and the authentication information will be described later.

[0025] Herein, in this disclosure (Embodiment 1 and the embodiments described later), for the sake of convenience of explanation, the process by which the security determination processing unit 11 determines the execution of a security function is referred to as "security processing." Furthermore, in this disclosure, the information used for security processing in the security determination processing unit 11 is referred to as "security processing information," and the result of security processing is referred to as "security command information." Therefore, in this disclosure, the security determination processing unit 11 performs security processing using at least the output information from the flow rate measuring device 20A as security processing information, and the security command information, which is the result of security processing, is transmitted to the flow rate measuring device 20A via the internal communication units 12a and 12b. Note that the security determination processing unit 11 may also be configured to determine the execution of additional functions other than the security function in the flow rate measuring device 20A, in addition to the security function.

[0026] In this embodiment 1, the safety device 10A with this configuration is unitized so that it can be mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20A. In Figure 2, for the sake of explanation, the unitized safety device 10A is shown as a safety unit 30A enclosed by a dashed line. By unitizing the safety device 10A in this way, even if the flow rate measuring device 20A does not have a safety function, the safety function can be easily implemented by mounting the safety unit 30A on the flow rate measuring device 20A. Conversely, if the safety function is not required, the safety unit 30A can be removed from the flow rate measuring device 20A and used separately.

[0027] Furthermore, if the safety unit 30A is mounted on the flow meter 20A, the safety unit 30A can be powered by the host flow meter 20A. For example, if the flow meter 20A is a gas meter, the gas meter is usually powered by a battery. Therefore, if the safety unit 30A can be powered by the host gas meter when mounted on the gas meter, there is no need to provide a separate power supply for the safety unit 30A.

[0028] In this embodiment 1, the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20A includes a control unit 31, a display unit 32, and a flow rate integration unit 33. The control unit 31 controls the operation of the flow rate measuring device 20A. The display unit 32 displays various information in accordance with the operation of the flow rate measuring device 20A. The flow rate integration unit 33 integrates the amount of fluid used from the flow rate information measured by the flow rate measuring unit 23, which will be described later.

[0029] The external communication unit 22 of the flow rate measuring device 20A communicates with external devices, such as other flow rate measuring devices, repeaters, or central equipment. The flow rate measuring unit 23 measures the flow rate of the fluid. In this embodiment 1, the flow rate information measured by the flow rate measuring unit 23 is integrated by the flow rate integration unit 33 via the safety device 10A as described above, thereby generating fluid usage information (integrated value).

[0030] In this embodiment 1, the safety device 10A (safety unit 30A) is equipped with internal communication units 12a and 12b, as described above. The internal communication unit 12a communicates internally with the meter unit 21, and the internal communication unit 12b communicates internally with the flow rate measurement unit 23. Therefore, the fluid flow rate information measured by the flow rate measurement unit 23 is first transmitted to the safety device 10A by the internal communication unit 12b, and then transmitted from the internal communication unit 12a of the safety device 10A to the meter unit 21. As a result, the safety device 10A can use the flow rate information obtained from the flow rate measurement unit 23 as safety processing information.

[0031] The operation unit 24 inputs operation information to the flow rate measuring device 20A. The sensor unit 25 acquires detection information that can be used to measure the fluid flow rate. These operation unit 24 and sensor unit 25 constitute the "input unit" of the flow rate measuring device 20A according to this embodiment 1. The valve unit 26 opens and closes under the control of the meter unit 21. This valve unit 26 constitutes the "output unit" of the flow rate measuring device 20A according to this embodiment 1.

[0032] The flow rate measuring device 20A may also include an "input unit" other than the operation unit 24 or the sensor unit 25, and an "output unit" other than the valve unit 26. Furthermore, depending on the specific configuration of the flow rate measuring device 20A, it may not be necessary to include the operation unit 24 or the sensor unit 25. For example, operation information may be input from a terminal device via the external communication unit 22.

[0033] Alternatively, the valve unit 26 may be configured as an independent valve device capable of communicating with the flow rate measuring device 20A. In this case, the flow rate measuring device 20A would not have a valve unit 26. The meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20A can control the opening and closing of the valve device via the external communication unit 22. Furthermore, the display unit 32 of the meter unit 21 may function as the output unit of the flow rate measuring device 20A.

[0034] The specific configurations of the safety device 10A, the control unit 31 of the flow rate measuring device 20A, and the flow rate integration unit 33 are not particularly limited. For example, the safety determination processing unit 11 and the authentication unit 13 of the safety device 10A can be a known functional configuration of a control device, realized by the operation of a computing device according to a program stored in a storage device. Similarly, the control unit 31 and the flow rate integration unit 33 of the flow rate measuring device 20A can also be a known functional configuration of a control device, realized by the operation of a computing device according to a program stored in a storage device.

[0035] Specifically, for example, the security determination processing unit 11 and authentication unit 13, or the control unit 31 and flow rate integration unit 33, can all be configured such that a general-purpose processor, dedicated processor, integrated circuit, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), GPU, or other computing device is used, either alone or in combination of two or more types, to implement its control function according to a program stored in a memory device.

[0036] A processor, as such an arithmetic device, is a hardware circuit (or processing circuit) because it includes a circuit composed of numerous transistors, memory, etc. Similarly, an integrated circuit or ASIC is also a hardware circuit because it includes a processor or processing block such as a CPU. An FPGA is a hardware circuit because it includes a large number of integrated logic circuits (functional blocks). A GPU is a hardware circuit because it includes a large number of parallel-mounted arithmetic circuits (cores). Software such as programs stored in memory is used to configure hardware circuits (processors, integrated circuits, FPGAs, ASICs, GPUs, etc.). Alternatively, an arithmetic device may be configured as a logic circuit using known switching elements, subtractors, comparators, etc.

[0037] The specific configuration of the storage device is not particularly limited. For example, it may be configured as the internal memory of a microcomputer or microcontroller unit (MCU), or it may be configured as a separate memory. Furthermore, the storage device does not have to be a single device, but may be multiple devices.

[0038] The internal communication units 12a and 12b of the safety device 10A only need to be configured to communicate internally with the host flow rate measuring device 20A, as described above. Typically, the internal communication units 12a and 12b and the meter unit 21 or flow rate measuring unit 23 only need to be able to communicate internally using the same communication interface, for example, serial (UART) communication. The internal communication units 12a and 12b and the meter unit 21 or flow rate measuring unit 23 only need to be connected to each other by an internal communication line corresponding to serial (UART) communication, and configured to send and receive internal data.

[0039] In this embodiment 1, the safety device 10A is unitized as a safety unit 30A and mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20A. Therefore, the internal communication lines between the internal communication units 12a and 12b and the meter unit 21 or flow rate measuring unit 23 only need to have detachable connectors. For example, when the safety unit 30A is mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20A, the respective connectors should be connected so that the internal communication units 12a and 12b and the meter unit 21 or flow rate measuring unit 23 can communicate internally. Also, when the safety unit 30A is removed from the flow rate measuring device 20A, the respective connectors should also be detachable.

[0040] The external communication unit 22 of the flow rate measuring device 20A only needs to be configured to enable communication between the flow rate measuring device 20A and external equipment. Typical examples include communication units using communication methods used in smart meters (wireless multi-hop communication, data communication by communication carriers, power line communication (PLC), etc.). Typical communication methods used in this case include NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things).

[0041] The specific configuration of the flow rate measuring unit 23 of the flow rate measuring device 20A is not particularly limited, but typically, if the fluid is a gas, an ultrasonic flow meter can be used. An ultrasonic flow meter is configured to emit ultrasonic waves at predetermined time intervals to the fluid (gas) flowing through the flow path, and to measure the flow rate by converting the difference in propagation time into flow rate, but the specific type of ultrasonic flow meter is not particularly limited. In addition, depending on the type of fluid, measuring instruments other than ultrasonic flow meters can be used.

[0042] The specific configurations of the operation unit 24 and the display unit 32 are not particularly limited. For example, the operation unit 24 could be switches or external signals (such as alarms). The display unit 32 could be various two-dimensional displays (such as liquid crystal displays). Furthermore, the operation unit 24 and the display unit 32 may be integrated into a single configuration (input / output unit), such as a touch panel display.

[0043] As an example of the "output unit" of the flow rate measuring device 20A, the valve unit 26 can be, for example, a shut-off valve that blocks the flow (supply) of a fluid (gas). The shut-off valve is configured to be openable and closable under the control of the control unit 31 of the meter unit 21. For example, in the security process by the security device 10A according to the first embodiment, as will be described later, when the security determination processing unit 11 determines that the security function is to be executed, the determination result is transmitted to the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20A by internal communication. In the control unit 31 of the meter unit 21, as a security function, for example, the valve unit 26, which is a shut-off valve, is controlled to operate to block the gas supply. Note that the display unit 32 or the output unit of voice information as the above-described "output unit" may also be output-controlled in the same manner as the valve unit 26.

[0044] Next, regarding the determination of authentication with the flow rate measuring device 20A by the authentication unit 13 in the security device 10A according to the first embodiment, as a typical example, a sequence diagram shown in FIG. 3 will be given and described.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, first, from the perspective of the security device 10A, a (1) authentication request is transmitted from the flow rate measuring device 20A, which serves as the host, to the security device 10A. This (1) authentication request may be a telegram with an initial value of authentication information. In the security device 10A that receives this (1) authentication request, an authentication process is performed. When the authentication information of the initial value given in the (1) authentication request matches the authentication information (initial value) held by the security device 10A, the authentication unit 13 of the security device 10A generates the pointer value included in the output information of the flow rate measuring device 20A as new authentication information.

[0046] Next, the security device 10A transmits (2) new authentication information to the flow rate measuring device 20A. Specifically, the authentication unit 13 of the security device 10A attaches the generated new authentication information to a normal telegram for internal communication, and the security determination processing unit 11 transmits the normal telegram with the new authentication information attached to the flow rate measuring device 20A (meter unit 21) via the internal communication unit 12a. In the flow rate measuring device 20A (meter unit 21), the security device 10A is authenticated based on the received new authentication information, and (3) a telegram of a new authentication response is generated and transmitted to the security device 10A. Note that the flow rate measuring device 20A may be configured to transmit an acknowledge (ACK) signal instead of (3) transmitting a telegram of a new authentication response.

[0047] When the security device 10A receives (3) a new authentication response from the flow rate measuring device 20A, similar to the above, new authentication information is attached to a normal telegram, and internal communication is performed with the flow rate measuring device 20A ((4) communication (attachment of new authentication information)). Note that authentication information is attached not only to the telegram from the security device 10A but also to the telegram for instruction from the flow rate measuring device 20A to the security device 10A.

[0048] Thereafter, until the predetermined time T shown in FIG. 3 elapses, the flow rate measuring device 20A transmits (5) a new authentication request to the security device 10A in order to continue using the security device 10A. Thereafter, as described above, generation and transmission of new authentication information ((2) new authentication information) and transmission of a new authentication response from the flow rate measuring device 20A ((3) new authentication response) are performed.

[0049] In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 3, a case where the authentication unit 13 of the security device 10A determines an authentication abnormality or an example of a case where the flow rate measuring device 20A and the security device 10A are performing "normal internal communication" without determining an authentication abnormality will be described.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, from the flow rate measuring device 20A which is the host, (1) an authentication request which is internal communication of the initial value of the authentication information is transmitted to the security device 10A. If this (1) authentication request is not transmitted, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the authentication unit 13 of the security device 10A determines an authentication abnormality.

[0051] Furthermore, in internal communication after the security device 10A receives (3) a new authentication response from the flow rate measuring device 20A (host), if the authentication information held by the flow rate measuring device 20A (host) does not match the authentication information held by the security device 10A, the security device 10A will not accept the communication message, as this indicates an internal communication abnormality. If this condition persists for a predetermined time, the authentication unit 13 of the security device 10A will determine that an authentication abnormality has occurred.

[0052] In contrast, if the authentication information held by the flow meter 20A (host) and the authentication information held by the security device 10A match, then the internal communication between them is "normal internal communication." Therefore, "normal internal communication" operation continues between the flow meter 20A and the security device 10A. Subsequently, until the predetermined time T shown in Figure 3 has elapsed, authentication information is attached to the communication between the flow meter 20A (host) and the security device 10A.

[0053] Furthermore, after a predetermined time T has elapsed, the flow rate measuring device 20A (host) sends an authentication request (5), and the security device 10A sends new authentication information (2) to the flow rate measuring device 20A (host). In response, the flow rate measuring device 20A (host) sends a new authentication response (3), and after the security device 10A receives this, the new authentication information is added to the internal communication between the flow rate measuring device 20A (host) and the security device 10A, as described above.

[0054] As described above, in the safety device 10A according to this embodiment 1, the authentication unit 13 adds authentication information to a portion of the normal message that is communicated internally by the internal communication unit 12a. Therefore, the safety device 10A can transmit authentication information to the flow rate measuring device 20A simply by exchanging normal messages. Consequently, the safety device 10A does not need to communicate internally with the flow rate measuring device 20A just to exchange authentication information, and it is possible to suppress or avoid a significant increase in the number of internal communications between the safety device 10A and the flow rate measuring device 20A. Therefore, not only can the increase in the frequency of internal communications for authentication be suppressed, but the increase in power consumption of the flow rate measuring device 20A can also be effectively suppressed.

[0055] Furthermore, the flow rate measuring device 20A (host) is configured to send an authentication request before a predetermined time T has elapsed and to obtain new authentication information from the safety device 10A. The safety device 10A may also be configured to, after the predetermined time T has elapsed, reject any reception from the flow rate measuring device 20A (host) using the same authentication information obtained before the predetermined time T has elapsed, as it may be considered abnormal.

[0056] Furthermore, in the safety device 10A according to this embodiment 1, as described above, authentication information is added to the normal message. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the authentication unit 13 determines authentication with the flow rate measuring device 20A during the initial internal communication with the flow rate measuring device 20A (e.g., (2) new authentication information) and during periodic internal communication with the flow rate measuring device 20A (e.g., (4) communication (addition of new authentication information)). As a result, the authentication unit 13 can perform both initial authentication and periodic continuous authentication simply by performing normal internal communication with the flow rate measuring device 20A, which is the target of internal communication. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform multiple authentications while suppressing an increase in the frequency of internal communication. For example, it is possible to effectively avoid or prevent the misjudgment of a transient misuse of the safety device 10A as the use of an inappropriate safety device 10A.

[0057] Furthermore, if the safety device 10A and the flow metering device 20A are configured to perform normal internal communication and the authentication unit 13 of the safety device 10A determines authentication, then while the flow metering device 20A is in use, new guideline values ​​will be generated as authentication information, exchanged via normal internal communication, and authentication will be repeatedly determined. Therefore, it is possible to substantially prevent or avoid removing the legitimate safety device 10A and installing an inappropriate safety device on the flow metering device 20A, or tampering with the removed safety device 10A and then installing it again on the flow metering device 20A.

[0058] Furthermore, when the flow rate measuring device 20A is not in use, if the fluid is gas, it will be considered as if no gas is being used. In this case, the indicator value will not be updated, and there is a possibility that the authentication information based on the indicator value will not change. However, if internal communication is performed between the safety device 10A and the flow rate measuring device 20A in a sequence such as that shown in Figure 3, the authentication determination will be repeated periodically. Therefore, even if the authentication information before the update (for example, (1) authentication information at the time of the authentication request in Figure 3) and the authentication information before the update (for example, (3) authentication information at the time of the new authentication response in Figure 3) are the same value, there will be no substantial impact on the authentication determination.

[0059] Next, a typical example of authentication determination by the security device 10A will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 4.

[0060] The authentication unit 13 of the safety device 10A first determines whether or not a message has been received from the flow rate measuring device 20A in normal internal communication control (step S01). If no message is received (NO in step S01), this determination is repeated, and if a message is received (YES in step S01), it determines whether or not the received message is an authentication request (step S02). If it is determined to be an authentication request (YES in step S02), it responds with new authentication information (step S03, see also (2) New Authentication Information in Figure 3), starts measuring for a predetermined time T (step S04), and returns to determining whether or not a message has been received from the flow rate measuring device 20A (step S01).

[0061] On the other hand, if it is determined that the received message is not an authentication request (NO in step S02), it is determined whether a predetermined time T has elapsed (step S05). If the predetermined time T has elapsed (YES in step S05), the process returns to determining whether a message has been received from the flow rate measuring device 20A (step S01). If the predetermined time T has not elapsed (NO in step S05), it is determined whether the received message is an instruction message from the flow rate measuring device 20A (step S06). If it is not an instruction message (NO in step S06), the process returns to determining whether a message has been received from the flow rate measuring device 20A (step S01).

[0062] If the received message is an instruction message from the flow rate measuring device 20A (YES in step S06, see also (3) New Authentication Response in Figure 3), the authentication unit 13 determines whether the authentication information contained in this instruction message matches the authentication information of the safety device 10A (step S07). If these authentication pieces of information match (YES in step S07), the authentication unit 13 determines that the authentication determination is normal, that is, that the safety device 10A mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20A is appropriate (step S08), and returns to determining whether or not a message has been received from the flow rate measuring device 20A (step S01).

[0063] In response to this, if the authentication information of the instruction message and the authentication information of the safety device 10A do not match (NO in step S07), the authentication unit 13 determines that the authentication determination is abnormal, that is, that the safety device 10A mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20A may be inappropriate (step S09), and determines whether or not this authentication determination has reached a predetermined number of times (step S10). If the predetermined number of times has not been reached (NO in step S10), the process returns to determining whether or not a message has been received from the flow rate measuring device 20A (step S01).

[0064] On the other hand, if this authentication determination has reached a predetermined number of times (YES in step S10), the authentication unit 13 makes a final determination that the authentication determination is "abnormality confirmed" (final determination of abnormality), that is, that the safety device 10A mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20A is inappropriate (step S11), and returns to determining whether or not a message has been received from the flow rate measuring device 20A (step S01). Based on this "abnormality confirmed" determination, for example, the safety device 10A or the flow rate measuring device 20A can be configured to stop its safety function.

[0065] As described above, the safety device 10A for a flow rate measuring device according to this embodiment 1 comprises: internal communication units 12a and 12b that communicate internally with a flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate of a fluid; a safety determination processing unit 11 that uses output information from the flow rate measuring device 20A obtained through internal communication by the internal communication units 12a and 12b to determine the execution of a safety function in the flow rate measuring device 20A; and an authentication unit 13 that generates at least an authentication information from the indicator value included in the output information from the flow rate measuring device 20A, and determines authentication with the flow rate measuring device 20A, which is the target of internal communication, based on the authentication information.

[0066] With this configuration, the authentication unit 13 of the safety device 10A uses the guide value (or meter reading) obtained from the flow rate measuring device 20A as authentication information to determine authentication between the safety device 10A and the flow rate measuring device 20A. Therefore, the safety device 10A mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20A is not authenticated by the flow rate measuring device 20A itself, but rather the safety device 10A on the mounted side determines authentication between the safety device 10A and the flow rate measuring device 20A based on authentication information obtained through internal communication with the flow rate measuring device 20A. This not only enables authentication without using special information or complex encryption functions, but also allows the use of guide value, which is individual information tailored to the actual usage of the flow rate measuring device 20A, as authentication information.

[0067] Therefore, it becomes possible to mount a properly licensed safety device 10A on the flow rate measuring device 20A, and to perform appropriate (or suitable) safety functions with the safety device 10A. In other words, with the configuration of this embodiment, it is possible to effectively avoid or suppress the performance of inappropriate or insufficient safety functions due to the mounting of an inappropriate safety device 10A. For this reason, even a flow rate measuring device 20A that does not have a safety function can be equipped with a safety function that is suitable for the flow rate measuring device 20A and has sufficient reliability.

[0068] Furthermore, in the configuration of this embodiment 1, as described above, the safety device 10A can perform authentication checks periodically, making it possible to more effectively avoid or prevent the installation of inappropriate safety devices 10A. In addition, the authentication information of the safety device 10A can be automatically switched after a predetermined number of internal communications. If the flow rate measuring device 20A wants to continue using arbitrary authentication information, it should be configured to acquire the authentication information by authentication request before the predetermined number of communications has elapsed.

[0069] Furthermore, as described above, since at least the guideline value is generated as authentication information, this authentication information is generated as unique information for each safety device 10A installed on the flow meter 20A, in accordance with the actual usage of the flow meter 20A. Therefore, for example, even if another unauthenticated safety device is installed on the flow meter 20A instead of safety device 10A, and the fluid flow rate data is tampered with, it is easy to determine that the tampered data is inappropriate. As a result, data tampering in the flow meter 20A can be substantially avoided or prevented.

[0070] Here, the authentication information generated by the authentication unit 13 is at least the guideline value included in the output information from the flow rate measuring device 20A. However, the authentication information in this disclosure is not limited to the guideline value alone, and other output information obtained from the flow rate measuring device 20A may also be generated as authentication information. Examples of other output information obtained from the flow rate measuring device 20A include a value predetermined based on a license, a value based on a meter-specific number, a sequential value, etc. Alternatively, the output information associated with the operation of the "input unit" or "output unit" of the flow rate measuring device 20A shown in Figure 2 may be generated as authentication information together with the guideline value.

[0071] In this embodiment 1, authentication information is added to the message for internal communication. However, the disclosure is not limited to this, and the authentication indicator value itself may simply be exchanged between the security device 10A and the flow rate measuring device 20A. Alternatively, the authentication unit 13 can convert the indicator value from the flow rate measuring device 20A into predetermined separate information that is uniquely generated from the indicator value and use it as authentication information (for example, a hash value). This eliminates the need to use a complex encryption method for authentication information and avoids complicating the authentication determination by the authentication unit 13.

[0072] Furthermore, in the safety device 10A according to this embodiment 1, the authentication unit 13 is configured to add authentication information to a portion of the message communicated by the internal communication unit 12a. With this configuration, the message exchanged in normal internal communication will contain the authentication information. Therefore, the authentication unit 13 can perform both initial authentication and periodic continuous authentication simply by performing normal internal communication between the safety device 10A and the flow rate measuring device 20A.

[0073] Furthermore, in the safety device 10A according to this embodiment 1, the authentication unit 13 uses the authentication information attached to the normal message to determine authentication with the flow rate measuring device 20A during the initial communication with the flow rate measuring device 20A, as well as during periodic communication with the flow rate measuring device 20A. As a result, the authentication unit 13 can easily perform multiple authentications simply by conducting normal internal communication between the safety device 10A and the flow rate measuring device 20A.

[0074] (Embodiment 2) The safety device according to Embodiment 2 has basically the same configuration as the safety device according to Embodiment 1, but is equipped with only one internal communication unit. An example of a typical configuration of the safety device according to Embodiment 2, and an example of a typical configuration of a flow rate measuring device equipped with the safety device, will be described below.

[0075] As shown in Figure 5, the security device 10B according to this second embodiment is equipped with a security determination processing unit 11 and an authentication unit 13, similar to the security device 10A according to the first embodiment, but it is equipped with only one internal communication unit 12 instead of two internal communication units 12a and 12b.

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the flow rate measuring device 20B according to this second embodiment is equipped with a meter unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a flow rate measuring unit 23, an operation unit 24, a sensor unit 25, etc., similar to the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the first embodiment, and is equipped with a safety device 10B as a safety unit 30B, as shown in Figure 5. The meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20B is also equipped with a control unit 31, a display unit 32, and a flow rate integration unit 33, similar to the first embodiment.

[0077] However, in the flow rate measuring device 20B according to this second embodiment, the flow rate measuring unit 23 is not configured to communicate internally with the safety device 10B (safety unit 30B), but rather to input and output information bidirectionally with the meter unit 21. Therefore, the safety device 10B is equipped only with an internal communication unit 12 for internal communication with the meter unit 21, and does not have a configuration for internal communication with the flow rate measuring unit 23.

[0078] In a flow rate measuring device 20B with this configuration, the fluid flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit 23 is output to the meter unit 21 without going through the safety device 10B, unlike in the first embodiment. In the meter unit 21, the fluid flow rate from the flow rate measuring unit 23 is integrated in the flow rate integration unit 33, thereby generating fluid usage information (integrated value). This fluid usage information is transmitted from the meter unit 21 to the safety device 10B via internal communication.

[0079] In the safety device 10B according to this second embodiment, similar to the safety device 10A according to the first embodiment, the authentication unit 13 communicates with the flow rate measuring device 20B via the internal communication unit 12, generating at least the guideline value included in the output information from the flow rate measuring device 20B as authentication information, and determining authentication with the flow rate measuring device 20B, which is the communication target, based on the authentication information. This makes it possible to mount a safety device 10B that has received appropriate usage permission on the flow rate measuring device 20B, and to perform appropriate (or suitable) safety functions with the safety device 10B.

[0080] (Embodiment 3) The safety device according to this embodiment 3 has basically the same configuration as the safety device according to embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, but further includes an operating mode switching unit. An example of a typical configuration of the safety device according to this embodiment 3 will be described.

[0081] As shown in Figure 7, the security device 10C according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure includes a security determination processing unit 11, internal communication units 12a and 12b, and an authentication unit 13, similar to the security device 10A according to Embodiment 1, but also includes an operation mode switching unit 14. Note that the security device 10C according to Embodiment 3 may also be configured to include only one internal communication unit 12, similar to the security device 10B according to Embodiment 2.

[0082] The operation mode switching unit 14 switches between a normal operation mode, which is executed when the authentication unit 13 determines that the authentication is normal, and an abnormal operation mode, which is executed when the authentication unit 13 determines that the authentication is abnormal. The specific configuration of the operation mode switching unit 14 provided in the safety device 10C is not particularly limited. Similar to the safety determination processing unit 11, authentication unit 13, etc., described in Embodiment 1, or the control unit 31 and flow rate integration unit 33 provided in the meter unit 21, the operation mode switching unit 14 can also be a known control device functional configuration, which is realized by the operation of the arithmetic unit according to a program stored in the storage device.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, the flow rate measuring device 20C according to this third embodiment is equipped with a meter unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a flow rate measuring unit 23, an operation unit 24, a sensor unit 25, etc., similar to the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the first embodiment or the flow rate measuring device 20B according to the second embodiment, and also includes the safety device 10C shown in Figure 7 as a safety unit 30C. Note that in Figure 8, the internal communication unit blocks 12a and 12b of the safety device 10C are omitted, and only the block of the operation mode switching unit 14 is shown.

[0084] The operation mode switching unit 14 switches between the normal operation mode and the abnormal operation mode as described above. Of these, the normal operation mode can be described as the operation mode when the safety device 10C and the flow rate measuring device 20C are communicating normally. On the other hand, the abnormal operation mode can be described as the operation mode when an inappropriate safety device 10C is installed on the flow rate measuring device 20C.

[0085] The specific configuration of the abnormal operation mode is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment 3, for example, there is a configuration that outputs information to change the flow rate value of the flow rate measuring device 20C to an abnormal value (corresponding to abnormal operation mode A described later), a configuration that outputs information to control the operation of the output unit of the flow rate measuring device 20C to a preset state (corresponding to abnormal operation mode B described later), and a configuration that prohibits the execution of the safety function by the safety device 10C (corresponding to abnormal operation mode C described later). A typical example of switching to these abnormal operation modes will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 9 and 10A to 10C.

[0086] The flowchart shown in Figure 9 consists of steps SS21 to S31. Steps S21 to S30 are substantially the same as steps S01 to S11 in the flowchart shown in Figure 4, which was explained in the above embodiment 1 as a typical example of authentication determination by the security device 10C. Therefore, their explanation is omitted.

[0087] In step S29, the authentication unit 13 determines that the authentication determination is abnormal, that is, that there is a possibility that the safety device 10C mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20C is inappropriate. Subsequently, in step S30, if it determines that the authentication determination has reached a predetermined number of times, it proceeds to the operation mode switching control in step S31 by the operation mode switching unit 14.

[0088] As described above, the operation mode switching unit 14 is configured to switch between a normal operation mode (an operation mode executed when the authentication unit 13 determines that the system is functioning correctly) and an abnormal operation mode (an operation mode executed when the authentication unit 13 determines that the system is functioning correctly). In the flowchart example shown in Figure 9, the operation mode switching unit 14 is shown to switch from the normal operation mode to the abnormal operation mode. Examples of operation mode switching control in step S31 include, for example, switching to abnormal operation mode A shown in Figure 10A, switching to abnormal operation mode B shown in Figure 10B, and switching to abnormal operation mode C shown in Figure 10C.

[0089] The abnormal operation mode A, which is executed by the switching shown in Figure 10A, corresponds to the configuration described above that outputs information to change the flow rate value of the flow rate measuring device 20C to an abnormal value. When the authentication unit 13 makes a final determination that the safety device 10C mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20C is inappropriate, as shown in step S32 (similar to step S11 in the above embodiment 1 (see Figure 4)), the operation mode switching unit 14 switches from the normal operation mode to abnormal operation mode A, as shown in step S33. As shown in step S34, in abnormal operation mode A, the flow rate value output from the safety device 10C to the host flow rate measuring device 20C is changed to an abnormal value. After that, communication control by the authentication unit 13 returns (see Figure 9).

[0090] For example, if the fluid is a gas, in abnormal operation mode A, the safety device 10C may output, for example, the gas flow rate value (amount used) as an integer multiple of the normal flow rate, or it may output a flow rate value even when no gas is being used (no gas is flowing). If the flow rate measuring device 20C receives such an abnormal flow rate value, the flow rate measuring device 20C, which is the host, will recognize a sudden increase in gas usage, and therefore will be unable to use the safety device 10C. The abnormal flow rate value output to the host may be an integrated value of the flow rate value used to indicate that it is abnormal, or it may be a value based on a guideline value (a value that the host recognizes as abnormal).

[0091] The abnormal operation mode B, which is executed by the switching shown in Figure 10B, corresponds to an example of a configuration that outputs information to control the operation of the output unit of the flow rate measuring device 20C to a preset state, as described above, and the case in which the target output unit is the valve unit 26 is illustrated. When the authentication unit 13 makes a final determination that the safety device 10C is inappropriate (step S32), the operation mode switching unit 14 switches from the normal operation mode to abnormal operation mode B, as shown in step S35. As shown in step S36, in abnormal operation mode B, the safety device 10C continues to output a request to close the valve unit 26 to the host, the flow rate measuring device 20C. After that, communication control by the authentication unit 13 returns (see Figure 9).

[0092] If the safety device 10C continues to output a request to close the valve 26 to the flow rate measuring device 20C, the flow rate measuring device 20C, which is the host, will only respond to signals that shut off the valve 26. In other words, since the valve 26 is shut off in the flow rate measuring device 20C and gas cannot be used, the flow rate measuring device 20C will not be able to use the safety device 10C.

[0093] In abnormal operation mode B, the target output unit is not limited to the valve unit 26, but can also be, for example, the display unit 32 of the meter unit 21. In this case, the safety device 10C may output warning information indicating an abnormal condition to the display unit 32. In this case, the host flow metering device 20C can quickly identify that an inappropriate safety device 10C is being used.

[0094] Alternatively, if the meter unit 21 is equipped with an output unit (such as a speaker) that outputs sound, the safety device 10C may output to the flow rate measuring device 20C to cause the output unit to emit a warning sound. Alternatively, since the external communication unit 22 of the flow rate measuring device 20C can also be considered an output unit, the safety device 10C may output to the flow rate measuring device 20C via the external communication unit 22 to communicate to the central unit that the safety device 10C is being used inappropriately. This makes it possible to disable the safety device 10C through external control by the central unit.

[0095] The abnormal operation mode C, which is executed by the switching shown in Figure 10C, corresponds to an example of the configuration that prohibits the execution of the security function by the security device 10C, as described above, and exemplifies a case in which the program necessary for the proper operation of the security device 10C is automatically erased. When the authentication unit 13 makes a final determination that the security device 10C is inappropriate (step S32), the operation mode switching unit 14 switches from the normal operation mode to abnormal operation mode C, as shown in step S37. As shown in step S38, in abnormal operation mode C, the security device 10C erases the program necessary for the operation of, for example, the security determination processing unit 11. After that, communication control by the authentication unit 13 returns (see Figure 9).

[0096] As described above, the specific configurations of the safety determination processing unit 11, the authentication unit 13, and the operation mode switching unit 14 are known control device functional configurations, which are realized by the operation of the arithmetic unit according to a program stored in the storage device. In abnormal operation mode C, the program necessary for realizing the safety determination processing unit 11 from the program stored in the storage device is automatically erased by the operation of the arithmetic unit. As a result, the safety device 10C no longer responds to the host flow measurement device 20C, and the safety function of the safety device 10C becomes unusable. Consequently, the flow measurement device 20C cannot use the safety device 10C.

[0097] Furthermore, the method for prohibiting the execution of the safety function in abnormal operation mode C is not limited to the method of deleting the necessary program. For example, when the operation mode switching unit 14 switches to abnormal operation mode C, the operation mode switching unit 14 may continuously output a signal to the safety determination processing unit 11 prohibiting the execution of the safety function. Alternatively, when the operation mode switching unit 14 switches to abnormal operation mode C, the safety device 10C may send an output via internal communication to the meter unit 21 (control unit 31) of the host flow rate measuring device 20C that prevents the safety function of the safety device 10C from being executed.

[0098] As described above, the safety device 10C according to this third embodiment has a configuration that includes an operating mode switching unit 14 in addition to the configuration of the safety device 10A according to the first embodiment (or the safety device 10B according to the second embodiment). As a result, when the authentication unit 13 determines an abnormality, the operating mode switching unit 14 switches the operating mode from the normal operating mode to the abnormal operating mode. Therefore, the flow rate measuring device 20C, which is the host, can be made unable to use the inappropriate safety device 10C by executing the abnormal operating mode.

[0099] Furthermore, in the specific abnormal operation modes A to C described above, the safety device 10C outputs predetermined information (commands) to the flow rate measuring device 20C, which is the host, so that it is unable to measure the flow rate properly or is unable to use the safety device 10C properly. As a result, the operation mode switching unit 14 switches from the normal operation mode to the abnormal operation mode and executes, which makes it impossible for the host flow rate measuring device 20C to use the safety device 10C inappropriately.

[0100] In this embodiment 3, the switching configuration of the operating mode switching unit 14 is exemplified as switching from a normal operating mode to an abnormal operating mode, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in addition to the configuration for switching from a normal operating mode to an abnormal operating mode, the operating mode switching unit 14 may also have a configuration for switching from an abnormal operating mode to a normal operating mode, that is, a configuration for restoring to a normal operating mode. Alternatively, a plurality of abnormal operating modes, such as the abnormal operating modes A to C described above, may be set in advance, and after switching from a normal operating mode to an abnormal operating mode, the system may have a configuration that appropriately switches between the plurality of abnormal operating modes according to the status of the host flow metering device 20C.

[0101] (Embodiment 4) The safety device according to Embodiment 4 has basically the same configuration as the safety device according to Embodiment 1, the safety device according to Embodiment 2, or the safety device according to Embodiment 3, but it is further configured to include a flow rate integration unit. An example of a typical configuration of the safety device according to Embodiment 4, and an example of a typical configuration of a flow rate measuring device equipped with the safety device, will be described below.

[0102] As shown in Figure 11, the safety device 10D according to this fourth embodiment, like the safety device 10C according to the third embodiment, is equipped with a safety determination processing unit 11, two internal communication units 12a and 12b, an authentication unit 13, and an operation mode switching unit 14, and is also equipped with a flow rate integration unit 15. This flow rate integration unit 15 has the same configuration as the flow rate integration unit 33 equipped in the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the first embodiment, and integrates the amount of fluid used from the flow rate information measured by the flow rate measuring unit 23.

[0103] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the flow rate integration unit 15 provided in the safety device 10D is not particularly limited. Similar to the safety determination processing unit 11, authentication unit 13, and operation mode switching unit 14 described in Embodiment 1, or the control unit 31 and flow rate integration unit 33 provided in the meter unit 21, the flow rate integration unit 15 can also be a known control device functional configuration, realized by the operation of the arithmetic unit according to a program stored in the storage device. In addition, the safety device 10D according to Embodiment 4 may be configured to include only one internal communication unit 12, similar to the safety device 10B according to Embodiment 2.

[0104] As shown in Figure 12, the flow rate measuring device 20D according to this fourth embodiment is equipped with a meter unit 21, an external communication unit 22, a flow rate measuring unit 23, an operation unit 24, a sensor unit 25, etc., similar to the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the first embodiment, the flow rate measuring device 20B according to the second embodiment, or the flow rate measuring device 20C according to the third embodiment, and also includes the safety device 10D shown in Figure 11 as a safety unit 30D. However, unlike the first, second, or third embodiments, the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20D is equipped with a control unit 31 and a display unit 32, but not a flow rate integration unit 33. Note that in Figure 12, the internal communication unit blocks 12a and 12b of the safety device 10D are omitted, and only the operation mode switching unit 14 and the flow rate integration unit 15 blocks are shown.

[0105] In a flow rate measuring device 20D with this configuration, the fluid flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit 23 is transmitted to the safety device 10D via internal communication, similar to the first embodiment. However, the safety device 10D does not transmit this flow rate to the meter unit 21 via internal communication. Instead, the fluid flow rate is integrated in the flow rate integration unit 15 of the safety device 10D, thereby generating fluid usage information (integrated value). The generated fluid usage information is transmitted from the safety device 10D to the meter unit 21 via internal communication.

[0106] In the safety device 10D according to this fourth embodiment, similar to the safety device 10A according to the first embodiment, the safety device 10B according to the second embodiment, or the safety device 10C according to the third embodiment, the authentication unit 13 communicates with the flow rate measuring device 20D via internal communication units 12a and 12b, thereby generating at least the guideline value included in the output information from the flow rate measuring device 20D as authentication information, and determining authentication with the flow rate measuring device 20D, which is the communication target, based on the authentication information. This makes it possible to mount a safety device 10D that has received appropriate usage permission on the flow rate measuring device 20D, and to perform appropriate (or suitable) safety functions with the safety device 10D.

[0107] Furthermore, in the flow rate measuring device 20D according to this fourth embodiment, the safety device 10D mounted as the safety unit 30D is equipped with a flow rate integration unit 15. Therefore, unlike the flow rate measuring device 20A according to the first embodiment, the flow rate measuring device 20B according to the second embodiment, or the flow rate measuring device 20C according to the third embodiment, the meter unit 21 does not need to be equipped with a flow rate integration unit 33. This simplifies the configuration of the flow rate measuring device 20D, particularly the configuration of the meter unit 21.

[0108] Furthermore, the safety device 10D according to this embodiment 4 is equipped with an operating mode switching unit 14, similar to the third embodiment. Therefore, when the authentication unit 13 determines an abnormality, the operating mode switching unit 14 switches the operating mode from the normal operating mode to the abnormal operating mode, so that the host flow rate measuring device 20D cannot use the inappropriate safety device 10D due to the execution of the abnormal operating mode. In addition, in this embodiment 4, since the safety device 10D is equipped with a flow rate integration unit 15, for example, in the abnormal operating mode A described above, the safety device 10D can output an abnormal value as fluid usage information (integrated value) to the host flow rate measuring device 20D.

[0109] (Embodiment 5) The safety device according to Embodiment 5 has basically the same configuration as the safety devices according to Embodiments 1 to 4, but is further equipped with a setting storage unit. An example of a typical configuration of the safety device according to Embodiment 5 will be described.

[0110] As shown in Figure 12, the safety device 10E according to Embodiment 5 of this disclosure, like the safety device 10D according to Embodiment 4, includes a safety determination processing unit 11, internal communication units 12a and 12b, an authentication unit 13, an operation mode switching unit 14, and a flow rate integration unit 15, but also includes a setting storage unit 16. Note that the flow rate measuring device according to Embodiment 5 has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20D according to Embodiment 4 shown in Figure 12 (the safety device 10E includes a flow rate integration unit 15, and the meter unit 21 does not include a flow rate integration unit 33), so its explanation will be omitted.

[0111] The setting storage unit 16 stores various setting values ​​associated with the execution of safety functions in the flow rate measuring device 20D, and its specific configuration is not particularly limited. Typically, known storage devices can be suitably used. Alternatively, as long as the setting storage unit 16 can reset and store various setting values, the setting storage unit 16 can also be configured to be a known control device functional configuration, realized by the operation of the arithmetic unit according to a program stored in the storage device, similar to the safety determination processing unit 11 and authentication unit 13 described in Embodiment 1, or the operation mode switching unit 14 described in Embodiment 3.

[0112] Furthermore, the safety device 10E according to this embodiment 5 may be configured to include only one internal communication unit 12, similar to the safety device 10B according to embodiment 2. Alternatively, the safety device 10E according to this embodiment 5 may include an operating mode switching unit 14, similar to the safety device 10C according to embodiment 3, but may also be configured to not include an operating mode switching unit 14, similar to the safety device 10A according to embodiment 1, but instead include a flow rate integrating unit 15.

[0113] Various settings associated with the execution of the safety function can be stored in a memory unit or the like provided by the flow rate measuring device 20D, which is capable of internal communication with the safety device 10E. Therefore, the safety device 10E can restore the various settings by communicating with the flow rate measuring device 20D. Furthermore, by including a setting memory unit 16 in the safety device 10E, it can store various settings related to the safety function separately from the flow rate measuring device 20D. This not only allows the safety device 10E to back up various settings, but also allows the safety device 10E to restore the various settings even when communicating with the flow rate measuring device 20D independently.

[0114] Furthermore, the setting storage unit 16 may store various setting information used for authentication with the flow rate measuring device 20D by the authentication unit 13 (generating at least a guideline value as authentication information, and determining authentication with the host (communication target), the flow rate measuring device 20D, based on this authentication information). Alternatively, the setting storage unit 16 may store various setting information related to switching the operating mode by the operating mode switching unit 14.

[0115] Furthermore, the setting storage unit 16 may be configured to store history information associated with an abnormality detected by the authentication unit 13. For example, when a switch from the normal operating mode to the abnormal operating mode occurs by the operating mode switching unit 14 as described in Embodiment 3 above, this operating mode switch is stored as history information in the setting storage unit 16. This ensures that if the host flow metering device 20D may have used an inappropriate safety device 10E, the history information is stored in the setting storage unit 16.

[0116] Subsequently, even if the authentication unit 13 no longer detects an abnormality and the operating mode returns from the abnormal operating mode to the normal operating mode, it is possible to identify that an abnormality was detected, i.e., that an inappropriate use of the safety device 10E occurred (or is likely to occur), by separately reading the history information stored in the setting storage unit 16. Furthermore, it is possible to analyze what specific abnormality was detected when the inappropriate use of the safety device 10E occurred. Here, the history information stored in the setting storage unit 16 is not particularly limited. Typical examples include the time when the abnormality was detected, the duration of the abnormality detection, or the duration of the abnormal operating mode.

[0117] In this embodiment 5, the safety device 10E may also be configured to include an input unit such as an operation unit. The specific configuration of the input unit is not particularly limited, but a typical example is a configuration similar to the operation unit 24 provided in the flow rate measuring devices 20A to 20D as illustrated in embodiments 1 to 4. Although not shown in Figure 13, the safety device 10E may also be equipped with an output unit such as a display unit. The display unit of the safety device 10E may also be configured similarly to the display unit 32 provided in the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring devices 20A to 20D as illustrated in embodiments 1 to 4.

[0118] Thus, by having an operating unit in the safety device 10E, the safety device 10E is unitized, and even when it is not mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20D, it is possible to restore various setting values ​​by operating the operating unit, for example, the setting storage unit 16 described above. Alternatively, even when the safety device 10E is mounted on the flow rate measuring device 20D, it is possible to choose whether to restore various setting values ​​by the setting storage unit 16 by operating the operating unit, or to restore various setting values ​​by the storage unit of the flow rate measuring device 20D. In addition, the safety devices 10A to 10D according to the embodiments 1 to 4 may also be configured to include an input unit such as an operating unit or a display unit.

[0119] (Embodiment 6) In this embodiment 6, a configuration in which the safety unit, i.e., the safety device exemplified in embodiments 1 to 5 above, is unitized so that it can be mounted on a flow rate measuring device will be described by giving other representative examples.

[0120] In the flow rate measuring device 20A shown in Figure 2 (Embodiment 1), the flow rate measuring device 20B shown in Figure 6 (Embodiment 2), the flow rate measuring device 20C shown in Figure 8 (Embodiment 3), and the flow rate measuring device 20D shown in Figure 12 (Embodiment 4 or Embodiment 5), the safety units 30A to 30D were substantially composed only of safety devices 10A to 10E (basic example of unitization). However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the safety devices 10A to 10E and other components of the flow rate measuring devices 20A to 20D may be integrated into a single unit.

[0121] Specifically, for example, the flow rate measuring device 20E shown in Figure 14 basically has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20A shown in Figure 2, but this flow rate measuring device 20E is equipped with a safety unit 30E in which the safety device 10A and the flow rate measuring unit 23 are integrated into a single unit (first modification of unitization). Therefore, the flow rate measuring device 20E does not have a flow rate measuring unit 23, and the safety device 10A is configured to communicate internally with the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20E.

[0122] With the configuration shown in Figure 14, the safety unit 30E can be used as a unit with a fluid measurement function. In the safety unit 30E, the safety device 10A and the flow rate measurement unit 23 may be separate components and configured to communicate internally with each other via the internal communication unit 12b of the safety device 10A (see Figure 1 or Figure 2), or the flow rate measurement unit 23 may be integrated with the safety device 10A.

[0123] Furthermore, the flow rate measuring device 20F shown in Figure 15, like the flow rate measuring device 20E shown in Figure 14, basically has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20A shown in Figure 2. However, this flow rate measuring device 20F is equipped with a safety unit 30F in which the safety device 10A, the flow rate measuring unit 23, and the sensor unit 25 are integrated into a single unit (second modification of unitization). Therefore, the flow rate measuring device 20F does not have a flow rate measuring unit 23 and a sensor unit 25, and the safety device 10A is configured to communicate internally with the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20F. With the configuration shown in Figure 15, the safety unit 30F can be used as a unit with a sensor function.

[0124] Furthermore, the flow rate measuring device 20G shown in Figure 16 basically has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20D shown in Figure 12, but this flow rate measuring device 20G is equipped with a safety unit 30G in which a safety device 10D equipped with a flow rate measuring unit 23 and a flow rate integrating unit 15 are integrated into a single unit (third modification of unitization). Note that in Figure 16, the operating mode switching unit 14 provided in the safety device 10D is omitted. Therefore, the flow rate measuring device 20G does not have a flow rate measuring unit 23, and the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20G does not have a flow rate integrating unit 33. With the configuration shown in Figure 16, the safety unit 30G can be used as a unit with fluid measurement function and flow rate integrating function.

[0125] Furthermore, the flow rate measuring device 20H shown in Figure 17, like the flow rate measuring device 20G shown in Figure 16, basically has the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20D shown in Figure 12. However, this flow rate measuring device 20H is equipped with a safety unit 30H in which a safety device 10D equipped with a flow rate measuring unit 23, a flow rate integration unit 15, and a sensor unit 25 are integrated into a single unit (fourth modification of unitization). Note that in Figure 17 as well, the operating mode switching unit 14 provided in the safety device 10D is omitted. Therefore, the flow rate measuring device 20H does not have a flow rate measuring unit 23 and a sensor unit 25, and the meter unit 21 of the flow rate measuring device 20H does not have a flow rate integration unit 33. With the configuration shown in Figure 17, the safety unit 30H can be used as a unit equipped with fluid measurement function, flow rate integration function, and sensor function.

[0126] Furthermore, the flow rate measuring device 20I shown in Figure 18 has basically the same configuration as the flow rate measuring device 20A shown in Figure 2, and the flow rate measuring device 20I is equipped with a safety unit 30I that is a unitized version of only the safety device 10A. However, as shown in Figure 18, the operation unit 24 and sensor unit 25 of the flow rate measuring device 20I can receive input not only from the meter unit 21 but also from the safety device 10A (safety unit 30I), and the valve unit 26 of the flow rate measuring device 20I can be controlled not only from the meter unit 21 but also from the output of the safety device 10A (safety unit 30I) (fifth modification of unitization).

[0127] Furthermore, in the safety units 30E to 30H shown in Figures 14 to 17, input may be possible from the input section of the flow rate measuring devices 20E to 20H, as in the safety unit 30I shown in Figure 18, and output may also be possible from the output section of the flow rate measuring devices 20E to 20H. With the configuration shown in Figure 18, various information can be input to the safety unit 30I from the input section of the flow rate measuring device 20I, and the output section can be operated by the control of the safety unit 30I. Therefore, better safety processing and execution of safety functions become possible.

[0128] In this disclosure, the specific configurations of the security units 30A to 30I are not limited to those shown in Figures 2, 6, 8, 12, 14 to 18. For example, other modifications of the security unit according to this disclosure may include other means not provided by the security units 30A to 30I (basic configuration example and the first to fifth modifications) shown in Figures 2, 6, 8, 12, 14 to 18. Furthermore, the security units 30A to 30I may include means for realizing additional functions other than security functions.

[0129] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the specific mounting method of the safety units 30A to 30I to the flow measurement devices 20A to 20I. For example, the safety units 30A to 30I may be configured to be detachably mounted on a part of the housing of the host flow measurement devices 20A to 20I. Alternatively, the communication method by the internal communication units 12, 12a, and 12b is standardized for the host flow measurement devices 20A to 20I, and the housings of the flow measurement devices 20A to 20I and the housings of the safety units 30A to 30I do not need to be particularly standardized or shared. Thus, the flow measurement devices 20A to 20I according to this disclosure only need to be equipped with safety devices 10A to 10E, etc., having the above-described configuration.

[0130] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the safety devices 10A to 10E may not be unitized but may be integrally provided with the flow rate measuring devices 20A to 20I. For example, in the flow rate measuring device 20J shown in Figure 19, the safety devices are not mounted as a unitized component, but rather integrally provided as a safety unit 10F that receives control of the meter unit 21. Depending on the configuration of the flow rate measuring device 20J, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the safety devices are provided as an integrated safety unit 10F, which is one of the configurations of the flow rate measuring device 20J, rather than mounting a unitized safety device (safety unit) in a detachable manner.

[0131] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed in this specification. (Technology 1) A safety device for a flow measuring device, comprising: at least one internal communication unit that communicates with a flow measuring device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid; a safety determination processing unit that determines the execution of a safety function in the flow measuring device using output information from the flow measuring device obtained by communication from the internal communication unit; and an authentication unit that generates at least an authentication information from a guideline value included in the output information from the flow measuring device, and determines authentication with the flow measuring device that is the communication target based on the authentication information.

[0132] According to the above configuration, the authentication unit of the safety device uses the guide value (or meter reading) obtained from the flow meter as authentication information to determine authentication between the safety device and the flow meter. Therefore, in the above configuration, the safety device installed on the flow meter is not authenticated by the flow meter; rather, the safety device installed on the flow meter determines authentication between the safety device and the flow meter based on authentication information obtained through communication with the flow meter. This not only enables authentication without using special information or complex encryption functions, but also allows the use of guide value, which is specific information tailored to the actual usage of the flow meter, as authentication information.

[0133] Therefore, it becomes possible to install appropriately licensed safety devices on flow measurement devices, and for these safety devices to perform appropriate (or suitable) safety functions. In other words, it is possible to effectively avoid or suppress the performance of inappropriate or insufficient safety functions due to the installation of inappropriate safety devices. For this reason, even a flow measurement device that does not have a safety function can be equipped with a safety function that is suitable and reliable for that flow measurement device.

[0134] (Technical 2) The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to Technical 1, wherein the authentication unit adds the authentication information to a part of the message communicated by the internal communication unit.

[0135] According to the above configuration, since authentication information is added to a portion of the normal message, authentication information can be exchanged between the safety device and the flow metering device through normal internal communication. Therefore, authentication information can be exchanged between the safety device and the flow metering device without significantly increasing the number of internal communications. Thus, not only can the increase in the frequency of communication for authentication be suppressed, but the increase in power consumption of the flow metering device can also be effectively suppressed.

[0136] (Technical 3) The safety device for a flow measuring device according to Technical 2, wherein the authentication unit determines authentication with the flow measuring device during the initial communication with the flow measuring device and during periodic communication with the flow measuring device.

[0137] According to the above configuration, the authentication unit can perform initial authentication and periodic recurring authentication simply by communicating with the flow meter. This makes it possible to perform multiple authentications while suppressing an increase in the frequency of communication, thereby effectively avoiding or preventing, for example, the misjudgment of a transient misuse of a safety device as the use of an inappropriate safety device.

[0138] (Technical 4) A safety device for a flow measuring device according to any one of Technical 1 to 3, further comprising an operating mode switching unit that switches between a normal operating mode to be executed when the authentication unit determines that the device is normal and an abnormal operating mode to be executed when the authentication unit determines that the device is abnormal.

[0139] According to the above configuration, when the authentication unit detects an abnormality, the operation mode switching unit switches from the normal operation mode to the abnormal operation mode. Therefore, the host flow metering device can be rendered unable to use inappropriate safety devices by executing the abnormal operation mode.

[0140] (Technical 5) A safety device for a flow measuring device according to Technical 4, which in the abnormal operation mode outputs information to change the flow rate value of the flow measuring device to an abnormal value.

[0141] According to the above configuration, in abnormal operation mode, an abnormal flow rate value is output from the safety device to the flow measurement device. As a result, the host flow measurement device becomes unable to measure the flow rate properly, and the execution of abnormal operation mode can be made to a state where an inappropriate safety device cannot be used.

[0142] (Technical 6) A safety device for a flow measuring device according to Technical 4 or Technical 5, which in the abnormal operation mode outputs information to control the operation of the output unit of the flow measuring device to a preset state.

[0143] According to the above configuration, in abnormal operation mode, the safety device outputs information that forces the operation of the output section of the flow meter to continue. As a result, the host flow meter becomes unable to measure the flow rate properly, and the execution of abnormal operation mode makes it impossible to use an inappropriate safety device.

[0144] (Technical 7) A safety device for a flow measuring device according to any one of Technical 4 to Technical 6, wherein the execution of the safety function is prohibited in the abnormal operation mode.

[0145] According to the above configuration, in abnormal operation mode, the program of the safety device is erased, or information is output from the safety device to the flow meter that prohibits the execution of the safety function. As a result, the flow meter, which is the host, becomes unable to use the safety device properly, and the execution of abnormal operation mode can make it impossible to use an inappropriate safety device.

[0146] (Technical 8) A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to any one of Technical 4 to Technical 7, further comprising a setting memory unit for storing various setting values ​​associated with the execution of the safety function.

[0147] According to the above configuration, the safety device includes a setting memory unit, allowing it to store various setting values ​​related to safety functions separately from the flow meter. This not only allows the safety device to back up various setting values, but also enables the safety device to restore these settings independently without communicating with the flow meter.

[0148] (Technical 9) A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to any one of Technical 4 to Technical 8, further comprising a flow rate integration unit that integrates the amount of fluid used from the flow rate information of the fluid included in the output information.

[0149] According to the above configuration, by including a flow rate integration unit in the safety device, the amount of fluid used can also be utilized during safety processing. Furthermore, if the safety device includes a flow rate integration unit, the flow measurement device does not need to include a flow rate integration unit. Therefore, it is possible to simplify or avoid complexity in the configuration of the flow measurement device on which the safety device is installed.

[0150] (Technical 10) A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 9, which is unitized so as to be mounted on the flow rate measuring device.

[0151] (Technical 11) A safety device for a flow measuring device according to Technical 10, which is unitized with a flow measuring unit for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, which is provided in the flow measuring device.

[0152] (Technical 12) A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to Technical 10 or Technical 11, which is unitized together with the sensor part of the flow rate measuring device.

[0153] (Technical 13) A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to any one of Technical 10 to 12, further comprising a flow rate integration unit that integrates the amount of fluid used from the flow rate information of the fluid included in the output information.

[0154] According to the above configurations, the safety device is unitized and mounted on the flow meter, making it easy to implement a safety function in a flow meter that does not have one.

[0155] (Technical 14) A flow measuring device equipped with a safety device for a flow measuring device as described in any one of Technical 1 to Technical 13.

[0156] According to the above configuration, the safety device according to this disclosure can be suitably applied to a flow rate measuring device that measures the flow rate of various fluids.

[0157] (Technical 15) The flow rate measuring device according to Technical 14, further comprising: a meter unit that controls the flow rate measuring operation of the flow rate measuring device; an input unit that inputs external information to the meter unit; and an output unit that operates under the control of the meter unit.

[0158] (Technical 16) The flow rate measuring device according to Technical 15, wherein the input unit is at least one of an operation unit that inputs operation information as external information, or a sensor unit that detects information relating to the measurement of the flow rate and inputs it as external information, and the output unit is a valve unit that opens and closes under the control of the meter unit.

[0159] (Technical 17) The flow rate measuring device according to Technical 15 or Technical 16, further comprising an external communication unit for communicating with an external device.

[0160] According to the above configuration, the flow rate measuring device is equipped with an input unit or an output unit, or an external communication unit, and the safety device equipped with the flow rate measuring device can utilize these input unit, output unit, external communication unit, etc., for purposes such as authentication determination by the authentication unit or execution of abnormal operation modes.

[0161] (Technical 18) A gas meter, a flow rate measuring device as described in any of Technical 14 to Technical 17.

[0162] According to the above configuration, the safety device according to this disclosure can be suitably applied to flow rate measuring devices that measure the flow rate of various fluids. In particular, the safety device according to this disclosure can be suitably used when implementing a safety function in a gas meter.

[0163] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments and multiple variations are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0164] From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be interpreted as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of its structure and / or function can be substantially modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0165] This disclosure can be broadly and suitably used in the field of flow measurement devices with safety functions, or safety devices for flow measurement devices.

[0166] 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E: Safety device 10F: Safety unit (safety device) 11: Safety determination processing unit 12, 12a, 12b: Internal communication unit 13: Authentication unit 14: Operation mode switching unit 15: Flow rate integration unit (of safety device) 16: Setting storage unit 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G, 20H, 20I, 20J: Flow rate measuring device 21: Meter unit 22: External communication unit 23: Flow rate measuring unit 24: Operation unit (input unit) 25: Sensor unit (input unit) 26: Valve unit (output unit) 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, 30G, 30H, 30I: Safety unit 31: Control unit 32: Display unit 33: Flow rate integration unit (of a flow rate measuring device)

Claims

1. A safety device for a flow measuring device, comprising: at least one internal communication unit that communicates with a flow measuring device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid; a safety determination processing unit that determines the execution of a safety function in the flow measuring device using output information from the flow measuring device obtained through communication by the internal communication unit; and an authentication unit that generates at least an authentication information from a guideline value included in the output information from the flow measuring device, and determines authentication with the flow measuring device that is the communication target based on the authentication information.

2. The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit adds the authentication information to a part of the message communicated by the internal communication unit.

3. The safety device for a flow measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the authentication unit determines authentication with the flow measuring device during the initial communication with the flow measuring device and during periodic communication with the flow measuring device.

4. The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising an operating mode switching unit that switches between a normal operating mode to be executed when the authentication unit determines that the device is normal and an abnormal operating mode to be executed when the authentication unit determines that the device is abnormal.

5. In the abnormal operation mode, the safety device for a flow measuring device according to claim 4, which outputs information to change the flow rate value of the flow measuring device to an abnormal value.

6. In the abnormal operation mode, the safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 4, which outputs information that controls the operation of the output unit of the flow rate measuring device to a preset state.

7. The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 4, wherein the execution of the safety function is prohibited in the abnormal operation mode.

8. The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 4, further comprising a setting memory unit for storing various setting values ​​associated with the execution of the safety function.

9. The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 4, further comprising a flow rate integrating unit that integrates the amount of fluid used from the fluid flow rate information included in the output information.

10. A safety device for a flow measuring device according to claim 1, which is unitized so as to be mounted on the flow measuring device.

11. A safety device for a flow measuring device according to claim 10, which is unitized with a flow measuring unit for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, which is provided in the flow measuring device.

12. A safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 10, which is unitized together with the sensor part of the flow rate measuring device.

13. The safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to claim 10, further comprising a flow rate integration unit that integrates the amount of fluid used from the fluid flow rate information included in the output information.

14. A flow rate measuring device comprising a safety device for a flow rate measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 14, further comprising: a meter unit for controlling the flow rate measuring operation of the flow rate measuring device; an input unit for inputting external information to the meter unit; and an output unit that operates under the control of the meter unit.

16. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 15, wherein the input unit is at least one of an operation unit that inputs operation information as external information, or a sensor unit that detects information relating to the measurement of the flow rate and inputs it as external information, and the output unit is a valve unit that opens and closes under the control of the meter unit.

17. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 15, further comprising an external communication unit for communicating with an external device.

18. A flow rate measuring device according to claim 14, which is a gas meter.

Images