Gas meter and gas utilization system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure JP2026004040_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Gas meters and gas utilization systems
[0001] The present invention relates to a gas meter and a gas utilization system having a gas appliance identification function, and more particularly to a gas meter and a gas utilization system that enable the identification of gas appliances that are difficult to identify using flow rate data based on gas flow rate.
[0002] Conventionally, gas meters used in situations where multiple gas appliances are used have been known to have a function to identify these gas appliances. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gas utilization system comprising a gas meter, gas appliances connected to the gas meter that consume gas, a detection device that detects the operating status of these gas appliances, and an algorithm that identifies the type of gas appliance.
[0003] In this gas utilization system, if it is difficult to identify a gas appliance using an algorithm, the system is configured to determine the type of gas appliance by obtaining information on whether the gas appliance is in operation from a detection device, and then calculate the amount of gas used by the gas appliance that was in operation.
[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-024809
[0005] However, the gas utilization system described in Patent Document 1 requires a detection device to monitor the operating status of the gas appliance, in addition to the gas meter and gas appliance. Furthermore, in this gas utilization system, the detection device and the gas meter communicate via wireless communication. Therefore, the gas meter needs to maintain wireless communication with the detection device while the gas appliance is in operation.
[0006] Generally, gas meters are powered by batteries. While gas meter wireless communication is usually intermittent, if the gas meter's wireless communication continues intermittently to match the operating time of gas appliances, even if only intermittently, the gas meter's power consumption will increase, and the battery will be depleted more quickly.
[0007] The present invention was made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a gas meter and gas utilization system that can effectively identify gas appliances while suppressing or avoiding an increase in power consumption.
[0008] To solve the aforementioned problems, the gas meter according to this disclosure comprises a flow rate measurement unit that measures the gas flow rate used in multiple gas appliances and generates flow rate data, a gas appliance identification unit that identifies the gas appliances using the flow rate data generated by the flow rate measurement unit, and a communication unit that communicates with an external device or external system. The communication unit is capable of communicating with a specific gas appliance having a communication function, which is included in the multiple gas appliances, or with an operation management system that manages the operation of the specific gas appliance. The gas appliance identification unit is further configured to obtain at least the start time of operation of the specific gas appliance from the specific gas appliance or the operation management system via the communication unit, and to identify the gas appliance by comparing this start time with the flow rate data.
[0009] According to the above configuration, the gas appliance identification unit identifies gas appliances based on flow rate data, and for specific gas appliances with communication capabilities, it identifies them using at least the start time of operation along with the flow rate data.
[0010] This enables accurate identification of specific gas appliances, even those that are difficult to identify based on flow rate data. Furthermore, the start time of operation used to identify specific gas appliances can be easily obtained externally (from the specific gas appliance or the operation management system) via the communication unit. Therefore, the gas meter's communication unit no longer needs to communicate continuously while the specific gas appliance is operating. As a result, accurate gas appliance identification becomes possible while effectively suppressing or avoiding an increase in the gas meter's power consumption.
[0011] Alternatively, the gas meter according to this disclosure, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises a gas meter that measures the gas flow rate used in multiple gas appliances and generates flow rate data, and a central device that communicates with the gas meter to acquire the flow rate data, wherein the multiple gas appliances include specific gas appliances having a communication function, and the central device may further communicate with an operation management system that manages the operation of the specific gas appliance or with the specific gas appliance to acquire at least the start time of operation of the specific gas appliance, and identify at least the specific gas appliance from the multiple gas appliances by comparing the flow rate data and the start time of operation.
[0012] Alternatively, the gas meter according to this disclosure may, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, include a gas meter that measures the gas flow rate used in multiple gas appliances and generates flow rate data, a central device that communicates with the gas meter to acquire the flow rate data, and an operation management device that manages the operation of specific gas appliances having a communication function, wherein the central device communicates with the operation management device to acquire the start time of operation of at least the specific gas appliances, and identifies at least the specific gas appliances from the multiple gas appliances by comparing the flow rate data and the start time of operation.
[0013] 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.
[0014] The present invention provides a gas meter and gas utilization system that, with the above configuration, can effectively identify gas appliances while suppressing or avoiding an increase in power consumption.
[0015] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a gas meter and gas utilization system according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 2A is a schematic waveform diagram showing a typical example of gas appliance flow rate data measured by the flow rate measurement unit of the gas meter shown in Figure 1, and Figures 2B and 2C are schematic diagrams showing examples of flow rate data identification shown in Figure 2A, respectively. Figure 3 is a comparison diagram of flow rate waveforms illustrating an example of gas appliance identification by the gas appliance identification unit of the gas meter shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of gas appliance identification by the gas appliance identification unit of the gas meter shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a comparison diagram of flow rate waveforms illustrating an example of gas appliance identification by the gas appliance identification unit of the gas meter in a gas meter or gas utilization system according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of gas appliance identification by the gas appliance identification unit of the gas meter in a gas meter or gas utilization system according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration example of a gas meter and gas utilization system according to Embodiment 3 of this disclosure.
[0016] Hereinafter, representative embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals throughout all the drawings, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.
[0017] (Embodiment 1) [Example of configuration of gas meter and gas utilization system] First, a typical example of a gas meter and gas utilization system according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to Figure 1. As shown in the schematic block diagram of Figure 1, the gas meter 10A according to this embodiment 1 measures the gas flow rate supplied to a plurality of gas appliances 20 via gas piping 21, and includes a flow rate measurement unit 11, a gas appliance identification unit 12, a communication unit 13, etc.
[0018] In the example shown in Figure 1, four gas appliances I20A to IV20D are shown as examples of multiple gas appliances 20, but the specific number of gas appliances 20 is not limited to these and can be two or more. Therefore, the number of gas appliances 20 connected to the gas meter 10A may be two, three, or five or more. Also, gas appliances I20A to IV20D may be of different types, or they may include some of the same type.
[0019] The specific types of gas appliances 20 are not particularly limited, but typical examples include gas water heaters, gas tables or gas stoves, gas rice cookers, gas fan heaters or gas stoves, gas clothes dryers, fuel cell systems, etc. As will be described later, in this disclosure, at least one of these gas appliances 20 is a specific gas appliance that has a communication function. In the example shown in Figure 1, gas appliance III 20C is equipped with a communication unit 22 and therefore falls under the category of a specific gas appliance.
[0020] Furthermore, the gas meter 10A is wirelessly connected to the terminal network 31, schematically shown enclosed by a dashed line in Figure 1, via a communication unit 13. The terminal network 31 includes a plurality of gas meters 10, including the gas meter 10A, and a repeater 32 that can wirelessly communicate with these gas meters 10. In the example shown in Figure 1, the terminal network 31 is wirelessly connected to the backbone network 33 via the repeater 32. The backbone network 33 is also wirelessly connected to the central device 34 and the operation management device 35.
[0021] In the example shown in Figure 1, the terminal network 31 is illustrated to include three gas meters 10 and one repeater 32, but of course, the configuration of the terminal network 31 is not limited to this. The terminal network 31 may include four or more gas meters 10 (including gas meter 10A) and multiple repeaters 32, or it may include communication-capable devices other than the gas meters 10 and repeaters 32.
[0022] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 1, the gas utilization system is configured with a gas meter 10A, a plurality of gas appliances 20 (gas appliances I20A to IV20D) connected to the gas meter 10A via gas piping 21, and a central device 34 that can communicate with the gas meter 10A via a terminal network 31 and a core network 33. However, it goes without saying that the gas utilization system according to this disclosure is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 1, and the gas utilization system is configured such that at least one gas meter 10 with communication functions and a central device 34 are included as part of the control configuration.
[0023] In the gas utilization system illustrated in Figure 1, gas is supplied from a gas distribution company, and this gas is supplied to multiple gas appliances 20 via gas piping 21 through a gas meter 10A. The amount of gas used by the gas appliances 20 is measured at the gas meter 10A so that the gas supply company can charge consumers according to the amount of gas used. In Figure 1, the terminal network 31 also includes multiple (three in Figure 1) gas meters 10, but each of these gas meters 10 should be configured with a gas utilization system similar to that of gas meter 10A.
[0024] The flow rate measuring unit 11 of the gas meter 10A measures the gas flow rate used by multiple gas appliances 20 and generates flow rate data. The specific configuration of the flow rate measuring unit 11 is not particularly limited and any known configuration capable of generating flow rate data is acceptable. A typical example is an ultrasonic flow meter. The specific configuration of the ultrasonic flow meter is also not particularly limited, but a typical example is one that emits ultrasonic waves at predetermined time intervals to the gas flowing in the flow path and measures the difference in propagation time by converting it into flow rate.
[0025] The gas appliance identification unit 12 identifies any one of the gas appliances I20A to IV20D using the flow rate data generated by the flow rate measurement unit 11. The method for identifying the gas appliances I20A to IV20D by the gas appliance identification unit 12 may be any method using the flow rate data. Specifically, since a unique gas flow rate change occurs during gas use in the gas appliances I20A to IV20D, it is possible to identify the gas appliances I20A to IV20D in operation by detecting this gas flow rate change. As will be described later, since a more significant gas flow rate change is likely to occur at the start of operation of the gas appliances I20A to IV20D, in the first embodiment, the gas flow rate change at the start of operation among the flow rate data generated by the flow rate measurement unit 11 is used.
[0026] The specific configuration of the gas appliance identification unit 12 is not particularly limited. Typically, it is a functional configuration of a known control device, and an example is a configuration realized by the operation of an arithmetic unit according to a program stored in a storage device. Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 may be a functional configuration by the control unit (and storage unit) provided in the gas meter 10A, or may be a control configuration realized by an independent control device provided separately from the control unit of the gas meter 10A.
[0027] As a more specific configuration of the gas appliance identification unit 12 (or the control unit of the gas meter 10A that can function as the gas appliance identification unit 12), for example, an arithmetic unit such as a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, an integrated circuit, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), or a GPU operates alone or in combination of two or more types according to a program stored in a storage device to realize its control function.
[0028] A processor as such an arithmetic unit includes a circuit composed of a large number of transistors, memories, etc., and thus is a circuit (or processing circuit) as hardware. An integrated circuit or an ASIC also includes a processor such as a CPU or a processing block, etc., and thus is likewise a circuit as hardware. An FPGA includes a large number of integrated logic circuits (functional blocks), and thus is a circuit as hardware. A GPU includes a large number of arithmetic circuits (cores) mounted in parallel, and thus is a circuit as hardware. Software such as a program stored in a storage device is used for configuring a circuit (such as a processor, an integrated circuit, an FPGA, an ASIC, a GPU, etc.) that is hardware. Alternatively, the arithmetic unit may be configured as a logic circuit, etc. by known switching elements, subtractors, comparators, etc.
[0029] The specific configuration of a storage device that stores a program, etc. for operating the above arithmetic unit is not particularly limited either. As the storage device, for example, it may be configured as an internal memory of a microcomputer or a microcontroller unit (MCU), or may be configured as an independent memory. Also, the storage device does not have to be single and may be plural. Further, identification flow rate data may be stored in advance in the storage unit of the gas meter 10A that constitutes the gas appliance identification unit 12 together with the control unit (or control device) provided in the gas meter 10A. Also, the flow rate data measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11 may be stored in the storage unit of the gas meter 10A.
[0030] The communication unit 13 communicates with an external device or an external system. As the external device, for example, it may be another gas meter 10, or may be a relay machine 32, or may be a center device 34. In the example shown in FIG. 1, as shown by the dotted line in the figure, the communication unit 13 can communicate with the relay machine 32, can communicate with a plurality of gas meters 10 via the relay machine 32, and can further communicate with the center device 34 and the operation management device 35 via the relay machine 32 and the backbone network 33.
[0031] Furthermore, the communication unit 13 can communicate with a specific gas appliance having a communication function, which is included in the plurality of gas appliances I20A to IV20D, or with an operation management device 35 that manages the operation of the specific gas appliance. In the example shown in Figure 1, as described above, gas appliance III20C, which is equipped with a communication unit 22, corresponds to the specific gas appliance. As shown by the dotted line in Figure 1, the communication unit 13 of the gas meter 10A may be able to communicate with the communication unit 22 of gas appliance III20C via the relay unit 32 of the terminal network 31, or it may be able to communicate with the communication unit 22 of gas appliance III20C via the terminal network 31 and the backbone network 33, or the communication unit 13 of the gas meter 10A and the communication unit 22 of gas appliance III20C may be able to communicate directly.
[0032] In the example shown in Figure 1, of the four gas appliances I20A to IV20D connected to the gas meter 10A, only gas appliance III20C is a specific gas appliance with communication functionality, but this disclosure is not limited to this. Two or more of the multiple gas appliances 20 connected to the gas meter 10A may be specific gas appliances, or all of the gas appliances 20 may be specific gas appliances.
[0033] The specific configuration of the communication unit 13 provided by the gas meter 10A (or the gas meter 10 included in the terminal network 31), or the communication unit 22 provided by a specific gas appliance (for example, gas appliance III 20C), is not particularly limited. Typical examples include communication units using communication methods known to be used in smart meters (wireless multi-hop communication, data communication by a communication carrier, power line communication (PLC), etc.). A typical communication method used in this case is LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).
[0034] For example, the terminal network 31 shown in Figure 1 can be a private network composed of unlicensed LPWA. The backbone network 33 shown in Figure 1 can be a public network (mobile network provided by a telecommunications carrier) composed of licensed LPWA. The specific type of LPWA is not particularly limited, but representative examples include NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things), Sigfox®, and LoRaWAN.
[0035] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the repeater 32 included in the terminal network 31 is not particularly limited. Typical examples include wireless communication repeaters (wireless repeaters) used in well-known smart meter networks.
[0036] Furthermore, the specific configurations of the central device 34 and the operation management device 35, which are connected to the core network 33 in a communicative manner, are not particularly limited. For example, the central device 34 only needs to be capable of communicating with a plurality of gas meters 10 (including gas meters 10A) included in the terminal network 31 to acquire flow rate data. In particular, in this embodiment 1, the central device 34 only needs to be configured to calculate the amount of gas used by the gas users (consumers) to which each gas meter 10 (or gas meter 10A) is installed, based on the acquired flow rate data.
[0037] Alternatively, the central device 34 may be a known information processing device or information processing system that manages and operates the smart meter network system. For example, in this embodiment 1, the central device 34 may constantly monitor the operation of multiple gas meters 10 (including gas meters 10A) included in the terminal network 31, acquire gas flow rate data measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11 or various data obtainable from the gas meters 10 via the communication network of the terminal network 31, calculate gas usage, and perform various information processing to monitor and operate a large number of gas meters 10.
[0038] Similarly, the operation management device 35 may be any information processing device or information processing system that manages the operation of a specific gas appliance having a communication function. For example, in this embodiment 1, the operation management device 35 may be configured to acquire operation information from at least the gas appliance III 20C, which is a specific gas appliance, and to monitor the operation of the specific gas appliance, or it may be configured to acquire various information not only from the gas appliance III 20C but also from the gas meter 10A, process that information, and monitor the operation of the specific gas appliance.
[0039] Thus, in this embodiment 1, the center device 34 or the operation management device 35 is not limited to a single information processing device, but may be a center system or operation management system that is integrally configured with multiple information processing devices, etc.
[0040] [Representative Example of Gas Appliance Identification] Next, a representative example of gas appliance identification in a gas meter or gas utilization system according to this disclosure will be specifically described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 in addition to Figure 1. For example, in the example shown in Figure 1, the gas appliance identification unit 12 provided in the gas meter 10A identifies the gas appliance 20 using the flow rate data generated by the flow rate measurement unit 11, as described above. In this embodiment 1, the gas flow rate waveform (pattern of change in flow rate value over time) is used as this flow rate data.
[0041] For example, Figure 2A schematically shows the gas flow rate waveforms for gas appliances I20A, II20B, III20C, and IV20D. During the flow rate rise at the start of operation of gas appliance 20, it is easy to identify characteristic flow rate waveforms corresponding to the type of gas appliance 20. Therefore, in this embodiment 1, as shown in the schematic waveform diagrams of Figures 2A to 2C, the flow rate waveform at the time of flow rate rise (rising waveform) is used as flow rate data for gas appliance identification. Note that the flow rate data for gas appliance identification is not limited to flow rate waveforms such as rising waveforms, but can be any change specific to the type of gas appliance 20 included in the flow rate data.
[0042] In the rise-up waveforms for gas appliances I20A to IV20D shown in Figure 2A, the vertical axis represents flow rate and the horizontal axis represents time. In the example shown in Figure 2A, the rise-up waveform for gas appliance I20A shows a waveform in which the flow rate increases rapidly after the start of operation and reaches its maximum value. The rise-up waveform for gas appliance II20B shows a waveform in which the flow rate gradually increases in direct proportion to time after the start of operation and reaches its maximum value.
[0043] In contrast, the rise-up waveforms of gas appliance III20C and gas appliance IV20D both show a waveform similar to the rise-up waveform of gas appliance II20B, where the flow rate gradually increases over time after the start of operation and reaches a maximum value, but there is a short period in between during which the flow rate does not increase and remains at a constant value. If we conveniently refer to this very short period during which the flow rate remains at a constant value on the way to the maximum value as the "intermediate constant period," then the timing of this "intermediate constant period" differs between the rise-up waveforms of gas appliance III20C and gas appliance IV20D, and it can be confirmed that the "intermediate constant period" occurs earlier in gas appliance IV20D than in gas appliance III20C.
[0044] As shown in Figure 2B, each of the gas appliances I20A to IV20D has such characteristic rise waveforms, first, the rise waveform of gas appliance I20A and the rise waveform of gas appliance II20B are clearly different and easy to distinguish from each other. Similarly, the rise waveform of gas appliance I20A and the rise waveform of gas appliance III20C or gas appliance IV20D are clearly different and easy to distinguish from each other. Furthermore, the rise waveform of gas appliance II20B and the rise waveform of gas appliance III20C or gas appliance IV20D can be easily distinguished by whether or not an "intermediate fixed period" occurs. Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 can easily identify gas appliance I20A, gas appliance II20B, or gas appliance III20C or gas appliance IV20D based on the rise waveform.
[0045] However, as shown in Figure 2C, the rise waveform of gas appliance III 20C and the rise waveform of gas appliance IV 20D both have a common "intermediate fixed period," and only the timing of its occurrence differs. Therefore, it may be difficult to distinguish between these two similar rise waveforms. Consequently, the gas appliance identification unit 12 may not be able to easily distinguish between gas appliance III 20C and gas appliance IV 20D.
[0046] Therefore, in the gas meter 10A or gas utilization system including the same according to this disclosure, the gas meter 10A obtains at least the start time of operation of a specific gas appliance (gas appliance III 20C in the example shown in Figure 1) or an operation management device 35 that manages the operation of the specific gas appliance via the communication unit 13, and the gas appliance identification unit 12 identifies the gas appliance 20 by comparing the obtained start time of operation with the flow rate data. In this embodiment 1, for example, as shown in the flow rate waveform comparison diagram in Figure 3 and the flowchart in Figure 4, the gas appliance identification unit 12 performs gas appliance identification.
[0047] First, let's assume that the flow rate measuring unit 11 of the gas meter 10A measures a flow rate waveform as shown in the uppermost waveform W0 in Figure 3 (measured waveform W0). This measured waveform W0 contains a total of five pulse-like flow rate increase periods. These flow rate increase periods, in order from earliest to latest (from left to right in the horizontal direction of Figure 3), are called the first measured wave W1, the second measured wave W2, the third measured wave W3, the fourth measured wave W4, and the fifth measured wave W5. Of these, the fifth measured wave W5, which is the last in terms of time, contains two stages of flow rate increase and flow rate decrease.
[0048] The second row in Figure 3 shows "partially magnified waveforms Wr," which are six partial waveforms (time-direction magnified views) obtained by partially magnifying the measured waveform W0 in the time direction (horizontal direction in Figure 3) in order to confirm the rising times of the first measured wave W1 to the fifth measured wave W5 included in the measured waveform W0. They are designated as partially magnified waveform Wr1, partially magnified waveform Wr2, partially magnified waveform Wr3, partially magnified waveform Wr4, partially magnified waveform Wr5, and partially magnified waveform Wr6, in order from earliest to latest time.
[0049] The storage unit constituting the gas appliance identification unit 12 pre-stores characteristic rise waveforms (flow waveforms) for gas appliances I20A to IV20D, as shown in Figure 2A. As shown in step S11 of Figure 4, the gas appliance identification unit 12 acquires the first measurement wave W1 as flow data generated by the flow measurement unit 11, and as shown in step S12 of Figure 4, identifies the gas appliance 20 in operation from the acquired first measurement wave W1 (flow data). As described above, the rise waveform of the first measurement wave W1 is a partially magnified waveform Wr1, so the gas appliance identification unit 12 compares this partially magnified waveform Wr1 with the rise waveform stored in the storage unit.
[0050] The partially magnified waveform Wr1 matches the rising edge waveform of gas appliance I20A shown in Figure 2B. Therefore, the first measured wave W1 included in the measured waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance I20A (the third wave W in Figure 3). Ａ Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 has been able to identify the gas appliance 20, and the answer is YES in step S13 of Figure 4, so the gas appliance identification is completed.
[0051] Next, the gas appliance identification unit 12 acquires the second measurement wave W2 as flow rate data (step S11), compares the rising edge waveform Wr2, which is the rising edge waveform of the second measurement wave W2, with the rising edge waveform stored in the memory unit, and identifies the gas appliance 20 that is in operation (step S12). The partially enlarged waveform Wr2 matches the rising edge waveform of gas appliance II 20B shown in Figure 2B. Therefore, the second measurement wave W2 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance II 20B (the fourth waveform W in Figure 3). Ｂ Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 has been able to identify the gas appliance 20 (YES in step S13), and the gas appliance identification is completed.
[0052] Next, the gas appliance identification unit 12 acquires the third measurement wave W3 as flow rate data (step S11), compares the rising edge waveform Wr3, which is the rising edge waveform of the third measurement wave W3, with the rising edge waveform stored in the memory unit, and identifies the gas appliance 20 that is in operation (step S12). The partially enlarged waveform Wr3 is similar to the rising edge waveform of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D shown in Figure 2B. Therefore, it can be seen that the third measurement wave W3 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D (the fifth waveform W in Figure 3). Ｃ／Ｄ However, as shown in Figure 2C, the rising waveform of gas appliance III 20C and the rising waveform of gas appliance IV 20D cannot be clearly distinguished.
[0053] In this case, step S13 in Figure 4 results in NO (the gas appliance 20 cannot be identified). Therefore, as shown in step S14 in Figure 4, the gas meter 10A (gas appliance identification unit 12) obtains the start time of operation of gas appliance III 20C, which is a specific gas appliance, from the operation management device 35 that manages the operation of gas appliance III 20C, via the communication unit 13.
[0054] As shown in step S15 of Figure 4, the gas appliance identification unit 12 compares the start time of operation with the measurement third wave W3, which is flow rate data, to identify the gas appliance 20 that is in operation. In the example shown in Figure 3, the sixth wave W in Figure 3 Ｃ／Ｄ The measurement includes the third wave W3 and the start time D of the seventh stage in Figure 3. Ｔ１ When compared, the start time of the third measurement wave W3 corresponds to the start time of operation of gas appliance III 20C. Therefore, the third measurement wave W3 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance III 20C (the eighth waveform W in Figure 3). Ｃ Since it was possible to identify that the gas appliance 20 in operation is gas appliance III 20C, the gas appliance identification process is terminated.
[0055] In addition, from the perspective of matching the flow rate waveform (e.g., the third measurement wave W3) with the operation start time in gas appliance identification, the gas appliance identification unit 12 may also acquire time information corresponding to the flow rate waveform together with the flow rate waveform as flow rate data. Thereby, the quality of the matching between the time information of the flow rate waveform and the operation start time of the specific gas appliance can be made even better. However, if the time information of the gas meter 10A provided with the gas appliance identification unit 12 and the time information of the specific gas appliance are well matched, the time information corresponding to the flow rate waveform does not necessarily have to be acquired as flow rate data.
[0056] Next, the gas appliance identification unit 12 acquires the fourth measurement wave W4 as flow rate data (step S11), compares the partial enlarged waveform Wr4, which is the rising waveform of this fourth measurement wave W4, with the rising waveform stored in the storage unit, and identifies the gas appliance 20 during operation (step S12). The partial enlarged waveform Wr4 is similar to the rising waveform of the gas appliance III 20C or the gas appliance IV 20D shown in FIG. 2B. Therefore, the fourth measurement wave W4 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operation period of the gas appliance III 20C or the gas appliance IV 20D (the waveform W at the fifth stage in FIG. 3 Ｃ／Ｄ ), but the gas appliance III 20C and the gas appliance IV 20D cannot be clearly identified (NO in step S13).
[0057] Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 acquires the operation start time of the gas appliance III 20C, which is a specific gas appliance, or from the operation management device 35 that manages the operation of the gas appliance III 20C, via the communication unit 13 (step S14). The gas appliance identification unit 12 compares the operation start time with the fourth measurement wave W4 and identifies the gas appliance 20 during operation (steps S15, the comparison with the waveform W at the sixth stage and the operation start time D at the seventh stage in FIG. 3 Ｃ／Ｄ ). Since the start time of the fourth measurement wave W4 and the operation start time of the gas appliance III 20C do not correspond, the fourth measurement wave W4 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operation period of the gas appliance IV 20D (the waveform W at the ninth stage in FIG. 3 Ｔ１ ), and since it was possible to identify that the gas appliance 20 during operation is the gas appliance IV 20D, the gas appliance identification ends. Ｄ ).
[0058] Next, the gas appliance identification unit 12 acquires the initial rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 as flow rate data (step S11), compares the partially magnified waveform Wr5 corresponding to this rising waveform with the rising waveform stored in the storage unit, and identifies the gas appliance 20 in operation (step S12). The partially magnified waveform Wr5 is similar to the rising waveform of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D shown in Figure 2B. Therefore, the initial rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D (the fifth waveform W in Figure 3). Ｃ／Ｄ However, gas appliance III20C and gas appliance IV20D cannot be clearly distinguished (NO in step S13).
[0059] Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 obtains the start time of operation of gas appliance III 20C, which is a specific gas appliance, from the operation management device 35 that manages the operation of gas appliance III 20C, via the communication unit 13 (step S14). The gas appliance identification unit 12 compares the start time of operation with the start time of the first rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 and identifies the gas appliance 20 that is in operation (step S15, sixth waveform W in Figure 3). Ｃ／Ｄ and the start time of the 7th stage D Ｔ１ (Verification with...)
[0060] Since the start time of the first rising waveform of measurement wave 5 W5 does not correspond to the start time of operation of gas appliance III20C, the first rising waveform of measurement wave 5 W5 included in measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance IV20D (the ninth waveform W in Figure 3) Ｄ Wave W5-2), since it was possible to identify that the operating gas appliance 20 is gas appliance IV20D, the gas appliance identification is terminated.
[0061] Subsequently, the gas appliance identification unit 12 acquires the next rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 (step S11), compares the partially magnified waveform Wr6 corresponding to this rising waveform with the rising waveform stored in the memory unit, and identifies the gas appliance 20 that is in operation (step S12). The partially magnified waveform Wr6 is similar to the rising waveform of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D shown in Figure 2B. Therefore, the next rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D (the fifth waveform W in Figure 3). Ｃ／Ｄ However, gas appliance III20C and gas appliance IV20D cannot be clearly distinguished (NO in step S13).
[0062] Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 obtains the start time of operation of gas appliance III 20C, which is a specific gas appliance, from the operation management device 35 that manages the operation of gas appliance III 20C, via the communication unit 13 (step S14). The gas appliance identification unit 12 compares the start time of operation with the start time of the next rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 and identifies the gas appliance 20 that is in operation (step S15, the sixth waveform W in Figure 3). Ｃ／Ｄ and the start time of the 7th stage D Ｔ１ (Verification with...)
[0063] Since the start time of the next rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 corresponds to the start time of operation of gas appliance III20C, the next rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance III20C (the eighth waveform W in Figure 3) Ｃ Wave W5-1), since it was possible to identify that the operating gas appliance 20 is gas appliance III20C, the gas appliance identification is terminated.
[0064] As described above, the gas meter 10A according to this disclosure includes a flow rate measurement unit 11 that measures the gas flow rate used in a plurality of gas appliances 20 and generates flow rate data, a gas appliance identification unit 12 that identifies the gas appliances 20 using the flow rate data generated by the flow rate measurement unit 11, and a communication unit 13 that communicates with an external device or external system. The communication unit 13 is capable of communicating with a specific gas appliance (gas appliance III 20C) that has a communication function and is included in the plurality of gas appliances 20, or with an operation management device 35 that manages the operation of the specific gas appliance. The gas appliance identification unit 12 is further configured to obtain at least the start time of operation of the specific gas appliance from the specific gas appliance or the operation management device 35 via the communication unit 13, and to identify the gas appliance 20 by comparing this start time with the flow rate data.
[0065] As a result, even if the specific gas appliance is gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D, which are difficult to identify based on flow rate data, the gas appliance identification unit 12 can accurately identify it. Moreover, the start time of operation used to identify the specific gas appliance can be easily obtained from an external source (specific gas appliance or operation management device 35) via the communication unit 13. Therefore, the communication unit 13 of the gas meter 10A does not need to communicate continuously while the specific gas appliance is in operation. As a result, accurate identification of the gas appliance 20 becomes possible while effectively suppressing or avoiding an increase in the power consumption of the gas meter 10A.
[0066] Note that the start time of operation for gas appliance III20C is D Ｔ１ The timing of obtaining the start time D is not particularly limited. For example, in step S13 shown in Figure 4, if the gas appliance could not be identified, the start time D could be obtained immediately. Ｔ１ While it is possible to obtain this information, it is not limited to this timing. For example, the waveforms of Wr5 and Wr6 shown in Figure 3 can be temporarily stored, and the start time of operation of gas appliance III20C D can be periodically recorded. Ｔ１ The information may be downloaded from the central device 34. In this case, the gas appliance identification unit 12 will receive the start time D Ｔ１ The system may be configured to execute steps S14 and S15 when the information is downloaded.
[0067] (Embodiment 2) In the gas meter or gas utilization system according to Embodiment 1, the gas appliance identification unit of the gas meter obtained only the start time of operation of a specific gas appliance from a specific gas appliance or operation management device via a communication unit, but the gas meter or gas utilization system according to this disclosure is not limited to this. In the gas meter or gas utilization system according to Embodiment 2, the gas appliance identification unit obtains the start time and end time of operation from a specific gas appliance or operation management device, and identifies the gas appliance by comparing the obtained start time and end time of operation with flow rate data.
[0068] The specific configuration of the gas meter or gas utilization system according to this second embodiment is the same as that of the gas meter 10A or gas utilization system according to the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. In the description of this second embodiment, Figures 1 and 2, which were referenced in the first embodiment, will also be referenced.
[0069] In the gas meter 10A (or gas utilization system) according to this second embodiment, for example, as shown in the flow rate waveform comparison diagram in Figure 5 and the flowchart in Figure 6, the gas appliance identification unit 12 performs gas appliance identification.
[0070] As shown in the uppermost measurement waveform W0 in Figure 5, the flow rate waveform measured by the flow rate measurement unit 11 of the gas meter 10A is the same as the measurement waveform W0 shown in Figure 3, which was referenced in the first embodiment, and includes the first measurement wave W1, the second measurement wave W2, the third measurement wave W3, the fourth measurement wave W4, and the fifth measurement wave W5. Gas appliance identification by the gas appliance identification unit 12 using the first measurement wave W1, the second measurement wave W2, and the fourth measurement wave W4 is the same as in the first embodiment, so its explanation is omitted.
[0071] The gas appliance identification unit 12 acquires the third measurement wave W3 as flow rate data (step S21 in Figure 6), compares the rising edge waveform Wr3, which is the rising edge waveform of this third measurement wave W3, with the rising edge waveform stored in the memory unit, and identifies the gas appliance 20 that is in operation (step S22 in Figure 6). Therefore, the third measurement wave W3 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D (the fifth waveform W in Figure 5). Ｃ／Ｄ However, gas appliance III20C and gas appliance IV20D cannot be clearly distinguished (NO in step S23 of Figure 6).
[0072] Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 obtains the start time and end time of operation of gas appliance III 20C, which is a specific gas appliance, from the operation management device 35 that manages the operation of gas appliance III 20C, via the communication unit 13 (step S24 in Figure 6). The gas appliance identification unit 12 compares the start time and end time of operation with the measured third wave W3 and identifies the gas appliance 20 that is in operation (step S25 in Figure 6, sixth wave W in Figure 5). Ｃ／Ｄ and the start time of the 7th stage D Ｔ１ (Verification with...)
[0073] The start and end times of the third measurement wave W3 correspond to the start and end times of operation of gas appliance III 20C, respectively. Therefore, the third measurement wave W3 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance III 20C (the eighth wave W in Figure 5). Ｃ Since it was possible to identify that the gas appliance 20 in operation is gas appliance III 20C, the gas appliance identification process is terminated.
[0074] The third measurement wave W3 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating time of a single gas appliance 20, so, as in the first embodiment described above, the end time of operation is not necessarily required for gas appliance identification. However, by using both the start time and the end time of operation in gas appliance identification, the operating time of a specific gas appliance (gas appliance III 20C) among the gas appliances 20 can be determined more appropriately. This determination of operating time is particularly effective when the operating times of two gas appliances 20 overlap, as in the fifth measurement wave W5.
[0075] The gas appliance identification unit 12 acquires the initial rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 as flow rate data (step S21), compares the partially magnified waveform Wr5 corresponding to this rising waveform with the rising waveform stored in the storage unit, and identifies the gas appliance 20 in operation (step S22). The partially magnified waveform Wr5 is similar to the rising waveform of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D shown in Figure 2B. Therefore, the initial rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D (the fifth waveform W in Figure 5). Ｃ／Ｄ However, gas appliance III20C and gas appliance IV20D cannot be clearly distinguished (NO in step S23).
[0076] Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 obtains the start time and end time of operation of gas appliance III 20C from the gas appliance III 20C, which is a specific gas appliance, or from the operation management device 35 that manages the operation of gas appliance III 20C, via the communication unit 13 (step S24). The gas appliance identification unit 12 compares the start time of operation with the start time of the first rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 and identifies the gas appliance 20 that is in operation (step S25, sixth waveform W in Figure 5). Ｃ／Ｄ and the start time of the 7th stage D Ｔ１ (Comparison with) Since the start time of the first rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 does not correspond to the start time of operation of gas appliance III20C, the first rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance IV20D (the ninth waveform W in Figure 5) ＤWave W5-2), since it was possible to identify that the operating gas appliance 20 is gas appliance IV20D, the gas appliance identification is terminated.
[0077] Subsequently, the gas appliance identification unit 12 acquires the next rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 (step S21), compares the partially magnified waveform Wr6 corresponding to this rising waveform with the rising waveform stored in the memory unit, and identifies the gas appliance 20 that is in operation (step S22). The partially magnified waveform Wr6 is similar to the rising waveform of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D shown in Figure 2B. Therefore, the next rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D (the fifth waveform W in Figure 5). Ｃ／Ｄ However, gas appliance III20C and gas appliance IV20D cannot be clearly distinguished (NO in step S23).
[0078] Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 obtains the start time and end time of operation of gas appliance III 20C from the gas appliance III 20C, which is a specific gas appliance, or from the operation management device 35 that manages the operation of gas appliance III 20C, via the communication unit 13 (step S24). The gas appliance identification unit 12 compares the start time of operation with the start time of the next rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 and identifies the gas appliance 20 that is in operation (step S25, the sixth waveform W in Figure 5). Ｃ／Ｄ and the start time of the 7th stage D Ｔ１ (Verification with...)
[0079] Since the start time of the next rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 corresponds to the start time of operation of gas appliance III 20C, the next rising waveform of the fifth measurement wave W5 included in the measurement waveform W0 corresponds to the operating period of gas appliance III 20C (the eighth waveform W in Figure 5) Ｃ Wave W5-1), it is possible to identify that the gas appliance 20 in operation is gas appliance III 20C.
[0080] This completes the gas appliance identification by the gas appliance identification unit 12, but the seventh stage operation start time D in Figure 5 is Ｔ１ The end time of operation and the waveform W of the 8th stage in Figure 5 ＣThe end times of wave W5-1 coincide. Therefore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 can not only identify that the gas appliance 20 in operation is gas appliance III20C, but can also acquire the end of operation of gas appliance III20C as identification data. For this reason, the eighth wave W in Figure 5 Ｃ Wave W5-1 and the 9th stage waveform W Ｄ This makes it possible to clearly distinguish it from wave W5-2.
[0081] Furthermore, the gas appliance identification unit 12 can also acquire the actual operating time of gas appliance III 20C as identification data from the start time and end time of operation of gas appliance III 20C. Therefore, for example, the central device 34 can separately calculate the operating time of gas appliance III 20C and the corresponding gas usage. Thus, for example, by coordinating with the operation management device 35 that manages the operation of gas appliance III 20C, it becomes possible to apply a special pricing system only to the gas usage corresponding to the operation of gas appliance III 20C (for example, by discounting the gas usage of gas appliance III 20C).
[0082] In this second embodiment, in terms of gas appliance identification, the gas appliance identification unit 12 may acquire time information corresponding to the flow rate waveform along with the flow rate waveform as flow rate data, in order to ensure good matching of the flow rate waveform with the start and end times of operation. This further improves the quality of matching between the time information of the flow rate waveform and the start or end time of operation of a specific gas appliance. However, if the time information of the gas meter 10A equipped with the gas appliance identification unit 12 corresponds well with the time information of the specific gas appliance, the time information corresponding to the flow rate waveform does not necessarily need to be acquired as flow rate data.
[0083] (Embodiment 3) In the gas meter or gas utilization system according to Embodiment 1, or the gas meter or gas utilization system according to Embodiment 2, gas appliance identification was performed by the gas meter. However, in the gas utilization system according to Embodiment 3, gas appliance identification is performed by the central device.
[0084] As shown in the schematic block diagram of Figure 7, the gas utilization system according to this embodiment 3 comprises a gas meter 10B, a plurality of gas appliances 20 connected to the gas meter 10B via gas piping 21, a terminal network 31, and a central device 36, and is connected to an operation management device 35 via a core network 33, and the gas appliances 20 include a specific gas appliance, gas appliance III 20C. Since this basic configuration is the same as the gas utilization system according to embodiment 1, a detailed explanation will be omitted.
[0085] However, in the gas utilization system according to this third embodiment, the gas meter 10B is equipped with a flow rate measurement unit 11 and a communication unit 13, but does not have a gas appliance identification unit 12. Instead, the central device 36 is equipped with a gas appliance identification unit 14. The gas appliance identification unit 14 of the central device 36 communicates with the operation management device 35 or a specific gas appliance (gas appliance III 20C) to obtain the start time of operation of at least the specific gas appliance, and identifies at least the specific gas appliance from among the multiple gas appliances 20 by comparing the flow rate data and the start time of operation.
[0086] Furthermore, the gas appliance identification unit 14 of the central device 36 may be configured to further acquire the end time of operation of a specific gas appliance (gas appliance III 20C) from the operation management device 35 or the specific gas appliance, and to identify the specific gas appliance by comparing the acquired start time and end time with the flow rate data. Note that the gas appliance identification unit 14 of the central device 36 can have the same functional configuration as the control unit (and storage unit) of the central device 36, similar to the gas appliance identification unit 12 of the gas meter 10A according to Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.
[0087] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the gas appliance identification by the central device 36 (gas appliance identification unit 14) is the same as the configuration described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 in Embodiment 1, or the configuration described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 in Embodiment 2, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.
[0088] As described above, the gas utilization system according to this disclosure comprises a gas meter 10B (or gas meter 10) that measures the gas flow rate used in a plurality of gas appliances 20 and generates flow rate data, and a central device 34 that communicates with the gas meter 10B to acquire the flow rate data. The plurality of gas appliances 20 include a specific gas appliance (gas appliance III 20C) that has a communication function, and the central device 36 further communicates with an operation management device 35 that manages the operation of the specific gas appliance or the specific gas appliance to acquire at least the start time of operation of the specific gas appliance, and identifies at least the specific gas appliance from the plurality of gas appliances 20 by comparing the flow rate data and the start time of operation.
[0089] This enables accurate gas appliance identification by the central device 36, even if the specific gas appliance is gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D, which are difficult to identify based on flow rate data. Furthermore, the start time of operation (or start and end times of operation) used to identify the specific gas appliance can be easily obtained from an external source (specific gas appliance or operation management device 35) via the communication unit 13. In addition, since gas appliance identification is not required at the gas meter 10B, an increase in the power consumption of the gas meter 10B can be suppressed or avoided.
[0090] In the configuration example shown in Figure 7, the central device 36 may be configured to calculate the total amount of gas used by multiple gas appliances 20 from the flow rate data acquired from the gas meter 10B, and to separately calculate only the gas usage of a specific gas appliance based on the identification result of that specific gas appliance.
[0091] In this third embodiment, as in the first embodiment (and the second embodiment), the central device 36 may be configured to communicate with a plurality of gas meters 10 to acquire flow rate data. However, typically, it may be configured to calculate the amount of gas used by the gas user (consumer) to which each gas meter 10 (including gas meter 10B) is installed, based on the acquired flow rate data.
[0092] In this embodiment 3, unlike the center device 34 in embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, the center device 36 is equipped with a gas appliance identification unit 14, and is therefore capable of gas appliance identification. Thus, the center device 36 can not only calculate the amount of gas used, but also, by gas appliance identification, extract only the operation of a specific gas appliance (gas appliance III 20C) from among the gas appliances 20 that are in operation, and calculate only the amount of gas used for that specific gas appliance.
[0093] By calculating the gas usage for specific gas appliances separately in this way, it becomes possible to apply a special pricing system only to the use of specific gas appliances (for example, by discounting the gas usage for specific gas appliances), as exemplified in Embodiment 2 above.
[0094] Furthermore, in the configuration example shown in Figure 7, as described above, the gas meter 10B (or multiple gas meters 10 included in the terminal network 31) does not have a gas appliance identification unit 12, but the gas utilization system according to this embodiment 3 is not limited to this. For example, the gas meter 10B (or multiple gas meters 10) may have a gas appliance identification unit 12, similar to the gas meter 10A according to embodiment 1, and the gas meter 10B may identify the gas appliance 20 using flow rate data and generate identification information, and the central device 36 may acquire the identification information from the gas meter 10B (or multiple gas meters 10).
[0095] With this configuration, the gas meter 10B can identify gas appliances 20 other than the specified gas appliances (and gas appliances 20 that are difficult to identify as specified gas appliances), and the central device 36 can identify the specified gas appliances (and gas appliances 20 that are difficult to identify as specified gas appliances). Therefore, it becomes possible to share the task of gas appliance identification between the gas meter 10B and the central device 36.
[0096] (Embodiment 4) In Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, or Embodiment 3, the gas utilization system included a gas meter 10 (including gas meter 10A or gas meter 10B) and a central unit 34 or central unit 36, and the operation management device 35 was not included in the gas utilization system. However, this disclosure is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments. For example, the gas utilization system according to Embodiment 4 includes an operation management device 35 in addition to the gas meter 10 and central unit 34 or central unit 36.
[0097] For example, the gas utilization system according to this embodiment 4, as in embodiment 3, is configured as shown in Figure 7, to include a gas meter 10 (gas meter 10B) that measures the gas flow rate used by a plurality of gas appliances 20 and generates flow rate data, a central device 36 that communicates with the gas meter 10 to acquire the flow rate data, and an operation management device 35 that manages the operation of a specific gas appliance (gas appliance III 20C) that has a communication function and is included in the plurality of gas appliances 20. Note that the basic configuration of the gas utilization system has already been explained in embodiments 1 to 3, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.
[0098] In the gas utilization system according to this embodiment 4, the central device 36 communicates with the operation management device 35 to obtain at least the start time of operation of a specific gas appliance (or the start time and end time of operation), and identifies at least a specific gas appliance (gas appliance III 20C) from among the multiple gas appliances 20 by comparing the flow rate data with the start time of operation (or the start time and end time of operation).
[0099] Thus, the gas utilization system includes an operation management device 35 that manages the operation of specific gas appliances. Therefore, even if the specific gas appliance is gas appliance III 20C or gas appliance IV 20D, which are difficult to identify based on flow rate data, the central device 36 can easily obtain the start time of operation (or the start and end times of operation) of the specific gas appliance from the operation management device 35 included in the system. This enables the central device 36 to accurately identify gas appliances. Furthermore, since gas appliance identification is not required at the gas meter 10B, an increase in the power consumption of the gas meter 10B can be suppressed or avoided.
[0100] Here, even if the gas utilization system is configured to identify gas appliances using the gas meter 10A, as in the gas utilization system according to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, the gas utilization system may also be configured to include an operation management device 35. In this case, the gas meter 10A only needs to obtain the start time of operation (or the start time and end time of operation) of a specific gas appliance from the operation management device 35 via the terminal network 31 and the core network 33. Alternatively, the gas meter 10A may be configured to communicate directly with the operation management device 35 via the core network 33, without necessarily going through the terminal network 31, and obtain the start time of operation (or the start time and end time of operation) from the operation management device 35.
[0101] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed in this specification. (Technology 1) A gas meter comprising: a flow rate measuring unit that measures the gas flow rate used in a plurality of gas appliances and generates flow rate data; a gas appliance identification unit that identifies the gas appliances using the flow rate data generated by the flow rate measuring unit; and a communication unit that communicates with an external device or external system, wherein the communication unit is capable of communicating with a specific gas appliance having a communication function, or an operation management device that manages the operation of the specific gas appliance, and the gas appliance identification unit further obtains at least the start time of operation of the specific gas appliance from the specific gas appliance or the operation management device via the communication unit, and identifies the gas appliance by comparing this start time of operation with the flow rate data.
[0102] According to the above configuration, the gas appliance identification unit identifies gas appliances based on flow rate data, and for specific gas appliances with communication capabilities, it identifies them using at least the start time of operation along with the flow rate data.
[0103] This enables accurate identification of specific gas appliances, even those that are difficult to identify based on flow rate data. Furthermore, the start time of operation used to identify specific gas appliances can be easily obtained externally (from the specific gas appliance or the operation management system) via the communication unit. Therefore, the gas meter's communication unit no longer needs to communicate continuously while the specific gas appliance is operating. As a result, accurate gas appliance identification becomes possible while effectively suppressing or avoiding an increase in the gas meter's power consumption.
[0104] (Technical 2) The gas meter according to Technical 1, wherein the gas appliance identification unit further obtains the end time of operation of the specified gas appliance from the specified gas appliance or the operation management device via the communication unit, and identifies the gas appliance by comparing the obtained start time and end time of operation with the flow rate data.
[0105] (Technical 3) The gas meter according to Technical 1 or Technical 2, wherein the gas appliance identification unit uses at least a gas flow rate waveform (a pattern of change in flow rate over time) and time information as the flow rate data for identifying the gas appliance.
[0106] (Technical 4) A gas meter according to any one of Technical 1 to 3, wherein all of the multiple gas appliances are specified gas appliances having a communication function.
[0107] (Technical 5) A gas utilization system comprising a gas meter that measures the gas flow rate used in multiple gas appliances and generates flow rate data, and a central device that communicates with the gas meter to acquire the flow rate data, wherein the multiple gas appliances include specific gas appliances having a communication function, and the central device further communicates with an operation management device that manages the operation of the specific gas appliance or with the specific gas appliance to acquire at least the start time of operation of the specific gas appliance, and identifies at least the specific gas appliance from the multiple gas appliances by comparing the flow rate data and the start time of operation.
[0108] (Technical 6) The gas utilization system according to Technical 5, wherein the central device further obtains the end time of operation of the specified gas appliance from the operation management device or the specified gas appliance, and identifies the specified gas appliance by comparing the obtained start time and end time of operation with the flow rate data.
[0109] (Technical 7) The gas utilization system described in Technical 6, wherein the central device calculates the total amount of gas used by multiple gas appliances from the flow rate data obtained from the gas meter, and separately calculates only the gas used by a specific gas appliance based on the identification result of that specific gas appliance.
[0110] (Technical 8) The gas utilization system according to any one of Technical 5 to Technical 7, wherein the gas meter identifies the gas appliance using the flow rate data and generates identification information, and the central device also acquires the identification information from the gas meter.
[0111] (Technical 9) A gas utilization system comprising: a gas meter that measures the gas flow rate used in multiple gas appliances and generates flow rate data; a central device that communicates with the gas meter to acquire the flow rate data; and an operation management device that manages the operation of a specific gas appliance having a communication function, which is included in the multiple gas appliances, wherein the central device communicates with the operation management device to acquire the start time of operation of at least the specific gas appliance, and identifies at least the specific gas appliance from the multiple gas appliances by comparing the flow rate data and the start time of operation.
[0112] (Technical 10) The gas utilization system according to Technical 9, wherein the central device further obtains the end time of operation of the specified gas appliance from the operation management device, and identifies the specified gas appliance by comparing the obtained start time and end time of operation with the flow rate data.
[0113] 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. Therefore, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments and multiple modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0114] Furthermore, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. 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.
[0115] The present invention can be broadly and suitably used in the field of gas meters or gas utilization systems that perform gas appliance identification.
[0116] 10, 10A, 10B: Gas meter 11: Flow rate measurement unit 12: Gas appliance identification unit 13: Communication unit (of the gas meter) 14: Gas appliance identification unit (of the central unit) 20: Gas appliance 20A: Gas appliance I 20B: Gas appliance II 20C: Gas appliance III (specific gas appliance) 20D: Gas appliance IV 21: Gas piping 22: Communication unit (of the specific gas appliance) 31: Terminal network 32: Repeater 33: Core network 34: Central unit 35: Operation management device
Claims
1. A gas meter comprising: a flow rate measuring unit that measures the gas flow rate used in multiple gas appliances and generates flow rate data; a gas appliance identification unit that identifies the gas appliances using the flow rate data generated by the flow rate measuring unit; and a communication unit that communicates with an external device or external system, wherein the communication unit is capable of communicating with a specific gas appliance having a communication function, which is included in the multiple gas appliances, or with an operation management device that manages the operation of the specific gas appliance, and the gas appliance identification unit further obtains at least the start time of operation of the specific gas appliance from the specific gas appliance or the operation management device via the communication unit, and identifies the gas appliance by comparing this start time with the flow rate data.
2. The gas appliance identification unit further obtains the end time of operation of the specified gas appliance from the specified gas appliance or the operation management device via the communication unit, and identifies the gas appliance by comparing the obtained start time and end time of operation with the flow rate data, according to claim 1.
3. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the gas appliance identification unit uses at least a gas flow rate waveform (a pattern of change in flow rate over time) and time information as the flow rate data for identifying the gas appliance.
4. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein all of the multiple gas appliances are specified gas appliances having a communication function.
5. A gas utilization system comprising: a gas meter that measures the gas flow rate used in multiple gas appliances and generates flow rate data; and a central device that communicates with the gas meter to acquire the flow rate data, wherein the multiple gas appliances include specific gas appliances having a communication function; and the central device further communicates with an operation management device that manages the operation of the specific gas appliance or with the specific gas appliance to acquire at least the start time of operation of the specific gas appliance, and identifies at least the specific gas appliance from the multiple gas appliances by comparing the flow rate data and the start time of operation.
6. The gas utilization system according to claim 5, wherein the central device further obtains the end time of operation of the specified gas appliance from the operation management device or the specified gas appliance, and identifies the specified gas appliance by comparing the obtained start time and end time of operation with the flow rate data.
7. The gas utilization system according to claim 6, wherein the central device calculates the total amount of gas used by multiple gas appliances from the flow rate data obtained from the gas meter, and separately calculates only the gas used by a specific gas appliance based on the identification result of that specific gas appliance.
8. The gas utilization system according to claim 5, wherein the gas meter identifies the gas appliance using the flow rate data and generates identification information, and the central device also acquires the identification information from the gas meter.
9. A gas utilization system comprising: a gas meter that measures the gas flow rate used in multiple gas appliances and generates flow rate data; a central device that communicates with the gas meter to acquire the flow rate data; and an operation management device that manages the operation of a specific gas appliance having a communication function, which is included in the multiple gas appliances, wherein the central device communicates with the operation management device to acquire the start time of operation of at least the specific gas appliance, and identifies at least the specific gas appliance from the multiple gas appliances by comparing the flow rate data and the start time of operation.
10. The gas utilization system according to claim 9, wherein the central device further obtains the end time of operation of the specified gas appliance from the operation management device, and identifies the specified gas appliance by comparing the obtained start time and end time of operation with the flow rate data.