Automatic meter reading manner of power line communication utilization, automatic meter reading system of power line communication utilization, and relay machine for automatic meter reading

摘要

An automatic meter reading system wherein the data of amounts metered by a plurality of meters (1) are communicated to a relay device (2), which then communicates the data of the metered amounts received from the plurality of meters (1) to a meter reading data managing device (10).  The communication between the relay device (2) and the meter reading data managing device (10) is implemented by use of a general protocol in which response signals are issued in the exchange of signals over a communication network, while the communication between the relay device (2) and each of the plurality of meters (1) is implemented on a power line by use of a power-line-communication-specific protocol.  In this way, when the meter reading data managing device collects the meter reading data of the dwellings in a collective housing via one or more relay devices disposed in the collective housing, the meter reading data managing device can effectively collect the meter reading data through the power line communications between each of the delay devices and the meters, such as power meters.