JP2017091365A - Communication management device, communication management method thereof, program, and communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication management device, its communication management method, a program, and a communication device that efficiently update firmware at timing not obstructing the original operation of a smart meter.SOLUTION: A communication management device comprises a determination unit for determining an update condition on reboot when firmware of a smart meter is updated, on the basis of at least one of communication schedule information between the smart meter and another apparatus and a communication record.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication management device, a communication management method thereof, a program, and a communication device.

  An example of a technique for updating firmware incorporated in a data processing apparatus existing on a network from a server at a remote location is described in Patent Document 1. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a firmware update schedule in a data processing apparatus is determined based on a job execution status of the data processing apparatus. For example, by updating the firmware during a time period when the user is not frequently used, troubles to the user's work are reduced.

  Patent Document 2 describes an example of a system in which terminal devices transmit meter-reading data all at once toward a center device. In the system described in Patent Literature 2, from the meter reading data transmission time to the terminal device from the center device to each terminal device based on the time from when the collected number of meter reading data from each terminal device reaches a preset threshold value. The control message transmission unavailable time zone is periodically calculated and held, and the control message transmission time is adjusted from each meter reading data transmission time to a time zone other than that time zone.

  Patent Document 3 describes an example of a system that grasps the future communication status of user terminals that can exchange instant messages between terminals. In the system described in Patent Document 3, the schedule management server manages schedule information, and the presence management server that manages the presence information indicating the current connection status of the terminal periodically or on request requests the contents of the presence information. If it is confirmed that communication is not possible, the profile information of the user of the terminal is acquired. Further, the schedule information is acquired based on the profile information. The presence information of the user terminal is updated by extracting the next communicable time indicating the possible time.

JP 2008-152482 A JP 2011-4349 A JP-A-2005-57706

The smart meter operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and many smart meters perform a process of periodically transmitting a meter reading value of the amount of power at the customer's house to the server via the public network. Furthermore, the smart meter is often installed outside the customer's house, and the customer rarely operates the smart meter. Therefore, it is desirable that the firmware update of the smart meter is performed automatically and so as not to hinder the process of transmitting the meter reading of the electric energy, which is the original operation of the smart meter.
However, according to the technique described in the above document, firmware update and information transmission time can be determined based on the job execution status of the device, communication status, or user schedule information. It is not envisaged that the timing of the restart process that is performed when automatically performing is performed so as not to interfere with the original operation of each device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a communication management device that efficiently updates firmware at a timing that does not interfere with the original operation of the smart meter, its communication management method, program, and communication To provide an apparatus.

  Each aspect of the present invention employs the following configurations in order to solve the above-described problems.

The first aspect relates to a communication management device.
The communication management device according to the first aspect is based on at least one of communication schedule information and communication performance between the smart meter and another device, based on the update condition regarding restart when updating the firmware of the smart meter. Determining means for determining.

The second aspect relates to a communication management method executed by at least one computer.
The communication management method according to the second aspect is as follows:
Communication management device
Determining an update condition related to restart when updating the firmware of the smart meter based on at least one of communication schedule information and communication performance between the smart meter and another device.

The third aspect relates to a communication device.
The communication device of the third aspect is
Transmitting means for transmitting at least one of communication schedule information and communication results with other devices to a communication management device that determines an update condition regarding restart when updating firmware;
Receiving means for receiving, from the communication management apparatus, the update condition determined based on at least one of the communication schedule information and the communication performance.

As another aspect of the present invention, there may be a program for causing at least one computer to execute the method of the second aspect, or a computer-readable recording medium recording such a program. May be. This recording medium includes a non-transitory tangible medium.
The computer program includes computer program code that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to implement its control method on the communication management device.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  The various components of the present invention do not necessarily have to be independent of each other. A plurality of components are formed as a single member, and a single component is formed of a plurality of members. It may be that a certain component is a part of another component, a part of a certain component overlaps with a part of another component, or the like.

  Moreover, although the several procedure is described in order in the method and computer program of this invention, the order of the description does not limit the order which performs a several procedure. For this reason, when the method and computer program of the present invention are implemented, the order of the plurality of procedures can be changed within a range that does not hinder the contents.

  Furthermore, the plurality of procedures of the method and the computer program of the present invention are not limited to being executed at different timings. For this reason, another procedure may occur during the execution of a certain procedure, or some or all of the execution timing of a certain procedure and the execution timing of another procedure may overlap.

  According to each aspect described above, it is possible to provide a communication management device that efficiently updates firmware at a timing that does not interfere with the original operation of the smart meter, a communication management method thereof, a program, and a communication device.

It is a functional block diagram which shows logically the structure of the communication management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows notionally the structure of the communication system containing the communication management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the computer which implement | achieves the smart meter of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the computer which implement | achieves the communication management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement procedure at the time of the firmware update in the smart meter of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the communication management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows logically the structure of the communication management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the communication management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows logically the structure of the communication management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the meter-reading period and update condition of the communication management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the communication management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows logically the structure of the communication management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the communication information storage part of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the structure of the update condition memory | storage part of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the communication management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows logically the structure of the communication management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the schedule information and update conditions of a demand response of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the communication management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows logically the structure of the communication management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the communication scheduled time and update conditions of the communication management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the communication management apparatus of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows logically the structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
The communication management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram logically showing the configuration of the communication management apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the present invention, the communication management apparatus 100 sets an update condition regarding restart when updating the firmware of the smart meter 10 based on at least one of communication schedule information and communication results between the smart meter 10 and other devices. The determining unit 102 for determining is provided.
In the following drawings, the configuration of parts not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted and not shown.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the communication system 1 including the communication management apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The communication system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an MDMS (Meter Data Management System) 20, a firmware (FW: Firmware) update server 30, and a gateway (GW: GateWay) 40.

The MDMS 20 periodically collects information transmitted from each customer's smart meter 10, stores it in the database 22, and manages it.
The smart meter 10 is a watt-hour meter having a communication function. For example, the smart meter 10 is supplied to a consumer from an electric power company. The watt-hour meter measures the amount of electric power supplied from an electric power company or an electric power retailer. Information such as the measured power consumption is transmitted periodically (for example, every 30 minutes) from the smart meter 10 to the MDMS 20 of the power company via the so-called A route.

  A route communication method between the smart meter 10 and the MDMS 20 is not particularly limited. For example, a wireless communication method such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution), etc. is used. can do.

For example, the smart meter 10 is connected to the public network via the base station 7 (indicated as base stations 7a, 7b, and 7c in the figure, but hereinafter referred to as the base station 7 if it is not necessary to distinguish between them). Connect to 3.
Further, the smart meter 10 relays the GW 40 and connects to the network 5 in order to transmit information to the MDMS 20 on the network 5. The GW 40 relays communication between the power company network 5 (for example, WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network)) and the public network 3. The MDMS 20 is connected to the smart meter 10 via the public network 3 and communicates with the smart meter 10.

The MDMS 20, the FW update server 30, and the communication management device 100 are connected to each other via the network 5. In addition, the MDMS 20, the FW update server 30, and the communication management device 100 are connected to the public network 3 via the GW 40. The MDMS 20, the FW update server 30, and the communication management device 100 communicate with each smart meter 10 via the base station 7.
In the present embodiment, millions of smart meters 10 connected to the public network 3 periodically transmit information to the MDMS 20.

The FW update server 30 is connected to the FW storage unit 32 and manages the firmware of each smart meter 10. The FW storage unit 32 stores firmware of each smart meter 10. When the firmware is updated, the FW update server 30 transmits the updated firmware to the corresponding smart meter 10 to install it.
The communication management apparatus 100 of the present embodiment causes each smart meter 10 to download firmware from the FW update server 30, install it, and restart it, thereby updating the firmware.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the computer 60 that implements the smart meter 10 according to the present embodiment.
The computer 60 of the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 62, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 63, an I / O (Input / Output) 64, a first communication unit 65, a first An antenna 66, a second communication unit 67, and a second antenna 68 are included. Each element of the computer 60 is connected to each other via a bus 69, and the entire smart meter 10 is controlled by the CPU 61. However, the method of connecting the CPUs 61 and the like is not limited to bus connection.
Each function of the smart meter 10 can be realized by the CPU 61 reading the program 70 stored in the ROM 62 into the RAM 63 and executing it.

The I / O 64 performs input / output control of data and control signals between the elements of the computer 60.
The first communication unit 65 is a network connection interface for communicating with other devices via the first antenna 66. In the present embodiment, the first antenna 66 is an antenna for communication connected to the public network 3 using a mobile phone communication system such as WiMAX, 3G, or LTE.

The first communication unit 65 is connected to the public network 3 via the first antenna 66 via the first antenna 66 and communicates with the MDMS 20 or the FW update server 30 on the network 5 via the GW 40.
The second communication unit 67 is a network connection interface for communicating with other devices via the second antenna 68. The second antenna 68 is, for example, an antenna for communication of a specific low power wireless system that uses the 920 MHz band, but is not limited thereto. The 2nd communication part 67 communicates with the other communication apparatus in a customer's house via the 2nd antenna 68, for example by B route.

  Each component of the smart meter 10 is realized by any combination of hardware and software of the computer 60. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. Each diagram described below shows a block of logical functional units, not a configuration of hardware units.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a computer 80 that implements the communication management apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.
The computer 80 includes a CPU 81, a memory 82, a program for realizing the components shown in FIG. 1 loaded in the memory 82, a storage 83 such as a hard disk for storing the program, an I / O (Input / Output) 84, and a communication I / F 85. Is provided. The CPU 81, the memory 82, the storage 83, the I / O 84, and the communication I / F 85 are connected to each other via the bus 86, and the CPU 81 controls the entire communication management apparatus 100 together with each element.

The CPU 81 reads out the program 90 stored in the storage 83 to the memory 82 and executes it, thereby realizing each function of the communication management apparatus 100 in FIG.
The I / O 84 performs input / output control of data and control signals between the elements of the computer 80.
The communication I / F 85 is a network connection interface for communicating with other devices. In the present embodiment, the communication I / F 85 has an interface function for communicating with the MDMS 20, the FW update server 30 or the GW 40 of the network 5.

  Each component of the communication management apparatus 100 of this embodiment is implement | achieved by the arbitrary combinations of the hardware and software of the computer 80 of FIG. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. The functional block diagram showing the communication management apparatus of each embodiment described below shows a block of logical functional units, not a configuration of hardware units.

  The CPU 81 of the computer 80 in FIG. 4 reads out and executes the program 90 stored in the storage 83 or the memory 82 to the memory 82, thereby realizing each function of each unit in FIG. 1 of the communication management apparatus 100. .

  The computer program according to the present embodiment sets an update condition regarding restart when updating the firmware of the smart meter in the computer 80 for realizing the communication management apparatus 100, and schedules communication between the smart meter and other devices. It is described that a procedure for determining based on at least one of information and communication performance is executed.

  The computer program of this embodiment may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium is not particularly limited, and various forms can be considered. The program may be loaded from a recording medium into a computer memory, or downloaded to a computer through a network and loaded into the memory.

  The recording medium for recording the computer program 90 includes a medium that can be used by a non-transitory tangible computer 80, and a program code that can be read by the computer 80 is embedded in the medium. When the computer program 90 is executed on the computer 80, the computer 80 is caused to execute the following communication management method for realizing the communication management apparatus 100.

In the present embodiment, the firmware of the smart meter 10 is updated in the following procedure.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when updating the firmware in the smart meter 10 in the present embodiment.
First, when the firmware update information is acquired (YES in step S11), the smart meter 10 that has acquired the update information requests and downloads the update firmware from the FW update server 30 (step S13). When the download of the update firmware is completed, the smart meter 10 decompresses the update firmware file temporarily stored as necessary, and writes the program in the ROM 62 (step S15). After the update firmware has been written, the smart meter 10 restarts (step S17).

  In this specification, “acquisition” means that the device itself obtains data or information stored in another device or storage medium (active acquisition), for example, requests or inquires of another device. Receiving data, accessing and reading out other devices and storage media, etc., and inputting data or information output from other devices into the device (passive acquisition), for example, distribution (or , Transmission, push notification, etc.) and / or receiving received data or information. It also includes selecting and acquiring from received data or information, or selecting and receiving distributed data or information.

  In the present embodiment, the update firmware includes a program for adding a new function to the smart meter 10, a program for correcting a malfunction or bug in the firmware, and the like. The update firmware is at least a part of the firmware of the smart meter 10 and may be, for example, a patch file, but the case of replacing the entire firmware is not excluded.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the update condition determined by the determination unit 102 is related to the restart when the firmware is updated. That is, as described above, when the firmware of the smart meter 10 is updated, the process of downloading the program, writing to the memory (also referred to as installation), and restarting is continuously performed. The timing of program download and memory write processing is not particularly limited. In the present invention, in particular, the restart timing after installing the updated firmware in the smart meter 10 is controlled.

  The reason is that the smart meter 10 has a function of collecting meter readings of the watt-hour meter, and therefore operates continuously without a pause for 24 hours 365 days. In particular, during the meter reading period in which the meter reading value for determining the electricity bill is collected, the data transmitted from the smart meter 10 to the MDMS 20 needs to be transmitted reliably. Since the smart meter 10 takes some time to restart, the operation of the smart meter 10 stops during that period. Therefore, it is desirable that the operation of the smart meter 10 is not stopped during the above-described meter reading period.

In the present embodiment, particularly, in this meter reading period, the update condition is determined and the update schedule of the smart meter 10 is adjusted so that the restart due to the firmware update is not performed. Thereby, the firmware can be updated without interfering with the original function of the smart meter 10.
In addition, in the firmware update process of the present invention, the program download process, the memory write process, and the restart are not performed continuously, but a configuration in which each process is performed at intervals of time is not excluded. .

  Further, when receiving an update instruction or update firmware from the FW update server 30 or the communication management device 100, the smart meter 10 determines whether or not the update instruction or update firmware is accepted, and if the situation is not acceptable. May reply that it is in a busy state, or may send a re-send instruction to resend the update instruction or the update firmware after a period of time. Or the structure which changes the write-in process to a memory and the timing of restart on the smart meter 10 side is not excluded.

In the present invention, the update conditions determined by the determination unit 102 are exemplified below, but are not limited thereto.
(A1) Firmware update schedule (a2) Firmware update target area (a3) Communication band used for firmware download (a4) Data transmission speed at the time of firmware download (transmission packet capacity, packet transmission interval)

  The update condition is determined based on at least one of communication schedule information and communication performance between the smart meter 10 and another device. The communication management device 100 may acquire information necessary for determining the update condition in advance or may be acquired at the time of update.

  In the present embodiment, the other devices include the MDMS 20 or the HEMS 50 shown in FIG.

Moreover, although communication schedule information and a communication performance are illustrated below, it is not limited to these. The following can be combined.
(B1) Time when MDMS 20 collects measurement values (30-minute values) from smart meter 10 (b2) Meter reading period during which MDMS 20 collects meter reading values for determining electricity charges from smart meter 10 (b3) Smart meter 10 So-called A route communication status information (b4) between the MDMS 20 and the MDMS 20 (b4) Scheduled service provision date such as a demand response to the smart meter 10 (b5) So-called B route communication status information in the smart meter 10

  The communication schedule information and the communication performance may be collected by the MDMS 20 and transmitted to the communication management apparatus 100, or the communication management apparatus 100 may acquire the communication schedule by communicating with the smart meter 10.

  Details of the method for determining the update condition based on these pieces of information will be described in detail in the following embodiments.

A communication management method of the communication management apparatus 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the communication management apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
The communication management method according to the embodiment of the present invention is a communication management method of the communication management apparatus 100, and is a communication management method executed by the computer 80 that implements the communication management apparatus 100.
In the communication management method according to the present embodiment, the communication management apparatus 100 sets the update condition regarding the restart when the firmware of the smart meter 10 is updated, the communication schedule information and communication results between the smart meter 10 and other devices. It includes determining based on at least one (step S101).

  More specifically, first, the determination unit 102 acquires at least one of communication schedule information and communication performance between the smart meter 10 and another device, for example, from the MDMS 20. Then, the determination unit 102 determines an update condition based on the acquired information. For example, when the scheduled update time is determined, the meter reading period is avoided, a time zone with a low communication frequency or communication volume is selected, a time zone with a low communication speed is avoided, or a demand response time around the scheduled time is avoided. Details will be described later.

As described above, in the communication management apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the update unit regarding the restart at the time of firmware update is determined by the determination unit 102 according to the communication schedule information and communication results between the smart meter 10 and other devices. Since it is determined based on at least one of them, inconvenience caused by the operation stop of the smart meter 10 due to the restart of the smart meter 10 can be minimized.
That is, the firmware of the smart meter can be efficiently updated at a timing that does not interfere with the original operation of the smart meter.
In addition, since the updated firmware is downloaded according to the communication status, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the download will cause a communication load and hinder other communications.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the communication management apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
The communication management apparatus 200 of the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that it further has a configuration for outputting an update instruction in accordance with an update condition.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram logically showing the configuration of the communication management apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The communication management apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes a determination unit 102 similar to the communication management apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, and further includes an update instruction unit 202.

  The update instruction unit 202 outputs a firmware update instruction to the update processing device (FW update server 30) that updates the firmware of the smart meter 10 or the smart meter 10 according to the determined update condition.

  For example, the firmware update information may be received by the firmware administrator, or the update information may be received from the FW update server 30 or another device. There is no particular limitation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication management apparatus 200 of the present embodiment.
In the communication management apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, first, when the determination unit 102 acquires information related to firmware update (YES in step S201), this process starts. Note that the start condition of this process is not limited to acquisition of update information, and includes, for example, a configuration in which a start instruction by an administrator of the communication management apparatus 200 is received.
And the determination part 102 performs the process which determines update conditions (step S203). This process corresponds to the communication management method of the present invention, and is the process of step S101 in the flowchart of FIG. 6 of the above embodiment. Details of the update condition determination processing will be described in detail in an embodiment described later.

Then, according to the determined update condition, when there is a smart meter 10 to be updated (YES in step S205), the update instruction unit 202 transmits a firmware update instruction to the smart meter 10 (step S207). . Alternatively, the update instruction unit 202 outputs a firmware update instruction including information on the smart meter 10 to be updated to the FW update server 30, and the firmware update process for the smart meter 10 to be updated from the FW update server 30. Is executed.
Here, the smart meter 10 to be updated may be, for example, a plurality of smart meters 10 in a predetermined area. Although not limited to this, for example, it may be 7 base station units. For example, when the base station 7 is to be updated, a plurality of smart meters 10 included in the range 8a within the range of the base station 7a in FIG. 2 are to be updated. Moreover, it is good also considering the some base station 7 as update object, and the structure which makes specific smart meter 10 update object is not excluded.

As described above, in the communication management apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, the update instruction unit 202 uses the update instruction unit 202 to update the smart meter 10 to be updated or the FW update server 30 that performs the firmware update process of the smart meter 10. Update instructions are processed.
With this configuration, according to the communication management apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, an update instruction can be output to the smart meter 10 to be updated in accordance with the determined update condition, so that the firmware update process can be efficiently performed under optimal conditions. It can be performed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a communication management apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram logically showing the configuration of the communication management apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment demonstrates the form which has the structure which determines update conditions based on the meter-reading period of the smart meter 10. FIG. The communication management apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the communication management apparatus 200 in FIG. 7, and further includes a communication management unit 302, a download control unit 304, a meter reading period management unit 306, and an update in FIG. 9. A condition storage unit 308 and a meter reading information storage unit 310 are included. The update condition storage unit 308 and the meter reading information storage unit 310 may be included in the communication management device 300 or may be included in a storage device external to the communication management device 300 and referred to by the communication management device 300.

  The communication management unit 302 manages communication of the communication I / F 85 of the communication management apparatus 300 and performs communication control with other devices. The download control unit 304 includes the determination unit 102 and the update instruction unit 202 of the above embodiment. The update condition determined by the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 304 is stored in the update condition storage unit 308. The download control unit 304 refers to the update condition storage unit 308 and outputs an update instruction to the smart meter 10 or the like by the update instruction unit 202 in accordance with the update condition, thereby controlling update firmware download.

In the present embodiment, the meter reading period management unit 306 collects the meter reading timing at which the collection device (MDMS 20) collects the measurement values from the smart meter 10 as information for the determining unit 102 to determine the update condition, and stores the meter reading information. Store in the unit 310 and manage.
The determination unit 102 of the download control unit 304 acquires the meter reading timing (information on the meter reading period) from the meter reading period management unit 306, and determines the update condition based on the meter reading timing.
The determined update condition is stored in the update condition storage unit 308.

  Specifically, the meter reading period management unit 306 acquires information related to the meter reading period of the smart meter 10 from the MDMS 20 or a management information file (not shown) and stores the information in the meter reading information storage unit 310. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the meter reading period of the smart meter 10 is allocated to each of the plurality of smart meters 10 in a predetermined area. For example, a meter reading period may be set for each area within the base station 7. It is assumed that the management information file is stored in a storage unit (for example, the storage 83) that can be accessed by the communication management apparatus 300.

  Here, the meter reading period (meter reading timing) refers to a period in which the MDMS 20 acquires the power consumption (usage amount) for one month stored in the smart meter 10 once a month. Based on the information acquired during the meter reading period, a one-month electricity bill is set. For this reason, the information collected during this meter-reading period is important information for collecting an electricity bill based on this information acquired once a month, and it is desirable to avoid the influence of other communications. Therefore, the determination unit 102 of the present embodiment determines a timing that does not include the meter reading period as an update condition.

In addition to the above meter reading period, each smart meter 10 transmits to the MDMS 20 a power meter reading value that is an integrated value of power consumption (usage amount) every 30 minutes. (Send 30 minutes before and 1 hour before.)
In addition, the transmission timing of each smart meter 10 is individually set so that transmission of the power meter reading value from each smart meter 10 to the MDMS 20 is not congested.

  For example, when the transmission timing every 30 minutes in a certain smart meter 10 is 15:32, 16: 2 and 16:32, the determination unit 102 transmits the power meter reading value at 30-minute intervals. In order to avoid this, the timing different from the transmission timing may be determined, and the updated firmware may be transmitted to the smart meter 10 to be executed at that timing.

  Furthermore, the update firmware may be either a small capacity that can be transmitted within 30 minutes or a large capacity that requires 30 minutes or more for transmission. In the case of update firmware of a large capacity size, it may be divided into sizes that can be transmitted within 30 minutes and sent to the smart meter 10 in multiple times.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the meter reading period and the update condition of the communication management apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 10A shows an example of the structure of the meter reading information storage unit 310, and FIG. 10B shows an example of the structure of the update condition storage unit 308.
The meter reading information storage unit 310 in FIG. 10A shows an example in which a meter reading period is set for each predetermined area. For example, the smart meter 10 with SM IDs S0001, S0002,... Exists in the area with area ID A0001, and the meter reading period of this area is set to 1st to 3rd every month. Show.

Thus, the meter reading information storage unit 310 stores a plurality of smart meters 10 and meter reading periods in association with each other.
In this example, an example is shown in which the meter reading period is determined for each area ID, but in another example, for example, the meter reading period may be set for each base station ID. Moreover, the combination of an area and a base station may be sufficient. In addition, both the case where a plurality of areas are included in the range within the base station 7 and the case where the range within the plurality of base stations 7 are set as one area are conceivable.

  The determination unit 102 of the download control unit 304 refers to the meter reading information storage unit 310 and acquires information on the meter reading period. Then, an update time is determined for each smart meter 10, each of a plurality of smart meters 10 within a predetermined area, or within a range of the base station 7, avoiding the meter reading period, and stored in the update condition storage unit 308 as an update condition. .

  In the determination unit 102, for example, it is preferable to set the update time immediately after the end of the predetermined period including the meter reading period and the previous 10 days. In the example of FIG. 10B, for example, when the firmware release date is September 2, the meter reading period ends for the smart meter 10 in the area where the meter reading period is from the first to the third day of every month. September 4th, the next day of September 3, is determined as the scheduled update date.

Further, for the smart meter 10 in the area where the meter reading period is from the 6th to the 7th of every month, the firmware release date is not the meter reading period, but the meter reading period is started three days later, so the meter reading period ends 9 September 8 after month 7 is determined as the scheduled update date.
The determined update date is stored in the update condition storage unit 308 in association with the area ID.
In this example, the area ID and the scheduled update date are linked, but this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  Then, the update instruction unit 202 of the download control unit 304 refers to the update condition storage unit 308, extracts the smart meter 10 that is a firmware update target according to the update condition, and updates the extracted smart meter 10 with respect to the extracted smart meter 10. Output update instructions. Alternatively, an update instruction for the smart meter 10 extracted to the FW update server 30 is output.

The operation of the communication management apparatus 300 of this embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the communication management apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment.
First, the meter reading period management unit 306 acquires information related to the meter reading period from the MDMS 20 and stores it in the meter reading information storage unit 310 (step S301).
When firmware update information is input (YES in step S303), the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 304 refers to the meter reading information storage unit 310, determines the scheduled update date for each area from the meter reading period, and updates. Store in the condition storage unit 308.

Specifically, avoiding a predetermined period including the meter reading period and the previous 10 days (YES in Step S305), the determination unit 102 determines the scheduled update date immediately after the output of the predetermined period (Step S307). When the release date is not included in the predetermined period of the area (NO in step S305), the determination unit 102 determines the release date on the scheduled update date of the smart meter 10 in the area (step S309).
On the other hand, while update information is not input (NO in step S303), the process returns to step S301, and information on the meter reading period is acquired as necessary.
The determined update date is stored in the update condition storage unit 308 for each area. In the present embodiment, the update time is not particularly limited as long as it is an update scheduled date, and can be set to an arbitrary time. In the embodiment described later, it is possible to determine in detail until the update time based on the update condition. That is, it is possible to set a more appropriate update time in combination with the embodiment to be updated.

  After the scheduled update date of each area is determined in step S307 and step S309, the update instruction unit 202 of the download control unit 304 refers to the update condition storage unit 308 and acquires the area ID that is the scheduled update date (step). YES in S311). Then, the smart meter 10 corresponding to the area ID is acquired, and the update instruction unit 202 of the download control unit 304 outputs an update instruction to the smart meter 10 (step S313). Alternatively, an update instruction including area ID or smart meter 10 information is output to the FW update server 30.

  For example, in the case of FTP (File Transfer Protocol) download, the communication management unit 302 sets an upper limit value of a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) transmission packet size and a packet transmission interval as an update instruction. Or an instruction to adjust and set as appropriate according to the communication status of the communication path or the like. This processing may be performed as appropriate in other embodiments.

  As described above, in the communication management apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the firmware update condition is determined based on the meter reading timing of the smart meter 10, so the smart meter 10 by updating the firmware during the meter reading period of the smart meter 10. Can be prevented from being restarted. Therefore, according to the communication management apparatus 300 of the present embodiment, since it can be updated while avoiding the meter-reading period during which meter-reading data used for determining the electricity bill of the consumer is collected, it is smart and safe. The firmware of the meter 10 can be updated.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a communication management apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram logically showing the configuration of the communication management apparatus 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment demonstrates the form which has the structure which determines update conditions based on the communication speed between the smart meter 10 and another apparatus.

The communication management apparatus 400 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the communication management apparatus 200 of FIG. 7 and the communication management unit 302 of FIG. 9, and further includes a download control unit 402 and an A route communication status monitoring unit 404. And an A route communication prediction unit 406, an update condition storage unit 408, and a communication information storage unit 410.
The update condition storage unit 408 and the communication information storage unit 410 may be included in the communication management device 400 or may be included in a storage device external to the communication management device 400 and referred to by the communication management device 400.

  The download control unit 402 includes the determination unit 102 and the update instruction unit 202 of the above embodiment. The update condition determined by the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 402 is stored in the update condition storage unit 408. The download control unit 402 refers to the update condition storage unit 408 and outputs an update instruction to the smart meter 10 or the like by the update instruction unit 202 in accordance with the update condition, thereby controlling the update firmware download.

In the present embodiment, the A route communication status monitoring unit 404 monitors the communication speed between the smart meter 10 and another device (for example, MDMS 20), and stores the acquired information regarding the communication speed in the communication information storage unit 410. To do.
The A route communication prediction unit 406 predicts the future communication speed based on the information regarding the communication speed stored in the communication information storage unit 410, and further stores it in the communication information storage unit 410.
The determination unit 102 of the download control unit 402 acquires information regarding the communication speed between the smart meter 10 and another device from the communication information storage unit 410, and determines an update condition based on the information regarding the communication speed. .
The determined update condition is stored in the update condition storage unit 408.

  Furthermore, in the communication management device 400, the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 402 may determine a communication band for transmitting firmware to the smart meter 10 based on the communication speed between the smart meter 10 and another device. Good. For example, the communication band to be used is allocated so that the communication capacity of the communication band used for firmware update does not exceed a predetermined value or the communication speed of the communication band does not become lower than the predetermined value. A known or specific technique can be used as the method for determining the communication band. In the present invention, the method is not particularly limited, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

Specifically, the A route communication status monitoring unit 404 may continue the communication speed by, for example, transmitting a ping command to an arbitrary smart meter 10 and continuing the response speed. Alternatively, the communication speed between the smart meter 10 and the MDMS 20 may be acquired from the MDMS 20. The MDMS 20 may acquire and record the communication speed when collecting meter reading data from each smart meter 10. Further, the A route communication status monitoring unit 404 of the communication management device 400 may acquire information regarding the communication speed from the public network 3 from each base station 7 of the public network 3. Or you may acquire the information regarding the communication speed of the public network 3 from GW40.
The acquired communication speed is stored as a communication history in the communication information storage unit 410 together with time information.

  For example, when the release date of the firmware is notified, the A route communication prediction unit 406 predicts the communication speed of the A route after the release date based on the communication history stored in the communication information storage unit 410. The predicted communication speed is stored in the communication information storage unit 410. Note that the prediction may be performed before the release date is notified.

13 and 14 are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the communication speed and the update condition of the communication management apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 13 shows an example of the structure of the communication information storage unit 410, and FIG. 14 shows an example of the structure of the update condition storage unit 408.
In the communication information storage unit 410 of FIG. 13, an example in which the measurement result of the communication speed of an arbitrary smart meter 10 is linked to date information and stored as history information is shown. In the figure, only information about one smart meter 10 is shown, but information on communication speeds of a plurality of smart meters 10 may be stored. Moreover, the information of the average communication speed for every base station 7 or every predetermined area may be sufficient. Further, the information may be information on average communication speed by month, day of the week (or weekday and holiday), time, time zone, and the like. Also, it may not be an average value. After receiving a firmware update notification, the update date and time is set to an arbitrary time on the release date, and communication is performed based on information obtained by measuring the communication speed at the time of collecting the meter reading immediately before that. When the speed is less than a predetermined value, the configuration may be such that the scheduled update date and time is postponed for a predetermined period.

  When the determining unit 102 of the download control unit 402 acquires the release information of the updated firmware, the determining unit 102 refers to the communication information storage unit 410 and determines a time when the communication speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value as the scheduled update date and time. For example, if the release date of the update firmware is September 2 (Tuesday), for example, refer to the communication speed for each time zone by day of the week, and update the time zone where the communication speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value after Tuesday Decide on the scheduled date. Further, when a large number of smart meters 10 are to be updated, for example, the range within the base station 7 is divided into a plurality of predetermined areas, and a predetermined time interval is set for each area, and the update start time is shifted. May be.

  For example, the determination unit 102 divides the area of the base station 7 whose communication speed is less than a predetermined value so that the number of smart meters 10 included in the area is less than the predetermined value. As the information on the communication speed used here, at least one of a current measured value and a value predicted from history information is used.

A method of selectively transmitting data for each divided area is exemplified below, but is not limited thereto. A plurality of the following may be combined.
(C1) An IP address is assigned to each area with regularity in advance, and a destination designation is transmitted for each predetermined range of the IP address.
(C2) A smart meter 10 (its IP address) is held and managed for each area, and is transmitted for each area using the table.
(C3) When the area is composed of a plurality of cells, transmission is performed for each area based on the cell information.
(C4) When communicating with the smart meter 10 via the base station 7, the base station 7 to which the smart meter 10 is connected is known. The transmission is performed by grouping (area division) for each base station 7 (communication area).

In FIG. 14A, the IDs of the smart meters 10 included in each divided area are stored in association with each other.
In the example of FIG. 14B, the update scheduled date and time of each area of the base station 7 of B0001 is assigned to 9 o'clock and 9:10.

The operation of the communication management apparatus 400 of this embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication management apparatus 400 of the present embodiment.
First, the A route communication status monitoring unit 404 monitors the communication speed between the smart meter 10 and another device (for example, the MDMS 20), acquires information about the acquired communication speed, and stores it in the communication information storage unit 410. (Step S401). Further, the A route communication prediction unit 406 refers to the communication information storage unit 410, predicts the future communication speed based on the information about the communication speed stored in the communication information storage unit 410, and further, the communication information storage unit 410 (step S402).

  When firmware update information is input (YES in step S403), the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 402 refers to the communication information storage unit 410, and from the communication information storage unit 410 to the smart meter 10 and other devices. Information regarding the communication speed is acquired, an update condition is determined based on the information regarding the communication speed, and stored in the update condition storage unit 408.

  Specifically, first, the determination unit 102 performs area division processing (step S405). For example, the determination unit 102 may divide the area of the base station 7 (area) whose communication speed is less than the first predetermined value so that the communication speed is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value. Similarly, in the case of an area where the communication speed is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value, the ranges of the plurality of base stations 7 (areas) are integrated into one area so that the communication speed is less than the second predetermined value. May be.

  In another example, since the base station 7 whose communication speed is less than the first predetermined value can be considered to have a large number of smart meters 10 included in the area, the determination unit 102 can determine the smart meters in the area. The area may be divided so that the number of 10 is less than the third predetermined value. On the contrary, since the base station 7 whose communication speed is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value is considered to have a small number of smart meters 10, the number of smart meters 10 is set to be equal to or higher than the fourth predetermined value for the area. In addition, the ranges of the plurality of base stations 7 may be integrated into one predetermined area.

The information regarding the communication speed used when dividing or integrating the area is a value predicted from the current actual measurement value obtained by monitoring in real time by the A route communication status monitoring unit 404 and the history information of the acquired communication speed. At least one of them.
In addition, each divided or integrated area may be further divided or integrated according to a subsequent change in communication speed.

Then, the determination unit 102 determines the scheduled update date and time for each area (or for each base station 7) (step S407). Specifically, a plurality of processes can be considered and exemplified below, but not limited thereto. A plurality of processes may be combined. As the information related to the communication speed, at least one of a value that is predicted from a current actual measurement value and history information is used.
(D1) For each base station 7 (or for each predetermined area), a time zone in which the communication speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value is selected to determine the scheduled update date and time.
(D2) In (d1) above, different time zones are assigned to different predetermined areas in the same base station 7, and the scheduled update date and time are determined. It is desirable to predict and calculate at least the time required for download based on the firmware capacity and communication speed, and to allocate time so that the download time does not overlap with other areas.

  On the other hand, while update information is not input (NO in step S403), the process returns to step S401, and information regarding the communication speed is acquired as necessary.

  Further, the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 402 determines a communication band for transmitting firmware to the smart meter 10 based on the communication speed between the smart meter 10 and another device, and stores it in the update condition storage unit 408. (Step S409).

After the scheduled update date of each area is determined, the update instruction unit 202 of the download control unit 402 refers to the update condition storage unit 408 and acquires the area ID that has reached the scheduled update date (YES in step S411). Then, the smart meter 10 corresponding to the area ID is acquired, and the update instruction unit 202 of the download control unit 402 outputs an update instruction to the smart meter 10 (step S413). Alternatively, an update instruction including area ID or smart meter 10 information is output to the FW update server 30.
At this time, information regarding the communication band determined in step S409 may also be output.

  As described above, in the communication management apparatus 400 according to the present embodiment, the firmware update condition is determined based on the information regarding the communication speed between the smart meter 10 and another device, so the public network 3 is used. The firmware can be transmitted by selecting a period that is not affected by the communication load of other general terminals and a period that does not affect the communication of other general terminals. Therefore, according to the communication management apparatus 400 of the present embodiment, it is possible to efficiently transmit firmware as fast as possible without interfering with other communications of the public network 3.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a communication management apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram logically showing the configuration of the communication management apparatus 500 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment demonstrates the form which has the structure which determines update conditions based on the schedule information regarding a demand response.
The communication management device 500 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the communication management device 200 of FIG. 7 and the communication management unit 302 of FIG. 9, and further includes a download control unit 502, a demand response monitoring unit 504, An update condition storage unit 508 and a DR information storage unit 510 are included.
The update condition storage unit 508 and the DR information storage unit 510 may be included in the communication management device 500, or may be included in a storage device external to the communication management device 500 and referred to by the communication management device 500.

  The download control unit 502 includes the determination unit 102 and the update instruction unit 202 of the above embodiment. The update condition determined by the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 502 is stored in the update condition storage unit 508. The download control unit 502 controls the download of the update firmware by referring to the update condition storage unit 508 and outputting an update instruction to the smart meter 10 or the like by the update instruction unit 202 according to the update condition.

In order to ensure a stable supply of power to consumers, electric power companies are planning to supply power by balancing the demand and supply of power.
If there is a possibility that the power supply will be insufficient due to an increase in power consumption by consumers due to excessive use of cooling in midsummer or a decrease in power generation due to shutdown of the power plant, etc., the power company will In order to call for power saving, a demand response indicating a power demand reduction request is transmitted to the consumer. In addition, power producers and suppliers (PPS) that supply electricity through the transmission network of general electric utilities (electric power companies) are requesting power transmission and distribution from the power companies where consumers are located. From the relationship, the power company is obliged to “same amount for 30 minutes” to match the demand amount of the customer and the supply amount from the PPS in units of 30 minutes. For this reason, the PPS may also send a demand response to the consumer. It may also be transmitted from the aggregator.

  The transmission path of the demand response can be performed by at least one of the A route and the so-called C route. The C route is, for example, a communication path between a PPS server (not shown) and the HEMS 50 at the customer's house. The customer can perform user registration with the PPS in advance, and can establish communication between the HEMS 50 and the PPS server using the authentication information.

  The schedule information related to the demand response includes, for example, target area information of demand response, power consumption reduction request amount, demand response execution period (start time, end time, execution time (2 hours, etc.)). .

  During the period before and after the demand response is activated, information collection for investigating the balance between power supply and demand is performed using the A route or the C route, so the communication volume tends to increase more than usual. It is in. The demand response transmitted through the A route is transmitted from the customer's smart meter 10 to the HEMS 50 via the B route. When the customer's HEMS 50 receives a demand response notification, the customer's HEMS 50 has a function of notifying the customer of the information or controlling the equipment of the customer's home in order to reduce power consumption when responding to the request. You may prepare. The HEMS 50 may also have a function of collecting power consumption from the smart meter 10 and transmitting the information to the PPS server.

  As described above, in the period before and after the demand response is activated, the communication process in the smart meter 10 is performed more frequently than usual, and the process has a high priority. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a situation in which demand response-related communication is hindered by the communication load due to the firmware update process of the smart meter 10 or the demand response is received and related processes cannot be executed due to the restart of the smart meter 10. There must be.

  Therefore, the communication management apparatus 500 according to the present embodiment acquires reservation information related to the demand response, and adjusts the update schedule so that the firmware is not updated during the period before and after the demand response. However, in the case where the firmware update of the smart meter 10 is intended to correct a malfunction that causes the operation stop or malfunction of the smart meter 10, this is not the case and the firmware update has priority over the demand response. May be.

In the present embodiment, the demand response monitoring unit 504 acquires schedule information related to the demand response and stores it in the DR information storage unit 510.
The determination unit 102 of the download control unit 502 acquires schedule information related to the demand response from the DR information storage unit 510, and determines an update condition based on the schedule information.
The determined update condition is stored in the update condition storage unit 508.

  Specifically, the demand response monitoring unit 504 acquires schedule information related to demand response from a power company server (DRAS: Demand Response Automation Server), a PPS server, or the like (not shown) and stores it in the DR information storage unit 510. .

Although the acquisition method of the information regarding a demand response is illustrated below, it is not limited to this. A plurality of them may be combined.
(E1) Before the demand response is activated, the advance information is periodically inquired and acquired from the server.
(E2) Prior to invoking a demand response, an arrangement is made to have prior information transmitted to a server that is a transmission source, and prior information is received from the server.
(E3) When a demand response is activated, the information is acquired from the server of the transmission source.
(E4) When a demand response is activated, the information is acquired from the smart meter 10 or the HEMS 50 that has received the demand response.

  For example, the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 502 determines the firmware update date, avoiding a period including a predetermined number of days before and after the execution period of the demand response. For example, if the update firmware release date is included in a period including two days before and after the demand response execution period, the firmware update scheduled date is determined after the period ends.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining demand response schedule information and update conditions according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 17A shows an example of the structure of the DR information storage unit 510, and FIG. 17B shows an example of the structure of the update condition storage unit 508.
In the DR information storage unit 510 in FIG. 17A, the ID of at least one base station 7 is included as a demand response implementation period (start time, end time, implementation period, etc.), a reduction request amount, and target area information. It is remembered.
When the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 502 acquires the release information of the updated firmware, the determination unit 102 refers to the DR information storage unit 510 to obtain a period including two days before and after the demand response execution period, and the release date is within that period. If included, the renewal date is determined after the end of the period.

  In the example of FIG. 17B, the release date of the updated firmware is September 8. For B0001 that is not the target area for demand response, a firmware update scheduled date is set as the release date. On the other hand, for the smart meter 10 included in the range of the base station 7 of B0011 that is the target area of demand response, the update date is a period including two days before and after the demand response implementation period (September 6 to 9). Month 10), the scheduled update date is determined to be September 11 after the end of the period.

The operation of the communication management apparatus 500 of this embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication management apparatus 500 of this embodiment.
First, when the demand response monitoring unit 504 acquires schedule information related to a demand response, this processing starts. Then, the demand response monitoring unit 504 stores the acquired information in the DR information storage unit 510 (step S501).

  When firmware update information is input (YES in step S503), the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 502 refers to the DR information storage unit 510 and acquires schedule information related to a demand response from the DR information storage unit 510. Based on the DR schedule information, an update condition is determined and stored in the update condition storage unit 508.

Specifically, first, the determination unit 102 determines whether or not each area (for example, the base station 7) is a demand response target area (step S505). For an area that is not the target area for the demand response (NO in step S505), the release date of the updated firmware is determined as the scheduled firmware update date (step S509).
Further, the determination unit 102 determines whether or not the release date of the updated firmware is included in a predetermined period of two days before and after the demand response execution period for the target area for the demand response (YES in step S505) (step S505). S506). If the release date is not included in the predetermined period (NO in step S506), the release date of the updated firmware is determined as the firmware update scheduled date (step S509).
On the other hand, when the release date is included in the predetermined period (YES in step S506), the determination unit 102 determines the scheduled update date of the firmware in the area after the end of the predetermined period (step S507).
The determined update date is stored in the update condition storage unit 508 for each area.

  After the scheduled update date for each area is determined in step S507 and step S509, the update instruction unit 202 of the download control unit 502 refers to the update condition storage unit 508 and acquires the base station ID of the area that has reached the scheduled update date. (YES in step S511). Then, the smart meter 10 corresponding to the base station ID is acquired, and the update instruction unit 202 of the download control unit 502 outputs an update instruction to the smart meter 10 (step S513). Alternatively, an update instruction including base station ID or smart meter 10 information is output to the FW update server 30.

  As described above, in the communication management apparatus 500 according to the present embodiment, the firmware update condition is determined so as to avoid a predetermined period before and after the demand response based on the schedule information related to the demand response. Can be prioritized.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a communication management apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram logically showing the configuration of the communication management apparatus 600 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment demonstrates the form which has a structure which determines update time so that communication scheduled time may be avoided based on the communication schedule information of the smart meter 10 and a communication apparatus (for example, HEMS50) of a consumer's house.
The communication management apparatus 600 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the communication management apparatus 200 of FIG. 7 and the communication management unit 302 of FIG. 9, and further includes a download control unit 602 and a B route communication status monitoring unit 604. A B route communication prediction unit 606, an update condition storage unit 608, and a communication information storage unit 610.
The update condition storage unit 608 and the communication information storage unit 610 may be included in the communication management device 600, or may be included in a storage device external to the communication management device 600 and referred to by the communication management device 600.

  The download control unit 602 includes the determination unit 102 and the update instruction unit 202 of the above embodiment. The update condition determined by the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 602 is stored in the update condition storage unit 608. The download control unit 602 refers to the update condition storage unit 608 and outputs an update instruction to the smart meter 10 or the like by the update instruction unit 202 in accordance with the update condition, thereby controlling update firmware download.

In the present embodiment, the other device is a communication device such as a HEMS 50 or a gateway of a customer's house that communicates with the smart meter 10.
In the present embodiment, the B route communication status monitoring unit 604 acquires information related to the communication performance between the communication device and the smart meter 10 and stores the information in the communication information storage unit 610.
The B route communication prediction unit 606 predicts a future communication schedule based on information related to the communication performance stored in the communication information storage unit 610, and further stores the communication schedule information in the communication information storage unit 610.
The determination unit 102 of the download control unit 602 acquires the communication schedule information between the communication device and the smart meter 10 or the information related to the communication performance between the communication device and the smart meter 10 from the communication information storage unit 610, and the acquired information The firmware update time is determined at a time different from the estimated communication time predicted from the above.
The determined update condition is stored in the update condition storage unit 508.

Communication processing between the smart meter 10 and a communication device such as the HEMS 50 or a gateway is performed in the processing exemplified below. The following are examples and are not limited to these. In addition, a plurality of the following processes may be executed in parallel.
(F1) The HEMS 50 or the gateway requests the smart meter 10 to receive information on measured values and electricity charges, or information on the status of the smart meter 10, and receives the smart meter 10.
(F2) The HEMS 50 or the gateway requests and receives the demand response information received by the smart meter 10 from the smart meter 10.
(F3) The HEMS 50 or the gateway transmits authentication information to the smart meter 10 at the time of authentication procedure processing for establishing B route communication with the smart meter 10.

The communication schedule information and communication performance between the smart meter 10 and the communication device are exemplified below, but are not limited thereto.
(G1) Information on whether there is another communication device connected to the smart meter 10 (g2) Regular schedule information or irregular schedule information for communication between the smart meter 10 and another communication device In the schedule information, various forms such as a communication start time and an end time, a communication start time and a communication time, or a communication interval between a communication start time, a communication period, and the next communication period can be considered. There is no particular limitation.
(G3) Measurement information of communication start time and communication time (or end time) between the smart meter 10 and another communication device

The method for acquiring the information in the B route communication status monitoring unit 604 is exemplified below, but is not limited thereto. Moreover, you may combine the following plurality.
(H1) The smart meter 10 is inquired and acquired via the A route.
(H2) An inquiry is made to another communication device via the C route and acquired.
(H3) A server (for example, a service provider or PPS server) communicating with the HEMS 50 via the C route is inquired and acquired.
The acquired information is stored in the communication information storage unit 610 as history information. Moreover, the communication performance and the communication time are memorize | stored, for example.

  For example, when the release date of the firmware is notified, the B route communication prediction unit 606 predicts the use time of communication of the B route after the release date based on the communication performance information stored in the communication information storage unit 610. To do. The predicted communication time is stored in the communication information storage unit 610. The prediction may be performed periodically other than after the release date is notified.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the scheduled communication time and the update condition of the communication management apparatus 600 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 20A shows an example of the structure of the communication information storage unit 610, and FIG. 20B shows an example of the structure of the update condition storage unit 608.
In the communication information storage unit 610 of FIG. 20A, for each smart meter 10, information on the presence / absence of another communication device (for example, HEMS 50) connected, information on a scheduled communication time, and communication results. The example which the information of the communication scheduled time estimated from this is memorize | stored is shown. For example, the smart meter 10 having an ID of S0001 has a connection with the HEMS 50 and is scheduled to communicate with the HEMS 50 at 10 minutes and 40 minutes every hour. It has been shown.
In addition, the smart meter 10 whose ID is S0002 indicates that there is no connection of another communication device such as the HEMS 50. Furthermore, although the HEMS 50 is connected to the smart meter 10 with ID 0003 and there is no communication schedule information, the communication schedule time predicted from the communication performance is 5 seconds every day for 5 seconds.

  In this example, communication schedule information and update conditions are stored for each smart meter 10, but in another example, communication schedule information is stored for each predetermined area (for each base station 7). Also good. Moreover, when the smart meter 10 with the HEMS 50 connection and the unconnected smart meter 10 are mixed in the same area, only the presence / absence information of the connection with the HEMS 50 may be included for each smart meter 10.

The determination unit 102 preferably determines the scheduled update date and time while avoiding the scheduled communication time.
For example, the determination unit 102 predicts the time required from the firmware download start time to the restart of the smart meter 10 when updating the firmware, and sets the scheduled update date and time so that the predicted time is not included in the scheduled communication time. It is preferable to determine.

  In the example of FIG. 20B, the release date of the updated firmware is September 1. In this example, the release date is notified, but in another example, the release period or release date / time information may be used, and is not particularly limited.

  The smart meter 10 having the ID S0001 is connected to the HEMS 50 and performs B route communication on the first day of every month. Therefore, the second day of the next day is set as the scheduled update date, avoiding September 1st. Furthermore, since communication is scheduled at 10 and 40 minutes every hour, the time is avoided and 5:20 is set as the scheduled update time. Note that the time is decided at 5 o'clock because the communication load of the public network 3 is low. This form can be realized by a combination with the configuration of the communication management apparatus 400 of the above embodiment.

  Furthermore, since the smart meter 10 having the ID S0002 is not connected to the HEMS 50, the release date is determined as it is for the update date. The smart meter 10 having the ID S0003 is connected to the HEMS 50 and has no communication schedule information, but the predicted communication schedule time is 5 seconds to 5 seconds every day. Therefore, the update scheduled time is determined to be 5: 1, which is one minute after 5 o'clock on September 1 of the release date.

  Then, the update instruction unit 202 of the download control unit 602 refers to the update condition storage unit 608, and outputs an update instruction to the smart meter 10 that is a firmware update target from the scheduled update date and time of the smart meter 10 according to the update condition. To do. Alternatively, an update instruction for the smart meter 10 extracted to the FW update server 30 is output.

The operation of the communication management apparatus 600 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication management apparatus 600 of the present embodiment.
First, the B route communication status monitoring unit 604 acquires the scheduled communication time of the smart meter 10 or a predetermined area (for example, base station 7 unit) (step S601). Furthermore, the B route communication status monitoring unit 604 acquires the communication performance of the smart meter 10 or a predetermined area. The scheduled communication time and the communication performance are stored in the communication information storage unit 610 as history information.
Then, the B route communication prediction unit 606 refers to the communication information storage unit 610, predicts the communication scheduled time from the history information, and stores it in the communication information storage unit 610 (step S602).

  When firmware update information is input (YES in step S603), the determination unit 102 of the download control unit 602 refers to the communication information storage unit 610, and communicates with the smart meter 10 or a predetermined area from the communication information storage unit 610. The scheduled communication time estimated from the scheduled time or the communication performance is acquired, and the update condition is determined based on the estimated communication time, and stored in the update condition storage unit 608.

  Specifically, the determination unit 102 refers to the communication information storage unit 610 for each smart meter 10 or each predetermined area, and determines whether or not a communication device (for example, the HEMS 50) is connected (step S604). If the communication device is not connected (NO in step S604), the release date of the updated firmware is determined on the scheduled update date of the smart meter 10 or area (step S609). The update time may be a predetermined time.

  On the other hand, when the communication device is connected (YES in step S604), the communication information storage unit 610 is referred to and it is determined whether the scheduled communication time is included in the release date (step S605). If the scheduled communication time is not included in the release date (NO in step S605), the determination unit 102 determines the release date of the updated firmware on the scheduled update date of the smart meter 10 or area (step S609).

If the scheduled communication time is included in the release date (YES in step S605), the determination unit 102 determines the scheduled update date and time avoiding the scheduled communication time (step S607).
The scheduled update date and time determined in step S607 or step S609 is stored in the update condition storage unit 608 for each smart meter 10 or area.

  After the scheduled update date and time of each smart meter 10 or each area is determined in step S607 and step S609, the update instruction unit 202 of the download control unit 602 refers to the update condition storage unit 608, and the smart meter that has reached the scheduled update date and time. 10 or an area is acquired (YES in step S611). Then, the update instruction unit 202 of the download control unit 502 outputs an update instruction to the smart meter 10 or the area (step S613). Alternatively, an update instruction including information on the smart meter 10 or the area is output to the FW update server 30.

  As described above, in the communication management device 600 according to the present embodiment, based on the schedule information of the B route communication between the smart meter 10 and another communication device, the time different from avoiding the scheduled communication time. Since the firmware update conditions are determined, the restart process at the time of firmware update can prevent the communication between the smart meter 10 and the communication device from being hindered, and the quality of service related to the smart meter 10 can be maintained.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a communication device according to a seventh embodiment of this invention will be described below.
FIG. 22 is a functional block diagram logically showing the configuration of the communication device 110 (smart meter 10) according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The smart meter 10 of the present invention can be a communication device 110 having at least the following configuration that updates firmware according to the update condition determined by the communication management device of each embodiment described above.

  The communication device 110 (smart meter 10) according to the embodiment of the present invention uses the communication management device that determines the update condition regarding the restart when the firmware is updated, the communication schedule information and communication results with other devices. The transmission part 112 which transmits at least one of these, and the receiving part 114 which receives the update condition determined based on at least one of communication schedule information and a communication performance from a communication management apparatus.

  The transmission unit 112 and the reception unit 114 in FIG. 22 are realized by the first communication unit 65 in FIG. 3, connect to the base station 7 in FIG. 2, and communicate with the communication management device via the public network 3.

  The computer program according to the present embodiment allows the computer 60 for realizing the communication device 110, the communication management device for determining the update condition regarding the restart when the firmware is updated, the communication schedule information with other devices, and It is described to execute a procedure for transmitting at least one of the communication results and a procedure for receiving an update condition determined based on at least one of the communication schedule information and the communication results from the communication management device.

  The computer program of this embodiment may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium is not particularly limited, and various forms can be considered. The program may be loaded from a recording medium into a computer memory, or downloaded to a computer through a network and loaded into the memory.

  The recording medium for recording the computer program 70 includes a medium that can be used by the non-transitory tangible computer 60, and a program code that can be read by the computer 60 is embedded in the medium. When the computer program 70 is executed on the computer 60, the computer 60 is caused to execute the following communication control method for realizing the communication device 110 (smart meter 10).

  Furthermore, in the communication device 110 (smart meter 10) of the present embodiment, the receiving unit 114 receives a firmware update instruction output according to the determined update condition. Communication device 110 (smart meter 10) further includes an update unit (not shown) that updates firmware according to the received update conditions.

The communication control method of the communication apparatus 110 (smart meter 10) of this embodiment configured as described above will be described below.
The communication control method according to the embodiment of the present invention is a communication control method of the communication device 110, and is a communication control method executed by the computer 60 that implements the communication device 110.
In the communication control method of the present embodiment, the communication device 110 determines whether the computer 60 for realizing the communication device 110 has an update condition regarding restart when the firmware is updated. Transmitting at least one of the communication schedule information and the communication performance in between, and receiving an update condition determined based on at least one of the communication schedule information and the communication performance from the communication management device.

  According to this structure, the communication apparatus 110 (smart meter 10) which has an effect similar to the said embodiment is provided.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, these are the illustrations of this invention, Various structures other than the above are also employable.
For example, a plurality of the configurations of the third to sixth embodiments can be appropriately combined within a consistent range.

  The determination unit 102 may determine the firmware update schedule in consideration of the size of the updated firmware. For example, when the size is larger than a predetermined value, the update scheduled date and time may be determined so that the download process is divided, or the download process, the write process, and the restart are performed in different time zones.

The communication management device of each embodiment described above may further include a receiving unit (not shown) that receives at least one of communication schedule information and communication performance between the smart meter and another device.
As described above, the communication schedule information and the communication performance may be collected by the MDMS 20 and transmitted to the communication management apparatus 100, or the communication management apparatus 100 may acquire the communication schedule by communicating with the smart meter 10.
In addition, the communication management device 100 of the present invention may be configured to be included in one of the MDMS 20 and the FW update server 30, and in the case of the configuration included in the MDMS 20, there may be no receiving unit.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments and examples, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and examples. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.
In addition, when acquiring and using the information regarding a user in this invention, this shall be done legally.

Hereinafter, examples of the reference form will be added.
1. Communication management device
A communication management method for determining an update condition related to restart when updating firmware of a smart meter based on at least one of communication schedule information and communication results between the smart meter and another device.
2. The communication management device is
According to the determined update condition, outputting an instruction to update the firmware to an update processing device that updates the firmware of the smart meter or the smart meter. The communication management method described in 1.
3. The communication management device is
Receiving at least one of the communication schedule information and the communication performance between the smart meter and the other device; Or 2. The communication management method described in 1.
4). The communication management device is
The other device is a collection device that collects measurement values from the smart meter,
The collection device is connected to the smart meter via a public network and communicates with the smart meter. To 3. The communication management method according to any one of the above.
5. The communication management device is
3. The update condition is determined based on the meter reading timing at which the collection device collects the measurement values from the smart meter. The communication management method described in 1.
6). The communication management device is
4. The firmware update time is determined at a time different from the meter reading timing at which the collection device collects the measurement values from the smart meter. The communication management method described in 1.
7). The communication management device is
1. Determine the update condition based on information on the communication speed between the smart meter and the other device. To 6. The communication management method according to any one of the above.
8). The communication management device is
6. A communication band for transmitting the firmware to the smart meter is determined based on a communication speed between the smart meter and the other device. The communication management method described in 1.
9. The update condition includes at least one update target area for transmitting the firmware,
The communication management device is
When the communication speed of the update target area is less than a first predetermined value, each area obtained by dividing the update target area into at least two areas so that the communication speed is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value 7. Determine as update condition. The communication management method described in 1.
10. The update condition includes at least one update target area for transmitting the firmware,
The communication management device is
When the communication speed of the update target area is less than a first predetermined value, each area obtained by dividing the update target area into at least two areas so that the number of smart meters is less than a third predetermined value. 7. Determine as the update condition. Or 9. The communication management method described in 1.
11. The communication management device is
1. Determine the update condition based on schedule information related to demand response. To 10. The communication management method according to any one of the above.
12 The other device is a communication device at a customer's house that communicates with the smart meter,
The communication management device is
The firmware update time is determined at a time different from the communication schedule information between the communication device and the smart meter or the communication scheduled time predicted based on the communication performance between the communication device and the smart meter. . To 11. The communication management method according to any one of the above.
13. The communication management device is
The process of downloading the firmware to the smart meter, the process of installing the smart meter after the download, and the process of restarting the smart meter after the installation are executed continuously in the smart meter. To 12. The communication management method according to any one of the above.

14 On the computer,
The program for performing the procedure which determines the update conditions regarding the restart at the time of updating the firmware of a smart meter based on at least one of the communication schedule information and communication performance between the said smart meter and another apparatus.
15. 13. causing the computer to further execute an update processing device that updates the firmware of the smart meter or a procedure of outputting the firmware update instruction to the smart meter according to the determined update condition; The program described in.
16. 13. causing a computer to further execute a procedure of receiving at least one of the communication schedule information and the communication performance between the smart meter and the other device; Or 15. The program described in.
17. The other device is a collection device that collects measurement values from the smart meter,
13. The collection device is connected to the smart meter via a public network and communicates with the smart meter. To 16. The program according to any one of the above.
18. In the determining step,
16. causing the computer to further execute a procedure for determining the update condition based on a meter reading timing at which the collection device collects the measurement value from the smart meter. The program described in.
19. In the determining step,
17. further causing the computer to execute a procedure for determining the firmware update time at a time different from the meter reading timing at which the collection device collects the measurement values from the smart meter. The program described in.
20. In the determining step,
13. Further causing the computer to execute a procedure for determining the update condition based on information on a communication speed between the smart meter and the other device. To 19. The program according to any one of the above.
21. In the determining step,
20. further causing the computer to execute a procedure of determining a communication band for transmitting the firmware to the smart meter based on a communication speed between the smart meter and the other device. The program described in.
22. The update condition includes at least one update target area for transmitting the firmware,
In the determining step,
When the communication speed of the update target area is less than a first predetermined value, each area obtained by dividing the update target area into at least two areas so that the communication speed is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value 21. causing the computer to further execute a procedure determined as an update condition; The program described in.
23. The update condition includes at least one update target area for transmitting the firmware,
In the determining step,
When the communication speed of the update target area is less than a first predetermined value, each area obtained by dividing the update target area into at least two areas so that the number of smart meters is less than a third predetermined value. 21. causing the computer to further execute a procedure for determining the update condition; Or 22. The program described in.
24. In the determining step,
13. causing the computer to further execute a procedure for determining the update condition based on the schedule information related to the demand response. To 23. The program according to any one of the above.
25. The other device is a communication device at a customer's house that communicates with the smart meter,
In the determining step,
Determining the firmware update time at a time different from the communication schedule information predicted based on the communication schedule information between the communication device and the smart meter or the communication performance between the communication device and the smart meter; To further cause the computer to execute 14. To 24. The program according to any one of the above.
26. The process of downloading the firmware to the smart meter, the process of installing the smart meter after the download, and the process of restarting the smart meter after the installation are continuously executed in the smart meter. . To 25. The program according to any one of the above.

27. The communication device
Send at least one of the communication schedule information and communication results with other devices to the communication management device that determines the update conditions for restart when updating the firmware,
A communication control method for a communication device, wherein the update condition determined based on at least one of the communication schedule information and the communication performance is received from the communication management device.
28. The other device is a collection device that collects measurement values,
The communication device is
26. receiving the update condition determined based on a meter reading timing at which the collection device collects the measurement values; A communication control method for the communication device according to claim 1.
29. The communication device is
27. receiving the update condition determined based on information on a communication speed with the other device; Or 28. A communication control method for the communication device according to claim 1.
30. The communication device is
Receiving a communication band in which the firmware determined based on information on a communication speed with the other device is transmitted; To 29. The communication control method of the communication apparatus as described in any one.
31. The communication device is
27. receiving the update condition determined based on schedule information related to demand response; To 30. The communication control method of the communication apparatus as described in any one.
32. The other device is a communication device at a customer's house,
The communication device is
Receiving the firmware update time determined at a time different from the communication schedule time predicted based on the communication schedule information with the communication device or the communication performance with the communication device; To 31. The communication control method of the communication apparatus as described in any one.
33. The communication device is
Receiving the firmware update instruction output in accordance with the determined update condition;
Updating the firmware according to the update instruction 27. To 32. The communication control method of the communication apparatus as described in any one.

34. On the computer,
A procedure for transmitting at least one of communication schedule information and communication results with other devices to a communication management device that determines an update condition related to restart when updating firmware,
A program for executing a procedure for receiving, from the communication management device, the update condition determined based on at least one of the communication schedule information and the communication performance.
35. The other device is a collection device that collects measurement values,
35. causing a computer to execute a procedure of receiving the update condition determined based on a meter reading timing at which the collection device collects the measurement value; The program described in.
36. 35. causing a computer to execute a procedure of receiving the update condition determined based on information on a communication speed with the other device; Or 35. The program described in.
37. 35. causing a computer to execute a procedure of receiving a communication band in which the firmware is transmitted, which is determined based on information on a communication speed with the other device; To 36. The program according to any one of the above.
38. 35. causing a computer to execute a procedure for receiving the update condition determined based on schedule information related to a demand response; To 37. The program according to any one of the above.
39. The other device is a communication device at a customer's house,
34 for causing a computer to execute a procedure of receiving the firmware update time determined at a time different from the communication scheduled time predicted based on the communication schedule information with the communication device or the communication performance with the communication device. . To 38. The program according to any one of the above.
40. Receiving a firmware update instruction output in accordance with the determined update condition;
34. causing the computer to execute a procedure for updating the firmware in accordance with the update instruction; To 39. The program according to any one of the above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication system 3 Public network 5 Network 7 Base station 10 Smart meter 20 MDMS
22 Database 30 FW update server 32 FW storage unit 40 GW
50 HEMS
60 Computer 61 CPU
62 ROM
63 RAM
64 I / O
65 1st communication part 66 1st antenna 67 2nd communication part 68 2nd antenna 69 Bus 70 Program 80 Computer 81 CPU
82 Memory 83 Storage 84 I / O
85 Communication I / F
86 Bus 90 Program 100 Communication management device 102 Determination unit 200 Communication management device 202 Update instruction unit 300 Communication management device 302 Communication management unit 304 Download control unit 306 Meter reading period management unit 308 Update condition storage unit 310 Meter reading information storage unit 400 Communication management device 402 download control unit 404 A route communication status monitoring unit 406 A route communication prediction unit 408 update condition storage unit 410 communication information storage unit 500 communication management device 502 download control unit 504 demand response monitoring unit 508 update condition storage unit 510 DR information storage unit 600 communication management device 602 download control unit 604 B route communication status monitoring unit 606 B route communication prediction unit 608 update condition storage unit 610 communication information storage unit

Claims (22)

  A communication management apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines an update condition related to restart when updating firmware of a smart meter based on at least one of communication schedule information and communication performance between the smart meter and another device.   The communication management device according to claim 1, further comprising: an update processing device that updates the firmware of the smart meter according to the determined update condition, or an update instruction unit that outputs an instruction to update the firmware to the smart meter.   The communication management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a receiving unit configured to receive at least one of the communication schedule information and the communication performance between the smart meter and the other device. The other device is a collection device that collects measurement values from the smart meter,
The communication management device according to claim 1, wherein the collection device is connected to the smart meter via a public network and communicates with the smart meter. The determining means includes
The communication management device according to claim 4, wherein the update condition is determined based on a meter reading timing at which the collection device collects the measurement value from the smart meter. The determining means includes
The communication management device according to claim 5, wherein the firmware update time is determined at a time different from a meter reading timing at which the collection device collects the measurement value from the smart meter. The determining means includes
The communication management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the update condition is determined based on information on a communication speed between the smart meter and the other device. The determining means includes
The communication management apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a communication band for transmitting the firmware to the smart meter is determined based on a communication speed between the smart meter and the other device. The update condition includes at least one update target area for transmitting the firmware,
The determining means includes
When the communication speed of the update target area is less than a first predetermined value, each area obtained by dividing the update target area into at least two areas so that the communication speed is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value The communication management device according to claim 8, wherein the communication management device is determined as an update condition. The update condition includes at least one update target area for transmitting the firmware,
The determining means includes
When the communication speed of the update target area is less than a first predetermined value, each area obtained by dividing the update target area into at least two areas so that the number of smart meters is less than a third predetermined value. The communication management device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the communication management device is determined as the update condition. The determining means includes
The communication management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update condition is determined based on schedule information related to a demand response. The other device is a communication device at a customer's house that communicates with the smart meter,
The determining means includes
The firmware update time is determined at a time different from the communication schedule information between the communication device and the smart meter or a communication scheduled time predicted based on a communication performance between the communication device and the smart meter. Item 12. The communication management device according to any one of Items 1 to 11.   The process of downloading the firmware to the smart meter, the process of installing the smart meter after the download, and the process of restarting the smart meter after the installation are executed continuously in the smart meter. The communication management apparatus according to any one of 1 to 12. Communication management device
A communication management method for determining an update condition related to restart when updating firmware of a smart meter based on at least one of communication schedule information and communication results between the smart meter and another device. On the computer,
The program for performing the procedure which determines the update conditions regarding the restart at the time of updating the firmware of a smart meter based on at least one of the communication schedule information and communication performance between the said smart meter and another apparatus. Transmitting means for transmitting at least one of communication schedule information and communication results with other devices to a communication management device that determines an update condition regarding restart when updating firmware;
A communication device comprising: a receiving unit that receives the update condition determined based on at least one of the communication schedule information and the communication performance from the communication management device. The other device is a collection device that collects measurement values,
The communication device according to claim 16, wherein the reception unit receives the update condition determined based on a meter reading timing at which the collection device collects the measurement value.   The communication device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the reception unit receives the update condition determined based on information on a communication speed with the other device.   The communication device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the reception unit receives a communication band in which the firmware determined based on information on a communication speed with the other device is transmitted.   The communication device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the receiving unit receives the update condition determined based on schedule information related to a demand response. The other device is a communication device at a customer's house,
The receiving unit receives the firmware update time determined at a time different from the communication scheduled time predicted based on the communication schedule information with the communication device or the communication performance with the communication device. The communication device according to any one of 20. The receiving means receives the firmware update instruction output in accordance with the determined update condition;
The communication device according to any one of claims 16 to 21, further comprising an update unit configured to update the firmware in accordance with the update instruction.

Images