JP2022104385A - Meter reading system, measuring apparatus, mobile terminal, meter reading processing program, server, and meter reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

To obtain a meter reading system capable of improving security when collecting data including a measured value from a measuring apparatus to be meter read via a mobile terminal.SOLUTION: A meter reading system 100 includes a measuring apparatus 1, a mobile terminal 2, and a server 3. The measuring apparatus 1 periodically broadcasts encrypted measurement data, which is measurement data including an encrypted measured value, by wireless communication. The mobile terminal 2 receives the encrypted measurement data from the measuring apparatus 1 by wireless communication, and transmits the received encrypted measurement data by wireless communication in a state where the measured value is encrypted. The server 3 collects the encrypted measurement data transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 and decrypts the measured value included in the collected encrypted measurement data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a meter reading system, a measuring device, a mobile terminal, a meter reading processing program, a server, and a meter reading method for collecting measurement data from a meter reading target measuring device.

In recent years, a watt-hour meter having a wireless communication function and transmitting a measured value of electric power consumption to a mobile terminal owned by a meter reader or the like by wireless communication has become widespread. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a mobile terminal owned by a meter reader enters a range in which wireless communication with a watt-hour meter having a wireless communication function is possible, wireless communication with the watt-hour meter is started and electric energy is obtained. A technique for automatically collecting measured values from a meter is disclosed.

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, from the viewpoint of security, after password authentication is performed between the watt-hour meter and the mobile terminal, data including measured values are transmitted from the watt-hour meter to the mobile terminal by wireless communication. To.

International Publication No. 2018/101419

However, when the mobile terminal transmits the data collected from the watt-hour meter to an external device by wireless communication, the data may be tampered with in the mobile terminal, which poses a problem from the viewpoint of security. The same can be said when collecting data including measured values from a measuring device that measures gas or water other than electric power via a mobile terminal.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a meter reading system capable of improving security when collecting data including measured values from a measuring device to be meter-readed via a mobile terminal. And.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the meter reading system of the present disclosure includes a measuring device, a mobile terminal, and a server. The measuring device periodically broadcasts encrypted measurement data, which is measurement data including encrypted measured values, by wireless communication. The mobile terminal receives the encrypted measurement data from the measuring device by wireless communication, and transmits the received encrypted measurement data by wireless communication in a state where the measured value is encrypted. The server collects the encrypted measurement data transmitted from the mobile terminal and decodes the measured value included in the collected encrypted measurement data.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the security when collecting data including measured values from a measuring device to be meter-readed via a mobile terminal.

The figure which shows an example of the structure of the meter reading system which concerns on Embodiment 1. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the measuring apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the mobile terminal which concerns on Embodiment 1. The figure which shows an example of the configuration of the server which concerns on Embodiment 1. A sequence diagram showing a flow of operations in the measuring device, mobile terminal, and server of the meter reading system according to the first embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of the automatic transmission process of the measuring device according to the first embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of automatic meter reading processing of a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of server data processing according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the processing part which concerns on Embodiment 1. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the meter reading system which concerns on Embodiment 2. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the user terminal which concerns on Embodiment 2. The figure which shows an example of the configuration of the server which concerns on Embodiment 2. A sequence diagram showing a flow of operations in the measuring device, mobile terminal, server, and user terminal of the meter reading system according to the second embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the server among the data transmission / reception processing according to the second embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of processing by the processing unit of the user terminal according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the meter reading system which concerns on Embodiment 3. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the mobile terminal which concerns on Embodiment 3. The figure which shows an example of the whole meter reading state list displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal which concerns on Embodiment 3. The figure which shows an example of the meter reading state list by an apparatus displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal which concerns on Embodiment 3. The figure which shows another example of the whole meter reading state list displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal which concerns on Embodiment 3. The figure which shows the other example of the meter reading state list by an apparatus displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal which concerns on Embodiment 3. A sequence diagram showing a flow of operations in the measuring device, mobile terminal, server, and user terminal of the meter reading system according to the third embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of automatic meter reading processing of a mobile terminal according to the third embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of transmission / reception log display processing of a mobile terminal according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, the meter reading system, the measuring device, the mobile terminal, the meter reading processing program, the server, and the meter reading method according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the meter reading system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the meter reading system 100 according to the first embodiment communicates with a plurality of measuring devices 1 to be meter-read, a mobile terminal 2 used for meter reading work, a mobile terminal 2 and a network 4. It is provided with a server 3 for performing. The network 4 is configured to include, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet, a mobile communication network, and the like, but is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the network 4 may be configured to further include a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

The measuring device 1 measures electric power, gas, water, etc. as a measurement target. The measuring device 1 is a watt-hour meter for measuring the amount of electric power used by a consumer, a gas meter for measuring the amount of gas used, a water meter for measuring the amount of water used, and the like.

The measuring device 1 includes a wireless module, and can perform wireless communication with the mobile terminal 2 using the wireless module. The measuring device 1 encrypts the measured value indicating the measured result, and periodically broadcasts the encrypted measurement data, which is the measured data including the encrypted measured value, from the wireless module by wireless communication. In the following, the measured value obtained by the measuring device 1 will be described mainly as the electric power amount, but the measured value may be the gas usage amount, the water usage amount, or other measured value.

The wireless module of the measuring device 1 periodically broadcasts the encrypted measurement data by connectionless communication, but broadcasts the encrypted measurement data to the mobile terminal 2 for which communication with the measuring device 1 has been established. You can also.

The mobile terminal 2 is a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook PC (Personal Computer). A data collection program for realizing functions required for meter reading work is installed in the mobile terminal 2. When the data collection program is started in the foreground or the background, the mobile terminal 2 is in a standby state in which data can be received.

When the mobile terminal 2 held by the user is in a standby state in which data can be received and enters the wireless communication range of the measuring device 1 as the user moves, the mobile terminal 2 is periodically wirelessly communicated from the measuring device 1. Receives the encrypted measurement data to be transmitted. The mobile terminal 2 transmits the received encrypted measurement data to the server 3 as it is in a state where the measured value is encrypted by wireless communication.

The meter reading system 100 includes a plurality of mobile terminals 2, but as shown in FIG. 1, the number of mobile terminals 2 included in the meter reading system 100 may be one. The user of the mobile terminal 2 is, for example, a meter reader or a patrol guard, but may be a consumer who uses electric power when the measurement target is electric energy. Further, the mobile terminal 2 may be a dedicated device designed for use in meter reading work.

The server 3 collects the encrypted measurement data transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 and decodes the measured value included in the collected encrypted measurement data. The server 3 stores the decoded measured value. The server 3 is composed of, for example, one or more computers, and is built in a public cloud or on-premises. Public clouds include, for example, AWS (Amazon Web Services) or Microsoft Azure, but public clouds are not limited to these. Further, the server 3 may be built in one or more computers other than the public cloud or on-premises.

In this way, in the meter reading system 100, the mobile terminal 2 receives the encrypted measurement data periodically broadcast from the measuring device 1, and the received encrypted measurement data is used as it is in the server in a state where the measured value is encrypted. It is transmitted by wireless communication with 3 as the destination. Therefore, in the meter reading system 100, the measurement data collected by the server 3 via the mobile terminal 2 is in a state where the measured value is encrypted, and it is possible to prevent the mobile terminal 2 from falsifying the data. , Security can be improved.

Further, in the meter reading system 100, the measurement data from the measuring device 1 is periodically broadcast, so that the work efficiency can be improved. For example, the meter reader does not need to register a password for password authentication in the mobile terminal 2 before starting the meter reading work using the mobile terminal 2, so that the time for the meter reading work can be reduced. can. Further, when the mobile terminal 2 enters the wireless communication range of the measuring device 1, the collection process of the encrypted measurement data is automatically completed, so that the meter reader does not need to press the meter reading button. However, the time required for meter reading work can be reduced.

Hereinafter, the configurations of the measuring device 1, the mobile terminal 2, and the server 3 will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the measuring device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the measuring device 1 includes a measuring unit 11, a wireless module 12, a processing unit 13, and a storage unit 14.

The measuring unit 11 measures the amount of electric power used by the consumer in which the measuring device 1 is installed, and outputs the measured amount of electric power as a measured value. When the measuring device 1 is a gas meter, the measuring unit 11 measures the amount of gas used and outputs the measured amount of gas used as a measured value. Further, when the measuring device 1 is a water meter, the measuring unit 11 measures the amount of water used and outputs the measured amount of water used as a measured value.

The wireless module 12 includes a wireless communication unit 121 that performs wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 121 has, for example, a function of performing wireless communication based on a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) standard. In addition, the wireless communication unit 121 has a function of performing wireless communication based on the LoRa (Long Range) standard using the 920 MHz band instead of the function of performing wireless communication based on the BLE standard, and wireless by IP (Internet Protocol) radio. It may be a wireless communication unit having a function of performing communication or a function of performing wireless communication by wireless LAN.

The processing unit 13 includes a measurement value acquisition unit 131, an encryption processing unit 132, a transmission data generation unit 133, and a transmission processing unit 134. The measured value acquisition unit 131 acquires the power consumption measured by the measurement unit 11 as a measurement value from the measurement unit 11 at a specific cycle, and stores the acquired measurement value in the storage unit 14.

The encryption processing unit 132 encrypts the measured value stored in the storage unit 14. The method used for encryption in the encryption processing unit 132 includes, for example, DES (Data Encryption Standard) or AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), but is not limited to such an example.

The encryption key used for encryption in the encryption processing unit 132 is an encryption key unique to each measuring device 1, and includes, for example, a character string unique to each measuring device 1, but is a character common to a plurality of measuring devices 1. It may include columns. The character string unique to each measuring device 1 may include, for example, the device ID of the measuring device 1.

The transmission data generation unit 133 receives measurement data including a device ID (IDntifier), a measurement date and time, and a measurement value encrypted by the encryption processing unit 132, and transmission data including an identifier of the measurement device 1. Generate.

The device ID is identification information of each measuring device 1, and is, for example, a serial number of the measuring device 1. The device ID is used to identify the measuring device 1 when the server 3 manages the measured value of the measuring device 1. The device ID may be any unique ID that can identify the measuring device 1, and is not limited to the serial number of the measuring device 1.

The measurement date and time is the current date and time when the data for transmission is generated. The measurement date and time may be the date and time when the measurement value included in the measurement data is obtained by the measurement unit 11. The identifier of the measuring device 1 is used to identify the measuring device 1 by the mobile terminal 2, and may be easily distinguished from a wireless signal transmitted from another device such as "WHM". Just do it.

The transmission processing unit 134 causes the wireless communication unit 121 to execute a process of broadcasting a radio signal including measurement data from the wireless communication unit 121 at a specific cycle based on the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation unit 133. For example, when the wireless communication unit 121 has a function of performing wireless communication based on the BLE standard, the wireless communication unit 121 broadcasts a wireless signal including encrypted measurement data as an advertisement signal at a specific cycle. Such a radio signal includes an identifier of the measuring device 1 in addition to the encrypted measurement data. The advertised signal is also called a beacon.

The specific cycle is a communication cycle in which the mobile terminal 2 can receive the advertisement signal when the user of the mobile terminal 2 passes around the installed measuring device 1, and is measured at the time of factory shipment of the measuring device 1. It is set by the user of the device 1 or the user of the mobile terminal 2.

The periphery of the measuring device 1 is the wireless communication range of the wireless communication unit 121 of the measuring device 1, and when the communication standard of the wireless communication unit 121 is Class 2 of BLE, the maximum communication distance is about 10 m. For example, assuming that the time required to pass through the wireless communication range of the wireless communication unit 121 is 5 to 10 seconds, by setting the specific cycle to 2 seconds, the user of the mobile terminal 2 can use the measuring device 1 The encrypted measurement data can be received 2 to 5 times while passing around the.

In the above-mentioned example, the encryption key used for encryption in the encryption processing unit 132 is an encryption key unique to each measuring device 1, but may be a common encryption key for all the measuring devices 1. In this case, the encryption processing unit 132 can also encrypt the measured value with a common encryption key.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 2 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a processing unit 22, a storage unit 23, an input unit 24, and a display unit 25. The input unit 24 includes, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, and the like. The display unit 25 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

The wireless communication unit 21 includes a first wireless communication unit 211 and a second wireless communication unit 212. The first wireless communication unit 211 has a function of performing wireless communication based on the same communication standard as the wireless communication unit 121 of the measuring device 1. For example, the first wireless communication unit 211 has a function of performing wireless communication by BLE, LoRa, IP wireless, or wireless LAN.

The second wireless communication unit 212 performs wireless communication with, for example, a wireless base station of a mobile communication network included in the network 4, and transmits / receives data to / from the server 3 via the network 4. If the first wireless communication unit 211 can perform wireless communication with the network 4, the wireless communication unit 21 may not include the second wireless communication unit 212.

The processing unit 22 includes a data acquisition unit 221, a transmission processing unit 222, and a data deletion unit 223. The data acquisition unit 221 acquires the encrypted measurement data 40, which includes the encrypted measurement value and is the measurement data received by the wireless communication unit 21, from the wireless communication unit 21. The data acquisition unit 221 stores the acquired encryption measurement data 40 in the storage unit 23. The encrypted measurement data 40 includes a device ID 401, a measurement date and time 402, and an encrypted measurement value 403, which is an encrypted measurement value. In the following, the encrypted measurement data 40 may be described including the encrypted measurement data transmitted from the measuring device 1.

The transmission processing unit 222 causes the wireless communication unit 21 to execute a process of transmitting the encrypted measurement data 40 acquired by the data acquisition unit 221 and stored in the storage unit 23 to the server 3 as it is with the measured values encrypted. .. The data deletion unit 223 deletes the encrypted measurement data 40 transmitted from the wireless communication unit 21 to the server 3 by the transmission processing unit 222 from the storage unit 23.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the server 3 includes a communication unit 31, a processing unit 32, and a storage unit 33. The communication unit 31 is connected to the network 4 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits / receives data to / from the mobile terminal 2 via the network 4.

The processing unit 32 includes a measurement data acquisition unit 321, a decoding processing unit 322, and a measurement data registration unit 323. The measurement data acquisition unit 321 acquires the encrypted measurement data 40 periodically broadcast from the measurement device 1 from the mobile terminal 2 via the network 4 and the communication unit 31.

The decryption processing unit 322 decodes the encryption measurement value 403 included in the encryption measurement data 40 acquired by the measurement data acquisition unit 321. The decryption key 61 is stored in the storage unit 33, and the decryption processing unit 322 decodes the encryption measurement value 403 by using the decryption key 61 stored in the storage unit 33.

For example, it is assumed that the encrypted measurement value 403 is generated by the encryption key unique to each measuring device 1. In this case, the decoding key 61 is associated with the device ID of each measuring device 1 and stored in the storage unit 33. Then, the decryption processing unit 322 acquires the decryption key 61 associated with the device ID 401 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 acquired by the measurement data acquisition unit 321 from the storage unit 33, and uses the acquired decryption key 61. Then, the encrypted measurement value 403 is decrypted.

Further, it is assumed that the encrypted measurement data 40 is the data in which the device ID 401, the measurement date and time 402, and the encrypted measurement value 403 are encrypted with the encryption key common to all the measurement devices 1. In this case, the decryption processing unit 322 decodes the device ID 401, the measurement date and time 402, and the encrypted measurement value 403 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 acquired by the measurement data acquisition unit 321 with a common decryption key.

The measurement data registration unit 323 stores the decoding measurement data 60 including the decoding measurement value 603, which is the measurement value decoded by the decoding processing unit 322, in the storage unit 33. The decrypted measurement data 60 includes the device ID 601 and the measurement date and time 602. The device ID 601 and the measurement date and time 602 are the same as the device ID 401 and the measurement date and time 402.

Subsequently, the operation of the meter reading system 100 will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of operations in the measuring device, mobile terminal, and server of the meter reading system according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the process of automatically transmitting the encrypted measurement data 40 by the measuring device 1 is the automatic transmission process 101, and the process of automatically reading the meter by the mobile terminal 2 is the automatic meter reading process 102, and the server 3 The process of receiving the encrypted measurement data 40 and performing the process is shown as the data process 103.

First, the automatic transmission process 101 of the measuring device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the measuring device 1 measures a measurement target such as a power consumption (step S1), encrypts the measurement value which is the result of measuring the measurement target, and generates an encrypted measurement value 403. (Step S2).

Then, the measuring device 1 generates transmission data including the encrypted measurement data 40 including the device ID 401, the measurement date and time 402, and the encrypted measurement value 403, and the identifier of the measuring device 1 (step S3). The measuring device 1 broadcasts a radio signal including the encrypted measurement data 40 at a specific cycle based on the generated transmission data (step S4). The radio signal includes the identifier of the measuring device 1.

Next, the automatic meter reading process 102 of the mobile terminal 2 will be described. The mobile terminal 2 shown in FIG. 5 is in a standby state in which a data acquisition program is activated in the foreground or in the background and data can be received.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the mobile terminal 2 held by the user is in a standby state in which data can be received and enters the wireless communication range of the measuring device 1 as the user moves, the measuring device 1 Receives encrypted measurement data 40 periodically transmitted by wireless communication from (step S5).

The mobile terminal 2 stores the received encrypted measurement data 40 (step S6). Then, the mobile terminal 2 transmits the stored encrypted measurement data 40 to the server 3 via the network 4 by wireless communication (step S7). The mobile terminal 2 transmits to the server 3 via the network 4 in step S7, and then deletes the encrypted measurement data 40 stored in step S6 (step S8).

Next, the data processing 103 of the server 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the server 3 receives the encrypted measurement data 40 transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 via the network 4 (step S9). The server 3 decrypts the encrypted measurement value 403 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 received in step S9 (step S10). The server 3 stores the decoded measurement value 603, which is the measured value decoded in step S10 (step S11).

Subsequently, the automatic transmission process 101 of the measuring device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the automatic transmission process of the measuring device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the processing unit 13 of the measuring device 1 starts counting the periodic transmission timer (step S20). Then, the processing unit 13 determines whether or not the count of the periodic transmission timer has reached N seconds or more (step S21). N is, for example, an integer of 1 or more. N seconds is the above-mentioned specific cycle, and N is set in the measuring device 1 in advance.

When the processing unit 13 determines that the count of the periodic transmission timer has reached N seconds or more (step S21: Yes), the processing unit 13 causes the measurement unit 11 to execute the measurement process and acquires the measured value from the measurement unit 11 (step S22). .. The processing unit 13 encrypts the measured value acquired in step S22 (step S23), and generates transmission data including the measured value encrypted in step S23 (step S24).

The processing unit 13 causes the wireless communication unit 121 to execute a process of broadcasting a radio signal including the encrypted measurement data 40 based on the transmission data generated in step S24 (step S25), and resets the periodic transmission timer (step S25). Step S26).

When the processing of step S26 is completed, or when it is determined that the count of the periodic transmission timer is not N seconds or more (step S21: No), the processing unit 13 determines whether or not there is an operation end operation. (Step S27). When the processing unit 13 determines that there is no operation for ending the operation (step S27: No), the process proceeds to step S20, and when it is determined that there is an operation for ending the operation (step S27: Yes), FIG. The processing shown is terminated.

Subsequently, the automatic meter reading process 102 of the mobile terminal 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the automatic meter reading process of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the processing unit 22 of the mobile terminal 2 determines whether or not the encrypted measurement data 40 transmitted from the measuring device 1 has been received by the wireless communication unit 21 (step S30). When the processing unit 22 determines that the encrypted measurement data 40 has been received by the wireless communication unit 21 (step S30: Yes), the processing unit 22 stores the encrypted measurement data 40 received by the wireless communication unit 21 in the storage unit 23 (step S30: Yes). Step S31).

Next, the processing unit 22 causes the wireless communication unit 21 to transmit the encrypted measurement data 40 stored in the storage unit 23 (step S32). Then, when the processing of step S32 is completed, the processing unit 22 deletes the encrypted measurement data 40 stored in the storage unit 23 from the storage unit 23 (step S33).

When the processing unit 22 has completed the process of step S33, or when it is determined that the encrypted measurement data 40 has not been received by the wireless communication unit 21 (step S30: No), whether or not there is an operation end operation. Is determined (step S34). When the processing unit 22 determines that there is no operation for ending the operation (step S34: No), the process proceeds to step S30, and when it is determined that there is an operation for ending the operation (step S34: Yes), FIG. 7 shows. The processing shown is terminated.

Subsequently, the data processing 103 of the server 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of data processing of the server according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the processing unit 32 of the server 3 determines whether or not the encrypted measurement data 40 transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 has been received by the communication unit 31 (step S40). When the processing unit 32 determines that the encrypted measurement data 40 has been received by the communication unit 31 (step S40: Yes), the processing unit 32 performs a decryption process (step S41). In the decryption process of step S41, the processing unit 32 decodes the encryption measurement value 403 included in the encryption measurement data 40 determined to have been received in step S40, and acquires the decryption measurement value 603.

Next, the processing unit 32 determines whether or not the decoding measurement value 603 obtained in the decoding process of step S41 is normal (step S42). In the process of step S42, for example, when the decoded measurement value 603 is an abnormal value, the processing unit 32 determines that the decoded measurement value 603 is not normal.

When the processing unit 32 determines that the decoding measurement value 603 is normal (step S42: Yes), the processing unit 32 associates the decoding measurement value 603 obtained in the decoding process of step S41 with the device ID 601 and the measurement date and time 602. It is stored in the storage unit 33 (step S43). The device ID 601 and the measurement date and time 602 are the same as the device ID 401 and the measurement date and time 402 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 transmitted from the mobile terminal 2. When the processing unit 32 determines that the decoding measurement value 603 is not normal (step S42: No), the processing unit 32 discards the decoding measurement value 603 obtained in the decoding process of step S41 (step S44).

The processing unit 32 operates when the processing in step S43 is completed, when the processing in step S44 is completed, or when it is determined that the encrypted measurement data 40 has not been received by the communication unit 31 (step S40: No). It is determined whether or not there is an end operation (step S45). When the processing unit 32 determines that there is no operation for ending the operation (step S45: No), the process proceeds to step S40, and when it is determined that there is an operation for ending the operation (step S45: Yes), FIG. The processing shown is terminated.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the processing unit according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the processing units 13, 22, and 32 include a computer including a processor 201, a memory 202, and an interface circuit 203.

The processor 201, the memory 202, and the interface circuit 203 can send and receive information to and from each other by, for example, the bus 204. The processor 201 of the processing unit 13 reads and executes the program stored in the memory 202, and functions such as the measurement value acquisition unit 131, the encryption processing unit 132, the transmission data generation unit 133, and the transmission processing unit 134. To execute. The processor 201 of the processing unit 22 executes functions such as the data acquisition unit 221, the transmission processing unit 222, and the data deletion unit 223 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 202. The processor 201 of the processing unit 32 executes functions such as the measurement data acquisition unit 321 and the decoding processing unit 322, and the measurement data registration unit 323 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 202. The processor 201 is, for example, an example of a processing circuit, and includes one or more of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and a system LSI (Large Scale Integration).

The memory 202 includes one or more of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). include. The memory 202 also includes a recording medium on which a computer-readable program is recorded. Such recording media include one or more of non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories, magnetic discs, flexible memories, optical discs, compact discs, and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs). The processing units 13, 22, and 32 may include integrated circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The server 3 may be composed of two or more devices. For example, the server 3 may be composed of a processing server and a data server.

As described above, the meter reading system 100 according to the first embodiment includes a measuring device 1, a mobile terminal 2, and a server 3. The measuring device 1 periodically broadcasts encrypted measurement data 40, which is measurement data including encrypted measured values, by wireless communication. The mobile terminal 2 receives the encrypted measurement data 40 from the measuring device 1 by wireless communication, and transmits the received encrypted measurement data 40 by wireless communication in a state where the measured value is encrypted. The server 3 collects the encrypted measurement data 40 transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 and decodes the measured value included in the collected measurement data. Thereby, the meter reading system 100 can improve the security when collecting data including the measured value from the measuring device 1 to be meter-readed via the mobile terminal 2.

Further, the mobile terminal 2 stores the encrypted measurement data 40 received from the measuring device 1, transmits the encrypted measurement data 40 to the server 3, and then deletes the stored encrypted measurement data 40. This prevents the encrypted measurement data 40 from being continuously stored in the mobile terminal 2, and prevents the storage unit 23 of the mobile terminal 2 from being used too much.

Further, the measuring device 1 includes a wireless communication unit 121 that performs wireless communication, a measuring unit 11 that performs measurement on a measurement target, an encryption processing unit 132, and a transmission processing unit 134. The encryption processing unit 132 encrypts the measured value, which is the value of the measurement target measured by the measurement unit 11. The transmission processing unit 134 causes the wireless communication unit 121 to periodically broadcast the encrypted measurement data 40, which is measurement data including the measured values encrypted by the encryption processing unit 132. Thereby, the measuring device 1 can improve the security when the mobile terminal 2 collects the data including the measured value transmitted from the measuring device 1 to be meter-readed in the meter reading system 100.

Further, the mobile terminal 2 includes a wireless communication unit 21 that performs wireless communication, a data acquisition unit 221, a storage unit 23, and a transmission processing unit 222. The data acquisition unit 221 acquires the encrypted measurement data 40, which includes the encrypted measurement value and is the measurement data received by the wireless communication unit 21, from the wireless communication unit 21. The storage unit 23 stores the encrypted measurement data 40 acquired by the data acquisition unit 221. The transmission processing unit 222 causes the wireless communication unit 21 to execute a process of transmitting the encrypted measurement data 40 stored in the storage unit 23 to the server 3 in a state where the measured value is encrypted. As a result, the mobile terminal 2 can improve the security when the mobile terminal 2 transmits and receives data including the measured value transmitted from the measuring device 1 to be meter-readed in the meter reading system 100.

Further, the server 3 includes a measurement data acquisition unit 321 and a decoding processing unit 322. The measurement data acquisition unit 321 acquires encrypted measurement data 40, which includes encrypted measurement values and is periodically broadcast from the measurement device 1, from the mobile terminal 2. The decryption processing unit 322 decodes the encrypted measurement value included in the encrypted measurement data 40 acquired by the measurement data acquisition unit 321. As a result, the server 3 can improve the security when collecting data including the measured value from the measuring device 1 to be meter-readed via the mobile terminal 2.

Embodiment 2.
The meter reading system according to the second embodiment further has a user terminal, and the server provides the measurement data including the decoded measurement value to the user terminal as a meter reading result in response to a request from the user terminal. It is different from the meter reading system 100 according to 1. In the following, the components having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and the differences from the meter reading system 100 of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the meter reading system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the meter reading system 100A according to the second embodiment is different from the meter reading system 100 in that the server 3A is provided in place of the server 3 and the user terminal 5 is provided.

The user terminal 5 is connected to the network 4 and transmits / receives data to / from the server 3A via the network 4. The user of the user terminal 5 is, for example, a consumer who uses electric power when the measurement target is electric energy. The user terminal 5 is a general-purpose mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook PC, but may be a dedicated terminal.

The meter reading system 100A includes a plurality of user terminals 5, but as shown in FIG. 10, the number of user terminals 5 included in the meter reading system 100A may be one. Further, in the meter reading system 100A shown in FIG. 10, the mobile terminal 2 and the user terminal 5 are different terminals from each other, but the mobile terminal 2 may include the function of the user terminal 5.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user terminal according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the user terminal 5 includes a communication unit 51, an input unit 52, a display unit 53, a processing unit 54, and a storage unit 55.

The communication unit 51 is connected to the network 4 and transmits / receives data to / from the server 3A via the network 4 by wire or wirelessly. The input unit 52 includes, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, and the like. The display unit 53 is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display.

The processing unit 54 causes the communication unit 51 to execute a process of transmitting an account authentication request including the user's account ID and password to the server 3A via the network 4 based on the operation of the user to the input unit 52.

Further, when the account authentication by the server 3A is successful in response to the account authentication request, the processing unit 54 transmits a data transmission request to the server 3A via the network 4 based on the operation of the user to the input unit 52. Is executed by the communication unit 51. When the data including the measurement date and time 602 and the decryption measurement value 603 transmitted from the server 3A in response to the data transmission request is received by the communication unit 51, the processing unit 54 stores the data received by the communication unit 51. The data stored in the storage unit 55 is stored in the storage unit 55, and the data stored in the storage unit 55 is displayed on the display unit 53.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the server 3A according to the second embodiment is different from the server 3 in that the processing unit 32A and the storage unit 33A are provided in place of the processing unit 32 and the storage unit 33. The processing unit 32A is different from the processing unit 32 in that it further includes an account authentication unit 324 and a data providing unit 325.

The storage unit 33A is different from the storage unit 33 in that the account data 62 is further stored. The account data 62 includes the user's account ID, password, and device ID for each user of the user terminal 5 in a state of being associated with each other.

The account authentication unit 324 performs an account authentication process when the account authentication request transmitted from the user terminal 5 is received by the communication unit 31 via the network 4. In the account authentication process, the account authentication unit 324 determines whether or not the account data 62 stored in the processing unit 32A includes an account ID that matches the account ID included in the account authentication request received by the communication unit 31. Is determined.

When the account verification unit 324 determines that the account ID 62 that matches the account ID included in the account verification request is not included in the account data 62, the account verification unit 324 determines that the account verification has failed. When the account verification unit 324 determines that the account data 62 contains an account ID that matches the account included in the account verification request, the password associated with the account ID that matches the account ID included in the account verification request. Is obtained from the account data 62.

The account authentication unit 324 determines whether or not the password acquired from the account data 62 matches the password included in the account authentication request. If the account verification unit 324 determines that the password acquired from the account data 62 and the password included in the account verification request do not match, the account verification unit 324 determines that the account verification has failed. If the account verification unit 324 determines that the password acquired from the account data 62 and the password included in the account verification request match, the account verification unit 324 determines that the account verification was successful.

When the account authentication unit 324 determines that the account authentication has failed, the account authentication unit 324 causes the communication unit 31 to execute a process of transmitting data indicating that the account authentication has failed to the user terminal 5. Further, when the account authentication unit 324 determines that the account authentication is successful, the account authentication unit 324 causes the communication unit 31 to execute a process of transmitting data indicating that the account authentication is successful to the user terminal 5.

When the data transmission request from the user terminal 5 is received by the communication unit 31 after the account authentication for the account authentication request of the user terminal 5 is successful, the data providing unit 325 transmits the data transmission request among the account data 62. Acquires the device ID associated with the user account ID of the user terminal 5.

Then, the data providing unit 325 sets the measurement date and time 602 and the decrypted measurement value 603 associated with the device ID 601 that matches the device ID acquired from the account data 62 among the decrypted measurement data 60 stored in the storage unit 33A. get. The data providing unit 325 causes the communication unit 31 to execute a process of transmitting data including the acquired measurement date and time 602 and the decoded measurement value 603 to the user terminal 5.

Subsequently, the operation of the meter reading system 100A will be described in more detail. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of operations in the measuring device, mobile terminal, server, and user terminal of the meter reading system according to the second embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 13 differs from the example shown in FIG. 5 in that the data transmission / reception process 104, which is an operation of transmitting / receiving measurement data between the server 3A and the user terminal 5, is executed.

As shown in FIG. 13, the user terminal 5 transmits an account authentication request to the server 3A via the network 4 (step S51). The processing unit 54 of the user terminal 5 causes the display unit 53 to display the account authentication screen based on the account authentication screen information transmitted from the server 3A, for example. The user of the user terminal 5 operates the input unit 52 to input the account ID and the password while the account authentication screen is displayed on the display unit 53. As a result, the account authentication request including the account ID and password is transmitted from the user terminal 5 to the server 3A.

When the processing unit 32A of the server 3A receives the account authentication request from the user terminal 5 via the network 4, the processing unit 32A performs the account authentication processing for the account authentication request of the user terminal 5 (step S52).

The processing unit 32A of the server 3A notifies the user terminal 5 of the authentication result of the account authentication process (step S53). For example, when the processing unit 32A determines in the process of step S52 that the account authentication is successful, the processing unit 32A transmits data indicating that the account authentication was successful to the user terminal 5 via the network 4 as an authentication result to the user terminal 5. If the processing unit 32A determines in the process of step S52 that the account authentication has failed, the user terminal 5 uses data indicating that the account authentication has failed to the user terminal 5 via the network 4 as an authentication result. Send to.

When the server 3A notifies the authentication result via the network 4, the processing unit 54 of the user terminal 5 causes the display unit 53 to display the notified authentication result (step S54). When the authentication result indicates that the account authentication is successful, the user operates an operation unit (not shown) in the user terminal 5 to send a data transmission request to the server 3A via the network 4. To execute (step S55).

When the data transmission request is received from the user terminal 5 via the network 4, the processing unit 32A of the server 3A acquires the measurement date and time 602 and the decoding measurement value 603 corresponding to the data transmission request from the storage unit 33A and acquires them. The communication unit 31 is made to execute the process of transmitting the data including the measurement date and time 602 and the decryption measurement value 603 to the user terminal 5 (step S56). When the user terminal 5 receives the data transmitted from the server 3A via the network 4, the user terminal 5 displays the received data (step S57).

In the example shown in FIG. 13, the processes of steps S51 to S54 are performed before the data process 103, but may be executed during the data process 103 or after the data process 103.

Subsequently, the operation performed by the server 3A in the data transmission / reception processing 104 will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the server in the data transmission / reception processing according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, the processing unit 32A of the server 3A determines whether or not the account authentication request has been received by the communication unit 31 from the user terminal 5 (step S60). When the processing unit 32A determines that the account authentication request has been received by the communication unit 31 (step S60: Yes), the processing unit 32A reads the account data 62 from the storage unit 33A (step S61) and performs account verification (step S62). The account verification is a determination as to whether or not the account data 62 contains a combination of an account ID and a password that matches the combination of the account ID and the password included in the account authentication request.

The processing unit 32A determines whether or not the account authentication for the account authentication request of the user terminal 5 is successful (step S63). When the processing unit 32A determines that the account authentication is successful (step S63: Yes), the processing unit 32A causes the communication unit 31 to execute a process of transmitting data indicating that the account authentication is successful to the user terminal 5 via the network 4. By doing so, the success of the account authentication is notified (step S64). Then, the processing unit 32A maintains the connection with the user terminal 5 while maintaining the authentication state (step S65).

Next, the processing unit 32A determines whether or not the data transmission request from the user terminal 5 has been received by the communication unit 31 via the network 4 (step S66). When the processing unit 32A determines that the data transmission request has been received (step S66: Yes), the processing unit 32A acquires the data corresponding to the data transmission request from the storage unit 33A and communicates the process of transmitting the acquired data to the user terminal 5. Let the unit 31 execute (step S67).

Next, the processing unit 32A determines whether or not the connection with the user terminal 5 has been disconnected when the processing in step S67 is completed or when it is determined that the data transmission request has not been received (step S66: No). Determination (step S68). When the processing unit 32A determines that the connection with the user terminal 5 is not disconnected (step S68: No), the processing unit 32A shifts the processing to step S66.

When the processing unit 32A determines that the account authentication has not succeeded (step S63: No), the processing unit 32A sends the communication unit 31 a process of transmitting data indicating that the account authentication has failed to the user terminal 5 via the network 4. By executing this, the failure of account authentication is notified (step S69).

The processing unit 32A determines that the account authentication request has not been received by the communication unit 31 (step S60: No), determines that the connection with the user terminal 5 has been disconnected (step S68: Yes), or step. When the process of S69 is completed, it is determined whether or not there is an operation for ending the operation (step S70). When the processing unit 32A determines that there is no operation for ending the operation (step S70: No), the process shifts to step S60, and when it is determined that there is an operation for ending the operation (step S70: Yes), FIG. 14 shows. The processing shown is terminated.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the processing unit of the user terminal according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the processing unit 54 of the user terminal 5 determines whether or not there is an account authentication operation to the input unit 52 (step S80). When the processing unit 54 determines that there is an account authentication operation (step S80: Yes), the processing unit 54 causes the communication unit 51 to execute a process of transmitting an account authentication request to the server 3A (step S81).

Next, the processing unit 54 determines whether or not the account authentication is successful (step S82). In the process of step S82, the processing unit 54 determines that the account authentication was successful when the communication unit 51 receives data indicating that the account authentication was successful from the server 3A. When the processing unit 54 determines that the account authentication is successful (step S82: Yes), the processing unit 54 displays the success of the account authentication on the display unit 53 (step S83).

Next, the processing unit 54 determines whether or not there is a data transmission request operation to the input unit 52 (step S84). When the processing unit 54 determines that there is a data transmission request operation (step S84: Yes), the processing unit 54 causes the communication unit 51 to execute a process of transmitting the data transmission request to the server 3A via the network 4 (step S85).

Then, the processing unit 54 determines whether or not the data from the server 3A has been received by the communication unit 51 (step S86). When the processing unit 54 determines that the data from the server 3A has not been received by the communication unit 51 (step S86: No), the processing unit 54 repeats the processing of step S86.

When the processing unit 54 determines that the data from the server 3A has been received by the communication unit 51 (step S86: Yes), the processing unit 54 causes the display unit 53 to display the data received by the communication unit 51 (step S87). When the processing of step S87 is completed, or when it is determined that there is no data transmission request operation (step S84: No), the processing unit 54 determines whether or not there is a connection termination operation (step S88).

When the processing unit 54 determines that the account authentication has not been successful (step S82: No), the processing unit 54 causes the display unit 53 to display the failure of the account authentication (step S89). When the processing unit 54 determines that there is no connection termination operation (step S88: No), the processing unit 54 shifts the processing to step S83.

When the processing unit 54 determines that there is no account authentication operation (step S80: No), when the processing of step S89 is completed, or when it is determined that there is an operation for ending the connection (step S88: Yes), FIG. 15 Ends the process shown in.

The hardware configuration example of the processing units 32A and 54 according to the second embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the processing units 13, 22 and 32 shown in FIG. The processor 201 of the processing unit 32A executes the functions of the decoding processing unit 322, the measurement data registration unit 323, the account authentication unit 324, and the data provision unit 325 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 202. be able to. Further, the processor 201 of the processing unit 54 can execute the function of the processing unit 54 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 202.

As described above, when the server 3A of the meter reading system 100A according to the second embodiment receives the data transmission request from the user terminal 5 after performing the account authentication process for the account authentication request from the user terminal 5. , The data including the decoded measurement value is transmitted to the user terminal 5. Thereby, the meter reading system 100A can provide the meter reading result to the user terminal 5.

Embodiment 3.
In the meter reading system according to the third embodiment, it is possible to display whether or not the encrypted measurement data is acquired from the measuring device by the mobile terminal and whether or not the encrypted measurement data is transmitted to the server device by the mobile terminal. It is different from the meter reading system 100A according to the second embodiment. In the following, the components having the same functions as those of the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and the differences from the meter reading system 100A according to the second embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the meter reading system according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the meter reading system 100B according to the third embodiment is different from the meter reading system 100A in that the mobile terminal 2B is provided in place of the mobile terminal 2.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the mobile terminal 2B differs from the mobile terminal 2 in that the processing unit 22B and the storage unit 23B are provided in place of the processing unit 22 and the storage unit 23. The processing unit 22B is different from the processing unit 22 in that the list updating unit 224, the display processing unit 225, and the authentication processing unit 226 are further provided. Further, the storage unit 23B is different from the storage unit 23 in that the transmission / reception log data 41 is further stored.

The transmission / reception log data 41 is information indicating whether or not the device ID 401 and the measurement date / time 402 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 received from the measuring device 1 and the encrypted measurement data 40 received from the measuring device 1 are transmitted to the server 3A. The transmission presence / absence information is included for each encrypted measurement data 40. Further, the storage unit 23B stores the authenticated information including the device ID of the measuring device 1 certified by the processing unit 22B.

Each time the encrypted measurement data 40 from the measuring device 1 is received by the wireless communication unit 21, the list updating unit 224 includes the device ID 401 and the measurement date and time 402 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 received by the wireless communication unit 21. Is added to the transmission / reception log data 41. Further, each time the encrypted measurement data 40 is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 21 to the server 3A, the list update unit 224 transmits information indicating that the encrypted measurement data 40 has been transmitted to the device ID 401 and the measurement date / time 402 included in the transmission / reception log data 41. Associate as information.

When the operation to the input unit 24 by the user of the mobile terminal 2B is a transmission / reception log display operation, the display processing unit 225 acquires the encrypted measurement data 40 from the storage unit 23B, and based on the acquired encrypted measurement data 40. , The display unit 25 displays a meter reading status list showing the meter reading processing status of the measuring device 1. The meter reading status list displayed on the display unit 25 includes an overall meter reading status list showing the meter reading processing status of the plurality of measuring devices 1 and a meter reading status list for each device showing the meter reading processing status of each measuring device 1. Further, the overall meter reading status list may include a certified measuring device list and an uncertified measuring device list. The certified measuring device list shows the meter reading processing status of the measuring device 1 certified by the authentication processing unit 226, and the uncertified measuring device list shows the meter reading processing state of the measuring device 1 not certified by the authentication processing unit 226. Indicates the processing status. The meter reading status list is an example of transmission / reception logs.

When the authentication code is input by the user of the mobile terminal 2B operating the input unit 24, the authentication processing unit 226 transmits a communication connection request including the input authentication code to the measuring device 1. The authentication code is, for example, a password for authentication preset in the wireless module 12 built in the measuring device 1. For example, by including a card with a password code at the time of shipment of the measuring device 1, the administrator of the measuring device 1 can easily grasp it, and it is difficult for a third party to grasp it. Password.

The wireless module 12 of the measuring device 1 determines whether or not the authentication code included in the communication connection request transmitted from the mobile terminal 2B matches the authentication code preset in the wireless module 12, and if it matches the authentication code. If determined, a communication connection between the measuring device 1 and the mobile terminal 2B is established. When the communication connection with the measuring device 1 is established, the processing unit 22B of the mobile terminal 2B updates the authenticated information stored in the storage unit 23B. The authentication information is updated by adding the device ID of the measuring device 1 for which the communication connection has been established to the authenticated information.

The storage unit 23B of the mobile terminal 2B stores a decryption key for decrypting the encryption measurement value 403 included in the encryption measurement data 40. When the communication connection with the measuring device 1 can be established, the authentication processing unit 226 determines that the authentication is successful, and determines the encrypted measurement value 403 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 to be authenticated. Decoding is performed by the decoding key stored in the storage unit 23B. The authentication processing unit 226 associates the decrypted measurement value with the encrypted measurement data 40 that is the target of the authentication operation and stores it in the storage unit 23B.

The decoding key stored in the storage unit 23B is a decoding key for each measuring device 1. The decryption key for each measuring device 1 is stored in the storage unit 23B in association with the device ID, and the authentication processing unit 226 decodes the decryption key associated with the device ID included in the encrypted measurement data 40 to be authenticated. The key is used to decrypt the encrypted measurement value 403 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 that is the target of the authentication operation. When the encrypted measurement value 403 is encrypted with the encryption key common to all the measuring devices 1, the decryption key stored in the storage unit 23B is the decryption key common to all the measuring devices 1. May be good.

In the above-mentioned example, the decoding key stored in the mobile terminal 2B is used, but the decoding key may be stored in the measuring device 1 instead of the mobile terminal 2B. When the decoding key is stored in the measuring device 1, the mobile terminal 2B acquires the decoding key from the measuring device 1. For example, the authentication processing unit 226 causes the wireless communication unit 21 to transmit a decryption key request to the measuring device 1 for which a communication connection has been established, and the wireless communication unit sends a decoding key transmitted from the measuring device 1 in response to the decoding key request. Let 21 receive it. The authentication processing unit 226 acquires a decryption key from the wireless communication unit 21, and decrypts the encryption measurement value 403 included in the encryption measurement data 40 to be authenticated based on the acquired decryption key.

Further, the decryption key for decrypting the encrypted measurement value 403 may be the same as the authentication code of the measuring device 1. In this case, the authentication processing unit 226 uses the authentication code input by the user of the mobile terminal 2B to operate the input unit 24 as a decryption key, and the encryption measurement value included in the encryption measurement data 40 to be the authentication operation. Decrypt 403.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an overall meter reading state list displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the overall meter reading status list 80 displayed on the display unit 25 includes a “last measurement date” frame and a “transmitted” frame for each frame of the “measurement device No.”. The device ID 401 is shown in the frame of "Measuring device No.", and the device ID 401 is specified by the measurement date and time 402 included in the latest encrypted measurement data 40 received by the mobile terminal 2B in the frame of "Last measurement date". The measurement date to be measured is shown, but the measurement date and time 402 may be shown. The information shown in the frame of "Measuring device No." and the information shown in the frame of "Last measurement date" are examples of the reception log of the encrypted measurement data 40 from the measuring device 1.

In the "transmitted" frame, information indicating whether or not the latest encrypted measurement data 40 has been transmitted to the server 3A is shown. For example, when the latest encrypted measurement data 40 has been transmitted to the server 3A, a check mark is shown in the "transmitted" frame. If the latest encrypted measurement data 40 has not been transmitted to the server 3A, the "transmitted" frame is blank. The check mark and the blank indicate an example of the transmission log of the encrypted measurement data 40 to the server 3A. The fact that the encrypted measurement data 40 has been transmitted means that the encrypted measurement data 40 has been successfully transmitted to the server 3A, and that the encrypted measurement data 40 has not been transmitted means that the encrypted measurement data 40 has not been transmitted. It means that the transmission to the server 3A of the above has failed.

In the overall meter reading status list 80 shown in FIG. 18, it is shown that the latest encrypted measurement data 40 was received from the measuring device 1 having the device IDs of "20000001" to "200000011" on December 22, 2020. There is. Further, in the overall meter reading status list 80 shown in FIG. 18, the latest encrypted measurement data 40 received from the measuring device 1 having the device IDs “20000001” to “200000004”, “2000000000”, and “200000000010” is sent to the server 3. It is shown that it has been sent.

When the new encrypted measurement data 40 is received by the mobile terminal 2B from the measuring device 1 having the device ID not included in the overall meter reading status list 80, the overall meter reading status list 80 includes the new encrypted measurement data 40. The device ID and the measurement date and time are added. Further, it is assumed that the new encrypted measurement data 40 is received by the mobile terminal 2B from the measuring device 1 having the device ID already included in the overall meter reading status list 80. In this case, the measurement date and time associated with the device ID included in the new encrypted measurement data 40 in the overall meter reading status list 80 is updated to the latest measurement date and time included in the new encrypted measurement data 40.

When the area within the frame in which the device ID is shown is specified in the overall meter reading status list 80 by the operation of the mobile terminal 2B to the input unit 24, the display processing unit 225 performs a measuring device selection operation. Judged as The display processing unit 225 acquires the measurement date / time 402 and the transmission presence / absence information associated with the device ID indicated in the area designated by the measurement device selection operation from the transmission / reception log data 41. The display processing unit 225 causes the display unit 25 to display a meter reading status list for each device including the measurement date and time 402 acquired from the transmission / reception log data 41 and the transmission presence / absence information.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a meter reading status list for each device displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the device-specific meter reading status list 81 displayed on the display unit 25 includes a “measurement date and time” frame and a “transmitted” frame.

In the frame of "measurement date", the measurement date and time 402 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 received by the mobile terminal 2B is shown. Further, in the frame of "transmitted", information indicating whether or not the latest encrypted measurement data 40 has been transmitted to the server 3A is shown. For example, when the latest encrypted measurement data 40 has been transmitted to the server 3A, a check mark is shown in the "transmitted" frame.

In the meter reading status list 81 by device shown in FIG. 19, the device ID is "20000001" between 13:40:53 on October 21, 2020 and 10:16:34 on December 22, 2020. It is shown that the encrypted measurement data 40 has been received about 11 times from the measuring device 1 of the above. Further, in the meter reading status list 81 for each device shown in FIG. 19, it is shown that 8 of the 11 encrypted measurement data 40 received from the measuring device 1 are transmitted to the server 3A. There is.

Further, the meter reading status list 81 for each device shown in FIG. 19 includes a transmission button 82. The user of the mobile terminal 2B operates the input unit 24 to select an area in one of the areas in the plurality of frames in which a plurality of measurement dates and times are shown, and operates the input unit 24 to operate the transmission button 82. Can be selected. When the transmission button 82 is selected, the transmission processing unit 222 determines that the transmission operation has been performed, and acquires the encrypted measurement data 40 including the measurement date and time of the area designated by the user from the storage unit 23B. Then, the transmission processing unit 222 causes the wireless communication unit 21 to execute the transmission processing of transmitting the acquired encrypted measurement data 40 to the server 3A, and updates the transmission / reception log data 41.

When the encrypted measurement data 40 is transmitted to the server 3A by selecting the transmission button 82 and the transmission of the encrypted measurement data 40 to the server 3A fails, the transmission processing unit 222 causes the transmission / reception log data 41. Do not update. The transmission button 82 may not be provided in the meter reading status list 81 for each device. In this case, the transmission processing unit 222 may, for example, cause the wireless communication unit 21 to transmit the encrypted measurement data 40 to the server 3A a preset number of times. The wireless communication unit 21 may repeatedly transmit the encrypted measurement data 40 to the server 3A until the transmission of the encrypted measurement data 40 to the server 3A is successful.

The overall meter reading status list and the meter reading status list by device displayed on the display unit 25 by the display processing unit 225 are not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another example of the overall meter reading state list displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of the meter reading state list by a device.

The overall meter reading status list 80A shown in FIG. 20 includes a transmission / reception log of a certified measuring device and a transmission / reception log of an unauthenticated measuring device. The display processing unit 225 causes the display unit 25 to display the transmission / reception log of the measuring device 1 whose device ID is included in the authenticated information stored in the storage unit 23B as the transmission / reception log of the authenticated measuring device, and stores it in the storage unit 23B. The transmission / reception log of the measuring device 1 whose authenticated information does not include the device ID is displayed on the display unit 25 as the transmission / reception log of the unauthenticated measuring device.

The transmission / reception log of the authenticated measuring device includes a frame of "last measurement date", a frame of "measured value", and a frame of "transmitted" for each frame of "measurement device No.". The "Measuring device No." frame, the "Final measurement date" frame, and the "Sent" frame shown in FIG. 20 are the "Measuring device No." frame, the "Final measurement date" frame, and the "Final measurement date" frame shown in FIG. It is the same as the "sent" frame.

In the frame of "measured value", the measured value obtained by decrypting the encrypted measured value 403 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 is shown. The measured value shown in the frame of "measured value" is, for example, a measured value obtained by decrypting the encrypted measured value 403 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 by the authentication processing unit 226.

The transmission / reception log of the unauthenticated measuring device includes a frame of "last measurement date" and a frame of "transmitted" for each frame of "measurement device No.", but does not include a frame of "measured value". The "Measuring device No." frame, the "Final measurement date" frame, and the "Sent" frame shown in FIG. 20 are the "Measuring device No." frame, the "Final measurement date" frame, and the "Final measurement date" frame shown in FIG. It is the same as the "sent" frame.

The overall meter reading status list 80A shown in FIG. 20 includes an authentication button 86. The user of the mobile terminal 2B operates the input unit 24 to select an area in one of the areas in the plurality of frames indicating the device IDs of the plurality of measuring devices 1 in the transmission / reception log of the unauthenticated measuring device. By operating the input unit 24 and selecting the authentication button 86, the measuring device selection operation and the authentication operation can be performed.

When the authentication button 86 is selected, the authentication processing unit 226 targets the encrypted measurement value 403 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 including the device ID 401 of the measuring device 1 in the selected area as the target of the authentication operation, and performs the authentication operation. The authentication code entered by is decrypted as the decryption key. The authentication processing unit 226 associates the decrypted measurement value with the encrypted measurement data 40 that is the target of the authentication operation and stores it in the storage unit 23B. Further, the display processing unit 225 causes the display unit 25 to display a meter reading status list for each device including the decrypted measurement value associated with the encrypted measurement data 40 that is the target of the authentication operation.

As shown in FIG. 21, the device-specific meter reading status list 81A displayed on the display unit 25 includes a "measurement date and time" frame, a "measured value" frame, and a "transmitted" frame. The "measurement date and time" frame and the "transmitted" frame shown in FIG. 21 are the same as the "measurement date and time" frame and the "transmitted" frame shown in FIG. Further, the frame of the "measured value" shown in FIG. 21 is the same as the frame of the "measured value" of the transmission / reception log of the certified measuring device shown in FIG.

Further, the device-specific meter reading status list 81A shown in FIG. 21 includes a transmission button 82 as in the device-specific meter reading status list 81 shown in FIG. The user of the mobile terminal 2B operates the input unit 24 to select an area in one of the areas in the plurality of frames indicating a plurality of measurement dates and times, and operates the input unit 24 to press the transmission button 82. You can choose. When the transmission button 82 is selected, the transmission processing unit 222 determines that the transmission operation has been performed, and acquires the encrypted measurement data 40 including the measurement date and time of the area designated by the user from the storage unit 23B. Then, the transmission processing unit 222 causes the wireless communication unit 21 to execute the process of transmitting the acquired encrypted measurement data 40 to the server 3A, and updates the transmission / reception log data 41.

Subsequently, the operation of the meter reading system 100B will be described in more detail. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of operations in the measuring device, mobile terminal, server, and user terminal of the meter reading system according to the third embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 22 differs from the example shown in FIG. 13 in that the automatic meter reading process 102B is executed instead of the automatic meter reading process 102. The processes of steps S5 to S7 of the automatic meter reading process 102B are the same as the processes of steps S5 to S7 of the automatic meter reading process 102.

As shown in FIG. 22, the processing unit 22B of the mobile terminal 2B stores the encrypted measurement data 40 in the storage unit 23B in the process of step S6, and then stores the device ID 401 and the measurement date and time 402 included in the encrypted measurement data 40. Is updated to the transmission / reception log data 41 by adding the transmission / reception log data 41 (step S12). Then, when the encrypted measurement data 40 can be transmitted to the server 3A by wireless communication in the process of step S7, the processing unit 22B indicates that the device ID 401 and the measurement date / time 402 added to the transmission / reception log data 41 in step S12 have been transmitted. By associating the information as transmission presence / absence information, the transmission / reception log data 41 is updated (step S13).

Subsequently, the automatic meter reading process 102B of the mobile terminal 2B will be described with reference to the flowchart. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the automatic meter reading process of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment. Since steps S90, S91, S93, and S97 shown in FIG. 23 are the same as steps S30, S31, S32, and S34 shown in FIG. 7, description thereof will be omitted.

The processing unit 22B of the mobile terminal 2B stores the encrypted measurement data 40 in the storage unit 23B in the process of step S91, and then updates the transmission / reception log data 41 (step S92). In the process of step S92, the processing unit 22B adds the device ID 401 and the measurement date and time 402 included in the encrypted measurement data 40 stored in the storage unit 23B in the process of step S91 to the transmission / reception log data 41, so that the transmission / reception log is logged. The data 41 is updated.

Further, the processing unit 22B updates the transmission / reception log data 41 after transmitting the encrypted measurement data 40 to the wireless communication unit 21 to the server 3A in the process of step S93 (step S94). In the process of step S94, the processing unit 22B updates the transmission / reception log data 41 by associating the device ID 401 added to the transmission / reception log data 41 in step S92 and the information indicating that the transmission has been completed with the measurement date / time 402 as transmission presence / absence information.

When the processing unit 22B has completed the processing in step S94, or when it is determined that the encrypted measurement data 40 has not been received by the wireless communication unit 21 (step S90: No), whether or not there is a transmission / reception log display operation. Is determined (step S95). When the processing unit 22B determines that there is a transmission / reception log display operation (step S95: Yes), the processing unit 22B executes the transmission / reception log display processing (step S96). The transmission / reception log display process in step S96 is the process of steps S101 to S111 shown in FIG. 24, and will be described in detail later.

When the processing of step S96 is completed, or when it is determined that there is no transmission / reception log display operation (step S95: No), the processing unit 22B determines whether or not there is an operation termination operation (step S97).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of the transmission / reception log display processing of the mobile terminal according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, the processing unit 22B causes the display unit 25 to display either the overall meter reading status list 80 or 80A based on the transmission / reception log data 41 stored in the storage unit 23B (step S101).

Next, the processing unit 22B determines whether or not there is a measuring device selection operation (step S102). When the processing unit 22B determines that there is a measuring device selection operation (step S102: Yes), the processing unit 22B determines whether or not there is an authentication operation (step S103). When the processing unit 22B determines that there is an authentication operation (step S103: Yes), the processing unit 22B transmits the authentication code input in the authentication operation to the measuring device 1 and determines whether or not the communication connection with the measuring device 1 is successful. Determination (step S104).

When the processing unit 22B determines that the communication connection with the measuring device 1 is successful (step S104: Yes), the processing unit 22B decodes the encrypted measurement value 403 including the device ID of the measuring device 1 specified in the measuring device selection operation. (Step S105). The processing unit 22B stores the decoded measured value in the storage unit 23B (step S106).

The processing unit 22B determines that the processing of step S106 is completed, that there is no authentication operation (step S103: No), or that the communication connection with the measuring device 1 is not successful (step S104:). No), the meter reading status lists 81 and 81A for each device are displayed on the display unit 25 (step S107).

Next, the processing unit 22B determines whether or not there is a transmission operation (step S108). When the processing unit 22B determines that there is a transmission operation (step S108: Yes), the processing unit 22B transmits the encrypted measurement data 40 that is the target of the transmission operation (step S109).

When the processing of step S109 is completed or when it is determined that there is no transmission operation (step S108: No), the processing unit 22B determines whether or not the overall meter reading status lists 80 and 80A are selected (step S110). .. When the processing unit 22B determines that the overall meter reading status lists 80 and 80A have been selected (step S110: Yes), the processing unit 22B shifts the processing to step S101.

When the processing unit 22B determines that the overall meter reading status lists 80 and 80A are not selected (step S110: No), or when it is determined that there is no measuring device selection operation (step S102: No), the list display end operation It is determined whether or not there is (step S111). When the processing unit 22B determines that there is no list display end operation (step S111: No), the process proceeds to step S102, and when it is determined that there is a list display end operation (step S111: Yes), FIG. 24 shows. The processing shown is terminated.

In the above example, the processing unit 22B of the mobile terminal 2B newly adds the device ID 401 and the measurement date and time 402 to the transmission / reception log data 41 based on the measurement data received from the measurement device 1, but the device of the specific user from the server 3A. You can also get a list of IDs. When the user of the mobile terminal 2B is a meter reader, the list of device IDs of the specific user is a list of device IDs of the measuring device 1 to be meter-read. The server 3A stores a list of device IDs for each user of the mobile terminal 2B, and in response to a request from the mobile terminal 2B, the list of device IDs set for each user of the mobile terminal 2B is stored in the mobile terminal 2B. Can be sent. The processing unit 22B can compare the list of device IDs of a specific user with the device ID obtained by actually receiving from the measuring device 1, and display the comparison result on the display unit 25. As a result, the user of the mobile terminal 2B can easily grasp the presence or absence of the meter reading omission.

Further, the processing unit 22B of the mobile terminal 2B acquires map data in which the position of the measuring device 1 to be meter-read is displayed on the map from the server 3A, and the position of the measuring device 1 is determined based on the acquired map data. The displayed map can be displayed on the display unit 25. The measuring device 1 whose position is displayed in the map data is, for example, the measuring device 1 whose device ID is included in the list of device IDs of a specific user. The processing unit 22B can highlight the measuring device 1 having a meter reading omission shown on the map. As a result, the user of the mobile terminal 2B can determine the measuring device 1 having the meter reading omission based on the above-mentioned comparison result, and can easily grasp the position of the measuring device 1 having the meter reading omission. It can support quick meter reading.

The hardware configuration example of the processing unit 22B according to the third embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the processing unit 22 shown in FIG. The processor 201 of the processing unit 22B reads and executes the program stored in the memory 202, thereby performing the data acquisition unit 221, the transmission processing unit 222, the data deletion unit 223, the list update unit 224, the display processing unit 225, and the authentication unit. The function of the processing unit 226 can be executed.

As described above, the mobile terminal 2B of the meter reading system 100B according to the third embodiment includes a reception log of the encrypted measurement data 40 from the measuring device 1 and a transmission log of the encrypted measurement data 40 to the server 3A. Display the send / receive log. As a result, the user of the mobile terminal 2B can easily confirm whether or not the encrypted measurement data 40 can be acquired from the measuring device 1 and whether or not the encrypted measurement data 40 can be normally transmitted from the mobile terminal 2B to the server 3A. Can be done.

Further, the mobile terminal 2B includes a storage unit 23B and a processing unit 22B. The storage unit 23B stores a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted measurement value included in the encrypted measurement data. The processing unit 22B performs processing for making a communication connection with the measuring device 1 based on the authentication code input by the user, and when the communication connection is successful, the decryption key stored in the storage unit 23B. The encrypted measurement value included in the encrypted measurement data 40 is decoded, and the decoded measurement value is included in the transmission / reception log and displayed on the display unit 25. As a result, the user of the mobile terminal 2B can easily confirm the measured value.

The configuration shown in the above embodiments is an example, and can be combined with another known technique, can be combined with each other, and does not deviate from the gist. It is also possible to omit or change a part of the configuration.

1 Measuring device, 2,2B mobile terminal, 3,3A server, 4 network, 5 user terminal, 11 measuring unit, 12 wireless module, 13,22,22B, 32,32A, 54 processing unit, 14,23,23B, 33, 33A, 55 storage unit, 21,121 wireless communication unit, 24,52 input unit, 25,53 display unit, 31,51 communication unit, 40 encrypted measurement data, 41 transmission / reception log data, 60 decryption measurement data, 61 Decoding key, 62 Account data, 80,80A Overall meter reading status list, 81, 81A Device-specific meter reading status list, 82 Send button, 86 Authentication button, 100, 100A, 100B Meter reading system, 101 Automatic transmission processing, 102, 102B Automatic Meter reading processing, 103 data processing, 104 data transmission / reception processing, 131 measurement value acquisition unit, 132 encryption processing unit, 133 transmission data generation unit, 134,222 transmission processing unit, 201 processor, 202 memory, 203 interface circuit, 204 bus , 211 1st wireless communication unit, 212 2nd wireless communication unit, 221 data acquisition unit, 223 data deletion unit, 224 list update unit, 225 display processing unit, 226 authentication processing unit, 321 measurement data acquisition unit, 322 decryption processing. Unit, 323 measurement data registration unit, 324 account authentication unit, 325 data provision unit, 401,601 device ID, 402,602 measurement date and time, 403 encryption measurement value, 603 decryption measurement value.

Claims (11)

A measuring device that periodically broadcasts encrypted measurement data, which is measurement data including encrypted measurement values, by wireless communication.
A mobile terminal that receives the encrypted measurement data from the measuring device by wireless communication and transmits the received encrypted measurement data in a state where the measured value is encrypted by wireless communication.
A meter reading system comprising: a server that collects the encrypted measurement data transmitted from the mobile terminal and decodes the measured value included in the collected encrypted measurement data. The mobile terminal is
The meter reading according to claim 1, wherein the encrypted measurement data received from the measuring device is stored, the encrypted measurement data is transmitted to the server, and then the stored encrypted measurement data is deleted. system. The server
After performing an account authentication process for an account authentication request from a user terminal, when a data transmission request is received from the user terminal, the data including the decoded measured value is transmitted to the user terminal. The meter reading system according to claim 1 or 2. Equipped with the user terminal
The user terminal is
The third aspect of claim 3, wherein the decoded measurement data, which is the data including the decoded measured value, is acquired from the server, and the measured value is displayed based on the acquired decoded measurement data. Meter reading system. The mobile terminal is
One of claims 1 to 4, wherein a transmission / reception log including a reception log of the encrypted measurement data from the measuring device and a transmission log of the encrypted measurement data to the server is displayed. The meter reading system described in. The mobile terminal is
A storage unit that stores a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted measurement value included in the encrypted measurement data, and a storage unit.
Based on the authentication code input by the user, a process for making a communication connection with the measuring device is performed, and when the communication connection is successful, the encryption is performed with the decryption key stored in the storage unit. The fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a processing unit that decodes the encrypted measurement value included in the measurement data, includes the decoded measurement value in the transmission / reception log, and displays it on the display unit. Meter reading system. With the wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication,
The measurement unit that measures the measurement target and
An encryption processing unit that encrypts the measured value, which is the value of the measurement target measured by the measurement unit, and
It is characterized by including a transmission processing unit that causes the wireless communication unit to periodically broadcast encrypted measurement data, which is measurement data including the measurement value encrypted by the encryption processing unit. Measuring device. With the wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication,
A measurement data acquisition unit that includes encrypted measurement values and acquires encrypted measurement data, which is measurement data received by the wireless communication unit, from the wireless communication unit.
A storage unit that stores the encrypted measurement data acquired by the measurement data acquisition unit, and a storage unit.
A mobile terminal including a transmission processing unit that causes the wireless communication unit to execute a process of transmitting the encrypted measurement data stored in the storage unit to the server in a state where the measured value is encrypted. .. The first step of acquiring encrypted measurement data, which includes encrypted measurement values and is measurement data received by the wireless communication unit, from the wireless communication unit, and
The second step of storing the encrypted measurement data acquired in the first step in the storage unit, and
It is characterized by having a computer execute a third step of causing the wireless communication unit to execute a process of transmitting the encrypted measurement data stored in the storage unit to the server in a state where the measured value is encrypted. Meter reading processing program. A measurement data acquisition unit that acquires encrypted measurement data, which is measurement data that includes encrypted measurement values and is periodically broadcast from the measurement device, from a mobile terminal.
A server including a decryption processing unit that decodes the encrypted measurement value included in the encrypted measurement data acquired by the measurement data acquisition unit. The first step in which the measuring device periodically broadcasts the encrypted measurement data, which is the measurement data including the encrypted measurement value, by wireless communication.
The second step in which the mobile terminal receives the encrypted measurement data from the measuring device by wireless communication, and
A third step in which the mobile terminal transmits the encrypted measurement data received in the second step by wireless communication in a state where the measured value is encrypted.
A fourth step in which the server collects the encrypted measurement data transmitted from the mobile terminal, and
A meter reading method comprising the fifth step of decrypting the measured value included in the encrypted measurement data collected in the fourth step.

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