CN111771369B

CN111771369B - Information processing system

Info

Publication number: CN111771369B
Application number: CN201980015735.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 间岛宽; 坂东竹夫
Original assignee: Iwatani Corp
Current assignee: Iwatani Corp
Priority date: 2018-05-02
Filing date: 2019-03-04
Publication date: 2022-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-04
Also published as: MY185973A; TWI722421B; KR20210005225A; CN111771369A; WO2019211942A1; JP6654661B2; KR102263529B1; JP2019195146A; TW202004696A; SG11202009912TA

Abstract

An alarm device (10) which is disposed indoors and outputs an alarm when a target gas is detected, the alarm device (10) comprising: a first communication means for performing wireless communication with a gas meter (20A) that measures the amount of gas used indoors; a second communication unit for communicating with the central server (50); a meter reading information acquisition unit (301) that acquires meter reading information specifying a meter reading date from the gas meter (20A) via the first communication unit; a storage unit (303) that stores the meter reading information acquired by the meter reading information acquisition unit (301); and a communication control unit (313) that transmits meter reading information specifying a meter reading date stored in the storage unit (303) to the central server (50) via the second communication unit.

Description

Information processing system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an alarm device and an information processing system.

Background

Conventionally, as an automatic meter reading system for a gas meter or the like, a bidirectional system using a public telephone line is known. For example, a central device and automatic gas meters for meter reading installed in each customer are connected via a public telephone line with a terminal network control device, and meter reading information of the gas meters is read from the central device via a telephone line. In addition, a technique of notifying the central device of the safety information of the gas meter together with the meter reading information of the gas meter is also proposed.

For example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2008-35423 (patent document 1) discloses an alarm notification apparatus that wirelessly receives an alarm message from an alarm apparatus and notifies a central apparatus of an alarm state via a terminal network control unit and a public telephone line based on the wirelessly received alarm message. The alarm notification device transmits security monitoring information on a gas meter with a meter reading function to a central device together with meter reading information of the gas meter in response to wireless reception of an alarm message, sets a flag associated with the received alarm message in advance among unused flags in a security monitoring data flag list, and transmits a response message including the set flag in accordance with a request message received from a terminal network control unit after transmitting an activation request signal to the terminal network control unit.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2008-35423

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Typically, the meter reading information of the gas meter is periodically transmitted to the central device on a meter reading day specified in advance for each customer. However, when the specified meter reading days are concentrated according to the customer's desire, communication is disturbed due to a high load of processing on the central device side, a traffic jam, or the like, and therefore the actual meter reading day shifts to the specified day after the next day. In this way, the meter reading period is a period from the last meter reading date to the specified date, which is not preferable in terms of customer service. Patent document 1 does not teach and suggest any technique for solving the above-described problems.

An object of an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an alarm device and an information processing system capable of improving customer service by appropriately acquiring meter reading information of a gas meter.

Means for solving the problems

In one embodiment, an alarm device is provided which is disposed indoors and outputs an alarm when a target gas is detected. The alarm device is provided with: a first communication unit for performing wireless communication with a gas meter for measuring a usage amount of gas used indoors; a second communication unit for communicating with the central server; a meter reading information acquisition unit that acquires meter reading information specifying a meter reading date from the gas meter via the first communication unit; a storage unit that stores the meter reading information acquired by the meter reading information acquisition unit; and a communication control unit that transmits meter reading information specifying a meter reading date stored in the storage unit to the central server via the second communication unit.

Preferably, when the current date and time reaches a predetermined time at which a meter reading date is specified, the meter reading information acquisition unit instructs the gas meter to transmit the meter reading information of the current date and time via the first communication unit, thereby acquiring the meter reading information of the current date and time, and the meter reading information acquisition unit stores the acquired meter reading information of the current date and time in the storage unit as the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date.

Preferably, the alarm device further includes a shutoff information acquisition unit that acquires shutoff information indicating that the gas has been shut off from the gas meter via the first communication unit. When the target gas is detected indoors, the shutoff information acquisition unit transmits detection information indicating that the target gas is detected to the gas meter via the first communication unit, and acquires the shutoff information from the gas meter as a response to the detection information. The communication control unit transmits the disconnection information to the central server via the second communication unit.

Preferably, when transmission of the meter reading information specifying the meter reading date to the central server fails, the communication control unit transmits the meter reading information specifying the meter reading date to the central server again after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the transmission failed.

Preferably, the communication control means deletes the meter reading information on the designated meter reading date stored in the storage means when the transmission of the meter reading information on the designated meter reading date to the central server is successful.

Preferably, the alarm device further includes a power storage unit that is charged with electric power from the commercial power supply at a normal time, and that functions as an alternative power supply to the alarm device when the commercial power supply fails.

Preferably, the alarm device further includes an imaging information acquisition unit that acquires imaging information obtained by imaging with a camera disposed indoors. When the target gas is detected indoors, the communication control unit transmits the imaging information acquired by the imaging information acquisition unit to the central server via the second communication unit.

Preferably, the alarm device further includes an operation unit that receives an operation input from a user. When the operation unit receives an emergency instruction from the user, the communication control unit transmits emergency information to the central server via the second communication unit.

An information processing system according to another embodiment includes a central server and a main alarm device that is disposed indoors and has a gas alarm function of outputting an alarm when a target gas is detected. The main alarm device acquires meter reading information specifying a meter reading date from a gas meter via a first communication means for wireless communication with the gas meter for measuring the amount of gas used indoors, stores the acquired meter reading information in a first memory of the main alarm device, and transmits the meter reading information specifying the meter reading date stored in the first memory to a central server via a second communication means for communication with the central server.

Preferably, the information processing system further includes a plurality of alarm devices including a plurality of master alarm devices and a plurality of slave alarm devices having a gas alarm function. Each of the plurality of slave alarm devices acquires meter reading information specifying a meter reading date from the gas meter via the first communication means, stores the acquired meter reading information in the second memory of the slave alarm device, searches for alarm devices existing in the periphery, and transmits the meter reading information specifying the meter reading date stored in the second memory to the first alarm device found by the search. When the first alarm device is the main alarm device, the first alarm device transmits meter reading information specifying a meter reading date stored in the second memory to the central server via the second communication unit.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present disclosure, customer service can be improved by appropriately acquiring meter reading information of a gas meter.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the alarm device according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a transmission method of meter reading information according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a transmission method of disconnection information according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the alarm device according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a multi-hop communication method according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an aspect in the case where the master device in fig. 6 has failed.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description of these components will not be repeated.

[ embodiment 1]

< System Structure >

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system 1000 according to embodiment 1. Referring to fig. 1, an information processing system 1000 includes

alarm devices

10 and 11,

gas meters

20A and 20B, a home appliance 30, a camera 31, a network 40, and a central server 50.

For ease of explanation, the configuration in which the

alarm devices

10 and 11 are disposed in a house will be described below. However, for example, the

alarm devices

10 and 11 may be disposed in each room of an apartment, or may be disposed in various stores. That is, the

alarm devices

10 and 11 may be disposed at any place as long as they are indoors.

An alarm device 10 having a gas alarm function for outputting an alarm when a target gas is detected, a home appliance 30, and a camera 31 are disposed indoors in the house 201. Typically, the gas meter 20A is disposed outdoors in the house 201.

Alarm device 11 is disposed indoors in house 202. Further, a home appliance, a camera, and the like may be disposed indoors in the house 202, similarly to the house 201. The gas meter 20B is disposed outdoors in the house 202.

The alarm device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the gas meter 20A, the home appliance 30, the camera 31, and the alarm device 11. The alarm device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the center server 50 via the network 40. The alarm device 10 has a gateway function that provides data exchange between a plurality of communication standards, and performs control so that data can be smoothly exchanged between networks of different protocols. Similarly, the alarm device 11 may have a gateway function.

The alarm device 10 wirelessly communicates with the gas meter 20A, the home appliance 30, and the camera 31 by a communication method using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) that is a Local Area Network (Local Area Network). The alarm device 11 performs wireless communication with the gas meter 20B by these communication methods.

The alarm device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the center server 50 via the network 40 using, for example, a mobile phone communication system such as 3G (3rd Generation: third Generation mobile communication) or LTE (Long Term Evolution) or a wireless communication system expected to be widespread in the future, such as LTE-m (Long Term Evolution) or NB-I (Narrow Band IoT) included in LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) or the like. The network 40 includes a carrier network in a mobile phone, the internet, and the like.

The alarm device 10 wirelessly communicates with the alarm device 11 using, for example, Wi-SUN (registered trademark) (Wireless Smart Utility Network). Wi-SUN is a specific low-power wireless system using a 920MHz band, and has characteristics of lower power consumption, longer reach distance, and less possibility of radio wave interference with other wireless systems than Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The 920MHz band approach also has the advantage of faster communication speed compared to other specific low power wireless approaches (400MHz band). The alarm device 10 may wirelessly communicate with the gas meter 20A, the home electric appliance 30, and the camera 31 by Wi-SUN.

The gas meter 20A measures the amount of gas used in the house 201. The gas meter 20A has a gas flow rate measuring function, a shutoff function of a shutoff valve, a communication function, and a clock function.

Specifically, the gas meter 20A is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 10 by a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) described above. The gas meter 20A measures gas flowing from a gas container (not shown) to gas equipment (not shown) installed in the house 201, and transmits meter reading information to the alarm device 10. The meter reading information may be an accumulated value of the flow rate of the gas flowing from the gas container to the gas facility, data indicating the amount of gas used, or a combination of 2 or more of these.

The gas meter 20B is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 11, measure gas flowing through gas equipment (not shown) installed in the house 202, and transmit meter reading information to the alarm device 11.

The home appliance 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 10, and is, for example, a lighting device, an electric fan, a vacuum cleaner, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a television, a personal computer, a microwave oven, an air cleaner, or the like. The home appliance 30 executes predetermined control in accordance with various instructions from the alarm device 10, or transmits various information to the alarm device 10.

The camera 31 is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 10, and photographs the indoor state of the house 201 in accordance with instruction information from the alarm device 10. In addition, the camera 31 transmits the shot image to the warning device 10. The camera 31 is realized by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) system, a CMOS (Complementary metal Oxide Semiconductor) system, or other systems. The camera 31 has a zoom function for changing a zoom magnification, a focus function for adjusting a focal length, and the like.

The central server 50 is a server device connected to the network 40 and used for monitoring and controlling the alarm device 10 and the gas meter 20A from a remote place. The central server 50 acquires information of the gas meter 20A by making a meter reading request to the gas meter 20A through the alarm device 10, or causes the gas meter 20A to execute gas shutoff by making a shutoff request to the gas meter 20A through the alarm device 10, for example. The central server 50 can also make a meter reading request and a cutting request to the gas meter 20B via the alarm device 10 and the alarm device 11.

In addition to the above, a fire alarm device, a monitoring robot, a health device capable of acquiring biological information such as the number of heartbeats, and the like may be disposed indoors in the house 201. In this case, the alarm device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with these devices and the like by a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and to be able to exchange various information.

< hardware Structure >

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the alarm device 10 according to embodiment 1. Referring to fig. 2, the alarm device 10 includes a main control unit 100, a communication unit 110, a gas sensor 131, a speaker 132, an operation interface (I/F)133, a GPS module 134, an LED (light emitting diode) 135, and a battery 136.

The main control unit 100 is a main body that controls the overall processing in the alarm device 10. The main control section 100 includes a processor 102, a main memory 104, and a nonvolatile memory 106 as main components.

The processor 102 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and expands and executes a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 106 in the main memory 104. The processor 102 executes the program to realize processing of the alarm device 10 described later.

The main Memory 104 is configured by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), or the like, and holds data in a volatile manner. The nonvolatile Memory 106 is configured by a flash Memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or the like, and holds data in a nonvolatile manner. Hereinafter, the main memory 104 and the nonvolatile memory 106 are collectively referred to as "memories" for short.

The main control unit 100 may be mounted as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration) including the above-described components. In this case, each component may be mounted in the form of an integrated SoC (System-on-a-Chip).

The communication part 110 includes a Bluetooth module 111, an LTE module 112, a Wi-SUN module 113, and a Wi-Fi module 114.

The Bluetooth module 111 is connected to an antenna 121 and provides a short-range wireless communication function conforming to the Bluetooth standard. The Bluetooth module 111 is capable of performing, for example, wireless communication in compliance with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) standard and wireless communication in compliance with Classic Bluetooth standard. Typically, the processor 102 communicates with the gas meter 20A, the home appliance 30, and the camera 31 via the Bluetooth module 111.

The LTE module 112 is connected to the antenna 122 and provides wireless communication functions according to wireless access modes such as LTE, 3G, LTE-M, NB-ij T, and the like. Typically, the LTE module 112 and the antenna 122 are used for communication between the central server 50 and the alarm device 10.

The Wi-SUN module 113 is connected to the antenna 123, and provides a specific low power wireless communication function in a 920MHz band. Typically, Wi-SUN module 113 and antenna 123 are used for communication between alarm device 10 and alarm device 11. The Wi-Fi module 114 is connected to an antenna 124 and provides a wireless communication function according to a wireless access method such as a wireless LAN.

The gas sensor 131 detects the presence or absence of the target gas. The target gas may be, for example, a combustible gas, an LP gas containing propane and butane as main components, or an urban gas containing methane as a main component.

Speaker 132 outputs sounds as directed by processor 102. For example, in a case where the gas sensor 131 detects the gas of the object, the processor 102 outputs an alarm sound via the speaker 132.

The operation interface 133 receives various instructions from a user. Typically, the operation interface 133 includes an emergency contact button, an alarm stop switch, an inspection switch, and the like.

The GPS module 134 receives a GPS signal or a position signal (positioning signal) from a base station to acquire position information of the alarm device 10. The GPS module 134 inputs the acquired position information to the main control section 100.

LED 135 flashes or lights up as directed by processor 102. For example, in the case where the target gas is detected by the gas sensor 131, the processor 102 prompts a warning by blinking or lighting the LED 135.

The battery 136 is a chargeable and dischargeable power storage element, and is typically constituted by a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery. Alarm device 10 is connected to commercial power supply 150 via an AC (alternating Current) power line, and battery 136 is charged by commercial power supply 150. Specifically, battery 136 is charged with electric power from commercial power supply 150 during a normal time (during non-power failure), and battery 136 functions as an alternative power supply for alarm device 10 when commercial power supply 150 fails.

The hardware configuration of the alarm device 11 is different from that of the alarm device 10 in that the LTE module 112 (and the antenna 122) in fig. 2 is not included, and is otherwise the same.

< treatment Process >

The procedure of various processes in the alarm device 10 is explained.

(transmitting method of Meter reading information)

Fig. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a transmission method of meter reading information according to embodiment 1. Here, a mode in which the alarm device 10 transmits meter reading information specifying a meter reading date to the center server 50 will be described.

Referring to fig. 3, the processor 102 of the alarm device 10 determines whether or not a meter reading time based on a meter reading date (designated meter reading date) designated in advance has come (step S10).

Specifically, when receiving a meter reading instruction designating a meter reading date from the central server 50 via the LTE module 112 and the network 40, the processor 102 determines that the meter reading time has come. Alternatively, the processor 102 may determine whether or not the meter reading time has come by comparing a specified meter reading date stored in the nonvolatile memory 106 in advance with the current date and time.

The processor 102 instructs the gas meter 20A to transmit the meter reading information at the current time to the alarm device 10 (step S12). Specifically, the processor 102 transmits instruction information indicating the instruction to the gas meter 20A via the Bluetooth module 111.

The processor 102 receives the meter reading information of the current time point from the gas meter 20A via the Bluetooth module 111 (step S14). The processor 102 stores the received meter reading information in a memory (for example, the nonvolatile memory 106) as meter reading information for specifying a meter reading date (step S16).

The processor 102 transmits meter reading information specifying a meter reading date stored in the memory to the central server 50 via the LTE module 112 (step S18). Next, the processor 102 determines whether or not the transmission of the meter reading information to the center server 50 is successful (step S20).

For example, when the meter reading information is transmitted, and when the response from the central server 50 is not received even after a certain time has elapsed (that is, when a timeout occurs), the processor 102 determines that the meter reading information has not reached the central server 50 (that is, transmission has failed). If this is not the case, the processor 102 determines that the transmission of the meter reading information has succeeded.

If the transmission of the meter reading information has succeeded (yes in step S20), the processor 102 ends the processing. If the transmission of the meter reading information fails (no in step S20), the processor 102 determines whether a predetermined period (for example, one day) has elapsed since the transmission of the meter reading information failed (step S22). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (no in step S22), the processor 102 executes the process of step S22.

When the predetermined time has elapsed (yes in step S22), the processor 102 executes the process of step S18. That is, the processor 102 retransmits meter reading information specifying a meter reading date stored in the memory to the center server 50.

As described above, the alarm device 10 stores in advance the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date acquired from the gas meter 20A in the memory. Even if a communication failure occurs due to a high load of processing on the central server 50 side, a traffic jam, or the like, and it is assumed that the meter reading information cannot be transmitted on the designated meter reading day, the alarm device 10 transmits the meter reading information on the designated meter reading day stored in the memory to the central server 50 at a time point when communication with the central server 50 is possible. This prevents variation in the meter reading period, thereby improving customer service.

(transmission mode of disconnection information)

Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a transmission method of disconnection information according to embodiment 1. Here, a description will be given of a mode of transmitting the gas shutoff information to the center server 50 when the alarm device 10 detects the target gas.

Referring to fig. 4, processor 102 of alarm device 10 determines whether or not the target gas is detected indoors in house 201 via gas sensor 131 (step S30). If the target gas is not detected (no in step S30), the processor 102 executes the process of step S30.

When the target gas is detected (yes in step S30), the processor 102 transmits gas detection information indicating that the target gas is detected to the gas meter 20A via the Bluetooth module 111 (step S32). Upon receiving the gas detection information, the gas meter 20A cuts off the shut-off valve to stop the supply of gas from the gas container. Then, the gas meter 20A transmits cutting information indicating that the cutting has been performed to the alarm device 10 via the shutdown module.

The processor 102 receives the disconnection information from the gas meter 20A via the Bluetooth module 111 (step S34), and stores the disconnection information in the memory in association with the current date and time (step S36). Specifically, the processor 102 stores, in the memory, cutting-related information including cutting information and a cutting date and time when cutting was performed.

The processor 102 transmits the disconnection-related information stored in the memory to the central server 50 via the LTE module 112 (step S38). Next, the processor 102 determines whether or not the transmission of the disconnection-related information to the center server 50 is successful (step S40).

If the transmission of the disconnection-related information has succeeded (yes in step S40), the processor 102 ends the processing. When the transmission of the disconnection-related information fails (no in step S40), the processor 102 determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the failure of the transmission of the disconnection-related information (step S42). If the predetermined period has not elapsed (no in step S42), the processor 102 executes the process of step S42.

When the predetermined period has elapsed (yes in step S42), the processor 102 executes the process of step S38. That is, the processor 102 transmits the disconnection-related information stored in the memory to the central server 50 again.

As described above, the alarm device 10 stores in advance, in the memory, the shutoff-related information indicating when the shutoff valve is shut off by the gas meter 20A. Even when communication with the center server 50 is disabled due to occurrence of a disaster or the like and thus the disconnection-related information cannot be transmitted, the alarm device 10 transmits the disconnection-related information to the center server 50 at a point in time when communication with the center server 50 is enabled. This makes it possible to accurately grasp, on the side of the center server 50, when the gas is cut off.

< functional Structure >

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the alarm device 10 according to embodiment 1. Referring to fig. 5, the alarm device 10 includes, as main functional configurations, a meter reading information acquisition unit 301, a storage unit 303, a gas detection unit 305, a shutoff information acquisition unit 307, an imaging information acquisition unit 309, an operation unit 311, a communication control unit 313, and an inter-device communication unit 315. The storage unit 303 is implemented by the main memory 104 and the nonvolatile memory 106.

The meter reading information acquisition unit 301 acquires meter reading information specifying a meter reading date from the gas meter 20A via a first communication module (for example, Bluetooth module 111) for performing wireless communication with the gas meter 20A.

In one aspect, when the current date and time reaches a predetermined time at which a meter reading date is specified, the meter reading information acquisition unit 301 instructs the gas meter 20A via the first communication module to transmit the meter reading information of the current date and time (that is, performs a meter reading instruction), thereby acquiring the meter reading information of the current date and time. The meter reading information acquiring unit 301 stores the acquired meter reading information of the current date and time as meter reading information specifying a meter reading date in the storage unit 303. The meter reading information acquisition unit 301 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the communication unit 110.

The gas detection unit 305 detects whether or not the target gas is present indoors in the house 201. The gas detection unit 305 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the gas sensor 131.

The shutoff information acquisition unit 307 acquires shutoff information indicating that the gas is shut off from the gas meter 20A via the first communication module. In one aspect, when the target gas is detected by the gas detection unit 305, the shutoff information acquisition unit 307 transmits detection information indicating that the target gas is detected to the gas meter 20A via the first communication module, and acquires the shutoff information from the gas meter 20A as a response to the detection information. The cutting information acquisition unit 307 may store cutting-related information obtained by associating the cutting information with the current date and time (i.e., the cutting date and time) in the storage unit 303.

The imaging information acquisition unit 309 acquires imaging information obtained by imaging by the camera 31 via the first communication module. The imaging information acquisition unit 309 stores the imaging information in the storage unit 303. The imaging information acquisition unit 309 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the communication unit 110.

In one aspect, when the gas detection unit 305 detects gas, the imaging information acquisition unit 309 may transmit an activation instruction to the camera 31 to acquire imaging information obtained by imaging by the activated camera 31. This makes it possible to store the indoor situation in an emergency situation when a gas leak occurs in the storage unit 303, and to efficiently use the capacity of the storage unit 303 because the imaging information is not stored in a normal state.

The operation unit 311 receives an operation input from a user. In one aspect, the operation unit 311 receives an emergency instruction from a user. The operation section 311 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the operation interface 133.

The communication control unit 313 communicates various information with the center server 50 via a second communication module (e.g., the LTE module 112). The communication control unit 313 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the communication unit 110.

In one aspect, the communication control unit 313 transmits meter reading information specifying a meter reading date stored in the storage unit 303 to the center server 50 via the second communication module. When transmission of meter reading information specifying a meter reading date to the center server 50 fails, the communication control unit 313 retransmits the meter reading information specifying the meter reading date to the center server 50 after a predetermined period (for example, 1 day later) has elapsed since the transmission failure. In addition, when the transmission of the meter reading information specifying the meter reading date to the center server 50 is successful, the communication control unit 313 may delete the meter reading information specifying the meter reading date stored in the storage unit 303 immediately after the transmission is successful, or delete the meter reading information specifying the meter reading date stored in the storage unit 303 after a certain period of time (for example, several months) has elapsed from the successful transmission. This enables the capacity of the storage unit 303 to be efficiently used.

In another aspect, the communication control unit 313 transmits the disconnection information acquired by the disconnection information acquisition unit 307 to the center server 50 via the second communication module. Specifically, communication control unit 313 transmits the disconnection-related information stored in storage unit 303 to central server 50.

In still another aspect, when the target gas is detected indoors in the house 201, the communication control unit 313 transmits the imaging information acquired by the imaging information acquisition unit 309 to the center server 50 via the second communication module.

In still another aspect, when the operation unit 311 receives an emergency instruction from the user, the communication control unit 313 transmits emergency information indicating that some emergency has occurred to the center server 50 via the second communication module. This enables the user to directly contact the center server 50 in an emergency.

The inter-device communication unit 315 performs wireless communication with the alarm device 11. Typically, the inter-device communication unit 315 wirelessly communicates with the alarm device 11 via a third communication module (e.g., the Wi-SUN module 113). For example, the inter-device communication unit 315 receives various information (for example, meter reading information, disconnection-related information, imaging information, emergency information, and the like) from the alarm device 11. The communication control unit 313 transmits various information acquired by the inter-device communication unit 315 to the center server 50 via the second communication module.

Here, the alarm device 11 has each functional configuration (that is, the meter reading information acquisition unit 301, the storage unit 303, the gas detection unit 305, the shutoff information acquisition unit 307, the imaging information acquisition unit 309, the operation unit 311, and the inter-device communication unit 315) other than the communication control unit 313 among the functional configurations of the alarm device 10 described above. Specifically, the alarm device 11 acquires meter reading information specifying a meter reading date, disconnection-related information, imaging information, emergency instruction information, and the like. Then, the inter-device communication unit of the alarm device 11 transmits the information to the alarm device 10 via the Wi-SUN module.

< advantages >

According to embodiment 1, even when meter reading information cannot be transmitted on a specified meter reading date, the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date stored in the memory is transmitted to the central server 50 at a point in time when the alarm device 10 and the central server 50 can communicate with each other, and therefore, variation in meter reading period does not occur, and customer service is improved.

Even when the shutoff information cannot be transmitted at the time of gas shutoff, the shutoff-related information stored in the memory can be transmitted to the center server 50 at a time point when the alarm device 10 can communicate with the center server 50. This makes it possible to know with higher accuracy when the gas shutoff is performed on the side of the center server 50.

It is also possible to solve the problem that communication cannot be performed during a call in the case of a method of reading the meter reading information of the gas meter via a public telephone line. In addition, since the battery 136 is charged from a commercial power supply at normal times and the battery 136 is used as an alternative power supply at the time of power failure, it is not necessary to pay attention to power consumption of the alarm device 10 due to communication.

[ embodiment 2]

In embodiment 2, a multi-hop communication method performed by the alarm device 10 and the plurality of alarm devices 11 will be described. As described above, the alarm device 10 and the alarm device 11 are configured to be capable of bidirectional communication using, for example, a Wi-SUN communication method. With Wi-SUN, multiple devices relay data in a bucketing fashion, and also handle multi-hop communications that link distant sites. Therefore, data can be transmitted between the alarm device 10 and the plurality of alarm devices 11 in a multi-hop manner.

In the following description, the alarm device 10 that is equipped with the LTE module 112 and is capable of wireless communication with the center server 50 is also referred to as a "master device 10", and the alarm device 11 that is not equipped with the LTE module 112 is also referred to as a "slave device 11".

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a multi-hop communication method according to embodiment 2. Referring to fig. 6, the

master devices

10A, 10B, 10C are master devices of the group A, B, C, respectively. The communication ranges 401, 402, and 403 respectively indicate communication ranges in the case where the

master devices

10A, 10B, and 10C perform communication using Wi-SUN.

The

slave devices

11A, 11B, 11C are within the service area in the communication range 401 and thus belong to group a. The

slave devices

11C, 11D, 11E are within the service area within the communication range 402 and thus belong to group B. Accordingly, the slave device 11C belongs to both the group a and the group B. The

slave devices

11G, 11F are within the service area within the communication range 403 and thus belong to the group C.

For example, the slave device 11 newly added to the network needs to acquire routing information including information of a communication path, communication quality, and the like from the master device 10 or other slave devices 11 already added to the network in order to establish a communication path with the master device 10. Therefore, the newly joining slave device 11 broadcasts and transmits a beacon request signal for searching for the master device 10 and other slave devices 11 existing in the periphery.

If the master device 10 or the other slave devices 11 can receive the beacon request signal, the master device 10 or the other slave devices 11 receiving the beacon request signal broadcast-transmits a beacon response signal for the beacon request signal. When receiving the beacon response signal, the newly-added slave device 11 transmits and receives the routing information to and from the transmission source of the beacon response signal, and establishes a communication path.

Typically, the master device 10 receives various information from each slave device 11 belonging to the same group, and transmits the various information to the central server 50. Here, each slave device 11 receives meter reading information specifying a meter reading date from the corresponding gas meter, and stores the received meter reading information in the internal memory of the slave device. Each slave device stores the disconnection-related information, the imaging information, and the like in an internal memory.

For example, the master device 10A receives meter reading information and disconnection information stored in an internal memory of the slave device 11 from the

slave devices

11A, 11B, and 11C. The master device 10A transmits meter reading information and disconnection information of the

slave devices

11A, 11B, and 11C to the center server 50.

Since the slave device 11C also belongs to the group B, the information stored in the internal memory of the slave device 11C may be transmitted to the center server 50 via the master device 10B.

Here, the following is assumed: a master device 10 fails to communicate with the central server 50 and other slave devices 11 due to, for example, a failure of the master device 10.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a situation in which a failure occurs in the master device 10 in fig. 6. Referring to fig. 7, the master device 10B becomes unable to communicate with the central server 50 and the other slave devices 11 due to a failure or the like of the master device 10B. In this case, the slave device 11D and the slave device 11E belonging to the group B cannot transmit information to the center server 50 via the master device 10B.

Therefore, the slave device 11E issues a beacon request signal, for example, to search for other devices existing in the periphery, and establishes communication with the slave device 11D (found by the search) that has responded. Likewise, the slave device 11D establishes communication with the slave device 11C. The slave device 11C can communicate with the master device 10A via the slave device 11B. That is, the slave device 11E can communicate with the master device 10A via the

slave devices

11D, 11C, and 11B.

Therefore, the slave device 11E transmits meter reading information (or disconnection information) stored in the internal memory to the master device 10A. The master device 10A transmits meter reading information (or disconnection information) received from the slave device 11E to the center server 50.

In this way, the slave 11 transmits various information P stored in the internal memory to the device K1 found by the search. When the searched device K1 is the master device 10, the device K1 transmits various information P stored in the internal memory of the slave device 11 to the center server 50. On the other hand, in the case where the searched device K1 is the slave device 11, the device K1 also transmits various information P to the other device K2 searched by itself.

Note that the communication path in fig. 6 and 7 is an example, and another communication path may be used. For example, in a case where the slave device 11E finds the slave device 11C by the search, the slave device 11E establishes communication with the slave device 11C without via the slave device 11D. When the master device 10A is found by the search, the slave device 11C establishes communication with the master device 10A without passing through the slave device 11B. In this case, the slave device 11E can communicate with the master device 10A via the slave device 11C.

[ other embodiments ]

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the

alarm devices

10 and 11 have acquired the meter reading information of the gas meter, but may be configured to further acquire the meter reading information of various meters by communicating with various meters other than the gas meter. The

alarm devices

10 and 11 may have the following configurations, for example: meter reading information (for example, data indicating the amount of tap water usage) is acquired from a tap water meter for measuring the amount of tap water usage via a Bluetooth module, or meter reading information (for example, data indicating the amount of electricity usage) is acquired from an electricity meter for measuring the amount of electricity (electric power) usage. The alarm device 10 transmits the meter reading information to the central server 50. Thus, the customer service can be further improved by managing the meter reading information of gas, electricity, and tap water as the lifeline.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, a program for causing a computer to function to execute the control described in the above-described flowchart can also be provided. Such a program can be provided as a program product by being recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible Disk, a CD (Compact disc Read Only Memory), a secondary storage device, a main storage device, and a Memory card attached to a computer. Alternatively, the program may be provided by being recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk incorporated in a computer. In addition, the program can be provided by downloading via a network.

The program may be a program for calling a necessary module among program modules provided as a part of an Operating System (OS) of the computer at a predetermined timing in a predetermined sequence and causing the program to execute processing. In this case, the program itself does not include the above-described module, but executes processing in cooperation with the OS. Such a program not including a module can be included in the program according to the present embodiment.

The program according to the present embodiment may be provided by being embedded in a part of another program. In this case as well, the program itself does not include the modules included in the other programs described above, but executes the processing in cooperation with the other programs. The program embedded in another program can be included in the program according to the present embodiment.

(3) The configuration described as the embodiment is an example of the configuration of the present invention, and may be combined with other known techniques, and may be configured by being modified to omit a part thereof or the like, within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, the processing and the configuration described in the other embodiments may be appropriately adopted.

The embodiments disclosed herein are considered to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above description but by the appended claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Description of the reference numerals

10. 11: an alarm device; 20A, 20B: a gas meter; 30: a home appliance device; 31: a camera; 40: a network; 50: a central server; 100: a main control unit; 102: a processor; 104: a main memory; 106: a non-volatile memory; 110: a communication unit; 111: a Bluetooth module; 112: an LTE module; 113: a Wi-SUN module; 114: a Wi-Fi module; 121. 122, 123, 124: an antenna; 131: a gas sensor; 132: a speaker; 133: an operation interface; 134: a GPS module; 136: a battery; 150: a commercial power supply; 201. 202: a residence; 301: a meter reading information acquisition unit; 303: a storage unit; 305: a gas detection unit; 307: a cutting information acquisition unit; 309: a camera information acquisition unit; 311: an operation section; 313: a communication control unit; 315: an inter-device communication unit; 401. 402, 403: a communication range; 1000: an information processing system.

Claims

1. An information processing system, comprising:

a central server; and

a main alarm device which is disposed indoors and has a gas alarm function of outputting an alarm when the target gas is detected,

wherein the main alarm device acquires meter reading information specifying a meter reading date from a gas meter for measuring a usage amount of gas used indoors via a first communication unit for performing wireless communication with the gas meter,

the main alarm device stores the acquired meter reading information in a first memory of the main alarm device,

the master alarm device transmits meter reading information of the designated meter reading date stored in the first memory to the central server via a second communication unit for communicating with the central server,

wherein the information processing system is provided with a plurality of sets of alarm devices, each set of alarm devices comprises the main alarm device and a plurality of auxiliary alarm devices with the gas alarm function,

each of the plurality of slave alarm devices acquires meter reading information specifying a meter reading date from a gas meter corresponding to the slave alarm device via a communication means for performing wireless communication with the gas meter,

the plurality of slave alarm devices respectively store the acquired meter reading information in a second memory of the slave alarm device,

when the master alarm device in each group of alarm devices cannot communicate with the central server and the plurality of slave alarm devices in the group, each of the plurality of slave alarm devices searches for an alarm device existing in the periphery, transmits meter reading information on the designated meter reading date stored in the second memory to the first alarm device found by the search,

and if the first alarm device is the main alarm device, the first alarm device transmits the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date stored in the second memory to the central server through the second communication unit.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1,

when the current date and time reaches a predetermined time of the specified meter reading date, the master alarm device instructs the gas meter to transmit meter reading information of the current date and time via the first communication unit, thereby acquiring the meter reading information of the current date and time,

and the main alarm device takes the acquired meter reading information of the current date and time as the meter reading information of the appointed meter reading date to be stored in the first memory.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2,

when the target gas is detected indoors, the main alarm device transmits detection information indicating that the target gas is detected to the gas meter via the first communication unit, and acquires, as a response to the detection information, shut-off information indicating that the gas meter has been shut off,

the master alarm device transmits the disconnection information to the central server via the second communication unit.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2,

in the case where transmission of the meter reading information on the designated meter reading date to the central server fails, the master alarm device retransmits the meter reading information on the designated meter reading date to the central server after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the transmission failed.

5. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2,

and under the condition that the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date is successfully sent to the central server, the main alarm device deletes the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date stored in the first memory.

6. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2,

the main alarm device further includes a power storage unit that is charged with electric power from a commercial power supply at a normal time and functions as an alternative power supply to the main alarm device when the commercial power supply fails.

7. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2,

the main alarm device further acquires imaging information obtained by imaging with a camera disposed in the room,

when the target gas is detected indoors, the main alarm device transmits the acquired image pickup information to the central server via the second communication unit.

8. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2,

when the main alarm device receives an emergency instruction from a user, it transmits emergency information to the central server via the second communication unit.

9. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2,

the main alarm device also acquires meter reading information of a specified meter reading date from at least one of the tap water meter and the electric meter via the first communication unit,

and the main alarm device sends meter reading information of the specified meter reading date acquired from the at least one meter to the central server through the second communication unit.