JP2004004084A - Watthour meter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a watthour meter which can remotely summarize the measured electric power supply via a wireless telephone and the like, can remotely operate electric equipments connected to a light wiring on an electric power consumer side and automatically the electric energy. <P>SOLUTION: A wireless telephone equipment 25 which communicates with an information network and a server computer 12 which is connected with a data collecting center on the information network are stored inside a watthour meter housing 2 provided with an electric power measuring means which measures the electric power consumption. When the data collecting center outputs a data transmitting order for requesting the transmission of electric power consumption in a predetermined period via the information network, the server computer 12 holds, based on this data transmitting order, a server program for providing the electric energy data counted by an electric energy measuring device 5 which is a data measuring means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a watt hour meter that measures the amount of power transmitted from a power supplier to a power consumer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of remotely measuring a measured power supply via a wireless telephone or the like. The present invention relates to a watt hour meter capable of remotely controlling an electric device connected to a power line on a power consumer side.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a watt hour meter has a function of measuring the amount of power supplied from a power transmission line on a power supplier side to a power consumer side. The watt-hour meter is provided with a watt-hour measuring unit for measuring the amount of power consumption, and this watt-hour measuring unit is incorporated in a sealed watt-hour meter housing to measure and hold the amount of power consumption. Thus, the power consumption is displayed on a window provided in the power measurement unit.
[0003]
However, in the conventional watt-hour meter, in order to measure the power consumption of each month, a meter reading clerk goes to each power consumer at a predetermined time, reads the power consumption, and writes the power consumption on a predetermined sheet. Since the fee is transmitted to the electric power consumer, it requires a lot of labor and is complicated, which is an obstacle to the cost reduction of the electricity fee.
[0004]
Therefore, a communication function is provided in which a microcomputer is provided in addition to the power measurement unit, a communication cable is connected to the microcomputer, and the power consumption measured by the power measurement unit is read by an external computer provided at a terminal of the communication cable. An attached watt-hour meter has been proposed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, watt-hour meters with a communication function require a communication cable to measure the amount of power consumption.Therefore, there is a problem in that it is necessary to connect each power consumer's building to an external computer to be aggregated. Remarkable.
[0006]
On the other hand, power line carrier communication for performing communication using a transmission line for supplying power or a power line inside a building is conventionally known, and remote control is also performed by this power line carrier communication.
[0007]
However, since a dedicated protocol is used in a local network that does not consider the connection with the outside, remote control may be possible in some cases.However, a specific electrical device is remotely controlled from an external computer connected to a wide area network such as the Internet. That was impossible.
[0008]
Further, the microcomputer of the electric device connected to the power line often operates by a program described in an assembly language or a special C language. For this reason, even if the electric device is controlled by a management computer in a local area network, a recognition program for recognizing various electric devices and a program in an assembly language or a C language for each electric device. It is necessary to store in advance in the management computer a program that responds to the control.
[0009]
However, since various types of electrical equipment are manufactured, it is very difficult to create these programs on the management computer each time, and the management computer that stores the created programs is very difficult. However, there is a problem that the storage capacity of the device becomes huge.
[0010]
On the other hand, there has been a problem that it is difficult to communicate between an information system program such as information communication or a database and a microcomputer control program due to a difference in OS or language.
[0011]
Further, in the case of power line carrier communication, if the transmission line is very long, there is a problem that the signal voltage to be transmitted is increased, and there is much noise due to reflection from the end, unexpected interruption or other causes, and the like. When power line carrier communication is performed in a vast area by eliminating the above, enormous equipment costs are required.
[0012]
Because of the above, ideas such as so-called home automation have not been promoted.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has focused on the fact that recent wireless communication telephones can perform high-precision data communication at low cost, thereby reducing the labor required for meter reading. In addition to this, it is not necessary to install a dedicated communication cable to promote cost reduction, and if a general-purpose terminal that can be accessed from an external network and that can be connected to the Internet, electrical equipment on the power consumer side can be used. It is possible to control, and it is not necessary for the power consumer to install a dedicated computer for the control.Electrical equipment on the power consumer side can be controlled regardless of new or old, and the storage capacity of the dedicated computer and the general-purpose terminal is small. It is an object of the present invention to provide a watt-hour meter in which it is difficult to alter data or the like from the outside.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a watt-hour meter according to claim 1 of the present invention is a watt-hour meter housing provided with a watt-hour measuring means for measuring power consumption, or the watt-hour meter housing A communication means for communicating with an information system network and a control system network outside the housing, and a data aggregation center on the information network, A server computer connected to one or more electrical devices on the control system network,
The server computer includes unique virtual machine number information, state information, and operable information, an information operation method for operating the information, and an information reference method for referring to the state information and operable information of the corresponding electric device. An electric device class described in an object-oriented language having the same, an interface class described in an object-oriented language that can cooperate with the electric device class, and a management table storing correspondence information between the electric device class and the interface class. A watt hour meter having a server program having
The server program distributes an electric device class corresponding to the unique virtual machine number information transmitted from the client machine connected to the information network to the client machine, and refers to the management table with the corresponding interface. By generating an object, the client machine generates an electrical device object from the delivered electrical device class, and operates the information operation method of the electrical device object to enable the corresponding electrical device state information and operation. It has a function of referring to and updating information.
[0015]
A watt hour meter according to a second aspect of the present invention is the watt hour meter according to the first aspect, wherein the client machine has an application for referring to and updating state information and operable information of the electric device using the electric device object. Then, when the application terminates the electrical device object delivered to the client machine at the time of termination, the server program has a function of destroying the corresponding interface object.
[0016]
A watt hour meter according to a third aspect of the present invention is the watt hour meter according to any one of the first and second aspects, wherein the server program is a distribution center connected to a storage medium or an information network provided in the electric device. And a function of copying the electric device class and / or the interface class and rewriting the electric device class and / or the interface class of the server program.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, a watt hour meter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 shows a block circuit configuration of the watt hour meter of the present embodiment. The watt-hour meter 1 includes a wireless telephone 25 communicating with an information network inside a housing 2 provided with a power meter 5 serving as a power amount measuring unit for measuring power consumption, and a wireless telephone 25 on the information network. A server computer 12 connected to the data aggregation center is stored, and the server computer 12 outputs a data transmission command requesting transmission of power consumption data within a predetermined period via the information network through the data aggregation center. In addition, a server program 100 is provided that provides the electric energy data totalized by the electric energy measuring device 5 as the data measuring means to the data totaling device based on the data transmission instruction.
[0019]
A power line 3 extending from an outdoor power transmission line extends to a housing 2 of the watt hour meter 1, and an indoor power line 4 extends from the housing 2. The housing 2 has a built-in power meter 5 for measuring the power consumption of electric devices such as TV 1 and TV 2 connected to the power line 4. In this embodiment, the electric energy measuring device 5 is stored inside the housing 2, but may be provided outside the housing 2. However, when the electric energy measuring device 5 is provided outside the housing 2, the housing 2 is provided as a spare housing on the power supply side (on the power line 3) of the electric energy measuring device 5.
[0020]
The electric energy measuring device 5 calculates and measures a power consumption based on a rotation type measuring unit 6 provided with a rotating plate that rotates in accordance with the amount of supplied power and a rotation amount of the rotating plate of the rotary measuring unit 6. A microcomputer 7, a peripheral circuit, a numerical value display unit (not shown) capable of displaying power consumption as a numerical value and reading it with the naked eye, and power consumption data measured by the microcomputer 7 in the housing 2. A communication module 8 for transmitting to the server computer 12.
[0021]
The primary terminal 10 of the electric energy meter 5 is connected to the power line 3 via a power cutoff switch 22, and the secondary terminal 9 of the electric energy meter 5 is connected to the power line 4. The power line 4 is provided with a switchboard (not shown). The current input from the primary terminal 10 flows from the secondary terminal 9 to the power line 4 via the rotary measuring unit 6.
[0022]
A memory (ROM) of the microcomputer 7 stores an electric energy measurement program. In this power measurement program, the power consumption integrated every day is measured, and the integrated power consumption is determined and stored at a predetermined date and time determined by a built-in clock of the microcomputer. Is subtracted from the total power consumption at the fixed date and time to calculate the power consumption during the current month. The current month's power consumption is output by a predetermined output command.
[0023]
In the RAM of the microcomputer 7, the power consumption measured daily, the measured date and time, the accumulated power consumption for the current month at the set measurement date and time, the previously accumulated power consumption measured last time, and the accumulated The current month's power consumption obtained by subtracting the previous integrated power consumption from the power consumption is stored. The power consumption for one month, for example, stored in the RAM of the microcomputer 7 is updated by a predetermined command. The power consumption may be stored in increments of 3, 6, and 12 months by increasing the number of storage months of the current power consumption so that the consumer can confirm the power consumption of each month.
[0024]
The power consumption data converted into numerical information is sent from the microcomputer 7 to the server computer 12 in response to a request for numerical measurement from the server computer 12 to the microcomputer 7. A request for numerical measurement from the server computer 12 to the microcomputer 7 is transmitted periodically at predetermined time intervals.
[0025]
The server computer 12 is provided with an interface 35 for performing serial data communication with the microcomputer 7 of the electric energy meter 5. The electric energy meter 5 is provided with an interface 11 for performing serial data communication with the server computer 12. The server computer 12 acquires power consumption data via the interfaces 35 and 11 and stores the data in the external storage device 16.
[0026]
On the board 13 of the server computer 12 inside the housing 2, an AC-DC power supply circuit 14, a microcomputer 15, an external storage device 16 of the microcomputer 15, a clock circuit 17, an abnormality monitoring circuit 18, a power failure backup circuit 19, It has a control bus, an address bus, a data bus, and the like, and a bus 20 having a primary and a secondary.
[0027]
In addition, on the board 13, an interface 21 for opening and closing the power cutoff switch 22, an interface 23 connected to the power line communication module 24, and the communication module 8 of the power meter 5 to control the power amount An interface 35 for performing measurement / control communication is provided.
[0028]
The AC-DC power supply circuit 14 has a switching power supply circuit, and includes a microcomputer 15, an external storage device 16, a clock circuit 17, an abnormality monitoring circuit 18, a backup power supply circuit 19, a wireless telephone 25, a transceiver 26, and FM reception. To the machine 27 and the like.
[0029]
The microcomputer 15 is, for example, a RISC microcomputer that can operate at 32 bits and 100 MHz, and includes a plurality of CPUs, 10 MByte ROM, 20 MByte RAM, a serial interface, a parallel interface, and other peripherals for memory control and clock monitoring. It has a circuit.
[0030]
The external storage device 16 is composed of a storage medium such as an EEPROM, an IC card, an HDD, a PCI card, and the like, and has a server program and a communication program for remote operation for monitoring and controlling electric devices on the power line 4 through a wide area network, and The measurement data and the like are stored.
[0031]
The clock circuit 17 is a clock of the server computer 12, and measures and outputs a measurement date and the like.
[0032]
The abnormality monitoring circuit 18 monitors abnormalities of the server computer 12 itself, the electric energy meter 5, the backup power supply circuit 8, the wireless telephone 25, the transceiver 26, the FM receiver 27, and the like. A radio wave indicating an abnormal state is output from the transceiver 25 or the transceiver 26 to a power company or the like, or abnormal data is recorded in the external storage device 16.
[0033]
The backup power supply circuit 19 supplies emergency power to the server computer 12, the wireless telephone 25, the transceiver 26, and the FM receiver 27 at the time of a power failure.
[0034]
The bus 20 connects the microcomputer 15 to the external storage device 16, the clock circuit 17, the abnormality monitoring circuit 18, the backup power supply circuit 19, the wireless telephone 25, the transceiver 26, the FM receiver 27, etc. Is selected to transmit the control command / data.
[0035]
The interface 21 connects and disconnects the power line 3 and the primary terminal 10 in the power cutoff switch 22 according to a command from the server computer 12.
[0036]
The power cutoff switch 22 includes a switch circuit for connecting / disconnecting the power line 3 and the power amount measuring device 5 according to a command from the server computer 12. The power cutoff switch 22 connects the power line 3 and the primary terminal 10 at the time of normal supply of power. When the moving or the power supply contract is canceled, a cutoff command is sent to the server computer 12 using the wireless telephone 25 or the transceiver 26 to disconnect the power line 3 from the primary terminal 10 and stop the power supply. When a power consumer enters and starts power supply, a connection command is sent to server computer 12 to connect power line 3 and primary terminal 10. This intermittent operation is performed by the server computer 12 based on a control command included in the communication information received by the wireless telephone 25 or the transceiver 26.
[0037]
The interface 23 is an interface for performing communication between the power line carrier communication module 24 and the microcomputer 15.
[0038]
The power line carrier communication module 24 has a processor for performing power line carrier communication with the TV 1, TV 2, refrigerator Ref 1, lighting fixtures Lamp 1, Lamp 2, monitoring camera Camera 1, and other electric devices on the power line 4.
[0039]
The power line carrier communication module 24 has a router function for identifying each electric device on the power line 4 as a node. In this embodiment, the processor uses, for example, a Neuron chip manufactured by Echelon, but may be another LSI as long as it can perform power line carrier communication.
[0040]
The power line carrier communication module 24 performs power line carrier communication with a microcomputer of an electric device connected to the power line 4 according to a power line carrier communication protocol. This power line carrier communication will be described later.
[0041]
The power line carrier communication module 24 transmits a signal for data communication superimposed on the current supplied from the power line 3 to the electric power line 4. The power line carrier communication module 24 and the interface 23 constitute internal communication means between the server computer 12 and the electric equipment on the power line 4.
[0042]
The wireless telephone 25 is a digital telephone such as a so-called mobile telephone or personal handy phone (PHS), and is connected to the microcomputer 15 via the serial port 29 and the bus 20.
[0043]
The transceiver 26 is a digital transceiver and is connected to the microcomputer 15 via the serial port 30 and the bus 20. The transceiver 26 is capable of communicating with a remote control transceiver on the power consumer side and other transceivers existing in the communicable area, and transmits and receives an agent program for counting power consumption and an object program for remote operation.
[0044]
The agent program includes a moving program having at least a program for moving itself and a program for totalizing power consumption at the moving destination, a moving destination storage area indicating where to move, and power consumption data of the moving destination. It has at least a power consumption data storage area for storing and a time and date storage area for counting when the power consumption data is totaled.
[0045]
The agent program moves to the next destination after storing the power consumer, the power consumption, the totaling date and time, etc. measured by the movement of the power meter 5. If the next destination of the agent program is not within the communicable area of the transceiver, the wireless telephone 25 is used to enter the telephone line.
[0046]
If the agent program fails to move to the wireless telephone 25, the process returns to the power amount totaling center, passes the totalized data such as the power consumer, the electric power consumption, and the totaling date and time, and moves the destination data of the new totaling area. And move to that destination.
[0047]
The FM receiver 27 converts the received FM broadcast into a digital signal, and outputs an emergency signal to the microcomputer 15 via the serial port 31 and the bus 20 when receiving a predetermined digital signal.
[0048]
When the FM receiver 27 receives an emergency signal such as an emergency broadcast in the FM broadcast, the FM receiver 27 transmits the emergency signal to the server computer 12 to control the electric device. In the case of the televisions TV1, TV2, etc., in which the electric device is on standby by a weak current, the televisions TV1, TV2 are activated to broadcast the contents of the emergency broadcast, and the power consumer is perceived together with the voice that the emergency is an emergency. . The emergency signal may include, but is not limited to, an earthquake, typhoon, heavy rain, thunderstorm, river flooding, tornado, forest fire, and the like.
[0049]
Reference numeral 28 denotes a socket for initial adjustment, data update, and repair of the watt hour meter 1, to which a maintenance computer of the watt hour meter 1 is connected. The maintenance computer includes a microcomputer 15, an external storage device 16, a clock circuit 17, an abnormality monitoring circuit 18, an electric energy meter 5, a backup power supply circuit 8, a wireless telephone 25, a transceiver 26, and a reset of an FM receiver 27. It is used for the operation, and adjusts the server computer 12 or the peripheral device when the server computer 12 or the peripheral device described above breaks down or is updated.
[0050]
The socket 28 is closed by a lid that can be opened and closed by a special tool or a special ID. Reference numeral 32 denotes an interface when a device for resetting or the like is connected to the socket 28.
[0051]
An interface 33 transmits the output of the acceleration sensor 34 to the microcomputer 15. The acceleration sensor 34 detects an earthquake, an impact force applied to the watt hour meter 1, and notifies the power company or the like. In addition to the acceleration sensor, a temperature sensor, a sound sensor, an optical sensor, and the like are provided to detect fire heat or heat abnormality of the server computer 12, explosion sound, opening of the housing 2, etc. May be notified.
[0052]
In addition, a printer for printing the measured electric energy inside or outside the housing 2 of the watt-hour meter 1 is provided so that the total electric energy can be printed and output, or a publicity matter of a power company or a public facility can be printed. You may do it. In addition, this printer may print using a printer connected to the power line 4, or may output to a home facsimile apparatus supplied with power from the power line 4.
<Power line carrier communication module on electrical equipment side>
In order to perform power line carrier communication of the watt-hour meter 1, electric devices (TV1, TV2, refrigerator Ref1, lighting fixture Lamp1, Lamp2, surveillance camera Camera1, etc.) connected to the power line 4 are provided with a power line carrier communication LSI. It is necessary that a certain one of the microcomputers 36 to 41 (for example, the above-described LON chip manufactured by Echelon) or a power line carrier communication module is mounted.
[0053]
The programs of the microcomputers 36 to 41 are described in C language (neuron C language in this embodiment) which can communicate with a Java language created by Sun Microsystems.
[0054]
Each of the microcomputers 36 to 41 has a control program capable of controlling the electric equipment itself and a power line carrier communication program having a protocol capable of performing data communication with the server computer 12 via the power line 4.
[0055]
The power line carrier communication program of the microcomputers 36 to 41 includes a chip ID of an electric device, an index number indicating an installation position in a target home, a Vm class number (virtual machine class number), and a Vm interface number (virtual machine interface class number). Is normally provided as device management information, and has state information that may be disclosed to the outside so as to enable control from outside, and operation information that permits operation from outside. These device management information, status information, and operation information are network variables that can be referred to via a network. Hereinafter, the virtual machine is abbreviated as Vm. The Vm class file is electric device operation software, and the Vm interface class file is interface software that establishes a connection with the electric device by combining with the Vm class file.
[0056]
For example, in the case of the television TV 1 with a recording function, the network variables include chip ID, index number, Vm class number, manufacturer, model, machine information such as maximum output, on / off setting, channel setting, volume, and recording reservation. Operation information such as presence / absence, recording channel, recording start time, recording end time, etc., current on / off information, current channel, current volume, presence / absence of recording reservation, recording channel, recording start time, recording end time, etc. There is information.
[0057]
In the case of the surveillance camera Camera1, the chip ID, Vm class number, machine information such as manufacturer and model, on / off information of the camera, control information such as illumination, direction control, zoom control, and recording, and the current state of these controls Status information.
[0058]
These network variables differ depending on the type of the electric device, and are set by the manufacturer. The index number indicating the installation position or the like can be set by the user.
<Client server program>
Next, the client server program stored in the external storage device 16 of the server computer 12 will be described.
[0059]
In brief, the server computer 12 is connected to an electric device capable of information communication via a power line 4 which is a control system network, and is connected to an information system to which a client machine can be connected via an information system network. A server program 100 having a gateway function for connecting a control system is provided. The server program 100 acquires a chip ID and an index number (specific information) for identifying an electric device, status information, and operable information when the electric device is connected to the server computer 12 via the power line 4. I do. Further, when the client machine accesses the server computer via the information network, the server program 100 refers to and operates the state information and the operable information of the electric device on the client machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a client). In addition to providing a Vm class (electric device operation software), the server computer 12 has an interface class (interface class software) for establishing a connection with the electric device in combination with the Vm class.
[0060]
The client server program can perform real-time processing to control the hardware of the server computer 12, and has an operating system program (OS) compatible with multitasking and multithreading. The OS includes, for example, ITRON, VX-WORKS, and the like.
[0061]
Various driver programs such as a driver for the wireless telephone 25, the transceiver 26, the FM receiver 27, etc., a driver for power line carrier communication, a file system, a clock driver, and a driver for communicating with the power meter 5 are included in the operating system. And an API (application programming interface) for associating these driver programs with application programs.
[0062]
Further, a remote control system program described in a distributed object-oriented language (embedded Java in this embodiment, but may be another platform-free language) is implemented in the operating system.
<Remote operation system program>
As shown in FIG. 2, the system programs of the server computer 12 include a control program for controlling the server computer 12 itself, a program for controlling the electric energy meter 5, an agent server program for transmitting and receiving an automatic metering agent, and a TCP. A communication program which is a browser for performing network communication with the wireless telephone 25, the transceiver 26, the FM receiver 27, and the like based on / IP or PPP, and an external information network and a control network connected to the power line 4 are connected. It has a server program 100 that performs a gateway function.
[0063]
This gateway function is different from a gateway that connects so-called information networks in that an information system and a control system are connected to each other, and an arbitrary terminal computer on an external network such as the Internet accesses the server computer 12 to access the server computer 12. It is possible to browse and operate the electric devices (TV1 to Camera1 and others) of the indoor power line network of the present invention.
[0064]
In information communication in which computers connected via the Internet perform data communication, it has not been completed so far that any external computer accesses a desired home electric device or the like to perform control communication.
<Server program>
The server program 100 includes an OP server 110 that manages a Vm class file (hereinafter, abbreviated as Vm class), which is an operation program for providing information to an information terminal (client machine) on the client side, and an electric server on the client side. And an http server 120 for delivering the Vm class of the device.
[0065]
The OP server 110 has a Vm class management table 130 for electric devices, a Vm class library 140 for electric devices, and an interface library 150 for power line communication of electric devices.
[0066]
The OP server 110 has a program for detecting an electric device that detects device information output from a new electric device connected to the power line 4 and registers the device information in the Vm management table 130 of the electric device.
[0067]
For example, in the case of the television TV1 with a recording function or the surveillance camera Camera1, such electric device information includes a chip ID, an index number, and a Vm class number. These pieces of information are used to specify an electric device on the control system network.
[0068]
The Vm management table 130 records the Vm class numbers of the electric devices to remotely control the electric devices, and also records the interface class numbers corresponding to the Vm class numbers of the electric devices. If the Vm class number is specified by associating the Vm class number with the interface class number in the Vm management table 130, the Vm class can be called in a state where the Vm class and the interface class of the corresponding interface class number are combined. .
[0069]
In the Vm class library 140, a Vm class number and Vm classes 141 to 143... Designated by the Vm class number are collected.
[0070]
As shown in FIG. 4, the Vm classes 141 to 143 include field variables corresponding to the network variables of the electric device, an information reference method for reading these field variables, and variables allowed to be changed or set in the field variables. And an information operation method for operating.
[0071]
For example, the field variables of the television TV 1 include chip ID, index number, Vm class number maker, model, machine information such as maximum output, on / off setting, channel setting, volume, presence or absence of recording reservation, recording channel, recording start time. , Operation information such as recording end time, current on / off information, current channel, current volume, presence or absence of recording reservation, recording channel, recording start time, and recording end time.
[0072]
For example, the field variables of the surveillance camera Camera1 include chip ID, Vm class number, machine information such as manufacturer and model, on / off information of the camera, brightness of illumination, direction control, zoom control, control information such as recording, and the like. There is state information on the current state of control.
[0073]
In these field variables, the fluctuating data in the network variables is updated every fixed time (for example, 1000 ms). The index number indicating the installation position of the field variable and the like can be set by the user, and is initially null.
[0074]
These field variables in the Vm class can be referenced and displayed from the electric device by the state reference method, and can be set and controlled for the electric device by the state operation method.
[0075]
The Vm class is designed and described by the manufacturer of the electric device because the items to be controlled and displayed are different for each electric device. The Vm class may be called from the memory of the microcomputer of the electric device. However, since storing the Vm class in the microcomputer increases the memory area, a Vm distribution center is provided on the Internet. The program may be downloaded from the Vm distribution center or read from the storage medium by attaching a storage medium (for example, an IC card, a PCI card, a magnetic disk, a CDROM, etc.) to the electric device.
[0076]
In order to read the Vm class from the storage medium, a storage medium reader for reading the storage medium is required. This storage medium reader may be installed in or externally attached to the watt hour meter 1, 4 may be connected.
[0077]
When a storage medium reader is connected to the power line 4, a Vm class for driving the reader itself is incorporated in the reader. However, if a personal computer (PC) or a media reading device capable of power line carrier communication is connected to the power line 4, it may be used.
[0078]
The Vm interface class library 150 is a collection of Vm interface classes 151 to 153... For connecting the Vm class to electric devices (TV1 to Camera1 and others).
[0079]
The Vm interface classes 151 to 153... Are paired with the Vm class delivered to the client, and when the client specifies a certain Vm class number, the Vm class corresponding to the Vm class number is transmitted from the server to the client. At the same time, the Vm interface class file corresponding to the designated Vm class number is activated on the server side, and the Vm class on the client side and the interface class file on the server side are combined.
[0080]
The Vm interface classes 151 to 153 have Vm interface class numbers. The Vm interface class number is paired with the Vm class number. When the client specifies the Vm class number, the Vm interface class number corresponding to the Vm class number is called, and the Vm interface class file of the Vm interface class number is activated. The Vm class file on the client side is combined with the called Vm interface class file.
[0081]
The Vm interface classes 151 to 153 have protocols for performing power line carrier communication with electric devices (TV1 to Camera1 and others) on the power line 4.
[0082]
In this embodiment, since the electric device is located on the power line carrier communication network, the electric device uses the power line carrier communication protocol. However, in the case of a network using a protocol of another standard (for example, the network is configured by wireless communication or optical communication). Network or a network composed of dedicated lines), the protocol used by them is used. In the case of an electric device using a unique LSI also in the power line communication protocol, a protocol specified by the LSI is selectively used.
[0083]
This allows the Vm interface class to perform power line carrier communication using the protocol even if there is an electrical device having an LSI with a different standard on the same power line 4, thereby supporting various electrical devices. Becomes possible, and versatility is improved.
<Http server>
The http server 120 that provides the client with Vm is a WWW server. For example, based on the Vm class number specified by the client when the client accesses it using a netscape navigator from netscape, an internetexplorer from Microsoft, or another WEB browser. Deliver the Vm class to the client.
<Client machine>
The client is a large or small computer on a network, a personal computer (PC), a mobile computer, a portable information terminal, a mobile phone with a character display function, or another information device that can use a wide area network.
[0084]
The client needs a Vm operation program (hereinafter simply referred to as a Vm application) described in an object-oriented language for operating the Vm class of the server computer 12.
[0085]
The Vm application needs to be installed in the client in advance, but may be downloaded or installed in the client through the Internet or a storage medium such as a CDROM, a magnetic disk, a magnetic card, an IC card, or the like.
[0086]
Before accessing, the Vm application substitutes the URL, Vm class number, and index number of the server to be operated. However, if a Vm application in which the URL, Vm class number and index number of these servers and the telephone number of the client are fixed and incorporated in advance is used, there is an advantage that server-side authentication can be easily performed.
[0087]
The Vm application fills in a password for accessing the server side and other authentication items of the operator himself, and also sets in advance an authentication requirement on the server side for permitting the access of the operator by a desired encryption method or the like. Keep it. The authentication requirement may be determined in advance between client servers so as to change indefinitely depending on the date, time, or access location, so as to prevent access by a pseudonym of a third party.
[0088]
The user on the client side starts up the Vm application and specifies the URL, Vm number, and index number of the server possessed by the Vm application, and the client accesses the server with a web browser, receives the Vm class from the server side, and receives the object. It is connected to electrical equipment via a server. The Vm class is connected to the electric devices (TV1 to Camera1) on the power line 4 by being combined with the Vm interface class, and becomes a Vm object to display the current information of the electric device on the client side.
[0089]
When the user on the client side instructs the Vm application to end the operation of the electric device, the Vm application deletes the Vm object on the client side. As a result, the Vm interface class on the server side disappears.
<Electrical equipment registration process>
Next, a process of registering the electric device on the power line 4 in the server computer 12 will be described.
[0090]
When an electric device is connected to the power line 4, the electric device conforming to the remote control system outputs its own chip ID, index number, and Vm class number on the power line communication network. The OP server 110 acquires a chip ID, an index number, and a Vm class number of the connected electric device by using the electric device detection program, and collects the acquired information in the Vm management table 130.
[0091]
The electric device detection program of the OP server 110 searches whether there is a Vm class and a Vm interface class corresponding to the obtained Vm class number, and stores the Vm class and the Vm interface class in the Vm class library 140 or the Vm interface class library 150. If not, a Vm class and a Vm interface class are obtained from a Vm distribution center on a wide area network such as the Internet, or an electrical equipment manufacturer. Of course, as described above, when the Vm class and the Vm interface class are recorded on the storage medium, the Vm class and the Vm interface class are acquired from the storage medium reading device.
[0092]
Thereby, the OP server 110 can be accessed from the client side on the wide area network.
<Operation of electrical equipment by client>
When a client accesses the OP server 110 and operates an electric device connected to the OP server 110, an application for accessing the OP server of the client is started. By starting the application, the user inputs the URL of the OP server 110, the Vm class number, the index number, and items necessary for the authentication procedure to the application.
[0093]
After the items necessary for the access and the items necessary for the authentication are set, the application accesses the server computer 12.
[0094]
When the client accesses, the server computer 12 authenticates the client.
[0095]
When the authentication of the server computer 12 confirms that the client and the user are permitted to access, the client can access the OP server 110 of the server computer 12.
[0096]
When the client accesses the OP server 110 of the server computer 12, the OP server 110 delivers the Vm class specified by the application to the client and activates the Vm interface class of the delivered Vm class to the OP server 110.
[0097]
Next, the Vm class delivered to the client application requests connection with the Vm interface class of the OP server 110, and the Vm class of the client and the Vm interface class of the OP server 110 are connected via the information network.
[0098]
The Vm interface class provides the network variable of the electric device on the power line 4 to the Vm class of the client, and the network variable is referred to and substituted into the field variable of the Vm class. As a result, the Vm class and the Vm interface class become the Vm object and the Vm interface object, and the current information of the electric device on the power line 4 is displayed on the client side. The network variable referred to by the client changes every predetermined time. However, since the information reference method on the client constantly refers to the network variable, a new network variable can be referred each time the network variable changes.
[0099]
When a field variable is operated on the client side by the information operation method, this operation is reflected on the network variable of the electric device via the Vm interface.
[0100]
When the application is terminated on the client side, the Vm object of the client disappears, and the Vm interface object of the OP server 110 also disappears.
[0101]
As described above, according to the watt hour meter 1 of this embodiment, information on electric devices on the control system network can be called from a client side on a wide area network (for example, the Internet) and referenced and operated.
[0102]
Moreover, since the Vm class is distributed by copying from the OP server 110 of the server computer 12 to the client side, there is no possibility that the Vm class of the OP server 110 is falsified, and the control program of the electric device is repaired or upgraded. If the control information or control method changes due to the above, updating the Vm class of the OP server 110 from the distribution center or the storage medium can always prepare a new version of the Vm class and the Vm interface class.
[0103]
In this case, the OP server 110 may periodically inquire whether the Vm class and the Vm interface of the Vm class library 140 and the Vm interface class library 150 have a new version.
[0104]
In addition, when the application on the client side is delivered from the OP server 110 side, it is possible to freely deal with the model conversion and the version up of the client side, and various clients can access the server computer 12 as long as the authentication is established. It is possible to do.
[0105]
When the electric device is disconnected from the power line 4, the Vm class of the Vm management table 130 becomes inactive, but when the electric device is connected to the power line 4 again, the Vm class of the electric device on the Vm management table 130 becomes inactive. The class becomes active, and the communication connection conditions between the client computer, the server computer 12, and the electric device are quickly established. Here, the electric device is connected to the power line 4 by a standby current.
[0106]
Further, since the Vm class of the client merely refers to the network variable of the electric device, when the connection between the client and the server computer 12 is disconnected, the Vm class disappears and is displayed in byte code. Therefore, it is difficult to falsify the interface class or the network variable of the electric device.
<Automatic meter reading of electric energy by automatic meter reading agent>
Next, collection of power consumption data by the agent server 130 will be described.
[0107]
The automatic meter reading agent is transmitted from a power consumption totaling center such as a power company to the wireless telephone 25 via a communication line such as a radio wave.
[0108]
The automatic meter reading agent includes a program for totalizing and storing data relating to power consumption based on the destination data of the automatic meter reading agent, transmitting the data to the totaling center after the totalization, and a memory area for storing power consumption related data.
[0109]
The power consumption related data includes ID data of a group of watt hour meters 1 in the aggregation area, power consumption data of each watt hour meter 1, power consumption period of each watt hour meter 1, and other data. .
[0110]
When an automatic meter reading agent is delivered, a circulating route for compiling data is simulated at a delivery source (for example, a power company or the like) that totals power consumption. Next, a pilot agent having simulated traveling route information is created. This pilot agent is transmitted by a mobile phone, and a test tour is performed for all watt-hour meters 1 for which the pilot agent counts based on the simulation.
[0111]
If there is any problem in the pilot agent's test tour, the pilot agent is returned to the delivery source via the nearest mobile phone base station at the location where the abnormality has occurred, the cause is determined, and the route is reconstructed. After creating a pilot agent that has constructed a new route, deliver the pilot agent again.
[0112]
If there is no problem in the pilot tour of the pilot agent after traveling through all the watt-hour meters, the return route of the pilot agent that has collected the data is determined, and the optimal tour route of the automatic meter reading agent is determined.
[0113]
When the optimal patrol route is determined, the information of the source and destination of the automatic meter reading agent is registered in all watt hour meters 1 that perform automatic meter reading, and the routing setting is completed.
[0114]
Next, the flow of the total power consumption of the automatic meter reading agent will be described.
[0115]
The automatic meter reading agent is first transmitted from the power consumption counting center, received by the predetermined watt-hour meter 1, starts counting of the power consumption related data, and holds the collected power consumption related data.
[0116]
Next, it is determined whether or not the meter reading of all the specified watt-hour meters has been completed. If the examination of all the watt-hour meters has not been completed, the reading to the other watt-hour meters 1 is performed according to the destination information registered in advance. Perform communication. After moving to another watt hour meter 1, it is determined whether the transceiver mode of the mobile phone can be used. If the transceiver mode is possible, communication with another watt-hour meter 1 is performed in the transceiver mode of the wireless telephone 25.
[0117]
If the transceiver mode cannot be used, communication with another watt-hour meter 1 is performed using a general public line.
[0118]
When a communication connection with another watt-hour meter 1 is established, the automatic meter reading agent is delivered to the other watt-hour meter 1.
[0119]
The power consumption data delivered is counted again by the watt hour meter 1. When the electric energy data of all the electric energy meters 1 can be totaled, the automatic meter reading agent is delivered to another area specified by the electric power totaling center.
[0120]
The automatic meter reading agent delivered to another area repeats the above steps.
[0121]
When the data of all the regions specified by the electric energy counting center can be counted, the automatic meter reading agent returns to the electric energy counting center. Of course, the automatic meter reading agent may return to the power amount totaling center and deliver the total data when the total amount of data is about to exceed the storage area.
[0122]
As described above, after totalizing the power consumption related data using the wireless communication between the telephone line and the transceiver, the process returns to the power amount totaling center and stores the totalized data in the storage device. Also, even if the destination of the agent becomes unknown, the counting destination is re-acquired and moved again, so that it is possible to minimize the possibility of uncounting, and the location data of the moving destination that becomes unknown on the agent side is Since it is present at the aggregation center, it is possible to identify the unknown watt-hour meter and the unknown area, and to investigate the cause (for example, failure of the watt-hour meter or discovery of a power outage area), etc. , It becomes easy to respond.
[0123]
The OP server 110 acquires a function of an electric device on the power line 4 serving as a control system network or on an information system network such as the Internet, and supplies the function to another electric device by supplying the function to the other electric device. The function of the electric device may be expanded. In addition, when the electrical device on the power line 4 acquires predetermined data, the OP server 110 uses the data as event data, as other event data on the power line 4, or on a predetermined network on the Internet which is an information network. May be provided to clients.
[0124]
According to the watt-hour meter described above, a telephone call is made from the telephone of the power rate tallying center to the communication means of the watt-hour meter to be collected via the wide area network, and the power consumption of the current month is transmitted as data. When the data is transmitted, the server computer reads out the data measured by the power amount measuring unit through the communication means of the watt hour meter, and transmits the data to the data totaling center of the power rate.
[0125]
Therefore, the power consumption of the power consumers can be tabulated through an information network (wide area network), and the labor and tabulation cost for tabulation are reduced as much as possible. It becomes.
[0126]
In addition, since the server computer, the communication means, and the electric energy measuring unit are sealed in the housing, it is not possible to perform manipulation falsification from outside the housing.
[0127]
Further, the server computer has a gateway function for connecting the control system network and the information system network, and furthermore, when an electric device of the control system network is connected to the server computer, information of the electric device is transmitted to the information system network. Since reference operation can be performed from the client machine side of the network, home appliances, various measuring devices, monitoring devices, processing / assembly control devices, and other devices can be remotely controlled via a wide area network such as the Internet. Further, since the electronic device operation software of the server computer is delivered to the client machine, the sameness of the electric device operation software of the client machine on the wide area network is ensured, so that it is easy to update, repair or change the electric device operation software. And consistency with the interface software is reliably ensured.
[0128]
In addition, since it is possible to control electric devices (for example, home appliances, various measuring devices, monitoring devices, processing / assembly control devices, and other devices) connected to a power line, there is no need to newly install a dedicated line, so the system The construction is easy and the cost is very low.
[0129]
In addition, since the server program is described in the object-oriented language, if the client machine on the information network operates in the object-oriented language, the server program is used to refer to and control a specific electric device. After the access is completed, the electric device class delivered to the client machine disappears and the interface on the server computer disappears, so that the electric device class and the interface are easily falsified or destroyed.
[0130]
If the watt-hour meter can accept and send the automatic meter reading agent program, the counting center sends out the automatic meter reading agent program, and the automatic meter reading agent program sends the aggregated data (electric power, gas usage, water usage, other Service provision fee) and move. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform various regular data tabulations quickly and widely, and the cost for tabulation is significantly reduced.
[0131]
The counting center can also change, update, and improve the automatic meter reading agent program. Even if the counting destination, the type of counting data, the counting time, and other counting conditions are changed, it is easy to respond. It is also possible to use other types of data to be totaled when one automatic meter reading agent is dispatched. Furthermore, by including opinions, disaster reports, accident reports, and other reports from electrical equipment (for example, input terminals, information devices, etc.) such as households and corporations in the watt hour meter, prompt responses can be made. It can be promoted.
[0132]
In addition, data can be communicated by selecting a communication method when totaling data using an agent program.Electrical power can be totaled and electrical equipment can be controlled using a transceiver without using a telephone line. You can do it.
[0133]
In addition, even if the destination of the agent becomes unknown, the aggregation destination is fetched again and moved, so that it is possible to minimize the possibility that the aggregation becomes impossible, and the location data of the unknown destination is transmitted to the aggregation center. Therefore, it is possible to investigate the unknown cause (for example, failure of a watt hour meter or discovery of a power failure area).
[0134]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the watt hour meter of the present invention, since the server program is described in the object-oriented language, the client machine on the information network is required to use the object-oriented language. In an operating environment, this server program can be used to refer to and control specific electrical devices, and after the access is completed, the electrical device class delivered to the client machine disappears and the interface on the server computer disappears. Therefore, falsification and destruction of the electric device class and the interface are easily prevented.
[0135]
The server computer has a gateway function for connecting the control network and the information network, and furthermore, when the electrical equipment of the control network is connected to the server computer, the information of the electrical equipment is transmitted to the information network. Since reference operation can be performed from the client machine side, home appliances, various measuring devices, monitoring devices, processing / assembly control devices, and other devices can be controlled from a distance via a wide area network such as the Internet. Further, since the electronic device operation software of the server computer is delivered to the client machine, the sameness of the electric device operation software of the client machine on the wide area network is ensured, so that it is easy to update, repair or change the electric device operation software. And consistency with the interface software is reliably ensured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a watt hour meter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing a program configuration of a server computer of the watt hour meter according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a Vm management table of the OP server.
FIG. 4 is an exemplary conceptual view showing a correspondence state between a Vm class, an interface, and network variables of an electric device in a state where a client, a server computer, and an electric device are connected;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Electricity meter
2 Watt-hour meter housing
3 power lines
4 Light line
5 Electricity meter
12 server computer
15 Microcomputer
16 External storage device
36-41 Microcomputer for electrical equipment
100 server program
110 OP server
120 http server
130 Vm management table
140 Vm class library
141 Vm class TV1
142 Vm class TV2
143 Vm class lamp1
150 Interface Class Library
151 interface class TV1
152 interface class TV2
153 interface class lamp2

Claims (3)

In a watt hour meter housing equipped with a watt hour meter for measuring the amount of power consumption, or inside any of the auxiliary housings located close to this watt hour meter housing, A communication means for communicating with an information network and a control network outside the housing, and a server computer connected to a data aggregation center on the information network and at least one electrical device on the control network;
The server computer includes unique virtual machine number information, state information, and operable information, an information operation method for operating the information, and an information reference method for referring to the state information and operable information of the corresponding electric device. An electric device class described in an object-oriented language having the same, an interface class described in an object-oriented language that can cooperate with the electric device class, and a management table storing correspondence information between the electric device class and the interface class. A watt hour meter having a server program having
The server program distributes an electric device class corresponding to the unique virtual machine number information transmitted from the client machine connected to the information network to the client machine, and refers to the management table with the corresponding interface. By generating an object, the client machine generates an electrical device object from the delivered electrical device class, and operates the information operation method of the electrical device object to enable the corresponding electrical device state information and operation. A watt-hour meter having a function of referring to and updating information. 2. The watt hour meter according to claim 1, wherein the client machine has an application that refers to and updates state information and operable information of the electric device using the electric device object, and the application is delivered to the client machine when the application ends. A watt-hour meter having a function of causing the server program to delete the corresponding interface object when the specified electrical device object is deleted. 3. The watt hour meter according to claim 1, wherein the server program reads the electric device class and / or the interface class from a storage medium provided in the electric device or a distribution center connected to an information network. 4. And a function of copying the electric device class and / or the interface class of the server program.

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