JP2004295799A - Remote control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a remote control system that can be operated at a low cost and easily. <P>SOLUTION: This remote control system acquires collection data collected by one or more local devices 3 and transfers control data to the local devices 3, and is provided with a storage device 1a which is associated with the local devices 3 respectively and has a collection data area for storing the acquired collection data and a control data area for storing the control data. The local device 3 accesses the storage device 1a every prescribed period of time, transfers a portion or all of collection data to the collection data area to store the collection data, and acquires the control data when the control data are stored in the control data area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for collecting and managing data from a local device via a communication network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in each home or business, connecting a meter or measuring device for measuring the usage of gas, electricity, water, etc. to a communication network, for example, the Internet, and transmitting the information to the center, A system for measuring the amount of gas, electricity, water, etc. used in each home or business has been proposed. A regional meteorological data acquisition system (AMEDAS) transmits data automatically measured by meteorological observation equipment that measures temperature, precipitation, wind direction, wind speed, etc., to the center, and the center collects data. Processing is in progress. In such a system in which data collected by local devices (measuring devices and the like) distributed over a wide area is processed by a center, identification and communication of the other party is performed in order to transmit and acquire data between the local device and the center. Information is required. For example, when a telephone line is used as a communication network, the telephone number of the other party is used as identification information, and the communication network is represented by LAN (Local Area Network) / WAN (Wide Area Network). When an Ethernet (registered trademark) communication network is used, the IP address of the other party is used as identification information.
[0003]
As a conventional technique of this kind, a remote monitoring system including a center and a local device that communicates with the center via a communication network and transmits predetermined measurement target data to the center, When a local device is connected to a communication network and performs communication, a remote monitoring system that stores identification information for identifying itself and identification information for identifying a center, and that communicates with the center based on the identification information for identifying the center. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
When constructing a system for collecting and controlling data for local devices distributed over a wide area, a form in which a telephone line is used for a communication network, or an Ethernet such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) is used. It is becoming common to use a communication network using a (registered trademark) communication network and use the Internet network. When an Ethernet (registered trademark) communication network is used, a communication network based on TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), which is a general-purpose communication standard, is used. , Identification information (IP address) on the communication network must be assigned to both the center and the local device.
[0005]
In recent years, when the Internet network, which is becoming cheaper as a constantly connected line, is used as a communication network, a method of assigning an IP address to a device that accesses the Internet network is as follows. There are two types: a dynamic IP system that is dynamically assigned by an ISP (Internet service provider), and a fixed IP system that assigns a fixed IP address regardless of use. The former dynamic IP method is the cheapest method, but cannot be applied to a wide area data collection / control system because the identification information of the center and the local device, that is, the IP address is not fixed. For this reason, it is necessary to apply the latter fixed IP system, and there has been a situation in which new registration / maintenance management costs have to be borne for acquiring the fixed IP address.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-142275 (paragraphs [0010] to [0013])
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the remote monitoring system described in Patent Literature 1, it is necessary to assign unique identification information to both the center and the local device on the communication network. As the identification information, for example, a telephone number or an IP address is used, and each time a local device is added, a new acquisition / maintenance cost of the identification information is required. In particular, when an Ethernet (registered trademark) communication network is used as the communication network, both the center and the local device must acquire a unique fixed IP address on the communication network, and the center and the local device communicate with each other. In addition to the network usage fee, a maintenance fee for the fixed IP address is separately required, and the system operation cost increases as the number of local devices increases.
[0008]
Further, in the case where the center establishes communication with the local device, for example, in the case where the center controls the local device, the center manages the identification information of all the local devices. The identification information must be updated with the relocation of the local device, and the operation of the system is troublesome, particularly in a system in which the relocation of the local device is frequently performed.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a remote control system that can be operated at low cost and can be easily operated, and can smoothly perform data communication with a local device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[Feature Configuration 1]
To achieve this object, a first characteristic configuration of the remote control system according to the present invention is, as described in claim 1, acquisition of collected data collected by one or more local devices, and acquisition of collected data by the local devices. A remote control system for transmitting control data, wherein the remote control system is associated with each of the local devices and includes a collected data area for storing the acquired collected data and a control data area for storing the control data. The local device accesses the storage device at predetermined time intervals, and transmits or stores part or all of the collected data in the collected data area, and stores the control data area in the control data area. In that the control data is stored when the control data is stored.
[0011]
That is, according to the present characteristic configuration, transmission / acquisition of data to / from the local device is performed via the storage device. That is, since the remote control system according to the present invention does not access the local devices, it is not necessary to acquire identification information such as a telephone number and an IP address for each of the local devices. Operation costs can be reduced. Note that, for example, the cost required to acquire and maintain one IP address varies depending on the trader and service contents (for individuals, for corporations, etc.), but is approximately several thousands to tens of thousands of yen. Further, since the local device does not have the identification information, the management and operation of the identification information in association with the addition / configuration change of the local device can be facilitated, and such labor can be saved.
[0012]
Further, since the existing storage device can be used as the storage device, the cost for equipment is not particularly required. By configuring the storage device to have a region for collected data and a region for control data associated with each of the local devices, acquisition of collected data from the local device, transmission of control data to the local device, Bidirectional communication with the local device can be realized with a simple configuration.
[0013]
[Feature Configuration 2]
The second characteristic configuration is that the local device operates based on the acquired control data.
[0014]
According to this characteristic configuration, it is possible to remotely control the local device by operating the local device based on the control data. As the control data, for example, a request for changing the access timing from the local device, a request for obtaining arbitrary data from the collected data possessed by the local device, and the like can be considered. Since the local device is assumed to be installed in a remote place, the control of the local device installed in the remote place is performed by using the control data and making the local device perform a desired operation. Can be easier. In addition, by configuring the system so that it can be remotely controlled, when a plurality of local devices are provided, control of all the local devices can be performed from one place, so that operation of the local devices can be facilitated.
[0015]
[Characteristic configuration 3]
In the third characteristic configuration, as described in claim 3, the local device includes a data storage unit for storing the collected data, and the acquired control data includes a specific data of the specific data in the collected data. When a data transmission request is included, the specific data is extracted from the collected data in response to the data transmission request, and is transmitted to the collection data area.
[0016]
When the acquisition interval of collected data in the local device is short and the data capacity is small, several collected data are stored together to increase the data transmission efficiency or reduce the load on the communication network. It is considered that there is a case where it is better to store the data in the device.
[0017]
Therefore, as in the present characteristic configuration, the local device is provided with a data storage unit capable of storing collected data, or when the storage unit of the local device has a sufficient storage capacity, the data storage unit is utilized by using the storage device. By constructing and transmitting the data specified in the data transmission request of the control data, the transmission efficiency in transmitting the collected data can be increased, the load on the communication network can be reduced, and the acquisition of the collected data can be improved. It can be implemented flexibly and reliably.
[0018]
Also, in the case where transmission of collected data is poor due to a communication error or the like, the local device performs retransmission and the like, but the collected data is stored in the local device for a certain period, and the data is stored based on the control data. By adopting a configuration in which transmission is performed, it is possible to flexibly respond to transmission failure of collected data.
[0019]
[Feature Configuration 4]
In the fourth characteristic configuration, as described in claim 4, the local device includes a determination unit that determines the collected data, and when the determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the collected data, The point is to transmit the occurrence of the abnormality to the storage device.
[0020]
Here, the cause of the abnormality in the local device is assumed to be an abnormality in the data to be measured, a failure in the measurement device, a poor connection between the measurement device and the local device, and the like. The case where there is an abnormality in the measurement target data is, for example, when the value of the data related to the measurement result of the measuring device is not within an appropriate range. For example, when a gas engine is used in a gas metering system and the temperature measured by a water thermometer that measures the temperature of the cooling water of the gas engine is abnormally high, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred in the gas-using device. Conceivable. It should be noted that when an abnormality occurs, for example, a gas meter reading system or AMeDAS, etc., it is particularly necessary to quickly respond to a failure such as a failure, particularly in a system that requires accurate information to be acquired. Desired.
[0021]
Therefore, by providing the local device with the determination unit as in the present characteristic configuration, when the determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred, the occurrence of the abnormality is transmitted to the storage device in a timely manner. It is possible to respond quickly to abnormalities, and the system can be operated more smoothly.
[0022]
In the case of a device failure or the like, it is considered that an abnormality occurs in the collected data or the data cannot be obtained. Therefore, the occurrence of the abnormality can be determined by determining the collected data. Therefore, there is no need to change the configuration, for example, by providing a function of notifying an abnormality to a measuring device or the like, so that existing equipment can be used effectively.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a remote control system according to the present invention (hereinafter, abbreviated as “the present invention system” as appropriate) will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
The remote control system according to the present invention performs acquisition of collected data collected by one or more local devices 3 provided in a locally dispersed manner, and transmission of control data including an operation command to the local device 3. It can be applied to systems that do.
[0025]
(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of a remote control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a remote control system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a file structure of a storage device 1a used in the remote control system according to the present embodiment.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 1, the remote control system according to the present embodiment includes a center device 1 as the system of the present invention, and a local device 3 configured to be accessible to the center device 1 via a communication network. The remote control system according to the present embodiment collects data of a measuring device 4 that performs measurement / monitoring of gas-using devices installed in homes and business establishments, and provides a gas metering system that processes and manages the data. Can be applied. FIG. 1 illustrates a gas meter 4a, a monitoring camera 4b, and a voice monitoring device 4c as the measuring devices 4. The communication network used in the present embodiment is the Internet network 2a, and the local device 3 is connected to an ISP (Internet Services Provider) 2b and is configured to be able to access the Internet network 2a.
[0027]
[Center device 1]
As shown in FIG. 1, the center device 1 of the present embodiment includes a storage device 1a, a communication / authentication unit 1b, and a data processing unit 1c. In addition, the center device 1 has acquired a global address to enable access from the local device 3 via the Internet network 2a, and is constantly connected to the Internet network 2a. The center device 1 does not access the local device 3 described later by itself, and performs communication with the local device 3 when there is access from the local device 3.
[0028]
The storage device 1a according to the present embodiment is a storage device 1a that temporarily stores data transmitted and obtained with the local device 3, and is configured using an external storage device such as a hard disk. The file structure of the storage device 1a is shown in FIG. 2, and the record having the “ID” of the local device 3 as a key field includes “collected data area”, “control data area”, and “authentication”. Fields for "access data" and "access time" are set.
[0029]
An ID unique to the local device 3 is recorded in the “ID” field. This ID is individually assigned to each of the local devices 3 when the local device 3 described later is installed. When the ID is assigned, the “ID” is used as a key field in the storage device 1a. Certain areas are allocated for records including the "area for collected data" and the "area for control data". Since the data collected by the local device 3 and transmitted to the storage device 1a have different contents, the storage device 1a considers the size of the collected data, the transmission interval of the collected data, and the like for each local device 3. Therefore, it is desirable that a necessary area be allocated. Further, when the setting of the local device 3 is changed, for example, when the transmission interval of the collected data, the size of the collected data, or the like is changed, the data area may be allocated again.
[0030]
The field of “area for collected data” stores the collected data collected by the local device 3 and transmitted to the center device 1. In the present embodiment, the collected data is data relating to gas usage, video / image, and audio acquired by the local device 3 from the gas meter 4a, the monitoring camera 4b, and the audio monitoring device 4c.
[0031]
In the “control data area” field, control data including an operation command for the local device 3 created by the data processing unit 1c described later is stored. Here, the operation command is a request to change the access timing, a request to acquire any data from the collected data, and the like. Further, the operation command of the present embodiment is not only an operation command for the local device 3 but also an operation command for the measuring device 4, for example, a change in data collection conditions and a collection time for a predetermined measuring device 4, and the like. , And operation instructions for other devices (such as gas-using devices and gas alarms).
[0032]
In the present embodiment, a field for “authentication data” is further set, and data used for authentication of the corresponding local device 3 is stored. The authentication data is, for example, information such as a password set individually in the local device 3.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, a field of “access time” is set, and data on when the corresponding local device 3 accesses the storage device 1a, that is, an access schedule, is stored. Here, in the present embodiment, the transmission of data from the measuring device 4 to the local device 3 is performed every predetermined time, and in this embodiment, every hour, so that the time interval and the time of the latest access are accessed. Set the schedule in the "Access Time" field. When data is transmitted from a measuring device at a predetermined time (for example, midnight, 12:00, etc.), these times may be set as an access schedule.
[0034]
The communication / authentication unit 1b operates using a TCP / IP protocol which is a general-purpose standard for Ethernet (registered trademark) communication. The communication / authentication unit 1b of the present embodiment further has an authentication function for authenticating the local device 3.
When accessed from the local device 3, the communication / authentication unit 1b acquires the ID and authentication data of the local device 3. Subsequently, a search is performed using the ID as a key to obtain the corresponding authentication data from the storage device 1a, and the obtained authentication data is compared with the authentication data obtained from the local device 3, and if they match, the local device 3 is authenticated.
[0035]
Note that, in the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of security and the like, authentication technology such as CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) can be used for authentication of the local device 3 in the center device 1. Specifically, when there is an access from the local device 3, the communication / authentication unit 1 b transmits a random number character string called “challenge” to the local device 3. The local device 3 encrypts the authentication data using the random number character string, and transmits the encrypted data to the center device 1. The communication / authentication unit 1b compares the acquired encrypted data with the data obtained by encrypting the authentication data of the local device 3 with the random number character string, and authenticates the local device 3 when they match. In this embodiment, CHAP is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is preferable that the authentication data transmitted and acquired between the local device 3 and the center device 1 be changed for each access.
[0036]
After the authentication, when the collected data is transmitted from the local device 3, the communication / authentication unit 1b stores the collected data in the collected data area of the storage device 1a. After the acquisition of the collected data, if the control data is stored in the control data area, the control data is transmitted to the local device 3, and if the control data is not stored, there is no control data. To the local device 3. In order to prevent the control data from being transmitted to the local device 3 twice, the control data may be deleted from the storage device 1a after the transmission of the control data.
[0037]
The data processing unit 1c includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like.
Here, in the present embodiment, since the access time of each of the local devices 3 to the storage device 1a is predetermined, the data processing unit 1c determines the access time to the storage device 1a according to the access time. The communication / authentication unit 1b or the storage device 1a may be provided with a function for notifying the access from the local device 3 when the local device 3 is accessed, and the storage device 1a may be accessed in accordance with the notification. .
[0038]
When a predetermined time is reached as the access time of the local device 3, the data processing unit 1c searches the storage device 1a using the ID of the local device 3 as a key, and retrieves the data stored in the “collected data area”. Get data. In order to confirm the collected data (for example, to avoid double acquisition), after acquiring the collected data, a configuration in which the collected data is deleted from the storage device 1a, a configuration in which the collected data is compared with the previously acquired collected data, Alternatively, a configuration may be used in which a flag is set for collected data.
[0039]
When an operation command is issued to the local device 3, the data processing unit 1 c creates control data and stores the control data in the “control data area” of the corresponding local device 3 in the storage device 1 a. The access time (access timing) to the storage device 1a for storing the control data can be set arbitrarily.
[0040]
[Local device 3]
As shown in FIG. 1, the local device 3 of the present embodiment includes a communication device 3a and a data processing unit 3b, and is configured to be able to acquire data from a predetermined measuring device 4. Further, the data processing unit 3b of the present embodiment is configured to be able to control the measuring device 4. Note that no global address is set in the local device 3 and cannot be accessed from the Internet network 2a.
[0041]
The communication device 3a operates using a TCP / IP protocol, and uses an ADSL line for connection to the Internet 2a. Access to the center device 1 is performed using a global address set in the center device 1.
[0042]
The data processing unit 3b includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the data processing unit 3b is configured to be able to communicate with measuring devices 4 such as a gas meter 4a, a monitoring camera 4b, and a voice monitoring device 4c, and collects data from the measuring devices 4. In the present embodiment, transmission of data relating to the measurement result from the measuring device 4 is performed at predetermined time intervals, for example, at hourly intervals. When the collected data is obtained, the center device 1 is accessed via the communication device 3a to transmit the collected data.
[0043]
Specifically, the data processing unit 3b accesses the center device 1 via the communication device 3a when data is transmitted from any of the measuring devices 4, and transmits the ID of the local device 3 and the authentication data. I do.
[0044]
After the authentication of the local device 3 by the center device 1, the data processing unit 3 b transmits the acquired collected data to the center device 1. When the local device 3 includes a plurality of measurement devices 4, the collected data includes identification information of the measurement devices 4 (for example, information such as the ID, type, and installation location of the measurement devices 4). Subsequently, it is confirmed whether or not the control data for the local device 3 is stored in the storage device 1a of the center device 1, and if the control data is stored, the control data is acquired.
[0045]
In the present embodiment, the data processing unit 3b determines an operation based on an operation command of the acquired control data. When acquiring the control data, the data processing unit 3b extracts an operation command from the control data and operates based on the operation command. The operation command is, for example, a change in an access schedule for transmitting collected data, and the change is applied from the next access from the local device 3 to the center device 1. Further, in the present embodiment, when the control data includes an operation command for the measuring device 4, the control for the measuring device 4 is also performed. For example, in the case of an operation command for changing a data collection condition and a collection time for a predetermined measurement device 4, the operation command is transmitted to the corresponding measurement device 4 to change the collection condition and the collection time. . When a data transmission request for specific data is included, the collected data specified by the data transmission request is transmitted.
[0046]
(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment of the remote control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the remote control system of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows a file structure of the storage device 1a used in the remote control system of the present embodiment.
[0047]
As in the first embodiment, the remote control system according to the present embodiment includes a center device 1 as the system of the present invention, and a local device 3 configured to be accessible to the center device 1 via a communication network. In the present embodiment, the local device 3 is provided with a determination unit 3d to determine the occurrence of an abnormality in the measuring device 4 based on the collected data. Notify the occurrence of. Further, the local device 3 of the present embodiment includes a data storage unit 3c that stores the received data from the measuring device 4.
[0048]
[Abnormal notification operation]
Next, in the present embodiment, an abnormality notification to the center device 1 when an abnormality occurs in the local device 3 (including the measuring device 4) and a corresponding operation of the center device 1 will be described.
[0049]
When the data processing unit 3b of the local device 3 acquires data from the measuring device 4, it stores the data in the data storage unit 3c and transmits the data to the determination unit 3d. Here, the data storage unit 3c is configured by an internal storage device such as a RAM or an external storage device such as a hard disk. If there is room in the storage device of the local device 3, this may be used.
[0050]
The determination unit 3d of the local device 3 monitors the collected data for each measuring device 4 and determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred. Here, when an abnormality has occurred in the local device 3 (including the measuring device 4), for example, in the gas metering system, occurrence of gas leakage, failure of the measuring device 4, or poor connection, etc. If it occurs, it may cause an abnormality in the collected data transmitted from the measuring device 4 (the value of the measurement result is not within an appropriate range) or a communication error.
[0051]
For example, in the gas metering system, when the value of the gas meter 4a is not within a certain range, the determination unit 3d determines that there is a risk of gas leakage or abnormal operation of a gas-using device. When data cannot be obtained from the measuring device 4 or when communication errors frequently occur, it is determined that a poor connection with the measuring device 4 or a failure of the measuring device 4 has occurred. Further, when the use of gas is confirmed from the data on the gas consumption collected from the gas meter 4a, and when it is confirmed from the data acquired from the sound monitoring device 4c that the gas use device is not operating, for example, If the gas-using device is a gas engine and the engine sound cannot be confirmed, it is determined that there is a risk of gas leakage. When the determining unit 3d determines that an abnormality has occurred in the collected data of the measuring device 4 itself or the gas-using device, the determining unit 3d notifies the data processing unit 3b of the occurrence and further determines that the abnormality has occurred. The data including the identification information of the measuring device 4 (such as the ID of the measuring device 4) and the content of the abnormality (abnormality of the value of the collected data, acquisition failure of the collected data, and the like) are transmitted.
[0052]
When the determining unit 3d determines that an abnormality has occurred in the predetermined measuring device 4, the data processing unit 3b of the local device 3 immediately determines the ID of the measuring device 4 in which the abnormality has occurred and the content of the abnormality (collection of the abnormality). An abnormality of data, occurrence of a communication error, etc.) is acquired from the determination unit 3d, and identification information of the measuring device 4 (ID of the measuring device 4, etc.) and abnormality content notification data including the content of the abnormality are created. Then, the center device 1 is accessed via the communication device 3a to notify the center device 1 of an abnormality. In the present embodiment, data is continuously obtained from the measuring device 4 determined to have an abnormality, if possible.
[0053]
The communication / authentication unit 1b of the center device 1 performs an abnormality notification from the local device 3 after the local device 3 authenticates the access from the local device 3, and transmits abnormality content notification data related to the abnormality notification. Then, the abnormality content notification data is stored in the storage device 1a, and further, the occurrence of the abnormality is notified to the data processing unit 1c.
[0054]
Here, the file structure of the storage device 1a of the center device 1 according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 4, and the "collected data area" , “Control data area”, “authentication data”, and “access time”, and an “abnormality notification area” field are set. The abnormality content notification data transmitted from the local device 3 is stored in the field of the “abnormality notification area”.
[0055]
When the communication / authentication unit 1b notifies the data processing unit 1c that an abnormality has occurred in the local device 3, the data processing unit 1c immediately accesses the storage device 1a and “an abnormality notification area” corresponding to the local device 3 To acquire the data for notification of abnormal contents stored in the field of "."
[0056]
Subsequently, the data processing unit 1c creates control data including an operation command to the local device 3 (including an operation command to the measuring device 4 and other devices in the present embodiment) based on the abnormality content notification data. For example, predetermined measures corresponding to the configuration of the local device 3 are taken. In the present embodiment, for example, control data including an operation command to increase the number of times of measurement for each measuring device 4 and a data transmission request for specific collected data of the measuring device 4 determined to have an abnormality are created. It is stored in the control data area corresponding to the local device 3.
[0057]
The data processing unit 3b of the local device 3 waits for a predetermined period of time after the access to the center device 1 for the abnormality notification (in the present embodiment, a predetermined time shorter than the access timing related to the transmission of the collected data). The center device 1 is accessed again (at the access timing at the time of occurrence of an abnormality) to acquire control data. Subsequently, an operation command is extracted from the control data, and the local device 3 is controlled based on the operation command.
[0058]
[Another embodiment]
<1>
In the above-described second embodiment, in the center device 1, the storage device 1a is provided with a field of "abnormality notification area", and the local device 3 is configured to store the abnormality content notification data therein. It is not limited. The configuration may be such that the data processing unit 1c is directly notified, or the control data may include a data transmission request for the abnormality content notification data.
[0059]
<2>
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, in order to enhance security, all data (collected data, control data, authentication information, abnormality notification, etc.) transmitted between the center device 1 and the local device 3 ), When transmitting data, it is conceivable to encrypt the data. In this case, the data processing unit 1c (communication / authentication unit 1b) and the data control unit 3b transmit data encrypted using an encryption method such as a secret key encryption method or a public key encryption method, and When the encrypted data is received, decryption is performed. In the case of the public key cryptosystem, a configuration using a public key as authentication data may be adopted.
[0060]
<3>
The file structure of the storage device 1a is not limited to the structure of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above. For example, information of the local device 3 (information about the connected measuring device 4) is recorded. The fields for the authentication data, the access time, and the abnormality notification area may not be provided. Either configuration can achieve the object of the present invention. Although the storage device 1a is a hard disk in the first and second embodiments, another storage medium such as a DVD-RAM (Digital Versatile Disk Random Access Memory) may be used.
[0061]
<4>
In the first and second embodiments described above, the data processing unit 1c and the data processing unit 3b are configured using an arithmetic device such as a CPU. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other hardware, for example, Alternatively, it may be configured using an LSI (Large Scale Integration) that realizes the function of the data processing unit 3b, or may be configured as software using an existing server device or the like. The communication network is desirably the Internet network 2a from the viewpoint of low operation costs and the like, but is not limited to this. When the public line network is used, it is not necessary to manage the telephone number of the local device 3 in the center device 1, so that the operation can be facilitated.
[0062]
<5>
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the case where the present invention system is applied to the gas metering system has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to any system that includes one or more local devices 3 distributed and installed, such as AMeDAS, and that transmits and acquires data to and from the center device 1 via a communication network.
[0063]
<6>
In the first and second embodiments described above, the local device 3 transmits the collected data according to the access schedule, but is configured to access the center device 1 even when there is no collected data to be transmitted. May be. In this case, the local device 3 only acquires control data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a remote control system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a file structure of a storage device.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the remote control system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a file structure of a storage device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Center equipment
2a Internet network
3 Local device
4 Measuring equipment

Claims (4)

A remote control system for acquiring collected data collected in one or more local devices and transmitting control data to the local devices,
Corresponding to each of the local devices, comprises a storage device having a collected data area for storing the acquired collected data, and a control data area for storing the control data,
The local device accesses the storage device at predetermined time intervals to transmit and store part or all of the collected data in the collected data area, and stores the control data in the control data area. A remote control system for acquiring the control data when the remote control is performed. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the local device operates based on the acquired control data. The local device includes a data storage unit for storing the collected data,
When the acquired control data includes a data transmission request of specific data of the collected data, the specific data is extracted from the collected data in response to the data transmission request, and the collected data area is 3. A remote control system according to claim 1 or claim 2 for communicating. 2. The local device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine the collected data, and transmitting the occurrence of the abnormality to the storage device when the determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the collected data. The remote control system according to claim 3.

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