JP2006338474A - Information terminal device, and method and program for restarting information terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the stability and serviceability of a report system. <P>SOLUTION: In a system provided with the information terminal device 4 which communicates with a gas meter 1 and notifies a server 5 of report information such as meter-read information of the gas meter 1 and gas abnormality information, when a report managing means 302 of the information terminal device 4 detects a failure at least in any portion of a series of processings for acquiring the report information and notifying the server of the report information, the information terminal device 4 is restarted. The information terminal device 4 is restarted only when the reporting of meter-read information being a main function and abnormality information fails to thereby prevent stop time of a report function being a main function from being generated as much as possible, which improves the stability and serviceability of the system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal device that communicates with a measurement / monitoring device that measures the amount of energy used for gas, electricity, water, etc., or monitors the safety of energy use, and reports information about the device to a server. The present invention relates to a restart method and a program.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a communication device that automatically performs a conventional restart process. In the ADSL modem apparatus described therein, the communication speed with the collective ADSL modem provided in the telephone station is monitored by the monitoring means, and the communication speed is lower than a predetermined value and communication is performed between the ADSL modems. If not, the link between modems is re-established so that the communication speed can be improved.

  Further, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a computer device that avoids an operation stop due to a start failure. This computer apparatus is designed to cope with a case where a start-up failure occurs and the computer apparatus cannot be started when the computer apparatus is turned on by being turned on or restarted by a reset operation. When self-diagnosis means for performing self-diagnosis when starting the apparatus and monitoring means for monitoring the communication state between the computer device and the keyboard are provided, and the result of self-diagnosis by the self-diagnosis means or the monitoring result by the monitoring means indicates a start error The resetting means resets the computer device and the keyboard.

  Here, the restart processing of the computer device by software is to issue a reset command by a program (software) running on the computer device, and the microcomputer of the computer device that has received the reset command turns on the power of the computer device. As in the case of the above, the memory used by the microcomputer is initialized once, the installed programs are activated in a predetermined order, and the initial activation state is restored.

Also, as a malfunction of the computer device, when the application program is operated, the memory reserved by the application program is not released even after the operation is completed, so that the memory leak that the usable memory capacity decreases, the computer device stops and the key or There is a hangup that stops accepting mouse input. To avoid these situations, monitor the memory usage by the program and automatically restart the computer when the available memory capacity falls below a certain value. The method to do is common.
JP 2002-252670 A JP 2004-094455 A

  For example, it comprises an information terminal device that communicates with a gas meter that monitors the amount of gas used and the safety of gas supply, and has a main function of reporting gas meter monitoring information. Systems that provide remote control functions for various home appliances and equipment have been provided. The function of metering the amount of gas used to measure the amount of gas used and periodically reporting to the server (center), or the function of reporting the monitoring information of the gas abnormality to the server (center) is a main function of the information terminal device. It is desirable to operate for 365 days, and it is necessary to prevent occurrence of a temporary stop time due to power-off or restart of the information terminal device as much as possible.

  In addition, the remote control function that controls the life information provided as a sub-function of the information terminal device and the control of home appliances / equipment, the operation of the information terminal device, which is a computer device, is unstable due to the use of these by the user If it becomes unstable, it is desirable to restart and reset the state of the information terminal device. However, frequent restarts by these sub-functions may cause the meter reading or gas abnormality. There is a possibility that the stop function of the main function of the report is frequently generated, and the serviceability of the report system is lowered.

  In addition, when improving the serviceability by providing sub-functions to information terminal devices that have the main function of communicating with the meter that monitors energy supply and reporting monitoring information, By detecting and restarting all communication errors without distinguishing the subfunctions, even if the main function is operating normally, the subfunctions will be restarted due to communication errors. Because of frequent restarts, the reporting function of the main function may be impaired.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention monitors the failure of the main function of gas meter reading notification (energy usage notification) and gas abnormality notification (energy monitoring information notification), and the event has occurred. Only when the information terminal device is determined to have become unstable operation, it is restarted, and the sub-function operation is unstable, etc. The monitoring information reporting function does not frequently stop time, and the minimum restart process improves the stability and serviceability of the gas meter reporting and gas abnormality reporting system. It is.

  In order to solve the conventional problem, the main function of communicating with the measurement / monitoring device for measuring the amount of energy used for gas or electricity or water, or for monitoring the energy supply, and acquiring the content information from the server, or In an information terminal device having a subfunction for communicating with devices other than the measurement monitoring device, communication means for communicating the energy usage information or monitoring information regarding energy supply with the measurement monitoring device, and the usage information or monitoring An information terminal device comprising an out-of-home communication means for reporting information to the server and a notice management means for managing success or failure of the notice, wherein a report of an abnormality occurring in the measurement monitoring device by the notice management means is provided. When it detects that at least one part of a series of processing that is the main function to acquire information and report to the server has failed, And so as to restart the broadcasting terminal.

  Then, it monitors the abnormality of reporting of energy usage information or energy supply monitoring information that is the main function of the information terminal device, and at least one part of the series of processing that is the main function (that is, from the measurement management device) The information terminal device receives the report information and restarts when it fails (during a series of processing until it reports to the server). The main function service is not stopped due to an abnormality or abnormal operation, and the energy usage information reporting function and abnormality monitoring information reporting function are stopped as much as possible. Improve stability and serviceability.

  The information terminal device, the information terminal device restart method, and the program according to the present invention detect that the information processing that is the main function has failed in the information terminal device that reports energy usage information and monitoring information, and restart. The effect of improving the stability and serviceability of the reporting system for energy monitoring information by minimizing the time to stop functioning reporting of energy consumption and monitoring information, which is the main function, by making it processed There is.

  The first invention is a main function of communicating with a measurement / monitoring device for measuring the amount of energy used for gas or electricity or water, or monitoring the energy supply, and acquiring content information from a server, or the measurement / monitoring device. In an information terminal device having a sub-function to communicate with other devices, communication means for communicating the energy usage information or energy supply monitoring information with the measurement monitoring device, and the usage information or monitoring information reporting information An information terminal device having an out-of-home communication means for reporting to the server and a notification management means for managing the success or failure of the notification, wherein the notification management means acquires notification information of an abnormality occurring in the measurement monitoring device. When it is detected that at least one part of a series of processing that is the main function to report to the server has failed, the information terminal device is restarted. Is an information terminal apparatus to be.

  And, monitoring the abnormality of the reporting function of the energy usage information and monitoring information, which are the main functions of the information terminal device, and restarting when the reporting fails, it will restart due to the malfunction of the main function Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the restart due to the sub-function, and to minimize the function stop time of the energy usage report and the monitoring information report, which are the main functions, thereby improving the stability and serviceability of the system.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, comprising a counting means for counting whether or not the usage amount information or the monitoring information can be reported, and when the counting means detects that the failure of the notification has exceeded a predetermined number of times, The notification management means is an information terminal device that restarts the information terminal device.

  Then, by counting the number of failed notifications, the information terminal device can be determined to be unstable when there are multiple failed notifications. The terminal device can be prevented from restarting, and the accuracy of determining that the information terminal device is unstable is improved. And the serviceability and stability of the reporting system are improved.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, there is provided setting information acquisition means for periodically acquiring setting information of the information terminal device, the notification management means fails to acquire the setting information, and the usage amount It is an information terminal device that restarts the information terminal device when it detects that the report of information or monitoring information has failed.

  And by restarting when the reporting of information on energy usage, which is the main function, or monitoring information has failed, and the acquisition of setting information periodically performed by the information terminal device has occurred, relatively Thus, the information terminal device can be prevented from restarting due to a communication failure that easily occurs, and the determination accuracy of the information terminal device becoming unstable is further improved. And the serviceability and stability of the reporting system are improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention, the restart condition information for performing the restart is obtained from the server and the setting can be changed.

  And by making it possible to obtain the condition information for restarting from the server, it is possible to monitor conditions such as the number of failed notifications according to the failure occurrence status, usage status, and usage service of the user with the information terminal device installed. Since it can be changed, it becomes possible to provide a service with higher serviceability and stability.

  A fifth invention is the information terminal according to the first, second, third or fourth invention, wherein the information terminal device is provided with a display means, and the display means is not displayed during the restart process. Device.

  By not displaying during the restart process, the restart process can be confirmed by the user, and it is possible to prevent misunderstanding that the information terminal device is faulty or uneasy about unexpected operations.

  6th invention is the main function which communicates the energy usage information of gas, electricity, or water, or the monitoring information regarding energy supply with a measurement monitoring apparatus, acquisition of the content information from a server, or apparatuses other than the said measurement monitoring apparatus In the information terminal device having a sub-function that communicates with the measurement monitoring device, a step of communicating the usage information or the monitoring information with the measurement monitoring device, and reporting the usage information or the monitoring information from the information terminal device to the server Detecting a failure of at least one part of a series of processes that is a main function of acquiring notification information of an abnormality that has occurred in the measurement monitoring device with an information terminal device and reporting to a server; and An information terminal device restarting method comprising: a step of restarting the information terminal device upon detecting a report failure.

  Then, monitoring of abnormalities in the energy usage information or monitoring information reporting function that is the main function of the information terminal device, and restarting when the reporting fails, restarting by the sub function By restarting the information terminal device only when the main function fails, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the function stop time of the energy usage report and monitoring information report, which is the main function, and to improve the stability of the system. Improve serviceability.

  A seventh invention is a program for executing at least a part of any one of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth information terminal devices. By using the program, it is possible to easily realize at least a part of the information terminal device of the present invention by cooperating hardware resources such as an electric / information device, a computer, and a server. In addition, the program can be distributed / updated and installed easily by recording on a recording medium or distributing the program using a communication line.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a service system using an information terminal that communicates with a gas meter, a hot water supply / heating heat source unit, a human sensor, and the like according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The information terminal 4 includes a control function of the gas meter 1, an abnormality notification function detected by the gas meter 1, and a meter reading value notification function of the gas usage measured by the gas meter 1. In addition, it communicates with the human sensor 2 and an open / close sensor (not shown), and provides a security function for reporting information detected by the sensor using the information terminal 4. Furthermore, the information terminal 4 has a remote control function for the hot water supply / heating heat source unit 3 in addition to the reporting function of the detection information of the gas meter 1. The floor heating, bathroom heating / drying connected to the hot water supply / heating heat source unit 3 are also provided. Multi-remote control that controls the machine.

  In FIG. 1, a gas meter 1 is a network device having a network connection function, and is connected to a wireless device 1d and has a function of communicating with an information terminal 4 wirelessly. The wireless device 1d is configured using a specific low power radio. Information that the gas meter 1 reports to the information terminal 4 includes meter reading information that is the amount of gas used, gas abnormality information such as shut-off control that is performed by the gas meter 1 when an abnormality in gas supply is detected, and remaining gas cylinders in the case of LP gas. There is volume warning information. As for communication with each device connected to the information terminal 4, the gas meter 1, the human sensor 2 are configured by wireless communication, and the hot water supply / heating heat source unit 3 is configured by wired communication.

  In addition, content information (weather, news, area information, shop information, advertisement information, etc.) is downloaded from the server device 5 to the information terminal 4 and displayed and used on the information terminal 4. In the case of content information created in HTML, browsing is performed with a browser function provided in the information terminal 4. In addition, advertisement information and the like are also provided with a function of displaying information embedded in the control screen of the information terminal 4 to enhance convenience for the user.

  Although not shown, the network device is a concept indicating home appliances and equipment having a function of connecting to various networks including the Internet 6, and includes a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air conditioner, a water heater, a dryer, a dishwasher and a dryer. Machine, vacuum cleaner, gas table, IH equipment, rice cooker, warm water washing toilet seat, electronic lock, various security sensors (human sensor, open / close sensor), net camera, lighting equipment, cogeneration system equipment, fuel cell system equipment, home Servers, televisions, videos, DVD devices, personal computers, PDAs, mobile phones, faxes, telephones, audio devices, and remote devices, gas meters, water meters, power meters, etc.

  In this embodiment, a system connected to the gas meter 1 will be described. However, in addition to the gas meter 1, it may function as a control controller for the network device.

  The information terminal 4 is connected to the ISP via a communication medium constituted by PSTN, ISDN, ADSL, CATV network, optical cable, PHS, wireless communication network, and the like, and is connected to the server device 5 via the Internet 6. In addition, the mobile phone 7 that can be connected to the Internet 6 or a telephone line network has a function of controlling the gas meter 1, the human sensor 2, or the information terminal 4.

  Further, the information terminal 4 has a function of mutually converting a communication protocol of the gas meter 1 or the human sensor 2 and an application protocol used in Internet communication.

  In addition, the information terminal 4 holds a user authentication ID, a password, and the like necessary for connecting to the server device 5. Further, it holds the ID of the wireless device that communicates with the information terminal 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information terminal 4 wirelessly communicates with the wireless devices of the gas meter 1 and the human sensor 2 in addition to an external storage device 4c such as a CPU 4a, a memory 4b, a flash ROM (Flash Read Only Memory), and a ROM. A device 4d, a communication interface 4e such as a modem or Ethernet (registered trademark), a display 4f composed of LCD, and the like are provided, and in cooperation with these, wireless communication means 301 as shown in FIG. A management unit 302, an out-of-home communication unit 303, a counting unit 304, a setting information acquisition unit 305, a timing unit 306, a display unit 307, and an input unit 308 function.

  In FIG. 2, a gas meter 1 includes a CPU 1a, a memory 1b, a sensor 1c, a wireless device 1d, a shut-off valve 1e, and a human sensor 2 includes a CPU 2a, a memory 2b, a sensor 2c, and a wireless device 2d.

  Next, the configuration function of the information terminal 4 will be described in detail. The operation / action will be described later.

  In FIG. 3, the wireless communication unit 301 has a function of performing wireless communication with the wireless device 1 d connected to the gas meter 1. Meter reading information (gas usage information) measured by the gas meter 1 and gas abnormality information (blocking information, etc.) monitored by the gas meter 1 are communicated with the gas meter 1 at predetermined intervals. Similarly, this is a function for wireless communication with other connected devices. Usually, it is set once a month.

  The notification management means 302 manages success / failure of notification processing such as meter reading information and gas abnormality information notified from the gas meter 1 to the information terminal 4. Specifically, the information received from the gas meter 1 is managed to determine whether or not a series of processing until the notification processing to the server device 5 is successful. To generate. Note that the series of processes includes a function of displaying the contents of the gas abnormality information on the display unit 307 of the information terminal 4 in the case of the gas abnormality reporting process. When the reporting unit 307 reports according to the reporting information. There are cases where it does not.

  The outside communication unit 303 connects the information terminal 4 to the Internet 6 or an external communication network such as a telephone line and realizes a state in which data can be transmitted to and received from the server device 5. Specifically, in FIG. 3, the out-of-home communication means 303 connects to an ISP (Internet Service Provider) via a router 309 using a protocol such as PPP (Point to Point Protocol), PPPoE, or PPPoA, and from there through the Internet 6. A TCP / IP connection is made to the server device 5. In this embodiment, devices such as an ADSL modem (when using an ADSL line) and an ONU (when using an optical fiber) are not shown, but exist on the system.

  The counting means 304 counts the number of successful / failed reports to the server of the report information received from the gas meter 1. For each content of the notification information, the number of failed notifications is counted, and when the predetermined number of preset times is reached, the notification management unit 302 is notified that the predetermined number has been reached. The predetermined number of times may be counted when consecutive failures occur.

  The setting information acquisition unit 305 periodically transmits an information acquisition request to the server device 5 at the set time, and acquires setting information for the information terminal 4. Here, the setting information includes URL information of content service used in the information terminal 4, authentication information (ID), periodic processing time information for accessing the server device 5, and the like. Moreover, the malfunction operation | movement of the information terminal 4 is detected, and the restart condition information for performing a restart is acquired.

  The restart condition is set as appropriate in the information terminal 4 and used by appropriately setting conditions such as failure of notification processing, which is the main function, failure of periodic processing, and the number of times of the processing.

  Further, the time information is acquired once a day in order to synchronize the time information 4 of the information terminal 4 with the server device 5. Further, in order to upgrade the program running on the information terminal 4, the upgrade information is acquired once a day. If there is a latest version, it is downloaded to the information terminal 4 and upgraded.

  The time measuring means 306 has a clock function and provides a time measuring function. When the setting information acquired from the server device 5 is designated to acquire setting information at 15:00 every day, the setting information acquisition unit 305 registers the information of 15:00 in the time measuring unit 306, and 306 monitors the time and, when the set time is reached, notifies the setting information acquisition unit 305 that the set time has been reached.

  The display unit 307 is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal and transmits report information and the like to the user. In addition, a touch panel is provided so that it can be operated with icons displayed on the liquid crystal screen. For example, when the gas abnormality information is received as the display contents, the information is notified to the server device 5 and the display means 307 displays the contents of the gas abnormality information and the coping method. Do. Further, when the report fails, when the communication line (Internet 6) for reporting to the server device 5 is in a communication disabled state, an abnormal screen display is made with contents indicating that communication to the Internet 6 is abnormal. In addition, living information, a remote control screen of a device connected to the information terminal 4, and the like are also displayed.

  The input unit 308 is configured by a touch panel or the like, and has a function for a user to input an operation to the information terminal 4. When the notification screen display occurs, the “confirm” button of the input means 308 is pressed to delete the screen.

  In the present embodiment, although not shown, the ISP is an Internet service provider and provides a service for connecting to the Internet. Communication is performed using TCP / IP, HTTP, or the like generally used on the Internet as a communication protocol.

  On the other hand, the server device 5 determines the type of authentication request, information acquisition request, control request, etc. of the information terminal 4 transmitted from the information terminal 4, and transmits the response message of the message. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, hardware resources such as a CPU 5 a, a memory 5 b, an external storage device 5 c, and a communication interface 5 d are provided, and these are cooperated to transmit / receive means 501, user authentication / determination processing means shown in FIG. 5. 502, the user information database 503, the transmission information generation means 504, and the content information database 505 are made to function.

  The transmission / reception means 501 establishes a transmission / reception state with the information terminal 4 when there is a TCP / IP connection such as an authentication request, an information acquisition request, or a control request from the information terminal 4 via the Internet 6, and authentication information , Setting information, content information, control information, etc. are transmitted and received.

  The user authentication / judgment processing unit 502 performs processing for comparing and authenticating the terminal ID and password, which are authentication information of the information terminal 4 received from the information terminal 4 at the time of an authentication request, with the user information managed in the user information database 503. The terminal ID is a serial number uniquely recorded for each information terminal 4, and is transmitted to the server device 5 at the time of user authentication at the time of initial setting of the information terminal 4, and other user information (phone number) , Password (password)) and so on. Further, the type of data is determined by the data identifier attached to the data. The contents of the meter reading information report and the gas abnormality information report are also received and processed here, and managed together with the user information.

  The user information database 503 holds the user name, address, area code, telephone number, password (password), terminal ID, service subscription status, and the like. It also manages meter reading information, gas abnormality report history, restart condition information for each user information terminal 4, and the like.

  When receiving the request message from the information terminal 4, the transmission information generating unit 504 generates a response message for the request message and responds. Although not described in the present embodiment, when an information acquisition request is received, setting information and content information necessary for the information terminal 4 are extracted and generated. The setting information is generated from the setting information set in the user information database 503. As content information, content information to be transmitted is created by data creation program (CGI program) from data such as HTML and image information registered by the content registration means 506.

  The content information database 505 includes HTML information such as news, weather, area information, and shop information that is browsed by the browser of the information terminal 4, version upgrade information (program) of the information terminal 4 program described above, and information periodically. Image information, audio information, HTML information, and the like of advertisement information to be acquired by the terminal 4 are registered.

  In FIG. 5, the server device 5 is illustrated as one device, but there may be a plurality of server devices, and the user information database 503 and the content information database 505 may be in another device or in another place. It doesn't matter. The user information database 503 may also be used as management information for other services for the information terminal, such as a telecon service and a security service.

  In the present embodiment, the communication medium is connected via the Internet 6, but it can be configured to connect with a dedicated line or a telephone line as necessary, and is not limited to the Internet 6.

  Next, the operation and action of the process of restarting the information terminal 4 due to the failure of the reporting process of the meter reading information and the gas abnormality information in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart when the information terminal 4 that has received the meter reading information from the gas meter 1 performs the restart process when the notification process fails.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a program (process) during operation of the information terminal 4 in the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, the server communication processing process 703 is marked with a cross to indicate that the server communication processing process 703 has malfunctioned. On the OS 701, a server communication processing process 703, a screen display processing process 704, a wireless communication processing process 705, an abnormality monitoring process 706, a gas notification process 707, and a hot water supply / heating heat source machine process 708 are operating simultaneously via a driver 702. Thus, the hardware of the information terminal 4 is accessed and operated.

  In FIG. 6, the wireless device 1 d connected to the gas meter 1 reads the meter reading value information measured inside the gas meter 1 when the meter reading setting date and time of the gas meter 1 is reached, and wirelessly transmits the meter reading value information to the information terminal 4. The information terminal 4 receives the meter reading value information by the meter reading call by the wireless communication means 301 (step 601). Normally, the meter reading value call is set to a regular date and time every month in order for the gas supplier to acquire information for calculating the gas usage fee.

  Then, the information terminal 4 processes the received meter reading value information by the notification management means 302, and stores that the meter reading has been made inside the information terminal 4. The notification management unit 302 transmits the meter reading value information to the outside communication unit 303, sets the information in a protocol used on the Internet, and transmits it from the router 309 to the server device 5 through the Internet 6 (step 602). ).

  At this time, meter reading value information cannot be transmitted to the Internet 6 when the power of the device used for transmission to the Internet 6, the router 309, or an ADSL modem (not shown) is turned off. In addition, transmission may not be possible depending on the state of the Internet 6 or the state of the ISP (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the program (process) of the information terminal 4 includes a gas notification process 707 in which a plurality of programs (processes) are operating simultaneously on the OS 701, and the meter reading value information is processed and transmitted to the server device 5. Even if the abnormality monitoring process 706 for monitoring the operation abnormality of the information terminal 4 is operating, if the server communication processing process 703 for communicating with the server apparatus 5 is abnormal in operation, the meter reading value information is stored in the server apparatus 5. May not be able to be sent to.

  For example, when there is an operation abnormality in the center communication processing process 703 and the outside communication unit 303 cannot transmit to the server device 5, a transmission error is transmitted from the outside communication unit 303 to the notification management unit 302. At this time, the notification management means 302 receives and determines the success / failure of the meter reading value information transmission processing (report processing) (step 603).

  If a transmission error is received and the reading process (report process) of the meter reading value information fails, a “meter reading error flag” indicating that a meter reading error has occurred is set in the internal memory of the information terminal 4 (turns ON). (Step 604).

  Further, the fact that reporting of meter-reading value information has failed is notified to the counting means 304 and counted by the counting means 304. The counting means 304 counts the generated report information and the number of report failures and records it in the internal memory.

  Then, in order to determine the restart process, it is determined whether the “meter reading error flag” is ON and the “periodic process error flag” (described later in detail) is ON.

  The setting information acquisition unit 305 that sets the time when the periodic communication process to the server apparatus 5 is performed and the information update is performed according to the setting information acquired from the server apparatus 5 every day is, for example, 15:00. , 15:00, an information acquisition request is transmitted to the outside communication means 303, and the setting information and internal information are updated. If this process fails in the same way as the process of reporting the meter reading information to the server device 5, the notification management means 302 is notified, and the internal memory of the information terminal 4 indicates that the periodic communication process has failed. Set "flag" (turn on).

  In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a situation in which the periodic communication processing has already failed due to an abnormal operation of the server communication processing process 703, similar to the notification of the meter reading value information. In this state, the “periodic processing abnormality flag” is ON. Then, it is determined that the “meter reading abnormality flag” is ON and the “periodic processing abnormality flag” is ON (step 605).

  When this restart condition is established, the information terminal 4 is restarted by the notification management means 302. In the software process of FIG. 7, the restart process is performed by the abnormality monitoring process 706, and the abnormal operation of the server communication process 703 is resolved by the restart process (step 606).

  In the restart process, a program running on the CPU 4a of the information terminal 4, mainly a reset command (command) is issued by the OS (Operating System), the memory 4b is initialized, and the program is recorded by the CPU 4a. In this process, the programs are restarted from the ROM in the order in which they are set, and an initial startup state is set. When Linux is used for the OS, a “reboot” command for calling the OS function from an application program or the like is transmitted to the shell program, and the OS is caused to perform the restart process.

  The restart process is also realized by inputting a reset signal by a hard switch to a reset terminal provided in the CPU 4a (not shown). When the operation of the information terminal 4 is abnormal and it is determined that the user is out of order, the information terminal 4 can be restarted by pressing a hard switch of the information terminal 4.

  As described above, the main functions provided in the information terminal 4 such as meter reading value information notification and gas abnormality information notification are monitored by the abnormality monitoring process 703. If the main function does not operate, it is determined that the operation of the information terminal 4 is abnormal. By performing the restart process, the stability and serviceability of the reporting system is maintained while minimizing the restart process.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that the restart condition is determined under the condition that the “meter reading abnormality flag” is ON and the “periodic processing abnormality flag” is ON. However, the main function as a gas meter reporting system is described. Any determination condition may be used as long as the conditions for notification failure such as meter reading information notification and gas abnormality notification are included, and conditions for restarting when meter reading value information notification fails three times may be used.

  The number of notification failures is set in the counting means 304 as a determination condition for restarting, and is notified to the counting means 304 each time the meter reading value information is reported, and when the set number of times is reached, the counting means 304 notifies the notification management means 302 This is realized by restarting. In addition, the time condition and the AND condition may be used, and a determination condition such as three meter reading value information reporting failures within three months may be used.

  Further, the setting information of the determination condition can be acquired from the server device 5 by the periodic communication process, and can be changed by the user. In this way, a restart condition can be set according to the installation environment of the information terminal 4. For example, in the case of a user who frequently turns off the power of the router 309, there is a high possibility that the periodic communication process will fail. However, in this determination condition, the “periodic process abnormality flag” indicates that the operation of the process inside the information terminal 4 is abnormal. Since it is not related to, it can be set out of the condition.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the process for determining the failure of reporting to the server device 5 is performed. However, the determination of any failure in the series of reporting processes may be performed, and the meter reading value information and the gas abnormality information are transmitted from the gas meter 1 by wireless communication. Can not be acquired, or when the gas abnormality information cannot be displayed on the display means 307 during the gas abnormality notification process, it can be determined that the notification process has failed. In the case of display failure, an abnormal operation of the screen display process in FIG. 7 can be considered.

  In addition, the restart process is performed based on the condition determination, but if the screen display is performed in this process, the system start information is displayed. If the user is watching this, it is assumed that the information terminal 4 has failed. There is a case. In the restart process that is automatically performed by controlling the hardware so that display is not performed during the restart process (specifically, turning off the liquid crystal backlight) and displaying the screen after the restart is completed, You can avoid anxiety to users.

  Although the information terminal 4 and the server device 5 have been described as being connected via the Internet 6, the present invention is not limited to this. The communication line may be a subscriber line (telephone line), ISDN, ADSL, CATV, FTTH (optical cable), wireless LAN, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like.

  Moreover, although the description has been made with the system having the gas meter reporting system as its main function, it may be configured with a power meter and water meter reporting system.

  Moreover, although the specific low power radio | wireless was demonstrated as a communication means of the information terminal 4, the gas meter 1, and the human sensitive sensor 2, power line communication, Ethernet (trademark), wireless LAN, etc. may be sufficient. The home communication protocol may be IP instead of the network device communication protocol.

  The specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  As described above, when the notification management unit acquires the notification information and detects that at least one part of a series of processes for reporting to the server has failed, the information terminal device is restarted to By monitoring the abnormality of the reporting function of the energy usage information and monitoring information that is the main function of the terminal device, and restarting when the reporting fails, the secondary function prevents the restart from occurring, By restarting the information terminal device only when the function fails, it is possible to minimize the outage time of the main function of reporting energy consumption and monitoring information, thereby improving system stability and serviceability. It becomes possible to achieve both. In addition, it is possible to reduce a situation in which some processes of the information terminal 4 are stopped and the reporting function cannot be serviced.

  In addition, when it is detected that the number of report failures has exceeded a predetermined number of times, the information terminal device can be determined to be unstable when there are multiple notification failures by restarting the information terminal device. The information terminal device can be prevented from restarting due to a communication failure that occurs relatively easily, and the determination accuracy of the information terminal device becoming unstable is improved.

  In addition, it is relatively easy to restart when there is a failure in reporting the usage information and monitoring information, which are the main functions, and a failure in obtaining the setting information that is periodically performed by the information terminal device. The information terminal device can be prevented from restarting due to a communication failure that occurs, and the determination accuracy of the information terminal device becoming unstable is further improved.

  In addition, by making it possible to obtain the condition information for restarting from the server, the monitoring conditions such as the number of failed notifications can be changed according to the failure occurrence status, usage status, and usage service of the user with the information terminal device installed. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide services with higher serviceability and stability.

  Further, by preventing display during the restart process, it is possible to prevent the user from mistaking the restart process as a failure of the information terminal device or feeling uneasy about an unexpected operation.

  In the present embodiment, the same function can be provided by using a part of the means of the information terminal 4 or the server device 5 as a program for causing a computer to function.

  By using the program, it can be realized as a partial function of a microcomputer, a personal computer, or another device, and convenience and versatility are improved and a system can be easily constructed. In addition, the program can be distributed and installed easily by recording on a recording medium or distributing the program using a communication line.

  As described above, the information terminal device, the information terminal device restart method, and the program according to the present invention have an abnormality report that deals with energy such as gas, electricity, and water that has sub-functions in addition to the report function that is the main function. It can be applied to a system, a meter reading system, or a security system.

The system block diagram of the notification system of the gas meter in Embodiment 1 of this invention 1 is a block configuration diagram of an information terminal, a gas meter, and a human sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The block block diagram which shows the function of the information terminal of Embodiment 1 of this invention The block block diagram which shows the server apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block block diagram which shows the function of the server apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention The flowchart which shows the restarting operation | movement of the information terminal of Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the structure of the program (process) in operation | movement of the information terminal of Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Gas meter (measurement and monitoring equipment)
4 Information terminals (information terminal equipment)
5 Server device (server)
301 Wireless communication means (communication means)
302 Information management means 303 Remote communication means 304 Count means 305 Setting information acquisition means 307 Display means

Claims (7)

Measures the amount of gas, electricity, or water used, or communicates with a measurement / monitoring device that monitors the energy supply, content information from the server, or communicates with devices other than the measurement / monitoring device In an information terminal device having a sub-function, communication means for communicating the energy usage information or monitoring information related to energy supply with the measurement monitoring device, and reporting the usage information or monitoring information reporting information to a server A main function of acquiring report information of an abnormality occurring in the measurement monitoring device and reporting to the server by the report management means. An information terminal device that restarts the information terminal device when detecting that at least one part of a certain series of processing has failed. A counting unit that counts whether or not usage information or monitoring information can be reported is detected, and when the counting unit detects that the notification has failed more than a predetermined number of times, the notification management unit restarts the information terminal device. Item 4. The information terminal device according to Item 1. It is provided with setting information acquisition means for periodically acquiring setting information of the information terminal device, and when the notification management means detects that the setting information acquisition has failed and the usage information or monitoring information notification has failed. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is restarted. The information terminal device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the information on the restart condition for performing the restart is acquired from the server and the setting can be changed. 5. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal device is provided with a display means so that the display means does not display during a restart process. A main function of communicating energy usage information of gas or electricity or water, or monitoring information related to energy supply with a measurement and monitoring device; a sub-function of acquiring content information from a server or communicating with a device other than the measurement and monitoring device; In the information terminal device, the step of communicating usage information or monitoring information between the information terminal device and the measurement monitoring device, and the step of reporting the usage information or monitoring information from the information terminal device to the server Detecting the failure of at least one part of a series of processes, which is a main function of acquiring notification information of an abnormality that has occurred in the measurement monitoring device with an information terminal device and reporting it to a server, and the notification And restarting the information terminal device when detecting a failure of the information terminal device. A program for executing at least a part of the information terminal device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.