JP2012105010A - Electric power meter reading method and electric power meter reading system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently enlarge the communication zone of radio communication, and also to collect meter reading values even from users existing in a deserted place, etc. via radio communication.SOLUTION: Meter reading terminals 400 are arranged for each user 10, each of which includes: a first radio communication apparatus 415 for performing communication with a server device 100 for collecting meter reading values via a first radio communication network 50; and a second radio communication apparatus 416 for performing communication with the server device 100 via a second radio communication network 60 which has a communicable range different from that of the first radio communication network 50. The meter reading terminal 400 transmits the meter reading value to the server device 100 via the first radio communication network 50 when communication is possible with the server device 100 via the first radio communication network 50, and transmits the meter reading value to the server device 100 via the second radio communication network 60 when communication is not possible with the server device 100 via the first radio communication network 50.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power metering method and a power metering system for collecting meter reading values from a power consumer via wireless communication, and in particular, can effectively expand the communication range of wireless communication and perform wireless communication. It is related with the technique for enabling meter-reading value to be collected also from the consumer who exists in a quiet area.

  In order to wirelessly collect meter readings from meters that measure the usage of equipment such as electricity, gas, and water, Patent Document 1 discloses wireless data comprising a plurality of wireless units that can communicate with each other in a tree structure. A wireless data collection system including a data collection means for collecting data from a plurality of lower wireless units via a higher wireless unit to a data collection unit is described. In the above document, a master station data collection unit (hereinafter referred to as an aggregation device) provided at the top of the tree structure returns collected meter reading data to the management center based on a command signal from the management center. It is described.

JP 2000-187793 A

  By the way, in the wireless data collection system of the above-mentioned patent document 1, when the distance between consumers is far away such as in a deserted area, the tree structure cannot be configured, and the meter reading values may not be collected wirelessly.

  In addition, it is conceivable to install a new aggregation device in the vicinity of a deserted area. However, if a new aggregation device is installed for a small number of customers in a deserted area, sufficient cost-effectiveness cannot be expected. The operational merit of will be reduced. In addition, when a new aggregation device is installed, it is necessary to newly install a line for connecting the aggregation device to the management center, resulting in a work burden and cost burden.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and can efficiently expand the communication area of wireless communication, and can collect meter reading values from consumers existing in loose areas through wireless communication. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power metering method and a power metering system that can be configured as described above.

  A main invention for achieving the above object is a method for collecting a meter reading value of power consumption in a consumer, and communicates with a server device collecting the meter reading value via a first wireless communication network. A meter-reading terminal comprising: a first wireless communication device that performs communication; and a second wireless communication device that communicates with the server device via a second wireless communication network having a communication range different from that of the first wireless communication network. Provided for each customer, and when the meter reading terminal can communicate with the server device via the first wireless communication network, the meter reading value is transmitted to the server device via the first wireless communication network; If the server device cannot communicate with the server device via one wireless communication network, the meter reading value is transmitted to the server device via the second wireless communication network, and the server device sends the meter reading value sent from the meter reading terminal. Will be received.

  According to the present invention, when the meter reading terminal can communicate with the server device via the first wireless communication network, the meter reading terminal transmits the meter reading value to the server device via the first wireless communication network, and via the first wireless communication network. If the communication with the server device is not possible, the meter reading value is transmitted to the server device via the second wireless communication network. Therefore, even if the meter-reading terminal exists outside the first wireless communication network, the meter-reading value can be transmitted to the server device if it exists within the second wireless communication network. In addition, the meter reading value can be transmitted to the server device without newly installing an aggregation device. According to this, the communication area of wireless communication can be efficiently expanded, and meter reading values can also be collected from consumers existing in a quiet area through wireless communication.

  Moreover, since the meter-reading terminal includes the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, when a meter-reading terminal is newly installed, whether or not an installation position is within the communication area of the first wireless communication network. (For example, there is no need to verify the communication area using an electric power company's area simulator or to check the communication area by measuring the electric field strength on the customer's premises.) The work burden on the staff can be reduced.

  Another aspect of the present invention is the above-described method for collecting meter reading values, wherein the first meter reading terminal can communicate with the server device via the second wireless communication network, and the second meter reading terminal. Is unable to communicate with the server device via the second wireless communication network, but is able to communicate with the first meter reading terminal via the first wireless communication network, the second meter reading terminal is A meter reading value is transmitted to the first meter reading terminal via the first wireless communication network, and the first meter reading terminal receives the meter reading value received from the second meter reading terminal via the second wireless communication network. To the server device.

  According to the present invention, even when the second meter reading terminal is outside the communication range of the second wireless communication network, the second meter reading terminal transmits the meter reading value to the server device via the first meter reading terminal. be able to. According to this, it is possible to efficiently expand the communication area of wireless communication and collect meter reading values from consumers existing in a loose area or the like via wireless communication.

  The first wireless communication network is, for example, a communication network that communicates with the server device via an ad hoc communication network configured by communication between the meter-reading terminals, and the second wireless communication network is, for example, A communication network in which each of the meter-reading terminals communicates with the server device by directly communicating with a specific base station.

  In addition, the subject which this application discloses, and its solution method are clarified by the column of the form for inventing, and drawing.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to expand the communication area of radio | wireless communication efficiently, meter-reading value can be collected also from the consumer who exists in a deserted area etc. via radio | wireless communication.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a power meter reading system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server device 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows the main functions with which the server apparatus 100 is provided. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an aggregation device 200. FIG. It is a figure which shows the main functions with which the aggregation apparatus 200 is provided. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a base station 300. FIG. It is a figure which shows the main functions with which the base station 300 is provided. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the meter-reading terminal. It is a figure which shows the main functions with which the meter-reading terminal 400 is provided. It is a flowchart explaining meter-reading information transmission process S1000. It is a figure which shows the data structure of meter-reading information 1100. FIG. It is a figure which shows the record 1200 of the meter-reading value database 150. FIG. The position where the meter-reading terminal 400 exists, which is determined by executing the processing shown in FIG. 10, and the communication network (the first wireless communication network 50 or the second wireless communication) that the meter-reading terminal 400 uses to transmit meter-reading information. It is a figure which shows the relationship with the network 60). It is a figure explaining the difference between the installation work performed using the meter-reading terminal 400 of this embodiment, and the installation work of the meter-reading terminal performed conventionally. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a power meter reading system 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the modification of the electric power meter-reading system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
== First Embodiment ==
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a power meter reading system 1 described as the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, a power meter reading system 1 includes a server device 100 that collects meter reading values from a customer 10 provided in a central power supply command center of an electric power company, and a meter reading value of power consumption measured by the customer. And a plurality of meter-reading terminals 400 that transmit meter-reading information such as the amount of purchased power and the amount of power sold to the server device 100.

  The meter-reading terminal 400 is configured such that the first wireless communication network 50, which is a communication network configured by ad-hoc communication between the meter-reading terminal 400 and the aggregation device 200, or the base station 300 and each meter-reading terminal 400 communicate one-to-N The server apparatus 100 communicates with one of the second wireless communication networks 60, which is a communication network configured by the above. As shown in the figure, the aggregation device 200, the base station 300, and the server device 100 are all connected to the communication network 5, and the aggregation device 200 or the base station 300 receives the meter reading received from the meter reading terminal 400. The value is transmitted to the server apparatus 100 via the communication network 5.

  The first wireless communication network 50 includes, for example, UWB (Ultra-wide Band), ZigBee, Bluetooth, other low-power wireless (for example, a wireless system having a frequency of 400 MHz band and a wireless output of 10 mW or less), a wireless LAN (LAN: Local This is realized using a communication board (infrastructure) such as an area network. Ad hoc communication that constitutes the first wireless communication network 50 includes, for example, AODV (Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector routing), DSR (Dynamic Source Routing), OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing Protocol), TBRPF (Topology Broadcast based on This is performed according to a protocol such as Reverse Path Forwarding routing protocol.

  The second wireless communication network 60 is realized by using a communication board (infrastructure) such as commercial wireless using a 400 MHz band, a mobile phone, and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), for example.

  The communication network 5 includes, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, a power line communication (PLC (Power Line Communication)), a dedicated line (a power transmission system control information transmission system (CDT: Cyclic Digital data). It is realized using a communication infrastructure (infrastructure) such as transmission equipment, metal wires, optical fibers, etc.).

  FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the server device 100. As shown in the figure, the server device 100 includes a CPU 111, a memory 112, a hard disk 113, an input device 114 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display device 115 such as a liquid crystal display, and a communication interface 116. The CPU 111 implements various functions provided by the server device 100 by executing a program stored in the memory 112. The input device 114 is a user interface that receives an operation input from a user. The display device 115 is a user interface that provides visual information to the user. The communication interface 116 transmits and receives information via the communication network 5.

  FIG. 3 shows the main functions of the server device 100. The server device 100 includes a meter reading information receiving unit 131 that receives meter reading information sent from the meter reading terminal 400 and a meter reading information managing unit 132 that manages the received meter reading information in the meter reading value database 150.

  FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration of the aggregation device 200. The aggregation device 200 includes a CPU 211, a memory 212, a communication interface 213, and a wireless communication interface 214. The CPU 211 executes a program stored in the memory 212 and realizes various functions provided in the aggregation device 200. The communication interface 213 is a wireless or wired communication device that communicates with the server device 100 via the communication network 5. The wireless communication interface 214 is a communication device that communicates with the meter-reading terminal 400 via the first wireless communication network 50.

  FIG. 5 shows main functions of the aggregation device 200. As shown in the figure, the aggregation device 200 receives meter reading information sent from the meter reading terminal 400 via the first wireless communication network 50, and transfers the received meter reading information to the server device 100. Part 231 is provided.

  FIG. 6 shows a hardware configuration of the base station 300. As shown in the figure, the base station 300 includes a CPU 311, a memory 312, a communication interface 313, and a wireless communication interface 314. The CPU 311 executes programs stored in the memory 312 and realizes various functions provided in the base station 300. The communication interface 313 is a wireless or wired communication device that communicates with the server device 100 via the communication network 5. The wireless communication interface 314 is a communication device that communicates with the meter-reading terminal 400 via the second wireless communication network 60.

  FIG. 7 shows main functions of the base station 300. As shown in the figure, the base station 300 receives meter reading information sent from the meter reading terminal 400 via the second wireless communication network 60, and transfers the received meter reading information to the server device 100. A portion 331 is provided.

  FIG. 8 shows a hardware configuration of the meter reading terminal 400. The meter reading terminal 400 includes a CPU 411, a memory 412, an electric energy measuring device 413, a timing device 414, a first wireless communication device 415, a second wireless communication device 416, and a display device 417.

  The CPU 411 implements various functions provided in the meter-reading terminal 400 by executing a program stored in the memory 412. The power amount measuring device 413 measures the power used by the customer 10 to which the power amount measuring device 413 is attached and the power generation amount at the customer 10. The timing device 414 is configured using an RTC (Real Time Clock) or the like, and generates date and time information (time stamp) such as the current date and time. The first wireless communication device 415 is a communication device that performs wireless communication via the first wireless communication network 50. The second wireless communication device 416 is a communication device that performs wireless communication via the second wireless communication network 60. The display device 417 is a user interface such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel that visually provides information to the user.

  FIG. 9 shows main functions provided in the meter-reading terminal 400. As shown in the figure, the meter-reading terminal 400 includes a meter-reading information acquisition unit 431, a first wireless communication processing unit 432, a second wireless communication processing unit 433, and a communication path establishment unit 434.

  The meter-reading information acquisition part 431 acquires the measured value measured by the electric energy measuring device 413 as meter-reading information. The first wireless communication processing unit 432 communicates with the server device 100 through the first wireless communication network 50. The second wireless communication processing unit 433 communicates with the server device 100 through the second wireless communication network 60. The communication path establishment unit 434 establishes a wireless communication path with the server device 100 via the first wireless communication network 50. The communication path establishment unit 434 establishes a wireless communication path with the server device 100 via the second wireless communication network 60.

<Description of processing>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing (hereinafter referred to as meter reading information transmission processing S1000) performed in the meter reading terminal 400, the aggregation device 200, and the server device 100 when the meter reading terminal 400 transmits meter reading information to the server device 100. It is. Note that the meter reading information transmission processing S1000 is performed, for example, when a preset meter reading timing has arrived.

  When the meter reading timing comes, the meter reading terminal 400 acquires meter reading information from the electric energy measuring device 413 (S1011). FIG. 11 shows an example of meter reading information 1100 acquired by the meter reading terminal 400. As shown in the figure, the meter-reading information 1100 is attached with the meter-reading terminal identifier 1101 that is its own identifier, the power consumption 1102 that is information related to the amount of power used by the customer 10 to which it is attached, and itself. Information such as a power generation amount 1103 that is information relating to the power generation amount in the customer 10 and an acquisition time 1104 that is a time when the power consumption 1102 and the power generation amount 1103 are acquired is included.

  Subsequently, the meter-reading terminal 400 determines whether or not a communication path with the server device 100 can be established via the first wireless communication network 50 (S1012). This determination is made, for example, by transmitting a loopback signal from the meter reading terminal 400 to the server apparatus 100 via the first wireless communication network 50 and successfully receiving the loopback signal. If the communication path with the server apparatus 100 can be established via the first wireless communication network 50 (S1012: YES), the process proceeds to S1013, and if the communication path cannot be established ( (S1012: NO), the process proceeds to S1014.

  In step S <b> 1013, the meter reading terminal 400 transmits the meter reading information 1100 to the aggregation device 200 through the first wireless communication network 50. When receiving the meter reading information 1100 from the meter reading terminal 400, the aggregation device 200 transfers the received meter reading information 1100 to the server device 100 through the communication network 5 (S1021).

  Upon receiving the meter reading information 1100 sent from the aggregation device 200 (S1031), the server device 100 registers the received meter reading information 1100 in the meter reading value database 150 (S1032). FIG. 12 shows an example of a record 1200 registered at this time. As shown in the figure, the record 1200 includes meter reading information 1100.

  In S <b> 1014, it is determined whether a communication path can be established with the server apparatus 100 via the second wireless communication network 60. This determination is made, for example, by transmitting a loopback signal from the meter reading terminal 400 to the server device 100 via the second wireless communication network 60 and successfully receiving the loopback signal. If communication with the server apparatus 100 can be established via the second wireless communication network 60 (S1014: YES), the process proceeds to S1015. On the other hand, if communication cannot be established (S1014: NO), meter-reading terminal 400 displays an error message indicating that communication could not be established on display device 417 (S1061).

  In S1015, the meter-reading terminal 400 transmits meter-reading information 1100 to the base station 300 through the second wireless communication network 60. Upon receiving the meter reading information 1100 from the meter reading terminal 400, the base station 300 transfers the received meter reading information 1100 to the server device 100 through the communication network 5 (S1041).

  Upon receiving the meter reading information 1100 sent from the base station 300 (S1051), the server device 100 registers the received meter reading information 1100 in the meter reading value database 150 (S1052).

  FIG. 13 shows the position where the meter-reading terminal 400 exists, which is determined by executing the process shown in FIG. 10, and the communication network (the first wireless communication network 50 or 50) used by the meter-reading terminal 400 to transmit meter-reading information. The relationship with the second wireless communication network 60) is shown.

  As shown in the figure, when the meter-reading terminal 400 exists in the communication area of both the first wireless communication network 50 and the second wireless communication network 60 (case [1] in the figure), the meter-reading terminal 400 The meter reading value is transmitted to the server device 100 via the first wireless communication network 50. When the meter reading terminal 400 is outside the communication area of the first wireless communication network 50 but is within the communication area of the second wireless communication network 60 (case [2] in the figure), the meter reading terminal 400 is connected to the second wireless communication network 60. The meter reading value is transmitted to the server device 100 via the communication network 60. When the meter reading terminal 400 is within the communication range of the first wireless communication network 50 but outside the communication range of the second wireless communication network 60 (case [3] in the figure), the meter reading terminal 400 is connected to the first wireless communication network 50. The meter reading value is transmitted to the server device 100 via the communication network 50.

  As described above, the meter-reading terminal 400 transmits the meter-reading value to the server device 100 via the first wireless communication network 50 when the meter-reading terminal 400 exists within the communication range of the first wireless communication network 50. If it exists outside the communication range, the meter reading value is transmitted to the server device 100 via the second wireless communication network 60. For this reason, the meter-reading terminal 400 can transmit the meter-reading value to the server device 100 when it exists in the second wireless communication network 60 even when it exists outside the communication area of the first wireless communication network 50. Therefore, even if the meter-reading terminal 400 exists outside the communication area of the first wireless communication network 50, if the meter-reading terminal 400 exists within the communication area of the second wireless communication network 60, the meter-reading value is stored in the server without newly installing the aggregation device 200. Can be transmitted to the device 100.

  In addition, since the meter reading terminal 400 includes the first wireless communication device 415 and the second wireless communication device 416, when the meter reading terminal 400 is newly installed, workers and the like are located at the communication area of the first wireless communication network 50. (For example, there is no need to verify the communication area by using an electric power company area simulator or to check the communication area by measuring the electric field strength in the customer premises). When the terminal 400 is installed, it is possible to reduce the work burden on workers and the like.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a difference between an installation operation performed using the meter-reading terminal 400 of the present embodiment and a conventional meter-reading terminal installation operation. As shown in the figure, at present, a meter reading terminal (hereinafter referred to as a high output terminal) that performs high output wireless communication and a meter reading terminal (hereinafter referred to as a small output terminal) using low power wireless are separate terminals. Therefore, check the communication status etc. in advance with an area simulator etc. about which terminal to install in the consumer (S1401 to S1403), install the meter reading terminal after measuring the electric field strength at the installation location (S1404 to S1406).

  However, in the case of the power meter reading system 1 of the present embodiment, the meter reading terminal 400 is a wireless communication device (the first wireless communication device 415 and the second wireless communication device) corresponding to both the first wireless communication network 50 and the second wireless communication network 60. Since the communication device 416) is provided, it is not necessary to perform the operations shown in S1401 to S1406 in FIG. 14, and the meter reading value is transmitted to the server device 100 only by installing the meter reading terminal 400 at the installation site (FIG. 10). Can be started (S1407).

  Further, when the density of the customer 10 is changed and the aggregation device 200 is increased or decreased, it is currently necessary to replace the high output terminal with the small output terminal or the small output terminal with the high output terminal. In the case of the present embodiment, since the meter-reading terminal 400 includes wireless communication devices corresponding to both the first wireless communication network 50 and the second wireless communication network 60, such replacement work does not occur.

  As described above, according to the power meter reading system 1 of this embodiment, the meter reading terminal 400 can efficiently expand the communication area for wirelessly communicating with the server device 100, and also from a customer existing in a loose land or the like. Even meter readings can be collected via wireless communication.

== Second Embodiment ==
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a power meter reading system 1 described as the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the meter-reading terminal 400 (1) existing in the communication area of the second wireless communication network 60 can perform 1-to-N wide area communication with the base station 300, but the second wireless communication The meter reading terminal 400 (2) existing outside the communication area of the network 60 cannot perform 1-N wide area communication through the second wireless communication network 60. However, the meter-reading terminal 400 (2) is in a situation where it can perform ad hoc communication with the first meter-reading terminal via the first wireless communication network 50.

  In the situation shown in the figure, the meter reading terminal 400 (2) transmits the meter reading information 1100 to the meter reading terminal 400 (1) via the first wireless communication network 50, and the meter reading terminal 400 (1) When the meter reading information 1100 is received from (2), the meter reading information 1100 is transmitted to the server device 100 via the base station 300.

  As described above, according to the power meter reading system 1 of the present embodiment, even if the meter reading terminal 400 (2) exists outside the communication area of the second wireless communication network 60, the meter reading terminal 400 (2) performs the first wireless communication. By transmitting the meter reading information to the meter reading terminal 400 (1) via the network 50, the meter reading information can be transmitted to the server device 100 via the meter reading terminal 400 (1). Therefore, even if the meter-reading terminal 400 (2) is outside the communication area of the second wireless communication network 60, as long as the meter-reading terminal 400 (2) is within the communication area of the first wireless communication network 50, the meter-reading terminal 400 (2 ) Can transmit meter reading information to the server apparatus 100.

  Although described in detail above, the above description of the embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the server device 100 is provided to a communication control device 130, an electricity bill system 110 that manages the electricity bill of the customer 10, and the customer 10, which are provided in a central power supply command center of an electric power company. All or part of the power transmission stop cancellation system 120 that manages the power transmission stop and power transmission stop cancellation.

  Moreover, the meter-reading terminal 400 may be a component of the smart meter 500 including the meter 510 and the switch 520.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric power meter reading system 10 Consumer 50 1st wireless communication network 60 2nd wireless communication network 100 Server apparatus 150 Meter reading value database 200 Aggregation apparatus 300 Base station 400 Meter reading terminal S1000 Meter reading information transmission process

Claims (5)

A method for collecting meter readings of electric energy used by consumers,
The first wireless communication device that communicates with the server device that collects the meter reading values via the first wireless communication network, and the communication range between the server device and the first wireless communication network is different. A meter reading terminal provided with a second wireless communication device that performs communication via the second wireless communication network is provided for each customer.
The meter reading terminal is
If it is possible to communicate with the server device via the first wireless communication network, a meter reading value is transmitted to the server device via the first wireless communication network,
If it is not possible to communicate with the server device via the first wireless communication network, the meter reading value is transmitted to the server device via the second wireless communication network,
The said server apparatus receives the said meter-reading value sent from the said meter-reading terminal. The meter-reading-value collection method characterized by the above-mentioned. The method for collecting meter reading values according to claim 1,
The first wireless communication network is a communication network that communicates with the server device via an ad hoc communication network configured by communication between the meter reading terminals.
The second wireless communication network is a communication network in which each of the meter-reading terminals communicates with the server device by directly communicating with a specific base station. The meter reading value collection method according to claim 2,
The first meter-reading terminal can communicate with the server device via the second wireless communication network;
When the second meter-reading terminal cannot communicate with the server device via the second wireless communication network, but can communicate with the first meter-reading terminal via the first wireless communication network,
The second meter reading terminal transmits a meter reading value to the first meter reading terminal via the first wireless communication network;
The meter reading value collecting method, wherein the first meter reading terminal transmits the meter reading value received from the second meter reading terminal to the server device via the second wireless communication network. A meter-reading terminal used for collecting meter-reading values of electric energy used by consumers,
A first wireless communication device that performs communication via a first wireless communication network;
A second wireless communication device that communicates via a second wireless communication network having a different communication range from the first wireless communication network;
The first wireless communication network is a communication network that communicates with the server device via an ad hoc communication network configured by the meter reading terminal communicating with another meter reading terminal,
The second wireless communication device is a communication network in which the meter-reading terminal communicates with the server device by directly communicating with a specific base station,
If the server device can communicate with the server device via the first wireless communication network, the meter reading value is transmitted to the server device via the first wireless communication network,
The meter-reading terminal characterized by transmitting the meter-reading value to the server device via the second wireless communication network when communication with the server device cannot be made via the first wireless communication network. The meter-reading terminal according to claim 4,
If the server device cannot communicate with the server device via the second wireless communication network, but can communicate with another meter-reading terminal via the first wireless communication network, the other device can communicate via the first wireless communication network. A function to transmit the meter reading value to the meter reading terminal;
A function of transmitting the received meter reading value to the server device via the second wireless communication network when a meter reading value is received from another meter reading terminal via the first wireless communication network. A meter reading terminal.