JP2015115646A - Meter reading device, management device, communication method, program, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management device for meter reading devices for implementing a new routing method capable of setting an alternative route having high communication reliability in the case that a communication failure occurs.SOLUTION: A management device 10 includes a control circuit 11 which sets one of a power line communication system and a radio communication system as a main communication system of a communication network and sets the other of them as an alternative communication system of the communication network. The control circuit 11 sets a main route, from the management device 10 to a meter reading device 4, including one or a plurality of links of the main communication system. The control circuit 11 sets an alternative route, from the management device 10 to the meter reading device 4, including one or a plurality of links. The control circuit 11 starts communication with the meter reading device 4 by using the main route; and starts communication with the meter reading device 4 by using the alternative route when detecting a failure of the communication using the main route.

Description

  The present invention relates to at least one meter-reading device having a communication function. The present invention also relates to a management device that manages at least one meter-reading device. The present invention also relates to a communication method and program for a management apparatus. The present invention also relates to a communication system including a plurality of meter-reading devices and a management device that manages the meter-reading devices.

  In recent years, a metering device for electric energy (so-called “smart meter”) having a communication function is being introduced (see Patent Documents 1 to 5). The communication path between the meter-reading device and the electric power company is called “A route”. The direct communication path between the meter-reading device and the home device is called “B route”. A communication path between the meter-reading device and the in-home device, and a communication path via an external network such as the Internet is called a “C route”. Home appliances are distribution boards or other power management devices.

  A meter-reading apparatus communicates with an electric power company using power line communication (PLC) or radio | wireless as a communication medium. At this time, a management device (concentrator) for managing a plurality of meter reading devices may be provided between the meter reading device and the electric power company. The management device collects the power consumption of the house or dwelling unit provided with the meter-reading device from a plurality of meter-reading devices and sends it to the power company.

JP2011-250301A JP 2013-187849 A JP 2008-244679 A JP 2013-141063 A JP 2012-217164 A

  In a communication system including a plurality of meter-reading devices and their management devices, when each meter-reading device performs multi-hop communication, the management device needs to perform routing. In particular, when each meter-reading device and management device have both power line communication and wireless communication functions, a communication system that realizes a new routing method capable of setting an alternative route having high communication reliability when a communication failure occurs It is desirable to provide

  An object of the present invention is to provide a meter-reading device that realizes a novel routing method capable of setting an alternative route having high communication reliability when a communication failure occurs. Moreover, the objective of this invention is providing the management apparatus of such a meter-reading apparatus. Moreover, the objective of this invention is providing the communication method and program of such a management apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system including a plurality of meter-reading devices and a management device that manages the meter-reading devices.

  According to the management device for a meter reading device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the management device for managing a plurality of meter reading devices having a communication function includes the following configuration. The meter-reading device has functions of power line communication and wireless communication. The management device includes a power line communication circuit that communicates with a plurality of meter reading devices using a power line communication method in a multi-hop manner, a wireless communication circuit that communicates with a plurality of meter reading devices using a wireless communication method in a multi-hop manner, a power line communication circuit, and And a control circuit for controlling the wireless communication circuit. The plurality of meter-reading devices and the management device constitute a multi-hop communication network that is connected to each other via a power line communication link and a wireless communication link. The control circuit sets one of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method as the main communication method of the communication network, and sets the other as the alternative communication method of the communication network. The control circuit sets a main route including one or a plurality of main communication method links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device among the plurality of meter-reading devices. The control circuit sets at least one alternative route including one or more links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device. The control circuit starts communication with the destination meter-reading apparatus using the main route. When the control circuit detects a failure in communication using the main route, the control circuit starts communication with the destination meter-reading device using the alternative route.

  According to the management device of the meter reading device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the management device of the meter reading device according to the first aspect has the following configuration. The control circuit sets at least one of the following alternative routes. (1) An alternative route of an alternative communication method including one or a plurality of alternative communication method links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device. (2) An alternative route of the main communication method including one or a plurality of main communication method links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device. (3) An alternative route of a mixed communication system including one or a plurality of alternative communication system links and one or a plurality of main communication system links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device.

  According to the management device of the meter reading device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the management device of the meter reading device according to the second aspect has the following configuration. When the control circuit sets a plurality of alternative routes, each alternative route has a priority based on the route cost calculated from the link cost of one or more links included in the alternative route. When calculating the route cost of each alternative route, the control circuit adds a predetermined bias to the link cost of the link of the main communication method included in the alternative route.

  According to the management device of the meter reading device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the management device of the meter reading device according to any one of the first to third aspects has the following configuration. When the control circuit detects a failure in communication using the main route over a predetermined number of times, the control circuit switches between the main communication method and the alternative communication method.

  According to the meter-reading apparatus which concerns on the 5th aspect of this invention, it is a meter-reading apparatus provided with the communication function, Comprising: The following structures were provided. The meter-reading device uses a power line communication system to communicate with one or a plurality of other meter-reading devices and a plurality of communication devices including one management device in a multi-hop manner, and a plurality of communications using a wireless communication method. A wireless communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with the apparatus, and a control circuit that controls the power line communication circuit and the wireless communication circuit. The plurality of communication devices constitute a multi-hop communication network connected to each other via a power line communication link and a wireless communication link. One of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method is set as the main communication method of the communication network, and the other is set as the alternative communication method of the communication network. The control circuit sets a main route including one or a plurality of main communication method links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device among the plurality of communication devices. The control circuit sets at least one alternative route including one or more links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device. The control circuit starts communication with the destination communication device using the main route. When detecting a failure in communication using the main route, the control circuit starts communication with the destination communication device using the alternative route.

  According to the meter-reading apparatus concerning the 6th mode of the present invention, the meter-reading device concerning the 5th mode is provided with the following composition. The control circuit sets at least one of the following alternative routes. (1) An alternative route of an alternative communication method including one or a plurality of alternative communication method links from the meter reading device to the destination communication device. (2) An alternative route of the main communication method including one or a plurality of main communication method links from the meter reading device to the destination communication device. (3) An alternative route of a mixed communication system including one or a plurality of alternative communication system links and one or a plurality of main communication system links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device.

  According to the meter-reading apparatus concerning the 7th mode of the present invention, the meter-reading device concerning the 6th mode is provided with the following composition. When the control circuit sets a plurality of alternative routes, each alternative route has a priority based on the route cost calculated from the link cost of one or more links included in the alternative route. When calculating the route cost of each alternative route, the control circuit adds a predetermined bias to the link cost of the link of the main communication method included in the alternative route.

  According to the meter-reading apparatus which concerns on the 8th aspect of this invention, it is a meter-reading apparatus provided with the communication function, Comprising: The following structures were provided. The meter-reading device uses a power line communication system to communicate with one or a plurality of other meter-reading devices and a plurality of communication devices including one management device in a multi-hop manner, and a plurality of communications using a wireless communication method. A wireless communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with the apparatus, and a control circuit that controls the power line communication circuit and the wireless communication circuit. The plurality of communication devices constitute a multi-hop communication network connected to each other via a power line communication link and a wireless communication link. One of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method is set as the main communication method of the communication network, and the other is set as the alternative communication method of the communication network. The control circuit includes a section from the meter reading device to the destination communication device when the meter reading device is included in the route from the source communication device of the plurality of communication devices to the destination communication device of the plurality of communication devices. When a communication failure is detected, the following operations are executed. The control circuit sets a first alternative route including one or a plurality of main communication system links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device. The control circuit sets at least one second alternative route including one or more links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device. The control circuit starts communication with the destination communication device using the first alternative route. When the control circuit detects a failure in communication using the first alternative route, the control circuit starts communication with the destination communication device using the second alternative route.

  According to the meter-reading apparatus concerning the 9th mode of the present invention, the meter-reading device concerning the 8th mode is provided with the following composition. The control circuit sets at least one of the following alternative routes as a second alternative route. (1) An alternative route of an alternative communication method including one or a plurality of alternative communication method links from the meter reading device to the destination communication device. (2) An alternative route of the main communication method including one or a plurality of main communication method links from the meter reading device to the destination communication device. (3) An alternative route of a mixed communication system including one or a plurality of alternative communication system links and one or a plurality of main communication system links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device.

  According to the meter-reading apparatus concerning the 10th mode of the present invention, the meter-reading device concerning the 9th mode is provided with the following composition. When the control circuit sets a plurality of second alternative routes, each second alternative route is prioritized based on the route cost calculated from the link cost of one or more links included in the second alternative route. Have a degree. When calculating the route cost of each second alternative route, the control circuit adds a predetermined bias to the link cost of the link of the main communication method included in the second alternative route.

  According to the communication system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, any one of the plurality of meter reading devices having the functions of power line communication and wireless communication and the first to fourth managing the plurality of meter reading devices. And a management device according to one aspect.

  According to the communication system according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the meter reading device according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects and the plurality of meter reading devices are managed. And a management apparatus according to any one of the aspects.

  The communication system according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention includes the meter-reading device according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects and a management device that manages a plurality of meter-reading devices. To do.

  According to the communication method of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the communication method of the management apparatus that manages a plurality of meter-reading apparatuses having a communication function includes the following configuration. The meter-reading device has functions of power line communication and wireless communication. The management device includes a power line communication circuit that communicates with a plurality of meter reading devices using a power line communication method in a multi-hop manner, a wireless communication circuit that communicates with a plurality of meter reading devices using a wireless communication method in a multi-hop manner, a power line communication circuit, and And a control circuit for controlling the wireless communication circuit. The plurality of meter-reading devices and the management device constitute a multi-hop communication network that is connected to each other via a power line communication link and a wireless communication link. The communication method includes a step of setting one of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method as the main communication method of the communication network and the other as the alternative communication method of the communication network. The communication method includes a step of setting a main route including a link of one or a plurality of main communication methods from the management device to a destination meter-reading device among the plurality of meter-reading devices. The communication method includes the step of setting at least one alternative route including one or more links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device. The communication method includes a step of starting communication with the destination meter-reading apparatus using the main route. The communication method includes a step of starting communication with the destination meter-reading device using the alternative route when the failure of communication using the main route is detected.

  According to a program according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a program for a management apparatus that manages a plurality of meter-reading apparatuses having a communication function has the following configuration. The meter-reading device has functions of power line communication and wireless communication. The management device includes a power line communication circuit that communicates with a plurality of meter reading devices using a power line communication method in a multi-hop manner, a wireless communication circuit that communicates with a plurality of meter reading devices using a wireless communication method in a multi-hop manner, a power line communication circuit, and And a control circuit for controlling the wireless communication circuit. The plurality of meter-reading devices and the management device constitute a multi-hop communication network that is connected to each other via a power line communication link and a wireless communication link. The program includes the following steps executed by the control circuit. One of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method is set as the main communication method of the communication network, and the other is set as the alternative communication method of the communication network. A main route including one or a plurality of main communication system links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device among the plurality of meter-reading devices is set. At least one alternative route including one or more links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device is set. Communication with the destination meter-reading device is started using the main route. When a communication failure using the main route is detected, communication with the destination meter-reading device is started using the alternative route.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the management apparatus of the meter-reading apparatus which implement | achieves the novel routing method which can set the alternative route which has high communication reliability at the time of communication failure generation can be provided.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the management apparatus 10 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the meter-reading apparatus 1 of FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a main route (PLC) and an alternative route (RF) when the management device 10 transmits a packet to the meter-reading device 4 in the communication system of FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a main route (PLC), an alternative route (PLC), and an alternative route (RF) when the management device 10 transmits a packet to the meter-reading device 4 in the communication system of FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a main route (PLC) and alternative routes (PLC, RF) when the management device 10 transmits a packet to the meter-reading device 4 in the communication system of FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a main route (PLC) and an alternative route (RF) when the meter-reading device 4 transmits a packet to the management device 10 in the communication system of FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a main route (PLC) and an alternative route (RF) when the meter-reading device 1 transmits a packet to the meter-reading device 4 in the communication system of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative route (PLC) and an alternative route (RF) when the management device 10 transmits a packet to the meter-reading device 4 in the communication system of FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

First embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system of FIG. 1 includes a plurality of meter reading devices 1 to 4 that receive power supply from an electric power company (not shown), and a management device 10 that manages these meter reading devices 1 to 4. Each meter-reading apparatus 1-4 and the management apparatus 10 have a function of power line communication (PLC) and radio | wireless communication (RF). The meter-reading apparatuses 1 to 4 and the management apparatus 10 communicate with each other in a multi-hop using a power line communication method, and communicate with each other in a multi-hop using a wireless communication method. That is, the meter-reading apparatus 1-4 and the management apparatus 10 comprise the multihop communication network mutually connected by the link of the power line communication system, and the link of the radio | wireless communication system. The link of the power line communication method and the link of the wireless communication method each have the link cost shown in FIG. The management apparatus 10 collects in advance the link cost of each link included in the communication network using a notification signal that is transmitted periodically or irregularly within the communication network. The management device 10 communicates with a power company server (not shown), and notifies the power company of information on the amount of power consumption measured by each meter-reading device.

  The notification signal may be, for example, a Hello packet that includes adjacent link information for routing and is broadcast periodically for routing. Alternatively, the notification signal may be any other packet (for example, a packet that is periodically transmitted to notify meter reading information) that is transmitted and received periodically or irregularly in each network. .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the management apparatus 10 of FIG. The management device 10 includes a control circuit 11, a PLC circuit 12, and a wireless communication circuit 13. The control circuit 11 communicates with the meter-reading apparatuses 1 to 4 using the PLC circuit 12 and the power line 20, and communicates with the meter-reading apparatuses 1 to 4 using the wireless communication circuit 13.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the meter-reading apparatus 1 of FIG. The meter-reading device 1 includes a power measuring device 31, a control circuit 32, a PLC circuit 33, and a wireless communication circuit 34. The power meter 31 measures the amount of power consumption of a home device (not shown). The PLC circuit 33 communicates with the other meter-reading apparatuses 2 to 4 and the management apparatus 10 under the control of the control circuit 32. The wireless communication circuit 34 communicates with the other meter-reading apparatuses 2 to 4 and the wireless management apparatus 20B under the control of the control circuit 32. The control circuit 32 notifies the management device 10 of the measured power consumption using the PLC circuit 33 or the wireless communication circuit 34. The other meter-reading apparatuses 2-4 are also comprised similarly to the meter-reading apparatus 1. FIG.

  2 and 3 show the PLC circuit (12, 33) and the wireless communication circuit (13, 34) as two separate modules, the PLC circuit and the wireless communication circuit are provided as a single module or chip. Also good. 3 shows a configuration in which the power measuring device 34 and the communication circuit (the PLC circuit 33 and the wireless communication circuit 34) are integrated, the power measuring device 34 and the communication circuit are provided as separate modules. Also good.

  The operation of the communication system of FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a main route (PLC) and an alternative route (RF) when the management device 10 transmits a packet to the meter-reading device 4 in the communication system of FIG. Hereinafter, in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, a case where the management device 10 communicates with the meter-reading device 4 as a destination (destination meter-reading device) will be described. The management apparatus 10 acquires in advance information on links included in the communication network from the meter-reading apparatuses 1 to 4. The control circuit 11 of the management apparatus 10 sets one of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method as the main communication method of the communication network, and sets the other as the alternative communication method of the communication network. Hereinafter, a case where the power line communication method is set to the main communication method and the wireless communication method is set to the alternative communication method will be described as an example. The control circuit 11 notifies the meter reading devices 1 to 4 of the set main communication method and alternative communication method. The control circuit 11 sets a main route including one or more main communication method links from the management device 10 to the meter-reading device 4. The control circuit 11 calculates the route cost of the route from the management device 10 to the meter-reading device 4 based on the link cost of the main communication method link included in the communication network, and selects the route having the minimum route cost (A2 + A6). Set as main route. The control circuit 11 sets an alternative route including one or more links from the management device to the meter-reading device 4. The control circuit 11 starts communication with the meter reading device 4 using the main route. When communication fails in any of the links included in the main route, the meter-reading device that has detected the communication failure notifies the transmission source management device 10. When the control circuit 11 detects a failure in communication using the main route, the control circuit 11 starts communication with the meter-reading device 4 using the alternative route.

The control circuit 11 sets at least one of the following alternative routes.
(1) An alternative route of an alternative communication method including one or a plurality of alternative communication method links from the management device 10 to the meter-reading device 4.
(2) An alternative route of the main communication method including one or a plurality of main communication method links from the management device 10 to the meter-reading device 4.
(3) An alternative route of a mixed communication system including one or a plurality of alternative communication system links and one or a plurality of main communication system links from the management device 10 to the meter-reading device 4.

  When the control circuit 11 sets a plurality of alternative routes, each alternative route has a priority based on the route cost calculated from the link cost of one or a plurality of links included in the alternative route.

  In FIG. 4, the control circuit 11 sets an alternative route for the alternative communication method. The control circuit 11 calculates the route cost of the route from the management device 10 to the meter-reading device 4 based on the link cost of the link of the alternative communication method included in the communication network, and selects the route having the minimum route cost (B1 + B4 + B7). Set as an alternate route.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main route (PLC), an alternative route (PLC), and an alternative route (RF) when the management device 10 transmits a packet to the meter-reading device 4 in the communication system of FIG. In FIG. 5, the control circuit 11 of the management apparatus 10 sets an alternative route for the main communication method. The control circuit 11 sets a route having the lowest route cost next to the main route as an alternative route of the main communication method. When calculating the route cost of the alternative route of the main communication method, the control circuit 11 adds a predetermined bias to the link cost of the link of the main communication method included in the alternative route. The control circuit 11 calculates the route cost ((A1 + X1) + (A5 + X5)) of the alternative route of the main communication method from the link cost to which the bias is added.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a main route (PLC) and alternative routes (PLC, RF) when the management device 10 transmits a packet to the meter-reading device 4 in the communication system of FIG. In FIG. 6, the control circuit 11 of the management apparatus 10 sets an alternative route for the mixed communication method. The control circuit 11 adds a predetermined bias (for example, +1) to the link of the main communication method included in the network. Further, the control circuit 11 may add a predetermined negative bias (for example, −1) to the link of the alternative communication method included in the network. The control circuit 11 calculates the route cost of the route from the management device 10 to the meter-reading device 4 based on the link cost of the main communication method link and the link cost of the alternative communication method link included in the network. The control circuit 11 sets a route having the minimum route cost ((B1-1) + (A5 + 1)) as a temporary alternative route. Thereby, when the control circuit 11 calculates the route cost of the alternative route of the mixed communication method, a predetermined bias is added to the link cost of the link of the main communication method included in the alternative route.

  When the control circuit 11 of the management device 10 detects a failure in communication using the main route, the control circuit 11 communicates with the meter-reading device 4 using the route having the minimum route cost among one or a plurality of alternative routes. Start.

  In the communication system of FIG. 1, when communication using a certain communication method (communication medium) fails, even if communication is performed using another route including a link of the same communication method, the communication path condition (noise condition) is changed. There is virtually no change and communication may fail again. However, as shown in the routing of FIGS. 4 to 6, when communication failure using the main route is detected, communication may be established by starting communication with the meter-reading device 4 using the alternative route. Can be improved. 4 to 6, an alternative route with high communication reliability can be selected according to the communication status when each communication method (media) is used, and communication reliability of the entire communication system can be selected. Will improve.

  When setting an alternative route for the main communication method, a bias is added to the link cost of the link for the main communication method, so that an alternative route (an alternative route for the alternative communication method or a mixed communication) can be used. It is easy to select an alternative route).

  When setting the alternative route of the mixed communication method, by adding a bias to the link cost of the link of the main communication method, the alternative route becomes easier to include the link of the alternative communication method than the link of the main communication method.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a main route (PLC) and an alternative route (RF) when the meter-reading device 4 transmits a packet to the management device 10 in the communication system of FIG. When each of the meter reading devices 1 to 4 transmits a packet to another meter reading device or the management device 10, the main route and the alternative route may be used as in FIGS. 4 to 6. Each meter-reading apparatus 1-4 acquires beforehand the information of the link contained in a communication network from another meter-reading apparatus and management apparatus. The control circuit 32 of the meter-reading device 4 sets a main route including one or a plurality of main communication method (PLC) links from the meter-reading device 4 to the management device 10. The control circuit 32 sets at least one alternative route (for example, an alternative route of an alternative communication method (RF)) including one or a plurality of links from the meter-reading device 4 to the management device 10. The control circuit 32 starts communication with the management apparatus 10 using the main route. When communication fails in any of the links included in the main route, the meter-reading device that detects the communication failure notifies the source meter-reading device 4. When the control circuit 32 detects a failure in communication using the main route, the control circuit 32 starts communication with the management apparatus 10 using the alternative route.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a main route (PLC) and an alternative route (RF) when the meter-reading device 1 transmits a packet to the meter-reading device 4 in the communication system of FIG. The control circuit 32 of the meter-reading device 1 sets a main route including one or a plurality of main communication method (PLC) links from the meter-reading device 4 to the meter-reading device 4. The control circuit 32 sets at least one alternative route (for example, an alternative route of an alternative communication method (RF)) including one or a plurality of links from the meter-reading device 1 to the meter-reading device 4. The control circuit 32 starts communication with the meter-reading apparatus 4 using the main route. When communication fails in any of the links included in the main route, the meter-reading device that detects the communication failure notifies the source meter-reading device 1. When the control circuit 32 detects a communication failure using the main route, the control circuit 32 starts communication with the meter-reading device 4 using the alternative route.

  7 and 8, the control circuit 32 of the meter-reading apparatus 1 or 4 may set at least one of an alternative route of the alternative communication method, an alternative route of the main communication method, and an alternative route of the mixed communication method. When the control circuit 32 sets a plurality of alternative routes, each alternative route has a priority based on a route cost calculated from the link cost of one or more links included in the alternative route. When calculating the route cost of each alternative route, the control circuit 32 adds a predetermined bias to the link cost of the link of the main communication method included in the alternative route.

  According to the routing of FIGS. 7 and 8, an alternative route with high communication reliability can be selected according to the communication status when each communication method (media) is used, and the communication reliability of the entire communication system is improved. improves.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative route (PLC) and an alternative route (RF) when the management device 10 transmits a packet to the meter-reading device 4 in the communication system of FIG. When communication between any source communication device and destination communication device fails, another communication device included in the route between the source communication device and the destination communication device may set an alternative route. FIG. 9 shows a section from the meter reading device 1 to the meter reading device 4 when the meter reading device 1 is included in the main route from the management device 10 (source communication device) to the meter reading device 4 (destination communication device). The case where communication failure is detected is shown. The control circuit 32 of the meter-reading device 1 sets a first alternative route including one or a plurality of main communication system links from the meter-reading device 1 to the meter-reading device 4. The control circuit 32 sets at least one second alternative route including one or more links from the meter-reading device 1 to the meter-reading device 4. The control circuit 32 starts communication with the meter-reading apparatus 4 using the first alternative route. When communication fails in any of the links included in the main route, the meter-reading device 1 that has detected the communication failure does not notify the transmission source management device 10. When the control circuit 32 detects a failure in communication using the first alternative route, the control circuit 32 starts communication with the meter-reading device 4 using the second alternative route.

  In FIG. 9, the control circuit 32 of the meter-reading apparatus 1 may set at least one of an alternative route of the alternative communication method, an alternative route of the main communication method, and an alternative route of the mixed communication method as the second alternative route. . When the control circuit 32 sets a plurality of second alternative routes, each second alternative route is based on the route cost calculated from the link cost of one or more links included in the second alternative route. Has priority. When calculating the route cost of each second alternative route, the control circuit 32 adds a predetermined bias to the link cost of the main communication system link included in the second alternative route.

  9 is also used when the meter-reading device 4 transmits a packet to the management device 10 (FIG. 7), or when a meter-reading device 1 transmits a packet to another meter-reading device 4 (FIG. 8). Applicable.

  According to the routing of FIG. 9, an alternative route with high communication reliability can be selected according to the communication situation when each communication method (media) is used, and the communication reliability of the entire communication system is improved. According to the routing of FIG. 9, when communication fails, the routing process can be speeded up by setting an alternative route by the meter-reading device 1 without notifying the source communication device.

  4 to 9, when the control circuit 11 of the management apparatus 10 detects a failure in communication using the main route of the main communication method over a predetermined number of times, the control circuit 11 determines the main communication method and the alternative communication method. You may take turns.

  The communication system may include a plurality of existing meter-reading devices and a management device that performs the routing illustrated in FIGS.

  The communication system may include a plurality of meter-reading devices that perform routing in FIGS. 7 and 8 and a management device that performs routing in FIGS. 4 to 6.

  The communication system may include a plurality of meter-reading devices and management devices that perform the routing in FIGS.

  4 to 9 may be implemented as hardware of the meter-reading apparatuses 1 to 4 and the management apparatus 10, or may be implemented as a program executed by those control circuits.

  In the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the meter reading device is not limited to a metering device for electric energy, but is a gas, water, or other meter reading device that can operate in a plurality of communication methods including power line communication and wireless communication. May be. Existing meter-reading devices that measure other than the amount of electric power often operate on batteries, but by configuring the meter-reading device to perform power line communication, power can also be supplied from the power line.

1-4 ... Meter reading device,
10 ... Management device,
11 ... control circuit,
12 ... PLC circuit,
13: Wireless communication circuit,
20 ... power line,
31 ... Power meter,
32. Control circuit,
33 ... PLC circuit,
34: Wireless communication circuit.

Claims (15)

In a management device that manages a plurality of meter reading devices having a communication function,
The meter reading device has functions of power line communication and wireless communication,
The management device
A power line communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with the plurality of meter-reading devices using a power line communication method;
A wireless communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with the plurality of meter-reading devices using a wireless communication method;
A control circuit for controlling the power line communication circuit and the wireless communication circuit,
The plurality of meter-reading devices and the management device constitute a multi-hop communication network connected to each other via the link of the power line communication method and the link of the wireless communication method,
The control circuit includes:
One of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method is set as a main communication method of the communication network, and the other is set as an alternative communication method of the communication network,
Setting a main route including one or more main communication method links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device among the plurality of meter-reading devices;
Setting at least one alternative route including one or more links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device;
Start communication with the destination meter-reading device using the main route,
A management device, wherein when a failure in communication using the main route is detected, communication with the destination meter-reading device is started using the alternative route. The control circuit includes:
An alternative route of an alternative communication method, including one or more alternative communication method links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device;
An alternative route of the main communication method, including one or more links of the main communication method from the management device to the destination meter-reading device;
Setting at least one of a mixed communication system alternative route including one or a plurality of alternative communication system links and one or a plurality of main communication system links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device; The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When the control circuit sets a plurality of alternative routes, each of the alternative routes has a priority based on a route cost calculated from a link cost of one or more links included in the alternative route;
3. The control circuit according to claim 2, wherein when the route cost of each alternative route is calculated, a predetermined bias is added to a link cost of the link of the main communication method included in the alternative route. Management device.   2. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit changes the main communication method and the alternative communication method when detecting a failure of communication using the main route for a predetermined number of times or more. . A meter reading device having a communication function, the meter reading device,
A power line communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with a plurality of communication devices including one or more other meter-reading devices and one management device using a power line communication method;
A wireless communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with the plurality of communication devices using a wireless communication method;
A control circuit for controlling the power line communication circuit and the wireless communication circuit,
The plurality of communication devices constitute a multi-hop communication network connected to each other through the link of the power line communication method and the link of the wireless communication method,
One of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method is set as a main communication method of the communication network, the other is set as an alternative communication method of the communication network,
The control circuit includes:
Set a main route including one or more main communication method links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device of the plurality of communication devices,
Setting at least one alternative route including one or more links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device;
Start communication with the destination communication device using the main route,
A meter-reading device that starts communication with the destination communication device using the alternative route when a failure in communication using the main route is detected. The control circuit includes:
An alternative route of an alternative communication scheme, including one or more alternative communication scheme links from the meter reading device to the destination communication device;
An alternative route of the main communication method, including one or more links of the main communication method from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device;
Setting at least one of a mixed communication method alternative route including one or a plurality of alternative communication method links and one or a plurality of main communication method links from the meter reading device to the destination communication device. The meter-reading apparatus of Claim 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. When the control circuit sets a plurality of alternative routes, each of the alternative routes has a priority based on a route cost calculated from a link cost of one or more links included in the alternative route;
7. The control circuit according to claim 6, wherein when calculating a route cost of each of the alternative routes, a predetermined bias is added to a link cost of the link of the main communication method included in the alternative route. Meter reading device. A meter reading device having a communication function, the meter reading device,
A power line communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with a plurality of communication devices including one or more other meter-reading devices and one management device using a power line communication method;
A wireless communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with the plurality of communication devices using a wireless communication method;
A control circuit for controlling the power line communication circuit and the wireless communication circuit,
The plurality of communication devices constitute a multi-hop communication network connected to each other through the link of the power line communication method and the link of the wireless communication method,
One of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method is set as a main communication method of the communication network, the other is set as an alternative communication method of the communication network,
The control circuit, when the meter-reading device is included in a route from a source communication device of the plurality of communication devices to a destination communication device of the plurality of communication devices, and from the meter-reading device When communication failure is detected in the section to the destination communication device,
Setting a first alternative route including one or a plurality of main communication method links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device;
Setting at least one second alternative route including one or more links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device;
Initiating communication with the destination communication device using the first alternative route,
A meter-reading device that starts communication with the destination communication device using the second alternative route when a failure in communication using the first alternative route is detected. The control circuit includes:
An alternative route of an alternative communication scheme, including one or more alternative communication scheme links from the meter reading device to the destination communication device;
An alternative route of the main communication method, including one or more links of the main communication method from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device;
At least one of a mixed communication system alternative route including one or a plurality of alternative communication system links and one or a plurality of main communication system links from the meter-reading device to the destination communication device is the second The meter-reading device according to claim 8, wherein the meter-reading device is set as an alternative route. When the control circuit sets a plurality of second alternative routes, each of the second alternative routes has a route cost calculated from the link cost of one or more links included in the second alternative route. Has a priority based on,
The control circuit adds a predetermined bias to the link cost of the link of the main communication method included in the second alternative route when calculating the route cost of each of the second alternative routes. The meter-reading apparatus according to claim 9. A plurality of meter-reading devices having power line communication and wireless communication functions;
A communication system comprising: the management device according to claim 1 that manages the plurality of meter reading devices. A plurality of meter-reading devices according to any one of claims 5 to 7;
A communication system comprising: the management device according to claim 1 that manages the plurality of meter reading devices. A plurality of meter reading devices according to any one of claims 8 to 10;
And a management device that manages the plurality of meter-reading devices. In a communication method of a management device that manages a plurality of meter reading devices having a communication function,
The meter reading device has functions of power line communication and wireless communication,
The management device
A power line communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with the plurality of meter-reading devices using a power line communication method;
A wireless communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with the plurality of meter-reading devices using a wireless communication method;
A control circuit for controlling the power line communication circuit and the wireless communication circuit,
The plurality of meter-reading devices and the management device constitute a multi-hop communication network connected to each other via the link of the power line communication method and the link of the wireless communication method,
The communication method is:
Setting one of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method as a main communication method of the communication network, and setting the other as an alternative communication method of the communication network;
Setting a main route including one or a plurality of main communication method links from the management device to a destination meter-reading device among the plurality of meter-reading devices;
Setting at least one alternative route including one or more links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device;
Starting communication with the destination meter-reading device using the main route;
And a step of starting communication with the destination meter-reading device using the alternative route when a failure in communication using the main route is detected. In a management device program for managing a plurality of meter reading devices having a communication function,
The meter reading device has functions of power line communication and wireless communication,
The management device
A power line communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with the plurality of meter-reading devices using a power line communication method;
A wireless communication circuit that performs multi-hop communication with the plurality of meter-reading devices using a wireless communication method;
A control circuit for controlling the power line communication circuit and the wireless communication circuit,
The plurality of meter-reading devices and the management device constitute a multi-hop communication network connected to each other via the link of the power line communication method and the link of the wireless communication method,
When the program is executed by the control circuit,
Setting one of the power line communication method and the wireless communication method as a main communication method of the communication network, and setting the other as an alternative communication method of the communication network;
Setting a main route including one or a plurality of main communication method links from the management device to a destination meter-reading device among the plurality of meter-reading devices;
Setting at least one alternative route including one or more links from the management device to the destination meter-reading device;
Starting communication with the destination meter-reading device using the main route;
And a step of starting communication with the destination meter-reading device using the alternative route when a failure in communication using the main route is detected.

Images