JP2018066603A - Control device, time setting method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control device, a time setting method, and a program that can improve convenience at the time of setting time.SOLUTION: A control device includes: a clocking unit 13 for clocking time; a communication unit 11 for receiving time information from a smart meter 20 that measures an amount of power use; and a time setting unit 151 which is notified by the smart meter 20 at a prescribed time interval, receives a message including the time information and a measurement value of an accumulated amount of power use at constant time from the smart meter 20 and sets the time of the clocking unit 13 on the basis of the time information received from the smart meter 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device, a time setting method, and a program.

  A technique using a smart meter that counts power consumption is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The smart meter includes a clock set at an accurate time in order to measure power consumption in time series. In recent years, as a technology that uses such a smart meter, a smart meter is connected to a control device such as a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controller that collects and analyzes data such as power consumption measured by the smart meter. A technique for managing the power of equipment in a house is known.

JP 2013-191962 A

By the way, in the control device such as the HEMS controller described above, it is necessary to obtain an accurate time in order to analyze the collected data in time series. Therefore, in such a control device, for example, an accurate time is set in a built-in clock using a technique such as NTP (Network Time Protocol) or PTP (Precision Time Protocol) that corrects the time via a network. It was.
However, for example, when a control device such as a HEMS controller is installed in a newly built house, a network environment may not be constructed. In such a case, an accurate time is displayed on a clock built in the control device. There was no way to set. For this reason, the above-described control device cannot set the time, and after the network environment is constructed, it is necessary to perform the process of setting the time again, which is sometimes not convenient.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control device, a time setting method, and a program capable of improving convenience when setting the time.

  In order to solve the above problem, an aspect of the present invention provides a clock unit that measures time, a communication unit that receives time information from a smart meter that measures power usage, and a communication unit that receives time information from the smart meter. And a time setting unit that sets a time of the clock unit based on the received time information.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the control device, the communication unit is notified from the smart meter at a predetermined time interval, and a message including the time information and a measured value of the scheduled integrated electric energy is transmitted to the smart meter. The time setting unit sets the time of the clock unit based on the time information included in the message.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the control device, the communication unit transmits a current time request for requesting current time information measured by the smart meter, and the current time is determined in response to the current time request. A response including information as the time information is received from the smart meter, and the time setting unit is repeatedly received by the communication unit, and based on the current time information included in the response, the minute unit of the current time information , And the time of the timepiece unit is set based on the detected switching point.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the control device, the time setting unit is any one of the search ranges divided into two based on the current time information at a position that bisects the search range including the switching point. The switching point is detected by a binary search method that repeats the process of setting the search range as a new search range.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the above control device, the time setting unit repeatedly receives the current time information at a predetermined response interval, and executes a limiting process for limiting a range including the switching point. The switching point is detected by repeatedly executing the limiting process while narrowing the predetermined response interval with respect to the limited range.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the control device, the time setting unit sets the time of the clock unit based on a delay time for receiving the time information and the time information. Features.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a time setting method executed by a control device including a clock unit that measures time, a reception step of receiving time information from a smart meter that measures power consumption, and the reception step And a time setting step of setting the time of the clock unit based on the time information received from the smart meter.

  One embodiment of the present invention includes a reception step of receiving time information from a smart meter that measures power consumption in a computer included in a control device including a clock unit that measures time, and the smart meter includes: And a time setting step for setting the time of the clock unit based on the time information received from the program.

  According to the present invention, convenience when setting the time can be improved.

It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the power management system by this embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of delay time theta in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the time setting process by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the time setting process by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of the operation | movement of the time setting by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the time setting process by 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of the operation | movement of the time setting by 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a control device, a time setting method, and a program according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a power management system 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the power management system 1 includes a HEMS controller 10, a smart meter 20, and home devices (31, 32). FIG. 1 is a common drawing showing a configuration example in first to third embodiments described later.

The smart meter 20 is, for example, a power meter that is installed in a house 100 (customer's house) and measures the power consumption of the house 100. The smart meter 20 has a Wi-SUN (Wireless Smart Utility Network) communication function using, for example, 920 MHz (megahertz) band wireless communication. The smart meter 20 uses Wi-SUN, and two systems of an A route that communicates with the electric power company server 2 of MDMS (Meter Data Management System) and a B route that communicates with the HEMS controller 10. Communication.
The smart meter 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a power measurement unit 22, a clock unit 23, a meter storage unit 24, and a meter control unit 25.

For example, the wireless communication unit 21 performs communication by Wi-SUN using 920 MHz band wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 21 performs communication with the power company server 2 or the HEMS controller 10 by switching between the A route and the B route described above.
For example, the power measuring unit 22 measures the amount of power used (amount of power) used in the house 100.

  The clock unit 23 is a built-in clock having an RTC (Real Time Clock) function, for example, and measures time. The clock unit 23 is set with an accurate time via a network based on the A route. The clock unit 23 measures time such as “hour”, “minute”, “second”, but may have a calendar function for updating “year”, “month”, “day”, and the like. .

  The meter storage unit 24 stores information used for various processes of the smart meter 20. The meter storage unit 24 stores, for example, measurement information in which the power usage measured by the power measurement unit 22 is associated with the measurement time. In addition, the meter storage unit 24 stores, for example, integrated power amount information corresponding to a predetermined time interval such as an interval of 30 minutes, a measurement date, and a measurement time.

  The meter control unit 25 is a processor including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and comprehensively controls the smart meter 20. The meter control unit 25 acquires the power usage amount measured by the power measurement unit 22 and the time information of the clock unit 23, and stores the power usage amount and the time information in the meter storage unit 24 in association with each other. For example, the meter control unit 25 calculates the integrated power amount every 30 minutes, and stores the integrated power amount and the integrated power amount information associated with the measurement date and time in the meter storage unit 24. . Further, the meter control unit 25 controls communication with the power company server 2 using the A route described above and also controls communication with the HEMS controller 10 using the B route via the wireless communication unit 21.

  Here, the communication protocol between the smart meter 20 and the HEMS controller 10 by the B route is, for example, ECHONET (registered trademark) Lite. In addition, in the ECHONET Lite, for example, “low voltage smart power meter class” and “apparatus object super class” are defined as classes for transmitting time information or information including time information from the smart meter 20 to the HEMS controller 10. Yes. In the “low-voltage smart electric energy meter class”, information including time information as the measurement date and time of the scheduled integrated electric energy measurement value is transmitted. The meter control unit 25 controls processing corresponding to these classes as communication processing by the B route. Note that the ECHONET Lite class rules are defined in “ECHONET SPECIFICATION APPENDIX ECHONET Device Object Detailed Rules” (May 29, 2015 Release G).

For example, the meter control unit 25 determines the measurement date and time (“hour”) based on the “timed integrated energy measurement value (positive direction measurement value)” property defined in the “low-voltage smart energy meter class”. , “Minute”, “second” time information), and a property value notification (INF) message including the accumulated power amount are notified to the HEMS controller 10 every 30 minutes by the B route. In the “low-voltage smart electric energy meter class”, a “scheduled integrated electric energy measurement value (reverse direction measurement value)” property for power sale is defined. When the power is sold, the meter control unit 25 determines the measurement date and time (“hour”, “minute”, “minute”) based on the “scheduled cumulative power consumption measurement value (reverse direction measurement value)” property. Time information of “second”) and a property value notification (INF) message including the accumulated power amount are notified to the HEMS controller 10 every 30 minutes by the B route.
In addition, the meter control unit 25 responds to a read request (Get) of the property value of “current time setting” by the B route based on the “current time setting” property defined in “device object superclass”, for example. Then, a read response (Get_Res) including the current time (time information of “hour” and “minute”) is transmitted to the HEMS controller 10.

  The “current time setting” property of the “device object super class” is a property for the HEMS controller 10 to check whether the time of the internal clock of the device corresponding to ECHONET Lite is correct (correct). is there. In “current time setting”, for example, when it is confirmed that the time of the device corresponding to ECHONET Lite is not correct, the HEMS controller 10 sets the time of the HEMS controller 10 to the device (Set). It is assumed. In the present embodiment, the function of the “current time setting” property for confirming whether or not the time of this device is correct (correct) is used for time correction of the HEMS controller 10.

The home devices (31, 32) are devices that are installed in the house 100 and are managed by the HEMS controller 10 regarding power consumption. For example, the home device 31 is a distribution board, and the home device 32 is an air conditioner (hereinafter referred to as an air conditioner). In the present embodiment, the in-home devices (31, 32) will be described as the in-home device 30 in the case where any in-home devices provided in the power management system 1 are indicated or not particularly distinguished. Each in-home device 30 is connected to the HEMS controller 10 via the network NW1.
The network NW1 is a home area network (HAN) in the house 100.

The HEMS controller 10 (an example of a control device) acquires information on the power consumption measured by the smart meter 20, acquires power consumption of the home device 30, and controls the operation mode of the home device 30. To manage. For example, the HEMS controller 10 acquires the scheduled integrated electric energy measurement value by the B route using the Wi-SUN described above. In addition, the HEMS controller 10 collects power consumption of the home device 30 and controls the operation mode of the home device 30 via, for example, the network NW1 described above.
The HEMS controller 10 also includes a wireless communication unit 11, an NW (network) communication unit 12, a clock unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

The wireless communication unit 11 (an example of a communication unit) performs, for example, Wi-SUN communication using 920 MHz band wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 11 performs communication with the smart meter 20 using the B route described above. For example, the wireless communication unit 11 receives time information from the smart meter 20. That is, the wireless communication unit 11, for example, a property value notification message (hereinafter referred to as a notification message) of the “timed integrated power consumption measurement value” or a property value read response message (hereinafter referred to as a “current time setting”). The time information included in the notification message or the response message is received.
For example, the wireless communication unit 11 is notified from the smart meter 20 at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 30 minutes), and includes a message (for example, “measurement value of the scheduled integrated power amount”, including time information and a measured value of the scheduled integrated power amount. ”Is received from the smart meter 20.

  The NW communication unit 12 connects to the network NW1 using wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication, wired LAN communication, Wi-SUN communication, and the like, and performs various types of communication via the network NW1. For example, the NW communication unit 12 is connected to the in-home device 30 via the network NW1, and performs communication related to collection of power consumption and control of the operation mode of the in-home device 30.

  The clock unit 13 is a built-in clock having an RTC function, for example, and measures time. In the clock unit 13, an accurate time is set by a time setting unit 151 described later. The clock unit 13 measures time such as “hour”, “minute”, “second”, but may have a calendar function for updating “year”, “month”, “day”, and the like. .

  The storage unit 14 stores information used for various processes of the HEMS controller 10. The storage unit 14 stores, for example, information used for the time setting process of the clock unit 13. In addition, the storage unit 14 stores, for example, the property value of the “timed integrated power consumption measurement value” acquired from the smart meter 20 and information for managing the power consumption of the home appliance 30. The information for managing the power consumption of the home device 30 includes, for example, collected data such as power consumption of the home device 30 and control information such as an operation mode. The storage unit 14 stores the information, The time information acquired from the clock unit 13 is stored in association with each other.

The control unit 15 is a processor including, for example, a CPU and controls the HEMS controller 10 in an integrated manner. The control unit 15 executes, for example, processing for setting the time of the clock unit 13 and processing for managing power consumption of the home appliance 30.
The control unit 15 includes a time setting unit 151 and a power management unit 152.

  The time setting unit 151 sets the time of the clock unit 13 based on the time information received from the smart meter 20 by the wireless communication unit 11. For example, the time setting unit 151 sets the time of the clock unit 13 based on the time information included in the notification message “timed integrated electric energy measurement value”. In addition, as described above, the notification message of “timed integrated power consumption measurement value” includes time information (measurement time) of “hour”, “minute”, and “second”, and the time setting unit 151 Based on the time information of “hour”, “minute”, and “second”, the time of the clock unit 13 is set.

  The time setting unit 151 sets the time of the clock unit 13 based on the delay time θ for receiving the time information described above and the time information. Here, the delay time θ is, for example, a request for reading past property values (Get) from the HEMS controller 10 to the smart meter 20, authentication between the smart meter 20 and the HEMS controller 10, session management, and encryption. Statistical value of round trip time RTT (Round Trip Time) for PANA Ping (PANA-Notification-Request / PANA-Notification-Answer) etc. in PANA (Protocol for Carrying Authentication for Network Access, RFC5191) (Average value excluding time-out, median value, etc.) divided by “2”.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the delay time θ in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the round trip delay time RTT is a total delay time of the delay time DLY1, the delay time DLY2, and the delay time DLY3. The delay time DLY1 is a time required for transmission of a message M1 (for example, a property value read request (Get) message) from the HEMS controller 10 to the smart meter 20. The delay time DLY2 is a time required for internal processing of, for example, reading property values in the smart meter 20. The delay time DLY3 is a time required for transmission of a message M2 from the smart meter 20 to the HEMS controller 10 (for example, a message of a property value read response (Get_Res)).

The control unit 15 measures the round trip delay time RTT in advance using the clock unit 13 and stores the measured round trip delay time RTT in the storage unit 14. Then, the control unit 15 calculates, as the delay time θ, a median value of the past (plural) round-trip delay times RTT stored in the storage unit 14 or a value obtained by halving (1/2) the average value. The control unit 15 stores the calculated delay time θ in the storage unit 14.
In the example described above, the example in which the round trip delay time RTT is measured using the property value read request (Get) has been described. However, the control unit 15 measures the round trip delay time RTT using PANA Ping. May be.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the time setting unit 151 acquires the delay time θ calculated in advance as described above from the storage unit 14, and uses the acquired delay time θ as the above-described “hour”, “minute”, The time added to the time information of “second” is set as the time of the clock unit 13.

  The power management unit 152 executes processing for managing power consumption (power use) in the house 100. For example, the power management unit 152 acquires the property value of “timed integrated power consumption measurement value” from the smart meter 20 via the wireless communication unit 11 and stores the acquired property value in the storage unit 14. In addition, the power management unit 152 collects data such as the power consumption of each home device 30 via the NW communication unit 12 and associates the collected data with the time information acquired from the clock unit 13, for example. The data is stored in the storage unit 14. In addition, the power management unit 152 determines control information such as an operation mode based on the collected data and the measurement value of the scheduled integrated power amount acquired from the smart meter 20, and the control information is transmitted to the NW communication unit 12, for example. To each home device 30.

  Note that the network NW1 (home area network) can be connected to an external network NW2 such as the Internet, and the HEMS controller 10 is a clock server that measures accurate time (standard time) via the network NW1 and the network NW2. 3 (time server). When the environment that can be connected to the network NW2 is constructed in the house 100 and the time setting unit 151 described above is connectable to the clock server 3 via the network NW1 and the network NW2, the information ( For example, the time of the clock unit 13 may be set based on the time information. In this case, the time setting unit 151 sets the time of the clock unit 13 using a technique such as NTP or PTP.

Next, the operation of the HEMS controller 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the time setting process of the HEMS controller 10 by this embodiment is demonstrated.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the time setting process according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when performing the time setting process, the time setting unit 151 of the HEMS controller 10 first determines whether or not there is a notification of the “timed integrated power consumption measurement value” every 30 minutes. (Step S101). That is, the time setting unit 151 determines whether or not the wireless meter 11 has notified the smart meter 20 of a communication message of “measured amount of accumulated power on time”. The time setting unit 151 advances the process to step S102 when a communication message of “scheduled integrated power consumption measurement value” is notified (step S101: YES). Moreover, the time setting part 151 returns a process to step S101, when the communication message | telegram of "a fixed integration electric energy measured value" is not notified (step S101: NO).

  For example, the wireless communication unit 21 of the smart meter 20 may send a notification message of “measured amount of accumulated electric energy at a fixed time” every 30 minutes, for example, hourly 00:00 and hourly 30:00. The HEMS controller 10 is notified by wireless communication using Wi-SUN.

  In step S <b> 102, the wireless communication unit 11 receives a notification message of a communication message “scheduled integrated power consumption measurement value”. The wireless communication unit 11 uses, for example, Wi-SUN wireless communication to smartly transmit a communication message of “timed integrated power consumption measurement value” including measurement time (time information of “hour”, “minute”, “second”). Receive from meter 20. The wireless communication unit 11 stores the received communication message in the storage unit 14.

  Next, the time setting unit 151 acquires the measurement time included in the communication telegram of “timed integrated power consumption measurement value” (step S103). For example, the time setting unit 151 reads a communication telegram of “timed integrated power consumption measurement value” stored in the storage unit 14 and measures the measurement time (“hour”, “minute”, “second” included in the communication telegram. Information).

  Next, the time setting unit 151 sets the time obtained by adding the delay time θ to the acquired measurement time as the time of the clock unit 13 (step S104). That is, the time setting unit 151 sets the time of the clock unit 13 by adding the delay time θ shown in FIG. 2 to the time information of “hour”, “minute”, and “second” that are the acquired measurement times. . After the process of step S104, the time setting unit 151 ends the time setting process.

  The time setting unit 151 executes the time setting process described above when the HEMS controller 10 is installed and when the HEMS controller 10 is restarted. The time setting process may be executed when a difference of a predetermined value or more occurs between the time information of “hour”, “minute”, and “second”) and the time of the clock unit 13.

  As described above, the HEMS controller 10 according to the present embodiment includes the clock unit 13 that measures time, the wireless communication unit 11 (communication unit), and the time setting unit 151. The wireless communication unit 11 receives time information from the smart meter 20 that measures power consumption (for example, time information of “hour”, “minute”, and “second” included in a notification message of “timed integrated power consumption measurement value”). Receive. The time setting unit 151 sets the time of the clock unit 13 based on the time information received from the smart meter 20 by the wireless communication unit 11.

  Thereby, the HEMS controller 10 according to the present embodiment can set the accurate time in the clock unit 13 by acquiring the accurate time information from the smart meter 20. For example, even when the network environment (for example, the environment of the network NW1 and the connection environment to the network NW2) is not established in the house 100, the HEMS controller 10 according to the present embodiment can set an accurate time. it can. Therefore, in the HEMS controller 10 according to the present embodiment, the time cannot be appropriately set when installed in the house 100, and it is not necessary to perform the process of setting the time again after the network environment is constructed. Thus, the HEMS controller 10 according to the present embodiment can improve convenience when setting the time.

  Further, the HEMS controller 10 according to the present embodiment does not need to have a function of a GPS (Global Positioning System) clock or a radio clock, and can set an accurate time with an inexpensive and simple configuration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 11 is notified from the smart meter 20 at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 30 minutes), and includes a message (for example, “on-time” including time information and a measured value of the scheduled integrated power consumption. The communication message of “integrated electric energy measurement value” is received from the smart meter 20. The time setting unit 151 sets the time of the clock unit 13 based on the time information (“hour”, “minute”, “second” time information) included in the message.
Thereby, the HEMS controller 10 by this embodiment can synchronize the time set to the smart meter 20, and the time of the timepiece part 13 by a simple means, and can set an exact time. In addition, since the communication message of “timed integrated power consumption measurement value” is a function provided as a standard in the smart meter 20, the HEMS controller 10 according to the present embodiment has a special function for the smart meter 20 for time setting. There is no need to change or add functions.

In the present embodiment, the time setting unit 151 sets the time of the clock unit 13 based on the delay time θ for receiving the time information and the time information.
Thereby, the HEMS controller 10 by this embodiment can set the more exact time to the timepiece part 13. FIG.

Further, the HEMS controller 10 according to the present embodiment includes an NW communication unit 12 that can be connected to a network (NW1, NW2). When the NW communication unit 12 can connect to the clock server 3 via the network (NW1, NW2), the time setting unit 151 sets the time of the clock unit 13 based on the time information acquired from the clock server 3. You may make it set.
Thereby, the HEMS controller 10 according to the present embodiment acquires accurate time information not only from the smart meter 20 but also from the clock server 3 via the network (NW1, NW2), and the time of the clock unit 13 is obtained. Can be set.

In addition, the time setting method according to the present embodiment is a time setting method executed by the HEMS controller 10 including the clock unit 13 that measures time, and includes a reception step and a time setting step. In the reception step, the HEMS controller 10 (wireless communication unit 11) receives time information from the smart meter 20 that measures the power consumption. In the time setting step, the HEMS controller 10 (time setting unit 151) sets the time of the clock unit 13 based on the time information received from the smart meter 20 in the receiving step.
Thereby, the time setting method by this embodiment has the same effect as the HEMS controller 10 mentioned above, and can improve the convenience at the time of setting a time.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the HEMS controller 10a according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the time of the clock unit 13 is set by using the above-described property value read response message of “current time setting”.

As shown in FIG. 1, the HEMS controller 10 a is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a time setting unit 151 a is provided instead of the time setting unit 151.
The time setting unit 151a detects a switching point in minutes of the current time information based on the current time information included in a response (for example, a response message of “current time setting”) repeatedly received by the wireless communication unit 11. The time of the clock unit 13 is set based on the detected switching point.

  The current time information included in the “current time setting” response message includes “hour” and “minute” time information, and does not include “second” (second unit) time information. For this reason, the time setting unit 151a repeatedly transmits the above-mentioned “current time setting” request message to the smart meter 20 via the wireless communication unit 11, and is transmitted from the smart meter 20 according to the request message. The wireless communication unit 11 receives a response message of “current time setting”. Then, the time setting unit 151a detects a switching point in minutes of the current time information based on the current time information included in the response message repeatedly received, and based on the detected switching point, the time of the clock unit 13 Set.

  Specifically, the time setting unit 151a detects a switching point by the binary search method, and sets the time of the clock unit 13 based on the detected switching point. Here, the binary search method is a switching point by a binary search method that repeats the process of setting one of the search ranges divided into two as a new search range based on the current time information at a position that bisects the search range including the switching point. Is a search technique for detecting. Details of the binary search method will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Next, the operation of the HEMS controller 10a according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the time setting process of the HEMS controller 10a according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the time setting process according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when performing the time setting process, the time setting unit 151a of the HEMS controller 10a first initializes variables (T_wait, window) (step S201). For example, the time setting unit 151a sets “30 seconds” to each of the variable T_wait and the variable window. Here, the variable window is a parameter that determines the size of the search range, and the variable T_wait is a parameter that indicates a waiting time for acquiring the current time information of the next smart meter 20. In addition, the setting value of each variable including the variable window and the variable T_wait is stored in the storage unit 14.

  Next, the time setting unit 151a acquires the current time information of the smart meter 20, and substitutes it into the variable ST0 (step S202). The time setting unit 151 a transmits a request message of “current time setting” to the smart meter 20 via the wireless communication unit 11, and “current time setting” corresponding to the request message via the wireless communication unit 11. Current time information (time information of “hour” and “minute”) included in the response message. Then, the time setting unit 151a substitutes (sets) the acquired current time information for the variable ST0.

  Next, the time setting unit 151a acquires the current time information of the HEMS controller 10a, and substitutes it for the initial time variable T0 (step S203). The time setting unit 151a acquires the time of the clock unit 13 as current time information of the HEMS controller 10a, and substitutes (sets) the acquired current time information into the variable T0.

  Next, the time setting unit 151a determines whether or not the current time of the HEMS controller 10a has reached (T0 + T_wait) (step S204). The time setting unit 151a acquires the time of the clock unit 13 as the current time of the HEMS controller 10a, and determines whether or not the current time matches (T0 + T_wait). When the current time of the HEMS controller 10a becomes (T0 + T_wait) (step S204: YES), the time setting unit 151a advances the process to step S205. In addition, when the current time of the HEMS controller 10a is not (T0 + T_wait) (step S204: NO), the time setting unit 151a returns the process to step S204 and repeats the process of step S204.

  In step S205, the time setting unit 151a acquires the current time information of the smart meter 20, and substitutes it into the variable ST1. The time setting unit 151a obtains the current time information (time information of “hour” and “minute”) included in the response message of “current time setting” via the wireless communication unit 11, as in step S202 described above. To do. Then, the time setting unit 151a substitutes (sets) the acquired current time information for the variable ST1.

  Next, the time setting unit 151a determines whether or not the value of the variable ST0 (time) and the value of the variable ST1 (time) do not match (step S206). That is, the time setting unit 151a determines whether or not the minute time has been updated. When the value (time) of variable ST0 and the value (time) of variable ST1 do not match (step S206: YES), time setting unit 151a advances the process to step S207. In addition, when the value (time) of the variable ST0 matches the value (time) of the variable ST1 (step S206: NO), the time setting unit 151a advances the process to step S208.

  In step S207, the time setting unit 151a updates each variable. In this case, the time setting unit 151a updates each variable so that a range before the time of the variable ST1 is set as the next search range. Specifically, the time setting unit 151a substitutes (1/2) of the value of the current variable window as an update value for the variable window. In addition, when updating the variable window, the time setting unit 151a, for example, rounds off the update value to give an integer value. Further, the time setting unit 151a substitutes (T0 + T_wait) as an update value for the variable T0, and substitutes (60 seconds−window) as an update value for the variable T_wait. The time setting unit 151a advances the process to step S209 after the process of step S207.

  In step S208, the time setting unit 151a updates each variable. In this case, the time setting unit 151a updates each variable so that the range after the time of the variable ST1 is set as the next search range. Specifically, the time setting unit 151a substitutes (1/2) of the value of the current variable window as an update value for the variable window. In addition, when updating the variable window, the time setting unit 151a, for example, rounds off the update value to give an integer value. Also, the time setting unit 151a substitutes (T0 + T_wait) as an update value for the variable T0, and substitutes (60 seconds + window) as an update value for the variable T_wait. The time setting part 151a advances a process to step S209 after the process of step S208.

In step S209, the time setting unit 151a updates the variable ST0 by assigning the value of the variable ST1.
Next, the time setting unit 151a determines whether or not the value of the variable window is “1 second” (step S210). That is, the time setting unit 151a determines whether or not “1 second” is set in the variable window. When the value of the variable window is “1 second” (step S210: YES), the time setting unit 151a advances the process to step S211. Further, when the value of the variable window is not “1 second” (step S210: NO), the time setting unit 151a returns the process to step S204.

  In step S211, the time setting unit 151a determines whether or not the current time of the HEMS controller 10a is (T0 + T_wait). When the current time of the HEMS controller 10a becomes (T0 + T_wait) (step S211: YES), the time setting unit 151a advances the process to step S212. Further, when the current time of the HEMS controller 10a is not (T0 + T_wait) (step S211: NO), the time setting unit 151a returns the process to step S211 and repeats the process of step S211.

  In step S212, the time setting unit 151a acquires the current time information of the smart meter 20, and substitutes it into the variable ST1. The time setting unit 151a acquires the current time information (time information of “hour” and “minute”) included in the response message of “current time setting” via the wireless communication unit 11, as in step S205 described above. To do. Then, the time setting unit 151a substitutes (sets) the acquired current time information for the variable ST1.

  Next, the time setting unit 151a determines whether or not the value of the variable ST0 (time) and the value of the variable ST1 (time) do not match (step S213). That is, the time setting unit 151a determines whether or not the minute time has been updated as in step S206 described above. When the value (time) of the variable ST0 and the value (time) of the variable ST1 do not match (step S213: YES), the time setting unit 151a advances the process to step S214. Further, when the value (time) of the variable ST0 matches the value (time) of the variable ST1 (step S213: NO), the time setting unit 151a advances the process to step S215.

  In step S214, the time setting unit 151a sets the time obtained by adding the delay time θ to the value (time) of the variable ST1 as the time of the clock unit 13. After the process of step S214, the time setting unit 151a ends the time setting process.

  In step S215, the time setting unit 151a sets the time obtained by adding the delay time θ to the value (time) of (ST1 + 59 seconds) as the time of the clock unit 13. After the process of step S215, the time setting unit 151a ends the time setting process.

Next, a specific example when the time setting process shown in FIG. 4 described above is executed will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the time setting operation according to the present embodiment.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the time setting unit 151a searches the search range R0 of 10 hours X minutes 50 seconds to 10 hours X + 1 minutes 50 seconds in the smart meter 20 and switches in units of minutes of 10 hours X + 1 minutes 00 seconds. An operation for detecting the point P1 will be described.

  In FIG. 5 (X = 0), first, the variable window and the variable T_wait are “30 seconds”, and the value of the variable ST0 is the current time information acquisition point P10 of the smart meter 20 at 10:00. 50 seconds. The time setting unit 151a waits for the value (30 seconds) of the variable T_wait from the acquisition point P10, acquires the current time information of the smart meter 20 at the acquisition point P11, and sets the current time information as the value of the variable ST1. Here, since there is a change in the minute information of the current time information (ST0 ≠ ST1), the time setting unit 151a substitutes (1/2) of the value of the current variable window for the variable window as an update value, Substitute (60 seconds-window) as an update value in the variable T_wait. Therefore, the time setting unit 151a substitutes “15 seconds” for the variable window, and substitutes “45 seconds” for the variable T_wait. In addition, the time setting unit 151a updates the variable ST0 by assigning the value of the variable ST1.

  Next, at (X = 1), the search range R0 is narrowed (narrowed) from the search range R0, and the time setting unit 151a waits for the value (45 seconds) of the variable T_wait from the acquisition point P11, and then acquires the acquisition point. The current time information of the smart meter 20 at P12 is acquired, and the current time information is set as the value of the variable ST1. Here, since there is a change in the minute information of the current time information (ST0 ≠ ST1), the time setting unit 151a substitutes (1/2) of the value of the current variable window for the variable window as an update value, Substitute (60 seconds-window) as an update value in the variable T_wait. Therefore, the time setting unit 151a substitutes “8 seconds” for the variable window and substitutes “52 seconds” for the variable T_wait. In addition, when updating the variable window, the time setting unit 151a, for example, rounds off the update value to give an integer value. In addition, the time setting unit 151a updates the variable ST0 by assigning the value of the variable ST1.

  Next, at (X = 2), the search range R1 is narrowed (narrowed) from the search range R1, and the time setting unit 151a waits for the value of the variable T_wait (52 seconds) from the acquisition point P12, and then acquires the acquisition point. The current time information of the smart meter 20 at P13 is acquired, and the current time information is set as the value of the variable ST1. Here, since there is no change in the minute information of the current time information (ST0 = ST1), the time setting unit 151a assigns (1/2) of the value of the current variable window to the variable window as an update value, Substitute (60 seconds + window) as an update value in the variable T_wait. Therefore, the time setting unit 151a substitutes “4 seconds” for the variable window and substitutes “64 seconds” for the variable T_wait. In addition, the time setting unit 151a updates the variable ST0 by assigning the value of the variable ST1.

  Next, at (X = 3), the search range R2 is narrowed (narrowed) from the search range R2, and the time setting unit 151a waits for the value of the variable T_wait (64 seconds) from the acquisition point P13, and then acquires the acquisition point. The current time information of the smart meter 20 at P14 is acquired, and the current time information is set as the value of the variable ST1. Here, since there is a change in the minute information of the current time information (ST0 ≠ ST1), the time setting unit 151a substitutes (1/2) of the value of the current variable window for the variable window as an update value, Substitute (60 seconds-window) as an update value in the variable T_wait. Therefore, the time setting unit 151a substitutes “2 seconds” for the variable window and substitutes “58 seconds” for the variable T_wait. In addition, the time setting unit 151a updates the variable ST0 by assigning the value of the variable ST1.

  Next, at (X = 4), the search range R3 is narrowed (narrowed) from the search range R3, and the time setting unit 151a waits for the value of the variable T_wait (58 seconds) from the acquisition point P14, and then acquires the acquisition point. The current time information of the smart meter 20 in P15 is acquired, and the current time information is set as the value of the variable ST1. Here, since there is a change in the minute information of the current time information (ST0 ≠ ST1), the time setting unit 151a substitutes (1/2) of the value of the current variable window for the variable window as an update value, Substitute (60 seconds-window) as an update value in the variable T_wait. Therefore, the time setting unit 151a substitutes “1 second” for the variable window and substitutes “59 seconds” for the variable T_wait. In addition, the time setting unit 151a updates the variable ST0 by assigning the value of the variable ST1.

  Next, at (X = 5), the search range R4 is narrowed (narrowed) from the search range R4, and the time setting unit 151a waits for the value of the variable T_wait (59 seconds) from the acquisition point P15, and then acquires the acquisition point. The current time information of the smart meter 20 at P16 is acquired, and the current time information is set as the value of the variable ST1. Here, since the variable window is “1 second” and the minute information of the current time information does not change (ST0 = ST1), the time setting unit 151a sets the provisional time as 10:05:59, The time obtained by adding the delay time θ is set in the clock unit 13.

  Thus, in the method using the binary search method of the present embodiment, the time setting unit 151a acquires the current time information of the smart meter 20 a total of seven times from the acquisition point P10 to the acquisition point P16, thereby obtaining a clock unit. Set 13 times.

As described above, in the HEMS controller 10a of this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 11 transmits a current time request (for example, a request message of “current time setting”) for requesting current time information measured by the smart meter 20. In response to the current time request, a response including the current time information as time information (for example, a response message of “current time setting”) is received from the smart meter 20. And the time setting part 151a detects the switching point (for example, switching point P1 of FIG. 5) of the minute unit of present time information based on the present time information included in the response repeatedly received by the wireless communication part 11. The time of the clock unit 13 is set based on the detected switching point.
Thereby, the HEMS controller 10a of this embodiment can set exact time to the timepiece part 13 by acquiring exact time information from the smart meter 20, similarly to 1st Embodiment. Therefore, the HEMS controller 10a according to the present embodiment can improve the convenience when setting the time.

Further, in the present embodiment, the time setting unit 151a repeats a binary search that repeats the process of setting one of the divided search ranges as a new search range based on the current time information at a position that bisects the search range including the switching point. The switching point (P1) is detected by the method.
Thereby, the HEMS controller 10a of this embodiment can estimate the exact time to the second unit from the present time information to a minute unit, for example, and can set the said exact time to the clock part 13. FIG.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a HEMS controller 10b according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, another example in which the time of the clock unit 13 is set using the above-described read response message of the “current time setting” property value will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the HEMS controller 10b is the same as that of the first or second embodiment except that a time setting unit 151b is provided instead of the time setting unit 151 or the time setting unit 151a.
The time setting unit 151b is the same as the time setting unit 151a of the second embodiment described above, and the current time information included in the response (for example, the response message of “current time setting”) repeatedly received by the wireless communication unit 11. Based on the above, a switching point in minutes of the current time information is detected, and the time of the clock unit 13 is set based on the detected switching point.

  The time setting unit 151b repeatedly receives the current time information at a predetermined response interval, executes a limiting process for limiting the range including the switching point, narrows the predetermined response interval with respect to the limited range, Switching points are detected by repeatedly executing the limiting process. The time setting unit 151b is similar to the time setting unit 151a in setting the time of the clock unit 13 based on the detected switching point.

Next, the operation of the HEMS controller 10b according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the time setting process of the HEMS controller 10b according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the time setting process according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when performing the time setting process, the time setting unit 151b of the HEMS controller 10b first initializes variables (T_wait, count) (step S301). For example, the time setting unit 151b sets “10 seconds” to the variable T_wait. Here, the variable T_wait is a parameter indicating a waiting time (search interval) for acquiring the current time information of the next smart meter 20. In addition, the time setting unit 151b sets “0” to the variable count, for example. Note that the setting values of each variable including the variable T_wait and the variable count are stored in the storage unit 14.

The subsequent processing from step S302 to step S306 is the same as the processing from step S202 to step S206 shown in FIG. 4 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted here.
In step S306, when the value (time) of the variable ST0 and the value (time) of the variable ST1 do not match (step S306: YES), the time setting unit 151b advances the process to step S310. Further, when the value (time) of the variable ST0 matches the value (time) of the variable ST1 (step S306: NO), the time setting unit 151b advances the process to step S307.

In step S307, the time setting unit 151b updates the variable T0. In this case, the time setting unit 151b substitutes (T0 + T_wait) as an update value for the variable T0.
Next, the time setting unit 151b determines whether or not the value of the variable count is “1” (step S308). When the value of the variable count is “1” (step S308: YES), the time setting unit 151b advances the process to step S309. In addition, when the value of the variable count is not “1” (step S308: NO), the time setting unit 151b returns the process to step S304.

  In step S309, the time setting unit 151b sets “1 second” to the variable T_wait. That is, the time setting unit 151b changes the search interval from “10 seconds” to “1 second”. After the process of step S309, the time setting unit 151b returns the process to step S304.

  In step S310, the time setting unit 151b determines whether the value of the variable count is “0”. When the value of the variable count is “0” (step S310: YES), the time setting unit 151b advances the process to step S311. In addition, when the value of the variable count is not “0” (step S310: NO), the time setting unit 151b advances the process to step S312.

  In step S311, the time setting unit 151b updates each variable. In this case, the time setting unit 151b updates each variable so that the range of 10 seconds immediately before the time of the variable ST1 is set as the next search range. Specifically, the time setting unit 151b substitutes (T0 + T_wait) as an update value for the variable T0, and substitutes (60 seconds−T_wait) as an update value for the variable T_wait. In addition, the time setting unit 151b assigns the value of the variable ST1 to the variable ST0 as an update value, and assigns the value of “1” to the variable count as an update value. After the process of step S311, the time setting unit 151b returns the process to step S304.

  In step S312, the time setting unit 151b sets the time obtained by adding the delay time θ to the value (time) of the variable ST1 as the time of the clock unit 13. After the process of step S312, the time setting unit 151b ends the time setting process.

Next, a specific example when the time setting process shown in FIG. 6 described above is executed will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the time setting operation according to the present embodiment.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the time setting unit 151b searches the search range R20 of the smart meter 20 from 10 hours X minutes 20 seconds to 10 hours X + 1 minutes 20 seconds, and switches in units of minutes of 10 hours X + 1 minutes 00 seconds. An operation for detecting the point P2 will be described.

  In (X = 0) shown in FIG. 7, first, the time setting unit 151b acquires the current time information of the smart meter 20 at intervals of 10 seconds (T_wait = 10 seconds), and whether the minute information of the current time has changed. Determine whether or not. In the example shown in this figure, the time setting unit 151b acquires the current time information of the smart meter 20 at intervals of 10 seconds in order from the acquisition point P20 to the acquisition point P24, and the minute information of the current time changes at the acquisition point P24. (ST0 ≠ ST0). Therefore, at the acquisition point P24, the time setting unit 151b updates the variable T_wait by substituting (60 seconds−T_wait) for the variable T_wait. That is, the time setting unit 151b sets “50 seconds” to the variable T_wait.

  Next, at (X = 1), the time setting unit 151b narrows the search range to the search range R21 for 10 seconds immediately before the acquisition point P24, and at intervals of 1 second (T_wait = 1 second) from the acquisition point P25. The current time information of the smart meter 20 is acquired, and it is determined whether the minute information of the current time has changed. In the example shown in this figure, the time setting unit 151b has the minute information of the current time changed at the acquisition point P26 (ST0 ≠ ST0). Therefore, at the acquisition point P26, the time setting unit 151b sets the time obtained by adding the delay time θ to the clock unit 13 with the provisional time set to 10:02:00.

As described above, in the HEMS controller 10b of this embodiment, the wireless communication unit 11 transmits a current time request (for example, a request message of “current time setting”) for requesting current time information measured by the smart meter 20. In response to the current time request, a response including the current time information as time information (for example, a response message of “current time setting”) is received from the smart meter 20. Then, the time setting unit 151b detects a switching point (for example, the switching point P2 in FIG. 7) of the current time information based on the current time information included in the response repeatedly received by the wireless communication unit 11. The time of the clock unit 13 is set based on the detected switching point.
Thereby, the HEMS controller 10b of this embodiment can set an exact time to the timepiece unit 13 by acquiring accurate time information from the smart meter 20 as in the first and second embodiments. . Therefore, the HEMS controller 10b according to the present embodiment can improve the convenience when setting the time.

In the present embodiment, the time setting unit 151b repeatedly receives current time information at a predetermined response interval, executes a limiting process for limiting a range including a switching point, and performs the limited range (for example, a search range). For R21), the switching point (P2) is detected by narrowing a predetermined response interval (for example, every 1 second) and repeatedly executing the limiting process.
Thereby, the HEMS controller 10b of this embodiment can estimate the exact time to the second unit from the present time information to a minute unit, for example, and can set the said exact time to the clock part 13. FIG. Note that the HEMS controller 10b of the present embodiment can detect the switching point (P2) in 2 minutes of X = 0 and X = 1, and in a shorter time than the second embodiment, Thirteen times can be set.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which each of the embodiments is performed alone has been described. However, a part or all of each embodiment may be combined.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the household device 30 demonstrated the example which is a distribution board (home device 31) and an air conditioner (home device 32), it is not limited to this, It may be a device.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the HEMS controller 10 (10a, 10b) uses the set time of the clock unit 13 based on the time information acquired from the smart meter 20, and the built-in clock of the home device 30 You may make it set time. That is, the home device 30 may set the time of the built-in clock based on the time information acquired from the HEMS controller 10 (10a, 10b). Thereby, all the time of HEMS controller 10 (10a, 10b), smart meter 20, and in-home equipment 30 is synchronized, and it can synchronize time in the whole power management system 1.

  In each of the above embodiments, the wireless communication unit 11 of the HEMS controller 10 (10a, 10b) and the wireless communication unit 21 of the smart meter 20 have been described as examples of wireless communication using Wi-SUN. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other wireless communication such as wireless LAN, mobile communication such as 3G / LTE may be used. The HEMS controller 10 (10a, 10b) and the smart meter 20 may include a communication unit using wired communication such as PLC (Power Line Communication) instead of the wireless communication unit 11 and the wireless communication unit 21.

Each component included in the HEMS controller 10 (10a, 10b) described above has a computer system therein. And the program for implement | achieving the function of each structure with which the HEMS controller 10 (10a, 10b) mentioned above is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is read into a computer system. The processing in each configuration provided in the above-described HEMS controller 10 (10a, 10b) may be performed by executing. Here, “loading and executing a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system” includes installing the program in the computer system. The “computer system” here includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
Further, the “computer system” may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated line. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. As described above, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside that is accessible from the distribution server in order to distribute the program. In addition, after dividing a program into a plurality of parts and downloading them at different timings, the composition combined with each composition provided in the HEMS controller 10 (10a, 10b) and the distribution server for delivering each of the divided programs are different. Also good. Furthermore, a “computer-readable recording medium” holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or client when the program is transmitted via a network. Including things. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  Moreover, you may implement | achieve part or all of the function mentioned above as integrated circuits, such as LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each function described above may be individually made into a processor, or a part or all of them may be integrated into a processor. Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. In addition, when an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI appears due to the advancement of semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on the technology may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power management system 2 Electric power company server 3 Clock server 10, 10a, 10b HEMS controller 11, 21 Wireless communication part 12 NW communication part 13, 23 Clock part 14 Storage part 15 Control part 20 Smart meter 22 Electric power measurement part 24 Meter storage part 25 Meter control unit 30, 31, 32 Residential equipment 100 Housing (customer's home)
151, 151a, 151b Time setting unit 152 Power management unit NW1, NW2 Network

Claims (8)

A clock section for measuring time,
A communication unit that receives time information from a smart meter that measures power consumption; and
A control device comprising: a time setting unit configured to set a time of the clock unit based on the time information received from the smart meter by the communication unit. The communication unit is notified from the smart meter at a predetermined time interval, and receives a message including the time information and a measurement value of the integrated power consumption on time, from the smart meter,
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the time setting unit sets the time of the clock unit based on the time information included in the message. The communication unit transmits a current time request for requesting current time information timed by the smart meter, and receives a response including the current time information as the time information from the smart meter in response to the current time request. ,
The time setting unit detects a switching point in minutes of the current time information based on the current time information included in the response repeatedly received by the communication unit, and based on the detected switching point, The control device according to claim 1, wherein the time of the clock unit is set. The time setting unit, based on the current time information at a position that bisects the search range including the switching point, by a binary search method that repeats the process of setting one of the search ranges divided into two as the new search range The control device according to claim 3, wherein the switching point is detected. The time setting unit repeatedly receives the current time information at a predetermined response interval, executes a limiting process for limiting a range including the switching point, and sets the predetermined response interval for the limited range. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the switching point is detected by narrowing and repeatedly executing the limiting process. The said time setting part sets the time of the said timepiece part based on the delay time for receiving the said time information, and the said time information. The time of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The control device described in 1. A time setting method executed by a control device including a clock unit for measuring time,
A reception step of receiving time information from a smart meter that measures power consumption;
A time setting method comprising: a time setting step of setting the time of the clock unit based on the time information received from the smart meter by the receiving step. A computer having a control device having a clock unit for measuring time,
A reception step of receiving time information from a smart meter that measures power consumption;
A program for causing the receiving step to execute a time setting step of setting a time of the clock unit based on the time information received from the smart meter.

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