JP2019140505A - Wireless communication aggregation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a wireless communication aggregation device that can raise an alarm to a host server before reaching the upper limit of the aggregate number, and never reaches the upper limit of the aggregate number.SOLUTION: A wireless communication aggregation device 10 includes a wireless communication unit 14 that receives data transmitted from a plurality of communication terminals, an accumulation unit 15 that accumulates the received data, a server communication unit 11 that collectively transmits the accumulated data to a host server, and a management unit 13 that manages the number of communication terminals with which the wireless communication unit 14 communicates, and the management unit 13 creates an alarm message indicating that the aggregate number of communication terminals has approached the limit when the number of communication terminals with which the wireless communication unit 14 communicates exceeds a predetermined value, and the server communication unit 11 transmits the alarm message to the host server.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication aggregation device, for example, a wireless communication aggregation device that aggregates wireless communication terminals of smart meters.

  In recent years, in smart meters for meter reading, introduction of communication terminals constituting a network using wireless communication has been promoted, and a situation in which a large number of communication terminals are simultaneously connected to a wireless base station is increasing. Since the communication resources of a radio base station are limited, there is an upper limit on the number of radio connections that a communication terminal can simultaneously connect to one radio base station. When the upper limit is reached, management of overflowing communication terminals becomes impossible.

  As a result of the rapid progress toward the smart meter, the installation of communication terminals has also increased rapidly, and it is difficult to grasp the number of communication terminals in the field. For this reason, there are increasing situations in which terminals exceeding the upper limit of the number of wireless connections cannot communicate with each other while trying to connect to the wireless base station at the same time. As a result, automatic meter reading is not performed.

  Patent Document 1 describes a communication system that determines that load adjustment is necessary when the difference in the number of accommodated gateways is M or more.

  In Patent Document 2, when a call processing device performs call processing on a new user terminal group, if the resource of the call processing device exceeds a predetermined resource threshold, the resource management agent of the call processing device generates an alarm. It is described that a notification packet is transmitted to the resource management manager and a call processing of a user terminal exceeding the number of terminals that can be accommodated is executed by a call processing device having a small number of terminals accommodated.

  Patent Document 3 provides means for detecting and informing the routing control information such as the number of slave stations connected, the line usage rate, the RTT, the number of relays, etc. in the master station, and the slave station specifies the master station to be connected from the routing control information. It is described that, by selecting, the wireless node autonomously realizes accurate path control.

International Publication No. 2012-131854 JP 2012-227736 A JP 2009-302694 A

  However, the communication systems described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not directly manage that the aggregated number of wireless communication aggregation devices that are actually aggregated is approaching the upper limit value. When the upper limit is reached, there may be communication terminals that cannot be managed, making automatic meter reading impossible.

  According to the wireless communication aggregation device of one embodiment, a wireless communication unit that receives data transmitted from a plurality of communication terminals, a storage unit that stores the received data, and the stored data are collectively stored in an upper server. A server communication unit for transmission, and a management unit for managing the number of communication terminals with which the wireless communication unit communicates, wherein the management unit has a predetermined numerical value for the number of communication terminals with which the wireless communication unit communicates In the case described above, an alarm message indicating that the aggregate number of the communication terminals is approaching the limit is created, and the server communication unit transmits the alarm message to the upper server.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless communication aggregation device that can raise an alarm to a host server before reaching the upper limit value of the aggregated number, and does not reach the upper limit value of the aggregated number.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the radio | wireless communications system concerning this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the radio | wireless communication aggregation apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication terminal management part of the radio | wireless communication aggregation apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame format used for communication with a communication terminal in the communication system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of message ID used for communication with a communication terminal in the communication system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication terminal data registered in the communication system which concerns on this Embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the wireless communication aggregation device according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the apparatus ID registration part of the radio | wireless communication aggregation apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the registration ID count part of the radio | wireless communication aggregation apparatus concerning this Embodiment.

(This embodiment)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a radio communication system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes terminals 2 to 8, wireless communication aggregation devices 10-1 and 10-2, and a host server 9.

  Terminals 2 to 8 are communication terminals installed in a meter that performs automatic meter reading. For example, the terminals 2 to 8 may be communication terminals installed in a consumer's power meter. Further, for example, the terminals 2 to 8 may be communication terminals installed in a gas meter or a water meter.

  The terminals 2 to 8 may directly communicate with the wireless communication aggregation device 10-1, and the terminals 2 to 8 may communicate with the wireless communication aggregation device 10-1 via other terminals. In this way, the terminals 2 to 8 form a mesh network so that the terminals 2 to 8 can communicate with the wireless communication aggregation device 10-1 via the neighboring terminals 2 to 8.

  The terminals 2 to 8 read the meter reading value of the consumer's power meter at a predetermined time, and transmit the read meter reading value to the wireless communication aggregation device 10-1. The wireless communication aggregation device 10-1 aggregates the meter reading values raised from the terminals 2 to 8 at a time, and transmits the aggregated meter reading values to the upper server 9.

  The wireless communication aggregation device 10-1 in FIG. Therefore, when the number of terminals 2 to 8 that communicate with the wireless communication aggregation device 10-1 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined numerical value, the wireless communication aggregation device 10-1 transmits an alarm message that warns that the aggregated number is close to the limit to the upper server 9. The host server 9 adjusts the number of terminals communicating with the wireless communication aggregation device 10-1, and controls to communicate with the other wireless communication aggregation device 10-2 when the number of terminals communicating increases. To do.

  Next, the configuration of the wireless communication aggregation device 10 (10-1, 10-2) that transmits an alarm message to the upper server 9 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the wireless communication aggregation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the wireless communication aggregation device 10 includes a server communication unit 11, a meter reading value transmission unit 12, a communication terminal management unit 13, a wireless communication unit 14, and a meter reading value accumulation unit 15.

  The server communication unit 11 communicates with the upper server and transmits a message passed from the meter reading transmission unit 12 and the communication terminal management unit 13 to the upper server.

  When the meter reading transmission unit 12 receives a notification of meter reading transmission from the communication terminal management unit 13, the meter reading transmitting unit 12 reads the meter reading from the meter reading accumulating unit 15 and outputs it to the server communication unit 11 as a meter reading value message.

  When the communication data received by the wireless communication unit 14 is a meter reading data message including meter reading data, the communication terminal management unit 13 extracts meter reading data from the communication data and outputs the medical examination data to the meter reading value accumulation unit 15.

  In addition, when the communication data received by the wireless communication unit 14 is a management message including the device ID of the communication terminal, the communication terminal management unit 13 extracts the device ID from the communication data and registers it in the communication terminal management unit 13. To do. The communication terminal management unit 13 manages the aggregate number of communication terminals based on the number of registered device IDs. Specific management will be described later. And the communication terminal management part 13 outputs the message which shows generation | occurrence | production and cancellation | release of an alarm to the server communication part 11 by increase / decrease in the aggregate number.

  The wireless communication unit 14 performs wireless communication with the terminals 2 to 8 in FIG. And the wireless communication part 14 receives the communication data from a communication terminal. For example, the wireless communication unit 14 preferably includes an antenna, a high frequency amplifier, a demodulation circuit, and a decoding circuit.

  The meter reading value accumulation unit 15 accumulates meter reading data transmitted from the terminal. That is, the meter reading data output from the communication terminal management unit 13 is accumulated. For example, the meter reading value accumulation unit 15 includes a storage device having a storage capacity capable of accumulating meter reading data of all communication terminals under the wireless communication aggregation device 10. The meter reading value storage unit 15 preferably includes a writable storage device such as a RAM (Random access memory) or a flash memory.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the communication terminal management unit 13 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication terminal management unit of the wireless communication aggregation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the communication terminal management unit 13 includes an alarm message creation unit 16, a registration ID count unit 17, a device ID extraction unit 18, a device ID registration unit 19, a meter reading data extraction unit 20, and a message analysis unit 21. And a clock 22.

  The alarm message creation unit 16 creates an alarm message that warns that the aggregate number is close to the limit and an alarm release message that cancels the warning. Specifically, the alarm message creation unit 16 creates an alarm message and an alarm release message according to an instruction from the registration ID count unit 17. Then, the alarm message creation unit 16 outputs the created message to the server communication unit 11.

  The registration ID count unit 17 counts the number of device IDs registered in the device ID registration unit 19. Then, when the count value becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value, the registration ID counting unit 17 outputs an instruction to create an alarm message indicating that the aggregated number is approaching the limit to the alarm message creating unit 16. In addition, when the count value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the registration ID count unit 17 outputs a release message creation instruction indicating that the aggregated number has moved away from the limit to the alarm message creation unit 16. This threshold value is preferably a value smaller by a certain number than the upper limit value at which the wireless communication aggregation device 10 can aggregate communication terminals.

  The device ID extraction unit 18 extracts the device ID used for identifying the communication terminal and the transmission date / time of the message from the management message, and outputs the extracted device ID and the date / time of transmission of the message to the device ID registration unit 19. In addition, the device ID extraction unit 18 periodically monitors the device ID registered in the device ID registration unit 19 and the transmission date and time, and deletes the device ID for which the transmission date and time has not been updated even after a certain period of time.

  The device ID registration unit 19 includes a storage device having a storage capacity capable of storing device IDs and transmission dates and times of all communication terminals. The device ID registration unit 19 preferably includes a writable storage device such as a RAM or a flash memory. Then, the device ID registration unit 19 stores the device ID notified from the device ID extraction unit 18 and the transmission date and time of the message as a set. The device ID registration unit 19 updates only the transmission date and time when the notified device ID has already been registered.

  When the meter-reading data extraction unit 20 receives a meter-reading data standby start instruction from the clock 22, the meter-reading data extraction unit 20 starts an operation of extracting meter-reading data from the meter-reading data message. The meter reading data extraction unit 20 extracts meter reading data from the meter reading data message output from the message analysis unit 21. The meter reading data extraction unit 20 determines whether the device ID attached to the message is registered in the device ID registration unit 19. When the device ID attached to the message is registered in the device ID registration unit 19, the meter reading data extraction unit 20 outputs the meter reading data to the meter reading value storage unit 15. The meter reading data extraction unit 20 determines whether or not all meter reading data of the device ID registered in the device ID registration unit 19 has been received. When all are received or when a standby end instruction is received from the clock 22, the meter reading data extraction unit 20 notifies the meter reading value transmission unit 12 of the start of meter reading value transmission.

  When the wireless communication unit 14 receives communication data from the communication terminal, the message analysis unit 21 determines whether this communication data is a management message or a meter reading data message. If the communication data is a management message, the message analysis unit 21 outputs the communication data to the device ID extraction unit 18. When the communication data is a meter reading data message, the message analysis unit 21 outputs the communication data to the meter reading data extraction unit 20.

  The clock 22 instructs the meter reading data extraction unit 20 to start waiting for the meter reading data message at a predetermined time. Then, the clock 22 instructs the meter-reading data extraction unit 20 to end waiting for the meter-reading data message after a predetermined time has elapsed from a predetermined time.

  With the above configuration, the communication terminal management unit 13 can manage the aggregate number of communication terminals. Next, the format of communication data will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a frame format used for communication with the communication terminal in the communication system according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which the communication data is a management message and an example in which the communication data is a meter reading data message.

  In the example in which the communication data is a management message, the message has fields of a message ID, a message length, a device ID, and a transmission date / time. In the example in which the communication data is a meter reading data message, the message has fields of a message ID, a message length, a device ID, a meter reading value, and a transmission date / time.

  Whether the communication data is a management message or a communication message can be determined from the content of the message ID. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a message ID used for communication with a communication terminal in the communication system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the message type is a management message, the message ID is 001. When the message type is a meter reading data message, the message ID is 002. The message analysis unit 21 can determine whether the communication data is a management message or a meter reading data message with reference to the message ID.

  Further, the management message includes communication terminal data composed of the device ID of the communication terminal and the transmission date and time of the message. In the device ID extraction unit 18, the device ID registration unit 19, and the registration ID count unit 17, the wireless communication aggregation device subordinates. Used to manage the number of communication terminals.

  Next, communication terminal data registered in the device ID registration unit 19 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of registered communication terminal data in the communication system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication terminal data is registered in each entry with the device ID and the transmission date and time as a set.

  By using the above data structure, the aggregate number of communication terminals can be managed. Next, operation | movement of the apparatus ID extraction part 18 of this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wireless communication aggregation device according to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S701, the device ID extraction unit 18 refers to the message analysis unit 21 and determines whether or not a management message has been received. If a management message has not been received, the process proceeds to S702. If a management message has been received, the process proceeds to S703.

  In step S702, the device ID extraction unit 18 monitors whether the device ID newly receives a management message in the device ID registration unit 19, and returns to step S701.

  In step S703, the device ID extraction unit 18 extracts the communication terminal data when receiving the management message, and proceeds to step S704.

  In step S704, the device ID extraction unit 18 sets the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19 to 0, and proceeds to step S705.

  In step S <b> 705, the device ID extraction unit 18 determines whether a device ID is registered in the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19. If the device ID is registered in the entry number X, the process proceeds to step S706. If the device ID is not registered in the entry number X, the process proceeds to step S708.

  In step S <b> 706, the device ID extraction unit 18 determines whether or not the extracted device ID matches the device ID registered in the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19. If the extracted device ID matches the device ID registered in the entry number X, the process proceeds to step S707. If the extracted device ID does not match the device ID registered in the entry number X, the process proceeds to step S709. .

  In step S707, the device ID extraction unit 18 updates the transmission date / time of the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19 to the latest transmission date / time, and returns to step S701.

  In step S708, the device ID extraction unit 18 sets the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19 as an empty entry, holds the entry number, and proceeds to step S709.

  In step S709, the device ID extraction unit 18 determines whether the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19 is the last entry. If the entry number X is not the last entry, the process proceeds to step S710. If the entry number X is the last entry, the process proceeds to step S711.

  In step S710, the device ID extraction unit 18 adds 1 to the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19, and returns to step S705. That is, the process proceeds to a process for checking the next entry.

  In step S <b> 711, the device ID extraction unit 18 determines whether there is an empty entry in the device ID registration unit 19. If there is an empty entry, the process proceeds to step S712. If there is no empty entry, the process returns to step S701. That is, when there is no empty entry, it is the upper limit of the aggregate number, and registration is not performed and the next management message is awaited.

  In step S712, the device ID extraction unit 18 registers the communication terminal data in the empty entry of the device ID registration unit 19, and returns to step S701.

  Next, the monitoring process of the device ID registration unit 19 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the device ID registration unit of the wireless communication aggregation device according to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S801, the device ID registration unit 19 sets the entry number X to 0, and proceeds to step S802.

  In step S <b> 802, it is determined whether or not a device ID is registered in the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19. If the device ID is registered in the entry number X, the process proceeds to step S803. If the device ID is not registered in the entry number X, the process proceeds to step S804.

  In step S803, it is determined whether or not the difference between the transmission date and time registered in the entry number X and the current time exceeds a certain value. If the difference between the transmission date and time registered in the entry number X and the current time exceeds a certain value, the process proceeds to step S804, and the difference between the transmission date and time registered in the entry number X and the current time exceeds a certain value. If not, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S804, the communication terminal data registered in the entry number X is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S805, it is determined whether or not the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19 is the last entry. If the entry number X is not the last entry, the process proceeds to step S806. If the entry number X is the last entry, the process is terminated.

  In step S806, the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19 is incremented by 1, and the process returns to step S802. That is, the process proceeds to a process for checking the next entry.

  The above processing is repeated, and the transmission date and time are checked from entry number 0 to the last entry in order. Through this processing, communication terminal data can be registered / deleted in the device ID registration unit 19. On the other hand, the number of entries of the communication terminal data in the device ID registration unit 19 is counted by the registration ID count unit 17. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the registration ID count unit of the wireless communication aggregation device according to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S901, the registration ID count unit 17 sets the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19 to 0 and sets the registration ID count number C to 0, and proceeds to step S902.

  In step S902, it is determined whether or not a device ID is registered in the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19. If the device ID is registered in the entry number X, the process proceeds to step S903. If the device ID is not registered in the entry number X, the process proceeds to step S904.

  In step S903, the device ID registration unit 19 increments the registration ID count number C by 1, and proceeds to step S904.

  In step S904, it is determined whether or not the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19 is the last entry. If the entry number X is not the last entry, the process proceeds to step S905. If the entry number X is the last entry, the process proceeds to step S906.

  In step S905, the entry number X of the device ID registration unit 19 is incremented by 1, and the process returns to step S902. That is, the process proceeds to the next entry.

  In step S906, the registration ID count unit 17 determines whether the registration ID count number C is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. If the registration ID count number C is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to step S907. If the registration ID count number C is less than the predetermined threshold, the process proceeds to step S908.

  In step S907, the registration ID counting unit 17 instructs the alarm message creating unit 16 to create an alarm message that warns that the aggregate number is close to the limit, and the process returns to step S901.

  In step S908, the registration ID counting unit 17 causes the alarm message creating unit 16 to instruct the alarm message creating unit 16 to create an alarm release message for canceling the alarm message, and the process returns to step S901.

  With the above operation, the wireless communication aggregation device 10 can create an alarm message for warning that the aggregated number is close to the limit and an alarm release message for canceling the alarm message warning. The message created by the alarm message creation unit 16 is transmitted to the upper server via the server communication unit 11.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication aggregation device of the present embodiment, when the upper limit value that can be aggregated is approached, the upper limit value of the aggregate number is not reached by raising an alarm to the upper server. Then, there is no case where a communication terminal that cannot be managed is generated and automatic meter reading is not impossible.

  Further, according to the wireless communication aggregation device of the present embodiment, when there is a margin in the upper limit value, the alarm is released so that the operator can monitor the alarm raised to the upper server so that the wireless communication aggregation device It is possible to confirm whether the number of communication terminals under the control is appropriate.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in addition to the case where the aggregated number of communication terminals under the control of the wireless communication aggregation device approaches the upper limit value, the server communication unit 11 adds a function for transmitting an upper limit arrival alarm to the upper server when the upper limit value is reached. It may be.

  In addition, the meter reading value transmission unit 12, the communication terminal management unit 13, the alarm message creation unit 16, the registration ID count unit 17, the device ID extraction unit 18, the device ID registration unit 19, the meter reading data extraction unit 20, the message analysis unit 21, and the clock 22 can be implemented by hardware such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or software. Further, part of the processing may be performed by software, and the rest may be performed by hardware. When implemented by software, a computer system having one or a plurality of CPUs (Central Processing Units) such as a microprocessor may be caused to execute a program related to processing of functional blocks. These programs can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer readable media and supplied to a computer. Non-transitory computer readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (for example, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD- R, CD-R / W, DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-R (DVD Recordable), DVD-R DL (DVD-R Dual Layer), DVD-RW (DVD ReWritable), DVD- RAM, DVD + R, DVR + R DL, DVD + RW, BD-R (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc Rewritable), BD-RE (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc Rewritable), BD-ROM, semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM) , PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory)). The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

1-7 Terminal 9 Host server 10, 10-1, 10-2 Wireless communication aggregation device 11 Server communication unit 12 Meter reading value transmission unit 13 Communication terminal management unit 14 Wireless communication unit 15 Meter reading value storage unit 16 Alarm message creation unit 17 Count Unit 18 Extraction unit 19 Registration unit 20 Meter reading data extraction unit 21 Message analysis unit 22 Clock

Claims (7)

A wireless communication unit for receiving data transmitted from a plurality of communication terminals;
An accumulator that accumulates the received data;
A server communication unit that collectively transmits the accumulated data to an upper server;
A management unit that manages the number of the communication terminals with which the wireless communication unit communicates, and
The management unit creates an alarm message indicating that the aggregate number of communication terminals is approaching a limit when the number of communication terminals with which the wireless communication unit communicates is equal to or greater than a predetermined numerical value,
The server communication unit is a wireless communication aggregation device that transmits the alarm message to the upper server. The management unit creates an alarm release message for canceling the alarm message when the number of the communication terminals with which the wireless communication unit communicates is less than a predetermined numerical value,
The wireless communication aggregation device according to claim 1, wherein the server communication unit transmits the alarm release message to the upper server.   The wireless communication aggregation device according to claim 1, wherein the management unit extracts meter reading data from the data when a message ID of the data indicates a meter reading message. When the message ID of the data indicates a management message, the management unit extracts a management message from the data, extracts a device ID used for identifying a communication terminal and a transmission date / time of the message from the management message, and a device ID And the message transmission date and time as a set,
The wireless communication aggregation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the extracted device ID is already registered, only the transmission date and time is updated.   The wireless communication aggregation device according to claim 3, wherein the management unit periodically monitors the registered device ID and transmission date and time, and deletes a device ID for which the transmission date and time has not been updated even after a predetermined time or more. The management unit creates an upper limit reaching alarm indicating that the aggregate number of the communication terminals has reached an upper limit when the number of the communication terminals with which the wireless communication unit communicates reaches an upper limit value,
The wireless communication aggregation device according to claim 1, wherein the server communication unit transmits the upper limit reaching alarm to the upper server. The wireless communication unit receives meter reading data transmitted from a plurality of communication terminals,
The storage unit stores the meter reading data,
The wireless communication aggregation device according to claim 1, wherein the server communication unit collectively transmits the stored meter reading data to an upper server.

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