JP2020038516A - Meter device, meter system, and command receiving method for meter device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a meter device, a meter system, and a command receiving method for meter devices that can rapidly transmit emergency commands.SOLUTION: The present invention includes a measuring unit 20 that measures usage amounts of at least one of electricity, gas, and water, a wireless communication unit 35, and a control unit 30. When performing transmission to a machine with wireless functions on the meter network, the control unit 30 performs: normal communication processing to cause the wireless communication unit 35 to transmit communication requests at predetermined intervals or cause the wireless communication unit 35 to transmit synchronous requests at predetermined intervals to the machine with wireless functions; and emergency communication processing to bring the wireless communication unit 35 into a state of transmitting communication requests at emergency intervals that are shorter than the predetermined intervals or a state of being able to receive the same at the emergency intervals to/from the machine with wireless functions when accepting a signal from a sensor 40 that detects emergencies or a signal for notifying an emergency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a meter device, a meter system, and a command receiving method for a meter device.

  Conventionally, a meter device such as a gas meter or a water meter is installed outside each house, and power from a power source is not supplied in many cases. In this case, the meter device itself has a battery, and the meter device operates only with the battery. Also, the battery needs to supply power to the meter device for a long period of time, such as 10 years, in accordance with the standards and the like. For this reason, in order to extend the life of the battery as much as possible, the meter device is configured to perform intermittent wireless communication with another device. For example, in order to wirelessly communicate usage data to a higher-level device, the meter device transmits a communication request at a timing of once every 10 minutes, once every tens of minutes, and for a few seconds after the communication request. Reception is possible. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)

JP 2001-016663 A

As described above, since the wireless communication unit of the meter device is activated for several seconds at a timing of once every ten minutes, once every tens of minutes, or the like, the power consumption of the battery is effectively suppressed.
On the other hand, it may be necessary to transmit an emergency command from an upstream device, for example, a server of the management center to each meter device. The emergency command is a command that, when an emergency such as a large-scale earthquake, fire, or flood occurs, requests all the meter devices in a certain area to perform the same operation at the same time.

  However, the wireless communication unit of the meter device is activated only once every ten minutes, once every tens of minutes, and the like, and is not activated during most of the period. Therefore, even when the upstream device wants to communicate an emergency command to each meter device as soon as possible, the upstream device cannot perform the communication with the meter device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a meter device, a meter system, and a method for receiving a command of a meter device, which enable quick transmission of an emergency command.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following solutions.
The meter device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a measurement unit that measures at least one of electricity, gas, and water usage, a wireless communication unit, and a control unit, and the control unit includes the measurement unit When sending the measured usage amount to another meter device or a device with a wireless function on a meter network, the wireless communication unit communicates with the other meter device or the device with a wireless function at a predetermined intermittent cycle. Normal communication processing for transmitting a request or transmitting a synchronization request in the predetermined intermittent cycle, and when receiving a signal from a sensor for detecting an emergency or a signal for notifying the emergency, the wireless communication unit, A state in which a communication request is transmitted to the other meter device or the device with a wireless function at an emergency time interval shorter than the predetermined interval, or reception at the emergency time interval is possible. Performing a emergency communication process into a state, the.

  In this aspect, when receiving the signal from the sensor that detects the emergency or the signal that notifies the emergency, the control unit sets the wireless communication unit to another meter device or a device with a wireless function from a predetermined intermittent cycle. In this case, the communication request is transmitted in a short emergency time interval, or reception is possible in the emergency time interval.

For example, even if the meter device activates the wireless communication unit for a few seconds at a timing of once every ten minutes, once every ten minutes, etc., in the normal communication process, even if the sensor detects an emergency, Is received or a signal notifying of an emergency is received, a communication request is transmitted with a short emergency time gap, or a state in which the communication request can be received with a short emergency time gap.
For this reason, it is possible to quickly receive an emergency command from a device with a wireless function such as a server of the management center, or another meter device that has received the emergency command from the server.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control unit performs a number estimation process of estimating the number of other meter devices existing around the meter device, and the control unit performs the number estimation process according to the estimated number. The standby time from the reception of the signal to the start of transmission of the communication request in the emergency time gap or the standby time from the reception of the signal to the start of reception in the emergency time gap is changed.
Therefore, when the number of other meter devices existing around the meter device is large, the standby time can be changed according to the number. For this reason, the possibility of interference between communication of another meter device existing around the meter device and communication of the meter device is reduced.

In the above aspect, preferably, in the number estimating process, the control unit uses the number of signals detected in an intermittent receivable state after transmission of the communication request or transmission of the synchronization request to determine the number. Is estimated.
In this aspect, the processing in an emergency is faster than in the case of collecting data for estimating the number of other meter devices existing around the meter device in an emergency. This is advantageous in transmitting an emergency command to each meter device quickly and reliably.

In the above aspect, preferably, the signal indicates the degree of the emergency, and the control unit transmits the communication request in the emergency time gap or the emergency time gap based on the signal. Determine the duration of the state in which the reception of data is possible.
In this mode, the duration changes according to the degree of the emergency. For example, when the degree of the emergency is serious, when the magnitude of the emergency is large, or when the effect of the emergency is large, the control unit increases the duration. Thereby, the transmission of the emergency command to each meter device becomes more reliable.

In the above aspect, preferably, the signal indicates the degree of the emergency, and the control unit determines the emergency time gap period based on the signal.
In this mode, the emergency time gap period changes according to the degree of the emergency. For example, when the degree of emergency is serious, when the magnitude of the emergency is large, or when the influence of the emergency is large, the control unit shortens the emergency time gap period. This is advantageous for quickly transmitting a highly important emergency command to each meter device.

In the above aspect, preferably, the sensor is a seismometer provided in the meter device.
In this aspect, when a signal from the seismograph is received, the control unit sets the wireless communication unit to a state of transmitting a communication request with an emergency time gap, or to a state where reception is possible with the emergency time gap. . In this way, when a large earthquake or the like occurs, each meter device enters the emergency communication mode only by the configuration in the device. This configuration is advantageous for surely performing the transition to the emergency communication mode.

In the above aspect, preferably, the signal notifying the emergency is a signal from a fire alarm or a flood damage alarm.
In this aspect, when the control unit of the meter device receives a signal from the fire alarm or the flood alarm, the control unit transmits the communication request to the wireless communication unit in an emergency time gap, or the emergency time It is set to be able to receive at the missing cycle. In this way, when a fire or flood occurs, each meter device enters the emergency communication mode. This configuration is advantageous for performing a transition to the emergency communication mode when a fire or flood occurs.

  A meter device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a measuring unit that measures at least one of electricity, gas, and water usage, a wireless communication unit, and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs the wireless communication. The normal communication process that causes the unit to perform intermittent reception, and when a signal from a sensor that detects an emergency or a signal that notifies the emergency is received, the wireless device in a sleeping state between the intermittent receptions An emergency communication process for activating the communication unit for communication with another meter device or a device with a wireless function on the meter network.

  In this aspect, when receiving a signal from the sensor for detecting an emergency or a signal for notifying of an emergency, the wireless communication unit in a sleeping state during intermittent reception of the normal communication process may include another meter device or Activate for communication with the device with wireless function on the meter network.

For example, even if the meter device activates the wireless communication unit for a few seconds at a timing of once every ten minutes, once every ten minutes, etc., in the normal communication process, even if the sensor detects an emergency, When a signal indicating the emergency or a signal notifying of an emergency is received, the device is activated for communication with another meter device or a device with a wireless function on the meter network.
For this reason, it is possible to quickly receive an emergency command from a device with a wireless function such as a server of the management center, or another meter device that has received the emergency command from the server.

  A meter system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes the meter device and the other meter device or the device with a wireless function.

  A meter system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes the meter device and the other meter device or the device with a wireless function, wherein the other meter device or the device with a wireless function relates to a degree of emergency. Receiving information, the control unit of the meter device performs a process of transmitting the degree of the emergency used for determining the duration or the emergency time gap period to the other meter device or the device with a wireless function. The other meter device or the device with a wireless function determines whether the information about the degree of the emergency is more accurate than the degree of the emergency, and the information about the degree of the emergency is accurate. In the case, a process of transmitting the information on the degree of the emergency to the meter device is performed, and the control unit of the meter device performs the continuation using the information on the degree of the emergency. Or determining the emergency intermittent period.

  Depending on the installation state of each meter device, the sensor may not be able to perform measurement with sufficient accuracy. In such a case, the meter device can use the information on the degree of emergency to determine the duration or the emergency period, so that the determined duration or emergency period is appropriate.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is a command receiving method of a meter device for receiving a command from a server, wherein at least one of electricity, gas, and water usage is measured on another meter device or a meter network. In order to send to the wireless function device, the wireless communication unit of the meter device transmits a communication request to the other meter device or the wireless function device at a predetermined intermittent cycle or a synchronization request at the predetermined intermittent cycle. When the meter device receives a signal from a sensor for detecting an emergency or a signal for notifying of the emergency, the wireless communication unit transmits the wireless communication unit to the other meter device or the wireless device. A state where a communication request is transmitted to the function-equipped device at an emergency time intermittent cycle shorter than the predetermined intermittent cycle or a state where reception is possible at the emergency time intermittent cycle Has an emergency communication step, the.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is a command receiving method of a meter device for receiving a command from a server, wherein at least one of electricity, gas, and water usage is measured on another meter device or a meter network. In order to send to a device with a wireless function, a normal communication step of causing the wireless communication unit of the meter device to perform intermittent reception, and according to a signal from a sensor for detecting an emergency or a signal for notifying the emergency, An emergency communication step of activating the wireless communication unit in a sleeping state between the intermittent receptions for communication with the other meter device or the wireless device.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the meter system of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of a control part of the meter device of the present embodiment. 5 is a time chart illustrating an example of an operation of the meter system according to the embodiment. 5 is a time chart illustrating an example of an operation of the meter system according to the embodiment. 5 is a time chart illustrating an example of an operation of the meter system according to the embodiment. 5 is a time chart illustrating an example of an operation of the meter system according to the embodiment. 5 is a time chart illustrating an example of an operation of the meter system according to the embodiment. 5 is a time chart illustrating an example of an operation of the meter system according to the embodiment.

A meter system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the meter system according to the present embodiment includes a server (device with a wireless function) 100 owned by a business such as a gas company, a water company, and an electric company, and a plurality of relays serving as access points. A device (device with a wireless function) 110 and a plurality of meter devices 10a, 10b, 10c,..., 10n arranged downstream of each relay device 110 in data communication. 1 can be said to be a meter network having a plurality of meter devices 10a to 10n, a relay device 110, and a server 100.

  The server 100 includes a processor 101 such as a CPU, a display unit 102 that displays settings and menus of the server 100, a storage unit 103 including a nonvolatile storage, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and an input unit 104 including a keyboard and the like. And a wireless communication unit 105. The storage unit 103 stores an emergency command transmission program 103a for transmitting an emergency command. The server 100 is connected to a predetermined power supply device owned by the business operator.

  Each relay device 110 includes a processor 111 such as a CPU, a display unit 112 for displaying settings and menus of the relay device 110, a storage unit 113 having a nonvolatile storage, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and an input unit having a keyboard and the like. 114 and a wireless communication unit 115. The storage unit 103 stores a wireless communication program 113a. The relay device 110 is attached to, for example, a utility pole, and power is supplied from one of the electric wires existing on the utility pole. The display unit 112 and the input unit 114 are used by employees of the business operator.

  Each of the meter devices 10a to 10n is connected to the measuring unit 20 that measures at least one of electricity, gas, and water, a control unit 30, and the control unit 30 by wires, and detects an emergency. 40 (FIG. 2). The measurement unit 20 includes a flow sensor 21, a storage unit 22 that stores a detection value of the flow sensor 21, and a transmission unit 23 that transmits data stored in the storage unit 22 to the control unit 30. The sensor 40 is a vibrometer, seismograph, or the like having an acceleration sensor, and can detect occurrence of an earthquake, seismic intensity, and the like. The meter devices 10a to 10n are attached to houses, offices, and the like, respectively, and measure at least one of electricity, gas, and water usage in the houses, offices, and the like.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control unit 30 includes a processor 31 such as a CPU, a display unit 32 that displays settings and menus of the meter devices 10 a to 10 n, and a storage unit that includes a nonvolatile storage, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. 33 and an input unit 34 having a keyboard and the like. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 35 is provided in the control unit 30, but the wireless communication unit 35 may be provided separately from the control unit 30. The display unit 32 and the input unit 34 are used by employees of the business operator. The storage unit 33 stores a wireless communication program 33a and an emergency communication program 33b. The meter devices 10a to 10n or the wireless communication unit 35 may be called a node.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of meter devices 10a to 10n exist on the downstream side of the data communication of the relay device 110. Note that the plurality of meter devices 10a to 10n may transmit information in a mesh form, may transmit information in series, or may transmit information in other modes.

  The operation of the control unit 30 of each of the meter devices 10a to 10n according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, typically, the time required for the “communication request” and the “synchronization request” is less than 1 second, and the “response reception” and the “receivable state” are about 2 to 3 seconds. When the sensor 40 does not detect an earthquake (vibration) of a predetermined size or more, the control unit 30 performs the normal communication processing illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6. When an earthquake (vibration) more than that is detected, the emergency communication processing shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 is performed. Each of the normal communication processing and the emergency communication processing includes an asynchronous method and a synchronous method.

(Normal communication process of asynchronous system)
In the normal communication processing asynchronous method, as shown in FIG. 3, the processor 31 of the control unit 30, based on the wireless communication program 33a, a predetermined intermittent cycle T a communication request for each _I other meter device or a relay device 110 Is transmitted by the wireless communication unit 35. For example, the meter device (receiving node) in FIG. 1 10 g transmits a communication request for each predetermined intermittent period T _I to the meter device (transmitting node) 10c on the upstream side. The predetermined intermittent cycle T _I might fraction, sometimes several tenths, may also be a more.

At this time, when the control unit 30 of the upstream meter device 10c sets the wireless communication unit 35 to the data reception mode in accordance with the data transmission request from the upper layer, the wireless communication unit 35 of the upstream meter device 10c Becomes When a communication request is transmitted from the downstream meter device 10g during this period, the upstream meter device 10c receives the communication request and transmits a response thereto. The response transmission includes transmission condition data such as the time T ₀ from the response transmission to the first data transmission, the number of data (the number of data transmissions) N, and the data transmission interval T.

The downstream meter device 10g performs intermittent reception according to the received transmission condition data based on the wireless communication program 33a, and receives N data from the upstream meter device 10c (FIG. 4). When reception of N data is completed, the meter device 10g of the downstream-side resumes communication request every predetermined intermittent cycle T _I.
After the reception of the N data from the upstream meter device 10c is completed, the meter device 10g can be a transmission node or a reception node with respect to the downstream meter devices 101 and 10m. The meter devices 10a to 10n may enter the data reception mode according to other timings, triggers, and the like.

On the other hand, N data may be transmitted from the downstream meter device 10g to the upstream meter device 10c. In this case, for example, after the response transmission, the time T ₀ from the response transmission to the first data transmission, the number of data (the number of data transmissions) N, and the data transmission from the downstream meter device 10 g to the upstream meter device 10 c are transmitted. Is transmitted, and data transmission according to the transmission condition data is performed. In the data transmission, the data of the usage amount accumulated in the measuring unit 20 and the like are transmitted.

(Synchronous normal communication processing)
In the normal communication process of the synchronization method, as shown in FIG. 6, the processor 31 of the control unit 30, based on the wireless communication program 33a, the relay device 110, or other meter device a synchronization request at a predetermined intermittent period T _I Is transmitted by the wireless communication unit 35. For example, the meter device (reception node) 10c in FIG. 1 indicates, in a synchronization request transmitted to the relay device (transmission node) 110 on the upstream side thereof, the timing of synchronous transmission and reception of data for establishing and continuing synchronization. It includes data of a predetermined intermittent cycle T _I. The predetermined intermittent cycle T _I might fraction, sometimes several tenths, may also be a more. In the present embodiment, the synchronization request is transmitted to the relay device 110, but the synchronization request may be transmitted to a meter device that can maintain the data reception mode.

At this time, as an example, the relay device 110 on the upstream side has the wireless communication unit 115 always in the data receiving mode, and the wireless communication unit 115 of the relay device 110 is always in the receiving state. When the synchronization request is transmitted from the downstream side of the meter device 10c in this state, to establish synchronization with the data of the intermittent period T _I, the relay apparatus 110 transmits a synchronization signal for each intermittent period T _I, the meter device 10c receives a synchronization signal for each intermittent period _{T I.}

In this state, when data transmission from the relay device 110 to the meter device 10c is started in accordance with a data transmission request from the upper layer, the relay device 110 adds a time T from the synchronization signal to the first data transmission to the synchronization signal. ₀ , the number of data items (the number of data transmissions) N, and transmission condition data such as the data transmission interval T.
The downstream meter device 10c performs intermittent reception according to the received transmission condition data based on the wireless communication program 33a, and receives N data from the upstream relay device 110. When the reception of the N pieces of data is completed, the downstream meter device 10c resumes the establishment and maintenance of the synchronization.

In some cases, N data may be transmitted from the downstream meter device 10c to the upstream relay device 110. In this case, for example, the synchronization request includes transmission condition data such as the time T ₀ from the synchronization request to the first data transmission, the number of data (the number of data transmissions) N, and the data transmission interval T. Data transmission according to the data is performed. In the data transmission, the data of the usage amount accumulated in the measuring unit 20 and the like are transmitted. When the relay device 110 is in a state capable of continuous reception, the transmission side can perform data transmission at an arbitrary timing, and thus data transmission starts without transmitting parameters such as T ₀ , N, and T. May be done.

(Asynchronous emergency communication processing)
In the asynchronous emergency communication process, as shown in FIG. 5, when a signal indicating the occurrence of an earthquake is transmitted from the sensor 40 to the control unit 30 during the normal communication process, the control unit (communication upper layer) 30 Request the wireless communication unit (communication lower layer) 35 to start emergency communication.
Specifically, first, even when the control unit 30 and the wireless communication unit 35 are sleeping, when a signal indicating the occurrence of an earthquake is transmitted to the control unit 30, the control unit 30 is activated by the signal. . The configuration may be such that the starting semiconductor switch in the control unit 30 is turned on by the signal.

Subsequently, processor 31 of control unit 30, based on the emergency communication program 33b, initiates a communication request in a short emergency intermittent period T _Ie than intermittent cycle T _I. For example, after the emergency communication start time (standby time) _Tr has elapsed after receiving the signal indicating the occurrence of the earthquake, the meter device 10g communicates with the upstream meter device 10c every emergency time gap period T _Ie. Submit the request. In one example, the emergency communication start time _Tr is randomly determined within a certain period of time using a random number generated in the control unit 30 when a signal indicating the occurrence of an earthquake is received. The processor 31 may determine an emergency communication start time _Tr different from that of the adjacent meter device based on a value preset in each of the control units 30. The ID of the meter device or the like may be used as a preset value.

The processor 31 changes the length of the predetermined time according to the number of adjacent nodes based on the emergency communication program 33b. More specifically, the longer the number of adjacent nodes, the longer the certain time. The adjacent node is another meter device existing around the target (meter device 10g). Thereby, even when there are many adjacent nodes, the possibility that the communication request in the emergency time out period T _Ie interferes with that of the adjacent nodes is reduced.
Further, the processor 31 estimates the number of adjacent nodes based on a signal received from the adjacent node in the reception state of the normal communication processing. For example, the number of adjacent nodes is estimated based on the identifier of the transmission source node included in the incoming signal.
In the emergency communication processing of the synchronous method described later, the number of adjacent nodes is similarly estimated.

The emergency time-out period T _Ie is typically several seconds, but may be less than one second, may be several seconds, may be several tens of seconds, or may be longer. Further, the communication request for each emergency intermittent period T _Ie is continued only emergency intermittent communication period (duration) T _e. The emergency lost time communication section _Te may be tens of seconds, may be several minutes, and may be other times.

In one example, shortly after the communication request for each emergency time gap period T _le has been started, the control unit 30 of the upstream-side meter device 10c sets the wireless communication unit 35 in the data reception mode in accordance with the data transmission request from the upper layer. To This is based on the fact that the processor 101 of the server 100 transmits an emergency command to each of the meter devices 10a to 10n via each relay device 110 based on the emergency command transmission program 103a.

When a communication request is transmitted from the downstream meter device 10g during this period, the upstream meter device 10c receives the communication request and transmits a response thereto. The response transmission includes transmission condition data such as the time T ₀ from the response transmission to the first data transmission, the number of data (the number of data transmissions) N, and the data transmission interval T.

The downstream meter device 10g performs intermittent reception according to the received transmission condition data based on the wireless communication program 33a, and receives N data from the upstream meter device 10c. When the reception of the N data, that is, the emergency command is completed, the processor 31 of the control unit 30 of the meter device 10g on the downstream side performs a process according to the emergency command. For example, when the emergency command is a capping command, the processor 31 performs a process of closing a valve in the meter device 10g. The meter device 10g of the downstream-side resumes communication request for each predetermined intermittent cycle T _I.

  When the reception of N data from the upstream meter device 10c is completed, the meter device 10g can intermittently receive data from the downstream meter devices 10l and 10m as in the case of the normal communication processing. Enter the reception mode. The meter devices 10a to 10n may enter the data reception mode according to other timings, triggers, and the like.

(Synchronous emergency communication processing)
In the emergency communication process of the synchronous method, as shown in FIG. 7, when a signal indicating the occurrence of an earthquake is transmitted from the sensor 40 to the control unit 30 during the normal communication process, the control unit (communication upper layer) 30 Request the wireless communication unit (communication lower layer) 35 to start emergency communication.
As in the case of the asynchronous system, first, even if the control unit 30 and the wireless communication unit 35 are in a sleeping state, when a signal indicating the occurrence of an earthquake is transmitted to the control unit 30, the control unit 30 Is started. The configuration may be such that the starting semiconductor switch in the control unit 30 is turned on by the signal.

Subsequently, processor 31 of control unit 30, based on the emergency communication program 33b, sends a synchronization request in a short emergency intermittent period T _le than intermittent period T _I to the relay apparatus 110 or other meter device. For example, the meter device 10c in FIG. 1 transmits a synchronization request to the relay device 110 on the upstream side. The synchronization request includes an emergency communication start time T _r , which is a time from a synchronization response transmitted from the relay device 110 to the start of reception at the emergency time gap T _le , and an emergency time _gap T _IE indicating reception timing. , and emergency intermittent communication period (duration) data indicating T _e contains a synchronization duration. In this case, the standby time from the reception of the signal indicating the occurrence of the earthquake to the start of reception at the emergency time gap period _Tle is the time obtained by adding the time of transmission and reception of the synchronous response to the emergency communication start time _Tr. Become.

In one example, the emergency communication start time _Tr is randomly determined within a certain period of time using a random number generated in the control unit 30 when a signal indicating the occurrence of an earthquake is received. The processor 31 changes the length of the predetermined time according to the number of adjacent nodes based on the emergency communication program 33b.

Thus, synchronization with the data of the emergency intermittent period T _Ie is established, each transferring device 110 emergency intermittent cycle T _Ie, or transmits a synchronization signal every an integral multiple cycle of emergency intermittent period T _Ie Then, the meter device 10c is in a state where reception is possible at every emergency time missing period T _Ie .
In the present embodiment, the synchronization request is transmitted from the meter device 10c to the relay device 110. However, the synchronization request may be transmitted to another meter device that can always maintain the data reception mode.

In one example, the emergency communication start time _Tr is randomly determined within a certain period of time using a random number generated in the control unit 30 when a signal indicating the occurrence of an earthquake is received. At this time, the processor 31 changes the length of the predetermined time according to the number of adjacent nodes based on the emergency communication program 33b. The processor 31 may determine an emergency communication start time _Tr different from that of the adjacent meter device based on a value preset in each of the control units 30. The ID of the meter device or the like may be used as a preset value. The emergency time-out period T _Ie is typically several seconds, but may be less than one second, may be several tens of seconds, and may be longer. In addition, the emergency lost communication section _Te may be tens of seconds, may be several minutes, and may be other times. In another example, the emergency communication start time _Tr is preset in each of the meter devices 10a to 10n, and a plurality of types of emergency communication start times _Tr may exist.

In one example, shortly after the communication request for each emergency time gap period T _le is started, the upstream relay device 110 enters a mode in which an emergency command is transmitted to the downstream meter device 10c. This is based on the fact that the processor 101 of the server 100 transmits an emergency command to each of the meter devices 10a to 10n via each relay device 110 based on the emergency command transmission program 103a.

When data transmission from the relay device 110 to the meter device 10c is started according to a data transmission request from the upper layer, the relay device 110 adds a time T ₀ from the synchronization signal to the first data transmission, a data T Transmission condition data such as the number N (the number of data transmissions) N and the data transmission interval T are included.
The downstream meter device 10c performs intermittent reception according to the received transmission condition data based on the wireless communication program 33a, and receives N data from the upstream relay device 110. When the reception of the N pieces of data, that is, the emergency command is completed, the processor 31 of the control unit 30 of the downstream meter device 10c performs a process according to the emergency command. For example, when the emergency command is a capping command, the processor 31 performs a process of closing a valve in the meter device 10g. Then, the meter device 10c on the downstream side resumes establishing and maintaining the synchronization of the normal communication process.

  When the reception of N pieces of data from the upstream-side relay device 110 is completed, the meter device 10c enters the data reception mode from the downstream-side meter devices 10g and 10h, as in the case of the normal communication process. The meter devices 10a to 10n may enter the data reception mode according to other timings, triggers, and the like.

As described above, in the present embodiment, upon receiving a signal from the sensor 40 that detects an emergency, the control unit 30 causes the wireless communication unit 35 to communicate with another meter device or the relay device 110 at a predetermined intermittent cycle. It is _assumed that the communication request is transmitted with the emergency time missing period T _Ie shorter than T _I or that the reception of the communication request is possible with the emergency time missing period T _Ie .

For example, even if each of the meter devices 10a to 10n activates its wireless communication unit once every 10 minutes, once every tens of minutes, etc., for a few seconds in a normal communication process, an emergency situation may occur. after receiving the signal from the sensor 40 for detecting the short transmission emergency intermittent period communication request at T _Ie it is carried out, or becomes a state capable of receiving a short emergency intermittent cycle T _Ie.
Therefore, each of the meter devices 10a to 10n can quickly receive the emergency command from the management center server 100, a device with a wireless function such as the relay device 110, or another meter device that has received the emergency command from the server 100. It becomes possible.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 30 performs a number estimation process of estimating the number of adjacent nodes (adjacent other meter devices), and the control unit 30 uses the estimated number to send a signal from the sensor 40. emergency communication start time from reception of the signal until the start of transmission of the communication request in emergency intermittent period T _Ie (waiting time) T _r, or emergency intermittent period T after receiving the signal from the sensor 40 The standby time until the reception in _Ie is started is changed.
Therefore, even when there are many adjacent nodes, the possibility that the communication request at the emergency time out period T _Ie interferes with that of the adjacent nodes is reduced.
Note that the standby time may be changed further based on the degree of an emergency according to the signal from the sensor 40.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 30 estimates the number of adjacent nodes using the number of signals detected in the intermittent receivable state after the transmission of the communication request or the transmission of the synchronization request.
For this reason, the processing in an emergency is faster than in the case of collecting data for estimating the number of adjacent nodes in an emergency. This is advantageous in transmitting an emergency command to each of the meter devices 10a to 10n quickly and reliably.

The control unit 30 transmits a communication request at the emergency time gap T _IE or receives a communication request at the emergency time gap T _Ie based on the degree of the emergency according to the signal from the sensor 40 or the signal notifying the emergency. May be determined (continuous emergency communication section T _e ) in which the state in which is possible is continued.
For example, when the seismic intensity transmitted from the sensor 40 is large, when the magnitude of the emergency is large, or when the influence of the emergency is large, the control unit 30 extends the duration (emergency interruption communication section _Te ). This is advantageous in reliably transmitting the emergency command to each of the meter devices 10a to 10n. Note that the control unit 30 uses the server 100, the relay device 110, another meter device, a disaster information receiving device in a house or an office, and the like to indicate the occurrence and scale of the emergency, and to indicate the occurrence of the emergency and its influence. Information and the like are received, and so on. The disaster information receiving device receives a warning immediately before an earthquake, earthquake information, fire information, flood damage information, and other disaster information from a public organization or the like by wire or wirelessly.

Further, the control unit 30 may determine the emergency time gap period T _Ie based on the degree of an emergency according to a signal from the sensor 40 or a signal for notifying an emergency.
For example, when the seismic intensity (degree of emergency) transmitted from the sensor 40 is large, when the magnitude of the emergency (degree of emergency) is large, when the influence of the emergency (degree of emergency) is large, etc. The time lag period T _Ie is shortened. This is advantageous for quickly transmitting a highly important emergency command to each of the meter devices 10a to 10n. In one example, when the seismic intensity transmitted from the sensor 40 is large, the emergency command is a plugging command, and when the seismic intensity transmitted from the sensor 40 is small, the emergency command is an And so on. When the seismic intensity is large, the emergency command is transmitted earlier by each of the meter devices 10a to 10n.

It should be noted that, based on the seismic intensity information (information regarding the degree of emergency) I ′ received from the relay device 110, the standby time is changed, the duration (emergency-time outage communication section T _e ) is changed, or the emergency time-out period T _Ie is changed. It is also possible to do. Depending on the installation state of the meter devices 10a to 10n, the sensor 40 may not be able to measure the seismic intensity with sufficient accuracy. In such a case, the seismic intensity information I 'is useful.

When the relay device 110 receives the seismic intensity information I ′ measured by a public organization or the like from the server 100 or the like, the relay device 110 may transmit the seismic intensity information I ′ to, for example, the meter devices 10a, 10b, and 10c downstream thereof. it can.
Alternatively, when the measurement result of the sensor 40 is transmitted from each of the meter devices 10a, 10b, and 10c to the relay device 110 and the seismic intensity information I 'is created based on the measurement result received by the relay device 110, the relay device 110 The seismic intensity information I 'can be transmitted to the meter devices 10a, 10b, 10c.

  With such a configuration, it becomes possible to operate the meter devices 10a, 10b, and 10c, which are the receiving nodes, in common and with high accuracy. Such a configuration in which the relay device 110 transmits the seismic intensity information I 'to the downstream meter devices 10a, 10b, and 10c can be referred to as "centralized control type". On the other hand, a configuration in which the meter devices 10a, 10b, and 10c use the seismic intensity I detected by the respective sensors 40 can be referred to as an "independent control type."

The example of FIG. 8 showing the emergency communication processing of the synchronous method will be described below. FIG. 8 shows an example of the above-mentioned centralized control type.
First, when a signal indicating the occurrence of an earthquake is transmitted from the sensor 40 to the control unit 30 during the normal communication processing, the control unit (communication upper layer) 30 of the meter device 10c transmits the signal to the wireless communication unit (communication lower layer) 35. , Requesting the start of emergency communication.

On the other hand, the relay device 110 receives the seismic intensity information I ′ measured from the server 100 under the management of a trusted organization such as a public organization.
In this state, the processor 31 of the controller 30 of the meter device 10c, based on the emergency communication program 33b, the relay apparatus by the wireless communication unit 35 a synchronization request in a short emergency intermittent period _{T le} than intermittent period _{T I} 110 Send to The synchronization request includes an emergency communication start time T _r , which is a time from a synchronization response transmitted from the relay device 110 to the start of reception at the emergency time gap T _le , and an emergency time _gap T _IE indicating reception timing. , The emergency communication interruption period (duration) T _e , which is the duration of synchronization, and data indicating the seismic intensity I detected by the sensor 40.

The relay device 110 compares the seismic intensity I received from the meter device 10c with the seismic intensity information I ′, and determines whether the seismic intensity information I ′ is more accurate. Then, when it is determined that the seismic intensity information I 'is more accurate, the synchronous response is transmitted including the seismic intensity information I'.
When the meter device 10c receives the seismic intensity information I ', the processor 31 of the control unit 30 of the meter device 10c performs the above calculation again using the seismic intensity information I', and the emergency communication start time _Tr 'as a recalculation result. , And transmits a synchronization request to the relay device 110, the synchronization request including data indicating the emergency time missing period T _Ie ′ and the emergency time missing communication section (duration) T _e ′. The synchronization request may include seismic intensity information I ′ for indicating the seismic intensity used for the calculation.

Thereby, synchronization is established using the data of the emergency time missing period T _Ie ′, and the relay apparatus 110 synchronizes at every emergency time missing period T _Ie ′ or every integer multiple of the emergency time missing period T _Ie ′. The signal is transmitted, and the meter device 10c is in a state where it can receive the signal every emergency time out period T _Ie ′.
In the present embodiment, the synchronization request is transmitted from the meter device 10c to the relay device 110. However, the synchronization request may be transmitted to another meter device that can always maintain the data reception mode. In this case, another meter device has seismic intensity information I '.

  Also, in the above state, when the relay device 110 receives another seismic intensity information I ″ measured under the management of a trusted organization such as a public organization from the server 100, the relay device 110 transmits the seismic intensity information I ′. Is compared with the seismic intensity information I ″ to determine whether the seismic intensity information I ″ is more accurate. If it is determined that the seismic intensity information I ″ is more accurate, the relay device 110 transmits the synchronization signal including the seismic intensity information I ″.

When the meter device 10c receives the seismic intensity information I ″, the processor 31 of the control unit 30 of the meter device 10c performs the above calculation again using the seismic intensity information I ″, and the emergency communication start time T which is the recalculation result is obtained. _{r '',} emergency intermittent period T _{Ie '',} and transmits a synchronization request with data indicating the emergency intermittent communication period (duration) T e _'' to the relay apparatus 110. The synchronization request may include seismic intensity information I ″ to indicate the seismic intensity used for the calculation.

Thus, emergency intermittent period T _{Ie ''} synchronization using the data is established, the relay device 110 emergency intermittent cycle T _{Ie 'every',} or an integer multiple period of the emergency intermittent period T _{Ie ''} A synchronization signal is transmitted every time, and the meter device 10c is in a state where it can receive the signal every emergency time missing period T _Ie ″.

In each of the above embodiments, the waiting time duration (emergency intermittent communication period _{T e, T e ', T} e''), or emergency intermittent cycle _{T Ie, T Ie', T} Ie 'a' The calculation may be performed by the relay device 110 or the server 100.
In each of the above embodiments, the server 100 and each of the meter devices 10a to 10n may communicate without passing through the relay device 110. In this case, for example, the meter devices 10a, 10b, and 10c communicate with the server 100 by the above-described method.

  In each of the above embodiments, when a signal from a fire alarm installed in a house is transmitted to the control unit 30, the control unit 30 may request the wireless communication unit 35 to start emergency communication. . Further, when a signal from a flood damage alarm provided in a house or a predetermined facility is transmitted to the control unit 30, the control unit 30 may request the wireless communication unit 35 to start emergency communication.

  Each of the meter devices 10a to 10n of each of the above embodiments includes a measuring unit 20 that measures at least one of electricity, gas, and water usage, a wireless communication unit 35, and a control unit 30. However, when a normal communication process for causing the wireless communication unit 35 to perform intermittent reception and a signal from the sensor 40 for detecting an emergency or a signal for notifying of an emergency are received, the intermittent reception is asleep. An emergency communication process for activating the wireless communication unit 35 in the state for communication with another meter device or a device with a wireless function such as the relay device 110 on the meter network is performed.

  In each of the meter devices 10a to 10n of the above-described embodiments, when a signal from the sensor 40 for detecting an emergency or a signal for notifying of an emergency is received, a sleep state between intermittent receptions of normal communication processing is performed. The wireless communication unit 35 is activated for communication with another meter device or a device with a wireless function such as the relay device 110 on the meter network.

  For example, even if the meter device 10c activates the wireless communication unit 35 for a few seconds at a timing of once every ten minutes, once every ten minutes, or the like in the normal communication process, an emergency situation is detected. Upon receiving a signal from the sensor 40 or a signal for notifying of an emergency, it is activated for communication with the upstream device. Therefore, it is possible to quickly receive an emergency command from a device with a wireless function, such as the management center server 100, the relay device 110, or another meter device that has received the emergency command from the server 100.

10a to 10n Meter device 20 Measurement unit 21 Flow sensor 22 Storage unit 30 Control unit 31 Processor 32 Display unit 33 Storage unit 33a Wireless communication program 33b Emergency communication program 34 Input unit 35 Wireless communication unit 100 Server (device with wireless function)
101 processor 102 display unit 103 storage unit 103a emergency command transmission program 104 input unit 105 wireless communication unit 110 relay device (device with wireless function)
111 processor 112 display unit 113 storage unit 113a wireless communication program 114 input unit 115 wireless communication unit

Claims (12)

A measuring unit for measuring at least one of electricity, gas, and water usage,
A wireless communication unit;
And a control unit, wherein the control unit comprises:
When sending the usage amount measured by the measurement unit to another meter device or a device with a wireless function on a meter network, the wireless communication unit includes a predetermined intermittent cycle for the other meter device or the device with a wireless function. A normal communication process of transmitting a communication request in or transmitting a synchronization request in the predetermined intermittent cycle,
When receiving a signal from a sensor for detecting an emergency or a signal for notifying the emergency, the wireless communication unit is configured to send an emergency signal shorter than the predetermined intermittent period to the other meter device or the wireless device. A meter device that performs a state in which a communication request is transmitted in a time missing cycle or an emergency communication process in which reception is possible in the emergency time missing cycle. The control unit performs a number estimation process of estimating the number of other meter devices existing around the meter device,
The control unit, according to the estimated number, waits for reception of the signal and starts transmission of a communication request in the emergency time-out cycle, or the emergency time-out after receiving the signal. The meter device according to claim 1, wherein a waiting time until reception in a cycle is started is changed.   The said number estimation process WHEREIN: The said control part estimates the number using the number of the signals detected at the time of the intermittent receivable state after transmission of the said communication request or transmission of the said synchronization request. 3. The meter device according to claim 1. The signal indicates the degree of the emergency,
The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, based on the signal, transmission of the communication request in the emergency time gap or reception of the emergency time gap is possible. 3. The meter device according to claim 1. The signal indicates the degree of the emergency,
The meter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit determines the emergency time gap period based on the signal.   The meter device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor is a seismometer provided in the meter device.   The meter device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the signal notifying the emergency is a signal from a fire alarm or a flood alarm. A measuring unit for measuring at least one of electricity, gas, and water usage,
A wireless communication unit;
And a control unit, wherein the control unit comprises:
Normal communication processing for causing the wireless communication unit to perform intermittent reception,
When receiving a signal from a sensor for detecting an emergency or a signal for notifying of the emergency, the wireless communication unit in a sleeping state between the intermittent receptions is wirelessly connected to another meter device or a meter network. A meter device that performs an emergency communication process that is activated for communication with a device with a function. A meter device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A meter system including the other meter device or the device with a wireless function. A meter device according to claim 4 or 5,
The other meter device or the device with a wireless function,
The other meter device or the device with wireless function receives information on the degree of emergency,
The control unit of the meter device performs a process of transmitting the degree of the emergency used for determining the duration or the emergency time gap period to the other meter device or the device with a wireless function,
The other meter device or the device with wireless function determines whether or not the information on the degree of the emergency is more accurate than the degree of the emergency, and the information on the degree of the emergency is accurate. Performing a process of transmitting information on the degree of the emergency to the meter device,
A meter system, wherein a control unit of the meter device determines the duration or the emergency time gap using information on the degree of the emergency. A command receiving method of a meter device for receiving a command from a server,
In order to send the usage of electricity, gas, and / or water to another meter device or a device with a wireless function on a meter network, the wireless communication unit of the meter device includes the other meter device or the wireless function. A normal communication step of transmitting a communication request at a predetermined intermittent period to the attached device or transmitting a synchronization request at the predetermined intermittent period,
When the meter device receives a signal from a sensor for detecting an emergency or a signal for notifying of the emergency, the wireless communication unit communicates with the other meter device or the device with a wireless function by the predetermined intermittent operation. A command receiving method for a meter device, comprising: a state in which a communication request is transmitted with an emergency time interval shorter than a cycle, or an emergency communication step in which reception is possible in the emergency time interval. A command receiving method of a meter device for receiving a command from a server,
A normal communication step of causing the wireless communication unit of the meter device to perform intermittent reception in order to send the usage of electricity, gas, and / or water to another meter device or a device with a wireless function on the meter network; When,
According to the signal from the sensor for detecting the emergency or the signal for notifying the emergency, the wireless communication unit in the sleeping state between the intermittent reception, the other meter device or with the wireless function A command communication method for a meter device, comprising: an emergency communication step activated for communication with the device.

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