JP4371559B2 - Communication proxy device and communication proxy system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication agency system that receives communication instructions from a plurality of communication requesters and performs communication with a communication target device based on these communication instructions on behalf of the communication requester.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As such a communication agency system, when a gas meter or an electric meter for metering the amount of gas, electricity, etc. used in each household (customer) is remotely and automatically metered via a communication line, each gas company or electric utility company Instead of using the automatic meter reading communication system provided in, the automatic meter reading is performed separately, and a joint meter reading system in which each meter reading operation is entrusted to a certain meter reading agent can be considered.
[0003]
Here, when using a joint meter reading system, a common communication system from a meter reading agent to each household is shared, and by sharing the communication system with various automatic meter readings, the equipment cost can be reduced, and the gas operator There is an advantage that the cost of meter reading can be reduced for electric power companies.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the joint meter reading agency system using the above-mentioned common communication system, when there are requests for meter reading from a plurality of companies at the same time, between the terminals and meters for automatic meter reading installed in each home Since transmission and reception of data related to a meter reading request and meter reading response occur simultaneously, automatic meter reading at the same time is difficult unless communication is multiplexed. In addition, such communication multiplexing requires a special device and causes a rise in communication cost, so that the merit of adopting the joint meter reading is hindered. In particular, when the communication target is the same customer and the same area, it is very difficult to respond. In addition, when performing meter reading on behalf of the same company, communication is concentrated in the same area, so that there is a problem that other communication cannot be performed for a long time.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to improve the degree of urgency in a situation where communication instructions from a plurality of communication requesters are concentrated at the same time or time zone. The object is to provide a communication proxy device and system capable of preferentially executing a high communication instruction.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Communication agency according to the present invention for achieving this objectapparatusThe first characteristic configuration of the first communication device provided to be communicable with the first communication path for each one or two or more communication areas, as described in claim 1 of the column of the claims, For each communication areaSecondCommunication with a communication target device communicably connected to the second communication device based on a communication instruction from a communication requester via a second communication device provided to be communicable via two communication paths A communication proxy device for managing and executing a communication order for communication between a communication instruction input unit that receives the communication instruction and the communication target device according to a plurality of communication instructions input from the communication instruction input unit. The communication order management means to be determined is connected to the first communication device via the first communication path so as to be communicable. Based on the communication instruction and the communication order determined by the communication order management means, the first And a communication unit that executes communication with the communication target device related to the communication instruction via the second communication device, and the communication order management means includes a communication request in which the plurality of communication instructions are different from each other. From Based on each communication instruction by comparing each priority parameter included in the plurality of communication instructions when the communication instruction to the communication target device in one communication area is overlapped with each other Determine communication priorityIs,
The communication instruction input unit receives the communication instruction including the priority parameter input by the communication requester.In the point.
[0007]
In the second feature configuration, in addition to the first feature configuration, the priority parameter is communication cost or data that can be converted into communication cost, as described in claim 2 of the column of claims. In the point.
[0008]
  In addition to the first or second feature configuration, the third feature configuration generates list data representing the reception status of the communication instruction, as described in claim 3 of the claims. And a list data generating and storing means for storing in a predetermined storage means, and a list data outputting means for outputting the list data to at least the communication requester. Here, the communication requester, which is the output destination of the list data, includes not only the communication requester who has already given the communication instruction but also the communication requester who is planning the communication instruction from now on for the purpose.
  In the fourth feature configuration, in addition to the first, second, or third feature configuration described above, in addition to the first, second, or third feature configuration, the communication feature includes communication purposes including emergency control and control. Another communication priority is determined, and in the determination of the communication priority by the communication priority management means, the communication priority management means performs the priority among the other communication instructions within the same communication purpose. The priority is determined based on the parameters.
[0009]
  In order to achieve this object, the first characteristic configuration of the communication proxy system according to the present invention is the claim in the claims section.5As described above, the first communication device provided to be able to communicate with the first communication path for each of one or more communication areas, and the first communication device and the second communication path for each of the communication areas. Via a second communication device provided so as to be able to communicate via the communication device, a communication target device connected to be able to communicate with the second communication device, and the first, second,Third or fourthAnd a communication proxy device having the characteristic configuration.
[0010]
  The second characteristic configuration is claimed in the claims column.6In addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, at least two of the communication target devices are different from each other in all or part of the second communication device existing in the same communication area. The point of communication is that each is connected separately.
[0011]
  The third characteristic configuration is the claim in the claims section.7As described above, in addition to the second characteristic configuration, the at least two communication target devices include at least two of a gas meter, an electric meter, and a water meter.
[0012]
The operation and effect of each of the above characteristic configurations will be described below.
[0013]
According to the first characteristic configuration of the communication proxy device according to the present invention described above, the communication instruction input unit receives communication instructions from a plurality of communication requesters, and the communication order management unit receives the received plurality of communication instructions. The communication order is determined based on data such as communication time and communication target device included in the communication instruction, and the communication unit determines the communication order based on the communication order determined by the communication order management unit and the contents of each communication instruction. Since communication with the communication target device related to the communication instruction can be performed via the first and second communication devices, communication instructions can be received by receiving communication instructions from a plurality of communication requesters. . In addition, even when a plurality of communication instructions for the same communication area are received from different communication requesters at the same time or time zone, the communication rank management means competes according to the priority parameter included in those communication instructions. Since the priority of the instruction can be determined, the communication unit can execute the communication instruction according to the priority. That is, the communication requester can properly use the priority parameter according to the communication purpose or the urgency level. In addition, since the priority parameter is input based on the will of the communication requester, there is a dispute regarding the priority order between competing communication requesters by having the personality / function of the priority parameter recognized in advance. There is no risk of it occurring.
[0014]
According to the second characteristic configuration, since the priority parameter is equal to or equivalent to the communication cost, if it is desired to increase the priority of its own communication instruction, it is only necessary to bear a higher communication cost. Conversely, if the communication is low in urgency, a communication instruction can be issued at a low communication cost, so that the communication requester can use the priority parameter according to the communication purpose. As a result, by using the communication agent device having this characteristic configuration, it becomes possible to provide a communication agent service having a high degree of freedom according to cost merit and communication purpose for a communication requester who is a customer.
[0015]
According to the third characteristic configuration, the communication requester is instructed at which time or time zone the communication instructions from the self and other communication requesters are concentrated, and has a priority instruction. The communication time can be changed or a priority parameter with a higher priority can be added at any time or time zone when another communication instruction has already been made. By doing so, communication with high urgency can be performed with priority over other communication instructions. In addition, if the communication is of a low urgency level that may have a low priority, a communication instruction can be given with a priority parameter having a low priority as it is.
[0016]
In particular, when the second characteristic configuration is also provided and communication with a high degree of urgency is interrupted, the communication requester can set priority for other communication instructions prior to the same time or time period. Therefore, the priority parameter that can be prioritized with the lowest communication cost can be selected, so that it is possible to avoid the use of the priority parameter that causes a high communication cost.
[0017]
  According to the first characteristic configuration of the communication agency system according to the present invention, the first, second, third,Or fourthIt is possible to perform the communication with the communication target device related to the communication instruction of the communication requester by exhibiting the operational effects exhibited by the communication proxy device of the characteristic configuration.
[0018]
According to the second characteristic configuration, different communication requesters can perform communication separately for different communication target devices of the same communication target person. In other words, when different communication requesters communicate independently with different communication target devices of the same communication target person, the communication requester (although it is no longer the requester) and each communication target device of the communication requester Although relay means consisting of the first and second communication devices to contact must be provided for each communication requester, duplication of such communication facilities can be avoided. As a result, an efficient and economical communication agency service can be provided to a plurality of communication clients who have a plurality of communication subjects in common.
[0019]
According to the third characteristic configuration, since at least two communication target devices include at least two of a gas meter, an electric meter, and a water meter, automatic remote meter reading, gas, Remote control such as supply / cutoff of electricity, water, etc. can be performed on behalf of a plurality of companies such as a gas company, an electric company, and a water company. In addition, since the communication agent system having this characteristic configuration includes the communication agent device having the above first characteristic configuration, for example, an electric utility performs an automatic meter reading proxy by communicating with an electric meter in a certain communication area. In the case where it has already been requested, the gas operator needs to remotely shut down the gas supply by remotely operating the gas meter in the communication area, or the gas meter of a specific communication target person at the same time zone. When it is necessary to operate the meter for a limited time, etc., if a communication instruction is issued using a priority parameter with a higher priority than the communication instruction of the electric power company, communication with the gas meter is given priority to the electric meter. Yes, it can meet the above needs.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of a communication proxy device and system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, a communication agent system according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as “the present invention system”) is included in a communication agent center (hereinafter referred to as “the present invention system”) operated by a communication agent. It is simply referred to as “the present invention device 1”), a communication target device 2 that is a communication target of communication agency, and two relay stations 3 that relay communication between the present device 1 and the communication target device 2. Is done.
[0022]
One of the relay stations 3 is a first communication device 6 provided so as to be communicable with the public line network 5 which is the first communication path for each of one or two or more communication areas 4, and the other relay station 3 The second communication device 8 is provided for each communication area 4 so as to be communicable with the first communication device 6 via the specific low-power wireless line 7 which is the second communication path. Here, the first communication device 6 is configured as a specific low-power wireless master device, and the second communication device 8 is configured as a specific low-power wireless slave device terminal. If one second communication device 8 is connected to be communicable, communication between the first communication device 6 and the other second communication device 8 in the same communication area 4 becomes impossible.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, as one example of the communication target device 2, a gas meter 2a for remote automatic meter reading, an electric meter 2b, a water meter 2c, and a display terminal 2d for displaying a communication message from a communication requester are provided. 2 is communicably connected to the communication device 8. Here, the gas meter 2a also has a security function for shutting off the gas supply in an emergency. The communication between each communication target device 2 and the second communication device 8 may be any communication method such as wired or wireless, but for example, communication with the electric meter 2b can use power line carrier communication. In other words, in this embodiment, the communication agent provides a communication target device 2 (gas meter 2a) such as automatic meter reading, emergency gas shut-off, and output of notification information to the display terminal 2d from a plurality of operators such as gas, electricity, and water. It is assumed that various communications with the electric meter 2b, the water meter 2c, and the display terminal 2d) are requested and such communication is performed. Therefore, the 2nd communication apparatus 8 connected with various communication object apparatus 2 is provided for every consumers, such as gas, electricity, and water, in principle. However, when a plurality of communication target devices 2 of the same consumer are installed apart from each other and it is difficult to connect to one second communication device 8 (for example, a gas meter 2a and an electric meter 2b in a detached house) May be installed separately for each communication target device 2.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the device 1 of the present invention is configured to be accessible from a computer terminal 10 of a communication requester via the Internet 9. In communication with a communication requester via the Internet 9, a communication instruction from each requester is received and list data representing a communication reception status is output to each requester. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the device 1 of the present invention includes a communication instruction input unit 11 that receives a communication instruction from each client, and communication related to a plurality of communication instructions input from the communication instruction input unit 11. A communication order management unit 12 that determines a communication order for communication with the target device 2, a list data generation and storage unit 14 that generates list data indicating a reception status of a communication instruction, and stores the list data in a predetermined storage unit 13; The list data output means 15 for outputting the list data to the computer terminal 10 of each communication requester is connected to the first communication device 6 via the public line network 5 so as to be communicable. Is configured to include a communication unit 16 that performs communication with the communication target device 2 related to the communication instruction via the relay station 3 based on the communication order determined. Here, the communication instruction input unit 11 and the list data output unit 15 include a common communication interface unit 17 that performs bidirectional communication with the computer terminal 10 of the communication requester via the Internet 9. In response to access, a screen display for reserving (inputting) a communication instruction is output on the display screen 10a of the computer terminal 10, and a communication instruction input from the display screen 10a is received. In response to a list data display request from the communication requester, the list data is output on the display screen 10a. The communication unit 16 includes a communication interface unit 18 for communicating with the first communication device 6 via the public network 5 and a communication control unit 19 for controlling the communication.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 3, the first communication device 6 includes a first communication path interface unit 20 for performing analog communication with the communication unit 16 of the device 1 of the present invention via the public line network 5, and a second communication. A second communication path interface unit 21 that performs communication with the device 8 by specific low-power radio and a communication control unit 22 that controls communication of both the interface units 20 and 21 are configured. Further, the first communication path interface unit 20 includes a modem circuit unit 20a, and an interface circuit unit 20b that performs conversion of necessary communication data between the modem circuit unit 20a and the communication control unit 22, and the second communication path. The interface unit 21 includes a radio transmission / reception unit 21a for specific low-power radio, and an interface circuit unit 21b that performs conversion of necessary communication data between the radio transmission / reception unit 21a and the communication control unit 22. The communication control unit 22 includes a microcomputer 22a and a memory 22b that stores communication data, a communication control program, and the like.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 4, the second communication device 8 communicates with each communication target device 2 and the second communication path interface unit 23 for performing communication with the first communication device 6 by specific low power radio. A communication target device interface unit 24 to be performed and a communication control unit 25 that controls communication of both the interface units 23 and 24 are configured. Further, the second communication path interface unit 23 includes a specific low-power radio transmission / reception unit 23a, and an interface circuit unit 23b that performs conversion of necessary communication data between the wireless transmission / reception unit 23a and the communication control unit 25. The communication target device interface unit 24 includes communication target device communication units 24a to 24d that individually communicate with the communication target devices 2a to 2d according to the communication method, and communication target device communication units 24a to 24d. And an interface circuit unit 24e that performs conversion of necessary communication data between the communication control units 25. The communication control unit 25 includes a microcomputer 25a and a memory 25b that stores communication data, a communication control program, and the like.
[0027]
Here, the gas meter 2a, the electric meter 2b, and the water meter 2c in the communication target device 2 are classified into any of the following three types. As shown in FIG. 5, the first type is a type in which the meter 2A incorporates both the weighing unit 26 and the automatic meter reading communication unit 27, and the second type is a type in which the meter 2B includes only the weighing unit 26. The third type is a type in which the meter 2C includes only the measuring unit 26 and communicates with the communication unit 27 for automatic meter reading. This type is provided on the target device communication unit 24a to 24d side. The first type meter 2A is a dedicated meter made for automatic meter reading. On the other hand, the second and third types of meters 2B and 2C are obtained by adding an automatic meter reading function by adding a communication unit 27 to a conventional meter that does not incorporate an automatic meter reading function. Here, the gas meter 2a, the electric meter 2b, and the water meter 2c do not necessarily correspond to the first to third types of meters 2A to 2C in order, and any type of meter may be used. I do not care. Accordingly, when the communication target device 2 includes the third type meter 2C, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication target device communication corresponding to the third type meter 2C is performed on the communication target device interface unit 24 side. The communication unit 27 for automatic meter reading is externally attached to the units 24a to 24d.
[0028]
Next, a procedure for performing a communication proxy operation using the system of the present invention and the operation of each part of the system of the present invention will be described. The communication agency service is executed using the device 1 of the present invention, and is divided into an actual communication process and a preparation process thereof. The preparation step includes a communication instruction input step for receiving a communication instruction from a communication requester, a communication order determination step for determining the communication order of the communication instruction, and list data generation storage for generating and storing list data indicating the reception status of the communication instruction. The main process includes a process and a list data output process for outputting the list data to the computer terminal 10 of each communication requester. Here, in each process, the list data is basically an important element. As an example, as shown in FIG. 6, the list data displays the contents of each communication instruction in accordance with the communication order for each communication area (communication time as a notation of a communication time zone is acceptable) and for each communication area. The contents of the displayed communication instruction are a communication date, a communication time, a priority parameter (corresponding to a communication fee), a communication requester, a communication target, a communication content (communication purpose), and a reservation status.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, the communication instruction input step is executed with a list data output step. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when each communication requester accesses the reception site for the communication agency business managed by the device 1 of the present invention from the computer terminal 10 via the Internet 9 (# 1), The communication instruction input unit 11 of the device 1 of the present invention displays a top page screen of a reception site that prompts input of a registration ID, a password, etc. on the display screen 10a of the computer terminal 10 from the communication interface unit 17 via the Internet 9 (# 2). When the communication requester inputs a registration ID, a password, and the like from the computer terminal 10 (# 3), the communication instruction input unit 11 confirms the identity, and after the confirmation, the communication instruction input screen is displayed as the display screen 10a of the computer terminal 10. Displayed above (# 4). The communication requester inputs a communication date, a communication time, a communication object, a communication content (communication purpose), and a priority parameter (communication cost) among the communication contents according to the input items on the communication instruction input screen (# 5). Depending on the purpose of communication, it may be sufficient for the communication target to specify the communication area, or it may be necessary to specify the second communication device 8 and further the communication target device 2 connected thereto. For example, in the case of automatic gas meter reading, if a communication area is specified, it is specified that the communication is to all the gas meters 2a in the communication area. On the other hand, in the case of communication to a gas meter 2a at a specific gas customer's house, for example, in the communication for automatic meter reading limited to the date and the emergency gas shutoff associated with the gas stopper at the gas customer's house, in addition to the communication area It is necessary to clearly specify the second communication device 8 corresponding to the gas consumer, or the second communication device 8 and the communication target device 2.
[0030]
Here, when the communication instruction from the other communication requester to the same communication area has already been registered at the same communication time, if the input value of the priority parameter is the same or lower than that, the preceding Since the communication of the communication instruction to be executed is executed in advance, those that need to communicate at the communication time are earlier than the communication instruction by inputting a priority parameter having a higher priority than other preceding communication instructions. Communication rank can be obtained. For this purpose, the communication requester needs to know in advance the reservation status of the preceding communication instruction, and therefore requests display of list data from the communication instruction input screen before inputting the communication instruction in step # 5 ( # 6). This display request is an arbitrary action of the communication requester and is not particularly required if it is a communication instruction with a low degree of urgency. The list data output means 15 of the apparatus 1 of the present invention reads the list data from the storage means 13 in response to a list data display request input from the communication interface unit 17 to the list data output means 15 via the Internet 9 and communicates with the communication interface. The data is output from the unit 17 to the display screen 10a via the Internet 9 (# 7). This is a list data output step, and the communication requester inputs a communication instruction (# 5) after steps # 6 and # 7.
[0031]
In the communication instruction input step, when the communication requester inputs a communication instruction in step # 5, in the apparatus 1 of the present invention, the communication instruction is input from the communication interface unit 17 to the communication instruction input unit 11 via the Internet 9. (# 8). The communication instruction input to the communication instruction input unit 11 is input to the communication order management unit 12, and a communication order determination step is executed (# 9). In this step, the list data is read out from the storage means 13 to check if there is a preceding communication instruction in the same communication time and the same communication area. If there is no preceding communication instruction, the communication order “1” is given to the communication instruction. If there is already a preceding communication instruction, the priority parameter of each preceding communication instruction and the priority of the newly input communication instruction are given. The communication order is changed in the order of the priority parameter with the highest priority by comparing the parameters. Among communication instructions having the same priority parameter, the communication order input earlier has a higher communication order.
[0032]
When the communication order determination step (# 9) is executed, the list data generation and storage means 14 determines the communication time in the input communication instruction and the communication instruction in the list data in the communication area as the determined new communication order. Are rearranged based on the data and stored in the storage means 13 (# 10). When there is no preceding communication instruction, only the communication instruction of the communication rank “1” is displayed. The list data generation and storage step (# 10) and the communication order determination step (# 9) are executed for the communication time and communication area related to the communication instruction every time the communication instruction input step is executed. The generated or updated list data is provided to the communication requester in the above list data output process. Here, when there are a plurality of communication times and communication areas related to the input communication instruction, the communication order determination step (# 9) and the list data generation storage step (# 10) are executed for each.
[0033]
Further, three cases will be described as an example for the priority parameter input in the communication instruction input (# 5). Here, the list data (reservation status) of communication instructions in a certain communication time and communication area is in the situation as shown in FIG. 6, and the communication requester D inputs a communication instruction to the same communication time and communication area. Assume that
[0034]
As a first case, when the communication requester D wants to perform “emergency control” on a certain meter 2 very quickly, a priority parameter “101” or more (for example, “ 110 ”). The result is shown in FIG. Further, as a second case, when the communication requester D also wants to perform “meter reading” relatively early, the priority parameter “51” or more (for example, “60”) is used in order to aim at the communication order “2”. Apply at. The result is shown in FIG. Furthermore, as a third case, the communication client D also wants to execute “advertisement” at a relatively low cost (in this case, the advertisement content is displayed on the display terminal 2d which is one of the communication target devices 2). When the urgency level is low, a communication instruction can be input (applied) even if the priority parameter is less than “20” (for example, “15”. The result is shown in FIG.
[0035]
Next, an actual communication process will be described. As a specific example, a meter reading request is transmitted from the device 1 of the present invention to a meter (a gas meter 2a, an electric meter 2b, or a water meter 2c) that is a communication target device 2 related to a communication instruction. The case where the meter reading response is received from the two sides will be described in two cases (communication procedure examples).
[0036]
In the first case (End to End communication), as shown in FIG. 11, the communication control unit 19 reads out the list data of each communication area at the communication time from the storage unit 13 at a certain communication time, A meter reading request having a predetermined data format, which will be described later, is generated based on the communication instruction in order from communication number 1 and transmitted from the communication interface unit 18 to the corresponding first communication device 6 via the public line network 5. (# 11). Here, in the communication between the device 1 of the present invention and each communication target device, the data format shown in FIG. 12 is used as an example. In FIG. 12, STX is the head identifier of data, the terminal type is a code indicating the type of meter, the terminal ID number is an ID number for identifying the meter, and the data is a command indicating a communication item executed with the meter 2 Data, ETX means an end identifier of data, and BBC means an error detection code.
[0037]
The meter reading request transmitted to the first communication device 6 is transferred from the first communication path interface unit 20 to the second communication path interface unit 21 via the communication control unit 22 in the first communication device 6, It is transmitted to the second communication device 8 via the power wireless line 7 (# 12). The meter reading request transmitted to the second communication device 8 is transferred from the second communication path interface unit 23 to the communication target device interface unit 24 via the communication control unit 25 in the second communication device 8, and a predetermined meter. 2 (# 13).
[0038]
The meter 2 that has received the meter reading request performs meter reading according to the meter reading request, and transmits the meter reading response as a result to the second communication device 8 in the data format shown in FIG. 12 (# 14). The meter reading response transmitted to the second communication device 8 is transferred from the communication target device interface unit 24 to the second communication path interface unit 23 via the communication control unit 25 in the second communication device 8, and the specific low power. The data is transmitted to the first communication device 6 via the wireless line 7 (# 15). The meter reading response transmitted to the first communication device 6 is transferred from the second communication path interface unit 21 to the first communication path interface unit 20 via the communication control unit 22 in the first communication device 6, and is connected to the public line. It is transmitted to the device 1 of the present invention via the network 5 (# 16). Upon receiving the meter reading response, the present invention device 1 sends an end instruction to the meter 2 in the same manner as the meter reading request transmission procedure (steps # 11 to # 13) (# 17 to # 19), The meter 2 receives the end instruction and the communication process ends.
[0039]
In the second case (Link by Link communication), as shown in FIG. 13, the communication control unit 19 reads out the list data of each communication area at the communication time from the storage unit 13 at a certain communication time. 12 generates a meter-reading request in the data format shown in FIG. 12 based on the communication instruction in order from the communication order No. 1 and communicates with the corresponding first communication device 6 via the public line network 5 from the communication interface unit 18. The start instruction is transmitted (# 21). Upon receiving the activation instruction, the first communication device 6 generates a response to the response in the communication control unit 22 or reads out a response stored in the memory 22b in advance, and the present communication device 1 from the first communication path interface unit 20 (# 22). Receiving the response, the device 1 of the present invention transmits the generated meter reading request from the communication interface unit 18 to the same first communication device 6 via the public line network 5 (# 23). The first communication device 6 that has received the meter-reading request temporarily stores the meter-reading request in the memory 22b, and generates a response to the request in the communication control unit 22, or reads out the data stored in the memory 22b in advance. Then, the data is transmitted from the first communication path interface unit 20 to the device 1 of the present invention via the public network 5 (# 24). The device 1 of the present invention that has received the response transmits an end instruction from the communication interface unit 18 to the same first communication device 6 via the public network 5 (# 25).
[0040]
In the first communication device 6 that has received the end instruction, the communication control unit 22 reads the meter reading request temporarily stored in the memory 22b, and from the second communication path interface unit 21 via the specific low power wireless line 7, Transmit to the second communication device 8 (# 26). The meter reading request transmitted to the second communication device 8 is transferred from the second communication path interface unit 23 to the communication target device interface unit 24 via the communication control unit 25 in the second communication device 8, and a predetermined meter. 2 (# 27). The meter 2 that has received the meter reading request performs meter reading according to the meter reading request, and transmits a meter reading response as a result to the second communication device 8 in the data format shown in FIG. 12 (# 28). The meter reading response transmitted to the second communication device 8 is transferred from the communication target device interface unit 24 to the second communication path interface unit 23 via the communication control unit 25 in the second communication device 8, and the specific low power. The data is transmitted to the first communication device 6 via the wireless line 7 (# 29). The first communication device 6 that has received the meter-reading response temporarily stores the meter-reading response in the memory 22b, and generates an end instruction for the second communication device 8 and the meter 2 in the communication control unit 22, or in the memory 22b. The data stored in advance is read out and transmitted from the second communication path interface unit 21 to the second communication device 8 via the specific low-power wireless line 7 (# 30), and the activation instruction is communicated to the device of the present invention. Data generated by the control unit 22 or stored in advance in the memory 22b is read out and transmitted from the first communication path interface unit 20 to the device 1 of the present invention via the public network 5 (# 31). The second communication device 8 that has received the end instruction transmits the end instruction to the meter 2 in the same manner as the meter reading request transmission procedure (# 26) (# 32). Upon receiving the activation instruction, the device 1 of the present invention generates a response to the response in the communication control unit 19 or reads out a response stored in advance in a predetermined storage unit, and transmits the response from the communication interface unit 18 via the public line network 5. Then, it transmits to the first communication device 6 (# 33). The first communication device 6 that has received the response reads out the meter reading response stored in the memory 22b and transmits it from the first communication path interface unit 20 to the device 1 of the present invention via the public network 5 (# 34). ). Upon receiving the meter-reading response, the device 1 of the present invention generates an end instruction in the communication control unit 19 or reads out an instruction stored in advance in a predetermined storage unit, and from the communication interface unit 18 via the public line network 5, It transmits to the 1st communication apparatus 6 (# 35), the 1st communication part 6 receives the said completion | finish instruction | indication, and a communication process is complete | finished.
[0041]
Another embodiment will be described below.
[0042]
<1> In the above embodiment, the priority parameter is exemplified by a case where the priority parameter is determined by a relative relationship with the priority parameter of another communication instruction displayed in the list data when the communication instruction is input, regardless of the communication purpose. However, the priority order may be determined in advance for each communication purpose, and the priority order determination step may function with other communication instructions within the same communication purpose. For example, the highest priority may be given in advance at a fixed communication cost for a communication purpose that absolutely requires the highest priority, such as an emergency gas shutdown.
[0043]
<2> In the above embodiment, when the first communication device 6 and one second communication device 8 are communicably connected in one communication area 4, the first communication device 6 in the same communication area 4. It is assumed that communication with the second communication device 8 is impossible, that is, the specific low-power wireless line 7 is one line, but the number of lines may be two or more. If it is 2 or more, even if communication instructions compete for the same communication area and the same communication time, they can be executed at the same time, and the necessity for adjusting the priority is further reduced. If so, it will still be necessary to determine priorities.
[0044]
<3> In the above embodiment, the first and second communication paths are the public line network 5 and the specific low-power wireless line, respectively, but may be communication lines of other communication methods. For example, the second communication path may use a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) transceiver mode. Further, the second communication path may be a wired communication path instead of these wireless lines. In this case, even if the first communication device 6 and each second communication device 8 are individually connected on a one-to-one basis within one communication area 4, the first communication device 6 and each second communication device are also connected. 8 may be connected to one bus wiring.
[0045]
<4> In the above-described embodiment, the automatic meter-reading proxy assuming the gas meter 2a, the electric meter 2b, the water meter 2c, etc. as the communication target device 2 has been described as an example. However, the communication target device 2 and the communication purpose are described in the above embodiment. It is not limited to those.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a communication proxy system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a communication proxy device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a first communication device.
FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a second communication device.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship between the second communication device and a communication target device.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of list data
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of each procedure in the preparation process.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of list data
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of list data
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of list data
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of each procedure in the communication process (first case).
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a data format of communication data
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of each procedure in the communication process (second case).
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Communication proxy device
2: Communication target device
3: Relay station
4: Communication area
5: Public network
6: First communication device
7: Specific low-power radio link
8: Second communication device
9: Internet
10: Computer terminal
10a: Display screen
11: Communication instruction input unit
12: Communication order management means
13: Storage means
14: List data generation and storage means
15: List data output means
16: Communications department
17: Communication interface
18: Communication interface
19: Communication control unit
20: First communication path interface unit
20a: Modem circuit part
20b: Interface circuit section
21: Second communication path interface unit
21a: Wireless transceiver
21b: Interface circuit section
22: Communication control unit
22a: Microcomputer
22b: Memory
23: Second communication path interface section
23a: Wireless transceiver
23b: Interface circuit section
24: Communication target device interface section
24a to 24d: Communication target device communication unit
24e: Interface circuit section
25: Communication control unit
25a: Microcomputer
25b: Memory
26: Measuring section
27: Communication Department

Claims (7)

1 or 2 or more and the first communication path in the communication per area and the first communication apparatus provided communicably, the second communication path to be capable of communicating with the first communication device via the respective communication areas A communication proxy device that manages and executes communication with a communication target device that is communicably connected to the second communication device based on a communication instruction from a communication requester via the provided second communication device. There,
A communication instruction input unit for receiving the communication instruction;
Communication order management means for determining a communication order for communication with the communication target device related to a plurality of communication instructions input from the communication instruction input unit;
The first communication device is communicably connected via the first communication path, and the first communication device and the second communication device are configured to communicate with each other based on the communication instruction and the communication order determined by the communication order management means. A communication unit that executes communication with the communication target device according to the communication instruction,
The communication order management means, when the plurality of communication instructions are communication instructions from the different communication requesters to the communication target device in the same communication area, and the communication time zones overlap each other, Comparing each priority parameter included in a plurality of communication instructions, to determine the priority of communication based on each communication instruction ,
The communication instruction input unit receives the communication instruction including the priority parameter input by the communication requester . The communication proxy device according to claim 1, wherein the priority parameter is communication cost or data that can be converted into communication cost.   A list data generating / storing unit for generating list data representing a reception status of the communication instruction and storing the list data in a predetermined storage unit; and a list data output unit for outputting the list data to at least the communication requester. The communication proxy device according to claim 1, wherein the communication proxy device is provided. For communication purposes including emergency control and control, the priority of communication for each communication purpose is determined. The communication proxy device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication order management means determines a priority order based on the priority parameter . A first communication device provided to be communicable with the first communication path for each of one or more communication areas;
A second communication device provided for communication with the first communication device via a second communication path for each communication area;
A communication target device communicably connected to the second communication device;
The communication proxy device according to claim 1, 2 , 3 or 4 ,
Communication agency system comprising At least two of the communication target devices are connected to all or a part of the second communication devices existing in the same communication area as communication targets of the different communication requesters, respectively. The communication proxy system according to claim 5 . The communication proxy system according to claim 6, wherein the at least two communication target devices include at least two of a gas meter, an electric meter, and a water meter.

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