JP6079719B2 - Meter reading data collection system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an aggregation device and a meter reading data aggregation system for collecting meter reading data (meter reading data) from customers such as electricity, gas, and water via communication.

  Patent Document 1 relates to a power meter reading method and a power meter reading system for collecting meter reading values from a power consumer via wireless communication, and in particular, can effectively expand the communication range of wireless communication and wirelessly. Techniques have been proposed for allowing meter readings to be collected from customers who are present in quiet areas through communication.

JP 2012-105010 A

  As described in Patent Literature 1, the aggregation device transmits the meter reading data received from the meter to the center server via the network. When the communication unit to be transmitted to the center server fails, the reading value is lost in the meter reading database stored in the center server. In order to store missing meter reading values in the meter reading database, the meter reader goes around the customer one by one using the portable terminal, and the meter reader needs to perform meter reading work until the aggregation device is restored. In order to avoid this, a plurality of communication units to be transmitted to the center server may be redundantly provided, but this leads to an increase in the cost of the aggregation device. Even if the communication unit to be transmitted to the center server is made redundant, if the communication line to the network is defective, the aggregation device may transmit the meter reading data received from the meter to the center server via the network. Can not.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and even when communication with the center server is not possible, the redundancy of the communication unit is reduced and the occurrence of missing meter reading values in the meter reading database of the center server is suppressed. An object is to provide an aggregation device and a meter reading data aggregation system.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the aggregation device of the present invention includes a storage unit capable of collecting and storing a plurality of meter reading data input from a consumer instrument, and the stored meter reading data. A first communication unit capable of communicating with the center server via a network, a second communication unit capable of wireless communication, and when the first communication unit cannot communicate with the center server, a peripheral connection to the second communication unit A control unit that transmits a connection request to a destination device and transmits meter-reading data stored in the storage unit to the connection destination device that has established a communication connection.

  When the center server and the first communication unit cannot communicate with each other, the meter reading data collected by the second communication unit having established communication with the connection destination device can be transmitted. For this reason, meter-reading data can be sent to a center server via a connection destination apparatus, and lack of meter-reading values is suppressed in the meter-reading database of a center server. Customer satisfaction can be maintained by reducing the loss of meter reading data.

  As a desirable aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the second communication unit receives meter reading data from the meter and inputs it to the storage unit. Thereby, the 2nd communication part can collect a meter-reading value via wireless communication from not only the redundancy of the 1st communication part but the electric power consumer.

  As a desirable mode of the present invention, it further includes a third communication unit capable of power line communication with the meter, and the third communication unit receives meter reading data from the meter and inputs it to the storage unit. As a result, the aggregation device can support both power line communication and wireless communication as a path for receiving meter reading data from a meter.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and the meter-reading data aggregation system of the present invention includes a center server and a plurality of aggregation devices described above, and one of the plurality of aggregation devices is the center server. When communication with the aggregation device is impossible, the aggregation device adjacent to the aggregation device becomes the connection destination device. As a result, since the center server and the first communication unit cannot communicate with each other, it is necessary to compensate for the lack of meter reading data. However, the meter reader goes around the customer one by one using a mobile terminal, The need for meter reading until recovery is reduced. In addition, it is possible to secure time for repairing the aggregation device that cannot communicate with the center server. As a result, a maintenance plan for the aggregation device can be easily drafted.

  As a desirable mode of the present invention, the aggregation device serving as the connection destination device stores meter reading data of the aggregation device that cannot communicate with the center server in the storage unit via the second communication unit, and serves as the connection destination device. It is preferable to transmit the data to the center server separately from the meter-reading data that is aggregated by the aggregation device itself and stored in the storage unit. As a result, the meter reading data of the aggregation device that cannot communicate with the center server is collectively stored in the aggregation device that is the connection destination device and transmitted to the center server. For this reason, even if there is a problem with the communication line to be transmitted to the center server, the aggregation device that is the connection destination device transmits the meter reading data of the aggregation device that cannot communicate with the center server to the center server via the network via another route. Will be able to.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and the meter-reading data aggregation system of the present invention includes a center server, a plurality of the aggregation devices described above, and a portable terminal, and the portable terminal is configured to perform the wireless communication. When the mobile terminal moves within a possible communication range, the portable terminal becomes the connection destination device. Thereby, even if it is a case where meter-reading data cannot be transferred to the aggregation apparatus adjacent to the aggregation apparatus which cannot communicate with a center server, a portable terminal becomes a connecting point apparatus and can receive meter-reading data collectively. For this reason, the meter reader can easily obtain the meter reading data that could not be transmitted to the center server even if the meter reader goes around the customer one by one using the portable terminal and does not perform the meter reading operation until the aggregation device is restored. Can be acquired and stored in the meter reading database of the center server. As a result, the meter reading database of the center server is suppressed from missing meter reading values. Customer satisfaction can be maintained by reducing the loss of meter reading data.

  According to the present invention, even when communication with the center server is not possible, an aggregation device and a meter reading data aggregation system are provided that reduce the redundancy of the communication unit and suppress the occurrence of missing meter reading values in the meter reading database of the center server. can do.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a meter reading data aggregation system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the meter reading data aggregation system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the meter reading data collection method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of additional information added to meter-reading data transmitted by the aggregation device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another meter reading data collection method according to this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the following modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments). In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those in a so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the constituent elements disclosed in the following embodiments can be appropriately combined.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a meter reading data aggregation system according to the present embodiment. The meter-reading data collection system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to consumers such as electricity, gas, and water, and has a plurality (n) of measuring instruments HA1 that measure the amount of use of electricity, gas, and water, HA1,. Meter HAn with communication function, multiple (N) device installation areas D1, such as utility poles, and multiple (N) aggregation devices CD1,..., Aggregation device CDN installed in the device installation region DN, and a network NW and center server MDS are included. Note that n and N are natural numbers larger than one.

  Aggregation device CD1,..., Aggregation device CDN is a communication function meter HA1,..., A meter reading value measured by meter with communication function HAn every predetermined time (timed meter reading) or every predetermined event (power failure, etc.) The meter reading value stored in is transmitted and received by wireless communication, wired communication or the like. The aggregation device CD1,..., The aggregation device CDN can collect the meter reading values measured by the meter HA1 with communication function, the meter HAn with communication function, and store them as meter reading data. Then, each of the aggregation devices CD1 to CDN transmits (transmits) the stored meter-reading data to the center server MDS via the network NW.

  As described above, the aggregation devices CD1 to CDN can easily transmit the meter reading data to the center server MDS (host device). The aggregation device CD1,..., The aggregation device CDN continues to increase every time the meter HA1 with communication function,.

[Aggregator]
When the aggregation device CDN is newly installed, the aggregation device CDN is often installed in a device installation area DN such as on a pillar with a poor scaffold. The aggregation device CDN is a so-called pocket computer, portable personal computer, or workstation in consideration of portability in consideration of a poor installation area such as a pillar. The aggregation device CDN includes a control unit 11 having a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory as calculation means, a first communication unit 12, a second communication unit 13, a third communication unit 14, and a storage unit. 15 is provided. The storage unit 15 stores, as meter reading data, a computer program (hereinafter referred to as a program), initial setting information to be described later, and a meter reading value measured by the meter HA1 with a communication function, and a meter HAn with a communication function. And flash memory. The CPU of the control unit 11 implements various functions as calculation means by reading out and writing the program stored in the storage unit 15 to the memory and executing it.

  The first communication unit 12 is a communication unit for connecting to the network NW, and enables wired communication or wireless communication. The communication interface is, for example, a communication circuit K1, to a network adapter for connecting to the network NW via the communication circuit KN, a modem for connecting to the public telephone line network, or the like.

  The second communication unit 13 uses a communication board (infrastructure) such as a low-power radio (for example, a radio system with a frequency of 920 MHz band and a radio output of 10 mW or less), a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), etc. A wireless communication network is constructed with the HA 1 to the instrument HAn with a communication function.

  The third communication unit 14 is connected to at least one of the meter HA1 with communication function to the meter HAn with communication function by a wired PC, and is connected to a power line communication (PLC (Power Line Communication)), a dedicated line (information transmission for power system control). Wired communication with meter HA1 with a communication function that cannot communicate wirelessly using a communication infrastructure (infrastructure) such as a system (CDT: Cyclic Digital data Transmission equipment), metal wire, optical fiber, etc. A net is being built. The third communication unit 14 may be omitted if it is not connected to at least one of the meter HA1 with communication function to the meter HAn with communication function by a wired PC.

[server]
The network NW includes a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, a power line communication (PLC (Power Line Communication)), a dedicated line (a power transmission system control information transmission system (CDT)). , Metal wires, optical fibers, etc.).

  The center server MDS is a computer system. Each of the center servers MDS is connected to the input / output display terminal C1 via the local area network LNW. The input / output display terminal C1 is a user interface that receives an operation input from the user with respect to the center server MDS, and is a user interface that provides visual information to the user.

  The center server MDS includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21, a read only memory (ROM) 23, a random access memory (RAM) 22, a storage device 25, and a center communication unit 24. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a storage device 25, and a center communication unit 24 are connected by an internal bus.

  The ROM 23 stores a program such as BIOS (Basic Input Output System). The storage device 25 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, or the like, and stores an operating system program, an application program, and a program for automatically setting a metering data aggregation device according to the present embodiment. The CPU 21 is a calculation means, and implements various functions by executing programs stored in the ROM 23 and the storage device 25 while using the RAM 22 as a work area.

  The center communication unit 24 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW, and enables wired communication or wireless communication. The communication interface is, for example, a network adapter for connecting to the network NW via the communication circuit KM, a modem for connecting to the public telephone line network, or the like.

  The center server MDS functions as a storage area for a meter reading database (DB) in which the storage device 25 stores meter reading data. Thus, the center server MDS is a storage area management unit that manages meter reading data stored in the storage device 25.

[Measurement data collection method]
Hereinafter, the meter reading data aggregation system 100 and the meter reading data collection method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the meter reading data aggregation system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the meter reading data collection method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of additional information added to meter-reading data transmitted by the aggregation device according to the present embodiment.

  When the aggregation device CD1 stores the meter reading data as the first aggregation device and transmits it to the center server, the network monitoring function checks whether the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CD1 can communicate with the center server MDS. If the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CD1 sends packet information to the center server MDS, and the center server sends back this packet information, the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CD1 can communicate with the center server MDS. . If the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CD1 sends packet information to the center server MDS, and the center server sends back this packet information, the first communication unit 12 can communicate with the center server MDS (step S11). No), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S12. And the 1st communication part 12 transmits meter-reading data memorized by storage part 15 to center server MDS (Step S12).

  If the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CD1 sends packet information to the center server MDS and the center server does not send back this packet information, the communication of the first communication unit 12 becomes impossible, and the first communication unit 12 Since it cannot communicate with the center server MDS (step S11, Yes), the control part 11 advances a process to step S13. When the first communication unit 12 cannot communicate with the center server MDS, the control unit 11 causes the second communication unit 13 to transmit a connection request to surrounding connection destination devices (step S13).

  As the second aggregation device shown in FIG. 2, the aggregation device CD2 is adjacent to the aggregation device CD1, and is in the communication area D in which the wireless communication W of the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation device CD1 can be transmitted and received and wireless communication is possible. The aggregation device CD2 receives the connection request of the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation device CD1 (step S21). Then, the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation device CD2 transmits a connection permission to the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation device CD1 (step S22).

  The control unit 11 of the aggregation device CD1 receives the connection permission from the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation device CD2, and establishes a connection with the aggregation device CD2 (step S14). Then, the control unit 11 of the aggregation device CD1 causes the meter reading data stored in the storage unit 15 of the aggregation device CD1 to be transmitted to the aggregation device CD2 that is a connection destination device with which communication connection has been established (step S15).

  The aggregation device CD2 stores the meter reading data of the aggregation device CD1 in the storage unit 15 (step S23). Then, the aggregation device CD2 transmits the meter reading data of the aggregation device CD1 to the center server MDS (step S24). As shown in FIG. 4, the aggregation device CD2 aggregates the meter reading data of the aggregation device CD1 that cannot communicate with the center server MDS, and stores it in the storage unit 15. For example, in the data DN1, the commuting device number transmitted to the center server MDS is CD2, and the additional information obtained by adding the aggregate device number of the aggregation device CD1 that aggregates the meter reading values of the aggregation area A1 shown in FIG. 2 to the meter reading data DD1. Has been granted. In the data DN2, the commuting device number transmitted to the center server MDS is CD2, and additional information to which the aggregation device number of the aggregation device CD2 that aggregates the meter reading values of the aggregation area A2 shown in FIG. 2 is added is added to the meter reading data DD2. ing. Thereby, the aggregation device CD2 distinguishes the meter reading data DD1 transferred from the aggregation device CD1 from the meter reading data DD2 that is aggregated and stored in the storage unit 15 by the aggregation device CD2 itself, and collects the data DG to the center server MDS. Can be sent as

  The center server MDS stores the meter reading data sent from the aggregation device CD2 or the aggregation device CD1 in the meter reading database of the storage device 25 (step S31).

  By executing a program for processing the meter reading data collection method as described above on a computer, the aggregation device CD2 can transmit the meter reading data DD1 to the center server MDS even when the aggregation device CD1 cannot communicate with the center server. it can.

  As described above, the aggregation devices CD1 and CD2 include the storage unit 15, the first communication unit 12, the second communication unit 13, and the control unit 11. The memory | storage part 15 can collect and memorize | store the several meter-reading data input from meter HA1 with a communication function of a consumer ... and meter HAn with a communication function. The first communication unit 12 can transmit the stored meter reading data DD1 and DD2 to the center server MDS via the network NW. When the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CD1 cannot communicate with the center server MDS, the control unit 11 of the aggregation device CD1 surrounds the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation device CD1. A connection request is transmitted to the connection destination device by wireless communication. The control unit 11 of the aggregation device CD1 causes the meter reading data stored in the storage unit 15 of the aggregation device CD1 to be transmitted to the aggregation device CD2 having established communication connection.

  When the center server MDS and the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CD1 cannot communicate, the meter reading data aggregated by the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation device CD1, which has established communication with the aggregation device CD2, can be transmitted. For this reason, the aggregation device CD1 can send the meter reading data DD1 to the center server MDS via the aggregation device CD2, and the meter reading database of the center server MDS is suppressed from missing meter values. Customer satisfaction is maintained by reducing the loss of meter reading data.

  It is preferable that the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation devices CD1 and CD2 receives meter reading data from the meter HA1 with a communication function of the consumer, to the meter HAn with a communication function and inputs the data to the storage unit 15. Thereby, the 2nd communication part 13 can collect not only the redundancy of the 1st communication part 12, but the meter-reading value via a wireless communication from the consumer of electric power. For this reason, it is not necessary to have a plurality of first communication units 12, and the manufacturing costs of the aggregation devices CD1 and CD2 are reduced.

  The aggregation devices CD1 and CD2 further include a third communication unit capable of power line communication with the meter HA1 with a communication function of a consumer and the meter HAn with a communication function, and the third communication unit 14 receives meter reading data from the meter. And input to the storage unit. Thereby, the aggregation devices CD1 and CD2 can cope with both power line communication and wireless communication as a path for receiving meter reading data from the meter HA1 with communication function to the meter HAn with communication function.

  As described above, the meter-reading data aggregation system 100 includes the center server MDS, the aggregation devices CD1,..., And the aggregation device CDN, and when one of the plurality of aggregation devices, for example, the aggregation device CD1 cannot communicate with the center server MDS. The aggregation device CD2 adjacent to the aggregation device CD1 is the connection destination device. As a result, since the center server MDS and the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CD1 cannot communicate, it is necessary to compensate for the lack of meter reading data, but the meter reader goes around the customer one by one using the mobile terminal, The need for the meter reader to perform the meter reading operation until the recovery of the aggregation device CD1 is reduced. In addition, it is possible to secure time for repairing the aggregation device CD1 that cannot communicate with the center server MDS. As a result, a maintenance plan for the aggregation device CD1 can be easily drafted.

  The aggregation device CD2 stores the meter reading data of the aggregation device CD1 that cannot communicate with the center server in the storage unit 15 via the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation device CD2, and the aggregation device CD2 itself aggregates and stores it in the storage unit 15. It is transmitted to the center server MDS separately from the meter reading data DD2. Thereby, the meter reading data DD1 of the aggregation device CD1 that cannot communicate with the center server MDS is stored together with the meter reading data DD2 in the aggregation device CD2 and transmitted to the center server MDS. For this reason, even if the communication line K1 transmitted to the center server MDS is defective, the aggregation device CD2 transmits the meter reading data of the aggregation device that cannot communicate with the center server via the network via the communication line K2 of another route. It becomes possible to transmit to MDS.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another meter reading data collection method according to this embodiment. Another meter reading data collection method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the case where the aggregation device CD2 adjacent to the aggregation device CD1 is the connection destination device is not possible between the aggregation device CD1 and the aggregation device CD2, for example, it may not be in the communication area D. In this case, the mobile terminal HT shown in FIG. The portable terminal HT includes a control unit 31 including a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory as a calculation unit, a storage unit 32, and a terminal communication unit 33. The storage unit 32 stores a computer program (hereinafter referred to as a program) and meter reading data, for example, a hard disk drive or a flash memory. The CPU of the control unit 31 implements various functions as calculation means by reading out and writing the program stored in the storage unit 32 into the memory. The terminal communication unit 33 uses a communication board (infrastructure) such as a low-power radio (for example, a radio system with a frequency of 920 MHz band and a radio output of 10 mW or less), a wireless LAN (LAN: Local Area Network), etc. Is building a wireless communication network.

  When the aggregation device CDN stores the meter reading data as the first aggregation device and transmits it to the center server, the network monitoring function checks whether the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CDN can communicate with the center server MDS. If the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CDN sends packet information to the center server MDS, and the center server sends back this packet information, the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CD1 can communicate with the center server MDS. . If the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CDN sends packet information to the center server MDS, and the center server MDS sends back this packet information, the first communication unit 12 can communicate with the center server MDS (steps). (S41, No), the control part 11 advances a process to step S42. Then, the first communication unit 12 transmits the meter reading data stored in the storage unit 15 to the center server MDS (step S42).

  If the first communication unit 12 of the aggregation device CDN sends the packet information to the center server MDS, and the center server MDS does not send back this packet information, the communication of the first communication unit 12 becomes impossible, and the first communication unit 12 Cannot communicate with the center server MDS (step S41, Yes), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S43. When the first communication unit 12 cannot communicate with the center server MDS, the control unit 11 causes the second communication unit 13 to transmit a connection request to surrounding connection destination devices (step S43).

  A portable terminal (hereinafter referred to as a handy terminal) HT shown in FIG. 2 can receive a connection request when in the communication area D capable of wireless communication. The handy terminal HT receives a connection request for the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation device CDN (step S51). Then, the terminal communication unit 33 of the handy terminal HT transmits a connection permission to the second communication unit 13 of the aggregation device CDN (step S52).

  When there is no response to the connection request (No at Step S44), the control unit 11 of the aggregation device CDN continues to transmit the connection request (Step S43). When there is a response to the connection request (step S44, Yes), the control unit 11 of the aggregation device CDN receives the connection permission from the terminal communication unit 33 and connects to the handy terminal HT. Is established (step S45). Then, the control unit 11 of the aggregation device CDN causes the meter reading data stored in the storage unit 15 of the aggregation device CDN to be transmitted to the handy terminal HT that is the connection destination device with which communication connection has been established (step S46).

  The handy terminal HT stores the meter reading data of the aggregation device CD1 in the storage unit 32 (step S53). Then, the handy terminal HT keeps the meter reading data of the aggregation device CD1 in the center server MDS, and directly connects and transmits the data (step S54).

  The center server MDS stores the meter reading data transmitted from the handy terminal HT or the aggregation device CDN in the meter reading database of the storage device 25 (step S61).

  As described above, the meter-reading data aggregation system 100 includes the center server MDS, the aggregation device N, and the handy terminal HT. When the handy terminal HT moves to a communication area where wireless communication is possible, the handy terminal HT Becomes the connected device. Thereby, even if it is a case where meter-reading data cannot be transferred to the aggregation apparatus adjacent to the aggregation apparatus CDN which cannot communicate with center server MDS, the handy terminal HT becomes a connection destination apparatus and can receive meter-reading data collectively. For this reason, the meter reader uses the portable terminal to read the meter reading data that could not be transmitted to the center server MDS without going through the metering work until the aggregation device CDN was restored. It can be easily acquired and stored in the meter reading database of the center server MDS. As a result, in the meter reading database of the center server MDS, missing of the meter reading value is suppressed. Customer satisfaction can be maintained by reducing the loss of meter reading data.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Control part 12 1st communication part 13 2nd communication part 14 3rd communication part 15 Memory | storage part 24 Center communication part 25 Memory | storage device 31 Control part 32 Memory | storage part 33 Terminal communication part 100 Meter-reading data aggregation system HT Handy terminal CD1, ... CDN aggregation device D1, DN device installation area HA1, HAn instrument MDS center server NW network

Claims (1)

A center server,
A plurality of aggregation devices,
The aggregation device is
A storage unit capable of collecting and storing a plurality of meter reading data input from a consumer instrument;
A first communication unit capable of communicating the stored meter-reading data to a center server via a network;
A second communication unit capable of wireless communication with the instrument and other aggregation devices ;
A third communication unit capable of power line communication with the instrument;
A control unit for transmitting a meter reading data before term memory unit is stored in the center server,
Equipped with a,
The second communication unit and the third communication unit have a function of receiving meter reading data from the meter and inputting it to the storage unit,
When the first communication unit cannot communicate with the center server, the control unit causes the second communication unit to transmit a connection request to surrounding connection destination devices, and for the connection destination device with which communication connection is established, The meter reading data stored in the storage unit is transmitted,
When one of the plurality of aggregation devices cannot communicate with the center server, an aggregation device adjacent to the aggregation device becomes the connection destination device,
The aggregation device as the connection destination device transfers the meter reading data of the aggregation device that cannot communicate with the center server to the center server,
The aggregation device serving as the connection destination device stores meter reading data of the aggregation device that cannot communicate with the center server in the storage unit via the second communication unit, and the aggregation device itself serving as the connection destination device aggregates the data. A meter reading data collection system that transmits the data to the center server separately from the meter reading data stored in the storage unit .

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