JP7052251B2 - Power information collection system and power information collection method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power information collection system and a power information collection method.

In recent years, electric power information communication systems have been developed that measure the amount of electric power consumed at home and at work for the purpose of saving electric power and transmit it to a server of an electric power company or the like. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-67557) discloses the following techniques.

That is, in the communication route construction method, a communication route between the parent communication terminal and the child communication terminal in a communication network including a parent communication terminal and a plurality of child communication terminals is constructed, and the communication terminal is used. , The communication quality notification step of transmitting a notification communication packet including communication quality information indicating the communication quality in the communication route between the own communication terminal and the parent communication terminal to the communication network by broadcast communication, and the communication of the child. When the terminal receives the notification communication packet, the communication quality from the communication terminal of the transmission source of the notification communication packet to the own communication terminal is acquired, and the transmission source of the notification communication packet transmitted from the own communication terminal. The communication quality acquisition step for acquiring the communication quality to the communication terminal, the bidirectional communication quality acquired by the child communication terminal receiving the notification communication packet in the communication quality acquisition step, and the received notification communication. The communication quality between the parent communication terminal and the own communication terminal is calculated based on the communication quality information included in the packet, and only when the calculated communication quality satisfies a predetermined condition, the parent communication terminal can be used. It includes a communication route construction step for constructing a communication route between a communication terminal and a self-communication terminal.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-67557

G3-PLC® Alliance, "Narrowband OFDM PLC specializations for G3-PLC networks", G3-PLC Alliance, October 2014

In the communication network described in Patent Document 1, for example, the master unit periodically acquires power information from a slave unit managed by itself, and transmits the acquired power information to a higher-level device. When a communication failure occurs between the master unit itself or between the master unit and the host device, power information is lost in the host device. In such a case, the missing power information may be transmitted in the communication network by requesting the missing power information by the host device.

However, when the power information is transmitted at the request of the host device, the increase in communication load may affect other processing. Further, in the host device, extra processing is required to supplement the missing power information.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is a power information collection system and a power information collection method capable of suppressing a loss of power information in a communication network for collecting power information. Is to provide.

(1) In order to solve the above problems, the power information collecting system according to a certain aspect of the present invention includes a child device for acquiring power information and a plurality of parent devices capable of communicating with the child device via a power line. The child device establishes a communication connection with the first parent device, transmits the power information to the first parent device, and the child device causes a communication failure in the first parent device. If so, a communication connection is established with the second parent device, and the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device is transmitted to the second parent device.

(6) In order to solve the above problems, the power information collecting method according to a certain aspect of the present invention includes a child device for acquiring power information and a plurality of parent devices capable of communicating with the child device via a power line. A method for collecting power information in a power information collecting system provided, wherein the child device establishes a communication connection with the first parent device and transmits the power information to the first parent device, and the child. When a communication failure occurs in the first parent device, the device establishes a communication connection with the second parent device and transmits the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device to the second parent device. Includes steps to send to.

The present invention can be realized not only as a power information collecting system provided with such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a child device provided with such a characteristic processing unit, or provided with such a characteristic processing unit. It can be realized as a parent device. Further, the present invention can be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of the power information acquisition system.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the loss of power information in a communication network that collects power information.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power information collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of each device and wiring state in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a network topology in the power information acquisition system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a comparative example of a sequence when power information is transmitted. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a master device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a list of normal child devices held by the parent device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a list of backup slave devices held by the parent device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a list of normal child devices held by the parent device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a list of backup slave devices held by the parent device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a slave device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a list of normal parent devices held by a child device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a backup parent device list held by a child device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence when a communication failure occurs in the parent device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence when the parent device according to the embodiment of the present invention recovers from a communication failure.

First, the contents of the embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described.

(1) The power information collecting system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a child device for acquiring power information and a plurality of parent devices capable of communicating with the child device via a power line, and the child device is a child device. A communication connection is established with the first parent device, the power information is transmitted to the first parent device, and the child device has a second parent device when a communication failure occurs in the first parent device. A communication connection is established with the parent device, and the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device is transmitted to the second parent device.

With such a configuration, when the first parent device is normal, power information can be transmitted to the higher-level device via the first parent device, and a communication failure occurs in the first parent device. In this case, since the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device can be transmitted to the higher-level device via the second parent device, it is possible to suppress the loss of the power information in the communication network that collects the power information. Can be done. As a result, the host device does not have to request the missing power information, so that it is possible to prevent the influence of the increase in the communication load on other processes and the occurrence of extra processes in the host device.

(2) Preferably, the child device is the second parent device as the parent device that should establish a communication connection when a communication failure occurs in the first parent device to which the child device should establish a communication connection. Holds connection destination information that can be specified.

In this way, with the configuration that holds the connection destination information that can identify the second parent device for backup, when a communication failure occurs in the first parent device, for example, communication connection is performed without searching for the parent device. The destination can be quickly switched to the second parent device.

(3) Preferably, when the communication failure in the first parent device is resolved, the second parent device disconnects the communication connection with the child device and the first child device is connected to the child device. Performs processing to establish a communication connection with the parent device of.

With such a configuration, the communication connection destination of the child device can be changed from the second parent device for backup to the first parent device that the child device should originally communicate with, so that the power in the child device can be changed. The destination of the information can be restored.

(4) Preferably, the first parent device notifies the second parent device that the communication failure in itself has been resolved.

With such a configuration, the second parent device for backup can recognize that the communication failure in the first parent device has been resolved, so that the process for terminating the process as backup is performed. Can be done.

(5) Preferably, the power information collecting system includes a plurality of the child devices, and the parent device has an identifier of the child device for which a communication connection should be established with itself, and a communication connection with another parent device. Holds child device information including the identifier of the child device to be established.

With such a configuration, the parent device can recognize the child device to be managed by itself and the child device to be backed up based on the child device information. Therefore, for example, a connection request from the child device to be backed up can be received. It can be quickly accepted, or the child device being backed up can be extracted as a child device to be detached when the communication failure in another parent device is resolved.

(6) The power information collecting method according to the embodiment of the present invention is a power in a power information collecting system including a child device for acquiring power information and a plurality of parent devices capable of communicating with the child device via a power line. In the information gathering method, the child device establishes a communication connection with the first parent device and transmits the power information to the first parent device, and the child device is the first. When a communication failure occurs in the parent device, the step includes establishing a communication connection with the second parent device and transmitting the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device to the second parent device. ..

With such a configuration, when the first parent device is normal, power information can be transmitted to the higher-level device via the first parent device, and a communication failure occurs in the first parent device. In this case, since the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device can be transmitted to the higher-level device via the second parent device, it is possible to suppress the loss of the power information in the communication network that collects the power information. Can be done. As a result, the host device does not have to request the missing power information, so that it is possible to prevent the influence of the increase in the communication load on other processes and the occurrence of extra processes in the host device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[Configuration and basic operation]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power information collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, the power information collection system 301 includes a plurality of smart meters 101, a plurality of concentrators 102, and a server 103. The server 103 is, for example, a headend. A smart meter is an example of a power information acquisition device. The concentrator 102 is an example of a parent device. The server 103 is an example of a host device.

The power information collection system 301 is not limited to the configuration including one server 103, but may be configured to include a plurality of servers 103.

The electric power information collection system 301 is used, for example, in an apartment house 151. Each smart meter 101 is connected to the concentrator 102 via a power line 161. Specifically, for example, a plurality of power lines 161 are arranged in the vertical direction of the upper and lower floors in an apartment house 151, and a smart meter 101 is connected to each floor.

The smart meter 101 and the concentrator 102 exchange various information by, for example, power line communication using the power line 161.

The smart meter 101 is a slave unit in power line communication, and the concentrator 102 is a master unit in the power line communication. Hereinafter, the smart meter 101 and the concentrator 102 are also referred to as a child device 101 and a parent device 102, respectively.

The slave device 101 is a power measuring instrument with a communication function. The child device 101 periodically acquires power information indicating the power consumed in the home or business establishment to be measured, for example, every 30 minutes, and transmits the acquired power information to the parent device 102.

Further, the child device 101 can communicate with the parent device 102 via another child device 101. That is, the child device 101 has a function of relaying communication between the other child device 101 and the parent device 102.

Specifically, the child device 101 may directly transmit the acquired power information to the parent device 102 without going through another child device 101, and the child device 101 may transmit the acquired power information to one or a plurality of other children. It may be transmitted to the parent device 102 via the device 101.

The parent device 102 and the server 103 exchange various information via the Internet 10 by wired communication or wireless communication.

Further, the parent device 102 exchanges various information with another parent device 102, for example, by wire communication.

The parent device 102 receives power information from each child device 101, aggregates the received power information, and transmits the received power information to the server 103. The parent device 102 may individually transmit the received power information to the server 103.

Communication between the parent device 102 and the child device 101, and communication between each child device 101 are described in, for example, Non-Patent Document 1 (G3-PLC Alliance, "Narrowband OFDM PLC specializations for G3-PLC networks", G3-PLC Alliance, 2014. It is carried out in accordance with the G3-PLC standard described in (October, 2014).

Further, for example, the information transmitted / received between the child device 101, the parent device 102, and the server 103 is encrypted and decrypted according to a predetermined method.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of each device and wiring state in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 typically shows two power lines 161A and 161B in an apartment house 151.

With reference to FIG. 2, for example, 6.6 kV of three-phase AC power is supplied from the power system 171 to the apartment house 151. The AC power from the power system 171 is converted into 200 V single-phase three-wire AC power by transformers 104A and 104B, for example, and supplied to each floor.

A transformer 104A, a communication coupler 105A, and a parent device 102A, which is a parent device 102, are connected to the power line 161A. Further, for example, 50 child devices 101A, which are child devices 101, are connected to the power line 161A.

A transformer 104B, a communication coupler 105B, and a parent device 102B, which is a parent device 102, are connected to the power line 161B. Further, for example, 50 child devices 101B, which are child devices 101, are connected to the power line 161B.

In addition, 49 or less or 51 or more slave devices 101A may be connected to the power line 161A. Further, 49 or less or 51 or more slave devices 101B may be connected to the power line 161B. Further, the power information collecting system 301 is not limited to the configuration including the parent devices 102A and 102B, and may be configured to include three or more parent devices 102.

The communication couplers 105A and 105B are connected via a signal line. For example, the communication coupler 105A takes out the PLC signal in the power line 161A and transmits it to the signal line, and transmits the PLC signal from the signal line to the power line 161A.

Similarly, the communication coupler 105B takes out the PLC signal in the power line 161B and transmits it to the signal line, and transmits the PLC signal from the signal line to the power line 161B, for example.

As a result, the child device 101A connected to the power line 161A can communicate with the parent device 102B connected to the power line 161B via the communication couplers 105A and 105B.

Similarly, the child device 101B connected to the power line 161B can communicate with the parent device 102A connected to the power line 161A via the communication couplers 105B and 105A.

Hereinafter, each of the transformers 104A and 104B is also referred to as a transformer 104. Each of the power lines 161A and 161B is also referred to as a power line 161. Each of the communication couplers 105A and 105B is also referred to as a communication coupler 105.

The child device 101 has a MAC (Media Access Control) address as an example of a device-specific identifier. The MAC address is set, for example, when the device is manufactured.

Specifically, the 50 child devices 101A each have MAC addresses of MAC-A001 to MAC-A050. The 50 child devices 101B each have MAC addresses of MAC-B001 to MAC-B050.

[Network Topology]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a network topology in the power information acquisition system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 3, the parent device 102 and the child device 101 have, for example, a PAN_ID (Personal Area Network Identification) and a short address. PAN_ID is an example of information that can identify the parent device 102.

Each parent device 102 has a different PAN_ID. Further, the short address of each parent device 102 is set to, for example, zero. In this example, the parent device 102 is identified by PAN_ID and a short address of zero.

The parent device 102 manages one or a plurality of child devices 101, and exchanges authentication information, power information, and the like with the child device 101 to be managed.

The child device 101 establishes a communication connection with the parent device 102, which is a transmission destination of power information. Specifically, the child device 101A having the MAC address of MAC-A001 (hereinafter, also referred to as a child device 101A-1) establishes a communication connection with, for example, the parent device 102A when it is not under the control of the parent device 102. ..

In this case, the child device 101A-1 directly exchanges authentication information, power information, and the like with the parent device 102A.

Further, when the child device 101A having the MAC address of MAC-A002 and MAC-A003 (hereinafter, also referred to as child devices 101A-2 and 101A-3, respectively) is not under the control of the parent device 102, the child device 101A- A communication connection is established with the parent device 102A via 1.

In this case, the child devices 101A-2 and 101A-3 exchange authentication information, power information, and the like with the parent device 102A via the child device 101A-1.

That is, the child device 101A-1 serves as a hop destination for relaying information exchanged between the parent device 102A and the child devices 101A-2 and 101A-3. The child devices 101A-2 and 101A-3 may establish a communication connection with the parent device 102A without going through the child device 101A-1.

The PAN_ID of the parent device 102A and the child devices 101A-1, 101A-2, 101A-3 under the control of the parent device 102A is, for example, "0001".

Similarly, the PAN_ID of the child device 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A004 to MAC-A050 (not shown) is "0001".

Further, in each device having the same PAN_ID, a short address which is a different identifier is given. Specifically, the short addresses of the child devices 101A-1, 101A-2, and 101A-3 are non-zero values and do not overlap with each other, for example, "1", "2", and "3", respectively. ..

The child device 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A004 to MAC-A050 (not shown) establishes a communication connection with the parent device 102A in the same manner as the child devices 101A-1 to 101A-3.

Further, the short addresses of the slave devices 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A004 to MAC-A050 are, for example, "4" to "50", respectively.

The short address of the child device 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A001 to MAC-A050 is given by, for example, the parent device 102A.

The parent device 102A and the child device 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A001 to MAC-A050 form a PA (Personal Area) network NWA.

Similarly, the parent device 102B manages the child device 101B having the MAC addresses of MAC-B001 to MAC-B050. The PAN_ID of the parent device 102B and each child device 101B under the control of the parent device 102B is, for example, "0002".

The short addresses of the slave devices 101B having the MAC addresses of MAC-B001 to MAC-B050 are non-zero values and do not overlap with each other, for example, "1" to "50", respectively. These short addresses are given by, for example, the parent device 102B.

The parent device 102B and the child device 101B having the MAC addresses of MAC-B001 to MAC-B050 form a PA network NWB.

That is, it is possible to determine to which PA network the parent device 102 and the child device 101 are communication-connected based on the PAN_ID.

[Operation flow]
Each device in the power information collection system 301 includes a computer, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU in the computer reads out a program including a part or all of each step of the following sequence diagram or flowchart from a memory (not shown). Run. The programs of these plurality of devices can be installed from the outside. The programs of these plurality of devices are distributed in a state of being stored in a recording medium.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a comparative example of a sequence when power information is transmitted.

With reference to FIG. 4, it is assumed that the parent device 102A has already constructed a PA network and manages 50 child devices 101A.

First, the slave device 101A-1 measures the power consumed in the measurement target, for example, as a power measurement every 30 minutes (step S102).

Here, the operation of step S102 is also performed in the child device 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A002 to MAC-A050.

Next, the parent device 102A transmits a power information request for requesting the power information to the child device 101A-1 (step S104).

Next, when the child device 101A-1 receives the power information request from the parent device 102A, the child device 101A-1 transmits the power information indicating the measurement result to the parent device 102A according to the received power information request (step S106). The power information includes, for example, the ID of the child device 101 such as the MAC address and the measurement timing.

Here, the operation of steps S104 and S106 is performed between the child device 101A and the parent device 102A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A002 to MAC-A050 as well as between the child device 101A-1 and the parent device 102A. ..

Next, when the parent device 102A receives power information from each of the 50 child devices 101A, it creates aggregated power information that aggregates each received power information, and transfers the created aggregated power information to the server 103 via the Internet 10. Transmit (step S108).

Next, when the server 103 receives the aggregated power information from the parent device 102A, the server 103 performs a storage process for storing the contents of the received aggregated power information (step S110).

More specifically, the server 103 organizes and stores the measurement results for each measurement date and time and for each ID of the child device 101, for example, based on the aggregated power information.

Here, the operations of steps S102 to S110 are repeated, for example, every 30 minutes.

Next, in the parent appliance 102A, a communication failure occurs due to, for example, a power off, a modem failure for communication with the server 103, a failure of the parent appliance 102A itself, or the like (step S112).

Next, the child device 101A-1 measures the power consumed in the measurement target as the power measurement every 30 minutes (step S114).

Here, the operation of step S114 is also performed in the child device 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A002 to MAC-A050.

Further, since the communication failure has occurred in the parent device 102A, this measurement result is not transmitted to the server 103, and the server 103 loses the measurement result every 30 minutes.

Next, the parent device 102A recovers from the communication failure (step S116).

Next, the parent device 102A transmits a recovery notification indicating recovery from the communication failure to the server 103 (step S118).

Next, when the server 103 receives the recovery notification from the parent device 102A, the server 103 recognizes that the parent device 102A has recovered from the communication failure based on the received recovery notification, and requests the missing power measurement result. The information request is transmitted to the parent device 102A (step S120). This missing power information request includes, for example, a time zone in which the measurement result is missing.

Next, when the parent device 102A receives the missing power information request from the server 103, the parent device 102A sends a power information request including a time zone in which the measurement result is missing to the child device 101A-1 based on the received missing power information request. Transmit (step S122).

Next, when the child device 101A-1 receives the power information request from the parent device 102A, the child device 102A receives the power information indicating the measurement result measured in the time zone included in the power information request according to the received power information request. (Step S124).

Here, the operation of steps S122 and S124 is performed between the child device 101A and the parent device 102A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A002 to MAC-A050 as well as between the child device 101A-1 and the parent device 102A. ..

Next, when the parent device 102A receives power information from each of the 50 child devices 101A, it creates aggregated power information that aggregates each received power information, and transfers the created aggregated power information to the server 103 via the Internet 10. Transmit (step S126).

Next, when the server 103 receives the aggregated power information from the parent device 102A, the server 103 complements the missing measurement result based on the received aggregated power information (step S128).

[Task]
A schedule every 30 minutes for transmitting power information, time synchronization information for time synchronization between devices, and the like may be set between the parent device 102A and the child device 101A.

In the above-mentioned operation flow, in the above step S120, the server 103 transmits the missing power information request to the parent device 102A. Using this missing power information request as a trigger, unscheduled power information is transmitted between the parent device 102A and the child device 101A.

When such an interrupt in the transmission of power information occurs, the transmission of the information specified in the schedule may be strained.

Further, in the server 103, extra processing such as request processing of the missing measurement result (step S120) and complement processing of the missing measurement result (step S128) is generated.

Even when a communication failure occurs in the parent device 102, a technique for collecting power information on a schedule is required.

Therefore, in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention, such a problem is solved by the following configuration and operation.

[Configuration of parent device 102]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a master device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, the parent device 102 includes a power line communication unit 21, an upper line communication unit 22, a storage unit 24, and a processing unit 25.

The power line communication unit 21 in the parent device 102 can communicate with the child device 101 via the power line 161 in accordance with the G3-PLC standard described in Non-Patent Document 1.

More specifically, in the parent device 102B, the power line communication unit 21 can communicate with the child device 101B via the power line 161B, and the child device 101A via the power line 161B, the communication coupler 105B, the communication coupler 105A, and the power line 161A. Can communicate with (see Fig. 2).

The upper line communication unit 22 communicates with the server 103 and another parent device 102, for example, according to the IP protocol.

The storage unit 24 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and has an identifier of a child device 101 for which a communication connection should be established with its own parent device 102, and a child for which a communication connection should be established with another parent device 102. Holds child device information including the identifier of the device 101.

More specifically, the storage unit 24 has normal child device information including the MAC address of the child device 101 to establish a communication connection with its own parent device 102, and a child to establish a communication connection with another parent device 102. Holds the child device information at the time of abnormality including the MAC address of the device 101.

[List held by the parent device 102A]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a list of normal child devices held by the parent device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 6, the storage unit 24 in the parent device 102A includes, for example, the MAC address of each child device 101A connected to the parent device 102A without going through the communication coupler 105 as the child device information in the normal state. Holds the normal child device list Lst1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a list of backup slave devices held by the parent device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 7, the storage unit 24 in the parent device 102A receives, for example, each child device 101B connected to its own parent device 102A via the communication coupler 105, in other words, another child device information at the time of abnormality. When a communication failure occurs in the parent device 102, that is, the parent device 102B, the backup child device list Lst2 including the MAC address of each child device 101B for which a communication connection should be established with the parent device 102A is held.

With reference to FIG. 5 again, the storage unit 24 is included in the child device 101, that is, the normal child device list Lst1, which should be connected to the self-parent device 102 when a communication failure occurs in the self-parent device 102. The child device 101 having a MAC address holds the parent device information at the time of abnormality including the identifier of the parent device 102 that manages the child device 101 on behalf of its own parent device 102.

Specifically, the storage unit 24 in the parent device 102A holds, for example, the address information AA including the IP address of the parent device 102B.

[List held by the parent device 102B]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a list of normal child devices held by the parent device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 8, the storage unit 24 in the parent device 102B includes, for example, the MAC address of each child device 101B connected to its own parent device 102B without going through the communication coupler 105 as the child device information at normal time. Holds the normal child device list Lst3.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a list of backup slave devices held by the parent device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 9, the storage unit 24 in the parent device 102B receives, for example, each child device 101A connected to its own parent device 102B via the communication coupler 105, in other words, another child device information at the time of abnormality. When a communication failure occurs in the parent device 102, that is, the parent device 102A, the backup child device list Lst4 including the MAC address of each child device 101A for which a communication connection should be established with the parent device 102B is held.

With reference to FIG. 5 again, the storage unit 24 in the parent device 102B, like the storage unit 24 in the parent device 102A, uses the child device 101B as its own parent device when a communication failure occurs in its own parent device 102B. The address information AB including the IP address of the parent device 102A to be managed on behalf of the 102B is held.

The normal time child device list, the backup child device list, and the address information are, for example, created by the installer who installs the power information collection system 301 in the apartment house 151 and registered in the storage unit 24.

The normal child device list, backup child device list, and address information are not erased from the storage unit 24 even when the power of the parent device 102 is turned off, for example.

[Configuration of child device 101]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a slave device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 10, the slave device 101 includes a power line communication unit 41, a storage unit 44, a processing unit 45, and a power consumption measurement unit 46.

The power line communication unit 41 can communicate with the parent device 102 and another child device 101 via the power line 161 in accordance with the G3-PLC standard described in Non-Patent Document 1.

[List held by child device 101A]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a list of normal parent devices held by a child device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 11, the storage unit 44 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and holds the normal parent device information capable of identifying the parent device 102 to which its own child device 101 should be connected.

Specifically, the storage unit 44 in the child device 101A includes, for example, the PAN_ID of the parent device 102A to which its own child device 101A is connected without going through the communication coupler 105 as the normal parent device information. Hold the list Lst5.

Similarly, the storage unit 44 in the child device 101B includes, for example, the PAN_ID of the parent device 102B to which the child device 101B of the self is connected without the communication coupler 105, that is, "0002" as the parent device information in the normal state. Do not keep a list of normal parent devices.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a backup parent device list held by a child device in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 12, the storage unit 44 holds, for example, the abnormal parent device information which is an example of the connection destination information in which the parent device 102 to which its own child device 101 is connected via the communication coupler 105 can be specified. do.

Specifically, the storage unit 44 in the child device 101A serves as a parent device 102 as a parent device 102 in which a communication connection should be established when a communication failure occurs in the parent device 102A to which the child device 101A of itself should establish a communication connection. Holds parent device information at the time of abnormality that can identify 102B.

More specifically, the storage unit 44 in the child device 101A is a backup parent device list including the PAN_ID of the parent device 102B to which the child device 101A is connected via the communication coupler 105, for example, as the parent device information at the time of abnormality. Holds Lst6.

Similarly, the storage unit 44 in the child device 101B includes, for example, the PAN_ID of the parent device 102A to which the child device 101B is connected via the communication coupler 105, that is, "0001", as the parent device information at the time of abnormality, which is not shown. Keeps a list of backup parent devices.

With reference to FIG. 10 again, the processing unit 45 can switch to either a normal mode or a backup mode as the operation mode of its own child device 101, for example.

More specifically, the processing unit 45 sets, for example, the operation mode of its own child device 101 to the normal mode in the initial state.

Further, the processing unit 45 switches the operation mode of its own child device 101 to the backup mode, for example, when a communication failure occurs in the parent device 102 of the communication connection destination of its own child device 101.

The power consumption measurement unit 46 measures, for example, the power consumed by its own child device 101 at the home or business establishment to be measured at the measurement timing every 30 minutes, and outputs the measurement result and the measurement timing to the processing unit 45. do.

When the processing unit 45 receives the measurement result and the measurement timing from the power consumption measurement unit 46, the processing unit 45 creates power information indicating the received measurement result and the measurement timing.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence when a communication failure occurs in the parent device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 13, it is assumed that the parent devices 102A and 102B have already constructed a PA network, and the child device 101A-1 has established a communication connection with the parent device 102A. The operation mode of the slave device 101A-1 is a normal mode. Further, in each child device 101, the power measurement is performed every 30 minutes.

The child device 101A-1 transmits power information to the parent device 102A. Then, when a communication failure occurs in the parent device 102A, the child device 101A-1 establishes a communication connection with the parent device 102B and transmits power information that has not been transmitted to the parent device 102A to the parent device 102B.

First, the child device 101A-1 transmits a normality confirmation request for confirming the normality of communication in the parent device 102A to the parent device 102A (step S202).

More specifically, the processing unit 45 (see FIG. 10) in the child device 101A-1 creates a normality confirmation request at the confirmation timing every 30 minutes, for example. Further, since the child device 101 of the processing unit 45 is operating in the normal mode, the processing unit 45 acquires the PAN_ID, here “0001”, from the normal parent device list Lst5 (see FIG. 11) in the storage unit 44.

Then, the processing unit 45 transmits the created normality confirmation request to the parent device 102A via the power line communication unit 41 with the acquired PAN_ID and the short address of zero as destinations. This normality confirmation request includes, for example, the MAC address of the child device 101A-1 as the ID of the child device 101A-1, in this case, "MAC-A001".

Next, when the parent device 102A receives the normality confirmation request from the child device 101A-1, the parent device 102A performs a normality confirmation process for confirming the normality of its own communication according to the received normality confirmation request (step S204).

More specifically, when the processing unit 25 (see FIG. 5) in the parent device 102A receives a normality confirmation request from the child device 101A-1 via the power line communication unit 21, the processing unit 25 communicates between its own parent device 102A and the server 103. Check if is normal.

Here, the processing unit 25 confirms that the communication between its own parent device 102A and the server 103 is normal.

Further, the processing unit 25 acquires the MAC address from the received normality confirmation request. The processing unit 25 confirms that the acquired MAC address is included in the normal child device list Lst1 (see FIG. 6) in the storage unit 24, and recognizes that the child device 101A-1 is operating in the normal mode. ..

Next, the parent device 102A transmits ACK, which is a response to the normality confirmation request, to the child device 101A-1 (step S206).

More specifically, the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102A creates an ACK, and transmits the created ACK to the child device 101A-1 via the power line communication unit 21.

Here, the operation of steps S202 to S206 is performed between the child device 101A and the parent device 102A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A002 to MAC-A050 as well as between the child device 101A-1 and the parent device 102A. ..

Next, the parent device 102A transmits the power information request to the child device 101A-1 (step S208).

More specifically, the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102A has, for example, a MAC address from the normal time child device list Lst1 (see FIG. 6) in the storage unit 24 at the request timing every 30 minutes, in this case, “MAC-A001”. Is acquired, and a power information request is transmitted to the child device 101A-1 having the acquired MAC address via the power line communication unit 21.

Next, when the child device 101A-1 receives the power information request from the parent device 102A, the child device 101A-1 transmits the power information to the parent device 102A according to the received power information request (step S210).

More specifically, when the processing unit 45 in the child device 101A-1 receives a power information request from the parent device 102A via the power line communication unit 41, the child device 101 itself operates in the normal mode, and thus is a storage unit. The PAN_ID is acquired from the normal parent device list Lst5 (see FIG. 11) in 44.

Then, the processing unit 45 transmits the power information indicating the latest measurement result to the parent device 102A via the power line communication unit 41 with the acquired PAN_ID and the short address of zero as destinations.

Here, the operation of steps S208 and S210 is performed between the child device 101A and the parent device 102A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A002 to MAC-A050 as well as between the child device 101A-1 and the parent device 102A. ..

Next, the parent device 102A transmits the aggregated power information that aggregates the power information received from each child device 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A001 to MAC-A050 to the server 103 (step S212).

More specifically, when the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102A receives the power information from the child device 101A via the power line communication unit 21, the processing unit 25 holds the received power information.

When the processing unit 25 completes the reception of each power information from each child device 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A001 to MAC-A050, each power information is aggregated to create aggregated power information, and the created aggregated power. Information is transmitted to the server 103 via the host line communication unit 22.

Next, when the server 103 receives the aggregated power information from the parent device 102A, the server 103 performs a storage process for storing the contents of the received aggregated power information (step S214).

Next, for example, a communication failure occurs between the server 103 and the parent device 102A (step S216).

Next, the child device 101A-1 transmits a normality confirmation request for confirming the normality of the communication in the parent device 102A to the parent device 102A (step S218).

Next, when the parent device 102A receives the normality confirmation request from the child device 101A-1, the parent device 102A performs the normality confirmation process according to the received normality confirmation request (step S220).

More specifically, when the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102A receives the normality confirmation request from the child device 101A-1 via the power line communication unit 21, is the communication between its own parent device 102A and the server 103 normal? Check if it is not.

Here, the processing unit 25 confirms that the communication between its own parent device 102A and the server 103 is abnormal.

Next, as a response to the normality confirmation request, the parent device 102A transmits an abnormal response indicating that the communication between the parent device 102A and the server 103 is abnormal to the child device 101A-1 (step S222).

More specifically, the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102A creates an abnormal response, and transmits the created abnormal response to the child device 101A-1 via the power line communication unit 21.

Next, when the child device 101A-1 receives the abnormal response from the parent device 102A, the child device 101A-1 performs a change process for changing the transmission destination of the power information (step S224).

More specifically, when the processing unit 45 in the child device 101A-1 receives an abnormal response from the parent device 102A via the power line communication unit 41, it recognizes that a communication failure has occurred in the parent device 102A based on the received abnormal response. do.

Then, the processing unit 45 switches the operation mode of its own child device 101 to the backup mode, and sets the transmission destination of the power information to the parent having the PAN_ID included in the backup parent device list Lst6 (see FIG. 12) in the storage unit 44. Change to device 102B.

Next, the child device 101A-1 transmits a connection request for establishing a communication connection with the changed parent device 102 to the parent device 102B (step S226).

More specifically, the processing unit 45 in the child device 101A-1 acquires the PAN_ID, here "0002" from the backup parent device list Lst6 in the storage unit 44, and the connection request including the acquired PAN_ID and its own MAC address. To create. The processing unit 45 transmits the created connection request to the parent device 102B via the power line communication unit 41 with the acquired PAN_ID and the short address of zero as destinations.

Next, when the parent device 102B receives the connection request from the child device 101A-1, the parent device 102B performs a connection process for establishing a communication connection with the child device 101A-1 (step S228).

More specifically, when the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102B receives the connection request from the child device 101A-1 via the power line communication unit 21, the processing unit 25 acquires the PAN_ID and the MAC address from the received connection request.

The processing unit 25 confirms that the acquired PAN_ID and its own PAN_ID match.

Further, the processing unit 25 confirms that the acquired MAC address is included in the backup child device list Lst4 (see FIG. 9) in the storage unit 24, and makes a connection request from the child device 101A-1 operating in the backup mode. Recognize that it has been received.

Then, the processing unit 25 determines to manage the child device 101A-1 that has transmitted the connection request, and registers the MAC address of the child device 101A-1 as the child device 101 being backed up in the connected child device list (not shown). ..

Next, the parent device 102B transmits a connection response indicating that the process for establishing a communication connection with the child device 101A-1 is completed to the child device 101A-1 (step S230).

Here, the operation of steps S226 to S230 is performed between the child device 101A and the parent device 102B having the MAC addresses of MAC-A002 to MAC-A050 as well as between the child device 101A-1 and the parent device 102B. ..

Next, the child device 101A-1 transmits a normality confirmation request for confirming the normality of communication in the parent device 102B to the parent device 102B (step S232).

More specifically, the processing unit 45 in the child device 101A-1 creates a normality confirmation request at the confirmation timing every 30 minutes, and PAN_ID from the backup parent device list Lst6 (see FIG. 12) in the storage unit 44, here. Acquire "0002".

Then, the processing unit 45 transmits the created normality confirmation request to the parent device 102B via the power line communication unit 41 with the acquired PAN_ID and the short address of zero as destinations.

Next, when the parent device 102B receives the normality confirmation request from the child device 101A-1, the parent device 102B performs a normality confirmation process according to the received normality confirmation request (step S234).

More specifically, when the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102B receives the normality confirmation request from the child device 101A-1 via the power line communication unit 21, is the communication between its own parent device 102B and the server 103 normal? Check if it is not.

Here, the processing unit 25 confirms that the communication between its own parent device 102B and the server 103 is normal.

Further, the processing unit 25 acquires the MAC address from the received normality confirmation request. The processing unit 25 confirms that the acquired MAC address is included in the backup child device list Lst4 (see FIG. 9) in the storage unit 24, and recognizes that the child device 101A-1 is operating in the backup mode.

Next, the parent device 102B transmits ACK, which is a response to the normality confirmation request, to the child device 101A-1 (step S236).

More specifically, the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102B creates an ACK and transmits the created ACK to the child device 101A-1 via the power line communication unit 21.

Here, the operation of steps S232 to S236 is performed between the child device 101A and the parent device 102B having the MAC addresses of MAC-A002 to MAC-A050 as well as between the child device 101A-1 and the parent device 102B. ..

Next, the parent device 102B transmits the power information request to the child device 101A-1 (step S238).

More specifically, the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102B acquires the MAC address, here "MAC-A001", from the backup child device list Lst4 (see FIG. 9) in the storage unit 24 at the request timing every 30 minutes. , The power information request is transmitted to the child device 101A-1 having the acquired MAC address via the power line communication unit 21.

Next, when the child device 101A-1 receives the power information request from the parent device 102B, the child device 101A-1 transmits the power information to the parent device 102B according to the received power information request (step S240).

More specifically, when the processing unit 45 in the child device 101A-1 receives a power information request from the parent device 102B via the power line communication unit 41, the child device 101 itself operates in the backup mode, and thus is a storage unit. The PAN_ID is acquired from the backup parent device list Lst6 (see FIG. 12) in 44.

Then, the processing unit 45 transmits the power information indicating the latest measurement result to the parent device 102B via the power line communication unit 41 with the acquired PAN_ID and the short address of zero as destinations.

Here, the operation of steps S238 and S240 is performed between the child device 101A and the parent device 102B having the MAC addresses of MAC-A002 to MAC-A050 as well as between the child device 101A-1 and the parent device 102B. ..

Next, the parent device 102B transmits the aggregated power information that aggregates the power information received from each child device 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A001 to MAC-A050 to the server 103 (step S242).

More specifically, when the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102B receives the power information from the child device 101A via the power line communication unit 21, the processing unit 25 holds the received power information.

When the processing unit 25 completes the reception of each power information from each child device 101A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A001 to MAC-A050, each power information is aggregated to create aggregated power information, and the created aggregated power. Information is transmitted to the server 103 via the host line communication unit 22.

Next, when the server 103 receives the aggregated power information from the parent device 102A, the server 103 performs a storage process for storing the contents of the received aggregated power information (step S244).

A communication failure has occurred between the server 103 and the parent device 102A (step S216), but the present invention is not limited to this.

The communication failure may occur, for example, in the parent device 102A or between the child device 101A-1 and the parent device 102A.

In such a case, the child device 101A-1 may be configured to detect the occurrence of these communication failures by performing the following processing.

That is, the child device 101A-1 transmits a normality confirmation request to the parent device 102A (step S218).

The child device 101A-1 recognizes that a communication failure has occurred in the parent device 102A because ACK, which is a response to the normality confirmation request, cannot be received from the parent device 102A within a predetermined time-out time. Then, the child device 101A-1 switches the operation mode of its own child device 101 to the backup mode, and sets the transmission destination of the power information to the PAN_ID included in the backup parent device list Lst6 (see FIG. 12) in the storage unit 44. Change to the parent device 102B (step S224).

Further, in steps S238 to S242, the parent device 102B acquires power information from the child device 101A and transmits it to the server 103, and also performs the following processing.

That is, the parent device 102B transmits a power information request to the child device 101B having the MAC addresses of MAC-B001 to MAC-B050 based on the normal child device list Lst3 (see FIG. 8) in the storage unit 24, and these Receives power information from the child device 101B of. Then, the parent device 102B transmits the aggregated power information that aggregates the power information received from the child devices 101B having the MAC addresses of MAC-B001 to MAC-B050 to the server 103.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence when the parent device according to the embodiment of the present invention recovers from a communication failure.

With reference to FIG. 14, it is assumed that a communication failure has occurred between the server 103 and the parent device 102A. Further, the parent device 102B has already constructed a PA network, and the child device 101A-1 has established a communication connection with the parent device 102B. The operation mode of the slave device 101A-1 is a backup mode. Further, in each child device 101, the power measurement is performed every 30 minutes.

For example, when the communication failure in the parent device 102A is resolved, the parent device 102B disconnects the communication connection with the child device 101A-1 and causes the child device 101A-1 to establish a communication connection with the parent device 102A. Perform processing.

The parent device 102A notifies the parent device 102B, for example, that the communication failure in itself has been resolved.

First, the communication failure between the server 103 and the parent device 102A is resolved (step S302).

Next, the parent device 102A transmits a return notification indicating that the parent device 102A has recovered from the communication failure to the parent device 102B (step S304).

More specifically, when the processing unit 25 (see FIG. 5) in the parent device 102A confirms that the communication failure between the parent device 102A and the server 103 has been resolved, the processing unit 25 from the address information AA held by the storage unit 24 becomes the parent. Acquire the IP address of the device 102B.

Then, the processing unit 25 creates a return notification, and sends the created return notification to the parent device 102B via the upper line communication unit 22 with the acquired IP address as the destination.

Next, when the parent device 102B receives the return notification from the parent device 102A, it determines to disconnect the communication connection with the child device 101A connected as a backup (step S306).

More specifically, when the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102B receives the return notification from the parent device 102A via the upper line communication unit 22, the processing unit 25 recognizes that the communication failure in the parent device 102A has been resolved.

Then, the processing unit 25 disconnects the communication connection with the MAC address registered in the connected child device list as the child device 101 being backed up, here, the child device 101A having MAC-A001 to MAC-A050. decide.

Next, the parent device 102B transmits a reconnection request for disconnecting the communication connection with itself and reconnecting to the parent device 102 in the normal state to the child device 101A-1 (step S308).

More specifically, the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102B acquires the MAC address registered in the connected child device list, here MAC-A001, and reconnects to the child device 101A-1 having the acquired MAC address. The request is transmitted via the power line communication unit 21.

Next, when the child device 101A-1 receives the reconnection request from the parent device 102B, the child device 101A-1 sends a disconnection request to the parent device 102B to disconnect the communication connection with the parent device 102B at the time of backup according to the received reconnection request. Transmit (step S310).

More specifically, when the processing unit 45 (see FIG. 10) in the child device 101A-1 receives the reconnection request from the parent device 102B via the power line communication unit 41, the backup parent device list Lst6 in the storage unit 44 (FIG. 12). See) to get PAN_ID, here "0002".

The processing unit 45 creates a disconnection request including the acquired PAN_ID and its own MAC address, and transmits the created disconnection request to the parent device 102B via the power line communication unit 41 with the acquired PAN_ID and the short address of zero as the destination. do.

Next, when the parent device 102B receives the disconnection request from the child device 101A-1, the parent device 102B disconnects the communication connection with the child device 101A-1 (step S312).

More specifically, when the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102B receives the disconnection request from the child device 101A-1 via the power line communication unit 21, the processing unit 25 acquires the PAN_ID and the MAC address from the received disconnection request.

The processing unit 25 confirms that the acquired PAN_ID and its own PAN_ID match.

Further, the processing unit 25 deletes "MAC-A001" from the list of connected core devices by using the acquired MAC address.

Next, the parent device 102B transmits a disconnection response indicating that the disconnection of the communication connection with the child device 101A-1 is completed to the child device 101A-1 (step S314).

Next, when the child device 101A-1 receives the disconnection response from the parent device 102B, the child device 101A-1 performs a change process for changing the transmission destination of the power information (step S316).

More specifically, when the processing unit 45 in the child device 101A-1 receives the disconnection response from the parent device 102B via the power line communication unit 41, the processing unit 45 recognizes that the communication connection with the parent device 102B has been disconnected.

Then, the processing unit 45 switches the operation mode of its own child device 101 to the normal mode, and has a PAN_ID whose power information transmission destination is included in the normal parent device list Lst5 (see FIG. 11) in the storage unit 44. Change to the parent device 102A.

Next, the child device 101A-1 transmits a connection request for establishing a communication connection with the changed parent device 102 to the parent device 102A (step S318).

More specifically, the processing unit 45 in the child device 101A-1 acquires the PAN_ID, here "0001" from the normal parent device list Lst5 in the storage unit 44, and the connection including the acquired PAN_ID and its own MAC address. Make a request. The processing unit 45 transmits the created connection request to the parent device 102A via the power line communication unit 41 with the acquired PAN_ID and the short address of zero as destinations.

Next, when the parent device 102A receives the connection request from the child device 101A-1, the parent device 102A performs a connection process for establishing a communication connection with the child device 101A-1 (step S320).

More specifically, when the processing unit 25 in the parent device 102A receives the connection request from the child device 101A-1 via the power line communication unit 21, the processing unit 25 acquires the PAN_ID and the MAC address from the received connection request.

The processing unit 25 confirms that the acquired PAN_ID and its own PAN_ID match.

Further, the processing unit 25 confirms that the acquired MAC address is included in the normal child device list Lst1 (see FIG. 6) in the storage unit 24, and from the child device 101A-1 to be managed by its own parent device 102A. Recognize that a connection request has been received.

Then, the processing unit 25 determines to manage the child device 101A-1 that has transmitted the connection request.

Next, the parent device 102A transmits a connection response indicating that the process for establishing a communication connection with the child device 101A-1 is completed to the child device 101A-1 (step S322).

Here, the operation of steps S308 to S322 is the same as between the child device 101A-1, the parent device 102A, and the parent device 102B, as well as the child device 101A, the parent device 102A, and the parent device 102A having the MAC addresses of MAC-A002 to MAC-A050. It is also performed between the parent devices 102B.

The operation of steps S324 to S336 is the same as the operation of steps S202 to S214 shown in FIG.

The parent device 102B is configured to confirm that the communication failure in the parent device 102A has been resolved by receiving a return notification from the parent device 102A (step S304), but the present invention is not limited to this. ..

For example, the parent device 102B periodically transmits an alive confirmation request for confirming the resolution of the communication failure to the parent device 102A during the period in which the power information is acquired from the child device 101A operating in the backup mode. It may be a configuration.

In this case, the parent device 102B confirms that the communication failure in the parent device 102A has been resolved by receiving the response to the alive confirmation request from the parent device 102A.

Further, the power information collecting system according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a plurality of slave devices 101, but the present invention is not limited to this. The power information collection system 301 may be configured to include one child device 101. For example, when the power information collection system 301 includes one child device 101A, the power information can be obtained by the configuration in which the parent device 102A holds the normal child device list Lst1 and the parent device 102B holds the backup child device list Lst4. It is possible to achieve the object of the present invention of suppressing the loss of power information in the communication network to be collected.

Further, the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to include the server 103, but the present invention is not limited to this. The power information collection system 301 may be configured not to include the server 103.

Further, the child device according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to hold a backup parent device list (see FIG. 12) as connection destination information, but the present invention is not limited to this. The child device 101 may be configured not to hold the connection destination information. In this case, the child device 101 broadcasts, for example, a beacon request for searching for the parent device 102. Upon receiving the beacon request, the parent device 102 transmits a beacon including its own PAN_ID and a short address of zero to the child device 101. When the child device 101 receives the beacon from the parent device 102, the child device 101 establishes a communication connection with the parent device 102 by using the PAN_ID and the short address of zero included in the received beacon.

Further, the parent device 102B according to the embodiment of the present invention disconnects the communication connection with the child device 101A-1 when the communication failure in the parent device 102A is resolved, and the parent device 102A is connected to the child device 101A-1. It is said that the configuration is such that processing for establishing a communication connection with is performed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The parent device 102B may be configured not to perform the above processing. Further, the device 102B may be configured to only perform a process of disconnecting the communication connection with the child device 101A-1 when the communication failure in the parent device 102A is resolved.

Further, in the parent device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the normal child device list and the backup child device list include the MAC address as the identifier of the child device 101, but the configuration is limited to this. is not. The child device list and the backup child device list at the time of child normal may include, for example, a long address based on the MAC address as an identifier of the child device 101.

By the way, in the communication network described in Patent Document 1, for example, the master unit periodically acquires power information from a slave unit managed by itself, and transmits the acquired power information to a higher-level device. When a communication failure occurs between the master unit itself or between the master unit and the host device, power information is lost in the host device. In such a case, the missing power information may be transmitted in the communication network by requesting the missing power information by the host device.

However, when the power information is transmitted at the request of the host device, the increase in communication load may affect other processing. Further, in the host device, extra processing is required to supplement the missing power information.

On the other hand, in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the child device 101A for acquiring power information and a plurality of parent devices 102 capable of communicating with the child device 101A via the power line 161, for example, the parent device 102A. , 102B and. The child device 101A establishes a communication connection with the parent device 102A and transmits power information to the parent device 102A. Then, when a communication failure occurs in the parent device 102A, the child device 101A establishes a communication connection with the parent device 102B and transmits power information that has not been transmitted to the parent device 102A to the parent device 102B.

With such a configuration, when the parent device 102A is normal, power information can be transmitted to the host device via the parent device 102A, and when a communication failure occurs in the parent device 102A, the parent device 102A can transmit power information. Since the power information that has not been transmitted to the 102A can be transmitted to the host device via the parent device 102B, it is possible to suppress the loss of the power information in the communication network that collects the power information. As a result, the host device does not have to request the missing power information, so that it is possible to prevent the influence of the increase in the communication load on other processes and the occurrence of extra processes in the host device.

Further, in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the child device 101A serves as a parent device 102 that should establish a communication connection when a communication failure occurs in the parent device 102A to which the child device 101A should establish a communication connection. , Holds connection destination information that can identify the parent device 102B.

In this way, with the configuration that holds the connection destination information that can identify the parent device 102B for backup, when a communication failure occurs in the parent device 102A, for example, the communication connection destination is set to the parent without searching for the parent device 102. It is possible to quickly switch to the device 102B.

Further, in the power information collection system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the communication failure in the parent device 102A is resolved, the parent device 102B disconnects the communication connection with the child device 101A and the parent device 101A is connected to the parent device 101A. A process for establishing a communication connection with the device 102A is performed.

With such a configuration, the communication connection destination of the child device 101 can be changed from the backup parent device 102B to the parent device 102A to which the child device 101 should originally communicate and connect, so that the power information in the child device 101 can be changed. You can restore the destination of.

Further, in the power information collecting system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the parent device 102A notifies the parent device 102B that the communication failure in itself has been resolved.

With such a configuration, the backup parent device 102B can recognize that the communication failure in the child device 101A has been resolved, so that the process for terminating the backup process can be performed.

Further, the electric power information collecting system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of slave devices 101. Then, the parent device 102 holds the child device information including the identifier of the child device 101 that should establish the communication connection with itself and the identifier of the child device 101 that should establish the communication connection with the other parent device 102.

With such a configuration, the parent device 102 can recognize the child device 101 to be managed by itself and the child device 101 to be backed up based on the child device information. Therefore, for example, from the child device 101 to be backed up. The child device 101 being backed up can be extracted as the child device 101 to be detached when the connection request of the above is quickly accepted or the communication failure in the other parent device 102 is resolved.

It should be considered that the above embodiments are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

The above description includes the features described below.

[Appendix 1]
A child device that acquires power information and
It is equipped with a plurality of parent devices capable of communicating with the child device via a power line.
The child device establishes a communication connection with the first parent device, transmits the power information to the first parent device, and receives the power information.
When a communication failure occurs in the first parent device, the child device establishes a communication connection with the second parent device and transmits the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device to the second parent device. Send to the parent device
The child device is a smart meter.
The parent device is a concentrator and
The first parent device transmits the power information received from the child device to the host device, and the first parent device transmits the power information to the host device.
The child device is said to have a communication failure in the first parent device, a communication failure between itself and the first parent device, or a communication failure between the host device and the first parent device. A power information collection system that establishes a communication connection with a second parent device and transmits the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device to the second parent device.

10 Internet 21 Power line communication unit 22 Upper line communication unit 24 Storage unit 25 Processing unit 41 Power line communication unit 44 Storage unit 45 Processing unit 46 Power consumption measurement unit 101 Child device 102 Parent device 103 Server 104 Transformer 151 Apartment house 161 Power line 171 Power system 301 Power information collection system

Claims (6)

A child device that acquires power information and
It is equipped with a plurality of parent devices capable of communicating with the child device via a power line.
The child device establishes a communication connection with the first parent device, transmits the power information to the first parent device, and receives the power information.
When a communication failure occurs in the first parent device, the child device establishes a communication connection with the second parent device and transmits the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device to the second parent device. Send to the parent device
Information indicating the child device of the connection destination in the normal state and information indicating the child device of the connection destination in the abnormal state are preset in the parent device.
Information indicating the parent device to be connected at the normal time and information indicating the parent device at the connection destination at the time of abnormality are preset in the child device.
The child device transmits the power information to the first parent device, which is the connection destination in the normal state, at a predetermined cycle.
The child device confirms normality with the first parent device before transmitting the power information, and if the communication failure has not occurred, the power information is sent to the first parent device. Is transmitted, and when the communication failure occurs, the connection destination is switched to the second parent device set as the connection destination at the time of the abnormality.
The child device is a power information collection system that transmits the power information to the second parent device that has established a communication connection at predetermined intervals. Information on the second parent device is preset in the first parent device.
The power information collection system according to claim 1, wherein the first parent device notifies the second parent device that the communication failure in itself has been resolved. When the communication failure in the first parent device is resolved, the second parent device disconnects the communication connection with the child device and connects the child device with the first parent device. The electric power information collection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the process for establishing the above is performed. A child device that can communicate with the parent device via a power line.
The child device establishes a communication connection with the first parent device, transmits the acquired power information to the first parent device, and receives the acquired power information.
When a communication failure occurs in the first parent device, the child device establishes a communication connection with the second parent device and transmits the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device to the second parent device. Send to the parent device
Information indicating the parent device to be connected at the normal time and information indicating the parent device at the connection destination at the time of abnormality are preset in the child device.
The child device transmits the power information to the first parent device, which is the connection destination in the normal state, at a predetermined cycle.
The child device confirms normality with the first parent device before transmitting the power information, and if the communication failure has not occurred, the power information is sent to the first parent device. Is transmitted, and when the communication failure occurs, a change process for switching the connection destination to the second parent device set as the connection destination at the time of the abnormality is performed.
The child device is a child device that transmits the power information to the second parent device that has established a communication connection at a predetermined cycle. A parent device that can communicate with a child device that acquires power information via a power line.
Information indicating the child device of the connection destination in the normal state and information indicating the child device of the connection destination in the abnormal state are preset in the parent device.
When the parent device receives a connection request from the child device set as the connection destination in the event of an abnormality, the parent device establishes a communication connection with the child device and has not been transmitted from the child device to another parent device. Receive power information,
The parent device disconnects the communication connection with the child device when the parent device receives a notification from the other parent device that the communication failure has been resolved. A power information collection method in a power information collection system including a child device for acquiring power information and a plurality of parent devices capable of communicating with the child device via a power line.
A step in which the child device establishes a communication connection with the first parent device and transmits the power information to the first parent device.
When the child device experiences a communication failure in the first parent device, the child device establishes a communication connection with the second parent device, and the power information that has not been transmitted to the first parent device is transmitted to the second parent device. Including the step of sending to the parent device
Information indicating the child device of the connection destination in the normal state and information indicating the child device of the connection destination in the abnormal state are preset in the parent device.
Information indicating the parent device to be connected at the normal time and information indicating the parent device at the connection destination at the time of abnormality are preset in the child device.
In the step of transmitting the power information to the first parent device, the child device transmits the power information to the first parent device, which is the connection destination in the normal state, at a predetermined cycle, and the power information is transmitted. Is checked for normality with the first parent device, and if the communication failure has not occurred, the power information is transmitted to the first parent device.
The power information collection method further includes
Before the child device transmits the power information, the normality is confirmed with the first parent device, and when the communication failure occurs, the connection destination is set as the connection destination at the time of the abnormality. The step of switching the connection destination to the second parent device,
A power information collecting method including a step in which the child device transmits the power information to the second parent device for which a communication connection has been established at a predetermined cycle.

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