JP7057859B1 - Sensor network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To replace a repeater at an appropriate timing.
A sensor network system 100 collects information through a sensor node 112 associated with each of a plurality of meters 110, a repeater 114 connected to the sensor node and collecting meter information through the sensor node, and a repeater. A state in which a center device 116 for receiving meter information and a repeater setting unit 142 for setting a meter associated with a repeater among a plurality of meters are provided, and a predetermined repeater is associated with the predetermined meter. Then, with the replacement of the predetermined meter 110a, the repeater setting unit directly maps the predetermined repeater 114a associated with the predetermined meter before the replacement to the new meter 110c after the replacement, and determines. With the replacement of the other meter 110b to which the repeater is not associated, the new repeater 114d is associated with the new other meter 110d after the replacement.
[Selection diagram] FIG. 7

Description

The present invention relates to a sensor network system that collects information from a plurality of meters.

Gas meters and electric power companies install gas meters and electric power meters at demand points in order to integrate the amount of gas and electric power used by consumers. In recent years, the installation of smart meters that have a communication function, perform bidirectional data communication with gas companies and electric power companies, and can automatically remotely read the amount of gas and electric power used has been promoted. ing. Such smart meters can also be used as an information source for improving the safety and utilization efficiency of infrastructure networks such as gas and electric power.

In addition, various means have been proposed to realize data communication between the above-mentioned smart meter and a gas company or an electric power company. For example, a short-range wireless device may be installed in a smart meter to form a mesh-type network, a star-type network may be formed by a mobile phone network such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), or a star-type network may be created by power line communication. It is possible to form.

In addition, as an application of the mesh type network, a technology is known in which a backbone network and ad hoc communication by wireless LAN are installed side by side, and the smart meter is operated stably by switching to ad hoc communication in the event of a backbone network failure (). For example, Patent Document 1).

Further, a technique related to network routing is also open to the public (for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-065422 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-105258

In the sensor network system, a sensor node is associated with each of a plurality of meters, and the sensor node establishes communication with the center device through a repeater.

The repeater acquires meter information from a plurality of sensor nodes and transmits it to the center device.

Meters, sensor nodes, and repeaters are to be replaced every 10 years, for example, in order to eliminate problems due to deterioration over time.

However, if the repeater must be replaced when the meter is replaced even though the battery capacity of the repeater remains, the replaced repeater will be discarded without using the remaining battery capacity. Will be.

In view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor network system capable of exchanging a repeater at an appropriate timing.

In order to solve the above problems, another sensor network system of the present invention includes a sensor node associated with each of a plurality of meters, a repeater connected to the sensor node and collecting meter information through the sensor node, and a repeater. It is equipped with a center device that receives meter information collected through a repeater, and a repeater setting unit that sets a meter that associates a repeater among a plurality of meters, and a predetermined repeater is associated with a predetermined meter. In this state, the repeater setting unit associates the predetermined repeater associated with the predetermined meter before the replacement with the new meter after the replacement as it is with the replacement of the predetermined meter, and determines the predetermined meter. With the replacement of another meter to which the repeater is not associated, a new repeater is associated with the new other meter after the replacement.

According to the present invention, the repeater can be replaced at an appropriate timing.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the schematic structure of the sensor network system. It is a functional block diagram which showed the schematic structure of a center device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the repeater exchange method. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the communication establishment database. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a repeater setting process. It is explanatory drawing which showed the exchange mode of the repeater in the repeater setting process. It is explanatory drawing which showed the exchange mode of the repeater in the repeater setting process. It is explanatory drawing which showed the exchange mode of the repeater in the repeater setting process.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, other specific numerical values, etc. shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals to omit duplicate description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown. do.

(Sensor network system 100)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sensor network system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor network system 100 includes a plurality of meters 110, a plurality of sensor nodes 112, a plurality of repeaters 114, a center device 116, and a base station 118.

The meter 110 is, for example, a smart meter, and is installed for each dwelling unit of a consumer, that is, an individual house or an apartment house. The meter 110 is a device that automatically reads at least the amount of gas or electric power used when the gas operator supplies gas to the consumer or the electric power operator supplies electric power to the consumer. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the gas meter 110 by a gas company is illustrated, but it goes without saying that it can also be applied to electric power (electricity).

The sensor nodes 112 are installed in a one-to-one correspondence with each of the meters 110, and at least transmit and receive information (data) used by the meters 110.

The repeater 114 functions as a gateway device for connecting different networks, and is installed in association with any of the plurality of sensor nodes 112. The repeater 114 establishes wire communication with the sensor node 112 associated with the repeater 114, and also establishes communication with the center device 116. Then, the repeater 114 establishes wireless communication with one or a plurality of surrounding sensor nodes 112 through the associated sensor node 112.

However, since the communication between the sensor nodes 112 is realized by short-range wireless communication, it is not always possible for all the sensor nodes 112 to directly establish wireless communication with the sensor node 112 associated with the repeater 114. .. In this case, the sensor node 112 is connected to the repeater 114 by hopping (via) another sensor node 112 capable of wireless communication one or more times. In this way, the repeater 114 transmits the information of each sensor node 112 to the center device 116 and the information of the center device 116 to the surrounding sensor node 112 through the associated sensor node 112 and other sensor nodes 112 around it. Can be sent to. At this time, since the transmitted information includes an identifier that identifies the repeater 114 and the base station 118 that were passed through when the information was transmitted, the center device 116 determines the source and route of the information. Can be identified.

The center device 116 is a device composed of a computer or the like and belongs to the administrator side of the sensor network system 100 such as a gas company or an electric power company. The center device 116 establishes communication with one or more repeaters 114 to collect or transmit information. The position (coordinate information) where the meter 110 is installed is managed by the center device 116 through conduit mapping (GIS system). Therefore, the position of the sensor node 112 installed on the meter 110 and the position of the repeater 114 attached to the sensor node 112 can also be specified by the conduit mapping.

The base station 118 can establish communication with both the repeater 114 and the center device 116, and relays the communication between the repeater 114 and the center device 116.

Here, communication between each device will be described. For example, wireless communication between the repeater 114 and the base station 118, and communication between the base station 118 and the center device 116 are used for communication volumes such as a mobile phone network or a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) network, for example, LTE. An existing pay communication network that incurs communication charges will be used accordingly. Such a pay communication network is managed by, for example, a communication company, which is different from a gas company or an electric power company.

The sensor nodes 112 establish wireless communication with each other, for example, through a wireless system for smart meters (U-Bus Air) using the 920 MHz band. It is assumed that the wireless communication between the sensor nodes 112 is free of charge, but the communication cost may be at least lower than the communication between the repeater 114 and the center device 116 regardless of whether the sensor nodes are charged or free of charge. Through such wireless communication, the repeater 114 is connected to the center device 116 through the pay communication network and is connected to each sensor node 112 through the smart meter wireless system.

In the sensor network system 100, the meter 110 and the sensor node 112 are arranged for each consumer. Further, as described above, the repeater 114 may be provided side by side with the meter 110 and the sensor node 112. The center device 116 collects information on the meter 110 or controls the meter 110 through the sensor node 112 and the repeater 114. Therefore, the sensor node 112 and the repeater 114 will be arranged at any position where the consumer exists.

Here, the communication between the sensor node 112 and the center device 116 is performed by using the wireless system for the smart meter from the sensor node 112 to the repeater 114 and the existing pay communication network from the repeater 114 to the center device 116 together. Is realized at low cost. That is, the repeater 114 collects information from the plurality of sensor nodes 112 through ad hoc communication that does not require a separate communication fee. Then, the repeater 114 transmits the collected information to the center device 116 at a time in a short time once a day, although the communication fee is consumed. In this way, the use of the pay communication network of the repeater 114 can be minimized, and the communication cost of the entire sensor network system 100 can be reduced.

Further, since the wireless system for smart meters assumes short-range wireless communication, the power consumed for wireless communication is relatively small. Therefore, the power source of the sensor node 112 can be supplied by a battery or the like, and the power consumption of the sensor network system 100 can be reduced. Since the pay communication network consumes power relatively easily as compared with the wireless system for smart meters, it requires a large capacity battery or a separate power source. However, since the absolute number of repeaters 114 is smaller than that of the sensor node 112, and the communication frequency and communication time per unit are small, it is consumed as compared with the case where the mobile phone network is always used from all the sensor nodes 112. Power can be kept extremely low.

(Replacement of repeater 114)
As described above, by constructing the sensor network system 100 that transmits information between the sensor node 112 and the center device 116, meter reading information can be collected even if the meter reading staff of the gas company does not directly read the meter 110 (meter reading information). Automatic meter reading) is possible, and work efficiency can be improved.

The meter 110 has a fixed verification validity period, for example, 10 years, and must be replaced when the certification validity period expires. Further, with the replacement of the meter 110, the sensor node 112 corresponding to the meter 110 and the repeater 114 connected to the sensor node 112 are also replaced in order to eliminate the trouble caused by the deterioration over time. However, instead of replacing all the meters 110 at once, for example, by replacing 1/10 of the total amount every year, the replacement of the total amount is completed after at least 10 years.

In this way, in the sensor network system 100, the replacement time of the meter 110 is dispersed in the time direction. Then, when the timing of replacement of the meter 110 arrives, the configuration of the sensor network system 100 including the repeater 114 is reviewed, and the sensor network system 100 is reconstructed. By distributing the replacement time in this way, even if the number of dwelling units increases or decreases in the middle, the information of the meter 110 can be appropriately collected by the center device 116.

However, when the meter 110 is replaced, the battery capacity of the repeater 114 may remain (the battery life has not been reached). The battery life of the repeater 114 is calculated so that the rating can be maintained for about 12 to 13 years in consideration of safety in normal use. Specifically, the processing load by communication, the number of meters connected under the control of one repeater 114 (maximum value: 47) is specified, the standby power of the repeater 114 and the power required for transmission / reception are calculated, and at least. The number of batteries required to operate for 10 years is calculated. However, when the number of meters connected under the repeater 114 is less than 47 (maximum value), the power consumption required for transmission / reception of the repeater 114 is reduced, and the battery life is extended. It is also possible to extend the battery life by increasing the number of batteries.

As described above, even though the battery capacity of the repeater 114 remains, if the repeater 114 is always replaced with the replacement of the meter 110, the replaced repeater 114 uses the remaining battery capacity. It will be discarded without any problems. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the repeater 114 is replaced at an appropriate timing in consideration of the battery capacity of the repeater 114.

Here, an example in which an estimated value before installation is used as the battery life of the repeater 114 will be described, but not limited to this case, the battery capacity of the repeater 114 may be actually measured and the value may be used. Alternatively, the battery consumption and the remaining amount may be estimated from the communication load of the repeater 114, and the values may be used.

In addition, the meter 110 whose certification validity period has expired may be referred to as a "testing meter", and the replacement time of the inspection meter (before a predetermined period of the certification validity period) may be referred to as a "testing replacement time". , The sensor node 112 arranged in association with the inspection meter may be referred to as a “checking node”.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the center device 116. The center device 116 includes a center communication unit 130, a center holding unit 132, and a center control unit 134.

The center communication unit 130 establishes communication with the repeater 114 through the base station 118. The center holding unit 132 is composed of a RAM, a flash memory, an HDD, and the like, and holds various information such as a conduit mapping used in the center device 116 and a communication establishment database described later. The center control unit 134 includes a processor and a memory for storing a program. The center control unit 134 functions as a functional module such as a data acquisition unit 140 and a repeater setting unit 142 when the processor executes a program.

Here, the repeater setting unit 142 sets the meter associated with the repeater 114 among the plurality of meters 110. For example, the repeater setting unit 142 can communicate with the predetermined number of sensor nodes 112 among the sensor nodes 112 associated with the predetermined number (for example, 30 units) of the meters 110 via one or a plurality of hops. The repeater 114 is connected to the sensor node 112 arranged at the position. As various techniques already published can be applied to the setting method of the repeater 114, a specific description thereof will be omitted here.

Hereinafter, the repeater replacement method of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the operation of each functional module of the center control unit 134. In the following, an example in which the center device 116 realizes a method for exchanging a repeater of the sensor network system 100 will be described. It is possible to realize a machine replacement method.

(Repeat replacement method)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the repeater replacement method. In the sensor network system 100, the repeater replacement method is executed every predetermined interrupt time. In the repeater exchange method, first, the data acquisition unit 140 acquires data (S100). Based on the acquired data, the repeater setting unit 142 determines whether or not there is an inspection meter, that is, a meter 110 whose inspection replacement time has come (S102). As a result, if there is an inspection meter (YES in S102), the repeater setting unit 142 determines the replacement mode of the repeater 114 (S104). On the other hand, if there is no inspection meter (NO in S102), the repeater replacement method is terminated. Hereinafter, each process of the repeater replacement method will be described in detail, and description of the process unrelated to the features of the present embodiment will be omitted.

(Data acquisition process S100)
The data acquisition unit 140 refers to the inspection / replacement time of the meter 110 from the communication establishment database, and extracts the meter 110 whose inspection / replacement time has arrived.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the communication establishment database. In the communication establishment database, for all the meters 110 used in the sensor network system 100, the inspection and replacement timing of the meter 110, the network ID of the sensor node 112 associated with the meter 110, and the relay to the meter 110. Information on whether or not the machine 114 is associated is associated.

Here, the network ID is an identifier for identifying a plurality of sensor nodes 112 that are supposed to establish communication with the center device 116 via a predetermined repeater 114. Therefore, it is assumed that the sensor nodes 112 having the same network ID establish communication with the same repeater 114. Further, the fact that the repeater 114 is associated with the meter 110 means that the repeater 114 is connected to the sensor node 112 associated with the meter 110, and in the communication establishment database, If the repeater 114 is associated, it is indicated by "◯", and if the repeater 114 is not associated, it is indicated by "x".

(Repeater setting process S104)
The repeater setting unit 142 replaces the predetermined repeater 114 associated with the predetermined meter 110 with a new one based on the inspection / replacement timing of the other meter 110 at the time of replacement of the predetermined meter 110. It is decided whether or not to correspond to the meter 110. The operation will be described in detail below.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the repeater setting process S104, and FIGS. 6 to 8 are explanatory views showing an exchange mode of the repeater 114 in the repeater setting process S104. The repeater setting process S104 is sequentially executed for all the inspection meters specified in step S102.

As shown in FIG. 5, the repeater setting unit 142 refers to the communication establishment database and determines whether or not an arbitrary inspection meter is associated with the repeater 114 (S200). As a result, if the repeater 114 is not associated (NO in S200), the repeater setting unit 142 ends the repeater setting process S104. In this case, the operator replaces the combination of the inspection meter whose inspection replacement time has come and the corresponding inspection node with a new meter 110 and a new sensor node 112.

If the repeater 114 is associated with the inspection meter (YES in S200), the repeater setting unit 142 indicates that the inspection replacement time of the other meter 110 is the repeater 114 associated with the inspection meter. It is determined whether or not the battery life is later than the battery life (S202). Here, the other meter 110 is a meter 110 having the same network ID as the meter 110 (inspection meter) to which the repeater 114 is associated. Therefore, the other meter 110 is located under the target repeater 114 and is not associated with the other repeater 114 in principle.

As a result of the determination, if the inspection / replacement time of the other meter 110 is later than the battery life of the repeater 114 associated with the inspection meter (YES in S202), the repeater setting unit 142 uses the new repeater 114. Is associated with the new meter 110 after replacement (S204).

For example, in FIG. 6A, the sensor node 112a and the repeater 114a are associated with the meter 110a (the inspection meter) whose inspection replacement time has come. Further, the sensor node 112b is associated with the other meter 110b. It is assumed that the battery life of the repeater 114a is one year remaining and the inspection replacement time of the other meters 110b is three years remaining at the inspection replacement time of the meter 110a. Then, the inspection replacement time of the other meters 110b is later than the battery life of the repeater 114a associated with the inspection meter. Therefore, the repeater setting unit 142 associates the new repeater 114c with the new meter 110c after replacement.

As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the operator uses a combination of the meter 110a (checking meter) whose inspection replacement time has arrived and the corresponding sensor node 112a (checking node) with the new meter 110c and a new meter. Replace with sensor node 112c. Then, the repeater 114a associated with the meter 110a whose inspection replacement time has arrived is discarded, and the new repeater 114c is associated with the new meter 110c.

Returning to FIG. 5, if the inspection / replacement time of the other meters 110 is before the battery life of the repeater 114 associated with the inspection meter (NO in S202), the repeater setting unit 142 has the inspection / replacement. The current repeater 114 associated with the meter 110 whose time has come is associated with the new meter 110 after replacement (S206), and the new repeater 114 is replaced with the replacement of the other meter 110. Corresponds to the new other meter 110 (S208).

For example, in FIG. 7A, the sensor node 112a and the repeater 114a are associated with the meter 110a (the inspection meter) whose inspection replacement time has come. Further, the sensor node 112b is associated with the other meter 110b. It is assumed that the battery life of the repeater 114a is 4 years remaining and the inspection replacement time of the other meters 110b is 3 years remaining at the inspection replacement time of the meter 110a. Then, the battery life of the repeater 114a associated with the inspection meter is later than the inspection replacement time of the other meters 110b. Therefore, the repeater setting unit 142 associates the repeater 114a associated with the meter 110a whose inspection replacement time has arrived with the new meter 110c after the replacement as it is, and is newly associated with the replacement of the other meters 110b. The repeater 114d is associated with another new meter 110d after replacement.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the operator uses a combination of the meter 110a (inspection meter) whose inspection and replacement time has arrived and the corresponding sensor node 112a (inspection node) in a new meter 110c and a new sensor. Replace with node 112c. However, the repeater 114a associated with the meter 110a whose inspection and replacement time has arrived is not discarded, but is connected to the new sensor node 112c and associated with the new meter 110c. Then, when the inspection replacement time of the other meter 110b arrives, the operator can see the meter 110b (inspection meter) whose inspection replacement time has arrived and the sensor node 112b corresponding to it (as shown in FIG. 7C). The combination of the inspection nodes) is replaced with a new meter 110d and a new sensor node 112d. Then, the new repeater 114d is connected to the new sensor node 112d and associated with the new meter 110d. In this way, the sensor nodes 112 having the same network ID, including the sensor nodes 112c and 112d, can establish communication with the repeater 114d. Along with this, the repeater 114a associated with the meter 110c has finished its role, and the operator can dispose of the repeater 114a associated with the meter 110c. However, there is no particular problem even if the repeater 114a having the remaining battery life is left at the position of the sensor 110c while being connected to the sensor node 112c. Therefore, the operator does not immediately dispose of the repeater 114a (does not go to remove it), leaves it at the position of the sensor 110c, and then replaces the sensor 110c when it is time to replace the sensor 110c. Along with this, the repeater 114a may be discarded. By doing so, the worker does not have to visit the consumer's house just to dispose of the repeater 114a, and the work man-hours can be reduced. In this way, the repeater 114a has been used longer than the inspection replacement time of the meter 110a.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the other meter 110 is one has been described, but there may be a plurality of other meters 110. In this case, in step S208, the repeater setting unit 142 has the most inspection / replacement among the plurality of other meters 110 whose inspection / replacement time is before the battery life of the repeater 114 associated with the inspection meter. With the replacement of the other meter 110 that is late, the new repeater 114 will be associated with the new other meter 110 after the replacement.

For example, in FIG. 8A, the sensor node 112a and the repeater 114a are associated with the meter 110a (the inspection meter) whose inspection replacement time has come. Further, sensor nodes 112b, 112e, 112f are associated with the other meters 110b, 110e, 110f, respectively. At the inspection replacement time of the meter 110a, the battery life of the repeater 114a is 4 years remaining, and the inspection replacement time of the other meters 110b, 110e, 110f is 3 years remaining, 2 years remaining, and 1 year remaining, respectively. Suppose that it was. Then, the battery life of the repeater 114a associated with the inspection meter is later than the inspection replacement time of the other three meters 110b, 110e, 110f. Therefore, the repeater setting unit 142 associates the repeater 114a associated with the meter 110a whose inspection replacement time has arrived with the new meter 110c after the replacement as it is, and among the other meters 110b, 110e, 110f. With the replacement of the meter 110b, which has the latest inspection and replacement time, the new repeater 114d is associated with the new meter 110d after the replacement.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the operator uses a combination of the meter 110a (inspection meter) whose inspection and replacement time has arrived and the corresponding sensor node 112a (inspection node) in a new meter 110c and a new sensor. Replace with node 112c. However, the repeater 114a associated with the meter 110a whose inspection and replacement time has arrived is not discarded, but is connected to the new sensor node 112c and associated with the new meter 110c. After that, the repeater 114 is not newly associated with the inspection replacement time of the other meters 110f and 110e. Then, when the inspection replacement time of the other meter 110b arrives, the operator can see the meter 110b (inspection meter) whose inspection replacement time has arrived and the sensor node 112b corresponding to it (as shown in FIG. 8C). The combination of the inspection nodes) is replaced with a new meter 110d and a new sensor node 112d. Then, the new repeater 114d is connected to the new sensor node 112d and associated with the new meter 110d. Along with this, the operator either discards the repeater 114a associated with the meter 110c, or does not immediately discard the repeater 114a, but leaves it at the position of the sensor 110c, and then inspects the sensor 110c. When the full replacement time comes, the repeater 114a is discarded along with the replacement of the sensor 110c. In this way, the repeater 114a has been used longer than the inspection replacement time of the meter 110a.

Further, here, the repeater setting unit 142 determines whether or not the inspection / replacement time of the other meter 110 at the time of replacement of the predetermined meter 110 is before the battery life of the repeater 114 associated with the inspection meter. I was judging. However, there are a plurality of meters 110 having a maximum of 47 units in the group having the same network ID, and there is a high possibility that one of the meters 110 will be replaced every year. For example, if there are 30 meters 110 in a group with the same network ID, an average of 3 meters 110 will be replaced every year. Therefore, when the predetermined meter 110 is replaced, it is highly possible that the inspection replacement time of any of the other meters 110 is before the battery life of the repeater 114 associated with the inspection meter.

Therefore, the repeater setting unit 142 inspects when the predetermined meter 110 is replaced without comparing the inspection / replacement timing of the other meter 110 with the battery life of the repeater 114 associated with the inspection meter. The predetermined repeater 114 associated with the full meter is associated with the new meter 110 after replacement, and with the replacement of any of the other meters 110, the new repeater 114 is replaced with a new one after replacement. It may be associated with the meter 110 of. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load for comparing the inspection / replacement timing of the other meter 110 with the battery life of the repeater 114 associated with the inspection meter.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the battery capacity remains in the repeater 114, the battery capacity can be effectively utilized, and by extension, the number of replacements of the repeater 114 can be reduced. Is possible.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modifications or modifications within the scope of the claims, which naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the repeater setting unit 142 describes an example of setting the meter 110 associated with the repeater 114, but the repeater setting unit 142 sets the replacement time of the repeater 114. May be. Specifically, in a state where the predetermined repeater 114 is associated with the predetermined meter 110, the repeater setting unit 142 is based on the inspection / replacement timing of the other meter 110 at the time of replacement of the predetermined meter 110. , The replacement time of the predetermined repeater 114 associated with the predetermined meter 110 is set.

For example, the repeater setting unit 142 immediately replaces the predetermined repeater 114 if the inspection replacement time of the other meter at the time of replacing the predetermined meter 110 is before the battery life of the predetermined repeater 114. Instead, the replacement time of another meter is set as the replacement time of the predetermined repeater 114. On the other hand, if the inspection and replacement time of the other meter 110 at the time of replacement of the predetermined meter 110 is later than the battery life of the predetermined repeater 114, the predetermined repeater 114 is immediately replaced with a new repeater 114. In this case as well, the repeater 114 has been used longer than the inspection replacement time of the meter 110.

In addition, a program that causes the computer to function as the device for designing the sensor network system 100, the meter 110, the sensor node 112, or the center device 116, and a computer-readable flexible disk or magneto-optical disk that records the program. , ROM, CD, DVD, BD and other storage media are also provided. Here, the program refers to a data processing means described in any language or description method.

It should be noted that each process shown in the present specification does not necessarily have to be processed in chronological order in the order described in the flowchart, and may include parallel or subroutine processing.

100 Sensor network system 110 Meter 112 Sensor node 114 Repeater 140 Data acquisition unit 142 Repeater setting unit

Claims (1)

Sensor nodes associated with each of the multiple meters and
A repeater that is connected to the sensor node and collects information on the meter through the sensor node.
A center device that receives the meter information collected through the repeater, and
Of the plurality of meters, a repeater setting unit for setting the meter associated with the repeater, and a repeater setting unit.
Equipped with
With the predetermined repeater associated with the predetermined meter
With the replacement of the predetermined meter, the repeater setting unit directly associates the predetermined repeater associated with the predetermined meter before the replacement with the new meter after the replacement, and the predetermined one. A sensor network system that associates a new repeater with a new meter after replacement in connection with the replacement of another meter to which the repeater is not associated.

Images