KR102263529B1 - Alarm devices and information processing systems - Google Patents

Abstract

The alarm device 10, which is disposed indoors and outputs an alarm when a target gas is detected, includes a first communication means for wireless communication with a gas meter 20A for measuring the amount of gas used indoors; 2nd communication means for communicating with the center server 50, Meter reading information acquisition means 301 which acquires the meter reading information in the designated meter reading day from the gas meter 20A via the 1st communication means, and meter reading information acquisition Communication for transmitting the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date stored in the storage means 303 to the center server 50 via the storage means 303 for storing the meter reading information acquired by the means 301 and the second communication means Control means 313 is provided.

Description

Alarm devices and information processing systems

The present disclosure relates to an alarm device and an information processing system.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as an automatic meter reading system such as a gas meter, a two-way system using a public telephone line is known. For example, a public telephone line provided with a terminal network control device is connected between the center apparatus and the gas meter for automatic meter reading installed in each consumer, and the meter reading information by the gas meter is read from the center apparatus through the telephone line. Moreover, the technique of notifying the safety information of a gas meter to a center apparatus together with the meter reading information of a gas meter is also proposed.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-35423 (Patent Document 1) wirelessly receives an alarm message from an alarm device, and sets the alarm state based on the wirelessly received alarm message to a terminal network control means and a public telephone. An alarm notification device for notifying a center device through a line is disclosed. This alarm notification device transmits, to the center device, safety monitoring information related to the gas meter together with meter reading information by the gas meter with a meter reading function upon wireless reception of an alarm message, in the unused flags in the safety monitoring data flag list. , sets a flag associated in advance with respect to the received alert message, and transmits a response message including the set flag according to the request message received from the terminal network control means after transmission of the start request signal to the terminal network control means .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-35423

Typically, the meter reading information by the gas meter is periodically transmitted toward the center apparatus on the meter reading day specified in advance for each customer. However, when the designated meter reading days are concentrated at the request of the customer, the actual meter reading date is shifted to a predetermined date after the next day due to a high load of processing on the center device side or occurrence of a communication failure due to line congestion or the like. In that case, the meter reading period becomes the period from the last meter reading date to the predetermined date, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of customer service. Patent Document 1 does not teach or suggest at all a technique for solving the above problem.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an alarm device and an information processing system capable of improving customer service by appropriately acquiring meter reading information by a gas meter.

According to some embodiments, there is provided an alarm device disposed indoors and outputting an alarm when a target gas is detected. The alarm device receives the gas meter from the gas meter via the first communication means for wireless communication with the gas meter for measuring the amount of gas used indoors, the second communication means for communication with the center server, and the first communication means Meter-reading information acquisition means for acquiring meter-reading information on a designated meter-reading day, storage means for storing the meter-reading information acquired by the meter-reading information obtaining means, and the second communication means, meter-reading information on the designated meter-reading date stored in the storage means and communication control means for transmitting to the center server.

Preferably, the meter reading information acquiring means instructs the gas meter to transmit, via the first communication means, the meter reading information at the current date and time, when the current date and time reaches a predetermined time of the designated meter reading day, so that the current date and time , and the acquired meter reading information at the current date and time is stored in the storage means as meter reading information on the designated meter reading day.

Preferably, the alarm device further includes, via the first communication means, cutoff information obtaining means for obtaining cutoff information indicating that the gas is cut off from the gas meter. When the target gas is detected indoors, the interruption information acquisition means transmits detection information indicating that the target gas has been detected to the gas meter via the first communication means, and as a response to the detection information, the interruption information is transmitted from the gas meter. to acquire The communication control means transmits blocking information to the center server via the second communication means.

Preferably, when the transmission of the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date to the center server fails, the communication control means transmits the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date again to the center server after a predetermined period has elapsed after the transmission fails.

Preferably, the communication control means deletes the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date stored in the storage means when transmission of the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date to the center server is successful.

Preferably, the alarm device further includes a power storage means that is normally charged with electric power from a commercial power supply and functions as an alternative power source for the alarm device when the commercial power supply is out of power.

Preferably, the warning device further comprises imaging information acquisition means for acquiring imaging information captured by a camera disposed indoors. When the target gas is detected indoors, a communication control means transmits the imaging information acquired by the imaging information acquisition means to a center server via a 2nd communication means.

Preferably, the warning device further includes an operation means for receiving an operation input from a user. The communication control means transmits emergency information to the center server via the second communication means, when the operation means receives an emergency instruction from the user.

An information processing system according to another embodiment includes a center server and a master alarm device disposed indoors and having a gas alarm function that outputs an alarm when a target gas is detected. The master alarm device acquires the meter reading information on the specified meter reading day from the gas meter through the first communication means for wireless communication with the gas meter that measures the amount of gas used indoors, and sends the acquired meter reading information to the master alarm It stores in the first memory of the device and transmits the meter reading information of the designated meter reading date stored in the first memory to the center server via the second communication means for communicating with the center server.

Preferably, the information processing system further includes a plurality of alarm devices including a plurality of master alarm devices and a plurality of slave alarm devices having a gas alarm function. Each of the plurality of slave alarm devices acquires meter reading information on a specified meter reading day from the gas meter through the first communication means, stores the acquired meter reading information in a second memory of the slave alarm device, and exists in the vicinity Searches for an alarm device to be used, and transmits the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date stored in the second memory to the first alarm device found by the search. When the first alerting device is the master alerting device, the first alerting device transmits, via the second communication means, the meter reading information on the designated meter reading date memorized in the second memory to the center server.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this indication, it becomes possible to improve customer service by acquiring the meter reading information by a gas meter appropriately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the information processing system which concerns on Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the alarm device according to the first embodiment.
3 is a flowchart for explaining a method of transmitting meter reading information according to the first embodiment.
4 is a flowchart for explaining a transmission method of blocking information according to the first embodiment.
5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the alarm device according to the first embodiment.
6 is a diagram for explaining the multi-hop communication method according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a situation in the case where the master device in FIG. 6 fails.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiment of this invention is described, referring drawings. In the following description, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the same component. Their names and functions are also the same. Accordingly, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]

<System Configuration>

1 : is a figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the information processing system 1000 which concerns on Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 1 , the information processing system 1000 includes alarm devices 10 and 11 , gas meters 20A and 20B , a home appliance 30 , a camera 31 , a network 40 , and , including a center server 50 .

Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, a configuration in which the alarm devices 10 and 11 are disposed in the house will be described. However, for example, the structure arrange|positioned in each room of an apartment may be sufficient as the alarm apparatus 10, 11, and the structure arrange|positioned in various shops etc. may be sufficient as it. That is, the alarm devices 10 and 11 may be disposed at any place as long as they are indoors.

In the interior of the house 201 , an alarm device 10 having a gas alarm function that outputs an alarm when a target gas is detected, a household appliance 30 , and a camera 31 are arranged. Typically, the gas meter 20A is disposed outside the house 201 .

An alarm device 11 is disposed inside the house 202 . In addition, similarly to the house 201, a home appliance, a camera, etc. may be arrange|positioned inside the house 202. As shown in FIG. The gas meter 20B is disposed outside the house 202 .

The alarm device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the gas meter 20A, the household appliance 30 , the camera 31 , and the alarm device 11 . Moreover, the alarm apparatus 10 is comprised so that communication with the center server 50 is also possible via the network 40. As shown in FIG. The alerting device 10 has a gateway function that provides data exchange between a plurality of communication standards, and controls so that data can be exchanged smoothly between networks having different protocols. Similarly, the alarm device 11 may also have a gateway function.

The alarm device 10 is a communication method using, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc., the gas meter 20A, the home appliance 30 and Wireless communication with the camera 31 is performed. In addition, the alarm device 11 performs wireless communication with the gas meter 20B by these communication methods.

In addition, the alarm device 10 is included in, for example, a mobile phone communication method such as 3G (3rd Generation) or LTE (Long Term Evolution), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), which is a wireless communication method that is expected to be spread in the future. Using LTE-M (Long Term Evolution for Machines) or NB-IoT (Narrow Band IoT), etc., it is configured to be able to communicate with the center server 50 through the network 40 . The network 40 includes a carrier network in a mobile phone, an Internet network, and the like.

In addition, the alarm apparatus 10 performs wireless communication with the alarm apparatus 11 using, for example, Wi-SUN (registered trademark) (Wireless Smart Utility Network). Wi-SUN is a specific low-power wireless system using the 920 MHz band, and has characteristics such as lower power consumption than Wi-Fi (registered trademark), a longer reach, and difficulty in causing radio wave interference with other radios. The 920 MHz band system also has an advantage that the communication speed is faster than other specific low-power wireless schemes (400 MHz band). In addition, the alarm device 10 may perform wireless communication with the gas meter 20A, the household appliance 30, and the camera 31 using Wi-SUN.

The gas meter 20A measures the amount of gas used in the house 201 . The gas meter 20A has a gas flow measurement function, a shutoff function of a shutoff valve, a communication function, and a clock function.

Specifically, the gas meter 20A is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 10 by a communication method such as the above-described Bluetooth (registered trademark). The gas meter 20A measures the gas flowing from a gas container (not shown) to a gas appliance (not shown) provided in the house 201 , and transmits meter reading information to the alarm device 10 . The meter reading information may be an integrated value of the flow rate of the gas flowing from the gas container to the gas device, or may be data indicating the amount of gas used, or two or more thereof may be combined.

The gas meter 20B is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 11 , measures gas flowing through a gas device (not shown) provided in the house 202 , and transmits meter reading information to the alarm device 11 .

The home appliance 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 10 and is, for example, a lighting device, an electric fan, a vacuum cleaner, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a television, a personal computer, a microwave oven, an air cleaner, and the like. The home appliance 30 performs predetermined control in accordance with various instructions from the alarm device 10 , or transmits various types of information to the alarm device 10 .

The camera 31 is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 10 , and images an indoor state of the house 201 according to instruction information from the alarm device 10 . In addition, the camera 31 transmits the captured image to the warning device 10 . The camera 31 is realized by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) method, a CMOS (Complementary Mental Oxide Semiconductor) method or other methods. Further, the camera 31 has a zoom function for changing a zoom magnification, a focus function for adjusting a focal length, and the like.

The center server 50 is connected to the network 40 and is a server device for monitoring and controlling the alarm device 10 and the gas meter 20A from a remote location. The center server 50 acquires the information which the gas meter 20A has by making a meter reading request|requirement to 20A of gas meters via the alarm apparatus 10, for example, or 20A of gas meters by making a cutoff request|requirement. ) to shut off the gas. Moreover, the center server 50 can also make a meter reading request|requirement and interruption|blocking request to the gas meter 20B via the alarm apparatus 10 and the alarm apparatus 11. As shown in FIG.

In addition to the above, a fire alarm, a monitoring robot, a health device capable of acquiring biometric information such as a heart rate, etc. may be disposed indoors of the house 201 . In this case, the alarm device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with these devices and the like by a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and can exchange various types of information.

<Hardware Configuration>

2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the alarm device 10 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2 , the alarm device 10 includes a main control unit 100 , a communication unit 110 , a gas sensor 131 , a speaker 132 , an operation interface (I/F) 133 , and , a GPS module 134 , a light emitting diode (LED) 135 , and a battery 136 .

The main control unit 100 is a main body that controls the entire process in the alarm device 10 . The main control unit 100 includes, as major components, a processor 102 , a main memory 104 , and a nonvolatile memory 106 .

The processor 102 is made of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and the program stored in the nonvolatile memory 106 is developed and executed in the main memory 104 . The processor 102 implements the processing of the warning device 10 described later by executing the program.

The main memory 104 is comprised of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), etc., and holds data volatile. The nonvolatile memory 106 is constituted by a flash memory, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), or the like, and holds data nonvolatilely. Hereinafter, the main memory 104 and the nonvolatile memory 106 are collectively referred to as simply "memory".

The main control unit 100 may be implemented as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration) including the above-described components. In this case, it may be mounted in the form of an SoC (System-on-a-Chip) in which each component is integrated.

The communication unit 110 includes a Bluetooth module 111 , an LTE module 112 , a Wi-SUN module 113 , and a Wi-Fi module 114 .

The Bluetooth module 111 is connected to the antenna 121 and provides a short-range wireless communication function compliant with the Bluetooth standard. The Bluetooth module 111 can perform, for example, wireless communication based on the BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) standard, and wireless communication based on the Classic Bluetooth standard. Typically, the processor 102 communicates with the gas meter 20A, the home appliance 30 and the camera 31 via the Bluetooth module 111 .

The LTE module 112 is connected to the antenna 122 and provides a wireless communication function according to a wireless access method such as LTE, 3G, LTE-M or NB-IoT. Typically, the LTE module 112 and the antenna 122 are used for communication between the center server 50 and the alert device 10 .

The Wi-SUN module 113 is connected to the antenna 123 and provides a specific low-power wireless communication function in the 920 MHz band. Typically, the Wi-SUN module 113 and the antenna 123 are used for communication between the alert device 10 and the alert device 11 . The Wi-Fi module 114 is connected to the antenna 124 and provides a wireless communication function according to a wireless access method such as a wireless LAN.

The gas sensor 131 detects the presence or absence of a target gas. The target gas may be, for example, combustible gas, LP gas containing propane and butane as main components, or city gas containing methane as main components.

The speaker 132 outputs an audio|voice according to the instruction|indication of the processor 102. For example, when the target gas is detected by the gas sensor 131 , the processor 102 outputs an alarm sound through the speaker 132 .

The operation interface 133 receives various instructions from the user. Typically, the operation interface 133 includes an emergency contact button, an alarm stop switch, a check switch, and the like.

The GPS module 134 receives a GPS signal or a position signal (positioning signal) from a base station to acquire position information of the warning device 10 . The GPS module 134 inputs the acquired location information to the main control unit 100 .

The LED 135 blinks or turns on according to an instruction from the processor 102 . For example, when the target gas is detected by the gas sensor 131 , the processor 102 prompts a warning by blinking or lighting the LED 135 .

The battery 136 is a chargeable and dischargeable electric power storage element, and is typically constituted by a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel hydride battery. The alarm device 10 is connected to the commercial power supply 150 by an AC (Alternative Current) power cord, and the battery 136 is charged by the commercial power supply 150 . Specifically, the battery 136 is charged by power from the commercial power supply 150 during normal (non-power failure), and functions as an alternative power source for the alarm device 10 when the commercial power supply 150 is out of power. .

Note that the hardware configuration of the alarm device 11 is different from the hardware configuration of the warning device 10 in that it does not include the LTE module 112 (and the antenna 122) in FIG. The same is true.

<Processing procedure>

The procedure of the various processes in the alarm apparatus 10 is demonstrated.

(Method of sending meter reading information)

3 is a flowchart for explaining a method of transmitting meter reading information according to the first embodiment. Here, the method in which the warning apparatus 10 transmits the meter reading information of the designated meter reading day to the center server 50 is demonstrated.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the processor 102 of the alerting device 10 determines whether or not the meter reading timing based on a previously designated meter reading date (designated meter reading date) has arrived (step S10 ).

Specifically, when the processor 102 receives the meter reading instruction on the specified meter reading date from the center server 50 via the LTE module 112 and the network 40 , the processor 102 determines that the meter reading timing has arrived. Alternatively, the processor 102 may determine whether or not the meter reading timing has arrived by comparing the current date and time with the designated meter reading date previously stored in the nonvolatile memory 106 .

The processor 102 instructs the gas meter 20A to transmit the current meter reading information to the alarm device 10 (step S12). Specifically, the processor 102 transmits the instruction information indicating the instruction to the gas meter 20A via the Bluetooth module 111 .

The processor 102 receives the current meter reading information from the gas meter 20A via the Bluetooth module 111 (step S14). The processor 102 stores the received meter reading information as meter reading information on a specified meter reading day in a memory (eg, the nonvolatile memory 106) (step S16).

The processor 102 transmits, via the LTE module 112, the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date stored in the memory to the center server 50 (step S18). Subsequently, the processor 102 determines whether or not the transmission of the meter reading information to the center server 50 has been successful (step S20).

For example, when the processor 102 transmits the meter reading information and does not receive a response from the center server 50 even after a certain period of time has elapsed (that is, when a timeout occurs), the meter reading information is It is determined that the center server 50 has not been reached (that is, transmission has failed). Otherwise, the processor 102 determines that the transmission of the meter reading information has been successful.

If the transmission of the meter reading information is successful (YES in step S20), the processor 102 ends the process. If the transmission of the meter reading information has failed (No in step S20), the processor 102 determines whether a predetermined period (for example, one day) has elapsed since the transmission of the meter reading information failed. do (step S22). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S22), the processor 102 executes the processing in step S22.

When the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S22), the processor 102 executes the processing in step S18. That is, the processor 102 retransmits, to the center server 50, the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date stored in the memory.

According to the above, the warning device 10 memorize|stores the meter reading information of the designated meter reading day acquired from 20A of gas meters in memory. Then, even if a communication failure occurs due to a high processing load on the center server 50 side, line congestion, etc., and the meter reading information cannot be transmitted on the designated meter reading day, the alarm device 10 communicates with the center server 50 When it becomes possible, the meter reading information of the designated meter reading date memorize|stored in the memory is transmitted to the center server 50. Thereby, since the meter reading period does not shift, customer service can be improved.

(Transmission method of blocking information)

4 is a flowchart for explaining a transmission method of blocking information according to the first embodiment. Here, when the alarm apparatus 10 detects the target gas, the method of transmitting the interruption|blocking information of gas to the center server 50 is demonstrated.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the processor 102 of the alarm device 10 determines whether a target gas has been detected indoors of the house 201 via the gas sensor 131 (step S30 ). When the target gas is not detected (NO in step S30), the processor 102 executes the processing in step S30.

When the target gas is detected (YES in step S30), the processor 102 transmits, via the Bluetooth module 111, gas detection information indicating that the target gas has been detected to the gas meter 20A. (Step S32). Upon receiving the gas detection information, the gas meter 20A shuts off the shutoff valve to stop the gas supply from the gas container. Then, the gas meter 20A transmits, via the Blutooth module, blocking information indicating that the blocking has been performed to the alarm device 10 .

Processor 102 receives cutoff information from gas meter 20A via Bluetooth module 111 (step S34), and stores the cutoff information in memory in association with the current date and time (step S36). Specifically, the processor 102 stores in the memory the blocking information and blocking-related information including the blocking date and time when the blocking was executed.

The processor 102 transmits the blocking-related information stored in the memory to the center server 50 via the LTE module 112 (step S38). Subsequently, the processor 102 determines whether or not the transmission of the blocking-related information to the center server 50 has been successful (step S40).

If the transmission of the blocking-related information is successful (YES in step S40), the processor 102 ends the process. If the transmission of the blocking-related information has failed (No in step S40), the processor 102 determines whether or not a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the transmission of the blocking-related information failed (step S42). If the predetermined period has not elapsed (NO in step S42), the processor 102 executes the processing in step S42.

When the predetermined period has elapsed (YES in step S42), the processor 102 executes the processing in step S38. That is, the processor 102 retransmits the blocking-related information stored in the memory to the center server 50 .

According to the above, the alarm device 10 memorizes shut-off related information indicating when the shut-off valve was shut off by the gas meter 20A in the memory. Further, even when communication with the center server 50 is disabled due to a disaster or the like and the blocking-related information cannot be transmitted, the alarm device 10 provides the blocking-related information when communication with the center server 50 is enabled. is transmitted to the center server 50 . Thereby, on the center server 50 side, it can grasp|ascertain with high precision at what point in time the gas was shut off.

<Function Configuration>

5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the alarm device 10 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5 , the alarm device 10 has, as a main functional configuration, a meter reading information acquisition unit 301 , a storage unit 303 , a gas detection unit 305 , a blocking information acquisition unit 307 , It includes an imaging information acquisition unit 309 , an operation unit 311 , a communication control unit 313 , and an inter-device communication unit 315 . The storage unit 303 is realized by the main memory 104 and the nonvolatile memory 106 .

The meter reading information acquisition unit 301 receives meter reading information from the gas meter 20A on a specified meter reading day via a first communication module (eg, the Bluetooth module 111) for wireless communication with the gas meter 20A. to acquire

In a certain situation, when the current date and time reaches a predetermined time of the designated meter reading day, the meter reading information acquisition unit 301 sends the meter reading information at the current date and time to the gas meter 20A via the first communication module. By instructing (i.e., issuing a meter reading instruction), meter reading information at the current date and time is acquired. The meter reading information acquisition unit 301 stores the acquired meter reading information at the current date and time in the storage unit 303 as meter reading information on the specified meter reading day. The meter reading information acquisition unit 301 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the communication unit 110 .

The gas detection unit 305 detects the presence or absence of a target gas in the interior of the house 201 . The gas detection unit 305 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the gas sensor 131 .

The cutoff information acquisition unit 307 obtains cutoff information indicating that the gas is cut off from the gas meter 20A via the first communication module. In a certain situation, when the target gas is detected by the gas detection unit 305 , the cutoff information acquisition unit 307 detects detection information indicating that the target gas is detected by the gas meter 20A via the first communication module is transmitted, and as a response to the detection information, blocking information is acquired from the gas meter 20A. In addition, the blocking information acquisition unit 307 may store, in the storage unit 303, blocking-related information correlating the blocking information with the current date and time (that is, blocking date and time).

The imaging information acquisition unit 309 acquires the imaging information imaged by the camera 31 via the first communication module. The imaging information acquisition unit 309 stores the imaging information in the storage unit 303 . The imaging information acquisition unit 309 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the communication unit 110 .

In a certain situation, when gas is detected by the gas detection unit 305 , the imaging information acquisition unit 309 transmits a startup instruction to the camera 31 , and imaging information captured by the activated camera 31 . may acquire As a result, the indoor state in an emergency at the time of gas leakage can be stored in the storage unit 303, and since the imaging information is not stored in the normal case, the capacity of the storage unit 303 can be efficiently saved. is available as

The operation unit 311 receives an operation input from a user. In a certain situation, the operation unit 311 receives an emergency instruction from the user. The operation unit 311 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the operation interface 133 .

The communication control unit 313 communicates various types of information with the center server 50 through the second communication module (eg, the LTE module 112 ). The communication control unit 313 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the communication unit 110 .

In a certain situation, the communication control unit 313 transmits to the center server 50 the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date stored in the storage unit 303 via the second communication module. When the transmission of the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date to the center server 50 fails, the communication control unit 313 sends the meter reading information on the specified meter reading day after a predetermined period elapses (for example, one day after the transmission fails). to the center server 50 again. Further, when the transmission of the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date to the center server 50 is successful, the communication control unit 313 transmits the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date stored in the storage unit 303 immediately after transmission success or for a certain period from the successful transmission. You may delete it after elapsed time (for example, several months later). Thereby, the capacity of the storage unit 303 can be used efficiently.

In another situation, the communication control unit 313 transmits the blocking information acquired by the blocking information acquisition unit 307 to the center server 50 via the second communication module. Specifically, the communication control unit 313 transmits the blocking-related information stored in the storage unit 303 to the center server 50 .

In another situation, when the target gas is detected indoors of the house 201, the communication control unit 313 centers the imaging information acquired by the imaging information acquisition unit 309 via the second communication module. It is transmitted to the server 50 .

In another situation, when the operation unit 311 receives an emergency instruction from the user, the communication control unit 313 transmits, via the second communication module, emergency information indicating that a certain emergency has occurred to the center server 50 . do. Thereby, the user can directly contact the center server 50 of an emergency.

The device-to-device communication unit 315 performs wireless communication with the alarm device 11 . Typically, the device-to-device communication unit 315 performs wireless communication with the alarm device 11 via a third communication module (eg, the Wi-SUN module 113 ). For example, the device-to-device communication unit 315 receives various types of information (eg, meter reading information, blocking-related information, imaging information, emergency information, etc.) from the alert device 11 . The communication control unit 313 transmits various types of information acquired by the device-to-device communication unit 315 to the center server 50 via the second communication module.

Here, the alarm device 11 includes, among the functional configurations of the warning device 10 described above, each functional configuration other than the communication control unit 313 (that is, the meter reading information acquisition unit 301 , the storage unit 303 , and the gas detection unit). 305 , a blocking information acquisition unit 307 , an imaging information acquisition unit 309 , an operation unit 311 , and a device-to-device communication unit 315 ). Specifically, in the warning device 11, meter reading information on a specified meter reading day, interruption-related information, imaging information, emergency instruction information, and the like are acquired. Then, the device-to-device communication unit of the alert device 11 transmits these information to the alert device 10 via the Wi-SUN module.

<Advantage>

According to the first embodiment, even when the meter reading information cannot be transmitted on the specified meter reading day, the meter reading information on the specified meter reading day stored in the memory is stored in the center server 50 when communication between the alarm device 10 and the center server 50 is enabled. ), the meter reading period does not shift, and customer service can be improved.

Even when the shutoff information cannot be transmitted when the gas is shut off, the shutoff related information stored in the memory can be transmitted to the center server 50 at the point in time when communication between the alarm device 10 and the center server 50 is enabled. . Thereby, it is possible to grasp more accurately when the gas shutoff was performed on the center server 50 side.

The problem of not being able to communicate during a call that occurs in the method of reading meter reading information by a gas meter through a public telephone line is also solved. In addition, since the battery 136 is normally charged from a commercial power source and the battery 136 is used as an alternative power source in case of a power outage, there is no need to be aware of power consumption of the alarm device 10 by communication.

[Embodiment 2]

In the second embodiment, a multi-hop communication method using the warning device 10 and the plurality of warning devices 11 will be described. As described above, the warning device 10 and the warning device 11 are configured to enable bidirectional communication using, for example, the Wi-SUN communication method. Wi-SUN also supports multi-hop communication in which multiple devices relay data in a bucket relay method to connect remote locations. Therefore, the alert device 10 and the plurality of alert devices 11 can transmit data in a multi-hop manner.

In the following description, the alert device 10 equipped with the LTE module 112 and capable of wireless communication with the center server 50 is also referred to as "the master device 10", and the LTE module 112 is not mounted. The device 11 is also referred to as a "slave device 11".

6 is a diagram for explaining the multi-hop communication method according to the second embodiment. Referring to Fig. 6, master devices 10A, 10B, and 10C are master devices of groups A, B, and C, respectively. Communication ranges 401, 402, and 403 indicate communication ranges in the case where the master devices 10A, 10B, and 10C communicate using Wi-SUN, respectively.

The slave devices 11A, 11B, and 11C belong to the group A because they are present in the communication range 401 . The slave devices 11C, 11D, and 11E belong to group B because they are present in the communication range 402 . From this, the slave device 11C belongs to both groups A and B. The slave devices 11G and 11F belong to group C because they are in the communication range 403 .

For example, the slave device 11 newly participating in the network, in order to establish a communication route with the master device 10, the master device 10, or another slave device already participating in the network ( 11), it is necessary to acquire routing information including information such as communication route and communication quality. Therefore, the slave device 11 participating in the new broadcast transmits a beacon request signal for searching for the master device 10 or other slave devices 11 existing in the vicinity.

If the master device 10 or other slave device 11 can receive the beacon request signal, the master device 10 or other slave device 11 that has received the beacon request signal is a beacon response signal to the beacon request signal. transmits a broadcast. Upon receiving the beacon response signal, the slave device 11 to participate newly transmits/receives routing information to and from the source of the beacon response signal to establish a communication route.

Typically, the master device 10 receives various types of information from each slave device 11 belonging to the group, and transmits the various types of information to the center server 50 . Here, each slave device 11 receives the meter reading information on the specified meter reading day from the corresponding gas meter, and stores the received meter reading information in the internal memory of the slave device. In addition, each slave device stores the above-described blocking-related information and imaging information in an internal memory.

For example, the master device 10A receives, from the slave device 11, the meter reading information and blocking information stored in the internal memory of each of the slave devices 11A, 11B, and 11C. The master apparatus 10A transmits each meter reading information and interruption|blocking information of the slave apparatuses 11A, 11B, 11C to the center server 50. As shown in FIG.

Further, since the slave device 11C also belongs to the group B, the information stored in the internal memory of the slave device 11C may be transmitted to the center server 50 via the master device 10B.

Here, it is assumed that the master device 10 is in a state in which communication with the center server 50 and other slave devices 11 is not possible due to factors such as failure of a certain master device 10 .

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a situation when the master device 10 in FIG. 6 fails. Referring to FIG. 7 , due to factors such as failure of the master device 10B, the master device 10B is in a state in which communication with the center server 50 and other slave devices 11 is impossible. In this case, the slave devices 11D and 11E belonging to the group B cannot transmit information to the center server 50 via the master device 10B.

Therefore, the slave device 11E transmits, for example, a beacon request signal, searches for other devices present in the vicinity, and establishes communication with the slave device 11D that has responded (discovered by search). Similarly, the slave device 11D establishes communication with the slave device 11C. The slave device 11C can communicate with the master device 10A via the slave device 11B. That is, the slave device 11E becomes capable of communicating with the master device 10A via the slave devices 11D, 11C, and 11B.

Accordingly, the slave device 11E transmits the meter reading information (or blocking information, etc.) stored in the internal memory to the master device 10A. The master device 10A transmits the meter reading information (or blocking information) received from the slave device 11E to the center server 50 .

In this way, the slave device 11 transmits various pieces of information P stored in the internal memory to the device K1 found by the search. Then, when the discovered device K1 is the master device 10 , the device K1 transmits various pieces of information P stored in the internal memory of the slave device 11 to the center server 50 . On the other hand, when the discovered device K1 is the slave device 11, the device K1 also transmits various pieces of information P to another device K2 discovered by itself.

In addition, the communication route in FIG.6 and FIG.7 is an example, and the structure in which another communication route is employ|adopted may be sufficient. For example, when the slave device 11E discovers the slave device 11C by searching, the slave device 11E establishes communication with the slave device 11C without going through the slave device 11D. In addition, when the slave apparatus 11C discovers the master apparatus 10A by search, it establishes communication with the master apparatus 10A without the slave apparatus 11B. In this case, the slave device 11E can communicate with the master device 10A via the slave device 11C.

[Other embodiments]

(1) In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the alarm devices 10 and 11 acquire the meter reading information by gas meters, the structure which also acquires the meter reading information by various meters by communicating with various meters other than a gas meter may be The alarm devices 10 and 11 acquire meter reading information (for example, data indicating water usage) from a water meter that measures water usage through a Bluetooth module, or use electricity (electric power) A structure may be sufficient to acquire meter reading information (for example, data indicating electricity consumption) from the electricity meter to be measured. The warning device 10 transmits these meter reading information to the center server 50 . Thereby, it becomes possible to further improve customer service by collectively managing the meter reading information of gas, electricity, and water which is a lifeline.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, a program that causes the computer to function and executes the control as described in the above-described flowchart may be provided. Such a program can be provided as a program product by being recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to a computer, a compact disk read only memory (CD), a secondary storage device, a main memory device, and a memory card. may be Alternatively, the program can be provided by recording it on a recording medium such as a hard disk incorporated in a computer. Moreover, the program can also be provided by downloading through a network.

The program may execute processing by calling necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing among program modules provided as a part of the operating system (OS) of the computer. In that case, the above module is not included in the program itself, and processing is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such a module may also be included in the program according to the present embodiment.

Note that the program according to the present embodiment may be provided by being embedded in a part of another program. Even in that case, the program itself does not include a module included in the other program, and processing is executed in cooperation with the other program. Programs embedded in such other programs may also be included in the program according to the present embodiment.

(3) The configuration exemplified as the above-described embodiment is an example of the configuration of the present invention, it can be combined with other known techniques, and is a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention, and changes such as omitting a part It is also possible to configure In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where it employ|adopts and implements the process and structure demonstrated in other embodiment suitably may be sufficient.

It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration in all points, and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not the above description, but is indicated by the claims, and intends to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

10, 11: alarm device
20A, 20B: gas meter
30: home appliances
31: camera
40: network
50: center server
100: main fisherman
102: processor
104: main memory
106: non-volatile memory
110: communication department
111: Bluetooth module
112: LTE module
113: Wi-SUN module
114: Wi-Fi module
121, 122, 123, 124: antenna
131: gas sensor
132: speaker
133: operation interface
134: GPS module
136: battery
150: commercial power
201, 202: houses
301: meter reading information acquisition unit
303: memory
305: gas detection unit
307: blocking information acquisition unit
309: imaging information acquisition unit
311: control panel
313: communication control unit
315: device-to-device communication unit
401, 402, 403: communication range
1000: information processing system

Claims (10)

center server,
An alarm device comprising a plurality of master alarm devices and a plurality of slave alarm devices
to provide
Each of the plurality of master alarm devices,
It is placed indoors and has a gas alarm function that outputs an alarm when a target gas is detected,
Acquire meter reading information on a specified meter reading day from the gas meter through a first communication means for wireless communication with a gas meter that measures the amount of gas used indoors;
storing the acquired meter reading information in a first memory of the master alarm device;
sending, through a second communication means for communicating with the center server, the meter reading information of the designated meter reading date stored in the first memory to the center server;
Each of the plurality of slave alarm devices,
It is placed indoors and has a gas alarm function that outputs an alarm when a target gas is detected,
Acquire meter reading information on a specified meter reading day from the gas meter through a first communication means for wireless communication with a gas meter that measures the amount of gas used indoors;
storing the acquired meter reading information in a second memory of the slave alarm device;
searching for an alarm device existing in the vicinity, and transmitting the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date stored in the second memory to the first alarm device found by the search;
When the first warning device is the other slave warning device among the plurality of slave warning devices, the first warning device is configured to: 1 transmits the meter reading information of the specified meter reading date received by the first alarm device to the alarm device discovered and searched for by the first alarm device;
When the first alerting device is the master alerting device, the first alerting device includes, via the second communication means, the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date stored in the first memory and the second memory The information processing system which transmits the meter reading information of the designated meter reading day to the said center server. According to claim 1,
The master alarm device,
When the current date and time reaches the predetermined time on the specified meter reading date, the gas meter is instructed to transmit the meter reading information at the current date and time via the first communication means to obtain meter reading information at the current date and time. and,
The information processing system which stores said acquired meter reading information in the said current date and time in said 1st memory as meter reading information of the said specified meter reading date. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The master alarm device,
When the target gas is detected in the indoor, detection information indicating that the target gas has been detected is transmitted to the gas meter via the first communication means, and from the gas meter as a response to the detection information, obtain shutoff information indicating that the gas has been shut off;
The information processing system which transmits the said blocking information to the said center server via the said 2nd communication means. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
the master alert device, when transmission of the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date to the center server fails, transmits the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date again to the center server after a predetermined period elapses after the transmission fails; processing system. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The information processing system wherein the master alert device deletes the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date stored in the first memory when transmission of the meter reading information on the specified meter reading date to the center server is successful. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
and the master alarm device is normally charged with electric power from a commercial power supply, and further includes power storage means that functions as an alternative power source for the master alarm device in the event of a power outage of the commercial power supply. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The master alarm device,
Also acquiring information captured by the camera disposed indoors,
The information processing system which transmits the said acquired imaging information to the said center server via the said 2nd communication means, when the said target gas is detected in the said indoor. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The said master warning apparatus transmits emergency information to the said center server via the said 2nd communication means, when receiving an emergency instruction from a user, The information processing system. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The master alarm device,
Further, through the first communication means, the meter reading information on the specified meter reading day is obtained from at least one of a water meter and an electricity meter;
The information processing system which transmits the meter reading information of the designated meter reading date acquired from the said at least one meter to the said center server via the said 2nd communication means. delete

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