TW202004696A - Alarm device and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

This alarm device is disposed indoor and outputs an alert when a target gas has been detected, the alarm device being provided with: a first communication means for performing wireless communication with a gas meter which measures an amount of gas consumed indoors; a second communication means for communicating with a center server; a meter reading information acquisition means for acquiring meter reading information from the gas meter via the first communication means on a designated meter reading date; a storage means for storing the meter reading information acquired by the meter reading information acquisition means; and a communication control means for transmitting, to the center server via the second communication means, the meter reading information of the designated meter reading date stored in the storage means.

Description

Alarm device and information processing system

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

Conventionally, an automatic detection system such as a gas meter has been known as a two-way type using a public telephone line. For example, a public telephone line with a terminal network control device is used to connect the central device to the gas meter for automatic detection installed in each household, and the detection information of the gas meter is read from the central device through the telephone line . In addition, a technology is also proposed to report the safety information of the gas meter to the central device together with the detection information of the gas meter.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-35423 (Patent Document 1) discloses an alarm notification device that wirelessly receives alarm telecommunications from the alarm device, and controls the organization and the public telephone through the terminal network based on the wirelessly received alarm telecommunications Line to report the alarm status to the central device. In order to correspond to the wireless reception of alarm telecommunications, the alarm notification device transmits the safety monitoring information related to the gas meter together with the detection information of the gas meter with the detection function to the central device, and the safety monitoring data mark list Of the unused flags, set the flags that will correspond in advance to the received alarm telecommunications, and after transmitting the activation request signal to the terminal network control agency, it corresponds to the request telecommunication received from the terminal network control agency, To send a response message containing the set flag.

[Prior Technical Literature]

[Patent Literature]

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-35423

Typically, the detection information of the gas meter will be transmitted to the central device periodically on the predetermined detection day according to customer requirements. However, if the designated inspection day is too concentrated due to customer requirements, the communication load will be impeded due to the high load on the central device side or mixed lines, so the actual inspection day will be staggered The day after the day. As a result, the inspection period becomes the period from the previous inspection day to the given day, and the customer service quality is relatively poor. Patent Document 1 does not teach or suggest any technique for solving the above-mentioned problems.

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an alarm device and an information processing system that can improve the quality of customer service by properly acquiring the detection information of the gas meter.

According to one embodiment, an alarm device is provided, which is arranged in a house and outputs an alarm when the target gas is detected. The alarm device is provided with: a first communication mechanism for wireless communication with a gas meter that measures the amount of gas used in the house; a second communication mechanism for communication with a central server; detection The information obtaining mechanism uses the first communication mechanism to obtain the detection information of the specified test date from the gas meter; the memory mechanism stores the detection information obtained by the detection information obtaining mechanism; and the communication control mechanism uses the first 2 Communication mechanism to send the testing information stored on the designated testing day memorized by the memory mechanism to the central server.

Preferably, the detection information acquisition mechanism is to transmit the detection information at the current time point through the first communication mechanism when the current time point reaches the predetermined time on the designated detection day, by indicating to the gas meter, To obtain the detection information at the current time point, and store the obtained detection information at the current time point in the memory mechanism as the detection information on the designated detection day.

Preferably, the alarm device is further provided with: an interruption information obtaining mechanism that obtains interruption information indicating that the gas is interrupted from the gas meter through the first communication mechanism. The interruption information acquisition mechanism detects the target gas in the house, and transmits the detection information indicating that the target gas is detected to the gas meter through the first communication mechanism, and obtains the interruption information from the gas meter as the detection Information response. The communication control mechanism transmits the interruption information to the central server through the second communication mechanism.

Preferably, when the communication information of the designated inspection day fails to be transmitted to the central server, the communication control mechanism transmits the inspection information of the designated inspection day to the central server again after a predetermined period of time since the transmission failure.

Preferably, when the detection information of the designated detection day is successfully transmitted to the central server, the communication control mechanism deletes the detection information of the specified detection day memorized by the memory mechanism.

Preferably, the alarm device is further provided with a power storage mechanism, which is usually charged with electric power from a commercial power source, and functions as a substitute power source for the alarm device when the commercial power source is cut off.

Preferably, the alarm device is further provided with a photographic information acquisition mechanism that acquires photographic information captured by a camera arranged in the house. The communication control mechanism detects the situation of the target gas in the house, and transmits the photography information obtained by the photography information acquisition mechanism to the central server through the second communication mechanism.

Preferably, the alarm device is further provided with an operation mechanism that receives operation input from the user. The communication control mechanism transmits emergency information to the central server through the second communication mechanism when the operating mechanism receives an emergency instruction from the user.

The information processing system in other embodiments includes: a central server; and a main alarm device, which is arranged in the house and has an alarm function that outputs an alarm when the target gas is detected. The main alarm device is the first communication mechanism for wireless communication with the gas meter that measures the amount of gas used in the house, to obtain the detection information on the specified test day from the gas meter; The detection information is memorized in the first memory of the main alarm device; through the second communication mechanism used to communicate with the central server, the detection information stored in the first memory on the specified detection day is sent to the central server.

Preferably, the information processing system further includes: a plurality of alarm devices, which includes a plurality of main alarm devices and a plurality of auxiliary alarm devices with a gas alarm function. Each multiple auxiliary alarm device obtains the detection information of the specified detection day from the gas meter through the first communication mechanism; stores the obtained detection information in the second memory of the auxiliary alarm device; explores the existing alarm devices, and Send the detection information of the specified detection date stored in the second memory to the first alarm device found by the search; in the case where the first alarm device is the main alarm device, the first alarm device will come through the second communication mechanism. Send the test information of the specified test date stored in the second memory to the central server.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the quality of customer service by properly obtaining the detection information of the gas meter.

10.11‧‧‧Alarm device

20A, 20B ‧‧‧ gas meter

30‧‧‧Household appliances

31‧‧‧Camera

40‧‧‧Network

50‧‧‧Central server

100‧‧‧Main Control Department

102‧‧‧ processor

104‧‧‧Main memory

106‧‧‧ Nonvolatile memory

110‧‧‧Communications Department

111‧‧‧Bluetooth module

112‧‧‧LTE module

113‧‧‧Wi-SUN module

114‧‧‧Wi-Fi module

121, 122, 123, 124 ‧‧‧ antenna

131‧‧‧ gas sensor

132‧‧‧ Loudspeaker

133‧‧‧Operation interface

134‧‧‧GPS module

136‧‧‧ battery

150‧‧‧Commercial power supply

201, 202‧‧‧ Residential

301‧‧‧Detection Information Acquisition Department

303‧‧‧ Memory Department

305‧‧‧gas detection department

307‧‧‧Interruption Information Acquisition Department

309‧‧‧Photographic Information Acquisition Department

311‧‧‧Operation Department

313‧‧‧Communication Control Department

315‧‧‧Inter-device communication department

401, 402, 403 ‧‧‧ communication range

1000‧‧‧ Information processing system

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the information processing system of Embodiment 1. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the alarm device of Embodiment 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the transmission method of detection information according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the transmission method of interrupt information according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the alarm device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the multi-hop communication method according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a scenario where the main device in FIG. 6 fails.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same symbols are assigned to the same members. These names and functions will also be the same. Therefore, the detailed description about these will not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]

<System configuration>

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the information processing system 1000 of the first embodiment. 1, the information processing system 1000 includes: alarm devices 10, 11; gas meters 20A, 20B; household appliances 30; camera 31; network 40; and central server 50.

In the following, for ease of explanation, the configuration in which the alarm devices 10 and 11 are arranged in a house will be described. However, for example, the alarm devices 10 and 11 may be arranged in each room of the building, or may be arranged in various shops or the like. That is, the alarm devices 10 and 11 can be arranged in any place as long as they are inside the house.

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

The alarm device 11 is arranged in the house 202 house. In addition, the same home appliance and camera as the house 201 may be arranged in the house 202. The gas meter 20B will be arranged outside the house 202.

The alarm device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the gas meter 20A, the home appliance 30, the camera 31, and the alarm device 11. In addition, the alarm device 10 is configured to communicate with the central server 50 via the network 40. The alarm device 10 has a communication gateway function that provides data exchange between plural communication specifications, and is controlled in such a manner that data can be smoothly processed between networks with different communication protocols. Similarly, the alarm device 11 can also have a communication gateway function.

The alarm device 10 can use a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark) that is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), etc. to wirelessly communicate with the gas meter 20A, the home appliance 30, and the camera 31 . In addition, the alarm device 11 will wirelessly communicate with the gas meter 20B by these communication methods.

In addition, the alarm device 10 is configured to use mobile communication methods such as 3G (3rd Generation) or LTE (Long Term Evolution), or is included in LPWA (Low Power), which is a wireless communication method that is expected to be popularized in the future Wide Area) LTE-M (Long Term Evolution for Machines) or NB-IoT (Narrow Band IoT), etc., communicate with the central server 50 via the network 40. The network 40 includes a telecommunications network, an internet network, etc. in a mobile phone.

Further, the alarm device 10 uses, for example, Wi-SUN (registered trademark) (Wireless Smart Utility Network) to wirelessly communicate with the alarm device 11. Wi-SUN is a specific low-power wireless method that uses the 920MHz frequency band. It has features such as lower power consumption than Wi-Fi (registered trademark), longer reach, and difficulty in interference with other radio waves. The 920MHz frequency band method has the advantage of faster communication speed than other specific low-power wireless methods (400MHz frequency band). In addition, the alarm device 10 can use Wi-SUN to wirelessly communicate with the gas meter 20A, the home appliance 30, and the camera 31.

The gas meter 20A measures the amount of gas used in the house 201. The gas meter 20A has a gas flow measurement function, an interruption valve interruption function, 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 the aforementioned communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The gas meter 20A measures gas flowing from a gas container (not shown) to a gas machine (not shown) installed in the house 201, and transmits detection information to the alarm device 10. The detection information may be the total value of the flow rate of the gas flowing from the gas container to the gas machine, or it may be data indicating the amount of gas used, or a combination of two or more of these.

The gas meter 20B is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 11, measure the gas flowing through the gas machine (not shown) installed in the house 202, and transmit the detection information to the alarm device 11.

The home appliance 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 10, such as lighting devices, electric fans, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, personal computers, microwave ovens, air cleaners, and the like. The household electrical appliance 30 performs predetermined control according to various instructions from the alarm device 10 or transmits various information to the alarm device 10.

The camera 31 is configured to be able to communicate with the alarm device 10, and according to the instruction information from the alarm device 10, photograph the situation inside the house 201. In addition, the camera 31 transmits the captured image to the alarm device 10. The camera 31 can be implemented by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) method, a CMOS (Complementary Mental Oxide Semiconductor) method, or other methods. In addition, the camera 31 has an enlargement function for changing the magnification and a focus function for adjusting the focus distance.

The central server 50 is connected to the network 40, and a server device for monitoring and controlling the alarm device 10 and the gas meter 20A from a remote location. The central server 50 may, for example, use the alarm device 10 to detect the gas meter 20A to obtain the information of the gas meter 20A, or to make an interrupt request to allow the gas meter 20A to perform gas interruption. In addition, the central server 50 may also perform a detection request and an interrupt request to the gas meter 20B through the alarm device 10 and the alarm device 11.

In addition to the above, a fire alarm, a robot for nursing care, a health device that can obtain vital information such as the number of heartbeats, etc. may also be installed in the house 201. In this case, the alarm device 10 is configured to use Bluetooth (registered trademark) or other communication methods to communicate with these devices and perform various kinds of information processing.

<Hardware Composition>

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

The main control unit 100 is a main body that controls the overall processing in the alarm device 10. The main components of the main control unit 100 include a processor 102, a main memory 104, and a non-volatile memory 106.

The processor 102 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and the program stored in the non-volatile memory 106 is opened in the main memory 104 and executed. The processor 102 will implement the processing of the alarm device 10 described below by executing the program.

The main memory 104 is composed of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), etc., and retains data volatilely. The non-volatile memory 106 is composed of flash memory and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), etc., and retains data non-volatilely. Hereinafter, the main memory 104 and the non-volatile memory 106 are collectively referred to as "memory".

The main control unit 100 can be installed as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration) including the above components. In this case, each component can be installed in the form of an SoC (System-on-a-Chip).

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 according to the Bluetooth specification. The Bluetooth module 111 can implement, for example, wireless communication according to BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and wireless communication according to the Classic Bluetooth specification. Typically, the processor 102 communicates with the gas meter 20A, the home appliance 30, and the camera 30 through the Bluetooth module 111.

The LTE module 112 will be connected to the antenna 122 and will provide wireless communication functions in accordance with the wireless connection methods such as LTE, 3G, LTE-M and NB-IoT. Typically, the LTE module 112 and the antenna 122 are used for communication between the central server 50 and the alarm device 10.

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

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

The loudspeaker 132 will output sound according to the instructions of the processor 102. For example, when the gas sensor 131 detects the target gas, the processor 102 will output an alarm sound through the loudspeaker 132.

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

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

The LED 135 will turn off or on according to the instructions of the processor 102. For example, when the gas sensor 131 detects the target gas, the processor 102 will issue a warning by turning off or turning on the light.

The battery 136 is a chargeable and dischargeable power storage element, and is typically constituted by a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel-metal 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 the power from the commercial power supply 150 during normal times (not during power failure), and functions as a substitute power supply for the alarm device 10 when the commercial power supply 150 is powered off.

In addition, the hardware configuration of the alarm device 11 is different from the hardware configuration of the alarm device 10 at a point where the LTE module 112 (and antenna 122) in FIG. 2 is not provided, and the other configurations are the same .

<Processing order>

The various processing procedures of the alarm device 10 will be described.

(Method of transmitting test information)

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the transmission method of detection information according to the first embodiment. Here, the manner in which the alarm device 10 transmits the detection information on the designated detection day to the central server 50 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 3, the processor 102 of the alarm device 10 determines whether a detection time point has arrived based on a predetermined detection day (designated detection day) (step S10).

Specifically, the processor 102 uses the LTE module 112 and the network 40 to determine whether the detection timing has arrived when the detection instruction for the designated detection day is received from the central server 50. Alternatively, the processor 102 can also determine whether the detection time point has come by comparing the specified detection date and the current time pre-stored in the non-volatile memory 106.

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

The processor 102 receives the detection information of the current time point from the gas meter 20A through the Bluetooth module 111 (step S14). The processor 102 stores the received detection information in the memory (for example, the non-volatile memory 106) as the detection information on the specified detection day (step S16).

The processor 102 transmits the detection information of the specified detection date stored in the memory to the central server 50 through the LTE module 112 (step S18). Then, the processor 102 determines whether the transmission of the detection information to the central server 50 has succeeded (step S20).

For example, when the processor 102 has completed the transmission of the detection information and has not received a response from the central server 50 after a fixed period of time (ie, a time-out condition has occurred), it will determine that the detection information has not It is transmitted to the central server 50 (that is, the transmission fails). If this is not the case, the processor 102 will determine that the transmission of the detection information has succeeded.

When the transmission of the detection information has succeeded (YES in step S20), the processor 102 will end the processing. When the transmission of the detection information has failed (NO in step S20), the processor 102 determines whether a predetermined period (for example, one day) has passed since the transmission of the detection information failed (step S22). When the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S22), the processor 102 executes step S22.

When a predetermined time has passed (YES in step S22), the processor 102 executes the process of step S18. That is, the processor 102 will again send the detection information stored in the memory on the specified detection date to the central server 50.

From the above, the alarm device 10 first memorizes the detection information on the specified detection day acquired from the gas meter 20A in the memory. Then, even if there is a communication barrier due to high load or line congestion on the side of the central server 50, and assuming that the detection information cannot be transmitted on the designated detection day, the alarm device 10 can still communicate with the central server At the time of communication 50, the detection information stored in the memory on the specified detection day is sent to the central server 50. By this, since the detection period is not staggered, the quality of customer service can be improved.

(Interrupt information transmission method)

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the transmission method of interrupt information according to the first embodiment. Here, the manner in which the alarm device 10 detects the target gas and transmits the interruption information of the gas to the central server 50 will be described.

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

When the target gas is detected (YES in step S30), the processor 102 transmits the gas detection information indicating that the target gas is detected to the gas meter 20A through the Bluetooth module 111 (step S32). Upon receiving the gas detection information, the gas meter 20A will interrupt the interrupt valve and stop the gas supply from the gas container. Then, the gas meter 20A transmits the interrupt information indicating the execution of the interrupt to the alarm device 10 through the Bluetooth module 111.

The processor 102 receives the interrupt information from the gas meter 20A through the Bluetooth module 111 (step S34), and stores the interrupt information in the memory in association with the current time (step S36). Specifically, the processor 102 memorizes the interrupt related information including the interrupt information and the interrupt time after the execution of the interrupt into the memory.

The processor 102 transmits the interrupt-related information stored in the memory to the central server 50 through the LTE module 112 (step S38). Then, the processor 102 determines whether the transmission of the interruption-related information to the central server 50 has succeeded (step S40).

When the transmission of the interrupt related information has succeeded (YES in step S40), the processor 102 will end the processing. When the transmission of the interrupt related information has failed (NO in step S40), the processor 102 determines whether a predetermined period has passed since the transmission of the interrupt related information failed (step S42). When the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S42), the processor 102 executes the process of step S42.

When a predetermined period of time has elapsed (YES in step S42), the processor 102 executes the process of step S38. That is, the processor 102 will again transmit the interrupt-related information stored in the memory to the central server 50.

As described above, the alarm device 10 will first store in the memory the interrupt related information indicating when the interrupt valve will be interrupted by the gas meter 20A. Then, even if the communication with the central server 50 cannot be performed due to disasters or the like, and the interruption-related information cannot be transmitted, the alarm device 10 can still transmit the interruption-related information to the central server at a time when it can communicate with the central server 50. As a result, the central server 50 can accurately grasp when the gas was interrupted.

<functional structure>

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the alarm device according to the first embodiment. 5, the main functional configuration of the alarm device 10 includes: a detection information acquisition unit 301; a memory unit 303; a gas detection unit 305; an interruption information acquisition unit 307; a photography information acquisition unit 309; an operation unit 311; a communication control unit 313; And the inter-device communication department 315. The memory section 303 is implemented by the main memory 104 and the non-volatile memory 106.

The detection information acquisition unit 301 acquires the detection information on the specified detection day from the gas meter 20A through the first communication module (for example, the Bluetooth module 111) for wireless communication with the gas meter 20A.

In one aspect, when the detection information acquisition unit 301 reaches the predetermined time of the designated detection day at the current time, the detection information at the current time point is transmitted through the first communication mechanism by the gas meter 20A. Instructions (that is, to perform detection instructions) to obtain detection information at the current time. The detection information acquisition unit 301 stores the acquired detection information at the current time point as the detection information on the designated detection day to the storage unit 303. The detection information acquisition unit 301 is mainly implemented by the processor 102 and the communication unit 110.

The gas detection unit 305 detects whether there is a target gas in the house 201 of the house. The gas detection unit 305 is mainly realized by the processor 102 and the gas sensor 131.

The interruption information obtaining unit 307 will obtain interruption information indicating that the gas is interrupted from the gas meter 20A through the first communication module. In one aspect, when the gas detection unit 305 detects the target gas, the interrupt information acquisition unit 307 transmits the detection information indicating that the target gas is detected to the gas meter 20A through the first communication module. And obtain the interruption information from the gas meter 20A as a response to the detection information. In addition, the interruption information acquisition unit 307 may store the interruption-related information associated with the interruption information and the current time (that is, the interruption time) in the memory unit 303.

The photography information obtaining unit 309 obtains the photography information captured by the camera 31 through the first communication module. The photographic information acquisition unit 309 memorizes the photographic information in the memory unit 303. The photographic information acquisition unit 309 is mainly implemented by the processor 102 and the communication unit 110.

In one aspect, the photography information acquisition unit 309 can detect the gas condition by the gas detection unit 305, and then send the activation instruction to the camera 31, and acquire the photography information captured by the activated camera 31 . In this way, the state of the house in an emergency in the event of a gas leak can be memorized to the memory section 303, and since photography information is not normally memorized, the capacity of the memory section 303 can be used efficiently.

The operation unit 311 receives operation input from the user. In one aspect, the operation unit 311 will receive an emergency instruction from the user. The operation unit 311 is mainly implemented by the processor 102 and the operation interface 133.

The communication control unit 313 allows various information to communicate with the central server 50 through the second communication module (for example, the LTE module 112). The communication control unit 313 is mainly implemented by the processor 102 and the communication unit 110.

In one aspect, the communication control unit 313 transmits the detection information of the specified detection day stored in the storage unit 303 to the central server 50 through the second communication module. When the transmission of the detection information on the designated detection day to the central server 50 fails, the communication control unit 313 will send the detection information on the designated detection day to the central server again after a predetermined period (for example, one day later) after the transmission failure 50. In addition, when the communication information of the designated detection day is successfully transmitted to the central server 50 by the communication control unit 313, the communication information of the designated detection day stored in the memory unit 303 can be transmitted shortly after the transmission is successful, or after the transmission is successful Delete after a fixed period (for example, several months later). Thereby, the capacity of the memory section 303 can be used efficiently.

In the other aspect, the communication control unit 313 transmits the interrupt information acquired by the interrupt information acquisition unit 307 to the central server 50 through the second communication module. Specifically, the communication control unit 313 transmits the interrupt-related information stored in the storage unit 303 to the central server 50.

In another aspect, the communication control unit 313 transmits the photography information acquired by the photography information acquisition unit 309 to the central server 50 through the second communication module when the target gas is detected in the house 201.

In another aspect, when the operation unit 311 receives an emergency instruction from the user, the communication control unit 313 transmits emergency information indicating what kind of emergency situation has occurred to the central server 50 through the second communication module . In this way, the user can directly communicate the emergency situation to the central server 50.

The inter-device communication unit 315 performs wireless communication with the alarm device 11. Typically, the inter-device communication unit 315 performs wireless communication with the alarm device 11 through a third communication module (eg, Wi-SUN module 113). For example, the device monitoring and communication unit 315 receives various information from the alarm device 11 (for example, detection information, interrupt related information, photography information, and emergency information, etc.). The communication control unit 313 transmits various information obtained by the inter-device communication unit 315 to the central server 50 through the second communication module.

Here, the alarm device 11 is a functional configuration other than the communication control unit 313 in the functional configuration of the alarm device 10 (that is, the detection information acquisition unit 301, the memory unit 303, the gas detection unit 305, and the interrupt information acquisition Unit 307, photographic information acquisition unit 309, operation unit 311, inter-device communication unit 315). Specifically, the alarm device 11 will obtain detection information, interrupt related information, photography information, emergency instruction information, etc. on a specified detection day. Then, the inter-device communication unit of the alarm device 11 transmits the information to the alarm device 10 through the Wi-SUN module.

<Advantages>

According to the first embodiment, even if the detection information cannot be transmitted on the designated detection day, the detection information stored on the designated detection day stored in the memory can be transmitted to the alarm device 10 and the central server 50 at a time when they can communicate with each other. The central server 50 can improve the quality of customer service without staggering the detection period.

Even if the interruption information cannot be transmitted when the gas is interrupted, the interruption-related information stored in the memory can be transmitted to the central server 50 at a time when the alarm device 50 and the central server can communicate. As a result, the central server 50 can accurately grasp when the gas interruption has occurred.

It can solve the problem that the communication cannot be carried out during the call, which occurs in the way of reading the detection information of the gas meter through the public telephone line. In addition, since the battery 136 is usually charged from a commercial power source and the battery 136 is used as an alternative power source during a power outage, there is no need to care about the power consumption of the alarm device 10 due to communication.

[Embodiment 2]

In the second embodiment, the multi-hop communication method of the alarm device 10 and the plural alarm devices 11 will be described. As described above, the alarm device 10 and the alarm device 11 are configured to be capable of bidirectional communication using a communication method such as Wi-SUN. In Wi-SUN, a plurality of devices will relay data using a bucket brigade type, which corresponds to multi-hop communication that will connect separate areas. Therefore, the alarm device 10 and the plural alarm devices 11 can transmit data in a multi-hop communication method.

In the following description, the alarm device 10 equipped with the LTE module 112 and capable of wireless communication with the central server 50 is referred to as the "master device 10", and the alarm device 11 not equipped with the LTE module 112 is referred to as the "accessory device 11." ".

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the multi-hop communication method according to the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, the main devices 10A, 10B, and 10C are the main devices of the groups A, B, and C, respectively. The communication ranges 401, 402, and 403 represent the communication ranges of the cases where the main devices 10A, 10B, and 10C use Wi-SUN for communication.

Since the auxiliary devices 11A, 11B, and 11C are in the circle of the communication range 401, they belong to the group A. Since the auxiliary devices 11C, 11D, and 11E are within the circle of the communication range 402, they belong to the group B. From this point of view, the accessory device 11C belongs to both groups A and B. Since the auxiliary devices 11G and 11F are in the circle of the communication range 403, they belong to the group C.

For example, in order to establish a communication path with the main device 10, the newly added auxiliary device 11 needs to obtain information including the communication path, communication quality, etc. from the main device 10 or other auxiliary devices 11 that have been added to the network Routing information. Here, the newly added accessory device 11 will broadcast and transmit the beacon request signal for exploring the surrounding master device 10 or other accessory devices 11.

If the main device 10 or other auxiliary device 11 can receive the beacon request signal, the main device 10 or other auxiliary device 11 that receives the beacon request signal will broadcast the beacon response signal for the beacon request signal. When the newly added accessory device 11 receives the beacon response signal, it will receive and transmit routing information with the transmission source of the beacon response signal, and a communication channel is constructed.

Typically, the main device 10 receives various information from the subsidiary devices 11 belonging to each group, and transmits the various information to the central server 50. Here, each accessory device 11 receives the detection information of the specified detection date from the corresponding gas meter, and stores the received detection information in the internal memory of the accessory device. In addition, each accessory device stores the above-mentioned interrupt related information and photography information in the internal memory.

For example, the main device 10A receives the detection information and interrupt information stored in the internal memory of the auxiliary devices 11A, 11B, and 11C from the auxiliary device 11. The main device 10A transmits the detection information and interruption information of the auxiliary devices 11A, 11B, and 11C to the central server 50.

In addition, since the auxiliary device 11C also belongs to the group B, the information stored in the internal memory of the auxiliary device 11C can also be transmitted to the central server 50 through the main device 10B.

Here, it is assumed that a certain master device 10 is in a state in which the master device 10 cannot communicate with the central server 50 and other accessory devices 11 due to factors such as failure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a scenario where the main device 10 in FIG. 6 fails. Referring to FIG. 7, due to factors such as failure, the main device 10B makes the main device 10B unable to communicate with the central server 50 and other auxiliary devices 11. In this case, the auxiliary devices 11D and 11E belonging to the group B cannot transmit information to the central server 50 through the main device 10B.

Therefore, the accessory device 11E will, for example, issue a beacon request signal to explore other devices around, and establish communication with the accessory device 11D that has a response (searched by discovery). Similarly, the accessory device 11D will establish communication with the accessory device 11C. The accessory device 11C can communicate with the main device 10A through the accessory device 11B. That is, the accessory device 11E can communicate with the master device 10A through the accessory devices 11D, 11C, and 11B.

Therefore, the accessory device 11E transmits the detection information (or interruption information, etc.) stored in the internal memory to the main device 10A. The main device 10A transmits the received detection information (or interruption information) to the central server 50 from the auxiliary device 11E.

In this way, the accessory device 11 transmits various information P stored in the internal memory to the device K1 searched by exploration. Then, when the discovered device K1 is the master device 10, the device K1 transmits various information P stored in the internal memory of the accessory device 11 to the central server 50. On the other hand, in the case where the discovered device K1 is the accessory device 11, the device K1 will further transmit various information P to other devices K2 discovered by itself.

In addition, the communication channels in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are examples, and other communication channels can also be used. For example, when the accessory device 11E finds the accessory device 11C through exploration, the accessory device 11E does not establish communication with the accessory device 11C through the accessory device 11D. Further, when the auxiliary device 11C finds the main device 10A through exploration, the communication with the main device 10A is not established through the auxiliary device 11B. In this case, the accessory device 11E can communicate with the master device 10A through the accessory device 11C.

[Other embodiments]

(1) In the above embodiment, although the alarm devices 10 and 11 will acquire the detection information of the gas meter, it may be configured to further acquire various measurements by communicating with various meters other than the gas meter The detection information of the device. The alarm devices 10 and 11 may be configured to acquire detection information (for example, data representing waterway usage) from a waterway meter that measures waterway usage through a Bluetooth module, or to measure electrical (electricity) usage To obtain detection information (for example, data indicating the amount of electrical usage). The alarm device 10 transmits the detection information to the central server 50. In this way, the quality of customer service can be further improved by the integrated management of the detection information of the gas, electrical and water channels that are the lifeline.

(2) In the above embodiment, the computer can also function to provide a program that can execute the control as described in the above flowchart. Such a program can be recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk attached to the computer, a CD (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a secondary memory device, a main memory device, and a memory card, and Provided as a program product. Or it can be recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built into the computer, and a program can be provided. In addition, the program can also be provided through network download.

The program may be a program module provided as a part of the computer's operating system (OS), calling out the required modules at a predetermined point in time with a predetermined configuration to implement the processor. In this case, the program itself does not include the above-mentioned modules but performs processing in conjunction with the OS. Programs that do not contain such modules can also be included in programs related to this embodiment.

In addition, the program related to this embodiment may be incorporated into a part of other programs and provided by the provider. In this case, the program itself will not contain the modules contained in the other programs mentioned above, but will be linked with other programs to perform processing. Programs incorporated into such other programs may also be included in programs related to this embodiment.

(3) The configuration illustrated in the above embodiment is an example of the configuration of the present invention, and may be combined with other conventional technologies, or a part or the like may be omitted or the configuration may be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it may be a case where the processing and structure described in the other embodiments are appropriately implemented.

All points of the embodiment disclosed this time are examples and not limitations. The scope of the present invention is not the above description, but is intended to include all meanings expressed in the scope of patent application, and will be equivalent to the scope of patent application and all changes within the scope.

10.11‧‧‧Alarm device

20A, 20B ‧‧‧ gas meter

30‧‧‧Household appliances

31‧‧‧Camera

40‧‧‧Network

50‧‧‧Central server

201, 202‧‧‧ Residential

1000‧‧‧ Information processing system

Claims (10)

An alarm device, which is arranged in a house and outputs an alarm when the target gas is detected, is provided with: The first communication mechanism is to communicate wirelessly with a gas meter that measures the amount of gas used in the house; The second communication mechanism is used to communicate with the central server; The inspection information obtaining organization obtains the inspection information on the specified inspection day from the gas meter through the first communication mechanism; A memory mechanism that memorizes the test information obtained by the test information obtaining mechanism; and The communication control mechanism uses the second communication mechanism to transmit the detection information of the specified detection date stored in the memory mechanism to the central server. For example, the alarm device of claim 1 of the patent scope, in which the detection information acquisition mechanism reaches the predetermined time of the designated detection date at the current time point, so as to transmit the detection information at the current time point through the first communication mechanism The way to obtain the detection information of the current time point by the instruction of the gas meter; The acquired detection information of the current time point is stored in the memory mechanism as the detection information of the designated detection day. For example, the alarm device of patent application item 1 or 2 is further provided with: an interruption information obtaining mechanism, which obtains interruption information indicating that the gas is interrupted from the gas meter through the first communication mechanism; The interruption information acquisition mechanism detects the target gas in the house, and transmits the detection information indicating that the target gas is detected to the gas meter through the first communication mechanism, and from the gas meter Obtain the interruption information as a response to the detection information; The communication control mechanism transmits the interruption information to the central server through the second communication mechanism. For example, the alarm device of patent application item 1 or 2, in which the communication control agency fails to transmit the detection information to the central server on the designated detection date, it will be sent again after a predetermined period of time since the transmission failure The test information on the specified test day is sent to the central server. For example, the alarm device of patent application item 1 or 2, in which the communication control agency sends the detection information on the designated inspection day to the central server successfully, it will delete the detection on the designated inspection day memorized by the memory mechanism News. For example, the alarm device of patent application item 1 or 2 is further provided with: a power storage mechanism, which is usually charged by power from a commercial power supply, and is used as the alarm device when the commercial power supply fails Function instead of power supply. For example, the alarm device according to item 1 or 2 of the patent application scope is further provided with: a photographic information acquisition mechanism that acquires photographic information captured by a camera arranged in the house; The communication control mechanism detects the condition of the target gas in the house, and transmits the photography information obtained by the photography information acquisition mechanism to the central server through the second communication mechanism. For example, the alarm device of patent application item 1 or 2 is further provided with: an operating mechanism that receives operation input from the user; The communication control mechanism transmits emergency information to the central server through the second communication mechanism when the operation mechanism receives an emergency instruction from the user. An information processing system with: Central server; and The main alarm device is arranged in the house and has an alarm function that outputs an alarm when the target gas is detected; The main alarm device is the first communication mechanism for wireless communication with a gas meter that measures the amount of gas used in the house, to obtain detection information on the specified test day from the gas meter; Store the acquired detection information in the first memory of the main alarm device; Through the second communication mechanism for communicating with the central server, the detection information of the specified detection day stored in the first memory is transmitted to the central server. For example, the information processing system of claim 9 of the patent scope is further provided with: a plurality of alarm devices, including a plurality of the main alarm device and a plurality of auxiliary alarm devices having the gas alarm function; Each of the plural auxiliary alarm devices obtains the detection information of the specified detection day from the gas meter through the first communication mechanism; Store the acquired detection information in the second memory of the auxiliary alarm device; Explore the alarm devices present around, and send the detection information of the specified detection date stored in the second memory to the first alarm device searched by the exploration; In the case where the first alarm device is the main alarm device, the first alarm device will send the detection information of the specified detection date stored in the second memory to the central server through the second communication mechanism .

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