TWI505734B - Communication network system and terminal device - Google Patents

Description

Communication network system and terminal device

The present invention relates to a communication network system configured to wirelessly communicate using a frequency selected from a plurality of frequencies, and a terminal device to which the communication network system is applied.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2012-48576 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1") discloses a data transmission system having a smart meter, a control unit data receiving server, and a power amount receiving server. A smart meter is an electric meter that is installed in a power consumption point (consumer) such as a general home, a building, a factory, and the like, and has a function of connecting to a network. The smart meter has a power measurement unit and a transmission unit. The power measurement unit connects the power lines to measure the amount of power used by the device. For example, the power measurement department measures the amount of power used by home appliances. The transmission unit transmits the data from the power measurement unit to the control unit data receiving server or the power amount receiving server. In addition, the system is connected to a display and HEMS (Home Energy Management System). HEMS controls home appliances and the like, and obtains information from home appliances.

In this way, smart meters communicate through a shared network such as the Internet. The data is transmitted to a device such as a power receiving server. In addition, HEMS works in conjunction with home appliances.

The smart meter described in Patent Document 1 communicates with a device such as a power amount receiving server through a public network. However, the communication path between the HEMS and the home electric appliance is not described in Patent Document 1.

In addition, in the case of setting up the smart meter and HEMS, in order to simplify the construction, the use of the wireless communication path may be considered as an approach, but the wireless communication path may be subject to interference, and therefore countermeasures against interference are required. In other words, in a system in which two types of communication networks, such as a smart meter and a HEMS, are provided as in the patent document 1, and a communication path is provided for the two terminals to mutually transmit data, if a wireless communication path is used, it must be suppressed. Interference between communication networks.

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication network system for suppressing interference between wireless communication paths of different communication networks in a case where two types of terminals capable of communicating with each other respectively constitute a communication network including a wireless communication path, and Terminal device of a communication network system.

The communication network system of the present invention is provided with a communication network system including a first communication network (NT1) of a first wireless communication path and a plurality of second communication networks (NT2) including a second wireless communication path. The communication network system includes: a first terminal (10) configured to be a node belonging to the first communication network (NT1), communicates using the first wireless communication path; and a second terminal (20) configured to It is a node of the second communication network (NT2), and communicates using the second wireless communication path, and the use is different from the foregoing. The first wireless communication path and the communication path (CL) of the second wireless communication path communicate with the first terminal (10). The second terminal (20) includes a selection unit (22) configured to select a frequency at which the own terminal (20) is used in the second wireless communication path of the second communication network (NT2) to which the terminal is attached; and a determination unit (23) The configuration is to determine the frequency of use of the second wireless communication path of the second communication network (NT2) to which the own terminal (20) belongs, in response to receiving the predetermined selection information from the first terminal (10). And instructed to the aforementioned selection unit (22).

In one embodiment, the first terminal (10) includes a reading function unit (11) configured to be installed from a consumer (1) using a resource supplied from a public utility. The measuring device (31) acquires measurement data on the usage amount of the resource, and notifies the acquired measurement data to the other node through the first communication network (NT1). The aforementioned node of the second communication network (NT2) includes a device (50) that uses the aforementioned resources at the aforementioned consumer (1). The second terminal (20) includes a management function unit (21) configured to receive at least information on the use of the resource with the device (50) that is a node of the second communication network. .

In one embodiment, the second terminal (20) further includes a reporting unit (24) configured to report the frequency indicated by the determining unit (23) to the selecting unit (22) to the foregoing The first terminal (10). The report unit (24) has a function of notifying the change frequency to the first terminal (10) before the selection unit (22) changes the frequency.

In one embodiment, the second terminal (20) further includes a reporting unit (24) configured to instruct the determining unit (23) to The frequency of the selection unit (22) is reported to the first terminal (10). The report unit (24) has a function of notifying the changed frequency to the first terminal (10) after the selection unit (22) changes the frequency.

In one embodiment, the first terminal (10) further includes a command notifying unit (13) configured to report the frequency from the second terminal (20) to the first communication network. When the frequency (f1) used by the first wireless communication path of the road (NT1) is the same, the command for changing the frequency is notified to the second terminal (20) as the selection information.

In one embodiment, the determining unit (23) is configured to receive the command to change the instruction frequency as the selection information from the first terminal (10), and the reporting unit (24) The frequency to which the frequency of the first terminal (10) is different is reported to the function of the selection unit (22).

In one embodiment, the first terminal (10) includes a notification unit (14) that uses a frequency or a self terminal of the first wireless communication path of the first communication network (NT1). 10) The frequency used by the second wireless communication path of the other non-affiliated second communication network (NT2) is notified to the second terminal (20) as the selection information.

In one embodiment, the first communication network (NT1) includes a plurality of first terminals (10), and each of the first terminals can be associated with a second terminal belonging to a different second communication network (NT2). (20) Conduct communication. The first terminal (10) further includes an acquisition function unit (17) configured to acquire the second communication capable of communicating with the other first terminal (10) through the first communication network (NT1). The second communication network (NT2) to which the terminal (20) belongs The frequency used by the 2nd wireless communication path. The notification unit (14) notifies the second terminal (20) that can communicate with the frequency acquired by the acquisition function unit (17) as the selection information.

In one embodiment, the first terminal (10) further includes a switching unit (12) configured to switch to a frequency used by the first wireless communication path of the first communication network (NT1). The notification unit (14) has a function of notifying the second terminal (20) of the change frequency before the switching unit (12) changes the frequency.

In one embodiment, the first terminal (10) further includes a switching unit (12) configured to switch to a frequency used by the first wireless communication path of the first communication network (NT1). The notification unit (14) has a function of notifying the changed frequency to the second terminal (20) after the switching unit (12) changes the frequency.

In one embodiment, the determining unit (23) is configured to indicate that the frequency of the selection information is received from the first terminal (10), and the frequency indicated by the first terminal (10) is different. Frequency function.

The terminal device of the present invention is used in any of the above communication network systems and functions as the first terminal (10).

The terminal device of the present invention is used in any of the above communication network systems and functions as the second terminal (20).

According to the configuration of the present invention, the first terminal of the node of the first communication network and the second terminal of the node of the second communication network can communicate, and the first communication network and the second communication network respectively include a wireless communication path. The second terminal receives the selection information from the first terminal to determine the frequency used by the second communication network. Therefore, the second communication network can be determined by the first communication network and the communication between the first communication network and the second communication network. The frequency used by the wireless communication path of the second communication network.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C‧‧‧ consumers

10, 10A to 10E‧‧‧ first terminal

11‧‧‧Reading function

12‧‧‧Switching Department

13‧‧‧Command Notification Department

14‧‧‧Notice Department

15‧‧‧Communication I/F

16‧‧‧Communication I/F

17‧‧‧Get function department

20, 20A, 20B, 20C‧‧‧ second terminal

21‧‧‧Management Function Department

22‧‧‧Selection Department

23‧‧‧Decision Department

24‧‧ Reporting Department

25‧‧‧Communication I/F

26‧‧‧Communication I/F

30‧‧‧Power Meter

31‧‧‧Measuring device

40‧‧‧Upper device

50‧‧‧Electrical equipment (equipment)

CL, CLA, CLB‧‧‧ communication path

F1 to f4‧‧‧ frequency

NT1‧‧‧1st communication network

NT2, NT2A, NT2B, NT2C‧‧‧2nd communication network

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view showing an example of a communication network system using the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram showing an example of information transmission and reception in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in a sequence diagram.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the operation of another example of information transmission and reception in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in a sequence diagram.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the operation of another example of information transmission and reception in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in a sequence diagram.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the communication network system of the present embodiment is applied to an automatic meter reading system of a public utility that supplies electric power, water, gas, or the like (hereinafter referred to as "resources"). The public utility of the present embodiment is, for example, a power company that supplies power as a resource to each of a plurality of consumers. In addition, the public utility of the present invention is not limited to a power company. For example, the utility of the present invention may also provide gas, water or heat other than electricity. Organization of resources. The consumer who obtains the resource supply will set up a meter as a metering device for measuring the amount of resource used. In addition, the use of the communication network system of the present invention is not limited to managing resource usage. For example, when the communication system has a plurality of different communication networks, and each communication network includes a wireless communication path, the communication system can be applied as the communication network system of the present invention regardless of the purpose. In addition, the wireless communication path described below uses radio waves as a transmission carrier.

In the present embodiment, since the resource is electric power, as shown in FIG. 2, the electric power meter 30 is provided with the weighing device 31. The weighing device 31 is configured to measure the amount of electric power used by the consumer 1 per unit time, and output the measured electric energy amount as measurement data. In one example, the measuring device 31 is configured to measure not only the amount of electric power supplied to the electric power company but also the amount of electric power generated by the electric power generating device of the consumer 1 if the consumer 1 owns the electric power generating device. Features. The measurement data is notified to the upper device 40 via the first communication network NT1. Therefore, the terminal device (hereinafter referred to as "first terminal") 10 of the node belonging to the first communication network NT1 is attached to the weighing device 31.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first terminal 10 includes a meter reading function unit 11 configured to acquire measurement data output from the measuring device 31 and notify the acquired measurement data to the first communication network NT1. The upper device 40. Although not described in detail here, the node belonging to the first communication network NT1 can communicate by multi-hop. That is, the first terminal 10 is allowed to communicate with the host device 40 via the first terminal 10 attached to the power meter 30 provided at the other consumer 1. First pass The communication network NT1 may include a wired communication path in addition to the wireless communication path, but the first terminal 10 described below uses the wireless communication path of the first communication network NT1.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the upper device 40 is a management server maintained by a power company or a service providing company commissioned by a power company. The upper device 40 can be implemented by using a plurality of computers instead of only one computer. In addition, the host device 40 can construct a hierarchical communication network of a plurality of levels. For example, the communication network can be constructed such that the management server communicates with a plurality of relay devices, and each of the relay devices communicates with the plurality of first terminals 10. In other words, the host device 40 may include a management server and a plurality of relay devices, and the relay device of the first communication network NT1 and the first terminal 10 can communicate with each other. At this time, a plurality of transmission carriers can be used in the communication network constructed by the host device 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, each consumer 1 will generally have a plurality of electrical devices 50, which are devices that use power resources. In addition, each consumer 1 may have a plurality of electric appliances 50 that consume electric power, and may have a power generating device (solar power generating device, wind power generating device, fuel cell, etc.) configured to generate electric power and charge the electric power. The discharged electrical storage device serves as the electrical device 50. In one example, the electric device 50 may include a metering unit configured to measure the amount of electric power or the like of the main line and the branch line passing through the distribution board. The node of the second communication network NT2 built in the consumer 1 residence also includes at least a part of the electrical devices 50.

In addition, the second communication network NT2 further includes a plurality of electrical components The terminal device (hereinafter referred to as "second terminal") 20 that the device 50 performs communication serves as a node. The second terminal 20 includes a management function unit 21 (see FIG. 1) configured to transmit at least a power source from each of the electric devices 50 to the plurality of electric devices 50 in the second communication network NT2. Information used (such as information on power consumption or power generation). For example, the second terminal 20 of the consumer 1 is configured to receive information on the use of power (power consumption or power generation amount) from each of the plurality of electrical devices 50 in the second communication network NT2 of the consumer 1. Information). In addition, it is preferable that the second terminal 20 not only collects power input and output information of each electric device 50, but also has a function of monitoring the operation of each electric device 50 and a function of instructing the operation of each electric device 50 as needed. In other words, the second terminal 20 preferably has a function as a management device in the so-called HEMS.

Similarly to the first communication network NT1, the second communication network NT2 may include a wired communication path in addition to the wireless communication path, but the following description focuses on the wireless communication path. That is, when the second terminal 20 of the consumer 1 communicates with each of the plurality of electrical devices 50 of the second communication network NT2 of the consumer 1, it can be used in addition to the wireless communication path. Wired communication path, but the following describes the case when communicating using a wireless communication path.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 20 of a consumer 1 are configured to correspond to each other, and use a common communication path CL that does not belong to either the first communication network NT1 or the second communication network NT2. Communicate. The communication path CL can be a wireless communication path or a wired communication path. When the communication path CL adopts a wired communication path, it is preferable to perform a power line. Power Line Communication is also provided to the power distribution line of the consumer 1 as the communication path CL. The amount of electric power acquired by the first terminal 10 and the amount of electric power reduction target notified to the first terminal 10 by the host device 40 and the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 20 are shared between the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 20. Communication such as information.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first terminal 10 is provided with a communication interface face (hereinafter simply referred to as "communication I/F") 15 for the first wireless communication in order to perform the first wireless communication on the first communication network NT1. The second terminal 20 is provided with a communication interface (communication I/F) 25 for the second wireless communication in order to perform the second wireless communication on the second communication network NT2. Further, the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 20 are provided with communication interface portions (communication I/F) 16 and 26 for communicating through the communication path CL between the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 20. As a main hardware configuration, the first terminal 10 includes a device configured to operate in accordance with a program such as a microcomputer (Micro Computer), and a communication circuit constituting the communication I/Fs 15 and 16. Similarly, as the main hardware configuration, the second terminal 20 includes an element configured to operate in accordance with a program as a microcomputer and a communication circuit constituting the communication I/Fs 25 and 26.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first terminal 10, which is a node of the first communication network NT1, is attached to each of the plurality of power meters 30. The second terminal 20, which is a node of the second communication network NT2 of each consumer 1, is configured to communicate with a plurality of electrical devices 50 in the second communication network NT2. That is, a plurality of second communication networks NT2 are provided for the first communication network NT1.

In Figure 2, the wireless communication path is indicated by a dotted line, and the note is in the wireless communication. The frequency f1, f2, and f3 used by the signal path. Here, each frequency f1, f2, f3, ... forms a wireless communication path of a different channel. The first terminal 10 and the second terminal 20 have, for example, tens of channels in which a frequency band of a 2.4 GHz band or a 920 MHz band is divided, and a channel (ie, a frequency) selected for communication from among the channels is provided. Features.

The frequency used by the first terminal 10 in the first communication network NT1 is notified to the first terminal 10 by the host device 40. The first terminal 10 selects the frequency indicated by the host device 40, and uses the selected frequency for communication through the first communication network NT1. On the other hand, the frequency used in the second communication network NT2 is determined by the second terminal 20. The second terminal 20 transmits and receives information to and from the corresponding first terminal 10, and determines the frequency such that the communication frequency of the second communication network NT2 is different from the communication frequency of the other communication network.

Hereinafter, a technique for determining the frequency of the second communication terminal NT2 for each of the plurality of second terminals 20 will be specifically described. As shown in the lower half of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in a specific example (selection example), the second terminal 20 includes the selection unit 22 and the determination unit 23, and is installed in the house of the consumer 1 (for example, 1A). Inside. The selection unit 22 of the second terminal 20 (20A) is configured to select the frequency (f2) used by the own terminal (20A) in the second communication network NT2 (NT2A) to which it belongs. The determination unit 23 of the second terminal 20 (20A) is configured to determine the frequency (f2) used by the second communication network NT2 (NT2A) and to indicate the determined frequency (f2) to the selection unit 22. Further, the determination unit 23 determines the frequency to be used by the second communication network NT2 (NT2A) when the selection information is received from the first terminal 10 (10A) through the communication path CL (CLA).

The first terminal 10 (for example, 10A) notifies the selection information of the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A), and uses either information on the frequency or a command to change the frequency. When the information is selected as the information about the frequency, the selection information is used to notify the frequency used by the first communication network NT1. Alternatively, the selection information is used to notify the frequency used by the other consumers 1 in the second communication network NT2 in addition to the frequency used to notify the first communication network NT1.

Further, the second terminal 20 (20A) further includes a report unit 24 configured to report the frequency indicated by the determination unit 23 to the selection unit 22 to the first terminal 10 (10A) via the communication path CL (CLA). The reporting unit 24 has a function of reporting the frequency to be changed to the first terminal 10 (10A) before the selection unit 22 changes the frequency of the second communication network NT2 (NT2A), or is configured to be changed in the selection unit 22. The frequency used by the second communication network NT2 (NT2A) is reported to the function of the first terminal 10 (10A) after the changed frequency.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the selection information is transmitted from the first terminal 10 (for example, 10A) to the second terminal 20 (20A) via the communication path CL (CLA) (P21), the second terminal 20 (20A) The determining unit 23 determines the frequency (P22) used by the second terminal 20 (20A) in the second communication network NT2 (NT2A). The frequency determined by the determination unit 23 is notified to the selection unit 22, and the frequency is used for communication (P24) of the second communication network NT2 (NT2A). The frequency used by the second communication network NT2 (NT2A) is reported to the first terminal 10 (10A) by the reporting unit 24 via the communication path CL (CLA).

In FIG. 1, the reporting unit 24 is after the determining unit 23 determines the frequency. The predetermined frequency is notified from the determination unit 23 to the timing before the selection unit 22, and the determined frequency is reported to the first terminal 10 (10A) (P23). In other words, since the frequency determined by the second terminal 20 (20A) is reported to the first terminal 10 (10A) before being used in the second communication network NT2 (NT2A), the frequency change is easy and does not occur. Impact on other communication networks. Further, the second terminal 20 (20A) can inquire the first terminal 10 (10A) whether or not the frequency is usable before actually selecting the frequency, and can consider the relationship with the first terminal 10 (10A) in a short time. Determine the frequency that can be used.

When the reporting unit 24 reports the frequency to the first terminal 10 (10A) via the communication path CL (CLA), the frequency may be notified from the determining unit 23 to the selecting unit 22 (P25). In this case, even if the selection unit 22 uses the frequency determined by the determination unit 23, the determination unit 23 changes the frequency, and the result is reported to the first terminal 10 (10A), so that the second communication network is used. The frequency used by NT2 (NT2A) will still be correctly reported to the first terminal 10 (10A). Further, the time at which the reporting unit 24 reports the frequency to the first terminal 10 (10A) may be the same as the time when the frequency is notified from the determining unit 23 to the selection unit 22.

As described above, the second terminal 20 (20A) receives the selection information from the first terminal 10 (10A) via the transmission path CL (CLA), and the determination unit 23 determines the second terminal 20 based on the selection information ( 20A) Frequency (f2) used in the second communication network NT2. On the other hand, as shown in the upper half of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first terminal 10 (for example, 10A) includes a switching unit 12 configured to be the first terminal 10 (10A). Communication network NT1 The frequency used for communication is switched to the frequency required by the first communication network NT1. Further, the first terminal 10 (10A) includes a notification unit 14 configured to notify the frequency used by the first communication network NT1 of the first terminal 10 (10A) via the communication path CL (CLA). The second terminal 20 (20A).

The notification unit 14 of the first terminal 10 (10A) is configured to change the first terminal 10 (10A) to the first communication network NT1 in the switching unit 12, similarly to the report unit 24 in the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A). The frequency (f1) is notified to the second terminal 20 (20A) through the communication path CL (CLA) at any point before or after the used frequency (f1). That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, when the first terminal 10 (10A) obtains the switching frequency (f1) (P11) through the first communication network NT1 of its own, the switching unit 12 of the first terminal 10 (10A) This frequency (f1) (P12) is changed. When the frequency (f1) is changed, the notification unit 14 notifies the changed frequency (f1) to the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A) (P13) via the communication path CL (CLA). In this case, since the frequency (f1) actually used by the first terminal 10 (10A) in the first communication network NT1 is notified to the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A), basically, from the first terminal 10 (10A), When the notification to the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A) is made once, the frequency used by the second terminal 20 (20A) in the second communication network NT2 (NT2A) is determined.

On the other hand, the notification unit 14 of the first terminal 10 (10A) may notify the first terminal 10 (10A) of the frequency (f1) for the first communication network NT1 to the corresponding second terminal 20. The first terminal 10 (10A) changes the frequency of the first communication network NT1 to a frequency requested to be switched from the first communication network NT1 of the first terminal 10 (10A) (P14). Terminal 1 When the notification unit 14 of 10 (10A) notifies the first terminal 10 (10A) of the frequency of the first communication network NT1 to the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A), the switching unit 12 may perform the frequency. Change one of the time before or after the change. In this case, the notification unit 14 of the first terminal 10 (10A) can also notify the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A) of the frequency of the first communication network NT1 of the first terminal 10 (10A). At the same time as when the switching unit 12 switches the frequency.

Hereinafter, the second terminal 20 (20A) determines the frequency of use of the second communication network NT2 by the second terminal 20 (20A) by transmitting and receiving information between the first terminal 10 (for example, 10A) and the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A). The technique of (f2) is explained. In the present embodiment, a plurality of second communication networks NT2 are connected to the first communication network NT1, and the frequency (f1) used by the first communication network NT1 is notified by the host device 40. Therefore, the frequency used in the first communication network NT1 cannot be basically changed. Therefore, in order to avoid signal interference with other communication networks in the second communication network NT2, each of the plurality of second terminals 20 changes its own frequency system for the second communication network NT2 through the selection unit 22 to become a basic policy. .

There are two kinds of selection information transmitted from the first terminal 10 (for example, 10A) to the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A), which are information about frequency (first information) and a command for changing frequency (second information). ). The selection information transmitted from the first terminal 10 (10A) to the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A) may be only one of the two types of information. However, in the present embodiment, the first terminal 10 is required from the two terminals. The case where the information is selected for use is described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the first terminal 10 (10A) is itself When the frequency f1 used by the first communication network NT1 is notified, the switching unit 12 changes the frequency f1 used by the first communication network NT1 to the frequency of the notification. Here, the notification of the frequency is, for example, notified using the frequency reserved for control. The frequency after the change of the switching unit 12 is notified to the second terminal 20 (20A) by the notification unit 14 via the communication path CL (CLA).

The second terminal 20 (20A) includes a determination unit 23 configured to determine the second terminal 20 when the frequency of the first communication network NT1 is notified from the first terminal 10 (10A). (20A) The frequency used in the second communication network NT2. At this time, the determination unit 23 determines that the communication between the second communication network NT2 of the second terminal 20 (20A) and the communication of the first communication network NT1 of the first terminal 10 (10A) interferes with the second communication network. The frequency used by the road NT2. Specifically, the determination unit 23 has a function of determining a frequency different from the frequency notified by the corresponding first terminal 10 (10A).

By the above operation, the second terminal 20 (20A) can determine its own in the second communication network so as not to overlap with the frequency f1 used by the corresponding first terminal 10 (10A) in the first communication network NT1. The frequency f2 used by NT2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, since there are a plurality of second communication networks NT2 for the first communication network NT1, interference may occur between the second communication networks NT2. In the above operation, attention is paid only to the frequency of the first communication network NT1 and the second communication network NT2 of only one consumer 1 (1A), but it is preferable to consider the relationship between the frequencies between the second communication networks NT2.

Therefore, the first terminal 10 preferably includes an acquisition function unit 17, which takes The function unit 17 is configured to communicate with the other first terminal 10 through the first communication network NT1 of its own, thereby acquiring the frequency used by the second terminal 20 capable of communicating with the other first terminal 10. The acquisition function unit 17 of the first terminal 10 acquires the frequency used by the plurality of second communication networks NT2 connected to the first communication network NT1. Actually, the farther the distance between the different second communication networks NT2 is, the less interference occurs with each other. Therefore, the acquisition function unit 17 preferably acquires the frequency for the second communication network NT2 that is closer. In the present embodiment, the first terminal 10 corresponds to the notification of the multi-hop transmission. Therefore, for example, it is only necessary to limit the number of hops to the first terminal 10 that jumps about 1 to 3 times.

Since the frequency acquired by the acquisition function unit 17 is the frequency used by the other second communication network NT2, when the frequency transmission notification unit 14 notifies the corresponding second terminal 20, the determination unit 23 of the second terminal 20 can Select a frequency that is different from the frequency you are notified.

On the other hand, the first terminal 10 (for example, 10A) instructs the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A) to change the frequency of the second terminal 20 (20A) for the second communication network NT2, and is set to be the first. The command notification unit 13 of the terminal 10 (10A) notifies the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A) via the communication path CL (CLA). The command generation unit 13 notifies the second terminal 20 (20A) of the command to change the command frequency as the selection information, and the main reason is that the frequency used by the second communication network NT2 is reported from the second terminal 20 (20A). The first terminal 10 (10A) is given. In other words, when the frequency reported from the second terminal 20 (20A) to the first terminal 10 (10A) is a frequency that interferes with the communication of the first communication network NT1 of the first terminal 10 (10A), in order to avoid At this frequency, the first terminal 10 (10A) requests the second terminal 20 (20A) to change the frequency.

Therefore, the command notification unit 13 of the first terminal 10 (10A) not only reports the frequency reported from the second terminal 20 (20A) through the communication path CL (CLA) but also the first communication network 10A with the first terminal 10 (10A). When the frequency used by NT1 is the same, it indicates the frequency of change, and the degree of interference can also be evaluated to indicate the frequency of change.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the first terminal 10 (10A) transmits a command to change the second terminal 20 (20A) to the second communication network NT2 to the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A). Frequency command (P31). The determination unit 23 of the second terminal 20 (20A) appropriately determines the frequency (P32) used by the second terminal 20 (20A) in the second communication network NT2, and the frequency determined by the determination unit 23 is notified to the transmission unit 24 1 terminal 10 (10A) (P33). In the illustrated example, after the frequency (f2) used by the second terminal 20 (20A) in the second communication network NT2 is reported to the first terminal 10 (10A), the determining unit 23 notifies the frequency (f2) to The selection unit 22 (P34) may be operated at this stage without notifying the frequency (f2) to the selection unit 22.

The command notification unit 13 of the first terminal 10 (10A) receives the frequency (f2) for the second terminal 20 (20A) in the second communication network NT2 from the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A). The received frequency (f2) is compared with the frequency f1 used by the first terminal 10 (10A) in the first communication network NT1, and when an interference occurs in the evaluation (P35), the command indicating the change of the frequency (f2) is again performed. It is transmitted to the second terminal 20 (20A) (P36). Thereafter, the same actions (P37 to P39) as those of P32 to P34 described above are repeated. On the other hand, it is determined that the frequency reported from the second terminal 20 (20A) does not communicate with the first terminal 10 (10A) in the first communication. When the frequency f1 used by the network NT1 interferes, the command notifying unit 13 notifies the second terminal 20 (20A) of the consent (P40). However, the determination unit 23 instructs the selection unit 22 to have a frequency different from the frequency reported by the transmission reporting unit 24 to the first terminal 10 (10A). When receiving the notification of the consent, the second terminal 20 (20A) sets the frequency determined by the determining unit 23 to the frequency used by the second terminal 20 (20A) in the second communication network NT2.

The command notification unit 13 of the first terminal 10 (10A) instructs the corresponding second terminal 20 (20A) to change the frequency used by the second terminal 20 (20A) in the second communication network NT2, although the above is For example, a case where the communication between the second communication network NT2 and the communication of the first communication network NT1 of the first terminal 10 interferes with each other, but the communication between the second communication network NT2 and the second communication network NT2 of the other second terminal 20 The same technique can be used in the case of communication interference.

In the above embodiment, the first information and the second information are used. However, the communication network system of the present invention may be configured to use only the first information. In the first example, each of the plurality of first terminals 10 includes a communication interface 15 for the first communication network NT1 and a communication interface for communicating with the corresponding second terminal 20 via a communication path CL. Part 16. Each of the plurality of second terminals 20 includes a communication interface portion 25 for the second communication network NT2 and a communication interface portion 26 for communicating with the corresponding first terminal 10 via a communication path CL.

In the first example described above, each of the plurality of first terminals 10 is configured to transmit information including its own communication frequency for the first communication network NT1 to the corresponding second terminal 20 via a communication path CL. . Multiple stations Each of the second terminals 20 is configured to receive information including the communication frequency of the corresponding first terminal 10 in the first communication network NT1 from the corresponding first terminal 10 via a communication path CL. Further, each of the plurality of second terminals 20 is configured to determine its own communication frequency for the second communication network NT2 based on information from the corresponding first terminal 10 to at least correspond to the first one. The terminal 10 has a different frequency of the communication frequency f1 for the first communication network NT1.

In the first example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first terminal 10 (10A) of the consumer 1 (for example, 1A) transmits its own communication frequency f1 for the first communication network NT1 via the communication path CL (CLA). The information is transmitted to the second terminal 20 (20A). The second terminal 20 (20A) receives information including the communication frequency f1 for the first communication network NT1 from the first terminal 10 (10A) via the communication path CL (CLA). The second terminal 20 (20A) determines the communication frequency (f2) for the second terminal 20 (20A) in the second communication network NT2 (NT2A) to be at least the first based on the information from the first terminal 10 (10A). The terminal 10 (10A) has a different frequency of the communication frequency f1 for the first communication network NT1.

In the modified example (second example) of the first example, each of the plurality of second terminals 20 is configured to transmit information including its own communication frequency for the second communication network NT2 via a communication path CL. The corresponding first terminal 10 is given. Each of the plurality of first terminals 10 is configured to receive information including the communication frequency of the corresponding second terminal 20 on the second communication network NT2 from the corresponding second terminal 20 via a communication path CL, and Transmitting information including the communication frequency used by the second communication network NT2 to at least The other first terminal 10 that communicates with its own communication frequency for the first communication network NT1. Further, each of the plurality of first terminals 10 is configured to receive from at least one other first terminal 10 that communicates at its own communication frequency for the first communication network NT1, and includes at least one other first terminal 10 Corresponding second terminal 20 transmits information of the communication frequency used by the second communication network NT2, and includes a communication frequency for the first communication network NT1 through the communication path CL and is associated with the at least one other first terminal 10. The information of the communication frequency used by the corresponding second terminal 20 in the second communication network NT2 is transmitted to the corresponding second terminal. Each of the plurality of second terminals 20 is configured to receive, via the communication path CL, the communication frequency including the first terminal 10 in the first communication network NT1 from the corresponding first terminal 10 and the at least one other first The information of the communication frequency used by the second terminal 20 corresponding to the terminal 10 in the second communication network NT2. Further, each of the plurality of second terminals 20 is configured to set its own communication frequency for the second communication network NT2 to the communication frequency of the corresponding first terminal 10 for the first communication network NT1. And the second terminal 20 corresponding to the at least one other first terminal 10 has a different communication frequency for the second communication network NT2.

In the second example, as shown in FIG. 2, the second terminal 20 (20B) transmits the information including the communication frequency (f3) for the second communication network NT2 to the first through the communication path CL (CLB). Terminal 10 (10B). Similarly, the second terminal 20 (20C) transmits information including its own communication frequency (f4) for the second communication network NT2 (NT2C) to the first terminal 10 (10C) via a communication path CL. The first terminal 10 (10B) transmits the communication path CL (CLB) The second terminal 20 (20B) receives the information including the communication frequency (f3), and transmits the information including the communication frequency (f3) to the other first terminal that communicates with the communication frequency f1 for the first communication network NT1. 10 (10A, 10C and 10D). Similarly, the first terminal 10C receives information including the communication frequency (f4) from the second terminal 20C via a communication path CL, and transmits information including the communication frequency (f4) to itself for the first communication network NT1. The other first terminal 10 (10A, 10B, and 10E) that communicates with the communication frequency f1. The first terminal 10A receives the communication frequency (f3) corresponding to the first terminal 10 (10B and 10C) from the other first terminals 10 (10B and 10C) that communicate with each other at the communication frequency for the first communication network NT1. And the information of f4), and transmits information including the communication frequency f1 and the communication frequencies (f3 and f4) for the first communication network NT1 to the second terminal 20 (20A) via the communication path CL (CLA). The second terminal 20 (20A) receives the communication frequency f1 including the first terminal 10 (10A) for the first communication network NT1 and the communication frequency (f3) from the first terminal 10 (10A) via the communication path CL (CLA). And f4) information. Further, the second terminal 20 (20A) is configured to determine its own communication frequency (f2) for the second communication network NT2 as the communication frequency with the first terminal 10 (10A) for the first communication network NT1. F1 and the above different communication frequencies (f3 and f4).

The above-mentioned configuration example is mainly assumed to be a single-family house, and if there are a plurality of consumers in a single building such as a collective house and an office building, the first communication network NT1 can be used in the building. Part of the use of wired communication paths. At this time, it is preferable to use a power line transmission communication technology using a distribution line as a communication path. That is, the use of electrical distribution within the building The line serves as a communication path for coupling the first terminal 10.

This embodiment describes a technique in which the channels used in the first communication network NT1 and the second communication network NT2 are distinguished by frequency. However, the channels used for communication can also be secured by making the communication time different. In other words, interference can be prevented by making the communication time of the first communication network NT1 different from that of the second communication network NT2. In this case, it is possible to arrange the time slot used for dividing the first communication network NT1 and the time slot used by the second communication network NT2.

In the case where the channel is secured by the timing of the communication being made, the communication between the first terminal 10 and the second terminal 20 can be performed in the same manner as the technique of dividing the channel by frequency, and the second terminal can be used. 20 is a technique different from the channel of the first terminal 10. For example, when the first terminal 10 notifies the second terminal 20 to perform communication, the second terminal 20 is not required to perform communication at a specific time. Similarly, it is also possible to collect the time when the other second communication network NT2 communicates, and choose to avoid the communication point NT to communicate with the second communication network NT2.

Further, the first terminal 10 attached to the electric power meter 30 defines a time limit for the total communication time for the unit time. For example, the total communication time of one first terminal 10 is limited to 360 seconds or the like in units of one hour. Therefore, by measuring the total time that the first terminal 10 performs communication in a unit time, it can be known that the first terminal 10 whose total time has reached the time limit does not communicate until the end of the unit time. This mechanism can also be used to allow the communication of the second terminal 20 to proceed to the first terminal 10 without communication. Time belt.

Further, in the above-described configuration example, the communication using the wireless communication path is mainly described, but the first communication network NT1 and the second communication network NT2 may be mixed with the wireless communication path and the wired communication path. Further, in the case where the wireless communication path and the wired communication path are used in combination, the wired communication path can be used in the communication section in which the wireless communication path cannot be used.

10‧‧‧1st terminal

11‧‧‧Reading function

12‧‧‧Switching Department

13‧‧‧Command Notification Department

14‧‧‧Notice Department

15‧‧‧Communication I/F

16‧‧‧Communication I/F

17‧‧‧Get function department

20‧‧‧2nd terminal

21‧‧‧Management Function Department

22‧‧‧Selection Department

23‧‧‧Decision Department

24‧‧ Reporting Department

25‧‧‧Communication I/F

26‧‧‧Communication I/F

31‧‧‧Measuring device

50‧‧‧Electrical equipment (equipment)

CL‧‧‧Communication Path

NT1‧‧‧1st communication network

NT2‧‧‧2nd communication network

Claims (13)

A communication network system including a first communication network including a first wireless communication path and a plurality of second communication networks including a second wireless communication path; the communication network system includes: a first terminal configured to be the aforementioned a node belonging to the communication network communicates using the first wireless communication path; and the second terminal is configured to be a node belonging to the second communication network, and communicates using the second wireless communication path, and the use is different The first wireless communication path and the communication path of the second wireless communication path communicate with the first terminal, and the second terminal includes a selection unit configured to select the own terminal to be associated with the second communication network. a frequency used by the second wireless communication path; and a determining unit configured to determine the use of the second wireless communication path of the second communication network to which the own terminal belongs when the predetermined selection information is received from the first terminal The frequency is indicated to the aforementioned selection section. The communication network system according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal includes a meter reading function unit configured to acquire the resource from a metering device installed by a consumer who supplies the resource from the public utility. The measurement data of the usage amount, and the measurement information obtained by the first communication network is notified to other nodes; The node of the second communication network includes a device that uses the resource at the consumer; the second terminal includes a management function unit configured to at least accept the device that is a node of the second communication network. Information about the use of the aforementioned resources. The communication network system according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal further includes a report unit configured to report a frequency indicated by the determination unit to the selection unit to the first terminal; and the report unit has The function of notifying the change frequency to the first terminal before the selection unit changes the frequency. The communication network system according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal further includes a report unit configured to report a frequency indicated by the determination unit to the selection unit to the first terminal; and the report unit has The function of notifying the changed frequency to the first terminal after the selection unit changes the frequency. The communication network system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first terminal further includes a command notifying unit configured to report the frequency from the second terminal and the first communication network When the frequency used by the wireless communication path is the same, the command indicating the change of the frequency is notified to the second terminal as the selection information. The communication network system according to claim 5, wherein the determining unit is configured to cause the command to receive the change of the instruction frequency as the selection information from the first terminal, and the foregoing The reporting unit reports the frequency of the different frequencies of the first terminal to the function of the selection unit. The communication network system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first terminal includes a notification unit that uses a frequency used by the first wireless communication path of the first communication network or another unit to which the own terminal is not affiliated The frequency used by the second wireless communication path of the communication network is notified to the second terminal as the selection information. The communication network system according to claim 7, wherein the first communication network includes a plurality of first terminals, and each of the first terminals is capable of communicating with a second terminal belonging to a different second communication network; The first terminal further includes an acquisition function unit configured to acquire a second wireless communication path of the second communication network to which the second terminal capable of communicating with the other first terminal is connected via the first communication network. The frequency is obtained by the notification unit notifying the frequency acquired by the acquisition function unit as the selection information to the second terminal capable of communication. The communication network system according to claim 7, wherein the first terminal further includes a switching unit configured to switch to a frequency used by the first wireless communication path of the first communication network; and the notification unit has a configuration A function of notifying the change frequency to the second terminal before the switching unit changes the frequency. The communication network system according to claim 7, wherein the first terminal further includes a switching unit configured to switch to a frequency used by the first wireless communication path of the first communication network; and the notification unit has a configuration The function of notifying the changed frequency to the second terminal after the frequency is changed by the switching unit. The communication network system according to claim 7, wherein the determination unit has a function of instructing a frequency different from a frequency notified by the first terminal, when a frequency as the selection information is received from the first terminal. . A terminal device for requesting the communication network system described in item 1 and functioning as the first terminal. A terminal device for requesting the communication network system described in item 1 and functioning as the second terminal.