WO2014016916A1

WO2014016916A1 - Communication device and relay device

Info

Publication number: WO2014016916A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/068770
Authority: WO
Inventors: 徹武曽
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2012-07-25
Filing date: 2012-07-25
Publication date: 2014-01-30
Also published as: CN104487954A; JPWO2014016916A1; JP5436701B1

Abstract

A relay device (30) receives downstream messages to be sent to a smart meter, stores the received downstream messages, selects, on the basis of the levels of priority of the downstream messages, a high-priority downstream message to be sent to the smart meter with priority among the stored downstream messages, and sends the high-priority downstream message to the smart meter. A message transmission unit (21) sends a downstream message for which a level of priority has been specified, to the relay device (30). A priority level adjustment section (242) specifies an extraction condition used to extract a downstream message for which the level of priority is to be adjusted. The priority level adjustment section (242) also extracts a downstream message that satisfies the extraction condition, and generates a priority level adjustment message that instructs the relay device (30) to select a high-priority downstream message with a level of priority different from the level of priority already set for the extracted downstream message being given to the extracted downstream message. The message transmission unit (21) sends the priority level adjustment message to the relay device (30).

Description

Communication device and relay device

The present invention relates to a communication system in which messages are transmitted / received to / from a plurality of terminal devices.
The present invention relates to a smart meter automatic meter reading system in which messages are transmitted / received to / from a plurality of smart meters, for example.

In various countries, smart meter automatic meter reading systems such as electric power, gas, and water using smart meters (hereinafter also simply referred to as “meters”) are being introduced.
In the smart meter automatic meter reading system, a smart meter, a relay device, a message transmission / reception device, and an application server device are connected by a tree structure network.
There are several million or more smart meters, thousands to tens of thousands of relay devices, several to tens of message transmission / reception devices, and several to tens of application server devices 10.
The smart meter and the relay device have low calculation capability, and there are restrictions on the execution of processing.
In the smart meter automatic meter reading system, the smart meter and the relay device are connected by a network, the relay device and the message transmitting / receiving device are connected by a network, and the message transmitting / receiving device and the application server device are connected by a network. Has been.
Each network has a different bandwidth, communication speed, communication medium, and communication method, and the smart meter automatic meter reading system is a system composed of heterogeneous networks.
In the smart meter automatic meter reading system, an application program (hereinafter simply referred to as “application”) executed on the application server device and the smart meter exchange data such as meter reading values and control information such as open / close control by message communication. To do.
The messages to be handled include messages in the upstream direction (meter, direction from relay device to application) and messages in the downstream direction (direction from application to relay device, meter).
In the smart meter automatic meter-reading system, one-way messages and two-way messages are mixed, and the traffic of upstream messages and downstream messages is asymmetric.
The one-way message is a message for spontaneously transmitting a message from a meter or a relay device, or a message for unidirectionally instructing control from an application.
The bidirectional message includes a message for giving an instruction to the meter or the relay device by the application and a message returned as a response by the meter or the relay device.
In addition, the smart meter automatic meter reading system has a feature that there are a time zone with a large amount of communication and a time zone with a small amount of communication, and the amount of communication is uneven.
Furthermore, many-to-one communication with millions of message communications within a certain period of time, such as periodic meter reading, one-to-one communication for obtaining information of one meter with application, meter and relay device There is a one-to-many communication such as firmware update.
There are various application characteristics, including applications that require throughput, applications that require response performance, and applications that have restrictions that must be completed within a certain period of time.
In the smart meter automatic meter reading system, it is necessary for such a highly restrictive device to effectively control the message priority in accordance with the application of various characteristics on the heterogeneous and asymmetric network.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a priority control method for an application that must finish processing within a certain time.
More specifically, in Patent Document 1, a high-priority transmission queue is selected from among transmission queues classified by priority for messages with a small difference between the transmission deadline and the current time (remaining time), and the remaining time is small. Messages are sent preferentially.

JP 2011-130140 A

However, in Patent Document 1, the priority order is determined only by whether or not the remaining time is smaller than the threshold value.
For this reason, a message whose remaining time is slightly larger than the threshold value (referred to as “message A”) is stored in the low priority queue, and is thereafter kept in the low priority queue.
A message that occurs after message A and whose remaining time is smaller than the threshold value is stored in a high priority queue and is transmitted before message A.
For this reason, even if the remaining time of the message A becomes smaller than the threshold due to the passage of time, a situation in which the message A is not transmitted occurs, and the priority control for keeping the transmission time limit does not function sufficiently.
As described above, in Patent Document 1, each wireless communication device performs priority determination only with the remaining time, and thus there is a problem that fine adjustment cannot be performed when a large number of messages with transmission deadlines occur, There is a problem that the priority of the message is fixed and flexible control is not possible.

The main purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is a main object to flexibly adjust the priority of messages according to the situation.

The communication device according to the present invention is
Receiving a downlink message to the terminal device, storing the received downlink message, selecting a priority downlink message to be transmitted to the terminal device preferentially from the stored downlink messages based on the priority of the downlink message; A message transmission unit that transmits a downlink message with a priority set to a relay device that prioritizes the selected priority downlink message and transmits the message to the terminal device;
An extraction condition designating part for designating an extraction condition for extracting a downstream message whose priority is to be adjusted;
A downlink message that matches the extraction condition specified by the extraction condition specifying unit is extracted, and a priority downlink message is assigned to the extracted downlink message using a priority different from the priority set for the downlink message. An instruction command generator for generating an instruction command for instructing the relay device to select;
And an instruction command transmission unit that transmits the instruction command generated by the instruction command generation unit to the relay device.

According to the present invention, by specifying an appropriate extraction condition for each situation, the priority of the message can be flexibly adjusted according to the situation.

The figure which shows the structural example of the smart meter automatic meter-reading system which concerns on Embodiment 1 and 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a message transmission / reception device according to Embodiments 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a relay device according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a priority information table according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the meter relay apparatus corresponding | compatible table which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a priority change information table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example of an application table according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the priority information table which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure which shows the example of the relay apparatus specification table which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure which shows the example of the relay apparatus load table which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a message transmission request format according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example of a message reception request format according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission message format according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of priority adjustment processing according to the first embodiment. The flowchart figure which shows the example of the priority adjustment necessity check (difference in the number of transmission / reception) which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of priority adjustment necessity check (message reception speed) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of priority adjustment necessity check (reception remaining time) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of priority lowering processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for adjusting the transmission order of priority adjustment messages according to the second embodiment. The flowchart figure which shows the example of the relay apparatus load table update process (pending message number) which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The flowchart figure which shows the example of the relay apparatus load table update process (message processing time required) which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The flowchart figure which shows the example of the priority adjustment message process (1) which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The flowchart figure which shows the example of the priority adjustment message process (2) which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure explaining the priority change procedure in the relay apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows the priority change information table (before change) which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure explaining the priority change procedure in the relay apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows the priority change information table (after change) which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows the hardware structural example of the message transmission / reception apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 and 2, and a relay apparatus.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
In this embodiment, a smart meter automatic meter reading system will be described.
In the present embodiment, the message transmission / reception device deployed in the center determines the progress of message communication and issues a priority adjustment instruction to the relay device.
Then, the relay device adjusts the priority according to an instruction from the message transmission / reception device.
By these procedures, effective and fine priority control can be performed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a smart meter automatic meter reading system according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a smart meter automatic meter reading system includes a smart meter 40, a relay device 30, a message transmission / reception device 20, and an application server device 10 connected via a network having a tree structure.

The smart meter 40 measures the usage amount of power, gas, water, and the like, and transmits / receives the message transmission / reception device 20, the message transmission / reception device 20, and the smart meter 40 to one or more applications operating on the application server device 10. Message communication is performed via the relay device 30 provided in between.
The smart meter 40 corresponds to an example of a terminal device.

In the application server device 10, an application relating to automatic meter reading operates.
The application server device 10 transmits a message transmission request (hereinafter also simply referred to as “transmission request”) to the message transmission / reception device 20 by executing the application.
The application server device 10 transmits a message transmission request to the message transmission / reception device 20, and requests the message transmission / reception device 20 to transmit a message to the plurality of smart meters 40.
In addition, the application server device 10 receives a message from the smart meter 40 from the message transmission / reception device 20.
The application server device 10 corresponds to an example of a host device.

The message transmitting / receiving device 20 controls the application on the application server device 10 and message communication with the relay device 30.
More specifically, the message transmission / reception device 20 receives a message transmission request from the application server device 10.
The message transmission request includes one or more transmission messages.
A transmission message is also called a downstream message.
The message transmission / reception device 20 extracts a transmission message from the message transmission request, and transmits the extracted transmission message to the relay device 30.
In the transmission message, a transmission request ID that is an ID (Identifier) of the message transmission request and a priority specified in the message transmission request are set.
Further, the message transmission / reception device 20 receives a reception message from the smart meter 40 from the relay device 30 and transmits the received reception message to the application server device 10.
The received message is also called an upstream message.
In addition, the message transmitting / receiving device 20 adjusts the priority of the transmission message and the reception message.
The message transmission / reception device 20 corresponds to an example of a communication device.

The relay device 30 relays a message with the smart meter 40.
More specifically, the relay device 30 receives a downlink message from the message transmission / reception device 20, accumulates the received downlink message in a priority-specific queue, and stores the downlink message accumulated in the highest priority queue. Send to the smart meter 40 with priority.
A downlink message stored in the highest priority queue, that is, a downlink message transmitted with priority to the smart meter 40 is also referred to as a priority downlink message.
Further, the relay device 30 receives upstream messages from the plurality of smart meters 40, accumulates the received upstream messages in priority-specific queues, and gives priority to downstream messages stored in the highest priority queue. The message is transmitted to the message transmitting / receiving device 20.
An upstream message stored in the highest priority queue, that is, an upstream message transmitted with priority to the message transmitting / receiving device 20 is also referred to as a priority upstream message.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of the message transmitting / receiving apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 2, the priority control processing unit 24 performs priority control of message communication.

The transmission request reception unit 26 receives a message transmission request from the application server device 10, extracts a transmission message addressed to the smart meter 40 from the message transmission request, and transfers the extracted transmission message to the priority control processing unit 24.

The message temporary storage unit 27 temporarily stores a plurality of transmission messages extracted by the transmission request reception unit 26 when the transmission request reception unit 26 receives a message transmission request including transmission messages for the plurality of smart meters 40. To do.

The timer unit 25 gives the timing to take out the transmission message from the message temporary storage unit 27 and transfer it to the priority control processing unit 24.

The message transmission unit 21 receives the transmission message from the priority control processing unit 24 and transmits the transmission message to the relay device 30.
Note that the message transmission unit 21 also functions as an instruction command transmission unit, as will be described later.

The reception request reception unit 22 receives a message reception request including one or more reception messages from the relay device 30 and transfers the message reception request to the priority control processing unit 24.
The reception request reception unit 22 corresponds to an example of a message reception unit.

The message delivery unit 28 transmits the message reception request received from the priority control processing unit 24 to the application server device 10.

The load information storage unit 23 stores load information periodically transmitted from the relay device 30 and message processing capability information for each relay device type.
Details of the load information storage unit 23 will be described in the second embodiment.

The priority adjustment data storage unit 29 stores priority adjustment data referred to by the priority control processing unit 24.

The priority control processing unit 24 includes a plurality of downlink queues 241, a plurality of uplink queues 244, a priority adjustment unit 242, and a progress information management unit 243.

The downstream queue 241 is a queue for storing downstream messages from the application server device 10 to the relay device 30, that is, downstream messages to the smart meter 40 extracted by the transmission request receiving unit 26.
The downlink queue 241 is provided for each priority.

The upstream queue 244 is a queue for storing upstream messages from the relay device 30 to the application server device 10, that is, upstream messages from the smart meter 40.
The upstream queue 244 is provided for each priority.

The progress information management unit 243, for each transmission request ID, the number of transmitted messages transmitted by the message transmitting unit 21, the number of received messages received by the reception request receiving unit 22, the message reception speed of the received messages, the number of remaining received messages, the transmission request It manages message communication progress information such as time and the remaining time until the reception deadline time.

The priority adjustment unit 242 performs priority adjustment based on the progress information.
The priority adjustment unit 242 analyzes the progress information and specifies an extraction condition for extracting a downlink message that is a target of priority adjustment.
More specifically, the priority adjustment unit 242 selects a specific transmission request ID and specifies an extraction condition for extracting a downlink message in which the selected transmission request ID is set.
Then, the priority adjustment unit 242 extracts the downlink message in which the selected transmission request ID is set, and uses a priority different from the priority described in the downlink message for the extracted downlink message. An instruction command (hereinafter referred to as “priority adjustment message”) for instructing the relay device 30 to select a priority downlink message is generated.
The priority adjustment message is transmitted from the message transmission unit 21 to the relay device 30.
In the case of a bidirectional message, the same transmission request ID and priority as those of the downstream message transmission request ID and priority are set for the upstream message.
When the priority adjustment unit 242 selects the transmission request ID used for the bidirectional message, the priority adjustment message is also applied to the uplink message.
In other words, the priority adjustment message is extracted by using the priority that is different from the priority set for the uplink message, by extracting the uplink message in which the corresponding transmission request ID is set. It also includes an instruction to select an upstream message.
The downlink message in the bidirectional message is a downlink message requesting a response from the smart meter 40, and corresponds to a response request downlink message.
The priority adjustment unit 242 corresponds to an example of an extraction condition designation unit and an instruction command generation unit.

The downlink queue 241 and the uplink queue 244 of the priority control processing unit 24 are configured by a plurality of queues for each priority, but may be realized by one queue.
In this case, one downlink queue 241 is divided into areas for each priority, and the downlink message input from the transmission request receiving unit 26 is stored in the corresponding priority area.
Similarly, one upstream queue 244 is divided into areas for each priority, and the upstream message input from the reception request receiving unit 22 is stored in the corresponding priority area.
Further, the down queue 241 and the up queue 244 may be realized by one queue.
In this case, one queue is divided into an area for downlink messages and an area for uplink messages, and further, an area for downlink messages is divided for each priority, and an area for uplink messages is divided for each priority. .

Next, the operation will be described.
First, the basic operation of the message transmission / reception device 20 when a downlink message is transmitted from the application server device 10 to the relay device 30 will be described.

A plurality of applications are running on the application server device 10, and the application requests the message transmission / reception device 20 to send a message to the smart meter 40 during processing to be executed.
The content of the message depends on processing executed by the application, and includes, for example, a control message to the smart meter 40, an information acquisition request from the smart meter 40, and the like.
The format of a message transmission request for an application requesting message transmission to the message transmission / reception device 20 is, for example, as shown in FIG.

The message transmission request includes a header portion including information necessary for controlling message communication, and a data portion including one or more transmission messages to be transmitted and a transmission destination ID.
When a transmission message is transmitted to the smart meter 40, the meter ID of the smart meter 40 of the transmission destination is entered in the transmission destination ID.
The header part includes, for example, an application ID, message type, transmission message size, total number of transmission messages, response message reception deadline time, and priority.
The application ID uniquely represents the application that has requested the message transmission.
The message type represents the type of transmission message (one-way message or two-way message).
The unit transmission message size represents the size of data combining one transmission message and a transmission destination ID.
The total number of transmission messages represents the total number of transmission messages included in the data part of the message transmission request.
The response message reception deadline time represents the time limit for the application to receive a response (uplink message) from the smart meter 40 to the transmission message (response request downlink message).
The priority is a priority in communication of a transmission message specified by the application.
The data part includes a set of transmission message IDs and transmission destination IDs for designating transmission destinations for the total number of transmission messages.

In the message transmitting / receiving device 20, the transmission request receiving unit 26 receives a message transmission request from an application.
The transmission request receiving unit 26 assigns a transmission request ID of the received message transmission request.
Also, the transmission request reception unit 26 converts the message transmission request into a downlink message having the format shown in FIG. 13 when the data part of the received message transmission request includes only one set of transmission destination ID and transmission message. Then, the downlink message is transferred to the priority control processing unit 24.
In the downlink message, a header part includes a transmission destination ID, a transmission request ID, a message type, a transmission message size, a response message reception deadline time, and a priority, and a data part includes a transmission message included in the message transmission request. .
The transmission destination ID, message type, transmission message size, response message reception deadline time, and priority in the header are values included in the message transmission request (FIG. 11).
The transmission request ID is a value numbered by the transmission request reception unit 26 when a message transmission request is received.
On the other hand, if the data portion of the received message transmission request includes a plurality of combinations of transmission destination IDs and transmission messages, the transmission request reception unit 26 divides the data into combinations of individual transmission destination IDs and transmission messages.
And the transmission request reception part 26 produces | generates the downlink message of the format shown in FIG. 13 for every pair of transmission destination ID and a transmission message.
Thereafter, the transmission request reception unit 26 stores each of the generated downlink messages in the message temporary storage unit 27.
A message transmission request including a plurality of transmission messages is referred to as a composite message transmission request, and a message transmission request including a plurality of bidirectional transmission messages (response request downlink messages) is referred to as a composite response request message transmission request.

Next, the transmission request reception unit 26 calculates an interval time when the downlink message is transferred to the priority control processing unit 24 from the total number of transmission messages included in the header part and the response message reception deadline, and sends the interval time to the timer unit 25. Set.
When the response message reception deadline is not specified, the transmission request reception unit 26 transfers all downlink messages generated from the transmission message included in the message transmission request to the priority control processing unit 24.
The interval time may be obtained by, for example, dividing the time obtained by subtracting the margin time required for the response from the remaining time until the response message reception deadline by the total number of transmitted messages.
Alternatively, a predetermined interval time may be used.
The timer unit 25 sends a timing signal notifying that the transfer time has arrived to the transmission request receiving unit 26 every set interval time.
The transmission request reception unit 26 that has received the timing signal extracts one downlink message from the message temporary storage unit 27 and transfers the extracted downlink message to the priority control processing unit 24.

The priority control processing unit 24 inserts the transmission message transferred from the transmission request receiving unit 26 at the tail of the queue with the corresponding priority in the down queue 241.

The message transmission unit 21 extracts a transmission message from the head of the queue having the highest priority among the downlink queues 241.
If the queue with the highest priority is empty, the transmission message is extracted from the head of the queue with the next highest priority.
Next, the message transmission unit 21 reads the transmission destination ID from the extracted transmission message, searches the meter relay device correspondence table shown in FIG. 5 for the relay device ID corresponding to the corresponding transmission destination ID, and finds the relay device ID found. A transmission message is transmitted to the relay device 30 corresponding to the above.

Next, the basic operation of the message transmitting / receiving device 20 when transmitting an upstream message from the relay device 30 to the application server device 10 will be described.

The relay device 30 transmits a message reception request including one or more uplink messages to the message transmitting / receiving device 20.
The upstream message is a message received by the relay device 30 from the smart meter 40. For example, a message representing an event that has occurred regularly or irregularly in the smart meter 40, or a response to a message from the application (response request downstream message). Message.
The format of the message reception request that the message transmitting / receiving apparatus 20 receives from the relay apparatus 30 is, for example, as shown in FIG.

The message reception request includes a header portion including information necessary for control of message communication, and a data portion including one or more received messages and a transmission source ID.
In the case of receiving a message from the smart meter 40, the meter ID of the smart meter 40 of the transmission source is entered in the transmission source ID.
The header part includes, for example, a transmission request ID or application ID, a message type, a unit received message size, the total number of received messages, a response message reception deadline, and a priority.
The transmission request ID is used when the upstream message is a response message to the response request downstream message.
In the transmission request ID column, the same value as the transmission request ID (FIG. 13) of the response request downlink message is described.
The application ID is used when the upstream message is a message transmitted from the smart meter 40 (when it is not a response message to the response request downstream message).
The application ID uniquely represents the destination application of the upstream message.
FIG. 13 illustrates a downlink message in which the application ID is not described. However, when the application ID is described in the downlink message, the same application ID is described in the uplink message that is response data. Also good.
The message type represents the type of received message (one-way message or two-way message).
The unit received message size represents the size of data that combines one received message and the transmission source ID.
The total number of received messages represents the total number of received messages included in the data part of the message reception request.
The response message reception time limit represents a time limit for receiving the received message by the application.
When the received message is a response message to the response request downlink message, the same value as the response message reception deadline (FIG. 13) described in the response request downlink message is described in the response message reception deadline column.
The priority represents a priority in communication of the received message.
When the received message is a response message to the response request downlink message, the same value as the priority (FIG. 13) described in the response request downlink message is described in the priority column.
The data portion includes a set of sender IDs indicating the main body of the received message and the sender for the total number of received messages.

In the message transmitting / receiving device 20, the reception request receiving unit 22 receives a message reception request from the relay device 30.
The reception request reception unit 22 transfers the message reception request as it is to the priority control processing unit 24 when the data portion of the received message reception request includes only one set of the transmission source ID and the reception message.
When the data portion of the received message reception request includes a plurality of sets of transmission source IDs and reception messages, the reception request reception unit 22 divides the data into combinations of individual transmission source IDs and reception messages.
The reception request receiving unit 22 adds the header information and the transmission source ID of the message reception request to the received message for each set of the transmission source ID and the reception message, and adds the header information and the transmission source ID. The received message is transferred to the priority control processing unit 24.
The priority control processing unit 24 inserts the received message transferred from the reception request receiving unit 22 at the tail of the corresponding priority queue in the upstream queue 244.

The message delivery unit 28 extracts a received message from the head of the queue having the highest priority among the upstream queues 244.
If the queue with the highest priority is empty, the received message is extracted from the head of the queue with the next highest priority.
Next, the message delivery unit 28 reads the transmission request ID or application ID from the received received message, and delivers the received message to the corresponding application.

Next, operations of the progress information management unit 243 and the priority adjustment unit 242 of the priority control processing unit 24 of the message transmitting / receiving apparatus 20 will be described.

The progress information management unit 243 manages data in the priority information table of the priority adjustment data storage unit 29.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the priority information table.
The record of the priority information table is created for each message transmission request from the application.
The data items of the priority information table include application ID, transmission request ID, transmission request time, priority, communication direction, transmission number, reception number, previous reception number, reception speed, remaining received message number, priority adjustment index, The reception deadline time is included.
In the column of application ID, the ID of the application that is the transmission source of the message transmission request, that is, the application ID described in the message transmission request is described.
In the transmission request ID column, a transmission request ID uniquely assigned when a message transmission request is received is described.
In the priority column, the priority specified by the application, that is, the priority described in the message transmission request is described.
The communication direction column describes the communication direction of the message described in the message transmission request, that is, bidirectional or unidirectional.
In the transmission number column, the number of messages transmitted as downlink messages from the message transmission unit 21 among the transmission messages requested by the message transmission request is described.
In the reception number column, the number of messages whose response is received by the reception request receiving unit 22 among the transmission messages requested by the message transmission request is described.
In the previous received number column, when the received number is updated, the received number before the update is described.
The value of the previous reception number is used to calculate the reception speed.
In the reception speed column, the number of received messages per unit time is described.
In the remaining number of received messages column, the number of received messages to be received after the present is described.
In the priority adjustment index column, an index for instructing priority adjustment is described.
In the reception deadline time column, the time at which the response of the response request downstream message must be received by the application is described.
However, the reception number, the previous reception number, the reception speed, and the reception deadline time are used only when the communication direction is bidirectional.

The progress information management unit 243 is called when the transmission request reception unit 26 receives a message transmission request from an application, and a new record in which the transmission request ID numbered by the transmission request reception unit 26 is described is given priority information. Create in the table.
At this time, the progress information management unit 243 extracts the application ID, the response message reception deadline time, and the priority from the header part of the message transmission request, and the application ID, the reception deadline time, and the priority of the corresponding record in the priority information table, respectively. Write to each column.
Also, the progress information management unit 243 takes out the message type, identifies the communication direction, and writes it in the data item of the communication direction.
Further, when the communication direction is bidirectional, the progress information management unit 243 extracts the total number of transmitted messages and writes it in the column of the number of remaining received messages.
When the communication direction is one direction, “0” (zero) is written in the column of the number of remaining received messages.
Further, the progress information management unit 243 writes “0” (zero) in the columns of the transmission number, the reception number, the previous reception number, and the priority adjustment index.

The progress information management unit 243 is called each time a transmission message is transmitted from the message transmission unit 21 of the message transmission / reception device 20, and increments the number of transmissions of the record of the corresponding transmission request ID.
The progress information management unit 243 is called every time the reception request reception unit 22 of the message transmitting / receiving apparatus 20 receives a reception message, increments the reception number of the record of the corresponding transmission request ID, and decrements the number of remaining reception messages. .

In addition, the progress information management unit 243 receives a timing signal from the timer unit 25 at certain intervals, for example, every minute, calculates the current reception speed in response to a transmission request with a bidirectional communication direction, and receives priority information. Update the reception speed column in the table.
At this time, the progress information management unit 243 copies the data in the reception number column to the previous reception number column before updating the reception speed column.
The reception speed is obtained by dividing the difference between the reception number and the previous reception number by the timing signal interval.

The priority adjustment unit 242 uses the data in the priority information table to determine whether or not priority adjustment is necessary for each transmission request. If priority adjustment is necessary, the priority adjustment unit 242 creates a priority adjustment message and creates the created priority. The degree adjustment message is transferred to the message transmission unit 21.
The message transmission unit 21 transmits a priority adjustment message to the designated relay device 30.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of priority adjustment operation by the priority adjustment unit 242.
It is assumed that the priority adjustment index of the priority information table is “0” (zero) for all transmission request IDs.

The priority adjustment unit 242 is called by a periodic timing signal from the timer unit 25.
The priority adjustment unit 242 first reads the record of the first transmission request ID in the priority information table (S11).
At this time, if there is no data in the reception time limit column (NO in S12), it is determined that priority adjustment is unnecessary, and the priority adjustment unit 242 reads the record of the next transmission request ID (S11). ).
Even if there is data in the reception deadline time column (YES in S12), if the priority adjustment index has already been "+1"("+1" in S13), whether or not priority adjustment is necessary is determined. The priority adjustment unit 242 determines that the determination has been made, and reads the record of the next transmission request ID (S11).
When the priority adjustment index is “0” (“0” in S13), the priority adjustment unit 242 executes a priority adjustment necessity check process (S14), and determines whether to adjust the priority. To do.
When it is determined that priority adjustment is necessary (YES in S15), the priority adjustment unit 242 writes “+1” in the priority adjustment index column of the transmission request ID in the priority information table (S16). A priority adjustment message is created in the transmission message format of FIG. 13 (S17).

A priority adjustment message is created for each relay device 30.
That is, a case where a plurality of transmission messages addressed to the plurality of smart meters 40 are included in the transmission request in which the record is read in S11, and message communication with the plurality of smart meters 40 is relayed by the plurality of relay devices 30. The priority adjustment unit 242 generates a priority adjustment message for each relay device 30.
In the transmission request ID of the header part of the priority adjustment message, the transmission request ID of the record read from the priority information table in S11 is entered.
Further, a relay device ID is entered in the transmission destination ID, and a type code indicating that it is a priority adjustment message is entered in the message type.
Further, the size of the priority adjustment message is set in the transmission message size, and “high” is set in the priority.
A priority adjustment index value (“+1”) is entered in the transmission message of the data part.
In this way, the priority adjustment unit 242 creates a priority adjustment message for all the relay devices 30, and transfers the created priority adjustment message to the message transmission unit 21 (S18).
The priority adjustment unit 242 executes the above procedure for all transmission request IDs in the priority information table (S19).

The message transmission unit 21 transmits a priority adjustment message to the relay device 30.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the priority adjustment necessity check process in S14 of FIG.
FIG. 15 shows an example in which the priority of the message of the transmission request that is the object of determination in S14 is increased when the difference between the number of transmissions and the number of receptions exceeds a predetermined constant level.

In the priority adjustment necessity check process of FIG. 15, first, the priority adjustment unit 242 reads the transmission / reception number difference threshold of the application ID from the application table shown in FIG. 7 (S1411).
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 calculates the difference between the number of downlink messages transmitted to the relay device 30 and the number of uplink messages received from the relay device 30 (S1412), and the value exceeds the transmission / reception number difference threshold. If YES (YES in S1413), it is determined to adjust the priority (S1414).
On the other hand, when the calculated value does not exceed the transmission / reception number difference threshold (NO in S1413), it is determined that the priority is not adjusted (S1415).
As described above, the priority adjustment necessity check process in FIG. 15 is applied to bidirectional message communication in which a plurality of downlink messages are transmitted and a plurality of uplink messages are responded.
In other words, the priority adjustment necessity check process in FIG. 15 is applied to the composite response request downstream message transmission request.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing another example of the priority adjustment necessity check process in S14 of FIG.
In FIG. 16, when the message reception speed is lower than the message reception speed necessary for processing the number of remaining received messages by the reception deadline time, the priority of the message of the transmission request that is the object of determination in S14 is increased. An example is shown.

In the priority adjustment necessity check process of FIG. 16, first, the priority adjustment unit 242 determines a message necessary for completing reception by the reception deadline time from the difference between the reception deadline time and the current time and the number of remaining received messages. The reception speed is calculated (S1421).
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 compares the calculated reception speed with the reception speed in the priority information table, and determines that the priority is adjusted when the calculated reception speed is larger (YES in S1422). (S1423).
On the other hand, if the calculated reception speed is not large (NO in S1422), it is determined that the priority is not adjusted (S1424).
As described above, in the priority adjustment necessity check process of FIG. 16, the reception speed of the uplink message is measured for each transmission request, and when the reception of the uplink message is continued at the measured reception speed, all the uplink messages It is determined whether or not the reception is completed by the reception completion deadline.
A transmission request in which reception of all uplink messages is not completed before the reception completion deadline is set as a priority adjustment target.
The priority adjustment necessity check process of FIG. 16 is also applied to the composite response request downstream message transmission request, as in the case of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing another example of the priority adjustment necessity check process in S14 of FIG.
FIG. 17 shows an example in which the priority of the message of the transmission request that is the target of the determination in S14 is increased when the remaining time until the reception deadline time decreases.

In the priority adjustment necessity check process of FIG. 17, the priority adjustment unit 242 first calculates the remaining reception time from the difference between the reception deadline time and the current time (S1431).
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 calculates the total reception time from the difference between the transmission request time and the reception deadline time (S1432), and when the remaining reception time is less than a certain ratio (for example, 10%) of the transmission / reception time (S1433). And YES), it is determined to adjust the priority (S1434).
On the other hand, if the remaining reception time is not less than a certain ratio (for example, 10%) of the transmission / reception time (NO in S1433), it is determined that the priority is not adjusted (S1435).
The priority adjustment necessity check process of FIG. 17 is also applied to the composite response request downstream message transmission request, as in the case of FIGS. 15 and 16.

Next, when the priority adjustment unit 242 determines to adjust the priority for one transmission request 1, there is another transmission request 2 that has already been adjusted in priority so as to increase the priority. An operation when priority adjustment is performed to lower the priority of the transmission request 2 when the reception deadline time of the request 2 is later than the reception deadline time of the transmission request 1 will be described.

When the priority adjustment unit 242 determines to adjust the priority for one transmission request 1, a priority lowering process is executed.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the priority lowering process.

In the priority lowering process, first, the priority adjustment unit 242 reads the record of the first transmission request ID in the priority information table (S21).
At this time, if there is no data in the reception time limit column (NO in S22), the priority adjustment unit 242 determines that priority adjustment is unnecessary and reads the record of the next transmission request ID.
If there is data in the column of the reception deadline time (YES in S22) and the priority adjustment index is “+1” (“+1” in S23), this transmission request is a candidate for transmission request 2.
The priority adjustment unit 242 compares the reception deadline time of the transmission request 1 with the reception deadline time of the transmission request 2 (S24), and if the reception deadline time of the transmission request 2 is later than the reception deadline time of the transmission request 1 If so, it is determined that priority adjustment for lowering priority is necessary for transmission request 2 (YES in S25).
In the priority lowering process, the priority adjustment unit 242 corrects the priority adjustment index column of the transmission request 2 in the priority information table to “0” (S26), and the priority adjustment message in the transmission message format of FIG. Is created (S27).
At this time, the transmission request ID of the transmission request 2 is entered in the transmission request ID of the header part.
Further, a relay device ID is entered in the transmission destination ID, and a type code indicating that it is a priority adjustment message is entered in the message type.
Further, the size of the priority adjustment message is set in the transmission message size, and “high” is set in the priority.
A priority adjustment index value (“0”) is entered in the transmission message of the data part.
In this way, the priority adjustment unit 242 creates a priority adjustment message for all the relay devices 30, and transfers the created priority adjustment message to the message transmission unit 21 (S28).
The above procedure is executed for all transmission request IDs in the priority information table (S29).
The priority adjustment message created in S27 is a command for invalidating the priority adjustment message (priority adjustment message in which “+1” is described in the data portion) that has been transmitted to the relay apparatus 30 for the transmission request 2. This corresponds to an example of an invalid command.

Next, the configuration of the relay device 30 and the priority adjustment operation will be described.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of the relay device 30.

In FIG. 3, the downlink message receiving unit 37 receives a message from the message transmitting / receiving device 20.
The downlink message reception unit 37 receives a priority adjustment message (instruction command) in addition to the downlink message addressed to the smart meter 40, and also functions as an instruction command reception unit.

The priority control processing unit 35 controls the priority of message relay.
The priority control processing unit 35 includes a downlink queue 351 and an uplink queue 353 for each priority, and a priority change unit 352 that performs priority change processing.
The downlink queue 351 and the uplink queue 353 of the priority control processing unit 35 are configured by a plurality of queues for each priority, but may be realized by one queue.
Further, the down queue 351 and the up queue 353 may be realized by one queue.
The downlink queue 351 corresponds to an example of a downlink message storage unit.
The upstream queue 353 corresponds to an example of an upstream message storage unit.
Further, the priority changing unit 352 corresponds to an example of a priority downlink message selecting unit together with the downlink message transmitting unit 31.
The priority changing unit 352 corresponds to an example of a priority uplink message selection unit together with the uplink message transmission unit 38.

The downlink message transmission unit 31 transmits a downlink message to the smart meter 40.
The downlink message transmission unit 31 selects a downlink message stored in the downlink queue 351 with the highest priority, and transmits the selected downlink message to the smart meter 40 with priority.
For this reason, the downlink message transmission unit 31 corresponds to an example of a priority downlink message selection unit.

The upstream message receiving unit 32 receives an upstream message from the smart meter 40.

The upstream message transmission unit 38 transmits the upstream message to the message transmission / reception device 20.
The upstream message transmission unit 38 selects an upstream message stored in the upstream queue 353 having the highest priority and transmits the selected upstream message to the message transmitting / receiving apparatus 20 with priority.
For this reason, the uplink message transmission unit 38 corresponds to an example of a priority uplink message selection unit.

The priority change data storage unit 36 stores a priority change information table (FIG. 6) to be referred to when the priority control processing unit 35 determines priority change.

The load information generation unit 33 generates load information for the relay device 30.
The timer unit 34 provides the load information generation unit 33 with a load information generation timing signal.
Details of the load information generation unit 33 and the timer unit 34 will be described in the second embodiment.

The downlink message receiving unit 37 inserts the downlink message received from the message transmitting / receiving apparatus 20 at the tail of the downlink queue 351 according to the priority described in the header part.
Further, when the downlink message reception unit 37 receives the priority adjustment message, the downlink message reception unit 37 outputs the priority adjustment message to the priority change unit 352.

The downlink message transmission unit 31 extracts a downlink message from the head of the queue with the highest priority among the downlink queues 351.
If the queue with the highest priority is empty, the downlink message transmission unit 31 extracts the downlink message from the head of the queue with the next highest priority.
Next, the downlink message transmission unit 31 transmits the extracted downlink message to the smart meter 40 indicated by the transmission destination ID in the downlink message.

The upstream message receiving unit 32 inserts the upstream message received from the smart meter 40 at the tail of the upstream queue 353 according to the priority set in the header part.

The upstream message transmission unit 38 extracts an upstream message from the head of the queue having the highest priority among the upstream queues 353.
If the queue with the highest priority is empty, the upstream message is extracted from the head of the queue with the next highest priority.
Next, the upstream message transmission unit 38 transmits the extracted upstream message to the message transmission / reception device 20.
When a plurality of uplink messages having a common transmission request ID are present at the same timing, the uplink message transmitting unit 38 collects the plurality of uplink messages in a message reception request format shown in FIG. Send.

As described above, when receiving the priority adjustment message from the message transmitting / receiving device 20, the downlink message receiving unit 37 outputs the priority adjustment message to the priority changing unit 352 and calls the priority changing unit 352.
When the transmission request ID set in the header part of the priority adjustment message does not exist in the priority change information table (FIG. 6) of the priority change data storage part 36, the priority change part 352 follows the information in the header part. A new entry for the transmission request ID is added.
Next, the priority change unit 352 refers to the priority adjustment index value (“+1” or “0”) in the data part of the priority adjustment message, and sets the value stored in the priority change data storage unit 36. If it is different, update this.

25 and 27 are diagrams illustrating an example of the priority change information table.
The meaning of each table item in the priority change information table is the same as that of the priority information table (FIG. 4) of the message transmitting / receiving device 20.

FIG. 24 and FIG. 26 are diagrams showing a situation before and after the priority changing unit 352 changes the priority.
24 and 26 show an example in which the priority has three levels of high, medium, and low.

FIG. 24 shows the situation in the downstream queue 351 of the relay device 30 at a certain time, and FIG. 25 shows the situation of the priority change information table at the time of FIG.
For example, a downstream message with a transmission request ID = 0002 is contained in a queue with high priority = high (high).
The queue (middle) contains downstream messages with transmission request ID = 0003, and the queue (low) contains downstream messages with

transmission request IDs

0004, 0001, and 0004 in this order.
Further, data as shown in FIG. 25 is stored in the priority change information table.

At this time, let us consider a case where the downlink message reception unit 37 receives a priority adjustment message (reference numeral 701 in FIG. 26) with transmission request ID = 0001 and priority adjustment index = + 1.
Since “0” is entered in the priority adjustment index column of the transmission request ID = 0001 in the priority change information table (FIG. 25), the priority adjustment index is changed.
By receiving the priority adjustment message, the priority change information table is updated as shown in FIG.
The priority changing unit 352 receives the priority adjustment message (reference numeral 701 in FIG. 26), takes out the downlink message (reference numeral 702 in FIG. 26) with the transmission request ID = 0001 in the queue (low), and sets the priority. According to the instruction of the adjustment index = + 1, this downstream message is inserted at the tail of the queue (medium) with one higher priority.
Similarly, the priority changing unit 352 also inserts an upstream message (not shown) with a transmission request ID = 0001 in the upstream queue 353 at the tail of the queue (medium) with one higher priority.
When receiving a new message (for example, reference numeral 703 in FIG. 26), the downlink message receiving unit 37 and the uplink message receiving unit 32 read the priority adjustment index of the record with the transmission request ID = 0001 from the priority change information table. In accordance with the instruction (+1), a new message is inserted at the end of the queue (medium) having a higher priority.
Then, the downlink message transmitting unit 31 extracts the downlink message from the downlink queue 351 after the priority of the downlink message is adjusted by the priority changing unit 352.

For example, in the downlink queue 351 shown in FIG. 26, if a downlink message (symbol 704) with a transmission request ID = 0002 is taken out, there is no downlink message in the queue (high). It is taken out.
Since the downlink messages (reference numerals 702 and 703) with the transmission request ID = 0001 are stored in the queue (low) before the priority is adjusted by the priority changing unit 352, they are taken out by the downlink message receiving unit 37. It takes a long time.
However, after the priority adjustment by the priority changing unit 352, the downstream messages (reference numerals 702 and 703) with the transmission request ID = 0001 are stored in the queue (medium), and thus are extracted in a short time.
As described above, the priority changing unit 352 extracts a downlink message in which the transmission request ID indicated in the priority adjustment message is set from the downlink messages stored in the downlink queue 351.
Then, when the downlink message transmission unit 31 extracts the downlink message from the downlink queue 351, the priority changing unit 352 uses a priority different from the priority set for the downlink message for the extracted downlink message. Make adjustments as required.
Similarly, the priority changing unit 352 extracts an uplink message in which the transmission request ID indicated in the priority adjustment message is set from the uplink messages stored in the uplink queue 353.
Then, when the upstream message transmitting unit 38 extracts the upstream message from the upstream queue 353, the priority changing unit 352 uses a priority different from the priority set for the upstream message for the extracted upstream message. Make adjustments as required.
In the present embodiment, the priority changing unit 352 stores the message in a queue having a higher priority than the original priority without changing the priority described in the message. The degree itself may be rewritten.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the message transmission / reception device 20 determines the priority according to the difference in the number of bidirectional messages transmitted / received in the message transmission / reception device 20, the message reception speed, and the degree of progress indicated by the remaining message reception time. The relay apparatus 30 is instructed to change the priority using the adjustment index.
Further, the relay device 30 changes the priority of the message held in both the upstream and downstream queues according to the priority adjustment index.
For this reason, the priority of message communication can be effectively controlled without imposing an excessive load on the relay device 30.

Further, the message transmitting / receiving apparatus 20 adjusts the priority so that the priority is increased for a transmission request for which a reception deadline time is earlier than a transmission request whose priority is already adjusted to increase the priority. If so, the priority is adjusted so as to lower the priority.
Therefore, fine priority control of message communication can be performed.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
It consists of a smart meter, a relay device, a message transmission / reception device, and an application server device 10,
A smart meter measures the usage of electricity, gas, water, etc.
Between one or more applications running on the application server device 10 and the smart meter,
The smart meter automatic meter reading system that performs message communication via the message transmission / reception device provided in the center system and the relay device provided between the message transmission / reception device and the smart meter has been described.

In the present embodiment,
The application on the application server device 10 includes information on the reception deadline time in the message transmission request sent to the data transmitting / receiving device,
The data transmitting / receiving device determines the necessity of priority adjustment from the progress information management unit that holds the progress information of the message communication between the application and the smart meter, and determines the necessity of priority adjustment from the progress information of the message communication. A priority control processing unit including a priority adjustment unit for giving an instruction;
It has been described that the relay device includes a priority control processing unit including a priority changing unit that changes the priority of message processing in accordance with a priority adjustment instruction from the message transmitting / receiving device.

In the present embodiment,
The priority changing unit of the priority control processing unit included in the relay device is:
Change the priority of processing for downstream messages from the data transmitter / receiver to the relay device,
Further, it has been described that when the target message of the priority adjustment instruction from the message transmission / reception device is a bidirectional message, the priority of processing for the upstream message from the relay device to the data transmission / reception device is changed.

In the present embodiment,
The progress information management unit of the priority control processing unit included in the data transmitting / receiving device is:
As message communication progress information, the number of transmissions for each message transmission request from the application and the number of receptions are retained.
The priority adjustment unit of the priority control processing unit included in the data transmitting / receiving device is:
Explained that when the difference between the number of transmissions and the number of receptions exceeds a predetermined level, the relay device is instructed to adjust the priority so as to increase the priority of the message sent in the transmission request. .

In the present embodiment,
The progress information management unit of the priority control processing unit included in the data transmitting / receiving device is:
As message communication progress information, the message reception speed and the number of remaining received messages for each message transmission request from the application are retained.
The priority adjustment unit of the priority control processing unit included in the data transmitting / receiving device is:
If the message reception speed is lower than the message reception speed necessary to process the number of remaining received messages by the reception deadline time, the priority is given to the relay device so as to increase the priority of the message transmitted by the transmission request. Explained to give instructions for adjustment.

In the present embodiment,
The progress information management unit of the priority control processing unit included in the data transmitting / receiving device is:
As the message communication progress information, the transmission request reception time at which the message transmission request is received and the remaining time until the reception deadline time are retained,
The priority adjustment unit of the priority control processing unit included in the data transmitting / receiving device is:
When the remaining time until the reception deadline time falls below a certain percentage of the time from the reception request reception time to the reception deadline time, the priority is adjusted to the relay device so as to increase the priority of the message transmitted by the transmission request. Explained that I will give instructions.

In the present embodiment,
The priority control processing unit included in the data transmitting / receiving device is:
For a message transmission request from another application, when the priority adjustment instruction is given to the relay device to increase the priority of the message to be sent,
If the reception deadline time of the message transmission request that is trying to adjust the priority to increase the priority is earlier than the reception deadline time of the other application,
It has been described that the priority adjustment instruction is issued so as to lower the priority of the message transmitted by the other application.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, when transmitting and receiving a priority adjustment message to a plurality of relay apparatuses 30, the message transmitting / receiving apparatus 20 transmits the priority adjustment message to all the relay apparatuses 30 at the same timing.
In the present embodiment, an operation will be described in which the priority adjustment unit 242 adjusts the order in which the priority adjustment messages are transmitted to the relay device 30 based on the performance and load status of the relay device 30.

A configuration example of the message transmission / reception device 20 according to the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. 2, and a configuration example of the relay device 30 according to the present embodiment is as shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, in the message transmitting / receiving device 20, the priority adjustment unit 242 determines the processing load for the downstream message and the upstream message for each relay device 30.
And the priority adjustment part 242 determines the transmission order of the priority adjustment message in the some relay apparatus 30 so that a priority adjustment message may be transmitted from the relay apparatus 30 with a high processing load.
In the present embodiment, the priority adjustment unit 242 also functions as a transmission order determination unit.
Further, the message transmission unit 21 transmits a priority adjustment message to the plurality of relay devices 30 according to the transmission order determined by the priority adjustment unit 242.

FIG. 8 shows a priority information table in the case where the priority adjustment unit 242 adjusts the order in which the priority adjustment messages are transmitted to the relay device 30.

The priority adjustment table of FIG. 8 is obtained by adding a relay device load level column to the priority information table of FIG.
The columns other than the relay device load level are the same as those in the priority information table of FIG.
The relay device load level indicates the load level of the relay device that has already transmitted the priority adjustment message, and the larger the value, the higher the load level.
For example, when the relay device load level is “3”, it indicates that the priority adjustment message has already been transmitted to the relay device 30 having a load level higher than “3”.
“0” (zero) indicates that the priority adjustment message has been transmitted to all the relay apparatuses 30.
When the value of the relay device load level in the priority adjustment table is “3”, a priority adjustment message is transmitted to the relay device 30 whose load level is “3” in the relay device load table (FIG. 10) described later. The
Next, the value of the relay device load level in the priority adjustment table is decremented to “2”, and a priority adjustment message is transmitted to the relay device 30 whose load level is “2” in the relay device load table (FIG. 10). Is done.
In this way, the value of the relay device load level in the priority adjustment table is decremented, and priority adjustment messages are transmitted in order from the relay device 30 with the highest load level.
In the following, for simplicity of explanation, the value of the relay device load level in the priority adjustment table is either “1” or “0”.
For this reason, the relay apparatus specification table (FIG. 9) described later has only one load threshold.
When the relay device load level of the priority adjustment table is set to, for example, “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, the load threshold value of the relay device specification table (FIG. 9) has three levels (“0 ”To“ 1 ”,“ 1 ”to“ 2 ”,“ 2 ”to“ 3 ”).

The load information storage unit 23 includes a relay device load table as shown in FIG.
The relay device ID is an ID that uniquely identifies the relay device 30.
The relay device type ID is an ID that uniquely identifies the type of the relay device 30.
The number of held messages is the number of messages held in the upstream queue 353 and downstream queue 351 of the relay device 30 and indicates the load status of the relay device 30.
The number of pending messages is periodically transmitted from the relay device 30 to the message transmitting / receiving device 20 as a load information message.
The load level is obtained by dividing the load status of the relay device 30 into levels.
It shows that the load of the relay apparatus 30 is so high that the value of a load level is high.
The load level history describes the load level before the update when the load level is updated.

The load information storage unit 23 includes a relay device specification table as shown in FIG.
The relay device specification table holds specification information for each relay device type for all relay devices 30 used in the smart meter automatic meter reading system.
The relay device type ID is an ID that uniquely identifies the type of the relay device 30.
The relay device type is a model number assigned to the relay device 30.
The load threshold is a threshold for the number of held messages set for each relay device type. When the number of held messages at a certain point exceeds this threshold, it is determined that the load on the relay device 30 is high. .
The processing throughput is the message processing capability of the relay device 30 set for each relay device type.

When receiving the load information message from the relay device 30, the reception request receiving unit 22 displays the data on the number of held messages in the message in the column of the number of held messages of the corresponding relay device 30 in the relay device load table of the load information storage unit 23. Write to.

In the present embodiment, as an example, when the priority adjustment unit 242 transmits a priority adjustment message to the relay device 30, the priority adjustment unit 242 transmits the priority adjustment message in two stages according to the load status of the relay device 30.
For this reason, as described above, the relay device load level of the priority information table takes one of the values “1” and “0”, and a record for the transmission request is newly created in the priority information table. Is initialized to “0”.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart when the priority adjustment unit 242 adjusts the order in which the priority adjustment messages are transmitted to the relay device 30.

The priority adjustment unit 242 is called by a periodic timing signal from the timer unit 25.
The priority adjustment unit 242 first updates the load level and load level history information in the relay device load table (FIG. 10) according to the value of the number of pending messages (S31).
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 reads the record of the first transmission request ID in the priority information table (S32).
At this time, if there is no data in the column of the reception deadline time (NO in S33), the priority adjustment unit 242 determines that priority adjustment is unnecessary and reads the record of the next transmission request ID (S32). ).
If there is data in the reception deadline time column (YES in S33) and the priority adjustment index is “0” (“0” in S34), the priority adjustment unit 242 performs priority adjustment necessity check processing. Is executed (S35), and it is determined whether or not to adjust the priority.
The priority adjustment necessity check process (S35) is the same as S14 in FIG. 14, and for example, the processes shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 are performed.
If it is determined that priority adjustment is necessary (YES in S36), the priority adjustment unit 242 writes “+1” in the priority adjustment index column of the transmission request ID in the priority information table, and further relay device “1” is written in the load level column (S37).
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 executes priority adjustment message processing (1) and transmits a priority adjustment message to the relay device 30 with a high load (S38).
On the other hand, if there is data in the column of the reception deadline time (YES in S33) and the priority adjustment index is already “+1” (“+1” in S34), the priority adjustment unit 242 The load level is referred to (S40).
When the relay device load level is “0” (“0” in S40), it is determined that the priority adjustment message has already been sent to all the relay devices 30, and the priority adjustment unit 242 determines the priority information table. The record of the next transmission request ID is read.
When the relay device load level is “1”, the priority adjustment unit 242 updates the relay device load level to “0” (S41), executes the priority adjustment message processing (2), and A priority adjustment message is transmitted to the relay device 30 that has not transmitted the priority adjustment message (S42).
The priority adjustment unit 242 executes the above processing for all transmission request IDs in the priority information table (S39).

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the relay device load table update process (S31) in the case where the priority adjustment unit 242 adjusts the order in which the priority adjustment messages are transmitted to the relay device 30 according to the number of pending messages of the relay device 30. It is.

The priority adjustment unit 242 first reads the record of the first relay device ID in the relay device load table (FIG. 10) (S3111).
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 writes the value of the load level column in the read record into the load level history column of the corresponding record in the relay device load table (S3112).
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 reads the load threshold of the corresponding relay device type from the relay device specification table (FIG. 9) using the value of the relay device type ID column in the read record as a key (S3113). .
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 compares the number of held messages in the relay device load table with the load threshold (S3114). If the number of held messages is larger than the load threshold (YES in S3115), the priority adjusting unit 242 “1” is written in the load level column of the corresponding record (S3116).
On the other hand, if the number of pending messages is not greater than the load threshold (NO in S3115), “0” (zero) is written in the load level column of the corresponding record in the relay device load table (S3117).
The priority adjustment unit 242 executes the above processing for all the relay device IDs in the relay device load table (S3118).

FIG. 21 illustrates a relay device load table when the priority adjustment unit 242 adjusts the order in which the priority adjustment messages are transmitted to the relay device 30 according to the message processing time calculated from the number of pending messages of the relay device 30. It is a flowchart of an update process (S31).

The priority adjustment unit 242 first reads the record of the first relay device ID in the relay device load table (FIG. 10) (S3121).
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 writes the value of the load level column in the read record in the load level history column of the corresponding record in the relay device load table (S3122).
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 reads the processing throughput of the corresponding relay device type from the relay device specification table using the value of the relay device type ID column in the read record as a key (S3123).
Next, the priority adjustment unit 242 calculates the message processing time from the number of pending messages in the relay device load table and the processing throughput (S3124).
For example, when the calculated message processing time is larger than a predetermined message processing time threshold, “1” is entered in the load level column of the corresponding record in the relay device load table, and “0” (zero) is smaller. ) Is written (S3125, S3126).
However, without using the predetermined message processing time, the load level column is set to “1” for the relay devices 30 having a long message processing time among all the relay devices 30, and the remaining relay devices 30 are used. Other determination methods such as setting the load level column of “0” may be used.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the priority adjustment message process (1) (S38) of FIG.

The priority adjustment message process (1) is executed in the process of adjusting the order in which the priority adjustment unit 242 transmits the priority adjustment messages to the relay device 30.
In the priority adjustment message process (1), the priority adjustment unit 242 first reads the record of the first relay device ID in the relay device load table (FIG. 10) (S3801).
When the load level column is “0” (“0” in S3802), the priority adjustment unit 242 determines that the priority adjustment message is not transmitted to the corresponding relay device 30, and reads the next record.
When the load level column is “1” (“1” in S3802), the priority adjustment unit 242 creates a priority adjustment message (S3803), and transfers the created priority adjustment message to the message transmission unit 21. (S3804).
The priority adjustment unit 242 executes the above process for all the relay device IDs in the relay device load table (S3805).

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the priority adjustment message process (2).
The priority adjustment message process (2) is executed in the process of adjusting the order in which the priority adjustment unit 242 transmits the priority adjustment messages to the relay device 30.
In the priority adjustment message process (2), the priority adjustment unit 242 first reads the record of the first relay device ID in the relay device load table (FIG. 10) (S4201).
When the load level history column is “1” (“1” in S4202), the priority adjustment unit 242 determines that the priority adjustment message has already been transmitted to the relay device 30, and reads the next record. .
When the load level history column is “0” (“0” in S4202), a priority adjustment message is created (S4203), and the created priority adjustment message is transferred to the message transmission unit 21 (S4204).
The priority adjustment unit 242 executes the above processing for all relay device IDs in the relay device load table (S4205).

Next, the operation of the load information generation unit 33 of the relay device 30 will be described.

The timer unit 34 sends to the load information generation unit 33 a timing signal notifying that the time for executing the load information generation processing has come at every set interval time.
The load information generation unit 33 that has received the timing signal adds up the number of messages held in the upstream queue 353 and the downstream queue 351 at that time, and creates and creates a load information message including data of the integration result The load information message is transferred to the upstream message receiving unit 32.
The uplink message receiving unit 32 inserts the load information message received from the load information generating unit 33 at the tail of the uplink queue according to the priority set in the header part.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the message transmitting / receiving apparatus 20 operates to adjust the priority adjustment order according to the specifications and load status of the relay apparatus 30, and therefore, the relay apparatuses 30 having different performances are mixed. Even in the smart meter automatic meter reading system, the priority of message communication can be controlled effectively.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
The relay device further
A load information transmitting unit that periodically transmits the number of pending messages as message processing load information in the relay device to the message transmitting and receiving device;
The message transmission / reception device further includes:
It has been described that a relay device load information storage unit that stores load information transmitted from a plurality of relay devices is provided.

In the present embodiment,
The priority adjustment unit of the priority control processing unit of the message transmitting / receiving device is:
It has been described that when a priority adjustment instruction is given to a relay device, the instructions are given in order from the relay device with the largest number of pending messages.

In this embodiment,
The relay device load information storage unit of the message transmitting / receiving device further includes:
Holds processing throughput as message processing capability information for each relay device type,
The priority adjustment unit of the priority control processing unit of the message transmitting / receiving device is:
Obtain the message processing time required to process all pending messages from the pending message count and processing throughput of each relay device,
It has been described that when a priority adjustment instruction is given to a relay device, the instructions are given in order from the relay device having the longest message processing time.

Finally, a hardware configuration example of the message transmission / reception device 20 and the relay device 30 described in the first and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.
The message transmission / reception device 20 and the relay device 30 are computers, and each element of the message transmission / reception device 20 and the relay device 30 can be realized by a program.
As a hardware configuration of the message transmission / reception device 20 and the relay device 30, an arithmetic device 901, an external storage device 902, a main storage device 903, a communication device 904, and an input / output device 905 are connected to the bus.

The arithmetic device 901 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program.
The external storage device 902 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, or a hard disk device.
The main storage device 903 is a RAM (Random Access Memory).
"Load information storage unit 23", "Priority adjustment data storage unit 29", "Priority change data storage unit 36", "Downstream queue 241", "Upstream queue 244", "Downstream queue 351", "Upstream queue 353 "Is realized by the external storage device 902 or the main storage device 903, for example.
The communication device 904 corresponds to the physical layers of “˜transmitting unit”, “˜receiving unit”, “˜accepting unit”, and “˜distributing unit”.
The input / output device 905 is, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a display device, or the like.

The program is normally stored in the external storage device 902, and is loaded into the main storage device 903 and sequentially read into the arithmetic device 901 and executed.
The program will be described as “˜part (except for“ load information storage unit 23 ”,“ priority adjustment data storage unit 29 ”,“ priority change data storage unit 36 ”, and so on)) shown in FIG. It is a program that realizes the function.
Further, an operating system (OS) is also stored in the external storage device 902. At least a part of the OS is loaded into the main storage device 903, and the arithmetic device 901 executes “OS” shown in FIG. ”Is executed.
In the description of the first and second embodiments, “determining”, “determining”, “extracting”, “selecting”, “setting of”, “specifying”, “ Update "," Create "," Generate "," Determine "," Input "," Output ". Information, data, signal values, and variable values indicating the results of the processes described as “reception of”, “transmission of”, and the like are stored in the main storage device 903 as files.
Further, the encryption key / decryption key, random number value, and parameter may be stored in the main storage device 903 as a file.

The configuration in FIG. 28 is merely an example of the hardware configuration of the message transmission / reception device 20 and the relay device 30, and the hardware configuration of the message transmission / reception device 20 and the relay device 30 is limited to the configuration described in FIG. Alternatively, other configurations may be used.
Also, the application server apparatus 10 shown in the first and second embodiments may have the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 28 or may have another hardware configuration.

Further, the processing procedure of the message transmitting / receiving device 20 and the relay device 30 shown in the first and second embodiments can be regarded as an information processing method.

In the first and second embodiments, the message transmitting / receiving device 20 and the relay device 30 used in the smart meter automatic meter reading system have been described. However, the contents shown in the present embodiment are applied to communication systems other than the smart meter automatic meter reading system. Is also applicable.

10 application server device, 20 message transmission / reception device, 21 message transmission unit, 22 reception request reception unit, 23 load information storage unit, 24 priority control processing unit, 25 timer unit, 26 transmission request reception unit, 27 temporary message storage unit, 28 Message distribution unit, 29 priority adjustment data storage unit, 30 relay device, 31 downlink message transmission unit, 32 uplink message reception unit, 33 load information generation unit, 34 timer unit, 35 priority control processing unit, 36 priority change data storage Section, 37 downstream message receiving section, 38 upstream message transmission section, 40 smart meter, 50 wide area network, 60 meter network, 241 downstream queue, 242 priority adjustment section, 243 progress information management section, 244 upstream queue, 351 downstream -Menu, 352 priority changing section, 353 upstream queue.

Claims

Receiving a downlink message to the terminal device, storing the received downlink message, selecting a priority downlink message to be transmitted to the terminal device preferentially from the stored downlink messages based on the priority of the downlink message; A message transmission unit that transmits a downlink message with a priority set to a relay device that prioritizes the selected priority downlink message and transmits the message to the terminal device;
An extraction condition designating part for designating an extraction condition for extracting a downstream message whose priority is to be adjusted;
A downlink message that matches the extraction condition specified by the extraction condition specifying unit is extracted, and a priority downlink message is assigned to the extracted downlink message using a priority different from the priority set for the downlink message. An instruction command generator for generating an instruction command for instructing the relay device to select;
A communication device comprising: an instruction command transmission unit that transmits the instruction command generated by the instruction command generation unit to the relay device.
The communication device further includes:
A transmission request receiving unit that receives a message transmission request that is a transmission request for a downlink message from a predetermined host device;
The message sending unit
Each time a message transmission request is received by the transmission request reception unit, a downstream message in which a transmission request ID that is an ID (Identifier) of the message transmission request and a priority specified in the message transmission request is set. To the relay device,
When the message transmission request received by the transmission request reception unit is a composite message transmission request for requesting transmission of a plurality of downlink messages to a plurality of terminal devices, the transmission request ID of the composite message transmission request and the composite message A plurality of downlink messages, each of which is commonly set with the priority specified in the transmission request, is transmitted to the relay device;
The extraction condition designating unit
2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an extraction condition for extracting a downlink message in which a transmission request ID of a composite message transmission request is set is designated.
The message sending unit
A downlink message requesting a response from the terminal device is transmitted to the relay device as a response request downlink message,
The relay device is
Receives an upstream message with priority set sent from the terminal device,
When a response request downlink message is transmitted to one of the terminal devices, the same priority is set as the response request downlink message transmitted as a response to the response request downlink message from the terminal device to which the response request downlink message is transmitted. Receive upstream messages,
The received uplink message is stored, and from among the stored uplink messages, a priority uplink message to be preferentially transmitted to the communication device is selected based on the priority of the uplink message, and the selected priority uplink message is prioritized. And transmit to the communication device,
The extraction condition designating unit
Specify extraction conditions to extract response request downstream messages with specific attributes,
The instruction command generation unit
The response request downlink message having the specific attribute specified as the extraction condition by the extraction condition specifying unit is extracted, and for the extracted response request downlink message, the priority set in the response request downlink message is Instructs to select a priority downlink message using different priorities, further extracts an uplink message of the response request downlink message having the specific attribute, and is set to the uplink message for the extracted uplink message 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction command for instructing to select a priority uplink message is generated using a priority different from a priority that is present.
The communication device further includes:
A transmission request receiving unit that receives a message transmission request that is a transmission request for a downlink message from a predetermined host device;
The message sending unit
Each time a message transmission request is received by the transmission request receiving unit, a downlink message in which a transmission request ID that is an ID of the message transmission request and a priority specified in the message transmission request is set is sent to the relay device. Send
Transmission of the composite response request message transmission request when the message transmission request received by the transmission request reception unit is a composite response request message transmission request for requesting transmission of a plurality of response request downlink messages to a plurality of terminal devices. A plurality of response request downlink messages in which the request ID and the priority specified in the composite response request message transmission request are respectively set in common are transmitted to the relay device;
The extraction condition designating unit
4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an extraction condition for extracting a response request downstream message in which a transmission request ID of a composite response request message transmission request is set is designated.
The communication device further includes:
A message receiving unit for receiving an upstream message from the relay device;
The extraction condition designating unit
For each composite response request message transmission request, compare the transmission amount of the corresponding response request downlink message to the relay device and the reception amount of the corresponding uplink message from the relay device,
Select a composite response request message transmission request in which the difference between the transmission amount of the response request downlink message and the reception amount of the uplink message exceeds a predetermined threshold,
5. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an extraction condition for extracting a response request downlink message in which a transmission request ID of a selected composite response request message transmission request is set is designated.
The transmission request reception unit
Accepts a request to send a composite response request message that specifies the deadline for receiving upstream messages,
The extraction condition designating unit
For each composite response request message transmission request, the reception speed of the corresponding upstream message is measured, and when the reception of the upstream message is continued at the measured reception speed, the reception of all the upstream messages is completed by the reception completion deadline. Whether or not
Select a composite response request message transmission request that does not complete reception of all upstream messages by the reception completion deadline,
The communication apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an extraction condition for extracting a response request downlink message in which a transmission request ID of a selected composite response request message transmission request is set is designated.
The transmission request reception unit
Accepts a request to send a composite response request message that specifies the deadline for receiving upstream messages,
The extraction condition designating unit
For each composite response request message transmission request, calculate the remaining time until the reception completion deadline,
Select the composite response request message send request whose calculated remaining time is below the specified level,
7. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an extraction condition for extracting a response request downstream message in which a transmission request ID of the selected composite response request message transmission request is set is designated.
The communication device
Each receives a downlink message to the terminal device, stores the received downlink message, and sends a priority downlink message to the terminal device preferentially from the stored downlink messages based on the priority of the downlink message Selected and connected to a plurality of relay devices that transmit the selected priority downlink message with priority to the terminal device,
The message sending unit
A downlink message is transmitted to the plurality of relay devices;
The instruction command transmission unit
8. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction command generated by the instruction command generation unit is transmitted to the plurality of relay apparatuses.
The communication device
Each is connected to a plurality of relay devices that transmit a downlink message to the terminal device and receive an uplink message transmitted from the terminal device,
The communication device further includes:
Determine the processing load for downstream messages and upstream messages for each relay device,
A transmission order determining unit that determines the transmission order of the instruction commands in the plurality of relay apparatuses so that the instruction commands are transmitted from the relay apparatus having a high processing load;
The instruction command transmission unit
The communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an instruction command is transmitted to the plurality of relay apparatuses according to a transmission order determined by the transmission order determination unit.
The communication device
Each is connected to a plurality of relay devices that transmit an uplink message to the communication device after storing the uplink message received from the terminal device,
The transmission order determination unit
For each relay device, monitor the amount of downstream messages and upstream messages stored in the relay device,
10. The communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein it is determined that the processing load is higher as the amount of stored downstream messages and upstream messages is larger.
The communication device
Each is connected to a plurality of relay devices that transmit an uplink message to the communication device after storing the uplink message received from the terminal device,
The transmission order determination unit
For each relay device, using the amount of downlink message and uplink message stored in the relay device and the processing throughput of the relay device, the transmission of the downlink message and uplink message stored in the relay device is completed. Calculate the time required,
The communication apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the longer the calculated required time is, the higher the processing load is determined.
The instruction command generation unit
When an instruction command targeting any one of the transmission request IDs is generated by the instruction command transmitting unit after being transmitted to the relay device by the instruction command transmitting unit,
Generate an invalid command that invalidates the instruction command that has been transmitted to the relay device, cause the generated invalid command to be transmitted from the instruction command transmission unit to the relay device, and generate a new instruction for the other transmission request ID The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a command is generated, and the generated new instruction command is transmitted from the instruction command transmission unit to the relay apparatus.
A relay device connected to a plurality of terminal devices and communication devices,
A downlink message receiving unit that receives, from the communication device, downlink messages to the plurality of terminal devices in which transmission request IDs and priorities are set;
A downlink message storage unit for storing a downlink message received by the downlink message reception unit;
A priority downlink message selection unit that selects a priority downlink message to be transmitted to the terminal device preferentially from the downlink messages stored in the downlink message storage unit based on the priority of the downlink message;
A downlink message transmission unit that prioritizes the priority downlink message selected by the priority downlink message selection unit and transmits the downlink message stored in the downlink message storage unit to a destination terminal device;
An instruction command receiving unit that receives from the communication device an instruction command indicating a transmission request ID that is a target of priority adjustment;
The priority downlink message selection unit
When an instruction command is received by the instruction command receiving unit, a downlink message in which a transmission request ID indicated in the instruction command is set is extracted from the downlink messages stored in the downlink message storage unit and extracted. A relay device, wherein a priority downlink message is selected for a downlink message using a priority different from a priority set for the downlink message.
The downlink message receiver is
A response request downlink message for requesting a response from a terminal device in which a transmission request ID and priority are set may be received from the communication device,
The downlink message transmitter is
When a response request downlink message is received by the downlink message receiving unit, a response request downlink message is transmitted to the terminal device of the transmission destination,
The relay device further includes:
Receives an upstream message with priority set sent from the terminal device,
When a response request downlink message is transmitted from the downlink message transmission unit, the same transmission request ID and priority as the response request downlink message transmitted as a response to the response request downlink message from the terminal device to which the response request downlink message is transmitted An upstream message receiver for receiving an upstream message for which the degree is set;
An upstream message storage for storing upstream messages received by the upstream message receiver;
A priority uplink message selection unit that selects a priority uplink message to be preferentially transmitted to the communication device from uplink messages stored in the uplink message storage unit based on the priority of the uplink message;
An uplink message transmission unit that prioritizes the priority uplink message selected by the priority uplink message selection unit and transmits the uplink message stored in the uplink message storage unit to the communication device;
The instruction command receiving unit
An instruction command indicating a transmission request ID used in a response request downlink message is received from the communication device,
The priority uplink message selection unit includes:
When the instruction command is received by the instruction command receiving unit, the uplink message in which the transmission request ID indicated by the instruction command is set is extracted from the uplink messages stored in the uplink message storage unit and extracted. The relay apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a priority uplink message is selected for an uplink message using a priority different from a priority set for the uplink message.
The priority downlink message selection unit
After the instruction command is received by the instruction command receiving unit, the transmission request ID indicated by the instruction command is set from the downlink messages received by the downlink message receiving unit and stored in the downlink message storage unit. A downlink message is selected, a priority downlink message is selected using a priority different from the priority set for the downlink message for the extracted downlink message,
The priority uplink message selection unit includes:
After the instruction command is received by the instruction command receiver, the transmission request ID indicated by the instruction command is set from the uplink messages received by the uplink message receiver and stored in the uplink message storage. 15. The relay according to claim 14, wherein an uplink message is extracted, and a priority uplink message is selected using a priority different from the priority set for the uplink message for the extracted uplink message. apparatus.