Communication system and communication method

Abstract

To provide useful information before timing to exchange a gas vessel.SOLUTION: A communication device 100 includes: a communication interface 161 for performing communication with a changeover machine 250 which outputs a changeover signal from a first gas vessel 600 to a second gas vessel 600; a control section 110 for acquiring predetermined information before a predetermined period when a next use period ends based on a use period until the changeover signal is output from the changeover machine; and a communication section 163 for transmitting the predetermined information to a server.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of a communication device for transmitting a gas meter reading value to a server.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in houses, offices, etc., a meter for measuring the usage of electricity, gas, water, etc. has been installed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-190237 (Citation Document 1) discloses a meter reading data processing system, its processing program, its processing device, its processing method, and a gas meter. According to Citation Document 1, a measuring unit that measures the gas usage or gas remaining amount of at least one gas container among single or multiple gas containers and outputs meter reading data representing the gas usage or gas remaining amount; and a processing unit that acquires the meter reading data from the measuring unit, generates trend data representing the trend of the gas usage or gas remaining amount, generates a collection timing representing any one of the collection time, regular collection time, or high-density collection time of the trend data according to the trend of the gas usage or gas remaining amount deduced from the trend data, and sends out the meter reading data acquired at this collection timing, or sends out the trend data.

[0003] Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-190238 discloses a gas container replacement system, its replacement program, its replacement device, and its replacement method. According to Citation Document 2, a data acquisition unit that acquires meter reading data representing the gas usage or gas remaining amount obtained during a predetermined period from the replacement timing or meter reading timing of at least one gas container among single or multiple gas containers; and a processing unit that creates trend data representing the trend of the gas usage or gas remaining amount from the meter reading data, determines the next meter reading timing from the trend data, and determines the gas container replacement date according to the gas usage or gas remaining amount acquired at the meter reading timing or the replacement timing.

[0004] In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-190253 discloses a gas container replacement system, its replacement program, its replacement device, and its replacement method. According to Cited Reference 3, a data acquisition unit that acquires meter reading data representing the gas usage amount or the remaining gas amount obtained within a predetermined period from the gas container replacement timing or the meter reading timing, and determines the subsequent meter reading timing based on trend data representing the trend of the gas usage amount or the remaining gas amount, calculates one or more gas container replacement dates determined according to the gas usage amount or the remaining gas amount, and from a) distributor information, b) delivery section information, c) time information, combines all or two of a), b), c) to determine the distributor or the number of its employees or both to be arranged in the delivery section on the gas container replacement date, and includes a processing unit.

[0005] In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-275293 discloses a remaining gas amount monitoring device in an automatic meter reading notification device. According to Cited Reference 4, the remaining amount management means causes the meter reading value reading means to read the meter reading value of the gas meter at a predetermined time at least once a day, the calculation means calculates the difference between the read meter reading value and the previous meter reading value corresponding to this meter reading value, adds up all the calculated differences for all the gas meters, and adds this added value to the remaining amount management counter. The determination means compares the counter value of the remaining amount management counter with a plurality of remaining amount management warning levels stored in the warning level storage means, and every time it determines that the counter value has reached or exceeded the warning level, it causes the notification means to notify the specified notification destination to that effect.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide useful information before the timing of replacing a gas container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device including: a communication interface for communicating with a switching device that outputs a switching signal from a first gas container to a second gas container; a control unit that acquires predetermined information before a predetermined period ends when a next usage period ends, based on a usage period until the switching signal is output from the switching device; and a communication unit that transmits the predetermined information to a server.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to provide useful information before the timing of replacing a gas container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. <First Embodiment> [Overall Configuration of Network System 1]

[0012] First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The network system 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a gas container 600A used in normal times, a spare gas container 600B, a contact device 250, a gas meter 200, a communication device 100, a network 500, a center-side network control device 400, a center server 300, and the like.

[0013] In the present embodiment, a gas container 600A used in normal times and a spare gas container 600B are always installed in each household. And when the gas in the gas container 600A used in normal times is used up, the spare gas container 600B is used until it is replaced with a new gas container 600A.

[0014] The contact device 250 switches to the spare gas container 600B when the gas in the gas container 600A used in normal times runs out, or switches a signal indicating whether the gas container 600A used in normal times is in use.

[0015] The meter 200 is a counter meter for measuring the gas consumption. The meter 200 measures the amount of gas flowing out from the normally used gas container 600A or the spare gas container 600B through the contact device 250, and transmits the measured value to the communication device 100.

[0016] The communication device 100 is a device that can be retrofitted and attached near the meter 200. The communication device 100 acquires the counter value of the meter 200 via a wired cable, acquires the contact information of the contact device 250, and transmits the counter value and the contact information to the server 300 using a wireless communication antenna.

[0017] The center server 300 acquires the counter value from the communication device 100 via a network 500 such as the Internet, and calculates the gas usage fees for each household, each office, and each building. [Gas Container and Contact Operation]

[0018] The basic operation outlines of the gas containers 600A, 600B and the contact device 250 are as follows. First, as shown in Fig. 2(A), when the gas container 600A that is normally used contains gas, the contact device 250 connects the outlet of the gas container 600A to the meter 200. At this time, for example, as shown in Fig. 3, the contact device 250 sends an ON signal to the communication device 100 as contact information. Note that it may be set to ON when using the gas in the normally used gas container 600A, or it may be set to ON when using the gas in the spare gas container 600B, and it is not particularly limited.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2(B), when the gas in the normally used gas container 600A runs out, the contact device 250 closes the outlet of the normally used gas container 600A and connects the outlet of the spare gas container 600B to the meter 200. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the communication device 100 detects that the contact information of the contact device 250 has switched to OFF.

[0020] When the communication device 100 transmits to the center server 300 that the gas in the gas container 600A used in normal times has run out, as shown in FIG. 2(C), the gas company delivers a new gas container for replacement.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2(D), the person in charge of the gas company delivers a new gas container 600A and connects it to the contact device 250. The contact device 250 reconnects the outlet of the gas container 600A used in normal times to the meter 200. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 100 detects that the contact information of the contact device 250 has switched to ON. [Configuration of Communication Device]

[0022] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, one aspect of the configuration of the communication device 100 will be described. The communication device 100 mainly includes a control CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a memory 120, a display unit 130, an operation unit 140, a communication interface 161 for the meter, a communication interface 162 for the contact device, and a wireless communication antenna 163.

[0023] The CPU 110 controls each part of the communication device 100 according to the programs stored in the ROM and the memory 120.

[0024] The memory 120 stores control programs, the history of the meter reading values of the meter 200, the history of the contact information from the contact device 250, the address of the server 300, the address of the base station of the carrier network, and so on.

[0025] The display unit 130 displays various information, lights up or blinks various lamps according to instructions from the CPU 110.

[0026] The operation unit 140 allows the service technician to operate the switch, receive various operation commands, and input them to the CPU 110.

[0027] The communication interface 161 for the meter receives the needle inspection value from the meter 200 according to the instruction from the CPU 110. In the present embodiment, the CPU 110 acquires the needle inspection value from the meter 200 once a month via the communication interface 161.

[0028] The communication interface 162 for the contact device acquires the contact information from the contact device 250 according to the instruction from the CPU 110. In the present embodiment, the CPU 110 periodically acquires the ON signal or OFF signal from the contact device 250 via the communication interface 162, for example, once every few seconds or minutes.

[0029] The wireless communication antenna 163 uploads the needle inspection value to the server 300 via the base station of the carrier network according to the instruction from the CPU 110, or uploads the contact information or the information indicating that the gas in the gas container 600A has run out to the server 300. [Information Processing in Communication Device 100]

[0030] Hereinafter, the information processing of the communication device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. Referring to FIG. 5, the CPU 110 of the communication device 100 executes the following processing according to the program in the ROM or the program stored in the memory 120.

[0031] First, the CPU 110 periodically checks the state of the contact device 250 via the communication interface 162 (step S102).

[0032] When the gas in the gas container 600A used in normal times runs out (step S104), the contact device 250 switches to the spare gas container 600B (step S106). That is, the contact device 250 switches to the OFF state.

[0033] After that, when the CPU 110 checks the state of the contact device 250 via the communication interface 162 (step S112), it will detect that it is in the OFF state. The CPU 110 stores the fact that it is in the OFF state and the current detection date and time in the memory 120 (step S116). The CPU 110 notifies the server 300 via the wireless communication antenna 163 that the contact device 250 is in the OFF state (step S118).

[0034] In response to this, a person in charge of the gas company comes to replace the normally used gas container 600A with a new one (step S122). When the normally used gas container 600A is replaced, the contact device 250 switches to the ON state (step S124).

[0035] When the CPU 110 checks the state of the contact device 250 via the communication interface 162 (step S132), it will detect that it is in the ON state. The CPU 110 stores the fact that it is in the ON state and the current detection date and time in the memory 120 (step S136). The CPU 110 notifies the server 300 via the wireless communication antenna 163 that the contact device 250 is in the ON state (step S138).

[0036] After that, when the gas in the normally used gas container 600A runs out (step S144), the contact device 250 switches to the spare gas container 600B (step S146). That is, the contact device 250 switches to the OFF state.

[0037] After that, when the CPU 110 periodically checks the state of the contact device 250 via the communication interface 162 (step S152), it will detect that it is in the OFF state. The CPU 110 stores the fact that it is in the OFF state and the current detection date and time in the memory 120 (step S156). The CPU 110 notifies the server 300 via the wireless communication antenna 163 that the contact device 250 is in the OFF state (step S158).

[0038] Upon receiving a notification from the communication device 100 to the server 300, the person in charge of the gas company replaces the regularly used gas container 600A with a new one (step S162). The contact device 250 switches to the ON state (step S164).

[0039] When the CPU 110 checks the state of the contact device 250 via the communication interface 162 (step S172), it will detect the ON state. The CPU 110 stores the ON state and the current detection date and time in the memory 120 (step S174).

[0040] Then, the CPU 110 calculates the usage period from the timing when it switched from ON to OFF last time to the timing when it switched from ON to OFF this time and stores it in the memory 120. Then, the CPU 110 stores the date and time when the usage period elapses from the replacement date and time of the next gas container as the predicted gas run-out date and time in the memory 120, and also stores the date and time a predetermined time before the predicted gas run-out date and time as the notification date and time in the memory 120 (step S176).

[0041] The CPU 110 notifies the server 300 via the wireless communication antenna 163 that the contact device 250 is in the ON state (step S178).

[0042] After that, when the notification date and time arrives, the CPU 110 requests the meter reading value from the meter 200 via the communication interface 161 (step S180). The CPU 110 uploads the obtained meter reading value to the server 300 (step S182).

[0043] Thereby, the server 300 can automatically, or the administrator of the server 300 or the person in charge of the gas company can calculate the remaining amount of the gas container 600A or determine an efficient delivery method for the gas container 600A based on the received meter reading value.

[0044] Incidentally, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the frequency of gas consumption metering is about once a month, and the replacement frequency of the gas container 600A is about once every few months. Therefore, in many cases, the gas cut-off prediction date and time or the notification date and time arrive after metering has been performed several times. <Second Embodiment>

[0045] In addition to the above-described embodiment, in this embodiment, the usage period and timing until the replacement of the gas container 600A are updated as follows.

[0046] For example, as shown in FIG. 7(A), the CPU 110 of the communication device 100 acquires the period from the previous gas cut-off to the current gas cut-off. That is, the CPU 110 calculates the usage period from when the contact information of the gas container 600B used in normal times changes from ON to OFF until the next time the contact information of the gas container 600B used in normal times changes from ON to OFF.

[0047] Then, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the CPU 110 sets the time when the usage period elapses from the current gas cut-off as the gas cut-off prediction date and time, and sets a predetermined time before the gas cut-off prediction date and time as the notification date and time. This makes it possible to replace the gas container 600A before the gas cut-off prediction date and time or to replace it with a new gas container 600A before the gas actually runs out. In this case, it is preferable to continue using the usage period without changing it.

[0048] However, as shown in FIG. 7(C), there may be a case where the gas runs out before the notification date and time arrives. When the contact information of the gas container 600A used in normal times switches to OFF before the notification date and time arrives, the CPU 110 calculates the period from the previous gas container replacement date and time to the current gas cut-off as a new usage period. Then, the CPU 110 sets the time when the usage period elapses from the current gas cut-off as the next gas cut-off prediction date and time, and sets a predetermined time before the gas cut-off prediction date and time as the next notification date and time.

[0049] Conversely, as shown in FIG. 8(C), even when the notification date and time arrives, if the gas company delays the replacement of the gas container 600A, gas shortage may occur after exceeding the estimated gas shortage date and time. In this case, the CPU 110 of the communication device 100 calculates the period from the previous gas container replacement date and time to the current gas shortage as a new usage period. Then, when the usage period elapses from the current gas shortage, the CPU 110 sets the time when this occurs as the next estimated gas shortage date and time, and sets the time a predetermined time before the estimated gas shortage date and time as the next notification date and time.

[0050] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8(D), even when the notification date and time arrives, if the gas company delays the replacement of the gas container 600A, the gas container 600A may be replaced without gas shortage occurring after exceeding the estimated gas shortage date and time. In this case, the CPU 110 of the communication device 100 newly calculates the period from the previous gas container replacement date and time to the current replacement of the gas container 600A as the usage period. Then, when the usage period elapses from the current gas shortage, the CPU 110 sets the time when this occurs as the next estimated gas shortage date and time, and sets the time a predetermined time before the estimated gas shortage date and time as the next notification date and time. <Third Embodiment>

[0051] In the above embodiment, each of the communication devices 100 uploaded the meter reading value to the server 300 via the carrier's base station. However, such a configuration is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a main unit 700 of the communication device 100 may be prepared, and the main unit 700 may upload the gas remaining amount, date and time, and estimated gas shortage date and time of a plurality of communication devices 100, 100... serving as slave units to the server 300. <Fourth Embodiment>

[0052] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the next estimated gas cut-off date and time and notification date and time were set based on the usage period from the gas cut-off timing to the gas cut-off timing of the gas container 600A. However, the CPU 110 of the communication device 100 may calculate the period from the start of use of the gas container 600A to the gas cut-off point of the gas container 600A as the usage period. Then, the CPU 110 may set the next estimated gas cut-off date and time and notification date and time based on the usage period. <Summary>

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, there is provided a communication device including a communication interface for communicating with a switching device that outputs a switching signal from a first gas container to a second gas container, a control unit that acquires predetermined information a predetermined period before the end of the next usage period based on the usage period until the switching signal is output from the switching device, and a communication unit that transmits the predetermined information to a server.

[0054] Preferably, the predetermined information includes a gas meter reading value of the gas container.

[0055] Preferably, the control unit receives a setting command for a predetermined period.

[0056] Preferably, the control unit updates the usage period to be shortened when a switching signal is output from the switching device before transmitting the predetermined information to the server.

[0057] Preferably, the control unit updates the usage period to be lengthened when a switching signal is not output from the switching device even after the usage period has elapsed.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, there is provided a communication method including a step of connecting a communication device to a switching device that outputs a switching signal from a first gas container to a second gas container, a step of specifying a usage period until the switching signal is output from the switching device, a step of specifying a timing until the next switching signal is output based on the usage period, and a step of transmitting predetermined information to a server a predetermined period before the timing.

[0059] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Signs

[0060] 100: Communication device 110: CPU 120: Memory 130: Display unit 140: Operation unit 161: Communication interface for meter 162: Communication interface for contact device 163: Wireless communication antenna 200: Gas meter 250: Contact device 300: Center server 400: Center-side network control device 500: Network 600A: Gas container used in normal times 600B: Spare gas container 700: Master unit

Claims

1. A communication interface for communicating with a switching device that outputs a switching signal from a first gas container to a second gas container, a control unit that acquires predetermined information a predetermined period before the next usage period ends based on the usage period until the switching signal is output from the switching device, and a communication unit that transmits the predetermined information to a server. A communication device comprising:

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information includes a gas meter reading value of the gas container.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives a setting command for the predetermined period.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit updates the usage period to be shortened when a switching signal is output from the switching device before transmitting the predetermined information to the server.

5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit updates the usage period to be lengthened when the switching signal is not output from the switching device even after the usage period has elapsed.

6. A step of connecting a communication device to a switching device that outputs a switching signal from a first gas container to a second gas container, a step of specifying a usage period until the switching signal is output from the switching device, a step of specifying a timing until the next switching signal is output based on the usage period, and a step of transmitting predetermined information to a server a predetermined period before the timing. A communication method comprising:

Images