Communication device

Abstract

To provide a technology to input instructions into a communication device which accommodates various units such as a radio communication antenna in a housing.SOLUTION: A communication device 100 comprises a housing 101, a radio communication antenna 165 provided inside the housing, a first sensor 145 provided inside the housing to measure the extent to which the housing is pushed down, and a control unit 110 provided inside the housing to accept an instruction corresponding to the measured values by the first sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of a communication device that houses a wireless communication antenna in a housing.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in houses, offices, etc., a meter for measuring usage such as water supply has been installed. Also known is a communication device that can be retrofitted to an object such as a meter and can transmit the measured value to a server.

[0003] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-015129 (Patent Document 1) discloses a communication device. According to Patent Document 1, the communication device transmits information indicating the measurement result of a measuring device related to resources or energy to a center device. The communication device includes a vibration detection unit, a trigger unit, and a control unit. The vibration detection unit detects the vibration of the communication device. The trigger unit generates a trigger signal for starting an operation mode in response to an external operation. The control unit starts an operation mode corresponding to the detection result of the vibration detection unit in response to the trigger signal for starting the operation mode.

[0004] Also, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-015130 (Patent Document 2) discloses a communication device. According to Patent Document 2, the communication device transmits information indicating the measurement result of a measuring device related to resources or energy to a center device. The communication device includes an attitude detection unit, a trigger unit, and a control unit. The attitude detection unit detects the attitude of the communication device. The trigger unit generates a trigger signal for starting an operation mode in response to an external operation. The control unit starts an operation mode corresponding to the attitude in response to the trigger signal for starting the operation mode.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for inputting a command to a communication device that houses various units such as a wireless communication antenna inside a housing.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0007] According to an aspect of this invention, there is provided a communication device including a housing, a wireless communication antenna disposed inside the housing, a first sensor disposed inside the housing for measuring the degree to which the housing is pressed, and a control unit disposed inside the housing for receiving a command corresponding to the measurement value of the first sensor.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to input a command to a communication device that houses various units such as a wireless communication antenna inside a housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]

Figure 1

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Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] 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>

[0011] First, the overall configuration of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The network system 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a water meter 200, an NCU 100 as a communication device, a network 500, a center-side network control device 400, a center server 300, and the like.

[0012] The water meter 200 is a metering device that measures the amount of water used. The water meter 200 stores or outputs externally the cumulative value of the amount of water used so far as a measurement result.

[0013] The NCU 100 is a device that can be attached retroactively around the water meter 200. In the present embodiment, the NCU 100 receives the measured value of the water meter 200 via a cable for wired signals and transmits the measured value to the server 300 via a base station of the carrier network by wireless communication.

[0014] The server 300 acquires measurement values from the NCU 100 via a network 500 such as the Internet, and calculates the water usage amounts of water supply systems in each household, each office, and each building.

[0015] As described above, regarding the network system 1 according to the present embodiment, by connecting the NCU 100 to the water meter 200, the NCU 100 can provide the meter reading values obtained by the water meter 200 to the server 300 regularly and automatically, instead of having a worker visit. <Configuration inside the water meter BOX>

[0016] Hereinafter, the configuration of the water meter BOX 10 in which the NCU 100 and the water meter 200 according to the present embodiment are stored will be described.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the water meter BOX 10 is mainly buried underground and is composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box body 11 and a lid 12. A water pipe 13 penetrates horizontally through the lower part of the box body 11. Inside the water meter BOX 10, the water pipe 13, the water meter 200, the NCU 100, etc. are stored.

[0018] The water meter 200 measures the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 13, stores the meter reading result in the internal memory, and periodically transmits the meter reading result to the NCU 100 via the communication cable 25.

[0019] For example, the NCU 100 is fixed by being tied to the side surface of the water meter 200 using a binding band or the like. However, the method of fixing the NCU 100 to the water meter 200 or fixing it inside the water meter BOX 10 is not particularly limited. <Command input configuration of the NCU>

[0020] Next, the hardware configuration for inputting commands to the NCU100 will be described. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, for the NCU100 according to the present embodiment, a wireless communication antenna 165, a force sensor 145, etc. are housed inside the housing 101.

[0021] In particular, since the water meter BOX10 is buried underground, rainwater or the like may enter the water meter BOX10. Therefore, the inside of the NCU100 is sealed and waterproofed. In the present embodiment, the operation unit and the display unit are configured not to be exposed outside the housing 101 of the NCU100. Note that the housing 101 is preferably made of resin so as not to easily cause interference with wireless communication.

[0022] Specifically, in the present embodiment, inside the housing 101, on the substrate 105, a force sensor 145, a first LED 131, a second LED 132, a magnetic sensor 140, a communication unit 160, a wireless communication antenna 165, a connection unit 150, etc. are arranged. In addition, inside the housing 101, a control unit, a battery, etc. are also provided as will be described later. And the housing 101 is sealed so that water does not enter the inside of the housing 101 and water does not adhere to these devices. <Overview of NCU Operation>

[0023] As described above, since the NCU100 according to the present embodiment has no input interfaces such as buttons and switches exposed outside the housing 101 for waterproofing, commands are input according to the degree to which the surface of the housing 101 is pushed in. More specifically, the following command input procedure is adopted.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 5(A), when the serviceman inputs a command to the NCU100, he brings the magnet 190 close to the vicinity of the magnetic sensor 140 from the outside of the housing 101. When the magnetic sensor 140 detects the magnetic force, the first LED 131 lights up as the command reception mode.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5(B), in this state, the serviceman pushes in the housing 101 near the force sensor 145. When the force sensor 145 detects the strain of the housing 101, commands corresponding to the magnitude of the strain are presented as candidates. More specifically, the second LED 132 emits light corresponding to the command corresponding to the magnitude of the strain.

[0026] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the force sensor 145 is not in direct contact with the housing 101, but is in contact with the back surface of the housing 101 via an elastic member such as a rubber 144.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 5(C), the serviceman can determine the input of the command by separating the magnet 190 from the housing 101 in a state where the second LED 132 emits the light of the candidate of the command he desires. Thereby, the first LED 131 and the second LED 132 are turned off. <Detailed Configuration of NCU>

[0028] Next, referring to FIG. 6, an aspect of the configuration of the NCU 100 will be described. The NCU 100 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 115, a trigger unit 141, a pressing intensity detection unit 146, a communication unit 160, a wireless communication antenna 165, a notification unit 130, a first connection unit 171, a second connection unit 172, a third connection unit 173, a battery 180, a power control unit 185, and the like.

[0029] The control unit 110 is composed of a processor 111 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit 115. The processor 111 controls each part of the NCU 100 according to the programs and various data stored in the storage unit 115.

[0030] The memory unit 115 stores a control program, a meter reading value, a meter reading date and time, an instruction table 116, the electric field strength of the radio wave of the base station measured by the communication unit 160, and the like. As shown in FIG. 7, the instruction table 116 is data indicating the correspondence relationship such as the pressing strength, the light emission method of the second LED, the name of the operation mode, and the content of the program of the operation mode for each operation mode as an instruction.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 6, the trigger unit 141 is realized by the magnetic sensor 140, measures the magnetic force, and inputs the measurement result to the control unit 110. In the present embodiment, while the trigger unit 141 detects magnetism, the pressing strength detection unit 146 receives inputs of various instructions. In the present embodiment, the pressing strength detection unit 146 is realized by the force sensor 145, detects the magnitude of the strain on the surface of the housing 101, and inputs it to the control unit 110.

[0032] The notification unit 130 includes a first LED 131 and a second LED 132. The first LED 131 lights or blinks with light of a predetermined color according to an instruction from the control unit 110. Similarly, the second LED 132 also lights or blinks with light of a predetermined color according to an instruction from the control unit 110. In the present embodiment, the control unit 110 lights the first LED 131 while detecting the magnetic force, and lights the second LED 132 with light corresponding to an instruction or an operation mode according to the pressing strength as an input candidate for the instruction.

[0033] The first connection unit 171 receives a meter reading value from the water meter 200 via the communication cable 25 according to an instruction from the control unit 110.

[0034] The second connection unit 172 and the third connection unit 173 are used for connection with other meters and devices.

[0035] In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 110, the communication unit 160 transmits various types of information such as the meter reading value of the water meter 200 to the center server 300 via the base station of the carrier network through the wireless communication antenna 165. Also, the communication unit 160 receives commands and data from the center server 300 via the wireless communication antenna 165 and inputs them to the control unit 110.

[0036] Each part of the NCU 100 according to the present embodiment is driven by the power of the battery 180 via the power control unit 185.

[0037] With the above configuration, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment receives the meter reading value from the water meter 200 according to the mode and command received via the magnetic sensor 140 and the force sensor 145, stores it in the storage unit 115, and transmits the meter reading value to the center server 300 using the wireless communication antenna 165. <Control Processing of NCU>

[0038] Hereinafter, the information processing at the time of command reception of the NCU 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. When the service technician changes the operation mode of the NCU 100, the control unit 110 of the NCU 100 executes the process shown in FIG. 8.

[0039] First, when the magnetic sensor 140 detects magnetic force (when it is ON in step S104) while the control unit 110 is in the standby state, that is, the sleep state (step S102), the control unit 110 is activated and the first LED 131 is turned on (step S106).

[0040] The control unit 110 determines whether the housing 101 has been pushed in based on the signal from the force sensor 145 (step S112).

[0041] When the housing 101 is not pushed in (when it is OFF in step S112), the control unit 110 refers to the table 116, does not cause the second LED 132 to emit light (step S114), and identifies the operation mode corresponding to the case where the housing 101 is not pushed down (step S116). Then, the process from step S120 is executed.

[0042] When the housing 101 is pushed in (when it is ON in step S112), the control unit 110 calculates the pressing strength based on the signal from the force sensor 145, refers to the table 116, identifies the operation mode corresponding to the pressing strength, and causes the second LED 132 to emit light in a lighting method corresponding to the pressing strength and the operation mode (step S118).

[0043] The control unit 110 determines whether the magnetic sensor 140 is detecting a magnetic force (step S130). When detecting a magnet (when it is ON in step S130), the control unit 110 repeats the process from step S102.

[0044] When the magnet is no longer detected (when it is OFF in step S130), the control unit 110 turns off the first LED 131 and the second LED 132 (step S132). The control unit 110 finalizes the change to the last identified operation mode, that is, the mode that was being accepted when the magnet was no longer detected (step S134). The control unit 110 ends the process of accepting the current operation mode change command (step S136). <Second Embodiment>

[0045] In the above embodiment, the input of commands was continuously accepted only while a magnet was being detected, and the last command accepted when the magnet was no longer detected was finalized. However, the form is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, the input of commands is continuously accepted only while the force sensor 145 is detecting the pressing of the housing 101, and the last command accepted when the magnet was detected and then no longer detected is finalized.

[0046] Next, the information processing at the time of command reception of the NCU 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. When the serviceman changes the operation mode of the NCU 100, the control unit 110 of the NCU 100 executes the process shown in FIG. 9.

[0047] First, in the standby state (step S102), the control unit 110 determines whether or not the housing 101 has been pushed in based on the signal from the force sensor 145 (step S112).

[0048] When the housing 101 has not been pushed in (when it is OFF in step S112), the control unit 110 refers to the table 116, does not emit light from the second LED 132 (step S114), and identifies the operation mode corresponding to the case where it has not been pressed (step S116). Then, the process from step S120 is executed.

[0049] When the housing 101 has been pushed in (when it is ON in step S112), the control unit 110 calculates the pressing strength based on the signal from the force sensor 145, refers to the table 116, identifies the operation mode corresponding to the pressing strength, and causes the second LED 132 to emit light in a lighting method corresponding to the pressing strength and the operation mode (step S118).

[0050] The control unit 110 determines whether or not the magnetic sensor 140 is detecting magnetic force (step S120). When no magnet is detected (when it is OFF in step S120), the control unit 110 repeats the process from step S102.

[0051] When a magnet is detected (when it is ON in step S120), the control unit 110 turns on the first LED 131 (step S122).

[0052] The control unit 110 determines whether the magnetic sensor 140 is detecting a magnetic force (step S130). When a magnet is detected (when it is ON in step S130), the control unit 110 repeats the process from step S102.

[0053] When the magnet is no longer detected (when it is OFF in step S130), the control unit 110 turns off the first LED 131 and the second LED 132 (step S132). The control unit 110 finalizes the change to the last specified mode, that is, the operation mode that was being accepted when the magnet was no longer detected (step S134). The control unit 110 ends the process of accepting the current operation mode change command (step S136). <The Third Embodiment>

[0054] Alternatively, the input of commands may be continuously accepted only while the force sensor 145 detects the pressing of the housing 101, and the last accepted command when the magnet 190 is detected may be finalized.

[0055] Hereinafter, the information processing at the time of command reception of the NCU 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. When a service technician changes the operation mode of the NCU 100, the control unit 110 of the NCU 100 executes the process shown in FIG. 10.

[0056] First, when the control unit 110 is in the standby state (step S102), the control unit 110 determines whether the housing 101 has been pushed in based on the signal from the force sensor 145 (step S112).

[0057] When the housing 101 has not been pushed in (when it is OFF in step S112), the control unit 110 refers to the table 116, does not emit light from the second LED 132 (step S114), and identifies the operation mode corresponding to the case where it has not been pushed in (step S116). Thereafter, the process from step S120 is executed.

[0058] When the housing 101 is pushed in (when it is ON in step S112), the control unit 110 calculates the pressing strength based on the signal from the force sensor 145, refers to the table 116, identifies the mode corresponding to the pressing strength, and causes the second LED 132 to emit light in a lighting method corresponding to the pressing strength and the operation mode (step S118).

[0059] The control unit 110 determines whether the magnetic sensor 140 has detected a magnetic force (step S120). When the magnet 190 has not been detected (when it is OFF in step S120), the control unit 110 repeats the process from step S102.

[0060] When the magnet 190 is detected (when it is ON in step S120), the control unit 110 turns off the second LED 132 (step S132). The control unit 110 determines the change to the last identified operation mode, that is, the operation mode that was being received when the magnet 190 was detected (step S134). The control unit 110 ends the process of receiving the current operation mode change command (step S136). <Fourth Embodiment>

[0061] In the above embodiment, the force sensor 145 was used to measure the degree of pushing into the housing 101. However, a load sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like may be used to measure the degree of pushing into the housing 101. <Fifth Embodiment>

[0062] In the above embodiment, the NCU 100 was attached to the water meter BOX 10 formed underground. However, the NCU 100 is not limited to being attached to a water meter. Also, it is not limited to being installed in an underground burial space. For example, it may be installed in a gas meter BOX provided on the outer wall of a building or on a utility pole. <Summary>

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, a communication device is provided that includes a housing, a wireless communication antenna disposed inside the housing, a first sensor disposed inside the housing for measuring the degree to which the housing is pressed, and a control unit disposed inside the housing that receives a command corresponding to the measurement value of the first sensor.

[0064] Preferably, the communication device further includes a second sensor disposed inside the housing for detecting magnetism. The control unit receives, as a candidate, a command input via the first sensor when the second sensor detects magnetism.

[0065] Preferably, the control unit determines the command that it has received when the second sensor stops detecting magnetism.

[0066] Preferably, the communication device further includes a first light and a second light. The control unit lights the first light when the second sensor detects magnetism, emits light indicating a command as a candidate corresponding to the measurement value of the first sensor from the second light, and when the second sensor stops detecting magnetism, determines the command corresponding to the measurement value of the first sensor at that time and turns off the first light and the second light.

[0067] Preferably, the communication device further includes a second sensor disposed inside the housing for detecting magnetism. The control unit receives, as a candidate, a command input via the first sensor while the housing is being pressed, and determines the command when the second sensor starts detecting magnetism and then stops detecting magnetism.

[0068] Preferably, the communication device further includes a second sensor disposed inside the housing for detecting magnetism. The control unit receives, as a candidate, a command input via the first sensor while the housing is being pressed, and determines the command when the second sensor detects magnetism.

[0069] 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

[0070] 1: Network system 11: Box body 12: Lid 13: Water pipe 25: Communication cable 101: Housing 105: Substrate 110: Control unit 115: Storage unit 116: Instruction table 130: Notification unit 131: First LED 132: Second LED 140: Magnetic sensor 141: Trigger unit 144: Rubber 145: Force sensor 146: Pressing strength detection unit 150: Connection unit 160: Communication unit 165: Wireless communication antenna 171: First connection part 172: Second connection part 173: Third connection part 180: Battery 185: Power control unit 190: Magnet 200: Water meter 300: Center server 400: Center side network control device 500: Network

Claims

1. A housing, a wireless communication antenna disposed inside the housing, a first sensor disposed inside the housing for measuring the degree to which the housing is depressed, and a control unit disposed inside the housing for receiving a command corresponding to a measurement value of the first sensor. A communication device comprising the above components.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a second sensor disposed inside the housing for detecting magnetism, wherein the control unit receives, as a candidate, a command input via the first sensor when the second sensor detects magnetism.

3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines a command that was being received when the second sensor stopped detecting magnetism.

4. The communication device according to claim 3, further comprising a first light and a second light, wherein the control unit: when the second sensor detects magnetism, lights the first light and emits light indicating a command as a candidate corresponding to a measurement value of the first sensor from the second light; when the second sensor stops detecting magnetism, determines a command corresponding to the measurement value of the first sensor at that time and turns off the first light and the second light.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a second sensor disposed inside the housing for detecting magnetism, wherein the control unit receives, as a candidate, a command input via the first sensor while the housing is being depressed, and determines the command when the second sensor starts detecting magnetism and then stops detecting magnetism.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a second sensor disposed inside the housing for detecting magnetism, wherein the control unit receives, as a candidate, a command input via the first sensor while the housing is being depressed, and determines the command when the second sensor detects magnetism. ​

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