Management device and management method

Abstract

To enable a replacement of a plurality of detection devices that detect a state of a device in an appropriate order according to a degree of urgency.SOLUTION: A management device 400 includes: a specifying unit 442 that specifies a replacement candidate device within a predetermined range from a use expiration date among a plurality of detection devices that detect a state of a device; a determining unit 443 that determines a replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device based on a use state of the replacement candidate device; and an output unit 444 that outputs the replacement urgency determined by the determining unit 443. The management device further include a reception processing unit 441 that receives notification data indicating that each detection device is within a predetermined range from the expiration date from each detection device, and the specifying unit 442 may specify each detection device within the predetermined range from the expiration date as the replacement candidate device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device and a management method for managing a detection device that detects the state of a device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART There is known a center device that manages the states of terminal devices such as meters and sensors by receiving detection data from a plurality of slave devices that detect the states of the terminal devices (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5051607 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If a handset that has reached its expiration date continues to be used, malfunctions due to component deterioration, low battery, or other failures may prevent detection data from being properly transmitted to the center device. In systems where handset devices communicate with other terminals, a handset failure due to aging can affect the operation of surrounding terminals, leading to the surrounding terminals being unable to transmit detection data to the center device. Therefore, handset devices approaching their expiration date must be replaced one by one. However, replacing many handset devices is costly and time-consuming, so in reality, terminals are replaced only after they fail. Furthermore, because the expiration date does not indicate the impact of a terminal failure, replacing handset devices with a low impact in the event of a failure first can delay the replacement of handset devices with a high impact in the event of a failure, resulting in a significant impact on operational services when a handset fails.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of these points, and has as its object to enable a plurality of detectors that detect the state of equipment to be replaced in an appropriate order according to the degree of urgency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A management device of a first aspect of the present invention includes an identification unit that identifies a replacement candidate device within a predetermined range from the expiration date of use from among a plurality of detection devices that detect the status of equipment, a determination unit that determines the replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device based on the usage status of the replacement candidate device, and an output unit that outputs the replacement urgency determined by the determination unit.

[0007] The management device may further include a reception processing unit that receives, from the detection device, notification data indicating that the detection device is within the predetermined range from the usage expiration date, and the identification unit may identify the detection device within the predetermined range from the usage expiration date as the replacement candidate device. The determination unit may set the replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device in the usage situation where there is a detection device that can communicate via a communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device and the management device cannot communicate with the detection device via any communication path other than the communication path, to be higher than the replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device in the usage situation where the management device can communicate with the detection device via any communication path other than the communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device.

[0008] The determination unit may set the replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device in the usage situation where a change in a meter reading indicating the status of the device has been detected within a previous specified period higher than the replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device in the usage situation where a change in the meter reading indicating the status of the device has not been detected within the specified period. The management device may further include a storage unit that stores a management table correlating a period until the expiration of the usage of the detection device, a dependency indicating the degree to which other detection devices depend on a communication path via the detection device, and the replacement urgency, and the determination unit may determine the replacement urgency by referring to the management table. The output unit may output a control signal to suspend the replacement candidate device to the replacement candidate device corresponding to the replacement urgency in order of the replacement urgency determined by the determination unit.

[0009] A second aspect of the management method of the present invention includes the steps of: identifying a replacement candidate device within a predetermined range from the expiration date of use from among a plurality of detection devices that detect the status of equipment, executed by a computer; determining the replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device based on the usage status of the replacement candidate device; and outputting the determined replacement urgency. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present invention has the effect of enabling a plurality of detectors for detecting the state of equipment to be replaced in an appropriate order according to the degree of urgency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 shows the configuration of a management device. [Figure 3] 10 shows an example of a management table stored in a storage unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of dependency setting. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of dependency setting. [Figure 6] 10 shows an example of a method for setting a communication path by a determination unit. [Figure 7] 10 shows an example in which the decision unit changes the dependency of a detection device associated with a replacement candidate device. [Figure 8] 10 shows a processing procedure for managing the detection device by the management device. [Figure 9] 10 shows another procedure for managing the detection device by the management device. [Figure 10] 10 shows a processing procedure for managing the detection device by the management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [Overview of Management System S] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a management system S according to an embodiment of the present invention. The management system S includes a plurality of detection devices 201 to 212, a repeater 300, and a management device 400.

[0013] The detectors 201-212 detect the status of appliances. The detectors 201-212 are connected to their corresponding meters via signal cables. The detectors 201-212 may be connected to multiple meters. The detectors 201-212 acquire the status of appliances measured by the connected meters. For example, the detectors 201-212 acquire the amount of city gas consumed by a user measured by these meters. The detectors 201-212 acquire the amount of propane gas, electricity, or water consumed by a user measured by the connected meters, for example. The detectors 201-212 may be housed in vending machines and acquire the number of drinks sold by the vending machines.

[0014] The detection devices 201 to 212 communicate with each other and the repeater 300. The detection devices 201 to 212 acquire meter readings measured by the meters connected to them. The meter readings acquired by the detection devices 201 to 212 are referenced by a meter reader when determining usage fees for city gas, etc.

[0015] There is a statutory replacement period for the meters connected to the detection devices 201 to 212, but there is no statutory replacement period for the detection devices 201 to 212. Since the business operator that replaces the meters connected to the detection devices 201 to 212 is often different from the business operator that replaces the detection devices 201 to 212, the detection devices 201 to 212 are often not replaced when the meters connected to the detection devices 201 to 212 are replaced.

[0016] Since the detection devices 201 to 212 are powered by, for example, batteries, using them beyond their specified usage period increases the risk of the battery exploding due to over-discharge or malfunction due to deterioration of parts. For this reason, the detection devices 201 to 212 use built-in timers to detect whether their usage period is approaching.

[0017] The repeater 300 communicates with the detection devices 201 to 212 via wireless communication. The repeater 300 communicates with the management device 400 via a network N. The repeater 300 relays communication between the detection devices 201 to 212 and the management device 400.

[0018] Management device 400 is, for example, a server. Management device 400 communicates with repeater 300 via a network. Management device 400 identifies, as potential replacement devices, detection devices within a predetermined range from the expiration date of their usage, from among multiple detection devices 201-212 that detect the status of devices. The predetermined range is determined based on the estimated time required for a repair technician to repair or replace the detection devices 201-212.

[0019] The following describes the overall processing procedure of the management system S. First, when a detection device 201-212 detects that its usage expiration date is approaching, it transmits notification data indicating that the usage expiration date is approaching to the management device 400 via the other detection devices 201-212 and the repeater 300 ((1) in FIG. 1). Based on the received notification data, the management device 400 identifies a candidate replacement device within a predetermined range from the usage expiration date.

[0020] The management device 400 identifies the usage status of the identified replacement candidate device. The management device 400 determines the replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device based on the identified usage status ((2) in FIG. 1). The management device 400 outputs the determined replacement urgency to an information terminal or the like owned by a repair person for the detection devices 201-212 ((3) in FIG. 1).

[0021] In this way, the management device 400 outputs the replacement urgency of multiple replacement candidate devices that are within a predetermined range from the expiration date, so that a person in charge of repairing the multiple replacement candidate devices can repair or replace the multiple replacement candidate devices in an appropriate order according to the urgency by referring to the replacement urgency. Therefore, the management device 400 can prevent other detection devices 201-212 that use a communication path via a detection device whose repair or replacement is delayed from being unable to communicate with the management device 400.

[0022] [Configuration of management device 400] 2 shows the configuration of the management device 400. The management device 400 includes a communication unit 41, a display unit 42, a storage unit 43, and a control unit 44. The control unit 44 includes a reception processing unit 441, an identification unit 442, a determination unit 443, and an output unit 444.

[0023] The communication unit 41 is a communication interface for communicating with the detection devices 201 to 212. The communication unit 41 communicates with the detection devices 201 to 212 via a communication path that passes through the repeater 300. This communication path passes through one or more other detection devices 201 to 212 as necessary. The display unit 42 is a display for displaying various types of information.

[0024] The storage unit 43 includes a storage medium such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 43 stores a program that the control unit 44 executes.

[0025] For example, the storage unit 43 stores a management table that associates the period until the expiration date of the detection devices 201-212, the degree of dependency indicating the degree to which the other detection devices 201-212 depend on the communication path that passes through the detection devices 201-212, and the degree of urgency for replacement. Fig. 3 shows an example of the management table stored in the storage unit 43. In the example of Fig. 3, the terminal numbers of the detection devices 201-212, the period until the expiration date, the meter reading fluctuation, the degree of dependency, and the degree of urgency for replacement are associated with each other.

[0026] In the example of FIG. 3, if the period until the expiration date of the detection devices 201-212 is within the reference period, the period until the expiration date is written as "approaching." The reference period is, for example, three months. In the example of FIG. 3, if the expiration date of the detection devices 201-212 has passed, the period until the expiration date is written as "arrived." The expiration date is, for example, 10 years. If the period until the expiration date of the detection devices 201-212 is longer than the reference period, the period until the expiration date is written as "within expiration date." The meter reading fluctuation indicates whether the meter reading values ​​indicated by the meters connected to the detection devices 201-212 have fluctuated during the most recent specified period.

[0027] The degree of dependency indicates the degree to which the detectors 201-212 need to relay communications of the other detectors 201-212. For example, if a detector 201-212 fails, but the other detectors 201-212 using a communication path that passes through this detector can communicate with the repeater 300 via an alternative communication path other than this communication path, the degree of dependency of the failed detector is described as "low." On the other hand, if a detector 201-212 fails and it becomes difficult for the other detectors 201-212 using a communication path that passes through this detector to communicate with the repeater 300, the degree of dependency of the failed detector is described as "high."

[0028] The replacement urgency indicates an index of how urgently the detection devices 201-212 need to be replaced. The replacement urgency is determined by the determination unit 443 based on values ​​indicated in at least one of the items of the period until the expiration date of use, the meter reading fluctuation, and the dependency. Details of the method for determining the replacement urgency will be described later. The management table shown in FIG. 3 is referenced by the determination unit 443 when determining whether to continue using a candidate replacement device. In the management table stored in the storage unit 43, the terminal number may be associated with the determination result of whether to continue using the candidate replacement device. In the management table stored in the storage unit 43, the terminal number may further be associated with the expiration date of use of the detection device.

[0029] The management table stored in the storage unit 43 includes the replacement urgency of a detection device for which the reception processing unit 441 has received notification data, but may not include the replacement urgency of a detection device for which the reception processing unit 441 has not received notification data. Furthermore, the management table stored in the storage unit 43 may further include the replacement urgency of a detection device for which the reception processing unit 441 has received stop data indicating that there has been no change in the meter reading values ​​of the meters connected to the detection devices 201 to 212 over a predetermined period, and may not include the replacement urgency of a detection device for which the reception processing unit 441 has not received either notification data or stop data.

[0030] The control unit 44 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 44 executes a program stored in the storage unit 43 to function as a reception processing unit 441, an identification unit 442, a decision unit 443, and an output unit 444.

[0031] The receiving processor 441 receives various types of information from the detection devices 201 to 212 via the communication unit 41. For example, when any of the detection devices 201 to 212 detects that the meter reading measured by the meter connected to the detection devices 201 to 212 has not fluctuated over a predetermined period, the receiving processor 441 receives stop data from the detection device indicating that the meter reading has not fluctuated over the predetermined period.

[0032] The receiving processor 441 also receives stop data from a detection device when the detection device detects that a meter reading measured by a meter connected to one of the detection devices 201-212 cannot be obtained for a predetermined period of time. The stop data further includes a terminal number for identifying the detection devices 201-212. The information for identifying the detection devices 201-212 is not limited to the terminal number, but may include alphanumeric characters or symbols. The stop data may further include information indicating the expiration date of the detection devices 201-212.

[0033] The reception processing unit 441 receives notification data from the detection devices 201-212 indicating that the detection devices are within a predetermined range from their expiration dates. This notification data further includes terminal numbers for identifying the detection devices 201-212. This notification data may further include information indicating the expiration dates of the detection devices 201-212. The reception processing unit 441 receives notification data from the detection devices indicating that the expiration dates of the detection devices 201-212 have passed. The reception processing unit 441 outputs the received stop data to the determination unit 443. The reception processing unit 441 outputs the received notification data to the identification unit 442 and the determination unit 443.

[0034] The identifying unit 442 identifies, as a candidate replacement device, a detecting device within a predetermined range from the expiration date of use, from among the multiple detecting devices 201-212 that detect the status of the equipment. As described above, the predetermined range is determined according to the estimated time required for a repair person to repair or replace the detecting device 201-212. The predetermined range is, for example, a range in which the period until the expiration date in the management table shown in FIG. 3 becomes "approaching," e.g., three months.

[0035] When the reception processing unit 441 receives notification data indicating that the expiration date of any of the detection devices 201-212 is approaching, the identification unit 442 identifies this detection device as a candidate replacement device. If a management table correlating terminal numbers with the expiration dates of the detection devices 201-212 is stored in the storage unit 43, the identification unit 442 may identify the candidate replacement device by referring to this management table. The identification unit 442 outputs information indicating the identified candidate replacement device to the determination unit 443.

[0036] [Determining the urgency of replacement] The determination unit 443 determines the degree of urgency of replacement of a candidate replacement device based on the usage status of the candidate replacement device. First, a method by which the determination unit 443 updates the management table shown in Fig. 3 will be described. When the determination unit 443 has not received notification data indicating that any of the detection devices 201 to 212 is within a predetermined range from the expiration date, the determination unit 443 sets the period until the expiration date of this detection device to "within expiration date" in the management table.

[0037] When the receiving processing unit 441 receives notification data indicating that the detection devices 201-212 are within a predetermined range from the expiration date, the determining unit 443 changes the period until the expiration date of the detection devices in the management table from "within expiration date" to "approaching." When the receiving processing unit 441 receives notification data indicating that the expiration date of the detection devices 201-212 has passed, the determining unit 443 changes the period until the expiration date of the detection devices in the management table from "approaching" to "arriving."

[0038] The determining unit 443 sets the meter reading value fluctuation to "yes" in the management table when the receiving processing unit 441 has not received stop data indicating that there has been no fluctuation over a predetermined period in the meter reading values ​​measured by the meters connected to the detection devices 201 to 212. When the receiving processing unit 441 has received stop data indicating that there has been no fluctuation over a predetermined period in the meter reading values ​​measured by the meters connected to the detection devices 201 to 212, the determining unit 443 changes the meter reading value fluctuation item in the management table from "yes" to "no."

[0039] The degree of dependency in the management table stored in the storage unit 43 is determined by the determination unit 443 in the following manner. First, the determination unit 443 determines whether or not the state is such that there are no other detection devices that can communicate via a communication path that passes through this detection device (hereinafter also referred to as a communication-independent state). If the determination unit 443 determines that the state is not such that there are no other detection devices that can communicate with the management device 400 via a communication path other than the communication path that passes through this detection device (hereinafter also referred to as a communication-low dependent state).

[0040] When the determining unit 443 determines that there is a detecting device that can communicate via a communication path that goes through the replacement candidate device, and that the management device 400 cannot communicate with this detecting device via a communication path other than this communication path (hereinafter also referred to as a high communication dependency state), the determining unit 443 sets the dependency level corresponding to the detecting device to "high." On the other hand, when the determining unit 443 determines that the detecting device is in a communication-independent state or a communication-low dependency state, the determining unit 443 sets the dependency level corresponding to a detecting device for which a dependency level has not been determined to "low."

[0041] 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating examples of dependency setting. In the example of FIG. 4, detection device B communicates with management device 400 via a communication path that passes through a replacement candidate device and relay 300. Alternatively, detection device B can communicate with management device 400 via a communication path that passes through detection device A and relay 300, or via a communication path that passes through detection device C and relay 300. Therefore, although there is a detection device B with which the replacement candidate device can communicate via a communication path that passes through this replacement candidate device, the replacement candidate device is in a low communication dependency state in which management device 400 can communicate with this detection device B via a communication path other than this communication path. Therefore, the determination unit 443 sets the dependency corresponding to the replacement candidate device to "low" in the management table stored in the storage unit 43.

[0042] 5, detecting device B communicates with management device 400 via a communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device and repeater 300. Detecting device B cannot communicate with management device 400 via a communication path that does not pass through the replacement candidate device. Therefore, since the replacement candidate device is in a communication-high dependency state in which detecting device B exists that can communicate via a communication path that passes through this replacement candidate device, and management device 400 cannot communicate with this detecting device B via any communication path other than this communication path, the determination unit 443 sets the dependency level corresponding to the replacement candidate device to "high" in the management table stored in the storage unit 43.

[0043] The plurality of communication paths used by the detection devices 201-212 when determining the dependency levels are stored in advance in the storage unit 43 by the determination unit 443 when the detection devices 201-212 are installed. Fig. 6 shows an example of a method for setting communication paths by the determination unit 443. For example, if the repeater 300 emits a test signal and the detection device 201 emits a signal in response to this test signal, it is determined that communication is possible between the repeater 300 and the detection device 201. Therefore, the determination unit 443 records the communication path between the repeater 300 and the detection device 201, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 6.

[0044] When the detection device 201 issues a test signal and the detection device 204 issues a signal in response to this test signal, the determination unit 443 records the communication path between the detection device 201 and the detection device 204. Similarly, when the detection device 204 issues a test signal and the detection device 209 issues a signal in response to this test signal, the determination unit 443 records the communication path between the detection device 204 and the detection device 209. In this way, the determination unit 443 records all communication paths that can be used by the detection devices 201 to 212 in the storage unit 43 by issuing test signals from each of the detection devices 201 to 212.

[0045] The determination unit 443 determines the degree of urgency of replacement by associating the specified period until the expiration date with the items of meter reading fluctuations or dependency. For example, the determination unit 443 sets a higher degree of urgency of replacement for a replacement candidate device in a usage situation where a fluctuation in meter readings indicating the state of the device has been detected within the immediately preceding predetermined period than for a replacement candidate device in a usage situation where no fluctuation in meter readings has been detected within the immediately preceding predetermined period.

[0046] 3, when the reception processing unit 441 receives stop data from the detection device corresponding to terminal number "1" indicating that the meter reading values ​​measured by the meters connected to the detection devices 201 to 212 have not fluctuated for a predetermined period, the determination unit 443 sets the meter reading value fluctuation corresponding to terminal number "1" to "none." In this case, the determination unit 443 determines the replacement urgency to be "low."

[0047] On the other hand, as shown in the example in the second row from the top in FIG. 3 , when the reception processing unit 441 does not receive stop data from the detection device corresponding to terminal number "2," the determination unit 443 sets the meter reading fluctuation corresponding to terminal number "2" to "present." In this case, the determination unit 443 determines the replacement urgency corresponding to terminal number "2" to "medium" so that the replacement urgency is higher than the replacement urgency of the detection device corresponding to terminal number "1." If the meter reading measured by the meter connected to the detection devices 201-212 has not fluctuated due to reasons such as the user leaving, the user is unlikely to be disadvantaged even if the detection device is not immediately replaced. Therefore, the determination unit 443 can prioritize the replacement of other detection devices that have detected a meter reading fluctuation by lowering the replacement urgency of detection devices that have not detected a meter reading fluctuation.

[0048] The determination unit 443 sets the dependency of the replacement candidate device to "high" for a usage situation in which the replacement candidate device is in a highly communication-dependent state, thereby setting the replacement urgency to "high." The determination unit 443 sets the dependency of the replacement candidate device to "low" for a usage situation in which the replacement candidate device is in a communication-independent state or a communication-low dependent state, thereby setting the replacement urgency to "low." As in the example in the fourth row from the top of FIG. 3, when the dependency corresponding to terminal number "4" is "low," the replacement candidate device is in a communication-independent state or a communication-low dependent state. In this case, the determination unit 443 determines the replacement urgency to "medium." On the other hand, as in the example in the eighth row from the top of FIG. 3, when the dependency corresponding to terminal number "8" is "high," the replacement candidate device is in a highly communication-dependent state. In this case, the determination unit 443 determines the replacement urgency to "high," so that the replacement urgency is higher than the replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device corresponding to terminal number "4."

[0049] The determination unit 443 determines the degree of urgency of replacement of the candidate replacement device by referring to the management table stored in the storage unit 43. For example, the determination unit 443 determines the degree of urgency of replacement of the candidate replacement device in accordance with the updated management table stored in the storage unit 43. The determination unit 443 outputs information indicating the determined degree of urgency of replacement to the output unit 444.

[0050] [Output of various information] The output unit 444 communicates with the repeater 300 via the communication unit 41. The output unit 444 communicates with an information terminal owned by a repair person in charge of repairing or replacing the detection devices 201-212 via the communication unit 41. The output unit 444 outputs the replacement urgency determined by the determination unit 443. For example, the output unit 444 outputs the management table updated by the determination unit 443 to the information terminal owned by the repair person of the detection devices 201-212.

[0051] In this way, the output unit 444 can enable the repair technician to repair or replace the detection devices in an order in which the detection device that would cause the greatest disadvantage to the user if it were to fail is repaired or replaced first. The output unit 444 may output the management table to an information terminal using colors according to the degree of urgency of replacement. For example, the output unit 444 may display information about replacement candidate devices with a "high" degree of urgency in red, and information about replacement candidate devices with a "low" degree of urgency in blue.

[0052] The output unit 444 outputs a control signal (hereinafter also referred to as a suspend request signal) for suspending the replacement candidate device corresponding to the replacement urgency determined by the determination unit 443, based on the replacement urgency determined by the determination unit 443. For example, when the reception processing unit 441 receives notification data from any of the detection devices 201 to 212 indicating that the detection device is within a predetermined range from the expiration date of the use, the output unit 444 determines whether to suspend the detection device based on the replacement urgency determined by the determination unit 443. When the reception processing unit 441 receives, from any of the detection devices 201 to 212, stop data indicating that there has been no change in the meter reading value for a predetermined period of time, the output unit 444 may determine whether to suspend the detection device based on the replacement urgency.

[0053] Specifically, the output unit 444 does not output a control signal for suspending a replacement candidate device to a replacement candidate device whose replacement urgency is "medium" or lower. On the other hand, the output unit 444 outputs a control signal for suspending a replacement candidate device whose replacement urgency is "high." In this way, by the output unit 444 suspending a replacement candidate device whose replacement urgency is "high," it is possible to prevent the battery built into the replacement candidate device from exploding due to over-discharge.

[0054] The output unit 444 may output a halt request signal to the replacement candidate devices corresponding to the replacement urgency levels in the order of the replacement urgency levels determined by the determination unit 443. This improves safety because the replacement candidate devices with higher replacement urgency levels are halted earlier.

[0055] The output unit 444 may request other detecting devices that use a communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device identified by the identification unit 442 to use an alternative communication path that does not pass through this replacement candidate device. In the example of Figure 4, detecting device B communicates with management device 400 via a communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device and repeater 300.

[0056] When the identification unit 442 identifies a candidate replacement device, the output unit 444 outputs a request signal to the detection device B, requesting the detection device B to communicate with the management device 400 via a communication path that passes through the detection device A. Even if the output unit 444 does not suspend the candidate replacement device, a malfunction may occur in the candidate replacement device, as indicated by the cross in Fig. 4. The output unit 444 requests the detection device B to use an alternative communication path that does not pass through the candidate replacement device, and therefore, even if a malfunction occurs in the candidate replacement device, it is possible to prevent the detection device B from being unable to communicate with the management device 400.

[0057] When the replacement candidate device is in a communication-high dependency state, the output unit 444 does not request a change in the communication path to a detection device that uses a communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device. In the example of Fig. 5, the detection device B communicates with the management device 400 via a communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device and the repeater 300. In the example of Fig. 5, the detection device B cannot communicate with the management device 400 via a communication path that does not pass through the replacement candidate device.

[0058] In this case, the output unit 444 does not transmit to the detecting device B a request signal requesting the detecting device B to communicate with the management device 400 via an alternative communication path that does not go through the candidate replacement device. The output unit 444 causes the detecting device B to continue using the communication path for communicating with the management device 400 via the detecting device B.

[0059] [Variation to update dependency on another related detection device] When the output unit 444 suspends a replacement candidate device, the determination unit 443 may change the dependency of another detection device related to this replacement candidate device so that the dependency of this detection device is increased. Fig. 7 shows an example of changing the dependency of a detection device related to a replacement candidate device. Detection device F communicates with management device 400 via a communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device, detection device A, and repeater 300. Detection device F can also communicate with management device 400 via a communication path that passes through detection device D and detection device A.

[0060] Therefore, before the output unit 444 suspends the replacement candidate device, the detection device D is in a low communication dependency state in which there is a detection device F with which it can communicate via a communication path that passes through this detection device D, and the management device 400 can communicate with this detection device F via a communication path other than this communication path. When the output unit 444 transmits a control signal to the replacement candidate device to suspend the replacement candidate device, as shown by the cross in Figure 7, the detection device F will no longer be able to communicate with the management device 400 via the communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device.

[0061] After the replacement candidate device is put into a suspended state, the detection device D is in a highly communication-dependent state in which there is a detection device F that can communicate via a communication path that goes through this detection device D, and the management device 400 cannot communicate with this detection device F via any communication path other than this communication path. Therefore, after the replacement candidate device is put into a suspended state, the determination unit 443 changes the dependency level of the detection device D from "low" to "high" in the management table stored in the storage unit 43. Similarly, after the replacement candidate device is put into a suspended state, the determination unit 443 may change the replacement urgency level of another detection device related to the replacement candidate device so that the replacement urgency level of the other detection device is increased.

[0062] [Processing Procedure for Managing the Detection Devices 201 to 212 by the Management Device 400] 8 shows a procedure for managing the detection devices 201 to 212 by the management device 400. This procedure starts, for example, when the detection devices 201 to 212 are monitoring whether their usage limits are approaching.

[0063] First, the detection devices 201 to 212 detect whether their usage expiration dates are approaching (S101). When the detection devices 201 to 212 detect that their usage expiration dates are approaching (YES in S101), they transmit notification data indicating that the usage expiration dates are approaching to the management device 400 via the repeater 300. When the reception processing unit 441 receives the notification data, the determination unit 443 of the management device 400 refers to the management table stored in the storage unit 43 and determines the degree of urgency for replacing the detection device corresponding to the terminal number included in the received notification data (S102).

[0064] The output unit 444 determines whether or not a process for suspending the replacement candidate device is necessary based on the replacement urgency determined by the determination unit 443 (S103). The output unit 444 transmits the determination result of whether or not a process for suspending the replacement candidate device is necessary to the detection device. The detection device performs processing based on the received determination result (S104). If the detection device receives a determination result requesting suspension of the detection device, the detection device transitions to a suspended state. If the detection device receives a determination result not requesting suspension of the detection device, the detection device does not transition to a suspended state. Furthermore, if the detection devices 201 to 212 do not receive a response from the management device 400 even after periodically transmitting notification data, the detection devices may transition to a suspended state when the usage period expires.

[0065] The determination unit 443 of the management device 400 updates the management table stored in the storage unit 43 (S105). For example, when the output unit 444 suspends a detection device, the determination unit 443 deletes information about the suspended detection device from the management table. When the reception processing unit 441 receives notification data including the usage expiration date of the detection device, the determination unit 443 may associate the usage expiration date with the terminal number in the management data and store it in the storage unit 43. When the detection devices 201 to 212 do not detect that the usage expiration date is approaching in the determination of S101 (NO in S101), they repeat the determination of S101.

[0066] 9 shows another procedure for managing the detection devices 201 to 212 by the management device 400. This procedure starts, for example, while the detection devices 201 to 212 are in operation.

[0067] First, the detection devices 201 to 212 detect whether the meter readings measured by the meters connected to the detection devices 201 to 212 have not fluctuated over the most recent predetermined period (S201). When the detection devices 201 to 212 detect that the meter readings measured by the meters connected to the detection devices 201 to 212 have not fluctuated over the most recent predetermined period (YES in S201), they transmit stop data indicating that the meter readings have not fluctuated over the predetermined period to the management device 400.

[0068] At this time, the detecting devices 201-212 may transition to a sleep state if there is no response from the management device 400 even after repeatedly transmitting the stop data a predetermined number of times or more. The predetermined number of times is the maximum number of times that communication is expected to fail in an environment in which the detecting devices 201-212 can communicate with other detecting devices or the repeater 300. If the cable connecting the detecting devices 201-212 to the meters connected to the detecting devices 201-212 is disconnected or if the meters connected to the detecting devices 201-212 are stopped, the detecting devices 201-212 may transmit the stop data more frequently than in a state in which communication with the meters connected to the detecting devices 201-212 is maintained, thereby shortening the time until transitioning to a sleep state.

[0069] When the reception processing unit 441 receives the stop data, the determination unit 443 determines the degree of urgency for replacing the detection device based on the management table stored in the storage unit 43 (S202). The output unit 444 determines whether or not processing to suspend the detection device is necessary based on the degree of urgency for replacement determined by the determination unit 443 (S203). The output unit 444 transmits the determination result on whether or not processing to suspend the detection device is necessary to the detection device.

[0070] The detection device performs processing based on the received determination result (S204). If the detection device receives a determination result that requests the detection device to be put into a sleep state, the detection device transitions to a sleep state. If the detection device receives a determination result that does not request the detection device to be put into a sleep state, the detection device does not transition to a sleep state.

[0071] The determination unit 443 of the management device 400 updates the management table stored in the storage unit 43 (S205). For example, when the output unit 444 suspends a detection device, the determination unit 443 deletes information about the suspended detection device from the management table. When the reception processing unit 441 receives stop data including the usage period of the detection device, the determination unit 443 may associate the usage period with the terminal number in the management data and store it in the storage unit 43. When the determination in S201 detects that the meter reading measured by the meter connected to the detection device 201-212 has fluctuated within the most recent predetermined period (NO in S201), the detection devices 201-212 repeat the determination in S201.

[0072] 10 shows a procedure for managing the detection devices 201 to 212 by the management device 400. This procedure starts, for example, when the detection device A is monitoring whether its usage period is approaching.

[0073] First, detection device A detects whether its usage expiration date is approaching (S301). If detection device A detects that its usage expiration date is approaching (YES in S301), it transmits notification data indicating that the usage expiration date is approaching to management device 400 via repeater 300. When reception processing unit 441 receives the notification data, determination unit 443 of management device 400 refers to the management table stored in storage unit 43 and determines the replacement urgency of the detection device corresponding to the terminal number included in the received notification data (S302).

[0074] The output unit 444 transmits permission data permitting the continued use of the replacement candidate device to the detection device A. The output unit 444 transmits a route update request to another detection device B that uses a communication route that passes through the detection device A, requesting the use of an alternative communication route that does not pass through the detection device A.

[0075] Based on the received route update request, detection device B changes the communication route for communicating with management device 400 so as not to go through detection device A (S303). After sending the route update request to detection device B, the output unit 444 sends a sleep request signal to detection device A to put detection device A into sleep mode. When detection device A receives the sleep request signal, it transitions to a sleep state (S304). When detection device A does not detect that its usage expiration date is approaching in the determination of S301 (NO in S301), it repeats the determination of S301.

[0076] [Effects of the management device 400 of the present invention] Since the determination unit 443 determines the replacement urgency of multiple replacement candidate devices that are within a predetermined range from the expiration date, a person in charge of repairing or replacing multiple replacement candidate devices can refer to the replacement urgency to replace the multiple replacement candidate devices in an appropriate order according to the urgency determined based on the proximity of the expiration date, the impact that a failure of a replacement candidate device will have on other devices, etc. Therefore, the determination unit 443 can prevent other detection devices 201-212 that use a communication path via a detection device whose repair or replacement is delayed from being unable to communicate with the management device 400.

[0077] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 41 Communications Department 42 Display section 43 Storage section 44 Control Unit 201-212 Detection devices 300 Repeater 400 Management device 441 Receiving processing unit 442 Specific part 443 Decision Section 444 Output Section

Claims

1. an identification unit that identifies a replacement candidate device within a predetermined range based on the expiration date of use from among a plurality of detection devices that detect the state of the device; a determination unit that determines a degree of urgency for replacement of the replacement candidate device based on a usage status of the replacement candidate device; an output unit that outputs the degree of urgency of replacement determined by the determination unit; A management device having the above configuration.

2. a receiving processor configured to receive, from the detection device, notification data indicating that the detection device is within the predetermined range from the expiration date; the identifying unit identifies the detection device within the predetermined range from the expiration date as the replacement candidate device. The management device according to claim 1 .

3. the determination unit sets the replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device in the usage situation where there is a detection device that can communicate via a communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device and the management device cannot communicate with the detection device via a communication path other than the communication path to be greater than the replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device in the usage situation where the management device can communicate with the detection device via a communication path other than the communication path that passes through the replacement candidate device. The management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The determination unit increases the degree of replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device in the usage situation in which a change in the meter reading value indicating the state of the device has been detected within the immediately preceding predetermined period compared to the degree of replacement urgency of the replacement candidate device in the usage situation in which a change in the meter reading value has not been detected within the predetermined period. The management device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a storage unit that stores a management table that associates a period until the expiration date of the detection device, a dependency indicating a degree of dependency of other detection devices on a communication path passing through the detection device, and the replacement urgency; the determination unit determines the degree of urgency of replacement by referring to the management table. The management device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the output unit outputs a control signal for suspending the replacement candidate device to the replacement candidate device corresponding to the replacement urgency in the order of the replacement urgency determined by the determination unit. The management device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The computer executes A step of identifying a replacement candidate device within a predetermined range based on the expiration date from among a plurality of detection devices that detect the state of the equipment; determining a degree of urgency for replacing the replacement candidate device based on a usage status of the replacement candidate device; a step of outputting the determined degree of urgency of replacement; A management method having the following.

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