Communication Equipment

Abstract

To provide a communication device for reducing time and labor on setting the communication device.SOLUTION: A communication device 20 includes an acquisition section 211, a communication section 230, and a decision section 212. The acquisition section 211 acquires measurement values from a measurement device 10 for each predetermined time. The communication section 230 transmits the plurality of measurement values acquired by the acquisition section 211 to a center device 30. The decision section 212 decides whether the communication section 230 transmits the measurement values to the center device 30 based on the change of the measurement values. It is preferable that the communication device 20 also includes a determination section 212 for determining whether the change of the measurement values is within a predetermined range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] The fluid usage monitoring device described in Patent Document 1 monitors the usage of fluids such as tap water and gas at the location where it is installed, and transmits the usage status of the fluid to a monitoring center. The fluid usage monitoring device has an unused setting and a non-use setting. The unused setting indicates that the fluid is in an unused state. The non-use setting indicates that the use of the fluid has been suspended. When the use of the fluid is started or resumed, the unused setting or non-use setting of the fluid usage monitoring device is released. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-194587 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the fluid usage monitoring device described in Patent Document 1 constantly monitors the usage status of the fluid and transmits the usage status to the monitoring center. Therefore, even when the fluid usage monitoring device is unused or not in use, the fluid usage monitoring device continues to communicate with the monitoring center. For this reason, to prevent the fluid usage monitoring device from communicating with the monitoring center, an operator had to go to the installation location of the communication device and set it so that it would not communicate with the center device. This resulted in a lot of work for the operator to set up the communication device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a communication device that can reduce the effort involved in setting up the communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a communication device includes an acquisition unit, a communication unit, and a determination unit. The acquisition unit acquires measurement values ​​from a measurement device at predetermined time intervals. The communication unit transmits the measurement values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit to a center device. The determination unit determines whether or not the communication unit transmits the measurement values ​​to the center device based on changes in the measurement values. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the communication device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the labor required by workers to set up the communication device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a telemetry system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a center-side network control device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 includes a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication device according to a first embodiment and a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a measurement device. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a state in which a communication unit of a communication device according to a first embodiment is restricted from communicating with a center device, and a state in which the communication unit of the communication device is not restricted from communicating with the center device. [Figure 6] 4 shows a flowchart of a process executed by a control unit of the communication device of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 shows a flowchart of a decision process executed by a control unit of the communication device shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 13 shows a flowchart of a determination process executed by a control unit of a communication device according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 shows a flowchart of a determination process executed by a control unit of a communication device according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 10]10 includes a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication device of a second embodiment and a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a measurement device. [Figure 11] 13 shows a flowchart of a decision process executed by a control unit of a communication device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 includes a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication device of a third embodiment and a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a measurement device. [Figure 13] 13 shows a flowchart of a decision process executed by a control unit of a communication device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a telemetry system 1 according to the embodiment 1. The telemetry system 1 is an example of a measurement system.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the telemetry system 1 includes a measuring device 10, a communication device 20, and a center device 30. The telemetry system 1 acquires measurement results from the measuring device 10 and transmits the acquired measurement results from the communication device 20 to the center device 30 at a predetermined timing. The measuring device 10 measures an integrated flow rate of a fluid consumed by a consumer. The measuring device 10 is connected to the communication device 20. The fluid includes, for example, gas and water. In this embodiment, the fluid is described as gas. The center device 30 includes a center-side network control device 310 and a server device 320. Each component will be described in detail below.

[0012] The communication device 20 is wirelessly connected to the center-side network control device 310 via a wide-area wireless network N1 such as a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) network, a FOMA (Freedom Of Mobile multimedia Access) network, and an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network. The communication device 20 acquires a measurement result from the measurement device 10 at a predetermined timing, adds an identification number to the measurement result, and transmits the measurement result to the center device 30 via the wide-area wireless network N1. A plurality of communication devices 20 receive data from the center device 30 side via the wide-area wireless network N1. When the data from the center device 30 side includes an identification number for identifying the communication device 20, the communication device 20 corresponding to the identification number executes processing based on the received data.

[0013] The center device 30 includes a center-side network control device 310 and a server device 320. The center-side network control device 310 is provided, for example, in a base station of a telecommunications carrier. In other words, the center-side network control device 310 is provided in a communication network of a telecommunications carrier.

[0014] The center-side network control device 310 mediates communication between the server device 320 and the communication device 20. The center-side network control device 310 is connected to the wide area wireless network N1 and performs wireless communication with the communication device 20. The center-side network control device 310 also transmits data from the server device 320 to the communication device 20 in a communication method that complies with the communication standard of the wide area wireless network N1. When the center-side network control device 310 receives a measurement result from the communication device 20 via the wide area wireless network N1, it transmits the received measurement result to the server device 320.

[0015] The server device 320 is a server managed by a gas supply company.

[0016] Next, the center-side network control device 310 and the server device 320 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the center-side network control device 310. As shown in Figure 2, the center-side network control device 310 has a storage unit 311, a control unit 312, and a communication unit 313.

[0017] The storage unit 311 may be configured with a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 311 stores setting information related to the operation of the center side network control device 310 and various information for communication via the wide area wireless network N1.

[0018] The control unit 312 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and memories (ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)). The control unit 312 controls each unit of the center-side network control device 310 by the processor executing a control program stored in the ROM. Specifically, the control unit 312 connects to the wide area wireless network N1 via the communication unit 313, and transmits and receives data between the server device 320 and the communication device 20.

[0019] The communication unit 313 is, for example, a communication module such as a LAN board. The communication unit 313 communicates with the server device 320, and with the communication device 20 (see FIG. 1) via the wide area wireless network N1.

[0020] 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server device 320. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The storage unit 321 may be configured with a non-volatile memory such as a HDD. The storage unit 321 stores various data such as setting information related to the operation of the server device 320, the identification number of the communication device 20, the usage amount of each measuring device 10, and the like.

[0022] The control unit 322 includes a processor such as a CPU and an MPU, and a memory (ROM and RAM). The control unit 322 controls each unit of the server device 320 by the processor executing a control program stored in the ROM. Specifically, the control unit 322 acquires the measurement results of each measuring device 10 transmitted from the communication device 20 from the center-side network control device 310 via the communication unit 323. Then, the control unit 322 stores the acquired measurement results for each measuring device 10 in the memory unit 321.

[0023] The communication unit 323 is a communication module such as a LAN board, for example. The communication unit 323 is connected to the center-side network control device 310 by wire or wirelessly, and communicates with the center-side network control device 310.

[0024] Next, the communication device 20 and the measurement device 10 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 includes a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the communication device 20 and a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the measurement device 10.

[0025] 4, the measurement device 10 includes a measurement unit 110. The measurement unit 110 measures the flow rate of a fluid consumed by a consumer. The fluid is, for example, a gas. That is, for example, the measurement unit 110 measures the integrated flow rate of the gas consumed by the consumer.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device 20 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, a communication unit 230, and a connection unit 240.

[0027] The storage unit 220 may be configured with a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit 220 stores setting information related to the operation of the communication device 20 and various information for communication via the wide area wireless network N1.

[0028] The storage unit 220 also stores information indicating the measurement frequency of the measuring device 10, i.e., the measurement interval, and the measurement results. The measurement results include the measurement value of the measuring device 10 and the usage amount of the measuring device 10. The usage amount indicates the difference between the measurement value at the time of measurement (current) and the measurement value before that measurement (previous). In other words, the usage amount is the difference between the measurement values ​​obtained by two consecutive measurements.

[0029] The communication unit 230 communicates with the center device 30. Specifically, the communication unit 230 transmits the measurement results acquired by the acquisition unit 211 to the center device 30. That is, the communication unit 230 transmits a plurality of measurement values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit 211 to the center device 30. The communication unit 230 includes an antenna (not shown). The communication unit 230 performs wireless communication with the center-side network control device 310 via the wide area wireless network N1 by transmitting and receiving radio waves using the antenna. The communication unit 230 is a communication module capable of wide area communication, such as a PHS network, a FOMA network, and an LTE network.

[0030] The connection unit 240 includes one or more ports. The connection unit 240 is connected to the measurement device 10 via an electric wire. The connection unit 240 acquires a measurement value measured by the measurement device 10 connected to the connection unit 240 via a wire.

[0031] The control unit 210 includes a processor such as a CPU and an MPU, and a memory (ROM and RAM). The control unit 210 controls each unit of the communication device 20 by the processor executing a control program stored in the memory. For example, the control unit 210 controls the storage unit 220, the communication unit 230, and the connection unit 240 by the processor executing a control program stored in the memory.

[0032] 4, the control unit 210 includes an acquisition unit 211, a determination unit 212, and a decision unit 213. The control unit 210 functions as the acquisition unit 211, the determination unit 212, and the decision unit 213 by the processor executing a control program stored in the memory.

[0033] The acquiring unit 211 acquires the measurement results from the measuring device 10. Specifically, the acquiring unit 211 acquires the measurement results from the measuring device 10 at predetermined time intervals. In other words, the acquiring unit 211 acquires the measurement values ​​from the measuring device 10 based on the measurement intervals stored in the storage unit 220. The predetermined time is, for example, "one hour." That is, for example, the acquiring unit 211 acquires the measurement results from the measuring device 10 at every "one hour." The acquired measurement results are stored in the storage unit 220.

[0034] The predetermined time is not limited to "one hour." For example, the predetermined time may be "one minute." In this case, the acquisition unit 211 acquires the measurement result from the measurement device 10 every "one minute."

[0035] The measurement result acquired by the acquisition unit 211 is transmitted to the center device 30 by the communication unit 230 at a specific timing. The specific timing is the timing when the measurement value acquired by the acquisition unit 211 becomes a specific number. The specific number indicates a predetermined number. The specific number is, for example, "24". The specific number is not limited to "24" and can be set to any value. For example, the specific number may be "5".

[0036] For example, when the acquisition unit 211 acquires 24 measurement values, the communication unit 230 transmits the measurement results to the center device 30. That is, the communication unit 230 transmits the measurement results to the center device 30 every time the measurement results reach a specific number. Also, it takes the acquisition unit 211 "24 hours" to acquire "24" measurement results. In other words, a specific number of measurement results are transmitted to the center device 30 every "24 hours."

[0037] The decision unit 213 decides whether or not to transmit the measurement values ​​to the center device 30. Specifically, the decision unit 213 decides whether or not the communication unit 230 transmits the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30 based on changes in the multiple measurement values. In other words, the decision unit 213 can restrict the communication unit 230 from transmitting the measurement values ​​to the center device 30. Furthermore, the decision unit 213 can permit the communication unit 230 to transmit the measurement values ​​to the center device 30. Therefore, it is not necessary for an operator to manually change the settings so that the communication device 20 and the center device 30 communicate with each other. As a result, the effort involved in setting the communication device 20 can be reduced.

[0038] For example, when the fluid usage state becomes unused, it is possible to prevent the operator from manually setting whether or not to transmit the measurement value to the center device 30. For example, it is not necessary for the operator to set the unused state or the non-use state. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the effort involved in setting the communication device 20.

[0039] The determination unit 212 determines the change in the multiple measurement values. Specifically, the determination unit 212 determines whether the change in the multiple measurement values ​​is within a predetermined range. The determination unit 212 compares the measurement value at the time of measurement (current) with the measurement value immediately before that measurement (previous), and determines whether the change between the current measurement value and the previous measurement value is within a predetermined range. If the change between the current measurement value and the previous measurement value is not within the predetermined range, this indicates that the user has used fluid. If the change between the current measurement value and the previous measurement value is within the predetermined range, this indicates that the user has not used fluid.

[0040] The predetermined range can be set arbitrarily. For example, the predetermined range can be set to "+N from the previous measurement value." "N" indicates, for example, any integer. Also, for example, when "N=0", the determination unit 212 determines whether there is a change in the multiple measurement values. That is, the determination unit 212 compares the measurement value at the time of measurement (current) with the measurement value immediately before that measurement (current), and determines whether there is a change between the current measurement value and the previous measurement value. If there is a change between the current measurement value and the previous measurement value, it indicates that the user has used fluid. If there is no change between the current measurement value and the previous measurement value, it indicates that the user has not used fluid.

[0041] The timing at which the determination unit 212 makes the determination may be the timing at which the acquisition unit 211 acquires a specific number of measurement values. Alternatively, the determination unit 212 may make the determination every time the acquisition unit 211 acquires a measurement value.

[0042] In the present embodiment, when the determination result of the determination unit 212 indicates that the changes in the multiple measurement values ​​are within a predetermined range, the determination unit 213 determines that the communication unit 230 will not transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. This allows the communication unit 230 to reduce the frequency with which it communicates with the center device 30. As a result, the power used by the communication device 20 when communicating can be reduced. The reduction in the frequency of communication reduces the amount of communication transmitted by the communication device 20 to the center device 30. As a result, the cost of communication can be reduced.

[0043] Also, for example, when a consumer who uses fluid leaves a facility, a manager of the facility may check whether the fluid is usable. In such a case of temporary use of the fluid, the communication device 20 of this embodiment does not communicate with the center device 30. As a result, the frequency of communication is reduced, and the amount of communication transmitted from the communication device 20 to the center device 30 is reduced. As a result, the cost of communication can be reduced.

[0044] Next, the operation of the telemeter system 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the decision process in the telemeter system 1. Hereinafter, the decision process will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the communication unit 230 of the communication device 20 is restricted from communicating with the center device 30, and a state in which the communication unit 230 of the communication device 20 is not restricted from communicating with the center device 30. Note that in Fig. 5, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, part of the transmission and reception of information between the communication device 20 and the measurement device 10 is omitted. For example, the transmission of a signal from the communication device 20 to the measurement device 10 requesting a measurement result is omitted. Also, for example, the transmission of a request to end communication from the center device 30 to the communication device 20 is omitted.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 5, the communication device 20 acquires a measurement value R at predetermined time intervals. In Fig. 5, a measurement result X1 is shown. The measurement result X1 includes a plurality of measurement values ​​R. The plurality of measurement values ​​R includes measurement values ​​R1 to RN. "N" represents a natural number.

[0046] For example, the acquiring unit 211 of the communication device 20 acquires the measurement values ​​R1 to RN from the measuring device 10 at every predetermined time stored in the storage unit 220. For example, the acquiring unit 211 acquires the measurement value R1 from the measuring device 10 via the connection unit 240 at the predetermined time. The measurement values ​​R1 to RN acquired from the measuring device 10 are stored in the storage unit 220 of the communication device 20.

[0047] Then, the determination unit 212 determines whether there is a change in the multiple measurement values. As shown in Fig. 5, for example, the determination unit 212 compares the measurement value R2 of the measurement result X1 with the measurement value R1 of the measurement result X1. Furthermore, the determination unit 212 determines whether there is a change between the measurement value R2 and the measurement value R1. The determination result of the determination unit 212 is that there is no change between the measurement value R2 of the measurement result X1 and the measurement value R1 of the measurement result X1.

[0048] If the determination result of the determination unit 212 indicates that there is no change in the plurality of measurement values, the determination unit 213 determines that the communication unit 230 will not transmit the plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device 30 .

[0049] 5 also shows measurement result X2. Measurement result X2 includes a plurality of measurement values ​​R. The plurality of measurement values ​​R include measurement values ​​R1 to RN. Measurement result X2 includes a plurality of measurement values ​​R. Measurement result X2 is a measurement result obtained later than measurement result X1.

[0050] The acquisition unit 211 of the communication device 20 acquires the measurement values ​​R1 to RN from the measurement device 10 at predetermined intervals that are stored in the storage unit 220. The measurement values ​​R1 to RN acquired from the measurement device 10 are stored in the storage unit 220 of the communication device 20.

[0051] Then, the determination unit 212 determines whether there is a change in the multiple measurement values. As shown in Fig. 5, for example, the determination unit 212 compares the measurement value R2 of the measurement result X2 with the measurement value R1 of the measurement result X2. Furthermore, the determination unit 212 determines whether there is a change between the measurement value R2 and the measurement value R1. For example, the determination result of the determination unit 212 is that there is a change between the measurement value R2 of the measurement result X2 and the measurement value R1 of the measurement result X2.

[0052] For example, when the determination result of the determination unit 212 indicates that there are changes in the multiple measurement values, the decision unit 213 determines that the communication unit 230 will transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. In other words, when use of the fluid is started, the communication unit 230 communicates the measurement result X2 to the center device 30. Specifically, the communication unit 230 of the communication device 20 transmits a message RA including the measurement result X2 to the center-side network control device 310. The center-side network control device 310, which has received the message RA, transmits a message RB including the measurement result X2 to the server device 320.

[0053] This reduces the frequency with which the communication unit 230 communicates with the center device 30. As a result, the power consumed by the communication device 20 during communication can be reduced.

[0054] Next, the process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of the process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 includes steps S101 to S105.

[0055] In step S101, the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in step S101), the process repeats step S101. If the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S101), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0056] If the answer is Yes in step S101, in step S102, the acquisition unit 211 of the communication device 20 acquires the measurement value R. The process proceeds to step S103.

[0057] In step S103, the control unit 210 of the communication device 200 controls the storage unit 220 so that the storage unit 220 stores the measurement value R. The process proceeds to step S104.

[0058] In step S104, the control unit 210 determines whether the number of measured values ​​R is a specific number. If the number of measured values ​​R is not a specific number (No in step S104), the process returns to step S101. If the number of measured values ​​R is a specific number (Yes in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105.

[0059] In step S105, the control unit 210 executes the determination process, and the process ends.

[0060] Next, the decision process will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of the decision process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 shown in Fig. 6. The decision process is useful when the facility is not used continuously, for example, when a facility manager uses a fluid on a trial basis, or when the facility is used only once for a preview of the facility. As shown in Fig. 7, the decision process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 includes steps S201 to S203.

[0061] In step S201, the determination unit 212 determines whether the changes in the multiple measured values ​​are within a predetermined range. If the changes in the multiple measured values ​​are within the predetermined range (Yes in step S201), the process proceeds to step S202. If the changes in the multiple measured values ​​are not within the predetermined range (No in step S201), the process proceeds to step S203.

[0062] If the answer is Yes in step S201, in step S202, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 will not transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. In other words, if the determination result of the determination unit 212 indicates that there is no change in the multiple measurement values, the decision unit 213 decides not to transmit the measurement results to the server device 320. The process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0063] If the answer is No in step S201, in step S203, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 transmits the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. That is, if the determination result of the determination unit 212 indicates that there is a change in the multiple measurement values, the communication device 20 transmits the measurement results to the server device 320. The process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0064] In step S201, the determination unit 212 may determine whether or not there is no change in the multiple measured values. Therefore, if there is a change in the multiple measured values ​​(No in step S201), the process proceeds to step S203. If there is no change in the multiple measured values ​​(Yes in step S201), the process proceeds to step S202.

[0065] (Variation 1) Next, a first modified example of the communication device 20 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 and 8. In the first modified example, the content of the decision process executed by the communication device 20 is mainly different from the decision process of the first embodiment. The points in which the first modified example differs from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0066] The determination unit 213 of the first modification determines that the communication unit 230 will not transmit multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30 based on the number of times the measurement value has changed. For example, if the number of times the measurement value has changed is less than a predetermined number, the determination unit 213 determines that the communication unit 230 will not transmit multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. This makes it possible to reduce the frequency with which the communication unit 230 communicates with the center device 30. As a result, it is possible to reduce the power used by the communication device 20 when communicating.

[0067] That is, in the case of temporary use of the fluid, it is possible to suppress communication between the communication device 20 and the center device 30. As a result, the frequency of communication between the communication device 20 and the center device 30 can be reduced.

[0068] Next, the decision process executed by the communication device 20 of the modified example 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of the decision process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 of the modified example 1. As shown in Fig. 8, the decision process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 includes steps S501 to S503.

[0069] In step S501, control unit 210 determines whether the multiple measured values ​​have changed a predetermined number of times or more. If the multiple measured values ​​have changed a predetermined number of times or more (Yes in step S501), the process proceeds to step S503. If the multiple measured values ​​have not changed a predetermined number of times or more (No in step S501), the process proceeds to step S502.

[0070] If the answer is No in step S501, in step S502, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 will not transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. In other words, the communication device 20 will not transmit the measurement results to the server device 320. The process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0071] If the answer is Yes in step S501, in step S503, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 transmits a plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device 30. That is, the communication device 20 transmits the measurement results to the server device 320. The process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0072] (Variation 2) Next, a second modified example of the communication device 20 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 and 9. In the second modified example, the content of the decision process executed by the communication device 20 is mainly different from the decision process of the first embodiment. The differences between the second modified example and the first embodiment will be described below. The decision process of the second modified example is executed when the use of the fluid continues.

[0073] The determination unit 213 of the second modification determines that the communication unit 230 does not communicate with the center device 30 when the number of times the communication unit 230 has transmitted a plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device 30 is not a predetermined number of times. Therefore, when the fluid is not continuously used, it is possible to limit the communication between the center device 30 and the communication unit 230. As a result, it is possible to reduce the communication traffic and power involved in the communication.

[0074] Furthermore, in the determination unit 213 of the second modification, when the number of times that the communication unit 230 has transmitted a plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device 30 reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 210 controls the communication unit 230 so that the communication unit 230 transmits a specific number of measurement values ​​to the center device 30. Therefore, when the fluid is to be used continuously, the control unit 210 can control the communication unit 230 so that the communication unit 230 communicates with the center device 30 at a specific timing.

[0075] Next, the decision process executed by the communication device 20 of the modified example 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows a flowchart of the decision process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 of the modified example 2. As shown in Fig. 9, the decision process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 includes steps S601 to S603.

[0076] In step S601, the control unit 210 determines whether the number of times that a plurality of measurement values ​​have been transmitted to the center device 30 is greater than a predetermined number. If the number of times that the measurement values ​​have been transmitted to the center device 30 is greater than the predetermined number (Yes in step S601), the process proceeds to step S602. If the number of times that the measurement values ​​have been transmitted to the center device 30 is not greater than the predetermined number (No in step S601), the process proceeds to step S603.

[0077] If the answer is Yes in step S601, in step S602, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 will not transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. That is, the communication device 20 will not transmit the measurement results to the server device 320. The process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0078] If the result is No in step S601, in step S603, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 transmits a plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device 30. That is, the communication device 20 transmits the measurement results to the server device 320. The process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0079] [Embodiment 2] Next, a telemetry system 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, 5, 10, and 11. Fig. 10 includes a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication device 20 of the second embodiment and a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a measurement device 10. Fig. 11 shows a flowchart of processing executed by a control unit 210 of the communication device 20 of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0080] 10, the control unit 210 of the second embodiment includes a first calculation unit 214 and a second calculation unit 215. The control unit 210 functions as the first calculation unit 214 and the second calculation unit 215 by the processor executing a control program stored in the memory.

[0081] The first calculation unit 214 calculates the difference between the first measurement value and the second measurement value. The second measurement value is a measurement value acquired by the acquisition unit 211 before the first measurement value.

[0082] The judgment unit 212 of the second embodiment judges whether or not the difference exceeds a first threshold. Then, when the judgment result of the judgment unit 212 indicates that the difference does not exceed the first threshold, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 will not transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. Therefore, the frequency with which the communication unit 230 communicates with the center device 30 can be reduced. As a result, the power used by the communication device 20 when communicating can be reduced. The reduction in the frequency of communication reduces the amount of communication transmitted by the communication device 20 to the center device 30. As a result, the cost of communication can be reduced. The first threshold can be set to any value.

[0083] The second calculation unit 215 calculates the sum of the multiple differences calculated by the first calculation unit 214.

[0084] The judgment unit 212 of the second embodiment judges whether or not the sum of the multiple differences exceeds the second threshold. When the judgment result of the judgment unit 212 indicates that the sum of the multiple differences does not exceed the second threshold, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 will not transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. Even if it is decided not to transmit only the difference between one first measurement value and one second measurement value to the center device 30, the total value may result in a large amount of fluid usage. Therefore, multiple measurement values ​​can be transmitted to the center device 30 when the total value is large. In other words, the decision accuracy of the decision unit 213 that determines whether or not to transmit multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30 can be improved. As a result, the measurement values ​​can be transmitted to the center device 30 while reducing unnecessary communication. The second threshold can be set to an arbitrary value.

[0085] Next, the decision process executed by the communication device 20 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 shows a flowchart of the decision process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 of the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 11, the decision process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 includes steps S211 to S216.

[0086] In step S211, first calculation unit 214 calculates the difference between a first measurement value acquired by acquisition unit 211 and a second measurement value acquired by acquisition unit 211 prior to the first measurement value. The process proceeds to step S212.

[0087] In step S212, the determination unit 212 determines whether the difference between the first measurement value and the second measurement value exceeds the first threshold value. If the difference between the first measurement value and the second measurement value exceeds the first threshold value (No in step S212), the process proceeds to step S216. If the difference between the first measurement value and the second measurement value does not exceed the first threshold value (No in step S212), the process proceeds to step S213.

[0088] If the result is No in step S212, in step S213, second calculation unit 215 calculates the sum of a plurality of differences between the first measurement value and the second measurement value calculated by first calculation unit 214. The process proceeds to step S214.

[0089] In step S214, the determination unit 212 determines whether or not the total value calculated by the second calculation unit 215 exceeds the second threshold. If the total value exceeds the second threshold (Yes in step S214), the process proceeds to step S216. If the total value does not exceed the second threshold (No in step S214), the process proceeds to step S215.

[0090] If the result is No in step S214, in step S215, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 will not transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. In other words, the communication device 20 will not transmit the measurement results to the server device 320. The process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0091] If the answer is Yes in step S212 or Yes in step S214, in step S216, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 transmits a plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device 30. That is, the communication device 20 transmits the measurement results to the server device 320. The process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0092] [Embodiment 3] Next, a telemetry system 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, 5, 12, and 13. Fig. 12 includes a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication device 20 of the third embodiment and a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a measurement device 10. Fig. 13 shows a flowchart of a determination process executed by a control unit 210 of the communication device 20 of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0093] 12, the control unit 210 of the third embodiment includes a third calculation unit 216. The control unit 210 functions as the third calculation unit 216 by the processor executing a control program stored in the memory.

[0094] The third calculation section 216 calculates the average value of the multiple measurement values.

[0095] The determination unit 212 of the third embodiment determines whether or not the average value exceeds the third threshold. If the determination result of the determination unit 212 indicates that the average value does not exceed the third threshold, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 will not transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. This can reduce the frequency with which the communication unit 230 communicates with the center device 30. As a result, the power used by the communication device 20 when communicating can be reduced.

[0096] Next, the decision process executed by the communication device 20 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 shows a flowchart of the decision process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 of the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 13, the decision process executed by the control unit 210 of the communication device 20 includes steps S401 to S404.

[0097] In step S401, the third calculation unit 216 calculates the average value of the multiple measurement values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit 211. The process proceeds to step S402.

[0098] In step S402, the determination unit 212 determines whether the average value exceeds the third threshold value. If the average value exceeds the third threshold value (Yes in step S402), the process proceeds to step S404. If the average value does not exceed the third threshold value (No in step S402), the process proceeds to step S403.

[0099] If the answer is No in step S402, in step S403, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 will not transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30. In other words, the communication device 20 will not transmit the measurement results to the server device 320. The process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0100] If the answer is Yes in step S402, in step S404, the decision unit 213 decides that the communication unit 230 transmits a plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device 30. That is, the communication device 20 transmits the measurement results to the server device 320. The process returns to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0101] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in each of the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components across different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The drawings are mainly shown schematically for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings are different from the actual ones due to the convenience of drawing. In addition, the speed, material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention.

[0102] (1) In the first to third embodiments, when the determination unit 213 determines to communicate with the center device 30, the communication unit 230 communicates with the center device 30 at the time when the measurement value reaches a specific number, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the communication unit 230 may communicate with the center device 30 at the time when the determination unit 213 determines to communicate with the center device 30. Therefore, the communication unit 230 communicates before the measurement value reaches a specific number. As a result, the provider of the fluid can know the use of the fluid at an early stage.

[0103] (2) In the second embodiment, the second calculation unit 215 calculates the sum of the multiple differences calculated by the first calculation unit 214, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the second calculation unit 215 may calculate the sum of multiple measurement values. Then, the judgment unit 212 judges whether or not the sum exceeds a second threshold. Then, the decision unit 213 can decide not to transmit the multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30 based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 212. Therefore, multiple measurement values ​​can be transmitted to the center device 30 when the sum becomes large. In other words, the decision accuracy of the decision unit 213 that determines whether or not to transmit multiple measurement values ​​to the center device 30 can be improved. As a result, the measurement values ​​can be transmitted to the center device 30 while reducing unnecessary communication. [Industrial Applicability]

[0104] The present invention provides a communication device and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10: Measuring equipment 20: Communication equipment 30: Center device 200: Communication equipment 211: Acquisition Department 212: Judgment section 213: Decision section 214: First calculation unit 215: Second calculation unit 216: Third calculation unit 230: Communications Department

Claims

[Claim 1] an acquisition unit that acquires measurement values ​​from a measurement device at predetermined time intervals; a communication unit that transmits the plurality of measurement values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit to a center device; a decision unit that decides whether or not the communication unit should transmit the plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device based on changes in the plurality of measurement values; a determination unit that determines whether or not the changes in the plurality of measurement values ​​are within a predetermined range, a determination unit that determines not to transmit the plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device when a determination result of the determination unit indicates that the changes in the plurality of measurement values ​​are within a predetermined range, a first calculation unit that calculates a difference between a first measurement value acquired by the acquisition unit and a second measurement value acquired by the acquisition unit prior to the first measurement value, The determination unit determines whether the difference exceeds a first threshold value; when a determination result of the determination unit indicates that the difference does not exceed the first threshold, the determination unit determines that the communication unit does not transmit the plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device; A second calculation unit that calculates a sum of the differences calculated by the first calculation unit, The determination unit determines whether the sum exceeds a second threshold value; When the judgment result of the judgment unit indicates that the sum does not exceed the second threshold, the decision unit decides not to transmit the plurality of measurement values ​​to the center device.

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