Communication device, communication method, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication device that executes a function as a smart meter and also can execute an aggregation device function according to situations.SOLUTION: A communication device includes: a wide-area communication interface that communicates with an external server via a wide area communication network; a multi-hop communication interface that communicates with a multi-hop smart meter and an aggregation device via a multi-hop communication network; a routing control unit that performs routing control for communicating with the external server using the wide-area communication interface; a multi-hop communication path control unit that performs multi-hop communication path control for communicating with the multi-hop smart meter and the aggregation device using the multi-hop communication interface; and a switching control unit that performs at least either switching between enabling and disabling the routing control unit or switching between enabling and disabling the multi-hop communication path control unit, by a predetermined trigger.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a communication device, a communication method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) system that connects a smart meter to a communication network and provides services such as remote metering (automatic metering). As the communication network, for example, a (wireless) multi-hop communication network can be used. In that case, for example, information (such as measurement information) of a plurality of smart meters is collected by a multi-hop communication to an aggregation device, and the information is transmitted from the aggregation device to an external server via a wide area communication network (such as a mobile phone network (LTE (Long Term Evolution) network) or an optical fiber network).

[0003] As a conventional smart meter, for example, there is one that has both a multi-hop communication interface using specific low-power radio in the 920 MHz band and a mobile phone communication interface using a mobile phone communication network. According to this smart meter, for example, when it is impossible to communicate with other smart meters or an aggregation device through the multi-hop communication interface, it is possible to communicate with an external server using the mobile phone communication interface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

[0006] In AMI systems, multi-hop communication networks can have dead zones depending on the distribution of smart meters, resulting in some smart meters being isolated from the multi-hop communication network. Furthermore, equipping all smart meters with both multi-hop communication interfaces and cellular communication interfaces presents cost-effectiveness issues.

[0007] Another possible solution to dead zones is to install new aggregation devices, but installing these devices in scattered dead zones would be a burdensome installation process. Furthermore, conventional aggregation devices are limited to locations easily accessible to WAN (Wide Area Network) lines, such as utility poles, and therefore cannot necessarily cover all dead zones.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication method, and a program that can perform the function of a smart meter and, depending on the situation, also perform the function of an aggregation device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The communication device of the embodiment includes a wide-area communication interface for communicating with an external server via a wide-area communication network, a multi-hop communication interface for communicating with multi-hop smart meters and aggregation devices via a multi-hop communication network, a routing control unit that performs routing control for communicating with the external server using the wide-area communication interface, a multi-hop communication path control unit that performs multi-hop communication path control for communicating with multi-hop smart meters and aggregation devices using the multi-hop communication interface, and a switching control unit that, upon a predetermined trigger, switches the routing control unit on or off, and switches the multi-hop communication path control unit on or off. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the communication device of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the communication device, communication method, and program of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0012] Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the communication system S of the embodiment. The communication system S comprises an external server 1, an aggregation device 2, a multi-hop smart meter 3, and a communication device 4.

[0013] The multi-hop smart meter 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is an information processing device installed for each user of a specified service provided by a service provider (e.g., provision of electricity, gas, water, etc.). Hereafter, when multi-hop smart meters 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are not distinguished, they will be referred to as "multi-hop smart meter 3".

[0014] The multi-hop smart meter 3 acquires measurement information representing the physical quantities (e.g., electricity usage, gas usage, water usage, etc.) of services provided by the service provider to the user. The multi-hop smart meter 3 is installed at the location where the user receives services from the service provider (home, office, building, store, factory, etc.) and is associated with the user on a one-to-one basis.

[0015] The multi-hop smart meter 3 performs (wireless) multi-hop communication. In multi-hop communication, the communication path is autonomously constructed according to the communication standard RPL (IPv6 Routing protocol for Low Power and Lossy Networks), for example. Specifically, each multi-hop smart meter 3 selects a parent node from among its neighbors based on the wireless communication quality between it and the neighboring multi-hop smart meter 3. In addition, a multi-hop smart meter 3 near the aggregation device 2 can select the aggregation device 2 as its parent node.

[0016] Here, we assume that the multi-hop smart meter 3b selects the multi-hop smart meter 3a as its parent node, and the multi-hop smart meter 3a selects the aggregation device 2 as its parent node.

[0017] In that case, the multi-hop smart meter 3b transmits the measurement information to the multi-hop smart meter 3a via multi-hop communication. The multi-hop smart meter 3a transmits its own measurement information and the measurement information of the multi-hop smart meter 3b to the aggregation device 2.

[0018] In addition, the multi-hop smart meters 3c and 3d are isolated in a communication failure state where they cannot perform multi-hop communication with the multi-hop smart meters 3a and 3b or the aggregation device 2.

[0019] The aggregation device 2 (concentrator) is a device that aggregates measurement information (sensor data) transmitted from a plurality of multi-hop smart meters 3. The aggregation device 2 receives the measurement information from the multi-hop smart meter 3a via multi-hop communication. In addition, the aggregation device 2 communicates with the external server 1 via a wide area communication network N (for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as a mobile phone network or an optical fiber network).

[0020] The external server 1 is a computer device that transmits and receives data to and from the multi-hop smart meter 3 (via the aggregation device 2) and the communication device 4. The external server 1, for example, receives measurement information from the multi-hop smart meter 3 via the aggregation device 2. In addition, the external server 1, for example, performs firmware program distribution to the multi-hop smart meter 3 via the aggregation device 2.

[0021] In addition, the communication device 4, as a mobile phone communication type smart meter (hereinafter also referred to as "LTE smart meter"), periodically transmits its own measurement information to the external server 1. The external server 1 communicates with the communication device 4 via the wide area communication network N. The external server 1, for example, receives measurement information from the communication device 4 or performs firmware program distribution to the communication device 4.

[0022] Hereinafter, the communication device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 as well. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication device 4 of the embodiment. The communication device 4 includes a processing unit 41, a storage unit 42, a wide area communication interface 43, and a multi-hop communication interface 44.

[0023] The wide-area communication interface 43 is a communication interface (for example, a mobile phone communication interface) that communicates with an external server 1 or the like via a wide-area communication network N, and is implemented, for example, by a wireless chip.

[0024] The multi-hop communication interface 44 is a communication interface that communicates with the multi-hop smart meter 3 and the aggregation device 2 via the multi-hop communication network, and is implemented, for example, by a wireless chip.

[0025] The processing unit 41 performs various calculations and is implemented, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing unit 41 includes, for example, a routing control unit 411, a multi-hop communication path control unit 412, and a switching control unit 413.

[0026] The routing control unit 411 uses the wide-area communication interface 43 to perform routing control (for example, IP (Internet Protocol) routing control) for communication with an external server 1 or the like.

[0027] The multi-hop communication path control unit 412 uses the multi-hop communication interface 44 to perform multi-hop communication path control for communication with the multi-hop smart meter 3 and the aggregation device 2.

[0028] The switching control unit 413, upon a predetermined trigger, performs at least one of the following: enabling / disabling the routing control unit 411, and enabling / disabling the multi-hop communication path control unit 412.

[0029] The switching control unit 413 switches the multi-hop communication path control unit 412 from disabled to enabled when it receives a predetermined command from the external server 1, for example, as a predetermined trigger.

[0030] Furthermore, the switching control unit 413 switches the routing control unit 411 on or off based on, for example, the result of a connection confirmation operation with the external server 1 using the wide-area communication interface 43 (for example, the response result from the external server 1 when executing a PING command), which is used as a predetermined trigger. For example, if a connection can be confirmed, it is set to be enabled, and if a connection cannot be confirmed, it is set to be disabled.

[0031] Furthermore, the switching control unit 413, for example, uses a predetermined trigger to switch the multi-hop communication path control unit 412 between enabled and disabled based on the result of a connection confirmation operation with the external server 1 using the multi-hop communication interface 44. For example, if a connection can be confirmed, it is set to enabled; if a connection cannot be confirmed, it is set to disabled.

[0032] Furthermore, the switching control unit 413 switches the multi-hop communication path control unit 412 from disabled to enabled when, for example, a program change is performed by a predetermined firmware distributed from the external server 1 as a predetermined trigger.

[0033] In the following example, we will mainly use the case where the switching control unit 413 receives a predetermined command from the external server 1. At that time, as the multi-hop communication path control unit 412 is switched from disabled to enabled, the communication device 4 will also take on the role of an aggregation device (a device with RPL root node functionality).

[0034] The memory unit 42 stores various information (various programs, various data) and is implemented using, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The memory unit 42 stores, for example, the communication address of a nearby multi-hop smart meter 3.

[0035] Furthermore, recent technological advancements have made it possible to achieve higher storage capacity even with a storage unit 42 of the same physical size as before, thereby enabling the storage unit 42 to store data necessary for the communication device 4 to function as an aggregation device.

[0036] Next, the processing performed by the communication device 4 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the communication device 4 of the embodiment. The following assumptions are made.

[0037] First, as shown in Figure 1(a), multi-hop smart meters 3a and 3b can communicate with external server 1 via aggregation device 2 using multi-hop communication, but multi-hop smart meters 3c and 3d are isolated and cannot communicate with external server 1. Also, communication device 4 periodically transmits its own measurement information to external server 1 as an LTE smart meter, but it does not perform its function as an aggregation device.

[0038] In step S1, the processing unit 41 of the communication device 4 performs processing as a standalone LTE smart meter (such as periodic transmission of measurement information to the external server 1).

[0039] Next, in step S2, the switching control unit 413 determines whether a predetermined trigger has occurred. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S3; otherwise, it returns to step S1. At this point, in order to resolve the isolated state of the multi-hop smart meters 3c and 3d, a predetermined command is sent from the external server 1 to the communication device 4. As a result, the result in step S2 is Yes, and the process proceeds to step S3.

[0040] In step S3, the switching control unit 413 activates the aggregation function (function as an aggregation device) by switching the multi-hop communication path control unit 412 from disabled to enabled.

[0041] Next, in step S4, the processing unit 41 performs processing as an aggregation device. That is, as shown in Figure 1(b), the communication device 4 operates as an aggregation device, enabling multi-hop communication between the communication device 4 and the multi-hop smart meter 3c. The multi-hop smart meter 3d selects the multi-hop smart meter 3c as its parent node. As a result, the communication device 4, as an aggregation device, can receive measurement information from the multi-hop smart meters 3c and 3d and transmit it to the external server 1. The communication device 4 also performs processing as an LTE smart meter in parallel.

[0042] Thus, according to the communication device 4 of this embodiment, it can perform the function of a smart meter, and depending on the situation, it can also perform the function of an aggregation device by activating the function of an aggregation device through a predetermined trigger.

[0043] This allows for the use of LTE smart meters, which are installed individually for each user, as aggregation devices, in addition to the current aggregation devices that are limited to installation locations on utility poles. Therefore, the communication range of multi-hop communication networks can be expanded flexibly and efficiently. Furthermore, this method is also expected to be a solution for areas where utility poles are being buried underground.

[0044] Furthermore, since LTE smart meters that are already installed and have established connectivity with external server 1 can be used as aggregation devices, there is also the advantage of reducing the burden of on-site site surveys and area network design work.

[0045] Furthermore, if there are multiple candidates for LTE smart meters that can be used as aggregation devices, for example, the overall connectivity status of smart meters in the area can be checked on external server 1 while each of the multiple LTE smart meters is sequentially converted into aggregation devices. Through this trial and error process, the most suitable candidate with the highest connectivity rate can be derived.

[0046] Furthermore, each multi-hop smart meter 3 may become temporarily unusable due to reasons such as the expiration of its certification period or malfunction. In such cases, a dead zone in the multi-hop communication network may occur and expand, but this can be avoided by consolidating nearby LTE smart meters as needed.

[0047] Furthermore, by setting a predetermined trigger for LTE smart meters to be integrated into a centralized device, such as the LTE smart meter receiving a predetermined command from external server 1, the integration can be easily achieved. Additionally, an integrated LTE smart meter can be deactivated and reverted to its role as a standalone LTE smart meter by, for example, sending another command from external server 1.

[0048] Furthermore, the predetermined triggers for integrating LTE smart meters into a centralized device may also include the result of a connection confirmation operation with external server 1, or a program change performed by predetermined firmware distributed from external server 1.

[0049] Furthermore, the program for executing the above-described process in the above-described embodiment may be provided as a file in an installable or executable format, recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Alternatively, the program may be pre-installed on ROM or the like.

[0050] Furthermore, the program has a modular structure that includes each functional unit. In actual hardware, for example, the CPU (processor circuit) reads the program from ROM and executes it, thereby loading each of the aforementioned functional units into RAM (main memory), and generating each of the aforementioned functional units in RAM (main memory). It is also possible to implement some or all of the aforementioned functional units using dedicated hardware such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0051] Although embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments described above can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments described above are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents.

[0052] For example, the communication device 4 may recognize the presence of isolated multi-hop smart meters 3 in its vicinity through notifications from an external server 1, and may spontaneously become an aggregation device.

[0053] Alternatively, the communication device 4 may be used as a standalone multi-hop smart meter (with aggregation function disabled). [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1…External server, 2…Aggregation device, 3…Multi-hop smart meter, 4…Communication device, 41…Processing unit, 42…Storage unit, 43…Wide-area communication interface, 44…Multi-hop communication interface, 411…Routing control unit, 412…Multi-hop communication path control unit, 413…Switching control unit, S…Communication system

Claims

1. A wide-area communication interface that communicates with an external server via a wide-area communication network, A multi-hop communication interface that communicates with multi-hop smart meters and aggregation devices via a multi-hop communication network, A routing control unit that performs routing control for communicating with the external server using the wide-area communication interface, A multi-hop communication path control unit that performs multi-hop communication path control for communicating with the multi-hop smart meter and the aggregation device using the multi-hop communication interface, A communication device comprising: a switching control unit that, in accordance with a predetermined trigger, switches the multi-hop communication path control unit on or off while maintaining the effectiveness of the routing control unit.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the switching control unit switches the multi-hop communication path control unit from disabled to enabled when it receives a predetermined command from the external server as the predetermined trigger.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the switching control unit switches the multi-hop communication path control unit from disabled to enabled when a program change is performed by a predetermined firmware distributed from the external server as a predetermined trigger.

4. A communication method in a communication device comprising a wide-area communication interface for communicating with an external server via a wide-area communication network, and a multi-hop communication interface for communicating with a multi-hop smart meter and an aggregation device via a multi-hop communication network, The routing control unit performs a routing control step in which it executes routing control for communicating with the external server using the wide-area communication interface, A second control step in which the multi-hop communication path control unit performs multi-hop communication path control for communicating with the multi-hop smart meter and the aggregation device using the multi-hop communication interface, A communication method comprising a switching control step in which a switching control unit switches the multi-hop communication path control unit to enable / disable based on a predetermined trigger, while maintaining the effectiveness of the routing control unit.

5. A computer that is a communication device, comprising a wide-area communication interface for communicating with an external server via a wide-area communication network, and a multi-hop communication interface for communicating with multi-hop smart meters and aggregation devices via a multi-hop communication network, A routing control unit that performs routing control for communicating with the external server using the wide-area communication interface, A multi-hop communication path control unit that performs multi-hop communication path control for communicating with the multi-hop smart meter and the aggregation device using the multi-hop communication interface, A program for causing a switching control unit to function as a switching control unit that switches the multi-hop communication path control unit on and off while maintaining the effectiveness of the routing control unit, based on a predetermined trigger.

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