Wireless machine and method for operating same

Abstract

Provided is a wireless machine that can transmit information regarding a meter to a center device under a more inexpensive and better-communication-quality communication condition. A control device of a wireless machine (20) executes a communication carrier selection operation including an acquisition operation of acquiring communication quality information of communication networks in accordance with a priority order of communication carriers of the communication networks to be connected from among choices of communication carriers of the communication networks connectable through a communication interface, a determination operation of determining whether the communication quality information satisfies a prescribed quality condition, and a decision operation of deciding a communication carrier of a communication network in which the communication quality information satisfies the prescribed quality condition as a connection destination communication carrier which is a communication carrier of a communication network for use in transmitting the information regarding the meter. Upon decision of the connection destination communication carrier in the decision operation, the control device ends the communication carrier selection operation without executing the acquisition operation for the subsequent priority order.

Description

Radio and its operating method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radio that transmits information to a center device and a method of operating the same.

[0002] A known example of a conventional wireless device is a communication terminal of a meter reporting system disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this meter reporting system, the communication terminal acquires meter reading information indicating gas usage fees from a gas meter and transmits the meter reading information to a server using a wide area IP communication network.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-340154

[0004] The meter reporting system of Patent Document 1 uses, for example, a predetermined wide-area IP communication network for communication between the communication terminal and the server. Communication networks such as wide-area IP communication networks have different communication conditions, such as the usage fee and communication quality, depending on the type of network. For example, if the usage fee of the communication network is high, the operating costs of the meter reporting system increase, and if the communication quality of the communication network is poor, the meter reading information cannot be transmitted to the server.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a radio device and an operating method thereof that can transmit information about a meter to a center device under better communication conditions.

[0006] A radio device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a radio device that transmits information related to a meter that reads electricity, gas, or water usage to a center device using a communication network of a communication carrier, and is equipped with a control device and a communication interface. The control device performs a communication carrier selection operation including: an acquisition operation that acquires communication quality information of the communication network in accordance with the priority of the communication carrier of the communication network to be connected to from among the communication carrier options of the communication network that can be connected to by the communication interface; a determination operation that determines whether the communication quality information satisfies a predetermined quality condition; and a determination operation that determines the communication carrier of the communication network whose communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality condition as the destination communication carrier, which is the communication carrier of the communication network used to transmit information related to the meter. If the destination communication carrier is determined in the determination operation, the communication carrier selection operation is terminated without performing the acquisition operation for the subsequent priority levels.

[0007] A method of operating a radio device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method of operating a radio device that transmits information related to a meter that reads electricity, gas, or water usage to a center device using a communication network of a communication carrier, and performs a communication carrier selection operation including: an acquisition operation that acquires communication quality information of the communication network in accordance with the priority of the communication carrier of the communication network to be connected to from among options for communication carriers of the communication network that can be connected to; a determination operation that determines whether the communication quality information satisfies a predetermined quality condition; and a determination operation that determines the communication carrier of the communication network whose communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality condition as the destination communication carrier, which is the communication carrier of the communication network used to transmit information related to the meter; and when the destination communication carrier is determined in the determination operation, the communication carrier selection operation is terminated without performing the acquisition operation for the subsequent priorities.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the destination communication carrier is determined based on the priority and communication quality information. As a result, the communication carrier with the highest priority and whose communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality condition is selected as the destination communication carrier. By using such a destination communication carrier, meter-related information can be transmitted to the center device under better communication conditions.

[0009] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a wireless communication system including a radio device according to an embodiment and a modified example of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating parameter options; FIG. 3 is a list illustrating levels of RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ of communication quality information; FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication carrier selection operation; FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for setting an execution period of the communication carrier selection operation; and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for determining whether to execute the communication carrier selection operation.

[0011] <Wireless Communication System> As shown in FIG. 1 , a wireless communication system 10 including a wireless device 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a system that collects information from the wireless device 20 to a center device 30. This information includes information about the meter 11. The information about the meter 11 includes, for example, a gas meter reading from the meter 11 and an alarm indicating an abnormality in the gas flow rate read by the meter 11. The meter 11 reads the amount of gas used by gas consumers, such as city gas and LP gas. In the following, the meter reading target of the meter 11 will be described as gas, but the meter reading target is not limited to gas and may be electricity, water, or the like. Furthermore, the type of gas is not limited to city gas or LP gas and may be hydrogen gas, for example.

[0012] The wireless device 20 is communicatively connected to the meter 11 of the consumer and transmits and receives information to and from the meter 11. For example, the wireless device 20 transmits a request for a meter reading from the meter 11 to the meter 11 and receives a meter reading in response to the request from the meter 11. The meter 11 transmits the meter reading to the wireless device 20 at a predetermined time, and the wireless device 20 transmits a reception response to the meter 11. The wireless device 20 transmits and receives information, such as information related to the meter 11, to the center device 30 using a communication network 40 such as a wide area network (WAN). For example, the wireless device 20 transmits information related to the meter 11, such as a meter reading from the meter 11, to the center device 30 and receives a response to the information from the center device 30. The center device 30 is a server that collects information from the wireless device 20, manages the information collected from the wireless device 20, and provides services and information based on the information to gas consumers and gas utilities that manage the meters 11.

[0013] Furthermore, the wireless device 20 is contracted with, for example, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) to be able to connect to communication networks 40 of multiple communication carriers. Therefore, the wireless device 20 executes a communication carrier selection operation to select a destination communication carrier from the multiple communication carrier options. This destination communication carrier is the communication carrier of the communication network 40 to which the wireless device 20 connects for the information transmission operation of transmitting information about the meter 11 to the center device 30. The communication network 40 has communication facilities such as base stations 41, switching centers, and cables owned or leased by the communication carrier, and is connected to the Internet. Details of this communication carrier selection operation will be described later. The destination communication carrier's communication network 40 is used to transmit not only information about the meter 11 but also other information to the center device 30 and to receive information from the center device 30.

[0014] <Center Device> The center device 30 includes a center control device 31 and a center communication interface 32 electrically connected to the center control device 31. The center communication interface 32 is a wired communication interface and is connected to the communication network 40 by a cable or the like. As a result, the center communication interface 32 receives information transmitted from the wireless device 20 via the communication network 40 and inputs the information to the center control device 31, or transmits information to the wireless device 20 via the communication network 40 under the control of the center control device 31. Note that the center communication interface 32 may be a wireless communication interface and may be connected to the communication network 40 via wireless communication. Furthermore, the center device 30 may be connected to the Internet network via wireless communication or wired communication and may be able to communicate with the wireless device 20 via the Internet network and the communication network 40.

[0015] The center control device 31 is a computer and includes a center calculation unit 33 and a center storage unit 34. The center storage unit 34 is a memory accessible from the center calculation unit 33 and is composed of RAM, ROM, etc. The center storage unit 34 stores programs for executing various processes such as information collection and information management of the center device 30, as well as information used in these programs. The center storage unit 34 also stores information such as information related to the meter 11 collected from the radio 20.

[0016] The center calculation unit 33 is configured with a processor such as a CPU, and executes programs stored in the center storage unit 34. This allows the center control device 31 to control the operations of the components of the center device 30 and execute various processes related to information collection and information management. The center control device 31 may be configured as a single device, or may be configured as multiple devices distributed in a distributed manner that work together to perform the operations of the center control device 31.

[0017] The radio 20 includes a control device 21, a battery 22, a first communication interface 23, a second communication interface 24, an input device 25, and a third communication interface 26, which are electrically connected to the control device 21. The control device 21 is a computer, and includes a calculation unit 28 and a storage unit 29.

[0018] The storage unit 29 is a memory accessible from the calculation unit 28 and is composed of RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 29 stores programs for executing various processes such as the operation of transmitting information from the radio device 20 and the operation of selecting a communication carrier, as well as information used in these programs. The storage unit 29 also stores information related to the meter 11, such as the meter reading value received from the meter 11.

[0019] The calculation unit 28 is configured with a processor such as a CPU and an MPU, and executes a program stored in the storage unit 29. As a result, the control device 21 controls the operation of the components of the radio 20 based on input information from the first communication interface 23, the second communication interface 24, the input device 25, and the third communication interface 26, and executes various processes such as an information transmission operation and a communication carrier selection operation. The control device 21 may be configured as a single device, or may be configured as a plurality of devices distributed in a distributed arrangement that cooperate to perform the operations of the control device 21.

[0020] The first communication interface 23 is a communication interface for wireless communication and is electrically connected to an antenna 27. As a result, the first communication interface 23 is connected by wireless communication to a base station 41 of a communication network 40 via the antenna 27, and receives information transmitted from the center device 30 via the communication network 40 via the antenna 27 and inputs it to the control device 21, or transmits information via the antenna 27 via the communication network 40 to the center device 30 under the control of the control device 21.

[0021] The second communication interface 24 is a wired communication interface and is connected to the meter 11 by a cable. As a result, the second communication interface 24 receives information from the meter 11 and inputs the information to the control device 21, and transmits information to the meter 11 under the control of the control device 21. Note that the radio 20 may be connected to the meter 11 by wireless communication via a wireless communication interface such as the first communication interface 23 or the third communication interface 26.

[0022] The third communication interface 26 is a communication interface for wireless communication and is electrically connected to an antenna 26a. As a result, the third communication interface 26 is connected by wireless communication to the setting device 12, which is a portable wireless terminal of the user, via the antenna 26a, and receives information transmitted from the setting device 12 via the antenna 26a and inputs it to the control device 21, or transmits information to the setting device 12 via the antenna 26a under the control of the control device 21.

[0023] The input device 25 is a device such as a reed switch, button keys, or touch panel, which is operated by a user to input information resulting from the operation to the control device 21. The battery 22 is a power source that supplies power to the components of the radio 20, such as the control device 21, and is connected to these components. When the reed switch of the input device 25 is turned on or off, it inputs a signal to the control device 21. When turned on by reed switch operation, power is supplied from the battery 22 to the components of the radio 20, allowing these components to operate with the power. When turned off by reed switch operation, the supply of power from the battery 22 to the components of the radio 20 is stopped, causing these components to stop operating. Note that the radio 20 may also be supplied with power from an external power source, such as a commercial power source.

[0024] <Parameters> In the wireless communication system 10, the wireless device 20 has a contract to be able to connect to communication networks 40 of multiple communication carriers. In the example of Fig. 1, a first communication network 40a which is a communication network 40 of a first communication carrier, a second communication network 40b which is a communication network 40 of a second communication carrier, and a third communication network 40c which is a communication network 40 of a third communication carrier are set in advance as communication networks 40 that can be connected to the wireless device 20. In this case, in the communication carrier selection operation, the wireless device 20 selects a destination communication carrier from the options of the first communication carrier to the third communication carrier based on the parameters.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, this parameter is stored in the storage unit 29 in association with options for communication carriers of one or more connectable communication networks 40 and the priority of connecting to the communication network 40 of that communication carrier. This priority is set according to communication information of the communication carrier. Examples of the communication information include the usage fee and communication status of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier. When the communication information includes multiple conditions (e.g., the usage fee and communication status of the communication network 40), the priority is determined by combining the multiple conditions.

[0026] For example, the lower the usage fee for the communication network 40 and the better the communication state of the communication network 40, the better the communication information of the communication carrier of that communication network 40, and therefore the higher the priority of that communication carrier. For example, the communication state of the communication network 40 may include communication quality information such as RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ. In this case, the higher the values ​​of RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ and the better the communication quality of the communication network 40, the better the communication information of the communication carrier of that communication network 40, and therefore the higher the priority of that communication carrier. Furthermore, the communication state may include communication failure information such as information not reaching the center device 30 from the wireless device 20 and slow communication speed. In this case, the fewer communication failures in the communication network 40, the better the communication information of the communication carrier of that communication network 40, and therefore the higher the priority of that communication carrier.

[0027] In the example of parameter No. 7 in Figure 2, the communication information of the first communication carrier is better than the communication information of the second communication carrier, and the priority of the first communication carrier is higher than the priority of the second communication carrier. Also, the communication information of the second communication carrier is better than the communication information of the third communication carrier, and the priority of the second communication carrier is higher than the priority of the third communication carrier.

[0028] Among the multiple parameter options, parameters used in the communication carrier selection operation are selected by a user, such as a consumer, an administrator of the wireless device 20, or an administrator of the meter 11, and input to the control device 21 from, for example, the input device 25, the first communication interface 23, the third communication interface 26, or the storage unit 29. Specifically, the user may select a desired parameter from the multiple parameter options by operating the input device 25 and input the selection instruction to the control device 21. Furthermore, if the user's setting device 12 is capable of wireless communication with the wireless device 20, the user may select a desired parameter from the multiple parameter options by operating the setting device 12 and input the selection instruction to the control device 21 via the third communication interface 26. The selection instruction input by the user in this manner is stored in the storage unit 29 by the control device 21. Therefore, in the communication carrier selection operation, the parameter selection instruction is input to the control device 21 from the input device 25, the first communication interface 23, the third communication interface 26, or the storage unit 29.

[0029] In the example of FIG. 2, seven parameter options are set, parameter Nos. 1 to 7. For these parameter Nos. 1 to 3, one communication carrier is set as priority 1. Therefore, by selecting parameter Nos. 1 to 3, the user can limit the target of the communication carrier selection operation to the communication carrier with priority 1. Furthermore, for parameter Nos. 4 to 7, priorities are set to two or three communication carriers. Therefore, by selecting parameter Nos. 4 to 7, the user can set the communication carrier as the target of the communication carrier selection operation in accordance with the priority of the communication carrier in this parameter. In this way, the communication carrier that suits the user's preference can be set as the target of the communication carrier selection operation.

[0030] <Communication Quality Information> In the communication carrier selection operation, a destination communication carrier is selected based on communication quality information of the communication carrier's communication network 40. This communication quality information may include, for example, at least one value of RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ, which is measured by the radio device 20. The larger this value, the better the communication quality of the communication network 40. The communication quality information may be acquired by determining RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ individually or comprehensively.

[0031] RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) is the reference signal received power and indicates the power per reference signal that the wireless device 20 receives from the base station 41 of the communication network 40. SINR (Signal to Inter Noise Ratio) is the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio and indicates the ratio between the power of a desired signal and the power of other signals among the signals that the wireless device 20 receives from the base station 41 of the communication network 40. RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) is the reference signal received quality and indicates the quality of the reference signal that the wireless device 20 receives from the base station 41 of the communication network 40.

[0032] For example, the communication quality information of the communication network 40 is assigned levels as shown in Fig. 3. For example, when the RSRP is less than -140 dBm, the communication quality is very poor and the communication quality is out of range and does not meet the specified communication quality, and the level is 0. When the RSRP is -140 dBm or more and less than -130 dBm, the communication quality is poor and the level is 1. When the RSRP is -130 dBm or more and less than -120 dBm, the communication quality is good and the level is 2. When the RSRP is -120 dBm or more and less than -109 dBm, the communication quality is very good and the level is 3. When the RSRP is -109 dBm or more, the communication quality is very good and the level is 4. Similarly to this RSRP, for example, as shown in Fig. 3, the SINR and RSRQ are also assigned levels.

[0033] Here, when the communication quality of the communication network 40 is at level 0, which means that the communication quality is very poor, or when the communication quality of the communication network 40 is at level 1, which means that the communication quality is poor, the wireless device 20 cannot transmit or receive information to or from the center device 30, or cannot transmit or receive information stably. For this reason, the threshold value of the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier selected as the destination communication carrier in the communication carrier selection operation may be set to, for example, a value that distinguishes between level 1 and other levels 2 or higher. In the example of FIG. 3 , the threshold value of RSRP is −130 dBm, the threshold value of SINR is −5, and the threshold value of RSRQ is −14. The level of the communication quality information may be acquired by determining each of these levels of RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ individually or comprehensively.

[0034] If the communication quality information of this communication network 40 is below the threshold, it does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition. On the other hand, if the communication quality information of the communication network 40 is equal to or greater than the threshold, it satisfies the predetermined quality condition, and the communication carrier selection operation of the communication network 40 is determined as the destination communication carrier and stored in the storage unit 29. Here, for example, if the communication quality information of the communication network 40 includes RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ, if any one of them is below the threshold, the wireless device 20 determines that the communication quality information does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition. On the other hand, if all of RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ are equal to or greater than the threshold, the wireless device 20 determines that the communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality condition. In this way, by setting the destination communication carrier based on the communication quality information of the communication network 40, the wireless device 20 can transmit information to the center device 30 under more stable communication conditions.

[0035] <Communication Carrier Selection Operation> The communication carrier selection operation is executed by the control device 21, for example, according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. Note that, in the following, a case will be described in which the communication quality information of the communication network 40 is comprehensively determined based on RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ, but this communication quality information may be determined based on any one or two of RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ.

[0036] First, the control device 21 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied (step S1). For example, when the reed switch of the input device 25 is turned on, the control device 21 determines that a startup operation has been performed and that the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S1: YES). Then, the control device 21 executes a selection operation to select parameters to be used in the acquisition operation from a plurality of parameter options (step S2). In this selection operation, if the parameters to be used in the acquisition operation are pre-stored in the storage unit 29, the control device 21 acquires (selects) the parameters from the storage unit 29. Note that, for example, if the parameters to be used in the acquisition operation are not pre-stored in the storage unit 29, or if the user wants to select parameters separately even when the parameters are pre-stored in the storage unit 29, the control device 21 acquires a parameter selection instruction from the input device 25, the first communication interface 23, or the third communication interface 26. Then, the control device 21 acquires (selects) the parameters corresponding to the selection instruction from the parameter options.

[0037] Next, the control device 21 executes an acquisition operation to acquire communication quality information of the communication network 40 in accordance with the priority of the communication carrier of the communication network 40 to be connected to from among the options of communication carriers of the communication network 40 connectable via the first communication interface 23 (step S3). In this acquisition operation, the control device 21 connects to the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with the highest priority 1 in the acquisition parameters, measures RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ based on the received signal from the communication network 40, and acquires the measured values ​​as communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with the priority 1.

[0038] Next, the control device 21 executes a determination operation to determine whether the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 1 satisfies a predetermined quality condition (step S4). In this determination operation, the control device 21 determines whether the measured value of RSRP is equal to or greater than its threshold, whether the measured value of SINR is equal to or greater than its threshold, and whether the measured value of RSRQ is equal to or greater than its threshold. If all the measured values ​​of RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 1 are equal to or greater than their thresholds, the control device 21 determines that the communication quality information of the communication network 40 satisfies the predetermined quality condition (step S4: YES).

[0039] Next, the control device 21 executes a determination operation to determine a communication carrier of the communication network 40 whose communication quality information satisfies a predetermined quality condition as a destination communication carrier, which is a communication carrier of the communication network 40 used to transmit information related to the meter 11 (step S5). In this determination operation, if the communication quality information based on the received signal from the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with the first priority satisfies the predetermined quality condition, the control device 21 determines the communication carrier with the first priority as a destination communication carrier and stores the determined communication carrier in the storage unit 29. As a result, the wireless device 20 ends the communication carrier selection operation without executing acquisition operations for subsequent priorities, and also executes an information transmission operation via the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with the first priority that has been determined as the destination communication carrier.

[0040] On the other hand, in the processing of step S4, if at least one of the measured values ​​of, for example, RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ is less than a threshold, the control device 21 determines that the communication quality information does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition (step S4: NO). Then, the control device 21 determines whether the acquired parameters are parameters No. 1 to 3 (step S6). In these parameters No. 1 to 3, only the communication carrier with priority 1 is set, and communication carriers with priorities lower than this are not set. Therefore, if the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 1 does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition, the communication quality information of the communication networks 40 of all communication carriers among the communication carrier options in the parameters does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition.

[0041] Therefore, if the acquired parameter is parameter No. 1 to 3 (step S6: YES), the control device 21 determines the previous destination communication carrier as the destination communication carrier in the determination operation (step S7). This previous destination communication carrier is the communication carrier of the communication network 40 that was connected to the radio device 20 immediately before the current communication carrier selection operation was performed, and is stored in the storage unit 29. Therefore, the control device 21 acquires the previous destination communication carrier from the storage unit 29 and stores it in the storage unit 29 as the destination communication carrier determined in the current communication carrier selection operation. As a result, the control device 21 ends the communication carrier selection operation without performing an acquisition operation for subsequent priorities.

[0042] If the destination communication carrier is different from the communication carrier with priority 1, the wireless device 20 disconnects from the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 1 and then connects to the communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier. If the destination communication carrier is the same as the communication carrier with priority 1, the wireless device 20 does not disconnect from the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 1, but keeps this communication network 40 connected as the communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier. The communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier was connected to the wireless device 20 until the current communication carrier selection operation was performed. Therefore, even after the current communication carrier selection operation is performed, the wireless device 20 can connect to the communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier, thereby preventing a situation in which information transmission operations cannot be performed.

[0043] On the other hand, in the processing of step S6, if the acquisition parameters are not parameters No. 1 to 3 (step S6: NO), the parameters are parameters No. 4 to 7. Communication carriers with priority levels 2 and above are set to these parameters No. 4 to 7. Therefore, the control device 21 executes an acquisition operation to acquire communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority level 2, which is next to priority level 1, in accordance with the priorities set in the acquisition parameters (step S8). In this acquisition operation, the control device 21 disconnects from the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority level 1, then connects to the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority level 2, measures RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ based on the received signal from that communication network 40, and acquires these measured values ​​as communication quality information.

[0044] Next, the control device 21 executes a determination operation to determine whether the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with the second priority satisfies a predetermined quality condition (step S9). In this determination operation, if the control device 21 determines that the communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality condition (step S9: YES), it executes a determination operation to determine the communication carrier with the second priority as the destination communication carrier and store the determined carrier in the storage unit 29 (step S10). As a result, the wireless device 20 ends the communication carrier selection operation without executing acquisition operations for subsequent priorities, and also executes an information transmission operation via the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with the second priority that has been determined as the destination communication carrier.

[0045] On the other hand, in the processing of step S9, if the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 2 does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition (step S9: NO), the control device 21 determines whether the acquired parameters are parameters No. 4 to 6 (step S11). In these parameters No. 4 to 6, only the communication carriers with priority 1 and 2 are set, and communication carriers with priorities lower than these are not set. Therefore, if the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carriers with priority 1 and 2 does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition, the communication quality information of the communication networks 40 of all communication carriers among the communication carrier options in the parameters does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition.

[0046] Therefore, if the acquired parameter is parameter No. 4 to 6 (step S11: YES), the control device 21 executes a determination operation, determines the previous destination communication carrier as the destination communication carrier for the current communication carrier selection operation, and stores the determined destination communication carrier in the storage unit 29 (step S12). As a result, the control device 21 ends the communication carrier selection operation without executing an acquisition operation for the subsequent priorities.

[0047] Then, if the destination communication carrier is different from the communication carrier with priority 2, the control device 21 disconnects from the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 2 and then connects to the communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier. On the other hand, if the destination communication carrier is the same as the communication carrier with priority 2, the wireless device 20 does not disconnect from the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 2, but keeps this communication network 40 connected as the communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier. The communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier was connected to the wireless device 20 until the current communication carrier selection operation was performed. Therefore, even after the current communication carrier selection operation is performed, the wireless device 20 can connect to the communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier, thereby preventing a situation in which information transmission operations cannot be performed.

[0048] On the other hand, in the processing of step S11, if the acquired parameter is not parameter No. 4 to 6 (step S11: NO), the parameter is parameter No. 7. This parameter No. 7 is set to a communication carrier with priority 3. Therefore, the control device 21 executes an acquisition operation to acquire communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 3, which is next to priority 2, in accordance with the priority of parameter No. 7 (step S13). In this acquisition operation, the control device 21 disconnects from the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 2, then connects to the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 3, measures RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ based on the received signal from this communication network 40, and acquires these measured values ​​as communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 3.

[0049] Next, the control device 21 executes a determination operation to determine whether the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 3 satisfies a predetermined quality condition (step S14). In this determination operation, if the control device 21 determines that the communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality condition (step S14: YES), it executes a determination operation to determine the communication carrier with priority 3 as the destination communication carrier and store the determined result in the storage unit 29 (step S15). As a result, the wireless device 20 executes an information transmission operation via the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 3 that has been determined as the destination communication carrier.

[0050] On the other hand, in the process of step S14, if the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 3 does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition (step S14: NO), the control device 21 determines that the communication quality information of the communication networks 40 of all the communication carriers selected from the communication carrier options in the parameters does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition. Therefore, the control device 21 executes a determination operation to determine the previously connected communication carrier as the destination communication carrier and stores the determined destination communication carrier in the storage unit 29 (step S16).

[0051] If this destination communication carrier is different from the communication carrier with priority 3, the wireless device 20 disconnects from the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 3 and then connects to the communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier. On the other hand, if this destination communication carrier is the same as the communication carrier with priority 3, the wireless device 20 does not disconnect from the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 2, but keeps this communication network 40 connected as the communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier. Then, the wireless device 20 performs an information transmission operation using this destination communication carrier.

[0052] In this case, since the previously connected communication carrier is a communication carrier with a priority of one of 1 to 3, the communication quality information of that communication network 40 is, for example, level 0 or 1, and does not satisfy the predetermined quality conditions. However, the previously connected communication carrier was connected to the wireless device 20 until the current communication carrier selection operation. Therefore, even if the communication quality of the communication network 40 is not good, the wireless device 20 can connect to the communication network 40 of the previously connected communication carrier, thereby preventing a situation in which information transmission operations are not possible.

[0053] As described above, in the communication carrier selection operation, an acquisition operation is performed according to the priority of the communication carriers, a determination operation is performed based on the communication quality information acquired by this acquisition operation, and a destination communication carrier is determined based on the determination result of this determination operation. In this determination operation, if the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 1 does not satisfy the predetermined quality conditions, an acquisition operation is performed for the communication carrier with priority 2, and a determination operation and a determination operation are performed based on the information. In this way, the acquisition operation and subsequent operations are repeated according to the priority until the communication quality information of the communication network 40 satisfies the predetermined quality conditions. On the other hand, if the communication quality information of the communication network 40 satisfies the predetermined quality conditions, the communication carrier of that communication network 40 is determined as the destination communication carrier, and subsequent operations such as priority acquisition are not performed.

[0054] Therefore, if the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of a communication carrier with a higher priority than the last priority in the parameters satisfies a predetermined quality condition, it is not necessary to acquire communication quality information of the communication networks 40 of communication carriers with subsequent priorities. For example, parameter No. 7 sets communication carriers up to priority 3. If the communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier with priority 1 satisfies a predetermined quality condition, the first communication carrier, which is the communication carrier with priority 1, is determined as the destination communication carrier without acquiring communication quality information of the communication networks 40 of the subsequent communication carriers with priorities 2 and 3. In this case, since it is not necessary to acquire communication quality information of the communication networks 40 of all communication carriers included in the parameters, the destination communication carrier can be quickly determined. In this way, if the destination communication carrier is quickly determined, the installation time of the wireless device 20 can be shortened and a communication carrier with a communication network 40 with good communication quality can be selected as the destination communication carrier.

[0055] The priority order is set in descending order of communication information, such as the usage fee and communication status of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier. Communication quality information of the communication network 40 of the communication carrier is acquired according to this priority order, and the communication carrier of the communication network 40 whose communication quality information satisfies predetermined quality conditions is determined as the destination communication carrier. As a result, the communication carrier of the communication network 40 whose communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality conditions and has a higher priority order is selected as the destination communication carrier. By using such a destination communication carrier, information (communication information and communication quality) can be transmitted and received with the center device 30 under better communication conditions.

[0056] Additionally, the parameters may include one or more carriers, and the user may select a parameter that includes this one carrier to limit the acquisition operation to this carrier.

[0057] Furthermore, even if the communication quality information of the communication carrier's communication network 40 included in the parameters in the current communication carrier selection operation does not satisfy the predetermined quality conditions, the previously connected communication carrier is determined as the destination communication carrier for the current communication carrier selection operation. Because the communication network 40 of the previously connected communication carrier was used for communication between the wireless device 20 and the center device 30 until the current communication carrier selection operation, it will continue to be used for communication after the current communication carrier selection operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which information transmission operations cannot be performed after the current communication carrier selection operation.

[0058] <Modification 1> In the above embodiment, in the process of step S1 in Fig. 4, when a start-up operation is performed using the reed switch of the input device 25, the control device 21 determines that a predetermined condition has been satisfied. However, the predetermined condition is not limited to this. For example, the control device 21 may measure the elapsed time since the previous execution of the communication carrier selection operation, and determine that the predetermined condition has been satisfied when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined first period (step S1: YES). In this way, the communication carrier selection operation is periodically executed.

[0059] In this way, by executing the communication carrier selection operation at intervals, the control device 21 executes the parameter selection operation in response to changes in communication information such as the usage fee of the communication network 40, and executes the communication quality information determination operation in response to changes in the communication quality of the communication network 40. Therefore, it is possible to execute the information transmission operation with the center device 30 under better communication conditions in response to changes in the communication information and communication quality of the communication network 40.

[0060] Furthermore, when the communication carrier selection operation is executed at intervals in this manner, the control device 21 may periodically execute a setting operation to set an execution period, which is the period from one execution of the communication carrier selection operation to the next execution. Furthermore, in this setting operation, the control device 21 may set this execution period based on communication information such as the usage fee of the communication network 40.

[0061] For example, assume that the priority of the communication carriers of the communication network 40 is determined based on the usage fee of the communication network 40, and the usage fee of the communication network 40 determined in the determination operation is higher than the usage fees of other communication networks 40 among the communication carrier options of the communication network 40. In this case, in the setting operation, the control device 21 may set the period for executing the communication carrier selection operation to be shorter than the predetermined first period.

[0062] Specifically, the communication carrier selection operation is executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied in step S1 of Fig. 4, and ends when a destination communication carrier is determined in the determination operations of steps S5, S7, S10, S12, S15, and S16. The control device 21 sets the execution period, which is the period from one execution of this communication carrier selection operation to the next execution, in accordance with the flowchart showing an example of the setting operation in Fig. 5.

[0063] This operation for setting the execution period of the communication carrier selection operation is periodically performed at predetermined second intervals. Therefore, when the control device 21 performs the operation for setting the execution period of the communication carrier selection operation, it measures the elapsed time since the execution of the setting operation. The control device 21 then determines whether the elapsed time since the previous execution of the setting operation reaches the predetermined second interval (step S21). Here, the control device 21 continues to measure the elapsed time until the elapsed time reaches the predetermined second interval (step S21: NO). When the elapsed time reaches the predetermined second interval (step S21: YES), the control device 21 performs the operation for setting the execution period of the communication carrier selection operation.

[0064] In this setting operation, the control device 21 compares the usage fees of the communication network 40 of the determined destination communication carrier with those of other communication carriers among the communication carrier options for the communication network 40 that can be connected under the contract (step S22). If, as a result of this comparison, a communication carrier with a usage fee lower than that of the destination carrier is included in the communication carrier options (step S22: YES), the control device 21 sets the period for executing the communication carrier selection operation to be shorter than a predetermined first period (step S23). On the other hand, if a communication carrier with a usage fee lower than that of the destination carrier is not included in the communication carrier options (step S22: NO), the control device 21 sets the period for executing the communication carrier selection operation to the predetermined first period (step S24).

[0065] 4, the control device 21 measures the time elapsed since the previous execution of the communication carrier selection operation and determines whether the time elapsed reaches a predetermined first period or a period set shorter than the predetermined first period. When the time elapsed reaches the period, the control device 21 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S1: YES), and executes the subsequent processing.

[0066] In this way, the control device 21 periodically executes the setting operation, and therefore can execute the communication carrier selection operation at a period corresponding to changes in communication information, such as the usage fee for the communication network 40. Also, for example, if the usage fee for the communication network 40 currently being used for the information transmission operation is higher than the usage fees for other communication networks 40, the control device 21 sets a short execution period. Therefore, by changing to a communication network 40 with a usage fee lower than the current communication network 40 as soon as possible, the information transmission operation with the center device 30 can be executed under better communication conditions.

[0067] <Modification 2> In the above-described embodiment and Modification 1, the control device 21 may store setting information indicating whether or not to execute a communication carrier selection operation when the wireless device 20 is restarted. In this case, the control device 21 determines whether or not to execute a communication carrier selection operation according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 showing an example of an execution determination operation of the communication carrier selection operation.

[0068] Specifically, the control device 21 determines whether the wireless device 20 has been restarted (step S31). If the control device 21 determines that the wireless device 20 has been restarted (step S31: YES), the control device 21 acquires setting information indicating whether to execute a communication carrier selection operation from the storage unit 29 (step S32). For example, the setting information may be set by a user using the input device 25 to determine whether to execute a communication carrier selection operation, and the setting information may be stored in the storage unit 29. Alternatively, the setting information may be stored in the storage unit 29 of the control device 21 via the first communication interface 23 when the user wirelessly communicates with the wireless device 20 using the setting device 12 or the center device 30.

[0069] The control device 21 then determines whether the setting information indicates that a communication carrier selection operation is to be performed (step S33). If the setting information indicates that a communication carrier selection operation is to be performed (step S33: YES), the control device 21 executes the communication carrier selection operation shown in FIG. 4 (step S34). In this case, the control device 21 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied in the processing of step S1 of FIG. 4 (step S1: YES), and executes the processing of step S2 and subsequent steps. This determines a destination communication carrier according to the communication conditions at the time of restart, and enables the operation of transmitting information to the center device 30 under better communication conditions using this destination communication carrier.

[0070] On the other hand, in the process of step S33, if the setting information does not specify that a communication carrier selection operation is to be performed (step S33: NO), the control device 21 does not perform the communication carrier selection operation. Then, the control device 21 obtains from the storage unit 29 the communication network 40 that was connected immediately before the restart, and performs an information transmission operation via that communication network 40. As a result, for example, if the wireless device 20 is restarted regardless of the communication conditions of the communication network 40, the communication network 40 that was connected immediately before the restart can be continued to be used, without performing a communication carrier selection operation, thereby quickly performing an information transmission operation with the center device 30.

[0071] <Variant 3> In the above embodiment and variants 1 and 2, if the radio device 20 is unable to transmit information about the meter 11 to the center device 30 because it is outside the communication range of the communication network 40 of the connected communication carrier, it may transmit information about the meter 11 to the center device 30 using another communication network 40 from the communication carrier options other than the communication network 40 of the connected communication carrier.

[0072] Specifically, the control device 21 detects, for example, a situation where the communication quality of the communication network 40 of the destination communication carrier determined by the communication carrier selection operation of Fig. 4 deteriorates, and for example, at least one of the levels of RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ of Fig. 3 becomes 0, causing the communication network 40 to fall out of communication range. In this case, even if the control device 21 transmits information to the center device 30, the center device 30 cannot receive the information, or even if the control device 21 receives the information and transmits a reception response to the wireless device 20, the wireless device 20 cannot receive the reception response. In such a case, the control device 21 cannot terminate the session started by transmitting the information until it receives a reception response, and therefore periodically retransmits the information to the center device 30. Then, when the number of times the information has been transmitted reaches a predetermined number, the control device 21 determines that the retry limit has been reached and terminates the information retransmission.

[0073] Then, the control device 21 selects a communication carrier other than the destination communication carrier from the communication carrier options. For example, if a first communication carrier is used as the destination communication carrier for information transmission operations and the communication network 40 of this first communication carrier goes out of communication range, the control device 21 selects a second communication carrier or a third communication carrier other than the first communication carrier from the options of the first to third communication carriers as the future destination communication carrier based on, for example, priority or the previous destination communication carrier. Note that, similar to when the communication network 40 of the first communication carrier goes out of communication range, when the communication networks 40 of the second communication carrier and the third communication carrier go out of communication range, a communication carrier other than these will be selected as the future destination communication carrier.

[0074] That is, the control device 21 may determine the destination communication carrier from the second communication carrier and the third communication carrier based on the priority order. In the example of Fig. 2, the priority order of the second communication carrier is higher than the priority order of the third communication carrier, so the control device 21 may determine the second communication carrier as the destination communication carrier.

[0075] In addition, if the second or third communication carrier is the previous communication carrier connected immediately before the first communication carrier, which is the current communication carrier, the control device 21 may determine the next communication carrier to be connected to as the previous communication carrier.

[0076] In this way, the control device 21 selects a communication carrier other than the destination communication carrier from the communication carrier options as the destination communication carrier, and executes the operation of transmitting information to the center device 30 using this destination communication carrier. As a result, even if the communication quality of the communication carrier determined as the destination communication carrier by the carrier selection operation deteriorates outside the communication range, the number of times information is retransmitted is limited, thereby suppressing an increase in communication costs associated with retransmission. Furthermore, by executing the information transmission operation using a communication carrier other than the destination communication carrier by the carrier selection operation, the wireless device 20 can suppress a situation in which the information transmission operation cannot be performed.

[0077] It should be noted that many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. Therefore, the above description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure. Details of the structure and / or function thereof may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0078] <Supplementary Note> The above description of the embodiment and modified examples discloses the following technology. Technology 1 is a radio device that transmits information related to a meter that reads electricity, gas, or water usage to a center device using a communication network of a communication carrier, the radio device including a control device and a communication interface, wherein the control device executes a communication carrier selection operation including: an acquisition operation of acquiring communication quality information of the communication network in accordance with a priority of a communication carrier of a communication network to be connected to from among options of communication carriers of the communication network that can be connected to by the communication interface; a determination operation of determining whether the communication quality information satisfies a predetermined quality condition; and a determination operation of determining the communication carrier of the communication network whose communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality condition as a destination communication carrier that is a communication carrier of the communication network used to transmit the information related to the meter, and when the destination communication carrier is determined in the determination operation, the radio device terminates the communication carrier selection operation without executing the acquisition operation for subsequent communication carriers of the priority.

[0079] According to this configuration, the destination carrier is determined based on the priority and communication quality information. As a result, the destination carrier is selected based on the communication network whose communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality conditions and has the highest priority. By using such a destination carrier, meter-related information can be transmitted to the center device under better communication conditions.

[0080] Furthermore, when communication quality information of communication networks is acquired in order of priority, and a communication carrier of a communication network whose communication quality information satisfies a predetermined quality condition is determined as a destination communication carrier, communication quality information of communication networks of communication carriers with subsequent priorities is not acquired. Therefore, the wireless device can quickly transmit information about the meter to the center device using the destination communication carrier selected in the communication carrier selection operation.

[0081] Technology 2 is the radio device described in Technology 1, in which, if the control device determines in the judgment operation that the communication quality information of the communication networks of all the communication carriers included in the options does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition, in the decision operation, the control device determines the communication carrier of the communication network that was connected before the communication carrier selection operation was performed as the destination communication carrier.

[0082] With this configuration, even if the communication quality information of the communication networks of all the communication carriers included in the options does not satisfy the predetermined quality condition, the previously connected communication carrier is determined as the connection destination communication carrier for the current communication carrier selection operation. Since this previously connected communication carrier was used for communication up until the current communication carrier selection operation, the wireless device can prevent a situation in which it cannot transmit information by using the communication network of this communication carrier.

[0083] Technique 3 is the radio device according to Technique 1 or 2, wherein the control device executes the communication carrier selection operation with a period of time between executions of the communication carrier selection operation. With this configuration, even if communication conditions such as the communication carrier's communication network usage fee or communication quality change between the current execution and the previous execution of the communication carrier selection operation, a destination communication carrier is selected in accordance with the change. By using such a destination communication carrier, meter information can be transmitted to the center device under better communication conditions.

[0084] Technology 4 is the wireless device according to Technology 3, wherein the control device periodically executes a setting operation to set the period during which the communication carrier selection operation is executed.

[0085] According to this configuration, an execution period, which is the period between executions of the communication carrier selection operation, is set periodically. Even if communication conditions, such as the communication network usage fee, change during this execution period, the communication carrier selection operation is executed within the execution period set in accordance with the change. This communication carrier selection operation selects a destination communication carrier in accordance with the change, allowing meter information to be transmitted to the center device under better communication conditions.

[0086] Technology 5 is the radio device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 4, wherein the control device stores setting information on whether or not to execute the communication carrier selection operation when the radio device is restarted.

[0087] According to this configuration, if the wireless device is restarted due to a change such as a deterioration in communication conditions, a communication carrier selection operation is performed at the time of restart, and a destination communication carrier is selected in accordance with the changed communication conditions. This allows meter information to be transmitted to the center device under better communication conditions using the communication network of the destination communication carrier. Furthermore, if the wireless device is restarted regardless of a change in communication conditions, the communication carrier selection operation is not performed at the time of restart, and meter information can be transmitted to the center device more quickly using the communication carrier that was connected before the restart. This communication carrier selection operation at the time of restart can be performed in accordance with the user's intentions based on the setting information.

[0088] Technology 6 is the radio device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 5, wherein, when the control device cannot transmit the information about the meter to the center device because it is out of the communication range of the communication network of the destination communication carrier, the control device transmits the information about the meter to the center device using another communication network other than the communication network of the destination communication carrier from among the communication carrier options. With this configuration, even when the radio device is out of the communication range of the communication network of the destination communication carrier, it can reliably transmit the information about the meter to the center device using the other communication network.

[0089] Technology 7 is the radio according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 6, wherein the communication quality information includes at least one measured value of Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), and Signal-to-Noise-and-Interference Ratio (SINR). According to this configuration, by determining a destination communication carrier based on communication quality information such as RSRP, SINR, and RSRQ, it is possible to transmit information about the meter to the center device using a destination communication carrier with better communication conditions.

[0090] Technology 8 is a radio device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 7, in which the control device executes a selection operation to select the parameter to be used in the acquisition operation from a selection of multiple parameters associated with one or more communication carriers of the connectable communication network and the priority order.

[0091] According to this configuration, when a user selects a desired parameter from the parameter options, a communication carrier selection operation is performed based on the communication carriers and their priorities included in the parameter, allowing the wireless device to use the communication network of the communication carrier that best suits the user's preference for transmitting information.

[0092] Technology 9 is the radio according to Technology 8, wherein the control device receives an instruction to select the parameter in the selection operation via the communication interface. With this configuration, for example, a user can use a setting device such as a portable radio terminal or a center device to easily select parameters via wireless communication between the setting device and the communication interface of the radio and input the selected parameters to the control device via the communication interface.

[0093] Technology 10 is the radio according to Technology 8, further comprising an input device that inputs a parameter selection instruction to the control device in the selection operation. With this configuration, a user can easily select a parameter and input it to the control device by operating the input device.

[0094] Technology 11 is a method for operating a radio device that transmits information related to a meter that reads the amount of electricity, gas, or water usage to a center device using a communication network of a communication carrier, the method including: an acquisition operation that acquires communication quality information of the communication network in accordance with the priority of the communication carrier of the communication network to be connected to from among options of communication carriers of the communication network that can be connected to; a determination operation that determines whether the communication quality information satisfies a predetermined quality condition; and a determination operation that determines the communication carrier of the communication network whose communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality condition as a destination communication carrier that is the communication carrier of the communication network used to transmit the information related to the meter; and when the destination communication carrier is determined in the determination operation, the method terminates the communication carrier selection operation without executing the acquisition operation for the subsequent priorities.

[0095] According to this method, a communication carrier of a communication network whose communication quality information satisfies predetermined quality conditions and has a higher priority is selected as the destination communication carrier, thereby enabling meter information to be transmitted to the center device under better communication conditions. Furthermore, communication quality information of the communication networks of the communication carriers is acquired according to priority, and if the communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality conditions, the communication carrier of that communication network is selected as the destination communication carrier. Therefore, communication quality information of the communication networks of communication carriers with lower priorities is not acquired, enabling meter information to be transmitted to the center device more quickly using the selected destination communication carrier.

[0096] 11: Meter 20: Radio 23: First communication interface (communication interface) 25: Input device 30: Center device 40: Communication network 40a: First communication network (communication network) 40b: Second communication network (communication network) 40c: Third communication network (communication network)

Claims

1. A radio device that transmits information related to a meter that reads the amount of electricity, gas, or water usage to a center device using a communication network of a communication carrier, the radio device comprising: a control device and a communication interface, the control device performing a communication carrier selection operation including: an acquisition operation for acquiring communication quality information of the communication network in accordance with the priority of the communication carrier of the communication network to be connected to from among options of communication carriers of the communication network that can be connected to by the communication interface; a determination operation for determining whether or not the communication quality information satisfies a predetermined quality condition; and a determination operation for determining the communication carrier of the communication network whose communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality condition as a destination communication carrier, which is the communication carrier of the communication network used to transmit information related to the meter, and when the destination communication carrier is determined in the determination operation, the radio device terminates the communication carrier selection operation without performing the acquisition operation for the subsequent priorities.

2. The radio device described in claim 1, wherein, if the control device determines in the judgment operation that the communication quality information of the communication networks of all of the communication carriers included in the options does not satisfy the specified quality condition, in the decision operation, the control device decides that the communication carrier of the communication network that was connected before the communication carrier selection operation was performed is the destination communication carrier.

3. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the control device executes the communication carrier selection operation at intervals.

4. The wireless device according to claim 3, wherein the control device periodically executes a setting operation for setting the period during which the communication carrier selection operation is executed.

5. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the control device stores setting information for determining whether or not to execute the communication carrier selection operation when the wireless device is restarted.

6. The radio device described in claim 1, wherein when the control device is unable to transmit information regarding the meter to the center device because it is outside the communication range of the communication network of the destination communication carrier, the control device transmits information regarding the meter to the center device using another communication network other than the communication network of the destination communication carrier among the communication carrier options.

7. A radio according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication quality information comprises at least one measurement of Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) and Signal to Noise and Interference Ratio (SINR).

8. A radio device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control device executes a selection operation to select the parameter to be used in the acquisition operation from a selection of multiple parameters associated with one or more communication carriers of the connectable communication network and the priority order.

9. The wireless device according to claim 8, wherein the control device receives an instruction to select the parameter in the selection operation via the communication interface.

10. The radio set according to claim 8, further comprising an input device for inputting a selection instruction for the parameter in the selection operation to the control device.

11. A method of operating a radio device that transmits information related to a meter that reads the amount of electricity, gas, or water usage to a central device using a communication carrier's communication network, the method comprising: executing a communication carrier selection operation including: an acquisition operation to acquire communication quality information of the communication network in accordance with the priority of the communication carrier of the communication network to be connected to from among options for communication carriers of the communication network that can be connected to; a determination operation to determine whether or not the communication quality information satisfies a predetermined quality condition; and a determination operation to determine the communication carrier of the communication network whose communication quality information satisfies the predetermined quality condition as a destination communication carrier, which is the communication carrier of the communication network used to transmit information related to the meter; and when the destination communication carrier is determined in the determination operation, terminating the communication carrier selection operation without executing the acquisition operation for the subsequent priorities.