Electricity usage amount data collection system, smart meter, and communication control method

Abstract

An electricity usage data collection system (1) is provided with: a plurality of smart meters (10) that constitute a multi-hop network (91); and a collection device (30) that collects, via the multi-hop network (91), electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meter (10). The smart meter (10) executes uplink data filtering processing for deleting a large-capacity communication data part of uplink data for Internet communication that has been received from a user terminal (50). The collection device (30) executes downlink data filtering processing for deleting a large-capacity communication data part of downlink data for Internet communication that is transmitted to the smart meter (10).

Description

Electricity usage data collection system, smart meter, and communication control method

[0001] The present invention relates to an electricity usage data collection system that collects electricity usage data.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A data collection system is known that collects meter readings from smart meters by communicating between the smart meters and a collection device (central processing unit) using a multi-hop wireless communication function (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 070889

[0004] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a technology that enables a user terminal to connect to the Internet by utilizing the communication between a smart meter and a collection device disclosed in the technology of Patent Document 1.

[0005] a meter communication control unit that handles communication over the multi-hop network; a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data relating to the electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs the data to the meter communication control unit; and a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit; and a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network; and an internet connection function unit that relays communication between the smart meters and the internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communication between the communication control unit and the internet, and the internet connection function unit performs a downstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion of downstream data for internet communication to be sent to the smart meters, the large-capacity communication data portion being data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition.

[0006] In a second form, the meter relay function unit is an electricity usage data collection system that performs an upstream data filtering process to delete or replace with upstream dummy data the large-capacity communication data portion of the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition.

[0007] a meter communication control unit that handles communication in the multi-hop network; a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data relating to the electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs the data to the meter communication control unit; and a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit; and the collection device that handles communication in the multi-hop network; a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network; and an internet connection function unit that relays communication between the smart meters and the internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communication between the communication control unit and the internet; and the meter relay function unit performs an upstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with upstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion of the upstream data for internet communication received from the user terminal, the large-capacity communication data portion being data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition.

[0008] Another aspect is the smart meter constituting an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters constituting a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data sent from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the collection device has an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the smart meters and the Internet via the multi-hop network and executes a downstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion that is link data or data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition from downstream data for Internet communication sent to the smart meters, a meter communication control unit that handles communication on the multi-hop network, a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs it to the meter communication control unit, and a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit, The meter relay function unit is a smart meter that performs an upstream data filtering process to delete or replace with upstream dummy data the large-capacity communication data portion of the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition.

[0009] Another aspect is a communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data sent from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters are equipped with a meter communication control unit that handles communication on the multi-hop network, and the collection device is equipped with a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network, and the smart meters execute: usage data generation control that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs it to the meter communication control unit; and meter relay control that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit, and the collection device executes: internet connection control that relays communication between the smart meters and the internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communication between the communication control unit and the internet, and the internet connection control includes executing a downstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among downstream data for internet communication to be sent to the smart meters.

[0010] Another aspect is a communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters that form a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data sent from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters are equipped with a meter communication control unit that handles communication in the multi-hop network, and the collection device is equipped with a communication control unit that performs communication with the multi-hop network, and the smart meters perform: usage data generation control that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs it to the meter communication control unit; and meter relay control that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit, and the collection device performs Internet connection control that relays communication between the smart meters and the Internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, and the meter relay control includes performing an upstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with upstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion of the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal, the large-capacity communication data portion being data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition.

[0011] According to each of the above-described embodiments, when the collecting device relays communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network, it can delete or replace with downstream dummy data a portion of the large-capacity communication data in the downstream data for Internet communication sent to the smart meter. Furthermore, when the smart meter relays communication between the user terminal and the multi-hop network to realize the Internet connection of the user terminal, it can delete or replace with upstream dummy data a portion of the large-capacity communication data in the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal. This reduces the amount of communication traffic related to the transmission and reception of data for Internet communication between the smart meter and the collecting device, and makes it possible to realize the Internet connection of the user terminal without interfering with the smooth communication of electricity usage data in the electricity usage data collection system.

[0012] A fourth form is an electricity usage data collection system in which the smart meter further includes a subordinate control unit that performs subordinate control to control the meter communication control unit so that the upstream data relayed by the meter relay function unit is subordinate to the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit and sent to the multi-hop network.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to realize preferential transmission of electricity usage data.

[0014] A fifth aspect is the electricity usage data collection system, wherein the subordinate control unit executes control to limit the amount of transmission of the upstream data per unit time, as part of the subordinate control.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect, by limiting the amount of upstream data sent per unit time, it is possible to realize preferential sending of electricity usage data.

[0016] A sixth form is an electricity usage data collection system in which the smart meter is equipped with a battery that supplies operating power in the event of a power outage, and the smart meter further comprises an interruption processing unit that controls the meter communication control unit to interrupt transmission of the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit to the multi-hop network in the event of a power outage, and interrupts the subordinate control by the subordinate control unit.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect, the smart meter can be operated even during a power outage. During a power outage, the smart meter can relay communication related to the Internet connection of the user terminal without transmitting electricity usage data.

[0018] A diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an electricity usage data collection system. A diagram showing an example of a display screen for watching a video on a user terminal. A diagram for explaining subordinate control processing. A block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a smart meter. A block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a collection device. A flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in a smart meter.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings. In addition, in this embodiment, a "power outage" does not refer to a momentary power outage or a very short power outage of less than one minute, but rather to a power outage of several minutes to several tens of minutes, or even several hours in some cases.

[0020] 1. Overall Configuration Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an electricity usage data collection system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the electricity usage data collection system 1 includes a plurality of smart meters 10 and a collection device 30.

[0021] The smart meter 10 is installed in a consumer 100 that uses electricity, such as a home, business, or factory, and measures the electricity consumption of the consumer 100. The smart meter 10 forms a multi-hop network 91 with the smart meters 10 of other consumers 100 through a multi-hop wireless communication function (called an "A route" in Japan), and each smart meter 10 generates and transmits electricity consumption data periodically or irregularly. The electricity consumption data transmitted from each smart meter 10 passes through other smart meters 10 and is aggregated by a collection device 30 via the multi-hop network 91 and a WAN 93. For communication via the A route via the multi-hop network 91, a communication method compliant with IEEE 802.15.4, a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) communication method, or more specifically, Wi-SUN (registered trademark: Wireless Smart Utility Network) communication method, can be used.

[0022] The collecting device 30 centrally manages the electricity usage data from each smart meter 10. The collecting device 30 also includes an internet connection function unit 353 (see FIG. 5 ) for connecting to the internet 95, and realizes internet connection of the user terminal 50 via the multi-hop network 91.

[0023] The user terminal 50 is, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal computer, or a tablet computer used by a user at the consumer 100. Communication between the smart meter 10 and the user terminal 50 may be, for example, a wireless local area network (LAN) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Alternatively, Wi-SUN may be adopted as the communication method for Route A.

[0024] 2. Regarding Upstream Data Filtering Process and Downstream Data Filtering Process: Electricity usage data is transmitted via Route A. The wireless communication method used in communication via the multi-hop network 91 (Route A) is a communication method suitable for transmitting electricity usage data, i.e., for exchanging small amounts of data. Therefore, if the user terminal 50 attempts to establish a high-volume Internet connection via Route A, depending on the amount of communication, this may interfere with smooth communication of electricity usage data in the electricity usage data collection system 1 and hinder the original primary purpose of collecting electricity usage data. In other words, to achieve Internet connection for the user terminal 50, a mechanism is needed to appropriately relay communication between the user terminal 50 and the multi-hop network 91 so as not to interfere with the collection of electricity usage data, etc.

[0025] Therefore, the smart meter 10 performs a predetermined filtering process on the upstream data for Internet communication (hereinafter also simply referred to as "upstream data") received from the user terminal 50. This filtering process is called upstream data filtering process. "Upstream" refers to the direction from the user terminal 50 toward the Internet 95. Conversely, the direction from the Internet 95 toward the user terminal 50 is called "downstream". Furthermore, the collection device 30 performs a predetermined filtering process on the downstream data for Internet communication (hereinafter also simply referred to as "downstream data") to be transmitted to the smart meter 10. This filtering process is called downstream data filtering process.

[0026] Specifically, in the upstream data filtering process, the smart meter 10 deletes a high-capacity communication data portion of the upstream data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined high-capacity condition. Furthermore, in the downstream data filtering process, the collection device 30 deletes a high-capacity communication data portion of the downstream data. The high-capacity communication data portion can be determined, for example, by setting a communication capacity that satisfies the high-capacity condition in advance. That is, the upstream data filtering process and the downstream data filtering process are processes, for example, for deleting data that satisfies the high-capacity condition as a high-capacity communication data portion in communication including downloading or uploading data, or for deleting link data that references data, such as video data viewed in streaming format, as a high-capacity communication data portion, when the data satisfies the high-capacity condition.

[0027] According to this, when the user terminal 50 connects to the Internet, it is possible to delete the large-capacity communication data portion of the data for Internet communication and relay the communication between the user terminal 50 and the Internet 95. The user of the user terminal 50 cannot view the large-capacity communication data portion via Route A. Taking the example of viewing a video distribution service, the viewing screen display will be, for example, as shown in Figure 2. That is, no video is displayed in the video display section W11. This is because the video data has been deleted as the large-capacity communication data portion. Meanwhile, the comment display section W13 displays comments written by viewers who have viewed the video. This is because the comment data does not fall under the large-capacity communication data portion.

[0028] Data that does not contain large-volume communication data is transmitted as is in both the upstream and downstream directions. Therefore, for example, when using a message service or e-mail that sends and receives text information, the data can be used on the user terminal 50 without deleting the data. Also, when browsing a homepage that contains only text information without videos, the data can be used on the user terminal 50 without deleting the data.

[0029] Here, the upstream data filtering process is exemplified as a process of deleting a large-volume communication data portion of the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal 50. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the large-volume communication data portion is replaced with upstream dummy data that does not satisfy the large-volume condition. The upstream dummy data may be, for example, NULL code data or predetermined text data. This can be achieved by setting the upstream dummy data in the smart meter 10 in advance.

[0030] Similarly, the downstream data filtering process may be configured to replace the large-volume communication data portion of the downstream data for Internet communication transmitted to the smart meter 10 with downstream dummy data that does not satisfy the large-volume condition. This can be achieved by setting the downstream dummy data in advance in the collection device 30. For example, when a homepage including a video display portion is opened on the user terminal 50, an image indicating that the data is dummy data is displayed in the video display portion of the viewing screen. The downstream dummy data is preferably data displaying text such as "This data portion has been deleted before communication" or "The large-volume data portion has been deleted due to communication via the smart meter," and is set in advance in the collection device 30. In this case, the display on the video display unit W11 in FIG. 2 is replaced with dummy data such as "This data portion has been deleted before communication."

[0031] 3. Subordinate Control Processing A multi-hop network 91 is configured with a plurality of smart meters 10. In the multi-hop network 91, electricity usage data is relayed and transmitted to the collection device 30 via multi-hop communication between the smart meters 10. Communication of electricity usage data is the primary objective of the electricity usage data collection system 1 and must be smoothly realized. Data communication for Internet connection is added to the communication of electricity usage data in the multi-hop network 91. Therefore, the smart meter 10 performs subordinate control to control the meter communication control unit 171 (see FIG. 4 ) so that upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal 50 is transmitted to the multi-hop network 91 at a lower priority than the electricity usage data. The meter communication control unit 171 is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network 91. In this embodiment, the smart meter 10 performs control to limit the amount of upstream data transmitted per unit time as part of the subordinate control.

[0032] 3 is a diagram for explaining the subordinate control process, and shows a first buffer B11 for electricity usage data used in the subordinate control process and a second buffer B13 for upstream data of internet communication. Each of the buffers B11 and B13 is provided in the smart meter 10, and both are FIFO (First In, First Out) buffers.

[0033] The first buffer B11 temporarily stores packets P11 of electricity usage data waiting to be sent from the smart meter 10. The packets P11 of electricity usage data include not only packets of electricity usage data measured by the smart meter 10 but also packets of electricity usage data to be transferred from other smart meters 10 via the smart meter 10. The second buffer B13 temporarily stores packets P13 of upstream data waiting to be sent from the smart meter 10.

[0034] In the subordinate control process, the smart meter 10 controls the meter communication control unit 171 to output packets P11 from the first buffer B11 and packets P13 from the second buffer B13 at a predetermined bias ratio, as subordinate control. Specifically, the smart meter 10 repeats a control to sequentially send, for example, four packets P11 from the first buffer B11 and a control to send, for example, one packet P13 from the second buffer B13 in the order numbered (1) to (6) in Fig. 3 .

[0035] The weighting ratio may be set as appropriate so long as the output frequency of the electricity usage data packet P11 is high and the output frequency of the upstream data packet P13 is low. This ratio (in the example of FIG. 3 , four packets P11 to one packet P13) may be set appropriately. This limits the amount of upstream data sent per unit time for Internet communication, enabling control to prioritize the upstream data over the electricity usage data before sending it to the multi-hop network 91. Therefore, the electricity usage data can be sent preferentially. If the second buffer B13 does not store the packet P13, the packet P11 stored in the first buffer B11 is continuously sent. Conversely, if the first buffer B11 does not store the packet P11, the packet P13 stored in the second buffer B13 is continuously sent.

[0036] 4. Processing for Suspending Transmission of Electricity Usage Data and Subordinate Control As described above, in the electricity usage data collection system 1 of this embodiment, to ensure reliable collection of electricity usage data, the smart meter 10 performs subordinate control, controlling the meter communication control unit 171 to transmit the upstream data to the multi-hop network 91 at a subordinate position to the electricity usage data. However, when a power outage occurs, there is no need to transmit the electricity usage data. On the other hand, because a power outage is an emergency, convenience would be improved if the communication capacity normally used for communicating electricity usage data could be used for connecting the user terminal 50 to the Internet.

[0037] Therefore, in this embodiment, the smart meter 10 is provided with a battery 131 (see FIG. 4 ) so that it can supply operating power even during a power outage. When the external power supply is interrupted, the smart meter 10 determines that a power outage has occurred and executes an interruption process to control the meter communication control unit 171 to interrupt transmission of electricity usage data to the multi-hop network 91 and to interrupt the subordinate control. Because electricity usage is zero during a power outage, interrupting transmission of electricity usage data and interrupting the subordinate control does not cause any problems. Therefore, during a power outage, the packet P13 is basically transmitted continuously.

[0038] 5. Functional Configuration of the Smart Meter Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the smart meter 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the smart meter 10 includes a metering unit 110, a power supply unit 130, a first communication unit 150, a second communication unit 160, a processing unit 170, and a storage unit 190, and is configured as a type of computer system.

[0039] The metering unit 110 measures the amount of electricity used by the consumer 100 .

[0040] The power supply unit 130 includes a battery 131, and switches between power from an external power source such as a commercial power source and power from the battery 131 to supply operating power for operating each unit of the smart meter 10. Specifically, when receiving power from the external power source, the power supply unit 130 supplies the power to each unit of the smart meter 10. On the other hand, when a power outage occurs and the external power source is cut off, the power supply unit 130 notifies the processing unit 170 of the occurrence of the power outage and automatically starts control to supply power from the battery 131 to each unit of the smart meter 10. This allows the smart meter 10 to operate even during a power outage.

[0041] The first communication unit 150 connects to the multi-hop network 91 and realizes communication (route A) with the collection device 30. For example, the first communication unit 150 is configured with a communication device compatible with Wi-SUN. The second communication unit 160 realizes communication with the user terminal 50. For example, the second communication unit 160 is configured with a communication device compatible with wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

[0042] The processing unit 170 is realized by an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a control board including the arithmetic circuit, and performs various arithmetic processing based on programs, data, etc. stored in the memory unit 190 to control the operation of the smart meter 10.

[0043] In this embodiment, the processing unit 170 includes a meter communication control unit 171, a usage data generation control unit 172, a meter relay function unit 173, a subordinate control unit 174, and an interruption processing unit 175. Each function unit may be an arithmetic processing block realized as software by executing a program, or may be a circuit block realized by a signal processing circuit. In this embodiment, the processing unit 170 will be described as an arithmetic processing block realized as software by executing a predetermined program.

[0044] The meter communication control unit 171 is a functional unit that is responsible for communication over the multi-hop network 91 , and controls communication with the collection device 30 via the multi-hop network 91 .

[0045] In this embodiment, the meter communication control unit 171 creates packets conforming to the Wi-SUN standard based on the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit 172 and input to the meter communication control unit 171. The created packets are stored in a first buffer B11 (see FIG. 3). The first buffer B11 also stores packets of electricity usage data from other smart meters 10. The meter communication control unit 171 also creates packets conforming to the standard based on upstream data for Internet communication relayed by the meter relay function unit 173. The created packets are stored in a second buffer B13 (see FIG. 3). The meter communication control unit 171 then sequentially transmits the packets from the first buffer B11 and the second buffer B13 to the multi-hop network 91. At this time, the meter communication control unit 171 transmits the packets from the first buffer B11 and the second buffer B13 in the order of the subordinate control according to the subordinate control of the subordinate control unit 174.

[0046] Furthermore, during a power outage, the meter communication control unit 171 suspends the transmission of packets from the first buffer B11 under the control of the interruption processing unit 175. During a power outage, the subordinate control of the subordinate control unit 174 is also suspended by the interruption processing unit 175. Therefore, during a power outage, the meter communication control unit 171 sequentially transmits packets from the second buffer B13 to the multi-hop network 91.

[0047] The usage data generation control unit 172 periodically or irregularly generates electricity usage data relating to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter 10, and outputs the data to the meter communication control unit 171. In this embodiment, the usage data generation control unit 172 generates a 30-minute value of the active energy measured by the metering unit 110 as electricity usage data every 30 minutes, and outputs the data to the meter communication control unit 171. Note that the generation and output of electricity usage data is not limited to a configuration in which the data is generated and output periodically, and may be a configuration in which the data is generated and output irregularly.

[0048] The meter relay function unit 173 performs meter relay control to relay communication between the user terminal 50 and the meter communication control unit 171 in order to realize an Internet connection for the user terminal 50. At that time, the meter relay function unit 173 executes an upstream data filtering process to delete large-volume communication data portions from the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal 50.

[0049] The subordinate control unit 174 performs subordinate control to control the meter communication control unit 171 so that the upstream data relayed by the meter relay function unit 173 is subordinate to the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit 172 and sent to the multi-hop network 91.

[0050] In the event of a power outage, the interruption processing unit 175 controls the meter communication control unit 171 to interrupt the transmission of electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit 172 to the multi-hop network 91, and interrupts the subordinate control by the subordinate control unit 174.

[0051] The storage unit 190 is realized by a storage medium such as an IC memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 190 pre-stores programs for operating the smart meter 10 and realizing various functions of the smart meter 10, data used during execution of the programs, etc., or temporarily stores them each time processing is performed. In this embodiment, the storage unit 190 stores programs for causing the processing unit 170 to function as a meter communication control unit 171, a usage data generation control unit 172, a meter relay function unit 173, a subordinate control unit 174, and an interruption processing unit 175. Data of the metering result by the metering unit 110 is also saved in the storage unit 190.

[0052] 6. Functional Configuration of the Collection Device Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the collection device 30. As shown in Fig. 5, the collection device 30 is a type of computer system including an input unit 310, a display unit 320, a third communication unit 330, a fourth communication unit 340, a processing unit 350, and a storage unit 370.

[0053] The input unit 310 is realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to an operation input to the processing unit 350. The display unit 320 is realized by a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a touch panel, and performs various displays corresponding to display signals from the processing unit 350.

[0054] The third communication unit 330 is connected to the multi-hop network 91 to realize communication (route A) with the smart meter 10. For example, the third communication unit 330 is configured with a communication device compatible with Wi-SUN. The fourth communication unit 340 is connected to the Internet 95 to realize communication.

[0055] The processing unit 350 is realized by an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU or a control board including the arithmetic circuit, and controls the operation of the collection device 30. The processing unit 350 controls the operation of the collection device 30 by performing various arithmetic processes based on the programs, data, etc. stored in the storage unit 370.

[0056] In this embodiment, the processing unit 350 includes a communication control unit 351, a data collection unit 352, and an internet connection function unit 353. Each function unit may be an arithmetic processing block realized as software by executing a program, or may be a circuit block realized by a signal processing circuit. In this embodiment, the processing unit 350 will be described as an arithmetic processing block realized as software by executing a predetermined program.

[0057] The communication control unit 351 executes communication with the multi-hop network 91. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 351 creates packets conforming to the Wi-SUN standard based on downstream data for Internet communication relayed by the Internet connection function unit 353, and sequentially sends the packets to the multi-hop network 91. The electricity usage data received from the smart meter 10 via the multi-hop network 91 is output to the data collection unit 352.

[0058] The data collection unit 352 collects electricity usage data from each smart meter 10 that constitutes the multi-hop network 91 .

[0059] The Internet connection function unit 353 relays communication between the communication control unit 351 and the Internet 95, thereby performing Internet connection control to relay communication between the smart meter 10 and the Internet 95 via the multi-hop network 91. At that time, the Internet connection function unit 353 executes downstream data filtering processing to remove large-volume communication data portions from downstream data for Internet communication to be transmitted to the smart meter 10. It can also be said that the Internet connection function unit 353 and the fourth communication unit 340 realize a kind of provider function.

[0060] The storage unit 370 is realized by a storage medium such as an IC memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 370 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the collection device 30 and realizing various functions of the collection device 30, data used during execution of the programs, etc. In this embodiment, the storage unit 370 stores programs for causing the processing unit 350 to function as a communication control unit 351, a data collection unit 352, and an Internet connection function unit 353. Furthermore, the electricity usage DB 371 accumulates and stores electricity usage data collected from each smart meter 10 constituting the multi-hop network 91.

[0061] 7. Processing Flow in the Smart Meter Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow in the smart meter 10. As shown in Fig. 6, in the smart meter 10, first, the usage data generation control unit 172 periodically generates electricity usage data and starts control to output the data to the meter communication control unit 171 (step S1).

[0062] Next, the subordinate control unit 174 executes subordinate control processing and starts subordinate control to control the meter communication control unit 171 so that the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal is subordinate to the electricity usage data generated and output in step S1 and sent to the multi-hop network 91 (step S3).

[0063] Then, the meter communication control unit 171 communicates with the multi-hop network 91 and starts generating and sending packets for communication via the multi-hop network 91 (step S4). The meter communication control unit 171 generates packets of the electricity usage data generated by the control started in step S1 and input to the meter communication control unit 171 as needed. The meter communication control unit 171 also generates packets of upstream data to be relayed in subsequent step S7 as needed. Then, under the subordinate control started in step S3, the meter communication control unit 171 sends the packets of the electricity usage data and the packets of the upstream data to the multi-hop network 91 in the order of the subordinate control.

[0064] Steps S1 to S4 may be considered the startup process of the smart meter 10. After the smart meter 10 starts up and executes step S4, it enters into steady-state control, repeatedly executing step S5 and subsequent steps. First, the smart meter 10 monitors an Internet connection in response to a communication request from the user terminal 50. If there is communication with the user terminal 50 (step S5: YES), the meter relay function unit 173 relays communication between the user terminal 50 and the meter communication control unit 171 to realize Internet connection of the user terminal 50 (step S7). At that time, the meter relay function unit 173 executes an upstream data filtering process to remove large-volume communication data portions from the upstream data.

[0065] Furthermore, the processing unit 170 determines that a power outage has occurred if the external power supply is interrupted, based on a notification from the power supply unit 130 or the like (step S9: YES). Even if a power outage occurs, the smart meter 10 continues to operate because the operating power for the smart meter 10 is automatically supplied from the battery 131. When a power outage occurs, the interruption processing unit 175 executes interruption processing and controls the meter communication control unit 171 to interrupt the transmission of electricity usage data to the multi-hop network 91, which is being performed as needed by the control started in step S4. The processing unit 175 also interrupts the subordinate control started in step S3 (step S11). By this processing, during a power outage, it is possible to relay communication related to the user terminal's Internet connection without transmitting electricity usage data.

[0066] Then, when the power is restored after the power outage (step S13: YES), the meter communication control unit 171 resumes the transmission of the electricity usage data interrupted in step S9 to the multi-hop network 91 (step S15). Also, the subordinate control unit 174 resumes the subordinate control interrupted in step S9 (step S17).

[0067] According to this embodiment, when the collecting device 30 relays communication between the smart meter 10 and the Internet 95 via the multi-hop network 91, it can delete or replace with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion of downstream data for Internet communication to be transmitted to the smart meter 10. Furthermore, when the smart meter 10 relays communication between the user terminal 50 and the multi-hop network 91 to realize Internet connection for the user terminal 50, it can delete or replace with upstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion of upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal 50. This can reduce the amount of communication traffic related to sending and receiving data for Internet communication between the smart meter 10 and the collecting device 30, and it becomes possible to realize Internet connection for the user terminal 50 without interfering with smooth communication of electricity usage data in the electricity usage data collection system 1.

[0068] Although an example of an embodiment has been described above, the form to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the embodiment has been described in which the smart meter 10 performs both a process of deleting a large-capacity communication data portion of upstream data for Internet communication and a process of deleting a large-capacity communication data portion of downstream data for Internet communication. However, only one of the processes may be performed, rather than both. For example, the smart meter 10 may not perform a process of deleting a large-capacity communication data portion of upstream data for Internet communication, and the collection device 30 may perform a process of deleting a large-capacity communication data portion of downstream data for Internet communication. Conversely, the collection device 30 may not perform a process of deleting a large-capacity communication data portion of downstream data for Internet communication, and the smart meter 10 may perform a process of deleting a large-capacity communication data portion of upstream data for Internet communication.

[0069] [Summary] The contents disclosed in this specification can be summarized as follows.

[0070] (First form) An electricity usage data collection system comprising a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network, and a collection device that collects electricity usage data sent from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters comprise: a meter communication control unit that handles communication on the multi-hop network; a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data relating to electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs the data to the meter communication control unit; and a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit; and the collection device comprises: a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network; and an internet connection function unit that relays communication between the smart meters and the internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communication between the communication control unit and the internet, and the internet connection function unit performs downstream data filtering processing to delete or replace with downstream dummy data high-capacity communication data portions of downstream data for internet communication to be sent to the smart meters, the high-capacity communication data portions being data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined high-capacity condition.

[0071] (Second form) The electricity usage data collection system of the first form, wherein the meter relay function unit performs an upstream data filtering process to delete or replace with upstream dummy data a portion of the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal, the portion being data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large capacity condition.

[0072] (Third form) An electricity usage data collection system comprising a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data sent from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters comprise: a meter communication control unit that handles communication on the multi-hop network; a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data relating to electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs the data to the meter communication control unit; and a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit; wherein the collection device comprises: a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network; and an internet connection function unit that relays communication between the smart meters and the internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communication between the communication control unit and the internet; and the meter relay function unit performs an upstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with upstream dummy data large-capacity communication data portions of upstream data for internet communication received from the user terminal, the large-capacity communication data portions being data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition.

[0073] (Fourth Form) The electricity usage data collection system of any one of the first to third forms, wherein the smart meter further includes a subordinate control unit that performs subordinate control to control the meter communication control unit so that the upstream data relayed by the meter relay function unit is subordinate to the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit and sent to the multi-hop network.

[0074] (Fifth Mode) The electricity usage data collection system according to the fourth mode, wherein the subordinate control unit executes control to limit the amount of transmission of the upstream data per unit time as part of the subordinate control.

[0075] (Sixth form) The electricity usage data collection system of the fourth or fifth form, wherein the smart meter includes a battery that supplies operating power in the event of a power outage, and the smart meter further includes an interruption processing unit that controls the meter communication control unit to interrupt transmission of the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit to the multi-hop network in the event of a power outage, and interrupts the subordinate control by the subordinate control unit.

[0076] (Seventh Mode) A smart meter constituting an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters constituting a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data sent from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the collection device has an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the smart meters and the Internet via the multi-hop network and performs downstream data filtering processing to delete or replace with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion that is link data or data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition from downstream data for Internet communication sent to the smart meters, a meter communication control unit that handles communication on the multi-hop network, a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs it to the meter communication control unit, and a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit, The meter relay function unit performs an upstream data filtering process to delete or replace with upstream dummy data a portion of the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal, the portion being high-capacity communication data that is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined high-capacity condition.

[0077] (Eighth Form) A communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data sent from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters are equipped with a meter communication control unit that handles communication on the multi-hop network, and the collection device is equipped with a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network, and the smart meters execute: usage data generation control that generates the electricity usage data related to electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs it to the meter communication control unit; and meter relay control that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit, and the collection device executes: internet connection control that relays communication between the smart meters and the internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communication between the communication control unit and the internet, and the internet connection control includes executing a downstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from downstream data for internet communication to be transmitted to the smart meters.

[0078] (Ninth Form) A communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data sent from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters are equipped with a meter communication control unit that handles communication on the multi-hop network, and the collection device is equipped with a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network, the smart meters execute usage data generation control that generates the electricity usage data related to electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs it to the meter communication control unit, and meter relay control that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit, and the collection device executes Internet connection control that relays communication between the smart meters and the Internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, and the meter relay control includes executing an upstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with upstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion of upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal, the large-capacity communication data portion being data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition.

[0079] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Electricity usage data collection system 10...Smart meter 110...Metering unit 130...Power supply unit 131...Battery 150...First communication unit 160...Second communication unit 170...Processing unit 171...Meter communication control unit 172...Usage data generation control unit 173...Meter relay function unit 174...Subordinate control unit 175...Interruption processing unit 190...Memory unit 30...Collecting device 330...Third communication unit 340...Fourth communication unit 350...Processing unit 351...Communication control unit 352...Data collection unit 353...Internet connection function unit 370...Memory unit 371...Electricity usage DB 50...User terminal 91...Multi-hop network 93...WAN 95...Internet 100...Consumer

Claims

1. An electricity usage data collection system comprising: a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network; and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters comprise: a meter communication control unit that handles communications in the multi-hop network; a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data relating to electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs the data to the meter communication control unit; and a meter relay function unit that relays communications between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit; and the collection device comprises: a communication control unit that executes communications with the multi-hop network; and an Internet connection function unit that relays communications between the smart meters and the Internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communications between the communication control unit and the Internet, and the Internet connection function unit performs downstream data filtering processing to delete or replace with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from downstream data for Internet communication to be transmitted to the smart meter.

2. The electricity usage data collection system of claim 1, wherein the meter relay function unit performs an upstream data filtering process to delete or replace with upstream dummy data the large-volume communication data portion of the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal, the large-volume communication data portion being data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-volume condition.

3. An electricity usage data collection system comprising: a plurality of smart meters constituting a multi-hop network; and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters comprise: a meter communication control unit that handles communications in the multi-hop network; a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data relating to electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs the data to the meter communication control unit; and a meter relay function unit that relays communications between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit; and the collection device comprises: a communication control unit that executes communications with the multi-hop network; and an Internet connection function unit that relays communications between the smart meters and the Internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communications between the communication control unit and the Internet, and the meter relay function unit performs an upstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with upstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal.

4. The electricity usage data collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the smart meter further comprises a subordinate control unit that performs subordinate control to control the meter communication control unit so that the upstream data relayed by the meter relay function unit is sent to the multi-hop network in a subordinate manner to the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit.

5. The electricity usage data collection system according to claim 4, wherein the subordinate control unit executes control to limit the amount of transmission of the upstream data per unit time as part of the subordinate control.

6. The electricity usage data collection system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the smart meter is provided with a battery that supplies operating power in the event of a power outage, and the smart meter further comprises an interruption processing unit that controls the meter communication control unit to interrupt the transmission of the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit to the multi-hop network in the event of a power outage, and interrupts the subordinate control by the subordinate control unit.

7. A smart meter constituting an electricity usage data collection system comprising a plurality of smart meters constituting a multi-hop network, and a collection device that collects electricity usage data sent from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the collection device has an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the smart meters and the Internet via the multi-hop network, and executes a downstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion that is link data or data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, among downstream data for Internet communication sent to the smart meters; a meter communication control unit that handles communication in the multi-hop network; a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data relating to the electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputs it to the meter communication control unit; and a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit, The meter relay function unit executes an upstream data filtering process to delete or replace with upstream dummy data a portion of the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal, the portion being high-volume communication data that is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined high-volume condition.

8. A communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system comprising a plurality of smart meters constituting a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters are equipped with a meter communication control unit that handles communication in the multi-hop network, and the collection device is equipped with a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network, the smart meters execute: usage data generation control for generating the electricity usage data relating to electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputting it to the meter communication control unit; and meter relay control for relaying communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit, and the collection device executes: Internet connection control for relaying communication between the smart meters and the Internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, and the Internet connection control includes executing a downstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from downstream data for Internet communication to be transmitted to the smart meter.

9. A communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system comprising a plurality of smart meters constituting a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters are equipped with a meter communication control unit that handles communication in the multi-hop network, and the collection device is equipped with a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network, wherein the smart meters execute: usage data generation control for generating the electricity usage data relating to electricity usage measured by the smart meters and outputting it to the meter communication control unit; and meter relay control for relaying communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit, and the collection device executes: Internet connection control for relaying communication between the smart meters and the Internet via the multi-hop network by relaying communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, and the meter relay control includes executing an upstream data filtering process that deletes or replaces with upstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal.

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