Measurement device having communication function

Abstract

This measurement device having a communication function comprises a sensor unit, a communication unit, a control unit, a storage unit (12), and a downloaded data storage unit (15). The storage unit (12) has a region for storing a usage amount measurement program (16) for executing an operation controlled by the control unit. The downloaded data storage unit (15) stores data downloaded via the communication unit. The downloaded data includes a specific scenario (16a) for changing the operation sequence of control by the control unit by referring to the usage amount measurement program (16). The control unit, when executing an operation by using the usage amount measurement program (16), refers to the specific scenario (16a) stored in the downloaded data storage unit (15). Accordingly, even after market installation, the operation sequence of the measurement device having the communication function can be changed.

Description

Measurement equipment with communication capabilities

[0001] The present invention relates to a measurement device having a communication function, and more particularly to a measurement device that can change the operation sequence when acquiring information used to calculate the flow rate of a fluid such as gas, or electric power, by using the communication function.

[0002] In recent years, smart meters with communication functions that enable communication with external devices have been used in measuring devices such as gas meter devices. For example, if a gas meter is taken as an example of a measuring device, the communication function of this gas meter not only allows remote reading of gas usage via a communication line, but also allows gas supply companies to obtain various information such as gas usage status and abnormal gas usage via the communication line. Alternatively, the gas meter device can be remotely operated via the communication line.

[0003] Such gas meter devices can use a wide area communication network as a communication line, allowing software updates via the communication network, similar to general IoT (Internet of Things) devices. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a distribution device that distributes software from a base station to a specific communication device that is the target of a software update among multiple communication devices belonging to the base station based on identification information. Patent Document 1 cites FOTA (Firmware Over the Air) as an example of a method for automatically updating software, and cites a smart meter as an example of a communication device.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-047257

[0005] The operational sequence of smart metered measuring devices is controlled by software. However, once a measuring device has been installed in the market, it is not easy to update the software and change the operational sequence.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to make it possible to change the operation sequence of a measurement device with communication capabilities even after it has been installed in the market.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the measuring device with communication function disclosed herein comprises a sensor unit that acquires information associated with measuring usage, a communication unit capable of communicating with a higher-level device, a control unit, a memory unit having an area for storing a usage measurement program for executing operations controlled by the control unit, and a downloaded data storage unit that stores data downloaded via the communication unit, wherein the downloaded data includes a specific scenario that is referenced by the usage measurement program to change the operation sequence controlled by the control unit, and the control unit is configured to refer to the specific scenario stored in the downloaded data storage unit when executing operations based on the usage measurement program.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the operation sequence is changed by the usage metering program referencing a specific scenario stored in the download data storage unit, rather than by rewriting the usage metering program stored in the memory unit. Therefore, even when using a program that cannot be easily updated, such as a usage metering program that requires software authentication, it is possible to customize the control operation sequence without changing the usage metering program.

[0009] Furthermore, with this configuration, the usage metering program changes the operation sequence by referencing the downloaded specific scenario, but the usage metering program itself is not rewritten. Therefore, changing the operation sequence not only eliminates the need for certification by a certification authority, but also eliminates the need to reset the entire system of the metering device and restart the program.

[0010] Furthermore, with the above configuration, the control operation sequence can be changed based on a specific scenario obtained through communication from a higher-level device without rewriting the usage metering program. This makes it possible to individually change part of the operation sequence of each metering device installed in the market at any time, and eliminates the need to change the operation sequence at the installation site of the metering device.

[0011] Furthermore, the specific scenario has a sufficiently small amount of data compared to the usage measurement program, so that communication with the host device accompanying a change in the operation sequence can be reduced in payload and time.

[0012] Moreover, because the operation sequence can be changed using low-payload and short-time communications, the operation sequence can be optimized according to the status of the measuring devices installed in the market. Therefore, after changing the operation sequence when a specific condition occurs, it is possible to return to the original operation sequence before the change when the specific condition is resolved or a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0013] The measuring device having a communication function according to the present disclosure is not particularly limited, but representative examples include a gas meter device, a water meter device, and an electric power meter device.

[0014] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] The present disclosure, with the above configuration, has the effect of making it possible to change the operation sequence of a measurement device having a communication function even after the device has been installed in the market.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a gas meter device, which is a measurement device according to a representative embodiment of the present disclosure, and a higher-level device with which it communicates. FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing an example of a higher-level device with which the gas meter device shown in FIG. 1 communicates, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing another example of a higher-level device with which the gas meter device shown in FIG. 1 communicates. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a procedure for changing an operation sequence by rewriting a gas meter program (a program for measuring usage) in a conventional gas meter device. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a procedure for changing an operation sequence in the gas meter device shown in FIG. 1 without rewriting the gas meter program (a program for measuring usage). FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a procedure for changing an operation sequence in the gas meter device shown in FIG. 1 without rewriting the gas meter program (a program for measuring usage).

[0017] [Knowledge and other information that forms the basis of the present disclosure] Metering devices installed in the market, such as the gas meter device described above, are assumed to be operated for a long period of time after installation. Therefore, the operation sequence of the gas meter device is not changed throughout its life. However, in recent years, there may be a need to partially change the operation sequence due to changes in laws and regulations or usage conditions after the gas meter device is installed. In such cases, the software that controls the operation sequence is usually updated.

[0018] Some measuring devices, such as gas meters, are subject to regulations related to measuring instruments (such as the Measurement Act in Japan). In such measuring devices, the software that controls the operational sequence must be certified by a certification body. For example, in the case of a gas meter, even if the smart meter software is updated through distribution by a distribution device, software certification by a certification body must be obtained again for the updated software, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Therefore, it is not easy to update the software in a gas meter after it has been installed in the market. This is also true for other measuring devices, such as water meters and electricity meters.

[0019] In response to this, the inventors conducted extensive research and independently discovered that if the operation sequence is changed by writing a specific scenario, rather than by writing a program, to the memory area referenced by the program that controls the operation sequence, rather than by completely updating the software that controls the operation sequence, not only will there be no need to obtain new software certification from a certification body, but it will also be possible to change (customize) the operation sequence according to the situation via communication, and this has led to the completion of the technology disclosed herein.

[0020] Representative embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding elements will be designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In this embodiment, a gas meter device will be used as a representative example of a measurement device having a communication function to describe the specific configuration of the present disclosure.

[0021] [Configuration Example of Gas Meter Device] A typical example of a gas meter device as a measurement device according to the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B.

[0022] 1 , a gas meter device 10 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a sensor unit 13, a communication unit 14, a download data storage unit 15, etc. The gas meter device 10 is also configured to be capable of wireless communication with a host device 20.

[0023] The control unit 11 controls the operation of the gas meter device 10, and the storage unit 12 stores application software (programs) and data required for control by the control unit 11. The specific configuration of the control unit 11 is not particularly limited, and may be a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, an integrated circuit, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a GPU, or the like, either alone or in combination of two or more types, as long as the control unit 11 operates to realize its control function in accordance with a program stored in a storage device (storage unit 12).

[0024] Such a processor as an arithmetic device is a hardware circuit (or processing circuit) because it includes a circuit configured with a large number of transistors, memories, etc. Integrated circuits or ASICs are also hardware circuits because they include processors or processing blocks such as CPUs. FPGAs are hardware circuits because they include a large number of integrated logic circuits (functional blocks). GPUs are hardware circuits because they include a large number of arithmetic circuits (cores) mounted in parallel. Software such as programs stored in a storage device is used to configure hardware circuits (processors, integrated circuits, FPGAs, ASICs, GPUs, etc.). Alternatively, the arithmetic device may be configured as a logic circuit or the like using known switching elements, subtractors, comparators, etc.

[0025] The specific configuration of the storage unit 12 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, a representative example of the control unit 11 is a microcontroller unit (MCU) in which the arithmetic unit and storage unit are integrated. Therefore, an example of the storage unit 12 in the present embodiment is a storage unit (internal memory) integrated as an MCU. Note that the storage unit 12 may be configured as an independent memory (external memory) rather than an internal memory, or may be configured as both an internal memory and an external memory. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 12 does not need to be a single unit, and may be configured as multiple storage units.

[0026] The information stored or saved in the memory unit 12 is not particularly limited, and as described above, may be a program and data (software) for operating the gas meter device 10. In this embodiment, a program for executing operations controlled by the control unit 11 is referred to as a "gas meter program." Therefore, the memory unit 12 may be configured to have an area for storing this gas meter program.

[0027] The sensor unit 13 may be any unit that acquires information related to gas supply. In the example shown in Fig. 1, only one sensor unit 13 is shown in the gas meter device 10, but the configuration example shown in Fig. 1 is schematic, and in reality, multiple sensor units 13 may be provided to acquire multiple pieces of information related to gas supply. For ease of explanation, the various pieces of information related to gas supply acquired by the sensor unit 13 will be referred to as "gas supply information."

[0028] Examples of gas supply information acquired by the sensor unit 13 include gas flow rate (meter reading), pressure value, temperature, earthquake detection, opening / closing of the exterior, power supply voltage drop, and radio wave intensity. In addition to these, various other information that can be used for monitoring or measurement when using the gas meter device 10 can also be included. The specific configuration of the sensor unit 13 that acquires this gas supply information is not particularly limited, and examples include known measuring instruments, detectors, switches, and the like. For example, examples of the sensor unit 13 that acquires (measures) the gas flow rate (meter reading) include known ultrasonic or membrane flow meters.

[0029] The communication unit 14 may be any unit that is capable of communicating with the host device 20. The communication unit 14 may also be capable of communicating with external devices other than the host device 20. For example, the communication unit 14 may be capable of communicating with other gas meter devices 10. The communication method used by the communication unit 14 is not particularly limited, and in this embodiment, a known wireless communication method appropriate for the type of host device 20 is used.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2A , an example of the higher-level device 20 is a master device 21 of a gas meter device 10. In this case, for example, a configuration can be adopted in which communication is performed between the slave gas meter device 10 and the master device 21 via multi-hop wireless communication. A typical example of such a multi-hop wireless communication method is U-Bus Air. U-Bus Air is a low-power wireless communication method that uses the 920 MHz band and is widely used in the field of smart meters.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2B , another higher-level device 20 may be, for example, a carrier communication network 22. The carrier communication network 22 is a mobile phone communication network provided by a telecommunications carrier (carrier). For example, as described above, the gas meter device 10 can form a network with other gas meter devices 10 using a multi-stage relay wireless system using U-bus air. If this network is referred to as a U-bus air network 30, the gas meter devices 10 that form the U-bus air network 30 may be configured to be able to communicate directly with the carrier communication network 22 via the communication unit 14, or may be configured to be able to communicate with the carrier communication network 22 via a relay device 31, as shown in FIG. 2B .

[0032] The carrier communication network 22 is configured to be able to communicate with a center system 23 of a gas supplier. The center system 23 manages a plurality of gas meter devices 10 that make up the U-bus air network 30. Therefore, the gas meter devices 10 can communicate with the center system 23 via the carrier communication network 22. In other words, the higher-level devices 20 that can communicate with the gas meter devices 10 may include the center system 23.

[0033] The communication method used by the communication unit 14 can also be a communication network such as the Internet, a LAN, or a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA). Furthermore, the host device 20 can be, for example, a setting device for the gas meter device 10. In this case, the communication method used by the communication unit 14 can be a specified low-power wireless communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. However, as will be described later, in order to avoid rewriting the gas meter program at the installation site of the gas meter device 10, a communication network such as U-Bus Air, a carrier communication network 22, or the Internet can be suitably used as the communication method.

[0034] The download data storage unit 15 stores data (download data) downloaded via the communication unit 14. The download data storage unit 15 is a dedicated storage means for storing download data acquired via the communication unit 14, and is provided in the gas meter device 10 as a separate component from the storage unit 12.

[0035] In the example described above, the control unit 11 and memory unit 12 of the gas meter device 10 according to this embodiment constitute the MCU, and the memory unit 12 can be an internal memory of the MCU. Therefore, a specific example of the download data storage unit 15 can be a storage device other than the internal memory of the MCU (external memory, etc.). Note that the download data storage unit 15 is not limited to an external memory, and for example, the storage area of ​​the memory unit 12 can be divided into multiple independent areas, one of which can be used as a storage area for the gas meter program and the other can be used as the download data storage unit 15 (storage area for download data).

[0036] The specific configuration of the gas meter device 10 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1 or 2A, and may include components other than the control unit 11, memory unit 12, sensor unit 13, communication unit 14, and download data storage unit 15.

[0037] [Changing the gas meter program and operation sequence] Next, a representative example of the gas meter program used to control the control unit 11 in the gas meter device 10 according to the present disclosure and the configuration for changing the operation sequence controlled by the gas meter program will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

[0038] As described above, the gas meter program stored in the memory unit 12 of the gas meter device 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a program for executing operations controlled by the control unit 11. In the field of the gas meter device 10, such a gas meter program usually needs to be certified by a certification body based on laws and regulations related to measuring instruments.

[0039] A smart meter such as the gas meter device 10 according to the present disclosure can be said to be a meter equipped with a computer (arithmetic device) and operated under software control. Such a software-controlled meter must be capable of accurate metering, which requires the software to operate properly. In other words, if the software operating the gas meter device 10 does not operate properly due to incorrect settings or fraud, accurate metering (gas flow measurement) will be impossible.

[0040] Therefore, for measuring instruments that operate under software control, software certification is carried out, in which pass / fail is determined through predetermined tests and examinations, and a certificate is issued if the instrument passes. A representative example of software certification is the European Measuring Instruments Directive (2014 / 32 / EU). The Measuring Instruments Directive is a directive that is reflected in the domestic laws of European countries, mainly EU member states, and all measuring instruments (including the gas meter device 10) that are introduced to the European (EU) market must meet the requirements of this directive.

[0041] Now, suppose that after the gas meter device 10 has been installed in the market, there arises a need to update the gas meter program that constitutes the software and change its operation sequence. If the installed gas meter device 10 has a conventional, general configuration, the gas meter program is rewritten, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIG.

[0042] The upper part of Fig. 3 schematically shows the memory unit 12 of the gas meter device 10, and the lower part of Fig. 3 partially shows an example of an operation sequence based on the gas meter program 16 as a flowchart. The left side of Fig. 3 (left side) shows the state before rewriting, and the right side of Fig. 3 (right side) shows the state after rewriting (the same applies to Figs. 4 and 5). An area in the memory unit 12 where the gas meter program 16 is stored is schematically shown, and the gas meter program 16 stored in this area is schematically represented as a rectangular shape.

[0043] 3, in the gas meter program 16 before being rewritten, when the power of the gas meter device 10 is turned on (step S01), the gas meter device 10 starts operating, and then predetermined steps are processed under the control of the control unit 11 in accordance with the gas meter program 16. As a result, in the gas meter device 10, the sensor unit 13 acquires gas supply information that can be used for gas supply control through an operation sequence based on the gas meter program 16.

[0044] Here, for example, when a pressure value is acquired as gas supply information from the sensor unit 13, in the configuration before rewriting shown on the left of Figure 3, the control unit 11 controls the sensor unit 13 to turn on pressure measurement (step S11), which causes the sensor unit 13 to measure the pressure value every 30 seconds (step S12), a log of this pressure value measurement is saved (step S13), and then the pressure measurement by the sensor unit 13 is turned off (step S14).This is the following operational sequence.

[0045] However, suppose there is a need to change the operation sequence so that, instead of measuring the pressure value every 30 seconds, the sensor unit 13 measures the pressure value every two seconds a total of 10 times, calculates the average value, and saves the log. Specifically, as shown in the right side of Figure 3, when pressure measurement is turned ON (step S11), under the control of the control unit 11, the sensor unit 13 measures the pressure value every two seconds (step S21), determines whether the pressure value measurements have reached 10 (step S22), and if the pressure value measurements have not reached 10 (NO in step S22), repeats the pressure value measurements (returns to step S21), and if the pressure value measurements have reached 10 (YES in step S22), calculates the average value of the 10 pressure values ​​(step S23), then saves a log of the pressure value measurements (step S13), and turns off pressure measurement by the sensor unit 13 (step S14).

[0046] In the conventional general configuration shown in Fig. 3, as schematically shown in the upper right corner of Fig. 3, the gas meter device 10 communicates with the host device 20 via the communication unit 14 to download a new gas meter program 17 (a vertically long shaded rectangle in the figure) by, for example, FOTA (dotted arrow in the figure). This gas meter program 17 is a program in which step S12 of the gas meter program 16 is replaced with steps S21 to S23. The gas meter device 10 completely overwrites the original gas meter program 16 stored in the memory unit 12 with the downloaded gas meter program 17.

[0047] In such a conventional configuration, firstly, the data volume of the gas meter program 17 is large, so downloading from the host device 20 requires high-payload communication, which takes time. Furthermore, since the gas meter program 16 originally stored in the storage unit 12 is rewritten with the new gas meter program 17, rewriting the program also takes time. Typically, the gas meter device 10 is battery-powered. Therefore, downloading or rewriting a program with a large data volume increases power consumption, which makes the battery more likely to wear down.

[0048] Furthermore, in cases where remote rewriting is difficult, such as with FOTA, an operator must go to the installation site of the gas meter device 10 and individually perform setting work such as program rewriting. In this case, the work of changing the operation sequence becomes even more complicated. Moreover, as described above, in an installed gas meter device 10, the new rewritten gas meter program 17 requires software certification by a certification body. It is usually difficult to obtain software certification in a short period of time. Therefore, it is not easy to change the operation sequence after the gas meter device 10 has been installed in the market.

[0049] In contrast, in the gas meter device 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, instead of completely rewriting the gas meter program 16, a specific scenario 16a (a small, horizontally long, shaded rectangle in the figure) is first downloaded via FOTA or the like (indicated by the dotted arrow in the figure). This specific scenario 16a is data that is referenced by the gas meter program 16 and changes the operational sequence of the control of the control unit 11 by the gas meter program 16. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the specific scenario 16a changes step S12 of the gas meter program 16 to steps S21 to S23.

[0050] In the gas meter device 10 according to this embodiment, the specific scenario 16a is acquired from the higher-level device 20 via the communication unit 14, but the acquired specific scenario 16a is stored in the download data storage unit 15 rather than in the storage area for the gas meter program 16 in the memory unit 12. The control unit 11 references the specific scenario 16a stored in the download data storage unit 15 in conjunction with control by the gas meter program 16. As a result, step S12 of the operation sequence by the gas meter program 16 is changed to steps S21 to S23 (the dotted arrow and the shaded area surrounded by the dotted line in the figure).

[0051] The specific scenario 16a is referenced by the gas meter program 16 to change the operation sequence, and the target of the change is the operation of acquiring gas supply information by the sensor unit 13, such as measuring a pressure value. Therefore, it is possible to accommodate changes in the operation sequence without rewriting the gas meter program 16. Therefore, the data volume of the specific scenario 16a can be made smaller than that of the new gas meter program 17, and therefore downloads from the higher-level device 20 can also be made low-payload communications.

[0052] If the data volume of the specific scenario 16a is small in this way, the time required for downloading it and for referencing it by the gas meter program 16 (changing the operation sequence) can be shortened compared to the time required for completely rewriting the gas meter program 17 as described above. Furthermore, shortening the time required for downloading and changing the operation sequence effectively prevents an increase in power consumption. Therefore, even a battery-powered gas meter device 10 can handle both program downloads and changes to the operation sequence.

[0053] Furthermore, the change in the operation sequence based on the specific scenario 16a is partial and does not rewrite the gas meter program 16 itself. Therefore, even if the operation sequence is changed, there is no need to obtain software certification again from a certification body. Therefore, it is possible to change the operation sequence in the same way as if the gas meter program 16 were rewritten, without obtaining software certification again. This also makes it possible to ensure the latest version of the software within a range unrelated to software certification.

[0054] Furthermore, in the gas meter device 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the gas meter program 16 is customized using the specific scenario 16a downloaded via the communication unit 14. With this configuration, there is no need to reset the entire system of the gas meter device 10, as opposed to a conventional configuration in which the program is rewritten.

[0055] For example, FOTA (Firmware Over the Air) is a method of completely rewriting a program, while "partial FOTA" is a method of partially rewriting a program using FOTA, but these methods result in a program being rewritten whether completely or partially. If the gas meter program 16 is rewritten even partially using FOTA or partial FOTA, as mentioned above, certification from a certification body is basically required, and in addition, in order to validate the rewritten program, the entire system must be reset and the program must be restarted.

[0056] In contrast, with the gas meter device 10 according to this embodiment, the specific scenario 16a is downloaded via the communication unit 14 and stored in the download data storage unit 15, and the gas meter program 16 changes the operation sequence by referring to the specific scenario 16a. Therefore, when changing the operation sequence, the gas meter program 16 does not need to be rewritten, and it is only necessary to replace the specific scenario 16a stored in the download data storage unit 15. Therefore, not only is authentication from a certification body not required, but there is also no need to reset the entire system of the gas meter device 10 and restart the program.

[0057] Furthermore, depending on the situation, it is possible to temporarily change the operation sequence and then revert to the operation sequence before the change, or by using a specific scenario 16a as download data that sets the period during which the operation change is valid, it is possible to revert the changed operation to the original operation after the specified period has expired.

[0058] For example, suppose the gas meter device 10 has a safety function that requires the gas pressure value to be verified in a short period of time. Therefore, as described above, as shown in FIG. 4 , in order to change the measurement of pressure values ​​every 30 seconds by the gas meter program 16 (step S12) to calculation of the average of pressure values ​​measured every 2 seconds (steps S21 to S23), the gas meter device 10 (controller 11) downloads a specific scenario 16a and stores it in the download data storage unit 15. The gas meter program 16 refers to the specific scenario 16a stored in the download data storage unit 15 and partially changes the original operation sequence.

[0059] Thereafter, if the safety function of the gas meter device 10 determines that it is not necessary to verify the gas pressure value in a short period of time, for example, as shown in Fig. 5, the gas meter device 10 (control unit 11) downloads a new specific scenario 16b and stores it in the download data storage unit 15. This specific scenario 16b is data that changes (returns) the calculation of the average value of pressure values ​​measured every two seconds (steps S21 to S23) in the operation sequence of the gas meter program 16 to the measurement of pressure values ​​every 30 seconds (step S12).

[0060] The control unit 11 changes the operation sequence by referring to this specific scenario 16b using the gas meter program 16. As a result, in the gas meter device 10, the operation sequence for measuring pressure values ​​can be temporarily changed in accordance with any given condition, and then, once the condition is resolved, the changed operation sequence can be restored.

[0061] Furthermore, if the changed operation is to be restored to its original state after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, in the example described above, the specific scenario 16a may be configured to set a period of time during which the change in operation is valid. For example, in the example shown in Figure 4, the gas meter program 16 refers to the specific scenario 16a stored in the download data storage unit 15 and partially changes step S12 to steps S21 to S23. In this case, the specific scenario 16a may be configured to set a period of time during which the partial change in steps S21 to S23 is valid, for example, "10 minutes."

[0062] 5, a specific scenario 16b for returning steps S21 to S23 to step S12 is downloaded and stored in the download data storage unit 15, eliminating the need for the gas meter program 16 to refer to it. In this case, when the 10 minutes expire, the gas meter program 16 stops referring to the specific scenario 16a, and the changed steps S21 to S23 are returned to the original step S12.

[0063] 4 or 5, any change to the operation sequence of the gas meter device 10 may be made as long as it is a change to the procedure of the operation of the gas meter device 10 that is executed under the control of the control unit 11. Examples of such an operation sequence include changing the interval at which the sensor unit 13 acquires gas supply information, such as measuring the pressure value, or changing the interval at which the sensor unit 13 measures the temperature.

[0064] Alternatively, the change in the operating sequence may be a change in the conditions for storing the meter reading values ​​(gas flow rate) by the sensor unit 13. For example, the storage period for meter reading values ​​can be set to one week or one month, or even shorter, such as once a day or once or every hour to several hours. Alternatively, the sampling period or the number of samplings of the meter reading values ​​can be changed and stored, such as changing the storage period from every two seconds to every three seconds. For example, if the gas meter device 10 has a safety function, if the safety function determines that there is a possibility of a gas leak, the operating sequence by the gas meter program 16 can be changed so that the meter reading values ​​are stored at a shorter sampling period.

[0065] Alternatively, another modification of the operation sequence in the present disclosure may be a modification of the procedure for handling the gas supply information acquired by the sensor unit 13. Specifically, for example, a change in whether or not to transmit the gas supply information to the host device 20 can be exemplified. For example, the gas meter device 10 may be configured initially not to notify the host device 20 of the gas supply information, and the operation sequence may be modified to notify the host device 20 of the gas supply information only in an emergency, such as when an abnormality occurs in the gas flow measurement function of the gas meter device 10. In this way, even if the operation sequence is modified in an emergency, the operation sequence can be restored when the emergency is lifted, as in the example shown in FIG. 5 .

[0066] Alternatively, the change in the operation sequence may be a response in which the acquired gas supply information is not used for control by the control unit 11 but is notified to the host device 20 as is. In other words, the gas supply information acquired by the sensor unit 13 can be said to be "raw data" associated with gas flow measurement. Normally, the "raw data" is used for control by the control unit 11 of the gas meter device 10, and therefore does not need to be notified to the host device 20. However, when it is determined that there is a possibility that some kind of trouble has occurred in the gas meter device 10, the "raw data" can be transmitted to the host device 20, and the "raw data" can be confirmed by the host device 20.

[0067] Alternatively, the change in the operation sequence may be a change in the execution conditions of communication (conditions for using the communication function) by the communication unit 14. The communication conditions are not particularly limited, but may include, for example, the frequency of transmission or reception by the communication unit 14 to or from the higher-level device 20 (or other external device), the number of retries or retry intervals for connecting to the higher-level device 20 by the communication unit 14, and the communication timeout time by the communication unit 14. By making it possible to change the execution conditions of communication in this way, the communication function of the gas meter device 10 can be made more suitable.

[0068] In this way, the gas meter device 10 of the present disclosure comprises a sensor unit 13 that acquires gas supply information, a communication unit 14 that can communicate with a higher-level device 20, a control unit 11, a memory unit 12 that has an area for storing a gas meter program 16 for executing operations controlled by the control unit 11, and a download data storage unit 15 that stores data downloaded via the communication unit 14. The download data includes specific scenarios 16a and 16b that are referenced by the gas meter program 16 to change the operation sequence controlled by the control unit 11. The control unit 11 stores the specific scenarios 16a and 16b downloaded from the higher-level device 20 via the communication unit 14 in the download data storage unit 15, and when executing operations based on the gas meter program 16, the control unit 11 is configured to be able to change part of the operation sequence by referring to the specific scenarios 16a and 16b stored in the download data storage unit 15.

[0069] In the gas meter device 10 configured as described above, the gas meter program 16 that requires certification from a certification body and is stored in the memory unit 12 is not rewritten, but the operation sequence is changed by the gas meter program 16 referencing the specific scenarios 16a and 16b stored in the download data storage unit 15. Therefore, even when using a program whose software cannot be easily updated, for example, a gas meter program 16 that requires software certification, it is possible to customize the control operation sequence without changing the gas meter program 16.

[0070] Furthermore, the gas meter device 10 configured as described above can change the control operation sequence using the specific scenarios 16a, 16b obtained through communication from the higher-level device 20, without rewriting the gas meter program 16. This makes it possible to individually change part of the operation sequence of each gas meter device 10 installed in the market at any time, and also eliminates the need to change the operation sequence at the installation site of the gas meter device 10.

[0071] Furthermore, the specific scenarios 16a and 16b have a sufficiently smaller amount of data than the gas meter program 16. Therefore, the payload and time required for communication with the host device 20 when the operation sequence is changed can be reduced.

[0072] Moreover, because the operation sequence can be changed using low-payload and short-time communication, the operation sequence can be optimized according to the status of the gas meter device 10 installed in the market. Therefore, after the operation sequence is changed when a specific condition occurs, it is possible to return to the original operation sequence before the change if the specific condition is resolved or a predetermined period of time has expired.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the gas meter device 10 is used as a representative example of a measuring device having a communication function, but it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the gas meter device 10. Other measuring devices having a communication function include, for example, a water meter device and an electric power meter device. If the measuring device is a water meter device, the sensor unit may be one that acquires water supply information (information related to the supply of water), and the program for executing the operations controlled by the control unit may be called a "water meter program."

[0074] Both gas meter devices and water meter devices measure the flow rate of a fluid (gas or water), and therefore can be included in the category of flow rate measurement devices. Therefore, the measurement device according to the present disclosure may include a flow rate measurement device that measures the flow rate of a fluid. In this case, the sensor unit may acquire information associated with the supply of the fluid. Furthermore, the flow rate measurement device is not limited to measuring the flow rate of gas or water, and may also measure the flow rate of other fluids.

[0075] Furthermore, if the measuring device with communication capabilities is an electric power meter device, the sensor unit of the electric power meter device may acquire information associated with the supply of electric power (electric power supply information), but it can also be said to acquire information associated with the measurement of electric power usage (usage measurement information). Similarly, in an electric power meter device, a program for executing operations controlled by the control unit can be called a "program for the electric power meter." Furthermore, when the measuring device according to the present disclosure is a flow measurement device, its sensor unit can also be said to acquire "information associated with the measurement of the usage amount (usage measurement information)" of a fluid.

[0076] Furthermore, programs for gas meters, water meters, and electricity meters can be collectively referred to as "usage measurement programs." In this embodiment, a program certified by a certification body based on laws and regulations related to meters is used as an example of the usage measurement program, but it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to this. The usage measurement program is not limited to a program that is subject to the restrictions of a certification body, and may be any program that does not allow for easy software updates.

[0077] (Additional Notes) Based on the above description of the embodiments, the present specification discloses the following technologies: (Technology 1) A measuring device with a communication function, comprising: a sensor unit that acquires information associated with measurement of usage, a communication unit capable of communicating with a host device, a control unit, a memory unit having an area for storing a usage measurement program for executing operations controlled by the control unit, and a download data storage unit that stores data downloaded via the communication unit, wherein the downloaded data includes a specific scenario that is referenced by the usage measurement program to change the operational sequence of control by the control unit, and the control unit references the specific scenario stored in the download data storage unit when executing operations pursuant to the usage measurement program.

[0078] (Technology 2) The measurement device according to Technology 1, wherein the change in the operation sequence is a change in the measurement interval of the pressure value.

[0079] (Technology 3) The measurement device according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, wherein the change in the operation sequence is a change in the temperature measurement interval.

[0080] (Technology 4) The measurement device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the change in the operation sequence is a change in the storage conditions for the meter reading values.

[0081] (Technology 5) The measuring device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 4, wherein the change in the operation sequence is a change over as to whether or not to transmit the information accompanying the measurement of the acquired usage amount to the higher-level device.

[0082] (Technology 6) A measuring device described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 5, wherein the change in the operation sequence is to transmit the information associated with the measurement of the acquired usage amount to the higher-level device in its original state without using it for control by the control unit.

[0083] (Technology 7) The measurement device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 6, wherein the change in the operation sequence is a change in the execution conditions of communication by the communication unit.

[0084] (Technology 8) A measuring device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 7, wherein the usage measurement program is a program certified by a certification body based on laws and regulations relating to measuring instruments.

[0085] (Technology 9) The measurement device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 8, which is a gas meter device, a water meter device, or an electric power meter device.

[0086] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Therefore, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments or multiple modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0087] Furthermore, many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention 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 invention. Details of the structure and / or function thereof may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0088] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely and suitably used in the field of gas meter devices, particularly in the field of gas meter devices that form a network through communication and that require changes to their operation sequences.

[0089] 10: Gas meter device (measuring device) 11: Control unit 12: Memory unit 13: Sensor unit 14: Communication unit 15: Download data storage unit 16, 17: Gas meter program (usage measurement program) 16a, 16b: Specific scenario 20: Upper device 21: Parent device 22: Carrier communication network 23: Center system 30: U-bus air network 31: Repeater

Claims

1. A measuring device with communication capabilities comprising: a sensor unit that acquires information associated with measuring usage; a communication unit capable of communicating with a higher-level device; a control unit; a memory unit having an area for storing a usage measurement program for executing operations controlled by the control unit; and a download data storage unit that stores data downloaded via the communication unit, wherein the downloaded data includes a specific scenario that is referenced by the usage measurement program to change the operation sequence controlled by the control unit, and the control unit references the specific scenario stored in the download data storage unit when executing operations based on the usage measurement program.

2. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the change in the operation sequence is a change in the interval between pressure value measurements.

3. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the change in the operation sequence is a change in the temperature measurement interval.

4. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the change in the operation sequence is a change in the conditions for storing meter reading values.

5. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the change in the operation sequence is a change over as to whether or not the information accompanying the measurement of the acquired usage amount is to be transmitted to the host device.

6. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the change in the operation sequence is to transmit the information associated with the acquired measurement of the usage amount to the host device in its original state without using it for control by the control unit.

7. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the change in the operation sequence is a change in the conditions for executing communication by the communication unit.

8. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the usage measurement program is a program certified by a certification body in accordance with laws and regulations related to measuring instruments.

9. The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is a gas meter device, a water meter device, or an electricity meter device.

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