JP2001283367A - Wide area information communication system for gas related equipment using wireless - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To solve the problem of the present invention, to reduce the cost of the whole system, to prevent the generation of a radio wave dead zone by giving flexibility to the installation position of the radio, and to use a dedicated frequency radio wave It is an object of the present invention to provide an information communication system that does not require application / acquisition. A wide-area information communication system includes a gas meter for measuring an amount of fuel gas used, a wireless device electrically connected to the gas meter, and a wireless device for performing wireless communication with the wireless device. And a wireless device 8 having a relay function for autonomously selecting a relay destination and electrically connected to the wireless device 7, and a management device electrically connected to a wireless device 8z having the same function as the wireless device 8. It has a computer 5. Here, the wireless device 8
Can be communicated with all other wireless devices 8 by being relayed directly or by the relay function of one or more other wireless devices 8. The management computer 5 inquires of the arbitrary gas meter 4 about the meter reading value via the above-mentioned communication path in order to collect the meter reading value (gas usage amount) of the arbitrary gas meter 4, and the gas meter 4 responds to this inquiry. The measured meter reading value is returned via the communication path.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wide area information communication system which collects information of gas meters distributed over a wide area by radio.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, gas meters installed in a wide area have been provided with the following methods as a method for collecting various information including the meter readings.

[0003] One is a method of collecting information offline without using a network. This is a method in which an administrator directly reads and records information such as a meter reading of a gas meter by visual observation and collects the information. Alternatively, a method of reading information such as a meter reading of a gas meter using a dedicated reading device and collecting the information is used. Here, the reading device is, for example, a device that connects a communication line, performs communication between the gas meter and the reading device, and reads information such as a meter reading. There is also a reading device that performs communication using wireless communication or optical communication instead of communication using a communication line.

[0004] However, in such a method of collecting information off-line, the manager must directly move to a position where the gas meter is installed, and the burden on the manager is heavy.

[0005] Therefore, usually, a method of collecting information online using a network has been adopted. This is a method in which a communication device is added to a gas meter to have a communication function and communicate with a processing device that collects, stores, and processes information.

In this method, a communication carrier line or a private line is usually used as a network line. Telecommunications carrier lines include a wired telephone network and a wireless line. Examples of the wired telephone network include an analog line, a digital line,
A packet network, a facsimile line, and the like are conceivable. As the wireless line, for example, a mobile phone, PHS, MCA (mult
i-channel access radio system) Radio, teleterminal, satellite communication, etc. are conceivable.

[0007] In a communication carrier line, a communication fee is generally generated each time communication is performed, and there is a case where the cost of information is not proportional to the communication fee. A dedicated line that does not work is used.

[0008] There are a method of renting this dedicated line from a telecommunications carrier and a method of laying the line by itself. When renting from a telecommunications carrier, there are a large number of communication targets in a wide area like the gas meter described above. In such a case, the cost is generally higher than that of a communication carrier line that pays a communication fee each time. In such a case, a method of laying a private line is used.

When laying a private line, there are a method of laying a line by wire and a method of laying a line by wireless. In the case where the communication target is a large number of wide areas, the method of laying a line by wire requires a large amount of construction cost, and therefore, a method of laying the line by radio is usually adopted.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a conventional wide area information communication system using a wireless dedicated line for a large number of gas meters distributed and installed in a wide area. As shown in the figure, the wireless device 1 connected to the gas meter 4 and the wireless device 3 connected to the management computer 5 can perform communication by relaying the base station wireless device 2. , The gas meter 4 and the management computer 5 can transmit and receive data. Thereby, the management computer 5 can collect information of the gas meter 4. Note that the other gas meters also include the wireless device 1 and communicate with the management computer 5 via the base station wireless device 2.

[0011]

However, FIG.
In the system shown in (1), one base station radio must cover the communication area of gas meters distributed and installed in a wide area, so the configuration of the base station radio becomes large-scale, and the cost for installation is This was enormous, and the cost of the entire system became enormous.

[0012] The wireless device connected to the gas meter is
Since it must be installed in an area where communication with the base station radio is always possible, there is no flexibility in the installation position, and a radio wave dead zone is generated. It is sufficient to increase the number of base station radios in order to prevent the occurrence of the radio wave dead zone. However, the increase in the number of base station radios cannot be easily achieved due to the above-described high cost, and the problem cannot be improved.

Further, since each gas meter and the management computer communicate through one base station radio,
In order to expand the communication area covered by one base station radio, it was necessary to use high-power radio waves, and with that, it was necessary to apply for and acquire a dedicated frequency radio wave, and the procedure was very troublesome .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its object is to reduce the cost of the information communication system as a whole, and to prevent the generation of a radio wave dead zone by providing a degree of freedom in the installation position of the radio. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information communication system that does not require application / acquisition of a dedicated frequency radio wave.

[0015]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to an autonomous relay in a wide area information communication system having a computer which collects information of a large number of gas meters distributed and installed in a wide area. A plurality of first wireless terminals having a relay function of selecting a destination, each of which is directly or directly relayed by the relay function of one or more other first wireless terminals. A wireless communication network in which a communication route between the two first wireless terminals capable of communicating with and communicating with all other first wireless terminals is flexibly determined, and a second wireless communication network electrically connected to the gas meter. A wireless terminal, a third wireless terminal that communicates wirelessly with the second wireless terminal and is electrically connected to the first wireless terminal, and a third wireless terminal that is electrically connected to the first wireless terminal. A wide area communications system comprising the computer.

[0016] Thereby, the information of the gas meter is transmitted via the second wireless terminal and the third wireless terminal, and is further provided by a plurality of first wireless terminals having a relay function of autonomously selecting a relay destination. A wide-area information communication system can be realized with a simple configuration that is transmitted to a computer via a network and does not require a large-scale base station radio as in the related art.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wide area information communication system having a computer for collecting information of a large number of gas meters distributed and installed in a wide area, a plurality of first terminals having a relay function for autonomously selecting a relay destination. , And each of the first wireless terminals can communicate with all other first wireless terminals by being relayed directly or by the relay function of one or more other first wireless terminals. A wireless communication network in which a communication route between two first wireless terminals communicating with each other is flexibly determined, the gas meter electrically connected to the first wireless terminal, and the first wireless terminal And a computer electrically connected to the wide area information communication system.

Thus, the device information is transmitted to the computer via a wireless network including a plurality of first wireless terminals having a relay function for autonomously selecting a relay destination, and further simplifying the system configuration. A wide area information communication system can be realized.

The invention described in claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
In the invention described in (1), the first wireless terminal and the computer are electrically connected via a network.

Thus, the information of the gas meter can be collected from any location where the computer can be connected to the network. The invention described in claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the computer makes an inquiry to the gas meter, and the gas meter responds to the inquiry to the computer. .

Thus, the computer inquires an arbitrary gas meter about information to be collected, and
Device information can be collected. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the gas meter voluntarily transmits its own information to the computer.

Thus, since the gas meter transmits information spontaneously, it is possible for the computer to collect information without inquiring any gas meter by itself.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the computer stops using the gas for the gas meter based on information such as a collected gas usage amount. It is configured to transmit a command and the gas meter responds to the command.

Thus, the computer can transmit a gas use stop command to any gas meter, and the gas meter can respond to the command. The invention described in claim 7 is based on claims 1, 2, 3, 4,
Alternatively, in the invention described in Item 6, the computer transmits a command to start using gas to the gas meter based on the collected information such as a gas usage amount, and the gas meter responds to the command.

Thus, the computer can transmit a gas use start command to any gas meter, and the gas meter can respond to the command. The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the device is a gas device, and the information includes operation information.

This makes it possible to collect operation information and the like of a large number of gas appliances distributed and installed in a wide area. A ninth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the equipment is a gas facility, and the information includes operation information and measurement information such as gas pressure.

This makes it possible to collect operation information and measurement information such as gas pressure of a large number of gas facilities distributed and installed in a wide area.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wide area information communication system using wireless according to the present invention.

The system shown in FIG. 1 has a radio 6 connected to the gas meter 4, a relay radio 9 having radios 7 and 8, and a radio 8 connected to the management computer 5. is there.

The radio 6 connected to the gas meter 4 performs radio communication with the radio 7 of the relay radio 9. Further, the wireless device 8 has a relay function of autonomously selecting a relay destination, and all of the wireless devices 8 are relayed directly or by the relay function of one or more other wireless devices 8 to perform all other functions. The communication route between the two wireless devices 8 that can communicate with and communicate with the wireless device 8 is flexibly determined. Various types of wireless devices 8 having such a relay function are conceivable. For example, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
-185866 ". This will be described later.

Further, in the present embodiment, the communication method between the communication between the wireless devices 6 and 7 and the communication between the wireless devices 8 are different. In the figure, the wireless device 7 of the relay wireless device 9 and the wireless device 6 to which the gas meter 4 is connected have a one-to-many communication relationship. Also,
Radio 8 of relay radio 9 and radio 8 of other relay radio 9
Are in a one-to-many communication relationship. Therefore, in order to identify them, the wireless device 6 and the relay wireless device 9 (the wireless device 7 and the wireless device 8) connected to the gas meter 4 have unique numbers that can be distinguished from each other. Management computer 5
Selects a wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4 to collect information based on the information of the unique number, and collects information from a predetermined gas meter 4.

FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of the unique number held by the management computer. In the figure, a unique number required to collect information of many gas meters 4 installed in a wide area is registered. Right column 11 in FIG.
Is registered with a unique number of the wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4. In the left column 10 of the figure, the unique numbers of the relay radios 9 (or the radios 7 and 8 of the relay radios 9) capable of directly communicating therewith are registered.
The data of the unique number is stored in the management computer 5.
Are stored in a memory (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 3, by selecting the unique number of the wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4, the unique number of the relay wireless device 9 (the wireless device 7 and the wireless device 8) is uniquely determined. You. For example, unique number "000
By selecting the radio 6 connected to the gas meter 4 of "0", the relay radio 9 (radio 7 and radio 8) of the unique number "0000" is determined. The wireless device 7 of the wireless device 9 has a unique number “000”.
It can directly communicate with the radio 6 connected to the 0 "gas meter 4.

When the management computer 5 determines the radio 6 connected to the gas meter 4 in order to obtain a meter reading of the gas meter 4, the radio computer 6 connected to the gas meter 4 is determined according to the table shown in FIG. 6 and the relay wireless device 9 (the wireless device 7 and the wireless device 8) are determined, and the information of these unique numbers is added to a reading instruction of the meter reading value, and the wireless device 8z connected to the management computer 5 is determined. Send to The wireless device 8z connected to the management computer 5
Has the same configuration as that of the wireless device 8 of the relay wireless device 9, but is denoted by 8z to distinguish it.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of data transmitted by the management computer 5 at this time. As shown in the figure, the transmission data 12 has the unique number of the selected relay radio 9 in the area 13 and the unique number of the radio 6 connected to the selected gas meter 4 in the area 14.
And an instruction to read a meter reading value is stored in the area 15.

The wireless device 8z holds information on the wireless devices 8 of the relay wireless devices 9 capable of directly communicating with itself, and is formed between the wireless devices 8 of the relay wireless devices 9 installed in a wide area. Autonomously obtain the most efficient relay route from the communication channel,
Based on the information of the wireless device 8 that can directly communicate with itself, the received data 12 is transmitted to any one of the wireless devices 8, and the relay wireless of the unique number stored in the area 13 in the data 12 is transmitted. It relays to the wireless device 8 of the device 9.

In this way, the wireless device 8 of the relay wireless device 9 having the unique number of the area 13 receiving the data 12
The data 12 is transmitted to the radio 7 connected to the radio 8, and the radio 7 determines the radio 6 to be connected to the gas meter 4 based on the unique number stored in the area 14 in the data 12. To the data 12.

The wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4 that has received the data 12 reads out the meter reading read command stored in the area 15 in the data 12 and transmits it to the gas meter 4. The gas meter 4 receives the data, adds the unique number of the wireless device 8z connected to the management computer 5 to the held meter reading data, and transmits the data to the wireless device 6.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the format of the transmission data at this time. As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a configuration in which the unique number of the wireless device 8z connected to the management computer 5 is stored in the area 17 and the meter reading value held by the gas meter 4 is stored in the area 19. In addition, "Null" indicating invalid data is stored in the area 16 shown in FIG. 4 corresponding to the area 14 in the data 12 shown in FIG.

The wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4 registers and stores in advance the unique numbers of the relay wireless devices 9 (the wireless devices 7 and 8) that can directly communicate wirelessly. The wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4 stores the transmission data 16 including the meter reading value sent from the gas meter 4 in this registration /
It transmits to the wireless device 7 of the relay wireless device 9 based on the stored unique number. The wireless device 7 transmits the received data 16 to the wireless device 8 connected to the wireless device 7. The wireless device 8 receiving this transmits the data 16 to the wireless device 8z connected to the management computer 5 based on the unique number stored in the area 17 in the data 16.
At this time, the data 16 is stored in the relay radio 9 as described above.
Is relayed and transmitted to the wireless device 8z. The wireless device 8z that has received the data 16 transmits the meter reading data stored in the area 19 in the data 16 to the management computer 5 that is electrically connected. The management computer 5 receives this, and accumulates the data of the received meter reading values. In this way, the management computer 5 collects meter readings for the other gas meters 4 and performs various processes based on the collected meter readings.

Next, the above-mentioned wireless communication will be described with a specific number added. Returning to FIG. 1, assume that the gas meter from which the management computer 5 is to collect information is 4a. The unique number of the wireless device 6a connected to the gas meter 4a is "0000". The unique number of the relay wireless device 9a is "0000". The unique number of the wireless device 8z connected to the management computer 5 is "9999".

The management computer 5 includes a gas meter 4a.
The data 12 is transmitted to the wireless device 8z based on the table shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a data configuration diagram of the data 12 at this time. As shown in the figure, since the gas meter for collecting the meter reading value is 4a, the unique number “0000” is stored in the area 14 in the data 12. Further, based on the table shown in FIG. 2, the area 13 in the data 12 stores the unique number “0000” of the relay wireless device 9 (the wireless device 7 and the wireless device 8).

The wireless device 8z transmits the received data 12 to the wireless device 8 of the relay wireless device 9 having the unique number stored in the area 13 in the data 12. In FIG. 1, as indicated by arrows, the relay radios 9d → 9c → 9b
And arrives at the relay wireless device 9a. The relay route has a unique number of another relay wireless device 9 with which each relay wireless device 9 can directly communicate with itself, and the most efficient route is selected based on the unique number. .

The wireless device 8a of the relay wireless device 9a that has received the data 12 transmits the data 12 to the wireless device 7a, and the wireless device 7a stores the received data 12 in an area 14 stored in the area 14 in the data 12. Based on the number "0000", the unique number is transmitted to the wireless device 6a connected to the gas meter 4a. The wireless device 6a reads the meter reading value read command stored in the area 15 in the data 12,
This is transmitted to the gas meter 4a. The gas meter 4a
Upon receiving this, it transmits the data of the meter reading value held by itself to the wireless device 6a. The wireless device 6a adds the unique number "9999" of the wireless device 8z connected to the management computer 5 to the data of the meter reading value, and directly adds this to the wireless device 6a which the wireless device 6a holds in advance. The data 16 is transmitted to one of the communicable relay wireless devices 9. Here, the signal is transmitted to the wireless device 7a of the relay wireless device 9a.

FIG. 6 is a data configuration diagram of the data 16 at this time. As shown in the figure, in the area 17 in the data 16, "9999" which is a unique number of the wireless device 8z connected to the management computer 5 is stored.

The wireless device 7a of the relay wireless device 9a that has received the data 16 transmits the data 16 to the wireless device 8a.
Transmits the data 16 to the wireless device 8z based on the unique number “9999” stored in the area 17 in the data 16. The data 16 arrives at the wireless device 8z by relaying the relay wireless devices 9b → 9c → 9d, contrary to the above. In this example, the communication is performed on the same communication route for both the outward route and the return route. However, the communication route does not have to be the same, and the most efficient route is selected and flexibly determined according to the situation.

Next, the gas meter 4 and the wireless device 6 and the relay wireless device 9 connected thereto, and the management computer 5 and the wireless device 8 connected thereto, which constitute the wide area information collection system shown in the present embodiment. Will be described.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a gas meter and a wireless device connected to the gas meter. As shown in the figure, a gas meter 4 includes a gas pipe 20, a flow sensor 21, a microcomputer 2
2, a configuration including the memory 23. The flow sensor 21
The flow rate of gas in the gas pipe 20 is detected, and this is detected by the microcomputer 22.
Send to The microcomputer 22 calculates the gas usage (meter reading) by integrating the flow rate of the received gas, and stores this in the memory 23. If necessary, the calculated gas usage (metered value) is sent to the wireless device 6 via the communication line 24.
To send over.

On the other hand, the wireless device 6 is configured to include a microcomputer 25, a memory 26, a wireless unit 27, and an antenna 28. The microcomputer 25 transmits the meter reading value read command stored in the area 15 in the data 12 received via the antenna 28 and the radio unit 27 to the gas meter 4, and also adds the meter reading value received from the gas meter 4 to the management computer 5. , A unique number of the wireless device 8z connected thereto, and a control for transmitting the unique number to the wireless device 7 of the predetermined relay wireless device 9 via the wireless unit 27 and the antenna 28 is performed. Further, as described above, the memory 26 stores in advance the unique number of the wireless device 7 of the relay wireless device 9 which can directly communicate with the wireless line, and the microcomputer 25 determines a predetermined relay wireless device based on the unique number. 9 to the wireless device 7.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the relay radio device 9. As shown in the figure, a relay wireless device 9 includes a wireless device 7 that performs direct wireless communication with a wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4,
A wireless device 8 that performs wireless communication with a wireless device 8 of another relay wireless device 9
It is a configuration including.

The wireless device 7 includes a microcomputer 30, a memory 31,
The configuration includes a wireless unit 32 and an antenna 33. The wireless device 8 includes a microcomputer 34, a memory 35, a wireless unit 3
6 and an antenna 37. Both are electrically connected by a communication line 38. Note that the wireless device 7 and the wireless device 8 may be of the same type or different types.

In the radio 7, the memory 31 stores the radio 6 connected to the gas meter 4 with which the radio 7 can directly communicate.
The microcomputer 30 stores in advance the unique number stored in the area 14 in the data 12 transmitted from the wireless device 8 via the communication line 38 with the unique number of the wireless device 6 of the gas meter 4. In this case, the data 12 is transmitted to the wireless device 6, and the data 1 including the meter reading value transmitted from the wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4.
6 is transmitted and transmitted to the wireless device 8 via the communication line 38.

In the wireless device 8, the memory 35 stores a unique number of another relay wireless device 9 which can directly communicate with itself. The microcomputer 34 transmits the data 12 transmitted from the wireless device 8 of another predetermined relay wireless device 9 to the wireless device 7.
In addition, the most efficient relay route is autonomously obtained from a communication path formed between a large number of other wireless devices 8 installed in a wide area, and data 16 transmitted from the wireless device 7 or other wireless devices 8 are obtained. Based on the unique number stored in the memory 35, the transmitted data 16 is transmitted to one of the other relay wireless devices 9 that can directly communicate with itself, and corresponds to the unique number stored in the area 17 in the data 16. The process of relaying to the wireless device 8z of the management computer 5 is performed.

In this embodiment, the relay radio 9 is shown as including the radio 7 and the radio 8, but there is no gas meter 4 nearby and there is no need to communicate with the radio 6 of the gas meter 4. In this case, only the wireless device 8 may be used.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a management computer and a wireless device connected thereto. As shown in the figure,
The wireless device 8z includes a microcomputer 40, a memory 41, a wireless unit 4
2 and an antenna 43, and have the same configuration as the radio 8 of the relay radio 9 shown in FIG. The management computer 5 is a personal computer, a workstation, or another computer.

The management computer 5 generates the data 12 shown in FIG. 3 when collecting data on the meter readings of an arbitrary gas meter 4 and transmits this to the radio 8z via the communication line 44.

The microcomputer 40 of the wireless device 8z autonomously obtains the most efficient relay route from a communication path formed between a number of other wireless devices 8 installed in a wide area and stores it in the memory 41. The received data 12 is transmitted to any one of the relay radios 9 based on the unique number of another relay radio 9 capable of directly communicating with the relay radio 9, and an area 13 in the data 12 is transmitted.
Of the relay wireless device 9 of one of the unique numbers stored in the wireless device 8 is performed.

The wireless device 8z, which has received the data 16 from the wireless device 8 of the relay wireless device 9, transmits the meter reading of the gas meter 4 in the data 16 to the management computer 5 through the communication line 44, and The computer 5 stores this.

The management computer 5 collects the meter readings of the gas meters 4 installed in a large area in this manner,
Various processes are performed based on the collected meter readings. For example, the management computer 5 transmits a command to stop the use of gas or to start using gas to the predetermined gas meter 4 based on the information of the collected meter reading values. The predetermined gas meter 4
When a command to stop using gas is received, the use of gas is stopped and a response to this command is transmitted to the management computer 5. When a command to start using gas is received, the use of gas is started, and similarly, a response to this command is transmitted to the management computer 5.

Incidentally, the applicant of the present application, in the earlier application “Japanese Patent Application No. 10-185866”, arranges a large number of radios over a wide area, and interposes a radio between a source radio and a destination radio. We proposed a wireless network that transfers data packets while other existing wireless devices repeat the relay.

In this wireless network, the wireless communication path is not fixed, and each wireless device has a function of autonomously changing a relay destination, so that a relay route is automatically set even if a line failure or a wireless device failure occurs. It can be changed.

Therefore, as an example of a communication path formed between a large number of wireless devices 8 installed in a wide area shown in the present embodiment, the wireless network proposed in the earlier application “Japanese Patent Application No. 10-185866” is used. Can be applied.

The wireless network will be schematically described. Each wireless terminal constituting this wireless network transmits a presence notification packet including an identifier for identifying each transmission source wireless terminal at a predetermined period. The wireless terminal receiving this recognizes that there is a possibility that it can directly communicate with this wireless terminal. In this way, each wireless terminal transmits a presence notification packet at a fixed period, and the adjacent wireless terminals receive the packet, thereby mutually recognizing the possibility of direct communication according to the radio wave propagation state at that time. I do.

Next, each wireless terminal transmits a communication path diagnosis packet, diagnoses the reliability of the communication path between each wireless terminal having the possibility of direct communication recognized by the presence notification packet, and The one having reliability is set as an effective communication path.

After that, each wireless terminal recognizes the system configuration information in order to recognize through which wireless terminal having a direct communication path with all the other wireless terminals constituting the network. The stored presence notification packet is transmitted to the adjacent wireless terminal at regular intervals.

The system configuration information indicates the relationship between each destination wireless terminal and the minimum number of communications before arriving at the wireless terminal. Each wireless terminal, together with its own system configuration information, Holds and manages system configuration information of adjacent wireless terminals with which communication is possible. The own system configuration information is updated based on the system configuration information received from an adjacent wireless terminal.

Then, the wireless terminal receiving the packet,
Based on this system configuration information, the packet is transmitted to the wireless terminal with the least number of communications to the destination of the packet, and the same processing is performed thereafter, so that the packet is relayed in the wireless network and becomes the destination Incoming call to wireless terminal. Therefore, each endless terminal can have a relay function of autonomously selecting a relay destination.

When a packet is relayed in multiple stages as described above, the communication path may be interrupted temporarily due to a communication failure caused by an obstacle or the like, and the packet may not be transferred to the destination. . To cope with such a case, when a packet is normally transferred between the direct communication paths, the wireless terminal receiving the packet transmits the packet to the wireless terminal that transmitted the packet. The reply to the effect that it received is returned.

As a result, if there is no response from the destination wireless terminal, it means that a communication failure has occurred between the wireless terminals, so that the wireless terminal that transmitted the packet determines the communication failure based on the system configuration information. The packet is transmitted to the wireless terminal having the next least number of communications to the destination of the packet, except for the wireless terminal having the error. By doing so, the communication route is determined flexibly.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wide area centralized meter reading system in which a wireless network according to the prior application is applied to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the wireless devices 50 are installed on telephone poles 51 in a wide area in the city, and are installed at intervals at which the wireless devices 50 can directly communicate with each other.

The wireless device 50 has a relay function of autonomously selecting a relay destination, and any one of the wireless devices 50 is relayed directly or by the relay function of one or more other wireless devices 50. The communication route between the two wireless devices 50 that can communicate with and communicate with all other wireless devices 50 is flexibly determined. Note that a solid line 52 connecting the wireless devices 50 in FIG.

A management computer (not shown) is installed in the sales office 53, and the meter reading command is transmitted from the management computer as described above. House 5 where city wide area exists
4 is provided with a gas meter (not shown). A wireless device 55 is connected to the gas meter, and the wireless device 55 performs wireless communication with a wireless device (not shown) that is electrically connected to the wireless device 50. The wireless communication path at this time is indicated by a dotted line 56 in FIG.

In order to obtain a meter reading value of a gas meter in a predetermined home, a communication meter command is transmitted from the management computer of the business office 53, and the communication path until the corresponding meter reading value of the gas meter in the home 54 is received is indicated by a curved arrow 57, Shown at 58. Note that, here, wireless communication is performed by different routes on the outward route and the return route.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, instead of the conventional base station radio, a large number of radios are installed in a wide area that autonomously acquire a relay route and perform multi-stage relay between arbitrary radios. By doing so, the wireless device can have a simple configuration, and the wireless device can be reduced in size and weight. In addition, since the wireless device autonomously acquires the relay route, there is no need for a specialized maintainer to directly set the relay route for the wireless device, which facilitates the maintenance of the wireless device and is related to the maintenance. Costs can also be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce costs related to the wireless device and its installation and maintenance, and it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of the entire system.

Further, since a large number of radios are installed in a wide area, the radio dead zone can be eliminated. Even if a radio dead zone occurs, it is easy to install an inexpensive radio having a relay function. The radio dead zone can be eliminated.

Further, the communication between the wireless devices can be performed using a low-power radio wave that has already been defined, so that it is not necessary to newly acquire a dedicated frequency radio wave. <Modification 1> In the present embodiment, the communication method between the wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4 and the wireless device 7 of the relay wireless device 9 and the communication between the wireless device 8 of the relay wireless device 9 are different. Was.

Therefore, in the first modification, in this embodiment, the wireless device 8 of the relay wireless device 9 is applied instead of the wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4 shown in FIG. The wireless device 7 is eliminated, and only the wireless device 8 is used, and the communication method is reduced to one.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of the gas meter 4 and the wireless device 8 connected thereto. As shown in the figure, the gas meter 4 and the wireless device 8 are connected by a communication line 45.
As described above, the wireless device 8 has a relay function of autonomously selecting a relay destination from a communication path formed between a large number of wireless devices 8 installed in a wide area. By being relayed by this relay function of one or more of the wireless devices 8, the communication route between the two wireless devices 8 that can communicate with and communicate with all other wireless devices 8 is flexibly determined.

In the figure, the wireless device 8 receives the data 1
2, a command for reading the meter reading value is transmitted to the gas meter 4. The gas meter 4 that has received this instruction transmits the data of the meter reading value to the wireless device 8, and the wireless device 8 that has received this
A unique number of the wireless device 8z of the management computer 5 is added to the data of the meter reading value and transmitted to the wireless device 8 of the predetermined relay wireless device 9.

As described above, according to the first modification, the wireless device 8 is applied in place of the wireless device 6 connected to the gas meter 4, thereby eliminating the wireless device 6 and the wireless device 7 shown in the present embodiment. And a single communication system. Therefore, Modification 1 can be configured with a simpler system than in this embodiment, and the cost can be further reduced. <Modification 2> Modification 2 is applied to the case where the management computer 5 and the wireless device 8z shown in FIG. 9 are remotely installed in this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram when the management computer and the wireless device connected thereto are connected via a public line. As shown in the figure, the management computer 5 and the wireless device 8z are connected via a general public line 48.
The management computer 5 and the general public line 48 are connected via a modem 47, and the radio 8z and the general public line 4 are connected.
8 is connected via a modem 46.

In the second modification, the management computer 5
A general public line is applied to the connection between the wireless communication device and the wireless device 8z, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a dedicated line may be applied. Is also good.

As described above, according to the second modification, it is possible to collect the meter readings of the gas meter from any position that can be connected to the public line, and to have a degree of freedom in the installation position of the management computer. Can be.

In the wide area information collection system of this embodiment,
The management computer queries the gas meter,
Although the communication mode in which the gas meter responds to this is described, a communication mode in which the gas meter voluntarily transmits to the management computer based on predetermined conditions may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, a system in which a meter reading of a gas meter is applied and collected as an example of wide area information has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any information on equipment installed in a wide area can be used. Well, for example, instead of gas meter, water meter, gas equipment, gas equipment, fire alarm,
And a gas leak alarm may be applied, and driving information, state information, safety information, etc. may be applied instead of the meter reading value.

[0086]

As described above, according to the present invention, instead of a conventional base station radio, a radio which autonomously acquires a relay route and performs multi-stage relay between arbitrary radios can be provided over a wide area. By installing a large number of the wireless devices, the wireless device can have a simple configuration, and the wireless device can be reduced in size and weight. In addition, since the wireless device autonomously acquires the relay route, there is no need for a specialized maintainer to directly set the relay route for the wireless device, which facilitates the maintenance of the wireless device and is related to the maintenance. Costs can also be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce costs related to the wireless device and its installation and maintenance, and it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of the entire system.

Further, since a large number of wireless devices are installed in a wide area, a radio wave dead zone can be eliminated. Even if a radio wave dead zone is generated, it is easy to install an inexpensive radio device having a relay function. The radio dead zone can be eliminated.

Further, the communication between the wireless devices can be performed using a low-power radio wave that has already been defined, so that it is not necessary to newly acquire a dedicated frequency radio wave.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wide area information communication system using wireless according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a unique number held by a management computer.

FIG. 3 is a data format transmitted from a management computer.

FIG. 4 is a data format transmitted from a wireless device connected to a gas meter.

FIG. 5 is an example of a data configuration diagram.

FIG. 6 is an example of a data configuration diagram.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a gas meter and a wireless device connected to the gas meter.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a relay radio device 9;

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a management computer and a wireless device connected to the management computer.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wide-area meter reading system in which a wireless network according to an earlier application is applied to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a gas meter and a wireless device connected to the gas meter in Modification Example 1.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a management computer and a wireless device connected to the management computer in Modification 2.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a conventional information communication system using a wireless dedicated line.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 Radio connected to gas meter 2 Base station radio 3 Radio connected to management computer 4 Gas meter 5 Management computer 6 Radio connected to gas meter 7 Radio communication with radio connected to gas meter Radio 8 Radio with relay function 9 Relay radio 10 Left column of table 11 Right column of table 12 Transmission data transmitted from management computer 13-15 Area of transmission data 16 Transmission from radio connected to gas meter Transmission data 17 to 19 Area of transmission data 20 Gas pipe 21 Flow rate sensor 22 Microcomputer 23 Memory 24 Communication line 25 Microcomputer 26 Memory 27 Radio unit 28 Antenna 30 Microcomputer 31 Memory 32 Radio unit 33 Antenna 34 Microcomputer 35 Memory 36 Radio unit 37 Antenna 40 microcomputer 41 memory 42 Radio unit 43 Antenna 44 Communication line 45 Communication line 46, 47 Modem 48 Public line 50 Wireless device with relay function 51 Telephone pole 52 Solid line showing communication route 53 Business office 54 Home 55 Wireless device 56 connected to gas meter 56 Communication route Dotted line 57, 58 Curve indicating communication path

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 11/00 301 H04Q 9/00 311J 5K101 H04Q 9/00 311 311T 321D 321 G08C 17/00 Z (72) Inventor Jun Fujiwara 1-5-20 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takahiro Yuzawa 1-5-20 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hatanauchi Takaaki 1-1, Tanabe-Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-ku, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor: Hiroto Fukushima 1-1-1, Tanabe-Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term in Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (reference) 2F030 CC13 CE09 CE32 2F031 AE09 2F073 AA08 AA19 AB01 AB05 BB01 BC02 CC07 CC12 DD02 GG01 GG06 5K048 AA01 BA35 DA02 DA07 DB01 DC01 DC04 EB02 EB 10 HA03 HA04 HA06 5K067 AA22 AA41 AA42 BB27 CC08 DD17 DD27 EE06 HH07 5K101 KK12 LL11 SS07 VV01

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A wide area information communication system having a computer for collecting information of a large number of gas meters distributed and installed in a wide area, wherein a plurality of first terminals having a relay function for autonomously selecting a relay destination are provided.
, And each of the first wireless terminals can communicate with all other first wireless terminals by being relayed directly or by the relay function of one or more other first wireless terminals. A wireless communication network in which a communication route between two first wireless terminals communicating with each other is flexibly determined; a second wireless terminal electrically connected to the gas meter; A third wireless terminal that performs wireless communication and is electrically connected to the first wireless terminal; and the computer that is electrically connected to the first wireless terminal. Information communication system. 2. A wide area information communication system having a computer for collecting information of a large number of gas meters distributed and installed in a wide area, wherein a plurality of first terminals having a relay function for autonomously selecting a relay destination are provided.
, And each of the first wireless terminals can communicate with all other first wireless terminals by being relayed directly or by the relay function of one or more other first wireless terminals. A wireless communication network in which a communication route between two first wireless terminals communicating with each other is flexibly determined; the gas meter electrically connected to the first wireless terminal; and the first wireless terminal. And a computer electrically connected to the wide area information communication system. 3. The wide area information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless terminal and the computer are electrically connected via a network. 4. The wide area information communication system according to claim 1, wherein said computer makes an inquiry to said gas meter, and said gas meter responds to said computer in response to said inquiry. 5. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein the gas meter voluntarily transmits its own information to the computer.
3. The wide area information communication system according to any one of 3. 6. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer sends a command to the gas meter to stop using the gas based on the collected information such as a gas usage amount, and the gas meter responds to the command. 5. The wide area information communication system according to any one of Items 1 to 4. 7. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer transmits a command to start using the gas to the gas meter based on the collected information such as a gas usage amount, and the gas meter responds to the command. 2, 3, 4, or 6
2. The wide area information communication system according to 1. 8. The wide area information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the gas meter is a gas appliance, and the information includes operation information. 9. The wide area information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the gas meter is a gas facility, and the information includes operation information and measurement information such as gas pressure.