WO2024253135A1 - Electricity usage amount data collection system, smart meter, and communication control method - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

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

　Relates to electricity usage data collection systems that collect electricity usage data.

A data collection system is known that uses a multi-hop wireless communication function to communicate between a smart meter and a collection device (central processing unit) and collects meter readings from the smart meter (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2020/070889

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

A first aspect is an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network, and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network,
The smart meter comprises:
a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network;
a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit; and a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit.
Equipped with
The collecting device comprises:
A communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network;
an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Equipped with
the Internet connection function unit executes a downstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among downstream data for Internet communication transmitted to the smart meter;
This is an electricity usage data collection system.

The second form is an electricity usage data collection system in which the meter relay function unit executes an upstream data filtering process to delete or replace with upstream dummy data the large-volume communication data portion, which is link data or data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-volume condition, from the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal.

The third form is
An electricity usage data collection system comprising: a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network; and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network,
The smart meter comprises:
a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network;
a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Equipped with
The collecting device comprises:
A communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network;
an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Equipped with
the meter relay function unit executes an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of large-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
This is an electricity usage data collection system.

In another embodiment, the smart meter is included in an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters that form a multi-hop network, and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network,
the collection device includes an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network, and executes a downstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with downstream dummy data a large-volume communication data portion, which is link data or data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-volume condition, among downstream data for Internet communication transmitted to the smart meter;
a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network;
a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Equipped with
the meter relay function unit executes an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of large-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
It is a smart meter.

Another aspect is a communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, the communication control method comprising:
The smart meter includes a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network,
The collection device includes a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network,
The smart meter,
A usage data generation control that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
A meter relay control that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Run
The collection device comprises:
an Internet connection control that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Run
the Internet connection control includes executing a downstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with downstream dummy data a portion of large-volume communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-volume condition, from downstream data for Internet communication to be transmitted to the smart meter;
A communication control method.

Another aspect is a communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, the communication control method comprising:
The smart meter includes a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network,
The collection device includes a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network,
The smart meter,
A usage data generation control that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
A meter relay control that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Run
The collection device comprises:
an Internet connection control that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Run
The meter relay control includes performing an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of high-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
A communication control method.

According to each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when the collection device relays communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network, it can delete or replace with downstream dummy data the large volume communication data portion of the downstream data for Internet communication sent to the smart meter. Also, when the smart meter relays communication between the user terminal and the multi-hop network to realize the Internet connection of the user terminal, it can delete or replace with upstream dummy data the large volume communication data portion of the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal. This can reduce the amount of communication related to the transmission and reception of data for Internet communication between the smart meter and the collection device, making it possible to realize the Internet connection of the user terminal without interfering with the smooth communication of electricity usage data in the electricity usage data collection system.

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

The fourth embodiment allows for the prioritized transmission of electricity usage data.

The fifth embodiment is an electricity usage data collection system in which the subordinate control unit executes control to limit the amount of upstream data sent per unit time as part of the subordinate control.

According to the fifth embodiment, the amount of upstream data sent per unit time is limited, thereby realizing preferential sending of electricity usage data.

In a sixth aspect, the smart meter includes a battery that supplies operating power during a power outage,
The smart meter is an electricity usage data collection system further comprising an interruption processing unit that controls the meter communication control unit to interrupt the transmission of the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit to the multi-hop network during a power outage, and interrupts the subordinate control by the subordinate control unit.

According to the sixth embodiment, the smart meter can be operated even during a power outage. Furthermore, during a power outage, the smart meter can relay communications related to the user terminal's Internet connection without transmitting electricity usage data.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an electricity usage data collection system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a video viewing screen on a user terminal. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a subordinate control process. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a smart meter. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a collection device. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a process flow in a smart meter.

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

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

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

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

The user terminal 50 is, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone, mobile phone, personal computer, or tablet computer used by a user at the consumer 100. Communication between the smart meter 10 and the user terminal 50 may be, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Wi-SUN may also be adopted as the communication method for route A.

2. Upstream data filtering process and downstream data filtering process Electricity usage data is transmitted on route A. The wireless communication method used in communication (route A) via the multi-hop network 91 is suitable for transmitting electricity usage data, that is, for exchanging small amounts of data. Therefore, if the user terminal 50 attempts to connect to the Internet with a large amount of data via route A, the amount of communication may hinder smooth communication of electricity usage data in the electricity usage data collection system 1 and hinder the collection of electricity usage data, which is the original first purpose. In other words, in order to realize the Internet connection of the user terminal 50, a mechanism is required to appropriately relay communication between the user terminal 50 and the multi-hop network 91 so as not to hinder the collection of electricity usage data.

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

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

As a result, when the user terminal 50 connects to the Internet, the large-volume communication data portion of the data for Internet communication is deleted, and it becomes possible to relay communication between the user terminal 50 and the Internet 95. The user of the user terminal 50 cannot view the large-volume communication data portion via route A. Taking the example of viewing a video distribution service, the viewing screen will be displayed as shown in FIG. 2. That is, no video is displayed in the video display section W11. This is because the video data has been deleted as the large-volume communication data portion. Meanwhile, comments posted by viewers who have viewed the video are displayed in the comment display section W13. This is because the comment data does not fall under the large-volume communication data portion.

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

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

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

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

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

The first buffer B11 temporarily holds packets P11 of electricity usage data waiting to be sent from the smart meter 10. The packets P11 of electricity usage data include packets of electricity usage data measured by the smart meter 10, as well as packets of electricity usage data to be transferred from other smart meters 10 via the smart meter 10. The second buffer B13 temporarily holds packets P13 of upstream data waiting to be sent from the smart meter 10.

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

The weighting ratio may be set so that the frequency of output of the packets P11 of the electricity usage data is high and the frequency of output of the packets P13 of the upstream data is low, and the value of this ratio (in the example of FIG. 3, four packets P11 to one packet P13) may be set appropriately. This limits the amount of upstream data sent for Internet communication per unit time, and realizes control for sending the upstream data to the multi-hop network 91 in a subordinate manner to the electricity usage data. Therefore, it is possible to realize preferential sending of the electricity usage data. Note that if the packets P13 are not stored in the second buffer B13, the packets P11 stored in the first buffer B11 are sent continuously. Conversely, if the packets P11 are not stored in the first buffer B11, the packets P13 stored in the second buffer B13 are sent continuously.

4. Regarding the Transmission of Electricity Usage Data and the Processing for Suspending Subordinate Control As described above, in the electricity usage data collection system 1 of this embodiment, in order to ensure the reliable collection of electricity usage data, the smart meter 10 performs subordinate control, and controls the meter communication control unit 171 to transmit the upstream data to the multi-hop network 91 in a subordinate manner to the electricity usage data. However, when a power outage occurs, there is no need to transmit the electricity usage data. On the other hand, since a power outage is an emergency, it would be more convenient if the communication capacity used for communicating electricity usage data during normal times could be used for connecting the user terminal 50 to the Internet.

In this embodiment, therefore, the smart meter 10 is provided with a battery 131 (see FIG. 4) so that operating power can be supplied even during a power outage. When the external power supply is cut off, the smart meter 10 determines that a power outage has occurred and executes an interruption process to control the meter communication control unit 171 to interrupt the transmission of electricity usage data to the multi-hop network 91 and to interrupt the subordinate control. Because electricity usage is zero during a power outage, there is no problem even if the transmission of electricity usage data and the subordinate control are interrupted. For this reason, during a power outage, packets P13 are basically transmitted continuously.

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

The metering unit 110 measures the electricity usage of the consumer 100.

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

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

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

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

The meter communication control unit 171 is a functional unit that handles communication in the multi-hop network 91, and performs control for communication with the collection device 30 via the multi-hop network 91.

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

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

The usage data generation control unit 172 generates electricity usage data relating to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter 10 on a regular or irregular basis, and outputs the data to the meter communication control unit 171. In this embodiment, the usage data generation control unit 172 generates a 30-minute value of the active power amount measured by the metering unit 110 every 30 minutes as electricity usage data, and outputs the data to the meter communication control unit 171. Note that the generation and output of electricity usage data is not limited to a regular configuration, and may be irregular.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The processing unit 170 also determines that a power outage has occurred when the external power supply is cut off based on a notification from the power supply unit 130 or the like (step S9: YES). Even if a power outage occurs, the smart meter 10 continues to operate because the operating power for the smart meter 10 is automatically supplied from the battery 131. When a power outage occurs, the interruption processing unit 175 executes interruption processing and controls the meter communication control unit 171 to interrupt the transmission of electricity usage data to the multi-hop network 91 that is being performed at any time by the control started in step S4. Also, the subordinate control started in step S3 is interrupted (step S11). By the processing here, during a power outage, electricity usage data is not transmitted, and communication related to the Internet connection of the user terminal can be relayed.

If the power is restored after that (step S13: YES), the meter communication control unit 171 resumes the transmission of the electricity usage data that was interrupted in step S9 to the multi-hop network 91 (step S15). In addition, the subordinate control unit 174 resumes the subordinate control that was interrupted in step S9 (step S17).

According to this embodiment, when the collection device 30 relays communication between the smart meter 10 and the Internet 95 via the multi-hop network 91, it can delete the large-volume communication data portion of the downstream data for Internet communication sent to the smart meter 10 or replace it with downstream dummy data. Also, when the smart meter 10 relays communication between the user terminal 50 and the multi-hop network 91 to realize the Internet connection of the user terminal 50, it can delete the large-volume communication data portion of the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal 50 or replace it with upstream dummy data. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of communication related to the transmission and reception of data for Internet communication between the smart meter 10 and the collection device 30, and makes it possible to realize the Internet connection of the user terminal 50 without interfering with the smooth communication of electricity usage data in the electricity usage data collection system 1.

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

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

(First aspect)
An electricity usage data collection system comprising: a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network; and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network,
The smart meter comprises:
a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network;
a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Equipped with
The collecting device comprises:
A communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network;
an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Equipped with
the Internet connection function unit executes a downstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among downstream data for Internet communication transmitted to the smart meter;
Electricity usage data collection system.

(Second embodiment)
the meter relay function unit executes an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of large-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
1 is a diagram showing an electricity usage data collection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

(Third Form)
An electricity usage data collection system comprising: a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network; and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network,
The smart meter comprises:
a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network;
a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Equipped with
The collecting device comprises:
A communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network;
an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Equipped with
the meter relay function unit executes an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of large-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
Electricity usage data collection system.

(Fourth Form)
The smart meter further includes a subordinate control unit that performs subordinate control to control the meter communication control unit so as to subordinate the uplink data relayed by the meter relay function unit to the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit and transmit the uplink data to the multi-hop network.
An electricity usage data collection system according to any one of the first to third embodiments.

(Fifth Form)
The subordinate control unit executes control to limit the amount of transmission of the upstream data per unit time as part of the subordinate control.
A fourth aspect of the electricity usage data collection system.

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

(Seventh Form)
A smart meter constituting an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters constituting a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network,
the collection device includes an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network, and executes a downstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with downstream dummy data a large-volume communication data portion, which is link data or data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-volume condition, among downstream data for Internet communication transmitted to the smart meter;
a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network;
a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Equipped with
the meter relay function unit executes an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of large-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
Smart meter.

(Eighth embodiment)
A communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, the method comprising:
The smart meter includes a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network,
The collection device includes a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network,
The smart meter,
A usage data generation control that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
A meter relay control that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Run
The collection device comprises:
an Internet connection control that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Run
The Internet connection control includes executing a downstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with downstream dummy data a portion of large-volume communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-volume condition, from downstream data for Internet communication to be transmitted to the smart meter.
Communications control method.

(Ninth Form)
A communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, the method comprising:
The smart meter includes a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network,
The collection device includes a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network,
The smart meter,
A usage data generation control that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
A meter relay control that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Run
The collection device comprises:
an Internet connection control that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Run
The meter relay control includes performing an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of high-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
Communications control method.

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

Claims (9)

An electricity usage data collection system comprising: a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network; and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network,
The smart meter comprises:
a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network;
a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Equipped with
The collecting device comprises:
A communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network;
an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Equipped with
the Internet connection function unit executes a downstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with downstream dummy data a large-capacity communication data portion, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among downstream data for Internet communication transmitted to the smart meter;
Electricity usage data collection system. the meter relay function unit executes an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of large-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
The electricity usage data collection system of claim 1 . An electricity usage data collection system comprising: a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network; and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network,
The smart meter comprises:
a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network;
a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Equipped with
The collecting device comprises:
A communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network;
an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Equipped with
the meter relay function unit executes an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of large-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
Electricity usage data collection system. The smart meter further includes a subordinate control unit that performs subordinate control to control the meter communication control unit so as to subordinate the uplink data relayed by the meter relay function unit to the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit and transmit the uplink data to the multi-hop network.
The electricity usage data collection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The subordinate control unit executes control to limit the amount of transmission of the upstream data per unit time as part of the subordinate control.
The electricity usage data collection system according to claim 4. The smart meter includes a battery that supplies operating power during a power outage,
The smart meter further includes an interruption processing unit that controls the meter communication control unit to interrupt transmission of the electricity usage data generated by the usage data generation control unit to the multi-hop network during a power outage, and interrupts the subordinate control by the subordinate control unit.
6. The electricity usage data collection system according to claim 4 or 5. A smart meter constituting an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters constituting a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network,
the collection device includes an Internet connection function unit that relays communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network, and executes a downstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with downstream dummy data a large-volume communication data portion, which is link data or data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-volume condition, among downstream data for Internet communication transmitted to the smart meter;
a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network;
a usage data generation control unit that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
a meter relay function unit that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Equipped with
the meter relay function unit executes an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of large-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, from among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
Smart meter. A communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, the method comprising:
The smart meter includes a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network,
The collection device includes a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network,
The smart meter,
A usage data generation control that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
A meter relay control that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Run
The collection device comprises:
an Internet connection control that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Run
the Internet connection control includes executing a downstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with downstream dummy data a portion of large-volume communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-volume condition, from downstream data for Internet communication to be transmitted to the smart meter;
Communications control method. A communication control method executed by an electricity usage data collection system including a plurality of smart meters forming a multi-hop network and a collection device that collects electricity usage data transmitted from the smart meters via the multi-hop network, the method comprising:
The smart meter includes a meter communication control unit that is responsible for communication in the multi-hop network,
The collection device includes a communication control unit that executes communication with the multi-hop network,
The smart meter,
A usage data generation control that generates the electricity usage data related to the electricity usage measured by the smart meter and outputs the electricity usage data to the meter communication control unit;
A meter relay control that relays communication between a user terminal and the meter communication control unit;
Run
The collection device comprises:
an Internet connection control that relays communication between the communication control unit and the Internet, thereby relaying communication between the smart meter and the Internet via the multi-hop network;
Run
The meter relay control includes performing an upstream data filtering process for deleting or replacing with upstream dummy data a portion of high-capacity communication data, which is data or link data whose communication capacity satisfies a predetermined large-capacity condition, among the upstream data for Internet communication received from the user terminal;
Communications control method.

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