JP5688331B2 - Communication path control device and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication path control device and a computer program.

  In recent years, introduction or examination of watt-hour meters having a communication function has been promoted. By providing the watt-hour meter with a communication function, reading of the watt-hour meter can be performed by remote operation, and the labor of a meter reading for reading a value of the watt-hour meter by a person can be saved. Further, it is expected that power generation, power transmission, and power distribution according to power demand can be efficiently performed by measuring the amount of power used in real time.

  The use of wireless communication for the communication function of this watt-hour meter is being studied. In this case, various configurations are conceivable for the network topology, but a star configuration in which a base station device that communicates with each watt hour meter is provided and the base station device is used as a hub is prominent. However, when a large amount of watt-hour meters communicates directly with the base station device, it may be difficult to secure a communication band according to the number of watt-hour meters directly communicating with the base station device. Depending on the communication environment, there may be a watt-hour meter that cannot communicate with the base station apparatus.

  Therefore, the watt-hour meter is further provided with a function of communicating between the watt-hour meters so that the watt-hour meter can communicate with the base station apparatus via another watt-hour meter, and a function of directly communicating with the base station apparatus, It is conceivable to select one of the functions for communicating with the meter as appropriate. For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 describe a technique that includes two communication methods and appropriately selects one of them.

JP 2004-088154 A JP 2002-291934 A

  The techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above select an appropriate communication method according to the communication quality between the base station apparatus and each watt-hour meter and the communication quality between each watt-hour meter. is not. Therefore, in the wireless communication system in which a plurality of watt-hour meters (communication devices) transmit data via a base station device in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-195738, the present inventor uses each watt-hour meter (communication device) as a base. Communicate directly with the station device to transmit data, or communicate with the base station device via another watt-hour meter (communication device) by a communication method different from the communication method directly communicating with the base station to transmit data We proposed a technique to select the appropriate depending on the communication quality.

  In this proposal, control parameters for controlling the number of communication devices that directly communicate with one base station device (the number of direct communication) and the number of communication devices that the one communication device relays communication (the number of relays). Defines "aggregation". The degree of aggregation is a weighting factor used when calculating the communication cost when the communication device and the base station device communicate directly. By increasing this degree of aggregation and increasing the communication cost when the communication device and base station apparatus communicate directly, the number of direct communication is reduced and the number of relays is increased, while the degree of aggregation is reduced and communication is performed. By reducing the communication cost when the device and the base station device communicate directly, the number of direct communications is increased and the number of relays is reduced.

  However, if the communication costs for direct communication with the base station device are the same among multiple communication devices, even if the degree of aggregation is increased to reduce the number of direct communication, there is a difference in communication costs between the communication devices. May not occur and the number of direct communications may not decrease. Then, in order to restrict the number of direct communications to the upper limit value, the degree of aggregation continues to be raised, resulting in an uncontrollable state. If a large number of communication devices relay to a certain communication device, the number of direct communication increases as a result of lowering the degree of aggregation in order to limit the number of relays to the upper limit, and this exceeds the upper limit. As a result of increasing the degree of aggregation, the number of relays increases and exceeds the upper limit value, and the degree of aggregation is repeatedly raised and lowered, resulting in an uncontrollable state.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the number of communication devices that directly communicate with one base station device (the number of direct communication) and the communication device with which one communication device relays communication. To improve the stability when the number (number of relays) is controlled using the weighting factor (aggregation level) used when calculating the communication cost when the communication device and the base station device communicate directly It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication path control device and a computer program that can be used.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication path control device according to the present invention is such that each communication device directly communicates with a base station device to transmit data, or the base station device via another communication device. In a wireless communication system that selects whether to transmit data by communicating with the communication device, the number of communication devices that directly communicate with one base station device (the number of direct communication) and one communication device Controls the number of communication devices that relay communication (number of relays) using a weighting factor (aggregation degree) used when calculating the communication cost when the communication device and the base station device communicate directly. The communication path control device includes a control unit that performs a process of increasing the degree of aggregation in order to reduce the number of direct communications and a process of reducing the degree of aggregation in order to reduce the number of relays. Monitor changes and monitor results Zui detects that the control by the increase or decrease in intensity in a condition not to address, characterized in that.

  In the communication path control apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit performs a communication path change process for directly reducing the number of communications when detecting that the control unit is in an uncontrollable state in which the degree of aggregation is continuously increased.

  In the communication path control device according to the present invention, the control unit measures the number of times the degree of aggregation has monotonously increased in a certain period (the number of times of monotonic increase of the degree of aggregation), and compares the measured number of times of monotonous increase with the prescribed number of times. However, when the number of monotonous increases in the degree of aggregation exceeds a specified number, a communication path change process for reducing the number of direct communications is performed.

  In the communication path control device according to the present invention, the control unit communicates with a communication device having a maximum communication cost among communication devices directly communicating with the base station device through another communication device having a minimum number of relays. The communication path is changed so as to communicate with the base station apparatus.

  In the communication path control apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit performs a communication path change process for reducing the number of relays when detecting that the control unit is in an uncontrollable state in which the degree of aggregation is repeatedly increased and decreased.

  In the communication path control device according to the present invention, the control unit measures the number of times the degree of aggregation is repeatedly raised and lowered (the number of changes in the degree of aggregation up and down) in a certain period, and compares the measured number of changes in the degree of aggregation up and down with a specified number of times. However, when the number of changes in the degree of aggregation exceeds the specified number, a communication path change process for reducing the number of relays is performed.

  In the communication path control device according to the present invention, the control unit is a communication device that communicates with the base station device via another communication device and has a communication cost that is the lowest, other than the other communication device. The communication path is changed so as to communicate with the base station apparatus via another communication apparatus having the smallest number of relays.

The computer program according to the present invention determines whether each communication device communicates directly with the base station device to transmit data, or communicates with the base station device through another communication device to transmit data. In a wireless communication system that is selected so as to reduce communication costs, the number of communication devices that directly communicate with one base station device (the number of direct communication) and the number of communication devices that one communication device relays communication (relay) A computer program for performing a communication path control process that uses a weighting coefficient (aggregation degree) used when calculating a communication cost when the communication apparatus and the base station apparatus directly communicate with each other Therefore, the step of increasing the degree of aggregation in order to reduce the number of direct communications, the step of reducing the degree of aggregation in order to reduce the number of relays, and the change in the degree of aggregation are monitored, and the aggregation is performed based on the monitoring result. It detects that an upward or a condition not control due to a reduction in time, characterized in that it is a computer program for executing the steps of addressing, to a computer.
As a result, the communication path control device described above can be realized using a computer.

  According to the present invention, the number of communication devices that directly communicate with one base station device (the number of direct communication) and the number of communication devices that the one communication device relays communication (the number of relays) It is possible to improve stability when performing control using a weighting factor (aggregation degree) used when calculating a communication cost when directly communicating with the base station apparatus.

It is a schematic block diagram of the electric energy measurement network system (wireless communication system) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the communication path control server 1 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the electric meter 2 (communication apparatus) shown in FIG. It is a processing sequence diagram concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a processing sequence diagram concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the communication path control process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the communication path | route change process 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the communication path | route change process 2 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is Example 1 for demonstrating the communication path | route change process 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is Example 1 for demonstrating the communication path | route change process 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is Example 1 for demonstrating the communication path | route change process 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is Example 1 for demonstrating the communication path | route change process 2 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is Example 1 for demonstrating the communication path | route change process 2 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is Example 1 for demonstrating the communication path | route change process 2 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric energy measurement network system (wireless communication system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a communication path control server 1 (communication path control device) controls a communication path in an electric energy measurement network system. Electric meters 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 (communication device) are installed in a residence or office, measure the amount of power used, and transmit power amount measurement data to the power amount totaling server 5 through communication. To do. Hereinafter, when the electric meters 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 are not particularly distinguished, they are referred to as “electric meters 2”.

  The communication path control server 1 and the power amount totaling server 5 are connected to the Internet. The WiMAX macro base station 10 is a base station for configuring a WiMAX network that realizes broadband communication. The WiMAX macro base station 10 is connected to a core network that connects to the Internet.

  The electric meter 2 includes a WiMAX module 3 that is a wireless communication device that can wirelessly communicate with the WiMAX macro base station 10. The electric meter 2 can communicate with the communication path control server 1 and the power amount totaling server 5 via the WiMAX macro base station 10.

  In addition, the electric meter 2 includes a HAN (Home Area Network) device 4 which is a wireless communication apparatus capable of short-range communication. The electric meter 2 can communicate with other electric meters 2 by the HAN device 4. As a result, the electric meter 2 passes through the other electric meter 2 connected by the HAN device 4 and further controls the communication path via the WiMAX macro base station 10 to which the other electric meter 2 is connected by the WiMAX module 3. It is possible to communicate with the server 1 and the power amount totaling server 5.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the communication path control server 1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the communication path control server 1 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and a communication device management table 13. The communication unit 11 communicates with the electric meter 2 via the Internet. The control unit 12 controls a communication path in the electric energy measurement network system. The communication device management table 13 stores information related to the communication state of the electric meter 2 (communication device).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electric meter 2 (communication device) shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the electric meter 2 includes a WiMAX module 3, a HAN device 4, a control unit 21, a path information table 22, and an electric energy measuring unit 23. The WiMAX module 3 performs wireless communication with the WiMAX macro base station 10. The HAN device 4 communicates wirelessly with the HAN device 4 of another electric meter 2. The control unit 21 selects a communication path when transmitting its own power amount measurement data to the power amount totaling server 5. The route information table 22 stores information used when the control unit 21 selects its own communication route. The power amount measuring unit 23 measures the amount of power used.

  In this embodiment, each electric meter 2 communicates directly with the WiMAX macro base station 10 to transmit power amount measurement data, or communicates with the WiMAX macro base station 10 via another electric meter 2 by HAN. Whether to transmit the electric energy measurement data is selected so that the total (total cost) of the broadband communication cost and the short-range communication cost is reduced. The near field communication cost is a communication cost when the electric meters 2 communicate with each other by HAN. The broadband communication cost is a communication cost when the electric meter 2 directly communicates with the WiMAX macro base station 10.

  The electric meter 2 uses the degree of aggregation specified by the communication path control server 1 as a weighting factor when calculating the broadband communication cost. The degree of aggregation controls the number of electric meters 2 that directly communicate with one WiMAX macro base station 10 (the number of direct communication) and the number of electric meters 2 that one electric meter 2 relays communication (the number of relays). This is a control parameter.

  The communication path control server 1 increases the degree of aggregation and increases the broadband communication cost when the electric meter 2 and the WiMAX macro base station 10 directly communicate with each other, thereby reducing the number of direct communications and increasing the number of relays. On the other hand, the degree of aggregation is reduced to reduce the broadband communication cost when the electric meter 2 and the WiMAX macro base station 10 communicate directly, thereby increasing the number of direct communications and reducing the number of relays.

  Furthermore, the communication path control server 1 detects that the control based on the increase / decrease in the degree of aggregation is impossible, and takes measures accordingly. Specifically, when detecting that the communication path control server 1 is in an uncontrollable state in which the degree of aggregation is continuously increased, the communication path control server 1 performs a communication path change process for reducing the number of direct communications. Further, when the communication path control server 1 detects that it is in an uncontrollable state in which the degree of aggregation is repeatedly raised and lowered, it performs a communication path change process for reducing the number of relays.

  4 and 5 are process sequence diagrams according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a processing sequence diagram between the electric meter 2 (communication device) that communicates directly with the WiMAX macro base station 10 and the communication path control server 1. In FIG. 4, in step S <b> 1, the electric meter 2 notifies the communication path control server 1 of quality information. The quality information includes a broadband communication cost, an identifier (BS-ID) of the WiMAX macro base station 10 that directly communicates, and a list of adjacent electric meters 2 (communication devices) (adjacent communication device list). In the adjacent communication device list, only a predetermined number (p) is extracted from adjacent electric meters 2 having the smaller total cost, and the identifier (meter ID) of the extracted electric meter 2 is described. In step S <b> 2, the communication path control server 1 aggregates the quality information received from each electric meter 2, determines an instruction regarding detouring of the communication path based on the aggregation result, and transmits the determination result to the electric meter 2. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a processing sequence diagram when the electric meter 2 (transmission source) communicates with the WiMAX macro base station 10 via another electric meter 2 (relay). 5 differs from FIG. 4 in that quality information is transmitted from the transmission source electric meter 2 to the communication path control server 1 via the relay electric meter 2 (steps S1a and S1b), and a detour instruction is provided. It is a point transmitted from the communication path control server 1 to the electrical meter 2 that is the transmission source of the quality information via the relay electrical meter 2.

  Next, a communication path control process performed by the control unit 12 of the communication path control server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the communication path control process according to the present embodiment.

  Step S10: The control unit 12 sets the upper limit value N of the number of electric meters 2 that directly communicate with one WiMAX macro base station 10 (the number of direct communication), and the electric meter 2 with which one electric meter 2 relays communication. The upper limit M of the number (number of relays) is input. The upper limit values N and M are set in the communication path control server 1 in advance.

  Step S11: The control unit 12 determines whether the number of electric meters 2 (the number of direct communication) connected to one WiMAX macro base station 10 (target base station 10) exceeds the upper limit N. As a result, when the direct communication number exceeds the upper limit value N, the process proceeds to step S12, and when the direct communication number does not exceed the upper limit value N, the process proceeds to step S16.

  Step S12: The control unit 12 determines whether or not the number of times that the degree of aggregation has increased monotonously (the number of times of increase in the degree of aggregation monotonous) is within a specified number of times within a certain period. As a result, when the number of times of increase in the monotonicity is within the specified number of times, the process proceeds to step S13, and when the number of times of increase in the monotonousness of monotony exceeds the specified number of times, the process proceeds to step S14.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as a means for detecting that the control is in an uncontrollable state in which the degree of aggregation is continuously increased, the number of times of increase in the degree of monotony in a certain period is measured, and the measured number of times of monotonic increase in the degree of aggregation is defined as the specified number of times. In comparison, it is detected that the number of monotonically increasing intensities exceeds the specified number.

  Step S13: This step S13 is a process when the degree of aggregation monotonically increasing in step S12 is within a prescribed number and is in a state that can be controlled by the degree of aggregation. The control unit 12 adds the updated aggregation degree by adding 1 to the current aggregation degree α for all electric meters 2 connected to the target base station 10 (both directly connected and non-directly connected electric meters 2). α is transmitted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15.

  Step S14: This step S14 is a process when the degree of aggregation monotonically increasing in step S12 exceeds the specified number of times and is in a state that cannot be controlled due to the degree of aggregation. The control unit 12 performs communication path change processing 1 for reducing the number of direct communications in the target base station 10. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15. The communication path change process 1 will be described later.

  Step S15: The control unit 12 confirms the timeout of the timer, and if timed out, returns to step S11, and if not timed out, waits until timed out.

  Step S16: The control unit 12 determines whether or not the number of electric meters 2 (number of relays) with which one electric meter 2 (target electric meter 2) relays communication exceeds the upper limit value M. As a result, if the number of relays exceeds the upper limit M, the process proceeds to step S17, and if the number of relays does not exceed the upper limit M, the process proceeds to step S15.

  Step S17: The control unit 12 determines whether or not the number of times the degree of aggregation has repeatedly increased and decreased (the number of changes in the degree of aggregation up and down) is within a specified number in a certain period. As a result, if the number of changes in the degree of aggregation is within the prescribed number, the process proceeds to step S18, and if the number of changes in the degree of aggregation exceeds the prescribed number, the process proceeds to step S19.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as means for detecting an uncontrollable state in which the degree of aggregation is repeatedly raised and lowered, the number of changes in the degree of aggregation up and down in a certain period is measured, and the number of times of change in the degree of aggregation up and down is measured a specified number of times. Compared with, it detects that the number of changes in the degree of aggregation exceeds the specified number.

  Step S18: This step S18 is processing when the number of changes in the degree of aggregation up and down is within a prescribed number in step S17 and is in a state that can be controlled by the degree of aggregation. The control unit 12 transmits the updated aggregation degree α obtained by subtracting 1 from the current aggregation degree α to the target electric meter 2 and all electric meters 2 connected to the target electric meter 2. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15.

  Step S19: This step S19 is a process when the number of changes in the degree of aggregation up and down exceeds the specified number in step S17, and the control is impossible due to the degree of aggregation. The control unit 12 performs communication path change processing 2 for reducing the number of relays in the target electric meter 2. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15. The communication path change process 2 will be described later.

  Next, referring to FIG. 7, the communication path changing process 1 in step S14 of FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the communication path change process 1 for reducing the number of direct communications according to the present embodiment. The communication path change process 1 is a process for setting the number of direct communications of the target base station 10 to the upper limit value N or less.

  Step S100: The control unit 12 indicates that the “expected value of the number of electric meters 2 (communication devices) that directly communicate with the target base station 10 (the number of direct communication)” after instructing the communication path is equal to or less than the upper limit N. Determine whether. As a result, if the expected value of the number of direct communications is less than or equal to the upper limit value N, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the expected value of the number of direct communications is not less than or equal to the upper limit value N, the process proceeds to step S40.

  Step S40: The control unit 12 selects the electric meter 2 having the maximum broadband communication cost among the electric meters 2 that communicate directly with the target base station 10. The broadband communication cost of each electric meter 2 is stored in the communication device management table 13.

  Step S41: The control unit 12 sets the variable i to 0.

  Step S42: The control unit 12 determines whether or not the broadband communication cost (maximum broadband communication cost) of the electricity meter 2 (selected electricity meter 2) selected in Step S40 is equal to or greater than the value of the variable i. As a result, if the maximum broadband communication cost is greater than or equal to the value of variable i, the process proceeds to step S43, and if the maximum broadband communication cost is less than the value of variable i, the process returns to step S100.

  Step S43: The control unit 12 determines whether or not the electricity meter 2 whose broadband communication cost matches the value of the variable i is in the adjacent communication device list of the selected electricity meter 2. As a result, when it is in the adjacent communication device list, the process proceeds to step S44, and when it is not in the adjacent communication apparatus list, the process proceeds to step S45. The adjacent communication device list of each electric meter 2 is stored in the communication device management table 13.

  Step S44: The control unit 12 sends the selected electric meter 2 via the electric meter 2 having the smallest number of relays among the electric meters 2 discovered from the adjacent communication device list of the selected electric meter 2 in step S43. A change in communication path is notified (detour instruction) so as to communicate with the target base station 10. Thereafter, the process returns to step S100.

  Step S45: The control unit 12 adds 1 to the variable i. Thereafter, the process returns to step S42.

  Next, referring to FIG. 8, the communication path changing process 2 in step S19 of FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the communication path change process 2 for reducing the number of relays according to the present embodiment. The communication path change process 2 is a process for setting the number of relays of the target electric meter 2 to the upper limit value M or less.

  Step S200: The control unit 12 sets the upper limit value M to “the expected value of the number (relay number) of electric meters 2 (communication devices) to which the target electric meter 2 (communication device) relays communication” after instructing the communication path. Determine whether: As a result, when the expected value of the number of relays is equal to or less than the upper limit value M, the process ends. On the other hand, when the expected value of the number of relays does not become the upper limit value M or less, the process proceeds to step S50.

  Step S50: The control unit 12 selects the electric meter 2 having the lowest broadband communication cost among the electric meters 2 that communicate with the WiMAX macro base station 10 via the target electric meter 2.

  Step S51: The control unit 12 sets the variable j to 0.

  Step S52: The control unit 12 determines that the maximum broadband communication cost (maximum broadband communication cost) among the broadband communication costs of the electric meter 2 communicating with the target base station 10 via the target electric meter 2 is equal to or greater than the value of the variable j. It is judged whether it is. As a result, if the maximum broadband communication cost is greater than or equal to the value of variable j, the process proceeds to step S53. If the maximum broadband communication cost is less than the value of variable j, the process returns to step S200.

  Step S53: The control unit 12 sets the electricity whose broadband communication cost is equal to the value of the variable j, except for the target electricity meter 2, in the adjacent communication device list of the electricity meter 2 (selected electricity meter 2) selected in Step S50. It is determined whether the meter 2 is present. As a result, if it is in the adjacent communication device list, the process proceeds to step S54, and if not, the process proceeds to step S55.

  Step S54: The control unit 12 sends the selected electric meter 2 via the electric meter 2 having the smallest number of relays among the electric meters 2 discovered from the adjacent communication device list of the selected electric meter 2 in step S53. A change in communication path is notified (detour instruction) so as to communicate with the target base station 10. Thereafter, the process returns to step S200.

  Step S55: The control unit 12 adds 1 to the variable j. Thereafter, the process returns to step S52.

FIGS. 9-11 is Example 1 for demonstrating the communication path | route change process 1 for reducing the direct communication number which concerns on this embodiment.
In FIG. 9, the upper limit value of the number of direct communications is 4 (N = 4). In FIG. 9, first, there are ten electric meters 2 (meter IDs A to J) that directly communicate with the target base station 10. Therefore, the upper limit “4” of the direct communication number is exceeded. The communication device management table 13 of the communication path control server 1 at this time is shown in FIG. Here, if the communication path control server 1 detects that the number of communications cannot be directly reduced even if the degree of aggregation is increased, the communication path control server 1 executes the communication path change process 1.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the communication path control server 1 issues a detour instruction to the six electric meters 2 (C, D, E, H, I, J). Specifically, the electric meter 2 (B) is used for the electric meter 2 (C, D), the electric meter 2 (A) is used for the electric meter 2 (E), and the electric meter 2 (H, I) is used. On the other hand, the electric meter 2 (G) is instructed to the electric meter 2 (J), and the electric meter 2 (F) is instructed as a destination. As a result, the communication device management table 13 of the communication path control server 1 is as shown in FIG. As a result, the number of direct communications is 4, which is less than the upper limit “4”.

FIGS. 12-14 is Example 2 for demonstrating the communication path | route change process 2 for reducing the number of relays which concerns on this embodiment.
In FIG. 12, the upper limit of the number of direct communications is 4 (N = 4), and the upper limit of the number of relays is 3 (M = 3). In FIG. 12, initially, there are four (A, B, F, G) electric meters 2 that communicate directly with the target base station 10. Therefore, the upper limit value “4” of the number of direct communication is below. On the other hand, four electric meters 2 (A, C, D, E) passing through the electric meter 2 (A) and four electric meters 2 passing through the electric meter 2 (F) (F, H, I, J) ), Both of which exceed the upper limit “3” of the number of relays. The number of relays is counted including the electric meter 2 itself that relays communication. The communication device management table 13 of the communication path control server 1 at this time is shown in FIG. Here, when the communication path control server 1 detects that the degree of aggregation is repeatedly increased and decreased, the communication path control server 1 executes a communication path change process 2.

  In the example of FIG. 12, the communication path control server 1 issues a detour instruction to the two electric meters 2 (D, I). Specifically, the electric meter 2 (B) is instructed to the electric meter 2 (D), and the electric meter 2 (G) is instructed to the electric meter 2 (I), respectively. As a result, the communication device management table 13 of the communication path control server 1 is as shown in FIG. As a result, the number of relays is 3 or less, and the upper limit value is “3” or less.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the specific structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, WiMAX is used as a communication method for realizing broadband communication, but other broadband communication methods may be used. In addition, although a wireless LAN system conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard known as HAN or the like is used as a communication system for realizing near field communication, other near field communication systems may be used.

Also, a program for realizing the steps shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed. Thus, the communication path control process may be performed. Here, the “computer system” may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
“Computer-readable recording medium” refers to a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a writable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a built-in computer system. A storage device such as a hard disk.

Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” means a volatile memory (for example, DRAM (Dynamic DRAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Random Access Memory)), etc., which hold programs for a certain period of time.
The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication path control server (communication path control apparatus), 2 ... Electric meter (communication apparatus),
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... WiMAX module, 4 ... HAN device, 10 ... WiMAX macro base station, 11 ... Communication part, 12 ... Control part, 13 ... Communication apparatus management table, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Path information table, 23 ... Electric energy measurement Part

Claims (8)

Select whether each communication device communicates directly with the base station device to transmit data, or communicates with the base station device via another communication device to transmit data so that the communication cost is reduced In a wireless communication system
The number of communication devices that directly communicate with one base station device (the number of direct communication) and the number of communication devices that one communication device relays communication (the number of relays) are directly between the communication device and the base station device. A communication path control device that controls using a weighting factor (aggregation degree) used when calculating a communication cost for communication;
A control unit that performs processing to increase the degree of aggregation to reduce the number of direct communications and processing to reduce the degree of aggregation to reduce the number of relays,
The control unit monitors the change in the degree of aggregation, detects that the control due to the increase or decrease in the degree of aggregation is impossible based on the monitoring result, and copes with it.
When the control unit detects that it is in an uncontrollable state that continues to increase the degree of aggregation, it performs a communication path change process for reducing the number of direct communications.
A communication path control device. The control unit measures the number of times the degree of aggregation has monotonously increased in a certain period (the number of times of monotonic increase of the degree of aggregation), compares the measured number of times of monotonous increase with the prescribed number of times, If it exceeds the communication path control device according to claim 1, characterized in that communicating route change processing for reducing the number of the direct communication. The control unit communicates with a base station apparatus through another communication apparatus having the smallest number of relays to a communication apparatus having the maximum communication cost among communication apparatuses directly communicating with the base station apparatus. communication path control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that changing the route. Select whether each communication device communicates directly with the base station device to transmit data, or communicates with the base station device via another communication device to transmit data so that the communication cost is reduced In a wireless communication system
The number of communication devices that directly communicate with one base station device (the number of direct communication) and the number of communication devices that one communication device relays communication (the number of relays) are directly between the communication device and the base station device. A communication path control device that controls using a weighting factor (aggregation degree) used when calculating a communication cost for communication;
A control unit that performs processing to increase the degree of aggregation to reduce the number of direct communications and processing to reduce the degree of aggregation to reduce the number of relays,
The control unit monitors the change in the degree of aggregation, detects that the control due to the increase or decrease in the degree of aggregation is impossible based on the monitoring result, and copes with it.
When the control unit detects that it is in an uncontrollable state in which the degree of aggregation is repeatedly increased and decreased, it performs a communication path change process for reducing the number of relays.
A communication path control device. The control unit measures the number of times the degree of aggregation has repeatedly increased and decreased over a certain period (the number of changes in the degree of aggregation up and down), compares the measured number of up and down changes in the degree of aggregation with the prescribed number of times, The communication path control apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein a communication path change process for reducing the number of relays is performed when the number of relays is exceeded. The control unit communicates with the base station apparatus via another communication apparatus with respect to the communication apparatus with the smallest communication cost, and other communication with the smallest number of relays other than the other communication apparatus. The communication path control apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the communication path is changed so as to communicate with the base station apparatus via the apparatus. Select whether each communication device communicates directly with the base station device to transmit data, or communicates with the base station device via another communication device to transmit data so that the communication cost is reduced In a wireless communication system
The number of communication devices that directly communicate with one base station device (the number of direct communication) and the number of communication devices that one communication device relays communication (the number of relays) are directly between the communication device and the base station device. A computer program for performing a communication path control process controlled using a weighting factor (aggregation degree) used when calculating a communication cost for communication,
Increasing the degree of aggregation to reduce the number of direct communications;
Reducing the degree of aggregation to reduce the number of relays;
Monitoring the change in intensity, and address steps are controlled by an increase or decrease in intensity on the basis of the monitoring result detects that disabled state, addressing,
A computer program for causing a computer to execute the,
In the handling step, when it is detected that it is in an uncontrollable state that continues to increase the degree of aggregation, a communication path change process for reducing the number of direct communications is performed.
Computer program. Select whether each communication device communicates directly with the base station device to transmit data, or communicates with the base station device via another communication device to transmit data so that the communication cost is reduced In a wireless communication system
The number of communication devices that directly communicate with one base station device (the number of direct communication) and the number of communication devices that one communication device relays communication (the number of relays) are directly between the communication device and the base station device. A computer program for performing a communication path control process controlled using a weighting factor (aggregation degree) used when calculating a communication cost for communication,
Increasing the degree of aggregation to reduce the number of direct communications;
Reducing the degree of aggregation to reduce the number of relays;
A response step for monitoring a change in the intensity, detecting that the control due to the increase or decrease in the intensity is impossible based on the monitoring result,
Is a computer program for causing a computer to execute
When the coping step detects that it is in an uncontrollable state in which the degree of aggregation is repeatedly raised and lowered, a communication path change process for reducing the number of relays is performed.
Computer program.

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