JP6535697B2 - INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that transmits and receives information related to gas, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

  Conventionally, there has been a technique of acquiring a meter reading value of gas by a gas meter and transferring the acquired reading value to a cloud server such as a gas company. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that information acquired from a gas meter is directly transferred to a cloud server of a gas company using a U-bus air communication method. In addition, in Patent Document 1, the meter reading value acquired by the gas meter is transmitted via a HEMS (Home Energy Management System: residential energy monitoring system) having a gateway function using a communication method different from the U bus air communication method. It is described that it is transferred to the gas company's cloud server.

JP, 2017-16564, A

  As described above, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the meter reading value acquired by the gas meter is transferred via the HEMS provided with the gateway function using another communication method in addition to the U bus air communication method.

  However, in patent document 1, in order to transfer the meter reading value acquired with the gas meter by communication systems other than U bus air communication system, HEMS which has a gateway function is needed. That is, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1, if there is no HEMS provided with a gateway function, the meter reading value acquired by the gas meter will be transferred only by a specific communication method called the U bus air communication method. Therefore, the gas meter described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that when there is no HEMS, transfer can not be performed using a communication method other than the specific communication method.

  Therefore, in view of the problems as described above, the present invention transfers information related to gas without using another device having a gateway function and using another communication method in addition to a specific communication method. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can be performed.

  An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a detection unit that detects gas information that is information related to gas, and gas information detected by the detection unit according to either the first communication method or the second communication method. A transmitting unit that can transmit using the control unit, and a control unit that causes the transmitting unit to transmit gas information using the first communication method based on the communication strength in communication using the second communication method being equal to or less than a predetermined value And.

  In the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first communication method is a communication method for directly transferring gas information to a network, and the second communication method is another information processing device for transmitting gas information. It may be characterized in that it is a communication method for transferring data via the network.

  In the information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit detects gas information including the remaining amount of gas in the gas container or the usage amount of gas in a predetermined period, and the transmission unit detects the remaining amount of gas It may be characterized in that gas information including an amount or a used amount of gas is transmitted at a predetermined cycle.

  In the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit uses the second communication method to transmit the information to the information processing apparatus based on the fact that the remaining amount of the battery supplying power to the information processing apparatus is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. It may be characterized by transmitting gas information.

  The information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a receiving unit that receives gas information from another information processing apparatus using the second communication method, and the transmitting unit transmits the gas information detected by the detecting unit. In addition, the gas information received from another information processing apparatus may be transmitted using the first communication method.

  In the information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit receives gas information from another information processing apparatus based on the fact that the communication intensity in communication using the first communication method is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The operation may be stopped, and the transmission unit may transmit gas information to another information processing apparatus using the second communication method.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is also characterized in that the gas information is transmitted using the first communication method based on the detection of the occurrence of a failure in another information processing apparatus. Good.

  An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a detection step of detecting gas information which is information related to gas, and gas information detected by the detection unit as either the first communication method or the second communication method. And a control step of transmitting gas information using the first communication method based on the fact that the communication intensity in communication using the second communication method is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

  A program according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a computer having a detection function of detecting gas information which is information related to gas, and gas information detected by the detection unit as either the first communication method or the second communication method. Executes the transmission function to transmit using the control function and the control function to transmit gas information using the first communication method based on the communication strength in communication using the second communication method being less than or equal to the predetermined value It is characterized by

  According to the present invention, there is provided a configuration for selecting a communication method for transferring gas information on gas based on a predetermined condition from a plurality of communication methods, so that another device having a gateway function is not required. It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of transferring information related to gas even if another communication method is used in addition to the specific communication method.

It is a figure showing an example of composition of a communication system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. The communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention WHEREIN: It is a schematic diagram of the transfer path of gas information from an information processing apparatus to a control apparatus. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of an information processor concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a control device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the information processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

(One embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of communication system)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses 10, a monitoring system 20, and a network 30.

  In the communication system 1, the information processing apparatus 10 that detects gas information on gas transfers the gas information to the control device 21 of the monitoring system 20 using any of a plurality of communication methods. The control device 21 manages gas information based on the collected gas information and executes various controls.

  The network 30 is, for example, a wireless network or a wired network. Specifically, the network 30 includes a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), an ISDNs (integrated service digital networks), a wireless LANs, a long term evolution (LTE), an LTE-Advanced, The fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), CDMA (code division multiple access), and the like. The network 30 is not limited to these examples. For example, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), optical line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, satellite It may be a communication network or any other network. Also, the network 30 may be a combination of these. Also, the network 30 may include a plurality of different networks combining these examples. For example, the network 30 may include a LTE wireless network and a wired network such as an intranet which is a closed area network.

  The information processing apparatus 10 is an apparatus capable of transferring gas information, which is information on gas, through the network 30. The information processing apparatus 10 is, for example, a sensor capable of detecting information on gas, and is, for example, a gas meter. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10 may be, for example, a smart device (for example, a smart meter or an HEMS) capable of detecting gas information on gas. The information processing apparatus 10 is not limited to these examples, and may be any apparatus as long as it can detect gas information on gas and transfer it via the network 30. Further, the number of information processing apparatuses 10 included in the communication system 1 is not limited to the example of FIG. 1 and may be any number.

  The information processing apparatus 10 can be connected, for example, to a gas cylinder (gas tank) of LP (Liquefied Petroleum) gas, and can acquire gas information on the gas in the gas cylinder (gas tank). The information on the gas that can be detected by the information processing apparatus is not limited to the gas information on the LP gas, and may be any gas. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10 may acquire, for example, gas information related to city gas.

  Here, the gas information on gas is, for example, the usage amount of the LP gas in a container (gas cylinder, gas bottle) of the LP gas. The amount of gas used is the amount of gas used for a predetermined period (for example, one day, one week, one month, etc.). The gas information is, for example, the remaining amount of the LP gas in a gas cylinder of the LP gas. Further, the gas information may be, for example, information on the occurrence of a gas leak from a gas cylinder, a gas supply plug, or the like. In addition, the information regarding gas is not restricted to these examples, As long as it is the information relevant to gas, what kind of information may be sufficient.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the information processing apparatus 10 can transfer gas information on gas using any of a plurality of communication methods. The information processing apparatus 10 can transfer gas information, for example, using either the first communication method or the second communication method shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a transfer path of gas information from the information processing device 10 to the control device 21 in the communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown to Fig.2 (a), 10 A of information processing apparatuses can transfer the detected gas information to the control apparatus 21 using a 1st communication system. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the first communication method is a communication method that can be connected directly to the network 30. For example, the information processing apparatus 10A transfers the detected gas information via the network 30 according to the first communication method, as in the path A illustrated in FIG. 2A.

  Further, the information processing device 10A can transfer the detected gas information to the control device 21 via the other information processing device 10B by the second communication method. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the second communication method is a communication method for connecting to another information processing apparatus 10B. For example, the information processing apparatus 10A first transfers the detected gas information to the other information processing apparatus 10B using the second communication method, as in the path B illustrated in FIG. 2B. Thereafter, the other information processing apparatus 10B transfers the gas information detected by the information processing apparatus 10A to the control apparatus 10 by the first communication method, together with the gas information detected by the own apparatus. That is, in the case of FIG. 2B, the other information processing apparatus 10B executes the function as a gateway to transfer the gas information of the information processing apparatus 10A.

  Thus, the information processing apparatus 10A transfers the route A directly to the control apparatus 21 via the network 30 using the first communication method, and passes through the other information processing apparatus 10B using the second communication method. Then, the detected gas information can be transferred by the route B transferred to the control device 21.

  Here, it is assumed that the first communication method which can be directly connected to the network 30 is a communication method which consumes a large amount of power as compared with the second communication method which is connected to the other information processing apparatus 10B. In that case, if the information processing apparatus 10 uses the first communication method, power consumption will increase. In addition, when all the information processing apparatuses 10 are directly connected to the network 30 using the first communication method and each individually transfers gas information, there is a possibility that the network 30 may be congested due to an increase in communication traffic. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 10A can reduce power consumption by preferentially using the second communication method over the first communication method, and collectively transfers gas information of a plurality of information processing devices 10 This makes it possible to suppress the increase in communication traffic.

  Therefore, it is desirable that the information processing apparatus 10 transfer the gas information by the second communication method until the communication strength (electric field strength) of the communication by the second communication method becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. However, when the communication strength (field strength) of the communication according to the second communication method is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the information processing apparatus 10 may require power consumption because it takes a long time to transmit gas information. In this case, the gas information is transferred by directly connecting to the network 30 by the first communication method. Further, even if the information processing apparatus 10 attempts to transfer the gas information by the second communication method, it can not transfer by the second communication method unless another information processing device 10B exists in the near range. Therefore, in such a case, the gas information is transferred by the first communication method.

  Further, in the case where the communication according to the second communication method is wired communication or the like, the information processing apparatus 10 replaces the communication strength (electric field strength) until the communication speed becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. May be configured to transfer gas information. In the following, the case where the second communication method is wireless communication (that is, the case of communication strength (electric field strength)) will be described as an example. Needless to say, even when the second communication method is wireless communication, the gas information may be transferred by the second communication method until the communication speed becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  The monitoring system 20 collects gas information on gas from the plurality of information processing apparatuses 10, manages the gas information, and executes various controls. The monitoring system 20 is used, for example, by a manager who manages gas information on gas, such as a gas company or a telecommunications carrier commissioned to manage by a plurality of gas companies. Here, there are a plurality of gas companies that sell and manage gas cylinders of LP gas, so, for example, a telecommunications carrier etc. operates the monitoring system 20 and manages gas information and various information related to the gas as needed. , May be provided to each gas company.

  The controller 21 executes various controls based on the collected gas information. The control device 21 provides information for promoting replacement of the gas cylinder, for example, based on the fact that the remaining amount of gas included in the collected gas information is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In addition, the control device 21 determines that the use condition of the gas is abnormal, for example, based on the fact that the use amount of the gas included in the collected gas information is equal to or more than a predetermined value. Then, when it is determined that the control device 21 is abnormal, the control device 21 may notify the user of the gas cylinder provided with the information processing device 10 or the gas company that sells / manages the gas cylinder. Further, the control device 21 determines that the gas leak has occurred, for example, based on the information on the gas leak included in the collected gas information. Then, the control device 21 notifies the user of the gas cylinder provided with the information processing apparatus 10, the gas company that sells / manages the gas cylinder, etc. of the occurrence of the gas leak, and the process for blocking the gas leak. 10 may be executed.

  Further, the control device 21 included in the monitoring system 20 may store the collected gas information in the DB 22. In addition, the various control which the control apparatus 21 performs is not restricted to these examples, What kind of thing may be sufficient.

  The control device 21 is, for example, a server device, a super computer, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a tablet or the like. The control device 21 is not limited to these examples, and may be any device as long as it can provide a predetermined service. The control device 21 can also be configured by combining a plurality of computer devices.

  The DB 22 is a database that manages gas information on gas. The DB 22 stores, as gas information, the remaining amount of gas, the amount of gas used, and the like for each user. Further, the DB 22 may store, for example, an identifier that can uniquely identify the user, a gas company of a gas cylinder, a history of the date and time of replacement of the gas cylinder, and the like in association with gas information. The DB 22 is realized by various storage media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and a flash memory, for example.

(Configuration of terminal)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a display unit 101, an LED unit 102, an input / output unit 103, a detection unit 104, a USIM 105, a communication unit 106, a storage unit 107, and a control unit 108.

  The display unit 101 is, for example, a monitor such as a liquid crystal display or an OELD (organic electroluminescence display). Further, the display unit 101 may be realized by any device such as a head mounted display (HDM), projection mapping, a device such as a hologram, and the like that can display an image, text information, and the like in a space.

  The LED unit 102 is capable of lighting with multiple types of lighting methods and multiple colors, and notifies communication strength (field strength) of communication according to the first communication method or the second communication method. The lighting method and color change according to the communication strength. The LED unit 102 lights up in red, for example, when the communication strength (field strength) of the communication according to the first communication method (or the second communication method) is equal to or less than a predetermined value, Lights up green if large. In addition, the LED unit 102 may change the lighting method or the color according to, for example, the remaining amount of the battery. For example, when the battery remaining amount is small, the battery needs to be replaced by blinking the LED. Can be notified.

  The input / output unit 103 includes a function of inputting various operations on the information processing apparatus 10, and a function of outputting a processing result processed by the information processing apparatus 10. The input / output unit 103 is, for example, a reed switch, and can switch between a plurality of modes in accordance with the time when the reed switch is pressed. For example, when the reed switch is pressed for 0.3 seconds or more and less than 3 seconds, the information processing apparatus 10 transitions to a mode for acquiring electric field strength. In addition, when the read switch is pressed for 3 seconds or more and less than 6 seconds, the information processing apparatus 10 executes a process for performing communication using the second communication method. Further, when the reed switch is pressed for 6 seconds or more and less than 9 seconds, the information processing apparatus 10 transitions to the pre-construction mode and executes processing for performing test communication. Further, when the reed switch is pressed for 9 seconds or more, the information processing apparatus 10 transitions to the maintenance mode. The time for which the reed switch is pressed is merely an example, and may be set in any manner. Further, the input / output unit 103 is not limited to these, and may be any device.

  The detection unit 104 detects gas information on gas. The detection unit 104 detects, for example, the amount of gas (LP gas, city gas, etc.) used in a predetermined period (for example, one day, one week, one month, etc.). The detection unit 104 detects, for example, a meter reading value of the gas in a gas cylinder or the like as the amount of use of the gas. The detection unit 104 also detects, for example, the remaining amount of the LP gas in the gas cylinder of the LP gas as gas information. Further, the detection unit 104 detects, for example, as gas information, information on occurrence of gas leak from a gas cylinder (LP gas), a gas supply plug (city gas), and the like. In addition, the detection unit 104 may detect, as the gas information, information on the operation status of the gas appliance including the own apparatus, the amount of carbon dioxide discharged from the gas appliance, and the like. In addition, the detection unit 104 may detect, as gas information, a failure state or a restoration state of a gas appliance. In addition, the gas information which the detection part 104 detects is not restricted to these examples, As long as it is gas information relevant to gas, you may detect what kind of information. Further, the information detected by the detection unit 104 is not necessarily limited to the gas information related to the gas, and may detect at-home information of the user in a house where the information processing apparatus 10 is installed.

  A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) 105 is an IC module that is a subscriber information storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the device body. The subscriber information stored in the USIM 105 enables the information processing apparatus 10 to communicate via a wireless communication network such as LTE and CDMA.

  The USIM 105 may be eSIM (embedded SIM). By using the eSIM, it is possible to switch the communication carrier with which the information processing apparatus 10 can communicate by remote operation without physical replacement. The eSIM can remotely rewrite information in the SIM by the connection information management server (on-demand server). Specifically, the eSIM includes an operational profile, which is information required to perform mobile communication in a mobile communication network, and information required to communicate between the eSIM and the connection information management server. And a provisioning profile, which is Then, the eSIM in which the provisioning profile is stored communicates with the connection information management server using the provisioning profile, and acquires the operational profile from the connection information management server. Then, the eSIM can perform mobile communication in the mobile communication network corresponding to the operational profile using the acquired operational profile. As described above, by using the eSIM, the information processing apparatus 10 can automatically switch the connectable mobile communication network according to an instruction from the connection information management server (on-demand server).

  The communication unit 106 is a communication interface capable of transmitting and receiving messages and the like to and from other information processing apparatuses 10, the control apparatus 21, and the DB 22 via the network 30. The communication unit 106 is, for example, a communication interface capable of wireless communication, and includes a function to communicate via an access point of a wireless LAN, and a function to communicate via a wireless communication network such as LTE or CDMA. It is also good. The communication unit 106 may execute, for example, digital processing for performing communication of transmission and reception of a message with another information processing apparatus 10, the control apparatus 21, and the DB 22.

  The communication unit 106 includes a first module 160 and a second module 161, as shown in FIG. The first module 106 is, for example, a communication interface for communicating using a first communication scheme. The second module 161 is, for example, a communication interface for communicating using the second communication method.

  Here, the first communication method is, for example, a communication method for directly transferring gas information to a network. The first communication scheme is, for example, a communication scheme such as LTE, LTE-Advanced, fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), CDMA, and the like. Specifically, the first communication method is, for example, NB-IoT (Narrow Band IoT), is a wireless communication method for IoT, and is a communication method that extends LTE. The first communication method is not limited to these examples.

  The second communication method is, for example, a communication method for transferring gas information via another information processing apparatus 10. The second communication scheme is, for example, a specific low power wireless scheme in which communication is performed using a 920 MHz band. The specific low power wireless system for communication using the 920 MHz band is, for example, a communication system based on the communication standard of WiSUN or a communication system of the wireless communication standard operating on IEEE 802.15.4 such as Zigbee (registered trademark). is there. The second communication method is not limited to the 920 MHz band, and communication may be performed using any communication band. The second communication method may be a communication method standardized by a predetermined group called N line. The second communication method may be a communication method standardized by another predetermined group called U bus or U bus air. The N line, the U bus, and the U bus air are standardized communication methods as a communication method for transmitting and receiving gas information on gas. The second communication method is not limited to these examples.

  The communication unit 106 operates on a communication system based on the WiSUN communication standard, which is a specific low-power wireless system that communicates using the 920 MHz band, and IEEE 802.15.4 such as Zigbee (registered trademark). Whether to communicate with the other information processing apparatus 10 may be determined by the communication method of the wireless communication standard, (2) N line, (3) U bus, or U bus air.

  The communication unit 106 may determine, for example, a communication method used by the own device as the second communication method in accordance with the communication method used by the other information processing apparatus 10 present around the own device. For example, the communication unit 106 has been used until now based on the fact that another information processing apparatus 10 capable of communicating using (3) U bus and U bus air is arranged around its own apparatus (2) Switch from the N line to (3) U bus and U bus air. Note that the communication unit 106 uses the communication method that is used more frequently among the communication methods used by the other information processing apparatuses 10 that exist around the own apparatus, the own communication apparatus using the second communication method. It may be set as a communication method used as In addition, the communication unit 106 sets the priority to a predetermined priority (for example, (3) the U bus and the U bus air having a higher priority than the (2) N line). Based on this, it may be set as a communication method that the own device uses as the second communication method.

  The storage unit 107 includes a function of storing various programs and various data required for the information processing apparatus 10 to operate. The storage unit 107 is realized by various storage media such as an HDD, an SSD, and a flash memory.

  The storage unit 107 stores, for example, a driver program, an operating system program, an application program, data, and the like used for various processes in the control unit 100. For example, the storage unit 107 stores, as a driver program, a communication driver program that executes a wireless communication method of the IEEE 802.11 standard or a wireless communication method of mobile communication (cellular communication). The storage unit 107 also stores a connection control program and the like that perform authentication and the like in the wireless communication method of the IEEE 802.11 standard and the wireless communication method of mobile communication (cellular communication). In addition, the storage unit 107 may store various information for connecting to the access point of the wireless LAN. In addition, the storage unit 107 may store gas information on gas or may temporarily store temporary data related to a predetermined process.

  The control unit 108 has a function for executing a predetermined function according to a code or an instruction in a program, and is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). Also, the control unit 108 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a multiprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The control unit 100 is not limited to these examples.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 100 includes a determination unit 110, a determination unit 111, and a communication processing unit 112.

  For example, the determination unit 110 determines that the communication strength (electric field strength) in communication using the second communication method is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is, for example, a communication strength (electric field strength) to such an extent that communication can not be performed using the second communication method. In addition, for example, when the second communication method is used, the predetermined value increases the time required to transmit the gas information, and the gas information is transmitted compared to when the first communication method is used. Communication power (electric field strength) of the second communication scheme in the case where the power consumption required to do so increases. The predetermined value is merely an example, and may be any value.

  Further, the determination unit 110 may determine, for example, that the communication strength (electric field strength) in communication using the first communication method is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value in this case is, for example, communication strength (electric field strength) to such an extent that communication can not be performed using the first communication method. The predetermined value is merely an example, and may be any value.

  In addition, for example, the determination unit 110 may determine that the remaining amount of the battery that supplies power to the information processing apparatus 10 (the apparatus itself) is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is, for example, 30% of the capacity of the battery. The predetermined threshold is not limited to 30%, and may be any value. Further, the determination unit 110 may determine, for example, that a problem has occurred in another information processing apparatus 10. Based on the fact that the predetermined signal transmitted and received periodically between the own device (the information processing apparatus 10A) and the other information processing apparatus 10B is interrupted, the determination unit 110 sends the other information processing apparatus 10B Determine that a fault has occurred. The determination unit 110 may be notified from the other information processing apparatus 10B that a failure has occurred.

  The determination unit 111 determines, based on the determination result by the determination unit 110, the communication method used to transmit the gas information detected by the detection unit 104. The determination unit 111 uses the first communication method as a communication method for transmitting gas information, for example, based on the fact that the communication strength (electric field strength) in communication using the second communication method is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Decide. In addition, for example, based on the fact that the communication strength (electric field strength) in communication using the first communication method is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the determination unit 111 uses the second communication method as a communication method for transmitting gas information. Decide to use. In addition, the determination unit 111 uses the second communication method as a communication method for transmitting gas information based on the fact that the remaining amount of the battery that supplies power to the information processing apparatus 10 (the apparatus itself) is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. Decide to use.

  Further, the determination unit 111 performs a second communication with another information processing apparatus 10 (not shown, for example, the information processing apparatus 10C, etc.) based on the occurrence of a failure in the other information processing apparatus 10B. It may be determined whether to connect using the scheme or to connect directly to the network 30 using the first communication scheme.

  In addition, the determination unit 111 may determine to stop the reception of the gas information from the other information processing apparatus 10 when a failure occurs in the own device. When the determination unit 111 determines to stop the reception of the gas information, the determination unit 111 may cause the communication processing unit 112 to notify the other information processing apparatus 10 that the malfunction has occurred.

  The communication processing unit 112 causes the communication unit 106 to transmit gas information by the communication method determined by the determination unit 111. For example, when the determination unit 111 determines that the communication method is the first communication method, the communication processing unit 112 causes the communication unit 106 to transmit gas information using the first communication method. Also, for example, when the determination unit 111 determines that the communication method is the second communication method, the communication processing unit 112 causes the communication unit 106 to transmit gas information using the second communication method.

(Configuration of control device 21)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the control device 21 in an embodiment of the present invention. The control device 21 includes a communication unit 201, an input / output unit 202, a display unit 203, a storage unit 204, and a control unit 205.

  The communication unit 201 is a communication interface capable of transmitting and receiving gas information and the like related to gas with the information processing apparatus 10 and the DB 22 via the network 30. The communication unit 101 is, for example, a communication interface capable of wireless communication, and includes a function of communicating via an access point of a wireless LAN, and a function for communicating via a wireless communication network such as LTE or CDMA. It is also good. The communication unit 201 may execute, for example, digital processing for performing communication of message transmission / reception with the information processing apparatus 10 or the DB 22.

  The input / output unit 202 includes a function of inputting various operations to the control device 21 and a function of outputting the processing result processed by the control device 21. The input / output unit 202 may be, for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse, or a device capable of inputting an operation by voice. The input / output unit 202 is, for example, a touch panel, and can detect a touch by a pointing tool such as a user's finger or a stylus and the touch position. The input / output unit 202 is an audio output device such as a speaker, a 3D output device, a hologram output device, or the like, and includes a function of outputting the processing result. The input / output unit 202 is not limited to these, and may be any device.

  The display unit 203 is, for example, a monitor such as a liquid crystal display or an OELD. Further, the display unit 203 may be realized by a device that can display an image, text information, and the like in space, such as a head mounted display, projection mapping, and a hologram.

  The storage unit 204 includes a function of storing various programs and various data required for the control device 21 to operate. The storage unit 204 is realized by various storage media such as an HDD, an SSD, and a flash memory.

  The control unit 205 has a function for executing a predetermined function according to a code or an instruction in a program, and is, for example, a central processing unit. Further, the control unit 205 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a multiprocessor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like. The control unit 205 is not limited to these examples.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 205 includes a reception processing unit 210, a control processing unit 211, and a transmission processing unit 212.

  The reception processing unit 210 performs reception processing on the gas information received via the communication unit 201. The reception processing unit 210 is not limited to these examples, and can receive a message addressed to the control device 21.

  The control processing unit 211 executes various management and control related to the gas based on the collected gas information. The control processing unit 211 executes, for example, processing for causing the DB 22 to store the gas information received via the communication unit 201. Further, the control processing unit 211 determines that the remaining amount of gas included in the collected gas information is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In addition, the control processing unit 211 may determine that the use condition of the gas is abnormal based on the fact that the use amount of the gas included in the collected gas information is equal to or more than a predetermined value. In addition, the control processing unit 211 may determine that a gas leak has occurred, based on the information on the gas leak included in the collected gas information.

  The transmission processing unit 212 executes transmission processing for transmitting various control information via the communication unit 201. The transmission processing unit 212 transmits various control information via the communication unit 201 based on the detection result of the control processing unit 211, for example. For example, the transmitting unit 212 transmits information for prompting replacement of the gas cylinder. In addition, for example, the transmission unit 212 may notify the user of the gas cylinder equipped with the information processing apparatus 10 or the gas company that sells / manages the gas cylinder that the use condition of the gas is abnormal. Furthermore, the transmitting unit 212 notifies, for example, the user of the gas cylinder provided with the information processing apparatus 10, the gas company that sells and manages the gas cylinder, etc., of occurrence of gas leakage, and information on treatment for blocking the gas leakage. A control signal to be executed by the processing device 10 may be transmitted.

(Operation example of communication system)
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the detection unit 104 of the information processing device 10 detects gas information which is information on gas (S101). The detection unit 104 detects, for example, the usage amount of LP gas in a predetermined period, the remaining amount of the LP gas in the gas cylinder of LP gas, information on the occurrence of gas leak, and the like.

  Subsequently, the determination unit 110 of the control unit 108 determines whether or not the communication strength (electric field strength) in communication using the second communication method is less than or equal to a predetermined value (S102).

  And the determination part 111 determines the communication system used in order to transmit the gas information which the detection part 104 detected based on the determination result by the determination part 110. FIG. The determination unit 111 transmits the gas information based on, for example, that the determination unit 110 determines that the communication intensity (electric field intensity) in the communication using the second communication method is equal to or less than a predetermined value (YES in S102). It is decided to use the first communication method as the communication method to be selected (S103). On the other hand, the determination unit 111 transmits gas information based on the determination unit 110 determining that the communication intensity (electric field intensity) in the communication using the second communication method is larger than the predetermined value (NO in S102). It is decided to use the second communication method as the communication method (S104).

  Thereafter, the communication processing unit 112 causes the communication unit 106 to transmit gas information by the communication method determined by the determination unit 111. The communication unit 106 transmits the gas information using either the first communication method or the second communication method based on an instruction from the communication processing unit 112 (S105).

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, since the control unit 108 is configured to select the communication method for transferring the gas information on the gas based on the predetermined condition, other than the specific communication method Information on gas can also be transferred using a communication scheme.

Application Example 1
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses 10 (10A to 10E). The information processing apparatus 10A directly transmits the gas information of its own apparatus to the network 30 by the first communication method. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10B receives gas information from the other information processing apparatuses 10C to 10E using the second communication method, and transmits the gas information of its own device to the network 30 using the first communication method. It is sending. That is, the information processing device 10B executes the function as a gateway, and transfers the gas information of the information processing devices 10C to 10E.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the communication strength (electric field strength) of the communication using the second communication method between the information processing device 10E and the information processing device 10D decreases, the information processing device The control unit 108 of E determines whether the communication strength in the communication using the second communication scheme is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Then, the control unit 108 of the information processing apparatus 10E transmits the gas information based on the determination that the communication strength (electric field strength) in the communication using the second communication method is less than or equal to the predetermined value. , Determine to use the first communication scheme.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, the information processing apparatus 10E transmits the gas information directly to the network 30 using the first communication method. As a result, the information processing apparatus 10E can transmit gas information using the first communication method, instead of the second communication method in which the communication strength (electric field strength) is reduced. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 10E can avoid the situation where the gas information can not be transferred.

Application Example 2
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses 10 (10A to 10E). The information processing apparatus 10A directly transmits the gas information of its own apparatus to the network 30 by the first communication method. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10B receives gas information from the other information processing apparatuses 10C to 10E using the second communication method, and transmits the gas information of its own device to the network 30 using the first communication method. It is sending. That is, the information processing device 10B executes the function as a gateway, and transfers the gas information of the information processing devices 10C to 10E.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the remaining battery capacity of the information processing apparatus 10B decreases, the control unit 108 of the information processing apparatus 10B determines whether the remaining battery capacity is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. Determine Then, the control unit 108 of the information processing device 10B transmits the gas information based on the determination that the battery remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, and the consumption amount of power is higher than that of the first communication method. Also decide to use a lower second communication scheme. That is, the control unit 108 of the information processing device 10B determines to stop the execution of the function as the gateway.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, the information processing apparatus 10B transmits the gas information via the other information processing apparatus 10C using the second communication method, instead of the first communication method. . As a result, when the remaining capacity of the battery decreases, the information processing apparatus 10B can transfer the gas information using the second communication method with a small amount of power consumption, so that the consumption of the battery can be suppressed. Is possible.

  In addition, the information processing device 10B may transmit a control signal for stopping transmission of gas information to the other information processing devices 10C and 10D. By transmitting the control signal for stopping the transmission of the gas information, the gas information is transmitted to the other information processing apparatuses 10C and 10D using the first communication method, or the second communication method is used. It can be used to determine whether to transmit gas information.

Application Example 3
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses 10 (10A to 10E). The information processing apparatus 10A directly transmits the gas information of its own apparatus to the network 30 by the first communication method. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10B receives gas information from the other information processing apparatuses 10C to 10E using the second communication method, and transmits the gas information of its own device to the network 30 using the first communication method It is sending. That is, the information processing device 10B executes the function as a gateway, and transfers the gas information of the information processing devices 10C to 10E.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the communication strength (electric field strength) of the communication according to the first communication method in the information processing apparatus 10B decreases, the control unit 108 of the information processing apparatus 10B performs the first process. It is determined whether or not the communication strength (field strength) of the communication according to the communication method is less than or equal to a predetermined value. Then, the control unit 108 of the information processing apparatus 10B transmits the gas information based on the determination that the communication strength (electric field strength) of the communication according to the first communication method is equal to or less than the predetermined value. Decide to use the second communication method. That is, the control unit 108 of the information processing device 10B determines to stop the execution of the function as the gateway.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 8B, the information processing apparatus 10B transmits the gas information via the other information processing apparatus 10C using the second communication method, instead of the first communication method. . As a result, the information processing apparatus 10B can transmit gas information using the second communication method, instead of the first communication method in which the communication strength (electric field strength) is reduced. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 10B can avoid the situation where the gas information can not be transferred.

  In addition, the information processing device 10B may transmit a control signal for stopping transmission of gas information to the other information processing devices 10C and 10D. By transmitting the control signal for stopping the transmission of the gas information, the gas information is transmitted to the other information processing apparatuses 10C and 10D using the first communication method, or the second communication method is used. It can be used to determine whether to transmit gas information. In the example of FIG. 8B, the information processing apparatus 10C executes a function as a gateway, and transfers gas information of the information processing apparatuses 10B, 10D, and 10E.

Application Example 4
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses 10 (10A to 10E). The information processing apparatus 10A directly transmits the gas information of its own apparatus to the network 30 by the first communication method. In addition, the information processing apparatus 10B receives gas information from the other information processing apparatuses 10C to 10E using the second communication method, and transmits the gas information of its own device to the network 30 using the first communication method. It is sending. That is, the information processing device 10B executes the function as a gateway, and transfers the gas information of the information processing devices 10C to 10E.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, when a problem occurs in the information processing apparatus 10B, the information processing apparatus 10C and the information processing apparatus 10D detect that the problem has occurred in the information processing apparatus 10B. Then, the information processing apparatus 10C receives gas information from the other information processing apparatus 10 using the second communication method, and transfers the gas information to the network 30 using the first communication method, together with the gas information of its own device. Decide. In addition, the information processing device 10D determines to change the information processing device 10 that transfers gas information using the second communication method from the information processing device 10B to the information processing device 10C.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9B, the information processing apparatus 10C receives gas information from the information processing apparatus 10D using the second communication method, and the first communication method is used together with the gas information of the own apparatus. It transfers to network 30 using. That is, the information processing apparatus 10C executes a function as a gateway and transfers gas information of the information processing apparatuses 10D and 10E. As a result, even when a problem occurs in the information processing apparatus 10B, it is possible to prevent the gas information of the other information processing apparatuses 10C to 10E from being unable to be transmitted.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various changes and modifications based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, each means, functions included in each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and it is possible to combine or divide a plurality of means, steps, etc. into one. . Further, the structures described in the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

Reference Signs List 1 communication system 10 information processing apparatus 20 monitoring system 21 control apparatus 22 DB
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 30 network 101 display unit 102 LED unit 103 input / output unit 104 detection unit 105 USIM
106 communication unit 107 storage unit 108 control unit 110 determination unit 111 determination unit 112 communication processing unit 160 first module 161 second module 201 communication unit 202 input / output unit 203 display unit 204 storage unit 205 control unit 210 reception processing unit 211 control processing Part 212 Transmission processing part

Claims (6)

A plurality of information processing devices that detect gas information related to gas are information processing devices in a system in which the gas information is transferred to a control device via a network,
It is driven by a battery that supplies power to its own device,
A detection unit that detects the gas information;
When the gas information detected by the detection unit is transmitted to the control device, the first communication method directly transfers the gas information to the control device, or the second communication method transfers the information to the control device via another information processing device. A transmitter using any of the communication methods of
When the gas information detected by the detection unit is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus using the second communication method, the communication strength in communication using the second communication method is less than or equal to a predetermined value A control unit that switches a communication scheme to cause the transmission unit to transmit the gas information using the first communication scheme based on
Equipped with
When the control unit transmits the gas information detected by the detection unit to the other information processing apparatus using the second communication method, the communication strength of the communication according to the second communication method is the same. If it is larger than the predetermined value, the second communication method is selected than the first communication method, and the predetermined value is transmitted using the first communication method when transmitting the gas information. An information processing apparatus, which has a communication strength of the second communication method in a case where power consumption is larger when transmitting using the second communication method than using the second communication method. The apparatus further comprises an LED unit that changes the lighting mode according to the communication strength in the communication using the second communication method.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that. The apparatus further includes an LED unit that changes a lighting mode according to the communication strength in the communication using the first communication method.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that. It further comprises an eSIM (embedded SIM), and can remotely switch the communication carrier to which it is connected,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: In a system in which a plurality of information processing devices that detect gas information related to gas transfer the gas information to a control device via a network, the information processing device driven by a battery that supplies power to the device itself is
A detection step of detecting the gas information;
When the gas information detected in the detection step is transmitted to the control device, the gas information is directly transferred to the control device, or is transferred to the control device via another information processing device. A transmission step using one of the two communication schemes;
When the gas information detected in the detection step is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus using the second communication method, the communication strength in the communication using the second communication method is a predetermined value A control step of switching the communication method to cause the gas information to be transmitted in the transmission step using the first communication method based on the following:
Run
In the control step, when the gas information detected in the detection step is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus using the second communication method, the communication strength of the communication according to the second communication method is If it is larger than the predetermined value, the second communication method is selected than the first communication method, and the predetermined value is transmitted using the first communication method when transmitting the gas information. An information processing method which is communication strength of the second communication method in the case where power consumption is larger when transmitting using the second communication method than when performing. In a system in which a plurality of information processing devices that detect gas information related to gas transfer the gas information to a control device via a network, the information processing device driven by a battery that supplies power to the own device is disclosed.
A detection function for detecting the gas information;
When transmitting the gas information detected by the detection function to the control device, the first communication method directly transfers the gas information to the control device, or the second communication method transfers the information to the control device via another information processing device. A transmission function using any of the communication methods of
When the gas information detected by the detection function is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus using the second communication method, the communication strength in the communication using the second communication method is less than or equal to a predetermined value A control function of switching a communication system to cause the transmission function to transmit the gas information using the first communication system based on
To achieve
When the control function transmits the gas information detected by the detection function to the other information processing apparatus using the second communication method, the communication strength of the communication according to the second communication method is the same. If it is larger than the predetermined value, the second communication method is selected than the first communication method, and the predetermined value is transmitted using the first communication method when transmitting the gas information. The information processing program which is a communication strength of a said 2nd communication system when power consumption becomes larger if it transmits using a said 2nd communication system rather than it.

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