DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
APPLIANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND APPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
5 METHOD
Technical Field
[(lo0 11
The present invention relates to appliance management systems and appliance
10 management methods, and particularly to an appliance management system in which
a meter device and an appliance that are installed in a facility, communicate with
each other, and an appliance management method.
Background Art
15 [OOO~]
In the past, there has been proposed a meter device (energy meter) installed in a
facility (home) that sends a result of meter reading (energy consumption of a
commercial power source) to an electric power company through communication such
as power line communication or wireless communication to enable remote meter
20 reading (e.g, see document 1 [JP 2011-78169 A (paragraphs [00351, [00511, and
[00741)]). The meter device disclosed in patent document 1 is configured to not only
communicate with an electric power company but also communicate with an appliance
(power conditioner) installed in a facility in a power line communication manner or a
wireless communication manner.
2 5
[00031
Thus, the appliance capable of communicating with the meter device can easily obtain
electric energy information measured by the meter device, and therefore accurate
energy management can be realized. Additionally, this appliance (power conditioner)
30 is configured to communicate with a display device in a home, and transmits
energy-related information including the electric energy information to the display
device to display the energy-related information in a visible manner for a user.
[00041
As described above, to enable communication between the meter device and the
appliance installed in the facility, the appliance is required to establish connection
with the meter device. In other words, in the case of addition or replacement of
5 appliances, to start communication between a new appliance and the meter device,
settings for establishing connection between the meter device and the appliance is
necessary.
C00051
10 However, the meter device is normally under the control of the electric power
company, and thus a user does not have an interface for inputting data to the meter
device. Hence, it is demanded that connection can be established without manually
inputting data for identifying the appliance to the meter device. If the device to
communicate with the meter device is only a power conditioner, for example, a worker
15 can perform settings for establishing connection between the appliance and the meter
device when the worker installs the appliance. However, in view of the fact that the
appliance to communicate with the meter device may be added or replaced, it is not
efficient that the worker performs the settings every time.
20 Summary of Invention
Coo061
In view of the above insufficiency, the present invention has aimed to propose an
appliance management system and an appliance management method that are
capable of facilitating settings for establishing connection between an appliance and a
25 meter device.
COO071
The appliance management system of the first aspect in accordance with the present
invention includes: a meter device configured to measure a predetermined physical
30 amount; an appliance having a predetermined function; and a management device.
The management device is configured to, when obtaining a first identifier allocated to
the appliance and a second identifier allocated to the meter device, send first
information including the first identifier and the second identifier. The meter device
P640576
is configured to: when receiving the first information, judge whether the second
identifier included in the first information matches the second identifier allocated to
this meter device; and when the second identifier included in the first information
matches the second identifier allocated to this meter device, send second information
5 including the first identifier included in the first information and the second identifier
allocated to this meter device. The appliance is configured to: when receiving the
second information, judge whether the first identifier included in the second
information matches the first identifier allocated to this appliance; and when the first
identifier included in the second information matches the first identifier allocated to
10 this appliance, perform a setting process of selecting the meter device identified by
the second identifier included in the second information as a communication partner.
[00081
In the appliance management system of the second aspect in accordance with the
15 present invention referring to the first aspect, the appliance and the meter device
each have a function of communicating in a connection oriented protocol. The
appliance is configured to, after completion of the setting process, perform a
connection process of sending a connection request for establishing connection with
the communication partner in the connection oriented protocol. The meter device is
20 configured to, when receiving the connection request, send a connection reply to a
sender of the connection request. The appliance is configured to, when receiving the
connection reply after completion of the connection process, determine that connection
with the communication partner is established.
25 [00091
In the appliance management system of the third aspect in accordance with the
present invention referring to the second aspect, the appliance and the meter device
each have a function of communicating in a connectionless protocol. The meter
device is configured to send the second information in the connectionless protocol.
30
[OOlOl
In the appliance management system of the fourth aspect in accordance with the
present invention referring to the third aspect, the management device is configured
to, when obtaining the first identifier and the second identifier, send the first
information to the meter device identified by the second identifier obtained.
[oo 111
5 In the appliance management system of the fifth aspect in accordance with the
present invention referring to the fourth aspect, the appliance management system
further includes a communication terminal configured to communicate with the
management device and the meter device. The management device is configured to,
when connection between the appliance and the meter device respectively identified
10 by the first identifier and the second identifier included in the first information has
not yet been established even after a lapse of a predetermined time period from
sending the first information, send the first information to the communication
terminal. The communication terminal is configured to, when receiving the first
information, send the first information to the meter device identified by the second
15 identifier included in the first information.
[00121
In the appliance management system of the sixth aspect in accordance with the
present invention referring to the fifth aspect, the meter device is configured to send a
20 connection establishment signal to the management device after sending the
connection response. The management device is configured to, when having not yet
received the connection establishment signal even after a lapse of the predetermined
time period from sending the first information, send the first information to the
communication terminal.
2 5
[00131
In the appliance management system of the seventh aspect in accordance with the
present invention referring to the third aspect, the appliance management system
further comprises a communication terminal configured to communicate with the
30 management device and the meter device. The management device is configured to,
when obtaining the first identifier and the second identifier, send the first information
to the communication terminal. The communication terminal is configured to, when
receiving the first information, send the first information to the meter device
identified by the second identifier included in the first information.
[00141
The appliance management system of the eighth aspect in accordance with the
5 present invention includes: a meter device configured to measure a predetermined
physical amount; an appliance having a predetermined function; and a management
device. The management device is configured to, when obtaining a first identifier
allocated to the appliance and a second identifier allocated to the meter device,
produce a setting code for identifying the meter device associated with the second
10 identifier based on the first identifier and the second identifier. The appliance is
configured to, when receiving the setting code, perform a setting process of selecting
the meter device identified by the setting code as a communication partner.
[00151
15 In the appliance management system of the ninth aspect in accordance with the
present invention referring to the eighth aspect, the appliance and the meter device
each have a function of communicating in a connection oriented protocol. The
appliance is configured to, after completion of the setting process, perform a
connection process of sending a connection request for establishing connection with
20 the communication partner in the connection oriented protocol. The meter device is
configured to, when receiving the connection request, send a connection reply to a
sender of the connection request. The appliance is configured to, when receiving the
connection reply after completion of the connection process, determine that connection
with the communication partner is established.
2 5
[00161
The appliance management method of the tenth aspect in accordance with the present
invention is an appliance management method for establishing connection between a
meter device configured to measure a predetermined physical amount and an
30 appliance having a function of communicating with the meter device. The appliance
management method includes first to sixth steps. The first step is a step of, by a
management device, obtaining a first identifier allocated to the appliance and a
second identifier allocated to the meter device. The second step is a step of, by the
P640576
management device, sending first information including the first identifier and the
second identifier. The third step is a step of, by the meter device, receiving the first
information and judging whether the second identifier included in the first
information matches the second identifier allocated to this meter device. The fourth
5 step is a step of, by the meter device, sending second information including the first
identifier included in the first information and the second identifier allocated to this
meter device when the second identifier included in the first information matches the
second identifier allocated to this meter device. The fifth step is a step of, by the
appliance, receiving the second information and judging whether the first identifier
10 included in the second information matches the first identifier allocated to this
appliance. The sixth step is a step of, by the appliance, selecting the meter device
identified by the second identifier included in the second information as a
communication partner when the first identifier matches the first identifier allocated
to this appliance.
15
[OO 171
In the appliance management method of the eleventh aspect in accordance with the
present invention referring to the tenth aspect, the appliance management method
further includes seventh to ninth steps. The seventh step is a step of, by the
20 appliance, sending a connection request for establishing connection with the
communication partner in a connection oriented protocol, after the sixth step. The
eighth step is a step of, by the meter device, receiving the connection request and
sending a connection reply to a sender of the connection request. The ninth step is a
step of, by the appliance, determining that connection with the communication
25 partner is established when receiving the connection reply.
[OO18 1
In the appliance management method of the twelfth aspect in accordance with the
present invention referring to the eleventh aspect, in the fourth step, the meter device
30 sends the second information in a connectionless protocol.
[00191
In the appliance management method of the thirteenth aspect in accordance with the
present invention referring to the twelfth aspect, in the second step, the management
device sends the first information to the meter device identified by the second
identifier obtained.
5 [00201
In the appliance management method of the fourteenth aspect in accordance with the
present invention referring to the thirteenth aspect, the appliance management
method further includes a tenth step and an eleventh step. In the tenth step, when
connection between the appliance and the meter device respectively identified by the
10 first identifier and the second identifier included in the first information has not yet
been established even after a lapse of a predetermined time period from sending the
first information, the management device sends the first information to a
communication terminal configured to communicate with the management device and
the meter device. In the eleventh step, when receiving the first information, the
15 communication terminal sends the first information to the meter device identified by
the second identifier included in the first information.
[00211
In the appliance management method of the fifteenth aspect in accordance with the
20 present invention referring to the fourteenth aspect, the appliance management
method further includes a twelfth step and a thirteenth step. In the twelfth step, the
meter device sends a connection establishment signal to the management device after
sending the first information. In the thirteenth step, when'having not yet received
the connection establishment signal even after a lapse of the predetermined time
25 period from sending the first information, the management device sends the first
information to the communication terminal.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Lo0221
30 FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating the appliance management
system in accordance with the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an operation of the appliance
management system in accordance with the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an operation of the appliance
management system in accordance with the second embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
5 lo0231
(FIRST EMBODIMENT)
1. Configuration of Appliance Management System 10
As shown in FIG. 1, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
includes a meter device 1, an appliance 2, and a management device 3. The meter
10 device 1 and the appliance 2 are installed in a facility 100, and the management
device 3 is operated by an electric power company (electric power supplier) 200. In
the following example, the facility 100 is one of dwelling units in a condominium.
However, the facility 100 is not limited to such a dwelling unit, but may be a
residence, an office, or a factory.
15
lo0241
In other words, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
includes a plurality of meter devices 1, a plurality of appliances 2, and the
management device 3. The management device 3 is used for establishing connection
20 between a particular appliance 2 of the plurality of appliances 2 and a particular
meter device 1 of the plurality of meter devices 1. The particular meter device 1 is a
meter device 1 which is situated in the same region (in the present embodiment, the
facility 100) in which the particular appliance 2 is situated.
25 [0025]
The meter device 1 is configured to measure a predetermined physical amount. In
the present embodiment, the meter device 1 is an energy meter configured to measure
electric energy. For example, the meter device 1 is connected to a distribution line 4
for transmitting commercial energy from the electric power company 200, and is to
30 measure electric energy being supplied to the facility 100. In short, the meter device
1 is configured to measure electric energy being supplied through a predetermined
power transmission line (in the present embodiment, the distribution line 4).
[0026l
The meter device 1 is a so-called smart meter. To enable remote meter-reading, the
meter device 1 is designed to communicate with a master 5 connected to the
distribution line 4 to send a measurement result (meter-reading data) to the electric
5 power company 200. Communication between the master 5 and the meter device 1 is
realized by wireless communication, power line communications (PLC), or the like.
LO0271
As describe below, the meter device 1 has a function of communicating with the
10 appliance 2 in the facility 100. Note that, commercial energy is to be supplied from
an electric power substation to a pole transformer 6 that is attached to a utility pole
situated in a vicinity of the facility 100. The pole transformer 6 lowers a voltage of
the commercial energy and supplies the resultant commercial energy to the facility
100. Note that, the meter device 1 may be configured to measure a physical amount
15 different from the electric energy.
[0028]
The master 5 is attached to a utility pole in a vicinity of the facility 100, for example.
The master 5 is configured to send information such as the measurement result of the
20 meter device 1 to the upper server 8 through a dedicated line 71 constituted by optic
fibers, for example.
[00291
There are a plurality of upper servers 8 provided in individual regions, and each
25 upper server 8 is configured to communicate with the management device 3 installed
in the electric power company 200 through a corresponding dedicated line 72.
[00301
Accordingly, there is a second communication path 102 formed between the
30 management device 3 of the electric power company 200 and the meter device 1. The
second communication path 102 includes the upper server 8, the dedicated lines 71
and 72, and the master 5. The second communication path 102 is included in an
information transmission route (so-called "A-route") between the meter device 1 and
the electric power company 200.
[00311
Additionally, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment further
5 includes a communication terminal (maintenance terminal) 9 to be carried by a
worker of the electric power company 200.
100321
The maintenance terminal 9 includes a display unit 91 and a manual interface unit 92.
10 The maintenance terminal 9 has a function of performing near-field communication
with the meter device 1 through a third communication path 103 and a function of
communicating with the management device 3 through a fourth communication path
104. In short, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
further includes the communication terminal (maintenance terminal) 9 configured to
15 communicate with the management device 3 and the meter device 1.
LO0331
The third communication path 103 and the fourth communication path 104 are each
constructed by using wireless communication technologies. The fourth
20 communication path 104 is included in the information transmission route (so-called
"A-route") between the meter device 1 and the electric power company 200.
Lo0341
Note that, the maintenance terminal 9 is used for the purpose of maintenance and
25 inspection of the meter device 1, by the worker of the electric power company at the
site (facility loo), for example. Hence, near field communication for a short distance
of several meters is used for communication between the maintenance terminal 9 and
the meter device 1. Consequently, in a case where the maintenance terminal 9 tries
to communicate with the meter 1 of a desired facility 100, the maintenance terminal 9
30 does not accidentally communicate with a meter device 1 of a neighboring facility, for
example.
P640576
Note that, in the present embodiment, the fourth communication path 104 is formed
between the upper server 8 and the maintenance terminal 9, and the maintenance
terminal 9 communicates with the management device 3 through the dedicated line
72 and the upper server 8. The communication between the maintenance terminal 9
5 and the upper server 8 is not limited to near field communication, but may be long
distance communication or wired communication using dedicated cables.
roo361
The appliance 2 has a predetermined function. For example, the appliance 2 is an
10 electric appliance configured to communicate with the meter device 1 through a first
communication path 101 to operate in cooperation with the meter device 1. In
summary, the appliance 2 is a cooperation appliance.
100371
15 Such an appliance 2 has a function of directly communicating with the meter device 1.
And, the appliance 2 does not have a function of communicating appliances other than
the meter device 1. In short, the appliance 2 is not configured to directly
communicate with the management device 3.
20 [0038]
Examples of the appliance 2 may include an energy monitoring appliance allowing a
television, a home information board, or the like to display information such as the
measurement result of the meter device 1, and a HEMS (Home Energy Management
System) appliance connected to various types of loads in the facility 100.
2 5
[00391
The HEMS appliance may send information such as power consumptions of loads to
the electric power company 200 by way of the meter device 1, and may control loads
based on signals sent from the electric power company 200 to suppress peaks of
30 energy demand (i.e., peak cut).
[00401
The first communication path 101 may be formed by use of technologies such as
wireless communication and power line communication. The first communication
path 101 is included in an information transmission route (so-called "B-route") that
enables direct obtainment of information from the meter device 1.
5 L00411
The appliance 2 includes: a memory 21 storing registration data described below; an
obtainment unit 22 configured to obtain the registration data from the meter device 1;
a verification unit 23 configured to verify the registration data; and a controller 24
configured to establish connection between the appliance 2 and the meter device 1.
10 Detailed operations of the memory 21, the obtainment unit 22, the verification unit 23,
and the controller 24 are described later.
[00421
The border "A" of the responsibility between the electric power company 200 and
15 residents of the facility 100 is at the meter device 1. Accordingly, the residents of the
facility 100 is responsible for managing the first communication path 101 and the
appliance 2, and the electric power company is responsible for managing the
management device 3, the meter device 1, the second to fourth communication paths
102 to 104, and the maintenance terminal 9.
20
Lo0431
In the appliance management system 10 having the aforementioned configuration, at
the time of system installation, or adding or replacing the appliance 2, to enable
starting communication between a new appliance 2 and the meter device 1, settings
25 for establishing the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 is
necessary.
Lo0441
Note that, the meter device 1 is normally managed by the electric power company 200,
30 and a user (resident of the facility 100) does not have an interface for manually
inputting data into the meter device 1. Hence, it is desired that the connection
between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 can be established without manually
inputting data for identifying the appliance 2.
Lo0451
In view of this, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
performs connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 by use of Note,
5 that the term "connection" in the present embodiment means not physical connection
but that bidirectional communication is enabled.
(00461
In a first scheme, the appliance management system 10 makes the connection
10 between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 by use of the second communication
path 102.
LO0471
For example, when receiving the registration data allocated to the appliance 2 and
15 identification data for identifying the meter device 1 installed in the same facility 100
in which the appliance 2 is installed, the management device 3 sends the registration
data to the meter device 1 identified by the identification data.
[00481
20 The registration data is a unique number (registration number) preliminarily
allocated to the appliance 2, for example. The registration data is preliminarily
stored in the memory 21 of the appliance 2, and the content indicated by the
registration data is shown on a nameplate (not shown) of the appliance 2.
25 [00491
The identification data may be a unique number (meter number) preliminarily
allocated to the meter device 1, or information uniquely associated with the meter
device 1 such as an address of the facility 100, a phone number, an ID of a party to a
contract, for example.
30
[00501
The registration data and the identification data may be inputted into the
management device 3 by a user who accesses a website of the electric power company
200 through the Internet by use of an information terminal (not shown) such as a
personal computer. Alternatively, the registration data and the identification data
may be sent from the appliance management system 10 to the electric power company
by mail, and is inputted into the management device 3 by a person in charge at the
5 electric power company 200.
[00511
In this embodiment, when information such as the address of the facility 100 is
inputted as the identification data, the management device 3 searches a database for
10 the meter number associated with the address, and subsequently uses this meter
number as the identification data. The meter number is preliminarily stored in a
memory of the meter device 1, and is shown on a nameplate (not shown) of the meter
device 1. Accordingly, the management device 3 may be configured to, when
receiving the identification data, obtain the meter number based on the identification
15 data.
Lo0521
As described above, the management device 3 is configured to, when obtaining a first
identifier (registration number) allocated to the appliance 2 and a second identifier
20 (meter number) allocated to the meter device 1, send first information including the
first identifier (registration number) and the second identifier (meter number).
According to the first scheme, the management device 3 is configured to, when
25 obtaining the first identifier (registration number) and the second identifier (meter
number), send the first information to the meter device 1 identified by the second
identifier (meter number) obtained. For example, the first information is a
communication signal including the second identifier as a destination and the first
identifier as data.
30
[00541
In the present embodiment, the management device 3 sends the registration data
together with the identification data to the upper server 8 connected to the meter
device 1 identified by the inputted identification data.
[00551
In this regard, the management device 3 may confirm that the input of the
5 identification data is done by a qualified user, by verifying the address based on the
inputted ID of a party to a contract with using a database, and send the registration
data. In contrast, when the address is not associated with the ID of a party to a
contract, the management device 3 determines that the input is done by an
unqualified user, and does not send the registration data. Additionally, the
10 management device 3 may confirm that the inputted registration data is a qualified
registration data, by use of an external database for managing information such as
the registration numbers of the appliances 2, and send the registration data.
[0056l
15 The upper server 8 transfers the registration data to the meter device 1 identified by
the identification data received from the management device 3 by way of the
dedicated line 71 and the master 5. In summary, the management device 3 sends the
registration data to the meter device 1 identified by the inputted identification data
through the second communication path 102.
20
100571
In this regard, the management device 3 determines a destination of the registration
data by use of the identification data (meter number) unique to the meter device 1,
and hence the meter device 1 can receive only the registration data destined to this
25 meter device 1. When receiving the registration data from the management device 3,
the meter device 1 sends this registration data through the first communication path
101 to the appliance 2 in the same facility in which the meter device 1 is installed.
100581
30 Accordingly, the meter device 1 is configured to, when receiving the first information,
judge whether the second identifier (meter number) included in the first information
matches the second identifier (meter number) allocated to this meter device 1. The
meter device 1 is configured to, when the second identifier (meter number) included in
P640576
the first information matches the second identifier (meter number) allocated to this
meter device 1, send second information including the first identifier (registration
number) included in the first information and the second identifier (meter number)
allocated to this meter device 1. For example, the second information is a
5 communication signal including the first identifier as a destination and the second
identifier as data.
Loo591
The meter device 1 and the appliance 2 each have a function of communicating in a
10 connection oriented protocol, and a function of communicating in a connectionless
protocol.
[00601
The meter device 1 is configured to send the second information to the appliance 2 in
15 the connectionless protocol. In other words, the meter device 1 is configured to send
the second information to the appliance 2 without establishing the connection with
the appliance 2.
Lo06 11
20 Furthermore, the meter device 1 is configured to communicate with the appliance 2 in
the connection oriented protocol in response to a request from the appliance 2. The
meter device 1 is configured to, when receiving a connection request from the
appliance 2, send a connection reply to a sender of the connection request.
25 [00621
The appliance 2 obtains the registration data at the obtainment unit 22 by receiving
the registration data through the first communication path 101 from the meter device
When receiving the registration data from the meter device 1, the appliance 2 checks,
by the verification unit 23, whether the registration data (hereinafter referred to as
"first data") obtained by the obtainment unit 22 matches the registration data
(hereinafter referred to as "second data") stored in the memory 21.
[00641
When the first data matches the second data, the appliance 2 establishes by the
5 controller 24 the connection with the meter device 1 being the sender of the
registration data, and starts to communicate with this meter device 1.
[00651
Accordingly, the appliance 2 is configured to, when receiving the second information,
10 judge whether the first identifier (first data) included in the second information
matches the first identifier (second data) allocated to this appliance 2. The appliance
2 is configured to, when the first identifier included in the second information
matches the first identifier allocated to this appliance 2, perform a setting process of
selecting the meter device 1 identified by the second identifier included in the second
15 information as a communication partner.
Coo661
Further, the appliance 2 is configured to, after completion of the setting process,
perform a connection process of sending the connection request for establishing
20 connection with the communication partner in the connection oriented protocol. The
appliance 2 is configured to, when receiving the connection reply after completion of
the connection process, determine that connection with the communication partner is
established. Note that, after completion of the setting process, the appliance 2 can
perform the connection process at any timing. In the present embodiment, the
25 appliance 2 performs the connection process subsequent to the setting process. In
brief, the appliance 2 checks whether the communication between the appliance 2 and
the meter device 1 can be established actually.
[0067]
30 As described above, the appliance 2 establishes the connection with the meter device 1
in the connection oriented protocol by performing the connection process. After
establishing the connection with the meter device 1, the appliance 2 communicates
with the meter device 1 at a desired timing. For example, the appliance 2 sends a
P640576
request for energy information to the meter device 1 at a desired timing. The meter
device 1 sends energy information to the appliance 2 in response to reception of the
request for energy information.
5 [OO~SI
In summary, according to the aforementioned first scheme, when the newly added
appliance 2 receives the registration data allocated to this appliance 2 from the meter
device 1, this appliance 2 accepts the sender of this registration data as the
communication partner, and establishes the connection with this meter device 1. In
10 other words, after completion of the connection with the meter device 1 in the same
facility, the appliance 2 can operate in cooperation with this meter device 1 by
communicating with this meter device 1.
[00691
15 Additionally, the meter device 1 judges whether establishment of the connection with
the appliance 2 has succeeded, at a time at which a predetermined time has elapsed
from sending the registration data to the appliance 2, and sends a result of this
judgment to the management device 3 through the second communication path 102.
For example, when the meter device 1 receives a reply from the appliance 2 within the
20 predetermined time period, the meter device 1 determines that the establishment of
the connection with the appliance 2 has succeeded. When the meter device 1 does
not receive the reply within the predetermined time period, the meter device 1
determines that the establishment of the connection has been failed.
25 [0070]
Accordingly, for example, if the establishment of the connection between the meter
device 1 and the appliance 2 results in failure due to communication errors between
the meter device 1 and the appliance 2, the management device 3 can retry to
establish the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 by resending
30 the registration data to the meter device 1.
[00711
For example, when the meter device 1 has not yet received the connection reply even
P640576
after a lapse of the predetermined time period from sending the second information,
the meter device 1 determines that the establishment of the connection between the
meter device 1 and the appliance 2 has failed. When the meter device 1 determines
that the establishment of the connection between the meter device 1 and the
5 appliance 2 has failed, the meter device 1 requests the management device 3 to resend
the first information. Alternatively, when determining that the establishment of the
connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 has failed, the meter
device 1 may resend the second information.
10 Loo721
In a second scheme, the appliance management system 10 uses the maintenance
terminal 9 to establish the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2.
Lo0731
15 For example, when receiving the registration data and the identification data, the
management device 3 associates this registration data and this identification data
with each other, and sends the registration data and the identification data to the
maintenance terminal 9 through the fourth communication path 104.
20 [(lo741
In the second scheme, the management device 3 is configured to, when obtaining the
first identifier (registration number) and the second identifier (meter number), send
the first information (the first identification and the second identification) to the
communication terminal 9.
2 5
LO0751
In the present embodiment, the management device 3 sends a combination of the
registration data and the identification data to the upper server 8 connected to the
meter device 1 identified by the inputted identification data.
3 0
Lo0761
The upper server 8 sends the combination of the registration data and the
identification data to the maintenance terminal 9 through the fourth communication
path 104.
Loo771
As described above, the management device 3 sends the combination of the
5 registration data and the identification data that are inputted, to the maintenance
terminal 9 through the upper server 8. In other words, the maintenance terminal 9
downloads the registration data and the identification data from the management
device 3. Note that, the maintenance terminal 9 may obtain the registration data
and the identification data from the management device 3 by way of a memory device
10 such as a memory card (e.g., an SD card). For example, the management device 3
writes the registration data and the identification data in the memory device, and
thereafter the maintenance terminal 9 reads out the registration data and the
identification data from the memory device. Consequently, the maintenance
terminal 9 can obtain the registration data and the identification data without using
15 the fourth communication path 104.
[00781
When receiving (downloading) the registration data and the identification data from
the management device 3, the maintenance terminal 9 temporarily stores the
20 registration data and the identification data in the memory (not shown) while the
registration data and the identification data are associated with each other. After
receiving the registration data and the identification data from the management
device 3, the communication terminal 9 sends the registration data temporarily stored
in the memory to the meter device 1 identified by the identification data associated
25 with this registration data through the third communication path 103.
[00791
In short, the communication terminal 9 is configured to, when receiving the first
information, send the first information to the meter device 1 identified by the second
30 identifier (meter number) included in the first information.
[00801
The maintenance terminal 9 can communicate with the meter device 1 only at a close
P640576
range. Hence, to send the registration data and the identification data from the
maintenance terminal 9 to the meter device 1, the worker carrying the maintenance
terminal 9 sends the registration data from the maintenance terminal 9 in a vicinity
of the intended meter device 1.
[00811
Note that, the maintenance terminal 9 has a function of displaying information such
as an address of a facility identified by the identification data temporarily stored in
the memory in response to a manual operation of the manual interface unit 92.
10 Therefore, the worker can identify the desired facility 100 by seeing the information
displayed by the display unit 91.
[00821
When receiving the registration data from the maintenance terminal 9, the meter
15 device 1 sends this registration data to the appliance 2 in the same facility 100
through the first communication path 101. As described above, the meter device 1 is
configured to, when receiving the first information from the maintenance terminal 9,
send the second information to the appliance 2 in the connectionless protocol. In
other words, the meter device 1 is configured to send the second information to the
20 appliance 2 without establishing the connection with the appliance 2.
[0083l
When receiving the registration data from the meter device 1, the appliance 2 verifies
the first data based on the second data. When the first data matches the second data,
25 the appliance 2 establishes the connection with the meter device 1 that is the sender
of the registration data, and starts to communicate with this meter device 1.
[00841
Accordingly, the appliance 2 is configured to, when receiving the second information,
30 judge whether the first identifier (first data) included in the second information
matches the first identifier (second data) allocated to this appliance 2. The appliance
2 is configured to, when the first identifier included in the second information
matches the first identifier allocated to this appliance 2, perform the setting process of
P640576
selecting the meter device 1 identified by the second identifier included in the second
information as the communication partner.
LO0851
5 Additionally, the meter device 1 judges whether establishment of the connection with
the appliance 2 has succeeded, at a time at which a predetermined time has elapsed
from sending the registration data to the appliance 2, and sends a result of this
judgment to the maintenance terminal 9 through the third communication path 103.
10 [00861
Consequently, for example, if the establishment of the connection between the meter
device 1 and the appliance 2 results in failure, the worker can retry to establish the
connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 by resending the
registration data to the meter device 1 from the maintenance terminal 9.
15
Lo0871
The worker conducts an operation of sending the registration data at the desired
facility 100, and therefore when the establishment of the connection between the
meter device 1 and the appliance 2 has failed, the worker can visit the facility 100 to
20 examine and solve problems.
[00881
In the second scheme, when determining that the establishment of the connection
between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 has failed, the meter device 1 notifies
25 the maintenance terminal 9 of failure of the establishment of the connection between
the meter device 1 and the appliance 2. Alternatively, when determining that the
establishment of the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 has
failed, the meter device 1 may resend the second information.
30 [0089]
In a third scheme, the appliance management system 10 uses the first scheme of
establishing the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 by use of
the second communication path 102 in combination with the second scheme of
P640576
establishing the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 by use of
the maintenance terminal 9.
[00901
5 Accordingly, when the registration data and the identification data are inputted, the
management device 3 sends the registration data to the meter device 1 identified by
the identification data through the second communication path 102. Further, when
the connection between the meter device 1 and the cooperation device 2 has not yet
been established even after a lapse of the predetermined time period from sending the
10 registration data through the second communication path 102, the management
device 3 associates the registration data with the identification data and sends the
registration data and the identification data to the communication terminal 9 through
the fourth communication path 104.
15 [00911
In summary, the management device 3 is configured to, when obtaining the first
identifier (registration number) and the second identifier (meter number), send the
first information to the meter device 1 identified by the second identifier (meter
number) obtained. The management device 3 is configured to, when the connection
20 between the appliance 2 and the meter device 1 respectively identified by the first
identifier and the second identifier included in the first information has not yet been
established even after a lapse of the predetermined time period from sending the first
information, send the first information to the maintenance terminal 9.
25 [00921
In this case, as with the second scheme, when receiving the registration data and the
identification data from the management device 3, the maintenance terminal 9 sends
the registration data to the meter device 1 identified by the identification data
associated with this registration data through the third communication path 103. In
30 short, the maintenance terminal 9 is configured to, when receiving the first
information, send the first information to the meter device 1 identified by the second
identifier included in the first information.
[00931
Moreover, when receiving the registration data from any of the management device 3
and the maintenance terminal 9, the meter device 1 sends this registration data to the
appliance 2 in the same facility 100 through the first communication path 101. As
5 described above, the meter device 1 is configured to send the second information to
the appliance 2 in the connectionless protocol when receiving the first information
irrespective of the sender of the first information. In other words, the meter device 1
is configured to send the second information to the appliance 2 without establishing
the connection with the appliance 2.
10
[00941
When receiving the registration data from the meter device 1, the appliance 2 verifies
the first data based on the second data. When the first data matches the second data,
the appliance 2 establishes the connection with the meter device 1 that is the sender
15 of the registration data, and starts to communicate with this meter device 1.
[00951
Accordingly, the appliance 2 is configured to, when receiving the second information,
judge whether the first identifier (first data) included in the second information
20 matches the first identifier (second data) allocated to this appliance 2. The appliance
2 is configured to, when the first identifier included in the second information
matches the first identifier allocated to this appliance 2, perform the setting process of
selecting the meter device 1 identified by the second identifier included in the second
information as the communication partner.
2 5
[0096l
According to the third scheme, when the meter device 1 receiving the registration
data from the meter device 1 has failed to establish connection with the appliance 2,
the establishment of the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2
30 can be retried by resending the registration data from the communication terminal 9
to the meter device 1.
P640576
At the time of retrying, the worker conducts the operation of sending the registration
data at the desired facility 100, and therefore when the establishment of the
connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 has failed again, the
worker can visit the facility 100 to examine and solve problems.
[00981
Note that, in any of the first to third schemes, data sent from the management device
3 to the meter device 1 may not be the registration data of the appliance 2 per se, but
may be data for enabling associating the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 with each
10 other (relating the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 to each other).
[00991
2. Operations of Appliance Management System 10
2.1 First Scheme
15 Hereinafter, an appliance management method that is conducted subsequent to
addition of a new appliance 2 in the appliance management system 10 for the purpose
of establishing the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2
according to the first scheme is described with reference to FIG. 2.
20 [oluol
First, a user of the facility in which the appliance 2 is newly added checks the
registration data by seeing te nameplate of this appliance 2, for example, and inputs
this registration data together with the identification data such as the address of the
facility 100 in the management device 3 through the Internet by use of an information
25 terminal (not shown) (see (1) in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the user sends the
registration data and the identification data to the electric power company 200 by
mail, and a person in charge in the electric power company 200 inputs the registration
data and the identification data in the management device 3.
30 [0101]
Thereafter, the management device 3 searches for the meter number associated with
the inputted information such as the address, and uses this meter number as the
identification data to send the inputted registration data to the meter device 1 to
P640576
which this meter number is allocated, through the second communication path 102
(see (2) and (3) in FIG. 2).
[o 1021
5 Subsequently, when receiving the registration data from the management device 3,
the meter device 1 sends the received registration data to the appliance 2 in the same
facility 100 through the first communication path 101 (see (4) in FIG. 2).
[O 1031
10 When receiving the registration data, the appliance 2 obtains the registration data by
the obtainment unit 22, and verifies by the verification unit 23 the obtained
registration data (first data) based on the registration data (second data) stored in the
memory 21. When the registration data (first data) matches the registration data
(second data), the appliance 2 establishes by the controller 24 the communication with
15 the meter device 1 that is the sender of the registration data, and starts to
communicate with the meter device 1.
[O 1041
2.2 Second Scheme
20 Hereinafter, the appliance management method that is conducted subsequent to
addition of a new appliance 2 in the appliance management system 10 for the purpose
of establishing the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2
according to the second scheme is described with reference to FIG. 2.
25 [0105]
First, a user of the facility in which the appliance 2 is newly added checks the
registration data by seeing te nameplate of this appliance 2, for example, and inputs
this registration data together with the identification data such as the address of the
facility 100 in the management device 3 through the Internet by use of an information
30 terminal (not shown) (see (1) in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the user sends the
registration data and the identification data to the electric power company 200 by
mail, and a person in charge in the electric power company 200 inputs the registration
data and the identification data in the management device 3.
[O 1061
Thereafter, the management device 3 associates the registration data and the
identification data with each other and sends them to the maintenance terminal 9
5 through the fourth communication path 104 (see (5) in FIG. 2). Consequently, the
maintenance terminal 9 stores a combination of the registration data and the
identification data in the memory temporarily.
[01071
10 The worker moves to the desired facility 100 (i.e., identified by the stored
identification data) with carrying the maintenance terminal 9 that stores the
registration data and the identification data, and sends the registration data to the
meter device 1 through the third communication path 103 on site (see (6) in FIG. 2).
Note that, at this time, the worker identifies the desired facility 100 by seeing
15 information displayed on the display unit 91 of the maintenance terminal 9.
[o 1081
Subsequently, when receiving the registration data from the maintenance terminal 9,
the meter device 1 sends the received registration data to the appliance 2 in the same
20 facility 100 through the first communication path 101 (see (4) in FIG. 2).
[O 1091
When receiving the registration data, the appliance 2 obtains the registration data by
the obtainment unit 22, and verifies by the verification unit 23 the obtained
25 registration data (first data) based on the registration data (second data) stored in the
memory 21. When the registration data (first data) matches the registration data
(second data), the appliance 2 establishes by the controller 24 the communication with
the meter device 1 that is the sender of the registration data, and starts to
communicate with the meter device 1.
30
[o 1 101
2.3 Third Scheme
Hereinafter, the appliance management method that is conducted subsequent to
P640576
addition of a new appliance 2 in the appliance management system 10 for the purpose
of establishing the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2
according to the third scheme is described with reference to FIG. 2.
5 [01111
First, a user of the facility in which the appliance 2 is newly added checks the
registration data by seeing te nameplate of this appliance 2, for example, and inputs
this registration data together with the identification data such as the address of the
facility 100 in the management device 3 through the Internet by use of an information
10 terminal (not shown) (see (1) in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the user sends the
registration data and the identification data to the electric power company 200 by
mail, and a person in charge in the electric power company 200 inputs the registration
data and the identification data in the management device 3.
15 [01121
Thereafter, the management device 3 searches for the meter number associated with
the inputted information such as the address, and uses this meter number as the
identification data to send the inputted registration data to the meter device 1 to
which this meter number is allocated, through the second communication path 102
20 (see (2) and (3) in FIG. 2).
[01131
Subsequently, when receiving the registration data from the management device 3,
the meter device 1 sends the received registration data to the appliance 2 in the same
25 facility 100 through the first communication path 101 (see (4) in FIG. 2).
[O 1141
When receiving the registration data, the appliance 2 obtains the registration data by
the obtainment unit 22, and verifies by the verification unit 23 the obtained
30 registration data (first data) based on the registration data (second data) stored in the
memory 21. When the registration data (first data) matches the registration data
(second data), the appliance 2 establishes by the controller 24 the communication with
the meter device 1 that is the sender of the registration data, and starts to
communicate with the meter device 1.
[O 1151
When the establishment of the connection between the meter device 1 and the
5 appliance 2 has failed, the management device 3 associates the registration data and
the identification data with each other and sends them to the maintenance terminal 9
through the fourth communication path 104 (see (5) in FIG. 2). Consequently, the
maintenance terminal 9 stores a combination of the registration data and the
identification data in the memory temporarily.
10
[O 1161
The worker moves to the desired facility 100 (i.e., identified by the stored
identification data) with carrying the maintenance terminal 9 that stores the
registration data and the identification data, and sends the registration data to the
15 meter device 1 through the third communication path 103 on site (see (6) in FIG. 2).
Note that, at this time, the worker identifies the desired facility 100 by seeing
information displayed on the display unit 91 of the maintenance terminal 9.
[01171
20 Subsequently, when receiving the registration data from the maintenance terminal 9,
the meter device 1 sends the received registration data to the appliance 2 in the same
facility 100 through the first communication path 101 (see (4) in FIG. 2).
[o 1181
25 When receiving the registration data, the appliance 2 obtains the registration data by
the obtainment unit 22, and verifies by the verification unit 23 the obtained
registration data (first data) based on the registration data (second data) stored in the
memory 21. When the registration data (first data) matches the registration data
(second data), the appliance 2 establishes by the controller 24 the communication with
30 the meter device 1 that is the sender of the registration data, and starts to
communicate with the meter device 1.
3. Features of Appliance Management System 10
As described above, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
includes the following first feature. According to the first feature of the appliance
management system 10, the appliance management system 10 includes a meter
5 device 1 configured to measure a predetermined physical amount; an appliance 2
having a predetermined function; and a management device 3. The management
device 3 is configured to, when obtaining a first identifier allocated to the appliance 2
and a second identifier allocated to the meter device 1, send first information
including the first identifier and the second identifier. The meter device 1 is
10 configured to: when receiving the first information, judge whether the second
identifier included in the first information matches the second identifier allocated to
this meter device 1; and when the second identifier included in the first information
matches the second identifier allocated to this meter device 1, send second
information including the first identifier included in the first information and the
15 second identifier allocated to this meter device 1. The appliance 2 is configured to:
when receiving the second information, judge whether the first identifier included in
the second information matches the first identifier allocated to this appliance 2; and
when the first identifier included in the second information matches the first
identifier allocated to this appliance 2, perform a setting process of selecting the
20 meter device 1 identified by the second identifier included in the second information
as a communication partner.
[o 1201
Further, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment includes
25 the following second feature in addition to the first feature. According to the second
feature of the appliance management system 10, the appliance 2 and the meter device
1 each have a function of communicating in a connection oriented protocol. The
appliance 2 is configured to, after completion of the setting process, perform a
connection process of sending a connection request for establishing connection with
30 the communication partner in the connection oriented protocol. The meter device 1
is configured to, when receiving the connection request, send a connection reply to a
sender of the connection request. The appliance 2 is configured to, when receiving
the connection reply after completion of the connection process, determine that
P640576
connection with the communication partner is established. Note that the second
feature of the appliance management system 10 is optional.
[01211
5 Furthermore, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
includes the following third feature in addition to the second feature. According to
the third feature of the appliance management system 10, the appliance 2 and the
meter device 1 each have a function of communicating in a connectionless protocol.
The meter device 1 is configured to send the second information in the connectionless
10 protocol. Note that the third feature of the appliance management system 10 is
optional.
[01221
Accordingly, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
15 described above can establish the connection between the meter device 1 and the
appliance 2 by using the network between the management device 3 and the meter
device 1 without requiring manual inputting of data for identifying the appliance 2 to
the meter device 1.
20 [01231
When the registration data received by the appliance 2 from the management device 3
through the meter device 1 matches the registration data preliminarily allocated to
this appliance 2, this appliance 2 can determine that this meter device 1 is installed
in the same facility 100 in which the appliance 2 is installed. Hence, this appliance
25 management system 10 can facilitate settings for establishing the connection between
the appliance 2 and the meter device 1.
Lo1241
According to the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment, it is
30 possible to establish the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2
without manually inputting data for identifying the appliance 2 to the meter device 1.
Consequently, there is an advantage that the settings for establishing the connection
between the appliance 2 and the meter device 1 are facilitated.
[01251
The appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment performs the
following appliance management method. This appliance management method is an
5 appliance management method for establishing connection between a meter device 1
configured to measure a predetermined physical amount and an appliance 2 having a
function of communicating with the meter device 1. The appliance management
method includes the following first feature. According to the first feature of the
appliance management method, the appliance management method includes the first
10 to sixth steps. The first step is a step of, by a management device 3, obtaining a first
identifier allocated to the appliance 2 and a second identifier allocated to the meter
device 1. The second step is a step of, by the management device 3, sending first
information including the first identifier and the second identifier. The third step is
a step of, by the meter device 1, receiving the first information and judging whether
15 the second identifier included in the first information matches the second identifier
allocated to this meter device 1. The fourth step is a step of, by the meter device 1,
sending second information including the first identifier included in the first
information and the second identifier allocated to this meter device 1 when the second
identifier included in the first information matches the second identifier allocated to
20 this meter device 1. The fifth step is a step of, by the appliance 2, receiving the
second information and judging whether the first identifier included in the second
information matches the first identifier allocated to this appliance 2. The sixth step
is a step of, by the appliance 2, selecting the meter device 1 identified by the second
identifier included in the second information as a communication partner when the
25 first identifier matches the first identifier allocated to this appliance 2.
[01261
The appliance management method includes the following second feature in addition
to the first feature of the appliance management method. According to the second
30 feature of the appliance management method, the appliance management method
further includes seventh to ninth steps. The seventh step is a step of, by the
appliance 2, sending a connection request for establishing connection with the
communication partner in a connection oriented protocol, after the sixth step. The
P640576
eighth step is a step of, by the meter device 1, receiving the connection request and
sending a connection reply to a sender of the connection request. The ninth step is a
step of, by the appliance 2, determining that connection with the communication
partner is established when receiving the connection reply. Note that, the second
5 feature of the appliance management method is optional.
[01271
The appliance management method includes the following third feature in addition to
the second feature of the appliance management method. According to the third
10 feature of the appliance management method, in the fourth step, the meter device 1
sends the second information in a connectionless protocol. Note that, the third
feature of the appliance management method is optional.
[O 1281
15 3.1 First Scheme
The appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment employing the first
scheme is defined as follows. That is, the appliance management system 10 includes:
the meter device 1 installed in the facility 100 and to measure electric energy supplied
to this facility 100; the appliance 2 installed in the facility 100 and having the
20 function of communicating with the meter device 1 through the first communication
path 101; and the management device 3 to be operated by the electric power company
200 and to communicate with the meter device 1 through the second communication
path 102. When the registration data allocated to the appliance 2 and the
identification data for identifying the meter device 1 installed in the same facility in
25 which this appliance 2 is installed are inputted into the management device 3, the
management device 3 sends the registration data to the meter device 1 identified by
the identification data through the second communication path 102. When receiving
the registration data from the management device 3, the meter device 1 sends this
registration data to the appliance 2 through the first communication path 101.
30 When the registration data received by the appliance 2 from the meter device 1
matches the registration data allocated to this appliance 2, the appliance 2
establishes the connection with this meter device 1.
[01291
The appliance management system 10 employing the first scheme can be interpreted
as including the following fourth feature in addition to the third feature of the
appliance management system 10. According to the fourth feature of the appliance
5 management system 10, the management device 3 is configured to, when obtaining
the first identifier and the second identifier, send the first information to the meter
device 1 identified by the second identifier obtained. Note that, the fourth feature of
the appliance management system is optional.
10 [01301
As described above, the appliance management system 10 using the first scheme can
establish the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 without
using the maintenance terminal 9, and therefore give an advantage that the worker
need not visit the facility 100.
15
[01311
In other words, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
using the first scheme performs the following appliance management method.
20 [01321
This appliance management method is used in the appliance management system 10
including: the meter device 1 installed in the facility 100 and to measure electric
energy supplied to this facility 100; the appliance 2 installed in the facility 100 and
having the function of communicating with the meter device 1 through the first
25 communication path 101; and the management device 3 to be operated by the electric
power company 200 and to communicate with the meter device 1 through the second
communication path 102. The appliance management method is for establishing the
connection between the appliance 2 and the meter device 1. In the appliance
management method, when the registration data allocated to the appliance 2 and the
30 identification data for identifying the meter device 1 installed in the same facility in
which this appliance 2 is installed are inputted into the management device 3, the
management device 3 sends the registration data to the meter device 1 identified by
the identification data through the second communication path 102. When receiving
the registration data from the management device 3, the meter device 1 sends this
registration data to the appliance 2 through the first communication path 101.
When the registration data received by the appliance 2 from the meter device 1
matches the registration data allocated to this appliance 2, the appliance 2
5 establishes the connection with this meter device 1.
[01331
The appliance management method performed by the appliance management system
10 employing the first scheme can be interpreted as including the following fourth
10 feature in addition to the above third feature of the appliance management method.
According to the fourth feature of the appliance management method, in the second
step, the management device 3 sends the first information to the meter device 1
identified by the second identifier obtained. Note that, the fourth feature of the
appliance management method is optional.
15
[01341
3.2 Second Scheme
The appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment employing the
second scheme is defined as follows. That is, the appliance management system 10
20 includes: the meter device 1 installed in the facility 100 and to measure electric
energy supplied to this facility 100; the appliance 2 installed in the facility 100 and
having the function of communicating with the meter device 1 through the first
communication path 101; the maintenance terminal 9 to perform near field
communication with the meter device 1 through the third communication path 103;
25 and the management device 3 to be operated by the electric power company 200 and
to communicate with the maintenance terminal 9 through the fourth communication
path 104. When the registration data allocated to the appliance 2 and the
identification data for identifying the meter device 1 installed in the same facility in
which this appliance 2 is installed are inputted into the management device 3, the
30 management device 3 associates the registration data and the identification data with
each other and sends the registration data and the identification data to the
maintenance terminal 9 through the fourth communication path 104. When
receiving the registration data and the identification data from the management
P640576
device 3, the maintenance terminal 9 sends the registration data to the meter device 1
identified by the identification data associated with this registration data through the
third communication path 103. When receiving the registration data from the
maintenance terminal 9, the meter device 1 sends this registration data to the
5 appliance 2 through the first communication path 101. When the registration data
received by the appliance 2 from the meter device 1 matches the registration data
allocated to this appliance 2, the appliance 2 establishes the connection with this
meter device 1.
10 [01351
The appliance management system 10 employing the second scheme can be
interpreted as including the following fifth feature in addition to the third feature of
the appliance management system 10. According to the fifth feature of the appliance
management system 10, According to the fifth feature of the appliance management
15 system 10, the appliance management system 10 further includes the communication
terminal (maintenance terminal) 9 configured to communicate with the management
device 3 and the meter device 1. The management device 3 is configured to, when
obtaining the first identifier and the second identifier, send the first information to
the maintenance terminal 9. The maintenance terminal 9 is configured to, when
20 receiving the first information, send the first information to the meter device 1
identified by the second identifier included in the first information. Note that, the
fifth feature of the appliance management system 10 is optional.
[O 1361
25 As described above, even if the first communication path (A-route) 101 is not formed
between the management device 3 and the meter device 1, the appliance management
system 10 using the second scheme can establish the connection between the meter
device 1 and the appliance 2 in the facility 100 by use of the maintenance terminal 9.
Additionally, according to the second scheme, the worker carrying the maintenance
30 terminal 9 conducts an operation of sending the registration data at the desired
facility 100, and therefore when the establishment of the connection between the
meter device 1 and the appliance 2 has failed, the worker can examine and solve
problems on site.
[01371
In other words, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
using the second scheme performs the following appliance management method.
5
[O 1381
This appliance management method is used in the appliance management system 10
including: the meter device 1 installed in the facility 100 and to measure electric
energy supplied to this facility 100; the appliance 2 installed in the facility 100 and
10 having the function of communicating with the meter device 1 through the first
communication path 101; the maintenance terminal 9 to perform near field
communication with the meter device 1 through the third communication path 103;
and the management device 3 to be operated by the electric power company 200 and
to communicate with the maintenance terminal 9 through the fourth communication
15 path 104. This appliance management method is for establishing the connection
between the appliance 2 and the meter device 1. In the appliance management
method, when the registration data allocated to the appliance 2 and the identification
data for identifying the meter device 1 installed in the same facility in which this
appliance 2 is installed are inputted into the management device 3, the management
20 device 3 associates the registration data and the identification data with each other
and sends the registration data and the identification data to the maintenance
terminal 9 through the fourth communication path 104. When receiving the
registration data and the identification data from the management device 3, the
maintenance terminal 9 sends the registration data to the meter device 1 identified by
25 the identification data associated with this registration data through the third
communication path 103. When receiving the registration data from the
maintenance terminal 9, the meter device 1 sends this registration data to the
appliance 2 through the first communication path 101. When the registration data
received by the appliance 2 from the meter device 1 matches the registration data
30 allocated to this appliance 2, the appliance 2 establishes the connection with this
meter device 1.
P640576
The appliance management method performed by the appliance management system
10 employing the second scheme can be interpreted as including the following fifth
feature in addition to the above third feature of the appliance management method.
According to the fifth feature of the appliance management method, in the second step,
5 when obtaining the first identifier and the second identifier, the management device 3
sends the first information to the communication terminal (maintenance terminal) 9;
and when receiving the first information, the maintenance terminal 9 sends the first
information to the meter device 1 identified by the second identifier included in the
first information. Note that, the fifth feature of the appliance management method
10 is optional.
[O 1401
3.3 Third Scheme
The appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment employing the third
15 scheme is defined as follows. That is, the appliance management system 10 includes:
the meter device 1 installed in the facility 100 and to measure electric energy supplied
to this facility 100; the appliance 2 installed in the facility 100 and having the
function of communicating with the meter device 1 through the first communication
path 101; the management device 3 to be operated by the electric power company 200
20 and to communicate with the meter device 1 through the second communication path
102; and the maintenance terminal 9 to perform near field communication with the
meter device 1 through the third communication path 103 and to communicate with
the management device 3 through the fourth communication path 104. When the
registration data allocated to the appliance 2 and the identification data for
25 identifying the meter device 1 installed in the same facility in which this appliance 2
is installed are inputted into the management device 3, the management device 3
sends the registration data to the meter device 1 identified by the identification data
through the second communication path 102. When the connection between the
meter device 1 and the appliance 2 has not yet been established even after a lapse of
30 the predetermined time period from sending the registration data, the management
device 3 associates the registration data and the identification data with each other
and sends the registration data and the identification data to the maintenance
terminal 9 through the fourth communication path 104. When receiving the
registration data and the identification data from the management device 3, the
maintenance terminal 9 sends the registration data to the meter device 1 identified by
the identification data associated with this registration data through the third
communication path 103. When receiving the registration data from any of the
5 management device 3 and maintenance terminal 9, the meter device 1 sends this
registration data to the appliance through the first communication path 101. When
the registration data received by the appliance 2 from the meter device 1 matches the
registration data allocated to this appliance 2, the appliance 2 establishes the
connection with this meter device 1.
10
[O 1411
The appliance management system 10 employing the third scheme can be interpreted
as including the following sixth feature in addition to the fourth feature of the
appliance management system 10. According to the sixth feature of the appliance
15 management system 10, the appliance management system 10 further includes the
communication terminal (maintenance terminal) 9 configured to communicate with
the management device 3 and the meter device 1. The management device 3 is
configured to, when connection between the appliance 2 and the meter device 1
respectively identified by the first identifier and the second identifier included in the
20 first information has not yet been established even after a lapse of the predetermined
time period from sending the first information, send the first information to the
maintenance terminal 9. The maintenance terminal 9 is configured to, when
receiving the first information, send the first information to the meter device 1
identified by the second identifier included in the first information. Note that, the
25 sixth feature of the appliance management system 10 is optional.
[O 1421
Note that, the appliance management system 10 employing the third scheme may
include the following seventh feature in addition to the sixth feature of the appliance
30 management system 10. According to the seventh feature of the appliance
management system 10, the meter device 1 is configured to send the connection
establishment signal to the management device 3 after sending the connection
response. The management device 3 is configured to, when having not yet received
P640576
the connection establishment signal even after a lapse of the predetermined time
period from sending the first information, send the first information to the
maintenance terminal 9.
5 [01431
As described above, according to the appliance management system 10 using the third
scheme, if the establishment of the connection between the meter device 1 and the
appliance 2 has succeeded on the first try, the worker need not visit the facility 100.
If the establishment of the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2
10 has failed, the worker can examine and solve problems on site at the time of retrying
the establishment of the connection.
[O 1441
In other words, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
15 using the third scheme performs the following appliance management method.
[O 1451
This appliance management method is used in the appliance management system 10
including: the meter device 1 installed in the facility 100 and to measure electric
20 energy supplied to this facility 100; the appliance 2 installed in the facility 100 and
having the function of communicating with the meter device 1 through the first
communication path 101; the management device 3 to be operated by the electric
power company 200 and to communicate with the meter device 1 through the second
communication path 102; and the maintenance terminal 9 to perform near field
25 communication with the meter device 1 through the third communication path 103
and to communicate with the management device 3 through the fourth
communication path 104. The appliance management method is for establishing the
connection between the appliance 2 and the meter device 1. In the appliance
management method, when the registration data allocated to the appliance 2 and the
30 identification data for identifying the meter device 1 installed in the same facility in
which this appliance 2 is installed are inputted into the management device 3, the
management device 3 sends the registration data to the meter device 1 identified by
the identification data through the second communication path 102. When the
connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 has not yet been
established even after a lapse of the predetermined time period from sending the
registration data, the management device 3 associates the registration data and the
identification data with each other and sends the registration data and the
5 identification data to the maintenance terminal 9 through the fourth communication
path 104. When receiving the registration data and the identification data from the
management device 3, the maintenance terminal 9 sends the registration data to the
meter device 1 identified by the identification data associated with this registration
data through the third communication path 103. When receiving the registration
10 data from any of the management device 3 and maintenance terminal 9, the meter
device 1 sends this registration data to the appliance through the first communication
path 101. When the registration data received by the appliance 2 from the meter
device 1 matches the registration data allocated to this appliance 2, the appliance 2
establishes the connection with this meter device 1.
15
[O 1461
The appliance management method performed by the appliance management system
10 employing the third scheme can be interpreted as including the following sixth
feature in addition to the above fourth feature of the appliance management method.
20 According to the sixth feature of the appliance management method, the appliance
management method further includes the tenth step and the eleventh step. In the
tenth step, when connection between the appliance 2 and the meter device 1
respectively identified by the first identifier and the second identifier included in the
first information has not yet been established even after a lapse of a predetermined
25 time period from sending the first information, the management device 3 sends the
first information to the maintenance terminal 9 configured to communicate with the
management device 3 and the meter device 1. In the eleventh step, when receiving
the first information, the maintenance terminal 9 sends the first information to the
meter device 1 identified by the second identifier included in the first information.
30 Note that, the sixth feature of the appliance management method is optional.
[o 1471
Note that, the appliance management method performed by the appliance
P640576
management system 10 employing the third scheme may include the following
seventh feature in addition to the above sixth feature of the appliance management
method. According to the seventh feature of the appliance management method, the
appliance management method further includes the twelfth step and the thirteenth
5 step. In the twelfth step, the meter device 1 sends the connection establishment
signal to the management device 3 after sending the first information. In the
thirteenth step, when having not yet received the connection establishment signal
even after a lapse of the predetermined time period from sending the first information,
the management device 3 sends the first information to the maintenance terminal 9.
10
[O 1481
4. Supplement
Note that, the communication between the communication terminal 9 and the meter
device 1 is not limited to the near field communication through the third
15 communication path 103, but may be long distance communication or wired
communication using dedicated cables as with the communication between the upper
server 8 and the communication terminal 9 through the fourth communication path
104. In this case, the worker can operates the maintenance terminal 9 to allow the
maintenance terminal 9 to communicate with the meter device 1, also at a remote
20 location from the facility 100.
[O 1491
Hereinafter, how to ensure the security of communication between the meter device 1
and the appliance 2 in the appliance management system 10 of the present
25 embodiment is briefly described.
[O 1501
For an example, the meter device 1 stores the registration data received from the
management device 3 or the maintenance terminal 9 in its memory, and thereafter
30 sends the registration data to the appliance 2, thereby distributing the same
registration data to the meter device 1 and the appliance 2. In this case, the meter
device 1 and the appliance 2 each use the registration data as a common key for
communication, and therefore the security of communication can be ensured.
[01511
Further, the management device 3 may encrypt the common key used for
communication in the first encryption manner allowing decryption by the meter
5 device 1 only, and encrypt the common key use for communication in the second
encryption manner allowing decryption by the appliance 2 only, and send the
encrypted common keys together with the registration data to the meter device 1.
[O 1521
10 In this case, the meter device 1 obtains the common key by decrypting by itself the
common key encrypted in the first encryption manner, and sends the common key
encrypted in the second encryption manner to the appliance 2 together with the
registration data.
15 [01531
Consequently, the appliance 2 can obtain the common key by decrypting the common
key encrypted in the second encryption manner. The common key is distributed to
the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 in the aforementioned manner, and therefore
the security of communication can be ensured.
20
[O 1541
(SECOND EMBODIMENT)
1. Configuration of Appliance Management System 10
The appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment is different from the
25 appliance management system 10 of the 'first embodiment in that the appliance
management system 10 of the present embodiment establishes the connection
between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 without using the network between
the management device 3 and the meter device 1. Hereinafter, components common
to the present embodiment and the first embodiment are designated by the same
30 reference signs, and explanations thereof are omitted.
[o 1551
As shown in FIG. 3, there is an information terminal 106 installed in the facility 100.
For example, the information terminal 106 is a personal computer that can
communicate with the management device 3 through the Internet 105. Hence, a
user (a resident of the facility 100) can input the registration data and the
identification data in the management device 3 while accessing the website provided
5 by the management device 3 of the electric power company 200 through the Internet
105 by use of the information terminal 106.
Lo1561
When the registration data and the identification data are inputted in the
10 management device 3, based on the registration data and the identification data the
management device 3 issues a setting ID necessary for communication between the
appliance 2 associated with this registration data and the meter device 1 associated
with this identification data.
15 Lo1571
In summary, the management device 3 is configured to, when obtaining the first
identifier allocated to the appliance 2 and the second identifier allocated to the meter
device 1, produce the setting code (setting ID) for identifying the meter device 1
associated with the second identifier based on the first identifier and the second
20 identifier.
[O 1581
In this regard, the setting ID is not the registration data per se or the identification
data per se. The setting ID is data processed based on at least one of the registration
25 data and the identification data. Hence, the setting ID necessary for communication
between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 is different at least for each of the
meter devices 1. To communicate with a certain meter device 1, the appliance 2
requires the setting ID issued based on this meter device 1. Note that, the setting ID
may be different not only for each of the meter devices 1 but also each of the
30 appliances 2.
[01591
The management device 3 provides the issued setting ID to the facility 100 identified
P640576
by the inputted identification data. In the example shown in FIG. 3, while the user
accesses the website provided by the management device 3 of the electric power
company 200 through the Internet 105 by use of the information terminal 106, the
setting ID is sent to the information terminal 106 from the management device 3.
5 The management device 3 provides the setting ID to the facility 100 by sending the
setting ID to the information terminal 106 via the Internet 105.
[O 1601
In this regard, the appliance 2 includes an interface unit 25 for inputting the setting
10 ID instead of the obtainment unit 22 and the verification unit 23. For example,
when the user obtains the setting ID issued by the management device 3 at the
information terminal 106, the user can input the setting ID by use of the interface
unit 25 of the appliance 2. Note that, when the appliance 2 and the information
terminal 106 are connected to be capable of communicating with each other, the
15 information terminal 106 may be configured to transfer the obtained setting ID to the
appliance 2 through the interface unit 25.
[016ll
The appliance 2 is configured to, when receiving the setting code (setting ID), perform
20 the setting process of selecting the meter device 1 identified by the setting code as the
communication partner. Further, the appliance 2 is configured to, after completion
of the setting process, perform the connection process of sending the connection
request for establishing connection with the communication partner in the connection
oriented protocol. The appliance 2 is configured to, when receiving the connection
25 reply after completion of the connection process, determine that connection with the
communication partner is established.
[01621
As described, when the setting ID issued by the management device 3 is inputted to
30 the appliance 2 through the interface unit 25, the appliance 2 uses this setting ID to
establish the connection with the meter device 1 by the controller 24, and starts to
communicate with the meter device 1. In summary, when the appliance 2 newly
provided receives the setting ID issued based on the registration data of this
P640576
appliance 2 and the identification data, this appliance 2 accepts the meter device 1
identified by this ID as the communication partner. In other words, after completion
of the connection with the meter device 1 in the same facility, the appliance 2 can
operate in cooperation with this meter device 1 by communicating with this meter
5 device 1.
Lo1631
2. Operations of Appliance Management System 10
Hereinafter, an appliance management method that is conducted subsequent to
10 addition of a new appliance 2 in the appliance management system 10 for the purpose
of establishing the connection between the meter device 1 and the appliance 2 is
described.
Lo1641
15 First, the user (resident of the facility 100) accesses the website provided by the
management device 3 of the electric power company 200 through the Internet 105 by
use of the information terminal 106 and inputs the registration data and the
identification data to the management device 3.
20 Lo1651
When the registration data and the identification data are inputted, the management
device 3 issues, based on this registration data and this identification data, the
setting ID necessary for communication between the appliance 2 to which this
registration data is allocated and the meter device 1 to which this identification data
25 is allocated.
~01661
The management device 3 provides the issued setting ID to the facility 100 identified
by the inputted identification data. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the
30 management device 3 provides the setting ID to the facility 100 by sending the setting
ID to the information terminal 106 via the Internet 105.
P640576
When the user obtains the setting ID issued by the management device 3 at the
information terminal 106, the user inputs the setting ID by use of the interface unit
25 of the appliance 2.
5 [W1681
When the setting ID issued by the management device 3 is inputted through the
interface unit 25, the appliance 2 uses this setting ID to establish connection with the
meter device 1 by the controller 24, and starts to communicate with the meter device
1.
10
[0169l
3. Features of Appliance Management System 10
As described above, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
includes: the meter device 1 installed in the facility 100 and to measure electric
15 energy supplied to this facility 100; the appliance 2 installed in the facility 100 and
having the function of communicating with the meter device 1 through the first
communication path 101; and the management device 3 to be operated by the electric
power company 200. When the registration data allocated to the appliance 2 and the
identification data for identifying the meter device 1 installed in the same facility in
20 which this appliance 2 is installed are inputted, the management device 3 issues,
based on the registration data and the identification data, the setting ID necessary for
communication between the appliance 2 and the meter device 1. When the setting
ID issued by the management device 3 is inputted, the appliance 2 uses this setting
ID to establish connection with the meter device 1.
2 5
[O 1701
In other words, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
includes the following eighth feature. According to the eighth feature of the
appliance management system 10, the appliance management system 10 includes: a
30 meter device 1 configured to measure a predetermined physical amount; an appliance
2 having a predetermined function; and a management device 3. The management
device 3 is configured to, when obtaining a first identifier allocated to the appliance 2
and a second identifier allocated to the meter device 1, produce a setting code
P640576
identifying the meter device 1 associated with the second identifier based on the first
identifier and the second identifier. The appliance 2 is configured to, when receiving
the setting code, perform a setting process of selecting the meter device 1 identified by
the setting code as a communication partner.
i01711
Further, the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment includes
the following ninth feature in addition to the eighth feature of the appliance
management system 10. According to the eighth feature of the appliance
10 management system 10, the appliance 2 and the meter device 1 each have a function
of communicating in a connection oriented protocol. The appliance 2 is configured to,
after completion of the setting process, perform a connection process of sending a
connection request for establishing connection with the communication partner in the
connection oriented protocol. The meter device 1 is configured to, when receiving the
15 connection request, send a connection reply to a sender of the connection request.
The appliance 2 is configured to, when receiving the connection reply after completion
of the connection process, determine that connection with the communication partner
is established. Note that, the ninth feature of the appliance management system 10
is optional.
2 0
[O 1721
According to the appliance management system 10 of the present embodiment
described above, even when the network between the management device 3 and the
meter device 1 is not used, the connection between the meter device 1 and the
25 appliance 2 can be established and nevertheless there is no need to manually input
data for identifying the appliance 2 to the meter device 1. In summary, when the
setting ID issued by the management device 3 is inputted to the appliance 2, the
appliance 2 can acknowledge that the meter device 1 identified by this setting ID is
installed in the same facility 100 in which this appliance 2 is installed. Hence, this
30 appliance management system 10 can facilitate the setting for establishing the
connection between the appliance 2 and the meter device 1.
4. Supplement
Note that, transmission of the registration data and the identification data as well as
the setting ID between the facility 100 and the electric power company 200 may
conducted by mail instead of using the information terminal 106. In this case, the
5 registration data and the identification data are provided from the facility 100 to the
electric power company 200 by mail, and are inputted to the management device 3 by
a person in charge in the electric power company 200. The setting ID issued by the
management device 3 is provided from the electric power company 200 to the facility
100 by mail, and is inputted to the appliance 2 by the user in the facility 100. Note
10 that, the registration data and the identification data are inputted to the
management device 3 by use of the information terminal 106 but only the notification
of the setting ID may be conducted by mail.
[O 1741
15 Hereinafter, how to ensure the security of communication between the meter device 1
and the appliance 2 in the appliance management system 10 of the present
embodiment is briefly described.
Lo1751
20 For an example, the management device 3 encrypts the common key used for
communication in the first encryption manner allowing decryption by the appliance 2
only, and encrypts the common key use for communication in the second encryption
manner allowing decryption by the meter device 1 only, and issues the encrypted
common keys together with the setting data. In this case, the appliance 2 obtains
25 the common key by decrypting by itself the common key encrypted in the first
encryption manner, and additionally sends the common key encrypted in the second
encryption manner to the meter device 1. Consequently, the meter device 1 can
obtain the common key by decrypting the common key encrypted in the second
encryption manner. The common key is distributed to the meter device 1 and the
30 appliance 2 in the aforementioned manner, and therefore the security of
communication can be ensured.
P640576
The other configurations and functions are same as those of the first embodiment.
CLAIMS
1. An appliance management system, comprising:
a meter device configured to measure a predetermined physical amount;
an appliance having a predetermined function; and
a management device,
the management device being configured to, when obtaining a first identifier
allocated to the appliance and a second identifier allocated to the meter device, send
first information including the first identifier and the second identifier,
the meter device being configured to
when receiving the first information, judge whether the second
identifier included in the first information matches the second identifier allocated to
this meter device, and
when the second identifier included in the first information matches
15 the second identifier allocated to this meter device, send second information including
the first identifier included in the first information and the second identifier allocated
to this meter device, and
the appliance being configured to
when receiving the second information, judge whether the first
20 identifier included in the second information matches the first identifier allocated to
this appliance, and
when the first identifier included in the second information matches
the first identifier allocated to this appliance, perform a setting process of selecting
the meter device identified by the second identifier included in the second information
25 as a communication partner.
2. The appliance management system according to claim 1, wherein:
the appliance and the meter device each have a function of communicating in a
connection oriented protocol;
3 0 the appliance is configured to, after completion of the setting process, perform
a connection process of sending a connection request for establishing connection with
the communication partner in the connection oriented protocol;
the meter device is configured to, when receiving the connection request, send
- 51 -
a connection reply to a sender of the connection request; and
the appliance is configured to, when receiving the connection reply after
completion of the connection process, determine that connection with the
communication partner is established.
3. The appliance management system according to claim 2, wherein:
the appliance and the meter device each have a function of communicating in a
connectionless protocol; and
the meter device is configured to send the second information in the
10 connectionless protocol.
4. The appliance management system according to claim 3, wherein
the management device is configured to, when obtaining the first identifier
and the second identifier, send the first information to the meter device identified by
15 the second identifier obtained.
5. The appliance management system according to claim 4, wherein:
the appliance management system further comprises a communication
terminal configured to communicate with the management device and the meter
20 device;
the management device is configured to, when connection between the
appliance and the meter device respectively identified by the first identifier and the
second identifier included in the first information has not yet been established even
after a lapse of a predetermined time period from sending the first information, send
25 the first information to the communication terminal; and
the communication terminal is configured to, when receiving the first
information, send the first information to the meter device identified by the second
identifier included in the first information.
30 6. The appliance management system according to claim 5, wherein:
the meter device is configured to send a connection establishment signal to the
management device after sending the connection response; and
the management device is configured to, when having not yet received the
connection establishment signal even after a lapse of the predetermined time period
from sending the first information, send the first information to the communication
terminal.
5 7. The appliance management system according to claim 3, wherein:
the appliance management system further comprises a communication
terminal configured to communicate with the management device and the meter
device;
the management device is configured to, when obtaining the first identifier
10 and the second identifier, send the first information to the communication terminal;
and
the communication terminal is configured to, when receiving the first
information, send the first information to the meter device identified by the second
identifier included in the first information.
15
8. An appliance management system, comprising:
a meter device configured to measure a predetermined physical amount;
an appliance having a predetermined function; and
a management device,
20 the management device being configured to, when obtaining a first identifier
allocated to the appliance and a second identifier allocated to the meter device,
produce a setting code for identifying the meter device associated with the second
identifier based on the first identifier and the second identifier, and
the appliance being configured to, when receiving the setting code, perform a
25 setting process of selecting the meter device identified by the setting code as a
communication partner.
9. The appliance management system according to claim 8, wherein:
the appliance and the meter device each have a function of communicating in a
30 connection oriented protocol;
the appliance is configured to, after completion of the setting process, perform
a connection process of sending a connection request for establishing connection with
the communication partner in the connection oriented protocol;
the meter device is configured to, when receiving the connection request, send
a connection reply to a sender of the connection request; and
the appliance is configured to, when receiving the connection reply after
completion of the connection process, determine that connection with the
5 communication partner is established.
10. An appliance management method for establishing connection between a meter
device configured to measure a predetermined physical amount and an appliance
having a function of communicating with the meter device, the method comprising:
10 a first step of, by a management device, obtaining a first identifier allocated to
the appliance and a second identifier allocated to the meter device;
a second step of, by the management device, sending first information
including the first identifier and the second identifier;
a third step of, by the meter device, receiving the first information and judging
15 whether the second identifier included in the first information matches the second
identifier allocated to this meter device;
a fourth step of, by the meter device, sending second information including the
first identifier included in the first information and the second identifier allocated to
this meter device when the second identifier included in the first information matches
20 the second identifier allocated to this meter device;
a fifth step of, by the appliance, receiving the second information and judging
whether the first identifier included in the second information matches the first
identifier allocated to this appliance; and
a sixth step of, by the appliance, selecting the meter device identified by the
25 second identifier included in the second information as a communication partner
when the first identifier matches the first identifier allocated to this appliance.
11. The appliance management method according to claim 10, wherein
the appliance management method further comprises:
30 a seventh step of, by the appliance, sending a connection request for
establishing connection with the communication partner in a connection oriented
protocol, after the sixth step;
an eighth step of, by the meter device, receiving the connection request
and sending a connection reply to a sender of the connection request; and
a ninth step of, by the appliance, determining that connection with the
communication partner is established when receiving the connection reply.
5 12. The appliance management method according to claim 11, wherein
in the fourth step, the meter device sends the second information in a
connectionless protocol.
13. The appliance management method according to claim 12, wherein
10 in the second step, the management device sends the first information to the
meter device identified by the second identifier obtained.
14. The appliance management method according to claim 13, wherein:
the appliance management method further comprises a tenth step and an
15 eleventh step;
in the tenth step, when connection between the appliance and the meter device
respectively identified by the first identifier and the second identifier included in the
first information has not yet been established even after a lapse of a predetermined
time period from sending the first information, the management device sends the first
20 information to a communication terminal configured to communicate with the
management device and the meter device; and
in the eleventh step, when receiving the first information, the communication
terminal sends the first information to the meter device identified by the second
identifier included in the first information.
2 5
15. The appliance management method according to claim 14, wherein:
the appliance management method further comprises a twelfth step and a
thirteenth step;
in the twelfth step, the meter device sends a connection establishment signal
30 to the management device after sending the first information; and
in the thirteenth step, when having not yet received the connection
establishment signal even after a lapse of the predetermined time period from sending
the first information, the management device sends the first information to the
communication terminal.